The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-12-10

dred G.sosticns may yel be solved by fur
ther negotiations
Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction 10
state that the special envoys have already
demonstrated their ability ana fitness to
deal with the subject, and it is to be hoped
that their labors may result in an inter.
national agreement which will bring
about recognition of both gold and silver
as money upon such terms and with such
safeguards as will secure the use of both
metals upon a basis which shall work ne
injury to any class of our citizens.
Protection of Seals.
The efforts which had been made dur.
ing the two previous Years by my prede-
cessor to secure better protection to the
fur seals in the North Pacific ocean and
Boring sea were renewed at an early date
by this administration and have been pur-
sued with earnestness.
Conferences with Japan, Russia and
Great Britain have been held and further
negotiations will be had for the preserva-
ton and restoration of the seal herd the
result of which it is hoped may be re-
ported to congress at an early day.
International Arbitration.
International arbitration cannot b
omlCeu from UiIe llsU VI auuyects Ul..Aning
our consideration. Events have only
served to strengthen the general views on
this question expressed in my inaugural
address. The best sentiment of the civ.
ilized world is moving toward the settle
ment of differences between nations with
out resorting to the horrors of war.
Treaties embOdying these humane princi.
pies on broad lines without in any way
lmperiling our interests or our honor
shall have my constant encouragement
A liberal appropriation is bespoken, in
order that the United States may make
creditable exhibit at the approaching
Paris exposition, in which the people
have shown an unprecedented interest
Needs of the Navy
Under the head of the navy, the presi-
dent points to the necessity for speedy
legislation to procure the armor for three
battleships now building which would be
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 for a time take the form of
increased facilities commensurate with
the increase of our naval vessels. He re.
fers to the lack Of docks and urges that
three or four of the largest docks be pro-
vided on the Atlantic and at least one on
the Pacific coast and floating dock on
the gulf.
Alaskan Matters.
Attention is called to the need for
prompt legislation as to Alaska and the
extension of civil authority within the
territory. There is need for SURVEYS and
for the establishment of another land
Office at some point in the Yukon valley
for which an appropriation is asked Mill.
tary force is also necessary and the estab.
lishment of some sort of flexible govern
ment. If the startling reports rs to the
probable shortage of food for the miners
be fully verified, every effort should be
made at any cost to carry them relief.
The Indian Territory Difficulty.
The message deals at some length with
the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in
the Indian Territory. The large white
element is said to be without protection
and without schools or other rights of
citizens; leading Indians have absorbed
great tracts of lands and created an arts.
tocracy and the friends of the Indians be-
Heve that the best interests of the Five
Civilized Tribes would be found in Amer.
lean citizenship. Reference is made to
the failure SO far of the Dawes commits
sion to secure the consent of the tribes to
an extinguishment of the tribal titles and
a division of the lands 1t is said that
should the tribes still fail to ratify the
agreement then some legislation should
be had by congress.
Kansas Pacific Sale.
Speaking of the pending sale Of the
Kansas Pacific railroad it is said that if
no better bid is received than the upset
price fixed by the court the government
would receive only So, 500, 900 on it's claim
of nearly S12, 00O, 900. He believes that
the government has the authority to bid
on the road and has directed the secretary
of the treasury to make the deposit OF
5000 900 required to qualify as a bidde,
and to bid at the sale a sum at least equal
to the principal of the debt to the govern.
ment. He suggests, however that in
matter so important as the government
becoming possible owner of the railroad,
congress should enact some legislation to
define its views. 1t is clear to him, how
ever, that 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-fifth of it's entire
debt, principal and interest.
The Civil Service.
The president devotes the last chapter
of his message to the civil service, the
practical improvement of which, he says,
has long been a subject of earnest discus
sion, and which has of late years received
increased legislative and executive ap.
prevail. During the past few months the
service has been placed upon still firme1
basis of business methods and personal
merit. While the right of deserving vet.
eran soldiers to reinstatement has been
asserted, disnissals for merely political
reasons have been carefully guarded
against; the examinations improved and
made practical, and distinct advance
has been made by giving hearing before
dismissal upon all cases where incompe.
tency is charged or demand made for the
removal of officials. This 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
the system can be perfected, and the pres
ident says that he shall not hesitate ia
exempt cases which he tLinks have been
properly 1ncr1deo In the class~Ied service
or include those which in his Judgment
will best promote the public service The
system has the approval of the people and
1t will be his endeavor to uphold and ex.
tend it.
Department Reports.
ConcludiDo tho ,,oCcacro +bo ,,,o,iao...