New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-17
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITY.


There is growing evidence that the Admins
tration Is seriously considering another issue OF
bonds The Tribune earnestly urges the Presi-
dent. for the sake Of the welfare and honor OF
our common country, 10 revise most carefully
such impressions ~ he may have formed. With
all due respect for his opinions 1t must be urged
that a further Issue OF bonds does not at present
appear to be necessary, or calculated TO Afford
any permanent benefit. The President well
knows that It will be extremely unpopular with
a large proportion Of his political friends. lie
NAV rest assured that. for different reasons. 1t
will be most offensive 10 intelligent business
men Of all parties.
It is not yet proved, to the minds Of such men,
that bond issue has any other reason or excuse
than TO force upon the country continued en-
durance Of tariff which has by no one been
more sternly denounced than by the President
who refused TO sign II. and which. by failing 10
Weld enough revenue. has afforded conclusive
reasons for It's modification which the fresi-
dent did not fOresee. He cannot avoid weighing
this later reason when Congress assemblies In
December, for the condition of the Treasury ana
the need Of larger revenue will compel that Con
gress to place before him some plan for relief
But il would be infinitely more worthy OF his
high trust. and more credtable TO him as
leader. 70 meet at once and voluntarily the con
ditions he will be obliged to meet next winter
He has power either to call Congress together
that it may provide relief without further Dor
rowing Of money. or by formal announcement
to make It certain that he Will not seek by
Executive veto to defeat such measures for re-
lief as may DE judged necessary by Congress
fresh from the people.
The President presumably thinks that the
revenue law which he refused to sign should
not now be essentially changed. But large
majority Of the peoples Representatives, elect
cd within the last year. think otherwise. THIS
is n government Of the people. and large
measure of respect for their latest decision is
ALWAYS becoming in the Executive Yet in this
case a far stronger reason for such respect ex-
lists in the fact that the country Is IN grave dii-
Guilty, from which il cannot BE- extrlcated except
by legislation Of some kind. If the Congress re-
Gently elected should pass next winter measures
which in harmony with the latest elections, II
Judges necessary for the relief OF the Nation. the
President will have 10 take the responsibility Of
all disastrous consequences H. resisting the
latest expression by the people, he defeats those
measures by his veto. Seriously considering
this he must realize that he cannot afford 10
bring disaster by refusing remedy because,
though desired by the people, IL Is not exactly
the one he would have preferred.
The same difficulty attaches to refusal to call
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-
lat No ia Int
obstinate determination not to permit The re-
Gently elected Representatives to alter. criticlse
or investigate his policy had no higher than par
tsan or personal motives, and was, in fact, an
effort 10 defeat the will of the people 1t will
even be supposed by many that his own rela-
tons with prominent stock operators and fnan-
ciers and bankers Influenced him more than any
regard for the prosperity and honor OF the coun.
try The President simply cannot afford TO IN
eur such criticism AT the same time taking all
the responsibility for consequences which may
follow his refusal to submit the case TO Con
gress.
The President ought 10 understand that the
underlying cause Of acute disorder Is general
impression that he will subbornly refuse To yield
in any respect 10 the will Of the people az ex-
pressed by Congress; that Congress will be entire
" within It's right and even It's duty In refusing
10 permit one man 10 dictate to lawmakers chosen
by the whole people, and that thus It will not be
found possible 10 pass any adequate measure
OF relief. 1t Is not the prospect Of one more
borrowing that creates anxiety. but the pros
pect that another, and then another may follow,
because Of stubborn resistance 10 measures
which would stop borrowing and raise adequate
revenue When business men look into all the
contingencies which short crops, or possible re-
action in Industries, or difficulties about wages
may involve within the next eighteen months, II
the will Of the people Is thrust aside and all
measures OF relief are prevented, they do not
enjoy the prospect that. In every form Of trial,
their Industries, their business and their wages
may depend upon two three International
bankers.
The President alone has power TO stop this
anxiety. He can call the peoples represent
ativcs together. that they may propose n remedy.
But that would probably not be necessary to
allay all serious apprehenslons, If the President
would give the country formal notice that he
would rely upon the patriotism and good sense
Of the people TO enable the Treasury TO get on
without further borrowing until Congress meets.
offer bonds directly 10 popular bids and that
he should deem 1t his duty to approve such reve-