The National tribune., 1896-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE,
A Long Document Mainly Filled with
Governmental Details
Much Attention Devoted to
Cuba-Pensions, Tariff
and Finances.


and Finances.
The Presidents Message is very voluminous.
making in ali IL columns of small type 1t IS
NOT written with the care of Mr.. Cleveiands
earlier messages is more disposed TO De ioose-
;ointed. rambling, and wearsomely verbose. IL
does not contain the striking sentences Wnlcn
embellished its predecessors. yet the ffesioen'
saws that he has abbreviated greatly oy omit
ting matters which will be presented W eon'
rress in the report of the Secretaries.
The Message opens with a congratulation TO
the country that the heated political campaign
developed no weakness in our political system,
and peaceful obedience and manly suomls,
sion have succeeded heated clash OF poiiticai
opinion"
Then follows review of the Turkish situa-
tion, in which there is liberal showerlng OF
denunciatiou and epithets upon the murderers
and robbers of the Sultan's dominions out the
proner conclusion is arrived at that We cannot
interfere. We could really do nothing. and
our mixing in might complicate matters Tor the
Great Powers who are trying to BRING ABOUT
an Improvement and reforms.
CUBA.
The discussion of Cuban affairs is the most
verbose and unsatisfactory part OF the Message.
1t takes I'D two and a half columns oil the IL.
1t recites that while the Spaniards have NOT
put down the rebellion, neither have the Cnoans
been able TO establish civil Government All
the authority they have is lodged in the camps
of the commanders who are carrying on the war.
The fertile island is being ruined, and IN TINS
ruin is involved from $50, 600, 600 to SoOooo,ooO
of American capital, invested In plantations,
mines. railroads, ETC. The volume OF trade be-
tween the United States and Cuba, which In
1889 amounted to about So, 100000. rose In
nr in
before the present insurrectlon broke out'
amounted TO nearly $96, 000,000.
The various propositions for interference IN
the war are discussed and condemned. We can
not recognize the Cubans because they have ne
Government to recognize. 1t would be Opposed
to our National character and claims to declare
war on Spain for the purpose of helping the
Cubans The Spaniards are then given io'
of taffy for the efforts they have made to retain
possession of the Gem of the Antilles. sno TINS
solution of the situation is suggested:
HOME RULE PROPOSED.
att would seem that if Spain should offer te
Cuba genuine autouomy-a measure OF nome
rule which. while preserving the sovereignty
of Spain. would satisfy all rational require
ments of her Spanish subjects-there should bs
no Just reason why the paci6cation of the
island might not be effected on that basis
Such a result would appear to be in the true
interest of all concerned. 1t would at once
stop the conflict which is now consuming the
resources of the island and making il worthless
for whichever party may ultimately prevail
It would keep intact the possession of Spain
without touching her honor, which will be con
suited rather than impugned BY the adequate
redress of admitted grievances. 1t would PM
the prosperity of the island and the fortunes
of its inhabitants within their own control
without serering the natural and ancient tie:
which bind them to the Mother county, and
would vet enable them to test their capacity
for self-gorernment under the most favorable
conditions
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicious and
precautions on the part of the weaker OF twt
combaiants are always natural. and not always
upiustifable-being sincerely DESTROYS in TIT
interest of both as well az ITS own account tina
the Cuban problem should be solved with TIT
least possible delay-it was intimated by Thu
Government to the Government of Spain SOM
months ago that if satisfactory measure o
home rule were rendered the Cuban insurgents
and would be accepted by them upon guarant!
of its execution, the United States would en-
deavor to End a way not Objectionable to SpaiI
of furnishing such guaranty. While no de6nit
response to this intimation has yet been re
ceived from the Spanish Government, it
believed to be not altogether unwelcoEae, while
as already suggested, no reason il perceive
why it should not be approved BY the insuI
eentA"
PATIENCE MAY BE EXHAUSTED.
The matter is concluded with . distinc
warning to Spain that the time may com
when our patience will be exhausted
"when the inability of Spain to deal su'
cessfulIy with the Instruction has becom
manifest, and it lie demonstrated that her so,
ereignty is extinct in Cpba for all purposes
its rightful existence, and when hopele'
struggle for its re-establishment has degene
than the useless sacrifice of human life and tt
utter destruction of the very subject matter
the conflict q situation will be presented
which our obligations to the sovereignty
Spain will be superseded by higher obligation
which we can hardly hesitate TO recognize an
discharge"
THE VENEZUELAN QUESTION
Is dismissed with the brief statement that
has ceased to be q matter OF difference betwee
the United States and Great Britain. ever,
thing being in the course of satisfactory .
xngcment.
THE NATIONAL FINANCE
@The Secretary of the Treasury reports tn,
during the fiscal year ended June 80. 1896, til
receipts of the Government from ali sourc'
amounted to S4o9 AS, 40s.76. During the san
period it's expenditures were $434. 67s, 6544
the excess of expenditures over receipts thu
amounting 10 SIS, 203, 245.70.
"Thc ordinary expenditures during the yes
were $40I5. 652.2l less than during the prece
ing fiscal year. 0fthe receipts mentioned the
was derived from costoma the sum of $160 OBJ
75l.67, and from internal revenue. $I46, 63(
6l566. The receipts from customs show an i
crease OF 81 1868, 1874. % over those from the san
source for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1s9
and the receipts from internal revenue an i
crease of s.. 5ss, 5379l."
The rest of the portion devoted to this top
be taken mp with a mere recapitulation of ST
tistics without Recommendation. 1t is Il
same with regard to the portions relating
the War Justice and other Departments. A
argument is made for the increase of posta
on second-class matter.
The President concurs In the recommend
tions of the Secretary of the Interior that indi;
affairs be put under the management of q Boa
OF Three, one Of whom shall be an Army ofics
The following is his alluslon TO pensions:
THE PENSION ROLL
"The diminution Of our enormous pensio
roll aud the decrease OF pension expepditu
which have been SO often confidently forete
still fail in material realization. The numb
Of pensioners on the rolls at the close of t
fiscal year ended June 30. 1886. was $40 6,
This is the largest number ever reported. Z
amount paid exclusively for pensions during I
year was S13s. pa. 76l.94 slight decrease fro
that of the preceding year, while the total q
pendilures on account of pensions, includi
the cost of maintaining the Department a
expenses attending pension distribute
amounted 70 Sl42 206, 550.59, or within 6 We