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VOL. II. President M’Kinlsy Addresses Congress on War and Other Problems. FOR MONETARY REFORMS Increaso of tho Standing Army to 100,000 Mt»n and tho Temporary Continuance of Military Kulo In New Possessions Favored. Washington, Dec. 5. —On the convening of congress today, President McKinley transmitted his annual raessige, which follows: To the Senate and House of Representa tives: Notwithstanding tho added burdens Tendered necessary by the war our people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree of prosperity evidenced by the greatest volume of business ever recorded. Manufacture has been pro ductive, agricultural pursuits have yielded abundant returns, labor in the fields of industry is better rewarded, rev enue legislation passed by the present congress has increased the treasury’s re ceipts to the amount expected by its au thors, the finances of the government have been successfully administered and its credit advanced to the first rank, while its currency has been maintained at the world’s highest standard. Military service under a common flag for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country. A review cf the relations of the U ited States to other powers, always appropri ate. is this year of primary importance in view of the momentous issues which have arisen, demanding in one instance the ul timate determination by arms and involv ing farreaching consequences which will require the earnest attention of the con gress. First Steps In the War. In my last annual message very full consideration was given to the question Of the duty of the government of the United States towards Spain and the Cu ban insurrection as being by far the most important problem with which we were then called upon to deal.. The considera tions then advanced and the exposition of the views therein expressed disclosed my sense of the extreme gravity of the situa tion. Setting aside as logically unfounded or practically advisable, the recognition of the independence of Cuba, neutral inter vention to end the war by imposing a ra tional compromise between the contest ants, intervention in favor of one or the other party, and forcible annexation of the island, I concluded it was honestly due to our friendly relations with Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her expectations of re form to which she had become irrevoca bly cc mmitted. The ensuing month brought little sign of r« al progress toward the pacification qf Cuba. No tangible relief was afforded the vast numbers of unhappy reconcen t rad os despite the reiterated professions made in that regard and the amount ap propriated by Spain to that end. By the end of December the mortality among them had frightfully increased. Conserv ative estimates from Spanish sources placed the deaths among these distressed people at over 40 per cent from the time General Weyler’s decree of recoucentra il on was enforced. The war continued on the old footing without comprehensive plan, developing ouly the same spasmodic’encounters, bar ren of strategic result, that had marked the course of the earlier ten years’ rebel lion, as well as the present insurrection from its start. No alternative save phys ical exhaustion of either combatant and therewithal the practical ruin of the island lay in sight, but how far distant no one could venture to conjecture. Blowing Up of the 3Iaine. At this juncture, on t*eb. 15, last, oc curred the destruction of the battleship Maine, while rightfully lying in the har bor of Havana on a mission of interna tional courtesy and good will—a catastro phe the suspicious nature and horror of which stirred the nation’s heart pro foundly. It is a striking evidence of the poise and sturdy good sense distinguish ing our national character that this shock ing blow, falling upon our generous peo ple already deeply touched by preceding events in Cuba, did not move them to an instant, desperate resolve to tolerate no longer the existence of a condition of dan ger and disorder at our doors that made possible such a deed by whomsoever wrought. Yet by instinct of justice pa tience prevailed and the nation anxiously awaited the result of the searching inves tigation at once set on foot. The finding of the naval board of inquiry established that the origin of the explosion was ex ternal by a submarine mine, and only halted through lack of positive testimony to fix the responsibility of its authorship.' All these things carried conviction to the most thoughtful, even before the finding of the naval court, that a crisis in our relations with Spain and toward Cuba was at hand. So strong was this belief that it needed but a brief executive suggestion to the congress to receive im mediate answer to the duty of making in stant provision for the possible and per haps speedily probable emergency of war, and the remarkable, almost unique, spectacle was presented of a unanimous vote of both houses on March 9 appropri ating $‘.0,000,000 “for the national defense and for each and every purpose connected therewith, to be expended at the discre tion of the president.” Still animated by the hope of a peaceful solution and obeying the dictates of duty, no effort was spared to bring a speed y ending of the Cuban struggle. Grieved and disappointed at the barren outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach a practicable solution, 1 felt it my duty to remit the whole question to congress. The