davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

dom and justice of a modification of the
third section Of the act of June a. 1890
which provides pensions for the widows
of officers and enlisted men who served
ninety days or more during the war of
the rebellion and were honorably dis
charged. provided that such widows are
without other means Of support than their
daily labor and were married to the SOL
der. sailor or marine on account OF whose
service they claim pension prior to the
date of the act.
The present holding Of the department
is that If the widows income aside from
her daily labor does not exceed In
amount what her pension would be, to-
wit, SOC per annum. she would be deem
ed TO be without other means of support
than her daily labor and would be en-
titled to pension under this act, while
II the widows income independent of
the amount received by her as the result
OF her daily labor exceeds SOC, she would
not be pensionable under the act I am
advised by the Commissioner of Pensions
that the amount of the income allowed
before title to pension would be barred
has varied widely under different admin
istrations of the Pension Office, as well
as during different periods of the same
administration and has been the cause of
just complaint and criticism. With the
approval of the Secretary of the Inte-
At'A' 80 NS'i'4iiA''4'4A'A VI ehSioiS rec
ommends that. in order to make the prac-
tice at all times uniform and to do JUS
tice to the dependent widow, the amount
of income allowed independent of the
proceeds OF her daily labor should be not
less than $3.50 per annum and he urges
that Congress shall so amend the act as
TO permit the Pension Office to grant
pensionable status 10 widows under the
term OF the third section OF the act of
June Il, 1890, whose income aside from
the proceeds of daily labor is not in ex-
cess of $3.50 per annum. I believe this to
be simple act of justice and 1 heartily
recommend It
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

of the contemplation of law in the treat
ment of some classes of mail matter
which wrongly exercise the privilege of
the pound rate, and shows that IL this
matter had been properly classified and
had paid the rate which 1t should have
paid, instead of a postal deficit last fiscal
year of $6,61O,00O, there would have been
on one basis a surplus of 81, ,637,570 and on
another $, 1886. The reform thus sug-
gested. in the opinion of the Postmaster
General. would not only put the postal
service at once on a self-sustaining basis,
but would permit great and valuable i'm
provements, and l commend the subject
to the consideration of Congress.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
POSTAL SERVICE.

In restoring peaceful conditions, order
ly rule and civic progress In Cuba, Porto
Rico. and. so far as practicable. in the
Philippines, the rehabilitation of the pos
tai service has been an important part
or the work. 1t became necessary to pro-
VIDE mail facilities both for our forces of
occupation and for the native population.
To meet this requirement has involved n
substantial reconstruction. The existing
systems were so fragmentary, defective
and inadequate that a new and compre-
hensive organization had TO be created.
american trained officials have been as
signed TO the directing and executive posi-
uons' while the natives have been chiefly
employed in making up the body OF the
force. In working out this plan the merit
rule has been vigorously and faithfully
applied.
The appointment OF Director General Of
Posts OF Cuba was given to an exnert
who has been Chief Postoffice Inspector
and Assistant Postmaster General. and
who united large experience with capaci-
tN. For the pOStmasterehin Of H.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
PENSIONS.

On the Goth of June. 1899, the pension roll
OF the United States numbered 99l, ,5l9
These include the pensioners of the army
and navy in all our wars. The number
added TO the rolls during the year was
4O.sel. The number dropped by reason of
death, remarriage, minors by legal lin
itations, failure to claim within three
years and other causes was 43, ,1S3, and the
number Of claims disallowed was l07. .9l7.
During the year S9O54 pension certificates
were issued, OF which 37.077 were for new
or original pensions. The amount dis
bursed for army aud navy pensions dur
ing the year was s13S. .355, ,052 30, which was
81 ,65l ,461 81 less than the sum of the ap-
preparations. The Grand Army OF the Re-
public at its recent national encampment
held In Philadelphia has brought to my at
tention and to that OF Congress the wis.,
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lion mas equal pride In its early
and later achievements. Its habitual
readiness for every emergency has won
the confidence and admiration Of the
country. The people are interested in the
continued preparation and prestige Of the
navy and will justify liberal appropria-
tions for its maintenance and improve
ment The officers have shown peculiar
adaptation for the performance of new
and delicate duties which our recent war
has imposed.
1t cannot be doubted that Congress will
at once make necessary provision for ar
NOR plates for the vessels now under
contract and building. Its attention is
respectfully called to the report of the
Secretary Of the Navy, in which the sub
feet Is fully presented. l unite in his
recommendation that Congress enact such
legislation as may be necessary to enable
the department 10 make contracts early
in the coming year for armor OF the best
quality that can be obtained in this coun-
try for the Maine. Ohio and Missouri, and
that the provision OF the act OF March 3.
1899 limiting the price OF armor to $500
per ton, be removed.
In the matter OF naval construction Ii is
said Italy and Japan OF the great powers
laid down less tonnage In the year 1899
than this country. and Italy alone has
less tonnage under construction. heart
fly concur in the recommendations for
the increase Of the navy as suggested by
the Secretary. Our future progress and
prosperity depend upon our ability to
equal IL not surpass other nations in the
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

