San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-06

tons to this end are now in progress.
International arbitration is declared
by the president to represent the best
sentiment of the civilized world and
treaties embodyfng humane principles
on broad lines without in any way
imperilling our interests or honor, will
have its constant encouragement.
A liberal appropriation is bespoken
in order that the United States may
make a creditable exhibit at the APP
preaching Paris exposition. Under
the head of the navy the president
points lie necessity for speedy legis-
lation to procure armor for three bat
otherwise useless. He speaks in
terms of praise of the quality of our
ships and thinks the time has
now arrived when the increase to
which the country is committed
should Tor a time take the form of in
creased facilities commensurate with
the increase of our naval vessels. He
refers to the lack of good docks and
urges tl.al three or four of the largest
docks ne provided on the Atlantic and
at least one on the Pacific coast and
one on a floating docs in the Gulf OF
Mexico. There should also be ample
provision for munitions of war, and an
increase of officers and enlisted men.
Additions are also necessary to the
navy yards and as t--ere are now on
the stocks five OF the largest battle
ships il is recommended that an appro-
priatiOn be made for one more battle
ship on the Pacific coast. Several
torpedo boats are also necessary. At
tentiOn call ed to prompt legis-
latiOn as to Alaska and the extension
of civil authority within the territory.
There is need for surveys anu for the
establishment of another land office
at some point in the Yukon valley, for
which an appropriation is asked. A
military force is also necessary and
the establishment of some sort of fleX-
ible government. If the startling re-
ports of shortage of food of miners be
duly verified every effort should be
made at any cost to carry them relief.
The message deals at some length
with the unsatisfactory conditions Of
affairs in the Indian Territory. The
large white element is said to be
without schools or the rights of citi-
zens. The leading Indians have alb
1 sOlUSu Slttil lldNto VI
| ed an aristocracy and the friends of
| the Indians believe the best interests
of five civilized tribes would be found
in American citizenship, Reference
is made TO the failure so far of
the Dawes Commission TO secure the
consent of the tribes to annexing, the
| establishment of tribal titles and a
| division of lands. 1t is said should
the tribes shall fail to ratify the agree
ment, some legislation SHOULD be had
| by Congress. The president approves
the recommendation of the secretary
of the treasury for an extension of
quarantine laws and also suggests the
| appointment of a special committee
to ascertain the causeof yellow fever.
Speaking of the pending sale of the
Kansas Pacific railroad, il is saiu that
| if better bid is received than the
price fixed by the court, the govern
ment would receive only $2,500,000 on
| its clam of nearly $13,000,000. He
believes the government has authority
to bid on the road and has directed the
secretary of the treasury to make the
deposit of 100000 required to quail
fly as a bidder, and to bid at the sale
sum equal to the principal of the debt
to the government He suggests,
however, that ina matter so impor-
tant as the government becoming the
possible owner of a railroad, Congress
should enact some legislation to de-
fine its views. 1t is clear to him, how
ever tnat the government should not
permit the property to be sold at a
price less than one half the principal
of its debt and less than one-hfth its
entire debt. principal and interest,
The president devotes the last chap
ter of his message to the civil service,
the practical improvement of which.
he says, has long been the subject Of
earnest discussion and which has of
late years received increased legislat-
i've and executive APPROVAL
During the past few months
the service has been plac-
ed upon a still firmer basis of bust
mes melnods and personal merits,
while the right of deserving veteran
soldiers to reinstatement has been as
serted. dismissal for merely political
reasons has been carefully guarded
against, examinations improved and
made practical and distinct advances
maze by giving a hearing before dis
missal upon all cases where incompet-
ency is charged or demand made for
removal The last has been done
without impairing the power of re-
moval, one of the vital safeguards of
the system. Much remains to be done
before tue system can be perfected,
and the president says he shall not
hesitate to exempt cases which he
thinks nave been improperly included
in the classified service or include
those which in his Judgment will best
promote the public service. The sys-
tenn has the approval of the people
and it WI be his endeavor TO uphold
it and extend it. In conclusion the
president admonishes Congress not to