congress was asked to authorize and empower the president to take measures to secure a full and final termination of fcostilities between Spain and the people •of Cuba. After nine days of earnest deliberation, duiing which the almost unanimous sen- The Abbeville Chronicle timent of your body was developed oil every point save as to the expediency of coupling the proposed action with a for mal recognition of the republic of Cuba the true and lawful government of that island—a proposition which failed of adop tion—the congress, on April 19, by a vote of 42 to S3 in the senate and 311 to 6 in the house of representatives, passed the mem orable joint resolution declaring the peo ple of Cuba free and independent, de manding that Spain at once relinquish authority over the island and empowering the president to use the entire land and sea forces of the United States to that end. This resolution was approved by the executive on the next day, April 20. A copy was at once communicated to the Spanish minister at this capital, who forthwith announced that his continuance in Washington bad thereby become im possible, and asked for his passports, which were given him. Simultaneously with its communication to the Spanish minister, General Woodford, the Ameri can minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of tho text of the joint reso lution and directed to communicate it to the government of Spain with the formal demand that it at once relinquish its au thority and government in the island of Cuba and withdraw its forces therefrom, Rupture of Relations. That demand, although, as above shown, officially made known to the Span ish envoy here, was not delivered at Mad rid. After the instructions reached Gen eral Woodford on the morning of April 21, but before ho could present it, . the Spanish minister of state notified him that upon the president’s approval of the joint resolution, the Madrid go\ eminent re garding the act as “equivalent to an evi dent declaration of war,’ had ordered its minister in Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking off diplomatic relations between th^twocountries General W ood and ford quitted thereupon Madrid Remanded the same his day. passports of Spam the United having States thus denied and initiated the demand that, complete form of rupture of relations which attends a state of war, the execu tive powers authorized by the resolution were at once ustfri by me to meet the en larged contingency of actual war between sovereign states. Ry my message of April the congress was informed of the situa tion and I recommended formal declare, tion of the existence of a state of war be tween the 1 nited States and Spain. The congress accordingly voted on the same day the act approved April 25, 1898, de claring the existence of such war from and including.April 21 and re-enacted the provision of the resolution of April 20 di recting the president to use all the armed forces of the nation to carry that act into effect. It is not within the province of this mes sage to narrate the history of the extraor dinary war that followed the Spanish declaration of April 21. but a brief recital of its more salient features is apropos, The first encounter of the war in point of date took place April .27, when a detach ment of the blockading squadron made a reconnoisance in force at Matanzas, shelled the harbor forts and demolished several lie v works in construction. The next engagement was destined to mark a memorable epoch in maritime warfare. The Pacific fleet under Commo dore George Dewey had lain for some weeks at Kong-Kong. Upon the colonial proclamation of neutrality being issued and the customary 24 hours notice being given, it repaired to Mirs bay near Hong Kong whence it proceeded to the Philip pine islands under telegraphic orders to capture or destroy the formidable Spanish fleet then assembled at Manila. At day break on the morning of May 1 the Amer ican force entered Manila bay and alter a few; hours engagement effected the total destruction of the Spanish fleet, consist ing of ten warships and a transport, be sides capturing the naval station and forts at Cavite, thus annihilating the Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean and com pletely controlling the bay of Manila with the ability to take the city at. will. Following the comprehensive scheme of general attack powerful forces were as sembled at various points on our,coast to invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile naval demonstrations were adopted at several exposed points. Young Hobson’s Brave Deed. The next acts of the war thrilled not only tho hearts of our countrymen, but the world by its heroism. On the night of June 3 Lieutenant Hobson, aided by seven devoted volunteers, blocked the nar row- outlet at Santiago harbor, by sinking the collier Merrimac in the channel under a (V ice fire from the shore batteries, es caping with their lives as by a miracle, but falling into the hands of the Span iards. They were subsequently exchanged. On June 22. the advance of the invading army under Major General Shafter landed at Daiquiri, about 15 miles east of Santi ago. On July 1 a severe battle took place, our forces gaining the outworks at Santi ago. On the second El Cauey and Siyi J nan were taken after a desperate cli'arge _ and the investment of the city completed. On the day following the brilliant achievement of our land force, July 3, oc curred the decisive battle of the war. The Spanish