Newspaper Page Text
PRESIDES
MESSAGE.
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(Continued From First Page.)
vne land to its normal productiveness tnai
it is extremely doubtful if capital cun be
induced to even make the attempt.
The spectacle of the utter ruin of an ad
joining country, by nature one of the most
fertile and charming on the globe, would
engage the serious attention of the govern
ment and people of the United States in
any circumstances. In point of fact, they
have a concern with it which is by no
means of a wholly sentimental or philan
thropic character.
It lies so near to us as to be hardly sepa
rated from our territory. Our actual pe
cuniary interest in it is second only to
that of the people and government of
Spain. It s reasonably est imated t hat at
least $30,000.0 K> to $5 >.OOIO >0 of American
capital are invested in plantations and in
railroad, mining and other business enter
prises on the island. The volume of trade
between the United Slates and Cuba,
which in 1889 amounted to about 831,000.-
009. rose in 1893 to about $103,000,000, and
in 1891, the year before the present insur
rection broke out, amounted to nearly
$90,000,090. Besides this large p cuniary
stake in the fortunes of Cuba, the United
States finds itself inextricably involved in
the present contest, in other ways both
vexatious and costly.
Many Cubans reside in this country and
indirectly promote the insurrection
through the press by public meetings, by
the purchase and shipment of arms, by the
raising of funds and by other means which
the spirit of our institutions and the tenor
of our laws do not permit to be made the
subject of criminal prosecutions. Some
of them, though Cubans at heart and in
all their feelings and interests, have taken
out papers as naturalized citizens of the
United States, a proceeding resorted to
with a view to possible protection by this
government, and not unnaturally regarded
with much indignation by the country of
their origin. The insurgents are undoubt
edly encouraged and supported by the
widespread sympathy the people of this
country always and instinctively feel for
every struggle for better and freer govern
ment, and which, in the case of the more
adventurous and restless elements of our
population, leads in only too many in
stances to active participation in the con
test. The result is that this government
is constantly called upon to prot-ct Amer
ican citizens, to claim damages for injuries
to persons and property, now estimated at
many millions of dollars, and to ask ex
planations and apologies for the acts of
Spanish officials whose zeal for the
repression of rebellion sometimes
blinds them to immunities be
longing to the unoffending citizens
of a friendly power. It follows from the
game causes that the United States is com
pelled to actively police a long line of sea
coast against unlawful expeditions, the
escape of which the utmost vigilance will
not always suffice to prevent. These in
evitable entanglements of the United
States with the rebellion in Cuba, the
large American property interests affected
and considerations of philanthropy and
humanity in general, have led to a vehe
ment demand in various quarters for some
sort of positive interruption on the part of
the United States. It was at first pro
prosed that belligerent rights should be
accorded to the insurgents—a proposition
no longer urged because untimely, aud in
pradtical operation clearly perilous and
injurious to our own interests.
It has since been, and is now sometimes
contended.that the independence of the in
surgents should be recognized. But im
perfect and restricted as the Spanish
government of the island may be, no other
exists there —unless the will of the military
officer in temporary command of a partic
ular district can lie dignified as a speices
of government. It is now also suggested
that the United States should buy the
island, a suggestion possibly worthy of
consideration if there were any evidence of
a desire or willingness on the part of Spain
to entertain such a proposal. It is urged,
finally, that all other methods failing the
existing internecine strife in Cuba should
be terminated by our intervention, even at
the cost of war between the United States
and Spain—a war which its advocates con
fidently prophecy could be neither large in
its proportions nor doubtful in its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need be
neither affirmed nor denied. The United
States has, nevertheless, a character to
maintain as a nation, which plainly dic
tates that rights and not might should be
the rule of its conduct. Further, though
the United States is not a nation to which
peace is a necessity, it is in truth the most
pacific of powers, and there is nothing so
much as to live in amity with all the world.
Its own ample and diversified domains
satisfy all possible longings for territory,
preclude all dreams of conquest, and pre
vent any casting of covetous eyes upon
neighboring regions, however attractive.
