A \ B \ C \ D \ E \ F \ G \ H \ I \ J \ K \ L \ M \ N \ O \ P \ R \ S \ T \ U \ V \ W \Z

Messages and Papers of William McKinley V.2. by William McKinley

W >> William McKinley >> Messages and Papers of William McKinley V.2.




Our fellow-citizens who may disagree with us upon the character of this
legislation prefer to have the question settled now, even against their
preconceived views, and perhaps settled so reasonably, as I trust and
believe it will be, as to insure great permanence, than to have further
uncertainty menacing the vast and varied business interests of the
United States. Again, whatever action Congress may take will be given a
fair opportunity for trial before the people are called to pass judgment
upon it, and this I consider a great essential to the rightful and
lasting settlement of the question. In view of these considerations, I
shall deem it my duty as President to convene Congress in extraordinary
session on Monday, the 15th day of March, 1897.

In conclusion, I congratulate the country upon the fraternal spirit of
the people and the manifestations of good will everywhere so apparent.
The recent election not only most fortunately demonstrated the
obliteration of sectional or geographical lines, but to some extent also
the prejudices which for years have distracted our councils and marred
our true greatness as a nation. The triumph of the people, whose verdict
is carried into effect to-day, is not the triumph of one section, nor
wholly of one party, but of all sections and all the people. The North
and the South no longer divide on the old lines, but upon principles and
policies; and in this fact surely every lover of the country can find
cause for true felicitation. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this
spirit; it is ennobling and will be both a gain and a blessing to our
beloved country. It will be my constant aim to do nothing, and permit
nothing to be done, that will arrest or disturb this growing sentiment
of unity and co-operation, this revival of esteem and affiliation which
now animates so many thousands in both the old antagonistic sections,
but I shall cheerfully do everything possible to promote and increase
it.

Let me again repeat the words of the oath administered by the Chief
Justice which, in their respective spheres, so far as applicable, I
would have all my countrymen observe: "I will faithfully execute the
office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United
States." This is the obligation I have reverently taken before the Lord
Most High. To keep it will be my single purpose, my constant prayer; and
I shall confidently rely upon the forbearance and assistance of all the
people in the discharge of my solemn responsibilities.




MESSAGES.


EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 15, 1897_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

Regretting the necessity which has required me to call you together,
I feel that your assembling in extraordinary session is indispensable
because of the condition in which we find the revenues of the
Government. It is conceded that its current expenditures are greater
than its receipts, and that such a condition has existed for now more
than three years. With unlimited means at our command, we are presenting
the remarkable spectacle of increasing our public debt by borrowing
money to meet the ordinary outlays incident upon even an economical and
prudent administration of the Government. An examination of the subject
discloses this fact in every detail and leads inevitably to the
conclusion that the condition of the revenue which allows it is
unjustifiable and should be corrected.

We find by the reports of the Secretary of the Treasury that the
revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, from all sources
were $425,868,260.22, and the expenditures for all purposes were
$415,953,806.56, leaving an excess of receipts over expenditures of
$9,914,453.66. During that fiscal year $40,570,467.98 were paid upon the
public debt, which had been reduced since March 1, 1889, $259,076,890,
and the annual interest charge decreased $11,684,576.60. The receipts
of the Government from all sources during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1893, amounted to $461,716,561.94, audits expenditures to
$459,374,887.65, showing an excess of receipts over expenditures of
$2,341,674.29.

Since that time the receipts of no fiscal year, and with but few
exceptions of no month of any fiscal year, have exceeded the
expenditures. The receipts of the Government, from all sources, during
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, were $372,802,498.29, and its
expenditures $442,605,758.87, leaving a deficit, the first since the
resumption of specie payments, of $69,803,260.58. Notwithstanding there
was a decrease of $16,769,128.78 in the ordinary expenses of the
Government, as compared with the previous fiscal year, its income was
still not sufficient to provide for its daily necessities, and the gold
reserve in the Treasury for the redemption of greenbacks was drawn upon
to meet them. But this did not suffice, and the Government then resorted
to loans to replenish the reserve.

In February, 1894, $50,000,000 in bonds were issued, and in November
following a second issue of $50,000,000 was deemed necessary. The sum of
$117,171,795 was realized by the sale of these bonds, but the reserve
was steadily decreased until, on February 8, 1895, a third sale of
$62,315,400 in bonds, for $65,116,244, was announced to Congress.

The receipts of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895,
were $390,373,203.30 and the expenditures $433,178,426.48, showing a
deficit of $42,805,223.18. A further loan of $100,000,000 was negotiated
by the Government in February, 1896, the sale netting $111,166,246,
and swelling the aggregate of bonds issued within three years to
$262,315,400. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896, the revenues of
the Government from all sources amounted to $409,475,408.78, while its
expenditures were $434,678,654.48, or an excess of expenditures over
receipts of $25,203,245.70. In other words, the total receipts for the
three fiscal years ending June 30, 1896, were insufficient by
$137,811,729.46 to meet the total expenditures.

Nor has this condition since improved. For the first half of the present
fiscal year, the receipts of the Government, exclusive of postal
revenues, were $157,507,603.76, and its expenditures, exclusive of
postal service, $195,410,000.22, or an excess of expenditures over
receipts of $37,902,396.46. In January of this year, the receipts,
exclusive of postal revenues, were $24,316,994.05, and the expenditures,
exclusive of postal service, $30,269,389.29, a deficit of $5,952,395.24
for the month. In February of this year, the receipts, exclusive of
postal revenues, were $24,400,997.38, and expenditures, exclusive of
postal service, $28,796,056.66, a deficit of $4,395,059.28; or a total
deficiency of $186,061,580.44 for the three years and eight months
ending March 1, 1897. Not only are we without a surplus in the Treasury,
but with an increase in the public debt there has been a corresponding
increase in the annual interest charge, from $22,893,883.20 in 1892, the
lowest of any year since 1862, to $34,387,297.60 in 1896, or an increase
of $11,493,414.40.

It may be urged that even if the revenues of the Government had been
sufficient to meet all its ordinary expenses during the past three
years, the gold reserve would still have been insufficient to meet the
demands upon it, and that bonds would necessarily have been issued for
its repletion. Be this as it may, it is clearly manifest, without
denying or affirming the correctness of such a conclusion, that the debt
would have been decreased in at least the amount of the deficiency, and
business confidence immeasurably strengthened throughout the country.

Congress should promptly correct the existing condition. Ample revenues
must be supplied not only for the ordinary expenses of the Government,
but for the prompt payment of liberal pensions and the liquidation of
the principal and interest of the public debt. In raising revenue,
duties should be so levied upon foreign products as to preserve the home
market, so far as possible, to our own producers; to revive and increase
manufactures; to relieve and encourage agriculture; to increase our
domestic and foreign commerce; to aid and develop mining and building;
and to render to labor in every field of useful occupation the liberal
wages and adequate rewards to which skill and industry are justly
entitled. The necessity of the passage of a tariff law which shall
provide ample revenue, need not be further urged. The imperative demand
of the hour is the prompt enactment of such a measure, and to this
object I earnestly recommend that Congress shall make every endeavor.
Before other business is transacted, let us first provide sufficient
revenue to faithfully administer the Government without the contracting
of further debt, or the continued disturbance of our finances.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 7, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

Information which has recently come to me from the governors of
Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and from prominent citizens of
these States and Tennessee, warrants the conclusion that widespread
distress, involving the destruction of a large amount of property and
loss of human life, has resulted from the floods which have submerged
that section of the country. These are stated, on reliable authority, to
be the most destructive floods that have ever devastated the Mississippi
Valley, the water being much higher than the highest stage it has
reached before. From Marion, Ark., north of Memphis, to Greenville,
Miss., a distance of more than 250 miles by river, it is reported there
are now at least fifty towns and villages under water, and a territory
extending from 100 miles north of Memphis to 200 miles south, and from
5 to 40 miles wide, is submerged. Hundreds of thousands of acres of
cultivated soil, with growing crops, are included in the submerged
territory. In this section alone there are from 50,000 to 60,000 people
whose property has been destroyed and whose business has been suspended.
Growing crops have been ruined, thousands of cattle have been drowned,
and the inhabitants of certain areas threatened with starvation. As a
great majority of the sufferers are small farmers, they have thus been
left entirely destitute, and will be unprepared for work even after the
floods have subsided.

The entire Mississippi Valley in Arkansas is flooded and communication
with many points cut off. In Mississippi a like condition exists. The
levees in Louisiana, with a single exception, have held; but the water
is rising and the situation there is reported as being extremely
critical.