fleet, attempting to leave the harbor, was met by the American squad ron under command of Commodore Samp son. In less than three hours all the Spanish ships were destroyed, the two torpedo boats being sunk and the Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Viscaya ami Cristobal Colon driven ashore. The Span ish admiral and over 1,300 men were taken prisoners, while the enemy’s loss of life was deplorably large, some 009 perishing. On our side but one man was killed and one seriously wounded. With the catastrophe of Santiago Spain’s power on the ocean virtually ceased. The capitulation of Santiago followed. The occupation of Porto Rico became the next stragetic necessity. , General Miles had previously been assigned to or ganize an expedition for that purpose. On July 27 he entered Ponce, one of the most important ports in the island, for which he thereafter directed operations for the capture of the island. The campaign was prosecuted with great vigor and by Aug. 12 much of the island was in our posses sion and the acquisition of tho remainder was only a matter of a short time. Negotiations For I’eace. The annihilation of Admiral Cervera’s fleet, followed by the capitulation of San tiago, having brought to the Spanish gov ernment a realizing sense of tlie hopeless ness of continuing a struggle now becom ing wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace through the French ambassador, On Aug. 12, M. Cambon, as the plenipo tentiary of Spain and the secretary of state as the plenipotentiary of the United States, signed a peace .protocol and J a » pointed William R. Day, lately secretary ABBEVILLE. GA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER S. 1898. rtf state, Cushman K. 1) ivls, William i* Frye and George Gray, senators of the United States, and Whltelaw Held tub tile peace commissioners on the part ->f the United States. Proceeding in due time to I’uris, they there met on Oct. 1 five commissioners similarly appointed on the part of Spain. The negotiations have made hopeful progress so that I trust soon to be able to hty a definite treaty of peace before the senate with u view of the steps 1 leading to its signature. the do not discuss at this time govern meat or the future of the new possessions which will come to us as the result of the war with Spain. Such discussion will ha appropriate after tile treaty of peace shall bo ratified. In tho meantime, and until the congress lias legislated otherwise, it will bo my duty to continue the military governments which have existed since our occupation and give to the people security in life and property and encouragement under a just and beneficient rule. As soon as we are in possession of Cuba and have pacified the island it will he necess.iry to give aid and decision to its people to form a government of them selves. It should be undertaken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured success, it is important that our relations with these people shall be of the most friendly character and our com mercial relations close and reciprocal. It should be our duty to assist in every proper way to build up the waste places of the island, encourage the industry of the people and assist them to form a gov ernment which shall be free and inde pendent, thus realizing the best aspira tions of the Cuban people. .Spanish rule j must be replaced by a just, benevolent hll( j humane government, created by the j people of Cuba, capable of performing all international obligations, and which shall encourage thrift, industry and prosperity and promote peace and goodwill among all of the inhabitants, whatever may have been their relations in the past. Neither reven'sc * nor passion should have a place in the new government. Until there is ; complete tranquilit yin the island and a stable government inaugurated military occupation will be continued, With the exception of the rupture with SpaiD the intercourse of the United States with the great family of nations has been marked with cordiality and the close of the event finds 1U0Bt of the issues that necessarily arise in the complex relations Q f sovereign states adjusted or presenting n o serious obstacle to a just and honor iV Ule solution by amicable agreement, . v Tho Imttimer Tragedy. On Sept. 10, 1897, a conflict took place at Lattimer, Pa., between a body of striking miners and the sheriff of Luzerne county and his deputies, in which 22 miners were killed and 44 wounded, of which ten of the killed and 12 of the wounded were Austrian and Hungarian subjects. This deplorable event naturally aroused tho solicitude of the Austro-Hungarian gov j eminent, which on the presumption that the killing and wounding involved the un* juslifiable misuse of authority, claimed reparation for the sufferers. Apart from the searching investigation anil peremp tory action of the authorities of Pennsyl vania the federal executive took appro priate steps to learn the merits of the case in order to be in a position to meet the urgent complaint of a friendly power. The sheriff and his deputies, having been indicted for murder, were tried and ac quitted after protracted proceedings and the hearing of hundreds of witnesses on the ground that the killing was in the line of their official duty to uphold law and preserve public order in the state. A representative of the department of jus tice attended the trial and reported its course fully. With all the facts in its po session, this government expects