Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-04
THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE.
The message of the President to the
last session of the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress is laid before the American people
to-day. AS a state paper, it presents
no striking features. AS summary
of some recent events, with an lndlca-
ton of the Presidential policy pred1-
Gated upon those events, it is OF pass-
ing interest-but little more.
At the very outset Mr.. Mckinley
plunges into the Chinese question, as
the one absorbing theme of foreign in
tercourse and action during the past
few months. At the beginning he is
strictly historical, presenting in strong
outlines the inception of the trouble
now engaging a large share of the at
tention of the governments of the lead
ing nations of the world. He passes
into the elimination of the outbreak
against the foreigners, and the organ
ization of the expedition to the Chinese
capital. Covering that armed invasion
of the empire by the forces Of the pow
ers, he deems it essential that China
should give to the world a larger and
more adequate guarantee of liberty OF
thought and action, and upon the in
demnity question says: due compen-
sation may be made in part by in
creased guarantees of security for for
eign rights and the opening of China
to the equal commerce of the world"
Failing a settlement, the President is
favorably inclined to sending the en-
lieving that it would not fail OF fair
and satisfactory adjudication of con-
fiicting demands.
The President touches lightly upon
other foreign matters of no particular
interest, facilitates the country upon
it's showing at the Paris Exposition, re-
marks that "our friendly relations with
Great Britain continue" expresses re-
greet for the assassination Of King
Humbert, and then, taking up his for
mer recommendation as to the lynch
ing of the Italians at Tallulah, renews
urgently that the Federal Courts be
given jurisdiction in this class of in
ternational cases. Speaking generally
of lynching, he denounces the appar-
emily growing tendency in that direc-
tion and invites the attention of my
countrymen to this reproach upon our
civilization"
The decided strengthening of Japan's
relations to other nations is noted. and
the net results of The Hague confer
e-cA and the general ratification of its
are approved.
TO the isthmian canal, the ratifi-
of the Hay Pauncefote treaty
d, and the speedy enactment of
pn having in view the con-
f. 1t. of a canal is recommended.
Relations with Spain occupy a consid-
cradle amount of space. and he awaits
settlement with Turkey in tho matter
Of pending claims.
Upon the subject of financial matters.
the President recommends a reduction
OF taxation without being specific. and
then asks Congress to enact further
needed legislation to ENSURE the con-
unuance of parity between our two
forms of metallic money concluding
with the statement that: THE party
in power is committed to such legisla-
tlcn as will better make the currency
responsive to the varying needs of bus
mess at all seasons and in all sections"
which is rather scattering recon-
mendation.
AS matter of course, the President
favors Mr.. Hanna's ship subsidy bill.
AS to the trusts he recommends re-
straint in such general terms that no
one concerned will be alarmed. He is
lamentably lacking in force and direct
ness in this important matter. and vet
1t will be said he went as far as any
one expected.
He abstains from recommending 2
definite and final form of government
for the Philippines, reports progress in
the accomplishment of pacifcation. and
says our forces successfully control
the greater part of the islands" He
Is of the opinion that the Philippine
commission has brought about "im-
proved conditions" AS to Porto Rico
he thinks things are progressing swim
mingly.
AS to the army. after a long review
of home and colonial conditions and
necessities, he recommends a force of
100000, to vary at the discretion of the
Executive. The recommendation of the
Secretary as to increasing the navy are
approved.
Postal affairs are discussed in their
business relations to the government
and the public.
The message may be summed up as