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PresidentCommunicatesWith
Congress on Subjects of
National Interest.
WAR, TRUSTS AND MONEY
Revolt Must He Put. Down—R metty
For the Monopoly Evil—Gold Stand¬
ard Favored—Partition of Samoa.
Hobart’s Death, Etc.
■Washington, Dec. 5.—-The president
today transmitted to congress his an¬
nual message, as follows:
To the Senate aud House of Represen¬
tatives:
At the threshold of your deliberations
yon are called to mourn with your coun¬
trymen the death of Vice President Ho¬
bart, who passed from this life on tho
morning of ‘November 21st, last. His
great soul now rests in eternal peace.
His private life was pare and elevated,
while his public career was ever distin¬
guished by large capacity, stainless in¬
tegrity and exalted motives. Ho has
been removed from the high office which
he honored aud dignified, but his lofty
character, his devotion to duty, his hon¬
esty of purpose aud noble virtues re¬
main with us as a priceless legacy and
oxample
The Fifty-sixth congress convenes in
its first regular session with the country
in a condition of unusual prosperity, of
universal good will among the people at
home and in relations of peace and
friendship with every government of
the world. Our foreign commerce has
shown great increase in volume aud
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 1S99 alone ex¬
ceeded by more than $1,000,000,000 our
imports and exports combined in 1S70.
The imports per capita tiro 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 tbe 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 $333,692,-
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 sold
abroad exceeded those bought abroad
were 1898 and 1899.
Government receipts from all sonrees
for the fiscal year, ended June 30, 189.4,
including $11,798,314.14, part payment
Central Pacific railroad indebtedness,
aggregated $610,982,004 36. Customs re¬
ceipts were $306,128,461.75 and those
from internal revenue $273,437,151.61.
For the fi cal year, the expenditures
were $700,093,564.02, leaving a deficit of
$89,111,559.67.
The secretary of the treasury esti¬
mates that, the receipts for the current
fiscal year will aggregate $640,958,112
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 tbe treasury
with respect to cash on hand and the
favorable showing made by the reve¬
nues have made it possible for take the sec¬
retary of the treasury to action
under the provisions of section 3694, re¬
vised statutes, 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, tbe 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
fund law, which for 80 years has not
been done because of deficiencies in the
revenues. The treasury department.
therefore, offered to purchase during
November $26,000,000 of the 5 per cent
loan of J904, 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
snch purchases was $2,263,521 and the
not saving in interest was about $2
885,000. The Bttocess of this operation
was sufficient to induce the government
to continue the offer to purchase bonds
to and including Dec. 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 industry, with
its welcome attendant—a larger em¬
ployment for labor at higher wages—
gives to the body of the people a larger
power to absorb the circulating me¬
dium. It is further true that year by-
year, with larger areas of land under
cultivation, the increasing volume of
agricultural products, cotton, corn and
wheat, calls for a larger volume of
money supply. This is especially no¬
ticeable at the crop harvesting and crop
moving period. history, the national
In its earlier
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 bpnd 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 snch reasonable modifications
can be made in the national bank act
as will render its service in the partien
lars here referred to more responsive to
the people’s needs. I again urge that
national banks be authorized to organ-
ize with a capital of $25,004.
I urgently recommend that to sup¬
port the existing gold standard ami 10
maintain ‘'the parity in value of the
coins of the two metals (gold and sil¬
ver), and the equal power of every dol-
1st- at ail times in the market and iu the
payment of debts,” the secretary of the
treasury be givon additional power and
charged with the duty 10 sell United
States bonds and to employ such other
effective moans ns may be necessary to
those auds.
Our Merchant. Marltu*.
The value of an American merchant
marine to tbo extousiou of our commer¬
cial trade and the strengthening of our
power upon the sea invites the imme¬
diate action of congress. Our national
development will be one sided and un¬
satisfactory, so long as the remarkable
growth of our inland industries remains
unaccompanied There by progress ou the seas,
is uo lack of constitutional au¬
thority for legislation which shall 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
tioual activity in our shipyards, aud
promises of continual prosperity in ship
building are abundant. Advanced legis¬
lation for the protection of our seamen
has been enacted. Our coast trade,
under regulations wisely framed at the
beginning of the government aud since,
shows results for the past year that are
unequalled in our reoorda 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 carryiug trade of the world.
