Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-08
TINE pRgSrpEyrs MESSAGE.


Of the late political contest in which
the president finds reason for faith in
the good sense and patriotism of the
people. What Mr.. Cleveland says in
this connection offers no announcement
to those who are still disposed to doubt
whether the people can be trusted to do
the right thing in great emergency.
The position of the president on the
Cuban question, which Is the one of
commanding Importance in our foreign
relations, will be approved by the con
servatlvc judgment of the country. 1t
should also be satisfactory to tha Span
| ish g,vcrnment, since 1t gives assurance
that the course thus far pursued by our
government will be adhered to by the
present administration if the conditions
In Cuba continue as they have been
| These are not of nature. in the opinion
Of ;he president, to justify any change
| of attitude on the part of the United
| States He ConcluSivcly answers the
proposals regarding belligcrent rights
and the recognition of the Independence
of the Cubans, saying with respect
20 the former that it would be untimely
and injurious to our interests. un-
doubtedly to accord belligerent rights
would result in destroying what remain
| ing trade we have with Cuba, because
it would be followed by Spain block
aiding every Cuban port. AS to recog-
nizing the independence of the insur-
! gents. the president points out that they
| have no government and that fact Is
sufficient to dispose of the proposition.
AS to intervention, even at the cost of
war. Mr.. Cleveland observes, while evil
IDENTIFY believing that war between the
United States and Spain would speedily
end in victory for this country, that
"thc United States has nevertheless
character to maintain as nation, which
plainly dictates that right and not
might should be the rule of its CON
| duct" But the president points out
| that circumstances may arise that viii
| compel our government to take action
| for bringing the contest in Cuba TO an
end. He remarks that sit cannot be
reasonably assumed that the hitherto
eXDSctant attitude of the United States
| will be indefinitely maintained" and he
describes a possible situation in which
our obligations to the sovereignty OF
Spain "will be superseded by higher
obligations which we can hardly hesi-
tate to recognize and discharge" In
his treatment of the Cuban question
Mr.. Cleveland shows n clear and sound
understanding of the Obligations and
the interests of the United States and
it ought to make a good impression
abroad.
Mr.. Cleveland still has faith in the
adequacy of the present tariff law for
providing revenue. He admits that it
has shortcomings as II tariff reform
measure, but he thinks that If allowed
fair opportunity it Twill in the near
future yield revenue which, with rea-
sonably economical expenditures, will
overcome all deficiencies" a tariff law
that has been in operation more than
two years has certainly had Il fair OPP
portunity and to continue it in face of
the record of uniform monthly deficits
would be supreme folly. What the
president offers in defense of this act
is extremely weak and his idea that
making deficits is not matter that
need excite or disturb us will not COM
mend itself to the appreciation of prac-
teal men. 1t is true that the treasury
has considerable sum of money on
hand. most of it obtained by the sale
of bonds. but this does not warrant the
government in continuing to increase
its Indebtedness. The policy in the
past, under republican rule, bas been
to provide enough revenue to reduce
indebtedness and there must be II re-
turn to this policy if the solvency of
the government is to be maintained.
Mr.. Cleveland seems to be entirely
oblivious to this duty of the govern
ment. AS Il matter of fact the govern
ment is now living beyond its income
and it should stop doing so rs soon as
possible.
In regard to the currency, Mr.. Cleye-
land again urges the retirement of the
greenbacks, Offering no new argument
in support of the proposition. which it is
needless to say will receive no consider
alton from congress. In this cOnnec
ton he makes a suggestion that merits
attention, which is that of allowing the
organization of smaller banks and in
less populous communities than are
now permitted. \ bill for this purpose
was introduced ut the last session of
congress, intended to provide better
banking facilities in localities where
such facilities are inadequate.
Mr.. Cleveland urges further legisla-
ton against the trusts, existing laws
having proved ineffective, and he CON
cludes his message-ony the most i'm
portant features of which we have here
noticed-with IN earnest appeal to con
gress for rigid economy in expenditures
that ought to be needed.
-----
EXPORTS or MINUF1CTURES.