The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-07
One Extremists Complaint.

One Extremists Complaint.
The professor of political economy at
the University of Chicago is j. Lau-
renee Laughlln. Last year ], Laurence
threw himself with such ardor into the
cause of sound money and the gold
standard that at a comparatively early
period in the campaign he was forced
to take a rest. He married and went
to Europe. 1t was reported upon his
return from that vacation journey that
he had regained the pristine freshness
of health and manner which had there
tofore been his normal conditions; but
the article which he supplies to the
current Forum bellies this report. 1t
exhibits j. Laurence in a bilious mood
and reasonably excites anxiety for his
future.
The subject of the Chicago professors
contribution to the contemporary dolor
is THE Mckinley Administration and
Prosperity;" and it's burden is that
the aforesaid administration, by de-
clining to do as the Chicago professor
ard certain other strident Mugwumps
advise. is retarding instead of hasten
ing prosperity's return. j. Laurence
is aegrieved, deeply aggrieved, over two
things. He is filled with pain at the
spectacle of the Republican party try
ing to pass a tariff bill for the pro-
lection of American industry; and the
spirit within him fairly writhes when
he thinks that Mckinley, William Nc
Kinley, the man for whom ne wrote
so many gold -monometallic articles
a year ago. has hesitated to
strike down the greenbacks and has ac-
tually had the effrontery to send a
commission to Europe III the interest
of international bmetallism. Help
silver! Laurence would sooner aid
Old Nick himself. "To the bastile with
all bimetallsts" would be his cry, if
ne had the power; the very mischief
will be to pay If we don't soon kill
them off.
But let us dip into the professors $
own rhetoric. 1t is offered as his be-
lief that "a moderate tariff bill, so
adjusted as to provide sufficient rev.
ment of congress would. no doubt,
have given the country-eVen though
suspicious of the monetary situation
great encouragement to undertake i'm
portant enterprises. Instead of this
what was the country given? A tariff
Of eXsggeration, a tariff of scandals, a
tariff of barbarisms, a tariff whose
extreme provisions have been so thor
| Cughly advertised throughout the
length and breadth of the land that
counter agitation for a reform of Gus
toms duties is seen to be quite inevit-
ably a part of the future" If 1t were
worth while, one might pause to ask
Professor Laughlin to what sentiment
| among the people ne ascribes the nomi-
nation at St, Louis of Major McI<in-
| ley-whether to a popular preference
| for the revenue only" style of tariff.
| But it is not worth while. Such de-
Votion as his to the cause of free trade
is too touching TO be disturbed.
We come now to the second item in
| the Chicago economists bill of COM
| plaint-the indisposition of the Repub-
! lican leaders to brand as false the in
numera ble declarations Of the party
| in favor of international bimetallism
1T maynot be a pleasant thing to say
! observes the professor but never be-
! fore--at least in this generation-has
! there been such Widespread loss of ocn-
! tidence III the homer and integrity OF
| our public servants in congress. One
almost hestates to put into words the
! frequent admissions of thoughtful mer
that national legislation is today bar.
| gained for, if not actually bought and
sold. SO far has suspicion gone, that
ii is even hruited about, as matter OF
common report, that while the presi.
dent himself may not have made elec.
tion promises, yet his agents have en-,
gagged for him, in the form of a tariff
bill, to allow numerous interests tc
recoup themselves from the country fol
advances made to secure the nomina.
tion and election of their candidate
The audacity, the unblushing grab,
displayed in Washington gives color
to such reports; else why should sucf
legislation be given its strange pre-
! eminence over monetary reform? AnC
why should the president have allowed
himself to open the special session o.
congress with message in which thert
was not one word in regard to none
tary legislation-the main question o
the campaign? Why is it seemingl,
admitted in Washington that 1t is Uto
plan to talk of a bill retiring green
backs?"
So intent is the Chicago writer upol
aspersing our public officials that n
overlooks two very reasonable an,
Obvious answers to his questions, None
tary legislation was not the main ques
tion of the campaign; and talk of re
firing the greenbacks is Utopian a
present because there aren't vote
enough in either branch OF congress
to do the retiring. Why should tn