The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-03
CREAM OF THE PRESS.
of Leading Journals on the
President's Annual Message.
PHILADELPHIA Record

A great opportunity has been lost in that
the administration chooses to defy rather
than TO bend 10 the Will Of the people. The
President could have pulled the teeth OF the
Democratic tiger by recommending 10 Con-
gress a modification of the more eXasper-
ating features Of the tariff law, such as the
increased tax on tinplate, wool, clothing,
and other articles of necessity.
And TO crown his display Of stubborn
ness the President closes his message with
passionate argument in favor of the dis
credited Force BILL which has LETT him in
the latter halt of his administration utterly
bereft Of support in One-half of the country
and thoroughly beaten IN the other half.
This was midsummer madness. If the Re
publican Congress shall not be any wiser
after the event than the Republican Presi-
dent the party might as well disband
The country will have no further use
for ii.
New York World
The Presidents message is singularly
uninteresting document. The greater part
OF it is made up OF entirely perfunctOry
references 10 matters with which Congress
and the public are already familiar, and
concerning which the President has moth
ing OF the least moment to say either by
way of comment or suggestion.
On the two or three topics OF real import
1
ing only as an indication of his indispo-
sition or inability TO suggest methods OF
adopting legislation TO the expressed wish
and manifest needs Ofthe people. Concern
Ing these matters of legislation and policy
which entered into the political discussion
of the last campaign. and resulted in a
revolution in the political composition Of
the Congress, Mr.. Harrison has no sug-
gestiOn 10 make except that the people
have, in his opinion, been too dull TO under
stand such matters, and that II Is not worth
while for the present Congress TO heed the
popular discomfort.
New York Star.l
The Presidents communication to the
Fifty-frst Congress at the opening of its
second session is characteristic. Fashioned
after the traditional pattern as to subjects
discussed and the order in which they are
mentioned, in literary and forensic merit
il barely reaches mediOcrity. while, pOliti-
cally, il is a purely partisan plea in eXtenu-
ton of the course Of the administration and
the Congress which the people have just de-
cisiyely condemned.
Respecting the Mckinley act, the mes
sage assumes that the public are ignorant,
but will hereafter be enlightened. Con-
trary 10 the plain evidence of the senses OF
the consumers OF the country, it ascribes 10
misrepresentation the statement that the
tax-advancing tariff has increased the cost
OF living.
New York SUM-
The principal thing in President Hsrri-
sens message 10 a jealous recommendation
that the Force bill should be taken up and
passed through Congress.
There 10 little need Of any further argu-
ment upon this subject. This bill is simply
a revolution. Its one purpose is 10 con-
tinue the dominant party in power; and 10
this end its promoters are willing 10 destroy
local self-goyernment, TO overthrow the
rights Of citizens and Of communities. and
to change republic OF free elections into
concentrated party despetism.
This scheme should be resisted deter
minedly, unyieldingly, uncompromisingly
by every Democrat. II necessary, every
means Of lay and obstruction should be
resorted 10 in Congress. The mischiefs that
are sure 10 arise from such political revo-
luton are so great and so grave as 10 over
shadow every other question.
Whatever differences Of opinion may exist
among Democrats concerning other SUBJ
jects, let there DO unity and cooperation
concerning this. Preserve the liberties OF