New-York tribune., 1900-12-04
- rRENIDENTN MENSAGk.

mn PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Presidents end Of the century Message Is
! essentially a business document Its author
has been mindful OF the constitutional injunc-
tion that he shall give 10 the Congress infor-
"maticu Of the state OF the Union, and recon-
.mend 20 their consideration such measures as
he shall Judge necessary and expedient." The
Message approximates closely 10 that simple
and practical ideal. IL contains no fuss and
feathers" and no superhuOus rhetoric 1t pre-
sents in plain and straightforward language a
summary OF the important transactions OF the
Government during the last year, a cOmpre-
henslve view Of the present state of the Union
and a statement of the legislation which. from
the Executive point Of view seems especially
desirable. If the Message is long that is be-
cause of the varied interests OF the Union which
require consideration, and because of the Presi-
dents desire 10 make the record as complete as
possible. 1t certainly contains no padding, no
preaching and no indications of the itch for
writing.
The President might have been pardOned had
he referred to the political circumstances of the
time and TO the all but unprecedented National
approval which the present Administration has
received He refrains from so doing. and in
stead prefaces his Message with brief refer
ence 10 the growth of the Nation since the first
written message was presented TO Congress, and
with earnest congratulations upon the fact, rec
ognized by all thoughtful men. that after
hundred and twenty-four years of trial the Re
public itself and its principles Of liberty are
stronger and more securely established In the
hearts and devotion of the people than ever be-
fore The bulk of the Message which follows
presents the strongest practical reasons for such
a happy state Of affairs. I'm the success which
popular government has attained and which at
the present time has reached a higher point
than ever before. in peace and prosperity AT
home and in good VIII and honor among the
nations OF the world.
The detailed condition of the Nations finances
is reserved. of course. for discussion In the re-
port OF the Secretary Of the Treasury The
brief digest given by the President is, however.
well calculated 10 excite the envy of foreign
financiers. In the last fiscal year the surplus
of revenue over expenditure was s79,527, ,06O IS,
which was due partly TO increased receipts and
partly TO decreased expenses. OF this sum $685.
"a. 500 Oe was applied TO the sinking fund for
the extinguishment of the Nations indebted
ness The Treasury has also been able TO re-
fund at per cent no less than 64943,TJO OF
outstanding Indebtedness bearing higher rates
Of interest. thus effecting a net saving 10 the
Government OF S91O6,l ,l66. and I'm addition re-
ducing interest charges fer the next four years
by more than ST,0000O0 a year. At the present
time the available cash balance in the Treasury
Is SI39. .3O3 794 80. without counting the gold re
serve Of S150,OO0.000 more. In such fortunate
circumstances the President advises that Con-
gress shall at once reduce the internal revenue
from war taxes In the sum OF s30,000,OO0
year. doing so by abolishing those taxes which
have been found most burdensome TO the indus
tries Of the people. and especially the legacy
taxes on bequests for public uses Of literary.
educational or charitable character.
With our yearly foreign trade exceeding
$1,000. 100000 in value, and with the great
growth Of our steel and shipbuilding industries,
the President thinks the time oppOrtune for the
adoption of a policy which will restore to YES
sells under the American flag the major part Of
our ocean carrying trade. In pursuance OF the
same laudahle ambition he urges action for the
speedy construction Of a transisthmian canal
and OF transpaciic cable. Other recommenda-
tions are for a uniformity of legislation for the
regulation of trusts" and for whatever ad-
ditional action may he needed for maintaining
the gold standard and for making the currency
more perfectly responsive 10 the varying needs
Of business at all times and in all parts of the
land.
Inc noIe OF NatOnal fAdlIatOn Win which
the Message opens is balanced at the close
with a note of reminder and admonitiOn. lest
we forget The President urges upon Congress
the need of economy, even amid our great pros
perity and wealth. and of the exercise Of JUS
tice amid the expansions of our power Let us
keep always in mind.' he says. that the founda-
'tion of our Government is liberty; its super
structure. peace" Such is the sole and con-
vncing note Of exhOrtation in a Message which,
though long. is replete with interest, and.
though matter OF fact, is cOnspicuOusly in
structive. II is 10 be commended 10 every
American citizen for careful perusal from be-
ginning TO end. with confidence that such
perusal will afford that information of the
state of the Union which the Constitution pre-
scribes and in addition an enhanced cOncep-
ton of the greatness Of this Republic and a
more resOlute devotion 10 its perpetual main
tenance.