New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-26
THE SECRETARy's WATERING ATTITUDE
HOW HE EvADED RESPONSIBILITY WHEN SPEAK
ER-HIs DISLIKE FOR THE NATIONAL
RNNKINi; SYSTEM

wa.hngton April % GpcciaD.-Thc wavcrlng
attitude OF Secretary Carlisle during the last fort
night has not caused great astonshmcnt among men
who have known him from the time he entered con
gresS. sixteen years ago, and have had occasion
carefully TO observe his course during that long
period When he was first elected Speaker Of the
House OF Representatives IN the NLVIIth Congress,
the men who knew him best most fearful that
he would fail 10 cN ijlit or develop the executive
power and administrative qualities demanded for the
successful conduct OF that high Office and their fears
justified in a large degree long before the end
OF his third term II is true that he earned rcpu-
taion for fairness and justice while presiiing over
the House; 1t equally true. as noted hy careful
Observers, that when the cxiGcncies Of his party
seemed to require that parliamentary decision
should be rendered which would expose the speaker
to criticism. Mr.. Carlisle frequently vacated the
chair and called TO II some Democratic Representa-
tive who had not a high reputation for fairness 10
imperi b. any decision which he nigh, render. 1t
is hardly unfair to that Mr.. C1rSc's disposition
thus to shift disagrceabe burdens and responsibilities
10 other shoulders became pretty generally known
and understood before he ceased 10 De Speaker Of
the House.
As a member of the XLvtl and XLvlth Congresses
Mr. Carlisle acted and voted with the friends OF free
and unlimited silver coinage. lie voted for the
measure offered by Mr.. Coodc Of Virginia. 10 .poLd
payments to the sinking fund during period OF five
years he voted with the who tried repeal
emasculate the Resumption act. and in the XLVIh
Congress he distinguished himself foe OF the
National banking system by oneItng and securing
the adoption OF an amendment the Refunding bill.
which amendment provided that only the 3 per cent
bonds to be issued Hereunder should be deposited
security for National bank note circulation. In his
veto message Of March 3, 1851. the Refundlng bill.
President Hayes took the ground that section OF The
same BILL which commonly known tn Car
Isle amendment not an essential part OF
reundng measure After pointing out the dIsas-
trCus effects OF fifth section II should BE- enacted.
President Hayes summed them all up In this gnant
sentence:
In short. | cannot but regard the fifth section Of
tn bill as step in the direction Of the destruction
OF the National banking system
II Mr. Carisc's prejudice against ard oppo'
ton to National banks have disappeared or grow.
during the last twelve years. his public acts
and uttcranccs have given hint Of the fact Ills
opposition the issue OF bonds to malntam the so
reserve may thus be easily accounted for now In
such an issue he sees thinks foresees strength
ening and extension Of the system Of barking which
he has so strongly opposed since his entrance into
public liie
Bu, there Is no good reason for any of the admirers
of the present secretary of the Treasury 10 fear or
believe tina, he will lay down his Office rather than
consent to the issue Of bonds In cas-" 1t shall be
come necessary He not cas-, in an heroic III )uld
lie may disagree with President Cleveland on the
pending question: rs Louis McIanc and William J.
duane disagreed with President Jackson on diilcr
eni financial question sixty years ago, but unhh"
them he will not resign his Office accept transfer
from the Treasury another department rather HHh
carry ont th, Pre,iden;', policy. That he hh- d
agreed with Mr. Cleveland that hi, de.ir, was 10
Isc only silver In the redemption II III" treasury
notes issued under the act 81 1o9o. no lnielh%rh
man in Washington who has closely Observed ana
studied matters during the lat fortnight believes iha
he has any right doubt, after what has hapl"h'h
durins The last five or six days. And II IS also true
that men who know tn" secretary best bcheN' 'hA
he has again betrayed the sam" Lack OF irmn"ss and
the same reluctance 10 accept and bear rcspon'lhN
that he exhibited :nOre than once when h" wa
sneaker Of the House Of Representatives. ~ wei n.
after II became known that he 10 b" secretary n
tho Treasury before the expiration Of II" Liza ,oh
gress vhe th" bill repeal the silver Purchase Ia"
was pending In that body.