The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-03-07
M'KlNLEY'S FIRSTYEAR
His Own Opinion of His Ad-
ministration.
PROUD OF THE DINGLEY LAW.
Troublesome Foreign Questions Have In.
terfered with His Plans TO Promote
Prosperity--Devotes Much Time to the
State Department His Busy Life.

| WASHINGTON. March b - Especial i
| Mr. Mckinney has been In the White
| House just year The completion of his
first l2 months in the presidency remind
| ed me 10 ask one OF his most intimate
| friends what. in the opinion Of the ad
ministration. is the presidents greatest
achievement during the year. The reply
came quick enough
The president believes that the best
thing he has done for the country during
the first year of his term, answered this
gentleman, was In calling congress TO.
gether in special session for the purpose OF
passing tariff bill The president be.
lieves this act FASTENED the return of bet.
ter times in our country by just one year
Wewho stand with the administration ad
nit that the opposition party denies pros.
perity has returned and deny that what
improvement there has been Is due to the
tariff law. AS that is a political question,
] will not discuss It, Every man will
have his opinion according to his lights,
but the fact remains that the president be
lieves his prompt action in calling con-
gress together and in helping clear the
track for new tariff law was the greatest
service he has been able to render the
country so far in his administration
Inc fresidents ambition.
This interesting statement reminds me
that among the men who are close to the
president there Is an understanding that
1t was Mr.. McKinley's highest ambition
on assuming the presidency to give the
country an administration which should
be marked by commercial development
and, II possible, recurrence of "the gold
en- era" of 1880. He wanted the good
times to come so clearly and Enthusiastically
that the people would not question their
arrival. But the events of the year show
how futile are the plans of one even so
high and mighty as president of the
United States. Mr.. Mckinley may get
for the people the prosperity which he
crayed, but he now finds all his energies
absorbed, not in seeking trade outlets, not
In opening up new markets, not in con-
struction of the Nicaragua canal, not In
annexation Of Hawaii, but in efforts to
handle the Cuban question without war;
1t is undeniable that at one time the re-
lations of this government with Japan
were on the point of becoming seriously
strained. Hawaii was the bone of conten-
ton. The Japs are excessively ambitious.
Nothing would have pleased them better |
perhaps than to have stirred up row with
Asiatic problem which just then began to |
loom In the distance. In fact, have good |
ground for the assertion that Russia and
other European powers in sympathy with |
her covertly encouraged Japan to assume |
an aggressive attitude toward the United |
States over Hawaii. But tho willy .Japs |
smelled mouse or two. They OWNED |
that trouble was coming much nearer /
home and in a quarter vastly more i'm
portant to them than Hawaii They did |
nothing more than nibble at the bait
Thon, realizing that trap had been set |
FOR them, they suddenly abandoned their
pretentions in Hawaii, greatly to the relief
Df the United States, and concentrated
their attention upon China.
The State Department.
Although President Mckinley has had
70 many troublesome foreign questions to
ieal with, he has virtually been his own
of state. Secretary Shermans
health is not robust, and not much i'm
'ortant business is permitted to pass
through his hands for fear of breaking
Tim down. Judge Day, for new man in
he diplomatic field, has done surprisingly
veil. He has been the real head of the
tate department. Without being a snowy
IT ostentatious mamie is modesty itself
1T 10 now generally admitted that he has
demonstrated his ability OF course he
las not pleased every one. That would be |
90 much to expect But he has been wise |
md strong, and the president is now said
o be seriously considering promotion of
Judge Day to the secretaryship should Mr..
'herman's health lead him to resign
President Mckinley has had so much to |
o In the management of foreign affairs
hat he has given little attention to the
Their departments of the governments |
fortunately the remaining departments
re In good hands, and 1t is not necessary
Or she executive to bother himself much |
bout them The present cabinet, while |
ertainly not the most brilliant one we
ave seen In Washington, Is safe and
Dund. 1t Is good business cabinet All
70 members are hard working men. Pres.
lent Mckinley early adopted the rule that
Q would not concern himself about the
mall affairs of the departments. When
selected men to manage them, he ex-
ected them to do so without assistance
'om him.
James s. Clarkson, formerly of Iowa,
'ho was one OF the best executive officers
yer seen in the departments here used to |
at this matter In terse and happy way:
One man can learn and master one
ghth of the government of the United
tates, he said, "but no man can master
Of IL, and " he attempts to
so'he will make q miserable failure of
/ Il
President Mckinley appears to have fol-
wed this rule in giving his attention al.
ost exclusively to the state department.
'ide from appointments, and the results
Istify the wisdom of his policy.
Year Of Hard Work.
The president has not found life in the
bite House a bed Of roses IL is safe to
y that William Mckinley has worked
'rder during the last ~ months than he
or worked before Few men In the coun
put In greater number Of hours per
", and no other has assumed so great a
sponsibility. Mr. Mckinley is almost
ways at his desk by 10 O'Clock in the
orning. He works steadily till 4 In the
ternoon, when he usually takes a drive
an hour. He then takes up his burden
ain till 2, when be makes ready for din
r. Al o'clock, after brief visit with
N NIL