Newspaper Page Text
'J
VOL. XXXI. NO. 29 )
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 4, l&>9.
For Business We Do It.
WE ARE DETERMINED TO UNLOAD MANY
CLOAKS AND WRAPS.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
with measures of trasitory relief. It is j manufacturer and general employment to
trusted the attainment of our just rights I our working people.
HR. HARRISON’S FIR1T MESSAGE READ
IN THE FIFTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
Monday morning we re-mark oar Wraps and will offer
them at less figures thau ever offered at before. Come while
you may be lilted.
( hildren from One to Four Ye trs.
We have a choi< e lot of Corduroy and Flannel Cloaks
for them, to be closed at reduced prices.
Dress Trimmings New and Novel.
Every one knows we carry the best stock of Dress Trim
mings. We are just in receipt of new Gimps, Fringes, etc
Christmas is Coming.
We are prepared to furnish you with mauy novelties suitable for Holiday Presents,
both useful and ornamental.
Oar Relations With Foreign Powers Are
Friendly— Recommends Revision of
Tariff Laws—Negro Protection.
Ocean Mail Service, Etc.
—*2
Gents’ Silver Mounted Umbrellas,
Ladies’Silver and Gold Mounted Umbrellas,
Plush Manicure Toilet and Shaving Sets,
Indestructible Jointed Wood Dolls.
Job Lot of Imported Hosiery.
We are closing out a large lot of full, regular English
and German Children’s Hose at 15 cents, many of triein
worth 50 cents.
J. A. KIRVEN & CO.
OLD, BUT IT WILL
You to Solve It!
OUR PRIZE PUZZLE.
JfS“ Add six figures from the above to count TWENTY-ONE.
OUR PREMIUMS.
Silk Umbrella to the fi-st, ninth and twenty-first gentleman. A fine Scarf each to the next
twenty-nine.
A Gap each to the first, 3, 7, 11, IS. 74, 3\ 49, 81, 73, 81, 99, 133, 163, 191, 233, 301, boy or child.
Handkerchief each to the first five ladies.
Answers received in person ..r oy m nil. Premiums delivered December 24, 1889.
Chancellor & Pearce,
Fashionable and Leading Clothiers, Furnishers,
HATTERS, -A-ftsT JD PIPE SHOES.
W. K. BROWN, '-’resident.
GEO. B. WHITESIDE, Sec’y and Treas.
Washington, Dec. 3 —The following is
the President’s message to Congress:
To the SeDate and House of Represen
tatives: There are lew transactions in the
administration ot the Government that
aie even temporarily held in tne confi
cenceof those charged with the conduct
of the public business. Every step taken
is under the observation of an intelligent
8nd watchful people. The state cf the
Union is known from day to day, and sug-
_estions as to needed legislation find an
earlier voice than that which spreads in
these annual commuuicaiions of the Presi
dent to Congress.
Good will and cordiality have charac
terized our relations ancl correspondence
with other Governments, and the year
ju3t cldsed leaves few international ques
tions of importance remaining unadjusted
No obstacle is believed to exist that can
long postpone the consideration and ad
justment of the still pending questions
upon satisfactory and honorable terms.
The dealings of this Government with
other States have been, aud should always
be, marked by fraukness and sincerity—
our purpose avowed and our methods free
from intrigue. Thi3 course has borne rich
fiuit in the past, and it is our duty as a
nation to preserve the heritage ot good
repute which a century of rignt dealing
with foreign governments has secured to
us.
The Three Americas.
It is a matter o? high siguiticance and
no less of congratulation, that the first
year of the second century of our consti
tutional existence finds as honored
guests within our borders, the repre
sentatives of all the independent States of
North and South America, met together
in earnest conference touching the
methods of perpetuatiug and expanding
the relations of mutual interest and
friendlinese existing among them, that
the opportunity this afforded for pro
moting closer international relations and
the increased prosperity of the States
represented will be used for the mutual
good of all. I cannot permit myself to
If T7 A "I. “I - A f doubt our people will await with interest
I H XT ■ Ull ^A| YT/Y IT I and confidence the resuits to flow from
lA y v/11 AjXJ L/v/A v J- U 1 • so auspicious a meeting of ailed, and in
a large part, identical interests.
The recommendations of this interna
tional conference of enlightened statesmen
will doub less have the considerate atten
tion of C ingress aDd its co operation in
the removal of unnecessary barriers to
beneficial intercourse between the nations
of America, but while the commerciul re
sults which it is hoped will follow this
conference are wort hy of the pursuit and
of the great interest they have excited, it
is believed that the crowning benefit will
be found in tne belter securities wnich
may be devised for the maintenance of
peace among all American nations and
the settlement of all e.». : sniions by meth
ods that a Christian civilization can ap
prove. While viewing wi'h interest our
national resources aud products, the dele
gates will, I am sure, find a higher s itis-
factioD in the evidences of unselfish friend
ship which everywhere attend their in
tercourse with our peopie.
The Maritime Conference.
Another international conference hav
ing great possibilities for good has lateiy
assembled and is now in session in
tbiscapitol. An invitation was extended
by the Government under the act of Con
gress of July 9,1888, to all maritime na
tions, to send delegates to confer touch
ing the revision and amendment of the
rules and regulations governing vessels at
sea and to adopt a uniform system of
marine signals. The response to this invi
tattoo lias been very general and very
cordial. Delegates from twenty six na
tions are present in the conference and
they have entered upon their useful
work with great zjal and with an ardent
appreciation of its importance. So far as
the agreement to be reached may require
legislation to give effect, the co-operation
of Congress is confidently relied upon. It
is an interesting, if not, indeed, an unpre
cedented fact, that the two international
conferences have here the accredited
representatives of thirty-three nations.
