Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-12-07


CURED. On March last the Alliance, while
boun from Colon to New York, and follow
Ing the customary track for vessels near the
Cuban shore. but outside the three-mile
limit, was fired upon by a Spanish gunboat.
Protest was promptly made by ths United
States against this act as not being justified
by u state OF war, nor permissible In respect
of vessels on the usual paths of commerce.
nor tolerable in view Of the wanton peril
occaSioned to innocent life and property.
The act was disavowed, with full expression
OF regret, and assurance Of nonrecurrence
Of such just cause OF complaint, while the
offending officer was relieved Of his COM
mand.
Military arrests oi citizens Of the United
States in Cuba have occasioned frequent
reclamations. Where held on criminal
charges their delivery to tho ordinary civil
Jurisdiction for trial has been demanded and
obtained i'll conformity with treaty provis.
ions. and whore merely detained by way OF
military precaution under proclaimed
state Of siege, without formulated ac.
cusation. their release or trial has been
insisted upon. The right of American con-
sular officers in the island to prefer protests
and demands in such cases having been
questioned by the insular authority, their
enjoyment OF the privilege stipulated by
treaty Afor the Consuls of Germany was
claimed under the INSTRUMENTATION pro.
promptly recognized.
MASSACREs IN ARMENIA.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued to
excite concern. Ths renrrte ! massacres OF
Christians IN Armenia and the development
there and in other districts OF a spirit OF
fanatic hostility TO Christian influences nat.
urally excited apprehension for the safety OF
the devoted men and women, who, as depend
ants Of In mic CNnipfinQ
in the United States, reside in Turkey under.
the guarantee of law and usage and In the
legitimate performance OF their educational
and religion mission. No efforts have been
spared in their behalf, and their protection
in person and property has been earnestly
and vigorously enforced by every means
within our power.
The Ottoman Government has lately issued
an Imperial trade exempting forever from
taxation an American college for girls at
Bcutari. Repeated assurances have also
been obtained by our Envoy at Constanti-
nople that similar institutions maintained
aud administered by our countrymen shall ba
secured in the enjoyment Of all rights. and
that our citizens throughout the Empire
shall be protected.
MORE PAY FOR AMBASSADORS.
I am thoroughly convinced that in addi-
ton to their salaries our Ambassadors and
Ministers at foreign courts should ba pro-
vided by the Government with official resi-.
dences. The salaries of these officers are
comparatively small, and in most cases in-
sufficient to pay, with other necessary ex-
penses, the cost Of maintaining house.
hold establishments In keeping with
their important and delicate fuhc-
tions. The usefulness of Ma
tions diplomatic representative undeniably
depends much upon the appropriateness OF
his surroundings, and country like ours.
while avoiding unnecessary glitter and
fer in it's relations with foreign Nations
through parsimony and shabbiness in its
diplomatic outfit. These considerations and
the other advantages Of having fixed and
somewhat permanent locations for our en-
bassies would abundantly justify the moder-
ate expenditure necessary to carry out this
suggestion.
THE FINANCIAL SITUATION.
From the discussion Of foreign affairs tho
President turns to the country's financial
condition. The message says:
'As we turn from a review Of our foreign
relations to the contemplation OF our Na-
tional financial situation we are Immediately
aware that we approach subject OF domes-
tic concern more important than any other
that can engage our attention, and one ut
present in such perplexing and delicate
predicament as to require prompt AMI wise
treatment.
"By command OF the peoplea customs rev.
enue system, designed Tor the protection
and benefit OF favored classes at the ex-
pepse OF the great mass OF our countrymen,
and which, while inefficient for the purpose
Of revenue, curtailed our trade relations ana
lmpeded our entrance to the markets OF the
world, has boen superseded by tariff
policy which in principle is based upon
denial of the right OF the Government
to obstruct the avenues to our peoples cheap
living or lessen their comfort and content
ment. for the sake of according especial adj
vantages to favorites. and which, whtle en-
couraying our intercourse and trade with
other Nations, recognizes the fact that
American self-relance, thrift aud ingenuity
can build up our country's industries ana
develop its resources more surely than en-
srvating paternalism.
"The compulsory purchase and coinage
Of silver by the Government, unchecked aud
unregulated by business conditions and
needless Of our currency needs, which FOR
more than fifteen years diluted our circula!,
Ing medium, undermined confidence abroad
In our financial ability, aud at last cul-
minated in distress and panic ut home, hns
been recently stopped by the repeal OF the
laws which forced this reckless scheme upon
the country.
"The things thus accomplished, notwith-
standing their extreme importance and
benefcent effects. fall far short OF curing the
monetary evils from which we suffer as Il re-
suit Of long indulgence in ill-advised fnan-
, cial expedients."
The message then gives the history oi
legislation concerning the issuance OF green
/ backs. and follows with IN account OF the
shrinkage Of the gold reserve fund. Con"
tinuing, Mr.. Cleveland details the efforts to
establish the gold reserve fund by issuing
bonds, and says:
RETIRE THE GREENBACRs
T am convinced the only thorough and
practical remedy for our troubles is folnd
In the retirement and cancellation OF our
| United States notes. commonly called green
! backs. AMI the outstanding Troasuary notes
issued by the Government in payment OF
silver purchases under the act of 1890.
81 balieve this could be quite readily ao-
complished by the exchange OF these notes
for United States bonds OF small as well as
large denominations, bearing low rate OF
interest. They should he long term bonds,
thus increasing their desirability as invest
ments, and because their payment could be
we'll postponed to u period far removed from
present financial burdens and perplexities,
when with increased prosperity and re-
sources they would be more easily met. .
"To further insure the cancellation OF
| tu6bo uOteS tuu u'oo PRIV uo u Whs py "u.S"
gold may be added to our currency In lieu
Of them, feature in the plan should be an
authority given to the Secretary OF the
Treasury to dispose Of the bonds abroad for
gold If necessary to complete the contem-
plated redemption and cancellation, permit
ting him to use the proceeds OF such bonds
to take up and cancel any OF the notes that
may be in the Treasury or that may be re-
ceived by the Government on any account.
| BRANCHES FOR NATIONAL BANKS.
"It has always SCENE to me that the pro-
visions OF law regariin the capital OF MAJ
tional banks which operate rs limitation to
their location fails to make propsr compsn-
sation for the suppression OF State banks,
which came near to the people In all
sections Of the country and readily furn-
ished them witf banking accommo-
ldntions and facilities. Any inconveni-
ence or embarrassment arising from
these restrictions on the location OF National
banks might woii be remeiied by better
a lapting the present systen to the creation
Of banks in smaller communities or by per
mitting banks Of large capital to establish
branches ia such localities rs would serve
the people so regulated and constrained a.
to secure their safe aud conservative c"ntro
H..