Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-06
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Following are
some of the opinions expressed by MEM
bers of Congress upon the Presidents
message:
Representative HIT chairman of the
House committee on foreign affairs, said
1.-THE President has summarized and
solved in an able and felicitous manner
many of the questions on mems minds
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 pos
sessions alone under just and firm gov
ernments by the military arm which con.
quered them gives us time for plenty of
discussion of all the propositions for their
permanent government. The problem OF
governing the Cubans he deals with gent
ly and hopefully and everybody will wish
that his forecast of stable government
there will be realized sooner than ever
yet has happened to a Spanish-American
Representative Walker, chairman of the
committee on banking and currency: -
am asked what l think of the currency
and banking features of the Presidents
message. l do not see that it has any
such features. 1t contains only one
recommendation as to the currency, re-
change the United States 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 favor
ably affecting the general banking and
currency situation.
MT. GfOSVenOr OF ONO. lne message
is not along beaten paths. 1t is written
in very attractive style. The contribu-
ton to history, that elaborate recitation
of the events of the war, is in good taste
and devoid of boasting or vanity. The
message is able and eminently satisfac-
tory and l believe will be generally en-
dorsed at home and abroad.
General Wheeler, Democrat, of Ala
baIna: 1T is a clear and comparative 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 Mcmillan, Dem, of Ten
nessee: Ion the most important question
confronting the nation-what shall we do
with our newly acquired possessions-the
Presidents message reminds one of the
caption of the last chapter of Johnson s
'Rasselas, The conclusion in which moth
ing is concluded. "
Representative Bland of Missouri: ''The
message so far the currency question
is concerned is very brief and contains
nothing new and nothing beyond former
recommendations. | might remark that
on the great leading issue-which is and
will be the paramount questionable free
coinage of silver, the message is .ominous-
ly silent, but no proposition on the money
question can be considered without at the
same time considering this question"
Representative Cummings, Dem, New
York: ut is a clear, concise statement OF
facts, without speculation, suggestion o.
Recommendation, | have an idea that the
real message will be sent in hereafter.
Chairman Dingley of the ways. and
means committee: The message is an
excellent resume of the important events
of the last year, with IA clear presentation
of the existing situation and valuable
suggestions that will aid materially a.
the proper time hereafter in solving the
different problems before US. 1T is to be
noted that the President states That our
revenue laws are working well, with no
suggestion of any needed modification
The message, although lengthy is SO val
liable a recital of the history-making
events of the last year that it will be read
with unusual interest
Mr.. Richardson, Dem, tennessee: 'Ihe
President makes a most interesting and
satisfactory review of the Spanish war,
but it is disappointing that he failed to
tell us what we are to do with our new
acquisitions. 1t is just as appropriate now
as it will be after the treaty of peace for
him to tell us what is to be the future OF
the territory. 1t might help to get the
lem
Many senators excused themselves
from expressing an opinion at length
upon the message, on the ground they
had not been able to give careful atten
. ton to all the details. Republican sena-
tors We're, however, willing to express
themselves in few general words OF
commendation.
Senator Cullom regarded it as ga pains
stalking, entertaining and accurate his
torical review. Senator Plat Of New
York commended the expression OF de
termination TO increase the standins
army and to maintain order in Cuba untl
the Cubans can take care of themselves
Senator Wolcott said it was an admirab
document. Senator Lodge said it wa
able and excellent. Senator Foraker: -
good presentation of facts, generally, bu
a little indefinite on the question of Gu
ban independence. Senator Proctor: ~
good American paper" Senator Perkins
"An able resume of the situation and o
the facts leading up to The war"
The Democrats We're even more AYERS
than the Republicans todiscuss the paper
Senator Jones of Arkansas, was an ex
ception. He found in the message
number of points which did not accor
with his views. One of these was tn
proposition to continue the voluntee
army in existence until the standin
army can be increased. Some of us d
not favor the increase of the standin
army he said, and the President ha
no right to assume that ma i6rity stan
with him on that proposition" The ser
ator also questions the Presidents RICH
to hold the volunteers in service beyon
the time of signing the peace treaty.
Senator PaSo commented upon the al
sence of any reference to points cor
corning which we most desire nforms
ton. Senator Teller said there woul
pc disappointment over the failure of tn
PRESIDENT TO outline a government for tn
philippines. But" he remarked lit
wise for the President not to indicate hi
View on that subject for that is purel
and properly a legislative question an
one that should be left to Congress-
HOW ENGLAND VIEWS IT.