davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06

safs%y Ct the present standard and bet
ter protect our currency from the dan
gers To which it is subjected from dis
turbanCc in the general business con-
Gitions OF the country.
in my Judgment the present condition
OF the treasury amply justities the i'm
mediate enactment of the legislation
.recornmv a5-I enc year ago. under
which portion Of the gold holdings
should he placed i'll trust fund from
>. hich greenbacks should be redeemed
upon presentation. but when Cnce re
deemed should not thereafter be laid
out except for sold.
1t is not TO he inferred that other
legislation relating To our currency is
not required: on the contrary. there is
an obvious demand for it. The i'm
portance Of adequate provision which
VIII insure to our future money
standard related rs our money standard
now Is to that of oUr commercial rivals
is generally recognized. The companion
proposition that our domestic paper
currency shall he kept safe and yet be
so related to the needs If our industries
and internal commerce IS to be ade-
qCaUe and responsive to such needs is a
proposition scarcely less important.
The subject in all its parts is commend
ed to the wise consideration of the con-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
REACHES THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
COuntry's Income and OutSo and Currency
Per Head of Pop uIation.

The secre tary OF the treasury reports
that the receipts of the government
from all sources during the fiscal year
ended June 30. 1898. Including SS4. ISL
223 received from sale of Pacific rail-
roads. amounted to $4O5, 321 .335, and its
expenditures to $ii2.36S5S2. There was
collected from customs S149.575O62 and
from internal! revenue SIT. O,641. our
dutiable imports amounted to 1924. 49,
40. 4 decrease of SIS 156 $50 over the pre-
cedirg year: and ImportatiOns free of
duty amounted to S29l Halo, de-
crease from the preceding year of 500,
524. COS. Internal revenue receipts eX-
ceeded those of the preceding year by
$24.2l2.0GS. The total tax collected on
distilled spirits was $92. $40 999, on man
ufactured tobacco $50. 230, 522, and on
fermented liquors $39,5l5.421. We eX-
ported merchandise during the year
amounting TO $1.231. ASP $50. an increase
of S1SO4SS.7I4 from the preceding year.
Il is estimated upon the basis Of pres
ent revenue laws that the receipts of
the government for the year ending
June 50. 1899, viii be S577.ST4. 607 and its
expenditures $6S9. S14 ca. resulting in a
deficiency of $il2,O0O.COO. on the 1st OF
December. 1895. there was held in the
treasury gold coin amounting to $13S-
Al. III. gold bullion amounting to $l3S.-
512545, silver bullion amounting to $93,-
$50 80 and other forms of money
amounting to SOL .S63 SSl. on the same
date the amount of money Of al kinds
in circulation, or not included in treas
ury holdings, was 81 $50. S19.504 an in
crease for the year of $l65, 79i. 9G6. Fsti-
mating our population at 15,104G00 at
the time mentioned the per capita cir
culation was $500.
on the same date there was in the
treasury gold bullion amounting to
$1SS, 5O2.545. The provisions made for
strengthening the resources of the
treasury in connection with the war has
given increased confidence in the pur-
pose and power of the government to
maintain the present standard. and has
established more firmly than ever the
national credit at home and abroad. A
marked evidence Of this is found in the
inflow of gold to the treasury. Its net
gold holdings on Nov. l. 1898. We're
$3.50. $50, 100. as compared with $l5S,573,1f7
or Nov. I. 1897. and an increase of net
cash of $20T.156.lO1 on Nov. !, 1897. to
$500. 23S.215 on Nov. l. 1895 The present
ratio Of net treasury gold to outstard-
ing government liabilities, Including
United States treasury notes of 1890,
silver certificates. currency certificates.
standard silver dollars and fractional
silver coin. Nov l. 1898, was 25.35 per
cent. as compared with 1896 per cent.
Nov l. 1897.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
FAyoRs NcarAsE OF TIE ARMY
Thinks 100000 Men Not Il Man Too Many
Pensinn 4 mir.

