The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-08
The Press on the Message.

NEW YORK. Dec. THE Tribune says of
the message: "Tne most important part of the
message relates to the finances, banking and
taxation. In this respect the message has rare
ly been surpassed 1t is an admirable business
document, and deserves praise as well for its
manner and method as for the judcious recon-
mendations which it makes. On civil service
the Presidents expressions will be generally
understood as indicating disbelief in COMPETE
tive examinations, dislike to the permanent ten
ure and a disposition to submit to as little as
possible in the programme of the civil service
reformers.' The message is strongest on foreign
relations and finance, but it is not weak any
where, and it will be generally accepted by the
country as iudicious, moderate and in most
respects satisfactory document"
The World saws: "The message is a business
like paper, full of points, and in some particu-
lars it has an aggressive individuality. 1t is
rather the personal platform OF the President
than platform upon which his party is likely
to stand. Generally, the personal platform and
the party platform are composed of the same
planks but it is not very likely that the Re-
publican party will be very eager to enforce by
statute the elaborate programme which the
President lays down, for example, upon our
Indian policy, although that programme will
probably elicit the calm approval of most per-
sons who are not politicians and who read the
Presidents suggestions as they might read
newspaper article on the same subject. In re-
gard to the finances and to our foreign relations
the President speaks with force and clearDess
which will command the respect OF patriotic
men of all parties"
The Post says of the Presidents message that
it is credtable paper. 1t refers to the Peru
CHILEAN question and says the Presidents
statement that continued antagonism between
Chill and Peru and Bolivia threatens republi-
can government on this continent, etc., is
piece of buncombe out of harmony with its
general serious and business like tone. On the
whole the Post judges it has had a hearty re-
ception from the American people.
CHICAGO, Dec. THE Times says the mes
sage resembles in style the English speech
from the throne" and is nearly as stately as
those of Washington. 1t has not the style and
tone of a man who regards himself as leader
of party government, and intends to act as one.
This popularity will probably commend It's
author TO public appreciation; at all events It
will tend to establish between him and the
governing party more friendly relations than
could have been expected bad the message be-
trayed the strong individuality OF President
inclined to have policy of his own and to ex
pect the party to support him as the executive
of it.
The Inter-Ocean says that as whole 1t will
be received with more general assent than any
message thai has been sen6 TO Congress for the
past fifteen years.
The Tribune fears the message will disap-
point the country. 1t does not think that the
Presidents recommendations that the law au-
thorizing silver certificates to be issued to de-
positors of silver be repealed, on the ground
that they are unnecessary because the national
banks can furnish all the currency needed and
that the coinage of silver dollars be limited to
the discretion of the Treasury Department,will
meet with approval.
LONDON, Dec. THE Times says the most
delicate question OF foreign policy mentioned
in the Presidents message is on she subject OF
the Clayton-Buwer treaty The message does
not say how England has received the proposal
for its abrogaton.