The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-15
THE STRAIGHT GOLD ISSUE.
Washington Post.

THE STRAIGHT GOLD ISSUE.
Washington Post
THE republican party should, In my opin-
ion, make the fight next year upon a bold
straightforward, unequivocal declaration
for the single gold standard"
This positive statement. made to a re-
porter of the Post yesterday afternoon by
Hon. Lyman J. Gage. president McKinley's
secretary Of the treasury, is significant
following, as it does, the authoritative an
nouncement in the Post that the republican
caucus committee bill contains provision
incorporating the single gold standard into
law In fact, the publication in the Post
OF this important feature of the proposed
measure has attracted widespread atten-
ton, and was yesterday the general sub
! ject of comment among politicians in both
parties. 1t is known that other members
| of the cabinet agree with Secretary Gage s
position. Postmaster General Smith, for
/ instance is understood to be heartily in
favor of frank and decided gold stand
ard assertion by his party in the next Ma
! tional convention.
Other republicans eeen by tho Sost yes
all equivocation should be discarded and
the issue made plain and direct. Repre-
sentative JOY, who, as a Western member,
is fully acquainted with the sentiment
of his section, said yesterday that he was
most emphatically in favor of the strong
est gold standard plank which could be put
in the platform. II am in favor of it,"
he said. because 1t is certainly the right
thing to do, and, besides, it will help the
republican party in st. Louis, My judg-
ment also is that 1t will be beneficial to
US throughout the entire State of Mis-
souri," In fact, the republicans of the
Chandler stripe, who believe that the
adoption of the single gold standard into
the political platform and law is danger
GUS mistake, are not very numerous. When
the National convention meets next spring
the delegates from the Eastern gold States
VIII need only a few recruits from the
West and Northwest to give them major
ity of the convention, and it is already
practically certain that these votes will
be secured. There will be no doubt about
it. if the administration continues in its
present position of favoring a straghtfor-
ward declaration, without any SOD in the
direction Of bimetallism
~ 4
The democrats, on their part, view the
apparent pleasure. If the republicans
make no secret of their purpose to fasten
the gold standard upon the country"
SAID Senator Daniel of Virginia yesterday,
their action will undoubtedly operate to
the advantage of the silver democrats.
1t VIII bring the financial question to the
'front.' and will show the people exactly
wnat they may expect under republican
rule. This opinion was concurred in
by his colleague, Senator Martin, and
by congressman Swanson and Hay of Vir-
slnla, both of whom were in the city yes
terday. My judgment is said Mr. Hay
that the republicans will make the cleo
ton OF democratic president all the
easier If they declare for the single gold
standard. | can not speak for any State
except my own, but l know tIat in vir-
glnla such declaration will be the last
nan In the republican coffin. Virginia |
democrats are for Bryan and silver and
the Virginia farmers who are republicans
VIII become democrats when they learn |
that their party is against silver entirely"
congressman swanson spoke in the same |
strain THE republicans never save been |
sincere in their talk about bimetallism."
ne SAID, and the action of the conference |
at Atlantic City proves their insincerity.
If the republicans try to fasten the gold |
standard upon the country, they will GER
talnly help the democrats"
~
Senator Bacon of Georgia, speaking OF
the outlook, said: II think that If the
republicans carry out the wish of some
Of their party and make a clean-cut. UNI
reserved declaration in favor of the per-
manent maintenance of the gold stand
ard, they will present the democ rs with
sharp issue, and that the financial Dues
lion VIII become much more prominent
han 1t would otherwise be. ! don't be-
leve however, that they will do it. They
VIII be too sharp to do So A great many
people will take a hook when 1t ish,on-
'ealed by bait, even when they know
he bait is there, who will not take the
naked hook. The republicans, therefore.
n my opinion, will proceed to catch votes
With the bait OF bimetallism, and Will I
lot give the people the naked hook of t
,old standard"
Representatives Livingston and Bartlett Il
Il Georgia also agree that the proposed ac- 8
ion OF the republicans, If carried into eff j
ect, will operate to the material ADVANTAGE /
Il tho democrats. THE question:" said !
udge Bartlett, will never be settled. in
ny opinion. until 1t is fought upon the
quare ISSUE" :.