Republican news item. (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, December 15, 1898, Image 8
Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered necessary ! y tlie war, our rk"'-ple rejoice in :i very satisfactory ; = steadily Inerea 'ug degree of pros ;> "ity, evidenced by C> largest volume <•! business ever re riled. A review of ti' eolation of the TVited States to of -r powers, always in ; ropriate, is tL.i year of primary ortance. my last annua' m.-ssage very full sideratlon was :ri. -u m the ques ' icii of the duty i ' tlie <iovernuient i r the United State inward Spain and I'.ie Cuban insurri -lion as being by ! r the most liupor.ant problem with <■ -slch we have been called uj)on 10 deal. i'lio war continu <1 on the old foot in.without compiehensive plan, de veloping only the :-ime spasmodic cn i > niters, barren if strategic result, 112: :if had marked the course of the i lier ten years ;• hellion as well as 'j • present insurri 'ion from its start. No alternative sir ■ physical exhaus tion of either < -oi. ' atant and there withal the praetica rain of the island toy in sight, but how far distant no one could venture t conjecture. At this juncture, 'in the 1 r»th of Feb ruary last, occurred the destruction of tie- battle ship M: ue while rightfully lying In the liar! " of Havana on a mission of intern; i\al courtesy and good, will—a catas;i"'phe the suspicions i attire anil horroi < 112 which stirred the nation's heart proi' mdly. The finding of tlie Naval l'.oi of Inquiry estab lished that the origin of the explosion > s external a-• ;bma:ine mine and eJy halted, tliro. i la<-': of positive tr stimony, to ti:: t-e respousibiliiv of ii: authorship A'l ;h'eso thirds c-n-rled conviction to the inost thoughtful. even before the 'tilling of the itav..! < »nt. that a cris is in our relations ish Spain and to ward, Cuba wijs.at - anil. Nor'was the app ' hension of coming strife confined to our own country. It was felt by the continental powers, which, on April <">. through their Am bassadors and Ei oys. addressed to ' Executive an xpressmn of hope fsat humanity and moderation might iiark the course i this Government ml people, and 112 t further nrgotia tViis would hnd to an agreement nhtch. while s-ei.r g the maintenance .•■f peace, would ; iVord all necessary 1 :iranters for th • re-establishment of il< r in Cuba. in responding to 'hat representation, i said I shared th - hope the Envoys had expressed tlm : peace might be ■ served In a mam r to terminate the iiroulc conditltion of disturbance In i'ha. I again review- d the alternative • nurses of action v-hicli had been pro sed, concluding that the only one mpatible with our lirm-set histor il traditions, was intervention as ;> e.utral to stop the war and check the :'opt-less sacrifice ilife, even thougn :hat resort involved hostile constraint mm both the partic s to the contest, as . il to enforce a trace as to guide the eiitual setth ment. fhe grounds j-.,-»ifying that step - re the interests of humanity; tin V.ity to protect the life and property - our citizens in Cuba; the right t.i 'u-ck injury to ear commerce and eople through the devastation of the -latrfd, and. most i uportant, the need i removing :it oi e and forever the instant menace a. d the burdens en ailed upon our by the ecrtainities and perils of the situ •ion caused by tin- unendurable clis arbance In Cnua. i said: That the long ti-il has proved that he object for which Spain has waged i." war c;umot be attained. The tiro insurrection n. :y flame or may older, smolder with varying sea :-.s, but it lias not been and it is plain I :ii it can' not 1- v extinguished by resent methods, 'i he only hope of re and repose fro..; a condition which :in no longer be endured is the en nrced paeiiicatloe. of Cuba. In tha ame of humanit-' in the name oil ■\ ilization. in l>e..r.lf of endanger, il nierican interest.' which gave us th" ulit and the dut.\ to speak ar.d to set, the war in Cm must stop. In view of this, the Congress wat skeel to authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure i full termination- of hostilities be tween Spain and :e people of Cuba The response of uie Congress, after nine days of earn deliberation, dur eg which the alum t unanimous s mi ment of your body was developed o I •very point save a to the exptdiency jf coupling the pr« seel action with :• formal recognition ..r the Republic of Cuba' as the true ail lawful govern ment of that is ad-a proposition A'hicli failed of aiU tion—theCongrcs3, after conference < the 19th day of April, by a vote of-! 