The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-30

the Monetary Com bill Deplored
Hints Of Action withous such Bill.
Boston, July 2z.-The dinner of Bos-
ton business men to Secretary Gage at
the Tuileries this afternoon was at
tended by about $50 of the leading men
in the professional and commercial life
in the city. An informal reception was
held preceding the dinner which oc-
CURED at 2:45 o'clock. Among those
present were William C. Lowering,
who presided: Governor Wolcott, May
or Quincy, Hon. Charles s. Hamlin.
ex-assistant secretary Of the treasury;
T. Jefferson Coolridge. ex-United
States ambassador to France: Hon. J.
r. Lesson, William B.. Rice, Jr., and
many Others. On being introduced Sec
rotary Gage said in part:
I'VE have met here in a period
fraught with it's own interests.
Opposing forces met in November
last and commended bitterly over the
most vital of economic questions.
While the issue was pending the pro-
fitable arts of industry came to near
ly a standstill. Trade and
declined to the narrOwest limits and in
a GREATNESS suspense those who could
comprehend the deep import of the is
sue waited for it's determination. That
issue is now decided. The ballot, magic
exponent. Of h popular will, has re-
corded it's imperative voice for honest
honey and for liberty regulated by
Law 1t now remains to be seen whether
from that decision there is to be any
successful appeal. 1t is this hat gives
interest, anxious interest, to the pros
pective action of those who, cloathed
with legislative and executive func-
tons, have it in their power to make
secure the fruits of victory or who, by
failing to comprehend their high re-
sponsibility, may let slip the advan-
tages so hardly won.
Upon the possible doubts involved
in this question, men of enterprise still
hesitate, and the columns of industry
march slowly with ranks not yet COM
pleIaly filled. Is there room for doubt
in SO plain a proposition? There ought
to be none. There would be nom ex-
cept for the working of that principle
of human nature which cOaxes us to
ease after effOrt-which induces us to
contemplate rather than act-that
spirit of inactivity which on more thar
OAC OSSoo1OA hCpt IN d1AllCS VI tIC
union from annihilating the enemy and
on anoher occasion so paralyzed the
confident columns as to turn them
back from the asy capture of our cap
ital. Logical as the duty of the govern
ment seems to be, do not yourselves
supinely rest upon conclusion that it
will certainly be performed. We have
passed through a wearisome storm
The loss and cost of it has been enor-
rnnprG. h,rf k05oxy Tho Ito 4~o Ros~ 49,
breeze of prosperity brings comfort
and restoration. Shall we not be per-
mitted to rest and enjoy it? No. That
would be to fOOlishly wait for, if not
to invite, further disaster in h flu
ture. The final answer, however, must
depend upon the urgency or the indif-
ference of the people.
The administrative branch Of the
government will not sleep nor rest in
active. It's influence has been n will
be for prompt and judicious action.
The evidence of this fact is fresh at
hand in the message just now submit
ted to congress by the president"
Mr.. Gage here quoted several para
graphs from the message. Continuing
ne said:
But the administration cannot make
laws. 1t can only execute them after
they are mad 1t is then to the leg
islative body that our thoughtful at
tention is to be given if you desire
financial reforms. Your senators and
representatives will not consciously
antagonize your we'll considered de-
sireS, but they must be informed and
constantly reminded Of what it is that
you demand.
And now what is it that ought to
be n to give security and protec-
ton to the future? To this there are
many W and to every answer
many DIRECTORS. We have indeed a
delicate and difficult problem to solve,
the difficulty being aggravated by the
fact that ignorance, prejudice and pas
sion enter in to complicate and vex the
solution. This in n of the penalties
which popular government must pay
in return for its multifarious and emf
nent benefits. With these drawbacks
we can, nevertheless, with patience,
find our way. The recommendation of
the president for a commission was ad-
mirable in this, that it suggested a way
by which a body of we'll trained and
thoughtful men could be provided to
consider. at leisure without distraction
from other pressing themes, the i'm
pOrtant subject of currency and bank
ing reform. 1t, at the same time,
opened a forum to which could be ad-
mitted every cOntributive suggestion
from all classes and conditions of men.
That the bill which passed the house
with promptness failed of recognition
in the senate may be a matter Of re-
greet, but not n for encouragement.
What might have been accomplished
through a commission may be achiev-
ed without one. Nor ought we to
speak or think unkindly of a body
which has so a~ssiduously toiled in the
work of a new law concerning a matter
so charged with conflicting opinions
and opposing interests as is n tariff
act. The two questions before the
country in the last political campaign
were the tariff and the currency. One
Of them is already settled. Whatever
the merits or dement's of the new
measure in its Particular items, it mas
become the law of the land. The reve-
nucs derived from it will, after. a EGs-
sible brief interregnum, De ample for
proper government expenditures.
The responsible party in Pc yer hav-
ing successfully achieved this one I'M
portant issue may be safely trusted to
care equally well for the other. On the
a n onaioI ci1n fharn &c rno1y~