The times., 1898-12-05

Order-S,OOO Places Expected for
the Faithful.
On the eve of the converting of Congress
House windows last night and sparklei
among the raindrops and pools among the
dark grasses and foliage In Executive
Park. Inside the mansion there was
blaze of light and the Executive clerks
and messengers were all a-bustle, while an
important conference was held in one OF
the retiring rooms on the lower floor.
To the White House attendants this
conference was but 1.-The usual Sunday
evening social function" but TO close OBJ
servers of current events it was a signifi-
cant gathering.
The conferees were the President, Sen
ator Mark Hanna, Gen. Shafter, AdJt
Gen. corbin, Comptroller of the Currency
Dawes and Surgeon General Sternberg. II
is unnecessary to observe that Gen Miles
was not present.
Printed copies of the Presidents mes
sage to Congress had been received from
the Government Printing Office and were
read and discussed by the guests. Wheth-
er any eliminations. revisions or ADDITIONS
were made to the document is not known
Gen. Shafter was not as rotund ana 1oliy
as he was on the occasion of his last visit
to the Executive Mansion. He has lost
considerable flesh since his peaceful but
painful experiences al Santiago, and wore
the morose expression of face so notice
able among campaigners who participated
in the war in the tropics. He was not
attired in the uniform of his rank. but
wore a dark civilian suit and silk hat.
After emerging from the White House
with Gen. Corbin he stated that his visit
was only a social call on the President.
Senator Hanna fingered until long after
the other conferees had departed, and
talked earnestly with Mr.. Mckinley about
coming events. which are already casting
their shadows before.
While he was at the Executive Mansion
the significant statement was made that
the Forthcoming Executive civil service
order would make 5000 exemptions from
the classified service. These will include,
ii is said,- all the departmental messen-
gers and watchmen, the pension office
surgeons, examiners and special agents
and many other positions in the revenue,
customs and postal service.
The orders has been ready for publica-
ton several days. but 1t is being carefully
and may not be given to the press until
Wednesday.
A friend of the President stated last
night that his message to Congress Will
be the most remarkable state document
since the days of Abraham Lncoln's
wartime Administration" 1t will be
voluminous and an historical review Of
recent events, with comments, sugges
tions and recommendations. Its leading
feature will be the with Spain and
the circumstances attending IL.
1t was Also stated that the President
will not attempt 10 lay down any fixed
line of policy for the permanent govern
ment rofl the Philippines. Porto Rico and
Cuba. That matter is left entirely TO
Congress. with the recommendation that
careful consideration be given to the
colonial i-poiicy, which must, he says, be
somewhat in the nature of an exneri-
ment. He will urge that the regular army
be increased at once to 10000 men, as rec
oAmended by Secretary Alger, Gen. Miles
and Adjt. Gen. Corbin in their annual re-
ports.
The President will also reiterate and
urge Secretary Longs recommendations
for the increase of the navy in order that
our expanding commerce and new posses
sions may be adequately protected.
A chapter of the message will be devoted
sion. Mr.. Mckinley will assure Congress
that its Investigations will be thorough.
and that If any persons are found blame
worthy they will be punished also that If
errors are found in the military system
they viii be corrected.
This chapter of the message was the
most interesting theme discussed at the
conference last night. as IL was of per-
sonsl interest TO at least three of the con-
ferees.
The President does not favor the repeal
of the war taxes at present, owing to i'm.
mediate and prospective heavy demands
upon the Treasury.
Another feature of the message will be
"A detailed statement of the expenditures
of the $50 0o0,000 national defense fund
Mr.. Mckinley will also strongly recon.
mend that immediate steps be taken fol
the construction of the Nicaragua Canal
which he has treated as "a national
necessity
The President expects to hear reassur-
Ing advices from the Peace Commission
after Its session at Paris today He does
not fear a hitch in the negotiations over
the requirement of certain islands fol
coaling and cable stations, and believes
the work of the Commission will be ended
before Saturday.
The opinion seems to be gaining
ground at the White House that Hon
Joseph II. Choate will be appointed am
bassador TO England, unless Senator
Hanna has a dark horse candidate for tn.
place