The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-25

Sheehan, former lieutenant governor;
John d. Crimmns. John d. Warner,
former Governor Walter of Connecti-
cut, and others.
Robert b. Roosevelt presided at the
guests table and on his right Cover
nor Flower smiled and looked compla-
cent.
At either side sat Perry Belmont.
William ID. Bynum, of Indiana; Sena-
tor John Fox. Governor Walter. Surro-
gate Arnold and Isidor Strauss.
Mr.. Flower as he arose to respond to
Mr.. Roosevelt's speech of welcome. said
as preface to his speech: II would
rather be rendered such banquet as
this than be president" A howl Of de-
light greeted this. The ex-governor
was frequently applauded before he
ceased talking. Mr.. Flower said in
part:
I am glad. for one, to acknowledge
frankly, that no two men seemed inclined
to appreciate so keenly the bipartisan ma
ture of their victory as do the men most
directly interested, Major Mckinley and
Mr.. Hanna. | am proud to bear public
testimony to the fine sense of appreria-
tion of conditions and results which has
been displayed by these two men. not
only during the campaign but since the
election. Their behavior and utterances
have been in thorough harmony with the
spirit of the contest in which they were
engaged. Since the election there has
been none of the usual partisan boa sting.
and none of the usual suggestions for
perpetuating power. 1t will be a matter
of great congratulation If the note of VIE
tory. can be maintained at that high
pitch.
The two measures which will most
prominently engage the attention of con
gress and the new president will be those
relating to the tariff and the currency.
thncn il.n
to see a marked departure from old meth
ods of legislation. 1t has been the custom
for many years to entrust the framing
Of tariff bill to the committee on ways
and means in the house Of representatives,
to which are appointed not men pa-ticu-
larly fitted by business experience, but
men who have served many terms in the
house. or who are prominent in the politi-
cal councils of the party in power. This
custom has thrown the tariff into politics
and has made the framing of tariff sched-
ules largely game Of give and take. The
results have been bad not only for the
the morals of the country. / would like
to see a speaker broad enough, brave
enough and patriotic enoughto cast aside
this traditional precedent. and, bearing
in mind particularly the lessons of the last
election. select from the business men of
both parties in the house the members
best qualified In point of character and
experience to frame a revenue bill which
would give satisfaction substantially to ali
the people of the country. and which
would give revenue enough for the sun
port Of the government economically ad-
ministered. Approaching so difficult a
task In such spirit would disarm criti-
cism at the outset. win popular approval,
remove political prejudice, quiet business
apprehension. and place upon the statute
books measure generally approved, and
In all probability designed to give the
country a prolonged period Of prosperity
without the unsettling effects of con-
tinual meddling with the tariff
would also like to see a speaker. brave
enough and broad enough, with the sup
port Of his political associates. to adopt
the same patriotic course toward the So
luton Of the money question. That while
It may be more difiicult problem, yet,