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THE MERCURY.
n s Second-clans Matter at
J^Snndevm Ulc Postofflee April 37,
1880. __
Sandersville, Washington County, Ga.
PUBLISHED BY
A> j. J KRNIGAN,
proprietor and Publisher.
Subscription: $1.50 Per Year,
■ ■
THE MERCURY.
4. /. RERNIGAlf, Proprietor.
VOLUME VIL
DEVOTED TO LITERATURE,, AGRICULTURE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
SANDERSVILLE, GA., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1886.
SUBSCRIPTION: $1.50 Per Annum.
NUMBER 33.
THE MERCURY.
FOBUSBED EVERY TUESPAT.
NOTICE!
All Communications Intended for
this Paver must bo accompanied by
the full name of the 'iwTfer—«•!
necessarily for publication, but ao m
guarantee of good faith.
We are In no way responsible for
the views or opinions of correspond^
onto.
City of S»nd*r«TlUe.
Mayor.
j, N. Gilmore,
Aldermen.
W. R Tiiiopbw,
B. E. Rouohtob,
J. B. Roberts,
A. M. Mayo.
8. G. Lano.
Clerk.
0. 0. Bhowk.
Treasurer
j. A. iRwnr.
Marshal.
J. B. Weddom.
A. C. WRIGHT,
attorney at law,
105 Bay St., Savannah, Ga.
HTWIIA I’lUOTICE IN ALL THB OOURTB.
TsTlSnIadT"
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
SANDERSVILLE, Ga.
BUDGET OF FUN,
HUMOROUS SKETCHES FROM
VARIOUS SOURCES.
An Unearned Repntat.lon-The Last
Story Told—A Remarkable Youth
—Why the Youth Blushcd-
Dlvlding tho Estate, Eta
U. D. Kvak*. A
EVANS & EVANS,
ATT0RNEY8 AT LAW
SANDERVILLE, GA.
F. H. SAFFOLD,
attorney at law,
SANDERSVILLE, GA.
Will pruotice in all tho Courts of th*
Middle Circuit and In the countlci
lurronuding Washington. Speolal at*
tention given to commercial law.
I'catliorly was blowing his tea to cool
It oil whilo Bobby regarded him with in
tense interest.
‘‘What’s the matter, Robert!” said the
old man. “Don’t yon know that it is
very impolite to stare at a person iu that
way?"
“lluh?” responded Bobby. “You soid
he was tho biggest blower in town. He
can’t blow any liarder’u I can.”—New
fork Sun.
Tho IjRst Story Told,
A party of gentlemen at a Birmingham
hotel wero telling storios, ouo night re
cently, of famous shots nnd how many
quails, partridges, ducks and other birds
had been killed at a singlo discharge.
After listening to wlmt suoinca a willful
exaggeration by dilforont narrators, a
stranger who was present volunteered
his oxpotlenco of his only use of tho fatal
doublo barrolcd gun as follows:
“I wont into tho field one day to try
gunning. Tho only game discovered was
on immense flock of ulackbirds. I should
eay thoro were 10,001) in tho flock.Slowly
1 crawled up to tliem,and when not more
than four rods away tho birds rose in a
solid mass. I tired both barrels, nnd.
how many do you think I killed?"
Different guesses wero inndo by tho
party, ranging from twenty to n hun
dred.
“Not one,” Buid the stranger, “but I
went out with by brother to look for re
sults and wo picked up four bushels of
legs. I had Knot a little under.”
This was tho last story told.—New
Haven Nfwi.
“Look in thero behind that wall,’
said ho.
I did, nnd thero was a boy, about
twolve years old, barefooted, with a tuft
of hair stickiug out through a liolo in
his hat, pegging stones into a pcsr tree
nnd knocking down pea s. Tho police
man worked nis way in through the trees
nnd jumped on tho bay bofero he saw
cither ono of us.
