The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-03-11

the world, which under Providence we ought
to achieve.
Reforms in the civil service must 20 on bus
the changes should be real and gen uine. NOT
perfunctory, or prompted by q zeal In behalf
Of any party, simply because 1t happens to be
in power AS member OF congress voted
and spoke In favor Of the present law and I
shalf attempt its enforcement In the spirit
in which it was enacted The pur-
pose in view was to secure the most
efficient service of the best men
who would accept appointment Under the gov.
ernment retaining faithful and devoted pub
lie servants In office, but shielding none, un-
der the authority Of any rule or custom who
are Inc eff1ctent incompetent or unworthy. The
best interests Of the country demand this and
the people heartily approve the law wher-
ever and whenever 1t has been thus adminis-
tered
Congress should give prompt attention to
the restoration Of our American merchans
marine, once the pride OF the seas In all the
great ocean high ways Of commerce. To my
mind few moro important subjects so imper.
atively demand its intelligent consideration
1t has been the policy Of the United States
since the foundation Of the government to
cultivate relations Of peace and an3ity with
oil the nations OF the world, and this accords
with my conception Of our duty now. We
have cherished the policy of non-interference
with the affairs Of foreign governments. wise.
ly tnaugurated by Washington. keeping our
selves free from ENHANCEMENT either as allies
or foes, content to leave undisturbed with
them the settlement Of their own domestic
concerns II will be our aim to pursue Arm
and digniied foreign policy, which shall be
Just, impartial. ever-watchful Of our national
honor and always insisting upon the enforce.
ment Of the lawful rights OF Americans every.
where We want no wars OF conquest; we
must avoid the temptation Of territorial
entered upon until every agency Of
peace has failed; peace is preferable
to war in almost every contingency. Arbitra-
| tion Is the true method OF settlement Of In
ternat ional as we'll as local or individual diff
| ferences It was recognized as the best means
| Of adjustment Of differences between employ.
ers and employees by the Forty-ninth
| congress In 1885, and its applica.
tion was extended to our diplo.
matte relations by the unanimous concur
| renee Of the senate and house of the Fifty.
| drst congress In 1890. The latter resolution
was accepted as the basis Of negotiation with
| US by the British house Of commons in 1898
| and upon our invitation treaty Of arbitration
between the United States and Great Britain
| was signed at Washington and trans
misted to the senate for It's ratification in
| January last. Since this treaty Is clearly the
| result Of our own initiatives; since 1t has been
| recognized as the leading feature Of our for
| eign policy throughout our entire national
history-the adjustment Of difficulties by ju-
| dicial rather than by force of arms-and since
1t presents to the world the glorious example
| Of reason and peace not passion and war,
controlling the relations between two
Of the greatest nations Of the world,
| an example certain to be followed b
others, 1 respectfully urge the early action Of
siie senate thereon not merely as matter Of
| policy, but as duty to mankind. The tm-
portance and moral influence OF the rattfica-
tion OF such treaty can hardly be over -estt-
mated In the cause OF advancing civilization.
It may we'll engage the best thought for
statesmen and people Of every country, and
: can not but consider It fortunate that 1t was
reserved to the United States to have the
leadership in SO grand work.
1t has been the uniform practice to avoid
as far as possible the conveuine
Of the congress in extraordinary
session 1t is en- ex nipple which, under ordi-
nary circumstances and In the absence Of q
public necessity is to be commended. But q
failure to convene the representatives Of the
people In congress In extra session when II
Involves neglect of q public duty, places the
responsibility upon the executive himself
The condition Of the public treasury, as has
been indicated, demands the immediate con
sideration OF congress- 1t alone hal
the power to provide revenues fol
the congress. not to convene 1t under suct
circumstances I can view In no other sense
than the neglect Of q plain duty. I do moi
sympathize wt9h the sentiment that congress
In session is dangerous to our great business
interests Its members are the agents OF the
government at the execution o.
the sovereign will should not operate
as an injury, but as benefit There
could be no better time to put the government
than now. The people have only recently
voted that this should be nothing 10 more
binding upon the agents Of their will than thu
obligation Of immediate action. It hos al
ways seemed to me that the postpone
ment Of the meeting OF congress until more
| ftar de-,
prived congress too often OF tho inspir
alton Of the popular will. and She country o.
the corresponding benefits 1t Is evident
therefore that to postpone action In the pres
on the part Of the executive branch. unjust I,
the interests OF the people. Our action will
now be freer from mere partisan considera
tion than II the question OF tariff revision
was postponed until the regular session o
congress. We are nearly two years from
congressional election ind politics can no
SO greatly distract us as II such contest wa
Immediately pending We can approach th'
problem calmly and patriotically withou
fharing its effects upon an early election. Ou
fellow citizens who may disagree with u
upon the character of this legislation pre-
fer to have the question settled nov
+ even against the preconceived views-an'
perhaps settled so reasonably, as I Trust
will, as to insure great permanence-than T.
have further uncertainty menacing the vas
and varied business interests Of the Unitet
States. Again whatever action congress ma.
TAKE will be givel L fair opportunity 70
trial before the people are called to pas
judgment upon it, and this consider grea
essential to the lightful and lasting settle
ment Of the question. In view Of these con
siderations 1 shall deem it my duty as presi
dent to convene congress in extraordinar.
session on Monday. the l5eh day Of March
1897.
Immediately after the close OF his address
Drae fdAr Mall (f,.ln ls.y.t
:. land re-entered their carriage and were driv
en- to the white house amid tumultuou
cheers all along the route President Nc
Kinley this time occupying the sea
Of honor to the right The procession
reinforced by the numerous civic organiza
tions which had been assembled on the cap
itol hill since early Thursday morning, re
formed and marched down tho avenue ant
past the white house, where they were re
viewed by the president and his friends fron