Newspaper Page Text
M'KINLEY'S
presidentCommunicatesWith
Congress on Subjects of
National Interest.
WAK, TRUSTS AND MONEY
Revolt Must lie Put Down-Remedy
Fertile Monopoly Evil—Gold Stand
ard Favored— Partition of Samoa.
Hobart’s Death, E c.
Washington, Dec. 5.— The president
today transmitted to congress his an-,
nual message, as follows:
To the Senate and House of Represen
tatives:
At the threshold of your deliberations
you are called to mourn with your coun
trymen the death of Vice President Ho
bart, who passed from this life on the
morning of November 21st, last. His
great soul now rests in eternal peace.
His private life was pure and elevated,
while his public career was ever distin
guished by large capacity, stainless in
tegrity and exalted motives. He has
bebn removed from the high office which
he honored and dignified, but his lofty
character, his devotion to duty, hia hon
esty of purpose and nobie virtues re
main with us-as a priceless legacy and
example. Fifty-sixth in
The congress convenes
its first regular session with the country
in a condition of unusual prosperity, of
universal good will among the people ac
home and in relations of peace aud
friendship with every government of
the world. Our foreign commerce has
shown great increase ia volume and
value. The combined imports and ex
ports for the year are the largest ever
shown by a single year in all our his
tory. Our exports for 1899 alone ex
ceeded by more than $1,000,000,000 our
imports and exports combined in 1870.
The imports per oapita are 20 per cent
less than in 1870, while the exports per
capita are 58 per cent more than in 1870,
showing the enlarged capacity of the
United States to satisfy the wants of its
own increasing population, as well as to
contribute to those of the peoples of
other nations.
Exports and Imports.
Exports of agricultural products were
$784,776,143. Of manufactured pro
ducts, we exported in value $338,592,-
146, being larger than any previous
year. It is a noteworthy fact that the
only years in all our history when the
products of our manufactories 6old
abroad exceeded those bought abroad
were 1898 aud 1899.
Government receipts from all sources
for the fiscal year, ended June 30, 1899,
including $11,798,314.14, part payment
Central Pacific railroad indebtedness,
aggregated $610,932,004.36. Customs re
ceipts were $206,128,461.75 and those
from internal revenue $273,437,151.61.
For the fi cal year, the expenditures of
were $700,093,564.02, leaving a deficit
$89,111,659.67.
The secretary of the treasury esti
mates that the receipts for the current
fiscal year will aggregate $640,958,113
and upon the basis of the present ap
propriation the expenditures will aggre
gate $600,958,112, leaving a surplus of
$40,000,000,000.
For the fiscal year ended June 30,
1899, the internal revenue receipts were
increased about $100,000,000.
The strong condition of the treasury
with respect to cash on hand and tho
favorable showing made by the reve
nues have made it possible for the sec
retary of the treasury to take action
under the provisions of section 3694. re
vised 6tatut.es, relating to the sinking
fund. Receipts exceeded expenditures
for the first five months of the current
fiscal year of $13,413,389.91 and, as men
tioned above, the secretary of the treas
ury estimates that there will be a sur
plus of approximately $40,000,000 at the
end of the year.
Under such conditions, it was deemed
advisable and proper to resume compli
ance with the provisions of the sinking
fuad law, which for 80 years has not
been done because of deficiencies in tho
revenues. The treasury department,
November therefore, offered to purchase during
loan of $25,000,000 of the 6 per cent
1904, or the 4 per cent funded
loan of 1907 at the current market price.
The amount offered and purchased
during November was $18,408,600. The
premium paid by the government on
such purchases was $3,263,521 and the
net saving in interest was about $2,-
885,000. The success of this operation
>vas sufficient to induce the government
to continue the offer to purchase bonds
to and including Deo. 23, 1899, unless
the remainder of the $25,000,000 called
for should be presented in the mean
time for redemption.
Money Supply Too Small.
