The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-11-12
HARRISON WILL SELECT HIS ADVISERS
Amateur Cabinet Makers Likely to
be Disappointed.
Matters Which the Next Congress
will Have to Consider.
Tariff Revision and tho Admission Of
New States.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-Probably General
Harrison will have more or less to say about
the composition Of his cabinet, and as he has
not yet had time to give to that matter the
gossip and speculation which assign this or
that prominent and deserving Republican
leader to that or the other cabnent portefolo
may be trihe premature; the President
elect will have nearly four months in which
to canvass the field, listen to suggestions and
advice more or less disinterested, and care
fully weigh the merits and qualifications of
the party leaders. General Harrison's
friends know that he is a man Of great firm
ness and decision of character, although he
acks that sort Of obstinancy which springs
from ignorance Of public men and events,
and during the campaign he has shown re-
markable self-poise and surprising keenness
Of vision in political sense. 1t is fair to
assume, therefore, that he will have great
deal to say about the composition of his
cabinet, and when he has performed his duty
in that regard 1t is probable that large
number OF active amateur and volunteer cab
met makers will be disappointed
There Is no reason to expect that he will
come into Office bearing policy" to be en-
forced upon Congress in opposition to the
views Of his party, as seme of the friends of
the retiring administration already seem to
hope, II not to expect.
Speaking Of some of the salient public
questions which will invite the attention of
| the incoming President and Congress, that
venerable and acute political observer, Ed
ward Mcpherson, today Said
"Well. / assume that the Republican party
| through its executive and majority in Con-
| gress, will redeem its pledges in the future
| as Il has in the past. The party stands COM
mitted to revision of the revenue laws and
Il q raduaffOu of 20 Nh ~ a..
issue upon which the battle was fought, and
i our great victory won"
''Do you think it probable that President
Harrison will call special session of the
| next Congress In case no revenue legislation
| Is enacted next winterY
| mo one can foretell what emergency
| might arise to make a special session
| necessary, but II Is certain that none will be
called unless absolutely necessary. The
| question Of the surplus does not seem to be
so pressing now as it appeared to be to Pres
ident Cleveland when he sent that scare
message to Congress eleven months ago. The
administration seems to have made away
with the bulk Of the surplus by means OF
liberal, not to say extravagant, expenditures
and by placing big percentage OF it on de-
posit, so that 1t could not be suddenly with
drawn without producing disastrous none
tary disturbance. The new administration
will not be likely to ignore the fact that the
surplus revenues can be. proftably used to
II
fact that within less than three years more
| than S200. 900 of the interest-bearing debt
will be due and payable at par. There will
be no urgent reason so far as financial legis.
lati0n Is concerned why Congress should
assemble before December, 1889.
1T Is true, however, that speedy measures
| should be taken to remedy defects In the
tariff law which operate to the serious detri-
ment OF certain domestic industries such, for
| example, as woolen and silk manufactures.
4 SOmQthiDQ NAV ba 60na bu a of
| eral treasury decisions Of the present free
trade Administration, but a full measure OF
relief will require legislative interposition.
IL the present House were both wise and
patriotic, that relief might be found in a
short specific measure, leaving the broader
| questions OF revision and readjustment to be
dealt with hereafter. Sucn a measure, / be-
| lieve, President Cleveland would not dare to
veto; But | confess that have no hope thai
the free traders who rule the House win con.
sent to act with wisdom or patriotism in that
behalf. They arc too badly disappointed
angry under the stinging rebuke which they
| have received"
"What other public measures besides rev
enue legislation will be likely to have
prominent place 10 the first half of Presiden
HarrisOn's term?"
"Oh, there are several. One Is the admis-
sion into the Union OF territories which
have been kept out by the Democrats for
partisan reasons. That party's treatment OF
the people of Dakota and Washington has
been outrageous. Dakota will make two
states, either one of which will at once rank
in population, wealth and intelligence with
some Of the older states and be in advance oI
at least one state which is now represented
In the Ways and Means committee of the
House of Representatives. Two years ago
Dakota cast 90,064 votes to elect a delegate tC
Congress, who is not allowed to vote in that
body. In Arkansas, which has five votes in
the House of Representatives and one vote
in the Ways and Means commit.
tee, only 44,514 votes were cast
for Congressman. In Georgia, which
has ten votes in the House and one in the
ways and means committee, only q 453 votes
were east for Congressman. In the thirty
three counties which compose what Is styled
North Dakota 5000 votes were cast, $500
more than in Georgia and only 5000 less thar
In Arkansas, while in the forty-seven coun.
ties composing South Dakota the total vote
waf 63,040, nearly 10000 more than In Arkan
sas and $1,000 more than in Georgia. In
Washington Territory the total vote exceed
ed 1900. As chairman Of the committee OF
Territories of the Senate General II ,rrisoI
became thoroughly informed in regard to tn,
merits of the claims of Washington an,
Dakota for admission into the Union, and
think it very probable that among the mosi
earnest recommendations in his first mes
sage to Congress will be one in their behalf.