The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-05


After taking the oath of office as Presi-
dent of the United States. Mr.. Mckinley
spoke as follows:
s'FelloW-citizens-In obedience to the will
of the people and in their presence, by the
authority vested in me by this oath, /
sumo the arduous and responsible duties of
President of the United States, relying on
the support of my countrymen and invok-
ing the guidance of Almighty God. Our
faith teaches that there is no safer reli-
ance than upon the God OF our fathers
who has so singularly favored the Ameri-
can people in every pational trial and who
will not forsake us so long as we obey His
commandments and walk humbly in His
footsteps
1.-THE responsibilities of the high trust to
which 1 have been called-always of grave
importance-are augmented hy the prevail
ing business conditions, entailing idleness
on willing labor and loss to useful enter
prises. The country is suffering from in
dustrial disturbances. from which speedy
relief must be had. Our financial system
needs some revision; our money is all good
now. but its value must not further be
threatened 1t should all be put upon an
enduring basis. not subject to easy attack,
nor it's stability to doubt or dispute. Our
currency should continue under the super
vision of the government. The several
forms of our paper money offer, in my
Judgment a constant embarrassment TO
the government in its efforts to maintain
a safe balance in the treasury. Therefore,
L believe it necessary TO devise a system
which. without diminishing the circulating
medium, o. Offering premium for its con-
traction, will present a remedy for those
ARRANGEMENTS, which. temporary in their
nature might well, in the years of
prosperity, have been displaced by wiser
provisions With adequate revenue Sc
cured but not until then. we can enter on
such changes in our fiscal laws as will,
while insuring safety and volume TO our
money, no lGngsr impose upon the govern
ment the necessity OF maintaining so large
a gold reserve. with its attendant and in
evitable temptations to speculation.
Most OF our financial laws are the out
growth of experience and trial, and should
not be amended without investigation and
demonstration of the wisdom of the pro-
posed changes. We must be both sure we
are right and make haste slowly If,
therefore. Congress, in it's wisdom, shall
deem it expedient TO create a commission
to take under early consideration the re-
laws. and give them that exhaustive, care
full and dispassionate examination that
their Importance demands. / shall cordially
concur in such action. il such power is
vested in the President, it is my purpose
to appoint a commission of prominent,
well-informed citizens OF different parties
who will command public confidence both
on account OF their ability and special fit
ness for the work. Business experience
and public training may thus be combined
and the patriotic zeal OF the friends OF the
country be so directed that such a report
will be made as TO receive the support OF
all parties. and our finances cease to be the
subject of mere partisan contention. The
experiment is. at all events. worth trial
and. in my opinion, ii can but prove ben
eficial 10 the entire country.
THE question OF international bimetal-
ism will have early and earnest attention
1t will be my constant endeavor to secure
it by cooperation With the other great COM