Newspaper Page Text
THE MESSAGE.
Fall Text of Ha Fresi
floats Ana! Review.
li^
90-
l'ic
0*
ood
rd.
MUCH SPACE DEVOTED TO
OCR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Silver Question and Other Depart
ments of the Government's Financial
AfTairs-Desertions in the Army on
the Decrease—Work of the Depart
ment of Justice—The Postofflce De
partment-Government Ownership
of the Telegraph Dines Not Recom
mended—A Don? Chapter on the
Force Bill and Other Legislation
Before the Present Congress—Con
gress Urged to Rush Things.
WASHisarojr, Dec. L—Following is tbe
full text of the annual message sent by
President Harrison to congress to-day:
To i ' * Senate onel Howe of fteprexentativee:
The reports of the several executive depart
ments, wuicn will oe laid before congress in the
usual course, win exhibit in detail the opera
tions of the government for the last li: cal y ur.
Only the mo e important i cidentsatid results,
and cnietiy such as may be the foundation of
the rreuninondaiions I shall submit, w ill be re
ferred t> in tiiis annual message. The vast aid
increasing business oi the government has been
transacted by the several departments during
the year with faithfulness, energy and success.
The revenues, a mounting to ab ive $4.30,0 W.OJO,
have been collected and disbursed
without revealing. so tar as 1 can uscer.ain. a
single case of defalcation or etnbetzl inent.
An earnest effort has been made to stimulate a
*e(ise of responsibility and public duty in all
o fflcers and employes of every grad \ and the
irork done by them has almost wholly escaped
vinfavoraole critc.aui. I speak o’ these matters
-*it:i freedom, because the credit of this good
work is not mine, but is sra-ed by the heads of
tile several departui nts with the great body of
faithful officer* and employe, under them. The
closest scrutiny of congress is invited to all ihe
methods of administration and to every item of
expenditure.
Rslations.
The friendly relations of our country with
the nations of Europe and of the east have
been undisturbed, while t e ties of good will
an I common intere t that bind us to the states
ot the western hemisphere have been notaoly
■trea.thaned bv the conference held In tuts
■capital to consider measures for the general
welfare.
Pursuant to the invitation authorized by con
gress the representatives of every independent
state of tue American continent and of Hayti
met in conference in this capital lu Octoner,
Jssa, and eontmued in s ssion until the iUth of
last April. This important convocation marks
a most interesting and influential epoch in the
history of the western hemisphere. It is note
worthy that Brazil, invited while under an im
penal form of ► overnment, shared as a republic
in the deliberations and results of the confer
ence. Th • r commendations of this conference
were all transmitted to congress at tue last
session
Tile international marine conference, which
met at vv asiu'ugton la it winter, reached a very
gratifying result. The regulations suggested
have been brought to the attention of all the
governments represented, and their gene al
adoption is contulently expected. The legisla
tion of congress at tue last session is in cou
tormity with the propositions of th" c inference,
and the procla nation therein provided for will bo
d when the other powers have gi ven no,ice
of their adhesion.
Africa's suave trade.
The conference of Brussels, to devise mears
for suppressing the slave t aie in Africa, af
tordedan onportuoity for anew expression ol
the interest the American peo le lee in that
great worn, it soon b came evident that tie
measure proposed would tax the resources of
the ( ngo basin beiond the revenues available i
under tie general act of Bu-lin of 1884. Tue
united Mates, not Ueinra party to t..at act.
■coulu not snare iu its revision. Out by a separate
act the independent state of tne Congo was
treed trom the restrictions upon a customs r>'v
“u®- The demoralzing and and structive
;'f® c , lu ardent spirits among the
tru*s also claimed the earne t attention
ot the coherence, and the tl. legates of the
Oimert states w re toremost iu advocatin -
measures for its repression. An accord was
hlmr i ’ t : ,e Infl uence of whicn will be very
lupful and extend over a wide region.* As noon
I, h>e measures si ail r ceive tne sanction of
the Netherlands, fora i im) withheld, the geu
walaets Will be submitted for ratification bv
„ Meanwhile negotiatlom. have bean
optued for anew and complete t -eat y of friend*
snip, cnruniercial and navigation, I etweon the
Congo “ lates a!M * tne independent state of the
Brazil’s change op* government,
derwm i f r ' I f the 0:1 1 of the >car t he only in-
V h'onarchial government on the
comment, that of Brazil, ceased to
Idn'or, succeeded by a republic.
-K , : “ lC relations were at once estaolished
T . *“ e ""' v government, but it was, not corn
'ipni'urre s e'mzed u. til an opportunity had
■ xn uffordei) to ascertain that it, iiact the popn
i"* f an ,l support. When the, cour.-e of
yie!tle<l assurance of tiiis fact no
rc0.,1 1 to the ntw govern
,V Jr „ a “ antl cvrJl Al welcome into the family
be!h. rae ,r < i i i a ‘-‘O’hmonwealths. I: is confidently
**• good relations of the two
wai *lo "'■ l be pre ervea * and that the future
co rw ttn lr "’ r '' as, ‘ u in iinacy of int-r
--mer e aDi * an ex P anslun their mutual com
SAN SALVADOR'S REVOLUTION.
imLYl?r??hp f ( -'® ntn * i America ha* a tain been
Sah, a, h , ruueb u revolutioLary cminpe i.i
S nes“an l i ot I'ecogm/ed by other
r,.„ "■;* lioMiht.es broke out between Suiva
f-wrli ' llatf:na ' a ’ tareatenii.fr to involve all
'he r ® America m the conil.ci, an 1 to un.io
'imrir. " hlctl bad be n maJe toward a
won ot the* interests. The eiTorts of ta;s *ov
tvl 1 * repro i.ptly and zealously exert.*!
*ct v™ :‘w e t , he,r , dlff0 ' ence3 ’ aai throujfb the
. ‘ dorts of tneir representative!; of the
v.i-h , le *- Provisional treaty of peace was
: A . u v ?T t "’hereby tne runt of th re
r c jrni v Va^°r 10 c^oose *l* o;v,n rulers was
th<,obief of th 6 provisional gov
rjr ne J IM Sll *ee beu conflrmed l 1 tlie presi
dio.', auly tl fol l W^i bly ’ al ' d dl(,loU iL!Uc ,WOK
_ killing of barrdncia.
Pacihe ml?* ° ec - ® arr undia, o i board the
'n tra'J t ' f ra,ner Acapulco, wliile anchored
he nu, |1J U tiw P° r£ °f Sail Jos •and < ii.nl mala,
a rl“ r " ul inquiry. Having failed ia
Qnatemaia on ?r y aU£ '' n l? L lo ' vade
fn h from Mexican territory,
bit Pail’ ,‘'“ n, -r too!t paatt at Acapulco
b'CsoM Li- T 'i Consent ot ~ho re presen ta
s-ile?!?^," lted states wasaoefclM toetTect
hrst at chaiapcr.ee, whore the
and aftorwar.l at San Jose.
■■l, 1,,' ' tl ’" st airier rt,fused to ivc up
I'm;..•f "hfaout a written-order from the
'he ..esin.,?. .'“W*r. The ij.tt.-r furn shod
n ‘; i' e^ e ' ' “tipulatine at. thecnd-ti ui
-Ptr.- . , tjat len - Barrondia’a life short t
f 1,1 tie should I*, tried only tor
1 vn. ■" out of IPs msurrectionar.-
Cor.ta,,', Vf'Vt, f 'its letter was p es-nted to the
Acapul o by tbit military com
t ... r l j" n l "' e as bis w-.rrant to take th.
t-i. o fbe btiamer. Get. KammJia
.. . ;'.- r 0 and iva.kiiled. it being evi
r .e’i. ■,.'!! m ‘. oi £er . Mr. !l tener. had ex
- ' ; " in,i ‘°l lib authority in interven
huat-1-.p b n '** v. iih the demand. of tne
j,, ‘ h Suthor.ti -s to autiairize and effect,
of precedent, tue. seizure on a res
'-••sit ch. . and 8l ,U: * of - in
' " tta. ' arKßl with 10 dioal odenses, ia
un > r "' & i be tried for su<h oils.,**
- rao ; *** <**crib*d a,/ B.arii.l law. I was
'bin, from “ r Mt:n ' r ’ 8 061 * od •*'
Tc \. * ,c A**ca’a cai al.
,r y. .f ohrSttaJlS*^ 1 p r ***• “ alr fb con
iwn. us raal jug nost. encouraging
miuad eS * All ,h * prrlim.nary conditions amf
"" 5 “ SheJ
(■.. in '?*’■“ against the govern meat o
wnh lVru <-’ ro ' vm X oat of the late war
wirrnmLA! rtS >rom our minister at Santiago
fa.-o.ri'JA I’* 1 ’* -fatiou of all early oul u'is
tactory adjustment.
