The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

contains a great deal of that Conformation
of the state of the Union which the Con-
stitution directs him, from time to time, to
give to the Congress, the greater Part of
it is rightly devoted to the two subjects of
most conspicuous importance, the currency
and Cuba.
The President assumes that the tariff
act of the present Congress will ultimately
produce revenue sufficient for the needs
of the government At all events, it is
proper to give it a fair trial, and as there
is sufficient balance now in the Treasury
to meet considerable deficiency, he re-
commends no further revenue legislation
at this time But the currency demands
attention and he urges the Importance Of
wise legislation now, while it is possible,
in order to avoid a recurrence of the dan
gerous conditions of four years ago
He points out very clearly how costly
the present irredeemable currency is and
how true economy as well as safety re-
quires an intelligent reform. This por-
ton of the message is well considered and
forcible, and while the Presidents imme-
diate recommendations are few and sim
pie, they are in accord with sound prihci-
piles of currency reform and in support of
the more detailed recommendations to be
expected from the Secretary of the Treas
ury. The essential point he particularly
urges is that the United States notes, or
greenbacks, when redeemed in gold, shall
be held in the Treasury and paid out again
only in exchange for gold. This would
put an end to the costly and perilous ''end-
less chain" and the justice and common
sense of such rule arc SO obvious that it
ought to he possible to secure from Con-
gress at least this measure of currency re-
form, if not also those which look to the
extension of banking facilities in sections
now deprived of them by obsolete regula-
tions.
Having given his views on this most
impcl ative subject and before proceeding
to other domestic concerns, the President
deyotes by much the longest chapter of
his message to the situation in Cuba. This
chapter is, in effect, rehearsal of the
most recent diplomatic history and state
ment of the present attitude Of the United
States toward Spain and toward the Gu
ban instruction. The President regards
what may be called the international stu
alton as identical with that existing in
Grants administration during the ten
years war, and he quotes at length from
General Grants message on the subject in
cxpounding his view of the duty of the
United States, particularly with regard to
the question of belligercnt rights. The re-
cent change in the Spanish Ministry has
brought about change of Cuban policy,
and in view of its conciliatory attitude
and its apparently sincere promises, the
President thinks the United States should
refrain from immediate action, while main
tanning the firm and watchful position in
which this government has not faltered
1t is unlikely that this portion of the mes
sage will give satisfaction to the friends
of Cuba, either in Congress or without,
buG ~ 10 III ptll VI eHS PiCSSHt Pun PoSS W
discuss the matter here.
There is little bit of special pleading
in behalf of the annexation of Hawaii that
is not convincing and is somewhat at is.
sue with principles elsewhere laid down,
and there is kindly mention of the BIZ
metallic Commission, as though it still had
a prospect of accomplishing something,
which is evidently designed only to avoid
offending the silveritcs. Nobody knows
better than Mr. Mckinley the futility of
this dream and that our own financial Sc
curity would be better served by closing
the profitless and disturbing discussion.
The remainder of the message includes
brief survey of various administrative
matters that require no particular mention
here. 1t indicates clear understanding
of many complex subjects that come be-
fore the Executive, and its recommended
tions are generally sound and interesting.
The para graph on the civil service is evil
IDENTIFY sincere and shows no sign of sur
render to the demoraliZing influence of the
spokesman. Finally, the message ends
with the significant sentence that "il is a
commanding duty to keep the appropria
tions within the receipts of the govern
mcnt and thus avoid deficit
This is the real secret of the deficit -
not insufficient revenues, but excessive APP
preparations. And it is by restraining
the expenses of the government within the
limits of probable revenues, instead of
reaching out over land and sea for new
fields of expenditure, that the deficit is to
be avoided The President has thus given
to the Congress, on all domestic affairs at
least, good chart by which to steer
Philadelphia Times