“Aha!” said the policeman; “I’ve
caught youatitl”
“Caught me at wlint!" said tho boy.
“Stealing pears.”
“Ste—stcnl—htealin’ pears!” said the
boy, in great astmr shment. “1 hnint
been sLaliu' no pears!”
“Ilaint, eh? Then what are you doing
with these here in your pockets?”
The boy’s trousers pockets wero stuffed
out on both sides with pears.
“Oh, those,” said ho; “why, I found
'em layin’ 'round here on the ground,
nnd I wns tirin’ 'em back on the tree
where they belong!”—So ton Record.
Seal Hunting.
Seal hunting on tho ico is nnotlior
standing source of nmusement. says a
Hudson Buy letter to tho Toronto Mail.
Duringthe entire winter tlicso animals
keep holes open through the shoro ice,
but on account of tho depth of tho snow
they aro not seen until the mild weather
exposes tho'r hiding places. Tho Eskimo,
however, lias n way of Hading them out
before this. Ho harnesses a dog, that
has been trained for tho work, nnd leads
him out to tho snow eovoicd liold.whcro
the two walk bjek and forward, mak
ing a zigzag course over tho ico. Prob
ably before long tho dog catches the
scent, aud then takes Iris master straight
to the seal’s Jiou-o. Under tho hard
THE fRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
F. A Himes.
O. U. Rooms.
HINES & ROGERS,
Attorneys at Law,
SANDER8VILLE, QA.
Will fraction In die counties of Washington,
leffcrson, Joliniton, Emanuel and Wilkinson,
uni in tlm U. 8. Courts for tho Southern Die-
tiidof Ooorgis.
Will art ivs agents In buying, selling or rout
ing lleil Edato.
Offiro on West side of Public Square.
Oclll-lf
G.W. H. WHITAKER,
DENTIST,
SANDERSVILLE, GEORGIA.
—TERMS CASH.
H" OUtco at bis resivlonoo, on Harris street,
Apr20-'80
H. $, HOUIFIELD,
‘J
SANDERSVILLE, GA.
Oflioo next iloor to Mrs. Bayne's Millinery
tore, on Harm street.
A Reniarkablo Youth.
“Have you nnv offspring?” inquired
tho sovero, long-haired pussenger of a
stranger by his side.
“Oh! yes, sir,” wns tho polite reply,“a
ion."
“Ah! indeed. Does ho uso tobac
co?”
"Never touches it in nny form."
"I’m glad to hear that. Tobacco is
monstrously sinful. Docs he indulge in
spirituous liquors,"
“Nevor tasted n drop in his life.”
“Excellent. Btny out at night;”
“No, sir. Never thinks uf going out
after supper."
“I’m very pleased to know this, sir.
You son is a remarablo young man.”
“Oh! he’s not a young man. Hols a
two-months’ old baby."—DiHtirnoretin.
To the Congress of the United States:
In discharge of n Constitutional duty, olid
following a well-established precedent in tho
executive office, I herewith trnusmit t> the
Congress atits rensomblingco.tiiiii Intonnn
Lion concerning the state «f the Union, to
gather with such re oimneifaatlous for logL
lativo consideration ns appear necessary nnd
expedient
Our government has consistently main
tained its eolations of friendship toward nil
other powers, nod of neighborly interest to
ward tlioso whoso possessions aro contiguous
to our own. Few questions havo arisen dur
ing the past yonr with other governments,
and none of those are beyond tho reach of
settlement in friendly' counsel.
Wo aro ns yet without provision for the
Rettlomeut of elnltiis of citizens of the United
States against Chill for injuries during tho
late war with Peru nnd Bolivia. ’1 'hemixed
commissions,organized under claims conven
tions, concluded by the Chilian government
xvlth certain European States,have developed
an amount of friction which wotrustvn i bj
avoido 1 iu tho convention which our ropro-
sontntive nt Santiago is nuthori oil to no-
gol into.