Ot'U UEhATIOSS WITH C3IXI.
with China, which have f>r
Our .til uV ar/i 'OO’ipicd s 1 iinjortant a place in
I 2E‘JM" , ..at:cId-tory. have called for careful
m J ,t an 1 hare beer. the subject of
mu correapon deuce.
ilie corn in unicat iols of the Chinese minister
Cave brought into view the whole subject of
our conventional relations with this country;
&na. at the same time, this government,
tiirou n its legation at i’e~lu, has sought to ar
range various matters and complaints touching
trie inter eats and protection oi our citizens in
China.
lu pursuance of the concurrent resolution of
< >ctob.-r Ist, I have proposed to the gov
ermnenti of Mexico and (irt-at Britain to con-
H i , r a conventi nal regulation of the pissage
oi Chinese labjreis across our southern an i
northern frontiers.
<>n the 2*d day of August last, Sir Edmund
Munson, tue arbitrator selected und -r the treaty
or December G, 1888, rendered an award to the
effect that no compensation was due from the
i Danish government to the United States on ae
; count ol what is common.}' known as the Carlos
Butterfield claim.
Our relations with the French republic con
tinue to be cordial. Our representative at that
court has very diligently urged the removal of
the restrictions inipc sed upon our meat products,
and it is be.ievtnl that substantia, progress lias
been made toward a just settlement.
THR SAMOAN TREATY.
The Samoan treaty, signed last year at Berlin
by the representatives of the united State 3.
( lermany Great Brian, after due ratifica
tion and exchange, ha* begun to produce afiu
tary effects. The formation of the government
agreed upon will soon replace the disorder of
tue past by a stable administration. alike ju*t
to the natives ad equitable to the t iree powers
most concerned ij tue trad -and intercourse with
the Samoan Islands. Tne Chief Justice has
•)een chosen by the King of Sweden and Nor
way. on the invitation of tbe three power-, and
will be installed. The iand commission and the
municipal council ure in piocess of organize -
tion. A rational and evenly distributed scheme
of taxation, both municipal and upon Imports,
is in operation. M&iietoais respected as king.
ANOLO-AMERK AN RELATIONS.
The new treaty of extradition with Great
Britain, after due ratification, was proclaimed
n n the2sth of last March. Its beneficial work*
ing is already apparent.
The difference between the two governments
touching tae fur Real question in the Bearing
sea is not yet adjusted, as will be seen by tue
correspondence which will be soon lai-l before
congress. The offer to submit the question to
arbitration, as propo © 1 oy Her Majesty’s g >
eminent, has not vet been accepted, for the
reason that ths form of submission proposed is
not thought to be assure a conclu
sion satisfactory to either party.
It is sincerely hoped that before the opening
of another sealing season .* mie arrangements
may be erected which will assure to the Unite.l
Slates a property right derived from Uu.-jia
which has not been disregarded by any
nation lor more than eigaty years, pre
ceding the outbreak of the existing'trouble.
la the tariff act a wrong was done to the king
dom of Hawaii, which 1 am bound to presume
was wholly unintentional. Duties were levied
on certain commodities whieu are included in
the reciprocity treaty uow existing between the
United States and the kingdom of Hawaii.with
out indicating tue necessary exceptio 1 in favor
of that kiugdo n. I hope congress win repair
w hat might otherwise seem tobja breach of
faith on the part of this government.
AWARDS IN HAYTI.
An a war 1 in favor of the Unite* States in the
matter of the claim of Mr. Van Bokkelen
ugaiust Hayti was rendered on D *c. 4. 1888. bet
owing to disorders then aud al t *rwar.l prevail
ing Hayti. tae terms of payment were not
observed. Anew agreement as to the time of
payment has been approved and is n twin force
Other just claims of ill citizens of the United
States for redress of wrongs .suffered dur.ng tne
late pel tical conflict in Hayti will, it is hoped,
speedily yield to friendly treatment.
Propositions for the amendm *ut ol' the treaty
of extradition between the United States and
Italy are now under consideration.
You will be asked to provide the means of
accepting the invitation of the Italian govern
ment to take part in an approaching commence
to consider the adoption ot a uni vers U prime
meridian from which to reckon longitude and
time. As this proposal follows in the track ot
the reform sfittght to be initiated by the merid
ian conference of Washington, held on the invi
tation of this government, the Unit'd States
.should manifest a friendly interest iu the Italian
proposal. In this connection 1 may refer with
approval to the suggestion of my predecessors,
that a standing provision t e untie for accepting,
whenever deemed advisab e. the frequent invi
tations of foreign governments to share iu con
ferences looking to the advance me .tof interna
tional reforms in regard to science, sanitation,
commercial laws ant procedure and other mat
ters affecting the intercourse and progress of
modern com in unties.
DELAOOAS RAILWAY.
In the summer of I SS 'J an incident occurred
which for some time tkreate ud to interrupt the
cordiality of our relations with the government
of Portugal. Tuat government B*=ized the h i
agoa Bay railway, which was constructed und jr
a cone ssion granted to an American citizen
and at the same time annulle 1 the charter.
T*.econcessionary, who had embarked his for
tune in the enterprise, having exhausted other
means c redro was compel!, and i*> in*,
protection of his government. Uur representa
tions. made coinc den Iy with those of the
British government, whose subjects were also
largely interested, happily iesuited in the
reco- nition by P.irtugai of the propriety of
submitting the claim for indemnity, growing
out of its action, to arbitration. This plan of
settlement having been agreel upon, the inter
ested powers readily concurr *d m the proposal
to subm tth j case to th* judgment of three
eminent jurists, to be designated by the Presi
dent of.ilie Swiss repuo ic, v ho, upon the joint
invitation of the governments of the Un tad
States, Great Britain and Portugal, has sol *cted
persons well qualified for the task before them.
OCR BKLATONS WITH JAPAN.
The revi ion of our treaty relations with the
Empire of Japan has continued to be the sub
ject of consideration and of eorrespo idenc*.
Toe questions involved are both grave an i
delica'e. and, while It will b * my duty to see
that the interests of the United States a-e not by
any change exposed to undue discrimination, I
sincerely hope that suen revision as will satisfy
the legitimate expectations of the Japinese
go eminent aud maintain the present, and long
continued friendly relations between .Japan aud
the United States may be effected.
FRIJCNDJA' ties WITH MEXICO.
The frieniship between our country anil Mex
ico, born of clou© neighborhood, a id strength
ened by many considerations of intimate int**r
coarse mid reciprocal interests, lias
never bo.m more conspicious thin
now, uor more hopeful of in
creased benefit to both nations. The intercourse
of the two countries by rail, alrca ly great, is
making constant growth. The established
lines, and those recently projected, add to the
intimacy of traffic, auu op u new channels of
access to fresh areas of demand and supply.
The importance of the Mexican railway svstem
will be further enhanced, to a decree almost im
posf.ible to forecast, it it should become a link
,in the projected intercontinental railway. I
recommend that our mission in the City of
Mexico be raised to the fxst class
The c rdial c.nar.acter of our relations with
Spain warrants the hope that by the continuance
of methods of i riendl v negotiations much may be
accornplisnod iu the direction of an adjus ment
of pending question© an i of the increase of
our trade. The extent and developemont of our
trade with the island or Cuba invest the com
mercial relat ions of the United Spates, and spuin
with a peculiar import nice. It is not doubted
that a special arrangement in regard to com
merce, based upon the ncmrocity provision of
the receut tariff act, w’ould operate most i ene
tiuially for both government*. This subject .a
uow receiving Attention.
EUIC-S >.\*S REMAINS.
The restoration of the remains oi .Tohn Erica
son to Sweden afford *d a gratifyiug occa iou t e
honor the memory of the great .nvenvortu
whoß3 genius our country owes sj mun, and to
hear witness to the unbroken imnddiin which
has existe l between the land which riore uim,
an 1 our own, which cht.me 1 him as a citizen.
On the second of Septe.noer las* tin* corn
mission apiiated to revise tie proceedings of
the commission under the claims cjm
▼ mtlon between the Unite! States au 1
Ven7iiela of 1806 brought ih> lab >rs
to a elo'f* witr.in th • p rlod iixt* i for that pur
pose. The proceedings f the late ommiidon
were charaet r.z dby a spirit of irnparti liiiy
a ini a high Ht use of justice, and an incident
whicn was for many years the subj *ct of dis
cussion bHweon the two /overnmenu has been
sed of in a manner honorable and
• itmfautory to both oar ties, tort io
ot tha claim of the Wnezuel* Bt#*m Tfwuspor*
tation Company, which was tb“ .-.ib.jHcr of a
joint resolution adopted at the last sevh.oQ of
congress, ne rot ations are stid in progress, and
tns.r early conclusion is anticipated
TT!B 00XHCLAR SERVICE.
