Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-06
A WEAK STATEPAPER
THAT Is THE PREVAILING op,>
Ton or MKINLEx's INAUGURAL
WHAT RICHMOND PROpLE THINK
The Return of the Provisional Rat
taIion-DciishtfuI Experiences in
Washinston-An Act Of Courtes,--
The business OF the Railroads.

Mckinley was tho principal tonic dis
cusscd here IN political. financial and
business circles yesterday. Tho cr,tt-
clsms were very trenchant. but few con.
ucmcn could be found who were Will
ng TO express an opinion for prbpca-
ton. The Importance OF the document
and the shortness Of the time for ts
consideration were advanced by marv
gentlemen as reasons for declining 10
Doe interviewed on the subject Tho,
too very many were found who had
not even read the message. and others
san who had laid It by to be dIeeste5
slowly, and az leisure.
a COIORLESs INAUGURAL,
Colonel William Palmer president Of
the city Bank, said:
"lt is colorless inaugural There ,s
not enough said on banking and currency
10 warrant any criticism"
Judge Lamb of the Chancery Court
said: IT haven't read it vet. but everv-
body knows that a monetary conference
is ridiculous. and that international BIZ
mctalnsm is absurd Even Mckinley
knows that"
Colonel Cary said II do not think Nc
Kinley has met the issues squarely.
am not particularly disappointed that no
direct alusion has been made 10 the
Cuban situation"
Judge IT w. Flournoy said: 'AcKin-
ley's protective tariff views mean in
creased taxation. and 1 don't think in
creased taxation means increased pros
perity. II bimetallism is right. it ought
20 be enforced by the legislative power
OF this country and it cannot be con-
trolled by international agreement be-
tween the great Powers Of the world as
matter Of commercial principle. The
government ought not 10 higgle with the
nations Of the world for an international
agreement 1 think that McKinley's ad-
ministration will be better for the coun-
Try than Clevelands. however"
A VERY WEAK PAPER.
Mr. S. 5. p. Patteson said: "There
has never been weaker inaugural since
the time of William Henry Harrison or
General Zachary Taylor. There is abso-
lutely nothing in Mr.. McKinley's adj
dress worthy of serious consideration
speech made in Petersburg I'm behalf OF
John s. Wise. when that gentleman was
a candidate for Governor of Virginia.
Mckinley is o curious instance Of a
President being involved by singular
business and political conditions There
is no point in what he says. even on the
tariff. The paper is as near colorless
as public utterance can well be.
read it yesterday afternoon and II made
% c1f uh
TO read It again this morning, which l
did. with even a worse result.
His position on the money question
is ridiculous No sane man believes that
international bimetallism IS possible. and
We; this puny representative of the
wornout old Republican party has the
bad taste to advocate it.
THE address is not manly, and II is a
political straddle from beginning to end. |
mo Democrat would ever have
fathered such a feeble State paper.
There Is not a word about Cuba, and !
that is the most important question be- |
fore the American people.
mo one can read the inaugural with |
out coming TO the conclusion that VIII |
liam Mckinley got to be President by
not saying anything at any time to any !
one calculated 70 give offence.
1T will live in history on d par with |
the message Of that President. who con- !
graduated Congress on the United States |
being at peace with all the world, and /
on amicable relations with the rest Of |
mankind
OTHER OPINIONS EXPRESSED.
NIr. Julian Bryant: The main danger !
for us lies in the high. protective tariff |
clause. / saw little 10 commend in the |
document.
Mr.. c. NJ. Wallace: Dramatically and |
rhetorically considered. it is deplorably |
weak state paper. Mr.. Mckinley will |
suit the Republicans. He appears from |
his message to be a man Of very little |
individuality. In some respects, the |
speech is very inconsistent. particularly |
iu reference TO the reduction of govern /
mnt expenses and the increase Of pen
s.ons
SIR. John p. Branch: I think Mckinley
viii make a good President He seems /
TO De sdeferring the money question for 1
% later day. I think it should be taken
up no once
mr. A. L. Boulware: The message
deals in vague generalities, and is not
al an O striking document haven't
had time 20 read It carefully.
Major DOOley: After reading Mckin-
ley'5 message with care and interest, |
am Of opinion that 1t is a very conserva-
Tive document. OF course, l do not agree
with him on the subject Of protection;
but 81 the tariff is 10 be changed, the
sooner it is done the better for the bust
ness ~ The country. His declaration IN
favor Of International agreement and the
subject of free coinage Of silver is in &C
cord with the platform Of his party and
is aa little as lie could well have said
on the subject OF course, old-lne Dem
ocrats like myself cannot be supposed
20 agree with McKinley's Views about |
protection.
Major William IL. Sands: IL Is very
weak message. L looked eagerly Tor
some expression Of policy towards CUBA,
and was greatly disappointed that no
allusion was made 10 that situation.
I'm one Of the local banks the address
was discussed by the directors yester-
day morning. There were only two pres
emit who said that they had read the
message and by them the financial policy
outlined was severely criticised.
Return of the Richmond Military.
The battalion Of the First Regiment
which attended the Inauguration OF Presi-
dent Mckinley returned home last night
arriving IN the city shortly after
o'clock The boys were tired out. but
delighted with their experiences. They
were feted and honored, and met win
warm reception on all hands.
An incident that contributed 10 the
warmth OF their reception was the re-
signing by Captain Cunningham, COM
handing the battalion of the position
~ honor accorded them I'm the second
division Of the great parade. In favor OF
The New York militia, with Governor
Black and his stan The matter was
commented on in the press, and the
generosity Of the act was loudly APP
Dl4udoa