Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-12-15
OF STATE.
The President Transmits His An
nual Message to Congress.
Urges an Extension of Powers of National
Banks and Pronounces for the Gold
Standard-Conditions In New Coloni-
al Possessions Dwelt Upon.

washington, Dec 6.-EreSldent NC
Kinley to-day transmitted the follow
ing message to the Fifty-sixth con-
gress:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives:
At the threshold Of your deliberations you are
called to mourn with your countrymen the death
of Vice President Hobart, who passed from life
the morning of November 81 last His good
soul now rests in eternal peace. His private
life pure and elevated, while his public
career was ever dist nguiShed by large capacity,
stainless integrity. and exalted motives. He
has been removed from the high office which he
honored and dignied. but his lofty character,
his devotion to duty, his honesty of purpose,
and noble virtues remain with US, a priceless
legacy and example
As to the COuntry's Condition.
The Fifty sixth congress convenes in its first
regular session with the country in condition
of unusual prosperity, of universal good will
among the people at home and in relations OF
peace aud friendship with every government of
the world. Our foreign commerce has shown
great increase in volume and value. The COM
bfned imports and exports for the year are the
largest ever shown in a sin lie year in all our
history. Our exports for 1899 alone exceeded by
more than ST. ,0GC, 600 90 imports and exports
combined in 1870. The imports per capita are
20 per cent less than in i8.0 while the exports
per capita are IS Fer cent. more than in 1870,
showing the enlarged capacity o. the United
States to satisfy the wants OF its own increas-
ing population, as well as to contribute to those
of the people of other na.ionS
The National Banking Act.
In its earlier history the national banking act
seemed to prove reasonable avenue through
which needful additions to the circulation could
from time to time be made. Changing eondi-
lions have apparently render I'd it now inOpera-
tive to that end Tie high margin in bond Sc
curitieS required, resulting from large premi-
ums which government bonds command in the
market, or the tax on note issues or both oper
ating together, appear to be the influences
which impair its public utility.
The attention Of congress is respectfully in
vited to This important matter with the view of
ascertaining whether or not such reasonable
notifications be made in the national
banking act as will render its service in the par
iiculars here referred to more responsive to the
copies needs 1 again urge that national banks
he authorized to organize with capital Of ss5,
uOu.
For the Gold Standard.
urgently recommend that to support the ex-
listing gold standard and to maintain 1.-The par
ity in value of the coins of the two metals gold
and silver and the equal power of every dollar
at all times in the market and in the payment
OF debts" the secretary of the treasury be
given additional power and charged with the
duty to sell United States bonds and to employ
such other effective means as may be necessary
to these ends. The author. ty should include
the power to sell bonds on long and short time,
as conditions may require. and should provide
for rate Of interest lower than that fixed by
the act of January A. 1875. While there is now no
commercial fright which witndraws gold from
the government, but on the contrary such
widespread confidence that gold seeks the
treasury demanding piper money in exchange,
yet the very situation points to the present as
the most fitting time to make adequate provi-
sion to insure the continuance of the gold stand
ard and Of public confidence in the ability and
purpose OF the government to meet all its obi
cations in the money which the civilized world
recognizes as the best. The financial transac-
tions of the government are conducted upon o
gold basis. We receipt gold when wesell United
nTnpI Ar,. dc nr6 Co.
We are maintaining the parity of all the money
issued coined by authority of the govern
ment. We doing these things with the
means at hand Happily at the present time we
are not compelled to resort to loans to supply
gold. It has been done in the past however,
and may have to be done in the future. Tt be-
hoOveS us, therefore, to provide at once the best
means to meet the emergency when it arises,
and the best means those which are the
most certain and economical. Those now au-
JhoriZed have the virtue neither of directness or
economy. We have already eliminated one OF
the causes OF our financial plight and embar-
rassment during the years $685. 1884, 1895 and
1896. Our receipts now equal our expenditures;
deficient revenues no longer create alarm. Let
remove the only remaining by confer
s1ng the full and necessary power on the Secre-
tary of the treasury and impose upon him the
duty to uphold the present gold standard and
preserve the coins OF the two metals on a parity
with each other, which is the repeatedly de-
clared policy OF the United States
mendations that portion of the gold holdings
shall be placed in trust fund from which
greenbacks shall be redeemed upon presenta-
'tion. but when once redeemed shall not there
after be paid out except for gold.
Trusts and Combinations.
The industrial commission, created by the
act OF the congress of June IS. 1898, has been
engaged in extended hearings upon the dis
puted questions involved in the subject of COM
binations in restraint Of trade and competition.
They have not yet completed their investiga-
tion of this subject, and the conclusions and
recomme ndationS at which they may arrive are
undetermined. The subject is giving rise
to many divergent views as to the nature and
variety or cause and extent of the injuries to
the public which may result from large combi-
nations concentrating more or less numerous
enterprises and establishments, which previ-
ously to the formation of the combination were
carried on separately.
It is universally conceded that combinations
which engroSS or control the market of any
particular kind Of merchandise commodity
necessary to the general community, by sup
pressing natural and ordinary competition
whereby prices are unduly enhanced to the
general consumer, are obnoxious not only to
the common law, but also to the public welfare
There must be remedy for the evils involved
in such organizations. If the present law can
be extended more certainly to control or check
these monopolies or trusts, it should be done
without delay. Whatever power the congress
possesses over this most important subject
should be promptly aScertained and asserted
State Liquidation inadequate.
it is apparent that uniformity of legislation
upon this subject in the several states is much
to- be desired. 1t is to be hoped that such uni
forInity founded in q wise and just discrimi-
na!ion between what is injurious and what is
useful and necessary in business operations
nE y be obtained, and that means may be found
for the congress within the limitations of its
* Institutional power SO to supplement an effect
i've code of state legislation as to make q COM
plete system OF laws throughout the United
States adequate to compel general observance
of the salutary rules to which have referred
The Transvaal War.
This government has maintained an attitude
q: neutrality in the unfortunate contest between
Great Britain and the Boer states OF Africa
We have remained faithful to the precept of
avoiding entangiing alliances as to affairs not
%f our direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
gested that the parties to the quarrel would