The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-27
THERE'SNOHURRY
Secretary Lyman J. Gage Ad-
dresses Business Men
Of Boston on the Affairs of the
Nation.
SAYS WE CAN WAIT
For Reformation of the Cur.
rency System,
But the Paper Currency Must
Ultimately Be Retired.


Treasury Lyman ]. Gage addressed the
business men of this city at banquet
given in his honor today.
Secretary Gage spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen;-My
powers of expression are quite made
quate to a proper Acknowledgement OF
the courtesies extended to me by you
and by your people In the simplest
manner L must say / thank you ana
assure you that the distinction accord
ed me is most highly appreciated In
fact it is a distinction in itself TO be IN
Boston at all, even without the embel-
lishments of your cordial welcome. 1t
is especially SO to a man from the west,
where we have not yet become the IN
heriters of a past, rich in historic
res-cornmemorative of heroic
achievements for liberty. To every
American youth wherever born, II edu-
Gated even in the rudest of our schools,
Boston becomes the shrine of patriotic
devotion. My own earliest impressions
were associated with the celebrated tea
party and the battle of Bunker Hill ana
my heart still beats in quicker rythm
as l think or read of the inspiring story
of the early struggle here. When L re
member however, that certain general
bearing my family name was on the
English side that he made himself es
pecialy obnoxious to Boston people and
pestered the boys for cOasting down
Beacon hill Gf that was indeed the h1ll)
1 wonder if 1 have any just lot or part
in all your glorious memories, or even
any claim upon your hospitality
But we cannot live on the history of
the past. The present is making its
own history, less bloody perhaps, not SO
full of dramatic elements, but equally
influential, it may be, upon future deS-
TIMES. We have met here in period
fraught with it's own interests. Oppos
ing forces met in November last and
contended bitterly over the most vital
of economic questions. While the issue
was pending, the profitable arts of in
dustry came to nearly standstlH
Trade and commerce declined to the
narrowest limits and in GREATNESS
suspense those who could comprehend
the deep import of the issue waited for
it's determination. That issue is now
decided. The ballot, magic exponent of
the popular will, has recorded It's I'M
peratiVe voice for honest money and
for liberty regulated by law.It now re
mains to be seen whether from that
decision there is to be any successful
appeal. 1t is this that gives interest,
anxious interest, to the prospective ac-
ton of those who, clothed with leglSla-
tive and executive functions, have it in
their power to make secure the fruits
Of victory, or who by failing to COM
prehend their high responsibility may
let slip the advantages so hardly Won
Upon the possible doubts involved IN
this question, men of enterprise still
hesitate and the columns of industry
march slowly with ranks not yet
doubt on so plain proposition? There
ought to be none; there would be none,
except for the working of the principle
of human nature which cOaXes us to
case and effOrt-which induces US to
contemplate rather than act-that spirit
of inactivity which on more than one
occasion kept the armies of the Union
from annihilating the enemy and on
another occasion so paralyzed the Con-
federate columns as to turn them back
from the easy capture of our capital
Magical as the duty of the govern
ment seems to be, do not yourselves
supinely rest upon the conclusion that
it will certainly be performed. When it
rains the roof is not mended because it
rains: when it is fair, the roof does not
leak and the indOlent man forgets its
weakness. We have passed through a
wearisome storm. The loss and cost of
it has been enormous; but today the
skies are fair. the breeze of prosperity
brings comfort and restoration Shall
we not be permitted to rest and enjoy
it? No. That would be to foolishly
wait for, if not to invite, further disas-
ter in the future. The final answer,
however, must depend upon the urgen-
cy, or the Indifference of the people.
The administrative branch OF the
government will not sleep nor rest in
active. Its influence has been and will
be for prompt and judicious action.
The evidence of this fact is fresh at
hand in the message just now submit
ted to congress by the president, from
which quote one or two paragraphs.
A bill to provide the necessary reVe-
nues for the government has already
passed the house of representatives and
senate ana awaits executive action.
Another question of very great i'm
portance isb that of the establishment of
our currency and banking system upon
a better basis, which commented upon
in my inaugural address in the follow
ing words: Our financial system needs
some revision; our money is all good
now, but it's value must not be further
threatened. 1t should all be put upon
an enduring basis, not subject to easy
attack nor its stability to doubt dis
pute The several forms of our paper
money offer, in my judgment, a con-
stant embarrassment to the govern
ment and imperil a safe balance in the
treasury.
Nothing was settled more clearly at
the late national election than the de-
termination upon the part of the people
to keep their currency stable in value
and equal to that of the most advanced
nations of the world
But the administration cannot make
laws 1t can only execute them after
they are made. 1t is then to- the legis-
lative body that your thoughtful atten-
ton should be given, if you desire fin
ancial reform Your senators and rep
resentatives will not consciously an
tagonize your well considered desires,
but they must be informed and con-
stantly reminded of what it is that you
demand. And now, what is it ought to
be done to give security and prOtec-
ton TO the future? To this there are
many answers, and to all and every an
sWer many objections. We have indeed
A delicate and difficult problem to solve
the difficulty being aggravated by the
fact that ignorance from prejudice and
passion enter to complicate and vex the
solution. This is one of the penalties
which popular government must paw
in return for its multifarious ana emf
nent benefits. With these drawbacks