The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-08


The second annual message of Presi-
dent Cleveland which was sent to Con-
gress on Monday. il an exhaustive docu-
ment of considerable length and treats
of nearly every subject of general inter
est to the people of the United States.
We have time for only short abstract
of some of its more important features.
In reference to the Cutting case he
denies the claim of Mexico, which, he
says. is novel in our history, to try q |
foreigner for an offense committed any |
where, if the ofense be penal in the
place of its commission, and Mexican |
be the object of it, and the offender be
found in Mexico; and he expresses the
hope that the statute on which this
claim is based will be so modified as to
eliminate the present possibilities of
danger TO thepeace Of the two countries.
be again calls attention to the exces-
siye revenues of the government, and
strongly urges a reduction of tariff
duties. Clearly he stands on the Chicago
platform, whatever that may mean; but
he gives an Interpretation to it which
shows that he understands its meaning
to be that the reduction shall be on
articles of necessity. This is made man
ifest by his reference to toe taxes paid
! by the farmers and agriculturists where
in he uses the following language:
But our farmers and agriculturists-
those who from the sol. produce the things
consumed by all-are perhaps more direct
ly and plainly concerned than are any
other of our citizens in a Just and careful
, system OF Federal taxation. Those actu-
ally engaged and more remotely connected
with this kind OF work number nearly one
half Of our population. None labor harder
or more continually than they. No enact
ments limit their hours Of toll and no in.
terposition Of the government enhances tc
any great extent the value of their pro
ducts, and vet for many of the necessariei
and comforts of life, which the most scru
pulous economy enables them to brin,
" into their homes, and for their implement
of husbandry, they are obliged to pay
price largely increased by an unnatura
profit, which, by the action of the govern
! ment, Is given to the more favored manu-
a facturer.
He recommends the strengthe ming O
!. our harbor and coast defenses, an d in
at dOrses the recommendations of the Sec
J. rotary of the Navy concerning tn
needed improvements in that branch G
the country's defenses.
lie reiterates the opinion expressed i
g his last annual message, that the con
pulsory coinage of silver under the pre-
visions of the Bland bill should b
stopped, and urges its suspension on tn
: additional grounds that ''the more tn
= currency is distributed among the pee
~ pie the greater becomes our duty I
protect it from disaster" and that w
~ now have abundance for all our needs.
He is more than ever convinced
~ the necessity and usefulness of the Civ
b" Service Law; and says that those who d
We not appreciate 1t are those who do NJ
I'd understand it, or those who want plac,
u under the government regardless
II merit or efficiency, or those who insi
II that the selections FOR such places shoul
1e rest upon proper credential shown
~ active partisan work. We belong
II the class who do not understand it, bn
Il Tor the present, are willing to take Il
ol Presidents word for it, that its goc
az thing when properly understood.
IL very important recommendation
u that the depositors of the Freedmen
nc Savings Bank be paid the balance d,
az on their deposits amounting to 1929
744.50, and he makes out strong ca
&c IN favor of the depositors.
u Taken as a whole the Presidents me
III sage shows him to be the honest, fait
+ ful, painstaking public servant, and b
III recommendations will receive, as tn,
W deserve, respectful consideration by .
20 good citizens. The message contai
gu many noble and patriotic utterances, al
~ though We may not always aglee with Il
he views expressed, we can but admire Il
yer vein of frank, manly candor that ru
~ through it from beginning to end. v
~ will print it in full next week.