New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED By MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS.


CONGRESS-.
GENERALLY CONSIDERED AN ABLE pnEsENTA-
TON OF TIE sITUATIoN-soME DIsAPPorNT-
MENr SHOWN OVER THE PART RE-
LATINO TO NEW POSSESSIONS
Washington, Dec 5.-Foowng OF the
opinions expressed by members OF Congress on the
| Presidents Message:
Representative HIT chairman OF the House Com
| mittee on Foreign AMairs-The President has sum-
| marized and solved In an able and felicltous
J ner many Of the questions IN mems minds every
where touching the immense and rapidly succeeding
| recent events and the situation In which the Ma
ton finds itself. His simple proposition to et ths
| ments by the military arm which conquered them
gives us time for plenty OF discussion OF al res
| propositions for their permanent goVerhment Lns
| problem Of governing the Cubans ne deals with
gently and hopefully and cveryoody VIII WISH mat
realized sooner than ever yet has happened 10
| Spanish american population
Chairman DINGLEY OF the Ways and Means
Committee-The Message IL an excellent resume Of
the important events Of the last year. with clear
suggestions that will aid materially a. the proper
time hereafter in solving the grooem. oetor. us.
revenue laws are working well, WIN no suggestion
Of any needed modification. The Message. although
lengthy, IL valuable recital ~ the history maxi
ing events OF the last year that will be read with
unusual interest.
Representative WALKER. chairman OF he Com.
mlttee on Banking and curroncy-f am asked what
| think Of the currency and banking features OF
the Presldsns Message 90 not see nat i mas
| any. 1t contains only recommendation as 70
tn the e f%e'y the 81 noss
into gold certificates. which would have no effect
10 the burden OF taxation without in any degree
favoraby affecting the general banking and cur
rency situation.
| Mr. RICHARDSON Dem. Tenn)-The President
makes a most Interesting and satisfactory review
Of the Spanish war. but II IS disappointing that ne
possessions II IS Just as appropriate now as It
viii be after the treaty Of peace FOR him 70 tell us
might help to get the treaty ratified II ne had
solved that problem II IS interesting TO note the
fact that three-fourths OF the Message relates 10
| foreign affairs and less than one-fourth 20 homo
matters Banking and currency and all off i Re;
! no mention and our condition IN respect 10 these
matters Is to be left unchanged.
Mr.. BINGHAM rep. Psnn2-A brave clear and
Is in tho confidence and esteem Of the people his
Message will insure greater confidence, II possible.
and strengthen his recommendations to congress
in carrying out wise and Christian policy in con-
nection with the many obligations the war has
forced upon
along beaten paths 1t IS not encumbered with plat
tudes. and is written In very attractive style.
tation OF the events of the war are IN good tsste
and devoid Of hoasting or vanity. The eminent
men-nayal and military-and the fine work OF all
our seamen and arritcers will be foqnc faly jlsti,
the Question OF currency reform viii meet the in
teligent sanction Of sound money OF all parties
great questions, forblds a detailed review IN this
ns ff Ths a 1a ne Vii fp b
generally Endorsed at home and abroad
General WHEELER. tDem. Ala)-It is clear and
comprehensive resume OF events which transprei
during an eventful period OF country's history.
II will be referred TO one Of the noted state pa
pers.
Representative MMILLIN Dem Tenn)von tho
what shall do with our newly acquired posses
sions-the Presidents Message. reminds me OF the
THE Conclusion In Which Nothing Is Concluded"
Representative BLAND dem, Mo)-The Message
s Se fa br es s and NOTHING new nd noSns
beyond former recommendations might remark
will be the paramount question. the free coinage
of silver-the Message is ominousy silent but no
sdered without at the same time considering this
question
Representative CUMMINGS Dem, ~ VT iss
clear. concise statement OF facts without speeula
ton. suggestion recommendation. have an
idea that the real Message Will be sent In here
after.
Representative BAILEY OF Texas the Democratic
leader. was called from the House by the Illness
of his son. and asked to be excused from express
ing his views on the Message.
Many Senators excused themselves from express
Ing an opinion at length the Message. on the
ground that they had not been able TO give care
full attention to all the details. Republican sena-
tors were however. willing 70 express themselves
in few general words OF commentator.
Senator CUILOM regarded u rs "A panstaking
entertaining and accurate historical review
Senator PLATT. of New-York commended tho
expression Of a determination 20 increase the stand
ing Army and to maintain order IN cuoa unul the
Cubans can take care OF themselves.
Senator WOLCOTT said II was an admirable
document.
Senator LODGE said II able and excellent
Senator FORAKER-A good presentation Of
facts generally. but little indefinite on tho ous'
ton OF Cuban independence.
Senator PROCTOR-A good American paper.
Senator PERKINS-An able resume OF the STU
alton and Of the facts leading up 10 tho war.
The Democrats even more averse than the
Republicans to discussing the paper. senator
JONES, OF Arkansas was an exception. He founo III
the Message a number OF points which did not ae-
cord with his views One OF these the proposition
TO continue the volunteer army in existence until
the standing army be increased. Some OF US
do not favor the increase of the standing army.
he said land the President has no right 10 assume
that a Majority stands with him on that PROPOSE
ton" The Senator also questioned the Presidents
right to hold the volunteers In service beyond tho
time OF signing the peace treaty, saying on this
point: There war In existence and mono ID
imminent. The law requires one or the otner con-
dton. and the threat OF the President 10 hold the
volunteers In the service until the standing army
is increased beyond what the conscenceS OF SEN
ators and members dictate looks TO me like men
ace and an effort to dictate. which consider an
outrage and unpardonable." Senator Jones inter
preted the Presidents expression on tho FINANCES
as a declaration for the gold standard and the re-
tirement OF the greenbacks. and said that he did
not believe that anything like majority OF tho
American people would indorse him I'm this respect
He also announced himself opposed 10 sub
sidy TO vessels connecting the United States Win
Porto Rico Cuba and the Philippines. as opposed
TO legislation for construction OF the Nicaragua
Canal as at present contemplated and expressed
the opinion that the President Was inclined 10 80
further In the matter OF the government Of Cupa
than the resolution OF intervention had called FOR.