Under such circumstances the citizens of these States look for the
co-operation and support of the National Government in relieving the
pressing cases of destitution for food, clothing, and shelter, which are
beyond the reach of local efforts. The authorities who have communicated
with the Executive recognize that their first and most energetic duty
is to provide as far as possible the means of caring for their own
citizens; but nearly all of them agree in the opinion that after their
resources have been exhausted a sum aggregating at least $150,000 and
possibly $200,000 will be required for immediate use.

Precedents are not wanting that in such emergencies as this Congress
has taken prompt, generous, and intelligent action, involving the
expenditure of considerable sums of money, with satisfactory results.
In 1874 $590,000 was appropriated, and in 1882 $350,000 was also
appropriated for relief in same direction, besides large sums in other
years.

The citizens' relief committee of Memphis has taken prompt action,
has already cared for from 6,000 to 7,000 refugees from the flooded
districts, and they are still arriving in that city in large numbers
daily. Supplies and provisions have been sent to the various points in
Arkansas and Mississippi by this committee, but the utmost that can be
done by these efforts is to partly relieve the most acute cases of
suffering. No action has yet been taken for the great majority of the
inhabitants living in the interior, whose condition has already been
described.

Under these conditions and having exerted themselves to the fullest
extent, the local authorities have reluctantly confessed their inability
to further cope with this distressing situation unaided by relief from
the Government. It has therefore seemed to me that the representatives
of the people should be promptly informed of the nature and extent
of the suffering and needs of these stricken people, and I have
communicated these facts in the hope and belief that the legislative
branch of the Government will promptly re-enforce the work of the local
authorities in the States named.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 14, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith for the consideration of the respective Houses
of the Congress, a report of the Secretary of State representing the
appropriateness of early action in order that the Government of the
United States may be enabled to accept the invitation of that of the
French Republic to participate in the Universal Exposition to be held
at Paris in 1900.

The recommendations of this report have my most cordial approval,
and I urge upon the Congress such timely provision for this great
international enterprise as will fittingly respond to the widely
testified wish and expectation of our inventors and producers that they
may have adequate opportunity again, as in the past, to fortify the
important positions that have won in the world's competitive fields
of discovery and industry. Nor are the traditional friendships of the
United States and France and the mutual advantages to accrue from
their enlarged commercial intercourse less important factors than the
individual interests to be fostered by renewed participation in a great
French exposition, especially when it is remembered that the present
display is projected with a degree of completeness and on a scale of
magnificence beyond any of the European exhibitions that have marked
the close of the century.

It is proper that I should emphasize the need of early action, for if
the present session pass without suitable provision being made, the
postponement of the matter for nearly a year longer could not but
operate greatly to the disadvantage of the United States, in view of the
elaborate preparations already making by other governments, and of the
danger that further delay may result in an inadequate allotment of space
to this country as well as an incomplete organization of the American
exhibit.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 3, 1897_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

I transmit a report from the Secretary of State reciting the
circumstances attending the lynching at Hahnville, La., on the night
of August 8, 1896, of three Italian subjects, named Salvatore Arena,
Giuseppe Venturelia, and Lorenzo Salardino, and I recommend the
appropriation by Congress, without admitting the liability of the
Government of the United States in the premises, of the sum of $6,000,
to be paid by the Secretary of State to the Government of Italy, and to
be distributed by that government in such manner as it may deem proper
among the heirs of the three Italian subjects above named.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 13, 1897_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith, in response to the Senate resolution of April 22,
1897, addressed to the Secretary of State, a report from that officer
relative to diplomatic and consular reports on postal savings banks
systems in foreign countries.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 17, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_:

Official information from our consuls in Cuba establishes the fact that
a large number of American citizens in the island are in a state of
destitution, suffering for want of food and medicines. This applies
particularly to the rural districts of the central and eastern parts.

The agricultural classes have been forced from their farms into
the nearest towns, where they are without work or money. The local
authorities of the several towns, however kindly disposed, are unable to
relieve the needs of their own people, and are altogether powerless to
help our citizens.

The latest report of Consul-General Lee estimates six to eight
hundred Americans are without means of support. I have assured him that
provision would be made at once to relieve them. To that end I recommend
that Congress make an appropriation of not less than $50,000, to be
immediately available for use, under the direction of the Secretary of
State.

