Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-12-06
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
Some of the Principal Points in the Chief
Executives Annual

Some of the Principal Points in the Chief
Executives Annual
The president congratulates the
country on the prosperous condition of
the people engaged in all industries
and the existence of conditions which
warrant the belief that the prosperity
will continue.
The troubles in China occupy large
portion of the message. The president
treats not only Of the present troubles,
but the causes which have produced
them. These are stated to be the an
tipathy of the Chinese to innovations
upon their long established customs
and the centuries-old desire for eXclu-
siveness The opening up of the ports
and the gradual spread of trade with
foreigners to the interior, the estab
lishment of industries and innovations
all over the empire, has caused
steady growth of the feeling of resent
ment. This has been assiduously cul
tivated by designing politicians who
surround the court. The efforts of the
various powers in years past, through
reason and sometimes by means of a
display of force, to keep down an up
rising are reviewed. The history of
the present troubles is detailed and it
is pointed out that the United States
has kept constantly in view, so far
as circumstances would warrant, the
traditional desire Of this country to
maintain peace and good relations
with China, and the same idea would
dominate the final settlement of the
troubles, so far as the United States
could control The punishment of the
real culDrits who were the instigators
of the uprising must be insisted upon,
however
The relations of the United States
with other powers are most cordial.
The president calls attention to the
new laws in Germany which affect the
meat trade with this country, but
states it is too early to say just what
their effect will be.
Concerning the Alaskan boundary,
the president states there is a neces-
sity for delimitating the line and that
steps have been taken to secure per-,
manent settlement of the differences.
By special arrangement this question
had been separated from other matters
and would be settled independently
and as rapidly as the difficulties sur
rounding it could be overcome.
The Nicaragua canal question is re-
viewed, but no specific recommended
tions are made.
The fact is pointed out that the sur
plus revenues for the year were S79,-
27,060 and that this had enabled the
setting aside of $56,544,556 for the
sinking fund. The treasury situation
is strong and warrants some reduction
in the revenues. Legislation to rem
der certain the parity of the two cur
rency metals is recommended.
The necessity of legislation to re-
store the merchant marine is called to
the attention of congress.
Legislation for the effective control
of trusts is recommended and the value
of uniform legislation on this subject
by the various states is pointed out.
Concerning the Philippines the presi-
dent renews his statement that any
definite scheme Of government cannot
be brought forth consistently so long
as the authority of the United States
is disputed by armed men. The settle
ment of the difficulties, however, has
made material progress and there is
promise that order will soon be re-
stored. The appointment of the COM
mission is reviewed, together with the
instructions given it.
1t is recommended that the govern
ment of Porto Rico be turned over to
the Interior department.
The situation in Cuba is gone over
and congress is informed that so soon
as the constitutional convention shall
have completed it's labors a copy of
that document will be transmitted for
such action as congress may deem ad-
visable.
Legislation for the army is reviewed
and a recommendation made for an
army of $4,000 with authority to re-
cruit and maintain it at 100000, so
long as conditions in the Philippines
shall render it necessary.
The president commends to congress
the recommendations of the secretary
of the navy for an increase in the off
GERS and men in that service.