The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-06
OPINIONS UPON THE MESSAGE.
Only Fault To Be Pound 1t Does Not
say Enough.

Washington, December 5.-Following
are some of the opinions expressed by
members of Congress upon the Presi-
dents message:
Representative Hit, chairman ct the
House committee on foreign affairs, said !:
s.1he President has summarized and
solved in an able and felicitous manner
many of the questions in mems mind
everywhere touching the immense and
RAPIDLY succeeding recent events and the
Situation in which the nation finds itself.
HIS simple proposition to let the new
possessions alone undsr just and firm
by the military arm which
conquered them, gives us time for plenty
of discussion of all the propositions for
their permanent government. The prob
Ism of governing the Cubans he deals
with gently and hopefully and everybody
win wish his forecast OF stable govern
meut there will be realized sooner than
ever yet has happened to q Spanish
American population"
Repi esantative Walker, chairman Of the
committees on banking and currency:
81 am asked what l think of the cur
rency and banking features Of the Presi :
dents message. do not see that 1t has
any such features 1t contains only one
as to the currency, re-
peatiDg that Of a former message to
change the United Sta ties legal tender
notes into gold certificates which would
have no effect on the banking and cur
rency situation, but to add to the burden
of taxation without in any degree IA
yorAbly affecting the general banking
and currency situation.
MIR. Grosvenor of Ohio:
'sThe message is not along beaten
paths 1t is written in very attractive
style. The contribution to history in the
elaborate recitation of the events of tue
war are in good taste ana devoid of
Boosting or vanity. The message is
eminently satisfactory and believe will
be generally endorsed at home and
abroad.
Gen. Wheeler, Democrat OF Alabama:
sit is clear and comparative resume
of events which uranspired during an
eyentful period OF our country's his DRY.
1t will be referred to as one OF the noted
state papers.
Representative MCMILLAN. Democrat
of Tenuessee:
"On the most important question con-
fronting the nafion-what shall we do
with our newly acquired possessions
the Presidents message reminds me of
the caption of the last chapter of john
sons Rssselas, tbs conclusion in which
nothing is concluded. -
Representative Bland of Missouri:
tThe message so far as the currency
question is concerned Is very brief and
contains nothing new and nothing be-
yond former recommendations. might
remark that on the great leading issue
which is and will be the paramount
d questionable free coinage of silver, the
is ominously silent, but no pro-
position on the money question can be
considered without at the same time
this question"
Representative Cummings, Democrat
Of New York:
ut is a clear, concise statement of facts
without speculation. suggestion or recon-
mendation. I have an lea that the real
message will be sent in hereafter"
Chairman Dingley of the ways and
means committee:
''The message is an excellent resume
If the important events Of the last year,
with a clear presentation of the existing
situation and valuable suggestions that
will aid materially at tke proper time
in solving the different prob
ems before us. 1t is to be noted that the
President states that our revenue laws
are working we'll, with no suggestion of
any needed modification. The message,
Of the history making events of the last
year that it will be read with unusual
interest,"
Mr. Richardson. Democrat of Tennes-
see:
1.-THE President makes a most interest
ing and satisfactor review of the Span
ish war, but 1t is disappointing that he
tailed to tell us what we are to do with
our new possessions" 1t is just as ap.
propriate new as it will be after the
5reatyof peace for him to tell us what
to be the future of the terri ory. 1t
might help to get the treaty ratified If he
had solved the problem.
Many senators excused themselves from
EXPRESSING an opinion at length upon the
message, ON the ground that they had not
been able to give careful attention to all
jhe details.
Republican senators were, however,
willing to express themselves in a few
eneraI words of comm endation. Sena-
,or Cullom regarded it as q painstaking,
Entertaining and accurate historical
-eview.'
Senator Plat of New York commended
jhe expression Of deter ination to in-
rease the standing army and to main
in order in Cuba until the Cubans can
axe care Of themselves.
Senator Nolcott said it was an adm.
raple document