BIS MESSAGE.
President MeKiuley Sent It
to Congress.
Events Loading Up to the War
with Spain are Given
at Lengtli.
Lf<;lklnfloii I* Allied lor to Increase
the Strength ol llie Army to 100,-
000 Men, A Iko to Provide a
Form of (aovernnient for
Hawaii No Fixed Co
lonial Policy la
Suggested*
To th* and House of Represen
tatives; Notwithstanding the added bur
dens rendered necessary by the war, our.
people rejoice in a very satisfactory and
veadily increasing degree ot prospeiity
evidenced by the largest volume of busi
ness ever woorded. . ,
Manufacture has been productive, agri
cultural pursuits have yielded abundant
returns, labor in all fields of industry is
better rewarded, revenue legislation
passed by the present congress has in
creased the treasury's receipts to the
amount estimated by its authors; the
finances of the government have been suc
cessfully administered and its credit ad
vanced'to the first rank; while its cur
rency has been maintained at the world s
highest standard.
Military service under a common Hag
and for a righteous cause has strength
ened the national spirit and served M
cement more closeiy than ever the fra
ternal bonds between every section of th«
country. , .
A review of the relation of the unite 1
States to other powers, always appro
priate. is this year of primary importance,
in view of the momentous issues whici
have arisen, demanding in one instan* *
the ultimate determination by arms unj
involving far-reaching consequencet.
which will require the vainest attention
of the congress.
I)II ly to I n t>a.
In my last annual message very fu»
consideration was given to the uuestion
of the duty of the government of the Unit
ed States toward Spain and the Cuban in
surrection, as being by far the most im
portant problem with which wo were then
called upon to deal, with considerations
then advanced, and the exposition of the
views therein expressed disclosed my
sense of the extreme gravity of the situ
ation.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodic encounters, bar
ren of strategic result, that had marked
the course of the earlier 10 years' rebellion
os well as the present insurrection f.om
its start.
No alternative save physical exhaustion
of either combatant, and therewithal tIK
practical ruin of the island, lay in sight,
v ,ut how far distant no one could ventuiy
u> conjecture.
The ITInlm? I»i«.n«tcr.
At this juncture, on Feb. 15 last, oc
curred the destruction of the battleship
Maine, while rightfully lying in the harbor
of Havana, on a mission of International
courtesy and goood will—a catastrophe
the suspicious nature and horror of which
stirred the nation's heart profoundly.
Yet the Instinct of Justice prevailed and
the nation anxiously awaited the result
■•f the searching investigation at once set
on foot.
The finding of the naval board of In
quiry established that the origin of the
• xplosion was external, by a submarine
mine, and only halted, through lack of
positive testimony, to fix the responsibili
ties 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 'owird Cuba
was at hand.
So strong was this belief that It needed
but a brief executive suggestion to the
congress to receive Immediate answer to
the duty of making instant provision for
the possible and perhaps speedily proba
ble emergency of war, and the remark.t-
Dle, almost uniform, spectacle was pre
sented of a unanimous vote of both
houses, on the 9th of March, appropriat
ing J50.000.000 "for the national defense and
for each and every purpose connected
therewith, to be expended at the discre
tion of the president."
Our coasts were practically undefended.
Our navy needed large provision for in
creased ammunition and supplies and
even numbers to cope with any sudden
attack from the navy of Spain.which com
prised modern vessels of the highest type
of continental perfection. Our army alao
required enlargement of men and muni
tions.
Still animated by the hope of a peace
fid solution, and obeying the dictates of
uty, no effort was relaxed to bring about
a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle.
Negotiations continued for some little
time at Madrid, resulting in offers by the
Spanish government which could not but
be regarded as Inadequate.
Grieved and disappointed at the barren
outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach
h practicable solution, I felt it my duty to
-emit the whole question to the congress.
The response of congress, after nine
■ i-i.vs of earnest deliberation, during which
the almost unanl nou* sentiment of your
body was developed on every point, save
as to the expediency of coupling the pro
posed action with a formal recognition of
the republic Cuba as the true and lawful
government of that Island—a proposition
which failed of adoption—the congress,
after conference, on April lfl. by a vote of
42 to 35 in the senate, and 311 to 6 in the
house of representatives, passed the
memorable joint resolution.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 20. A
cojiy was at ones communicated to the
Spanish minister at this capital, who
forthwith announced that his continuance
in Washington had thereby become im
possible. and asked for his passports,
which were given him after the instruc
tion reached Gen. Woodford in Madrid on
the morning of April 21. but before he
could present it the Spanish minister of
state notified him that upon the pres'-
dent's approval of the Joint resolution, the
Madrid government, regarding the act a=
"equivalent to an evident declaration n?
war," had ordered Its minister in Wash
ington to withdraw, thereby breaking or.
diplomatic relations between the two
countries and ceas.ng ail official commu
nication between the.r respective govern
ments.