to reach a harmonious understanding on the sub ject with that of Austro-Hungary, not withstanding the renewed .claim of the latter after learning the result of the trial, for indemnity for its injured sub jects. Nicaragua, Canal Project. The Nicaraugua canal commisssion. un der the chairmanship of Rear Admiral John G. Walker, appointed July 24, 1897, under the authority of a provision in the sundry civil act of Juno 4 of that year, has nearly completed its labors, and tho results of its exhaustive inquiry into the proper route, the feasibility and the cost of construction of an interoceauic canal by a Nicaraguan route will be laid before you. As the scope of recent inquiry embraced the whole subject with the aim of making plans and surveys for a canal by the most convenient route, it necessarily included a review of the results of previous surveys and plans and in particular those adopted by the Maritime Canal company under its existing concessions from Nicaragua and Costa Rico, so that to this extent those grants necessarily held an essential part in the deliberations and conclusions of the canal commission as they have held and must needs hold in the discussion of the matter before congress. Under these cir cumstances and in view of overtures made to the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other parties for a new ca nal concession predicated on the assumed approaching lapse of the contracts of the Maritime Canal company with those states I have not hesitated to express my conviction that considerations of expedi ency and international policy as between the several governments interested in the construction and control of an inter oceanic canal by this route require the m.-iintainance of the status quo until the canal commission shall have reported and tho United States congress shall have had an opportunity to pass finally upon the whole matter, without prejudice by rea son of any change ill the existing condi tions. All these circumstances suggest tho ur gency of some definite action by the con gress at this session if its labors of the past are to be utilized and the. linking oi the Atlantic ami Pacific oceans by a prac tical waterway is to be realized. That the construction of such a maritime highway is now more than ever indispensable to that intimate and ready intercommunica tion between our eastern and western sea boards demanded by the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands and the prospective expansion of our influence and commerce in the Pacific and that our national policy now more imperatively than ever calls for its control by this government, are propo sitions which I doubt not the congress will duly appreciate and wisely act upon Tin* Partition of China. The United States has not been an in different spectator of the extraordinary events transpiring in the Chinese empire, whereby portions of its maritime pro vinces are passing under the control of various European powers, but the pros pect that the vast commerce which the energy of our citizens and the necessity of our staple production for Chinese uses has built up in those regions may not bo Prejudiced through any exclusive treat ment by tile new occupants has obviated the need of our country becoming an actor in the scene. Our position among nations having a large 1‘acific coast, and a constantly tile ex panding direct Rada with faRtbeR Orient, gives us the equitable claim to consideration and friendly treatment in this regard and it will be my aim to sub serve our large interests in that quarter by ail means appropriate to the constant policy of our government. The territories of Kino Chow, of Wei llni-Wei and of I’ort Arthur and Talienwan. leased to Ger many, Great Hritilin and Russia respect ively for terms of years, will, it is an nounced, be open to international com merce during such alien occupation, and if no discriminating treatment of Ameri can citizens and their trade be found to exist or be hereafter developed, the desire of this government would appear to be realized. Meanwhile there may be Just ground for disquietude in view of the un rest and revival of the old sentiment of opposition and prejudice to alien people which pervades certain of the Chinese provinces. As in the ertso of the attacks upon our citizens in Szechuan and at Kttlieti in 1S93, the United States minister has been instructed to secure the fullest measure of protection, both local and im perial. for any menaced American inter ests and to demand, in case of lawless in jury to person or property, instant repara tion appropriate to the case. have been stationed at Tien Tsin for more ready observation of the disorders which have invaded the Chinese capital, so a:s to be in a position to act should need arise, while a guard of marines has been sent to Peking to afford the minister the same measure of authoritative protection as the representatives of other nations have been constrained to employ. Tho French Exposition. There is now every prospect that the participation of the" United States in the universal exposition to bo held in Paris in 1900 wdl be on a scale commensurate with the advanced position held by our pro ducts and industries in the world’s chief markets. The preliminary report of Moses P. Handy, who, under the act approved July 19, 1897, was appointed special com missioner with a view to securing all at tainable information necessary to a full and complete understanding by congress in regard to the participation