The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-12-10
MKINLEY TO CONGRESS


The message which. President Nc.
Kinley submitted on the ,reconeening
the,55th'congress.:: Is voiuntnous
paper, containing about 10000 words,
and is devoted principally TO the war
with Spain and its results, Though it.
makes only slight recommendations
concerning the final settlement with
Spain or the methods to be pursued
for the government of the new terri..
tory that shall be, or has been acquired
The president begins his message
with the statement that "notwith-
standing the added burdens rendered
necessary by the war. our people re-
joiee In very satisfactory and stead
. lily increasing degree of prosperity.
evidenced by the largest volume of
business ever recorded. Every manu-
facture has been productive, agricul.
tnral pursuits have yielded abundant
returns, labor in the fields of industry
is better rewarded, revenue legislation
passed by the present congress has in
creased the .treasury's receipts to:the
amount estimated by its authors, the
finances of the government have been
successfully administered and its
credit advanced to the first rank;
while its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest Standard
Re then goes into detail, in review
ing the efforts OF this government for
a year to bring about peaceful settle
meut of the troubles between Spain
and Cuba, and the failure of Spain to
consider the friendly offices OF the
United States to bring abous settle
ment that would prove. satisfactory 10
the mother country aud the colonies.
The; Maine incident is referred to
briefly, though 1t Is given as one OF the
causes that led up to the declaration of
war by congress on April 10th, and the
suspension of diplomatic relations, by
the retirement of the Spanish minister
from Washington and the withdrawal
Of the American minister at Madrid.
: The president ithen'goes into a de-
tailed statement Of the incidents OF the
war from the first battle at Manila,on
May lst to the surrender of Manila on
August 18th.
The president makes no recon.
mendations as to the form of govern.
ment to be provided for the new acqui-
sitions, only saying: ~ do not discuss
at this time the government or the
future OF the new possessions which
will come to US as the result OF the war
with Spain. Such a discussion will
be appropriate after the treaty OF
peace shall be ratified. In the mean
time. and until congress has legislated
otherwise, it will be my duty to con-
tinue the military government which
has existed since our occupation and
give their people security in life and
property and encouragement under
Just aud beneficial rule"
In reference to Cuba he is equally
non committal. Referring to its future
government. he says: "As soon as we
arein possession. OF Cuba and have
pacified the island, it will be necessary
TO give aid and direction to this people
TO form government for themselves.
This should be undertaken at the
earliest moment consistent with safety
and assured success. It is important
that our relations with these people
shall be Of the most friendly character,
and our commercial relations close
and reciprocal. 1t should be our duty
TO assist in every proper way to build
mp the waste places Of the island, en-
courage the industry of the people
and assist them to form a government
which shall be free and independent,
thus realizing the best aspirations OF
the Cuban people" +"
The Nicaragua canal is quite fully
discussed, and the president urges
congress to take some definite action
to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by practicle waterway. In a
cursory way he refers to the possible
dismemberment of China, our trade
relations with France and Germany,
the friendship OF Great Britain, the
annexation of Hawaii, and finally aree
news his recommendation of December
I, 1897, to congress with reference to
the retirement OF greeenbacks holding
that they should be paid out for. no
other purpose than the purchase. of
gold.
His failure to take q frmer stand
with reference to currency reform,
is no doubt disappointing to many.
1T is not TO be inferred" says the
message, that legislation relating to
our currency is not required. On the
contrary, there Is an obvious demand
for it. The Importance of adequate
provision. which. will insure. perma.
nence to our future money standard.
related as our money standard now Is
to that of our commercial rivals, Ia
generally recognized. The companion
proposition, that our domestic cur
rency shall be kept safe and yet be so
related to the needs of our industries
and internal commerce as to be ade-
quate and responsive TO such needs. is
q proposition scarcely less important.
The subject In all its parts ia COM
mended to the wise consideration Of
congress"
In conclusion he recommends that
the president be authorized to increase
the standing army to 100000 at least
In the Judgment of the chief executive
that number OF men shall be- required. /
Taken as d whole the message Is
about on an average with such papers
though IL is lacking in the firmness
that has been shown in the messages
which former presidents have sub.
mitted in their messages. 1t contains
a multitude of mild suggestions,
leaving congress and the people to
guess at his policy, and putting all |
responsibility of action upon congres.
THE NEW ARMY.
Secretary Alger, in his annual re.
port, recommends increasing the army |