The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-05

WASHINGTON. d. c.. March Ain as
suming the position OF President Of ths
United states to-day. Mr.. Mckinley spoke
as follows:
Fellow Citizens: In obedience to the
will OF the people aud in their presence
by the authority vested in me by this
oath, 1 assume the arduous and respon-
sible duties of President Of the United
States. Relying in the support OF my
countrymen and tho guidance OF Almighty
God, our faith teaches that there is no
safer reliance than upon the God OF our
Fathers. who has so slngularly favored
the American people In every national
trial and who will not forsake US so long
as we obey his commandments. and walk
humbly in Hts footsteps. The responsi-
bilities of the high trust to which have
been called. always Of grave importance.
are augmented by the prevailing bust
ness conditions. entailing idleness upon
willing labor and loss TO useful enter
| prise. The country is suffering from in
1 dustriaI disturbances from which g2g,e,,a,,y.
.vtcet dast De-rrsin. 90 nnss.'sss-s SHtein
needs some revision. our money is all
good now bu. its value must not be
lassened further, 1t should be put on an
enduring basis not subject to easy at
tacka, nor its stability TO doubt or dis
pute. our currency should continue
under the supervision of the government
The several forms OF our paper money
offer I'm my judgement constant en-
barrassment TO the government and a
safe balance in the Treasury. Tberefore
I believe 1t necessary TO devise system
which. without diminishing the circulate
ing medium. or Offering a premium for its
contraction, Will present o remedy for
those arrangements which, temporary In
their nature. might well In the years OF
our prosperity, have been displaced by
wiser provisions. With adequate re-
venue secured. but not until then. we can
enter upon such changes In our fiscal
laws as will, while insuring safety and
volume to our money. no longer impose
upon the government the necessity OK
maintaining so large a gold reserve, with
its attendant and inevitable temptations
10 speculation. Most Of our financial
laws are the outgrowth OF experience am
trial. and should not be amended without
Investigation and demonstration OF the
wisdom OF the proposed changes. We
must be both sure we are right" and
make haste slowly"
A CURRENCY COMMISSION.
II therefore. Congress In its wisdom
shall deem II expedent TO create COM
mission 20 take under its early consid-
| Grafton the revision Of our coinage. bank
/ ing and currency laws, and give them
| that exhaustive. careful and dispassionate
/ examination that their Importance de-
nands. / shall cordially concur I'm such
| action III such power is vested In the
] President. Il Is my purpose TO appoint
commission OF prominent wcll-iptormed
| citizens OF different parties who Will
command public confidence both on ac-
count OF their ability and special ntness
/ for the work Business experience and
| public training may thus be combined
| and the patriotic zeal OF the friends OF the
| country DO so directed that such report
| will be be made as 20 receive the support
1 81 all parties and our finances cease 10
| he the subject OF mere partisan conten'
| tion. The experiment is. at all events.
| worth a trial and In my opinion, it can
J but prove beneficial to the entire co,s-.-,z