The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-05
That the Crops Will Hasten
PrOsperity's Return.
DOESN'T CLAIM MUCH.
Acknowledges That Returns
Have Been Disappointing
But Is Hopeful for the Future
of the Country.


Coming recently from the west to
washington, I, like many others, want
ed to see President Mckinley. More
than that, I wanted to talk with him.
L had heard him described as man of
broad sympathies, who took an interest
in social and industrial as we'll as pure
ly political problems. 1 wanted to talk
with him about these things.
MY desire was gratified. went to the
w hite House by appointment at
o'clock, and was received by the presi-
dent in the cabinet room. My escort
TO the White House, who happened, by
the way, to be very friendly with the
president, introduced me as a person in
terested in political and economic prob
lens and desirous of paying my re-
The president listened courteously
and greeted me with a hearty clasp of
the hand and kindly expression of in
tereSt, just as if he believed I were a
person of some Importance.
He sat on a low chair near me and
chatted in an easy and unaffected man
ner as If he had been a private citizen.
His real kindness and courtesy of man
ner would make even a shy person feel
at ease, and 1 don't happen to belong
to that type myself.
Mr. Mckinley displays considerable
tact in concealing the fact that he
probably talks of similar topics to sew
eral scores of people every day. In
fact. he was kind enough to intimate
that he liked to meet people with hob
bies, and who had no personal axes to
grind. After the first greetings were
over, said:
truding in coming to talk to you on
general topics, when there areNsO many
people in the ante-rooms hungering and
thirsting for Office
Mr.. Mckinley laughed very cordially
and said:
II am glad to meet you because your
purpose is different. 1 am glad to meet
the people-who don't want office I
enjoy chatting with those who come in
for a few minutes and say God bless
you They are the people who sustain
and cheer me under pressure of work
and responsibility which is forced upon
me by my Office
It came to see you because I am
student of practical affairs, especially
industrial questions. I would rather
talk with a statesman about such
things than read theories out of books
and try to apply them"
The president seemed to approve of
my thirst for knowledge from the foun-
tainhead, and gravely replied:
You are right about that. Expert
ence and observation are the best
teachers in any line of work"
Then he began to ask me questions
and let me say right here that 1 do
not believe Mr.. Mckinley is laboring
under any delusion about the rturn of
prosperity. He knows that it has
not registered to any perceptible
degree, and admits the fact with
lIlc gravity ana S1Iflpl1clly D0SOIllIlS III
great statesman. His conversation in
dictated that he is keeping a sharp look
out for the first indications of better
times, and he seizes on every straw
which may show how the wind blows,
but he did not, even by implication, at
tempt to tell me that American work.
men are prosperous or that the ante
election promises of his party have
been fulfilled. I like his frankness and
courage in dealing with this rather del
icate problem.
I told him I came directly from the
west. He wanted know if I had seen
any signs of returning prosperity in
that section.
Don't you think times are improving
in the west?" he asked me point blank
Through my mind there fitted a Wis
ion of collapsed real eSta tie booms, I'M
employed people, closed factories and
broken banks.
While I would have liked to make a
more courteous reply, I was forced to
say:
''I am not at all sure of that We have
so many idle people, and wages are SO
uncertain"
President Mckinley lowered his head
thoughtfully. for minute, and looked
up with a brighter countenance, and
said tentatively:
But crops are going to be very good
in the west, and that will help"
I suppose 1 must look like farmers
daughter, and he assumed that I would
know all about agricultural conditions.
L happen, however, TO De one OF those
who spend all their time in cities, but
thought it safe to assent, and said:
Eyes, sir; believe a good crop is ex-
pected."
1 forebore to remind him that we have
had good crops for the last three years
and that times had not improved as a
consequence. The next moment [ was
glad I had not said more, because Mr.,
Mckinley evidently puts some faith in
the agricultural forecast. He continued
in an earnest way:
ct really think there is a gradual
Improvement. An Iowa senator was
telling me very recently that the farm
ers in the northwest are more prosper
Gus and satisfied now than for long
time past I think there is a gradual
Improvement in conditions"
st visited European countries last
year and studied social and economic
conditions" I said, land as a result
became converted to your views on the
tariff. 1 had been rather skeptical be-
It am glad to hear that" responded
the president. Il find others who have
observed European conditions express
ing views similar to yours. A knowl-
eye of wages and conditions on the con-
tinent Is apt to make one recognize the
value of a tariff to protectAmerican
wcrkingmen."
II do not think now that a high
tariff will of itself insure good wages,
but I am willing to admit that it gives
a margin so the wage-earners can or
ganize and perhaps obtain better
wages"
TO my surprise, President Mckinley
assented to this proposition at once, and
replied:
"Yes; when we have a high tariff we
keep the employment here for our own
workmen, and, as you say, leave mar
gin for their wages to rise.
This was liberal enough, but was
not quite satisfied yet, so I said:
Don't you think, Mr.. President,
there should be q tariff on European
10 hoy- coming hara q comDet0 with our