The Hillsboro argus., December 09, 1897, Image 1

5 '1 . ,
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t . ,, , f, -
VOL. IV.
HILLSnORO, ORKfiON, T1IUI5SDAY,! DECUMlIEJt .9, .1897.
NO. 38.
N
)
!
The Important Features
the Chief Executives' AcU
dress to Congress.
To the Senate and House of Itepresenta
tlves: It gives me pleasure to extend
greeting to the Kith congress assetnblid
In regular session at the scat of govern
ment, with many of whose senators and
representatives I have been associated
In the legislative service. The meeting e
curs under felicitous conditions. Justll'y
Ing aiiieere congratulation and calling for
our grattful acknowledgment to a he.
neficent providence which has eo signally
blessed und prospered u as a nation,
l'eaoe and good will with all the nation"
of the earth continue unbroken.
A mutter of genuine satisfaction Is tne
growing reeling of fraternal regard and
unlllcatlnn of all sections of our country,
the Incompleteness of which has too long
delayed realization of the highest blessings
of the Union. The spirit oi patriotism is
nnlvtriial und la ever Increasing In fervor.
The public qmstlons which now most en.
gross in are lifted far above either par
tisanship, prejudice or former sectional
differences. They affect every, part of
our common country alike and permit ot
no division on ancient lines, yueslions of
foreign policy, of revenue, the soundness
of the currency, the Inviolability of na
tional obligations, the Improvement of the
public service, appeal to the Individual con
science of oury earnest ettlz.cn, to what
ever purly he belongs, or In whatever sec.
tion of the country he may reside..
The extra session of this congress which
ctosal during July Inst, enacted Important
legislation, and, while Its full effects have
not been rialliiied, what It has already ac
complished anures us of lis t.mellness nnd
wisdom. To test Us permanent value
further time will be required, and the peo
ple, satlxfl d w.th ltd operation and re
mits thus far, are In no mind to withhold
(rom It a fair trial.
Of
THE (IHIIUXCY UIICSTIOV
Nprrsslly of I'ulllnw Our l-'iiimicea
l lioit 11 Hound llnsls.
Tariff legislation having been nettled by
the extra session of congress; the question
next pricing for couslderat.on Is that ot
tho currency. Tho work of putting our
finance upon a sound basis, dlltlcult as It
may seem, will appear when we recall
' the llnane.al operation of the government
since Itui6. On tha 30th day of . Juno or
that year, wo had outstanding demand
liability In the sum of 72$,StiS,447 41. On
tho 1st day of July, 1S79, these liabilities
had been ruined to $ li:i.sw,4: 5 8S. of our
IntereBt-bearlug 'obligations, the llgufs
are even more striking, on July 1, 1SH,
the principal of the liiir lest -'Ik arlng debt
of the government was 2,XK,a.U.2oli. On
the 1st nay of July, 1M, this sum had
been reduced to riSS,0:i7,10D, or an uggre.
gate reduction of 1,7 17.2K4. M18. The Interest-bearing
debt of the United States on
the 1st day of IX'cctnb: r, I KIT, was KlI,
ittt,62l). The government money now out
standing (December I) consists of Jltl,
WI,01 of United Stales notes; 1iiT,T!,2M
of treasury noies Uisued by authority of
the act of 1S00; $3X4,!HO,i04 of elver c rilll
calea and JiiUSOJM of standard sliver
dollars.
With the great rceourcfs of the govem
' ment and with the tlimvhoriorcd example
. . of the past before us, we should not heal-
tale to enter upon a currency rev-Won
Which will miiko our demand obligations
lesa onerous to the government and re
lieve, our financial laws l.om ambiguity'
and doubt.
The brhf review of what was accom
plished from, the close of the war until
1893 makes unreasonable and groundless
any distrust either of our- financial abil
ity or soundness; while the situation from
18113 to 1S!)7 must admonish congress of the
Immediate nece.tsily for -so legislating nfl
to make the return of the conditions then
prevailing Impossible.
There are many plans proposed as a
remedy for the evil. Before wo can find
the true remedy we must appreciate the
real evil. It Is not that our currency ot
every kind Is not good, for every dollar
of It Is good; good because the govirn
munl's pledge Is out to keep It so, and
that pledge will not be broken. How
. ever, the guaranty of our purpose to keep
th pledco will be best shown by advanc
ing toward 'ts fulfillment.
FOvIl ot the Present Sjslein.
The evil of the present system Is found
In the great cost to the government ot
maintaining the parity of our different
forms of money; thnt Is, keeping all of
them at par with gold. We surely cannot
be. longer heedless of the burden this im
poses upon the people, given under fairly
prosperous conditions, while the past four
years have demonstrated that It Is not
only an expensive charge upon the gov
ernment, but a dangerous menace to the
national credit.
It Is manifest that we must devise some
plan to protect the government against
bond Issues for repeated redemption, We
must either curtail the opportunity for
speculation, made easy by the multiplied
redemptions ot our demand obligations, or
Increase the gold reserve for their re
demption. We have $!KK),010,000 of currency
Which the government, by Bolemn enact
ment, hns undertaken to keep at par with
gold. Nobody Is obliged to redeem In
gold but the government. .The banks are
not required to redeem In gold. The gov
ernment Is obliged to keep equal with
gold all Its outstanding currency and coin
obligations, while Its receipts are not re
Quired to be paid In gold. They are paid
' nf every kind of money but gold, and the
only means by which the government can,
with certainty, get gold Is by borrowing.
Jt can get It in no other way when It most
needs It. Tho government without any
fixed gold revenue le pledged to maintain
gold redemption, which It has iteadllj and
faithfully done, and which, under the au.
thority now given, it will continue to do.
