The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-28
Secretary Gage Takes a Rosy View Of the
Business Situation.
PASSED THROUGH 4 WEARlSOME STORM.
Boston Business Non Eniertain the
Secretnry, Who Discour.es on
Tariff and Finnnce-CheerfuI View
OF the Outlook for the Near ma
Remote Future.
Boston, Mass, July 27, 1887.

SSSAShoiS HaSS dt Clle lillS
AFTERNOON was attended by about $50
or the leading men in the professional
ana commercial life in the city. An
inIormal reception was held preceding
The dinner, which occurred at 2:45
o'clock. Among those present were
William c. Lowering, who presided;
Governor Wolcott, Mayor Quincy, Hon.
Sharles S. Hamlin. Gx-Assstant Secre-
tary Of the Treasury; T. Jefferson Col
Hase, ex-united States Ambassador to
FRANCE; Hon j. r. Leeson, William B.
Rlce, Jr., and many others. On being
introduced Secretary Gage said. in part:
We have met here In period fraught
with Its own interests. Opposing forces
met IN November last aud contendcd
bitterly over the most vital Of economic
questions. While the issue was pending
the profitable arts of industry came to
nearly "a standstill. Trade and com
merce declined to the narrowest limits
and In breathless suspense those who
could comprehend the deep import of
the issue waited for It's determination
Ihat Issue is now decided. The ballot.
magic exponent Of the popular will, has
recorded Its imperative voice for honest
money and for liberty regulated by law
II now remains to be seen whether from
!hat decision there is to be any SUCCESS
'tui appeal. 1t Is this that gives inter
est, anxious interest, to the prospective
action of those who, clothed with leg
iSiatiVe and executive functions have in
tnelr power to make sure the fruits of
victory, or who, by failing TO compre-
mend their high responsibility, may let
SIP the advantages so hardly won.
Upon the possible doubts involved i'm
thls question men of enterprise still
hesitate and the columns of industry
narch slowly with ranks not yet COM
pletely filed. Is there room for doubt
on SO plain proposition? There ought
10 be none. There would be none cN-
cept for the working OF that principle OF
human nature, which coaxes US to ease
after effort-which induces us to con
template rather than act-that spirit of
inactivity which, on more than one oc-
caslon, kept the armies OF the Union
from annihilatinG the enemy, and on
another occasion so paralyzed the con-
Iederate columns as to turn them back
from the easy capture OF our capital.
Logical as the duty or the Govern
ment seems to he, do not yourselves
supinely rest upon the conclusion that
II VIII certainly be performed. We have
passed through a wearisomc storm.
The loss and cost of II has been enor-
nous; but to-day the skies are fair, the
breeze Of prosperity brings comfort and
restoration. Shall we not be permitted
20 rest and enjoy It? No. That would
be to foolishly wait for, If not to invite
further disaster in the future. The final
answer. however. must depend upon the
urgency or the Indifference of the peu-
Pile
The administrative branch of tho
Government will not sleep nor rest in
active. Its Influence has been and will
be for prompt and Judic!ous action.
ne evidence OF this fact is fresh nj
hnnd III the message just now submit
ted to Congress by the President
Mr: Gage here quoted several para
Nm f1Ns,,
he said:
but the administration cannot make
laws 1t can only execute them after
they are made. 1t is then to the lcgis-
latiHe body that your thoughtful atten-
tion Is to he given If you desire tinan-
clal reform. Your Senators and Rem
resentativcs will not consciously an
but they must be Informed and con-
stantly reminded of what it Is that
You demand.
And now what is it that ought to be
done TO give security and protection to
thc future? To this there are many an
sWers and TO every answers many OBJ
Jections. We have indeed delIcatc
and difficult problem to solve, the ditIi-
cuity being aggravated by the fact thai
ignorance, prejudice and passion enter
In TO complicate and vex the solution.
IL
lar government must pay in return for
It's multifarious and eminent benefits
with these drawbacks we can neverthe-
less. with patience, find our way The
recommendation OF the President for n
commission was admirable in this, IN
that 1t suggested IL way by which q
body of well trained and thought full
men could be provided to consider. nj
leisure without dtstra ction from other
pressing themes the important subject
Of currency and banking reforms 1t,
at the same time. opened n forum To
which could be admitted every contrib
utivc suggestion from all classes and
conditions Of men.
That the bill which passed tho House.
with promptncs5 failed of recognition
In the Senate may be n matter of regret
but not one for discoura cement What
might have been accomplished through
a commission may be achieved without
one.
Nor ought we 10 speak or think un-
kindly of a body which has so assid-
uously toiied in the work OF a new
body of law concerning a matter so
charged with conflicting opinions and
opposing interests as any tarifr act. The
two questions before the country in the
last political campaign were the tariff
and the currency. One Of them Is al
ready settled.
WhaEcvcr the merits or dement's Of
t!y,e new measure in It's particular items.
II has s-becone the law of the land. The
revenues derived from 1t will, after n
possible briHf interregnum, he ample.
for proper government expenditures.
We have also reached point where