S54 ofhcers and 1926 enlisted men:
in Porto Rico 81 officers and 1855
enlisted men. and battalion of 400
men composed OF native Porto Ricans:
while stationed throughout the United
states are 80 officers and 1917 men, and
In Hawaii y officers and 453 enlisted men.
The operations of the army are fully
presented in the report of the Secretary
OF War. L cannot withhold from officers
and men the highest commendation for
their soldierly conduct in trying situa-
uons, their willing sacrifices for their
country and the interest and ability with
which they have performed unusual and
difficult duties in our island possessions
In the organization OF the volunteer
regiments authorized by the act of March
? 1899, Il was found that no provision had
been made for chaplains. This omission
was doubtless from inadvertence. I rec
ommend the early authorization for the
appointment OF one chaplain for each of
said regiments. These regiments are now
In the Philippines and II is important that
Immediate In
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upon. interfering with or entangling it
self in the political questions of policy or
Internal administration OF any foreign
state; nor shall anything contained in the
said convention be construed TO imply
REIMBURSEMENT by the United States OF
America Of its traditional attitude toward
purely American questions" l
Thus interpreted, the convention for
the pacific settlement OF international
conflicts may be regarded as realizing the
earnest desire Of great numbers OF Amer
lean citizens whose deep sense of Justice.
expressed In numerous resolutions and
memorials. has urged them TO labor for
this noble achievement The general
character OF this convention, already
signed by the DELEGATES Of more thar
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States manufacturers as TO qualities,
styles and prices Of goods such as meet
the special demand of consumers and may
be exported with advantage
In connection with the exposition an
international Commercial Congress was
held, on the invitation OF the Philadelphia
Commercial Museum, transmitted by the
Department OF State TO the various for
eign Governments for an exchange of in
formation and opinions. with a view TO
the promotion Of International trade This
invitation met with general and cordial
acceptance and the congress, which be-
gan its sessions at the exposition on Oc-
tober lS. proved TO be of great financial
Importance from the fact that II devel-
oped general recognition OF the inter
dependence Of nations in trade, and
most gratifying spirit OF accommodation
with reference TO the gradual removal OF
existing impedlment~ 20 reciprocal rela-
lions, without injury to the industrial in
terests OF either party.
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enlargement and advance OF science, in
dustry and commerce. To invention We
must turn as one OF the most powerful
aids TO the accomplishment OF such a re-
suit. Tho attention of Congress is direct
ed TO the report of the Commissioner OF
Patents. in which will be valuable sugges-
tons and recommendations.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

sions of the Filipinos continually in
creased, until finally. just before the time
set for the Senate OF the United States for
a vote upon the treaty. an attack. evil
IDENTIFY prepared in advance. was made all
along the American lines, which resulted
In terribly destructive and sanguinary
repulse OF the Insurgents
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national differences before resorting 10
the use OF force.
The provision for arbitration con-
templates the formation OF a permanent
tribunal before which disputed cases may
be brought for settlement by the mutual
consent OF the litigants in each separate
case. The advantages OF such a perma-
nent tribunal over impromptu commits
sions OF arbitration are conceived to be
the actual existence OF a competent court
prepared to administer justice. the greater
economic resulting from a well devised
system and the accumulated judicial skill
and experience which such a tribunal
would soon possess. While earnestly pro-
noting the idea of establishing a perma-
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

