Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-12-10

F, investigation should be made. there
! fore recommend that Congress author
ize the appointment Of committee by
the President to consist of four bac-
teriolOgists, one to be selected from the
medical officers of the army and one
from the navy
The debt Of the Kansas Pacific diyis-
ion Of the Union Pacific railway to the
government. on November 1st. was
$12,929. G90.33. The sale of this road
originally advertised for November 18th
for the purpose of securing the utmost
public notice, was postponed until De
cember 10th. BY the decree of court
the upset price will yield to the govern
ment the sum of S2.50O,00O over all
prior liens. costs and charges If no
other or better bid is made this sum is
all that the government will receive on
its claim of nearly S13,0OO.OO0. The
question presented is. therefore, wheth-
er the government will by the act of
March 3, 1897, purchase or redeem the
road in the event that a bid is not
made covering the entire claim.
l believe that it has authority to do
this. and in the absence of any action
by Congress | shall direct the secre-
tary of the treasury to bid at the sale
a sum which viii at least equal the
price of the debt due the government.
but | suggest in order to remove all
controversy that an amendment Of the
law be passed explicitly giving such
powers.
The great increase of the navy which
has taken place in recent years was
justified by the requirements for ma
tiOnal defense. and has received public
appreciation. The time has now ar
rived. however. when this increase. to
which the country is committed, should
for time take the form of increased
facilities commensurate with the in
crease of our naval vessels.
Immediate steps should be taken to
provide three or four docks capable Of
docking our largest ships on the At
lantic coast, at least one on the Pacific
coast, and a floating dock in the Gulf
There also should ample provision be
made for powder and prOjectiIes and
other munitions of war. and for an in
creased number Of officers and enlisted
men. l concur with the recommended
tons of the secretary of the navy for
appropriations authorizing the con-
structiOn of one battleship for the Pa |
cific coast, and that several torpedo |
boats be authorized
The conditions now existing demand !
material changes in the laws relating |
to the Alaskan country. The great in |
fiuX of population will not permit us to /
longer postpone the establishment of a |
more thorough government, and l ear
nestly urge upon Congress the estab- |
lishment of system of government !
with such fieXibility as will enable it /
to adjust itself to the future areas of q /
greater population.
The important branch of our govern
ment known as the civil service has Of
late years received increased legisla-
ton and executive approval. During
the past few months the service has
been placed upon Il still firmer basis
Of business methods and personal
merits. The system has the approval
Of the people and it shall be my en-
1eavOr to uphold and extend it.
While the congressman may not find
it an easy task to reduce the expenses
Of the government. it should not en-
courage them. These expenses will. in
my Judgment. admit of a decrease in
many branches of the government
without injury to the public service.
1t is a commanding duty to keep the
appropriations within the receipts of
he government and thus aboid a de-
icit.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Washington. d. c.. Dec. 6, 1897.