New-York tribune., 1897-01-31
THE PROSPECT.

The public appreciation Of the selection OF Mr.
Gage for Secretary of the Treasury must give
qualification TO Major Mckinley. 1t Is so gen.
eral and hearty that Mr.. Gage himself may also
regard II as high compliment. Rarely have
leading journals of both parties so generally
expressed satisfaction at the choice of man
for this peculiarly difficult position 1t is true
that the union Of Sound Money Democrats with
Republicans in the direct or indirect support OF
Major Mckinley renders it natural that imam
cier Of high standing, great experience ana emil
nently qualified to represent the views OF both
parties so far as they agree should be equally
gratifying to BOTH Possibly there Is an especial
note Of rejoicing in the utterances OF Free TRAD
ers because they imagine that Mr. Gage may
lean toward their wishes regarding the tarif But
they may prOfitably note his own frank state
ment that ii will belong to the President him.
self TO mark out the policy CT his Administra-
ton There is nothing TO indicate that Mr..
Gage will find it difficult to accept that policy
heartily and without reserve.
MANY Journals express especial satisfaction
because the selection Of Mr.. Gage removes all
possible doubt regarding the maintenance or the
gold standard. This it would II there were
doubt but there is something not at all credit
able in the course Of some journals which have
persistently expressed doubts on that subject
and imagined that. for the sake OF carrying
through protective measure. the President
would be willing to make large concessions to
silver men. The doubts were more discreditabie
10 them than insulting to Major Mckinney,
whose unequlvocal statements have left nothing
10 be desired on that subject. He was equally
pledged by his party and by his own continually
repeated declarations during the campaign to
carry out two great objects, one as much AZ the
other. sacrificing or sighting neither, and he
has been as certain to maintain the gold stand
stfd as to protect home industry to the full ex-
tent OF his power as President There has not
been at any time a decent excuse for doubt re-
garding his purpose on either subject.
The passing Of provision for appointment OF
delegates TO an international bimetallic confer
ence is In entire harmony with the principles
and purposes to which Major Mckinley and his
Marty are pledged Men who brush aside every
sueeestion to that end with the cheap assertion
that nothing can possibly be accomplished by
such a conference and that no concert Of action
with other nations would be in the least bene-
ficial II It could be effected, are simply giving
voice to their own prejudices. Whether any
thing can be effected has yet to be ascertained.
One thing is certain, that the United States alone
has been the sufficient barrier to any serious
consideration of the subject so long as 1t has
been trying to lift the value of silver all alone
and threatening to open Its mints to free coinage
Of that metal Now that it has been settled by
the people that the United States Will take no
step In that direction until the other great ma
tions are prepared to bear their part the question
goes before them on an entirely new footing.
What they may be disposed to do, If anything,
can only be ascertained by sober and careful
inquiry, having behind 1t the declared policy Of
the United States to maintain the gold stand.