The law which requires the government,
after having redeemed Its notes, to pay
them out again as current funds demands
a constant replenishment of the gold re
serve. This Is especially so in times of
business panic and when the revenues arc
Insufficient to meet the expenses of the
government. At such times the govern
ment has no other way to supply Its del',
lclt and maintain redemption but through
the Increase, of Its bonded debt, as during
the administration of my . predecessor,
when $202,315,400 of i per cent bonds
were issued and sold and the proceeds
used to pay the expenses of the govern
ment In excess of the revenues and sustain
the gold; reserve,, While it la true that
: the greater part of the proceeds of these
bonds -were used to supply deficient reve
nues, a considerable portion was required
' to maintain the gold reserve.
Replenishing the Gold Reserre.
With our revenues equal to our expenses,
there would be no deficit requiring the Is
suance of bonds. But' If the gold reserve,
falls below 1 00,000,000, how , will It be re
plenished except by selling moVe bonds?
Is there any other way practicable under
existing law? The serious question then
ts, Shall we continue the policy that has
been pursued In the past that la, when the
gold reserve reaches the point of danger,
Issue more bonds and supply the needed
Bold or shall we provide other means
to prevent these recurring drains upon the
fold reserve? ' It no further legislation
I had and the policy of selling bonds Is
to be continued, then congress should g.ve
the secretary of the-treasury authority to
sell bonds at lung or short periods, bearing
a less rale of Interest than Is now author
ized by law, 1 earnestly recommend, an
i-oun as the receipts of the government
are quite sulllciwit to pay all the expenses
of the government, t hut when any of the
( tilted cHatet notes are presented for re
dumption in gold and areredeeemed in gold,
such notes shall be kept and only paid out
In exchange for gold. This Is an obvious
duty. If the holderof the United Htatesnote
prefers gold from thegovernment, he should
not recilv back from the government
1 a United Slates note without paying gold
In exchange for It. The riason for this Is
made all the more apparent when the gov
ernment Isams an Interest-bearing debt
to provide gold for the redemption of
United States notes a nonlnterest-bearlng
debt. Burely It should not pay them out,,.
again except on demand and for gold, it
r they are pnt out In any other way they
! may return, again to be followed by an
j other bond issue to redeem themanother
i Interest-bearing debt to redeem a noil
' tnteresb-bearliig debt.
I In my view, It is of the utmost import
ance that the government should be ro-
Unveil from tho business of providing for
all the gold required for exchange or ex-
port. This responsibility is alone Dorne
by the government without any of the
usual nnd necessary banking powers to
help itself. Tho banks do not feel the
strain of the gold redemption. The
whole strain rests upon the government,
und the size of tho gold reserve In the
treasury has come to bo, with or with
out reason, the signal of danger or of so
entity. This ought to be slopped.'
If wc are to have an era of prosperity
In the country with suflleient receipts for
the expenses of the government, we may
feci no Immediate embarrassment from
our present currency; but the danger still
exlHts, and will be ever present, menacing
us us long as the existing system con
tinues. And, besides, It Is 111 times of
adequate revenues and business tran
quillity that the government should prepare-
for the worst. We cannot avoid,
without serious consequences, tho wise
consideration and prompt solution of this
question,
I'lun of Kwretury Gnate
The secretary of the treasury has out
lined a plan In great letall lor the pur
pose of removing threatened recurrence
of a depleted gold reserve and saving us
from future embarrassment on thnt ac
count. To this plan I Invite your care
ful consideration. I concur with the sec
retary of the trcusury In his recommenda
tion that natlonul bunks be allowed to
Ihsuo notes to the face value of the
bunds which they deposited for circula
tion, und that the tax on circulating
notes, secured by the deposit of such
bonds, bo reduced to one-hulf of one per
cent per annum. I also Join him In
recommending thnt authority be given for
the, establishment of national bunks with
a minimum capital of Siili.OOO. This will
enable, the smaller villages and agricul
tural regions of the country to be sup
piled with currency to meet their de
mands. I recommend that the Issue of
national bank notes be restricted to the
denomination of $10 and upwurda. If the
suggestions 1 have herein made Bhull
have the approval of congress, then I
would recommend that national banks be
required to redeem their notes in gold,
(tll AND 81'AIX.
Attltndc of the .. Administration
In
the Prvneut Hrlirlllon,
The most Important problem with which
this country Is now called upon to deal,
thnt pertaining to lis foreign rela
tions, concerns Its duty toward Spain and
the Cuban insurrection. Problems nnd
conditions nioro or less In common with
thoso now existing have confronted this
government fit various times In the past.
The story of Cuba for many years hns
been one of unrest; growing discontent;
an effort toward the larger enjoyment of
liberty nnd self-control; of organized re
sistance to the mother country; or oppres
sion und warfare nnd of Ineffectual set
tlement to be followed by renewed re
volt. For no enduring period since tht
enfranchisement of the continental pos
sessions of Spain In the Western conti
nent hns the condition of Cuba or the
policy of Spain toward Cuba not caused
concern to the United States.
The prospect from time to time that
tho weakness of Spain's hold upon the
Island und the political vicissitudes and
embarrassments of the homo government
might lead to tho transfer of Cuba to a
continental power called forth, between
1K23 und 18U0, various emphatic declara
tions of the United States to permit no
disturbance of Cuba's connection with
Spain unless in the direction of Independ
ence, or acquisition by the United States
through purchase nor has there been any
change of tills declared policy since upon
the purt of this government.