Increased activity in induptry, with
its welcome attendant—a larger em
ployment for labor at higher wages—
gives to tho body of the people a larger
power to absorb the circulating me
diutn. It is further true that year by
year, with larger areas of laud under
cultivation, the increasing volume of
agricultural products, cotton, corn and
wheat, calls for a larger volume of
money tioeable supply. This is especially no
at the cron,harvesting and crop
moving In period.
its earlier history, the national
banking act seemed to prove a reason
able avenne through which needful ad
ditions to the circulation could, from
time to time, be made. Changing con
ditions have apparently rendered it in
operative to that end. The high mar
gin in bond securities required, result
ing from the large premiums which
give the bonds command in the market
or the tax on note issues, or both operat
ing together, appear to be the influences
which impair its public utility.
The attention of congress is respect
fully invited to this important matter
with the view of ascertaining whether
or not such reasonable modifications
can be made in the national bank act
as will render its service in the particu
lars here referred to more responsive to
the people’s needs. I again urge that
national banks be authorized to organ
tze with a capital of $25,000.
I urgently recommend that to sup
port the existing gold standard and to
maintain ‘’the parity in value of the
coins of the two metals (gold and sil
ver), and the equul power of every dol
lar at all times iu tho market and in the
payment of dobts,” the secrotary of the
treasury bo givon additional power and
charged with the duty to soil United
States bonds and to employ such other
effective means as may bo necessary to
ihese cuds.
Our Merchant Marine.
The value of an American merchant
marine to file extension of our commer
cial trade and the strengthening of our
power upon the sea invites the imme
diate action of congress. Our national
development wilt be one-sided and un
satisfactory, so long as the remarkable
growth of our inland industries remains
unaccompanied by progress on the seas,
There is no lack of constitutional au
thority for legislation which 6hall give
to the country maritime strength com
mensurate with its industrial achieve
ments and with its rank among the
nations of the earth.
The past year has recorded excep
tional activity in our shipyards, and
promises of continual prosperity in ship
building are abundant. Advanced legis
lation for the protection of onr seamen
has been enacted. Our coast- trade,
under regulations wisely framed at the
beginning of the government apd that since,
shows results for the past year are
unequalled in our reoords and those of
any other power. We shall fail to
realize our opportunities, however, if
we complacently regard only matters
at home and blind ourselves to the ne
cessity of securing our share in the
valuable carrying trade of the world.
Last year American vessels trans
ported a smaller share of our exports
and imports than during any former
year in all our history, aud the meas
ure of our dependence upon foreign
shipping was painfully manifested choice to
our people. Without any of onr
own, but from necessity, the depart
ments of the government charged with
military and naval operations in the
East aud West Indies had to obtain
from foreign flags merchant vessels
essential to these operations.
Tho other great nations have not hes
itated to adopt the required means to
develop their shipping as a factor iu
national defense, and as one of the
surest and speediest means of obtaining
for their producers a share in foreign
markets. Like vigilance and effort on
onr part cannot fail to improve our sit
uation, which is regarded with hnmilia 7
tion at home, and with surprise abroad.
Even the seeming sacrifices, which at
the beginning may be involved, will be
offset later by more than equivalent
gains.
Question of Trusts.
Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens, to stifle com
petition, limit production and determine
the prices of products used and con
sumed by the people, are justly provok
ing public discussion aud should early
claim the attention of the congress.
