s that the present money system is unsound and needs
changing. He reminds the lawmakers that the country has undertaken to
pay out a certain amount of gold every year, but that it has not made
any arrangements for receiving gold. The consequence is that the
treasury has every year to buy the gold it needs to pay its debts.

This the President does not approve of.

He suggests that some arrangement should be made whereby debts due to
the Government shall be paid in gold, so that the treasury may receive
enough gold for its needs.

He leaves the matter in the hands of Congress, suggesting that it might
help matters if the bank-notes which the Government has to redeem in
gold shall only be paid out again in exchange for gold. He also asks
that earnest attention be given to the plan of the Secretary of the
Treasury.

THE CUBAN QUESTION is treated in a very impartial and statesmanlike
manner.

The President goes over its history in a way that is most interesting to
us, because he is in possession of facts that no private citizen can
obtain. We print a portion of his remarks:

"The story of Cuba for many years has been one of unrest, growing
discontent; an effort toward a larger enjoyment of liberty and
self-control; of organized resistance to the mother country.

"The prospect from time to time that the weakness of Spain's hold upon
the island might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a continental power
called forth, between 1823 and 1860, various emphatic declarations of
the policy of the United States to permit no disturbance of Cuba's
connection with Spain, unless in the direction of independence or
acquisition by us through purchase; nor has there been any change of
this declared policy since upon the part of the Government.

"The revolution which began in 1868 lasted for ten years, despite the
strenuous efforts of the successive Peninsular governments to suppress
it. Then, as now, the Government of the United States testified its
grave concern and offered its aid to put an end to bloodshed in Cuba.
The overtures made by General Grant were refused, and the war dragged
on, entailing great loss of life and treasure and increased injury to
American interests, besides throwing enhanced burdens of neutrality upon
this Government. In 1878 peace was brought about by the truce of Zanjon,
obtained by negotiations between the Spanish commander, Martinez de
Campos, and the insurgent leaders.

"The present insurrection broke