The sudden death Of Mr. Windom, the American Chancellor of
the Exchequer, who dropped dead from heart-disease at a Board of Trade dinner on Thursday, may have an important -effect on silver legislation. Mr. Windom had convinced him- self either that an increase to the currency was required, or that the Western Republicans would revolt if it were not granted. His proposals to Congress were all in that direction, -and it is probably his influence which has made General Harri- son hesitate to threaten a veto on Free CJinage Bills. The Pre- sident was supposed to be resolute, but he has now positively refused to make any promise of the kind. Mr. Windom's successor may be much more opposed to further silver legisla- tion, especially as the commercial classes are so strongly averse to it. Those classes, however, do not rule the Union now; and it must not be forgotten that large numbers of Representatives are politically "dead men," already super- seded by rivals, and therefore anxious to make hay during their short remaining sunlight. Cynical Americans say there is a good deal of hay in the stores of the silver potentates.
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