The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-09-16
A CENTRAL BANK.

Public interest is bound TO be
aroused by the national central bank
idea. suggested by President Taft in
his Boston speech, advocated at the
American Bankers association in
Chicago by President George NJ. Rey-
nolds and denounced at the same
place by Speaker Cannon, of the
house of representatives.
Not the least interesting feature Of
the situation is the presidents am
nouncement that Senator Nelson Aid
rich. OF Rhode Island, will swing
around the country, speaking through
the middle west. south and west on
the subject. Senator Aldrsch is the
greatest authority on financial sub
jects in the senate and a leader of
brains. The president says Aldrich
desires to round out his career by
fathering a reformed currency that
will leave his name enrolled among
the real statesmen of the country,
and to set himself fairly before the
American people. Senator Aldrich is
chairman of the congressional cur
rency com mission.
Although We opposed Senator AID
rich's attitude on many vital ques-
tions. we have always admitted that
he represents the principal interests
of his section in his tariff views. just
as much as William Jennings Bryan
represented the mortgage stricken
farmer of the plains in his free silver
campaign, and the same farmer with
money in the bank. when he discard
ed free silver and came out strong
for the guaranty of bank deposits.
Certainly Senator Aldrich has been
sufficiently well advertised to insure
him great audiences and profound
attention. The trip of Senator AID
rich probably will give him a better
idea of the immensely of the United
States and the sentiment OF that sec
ton of the country, which produces
the presidents, and also give the peo-
pie Of the west a better impression
OF Mr. Aldrich. Better service should
result from the visit. Until he comes
around with plans and specifications
we shall withhold our Judgment Of
the central bank.
The president omitted details. He
said the bank must be free from poll
tics on the one hand and Wall street
influence on the other. That's hell
gate to steer the financial snip
through which II will require master
pilots hand. Andy jackson scuttled
the ship once and took to the small
boats. President Reynolds said the
small boat of finance is what has put
us on the reefs every time we seemed
to be going we'll We are just riding
with the tides close in shore But
he admits that the details of the plan
are complex and difficult, and he is
indefinite.
Joe Cannon isn't so indefinite on
the subject. And do not think that
Joe isn't foxy in his position. Some
old fellow back there I'm the Eigh-
teenth Illinois congressional district,
jackknife in hand, will stop whiting
the postoffice portico and roll his
quid we'll back into the angle of his
jaw long enough to infer that "Ole
Joe jes' nachally shook his fist in the
face of them thar plutocrats and told
'em, b'gosh. the gov'ment ain't goin'
into no bankin' business with EN-"
In fact, Joe's clear of the reserva-
ton. He opposes any more tariff
bond issue for developing
the internal waterways, currency re-
form, reform of house rules, and
everything else that President Taft
will advocate on his tour