Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-16
Main Feature of the Presidents Mes
sage.
opposed TO PRESENT CONDITIONS
Apprehensions as to Agitation
Deemed Un~arranted.
POSITION OF THE SENATE

The President will not discuss N advance
wha; his recommendations to Congress will
be when that boGy reconvenes. but it Is
vel; understood that he will favor the
consideration of financial reforms. 1t is
expected that the administration policy
will be to do what is in the power of the
President and the republican House of
Representatives to secure needed legisla-
ton TO establish currency system which
wiz be beyond the reach of periodical at
tack ard, having done what can legiti-
mately be done, to let the opposition take
the responsibility of defeating it if they
choose TO do so.
Tie apprehension which some feel of
evils which might result from agitation of
the question is not entertained by those
In power. The answer to this suggestion
o. tinidity is that the business interests of
the country will not be disturbed by an at
tempt at legislation in the right direction,
even though the prospect of immediate
successful issue may not appear good. 1t
will be fully understood by the country
that no debasement of the currency can
occur during this administration If any
th1ng is accomplished it will be in the di-
Iection which is desired by the business in
terests and. that failing, conditions will
simply remain as they are until a more
"pporiune time for legislation.
No harm. 1t is argued, will result from
the attempt being made The President
and the friends of the administ ira ton fore
see that the Senate may meet the PROPOSE
tion CT currency reform by passing a free
coinage silver bill. but the country knows
that no such DILL can pass the House and
receive the approval of the President and
therefore, the business men of the country
VIII not be so stupid as to be alarmed by
any sucn thing that the Senate may do
Popular scheme of Currency Reform.
ON the other hand the belief is enter
tanned that if a popular scheme for cur
reEey reform is presented and pressed
vigorously. the action of the Senate in re-
jecting it in the interest of silverism will
place the silver party more on the defen-
sive than it now is and will bring the new
proposition advanced into the issue before
the country. 1t Is well understood that not
al the men who voted agains. BRYAN are
IL favor or merely perpetuating the pres
eht conditions and that some Will be dis
appointed II no new legislation is proposed
fhc faiiure of the administration to rec
ommeni action would he seized upon by
the opposition as evidence that the party
placed in power at the last election is not
capable of dealing with the financial cues
Ton II the course of the President and
the republicans of Congress during thc
coming session disproves such a contention
tne pest advisers of the administration
are satisfied that 1t will weaken the uosi-
tic-2 of the free silver people and if pro
posed Legislation is prevented by the silver
senators 1t will excite public sentiment
asdlhS, tne opposition even more strongly
tlan IL has been heretofore Moreover
they conceive the possibility though very
remote, OF measure being forced through
the Senate
All things considered. the friends of tho
administration cannot see how any harm
can come from the attempt at legislation.
and great many reasons can be advanced
why the attempt should be made
Will Avoid Foreign COmplfcations
IL Is not the desire of the President to
raise any excitement over foreign compli-
cations He will avoid such complications
as far as possible, and will not. unless
forced by circumstances to do so. saw any-
thing 10 arouse Congress on the subject
II is felt that much more harm can come
10 the business interests of the country
through unnecessary agitation CT the uues-
ton of our foreign relations than could
possibly result from an effort at currency
reform by the friends of a sound financial
system III the condition of our foreign
compiicatlons is such at the time of the
reassembltnS of Congress as to REQUIRE
immediate action by Congress the Pres-
dent will make that fact known and will
pursue vigorous course. but there will
re no petty agitation of these questions for
the purpose of keeping Congress and the
country in state of excitement. There
lore the Cuban question Is not expected TO
be made the feature of Mr. Mckinley's mes
sage at the opening of Congress unless a
desperate situation has developed by that
time. or there has been a settlement of the
question or one promised which may be
presented as subject of congratulations
The Hawaiian treaty is already in the
hands of the Senate and requires moth
ing more at the hands of the Presiden.
than the presentation of any additional
reasons which may have developed why
the treaty should be ratified promptly
While these questions are not to be ig-
nored. and while the general Improvement
OF business conditions in the country under
The new tariff will be a matter of interest
to report to Congress. none will be an en-
crossing feature of the message.
Promises of the Platform
The expectation is that the main feature
will be the recommendation of currency
legislation and that the President will enter
very fully and earnestly into the subject.
While there has been much conflicting ad-
vice offered, the President has given no
indication OF a change of purpose 1t is
believed that the President will make no
ordinary perfunctory recommendation hui
VIII seriously urge the proper legislation
10 carry out the promises of the republica n
platform and Will place all the power and
influence of the administration at the sery-
Ice OF Congress in this cause He is not
disposed to dwell long in admiration OF
what has already been done while there is