Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-05
Pres. MckinIey's Inaugural.

senators. Vice President Roosevelt direct
ed the serseant-at-arms TO execute tho
order Of the inaugural ceremony Col.
Ramsdel then conducted President Nc
kincy, who followed the scrgeant-at-
arms on the arm of Chief Justice Fuller
To the Presidents room, where with the
inaugural committee he was to wait the
seating of the guests on the platform at
the east front of the capitol before nc
appeared there to receive the oath of OF
ice and deliver his inaugural address
by direction of the Vice President.
those entitled to the floor of the Senatp
then proceeded to the inaugural platform
where President Mckinley was sworn in
to office and delivered his inaugural ad-
dress. as follows:
My Fellow Citizens: When we as
Sembled here on the fourth of March
1897. there was great anxiety with re
gard to our currency and credit None
exists now. Then our treasury receipts
We're inadequate TO meet the current
obligations of the government. Now
they are sufficient for all public needs
and we have a surplus instead of a
deficit. Then | felt constrained to con-
Vene the Congress in extraordinary
session to devise revenues To pay the
ordinary expenses of the government.
Now | have the satisfaction to an
nounce that the Congress just closed
has reduced taxation in the sum of
forty-one millions of dollars. Then
there was deep solicitude because of
the long depression in our manufacture
ing. mining, agricultural and mer-
camille industries and the consequent
distress of our laboring poulation Now
every avenue of production is crowded
with activity. labor is we'll employed
and American products find good
markets at home and abroad.
Our diversified productions, how
ever. are increasing in such unprece-
dented volume as to admonish us of
the necessity of still further en-
| larging cur foreign markets by broader
commercial relations. For this pur-
pose reciprocal trade arrangements
| with other nations should in liberal
spirit be carefully cultivated and pro-
noted
The national verdict of 1896 has for
the most part been executed. WHAT
ever remains unfulfilled is conunu-
| ing obligation resting with undlmin
ished force upon the executive ana the
| Congress- But fortunate as our condl-
| ton is. its permanence can only be as
sured by sound business methods ana
strict economy in national adlnlnistra-
ton and legislation. We should not
permit our great prosperity to lead us
! to reckless ventures IN business vi
profligacy in public expenditures
While the Congress determines the ODD
= ~
| iects and the sum of appropriations
the officials of the executive depart
ments are responsible for honest and
faithful disbursements ana 1t shouiu
he their constant care to avoid waste
and extravaganza.
Honesty, capacity and industry are
nowhere more Indispensable thah III
public employment. These shouiu De
fundamental requisites to original aP-
pointment and the surest guarantees
against removal.
Four wears ago we stood on me
brink of a war without the people
knowing it and without any prepare :
tion or effort at preparation Tor the
Iimpending peril / did all that in hohof
couId he done to avert the war put
without avail. 1t became ineVita pie
and the Congress at its first regular
| session. without party division, pro
yided money in anticipation OF tne
crisis and in preparation to meet It,
IT came. The result was signaiiE laH
ora bile to American arms ana III ,ne
highest degree honorable to the gov
eminent. 1t imposed upon us obliga-
tions from which we cannot escape
and from which it would he dishonor-
able TO seek to escape. We are no"
nj peacc with the world and 1t is my
rervcnt prayer that If differences q, -.
between us and other powers ti''
thov NAV be settled by peace1ul al
bitra ton ana that hereafter we may pe
SHARED the horrors of war.
Entrusted by the people for secoiio
time with the office of President 1 @h
ter upon it's administration appre-
ciatiug the great respoilsipiii''e
which attach to this renewed ho'io,
land commission. promising unresei eG
devotion on my part to their iai,n-
fuI discharge and reverently lhVohl'S
for my guidance the direclioh
favor of Almighty God. shoua'
shrink from the duties this DAY q"
sumed if / did not feel that III '"e''
performance I should have the Gu
operation of the wise and patiio'i,
men of all parties. 1t encourages ine
for the great task which no" ui'r
take to believe that those VINO Nor1H