The Helena independent., 1894-12-04
THE WEATHER.
THE MESSAGE.

President Cleveland's message TO the
second session OF the Fifty-thlrd con-
gress is a comprehensive review Of the
condition Of foreign and domestic af-
fairs. but not startling document In
its discussion Of public questions or in
its recommendations Of legislation. The
most interesting allusion to our rela-
tions with other countries is that
touching Japan. a nation for whose re-
markable progress the president eX-
presses great admiration. The hearty
good will existing between the United
states and Japan is also commented
upon.
For the most part the presidents
references to the various departments
OF our own government are little more
than summaries of the annual reports
Of the heads OF those departments. We
notice that he recommends the revival
OF the grade Of Lieutenant general in
order that that rank may be conferred
upon General schoheld Just before his
retirement. an honor that the country
would gladly see accorded TO that dis
tinguished officer.
The president suggests that an addi-
tional circuit judge be added to each
circuit Of the United States courts. This
will be heartily supported by all who
have business with those courts. The
necessity for such increase has long
been apparent. and congress should re-
spond to the demand promptly by en-
acting the necessary legislation,
Secretary Herbert's recommendation
that three more battle ships be added TO
the navy, receives the presidents in
dorsement, as does also the suggestion
OF the secretary of the interior, that
comprehensive forestry system be es-
tablished. The message recommends
abandonment Of the present policy of
permitting the public timber lands to
be stripped OF their forests with very
little compensation to the public treas
ury.
The establishment OF n national health
office. in order to secure prompt and
universal action against the spread OF
epidemic and contagious diseases. has
long been urged by leading medical
authorities. and the president gives his
sanction TO such legislation.
The message has little to say about
the report OF the federal strike commits
sion except TO commend the members
OF the commission for their thorough
work and to call the attention Of con-
gress 90 the importance of their report.
Coming down to the tariff, Mr.. Cleve-
land has less 10 say than in former mes
sages, but he says important amend
ments should be made to the existing
law and that he Is decidedly in favor Of
putting coal and iron on the free list.
As TO sugar he says; Il would be glad
under existing aggravations to see
every particle OF diffcrential duty in
favor VI refined sugar stricken out OF
our tariff laws. Tho ona-tcnlh Of a cent
on pound upon sugar imported from
count~cs paying a bounty on It's ex-
ports, ought 10 be abrogated.'
Mr., Cleveland also dwells with en-
pnasis upon the objection TO the pres
ent Law which denies American registry
TO ships built abroad ana owned by
American citizens. This he character
i2ss as nearer a r,llc OF barbarian
than amy thing that cSists under ihe
permission OF statute OF the Emitted
states" Under our new tarln policy.
ne snys, the products and manufactures
OF our people should find a market in
every part Of the habitable globe. ana
the millions now paid 90 foreigners for
carrying American passengers ana pro-
ducts across the sea should be turned
into American hands "And tho Amort.
can sailor rcsurrcctod ana again talk,
his place as sturdy and industrIou,
citizen in times ofpeace. ana a patri
Ouc and safe defender OF American In.
tercsis in the time OF conflict" To Al
Of which every true American Will sn,
amen.
The president strongly believes tina
the government should go out of In,
banking business and loave banking I,
the banks. "The absolute dIvprcomcn
Of the government from The business %
banking" he says, rs the ideal relation
Of the government to the circulation 30
the currency" As was foreshadnwe
IA the Washington dispatches f.,
days ago, the president favors what /
known as "the Baltimore plan" recent
discussed at the Bankers convention