of this gov ernment in the Paris exposition, was laid before you by my message of Dec. 0, 1897, and showed the large opportunities to make known our national progress in manufactures, as well as the urgent need of in’nnediate and adequate provision to enable due advantage thereof to be taken. Mr. Handy’s death soon afterward ren dered it necessary for another to take up nnd complete the unfinished work, and on Jan. 11 last Mr. Thomas AV. Gridler, third assistant secretary of state, was desig nated to fulfill that task. Hy a provision in the sundry civil appropriation act of July l, 1998, a sum not to exceed $050,000 was allotted for the organization of a com mission to care for the proper preparation nial installation of American exhibits and for the display of suitable exhibits by the several executive departments, particu larly bj r the department of agriculture, the fish commission and the Smithsonian Institution, in representation of the gov irnment of the United States. Pursu i*nt to that enactment, I appointed Mr. Ferdinand W. Pec* of Chicago commis sioner general, with an assistant commis sioner general and secretary. Mr. Peck lit once proceeded to Paris, where his suc cess in enlarging the scope and variety of tlie United States exhibit has been most gratifying. Notwithstanding the com paratively limited area of the exposition site—less than one half that of the World's Fair at Chicago—the space assigned to the United States has been increased from the absolute allotment of 157,403 square feet reported by Mr. Handy to some 202, 000 square feet, with corresponding aug mentation of the field for a truly charac teristic representation of the various im portant branches of our country’s devel opmenfc. Mr. Peck’s report will be laid before you. In my judgment its recom mendations will call for your early con sitleration, especially as regards an in crease of the appropriation to at least $1,000,000 in all, so that not only may the assigned space be fully taken up by the best possible exhibits in every class, but the preparation and installment be on so perfect a scale as to rank among the first in that unparalleled competition or nrtis tic and inventive production and thus counterbalance the disadvantages with w hich we start as compared with other countries whose appropriations are on a more generous scale and whose prepara tions are in a state of much greater for wardness than our own. Annexation of Hawaii. Pending consideration by the senate of the treaty' signed June 16, 1897, by the plenipotentiaries of the United States and of the republic of Hawaii, providing for the annexation of the islands, a Joint reso lution to accomplish the same purpose by accepting the offered cession and incorpo rating the ceded territory into the Union was adopted by the congress and approved July 7, 1898. I v thereupon directed tho United States steamer Philadelphia to convey Rear Admiral Miller to Honolulu and entrusted to his hands this important legislative act to he delivered to the presi dent of the republic of Hawaii,with whom tlie admiral and the United States minis ter were authorized to make appropriate arrangements for transferring the islands to the United States. This was simply but impressively accomplished on Au 12 by the delivery of a certified copy of the resolution to President Dole, who thereupon yielded up to the representa tives of the government of the United States the sovereignty and the public property of the Hawaiian Islands. Pursuant to the terms of tlie joint reso lution and in exercise of the authority thereby conferred upon me, I directed that the civil, judicial and military pow ers theretofore exercised by the officers of the government of the republic of Hawaii should continue to he exercised by those officers until congress shall provide a gov ernment for the incorporated territory, subject to my power to remove such offi cers and to fill vacancies. The president, officers and troops of the republic there Upon took the oath of allegiance to the Cnited States, thus providing for the un interrupted continuances of all the admin istrative and municipal functions of tin annexed territory until congress shall otherwise enact. Following the further provision of the joint resolution I appointed the Hons. Shelby M. Cullom of Illinois, John T. Morgan of Alabama, Robert It. Hitt of Illinois Sanford H. Dole of Hawaii and Walter F. Frear of Hawaii as commission ers to confer and recommend to congress tucli legislation Concerning the Hawaiian islands as they should deem necessary dt proper. bavins fulfilled Tho commissioners mission confided to them their work be laid before you at au early day. It believed that their recommendations will have the earnest, consideration due to magnltudo of the tesptiusiUlllty to the Rela Upon you to give such shape tionship of those midpacifie lands to home Union as will benefit both In highest decree, realizing the of the community that lias cast its with us and elected to share our political heritage while at the same time ing the foresight of those who for three quarters of a Century, liaVo looked to assimilation of Hawaii as a natural inevitable consummation in harmony with our needs and in fulfillment of cherished traditions; Under the provisions of the joint tions the existing customs relations the Hawaiian Islands with the States and with other countries unchanged until legislation shall wise provide. The consuls of lu-re and in foreign countries