The ierisla'doo of the pad few years has
evi w?ed on the of •; mgr a growing
reaUtatioaeg tha importance of tie co isular
sernc- in fostering our oommercial relations
abroad and in protecting ttw iomes tic n-venm?. ,
At the scoito of operation* expands mcrea^d
THE MOILn’IXG NEM S: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2,1890 TEX PAGES.
;
i FT?*, ™ ns * ** raaffa to toepnpibsessential
I- \ ln IsrJ ~f oifl.-.-iivy, Th- Mor.-si'v ef son>r
! 1- ar * ""“■"iiiv of sup rvlslon and inspection
u*3 bean so often i re--uf‘.i t isr I need oniv
Commend tbe subject to your attention.
Finances of the Nation,
revenues Of tb* K..v?rnmeu: from all
' !? u ‘ 1 f ' ,r , the t ear cn line June Kit i <sai,
! f'J \*■' * f - ; .'.-it 35. aud tile total expenditure,
I ,or h ‘ une period w.-re S2iS,6!S i,| 5J f.,,.
; postal receipts have not heretofore lieen in
dmifTrlh :lK “ 8!a: ‘ ,n * ul of thoseaitirreirates.
s.i. ar P '-<* of comparison the sum of
!?n sr,> uld be u.Mi.ie I from bot 1
sia.-s of tae de ■,.uo;. Too surplus for the year.
| tb .*? u I o,int '-Pl-lieil to tli- smiting
f ind, was 5l' 1 '.34i.4V60M L fbo receipts for
, il: - * I,M .• ►. -‘lid the exjiendlture,
fclG .oU.NaI lu exccasof those of The cus
i t m> receipt < increased r-5. A.B4S nq, and the
receipts from internal revenu * $11.ri".19l 89
while ..n t*i“ si.h* i t expenditures laai for pen’
sions was fl‘i,*Tl2,i>7s iu excess of the irec-*>i
ng year. f
Ihe treasury statement for th>* current fiscal
year. jaily acrn il and partly estimated, is as
iO lows: Receipts from a!l sources, $;• Mi.uk,-
i "*ht; total expenditures, STjI.O' *.ooi>. leaving a
sur P us of not taking th* postal re
! c^P ls into the account on either side. The loss
of revenue fr. m customs for the last quarter is
estimated at s&s,ooo,*}*>. but from tins is de
ducted a gain of about ?!G.O X),od. realized dur
in? tbe first four months f the year.
U-r the year the total a-t.mated feceipls
an l tue estimated *"q.‘uilituiVs
0 00) leaving an estimated surplus of
147.79} 58, which, with a cash balance of
9 .*•< iHui at the b**gi ining of t .* year, will
K ,ve ? ! <7.147,7a: 5S as the sum available for the
re Tempt o 1 of outstanding b aids or other u*<.
Ihe estimate! of receipts an 1 expenditures for
the postofiice department b mg equal, aie not
iucludeil in this statement on either side.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
The cct directing the pure iase of silver bull
ion ami tue i**u * of treasury notes thereon, ap
proved July 1 1, Ib'.-d, lias been administered iv
th* Secretary of the Treasury wit: an e rnest
purpose to get Into circulation at the earliest
possible date tue full monthly amounts of treas
ury notes contemplated by its provisions aud at
the same time to give to the market for si ver
bullion such supp rt as the la>\ content platen,
rhe recent depreciation in tae pr.ee of silver
has been observed with regret. The rap and rise
in price which anticipated and followed the
passage of the act was influenced iu some de
gree by speculation, and th • recent reaction i>,
iu part, the res il: of the same cause, and in
part of the recent monetary disturbances Some
months of future tri and will bo necessary to and *
termine the permAnetit effect of the rec *nt
legislation upon s.Jver values, but it is gratify
ing to know that the increased circulation se
cured by th** act has exerted and will continue
to exert a most beneficial influence upon gen
eral vaius.
THE INTEIINATIONAL CONFERENCE.
While it has not been thought best t,> renew
form illy the suggestion >f an internat.->n and
c uferenco looking t> an a reement touching
the full use of silver for coinage at a unit' rm
ratio, care has be n taken to observe closely
any cn.iug#* in the • iltiati"n abroad, an 1 no fa
vorable wi l be lost t> pr
result which, it is confidently bedeved. would
c infer very larg • hcn. tiis upon tiie commerce
of the w’or.d. The rec nt monetary distur a.ices
iu E .laud are not unlikely to suggest a re-ex
a:nuatio.i of opinions upon this subj> ot. Our
very large supp.y of gold will, if not lost by im
P il-ive le-is!ati>n in the supposed interest "t
silver, give us a position of a tvantage iu pro
moting a per.nan nt and safe international
agreement lor the free use of silver as a coin
111 jtai.
THE CIRCULATION.
The effort* of the secretary to increase the
volume of money in circulation by keeping
down the tr**. s lsy surpais to too lowest prac
ticable limit have been unremittin r. and, in a
high degive. successful. The tabhs
presented by him. snowing the in
case of money iu circulation during
the last two decade <, and, especially, the tabl *
snowing file iucr rse during trie nineteen
months he has admin ste ed the atfsirsof tne
department, are interesting and insiru.*rive.
The increase of money in cireu ution during the
nineteen months has been $93,866,813. or ab mt
§1 50 per capita, and of tuns increase only
$4,100,009 wus due to the recent silver legisla
tion. Tnat this an stunt al and needed aid
given to commerce resulted in an enormous r -
Auction of the public (tebtQindof the annual
interest charge is a matter of increased satis
faction. T.soi-0 have been purchased and re
deemed since Marc i fourth, I<*9, 4 and Vx, per
cent, bon Is to the amount of $'£.1,843,459, at a
cost of $240,020,741. resulting iti r reduction of
tne annual interest cnarge of S.B. 07,6.0, an l it
total saving o; interest of ssl,- 74.700.
1 no.ice with g e it pie sure the statement
of the Secretary that the receipts from internal
revenue have increased during the last fiscal
year nearly $12,0U0.0 G, and that the ert of
collecting tuis large revenue was less by
6i7 than for tne same purpose in the preceediug
year. Ihe percentage of cost of collecting the
customs revenue was less for tne l ist fiscal year
man ever before.
Tlir CTSTOMB BOARD.
The customs administration board provided
for by tne act of June 10, 1800, was selected
with great card anl is composed
in part of men whose previous experience in ti e
administration of the old custom regulations
had in ;d *th *:n familiar with the evils to be
re isedi *d, aud in part of men whoie legal and
ju licial requirements and experience see.ncd to
lit tn rn for the ork of interpreting and
applying the new statute. The chief aim of the
la a is to secure honest valuations of all dutiable
mere audi e anl to make ihese valuations
uniform at ail our ports of e dry. It had ben
made manileJt l*v a congiessional invesrigati n
tjat a system of under-valuation had Ik *n tong
in use by ce tain o asses of importers, resulting
not only in a great loss of r venue, but in a
in st intolerable discrimination ugainst hou* sty.
Ic:snots*en how this I gis.ation, when it is
understood, can b? regarde l by tso oiti/cns of
a iy country havrng commercial dealings with
us ..s unfriandly. If any duty i*. supnosed to be
exclusive let the complaint be lodged there, ft
will surely not bectauned by any well disposed
people that a remedy may be sought and
allowed in a system of quasi smuggling,
dho War Department.
The report of the S cretary of War exhibits
several gratifying results attained during t e
year by wise and unostentatioua rn thoils. The
percentage o desertions from the army tan
evil for whicn both congress and the depart
ment have long been seeking a remedy), has
h-en reducovl during the past, year 24 per cent.,
and for the months of August and September,
during which time the favora ie effects of tne
act of Jun* 10 were fe t, 43 per cent., as com
pared with the same month of 1880.
Tlie refill s attained by a reorganization and
consolidation of the divisio s having charge ot
the hospital and servicrec rds ot the volun
teer sol tiers are very r *?narKable. This change
was effected in July. !SW, and nt that time
th*re were 40,654 cases awaiting attention, more
loan halt of these b *iug calls from the pension
ofilce for information necessary to the ad judi
ca*.ion of pension claim*. Or the 30th day of
June ast. though over 300,000 new calls ha i
come iu, then* was not a single case that ha 1
net been examined and answered.
COAST DEFENSE.
T concur in the recommendaf ions of the Score
tary that ale iuate and regular appropriat.ons
bo continued for c*ast defense works and
ordnance, i laus have been pr ieticaliy agreed
up .n, and there can be no good reason for de
laying ihe execution of them: whileth • defense
less stat * of our great seaports furnishes an ur
gent n for wise e.xpoditi n. The encour
ageiin nl that l.as been extended to the militia
ot ttie states, gene-ally and most npjiropriau iy
desu'tiaied the '“National (iuard/’ should be
continued ai.d enlar od. These military organ
izations constitute, in a large the army
of the United States, while about five-sixths of
the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed
by the states.
