By a budget system I mean a reference of proposed expenditures and receipts to some one authority or tribunal, which, after determining what the revenues are to be, must also determine what the expenditures can be, and make a budget…

That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed to make practical and exhaustive investigation of the character, extent, and value of the coal deposits in and under the segregated coal lands of the Choctaw and…

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

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.

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.

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…

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

Parties are like men.

I therefore venture to repeat the remark I have had occasion to make before, that the present customs law is the best customs law that has ever been passed.

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

The one substantial defect in compliance with the promise of the platform was the failure to reduce woolens.

In what respect has the Republican party failed in its conduct of the Government and the enactment of laws, to perform its duty?

We did revise the tariff.

I repeat, therefore, that this was a downward revision.

It was no violation of the promise to increase the revenues by increasing the tax on luxuries, provided there was downward revision on all other articles.

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

I recommend that favorable action be taken by the Congress.

I commend to Congress the consideration of the report of the Secretary of War and recommend the adoption of his suggestions, which have been embodied in a bill amending the so-called 'Foraker Act.'

At present there is manhood suffrage in the island, and, as a very large percentage of the voters are unable to read or write, the electorate is not one which should be intrusted with the government.

The Secretary suggests not an act making all Porto Rican citizens American citizens with or without their consent, but an act to provide machinery by which Porto Rican citizens who shall make the proper application for citizenship to a…

It is much better in the interests of the people of the island that the suffrage should be limited by an educational and property qualification.

I give my cordial approval to the recommendation made by the Secretary of State and urge upon Congress timely provision in accordance therewith.