The industrial commission created by
the act of congress of June 18, 1898, has
been engaged in extended hearings upon
the disputed questions involved in the
subject of combinations in restraint of
trade aud competition. They have uot
yet completed their investigations of
this subject aud the conclusion and
recommendations at which they may
arrive are undetermined. The subject
is one giving rise to many divergent
views as to the nature and variety or
cause and extent of the injuries to the
public which may result from large
combinations concentrating more or
less numerous enterprises and estalisli
menrs which previously to the forma
tion of tho combination were carried
separately. conceded that combi
It is universally the
nations which engross or control
market of any particular kind of mer
chandise or commodity necessary to the
general community, by suppressing whereby nat
ural and ordinary competition,
pne’es are unduly enhanced to the gen
eral consumer, are obnoxious not ouly
to the common law, but also to the pub
lic welfare. There must be a remedy
for the evils involved in such organiza
tions. If the present law can be ex
tended more certainly to control or
check these monopolies or trusts, it
should be done without delay. What
ever power the congress posesses over
this moat important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
It is apparent that uniformity of leg
islation upon this subject in the several
states is much to be desired. It is to be
hoped that anch.nniformity founded in
a wiso and just discrimination between
what is injurious and what is useful
and necessary in business operations
may be obtained and that means may
be found for the congress within the
limitations of its constitutional power
so as to supplement an effective code of
state legislation so to make a complete
system of laws throughout the United
States adequate to compel a general ob
servance of the salutary rules to which
I have referred.
The whole question is so important
and farreaebing that I am sure no part
of it will be lightly considered, bnt
every phase of it will have the studied
deliberation of congress resulting in
wise and judicions action.
TIib Nicaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal commission.
which bad been engaged upon the work
of examination and survey for a route
across Nicaragua, having completed its
labors and made its reports, was dis
solved on May 31, and on June 10 anew
commission, known as the isthmian
canal commission, was organized under
the terms of the act approved March 3,
1899, for the purpose of examining the
American isthmus with a view to de
termining the most practicable canal and
feasible route for a ship across
that isthmus, with its probable cost and
other essential details,
This commission, under the presi
dency of Rear Admiral John G. Wal
ker, U. S. N., retired, entered promptly
upon the work intrusted to it and is
now carrying on examinations in Nica
ragua along the route of the Panama
canal and in Darien from the Atlantic,
from the neighborhood of the Atradto
river to the bay of Panama oil the 1 a
eifle side. Good progress has been
made, but under the law a comprebem
sive and complete investigation is called
for, which will require much labor ann
considerable time for its accomplish
ment. The work will be prosecuted as
expeditiously as possible practicable and a date, report
made at the earliest
The great importance of this worz
cannot be too often or too strongly
pressed upon the attention of the con
gresS. In my message of a year ago 1
expressed my views of the necessity of
a canal which would link the two great
oceans, to which 1 again invite yonr con
sideration. The reasons then presented
for early action are even stronger now.
Tin, Purls Exposition.
Preparations for the representation of
of rho industries, arts and products exposi
the United States at the world’s
tion, to be held iu Paris next year, con
tinue on an elaborate and comprehen
sive scalo, thanks to the generous ap
propriation provided by congress and to
the friendly interest tho French govern
ment has shown in farthering a typical
exhibit of American progress.
Thera has been allotted to the United
States a considerable addition of space
which, while placing our country iu
uot suffice to meet tho mcrea.initly
gent demands of onr manufacturers.
The efforts of the commissioners gen
eral are ably directed towards the secur
ing of a display of all that most charac
teristically marks American achieve
ment in the inventive arts aud most ad>
oquarely shows the excellence of our
natural productions. build
The United States government
ing is approaching completion and no
effort will be spared to make it worthy
in beauty of architectural plau and in
completeness of display to represent our
nation.
Hoer-Brltisli Conflict.
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortu
nate contest between Great Britain and
the Boer states of Africa. We have re
mained faithful to the precept'of avoid
ing entangling alliances as to affairs
not or' our direct concern. Had circum
stances suggested that the partios to the
quarrel would have welcomed any
kindly expression of the hope of the
American people that war might be
averted, good offices would have been
glauly tendered.
The United States’ representative at
Pretoria was early instructed to see that
all neutral American interests be re
spected by the combatants. This has
been an easy task in view of the posi
tive declarations of both British and
Boer authorities that the personal should and
property rights of our citizens
be observed.
