The age-herald., 1900-02-09
DAILY GOSSIP FROM
 NATIONAL CAPITAL
BY ALBERT HALsrFAo.

BY ALBERT HALSTFAD.
 Washington, February S.-(special J. ''That the provisions of this act are not intended to place any obstacle in the way of the accomplishment of International b3metalism, provided the same may be re- eelyed by concurrent action of the leading commercial nations of the world, and al a ratio which shall insure permanenee of relative value between gold and silver"
 The above is the language of an addf- tional section to the gold financial bill that is now under consideration in the senate. It was added by the republican majority of the senate finance committee Tuesday. This amendment has caused considerable surprise and net little sarcastic com ment on both sides of the senate. To add such provision to a bill that specifically provides for the gold standard and makes for a refunding of outstanding coin bonds, save those of 1895, sayors too much of po- lftical hypocrisy to satisfy people who are not "diplomatists or practical politicians"
 To be sure the amendment Is entirely in line with the republican financial plank of 1S96 but since that time effort was unsuccessfully made to secure internaton- al bimetalism and the republican party then came out straightforward for the ab- solute gold standard. To come back to bimetalism, even in such a mild form as the amendment, looks too much like a backward step to be satisfactory. It is simply sharp piece of politics and intend- ed to aid some western republican sena- tors who are candidates for reelection, notably, Wolcott of Colorado, Shoup of Idaho, Carter of Montana and Warren of Idaho.
 One republican senator, a very practical politician, frankly admitted that i've are getting something for nothing" which be- ing interpreted means that in return for an international bimetallic declaration it is hoped to secure western votes. Senator Allen, populist, aptly characterized the amendment as "an attempt to deceive and mislead the people, but" he added, Tit will not do so.'
 Senator Morgan of Alabama, said: '"That amendment is throwing a tub to a whale" Another view to the amendment is that it will embarrass the democrats who have been earnestly demanding free coinage by compelling them to vote against proposi- dion not unfriendly to silver. It is difficult.
 
 trouble with the amendment is not that it is not in line with republican doctrine, that of 1896, but it is entirely too much like bunco game, and as Senator Stewart, who has cried out for years for free silver says: "It is trifling with a great question"
 The action of the finance committee does not meet with favor on the republican side. Of course the practical politicians will maintain it is good politics, but such senators as Hawley of Connecticut, Me- Bride of Oregon and Gallinger of New Hampshire express their disapproval of it and purpose to vote against it when an opportunity is offered. It Is expected that some of them will speak against it. as we'll
 On the house side, most republicans con- ment in a dissatisfied way about the sen- ate's shiftiness and impractical work. There is feeling on the house side and among some republican senators that the amend ment will work serious harm, by encourag- ing silver democrats in their advocacy of the white metal by showing that such financlers as Aldrich, of Rhode Island, and Platt of Connecticut, are afraid of silver and do not dare to be frank for gold. It is asserted that while the amendment may do some little good in the west, and that is seriously doubted, it will hurt the cause of gold fin the east and disgust the gold dem ocrats who stood so strongly against free silver in 1896. It would seem as if the sil- yer democrats really have much to congrat ulate themselves upon in this exhibition of republican weakness on the financial ques- ton.