Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-12-09
President McKinley's Message.

President McKinley's message to
Congress was lengthy document.
The subject of greatest Importance is
the revision of the currency. He says
that Congress ought not to hesitate
now to enter upon a reform of the
currency which will make our de-
mand obligations less onerous. to the
government and relieve our financial
laws from ambiguity and doubt. 1t
is manifest, he says, that we must de-
wise some plan to protect the govern
ment against bond issues for repeated
redemptions. If this evil is not cor
rected by legislation, the president
suggests that the Secretary Of the
Treasury be authorized by Congress
to sell bonds at long or short periods
bearing less rate Of interest than Is
now authorized by law. The Presi-
dent also recommends that, as soon as
the receipts of the government are
sufficient to pay all expenses, all
United States notes, after their re-
demption in gold, shall be set apart
and only be paid out again for gold.
The President invites careful con-
sideration by Congress of Secretary
Cages plan to protect the gold reserve,
and concurs with the Secretary that
national banks be allowed to issue
notes TO the face value Of their bonds
deposited; that the circulating tax be
reduced to one-half Of one per cent,
and that ma tional banks may be es-
tabGshed with capital of $4,000.
He also recommends that the issue of
national bank notes be restricted to
the denomination of $40 and upwards,
and that they be required to redeem
their notes in gold.
The President devotes much space
in his message to consideration of
the Cuban question. He outlines his
recent instructions to Minister Wood
ford, which were to impress upon the
Spanish government the sincere wish
Of the United States to aid in termi-
mating the war by peaceful methods,
accomplishing result which would be
lust and honorable to Spain and to the
Cuban people. He says that it is hon
estly due to Spain that it be given a
reasonable time in which to test its
new policy. Present conditions in
Cuba do not Justify the recognition of
the belligerent rights Of the insurgents,
nor of their independence.
The President heartily favors the
annexation of Hawaii.
The opinion is expressed that by
reciprocity arrangements under the
tariff act the volume of our CONNER
cial exchanges may be enlarged.
The President urges speedy leglsla-
ton to procure armor for the three
battleships now building, and says that
for a time any increase in the naval
equipment should take the form Of IN
creased facilities for our vessels.
Attention is called to the need for
prompt legislation as to Alaska and
the extension of civil authority with
in the territory.
Referring to the civil-service law,
the President says the system has the
approval of the people, and it will be
his endeavor to uphold and extend it.
At the same time the President de-
clares that he shall not hesitate to ex-
empt cases which he thinks have been
improperly included in the classified
service, or to include those which, in
his Judgment, will best promote the
good of the service.
In conclusion the President urges
Congress not to encourage the increase
of the estimate for the maintenance Of
the government.