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©otwmtw VOL. XXVIII—NO. 292 COLUMBUS, GEORGIA: TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 7, 1886. PRICE FIVE CENTS An Able end Erudite Docnment. Hold! the Country Up to the Face of Conurox Like on Image In a Mirror—He Tonchea lleaftly on the Great Labor Problem*, and Corera the Ground of all the Pending Imuen Completely. Washington, December 6.—To the con gress of the United States: In discharge of a constitutional duty, and following a well established precedent in the execu tive office, I herewith transmit to the con gress at its reassembling certain informa tion concerning the state of the Union, to gether with such recommendations for leg islative consideration as appear necessary and expedient. Our government has consistently main tained its relations of friendship towards all other powers and of neighborly interest toward those whose possessions are con tiguous to our own. Few questions have arisen during the past year with other governments, and none of them are beyond the reach of settlement in a friendly way. We ore as yet without provision for the settlement of the claims of the citizens of the United Htates against Chili for injuries during the late war with Peru and Bolivia. The mixed, commission organized under the claims convention concluded by the Chilian government with certain Euro pean states has developed an amount of friction which we trust can be avoided in the convention which our representative at Santiago is authorized to negotiate. The cruel treatment of inoffensive Chinese has, 1 regret to say, been repeated in some of the far western states and territories, and acts of violence against those people beyond power of the local constituted authorities New and vast interests have been brought into existence, modes of intercourse be tween the respective countries have been invented and multiplied, the methods of conducting the lisheries have been wholly an d a ll this is necessarily eu- ifj “ i,* 0 a , can< lld and careful con sideration in the adjustment of the terms and conditions of intercourse and commerce between the United States and their neighbors alohg the frontier of over 3500 miles. ’ “unity of language aniUoccupntion. C nnd similarity of political and social institu tions, indicate the practical and obvious wisdom of maintaining mutually beneficial and friendly relations. Whilst I am un- latioh of our laws, even though the offense be against a subject or citizen of such sov ereign. The Mexican statute in question makes the claim broadly, and the princi ple, if conceded, would create a dual re sponsibility in the citizen and load to in extricable confusion, destructive of that certainty in the law which is an es sential of liberty. When citizens of the United States voluntarily go into a foreign country they must abide by the laws there in force and will not be protect ed by their own government from the con sequences of an offense against those laws committed in such foreign country; but the watchful care and interest of this gov ernment over its citizens are not relin- ", — ciumciib over ns citizens are not reun- shonW &A'SSL?. U “i 1 D . re A atl ° n f because .they have gone abroad, should exist between the United States and the inhabitants of Canada, yet the action of the officials during the past seasons to wards our fishermen has been such as to seriously threaten their countenance. Although disappointed in my efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement °f the fishing question, negotiations are stijl pending with a reasonable hope that before the close of the present session of congress the announcement may be made that an acceptable conclusion has been reached, a3 at an enrly day there may he laid before congress the correspondence of the deDartmout of state in relation to this and if charged with a crime committed in the foreign land, fair and open trial conducted with decent regard for justice and humanity will be demanded for them; with less than this the government WILL NOT BE CONTENT, when the life or liberty of its citizeus is at stake. Whatever the degree to which ex tra territorial criminal jurisdiction may have been formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal agreement among certain of the European states, no such doctrine or practice was ever known to the laws of this country or of that from which our institutions have mainly been derived. In i Of Mexico there are reasons es closed ami i pecially strong for harmony in the mutual closed, and the action and the attitude oi exercise of jurisdiction the administration clearly apprehended, a • jurisdiction. more extended reference is" not deemed necessary in this communication. The recommendation submitted last year that provision be made for to prevent and difficult to punish, are re ported even in distant Alaska. Much of P 1 tt his violence can bo traced to race preju dice and competition of labor, which can not, however, justify thfe oppression of strangers wnose safety is guaranteed by our treaty with Caiua equally with tde most favored nations. In opening our vast domain to alien elements, the purpose of our law-givers was to invi.e assimilation and not to provide un arena for endless an tagonisms. The paramount duty of main-* taining public order and