Spain having thus denied the demand of
the (Jnitrd States and initiated that com
plete form of rupture of relations which
attends a state of war. the executive pow
era authorized by the resolution were at
once used by me to meet the enlarged
contingency of actual war between sover
eign states. On April 22 I proclaimed a
blockade of the north coast of Cuba.
liy my message of April 25, the con
gress was informed of the situation and
I recommended formal declaration of the
exlsttnoe of a state of war between the
United States and Spain. The congress
accordingly voted on the same day, the
act approved April 25, 1898, declaring the
existence of such war from and Including
the 21st day of April.
Our country thus, after an interval of
half a century o" peace with all nations,
found itself enguged in deadly conlli£t
with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was
strained to meet the emergency.
Every precaution was taken to prevent
possible injury to our great cities lying
aiong the coast. Temporary garrisons
were provided, drawn from the state
militia, infantry and light batteries were
drawn from the volunteer force. About
12,000 troops were thus employed. The
coast signal service was established, and
the life-saving and lighthouse services co
operated. which enabled the navy de
partment to have ail portions of the At
lantic coast from Maine to Texas under
observe.! ion.
Ihe auxiliary navy was created under
authority of congress and wus officered
■i« the naval militia of the several states
Under the directl-jn of the chief of en
gmeers. submarine mines were placed
at the most exposed places The aggre
gate number of uilnes yl»ce<J 1,534
t?ip> principal ?»ar?>ori, frotn Maine To Cal
ifornia.
The signal corps was promptly organized
and performed service of the most ditH
cult and important character.
The national defense fund of $.">0,000,000
was expended In large part by the army
and navy, and the objects for which it
was used are fully shown in the reports
of the several secretaries.
This fund being inadequate for the con
duet of tlie war, the patriotism of the
congress provided the means in the war
revenue act of June 13. by authorizing a
3 per cent popular loan not to exceed
$400,000,000 and by levying additional im
ports and taxes.
Of the authorized loan. $200,000,000 were
offered and promptly taken, the subscrip
tions so far exceeding the call as to cover
it many times over, while, preference be
ing given to the smaller bids, no single
allotment exceeded $. r >,o<M). This was a
most encouraging and significant result,
showing the vast resources of the nation
and the determination of the people to
uphold their country's honor.
It is not within the province of this
message to narrate the history of the ex
traordinary war that followed the Span
ish declaration of April 21. but a brief re
cital of its more salient reatures is ap
propriate.
The first encounter of the war in point
of date took place April 27. when a detach
ment of the blockading squadron made a
reconnaissance in force at Matanzas
shelled the harbor forts and demolished
several new works in construction.
Tlie Campaign*
Ths next engagement, was destined to
mark a memorable epooh in maritime
warfare. The i'acitic fleet, under (Com
modore George Dewey, had lain for some
weeks at Hongkong.
At daybreak on the first of May the
American force entered Manila bay, and
after a few hours' engagement effected
the total destruction of the Spanish fleet,
consisting of 10 warships and a transport,
besides capturing the naval station and
forts at Cavite, thus annihilating the
Spanish naval power in the Pacific ocean
and completely controlling the bay of Ma
nila, with the ability to t«ike the city at
will. Not a life was lost on our ships, the
wounded only numbering seven, while not
a vessel was materially injured.
The effect of this remarkable victory
upon the spirit of our people and upon
the fortunes of the war was instant. A
prestige of invincibility thereby atia hel
to our arms, which continued throughout
the struggle. Reinforcements were hur
ried to Ma..i.a under the command of Maj.
(Jen. Merritt. and firmly established with
in sight of the capital, which lay helpless
before our guns.
Only reluctance to cause needless loss
of life and property prevented the early
storming arid capture of the city, and
therewith the absolute military occupan
cy of the whole group.
The insurgents invested Manila from
the northern and eastern sides, but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and Gen.
Merritt from attempting an assault.
No partition of the rights and respon
sibilities attending the enforcement of a
just and advantageous peace could be
thought of.
On May 11 the cruiser Wilmington and
the torpedo boat Winslow were unsuccess
ful In an attempt to silence the batteries
at Cardenas, a gallant ensign. Worth
Ragley, and four seamen falling. These
grievous fatalities were, strangely enough,
among the very f«-w which occurred dur
ng our naval operations in this extraor
dinary conflict.
Sev ral demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in preua
ration for the larger event.
Ilohftoii nn<! (lie Vlerimac.
The next act In the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our countrymen, but
the world by Its exceptional heroism.
On the night of .Tune 3 I,!eut. Hobson,
aided by seven devoted volunteers, blocked
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor
by sinking the collier Merrimae in the
channel, under a fierce flr<* from the shoro
batteries, escaping with their lives as by
a miracle, but falling into the hands of the
Spaniards.
