New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-03
WASHINGTON.
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.

VARIOUS OPINIONS EXPRESSED But NONE oE
yALUE-1HE MESSAGE THOUGHT BY SOME TO
BE WEAK AND BY OTHERS STRANGE DoCU-
MENT-THE PORTION RELATING TO CUBA sArls-
FACTORY TO EvERYBoDY-rHE FINANCIAL
CLAUSE SHARPLY CRITICISED
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEI
WASHINGTON Dec. 2.-The comments one hears
tonight on the Presidents Annual Message are oil
very little value. Very few persons listened at
tentivey to the reading of the entire document III
Congress, and there has not yet been time
for that careful analysis of its recommends
lions that makes the opinions of public men
on 1t, worthy to be recorded. In the Senate moro
attention was given to the statements and discus
sions of this much-looked for document than in the
House, but even there many were absent from their
seats; others were engaged IN writing and not n
few who sat through the reading showed by their
attitudes and manner that they we're anything but
entertained by the performance.
immediately after the adjournment of the Senate
there was rush Of reporters 70 the floor, and gem
era interviewing Of Senators of every shade OF po-
lItIcal opinion. Some were not ready to express
their opinions; some did not understand what the
President desired to have done on several OF the
most important points, some thought 1t was strange
document, and some a weak one; some Grill
cised its larrangement-it was linked on
vague and its recommendations were preposterous.
The Cuban portion seemed to please everybody.
Mr.. Chandler, whose voice is still, as il ever has
been, for war, war in the message, of course.
He said that CASTELAR, would not be able to
perform his part of the contract and we
should have to enforce an Observance
of tho agreement ourselves IN Cuba.
He is in favor Of recognizing the belllgerency OF
Cuba rather than anneXing the island, and he be-
lieves that the preparations for war ought not TO
be discontinued. He was pleased with the manner
in which Secretary Fish had managed the whole
business. Other Senators expressed themselves less
freely.
The comments upon the message by members Of
the House to-day, varied usual, with the politics,
habits of thought, and peculiar interests Of those
expressing opinions Men with schemes for lavish
expenditures, aud men with jobs, did not like tho
urgent recommendations for economy. Infa-
tionSts thought it squinted both ways
on their hobby of moro paper money.
Resumptonists SAID there was a perceptible
falling OIL from last year in the earncstness with
which a return TO specie payments was PRESSED but
were glad that the stories that the President had
gone over 10 tire enemy's camp were unfOmded.
The President wanted more currency, but no infla-
ton, was remarked by one. The advocates OF the
various canal schemes were in bad humOr.
Everybody was satisfied with the portion relating
to Cuba. The Democrats generally praised the Mes
sage az a sharp document, full of individuality, but
thought it abounded in weak points which they
could attack. The current opinion among Repub-
licms was that it was safe message rs whole,
although crude in parts, and that it
showed the Presidents own ideas and work
more than any previous annual Message he has sent
TO Congress The financial portions were more
criticised on both sides of the House than any
other The proposition to make the currency elias
tic by issuing additional circulation to banks on
deposit OF United States bonds 40 security,
the Government TO retain four per cent Of
the interest accruing, did not appear to
meet with much favor, Several members comment
ingupon IT, said that it would, in effect be loaning
money TO the banksa per cent fOr them TO loan to
the people at IL or d. and that the Government had
better loan directly to the people pledge Of bonds
as collaterals. Others said that there was much
hostility to the National banks just now that it was
not probable that Congress would enlarge this
privilege as suggested by the President.
The reading Of the Message was attentivcly
listened to until the parts relative TO the Cuban
difficulty and to National finances had been passed,
when the House became somewhat Indifferent, and
a large number of members left their seats.