Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-12-14
THE Presidents MESSAGE.
A Synopsis Of the Doc ment Read To
Congr, 81. VIVA He Recomn IS

A Synopsis Of the Doc ment Read TX
Congr, s.. VIVA He Recomn IS
WASHINGTON, December.5. IS majors
and Representatives were eally on hand
to- day to attend the third session of the
6fty-ffty Congress. For the first time
III eighteen months tie Senate n ember
ship will be in full, S>lasor-elect 81
mon. of Ore Jon, being sworn il to fill
the vacancy. FIVE new II embers were
swor1 in in the Hou e. Those re.
elec ell were congratulated, and those
seated received the gym! athy If theal
colleagues. There WIS the Usual fora
display. Congress exp res by limita-
ton on March 4, 1899, and many mat
ters may be eft unfinished. Speaker
Reed AMI other lc-dors q here. They
are all detefni. CT 10 curtail business
as much as possible.
Congress convened at noon with a
large crowd present. Tic fiist bust
ness was the reading Of the President s
message ana this was proceeded with
Immediately. The message is as fol-
lows:
"To tie Cosgtcss Of the Uaited States:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our
people rejoice in very satisfactory,
steadily and increasing degree OF pros
perity evidenced by tie largest volume
OF bus ness ever recorded. Labor in
all fields of industry has been better
rev rded, the revenue legis' alton of
present C,nsress has increased The
treasury's receipts to tie amount esti
mated by its authors, tie finances of
the government taye been successfully
administered; its credit advanced to
first rank, while is currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard. The military service under our
common flag for righteous cause has
strengthened the national spirit and
serN ed to cement NOE closely the fra
ternai bond be weea every section Of
the country. Mylist message was very
full of considerations Of given ques-
ton, viz: the duty of the government
towards The Spain-Cubln instruction
as heing by far The most important
problem which we were then called
upon to deal W tn. The considerations
then advanced, the exposition of views
therein expressed, d sclosed my sense
of extreme gravity Ct the situati II.
Notwithstan Ing SPANS promise Of
plans to suppress the instruction in
Cuba it continued and 10 alternative
except by phys ! exhaustion OF either
combat was in sight. When the Maine
was blown W last February there was
a suspicious nature of horror which
sti red the nations kea't profoundly.
] akng the evidence Of the sturdy good
sense of the people which was already
d eply toach- d the preceding events in
Cuba Gid not move them to an instant
desperate esclv, but patiently awaited
the finding of the Court of Inquiry.
These matters convinced tbs people
that cis's was at hand aud needed
but brief noe to Congress for prepa-
ration for an emergency, whereupon
that body appropriated $50, 100000 for
national defence. The outbreak of the
war found the nation unprepared, but
eferred enoIts throug diplomatic ne
gotiatons being about Congress; uIti-
matum to Spain for tie withdrawal Ct
the Spanish i.inister, Minister VOID
ford's final ultimatum demanding the
OF Cuba; its ofusal; he