The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-28
La p
Questions Before Congress.

SAOAA0 A~SA W ~ WILD ~<<SOs
Our regular correspondent in Washing
ton City gives such clear and concise
statement of the questions now before
Congress that we produce it here in lieu
of an editorial on the subject:
President Cleveland's statement Of
what the administration had done to
maintain the Monroe doctrine and his in
timation of what it was prepared to do
in that line was no play to the grand
stand. The paragraph in his message
which contained the statement has not a
line of spreadeagleism; it merely notifies
this world in dignified and diplomatic
language that the Monroe Doctrine is not
. fantasy, but fixed fact behind which
is all the strength of the United States.
There is a cue for President Cleveland in
the unanimous support OF that portion of
his message by Democrats in both House
and Senate. It shows the possibility Of
uniting the Democrats, notwithstanding
radical differences of opinion on the f.
nancial question, and Of the party putting
up stiff fight in the Presidential cam
paign. Not only are the Democrats all
pleased with the Presidents Monroe doc
trine talk, but some of the Republicans
have not hesitated to openly commend
it-nine-tenths OF them are committed
to the support of the Monroe doctrine.
For instance, Senator Hale, OF Me-, said:
His treatment of our foreign affairs
seems to be conservative and satisfactory"
and Senator Lodge, of Mass, radical Of
radicals, said: "In regard to Venezuela, I
am happy to say, the President has taken
an excellent and sound position"
While President Cleveland's views on
Cuban affairs are not populur with those
who allow their sentiment and enthusiasm
to sway their Judgment, there are many
level-headed people, in and out of Con-
gress. who believe that he 10 correct, but
probably not enough to prevent the
adoption of resolutions in both House
and Senate declaring in favor Of the
recognition of the belligerency of the
Cuban revolutionists. At least that's
the way it looks now. Two such resolu-
tions have already been introduced in
Senate, and others will be introduced
in the House. There will be some sky
rocket speeches made on these resolutions,
and, unless something now unexpected
shall prevent, one will be adopted.
It seems to be disturbing some people
because the President devoted his mes
sage exclusively to foreign affairs and
national finances, leaving the routine az
fairs of the government to the heads of
the various executive departments. The
innovation is an excellent one, and ought
to be kept up. Why should the Presi-
dent 60 over the same ground in his mes
sage that is covered by the annual reports
OF the members of his cabinet, some of
which are made public in advance of his
messagef
The President evidently did not expect
Congress to accept his recommendation
for the retirement Of the greenbacks and
treasury notes, and the Issue of long time,
low interest bonds, upon which national
bank notes might be issued, to redeem
them. That is why he said after making
the recommendation: II have suggested
remedy which my Judgment approves.
desire, however, to assure the Congress
that / am prepared to cooperate with
them in perfecting any other measure
promising thorough and practical relief"
Now let Congress devote the time it is
giving to jumping on the Presidents
plan to the production Of better one.
That is the way for Congress to convince
the country that it is more interested in
our national prosperity than in trying to
elect the next President.
The Republicans IN Congress have now
an opportunity to show how sincere their
recent shouting for the Monroe has been.
England's reply to the demand of this
government for a specific answer as to
whether its demands for the territory
claimed by Venezuela would be submit
ted to arbitration is now in their hands.
Should it be a refusal to arbitrate, az it
is said to be, President Cleveland will at
once send special message to Congress,
and the Republicans will have chance
to show what they are willing to do for
the maintenance OF the Monroe doctrine.