The revolution which began In 1868
lasted for 10 years, despite the strenuous
efforts of tho successive peninsular gov
ernments to suppress it. Then, as now,
the government of the United States tes
tified Its grave concern and offered Its aid
to put an end to bloodshed In Cuba. The
overtures made by General Grant wero
refused, and the war dragged on, entn.ll
lng great loss of life and treasure, nnd
Increased Injury to American Interests,
besides throwing enhanced burdens of
neutrality upon this government. In 1878,
pence was brought about by the truce
of Zanjon, obtained by negotiations be
tween the Spanish commnnder, Martinez
de Campos, and the Innurgent tenders.
Civilized Code of War Disregarded,
The present Insurrection broke out in
February, 18116. It Is not piy purpose, at i ons nu, 1,10 eu.piujmeni ul wre u
this time, to recall Its remarkable Increase mlnlstratlve machinery at the national
or to characterize Its tenacious resistance
against the enormous forces massed
against It by Spnln, The revolt and the
efforts to subdue It carried destruction to
every quarter of the Island, developing
wldo proportions and defying the efforts
of Spain for Its suppression; The Civilized
code of war hus been disregarded, no
less so by the Spaniards than by the
Cubans. The existing conditions cannot
but fill this government and the Ameri
can people with the gravest apprehen
sion. There is no desire on the part of
our people to profit by the misfortunes
of Spain. We have only the desire to
see the Cubans prosperous and contented,
enjoying that measure of self-control
which Is the Inalienable right of man,
protected In their right to reap the bene
fit of the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
Tho offor made by my predecessor, In
April, 1896, tendering the friendly offices
of this government, failed, and media
tion on our part was not accepted. In
brief, the answer read: There Is no ef
fectual way to pacify Cuba, unless It be
gins with the actual submission of the
rebels to the mother country. Then only
can Spain act in the promised direction
of her own motion and after her own
plans. '
Concentration la Extermination.
The cruel policy of concentration was
Initiated February 16, 1896. The produc-
tlve districts controlled by the Spanish
armies were depopuiatea ana tne agri
cultural inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrison townB, their lands laid
waste and their dwellings destroyed. This
policy the lute cabinet of Spain Justified
as a necessary measure of war and as a
means of cutting oft supplies from the
Insurgents. -
It' has utterly failed as a war measure.
It was riot civilized warfare, It was ex
termination, Against this abuse of the righta of war
I have felt constrained, on repeated oc
casions, to enter the firm and earnest pro
test of this government. There was much
of public condemnation of the treatment
of American cltlzctiB by alleged Illegal ar
rests and long Imprisonment awaiting
trial of pending protracted judicial pro-
cedures, I felt It my first duty to make
Instant demand for the release or speedy
trial of all American citizens uudor ar
rest, before the change of the Spanish
cabinet, In October, 22 prisoners, citizens
of the United Btates, had been given
their freedom. ' , I r
Kur the relief of our own citizens) suf
fering because of the flonfllct, the aid of
congress was sought in a fpecltil mes
sage, and under the appropriation of April
4, 1SH7, effective aid., has been given to
American citizens In Cuba, and muhy of
them, at their own request, hve; been
returned to the United Suites. j
Instructions to Minister Woodford.
The Instructions given to our new min
ister to Spain, before his departure for
his post, directed him to Impress upon
that government the sincere wish of the
United Stales to lend Us aid toward (tid
ing the war In Cuba, .by reaching a peace
ful und lasting result. Just and honor
able alike to Spain and the Cuban people.
These Instructions recited the churacter
and duration of the contest,' the wide
spread losses It entails, the bundufis'.nnd
restraint It Imposes upon us, wlth.,on
stant disturbance of national Interests
and the Injury resulting from an Indefinite
ix'uittiiiuance oC this state of thlnga, -It
was stated that at this Jur
ncture our gov-
eminent wib constrained to seriously In-
quire if the time was not ripe when Spain,
of her own volition, moved by her own In
forests and every sentiment of humunlty,
should put a stop to this destructive war
und make proposals of settlement honor
able to herself and just to her Cuban
colony, It was urged that, as a neigh
boring nation with . large Interests 4n
Cuba, we could be required to wed only
a reasonable time for ihe mothec oouu--try
to establish Its authority and restore
peace nnd order within the borders of the
island; that we could not contemplate an
Indefinite period for the accomplishment
of these results.
No solution was proposed to which the
slightest Idea of humiliation to Spain
could attach. All that was asked or ex
pected was that some safe way might be
speedily provided and permanent peace
restored. It so chanced that the consid
eration of this offer, addressed to the
Spanish administration, which had de
clined the tenders of my predecessor and
wl.kh for more than two yiars had pouted
more treasure into Cuba In the fruitless
effort to suppress the revolt, fell to oth
ers. Between the departure of General
Woodford, the new envoy, and hl arrival
In Spain, the statesman who had shaped
the policy of his country fell by the hand
of an assassin, nnd although the cabinet
of the late premier still held office and re
ceived from our envoy the proposals he
bore, that cabinet gave place, within a
few days thereafter, to a new administra
tion under the leadership of Sagasta.
Spain's Friendly Reply.
