The herald., 1896-12-08
On the Presidents Message to
Congress
HE REBELLION IN CUBA
Almost the Only Feature Which |.
Referred to
Remarks Are Generally Complimentary
But Tillman Takes Exception to
Style, Etc.-Bryan Won't Talk.
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-Comments
In the senate on the message were gen.
orally favorable to the tenor Of the mes
sage on the Cuban question, though
there were some opposing views ex-
pressed. -
A large number Of senators, including
a majority Of the members Of the oom-
mittee on foreign relations, excused
themselves from exposing opinions, on
the ground that they had not given it
careful reading.
Senator Chandler (Republican)-Its
treatment of Cuba Is elaborate and
strong. While noe going 80 far as I
wished it, 1t does by implication from the
last sentences very plainly say that If
Spain does not suppress the rebellion
very quickly the United States will be
sure to intervene to secure the independ-
ence Of the island. The most notable
feature of the message Is the omission
to mention the free coinage of silver or
the currency question except to make
the useless recommendation that green
backs be retired or not reissued when
they come to the treasury. Brief allu-
sions to the tariff reiterate the claim of
Mr. Cleveland that the amount of duty
always increases the cost to that
amount, but his feeble treatment of the
tariff question, compared with the We
hement assaults made upon that tariff
in previous messages Is notable. The
tone and temper Of the whole message is
excellent and the fervid patriotism and
impartial views shown in 1t are doubt
less sincere.
Mr.. Mitchell (ep., Oregon)-The mes
sage seems to leave the Cuban situation
as he finds it, refraining from any rec
ommendation as to congressional action.
The presidents quasi-endorsement Of
the existing tariff act will scarcely be
acceptable to Republicans who believe
in the protective policy
Mr.. Pettigrew (Rep.. S. D.)-It Is the
first time in our history an executive,
who Is the representative Of defeated
party, ever glorified, as Mr.. Cleveland
does in the first paragraph of this mes
sage, over the success at the polls of his
party's opponents.
Mr.. Pritchard (Rep., N. C.)-The only
noteworthy part of the message was
that devoted to Cuba and on that ques-
ton 1t reminds me of the old rhyme:
"He wired in and wired out
And left the public still in doubt
AS to whether the hart that made the track
Was coming in or going out"
Mr.. Pugh (Dem, Ala.) The message
Is sound on Cuba, sound on the tariff and
especially sound on trusts and monopo-
lies.
Mr.. Brice, Democrat, Ohio-The pres
ident has handled the questions in as
diplomatic manner as possible.
Mr.. Nelson, Republican, Minnesota
1t Is a fair statement as regards Cuba.
Senator Tillman, Democrat. South
Carolina-It is commonplace. The best
thing about 1t is that 1t Is the last we
will have from that Source-at least the
last annual message.
Mr.. Morgan, Democrat, Alabama-In
the presidents recital of the facts and
his statement of the moral duties of the
United States toward the Cuban beliig-
erents there is a response to the senti-
ment of the people, and I believe of the
senate. In asserting that no other ma
tion must Interfere in the -, airs of
practical declaration of the Monroe doc
trine that has yet been made. But
while the present government warns off
all other nations, the message calls the
great civil war an insurrection, and on
this false declaration jus,tifies active
aid to Spain in furnishing all kinds of
military munitions, while it refuses our
people the right TO send anything, even
bread and medicine, to the insurgents.
regret that this national action is so
illogical and unjust that it must still
cost many lives and terrible suffering
to a people who are admitted by the
message to be &c war for the sake of lib
erty and not as a, means of gaining
power for personal ends.
IN THE HONSE.
Mr.. Hit of Illinois, chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs. declined