Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03
President Cleveland's last annual message

President Cleveland's last annual message is
In tone refreshingly direct and vigorous. No
suggestion Of compromise is to be found In
the discussion of the lost cause,-lost for a
time at lesst,-of a tariff for revenue only.
The language employed is pointed rather than
smoothly diplomatic. Criticism of Congress-
ional action or inaction is bluntly expressed,
and not merely suggested after the customary
fashion The President roundly lectures the
legislative branch Of government for doing
what it should not do, and leaving undone
those things which 1t ought to do. In short,
the administration goes down with colors Ay-
ing, and with the captain on deck shouting de-
6ance at the enemy.
In substance the message il q revenue re-
form argument, like that Of last year, to which
IL added the customary review Of the reports
Of the heads Of the various departments and
Of the affairs Of the District Of Columbia.
Noting that with the expiration Of the present
Congress, the first century of our constitu-
hona, existence as a nation will be completed,
the President draws a gloomy contrast between
The condition Of the citizen in the early days of
the republic and at present. Now "a crowded
and constantly increasing urban population
suggests the impoverishment of rural sections
and discomfort with agricultural pursuits.
The gulf between employers and the
employed is constantly widening and classes
are rapidly forming, one comprising
the very rich and powerful, while
In another are found the toiling DOOR,
As we view the achievements of aggregated
capital, we discover the existence Of trusts
combinations and monopolies, while the citizen
Is struggling far in the rear or is trampled to
death beneath an iron heel" The source Of
these woes is found by the President in the
fact that ''instead Of limiting the tribute drawn
rom our citizens to the necessities of its eco
nomical administration the government per-
sists in exacting from the substance of the
people millions which unapplied and
useless lie dormant in its treasury" and
In the further fact that under the
operation Of the tariff laws 'the government
under pretext Of an exercise of Its taxing power
enters gratuitously into partnership with
favorites, to their advantage and to the injury
Of vast majority Of our people," The remedy
Is discovered in "a just and sensible revision Of
our tariff laws for the relief of those of
our countrymen who suffer under present condi-
tiona" Reduction Of the surplus by extravs-
giant appropriations Of public money IL con-
demned and the peoples cause, never to be COM
promised, is announced to be the perfection of q
plan fair and conservative toward existing in
dustries, but which will reduce the cost to
consumers of the necessaries Of life, while il
provides for our manufacturers the advantage
OF freer raw materials, and permits no injury
to the interests Of American labor" So far,
then, as President Cleveland represents the
democratic party, that organization is COM
mitted to the struggle for revenue reform on
the lines laid down in last years message; and
areversal Of this years verdict is suggested
when once the farmers and workingmen are
brought to view the matter in the proper light
Outside Of the revenue reform argument the
most striking portion Of the message is that
which sharply criticises Congress for permit
ting the consideration Of private interests and
claims TO subordinate and postpone action
upon subjects Of great public importance but
involving no special, private or partisan inter-
est The numerous illustrations specified sus-
tain the charge in most cases, and a reforma-
ton in this respect is much to be desired.
But Congress will not relish so palpable a lee
ture from the retiring executive, and the cir
cumstances Of its delivery will probably rob
II OF most OF its effect as a Recommendation to
that body, whatever influence upon public
opinion may be accomplished.