Upon the withdrawal of the British
agent from Pretoria, the United States
consul was authorized, upon the request
of the British government and with the
assent of the South African and Orange
Free State governments, to exercise the
customary good offices of a neurral for
the care of British interests. In the dis
charge of this function, I am happy to
say that abundant opportunity has been
afforded to show the impartiality of this
government toward both the combat
ants.
Partttloij of Samoa.
Important events have occurred in the
Samoan islands. The election, accord
ing to the laws and customs of Samoa,
of a successor to the late king, Malietoa
Laupepa, developed a contest as to the
validity of the result, which issue by
tile terms of the general act was to be
decided by the chief justice. Upon his
rendering a judgment in favor of Ma
lietoa Tanu, the rival chief, Mataafa,
rook up arms. The active intervention
of American and Briiish warships be
came an imperative necessity to restore
order at the cost of sanguinary encount
ers In this emergency a joint com
mission of representatives of the United
States, Germany aud Great Britain was
sent to Samoa to investigate the situa
tion and provide a temporary remedy.
By its active efforts a peaceful solution the
was reached for the time being,
kingship being abolished aud a provis
ional government established.
Recommendations unanimously made
by the commission for a permanent ad
justment of the Samoan question were
taken under consideration by the throe
powers parties to the general act. But
the more they were examined the more
evident it became that a radical change
was necessary in the relations of the
powers to Samoa.
A satisfactory arrangement was con
cluded between the governments of
Germany and of England, by virtue of
which England retired from Samoa in
view of compensations in other direc
tions and both powers renounced in
favor of the United States ail their
rights and claims over and in respect to
that portion of the group lying to the
east of the one hundred and seventy
first degree of west longitude, embrac
ing the islands of Tutuilla, Ofoo, Olo
songa aud Manuo.
I transmit to the senate, for its con
stitutional action thereon, a convention,
which, besides the provisions above
mentioned, also guarantees us the same
privileges aud conditions in respect to
commerce and commercial vessels in all
of the islands of Samoa as those pos
sessed by Germany.
Cuban Adniloistrstloii.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily devoted in great part to a
consideration of the Spanish war and
of the results it wrought aud the condi
tions it imposed for the future. I am
gratified to announce that the treaty of
peace has restored friendlv relations be
tween the two powers. Effect has been
given to its important provisions. The
evacuation of Porto Rico having already
been accomplished on Oct. 18, 1898,
nothing remained nocessary there to
continue the provisional military con
trol of tho island until tho con
gress should enact a suitable govern
ment for the ceded territory. Of the
character aud scope of the measures to
that end I shall treat in another part of
this message.
The withdrawal of the authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef
fected by Jaa. 1, so that the full re-es
tabiisliment of peace found the relin
quished terrirory held by us in trust for
the inhabitants, maintaining under the
direction of the executive such govern
ment and control therein as should con
serve public order, restore the produc
tive conditions of peace so long dis
turbed by the instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part of
the preceding three decades, and build
up that tranquil development of the do
mestic state whereby alone can be real
ized the high purpose as proclaimed in
the joint resolution adopted by the con
gress on April 19, 1898, by which the
United States disclaimed any disposi
tion or intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction or control over Cuba, ex
cept for tho pacification thereof, and as
-■erted its determination when that was
accomplished to leave the government
and control of the island to its people.
The pledge contained in this resolu
'ion is of the highest honoiable obliga
tion and must be sacredly kept. I be
lieve that substantial progress has been
made in this direction. All the admin
istrative measures adopted in Cuba have
aimed to fit for a regenerated existence
by enforcing the supremacy of law and
jetties; by placing wherever practicable
the machinery of administration in the
hands of the inhabitants; by instituting
needed sanitary reforms; by spreading
education; by fostering industry and
trade; by inculcating public morality,
and, iu Bhort, by taking every rational
step to aid the Caban people to attain
to that plane of self conscious respect
and self reliant unity which fits an en
lightened community for self govern
ment within its own sphere, while en
abling it to fulfill all outward obliga
tions.
Claims Against. Turkey.
