The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-02
PRESIDENT MCKINLEY.
His Duties and Responsibilities
Are Enormous


The first sound of martial music, as
the troops responded to the call, seemed
to inspire him with patriotic enthus
iasm. Making his plans for the prose-
cution of the war, he displayed almost
superhuman power and endurance in
pressing their execution. Congress re-
naming in session, he was beSieged
day and night by throngs of visitors,
urging appointments in the army or
the acceptance of troops from every
State and Territory in the Union. The
very smallest detail of the mobilization
of the troops was familiar to him.
Daily, and often until far after the
midnight hour, he sat in his library or
his office in the Executive Mansion,
consulting with Congressional commit
tees as to the necessary legislation to
provide ways and means to execute
their orders declaring war with Spain;
interviewing the Secretary of State,
and personally so directing the diplo
macy of the Government as to avoid
complications with foreign Powers; adj
vising with the Secretary of the Treas
ury as to the resources of that depart
ment; consulting with the General of
the army, the Secretary of War and
the Adjutant General as to the actual
strength of the army, coast defenses,
quantity and character of arms and
ammunition in the possession of, or
Immediately obtainable by the Govern
ment, the raising, arming, transport
ing and equipping of the large num-
Der of men so suddenly called into
10 fal
cations from every State, who were
anxious to secure the acceptance of
volunteer regiments, and at the same
time obtain assistance from the Gov
eminent in uniforming and arming
them; consulting with the Advisory
Board and the Secretary of the Navy
on the stupendous task of securing yes
sells available for naval war service,
enlisting, equipping, differing and as
signing the navy; considering and pass
ing upon the innumerable applications
for appointment in every branch of the
service, made necessary by the war. A
man with less than Herculean physical
strength could not have stood the
strain for the weeks and months which
President Mckinley endured without
breaking down.
The resolution declaring war passed
on April 21 1898. On Sunday, the LIST
of May, as the church bells were ring
ing on that bright morning, the cry of
extras" by the newsboys in the street
arrested the attention of every one.
Dewey had destroyed the Spanish fleet
off the Philippines, and had planted the
American flag at Cavite, demanding
the surrender of the city of Manila.
Thus in a twinkling, the Presidents
cares and responsibilities were doubled
He had not only to continue his ardu-
Gus labors in preparation for sending
the expedition to Cuba, but at the
same time to turn his attention to fol-
lowing up and maintaining the brilliant
victory of Dewey, by forwarding sup
plies and troops to occupy the newly
acquired territory. Dewey's undying
achievement had cost no sacrifice of
life, but an administrative tour de force
was necessary to hold what he had
acquired. to replenish his stores and
ammunition, and supply an army of oc-
cupation.
While sharing the nations patriotic
exultation, the President fully appre-
ciated the delicacy of the position in
which the United States was placed by
this unlooked-for event He promptly
set on foot measures to comply with