The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-12-16
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 16, 1897.
President Mckinley and Congress.

President Mckinney ana congress-
The country has spokenin response
to the Presidents utterances in his
message sent to Congress at the open
ing of the session. 1t commends cor
daily and without regard to party
lines his words. Two great subjects,
the Cuban situation and the proposed
currency reform, attract special at
tention, while many minor features
are also discussed Upon the curren-
cy and the Cuban questions, how
ever, public attention is centered, and
public communication is frankly
given. Good citizens of all classes
commend the Presidents vigorous,
fearless and frank uttcrances on the
Cuban question, and while those who
advocated the free coinage of silver
in the last campaign can scarcely be
expected to agree with the Presidents
propositions, the utterances of those
thousands whose party prejudices
are not such as to lead them to carp
at any proposition coming from the
other side are kindly and in many
cases coBlmendatOry On the curren-
CIV proposition the Presidents plan is
50 simple, and yet so complete, that
it is looked upon as opening a way to
a complete solution of the currency
problem without the probability Of
disturbing financial conditions. He
proposes simply that the gold demand
obligations of the government when
redeemed in gold shall be set aside
and not reissued, as is now the case,
thus preventing the continual use of
them for the purpose of drawing gold
out of the treasury. If this be done
it would Immediately reduce the
numbcs Of them offered, because per
sons Offering them would know that
they could never again obtain them
for this purpose, and in many cases
they are found more convenient than
the gold which would be obtained in
exchange for them. To meet the
objection that the setting aside
currency, the President proposes
that national banks be given
authority to issue currency to the par
value of the bonds deposited instead
of ninety per cent. as at present; that
they be encouraged to increase their
currency by the reduction Of the tax
upon national bank currency from its
present rate OF one per cent. per an
mum to rate of One-half Of one per
cent. per annGm, and that the banks
be required TO redeem their notes in
gold BY this simple proposition the
burden would be transferred from the
shoulders Of the government to that
of the banks of obtaining and main
tanning the gold supply of the coun-
try, as is dGne in other countries. By
this method, which will, it is believed,
gradually recast the currency system
until we shall wake up some fine
morning and find the gOvernm ent
relieved of its duties as the banker of
the nation, the way seems to be open
for permanent solution of what had
been looked upon as a difficult and
yeNatious problem.
In regard to the Cuban situation
the President shows that his refusal
to yield, Immediately after his inau-
guration. to the cIamor for instant
action was f&lly justified since the
message which he sent to Spain by
the new minister was quickly FOLLOW
ed by sHeh change on the part of
the new ministyY,of the Spanish gov
eminent as to warrant the hope that
autonomy and a large measure OF
those priGileges and rights demanded
by the Cul9ans Will be granted them,
and result in cessation of the cruel
ties and hostilities which have char
acterized the past two years i'll that
island. If this shall not be done,
however, it is perfectly clear from
President Mckinley's words that the
United States Government will take
action to prevent a continuation of
Ine CTutlCltS anu HH'SILllSS VI pHC
past, and it will be done i'm such dig
nified and forcefuI manner as to fully
Justify the confidence which the peo-
pie have reposed in him as the head
of this nation. On other subjects,
such as reciprocity, the Hawaiian
situation, the civil service as outlined
i'm the Republican platforms of 1896
and preceding years, the President is
equally clear, dignified and able. His
message ranks with the best that
have emanated from any of the dis
tinguished occupants of the Executive
Mansion. and again shows to the
people of the United States that they
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