2 to 35 in the Sen ate and 811 to 5 in the House of Rep resentatives, pas , the memorabl i loin! resolution, de. taring* 'first. That the -ople of the tsl:-.nit of Cuba are. and . right ought to be. free r :vl hri i»« tide 112 Second.- That. is the duty of thu United Slav sto d. ami. and the no.- ernmeni of the s aitcd States does hereby demand, 112. 1 the government .if Spain at 6uc-r>. v...hquish its authori ty and Koverhniei.: in the Island of. Cuba and wlthdrav "its land and naval forces from Cuba s. d Cuban waters. Third. That the President of thu United States, be, and he hereby is, directed and cinpi wered to use tint entire land and n.ival forces of tin United States, am', to call Into the actual service of th United States, the militia of tlie sev ral states, to stic:i extent as may be necessary to carry these resolutions It/o effect. Eourtli. That the United Statei hereby disclaims any disposition or Inti lit ion to exerci- sovereignty, juris diction or control over said island, except for the relocation thereof, and asserts its d termination when that is accomplish! d to leave the gov ernment and control of the island t* Its people. This resolution was approved by the Executive- on the next day. April 20. A copy was at once communicated k» the Spanish Minister at this capital, who forthwith announced that his con tinuance In Washington had thereby become Impossible and asked for hi* passports, which were given him. Hii thereupon withdrew from Washington, leavln? tli« protection of Spanish In tertsta in the United States to thi French AnthassniV.r and tlie Austro llut:garian Minlstii. Simultaneously with this communi cation to the Spanish Minister here. Cen. Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirma tion of the text of the joint resolution and directed to communicate it to the Covernment of Spnin with the formal demand that it at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba and withdraw its forces there from coupling this demand with the announcement of the intentions of tliii Government as to the future of the Island, in conformity with the fourtli clause of the resolution, and giving Spain until noon of April 2.'» to reply. That demand, although as above s' own, officially made known to tin Spanish Envoy here, was not delivered at Madrid. After the instruction reach ed Gen. Woodford cm the morning ofl April 21. but before he could present it.the Spanish Minister of Stale noti fied him that upon the President's api proval of the joint resolution the Ma drid Government regarding the act as "equivelant to an evident declaration of war," had ordered its Minister • n Washington to withdraw, thereby breaking off diplomatic relations be tween the two countries and ceasin-i all official communication between their respective representatives. Gen. Woodford thereupon demanded his passports and quitted Madrid the same day. Spain having thus denied the demand of the United states and initiated that complete form of rupture of relations which attends a slate of war, the ex ecutive powers authorized by the res olution were at once used by me to meet the enlarged contingency of act ual war between sovi reign states. On April 22 I proclaimed a blockade of Hi • north const of Cuba, including peris on said coast between Cardenas and I'nliia Honda, and the port oJ C'ienft i -c-s en tlie . ill coast of Cuba ai don the 2:S I eail' il for volunteer! to execute the purpose of the resolu tion. By my mess ifje of April 25 the Congress was informed of the situa tion. and 1 recommended formal de claration of war between the Lniteil States and Spain. The Congress ac cordingly voted on the same day the act approved April 2.". Ivas.1 v as. declaring the existence of such war from and including the 21st day of April, ai d re i nacted the provision of the resolution of April 20 directing tile President to use all the armed force of the nation to carry that act into effect. Our Country thus, after an interval of half a century of peac • with all nations, found itself engaged in dead ly conflict with a foreign enemy Every nerve was strained to meet tin emergency. The r< spouse to the initial call for 125.000 volunteers was instant nml complete, as was also the result of the second call of May 25 for "5.000 additional voiui teers. anil the ranks of the regular army were increased to the limits provided by the act of April 20.1 SOS. The story of this successful cam paign is told in the report of the Secretary of War, which will be laid before you. The individual valor of officers "and soldiers was never morn strikingly shown than in the several engagi incuts leading to the