The United States minister to Tur
key continues under instructions to
press for a money payment in satisfao
y „„ „„ d fot
wrongs dono to them by the Ottoman
authorises. Some of these claims are
of many years standing. This govern
ment is hopeful of a general f agreement
in this regard. • situation
In the Turkish empire tho
of onr citizens remains unsatisfactory.
Our efforts during nearly forty years to
bring about a convention of naturali
zation, soems on the brink of national
failure through the announced policy of
the Ottoman porte to refuse recognition
of the alien statutes of native Turkish
subjects naturalized abroad since 1807.
The arbitrary treatment, ia some in
stances, of American productions in
Turkey has attracted attention of late,
notably in regard to onr flour. Iu
these, as in all instances, wherever oc
curring, when Americau products may
he subjected in a foreign country, upon
specious pretexts, to discrimination
compared to the like products of another
Country, this government will use its
earnest efforts to secure fair and equal
treatment for its citizens and their
goods. Failing this, it will not hesitate
to apply whatever corrective may be
provided by tho statutes.
Recent Peace Conference.
In response to the invitation of his
majesty, tho emperor of Russia, dele
gates from 26 countries were assembled
at The Hague on May 18 as members of
a conference in the interest of peace.
The occasion seemed to be opportune
for the serious consideration of a plan
for the pacific adjustment of interna
tional difficulties; a subject in which
the American people nave been deeply
interested for many years, and a dofi
nite project for a permanent interna
tional tribunal was included in the in
strnctions to the delegates of the United
Stares.
The final act of the conference in
eludes conventions upon the ameliora
tion of the laws and customs of war on
land, the adaptation to maritime war
fare of the principles of the Geneva
convention of 1864 and the extension of
judicial methods to international cases,
The convention for the pacific settle
meut of international conflicts embodies
the leading features of tho American
plan with such modifications as were
rendered necessary by the great diver
sity of views and interests represented
by the delegates. convention
The four titles of the pro
vide for the maintenance of the general
peace; the exercise of good offices aud
mediation; the formation of commis
sions of inquiry and international arbi
tration.
Army Statistics.
Since my last annual message and in
obedience to acts of congress of April 22
and 26, 1898, the remaining volnnteer
force enlisted for the Spanish war, con
sisting of 34,831 regulars and 110,202
volunteers, with over 5,000, volunteer
officers, have bean discharged from tho
military service I recommend that the
congress provide a special medal of
honor for the volunteers, regulars, sail
ors and marines on duty in the Philip
pines who voluntarily remained in tho
service after their terms of enlistment
had expired.
By the act of March 22, 1899, congress
gave authority to increase the regular
army to a maximum not exceeding 65,
000 enlisted men and to enlist a force of
85,000 volunteers, to • ba recruited from
the country at large. By virtue of this
authority the regular army has been in
creased to the number of 61,999 enlisted
men and 2,248 officers, and new
volunteer regiments have been or
ganized aggregating 33,050 enlisted men
and 1,524 officers. The new troops to
take the places of those returning from
the Philippines have been transported
to Manila to the number of 581 officers
and 26,332 enlisted men of the regular
army and 594 officers and 15,388 enlisted
men of tho new volunteer force, while
504 officers aud 14,189 men of the voluu
teer force are on the ocean enrouco to
Manila.
The force now in Manila consists of
905 officers and 30,578 regulars and 594
officers and 16,388 of the volunteers,
making an aggregate of 1,499 officers
and 45,966 men. When the troops now
under orders shall reach Manila the
force in the archipelago will comprise
2,051 officers and 63,-i83 men.
Daring the past yoarwe have reduced
our force in Cuba and Porto Rico. In
Cuba we now have 334 officers and 10,-
796 enlisted men; in Porto Rico 87 offi
cers and 2,855 enlisted men and a bat
talion of 400 men composed of native
Porto Ricans, while stationed through- j
out the United States are 910 officers | !
and 17,317 men, and iu Hawaii 122
officers and 453 men.
Philippines Problem. „ ... ...