international ar b itra-
ton.
The mediation provid-
cd for by the convention
Is purely voluntary and
advisory and is intend
ed TO avoid any inva-
sion OF limitation OF
the sovereign rights Of
the adhering States.
The commissions on the
Inquiry proposed con-
sist Of delegations 10 be
specifically constituted
for particular purposes
by means OF conven-
tions. but the contest
ing parties having for
their object the clear
,,nd dersra ndiug OF inter
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
DAWES COMMISSION.

The Dawes Commission reports that
gratifying progress has been made in its
work during the preceding year. The field
work Of enrolment of four of the nations
has been completed. 1 recommend that
Congress at an early day make liberal
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

up for surplus farm and factory products
in Europe and in Asia. The outlook for
the education of the young farmer
through agricultural college experiment
stations, with opportunity given to
specialize in the Department OF Agricul-
ture. is very promising. The people of
Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands have been helped by the estab-
lishment OF experiment stations to more
scientific knowledge of the production of
coffee, india rubber and other tropical
products. for which there is demand in the
United States.
There is widespread interest in the i'm
provement of our public highways at the
present time, and the Department OF Ag-
ricuiture is cooperating with the people
in each locality in making the best pos
sible roads from the local material, and
in experimenting with steel tracks.
A more intelligent system of managing
the forests of the country is being put
in operation, and a careful study OF the
whole forestry problem is being conducted
throughout the United States. A very ex-
tensive and complete exhibit of the ag-
ricultural and horticultural products Of
the United States is being prepared for
the Paris Exposition.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
CARS CONFERENCE.

In response 10 the invitation of his
Majesty the Emperor Of Russia, dele
gates from twenty-siX countries were as
sembled al The Hague on the 18th of May
as members OF a conference in the In
terest OF peace. The commission from
the United States consisted of the Hon
Andrew White, the Hon. Seth Low. the
Hon. Stanford Newell, Captain Afford T.
Mahan OF the United States navy. Cap
tain William 7. Crozier OF the United
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

nent international t'i-
bunal the delegation
Of the United States
was not unmindful Of
the inconven / e n c e $
which might arise
from an obtrusive exer-
rise OF mediation. and in
signing the convention
carefully guarded the
historic position Of the
United States by the
following declaration:
Nothing contained in
this convention shall be
30 construed as TO re-
quire the United States
Of America TO depart
from its traditional poll
lev of not intrliding
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

ana clerks
The postal system in Cuba, though re-
naming under the general guidance OF
the Postmaster General, was made essen
TALLY independent. 1t was felt that n
should not be burden on the postal serv-
ice of the United States. and provision
was made that any deficit In the postal
revenue should be a charge upon the
general revenue of the island. Though
Porto Rico and the Philippines held a diff
ferent relation to the United States va,
for convenience of administration. tho
same principle of an autonomous system
has been extended to them. Deyelopmant
OF the service in all of the islands has
been rapid and successful. II has moved
forward on American lines, with free de-
livery. money order and registry system
and has given the people mail facilities
far greater and more reliable than thev
have ever before enjoyed. 1t is thus not
only vital agency of industrial social
and business progress, but an Important
influence in diffusing a just UNDERSTANDING
OF the true spirit and character of Ameri
can administration.
The domestic postal service continues to
grow with extraordinary rapidity Tho
expenditures and the revenues will excaad
500, O,0O0 during the current year. For
tunately. since the revival of prosperous
times the revenues have grown much
faster than the expenditures, and there Is
every indication that short period will
witness obliteration of the annual deficit.
In this connection the report of the Post
master General embodes a statement NJ
some evils which have grown up outside
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
AMERICAN REPUBLICS.

