Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-01
As indications of the policy of the admins

marc than all the other papers pubiished In
WashinstsR.
As indications Of the policy Of the admins
fration the sections of the Presidents message
which refer to the Mckinley bill. reciprocity
and the federal elections bill will doubtless be
read with the greatest interest. The tariff
legislation If the recent session is warmly en-
dorsed, and neither wisdom nor justice is dis
covered i'm the suggestion that the subject of
tariff revision shall be again opened before the
law has had a fair trial. II is pointed out that
the advance in the price of articles wholly I'M
affected BY the tariff act was by many hastily
ascribed TO that act aud enlargement of the
currency by the silver bill is mentioned
as one of the Causes of the general upward ten
dency in trade and prices. The President con.
tends that the prohibitory effect upon importa-
tioas imputed to the act is not justified. the
imports at the port of New York for the first
three weeks o: November being nearly 8 per
cent greater than for the sane period in 1889
and % per cent greater ti..a IN the same period
of 1888. He states that the development of
larger markets for our products, especially
farm products, has been kept constantly in
mind. and that 10 effor: has been or will be
spared to promote that end. The reciprocity
clause e the tariff act, he SAYS. wisely and
eifee lively opens the way to secure u
large reciprocal trade in exchange for
the free admission to our ports OF
certain products. anil lie discusses the rec-
procity plan with earnest approval. Finally he
defends the federal elections bill. showing that
j, is not a rev exercise Of federal power, but
the rendering effective Of a law which has ex-
listed for nearly twenty years. for the purpose
OF securing; free and honest elections. In re-
spOuse 10 the suggestion that this legislation
will revive race animosities ard that intimida-
lions and violence may s'Irplant the peaceful
method. u !raEd. lie says that If the law is equal
ar:d tie al;m"si:icS IL Is 20 evoke grow out Of
the fact tha. some electors have been accus-
toned u exercise the franchise for others rs
well - Themselves. then these animosities
Garnet h given any Weight il the controversy
without -j>l.,'uCr. and that no choice is left him
bat 20 enforce with vigc- all laws intended to
sccUrc To the citizen his constitutional rights
AL 10 recommend that the inalcquacies of
s1ch laws be prOH:1tiy rcmedied. In reply to
the srgscstion OF s.ctio-.alisni concerning such
Legislation h SAYS. If it shall happen that thc
penalties of Laws intended 70 enforce these
right, fail here and not there, il is not because
this ha- is sectional. bat because, happily.
crime is loval and not universal" The
message thus speaks with no uncertain
voice on all these topics of greatest
present interest No backward step is
To be taken in tariff legislation, though
ii is indicated that the fullest possible develop
ment will be given to the reciprocity feature.
Nor does the President falter in his approval of
the elections bill His comments upon it are
vigorous and pointed. So far as the message
L Il n Al
that party will stand firmly by the positions
which it has assumed upon pending issues, and
upon the same battle ground seek to convert
the defeat Of this year into a victory in '92.
The Commissioners in their annual report
submitted today discuss the financial condition
of the District with ability and make some ex-
eellent suggestions concerning the best meth
DDS of increasing its revenues and diminishing
its expenditures, SO that its most urgent needs
can be satisfactorily met. Protest is entered
against the exaction Of the geological Park,
water main, and Rock Creek Park assessments
from the District, for reasons with which the
readers of The STAR are familiar. In case
Congress adheres to these exactions
their payment i'll annual installments is
asked. These are the main suggestions
The appointment Of permanent board Of as
SCISSORS and new general assessment are
recommended as the first step toward an in
crease OF revenue well AS toward q more
equal assessment. The necessity Of an increase
OF revenue is recognized in nearly every sug-
gestion Of new legislation, and the Question
what effect will it have upon District finances
Is necessarily prominent among the considera-
tions for or against any proposed measure.
The Commissioners point out in sup
port of high license law that in ad-
dition TO the benefits which ii will confer
as a form of regulating the liquor traffic will
be an increased revenue estimated at 5000 600
yearly. The permanent assessors and high
license measures are therefore relied upon as
the main devices for increasing the Districts
income, and it is hoped that in connection with
the suggestions concerning improper and in
equitable items OF District OUTLAY they will
prove sufficient 10 enable the capital to live
within Its means without checking any branch
tits development. The Commissioners discuss
lnteulxently the various needs Of the capital
bui are confined in their recommendation by
the necessity of constant reference TO the bear
Ing upon them Of the Districts financial situa-
trOn