The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-07
Loyal to One Another.


1t is touching to see how the mining
members OF the United States senate,
most of whom are credited with large
wealth and all of whom are ardent ad-
vocates of the free coinage of silver
stand together on all questions affect
ing the personal interests of each other
or of men of like pursuits and political
affiliations. When the proposition was
before the senate, in connection with
the Alaskan code bill, to permit indi-
viduals to test In the courts the rights
of aliens to locate mineral claims, II
would have had serious effect upon
the pecuniary interests of millionaire
mining man, Lane, the chairman of the
Republicans, as he was the purchaser
of the miniSy claims located by aliens
in express violation of law. The free
silver mining senators promptly came to
his relief. and made it at once apparent
that they proposed to prolong the de-
bate indefinitely and thus prevent any
action whatever upon the Alaskan code
at the present session of congress I'M
less the provision for the benefit of
American miners was eliminated.
This was not an empty threat. Sena-
tors are only too well aware. by long
and painful experience In this direction,
of the capacity of some OF these same
free silver men, notably the venerable
nable and dreary speeches upon the
few of the senators who are unable TO
escape to the cloak room. The deadly
threat that he would discuss the Carter
amendment to the full limit OF his pow
ers OF endurance was understood to its
fullest extent. and TO permit the nee
essary legislation for the benefit OF
Alaska to pass at all II became neces-
sary to eliminate the provision to which
Stewart and his other free silver col
leagues objected. and the pecuniary In
tcrests Of Free Silver Leader Lane are
thus protected at the expense Of Amer
lean prospectors and miners OF the Cape
Nome country.
The Clark case II Is apparent. VIII
afford another illustration Of the 10y
atty OF these free silver mining men TO
each other. There Is already a r7lmor
that the Weather free silver senators
from the mining states are determined
90 delay and If possible 20 prevent any
action upon the Clark case during the
present session OF congress. Senator
Stewart has taken the lead in the mat
ter He announced that II any attempt
was made to press II 10 an early vote
he would insist on the whole volumi-
nous mass Of testimony being read in
nent. the senators. who have had the
whole testimony in printed form before
them for some days. have no, had any
opportunity 20 know upon what facts
the committee based their decision. al.
though AL the other citizens OF the
United states who read the daily news
papers are fully aware OF these facts.
and ~ per cent OF them warmly agree
with the unanimous conclusion Of the
committee that the senator should be
excluded from his purchased seat. Sen
/ ator Stewards sole desire in the matter
{ is % delay action and possibly 20 de-
I feat It. He WIN endeavor 10 have con-
slderation Of the case postponed as long
+ "a possible, and then he may be able TO
deoste the matter urtA final adjourn
ment. Performances like these by men
I known especially as representa- ves OF
the silver mining interest reflect dis
/ creditably upon them and suggest the
provero about birds OF a feather.
The Puerto Rico trouble has blown
over and nothing more Will be heard os