Bolivia, E mador and Honduras are now
represented by a resident envoy of the
plenipotentiary grade. Ail the States of
American system now maintain diplomatic
representatives at thiscapitol.
Foreign Kepreseutativ s.
In this connection it may ba tioted that
all the nations of the Western hemisphere,
with one exception, sent to Washington
envoy extraordinary and ministers pleni
potentiary, being the highest grade ac
credited to this Government. The United
States, on the contrary, sends envoys of
lower grade to some of our sister repub
lies. Our representative in Paraguay and
Uruguay is a minister resident, while to
Bolivia we send a minister resident and
consul general. In view of t he importance
of our relations with the American sys
tern, our diplomatic agents in these coun
tries should be of the uniform of envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipoten
tiary. Certain missions were so elevated
by the last Congress with happy eftect,
and I recommend the completion of the
reform thus begun, with the inclusion
also of Hawaii aud Hayti, in view of their
relation to the American system of States.
I also recomme-d tha- timely provision be
made for extending to Haw^-i an in vita
lion to be represented in the International
Conference now sitting ar, this capitoi.
Our Relations With China
have the attentive consideration which
their magnitude and interest ( emand The
failure of the treaty negotiated under the
administration of my predeces-or for the
further and more complete restriction of
Chinese labor immigration, and with it
the legislation of the last session of Con
gress dependent thereon, leave some ques
tions open which Congress should now
approach in that wise and just spirit
which should characterize the relations of
the two great and friend y powers. While
our supreme interes s demand the exc u-
sion of a laboring element which experi
ence has shown to be incompatible >'ith
our social life, all steps to compass this
imperative need should be accompanied
with a recognition of the claim cf those
strangers now lawfully among us to hu
mane and just treatment. The acces'-ioo of
the young Emperor of China narks, we
may hope, an era of progress aud pros
perity for the great country over which he
is called to rule.
The Samoan Inlands.
The present state of affairs in respect to
the Samoan Islands is encouraging. The
conference which was held in this city in
the summer of 1887, between the represen
tatives of the United States, Germany and
Great Britain, have been adjourned be
cause of the persistent divergion of view*
which was developed in its deliberation.
The subsequent course of events in their
stands give rise to questions of a serious
character. On the 4".h of February last
the German Minister at this capitoi in be
half of his Government poposed a resump
tion of the Conference at Berlin. This
proposition was accepted, as Congress in
February last was informed.
Pursuant to the understanding thus
reached, commissioners were appointed
by me, with the advice and consent of the
Senate, who proceeded to Berlin, where
the conference was renewed. Tne delib
erations extended through several weeks,
and resulted in the conclusion of a trea'y
which will be submitted to the Senate for
its approval. I trust that the efforts which
have been made to eflect an adjustment of
this question will be productive of tne per
manent establishment of law and order in
Samoa upon the basis of the maintainance
of the rights and interests of the natives
as well as of tnoss mighty powers.
The Fisheries Question.
The questions which nave arisen during
the paar few days between Grea’ B i:aiu
and the United 3 ates are in abtysoceor
in course of amicable adjustment. Ou the
part of the G overnment of the Dominion
of Canada, an effort has been apparent
during the season just ended to admmisier
the laws and regulations applicable to the
fisheries with as little occasion foi friction
under exising treatise, and in virtue of the
concurrent legislation of the two contigu
ous countries will not be long deferred,
and that all existing censes of difference
may be equitably a justed.
I recommend that provision be made by
an international agreement for a survey
marking the water boundary between the
United States and Canada in the narrow
channels that join the great lakes. The
conventional line as traced by the north
western boundary survey years ago is not
in all cases readily ascertainable for the
settlement of jurisdictional questions.
The Extradition Laws.
A just and acceptable enlargement of
the list of offences for wh : eh extradition
may be claimed and granted is most de
sirable between this country and Great
Britain. The territory of neither should
become a secure harbor fir the evil doers
of the other through any avoidable short
coming in this regard. A new treaty on
this subject between the two powers has
been recently negotiated, and will soon be
laid before tbe Senate.
Cuba and Porto Rico.
The importance of the commerce of
Cnoa and Porto Rico with the United
States, their nearest and principal market,
justifies the expectation that the existing
relations may be beneficially expanded.
The impediments resulting from varying
dues on navigation and from the vexa
tious treatment of our vesiels on merely
technical grounds of complaint in West
India ports should be removed. The pro
gress toward ao adjustment of impending
claims between the United States aud
Spain is not as rapid as could be desired.
American Interests in Pern.
Questions affecting American interests
in connection with railwaya constructed
and operated by our citizens in Pern have
claimed the attention of this Government.
It is urged that other Governments in
pressing Peru to the payment of their
claims have disregarded the propriety
rights of American citizens. The matter
will be carefully investigated with a view
to secure a proper and equitable adjust
ment.
