The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-08

the Commissioner OF immigration,
his only conclusion being that 'the
apprehension heretofore existing to some
extent of large immigration from japan
to the United States is without any sub
stantial foundation His discussion of
the army and navy is commonplace. He
bewails the alienation of the public lands
unfortunately to settlers and monop-
olists, suggesting no remedy Tor existing
monopoly, but in helpless sort OF way
urging that the remainder OF our public
lands (by far the least valuable portion)
should be more carefully dealt with and
their alienation guarded by better
economy and greater prudence
"On the question of the Pacific rail-
roads, after calling attention to the exist
ing condition of the debt and the various
bills introduced in Congress, but not
passed, having in view readjustment of
the debts, he plainly tells Congress that
unless some such bill is passed before the
LIST of January next he will be obliged to
enfore the provisions OF existing law.
WHY he should concern himself about
bills in Congress and not passed do not
know, and he does explain why he is not so
much concerned about the necessity of
foreclosing the Pacific road mortgages.
Ibis suggestions on the tariff question,
if addressed to tariff for revenue Con-
gress might be deserving OF some con-
sideration, but being addressed to the
present Congress under existing circum-
stances are simply ludicrous. On the
money question. his only suggestion for
the relief of conditions caused by a
scarcity of money is the retirement of
some four hundred million dollars of the
paper money of the United States by
issuing interest bearing long-term bonds
for them.
"The differences between the money he
proposes to retire. and the bonds which
he proposes to issue for them are: First,
that the bonds will bear interest while the
paper money does not; that the paper is
taxable, while the bonds will not be tax
able, and that the paper circulate as money
while the bonds will not. His financial
propositions have heretofore been rejected
by Democratic as we'll as Republican
Congress, and are likely to meet with the
same fate this time. His message shows
that all men who favor tariff reform are
not necessarily statesmen"
Judge Barham said: 81 think the
Presidents message is surprise from the
fact that it contains no surprises. Upon the
Cuban question the message Is, in my
Judgment, what it ought to be. There
seems to be no sufficient evidence to war
rant the belief that there is anything but
a kind of guerrilla warfare in Cuba. 1
have never reached fever heat over the
independence of Cuba and doubt the
capacity of those people to govern them
selves, and it is highly probable that some
kingly power, firmly and honestly exer-
cised, is the better form of government
there.
81 see no reason why the United States
should endanger war with great nation
by undertaking to become general guar
dian over such people. A point might be
reached beyond which civilization will
permit no nation to go, but it Is hardly
proper to presume so great nation as
Spain Will go TO that extreme. At all
events, let US have evidence of the fact and
rot presume. OF course 1 do not agree
with the President upon his ideas of tariff
legislation. 1 think there should be an
tariff measure passed.
lue cieCLlOA Ol lo6t, dS We'll as tllo idSI
one evidences the will of the people upon
this subject. When this is gone the ques-
ton of silver should be submitted for in
ternational agree ment L am much
inclined to the opinion that the financial
question needs little or no Congressional
legislation. Agitation is not what is
needed. What we want is business con-
tdence-the result will be prosperity"
Representative Loud said the Presidents
illusions to Cuba were dignified and SUI
iciently aggressive. He thought a fur
Their loss of life and property IN Cuba
might be prevented in some honorable
way without our Intervention.
I'VE had better get our own Govern
ment on an even keel before We NEEDLE
with other nations affairs" said Mr..
Loud, who also expressed himself opposed
to Hawaiian annexation. Mr.. Loud was
we'll pleased with the Presidents refer
ence to the postal bill of which the Cali
fornian is the au:hof. The President in.
corporated in his message parts of Mr..
Loud's committee report on this subject.
Judge Hilporn said that the message
was admirable and quite like Mr.. Cleve-
lands usual literary illusions, but there
was a very marked departure from the
tone of former messages. for the President
does not now assume to even advise Con-
gress, much less to arrogate to himself the
role of dictator.
Mr.. Hilborn said that the message was
colorless and lacked the bold treatment
which has heret ofore characterized Pres
dent Cleveland's messages. He attributed
Mr.. Cleveland's conservatism to his de-
sire not to EN- barrass The incoming ad-
ministration. Mr.. Hilborn was we'll
pleased with that Part of the message
which treated of naval affairs and coast
Notifications. Hilborn will soon intro
duce bill to establish at Benicia, Cal, O.
repair station for gun carriages. This will
be q start, he believes, in the direction of
establishing at this point factory for the
assembling heavy ordnance for the army
and navy. Mr.. Hilborn will also try 10
secure appropriations for engagements OF
shops at the Mare Island yard and for
tools.
Senator Dubois said to THE CALL CORE
spondent tonight that the President in