suri'endex of Santiago, while the prompt move ments and successive victories won instant and universal applause. To those who gained this complete tri umph. which established the ascend anc.v of the United States upon land, ns the light off Santiago had fixed out supremacy on the seas, the earnest and lasting gratitude of the nation is unsparingly due. Nor should we alono remembi r the gallantry of the living. "1 he dead claim our tears, and ous losses by battle and disease must cloud my exultation at the result and teach us'o weigh the awful cost of war, how ever rightful the cause or signal thu victory. It is fitting that I should bear tes timony to the patriotism and devo tion of the large portion of our army which, although eaj r to be ordere d to the pest of greatest exposure, fortm nately was not required outside of tin United States. They did their wlioll duty, and. like their comrades at the front have earned the gratitude of thu nation. In like manner the officers and nice of the army and navy who remained in their departments and stations faith fully performing most important duties connected with the war, and whose requests for assignments in the field nnel at sea I was compelled to refuse because their services were indispen sible here, are entitled to the highest commendation. It is my regret that there see ins te> be no provision for their suitable recognition. In this connection it is a pleasntvi for me to mention in teims of cor dial appreciation the timely and use ful work of the American Red Cross, both In relief measures preparatory to the campaigns, in sanitary assistance* at several of the camps cd' assem blage, and. later, under the able and experienced leadership of the president of tb society. Miss Clara Barton, on the fields of battle and in the hospitals nt the front in Cuba. Working in con junction with the Governmental au thorities and under their sanction ami approval, and with the enthusiastnt r-o-operation of many patriotic women nnel societies In the various States, tlio Red Cross has fully maintained it:« already high reputation for intense s earnestness ar.el ability to exerclst the noble purposes of its Internatie mil organization, thus justifying the con fidence and support which it has re ceived at the hands of the American people. To the members and officer* sf this society and all who aided them In their philanthropic work, the sin ?e-re and lasting gratitude of the sol Jlers and the public is due and freely accorded. In tracing these events we are con stantly reminded of our obligations to the Divine Master for his watchful ;-are over us and his safe guidance for which the nation makes reverent acknowledgment and offers humble prayers for the continuance of Ills favor. I do not discuss at this time thu government or the future of the new nosessions which m ill come to us as lie result of the war with Spain. Such Jiscusslon will be appropriate after the treaty of peace shall be ratified In the meantime, and until the Con gress has legislated otherwise, it will be my duty to continue the military governments which have existed since ' iur occupation, and give to the people security in life and property and en couragement under a just and bene ficent rule. As soon as we are in possession ol Cuba and have pacified the Island i' will be necessary to give aid and di rection to its people to form a gov eminent for themselves. This shouh'i be undertaken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured sue «•( ss. It is important that our re lations with this people shall be of the most friendly character and our com mercial relations close and reciprocali It should be our duty to assist in every proper way to build up the waste places of the Island, encourage the Industry of the people, and assist them to form a government which shall be free and independent, thus r '.ilizlng the best aspirations of the Cubau people. Spanish rule must be replaced by a just, benevolent and humane gov ernment. created by the people of Cu ba. capable of performing all internal obligations, anil which shall encourngu thrift, industry and prosperity and promote peace and good will among all of the inhabitants, whatever may have been their relations in the past. Nei ther revenge nor passion should have a place in the new Govern;u"ir. Until there is complete tranquillity in the island and a stable Government in augurated, military occupaUou will be continued. On the 10th of September. 