The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-07
TEN PAGES TODAY.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The presidents message is not a great
state paper. 1t is rather clover cam
paign document. in which republican party
principles are arttully elaborated and
paraded Throughout IT Is antcipstory
OF the attitude to be assumed by the re-
publican party 10 the forthcoming presi
dental campaign. and is, In an emphatic
sense, so far as present issues are in
volved, a complete forecast of the repub-
iican platform for 1900.
The excess OF exports over imports. and
the excess OF exports for 1899 over previous
years, is accepted as the solution OF Ma
tional prosperity. No reference, however.
is made 10 the fact that a large PERCENTAGE
of American exports are sold to foreigners
al a figure much below the price that the
domestic consumer is compelled TO pay
tariff protected combines. Nor does the
president allow the further fact to touch
revelation that the combines have been the
recipients OF an export prosperity which
thoy have declined 10 share with American
individual industry by closing the ave-
nues to employment and diminishing the
opportunities OF acquiring livelihood to
the exact proportion that they have de-
stroyed competition in cruel defiance OF
every principle OF wholesome economics.
The condition OF the treasury is made
to appear very satisfactory, in that a
deficit showing has been avoided, but war
expenses continue without the prospec,
of substantial abatement and the stamp
tax. endured with patience because OF the
prosperity OF the moneyed CLASSES yet
hangs as a burden upon the taxpayer to
American war and to give him. il not dull
to thought, a foretaste OF the impoverish-
ing consequences OF main aiming q mill
tary establishment that. In no age or
country OF history, has existed without
calamity TO the agricultural classes.
II is admitted that the National bank is
disappointing auxiliary to the circulat-
Ing medium, and that the demands of the
country for an adequate money supply are
beyond the power, 10 satisfy, OF the pres
ent monetary system. but no definite de-
yisatiou has been conjured UP by the
presidential mind whereby tho situation
can be relieved The advice is presented
to go 10 the gold standard and to retire
greenbacks by redeeming them on pre-
sentstion and not relssulng them except
In payment for gold. To supply the de-
hciency thus created no provision is made,
and 1t is quite significant that no reference
lie made to the monetary commission de-
manded by the ST. Louis republican plat
form that carried with It an impl ed
friendl!ness to silver, as we'll as promise
TO protect II which the party never for
one moment has attempted to seriously OF
honestly execute.
The trusts are shaken UP with that sur
prising visor that charscterizes the repub-
lican when. In the intervals OF State and
National elections, ne comes to deal with
evils against which the masses are In
angry revolt. The message treatment oil
the trust subject is strong and would be
accepted with hope and confidence by the
country N the country were not com
PEELED, out OF ordinary regard for its In
telligence. to consider the presidents war
OF words upon the trusts as a stupendous
bit OF political nonsense. Mr. Mckinley
can not divorce himself from connection
with the Ohio record wherein Il has been
written. beyond the power OF effacement.
that republican fidelity to the cause o,
the people was worn as an ill-ftting cloak
to conceal fidelity to. and reliance upon.
the combines. Nor will his thoughtful
constituency cease to hold under con-
temptation the, safeguard against further
deception, represented In the conclusion
that Mark Hanna, the unblushing cham
pion OF the trust, 10 the incarnate genius
OF the republican election machine.
The message covers too much ground
to be reviewed In a single editorial we
therefore pass over. for the present, that
part Of the volumlnous document relating
to foreign relations, except In 90 far az
the treatment Of Cuba and the Philippines
may BE- considered, In sense, 10 be EN-
bfscsd In that category.
DUTY" demands. declares ths president
long occupation Of The isiand OF Cuba
To the "riptpsss Of events" wbstsveI
that may BE- In tas nsbulous philosophy OIL
The pyssidsnt. MIST b relsssted the
"dsstiriss Of cubA" The retirement OIL
~ Upissd stskss government from the