The reply to our note was received On
the 2M day of October. It is In the direc
tion of a better understanding. It appre
ciates the friendly proposals of this gov
ernment. It admits that our country Is
deeply affected by the war In Cuba and
thnt our desires for pence are Just.. It de
Clares that the present Spanish govern
ment is bound by every consideration to t
change of policy that should satisfy the
United States and pacify Cuba within
reasonable time. To this end, Spain has
decided to put Into effect the political re
forms heretofore advocated by the pres
ent premier, without halting for nny con
sideration In the path which, In Its Judg
ment, leads to peace,
The military operations. It is said, will
continue, but will be humane and con
ducted with all regard for private rights,
being accompanied by political action
leading to the autonomy of Cuba, while
guarding Spanish sovereignty, This, It Is
claimed, will result In Investing Cuba with
a distinct personality, the Island to be
governed by an executive and by a local
council or chamber, reserving to Spain
the control of the foreign relations, the
army and navy and the Judicial adminis
trations. To accomplish this, the present govern
ment proposes to modify existing legis
lation by decree, leaving the Spanish
cortes, with the aid of Cuban senators
and deputies, to solve the economic prob
lems and properly distribute the existing
debt,
Give Spnln Chance,
In the absence of a declaration of the
measures that this government proposes
to tuke In carrying out its proffer of good
offices, It suggests that Spain be left free
to conduct military operations and grant
political reforms, wnlie the United States,
for Its purt, shall enforce Its neutral obli
gations, and cut off the assistance which,
It Is asserted, the Insurgents receive from
this country. The supposition of an in
definite prolongation of the war li
nled, It Is asserted that, the Western
provinces are already well-nigh re
claimed; thnt the planting of cane nnd
tobacco therein has been resumed, and
! that by force of arms and now and ample
reforms very enrly and complete pacifi
cation Is hoped for.
The immediate amelioration of existing
conditions under the new administration
of Cuban affairs Is predicted, and there- ,
withal the disturbance and all occasion
for any change of attitude on the part of 1
the United States,
Discussion of the question of Interna- I
tlonal duties and responsibilities of the
United States as Spain understands them, I
Is presented with an apparent disposition
to charge us with failure in this regard.
This charge Is without any basis In fact.
It could not have been made If Spain had
been cognizant of the constant effort this
government has made, at the cost ot mil-
commanfl, to perform Its full duty accord
Ing to the law of nations. That it has
successfully prevented the departure of a
single military expedition or armed vessel
from our shores in violation of our laws
would seem to be a. sufficient answer.
But on this aspect of the Spanish note It
Is not necessary to speak further now.
Firm In the conviction of a wholly per
formed obligation, due response to this
charge has been made in diplomatic Is
sues. Throughout all these horrors and
dangeitf "to our own peace, this govern
ment has never in any way abrogated Its
sovereign prerogative of reserving to It
self the determination of Its policy and
course, according to its own high sense of
right and In consonance with the dearest
Interests and convictions of our own peo
ple, should the prolongation of the strife
so demand.
Of the unU-led measures there remain
only:
"Recognition of the Insurgents as bellig
erents; recognition of the independence ot
Cuba; neutral Intervention to end the war
by Imposing a rational compromise be
tween the contestants, and Intervention
In favor of one or the other party."
Not a Question of Annexation, y
I speak not of forcible annexation, - for
that cannot be thought of. That, by our
code of morality, would be criminal ag
gression. Recognition of the belligerency
oi me uuu
canvassed as a possible If not Inevitable
step, both In regard to the previous 10
years' struggle and during the-present
war. I am not unmindful that the two
houses of congress, In the spring of 1896,
expressed the opinion, by concurrent reso
lution, that a condition of public war ex
isted requiring or justifying the recogni
tion of a state of belligerency In Cuba,
and during the extra session the senate
voted a joint resolution of like Import,
which, however, was not brought to a
vote In the house. In the presence of
these significant expressions of the senti
ment of the legislative branch, it behooves
the executive BOberly to consider the Con
ditions under which so Important a
measure must needs rest for justification.
It l to be seriously considered whether
the Cuban fnmirrsctlon possesses, beyond
dispute, the attributes of statehood which
alone can. demand the recognition of bel.
llgerency In Its favor. Possession short
of the essential qualifications of sover
eignty by the forfurgents, Ind the conduct
of the war b; them aceoidlng to the rec
ognised code of wan are no. less Important
fin-tors toward the determination of the
problem of belligerency than, are the In
fluence atid consequences of the struggle
upon the Internal policy of the recogniz
ing nation. The utterances of President
Grant la his memorable message of 1875
are signally rele vant b the present situa
tion in Cuba, and It ioRk be wholesome
now" to .recallthem. At that time a
scrlousconttlctimd.foc seven years wasted
the neighboring inland. During all those
years an utter disregard ot the laws oi
civilized warfare and of the Just demands
of humanity, which called' forth expres
sions ot condemnation from the nations
of Christendom, ' continued unabated.
Desolation and ruin pervaded that pro
ductive region, normou1y affecting the
commerce of all commercial nations, but.
that of the United States nioro than any
other, by reason (if proxlmlty-iand larger
trad and Intercourse. fc
Sot a Time for Recognition.
Turning to the practical aspects of' a
recognition of beutgereasy and-reviewing
Its Inconveniences and possible danger,
furher; pertinent' consideration appear.
In the code ofnutlon8, there Is no sucn
thing as anked recognition of belliger
ency unaccompanied by the assumption
of national neutrality. Such recognition
Without neutrality wlll-jiet",ronfer upon.
atrtiAr rmrtv to a domestic conflict a status
not thefore actually possessed, or af-
fijct .the relation of either party to other
states. The act of recognition usually
takes the form ot a solemn proclamation
"of neutrality which recltes'the de facto
condlttnn f -belrlgerency as Its motive, it
announces a domestic law of neutrality
In th'e declaring state. ' It assumes the In
ternational obligation of a neutral In the
presence 'of a' public state of war.;, It
warns all citizens and others within the
jurisdiction of the claimant that they vio
late those rigorous obligations at their
own peril and cannot expect to be shield
ed from the consequence. The right of
visit and search and seizure of vessels
and cargoes and contraband of war un
der admiralty law must under Interna
tional law be admitted as a, legitimate
consequence of a proclamation of belliger
ency.- While according i-qual belligerent
rights, defined by public law,- to each par
ty In our ports, disfavor would be Impos
sible to both, which, while nominally
equal,, would weigh heavily In behalf of
Spain herself. Possessing a navy and
claiming the ports of Cuba, her maritime.
rignis touiq -pe assertea, not only tor
the military Investment of the Island,
but up to the margin of our own terrl
torlal waters, and a condition of things
would-exlst for which the Cubans could not
hope tQ create a parallel; while aid from
within our domain would be even more
Impossible than now, with the additional
obligation of International neutrality
which we would perforce assume.