185)7. a conflict took place nt Lattimer. Pa., between a body of striking miners and the Sheriff of Luzerne County and his deputies, in which twenty two miners were killed and twelve or the wounded were Austrian and Hungarian sub jects-. This deplorable event naturally aroused the solicitude of tie' Austin Hungarian Government, which, on tho assumption that the killing and wound ll ••• involved the unjustifiable misuse of authority, claimed reparation for tho sulT. rers. Apart from the searching investigation and p. reniptory action of the authorities of Pennsylvania, tho Federal cutive took appropriate stops to 1 aril the merits of the urgent complaint of a friendly power. The Sheriff and his deputies, having been indicted for murder, were tried and acquitted niter protraetfd proceedings and the hearing of hundreds of wit nesses. on the ground that the killing was in the line of their official duty to uphold l.i iv and pn serve public order in the State. A representative of the Department of Justice attended the trial and reported its course fully. With all th" facts in its possession, this Government expects to reach a harmonious understanding on the sub ject with that of Austria-Hungary, notwithstanding the renewed claim of the latter, after the result of the trial, for indemnity for its inj ired subjects. I trust that Belgian restrictions on United States originally adopted as a day be relaxed as to their present sanitary precaution, will nt an early features of hardship and discrimina tion, so ns to admit live cattle under due regulation of their slaughter after landing. I am hop -fill. too. of favorable change in the Belgian treatment of our pre served and salted meats. The growth of direct trade between the two coun tries. net ninne for Rdsrian consump tion and Belgian products, hut by way of transit from and to other Conti nental states, has been both encourag ing and beneficial. No effort will be snared to enlarge its advantages by seeking the removal of needless impediments and by ar rangenieuts for Increased commercial exchanges. The Nicaragua Canal Commission, under the chairmanship of Rear Ad miral John C. Walker appointed July 21. IS!>7. under the authority of a pro vision in the Sundry Civil act of June 4 of that year, has nearly completed its labors, and the results of its ex haustive inquiry into the proper route, the feasibility and the cost of con struction of nn Interocennlc canal by a Nicaraguau route will be laid before you. Nevertheless .It appears that the Government of Nicaragua, ns one of its last sovereign nets before merg inc its powers in thos" of the newly >rmo(l United States of Central Ameri ca. hns granted nn optional concession to anotln r association, to become ef fective on tho expiration of the present grant. It does not appear what sur veys have been made or what route Is proposed under the present conting ent grant: so that an examination ot the feasibility of its plans Is necessar ily not embraced in the report of the Canal Commission. All these circum stances suggest the urgency of some definite action by the Congress at this session, if the labors of the past are to be utilized and the linking of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans by a practical waterway is to be realized. That the construction of such a mari time highway is now more than ever indispensable io that Intimate and ready Intercommunication between ou>' eastern and westt rn seaboards de manded by the annexation of the Ha waiian Islands and the prospective ex pansion of our influence and commerce in the Pacific, and that our national ever calls for its control by this Gov ernment are propositions which, I doubt not. the Congress will duly ap preciate and wisely net upon. The United States has not been an indifferent spectator of the extraordin ary events transpiring In the Chinese empire, whereby portions of its mari time provinces are passing under the control of various European powers; but tho prospect tliut the vnst com merce which the energy of our citi zens and the necessity of our staple productions for Chintse uses hns built up in those regions way not be pre judiced through any exclusive treat ment by the new occupants, has ob viated the need of our country becom ing an actor in the scene. Our position among nations, having a large Pacific eoasf. and a constantly expanding di rect trade with the farther Orient stives us the equitable claim to con sideration and friendly treatment in this regard, and it will be my aim to subserve our large interests In that quarter by all means appropriate to the constant policy of our Government, rhc territories of Kiao Choti. of Wel- Wai and of Port Arthur and Tallen wnn. leased to Germany. Great Brltian irel Russia, respectively, for