The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-12-07

the two Houses we're witnessed by the
usual throngs and preparations were
completed for the handling of the great
crowds which overlooked the galleries and
the lobbes- about the entrances, so that
there was 10 undue conimotion during
the session of the two houses.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley IN
tended to leave for Canton this evening.
reaching their destination about 10
o'clock tomorrow morning The Presi-
dent N essage, in synopsis is as follows:
TO the Senate and House:
cit gives me pleasure to greet the
Fifty fifth. Congress in regular session
with many of whose Senators and Repre-
sntatlveS have been associated in legis.
lative service. The meeting occurs un-
der felicitous circumstances, iustfylng
sincere congratulations and calling for
grateful acknowledgements to benificent
Providence which has signally blessed,
and prospered us as a nation. Peace and
good will with all nations continues 'un.
broken.
"The public questions which most en-
gross us are lifted above partisausbip, or
sectional differences The questions of
our foreign policy, revenue, soundness of
the currency. inviolability of the national
obligations, and improvement of the pub
lie service appeal to euCh individual con-
science of all earnest citizens. The tariff
having been settled in extra session, the
currency should be next. We should not
hesitate to enter upon n revision which
will make the demand obligations less
onerous, and relieve the financial laws
from ambiguity and doubt. The evil of
the present system is found in the great
cost to the Government in maintaining a
parity of the different forms Of money.
Va. a..
den, which is an expensive and dangerous
menace to the national credit. We have
nine hundred millions OF money which
the Government by solemn enactment
has undertaken to keep at a par with
gold. Nobody is obliged to redeem in
gold but the Government, which is with.
out any fixed gold revenue. With the rev
enues equal with the expenses there will
he no deficit requiring an issuance of
bonds, but if the gold reserve falls below
one hume red million dollars, how Will it
be repenisbed, except by selling bonds?
II earnestly recommend when the re-
ceipts OF the Government are sufficient TO
pay the expenses the United States notes
presented for redemption lie set apart and
only paid ont in exchange for gold If they
are put out in any other way they may
return again to he followed BY another
bond issue to redeem them, another in
terest bearing debt to redeem non
Interest bearing debt.
81 concur with the Secretary of the
Treasury that the national banks be al
lowed to issue notes for t. G face value of
the bonds which they deposited tor circu.
latinn; that the tax on circulating notes
be secured by these bonds and be'reduced
to one half of one per cent. per year.
also jOinshim in recommending that au-
thority be given for the establishment of
national banks with minimum cabital
of S25, U00, which will enable the smaller
villages and agricultural regions to be
supplied with currency needs.
1.-The most important problem with
which our Government is called to deal
pertaining to our foreign relations con-
cerns our duty towards Spain, attending
the Cuban instruction. The story of
Cuba for vel rs has been one of unrest
and discomfort, and nm effort towards the
larger enjoyment of liberty, and self con-
trol and organized resistance to the
mother country, of an Intellectual settle
ment followed by revolt. The instruc-
tons given to our new minister to Spain
before his departure was to impress upon
spain the sincere wish of the United
states to lend our aid towards ending the
war in Cuba by reaching Il peaceful and
lasting result just and honorable alike
to Spain and Cuba; it was stated that at
this juncture our Governm emit was con.
strained TO seriously inquire if the time
were not ripe when Spain OF her own
voli:ion. moved by her own interests and
every sentiment of humanity, should not
put stop to the destructive war, and
make proposals of a settlement honorable
alike to herself and to Cuba.
''It was urged that as q neiphborino
nation with large interests in Cuba, we
could only be required to wait reasona.
BILE time for the mother country to estab-
fish its authority, or restore peace, that
we could not contemplate an indefinite
period for the accomplishment of this re-
suit. DEGREES in application of the fore
Swallowed reform have already been
promulgated.
Tine full text of these DEGREES were
not received, hut furnished in IA tele.
graphic summary from our minister. are
All the civil and electoral rights in pen
insular of Spaniards are in virtue of eX-
listing constitutional authority forthwith
10 he extended to the colonial Spaniards.
That the Saga sta government has entered
upon IA course, from which. recession with
honor is impossible, can hardly be qucs.
ton That in tie few weeks of its exist
ence it has made an earnest show of the
OF its professions is undeniable,
and shall not impugn its sincerity nor
should imratience be suffered to embar-
rass it in it's task.
"lt is honestly due to Spain and our
friendly relations with her Tat she
should be given reasonable chance to
realize our expectations and prove her
asserted efficacy in the new order OF