The record-union., 1893-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message of President Cleveland to
the Congress of the United States is given
this morning in our telegraphic columns.
We think that it will be found time well
spent that is devoted to its careful read
ing, since it is a very comprehensive re-
view of the business of the Government
and of the relations our country holds to
other nations. So far as it assumes to be
document debating grave public poll
cies, it is not pretentious or remarkable
paper; it is not, indeed, above the grade
of the several declarations of Mr.. CIeve-
land in political letters made when he
was candidate. But it is nevertheless a
carefully prepared paper, and without
any eoncealments makes clear the policy
the Administration will pursue on the
matters that most vitality affect all the
people, while in two or three instances
there are expressions that are positive
and unmistakable, indicating what the
course of the Administration will be upon
certain questions related to our foreign
policy.
Mr.. Cleveland does not debate the sill
yer question over again; he is content
with advising suspension of judgment
regarding the repeal of the purchasing
clause Of the Sherman Act until the busi-
ness of the country shall have had time to
adjust itself to the new condition. Still,
it is made clear that the President has lost
no faith whatever in the wisdom of his
announced policy regarding that repeal.
Concerning the tariff, he simply re-
iterates his expressed belief that duties
on raw materials should be removed,
tariff taxation on the necessaries of life
stricken of, slight increase in certain
internal revenue schedules made and a
limited system of taxation upon certain
classes of incomes be laid on. He urges
upon Congress the adoption of this policy
by legislation, and expresses the belief
that 1t will inure to the greater gain of
the workingman, even ii shall be ad-
mitted for arguments sake that there
would, by more open competition, be
some wage reduction.
Congress is advised to practice rigid
economy and to so legislate as to con-
clude early without unwisdom in the
haste, in order that no extraordinary call
upon an already depleted treasury may
follow lack of economy.
Concerning our foreign relations, they
are, as rule, reported to be satisfactory.
The disposition to submit differences be-
tween nations to arbitration is rapidly
expanding and intensifying; where in
jury has been inflicted upon citizens
abroad the wrong has been atoned for,
and the national honor preserved; the
policy of non-intervention in foreign con-
tentions has been maintained, save in
one instance where we have besought
France as a sister republic, to so deal
with Liberia as not to jeopardize her in
dependence or strength.
We have satisfactorily settled our diff
culties with all nations with which any
troable has arisen. except in one or two
cases, where claims are still pending and
in process of adjustment. We growl a
little that Spain, so long indebted to US
for certain indemnity to our citizens
wronged under her flag, does not pay up,
but deals only in profuse promises. We
have reasserted the doctrine that no na-
ton shall take from an American ship a
passenger in its transit from one country
to another. simply because the ship
touches en- route at the port of Nation
claiming Jurisdiction of the passenger.
The Government of Honduras insulted
us by firing upon one of the ships, but
Honduras has apologized, and with the
amiabiIity that characterizes the United
States of America we have accepted the
apology and begged the little Central
American State to think nothing more
about it. The statement of the President
in itself impresses theaverage reader with
the idea that we are too easy with these
petty States, which are SO quick to offend
and then disavow.
The situation in Samoa and the over
tbrow Of the rebellion sra set forth ana