The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-02-04
Quay PUTS REPUBLICANS IN HOLE.
Tide of Popular Opinion is Ris-
ing in Favor of Demo-
cratic Principles.

cratic Principles.
Washington, Feb. president
Roosevelt's message to Congress, trans
mitted last week, constitutes a most
remarkable recognition of some of the
monetary theories advanced by Mr..
Bryan Accompanying the President $
communication were notes received
from Mexico and China requesting the
United States to join with them in an
| international movement to establish a
standard for silver, the depreciation
and huctuation Of which was causing
untold loss to the countries named and
to the Philippines and French and
British colonies. In view of the fact
that demonetization has resulted IN so
serious depreciation of silver, it is
suggested that the ratio now be fixed
at 80 to l. The President requests
that he be empowered to take the steps
suggested. He has also requested that
Congress authorize the appointment
of three commissioners to meet with
commissioners from the countries
named and an effort will be made to
enlist the cooperation of Great Britain
and France.
Addressing himself to the subject Of
the proposed plan, a leading member
of the Senate, and one who has most
vigorously opposed every theory ad-
vanced by Mr.. Bryan, said to your
correspondent. "On its surface the
plan appeals to me. If we were to
insist on a gold basis in the Philip
pines and it were to become necessary
for all the silver using countries to
follow suit, it would certainly prove a
severe strain on the gold supply of the
world and would probably result in an
appreciation of our own currency
Of course, this is not a scheme for a
silver standard but for gold standard
with practical bimetalism. The gold
would be the yard stick by which the
silver would be measured. The in
creased and steady demand for silver
would probably prevent further depre-
citation of the value of that metal
which is seriously affecting all silver
using and producing countries. AS
great producers of silver we are of
course vitally interested in anything
which can be done for silver. 1 hope
and believe that the scheme will be
found practicable and that all the sill
ver-using countries and all countries
having silver using colonies will agree
on establishing the value Of silver on
basis of 80 to IL
By sirgularly clever tactics Senator
Quay has placed the republican sena-
tors who are opposed to Statehood IN
most difficult position. He has secured
the attachment of the Omnibus State
hood bill to the Agricultural appro-
priation bill and predicts its similar
attachment to the sundry civil and the
Postofhce appropriation bills. The
administration senators have already
countenanced the attachment Of the
General staff bill to the Military APP
preparation bill and have thus estab-
lished at this session Of Congress, a
precedent along similar lines. Having
accomplished this, Mr.. Quay has an
nounced that be will not further press
the Statehood bill on the floor of the
Senate and thus the republicans are
afforded an opportunity Of demon
strating the sincerity of their desire
to enact antitrust legislation.
When the agricultural appropriation
bill comes up for passage a point Of
order will be doubtless raised. Mr..
Quay will cite numerous precedents
for his action and if the question is
permitted to come to vote the State
hood majority will decide in his favor.
The only remaining hope of the re-
publicans in preventing the. passage
of the Statehood bill lies in their
ability to talk on the point of order
alluded to until the end of the session.
As this would defeat regular appro
priation bills it would necessitate an
extra session of Congress. The re-
publicans declare their intention Of
taking that step if they cannot other
wise block the Statehood campaign,
but the pro- Statehood senators declare
they are blufhng and a compromise is
in the air.
Not since 1897 has there been such
hope of recapturing popular favor
among the democrats as there is to-
day. Present indications are that the
republicans in Congress will fail, in
every instance, to carry out the will
of the people. No effective antitrust
legislation will be passed. The Cuban
treaty will be left unratifed, and
every other really important measure
will in the judgment of the democratic
leaders, be left undone. Under these
circumstances, is it naturally argued
by the democrats that the people will
turn to them. The President is rapid
ly losing his popularity all over the
L.. l..
party are contributing to that end. In
the south he has made blunder after
blunder in his dealings with the henegroes,
and it is doubtful if he would carry
his own state today, as he has lost the
confidence of the business interests of
the country. The democrats in Wash
ington are jubilant and say that with
strong nominee they are certain to
win in 1904. The name of Judge AL
ton B. Parker of New York and Sena-
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