defendr Ing the interests of our own people may require the adoption of measures of restriction; but they should not tolerate the oppression of individuals of a special race. I am not without assur ance that the government of China, whose friendly disposition towards us I am most happy to recognize, will meet us half way in devising a comprehensive remedy by which an effective limitation of Chinese emigration, joined to the protection of those Chinese subjects who remain in this ewmtfpr nmy be secured. • That lcgis- tion is needed to execute these provision*, is manifest. The situation of American in terests on the Isthmus of Panama has, at times, excited concern and invited a friend ly action looking to the performance of the engagements of the two ..atious con cerning the territory embraced in the A PRELIMINARY RECONNAISSANCE of the conventional boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia is renewed. I express my unhesitating conviction that the intimacy of our relation with Hawaii shjftld be emphasized as a result of the reciprocity treaty of I860. Those islands then, the highway of oriental and Austral ian traffic, are virtually an outpost of American commerce and a stepping stone to the growing trade of the Paciiic. The Polynesian island groups have been so ab sorbed by other and more powerful gov ernments that the Hawiian islands are left almost alone in the enjoyment of the autonomy weieh it is important for the United States should be presejved. Our treaty is now terminable on one year’s notice, but propositions to abrogate it would be, in my judgment, most ill udvisjd. The paramount influence we have there acquired once relinquished, could only with difficulty be regained, and a valuable ground of vantage for ourselves might be converted into a stronghold for our commercial competitors. 1 earnestly recommend that the existing treaty etipu- a further term ot Nature has made us irrevokably neighbors, and wisdom and kind feeling should make us friends. The overflow of capital and enterprise from the lation be extended for seven years. , A recently signed treaty to this end is now before the senate. The importance of telepratihic communica tion between these islanders and the United Slates should not be overlooked. The question of a general revision of the treaties of Japan is again under discussion at Tokio. As the first, nation to open re lations with the empire and as the nation in most direct commercial relation with Japan, the United States have lost no apportunity to testify their consistent friendship by supporting the just claims of Japan to autonomy and independence among the nations. A treaty ot extradi tion between the United States and Japan, the first concluded by that empire has been lately proclaimed. The weakness of Libe ria and the difficulty of maintaining effect ive sovereignty over the outlying districts have exposed that republic to oncroach- ment. It cannot be forgo ten that thi inter-oceanic transit. With the subsidence j distant community is an offshot of our of the isthmian disturbance and the erec tion of the state of Panama into a federal district, under the direct government of the constitutional administration at Bogota, a new order of.things has been in augurated, which, although as yet, is some what experimental, and affording a scope tor the arbitrary exercise j of power by the delegates of the national authority, promises much improvement. The sympathy between the people of the United States and Franco born during our colonial struggle for inde pendence and continuing to day, has re ceived a fresh impulse in the successful completion and dedication of the colossal Statue oi Liberty Eulightening the World in New York harbor, the gift of French men to Americans. A convention between the United States and certain other powers for the protection of sub-marine cables own system, owing its origin to the asso ciated benevolence of American citizens, whose praiseworthy efforts to create u nucleus of civilization in the dark conti nent have commanded respect and sym pathy everywhere, especially in this coun try. Although a formal protectorate over Liberia is contrary to our traditional policy, the moral right and duty of the United States to assist in all proper ways in the maintenance of its integrity is obvious and has been consistently announced during nearly’ half a century. X recommend that in the reorganization of our navy, a small vessel, no longer found a dequate to our needs, be presented to Liberia to be employed by it in protection of coastwise revenues. The encouraging development of benefi cial and intimate relations between the United States and Mexico, which has boon was signed at Paris March 14, 1834. and has ] so marked within the past lew days is at tion required tor its execution in the United States has not yet been adopted. 