Last year American vosse’s trans¬
ported a smaller share of our exports
and imports than during any former
year iu all our history, and the meas¬
ure of our dependence upon foreign
shipping was painfully manifested to
our people. Without any choico of our
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.
The other great nations have not hes¬
itated to adopt the required means to
develop their shipping as a factor iu
national and defense, speediest and as of one obtaining of (l 10
surest means
for their producers a share in foreign
markets. Like vigilance and effort ou
our part cannot fail to improve our sit-
nation, which is regarded with humilia-
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 provok¬ con¬
sumed by the people, are justly
ing public discussion aud should early
claim the attention of the congress.
Tha 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 and competition. They have not
yet completed their investigations of
this subject and the conclusion and
rocommeudations at which they may
arrive aTe 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 tbo
public which may result from large
combinations concentrating more or
less numerous enterprises and estalisli-
wsuts which previously to the forma¬
tion of the combination were carried
separately.
It is universally conceded that combi¬
nations which engross or control the
market of any particular kind of mer¬
chandise or commodity necessary to the
general community, by suppressing nat¬
ural and ordinary competition, whereby
prices are unduly enhanced to the geu
eral consumer, are obnoxious uot only
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 iaw 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 most important subjeot should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
It is apparent that uniformity of leg¬
islation upon this subject in tbe several
states is much to be desired. It is to be
hoped that such uniformity founded in
a wise aud just discrimination between
what is injurious and what is nseful
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
aud farraaehing that I am sure uo part
of it will be lightiy considered, but
every chase of it will have the studied
deliberation of congress resulting iu
wise and judicious action.
The Nicaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal commission,
which bad been engaged upon the work
of examination and survey for a route
across Nicaragua, haying completed its
labors and made its reports, was dis¬
solved on May SI, 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 and
feasible route for a ship canal across
that isthmus, with its probable cost and
other essential details.
This commission, under the presi
deuev of Roar 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 tbe Atlantic,
from the neighborhood of the Atralto
river to the bay of Panama on the Pa
cific side. Good progress has been
made, but under the law a comprehen called
sive and complete investigation is
for, which will require much labor and
cousiderable time for its accomplish
meut. The work will be prosecuted as
expeditiously as possible practicable and a date. report
made at the earliest
The great importance of this work
cannot be too often or too strongly
pressed upon the attention of the con
gress. In my message off a year ago I
expressed my views of the necessity of
a canal which would link the two great
oceans, to which 1 again invite your con¬
sideration. The reasons then presented
for eariy action are even stronger now.
Tho farts Exposition*
Preparations for the representation nroducts of
of tile industries, arts and
the United States at the world’s exposi¬
tion, to be heid in Paris next year, con¬
tinue on an elaborate and comprehen¬
sive scale, thanks to the generous ap
propriation provided by congress and to
the friendly interest the French govern¬
ment has shown iu furthering a typical
exhibit of American progress.
There has been allotted to the United
States a considerable addition of spaco
which, while placing our country in
the first rank among exhibitors, does
not suffice to meet the increasingly ur¬
gent demands of our manufacturers.
The efforts of the commissioners gen¬
eral are ably directed towards the secur¬
ing of a display of all that most charao-
teristcically marks American achieve¬
ment in the inventive arts and most ad¬
equately shows the excellence of our
natural productions. build¬
The United States government and
ing iB approaching completion no
effort will be spared to make it worthy
in beauty of architectural plan and in
completeness of display to represent our
nation.
Iloft- British 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 of our direct concern. Had circum¬
stances suggested that the parties to the
quarrel would have welcomed any
kindly -------„ expression —_------- of __ tho — hope —..... of the
American people that war might be
averted, good offices would have been
gladly tendered.
Tbe 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 Britisli
ai'ent from authorizedjupon~the Pretoria the Uuited States
I eonsul consul was was authorized, upon the request request
: 0 e - tbo British l._______.... government and _ j with - u the * ..
