The Saint Paul globe., 1898-03-13

problem; for it is admitted to contain
features which would go far towards
removing the distrust 30 prevalent in
the West and the South, while it's gen.
eral plan has won the enthusiastic ap-
proval Of students of finance through
out the country. He has not, however
been eXacting in forcing it's considera-
ton, for he realizes that the duty Of
the hour demands that some one active
step be taken in the direction of sound
and enduring monetary reform, and
that then will be the time to advocate
the details of administration. Mr.. Nc
Cleary has neither introduced q bill
himself, nor is he identified with any
particular one. His aims are similar to
those Of Mr.. Fowler. These two men
ties being complemental. Mr.. Fowler
is an originator; Mr. McCleary an elab-
orator. The one is practical, the other
theoretical; yet both are scientific in
their deductions.
1t was when general discussion was
over, and the committee seemed to have
come to period-that is a full stop
of passivity, that Mr.. McCleary moved,
at caucus of the Republican mem
bers, that a subcommittee of three be
appointed to draft a monetary bill
This motion was carried, and he Was
appointed chairman of such committee.
with MesSrs. Mitchell and Prince as his
associates. Neither of these gentlemen
has a bill of his own. This subcom-
mittee has been holding daily sessions
for the past three weeks. Mr.. Nc
Cleary expects that it will be ready to
report within the next few days. Nat
urally enough he refuses to give any
intimation as to what it's provision
will be, saying that at the outset the
three members pledged themselves to
secrecy.
1t is not difficult, however, to deduce,
from the lines of discussion before the
whole committee, the three fundameri-
tai propositions which this report will
be built upon, namely, an unequiVocal
gold standard; the retirement of the
demand obligations of the government,
carrying with it the refunding of the
national debt at per cent, and thus
insuring a saving of over eleven mil
lions each year; and the establishment
Of a system of credit currency, COM
menSurate to the commercial needs of
the country, and tending to equaliZe
the interest-rate in all sections.
AS to what the house will do with
such bill when reported, there must
be very big query. It Is certain that,
a few weeks ago, those leaders, who
breathe and have their being through
the speaker, pooh-poohed any attempt
at positive currency legislation, claim
ing that the party had done, and welI
done, all 1t should do, in defeating the
Teller resolution; and that the injec-
ton of definite plan, and especially
of defeated definite plan, into the
campaign must be disastrous. Such
meagre and purblind view, with its
utter disregard Of solemn obligations,
is so characteristic of Mr.. Reed as to
acquit him of blame. For can man
by taking thought add one cubit to
his stature? He is essentially cunc-
tator, fender, an objecter; a legisla-
tive particle both passive and intransl-
tive. The sense of power, in conjunc-
ton with a forceful personality. gives
him an almost overwhelming influence;
but his will is rarely if ever construc-
tive. Some big boys at school, too,
have forceful personality, yet, when