The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-12-08

required permanently or not, the power
should be given to the President to en-
list that force If in his discretion 1t
should be necessary, and the further
discretion should be given him to re-
cruit for the army within the above
limit from the inhabitants of the ISL
ands with the government of which we
are charged.
1t is my purpose to muster out the
entire volunteer army as soon as the
Congress shall provide for the increase
of the regular establishment. This will
be only an act Of justice. and will be
much appreciated by the brave men
who left their homes and employments
to help the country in its emergency.
join with the Secretary of the Navy
In recommending that the grades of
Admiral and admiral be tempor-
arily revived to be filled by officers
who have specially distinguished them
selves in the war with Spain. There
were on the pension rolls on June 30,
1898, 993,714 names, an increase of near
ly $4,000 over the number on the rolls
on the same day of the preceding year.
The amount appropriated by the act
of December o. 1898, for the payment
of pensions for the fiscal year of 1898
was $40, 600 ($S,070,S S72 46 was appro-
priated by the act of March 81, 1898, to
cover deficiencies in army pensions and
repaymentS in the sum of $12, ,020. .33,
making a total of S14S. .0S2, ,092. 70 avail
able for the payment of pensions dur
ing the fiscal year 1S9S). The amount
disbursed from that sum was $l4i, ,65l,-
Sis.S0 leaving u balance of SO, 431 ,012. 80
uneXpended on the 30th of June 1898,
which was converted into the Treasury.
There were $50 names added to the
rolls during the year by special acts
passed at the second session of the
Fifty-ffth Congress, making a total of
36,4S6 pensions by Congressional enact
ments since 1861.
In the year 1900 will occur the centen-
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
CITY of Washington for the permanent
capital of the Government of the United
States by authority of an act of Con-
gress approved July Is, 1890. In May
1890, the archives and general offices of
the Federal Government We're removed
TO this place. On the 18th of November
1900, the National Congress met here for
the hrst time, and assumed exclusive
control of the Federal district and city
This interesting event assumes all the
more significance when we recall the
circumstances attending the choosing of
the site, the naming of the capital in
honor of the father of his country. and
the interest taken by him in the adop-
ton of plans for its future development
on magnificent scale. A movement
lately inaugurated by the citizens to
have the anniversary celebrated with fit
ting ceremonies, including perhaps the
esta ablishment of handsome permanent
memorial to mark so historical an occa-
sion and to give 1t more than local
recognition has met with general favor
on the part of the public.
L recommend to the Congress the
granting of an appropriation for this
purpose and the appointment of a COM
mittee from its respective bodies. 1t
might also be advisable to authorize the
President to appoint a committee from
the country at large, which. acting with
the Congressional and District of CO.
lumbia Committee, can complete the
plans for an appropriate national cele-
bration.
The several departmental reports will
be laid before you. They give in great
detail the conduct of the affairs of the
Government during the past year, and
discuss many questions upon which the
Congress may be feel called upon to act.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. Dec. 5, 1898.