The National tribune., 1898-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
A Voluminous Document, Reciting the
Whole History of the Past Year, and
Containing Some Important Recon-
mendations.

small type. 1t begins with a brief CON
gratuiation upon the prosperous condition
OF the country, notwiths landing the war
and then plungeS into a long recital OF the
conditions preceding the war, and of the
events OF the war itself. There is one
significant sentence with regard To the
Maine:
The finding OF the Naval Board of In
curry established the fact that the origin
OF the explosion was external by a sub
marine mine, and only halted, through
lack of positive testimony, to fix the re-
sponSibiiity Of its authorship
a paragraph is devoted to praise of
Lieut.. Hobson and his gallant associates.
nigh praise is given the whole Army.
WIN regard TO our new possessions the
PRESIDENT says;
FUTURE OF NEW POSSESSIONS.
| do not discuss at this time the Gov
ern nent or the future of the new pos
sessions which will come to us as the
result of the war with Spain. Such dis
cussion will be appropriate after the treaty
OF peace shall be ratified. In the mean
time, and until the Congress has legislated
| otherwise, il will be my duty to continue
the military governments which have ex-
ISted since our occupation, and give to the
people security in life and property and
encouragement under just and beneli-
cent rule.
AS soon as we are in possession of Cuba
and have pacified the island il will be
necessary to give aid and direction to
It's people To form q Government for them
selves. This should be undertaken at the
earliest moment consistent with safety
and assured success. 1t is important that
our relations with this people shall be OF
the most friendly character and our COM
mercial relations close and reciprocal. 1t
should be our duty to assist in every
f8 n he NJ % rela
OF the island, encourage the industry Of
the people. and assist them to form Gov
eminent which shall be free and indie
pendent thus realizing the best aSpira-
tons of the Cuban people.
Spanish rule must be replaced bya Just,
beneyO ent and humane Government, ere
ated by the people OF Cuba, carabe of
performing ali international Obligations,
and which shall encourage thrift industry
and prosperity, and promote peace and
good VIII among all OF the inhabitants,
whatever may have been their relations
in the past. Neither revenge nor PASSION
should have place in the new Govern
ment. Until there is complete Tranquil ity
i'll the island and a stable Government
inaugurated military occupation will be
continued.
Considerable space is devoted to the
Nicaragua Canal, and Congress is urged to
at once take decisive action looking to the
commencement of the work of construct
ing that imperatively needed waterway.
The Chinese question is given consider
able space, with the assurance that at
present it seems that our important in
terests in the trade OF that country are not
menaced. "But the United
States has not been an Indifferent specta-
tor of the extraordinary events tranSpiring
in the Chinese Empire"
There is now every prospect that the
participation Of the United States in tie
D.
with the advanced position
held by our products and manufactures in
the world S chief marts.
Efforts have been made to induce Ger
many and the other countries Of Europe
@ relax their severe regulations against
bur meats and fruits.
Formal recitation is made of the annex
alton OF Hawaii, the proceedings Of the
Commission, and number OF
similar subjects, without comment or
recommendation.
The Gar is complimented on his dis |
proposition, and the United |
states viii take part in the proposed con |
erence, though, from the Smaliness OF our |
'rmy, we can have no practical interest in |
he matter.
The receipts of the Government for the |
iscal year were S405, 321 1916, and it's ex-
'enditures S413, 3G8, 562 1t is expected |
hat the Government receipts during The
resent fiscal year will be S577 ,S74 SAT,
nd its expenditures $685., 874 647, leaving
deficit OF S112 900, 900. The receipts from
Internal revenue have increased by S24-
l. ,067, while our customs have decreased.
Zee. ! there was in the Treasury S138, AL :
AZ in gold, and other money raising the
Dtal up s451 1863, S8l Outside OF the
reasury there is in circulation, 81, 8S6, II
10, 5C4, an increase Of S165, 794, SEQ for the
ear, and making a per capita circulation
n the estimate OF 75,194,0C0 population, OF
%. % per head.
The President renews the recommended
onS made last year for legislation for the
,tiremcnt Of the greenbacls, and urges
Their measures TO put our currency on the
ighest basis.
Congress should take immediate steps
, encourage our merchant marine, to
-OVide for ready communication with the
ewly-acquired islands
The Regular Army should be enlarged,
nd authority given to recruit forces i'm
he islands
The recommendations OF the Secretary
the Navy for the increase of the Navy
= the building OF three heavy battleships 1
the first class and nine cruisers are
earthly indorsed.
The revival of the ranks of Admiral and
ice Admiral to be bestowed on officers
no distinguished themselves in the war
It'll Spain is recommended.
PENSIONS.
The following is the whole of the para {
aph in regard TO pensions +
There were on the pension rolls on June
1893, 1913, ia names, an increase of :
ariy $4,000 over the number on the rolls !!
the same day of the preceding year q
lie amount appropriated by the act OF | s
&c. %, 1856, for the payment of pensions .
: the fiscal year of 1858 was Sli0, 900, 900.
ght million seventy thousand eight Z
inbred and seventy-twO dollars and
ty-SIx cents was appropriated by the C
I OF March 81, 1893, to cover deficiencies O
the army pensions, and repayments =
the sum of S12 900. 33, making a total of II
iS, 0S2 ,S92.79 available for the payment
pensions during the fiscal year 1898 o
lie amount disbursed from that sum was a
IA ,651 ,6I9. so, leaving balance OF So 431, n
,.99 unexpended on the 30th of June. =
70, which was covered into the Treasury.
ere were 389 names added to the rolls e
ring the year by special acts passed o
the second session of the Fifty-fifth fo
ngresS, making a total of 6 1856 pension II
by Congressional enactments since g
H. IL
The Message concludes with some rOu- 1T
e recitals and recommendations for "
for new building for the a
partment of Justice and for the cele-
alton OF the Centennial of the Capital in
10.