New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-04
MR. FAIRCHILUS PROSPERITY

1t was predicted, before Mr.. Cleveland was
elected, that if the Democratic party should sue
coed the country would witness another desper-
ate attempt to create fictitious prosperity by is
sues of moro money, and especially of more sill
yer, and at the same time would witness an at
tempt to break down the tariff. Not many now
care to remember how Indignantly these fore
casts were contradicted. 1t was said that Mr..
Cleveland believed in sound currency, would
resist every form of initiation, and would es-
peoially prevent silver initiation. It was said
also that he was good protectionist, that his
party would not dare to court defeat in Eastern
States by meddling with the tariff. and that if
he desired, he would be poweress, because he
had pledged himself never to use the appoint
ing power for any personal or partisan end.
These were the promises What of the per-
Torrance? There has been an enormous ex-
pansion of the currency, and especially of silver
notes issued. The amount of silver coin in cir
culation has increased $4,000, 900, and the
amount of silver certificates from Sill 3,0OO,-
600 to ST. 81, 100000. The circulation Of gold
certificates has also increased from $38, 900, 900
to 500, 600, 900. 1t is not Just now to the
point to discuss whether this has been wise or
unwise. The fact is that there has been an
enormous expansion of the currency under a
President who was represented as favoring
sound currency, and particularly as hostile TO
silver initiation. II is equally true that prom
Uses regarding the tariff have been so completely
djsreearded that it is hard to make some good
Democrats remember that they ever were made
The Administration is completely committed to
the most radical free trade theories. It's utter
ances are hailed with Joy in Great Britain,
while they close many American mills En-
thusiastic support from foreign importers and
agents and European capitalists it certainly has
secured. At the same time the Presidents
friends argue that the country will sustain him.
because even in New York his party has been
victorious on a Free-Trade platform.
As to the means employed. the change has
been equally remarkable. Patronage has been
used for some years past without any pretence
that Il was not employed for partisan ends
The Democrats know that it has been used to
bit and bride the Democratic party, so that Mr.
Grover Cleveland can ride it at pleasure 1t
is notorious that patronage is used to force
Tariff bill through Congress, and TO overcome
the reluctance of members whose constituents
do not forget their pledges. II this abuse of
power and patronage does not kindle ndigna-
ton, 1t is because every intelligent and reason
able man sees that he should have expected
nothing else, and that vote to intrust power
to the Democratic party was vote practi-
cally to abolish Civil Service reform and to
restore the methods of james Buchanan.
So far we have advanced, and the attempt TO
create prosperity by expanding circulation is
now the absorbing topic in speculative circles.
Nobody. of either party, questions that the Ad-
mfnistration will do everything it can to make
things "boomn until November. whatever may