Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-09
THE FINANCIAL QUESTION.
Concessions Should BE Made and the
Subject Acted On.

Subject Acted On.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Perhaps many have read with regret the
statements which have been publicly made
by our national legislators refusing conces-
sions upon financial issues, thereby prevent
ing a lust and fair settlement OF an import
ant and much agitated question.
We ought doubtless, to accept the results
of the last election and endeavor to carry
out In good faith the judgment OF the peo-
ple therein expressed, as indicated by your
recent editorial upon the silver question
1 desire to state, for the purpose OF pre-
venting any uncertainty as to my position
upon the financial question, that While L
am and always have been in principle
democrat, nevertheless, so Tar as am ca
pable of ascertaining the truth and deciding
for myself. 1 have never Tor moment
thought l could with due respect Tor my
property interests and my duty as cltl-
zen adopt the recently announced tenets Oh
the democratic party, but am IN raVor OIL
COMPROMISE and agreement and think con-
cessions should be made.
am with any party from principle be-
cause / admire or agree with its announced
policy and not because of the mere name IT
bears. 1t is believed to be the duty OF the
citizen and legislator to promote the ma
tional and material interests of our country
rather than those OF parties.
1t Is not my desire to reflect upon or criti-
else any one, because to every American
citizen must be fully accorded the privilege
and right to exercise his political ana re
ligious principles according to his 1ntelli-
gence and desires and therefore l do not
assume to instruct or advise, but only ven
ture to express sentiments which L belleVe
to be shared by me in common with the
T,,I 80 fnil
am thoroughly convinced of three propo-
sitions:
1st. That the financial question has been
made and is the most important be
fore the country, and that the unsettled
condition thereof is one of the causes, II
not the principal cause. of the difficuities
and the general stagnation In business
which We have experienced in the last few
years.
ID. That as II Is a fundamental question
one that necessarily strikes at the very
foundation of all businessmen only be-
tween the citizens themselves but also the
citizen and the government. and In addi-
ton between the government ana It's busl-
ness and International relations with other
authorities of the civilized nations or the
world and particularly in our advanced
age of commercial and business inter-
course.
3D. That in view of its conceded import
ance it should receive our exclusive atten-
ton now especially, after the lapse OF hve
ness suspension, and after a presidential
election which was conducted mainly, III
not exclusively, upon financial issues.
] am not prepared to admit that neceS-
sarily this financial question Is by virtue OF
it's specific gravity, of the political prom
inence which has been accorded to 1t. but
that politics and politicians have unneces-
sarily Cfrom a national or beneficial point
of view magnifed and materially exag-
gerated the true situation or condition of
the country upon this subject. However,
an imaginary evil Is sometimes as difficult
to correct a real one, because the more
we strive to correct the more We are apt to
magnify its supposed Importance. and We
may be led to conclude eventually that
something purely imaginary Is In effect
real.
difference whether he is Frustrated with
nervousness malignant fever The ply
stefan cannot command the patient in either
case to become quiet or cool, and one may
precipitate well as the other directly or
indirectly serious, IL not disastrous, re-
suits. Whether we are as a nation actually
Ill financially or whether we have imagined
and are now led to suppose that We are Is
or may be of little Importance. We have
certainly as a people and perhaps as ma
ton sustained the serious consequences of
the attack. and. considering our extent of
territory, wealth and resources, not only
national, but corporate and Individual, the
intelligence and capacities of our people
and the admirable features of our form of
government. We certainly should now be
convalescent. and indeed We ought to be in
perfect national health.
Approaching our form of government and
believing that national election in this
country was intended to mean something
we naturally expect to accomplish q result
for the people through this medium which
Is not only the means by which it can be
impaired, but the expression itself of the
popular will, and as the people are the rul-
ers the source from which all authority
cd ont ri<r{n fn1
also because our government possesses
only such power and authority as have been
thus delegated by the people.
The policy of the present administration
was announced before the election. and Mr.
Mckinley secured his Office with thorough
knowledge of It's duties. and he ought to be
permitted by Congress, the representative
of the people, to enforce those duties, and
even encouraged to do SO. l would say this
II Mr. Bryan had been elected. l believe In
action, not In inaction. If there is authori-
ty in the sentiment and voice thus express
ed by the majority Of our people 1t should
in the regular and constitutionally declared
mode and manner.
IL this cannot be accomplished the utility
of our government will be impaired and its
principles endangered. OF course, there are
and always will be questions of vast i'm
portance before this nation, but surely we
should consider. first, that which would
inure most to our benefit and promote II
settled. our general welfare The state of
the country and the expression of popular
sentiment before the election. during the
election. and since, clearly manifest the all
important consideration given by the peo-
pie to the financial question, and it yet re-
mains one which demands the immediate
attention of the executive and legislative
branches of our government, and the people
are expecting action.
Therefore. Mr.. Mckinley might well have
devoted his entire attention to this subject
as he did to the tariff at the last session.
and it should engage the exclusive attention
of Congress until some satisfactory DISPOSE
ton or settlement can be made Of 1t.
1t is true we have to adjust and readjust
our relations with various foreign powers.
as. for instance. SPAIN England. Cuba, Ha-
wall, and to settle a. we'll other questions
/ n m 81,