The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-12-07

an interest bearing debt to provide gold Tor
the redemption OF United States notes-a non-
interest bearing debt. Surely It should not
pay them out again except IN demand Aor
gold. Ii they are put out in any other way
| they may return again. TO be followed oy
| another bond issue to redeem them, another
interest-bearing debt to redeem non-inter-
| st-bearing debt"
This recommendation was made in the be-
| lief that such provisions OF law would insure
| to a greater degree the safety OF the present
| standard. and better protect our currency
| from the dangers to which II Is subjected
| from q disturbance in the general business
| conditions OF the country.
| CURRENCY LEGISLATION NEEDED.
In my Judgment the Iresent CONDITION OF
the treasury amply justihes the Immediate
| enactment Of the legislation recommended
oae year ago. under which portion OF the
| gold holdings should be placed In trust
| fund from which greenbacks would be re-
deemed upon presentation, but when once
redeemed should not thereafter be PAID out
except for gold.
Il is not to be inferred that other legsla-
tion relating 10 our currency is not required,
on the contrary there is obvious demand for
| IL. The Importance OF adequate provision
which will insure to our future money
| standard related as our money standard now
| is to that OF our commercial rivals, Is gener-
ally recognized.
The companion proposition that our domes-
| tic currency shall be kept safe and YET be so.
related to the needs of our industries and IN
| ternal commerce as TO be adequate and re-
sponsivc to such needs is proposition
! scarcely less important. The subject. In all
its parts is commended to the wise consider
alton o. Congress.
The annexation Of Hawaii and the changed
relations of the United States to Cuba, Porto
| Rico AMI the Philippines resulting from the
war. compel the prompt action OF maritime
1 UT..ts. eANA
| be established regular and frequent steam
| ship communication, encouraged by the
United States, under the American nag. win
| the newly acquired issnds. Spain turnisheu
| its colonies at an annual cost OF about Two
millions OF dollars, steamship lines commune
| eating with a portion OF the worlds mar
| kets as well as with trade centers OF tne
home government The United States will
not undertake to do less. II is our duty 10
furnish the people with facilities. under ma
| tional control for their export and import
trade. It will be conceded that the present
! situstion calls for legislation which shah oe
prompt, durable and liberal
, The part which American merchant vessels
and their seamen performed In the war with
Spain demonstrates that this service, FURNISH
ing both plckets and the second line OF de-
| fense, is a national necessity. ana snoulu pe
encouraged in every constitutional way,
Details and methods for the accomplish
ment OF this purpose are discussed In the re-
port of the secretary for the treasury, TO
THE REGULAR ARMY.
Under the act OF Congress approved April
%, 1898, authorizing the President in his as
| cretion upon a declaration of war by Con-
gress, or declaration by Congress that war
exists" directed the increase OF the regular
army to the maximum OF 5000 authorized In
said act.
There are now in the regular army 1852
officers and men. In said act II was PRO-
vided that at the end OF any war. In which
the United States becomes involved the army
shall be reduced TO peace basis by the
transfer in the same arm OF the service or
absorption by promotion or honorable dis
charge under such relations as the secretary
or war may establish Of supernumerary COM
missioncd ofices and the honorable discharge
or transfer OF supernumerary enlisted men
and nothing contained in this act shall be
construed as authorizing the permanent In
crease of the commissioned or enlisted torce
o: the regular army beyond that now Pro-
vided by the law in force prior to the pas
sage of this act. except as to the increase OF
2j majors provided for in section thereof.
The Importance of legislation for the per-
manent increase OF the army Is therefore
manifest, and the recommendation OF the
secretary of war for that purpose has my
qualified approval. There can be no question
that at this time and probably for some time
in sthe future, one hundred thousand men
will be none too many to meet the necessi-
ties OF the situation. At all events. whether
that number shall be required permanently
or not, the power should be given to the
President to enlist that force II In bis dis
cretion 1t should be necessary: and the
further discretion should be given to him to
recruit for the army within the above limit
from the inhabitants OF the island with the
government Of which we are charged.
II is my purpose to muster out the entire
volunteer army as soon as the Congress shall
provide for the increase Of the regular estab-
lshment. This will be only an act OF Justice
and will be much appreciated by the brave
! ,h0 1fff hpfr nd
to help the country in its emergency
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
The following recommendations Of the Sec
retary of the navy relative to the Increase OF
the navy have my earnest approval:
First-Three seagoing sheathed and cop
pered battleships of about 1850 tons trial
displacement carrying the heaviest arInor.
powerful ordnance for vessels OF their class.
and to have the highest practicable speed
and great radius OF action. Estimated cost,
! exclusive Of armor and armament, $3,6OO,OOO
each.
Second-Three sheathed and coppered ar
mored cruisers Of about 900 tons trial dis
placement. carrying the heaviest armor and
: most powerful ordnance for vessels OF their
class, and to have the highest practicable
speed and great radius Of action. Estimated
cost. exclusive Of armor and armament, 81
} 000, 900 each.
Three-Three sheathed and coppered pro-
tected 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 ves-
sells OF their class. Estimated cost, exclusive
of armor and armament, $2.15O.000 each.
: Fourth-Six sheathed and coppered cruisers
of about $500 tons trial displacement; to have
the highest speed compatible with good crus-
ing qualities, great radius Of action, and tC
carry the most powerful ordnance suited to
vessels OF their class. Estimated cost. ex-
, elusive OF armament $1,141, 800 each
join with the secreta Of the navy In
, recommending that the grades Of admiral and
! vice admiral be temporarily revived. to be
filled by officers who have especially dis
tinguished themselves in the war with Spain
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.