The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-03-10
PRESIDENT CLEVEL4ND,s TASK.

FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1898.
PRESIDENT CLEVEL4ND'S TASK.
For the first time in thirty-two years
the Democratic party again finds itself
in full control of both the legislative
and executive branches of the general
government, and its continuance in
power will depend upon the manner
in which it fulfils its trust. Its re-
storation to power, after so many
years, is the result neither of accident
nor political intrigue. 1t is the cx-
preston of the deliberate Judgment of
the American people that the policy
pursued by the Republican party was
endangering our free institutions by
departing from the course laid down
by the Revolutionary patriots who
launched our ship of State as well as
that followed by those who guided it
in earlier and better days.
The new administration will find
itself beset with difficulties, but it is
fortunate for the country that Presi-
dent Cleveland has not only wisdom
and experience to qualify him for the
task before him, but possesses, to a
greater degree, perhaps, than any
other man in the country, the conf
dence of the people. Besides, he has
gathered around him an able Cabinet,
who will aid him in carrying out the
pledges made by the Democratic
party.
The tone of President Cleveland
inaugural address shows that he real,
ICES the difficult position in which he
is placed but does not shrink from its
responsibilities At the same time il
is well 10 remember that he is the
Chief Executive, not the lawmakine
power, and if the reforms demanded
by the people are not embodied into
laws by Congress President Cleveland
alone will be powerless to bring about
the promised good.
"A tariff for revenue" is still the
watchword of Mr. Cleveland and the
Democratic party as it was during the
campaign, but in the bankrupt condi
ton of the public treasury it is diff
calt to see exactly how the burden Of
taxation can be lightened and the
government, at the same time, realize
sufficient from customs and interna
revenue duties to liquidate the i'm
mense obligations incurred by the out
going administration. Mr.. A. K. Nc
Clure, editor of the Philadelphia
Times, writing to his paper from
Washington declares that there is 8
deficit of over $4,000, 900. He adds
The early issue of bonds seems to be
an absolute necessity, and it will now
require probably double or treble the
sale of bonds to recover our strained
credit. In the meantime, with bank
rupt Treasury, we must borrow gold
to buy silver and continue to aggra
waite the evil that has brought the
country to the verge of financial dis
honor.
The administration and the people
of the country must accept this ap
palling condition as it is and meet il
as best they can. One of two things
must be done and done speedily we
must either reduce our expenditures
from $50, 900, 900 to SOC, 1000, 900 by pen,
sion revision and retrenchment gen
orally, or we must levy additional
taxes upon the people to that extent
Congress will have to meet in extra
session as soon as the new admin
istration can take it's exact lati
tude, as the purchase of silver must
be stopped and new revenues must be
supplied.
1t is not likely that Congress will
meet for several months unless a sud
den and imperative emergency shall
arise. But an extra session is inevi-
table because the government cannot
go on until December without it. Ii
is this grave emergency that forces
the President to be emphatic in de
claring his purpose to delay for
some time the consideration of appli-
cations for Office.
The extravaganza of the last two
sessions of Congress was without
precedent, nor did President Harrison
ever interpose any objection by mes
sage or veto. Every bill appropriate
ing money was signed by him without
question and it seemed as though he
was willing if not anxious that the
treasury should be bankrupted, in or
der to compel the Democrats to keep
up high tariff. The people of the
country feel that if any man can
point Congress to way out of the
difficulties it is Mr.. Cleveland, and
there will be ready and cheerful con-
fidence in the wisdom of anything
which he may suggest.