Every one must admit the wisdom of providing for the payment of the canal expenditure by bonds.

The proposed legislation has my hearty approval and I commend it to the careful consideration of the Congress.

Considerations of proper military efficiency, as well as a due sense of national dignity, and self-respect, as befitting this great nation, urge that the existing situation shall cease.

The effect of the proposed measure would be to promote officers to the grade of captain at an average age of 46 or 47, and to make the average age of all the captains about 50.

The effect of the proposed measure would be to promote our officers to the grade of rear-admiral at an average age of 54 to 55, and to make the average of all the rear-admirals about 58.

I earnestly urge upon the Congress the passage of suitable personnel legislation.

The creating of higher ranking flag officers is a military necessity.

The ultimate personnel would reach 3,000 line officers and midshipmen and 60,000 enlisted men; but under the measure as drawn, the full authorized strength of officers and men can not be reached for a number of years to come; nor, in any case, except with the approval of the Congress year by year.

I commend to the Congress with my approval and the request that action should be taken accordingly.

I am glad to be here at the meeting of the Republican Club on Lincoln's birthday.

Revisions are like the work of men — they are not perfect.