The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-21
CLEvELAND's MESSAGE.
1t Deals Solely With the Financial
Problem.

Problem.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O-Followine. is
the message sent to Congress by Presi-
dent Cleveland today:
To Congress:
In my last annual message the evils
OF our present financial system were
plainly pointed out and the causes and
the means Of the depletion of govern
ment gold were explained. 1t was therei
stated that after all efforts that had
been made by the executive branch of
the government to protect our gold re-
ing to more than $162, 900, 900, such reserve
then amounted to but little more than
Si9,o0 OO0; that about SIG, 000 900 had been
Withdrawn from such reserve during the
month next previous to the date of that
message, and quite large Withdrawals for
shlpmant in the immediate future were
predicted. The contingency then feared
has reached US, and the withdrawal of
and others that appear inevitable,
threatens such a depletion in our gov
eminent gold reserve as to bring US face
to face with the necessity for further ac-
intensified by the prevalence in certain
quarters of a sudden and unusual appre-
henSfon and timidity in business circles.
We are in the midst of another season
of perplexity, caused by our dangerous
and fatuous financial operations. These
may be expected to recur with certainty
financial system. If in this particular in
stance our predicament is at all inf1u-
enced by the recent inststence upon uhe
position we should occupy in our rela-
ton to certain questions concerning our
foreign policy, this furnishes a signal
and impressive warning that even the
patriotic sentiment of our people is not
an adequate substitute for q, sound imam
cfal policy.
OF course. there can be no doubt in any
thoughtful mind as to the complete SOL
vency of our nation, nor can there be
any just apprehension that the Ameri-
can people will be satisfied with less than
an honest payment of our public obliga-
lions in the. recognized money. of the
world. We should not overlook the fact,
however, that aroused fear is lnreasoning
and must be taken into account in all
our efforts to avert public loss and sac
rifle our peoples interest
The real and sensible cure for our re-
curing troubles can only be effected by
a complete change in our financial
scheme. Pending that, the executive
branch of the government will not relax
its efforts nor abandon it's determination
to use every means within it's reach to
maintain before the world the American
credit nor will there be any hesitation in
exhibiting its confidence in the resources
of our country and the constant patriot
ism of our people.
In view, however, of the peculiar situ-
alton now confronting. US, | have ven
tured to herein express the earnest hope
'eAAO
auguration of a better system of finance,
will not take a recess from its labors be-
it has, by legislative enactment or
declaration. done something. not only to
remind those apprehensive among our
people that the resources of this gov
eminent and a scrupulous regard for
honest dealing affords a sure guarar-
tee of unquestioned safety and sound
ness: but to reassure the world that with
these factors and patriotism of our citi-
zens, the ability and determination of our
nation to meet in any circumstances
every obligation it incurs do not admit
of question.
1 ask at the hands of Congress such
prompt aid as it alone has the power to
give, 70 prevent, in time of fear and
apprehension, any sacrifice of the peo-
pies interests and the public funds or
the impairment of our public credit in an
effort by executive action to relieve the
dangers Of the present contingency.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion, December 20, 1895.
After the message was read the sem
ate adjourned till tomorrow.
In executive session motion to adjourn
tomorrow till January was passed, but
this action preceded the presidents mes
sage.