, 1898-12-07

should not pay them ont again except on
demand, and for gold, II they are put
out in any other way they may return
again. to be followed by another bond j..
sue TO redeem thctn, an intere.t-bearinE
debt 10 redeem II n%ur-intcrcst bearing
debt.
This recommendation was made in the
belief thar such provisions of the law
would insure TO n greater degree of safety
TO the and protect our cur
rency from the dangers to which it is sub
jeCted from II disturbance in the general
business conditions of the n
In my Judgment the present condition
of the trea srIry amply j~ustitlcs h immc.
diate enactment of the legislation recon-
mended one year ago. under which "a pur-
ton of the gold holdings should be placed
in IL trust fund from which ~grpenbacks
should be redeemed upon presentation,
but when oncc redeemed should not there
after be paid out, except for gold.
1t is not to bc inferred that other lcgis.
lation relating to our currency is not re
CURED. On the contrary, there is an OBJ
viOus demand for il, The Importance Of
adequate provision which will insure to
our future II money standard related aS
our money standard now Is to h II of our
commercial rivals is generally recognized.
The companion proposition that our do
nestle paper currency shall be kept safe
and yet be so related TO the needs of our
industries and Internal commerce Us to he
adequate and responsive to such needs Is
II proposition scarcely less important. The
subject, in all its parts. is commended to
the wise consideration Of the congress.
More Wnrships Advised.
The following recommendations of the
of the navy relative 10 the in
of the navy have my earnest ap.
prevail:
l. Three sea- going sheathed and cop.
percd bdttlcships of about 1850 tons tIial
displacement, carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels Of
their class II to have the highest prnCti
speed and great radius of action.
Estimated cost exclusive of armor and
armament, $500, 600 each.
2. Three shcathcd and Coppcred ar
lnored cruisers of about l., 900 tom trial
displacement, carrying the heaviest urmor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels of
their class II to have the highest practi-
speed and great radius of action.
Estimated cost exclusive of armur and
armament, $1,000 900 each.
3. Three shcathcd II coppcred pro
tectcd 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, 81, l5O,-
600 each.
4. Six sheathed and coppcrcd cruisers
of about 2,5OO tons trial displacement, to
n the highest speed compatible with
good cruising qualities, great radius of
and TO carry the most powerful
ordnance suited to vessels of their class.
Estimated cost, exclusive of armament,
81, lii 800 each.
l join with the secretary Of the navy in
recommending that the grades of admiral
and vice admiral be temporarily revived,
to be filed by officers who have specially
Il tEt II. rt,talaI .la,r~A1,Fa4 IL, tIn ,rr. 4 .
More Soldiers Are Required.
Under the act of congress approved
April 26, 1898, authorizing the president
in his discretion, upon n declaration of
war by congress, or IA declaration by on
grcss that war exists, ! directed the in
crease of the regular army to the maxi
mum of 81 900, authorized in said act.
There are now in the regular army 81
S62 officers and men. In said act it was
provided that Eat the end of any war in
which the United States may become in
volved the army shall be reduced to a
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 II the honorable dis
charge or transfe- of s~upcrnumernry en-
listed men, n nothing contained in this
act shall , @ construed rs 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 81 majors provided for
in section 1 hereof.
The importance Of legislation for the
permanent increase of the army is there
fore manifest and the recommendation of
the secretary of war for that purpose has
nv nnnnulifinU unprnNll Thprn clrN ha
no question that at this time, and Urob.
ably for some time in the future, lUO. 900
men will be none too many to meet the
necessities of the situation. AT all events,
whether hat number shall be required
permanently or not, the power should he
given to the president to enlist that force
if, in his discretion, it should be neccs-
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.
tire volunteer army as SOC as the con-
gress shall provide for the increase of the
regular establishment. This will be only
an act of justice and will be muchapprcci-
ated by the brave men who left their
homes and employmcnts to help the
country in its emergency.
Interests of Ayr culture.
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 hemisphcres for seeds
and plants hat may be useful to the
United States, and with the further view
of opening up markets for our surplus
products. The forestry division of the
department is giving special attention to
the ~treeless regions of Il country and is
introducing species specially adapted to
snmi uri1 rppinns Forrest fires which
seriously interfere with production, cspe-
cially in irrigated zones, are being studied
that the losses from this cause may be
avoided. The department is inquiring
into the use and abuse of water in many
states of the west and collatina informa-
ton regarding the laws of the states, tho
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 annunl appropriation of $I20,OOO by
is supplemented by $i0O,000 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 its own sugar
from this source has been clearly demon
strated.
Allen Contract Law.
The alien contract law is show by ex-
perience to need some amendment, n
measure providing better protection for
seamen is proposed. the rightful appiica-
ton of the eight-hour law for the benefit
of labor, and Of the principle of arbitra-
ton are suggested for consideration, and
l 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
errment during the past year and discuss
many questions upon which the congress
may be called upon to act. (Signedj