Middletown transcript., 1901-11-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON LETTER.
YOUR correspondent called on Secretary
of the Treasury Gage, after his return
from Milwaukee and asked the Secretary
to somewhat further elucidate his finan-
cial creed as given to the American Ban
ker's Association. Mr.. Gage replied that
he hardly cared to go into the subject
more extensively at this time as he was
just preparing his annual report, and
that to do SO would be to ''steal the thun-
DER from that. 'Then understand
that an elucidation of those ideas and
the methods by which they may be car
ried out will form the chief topic of your
report?' was asked. 'Not precisely.
did not say that" the Secretary replied
"But substantially "Well, to con-
siderable extent" "Mr. Secretary, the
papers opposed to the administration are
charging you with favoring the bankers
at the expense of the people and that by
your system you would put the people
entirely in the power of the bankers"
'sOf course, that vas to be expected. But
that arises from wrong conception of
the facts. Those papers don't, or won't,
appreciate that the prosperity of the
bankers depends upon the prosperity of |
the people, that their interests are identi-
cal.' "Would you not place in the
hands of the bankers the power to in
fate or contract the currency at wilI?'
"My idea is simply to get the government
out of the banking business. That is
not its province and 1t Is the province OF
the banks. But you must wait for my
annual report for further details"
~
Speaking of financial conditions in tie
West, Mr.. Gage said tliat lie found every
thing extremely satisfactory" That
there was no evidence ''that crop failures
would result in an increase of farm mort
cages, and in fact the Republican pros.
perity showed every evidence of contin-
uing at the food" The Secretary fur.
ther said "We have right here in the /,
Treasury, barometer which is never fail
ing in the demand for bills of small de- ,
nominations. We are working our force !
at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
two hours overtime and the mill that
manufactures the paper on which they /
are printed, is turning out four million :
extra sheets per day and still we cannot !
supply the demand. That is the best f
evidence in the world that the crops are +
moving smoothly and that money is in
general circulation. Yes, there is abun- a
liant prosperity in the West" h
*x*
Representative Hopkins of Illinois, h
who is in Washington, has made public u
his intention of introducing, during the
first week of the coming Congress-, bill q
for the permanent establish
nent of the Census Bureau. His bill
Sill further instruct the Civil Service &
Commission to place on the classified list N
he employees, about two thousand, that C
ire now on the. rolls of the Census II
Bureau. In measure the proposed bill I'll
s a compliment to the efficiency and bust. hi
less methods of the present director, i'll
William r. Merriam, who would retain I'll
lis post at salary of $500 per year. til
dr.. Hopkins, who is chairman of the tn
Committee on Ways and Means, also ST
tated that he was opposed to all legisla- m
ion looking to decrease of the revenue, in
hat with the 1sthmian Canal to build, to
siver and Harbor bill to pass and pos tn
IDLY some ship subsidies to take care of ad
e considered any reduction of revenue co
a very foolish business" so
- be
Before committing himself on the reefs co
rocity treaties, it is his desire to learn pa
he views of prominent Republican Sena-
,rs, and to that end he has summoned
number to the White House. The Hay
auncefote treaty will also be literally ye
iscussed. The President has had con- ne
renee with Senator Aldrich of Rhode M'
land, who, it will be recalled, advised we
resident Mckinley that the Senate was OF
ot favorable to any more reciprocity on
eaties or to any revision of the Dingley mi
riff bill. What he advised Colonel OH
oosevelt is not known although good wa
al of curiosity attaches to his call. In
*x*
An important change in the State De- T
.rtment is announced in the resignation I;v,
the third assistant Secretary. Mr.. oo,
tomas W. Cridler and the appointment and
his place of Mr.. Herbert H. D. Pierce, be
Massachusetts,, now first Secretary of GOV
e American EMBASSY, at st. Petersburg. mo,
le statement is made that Mr. Cridler's the
;ignation was called for by Secretary tha
~ as result OF whas ne cohsioefeu will
k of judgment on Mr.. Cridler's part 4
the handling of claims of American
izens against the Sultan of Morocco.
~ O
Secretary Root returned to his desk on au,a
sdnesday and found many important npl,
airs awaiting him, the chief being tha com
position of troops for the Philippines. oaoe
expiration OF terms Vi e.,,i''"o' in t
ring the next three months will reduce amo
forces by about 10000 men, and in TONS
W of the recent trouble in Samar and and
recommendation of Lieutenat Gen. wor.
i Miles, Adiutant General Corbin and
neral Macarthur, it has been deter
ned to maintain the present strength tt
about 10000 men antil further devel- of ii
nents warrant its reduction. No in entel
sse is contemplated, but it will be from
essary to establish numerous small derst
risons in order to effectually police the eral
nds and maintain order. oenor DAT resid
J. chief translator for the provost mar HUT
general Of Manila. and a native fendt
fippino, is in Washington and ex-
49, r. kSrra<, - 1