Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-03-14

M'KINLEY'S ENVIABLE RECORD.
President During -Four Years in Office Solves All Gave
Problems Before the Nation


down been so trusted in financial way.
This money, expended at the will OF one
human being, has been accounted for TO
the last cent, and not breath of scandal
has attached to William McKinley's dis
tribution of this kings ransom.
Raises War Revenue.
War nowadays is made more with
money almost than with men, so 1t hap
pens that the peculiar Mckinley genius
for finance was called into play at once.
Two measures were devised Immediately
by the administration itself and prompt
ly passed by Congress. One was for
bond issue of $2OO,OOO,000, and this was
1oated, not by appealing to the money
kings Of Europe or the manipulators OF
Wall street, but the loan was the most
popular one ever negotiated In this coun-
try. 1t was taken by the people in such
small sums and in such rapid manner
as to be an object lesson in finance to
the great nations of the world.
Where Mr.. Cleveland, with his super
fiuous backbone and deficient tact, was
assaulted with the foul breath of scandal
on account of bond issues during his time
of peace, this great war loan was taken
without suspicion being attached to the
financial bureau of Mr.. McKinley's ad-
ministration.
Concident with this marvelously sue
cessful popular loan Congress passed a
new law raising internal revenue for the
support Of the army and navy. Taxes
were imposed on things which had not
been taxed for a generation. The people
were asked to submit to the discomfort
Of affixing revenue stamps to kilograms,
medicines, bank checks, and all instru-
ments of commerce.
The new revenues began to pour into
the treasury without the slightest ripple
of dissatisfaction from the business
world. Prices were not seriously disar-
ranged, for the treasury had an album
dance of funds to conduct the war, and
the financial policy Of this backboneless
administration preserved the credit Of the
United States by it's own resources, so
that to-day it's securities are sought for
the world over.
Mckinley Never Fa1tered.
1t was severe test to apply to chief
executive devoid of spinal column, as
his enemies claimed, when war had to be
waged with a European nation Of un-
doubted bravery and of warlike tradi-
tions. Yet there was never a time Of
faltering from the declaration Of war to
the negotiation of the protocol. The in
structions to Dewey were not lacking in
backbone. He was told, without hesita-
ton, to go into Manila bay and sink or
destroy the Spanish feet. No man could
be told more, even if the chief executive
and commander-in- chief had the back
bone Of an elephant
Throughout the war the operations Of
the army and navy were marked by in
slant decision Of character in Washing
ton, and there was at no time apparent
the slightest wavering in the purpose of
the administration to prosecute the war
to a successful issue.
Shafter was not called back from In
front of Santiago when thinks looked du-
bious, and when Cervera's fleet came
here from across the water there was no
hesitation in hunting it down until it
was destroyed by Sampson and Schley.
On the contrary, the navy was equipped
at every point, and ships were bought
wherever needed. Great Atlantic liners
were transformed into cruisers, and,
above all, an army of quarter Of mill
ion of men was armed, equipped and con-
centrated at proper camps almost at
moments notice. There were the usual
scandals Of the maladministration of the
army, but they were not serious ones.
and no blame ever attached to the admin
istration as a whole.
Generous to the Foe.
When Spain was whipped William Nc
kinney was not cruel conqueror. He
had not the meanness of a coward nor
the bullying cruelty Of raw recruit. He
was quite willing to sign protocol of
peace which protected the interests of
the United States but did not materially
injure the pride of the Spaniard
Then came the negotiations for the &C.
tual treaty of peace. Throughout them
it is easy for the student of history to
discover that the master mind was that
of William Mckinley. He did not want
to take the Philippines under the flag
Of the United States. He foresaw most
Of the difficulties which have arisen. Ee
sought at first mere naval station. or
the possession of the city of Manila or
something Of that sort, but las the situa-
ton developed it became evident that des-
tiny had forced these islands upon us.
Thereupon the chief executive faced his
responsibility with great decision, and
when the time came took the Philippines
into his hands, thereby bravely assuming
the white mans burden" He fully rec
ognized the danger of governing in far
OFF seas with strange, half-clad peoples,
but he had backbone enough when once
he started to carry the flag to the front
and keep it there.
When Aguinaldo began his foolish and
unjustifable instruction there was no In
decision, no hesitation, about teaching
him that the Stars and Stripes could only
bring liberty where they brought respect.
To-day the flag floats over the Philip
pines with nothing but guerrilla, bands to
defy its authority, and the little brown