The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-12-09
"ME AND MY PARTY"

prosperity and abundance" it would
have answered fully the purpose that
does his paper Of over 10000 words
and requiring 10 columns of closely
set type, which he calls the ''presi.
dents message" And it would also
have saved much time to the 75,0O0,-
600 people who spent an hour wading
through the effusion in hopes of find
ing at least one practical suggestion
or recommendation from which they
might Judge what policies the presi-
dent espouses. But the president saw
fit to not confine himself to a few
brief and Ineligible statements of
facts and clear recommendations, and
instead issued the longest and most
senseless message any president has
ever promulgated.
After reading the 10000 words of
gush and nonsense one cannot, unless
he is possessed of a most imaginative
mind, discover where the president
stands on any question except that Of
money and the tariff, which analyzed
shows that he favors the gold standard
and national bank issue, and that he
believes in taxing the people all they
will stand.
In defense of his pet theory of pro-
tection the president seeks to impress
upon the public mind that the imports
per capita are two per cent less than
in 1870, and the exports So per cent
more than In that year. "It is note
worthy fact" he says, "that the only
year in all our history when the pro.
ducts OF our manufactures sold abroad
exceeded those bought abroad were
1893 and 1899. Government receipts
from all sources for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1899, aggregated $780,
982, ,Oo4 and the expenditures 500, ,093,-
584, leaving a deficit of $50, Ill, $50.
Mr.. Mckinley hopefully prophesies
that next year there will be surplus
of $40, ,0O0, 900 instead Of deficit.
The president then congratulates
the country upon the fact that there is
horded up in the national treasury an
immense amount of gold that is avail
able to keep "all money at a parity"
and proceeds to recommend that the
secretary of the treasury be authorized
whenever he sees fit, to issue bonds
for the purchase of gold, also to auth
<xxs1 ol ho be- IN a he Inf
control of the issuance of credit cur
rency.
He bewails at some length the fact
that our merchant marine Is inade-
quate, that our products have to be
carried in foreign ships, and intimates
that he would favor measure to sub
sidize American ship builders.
The formation of trusts also causes
him to shed few tears, but he has no
suggestion to offer as to remedy.
The space devoted to this subject
would indicate that he is In the hands
of his friends (the trusts) and that he
does not proposed to trample upon
their corns.
The Nicaragua canal scheme re-
ceiyes some attention at his hands;
that is, he mentions the fact that a
canal has been thought of and some
data has been secured regarding its |
and cost, but the informa-
tion he gives concerning the proposi-
ton is so meager that it will be of lit |
tie benefit to congress.
The transfer Of sovereignty over the
Philippines from Spain to the United
States is treated at some length, and
says: 81 had every reason to believe
and still believe that this transfer of
was in accordance with
the wishes and aspirations of the !
great mass of the Filipino people.
From the earliest moment no oppor
tunity was lost OF assuring the people
Of the islands of our ardent desire for
their welfare and of the intent ton of
his government to do everything pos
,ible to advance their interests. The
United States went into the Phillip.
pines to preserve the peace, and
there has to recognize the
occupation of the islands and
he authority of the United States"
However, he makes no recommends
ion regarding the future government
If the Islands, but very sensibly
caves the matter with congress. He
mentions the agreement the United
States entered into with the polyga
nous sultan Of Sulu, whereby we agree
% give the sultan $3.50 month for the
privilege of flying the American flag
,ver his domain and protecting the
lulu archipelago from encroachment
" foreign powers.
In the message is lot Of rot about
he condition of other nations of the
World and our peaceful relations with
hem that Is unimportant and devoid
4 interest, for it is only arehash OF
that appears in the daily press OF the
ountry.
Throughout the message is
aggregation Of meaning
,ss words, which praise the president
nd his party and finally concludes by
Almighty God for the things
Ir. Mckinley takes credit to him ,
,lf.