The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-27
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

He Urges Upon Congress the Appointment
at Once of N0n-Partisan Commission to
Recommend Changes in our Banking and
Currency Laws.
Washington, July 24.-The president to-
day sent the following message to con-
gress:
To the Congress of the United States:
In my message convening the congress
in extraordinary session I called atten-
tion to a single subject-that of providing
a revenue adequate to meet the reasona-
BILE and proper expenses of the govern
ment. I blieved that to be the most press
ing subject for settlement then. A bill to
government has already passed the house
Of representatives and the senate and
awaits executive action.
Another question of very great import
ance is that of the establishment of our
currency and banking business on a bet
ter basis, which commented upon in my
inaugural address in the following words:
''Our financial system needs some re-
vision our money is all good now, but it's
value must not further be threatened. 1t
should all be put upon an enduring basis,
not subject to easy attack, nor it's sta
bility to doubt or dispute. The several
forms Of our paper money offer, in my
judgment,a constant embarrassment to
the government and imperil safe bal
ance in the treasury.
Nothing was settled more clearly at the
late national election than the determina-
tion upon the part of the people to keep
their currency stable in value and equal
to that of the most advanced nations
of the world.
The soundness of our currency is no
where questioned. No loss can occur to
it's holders. 1t is the system which should
keeping our money just as good now, with
less expense to the government and the
people.
The sentiment Of the country is strong
ly in favor of early action by congress
in this direction, to revise our currency
laws and remove them from partisan con-
tention. A notable assembly of business
men, with delegates from twenty-nine
states and territories, was held in In
dianapolis in January of this year. The
financial situation commanded their earn
est attention, and after a two days ses-
sion the convention recommended to con-
gresS the appointment of a monetary COM
mission.
I commend this report to the considera>
alton Of congress. The authors of the re-
port recommended a commission Ito make
a thorough investigation of the monetary
affairs and needs of this country in all
relations and aspects. and to make proper
suggestions as to any evils found to exist
and the remedies therefor.
This subject should receive the atten-
ton of congress at it's special session. 1t
ought rot to be postponed until the regu-
lar ses'ion. /, therefore, urgently recon-
mend that a special commission be Gre
ated, ron-partisan in its character, to be
composed of well-informed citizens of diff
ferent rarties, who will command the
confidence of congress and the country
because of their special fitness for the
work, whose duty it shall be to make
recommendations of whatever character
changes in our present banking and cur
rency laws may be found necessary or
expedient. and to report their conclusion
on or before the first day Of November
next. in order that the same may be
transmitted by me to congress for it's
consideration at it's first regular session.
1t is to be hoped that the report thus
made will be SO comprehensive and sound
as to receive the support of all parties
and the favorable action of congress. At
all events, such report cannot fail to
be OF value to the executive branch of the
government, as well as to those charged
with public legislation, and to greatly as
sist in the establishment of an improved
system of finance.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY
Executive mansion, July, 1897.