It has been practically agreed by both parties in the
United States to leave the settlement of the currency "platform " to the Conventions which next year will draw up the programmes to be maintained by the two parties at the Presidential election. The managers, it appears, are frightened. They thought at first that the Republicans would be able to support silver, while the Democrats, fol- lowing Mr. Cleveland's lead, would declare for gold ; but they find that the parties are so divided, that if a definite currency plan were adopted on either side, the cross- voting would shatter both organisations to pieces. It is quite possible, therefore, that currency will be left an open question, or that both Democrats and Republicans will pronounce for the maintenance of "parity" without deciding how "parity" is to be maintained. Of course, indefiniteness means the continuance of monometallism with gold as the only standard, every contract, while the standard is un- fixed, containing a clause that the sums mentioned within it are to be paid or received in gold coin. The capitalists and the "Silver Kings" are both expected to subscribe large: sums towards the election ; but that will be of little use if the managers continue as at present to dread popular emotion. The advocates of gold for standard and silver for token money prove to be unexpectedly numerous, the South in particular adhering, though with exceptions, to that doctrine.
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