Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-07-28
Gen. Harris on's Views.

Ex-President Harrison is quoted as fol-
lows regarding the business and political
situation:
"The Sherman act Ia not alone respon-
sible for the prevailing want Of confidence
that this country now experiences. The
distrust Ia not against silver only. 1t is
not against government issue Of money;
people are not holding gold throughout
the country. Relatively, gold is circulated
as freely as is silver. People are holding
gold from the circulating banks or the saw
ings institutions, and are locking it in safe
deposit vaults, or hiding it away in old
stockings. They do this, not because they
have no confidence in government money.
but because they are fearful Of business
calamities. This distrust In increasing and
the outlook is gloomy. The Sherman act
is not the sole cause Of bad times. That
measure has served its purpose, it is true,
but it is not responsible for the depression
which overhangs commerce, trade and ag-
riculture.
'The present party in power came in on
. statement Of its principles, formulated
and promulgated at Chicago, where gath
ering which represented diversity OF pol,
itical beliefs and prejudices gave this state
ment to the country as the platform Of the
Democratic party. 1t was announced to
the country that the existing system Of
traffic should be modified to the extent of
tariff for revenue only. On this basis the
candidates of the party now in power were
elected. The enormous manufacturing in
terests were Of course duly impressed and
became compelled to suit themselves to
the condition TO which the Chicago plat
form must logically lead. 1t is impossible
to bridge over Suddenly the wide cbasm
between comparative free trade and the
protective tariff system, under which the
nation grew rich, without prolonged con-
vulsions in trade. Great economic chang
es do not adjust themselves with electric
ity, hence, fearing changes, factories stop,
workshops close and prices shrink If the
Chicago enunciation Of principles is to be
nnihbothout puoinpoo uCu unbL pItphTt
for q change. According to its principles
the government is pledged to reduce the
tariff TO the standard of the Chicago con-
vention. The business of the country can
not prosper under the circumstances. Dis.
trust is widespread. everything languish-
es.
The Heterogeneous political elements that
will meet at Washington in August will
represent free trade and many theories con-
trary to business stability. The conserya-
tive people Of the country stand sghast at
possibilities OF legislation, and are trim
ming sails to suit the weather. The out
look is dark because IL is difficult to see
how relief Is to come. The distrust might
be dispelled, perhaps, but how In one
sense the situation lis theatrical, excite
ment may be calmed by stroke OF inspir-
alton. A panic is sometimes averted by q
band striking up popular air, just as the
frightened crowd 10 about 10 rush and
trample over one another. How can the
present analogous condition be changed by
suddenly inspired confidence 7 The lead
ers Of the party In power will scarcely &C.
knowledge that its principles are mistaken
ones, that the Chicago platform was false
and should be repudiated. / can see. no
Moses at present who will lead the busi-
ness world out Of its Egyptian darkness"