Even prior to the party's formation, many pro-silver Republicans staunchly emphasized the issue above all else. When the Federal Elections bill of 1890, legislation pursued to safeguard black voting rights, entered the floor of the Senate, the western silver Republicans voted to kill it along with Southern Democrats, hoping their stance would attract the latter to backing their economic positions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/morton-levi.htm About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> | Even prior to the party's formation, many pro-silver Republicans staunchly emphasized the issue above all else. When the Federal Elections bill of 1890, legislation pursued to safeguard black voting rights, entered the floor of the Senate, the western silver Republicans voted to kill it along with Southern Democrats, hoping their stance would attract the latter to backing their economic positions.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/about/officers-staff/vice-president/morton-levi.htm About the Vice President | Levi Parsons Morton, 22nd Vice President (1889-1893)]. ''United States Senate''. Retrieved October 3, 2021.</ref> |