Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-08
AT THE NATIONS CAPITAL The Presidents Message Will Result in More Bonds, TAX PAYERS PAY TRIBUTE Comments From the Alabama Delegation in
 Congress. THEIR VIEWS ON THE MESSAGE Hon. G. A. Robbins Talks Out-What Gen. eral Wheeler says-For the Indus
 trial School-Personal and
 Pertinent.
TAX PAYERS PAY TRIBUTE
THEIR VIEWS ON THE MESSAGE

Washington, Dec. 4.-(Special Corre- spondence. )-The presidents message ar rived at the house of representatives a little after 12 o'clock on Tuesday last. It was a strong presentation of the gold standard side of the financial contro- versy, but there is not the slightest possi- bility of the suggestions contained there in on that question being enacted into a law, therefore it is expected that before the new year shall have stood trembling on the threshold of time that the greed of the money lenders will have been sa- tiated by more bonds. Alas that the tax payers of the country are compelled to pay so much tribute to the misconceived patriotism of few servants in authority.
 The following from members of the Alabama delegation in congress shows the sentiment they feel toward the mes sage:
 Hon. G. A. Robbins: "The message is devoted mainly to foreign affairs and our monetary system. It is well written and I am specially pleased with his definition of the Monroe doctrine, and to know that the influence of the executive will be spent in upholding this time-honored democratic policy.
 While the president only briefly re- fers to tariff legislation it clearly appears that he now approves of the tariff act passed by the last congress. He points to several advantages which have al- ready come to us in our foreign trade, and notes with pride that the act passed by the last democratic congress, while the custom rates are lower, raises a greater amount of revenue than the high er rates of the Mckinley bill. Those who supported the bill in the senate and house have just cause for qualifications
 Tt is matter of regret that the presi- dent should oppose bimetallsm, and recommend a standard, instead of sug- gesting to congress the use of both gold and silver as standard moneys; also l regret that he has recommended an in- crease of our national bonded indebted ness and the extension of the national banking system, instead of recommend ing to congress in the vigorous language which he is capable of using the repeal of the 10 per cent tax on the issue of state banks, for I am of the opinion that this tax is both unconstitutional and un- defnocratic, and every one knows that the democratic national convention in 1892 expressly demanded it's repeal"
 Hon. Joseph Wheeler: What MT. Cleveland says upon the foreign policy of the government will, think, meet with general approval of the people, espe- cially his determined stand upon the Monroe doctrine.
 "He makes the ablest argument pos- sible in favor of the gold standard, and sustains it by assuming many things to be true which are firmly controverted by all bmetalliStS.
 His statement that in the event of silver coinage everyone who receives fixed salary would find the dollar in his hand ruthlessly sealed down is positive assertion that bimetallism would largely increase the price of cotton, wheat and other farm products.
 "He also argues that the money lenders would also suffer. The history of the world shows that government which leg dslates in the interest. of salaried men and money lenders retrogrades and de- cays while legislation in favor of the producing and industrial classes Is what makes a nation great, prosperous and powerful.
 q do not think that congress will enact the financial recommendations or MT Cleveland into law"
 Hon. O. w. Underwood: That portion of the message which refers to our rela- tions with foreign governments is clear, explicit and in keeping with what we should expect from the president of the United States in his treatment of great questions of state. I am in thorough ac- cord with the message in the position taken in reference to the Venezuela con- troversy. It is thoroughly American, and if maintained, must culminate in the recognition by the British government Of the Monroe doctrine. When considered in connection with the ultimatum of Great Britain to Venezuela last summer it can mean only one thing, that is the English nation must retract It's ultima tum and submit its boundary dispute to arbitration or the United States will con- sider it's refusal to do so in the light of an unfriendly act.
 q do not think the president in his message treats the financial question at all fairly. He assumes as the basis of I tc that n II nhIipatlOnS are payable in gold. whereas they are paya- able in either gold or silver at the option of the government.
 'The gold reserve in the treasury Is not the cause of the financial distress of our people. We need sufficient good money to transact the business of the nation, without relying on fictitious credit sys- tenn to facilitate the exchange of valuess
 ''The president recommends the retire ment of the greenbacks and treasury notes. This would contract the currency $500. GOO O00 or one-fourth of the money we are now reported to have in circula- ton, and in my judgment the inevitable result of such a contraction would be an- other panic. I am opposed to contrac- ton of the currency in any form, and do not think greater wrong could be done the American people than that which would destroy one-fourth of the money of the country.
 For the Industrial School.
 Congressman Robbins of the Fourth district was the first of the Alabama del- egation to present any bills to the Fifty fourth congress, and the sixteenth of the entire house. Besides bills for the erec- .ion- of public buildings at Selma and Anniston. and to provide for the making of Selma. a port of entry, MT Robbins introduced bill providing for the dona- tion by the Unified States of 25, 900 facres of land in Alabama to the state, the pro- ceeds of which, when sold or leased, to forever remain a fund for the use of the Industrial School for Girls at MontevaIlo.
 Personal and Pertinent
 A. T. Goodwin, contestant for the seat in congress of Hon. J. E. Cobb, from the Fifth district. is in the city in the vain