Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
fCont;nnad from First Pare

supernuinerary enlisted men, and moth
ing contained in this act shall be con-
strued as authorizing the permanent
increase of the commissioned or enlist
ed 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 % majors provided
for in section one hereof
The Importance of legislation for the
permanent increase of the army is
therefore manifest, and the recommen-
dation of the secretary of war for that
purpose has my unqualified approval
There can be no question that at this
time, and probably for some time in the
future. 100000 men will be none toe
many to meet the necessities of the sit
uation. AT all events, whether that
number shall be required permanent
ly or not, the power should be given to
the president to enlist that force if in
his discretion it should be necessary,
and the further direction should be Civ
en- him to recruit for the army within
the above limit from the inhabitants OF
the islands with the government OF
which we are charged.
1t is my purpose to muster out the en-.
Lire. HOtui1lSei' army do SOOl DIS Tue COLI
gress shall provide for the increase OF
the regular establishment. This will BIZ
only an act of justice and will be much
appreciated by the brave men who left
their homes and employments to helr
the country in it's emergency.
Railway Matters.
After narrating the proceeding
against the Union Pacific and Kansas
Pacific railroads, the president says:
It is a gratifying fact that the result
of these proceedings against the Union
Pacific system and the Kansas Pacific
line is that the government has re-
ceived on account of it's subsidy claim
the sum of 1854, ISL, 22375, an increase Of
SIS, 997, 1876 over the sum which the
reorganization committee originally
agreed to bid for the joint property, the
government receiving its whole claim
principal and interest, on the Union Pa
cific and the principal of its debt on
the Kansas Pacific railroad.
The president recommends the cree
ton of new building for the depart
ment of justice at Washington and a
separate building for the supreme court
He details the work of the postal serv-
ice in connection with the war. He
approves the secretary of the navys
recommendations for more battleships
and recommends the temporary revival
of the ranks of admiral and vice admi-
raj. The pension rolls are discussed
as is the work of the department of the
interior for the past year and of the de-
partment of agriculture. He recon-
mends an appropriation for the celebra-
ton in 1900 of the centennial of the city
of Washington, saying:
recommend to the congress the
granting of an appropriation for this
purpose and the appointment of COM
mittee from it's respective bodies. II
might also be advisable to authorize
the president to appoint a committee
from the country at large, which, act
ing with the congressional and Dis
trict of Columbia committees, can COM
iplete the plans for an appropriate ma
tional celebration.
The alien contract labor law is show
ing by experience to need some amend
ment A measure providing better pro
lection for seamen is proposed, the
rightful application of the eight hour
Jaw for the benefit of labor and of the
principle of arbitration is suggested
for consideration, and l commend thesf
subjects to the careful attention of tn
congress. WILLIAM MKINLEY.