f the United States, especially
as affecting the distribution of water to crops, the area and value of
reclaimed land, and the stability and unprofitableness of farming where
irrigation is practised.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 21, 1899_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State,
accompanying the commercial relations of the United States for the
year 1898, being the annual reports of the consular officers upon the
industries and commerce of foreign countries. In view of the value of
these reports to the manufacturing and exporting interests of the
country, I indorse the recommendation of the Secretary of State that
Congress authorize the printing of the usual editions of 10,000 copies
of the general summary, entitled "Review of the World's Commerce" and
of 5,000 copies of "Commercial Relations" (including this summary), to
enable the Department of State to meet the demand for such information.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 1, 1899_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a communication
from the Secretary of Agriculture, covering a report on the progress of
the beet-sugar industry in the United States during the year 1898. It
embraces the results of numerous chemical analyses and the observations
made by a special agent in various parts of the United States.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 3, 1899_.

_To the Senate_:

In response to the resolution of the Senate of February 28 last
directed to the Secretary of State, I transmit a report from that
officer submitting a list of claims against Spain, growing out of the
insurrection in Cuba, filed in the Department of State, not embraced
in Senate Document No. 79, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 5, 1899_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

At the threshold of your deliberations you are called to mourn with your
countrymen the death of Vice-President Hobart, who passed from this life
on the morning of November 21 last. His great soul now rests in eternal
peace. His private life was pure and elevated, while his public career
was ever distinguished by large capacity, stainless integrity, and
exalted motives. He has been removed from the high office which he
honored and