Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1899 — M’KINLEY’S MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

M’KINLEY’S MESSAGE.

AN OUTLINE OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT WILL SAY. Parte Rico aad Hawaii—The Araj aad Navy—Om leacy Reform. The Washington coc respondent of the New York World gim what purports to he an accurate outline of the main points in lTeadoil McKinley's forthcoming message to Congress. The ivcoramcnda of jbc Pjnlipsajw, will form the basis of the ngpstkwss relative to the Philippines. He will urge their retention as an integral part of the United States. The present success of the army in the Philippines, if continued, will influence the 1 “resident 'to make recommendations at this tune which would have otherwise been reserved for a special message. A form of government will not be recommended. I«t the President will suggest that it be leflrned what will he best for the natives of the Philippine Archipelago. The Philippiue situation mill also be treated historically. The substitution of civil for military government in Cnba and the appointment of a civil governor. He may recommend the appointment of a chief justice and the election of a native Legislature-, bat coupled with this will he a suggestion that a congressional committee be sent to Cuba to ascertain to what extent local offices may he filled by natives, the President believing that the customs and postal service may be filled 4 by Cabans with beneficial results. A military force to be retained there only for the preservation of pacific conditions. For Porto Rico the President will recommend a territorial form of government when he beiaeves the Baucis can conduct their own affairs. Reports give the Pres 1 idont little encouragement to recommend a change at am early date from military to civil government on this island. Bed he m ill make suggestions relative to tariff laws which should apply to Porto Rko. The establishment aad maintenance of schools there wiD be urged. For Hawaii legislation is needed which will give the islands a status, and it will be recommended that laws he enacted along the lines of the report of the special commission sent by the President to Honolulu. The arrangement by which the United States secured one of the most important islands of Samoa, with its harbor, PagoPago, will be pointed to with some pride as a most satisfactory settlement off what has been a vexatious question heretofore. It is not expected that the President will dwell to any extent upon the standing army. It will be difficult to make suggestions as to the phydbl strength required until it is determined what force will be needed permanently in the Philippines. Then, too, the present force of 100,000 can be maintained until 1901. and no legislation is necessary until the

Secretary Root's suggestions along the fines of reform ia the organization of staff deportments, which will tend to preclude eris resulting during the war with Spain, will be embodied ia the mesrage. As the expenses of maintaining the army and navy will remain at the present figures, the President most suggest the maintenance of the present war revenue law until conditions ia the Philippines permit of the redaction of the forces there. Secretary Lang's recommendations will he embraced within the message, which will include a suggestion that the maximum price for armor most be increased to enable the Navy Department to successfully construct warships. The chief recommendation by the Secretary of the Navy will be the great need of a dozen light-draught gunboats, such as are being used to advantage in the Philippines at present, and the addition of such other vessels as the naval board will decide to be needed. Recommendations for currency reform will closely follow the lines adopted by the special joint committee which devoted a greater part of the summer to a consideration of finance legislation. In addition to providing additional protection for the gold reserve, the establishment of national banks with small capital and the issue of national bank rireolation to the foil value of the bond deposit, the committee will recommend the refunding of the entire national defat at lower rates of interest than now paid. Hus would save the Government $7,000,000 to $14,000,000 annually. Congress will again be advised of the urgent seed of the construction of a waterway across the Isthmus of Panama or nome other desirable route, providing the Nicaragua Canal Commission wiD have given the President something tangible upon which to base recommendations, which it does not now appear will bo done. Special recommendations ia this event will be reserved for a special message. Attention will be called to the temporary arrangement between the United States and Grrat,Brit*ia relative to the Canadian boundary, with remarks to the effect that the prospects for the notation of all differences between the United States and Canada are bright.