The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-06
TUESDAY DECEMBER 6. 1895.
SIXTEEN PAGES.
The Presidents Message.

- u
n dent McKlnley'' annual message
is a felicitous piece Of work; IS
"a subjective historical paper IL is a
graphic and. barring its intentional ard
brutal ~snubbing of Admiral Schley. a
meritorious compositions; as a state
in the broad sense 1t is weak,
nerveless and insipid.
So ~singularly free IL the message from
suggestions as to the future policies 20
be pursued by the government in rela-
zion to sundry problems Of greatest
gravity and moment confronting the ma
sion. that II has the appearance of hav-
sng undergone a process OF e~xpurgation
-as II Mark Hanna or somebody mad
gone over the manuscript with a blu
pencil, striking out everything that
could possibly be construed as a sentence
or clause committing the president to an
idea. Tit subject that is uppermost in
the mind OF the people. the govern
ment n disposition OF the Philippines,
Is politely dismissed with a wave of the
hand. The president eagerly avails
himself OF the excuse that the treaty
Of peace between the United States and
spain. although agreed upon. has not
been signed. sealed and delivered: and
that therefore a PRONUNCIATION at this
time OF his views regarding the man
agement OF the Philippines would be
premature and fraught with bad taste.
He generously intimates that when the
treaty is ready for formal ratification.
he may favor congress with a few re-
marks: but until then his ~sphinx-like
attitude will be maintained and the
$4,000 900 American people kept a-guess-
sng.
thin-palpably thin. spain having for
mally accepted the terms offered by
she American peace commissioners the
day has passed when complications
could be precipitated by n discussion
Of the superstructure 60 be erected on
the basis of those terms. Transparent
enough is the presidents reason for
p%ostponing the announcement OF his
policy until "a more convenient sea
SON." He wishes 10 count noses in the
senate and ascertain ~ Il is necessary
20 trim that policy's sails to insure
plain sailing. Sue course OF action IS
eminently McKinleyesque II IL the very
sntipodes OF the initiative statesman
ship OF Hamilton. Of jefferson, Of Lin
land. You may search the message de-
iivered TO congress yesterday from be-
ginning 10 end, all the way through
its 10000 words. and you will And not
n single original idea. striking sug
gestion. or germinal thought.
The presidents story OF the war {.
well told. Tn sentences are rhetorical.
ly rounded and in general the choice 81
words Is admirable. Without goinl
into detail. the story il comprehens.vs
in scope. and we know Of nothing that
has been printed more capable Of fix.
ing permanently and vividly in the
mind the salient features OF the origin
progress and elimination Of Americas
unique and dashing war with Spain
II is 20 be regretted that this otherwis,
excellent historical essay is marred BY
the presidents ~partissnship for samp-
son. h presidents refusal specifically
90 mention Admiral Schley in connection
with the naval battle or Santiago. ren.
ders that partissnship decidedly often,
sive.
Regarding Cuba. the president make,
the significant announcement nat "un,
all there is complete tranquility on the
island and a stable government inau-