The evening times., 1897-03-04

charges on their supplies or by unjust rates
for the transportation OF their products TO
market. This purpose wal be steadily pur-
soed, both by the enfnFeeuIentof the laws
now in existence aud the recommendation
and support OF such new statutes as may
be necessary to carry IL into effect
Our naturalization ana Immigration laws
st ould he further improved 10 tie constant
promotion of a safer, a better and
higher citizenship. 4 grave peril 10 the
republic ould be a citizenship too iGno-
rant 10 understand, CT tco vicious TO ap-
prec!ate the great value ard beneiicenee
of our institutions and Ewr-ana against
all wLo come here TO make war upon them
our gates must be promptly ana tigntS
closed Nor must, we tie un.nindrul OF
the need of Improvements among our own
citizens, but with the zeal OF our forefatfers
encourage the spread OF knowledge andfree
educator. IIliteracy must be hamshed
from the land If We shall attain that high
destiny as the foremost Of the enlightened
nat ous of the world, which, Under Provi-
dence, we ought to achieve.
Reforms in the civil service must go on.
But the changes should be real and genu-
inc, not perfunctory, or prompted by Il
zeal in behalf OF any party, simply because
it happens to be in power. AS .. member OF
Congress, voted and spoke in favor OF
the present law, and Isshall attempt it's
enforcement in the spirit in which 1T was
enacted The purpose in view was 10 Sc
cure the most efficient service or the oeso
men who would accept appointment unoer
the government, retaining faithful ana de-
voted public servants in office, but shieiu-
ing none, under the authority of any RUE
or custom, who are inefficient, incompe
tent or unworthy. The best interests OF
the country demand this, and the people
heartily approve the law wherever and
whenever il has been thus administered.
Congress should give prompt attention
to the restora ton OF our American mer-
chant marine, once tile pride of the seas
in all the great ocean highways OF COM
meree To my mind, few more inn
portaBt subjects SO il1peratively demand
its intelligent consideration. The United
States has progressed with marvellous
rapidity n every field Of enterprise and
endeavor, until we have become fore
most ia nearly all the great lines or
inland trade, commerce, and industry.
Yet, while this is true. our American
merchant marine has been steadily de
clining, until it is now lower, both in
the percentage of tonnage and the number
of vessels employed, than it was prior
to the civil war.
Commendable progress has been matte
of late years in the uIsbuilding of the Amer
ican navy, but we must tsupplementth these eff
forts by providing as a proper consort
Observation-Disclosures amply sufficientfor
our own carrying trade TO foreign countries.
The questionis one that appeals bothto our
business nece ssities and the patriotic
aspirations Of great people.
Ithas beenthe policy OF the United States
since the foundation OF the government
to cultivate relations of peace and ainity
with all the nations OF che world, and this
aocords with my conception of our duty
now. We have cherished the policy ofnon-
interference with the affairs of foreign
governments, wisely inaugurated by Wash
ington keeping ourselves free from entan-
clement. either as allies os foes. content
| to leave undisturbed with them the set
| tlcment OF their own domestic concerns.
| 1t will be our aim to pursue firm and
| dignified foreign policy, which shall be
| just, impartial, ever watchful Of our ma
| tional honor and always insisting upon tht
| enforcement OF the lawful rights OF Ameri
| can citizens everywhere We want no wars
| Of conquest: we must avoid the temptation
of territorial aggression War should nevel