River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-03-19
MANY TOPICS REVIEWED.


An Interesting Talk with President Har-
rison-Opintons the Election Bill, Aid
TO shipping. the New Navy, Tarin Legis-
lation, Reciprocity and Finance.
NEW YORK, March IA New York
paper prints under Washington date
a three-column interview with Presi-
dent Harrison, in which the work of
the administration and congress- is re-
viewed and the principal politi-
cal topics uppermost IN the pub
lie mind are discussed 1t says that
President Harrison enters on the last
half of his term with great confidence
in the success of the republican party.
The president was first asked what
he thought of the work of the Fifty
first congress. He said:
In many ways it has been most remark
able congress Its work has been Of the most
important character. The resu { is one that
will stand well in history, and one which the
country viii appr,ye. The principle Of major
ity rule has also been asserted in a marked de-
gree. and adherence 10 that rule is in my ludg
mcnt the one principle which viii preserve the
Institutions OF our country.
The president was asked if he thought
the republicans would make the issue
involved in the election bill prominent
in future campaigns. The president said:
"YOu will find therein the same principle
guarantee Of the rule Of the majority. II will
not do for the people Of any section TO say that
they must be let alone that il is a To-
cal question 10 be settled by the states
whether we shall have honest cleo
tions or not. This might be said
If il we're not for the fact that the principle is
at issue in national elections and that the ia.
equality upon the floor of the house OF repre-
sentatives is so great that it cannot be ig
nored. Whether il shall become a domi
nant issue in the immediate campaign
or in the near future is ques
depends upon how much the public con
science Is quickended regarding the prin-
cple Of right in question Of whether the
northern part Of the country viii consent 10
such inequality OF representation in the adj
minfstration OF national affairs II isn't a
question Of seetionaIism. 1t is a question Of
principle and OF business honesty"
The president was asked if he was
pleased with the aid given by congress
to the shipping interests of the country
with a view to the carrying out the
reciprocity policy of the administration.
He said:
Yes, | am much pleased. What was passed
by congress was about all / thought was
I
plished preliminary step. In attemp ting
, anything new it is important TO be CON
sentative and to avoid extremes / have
always thought IL best TO begin with the steam
ship lines. They afford swift and rapid transit.
They have the carrying of the government
mails and are important elements in bringing
US in touch with countries with which we are
seeking to improve our trade relations. The
importance of this is shown in the enlarged
commerce which always follows the es-
tablshment OF new steamer connec-
ton between different countries Whether
/ il will be practical to go beyond the
steamer lines and give aid to the sailing
vessels viii be for the future to determine. 1
am not d epared TO say whether this will be
wise. TIL step thus far taken is quite within
the limits Of our present resources. Senator
Frye noted the other day the fact that our
revenue from foreign mails provides to-day a
surplus of over 81 501000. We do not care
TO make money out of our postal service,
and this is sum that properly be used for
the encourIg sment of quick means OF commu-
nicatlon wit the south. The theory of the
postal sarviC IS not money making one. 1t
is this prime pie of extension Of the service
which iustiiies the government in making ex-
penditures IN the direction that no private
terprise could afford to GO
The president was asked about the
new navy and the criticisms which had
been directed against the sums of
money expended upon it. The presi-
dent said in reply to this:
i am perfectly willing to concede that the
ravies Of to-day may be useless fifty years
from now. That has nothing to do with the
case. 1 do not think THAI even the humblest
owner OF the smal.es house would
hesitate 10 close his door against intruders
rather than to wait for the possible develop
ment of some future style of hinge which
would enable him to close his door with more
economy and dispatch. The truth of it tina
the establishment OF q navy puts nation upo
"a respectable footing and is the best guarantee
against the possibility Of any In other
words it is insurance and should be so re
garded"
The president was asked if he didn't
think that the tariff issue for the pres
ent was ended so far as the republican
party was concerned. The president
said:
Most decidedly; I think there should be no
more agitation upon this subject until the Nc
Kinley bill has been fairly tried. There
is no reason why its workings should
be prejudiced by malevolent predic-
lions. The bill has been already long
enough in operation TO indicate that
much that was charged against it is untrue A
period shou be permitted TO pass long enough
to test fairly the character OF the measure
Then II il can be shown by such fair and i'm
partial trial that it has faults let them be
eliminated
The president was asked if he did
not hold to much the same opinion con-
corning financial legislation. He said:
Il do not think that we need any more fnan-
cal legislation forthe present What we have,
too should have its period OF trial. l do not see
any present or near future necessity OF further
financial legislation. ] have favored silver coin
age up TO point where ] thought it could be
safely used. 1t is not always easy TO de-
termine exactly the danger point II is best,
however, to be conservative and | think we
have gone about far for the present in the
direction Of free coinage of silver can be
done for the best interests silver To go
further might result In depre' atlng it,
The president was Sed about the
reciprocity policy of tn, administration
He said:
Il have been engaged for the ast few days
in considering various subjects Of treaty
under this policy. / have been doing what 1
could 10 urge along and develop the possibili
ties which ! see in this new extension Of our
trade. I believe that this policy will result in
great good"
At the close of the talk he was asked
what he thought of the future of
the republican party. The president
said that there was already a strong
reaction in favor of the party and that
the future would show that it was upon
the side of good government and mod
ern progress and well merited the cor
61anoa Of tho couutf.v