New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-04
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE
DOCUMENT CHIEFLY REMARKABLE
FOR WHAT 1T DOESN'T SAY.
NO SUGGESTIONS AS TO WAYS AND MEANS of
MEETING THE DEFICIT. NO EXPLANATION
OF LAUNDERING DIPLOMACY, 40 REF

MEETING THE DEFICIT. NO EXPLANATION
OF LAUNDERING DIPLOMACY. no REF
ERENCE TO THE ELECTIONS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Dec. 3-The message which the. Pres
ident sent to Congress to-day awakens no enthu-
sasm among his followers and is regarded by poti-
cal opponents more than ordinarily commonplace
1t is disappointment to those who expected
radical and comprehensive recommendation touch
ing the reform of the currency. 1T exasperatcs
those who see in its recital of foreign relations
nothing but weak and unsuccessful defence of
series of astonishing diplomatic bunders. 1t pro-
vokes a smile by the petulant iteration of advice
given this and former Congresses and left I'M
Needed. II is remarkable above all for the absence
any reference to the tariff issue except the FAINT
plea for free ships for free coal and for free iron
tucked away in a modest place toward the end OF
the message be considered a satisfactory discus
sion OF that grea; question. Hopelessly common
place in substance and diction, this document. or
which much predicted and so much more
was expected by the friends OF the President IL
little better than a schooboy resume Of the reports
made by the heads of the different executive de-
partments of the Government. Running through 1t
all Is that vein of concei and appreciation OF self
which has distinguished most of the utterances
from the Sanctuary OF late and which no lesson OF
adversely can correct and experience in the past
seems capable of Graduating.
|
a first glance the discovery of divers important
omissions These are especially noticeable In that
part OF the message treating Of the conduct OF
I foreign relations. The attitude Of the Government
toward the two warning Powers in the East is but
barely outlined. The disgracefu blunier OF Secre-
( tary Gresham In wantonly afronting the Govern
ment Of Japan by characierizing Its occupation OF
| Corea as an unjust war levied upon weaker
nation" is carefully suppressed. Not word, either.
is said about the abortive attempt on the part OF
this Government to act as mediator between 'hlhh
! and Japan OF the snub when everybody nc
/ lieves was administered to Secretary Gresham by
! the Iast-named Power In declining for the present
! tho good Offices Of so indscrcet and prcjuliced
dplomat The peevish manner In which Congress Is
Informed OF the formal recognition OF the HAWAIIAN
Republic and the absence Of any expression OF
good will toward the Government OF President poie
| f. another startling omission In this part OF the
! message but thoroughly characteristic OF baiied
! conspirator and the author of the policy OF IN
fanny"
No reference whatever is made 10 the intrigues OF
the British Government in Bluehelds az laieiy de-
veloped and. instead OF this. there Is snort ac-
count OF the troubles which eliminated In Septern-
Der last I'm the seizure OF the Mosquito strip by the
Government of NICARAGUA. The troubles In Samoa
where American interests threatened and where
American citizens depending to-day Tor protec-
tIon upon the good will OF the commanders OF Tor
eign men-of-war. evoke no other comment than an
! Congress to Surr'rier ulttklS hh t''
| advantages gained for American commerce under a
former Administration. and repetition almost WORD
| for word OF the recommendations contained IN MS
last annual message. accompanied by the time worn
| platitudes covering "entanging alliances
| That part OF the message which treats OF the re-
port OF the Secretary OF the Treasury IL remarKape
| chiefly FOR the figures II gives OF the imports ana
exports OF gold 1t says: The total amount OF goid
exported during the nscal year was Te.sSoi AS
| against SsS6sO ~ during the fiscal year IS''
| The amount imported was E2f"lis as "sai"s'
.2l sl during the previous year Thus IL appears
| that, though the amount OF gold gained during the
las, fiscal year over and above the amount held NJ
| the end OF the fiscal year preceding Was more IMAM
| $50 10000 the Government was unable 10 pre'e".
rho dene,lon Of the gold reserve and vas compelled
20 take the questionable step OF adding 10 the VA
tional debt by Issue OF bonds The want OF con-
ad,nce felt by the business community IN the
financial management OF the Administration was
never more s,artlingy exhibited than In THESE ne
ures
The currency reform schemes set out by the Presi-
don, M the tall end Of his message DO not even
possess the merit Of originality. Their recital no"
ever gives the President an opportunity 10 sap inc
meek and accommodating Secretary Of the treasury
ON the hack a plaster for the many wounds that
long-sunering person has received nj the hanu' 81
hi sunerlor since In an evil hour he left the senate
TO take a seat at the Cabinet table. with dehoit
OF over 100000 for the past year ana n'hc''
for the next Of over S2)."nc' staring MN III 'h'
single word 10 say as to the manner In when mat
deficit ought TO be met He clamors for the passage
NJ the ..popgun' bills instead. and recommends
more especially the abolition OF all discriminating
duties on refined sugar In fact he wants All sugars
10. The WAYS and means OF meeting the deficiency
are prudently ignored. Not a word. even ~ sa'd
as 10 how the Administration proposes to coleci
the income tax though the President must nave
known that the Treasury experts declare that II
will be Impossible TO put the law In force "ihou'
an initial appropriation Of least $4,000 To those
capable Of reading between the lines thls ofhiss'o'
of the Presidents will appear Significant
In the general distribution and bestowai OF praise
u,on the members OF his Cabinet II looks "a II Sec
rotary Lamont had Jared worst II Is true that Ms
work is commended here and there but me phiZ re y
carried OFF by General Scholeld. IN whoSe p.nniII
tha President with "A generosity rather unusua
for him. recommends the revival ny 'ohbi'SS VI
IN, ror,s Of the Attorney General the Secretary
Of The Navy and the Posmaser-o;encra are Az.
Of additional judges for the Circuit Courts Of Ap
peal recommended and for the nrst h e reeaI OF
the obnoxious fee system OF paying United STAT SAL
ina 81 new baitleshps and torpedo boats. and e
provide for reorganization OF me persohne OF w W.
Ing The admission OF certain matter at the second
class rate are heartily commended as likely 10 pac'
assumption AIS not made good by any figures ana
contemplated reform that Is sur 70 az th
decided opposition by the business interests VI u"
an unusually generous share OF attention. erea
deal Of stress Is laid the economies pracsed b!
,bn Secretary of Agriculture so much so as 10 ap
, near to suggest other heads OF departments INA
i they might have done well to Initiate their gar
The malignant hatred OF the pensloner OF IN
Covernment which found vent In the course o
President Cievelands first Administration III score
Of petty vetoes of individual pension bils breaks gu
enrv in some characteristic sentences In ths mes
sarc They must be read in detail TO be appreci
|, aied. --,.,....
: about the message by men In public NE; , Il
Senator Br!ce-'rhe message Is pretty nehily I"
: 0elres and although have not verihed theHi
suppose they correct. HIS currency scheiie u
dream and Ike all dreams. entirely TOO Visiohar