New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-27
CHAIRMAN CARTER.

Senator Carter, Of Montana. delivered in the
Senate yesterday the speech somewhat carefully
prepared which was announced several days
ago as presently forthcoming. II WAS considered
| important, in the first instance, because ii was
| upon Senator Carriers motion that the Tariff bill
WAS referred back 10 the Committee of Finance.
and. the biz being dlstinctlvcy Republican
measure there was some curiosity 10 know why
Mr. Carter, who was elected * 4 Republican
Senator. should have put himself in the attitude
| ~ nm opponent to It's passage. Curiosity on this
point however had somcW hat subsidized. since
It had come 20 be generally understood that the
silver Senator's 50 called had resolved 20 defeat
any revenue measure that did not contain a pro
vision for free coinage. For in that state Of
things discussion Of the Tariff bill WAS merely
A waste Of time and Il Is not the habit of Re
publicIns 10 talk into the air on distractions
when there is no reasonable probability of the
attainment 81 definite results. 1t may be said.
then, In a broad and general way. that curiosity
a. 10 what Mr. Carter had Ia say In explanation
~ his course had pretty much died on. For
Carter merely as Carter In his private and per-
sonal relation with the rest Of the world has not
yet become impressive rs - hold things n
siandstlll while he pulls himself together to cx-
plain II; length what he thinks any subject
or why he thinks or course Carter is
United States senator. So. for that matter. Is
Stewart. Of Nevada. and so are a number of
persons besides. who. except for an inSoru'ablc
Providence and certain wildncss Of manner,
which in new States. as in small boys. Is taken
rs evidence Of prccoclty. would never have been
anywhere else anybody in particular. Unless,
perhaps as fnkrs selling soap at the tail OF
cart
senator Carter. Of course, has Il significance
somewhat beyond that For he is the chairman
Of the Republican National Committee very
high place With him are associated other Re
publicans Of prccmincncc. some Of whom have
taken it upon themselves to settle beforehand
the question who shall he the next President
Of the United States. There may be n question
later as to whether the whole party Will accept
their conclusions without debate but there Is
no doubt In the public mind that the National
Committee Is factor OF the greatest impor-
lance. and that the chairman OF the National
Committee quite holds all his associates rs
being in the highest degree potential. We say
there Is no doubt In the public mind but per-
haps that is little too strong; nj any rate. 1t is
safe 10 say that there Is not the slightest shadow
Of n doubt in the minds Of the National Commit
Chairman Carter as 20 their commanding intu
cnce In the party and their pretty nearly abso-
lutte control of its future policy. And YET there
have been other National Committees. and other
chairmcn in previous Oympiads Very great
men, all Of them to be sure. though upon the
SOUR of the moment we do not now recall their
names And yet we do have Il somewhat vague
remembrance that when the National Conven-
| ,l,i, that tI,.
National Committee had arranged with great
accuracy beforehand did not turn ont rs the
committee had arranged, but quite to the con-
trary The truth is, the National Committee IS
great and potential only, rs one might say. be-
| tween meals. When the test comes at 4 Ma
| tional Convention it Is mot in IT,
| And vet Is II worth while considering that the
executive body of the Republican party Of the
| Nation has for its chairman man who on the
floor OF the Senate in support Of IA financial
policy which is unqucstionaby hostile to the
announced policy Of the party, denounces The
most eminent and trusted Republican leaders rs
| .carrillous statesmen possessed Of more zeal
| than knowledge? Is II worth stopping To think
Of for a moment that the chairman of the high
est executive body Of the Republican party OF
the Nation stands up in the Senate and de-
| nounces as "garrulous statesmen" the men who
represent the beliefs Of vast majority Of the
| party; men to whom the MASSES OF the party
all over the country have been accustomed to
| look up: and in whom they have belleved-ls 1t
worth thinking Of that between the great body
| Of the party and the chairman Of its National
Committee. who will call the National Conven-
ton to order and initiate It's proceedings. there is
this wide difference upon the most fundamental
| nnt Mr.
| Charles Hackett Is chairman Of our State Com
mittee: Mr.. Edward Lauterbach Of our County
| Committee. The situation Is relatively the same
But we do not by any means believe that the
Republican party In the Nation, the State or the