The record-union., 1897-12-07
WHOLE NO.

the removal and disgrace of Weyler;
the end of the concentration and staIva-
ton policy, and the presentation OF
a system of Self-governlnent largely
based on that of Canada. When our
suggestions have thus all been ACCEPT
ed, and are being carried out in appar-
ent good faith, which is shown by the
opposition in Spain, he wisely thinks
that good faith on our part requires
that We let the measure we ourselves
suggested be tried at least until we can
see whether the Cubans themselves Will
be satisfied. The situation is vastly
different from that of year ago.
Representative Walker (Fs.) of Massa-
chusetts, Chairman of the Committee
on Banking and Currency, said, as to
the financial features of the message:
Il fear the message is not sufficiently
specific, and does not so far enough to
relieve the situation. 1t does not rec
ommend that anything shall be done
until the revenues exceed the expendi-
tures of the Government, which may
be many months in the future. and is
far from immediate action. Secondly,
the recommendation that greenbacks be
not paid out except for gold when once
redeemed in gold, if enacted into law,
would enable one man with 81 ,000, 600
of greenbacks demanding gold of the
Treasury and then depositing gold in
the bank for greenbacks, and repeating
the process 346 times, to retire the
whole S346, 100000 in the time ii would
take him to osciuate between the sub
Treasury in New York and his con-
federate foreign brokers. The recon-
mendation that banks be required to re-
deem their notes in gold. with no other
provision of law, would cause every
bank in the country to surrender it's
circulation. and then what agency
would keep the country on a gold ba-
sis?
Representative Henderson R.) OF
Iowa-I am pleased with the Presi-
dents message, because it meets clearly
and squarely every vital and pressing
question On the money question he is
clear, stating our situation with mark
ed Intelligence, pointing out our danger.
and making certain recommendations
that would certainly, if adopted, pre-
vent, for the present, at least, disas-
ters that we have experienced in the
past. On the Cuban question his
course has been active, intelligent. pa
trfotic and wise.
Representative Hill R) of Iowa.
Chairman of the Committee on Militia
ry Anairs-The recommendations as to
the currency reform are more moderate
than 1 expected. I cordially indorse
the Presidents position as to the Ha-
waiian Islands, but cannot agree to his
suggestions as to Cuba
Representative Bland CD of Missouri.
the recognized free silver Democratic
leader. said: THE Presidents promo
sition to retire the greenbacks. by hold
ing them in the treasury for gold de-
posits, means a contraction of the cur
rency to the amount OF the greenbacks
so impounded. His statement of the
situation as to international bimetallism
will not be accepted in earnest by any
body. There are few serious interna-
tional bimetallists, but among them I
suppose the President may be classed as
one. The message on all subjects sounds
apologize, and like an affidavit for con-
tinuance.'
Representative Cox O) of Tennessee,
the ranking Democratic member of the
Committee on Banking and Currency
The message in regard to the currency
in my Judgment is an utter failure. If
into law it could only result in the con-
traction of the currency. Under the
arguments made by the President, it
would be the duty of the Government to
redeem silver in gold on the applica-
tion of the holder of silver as readily as
it does the United States notes. So if
every paper dollar of the Government
was retired. the raid could be made on
the inc al e-;Ix
In regard to the recommendations as
to banking, they are of such a charac-
ter that no business bank would do
business under such a law.
FOREIGN PRESS COMMENT.
LONDON, Dec. 6.-The Daily Tele-
graph" commenting editorially on
President McKinley's message this
morning, says: 1T used to be Americas
proud boast that she had no foreign poll
icy. Judging from President McKir-
ley's message, the new world is no more
free from the burdens of diplomatic ne
sotiations than the old. In a document
of portentous length, mostly intended
for Spanish consumption, President Nc
kinley has devised a specious pretext
for gaining time. 1t contains passages
that will certainly wound Spains ma
tional susceptibilities. The whole tone.
though meant to be conciliatory, savors
too much of the magistrate awaiting
himself of the first offenders act to be
very acceptable at Madrid. Spain may
not be so thick skinned as we are to
these delicate usages of Americas dip
lomatic courtesy. Moreover, there are
serious dangers of revolution in Spain.
and the indiscreet adjectives President
Mckinley applies to General Weyler's
policy VIII not lesson the Iatter's popu-
larity.
Much depends upon the attitude of
Congress. If, as our correspondent
thinks, the jingoes acquiesce in the de-
cision of the executive, and give the
Spaniards chance, all may yet be well,
but recent experience does not make us
over sanguine.'
The Daily Chronicle" describes the
message as weak and colorless, COM
pared with the vigorous handling of
public questions to which Mr.. Cleveland
accustomed u.s.
The Morning POST after paying a
tribute to the Presidents fine sense of
duty in the face of domestic trouble, in
sending the message at the appointed
hour, says: ION the Cuban question
the President is vague and diffuse, but
studiously correct" The editorial spe-
cificaly praises President McKinley's
treatment of the currency question.
The Times" says: Its tone of pat
ronizing tolerance will make the mes
sage not wholly agreeable to Spain.
Probably the President calculates that
if he can satisfy the jingoes for a time
with eloquent denunciations and warn