Tho cruel treatment of inoffouslvo Chiuoso
1ms, I regret to say, been repeat 'd in some of
tho far We-tern States and Territories, un i
nets of violence ngn'nst those people, beyond
tho power of the local constitute! authorities
to provent, and difflrult to punish, aro re
ported ovou In distant Alaska. Much of tills
vlolonce can ho traced to race prejudteo ami
competition of labor, w hich cuunot, howovor,
justify the opprosshm of strangers whoso
safety is guaranteed by our treaty with
China equally with tho most favoreil nations.
In oponiug our vast domain to alien elo-
monts, tho purpose of our law-givors wns to
| Invito assimilation, nnd not to provide on
nroun for ondless antagonisms. Tho para-
; mount duty of mulntainin: public order nnd
j defending tho interests of our own pooplo
| may require the adoption of measures pf re-
[ strfctlon, hut they should not tolernto tho
oppresdon of individuals of n special race. 1
thick crust of the snow there is quite a am not without assurance that the govern-
lsrge room, which nt tho time of discov
ery may or may not be occupied, but if
occupied, will very toon bo vaennt on
the arrival of tho hunters. In cither
case, the Eskimo ascertains by m-ans of
hits spear the exact position of the liolo,
nnd tlieu, placing a little pinnacle of
snow over it awaits the arrival of his vic
tim. The native becomes nwuro of tho
seal’s return by hearing a peculiar blow
ing noise, arid as soon ns this commences ho
thrusts hisspear down ’ crticully through
the snow into tils hole and secures his
prey. Sometimes when tho snow is very
deep tho dogs are not nb’o to find I lie
holes, ami then it is that the poor Eski
mo has his hnrd times.
In tho spring, snow disappearing from
the ice, tho seals aro exposed to view.
Then tlio hunter takes another way of
getting at than. First of all ho notices
the direction of tho wind,nnd then keep
ing bis onemy in it walks to within four
or live hundred yards of him. From
there ho begins to croucli down and to
ndvunco only when the seal is not look
ing. The wary animal is in the lmhit of
throwing up his head quickly cv.ry few
seconds anti looking about, umbo, when has revived as onebtroaty wns terminated!
mont of China,whoso frlondly disposition to
ward us I ntn most hnppy to rocugnizo, will
moot us half way In devising a comprehan-
•Ivo remedy, by which nn olfecMve limita
tion of Chinese emigration, joined to protec
tion of those Chinese subjects who remain in
this country, may bo secured.
TDK CANADIAN FISHERIES.
The recommendations contained In Ally last
annual message In relation to a mode of set-
tlcmont of tlio ilaliery rights iu tho waters of
British Norlli America—so long u subject
of anxious difference between tlio Unite 1
States and Great Britain—wai met by nn
adverse vote of tlio Senate on April 18 last,
and thereupon negotiations wero instituted
to obtain an agreement witli lior Britannic
majo-ty’s government for tlio promulgation
of sucli joint interpretation ami dolluition of
tho nrticloof tic convention of ISIS, relating
to tho territorial waters and inshore fisheries
of tho British provinces, as should secure
the ('nnailian rights from encroachment by
United Stutos fisherman, and, at the sau o
tlmo, insure tho enjoyment by tho latter of
tho privileges guarantood to them by such
convention.
The questions involved aro of long stand
ing, of grave consoqucuce, and from timo to
tlmo for nearly three quarters of a century
tiavo given rise to earnest international dis
cussions not unaccompanied l>y irritation.
Temporary arrangements by treaties have
served to allay friction—which, however,
JiUY YOUIl
-FROM-
JERITIO-AN,
(None genuine without our trade mark.)
O.V HAND AND FOB, SALE
SPECTACLES, NOSE GLASSES, Etc., Etc.
Why tlie Youth Blushed.
“Charley," said n fond sister,
a batch of white powder on your coat
Collar. How did it get there? ”
“White powder, whore?”
