New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-16
"pONDERING.'


Isn't it marvellous how sometimes a single
welchosen word flashed by an artist Into
dark and difficult environment can light up the
whole situation Here we are "A Nation of over
sixty millions Of people good deal disturbed
in our financial conditions. with enierprls" al
most at a sandstill and all our industries 50
depressed that large numbers OF worklngmeh
are without employ ment and widespread distress
prevails Only two years ago the country was
prosperous, employment abundant, wages good
business hummng. and the people AZ n rule
comfortable and happy. Citizens OF ordinary
thrift were paying their debts and laying up
money and the Government was gradually dis
charging it's financial obligations, building up
an uncuuallcd credit among the nations Of the
earth and rapidly developing It's boundless re
sources The country was making progress for
which history furnished no parallel For all
this the burden Of taxation was so light. and
levied in such manner. that II was not felt But
theorists and drcamcrs and silver-tongued per
sons endowed with the fatal gift OF fucncy went
about saying that, in spite 81 Appearances. TIE
people were oppressed by taxes they were not
aware Of, that they were suffering under sys
TEN which encouraged favoritism and made
some men richer than others. and that II only
the theorists were permitted TO make the laws
and administer the Government an ideal cond
ton Of things woLld be- established. with money
abundant the nccess;rcs Of life and its luxurics
SO cheapcncd as 10 put them within reach Of
the poorest, and taxation even the tax which
was never fclt-donc away with entirely. The
people listened believed. went of thcr feet. said
LET us give them a chance and the present
Administration and Congress came In amid
much rejoicing.
And now there have been nearly two years Of
It, 1t is quite two years since anticipation Of
the ideal conditions began 10 exercise an in
huence upon the business. the enterprise the
finances the credit. the entire life Of the coun-
try For two years progress has been steadily
downward Not only is business Frustrated and
distress every where prevalent. but the National
credit has been impaired and the debt increased
until now, In the closing days of the most re-
markable Congress that ever wasted time In
foolish wranglng. the Government stands face
to face with financial situation which means
nothing less than National bankruptcy For IN
der the existing revenue system. with It's appal-
ing insufiiciency Of income 10 meet expenditure
that is the inevitable result For two years
these people have been bungling at trade they
do not understand with tools whose use they
do not know. They have linkercd the tariff.
puitcrcd with the currency muddcd foreign and
botchcd domestic affairs. quarrclled among
themselves in furtherancc Of petty personal am
billions, until now, as they draw near the end
Of their tenure. they begin 10 realize the serious
ness Of the situation they have evolved Re
fcrIing TO the miserable failure Of his party To
do anything wise. prudent or even coherent
during this Congress, Senator Hill on Monday
addressed 10 the Senatorial managers an in
quiry as to what had become of the project for
currency reform which he said had been made
the subject Of discussion in party caucus
What has become Of tY' nc asked. lis il up
in the air, or where is itT' And he shifted con.
temptuously at the Democratic statesmen who