The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-12
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
An Exhaustive State Paper That Is
Generally Approved by the Press.

An Exhaustive State Paper That is
Generally Approved by the Press.
President Cleveland's first message was read
in both Houses of Congress on Tuesday last. 1t
is very lengthy document and would more than
fill page of The UNION. Referring editorially
to the message the Baltimore Ne,os says:
"The President is usually terse and pithy
writer, thinking strongly and expressing himself
pointedly, and it was generally expected that his
message to Congress would be short, embracing a
half dozen salient subjects, and clearly and eec-
lively presenting them. He has taken the pains,
however, to famiarize himself with the work,
the needs and the demands of every department
of the government, and all the questions needing
legislative action or consideration, and not one Of
them has escaped comment. All are broadly and
strongly treated, and testify as we'll to his indus
try as to his wisdom and patriotism.
"The principal topics, those which challenge
most promptly and decisively popular attention,
the public naturally looked for first. His views
upon the tariff, the coinage of silver, the Mormon
troubles, civil service reform, the Chinese ques-
ton and the needs of our navy were the subjects
that appealed most seriously to popular attention
and upon which the people looked for the most
decisive Presidential utterances. And they have
not been disappointed, for Mr.. Cleveland is man
who has the courage of his convictions and be-
ieves that the right, just and true will eventually
triumph, no matter how deeply they may be
buried in the sophistries of the selfish obscured
by the diversions of time-servers. There is no
regard for expediency in the man or his message.
He colors nothing to escape responsibility, nor
evades an utterance due to candOr.
SIN regard to the silver coinage he cannot be
misunderstood. His discussion of it is as cold as
the coin, and as solid the silver itself. He
shows distinctly that the further enforcement of
Al Ill h. aoeflu ~, fba
result of which can be clearly foreseen. The refusal
of other countries to cooperate defeats bi-metal
ism beyond dispute; the continued coinage imposes
heavy and useless expense for work and storage,
and persistence in the present law will cause the
boarding and disappearance of gold; will depre-
ciate the purchasing power OF money, and bring
financial disgrace as well as disaster upon He,
therefore, urges that the coinage be stopped be-
fore the harm is DONE
"In regard to the tariff Mr.. Cleveland says
"the proposition with which we have to deal is
the reduction of the revenue received by the gov
eminent and indirectly paid by the people for
customs dues. The question of free trade is not
involved, nor is there now any occasion for the
general discussion of the wisdom expediency
of a protective system" This is his language,
and it forcibly presents what is or should be the
true attitude of Congress towards this delicate,
but pressing subject. The Democratic party could
not be so unwise to inflict such ruinous shock
to our national interests and industries sudden
turn to such an extreme as free trade would i'm
pose neither does it favor the erection contin-
uance of Chinese wall of protection to squeeze
the peoples substance and shut US out from the
commerce of the world Whatever 1t does in the
way of reaching the desired relief, it must do
gradually and judiciously and to that end Con-
gress must proceed in the temper and spirit and
with the wisdom and prudence of the statesman
who is advising it.
"Mr. Cleveland we'll says: Justice and fairness
dictate that in any modification Of our present
laws relating to revenue, the industries and inter
ests which have been encouraged by such laws,
and in which our citizens have large investments,
should not be ruthessly injured or destroyed.
We should also deal with the subjects in such
manner as to protect the interests of American
labor which is the capital of our workingmen
its stability and proper remuneration furnish the
most justifable pretext for protective policy.
Within these limitations certain reduction
should be made in our customs revenue. The
amount of such reduction having been determin-
ed, the inquiry follows, where can it best be re-
mitted and what articles can best be released
from duty, in the interest of our citizens! think
the reduction should be made in the revenue de-
rived from tax upon the imported necessaries OF
life. We thus directly lessen the cost of living
in every family of the land, and release to the
people in every humble home larger measure OF
the rewards of frugal industry.
ain regard to the Chinese problem the Presi-
dent is frank and outspoken. He claims that all
the powers of the government should be exerted
to maintain the amplest good faith with China in
the treatment of her citizens upon our soil, and
the inhexible sternness of the law should be in
sisted upon bringing to justice those who have
been guilty of violence towards them. But he
admits that the government has the right to pre-
vent "the influx of elements hostile to its internal
nd itxy nat
Chinese labor is demanded in other countries than
our own notably in the Dominion of Canada,
"where Chinese immigration is now regulated by
laws more exclusive than our own" lie urges
Congress, if existing laws are inadequate, to give
earnest consideration to other remedial measures.
'The threats of violence and the angry agita-
ton in Utah have recently called public atten-
ton to the Mormon question afresh, and with this
the President very energetically deals. 1t looks
as if this administration would take up and settle
the polygamy problem. In discussing it Mr..
CIeveIand peIrays feeling than is shown in
the handling of any other topic and he concludes
with the resoute assertion that there should be
relaxation in the firm but just execution of the
law, that he will be glad to approve any discreet
legislation that "wll rid the country of this blot
upon its fair name," and he recommends as
practical measure toward this end an act that
will forbid the further importation of Mormons
into the country
"With the subject of Civil Service Reform he
deals, as the public expected he would, clearly
and forcibly and without yielding one jot of the
position he has maintained from the start, despite
the recent State platforms and forms and faction
al prenunciamentoes. His attitude in this respect
was more an object of popular curiosity than
actual doubt, as it looked as if the opposition to
his pet theory was strong enough last fall to have
alarmed timid man and even to cause bold
one to finch. But Mr.. Cleveland does not waver;
ON the contrary takes if anything frmer and
more advanced stand upon that subject than he
occupied before.
"The President urges thorough reorganization
of the navy department and the construction and
equipment of a modern and efficient service to
take the place of what is now not even shabby
ornament to the government, but which is rather
q burden, scandal and disgrace.
"These are the most important and conspicuous
subjects treated of in the message"
Correspondence Baltimore County U.ion.
TETTER FROM SHREWSRTJRY PA