Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-04
PREsIDENr HARRIsOA's MESSAGE.

PREsIDENT HARRlsOA's MESSAGE
We lay it before our readers this nom
ing Uerjstin e. Hirciim To contains about
1900 words If anything else can be
found in it the h-dsr is welcome TO what
ever he may discover.
The American public have been looking
forward TO this first annual message Of
PrrI5en. BENJAMIN HARRISON antci2at-
imp that in 10 he would declare the policy
of his administration. They did rot ex-
psct much from Mr.. HARRISON, but they
looked for the declaration Of some sort OF
policy.
tie has declared noEe, nor made any ap-
proach to specific recommendation OF any
Of .he important subjects that are o. vital
interest to Tire American people. He nj ght
as well have relsga,ed hrs task to his phi
vate secrs:ary-indeed, "LIGE" HALFoRD
woar6 doubtless have made a much more
important document Of il.
The whole aaair is q grand ''straddle. "
The President takes great pairs to get on
all sides Of every question. The more I'M
po-.aDt the question the less be has to say
about it and the more be straddlesh.
On the subject Of the tariff, nov PEE
eminent before the people he makes this
remarkable statement:
Ell commend a revision of our tarih law
bo.h ia Its administrative feature and 10 lne
schedules. Tire need Of the former is generally
conceded and agreement upon the evils and Inc
convcuieuces 30 Zee rcmedied win p-oo-o.y mo-,
bed Hcult but the protective principle
should be maintained
This is the substance Of hisastcuisbingiy
brief remarks obout the tariff It would
hs-dly have been possible to get more com
ple.e-y on au sides Of this subisc,, which
is the most important that viii cone be
fore the present Congress. Like the moth
er who gave her daughter permission to 20
in 90 swim, bat laid the injunction upon
her NOS 10 so near Che water, Mr. HARRI-
son recommends Tariff Reform, but does
not want the high ,arit disturbed IN Che
operation. 10 the same tim;d ald Devil
dered way he hesi.aungly remarks that
''Tns removal Of the internal lx o. TO-
hacco would relieve an important agricui-
tu-al product from O burden" and that
tifa safe provision against fraud can be
devised the removal Of the tax upon spirits
used in the arts and in manufactures
would also cG-r su unohi sc.ionable methcd
ofreduci0g the surplus" mother words,
he ia not exscly sure whether free whisky
and tobscco would be q good thing Go ad-
vocete or not. but be is heartily and sim
cerely for or against it as the case may
turn ont He possibly iorgets that QUAY
elected him on q free whisky and tobacco
and Chinese tariG platform.
Getting of Of She tariff question as has
tily ss he would of bot griddle be bold
IL asserts that the bullion value Of our
silver dollar is but seyenty-twO cents and
declares tha. "Fe should not tread the
dangerous edge Of such a peril" meaning
free coinsge. but fearing that this might
be tsken IN some sort as 8 declaration Of
policy, he hastens to add that 81 have
bsen able 20 give only lastly examine
ton, owing to the press Of other matter
to the subject, but 'the general plan sug-
gssted by him the Secretary Of the Treas
uryl seems to satisfy the purpose to COZ
tiaue the use Of silver in connection with