The times., 1897-03-16
The Republican Plan.


The logic OF the Presidential message is
extremely simple. The Congress is called
together in extra session, much to the re-
greet OF the Executive. But it cannot
be helped. The only reason which
could Justify it is the condition OF
the put,iic revenue. Therefore, high pro-
tectIve tariff must be passed without any
waste OF time. There may bc other mat
ters of national interest which ought to be
talked about, but there is not time to do
it until the Senate and House attend to the
specific business fer which they are called.
The obvious idea is that we must seek
first the kingdom" of protection; nothing
else viii be allowed. SO the message is u
disappointment, il not a surprise. There is
ii strong, noH-partisan, American sentiment
which felt justified in expecting little
more OF President Mckinley. 1t expected
more because in effecs he a SKIS great deal.
Not perhaps from subseryient House
with an autocratic master, but from d
Senate wherein he depends upon the good
nsture, the seIf-abnegaaon. and the al
most inc9nceivable compscency OF op-
ponents TO enact his wishes into law.
With this fact thoroughly in mind and
"a view there was at least reasonable
ground for believing that the President
would have mentioned a few things be
sides the proposed and destructive tariff
agitation as proper matters to engage the
Congressional mind during the session,
which the absence of such desirable and
expected suggestions is likely to make a
long one.
1t still may occur to the President that
IN demanding SO much from an opposition
Iegisiatively equal To the defeat of his
plans, he should lose no time in showing
his appreciation Of the service he so con
fiaently expects by Submitting not less
than two questions which are of great
import TO the influence he must count
upon in the last resort and which, ne may
as well accept notice. viii become active
aad accute before he can hope to sign
:, tariff bin satisfactory 70 himself or his
party.
The first Of these questions is TIE cur
rency. All the promises of flaccid Senators
viii not assure him Of the relegatiou of
that question to the rear until he shall
have accomplished the main design OF his
Administration. which, however was not
equally the vital issue of the eamTaign in
which he was elected But tie financial
question was that Issue. and ii cannot
escape debate in the Congress called at
the outset Of his Administration. Mr. Nc
Kinley may not want it, but he viii be
called upon to meet it,
The other question is one of tonor, of
the national integrity and fame among
the nations of the world. That honor and
that name have been crushed ia the mud
and made a kissing aud a byword by
bis predecessor in office What does be
propose as a concrete scheme to redeem
the past in this particular? The opposition
upon which he depends so confidently
and singly is a small one, but it abso-
Iutely holds the balance of power, the
tinal arbitramcnt Of his hopes and pur-
poses at the end it viii be found deter
mined upon ans vers to the two questions
suggested, if not more
President Mckinley may as well convince
,imself, first as last, that he is not in a
position to demand ali he does OF the Sena-
soriaI forces opposed 60 his general policy,
On the basis Of program with only the
ioIitary tariff item u it. The currency, the
war in Cuba, the Ncaragura Canal and
The annexation Of Hawaii are American
issues, with forceful American patriotic |
sentiment behind them All OF these ques-
tions are dear and vital to the very people |
he asks to pass his tariff Legislation with |
out the exaction of single hostage.
1t is impossible for US 10 believe that Mr.. |
Mckinley S not too wise man, too ex-
perienced a statesman, and too much en- |
dowed with American horse sense to ac- |
anything of the kind.