The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

tiuCllOn VI MS party az tho oicSeioh io9s
month placed him, as its leader,
in most peculiar position, and opened
to him career of impotency during the
remainder Of his term in Office. He has
so managed with his own party as TO
leave no hope that the short session Of
Congress would be utilized to give him
aid and comfort.
The Presidents message was therefore
addressed TO body that will doubtless
take particular delight in ignoring his
recommendations, and that will soon
give place TO Congress so ovsrwhelm-
ingly opposed to him In politics as TO
give no hope that he Will be given whit
more than the most psrfunctory respect.
There was but very little inducement
for great exertion or profound exsmina-
nation of the problems Of government.
1t is not quite apparent In what light
TN, m sssage ought to be viewed. Mr..
CLEVELAND can scarcely expect TO be, at
present, considered as the leader OF the
Democratic party. Indeed, his message
shows that he is in opposition 10 the
formally recorded policy OF the Demo-
cratic party in action, inasmuch as he
declares for a policy that he exerted
himself to the utmost to get embodied
in the Wilson bill, and lsnentably and
signally failed in the attempt. The
Wilson bill declared against free coal
and free iron and free sugar, all OF which
Mir. CLEVELAND declares for. In
this respect, at least, the
President is not with the Demo-
cratic party. lie is with the Republican
party in the matter of free Sugar, but
probably would not care to have his
attitude understood as leaning that way.
He seems TO be in quite close sympathy
with tho Massachusetts, Free Trade
Club, but with nothing else, unless it be
SAMMY MEspuHs Question Club.
This message has the usual merit of
reviewing the condition of the country,
as 1t is observable through the condition
and workings of the several govern
ment departments. For this alone il
will repay careful reading by every
citizen.
Owing to the peculiar circumstance
alluded to of there being no probability
that Congress will seriously undertake
I to follow the lines of law-making laid
down by the President, there is not
great significance to what he recon-
nends, and consequently but little pub
lie interest in them.
Speaking of our foreign relations, the
President briefly alludes to the Japan
China war, and declares that he would
not hesitate to heed any intimation that
his arbltrators would be acceptable
to both nations. He sanctions new
use Of an adjective by alluding to
the "ths cruel assassination" of Presi-
dent CAREor of France. He recon-.
mends the repeal Of the discriminating
duty OF one-tenth Of one cent pound
on sugar from certain countries, be-
cause Germany protests against it. The
withdrawal of the United States from
the Samoan compact is advised.
Traversing the message as it is written,
there are concise statements of the con-
dition OF the treasury, the army, the
law department, the postofice depart
mcnt, the navy, the affairs of the inter-
ior department and the agricultural de-
partmsnt.
The important recommendation re-
garding the postal service is that the
rates for second-class matter be so ad-
| justed as TO free the service from the
enormous burden of transporting books
and seeds and fraudulent newspapers,
putting them into the merchandise
class. This is crying evil, and great
imposition, and assuredly ought to be
at once remedied.
More battle ships and torpedo boats
are asked for the navy. Forest protec-
tion and revision of laws under which
public lands are sold is suggested, as
we'll as reform in the methods OF land
contests and litigation involving titles to
government lands. A national board of
health is advocated. The report Of the
commissioners who looked into the
Chicago strike is indorsed.
The tariff act is dealt with at some
length and important amendments sug-
gssted. The President wants free
sugar, American registry for foreign
built ships, free coal and free iron.
Everybody, including Congress, knew
that he wished these articles TO be put on
the free list.
Regarding currency reform the Pre-
sident's views as revealed in the mes
sage, are practically identical with the
reports that have been given out in
( Washington during the past two or
three weels He fayors a circulating
I medium based upon the capital and
assets of the banks, issued by the banks