Under tTie act of congress approved
April %. 1888 authorizing tho presid mt.
lin his Gi=CcEtion. upon q declaration OF
war ny congress. or n declaration III
congress that war exists l directed
the increase Of the regular army to the
maximum of 5000, authorized in said
act There are now in the regular army
-. SG2 officers and men. In said act it
was provided that at the end of any
war in which the United States may be-
come involved the army shall be re-
Guced to 4 peace basis 10y the transfer
il the same Grmy Of the service, or alb
surpJiOn ~ promotion, or honorable
discharge under such regulations as
the secretary Of war may establiSh. of
SuTcTnumeraTy conlmiss oned officers
and the honorable discharge or transfer
of Supernumerary enlisted men; and
nothing contained in this act shall he
construed authorizing the permanent
increase IF the commissioned or en-
listed force Of the regular army be-
You'd that now provided by the law in
force prior to the passage of this act,
except as to the increase Of twenty-five
majors provided for in section thereof
The Importance of legislation for the
therefore manifest, and the recon-
mendation OF the secretary of war for
that purpose has nv unqualified ap-
prevail. There can be no question that
Il this time. and probably for some time
in the future. 100000 men Will he none
too many to meet the necessities of the
situation At all events, whether that
number shall be required permanently
OF not the power should he given to the
president 10 enlist that force if in his
discretion il SHOULD he necessary, and
the further discre ton should be given
him to recruit within the above limit
from the inhabi ants of the islands with
the government of which we are
charged.
1t * my purpose to muster out the
entire volunteer army as soon as the
congress shall provide for the increase
Of the regular establishment. This viii
be only an act of justice ard will be
much appreciated by the brave men
who left their homes and employmentS
to hep the country in its emergency.
There were On the pension rolls on
June 50. 1898. !S3.1lf names, an increase
Of nearly 1890 over the number on the
rolls or the same day of the preceding
year. The amount appropriated by the
act OF Dec. -, 1895. fer the payment OF
pensions for the fiscal year 1898 was
$40 OCO. COO Eight million seventy thou
sand eight hundred am seventy-two
Collars and forty-siX cents was appro-
cover deficiencies in army pensions ard
repa yuents in the sum of S12. O20.23,
making n total of S14S. Os2. 9S2. 20 availa-
Bile for the payment of pensions during
the fiscal year 1898. The amount dis
burSed from that sum was 144. e51 SIS. so,
leaving = balance Of $}.431 .0l2.99 uneX-
UeaGEd or the Goth of June. 1898, which
was covered into the treasury. There
were $50 names added to the rolls dur
the second session of the fifty-fifth
congress. making a total of 6,4S6 pen
sioners by congressional enactments
since 1851.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06


pines resulting from the war compel
. the prompt adoption CT a maritime poi
icy Ey the United states There should
be established regular and frequent
steamship coalmun cation, encouraged
hv the United States under the Amer
i,an flag. with the newly acquired ISL
ands Spain furnished to its colonies
al an annual cost OF ABOUT SS.oOo.otO
steamship lines communicating with 4
norton of the worlds markets as well
as with trade centers of the home gov
errrrent TIE United States Will not
W dertake to do less. 1t IS our duty to
furnish the people of Hawaii with Ia
critics under national control for their
export and innort trade. It Will he
conceded that the present situation calls
for IeSiSls ton which shall be prompt,
dura BILE and b5r2l.
The part which American merchant
vessels and their ScamCn performed in
the war with Spain demonstrates thai
this service furnishing both picketS and
the second line of defense. is 4 national
necessity and should be encouraged in
every cCnSt tUtiOrcl way. Details and
methods for the ACCOMPLISHMENT of this
purpose are discussed in the report of
the secretary of the treasury, to which
the attention Of congress is respectfully
invited.
The postal service of the country ad-
vancss with extraordinary growth.
Within twenty years both the revenues
and the expenditures of the postofiice
department. have mrlt pied threefo.d.
In the last ten years they have nearly
doubled. our POSTAL business grows
much moro rapidly than our population.
Il Row i.V,lrss 3C expenditure % $780,
0tG OC0 = year. umhSrS =: 900 post pt1l2es
ana caIols 10000 eupl yes. This re-
u-arkah'e extension of a service which
is an accurate index of the public con-
GitioEs presents gratifying evidence of
the advancement Of education, OF the
Increase Of communication and busiress
actiV ty and of the Improvement of mali
facilities leading to their constantly
GuGne ntiUE use.
1.-THE president then tells h-w the pos
tai service followed the flag in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the PnilippineS.l
In my last annual message recon-
merded that congress aUthC riEe the az
pertinent OF n comm ssio1 for the pur-
pose of making systematic irVestiSa-
lions with reference to the cause and
,seventiOn Of yellow fever. This mat
tor has acquired an increased impOr-
sInCe as Il result OF the IN litary CCcu-
pation~Df the islard of Cuba and the
commercial Intercourse between this
.sIard and the United States which we
nave every reason to expect The san
starV problems connected with our new
relations. with the island of Cuba and
he aCquisit on of = .rtO Rico are no less
Important than those relating II finance,
commerce END administration. It is my
.aUnest desire that these problems may
e considered by competent experts and
hat eV + n ny may be done which the
Cnost recent advances l. sanitary sci
ence can offer for the protection of the
health OF our soldiers in those islands
and of oar citizens who are exposed to
the dangers Of infection from the i'm
pCrtatiou of yellow fever.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
AGRICULTURAL OFFICE Is BUSY.
Gathering Facts of Use to the Farmer
Alien Contract Labor.

