The chances of an experiment in the free coinage of
silver have probably increased during the week. The American Chambers of Commerce and experienced financiers are, it is true, protesting against the measure, and General Harrison is supposed to have reverted to his original intention of vetoing any such Bill ; but Mr. Cleveland has given the Republican majority in Congress a new motive for concession. He has written a letter in which he states an unqualified belief that "the measures pending in Congress for the unlimited coinage of silver " may involve the " greatest perils." Free coinage be declares to be " a reckless and dangerous experiment." The effect of this determined language will be to inspire the Republicans with hope that, if they pass the Bill, they may obtain the support not only of the Democrat friends of silver, but of the large population in the West, which expects relief at once from debts and low prices through a great inflation of the currency. The farmers are so irritated by a poverty really due to Protection, that they are determined to "make more money," if necessary by issuing paper, but at first by legalising silver as equivalent to a sixteenth of its weight in gold.. All the Farmers' Alliances are at one about this, and it may be doubted if they will hear reason.
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