; assout f 0 f ‘ tbe South African and Orange
j j re(J g ta (e governments, to exercise the
cngtomar y „ 00 q c ffi ces of a neutral for
tb0 ear0 n f British interests In the dis-
j cha nf tbi8 f nD(!tion j anl happy to
gav tbat a h an dant opportunity has been
a jj or( i e( j to show tho impartiality of this
government toward both the combat-
antg '
Partition 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 tha late king, Malietoa
Lsupepa, developed a contest as to the
validity of the result, which issue by
tho terms of the general aot was to be
decided by tho chief justice. Upon his
rendering a judgment in favor of Ma¬
lietoa Tauu, the rival chief, Mataafa,
rook np arms. The active intervention
of American and British warships be¬
came an imperative necessity to restore
order a6 tbe 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
was reached for the time being, the
kingship being abolished and a provis¬
ional government established.
Recommendations unanimously made
by tbe commission for a permanent ad¬
justment of the Samoan question wero
taken under consideration by the three
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- of
eluded between the governments
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 Stares ail their
rights and claims over aud iu 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 Tmuilla, (Moo, Oio-
sontra and Manna
I tron,mil to th. senate, for it. coo-
which, besides the provisions above
mentioned, also guarantees us the same
privileges and conditions in vessels respect ail to
commerce and commercial in
of tho islands of Samoa as those pos¬
sessed by Germany.
Cuban Administration.
My annual message of last year was
necessarily deyoted in great part to a
consideration of the Spanish war and
of the results it wrought and the condi¬
tions it imposed for the future. I am
gratified to auiiounce that the treaty of
peace has restored frieudlv relations be¬
tween the two powers. Effect has been
giyen to its important provisions. The
evacuation of Porto Rico having Mready
been accomplished on Oct. 18, 1898,
nothing remained necessary there to
continue the provisional military con¬
trol of the island until the con¬
gress should enact a suitable govern¬
ment for the ceded territory. Of the
character and scope of the measures to
that end I shall treat iu another part of
this message.
The withdrawal of tho authority of
Spain from the island of Cuba was ef¬
fected by Jau. 1, so that the full re es¬
tablishment of peaoe found the relin
qnished territory held by ns in trust for
the inhabitants, maintaining under the
direction of the executive such govern¬
ment and control thereia as should con¬
serve public order, restore tho produc¬
tive conditions of peace so long dis
turbed by tho instability and disorder
which prevailed for the greater part of
the preceding three decades, and bnild
up that tranquil development of the do¬
mestic state whereby alone can be real¬
ized tho 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 iutention toexeroise sovereignty,
jurisdiction or control over Cuba, ex¬
cept for the paoification thereof, aud as
iertei its determination when that was
accomplished to leave the government
and control of the island to its people.
The pledge contained in this resolo
tion is of the highest honorable obliga¬
tion and must bo 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 snpremaoy of law and
justice; by placing wherever practicable iu the
the machinery of administration
hands of the inhabitants; by instituting
needed sauitary reforms; by spreading
education; by fostering industry and
trade; by inculcating public morality,
and, iu short, b.v taking every rational
step to aid the Cuban 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, whtie en¬
abling it to fulfill all outward obliga¬
tion*.
Claims Against Turkey.
The United States minister to Tur¬
key continues under instructions to
press for a money payment in satisfac¬
tion of the just claims for injuries suf¬
fered by American ci.izens in the dis¬
orders Of several years past, and for
wrongs done to them by the Ottoman
authorittes. Some of these claims are
of many years standing. This govern¬
ment is hopeful of a general agreement
in this regard.
Iu the Turkish empire the situation
of our oitizens remains unsatisfactory.
Our efforts during nearly forty years to
bring about a convention of naturali¬
zation, seems on the brink of national
failure through the announced policy of
the Ottoman porte to refuse recognition
cf the alien statutes of native Turkish
subjects naturalized abroad since 1867.
The arbitrary treatment, iu some in¬
stances, of American productions in
Turkey has attracted atteution of late,
notably in regard to our flour. In
these, as in all instances, wherever oc¬
curring, when American products may
be subjected in a foreign discrimination country, upon
specious pretexts, to of another
compared to tbe like products
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 the statutes.
Recent Conference.