1 earnestly recommend its enactment. Cases have continued to occur in Germany giv ing rise to much correspondence in rela- co vention January United States is a potent factor in assisting in the development of the resources of Mexico and in building lip the property of both countries. To assist this good work ail grounds of apprehension for the se- curiry of person and property should be removed, and I trust that in the interest of good neighborhood the statute referred to will be so modified ns to eliminate the present possibilities of danger to the peace of the two countries. The government of the Netherlands has exhibited concern in relation to certain features of our tariff which are supposed by them to be aimed at a class of tobacco produced in the East Indies. Comment would seem unnecessary upon the unwisdom of legislation appear ing to have a special national discrimina tion for its object, which although unin tentional may give rise to injurious rela tions. The establishment, less than foul- years ago, of a legation at Teheran, is bear ing fruit in tlie interest exhibited by the shah’s government in the industrial ac tivity of the United States, and tho oppor tunities of beneficial interchanges. Stable government is now happily restored in Peru by the election of a constitutional president, and a period of re- habitation is entered upon. But the recovery is necessarily slow from the ex haustion caused by the late war and civil disturbances. A convention to adjust by arbitration the claims of our citizens has tiren proposed and is under consideration. The naval officer who bore to Siberia the testimonials bestowed by congress in recog nition of the aid given to the Jeannette survivors has successfully accomplished his mission. His interesting report will be submitted. It is pleasant to know that this mark of appreciation has been wel comed by the Russian government and people as befits the traditional friendship of the two countries. Civil perturbations in the Samoan island have, during the past few years, been a source of considerable embarrassment to the three governments—Germany, Great Britain and the United States—whose re lations and extra territorial rights in that important group are guaranteed by treat ies. The weakness of the native adminis tration and the conflict of opposing inter ests in the island have led King Malietoa to seek alliance or protection in some one quarter regardless of tho distinct engage ment- whereby no one of the three treaty powers may acquire any paramount or ex clusive interest. In May last Malietoa offered to place Samoa under the protec tion of the United States, and the late con sul, without authority, assumed to grant it. The proceeding was promptly disavowed and the over-zealous official recalled. Special agents of the three governments have been deputed to examine the situa tion of the island. With a change in the representation of all three powei'3 and a harmonious understanding between them, the peace, prosperity, ant.onomous ad infil tration and neutrality of Samoa will hardly 1 fail to be secured. It appearing that the government of Spain did not extend to the flag of t‘ e j United Slates in the. Antilles the full mens- j ure of reciprocity requisite under our statute for the continuance of the stis- pension of discriminations against the I ... Spanish Hag in our ports, I was 1 I constrained iu October to rescind my the delay of the executive of that republic dl in ratifying the measure. I trust that this postponement will be brief, lint should it much longer continue the delay may well be regarded as a rescission of the compact and a failure on the part of Venezuela to complete an arrangement ho persistently thi ' ' ' ' sought by her during many years, and as sented to by this government in a spirit of international fairness, although known to he a detriment to the holders of tho lionn fide awards of the impugned commission. I renew the recommendation of my last animal message, that existing legislation concerning citizenship and naturalization be revised. We have treaties with many states providing for the renunciation of citizenship by naturalized aliens, but no statute Is found to give effect, to such en gagements nor any which provides for the need of a central bureau for the registra tion of naturalized citizens. Experience suggests that our statutes regulating ex- The expenditures are compared witli those of the preceding fiscal year and classified as follows: Current expenses eiifii Intercourse. tradition might bo advantageously amend- rovlsii ed by a provision for the transit across our territory, now a convenient thoroughfare of travel from one foreign country to an other of foreigners surrendered by a foreign government to a third state. Such provisions are not unusual in the legis lation of other countries and tend to prevent tho miscarriage of justice. It is also de sirable in order to remove present uncer tainties that authority should be conferred on the secretary of state to issuo a certifi cate in e:i30 of an arrest, for tho purpose ot extradition, to the officer before whom tho proceeding is pending, showing that a re- or the surrender of tho person quisition f charged has been duly made. Suoha cer tificate, if required to be received before the prisoner’s examination, would prevent a long andexpenslve judicial inquiry into a charge winch the foreign government might not desire to press. I also recommend that express provision bo made for the immediate discharge from custody of per sons committee, fur x‘ -million, where the president is of the opinion that that sur render should not he made. Tlie drift of sentiment in civilized com munities toward the full recognition of the rights of property in the creations of the died has brought about tlie