The evening times., 1899-11-27

ent department chiefs, Mr.. Mckinley will,
it is believed. discuss at length the sub
iects of expansion. currency reform. the
Nicaragua Canal project, and other matters
of the hour that are likely to figure as lis
sues in the coming Presidential campaign.
The message will, it is said, contain at
least %. 900 words
People who are looking for sensational
state paper from the White House will be
disappointed. Mr.. Mckinley is conserva-
tive almost to timidity. 1t is his desire to
follow rather than lead public sentiment.
Sensationalism. it is said. has never teen
his forte.
Many leading Republicans. however. are
urging the President to come out squarely
| tions regarding the living issues of the
day. Such a course, they say. will
strengthen the hands Of his party associ
ates at both ends of the Capitol.
What the President ought to do. in my
Judgment. said prominent Republican
today, is to announce some definite policy.
The chief criticism of his Administration
has been due to its lack of color or posi-
tiveness. All of Mr. McKinley's state pa
pers up to the present time have been al
most devoid of anything suggesting indi-
viduality or convictions.
Mr. McKinlcy's habit has been to i'm
partially state both sides of case. and
then conclude with the sage observation
that he turned the whole matter over 10
the wisdom of the Congress for solution,
giving practically no hint except indire. tly
as to where he stood himself. That might
answer as a general rule, but in the pres
ent instance something more is demanded
of the President. There are certain re-
sponsibilitiesi n which he must assume
whether he wishes TO or not.
Il think that Mr.. McKinley's backbone
has been sLifiened materially since the
adjournment of the Fifty-fifth Congress
OF the 18th Of last March. His speeches,
while On his Western trip last fall gave
some indication of this. and his remark TO
Admiral Dewey upon the occasion of the
sword presentation at the Capitol was
most significant. He told the Admiral that
there was no flaw in his victory, and that
there would be no faltering in maintaining
il.
IF the President will only give us
definite clear-cut policy, we will have no
difficulty in carrying it out or in winning
the Presidential battle next year. Wabbling
at this junction on the part of the Admin
istration will be almost fatal to Republi
can prospects. Our Democratic friends
would l am sure be only too glad to seize
expansion coter;e.
"Will Mr.. Mckinley give them the
chance? / certainly hope not"
1t was said at the White House today
that Mr.. McKinley's message was practi-
cally completed. 1t is in type. it is under
stood, and a proof of the document will be
considered at the Cabinet meeting tomor-
row.
Changes in the message, however, are.
of course. likely to be made at the eleventh
hour. The President will have the final
editing of his own copy. so it will hardly
be safe to make too positive forecasts
in advance of what the message will con-
tain.
Members of the White House circle make
no concealment of the fact that they are
most anxiously scanning the bulletins from
the Philippines. II the President is able
to announce the capture of Aguinaldo and
the practical ending of the Philippine in
surrection by the time Congress assemblies
next week, there will be great rejoicing,
indeed, in official circles. After that the
anti-expansioDists in Congress would not
have leg to stand on and the Presidents
friends believe that his Administration
would have comparatively plain sailing.