New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-03
MIR. HARRISONS ADMINISTRA TON.

has earned highly honorable place III the
history of the county in one department or
another some previous Administration may
have had opportunity to render more impor-
| tant service than that of President Harrison,
| but in all departments taken together it may
| be doubted whether it has been surpassed by
any since the Civil War; or by any prior to
that great emergency. In the cold. clear light
of impartial history it will appear worthy OF
the highest praise for its defence Of American
interests abroad for its promotion OF American
industry at home, for its labors for sound
finance. for faithful and honest discharge OF
duty everywhere.
When President Harrison was inaugurated
the Nation had become involved i'll serious
difficulties with Germany about Samoa, with
| England about the Behring Sea, and with Can
ada about the fisheries. Not only have these
questions been adjusted or far advanced toward
an adjustment honorable to the United states,
but differences with Italy and with Chill have
been most creditably composed. The congress
| of American nations assembled NJ the instance
of Secretary Blaine accomplished great results
| in the development of more cordial feeling
| between the United States and other Powers.
| The Reciprocity feature OF the new tariff was
| peculiarly due to earnest efforts of the Admin
i>tration, and was promptly followed by The
| negotiation of treaties, the value Of which to
the business and industries of the country the
people hardly begin to realize. The Meat In
| specton bill. passed at the instance OF the Adj
mnstration, was quickly supplemented by so
conclusive presentment of facts and argyll
ments to foreign nations that Europe was
opened to American products, which had been
| for many years excluded. TO the end, under
the sagacious direction of Secretary Foster, the
relations of the United States with foreign
Powers have steadily improved, and oppor-
tunity has been secured for annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands with the hearty assent Of
| their people.
| How powerful for good the influence Of the
| Administration has been in financial matters
| it will never be possible to determine with
perfect accuracy. Ii was confronted at the
threshold with popular demand for free coin
age of sver--a demand so strong that II
threatened, unless met by judicious measures
| Of compromise TO throw both branches of
Congress completely into the hands Of monetary
| fanatics From the first President Harrison
| and Secretary Window exerted all their in
| hucnce to shape public opinion so that an in
terna,ional agreement on this question might
be demanded. The sudden death of Mr.. Win
dom, in the act of appealing powerfully to the
| people for sound money, was followed by the
no less earnest efforts OF his successor. a great
change has been produced in public opinion,
especially within the Democratic party, and
| if the danger Of FREQ silver has been averted, a
| large part of the credit is due 10 President
| IIalrisons leadership, to the international con-
ference which he brought about and to the
| compromise measure which not only averted
an impending catastrophe, but has taught the
country 10 how slight an extent silver pur-
chascs can control the price Through great
difficulties tho Treasury Department has been
conducted with conspicuous success. The re-
demption Of $3.50 600, 900 Of bonds, the large
reduction of revenue, and the enormous ex
pansion of pensions and other payments were
met without in the least impairing the credit
of the Government or the soundness of the
currency until the triumph OF an opposing
party gave reason for distrust.
| No Administration has ever done moro to
| promote American industries or witnessed n
greater resulting prosperity. At the outset the
| Treasury decision in the wool and worstcd
case was Of service, and followed by the
| Worsted bill, revived a great industry. The
cooperation Of the Administration and the
departments in the framing Of the Mckinley
tariff has been magnilicently yindicated by the
results attained for, though condemned by
popular ignorance and prejudice, that measure
| still continues to shower benefits on those who
opposed it, Throughout the great struggle
President Harrison has unhcstatingly trusted
| the people to uphold those who promote their
interests, and it may yet be proved that public
opinion has moved further and faster than
Democratic politicians.
In the building of Navy to defend indi-
vidual rights and National honor and safety
this Administration has spendidly carried out
| the policy initiated by Secretary Chandler
under President Arthur, and continued under
President Cleveland by Secretary Whitney.
| Results of incalcuable value have been at
tanned. without the least suspicion Of scandal
| or wastcfulness. At the close of this Admin
istration the raising of our flag over some of
the fastest steamships aioat, and the launch
| ing of battleship second to none in effective
ness are illustrations Of what has been done
| for the country In other departments of Adj
mnistration also the public confidence has been
amply justified. President Ilalrson's judicial
Appointments have been by common consent
altogether admirable The postal service has
been vastly expanded and in important respects
improved and the ocean mail service in par
ticular has been developed to the immense adj
vantage of American commerce. In word.
the people have been served by this Admin
| stration not only with unsurpassed fidelity, but
with such broad and far-reaching craftsmanship