The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-25
right Of citizenship and social order VIII
be preserved.
SHOULD MR.. CARLISLE REMAIN SEC
RErARY OF THE TREASURY?

RETARY OF THE TREASURY
II has not been very long since those
who favor free coinage OF silver counted
Mr.. Carlisle as a supporter OF the'r
views. But he made speech In the
Senate about a year ago and ne "tooe
a letter to the Louisville Courier-Jourhai
last summer, which were construed py
the public as meaning that he had re-
canted, and was no longer inflicted WIN
such heresies II they had ever received
a Judgment in his mind.
We are simply expressing suspicion
that is rapidly growing into cenVic-
ton In the minds Of all that Mr.. Carlisle
Is not in complete sympathy with the
positive views of Mr.. Cleveland, touch
ing the prime necessity OF promptly and
theoretically using every possible means
for preserving all obligations OF the
Government as good as the best, and II
there be ground for this suspicion MT
Carlisle owes II to himself no less than
to the American people TO resign his
place as Secretary OF the Treasury at
once The country is in a crisis. and
laCgard now is as bad as an open OPP
ponent OF the Presidents views. The
country is confronted with the question
whether the disaster that the debased
silver dollar has brought to our doors
shall be cast upon that part OF our
population owing money, OF shall be sad
died upon the Government to be borne
equally by all the people. Since the
country has allowed presumptuous poll
ticians to make its laws and undermine
its credit, 1t is the country which should
bear the loss rather than the innocent
men who owe money through the regu-
lar course of their business
We believe Mr.. Cleveland to be in
thorough sympathy with this idea, and
in holding it he proves himself to be
statesman with the st interests OF his
country at heart.
1t seems now to be authenticity stated
that Mr.. Carlisle approves the issue
OF Government bonds to keep the gold
reserve equal to all possible demands
upon It. The issuing Of bonds is nothing
but an assumption by the Government
of all the risks that the mad action Of
the free coinage men have threatened
the country with, and it is the plain
duty Of the Government to assume all
those risks promptly and cheerfully. Mr..
Cleveland recognizes this duty. and Mr..
Carlisle ought to recognize It. II he
does not. he is the wrong man for his
place, and he is doing himself and his
country an injustice % remain where he
is. Should we be asked whether we are
in favor Of an immediate issue OF bonds
our reply would be that we would issue
bonds at the first moment when there
was the slightest danger of the gold
reserve being so reduced as to threaten
the redemption Of notes in gold.
The moment when this threat be-
comes imminent is matter Of
detail which the Secretary of the
Treasury is in a better position to
Judge Of than any one else. The Secre-
tary of the Treasury should, therefore,
be a man thoroughly alive and in SYM
pathy with this idea, and we say that he
should issue bonds for gold at the first
moment when there seems TO be an oc-
casion for 1t. The whole situation is one
TO which confidence is the key. II the
world understands and knows that the
administration intends to preserve the
public credit at all hazards, the situa-
ton will adjust itself. simply placing the
loss on the Government where it belongs.
If there is timorous or uncertain action
at the head. we will have financial disas-
ter without fail. The latest declaration
by Mr.. Cleveland that he and his Cabinet
are absolutely harmonious. not only in
spires the country with confidence, but
gives Mr.. Carlisle a claim upon his port
folio TO which he would not be entitled
If ne differed with the Presidents positive
and Statutory financial views.