Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-12-13
VOL. XIX.
AFFAIRS OF STATE.
The President Transmits His An
nual Message to Congress.
Urges an Extension of Powers of National
Banks and PronouDces for the Gold
Standard-CondItions In New ColOni-
al Possessions Dwelt Upon.

Il
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 LIE
on the morning of November 21 last His good
soul now rests in eternal peace His private
hfe was 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 hich ONCE which he
honored and dignifed. but his lofty character,
his devotion TO duty, his honesty OF purpose,
and noble virtues remain with us, as priceless
legacy and example
As to the Country's Condition.
The Fifty sixth congress convenes in its first
regular session with the country in a 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
bined imports and exports for the year are the
largest ever shown in a sin 10 year in all our
history. Our exports for 1899 alone exceeded by
more'than s., ,0 O,0O0,N0 our imports and exports
combined in 1870 The imports per capita are
20 per cent. less than in 1870 while the exports
per capita are SO per cent. more than in 1870.
showing the enlarged caracity 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 nations.
The National Banking Act.
In its earlier history the national banking act
seemed to prove a reasonable avenue through
which needful additions to the circulation could
from time to time be made. Changing condi-
tions have apparently render ID 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 his important matter with the view OF
ascertaining whether or not such reasonable
notifications can be made In the national
banking net as will render its service in the par
ticulars here referred to more responsive to the
peoples needs 1 again urge that national banks
be authorized to organize with "a capital OF IS,
co.,
For the Gold Standard.
urgently recommend that to support the ex-
listing gold standard, and to maintain 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 authority should include
the power to sell bonds on long and short time
rs conditions may require and should provide
for a rate OF interest lower than that fixed by
the act OF January H. 1875. While there is now NJ
commercial fright which wit IdrawS gold from
the government, but, on the contrary, sucl
widespread confidence that gold seeks thu
treasury demanding paper money in exchange
yet the very situation points to the present a.
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 ant
purpose of the government to meet all its obi
cations in the money which the civilized worl
recognizes as the best. The financial transac
lions OF the government are conducted upon
gold basis. We receipt gold when we sell Unite
States bonds and use gold for their payment
We are maintaining the parity OF all the none
issued coined by authority of the govern
ment. We are doing these things with tn
means at hand. Happily at the present time W
are not compelled to resort to loans to suppl
gold. 1t has been done in the past, however
and may have to be done in the future. 1t be
hooves US, therefore, to provide at once the bes
means to meet the emergency when it arises
and the best means are those which are tn
most certain and economical. Those now au
thorzed have the virtue neither Of directneSs
economy We have already eliminated one
the causes OF our financial plight and embal
rassment during the years 1893, 1894, 1895 an
1896 Our receipts now equal our expenditure:
deficient revenues no longer create alarm. Ii
us remove the only remaining cause by confer
ring the full and necessary power on the seer
tary OF the treasury and impose upon him II
duty to uphold the present gold standard ar
preserve the coins OF the two metals on a pari
with each other, which is the repeatedly d.
clared policy of the United States.
In this connection 1 repeat my former recon
mendations that portion OF the gold holding
shall be placed in trust fund from whiC
greenbacks shall be redeemed upon present
ton, but when once redeemed shall not ther
after be.paid out except for gold.
A. to Trusts and Combinations.
The industrial commission. created by Il
net OF the congress Of June l9, 1898, has be-
engaged in extended hearings upon the di
puted questions involved in the subject OF cor
binations in restraint OF trade and competitio
They have not yet completed their investig
tion OF this subject, and the conclusions a
Recommendations at which they may arrive q
undetermined. The subject is one giving ri
to many divergent views as to the nature a
variety or cause and extent Of the injuries
the public which may result from large comi
nations concentrating more or less numero
enterprises and establishments, which prev
ously to the formation OF the combination we
carried on separately.
It Is universally conceded that combinatio
which engross or control the market OF q
particular kind Of merchandise or commod
necessary to the general community. by su
pressing natural and ordinary competitiC
whereby prices are unduly enhanced to {
general consumer, are obnoxious not only
the common law, but also to the public welfa
There must be q re medy for the evils involv
in such organizations. II the present law C
be extended more certainly to control or che
these monopolies trusts, 1t should be dc
without delay. Whatever power the congr'
possesses over this most important subj
should be promptly ascertained and asserted
state Legi-Iation Inadequate.
1t is apparent that uniformity Of legislati
upon this subject In the several states is mt
to be desired. It is to be hoped that such vi
formity founded in q wise and just discrir
nation between what is injurious and what
useful and necessary in business operate
may be obtained. and that means may be for
Cor the congress within the limitations of
constitutional power so to supplement an effe
I've code OF state legislation as to make q co
plete system of laws throughout the Uni
States adequate TO compel a general observa
of the salutary rules to which have referret
The Transyaai War.
This government has maintained an attit'
OF neutrality in the unfortunate contest betw
Great Britain and the Boer states Of Afr
We have remained faithful to the precep
avoiding entangling alliances as TO AFFAIRS
of our direct concern. Had circumstances S
szested that the parties TO the quarrel wc
have welcomed any kindly expression of
hope OF the American people that war might
ayerted good ofices would have been gla
rendered. The United States Representative
Pretoria was early instructed TO see that
neutral American interests be respected by
combatants. This has been an easy tas
view OF the positive declarations on both
ish and Boer authorities that the personal
property rights Of our citizens should be
served.
The Problem In Cuba.
Tho withdrawal of the authority Of Sl