The Saint Paul globe., 1896-11-20
M'KINLEY'S CABINET.
A Sound Money Democrat Makes a
Suggestion.

| To the Editor of the Globe
The newspaper cabinet makers are al
ready hard at work with the evident purpose
of attempting to create public sentiment il
promotion of their fayorite views. The ad-
vantages to be derived from the selection
of their respective candidates for cabinet ap-
'po1ntments are eloquently expressed anC
frequently reiterated. We believe, however
that the presdent-elect is too shrewd and ex-
perienced in political affairs to be imposed
upon by this phase of cabinet making in
dustry. The circumstances preceding and at
tending both the nomination and election oi
President Mckinley place him in a position
of unusual independence and freedom in the
selection of the members of his administra-
ton, and unless we mistake the sturdy char
acter of the man, he will exercise a large
degree of personal freedom in the choice OF
his official associates.
Speaking from the standpoint Of sound
money Democracy, we shall not assume the
advocacy Of any candidate for cabinet hon
ors, but in view of the acknowledged i'm
portance of the direct and indirect contribu-
tion of efforts by National Democrats toward
the success Of the Republican campaign, we
feel at liberty to express some views in op-
position to certain suggestions, which seem
to be widely, and as we think, unwisely
entertained by Republican papers. While il
Is true that many states piled up enormous
Republican majorities, 1t must be acknowl-
edged that the margin Of success was very
narrow. The change Of 10000 votes in GER
tain states would have reversed the results,
and every dictate Of wisdom compels careful
as bearing upon the choice of President Nc
Kinley's successor. Present safety can only
be perpetuated by the guaranty OF the prev
alence of sound financial views in the next
succeeding administration.
Primarily, the new cabinet should be COM
posed of men whose loyalty to the success
Of President McKinley's administration is be-
yond question. 1t should not contain any
ready made presidential candidate who could
use his position as a pedestal for future de-
velopment. This assumption rules out two
worthy gentlemen who have been proposed
for the premiership. One can serve the ma
tion to better advantage in his present i'm
portant and commanding official position,
while the other can better conserve his per-
sonal interests by devotion Of his lucrative
professional practice. The country is full OF
well-eQuipped statesmen who will safely con-
duct our foreign affairs without suspicion of
posing as rival for future presidential hon
ors.
Equally important, in our view, is the ne
cessity of placing the custody of the treasury
department far away from Wall street and
its coterie Of money lenders. Nobody can
safely ignore the widespread jealousy of
the great body Of plain people this sub
ject. The experience of the present admin
istration in its financial embarrassments
should serve as a warning against the pos
sible selection Of a confdante and associate
of the millionaire bankers for this vital
position Above all, should the secretary Of
the treasury be a statesman of experience,
whose hcaracter and record will command
the confidence and sympathy Of that great
constituency, where the heat and burden Of
the recent campaign so gloriously fought
to a successful issue, on the great plains
of the West.
National Democrats generously rallied to
the support OF President Mckinley in the
recent canvass on account of his financial
attitude, and despite his conspicuous tariff
views, with which they were by no means
in sympathy; they trusted the latter interest
to his honor, and they have a right to ex-
pect just and considerate treatment from
him. While they concede that some tariff leg
they depend upon his deservedly great inf1u-
ence to insure reasonable and conservative
results In this direction. They will object
and vehemently object, to the appointment to
any position in his cabinet of the president
and chief promoter OF the Protective Tariff
league. Tho objection Is not on personal
grounds, but because of the manifest i'm
council OF the new president the chief agent
and spokesman of the protective tariff advo-
Gates.
The opponents of radical tariff legislation
are willing to meet the advocates of protec-
ton before the congressional committee in
full, free and open discussion, but they protest
against the unfair advantage of having the
high chief Of protection clothed with the
official prerogativeS Of a cabinet minister
in the promotion Of protective measures
II President Mckinley desires to maintain
ana strengthen his party in view Of future
elections, he will take care to avoid so just
a cause of complaint such an appointment
would surely be. His characteristic fair
Eess and the right of fair treatment so gen
erously won by the National Democracy may
error in a matter of such grave Importance