Evening journal., 1900-12-04
M'KlNLEYS MESSAGE

President McKinley's message to
Congress is an intelligent and states
manlike exposition of the workings OF
our central government, the needs of
the nation and the duty OF Congress in
recognizing and supplying them. It
will receive the warmest approval of
the American people who so recently
gave him and his policy such a sweep
ing and unqualified endorsement at
the polls. II the Senate and House
will follow its suggestions they cannot
go wrong in the matter of legislation.
His review Of the troubles in China
and the causes leading thereto is an
interesting contribution to history, but
more gratifying to the people is the
concise declaration Of the policy Of the
government, which is and has been to
bring about permanent safety and
peace. preserve Chinese territorial and
administrative entity, protect all
rights guaranteed to friendly powers
by treaty and international law and
safeguard for the world the principle
of equal and impartial trade with all
parts Of the Chinese empire. lie en-
dorses the Russian suggestion that "in
event of protracted divergence Of
views in regard to indemnlties the
matter may be relegated to the court
Of arbitration at The Hague.
His discussion OF the foreign rela-
tlons Of the United States is temper
ate and full Of American dignity and
goodwill which must of necessity in
crease the friendly feeling felt for us
abroad. The reference to the Alaskan
boundary, now a matter OF controversy
between our country and the Dominion
Of Canada. in which he intimates that
he will negotiate for a new convention
for a joint determination Of the merld-
ian by telegraphic observations, will
meet with favor, for the American peo-
pie want only what belongs to them
and the same spirit of fairness seems
to actuate the people OF Canada.
The paragraphs dealing with the
1sthmian canal project are more in the
nature OF a review of the events lead
ing up to the present Independent atu-
tude OF the Nicaraguan government
than Of suggestion to Congress as to
what it should do in the premises The
clear inference is, however, that the
president not only favors a canal con-
trolled by the United States, but also
would like to have all obstacles to
such a plan removed, especially OBJ
lection that might arise out of the con-
vention commonly called the Clayton
Bulwer treaty.
Friendliness and generosity are
manifested towards both Spain and
Turkey, and the extreme mildness OF
his words concerning the latter Power
will reassure the American people and
inspire the belief that the matters in
controversy will be adjusted speedily
and harmoniously.
The president dwells at length upor
the gratifying condition of the coun'
try's finances and strikes a popular
chord when he urges Congress to pro
vide whatever further legislation Il
needed to insure the continued parit!
under all conditions between silve
and gold Appreciating the heavy bur
den imposed upon the people by tn
war with Spain and the military opera
tons succeeding it, and being anxiou
to reduce the taxes as rapidly as pos
sible, he recommends a reduction G
$50, 100000 and specially urges tina
there be included in whatever redu'
ton is made the legacy tax on bequesi
for public uses Of literary, educatloni
and charitable character.
Recognizing the wisdom of IL
measure and the needs and desires
the people, he endorses the Shippir
Subsidy bill and urges immediate a
ton to put an end TO the unnatur
condition that American vessels car
but nine per cent Of our exports al
imports. 60
True to his previous declarations,
advises Congress to legislate wise
and effectively against injurious col
binations Of capital; urges wise a
liberal legislation for the Filipino
Cubans and Porto Ricans; iustlfes
facts and figures his request that
be permitted to increase the army
100000, and admonishes Congress !
to permit the existing condition
prosperity to inspire it tomake extri
agant expenditures.
From beginning to end the NESS
~ is full OF gratifying facts and figu
and sound advice. 1t is good. stro
consistent and interesting state pal
It is said that the Southern Ind
trial Convention, which will open
New Orleans to-day VIII be
largest gathering of Its kind {