The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-20
They Resent His Attack on Re-
publican Party.
HURL OLD EPITHET
Of "Anarchfst" at Him and Get
Mad.
John Sherman's Comment is
the Most Caustic.

ering of business men in Philadelphia has
been a general topic of discussion here in
official and political circles, AS a rule
the Republicans severely criticise Mr..
Wanamaker and a large majority at
tribute his utterances to disappointment
in not having been chosen United States
| senator at the last session of the Penn
sylvania legislature. Some Republicans
declare that his speech savors of anarchy.
They feel that he has appealed to those
| who seek for flaws where none exist. and
that the response must come from the
lawless elements.
The assailed admfnistra ton is defend
ed by four members of the cabinet
Secretaries Sherman, Gage, Alger and
Long.
Secretary of the Treasury Lyman J.
| Gage was returning from a dinner party
when the correspondent met him as he
alighted from in front of his resi-
! dence. In reading the papers he had
! overlooked the Wanamaker speech. A
| synopsis was given and the secretary
| seemed greatly surprised. The feature
relating to the do-nothing policy of the
| Republicans was the that appeared
! to strike him most forcibly. Placing one
| foot on the stone steps leading up to the
| front piazza he reached in his pocket for
a latchkey and with his customary kindly
smile, said:
Mr.. Wanamaker had better wait and
/ give the Republicans a chance to redeem
| their platform pledges. Sufficient time
| and opportunity have not yet been af-
! forded in which to accomplish tangible
results of Importance. Remedial legisla-
ton is now before congress. and with
| business depression removed and reve-
| nues increased in excess of expendi-
lures, the way will be open for practical
| prosperity. I believe Mr.. Wanamaker
should wait and give the party
| chance"
There is a very familiar sound to Mr..
| Wanamaker's utterances,' said Secretary
| of the Navy Long, smilingly. They are
| the same kind of criticism that every
new administration undergoes. Mr.. Wan
! amaker says that the country is not
| prosperous, and he blames the Republi-
can party for not having already re-
stored the god times It seems to
! be too much to expect that a tariff bill
can be passed and prosperity restored
/ in two months. The party has been in
| power just about that length of time. I
| believe that matters are progressing very
| nicely and that better times will come in
due season.
Mr.. Wanamaker says that the young
| men are growing up Indifferent to Re
| publican principles. and that a revolu-
| ton is coming that will give birth to
new political party. My observation
| does not agree with this. I think that
the young men of the country are just
as staunch in their allegiance to the
principles of our government now as
they were or as their forefathers were. 1
do not see any signs of Mr.. Wanamakers
impending revolution. and I see no reason
to fear that even if a new political party
is born it's principles win be subversive
of institutions.
Mr.. Wanamaker's remarks about the
disregarding of laws, legislation con-
| ceived for Matchmaking purposes, and
| speculation of public officials in trust
and other stocks during the considera-
ton of tariff and other financial bills, do
not affect the party. If such things are
| being done they are the work of indi-
viduals. My experience and observation
have been that legislatures. whether
state national. are, as bodies, honest
| and conscientious. 1 was particularly
struck with this during my service in
| the house of representatives. The great
majority of the men met there were OF
| high character and integrity, men with
| the courage of their convictions,
L say this of those who held different
| views from mine, as well of those that
| agreed with me. And I believe the same
| is true of every legislature and of the
/
| although I was not SO intimate with the
| senators as I was with the members of
| the house"
Secretary of War Russell A. Alger dis
liked to censure Mr.. Wanamaker. because
| of their long friendship, but at the same
| time he felt that the former cabinet
| officers remarks were ill-timed and in
| appropriate, Seated in his library with
| a copy of the speech before him, the sec
rotary read and caustically commented,
but placed the injunction of secrecy on
his observations.
Referring to the pending tariff bill and
the general subject of business depres-
sion. the secretary said:
In my opinion the hard times are
largely due to the universal practice of
| a more rigid economy than has hereto
fore prevailed. People became appre-
| hensive that financial and business trOu-
| bles would grow worse. and as conse-
| quence reduced in every way their daily
expenditures. Even the rich adopted
this habit and justified their economy
on the ground that they might be reduced
to want. The poor redoubled their eff
forts to live within their means
| The result has been marvellous 1t is
| tying up enormous sums of money and
every branch of business has been af-
fected by this epidemic of economy
| Turning to his library table Secretary
| Alger took = piece of paper. and with a
| pencil began some interesting computa-
/ lions. These facts seem almost mcred-
| ible." he continued. There are, say H.
| 100000 wage-earners in the United States
| Suppose that each has increased his
| economy to the extent of 10 cents a day
That means hording of $3.50 100000 il
one year. Extend the same proposition
to families TIL ere are about 10000 o'