Will Intervene When Necessary.
Sure "of theTrlgh't, keeping free from all
offense, ourselves, actuated only by up
right and patriotic considerations, moved
neither by passion nor selfishness, the
government will continue Its watchful
care over -the 'Tights and property of
American citizens and will abate none of
its .efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies a peace which shall be honorable
and enduring. If It shall Jiereafter be a
duty Imposed by our obligations to ourselves,-to
civilization and' humanity to
Intervene with force, it shall be without
fault on our part, and only because the
necessity for such action will be so clear
as to command the support and approval
of the civilized world,
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII,
I'rgres the Senate to Acoouiplleb the
Inlnn.
. By a special message dated the 16th day
ot June last, I laid before the senate ot
the United States a treaty, signed that day
by the plenipotentiaries of the United
States and of the rcpubllo of Hawaii, hay
ing for Its purpose the Incorporation ot
the Hawaiian Islands as an Integral pajit
of the United States and under Its sov
ereignty. The senate having . removed
the Injunction of secrecy, although the
treaty Is still pending before that body,
the subject may.be properly referred to
in this message, as the necessary action
of congress is required o determine by
legislation many details of the eventual
union, should the fact of annexation be
accomplished, as I believe It should be.
' While consistently disavowing from a
i ui aosorpuon in regura lo ine nawaiiaii
group, a long series of discussion through
three-quarters of a century has pro
claimed the vital interest of the United
States In the Independent life of the
islands and their intimate commercial de
pendency Upon this country, ', At the same
time it has been repeatedly asserted that
In no event could the entity of Hawaiian
statehood cease by the passage of the Is
lands under the domination or Influence of
another power than the United States,
Under these circumstances the logic, ot
events required that annexation, before
offered but declined, should; In the ripe
ness of time, come about as the natural
result of strengthening the ties that bind
ta to those Islands and be released by the
free will of the Hawaiian state. ,
That treaty was unanimously rattned
without amendment by the senate and
president of the republlo of Hawaii on the
10th of September last, and only awaits
the favorable action of the American sen
ate to effect the complete absorption of the
islands -Into the domains of the United
States, What the conditions of such a
union shall be, the political relation thereof
to the United States, the character of the
local administration, the quality and de
gree of the elective franchise of the In
habitants, the extension of the federal
laws to the territory or the enactment ot
special laws to fit the peculiar condition
thtreof, the regulation and needs of labor
therein, the treaty has wisely relegated to
congress. " . j ,, t-
If the treaty is confirmed, as every con
sideration of dignity and honor requires,
the wisdom of congress will see to It that,
avoiding abrupt assimilation of elements
perhaps hardly yet fitted to share In the
highest franchises of citizenship, and hav
ing due regard to the geographical con
ditions, ' the just provisions for self-rule
In local matters with the largest political
liberties as an Integral part of our nation
will be accorded to the Hawallans. -
No- less ts due to a people who after
nearly five years of demonstrated capacity
to fulfill the obligations of self-governing
statehood, come of their free will to
merge their destinies In our body politic.
CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES. .
Representation of Our Government
" In the Greater Republic..,. .
As to the representative of this govern
ment to Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa
Rica, I have concluded that Mr, William
L. Merry, confirmed; as minister, of the
United States to the states of Nicaragua,
Salvador and Costa Rica,' shall proceed
to San Jose, Costa Rica, and there tempo
rarily establish the headquarters of -the
United States to those three states. 1
took this action for what I regarded as the
paramount Interests of this oountry, It
was developed, upon an Investigation by
the secretary of state, that the government
of Nloaragua, while not unwilling to re
ceive Mr. Merry In his diplomatic, capac
ity, was unable to do so on account of the
compact ooncluded June 20, 1896, whereby
that republlo and those of Salvador and
Honduras, forming what Is known as tne
Greater Republic of Central Amerloa, had
urrendered
red to the representative ollet
vj;!Uft tw-..f .
thereof their right to receive and send
diplomatic-agents. The diet was not will
ing to accept him becaiue be was not ac
credited to that body. I could not ac
credit him to that body because the appro
priation law or congress did not permit.
Mr. Baker, the present minister at Man
agua, has been directed to present his
letters of recall.
Mr. Godfrey Hunter has likewise been
accredited to the governments of Gaute
mala and Honduras, the same Us his pred
ecessor. Guatemala Is not a member of
the Greater Republic of Central America,
but Honduras is. Should this latter gov
ernment decline to receive him, he nas
been Instruoted to report this fact to bis
government and await Its further Instruc
tions.
. - The Hlparaugosv Canal.
A subject of large Importance to onr
country and Increasing appreciation on the
part of the people is the completion of the
great highway of trade between the At
lantic and Pacific- known as the Nicara
gua canal.. Its value to American com
merce la universally admitted. The cotn
mlssion appointed under -date of July 24
last "to continue the surveys and exam
Inatlons authorized by, the act approved
March i, 1885, In regard. fojl he proper"
route, feasibility and Cost OT'conatruc.
tion of the Nicaragua canalatwkh a View '
of making complete plans .for the entire
work of construction of such Vanal," is
now employed In the undertam In the'
future 1 shall take occasion o transmit
to congress th,ereport of this commission,
making at the same time sirch further
.uggestloiu; as may then seem, advisable.
