Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-07-19
NEW ADMINISTRATION CAUSING A
BETTER FEELING.
MUCH HAS BEENACcoMPLISHED
INTERVIEW WITH EX-SENATOR
BLAIR, OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr.. Blair Thinks the Prosperity That
VIII Come with the New Tariff
VIII Put an End 10 the De-
mand for Cheap
Money.

Washington. July Is-(special) -Ex-Sen
ator Blair. Of New Hampshire. who has
been of late brought much into contact
with people In various parts OF the coun-
! try, brings back to Washington a report
/ Of an improved feeling among the people
| and especially one Of general satisfaction
with the progress in national affairs under
| the new administration.
'On the whole" said he. talking Of the
| work OF the past four months. 1t is Civ
ing considerable satisfaction and that salts
| faction is. in my opinion, based upon good
| reasons. To be sure we are not yet rioting
| in prosperity but We are better on than
anybody else in the world and things are
| growing better with Us. The president
| took the right hold of the situation as soon
| as he was sworn into office; in fact had
made everything ready 10 do so long be-
| fore. Now that the tariff bill is ready 10
| become a law the people can and will go
| TO work with confidence in the future
do you recall any instance in which a
| taTin bill has been passed as promptly.
NO. There never has been since the first
tarln such ease We were in almost as
bad a fix at the close of Cleveland's first
term at the close of his second, yet
congress did not come together until the
regular session in December, after Presi-
dent Harrison's inauguration, and the re-
suit was then no new tariff for the coun-
try to recover under until the people had
started for the ballot boxes to select the
next congress near the middle of President
Harrison's administration, so everything
went TO the dogs that election"
You think that the effect of the new
tariff law will be Immediately LETT, thsn?'
Yes; in the revival Of confidence and
activity and that will quickly be followed
by actual results. It takes months for the
business OF the country 70 become adjusted
and until this is done actual prosperity in
manufactures and the result upon other in
dustries cannot be expected. but when the
people see that the conditions of prosperity
are being written upon the statute books
and will soon be in force and that the party
in power will enforce the law then con-
fidence, which is the first great condition
Of prosperity. at once arrives Now the
again with a protective tariff better than
the old Mckinley law. under which In two
wears the people became the most prosper
that IL is sure to continue in operation ad-
ministered by friendly hands for at least
four years. They know also that they are
willing to profit by the terrible blunders OF
1892, and that by perpetuatng the Republic
go without interruption not only four. but
and so on indefinitely"
senator, while they practically have sban,,
doned the tariff as an issue, apparently stu
hope to regain the control OF nati9nSl az
when all the people are once more al
work. these questions will. think, 5ettle
themselves The people want the best
money they can get in all heir transactions.
Nobody. whether capitalist or wage-earn-
er. desires a poor, cheap or uncertain dol
you give everybody all the protection they
want they will all get to work. fer then
they know they can sell what they produce.
worth of their productions in the best
of money. When everybody Is producing.
everybody Is selling. Produce the producer
and YOU necessarily have the consumer. for
nobody can consume until he has produced
something to buy with. When everybody
market, then everybody can sell and buy.
using sound money in all transactious.and
that is prosperity
mate the demand for cheap money!?
Yes. Let the country get fairly on its
feet once more, as II was In lss2. and you
will find that the question of paying debts
with 80 cents on = dollar will disappear.
Give those who are absolutely in debt and
are honest and want II. the benefit Of a
liberal bankruptcy law, and all this prop
Osition of adopting the silver standard at
80 cents on a dollar we have been doing
business with most of the time for CEN
tury and all the time for half generation
will disappear and with such increased use
of silver as may be brought about by in
will be settled. The congested condition OF
the currency will cease and an amended
national banking law, which will permit
the people OF all parts Of the country to
bank upon securities such as their own
sources can furnish properly guaranteed
by the state and nation. certainly by the
problem to universal satisfaction"
The tariff and the currency questions
having progressed satisfactorily, senator
what do you find the public sentiment with
reference 10 the foreign policy of the ad-
Equally satisfactory. 1 think It seems
to be perfectly clear that we are advancing
upon both the great oceans of the world;
that we are moving toward both the ris-
ing and the setting sun. Certainly the for
eign attitude Of the administration has
been firm, dignifed and as far as devel-
oped has shown its firm and progressive
views to be mingled with such wisdom and
prudence that the people are approving IL
more cordially as they see more OF its
plans and operations"
Then you find the work OF the first four
months of the administration satisfactory
to those with whom you have come in
Yes; eminently So Only four months
have passed since the Inauguration. and
yet we are already where we were at the
end of eighteen months of the Harrison
which was the most pros
porous administration known in our his
tory. There is every reason why we should
thank God and take courage"