Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-08

OF our industries and internal commerce
rs TO be adequate and responsive to
such -needs is u proposition scarcely
less important, The subject, in oil its
parts, Is commepdcd to the wise con-
sideration of the Congress.
SHOULD IIAyE a MARArIME PoLIcY.
The annexation OF Hawaii and the
changed relations of the United States
10 Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philip
pines resulting from the war compel
The prompt adoption OF maritime
policy by tho United States. There
should be established regular and
frequent steamship communication,
encouraged by the United States. under
the American flag with the newly ac-
quired islands. Spain furnished to Its
colonies, at an annual Gust Of about
81, 000, 600, steamship lines commune.
eating with q portion of the worlds
markets as we'll as with trade centres
of tho home government, The United
States will not undertake to do less.
IL Is or duty to furnish the people Of
Hawaii with facilities, under national
control for their expert and import
trade. IL will be conceded that the
/ present situntion CALLS for legislation
which shali be prompt, durable and
liberal.
The part which American merchant
vessels and their seamen performed in
tho war with Spain demonstrates that
this service, furnishing both pickets
and the second line of defence. is a
national necessity, and should be en-
couraged In every constitutional way,
Details and methods for the accomp-
lishment of this purpose are discussed
IN the report Of the Secretary of the
Treasury, to which the attention of
Congress la respectfully invited.
YELLOW FEVER IN OUR POSSESS oSs.
In my last annual message | recon-
mended that Congress authorize the
appointment Of IL commission for the
purpose OF making systematic investi-
cations with reference to the cause
| and prevention Of yellow fever. This
matter has acquired an increased inn
portanee MS result of the military
occupation of the island of Cuba and
the commercial intercourse between
| this island mud the United States
| which we have every reason 10 expect.
The sanitary problem connected with
our new rotations with the island of
Cuba and the acquisition of Porto
Rico are no less important than those
| relating to finance, commerce and adj
miaistration. 1t is my earnest desire
that these problems may be considered
| by competent experts and that every
! thing may be done which the most
| recent advance in sanitary science can
offer for the protection of the health of
our soldiers In those islands and of our
citizens who are exposed to the dangers
! of infection from tho importation of
| yellow fever. | therefore renew my
recommendation that the authority
Of Congress may he given and u suit
. commission Of experts to b. APP
pointed for the purpose indicated.
INCREASE OF THE REGULAR ARMY.
| Under the act OF Congress approved
April I'd, 1895, authorizing the Prasi-
| dent in his discretion, under de-
claration Of war by Congress, or u
declaration by Congress that war
exists, y I directed the increase of the
regular army to the maximum of G., :
900, authorized IN said act.
| Thereflre now in tho regular army
81, 1892 officers and men. In said act
any war in which the United States
be reduced to peace basis by the
|
absorption by promotion or honorable
discharge Under such regulations MS
the Secretary of War may establish Of
| supernumerary commissioned officers
and the honorable discharge or transfer
of supernumerary enlisted men; and
nothing contained in this act shall be
construed, as authorizing the per-
| manent increase of. the commissioned
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 25
majors provided for in section one
Tho Importance of legislation for the
permanent increase of the army is
therefore manifest, and the recon.
mendation OF the Secretary Of War fol
that purpose has my unqualified ap-
proval. There can be no question that
at this time, and probably for some
time in the future, 100000 men will
be none too many to meet the neces.
stiles of the situation. At all events,
whether that number shall be required
permanently or not, the power should
BIO given to the President to enlist that
force if in his discretion it should be
necessary; and the further discretion
within tho above limit from the in
habitants of the islands with the gov.
eminent of which we arc charged.
1t is my purpose to muster out the
entire volunteer army as soon rs the
Congress shall provide for the intreast
of the regular establishment. This
will be only an act OF justice and will
be much appreciated by the brave mer
| who left their homes and employment
to help the country in its emergency.
SALE of THE PACIFIC RAILROADS.
In my last annual message l stated
1.-THE Union Pacific Railway. mair
line, was sold under the decree of The
United States Court for the Distric
A of Nebraska on the LIST and I'd of No
the government consisted of the prin
cipal of the subsidy bonds, 1877, 230, 5l3
and the accrued interest thereon, S31,
2l1, I'll. 10, making the total indebted
ness s68, 446, 223. rs. The bid at the
sale covered the first mortgage lien ant
the entire mortgage claim Of the gov
ernment, principal and interest. ~
Il This left the Kansas Pacific case un
concluded BY a decree of the cour
in that case an upset price for tn,
property was fixed at sum which
would yield to the government onl,
80, 100000 upon its lien. The sale a
the instance of the government wa
postponed first to December 10Th, 1897
and later upon the application of TIN
United States was postponed to tn,
18th day Of February, 1898.
!, Having satisfied myself that the in
terests oil the government required tina
, an effort should be made to obtain