El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-12-05
CONGRESS
MEETS
The President, In His Annual
Message, Congratulates
the Nation.
SIGNAL PROSPERITY
Has Blessed Our Country In
Its Domestic Affairs And
In Its Foreign
Relations.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The house oi
Representatives met promptly at noon
and appointed committee to wait on
the president; It then took a recees
until 1:3O.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The senate
was called to order at noon. At 12:15
the senate took q recess for thirty min
utes to wait the PRESIDENTS message.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-ConRress
met in joint session early this after
noon and listened to the message of
the president
Following is the message In part:
To the senate and house of representa-
tives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in the very satisfactory
and steadily increasing degree of
prosperity evidenced by the largest
volume of business ever recorded.
Manufacture was productive, agricul-
tural pursuits have yielded abundant
returns, labor in all fields of industry
has been better rewarded and the re-
venue legislation passed by the pres
ent congress has increased the treasury
receipts to the full amount estimated
by the authorities.
The finances of the government been
successfully administered and its credit
has advanced TO first rank, while the
currency was maintained at the worlds
highest standard. Military service
under a common flag and for right
eous cause has strengthened the nation
nj spirit and served to cement more
closely the fraternal bonds between
every section of the country.
A review of the relations between
the United States and other powers is
always appropriate. In this year it is
OF primary Importance in view of the
momentous issues which have arisen,
demanding in ore instance ultimate de-
termination by arms and involving
far-reaching consequences which will
require the earnest attention of con-
gress.
The president then reviews the causes
which led up to the war.
Then at length he speaks OF the mo-
mentous period before the declaration
OF war and highly praises congress for
it's acts. He tells of the hasty work Of
getting the army and navy in fighting
shape and their gallant heroism and
Victories, following with the sale of
popular bonds, the raising of the war
tax and how the same was expended.
Then he tells briefly of the precau-
tions taken to protect the cities Of the
coast.
After calling attention to the ap-
pointment of the various commissions
for settling the questions arising out
of the wsr, the message says: The
Porto Rican joint commission speed
lily accomplished it's task and by the |
10th of October the evacuation OF the |
island had been completed. The Cuban |
Joint commission has not yet completed
Its labors. Owing to the difficulties of
the Spanish troops, evacua-
ton cannot be completed until the first
of January next.
The peace commissioners at Paris
have made hopeful progress, so that |
trust will soon be able to lay q de-
finite treaty of peace before the senate
with full review of the steps leading
to Its signature.
do not discuss at this time the gov
ernment or future of the new possess
sions which have come to us as the re-
suit of our war with Spain. Such a
will be appropriate after the
treaty Of peace shall be ratified,
In the meantime and until
congress has legislsted other
wise it will be my duty to conti-
nue. the military government which
has existed since our occupation, and
give the people and property protec-
tion and encouragement under just
and benefceut rule,
AS soon as we are in full possession
OF Cuba and have pacified the island IL
will be necessary to give aid and direc-