New-York tribune., 1908-10-19
WARNING FROM BLISS
Sdys Euen Senate Could Not SdUe
COuntru If Bryan Succeeded.

Cornelius ~ Bliss, Secretary of the Interior unaef
President Mckinley and for several years treasurer
of the Republican National Committee says that the
election of Bryan would paraIyze business and tha
the industrial world would be compelled to live from
hand to mouth until the Bryan policies were De
veloped. 1t was as a business man that MI. Bliss
talked.
The talk which Is being heard in some quarters.
he said that Bryan could practically do no harm
if he is elected President while the Senate remains
Republican will not bear careful examination from
the standpoint Of the practical business man. Would
those who are indulging this talk stand ready to
make loans for new railway construction and the
extension of mills factories after the announce
raent of Bryan's election? Would they not feel that
there must be at least period of waiting until the
BRYAN policies were developed before industry could
do more than live from hand to mouth? Would the
banker find any demand for the money in his hands?
Would the manufacturer find grounds for adding to
his plant? Would the railways find encouragement
to increase their trackage and equipment?
What could Bryan do to impair business secur-
ity?' is probably the question which would be asked
by those whose resentment against President Roose-
welt makes them eager to deliver body blow at the
Republican party. The most superficial exanina-
ton of the subject would show that he could 10
much.
I'm the first place il would be his duty, he In
terprets it. TO send vigorous messages to Congress
urging radical reduction Of the tariff the destruc-
tion of the Industrial combinations and the issue of
government paper to take the place of the banknotes
authorized by existing law.
Even If the country regarded these attacks with
Indifference, because Of the 1rmness Of the Senate,
there would be plenty of other clubs to which Mr..
Bryan could lay his hand for attacks upon bust
If thoughtless words from the Attorney
General contributed to alarm the markets year
or so ago could more guarded words be expected
from Attorney General appointed by Mr. Bryan?
If persistent prosecution of large enterprises has
been carried far enough to cause uneasiness un-
der the present administration, would it not be
carried infinitely further under a Bryan Depart
ment of Justice? Could not judges even be found
who. encouraged by the-wav of radicalism sweep
ing over the country would impose or affirm con-
1scatory fines and excessive penalties?
Most serious of all perhaps, would be the effect
upon the country If attacks Ipon business. the
flight of gold abroad and general uneasiness in
voked a crisis in the money market. With what
face then could business appeal to Washing
ton for help? If they asked for the issue of ener-
gency notes under the Aldricn-NTeeand bill. would
not Bryan's Secretary Of the Treasury reply with
set Jaws that the Democratic platform declared
that if any emergency currency TO issue, such
currency should be issued and controlled by the
federal government?
IF asked to deposit public funds in the banks
to relieve strngency, would he not reply that
Democratic principles forbade deposits in pet
banks and that the market must take care of 1t
self? If finally the dight of gold caused a drain
upon the Treasury reserve, would the business
men of the country be able TO persuade Bryan
Secretary that bonds should be issued to restore
1t? Would he not reply that he was bound by
the platform of 1896 which condemned such action
when taken by Mr.. Cleveland, the last Democratic
President?
Would not a Democratic Secretary of the Treas
ury, indeed be compelled to say 10 those VINO
appealed to him for help in maintaining the sold
standard and national and private credit in time OF
stress that Democratic platform in the last
twelve years has been predicated upon any suCn
action on his part. and that he was not dlsposeo
to take it for the benefit of men and interests
which had contributed nothing o. had contributed
only in a spirit of revenge. 20 put nm III l""ef'