Lb pxrtmont of Justice.
The report of the Attorney General is under
the law so omitted directly to congress, bit as
tr e department of justice is one or the execu
tive departments, some reference to the work
done is appropri ite here A \ igorous and.in the
n ain. an etfe dive olTorthas been ma e to bring
to trial ano punishment all violators of the
law a hut at ta-r* same, time care has been taken
that frivolous and technical off *ns js sboul 1 not
be used to swell the fees of officers, or to harass
well dis posed c.tizens. Esp cial attention 1>
caled to the facts con me ted with
the prosecution of violatious of
th ■ election laws and of offenses
against United States officers. The numb r or
c invictiooH s eired, very many of them iifon
pi as of guilty, will, it is ho, ed. have a salutary
restraining influence.
T.'i**re hav** been several cases wuer • post
masteri? a; >p anted by me hive b<3 n subjected
to violent interference) ill the di*o barge ot their
official duties asd to persecutions and personal
viol nee of the most extreme character. Some
of these cases nave been dealt with through the
depart neat of justic *, cm in hofo*- ca as the
pjstoillces have he *u aboli* ed orsupeud and I
have .;ir*ct *d tbo Postmaster General to pursue
this course in all cases where otr.er efforts failed
to secure for auv postmaster, not himself at
fault, an opportunity peacefully to exercise toe
duties of his office, but Hiich action will not sup*
p ant th * efforts of the dHfiartment rf justic * to
bring the particular offenders to punUument.
natuealization riucns.
The va atlon by judicial decre s of fraudulent
c?rt i cau*4 of nat uranz luon, up ju bills in oquity
hied* b ' the Attorney General in the c.U; .it
court of t in CmUi i uutfot. It anew application
of a familiAr (|u t/junsdi tlon. N arly one
hu drl sueu and w es Imve been taken durt g
the year, the evidence disclosing U n a very
large n iinher of fraudulent certificates of naui
rahzation have bvn ia*u*d. ad in this cannec
t*. n I beg tor new my r common la ion that the
law s be Ssi amended as to r quire a .nor© full
and searching Inquiry Into all the facts n c.*s
sary to nat :ra :nation before any certifica es
are granted, it eer ainly is nut to., inuen to
vetjuire mat an applica ion for American cit;
zeusbip shall b * heard with as muca care and
recorded with as much formality*- are gi.en
t* ases involving tue potties: property rig„t
at the last seasion.
, * return-d. witnout my approval, a bill enti
-1 '^ r ‘ a T to prohibit bonk 1 akmg and pool
t* long In tbe District < f Col uubia.” and stared
rnv objection to be that it did not prohibit, but
In fact license i wbat t p.ir one ! to pmhibit
An effort wifi bs made under existing laws to
supp ess this evil, ttacurh It is not e rum that
they will he found adequate.
The Postofflce Department.
The report of the Postmaster General shows
the most gra i'ying progress in t.,e imvKrtant
work commitied to his direction. The business
met ho. Is have been greatly improved. \ large
economy in ex|ieuditarea an i an iucreas* **f
4.*54J,0.x in receipts has been realiz-vl. The
deficiency this vear 13 $5,7H6,3ft), as against
o 183 last year, notwithstanding the grcit
enlargement of the servict*. Mail routes have
iM eti extended and quicken 'd, and great- r
accuracy aid dispitch in distribution am !-*
livery rave lK*-n attained. The report will b
found t. bo tub of interest and u 'gevtio 1 not
only to congr ss. but to tho-e thoughtful c ti
zens who may b interested to know whut biui
ue>-s methods can do for that department of the
imblic administration which most nearly
touches all our people.
Foe pour are of the act certain sv
tions.ft er vise i stat ues relating t> letter
ie . approved Sept. 19. !SX\ is lo'll r veived
w itii great and ueserved popular faror. Tha
pos’oifie** department aud th-* department >f
iustic* at once entered upon the enforcement of
thela.v wi.ti sy*npathetic vigor, an i a ready
the public mails have been largely free 1 fr m
the frau !u’c .? and demoral g ap ( eaK and
lireratiireeniarmtiug from the lottery compa
nies.
The Naval Department.
The construction and equipment of the new
ships for the navy have uiafiV ver> satisfadorv
progress Since March 4, iKSu. niiie ivw vessels
have boon uul 111 commission, and during th-s
wintei f ,ir more , including one m nitor, wi l
1-e added Tic* construction of th • other vessels
authorized isbiing pushed, b r.h in the govern
bient arid private yards, with energy, and
wi t jhed wi h the most scrupuiotn earn
The expet i:ne use inducted during the year to
test the relative resisting power of armor
plat s have been so v*.liable u* to attract groat
at teution in Europe.
Tin* only part of the work upon th' new ships
that Is threatened by unusual de. ay is the armor
plating, am! every effort la being mode to re
duco tnat t. the minimum. It is a source of
congratulation that the anticipated inline:.c *of
those modern vessels udo.i the >mtt */-/
of tie office"s ;.ud seamen has l.**a fully real
ized. Confidence and pride in tin ship among
t :<• ermv arc equivah n; t> a stationary lia tcry.
Your fmor..hi • consideration is invited to the
recommendations of the secretary.
The Interior Department.
The report of the Secretary oft: > Interior
exh.lms, with great fullness and cleat n-ss. the
vast w-..rk of that department and the
satisfactory r*sulta attained. Tne isuggeHtions
made by him are earnestly commei l o the
coM.sideration of c >ngre.sH. thou 4 h th y cannot
all be given particular mention here. The sev
eral M-ts of congress looking to the reduction of
the larger Indian resei vat ions, t- the more
r ipi I set Heine t of the .ndiana upon indivldtia l
allotments, and the restoration 10 t ie p ihl;c
demain of lands in excess of their needs, have
been largely carried into effect, s * far as the
work was c- *ntt leii to the executive.
Agivepicnta hare been conch 1 ml since March
4. linvolving the cession to the United
States of ib jut 1 • ,726,010 acres of land. Theao
contracts have, am required by law. been mib
in It ted to congress for ratification and for tho
nppn.pri-lions necessary to carry tlvun into
effect. Th**s,. with tiie Siseton und Wahpe
ton, Vacan t Fox, lowa. Uottawattomie! and
abaeiit o Shawuees and Cavur d’Ale.-i" tribes
have not yet received the sanction of
ooiiiXesi, Attention ia also cal c l to the fact
that the appropriations made la the ca oof tiie
Sioux Indians have not covered all the stiuu
luted payments. This should be promptly cor
racteJ. If an nrreemeut is c- nflrm and, all <*f
its terms s.iou’d be co oplied wi:u without de
luy, ami full oporopnatious should be made.
PATENTING OF L Nl>S.
The policy outlined in w la-t annual mes
sa,* i 1 relation t > the patenting of lan is to
sett lers upon the public domain lias been or.r
--1 ied out iu the adminis nation of t'e land office
No general suspicion or imputation of traiid
has h 1 n allowed to del*/ the hearing aid a 1
judication o. individual oaaesup jn their merits.
Ti e purpo-o ha* been to perfect the till 3 of
hones! settlors with such promptness phat the
value of the entry might not bo swallowed up
by tho expense and extortions to which delay
subjected the ela mant. The average monthly
issue of agrici lnral patents has he a Increased
about C.XIO.
THE PENSION BURE ATT.
The disability pension act, which win ap
proved on the 27th of Juno last, has been rut
into operation as rapidly as was practicable.
Tne increase! clerical force provided was
se.i ?cted and assigned to work, and a consider
able part of tin* force engage* : in examinations
in the fi and was recalled and added to tae work
in v force in t he office.
Tue examination and adjudication of claims
have, by r*as n of improved methods, been
more rapid than ever bi-fore. There a 110 ec->n
ouiy to the government in delay, while there is
ranch hardship and inju tice to th? .-oldie \
The antic.pated expen it>. re. while very large,
will not, it is bcli *ved, be in excess of the esti
mates made before the enactment of the a*.v.
This Jioeral enlargement of the irencrai law
shoi;l t sugge-t more careful scrutiny u( lnds
forsp'cial relief, both as to cases where relief
is granted and as to amount allowed.
THE M >RMONS.