That our conduct towards Spain and her
dominions has constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made manifest
by the course of our government, not only
thus far during the present insurrection,
but during the ten years that followed the
rising at Yara in 1838. No other great
power.it may safely be said, under circum
stances of similar perplexity, would have
manifested the same restraint and the
same patient endurance. It may also be
said that this persistent attitude of
the United States towards Spain
In connection with Cuba unque 1 ionably
evinces no slight respect for Spam on the
part of the American people. They in
truth do not forget her connection with
the discovery of the western hemisphere,
nor do they underestimate the great qual
ities of the Spanish people, nor fail to fully
recognize their splendid patriotism anil
their chivalrous devotion to the national
honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with ivhich vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands of
miles of ocean, and an enormous debt ac
cumulated, that the costly possession of
the gem of the Antil es may still bold its
place in the Spanish crown. And yet
neither the government nor the people of
the United States have shut their eyes to
the course of events in Cuba or have failed
to realize the existence of conceded griev
ances which have led to the present revolt
from the authority of Spun—grievances
recognized by the queen regent and by the
cortes. voiced by the most patriotic and en
lightened of Spanish statesmen without
regard to party and demonstrated by re
forms proposed by the executive and ap
proved by the legislative branch of the
Spanish government I. is in the assume I
temper aud disposition of the Spanish gov
ernment to remedy thesejgri v inces, forti
fied by indications of influential public
opinion in Spain, that this government
h s hoped to discover the most promising
and eff ctive means of composing the pres
ent strife with lionm- and advantage to
Spain, and with the achievementof all the
reasonable objects of the insurrection. It
would seem that if Spain should off'-r to
Cuba genuine autonomy, a measure of
home rule which, while preserving the
aovereignty of Spain, would satisfy all
rational requirements of her Spanish sub
jects, there should be no just reason why
the laciilc ition of the island might not be
effected on that basis. Such a result
would appear to bo in the true interest of
•11 concerned. It would at once stop the
sonnict-wnicn is' now consuming toe' re
sources of the island and making irwbrth
less for whichever 'party may> ultimately
Prevail. 'r', '
It would keep intact th® possessions of
Spain without touching her honor, which
will be consulted rather than impugned
by the adequate redress of admitted griev
ances ; it would put the prosperity of the
island nnd the fortunes of its inhabitants
within their own control without severi g
thS natural and ancient ties which bind
them to the mother country, and would
yet enable them to test their capacity for
self government under the most favorable
conditions. It has been objected on the
one side that Spain should not promise
autonomy until her insurgent subjects lay
down their arms ; on the other side, that
promised autonomy, however liberal, is
insufficient without assurance of the
promise being fulfilled.
But the reasonableness of a requirement
by Spain of unconditional surrender on
the part of the insurgent Cubans before
their autonomy is conceded, is not alto
gether apparent. It ignores important
features of the situation—the stability
two years’ duration has given the insur
rection, the feasibility of its indefinite pro
longation in the nature of things, and. as
shown by past experience, the utter and
imminent ruin of the island unless the
present strife is speedily composed ; above
all, the rank abuses which all parties in
Spain, all branches of her government and
all her leading public men, concede to
exist and prefer a desire to remove.
Facing su*:h circumstances to withhold
the proffer of needed reforms until the
parties demanding them put themselves
at mercy by throwing down their arms has
the appearance of neglecting the gravest
of perils and inviting suspicion as to the
sincerity of any professed willingness to
grant reforms. The objection on behalf
of the insurgents—that promised reforms
cannot be relied upon—must of course be
considered, though we have no right to as
sume and no reason for assuming that
anything Spain undertakes to do for the
relief of Cuba will not be done according
to both the spirit aud the letter of the un
dertaking.
PLAN OF PACIFICATION.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicions
and precautions on the part of the weaker
of two combatants are always natural and
not always unjustifiable—being sincerely
desirous in the interest of both as well as
on its own account that the Cuban problem
should be solved with the least possible
delay, it was intimated by this govern
ment to the government of Spain some
months ago that, if a satisfactory measure
of home rule were tendered the Cuban in
surgents, and would be accepted by them
upon a guaranty* of its execution, the
United States would endeavor to find a
way not objectionable to Spain of furuishj
ing such guaranty. While no definite re
sponse to this intimation has yet been re
ceived from the Spanish government, it is
believed to be not altogether unwelcome,
while as already suggested no reason is
preceived why it should not be approved
by the insurgents. Neither party can fail
to see the importance of early action and
both must realize that to prolong the
present state of things for even a short
period will add enormously to the time
and labor and expenditure necessary to
bring about the industral recuperation of
the island. It is therefore fervently hoped
on all grounds that earnest efforts for
healing the breach between Spain and the
insurgent Cubans upon the lines above in
dicated may be at once inaugurated and
pushed to an immediate and successful is
sue. The friendly offices of the United States
either in manner above outlined or in any
other way consistent with our constitution
and laws, will always be at the disposal of
either party.
