The Washington weekly post., 1899-12-12
Republicans Pleased with the
Presidents Utterances.
HELPS THE GOLD STANDARD LAW
The Administrators Position Resardins
Cuba IL Accepted ns Indicating Desire 20
Act i'm Good Faith Toward the People Of
thr Isiand-Tae Recommendation Of n
Free Trade Arrangements Between This
Couatry and Porte Rico Discussed.

The annual message of the President oc-
cupied the attention of both Houses OF
Congress yesterday for two hours and
half 1t was unusually long. but general
consensus Of opinion was that Ii was also
unusually able The Republicans were
naturally emphatic in their words OF
praise. but even many Democrats gave II
commendation because II had the merit
of definite statement.
In the message the President recon-
mends the enactment of gold standard
Law, urges the passage Of the
merchant marine subsidy bill. con-
demns trusts, announces that Cuba
is to be free and independent
nation in consonance with the pledge
given by the United States. and takes a
decided stand in favor of the retention Of
the Philippines. "The future government
of the islands, says the President, rests
with Congress" He does not suggest any
plan of government beyond the expression
of the belief that the work OF reconstruc-
ton should not begin by the establishment
of one central civil government for all the
islands, with its seat at Manila, but that
municipal governments should be estab-
lished, to be followed by provincial and
finally by a central administration. In
the meantime the President asserts his
purpose of upholding the sovereignty Of
this country.
Helps Financial LEGISLATION.
All these recommendations found favor
with the members of his party in both
houses The advocates of the gold stand
ard were especially pleased with the Pres
idents utterances on that subject, be-
cause the passage of the proposed finan-
cial legislation is now assured. Some OF
the Senator's from Western States, as well
as Representatives from the same section,
who have been dubious as to their own po-
liticai fate if they voted for the gold
standard, feel that they will be justified in
following the leadership of the President.
All doubt as to the enactment of the Sen
ate and House financial bills is now re-
moved There never was much doubt OF a
majority in the Senate. but even that un-
certainty has now disappeared. The con-
demnation of trusts pleased the politicians
because II anticipates the Democratic plat
form.
The Presidents anxiety to redeem the
promise made to the world in relation TO
Cuba occasioned no small degree of salts
faction among those Senators and Mem
bers who have been fearful that the atti-
tude of the administration toward Cuba
was not characterized by the best of faith.
By his utterances in the message the
President has disarmed a great deal of
criticisrn that threatened TO make itself
felt, and 1t is now probable that any ac-
ton which the administration may sug-
gest viii be taken.
Tobacco Growers Alarmed.
One sentence in the message created
something of sensation in the New Eng
land delegation. Our plain duty" says
the President, sis to abolish all customs
tariffs between the United States and
Porto Rico and give her products free ac-
cess to our markets" The majority OF
the Congress undoubtedly agrees with
this proposition, but TO the tobacco grow
ers of Connecticut and of Western Massa-
chusetts il is not welcome. Representa-
tive Lawrence, of the latter State, said
yesterday that the recommendation might
not be enacted into law, while Representa-
tive Hill, of Connecticut, had a confer
ence with the Senator's from that State
as to the outlook for this free-trade legis-
| lation. The Connecticut tobacco growers
! have for some time been making vigorous
protests against the free entry OF the
| Porto Rican product.