The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-08
VHATTHEY SAYOPIT
Congressman Discuss the Presidents
Message at Length.
MUCH POLITICAL BIAS IS SHOWN.
General Sentiment Approves
Cuban Attitude.

Washington, Dec. 8.-Members OF the
house of representatives. after the read
ing Of the presidents message, talked
freely of its import, the tariff and Cuban
questions being particular points Of dis
cussion. A press representative gathered
the following interviews:
Mr.. Hit OF Illinois, chairman Of the
committee on foreign affairs, declined
automatically to give any expression
upon the message. The matter might
at any time become a subject for the con-
sideration of his committee, and he
therefore did not think ii proper to ex-
press an opinion.
Mr.. Heatwole (Rep., Minn.), member
Of the foreign affairs committee: The
president evidently has been impressed
with sentiment which has been voiced
by the people OF the country in regard to
Cuba during the congressional recess.
He seems disposed TO urge some action
by the United States at the proper time,
but fails to indicate when that time shall
arrive.
Mr.. Payne (Rep., N. Y.) said: The
president evidently has given much
thought and study to the Cuban ques-
ton. His statement of the situation is
calm and judicial. Whether the time
has come for action by the United States
is difficult question. The president
clings with tenacity that is remark
able to his hope that the Wilson bill will
produce In the future sufficient revenue
70 support the government. Since he
expressed this hope a year ago the de-
ticiency has increased and is going on at
the rate of$SO 0O0. 900 per annum.
Mr.. Turner (Dem., Ga.) said the mes
sage was a strong, sturdy document, an
appropriate farewell utterance. adding:
From the Information it gives to con-
gress IL seems that the insurrection in
Cuba is retrogading rather than pro-
crossing. agree with the president in the
belief that the present tariff law would
furnish sufficient revenue IL 1t had a fair
trial. and that the surplus on hand could
be well devoted to the payment Of pres
ent expenditures until that time arrives
Mr.. Mcmillan (Dem., Tenn.). member
of the ways and means committee, said:
I agree with the president in seeing no
immediate necessity or excuse for in
crease of tariff dues. The surplus on
hand outside the gold reserve, with
strict economy. probably will meet all
deficiencies in revenue for more than
half Of Mr.. McKinley's administration,
and possibly for the full four years, To
increase the tax on the necessaries Of life
IN order to either sQuander or perma-
nently hoard the surplus is wholly mex
cusable. 1 have not believed hereto
fore, nor do i now, that the presidents
recommendations for retiring green
backs and putting in their place either
short or long term bonds, bearing either
high or low rate of interest, is a remedy
for our ills. This would either perma-
nently or temporarily reduce the cur
rency, and that is no remedy fer hard
times.
Mr.. Cannon (Rep., Ills.), chairman OF
the committee on appropriations: The
deficit since the beginning of Mr. Cleve-
lands present administration to Dec. 5.
1856, is $17S,646,000. This has been paid
from proceeds of the sale Of bonds. This
deficit was $4,000, 900 for the II months
ending June 80, 1896; but for little over
five months. from June 80 to Dec. 5, 1896,
the deficit is more than $40, ,000, ,OCO, which
shows the presidents confidence that
the present tariff law, If allowed fair op-
portunity. will yield sufficient revenue
is not we'll founded. In other words, the
deficiency in revenues is increasing and
not diminishing. All of which demon
strates the absolute necessity for revenue
legislation that will bring increased re-
ceipts.
/ do not know what the facts are
touching Cuba, except as / gather them
from the message. 1t seems they have
nothing but guerilla warfare in the ISL
and on the part of the Cubans. and that
there is no government in fact to recog-
nize. From hasty reading of the mes
sage i do not see but that wisdom die
tates congress should wait executive ac-
tion and recommendation as to Cuba.
Mr.. Cousins (Rep.. Ia.), member Of the
foreign affairs committee: 1t is evident
that the president occupies the same
position that he has formerly. To be
plain, he does not believe that the United
States has any right to interfere, and to
be equally plain he feels i'm a greater de-
gree than he has formerly expressed the
sympathy of the American people for
Cuba. He seems to think ii might be
possible for a condition of affairs to exist
In Cuba at some time, no one knows
when, that would justify interfering on
higher grounds than those involved in
the ordinary rights Of nations. What
can be added to the situation already
existing to make It sufficiently serious
to justify the interference which the
president has I'm mind?
Mr.. Taft (Rep., o.. member Of the
committee on foreign affairs: The presi
dents treatment Of the Cuban question
as a whole, may be considered as for
NAL notice to Spain that the present con-
ditions cannot be prolonged indefinitely.
Indeed, 1t lays basis for an interven-
tion even before he goes out of office, Oh
1t gives him an opportunity to throw the
question on the shoulders of the sue
ceeding administration. Probably he
will pursue the latter course.
In regard to the tariff, the president Is
no doubt correct in speaking of the de-
ficit for the last fiscal year, but the most
appalling deficit is in the first five months
Of the current year. nearly $4,000, ,00O
The president wants the deficit wiped
out, and I believe IL is the duty of the
present congress to pass the Dingley bill
OF a modification of IL to increase the
revenue.