WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., September 29, 1899.

It is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, the Government Printing Office and the Navy Yard and Station at Washington be closed on Tuesday, October 3rd, to enable the employees to participate in the ceremonies attending the Reception of Admiral Dewey, United States Navy, and the presentation of the Sword of Honor to him, as authorized by a Joint Resolution of Congress, approved June 3rd, 1899.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., November 4, 1899.

In furtherance of interchange between those absent in the service of their country and their families at home, it is hereby ordered that packages and parcels of mailable matter and containing only articles desired as gifts and souvenirs, and so marked, and with no commercial purpose, and not for sale, from Officers, Soldiers and Sailors serving in the Army and Navy and other persons employed in the Civil Service of the United States, in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippine Islands and Cuba addressed to members of their families in the United States, or packages of the same personal character addressed from the United States to Officers, Soldiers, Sailors and others in the Public Service in said Islands may be sent through the mails, subject only to the domestic postal regulations of the United States.

The details of the execution of this order with all necessary safeguards will devolve on the Secretary of War and Postmaster-General.

WILLIAM McKINLEY.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., November 10, 1899.

In accordance with the law that prescribes that the Army and Navy General Hospital at Hot Springs, Ark., "shall be subject to such rules, regulations, and restrictions as shall be provided by the President of the United States," the following amendment of the rules and regulations provided for its government in Executive Order of August 25, 1892, is authorized: