Lancaster enterprise. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1891-1905, 1901-03-06
KeKINLEY'S INAUGURAL AID.
DRESS.

president Monday to succeed him
self. The following is a portion
of his address:
My Fellow Citizens : When we
assembled here on the Fourth of
March, 1897, there was great anx-
iety in regard to our currency and
credit. None exists now. Then
our treasury receipts were made
quate to meet the current obliga-
tions of the government. Now
they are sufficient for all public
needs, and we have a surplus in
stead of a deficit. Then l felt
constrained to convene the con-
gress in extraordinary session to
devise revenues to pay the ordi-
nary expenses Of the government.
Now l have the satisfaction to
announce that the congress just
closed has reduced taxation in the
sum of forty. one millions of dol,
lars. Then there was deep solic.
itude because of the long depres-
sion in our manufacturing, min
ing, agricultural and mercantile
industries, and the consequent
distress of our neutrality-suspicious.
Now every avenue of production
is crowded with activity. labor is
we'll employed and American pro
ducts find 5ood markets at home
and abroad. Our diversified pro.
ductions. however, are increasing
in such unprecedented volume as
TO admonish us of the necessity
of still further eniarging our for.
eign markets by broader COM
mercial relations. For this pur.
pose reciprocal trade arrange
ments with other nations should
in liberal spirit be carefully eul-
tivated and promoted.
The national verdict of 1895
has for the most part been exc
cuted. Whatever remaius unful
filed is a continuing obligation
resting with undiminished force
upon the executive and the con-
gress. But fortunate as our con-
dition is, its permanence can only
be assured by sound business
methods and strict economy in
national administration and leg
islation. We should not permit
our great prosperity to lead us to
reckless ventures in business or
protligacy in public expenditures.
While the congress determines
the objects and the sum of appro-
priatIons, the officials of the ex-
ecutive departments are respon-
sible for honest and faithful dis
bursement, and it should be their
constant care to avoid waste and
extravaganza.
Honesty, capacity and industry
are nowhere more indispensable
than in public employment. These
should be fundamental requisites
to original appointment and the
surest guarantees against re-
mOval.
Four years ago we stood on
the brink of war without the
people knowing it, and without
any preparation for the impend
ing peril. | did all that in honor
could be done to avert the war,
but without avail. 1t became in.
evitable, and the congress at its
first regular session, without
party division, provided money
in anticipation of the crisis and
in preparation to meet it. 1t
came. The result was signally
favorable to American arms and
in the highest degree honorable
to the government. It imposed
upon us obligations from which
we cannot escape and from
which it would be dishonorable
to seek to escape. We are now
at peace with the world, and it is
my fervent prayer that if differ
ences arise between us and other
powers they may be settled by
peaceful arbitration and that
hereafter we may be spared the
horrors Of war.
Entrusted by the people for
| the Secoud time with the Office