The department Of agriculture has
been active in the past year. EXplor-
ers have teen sent to many of the
countries Of the eastern and western
hemisphere for seeds and plants that
may he 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
regions Of oIsr country and is introduce
ing species specially adapted to semi
arid regions. Forest fires which Seri-
ousIy interfere with production, espe-
CiaHy in irrigated regions, are being
studied that the losses from this cause
may be avoided. The department is
inquirirg into the use and abuse of wa
ter in many states of the west. and col
Letting information regarding the laws
of the states. the decisions of the courts
and the customs of the people in this
regard, so that uniformity may be Sc
cured.
Experiment stations are becoming
more effective every year. The annual
approximation of S72O eco by congress
is supplemented by 100000 from the
states. Nation wide experiments have
been conducted to ascertain the suitable
ness as to soil and climate in the states
for growing sugar heets. The number
of sugar factories has been doubled
in the past two years, and the ability
Of the United states to produce its
owl sugar from this source has been
clearly demonstrated.
At the close of the year thirty forest
reservations. not including those of
the Afognac forest and the fish Gull
ture reserve in Alaska. had been Gre
ated by executive proclamations under
section q OF the act OF March 3. 1891,
embracing an estimated area OF 40
719474 acres. The department of the
interior has inaugurated a forest sys-
tenn made possible b. the act Of July
1898. for a graded force of officers in
control Of the reserves. This system has
only been in fun operation since Au-
gust hut good results have already
been secured in many sections The
reports received indicate that the sys-
TEN Of patrol has not only prevented
destructive fires from gaining Roadway,
but has diminished the number of fires.
The alien contract law is shown by.
experience TO need some amendment:
a measure providing better protection
for seamen IS proposed; the rightfuI
Of the eight-hour law for
the benefit Of labor and of the princf-
ple of arbitration are suggested for
and / commend these
subjects To the careful attention of the
congress.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
SUBJECTS OF VARIED MOMENT.
Washington City Centennial Anniversary
-Czar'. Pencn l,rnnosaI.

In the year 1900 viii occur the cen
teEniai anniversary Of the founding
of the city OF Washington for the per-
lnanent capital Of the government of
the United States by authority OF an
act of congress approved July 16, 1890.
In May. 1890. the archives and general
offices of the federal government were
removed to this place. on the 18th of
November, 1850, the national govern
uent met here for the first time and
assumed exclusive control Of the fed
eral district and city. The people
of the country are justly proud Of the
distinctive beauty and government Of
the capital and of the rare instruments
of science and education which here
find their natural home. a movement
has lately been inauguTated by the
citizens TO have the anniversary Cele-
brated with fitting ceremonies. l
recommend to the congress the grant
ing of an appropriation for this pur-
pose and the appointment of Il commit
tee from its respective bodies.
The proposal of the car for a general
reduction of the vast military estab-
lishments that weigh SO heavily upon
many peorles in time of peace was
communicated TO this government with
an earnest invitation to he represented
in the conference which it is contem-
plated to assemble with view to dis
cussing the means of accomplishing so
desirable a-resulL His majestytwaG at
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
FRIENDsHIP oF GREAT BRITAIN.
President Hopes for the Success of the
AnGIo-American Commission.


