New-York tribune., 1896-12-08

preston of opinion on the part OF Congress
would perhaps not be out OF place lie GER
tany makes it quite plain that he is unwilling
either to suggest remedy himself or to take
the initiative. Behind 1t all turks disposition
not to tie down the hands Of the incoming Ad-
ministration unless forced 10 do so by some
unexpected event beyond his control.
On the whole 1t may be said. judging from
stray comments heard here ard there on this
part of the Message that the seemingly color
less attitude Of the President with regard to
Cuba disappointed the outspoken friends Of the
insurgents in both houses of Congress. while 1t
appeals strongly to the commOn-sense Of dis
passionate observers whose judgment Is not en-
trely warped by their sympathes.
THE FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
a thoroughly characteristic peroration-char-
acteristic. at any rate. of Mr.. Cleveland-coses
this. his last annual Message. Still harping on
my daughter" he bemoans the failure OF this
and other Congresses to take the financial ad-
vice offered by him. Undeterred by his expert
ences In the past. he resumes once more the role
Of pedant and schoolmaster. 1t is the same tone,
mtigated only by an awakening sense OF the
ridiculous which attends the fulminations OF a
false prophet. that characterized his ante-Presi-
dental Message Of February. 1880. He calls for
the retirement OF the greenback and Treasury
notes To provide for their redemption he would
emit long-t bonds. The thought Of another
bond issue under his Administration has evident
ly no terrors for him.
With a faulty which would be grotesque were
II not childish. he seeks to persuade others as
he pretends 70 have persuaded himself that If
let alone the present tariff Will ultimately pro-
duce sufficient revenue for the needs Of the Gov
yet to be created under the workings Of this
beautiful law he would meet with the "surplus'-
surplus is the word used by him-now on hand.
And to bolster up this proposition he enters into
a discussion of the difference existing between
useless hoard" accumulated by an individual
and by Government. 1T rs not one Of the func-
tions Of our Government he exclaims. ito ac-
cumuate and make additions to fund not need
ed for immediate expenditure"
The entire passage must be read to be appre-
cated. 1t Is by far the most humorous manifes-
tation Of the "parochial' intellect; doubly so
when studied In connection with the firm though
conservative tone of the Cuban part Of the Mes
sage. 1t is incredible that the same hand should
have penned both parts of the Message
The suspicion. indeed is justified that the
opening pages were written by Secretary Olney.
and not by Mr. Cleveland. Could anybody imag-
inc, for instance. Mr.. Oney writing the follow
ing involved and obscure sentence:
when have seen those who pose as the SOL
diers' friends active and alert in urging greater
laxity and more reckless pension expenditure.
while nursing selfish schemes have deprecated
the approach OF a situation when necessary re-
trenchment and enforced economy may lead to
an attack upon pension abuses so determined as
to overlook the discrimination due to those who.
worthy of a nations care, ought to live and die
under the protection of a nations gratitude"
A NEW DEPARTURE.
The reference in an early part of the Message
to a report by the Secretary OF state involves
new departure which is worthy of notice
Heretofore the President has himself given In his
Message the main features of the diplomatic in
tercourse with foreign governments for the year
a detailed account Of that intercourse was sup
posed to be contained in the volumes of foreign
relations" published by the State Department
some months subsequently. An elaborate and
prompt report of the State Departments doings
IS a novelty as sensible as IT must prove shocking
TO the cobwebbed intellects of diplomatic under
strappers
SCENES IN THE HOUSE.
Although the first days proceedings Of the pc
nultimate session vary little. in the House Of Rep
at least. from Congress to Congress-
they seem to possess perennial interest for the
multitude. a fair proportion of which has Wit
messed or struggled to witness, such proceedings
i'm many successive Congresses. TWO hours be-
fore the House called to order the spacious
corridors and lobbies were comfortably filed:
hour later they were jammed. and when the
doors Of the galleries were opened the rush and
scramble for places was terrific. Not more than
one fourth of the eager crowd could gain admit
tance or force itself within earshot Of the pro-
ceedings The scramble seemed TO be even great
er than at the opening of the first session Of this
Congress- when Republican Speaker was to be
installed in place of a Democrat who had held
the Cavel for four years and whose desk was
covered to-day with a sable mantle and funeral
wreath.
The 1000 men and women who were fortunate
enough to secure places in the galleries looked
down upon an animated scene, for nearly every
member of the House who had reached Wash
incton made II point to be on hand early. and
the utmost good humor prevailed. Even the
men who had gone down in defeat appeared to
take matters philosophcally and enjoy them
selves because there was no Growing over their
msfortunes. Even Josiah Patterson. or Ten
nessac had no reason to complain that the well
come he received from the silver Democrats
was not cordial or that the sympathy they ex-
pressed for him was not heartfelt and sincere.
AS one of them afterward remarked TO n
friend: 1T seems a pity not 10 have enough
gold bug Democrats in the next House for seed.
and. besides Patterson is a jolly good fellow
Another conspicuous gold Democrat. whose
tall form lowered far above most OF the Popo-
Gratis was Hall. of Missouri. whose inky COM
bat with Money. Of Mississippi at the last ses-
sion may be recalled.
How do you feel" asked Tribune corre-
spondent
Feel? Why, feel that ] am glad to be al
lowed to live. coming as do from state that
gave a Popocratic majority OF JS,Wo
His colleague. Dockery, was another early
conner smiling and self-satisfed. the Popocrats
having increased hi, majority. In the next
Congress bitter will he the struggle between
him and Holman for the title Of Economist
which the former has worn during the two years.
enforced retirement of the latter
uANDSIIAEERS AT WORK