The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-06

ing army can be increased. Some of
US do not favor the increase of the
standing army he said, and the presi-
dent has no right to assume that ma
jority stand with him on that PROPOSE
ton
The Arkansas senator also questioned
the presidents right to hold the volun-
teers in service beyond the time of sign
ing the peace treaty, saying:
There is no war in existence and
none is imminent. The law requires one
or the other conditions, and the threat
of the president to hold the volunteers
in service until the standing army is
increased beyond what the consciences
of senate and members dictate, looks
to me like a menace and an effort to
dictate, which I considered an outrage
and objectionable"
Senator Jones interpreted the pres
ident's expression upon the finances as
a prOnouncement for the gold standard
and for the retirement of the green
backs and said that he did not believe
that anything like a majority of the
American people would endorse him in
this respect. The senator also an
nounced himself as opposed to a sub
Sidy to vessels connecting the United
States 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 presi-
dent was inclined to go farther in the
matter of the government of Cuba than
the resolution of intervention called for.
I'VE declared he said. lin favor Of
taking them to that point which they
could maintain a stable government
and do not see how we can go be-
yOnd that.
ITO go to the extent of insuring, as
the president recommends, complete
tranquility, might prove a. pretext for
a military government and permanent
Occupation, never to end. 1 do not en-
dorse any such an understanding.
Senator Jones also expressed surprise
at the absence of any recommendation
concerning the Philippines. THE ques-
ton of the government of the Philip
pines is attracting much attention. 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 in
formation" He said, however, that it
was a valuable historical paper and
would be convenient for future refer
ence.
Senator Teller said there would be dis
appointment over the failure of the
president to outline a government for
the Philippines, saying:
There will be some disappointme in
this for I think the understanding has
been that the president would indicate
what form of government would be pro-
vided for these new possessions. But
it is wise for the president not to indi-
cate his views on the subject for that
is purely and properly a legislative
question and one that should be left to
congress-"
On the recommendation in regard to
the currency, Senator Teller said:
THE friends of bimetaIlisrn, either ma
tiOnal or international will find no en-
couragement from anything that the
president says in his message. No ref
erence is made to international bimetal-
ism, but the president IN the most en-
phatic way indicates his intention to
maintain the gold standard. The so
called silver Republicans who remain
II, / D Ill
that the Republican party is friendly to
silver will find no encourag cement in the
presidents message and it will strike all
as somewhat singular that if the Re-
publican party as it is claimed is, in
favor of international bimetallism the
president makes no reference to it"
Following are some of the opinions
expressed by members of congress upon
the presidents message:
Representative Hit, chairman Of the
house committee on foreign affairs said:
so1ed B gn 9be a Rad fsnf0aE nq
many or the questions in mems minds
e9eTy,wheTe, to59ehlng the immense and
ton in which the nation finds itself. His
Sions alone under Just and firm governors
by the military arm which conquered 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 gently and hope
fully. and everybody will wish that his
forecast of stable government there will
De f6dIZeQ sooner IMAM ever yet mas nap
pened to Spanish American population
Representative Walker, chairman of the
on banking and currency:
Il am asked what I think Of the cur
rency and banking features. do not see
that it has any such features. I have not
been able to detect any. It contains only
one recommends ton as to the currency,
that of the former message, to
change the United States legal tender
notes into gold certificates. which would
rency situation but to add to the burden
of taxation without in any degree favor
ably affecting the general banking and
currency situation.
General Wheeler, Dem, A1a.)-It is
a clear and comprehensive resume of
events which transpired during an
eventful period of our country's history.
1t will be referred to as one of the no
ted state papers.