Whatever circumstances may arise our
policy and our interests would constrain
us to object to the acquisition of the island
or an interference with its control by any
other power.
It should be added that it cannot be rea
sonably assumed that the hitherto expect
ant attitude of the United States will be
indefinitely maintained. While we are
anxious to accord all due respect to the
sovereignty of Spain we cannot view the
pending conflict in all its features and
properly apprehend our inevitably close
relations to it and its possible result with
out considering that by’ the course of
events we may be drawn into such an un
usual and unprecedented condition as will
fix a limit to our patient waiting for Spain
to end the contest, either alone and in her
own way, or with our friendly co-opera
tion.
When the inability of Spain to deal suc
cessfully with the insurrection has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that her
sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all pur
poses of its rightful existence, and when a
hopeless struggle for its re-establishment
has degenerated into a strife which means
nothing more than the useless sacrifice of
human life and the utter destruction of
the very subj ct-matter of the conflict, a
situation will be presented in which our
obligations to the sovereignty of Spain
will be superseded by higher obligations
which we can hardly hesitate to recognize
and discharge.
Deferring the choice of ways and meth
ods until the time for action arrives, we
sh mid make them depend upon the pre
cise conditions then existing, and they
should not be determined upon without
giving careful heed to every consideration
involving our honor and interest or the
international duty we owe to Spain, until
we face the i ntingencies suggested or the
situation is by other incidents impera
tively changed, we should continue in the
line of conduct heretofore pursued, thus
in all circumstances exhibiting our obedi
ence to the requirements of public law and
ourlregard for the duty enjoined upon us
by the position we occupy in the family of
nations.
A contemplation of emergencies that
may arise should plainly lead us to avoid
their creation, either through a careless
disregard of present duty or even an un
due stimulation or ill timed expression of
feeling. But I have deemed it not amiss
to remind the congress that a time may
arrive when a correct policy and care for
our interests, as well as a regard for the
interests of other nations and their citi
zens, joined by considerations of humanity
and a desire to see a rich aud fertile coun
try intimately related to us saved from
complete devastation, will constrain
our government to such action as
will subvert the interests thus Involved
and at the same time promise to Cuba and
its inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the
blessings of eace.
THE VENEZUELAN DISPUTE SETTLED.
The Venezulan boundry question has
ceased to be a matter of difference between
Great Britain and the United States, their
respective governments having agreed
npon the substantial provisions of a treaty
between Great Britain and Venezuela sub
mitting the whole controversy to arbitra
tion.
The provisions of the treaty are so emi
nently just and fair, that the assent of
Venezuela thereto may confidently bo an
ticipated. Negotiations for a treaty of
general arbitration for all differences be
tween Great. Britain and the United States
are far advanced* and promises to reach
successful consummation at an early date.
OUR COAST DEFENSES.
The report of the secretary of war exhibits
Satisfactory conditions in the several
branches of ths public service entrusted to
his charge.
The limit of our military force, ns fixed by
law, is constantly and readily maintained.
The present discipline and morals of our
army are excellent, and marked progress and
efficiency are apparent throughout the entire
organization. With the exception of delicate
duties In the supurrsslon qt slight Indian
THE HOME TRIBUNE, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 1896.
UHturnantfas along otar soutnwaswrn rmuno
ary. in -yrhioh. the Mexican troops 00-oife'r
ated, and the compulsory but peaceful re
turn, with the Consent of Great Britain, of a
band of Cree-Indlans from Montana to the
British possessions, no active operations
have been required of tho army during the
year past.
Changes In methods of administration, the
abandonment of unnecessary posts and con
sequent concentration of troops and exercise
of care ami vigilance by the various officers
, charged the responsibility In the ex
penditures of the appropriations have re
sisted in reducing to a minimum the cost of
maintenance of military establishments.
