The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-06

"~HE PRESENT executive does
not aspire to brilliancy in
A the composition of state pa
pers. but he does aim to be
accurate thorough and practical and
that, after all. is real statesmanship'
His latest message to congress is d
document of some length, but upon
points in controversy its arguments
are mastery and it's citation of infor~
nation fairly conclusive. The length
of the message reminds us that ours
is becoming a country of great ana
greatly diversified interests covering
each year an increased scope; anu
that expansion of presidential mes
sages is as inevitable as is expansion
of national influence and sovereignty
if the traditional character of the mes
sage as a review of the condition ana
needs of the government shall be pre-
served.
A large part of the message relates
to subjects more or less routine IN
character; it's essential portions are in
reference to currency reform, trusts,
our new dependencies and the inter-
national responsibilities and opportu-
mites affected by them. While there
are no surprises in the allusions to any
of these themes, the elaboration of ar
eument and advice on each subject In
dicates matured conviction and con-
structive ability of high order. on
currency reform the president stands
in line with the intelligent opinion of
the day for the gold standard, for
abolition of the endless chain. for bet
ter banking facilities and for more
good money for use in the country's
expanding business. He argues wisely
that the time to prepare for seasons
of adversely is in the period of pros
perity. The very fact that the tinan-
cial condition of the country today Is
without precedent in its encouragement
constitutes a superior reason why ad-
mitted defects in the structure of our
banking and currency laws should %
remedied and secured against the con-
tingenCy of another evil day.
The presidents view of the problem
of the trusts is essentially judicial.
First ascertain the facts. Is the par
ticular combination or trust beneficial
or Injurious? Does it or does it not
suppress ordinary and natural compe-
tition? Does it or does it not unduly
enhance prices to the general consum-
or? If no. then the inquiry ends. If
yes. find out how far the laws already
enacted can be enforced to protect the
general welfare: and if more legislation
is needed, formulate, discuss and pass
It. This in substance is the presidents
position. He offers for gallery-tiCk
ling purposes no prestidigitator's trick
device to effect an ostensibly miracu
lous cure.
The large chapter in the message
is devoted to foreign and insular rela-
tions and is worth reading in full. The
United States is now fully launched
upon its career as world power and
the story of it's points of contact with
the other nations is by no means de-
void of interest. The policy of the Nc
Kinley administration, as revealed IN
this portion of the message is to gain
for American commerce and for Amer
lean achievement in general the amp
lest recognition possible. To this end,
the constant endeavor is to cultivate
friendly relations with all the other
powers. At the same time, where
flrmness has been necessary to prevent
or to correct foreign unfairness to
American interests, it has forthcomc.
This chapter on our foreign relations
is a very agreeable chapter to those
who like to see their country respected
among the nations.
Lastly and chief in interest and inn
portance, we have ,Ae president views
of policy and duty regarding the new
dependencies; and they are the more
significant because in spite of threat
ened opposition they are practically
certain to prevail We can summarize
his elaborate argument briefly by say
ing that with respect to Cuba ne Is
true to the full spirit of the pledge
upon which American intervention was
based, but does not propose to abandon
Cuba until there is a native govern
ment fit to exercise the functions of
sovereignty; that for Porto Rico he
wants abolition of trade obstacles and
provisional civil rule leading up to the
territorial form of government; and
for the Philippines, continued trust in
the executive arm aud unequivocal no.
thcation to whom 1t may concern
that the American flag in that splendid
archipelago. having been hoisted by
destiny for the uplifting of humanity,
is up to stay.
We are hearing something and soon
will hear more from the intelligent
leaders left in the Democratic party
about the unprecedented power at pres
ent lodged In the chief executive of the
United States, 1t Is unprecedented.
No other ruler ever lived who pos
sessed power and responsibility 80 far
reaching. William Mckinley today
controls an army a navy and a force
of civil employees larger than any ever
previously collected under the.American
banner save perhaps during the admin
istration OF Abraham Lincoln; and not