The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-12-04

civil service of the phfnppr.-e Islands upon the request of the ClVll oerVlce Board of said islands, under such regu lations as may be agreed upon by the said Board and the United States ClVll Service Commission.
 The Civil Service Commission is great ly embarrassed in it's work for want oi an adequate permanent force Tor cierlcai and other assistance. It's needs are fully set forth in it's report. invite attentions to the report, and especially urge upon the Congress that this important bureau of the public service, which passes upon the qualifications and character of so large a number of the officers and em- ployees of the Government, should be supported by all needed appropriations to- secure promptness and efficiency.
 I am very much impressed with the statement made by the heads of all the Departments of the urgent necessity of hall of public records In every depart mental building in Washington, so far as I am informed, the space for official rec ords Is not only exhausted, but the walls of rooms are lined with shelves, the mid dle floor space of many rooms IS hlled with file cases, and garrets and base ments, which were never intended and are unfitted for their accommodation, are crowded with them. Aside from the ln- convenience there is great danger. not only from fire, but from the weight Of these records upon timbers not intended for their support. There should be sep arate building especially designed for the purpose of receiving and preserving the annually accommodating archives of the several Executive Departments Such hall need not be a costly structure, but should be so arranged as to admit or en- largement from time to time. 1 urgently recommend that the Congress take early action in this matter.
 I transmit to the Congress resolution adopted at recent meeting or the Amer ican Bar Association concerning the pro- posed celebration of John Marshall Day. February 4, 1901. Fitting exercises nave been arranged, and it is earnestly desired by the committee that the Congress may participate in this movement to honor the memory of the great jurist.
 The transfer of the Government to this city is a fact of great historical interest Among the people there is feeling Of genuine pride in the Capital of the Re- public.
 1t is a matter of interest in this con nection that in 1900 the population ot the District of Columbia was l4,o93; to- day it is PTS, ,71S. The population of the city of Washington was then 3,2lo; to- day it is 21S,196.
 The Congress having provided for "an appropriate national celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Estab- lishment of the Seat of Government in the District of Columbia" the commit tees authorized by it have prepared programme for the 18th of December, 1900 which date has been selected as the anniversary day. Deep interest has been shown in the arrangements for the celebration by the members of the com rittees of the Senate and House of Rep resentatives the committee of Governors appointed by the President, and the com mittees appointed by the citizens and in habitants of the District of Coumbla generally. The programme, in addition 10 a reception and otl..r exercises at the Executive Mansion, provides commem- orative exercises to be held jointly by the Senate and House of Representatives in the Hall of the House of Representa- lives. and T reception in the evening at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in honor of the Governors of the States and Territo- ries.
 In our great prosperity we must guard against the danger it invites of extrava' gance in Government expenditures and appropriations; and the chosen repre- sentatives of the people will, l doubt not, furnish an example in their legislation oi that wise economy which in u season oI plenty husbands for the future. In thit era of great business activity and oppor tunity caution is not untimely. It vii. not abate but strengthen, confidence. will not retard, but promote, legitimat industrial and commercial expansion Our growing power brings with 1t tenn tations and perils requiring constant viz ilance to avoid. 1t must not be used to invite conflicts, nor for oppression, bui for the more effective maintenance O those principles of equality and justic upon which our institutions and happ' ness depend. Let us keep always Y mind that the foundation of our Cover ment is liberty; it's superstructure peace
 WILLIAM MCKINLEY. Executive Mansion, December 4, l900.