During the pnst year tho work ol construct
ing permanent Infantry and cavalry' posts
has been continued at the places heretofore
designated. The secretary of war repeats
his recommendation that appropriations for
barracks ulid quarters should more strictly
conform to the needs of the service as
judged by the department rather
than respond to the wishes and importuni
ties of localities. It is Imperative that much
of the money provided for such construction
should now be allotted to the erection of
necessary quartern for tho garrisons assign
ed to tho eoast defenses, where many men
wil! be needed to properly care for aud op
erate modern guns. It is essential, too, that
early provision be made to supply the neces
sary force of artillery to meet the demands
of this service. The entire army has now
been equipped with the new magazine arms,
aud wise policy demands that all available
public and private resources should be so
employed us to provide, within a reasonable
time, a sufficient number to supply tho state
militia with these modern weapons and pro
vide an ample reserve tor any emergency.
During the past year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma
ment of fortifications along our seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in pro
viding material for submarine defense in
connection with these works. It is peculiar
ly gratifying at this time to note the great
advance that has been made in this impor
tant undertaking since the date of my an
nual message to the ilffity-third congress, at
the opening of its second session, in Decem
ber, 1893. At that time I informed the con
gress of tho approaching completion of nine
12-iueli, twenty 10-iueh and thirty-four
8-ineli high-power steel guns, and
seventy-five 12-inch rifled mortars,
At that date, however,there were practically
no carriages upon which to mount these
guns, aud only 31 emplacements for guns and
64 for mortars.
Nor wore all these emplacements in condi
ti m io receive their armaments.
Only one high power gun was at that time
in position for the defense of the entire
coast.
Since that time the number of guns actual
ly completed lists been increased to a total of
21 twelve-inch, 56 ten-inch, til eight-inch
high power breech-loading steel guns, ten
rapid-fire guns and 80 twelve-inch rifled
mortars.
In addition there are in process of con
struction one sixteeu-inch type gun, 50
twelve-ineh, 56 ten-inch. 27 eight-inch high
power guns and 66 twelve-ineh rilled mor
tars; in ali 428 guns and mortars.
Since 1893 the number of gun carriages
constructed or building has been raised to a
total of 129. of which 90 are on the disap
pearing principle, and the number of mortar
carriages to 152, while the 95 emplacements
which were provided for prior to that time,
have been increased to built and building.
This improved situation is largely due to the
recent generous response of congress to the
recommendations of the war department.
Thus we shall soon have complete about one
fifth of the comprehensive system, tho first
step of which was noted in my message to
the congress of December 4, 1893. When it
is understood that a masonry emplacement
not only furnishes a platform for tiie heavy
modern high-power gun, but also in every
particular, serves the purpose and takes the
piece of the fort of former days, the impor
tance of the work accomplished is better
comprehended.
In the hope that the work will be prose
cuted with no loss vigor in the future, the
secretary of war has submitted an estimate
by which, if allowed, there will be provided
and either built or building by the end of
the next fiscal year, such additional guns,
mortars, gun carriages and emplacements as
will represent not far from one-third of the
total work to b ■ done under the plan adopt
ed for our coast defense, thus affording a
prospect that the entire work will be sub
stantially completed within six years. In
less time than that, however, we shall have
attained a marked degree of security.
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S REPORT.
The attorney general presents a detailed
and interesting statement of the important
work done under his supervision during the
last fiscal year.
The ownership and management by the
government of penitentiaries forthe confine
ment of those convicted in United States
courts of violations of federal laws, which
lor many years has been a subject of execu
tive recommendation, has at last, to a slight
extent, been realized by the utilization of
the abandoned military prison at Fort Leav
enworth ns a United States penitentiary.
This is certainly a movement in the right
direction, but it ought to be at once sup
plemented by the rebuilding or extensive
enlargement of this improvised prison, aud
the construction of at least one more, to be
located in the southern states.
It is most gratifying to note the satisfacto
ry results tha‘ have followed the inaugura
tion of the new system provided for by the
act of May 28, 1896, under which certain fed
errl officials are compensated by salaries in
stead of fees. The new plan was put in op
eration on the first day of July, 1896, and al
ready the great economy it enforces, the pre
vention of abuses aud its tendency to a bet
ter enforcement of the laws are strikingly
apparent. Detailed evidence of the useful
ness of this long delayed but now happily
accomplished reform will be found clearly
set forth in the attorney general’s report.