terms of vears. will, it is announced, be open to International commerce during such ■ lien occupation; and If no discrlminnl ng treatment of American citizens and their trade be found to exist, or be aereafter developed, the desire of this Government would appear to be real ized. There is now every prospect that the participation of the United States in he Universal Exposition to be lield iu iris in 11K/0. will be on a scale eoni ensurate with the advanced position •id by our products and industries in he world's chief marts. The commercial arrangement made with France on the 2Sth of May. under Tariff act of IS&7, went into effect ou the first day of June following. It has relieved a portion of our export trade front serious embarassment. Further negotiations are now pend ing under section 4 of fhe same act, with a view to the increase of trado between the two countries, to their mutual advantage. Negotiations with other governments, in part interrupted by the war with Spain, are iu progress under both sections of the tariff act. I hope to be able to announce some oil the results of these negotiations (lur ing tin- present session of Congress. Negotiations to the same end with Hi rniany have been set on foot. Mean while ix» effort lias been relaxed to con vince the Imperial Government of the thoroughness of our inspection of pork predicts for exportation, ard it is trusted that the efficient administra tion of tit's measure .">y the Depart ment of Agriculture will be recogniz ed as a guarantee of the lieaithfulness of the food staples we send abroad to countries where tlielr use is large and necessary. Our relations with Great Britain have continued on the most friendly footing Assenting to our request, the protection of Americans and their in ter, st-i in Spanish jurisdiction wis as sured by the diplomatic and tonsillar representatives of Great Britain, win fulfilled l ueif delicate and arduous trust with tact and zeal, eliciting high commendation. I may be allowed to make tilting allusion to the instance of Mr. Rnmstlcn. Her Majesty's Consul tit Santiago tie Cuba, whose untimely death after distinguished service and untiring efforts during the siege of that city was sincerely lamented. It will give me special satisfaction if I shall be authorized to communi cate to you a favorable conclusion of the penning negotiations with Great Rritian in respect to the Dominion of Panada. It is the earnest wish of this Government to remove all sources of discord and irritation in our relations with the g Dominion. The trade between the two countries is con stantly increasing, and it is important to both countries that all reasonable facilities should be granted for Its de v< '• pniert. The Government of Greece strongly urges the onerousness of the duty here Imposed upon the currants of that country, amounting to 100 per cent <ir more of their market value. Tills fruit Is stated to be exclusively a Greek pro duct. not coming into competition with nn.v domestic product. The question of reciprocal commercial relations with currants to the free list, is under con sideration. Pending the consideration by the Senate of the treaty signed .Tune 10. 1 <■:•>7 by the Plenipotentiaries of th-s United States and of the Republic of Hawaii providing for the annexation of tlie islands, n joint resolution to ac complish the same purpose by accept ing the offered cession and incorporat ing the ceded territory into the Union was adopted by the Congress and ap proved .luly 7. I<OS. 1 thereupon di. reefed the United States ship Phila delphia to convey Hear Admiral Miller to Honolulu and intrusted to his hands tlrs important legislative act. to be de livered to the President of the Republic of Hawaii, with whom the Admiral and the United States Minister were authorized to make appropriate ar rangements for transferring the sover eignty of the Islands to the United State's. This was simply but Impres sively accomplished on the 12th of August last, by the delivery of a certi fled copy of the resolution to President Dole, who thereupon yielded up to the representative of the Govt rnmcnt of the United States the sovereignty and public property of the Hawaii Islands. Pursuant to the terms of the Joint resolution, and in exercise of the au thority thereby conferred upon me. I directed that the civil, judicial and military powers theretofore ex ercised by the officers of the Republic of Hawaii should continue to be ex ?reiscd by those officers until Congress shall provide a government for the In corporated territory, subject to my power to remove such officers and to (ill