Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-08
HOW THEY LIKEIT
Comment of Lawmakers on the
Presidents Message.
REMARKS AS TO SALIENT POINTS,

Which at the Capital Are Cuba, the Tariff
and the Finauees-Cannon of Illinois
Criticises the Tariff Part and Morgan Of
dents View of Cuba-Nothins Of Par
ticular Interest In the Opening Of Con-
gress-Senate Caucus Today.
Washington, Dec. S.-Comments in the
senate on the presidents message were
generally favorable to the tenor of the
message 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 committee on foreign relations. ex-
cused themselves from expressing opin-
ions on the ground that they had not
given it careful reading.
Pettigrew-It is the first time in our
history that an executive who is the
representative of a defeated party ever
glorified as Mr.. Cleveland does in the
first paragraph Of this message over
opponents
PuSh-The message is sound ON Cuba,
sound on tariff and especially sound on
trusts and monopolies.
Brice-The president has handled the
questions in as diplomatic a manner as
possible.
Nelson Rep.) of Minnesota-It is a
fair statement SO far as regards Cuba.
Tillman Fintas Some Objectians.
Tillman-It is commonplace. After
promising not to go into details he goes
in rather deliberately. The best thing
about it is that Rt is the last we will
have from that source, at least the last
annual message.
Morgan-In the presidents recital OF
facts and his statement OF the moral
duties of the United States toward the
Cuban belligerents there is a response
to the sentiment of the people. and, I be-
lieve, of the senate. In asserting that
TO other nation must interfere in the
affairs of Cuba there is the most de-
cisive and practical declaration Of the
Monroe doctrine that has yet been
made. But while the present govern
ment warns off all other nations the
message calls the great civil war an
insurrection. and on i.his false declara-
ton it justifies active aid to Spain in
furnishing all kinds oi' military NUM-
tons while it refuses our people the
right to send anything even bread or
medicines, to the insurgents. I regret
that this national action is so illogical
and unjust, and that it must still cost
many lives and terri BILE suffering to
a people who are admitted by the
message to be at war for the sake OF
liberty and not as a means Of gaining
power for personal ends.
New Feature. I'm reports.
y new feature in the dep artmental
reports that are annually submitted to
congress was one from Secretary Oh
ney-the first time a report nom the
state department has been suTnbitted
to congress. AS to Cuba Olney takes
substantially the same view as the
president. leaning probably a little more
in favor Of the insurgents. and going
| more into detail. He cites the
responsibility of the rebels in theil
destruction of American plantaf..on
| which he calls anarchy. and on the 9TH
| er hand he complains of the arbitrary
| action of the Spanish regarding Amerf-
| cans in Cuba. which keeps the Washing
| ton authorities continually remonstrat-
| ing. He says the present insurrection
is far more formidable than any pre-
ceding one. He treats the Venezuela
matter a little more at length than the
, president does and in practically the
| same vein.