human inte adoption by many important nations of an international eopvright convention, which was signed at Berne on the 18th or September, 1885. Inasmuch as tlie consti tution gives to congress the power “to pro- mole the progress of science and the use ful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discover ies. ’ this government did not feel war ranted in becomimr a signatory, pending the notion of congress upon Pleasures of international copyright now before it, but the RIGHT OP ADHESION TO TIIE BERNE CON VENTION hereafter has been reserved. I trust tlie subject will receive at your hands tlie at- tiou it deserves, and that the just claims of authors, so urgently pressed, will be duly headed. Representations continue to be made to me of the injurious effects upon American artists studying abroad and having free access to the art collections of foreign countries of maintaining a discrimination duty against the introduction of the works " ,h. of their brother artists of other countries; and 1 am induced to repeat my recommen dation for the abolition ofthnt tax pursu ant to a provision of the diplomatic and consular and appropriation act approved July 1,1888. The estimates submitted by the secretary of state for the maintenance of the consular service have been recast on the basis of salaries for all officers to whom such allowances is deemed advisable. Ad vantage has been taken of this to redistribute tlie salaries of the offices now appropriated for in accordance witli tho work performed, ttie importance of tlie representative duties of tho incumbent, and the cost of living at each post. The last considera tion lias been too often lost sight of in the allowances heretofore made. The com pensation which may suffice for the de cent maintenance of worthy and capable officers in a position of onerous representa- Imlliins Pensions Military, inc. Hiver & Harbor I m prevent’ta and Arsenals Navy inclnitfiiK Ves sel y is, Machinery and Yi *21,955,604 01 $23,826,942 11 .132,320 88 .*•. 110,009 II 6,009,138 17 63,101,06-1 03 13.907.SS7 1 Imp. of Navy Yards, lilt, on Public Debt....) 00,660,116 97 District of Columbia... I 2,892,321 83 Miscellaneous Expen-] , dituros inc. public Buildings, Id gilt- houses und eol. tho Revenue I 7.988,083 01 6,552,494 63 60,102,267 19 10,021,979 69 51,364,256 47 3,490,650 05 51.728.950 21 For the current year to oml June .111, inoi, the ascertained receipts up to October 1, 1888, with such reeeiots estimated for tho remainder of the year, amount to $356,000,- 000. TI10 expenditures ascertained and estimated for tlie sumo period were $200,- 000,000, indicating an anticipated surplus 1..- ..i,..„. * 1,., ,.**icon coo nnc ■ at the dose of the year of $00,000,000. Tlie total value of tlie exports from the United States to foreign countries during the fiscal year is stated and compared with the preceding year as follows: I For thoycnr j Ft r Hie Jyear ending June ending Jam I 30, 1SS0. | 39, 1885, Domestic merchan dise h Foreign merchan dise Gold (Silver | 13.560,301 09 42,952 191 00 20,fill,21(1 00 15.506,609 00 9,477,692 00 33,753,6 )3 09 The value of some ot our leading exports during tho last fleial year as compared with tho value of the same for the year immediately preceding is here given and 28 information noth interesting and furnishes suggestive: Cottton and cotton man uf.ieturos Tobaco and its nuui- utUctllles II rend",tuffs Provisions For tho year ending June 30, 1886. for tlie year ending Junt 30, 1884. 00,025,218 00, 107,332,456 CO Our imports during ‘ho Iasi, fiscal year as compared with the previous year were as Merchandise Gold Silver $635,430,130 00 20.743,340 00 17,850.307 00 $579,580,05 1 80 20,094,090 00 10,550,627 01) In my last annual messago to emigre™ attention was directed to tlie fact that the revenues of the government exceeded ita actual needs, and it wan suggested that legislative action should Iw^aken to re lieve the people from the unnecessary bur , . , ,, -. ... .. den of taxation thus made apparent. In I ”2 r - k -i “. or , r ?'^ c6 „-, th , e .■ . 0 ?, nl .P.?. ns ?^ n . n - £ and fearless self-reliance. And for the privilege of indulging this sentiment with true American enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle surplus in the public treasury; and all the people know that tho imports to-day, in time of peace, are but u tythe, while upon some articles of necessary con sumption they are actually more than was imposed by tlie grievous burden wil lingly borne at a time when the govern ment needed millions to maintain by war the safety and integrity of the union. It has been the policy of tho government to, eollcet the principal part of its revenues, by a tnx upon its imports, and no change in this policy is desirable; but tho present condition of affairs constrain our people to doiuand that by a revision of our revenuo laws the receipts of the government shall be reduced to tho necessary expense of its economical administration, and this demand should be recognized und obeyed by the people’s representatives in the legisla tive brunch oi' tlie government. In read justing the burdens of federal taxution a sound public policy requires that such of otir citizens as have bull:, up large and im portant industries undoi 1 the present con ditions, should not bo suddenly, and to their