New-York tribune., 1881-10-28
SECRETARY FOLGER.

President Arthur has overcome the difficulty
as to the Treasury Department. The difficulty
was not of his own making. and, but for his
strong desire that Governor Morgan should
accent, it might have been overcome some
time ago. On the whole, he has filed
the place very satisfactorily. Judge Folger Is
not unfamiliar with the methods and duties Of
the Office, and his reputation among business
men, formed 10y faithful service as Assistant
Treasurer here, is entirely to his credit. The
appointment is received with satisfaction by
conservative and substantial men, because they
feel assured that the Office viii be administered
with intelligence, fidelity and prudence People
who have speculative interests to serve do not
find anything in the record of Judge Folger to
warrant belief that he win use his Office to
foster speculation, but 1t is not to his discredit
that he is dstrusted in that quarter, as a man
likely to be too rigid, careful and scrupulOus
in his administration OF the laws for the CON
venience of operators. The principal com
plant is that Secretary FOlger will not think
it part of his duty TO "come to the relief Of
the Street, at any time when speculation has
exhausted all available resources. Possibly
this may he true; certainly a fear that it is
true will have a wholesome effect in checking
excessive financial expansions.
In respect to broader questions of financial
administration, Judge FOlger has had little
recent opportunity to express his opinions, and
not much is known of his views. That he be-
lieves in sound currency and fully appre-
ciates the importance of maintaining the high
credit Of the Nation, need not be doubted
But there is room for wide differences of
bo IN tIig
in regard to the currency, the banking
system, the coinage of silver and the best
mode of using the surplus revenue. Upon
these practical questions, the earliest expOsi
ton of Secretary FOlger's opinions will be
awaited with much interest by business men
and bankers. But he will undoubtedly ap-
prOach these questions with a desire TO main
tain and carry forward the splendid record of
the Republican party in financial administra-
ton, and with determination to be guided in
their solution by the sound principles of that
party.
Politically, the selection of Judge FOlger is
not entirely unlike that of Governor Morgan.
Indeed, it has been said that Governor Morgan
himself at an early day, suggested the name of
Mr.. Folger, and it is certain that he was not
urged or favored by ex-senator COnkling and
a portion of his friends when President Gar
field was considering the formation of a
Cabinet. But he has not been active
or conspicuous as dissenting from the
course of the ex-senator, and fairly rep
resents the Republican party of NewYork
rather than any fraction or faction of it. The
President may with reason expect that his in
tentions shall be judged by the two selections
which he has made for the most important
post in his Cabinet. 1t may be fairly inferred
that he desires TO make the party harmonious
and strong; that he wishes to unite and COM
pact it; and that he means to be the Presi
dent OF the whole people, and not the mere
representative or agent of any faction. I'm
less he should give evidence of a different
purpose, the country will gladly. uphold and
encourage him. He has taken no step thus
far at which even the most ardent friends of
the late President can take offence and it is
due to him to say that public opinion has been
favorably impressed by the moderation and
dignity of his course.