Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-03-11
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
Pledge to Cuba Must Be Kept-UIti-
mate Freedom For FilipinOs

Il
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
were inadequate TO meet the current
obligations of the government. Now
they are sufficient for all public needs
and we have a surplus instead of 4 de-
felt. Then l felt constrained to con-
vene the congress i'll extraordinary SEES
sion 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
$41 100000. Then there was a deep
sOlicitude because of the long deDreS-
sion in our manufacturing, mining, ag-
ricultural and mercantile industries and
the consequent distress of our lahOring
population. Now every avenue of
production is crowded with activity,
labor is well employed, and American
products find good markets at home and
abroad.
Our diversified productions, however,
are increasing in such unprecedented
volume as to admOniSh us of the neceS-
sity of still further charging our for
ei@n markets by broader commercial
relations. For this purpose reciprocal
trade arrangements with other nations
should in liberal spirit be carefully cul-
tivated and promoted. The national
verdict of 1896 has for the most part
been executed. Whatever remains I'M
fulfilled is a continuing obligation rest
ing with undininiShed force upon the
executive and congress. But fortunate
as our condition is, it's permanence can
only be assured by sound business meth
DDS and strict economy in national adj
ministration and legislation. We should
not permit our great prosperity to lead
us to reckless ventures in business or
profiigacy in public expenditures.
While the congress determines the OBJ
jects and the sum of appropriations,
the officials of the executive depart
ments are responsible for honest and
faithful disbursement, and it should be
their constant care to avoid waste and
extravaganza.
Honesty, capacity and industry are
no where more Indispensable than in
public employment. These should be
1uQQamouCdl requisites 10 OTlSIudl d pT
| pointment. and the surest guarantees
| against removal.
Four years ago we stood on the brink
of war without the people knowing
| it, and without any preparation or effort
at preparation for the impending peril.
I did all that in honor could be done to
| avert the war, but without avail 1t
became inevitable, 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 gov
eminent. 1t imposed upon us obiga-
tons from which we cannot escape and
from which it would be dishonora BILE tC
seek to escape. We are now at peace
with the world, and it is my feryent
prayer that, if differences arise between
us and other powers, they may be set
tied by peaceful arbitration, and that
hereafter we may be spared the horrors
of war.
Entrusted by the people for second
time with the Office of president, en-