The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-07
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1890.


HARRISON AND TiIE y. y. Ikih' Ne
One Of the most amusing features Of the
recent history Of politics has been the
labored enthusiasm with which the leading
organs Of the Republican party have sur
zeycd the events Of the first year OF fresi-
dent Harrison's term. Few Republican
newspapers have shown prudence enough
IN avoid the subject as covering ground
upon which it was rather dangerous 10
tread in She light Of she popular disapproyal
81 The administration. Those which have
spoken AT length have done so in a spirit
that could only have its origin in the warm
est partisanship. or in strong hops Of Of
fcial advancement,
In all the various comments that we have
seen. there has lurked a suspicion not
only OF Democratic ridicule, but CON
eciousness Of the essential barrenness
Of the topic perfunctorily discussed.
The New York Tribune alone has ex-
pressed itself with reference TO the first
wear Of President Harrison's administra-
zion, in such terms Of commentator as bear
every evidence Of the most unaffected sim
cerity, but if the Republican party had seen
III 10 elevate 20 the Chief Magistracy OF the
United states. some man who combined IN
his moral and intellectual disposition all
the evil qualities Of all the worst men who
have appeared in the world, the Tribune
would not hesitate TO give its endorsement
20 his official acts, however opposed to JUS
fice and righteousness.
After pointing out that our Presidents are
not called upon 10 play dramatic parts, not
being kings. or emperors, or lawgiyers, or
conquering heroes, itdeclares that the work
Of President Harrison has sin some respects
been Brilliant" probably it may be re-
marked. parenthetcally, on the principle OF
luc,,s non lucendo, or at the best, in the
meaning Of the expression mastery mac
fiyity"); "in all respects IL has been good
and wholesome, and in no respect can It be
Justly assailed as harmful or Inefficient
But it is in the light Of the contrast between
the present administration and that Of Mr..
Cleveland, that the true merits Of the
former come out with the most striking
effect in the opinion Of the Tribune.
The situation when Mr.. Harrison took
Office, il declares, was cloudy. group
Of INEXPERIENCED statesmen had been in
charge Of affairs for four years with results
that were the natural fruit Of timidity and
incompetence. Their enc object WAS TO in
troduce a revenue and Industrial system
based upon free trade, and 20 that every
thing else was subOrdinated. our interest
in the Northern fisheries was blindly sacri-
iced. Weakness and folly carried us almost
10 the verge Of war with Germany. Desir-
ing to:buid up a new navy, the Cleveland
Administration began by repudiating con-
tracts and by destroying the country's
largest bodybuilding industry. The reye-
nue. laws were so applied as 20 put pre-
MUM upon dishonest importation. Millions
of money that should have been appropri-
ated to the reduction Of the public debt
were handed out to favored banks,
that they might make fortunes at
the public expense. Rank demorali-
zation took hold Of the postofice
rNNtrin. American 0tDAhhoni' iAHto 't''i
ing the mails 10 foreign countries were un-
Justly and absurdly Disseminated against,
and a fortune in public money was spent
10 break them down and TO build up foreign
carriers. And all the while the Civil SER
vice wac being filed up with incompetent
persons and prostituted to political ends
Having given this gloomy summary OF the
history of the Cleveland administration, the
Tribune proceeds TO dwell upon the charac-
Ter Of Harrison in terms highly eulogistic but
necessarily somewhat vague: president
Harrison. though he has been in Office only
twelve months, has made Il possible to draw
"A gratifying contrast 10 this picture of NAL
administration. lie is eminently pract-
cal man, candid, direct, resolute and sin
cere. lie did not need to spend half his
term making the acquaintance of public
men and public affairs, and the other half
Nainly trying 20 undo his earlier mistakes.
lie understood the country and all It's sec
tional interests. lie surrounded himself
with able advisers, men Of reputation and
experience, each admirably fitted by train
ing and taste for his particular work. The
result has been a harmonious, active admin
istration, sure Of what il needed 70 do and
OF how il needed 10 be done.'