The Van Buren press., 1895-12-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Dec. 8, '95.

men hold the balance of power.
| Tuesday the President message was
sent to Congress. 1t departed from the
usual course, in that it dealt only with
| foreign affairs and the financial stu
alton. In the discussion of the financial
situation the President recommends that
the greenbacks, otherwise known as
United States notes, and the Treasury
notes, together aggregating 1886, 900, 900
be retired by the issuance of bonds of
small denomination at q low rate OF in
terest. The President contends that
the increase of revenue will not solve
the difficulty that confronts the Treas
ury; justities the issue of bonds as
averting disaster, and is more than
emphatic against the free coinage of
silver, recommends that the National
banks be allowed to issue circulation up
to the par value of their bonds. His
references to foreign affairs are very
emphatic, and he argues in favor of
continued neutrality toward Spain and
Cuba; and the rights of Americans in
Turkey will be protected.
The President s proposition for the
retirement of the greenbacks and the
issuance of bonds is universally con-
anu Will uot iillu ldNOi III CitlCi
branch of Congress. His vigorous
treatment, however, of our relations
with other countries receives the ap-
proval not only of Democrats but also
large proportion of the Republicans in
Congress. Democrats and silver Re-
publieans look at the message from
various points of view:
Mr.. Voorhees, is certain that his vote
will never be cast for such financial
scheme as the President suggests, and
Mr.. Brice is sure that the people
will never consent to the retirement of
the greenbacks. I'VE might issue
bonds to retire the Sherman notes, -
says Mr. Brice, 'but that is as far as
we will ever get. - Mr.. German re-
marked that the $500, 900 900 bonds
would not be issued this week, his tone
leaving the plain inference that they
would never be issued at all.
OF course the silver men have no
sympathy with the message. They, too,
are certain that its provisions will never
be enacted into law.
Senator Teller says that bond bill
will not pass the Senate in any form
not even for bail bond.
Senator Dubois sees in the document
a plain declaration that the President 5
| followers in both parties must fight
under the banner of gold monometal-
lism. There is no place, said Mr.
Dubois. lin the ranks of his followers
| for anyone who has any hope or desire
| to make silver one of the bases of our
currencies. He would contract the cur
reney to the extent of $500, 900, 900, and
| then gravely state that prosperity would
come to the country, and money would
be plentiful. In my Judgment such a
contraction of our currency and the
fastening of a single gold standard abso-
| lutely and permanently ON our country
| would cause the greatest distress. The
President will not be sustained. His
financial recommendations will not be
adopted by the country, or by the
present Congress.
Ex Speaker Crisp. the Democratic
leader in the House, said: II heard
with some surprise and great regret
that part of the message relating to our
finances. That relief is needed no one
doubts. That it can be found in the
direction indicated in the message do
not believe. The President makes as
strong an argument as can be made in
favor Of the single gold standard, but
do not think he fairly states the case.
He announces throughout his message
that our obligations are payable in gold.
| There is no law on the statute book
justifying this assumption. All bonds,
Treasury notes, and other obligations
of the United States are payable in coin,
that is, gold and silver of the present
standard of weight and fneness, and if
the Treasury would exercise the option
which the law and contract give, of
paying in that metal most convenient to
it, our difficulties would be less. | am
opposed to the retirement of the green
backs and Sherman notes because it
would ruinously contract our currency.
Neither can l approve the propositions
recommended, enlarging 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.
Mr.. McCreary, Dem. Ky, chair
man of the committee of foreign affairs
in the last House: THAT part of the
President message which refers to our
foreign relations is very comprehensive
and interesting. His recommendations
are particularly important and appro-
pirate ON the Cuban question; the
Venezuelan boundary line disputes; the
Behring Sea claims and the better
preservation of seal life in the North
Pacific.
Gen. Wheeler, Dem, Ala. 81
think the President S statements regard
ing the foreign policy of the Government
will meet the approval of the people. l
regret that cannot assent at all TO Mr..
Cleveland financial recommendations
The people of the South and the West
will oppose to the bitter end any further
reduction in the currency of the
country.
Representative Livingston, Dem. 3,
Ga. II approve most emphatically
what the President said on Venezuela.
He has gone as far, perhaps, in the
Cuban matter as international law will
permit. Congress can now take the
matter up. l do not approve the fnan-
cial expressions. -
Mr.. Allen, of Nebraska, wednesday
introduced a resolution recommending
that the government of the United
States should promptly recognize the
revolutionists in Cuba, who are strug-
Cling for their independence. He made
forcible speech in advocacy Of the
resolution urging prompt action on the
part of the Senate. Resolution was
referred to the committee on Foreign
Relations.
SO many old Senators have gone ont
and new ones taken their places. there
has been general changing about
among Senators. Senator Dubois now
has the seat that Senator Conkliup
occupied during his last ten years in the
Senate. Mr.. Hill sits where the old
Roman sat. Conkling and Thurman