It is a most gratifying Incident of the
war that the bravery of this little band
of heroes was cordially appreciated by the
Spanish admiral, who sent a flag of truce
to notify Admiral Sampson of their safety
and to compliment them on their daring
act. They were subsequently exchanged,
July 7.
On June 10. tinder a heavy fire, a land
ing of 000 marines was effected in (Juan
tana mo bay, where it had been determined
to establish a naval station. This im
portant and essential port was taken from
the enemy after severe fighting by the
marines, who were the first organized
force of the United States to land in Cuba.
On June 22 the advance of the Invading
army under Maj. ("Jen. Shafter landed at
Daiquiri, about 15 miles east of Santiago.
This was accomplished under gr«at difll
culties. but with marvelous dispatch.
On June 23 the movement against San
tiago was begun. On the 24th the first
serious engagement took place, in which
the First and Tenth cavalry and the First
United States volunteer cavalry. Gen.
Young's brigade of Gen. Wheeler's divi
sion. participated, losing heavily.
By nightfall, however, ground within
five miles of Santiago was won. The ad
wantage was steadily increased. On July
1 a severe battle took place, our forces
gaining the outer works of Santiago; on
the 2d K1 Caney and San Juan were tak
en, after a desperate charge, and the in
vestment of the city was completed. The
navy co-operated by shelling the town
and the coast forts.
Decisive Naval HaUle.
On the day following. July 3. occurred
the decisive naval combat 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.
With the catastrophe of Santiago.
Spain's effort up«>n the ocean virtually
leased. The capitulation of Santiago fol
lowed.
To those who gained this complete tri
umph, which established the ascendancy
of the United States upon land, as the
tight off SantXigo had fixed our supremacy
upon the seas, the earnest and lasting
gratitude of the nation is unsparingly due.
Nor should we alone remember the gal
lantry of the living. The dead claim our
tears, and our losses by battle and disease
must cloud any exultation at the result
and teach us to weigh the awful cost of
war.
Wfth the fall of Santiago, the occupa
tion of Porto Rico became the next
strategic necessity. Gen. Miles had been
assigned to organize an expedition for the
purvose. Fortunately he was already at
Santiago. On July 27 he entered Ponce,
from which he thereafter directed opera
tions for the capture of the island. The
campaign was prosecuted with vigor. and
by the 12th of August most of the ls'and
was in our possession and the acquisition
of the remainder was only the matter of
a short time.
The last scene of the war was enacted
at Manila, Its starting place, on Aug. 15.
After a brief assault upon the works by
the land forces, in which the squadron as
sisted. the capital surrendered uncondi
tionally. To Gen. Merritt, his officers and
men, the nation Is sincerely grateful.
It is fitting that I should bear testimony
to the patrio'ism and devotion of the
large portion of our army which, al
though eager to be ordered to post of
greatest exposure, fortunately was not
required outside of the Knited States.
They did their whole duty and have
earned the gratitude of the nation.
In this connection it Is a pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial ap
preciation the timely and useful work of
the American National Red Cross under
the able leadership of Miss Clara Barton
fence Negotiation*.
The peace negotiations have made hope
ful progress, so that I trust, soon to be
able to lay a definite trea'y of poace be
fore the senate, with a review of the
steps leading to its signature.
I do not discuss at this time the govern
ment or the future of the new possessions
which will come to us as a result ot the
war with Spain. Such d:scusslon will be
appropriate after the treaty of peace shall
be ratified. In the meantime, and until
the congress has legislated otherwise »r
will be 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 beneficent rule.
Our l*olI«»y Toward < uliu.
As soon as we are in possession of Ctioa
and have pacified the island it w 11 be nec
essary to give aid and direction to its peo
ple to form a government for themselves.
This should be undertaken at the earliest
Otfuumt cunsibteui w lib mtely uuj a*.
CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1898.
imrrfi aticcess. T» In Important tTTat our
relations with tills people slia.ll be of the
most friendly character and our commer
cial 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 th> m to fotm a gov
ernment which shall be free and inde
pendent. thus realizing the best aspira
tions of the Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced by a Jftst,
benevolent and humane government, cre
ated by the people of Cuba, capable of
performing all International obligations,
and which shall encourage thrift. Industry
and prosperity and promote peace and
good w.'ll among ail the inhabitants, what
ever may have been their relations In the
past.
With the one exception of the rupture
with Spain, the Intercourse of the United
States with the family of nations has been
marked with cordiality.
Belgian restrictions ngnlnst American
cattle and meats continue the subject of
diplomatic discussion with favorable out
look. The year's events In Centra! Amer
ica merit more than a passing mention.
A mennclng rupture between Costa R'ea
and Nicaragua was happily averted
through a treaty signed on board the I!.
8. S. Aler l , through the good offices of her
commander and the American minister.
While the representatlvme of the Great
er Central American republic was recog
nized in Washington. It was with the dis
tinct understanding that the responsibility
of each of the comt>onent sovereign repub
lics toward the United States remained
wholly unaffected. This position of the
United tSates remains unaltered.
