People's voice., 1900-12-06
Presidents Message.

Presidents message
The presidents message is even longer
than usual and his recommendation Tor
an Increase in the standing army to Ioo,-
600, and other things looking toward i'm
perialism and footing of the treasury TOR
ship subsidy and ot.er steals arS what
were to be expected. The following
summary from the Republic gives good
idea Of it:
Congress is congratulated upon the
prosperous condition of the country and
the strength of American institutions.
The Republic is declared to be stronger
than ever before, because more strongly
intrenched in the hearts OF the people
than ever before; the Constitution, says
the president, exists today, with a few
amendments, as it left the hands OF its
authors.
The Chinese question, in all its ramifi-
cations, is dealt with at great length, the
occurrences of the past twelve months in
the Celestial Empire and the progress OF
peace negotiations between the powers
and rulers of China being reviewed and
analyzed. 1t is suggested that due COM
pensation may be obtained, in part by
exacting from China increased guaran-
tees of security for foreign rights and
immunities and, most important of all,
by the opening of China 10 the commerce
of the world. The cars suggestion that
the question OF indemnities be settled by
the court of arbitration at The Hague Is
approved.
The convention with Great Britain to
facilitate the construction of the Nicar-
aguan Canal is commendable to the at
tention of the senate. The government
of Nicagagua, it is stated, shows dispo-
sition to deal freely with the United
States on the canal question, and over
lures for convention to effect the build
ing of canal under the auspices OF the
United States are under consideration.
It is recommended to congress that the
war tax be reduced i'll the sum OF $780,
ooo, 600 year, and that the tax be re-
moved from those articles on which ex-
perience has shown it to be the most
burdensome to the industries OF the peo-
pie.
1t is noted that foreign ships are carry
ing all but nine per cent of American
trade, and it is recommended that aid be
given to the merchant marine. Con-
gress is urged to take immediate action
on measures to promote American ship
ping and foreign trade.
A surplus in the public revenues for
the fiscal year aggregating $79,527, /, ,o6o. Is
is shown, and it is also noted that the
expenditures of the government were
considerably reduced during the year.
The present condition of the treasury is
one of undoubted strength, and atten-
ton is called to the fact that during the
fiscal year bonds and other securities
were applied to the sinking fund to the
amount of $56,544,556.o6. 1t is added
that it will be the duty of congress to
provide whatever further Legislation is
leeded to insure the continued parity,
under all conditions, between the two
forms of metallic money, silver and
gold.
The numerous questions relative to the
Philippines are dealt with succinctly.
Military government until peace is de-
clared to be imperative; civil organiza-
ton is contemplated for the islands; the
natives are to be preferred for civil
offices; the commission has orders to
peaceably settle all land disputes; the un'
civilized tribes are TO be treated as are
the indians; the work of the commission
is reviewed and approved, and it is rec
commended that the Filipinos be treated
as wards of the nation" "
The services rendered by the navy, in
connection with troubles in the Philip
pines and China, is commended and the
recommendation of the secretary of the
navy for an increase in the number Of
vessels and officers and men is approved.
An army of about 81, 900 men will be
necessary in the Philippines for some
time to come, it is declared, and it is
recommended that the president be Civ
en- power to increase the size of the reg,
ular army to 10000.
The present government Of Porto Rice
is approved and it is recommended that
legislation be enacted by congress con.
ferring upon the secretary of the interior
supervision over the public lands in Por-
to Rico.
Uniformity of legislation in the sever,
al states in regard to hurtful trusts is
declared tobe desirable and it is hoped
that means may be found for congress to
supplement an effective code Of state leg.
islation so as to make complete system
Of laws throughout the United States ad-
equate to compel general observance Of
certain salutary rules referred to.
The Cuban constitutional convention is
referred to and congress is advise d that
the president will transmit to that body
a copy of the constitution that will be
framed and adopted by the convention
for such action as congress may deem
advisable.