The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-03
PROSPERITY UNDER M'KINLEY
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
MURDERED EXECUTIVE.
His UncOmpIeted Task Must BE Taken
Up by Republicans-PrOpO
Tariff Legislation.
oial TO the Indianapolis Journal.

of Judge William r. Day. The meeting to-
night was held in the Tabernacle, where
the late President Mckinley. up to the time
of his Inauguration as President, spoke on
the eve of every election during his career
as a public man. Senator Fairbanks paid
an eloquent tribute to the late President
and emphasized the movement for monu-
ment here. He began his address by COM
pairing present business conditions with
those existing Immediately prior to the
first Inauguration of President Mckinley.
I'm his great speech at Buffalo" the
senator said president Mckinley sum-
married. our national achievements. He
recorded our highest commercial develop
ment. We had never prior thereto attained
such eminence. Trade Statistics said he,
indicate that this country is in a state of
unexampled prosperity. The figures are
almost appalling The change wrought in
a little more than four years of McKinley's
administration challenges our most ardent
admiration Our imports and exports in
1896 amounted to 1852, 9S1. 6l2. and in 1901
they reached the unprecedented sum OF
S2,31O,9 1856
1T is a gratifying fact that the balance OF
trade in favor of the United States dur
sum of s64S. 6e5, 544-that is to say. we sold
nearly $65O,OOO,O 600 worth more products and
goods to foreign countries than we pur-
chased in foreign countries. We have vast
ly increased our exports to Cuba, Porto
Rico. Hawaii and the Philippines; they
have risen from s1S,OOO,OOO to S46,OOO,OOO. Our
exports to Asia and Oceanica, excluding
Hawaii. have increased from $42,OO0OOO to
$S4. 0OOOO0
Under the protective policy imported
wooden goods, which amounted to sos, 494, 4OO
in 1896, amounted to but Sl4,5S5,l11 in 1901.
The imports of raw wool amounted TO
23O. 1913 pounds in 1896, and declined more
than one-half, amounting to but lOj, oS3,oio
pounds in 1901, to the great and obvious
advantage of sheep husbandry OF the
United States.
''The increase in our national wealth is
forcibly suggested by the individual de-
posts i'm national banks and savings banks.
The increase has been from S,0OO,OOO,OOO
in 1896 TO $3.50, 600 in 1901. The reports
of the clearing houses of the United States
show a degree of increase in commercial
activity which is most striking. From
81 90. 10000 in 1896 they have risen to Sl2,-
$4,000 600 in 1901. The record of failures
shows a marked improvement in the cOndi-
ton of our De ople. Failures in 1896 showed
liabilities of $3.50 96.S34. while during the
last year they reached only 5S,aSo'o'5'
TARIFF LEGISLATION.
Discussing proposed tariff legislation and
reciprocity the senator Salu.
when prosperity is greatest there is
danger that we will disregard the means by
which it was secured; that we Will accept
the unsound advice of those who readily
promise measures for its further increase.
There is frequently as much danger In TOO
much as there is in too little legislation.
Changes which are proposed 10 modify eX-
listing satisfactory conditions should De SUP
iected TO the utmost scrutiny, and should
be adopted only after being well considered,
and after the wisdom thereof is clearly es-
tablished. That our tariff schedules need
modification from time to time In ORDER
that they may keep pace with changed con-
ditiOns there is no doubt, but there is no
crying necessity for any immediate, radical
or compre henSive revision. The present
tariff law was enacted after the fullest de-
liberation and utmost consideration. 1T
filled the treasury, and to-day we are not
embarrassed by deficiency. 1t not only
filed the treasury, but gave courage and
confidence TO enterprise. and any changes
to be made will be made with a careful re-
gard for the best interests OF our own peo-
..The Republican party advocated reci-
procity, and embodied this great principle
fin the Mckinley law, and also In the Ding
ley law Ii is intended to aid in the extern
sion of our commerce, to widen our mar
lets but IL was never intended to be used
to cripple or tear down our own industries.
Ii is a mere trading provision whereby we
may make concessions in duties upon for
eign products which do not come into COM
petition with like products or our own in
a burtful degree on condition that similar
concessions are made in the admission of
products of the United States into foreign
markets Many reciprocity treaties were
negotiated by President Harrison under the
provisions of the Mckinley law, but they
were abrogated by action of the last Dem
ocratic administration. and the country
failed to receive the full benefits to flow
from them. Reciprocity treaties have been
negotiated by President Mckinley, and
they will have the utmost consideration at
the coming session of Congress.
I'm all we do we shall bear In mind the
words Of President Mckinley at Buffalo
when he declared that by sensible trade
arrangements. which will not interrupt our
home productions, we shall extend the out
lets for increasing surplus"
TRIBUTE TO MKINLEY.
Senator Fairbanks closed with a tribute
to the late martyred President mo mat
ter what subject engages our attention"
said ne, "our thoughts irresistibly turn to
the tragedy at Buffalo, the master crime of
the new century. In all the history of the
human race there has been no crime equal
to it save the one upon Calvary. All things
were strong against the deed We were
amidst the golden age with peace, plenty
and prosperity about US everywhere. Past
bitterness had died out of our hearts, and
we were enamOred Of our institutions as
never before. out of a cloudleSs sky the
cruel bolt came, and We stood transfxed.
our senses paralyzed We could scarcely
believe the awful truth. ii was so unnatur-
al Who could be so foul as TO strike down
this lover of mankind He bore no ILL
will toward any man. He had no fear ex-
cept that thrc IN fallible judgment he
might do wrong
He was the very incarnation of justice
and mercy He was well poised. and looked
the President. He delighted TO do kind
and generous things. He was strong and
loyal TO conscience. He did not affect
greatness or superior virtue. He was great
and he possessed the virtues which
crowned the nOblest manhood he was clean
in person. in thought. in speech and deed.
No one ever heard him utter base senti-
ment or witness an act which exalted mo-
This was his master passion. They loved
him. What viper could wish to sting him?
How impossible il all now seems.
When his life trembled in balance the
prayers of eighty millions of people in the
United States, yes. OF millions in and be-
yOnd the sea assembled 10 the great white
throne asking only that il might be spared.
but IL was ordered otherwise. With cOur-
age and sublime faith he said: 'Good-by
all. Goodbye all. 1t is Gods way His
will. not ours. be done In faith we now
see our great President among the greatest
OF immortals. He Is now in everlasting and
sweet fellowship with Washington and
Lincoln.
How cruel fate seemed when Il decreed
that Abraham Lincoln should not enjoy
the promised land after he had led his
people through the Red sea OF civil war
Mckinley could not have lived 10 witness
the fruition of bis enlightened policies and