“Why, there, nnd hero’s some more on
your sleeve."
“Oh. yes, I know. I just came from
tho harbor shop, nud ho must have done
it.”
“But here’s a long yellow hair. Do
barbers liavo such long liair as that,
Charley? ”
“Pshaw, no, of course they don't.
Probably sotno young lady has beoti get
ting her bangs clipped, and sat iu tho
same chair I did.”
“Well, but,-Charley," continued his
tormentor, “there’s tho corner of a hand
kerchief sticking out of your pocket and
some writing on it. Let mo see, it rays:
‘Ella 8-m— "
Oh, git out, you pest, that's only ono
that Jim Floyd gavo mo to enrry back to
tho ownor.”
• ‘There’s a hairpin sticking out of your
vest pockot. Churlcy; does that belong
to Jim Floyd or the barber? And
there’s—’’
But tho enemy had retreated.—Dan
ville Breeze.
within about two hundred yards,the nil- Tlio last arrangement, under tho treaty nf
tivo lies down flat on the ice, it is only” t? 7 ?; was ub^guteil aft>r due notlco by iho
ti, e ro’s I now that rod sport commeivcs. So il
takes Eskimo, who is able to talk seal
perfectly, to be one of his brothers; and
indeed there is a groat deal of resemblance
between tho species, for tho genus homo
is dressed in sealskin, nnd, living largily
upon its flesh, is similarly odorous. The
United States on June 80, 1H-Cl. but 1 war
enabled to obtain for our fishermen for the
temaindorof that season enjoyment of the
full privileges a -corde t by the terminated
treaty.
Tho joint high commission by whom the
treaty nail been negotiated—although in
vested with plenary power t > make a perma
nent settlement—wero content with a tom-
Slntosnnd Mexico, w hich lias boon so marked
within the last few years, is nt once tin oc-
casion of congratulation and of friendly so
licitude. 1 urgently renew my formor rep
resentation i f tlio no d of speedy legisla
tion by Congress to enrry into effect tho lie-
ciprocity Commercial Convention of January
20, 1883.
Our commercial treaty of 1801 with Mexico
was terminated, according to Iti provisions,
In 18S1, upon notification given by Mexico In
pursuance of her atm .unco 1 policy of recast
ing all her commercial treaties Mexico has
since concluded with several foreign Govern
ments new treaties of connn rce nud naviga
tion, defining alien rights of tiado, property
and residence, treatment of shipping, consu
lar privileges and the liko. Our yet une to
cuted reciprocity convention of IbSli covers
none of there points, the settlement of whiob
is so no.oisnry to good relationship. I pro
pose to Initiate with Mexico negotiations for
a new nnd enlarged treaty of commerce aud
navigation.
In compliance with n resolution of the
Senate, 1 communicated to that body on
August 2 Inst,and also to tho House of Repre
sentative*, the correspondence In the case of
A. K. Cutting, an American citizen then
imprisoned in Moxieo.rlinrgod with the com
mission of a |iennl offense ill Texas, of svhich
a Moxican citizen was tlio objoct.
After demand hail boon made for his re
lease the charge against him was amended so
ns to include n violation of Mexican law
within Moxicnii territory.
This Joinder of alleged offoni'es, ono within
and tlio other exterior to Mexico, induced
mo 11 order a spo dal Investigation of the
enso -|Mmdiiig which Mr. Cutting was re
leased.
This incident has, however, disclosed a
claim of jurisdiction by Mexico, novol inour
lii.tiry, lvhoreby nny offence, committed
anywhere by a foreigner, pennl in the place
of its com mis-ion, of which a Moxican Is the
object, may, if the offender be foaud in Mox-
ieo, he tluro tried and punished In conform
ity w.th Mexican laws.
This jurisdiction wns sustained by the
court* of Mexico in the Cutting case, nnd np-
pr ived by the oxo -utivo branch of that gov
ernment, neon the authority of a Me\I sin
statute. Tho appollnto court, tu releasing Mr.
Cutting, decide I that tlio abandonment ol
die complaint by tlx * Moxl nu citizen ag
grieved by the allege*! crime (a libellous pub
lication) removed the basis of farther proso-
.'Utlon, and ul :o declared justice to have boon
-atisilo l by tliu enforcement of n small part
□I tlio original sentence.
Tho admission of such a pretension would
In attended with serious results, Invasive ol
(lie jurisdiction of this govorumout, ami
highly daugerous to our citizens in foreign
lands; therefore I liavo dontod it, and pro
tested against its attemp'od exercise, as un
warranted by tho principles of law and inter
national u-ages,
A sovereign lias jurisdiction of offenses
which take effect within his territory, al
though concocted or commenced outside ol
it; hut tlio right is donlnl of nny foreign sov
ereign to punish a citizon of the United
Stated for uu oll'ouo* consummated on our
soil In violation of our law’s, even though the
offence bo against a subject or citizen ol such
sovereign. Tho Mexican statute In question
makes tho claim broadly, nnd tlio principle,
if conceded, would oronto a dual responsibil
ity ill tlio citizen, ami loud to Inextricable
confusion, destructive of that certainty In
tho law which is nil essential of liberty.
When citizens of the United Htntes volun
tarily go into a foreign oouutry they must
abide h:
Dividing the Estate.
“Ah, good-morning, Mr. Skinner,"
remarked Lawyer Flsoccm, as he met his
fellow lawyer on the streot. “I hear
. , old Richfield diod last night.”
Ill .1 was s “Yes.” responded the other; • I nm the
Watches, C ocks «» u “ r ' “ d, T
' 8 -‘IndeedI Well, I’m the attorney for
his son. Can’t wo make a little some
thing out of this?”
Lawyer Skinner stroked Ins chin ro-
flC “I think we might," ho said. “I’ll
advise Miss Richfield to contest tho will.
I’ll tell her that her brother lias no right
to half tho estate, nnd that if sho wi 1
only go to Court she might as well
^“Um—yes; and I'll defend it for her
brother. But, suppose I am defeated?
“Then appeal it.”
“And if you’re defeatedf
iSfiSiTg. 1 ;.”..
““Oh'well, we’ll have the estate our
selves'then, and we’ll divide it. -
Rambler,
1
AND
JEWELRY
* BBPAWKD BY
OUR
DEPARTMENT '
^ with alt the requisite! for doing
* u “'"d* or Job ami Book work in First-
<-lus Blylo, Promptly and at'lie*-.
Bouabte lTlcos.
Wedding cards,
VISITING cards, .
BUSINESS CARDS,
POSTERS, BiLL 0U * B8 '
handbills,
programmes,
STATEMENTS,
LETTER, headings,
00DGKK8.
PAMPHLETS,
ssa sxo no-
Tit for Tat.
He was nn old worn-out tramp, and
*i,« country store and sat
So" K0 O». k»..U ona...o»„
"‘-C'£?'>•
6.™ « I J «»
he “()h!” he grunted, and went to sleep
after tickling , * f^j ien the tramp
woke, go* U P- . to tho biggest
'’“.Tto.”')'*"*' 1 ‘ to ,lcli ”’'
by, that?”
1), imm s,ft gam?
came from."-TidjRU
^•‘gdJlItrfcwayout
vorsation, part ol wliien is > a first article of which no construction satis*
the ordinary way ana part by means ot i factory to both countrios has ever been agreed
peculiar gestures, until the Kskinio has j upon.
