Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-06
This Presidents Message.

This Presidents Message.
The Journal presents its readers. this
morning, with the full text of the mes
sage transmitted to Congress, yester-
day, by President Mckinley. This is
most important stale document, and
every citizen of our country should
read it with care. No abstract can do
ii justice. for it treats of the great mat
tiers which Congress must consider in
the thorough, comprehensive. and
statesmanlike manner characteristic of
its author. Some presidents have sent
messages to Congress merely in con-
formity, with an annual custom. but
President Mckinley has sound recon-
mendations to make upon the vital
questions facing the country, and he
gives his recommends tons and his rea-
sons for them fearlessly and con-
vincingly.
1t is strong message. broad in its
scope and able in its treatment. Moth
ing is evaded or sighted. 1t is
straightforward, businesslike docu-
ment,5 capable of understanding by any
intelligent reader. and yet worthy the
most careful consideration of the
greatest minds in the land. Mr.. Nc
Kinley has been always happy in his
public utterances. but this long mes
sage, packed with pregnant facts and
vital suggestions, is one of the strong
est and most memorable documents
that has come from the White House
in many years. There is nothing dis
appointing in the message. 1t will
strengthen the administration before
the country and before the world, and
will give its enemies renewed dis
comfiture and encouragement.
In opening, the President pays a
tribute to the memory of Mr.. Hobart,
and then congratulates the country
upon the prevailing prosperity. He
gives most gratifying figures upon our
commerce, and upon the government
expenditures and receipts. He makes
strong plea for the establishment of
the gold standard, in name as well as
in fact. He urges a policy of aid for
our merchant marine which will
broaden our commerce and markets.
and increase our carrying capacity.
Upon the subject of trusts the Prcsi-
dent dwells at length, urging Congress
to exert it's full power to prevent I'M
lawful combinations. Our foreign re-
latio"s arc eli pleasant and the Presi-
dent touches briefly upon various mat
ters, as the japanese treaty the Paris
exposition, the Gillian claims. the
Central American outbreaks the Alas
kan boundary, etc. He presses home
the great necessity Of Il Nicaraguan
canal and of Pacific cable to Hawaii
and the Philippines, and urges prompt
work on both projects.
AS to Cuba, the President shows that
we must still hold it in trust for its
people, and do all possible t. make it
ready for fun independence. He
touches upon the Worlds Peace Con-
ference, and hopes Congress will ratify
its proposition for an international
arbitration tribunal. The needs of the
army and navy are discussed. The be-
lief is expressed that the annual postal
deficit will soon be a thing of the past
A good word is said for forest preser-
walton and the good roads cause. More
space is devoted to the Philippines
than to any other single topic, and this
portion Of the message will be most
carefully read. The soundness of our
title to the islands is demonstrated,
and the collapse of the instruction led
by Aguinaldo is announced. The gov
eminent established in Negroes, the first
island to accept unreservedly Ameri
can sovereignty, is described at length:
and our relations with the Sulu islands
are explained. Our permanent posses
sion of the Philippines is taken as a
settled fact, and the President re-
minds Congress that it must arrange
the. details of their future government.
In the meantime he announces his de-
termination to follow the only course
left open to him, namely, to uphold the
flag at all hazards. For Hawaii, Alas
ka and Porto Rico new and stable
governments must be established, look
ing to a territorial form of govern
ment later. These matters and many
more, some of equal Importance, are
handled with a master hand in this
notable message. Read it yourself, and
lay it away for future reference.
The unanimous re-adoption of the
Reed rules is a high compliment to a
certain distinguished Maine man now