Newspaper Page Text
©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.