continue fulfill their commercial "agencies the United States consulate at is maintained for all proper services taining to trade and revenue. It lie desirable that all foreign consuls in Hawaiian Islands should receive new ex equaters from this government. (zar’s Disarmament l’lan. The proposal of the Russian czar for general reduction of the vast military tablishments that weigh so heavily many peoples in time of peace was re ccntly communicated to this with an earnest invitation to be repre sented in the conference which it is templated to assemble with a view to cussing the means of accomplishing so sir,• ihlo a result. His majesty was at. informed of the cordial sympathy of government with the principle.involved in his exalted proposal and of tho of the United States to take part in conference. The active military force of the States as measured by our population, territorial area and taxable wealth, is under any conceivable prospective condi tions must continue to be'in time of j so conspicuously less than that of | armed powers to whom tho czar’s appeal is especially addressed that the j can have for us no practical | save as marking an auspicious step I ward the betterment of the condition the modern peoples and the cultivation peace and good will among them, but this view it behooves us as a nation lend countenance and aid to the cent project. The Currency Question. The secretary of the treasury ; that the receipts of the government j all sources during the fiscal year j June 30, 1898, including $84,751,2:23 ceived from sale of Pacific railroads, . amounted to $405 321,335 and its tures to $443,368 582. There was from customs $149,575,002 and from ternal revenue $170,900,041. Our imports amounted to $324,735,479, a de crease of $58,150,090 over tho year, and importations free of amounted to $291,414,175. a decrease from the preceding year of $90,524,008. Internal revenue receipts exceeded those of the preceding year by $24,212,008. The total tax collected on distilled spirits was $92,546,999, on manufactured tobacco $36 230,522 and on fermented liquors $39,515,421. We exported mer chandise during the year amounting $1,231,482,330, an increase of from the preceding year. It is estimated upon the basis of revenue laws that the receipts fror. government for t he year ending June 30, : 1890, will be $577,874,607 and its expendi tures $680 874 647, resulting in a of $112,000.000. On Dec. 1, 1898, there , held in the treasury gold coin amounting to $138,441,547. gold bullion amounting $130,592,545, silver bullion amounting $93 359,250 and other forms of money amounting to $151,963,931. On the same date the amount of of all kinds in circulation or not included j ! in increase treasury for holdings tho year of was $165,794;966. $1,860,879,509, an mating our population at 75,194,000 at the time mentioned tho per capita circulation was $35.09. On the same date there was in the ury gold bullion amounting to 545. The provisions made for the resources of the treasury in tion with the war has given confidence in the purpose and the of the government to maintain Ihe standard both established more iirrply than ever the national credit at home abroad. A marked evidence of this found in the inflow of gold to the treas ury. Its net gold holdings on Nov. 1898, were $239,885,160 as compared $153,573,147 on Nov. 1. 1897, and an crease of net cash of $2 '7,756, K 0 Nov. 1897, to $300,288,275 Nov. !, 1898. The pres ent ratio of net treasury gold government liabilities including States notes, treasury notes of 1896, certificates, standard silver dollars fractional silver coin Nov. 4, 1893, 25.85 per cent as compared with 16.96 cent Nov. 1, 1897. Redemption of Notes. I renew so much of my recommendation of December, 1897, as follows. •‘That when any of the United notes are presented for redemption in and are redeemed in gold such notes tie kept and set apart and only paid out in exchange for gold. This is an duty. If the holder of the United note prefers the gold and gets it from government, he should not receive from the government a United States note without paying gold in exchange for it. The reason for this is made all the apparent when the government issues an interest hearing debt to provide gold the redemption of United Scutes noninterest bearing debt. Surely it not pay them out again except on mand and for gold. If they are put iri any other way they may return again, to followed hy another bond issue to redeem them—another interest bearing debt to re deem a noninterest bearing debt.” 'I’ll s recommendation was made in belief that such provisions of law would insure a greater degree the safety of tlie present standard and better protect currency from the dangers to which it is subjected from a disturbance in the gen eral business conditions of the country. In my judgment the present condition of the treasury amply justifies the imrao diate enactment of the legislation recom mended one year ago, under which a tion of the gold holdings should be in a trust fund, from which should be redeemed upon but when once redeemed should not after be paid out except for gold. It is not to be inferred that other legis ation relating to our currency is not qiilred; on the coutriiry, there it» an ob vious demand for it. The importuned of adequate provision which will insure to our future a money standard, related as our money standard now is to that of our commercial rivals, is generally recognized, The companion proposition