: of his
In response to the invitation
majesty, the 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
j for the serious consideration of a plan
! for the pacific adjustment of interna-
| ! ' tional tional tha the American AiriArioan difficulties; difficulties; people runnin a a subject subject have htiVfl liftsn been in in dftPmlV deeply which which
interested for many years, and a defi-
i nito project for a permanent interna-
j tional tribunal was delegates included of the in United the in-
structions to the
j Stares. The final act of the conference in-
i
! eludes tion conventions the laws aud upon the of ameliora-
of customs war on
; laud, the adaptation to maritime war-
I fare of the principles of the Geneva
| convention of 1864 and the extension of
] judicial methods to international settle- cases,
The convention for tbe pacific
meat of international conflicts embodies
the leading features of the American
plan with such modifications as were
rendered necessary by the great diver-
sity of views and interests represented
by the delegates.
The four titles of the convention pro-
vide for tho maintenance of the general
peace; the exercise of good offices aud
mediation; tho formation of eornmis-
sions of inquiry aud international arbi-
tration-
Army Statistics.
Since my last annual message and in
obedience to acts of congress of April 22
aud 26, 1898, the remaining volunteer
force enlisted for the Spanish war, con¬
sisting of 34,83i regulars and 110,202
volunteers, with over 5,000 volunteer
officers, have been discharged from the
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 retnaiued iu the
service after their terms of enlistment
| expirea. .
j By the act of March 23, 1899, congress
authority to increase the regular
»? a “ aIimnra not exceeding 6o,-
OOO enHsted men and to enlist a force of
^.000 volunteers, to be recruited from
the country at large. By virtue of this
authority the regular army has been m-
creased to the number of 61,999 enlisted
a,!d »■*« ° ffic ? rs - ne J
volunteer regiments have been or-
gamzed agg^gatmg 33,050 enlisted men
aud - 4 offl cers,• -Tbe ne ro
take the places of those returning from
'be Philippines have been transported
to Manila to the number of 581 officers
«* *“ JV& "EJ5
504 officers aud 14,189 men of the voluu-
teer force are on the ocean enronte to
Manila.
The force now in Manila consists of
905 officers and 30,578 regulars and 594
officers aud 16,388 of the volunteers,
making an aggregate of 1,499 officers
aud 45,-966 men. When the troops now
under orders shall reach Manila the
force in the archipelago will comprise
2,061 officers aud 63,483 men.
Daring the past year we have reduced
our force in Cuba and Porto Rica In
Cuba we now have 334 officers and 10,-
796 enlisted men; iu 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¬
out the United States are 910 officers
and 17,317 men, and in Hawaii 122
officers and 453 men.
l’liilippliies Problem.
On the 10th of December, 1899 ‘th"
treaty of peace between tbe United
States and Spain was signed. It pro¬
vided, among other things, that Spain
should cede to the United States the
archipelago known as the Philippine
islands; that the United States should
pay to Spain the sum of twenty millions
of dollars, aud that the civil rights and
political status of the native inhabitants
of the territories thus ceded to the
United States should be determined by
the congress. The treaty was ratified
by the senate on the 6th of February,
1899, and by the government of Spain
on the 19th of March following. Tho
ratifications were exchanged on the 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 the
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¬
sion of them for oenturies. They wero
accepted, not merely- by onr authorized
agents in Paris under the direction of
the executive, bat by the constitutional
and well considered action of the repre¬
sentatives of the people in both houses
if congress. I had every reason to be-
ieve, and I still believe, that this trans¬
fer of sovereignty was in accordance
with the wishes and the aspirations of
the great mass of the Filipino peoplo.
From the earliest moment, no oppor¬ people
tunity was lost of a-suring the
of the islands of our ardent desire for
their welfare, aud of the iutention Of
this government to do everything pos¬
sible to advance their interests.
Aguieuldu’s Claim*
The claim of the rebel leader that he
was promised independence by any offi¬
cer of the Uuited Stares in return for
bis assistance has no foundation iu fact
and in categorically denied by the very
witnesses who wore called to prove ir.
