The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-07
NATIONS AFFAIRS.
Important Recommendations by
President Cleveland.

Pleads For Free Coal and Iron and Re-
peal of Differential Duty on Sugar
Asks That the Government Be Divorced
From the Banking Business, and Favors
Conditional Repeal of State Bank Tax.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.-Not for years,
perhaps, has so much interest been mani
tested in a message from the president to
@ongress as attached to that sent in today.
The business depression and the recent
political overturn aroused public curiosity
as to what the president would say, partic-
ularly as to financial reform and the
tariff. A brief summary of his remarks
follows:
Our foreign relations are given consider
able space The firm attitude assumed by
che administration at Rio de Janeiro re-
suited in the protection of American COM
merce and restricted the war to simple
test of strength between Brazil and the
rebels. This government stands ready to
act as peacemaker in the Asian war when
ever China and Japan call upon it. Pay
ment of the award of the Behring sea tri-
hunal is recommended, Full recognition
of Japan as one of che family of nations is
suggested. The Bluefelds incident is
touched upon, but nothing is said of the
exact status at present. A new CONNER
cial treaty with Mexico is recommended
and expressions of good will toward Rus
STA are made. The refusal of Spain to pay
the settled Mora claim is called to the
attention of congress. The expression of
congress as to the propriety of withdraw
ing from Samoa is invited, the present trip
artite government having utterly failed
to accomplish the end sought.
Figures are given which show the treas
ury deficit for 1894 to be nearly $40 900, 0OO
while the estimated deficiency for 1896 Ia
100000.
Strengthening of the army on the lines
laid down by Secretary Lamont Is fa-
voysd. Gees 'a.a
Additional judges for the United States
circuit courts are suggested, and also
federal courts for Indian territory.
The postmaster generals plan for max
ing the postoffice department self-sustain-
ing by stopping the abuses of the second
class branch is Endorsed, and also his
scheme for transporting newspapers and
periodicals free.
The modest additions to the navy REQ
commended by Secretary Herbert find
favor with the president, also his plan of
strengthening and recognizing the per-
sonnet.
The wholesale giving away of public
land is deprecated, and land court be-
fore which contested land cases should be
tried is suggested
The president is inclined to look with
disfavor upon the allotment of land to
Indians who will not work it. The solu-
ton of the Indian problem seems to the
president to rest in the hands of honest
agents who have the welfare of the ma
tion's wards at heart.
1t is noted that the maximum pension
expenditure has probably been reached.
The value of the civil service law is re-
affirmed and it's extension advocated.
Free coal and iron and the removal of
the differential tax on sugar are called for.
After criticising the financial system
which compels the government to redeem
greenbacks and then release them, to the
depletion of the gold reserve, the president
says that the treasury's only re-
course is to bonds He then out
lines a system which divorces the
Government entirely from the bank
ing business, putting upon the national
banks the duty of issuing a circulating
medium to be protected by 30 per cent
guarantee fund, placed in the United
States treasury. The volume of currency
can then be increased or diminished ac-
,ording to the demands of trade. Con-
1itional repeal of the sJIte bank tax is adj
Vocated as part of the plan.