Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08
PLEASANT OPENING.
sPRING-LIkE WEATHER GREETS
THE RETURN OF CONGRESS.
VIEWS OF THE MESSAGE.
what Virginia and North Carolina
Representatives Have to Say About
It-Cuba and the Currency-Gene-
raj Lee Satisfied.

|
springlike and all Washington turned
out and went to the Capitol to see the
| opening OF the last session of the Fifty
fourth Congress. The galleries were
packed, nearly all the members were in
their seats. and there was a profuse dis
play of flowers. both In the Senate and
the House. When the Speakers gavel
fell at Y midday, all the Virginia mem
bers were I'm their seats. with the excep-
ton of Messrs. Elicit. Tyler. and Walk
er OF the North Carolina delegation,
Messrs. Settle. Martin, and Linney were
absent. Among the members honOred
with floral decorations were Mr.. Swanson,
Mr. Meredith, and Mr.. Jones. of Virginia.
whose desks were fairly covered with
huge baskets of flowers. Mr.. Swanson's
floral tribute was perhaps the largest and
most elaborate.
Very little business was done, and soon
after the call of the roll and the appoint
ment of committees TO wait upon the
President and inform him that both
houses of Congress were in session and
ready for business a recess was taken
until 1:90 Z. NJ. 1t was nearly 2. how
ever. before the House reassembied, and
the reading of the message was COM
nenced.
CUBA IN THE MESSAGE.
The message was not so much of dis
appointment as the political opponents
of the President, in and out OF the Demo-
cratic partly, pretend that II was. Near
ly all of the utterances contained in 1t
were partially anticipated. II there was
any disappointment. it was in that por-
tion of the message referring to the Gu
ban insurrection, on which public interest
centered. But. even I'm this matter, those
who know the President. and who un-
derstand the situation in Cuba, and are
posted on the international relations Of
This country with Spain and other coun-
tries. did not expect any stronger express
sions than those contained i'm the mes
sage. They did not think that Mr.. Cleve-
land would 20 as far as he did.
high authority, with whom the Dispatch
correspondent conversed. said the Presi-
dent was particularly strong and en-
phatic as to the Cuban question. Under
the circumstances, his language could
hardly have been more pointed or con-
vincng of his sympathy with the Cubans;
and reading between the lines IL was
clear that. II a favorable opportunity pre-
sented Itself. the President would not
nlze the independence Of the Cubans
1t was pointed out to the Dispatch cor
respondent that the concluding para
graphs OF the message meant that II was
possible, and probable. that Mr. Cleve-
land would be heard from again I'm re-
gard TO the Cuhans before he retired
from Office. II is admitted that he would
not like 10 saddle war on the incoming.
Mckinley Administration. but the ex-
pressions i'm the latter portion Of the
message are understood 10 mean that the
President believes that something viii
occur I'm the vorr near fu'ure that VIII
call for decisive and vigorous action on
the part Of this government, and that he
win act promptly when the occasion ar
rives.
Mr.. Cleveland has nearly four months
more 10 serve. and there are those who
think he may settle the Cuban trouble
to the satisfaction Of the people of this
country before he leaves the White
House.
General Fitzhugh Lee arrived here last
night and this morning called on the
President, who gave him printed copy
OF the message, and with whom he had n
long and very pleasant interview. He de-
clined to be interviewed on the Cuban
portion Of the message further than 20
saw that II was quite satisfactory and all
that he expected IL was said this eve
ming by an official that the Cuban subject
I'm the message was inspired by General
Lees report. but that gentleman, gallant
soldier. and diplomat could not be in
duced to admit this. He will leave to
morrow for New York and will sail n
few DAYS later for Habana. He gave the
Dispatch correspondent a cordial invita-
tlon TO call and see him when he should
come to Cuba.
VIEWS OF THE MESSAGE
The following are the expressions Of the
virginia members Of the House regarding
the message:
Representative Jones-The American
people are in favor Of granting belligerent
rights 10 the Cubans, and | think the
President made a mistake when he failed
to plant himself on the side Of the people.
Mr.. Thorp Republican)-There is little
TO commend I'm the message The Cuban
question should have been treated in an
entirely different manner.
AIr. Otey-I don't Ike the way the
President treats the Cuban question.
think we ought 10 take Cuba as soon as
possible ! wish Mr.. Cleveland had taken
the same view OF the matter
Mr.. Meredlth-The message so far as
Cuba IS concerned does not mean any
thing. II is high time this country should
nut up or shut up. / DO not look for any
action I'm regard to Cuba soon.
Mr.. Tucker-The message i'm the main
is conservative and able, and in keeping
with the Presidents broad patriotism.
Mr.. Swanson: The recommendations OF
the President upon the financial question
are hut reiterations of those previously
made. I am utterly opposed TO retiring
the greenbacks without the institution OF
other currency In their places. 1t would
hut intensity the present distressed con-
dition. and result In greater paralysis
Of business. The President rs determined
If possible, to destroy all our currency
but gold and give the right to furnish ali
other currency but gold to the national
hanks. His recommendations about ma
tional hanks. II enacted. would result in
only benefits 10 the banks and give no
relief TO the people 1t is astounding 10
see him now compimenting tariff law
which he denounced and eNerted himself
TO defeat His recommendations in re-
gard to Cuba amount to nothing. He evil
IDENTIFY intends to maintain the present
stains and evinces that his sympathies
are with Spain. The country and Con-
gress will not sustain him in this.
think the message will receive little at
tention. emanating from President with
ont following OF party. The Democrats
are not surprised to see him mingle his
concentrations with the Republicans at
the election OF Mckinley.
NORTH CAROLINA VIEWS.
Following are the views Of North Caro-
lima members on the message:
Hcpresentative shaw: While I cannot
entirely disapprove OF the position taken
bv Mr.. Cleveland in regard to Cuba, | |
would much prefer to have seen h'Ir
take a more decided stand in favor OF
The Cubans. The proposition 10 retire
greenbacks must in my opinion. only |
cause a further contraction OF the cur
rency. while ii is well known here in le-
eislatiye circles that the remedy ne Of
Ters-viz.. the establishment OF small ma
tional banks IN the less populous COM