New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-14
TILE ABSENTEE.

Nero was able to fiddle while Rome was burn
ing. and human nature has not changed much
since. President Cleveland is able to shoot ducks
while his country Is in some difficulty. IT Is not
a great peril for there is now Congress COM
nctent 10 provide needed remedies, but he shows
fine confidence In the patriotism of Repub
Ncans-much more than they have reason TO
show in him Only one thing Of consequence
has occurred this week; with exchange above
the shipping point, 81 100000 gold went out I'M
der circumstances which indicated that the In
perial Bank of Germany may have made espe-
cal inducements to draw gold from this couh-
try in view of probable Withdrawals OF specie
on Russian account. If so. Germany does not
want a million and no more. But duck-shootihg
is more important 10 some people thah
the safety Of the country The President
is absent at n bad time for his own
reputation He CASTS discredit upon MS
protested anxiety about the currency by his
absence from the post Of duty and responsibility
al such time, upon his professed patrlotc leei-
Ing regarding affairs in Venezuela and CUBA
and upon his professions Of interest in the 1a'e
Of Christian missionaries in Turkey Can any
body conceive that Lord Salisbury would at such
a time deliberately put himself ont or reach uy
telegraph? As little as one can imagine brit-
ish Ambassador in any foreign country vilifying
the opinion Of the ruling majority in Great Brit
ain after the fashion of Minister Bayard, whom
President Cleveland does not rebuke.
The financial situation may not be urgent;
there is much reason to hope that threatening
svmntoms do not mean serious change. But on
this question, above all others, the President has
"a tla anxiety.
TO have grave reasons for more serious appre-
benSjon than is felt by practical business men
of either party 1t has been possible, at any time
since the heavy shipments Of gold two weeks
ago. before the President engaged in the duck
business that the necessities of Germany or
troubles in Turkey or other influences in Ell
ropean money markets might cause large With
drawals Of specie from this country ana from
the Treasury. Congress might act in such an
emergency within q single day. But the absence
Of the President leaves all his departments with
out power TO change their general course until
his return. If Secretary Carlisle is not able TO
finish an annual message. for which he alone IS
responsible under the law, until the President
has examined It and given it his approval he
would certainly not be prepared TO make any
radical change in the financial conduct or the
department The official report waits. as action
in any emergency would have to wait, until the
President has finished his sport
Discussion in Congress already places him in
n most unenviabe position. The veteran from
PENNSYLVANIA Representative Grow, than whom
few men have the aid of larger experience in
public affairs, pointed out on Thursday with
caustic severity the errors in statement by the
President showing that he had deliberately sup
pressed the most vital facts in refusing TO admit
The deficiency Of revenue, and failing to advise
Congress that the revenue ought 10 be increased.
The Presidents own partlsans are unable 10
defend his message because It IS a refusal 10
perform his constitutional obligation TO give to
Congress, at the opening OF the session each
year needed information as 10 the state Of pub
lie affairs His refusal or neglect does not lessen
IN the least the obligation Of members Of Con-
cress TO discharge their duty in the light Of the
facts known TO them. But II places the Presi-
dent In a position which no other successor or
Abraham Lincoln has ever cared 10 occupy.