injury, deprived of the ad vantages to which they have adapted their business; but if tlie pulie good requires it they should be content with sueli consideration as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their interests while a just demand of the people for relief from needless taxution is honestly answered. A reasonable and timely submission to such u demand should certainly be possi ble without a disastrous shock to any in terests, and u cheerful concession some times averts ubvupt and heedless action often tiie outgrowth of impudence and de layed justice. Duo regard should be alBO accorded in any proposed readjustment to the interests olAmerican labor so far as they are involved. Wo congratulate our selves that there is among us no laboring class fixedwitli unyielding bands und doom ed under all conditions to the inexora ble fate of daily toil. We recog nize in tho law a chief factor in tho wealth of tlie repub lic. We treat thoso who have it. in their keeping us citizens entitled to the most careful regard and thankful atten tion. This regard and attention should be awarded them, not omy because labor is the capital of our workingmen justly en titled to its share of government tavor, but for tlie further and not less important rea son that tho laboring man, surrounded by his family in his humble home, us a con sumer, is vitally interested in all Mist cheapens tiie cost of living and enables him to bring within his domestic eirules additional comforts und advantages. This relation of tho workingman to tlie revenue laws of the country and tlie manner in which it palpably in fluences the (question of wages should not be forgotten in the justifiable prominence given to the proper maintenance of the supply and protection of well paid labor; and these considerations suggest such an arrangement of government revenues m shall reduce the expenses of living, whiln it does not curtail the opportunity for lieu ui tUAtvuuii iiiiun iiiuiie npumuuii. xu t . . . , , , , ,7^ view of the pressing importance of the 1 American labor and injuriously affect its. subject I deem it my duly to agaiti urge its | condition and^ tiie dignified place it holds, consideration. The income of the govern- iu the estimation of our people. But our farmers and .igrieullurisis, those wfio from, the soil produce tlie things consumed by all are p i I'.arjs more directly and plainly con cerned Ilian any other of our citizens in a. portion of ‘the pubiic ' just and cart tut system of federal taxation. ■ option subject to ex : J'uoso actually engaged in and tive trust at a post readily accessible, and ii~ 1883. Our commercial treaty of 1831 predecessor’s proclamation of February if. with Mexico was icrminated with Mexico permitting such suspension. An ar- according to its provisions in 1881, upon a ■ , notification given by Mexico in pursuance cordiality. The claims for interest on tlie amount "of tonnage dues illegally exacted from certain German steamship fir from certain German steamship fines were favorably reported in both houses of congress at the last session and I trust will receive final and favorable action at an early day. The recommendation con tained In my last annual message in rela tion to a mode of settlement of the fishery rights in the waters of British North America, so long an object of anxious difference between the United States and Great Britain, was met by an adverse vote th ’ — — of the senate on April 15th last; and there upon negotiations were instituted to ob tain an agreement with her Britanic Ma jesty’s government for the promulgation of such a joint interpretation and defitii- Mpn of the article of the convention of 1818 —to territorial waters and in a share fisheries of the British provinces as _ou Id secure tho Canadian rights trom Encroachment by the United States fish eries, and at the same time insure the —■ joyment by the latter of the privile property and residence, treatment of ship ping, consular privileges and the iike. Our yet unexecuted reciprocity convention of 1883 covers none of these points, the settle ment of which is necessary to good rela tionship. I propose to initiate with Mexi co negotiations for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce and navigation. In compliance with a resolution ot tlie senate, I communicated to that body, on August 2 last, and also to the house of representatives, the correspondence in the case of A. K. Cutting, an American citi zen then imprisoned in Mexico, charged with the commission of a penal offense in Texas, of which a Mexican citizen was the object. After a demand had been made for his release, the charges against him were alleged to include a violation ot Mexican law within Mexican territory rangement was, however, speedily roach ed, ami upon notification from the gov ernment of Spain that all differential treatment of our vessels and their cargoes i from tlie United states or from any foreign ] country had been completely and abso- i lutely relinquished, I availed myself of j the discretion confered by law ana issued ] the 17th of October my proclamation declaring a reciprocal suspension in the United Slates. It This joinder of tho alleged offences, one I within and the other exterior, induced me tes fish- I to order a speoiii investigation ol the case, the en- , pending which Mr. Cutting was. released, ivileges i The incident has, however, disclosed a petition. 