The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1895-12-26
AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS
PRESIDENTS SPECIAL PdESSAGE
ON FINANCIAL SITUATION.
He Asks Legislation to Quiet Appre-
hension and to Prevent Sacrifices
CT Public Interests Before the
Lawmakers Take Holiday

| Z
Lawmakers Take Holiday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-The Presi.
dent, at APO p. M, sent the following
message to Congress on the financial
situation:
IN my last annual message the
evils of our present financial system
were plainly pointed out, and the
causes and means OF the depletion of
government gold were explained. 1t
was therein stated that, after all the
efforts that had been made by the ex-
ecutive branch of the government to
protect our gold reserve by the issu-
ance of bonds amounting to more than
Sl62, 900, 600, sucn reserve then amount
ed to but little more than SIS, 900, 900;
that SIG, 100000 had been withdrawn
| from SUCH reserve during the month
next previous to the date of that mes
sage, and that quite large Withdrawals
for shipment in the Immediate future
were predicted.
"The contingency then feared has
reached US, and the Withdrawals of
gold since the communication referred
to, and others that appear inevitable,
threaten such depletion in our gov
ernment gold reserves as brings US face
to face with the necessity of further
action for its protection. This condi-
tiCn is intensified by the prevalence in
certain quarters of sudden and unu-
sual apprehension and timidity in
business circles.
FATUOUS FINANCES.
''We are in the midst of another sea-
son OF perplexity, caused by our dan
gerous and fatuous financial opera
tiOns. These may be expected to recur
with certainty as long as there is no
amendment in our financial system.
II, in this particular instance, our
predicament is at all influenced by a
recent insistence upon the position we
should occupy in our relation to GER
tain questions concerning our foreign
policy, this furnishes a signal and i'm
pressive warning that even the patri-
otto sentiment of our people is not an
adequate substitute for sound f1nan-
cial policy.
in any thoughtful mind as to the COM
plete solvency Of our nation; nor can
there be any just apprehension that
the American people will be satisfied
with less than an honest payment of
our public obligations in the recog
niZed money of the world. We should
not overlook the fact, however, that
aroused fear is unreasOning, and must
be taken into account in all efforts to
avert personal loss and the sacrifice of
cur peoples interest.
"a cure Of our recurring troubles can
only be affected by complete change
in our financial scheme, and, pending
action to this end, the executive
branch Of the government will not re-
lax its efforts nor abandon every
means 10 maintain before the world
American credit; DOR will there be any
hesitation in exhibiting its confidence
in resources Of our country and the |
constant patriotism of our people.
ACTION BEFORE RECESS.
"In view, however, Of the peculiar |
situation now confronting US, have |
Ventured to herein express the earnest |
hope that the Congress, in default of !
the Inauguration of better system of |
finance, will not take recess from It's |
abOrs before it has, by legislative en- |
thing, not only to remind those ap-
prehensive among our people that the |
resources of our government and a I
regard for honest dealing |
afford sure guarantee of unQuestiOn- |
I'd safety and soundness, but to reas-
sure the world that with these factors |
and the patriotism of our citizens, the |
ability and determination of our ma
ton to meet, in any circumstances,
every obligation it incurs do not ad-
nit OF question.
81 ask at the hands OF the Congress
such prompt aid as it alone has the |
power to give to prevent, in time Of |
fear and apprehension, any sacrifice |
1f the peoples's interests and public |
funds, or the impairment Of our pub
ic credit, in an effort by Executive |
action to relieve the dangers of the |
present emergency.
(Signed) 'GRovER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 20, '95"