The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-04

read the message in its entirety, but glanced
through that part devoted to finances. / think
his reasoning is illogical. He points no way
out OF the difficulty"
Representative McLachlan said: president
Cleveland has failed to prescribe any remedy
for our deplorable financial ills. In spite of
the disastrous results OF the Wilson bill he still
fayors free trade. He only voices the senti-
ment of his party, however, and the only relief
we can expect must come from Republicans"
Grove Johnson saws: 0The message was ire
some. The President failed to discuss Ha-
waiian annexation, the Nlcaraguan canal pro-
ject and many other questions OF living inter-
est to our people. His treatment of the sub
ject of foreign relations was simply rehash of
old news. His recommendation to retire green
backs will be antagoniZed not only by the Re-
publican party, but by many Democrats Did
you notice that when the clerk finished read
ing the message in the House to-day that only
four or five Representatives in the hall APP
plauded him? 1t was the coolest frost ever
saw. Even his own party were disguised with
him."
Ex-Speaker Crisp's comments were: 81 heard
with some surprise and great regret that part
OF the message relating 10 our finances. That
relief is needed no one doubts. That it can be
found in the direction indicated in the mes
sage don't believe. The President makes as
strong an argument as can be made in favor OF
the single gold standard, but don't think he
fairly states the case. He assumes throughout
mis- message that obligations are payable in
gold. There is no law on the statute
books justifyng this assumption. All bonds,
treasury notes and other obligations of the
United States are payable in coin-Jhat is, gold
and silver of the present standard of weight
and tineness-and II the treasury would exer-
else the option which. the law and contracts
give of paving III those metals most convenient
to it our difficulties would be less. l am OPP
posed to the retirement OF the greenbacks and
Sherman notes because it would ruinously
contract our currency. Neither can l approve
the propositions recommended to enlarge the
privileges of the National BANKS l have no
doubt the President honestly believes he is
right, and | know l as honestly believe he is
wrong"
Hopkins (R.) of Illinois, a member of the
last Committee on Ways and Means, said:
'The message ignores the true cause of the I'M
numbered woes that have been brought upon
the people of the country, and that is the re-
peal of ia riff which gave enough revenue to
pay all the running expenses OF the Govern
ment and left surplus in the treasury, and in
lieu of that placed upon the statu te- books of
the country the GOrman-Wilson bill that has
never given revenue sufficient to meet the run
ming expenses. of the Government
Grosvenor R.) of Ohio said: "The message,
so far as it deals in details OF our foreign rela-
tons, is very interesting ana instructive. But
when he refers to the great benefits our new
tariff act has given to the sheepmen of the
Argentine country he seems to be rejoicing
over the ruin OF more than million sheep
raised in our country, and he forgets that side
by side with cheaper wool comes the product
OF foreign looms striking deadly blows at the
labor of host OF American workers."
Patterson D.) of Tennessee said: "The mes
sage is an exceedingly able state paper. 1t is
statesmanlike and courageous throughout.
His party for time has gone down in defeat,
but Mr. Cleveland remains in the mistaken
confidence of the American people"
Aldrich RI of Rhode Island said: ain the
face of a RAPIDLY growing deficit the message
suggests no method for providing an increase in
revenue The Presidents recommendation for
the retirement OF the greenpacks Will avail
nothing, because the mem bers OF his party in
the Senate and large majority of the Senate
are committed to policy directly antagonistic
to Mr. Cleyeland's views A bill TO retire
these notes could not be reported from the
Finance Committee as at present constituted,
nor from any committee, as oelleve, that VIII
be formed in the Senate. The portion OF the
message 10 be commended is the reference to
Venezuelan matters"
Hansbrough (R. y of North Dakota said: "It
exhibits complete abandonment OF the mes
sage of 1887, and opens the way to further
gold-bond issues as a means OF detray1ng the
expenses OF the Government
Smith 3D. of New Jersey said az was very
much gratlfied at the financial recommends
tons contained in the document"
Palmer D.) of Illinois said 81 indorse the
idea of retiring the greenba as general
proposition, but l nave not investigated the
full scheme as unfolded in the message"
Cockrell Dem) OF Missouri said: 81 am op-
posed TO the retirement OF the greenbacks and
transferring 10 the National banks the sole
power of controlling the currency OF this
country.
Allison tRep.) OF Iowa says: "The message