The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-09
OPINIONS ON THE MESSAGE
BRIEF STATEMENTS FROM SOME M
THE LEADING MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS.
Mr.. ALLISON DOES NOT APPROVE
vi many Things I'm the Document.
Hanna Thought 1t Was Great.
s"yers Don't Like His Currency
or Cuban Suggestions.


opinion on the message.
Senator Roach was an exception TO the
rule IN this class. He called especial Mt.
tentlon to the presidents declaration TINT
the government is pledged to maintain
gold redemption.
1his'' he said, SIS mere ASSUMPTION.
we have not a single obligation which is
not explicitly redeeinable in coin, The
word gold being mentioned in none of
Senator White (dem.) of California and
member of the finance committee, was
disposed to talk of the message jocu-
larly. He said: ''~'
The message is very elaborate. though
It's conclusions are somewhat yelled.
regret mat can not agree with the pres.
ident's Hawaiian notions and tint he
mas failed to inform us what we Ought
to do concerning Secretary Cages great
currency reform plan. ! am glad to OBJ.
serve that he adopts ole view that |
nave frequently urged regarding Cuba
and executive jurisdiction upon the sub.
ject of belligerency."
Views by republican senators were OK.
pressed as follows:
Senator Allison. II do NOT take the
dispiriting view concerning our country
which the president presents. While
there are some improvements which |
would like to see made, | think we shall
be able to get along if we don't get any
currency legislation and as the situation
presents itself now. it looks rs if il might
be impracticable to secure legislation on
the lines of the presidents recommends
lions. The recommendations in regard
Ja,,
ate"
Senator Hale: "Thc recommendations
| in regard to Cuba is ia all respects ad
mirablc and one with which ! am mucl
| pleased. On the subject of the finances
the president does not press for imme
| date action, and as for myself | do moi
| believe it would be possible under the
| circumstances"
Senator Hoar: at struck me ms q
wise, compact and carefully considered
| document"
Senator Foraker: "As a whole, the
message is an able document, hut | dom
agree with the presidents conclusion OF
the subject of international law as mp
piled to Cuba. The presidents dealing
with the currency is suggestive but
have not been able to give sufficient at
| tention to it to justify me in expressing
an opinion upon it,"
Senator Chandler: 81 am especially
pleased with the presidents evident in
| tention to maintain a policy in the inter
est of international bimetallsm."
Senator Hanna: 1T is n statesman
like and American paper, impressive ant
convincing and one which will confirm
the confidence the country has in thu
president"
Senator Burrows: 1T is clear, con
else and comprehensive message. 1t GOV
ers all our concerns, national and foreign
treating them with frankness and grea
perspcuity."
Senator Smith (dcm): "While some o.
the presidents recommendations with re
| gard to the currency may he well enough
it must be evident to him that at thu
present time they are impossible of en-
actment. His reference to bonds is pain
| fully suggestive of the inadequacy o.
| the present tariff law and while his pol
| icy in regard to Cuba seems moderate
| hardly think it is in line with the sup
posed policy of the republican party"
Senator Allen pop): 81 do not care
| to enter upon Il criticism or the prcsl
| dents utterancps. but | will say that
| fail to agree with him on his three prin
| cipa suggestions of policy. ! do not
think it possible TO secure the currency
| legislation which he recommends
Senator Teller (sil. rep: 81 do not be-
lieve that any legislation will be enacted
authorizing the retention of grcenbackS
| in the treasury until somebody Is willing
TO pay gold for them. The. radical nd
vocates of the gold standard will not BE-
willing to accept this suggestion. nor VIII
the silver men. so far as am informed
favor this disposition of the financial
IA
tration will he willing to go further to
meet the demands of the so-caled cur
rcncy refOrmers. but Judging from the
utteranccs of the secretary, he Will no,
he willing to make further concessions
| do not believe the system for tying NJ
the grcenbacks will meet the approval OF
the people. as such Il course would III,
evitably result in great contraction oil
the currency. Indeed. it looks TO me Of
if the suggestions of the president would
not be satisfactory TO any great number
of people of any party. The president
is certainly mistaken when he says thai
the government is obliged 10 redeem it,
obligations in gold. 1t has been the pol
icy of the administration to so redeem
but there is no compulsion on this point.
Senator Pettigrcw: "Ihe president
proposes TO retire the crecnbacEs. and n
doing so he tries to disguise the mefhoo
by which il il to be Accomplished. il
is plain that If the presidents plan is
adopted no more grepnbacks can be III
circuat ion than there is gold in the treas
ury. Thus the greenbacks virtually be-
come gold certificates and will be imme
dotely retired"
Representative Savers (dem.) Of TeH'
rs: "The recommendation bv the prcs''
dent that when the United States notes
shall be redeemed in gold they shall
he kept and set apart and paid out only
in exchange for gold will be. IN my
Judgment. if carried out, an indirect
method of retiring the greenbacks. and
If such policy should prevail it Will he
rs fatal to the further use If these
notes rs currency as if they had been
converted into bonds. In such y policy
do not concur. ] also regard that
,ortion of the message concerning
tuba as fatal to any action on the part
f this government looking to the grant
ng of belligerent rights to the reyoIu-
tionists."
Representative Bland (dem.) of Mis-
ouri. the recognized democratic free
liver leader: "The presidents propo-
.ition to retire the greenbacks by mold
ng them in the treasury for gold DE-
,osits means contraction of the cur
ency to the amount of greenbacks COM
,ounded. His statement of the situa.
ion as to international bimetallism VIII
,ot be accepted in earnest by anybody.
There are few serious international DE-
netallists but among them ! suppose
he president may he classed as one.
me message on this subject sounds
pologetic and like an affidavit for
ontinuance." -, e
Representative Champ Clark (dem.) Of
Missouri. a member of the committee
N foreign affairs: 'The message VIII