The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The message was sent to Congress
Tuesday noon. 1t is a long document,
and as our readers. generally, take a
city weekly they can at their leisure
peruse the full text of President Harrl-
sons first state paper. We give,
however, a summary taken largely from
the Boston Journal, Republican paper
which carefully reviews the message
1t says;
The Presidents treatment of the ques-
tions of finance and business is clear,
firm and wisely conservative. he dis
approves of the loanlng OF public funds
TO the banks on the security of Govern
ment bonds, but recognizes the need OF
cautious and considerable action in ter
minating this policy. He directs the at.
tention of Congress to the actual and
anticipated surplus, and urges the duty
of reducing the treasury receipts. He
takes strong ground in favor OF a re-
vision of the tariff, not merely as regards
its administrative features, concerning
which there is substantial agreement
on all hands that revision is necessary,
but as regards the rates and classifica-
tions and he very properly suggests
that any resulting disturbance to bust
ness would be minimized by prompt
action, and by public recognition OF the
fact that the changes made, would be
in accord with the protective principle.
The specific changes which he suggests
are the enlargement of the free list by
the addition of articles which do not
iniuriously compete with home products,
and the removal of the internal tax
upon tobacco, and, if adequate safe
guards against fraud can be devised, of
the tax upon spirits used in the arts and
in manufactures.
What the President has to say upon
the silver question will disappoint those
of his critics who have been preparing
to attack him on the ground of antlci
pated concessions in the direction of
free coinage, While he recognizes the
fact that the evil anticipations which at
tended the enactment of the compulsory
silver coinage law have not been real
lied, he observes that this is due in part
to trade conditions which are beyond
statutory regulation, and are of uncer-
tain continuance. He IS apprehensive
of injurious results, not merely from
free coinage, but from any considerable
increase of the present rate OF coinage.
He makes a brief allusion to Secretary
WINDOWS plan for the issue of certifi
Gates against silver bullion, the details
of which are unfolded in the Secretary's
report, and gives it a qualified approval,
with suggestion of a further message
upon this subject, While the President
thus deprecates the free coinage policy
or any considerable increase of the pres
ent rate of coinage, he also deprecates
any discrediting of silver, and argues
that safe legislation upon this question
must secure the equality of the two
metals in their commercial uses.
Other topics which have a conspicu-
GUS place in the Presidents recommen-
dations are the pension laws, national
aid to education, the civil service, the
protection of the ballot and tie eDcour.
agement of the merchant marine. These
are subjects which will occupy the at
tention of Congress and the country for
a long time to come. No one who reads
the Pretident's recommendations will be
disposed to dispute the fact that he has
the courage of his convictions. He ex
presses his opinions clearly, specifically,
firmly, undeterred by any apprehen-
sions of criticism or assault. He would
put upen the pension rolls all such
honorahly discharged soldiers and sail
ors of the civil war as, having rendered
substantial service during the war, are
now dependent upon their own labor for
a maintenance. and by disease or
casualty are incapacitated from earning
it. In other words, he would approve
moderately drawn and properly guarded
disability pension bill. Upon the civil
service reform system, the President
speaks plainly and in manner that will
give no encouragement to the spoils-
men. He expresses his purpose to
execute the law firmly Ind impartially,
urges upon Congress the duty of maxi
ing ample appropriations, and suggests
special ratings of efficiency in the de-
partments and among each class of
postmasters as "the best defence against
inconsiderate removals from office
The President favors national aid to
education, but would have it extended
in an experimental way, and under such
conditions as would stimulate rather
than supplant local exertions,
What the President says upon the
present position and needs of the negro,
and the claims which he has to fair
chance in the struggle of life and to pro-
lection in the rights accorded to him by
the Constitution and the laws, is broad,
humane, dispassonate and statesman
like. So also as to the recommends
tions which he makes for the encourage
ment of our merchant marine, and the
creation of naval reserve, after the
plan adopted by England, of aiding the
construction of swift merchant vessels
which could be easily converted into
cruisers in time Of war. The present
time is particularly favorable for action
upon these questions, especially as re-
CARDS direct communication with
Spanish America. The Presidents
recommendation are progressive and
patriotic, and Congress should promptly
adopt and resolutely pursue the policy
which he outlines in this very important
matter.
The comments Of the press are varied.
For instance, the Republican Rutland
Herald says, off-hand: ut is impossible,
from the first hasty reading Of the mes.
sage, to discuss it fairly in detail but it |
must be confessed that the first impress
sion is one of disappointment. Neither |
by it's individuality, its originality, it's
literary style and finish, its vigor OF |
ideas and force Of expression, nor by its
breadth, profoundness OF thought and
definiteness of purpose, does the mes
sage impress the reader on first exami-
nation; and it seems to be more a COM
monplace and general treatment Of
public questions, relying very largely
upon the reports of heads of depart
ments, than a strong statement of
well-defined policy and an irresistible
call TO follow a vigorous leadership"
On the other hand, the Democratic
Troy Press has good word for our
President, as follows: "The messr ge is
written in dignified manner and it has
an air of candor and a desire to be dis
passionate that will commend it to
many readers, and secure for its sugges'
tious the considerable attention OF many
who can not agree with them all"
The exchange from which we quote,
above. has this to say of the foreign
affairs in the messages" In spite OF our
general policy of non-interference with
the affairs and politics of other nations,
1t happens that the illusions TO our in
ternational relations are more numerous
than usual in the Presidents message,
and that the matters referred TO are OF
more than ordinary importance, To