abilities displayed by him at Santiago are of such a character as to
indicate especial fitness for the duties of the line.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.




SECOND ANNUAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 5, 1898_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_

Notwithstanding the added burdens rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing degree of
prosperity, evidenced by the largest volume of business ever recorded.
Manufacture has been productive, agricultural pursuits have yielded
abundant returns, labor in all fields of industry is better rewarded,
revenue legislation passed by the present Congress has increased the
Treasury's receipts to the amount estimated by its authors, the finances
of the Government have been successfully administered and its credit
advanced to the first rank, while its currency has been maintained at
the world's highest standard. Military service under a common flag and
for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to
cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section
of the country.

A review of the relation of the United States to other powers, always
appropriate, is this year of primary importance in view of the momentous