A Similar Issue
Is now pending with Portugal. The D sla-
goa Bay railway in Africa was constructed
under a concession bv Portugal to an
American citizen. When nearly com
pleted the road was seized by the agems
of the Portugese Government. A formal
protest has been made through our Minis
ter at Lisbon against this act, and no
proper effort will be spared to secure
proper relief.
The Nicarauguan Canal.
In pursuance of the charter granted by
Congress and under the terms of its con
tract with the Government of Nicaraugua,
the Inter Oceanic Canal Company has
begun the construction of the important
water-way between the two oesans, which
its organization contemplates. G-ave
complications for a time seemed imminent
in view of the supposed conflict of juris
diction between Nicaraugua and Costa
Rica in regard to accessory privileges to be
conceded by the latter republic toward the
construction of the works on the San Juan
river, of which the right bank is C.ista
Rician territory. I am happy to learn that
a friendly arrangement has been affected
between the two nations. Tnis Govern
ment has held the adjustment of all ques
tions that might present obstacles to tbe
completion of a work of such transcendent
importance to the commerce of this coun
try, and in indeed to the commercial in
terests of the world.
COLUMBUS IRON WORKS CO.,
FOUNDERS
COLUMBUS,
AND MACHINISTS,
GtAA.
Maaufacturers «
THE IMPROVED CALENDER ROLLERS
So much admired and extensively used by Cotton Manufacturers of the present day. They consist
principally of five Ro'lers, six inches in diameter, 43 inches long, two of them hollow, being a
receptacle for steam. They are furnishe 1 with all necessary pipe aaiv alves, fitted no ready so he
attached to a boiler ; has all the latest improvements >u sam ;, including the Selvage Boilers and
Cloth Yard Folder; a taut nd loose Pulley, 29 iu:hes in dumiiijr, 4 'ashes face, all ready to be
connected to a line of Shafting. It only requiresa trial to demonstrate tueir indispensability.
We are Sole Manufacturers of Stratton’s Improved
Absorption Ice Machines
tne most PRACTICAL, ECONOMICAL and DURABLE ICE MACHINE ever
made in America.
Southern Plow Company
MANUFACTURERS OF THE
COLnLjnvIBUrS S UtTG-IUE! plow stook,
SOLID and WING SWEEPS, STEEL WROUGHT and CAST IRON PLOW
BLADES, HEEL BOLTS, GRASS RODS, CLEVISES, SINGLE
TREES, aad all utlier Agricultural Implements.
O^The high quality of these goods will be maintained, and are sold on as favorable terms a
by any house in the United States.
WOOD WORK DZELU^K/TIMIIEIlSr T.
The largest dealers in the State in Lime, Shingles, Dressed and Undressed Lumber, Matched
Ceiling and F ooring. Manufacturers of SASH, DOOR’S, BLINDS NEWELS, R a LUS
TERS, amt Ornamental «OOD WOXK*. Dealers in 1.1 dE, LATHS, SHINGLES,
LUMBER, and everything in the Building Lite.
LUMBER BOUGHT AND SOLD IX ANY QUANTITY.
The COLUMBUS IRON -VORK8 are agents for Royal Pumps, Jadson Governors, Standard
In ectors, and Hancock Inspirators. We are manufacturers of Saw Mills, Pam ps. Hollow Ware,
Syrup Kettles, Steam Engines, Cane Mills, Po»er Cotton Presses, and the celeorate Golden’s
Improved Iron Screw Cotton Press. Vithin the last, twenty-five years we have made and
sold a great many of these Screws, and have ye. to hear of the first one that has not given entire
satisfaction. We furnish ali tbe Iron Work fr these Screws, of which we make two sizes, and
u — y warranted.
Tbe Montana Deadlock j Quake in New Hampshire.
Helena, Mont., Dec. 3.—The Senatt Dover, N. H„ Dec, 3 —Early this morn-
met again yesterday with only the Repub ing the 114 inhabitants of Alton Bay were
licans present and adjourned until today. ■ awakened by an earthquake shock, which
The Republican House met and adopted jarred the houses. Many people rushed
rules and adjourned till today. The Dem- from their beds. Crockery and glassware
ocratic House held a short session yester- were broken, and clocks were stopped at
day afternoon, but nothing of importance 1:29. The second shock was more severe
was done. There is no prospect of any than the first. Tne people then rushed
immediate change in the situation, though from their hous- s, expecting the houses
it is rumored that the Senate will succeed would tumble down. The bell on the
in organizing this week. steamer Mount Washington, in the middle
° of the bay was rung. The shock was also
felt at Gilford, but was not so severe.
Bond Offerings.
Washington, Doc. 3 —Bond offerings
today aggregated $539,700; ail accepted at ;
127 for 4 per cents ana 105i for 4J’s
As a result of the Secretary’s recent cir
cular to national banks having deposits
with the Government, two offers, one for
$300,000 and the other for $50 000, were
made by national banks and accepted by
the Secretary.
The Head Bodies.
New York, Dec. 3 —The bark Christian,
Schrivver, from Buenos Ayres, reports that
yesterday off Delaware Breakwater, she
passed three dead bodies, two of them
men, floating on a life raft. The other
was that of a woman floating near
the rafe with a life preserver
uoQDd her. It is not known to
What vessel the bodies belonged, but the
general opinion is that they came from
jhe old Dominion steamship Manhattan,
T • — —.11 m«fU f'no onhnnnm' A ffneo
Arrived at liio Janeiro.
paHmeT?™ntorme°d thTtnfe Such at ron^onwifhTheschooner Agnes
laatic squadron has arrived at RioJaneiro. !-^ annlu & recent y.
