The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-07
SEATTLE. THURSDAY. JAN. 7.
y.fsyxIry,s FINANCIAL POLICY.

In view OF the early date at which Mr.
Mckinley takes Office as president OF the
united States. an authoritative or quasi
authoritative statement as TO the policy
which he proposes 20 follow Is matter
OF deep interest. While II may ,pe taken
for granted that the incoming president
win in All matters follow closely the lines
laid down by the party platform on which
he was nominated and elected, 81 recog-
nize the fact that the necessarily abstract
and general language OF political plat
form, Is subject to many varying shades
OF Interpretation. when II comes 20 trans
Iating the platform into the concrete form
OF LEGISLATION. A recent interview by r.
V. smafiey. the weil-known newspaper
correspondent. with tho presideBt-eiect.
which Interview was published in a re-
cent number OF the New York Post. comes
nearer than anything published recently
toward indicating precisely what line Mr..
Mckinley viii assume on the financial
question. The result OF long converse
ton. during which Mr.. Mckinley spoke
frankly and freely. is summarized by the
correspondent into the following state
ment OF policy:
"First-An immediate revision of the
tariff on moderate protection lines. No
extremely high duties that might foster
trusts or defeat the purpose OF obtaining
adequate revenue 10 pay the expenses OF
thu government.
''soeond-The restoration OF the reciproc-
uy treaties OF the Harrison administra-
ton.
'"rhird-The maintenance Of all kinds OF
money at a parity with gold.
FOURTH Efforts toward international
hl-metallsm. In fulallment OF the pledge
OF the ST. Louis platform.
"Fifth-Gradual retirement of the
greenbacks. as soon as the government
has surplus of revenue to apply 10 this
purpose. and some other form of curren-
cy. bank or metallic. can be substituted
FOR them. No new issue OF bonds viii he
favored for the purpose OF taking up the
greenbacks. Possibly some plan may be
suggested for virtual retirement of a
considerable part OF the greenbacks and
treasury notes by their use as a part OF
the hank reserves: this with a view OF
strengthening the gold basis OF the cur
rency,
"sixth-An enlargement OF the national
banking system 10 enable independent
hanks or branches of city banks 70 be
carried on in small towns. This might
lower the interest rate IN the country dis
tricts and tend to lessen the present CEN
tripetaI tendency OF money toward the
large cities.
''seventh-EconOmy In government ex-
penditures 20 correspond with tho econ
omies enforced In an other lines Of bust
ness by the condition Of the times"
This Is not. OF course. an authoritative
expression OF the views OF the president
elect but ia simply the summary made
by a trained newspaper correspondent Of
a conversation had IN which these views
were outlined 20 q greater or less extent.
Whether authoritative or not. the views
expressed are thoroughly Ia accord with
previous expressions % Mr. Mckinley on
the subject. The programme Is good
one ard win ~ heartily Endorsed by
those to whom he owes his election. and
will not find very serious opposition At
thu hands az hts opponents. with the OK.
cepilon ~ the expression ln favor OF the
retirement Of Ercenhacis, which may in
vito some opposition on the one hand. and
that IN favor 81 a carrying ont the plat
form pledge In favor OF efforts toward Sc
curing International bi-metaiHsm. which
win certainly he utagonized by some eold
rucno-rnetsuists.
On the tariff. the policy outlined f. GER
tsinly one which viii receive hearty ar
probation. tina more 50 as there has been
popular Impression that Mr Mckinley
might favor tariff excessively high.
which misht detcst the primary object
- all tariff laws the raising of necessary
funds - meet government expenses.
should the recommendation Of Mr.. Nc
kinley tn his first message - congress
b Nlons 'he lines Indicated. and should
congress pay heed to the recommends.
tions ant give the country the Legislation,
Indicated. ths currency ard tar4r cues
'ions Vii - 80 nearly settlea heoore four
years has 3apses thar neither VII b.
81 important Political issue IN any sub
seapens csraNsirr
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THE SoUrH's Enron