Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-12-05


BE- rash Who. with the teachings OF con-
tsnsporaneoas history I'm view. would az
limit to the degrvr OF culture and ad-
vancement yet within the reach OF these
people Ii our duty toward them be faith.
fully performed.
Porto Rico and Cuba.
The civil government oI Porto Rico
provided for by the act at the consrs.,
approved April II. 1870. j. in successful
operation. The courts have been estab-
iished. The governor ard his associates
working intriligently and hsr ANONYMOUSLY.
are meeting with commendable success
On the 9th OF November n general elee-
ton was held in the island for members
OF the legislature. and the body elected
has been called Tn convene ON the frat
Monday OF December.
l recommend that legislation be enact
ell by the congress con ferrinx upon the
secretary OF the interior supervision over
the public lands in Porto Rico. aud tina,
he be directed to ascertain the location
and quantity OF lands the title TO which
remained in the crown of Spain at the
date OF cession Of Porto Rico TO the Unit
ed States. and that appropria lions neces-
sary for surveys be made. aud that the
methods OF the disposition or such lands
Be- prescribed 10y law.
On the 18th OF July. 1900. I directed
that q call be issued for an election in
Cuba for members OF a constitutional
convention To frame constitution as a
basis for a stable and independent gov
eminent in the island. The election wa.
held on the 18th OF September and the
convention assembled on the 9th Of No.
yember. 1900. aud is now in session
When the convention concludes a.. Ia
bors. ! will transmit 10 the congress the
constitution Rs framed by the Convention
for its consideration and for such action
as il may deem advisable
/ renew the recommendation made in
my special message OF Feb. 10, 1879. as
TO the necessity for cable communication
between the United States aud Hawaii.
with extension 10 Manila
The Army
The present strength ~ the army il
100000 men-G5. 600 regulars and 5000
volunteers. Under the act OF March y.
1899. on the Both OF June next the pres
ent volunteer force will be discharged
and the regular army will be reduced TO
2.44T officers and 29O23 enlisted men.
We have in Cuba between 5000 and
5000 troops. For the present our troops
In that island cannot De Withdrawn or
materially diminished and certainly not
until the conclusion of the lnbors OF the
constitutional convention now in session
constitution shall have been established
and it's stability assured
In Porto Rico we have reduced the
garrisons TO ,636. which includes S7g
native troops. There ~ no room for fur
ther reduction here
We will be required TO keep a consid-
cradle force in the Philippine Islands FOR
some time 10 come. From the best infor-
NATION obtainable we will need there for
N tFnann al -.
$4,000 men. | am sure the number may
BE- reduced as the insurgents shall come
80 acknowledge the authority OF the Unit.
ed States. OF which there are assuring in
dications
IL must he apparent that We will re-
Quire an army OF about GO Oa0 aud that
during pres mt conditions i'm Cuba and
the Philippines the president should have
authority 10 increase the force 10 the
present number OF 10000. Included in
this number authority should be given "a
raise native troops in the Philippines ur
To $4,000. which the Tart commission he.
heves will be more effective in detecting
and suppressing guerrillaS. assassins and
lndrones than our own soldiers.
favor the recommendation Of the sec
rotary OF war for the detail OF officers
from the line OF the army when vacancies
occur in the adjutant generals depart.
nent, inspector generals department.
Quartermaster's department. subsistence
department. pay department. ordnance
department and signal corps.
The president speaks OF the rand
growth OF the postal service and approves
the recommendations OF the secretary Of
the navy for new vessels and for more
officers and men. The pension roll shows
9 net increase OF 2010 names Action il
recommended In the way OF increasing
the number OF schools in Alaska Prog
ress is noted in the educational. agricul-
tural and railroad development OF the
Hawaiian Islands. The president in
connection with labor SAYS:
In my annual message OF Dee. 3. 1895.
called attention TO the necessity for
some amendment OF the alien contract
law. There still remain important fea-
lures OF the rightful application OF ia,
eight hour law for the benefit 81 labor
and OF the principle OF arbitration. and |
again commend these subjects TO the
careful attention Of the congress.
Civil Service
The civil service commission il greatly
embarra SSs-d in its work for want OF AZ
adequate permanent force FOR clerical
and other assistance.
Its needs are fully set forth in it's re
port. / invite attention o. the report and
especially urye upon the congress that
this important bureau OF the public serv-
ice which passes upon the qualifications
and character OF so large Il number of
the officers and employees OF the govern
ment. should he supported by all needed
appropriations To secure promprness aud
efficiency.
] am very much impressed with the
statement made by thu heads OF al! the
departments of the urgent Necessity II
hall OF public records. Ia every depart
mental building in Washington. sO far az
am informed. the space for official re-
ords is not only exhausted. but he walls
OF rooms are lined with shelves. the mid
Ole door space OF many rooms is filled
with hle cases, and garrets and base
ments. which were never intended and
are united for their accommodation. are
crowded with them.
In our great prosperity we must guard
against the danger il invites Of extrava-
gance in government expenditures and
appropriations. and the chosen repre-.
sentatives OF the people will. doubt NOT.
furnish an example in their legislation Of
that wise economy which In a sea son OF