vacancies. The President, of course, and troops of the Republic there upon took th.i lath of allegiencc to the United States, thus providing for tne uninterrupted n.exed territory until Congress shall otherwise enact. Following the further provisions of the joint resolution. I appointed the Hons. Shelby M. Cullom of Illinois, John T. Morgan of Alabama, Robert H. R. llitt of Illinois. Stanford B. Dole if Hawaii and Walter F. Frear of md recommend to Congress such legis ation concerning the Hawaiian Islands is they should d.eurnecessary or prop er. The Commissioners having ful filled the mission confided to them their report will be laid before you at in early day. The question ht retofore pending be tween Hawaii and Japan growing out of the alleged mistreatment of Japan ese Immigrants were, I am pleased to say. adjusted before the act of trans fer by the payment of a reasonable In- Jemnity to the Government of Japan. The important question of the claim if Switzerland to the perpetual can tonal allegiance of American citizens jf Swiss origin has not made hopeful progress toward a solution, and con troversies in this regard still continue. The newly accredited Envoy of tho United States to the Ottoman Porte carries instructions looking to the dis posal of matters in controversy with Turkey for a number of years. He is especially cliarg* <1 to press for a just settlement of our claims for Indemnity by rtvson of the destruction of prop erty of an American missionary resi dent In that country during the Arm »nian troubles of 1805, as well as for lie recognition of o»der claims of equal lustness. The experience of vhe last year irought forcibly home to us a sensu tf the burdens and the waste of war. VVe desire, in common with most civil zed nations, to reduce to the lowest losstble ptiint the damages sustained n time of war by peaceable trade and ■ommeree. It Is tiue we may suffer in si.cli cases less than other communities but all nations are damaged more or less b,v tii" state of uneasiness and ap prehension into *• ideb an outbreak n\ thro - t\ <• entire com mercial >vorld. It vi i.'d lie our ob ject. therefore, to . tinimiss: 1 , so far us t ruci.icaiile, tills in ital le loss and dls rii:uHv. This :>? s- tan probably ■ • Accomplish'-i !>y a.i internation al v -eii i;uto iv t.. ;-d all piivate prop erty at s a as exempt from capture or destruction by the }«♦*•.»« of belligei '»nt pov. t rs. The Unllt-d States Gov eriinii tit has for ni-> .y years advocated this humane and b ic-r./ .-i t principle, and Is now Inn posi-ion to ri-coui liKlid it to either p-itv. \vithotil til ; imputation of selis , • toiiv - ■ t'i ■■ ; 112 suggest for • our cons'- 1 ratiov that the Executive be cufhorixed ;«■ correspond with the Governments o. the pricipal maraiiine powers with a view of incorporating into the pernian ent law of civilized nations the prinei pie of the exemption of ;•>! privat war. from capture or destruction b; belligerent powers. The provisions mad;* for strengthen ing the resources of the Treasury ii connection with the war have givei Incrcast d confidt nee in the pitrpos • ai" power of the Government to niaintai' the present stanlard and have esta'i lislied more firmly than ever the na tional crtdit at home antl abroad. Tin re can be no question that a' ties time, and probably for some tim in the future 100.000 men will Is liont' too many to meet the ueetssiti • of tlie situation. At a!I events, wlieti. cr tiuit number shrill be required pel miiiiently or not. the power siiould b given to the Pn sideut to enlist tha i force it in his diser. tion It should !i necessary and the further discretion should be given him to recruit t-> the army within the above limit fi i tii" inhabitants of the Islands with i government of which we arc cirirg 'd It is my purpose to muster out tii . fir.- volunteer eriuy as sum as <'ui gress sliali provide for tl:e incrcu*- • ol the regular establishment. This wil only be an net of justice, and will b. much appreciated by the brave met who left tlieir homes and employments to help the country in its emergency. The following recommendations ol the Secretary of the \«ivv relative tt the increase of the navy have my ear nest approval: Three seagoing sheathed and copper ed battle ships of about 13.500 tons dis placement, carrying the heaviest ariuoi and most power ft; I ordnance for ves seis of their class and to have tin radius of action. Estimated cost, ex uiiior and armament. (100,000 each. lij -sn. atiied and copperetl armor ed cruisers of about 12.000 tons trial displacement, carrying the heaviest armor and most powerful ordnanct for vessels of their class, and to hav> the highest practicable speed and great radius of action; estimated cost, ex elusive of armor and armament, *4. 