The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-17
PRESIDENT CLRVELAND'S
MAIDEN MESSAGE.

We had desis ned to lay the message
of President Cleveland before our
readers in full in supplement form last
week. and supposed we had completed
were disappointed. The great length
of the document precludes us from
giving it in full, but We give the fol
lowing synopsis which will give the
document:
President Cleveland's message Op,
ened with q tender allusion to the re-
cent death of Vice President Hen
bricks, and reference to his distin-
guished public services, integrity and
devotion to duty. A general survey
shows that our relations with foreign
powers continue to be friendly. There
aro no questions of difficulty pending
with any foreign government. Allu-
sion is made TO the appointment of
MIR. Kelly as minister to Austria, and
his rejection by that country The
reasons advanced by Austria asking
for the withdrawal OF Mr.. Kelley were
such as could not be acquiesced in by
the president without violating his
oath of Office. He has made no new
nomination and the interests Of the
government at Vienna are now in the
care of the secretary of legation.
Concerning the lsthmiau canal, the
president says the interest of the Uni
ted States i'll practical transit for
ships across the isthmus has been re-
reatedly manifested during the last
half century, and whatever highway
NAV be constructed across the barrier
must he for the worlds benefit, a trust
for mankind to he removed from the
chance of domination by any single
uower, nor should it become point
| Tor invitation for hostllities, or prize
| for Wariike ambition, toward such re-
ai,zatiQn- the efforts of this admins
l>trariUn wifi be aPTfied. ---'': - -
The Chinese question in the western
states despite restrictive legislation, Is
| far from satisfactory, but ali the power
of the government should be exerted
| to maintain the aiapiest good ialtn to-
| ward China in the treatment of emil
grants from that country.
ON the fishery question the presi-
DENT recommends that congress
nroyide for a commission in which
| ihe governments of the United
States and Great Britain shall be rep
resented, charged with ths settlement
| of The entire question Of the two cOun-
tries.
He urges legislation to make the re-
Gently concluded treaty with Mexico
effective.
of International copyright. he says
| it is certainly desirable to bring about
| the object in view.
The inade quancy OF flegislat1ontouci 8
| ing tliIZensnp aud NATURALIZATION l.
brought 10 the attention of congress
# is important that the right of alien
domicile, as distinguished from feder
! al legislation, be deiiued.
| He urges recast OF appropriations
| for the consular and diplomatic service
on a footing commensurate with the
| tmnortance of our national Interests
and advocates a system OF cOnSulal
inspection.
! Ia reviewing the reports and rec
o,nmendations of his cabinet Officers
| the prYsident first takes up the report
of secretary Manning aud discusse:
the tariff and currency and coinage
question. OF the tariff question, h'
says:
..1,he fact that all revenues are il
|
unuicat administration OF the govern
ment jn-tifles Ieductioh IN TN
amount exucted from the people for it
sutnoIt. Our government is bot TIN
means estatlt-iIcd iy the will of a iret
peopie hy which certain principles ar
applied which they have adopted TO
their henant aud protection ana IL i
nave;R better administered and 1t l
neve, netter observed than when tn
peopI..'s taxation tor its support L
scr,ipulously limited to the actual he
I cessity of expenditure and distributed
according to d just and equitable plan
"The proposition with which w
have TO deal is the reduction of tn
revenue received by the government
and indirectly paid by the people from
cnstoms duties The question of fire.
trade il not involved, nor Is there nov
apv occasion for the general discussion
of the wisdom or eXpediency or pro
tsctiye system Justice and faIrnes
dictate that in any modification of ou
nresent laws relating to revenue, tn
industries and interests which nav
|. hpen encouraged by such laws and II
which our ciIiz=ns have large invest
meuts should not be ruthiessly injured
or destroyed.
We should also deal with the sub
isct i'm such mauuer as to protect th'
interests OF American labor, which
tha capital of our worklngmen 1t
stability and proper remuneration fur
nish the most Unstable preteXt for
nrotective policy. Within these limi
; tations a certain reduction should b.
made in our customs revenue. Th
anount of such reduction having beel
determined, the inquiry follows wher
! can il best be femitled and what artl
cles can best be released from duty il
the interest of our Citizens?
81 think the reduction should b
} made in the revenue derived from
tax upon the imported necessaries o
life. We thus directly lessen the cos
OF living in every family OF the land
and release TO The people i'll ever.
humble home II larger measure OF tn
rewards of frugal industry"
Nothing more important, he says
than the present condition oil our cur
rency and coinage can claim the at
tenti0n of congress. The very llmIte,
amount of circulating National banl
notes compsred with the amount tn
law permits them To issue, indicate
that the volume of circulating NE
i dunn may Ue larSely ihCiesaseu through
this instrumentallty.
On the silver question he takes stron,
grounds in favor of suspension of tn
Coinage of silver dollars. The author
ity to coin money, given to congress
by the constitution, if it permits tn
purchase of bullion i'll any event, doe
not Justify coinage to AN extent beyon,
the amount needed for suflicien
circulatory medium. The desire Il
utilize the silver product of the couu
try should not lead to a misuse or Der
yersien of, this power.
The necessity for such an addition
to the silver currency as is compeiIe.
by the silver coinage act, he says. i
negatived 10y the fact that up to tn
present time only about fifty million
of the els 900, 600 silver dollars coiue,
since 1878 have found their way int
circulation, leaving more than $l65,
900 900 in possion of the government
the custody of which has entailed
considerable expense for the construc
ton of vaults TOR its deposit.
f Against this latter amount there ar