New-York tribune., 1891-02-22
SECRETARY FOSTER.

President HARRISON has justified the commence
of the Republicans by selecting as the successor
of Secretary Window in the charge OF the
Treasury Department ex-governor Foster, OF
Ohio. Few men in public life owe a greater
share of their success to the personal apprecia-
tion and confidence of those who have known
them personally than Ex-Governor Foster. Now
sixty-two years of age he had been slngularly
successful as a merchant and manufacturer ana
had devoted many years to active business bc-
fore he was drawn into political life by the warm
regard of friends, who caused his nomination
for Congress in 1870 in strongly Democrauo
district. Victorious then, and in the three Con-
gressional elections following, in district which
constantly voted heavy Democratic majorities, he
gave proof of remarkable personal popularity
which is due to public appreciation of his ad-
mirable traits of character. As member OF the
Committee of Ways and Means he was most
useful Representative, and his courage and con-
scentious fidelity were shown in his joining with
the Hon. w. W. Phelps in the minority report
on the Louisiana question. lie had the credl'
of arranging the adjustment in 1877 by which
Southern men were induced TO assent to the
Inauguration of President Hayes, upon assur-
anccs that the State governments preferred oy
the white Democrats in Louisiana and SOuth
Carolina would be recognized, and in this, as IN
other matters his conscientious uprightneSS OF
character has been recognized even by those
who differed from him most widely. lie was
elected Governor of Ohio in 1879 by 1',12S
plurality, and filed that office with distinction
Geographically, this, selection of Secretary
of the Treasury is fortunate. Ohio stands md
way between the fanahcism of the silver-pro-
ducing States and the conservatism Of the Last.
But Mr. Foster has not been a halfway man IN
finance or anything else, and has proved him
self thoroughly sound on monetary and economic
questions. A warm friend and supporter of ex-
Secretary Sherman in the long struggle which
ended in specie resumption, he can be relied upon
10 uphold the credit and guard the prosperity
of the Nation, and it need not he added that he
has obviously been selected because entirely in
accord with President Harrison regarding the
silver question and the tariff But coming from
an interior and agricultural State, himself
farmer as well as business man, Mr.. Foster
NAV be able to exert strong and wholesome IN
huence in favor of sound finance With most
Republicans. it may be presumed, he is anxious
10 see silver restored TO actual monetary use as
far as possible but he will not be found giving
any countenance to the attempted debasement
of the National currency by unlimited issue OF
paper redeemable in silver only, or by unlimited
coinage of silver. As an earnest defender OF
the new tariff and Of the Republican monetary
policy adopted at the last session of Congress, he
ran as candidate for Representative at the cleo
ton last fall in a strong Democratic district, and
again manifested his old-time personal popular
! ity.
| Mr.. Foster brings to the Treasury Department
extensive business experience, long study OF pub
lie finances as member Of the Ways and Means
Committee and proved executive ability, and
| will doubtless be to the President valuable
helper and wise adviser. In making such a
! selection the President has given tho country
additional proof that he means to have a thor
oughly clean, honest and splendidy capable
| Administration, and the admirable work done
under his direction in other departments, and
hitherto in the Treasury Department by Sccrc-
tary Window, will doubtless be so continued
by Secretary Foster that the country will Warm
y appreciate President IlarrisonS judgment.