crept to within about thirty yards of his Tho progress of civilisation and growth of
oAmufininn The iLiiimftl’s eve I population in the British provinces to which
outwitted companion \ \ c ammais eyo { h( » flshorioi in qilC8tioll a *. 0 contiguous, nnd
then boing clearly visible, is no sooner | the expansion or commercial intercourse bo*
turned from tho hunter than ho presents tween them nnd the United State*, presents
hi* rifle utid tires. The so d, if shot to-day a condition of affairs scarcely renlizn
through tho head,is killed instantly; but j blent tho dnteof the negotiations of 1S18
, .y . J.],, „ ninan <infit<>ta hiai New and vast intorosts have been brought
if hit in any other placo 1 ! into existence; modes of intercourse between
enemy by disappearing through tho ice. . ^j 10 reS j H »ctivo countrios have been invented
— ■ — ! and multiplied; the methods of conducting
Two Kinds of Newspaper Headers. 1 thefishorios havo been wholly changed: nuii
... ., . I all this is no esrerily entitled to caudkl anil
Dill you ever 8co any thing moie amus- c . aro ( u i consideration iu tlio adjustment of
lug tiiau the absorption of ihc woman tlio terms and conditions of intercourse nnd
over the marriages ? An earthquake commerce between tho United (States and
wouldn't disturb Tier. She invests every ; their neighbors along a frontier of more tiiau
couplo with tho romance of her own • 1 Tills propinquity, community of language
courtship, and goes off into spccul ition aut | osculation, and siinilarity of political
on tho groom’s prospects and tile style of ttu j so ial institutions, indicate tlio practica-
the bride’s weddin" outfit. As for tho bllity and obvious wisdom of innintaiuiug
the brae sweaa u o uuii ^ mutually benetl ial and friendly relations,
etiquette oolumn, that always maKesHor W liilst I nm iinfeignodly desirous that
chatter. “Hero,” sho says, is tlio most BUC U relations should oxErt hotwoen us nml
absurd young woman who writes to the : the inhabitants ot Canada, yet the action of
editor to know whether she ought to go i their ollkinls during tho past season toward
to the theater with her young man with- I our fishermen has been such as to seriously
to me uieui “L i, c. rs f threaten their eontinunnee.
out a chaperone. I rtmember tlio first | Although disappointed in my offort* to re
time ilenr Henry took rue to a I neuter, ! cm o a i atisfnetory settlement of the llshory
and bo on. ques ion, negotiations are still pending, with
After she has waded through this col- reasonable hopo that .lx-foro the close of the
umn sho throws tlic paper aside, nnd
that night when her husband coihos
home sho tells how much she was inter
ested in the newspaper. “Yes,” lie keys,
‘ the papers are mighty readable now.
That was an awful catastrophe, wasn’t
it ?” His wife looks up at him and snys:
“What was that, dear?” “Why, tho
earthquake.’’ Well, thero, that stupid
old paper didn’t have a word about it. ’
Tho husband goes and gets the paper
and shows her a six-column article on
the first page. She had not seen it, of
courso.—Brooklyn hagl \
Oui’ Sellout Population.
According to the report of tlio Com
missioner of Education for 1882-J, tho
school population of the Status and ffer-
ritories amounts to 10,504,002; the.num
ber of pupils enrolled, 10,804,478; mid
the average daily attendance, 0,341,0(18;
and for 1883-84, 10,794,402 school pop
ulation, 10.738,192 pupils enrolled, nnd
0,098,928 daily attendance—or an in
crease in school population of 289,710; of
enrolled*’-pupils, 3? !,719; : nd of daily
attendance, 349,205. Commissioner I n-
ton’s report is dated June «0, and
if we suppose n similar increase has taken
place during tho period between that
date nnd August, 1980, there is now a
school population of 17,373,822; of en
rolled pupils, 11,485,680; niid -Of ‘aver
age attendance, 7,3fl2,558.—School Jour
nal.
Equal 1o the Occasion.
