Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-07
THROUGH ONE ADMINISTRATIVE

The Washington correspondent of the
New York Tribune, reviewing the work
of President Mckinley, remarks that II
the Cuban question, with all its conse-
auences. could have been postponed
four years, and if the Chinese question
had not arisen. the last administration
would still stand as an exceedingly
creditable one.
The great events referred to have. no
doubt, obscured much else Of vast inn
portance that has been accomplished.
1t was upon President McKinley's rec
concentration that the Dingley tariff
law replaced the Wilson German law.
This was done, it will be remembered,
at the extra session called imme diately
after his Inauguration, while the fifty
sixth congress, which succeeded it, en-
acted the law to provide for refundinS
at per cent, the lowest rate of inter-
est ever paid by the United States, and
to give to the small towns the benefit
of the national banking system.
Then came the annexation Of Hawaii,
and the adjustment of the Pacific rail-
roads question, the latter being settled
upon a basis which will secure to the
government the principal and some of
the interest of the Indebtedness.
Of our foreign relations, it has been
truthfully said that. in spite of the
captious criticism of Secretary of State
Hay, he has shown the highest skill in
the conduct of affairs through the per-
feet maze of complications surrounding
! China, and our commercial and other
| treaty rights have been constantly
| maintained, Notwithstanding the attl-
! tude of the powers and their encroach-
ments upon the empire. Under direc-
ton Of President Mckinley, Secretary
Hay succeeded in drawing from the
/ Policy promulgated by this government,
giving it. in this new role. the leader
| ship in China. Under the presidents
! instructions, too. Secretary Hay last
July laid down the principles Which
| were accepted by the other powers for
the settlement of this matter with
China under which, after the rescue
negotiations began for the settlement.
with the strict understanding that
there would be no territorial indemni-
ties and no interference with the open
door in the exaction of penalties for
In the rivalries among the European
powers over this settlement they paid
a remarkable tribute to the success OF
the Mckinley administration in foreign
affairs by competing with one another
for the favor and influence of the Unit
ed States. President Mckinley, who
had been accused by his critics Of en-
| tangling alliances with Great Britain
and other countries, Notwithstanding
his constant refusal to enter into sucl
, alliances. was able to secure every ad
vantage the United States desired b!
, acting concurrently with the powers a
. they accepted his principles of dealin:
T with the Chinese question, and fi1fall.
5 to prevent the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of tn
) Chinese empire and maintain the opel
door.
: Without undertaking to anticipat
the u poSlSAAIss ~ SSShAS oe'A
5 to say that President Mckinley has ha
a great part to play, and has played
l we'll, and that it was fortunate for tn
1 republic that he was at it's head i
J, the closing years Of the nineteenth cen
t fury. That the next four years wi
e only emphasize the favorable verdit
upon his work at the close Of his frs
S administration, who can honestl
doubt?