The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-09
ARMY REORGANIZATION.
Standing Force of 100000 Men Needed
Under Present Conditions

Under the act of congress approved
April 26, 1898, authorizing the president in
his discretion. upon a declaration of war
by congress or declaration by congress
that war exists, I directed the increase
of the regular army to the maximum of
s., 600, authorized in said act.
There are now in the regular army ST.
S62 officers and men. In said act 1t was
provided: '"That at the end of any war in
which the United States may become in
volved, the army shall be reduced to a
peace basis by transfer in the same
arm of the service absorption, by pro-
motion or honorable discharge under
such regulations as the secretary may es-
tablish, of supernumerary command off,
GERS and the honorable discharge or trans
fer of supernumerary enlisted men, and
nothing contained in this act shall be
construed as authorizing the permanent
increase of the command of enlisted force
of the regular army beyond that now pro-
vided by the law in force prior to the
passage Of this act except as to the in
crease of 25 majors provided for in section
l hereof"
The Importance of legislation for the
permanent increase of the army is there
fore manifest, and the recommendation
of the secretary of war for that purpose
has my unqualified approval. There can
be no question that at this time and prob
ably for some time in the future 100000
men will be none too many to meet the
necessities of the situation. At all events,
whether that number shall be required
permanently or not, the power should be
given to the president to enlist that force
If in his discretion it should be neces-
sary, and the further discretion should
be given him to recruit within the above
limit from the Inhabitants of the islands
with the government of which we are
charged.
Volunteers to BE Sent Home.
1t is my purpose to muster out the en-
tire volunteer army as soon as congress
shall provide for the increase of the regu-
lar establishment. This will be only an
act of justice, and will be much appre-
ciated by the brave men who left their
homes and emp,oyments to help the coun-
try in its emergency.
Capital Centennial.
In the year 1900 will occur the centen-
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
city of Washington for the permanent
capital of the government of the United
States by authority of an act of con-
gress approved July 16, 1880. In May,
1860, the archives and general offices of the
federal government were removed to this
place. On the 17th of November, 1900 the
national congress met here for the first
time and assumed exclusive control of
the federal district and city. This inter-
esting event assumes all the more signif-
canoe when we recall the circumstances
attending the choosing OF the site, the
naming of the capital in honor of the
father of his country, and the interest
taken by him in the adoption of plans for
its future development on a magnificent
scale.
These original plans have been wrought
out with a constant progress and sig
nal success even beyond anything their
trainers had foreseen.
Departmental Reports.
The several departmental reports will
be laid before you. They give in great
detail the conduct of the affairs of the
government during the past year. and dis.
cuss many questions upon which con.
gress may be called upon to act.
WII4LIAM xKINItEy.