The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1890-12-05
THEPRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

President Harrison, in his message to
Congress, has showed no weakness on
the important issues which have receiv-
ed the attention of Congress, and in this
his document is certainly commendable,
and as whole it is unusually interest
ing.
Without taking the time to refer par
ticularly to the multiferious subjects
discussed, there are two or three mat
ters which especially call for notice.
The tariff question, over which there
has been such food of oratory and
Misrepresentation receives merited at
tention from the President. He stands
soiidly and unwaveringly In line with
the action OF his party and lends the
law passed by the last Congress his undi-
vided support and endorsement.
Speaking on this point the President
saws:
The general tariff act has only partially gone
into operation, some of its important provis-
ions being limited to take effect at dates yet in
the future, The general provisions of the law
have been
manent effects upon trade still stand in coniec-
ture 1t is curious o note that the advance in
the prices of articles wholly unaffected by the
tariff act was by many hastily ascribed to the
act Not one thought was taken of the TACT
that the general tendency of the market was
upward from influences wholly apart from the
recent tariff legislation.
There is neither wisdom nor justice in the sug-
gestion that the subject of tariff revision shall
be opened before this law has had fair trial.
1t is quite true that every tariff schedule is sub
ject to objections. No bill was ever framed, l
suppose, that in all of its rates and classified
lions had the full approval even of a party
caucus Such legislation is always and necess-
arily the product OF compromise as to details,
and the present law is no exception. But in its
the support of those who believe that American
legislations should conserve and defend Ameri-
can trade and the wages OF American workmen.
1t goes without saying that no meas
ure should be pre-judged. The acrimoT
NOUS assaults upon the Mckinney bill
came largely from Democratic Office
seekers and their supporters who,
through representation of its effects
and true merits foresaw chance to gain
temporary success, and now it will be
the part of wisdom on the part OF the
Republican congress to allow the meas
ure to have fair chance to prove itself.
This it Will do.
The Federal Election bill passed by
the House and now before the Senate
is measure of great Importance and
one that should be taken up and formu
lated into law, as it gives promise of
being. On a measure OF this Importance
the President is clear and forcible. He
does rot hesitate to advance good rea-
sons why We should have an effective
law bearing upon the freedom of the
ballot, and the rights Of the people. Ii
is pleasing TO note in this particular
and in this connection that reports
from Washi' gton give the assurance
that the Republicans in the senate
vii take the election bill up
among its first WORK and
push it through to a vote. The main
opposition to the bill has come from
Democrats and the anti-.ariff papers of
the Republican party, and the Republi-
cans cannot afford to give heed to either
of these elements. The proposition to
give the country Federal Election law
that will sustain the rights of the voter
is a good one and should be placed on
the statute books.
The President does not believe that
the government should operate tele-
graph lines, but he is in accord with a
sentiment rapidly growing that some
sort of arrangement could be properly
entered into with telegraph companies
similar to that now IN vogue with the
railroads carving mails, whereby postal
telegraphy could be thoroughly test
ed, and it's advantages ascertained
We commend the document to the
careful perusal of the reader. 1t will
be found to show that President Har-
rison has a constant eye upon the
workings of the various departments.
and clear idea of the works of con-
gress, together with a comprehensive
knowledge of the demands of the coun-
try