Our llelalion uitli (.real Mrltnln.
Our relations with Great lirltaln l»nve
continued on the most friendly footing.
Assenting to our request, the protection of
Americans and their Interests In Spanish
Jurisdiction was assumed by the diplo
rwific and consular representatives of
t..eat Rrit.iln. who fulfilled their delicate
trust with tact and zeal.
The Canadian government having grant
ed facilities for ftie passage of four reve
nue cutters from the great lakes to the
Atlantic coast, those vessels were await
ing the opening of navigation in Lukr
Ontario when war was declared. Her
majesty's government thereupon stated
that the permission granted before the
outbreak of hostilities would not be with
drawn. provided the United States gave
assurances that the vessels would pro
ceed direct to a United States port with
out engaging In any hostile operation.
On Sept. 10, 1597, a conflict took place at
Uatlmer, Pa., between a body of striking
miners and the sheriff of Luzerne county
and his deputies, in which 22 minern were
killed and 44 wounded, of whom 10 of
the killed and 12 of the wounded were
Austrian and Hungarian subjects. This
deplorable event naturally aroused the
solicitude of the Austro-Hungarian gov
ernment The sheriff and his deputies,
having been Indicted for murder, were
tried and acquitted after protracted pro
ceedings and the hearing rtf the hundreds
of witnesses on the ground that the kill
ing was In the line of their official duty
to uphold law and to preserve order. With
all the facts in its possession this govern
ment expects to reach a harmonious un
derstanding on the subject with that of
Austria-Hungary.
TIIO Mcaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal commission, under
the chairmanship of Rear Admiral John
<J. Walker, appointed July 24, 1&)7, has
nearly completed its labors and the re
sults of its exhaustive inquiry into the
proper route, the feasibility and the cost
of construction of an inter-oceanic canal
by a Nlcaraguan route, will be laid be
fore you. Under the circumstances and
\a view of overtures made to the govern
ments of Nicaragua ar.d Costa Rica by
other parties for a new canal concession,
on the assumption of tiie approaching
lapse of the contracts of the Maritime
canal company with those states, I be
lieve an international policy as between
the several governments interested in the
construction and control of an Inter-ocean
ic canal by this route requires the main
tenance of the status quo until the canal
commission shall have reported and the
United States congress shall have had
the opportunity to pass finally upon the
whole matter during the present session,
without prejudice by reason of any
change in the existing conditions.
Nevertheless. It appears that the gov
ernment of Nicaragua, as one of its last
sovereign acts before merging its powers
in those of the newly formed United
States of Central America, has granted an
optional concession to another association,
to become operative on the expiration of
the present grant. All the circumstances
suggest the urgency of some definite ac
knowledgmen' of congress at this ses
sion, if tlie labors of the past are to be
utilized and the linking of the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans by a practical water
way Is to be realized. That the construc
tion of such a maritime highway is now
more than e\er indis[*»nsable to that in
timate communication between our sea
boards demanded by the annexation of
Hawaii and the prospective expansion of
our Influence and commerce In the Pacific,
and that our national policy calls for Its
construction, are propositions which I
loubt not the congress will duly appre
ciate and wisely act upon.
Future of t'lilna.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
events transpiring In the Chinese empire
whereby portions of its maritime prov
inces are passing under the control of the
various European powers; btrt the pros
pect that the vast commerce which the
nergy of our citizens and the necessity of
our staple productions for Chinese uses
have built up in those regions may not be
prejudiced through any exclusive treat
ment by the new' occupants has obviated
the necessity of our country becoming an
actor in the scene.
Our position among the nations, having
a large Pacific coast and a constantly ex
panding direct trade with the farther ori
ent, gives us an equitable claim to con
sideration and friendly treatment In this
regard and it will aim to subserve out
large interests in that quarter by all
means appropriate to the constant policy
of our government. The territories of
Kiao Chao. of Wet-Hat-Wei and of Port
Arthur and Tallenwan,leased to Germany,
Great lirltaln and Russia respectively for
terms of years, will. It Is announced, be
open to international commerce during
such alien occupation, and if no discrim
inating treatment of Americans and their
trade be found to exist or be hereafter
developed, the desire of this government
would appear to be realized.
Farln liiposition.
There Is now every prospect that the
participation of the United States In the
universal exposition to be held in Paris in
IPOO will be on a scale commensurate with
the advanced position held by our prod
ucts and industries in the world's chief
markets.
Py a provision In the sundry civil ap
propriation act of July 1, 1898, a sum not
to exceed JtT,O,OOO was allotted for the or
ganization of a commission to care for the
proper preparation and installation of
American exhibits for the display of
suitable exhibits by the several executive
departments.
Pursuant to that enactment I appointed
Mr. Ferdinand W. Peck of Chicago com
missioner general, with an ass'stant com
missioner general and a secretary. Mr.