On the 10th of December, 1899 ‘thj j
treaty of peace between tho United
States and Spain was signed. It pro
vided, among other things, that Spain
should cede to the United States the j
archipelago known as the Philippine
islands; that the United States should
pay to Spain the sum of twenty millions
of dollars, and that tho civil rights aud
political status of the native inhabitants
of the territories thus ceded to the
United States should bo determined by
the congress. The treaty was ratified
by the souate on the 6th of February,
1899. and by the government of Spain
on the 19th of March following. The
ratifications were exchanged on tho 11th
of April, and the treaty publicly pro
claimed. On the 2nd of March the con
gress voted the sum contemplated by
the treaty and the amount, was paid
over to the Spanish government on tho
1st of May.
In this manner the Philippines came
to the United States. The islands were
ceded by the government of Spain,
which had been in undisputed posses
tion of them for centuries. They were
accepted, not merely by our authorized
agents in Paris under the direction of
the executive, but by the constitutional
and well considered action of the repre
• eutatives of the people in both houses
of congress. 1 had every reason to be
ieve, and I still believe, that this trans
fer of sovereignty wa? in accordance
j with the wishes and the aspirat. 0118 °f
tho great mass of the Filipino pe O P* 0 -
From the earliest moment, no op^ 10 |"*
tunity was lost of assuring the peot. ‘®
the islands of ardent desire fo. '
of our
thoir welfare, and of the intention of
this government to do everything pos
sible to advance their interests.
AgiiWtaldo’s Claim.
The claim of the robel leader that he
was promised independence by any offi
cer of tho Uuitod States in return for
his assistance has bo foundation in fact
and is categorically denied by the very
witnesses who were ealled to prove it.
The most the iusurgent leader bopod
for when he came to Manila was the
liberation of the island* from the Span
ish control, which they had been labor
ing for years without success to throw
off.
The prompt accomplishment of this
work by the Americau army aud navy
.gave him other ideas aud ambitions,
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes and in
tentions with which he had taken up
arms.
No sooner had our army captured Ma
nila than the Filipino forces began to
assume au attitude of suspicion and
hostility which the utmost efforts of
our officers and troops were unable to
disarm or modify. Their kindness and
.forbearance were taken as a proof of
Cowardice. Tho aggressions of the. Fili
pinos continually increased until finally,
just before the time set by the senate of
the United States for a vote upon the
treaty, an attack, evidently prepared in
advance, was made all along the Amer
ican lines, which resulted iq a terribly
destructive and sanguinary repulse of
the rebels.
With a devotion and gallantry worthy
of its most brilliant history, the army,
ably aud loyally assisted by the navy,
lias carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous campaign with richly de
served success. Although their opera
tions have been somewhat interrupted
aud checked b« a rainy season of unu
sual violence and duration, they have
gained steadily in every direction and
now look forward confidently to a speedy
completion of their task.
Treaty With Stilus.
The authorities of the Sulu islands
have accepted the succession of the
United States to the rights of Spain,
aud onr flag floats over that territory,
On Aug. 10, 1899. Brigadier General J.
C. Bates, U. S. V., negotiated an agreo
metit with the sultan and his principal
chiefs, which I transmit herewith. By
article 1, the sovereignty of the United
States over the whole archipelago of
Jolo ana its dependencies is declared
and acknowledged,
Tho United States flag will be used in
the archipelago and its depeucies on
laud aud sea. Piracy is to be suppressed
and the sultan agrees to co-operate
heartily with the United States authori
ties to that end and to make every pos
sibie effort to arrest and bring to justice
all persons engaged in piracy. All trade
in domestic products of the archipelago
of Jolo, when carried on with any marc
of the Philippine islands and under the
Americau flag, shall be free, unlimited
and undutiablo.
Tho Uulred States will give full pro
tection to the sultan in case any foreign
nation should attempt to impose upon
him. The United States will not sell
the island of Jolo or any other island of
t ! 30 J°!° archipelago to any foreign na
tion without the consent of the sultan.
