The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-12-11
DIVERSITY OF OPINION.
How the Presidents Message
Strikes Different Persons.
Republicans Generally Pleased with the
Document and Enthusiastic In Its Praise
Democrats, on the Other Hand,
Consider 1t a Weak Instrument

NSP-l VI H. oAhus
The presidents message is q clear and con-
sentative statement Of the national situation
1t will meet the general popular approval. As
20 The currency question, the presidents omiS-
sion to urge in detail the most radical reforms
proposed by Secretary Gage. Indicates that he
will exercise a good deal OF charity toward con-
gress, il that body should fail to get together
on the question.
Representative Grosvenor (rep.) of
Ohio, said:
The message is an especially able, clear and
satisfactory document all the way through.
The currency discussion will challenge close
examination, and in the end will be found 70 be
wise ami beneficial The Cuba section is frank,
generally, and patriotic
Representative Hit (rep.) of Illinois,
chairman of the committee on foreign
affairs:
The message shows that the president has
promptly and effectively acted on the Cuban
question in fulnllment Of the sentiments lie
had previously expressed on the Cuban struy-
gle for liberty and the just expectations Of tile
country. He has pressed upon the attention OF
the Spanish government the injuries our eusi-
ness interests are suffering. the Imprisonment
of American citizens, the barbara warfare ia
der Weyler and the need Of change in the mole
OF government in Cuba. The result has been
the release Of every imprisoned American, the
removal and disgrace of Weyler, the end OF
the concentration and starvation policy and the
presentation OF a system OF Self-government
largely based on that OF Canada When our
suggestions have thus all been accepted and
are being carried out in apparent good faltn,
which is shown by the opposition in Spain, lse
wisely thinks that good faith on our part re-
Quires that We let the measure We ourselves
suggested be trieI, at least until we can see
whether the Cubans themselves will be salts
fed. The situation is vastly different from
that Of a year ago.
Representative Walker rep LOT Mass
achusettS, chairman of the committee
on banking and currency, said, as to
the financial features of the message:
fear the message is not sufficiently specific
and does not 20 far enough to relieve the Situa-
ton. 1t does not recommend anything shall be
done until the revenues exceed the expcndi-
lures OF the government, which may be many
months in the future, and is far from immedi-
ate action. Secondly, the recommendation that
greenbackS be not paid out exc pit for gold
when once redeemed in gold, il enacted into
law, would enable one man with Sl,OOO.OG
Of grcenbackS demanding gold of the treasury
and then depOSiting the gold in the bank for
greenbackS, and repeating the process 3B times
to retire the whole s346, UOO,UOO in the time 1t
would take him to O~ScilIate between the sub
treasury in New York and his confederate for
eign broker. The recommendation that banks
be required to redeem their notes in gold with
no other provision Of law would cause every
bank in the country to surrender its circula-
ton, and then what agency would keep the
country on 4 gold basis:
Representative Henderson (rep.) }, of
Iowa:
lam pleased with the presidents message,
because it meets clearly and squarely every
vital and pressing question. On the money
question he is clear, stating our situation with
marked intelligence, pointing out our dangers
and making certain recommendations that
would certainly, If adopted, prevent for the
present at least, disasters that we have expe-
rienced in the past On the Cuban question his
course has been active, intelligent, patriotic
and wise.
Representative Hull (rep.), of Iowa,
chairman of the committee on military
affairs:
The recommendations as to currency reform
are more moderate than 1 expected, and it may
be possible for US TO come together in some
way. Personally, l am opposed to any action
on the currency at this time. l do not believe
in the international monetary congress. The
result Of the last year has to my mind demon
strated the futility Of any further effort in this
line. l cordially indorse the presidents posi-
ton as to the Hawaiian islands, but cannot
agree to his suggestion as to Cuba,
Representative Sayers (dem.) Of
Texas:
The recommendation by the president that
when any OF the United States notes shall be
redeemed in gold they shall be kept and set
apart and paid out only in exchange for gold
will be, in my judgment, II carried out, an in
direct method OF retiring the greenbacks; and
II such policy should prevail, it will be as fats
to the further use OF these notes as currency as
il they had been converted into bonds In such a
policy 1 do not concur. 1 also regard that por-
ton OF the message concerning Cuba Us fatal to
any action on the part of this government
looking to the granting Of belligerency rights
to the revolutionists-
Representative Bland (dem.), of Mis-
souri,, the recognized free silver demo
cratic leader:
The presidents proposition to retire the
greenbacks by holding them in the treasury,
except for gold deposits, means a contraction
Of the currency to the amount OF the grecnbacks
so impounded. His statement OF the situation
as to international bimetallism will not oe &C.
cepted in earnest by anybody. There are few
serious international bimetallists, but among
them 1 suppose the president may be clasSed rs
one. The message on all subjects sounds apol-
ogetic and like an affidavit for continuance
Representative Champ Clark (dem.).
of Missouri, a member of the commit
tee on foreign affairs:
The message will be a great campaign docu-
ment for the democrats. II the recommended
lions therein contained are adopted by the re.
publicans, the democrats ought to win In lS&
and 1900 hands Town.
Representative Cox (dem.), of Ten
nessee, the ranking democratic MEM
Der of the committee OF banking and
currency:
The message in relation to the currency in
nv udgm is an utter failure. II the policy
advocated vas carried out into law. 1t could
only result in the contraction OF the cur
rency, Under the arguments made BY
the president it would be the duty
of the government to redeem silver in
gold on the application OF the holder
OF silver as readily as it does the United
States notes. So, il every paper dollar OF the
government were retired, the raid could be
made on the treasury just as well with SILVER.
In regard to the recommendations as to bank
ing, they are Of such a character that no Damn
would do business under law.