Our relations with Great Britain have
continued on the most friendly footing.
Asserting to our request. the protection
of Americans and their interests in
Spanish jurisdiction was assumed by
the diplomatic and consular represen-
tatives of Great Britain. who fulfilled
their delicate and arduouS trust with
tact and zeal. elicitins nigh commenda-
ton. | may be allowed To make fitting
allus!cn to the instance of Mr.. Rams
den. her majeSty'S consul at Santiago
de Cuba. whose untimely death after
distinguished service and UDtiring eff
fort during the siege of that city was
sincerely lamented.
In the early part of April last. pur-
suant to request made at the instance
Of the secretary of state by the British
ambassador at this capital the Cana
dian government granted facilities for
the passage Of four United States reve-
nue cutters from the Great Lakes to
the Atlantic coast by way of the Cana
dian canal and the ST. Lawrence river.
The vessels had reached Lake Ontario
and We're there awaiting the opening of
navigation when war was declared be-
tween the United States and Spain.
Her ma esjy'S government theTeupOn.
by communication OF the latter part
Of April. stated that the permission
granted before the outbreak OF hOStil-
tiles would not be withdrawn provided
the United States government gave as
sUranCc that the vessels in question
would proceed direct to a United States
port without engaging in any hostile
operation. This government promptly
agreed to the stipulated condition, il
being understood that the vessels would
not be prohibited from resisting any
hostile attack.
It Will give me special satisfaction if
| shall he authorized to communicate
to you Il favorable conclusion of the
pending negotiations with Great Brit
ain in respect to the Dominion of Can
ada. It IL the earnest wish of this gov
eminent to remove ell sources of disCord
and irritation in our relations with the
neignbOriHE Dominion. The trade be-
tween the two countries is constantly
increasing and il is important to both
countries tbs' all reasonable facilities
should he grsSnted for its development.
1.-THE annexation OF Hawaii is here
mentioned and the facts related as they
are well known to the reading public. ii
being stated thatthe CullCm commission
viii lay before congress plan for the
government OF the islands, without
stating the plan.1
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
= CANAL ACROSS THE 1sTuMUs.
Definite Action Urged oy Congress at
Oncc-Chinese Open Door.

The Nicars qua canal commission I'M
der the Craftsmanship Of Rear Admiral
John G. Walker. appointed July p.
1897. under the authority of provision
in the su.dry civil act OF June of
that year. has nearly completed it's la
bors. and the results of its exhaustive
inquiry into the proper route, the feast
bility and the cost OF construction OF az
inter-OceaniC canal by q NiCaraguan
route VIII be laid before you.
In view Cf OVertureS made TO the gov
eruments of Nicaragua and Costa T;ica
by other parties Tor & new canal COR
cGssion pTeGiCateG on the assumed ap-
preaching lapse Of the contracts Of the
Maritime Canal company with those
states / have not hesitated to express
nv conviction that considerations of
expediency and international policy as
between the several governments in
terested in the construction and control
Of an inte--oCcanic canal by this route
require the maintenance of the status
quo until the canal commission shall
have reported and the United States
congress shall have had the opportunity
10 PASS finally upon the whole matter
during the present session
Nevertheless il appears that the gov
crn-rent of Nicarl qua. as one Of its last
sovereign acts before merging its pow
ers IN those Of the newly formed United
States 81 Central America has granted
an optional concession To- another as
ISOLATION. to become effective or the ex-
piration Of the present grant.
All these circumstance suggest the
urgency of some definite action by the
congress al this session OF the la bors OF
the PAST are TO be utilized and the link
ing OF the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
by a practical wateISay is to be real
lied.
That the construction OF such a mari
time highway is now more than ever
indispensable TO that intimate ana
ready luter-c 1mmuricatiOn between our
eastern and western seaboards demand
ed 10y the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands and the prospective expansion
OF our influence and commerce TO Pa
cific and that our rational policy now
more imperatively than ever calls for
its control by this government, are
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06

