The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-06

their class and to have the highest practi-
cable speed and great radius of action.
Estimated cost exclusive of armor ind
armament. s3,C00,Q0O each.
2. Three sileathed and coppered ar
lnored cruisers of about liz, 600 tons trial
displacement, carrying the heaviestarmo
and most powerful ordnance for vessels of
their class and to have the highest practi-
cable speed and great radius of action.
Estimated cost exclusive of armor and
armament, $1,000, 900 each.
g. Three sheathed and coppered pro-
teeted cruisers of about 5000 tons trial dis
placement, to have the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action and to
carry the most powerful ordnance suitable
for vessels of their class. Estimated cost
exclusive of armor and armament s., l5O,-
600 each.
4. Six sheathed and coppered cruisers
Of about $500 tons trial displacement, to
have the highest speed compatible with
good cruising qualities, great radius of
action and to carry the most powerful
ordnance suited to vessels of their class.
Estimated cost, exclusive of armament,
81, IA, 500 each.
join with the secretary of the navy in
recommending that the grades Of admiral
and vice admiral be temporarily revived,
to be filled by officers who have specially
distinguished themselves in the war with
Spain.
More Soldiers Are Required.
Under the act of congress approved
April 26, 1898, authorizing the preside mt
in his discretion, upon a declaration of
war by congress-, or a declaration by con-
gress that war exists, directed the in
crease of the regular army to the MAXI
mum of 62 .0OO, authorized in said act
There are now in the regular army ST.
1862 officers and men. In said act 1T was
provided that lat the end of any war in
which the United States may become in
volved the army shall be reduced to
peace basis by the transfer in the Same
arm of the service or absorption by pro-
motion or honorable discharge under
such regulation as the secretary of war
may establish of surernumerary commits
stoned officers and the honorable dis
charge or transfer of supernumerary en-
listed men, and nothing contained in this
act shall construed as authorizing the
permanent increase of the command or
enlisted force of the regular army beyond
that now provided by the law in force
prior to the passage of this act, except as
to the increase of 25 majors provided for
In section / hereof
The Importance of legislation for the
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, 100, 900
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 he 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.
1t is my purpose to muster out the en-
tire volunteer army as soon as the con-
gress shall provide for the increase of the
regular establishment. This will be only
an act of justice and will be much appreci-
ated by the brave men who left their
homes and eniployments to help the
country in its emergency
Interests of Agriculture.
The department of agriculture has been
active in the past year. Explorers have
been sent to many of the countries of the
eastern and western hemispheresf for seeds
and plants that may be useful to tho
United States, and with the further view
OF opening up markets for our surplus
products. The forestry division of the
the treeless regions of our country and is
introducing species specially adapted to
semiarid regions. Forest fires, which
seriously interfere with production, espe-
cially in irrigated zones, are being studied
that the losses from this cause may be
avoided. The department. is inqulring
into the use and abuse of wafer in many
states of the west and collating informa-
ton regarding the laws of the states the
decisions of the courts and the customs Of
the people in this regard, so that uniform
ity may be secured. Experiment stations
are becoming more effective every year.
The annual appropriation Of $4,000 by
congress is supplemented by &4OO, 600 from
the states. Nationwide experiments have
been conducted to ascertain the suitable
ness as to soil and climate and states for
growing sugar beets. The number of
sugar factories has been doubled in the
past two years and the ability Of the
United States to produce it's own sugar
from this source has been clearly demon
Strated
Alien Contract Law.
The alien contract law is shown by ex-
perlence to need some amendment, q
measure providing better protection for
seamen is proposed. the rightful applica-
ton of the eight-hour law for the benefit
of labor, and of the principle of arbitra-
commend these subjects to the careful
attention of the congress.
The several departmental reports will
be laid before you. They give in great de-
tail the conduct of the affairs of the gov
eminent during the past year and discuss
many questions upon which the congress
may be called u p%1l to act. (SS SIR
Executive Mansion, Dec. s, 1888.
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