The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.



the great demand for space by American
exhibitors supplies new argument for
liberal end judicious appropriation by
congress 10 the erd thar the exhibit fairly
representative OF tie Industries and re-
sources OF our country may he made In
an exposition which will illustrate the
worlds progress during the 18th century.
That exposition Is intended 10 be the most
important and comprehensive OF the long
series OF international exhibitions, of which
our own AT Chicago was a brilliant eX-
ample, and IL Is desirable that the United
States should make a worthy exhibition
OF American genius and skill and their un-
rivalled achievements i'm every branch OF
industry.
CONDITION OF THE NAVY.
The present Immediately effective force
OF the navy consists of four battleships OF
the first class two of the second and t8
other vessels ranging from armored cruis-
ers 20 torpedo boats. There are under con-
struction five battleships of the first class.
is torpedo boats and one submarine boat.
No provision has yet been made for the
sTmor of three OF the FIVE battleships. as IL
has been impossible to obtain il at the
price fixed by congress. II is of great i'm
portance that congress provide this armor
as until then the ships are OF no fighting
value The present naval force, especially
I'm view of it's increase by the ships now
that OF a few other powers. is formida-
ble force: irs vessels are the very best
of each type and. with the increase that
should be made TO IL from time to time I'm
the future. and careful attention to keep
ing IL I'm a high state of efficiency and re-
pair. il is well adapted TO the necessities
OF the country.
The great increase OF the navy which
has taken place in recent years was justi-
fled by the requirements for national de-
Tense, and has received public approba-
tion. The time has now arrived however
when this increase. to which the country
is committed should for time take the
form of increased facilities commensurate
with the increase of our naval vessels II
Is an unfortunate fact that there is only
one dock on the Pacific coast capable OF
docking our largest ships, and only one
on the Atlantic coast. and that the latter
has FOR the last six or seven months been
under repair and therefore incapable az
use. Immediate steps should be taken TO
provide three or four docks OF this ca
pacity on the Atlantic coast. at least one on
the Pacihc coast and a floating dock i'm
the gulf. This is the recommendation of
very competent board appointed TO in
vestigite the subject. There should also
be ample provision made for powder and
projectiles and other munitions of war and
for an increased number of officers ana
cnliSteu H'tn' some additions are also
necessary to our navy yards for the repair
and care OF our large number of vessels
As these are now on the stocks five
battleships of the largest class which can
not be completed for a year or two con
cur with the recommendation OF the SOC
retary OF the navy for an appropriation
authorizing the construction of one bat
tleship for the Pacific coast where al proa
ent there is only one in commission and
under W
lantic coast there are three in commission
and four under construction, and also that
several torpedo boats be authorized i'm
connection with our general systXn of
toast defense.
TERRITORY OF ALASKA.
The territory of Alaska requires tho
prompt and early attention of congress.
The conditions now existing demand ma
terial changes i'm the laws relating to
the territory. The great influx of popuIa-
tion during the past summer and fall and
tho prospects of a still larger immigration
in the spring Will not permit us TO long
neglect the extension of civil authority
within the territory or postpone the ,s-
tablshment of more thorough govern
men. A general\eystem of public sur
veys has not yet been extended to Alaska.
and all entries thus far made in that dis
trict are upon special surveys. The act OF
congress extending to Alaska the mining
laws OF the United States contained the
reservation that IL should not be con-
strued TO put in force the general land laws
OF the country. BY act approved March 3,
1891. authority was given for entry of lands
FOR townsite purposes and also for the pur-
chase OF not exceeding i60 acres then or
thereafter occupied for the purpose of
trade and manufacture The purpose OF
congress as thus far expressed has been
that only such rights should apply TO that
as he " m "a
IL will be seen how much remains TO be
done for that vast and remote and yet
promising portion of our country. Spe-
cial authority was given 10 the president
by the act of congress approved July "a,
1897. TO divide that territory into two land
districts and to designate the boundaries
therefor and 10 appoint registers and sur
veyors of said land offices, and the presi-
dent was also authorized to appoint sur
veyor general for the entire district. Pur-
Ruant 10 this authority. a surveyor general
and receiver have been appointed with Of
fees at Stka. If i'm the ensuing year the
conditions justify 1t. the additional land
district authorized by law will be estab-
ished with an office at some point in the
Yukon valley. No appropriation. however.
was made for this purpose and that is now
necessary to be done for the two land dig
tricts into which the territory is to be di-
vided
l concur with the secretary Of war In his
suggestions as to the necessity for mill
tary force i'm the territory of Alaska for the
protection of persons and property. AL
ready "A small force consisting of 25 men.
with two officers, under command OF
Lieutenant Colonel Randall of the Eighth
Infantry. has been sent to ST. AIichaels 20
establish a military post. AS II is TO the
interest of the government to encourage
the development and settlement of the
country and its duty to follow up its citi-
gens there with the benefits of legal miu-
istry. earnestly urge upon congress the
establishment of a system of government
with such flexibility as win enable IL TO
adjust itself TO the future areas OF great
est population.
The startling. though possibly exageer-
sted reports from the Yukon river coun-
try OF the probable shortage of food for
the large number of people who are win
tering there without the means OF leav-
Ing the country are confirmed i'm such
measure as 10 Justify bringing the natter
10 the attention OF congress Access 10
that country I'm winter can be had only by
the passes from Dyea and vicinity. which
:. n most difficult and perhaps an impos.
tble task. However. should these reports
Of the suffering of our felow-citiZens be