s-n covernr1s nt realizing sense Of the
hOpe Iessness 81 continuing a struggle
now becoming wholly unequal il made
overtures OF peace through the French
am AMBASSADOR, MO with the assent Of his
government had acted as the friendly
representative OF Spanish interests dur
ing the war. on the 2Gth of July NJ
CANNON presented q communication
signed by the Duke AZ AlmOdovar. the
Spanish minister of state. inviting the
Tilted States To SKATE the terms upon
which u wGu.1 = ling 20 make
peace on July 20. - : communication
addressed =. tha DUSe Of AlmcdDvar
ard handed to NJ. Camhnn. the terms OF
this government were announced, sub
5taUtiaHy as in the protocol afterwards
sigrCd.
on Aug. 10, the Spanish reply datel
Aug. :. was handed by NJ. Camboa u
me secretary OF state. II accepted un-
conGitioHaly the terms imposed as To
Cuba. Porto Rico and an island of the
Lsdrores group. but appeared to seek
to Introduce inadmiSsib.e -reseTva tons
in regard to our demand as TO the
Philippines. Conyeivirg tha. discussion
on this point could neither BE- practical
be l directed that in order to avoid
TEiSCnG -anGtrS the matter should be
forthwith closed by proposing the en-
bOdImvnt IN 4 formal protocol of the
terms in which the negotiations for
peace We're 10 lie ur 1ertaken. The vague
and iuDxpliCit suggestions of the Span
ish note could not be accepted. the only
reply being 10 present as a virtual ulti-
matum q draft of protocol embOdying
the precise terms rendered t. Spain IN
our note of July 20. with added Stipuia-
tons Of detail as To the appointment CT
commissioners to arrange for the eVac-
cation of the Spanish Antilles.
on Aug l.. NJ. Canbon announced his
receipt Of fun powers to sign the pro-
tocol so submitted. Accordingly. On the
afternoon 81 Aug. Il, NJ. CambOn. as the
plenipOtentiary Of the United States,
signed a protocol
THE protocol az heretofore printed is
here introduced in substance. It's sig
nature resulted in the suspension of
huStilities AID on Aug. Is the muster
out of 100000 men was ordered. on
Dec. I. 101 100 had been mustered out
The appointment of evacuation com
missions fo- Cuba and Porto Rico and
If the peace commission row sitting -
Paris is hcre recnuntad.l
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
LEGISLATION HE RECOMMENDS.
Notes Redeemed in Gold should BE Elk
changed Agnin Only for Gold.

I renew so much of recommendation
OF December 1897, as follows: THAT
when any OF the United States notes
are presented for redemption in gold.
and are redeemed in gold, such notes
shall be kept and set apart and only
paid out in exchange for gold. This is
= n obvious duty. If the holder Of the
United States note prefers the gold and
gets il from the government he should
not receive back from the government
4 United States note without paving
gold in exchange for il. The reason
for this is made all the more apparent
when the government issues an inter-
est-bearinS debt TO provide gold for
the redemption Of United States notes
"a bearing debt Surely
IL should not ray 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 therl-another in
terest-bearing debt to redeem a non
interest bearing debt
This recommendation was made in
the belief that such provisions of law
would insure to a greater degree the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-06
I.npromptu justices.

The St james Budget tells the fol
lowing somewhat unbelievable story
CLEANED from tho columns of the Lon.
don Times:
Herr Wolff, special correspondent Of
The Tageblatt, having an idle day some.
where between Kiao Chou and Using
tau, went out in quest of adventures
with his dog, Schuster, and his clerk.
Arriving at a courthouse, he found
mandarin preparing to try Is Chinese,
charged with numbering German mis-
sionaries. Waving Il piece of paper,
which he declared was his warrant, hu
promptly took the highest seat, ordered
"HeIr Won Schuster" to take tho next
III dignity to his right, placed his clerk
Oh his left, waved aside the bewildercd
mandarin, who doubtless thought that
this was the mailed fist in person,
and called for the prisoners, whom,
without hearing evidence, he promptly
acquitted. He then rode Off, followed
by Herr von Schuster and the clerk, de-
claring that the order Of the day was ut
an end.