000.000 each. Three-sheathed and copper protected cruisers of about 0.000 tons trial dis placement: to have the highest prae ticable speed and great radius of act ion. and to carry the most powerful ( rdnance suitable for vessels of their class. Estimated cost, exclusive of armor and armament. $2,150,000 each Six-sheatlied and coppered cruisers of about 2.500 tons trial displacement, to have the highest speed compatible with good cruising qualities, great radius of action and to carry the most power ful ordnance suited to vessels of tlieir class. Estimated cost, exclusive of firmament. $1,141,800 each. I Join with the Secretary of tin Navy in recommending that the grad of Admiral and Vice-Admiral be tem poraril.v revived, to be tilled by officer* who have specially distinguished theni selves iu the war with Spain. I earnestly urge upon Congress tin Importance of early legislation provld ing for the taking of the twelfth ecu sus. This is necessary in view of th i large amount of work which must Iv.i performed in the preparation of th-. schedules preparatory to the enumera tlon of the population. The special attention of the Congress is called to that part of the report ol the Secretary of the Interior in rela lion to the live civilized tribes. It Is noteworthy that the general conditio; of the Indians shows marked progress But one outbreak of a serious char ncter occurred nuring the year, am' that among the Chippewa Indians o Minnesota, which, happily, hus beei suppressed. In the year 1900 will occur the ecu tennlal anniversary of the femndin; if the city of Washington for the per manent capital of the Government o the United States by authority of a tc of Congress, approved July 10 17!)'' In May, 1800. tho archives and genera offices of the Federal Government wer . removed to this place. On Novembci 117, ISOO, the National Congress me' 1 here for the first time, and assume)' 1 ! exclusive control of the I\ d-.-ral dls I trict and city. This interesting even j issumes all the more significance whet we recall the circumstances attend | ng the choosing of the site, th • nun 'ing of the capital In honor of the Fa tlier of His Country and the interest taken by him In the adoption of plan for its future development on a niai: alficent scale. These original plans have bee) wrought out with a constant progress and signal success even beyond any thing their framers could have for" seen. The people of th" country ar. lustly proud of the distinctive beaut ind government of the capital .anil (. he rare Instruments of sci' nee and ed •cation which here find their natural aome. A movement lately inaugurated by the citizens to have the anniversary •elebratetl with fitting ceremonies, in •hiding perhaps the establishnn nt of i handsome permanent memorial to mark so historical an occasion, has •net with general favor on the part of he public. 1 reconnuerd to Congress the grant ing of an appropriation for this pur | rose and the appointment of a com i "ittee from its respective bodies, it ! night also be advisable to authorizeth | President to appoint a commission "rom the country at large, which, act ng with the Congressional and Dls i rlct of Columbia Committees, can com ilete the plans for an appropriate eel •bratlon. The alien contract law is sliotvn by ' experience to need some amendment; ' i measure proving better ptotection for seamen is propose''; the rightful ap pllealion of the cig' t-hmir law 112• • i ,Ik» beneiif of labor ai. or the principal of arbitration are iggcsted Tor con sideration. ami I c amend these aitb- JeetK to tiie earefill attention of the Congress ! The several depai icninl reports will be laid before y >u. They give In great detail the conduct of the affairs of tii 1 Government during the past yrar and discuss ni ny questions upon wnleh tin- Congress may feel called upon to net. WILI/AM M'KINLEY. Executive Mansirrt,. Dec. 5, 1898. SECRETARYG'GE'S REPORT Total For Hi* Fl c.il War 1800 1 {>:><> I« Flgm-eil at Morn Than A'> 03,000,0110. Washington. P. C„ Pee. s.—The Sec retary of the Trv sury to-day trans mitted to Congres" the estimates of appropriations reqt "red for the fiscal y> ar ending June "0, l!) 00. Including pi rnuinent annual annropriatlons. tlieso ."ftfreguie *503.0-13 378. against $802.- 875.513. the amoun* of the appropria tions, including dt 'clenchs and mis ""l'aneous. tor the fscal year ISO!), and *402.047.885. tiie amount of the esti ••vies for IS')!). Ti:? figures, compared li those of a year ago, are as fol . %\s: — Es* "mates Estimates '"ep's. fo l r oo. for It-rO. otir e ;c, MPS S4.4''>". 