Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-10-26
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr.. Mckinley Will Now Commence on His
Communication to Congress Whist
the Message viii Contain.

Washington, Oct. 20.--With the re
turn Of President Mckinley and his
cabinet will be commenced the prep
aration of what promises to be an
unusually important message to con-
gress. Stripped Of his congratulatory
references To the prosperity of the
country, and Of the extensive review
he will make of the progress Of events
during the past year, the message will
treat of the more important subjects in
about this way:
Sovereignty in the Philippines to be est h..
lished by all the force tlat may be needed and
to be maintained permanently; civil GOVERN
ment to follow the military at the earliest pos
siple moment, and wide latitude to be allowed
10 the natives in local self-government The
recommendations for the specific form Of civil
government TO be established IN the islands to
be based on conclusions Of the Philippine com
mission, which Will meet In Washington next
month TO prepare Its report In recommending
definite action by the coming congress us to the
future government Of the Philippines attention
will be called to reports from competent au-
thorities showing the great commercial impor-
tance Of the Islands.
Military occupation OF Cuba to be continued
until some substantial progress has been made
through the medium Of suffrage toward the es-
tablishment Of an independent form Of govern
ment. Attention will be called to the wonder
full improvement in the island during the past
year not only commercially and agrlculturally,
but also in the sanitary condition Of the cities
and towns. The question Of annexation will be
left open
Civil government TO Immediately replace the
present military government in Porto Rico, to
be based upon recommendations made by Gen.
Davis the present military governor.
Immediate legislation TO put in effect terri
torial form Of government in Hawaii. Moditl-
cations OF the pending bills to correspond more
nearly with the present government Of the
island
The necessity for q new executive department
with cabinet officer at Its head, to have charge
OF all matters relating to interstate, colonial
and foreign commerce which are now scattered
among the several different departments, to be
strongly urged
The maintenance Of the present gold standard.
Currency and banking recommendations to be
based upon the conclusion of the republican
caucus committee Of the house OF representa-
tives and the republican members Of the finance
committee of the senate Attention will be d.
rected to the satisfactory working OF the tariff
and the internal revenue laws and to the fact
that receipts Of the government are equal to
the expenditures, Notwithstanding the heavy
drain Of the Philippine campuisn.
Emphasis is to be given to former recon-
mendations and to the Importance OF early ac-
tiOn by congress for the construction OF an in
teroceanic waterway to meet the new military
and commercial situation growing out OF the
acquisition Of islands in the Caribbean sea and
In the Pacific ocean.
Recommendations to be made for the con-
Of a memorial bridge connecting
Washington with the Arlington national Gene
terry, to commemorate the memory OF the men
who fell in the civil and Spanish wars and to
symbolic the reunion Of the north and SOUTH
Recommendations for the permanent reorgan-
ization OF the army to be delayed until after the
close of the war In the Philippines; regulars
and volunteers generally TO be commended for
heroic conduct, and recommendations to be
made for special medals for all volunteers who
remained in service after the ratification Of the
treaty of peace with Spain and for all regulars
who specially distinguished themselves under
Are