Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-29
A SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT
Comment on Secretary Cages Offer and Its
Rejection.
The Real Question as to the Prcsi-
dents Attitude on the
Currency.

The discussion of the resignation" of
Secretary Gage is regarded by men in Con-
gress as of equal Importance, whether the
resignation was actually rendered and de-
clined, or merely suggested tentatively.
The important question involved in the
suggestion of resignation on the part of
Secretary Gage is not whether Mr.. Gage is
to remain at the head of the Treasury De-
partment- The question is whether Mr..
Cages position as to financial policy is
satisfactory 10 the administration. Any
thing that answers that question is regard
ed as of great consequence. Whatever oc-
CURED between the President and Secre-
tary Gage with relation to the latter's ten
ure of office referred entirely to this Ques-
ton. and the fact that Mr.. Gage is TO re-
main in the cabinet is regarded as fixing
the attitude of the administration as to
the financial policy.
Choice of Terms.
1t is a matter of the choice of terms
whether it may be said that Mr.. Gage ten
dered his resignation. The most common
construction of Mr.. Cages course would be
that it was tender though it may be
regarded by the President as only "sug-
gestion" of resignation. What is known to
be a fact is that Mr.. Gage told the Presi-
dent that if his (Mr. Gage's) attitude and
utterances on the financial question caused
the President any embarrassment. and this
could be relieved by Mr. Cages resignation
he woutd resign. The occasion for this
course on the part of Mr. Gage was the
criticism that has been provoked from GER
tain republicans by Mr.. Cages statement
that his object was to commit the coun-
try more thoroughly to the gold standard
Upon the Presidents reply depended
whether Mr.. Gage would remain in the
cabinet. Had the President intimated that
he disapproved the financial views of the
h1x-
ed, in formal way, his resignation and
have retired from the cabinet. But tEe
PRESIDENT gave no such intimatiOn and
the resignation, rendered in a spirit of
friendliness and self-sacrifce, was not ard
is not expected to be formally presented.
AS Well as can be learned, MIR. Gage had
no reason to doubt that he was in accord
with the President, and feeling of de! IL
cacy prompted him, in view of the public
criticism to which he had been subjected
to give the President an opportunity to
relieve himself from all embarrassment. if
any we1e felt. 1t was simply one method,
and the appropriate one. OF inquirng of
the President whether the course of the
Secretary met with his approval. If it
did there was no occasion tor resigna-
ton.
Who Understands the President.
The Presidents reply confirmed the belief
On the part Of the Secretary that he was
not misreDresenting the administra ton.
The incident furnishes an answer to the
question whether it is Mr.. Gage or Sena-
tor Wolcott, Senator Chandler and others
Of like trend of thought who understands
the President.
1t also emOnstrates that Mr.. Gage, If
ne found himself in disagreement with the
President, would not change his own views,
but would retire and permit the President
to select some one else in his place. His
remaining is therefore sufficient proof that
substantial no..
tween them. When Secretary Carlisle dis
agreed with President Cleveland he follow
ed n different course. Becoming convinc-
ed that Mr. Cleveland was right he con-
formed his policy to the Presidents views.
In the present instance there appears ii
be no reason for either the Secretary or
the President to make any change of pc-
stion in order to agree.