The Galena aad Kearsage left New York f / ” j
this morning for Hayti. The Dolphin will A New Bauk ‘
join the squadron in Haytieu waters as ! Washington, Dec. 3.—The First Na
soon as she receives the Hotchkiss gun j ,iouai Bank oi Brockwood,Tenn., has been
The French Republic.
The traditional good feeling between
this country and the French Republic bas
receivtd additional testimony in the par
ticipation of our Government and people
in the International Exposiiion held at
Paris during the past summer. Tne. suc
cess of our exhibitors have been gratifying.
The report of the commission will oe laid
before Congress in du i season.
The Belgium Congress.
This Government has accepted, under
proper reserve as to Us policy in foreign
territories, the invitation of the Govern
ment- of Belgium 8r» take part in an inter
national congress which opened at B^us
sels on thol6 .h of N ivemoer for the pur
pose of devising measures to promote the
abolition of slave trade iu Africa, to pre
vent tbe shipment of slaves by sea. Our
interest in tne extinction of this crime
against humanity in the regions where it
survives has been increased oy the results
of emancipation within our own borders.
With Germany
The most cordial relations continue. The
questions arising from the return to the
Empire of Germans naturalized in this
country are considered and disposed of in
a temperate spint, to the entire satisfac
tion of both Governments.
* The Republic of Hayti.
It is a source of great, satisfaction that
the internal disturioaaces of the R ;puolic
of Hayti are at last happily ended, and
that an apparently stable government has
beer, constituted. It has been duly recog
nized by the United States.
Claims ag linst Venezuela.
An American commission is now ir
session in this capitoi for the settlement
of tho long standing-claims against the
Republic of Venezuela, and it is hoped
that a satisfactory conclusion will be
speedily reached. This Government has
not hesitated to express its earnest desire
that the boundary dispute now p9ndiug
between Great Britain and Venezuela may
be adjusted • amicably and instructed in
accordance 'with the historic title of the
parties.
Tne Empire of Japan.
The advancement of tne empire of Japan
has been evidenced by the recent p’omui
gation of a new constitution containing
valuable principles of liberty aud provid
ing a responsible ministry to coaduct the
Government.
Corea.
It is earnestly recommended that our
judicial rights and processes iu Corea be
established on a firm basis by providing
the machinery necessary to carry out
treaty stipulations in that regard.
Fersia
The friendliness of the Persian Govern
ment continues to be shown by its gener
ous treatment of Americans engaged in
missionary labors and the cordial disposi
tion of the Shah to encourage the enter
prise of our citizens iu the development of
Peisian resources.
Turkey.
A discussion is in progress touching the
jurisdictional treaty rights of the United
States in Turkey. An earnest effort will
be made to define these rights to the satis
faction of both Governments
Rights of Naturalized Citiz-ns.
Questions continue to arise in our rela
tions with-several countries in respect to
the rights of naturaliz-d citizens Espe
cially is this the case with France, Italy,
Russia and Turkey, and to a less extent
wi’h Switzerland. From time to time
earnest efforts have been made to regulate
this subj=ct by conventions with tnose
countries An improper use of naturali
zation should not be permuted, but
it is most important that
those who have been duly
naturalized should everywhere be accorded
recognition of the rights pertaining to the
citizenship of the country of their adop
tion. Tbe appropria ions of special con
ventions for that purpose is recognized in
the treaties which this Government have
concluded with a number of Euronean
States, and it is advisable that the difficul
ties which now arise in our relations wirh
other countries on the same subject should
be similarly adjusted.
The Recent Revolution in Brazil
in favor of the establishment of a republi
can form of government is an event of
great interest to the United States. Our
Minish r at Rio de Janeiro was at once in
structed to maintain friendly diplomatic
relations with the Government, and
the Brazilian representatives at the capitoi
were ins ruoted by the provisional gev
eminent to continue tneir functions,
war friendly relations with Brazil b-as,
therefore, suffered no interruption. Our
Minis er has been further instructed to
extend oa the part of this Government a
formal and cordial recognition of the
new Republic so soon as the majority of
tne peopie of Brazil shall have signified
their assent to its ostabiishmantand main
tenance.
Wirhln Our Own Borders
A general conditio i of prosperity prevails.
Tue harvests of tlie last ; uaimer were cx-
as was possible, and the temperate repre- ,
_ luuol , , seutations of the Government in respect 1 cep'ionally sound lot, and the trade con- t
now on its way from Annapolis to. New j iutborized to begin business with a capital ] of the case Tmdue hardships or harsn in- ] ditions now prevailing seem to promise a first day of November last the bullion
York aaa * 4 AvrarofaHnn h&3 Kpp T1 1T1 mflflh Aaopa maf ann oona f it 1 ouoflon to f h o mn*nkant an/1 waIha a biIwaw m»n mi _
Secretary of Treasury’s Report.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury Department for the year endiug June
30, 1889, has been prepared and will bs
presented to Congress. It presents with !
clearness the fiscal operations of the Gov
ernment, and I avail myself of it to
obtain some facts for use here.