Th-* increasing l umbers and influence .f the
non-mormon popula. ior in Utah are observed
with Bati.>fdotio(i, Tne recent let ter of Wi. ford
Woodruff, president of th** Mormon church, in
which h* advised his people “To rf frain from
contracting a y marriage forbidden by the
laws of t ie land." l as attracted wide attention,
and if is hoped that its influence will be Highly
b*ueficial in restraining imTactions of tae laws
of the United States, but the fact should n >t be
overlooked that, the doctrine or belief
of the church t! at polygamous marriages
are rightful and supported by divine revelation
remains unchanged. President Woodruff does
not renounce the doctrine, but refrains from
teaching it an I advis *-. against the practice of
it. because the law is ugainst it. Now it is quit**
true i a< the law should not attempt to and al
with the faith or belief of any one, out It is
quite mother thing, and the only safe thing r
d**al with iu the territory of Utah is that those
who believe polygamy to he rightful shall not
have the power to make it lawful.
THE NEW STATES.
The admission of the states of Wyoming and
Idaho to the union are events full of interest
am! congratulation, not only to the people of
tho o states, now happily endowed with a full
participation of our privileges and r spot)sibili
nes, but to all our people. Another belt of
states stretches from the Atlantic to the
Pacific.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
Toe work of the patent office has won from
ail sources very ifg ■ commendation. The
amount accomplished has been very largely in
crease b and all the res ets have b *en such ns
to s cure confidence and consideration for tue
suggestions of the commissioner.
THE CENSUS.
The enumeration of the people of the United
States under tae provisi .ns of the act of March
1, 18*11, has ber*n completed, and the result will
be at once officially e *mm mica ted to congre s.
The completion of this decennial enumeration
devolves upon congress the duty of making a
new apportionment of representatives among
me several dates according to their respective
numbers.
PUBLIC BUILDING BILLM.
At ti e last session I had occasion to return,
with my objection, several bills making jv*'*
vision for tne erection of public buildings for
the r a on that the expenditure* contemp ated,
were, mmy op riion. greatly In ex *o-s of any
public need. So class of legislation is more
liable to abuse or to degenerate into an un
seemly scramble about the pu lie treasury than
this. There stiould beexerci.el in this matter
a wise economy, based upon s.one respousibl ?
and impartial exa nination aid report as to
each case, und *r a geuerai law.
j epartmentof Agriculture.
The report of t lie Secretary of Agriculture
de erv**s ei*ecial attention, in yi*iw or ihe fact
that the \ear has been m rk*id in a very unusual
degree by agitation and organization arn n 'the
farmers looking to au increase <n t ie profits of
their business. It wi Ibe found that tli • efforts
of toe department have been iritellig ntly and
zeilously and voted to the promotion of the Inter
ests entrusted to Its care.
V very substantial imrovement iu the market
prices of the leading farm product* duri *g the
year is notkssd. The price o' wh-a advanced
from si omi sin October, I*Bo. to $1 od% In Oc
tober. iH.t);corn from 81 c?nt v> W)y\ cente;
o *ls fro ti 1 i l i cents to 43 cents, and barley from
63 coats to 78 ceoU. Meats snowed a subatan
tial. b it not ho large an increase.
Tn • exj*>rt trade in 1D aoima sand fowls
shows a very largs increase. The to’a. value of
such export tor the veai ending Juoo 30, 14*0.
was th * inert+m over the pre
coding year was ove* sV>,o)o,ooo*
exp /UTS or Hscr and sotm.
Nearly •JOO.OA) mors ctttle and 43.000 more
hogs were exported t han in the preceding year.
The exp .rt trade in arnl products, and In
dairy products, very largely increase 1. the
increase ia the article of butter alone being
from 1..5U1.97 •< po mds t- 4 ,ui 2 p •unds, and
the total increase In th© value or meat an I
uairy products exp>rt'sl le*ing $ M.i'd.oju. Tum
jra.. so directly helof il to the farmer it is lie
lieved trill l*e\et further and very in-
I created, \rhen tbs of inspetmon and
! sanitary supr*rviaion. uow provki 1 by law, ;
; n o| *4-u fudy into o.er.-ttion. The efforts •f
tne secretary 10 the health
tuine>, of our meats against the di -
uuraging imp > tat ions t at have b s*! put upon
I them abrcal have resulted m substa itiai prog
| ress. \e.ermary NU.g-.*ns snt out by tie
j department ore n-iw allowed to particip.if- in
the inspection of the live catt o from this coun
try landed ut tbe Kngl sh diw'ks. and during ihe
several months they Have hn*:i • n duty no case
of contagions pleuro-pheumonia ban been re
iHjrusl. rtiis inspection abr. a.l, and the do
uiestic insiH tii'n of l*v* aiumal-4 and iHrk.
and products. p’Ovtdod for by the
ncr of Vugust whl afford rn jvrfect a
guaranty for tbs unolosorno es! of our meats
ottered for foreign censumtton a■ is auy wb re
given tt any food product, aid it! non-accept
ance win tpiite clearly reveal the real motive of
anv continued restriction of their u-*es. That
having been ma 1 * clear, the duty of th * execu
tive will be very plain.
BEET SC( 1 Alt INDUSTRY.
The information given by the secretary of the
progress and prospects •>! the bi*ei sugar indii'i
ir in lull f r.t re>t. It bus already passed
the experimental an t is a commercial
success. Tne areao\er wbh*h the sugar let
can be successfully cuitn ated is very larg*. and
another field crop of great vuluj is offered to
thoo mice of tho farmer.
1 fia Secretary of the Treasure concurs in the
recommendation of the Secivtarv of Agn
cud ure tiiat the official sup r vision provide 1 by
the tariff law for sugar of and m -Kile production
*1 all l>e transferred to the department of agn
culture.
r i ho Civil Service.
TANARUS! o law relating to the civil service has, so
far a l can learn, has been execute 1 by tLo.se
having itm |H>wer ot apodulinent Inth'da-sl
lied service, w ith fidelity and iinpariiality, and
tue MTvicrt has b*eii invroimingl} satis: vtory
Tho in iKiri of the com mission shows m la*v o
a uoitut of good work done during t ue year with
v‘ry limited uppr priations.
i>ua neea of th© Country.
I Cvmgratu’ai * the congress aud the country
uiKm the pAssAgc, a* the lirst sos-iin ot the
ruiy ffr-t cougrc.Na, of ail uuusual mini nor
1 iwH of very high iuiDortanco. That the reaults
of this b'gLs’.ation will lie the qiiiekening and en
largement of our inatmtacrur.ng industries,
larger and better markots for our breadstuff *
and provisions, both at home and abroad, men*
c-m s ant employment and better for our
working pe plc, mil an increa'ed Hiiuply fa
siito ourroi.c for tlie iraLsacLion of business, I
do not iloiiht. Some of these mcasmvH were
enftc.od at so late a period that the b nellcial
effocts 1 pon oar commerce which wore in the
Contemplation of congivus have, as yet, but
partially manifested themselvrs Tlie general
trade and irdustrial con litmus through
<nl the country during the year have
shown a marked imorovcineut. For many
y etir.N ptior r ishs the u.eivbandisc balances i*f
foreign trad 'bad been largely i.i our lavor, nut
during that year and the year following they
turned against us. It is very gratifying to
know that the l ist fiscjl year again shows a
balance in our favor of over $ >B,OOO,UW.
THE VOLUME Ol BUgINKStL
The hank clearings, which furnum a gooil t*t
of the volume ot business transact** 1, for the
t n montbsof the year Ih.ii. show as com
pared wi ll the same mo -.thHof ißri), an increase
tor the whole country of übo.it 8.4 per
cent., while the increase outside
of the city of New York was over
i t per cent. Uu lug the month October of
he clearings of t ie whole country showed an
i crease <f 3.1 percent, over October, lHs'Jjwhile
outside < f New York t Ik* increase was Jltjj per
< *n . These figures show that the increase in
the volume oi business was very general
through *ut the country. Th*t this larger busi
ne> > was b *ing coud icted ud ti a safe mid profl
t ibh* bssls is shown l y the fact that th-ro were
'•go ias failures reportrd in October. Hist, than
in the same month of the pr- co sling year, with
liabilities diminished by about ss.ikX), (0, The
value of our exports of domestic merchandise
duri g the ia t year was over $115,090,009
great©' titan tin* preceedlng year, and
nu ■ only exceeded once In cur
li story. About $100,000,000 of this
excess was in agricultural products The pro
ducti nof pig iron, always a good gauge of the
general prosperity, is a <<wn by a rec nt census
mitletin tohuvobvn 153 percent, greater in
U w hO than iu JBBO, and tne production of itel
2.k) percont.gr ater. Mining in <‘'-al lias had
nu limitation except that resulting from de
ficient transports ion.
labor's lot.
The general testimony is that labor is every
where fully employed, and the reports for last
year show a smaller number <f employes af
locted by strikes aud lockouts than in any year
s.ncc jNs|. Ihe depr‘Hsiou in the pric.Wof ag
r.cultnial products had r*t*u gn*atly relieved,
and a Imovani anil hopeful t0..0 wus bcgiu
ningtob felt by nil our people.
