The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-28
LYMAN ]. GAGE


Hon. r. Jefferson Coolidge gave the
welcome to Secretary Gage with a tri-
butte to the latters position in financial
circles of the West and the elements In
his career which have appealed to men
Of the East.
Secretary Gage was then introduced.
After referring to historic struggles of
former times, Secretary Gage said:
Opposing forces met In November
last and contended bitterly over the most
vital of economic questions. The ballot,
magic exponent OF the popular will, re-
corded It's imperative voice for honest
money and for liberty regulated by law.
1t now remains to be seen whether from
that decision there Is to be any success
full appeal. II Is this that gives interest,
anxious interest. to the prospective ac-
tion OF these who, clothed with legisla-
tive and executive functions have 1t In
their power to make secure the fruits Of
victory, or who, by failing to compre-
hend their higher 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 COM
pletely filled. Is there room for doubt
on so plain q proposition? There ought
to be none. There would be none except
for the working of thai principle of hu-
man nature, which coaxes us to ease af-
ter effort-whch induces us to contem-
plate rather than act
1--WE have passed through a weari-
some storm. The loss and cost of it has
httf c1ri so
fair the breeze Of prosperity brings com
fort and restoration.
THE administrative branch OF the
government has been and will be for
prompt and judicious action. The evil
dence of this fact is fresh at hand in the
message just now submitted to congress
by the president.
Nothing was settled more clearly at
the late national election determina-
ton exists upon the part of the people to
keep their currency stable in value and
equal to that Of the most advanced ma
tion of the world. But the administra-
tion cannot make laws. II can only exc
cute them after they are made IT is
then to the legislative body that your
thoughtful attention Is to be given, IL
you desire financial reform. Your sena-
tors and representatives will not con-
= sciously antagonize your well-considered
desires, but they must be informed and
constantly reminded Of what il Is that
you demand.
Currency Commission Comm ended.
"And now what Is 1t that ought to be
done to give security and protection to
the future? To this there are many an
N
5ectors. recommendation Of the presi-
dent for a commission was admirable
in this. that IL suggested a way by which
a body OF weli-trained and thoughtful
men could be provided to consider at
leisure, without distraction from other
pressing themes, the important subject
OF currency and banking reforms 1t, at
the same time, opened a forum to which
could be admitted every contributive
suggestion from all classes and condi-
tions OF man. And IL there Is anything
dear to an American heart Ii Is the priyi-
lege OF having his say.
ITO these incidental neral adyanta ges
may be added the reasonable expecta-
tion that the commission would have
been able To gather In most valuable
information and finally To formulate
wise recommendation worthy Of early
and favorable consideration by con-
gress at the regular session next win
ter. That the bill which passed the
house with promptness failed OF recog-
milton I'm the senate may be matter OF
regret. but not one for encouragement.
That might have been accomplished
though n commission may be achieved
without one
Nor ought we TO speak or think un-
kindly or body which has so assiduously
toiled I'm the work OF new body of law,
concerning n matter so shared with con-
flicting opinions and opposing interests,
as is any tariff act. The two questions
before the country In the last political
campaign were the tariff and the cur
rency. One OF them is already settled.
Whatever the merits or demerlts of the
new measure In It's particular Item II
has become the law OF the land. The
revenues derived from IL will, after q
e~---.---------s -..' - --.-a- $50 -