Our postoffice department is in good con
dition, aud the exhibit made of its opera
tions during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1896, if allowance is made for imperfections
in the laws applicable to it, it is very satis
factory. The total receipts during the year
$82,499,208.40. The total expenditures
were $90,626,296.84, exclusive -of $1,559,-
898.27, which was earned by the Pacific rail
road for transportation and credited on their
debt to the government. There was an in
crease of receipts over the previous year of
$5,316,080.21, or 7.1 percent, nnd an increase
of expenditures of $3,836,124.02 or 4.42 per
cent. The deficit was $1,679,956.19 less than
that of the preceding year.
The year’s report shows large extensions
of both star route service and'railway mail
service, with increased postal facilities.
Much higher accuracy in handling malls has
also been reached, as appears by the decrease
of errors in the railway mail service and the
reduction of mail matter returned to the dead
letter office. The deficit for the last
year, although much less than that
of preceding years, emphasizing the
necessity for legislation and cor
rect the growing abuse of second-class
rates, to which the deficiency is mainly
attributable. The transmission at the rate
of one cent a pound of serial libraries, ad
vertising sheets, “house organs,” (periodi
cals advertising some particular “house” or
Institution), sample copies aud the like,
ought certainly to bo discontinued. A glance
at tho revenues for the work done last year
will show more plainly than any other state
ment the gross abuse of the postal service
and the growing waste of its earnings.
Our mail service should, of course, be
such as to meet tho wants and even the con
veuiem'e of our people, at a direct charge
upo '■ nso light its perhaps to exclude
■>!'our postoffice department being
a (mo t,.- inking concern, but In the face of
• . Unity ri' urring deficiency in Its reve
ille h. nnd in view of the fimt that we supply
the b<’sl innil si;:vk'e (ii the.ti'ockl. It sefuns
, » .
>o me n is qunaumeto correct' tie* 'Houses
that h well enormously our annual deficit. I
recommend that legislation be at once en
acted to correct these abuses, and Introduce
better business IdeitS-fc the regulation of
our postal rates, lix'perience ami observa
tion have demonstrated that certain improve
ments In the organization of the postoffice
department must be secured before we can
gain the full benefit of the immense
suras expended in its administration.
OUR NEW NAVY.
The work of the navy department and its
present condition are fully exhibited in the
report of the secretary.
The construction of vessels for our new
navy has been energetically prosecuted by
the present administration upon the general
lines previously adopted, the department
having seen no necessity for radical changes
in prior methods under which the work was
found to be progressing in a manner highly
satisfactory.
it has been decided, however, to provide
In every shipbuilding contract that the
builder should pay nil trial expenses. And
it lias also been determined to pay no speed
premiums in future contracts.
The premiums recently earned, and some
yet to be decided, are features of the con
tracts made before this conclusion was
reached.
It is gratifying to state that our ships and
thoir outfits are believed to be equal to the
best that can he manufactured elsewhere
and that such notable reductions have been
made in their cost as to justify tho stuteiir nt
that quite a number of vessels are now being
constructed at rates as low ns those that
prevail in European shipyards. Our imuoi
faeturing facilities are at this time umplo
for all possible naval contingencies.
The war college has developed into nn
institution which it is believed will be of
groat value to-the navy in teaching the
science of war as well as in stimulating
professional zeal in the navy: and it will be
especially useful in the devising of plans for
the utilization in case of necessity of all
the naval resources of the United States.
The discipline among officers and men of
the navy has been maintained to a high
standard, and the percentage of American
citizens enlisted have been very much in
creased. The report of tho secretary of tho
interior presents a comprehensive and inter
esting exhibit of numerous and important
affairs committed to his supervision. It is
impossible in this communication to do
more than briefly refer to a few of the sub
jects, concerning which tho secretary gives
full and instructive information. Money ap
propriation on account of this department
and for its disbursement for the flseal
year ended June 30, 18116, amounted
to more than $157,000,000, ora greater sum
than was appropriated for the entire main
tainance of the government for the two fls
eal years ended June 30, 1861. Our public
lands originally amounted to 1,840,000,000
acres have been so reduced that only about
600,000,000 acres remain in government con
trol, excluding Alaska. The balance, being
by for the most valuable portion, has
been given away to settlers to new states and
to railroads or sold at a comparatively nor
mal sum.