Salaries for the sultan and his associates
iu the administration of the islands
have been agreed upon to the amount
of $760 monthly.
Article 10 provides that any slave in
the archipelago of Jolo shall have tho
right to purchase freedom by paying to
the master the nsnal market value.
The agreement by General Bates was
made subject to confirmation by the
president and to future modifications by
the consent of the parties in interest. I
have confirmed said agreement, subject
to the action of the congress and with
the reservation which I have directed
shall be communicated to the sultan of
Jolo, that this agreement ia not to be
deemed in any way to use or give the
consent of the United States to the ex
istence of slavery in the Sulu archipel
ago. I communicate these facts to the
congress for its information and action.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression archipelago of the Tagalo will rebel
lion, life iu the soon
resume its ordinary course; under the
protection of our sovereignty and the
people of those favored islands will en
joy a prosperity and a freedom which
they have never before known.
Cannot lie Abandoned.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress of the
United States. Fewer graver responsi
bilities have ever been confided to us.
If we accept them in a spirit worthy of
our race and our traditions a great op
portunity comes with them.
The islands lie under the shelter of
our flag. They are ours by every title
of law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned. If we desert them, we
leave them at once to anarchy and
finally to barbarism. We fling them, a
golden apple of discord, among the rival
powers, no one of which could permit
another to seize them unquestioned. be
Tneir rich plains and valleys would
tho scene of endless strife and blood
shed. Ma
The advent of Dawoy’s fleet in
uiia bay instead of being, as wo hope,
the q( n(JW dfty fr#edom and
progress, will have been the beginning
0 f ail ora 0 f misery and violence worse
tJmn any w bich has darkened their un
happy suggestion past. has been made that
The
W e could renounce our authority over
[go islands and giving them indepen
deuce could retain a protectorate over
,.hem. This proposition will not be
found, I am sure, worthy of your seri
ous attention. Such an arrangement
WO uid invoive at the outset a cruel
i )r0 ach of faith. It would place the
p : , aC eable and loyal majority, who ask
for nothing better than to accept our
authority, at the mercy of the minority
ar med insurgents.
l t would make us responsible for the
act8 Q f t ho insurgent leaders aud give
u s no power to control them. It would
charge us with the task of protecting defending
them against each other and
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel. In short,
ft, would take from the congress of the
United States the power of declaring
war and vest that tremendous proroga
t i V e iu the Tagal leader of the hour,
Jt does not seem desirable that I
should recommend at this time a spe
ciflc and final form of government for
these islands. When peace shall be re
stored it will be the duty of congress to
construct a plan of government which
s hall establish and maintain freedom
an d order and peace in the Philippines,
^* le insurrection is still existing
when it ternnnatos farther information
will bo required as to the actual condi
* lon °f affairs before Inaugurating a
permanent scheme of civil government,
Until congress shall have made known
. 6 formal expression of its will, I shall
Os constitution ® fne authority vested in me by the
and the statutes to uphold
the sv wereignty distant of the United States all in
those islands, as in other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
Onr flag has never waived over any
community but in blessing. I believe
the Filipino,! will soon recognize the
fact that it has not lost its gift of bene
diction in this worldwide journey to
their shores.
Porto Hi ran Affairs.
I recommend that legislation be had
with reforonce to the government of
Porto Rico. The time is ripe for the
adoption of a temporary form of gov
ernment for this island.
It is desirable that the government of
the island, under the law 'of belligerent
right, now maintained through the ex
ecutive department, should be super
seded by an administration entirely
civil in its nature. For the present pur
pose I recommend that congress pass a
law for the organization of a temporary
government which shall provide for the
appointment by the president, subject
to confirmation by tho senate, of a gov
ernor and such ocher officers as the gen
eral administration of the island may
require and for legislative purposes, on
subjects of a local nature not partaking
of a federal character.
A legislative council, composed partly
of Porto Ricans and partly of citizens
of the United States, shall be nominated
and appointed by the president.
Lynch Law Condemned.
The love of law and the sense of obe
dience and submission to the lawfully
constituted judicial tribunals, are em
bedded iu the hearts of our people, and
any violation of these sentiments and
disregard of their obligations, justly
arouses publio condemnation, The
guarantees of life, liberty, and of civil
rights, should be faithfully upheld, the
right of trial by jury respected and de
fended.
Those who, in disregard of law and
♦he public peace, unwilling to await
the judgment of court and jury, consti
tute themselves judges aud executioners
should not escape the severest penalties
for their crimes.
What I said in my inaugural address
of March 4, 1897, I now repeat:
« • The constitutional authorities should
be cheerfully upheld. Lynchiugs should
not be tolerated in a great and civilized
country like the United States; courts,
not mobs, must execute the penalties of
the laws. The preservation of publio
order, the right of discussion, the integ
rity of courts, and the orderly adtuinis
tration of justice, must continue forever
the rock of safety upon which our gov
ernment securely rests.”
National Celebration.
In accordance with the act of con
gress providing for an appropriate na
tional celebration in the year 1900 of
the establishment of the seat of govern
ment in the District of Columbia, I
have appointed a committee consisting
of the governors of all the states and
territories of the United States, who
have been invited to assemble in the
city of Washington on Dec. 21, 1899,
which, with the committee of congress
and the District of Columbia, are
charged with the proper conduct of the
celebration.
Congress, at its last session, appropri
ated $5 000 "to enable the chief engineer
of the army to continue the examina
tion of the subject and to make or se
cure designs, calculations and estimates
for a memorial bridge from the most
convenient poiut of the naval observa
tory grounds or adjacent thereto, across
the Potomac river to the most conve
nient poiut of tho Arlington estate
property. ”
In accordance with the provisions of
this act the chief of engineers has se-,
lected four eminent bridge engineers to
submit competitive designs for a bridge
combining the elements of strength and 1
durability and such architectural em
bellishment and ornamentation as will;
fitly apply to the dedication, "a memo
rial of American patriotism.” Th» de
signs are now being prepared and as
soon as completed will be submitted to
the congress by the secretary of war.
Civil Service Changes.
The executive order of May 6, 1896,
extending the limits of tho classified ser
vice, brought within the operation of
the civil service law and rales nearly all
of the executive civil service not previ
ously classified.
Some of the inclusions were found
wholly illogical and nnsnited to tho
work of the several departments. The
application of the rules to many of the
places so included were fonud to result
m friction and embarrassment. After
long and careful consideration it became
evident to the heads of the departments
responsible for their efficiency that in
order to remove these difficulties and
promote au efficient and harmonious ad
ministration certain amendments were
necessary. These amendments wero
promulgated by mo in exeontivo order
dated May 29, 1899.
Tho principal purpose of the order
was to except from competitive ex
amination certain places involving fidu
ciary responsibilities or duties of a
strictly confidential, sciontifleal or ex
ecutive character. These places were
comparatively few in number. Tho or
der provides for the filling of a much
larger number of places, mainly iu the
outside service of the war department,
by what is known as the registration
system, under regulation to be approved
by the president, similar to those which
have produced such admirablo results
in the navyyard service.
Great Opportunities.
Presented to this congress are great
opportunities; with them come great
responsibilities. The power confided to
us increases the weight of our obliga
tions to the people, and we must be pro
foundly sensitive of them as we contem
plate the new aud grave problems which
confront us. Aiming ouly at the pub
lic good, we cannot err. A right inter
pretation of the people’s will, and of
duty, cannot fail to insure wise meas
ures for the welfare of the islands which
have come under the auihority of the
United States, and to inure to the com
mon iuterest and lasting honor of our
country. Never has this nation had
more abundant cause than during th9
oast year for thankfulness to God for
manifold blessings and mercies, for
which we make reverent acknowledge
mont. William McKinley.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 6, 1899.
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