Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-11
President hicltinley's inaugural.

AuureBs OF IFeSluenV MehlniRy. Wplcn
waR, throughout, calm and digniiied
deliverance, will meet with the cordial
approval of the great mass of the
American people. But with respect
TO these exceptions, thers viii be
general feeling of uneasinoas until the
subjects the.ein mentioned have been
disposed OF by Congress.
One OF these exceptions is the Presi-
dent's reference to bimetallism and tho
announcement he gives to this linger-
ing hope of the silver fanatics for legis-
lation that will eventually lead to the
free and unlimited coinage of the white
metal at tho farorite ratio OF 10 to /.
Bur President Mckinley ehould know,
as all who are not biindly preiudiced
by the fanatical worship of the cause OF
free silver coinage feel thoroughly cum
wheel, that there is no more change
OF securing bimetallsm through inter
national agreement than there ia of
securing the adoption and use of the
English language by all the nations of
Europe before the close of the Mckinley
standardization. President Mckinley,
therefore, has only thrown q tempting
sop to the friends of SILVER; that is all.
The other exception is President Ne.
Kinley's Recommendation for tito en-
actment of protective tariff legislation,
tor which purpose he announces that
no has called special session OF Con-
gress. to assemble March 18th. The
calling Of HD extra session, as is fully
proved by the unfortunate experience
OF every administration that induigeh
in this luxury, is a hazardous expert
ment, fraught with danger of disaster.
1t cannot be expected that the Me-
kinley administration will prove an
exception. An extra session will open
tha gates Of legislation. and no human
foresight can foretsll tho troubles and
tribulations it viii impose upon the
President before its existence is ended.
Were is not for this extra session, the
business interests Of the country,
already ir condition of promising
revival. would at once fool the effect
OF tho encouraging assurance of no
tariff revision at least until after the
cunrening of the regular session, in
December next. But after Congress
meets in extraordinary session on
March 18th, uncertainty will prevail
until its work is onded, and no ono
can predict when that will he. Mean
while, capital will continue cautious
and extensive business ventures will be
held in allegiance until it is definitely
known what kind of tariff restrictions
the country 10 TO ba burdened with,
President Mckinley spoke most en-,
couragingly upon the necessity for strict
economy in all the branches of thu
government, and he should know thai
it needs only some heed to this eS.
eellent admonition to put an end to the
existing financial deficits in the
national treasury. Ito should know
that the last protective tariff measure,
WHICH bore his name as "a distinctive
designation, was given the title oil
IAN Act to Reduce Revenue, and die
reduce it TO vary material extent.
How, then, can ho hope TO increase
the public revenues by another Me.
hinley bill? Ho should know, also,
that under tho wilson bill there ha.
boon largo increase in our torojpr
export trade and decided decrease il
our imports of foreign goods. Whai
moro encouraging trade conditions can
country desire than these, and
wherein lies tho necessity of intorferip,
with them to an unknown exta Mt hy
the impoGition OF severe tariff 10
striC.iona: Sutoiy, with tho revenues
no" being r1alizol. md which hay,
been steadily reducing the deficit i,
the facr 0! tho most outrageous ex
tEgyaganco IN tho part of Congress, the
application OF tho principles Of ordinar,
economy will afford all the relief neodel
by the country in this direction.
President Mckinley very ahfy point
out the necessity for reform of on
currency system. and recommends tn
appointment OF 4 commission 10 pronar
plan for this important work, Fl
also suggests a cultivation of friend
relations with all other nations, AM
urges that the Gon5titutod authoritie
OF this country must be cheerfully an,
vigorously Upheld. His endorsement
OF Civil Service is unqualified an
dnubtless sincere. Tho tone of tn
address is dignifod and encouraging
and with the exceptions noted will
bring assurance to tho people and CON
mand their hearty approval.