I agree with the secretary that the re
mainder of our public lauds should be more
carefully dealt with and their alienation
guarded by better economy and greater pru
dence.
THE PENSION ROLL
The dimunition of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expenditure
which has been so often confidently foretold
still fail in material realization. The num
ber of pensioners on tho rolls at the close of
the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1896, was
970,678. This 5« the largest number ever re
ported. The amount paid exclusively for
pensions during the year was $138,214,761.94.
i; slight decrease from that of the preceding
year, while the total expenditures on ac
count of pensions, including the cost of
maintaining the department and expenses
attending pension distribution amounted to
$142,206,550.59, or within a very small frac
tion of one-third of the entire expense of
supporting the government during the same
year.
The number of persons receiving pensions
from the United States, but residing in for
eign countries at the close of the last fiscal
year was 3,781, and the amount paid them
during the year was $582,735.38. The sum
appropriated for the payment of pensions
for the current fiscal year ending June 30,
1897, is $140,000,000, and for the succeeding
year it Is estimated that same amount will be
necessary. In my opinion, based upon such
statements as theseand much other informa
tion and oltservation, the abuses which
have been allowed to creep into
our pension system have done incalcu
lable harm in demoralizing our people
and undermining good citizenship. I have
endeavored within my sphere of official duty
to protect our pension roll and make it what
it should be, a roll of honor, containing tho
names of those disabled in their country's
service and worthy of their country’s affec
tionate remembrance.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The department of agriculture is so in
timately related to the welfare of our peoj
pie and the prosperity of our nation that
it should constantly receive the care and
encouragement of the government. From
small beginnings it has grown to be the
center of agricultural intelligence and the
source of aid and encouragement to agri
cultural efforts. Large sums of money
are annually appropriated for the main
tenance of this department, and it must
be confessed thatythe legislation relating
to it has not always been directly in the
interest of practical farming, or properly
guarded against waste and extravagance.
So far, however, as public money has been
appropriated fairly and sensibly to help
those who actually till the soil, net expen
diture has been more profitably made and
more generally approved by the people.
The secretary reports that the value of
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to $570,000,000,
an increase of $17,000,000 over those Os the
vear immediately preceding.
The gratuitous distribution of seeds by
the department as at present conducted
ought to be discontinued. No one can
read the statement of the secretary on this
subject and doubt the extravagance and
questionable results of this practice.
The progress made in civil service re
form furnishes a cause for the utmost
congratulation. It has survived the
doubts of its friends as well as the rancor
of its enemies, and has gained a perma
nent place among the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve, econo
mize and elevate the public service. There
are now in the competitive classsfied ser
vice upward of eighty four thousand
places. More than half of these have been
included from time to time since March 4,
1893.
TREASURY REPORT.
The secretary of the treasury reports
that during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1896. the receipts of the government from
all sources amounted to $409,475,408,78,
during the same period its expenditures
were $434,678,654 48. The excess of expen
ditures over receipts thus amounting to
$25,203,245.70. The ordinary expenditures
during the year were $4,015,852.21 less
than during the preceding fiscal year.
Os the receipts mentioned there
was derived from customs the sum of
$160,021,751.67 and from internal revenue
$146,830,615.63. The r c ipts from customs
show an increase of $7,863 124.22 over those
from the same source for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 189 > aud the receipts from
internal revenue an increase of $3,584,537.91.
CIVIL SERVICE,
The civil service rules as amended dur
ing the last year proved for a sensible nnd
uniform method of promotion, basing eli
gibility to better positions upon demon
strated efficiency and faithfulness. Toe
absence of fixed rules on thia suld-.ct has
. veon -an n>®rmny in the ky*temMrbr« ada
niora as its other benefits haVs
- belterAtppreciated s .
The advantages of civil service methods
in their business aspects are too well un
derstood to+tequire argument.- ’Their ap
plication has become a necessity to the
executive work of the government.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
The interstate commerce commission
has, during the last year, supplied abund
ant evidence of its usefulness and the im
portance of the worK committed to its
charge.
Public transportation is a universal ne
cessity, and the question of just and rea
sonable charges therefore has become of
vital importance not only to shippers and
carriers, but also to the vast multitude of
producers and consumers.
