The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-03
ON THE TARIFF AND FINANCE.
FORCAsTING THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE,

FORCASTING THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE,
Good Reasons for the Belief That He
Will Adhere Strictly to Former Ut
terances on These Most Important
Questions.
There are good reasons for the belief
that in his forthcoming message to
Congress President Cleveland will
strictly adhere to his previous utter
ances in regard to the tariff and finan-
cial questions, and it is altogether
probable that these subjects, together
with that of our foreign affairs, will
occupy practically, il not absolutely,
the whole message to the exclusion Of
all other matter. 1t Is believed that
the President will commend the pres
emit tariff, as a step In the direction of
tightening the burdens of the people,
and that although it has thus far
failed to bring in q sufficient amoun
of revenue to satisfy the needs of the
government, 1T may confidently be eX-
pected to do so under normal business
conditions.
1t Is believed that he will point out
chat already the increasing receipts
from customs and internal,
Enthusiastically show a gradual, though
sure, return to business prosperity.
and that in the near future the receipts
from these sources will even more than
meet the legitimate expense of the
government. 1t Is therefore not
thought that MIR. Cleveland will re-
commend the imposition of any addi-
tional internal revenue taxation either
oy increasing the duties now existing
or by adding new subjects.
There viii be considerable discussion
as to whether the President NAV not
favor q tax on domestic wines and
beers, and patent medicines, but such
information a. Is ~obtainable makes
1t more than probable that he has not
considered any of these questions in
that connection.
That he will recommend legislation
retiring the greenbacks by the issue OF
low rate bonds seems to be almost Ger
tain, and it Is not likely that he will
ask Congress as an alternative to au
thorize the Secretary of the preasury
to Issue low rate bonds, in his discretion
within certain limits, to protect the
| gold reserve.
In the realm of foreign affairs. the
subject which it lie expected will claim
the greatest share of attention at the
hands of the President, and from it's
nature will require the most states
manllke and cautious. treatment will
be the Cuban i~nsurrection. While
there is good reason for tho belief that
h President has steadily adhered to
the Wow expressed 40 forcibly by ex-
a Edmounds to the effect that as
conditions exist on the island, there is
no warrant in International law or
precedent for the recognition OF The
belingerency of the insurgents, there
are indications that very recent events.
and notably the adoption by the insur.
gents OF a policy of wanton destruction
OF private property including vast su-
gar estates belonging to American
citizens may oblige him to change the
passive attitude he has occupied hith-
efto In favor Of q more vigorous and
positive line of action.
According to the precepts of inter-
national law, and as practiced in the
case OF our late rebellion, Spain can
not be held accountable for these losses
oy Americans, provided it is evident
that she has done all in her power to
stop the destruction of private prop
erty, and also that Spanish citizens are
equal sufferers by the operations of the
insurgents.
I. There thus would seem to be onlv
two plans Of action open to the Presi-
dent. LII he should recognize the belli-
gerance OF the insurgents 1t is con-
tended that he would bind them to the
observance of the rules of civilized
warfare, and be in d position to insist
upon the abandonment Of this policy of
destruction of private property under
peril of the active interference OF the
United States. On the other hand he
may feel justified in using this
mont OF great American loss with Spar
as q reason for insisting that she
press matters to a conclusion In some
way.
Another matter that undoubtedly
VIII hgure largely in the message TO
Congress will be the Venezuelan boun-
Diary dispute. The President will en-
deavor to show that he has done all
that ls possible for the Executive to
accomplish to carry out the direction
OF the last Congress and effect "a set-
tiement OF This difficulty by arbitra-
tion. He will referto the foreign cor
respondence of the past year, includ.
Ing Secretary Olney's last and most
pressing note to Ambassador Bayard
n the reply OF the British govern.
ment, which, there is reason to be-
lleve,> Will amount substantially to n
repetition of its Willingness to a
il'nlted but not q full arbitration. 1t
IL believed that the message will show !
SotoOh hdb hldtl6 C1Sdr. 10 |
Great Britain the deep the
United States feels in q fair and peace
able settlement OF this important sub
lect. In this shape the Venezuelan
dispute will be laid before Congress for
an expression OF its win in the further
guidance OF the Executive.
The Behring Sea claims will also be
touched upon, and 1t Is believed the
PRESIDENT will take the ground that
United States being in honor
bound, as a result OF the Paris srbi-
ration and the modus vivendi adopted
turing its tendency, to pay these
Congress should act favorably
upon a convention, which he will sub
nit. providing for the appointment Of
mixed commission to ascertain and
them.
The remaining chapters OF that Dor.
Ion OF the message relating to foreign
Ihairs will oe devoted largely to q re-
'ttal OF the efforts of the State Depart
nent In behalf Of ex-Consul Waller.
discussion OF the feasibility of COM
'leting the Nicaraguan canal accord
ng to the revised project, and CON
references to the good re-
attending the efforts OF the United
states ministers In China and Turkey
0 protect the rights of American
esidents therein.