The herald., 1895-12-08
"a PERPLEXED PHILOSOPHER"
JUST BEFORE THE MESSAGE

Correspondence Chicago Times Herald
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.--The Republi-
cans appear TO be At sea SO far rs policy
for the winter is concerned. Inforpa alton
from the inner council of Repub lican
| leaders, men who usually control lesisla-
ton in their respective houses, is that
| they are afraid of Grover Cleveland.
They want to wait to see what sort of
| weapon Mr.. Cleveland makes Of his mes
| sage before they decide on anything.
Their caution may save them great deal
of embarrassment. The Presidents cab
met friends complain of him that he is
too straightforward, shat he is not half
alert enough in playing to the CALLER
les, and that all he cares Tor is to thew
to the line, let the chips fall where they
| may" At the same time there are Food
reasons for thu belief that in preparing
his message Mr.. Cleveland has not been
wholly unmindful of the fact that it is a
Republican congress which he now has on
his hands, and that the presidential cleo
ton is to be fought out next year. In
other words, the tip in cabinet circles IS
that the message i. going to be what the
men about the hotels call "a corker.'
It is going to give tho country and the Re-
publicans in congress something to think
about. 1t is gong to lay down a propo-
sition which will put Mr.. Reed and his
fellows on the defensive, place them IN a
position where they muat fish or cut bait.
where they mCst work the pedals or fall
down with the wheel.
The Presidents great strike, as readers
of the Times. Herald were told some time
ago, is to be with the currency. On this
score he 10 likely to make things very in
teresting for tho Republican leaders in
the popular branch. Some of them realize
it, and it is suspected that among the
numbe 10 Mr.. Reed himself, despite
the levity with which he affects to view
the outlook and the tippancy with which
he speaks OF the presidents expe cted
recon- N endatlons. 1t was one of the
coming speakers trusted lisLtenants who
confessed to me that the prospect is not
as rosy as some of the Republicans try
to make themselves believe. I'VE are
not Understanding the importance OF
the fact that President Cleveland has
strong hand" said he, land We are
particularly worried because he has the
first play. He will be sure to establish
his long suit. We know of old that he is
pretty hard customer to handle. Now
here is the way some OF the more con-
sentative of US look at it. The country
is not yet as prosperous as II used 10 ee.
DisconteDti.and hard times still prevail.
be done. 1t is not likely to be contented
with promises OF what We will do i'll the
future. The people want positive, I'M
mediate and decisive action. They are
not to be wheedled into the acceptance OF
excuses. The people know hawk from
a handsaw and they have an inconven-
ent way of ignoring their party prefer
ences as expressed at one election and
going to the other extreme at the next.
Party ties bold the people only loosely in
this DAY and generation. Independent-
ism is the order OF the day and independ-
ent newspapers are helping the people 10
clear thinking. 1t is impossible to fooI
the people, especially with Mr.. Cleve-
lands pondsrous rhetoric pointing the
way for them
Then You are afraid OF Mr.. Cleveland
and his message Not exactly AFRAID,
but anxious. He is deuce of chap to
take the country with him. Now, sup
pose he says to the people that what they
need is financial repose; means OF pro-
tectng the gold reserve, which is the
barometer: of con:idence without bor-
rowing on bonds; cutting OF the end
less chain, and all that sort CT thing.
The country may conclude he is right
about it. Then, suppose we say that may
all he true, but you Will have to wait
till We get the presidency ard full con-
troll of the senate, and then you will get
the reform you want. What will the PEG
pie say to that? Why, they will say if
thing is right to be done 1t was Just as
right at one time as another. 1t is Just as
right under Cleveland as it will be under
a Repu blican. They will demand that
we act not promise. There is one place
where the shoe Is likely TO pinch. Again.
suppose we reply 10 the president, as
most of us have had in mind replying:
IL is not the endless chain that bothers
the country nut lack OF revenue. Your
treasury has dehcit. You need more
income. What then Well. rwo things
Will happen. In the first place, Carlisle
is going to tell us in his annual report,
SO hesr on good authority, that within
short time the income will equal the
expenditures. That is what the experts
OF the treasury say; men VINO are Rerub-
licans left over from former admlnlstra-
tons but do not care rap about politics;
men who study the treasury situation
just as life insurance sctuary STUDIES
life insurance, or physician bls case,
without any thought OF political consid-
erations. In the second place, we shall
be told by the president ana the secretary
that 1t doesn't make any diitorcn CO
whether the income equals expenditures
or not, so Jar as the gold reserve is con-
earned that If We had ten millions
month more than We needed the cold
might 60 out just the same, for,there 1t
is for anyone TO take that wants it,
The people may take the adninistra-
ton view of the case continued the
Republican; they may be aft cted by
the presidents first chance at the argu-
ment, and they may hold us account
able for legislation which Will help the
country and condemn us as mere shifty
politicians if we try to evade or postpone
the issue and to play for party advantage.
If We try to raise Tevehus we will quar-
rel about the best place to do it. We dare
not put heavier tax on beer. No party
dare do that If We pat tax on wool
then the woollsn goods men will demand
their share and the buyers OF clothing all
over the country will damn us. The
wool growing farmers are already on our
side, but the Woodworking workingmcn
OF the cities are sometimes for us and
sometimes against MS. Just as they hap
pen to feel. II they say it is mere reve-
nue. the country wants the only consis.
tent thing is to try ahd add to that reve-
nue., and there We are in trouble. Now, If
ne admit this claim that the prospects OF