The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-12-07
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents MSSSaSe-
President Harrison's first annual message
to Congress was transmitted to both houses
on Tuesday. AS usual with such documents,
it opens with a resume of our relations with
foreign powers. All this is well known to
the country, but has to be officially eommu-
nicated to Congress.
The government finances are next treated.
The receipts and disbursements are given, and
a surplus of more than fifty seven millions
shown. This large surplus results, too, after
the expenditure of many millions for bonds
not vet due. The treasury was driven to this
expediency, one of questionable propriety, as
there was no other way to return the surplus
to the people aud let it find its course back to
the channels of trade The President says
that we should not collect revenue for the
purpose of anticipating our bonds, but there
is no other use to put any unappropriatea
money. Had the recommendations OF Pres
;dent Cleveland, as embodied in the Mills
tariff bill. been carried out by Congress, there
would not have been very much surplus.
President Cleveland said unnecessary taxa
ton is unjust taxation President Harrison
saws .'the collection Of moneys not needed tor
public uses imposes al unnecessary burden
mon our people The former would have
relieved the people of unjust burdens by en-
largement of the free list and a moderate re-
duction in the tariff. President Harrison
approaches the subject with timidity that
betokens no settled convictions. He counseis
against any change that will impair Just and
reasonable protection to our home Industries,
but recognizes that il is matter OF great
dehcaey to prepare tariff schedule because
of the wide divergence of opinion on the sub
iect. The President thus recognizes that 1t
will be difficult for his party in Congress to
unite upon a tariff measure, but he either has
no settled convictions on the subject himself,
or lacks the courage to plainly state them
What striking contrast is thus presented
between President Cleveland and his success
sor. The one states the situation, points out
the dangers, and shows the way to avoid dis
aster. The other recognizes that the people
are uniustly taxed, doubts the propriety Of
the present method of returning the surplus
to the people, aud is aware of the detriment
to business interests by the withdrawal,
by unjust taxation, of large sums annually
from the channels Of trade. But he has no
remedy to propose, or lacks the nerve to
state il. An enlargement Of the free list. and
the abolition Of the tax upon tobacco and
spirits used in the arts and manufactures, Is
all he has to recommend. The whole subject
to him is a theory, and he advances a theory.
He does not discuss details like President
Cleveland and point the way. but deals in
generalities.
When it was desired to FRY the fat out OF
the manufacturers and monopolists for cam
paign purposes last year, the Senate framed
bill 10 suit the interests Of those to be fried.
That bin represents the compact between those
who furnished the means to purchase Re
publican victory aud the Republican leaders
If the Republican majority ful6lls its part Of
the CONTRACT. the Senate monstrosity will be
pet through at the present session of Con.
eress. Ifnot, those who we're fried will not
submit to second heating.
Since the election last year the people have
become more enlighted upon the subject OF
taxation. and there is strong demand for the
removal Of unnecessary burdens. The high
wall Of taxation. It Is seen, Is promotive OF
trusts and oppressive monopolies. Trusts and
monopolies want high taxation continued
The people want al unjust burdens removed,
and trusts and monopolies restrained. This
accounts for the recognized divergence o.
views on tariff revision alluded to in the mes
sage. II Congress passes the Senate bill, a
large body Of Republicans will revolt and Join
the Cleveland hosts. Ii il dos not, those
who had the far fried out last year will re.
volt, and the Republican party viii not have
the means to purchase another victory on
Dudley's ''blocks Of Eve plan.
The next subject Of importance is the .Eace
issue, and the President assumes that the
negroes in the South are deprived Of free ex-
ercise Of the ballot. Upon the subieei ne has
only followed the lead OF rampant Radicals,
and in recommending federal control Of eea
eressional elections he is only endorsing
measures already proposed.
The country is tired Of sectiouelism, and
none but back number politicians indulge in
sectional hostility. These soon viii be voted
out of power, and the people North and
South, who are now closely united by bust
ness interests, don't propose 70 have progress
impeded to benefit partisunship at the expense
of unity, fraternal feeling and business health
and activity.
The bringing forward Of SO useless and IN
warranted measure as federal control OF
elections, and one whose legality could only
depend upon a strained constitutional con
struetion. is bound to precipitate contest in
which seetionalsm viii be brought up. It IS
doubtful if such measure could be passed
by the Republican majority, and if it should
be accomplished public opinion would sweep
that majority from the halls of Congress.
The next subject Of Importance is federal
aid to public education, and the President
gives an endorsement to the principles of the
Blair bill that has been discussed in Congress
for dozen years, and which is unconstitu
tional, unnecessary, and a step to further
contralize power.
The other subjects of the message are Of
minor importance, such as coast defence, new
cruisers, merchant marine, interstate com
merce laws, &c.
The message lacks vigorous expression and
originality, and is commonplace. 1t is in
keeping with the capacity of its author, who
possesses little of the qualities Of the states
man. The rather, he is more Of the politi-
clan, the partisan, the spokesman. 1t was not
expected that the message would be striking
in any particular, and it meets public expec
tation.
The Landlords Protective Association of
Baltimore have invited number of persons
to address them on taxation, assessment
ground rents, &c. Some of these have made
valuable suggestions, and some have advanced
astounding propositions. Here is an extract
from the address Of Col. Ches. J. Bonaparte,
on Tuesday night last:
II will permit every owner of real property
- assass aach niece annually himself but