The herald., 1897-12-07
CURRENT
COMMENT
On the Presidents Mes
sage to Congress
" SENATORS HAD FOUR FEET
UHEY'D USE THEM ALL TO JUMP
ON THE DOCUMENT
AL the Democrats and Most Of the Re-
publicans Have Some Fault
" SENATORS HAD FOUR FEET
CHEY'D USE THEM ALL TO JUMP
ON THE DOCUMENT
AL the Democrats and Most Of the Re-
publicans Have Some Fault
to Find
Associated Press Special wire.

senators were generally averse to ex
pressing any opinion upon the message
Senator Roach was an exception. II.
called especial attention to the presl
dents declaration that the government
Is pledged to maintain gold redemption
This" he said, "is a mere assumption
We have not single obligation which
u not explicitly redeemable In 'coin,' tn,
word gold being mentioned in none O.
them
Senator White. Democrat, of Califor
MIA, member Of the finance committee
was disposed to take the message jocu
larly. He said:
"The message is very elaborate
though its conclusions are somewha
veiled. regret that cannot agree will
the presidents Hawaiian notions, ant
that he has failed to inform US what W.
ought to do concerning Secretary Cages
great currency reform plan. was GLAD
to observe that he adopts the views
have frequently urged regarding Cuba
and executive Jurisdiction upon the sub
ject Of belligerency."
Views by Republican senators were
expressed as follows:
Senator Allen--I do not take the de-
opairing view concerning our currency
which the president presents. While
there are some improvements which ]
should like to see made, think we shall
be able to get along II we do not get any
currency legislation, and as the situa-
tion presents itself now 1t looks as II
It might be impracticable to secure
legislation on the lines Of the presidents &
recommendations. The recommenda-
tions in regard to Cuba are humane and
considerate.
Senator Hale-The recommendation
In regard to Cuba is in all respects ad-
mirabIe and one with which I am much
pleased. On the subject of the finances
the president does not press for imme-
diate action, and as for myself do not
believe that such would be possible un-
der the circumstances.
Senator Hoar-It struck me as wise,
compact and carefully considered docu-
ment.
Senator Foraker-As whole, the mes
sage is an able document, but do not
agree with the president conclusions
on the subject Of international law as
applied to Cuba.
Senator Chandler-I am especially
pleased with the presidents evident in
tention to maintain policy in the in
terest of International bimetallism.
Senator Hanna-It Is q statesmanlike
and American paper; impressive and
convincing, and one which will confirm
the confidence the country has in the
president.
Senator Smith, Democrat-While some
of the presidents recommendations with
regard to the currency may be well
enough. it must be evident to him that
at the present time they are impossible
of enactment. His reference to bonds
Is painfully suggestive of the inade-
quacy OF the present tariff law, and
while his policy in regard to Cuba seems
moderate hardly think it is in line
with the supposed policy Of the Repub-
lican party.
Senator Allison, Populist-I do not
care to enter upon criticism Of the
presidents utterance, but will say that
! fail to agree with him on his three
principal suggestions Of policy.
Senator Teller, Silver Republican,
do not believe that any legislation will
be enacted authorizing the retention Of
somebody 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,
DO far as I am informed, favor this dis
position of the financial question. 1t
may be that the administration may be
willing to go further to meet the de-
mands Of the so-called currency reform
ers, but judging from the utterances of
the secretary Of the treasury he will be
willing to make further concessions. /
do not believe that the suggestion for
the retiring of the greenbacks will meet
the approval of the people as such a.
course would inevitably result in get
ting contraction of the currency. Indeed
1t 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 mis-
taken when he says the government is
obliged to redeem it's obligations III
gold. 1t has been the policy of the ad-
ministration to SO redeem, but there Is
no compulsion on this point.
Senator Pettigrew, Silver Republican
The president proposes to retire the
greenbacks and in SO doing he tries to
disguise the method by which 1t is to be
accomplished. 1t is plain that If 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 certi-
ficates and viii be Immediately retired.
THE CONGREssMEN
Representative Dolliver, Republican
of Iowa, said:
"The presidents message is a clear
and conservative statement of the ma
tional situation. AS to the currency
question the presidents omission to
urge in detail the most radical reforms
proposed by Secretary Gage, indicates
that he will exercise a good deal of
charity toward congress If that body
should fail to get together on the cues
tion."
Representative Hit. Republican, of
Illinois, chairman Of the committee on
foreign affairs-The message shows
that the president has promptly and
effectively acted on the Cuban question.
He has pressed upon the attention Of
the Spanish government the injuries
our business interests were suffering,