Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-06

tention to all the details Republican
Senator's, were, however, willing to ex-
press themselves in few general
worus OF commentator.
The Democrats were even more
averse than the Republicans TO discuss
the paper Senator Jones, of Arkan-
sas, was an exception. He found in
the message number of points which
did not accord with his views. One of
these was the proposition to continue
the volunteer army in existence until
the standing army can be increased.
Some of US do not favor the increase
of the standing army" he said and
the President has no right to assume
that majority stand with him on that
proposition"
The Arkansas Senator also question
ed the Presidents right TO hold the
volunteers in service beyond the time
of singing the peace treaty, saying Oh
this point:
There is no war in existence and
none is imminent. The law requires
one or the other condition and the
threat of the President to hold the VOL
unteers in the service until the stand
ing army is increased beyond what the
consciences of Senators and members
dictate looks to me like a menace and
an effort to dictate which l consider an
outrage and objectionable"
Senator Jones interpreted the Pre-
sident's expression upon the finances
as a procurement for the gold stand
ard and for the retirement OF the green
backs, and said that he did not believe
that anything like majority or the
American people would endorse him
in this respect. The Senator also an
nounced himself as opposed to sub
sids to vessels connecting the United
Staten with Porto Rico, Cuba and the
Philippines, as opposed to legislation
for the construction of the Nicaragua
canal, as at present contemplated, and
expressed the opinion that the Presid-
ent was inclined to go farther in the
matter of the government OF Cuba than
the resolution of Intervention had call
ed forth.
I'VE declared" he said on this point,
''in favor of taking them to that point
at which they could maintain stable
government and l do not see how we
can go beyond that.
ITO go to the extent of insuring, as
the President recommends, complete
tranquility, might prove preteXt for
a military government and permanent
occupation never to be ended. | do
not endorse any such an understand
ing"
Senator Jones also expressed sur
prise at the absence of any recommen-
dation concerning the Philippines.
THE question of the government of
the Philippines is attracting much Mt
tention," he said. 'and the fact that
the President utterly ignores it strikes
me as very singular"
Senator Pasco also commented upon
the absence of any reference to points
concerning which We most desire infor-
nation"
Senator Teller said there would he
disappointment over the failure OF tne
President to outline a government for
the Philippines, saying:
There will be some disappointment
in this, for | think the understanding
has been that the President would in
dictate what form of government should
be provided for these new possessions.
But it is wise for the President not 10
indicate his views on that subject, for
that is purely and properly a legisla-
tive question and one that should be
left to Congress-
On the recommendations in regard
to currency, Senator Teller said:
The friends of bimetallsm, either
national or international, will find no
encouragement from anything the
President says in his message. No
reference is made to international BIZ
metallism, but the President in the
most emphatic way indicates his in
tention to maintain the gold standard.
The so-called Silver Republicans who
remain in the Republican party and
contend that the Republican party is
friendly to silver, will find no encour-
agement in the Presidents message,
and it will strike all as somewhat sin
gular that if the Republican party, as
it is claimed, is in favor of interna-
tional bimetallism, the President
makes no reference to it."
Following are some of the opinions
expressed by members of Congress
upon the Presidents message:
Representative Walker, chairman of
the committee on banking and cur
rency:
Il am asked what think of the cur
rency and banking features of the Pre-
sident's message. / do not see that it
has any such features. l have not been
able to detect any. 1t contains only
one recommendation as to the cur
rency. repeating that of former mes
sage TO change the United States legal
tender notes into gold certificates, which
would have no effect on the banking
and currency situation but to add to
the burden of taxation without in any
way being favorably affecting the gen.
eral banking and currency situation"
Gen. Wheeler, Dem, of Alabama:
1T was clear, comprehensive re-
sumo 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 MeMillen, Dem, of
Tennessee:
.'On the most important question
confronting the nation-what shall we
do with our newly acquired possess
ions-the Presidents message reminds
one Of the caption of the last chapter of
Johnson's Rasselas, The conclusion in
which nothing is concluded
Representative Bland. of Missouri,
said:
The message, SO far as the currency
question is concerned, Is very brief
and contains nothing new and nothing