THE BIMETALLIC COMMISSION.
Failure of the Mis-Inn of the Special
'!-.- '.' Silver Envoys.
' Under the provisions of the act of con
gress approved March 3", 1897, for the pro
motion of an International agreement re
specting blmetallsm, I ,. appointed, on
April 14. 1897, Hon; Edward O. Wolcoit, I
of Colorado; Hon. Adlal E. Stevenson, of
Illinois, and Hon. Charles J. Payne,
of Massachusetts, as special-' envoy e to
represent the United States. .They have
been diligent in their effort to secure the
concurrence and c-qpeatlon of . Euro
pean countries in the International set
tlement of the question, but up to this
time have not been able to secure an
agreement contemplated by their mission.
, The gratifying action of our great sis
ter republic of France In Joining this
Country in the attempt to bring about the
agreement between the . principal com
mercial nations of Europe, -whereby a
fixed and relative value between gold and
silver shall be secured, furnishes asur.
ance, that we are riot alone among the
larger nations of the world in realizing
the International Character- of the prob
lem and In the desire of reaching Borne
Wise and practical solution of it, - ;
The British government has published a
resume of the steps taken Jointly by the
French ambassador lrt London and the
special envoyB of the United States, with
whom our ambassador In London actively
co-operated In the presentation of this
subject to her majesty's government. This
will be laid before congress, -Our Bpeclal
envoys have not made their final report,
as further negotiations between the rep
resentatives of this government and the
governments of other countries are pend
ing and In contemplation. . They believe
that the doubts which have been raised
In certain quarters respecting the possi
bility of maintaining the stability of the
parity between the metals and kindred
questions may yet be solved by further
negotiations.
Meanwhile, It gives me satisfaction to
state that the special envoys have al
ready demonstrated their ability and fit
ness to deal with the subject, and It Is to
be. earnestly hoped that their labors may
result In . an International agreement
which will bring about recognition of
both gold and silver as money upon such
terms and with such safeguards as will
secure the use of both metals upon a
basis which shall work no injuries to
any class of citizens. ' -
RECIPROCITY.
Negotiations Pending With Euro
pean and American Governments.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth sec
tions of the revenue act' approved Juiy
24. 1897, I appointed the Hon. John A.
Kasson.'of Iowa, a special commissioner
plenipotentiary to undertake - the i requi
site negotiations with foreign countries
desiring to, avail themselves-of these pro
visions. The negotiations are now proceed
ing with several governments, both fc.uro-
pean and American.. . It is believed that
by a careful exercise of the powers con
ferred, by that act; "some grievances, of
our own and of other countries in our
mutual trade relations may be either re
moved or largely alleviated, and t,hat the
volume of our commercial exchanges may
be enlarged with advantage to both con
tracting parties, ,. ,
. THE MERCHANT MARINE..
Government Should Foster This
- LnngrnlshlnK Industry, !
Most desirable from every standpoint of
national interest and patriotism Is the
effort to extend our foreign commerce. To
this end our merchant marine should ba
Improved and enlarged. We should do our
full share of. the carrying, trade of the
world. We do not do It now. We should
not be laggard any longer. The -Inferiority
of our merchant marine Is Justly hu
miliating to the national pride. The gov.
ernment, by every proper constitutional
means, should aid in making our ships
familiar visitors at every commercial port
of the world, thus opening up new and
valuable markets to the surplus products
of the farm and factory, , 1
, : SEALING QUESTION, ,
Negotiations In Progress for Preser
vation of the Herds.
! The efforts Which have been made dur
ing the two previous administrations by
my predecessors to secure better protec
tion the.fur seals in the North Pa
cific ocean and Behrlng sea were renewed
at an early -date by this administration.
and have been pursued with earnestness.
Upon my invitation, the governments of
Russia and Japan sent delegates to. Wash
ington, and an international conference
was held during the month's of October
and November last, wherein it was unani
mously agreed that under the existing
regulations this species of useful, animals
was threatened with extinction nnd that
an International agreement of all Inter
ested powers was necessary for their
adequate protection. - " j -U
The government of Great Britain did
not Bee proper to be represented at this
conference,-, but subsequently sent to
Washington as aeiegaies tne expert com
missioners of Great Britain and Canada
who had during the past two years visited
the Prlbyloff Islands, and who met in con
ference similar commlssionerson -the part
of the United States. The result of this
conference' was an agreement on the Im
portant facts conuet)4wAUi tne conai
Hon -Of " the seal Herd' Tieretofore In dls
pute, which should place beyond contro
versy the duty, of the governments con
cerued to adopt measures without delay
for the preservation and restoration o( the
herds. Negotiations to this end are now
In progress. . the result of wWch hdpe
to be able to report to congress at W
NEEDS OF ALASKA.
Existing s Conditions Demand
' Change In the Laws.
The territory of Alaska requires the
prompt and early attention u congress, i
j,., .,.,ih ,
ine COllUlllous IIUW caidliiib ucuiwuu a
material change in the laws relating to
the territory. The great Influ of popula-
' " '
tion during the past summer and fall ana
the prospect of a still larger Immigra
tion In the spring will not permit us to
longer neglect the extension of civil au
thority within the territory or postpone
the establishment ' of a more thorough
government. A general system of public
surveys has not yet been extended to
Alaska, and all entries thus far made In
tnat district are upon special surveys.
The act of congress extending to Alaska
the mining laws of the United Btates con-i
talned the reservation that it should not
h ntr..i t- n,.t in fn. th. n.r.i i
be construed to put in force the general
land laws of the country
By an act approved March I, 1891, au
thority was given for entry of lands for j
chase of not exceeding 160 acres then or
thereafter occupied for purposes of
trade and - manufacture. The pur
pose of congress, as thua far
expressed, has ' been that only
such rights should apply to the territory
as should be specifically named. It will
be seen how much remains to be done for
that vast, remote, and yet promising por
ttrtniof our country.'1- ' . .