It is desirable that a part of the sum which may be appropriated by
Congress should, in the discretion of the Secretary of State, also be
used for the transportation of American citizens who, desiring to return
to the United States, are without means to do so.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 1, 1897_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

On the 15th ultimo all the buildings of the immigration station at Ellis
Island, New York, excepting the heating plant and lighting apparatus,
were destroyed by fire.

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, which
states the fact and explains the need of rebuilding.

In order that there may be no delay in this important work, I recommend
that an appropriation be made at once of $600,000, the sum estimated by
the Secretary of the Treasury as required for this purpose.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 23, 1897_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit herewith a report from the Acting Secretary of State, with an
accompanying paper, in response to the resolution of the Senate of July
12, 1897, requesting the Secretary of State to send to the diplomatic
representatives of the United States abroad a circular letter, similar
to the one sent by Secretary Elaine on May 20, 1881, instructing them to
obtain from the several foreign governments to which they are accredited
as full information as possible (including copy of laws relating
thereto) as to the nature and practical workings (including expenses,
receipts, and rates) of the postal telegraphs, telephones, and postal
savings banks of such countries as have adopted the same.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.



EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 24, 1897_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

In my message convening the Congress in extraordinary session I called
attention to a single subject--that of providing revenue adequate to
meet the reasonable and proper expenses of the Government. I believed
that to be the most pressing subject for settlement then. A bill to
provide the necessary revenues for the Government has already passed the
House of Representatives and the Senate and awaits executive action.

Another question of very great importance is that of the establishment
of our currency and banking system on a better basis, which I commented
upon in my inaugural address in the following words:

Our financial system needs some revision; our money is all good now,
but its value must not further be threatened. It should all be put upon
an enduring basis, not subject to easy attack, nor its stability to
doubt or dispute. The several forms of our paper money offer, in my
judgment, a constant embarrassment to the Government and imperil a safe
balance in the Treasury.


Nothing was settled more clearly at the late national election than the
determination upon the part of the people to keep their currency stable
in value and equal to that of the most advanced nations of the world.

The soundness of our currency is nowhere questioned. No loss can occur
to its holders. It is the system which should be simplified and
strengthened, keeping our money just as good as it is now with less
expense to the Government and the people.

The sentiment of the country is strongly in favor of early action
by Congress in this direction, to revise our currency laws and remove
them from partisan contention. A notable assembly of business men
with delegates from twenty-nine States and Territories was held at
Indianapolis in January of this year. The financial situation commanded
their earnest attention, and after a two days' session the convention
recommended to Congress the appointment of a monetary commission.

I recommend this report to the consideration of Congress. The authors of
the report recommend a commission "to make a thorough investigation of
the monetary affairs and needs of this country in all relations and
aspects, and to make proper suggestions as to any evils found to exist
and the remedies therefor."

This subject should receive the attention of Congress at its special
session. It ought not to be postponed until the regular session.

I therefore urgently recommend that a special commission be created,
non-partisan in its character, to be composed of well-informed citizens
of different parties who will command the confidence of Congress and the
country because of their special fitness for the work, whose duty it
shall be to make recommendations of whatever changes in our present
banking and currency laws may be found necessary and expedient, and to
report their conclusions on or before the 1st day of November next, in
order that the same may be transmitted by me to Congress for its
consideration at its first regular session.

It is to be hoped that the report thus made will be so comprehensive and
sound as to receive the support of all parties and the favorable action
of Congress. At all events, such a report cannot fail to be of value to
the executive branch of the Government, as well as to those charged with
public legislation, and to greatly assist in the establishment of an
improved system of finance.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.




FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE.


EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 6, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

It gives me pleasure to extend greeting to the Fifty-fifth Congress,
assembled in regular session at the seat of Government, with many
of whose Senators and Representatives I have been associated in the
legislative service. Their meeting occurs under felicitous conditions,
justifying sincere congratulation and calling for our grateful
acknowledgment to a beneficent Providence which has so signally blessed
and prospered us as a nation. Peace and good will with all the nations
of the earth continue unbroken.