Tne aggregate receipts from all sources
for the year wt-re $387,050,058 84,
divided as follows: From customs,
$223,822,741 69; from internal revenue, $130,-
8S1,513 92; iroin miscellaneous sources, $32,-
335,803 23 The ordinary expenditures for
me same period were $281,996,615 60, and
the total expenditures, inoiuJiag the
sinking fund, were $329,579,929 25. The
excess of receipts over expendi
tures was, after providing for the
sinking fund, $57,470,129 59 For the cur
rent fiscal year tne total revenues, actual ;
and es imated, are $385,000 000, and tne
ordinary expenditures, actual and esli- |
mated, are $293,000,000, making with the |
sinking fund’ total expenditures of $341,- j
321116 99, leaving an estimated surplus of i
$43,678,883 01. I
During tne fiscal year there was applied |
to the purchase of bonds, in addition to .
those for the sinking fund, $90 456,172 35, !
and during the fiscal quarter of the current j
year the sum of $37,838,937.77, all of which j
were credited to the sinking fund. The ;
revenues forlthe fiscal year endiDg June
30, 1391, are estimated by the Treasury
Department at $385,000,000, and the ex
penditures for the same period, including
the sinking fund, at $341,430,477.70 This
shows an estimated surplus tor that year of
$43,569,522 30, which is more likely to be
increased than reduced when the actual
transactions are written up.
The existence of so large an actual and
anticipated surplus should have the imme
diate attention of Congress, with a view to
reducing the receipts of the treasury to the
needs of the Government as closely as may
be. The collection of moneys not needed
for public uses imposes an unnecessary
burden upon our people, aud the pubiic
vaults is a disturbing element in
the conduct of private business.
It has called into use expedients
for putting it into circulation of very
questionable propriety. We should not
collect revenue for the purpose of antici
pating our bond3 beyond the requiremeuts
of the sinking fund, but any appropriate
surplus in the treasury should be so used,
as there is no other lawful way of return
ing tne money to circulation and the profit
recognized by the Government offers a
substantial advantage. The loaning of
puolic funds to the banks without interest
upon the security of government
Donds, x regard as an unauthorized
and dangerous expedient. It results in a
temporary aud unnatural increase of the
baukmg capital of favored localities
and compels a cautious and gradual recall
of the deposits to avoid injury to the com
mercial interests. It is not to be expected
that banks having these deposits will sell
tht ir bonds to the treasury so long as the
present highly beneficial arrangement is
conducted. They now practically get in
terest both upon the bonds and their pro
ceeds. No further use should be made of
this metnod of getting the surplus
into circulation, and thd deposits now
outstanding should be gradually with
drawn and applied to the purchase of
bonds. It is foi tuuate that such a use can
be made of the existing surplus, and for
some lime to come of any casual surplus
that may exist after Congress has taken
tbe necessary steps for a reduction of the
revenue. Sueh legislation should promptly
but very considerately be enacted.
Recommends Revision of Tariff Laws.
I recommend a revision of our tariff law,
both in its administrative features and iu
the schedules. The need of the former is
generally conceded, and an agreement
up-rn tbe evil and inconviences to be rem-
ed;ei and tbe best methods for their cor
rection will probably not be difficult. Uni
formity of valuation at all our ports is
essential, aud effective measures should be
taken to secure it. It is desirable that
questions affecting rates and ciasificaUons
suouid be promptly decided. The prepara
tion of a new schedule of customs duties is
a matter of great delicacy because of its
direct effect upon tbe business of the coun
try and of great diffi.uity by reason of the
wide divergion of opinion as to the objects
that may properly be prompted by such
legislation. Some disturbance of business
may perhaps result from the considera
tion of this subject by Congress, but this
temporary effect will be reduced to the
minimum by prompt action and by the
assurance which the country already en-
j oys that necessary changes will be so
made as not to impair the just and reason
able protection of our home industries. The
inequalities of the law should be adjusted,
but the protective principle should be
maintained and fairly applied to the pro
ducts of our farms as well as of our shops.
These duties necessarily have relation to
other ihings besides the public revenues.
We cannot limit their efforts by fixing our
eyes on the public Treasury alone. They
have a direct relation to hom9 production,
to work, to wages, and to the commercial
independence of our country, and the wise
and patriotic legislator should enlarge the
fiell of his vision to include all of these.
The necessary reduction in our public
revenues can, I am sure, be made without
making the small burden more onerous
than the larger by reason of the disabili
ties and limitation which the process of
reduction puts upon both capital and
labor. The free list can very safely be ex
tended by placing thereon articles that do
not offer injurious competition to such
domestic products as our home labor can
supply.
ilie Tax on Tobacco and- Whifky.
The removal of the internal tax upon
tooacco would relieve au important agri
cultural product from a ourden which was
imposed only because our revenue from
customs duties was insufficient for the
puolic needs.
If a safe provision against fraud c-ia be
devised, the removal of the tax upo<
spirits used in the arts and in manufac
tures would also offer an unobjectionable
method of reducing the surplus.
A table presented by the Secretary of
the Treasury, showing the amount of
money of ali kinds in circulation expire
from 1873 to the present time is of interest.
It appears that the amount of national
bank notes in circulation has decreased
during that period $114,109,729, of waich
$37,799,229 is chargahle to tne last year.
The withdrawal o ? bauk circulation
will necessarily continu e under existi g
conditions. It is prooable that the adop
tion of the suggestions made oy tue Comp
troller ot the Currency, viz: that the mini
mum deposit of bonds for the estdbiisn
ment of banks oe reduced and that an issue
of notes to the par value of
the bonds be allowed, would
help to maintain the bauk circulation, but
while tnis withdrawal of bank notes has
been going on there has been a large in
crease in toe amount of g old and silver
coin in circulation and in the issues of gold
and silver certificates.