The interest taken by the various
States forming the international union OF
American republics in the work OF its or
Fauic bureau is evidenced by the fact that
for the first time since its creation In 1890
all the republics OF South and Central
America are now represented in IL.
The unanimous recommendation OF the
International American Conference pro-
NIliug FOR the international union OF
American republics stated IL should con-
tlllc in force during a term OF ten years
fr0in fhe date OF It's organization. and no
cnHutrg becoming a member OF the union
SHOULD cease 10 be a member until the end
of ld period OF ten years. and unless
twelve months before the expiration OF
eaIl period a majority OF the members OF
tle union had given 10 the Secretary OF
State of the United States official notice
of 'heir wish 10 terminate the union at
the end ~ its first period that the union
should continue 10 be maintained for an
ot er period OF ten years and thereafter
u itr the same conditions for successive
periods ~ ten years each.
.l. period FOR notification expired on
Jrr a. 1899. without any OF the members
having given the necessary notice OF with
otanai
Tfs maintenance Is therefore assured for
ffe next ten years. In view OF this fact
o. .i ~ the numerous questions OF general
!rterest and common benefit 10 all OF the
T-uresentatives Of America, some OF
which were considered by the first inter
national conference but not finally set
tied. and others Of which have since then
q swn TO Importance. II would seem eX-
pelient that the various republics consu-
t1rng the Union should be invited 10 hold
a. ara early date another conference in
than the United States, which has al
ready en1oved this
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

gress may undertake ~ is most
important. IN my judgment, that the re-
suits already secured by the efforts OF the
Department OF State should be carefully
considered. with a view 10 a Judicious de-
velopment and increasing utility TO our
exror+ sraHa
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
THE ARMY.
President Commends Conduct Of OFF,
GERS and Men In Trying Situations
and Unusual Difficulties.
~o~o~o~o ~o~ o~ o~oAo@oMo@e

Since my last annual message and in
obedience TO the acts of Congress of
April p and 26, 1888, the remaining volun-
teer force enlisted for the Spanish war.
consisting Of 3, ,S34 regulars and 1l0,202
volunteers, with over 5000 volunteer Off
GERS. has been discharged from the mill
tary service. OF the volunteers 667 off,
GERS and 14,S31 men were serving in the
Philippines, and 1850 of the regulars, who
were entitled 10 be mustered out after
the ratincaton Of the treaty of peace,
voluntarily remained at the front
until their places could be filled by new
troops. They were returned home in the
order in which they went to Manila and
are now all OF them out of the service
and in the ranks of citizenship. l rec
ommend that Congress provide a special
medal Of honor for the volunteers, regu-
lars, sailors and marines on duty In the
Philippines. who voluntarily remained IN
the service after their terms of enlistment
had expired.
BY the act of March 2. 1899. Congress
has authority to increase the regular
army TO a maximum not exceeding Go 900
enlisted men, and TO enlist a force of 35.-
600 volunteers, TO be recruited from the
country at large. BY virtue OF this au-
thority the regular army has been in
creased TO the number OF 81 ,999-enlisted
men and 224S officers, and new volunteer
regiments have been organized aggregat-
ing 33.050 enlisted men and 1924 officers
Two Of these volunteer regiments are
made up OF colored men, with colored line
officers. The new troops TO take the
places Of those returning from the Phil
ippines have been transported to Manila
10 the number Of 5S1 officers and 25 800 en-.
listed men Of the regular army and 594
officers and 10. .5SS enlisted men Of the new
voluntees force, while 5O4 officers and a.
1l9 men OF the volunteer force are on the
ocean en- route TO Manila.
The force now in Manila consists OF ao5
officers and 30,50S regulars and 5e4 officers
and l53S OF the volunteers. making an
aggregate OF 1853 officers and 45 .966 men.
When the troops now under orders shall
reach Manila, the force in the archipelaFo
will comprise POSI- officers and Sc. asa men.
The muster out OF the great vnlnntnnr
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
LID OUR MERCHANT MARINE BUILD NICARAGUA CANAL LAY PACIFIC CABLE

