The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-15
President Mckinley Has
UnbOunded Faith.
Tries to Ascertain Public
Opinion and Follow 1t.
Cuba's Representative on the Policy
OF Spain in America.

isg facts concerning the policy OF Presl'
dent Mckinley In his relations 10 the coun-
try and 20 public men. In my Judg'
ment. said Secretary Wilson, President
Mckinley is nearer the people than any
other president we have had since Lln'
coin. Mr. Mckinley tries TO keep near
TO the people He believes in 1t. lie
has unbounded faith i'm the wisdom and
the instincts Of the great mass or our
people He does not believe they VIII
90 wrong He tries 10 ascertain what
public opinion Is, and 20 follow IL. lie
does not do this as a mere trimmer oil
sails. but out of profound respect for the
people His ideas Of the proper sphere and
function of president are that be Is moro
tho servant and instrument of the people
than their ruler There come times. OF
course. when the chief magistrate must
meet a crisis He must take action with
out any notion OF what the popular ideas
are. He must carve out his own destiny.
But In SO far as possible know it Is the
settled policy OF President Mckinley &c
keep close to tho popular wish.
A valuable Experience.
lone might almost say that the presi'
dent is deferential 10 the people. His con
duct since he was elected and since he was
inaugurated, his seeing all corners from
among the people at great sacrifice OK his
own strength and convenience, show that
he looks upon himself as the servant, not
as the master He takes this view more
strongly and conscientiously, think, than
any other president of recent times.
"Take IL, too, in his treatment OF mem
bers OF congress. There is President Nc
Kinley's strongest point At dinner here
few DAYS ago was unexpectedly called
out TO make speech. / could think of no
better thought than the tact which the
president shows In his treatment OF sena.
tors and representatives. ! said the presi.
dent tried 10 treat every one having bust
ness with him Just as one gentleman would
treat another in consideration Of the affairs
of company In which they were all equal
ly interested. He Is wholly without that
sense or assumption of proprietorshir
which some presidents have appeared tc
feel II was a great thing for President
Mckinley that he had years OF experience
in congress There is no other training so
good for man who Is to take the helm OF
state. 1t teaches him breadth and toler.
ance. 1t teaches him to yield and to defer
and TO make peace In that after dinner
speech / said IL President Harrison had
served ten years as n member of the house
of representatives Mr.. Cleveland might
not have been elected president, just as
Mr. Harrison might not have been elected
over Mr. Cleveland If Mr.. Cleveland had
had ten years of congressional experience. "
A Cuban View.
was standing in the great rotunda OF
the capitol the other day when Senor Que.
sada the representative of tho Cuban re-
public in Washington, came up. LOOK
ut that picture" said he, pointing TO a
great painting Of the landing of Columbus
on San Salvador, "and'tell me wherein II
shows why Spanish rule on this continent
has been one OF cruelty and rapacity."
looked the painting over and for long
time could net discern what Senor Quesads
had referred to. Finally hit upon it.
II see what you mean" exclaimed. at
is the two Spaniards who have just landed
IN the new world and who are already
down upon their knees, not in prayer. al
thankfulness TO Providence for deliverii z
them from the dangers of the deep al |
guiding their ships to new land, ] u
scrambling for the gold which they think
they see in The sands by the shore"
THAT is right replied the Cuban rep
rescntative "There you have Spain's
American motive from the day Of Column
bus to the presenttime."
Popularity OF Taste.
One Of the odd things about life In the
national capital Is the manner in wh
state colonies are formed at the various
hotels. For instance, at the Portland both
OF the Iowa senators live, and there also
may be found the Iowa member Of the
cabinet. Mr. Wilson, and three or four Of
the Iowa congressman. OF course the
Portland Is known as the Iowa headquar.
ters Senator Allison only takes his meals
at the hotel But his house, where he
sleeps, is directly across the street. For
years the Iowa people have made the Port
land their home while in Washington. Al
the Cochran the Ohio people may be found
IA great numbers. Senator Sherman s
house Is Just around the corner and the
Hamilton, another rendezvous for Ohio
men. is right across the street from the
Cochran. The New England and New
York people are fond Of the Arlington,
where may be found Senators Platt of the
Empire State and Platt OF Connecticut,
Senator Aldrich and many more from that
region The Illinois members frequent
the old Willard hotel, and If one wants to
rnd an Illinois representative he always
icnks for him at that inn The southern
members. as a rule, are found either at the
Metropolitan the National or the Riggs.
Perhaps threefourths Of all the southern
men IN town who live az hotel may be
found In one OF these three The Michi-
gan members are usually 10 be found al
the Ebbitt. &c IL goes Almost every one
OF the large states has q certain hotel In
Washington which Is looked upon as head
quarters for the people from that common
wealth
Senator Mason Of Illinois is said 20 have
q greater number Of Office seekers after
him than any other man In congress. Mr..
Mason Is nearly worn out with his long
vigils in behalf Of the hungry people OF his
state He is usually the first man at the
White House every morning, and often hs
finds II necessary 20 call a second time
during the day. l have heard ~ said that
Mason is 80 much worried by his friends
that he has taken on a hungry sort of lool
aud that when he goes 10 the White Hous'