Tlio most the insurgent leader hoped
for when he came to Maui Id was the
liberation of the islands 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 American army and navy
gave him other ideas and ambitious,
and insidious suggestions from various
quarters perverted the purposes aud in¬
tentions with which he had taken up
arms.
No sooner had our army captured Ma¬
nila than the Filipino forces began and to
assume an attitude of suspicion
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. The 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 ail along the Amer¬
ican lines, which resulted in a terribly
destructive and sanguinary repulse of
the rebels.
With a devotion and gallantry worthy
of its most brilliant bistory, the army,
ably and loyally assisted by the navy,
has carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous campaign with richly de¬
served success. Although their opera¬
tions have been somewhat interrupted
and checked b a raiuy season of unu¬
sual violence and duration, they have
gamed steadily m every direction and
now look forward confidently to a speedy
completion of their task.
Treaty With Stilus.
The authorities of the Suln islands
have accepted the . of the
succession
United TT„it»u States to the *h» rights of ” f ««*<»- Spain,
and our flag floats over that territory,
Ou Aug. 10, lSi)9, Brigadier General J.
C. Bates, U. S. V., negotiated an agree-
ment with the sultan aud bis principal
cuiefs, which 1 transmit herewith. By
article 1, the sovereignty of the United
States over the whole archipelago of
Joio and its dependencies is declared
aud acknowledged.
The United States flag will be used in
the archipelago and its depeucies on
land and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed
and the sultan agrees to co-operate
heartily with the United States authori-
ties to that end aud to make every pos-
sible 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 mart
of the Philippine islands and under tbe
American flag, shall bo free, unlimited
aud undutiable.
The United States will give full pro-
toeflon 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
the Jolo archipelago to any foreign na-
tion without the consent of the sultan,
Salaries for the sultan aud his associates
in the administration of the islands
have been agreed upon to the amount
of $700 monthly.
Article 10 provides that any slave in
the archipelago of Jolo shall have the
right to purchase freedom market by paying value, to
tho master the usual
The agreement by General Bates was
made subject to confirmation by the
president and to future modifications by
the consent of the parties iu interest. I
have coufirtned said agreement, subject
to the action of the congress and with
ttle reservation which I have directed
shall be communicated to the sultan of
Jolo, that this agreement is not to be
deemed in any way to use or give the
consont of the Uuited States to the ex-
istence of slavery iu the Su'.u archipel-
ago. I communicate these facts to the
congress for its information aud action,
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel-
lion, life in the archipelago will soon
resume its ordinary course; under the
protection of Our sovereignty and the
people of those favored islands will en¬
joy a prosperity aud a freedom which
they have never before known.
Cannot 14« 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 He 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, uo one of which could permit
another to seize them unquestioned.
Their rich plains aud valleys would be
the scene of endless strife and blood¬
shed.
The advent of Dewey’s fleet in Ma¬
nila bay instead of being, as we hope,
the dawn of a new day of freedom and
progress, will have been the beginning
of an era of misery and violence worse
tnau any which has darkened their na-
banpy past. made that
The suggestion has been
we could renounce our authority over
the islands and giving them indepen¬
dence could retain a protectorate over
them. This proposition will not be
found, I am sure, worthy of your seri¬
ous attention. Such an arrangement
would involve at the outset a cruel
broach of faith. It would place the
peaceable aud loyal majority, who ask
tor nothing better than to accept onr
authority, at the mercy of the minority
armed insurgents.
It would make us responsible for the
acts of the insurgent leaders aud It give
us no power to control them. would
charge us with the task of protecting
them against each other and defending
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel. In short,
it would take from tke congress of the
United States the power of declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroga¬
tive in the Tagal leader of the hour.
It 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
shall establish and maintain freedom
an d order and peace in the Philippine*.
The insurrection i» Hill exiting and
wlien it terminates further information
will be roquiied as to the actual condi¬
tion of affairs before inaugurating a
permanent scheme of civil government
Until congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its will, I shall
use the authority vested in mo by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold
Ihe sovereignly of the United States iu
those distant islands, as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats
Our flag has never waived over any
community out in blessing. 1 believe
the Filipinos will soon recognize the
fact that it has not lost its gift of beuo
diction iu this worldwide journey to
their shores.
