The record-union., 1898-12-06
Many Senators Of Both Parties
Ayerse to Expressing Opinions
Until They Have Been Able to Give Careful
Attention to lis Details.

Wheeler as One of the Noted
State Papers-London Newspa-
per Comment.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Many Sem
ators excused themselves from ex-
preston of opinions at length upon the
message. on the ground that they had
not been able to give careful atten-
| ton to all the details. Republican
Senators were, however, willing to ex-
press themselves in a few general
words of commendation.
! Senator Cullom regarded it as "a
Ipainstaking, entertaining and accurate
historical review"
| Senator Platt of New York COM
mended the expression of a determine
| ton to increase the standing army
and to maintain order in Cuba until
the Cubans can take care of them
| selves.
| Senator Wolcott said it was an ad-
mirable document.
Senator Lodge said it was liable and
excellent
Senator Foraker-A good presenta-
tion of facts generally, but little in
definite on the question of Cuban in
dependence.
Senator Proctor-A good American
paper.
Senator Perkins-An able resume of
the situation and facts leading up to
the war
The Democrats were even more ad-
verse than me Republicans to dis
cussing the Faper. Senator Jones of
Arkansas was an exception. He found
in the message a number of points
which did not accord with his views.
One of these IS the proposition to con-
tinue the volunteer army in existence
until the standing army can be in
creased Some of us do not favor
the incl ease of the standing army"
he said, "and the President has no
right to assume that a majority stand
with him on that proposition
Senator Teller said there would be
disappointment over the failure of the
President to outline a government for
the Philippines On the recommended
tion in regard to currency, Senator
Teller said: THE friends of bimet-
allism. either national or international,
will find no encoura cement from any
thing that the President says in his
message"
Following are some of the opinions
expressed by members of Congress up
on the message:
Representative Hit, Chairman of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
said: THE President has summarized
and solved in an able and felicitous
manner many of the questions in mems
minds everywhere, touching the i'm
mense and rapidly succeeding events
and the situation in which the nation
finds itself. His simple proposition to
let the new possessions alone, under
just and firm Governors and by the
military arm which conquered them,
gives us time for plenty of discussion
of all the propositions for their per-
manenk government"
Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio-The message
is not one of beaten paths It is not
encountered with platitudes, and is
written in a very attractive style The
contributions to history are an elab-
crate recitation of the events of the
war, and devoid of boasting or vanity
The message on the whole is able and
eminently satisfactory.
General Wheeler CD of Alabama-It
is a clear and comprehensive resume
of events which transpired during an
eventful period of our country's his
tory. 1t will be referred to as one of
the noted State papers.
Representative Cummings CD of
New York-It is a clear concise state
ment of facts, without speculation
suggestion or recommendation. I have
an idea that the real message will be
sent hereafter.
Chairman Dingley of the Ways and
Means Committee said: seThe message
is an excellent resume of the important
events of the last year, with the presen-
tation of an existing situation and val
liable suggestions that will aid mater
tally, at the proper time hereafter, in
solving the different problems before u.s.
It is to be noted that the President
states that our revenue laws are work.
ing we'll. with no suggestion of any
needed modification
Richardson CD of Tennessee, said:
'.Tira President makes a most interest
ing and satisfactory review of the Span
ish war, but it is disappointing that he
failed to tell us what we are to do Nth
the new possessions. 1t is just as ap-
prcpriate now as it will be after the
is to- be the future of the new territory.
It might help get the treaty ratified, if
he had solved that problem 1t is i.-
teresting to note the fact that three
fourths of the message relates to for
eign affairs, and less than one fourth to
home matters. Banking and currency
and all financial reform legislation. so
properly promised in 1896, get no men
ton. and our condition in respect to
these matters is to be left UNCHANGED"
Bingham of Pennsylvania: "a brave
and clear comprehensive message.
strong as the President is in the conf
dence and esteem of the people his
message will insure greater confidence.
if possible
Representative Bailey of Texas. the
Democratic floor leader, was called from
the House by the illness of his son. ard
asked to be excused from expressing
views on the message.
FOREIGN NEWSPAPER COMMENT.
LONDON, Dec. 5.-Much having been
expected, there is a certain tone of dis
appointment in the morning paper ed
itorials on President McKinley's mes
sage. It's -committal character is
attributed to the fact that the negotia-
tions of the Peace Commissioners at
Paris are not finished Considerable