The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-04


and of the relations between this and for
eign countries 1t is not state paper that
will excite a great deal of comment, but it
will be readily admitted that it fully meets
the purpose for which 1t is intended. The
last annual message treated of only one sub
ject that of the tariff. The present one
treats of many subjects, but it makes the
tariff the most prominent by giving it the
leading place
The position taken on the tariff in the
message of year ago is maintained. The
President is not disposed TO take a step
backward on that issue. In fact, re is ms
strongly Of the bslief as ever that the best
interests of the country demand thorough
revision and reduction of the tariff. lie
calls attention to the steadily increasing
surplus, and the danger which is TO
be apprehended from it. He is con
fident that the farmers and the
laboring classes are gradually growing
poorer because of the high protective tariff,
which not only enables the rich to grow
richer, but is making the distinction
between the rich and poor more clearly
marked He is satisfied that the time is not
distant when the farmers will see that
high protective tariff is against their in
JereSts aud the working pc pie, and all
others who earn small incomes. will de-
fnand reduction in the cost OF the neces-
saries Of life.
The policy of making extravagant appro-
priations in order to get rid of the surplus
is condemned. Such appropriations have
a very demoralizing influence. When a
policy of that ind is once adopted it is
difficult TO cha ge it. Congressman are
always ready to devote the public money to
purposes which will aid them in their amhi-
tious purposes. That is why they vote
pension appropriations so freely and with
out regard to the merits OF pension claims.
TIE President thinks that the pension
laws should be revised, because, as the laws
are at present. there is a great deal OF fraud
and Injustice. There are l03 different rates
| Of pensions paid where there ought to be not
more than a quarter of that number There
were 5000 pensioners added to the pension
rolls last year, and over s7s 600, 900 was paid
out in pensions.
| The President complains that congress
men neglect legislation that is imperat vely
| demanded, but are always ready TO push
measures which promise to increase their
popularity and influence. The need for an
enlargement Of the supreme court, for in
| stance, is an urgent one, but 1t seems i'm
possible to get any one of the bills on that
subject considered. There are claims which
have been pending against the government
| for many years, and are no nearer settlcmen.
than they were score OF years ago. jus
a. r.. a..
| things ought to be attended
to. More federal prisons are
needed Money could be saved to the gov
eminent by building them, aud also public
buildings in all the principal towns for post
offices and otner government purposes.
| The President calls attention to the neces-
| sity for respecting the rights Of the states
He does not believe that the good of the
republic will be advanced by cncroaching
upon these rights. The constitution marks
the channels which the national legislature
and the federal courts should follow, and
the closer they are followed the better it
will be for the country
The Murchison incident is touched upon,
and the action of the goverume 1t
in refusing to communicate fur
Their with England through Lord
Sackville, justified. The opportunity to
recall Lord Sackville was given to the En-
glish government, and when a disposition
was shown not to take advantage OF it, the
President assumed the responsibility Of re-
fusing to further recognize him as E glands
| representative.
The President still entertans the opinion
hot he Of cilyar ought 10 ha
pended, and approves the recommendation
of the Secretary of the Treasury who, in
his annual report, SAYS: Far more gold
and silver coins are now in the possession of
the government than probably ever will be
needed for the redemption of certificates.
| Future accumulations of the precious
metals should be only in the form Of
| bullion, which can be kept more safely and
| counted more easily than coin" If this
suggestion were accepted, the minis might
be closed and a large and useless expense
| avoided.
The President makes several other recon-
mendations. One of them is that the pub
lie lands be kept from greedy corporations
in order that the nation may have cheap
homes to offer to home seekers. The Demo
cratic party, since IL has been IN power, has
recovered from land grant corporations
about SO, 0O0, 900 acres. If the Republican
party is wise it will not again give these
lands to railroad companies. Another reform
recommended relates to the consular serv-
ice. Our consuls have it in their power to
greatly increase our foreign commerce.
They are so poorly paid, however, that they
have not much encouragement to advance
our commercial interests. Better compensa-
ton would secure tue services of ADLER men
who would more than repay the country
for any increase in their pay.
The message contains the gist Of the re-
ports Of the heads Of the departments, and
those who read it will have a pretty clear
idea Of the actual condition Of affairs Of the
government.
Tho Marnphis A 1.dI0nche WAS asked the