1 claim of jurisdiction by Mexico, novel ill t is most gratiffying to bear testimony to the earnest spirit in which the government of the queen regent has met our efforts to avert tho initiation of commercial discriminations and reprisals which are ever disastrous to the material interests and the political good will of the countries they may effect. The profitable development of the large commercial exchanges between the United Stales and the Spanish Antilles, is natu rally an object of solicitude. Lying close at our doors, and finding here their main markets of supply and demand, the wel fare of Cuba and Porto Rico, and their pro duction and trade, are scarcely less iin- j portant to us than to Spain, and their com mercial and financial movements are so ! materially a part of our system : that no obstacle to fuller and freer intercourse should be permitted to exist. The standard instructions of our | I representatives at Madrid and Havana The questions involved are of long i-— „ „ , iv,„„ Kma 1 nnvwhere bv a foreigner, penal in the : e?3aV ed to further these ends, and at no ing, ol grave consequence,. a nd__J a cen . | pljce of its commission and of which a ; t j me has the equal desire of Spain been equ to time" for nearly three-quarters ol discussions, . tation. Temporary arrangements by treaties have served to allay the fric tion, which, however, has revived as each treaty was terminated. The last arrangement under the treaty of 1871 was abrogated after due notice by tho United- States on June 30, 188o; but I . i BU ,—nment of Spain by removing the con and purnished in conformity with Mexican 3U i ar tonnage fees on cargoes shipped to laws. This jurisdiction was sustained by ; thu Antilles and by reducing the passport ] the courts of Mexico in the Cutting ease i fe ,.„ [ lils s ) )own its recognition of the needs and approved by the executive bench ol j of - [ u , !s trammelled intercourse, that government upon the authority ot | All e fj- or t has been made during the past j a Mexican state. The appellate 1 year to remove the hindrancetotlicproc- oourt in releasing Mr. Cutting decided that i J amat ,i on 0 f the treaty of na.tur lization the abandonment of the complaint by the j wit!l t he sublime porte signed in 1874, ill j *. Lt.i,, r»ur H«jh«»rmen tbo abuiioonmeni oi me *■j v . : wun me Buuuine uuidc qi^ucu m j-oi *, fo“the n remain°der of that season, the en- Mexican citizen «ff^ved_ by J he alleged , which has remained inopejatiyeowinpr to a vue remamuor v | me (a libellous putmcationj removed disagreement of interpretation of the joyinentof the full privile-es acc y | ^ e basis of further prosecution, and also ! c i ause3 relative to the effects of fchfi torminat.PPilt.V. The lOinu nilTO , IUC utvow y* r a ificfiorl hv -.i * i .. 1 tne terminated treaty. " | ,‘i','clared justice to have been satisfied by t j,e return and sojourn of a naturalized cit- coinmtssiqn by whom the treaty had been . pijforcement of a sin - ' " The joint “T -“--J — 3 - tr j wKh'nfenarv the'enVoreenieut of a small part of the j izeVfii the land o"f origin. I trust soon to negotiated, although invested With plena y ; . ,j a f sen tenc2. The admission of such : be able to announce a favorable settlement power to make a permanent termination ; t jon woukl bu attended with sen- 0 f the differences as to the interpretation, of which the question was relegated to the j a p invasive of tiie jurisdiction of i u has been highly satisfactory to note the stipulations of the treaty of l»i» ! r-ernmont and highly dangerous to improved treatment of “o con strife tion™ ^sati sfect or.v °^t o both j our I American MtsstONARXEs in thrkev countries has ever been agreed upon, the I 1 navei , ’ reise a .s unwarranted as has been attestedbytheiraeknowledge- progress of civilization and the growth of , attempreu of ] a ., v and j ments to our late minister to that govern- attempted exercise population in the British provinces to j by • ,q h fi e rnat ionai usapesT A “sovereign j ment of his successful exertions in their which tiie fisheries in question are con- oi tiguous, and the expansion of the commer cial intercourse between them and the United States, present to-day a CONDITION OF AFFAIR SCARCELY REAL- , a^citizer. of th -at the date of the negotiations of 1S18. j an " ' n mn i’ilimh* i/« United. _ _ . offense consummated on our soil in vio- yet been effected, owing where t he necessaries of life are abundant mid cheap, may prove an inadequate pit tance in distant lands, where the better part of a year’s pay is consumed in reaching the post ot duty, and where the comforts of ordinary civilized existence can only be obtained with difficulty, etc., at an exliorbitant cost. I trust in considering the submitted schedules no mistaken theory of economy will perpetuate a system wliieh in the past has virtually closed to deserving talent many offices where capacity and attain ments of a high order are indispcnsihle, and in not a few instances has brought dis credit on our national character and en tailed embarrassment and even suffering oti those deputed to uphold our dignity and interest abroad. In connection vvitn this subject I earnestly reiterate the prac tical necessity of supplying some mode ol'trust