Tnese promising influences have hen in some
degree c lecked by the surprising And very uu
f.ivor ibie monetary < v**nts which have rocently
taken place in Kuglucul. It i.* gratifvm' hi
know that these did not grow in any degree out
of tn.* litiancnii relations of London with our
people or out of any discrc*dit at’oehed to our
securities held iu that market. Tne return f
our bonds and stocks was caused by a money
stringency* in Kngland, not by any loss of value
or credit in tfiesccvritles th*inst*lv< , H. M e could
not, however, wholly escape tin ill effects of a
foreign monetary agitation, accompanied by
such extraordinary incidents as characterized
this, it is not believed, however, that those
evil incidents, which i ave for the time unfuvor
af)ly aff oted *auesiu this country, can long
withstand ihe strong, safe and wholeriome in
flu -Lees which arc operating 1 to give to our peo
ple profitable returns in a.I branches of legiti
mate trade and industry.
TIHC TARIFF.
The apprehension that our tariff may again,
and at once, be subjected t imp >rtant general
changes would undoubtedly add a depressing
influence of t he* mo t serious character Trio
general turiff acr las only partially gone into
operation, some of its important provisions be
ing limited to take effect at. dates yet in the
future. The general provisions of the law have
been in force lesi than sixty days. Its perma
nent effect, upon trade and prices still
largely stand in conjecture, it is curious to
note that ihe advance in tue prices of articles
wholly unaffected by the tariff act was by
many hastily ascribed to that act. Notice was
not taken ol the fact that the general tendency
of the markets waft upward from influences
whol y apart from t ie recent, tariff le Nation.
Tne enlargement of our currency by the silver
bill undoubtedly gave an upward tendency to
trade, aud had a marked effect on prices, but
this natural and desired effect of the
6ilve~ legislation was by many er
roneously attributed to the tariff act.
There is neither wisdom nor justice In the
suggestion that the subject of tariff revision
s all be a.ain opened before this law has tiu 1 a
fair trial It is quite true that every tariff
schedule is subject to objections No bill was
ever framed, 1 suppos *, that n all of its rates and
classifications had the full approval even of a
party caucu*. Such legislation is always and
necessarily the product of compromise as to de
tails, and the piesent law is no exception. But
in its geuerai scope and effect 1 think it will
justify the support of those who believe that
American legislation should conserve
anl defend American trado and
the wars of American workingmen.
The misinformation as to the terms of tho act
which bus been so widely disseminated at
home and abroad will be corrected by experi
ence, au l tue evil augune* as to it* result con
founded by the mark©: reports, the savings
hank, international trade balances, and tne
general prosperity of our people.
EFFECT UPON IMPORTS.
Already we begin to hoar from abroad and
from our custom houses that the prohib
itory effect upon importations imputed to
taea.:t is not justified The imports
at tbo port of New York for the first three
weeks of November were nearly 8 per cent,
greater than for tbe same p *ri and of 1080, and 20
per cent, greater tuau in the same period of
IS H. And. o far from being ari act to limit ex
ports. 1 confide *My believe that under it we shall
secure a larger and more profitable participa
tion ii foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed,
and that w e shall recover a proportionate partic-
Ii nation in the ocean carrying trade of the world.
The cr tic.sms of the bill that I ave come to us
from foreign sources may well be rejected for
i repugnancy. If these critics really Deliev that
the adoption by us of a fre j trade policy or of
tariff rates h iving reference so ely to revenue
wouid diminish t< e participation of their own
countries in the commerce of the world, their
advo acv and promotion by sueeoh and other
forms of organized effort of this movement
among our pe pie is a rare exhibition of tins I
fl-ihoess in trade; and on the other hand, if they
►dneerely believe that the adoption of a protect
ive tariff p flioy by this country will inure to
their profit and our it i* notice
ab y strang* that they suoiild lead t<e
outcry against the authors of a p li y so helpful
to their c tmtryrneri and crown with their favor
those who wouid snatca from them a substa i*
tial share of a trade with otner lands alrea iy
inadequate to tb dr necessities There is no dis
position am on : any ot our pooplu to prom *te
prohibitory or retaliatory egislatiou Our
poll are adopted not to the hurt of others,
but to secure tor ourselves tho e a i vantages
t -ar, fairly grow out of #ur favored position as a
nati n. Our form of government, with Ita In
cld'-nt of universal suffrage, makes it irnp*ra
tive that we snail save our working people from
the agitations and du*tr-' sei which scant work
au*i wafts that have no margin f- comfort
always beget. But after all thU m dote it will
o • found that our markets arc oien friendly
c* uim *rcial exehangt-sof enc-rmous value to the
other great powers.
m orv efforts.
From the* ti ne of my mductiuii into office
the duty of using every power r.;-! influ o- *
given by l&w to tbe executive f’.eonrtrnent fr
the developuieut >f larger mark' ll tor ©r
pr.Hluets, esperiillv our farm iTkiucts, has
been keep cou-vtantly in mind, and 1.0 * i..rt has
been or "id be <jor,Nl to prom te Uiecn 1. We
are ut der tio i!is® ivantag** 111 any foreign
irnrk't. except that we jmy nr
workmen an! workwomen better wa.is
fh*u nr© paid ©lsewnare. Hotter ab
stra t v. end r> ter relatively to the cost ot tho
necessaries of lif . 110 not toubt th.it av. rv
larg.-ly increased foreign trad • is actvsible to us
w ithout br ermg tor ii -Hu t our home mar
kot for such products of the farm
and shop as our own people can supply,
or the wages of our working t©ple
In many of the products of wood and iron, and
10 mcais and wo have advantag -s
that only need bolter facilities of intercourse
and transportation to bocuro for tliem la ga
foreign marketa
THE KECirnOcTTV Cl .A UK E.
The reciprocity clause of th< tariff net wisely
and cffV.to *iy *;* >u, t!i wn.v to secure a large
reel jins* il r .*1 • i*i exoliatige for tli© free 11 1-
iidssion to our ports of eerta n product*
Fite right of in-ieiiemlcut nations to
make : pemat rrcipr*cal trad© cone h
stons is well eat anil-be I. and docs m
itnpiir* either the com it y duo t<* other powers,
or what is known u-< the “favor© 1 nation
clause, M so g©! eraily found in cu*nri r ial
treaties. Wh tis given to on© for aa a I equate
agreed cousidermion t a mot beclaimt* 1 by ar;-
other freely. ! ;•* state f ih rt'vrtiuo wis
Hiivli that we e0.i1.l dis{cne with a v import
duties upon coff- e. t a hides an l the lower
gr ides of sugar an Ini *la s-‘i. T wit the large
advantag • r- sultmg t the c umries producing
and ©{porting tli s * articl *s by pine mr them on
t!: free list entitled us to expect a fair return
iw tn© way of cusi mm colic •-moriN upon art idea
expott©d by 11s to th'-.n was so <.bno is that to
have graiuiioislv a!>am!otied ttiie upper
futiity to enlarge oqr tr.i I j vml I
have bren u unparloimb © error.
I hen* were but two rn©t no Is <f inalutnlning
control of tiiis qtiestiu i <>p >n congress: To
p!.ic • ull of 'ii *e art toll's iijnia tbe ilutiab e liNt
subj % ct to suen tr ity agn-cments as oul Ile
Ko.uire 1. or to plac • tliem all irTiua icntlv upon
the free list, but subject t * the r imposition of
spoviii -d duile.a if the c-nintri from wwi -li wo
ree ivo i tliem Hliould r fuse 1 . wlv.*f. ih ni'
able recipr.fcil ben-llis. T .is latter nirtt'io I, I
think, possesses great inlvaut i v.: • . It uxpretM s
in advaniT© the consent of congress to r ci
proc ty arrangetn ‘tits affecting ?,• pro hiots.
which must otherw;so have been and lny sl aud
unasc rt lined u ml each tr a*v was r it.tl *d 1v
th© S nate ami tie n.*c *s:;iry legislation
enact© 1 by congress. Uxweriene * li n sh ivn
that soiti© treat is looking to n.-iprocat trade
h iv© failed t> seen © a two-thirds vote iu tuo
Senate for r.itifi -.itiosi, and other© having passed
that st lge have for years awaito l Hi© concur
rci ee of tin* IToihi* a id Senate in sue 1 rnolitl
cations of our revenue I tars as aa re m*c . ary
t give offeet to their provlsic'its
• A DEFINITE OFFER NOW.