that our domestic paper cur reiicy shall be kept safe and yet lie so re lated to the needs of our industries and internal commerce ilS to be adequate and responsive to such needs is a proposition in scarcely less important. Tho subject, all its parts, is commended to tho wise consideration of the congress. For a Big Standing Army. Under I tie net. of congress approved ApRil 23, 1899 authorizing the president, in his discretion, “Upon a declaration of war by congress, or a declaration by con gress that war exists,” directed the in ti-ease of the regular army lo thi' muxi mum of 62,000, authorized in said act. There are now in the regular army 67,- 882 officers and men. In said act it was provided “that at the end of any war in Which the United States may become in volved the army shall be reduced to a peace basis by the transfer of the same arm of the service of absorption by pro motion or honorable discharge under such regulations as the secretary of war may oslablisii of supernumerary Commissioned officers and the honorable discharge of the transfer of supernumerary enlisted men, and nothing contained in this act shall bo construed as authoring the permanent in crease of the commissioned or enlisted force of the regular army beyond that now provided by the law in force prior to the passage of this act, except as to the increase of 25 majors provided for in sec tion 1 hereof.” The importance of legislation for the permanent increase of the army is there fore manifest mid the recommendation of the secretary of war for that purpose has tny Unqualified approval. There can be no question that at. this time and probably for some time in the future 11)0,000 men will be none too many to meet the necessi ties of the situation, At all events, whether that number shall ba required permanently or not, the power should ba given to the president to enlist that force if in his discretion it should be necessary, and the further discretion should be given him to recruit for the army within tho above limit from the inhabitants of the islands with tho government of which we are charged. the It is my purpose to muster out en tire volunteer army as soon as the con gress shall provide for the increase of the regulaR establishment. This will lie only an act of justice ami will bo much appre ciated by the brave men who left their homes and employment to help the coun try in ils emergency. Washing ton’s Centennial. In tile year 1900 will occur the centen nial anniversary of the founding of the city of Washington for tho permanent capital of the government of the United States by authority of an act of congress approved July 16, 1790. In May 1800 the fed- the archives and general offices of eral government was removed to this place. On Nov. 17, 18ii(), the national con gress met hero for the first time and as sumed exclusive control of the federal dis trict and city. This interesting event as sumes all the more significance when we recall the circumstances attending tho choosing of the site, tho naming of the capital in honor of the father of his coun try and the interest taken by him in the adoption of plans for its future develop ment on a magnificent scale. A movement lately inaugurated by the citizens to have the anniversary cele brated with ' tting ceremonies including perhaps I he establishment of a handsome permanent memorial to mark so historical an occasion ami lo give it more than local recognition has met with general favor on the part of the public. I recommend to tlie congress the granting of an appropria tion for this purpose ami the appointment of a committee from its respeceive bodies. It might also be advisable to authorize the president to appoint a committee from tho country at large, which, acting with t lio congressional ami District of Uolum*. Ida committees, can complete the plans for an appropriate national celebration, Pension Statistics. There were on the pension rolls on June 30, 1898, 993,714 names, an increase of nearly 18,009 over the number of tlie rolls for tlie same day of the preceding year. The amount appropriated by the act of Dec. 23, 1896, for (he payment of pensions for the fiscal year 1898 was $149,900 000. Ry the act of March 31, 1898, $3,070,873.46 was appropriated to cover deficiencies in army pensions and repayments in the sum of $12,020.35, making iTt el al of $148, 082,893.79 available for the payment of pensions during the fiscal year 1898. The amount disbursed from that sum was $144,051,879.80, leaving a balance of $3,431, 012.99 unexpended on June 80, 1893, which was covered into the treasury. There were 389 men added to tin- rolls during the year by special acts at the sec ond session of the Fifty-fifth congress, making a total of 6,486 pensioners hy con gressional enactments since 1801. Supremo Courtroom. I deem it my duty to call to the atten tion of congress tlie condition of tlie pres ent building occupied by the department of justice. A proper regard for the safety, comfort and convenience of the officers and employes would justify the expendi ture of a liberal sum of money in the erection of a new building. The Twelfth Census. I earnestly urge upon congress the im portance of early legislation providing for the taking of the twelfth census. This is necessary in view of (lie large amount of work which must be performed in tho preparations of schedules preparatory to the enumeration of the population. Admiral and. Vice Admiral. I join with tho secretary of tho navy in