6'!2 a v 22 112 2.1.1 2-"> 4SI . • 1 7 7.''.2 D 087 trn I ' •..H2» I,B'|> *.'2B I :rv it" II ill 21 0 42 - I M.ti- 2 20.'. . !).tV>9 i a iii'i.i is. ... 7 310 7.-7•"».<«17 ions 11. !!.83i) 141 2"7.750 ill; nc.lrs .',O 'I-7.1'80 73.31.4.134 •tal ft rv'ee.. . 42% 888 (i. 48.112 '•■ln UK.... 37,314.203 35,187,402 •in: n li' annual :PI ufttprialiotis. 128,078.22 ft 117.836.220 Totals $593,048,578 >"402.047.885 ""h > appropriations for the military abHsbmert fcr 'be lineal year ISO!! '."untcd to 8287,11.440, and for t'm •'ill establishment $107,810 40.8. The ■lortanr items b. tiie estimate for o. with the increase In each item r the estimates Tor I®DO. are as fol «'#: —Pay and traveling expenses. "" 430,000. iricrea'■» 541.443.542: sub-' tence. $17,082 -l"7, increase about '*>ooo 000: regular* supplies quarter aster's di pnrtnie-t. $14.000000. in • ase $12,000.1)00: 'ncidental expenses artermaster's de* rtment. $3.000 000. crease $3.300 000; transportation anil npl'es. *20.813 STS, Increase about " 300 000: clothi' g and equinage. '4.744.431. increas about sl3 ('>00.000; rracks and nuatt»rß. $2.500 000. lu •'ase $1.750 000: v dical and liosn't il n-irtment. $2,200.'.* K). Increase $1,075,- I); ordnance stop ard supplies. 81.- 5.000, increase $1,150,000; manufac re of arms. 8800.000, increase $400.- •<). For tiie naval establishment these -e the principal I'-'ins: —Pay of navy. .3 220 440. increaft" about $4,500,000; "crease of navy. $30,192,402, increase bout $1,750,000: ordnance and ord ■*tu*e stores, $1,875,000. increase 8804. ); equipment of vessels. 82 225 480. crease $741.82i : provisions. $3 000.000 ■crease $1,505,000; construction and nail*. $3,000,000. increase 8500.000; re lirs to Constitution. $150,000. Among the items under the head of blie works are: I'ost office at Ruf ilo. X. Y.. $231,000; Mint Building, hiladelphla. SOOO,OOO. Tiie most Important items submitted v the lighthouse service are:—For "lit ard for signal stations as fol ws:—Near Black I,edge. New Loudon, 'onn.. $45,000: Hog Island Shoal. Nar igansett Bay. R. 1., to rep'aee light •ssels. $35,000: at Green's Ledge. Nor "i'k. Conn.. SOO 000 at Peck Ledge. Nor •i!k. Conn.. 810.000; on Chanman bnai. St. Lawi re nee River. $25,000; •nrovetnents at Tompkirsville. N. Y. '11,000; lighthouse depot. Buffalo. $50,- •»0. The following are the estimates for •bile works under the Navy Popart ">nt:—lmorovpfnnnts at Portsmouth 'avy Yard. 8.300 at Boston Nav* ' ini 8307.000: at Brooklyn N-ivy V.-u*«l. .12.002: at League Island Navy Yar.l. "">5.707: at Washington Navy Yard. •.'OS 000; at Norfolk Navy Yard, in 'eding concrete and granite dry doc';. •..'.OOO 000: dredging at naval station, :,»w London. Conn.. $25,001; imnrove •>nts at Port R«val Naval Station. 145 000; at Key West Naval Station, oiiuiirg purchase of additional land. ! 12.520; Impr'-i-'-nvnts at Mare Island ivy Yard. $851.7"0; imnrovements at. •ival Acadi my. 82120.000. f'nder the War P?partment these es tates are made;- Otm and mortar 'trrics. .>4.410 000; armament Tor for •itions. $7 0711i:>8 The total a int asked for fortifications a"d her works of defence is sl2 1-.>l 44 •>. t- the buildings ard cr'Minds at West .ii t. there Is asked 8239.778. and for i stf'-ction of buildings nt military c(s. *1 000. 000. The total amount asked for contlnu z improven" ,- ts of rivers and liar . rs. is $28,523 77S the largest items '■■ leg:— Buffalo harbor, $485 4!»S; bai lor of refuge. P( la ware Bay. $587 500; rrovidence River and Narragansett Bay. R. 1., $400,000; removing obstruc tions in East River and Hell tJate. New- York. SIOO 000; improving Harlem Rlv *300.000; harbor rf r< fnge at Cape Ann.. Ma 55...*250.000; harbor "112 refug ■ it Point .Tndith. It. 1., $lO )000; br-ak waters at New Haven. Conn. 8T >0 000; continuing Improv.-ment. N w York harlwr. N. Y.. S3OO 000: Tonawandi nivrr and Niagara ltivcr. N. Y . SIOO WO: Ratltan Bay. N. J.. SIOO,OOO. The Postmaster General estimat' i che drflcency In the postal lor 1900 at $4,205,888. The estimate for army and ravy r> ••.lons Is $144 000 000; cost of n-nslMis •ervice. $1 233 830: total. sl-15 233 fills Is nearly $4,000,000 liter ase from he figures for tiie lust fiscal year. Rat lonakes *n«l \Vlilt«* A h. Rattlesnakes are said ti have a uttural antipathy to the 1. ti s of tii ■ white ash. Some naturalists asst ut that the rattlesnake placed in a circle •omposed of half ash leaves and half hot coals will cross the coals before «e will rater the ash learea.