worthy of inspection and report of the manlier in which the consulates are conducted. In the absence of such relia ble information efficiency can scarcely bo rewarded or its opposition corrected. In creasing competition in trade has directed attention to the value of tbo consular re ports printed by the department of state and the efforts of the government to ex tend the practical usefulness of the reports have created a wider demand for them at home and a spirit of emulation abroad constituting a record of the changes oc curring in trade and of the progress of tho arts and inventions in foreign coun tries. They ure much sought for by all interested in the subjects which they embrace. The report of the secretary of the treas ury exhibts in detail the condition of the public finances, and of the seveal bl anches of the government related to his depart ment. I especially direct the attention of congress to the recommendation con tained in this and the last preceding report of the secretary touching the sim plification and amendment of the laws relative to the collection of our revenues, i In the interest of economy, and justice to tlie': government, 1 hope they may bo | adopted b,y appropriate legislation. ! The ordinary receipts of the , government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, were $.'536,439,727.06, and of I this amount $192,905,023 41 was received ; from customs and $116,805,936.48 from in- ' ternal revenue. The total receipts us here stated were $13,749,029.68 greater than for the previous vear, but the increase from 1 customs was $11,434,084.10. and from inter- ! nul revenue $110,721,094, making a I gain in these items for the last year of $1,584,129.54, a fulling off in j other resources reducing the total increase I to the smaller amount mentioned. The I expense at the different custom houses of ] the collecting of this increased customs] revenue was less than the expense attend- ' ing the collection of such revenue 1 for the preceding year by $490,- 603, and the increased receipts of internal revenue were collected ] at a cost, to the internal revenue bureau of $155,944.09 less than the expense of such collection for the previous year. Tho total i ordinary exotnses of tiie government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1336, were $242,483,133.50, being less by $17,788,787 than sueli expenditures for the year pre ceding, and leaving a surplus m the treas ury at the close of the last fiscal year of ] $93,958,588.56, us against $63,483,771.27 at ] the close of the previous year, being an I increase iu such surplus of $30,402,817.29. gi ment by its increased volume and through economies in its collections, is now more than ever in excess of the public necessi ties. The application of tiie surplus to t li payment of such a portion of tlie pubii debt as is now at our option subject to ex ! 1 actually engaged In and more re- Iingiiishmcnt, if continued at/ the rate ! “titciy connected with tllis kind of work which has lately prevailed, would retire number nearly one-half ot our population, that class of indebtedness None labor harder or more continuously witiin less than one year from this tbey. No enactments limit their DAl’E. i hours ot toll and no iuterpesition of the Thus a continuation of our present reve- ! government -enhances to any great extent nue system would soon result in the receipt i tho value of their products, and yet for of an animal income much greater than I {Pjtny ot the necessaries and comforts of necessary to meet government expenses ! Hie which the most scrupulous economy with no indebtedness upon which it could j enable them to bring into their houses,ana be applied. We should then be confronted j their homes and for their implements with a vast quantity of money, the circa ' u . husbandry they are obliged to pay a luting medium of the people, hoarded iu I I ,rlt T largely increased by an unnatural the treasury when it should bo iu their profit, which, by action ol the government, hands, or we should be drawn into waste- ; ‘ H ff'von to the more favored manufacturer, fill public extravagance with all tho I * recommend that, keeping ill view all corrupting national demoralization j these considerations, the increasing and which follows in its trail. But it, | unnecessary surplus ol the national income is not tiie simple existence ! annually accumulating bo released to thu evils, which furnish tho strongest orgu- la ws which shall cheapen the price of to# ments against our present scale of federal ; necessaries ot life, and give freer entrance taxation. Its worst phase is the exaction | , ln-ilci'JaiH us by Amor of such a surplus through a provision ol the relations between the people und their government and a dangerous departure from tlie rules which limit the right of federal taxation. A good government, and especially the government of which every American citizen boasts, has for its objects the protection of every person within its care in the greatest liberty consistent with tlie good order of society and his perfect security in the enjoyment of his earnings with the least possible diminition of public need. When more of tho peo ple's substance is exacted through the form of taxution than is necessary to meet the just obligations of the government ami the expense of its economical