Peck at once proceeded to Paris, where
his success in enlarging the scope and
variety of the United States exhibit has
been most gratifying.
Mr. Peck's report will be laid before you.
In my Judgment, its recommendations will
call for your early consideration, especial
ly as regards an increase of the appropria
tion to at least 51.000.000
tteclprorlifl
The commercial arrangement made wdth
France on May 2S, 189S, under the provi
sions of section 3 of the tar iff act of ISS7.
went into effect on June 1 following. It
has relieved a portion of our export trade
from serious embarrassmwnt. Further ne
gotiations are now pending under the
same act. with a view to Increase trade
between the two countries to their mu
tual advantage. Negotiations with other
governments ate in progress under the
tariff act.
It will give me especial satisfaction If I
shall be authorized to communicate to you
a favorable conclusion of pending nego
tiations wdth Great Britain with respect
to the dominion of Canada. It is the
earnest wish of this government to re
move all sources of discord and Irritation
In our relations with th« neighboring do
minion.
Annexation ol Hawaii.
Pending >..< . noi'.eiauon by the sennte
of the treaty signed June IS, ISJ7, by the
p.enipotentiarles of the United States and
of tha republic ot Hawaii. * joint r«»olu-
tton *f> »nn**»tton accept-
InK tn© offered cession and incorporating
the cftdfd territory into the union, was
adopted by th« congress and approved
July 7, I*9B. I thereupon directed the
I nited Spates ship Philadelphia to convey
Rear Admiral Miller to Honolulu and
Intrusted In his hands this important
legislative act, to be delivered to the
president of the republic of Hawaii, with
whom the admiral and the United States
minister were authorized to make ap
propriate arrangements for transferrins
the sovereignty of the island to the United
State. Tiit* was accomplished on Aug.
12 lust.
The report of the commission appointed
to consider the proper laws for the new
territory will be laid before congress at
an early date.
I may refer to the necessity of some
amendments of our existing extradition
statutes. It is a common stipulation of
such treaties that neither partv shall be
bound to give up its own citizens, with the
added proviso in one of our treaties, that
witn Japan, that It may surrender if it
see tit. It is held in tills country by an
almost uniform course of decision that
where a treaty negatives the obligation
to surrender, the president Is not invested
with legal authority to act. The confer
ment of such authority would be In the
line of that sound morally which shrinks
from affording secure asylum to the au
thor of a heinous crime.
The claims of owners of American see -
ing vessels for seizure by Russian cruis
ers In liering sea are being pressed to a
settlement. The equities of the rases
justify the expectation that a measure of
reparation will eventually bo accorded in
harmony with precedent and in the light
of the proven f;irtv
Tlic Czar's Peace
proposal of m.- czar for a general
reduction of tne vast miiltary establish
menta that weigh so heavily upon many
peoples In time of peace was communi
cated to this government, with an earnest
invitation to be represented In th»* con
ference which it is contemplated to as
semble with a view to discussing the
of accomplishing a desirable re
sult. His majesty was at once informed
of the cordial sympathy of this govern
ment with the principal involved in his
exalted proposal and of the readiness ot
the United States to take part in the
conference. The active military force of
th« united States, as measured by oui
population territorial area ami the tax
able wealth, Is and must continue to be,
In time of peace, so conspicuously less
than that of the armed powers to whom
fi\n czar's appeal Is essentially addressed
that the question can have for us no
practical importance, save as marking
an auspicious step toward the betterment
of the condition of the modern peoples.
The arbitral tribunal appointed under
the treaty of Feb. 2. 1597, between
Britain and Venezuela, to determine the
boundary line between the latter and the
co'.ony of British <JUIP a. is to convene
at Paris during the present month.
I have the satisfaction of being able
to state that the bureau of the American
republics, created in 1800 as tiie organ
for promoting commercial intercourse
and fraternal relations among the nations
of the western hemisphere, has become a
no re efficient Instrument of the wise pur
pose of its founders
Commerce Should l>e Itenpccted*
The experiences of the last year bring
forcibly home to us a sense of the burdens
and the waste of war. We desire to re
duce to the lowest possible point the
damage sustained In time of war by
peaceable trade and commerce. It should
be our object, therefore, to minimize, so
far as practicable, this inevitable loss and
disturbance. This purpose can probably
be best accomplished by an international
agreement to regard all private property
at sea as exempt from capture or de
struction by the forces of belligerent pow
ers. 1 suggest that the executive be au
thorized to correspond with the govern
ments of the principal maritime powers
with a view of incorporating into the per
manent law of civilized nations the prin
ciple of the exemption of all private prop
erty at sea, not contraband of war, from
capture.
