Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-12-09

ject, therefore, to minimize. so far as
practicable, this inevitable loss and dis
turbance. This purpose can probably
best be accomplished by an information
al agreement to regard all private prop
erty at sea as exempt from capture or
destruction by the forces OF be,liger-
ent powers. The United States Gov
eminent has for many years advocated
this humane and benefcent principle,
and is now in a position to recon-
mend it to other powers without the
imputation of selfish motives. | there
fore suggest for your consideration
that the Executive be authorized to
correspond with the Governments of
the pricipal maratime powers with a
view of Incorporating into the perman-
ent law of civilized nations the princi-
pie of the exemption of all private
war, from capture or destruction by
belligcrent powers.
The provisions made for strengthen
Ing the resources of the Treasury In
connection with the war have given
increased confidence in the purpose and
power of the Government to maintain
the present standard. and have estab.
lished more firmly than ever the ma.
tiOnal credit at home and abroad.
There can be no question that at
this time, and probably for some time
i'm the future 100000 men will he
none too many to meet the necessities
of the situation. At all events. wheth-
or that number shall be required per
manently or not. the power should be
given TO the President to enlist that
force it i'm his discretion it should be
necessary and the further discretion
should be given him to recruit for
the army 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 rs soon as Con
grcsS shall provide for the increase Of
the regular establishment. This will
only he an act of justice. and will be
much appreciated 10y the brave men
who left their homes and employments
to help the country in its emergency.
The following recommendations Of
the Secretary of the Navy relative to
the increase of the navy have my ear
nest approval:
Three seagoing shcathed and copper
ed battle ships of about 13.5Oo tons dis
placement carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for YES
sells of their class and to have the
radius of action. Estimated cost. eN
elusive Of armOr and armament. 81
100000 each.
Thrcc-shcathcd and coppcred armor-
ed cruisers of about $1,000 tons trial
displacement carrying the heaviest
armor and most powerful ordnance
for vessels of their class. and to have
the highest practicable speed and great
radius of action; estimated cost. eX-
elusive of armor and armament, ST.
| 600. 600 each.
Three-sheathed and copper protected
cruisers of about 5000 tons trial dis
placement: to have the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius of act
ion. and to carry the most powerful
ordnance suitable for vessels of their
class. Estimated cost. exclusive Of
armor and armament. 50 100000 each.
Six sheathed and coppercd 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 power
full ordnance suited to vessels of their
class. Estimated cost, exclusive of
armament, $1.141 800 each.
| Join with the Secretary of the
Navy in recommending that the grades
of Admiral and Nice-Admral be tenn
porarily revived, to be filed by officers
who have specially distinguished them
selves in the war with Spain.
| earnestly urge upon Congress the
importance of early legislation prOvid-
ing for the taking of the twelfth cen
sus. This is necessary in view of tina
large amount of work which must b1
performed in the preparation of the
schedules preparatory to the enumera-
ion of the population.
The special attention of the Congress-
is called to that part of the report Of
the Secretary of the Interior in rela
ton to the five civilized tribes. 1t is
noteworthy that the general condition
IF the Indians shows marked progress.
But one outbreak of serious char
lcter occurred during the year, aud
that among the Chippewa Indians of
Minnesota, which, happily, has been
suppressed.
In the year 1900 will occur the cen
tennial anniversary of the founding
If the city of Washington for the per-
manent capital of the Government of
the United States by authority of an
&C of Congress, approved July 16 1870.
In May, 1900 the archives and general
offices of the Federal Government were
removed to this place. On November
II, 1900, the National Congress met
here for the first time, and assumed
exclusive control of the Federal dis
trict and city. This interesting event
assumes all the more significance when
we recall the circumstances attend
ng the choosing of the site, the nam.
ng of the capital in honor of the Fa.
Their of His Country and the interest
taken by him in the adoption of plans
for its future development on a mag
lificent scale.
These original plans have been
wrought out with n constant progress
ana signal success even beyond any
thing their trainers could have fore
seen. The people of the country arc
fuGtlU nrOn6 nf tho 1fctin.tf,.n I,,,,,4.