uduiiiiistra- tion, sueli exaction BECOMES RUTHLESS EXTORTION, and a violation of tile fundamental princi ples of free governments. Tlie indirect manner in whieli these exactions are made has a tonduncy to conceal their true char acter and their extent; but we have ar rived at a stage of superfluous revenue, which has aroused the people to a realiza tion of tiie fact that tlie amount raised professedly for tlie support of thu ovornment is paid by them as absolutely, f added to the price'of the thing which supply their daily wants, as if it was paid at fixed periods into the hands of the tax gatherer. Those who toil for daily wages lean labor may lie manufactured in mar ketable commodities. Nothing can be accomplished, however, in the direc tion of this much-ne^ed reform unless tho subject is uppmniehtd in a patriotic spirit of devotion to the interest of the entire country, and with a willing ness to yield something for the public good, The sum paid upon the public de t for the fiscal year ended June 30,1836, was $44,551,043,36. During tho twelve months ended October 81. 1886, three per cent, bonds were called for redemption, amount ing to $127,283,100, of which $30,613,200 was so called to answer the requirements ot'tho law relating lo the sinking fund, and $46,639,900 for the purpose of reducing the public debt by the application ofa pari of *he surplus in the treasury to that ob ject. Of the bonds thus called $102,289,450 become subject under such calls to redemp tion prior to November 1, 1886; the remain der amounting to $25,013,630 matured under the calls after that date. In addition to the amount subject to payment and cancellation prior to November 1 there were also paid before that day certain of these bonds with the government is paid by them as absolutely, interest thereon, amounting to $50,002,350, if added to the price of the thing which which was anticipated, as their maturity had not been reached, of which $2,(6)4,850 had not been called; thus $100,734,180 had been actually applied prior to November, are beginning to understand that capital, 188 ! } ? l 4 ° the extinguishment of our bonded though sometimes vaunting its importance i a nd interest bearing debt. On that day there ing the value which enables it to bear \ being bonds which have been "called as its burden: and the laboring man is i already sta .ed, but not reduced ami can- thoughtfully inquiring whether, in these' colled before the latter date. During the circumstances and considering tiie tribute iiT ett «. e a < ' he constantly pays into tho public treas- ' ury as he supplies his daily wants, he re ceives his fair share of advantages. There is also a suspicion abroad that tho surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal and ex ceptional business profits, which, under tlie system which produces sueli a surplus increase without a corresponding benefit to the people at large. Tiie vast accumu- coined coinage the compulsory silver act of 1878, say $29,838,904 in silver dollars, and the cost of the silver used in such coinage was $23,- 489,601. There had been coined up to the close of the previous fiscal year under the provisions ot'tho law$203,882,554 silver dol lars, and on the 1st day of December, 1886, the total amount of such coinage was lations of a few of our citizens, whose for- I $^17,131,5-19. 1 ho director of the mint re- tuner rivaling the wealth of the most p. or ^ 8 that at tlie tune of the passage of favored in anti-democratic nations, are \ l a ' v .of 18/8 directing thie not the natural growth of tt coinage the intrinsic value of the dollars steady, plain and industrious republic. Our thus coined was 941 cents each, and that . " 1 . ... x ... . . z.n t-Ko .Ln. Till.. ^ farmers, too, and those engaged directly j 31st day of July, 1886, the price of *—i•—*i.. .• 1—- ti... —~wiu,»u 1 silver reached tho lowest stage ever and indirectly in supplying the products of agriculture, see that day by day, and as oft “ " * * * holds known, so the intrinsic or bullion price of -1 1.^1 IVUi.UiC, Ol-l. HIO. UUV 'HI'* 0.0 till . iften as the daily wants of their house- > , u: standard dollar at that date was less iolds recur, they are forced to pay exees- ] £jj an 72 cents. I he price of silver on the ive and needless- taxation, while their i ' , day of November last was such as to products slruejile in foreign markets with the competition of nations which, by allow- j ing a freer cxchnncreof production than wo ] permit, enable their people to sell for i prices which distress the American farm ers. Every citizen rejoices in the con stantly increasing pride of people in American citizenship, and in the glory j of our national achievements and progress a sentiment prevails that the loading I strings useful to a nation in its infancy j may he well to a great extent in the pres- 1 ent stage of American ingenuity, courage, ' nalce these dollars intrinsically worth 78 cents each. The.se differences in value of the coins represent the fluctua tions iu the ’ price of silver. They certainly do not indicate that com pulsory coinage by the government en hances the price of that commodity or secures uniformity in its value. Every fair ar.d legal eifort, lias been made by the treasury department to oistriliuto this currency among the people. Tho with- Concluded on Fifth Page.