Spfqlod authority was given to the pres
ident 'W the act approved Jiily 24. 189T. to
4iv, .tiat territory lnXJt twoi land dis
tricts,, ana to designate tne Doundaries
L thftrfedfy'fcnd to appoint registers' and re
ceivers of said land offices, and thepresl
dent was also authorized -to arjp$nt -a
surveyors-general for the entirf 9trlcC,
Pursuant to this authority, a s,Uiljeyor
general and recelvetneftave been aroint
ed, with offices at Sitka, It In tha ensu
ing year the conditions justify If, tbeVaddl
tlonal lagd district authorized'., ify law
will be established with an office at'some
point In the Yukon valley. No apptpprlar
tion, however, was made for this pur
pose, and that Is now necessary to be
done.
": The Military Post. , '
' I concur with the secretary of war In
his suggestions as to the necessity for a
military force in the territory of Alaska
for the protection of persons and prop
erty. Already a small force consisting
of 25 men and two officers, under com
mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Randall, of
the Eighth Infantry, has been sent to
S(. Michaels to establish a military post
As it Is to the Interest of the government
to encourage the development of the coun
try and its duty to follow up Its citizens
"there with the benefits of legal machin
ery. I earnestly .urge upon congress the
establishment of a system of government
of such flexibility-as -rill enable it to ad
just Itself In the future to the needs at
tendant open-a greater population.
. Belle (ot Starving Kloadlkers.
; The ! jstartllng ; though possibly exag
gerated reports from the Tukon river
country of the probable shortage of food
for the large number of people who are
wintering there without the means of leav
ing the country, are confirmed in such
measure as to justify bringing the matter
to the attention of congress, Access to
that country this winter can be had only
by the passes from Ilyea and vicinity,
which ts a most difficult and perhaps im
possible task. However, should these re
ports of the suffering of our fellow-citizens
be further verified, every effort at
any cost should be made to carry them
relief. . ; .. , . , ..,
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
The acceptance by this government el
the invitation of the republic of France
to participate In' the universal exposition
of 1900 at Paris was Immediately followed
by the appointment of a special commis
sioner to represent: the United States In
the proposed exposition with special ref
erence to the securing of space for an ad
equate exhibit on behalf of the United
States.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
New Regulations for Five Civilised
Tribes Are Imperative.
For a number of years It has been ap
parent that the condition of the five civil
ized tribes In the Indian territory under
treaty provisions with tht United States,
th the right of self-government and
the exclusion of all white persons from
within their borders, have undergone so
complete a change as to render the contin
uance of , tha system thus Inaugurated
pmctlcally impossible. The total number
of the five civilized tribes, as shown by
the last census, is to, 484, and this number
has not materially Increased, while the
white population . is estimated at from
iOj.OoO to 2o0.0U0, which, by permission ot
the Indian government, has eettled In tht
territory. The present area of the Indian
territory Is 26.564,546 acres, much of which
ia very fertile land. The United States
citizens residing in the territory, most of
whom have gone there by invitation or
with the consent of the tribal authorities,
have made- permanent homes for them
selves. Numerous towns have beep built.
in which from 1000 to 5000 white people
now reside. , ; ' .,' . n: "'-.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Room for Further Improvement.
Which Will Re Made.
The Important branch of., our govern
ment known as the civil service, the prac
tical improvement of which has long been
a subject of earnest discussion,, has ot
lats years, received Increased legislative
and executive approval. During the past
few months, the-service has been placed
on a still .firmer basis of business meth
ods and personal" merit. While the right
of our veteram, soldiers -to reinstatement
in deserving cases has been asserted, dis
missals "for merely political reasons have
been carefully guarded against, the exam
inatlons for admittance to the service
enlarged and at tht,.eanie time rendered
less technical and more practical, and a
distinct advance ihas been made' by giving
a hearing before dismissal upon all cases
where incompetency Is charged or a de
mand is made for removal of .officials In
any of the departments.
4,ThlB order hasikeen made to give fhe ao
cused his right to be heard without in
ttny way impairing the povtBr of removal,
which should always be exercised In cases
6f1ineffictency or Incompetency; and which
is one- of the safeguards of! the civil ser
vice reform system, preventing stagna
tion tld - deadwood and "keeping every
employe keenly alive to, the factjiate-
curuy ui leuuie uepeuua nut uji xsrvor,
but on; his own tested nd earef'miy
watched record of service. Muqf of
course, still remains to be accompli
before the system can be made, ret si
now in the classified iservfcd which
to be exempted and others unblai
i may. prbperly be Included. JTshall'nbl
itnte to exempt cases which I think.
'been-'Improperly include In the CIa9
service or include those Wibich, I;
ment, will best promote "the pu(
vice, The system' has-the; apflnivi
people and it will be mhdea.Vor t'
hold and extend It-- -"Vi
. I am forced by ,the IwgWtW thj
sage to omit many tmportint ree
to affairs of the eoveiMfcfflf '.wlSV.IL
R?1
'ent
congress will haye to deaH fet thtfj
session. They are1 fully disJctisseV
deuartnjental.repom' to-ajof, tOp-.II
invite your earnesc attention. , , wj
: The estimates of th 4Wr!seJ'iP,th
government by the several, dpartnenta
should have your careful scrutiny. Vhlle
congress may And -it an easy task 'tsl re
duce the expenses of the government, it
should not encourage I'thelr ldcrlftst.