THE TARIFF.
I desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the government’s
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggest’ is touch
ing our present tariff law and its operation.
This statute took effect on the 28th day
of August, 1894.
Whatever may be its shortcoming as a
complete measure of tariff reform, it must
be conceded that it has opened the way to
a freer and greater exchange of commodi
ties between us and other countries, and
thus iurnished a wider market for our
products and manufacturers.
The only entire fiscal year during which
this law has been in force ended on the
30th day of June. 1896. In that year our
imports increased over those of the previ
ous year more than $6 500.000, while the
value of the domestic products we ex
ported which found market abroad was
nearly $70,000 COJ more than during the
preceding year.
Considered as to its sufficiency of this
aspect, the present law can by tio means
fall under just condemnation. During the
only complete fiscal year of its operation
it has yielded nearly $8,000,000 more rev
enue than was received from tariff duties
in the preceding year. There was, never
theless. a deficit between receipts and ex
penditures of a little more than $25,000,-
000. Tuis, however, was not unexpected.
If left to its operation the law will in the
near future yield a revenue which, with
reasonable economical expenditures, will
overcome all deficiencies.
FINANCE.
This reference to the condition nnd pros
pects of our revenues naturally suggests
an allusion to the weakness and vices of
our financial methods. They have been
frequently pressed upon t e attention of
congress in previous executive communi
cations and the inevitable danger of
their continued toleration pointed out
without now repeating these details I can
not refrain from again earnestly present
ing the necessity of the prompt reform of
a system opposed to every rule of sound
finance and shown by experience to be
fraught with the gravest peril and per
plexity.
I am more convinced than ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and
safety until the government currency ob
ligations upon which gold may be de
manded from the treasury are withdrawn
from circulation and canceled. This
might be done as has been heretofore
recommended by their exchange for long
term bonds bearing a low rate of interest,
or by their redemption with the proceeds
of such bonds. Even if only the United
States notes known as greenbacks were
thus retired it is probable t hat the treasury
notes issued in payment of silver pur
chases under the act of July 14. 1895 now
paid in gold when demanded would not
create much disturbance as they might
from time to time when recorded in the
treasury by redemption in gold or other
wise be gradually and prudently replaced
by silver coin. This plan of issuing bonds
for the purpose of redemption certainly ap
pears to be the most effective and direct
path to the needed reform. In default of
this however it would be a step in the
right direction, if cun- -ncy obligat ions re
deemable in gold whenever so redeemed
should b- cancelled instead of being reis
sued. This operation would be a slow
remedy, but it would improve present con
ditions.
National banks should redeem their own
notes. They .should be allowed to issue
circulation to the par value of bonds de
posited as security for ils redemption, an I
the tax ou their circulation should be re
duced.
IN CONCLUSION.
In concluding this communication its
last words shall be an appeal to the con
gress for the most rigid economy in the
expenditure of the money it holds in trust
for the people. The way to perplexing ex
travagance is easy, but a return to fru
gality is difficult. When, however, it is
considered that those who bear the bur
dens of taxation have no guaranty of hon
est care save in the fidelity or their public
seruants, the duty of all possible retrench
ment is plainly manifest. When our dif
ferences are forg 'tten and our contests of
pilitica! oniniob ar- no longer remem
bered. . nothing in the retrospect of our
public service will be >s fortunate and
comforting «s the recollection of official
duty well per ormed ami the memory of
a constmt devotion to the interests of opr
confiding fellow conr.trvmeu.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
There are a great many of the un
fortunate ones in this world, greater
in number than those who are blessed
with good digestion. To some people
the greatest misfortune is not to be
able to eat everything set before them.
“I suffered for years with Dyspepsia,
and everything I ate disagreed with
me. I was induced to try Simmons
Liver Regulator and was cured. I
now eat everything.”—M. Bright,
Madison Parish La.
A new line of mouldings just re*'
ceived at Harry E, Patton.
Santa Fe Railway Receivership.
Topeka, Dec. 7.—The Santa Fe re
ceivership case must be tried before
Judge Meyers of tho Jefferson county
district court. This is the opinion given
by both Judge Thayer of tho United
States court of appeals and Judge Fos
ter of the United States district court.
A South Carolina Perjurer Pardoned.
