mpanying the papers.

I learn from Mr. S.N. Bradford, Provost Marshal of the Twelfth District
of Pennsylvania at Scranton, that lodgings were furnished to persons in
military service at that place by Gardiner and Atkinson under a contract
with the Provost Marshal, also that the contractors rented the building
used for the above purpose from Mr. Tewksbury.

Considering it a matter entirely between that gentleman and his tenants,
Messrs. Gardiner and Atkinson, I at that time refused to take any action
in the matter whatever.

The claim was again submitted to the office of the Quartermaster-General
on September 30, 1865, by Major W.B. Lane, and was returned on May 1,
1866, with the information that the United States had already paid for
lodging of the troops under the control of the Provost Marshal at
Scranton, Pa., during the time for which charge for rent is made.

The claimant was referred to the officer or person by whom the building
was taken for compensation for its use. No other record of this case is
found in the War Department, although it will be observed that the bill
covers a period from June, 1862, to June, 1865, inclusive, while the
claim as originally presented to the War Department was for occupancy of
the building at Scranton, Pa., from February 24, 1864, to February 3,
1865.

It thus appears that when this claim was originally presented it was
examined by the proper representative of the Government, and was
rejected; that no such use and occupation as the United States
Government had of claimant's building was under a contract between the
Government and the tenants of claimant, and that payment therefor was
duly made by the Government. Now after a lapse of some thirty-seven
years the period of use and occupation covered by the claim has
increased threefold, and the compensation asked therefor has more than
doubled. Under the circumstances of this case I do not feel at liberty
to approve the bill.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

_My Fellow-Citizens_:

When we assembled here on the 4th of March, 1897, there was great
anxiety with regard to our currency and credit. None exists now. Then
our Treasury receipts were inadequate to meet the current obligations
of the Government. Now they are sufficient for all public needs, and we
have a surplus instead of a deficit. Then I felt constrained to convene
the Congress in extraordinary session to