The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-26
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITY

New York Tribune.
There is growing evidence that the ad-
mlnlsitratlon Is seriously considering an
other issue OF bonds. The Tribune ear
nestly urges the president, for the sake
OF the welfare and honor of our common
country, to revise most carefully such
Impressions as me may have formed. With
all due respect for his opinions 1t must
be urged that further issue Of bonds
does not at present appear to be neces-
sary, or calculated to afford any perman-
ent benefit. The president well knows
that 1t will be extremely unpopular with
a large portion of his political friends,
He may rest assured, that, for different
reasons, 1t will be most offensive to
intelligent business men.
1t is not yet proved, TO the minds OF
such men, that a bond issue has any
other reason or excuse than to force
upon the country continued endurance
OF tariff which has by no one been
more sternly denounced than by the presl-
dent who refused to sign II, and which,
by failing to yie.d enough revenue, has
afforded conclusive reasons for its modi-
fcatlon which the president did not fore
see. He cannot avoid Weighing this later
reason when congress assemblies In De-
Il,
ana the need of larger revenue will COM
pei that congress to place before him
some pan for relief. But II would be
Infinitely more worthy OF his high trust
and more crelItable to him as a leader
to meet at once and voluntarily the
conditions he Will be obliged to meet
next winter, He has power either to cath
congress together, that 1t may provide
relief without further borrowing OF
money, or by formal announcement to
make It certain that he wiz not seek by
executive veto to defeat such measures
for relief as may be judged necessary
by congress fresh from the people,
The president presumably thinks that
the revenue law which he refused to sign
should not be essentially changed. But
large majority OF the peoples repre-
sentatives, elected within the last year.
thInk otherwise, This Is government
of lhe peop,e and ,arge measure of
respect for their latest decision Is always
becoming In the executive. Yet in this
case far stronger reason for such re-
spect exists in the fact that the country
Is In grave difficulty, from which II
cannot be extrcated except by legislation
OF some kind, IL the congress recently
elected should pass next winter measures
which, In harmony with the latest cleo
tiors, II judges necessary for the relief
Of the nation, the president viii have to
take the responsibility OF al disastrous
consequences II, resisting the lutest ex-
preston by the people. he defeats those
measures by his veto. Seriously consid-
erlng tAis, he must realize that he cannot
AFFORD to bring disaster by refusing n
remedy, because, though desired by the
people, 1t Is not exactly the one he would
halve preferred.
The same dlfilcu,ty attaches to a re-
fusal to car congress together, In order
THAT some measure OF relief, either by
some form Of popular short-term loan
or by increasing revenue may be de-
vised. The plain people are sure to say
that HIS obstinate determination not to
permit tha recently elected representa-
tlves TO after, crltlclse or Investigate his
policy had no higher than partisan or
personal motives, and was, In fact an
effort to defeat the win OF the people.
1t will even be supposed by many that
his own relations with prominent stock
operators and flnanclers and bankers In
fiuenced him more than any regard for
the prosperity and honor OF the country.
The president Simply cannot AFFORD to in
cur such criticism, at the same time taxi
ing an the responsibility for consequences
which may foiaow his refusal to submit
the ease 10 congress.
The president ought TO understand that
the underlying cause OF acute disorder
Is general impression that he wiz
stubbornly refuse to yield in any re-
spect to the VIII OF the people as ex-
pressed by congress; that congress will
be entirely within It's right and even
Its duty In refusing to permit one man
90 d.o.ate 10 lawmakers chosen by the
whole peoGe. and that thus Il wiz not
be found possible TO pass any adequate
measure OF relief. II IL not the prospect
OF one more borrowing that creates
anxiety, but the prospect that another.
ana then another may follow because