The Charlotte Democrat., 1897-02-04
The Policy of
President Mckinley.

lost of the numerous visitors TO
Canton who have had the opportu-
nifty to converse with the President
elect have had the advantage only of
a very few minutes, and consequently
are not in a position to prophesy
accurately. Nevertheless, it is the
class of visitors who do most of the
talking as to what is to be expected
from the new administration.
Some of their statements and as
sertions, if properly authenticated,
would not only be interesting, but
quite important But there are
few with whom Mr.. Mckinley has
talked with some freedom and the
impressions Of these may be relied
upon to give sufficiently accurate
outline of the general policy which
will guide his ADM nistratiOn.
Mr.. Mckinley is too good poll"
tician, and has had too much eXper-
ience in public life, to be unaware of
the greater Or lesser embarrassment,
which, under the circumstances,
will surround his administration by
reason of the fact that it cannot
hope to command party majority
in the Senate. He is said to realize
this keenly and to feel that this en-
barassment may be made greater or
less, just as his own action is tenn
pered by wisdom, discretion and
conservation. 1t would be almost
fatal error for him in the beginning
to incline to any course which would
divide the Republican side of the
Senate into administration and anti
administration wings. He can have
no possible chance for making his
administration a success unless in
81 matters of party policy he has
behind him in the Senate his solid
party vote.
There are some men on the Re
publican side of the Senate it will
be very hard to please, and one man
is coming on from his own State
whose prejudices and whose interests
are all against him and one with
whom he must deal very gingerly to
avoid converting into an open foe.
1t is believed Mr.. Mckinley will not
ask for so radical a tariff measure as
the bill which goes by his name, and
the ways and means committee are
proceeding on this idea and will try
to report measure less sWeepiD G..
He realizes that no tariff measure
can pass the Senate without either
the active or the passive connivance
of his political enemies, and he fur
ther realizes that the bill to gain
this needed help must be framed
| with some moderation.
1t has never before happened in
the history of legislation in this
country, if any other, that COM
bined opposition, constituting ma.
iority of legislative body, has an
nounced its willingness to permit
the minority to pass a great party
measure. Senator Faulkner, for the
| Democrats, and Senator Allen, for
the Populists, declare that this is not
magnanimoity nor generosity, but
simply good politics, as it will be
giving a rope to the Republicans tC
hang themselves with. At the same
time notice has been served on the
incoming administration and on the
Republican minority in the Senate
that they must not attempt to make
too long journey on the high. roat
to protection.
The task which Mr.. Mckinley
has is to command popular conf
dence and support in his policy, botl
| foreign and domestic; to eemen
around him his own party in botf
branches of Congress, and to adher'
to an attitude of fairness and con
ciliation on all broad public ques
tions as will rally to his supper
votes which may at times be needed
from those classed as his poiitica
opponents.
1t would be an unwarranted as
sumption TO claim formal authorit,
for his anticipated conduct, ye
there is thought to be good groun'
for considering as highly probabl
his wish not to depart from the pol
icy Of the present administration il
regard to Cuba and the Hawaiial
Island, the Nicaraguan canal, ant
in fact, with regard to all interna
5ional questions pending. 1t is tru
partisans, zealots ana ingoes hav
assailed violently the foreign polio
! of the Cleveland administration il
several respects, but the broad mind
ed, thinking patriotism, justice ant
: Christianity Of the country ana tn
, world have endorsed it, aud if MI
Mckinley .does follow it he Cal
put no brighter star in his crown O
power.
. From all that he has said to hi
, visitors on the financial problem
, is not deduced that he has mature
9 in his mind any definite plan to
proposed for legislation. To tn
q contrary, it is thought he hopes t
have the extra session devoted en-
tirely TO the consideration of th
&, tariff; with the hope that all fnan
: cial difficulties may be in progres
! toward satisfactory adjustment b
the time of the regular session c
Congress in December. If not, II e
it will be time to take up that sui
1 ject. Generally he is known to fave
q more liberal banking system, ant
a perhaps, larger issue of bank not
/ currency. Its understood he ha
l positively said he would not favo
| the retirement of the green backs an
would not issue bonds to maintai
: the gold reserve.
q Where the Mills Are.
The Textile Excelsior, a trad