The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-12-23
President Mckinley and Congress.


The country has spoken in response to
the President utterances in his message
sent to Congress at the opening of the ses-
sions 1t commends cordially and with
out regard to party lines his words. Two
great subjects, the Cuban situation and
the proposed currency reform, attract
special attention, while many minor fea-
lures are also discussed. Upon the cur
rency aud the Cuban questions. however,
public attention is conferred, aud public
commentator is frankly given Good
citizens of all classes commend the Presi-
dents vigorous. fearless and frank utter
RANGES 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 President s
propositions, the utterances of those
thousands whose party preiudices are not
such as to lead them to carp at any pro-
position coming from the other side are
kindly and in many cases commendatory.
On the currency proposition the Presi-
dents plan is SO simple, yet so complete,
that it is looked upon as opening way to
complete solution OF the currency problem
without the probability of disturbing
financial conditions He proposes sim :
ply 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 con-
tinual use OF them for the purpose of
drawing gold out of the Treasury. If
this were done, it would Immediately
reduce the number of them offered be
ca Use persons offering them would know
that they could never again obtain them
1oI 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 Of the notes 50 redeemed
would contract the currency, the Presi-
dent proposes that national banks be given
authority to issue currency up to the par
value of the bonds deposited, instead of
~ 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 annum to rate of one
halt OF one per cent. per annum, 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 maintaining
the gold supply OF the country, as is done
in other countries. BY this method.
it is believed, the currency system will be
gradually recasted, until we shall wake
up some fine morning nd find the Govern
ment relieved of its duties as the banker
OF the nation, and the way seems open for
a permanent solution of what had been
looked upon as difficult and vexatious
problem.
In regard to the Cuban situation, the
President shows that his refusal to Yield,
Immediately after his Inauguration, to
the clamor for instant action was fully
Justified, since the message which he sent
Spain by the new minister was quickly
followed by such change on the part of
the new ministry of the Spanish govern
ment as to warrant the hope that auton-
omy and large m easure of those priv
leges and rights demanded by the Cubans
will be granted them, and result in a
cessation of the cruelties and hostil;ties
which have characterized the past two
years in 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 q continuation of the
cruelties and sufferings Of the past, and it
will be done in such dignifed but forceful
manner as to fully justify the confidence
which the people have reposed in him as
the head Of this nation. On other sub
jeots, such as reciprocity, the Hawaiian
situation, the civil service as outlined in
the Republican platforms of 1896 and pre-
ceding years, the President is equally
clear, dignified, and able. His message
ranks with the best that have emanated