Our Finance**
The secretary of the treasury reports
that the receipts <»f the government from
all sources for the fiscal year ending June
30, ISOS, including $04,751,223 received from
sale of Pacific railroads, amounted to
$405,321,335, and its expenditures to $443,-
:iGS,f)S2. There was collected from cus
toms $M0,575.062 and from internal reve
nue $170,900,541. Our dutiable imports
amounted to $324,635,479, a decrease of sr>S,-
156.600 over the preceding year, and im
portations free of duty amounted to S2UI.-
114.175. a decrease from the preceding year
of $90,524,076. Internal revenue receipts
exceeded those of the preceding year by
SIM. 212,067.
We exported merchandise during the
year amounting to $1,231,482,330, an Increase
of $150.458.774 from the preceding year. It
is estimated on the basis of present reve
nue laws that the receipts of the govern
ment for the year ending June 30. 1899.
will be $577,874,047 and its expenditures
$089,874,647, resulting in a deficiency of
$122,000,000.
On the Ist of December, 1898. there was
in the treasury gold coin amounting to
$138,441,547, gold bullion amounting to
$138,502. "»45, sliver bullion amounting to
$93,339,250. and other forms of money
amounting to $451,963,581.
Iter oui me ml a (lons.
I renew so much of my recommendation
of December. 1897, as follows: That when
an'- of the United States notes are pre
sented for redemption in gold and are re
deemed in gold such notes shall be kept
and set apart and only paid out in ex
change for gold. This is an obvious duty.
If the holder of the United States note
prefers the gold and gets it from the
government, he should not receive back
from the government a United States note
without pa"lng gold in exchange for it.
In my judgment the present condition
of the treasury amply Justifies the imme
diate enactment o»f the legislation recom
mended one year ago, under which a por
tion of gold holdings should be placed
In a trust fund from which greenbacks
should be redeemco upon presentation,
but when once redeemed should not there
after be paid out except for gold.
It is not to be inferred that other leg
islation relating to our currency is not
required; on the contrary there is an ob
vious demand for it.
The Importance of adequate provision !
which will insure U> 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 currency be kept safe and
yet be so related to the needs of our in
dustries and internal commerce as to he
adequate and responsive to such needs
is a proposition scarcely less important.
The subject in all its parts Is commended
to the wise consideration of congress.
Our .Merchant .Marine.
The annexation of Hawaii and the
changed relations of the United States
to Cuba, Porto Klco and the Philippines
resulting from the war compel the prompt
adoption of a maritime policy by the
United States. There should be estab
lished regular and frequent steamship
communication, encouraged by us un
der the American fiag to the newly ac
quired islands.
In my last message I recommended that
congress authorize the appointment of a
commission for the purpose of making
systematic investigations with reference
to the cause and prevention of yel.ow
fever. This matter has acquired an in
creased importance as a result of the
military occupation of Cuba and the com
mercial intercourse between this island
and the United States which we have
every reason to expect. The sanitary
problems connected with our new rela
tions are no important than those
relating to finance, commerce and adm.n-
Istration. I therefore renew my recom
mendation that the authority of congress
may be given and a suitable appropria
tion nr de to provide for a commission
on exports to be appointed for the pur
pose indicated.
IncreuNc in the Army and Navy l.ee
ommemled.
The importance of legislation for the |
permanent increase of the army is mani- j
fest and the recommendation of the sec- |
retary of war for that purpose has my
unqualified approval. There can be no
question that at this time, and probably |
for some time in the future. 100.000 men
will be none too many to meet the nenes
sities of the situation.
At all events, whether tnat number shall
be required permanently, or not, power
should be given the president to enlist
that force if lie deems it necessary, and
further discretion should be given him to
recruit for the a p my within the above
limit from the Inhabitants of the lsiands
with the government of which we are
Tt fi my purpose to muster t the en
tire volunteer army as soon .« the con
gress shall provide for the increase of the
regular establishment This will be only
an act of justice and will be appreciated
by the brave boys who left their homes
and employment to help the country in its
emergency.
The message concludes with an indorse
ment of the request of the secretary of
the navy for an increase in that branch
of the service by the building of three
battleships and nine armored crluisers
Centennial at Washington.
A movement, lately inaugurated by the
citizens, to h*ve the centennial anniver
sary of the founding of the city of Wash
ington celebrated with fitting ceremonies.
Including perhaps tlie establishment of a
handsome memorial to mark so historical
an occasion, and to give it more than
local recognition, has met with general
favor on the part of the public. The
granting of an appropriation by congress
is recommended for this purpose and the
appointment of a committee from its re
spective bodies.
The alien ccntract law is shown by ex
perience to need some amendment. A
measure providing better protection 1s
proposed. The rightful application of
eight-hour law for the benefit of labor
and of principle of arbitration are sug
gested for consideration and these sub
jects are recommended to the careful at
tention of congress.
William MeKlnley.
Executive Mansion. Dec. 5, 1898.
THE POOR DELUDED MAN.
lie Tell* 11 IN l<'rleii<ln Hon lie Vloiild
Never Allow a Woman to .tluuaj*
Him.
