The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-12-17
COMMENTS ON THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.

Senator j. X. Jones, OF Arkansa.
says: THE presidents message /,
not surprising. Its contents hay,
been anticipated. Generally, was II
not aggressive, and was manifestly az
effort TO avoid any bold assumption o.
responsibility for radical action al
this Congress. AS to the currency,
the President is evidently DESTROYS OF
having the greenbacks retired, just as
Is the overwhelming majority of the
Republican party. In his message,
however, he does not suggest an issue
OF bonds to accomplish the end, but
says enough to make it plain that the
Republican party is bent on the re-
tirement. Democrats should labor to
impress upon the country this pur.
pose Of the Republicans to retire the
grccnbacks and bring sYput a contrac-
ton of the currency tJ1the extent of
millions, and impress the country with
the full extent of the injury that the
Republican party Is bent on doing,
the disasterous consequences Of which
they hope to escape.
I'm regard to Cuba, the President
seems content to take no radical
action, but, while %deploring the say
age.likc mode OF warfare, in which he
says both Spanish and Cubans indulge
he has hopes of early improved condi-
tions. His uttcrance is not pro-
Spanish nor Is it Cuban.
I'm advocating the annexation OF
Hawaii he is urging a proposition
against which Is massed, l believe, 30
per cent Of the American people. 1t
is an unpopular proposition, and
should be. Annexation is the scheme
Of private individuals, and it will be a
sad day for this government. when it
begins colonization. The country will
hold the Republican party responsible
for the annexation movement, and
study will bring about condemna.
tiOn."
Hon. W. ]. Bryan says: "The mes
sage indicates an intention upon the
part OF the President to aid in turn
ing the issue of paper money over to
the national banks, and, in the mean
time, a purpose to give gold Il further
superiority owe silver money.
Senator Teller says: II do not be-
licve that any legislation will be en-
acted authorizing the retention of the
greenbacks IN the treasury until some.
body is willing to pay gold for them.
The radical advocates Of the gold
standard will not be willing TO accept
this suggestion, nor will the silver
men, so far as l I'M Informed, favor
this disposition OF the financial Qucs-
tion. 1t may be that the administra-
tiOn will be willing to go no further
to meet the demands Of the so-called
currency rcformers; but, judging from
the u%tteranceS of the Secretary of the
Treasury, he will be willing to make
further concessions. ! do not believe
that the suggestion for the tying up
of the greenbacks will meet the ap-
proval of the people, as such a course
would inevitably result in great con.
traction of the currency. Indeed, it
looks to me as If the suggestions Of the
President would not be satisfactory
to any great number of people OF any
party. The President is certainly
mistaken when he says the govern.
ment is obliged to redeem Its obliga-
tions in gold. 1t has been the policy
Of the administration to so redeem,
but there is no compulsion on this
point"
Senator Pettigrew Silver Rep.)--
The President proposes to retire the
grcenbacks, and in doing so he tries
to disguise the method by which it Is
to be accomplished. 1t is plain that
II the Presidents plan Is adopted no
more greenbacks can be in circulation
than there is gold In the treasury.
Thus the greenbacks virtually become
gold certificates and will be immcdi-
ately retired.
Representative Bland (Dem.), OF
Missouri, the recognized Democratic
Free Silver leader: 1.-THE Presidents
proposition to retire the greenbacks
by holding them in the treasury
except for gold deposits, means a
contraction of the currency to the
amount Of the greenbacks so I'm
pounded. His statement OF the situa-
ton as to international b~imeiallism
will not be accepted In earnest by any
body. There are few serious in.
ternational bimetallists, but among
them l suppose the President may be
classcd as one. The message on all
subjects sounds apolopetlc and like an
affidavit for Il continuance"
When Gov. McLaurin was accused
OF getting drunk, IL he had simply