Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-03-25


There are Presidents and Presidents.
Grover Cleveland, who has just retired
from the White House, had a host of
specialpolice in the Executive Mansion,
and the beautiful grounds surrounding
1t were disfigured by sentry boxes, from
which uniformed men peered suspi-
ciously upon every visitor. Mr.. Cleve-
land never appeared upon the streets
except In carriage. and that some
times followed by another one carrying
detectives or his private secretary. But
how different now. President McKin-
ley has ordered the sentry boxes away,
the guards are to be withdrawn, and he
mingles with his fellow-citizens and
greets them as cordially as he did when
citizen, Congressman or Governor.
There were no "frills" about his in
augural address, no unnecessary exclu-
siveness in any part of his share Of the
the days doings, and when he became
master Of the White House Its doors
were thrown open. and day after day
throngs Of people from every section
and State have been received by him.
The surviving members Of his old regi-
ment, the Twenty-third Ohio, called
upon him the day following his inaugu-
ration, and not for many years have
the walls of the White House echoed
such ringing cheers as those with
which they greeted their old comrade
and commander. The days work over,
this statesman and plain American citi-
zen donned his hat and overcoat, and
for the first time In many years there
was witnessed the spectacle Of Presi-
dent of the United States walking I'M
attended through the streets Of Wash
ington. This habit, which was charac-
teristic Of General Grant, has been re-
vived by that other Ohio soldier, Major
Mckinley, and strollers on Pennsyl-
vania avenue now doff their hats to the
President of the United States as he
walks by, and In return receive pleas
ant salutation from him.
Plans of the Administration.
The plans of the administration, as
outlined by President McKinley's in
augural address, are received with the
most cordial approval by members of
all parties. / say all parties, but l
must withdraw this statement so far
as relates to the silver Republicans.
These men, who were once members of
the party which President Mckinley
now represents, are the only men in the
entire nation who seem to find no good
word for the sound American senti-
ments of his inaugural address. Demo-
Gratis, even Populists, speak In the
warmest terms of him and the Ameri-
can principles enunciated by him; but
from the men who recently deserted
their party come no good words for any
sentiment arising from its representa-
tive.
international BimetaIIism.
The return of Senator Wolcott, cou-
pied with President McKinley's ring
ing utterances in favor of an interna-
tional bimetallic conference, gives
great encouragement to the friends Of
that sentiment. Senator Wolcott re-
ports unusual interest in this subject
on the continent and even in England,
and Is hopeful of results. President
McKinley's clear, terse utterances on
this subject leave no doubt as to his in
tentions, and there is reason to believe
that within few weeks definite steps
will be taken to bring about a confer
ence of the leading nations, and to
cause this conference to be held during
the year 1897.
The Farmers Not So Badly OFF.
After all, the farmers Of the United
States are not the worst off people in
the world. Their total products last
year, according to the Department of
Agriculture, are valued at $1,000, O00,-
600. OF this amount the corn alone is
valued at 500 millions, the hay at 400
millions, the wheat at 800 millions, the
oats at 100 millions, and the potatoes
75 millions. These figures are given In
round numbers because they are more
easily remembered, but they are sub
stantially those Of the department. Ev-
cry farmer will want to remember
them, and to remember that the farm
ers of the United States are, when the
country is in it's normal state and condi-
ton, the most prosperous Of those Of
any part Of the world.
Reports from all parts Of the United
States show a marked improvement in
business conditions. General improve
ment, of course. does not come with q
rush like the breaking of great dam,
but the growth Is steady, and even
Democratic newspapers are admitting
an Improvement in business condi-
tions.
May Lose Their Jobs.
The silver politicians are alarmed.
They begin to fear that they are going
to lose their occupation. They have
talked themselves into public promin-
ence and public positions on the silver
question, and they are now scared lest
the proposed international silver con-
ference will take that subject out Of
politics. They recognize the fact that II
the bimetallic conference agrees upon
q plan, and 1t Is adopted by the various
nations, the silver question will 60 out
of politics in the United States and they
will be out Of job. They also recog-
nize the fact that IL the nations fail to
agree upon a system for an increased
use of silver. 1t would be folly for the
United States alone to undertake 1t,
hence they would be, under those cir
cumstances, out of job. So, 1t is not
surprising that such men as Dubois,
Teller, Stewart and other alleged
friends of silver sneer at the proposed
bimetallic conference, and are doing all
in their power to prevent its success or
even its consideration.