ratification by the Senate prior to its ad
Journment on the 9Th OF March last. Some
of the pending negotiations. however.
were near conclusion at that time. and
the resulting conventions have since been
signed 10y the plenipotentiaries Others.
within both the third and fourth section.
oi The act are stin under consideration.
Acting under the constitutional power of
the executive in respect TO treaties, I
have deemed IL my duty while observing
the limitations OF concession provided by
The fourth section 10 bring TO a conclu-
sion All pending negotiations and submit
them 10 the Senate for It's advice and
consent
Conventions OF reciprocity have been
signed during the Congressional recess
with Great Britain for the respective colo
nles OF British Guiana. Barbados. Ber-
nuda, jamaica and Turks and Caicos
Islands. and with the republic OF Mica
ragua
Important reciprocal conventions have
also been concluded with France and with
the Argentine Republic.
in my last annual MESSAGE the progress
noted IN the work OF the diplomatic con-
sular officers IN collecting inforrna tion
as 70 the commerce and industries Of
oiher countries and In the care and
promputude with which the reports are
printed and distributed has continued
during the past year, with increasingly
valuable results IN suggesting new sources
OF demand for American products and in
pointing out the obstacles stiu 20 be over
come In Facilitating the remarkable ex-
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

honor.
The purely interna-
ti0nal character OF the
work being done by the
bureau and the appre-
ciation Of its value are
further emphasized by
the active cooperation
which the various Gov
eruments OF the Latin
American republics and
their diplomatic repre-
Bentauves IN this cap
ital are now exhibiting
and the zealous endeav-
ors they are making TO
extend It's field OF use
fulness, 70 promote
through its commercial
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

the amelioration OF the laws and
customs OF war on land. the adapta-
ton 10 maritime warfare OF the
principles Of the Geneva convention OF
1864, and the extension of judicial meth
odsN TO international cases. The conven-
ton for the pacific settlement OF inter
national conflicts embodies the leading
features OF the American plan, with such
notifications as We're rendered necessary
by the great adversely OF views and in
terests represented by the delegates. The
four titles Of the convention provide for
maintenance of general peace, the exer-
else OF good Offices and mediation. tie
formation OF commissions OF inquiry and
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06


the range of skilled and
available men was
scanned, and the choice
fell on one who had
been twenty years in
the service as deputy
postmaster and post
master of a large city.
This principle governed
and determined the Sc
lection of the American
officials sent, not only
TO Cuba but to Porto
Rico and the Philip
pines. and they were in
structed to apply It as
far as practicable in the
employment of the ma
tives as minor post
masters and clerks.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

~
army organized for the
Spanish war and the
creation OF a new
army. the transporta-
ton TO Manila to San
Francisco OF those en-.
titled TO discharge and
the transportation OF
the new troops TO take
their places have been
a work OF great magni-
tude, well and ably
done, for which too
much credit cannot be
given the War Depart
ment.
During the year we
have reduced our force
in Cuba and Porto Rico.
In Cuba We now have
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

pansion OF our foreign
trade. IL viii doubtless
be gratifying 70 Con-
Eress TO learn that the
various agencies OF the
Department OF State
are cooperating IN
these endeavors with
zeal and effectiveness
which are not only re-
ceivinE the cordial rec
ignition OF our business
interests but are receiv-
ing the emulation OF
other governments. In
any arrangement OF the
great and complicated
work OF obtaining off,
cial data OF an economic
character which Con-
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

States army and the
Hon. Frederick w.
Hollis, secretary. The
occasion seemed to be
opportune for the seri-
GUS consideration OF a
plan for the pacific ad-
justment OF interna-
tional differences, a
subject in which the
American people have
been deeply interested
for many years, and a
definite project for a
permanent international
tribunal was included in
the instruction 10 the
delegates to the United
States.
The final act Of the
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

twenty sovereign States.
further commends IL TO
the favorable action Of
the Senate OF the
United States, whose
rat ( fication II still
awaits.
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06

Rmity and confidence between its various
members and the nations OF this CONT
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
THE NAVY.

The navy has main
tained the spirit and
high efficiency which
have always character
tied that service, and
has lost none OF the
gallantry in heroic ac-
ton which has signal
tied its brilliant and
glorious past. The ma
The San Francisco call., 1899-12-06
FOREST RESERVATIONS.

amount, less about ss.oOO.cOO. within
rarind nf