The lord of creation was sitting with
some inert friends before a prate fire
one cold evening and was exchanging
with them opinions on persons and
things. The conversation had drifted
around to a discussion of married life,
and the host had the floor. "Unac
countable, isn't it," said he, "how hard
it is to make some women understand
that they don't need to manage their
husbands? I've never had any trouble
of that kind myself—wouldn't stand
it for a second even if Polly were dis
posed to try her band at management
—but it seems impossible to prevent
some women from attempting all sorts
of things in the; way of regulating the
actions of their husbands. Now, when
1 fell in love with I'olly she was what
she is now in rare moments —mild and
pretty and amiably appreciative of my
intellect. I did not ever ask myself
whether she was clever or not. I didn't
care. We got along splendidly, like the
pious boy and his lazy brother, the
first of whom said the prayers and the
last the 'Amen.' I did the talking and
Polly egged me on with raising of eye
brows, smiles and sympathetic 'Ohs,'
or 'Aits.' Well, we married. I have
learned that Polly's friends were under
the impression that she had captured
a mental giant and was feeding hirn
with the sugar plums of fiction. Site
gave people to understand that I
labored under the delusion that she
was a very brilliant person like myself,
and only her craftiness kept me from
finding out how shallow and silly she
was. Was ever a more absurd idea
evolved from the brain of a silly girl.
Polly clever! If site only knew that
her mild eyes, with the absolute ig
norance of the world that lies in their
clear depths, arc my stars of hope,
that her soft, faltering voice, that gets
shrill every time she tries to talk
learnedly, was what I love better than
oratory, and that her irresponsible
way of discussing my pet theories is
what Hatters and gratifies me more
than any amount of sane praise front a
really clever woman—well, if she
realized all that. I wonder if she would
still believe that she has 'managed,'
'played with' or 'deluded' me?"
Just then Polly came into the room
in quest of a book, and one of the
guests jokingly repeated the substance
of what her husband had said. There
was a quizzical look in Iter face as she
said:
"Did you say that, Tom?"
Her husband acknowledged theeorn.
Polly laughed good-naturedly and
said: "You old goose," and left the
room. Site also left an uneasy sus
picion on her husband's mind that
after all perhaps she "managed" him
without his being aware of it. The
same idea occurred to more than one
of his guests, but of course there is no
way of finding out whether such is the
case or not.—Chicago Chronicle.
No Convolution.
"The study of evolution teaches us,' :
said the professor, "that when an or
gan becomes useless it gradually fades
away. Witness the eyeless fish in the
Mammoth cave. In like manner it is
probable that the appendix vermifor
tnis, which anatomists think is but a
reminiscence, so to speak of an organ
once useful in the human internal
mechanism, but now apparently worse
than useless, will ultimately shrink
away and disappear utterly."
"lty that time, though," grumbled a
calamity howler in the class, "science
will have made all grapes seedless."—
Chicago Tribune.
on die IMate.
Butter a soup plate or very shallow
pie dish and line it with thin slices of
white bread and butter, grate some
cheese thickly over this. Pepper and
salt to taste, and sprinkle a little dry
mustard over the whole. Just moisten
I with milk, and put it into the oven,
while two eggs are scrambled in a
dessertspoon of melted butter in a
saucepan, with a pinch of salt and a
dash of cayenne. Break the eggs into
this, and stir them until they are
cooked. Then spread them 011 top of
the cheese and serve at once.—Boston
Ulobe.
In ilnndwriting.
Perhaps it is not generally known
that Mohammedans never use printed
Korans; because in doubt as to the
ingredients entered into the composi
tion of the printing ink. They are
afraid of being defiled by taking into
their hands it copy of the sacred book
which may have been produced with
the ink in which pig's fat, instead of
linseed oil, has formed one of the
component parts. They therefore eon
fine themselves to reading handwrit
ten reproductions of the prophet's
work, which are naturally very ex
pensive.
A !>trange Stone.
The "ilmakiur," a Finish stone,
which becomes almost white before
tiie approach of fine weather and dark
ens when storms are at hand, is used
by the natives as a barometer in which
they repose the highest confidence
IS WANTED FOR TWO CRIMES.
A Kuiilt 4 a*lil<-r Im Snld (n Ifiitr I5« <ll
<»illll> »l Murder and l:iiilx //.lriiii'lit
— A I'll rilll Hi; Ntury.
St. Louis, Dec. 8. The Post-Dis
patch throws light on a mysterious
.shooting l hat occurred in St. Louis
on June 14, 1897. and resulted in the
death of Elliot. L. Duckworth at Kan
sas City, Kan., some time after thai.
According to tlie story. Duckworth
came to St. Louis from Springfield,
Mo., to meet Kdward L. Dolling, an
Indiana 'hank cashier, who in a letter
had offered the former a position.