The total amount of money of all kinds
in circulation on March 1, 1.888, was $305,
793.807, while on Octobe- 1, 1889, the total
was $1 405 018,000 There was an increase
of $293,417,552 iu goiq coin, of $57,551100
in’standard silver collars, $72,311249 in
gold cirtificates, of $276,619,715 in -ilver
cirlificates, aud a total of $713 976,403
There w-s during the same period a de
crease of $114 109 729 in bank emula
tion and ot $642,481 in subsidiary
silver. The net increase was
$599,224 193. The circulatio i per capita
h*s increased about five dollars duriog the
time covered by the table referred to. The
total coinage of silver dooars was on
November 11, 1S89, $343 633.001, of wbich
$233 539 521 were in the treasury vaults and
$60,093 480 were in circulation; of the
amount in the vaults $277,319 946 were
represented by outstanding silver certifi
cates, Raving $6 219 577 not in circulation
aud not represented oy eertifica.es.
The Coinage of Silver.
The law requiring the purchase by the
treasury of 52,000,000 worth of silver
buii.’oii each month to bs coined into
silver dollars of 4l2l grains has been ob-
se-. ved by the department, out neither the
present Secretary nor any of his prede
c 1 ssors has deemed it safe to exercise the
discretion given by law to increase the
monthly purchase to $4,000,000. When
the law was. enacted (Feoruary 28,
1878;, the price of silver in
the market was $1.20 4 10 per ounce,
making the bullion value of the dollar 93
cents. Since that time the price has fallen
as low as 91.3 cents per ounce, reducing the
bullion value of the dollar to 70.6 cents.
Within the last few months the market
price has somewhat advanced. On the
If $50,000.
terpretation ha3 been, in most cases, met successful season to the merchant and value of the silver dollar was 72 cents. The
evil anticipations which have accompa
nied the coinage and usx of the sil
ver dollar has not been real
ized; as a coin it has not
had general use, and the public treasury
has been compelled to store it, but this is
manifestly owing to the fact that its
paper representative is more convenient.
The general acceptance and use of the
silver certificate show that silver has not
been otherwise discreditable. Some favor
able conditions have controlled to main
tain this practical equality in their com
mercial use between tbe gold and silver
dollars, but some of these are trade con
ditions that statutory euactments do not
control, and of the continuance of which
we cannot be certain.
I think it is clear that if we should make
the coinage of silver at the present rates
free, we must expect that the difference in
the bullion values of the gold and silver
dollars will be taken on account of com
mercial transactions, and I fear tho same
result would follow any considerable in
crease of the present rate of coinage. Such
a result would be discreditable to our finan
cial management aud disastrous to all
business interests. We should not tread
the dangerous edge of such a peril, and,
indeed, nothing more harmful could
happen to the silver interests.
Any safe legislation upon his subject
must secure the equality of the two coins
in their commercial uses. I have always
been an advocate of the use of silver in
our currency. We are large producers of
that metal and should not discredit it. To
the plan which will be presented by the
Secretary of the Treasury for the issuance
of notes or certificates upon the deposit of
silver bullion at its market value, I have
been able to give only a hasty examina
tion, owing to the press of other matters
and to the fact that it has been so recently
formulated. The details of such a law re
quire careful consideration, but the gen
eral plan suggested by bim seems to sat
isfy the purpose to con iuue the use of
silver iu connection witn our currency and
at the same time to obviate the danger of
which I have spoken. At a later day I
may communicate further with Congress
upon this subject.
The Chinese Exclusion Act.
The enforcement of Chinese exclusion
act has been found to be very diffi tult on
the Northwestern frontier. Chinamen
landing at Victoria find it easy to pass our
border, owing to the impos;i>ility of the
force at the command of the customs
officers of guarding so long an inland
line. The Secretary of the Treasury
has authorized the employment of
additional officers who will be assigned
to this duty, and every effort will be mads
to enforce the law. The Dominion exac-.s
a head tax of $50 for each Chinaman
landed, and when these persons, in fraud
of our law, cross into our territory and are
presented, our officers do not know what
to do with them, as the Dominion author-
ites will not suffer them to be sent back
without a second payment of the tax. An
effort will be made to reach an understand
ing that will remove this difficulty.
Protecting the Seals,
The proclamation required by Saction 3
of the act of March 2,1889, relating to the
killing of seals and other fur-bearing ani
mals was issued by me on the 21st day of
March, and a revenue vessel was dis
patched to enforce the laws and protect
the interests of the United States. The
establishment of a refugee station at Point
Barrow, as directed by Congress, was suc
cessfully accomplished.
Without Coast Defences.^
Judged by modern standards we are
practically without coast defences. Many
of the structures we have would enhance
rather than diminish the perils of their
garrisons if subjected to the fire of im
proved guns and very few are so located
as to give full effect to the greater range of
such guns as we are now making for coast
defense uses. This general subject has
had consideration in Congress for some
years and the appropriation for the con
struction of large rifled guns made one
year ago was, I am sure, the expression of
a purchase to provide suitable works iu
which these guns might be mounted. An
appropriation now made for that purpose
would not advance the completion works
beyond our ability to supply them with
fairly effective guns. The security of our
coast cities against foreign attack should
not rest altogether in the friendly dispo
sition of other nations. There should be
a second line wholly in our own keep
ing. I very urgently recommend an ap
propriation at this session for the con
struction of such works in our most ex
posed harbors.