A matter of genuine satisfaction is the growing feeling of fraternal
regard and unification of all sections of our country, the
incompleteness of which has too long delayed realization of the highest
blessings of the Union. The spirit of patriotism is universal and is
ever increasing in fervor. The public questions which now most engross
us are lifted far above either partisanship, prejudice, or former
sectional differences. They affect every part of our common country
alike and permit of no division on ancient lines. Questions of foreign
policy, of revenue, the soundness of the currency, the inviolability of
national obligations, the improvement of the public service, appeal to
the individual conscience of every earnest citizen to whatever party he
belongs or in whatever section of the country he may reside.

The extra session of this Congress which closed during July last
enacted important legislation, and while its full effect has not yet
been realized, what it has already accomplished assures us of its
timeliness and wisdom. To test its permanent value further time will be
required, and the people, satisfied with its operation and results thus
far, are in no mind to withhold from it a fair trial.

Tariff legislation having been settled by the extra session of Congress,
the question next pressing for consideration is that of the currency.

The work of putting our finances upon a sound basis, difficult as
it may seem, will appear easier when we recall the financial operations
of the Government since 1866. On the 30th day of June of that year
we had outstanding demand liabilities in the sum of $728,868,447.41.
On the 1st of January, 1879, these liabilities had been reduced to
$443,889,495.88. Of our interest-bearing obligations, the figures
are even more striking. On July 1, 1866, the principal of the
interest-bearing debt of the Government was $2,332,331,208. On the
1st day of July, 1893, this sum had been reduced to $585,037,100, or an
aggregate reduction of $1,747,294,108. The interest-bearing debt of the
United States on the 1st day of December, 1897, was $847,365,620. The
Government money now outstanding (December 1) consists of $346,681,016
of United States notes, $107,793,280 of Treasury notes issued by
authority of the law of 1890, $384,963,504 of silver certificates, and
$61,280,761 of standard silver dollars.

With the great resources of the Government, and with the honorable
example of the past before us, we ought not to hesitate to enter upon a
currency revision which will make our demand obligations less onerous to
the Government and relieve our financial laws from ambiguity and doubt.

Copyright (c) 2007. bestextbooks.com. All rights reserved.

Zane Grey - "The Day of the Beast"

Joan Conquest - "Leonie of the Jungle"

Various - "The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 33, June 24, 1897"

Marcus Tullius Cicero - "Cicero's Tusculan Disputations"

Roy Greenslade: Michael Wolff on Rupert Murdoch - he loves gossip
Articles published by guardian.co.uk Books

President Obama teams up with one of Marvel's greatest heroes, reports Alison Flood

Here's Michael Wolff, still doing the rounds promoting his Rupert Murdoch biography, The man who owns the news. This interview with Jon Stewart is fun. It starts off with Wolff saying: "You wanna start a rumour, tell Rupert. He's the biggest gossip I've ever met." And there's an amusing pay-off too. (Via Comedy Central/The E&P Pub)

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Murder One closing so did we commit this crime?

Barack Obama is teaming up with Spider-Man in a new comic from Marvel, which will see the future president exchanging a fist-bump with Peter Parker's alter ego.

The five-page story takes place in Washington DC on inauguration day, when one of Spidey's oldest enemies, the Chameleon, attempts to stop Obama's swearing-in ceremony. Fortunately, Peter Parker is covering the event as a photographer, and jumps in to save the day.

"Ya hear that, Chameleon? The president-elect here just appointed me ... secretary of shuttin' you up," Spider-Man says as he thwacks the Chameleon in the face. "I hope this doesn't ruin the inauguration for you," he tells Obama, as the Chameleon is led away by security officials. "Honestly, I'm more upset by the Chameleon's shockingly deficient understanding of the electoral process," Obama replies.

Spidey then cedes the limelight to Obama. "This is your day, after all, and I know it wouldn't look good to be seen palling around with me," he says, in a nod to Sarah Palin's comment that the then presidential candidate had been "palling around with terrorists".

The story, written by Zeb Wells and illustrated by Todd Nauck and Frank D'Armata, will appear as a bonus feature in Amazing Spider-Man 583, which goes on sale on 14 January.

"When we heard that president-elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe," said Marvel's editor-in-chief Joe Quesada. "A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man."

In October, graphic novel biographies of Obama and his then rival John McCain were published by IDW. April will see Michelle Obama appearing in the Female Force comic book series.

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds