The Portland daily press., 1896-12-08
PLAN HAS BEEN PROPOSED
TO SPAIN.
and An Answer Is Awaited at Wash.
ingt0n.
TEXT OF DOCUMENT GIVEN TO
CONGRESS TODAY.

The Situation in Turkey Touched Upon
Condition of Treasury Submitted With
sout Argument-Abuse of Second Glass
Mail Matter-No speed Premiums On
Policy-WouId Include Fourth Class
Postmasters Under Civil Service Rules
THE Retirement of Greenbacks Advo-
Gated as a Year go.
Washington, D. o., December 7.-The
message of President Cleveland to Con-
gress was read today as follows:
To the Congress Of the United States:
AS representatives of the people in the
Z legislative. branch Of their government
you have. assembled at time when the
strength and excellence of our free insti-
tutions and the fitness of our citizens to
enjoy popular rule have been again made
manifest. A political contest involving
momentous consequences, fraught with
: feyerish apprehension, and creating ag-
gressiveness SO intense as to approach
bitterness and passion, has been waged
throughout our land, and determined by
the decree of free and independent suff-
rage, without disturbance of our tran
guilty or the least sign Of weakness in
our national structure.
When We consider these incidents and
contemplate the peaceful obedience and
manly submission which have succeeded
a heated clash of political opinions, we
discover abundant evidence of determi-
nation on the part of our countrymen to
abide by every verdict of the popular
will, ,sand to be controlled. at all times by
an abiding faith in the agencies estab-
lished for the direction of the affairs of
their government
Thus our people exhibit a patriotic
disposition which entities them to demand
Of those who undertake to make and ex-
ecpto their laws such faithful and un-
selfish service in their behalf as can only
be prompted ty serious appreciation Cf
the trust and confidence which the 60
ceptance of public dGty invites.
In obedience to constitutional require
mept [ herein submit to the Congress
certain information concerning national
affairs with the suggestion of such legis-
lation as in my Judgment is necessary
and expedient. 70 secure breyity and
avoid tirssome narration, I shall omit
many details Concernlng 1naJters WlGh1n
federal control, which, though by no
means unimportant, are more proftably
discussed in departmental reports. l
shall also further cuTtail this communi-
cation by oIDitting a minute recital of
many minor incidents connected with our
foreign relations which have heretofore
found IA place in executive messages, but
are now contained il, a report of the
Secretary OF State, which is herewith
submitted.
THE ARMENIAN SITUATION.
AT the outset of a reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction if | could assure the Congress
that the distur bed condition Asiatic Tur-
key had during the past year assumed q
less hideous and bloody aspect and that
as consequences Of the awakening of the
Turkish government to the demands of
human civilization, or as the result of
decisive action on the part OF the great
nations having the right by treaty to in
terfere for the protection of those exposed
to the rage of mad bigoury and cruel
fanaticism, the shocking features of the
situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming soft
eaed disposition or protective interven-
tion, we have been afflicted by continued