I approve the suggestion of the Secretary
of War that provision be made for encamp
ing companies of the National Guard in
our coast works for a specified time each
year, and for their training in the use of
heavy guns. His suggestion that an in
crease of the artillery force of the army is
desirable is also, in this connection, com
mended to the consideration of Congress.
Rivers anti Harbors.
The improvement of our important
rivers and harbors should be promoted by
the necessary appropriations. Care
should be taken that the Government is
not committed to the prosecution of
works not cf pubiic and general advan
tage, and that the relative usefulness of
wo.ksof thatclass is not overlooked. So
far as this work can ever be said to be
completed, I do not doubt that the end
would be sooner and more economically
reached if fewer separate works ware un
dertaken at the same time, aud those se
lected for their greater general interest
were more rapidly pushed to completion.
A work once considerably begun, should
not be subjected to the risk and deteroria-
tion which interrupted or insufficient ap
propriation a- cessarily occasion.
Thrt Assault on .Justice Field.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field, of tbe
Supreme O >urt of the United S.ates, at
Latnrcp, California, iu August la9t, and
tne killing of ins assailant by a Deputy
United S.ates Marshal, who had been
deputied to accompany Justice Field and
to protect him from aatici
pated violence at tbe hands of
Terry, in conneciio i with the legal pro
ceedings wnich nave followed, suggjst
questions which in my judgment, are
worthy of the attention of Congress. I
recommend that more defini e provision
oe m tde by law, not only for the protec
tion of Federal officers, but for
a full trial of such cases in the
Uni-.ed Suites courts. In recommending
such legislation, I do not at ail impeach
either tne general adequacy of the pro
vision made by the State jaws for the
protection of al citizens or the general
good disposition of Chose charged with the
execution of such laws to give protec
tion to the officers of tne United
States. The duty of protecting its officers
as such aud of punisaing those who assault
them on account ol their official acts,
should not be devoted expressly or oy ac-
quiesence upon the local authorities.
Events which have been brought to my
attention, happening iiu other parts of the
country nave also suggested the prooriety
of extending by legislation, fuller protec
tion to those who may be called as wit
nesses in the courts of the U liced States.
The law appeals to those who are sup
posed to have knowledge of public
affairs to attend upon our Courts and
Grand Juries and to give evidence. There
is a manifest resulting duty that these
witnesses shall be protected from injury on
account of their testimony. The investi
gation of criminal offenses are often ren
dered futile aud the punishment of crime
impossible by the intimidation of wit
nesses.
The Supreme Court.
The necessity of providing some speedy
method for disposing of the cases wnich
now come for final abjudication to the
Supreme Court room becomes every year
more appareut and urgent. The plan
of providing some immediate courts
having final appellate juris fiction of cer
tain classes of questions and cases has, I
think, received a more geueral approval
from the beach aad bar of the country
than any other. Without attempting to
discuss details,! recommend that provision
be made for the establishment of such
courts.
Salaries of District .Judges.
The salaries of the Judges of District
Courts iu many of the districts are in my
judgment inadequate. I recommend that
all such salaries that are new below $5009
Der annum be increased to that amount.
It is quite true that the amount of labor per
formed by these Judges is very unequal. As
they cannot properly engage in other pur
suits to supplement their incomes, the
salary should be such in all cases as to
provide an independent and comfortable
support.
Combinations and Trusts.
Earnest attention should be given by
Congress to a consideration of the question
how far the restraint of these cotnbina-
tions of capital commonly called “trusts,”
is a matter of Federal jurisdiction. When
organized as they often are to crush oat
all competition and to monopolize the
production or sale of an article of com
merce and general necessity, they are
dangerous conspiracies against the public
good, and should be made the subject of
prohibitory and even penal legislation.
The subject of an
International Copyright Law
Has been frequently commended to the
attention of Congress by my predecessors.
The enactment of such a law would be em
inently wise and just.
Our Naturalization Laws
Should be so revised as to make the in
quiry into the moral character and good
disposition towards our Goverament of
the persons applying for citizenship more
t horough. This can only be done by tak
ing fuller con rol of the examination, by
fixing the times for hearing such applica
tions, aud by requiring the presence
of some one who shall rep
resent the Government in the inquiry.
Those who are the avowed enemies of
social order who come to our shores to
swell the injurious influence and extend
the evil practices of any association that
defies our laws, should not only be denied
citizenship but a domicile.
The enactment of a
National Bankrupt Law
Of a character to be a permanent part of
our general legislation is desirable. It
should be simple in its methods and inex
pensive in its administiation.
Fostinaster-General’a Report.
The report of the Postmaster-General
not only exhibits the operations of the
Department for the last fiscal year, but
contains many valuable suggestions for
the improvement and extension of the
service, which are commended by your
attendant. No other branch of the Gov
ernment has so close a contact with the
people than the postal service. Almost
every one uses the services it offers, and
every hour gained in the transmission
of the great commercial mails has
an actual and positive value that only
those engaged in trade can understand.
The saving of one day in the transmission
of the mails between New York and Sin
Francisco which has recently been aco>m-
plished, is an incident worthy of mention.
