THE

HE third session of the LVth Congress of the United States convened on the morning of January 4, 1899. Before it lay new questions, the like of which never came before that august body. Almost a year ago, on the morning of February 16, 1898, a moral earthquake shook the civilized world as the cable dispatches announced the cruel destruction of the "Maine" in Havana harbor. The doubleleaded head lines of the press intensified the horror. This same Congress in its first session were aghast at the probable results of an investigation. After the investigation came immediate retribution-war, short and decisive. A retribution which was made to cover the crimes of centuries and crush out forever an evil from the western hemisphere.

Then came the peace commission at Paris, and after three months of deliberation, their return home, laying the treaty

in the President's hands, which in turn was placed by him before the people through their trusted servants-Congress.

It is foolish to predict what the future will bring. New acquisitions bring new troubles, to be sure, but the march of civilization is just as sure.

The great halls of Congress which have rung with wisdom since the first Congress will again resound with wisdom and eloquence, and enlightenment will conquer and subdue the continual strife in the conquered territory.

Senators and Representatives alike offered their services to their country in the strife. Some have paid the debt of nature and dropped out of line. New faces fill the seats and new voices are heard. But through it all, from year to year, it is the same Congress carrying out the principles of a great people principles which make great nations.

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force of 274,717 officers and men, or a percentage of 1.059. (Report of AdjutantGeneral, 1898.)

No compilation of the troops engaged in the various Indian wars has ever been made. The struggles having been conducted by the small regular army usually attracted no attention unless attended with such tragedies as the Dade or Custer massacres.

The total losses of the regular Army in Indian Wars from 1789 to 1898, inclusive, are: killed, 109 officers, 2,016 enlisted men; wounded, 142 officers, 2,014 enlisted men; missing, 8 enlisted men; aggregate, 4,289.

The total losses of the regular Army in all wars, battles, actions, etc., including Indian Wars, from 1789 to 1898, inclusive, are as follows: