The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-22
Latter Referred to a Speech Delivered
When the Steamship st. Louis
Was Launched.
AN ADDRESS TO GRADUATES
IN WHICH THE EX-PRESIDENT
MORALIZED AND TOLD A JOKE.
AllusiOn to Trusts and Advice to
Those Who Are Seeking Employ
ment-Standard of Success.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2.-Former Pres
ident Grover Cleveland tonight delivered
the annual address at the graduation exer-
cises Of the thirty-ffth class of the Pierce
School of Business at the Academy of
Music. Accompanied by Mrs. Cleveland. he
arrived here this afternoon from Prince
ton. During their stay in the city they
were the guests of L. Clark Davis, manag-
ing editor of the Philadelphia Public
Ledger, and Mrs. Davis.
A reporter from the North American to-
night asked ex-President Grover Cleveland
for his opinion on the ship subsidy bill
now pending in Congress. He said: II
cannot go into this matter, although ap-
preciate its Importance But 1 might say
that have not changed my opinions.
favor free ships just as did when spoke
in this city at the launching of the steam
ship st. LOUIS
Mr. Cleveland intimated that what he
said on that occasion had not pleased the
friends of subsidy. He then dictated
the following statement, which, he said.
contained all he cared TO say regarding
the subsidy: "In regard to this proposed
subsidy 1 would refer to you my speech
at the launching of the st. Louis. / then
said something in favor of free ships. L
have not changed my opinions. With our
much-vaunted accession to a position
among the world powers. hope to see not
SO much. instead of more, of that sort of
coddling which a less prominent place in
the family Of nations was claimed by some
of our people to excuse
Admission to the Academy of Music to-
night was by invitation. and the vast audi
torium was crowded to the doors. Cover
nor Stone presided at the graduating ex-
ercises He made a brief address and then
introduced Mr.. Cleveland. Mr.. Cleveland
said, I'm part:
I'VE hear a great deal just now in con-
demnation and defense of trusts and COM
bines. Quite lately short article i'm op-
position TO them was sent me which / was
Informed was the result of much thought
on tho part of an able thinker AS /
glanced on it, my eyes fell on description
OF a community of people whose wants
were supplied by tradesmen and craftsmen
who were their neighbors; they dealt
together as friends interested I'm each
others welfare and willing to yield
something to each others circumstances.
This description was followed by ar
raignment of trusts and combines as de-
stroyers OF this happy situation by first
monopolizing certain branches of the busi-
ness done in the communities. and then dis
placing with their stranger agents and rep
resentatives the dealers and craftsmen who
were neighbors and friends. There may be
much or little misfortune I'm such a change,
but could not help feeling that the simple
naturally healthy ive-and-let-live condi-
tions first described was worth perpetual
ing. OF course, I'm attempting 10 win sue
cess you are I'm a race with your fellows
but you need not run foul race nor
treacherously disable your competitor"
Continuing. Mr.. Cleveland said the world
owes us just such living as we can gain
by hard work. the exercise of all our men
tai faculties. a scrupulous adherence 10 the
rules of aonesty and never-failing obe-
dience to the dictates of enlightened con-
science. Mr.. Cleveland emphasized the Inn
portance of seif-reIiance and perseverance.
1CoNT1NljEp1 ON PA{;E-a COL. %