Washington, Dec. 7.---The president
has pardoned, to restore citizenship,
Frank J. Byas, sentenced in South Car
olina to tw.> years and six mouths im
prisonment for perjury.
How Is This Off r.
On receipt of ten cents, cash or
stamps, a generous sample will be
mailed of the most, popular Catarrh
and Hay Fever Cure (Ely’s Cream
Balm) sufficient to demonstrate its
great merit. Full size 50c.
ELY BROTHERS.
56 Warren St.. New York City.
A friend advised me to try Elm’s
Cream Balm and after using it siz
weeks I believe myself cured of ca
tarrh. It is a most valuable remedy
—Joseph Stewart, 624 Grand avenue,
Brooklyn. N Y
Come to us for domestic dry goods
of all kinds, we can save you money
J, Kuttner.
Sales
.♦
With Hood’s Sarsapa- ■■■ ■ ■
rilla,“ Sales Talk,” and I *1 I B/’
show that thia mgdi- ■ Wb ■
cine has enjoyed public confldience and
patronage to a greater extent than accord
ed any other proprietary medicine. This
is simply because it possesses greater
merit and produces greater cures than
any other. It is not what we say, but
what Hood’s Sarsaparilla does, that tells
the story. All advertisements of Hood’s
Sarsaparilla, like Hood’s Sarsaparilla it
self, are honest. We have never deceived
the public, and this with its superlative
medicinal merit, is why the people have
abiding confidence in it, and buy
Hood’s
Sarsaparilla
Almost to the exclusion of all others. Try it.
Prepared only by C. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass.
j, r>'G are the only pills to take
HOOd S HillS with Hood’s Sarsaparilla.
BEST GOODS, LO>V PRICES
Have Done the Work
We have had the best trade since
Nov., Ist, that we have had since
1891, aud as others are complaining
of ha d times, it must be that our
low prices and high quality of goods
have done the work for ns. You
have heard of slaugntering, but it
remains tor us to give the full defi
nition of the word in prices on can
dies of every description We are
now preparing our list of prices on
these goods and will soon make
them known through this paper.
We have more candy than we want
and we are going to do as we have
always done. We have candie-from
the cheap grades to that at seventy
five cis. the pound,but in this candy
sale we sre going to forget profits
and ignore cost.'
We have the first Deviled Sar
dines brought to this market. Some
thing new put up by 'Underwood,
who packs the finest Deviled Meats
sold in the United States They are
fine and a trial box will convince
you that fact.
Fresh layer figs, today’s arrival,
15 cents the pound.
Dates, fresh and fine, 10 cents the
pound.
Oranges, “thin skin ’’ sweet and
fine. 30 cents the dozen.
Our stock of nuts is complete, and
they are the latest importations, ail
new and of the best qua ity. No
walnut equals the Grenoble in fla
vor or size, which is the kiid we
have to offer. Shelled Aim' nis 35
cents the pound, or 3 pounds forsl.
Fire works are cheaper this sea
son than they have ever been, and
our retail prices are below’ the w hole
sale prices made by some of the so
called jobbers of Rome
We have a small lot of sa .sage,
homemade, and to eat it would make
you think of the kind your mother
made when you were in your teens
A fe«’ da) s later we will receive a
lot of Kennedy’s celebrated fruit
cakes, the same kind we sold you
last season They will come one,
two and five pound loaves, packed
iu beautifully decorated tins and
will go at twenty five cents the
pound, which is less ti an you can
buy the fruit and make them. .
Justly proud we are of our coffee
(••ade. It stands second to none in
Rome. Wc have .t roasted by men
who are expert roasters and it comes
hot from the fires once a week, and
is sold from hree to five cents the
poun> less than our compet t.rs are
charging for it. If you doubt that
statement exami e your passbook
and come to our store and see what
we are doing. This week we offer a
splendid maik of roasted coffee, not
ground, at fifteen cents the pound.
Yours truly,
Hand 8c Company,
Opposite Armstrong Hotel.
HOLIDAY
KOVFLTIES
CALL AND SEE MY STOCK
NO SUCH COLLECTION IN THE
CITY OF
Watches, Diamonds
IND STERLING SILVERWARE
CHARLES W. CRINKSHAW,
ATLANTA, GA.
H2otisan