The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


fooSTTsusD PROM FIRST FACE.
own governmental authorities. and the
Island VIII be turned over TO them
Our occupation ON this occasion has
lasted q little over two years, aud
Cuba has lhriyen and prospered under
II. Our earnest hope and one desire
Is that the people Of the island shall
now govern themselves with justice,
10 that peace and order may lie Sc
cure
The Fleets Reception.
take this opportunity publicly To-
state my appreciation Of the way In
which In japan, In Australia. In New
Zealand and ia all the states OF South
America the battle neet has been re-
eeiyed on It's practice voyage around
the world. The American government
cannot too strongly express Its appre-
citation Of the Astounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships In every
port they visited.
The Army.
As regards the army. call attention
to the fact that. while our junior ofti-
GERS and enlisted men stand very high,
the present system VI promotion by
seniority results IN bringing into the
higher grades many men Of mediocre
capacity who have but short time TO
serve. No man should regard II AZ
his vested right to rise TO the highest
rank 10 the army any more than IN
any other profession.
The scope OF retiring boards should
be extended so that they could con-
slider general unftness to command
for any cause In order to secure far
more rigid enforcement than at pres
ent In the elimination OF officers for
mental, physical or temperamental
disabilities. But this plan Is recon-
mended only II the congress doAs not
see fit to provide what In my Judg-
ment IL far better that n. for selec.
ton In promotion and for elimination
for age.
Now that the organized militia. the
national guard. has been incorporated
with the army as part Of the national
forces II behooves the government TO
do every reasonable thing In Its pow
err to perfect Its efiiclenc..
A bill is now pending before the
congress creating number OF extra
officers In the army. which. II passed.
as II ought to be. win enable more Of
fcers to be trained as instructors Of
national guard and assigned to that
duty.
There should he legislation to pro
vide complete plan for organic
Ing the great body Of volunteers be-
hind the regular army and national
guard when war has come. While
teams representing the United States
won the rifle and revolver champion
ships Of the world against all corners
In England this year, II is unfortunate.
ly true that the great body OF our citi-
zens shoot less and less as time goes
on.
To meet this we should encourage
rifle practice among schoolboys and
indeed among all classes. as well as
in the military services. by every
means IN our power.
The Navy.
approve the recommendations Of
the general board for the increase OF
the navy. calling especial attention to
the need OF additional destroyers and
GOLFERS and, above all. Of the four bat
tleships. II Is desirable to complete
as soon as possible squadron Of eight
Of the best existing type.
The North Dakota. Delaware, Florida
and Utah Will form the first division
Of this squadron.
most earnestly recommend that the
general board be by law turned into
/ general stan. There Is literally no
excuse whatever for continuing the
present bureau organization Of the
navy. The navy should be treated a.
4 purely military organization, and |
everything should be subordinated to
the one object OF securing military
efficiency. A system Of promotion BY
merit either by selection or by ex.
illusion or by both processes. should be
Nothing better FOR the navy from
very standpoint has ever occurred
han the cruise Of the battle neet
lround the world. The Improvement
II the ships In every way has been ex.
nordinsry, and they have gained far
more experience In battle tactics than
hey would have gained II they had
'tayed In the Atlantic waters. do
Tot believe that there IL any other
'ervice In the world In which the
lveraTe Of character and efficiency In
be enlisted men is as high a. Is now
he case In our own believe that the
q me statement can be made as TO our
'hicers, taken as q whole, but there
must be reservation made In regard
o those In the highest ranks and In
egsrd 10 those who have just entered
be service. because we do not now
'es full benefit from our excellent
avail school az Annapolis.
sns.e--so Harry IL going to take you
% the thcater. 10 bet
Maude-Yes. indeed
Susie DO you think be will get a
,oxi
Msude be always does Manh.
uailows don't cost 20 very much, you