Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-11
Interest Already Being Taken by
the Politicians.
LEADERS AND ISSUES DRAWN
Why Many Republicans Desire
Gold STANDARD Law.
NO PLEDGE VIOLATED D

Old politicians remark upon the keen in
terest manifested at this time in the polit-
ical situation with respect to the presiden-
tial campaign. 1t is subject of comment
that now, more than a year in advance of
the campaign, issues in both parties seem
to be shaping so definitely and the lines of
the coming battle SO clearly drawn.
More than this, the direction of political
events appears to be fixing the probable
presidential candidates. Few republicans
see any other candidate in their field than
Mr.. Mckinley. Many democrats believe
that the logical sequence of portendng
events assures the nomination of Mr..
Bryan.
Republicans are eagerly discussing a
question which now appears to be upper
most in their political caiculations-the
wisdom of formally enacting into law the
gold standard. Surely and steadily the
drift of opinion among the leaders is in
the direction of an affirmative answer.
At the same time due consideration is be-
ing given the other side of the question 1t
is not being passed over lightly. 1t is.
however, being outweighed in the balance
by the opposing judgment of the leaders.
Protection to Financial and Vested
Interests.
Aside from the mere political advantage
which the republicans believe they will gain
from espousing the cause of the gold stand
ard in battle against free silver is an
other consideration. 1t is the protection to
the financial and vested interests of the
country which such enactment would af-
ford and which the republicans believe it
is their duty 10 give.
1t is pointed out by republicans of promi-
nence who discuss this subject, that all
contingencies should be provided against.
Suppose, they say, that Mr.. Bryan should
be elected, most remote contingency in
their minds; but nothing is impossible in
American politics. With the republicans in
control of the Senate for several years TO
come, free coinage law could not be
passed. But a Bryanite Secretary of the
Treasury in the absence of law to the
contrary could redeem coin certificates in
silver. The result, from the republican
standpoint. would be disastrous to the
country. Therefore, it might be wise to
provide in the new currency bill against
such possibility.
The political advantage which the repub
licans expect to derive from an explicit
declaration for the gold standard, as has
been pointed out heretofore, would come
from the ensuing surety that Mr.. Bryan
would be the democratic candidate. The
republican leaders want him to head the
opposing forces on his old platform.
Effect of an Eastern Candidate.
There is no denying the fact that the re-
publicans would view with uneasiness the
candidacy of an eastern man, say Mr.. Cor
man. They feel that the platform upon
which ne would stand would be modfica-
ton of the Chicago platform, SO skillfully
and sophisticaIly modified as possibly to
promise the adherence of a large proper
ton Of the silver wing of the party while
unifying the forces in the east. They can
not contemplate with equanimity even the
possibility of such a reunion Of democracy.
1t would necesstate a repetition of the
nf nd he tlif.ly
not looking for a renewal of that notable
effort.
Republicans in discussing the proposition
to formally enact into law the gold stand
ard repel the intimation that such action
would be q reversal of the position assum-
ed by the party in the national platform of
1896. On the contrary, they say, it would
but be emphasizing their attitude.
We are therefore," said the financial
plank of that platform, opposed to the
free coinage of silver except by internal
tional agreement with the leading COM
mercial nations of the world, which
pledge ourselves to promote, and until
such agreement can be obtained the eX
listing gold standard must be preserved
where il the Departure:
There was declaration by the party, it
is pointed out, that the gold standard ex-
lists and is in practice. If it is necessary,
they ask to put that declaration into the
law as we'll as the platform, where is the
departure?
Another section of that platform declar-
ed I'VE are unalterably opposed to every
measure calculated to debase our currency
or impair the credit of our country 1t is
argued that Cnacting the gold standard
would be but cline hing this proposition and
making il effective in law.
Republican leaders say that enactment
of the gold standard need not be construed
as formal abandonment by the party or
the principle of bimetalliSm enunciated in
the platform. 1t was made contingent
upon the participation of the nations of
the globe. and could be put into operation
by a change of the law at any time an
agreement could be reached.