We now have RtO concurrence <f both Houses
in advance, in a distinct and d“i| it** offer of
fr* <• cn ry to our ports of up© u.'ic articles T**
cx.Muttiv is not required to dal in c inject urn
as to what congress will accept. Itnlced, t hiu
recioroc.ty provision is more than an off er. Our
t art of tbe bargain iu comp et *. Deliver} has
b u*n made and when the coiiutri •
from which we receive siign", cff©, tea and
hides. Ia- e plat e<l on t! eir tic©lists of our
product as shall be agreed tip >ll as an equiva
lent, for our concession, u pro<*lafnation of t ml
fact completes tho transaction, aud in the
meantime our own people have free sugar, tea,
coffe j and hide. The indications thus tar
given are very hopeful of early anl favorable
action by tho countries from which we receive
our large i 11 ports of coff *© and suzar, aud it. is
confidently bMleved that if steam communica
tion with th©-*© countries can bo promptly im
proved and enlarged the next year will iow a
most gratifying Increase in our exports of
brcadsiuffs and provisions, as won as of
some important 1i..0s of manufactured goods.
The Locrislatlon Ahead.
In Addition to the important bills that became
laws before the adjournment of the l ist session,
some other bills of tli“ highest Importance \v©r *
wed advanced toward a final vote, and now
Htand upon th© calendars of the two houses In
favored positions. The present solution has a
fixed limit, and if these measures are not now
roughfc to a final vote all the work that has
liceu and no upon them hy this congress h lot.
The proper consideration of an apportionment
bill and of t to annual appropriation bills will
require mu only that no working day of the
session shall he lout, but that nieaa ires of minor
and local interest shall not bo allowed to Inter
rapt or retard ilia progress of
those that ure of universal interest,
In view of those cmdlMons l refrain from bring
ing before you at tics time some suggerdions
that would otherwise be made, and most earn
oHtly invok© your attention to tho duty of pe -
fectine the important legislation now well ad
vane and.
DEVELOPMENT OF HTKAXSIIir* LINES.
T< some of these measures, which seem to be
most lmjKii*ant, I now briefly call your at ten
th'ii. I desire to repeat with a I led urge icy,
the rejoni’hcn latious contained in my last,
unnuol me sag<* m relation to 1 1 o developm *t
of Xmerican steamship lines. The reciprocity
clause of of the tariff la I will be largely limited,
nn I its benefits retarded and diminished, if pro
vision i*. not contemporaneously niado to ©n
courage t <* establishment of first class hP*uui
communication beiwcen our porta unc th.*
ports of such nations as may meet our over
turea for enlarged commercial exe anges Tee
fcteauiahip carrying the mails statedly and fre
quently, and offering to jasscngori a com
foriable an 1 speedy transit, is the first condition
of foreign trade. It carries the order or the
buyer, but not all that is orb**rod or bought.. It
gives to the sailing vessel such orders as arc not
urgent or peris* able, aud indirectly, at least,
promotes the important adjunct of coin mere •.
T.icre is now, both hi this country and In the
nations of Central and South America a state
of reciprocity and confidence as to increase 1
trade that will give a double value to your
prompt action upon this question,
i he present situation or our mail communica
tion with Australia illustrates th** importance
of early action of congress. The Oceanic
Steamship Company tnai flaltis a line of steam
ers between San Krancisoo, Sydney aud Auc,<-
hind, consistin* of three vesst*h. two of which
are of Unite i States registry and one of foreign
registry. For tne service don 1 * bv this line in
carrying the mails we pay annually the sum of
?1 .*OO, being, ns estimated, the full sea and
United Slates inland postage, which jh the limit
fixed by law. Tl:o colonies of New South
Wa’es and Now /**iand rwin paying
annually t• > these lines t 37,000 for carrying
those mails from Sydney anti Auckland to San
Francisco. The contract under which this
pavment ha* be n made is now about to ex
pire, and these colonies have refuNed to renew
the contract, unlesa the Unite! States Khali pay
a mor e equitable prop rtion of the whole sum
nece*Rary to main am the s-rvioe. I am ad
viH**<l hvthe Postmaster General that the Unite* I
Stites receives for ca-rying the Australian
mails, tirought to San Francisco in these Hteam
era by rail to Vancouver, an estimated ammal
income of $75,000, while, ah I have stated, we
ar** paying out for the support of the steamshlri
line that brings this inarl to us only $10,600,
leaving an animal surplus resulting from this
service of ssrJ f <Mi. Tne trade of the United
States with Australia, w hich is in a considerable
part carried by i has * steamers, aud.the whole
of wnich is practically dependent upon the m til
communication which thov maintain, is l *r/ely
iu our fav r. Our total exports <f •* ercnaud.s •
to Australian ports during the Ihval year end
ing June 30, 1800. were $1 l.SWtt, ißi. while tie
total imports of merchandise from these pons
were only $4,2i7,616. If we are not willing t*>
s * this important steamship line withdrawn or
oootinued, with Vane im*r substituted for San
Francisco as the, American terminal, congress
should put i in the power of the Bostmaoter
General to make a liberal increase in the
amount f*>r the transportation of tins
important mail.
OPPORTUNITY OF THE SOI TIL
The South Atlantic and Gulf ports occupy a
v*ry favored position toward the new and im
portant commerce which the reciprocity <1 ui e
of the tariff act and the postal shipping bill an*
de.sigu-d to promote. Steamship lines from
the >♦-ports to some northern port of South
Am riea will almost certainly effect a connec
tion between the railroad systems of t ie con
tinents lon ' before any coutimi <us liae of rail
ronis can b* }*it into operation. Thu very
la r ge appropriation made at the last session
for the iiarb >r of Galveston was ju nlied, as it
seeme Ito me, liy th so consider* i.ms. T ie
great nortiiwent will feel the a Ivantog * of
trunk lines to the south as w< 11 as to the east,
and of the new market opened for ttn if surp us
food products, an<l for many of theix manu
factured products.
AN INTERNATIONAL BANIi
I hail wtcasion iu May last to transmit to
oongret* a rein rt adopted by the interuaiiouai
American conference upon the subject of the
incorporation of an international American
bank # money exchang s
ljetw<N*n the btaU*s repres-nted in that ouu
fercnce. buch an in.*tltuti;>h weud greatly
promote the trade we Jare seeking to develop.
1 renew the recommendation that a carefu
and well guarded onartur b*) granted. I do not
think the power* granted h ;oui 1 include tho-o
ordinarily exer***sod by trust, guaranty aud safe
deposit uornpoßies.or that more branc es in tue
Uhir**d States should be authorized than are
strictly necessary to accomplish tne object
primarily iu view, namely, convenient foreign
ercLsnar-1. It is Tnlt* fmporiai,' that promo*
ae f ion slitaiM b- t.ik n in this matter, in order
th it any appropriations f<sr bitter co<nmui)U*a*
1 tion with these c *ll niri©s and ar:y egre menu
may N* mad© for reciprocal trad-? may n <•
b hn.d© ed by to© I c<-Qvenienc© of inat.ng
■ ex ,, -anges through Kuropean no: ey centers or
, bur !©n it by th© tr.b ife .v, k h au iucidont of
j that method of bits ness.
kxi.ief for nr? ©uprkve court.
I The bill for tae relief <* th© s .;>r:ne court
has, af:©r ciaur years r and cu* t , ric'i©*J a
position wl.e e final action is©fiv nr amble,
au l it is h>p©d tluit any diff©r©ucet of opraion
mav b© so narmoniANl onto i\© t © e-sential
[featureso this very imp runt measure. Ia
: this coimectioß I earn t v r*-new mv r-com*
• rnenda ...ns that the Milari? u j 1 lg©s >•( the
l oit.- l Statesdutri‘l c*,Mr(s b twoiijust'd
That non© of them shall receive less than $5,0J0
per aunuui.
UVADJI’STED I.AND Q&ANTS.
T -• Mibj-*i-t of unadjust • I Hi am- 1 and Mexl
rants. and the argent n©ce for
1P r ,v *di c some c muni-Hion or iri unai fur tn©
trill..l tti© q upturn* of title growing out of
them, wer * twice brought by in© to toe at ten
ti-.u 4-f con ,'resH at the last sea la. Bills have
t*en reported from the pr .per comuutiee.s ia
b th house 4 u|xn the subject, and I very earn*
*‘ i s: *. v I-010 i hat 1.11 • *figr ss vs sII put an o<d to
ticd.iiv "in-lit- -i it t 11 !cd th** settlement of
th© HDUt *-. a* to title b -in.-ou the s tile sand
the claimants under tu-s* grants. Those dis*
pipes r tird th. prosp-nty ail disturb th©
|eno© of large aud iuip riant communiti s.
Hi© govern-.r ol New Nb x.o .in his | {i >t report
to tli© Secretary ..1’ tu* i;u.* r r, suggesu some
m*. liLc.it ion of the pro i-ms ..f to pending
bi is re lull g to t’u> amid ho'dings of far:n
lands 1*• nini nd to you-aUeuSoti thesug
g©*iti urn or t..e Secretary of tue hit ri >; u vja
this Hubjcct.
