Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-09
Alistellanepus Reaaing.
MCKINLEY To CONGRESS-.
Comprehensive Summary of the Presidents
Annual Message.

ALlanta JOuIudl, ! 1QCouoJ'
The third annual message to con-
eress of President William Mckinley,
submitted to that body today, is the
longest document yet issued by the pres
ident. The message will attract wide
spread attention because it deals with
the new conditions, brought about by
the accession of new territory result
ing from the Spanish-American war,
and because it will be regarded as the
plea of the Republican party for the
support of the American people in the
presidential election of next year. Its
main points are summarized below !:
The president begins by stating that
on the threshold of the deliberations
the members are called upon to mourn
with their countrymen the death OF
Vice President Hobart, paying tribute
to the worth of the dead statesman.
RECOMMENDS GOLD STANDARD.
The president declares unquali6edly
for the gold standard. On this mo-
mentous question he says: ~ urgent
ly recommend that to support the ex-
isting gold standard and to maintain
the parity 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"
Mr.. Mckinley next discusses the
question of q merchant-marine, and
earnestly recommends that steps be
taken by congress to encourage and
aid in the establishment of a great
marine, seemingly endorsing the pro.
posed ship subsidy movement without
saying so clearly.
HE URGES OPPOSITION TO TRUSTS.
Perhaps there is no greater surprise in
the message than the presidents refer
ence to the trusts. He places his ad-
ministration squarely in opposition to
the combination of trade. On this SUBJ
ject he says: ,
"Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions of
trade among the citizens, to stide COM
petition, limit production and deter
mine the prices OF products used and
consumed by the people, are justly
provoking public discussion and should
early claim the attention of congie
"No ENTANGLING ALLIANCES" FOR US.
Coming to the Transvaal British war,
the president seemingly rebukes in no
uncertain tones the recent utterances of
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, British colo
nial secretary, and Mr.. Joseph Choate,
United States AMBASSADOR to England,
proclaiming that this country and
England are practically in alliance.
The president reaffirms the time-hon-
ored doctrine that this country shall
remain free from entangling foreign al
liances. He says: -.
"This government has maintained
an attitude of neutrality in the unfortu-
nate contest between Great Britain and
the Boer states of Africa. We have
remained faithful to the precept of
avoiding entangling alliances as to
affairs not of our direct concern. Had
circumstances suggested that the par
ties to the quarrel would have welcom-
ed any kindly expression of the hope
of the American people that war might
be averted, good Offices would have
been rendered.
TALKS OF THE DESTINY OF CUBA.
Coming to the acquisition of Porto
Rico and discussing the Cuban ques-
ton, the president dwells on the desti-
ny of both countries, recommending
the establishment of a civil govern
ment for Porto Rico as rapidly as pos
sible and the raising of the customs
duties on exports Of that island. He
declares that the island of Cuba,
which is temporarily under the pro-
lection of the United States, must be
turned over to the people of the island
as soon as a stable government can be
formed, reafirming the purpose of the
government declared prior to the
Spanish war that the people of Cuba
would be given their freedom and the
yoke of Spanish rule swept away. He
says this pledge is of the highest hon.
orable obligation and must be sacred
ly kept. Then he speaks of the intima-
cy which must exist between Ameri-
ca and Cuba and the destiny of the
islands, declaring we must protect the
people.
THE PHILIPPINES ARE OURS.
The president relegated the Philip
pine question away to the rear of his
message but it can be clearly discern
ed that he intends what he says on the
subject to be regarded as the most inn
portant part of the document. He be-
gins on the question by referring to the
treaty of peace between Spain and the
United States signed December 10th,
1898, by which Spain ceded to this
country the Philippine islands in con-
sideratiou of S20,00O,oO0 and peace.
He declares on this question:
"The islands were ceded by the gov
erument of Spain, which had been in