The evening times., 1898-12-05

note without paving gold in exchange for
| Ii. The reason for this is made all the
| more apparent when the Government is
| sues an interest bearing debt to provide
! gold for the redemption of United States
| notes-a non-interest- bearing debt Sure
| ly il should not pay them out again ex
! cept on demand and for gold. If they
are put out in any other way. they may
return again, TO be followed by another
bond issue to redeem them-another in
| terest-bearing debt to redeem a non-inter-
| est-bearing debt
This recommendation was made in the
belief that such provisions of law would
! insure to Il greater degree the safety of
| the present standard, and better protect
| our currency from the dangers to which
| ii is subjected from disturbance in the
| general business conditions of the coun-
| try.
In my judgment the present condition
! of the Treasury amply justifies the imme-
diate enactment of the legislation recon-
! mended one year ago, under which a por-
| tion of the gold holdings should be placed
| in trust fund from which greenbacks
should be redeemed upon presentation,
but when once redeemed should not there
after be paid out except for gold.
CURRENCY LEGISLATION.
1t is not to be inferred that other legls
| lation relating to our currency IS not re-
| quired; on the contrary there is an obvious
| demand for it.
The Importance of adequate provision
which will insure to our future a money
standard related as our money standard
now is 10 that of our commercial rivals is
generally recognized.
The companion proposition that our do
mestic paper currency shall be kept safe
and yet be so related to the aaeds of our
industries and internal commerce as 10 be
adequate and responsive to such needs is
a proposition scarcely less important. Tnn
subject, in all its parts, is commended 10
| the wise consideration of the Congress.
The annexation of Hawaii and the
changed relations of the United Stutes 10
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines
resulting from the war, compel the prompt
adoption of a maritime policy by the
United States There should be establish
ed regular and frequent steamship COM
munication, encouraged by the United
States, under the American flag with the
newly acquired islands Spain furnished
to its colonies, at an annual cost of about
two millions of dollars, steamship lines
communicating with a portion of the
worlds markets as we'll with trade CEN
tiers of the home government. The United
our duty to furnish the people of Hawaii
with facilities. under national control
for their export and import trade. 1t will
be conceded that the present situa ton
calls for legislation which shall be prompt,
durable and liberal
The part which American merchant
vessels and their seamen performed in
the war with Spain demonstrates that
this service, furnishing both picket and
i
necessity, and should be encouraged in
every constitutional way.
Details and methods for accomplish
ment of this purpose are discussed in the
report of the Secretary of the Treasu. Y,
to which the attention of Congress is re-
spectfully invited.
THE YELLOW FEVER SCOURGE.
In my last annual message l recon-
mended that Congress authorize the ap-
pointment of a commission for the pur-
pose of making systematic Investigations
with reference to the cause and preven-
tion of yellow fever. This matter has ac-
quired an increased Importance as a re-
suit of the military occupation of the Isl
and of Cuba and the commerc al inter-
course between this Island and the
United States which we have every rea-
son to expect The sanitary problems
| connected with our new relations with
the Island of Cuba and the acquis ton of
Porto Rico are no less important than
those relating to finance, commerce and
administration. 1t is my earnest desire
that these problems may be considered
by competent experts and that every
thing may be done which the most re-
cent advances in sanitary science can
offer for the protection of the health of
our soldiers in those islands and of cur
citizens who are exposed to the dangers
of infection from the Importation of yeI-
low fever. i therefore renew my recon-
mendation that the authority of Congress
| may be given and suitable appropi ia
tion made to provide for a commission of
experts to be appointed foE the purpose
indicated.
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
Under the act of Congress approved
April 26, 1898, authorizing the President
in his discretion, upon a declaration of
war by Congress, or a declaration by
Congress that war exists" l directed the
| increase of the regular army to the maxi
mum of $1,000, authorized in said act.
There are now in the regular army
81, ,S62 officers and men. In said act it was
provided That at 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
regulations as the Secretary of War may
establish of supernumerary commissioned
officers and the honorable discharge or
transfer of supernumerary enlisted men;
and nothing contained In this act shall
| be construed as authorizing the perma-
nent increase of the commissioned or en-
listed force of the regular army beyond
| that now provided by the law in force
prior to the passage of this act, except al