These expenses will. In my. Judgmen.d
mlt of a decrease In many branches f
thegovernment without Injury to theiub
lic service. It Is a commanding duts to
celpts of the government. and thus prevent
a deficit, wiluam McKiNLKT.
I Executive Mansion, Deo, 6, 18ST,
AGAIN 1N ' SESSION.
flr.t Regular Meeting of the Fifty-Fifth
. Congress.
At noon Monday the first reenlar aes
lion of the 65th congress wa."ranncjied
ipon the unknown seas of legislation.
- Simultaneously at both enilsof the cap-
ito, Speaker Reed in the house and
vw(, ,prpai(lpnt Tlnhart in thn senntn
v ice-rresiiieni tioDart m me senate,
hopped their gavels and called to or-
ier the bodies over which they preside.
rhe sun shone brightly from a cloudless
iky, making a glorious bright Decem
ber day, with a tine of frost in the air,
ind a breeze just strong enough to keep
the start) and stripes snapping from
the flagstaff's.
At the rapitol crowds swarmed into
the corridors at an early hour and
:hoked the marine steps as they ascend-
sd to the galleries from which they
were to view the show. As is usual on
luch. occasions, the reserved galleries
were carefully guarded, admiHsion be
ing only by card, and the pnblic had
great difficulty wedging itself into the
-limited epace set aside foi it. .
' r- - In the Upper Ho nee '
The senate chamber at the opening
lession was a veritable conservatory,
rhe floral display was beautiful. Pre
sisely at 12 o'clock the gavel of Vice
President Hobart fell, and the senate
was called to order. An invocation
was delivered by Rev. Milhurn, the
blind chaplain.' Seventy-seven senators
tegponded on roll-call." .;. ..
The venerable Mr. Morrill, of Ver
mont, was first recognized by the vice
president. He offered a ; resolution,
which was passed; ro the usual form,
that the secretary Inform the, house
that the senate was In ' session and
ready to proceed to business.
.'Allison of Iowa , presented a resolu
tion that a committee of two senators
be appointed' to joiri a like committee
(rom tile house to ' inform the president
that congrass was in session, and pre
pared. to receive any communication he
might desire to make; ' The resolution
was passed,? and the vice-president
named Allison and Gorman as a senate
committee. (
: By resolution of Cnllom of Illinois,
the time of the daily meetings of the
senate was fixed at noon. On motion
uf Hale of Maine, a recess was then
taken until 1 o'clock.
-At 1:30 the senate reassembled and
the committee, headed by Gorman, re
ported. The president's message was
presented by Mr. Pruden at 1:80
o'clock,- and was laid before the senate
and read. . - -
, ' . , ' In the Lower House, s
; The house of representatives present
ed nn'animated appearance long before
noon. The surrounding corridors were
filled with jostling, moving browds be
fore 11 o'clock. The galleries which
avtrlook the floor were black with peo
ple. Floral tributes for members were
numerous, and in some instances im
posing. As the hands of . the clock pointed to
13-Speaker Heed, attired in ,a black
cutaway coat, and wearing a red tie,
ascended the rostrum. The crack of
the gavel subdued the din on the floor
and conversation in the galleries. In
the deep silence which followed the
catling of the assemblage to order,
prayer was offered by" the eminent
. divine, Rev. Chalreg. A. Boney, oi
England, who delivered an invocation
solemn and impressive.
The speaker then directed the clerk
to call the roll. ' The roll call showed
the presence of 801 members. There
were 65 vacancies from death or resig
nation during the recess, and the cre
dentials of the members-elect were read
by direction pf the speaker! who then
administered the oath of office to them.
On motion of Dingley a resolution was
adopted for the appointment of a com
mittee of three to join the senate com-
uitueu io wait upon uiu piesiumii, uiiu a.
inform him that congress was ready to 1
receive; any communication he desired
to make. The speaker named Dingley,
Groavenorand Bailey for this honor.
On motion of Henderson of Iowa daily
sessions to begin at noon each day were
ordered. The house then took a short
recess. ' ' -.' ... .- - -
When the house reassembled the
committee appointed to wait., upon the
president reported, having perfected its
mission. Mr. Pruden, who had fol
lowed the committee into the hall, im
mediately presented the message, whi
by direction of the speaker, was read
the clerk's desk, .
Appropriations Recommended,
Secretary Gage Monday transmitted
to oongress estimates of the appropria
tions required for the fisoal year ending
June 80, 1899, as furnished by several
executive departments. The total
amount oalled for in the estimates is
$462,647,885, which is about $32,000,
000 in excess of the appropriations for
1898, including deficiencies and miscel-
laneous expenses, and about $41,000,-
j 000 more tu" was estimated for 1898.
i Under the head of public works the
ed treasury department.among other items,
'' asks for $100,000 for the erection of a
tht, .court-house, penitentiary, etc, at Sitka,
ed. Alaska, and $50,000 for continuation
of the work on the public building at
Portland, Or. ' . .
- Hsytl Ready to Pay.
A dispatch to the Frankfurter Zei
tung of Berlin from Washington says
Hayti is ready to pay Germany the in-
detnnity demanded for the alleged ille-"
: gal arrest and imprisonment of Herr
'ua' I-ueders, a Oerman subject.'
Fatal'
Fire broke on
Milwaukee, VV
asleep in the hostlery at
Charles Patterson, a dook laborer,
lost his life, being overcome by smoke,
and five others were injured. The pe
cuniary loss is small.
Anti-Hebrew Riot Quelled.
An -...I tT -.1. 1 .. U .I..I.J
' . " " , f. n ' T .'
m Budapesth has finally been quelled
by thn oolice who made 100 tnwata.
- II i
r
V -a
' y - I