Porto Rican Affairs.
I recommend that legislation be had
with reference to the government of
Porto Rico. The time is ripe for the
adoption of a temporary form of gov¬
ernment for ibis 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 the senate, of a gov¬
ernor and such other officers as the gen¬
eral administration of the island may
require aud for legislative purposes, on
subjects of a local nature not partaking
of a federal character.
A legislative council, composed of partly
of Porto Ricans aud partly citizens
of the United States, shall be nominated
and appointed by the president.
Lynch luw Condemned.
The love of iftw and the sense of obe¬
dience and submission to the lawfully
constituted judical tribunals, are em¬
bedded iu the hearts of our people, and
any violation of these sentiments and
disregard of their obligations, justly
arouses public condemnation, The
guarantees of life, liberty, and of civil
rights, should be faithfully upheld, the
right of trial by jury respected aud de¬
fended.
Those who, in disregard of law and
the public peace, unwilling to await
the judgment of judges court, and aud jury, consti¬
tute themselves executioners
should not escape tho severest penalties
for their crimes.
What I said in my inaugural address
of March 4, 1897, I now repeat:
“Theconstitutional authorities should
be cheerfully upheld. Lyuchings should
uot be tolerated in a great and civilized
country like tha United States; courts,
uot mobs, must execute the penalties public of
the laws. Tbe preservation of
order( the right of discussion, the integ¬
rity of courts, aud the orderly adminis¬
tration of justice, must continue forever
the rock ol sntef.y upon which our gov-
ernmeut securely rests.”
National Celebration.
In accordance with the act of con-
gress providing for an appropriate ua-
tional celebration in the year 1900 of
the establishment of the seat of govern-
Iaant in the District of Columbia, I
have appointed a committee consisting
{l f governors of all the states ana
territories of the Uuited States, who
have been invited to assemble in the
city 0 f Washington on Dec. 21, 1899,
which, with the committee of congress
an( i the District of Columbia, are
charged with the proper conduct of the
celebration.
Congress, at its last session, appropri-
ated $5 000 "toenable tbe chief engineer
of the army to continue the examina-
tion of the subject and to make estimates or se-
(U re designs, calculations and
f or a memorial bridge from the most
convenient point of the naval observa-
t ory ' grounds or adjacent thereto, across
t q, 0 Potomac river to the most conve-
u ient point of ths Arlington estate
property.” with the provisions of
j u accordance
this act the chief of engineers has se¬
lectad four eminent bridge engineers to
submit competitive designs for a bridge
combining the elements of strength and
durability aud such architectural em-
bellishment and ornamentation as will
apply to the dedication, “a merno-
r j a ; 0 [ American patriotism.” The de¬
signs are now being prepared and at
S oou as completed will be submitted to
tfi e congress by the secretary of war.
Civil Service Changes.
The executive order of May 6, 1896,
extending the limits of the classified ser¬
vice, brought within the operation of
the civil service law and rules nearly all
of the executive civil Service not previ¬
ously classified.
Some of the inclusions were found
wholly iiiogical and unstated to the
work of tbe several departments^ The
application of the rules to many of the
place* so included were found to result
in 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 an efficient and harmonious ad¬
ministration certain amendments were
necessary. These amendments were
promulgated by me in executive order
dated May 29, 1899.
The principal purpose of the order
was to except from competitive ex¬
amination certain places involving fidu¬
ciary responsibilities or duties of a
strictly confidential, scientificnl or ex¬
ecutive character. These places were
comparatively few in number. The or¬
der provides for the Ailing of a much
larger number of places, mainly in the
outside servlee of the war department,
by what is known n% the registration
system, under regulation to be approved
by the president, similar to those which
Pave produced such admirable results
in tlm navyyard service.
Great Opportunities.
Presented to this congress are great
opportunities; with them come great
responsibilities. The potyer 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 and grave problems which
confront us. Aiming only 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 authority of the
United Statos, and to iuure to the com¬
mon interest and lasting honor of our
country. Never has this nation bvd
more abundant cause than during the
past year for thankfulness to God tor
manifold blessings and mercies, lor
which we make reverent acknowledg-
ment. William McKinley.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 5, 1899.
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