The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-24
TaR PRESIDENT AND HIS CAB
INIT

The Western Plowmsn, in q recent
issue, sayss-
President Mckinley has conducted
affairs, under the trying circumstances,
we believe, with judgment. At first
this country vas totally u~nprepared
for war, and it was absolutely neces
sary that we should have time to make
the necessary preparations. It would
have been utterly reckless for US to
have thrown down the gauntlet to even
as weak a nation as Spain six months
ago. The President saw our weakness
and adroitIy prevented Congress from
hurting Us into the midst Of a contest
which would have been Wickedly ex-
pensive. The President also stood
firm against the recognition of gov
eminent" Of Cuba, because there has
been no government except that which
existed in the Cuban Junta in New
York City. Great Britain properly
objected to such Intervention, for II we
we're to acknowledge q government on
paper in Cuba, there would be no rea
son why we should refuse to recognize
that kind of government in Canada.
Right is right. We have recognized
the independence Of Cuba from the rule
Of Spain, and propose to help the island
to the independence that it deserves.
The people there can i'm due time estab-
lish q government to suit themselves"
DIT kAAN1~h H. DlA-Nnn- khV1o AZ
presses it's confidence in President Nc
Kinley so far as the war is concerned,
in another editorial, it gives him some
hard raps regarding the spoils system
and the kind of men to whom the spoils
are given.
It is a pity that with the thousands
Of good men in the Republican party,
President Mckinley allowed the Shy
locks to select for Cabinet positions
only such men as they could use. The
trading which resulted in the selection
Of Sherman for Secretary of State was
one Of the most disgraceful acts in the
history of McKinley's administration.
Indeed, we are not at all surprised to
hear impartial observers, such as the
editor of the Plowman, say:
"Mr. McKinley's Cabinet, as origi-
nally constituted, vas q knock -kneed
combination of political imbeciles, and
it has not entirely gotten over its origi.
nal deformity yet. Sherman, an old
man looking into the midnight Of life,
induced to resign the S~enatorship and
accept the portfolio of State, in order
TO make O place for Hanna. It was as
disreputable q conspiracy as has ever
been Matched in the dIrtiest of Ameri
can politics. Sherman, at the dead Of
the State department., vas q political
scandal. Day, a country lawyer, with
no diplomatic training, was always the
real head as he now is by regular ap-
pOinGment. GIge, the Secretary Of the
Treasury, has been q colossal failure
both before and after his acceptance of
the treasury portfolio. Under him as
President of the First National Bank
OF Chicago, 81. 600, 600 had to be charged
off Anybody can run a bank that
way, If there is money enough behind
it to Keep it out of bankruptcy. A
etreet sweeper could do it. Since he
has been Secretary of h Treasury he
has shown brilliant genius as an igno.
ramus, and has suggested nothing that
is practicable OF even susceptible of
construction according to the standard
Of common sense He has been q white
gloved, perfumed and frilled doll in a
place Of tremendous responsibility. Be-
yond this depth ven as the President
OF q local bank, when he went to Wash
ington he sank, never even to rise the
second time, and has been drowned
and dead all the time, the only evi,
dence Of motion about him being the
Wagging of his gold-tipped tongue, as
il by electrical influence. The Presi-
dent has had q burden to carry in HE
own official family and ia not yet re.
lieved from it,"
The Plowman IS right, but it does
not suggest a remedy. For our part,
we wish to say that when we have q
President who himself hates monopoly
then we may expect q Cabinet com
posed of friends of the people, but so
long as money conquers in its struggle
with manhood, and so long as the dol
lar is almighty, just 30 long will the