St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-12-02
THE MESSAGE.

The annual message of the president,
delivered to congress yesterday, has
- one commendable feature. 1t is COM
paratively brief. Otherwise it has little
to elicit much approval. 1t is tame,
commonplace rehearsal of the main
features of the department reports, with
an attempt TO defend the political poll
cieS of the administration that have so
recently come into popular review, with
conclusion almost unprecedented in
emphasis of condemnation. There is
nothing in it to suggest force and vigor,
even IN the foreign policies. The as
sassination of Gen. BARRUNDIA, while
on an American vessel under the pro-
lection of the flag of the republic. is
disgrace TO the nation, and not excusa-
able even as the blunder of an incapa-
BILE and stupid minister. Nowhere in
the message is there any indication that
the foreign department of the govern
ment is asSertiye and vigorous.
But there is satisfaction in the
fact that there are no serious
issues with any other powers, and
that on the whole the relations abroad
are reasonably creditaple The features
of the situation as set, that will engage
much measure of attention, are those
relating to domestic politics. Under
the depressing circumstances that COLI
front the administration in the politi-
cal field, ne may be credited with as
plausible All exhibit as the material at
his command would allow. The state
ment of the financial condition is rather
more cheerful than had been antici-
pated. perhaps more so than later de-
velopments will show to be warranted.
The estimates of resources are mani
testify liberal, while the expenditures
do not cover fully all the measures that
the party will adopt if possible, such as
the subsidies proposed to build ship
ping oslensibly in tine interest of the
reciprocity scheme. Nor is there full
measure of the growth of the pension
under the laws now enacted. A def
Cheney is pretty Ger ain to appear in
place of surplus. In the interest of
schemes not yet developed it is desir-
able that the financial prospect shall
be made as favorable as DOS
Sible. If the statement is correct that
the imports are greatly increasing under
the operation of the new tariff, it is fail
Ingto meetthe purposes of its architects.
Its mission was to secure tine home
market for local manufacturers by shut
ting out foreign goods. Many of the
duties were designed to be virtually
prohibitory. Perhaps they should be
still further raised. but this seems to be
precluded by the statement that it is
neither wisdom nor justice" that fur
ther tariff revision should be had until
there has been fair trial. 1t is reIiey-
ing to learn that it was the silver bill
nd the operation of natural causes
that induced the advance in prices of
many articles, and not the MCKINLEY
act. That measure Las been uniustIy
aspersed. The people have been de-
luded in their judgment. so the presi-
dent would have it understood. He has
the merit of persistency. 1t was one
of the policies of his party and ad-
ADMINISTRATION. and, having asserted tina,
1t was to be a blessing to the
country. the obstinacy of the people in
Eefusing to see it IN that light is not to