The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-12-03
VIM. R. Morrison for Secretary of
the Treasury.

When asked about the necessity for an
extra session of Congress, Representative
c. r. Breckenridge, of Arkansas, said that
he had not given the subject sufficient CON
sideration, and thought the President in
determining the question would have to take
into consideration great many factors
As to the suggestion that Il tariff bill be
drawn up in the Treasury Department by
the Secretary of the Treasury, acting in
concer; with the majority members OF the
Committee on Ways and Means, Mr.. Breck-
inridgc said the wisdom of preparing bill
in this way would depend in a great degree
upon the man who would be appointed
Secretary of the Treasury under Mr. Cleye-
land.
In both of these observations Mr. Brock
inridge spoke wisely There are many
things to be considered in determining the
adviSability of an extra session of Congress,
and the matter cannot be settled until the
exact state of the finances are ascertalncd
and whether the Senate acts upon the bills
for modifying the tariff already sent over
from the House or that may be. Impartial
relief from unjust taxation can be accom-
plishcd. and the financial situation does not
demand Immediate action, it would be well
not to have an extra session. And, whether
- tariff bill should be prepared under the
direction of the Secretary of the Treasury,
in conjunction with the majority members
of the Ways and Means Committee. de
ponds upon who the Secretary of the
Treasury is.
If President Cleveland should call Hon.
VIM. r. Morrison of Illinois. to the Treas
ury portfolio, the wisdom of having the
Secretary of the Treasury prepare tariff
bill would be universally conceded by all
tariff reformers. Mr.. Morrison may be said
to be the father of the movement to adjust
taxation to revenue basis Before Cleve-
land. before Carlisle, before Mills, before
Wilson. before Breckenridge and before any
of the present distinguished and consplc-
uous tariff reformcrs appeared in public
life. Mr. Morrison was battling Tor Il relief
from unjust burdens pom that issue he
was four times elected to the House ot
Representatives. and be started in Illinois
the campaign of education that has recently
resulted in Il sweeping Democratic victory
there. He continued to agitatc the ques-
ton ON the floor of the House and presented
a bill to make the revenues more nearly
conform to the necessities of the Eovern-
mcnt Such dangerous foe was hc to
protection and monopoly, the protected
millionarcs dclugcd his district with money
and defeated him
No man is more familiar with the qucs-
ton of taxation than Mr. Morrison, and
his presence in the Cabinet as Secretary OF
the Treasury would be reassuring to the
advocates of reform of the tariff that the
Democratic party meant to secure to them
the fruits of their victory.
But Mr. Morrison is more than tariff /
relormer-he is a broad-minded statesman,
Of rugged honesty and integrity. He has /
had long experience in public affairs, and
Nr. Cleveland could not make Il better
choice of Il Secretary of the Treasury. His
selection. too, would be hailed with more
satisfaction than that Of almost any other
Western man. and surely Illinois and the
West deserve well at the hands Of the
Democratic party. Mr.. Morrison ranks in
popular favor in the West with that sturdy
old Roman Allen &. Thurman, and with
the late Thomas \. Hendricks. Give us
William r. Morrison for Secretary of the
Treasury.