New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

| It cannot be said that the Presidents Mes
sage is as strong as it is long. The Messages
which have thrilled through the land, and kim
| died the hearts of millions, and changed the
history of the nation. have not always been
models of literary style, and President Cleve-
| lands is not such model. Bnt it does not re-
semble those memorable Messages in other and
| more important respects.
The perfuuctory recapituatiOn of the lead
| ing features of Department and Bureau re-
ports. even if enlightened and guided by
genius, is apt to be wearying performance.
But President Cleveland sheds no new light on
the subjects which his subordinates have
treated. There is more or less commonplace
remark about each branch of the service. but
the most striking characteristic of the Message
is that it adds scarcely ray of original thought
or a morsel of information, while at times the
straining after solemn and pOnderOus phrases
borders on the ludicrOus. Even on the silver
question and the tariff, while the Message sub
stantlally repeats previous recommendations,
it adds so little of vigorous reasoning or new
thought that it might easily leave the impress
sion that the President did not care particu-
larly what happened.
Respecting foreign affairs, the Message is
nothing Possibly one phrase may hint that
new treaty with China is forthcoming, but per-
haps not. Mr. Bayard's Illuminating withdrawal
from mistaken peremptOry demand is ignored,
but there is solemn discourse about extra
territorial criminal jurisdiction" as 1t that had
been the real issue. 1t Is pODderously stated
that negotiations about the fishery question are
in progress with reasonable hope thit before
the close of the present session OF Congress
announcement may be made that an accepta-
BILE conclusion has been reached" which Is
cOnsoling. While legislation in execution Of
tho Mexican reciprocity treaty is again urged,
the fact is mentioned that broader and more
favorable terms have already been accorded by
Mexico IN recent treaties with other powers.
The Presidents treatment of the silver ques-
ton is but tame repetition OF the man points
in the Treasury report. He does state, how
ever, that "every fair and legal effort has
been made "to distribute this currency Sill
yer and silver certfcates-"amOng the people"
by withdrawal of smlll legal tenders AMI the
issuing of small silver certificates, I'm obedience
10 the will and sentiments of the representa-
tives of the people in the Congress-" Nor
will his remarks on the tariff question
thrill tree-traders with enthusiasm. lie
has an idea that a great surplus OF our
revenues indicates abnormal and excep-
tional business profts"; considers tariff en-
acted in 1861 leading strings usefa to ma
ton in its infancy; thinks the present rate Is
in some respects "actualy more tnan was i'm
posed by the grievous burden willingly borne"
III time of war, and recommends that " the IN
creasing and unnecessary surplus OF national
income annually accumulatiny be released to
the people by an amendment TO our revenue
laws waich snail cheaper the price of the
necessarles of life and give freer entrance to
such imported materials as by American
labor may be manufactured into marketable
commodites" Apparently he means free
sugar and free WOOL but it is hard to be sure
The President thinks better foreign mail
service desirable. aud with cOmOeDdable
gravity suggests, as DISTINGUISHED from
grant or subsidy for the mere benefit of any line
of tn de OF travel" that "whatever outlay may
be required should be reg lrded as within
the limit of legitimate compensation for sue h
service" This appears to mean thai it is
subsidy and wrong to pay part of the expense
of any existing line. but right and economical
to pay Irger expense TO new line-whlch
tn. Pan Electric branch of the Administration
should organize at once. 1t is observed that
glaring inequality of treatment" Is found IN
the Pensions service, which Is not strange. since
the Physical Wreck who Is now Commissioner
draws the largest pension on record and alarge
salary besides, and deprives beth of salaries
and pensions men more meritonOus. 1t is also
noted as exceedingly strange that the scope
and nature of Civil Service reform are 80
little understood But many of the Presi-
dent,s amendments are calculated to make it
myster,ous-and not to strengthen his appeal
for It's maintenance.
In truth, it is not precisely great Message
nor does it shed much light on events. But in
the main it fairly sets forth the opinions and
illustrates the qualifications of the party which
selected Mr.. Cleveland for President