recommending that the grades of admiral and vise admiral lie temporarily revived, to lie filled hy officers who have specially distinguished themselves in tho war with Spain. Alien Contract Law. The alien contract law is shown by ex perience to need some amendment, a measure providing better protection for seamen is proposed: the rightful applica tion of the 8-hour law for the benefit of labor and of the principle of arbitration nresuggestediorconsiderationandlcom- careful mend these subjects to the atten tion of tlie congress. The several departmental reports will be laid before you. They give in great detail tho-conduct of the affairs of Ihe government during the year past and dis cuss many questions upon which the cou gross may be c alled upon to act 1 (.Signed.) William McKinley | Executive Mansion, Dec. 5, 1898. NO. 46. SOLONS REASSEMBLE ANI) BEGIN BUSINESS AT THE OLD STAND. . THE PRESENT'S MESSAGE READ The Opening of the Session Was Under Circumstances of Unusual Public In terest—An Ovation to Wheeler. A Washington special pays: Congress reassembled at noon Monday under circumstances of unusual public inter est. The same congress six mouths ago declared war against Spain, and now, with war fought and won, it came together again for the first legis lative consideration of the questions developed by the eventful months just passed. There were more than the usual number of distinguished personages in tho thronged galleries, including many representatives of foreign gov ernments, high officials and ladies and gentlemen conspicuous in social and political life. The greetings of the members were most cordial, and there was no outcropping of'partisau rancor to mar the occasion. One of the most striking incidents was tho cordial meeting between the floor leaders of the respective sides, Messrs. Dingley and Bailey. In view of tho gossip about the possibility of Mr. Bailey being deposed as the mi nority leader, it is significant that the speaker named Mr. Bailey as the mi nority member of the committee to wait upon the president, an honor always bestowed upon tho recognized lender of the minority. wel Hpeaker Reed received a warm come from both sides of tho house when he ascended the rostrum to call the house to order. But perhaps the greatest, personal ovation to any,member was that, given to Major General Wheeler, of Ala bama, who has not been seen by many of his colleagues since he went to the front at. the head of Ihe cavalry divis ion of General Shafter’s army. The floral tributes were unusually numerous and made t’.e hall a verita ble bower of beautiful flowers. The proceedings themselves were dull, all interest centeringiu the read ing of the president’s message. droned For two hours the clerk through the long document, but tho interest never flagged. The president’s review of the causes leading up to the war, the manner in which the preparations for hostilities were made, and tho succession of vic tories on land and sea were listened to with rapt attention. The other pro visions of the message were followed with almost as much interest. There was no expression of approval or dis approval through the reading. As soou as thorendiug was conclud ed tho message was ordered printed, and then,~nt o^—^+lock: p. m tho house adjourned. IN THE SENATE. When the senate convened Monday to begin the closing session of the fifly-sixth congress tlie chamber pre sented a notable and beautiful appear ance. By 11 o’clock ihe public and private galleries were filled almost to their capacity with a distinguished as semblage, including many ladies in brilliant attire. On the floor of the senate the dis play of flowers was unusually beauti ful, even for ihe opening day of a ses sion of congress. The mcmorablo scenes enacted in the chamber during tlie last session and the momentous events that have occurred since con gress last adjourned created a feeling of intense expectancy on the part of both the spectators and the members of tho senate. The reading of the president’s mes sage was received with very careful attention for an hour, but after that the senators drifted to the cloakroom^, where they could peruse the message at their leisure in the printed copies which they had been furnished. The reading of the message occu pied two hours and eighteen minutes and not the slightest demonstration occurred. At 3:45 o’clock p. m., after the in troduction of a few unimportant bills and resolutions, the senate adjourned. GAGE’S ESTIMATES Of Appropriations Required For the Ser vice For Next Two Years. In conformity with the requirements of law, the secretary of the treasury transmitted to congress Monday the estimates of appropriations required for tlie service for th& fiscal year end ing June 30, 1000, as furnished hy the several executive departments. These estimates, including permanent an nual appropriations, aggregate $593, 048,378. as against $802,875,513, the amount of the appropriations, includ ing deficiencies and miscellaneous, for the fiscal year, 1899, and $462,047,- 885, tho amount of estimates for 1899. TO INVESTIGATE WAR. Congressman Sulzer, of New York, Intro treduces a Resolution In the House. A Washington dispatch says: Rep resentative Bulzer, of New York, ing democratic member of tile house committee ou military affairs, intro duced a resolution at the first day’s session “authorizing and directing the committee on military affairs to inves tigate the war department und the con duct of the Spanieh-American war.”