The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-29
WORDS Ut 49,.
Secretary Of Treasury Ga ak>
at Commercial Club ba
Revenues and Sound Finances
Were His Theme.
farifi Bill Will Soon Be Passed and Prosperity
Will Come.

Cincinnati, May 29.-At the banquet
of the Commercial clubs of Boston, Chi
cago, ST. Louis and this city last night,
Secretary OF the Treasury Gage was the
chief guest, and his speech was warmly
received by the assembled business men.
After few felicitous words, Mr.. Gage
said:
"As have observed and listened to the
words passing from lip TO lip among the
members of the Commercial clubs gath
cred here. i discovered two particular
themes which have first place in the.
thoughts of all. These two themes are
tariff and the public finances. Upon
the settlement OF these two questions,
enterprise waits and industry Ian
guishes over 80 times 1 have been
asked, When will the tariff discussion
end and the measures proposed receive
the final vote which will formulate the
measure into law?
"Over so times more have been asked,
Have the financial reforms, for which
the people struggled in November last,
been forgotten?'
Now il is not to be wondered at that
you who have so long borne the anxiety
end fear, who have SO long waited and
upon which some secure estimate Of to-
morrow can be made. should grow ner-
yous and impatient over every act or
word which seems to suggest doubt or
delay In the establishment Of such con-
ditions.
IT have thought that on this occasion
could do no better service than to give
you needed reinsurance and hope.
. he lv-t<. hoo
gress, known as the tariff bill, have
nothing to say In detail. / want to bear
testimony, however, to the zeal and good
faith OF those in both houses who have
that measure in charge. They are fully
conscious Of their great responsibilities,
and are working faithfully to discharge
them. Nor do / think that the oppon-
ents of these measures are likely to op-
pose with wilful and unjust obstruc-
tions the course Of legislation. That
there will be more or less fencing for
position must be expected. but having
now come into contact with many Of the
representatives Of both houses Of con-
gress, / deem it my duty to bear wit
ness, so far as it may have value, to the
honorable and patriotic motives that in
spire the minds OF the great majority.
the other, and prophesy an early result
in the national councils to which this
great commercial question Is now COM
mitted.
II make these remarks, not to defend
q body for whom hold no commission
to speak, but to correct. In one direction,
II I may. the operation OF an Injurious
sentiments sentiment which Ia sowing
In, ie a
viding classes, destroying unity and
breeding hatreds. The one word for that
sentiment Is 'distrust' Faith and cour-
age lead to conquest and victory. Dis
trust paralyzes and destroys.
"As to the financial question, to which
I have already referred. / must content
myself with few words. 1 am glad that
they may be words Of assurance. II any
of you harbor the suspicion that the ad-
ministra ton, but just now installed into
the responsibilities OF high offices. has
forgotten. or is likely to forget, the man
date of the people, whose voice in behalf
of honest money and sound finances rang
out loud and clear in November last. put
that suspicion aside. 1t is unjust. 1t is
unjust and unfounded. In good time
and in proper order the affirmative evil
I'm the meantime, my friends do your
part to help those charged with the legis-
lative and administrative duties. Do
not let the inertia engendered by fear
and mistrust creep over you. We have
been passing through a period Of great
trial and nobly we have endured the
strain. The future is not dark with
forebodings. 1t is illuminated with ra
tional hope. The revival OF industry is
near, and with the establishment of
revenue law sufficient to bring in to the
treasury an amount adequate to meet
the reasonable needs Of our government,
and with the establishment of our fin
ances on a sound and enduring basis.
nothing now foreseen can delay the re-
covery Of past losses, and the Inaugural
ton of q new forward movement along
the lines OF material advancement and
social progress, which we may humbly
trust Is in the benevolent mind Of God
TO bestow upon the American people"