New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-01
MR.. CLEUEL1ND'S PL1NS.

To that class OF his intmatcs who sit at his
feet in devotion MIR. Cleveland talks of his
plans and purposes with what is really frank
ness. and seems 10 those who hear 1t lnSplla-
ton. lie has let it be known that he regards
the condition OF the Treasury with alarm thai
he thinks the repeal of the Silver Purchase act
q matter of supreme Importance and urgency :;
that he stands ready TO issue bonds before he
will allow the gold reserve t. he touched thar
he means TO pass a tariff act which Mr. Car
Isle and a small group Of kindred tariff the
orists are to prepare. and TO pass il letter for
letter rs thus put into the hands OF Congress
that he will resent any NEEDING with IL ~
the Ways and Means Committee or by Congress
itself and that the Democracy of his party IN
and out of Congress will be judged as 10 every
individual by his attitude on the Silver Pur-
chase Repeal and the Tariff bill. If he stands
rcsolutcly with Mr.. Cleveland on these meas
urcs, he is to be persona sraa and Demo
clat If he wObblcs or rebels. he is 10 he an
outcas.. Pending the asccrtainmcnt of how
Senators, Congressman and other influential
persons stand on these questions. the business
of of1ice-filling is to be held in abcyancc. Mr.
Cleveland has said many times to many per-
sons. and. indeed is reported II have put 1t IN
writing. that he will be able to talk about the
Offices more Understandings when he knows
who are and who are not with him in the pur-
posc to execute the pledges Of the Chicago
platform.
IL is not understood t. be Mr. Clevcands
present intention to call an extra session OF
Congress His theory Of government dlllcr,
materially from that of the American Cons'itu-
ton, and follows closely along tho lines Illus
tratcd by the rule of Henry VIII and Eliza
beth. Legislatures he regards as dangerous
and disaprceable necessities t. be handled with
great resolution The Constitution holds the
Executive and the Congress 70 be separate ana
distinct branches of government, the ono ON
powered T. enforce the laws, the other To make
them II directs the President 80 Inform Con-
gross of the state of the Union, and to recon-
mend 10 their consideration such measures as
he shall Judge necessary and cypcdient." II
also intrlstS 10 him a veto power, and there
his right to affect legislation ends. All other
rights appcrtain to Congress. But the pro-
etamme which Mr. Clcvelands intimate trends
attribute to him implies that. whatever may be
the constitutional view Of the ordinary funt-
lions CT the President and Of Congress. he ha'
received from the country. in his OPINION
peculiar CALL an especial mission
that tlansccnds constitutions and MAKE
of him a Moses. The Chicago rll'ip!m
denounced the sherman at and promised
its repeal, denounced the Mckinley tarii ana
uromised a Frec-Tradc substitute. and Mr.
ClevclandS Interpretation OF the election i maj
he was chosen not merely to stand around ana
recommend these things u a bady c1-nrdnal"
in authority and supreme in the junction ol
LEGISLATION. but himself to - ahead and see 10
il that they are performed. be the Congrt N'Ional
instrument willing or otherwise. He has OBJ
served with the Impotence natural to beng
who considers himself thus charged that on the
subject of the repeal Of the Silver Purchase ac'
a large body of his partisans in the Congress
now about t. ad jOrn arc unruly. they nave
not only disobcyrd him. but have presumed to
declare that it is theirs and not his II Judge OF
the wisdom or unwisdcm OF passing the re-
peal. They have questioned his right 10 con
troll their votes, and have indicated in various
ways rccalcitrant disposition.
Thi, unfortunate experience has served to
deepen Mr. Clcvcand's disirust of Congresses
in general and as yet no assurance has been
missiye or less jealous Of lis supposed rights.
The sherman act can be endured while long
or. for if the financial situation becomes acut"
il can be relieved by an issue OF bonds, and
since it is 10 part of Mr.. Clcvcland's plan to
allow Congress - draft the new Free Trade
tariff. or, indeed, TO do anything with it cx-
cont pass il. he is said TO be indispCscd 10 sum
mon Congress in an extra s, ssion. He will get
along with the Treasury during the summer and
fall as best he can. and, meanwhile, he Will be
dcvising the new revenue bill. lie will have
plenty Of zine for all this, because rs the
vacancies are not TO be filled until he has en-
amined the rollca, on these measures the
pressure OF office seekers will be deferred
IL i, an interesting programme LITTLE
subvcIsivc Of the Constitution, a little wound
ing 10 the sclf-cstccm If Democratic Senators
and Congressman, but certainly interesting.
And it is not to be questioned that platforms
arc made or should be. 70 be carried out.