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
The enactment of a national hank nipt law f
still r gard us very *1 si-able. The co.i ritution
having given to congress jurl dl -tiou of tijuw
s'.ibject, it should *e e\ercis<- i, and uniform
rules provided for in-ouont debtors Ih© iq
conveuience r©s..l ii.g from the * e.-asi nal aud
temporary *x*rci- of this power by coogrc ■.%
and from th©conflicting btite o di of insole-.
ency. which c *:n< into fore* intermediately,
blioul 1 b<removei b. tlv ©naclmerit of a -i o
pb\ iti©x|<*nnlve and permanent ratio ,al bang
nipt law.
ropYRIOHTS OF POBEK.NERS.
1 a's > renew my r(H*ommendation in favor of
DgiHialiou affording just copyright pr tection
t> I'oreitu authors, on a f.iotiug of reciprocal
advnnt’i -vi for our authors n'roa 1.
It may still Ik p* sfific for r m co ogres© to
inaogurat *. iy miituble legislation, a move
nient looking to uniformity and in
creas'd safety in tne use of
( " ip’-T! and brakes upon fr.*i rht trains ©n
ga in interstate commerce. T.ie chief difi*
culty in the way is t >•- *ure an agre© nent is
to the best appliances, simplicity, ef
fcotlveiiesa and cn 1 b iti< considered.
This (iiifloulfy will only yield to legislation,
which shou and b * p is© 1 upon full'lnquiry and
imparl uil 1•• N. Ph** purp. a* © loulo he to scour©
t.i • c a l well- osposo 1 m mug *rs
and owii.ta, but the fearful fact that ©very
year’s delay involves the s>criflccof J,noo liv©4
and tbe maiming of I*o,ooo young men shonhl
p'.chd hoth with I’oti'iess und me ruanugera
against any nco Hess and lay.
IHE ARID UKUIONH.
T * 1 1! Ject of th© eoiiHeiaatlon and equal
and Btrlbutio’i f the wat *r o. to© sn l region he*
hud much attention from o ingress, but Las nor,
ih \ o’. !>© *n placed upon a ucr.uanent and fat
isfacior.v basin. Th© urgent* r of the sub
ject do. h not grow out ..f any
1 irg© prewnt demand for the us** of these laud©
for agriculture, but out -.f the danger that t e
wat r supply aud the sites for t © i>e o>sary
cat**h basins may fall into the hands of individ
uals or pr.va (* corporations uni bo noil t-i '
render suoservieut the large areas dependeutr
up n such supply Tne owner of the water is
t.i© owner of the land*, liowev r the titles may
run Ml iinupi r tpriated natitr il watnr sources
and all necessary reservoir si ms should behel 1 by
tno government for the ©qu fi use. at lair rites,
of Hie homestead settler wli > will eventually
take up these lauds The I rii ed ,States should
not in my opinion, undertake the construction
Of dams nr eauuls, but should limit its
work to such surveys and o(nervation*
us will term tie the water supply, both sur
face and subterranean; the areas capable of
irrigation and tli ■ location and st.ra.ro c*pacity
of refc.ervoirs. This done, the use of the water
and reiervoir sites might be granted to tho re
spective states or terrlLorios, or to iudiv duals
or associations, up n the condition that the
necessary work should ho coustnj. ted and the
waier funiiulied at fair rates without discrimi*
nat ion, th© rates to bo mitijoct to biipervision by
tne legmlaDires or by a board of wa r commis-
Hloners dulv constituted. Th*< Hscntial thing 10
\v‘ obiorvea Is the comm n and © rial use at fair
rates, of the accumulated water supply, it hi
almost l)ott**r that thee lands shou *d remain
arid than toat those who occupy them s ould
ixjcoin© the slave of uuroslraui and monopoiiea
font o!llug Ihe one essenriai element of land
vabi. suud crop results.
POSTAL TKLBGRAPIIY.
The use of the telegraph by the postoffice de
partment ns a meaiiH INr the ra.i iti ausraihsion <
of written comiDUfii atlons is. I believe, upon
pi out terms, quite desirable. The govern-,
men does not .iwii <<r operate the railroad j, and
it shod *1 not, I think, own or operate too tele
gra *ii ti :es. It *!.• <, however, ;rn to b * quite
practlcaiile for tlie government to contract}
with the telegraph co upauiei, as it does with
the rat.road c >mp iiiius, to carry At sp*-clfl-d
rates such omniunioaMons as the h nders may
and signal© lor this mernod of tiannmisaion. £;
reco'iirnend tliat sue'i legislation be enacted am
will o table the postofllce liepartm nt fairly to
t 'Stbv exp*riuient the advantages of buch a
use of tiio tclograph.
THE FORCE BILL.
If any Intelligent and loyal company of Amfl%
lean citix*ns were r*(|uired t< cntilogue the
eihont.al nurnau cou.lit.ioim of natiou.il fife, I do
not doubt that with absolute unanimity tbey 1
would i>*‘gln with free and honest elec ion*, ancl,
it is grailfying fo know chai generally there is
growing a id non partisan demarxl for better
election laws. But against Diih sign of hope
and pro :rrm must in* sot the depressing and
undeniable fact that election laws und methods
are sometimes cunn ngly contrived to
secure minority control, while vio
lence completes the Nbort**omin?s of frauds.
In inv last annual message f suggested that too
d’ivefonin*nit of the existing law providing &
federal superrMoa of c<;iigresional a act on*
offer ft on effective method of r 'forming these
ab jses The need of such a law has manifested
it*elf in many parts of t e country, and its
wholesome restraints ami j#maUi**s will l>*
u*. ful i * all rhs constitutionality of euch
legislation nas been affirmed by the supreme
court. Its probable offectivencas is evideneed
by the ebarao or of the opposition that is made
to it. It has been denounced as if It were u new
exorcise of federal power aud an invasion of
the rights of the stales.
WHAT CONOR ESS B/B ALREADY DONE.
Nothing could bo further from the truth.
Congress has already fixed the time for tb *t*ioo
lion* f nioiutiorfl of coigresi. It has declared
that vou*Mf*r member.* of congress must be by
written or printed ballot. It ha* provided for
tie* appointment by the circuit courts in certain
ruse-*, ad upon the petition of a certain num
b**r of citizens, of election aupci visors and made
It their duty t > s'*i-erv.H the registration of
voters conducted by tne stale officers, to chal*
huge p thous offering to register,
to personally inspect and scrutinize the
registry list*, and to affix th**lr names to
the lists for the purpose of identification and
the prevention ot frauds, to attend at election*
and remain with the boxes until the votes are
all cant and counted, to alta h to the registry
lists an 1 electio i returns any -tafement toucu
lug the accuracy and fairness of the registry 1
and election, and to tnku and transmit to the
clerk of the h use of Kspreseatatives any evi
d ric *of fraudulent practic**s which may be
presented t j the/n. The same lav provi ie* for
the apnointment of “deputy United States
marshals to att *nd at the poll , support the
sup .rvisors in the discharge of their duties and
to arrest pers ms violating the election laws.
ALREADY COMPLIED WITH.
The provisions of tins familiar title of the
Revis' and Statutes nave been put into exercise by
both the great politic and pai tie*, and in the nortti
u* well as in the south, by the filing with t *
court of the petition required by t e law. It i*
not. t * re ore. a quest! n whether wo shall have
n federal el chon law, for we now h .ve one, and
have had for nearly twenty years, b it wi.eiher
we shall have an sffectlve law. Tue present
la v stops just short of effectiveness, for it sur
ra nd *rs to the I'.cal aurii ri i.*s all control over
th • certification which cstaL.Dhes the prm&a
facie right t<> a Beat tn the II -use of Repre
sentative*. This dt*f ct should te cured.
Kquality of representation and the purity of
the *l * tors mu <t i>e immta n<* J, or everything
that i* valuable iu our system of government !•
lost. The qualificat.on of an elector must
sought in tn<* law, not in the opin.on*. preju
dices or fear* of any class, however powerful.
Tae path of the elector to the ballot-box must
be free fr an the ambush of fear an i the ealice
ineuts of fra id, au t the count so true aud open
that none sba 1 gaiusa it. Such a aw should
be a'solut ly n-n partisan mid im partial. It
sh ml 1 give the advantage to honesty and the
control to tbe majorities
SECTIONALISM DENIED.
Rarely then* is nothing sectional about
this creed, and if it shall hap|ien that the penal*-
tics ot s law intend*i to enforce these right*
ltd I hern ami n*t t e it is not be
cause th* law i sectional, not l*-caar*j
happily crime ii I<m3al aud no unlvi-rsal, nor
sh<uld It a) forgotten that every law, whether
relatin' to elections or to any otner subject,
whether enacted by the state or by the nation,
has force behind it. The courts, tne marshal or
9