Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-02-21

m~@- tFFlF Rnot discouraged by
HR Y" aIs D. sisa1fien sns D5sssnt anapes, ms Sasa
not believe that the country is going to
the "demnition bow-wows" or that it Is
anywhere near that place. Though of
naturally optimistic nature, Mr.. Eckels
is sufficiently conservative to refrain from
expressing any opinion under which he
has not a good solid ground for founda-
ton.
He is in daily communication with the
national bankers, and it seems as if every
one of them felt called upon to give his
opinion as to the condition of affairs in
his particular section of the country, all
of which is very agreeable to the Comp
troller His correspondents are the ablest
men of the country. They have carved
their own way in the world, and have
achieved a prominent niche. They do
not give their opinions for the purpose of
publication or to achieve any ulterior end.
They merely write them as bits of gos-
sip, thinking they will interest the Comp
| trOller. These national bankers, receiv-
ing their information from business men
of their respective communities, who
come to them for loans, probably probe
| more clearly into the very heart of the
trouble and condition of the general public
| than any other class of men. 1t is their
| knowledge, given with the honest purpose
of supplying the Comptroller with accu-
rate information Of national affairs, which
| forms the basis of Comptroller Eckels'
opinion.
| The chief trouble which the present con-
dition of affairs.is causing the country is
the spread of fear in Europe that our ma
| tional credit is in a shaky condition. The
| report has gone abroad that we are not
| to maintain gold payments, and American
| securities, held in such enormous quanti-
| ties by foreign investors, will be paid for
1 in silver or some deprecated currency
! This naturally creates apprehension and
distrust. The Presidents message has
had n wonderfully reviving effect on
! Europe, according to private information
received at the Treasury Department
And many men and corporations of great
wealth seeking investment, and who q
month or so ago were doing their best to
realize on their American securities, are
now perfectly willing to hold them. There
are plenty left, however, who fear that
this Congress is not TO be trusted and
that some legislation dangerous TO the
stability of our national credit will be in
augurated ere the final adjournment. This
feeling possesses, in slight measure, u
few American bankers. They are, how
ever of the timid class, and though their
| feelings may be extended to their Gus
toners, the damage will not be so very
| great.
President Cleveland appreciates this
feeling, both here and abroad; mt n recent
Cabinet meeting he expressed himself as
being strongly opposed to an extra ses-
sion so strongly, in fact, as to warrant
him in informing his associates that there
| would be none, unless some unforeseen
emergency should arise. The President
does not believe that the prospect of Sc
curing party advantages alone would war.
rant him inflicting an extra session of
Congress upon the people. The situation
must take on a much darker hue. 1t is
his belief, based on communications from
people in all parts of the country, that
what the country wants is a rest from
| Congress He further believes that the
recovery of business will be more rapid
IL members of Congress are at home, in.
stead of at the national capital in session.
| He shares Secretary Carlsles belief that
the revenues will soon be sufficiently large
to meet the Government expenditures,
and when that is proved to the general
satisfaction confidence will strengthen and
the need for further issues of bonds dis
appear. Such is the situation to-day.
Employees of both houses of Congress
are spending a good deal of time OH their
knees, praying that an extra session will
not be called. No particular love of coun-
try actuates them in their desire. 1t is
purely personal with them, though they
may possibly think that their own per-
sonal benefit will indirectly add to the
benefit of the country. The fact is that
an extra session means the cessation of
| their present jobs. If there is no extra
session their terms of employment will
| continue until Congress meets in regular
session next December. That means the
loss or gain of just about nine months
salary to them. Should the Fifty-fourth
| Congress convene in session Immediately
after the close of this Congress, new Off
| GERS would doubtless be elected by the
Senate, which il Is expected will reorgan-
| ize, nasmuch as the Democrats are no
longer in the majority, and the employees
now enjoying soft positions at remunera-
| tive prices will have to seek other en-
ployment. And the seeking of other em.
| ployment to a man who has enjoyed few
years in the service of the United States
Senate is about as disagreeable job as
ever confronted politician.
The day after the last election Logan
Carlisle, Chief Clerk of the Treasury, re-
ceived applications from nine-tenths of
the employees of both Senate and House.
They had hoped for Democratic success
at the polls and had gone to bed the night
before wondering IL their hopes were to
be realized. They were up before day
break and read the answer in the stars.
These told them they must seek other
places ere the incoming of the Congress
elected the day before; and ere the sun
had risen their applications were pre-
pared for positions In one of the Govern
ment departments. Some of these appli-
cants will be provided for, of course, but
comparatively few, because the depart
/ ments are already choked. II the prayers