The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-13

the plan becomes rough. they puff out
their cheeks and sulk
But events sometimes move RAPIDLY.
and when they do they sweep the clogs
Of inertia before them. 1t is possible
that the conviction may be forced upoo
congress that sound currency system
is the stoutest defense they can con-
struct for the country. And, even If no
such contingency arises, it seems prob
able now that there are a sufficient
number OF independent and conscien-
tlouS mem berS in the house to force the
consideration Of this bill before ad-
1curnment If this is done, the meas
ure Will be passed, even though the
majority of votes cast for 1t are either
Indifferent or inslncere
Mr. McCleary's work, then, this ses-
sion has been along this one line of
currency reform. And a good thing II
is, too, to be able to play skilfully
upon the harp, even if it have but a
single string. He has taken no part in
general debates; in fact, he has been
able but. seldom to be in his seat. To
this present duty he has been inde-
fatigable, and his energies have been
well directed. His habits of thought
and his methods of accomplishing re-
suits are scholastic. He is painstak-
ing and accurate, following the ortho-
dox routine OF first an analysis, then
an elaboration, and then review.
But there is a temptation to be not
only a scholar in politics, but also a
political scholar. Mr.. McCleary has
lately received another appointment. in
which he also takes pride. He has been
chosen by his party in congress to have
charge of the literary bureau of the
Republican congressional committee
for the coming campaign. In brief, he
VIII edit all matter and SIlDprViG1 all
documents. The extent TO which this
grist for the unwilling voter is fur
nished can be judged by the fact that
recently 100000 of blank franked
large envelopes, used for such matter,
were stolen here in Washington, which
the former Republican congressional
committee had quite overlooked.
When asked what would be the ma
ture of this coming literary appeal for
popular ratification, Mr.. McCleary re-
piled that it would show, of course, that
the Republican party either had car
1ied out the pledges Of the ST. Louis
platform, or was preparing to do SO.
1t would seem that such a task re-
Quired the service Of a far more adroit
special pleader than the honorable gen.
tleman. The homely old adage natural
ly recurs that a cobbler would best
stick to his last. Admirers of Wilkia
Collins may remember that when the
| diff1dent and melancholy Midwinter, in
"Armadale," tried to be gallant and
| amusing, he only became over-bold and
tiresome. The evident lesson is that
man fails when he steps from his ma
tural sphere. And in this case success
is contemplate, for the more elaborate
the output the more certain the here
after Of the junk-shop. No, Mr.. Nc
| Cleary might better stick to his cur
rency reform, thanking fortune for
work so congenial to his convictions, Sd
consequent upon his career. The grind
ing out of campaign sophistries may
more fittingly be left to those who by
their reckless disregard of platform
promises, and scornful reputation Of
the obligations of victory, have made
such sophistries necessary.
-Condit Crane.