The plan suggested of a supervision of the
postoffices in separate districts that shall
involve instruction and suggestion and a
rating of the efficiency of postmasters
would, I have no doubt, greatly improve
the service.
A‘pressing necessity exists for the erec
tion of a building for the joint use of the
department of the city pose office. The
department was partially relieved by
renting outside quarters for a part of its
force, but it is again over crowded. The
building used by the city office never was
fit for the purpose, and is now inadequate
and unwholesome.
Tne unsatisfactory condition of the law
relating to the transmission through the
mails of lottery advertisements aad re
mittances is clearly siated t>y me postmas
ter, and his suggestion as to amendments
should have your favorable consideration.
The Navy Department.
The report of the Sscretary of the Nav/
shows a reorganization of the bureaus of
the department, tnat will, I do not doubt,
promote the efficiency of e ,ch. In gen aral,
satisfactory progress has been made in the
constructions of tbe new ships of war
authorized by Congress. The first vessel
of the new navy, the Dolphin, was sub
jected to very severe trial teats and
to very much adverse criticism, but it is
gratifying to be able to state a ciuise
around the world, from which she ha9 re
cently returned, has demo istrated that
she is a first-class vessel of her rate. The
report of the Secretary shows that while
the effective force of th9 Navy is ripidly
increasing by reason of the improved build
and armament of the new ships,
the number of our ships
fit for sea duty grows very
slowly. We had on the 4 b of March last
thirty-seven serviceable ships, and, though
four have since been added to the list, tho
total has not been increased, because, in
the meantime, four have been lost or con
demned. Twenty-six additional vessels
have been authorized and contracted for,
but it is probaoie that when they are com
pleted our list will be increased to
forty-two again. The old wood
en ships are disappearing almost
as fast as the new vesiels are added. These
facts carry their own argument. One of
the new ships may, in fighting strength,
be equal to two of the old, but it cauuot
do the cruising duty of two. It is impor
tant, therefore, that we should have a
more rapid increase in the number of
serviceable ships. I concur in the recom
mendation of the Secretary that the con
struction of armored ships, three gun
boats and five torpedo boats be author
ized.
The Sam ian Disaster.
An appalling calamity befell three of our
naval vessels on duty at the Samoan
Islands in the harbor of Apia in March
last, involving the loss of four offieers and
forty-seven seamen, of two vessels, the
Trenton aud the Vandalia, and the dis
abling of the third, the Nepsic. Tnree ves
sels of the German navy,also in the harbor,
shared with our ships the force
of the hurricane and suffored even more
heavily. While mourning the brave
officers and men who died, facing with
high resolve and perils greater than those
of battle, it is most gratifying to state that
the credit of the A merican Navy for sea
manship, courage and generosity was
magnificently sustained in the storm-
beaten harbor of Apia.
The Interior Department.
The report of the Secretary of the Iate-
rior exhibits the transactions of the Gov
ernment with the Indian tribes. Substan
tial progress has been made in the ednea-
tion of the children of school age and the
allotment of lands to abult Indians. It is
to be regretted that the policy of breaking
up the tribal relation and of the Indian as
an individual does not appear early in our
legislation. Tne large reservations held
in common and the maintenance of the
authority of the chiefs and head men have
deprived the individual of every incentive
to the exercise of thrift, and the annuity
has contributed an affirmative impulse to
wards that oP confirmed pauoerism. Oar
treaty stipulation should be observed with
fidelity, aud our legislation should de
nighty considerate of the best interests of
an ignorant and helpless people. The
reservations are now generally surrounded
by white settlements. We can no
longer push the Inaiau back
into the wilderness, and it only
needs a suitable agen v to push him up
ward into the state <>f a s-lf supporting
and respoasiole citizsn. For the adult,
the first step is to locate him upon a farm;
for the child, to place him in a school.
School attendance should be promoted by
every moral agency, aud those failing
should be compelie i. The national schools
for Indians have been very successful, and
should be multiplied a id as far as possible
should be so orgmized and conducted aa
to facilitate the transfer of the sch >o!s to
the States or Territories in which they are
located, when the Indians in a neighbor
hood have .accepted citizenship and have
become otherwise fr ied for such a transfer.
This condition of things will be attained
8'owly, but it will be hastened by keeping
it in mind, and in the meantime that co
operation between the Government and
tbe mission schools which has wrought
much good should be cordially and im-
paraally maintained.
Sioux Indian Lands.
The last Congress enacted two distinct
laws relating to negotiations with the
Sioux Indians, of Dakota, for the relig-
quish meat of a portion of their lands to
tne United States, and for dividing the re
mainder until separate reservations. Both
were approved on the same day, March 2;
the one submitted to the Indians a specific
proposition ; the other, section 3 of the
Indian appropriation act, authorized the
President to appoint three commissioners
to negotiate with these Indians f >r the ac
complishment of the same general pur
pose, and then required that any agree
ment mt.de should be submitted to Con
gress for ratification.
O j the 16th day of April last I appointed
Hon. Charles Foster, of Ohio, Hon. Wil
liam Namer, of Missouri, aad Major Gen
eral George Crook, of the Uaited States
Army, Commissioners, under the last
named law.They were,however,authorized
and directed to submit first to the Indians
the definite proposition to them by the
act first mentioned, and only on the event
of failure to secure the assent of the
requisite number to that proposition to
[CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE.]