The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-15
CREAM OF THE PRESS.
One View of the Latest Debt PROPOSE
tion-Other Opinions.
IPnlladelphia Dispatch.


The people of this country have never
been more disappointed in public man
than they are in President Harrison. HIS
whole course of life, previous 10 his election
as President: was such as to lead his conn
trvnen 10 believe that he was par excel
lence the man for the position. While IN
the United States Senate he eyinced both
courage and ability. His speeches during
the canvass, while he was candidate.
were such as to give his cOuntrymen high
hopes that his election would be for the
best interests of fhe whole country.
He has been in office now one year
and three months and we regret TO say that
his administration so far has not Justified
these hopes. The simple truth is that the
able administration of the state Depart
ment has alone saved his administration
from contempt. lie has permitted such
reckless and corrupt political pirates as
QUAY, of Pennsylvania. and Platt, Of New
York, to control the appointments IN these
states. and in both the party is divided and
distracted. He has turned his back on the
men of character and standing III the
party and allowed Quay and Platt to
dictate who shall fill positions of trust
in their States. The consequence is that IN
both States the party is threatened with de-
feat. The best men, those who give charac-
ter to the party, are arrayed against it, and
vet President Harrison gives these men his
support. In New York the party Is shat
tered and divided. The revolt against
Patt and his methods is open and wide
spread and defeat is certain, with almost
certain lOssOf United states senator. In
Pennsylvania matters are almost equally a.
bad. No party that is controlled by such
men as QUAY and Plat can hope to retain
the confidence and support OF the people.
Wisdom From Experience.
New York Times.l
1t seems that the majority in Congress is
not satisfied to take the judgment Of the
Southern Republicans as TO the need OF a
Federal election law. Some of them reason
that these men come from districts where
no law is needed-the fact that they are
i'm Congress shows that-and that they are
willing to court popularity in the south by
resisting Federal interference But while
this argument is plausible, il is hardly
more than that. The southern Republicans
are, after all, experts; that is to say, they
are residents of the south. They are Repub-
Leans. And when they say, as they do,
that in most of the districts the elections are
as free and as fair as they are anywhere in
| the country. it is assuming a serious re-
sponsibility 10 insist on the contrary and 10
pass a law taking control Of elections. For
ourselves we hardly think that such law
will be passed. The opposition to it will be-
come strongest when il takes definite shape
and members from the North are able TO see
exactly how twill work. 1t will tax the in
genuity Of the most willy Of the Republican
managers to devise a bill that will be Oper-
alive in the South and not in the North,
| but the moment that it is seen plainly TO De
operative in the North. the Northern liepub-
licans will "kick" They know too well the
| chances that any law that can be framed
will, within two or four years, be i'll the
hands of Democrats. That, If we mistake
not, is the key 30 the situation at the pre-
sent moment.