The times., 1898-12-06
VIEWS OF MEMBERS.
The Message Fails tn Excite Much
mcndnttOn.

Representative McAIillin, governor-elect
of Tennessee, said: THE message con-
tains no recommendation on the most in
teresting question before the American
people; that is what shall be done with
the newly acquired territory The rec
ommendation for the retirement of green
backs by means of the gold now in the
Treasury. or to be hereafter obtained is
substantially the same as made by .he
President in other messages. Congress
has refused to retire or destroy Treasury
warrants tgreenbacks) heretofore, and
will refuse again. The gold was bought
principally by bonds To buy greenbacks
with 1t would be to substitute for non
irterest-bearing currency. which will
circulate and is taxable, an interest
bearing bonded Indebtedness, which is
not taxable and which will not circulate.
The greenbacks will not be retired. -
Representative Richardson of Tennessee
said: II wish the President had given
less attention to foreign affairs and more
to home matters. / am disappointed that
he did not tell us what would be the
future of the new possessions. He says
that he will do this after the treaty of
peace has been ratified, but cannot help
thinking that If he had told US now, it
might facilitate the ratification of the
treaty.
Representative Cummings of New York
said: "The message is clear, concise
statement of accomplished facts without
suggestion or recommendation. The real
message will probably come later. As
for the army increase, | think that 90
long as we hold the Philippines and other
islands We will have TO maintain a large
army The volunteers. entered the SER
vice to fight and should be mustered out
at once
Representative Berry. Democratic
member of the Foreign Affairs Commit
tee. said: Il have heard no message. II
was a history of the war. l suppose it
was important, but II has all been print
ed in the newspapers. l do not bell We
IN the extraordinary prosperity wi n
which the President opens the message.
We have not been flooded with it out in
kentucky. at any rate
Representative Jet OF Illinois, member
of the Committee on Military Affairs,
said: THE message is rather slow.
can see no need for an army of 90. 30
men Just now Perhaps we may need
such an equipment. but | should Ike to
hear argument on the matter first. | am
opposed to subsidies. We have had them
and found they did not work. There viii
be all sorts of jobbery about any such
scheme. and / think we had better let
it alone. The message makes almost no
definite recommendations. 1t Is simply a
historical review"
Representative Norton of Ohio. said:
THE message is very commonplace. The
| President tells us everything we know
and nothing else in particular. or curse
| il is very interesting to learn that We
have had wax with Spain. but there
are other subjects more worthy of atten-
| ton which Mr.. Mckinley negiects 10
discuss. For my part. / favor trade ex-
| pansion, although | am not sure that
! favor reviving the old subsidy system
| | am opposed to an increase OF the army
but | suppose that If we are going to an
mex all the islands in the seas we must
have an army to defend them
| Representative Tawney of Minnesota
said: 1T is very-a very able dccu-
ment. The message is an excellent re-
| view of the war
Representative Carmack of Tennessee
said: There is nothing in the message
listened in hope of hearing something
definite on which a recommendation hung
but | heard nothing. l wanted to learn
| the Presidents wishes on money and on
| the Philippines. but I knew them not
| think there will be very grave opposition
to an increase of the army"
Gen. Joe Wheeler was pleased with
the message. He said: 1T is an able pa
per and an excellent review of the war.
The time of which 1t treats was one OF
great sensational interest and of great
danger to the continued peace of the
world The times are still transitory and
neither the President nor anyone else can
come to any very definite conclusions un-
til the treaty Is signed.
Representative Brosius of Pennsylvania
thinks the message is statesmanlike and
able document. well written and well COM
posed. He said: The message Is wise
and conservative: 1t emphasizes all the
points on which We need to act and avoids
those that may well be left to the future.
Il is too early for us to discuss the settle
ment of the fate of the new territories.
When we get to that point, which we
shall do after the treaty of peace is made.
We can determine it.