Pefore meeting Dolling, Duckworth
strolled out to Forest park, where
he was later found hadlv wounded,
Vfth a bullet hole in his head ami a.
revolver lying beside him. It was ap
parently a case of suicide. 11l the.
wounded man's pocket was found ;t
card bearing these words: "I am Kd
ward L. Dolling, of Terre llaute, linl.
In case of accident
Dolling was at that time wanted
for embezzling $30,000 from a bank in
a small town near Terre Haute, Inil.
He disappeared about, the time he
wrote the letter to Duckworth mak
ing the St. Louis appointment with
the latter. Dolling and Duckworth
resembled each other to a remarkable
degree. The story goes onto say
tliat Duckworth was decoyed to this
city by Dolling and fatally shot, a
card putin his pocket with the hit
ter's name on it and the wounded
man passed off on the police and the
public as the missing embezzler.
Duckworth was taken home by his
sister,Airs.Kva Hutchinson, of Hutch
inson, Kan., he having revealed his
identity. The wounded man denied
that he had attempted to commit sui
cide and said he remembered noth
ing of the shooting. Dolling, it in
said, is still at large and the police
are searching for him on the chargo
of embezzlement and murder.
Kansas City. Mo., Dec. S.—Elliot L.
Duckworth died at the Kansas insti
tute for the blind in Kansas City,
Kan., on .November IS. He had been
ill only since the Wednesday before
and it was the opinion of the phy
sicians that the old wound was the in
direct cause of his death. The wound
he received in Forest park, St. Louis,
brought 011 blindness and lie was
taken to the Kansas City (Kan.)
asylum by his sister at Hutchinson.
To the pupils and teachers in the
asylum he said that he did not know
the man who shot him.
Hutchinson. Kan.. Dec. S. —Elliott
Duckworth was buried here on No
vember 20, his body having been
brought from the Kansas asylum.
Neither Duckworth nor any of his
Hutchinson friends could or would
tell who shot him.
MARSH PLEADS GUILTY.
Kx-I're*ldeiit ol tlie Krynlouc Haiilt
t» Arraigned til Court Sentence lie
•erred.
Philadelphia, Dec. S.—Gideon W.
Marsh, president of the Keystone na
tional bank, which failed in March,
1891, was arraigned in the district
court yesterday and pleadiil guilty to
indictments charging misapplication
of funds of the institution and mak
ing false reports of the bank's condi
tion to the comptroller of the cur
rency. Sentence was deferred. It
will be remembered that Marsh dis
appeared in May. 1891, his bail of $20,-
000 being forfeited and that lie was
a fugitive from justice until Novem
ber 3 last when lie returned to the
city and voluntarily surrendered to
the court.
After Marsh had entered his plea
of guilty his counsel asked the court ii
permission to present a statement of
his client which would show mitigat
ing circumstances in connection with
the commission of tUe acts to which
he had pleaded guilty. Counsel in
formed the court 'that .after Mr. Marsh
had assumed the presidency of the
bank, he found that there existed a
deficiency of over $1,000,000. ( ounsel
said the defendant had never profited
one dollar through the bank's losses.
The court dismissed the matter by
informing counsel that he would re
mand the prisoner until Tuesday
next, when he would impose sentence
after hearing counsel's plea. He, how
ever. would not make this case an ex
ception and would not go into an in
vestigation of the bank's affairs.
William Steele, former cashier o(
the wrecked Chestnut Street national
bank, was also arraigned and pleaded
ing him with aiding President Sin
gerly (now deceased) in the rnisappro
erly (now deceased) in the misappro
priation of the funds of that institu
tion.
CAUGHT BY A CAVE IN.
Three Men Hurled I'uder Thousand*
of Toils of Kiirniiic; Cual.
West Superior. Wis., Dec. B.—While
fighting a fire on the dock of the Le
high Coal <£* Coke Co. yesterday a
crew of men were caught by a bad
eavein, caused by the weakening of
the pile foundation. Two miraculous
ly escaped and four were buried un
der thousands of tons of burning
coal. One, John Malinowasky, was
rescued alive, but is in a precarious
condition. The other three probably
perished. Their identity cannot be
learned, as they were new men.
The fire is the worst which has
been experienced here for years. The
middle of the dock is burning fiercely
and it is being cut into sections to
prevent the fire spreading. It looks
as though :!00 feet of the dock would
lie destroyed, together with 20.000
tons of coal, the latter worth $."0,000.
The Men York at Havana,
Havana, Dec. 8. The cruiser New
York arrived here Wednesday. Im
mediately after her arrival the New
York saluted and Capt. Chadwiclc
paid a visit to Admiral Manterola and
Gen. Castellanos. A naval lieutenant
promptly returned the visit on board
the New York.
llobMii Will (>o to Manila.
New York. Dec. 8. —•Assistant Naval
Constructor Ilobson will goto Manila
lo superintend the raising of the
«unk';n war vessels. He expects to
lea\<r about the 20th of this month.
3