Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-06
A P 0 p U L LIST VIEW
Col. Livingston Of Georgia Oriticises the
Presidents Message.
He Attacks His Hawaiian Position
and Scores His Financial
Utterances,


following as his opinion of the Presidents
message:
The message is disappointing, in that the
President does not take a straightforward
democratic view of matters al outlined in
the Chicago platform, and in harmony with
the masses of the people, that compose the
party to which he belongs. His position on
the Hawaii troubles is untenable In the
first place, what had been done prior to his
administration. was done under and
with the Endorsement of the harri-
son administration. end was in no
way chargeable to him or the democratic
party that elected him. II was the action,
however, Of the United States government.
and whether right or wrong he made
mistake when he instructed the undoing of
An act by the former Administered ton which
was equivalent to a declaration of war
against the provisional government as
then, and now. established That preroga-
tive belongs only to Congress. His policy
should be, in my opinion, hands of" and
let those in charge of the new order OF
things work out the destiny OF those in
volved. IL other nations do not charge this
government with wrong In the Hawaii mat
ter. why should We, through Mr.. Cleveland,
enter a plea OF guilty?
The Financial Question.
In the Presidents message to the called
session of Congress he said that without a
doubt the repeal OF the purchasing clause
OF the Sherman act would remove the OBJ
stacle to a general revival OF business ana
better times. In his message Monday he
says. In the nature OF things, however. 1t
is impossible To know. at this time. precisely
what conditions will be brought about by
the change, or what, IL any, supplementary
legislation may. in the light Of sucn condi-
tons, appear to be essential or eXpedlent."
He says, moreover. that the repeal Of the
provision has made an entire change in the
complexion Of our currency affairs" Why
did he recommend and insist upon a meas
ure that has made an entire change in the
COMP exon OF our currency affairs without
knowing at the time what conditions viii
be brought about By the change" He ad-
mits, in his message that he was speculat-
ing with the financial system of this great
country in his former message, and he
says, "or what, IL any, supplementary leSi3-
Ia ion may, in the light Of sucn conditions,
appear to be essential or expedient."
What should Have Been Done.
The essential and expedient legislation
should have been recommended and enacted
at the start and no officer of this govern
ment should advise a change of our cur
rency affairs" without knowing exactly
the change" There was too much at risk
to be experimenting, as he acknowledges
he did, He recommends delay in dealing
with this subject" and declares that, in
stead OF being Injurious. will increase the
probability OF wise action" Here again he
admits his inability to recommend a lasting
and comprehensive financial plan" i am
utterly opposed to his suggestion TO give
him the general authority TO invite other
nations TO conference TO settle an inter
national agreement on the subject OF coin
age. Let this great nation settle our own
policy and then ir necessary go into a con-
ference and be able to command the respect
end consideration of a nation knowing and
de ring to maintain a policy best suited to
our wants and conditions. i regret very
much that he did not see lit to follow the
democratic platform and advise the repeal
of the 10 per cent tax on state banks Of
issue. This he should have done at least,
and If he has no lasting and comprehen-
sive plan" TO offer, he should have been will
ing to remove the obstacle to immediate
relief by the states.
As to the Income Tax.
/ think the income tax should cover indi-
vidual as well as corporate investments
In this | do not indorse his conclusions.
am opposed to class legislation. especially
when IL comes TO levying a tax TO support
the government. l do not believe that the
civil service law now executed is in
creasing in approval by the people" 1t is
in my opinion a CLOSE corporation" "a
ring" 20 cover into the service republican
office holders without special reference to
the good of the public service. am one dem
ocrat that believes we have an equal right
to public places, and should have an equal
share of such places under the operation
of this law. There are many valuable sug-
gestions in his message. but he has failed
to outline distinct system OF taxation and
finance, which was SO universally expected"