At a house in Ohio where a minister
wa* boarding the servant girl was anx
ious to anticipate everythiug in her work
that auy ono wished her lo do, She had
always- “just done it,’ ,or was ’^ust do
ing it.” when any order was given. This
amused the young divine greatly, and on
one occasion lie thought to nofiplus tho
girl by a ruse. “I don't think hliza has
washed my Bible since I have been here,”
he said to the mistress in a low tone, but
designed to be overheard by the girl. A
few minutes later the mistress said to
her in the presence of the clergyman:
“JMi'n; have you washed, vjr. Blank’s
Bibloi” “No, Ma’am, but iS’o got it in
a soaV."'—Harper's Bazaar,
present session of Congress uiinouucomuut
may be made that an acceptable conclusion
has beon reached.
As at an early day tlioro may bo laid be
fore Congrois tliu correspondence of tho Do-
nartmont of State iu rolntion t r this Impor
tant subject, so tliat tlio hlstorv of tho last
fishing season may be fully dlsclo ed and the
action nud tho attitude of the administration
clonrly comprehended, a more extended re
ference is not deemed necessary in this com
munication.
Tlio recommendation, submitted la t year,
that provision he made for a preliminary re
connoissaueo of the convoationol boundary
lino between Alaska aud British Columbia Is
renewed.
I oxpress my unhesitating conviction that
tlio intimacy of our relations with Hawaii
: should he emphasized. As a result of tlio re
ciprocity treaty of 1875, those islands, on the
highway of oriental nnd Australnsiou traffic,
aro virtually an outpost of American com
merce aud a stepping stono to tho growing
trado of tho Pacific. The Polynesian Island
groups havo been so nbsorbod by other aud
more nowerful governments, that tho Hawai
ian Islands are loft almost alone in tho on joy-
moul of t hoir automony, which it is iinportnnt
for us should bo preserved. Our tr. ntv Is now
terminable oil ono year’s notice, but proposi
tions to abrogate it would be, iu my judg
ment, most ill advised. The paramount in-
fluenco wo have tlioro acquired, onco relin
quished, could only witli difileulty bo re
gained, and a valuable ground of vantago
for ourselves might bo converted into n
stronghold for our commercial coiiqwititors.
I earnestly recommend that the existing
treaty stipu’atious he extended for a further
term of seven years. A recently signo 1
treaty to this end is now before thogonato.
The weakness of Liberia and the difileulty
of maintaining effective sovereignty over its
outlying districts havo exposed that republic
to encroachment. It cuunot ho forgotten
that this distant community is an offshoot, of
our own system, owing its origin to the asso
ciated benovoloiii o of American citizen *,
whose praiseworthy efforts to create a nucle
us or .civilization iu the dark continent
havo commanded respect and sympathy
everywhere, especially in this country.
Although a formal protectorate over Liberia
is contrary to our traditional policy, the
moral right and duty of tho United State* to
assist iu nil proper, ways iu the maintenance
of its integrity is obvious,'nnd has been con
sistently announced during nearly half a cen
tury. 1 recommend that, in the reorgani a-
tion of our navy, n small vessel, no longer
fouud adequate to our nee Is, bo presented to
Liberia, to bo employed by it in tho protec
tion of it* coastwise revenues.
ru n llKLATJONB WITH MEXICO.
The encouraging development of beuolleial
and intimate relations botwoeu tho Unit™I
iy the laws thero In force, au*l will
not be protected by their own government
from tlio conso pteucos of nn offoneo against
tlioso laws committed In such foreign coun
try ; but watchful care and interest of this
government over its citizens aro not refill-
■pushed because tlioy have gono abroad; and
if charged with criinocommittol In tho for
eign land a fair nnd open tr'al. conducted
with docent regard for justice ami humanity,
will ho demanded for them. With less than
that this government wilt not bo content
u hen tho lifo or Hborty of its citizens is at
stnko.
Whatever the dogroo to which oxtrn-terri-
torial criminal jurisdiction may liavo beon
formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal
agreement uinong lortnluof tlio European
Suite:*, no such doctrine or practice was
ovor known to tho Inws of this country or of
that from which our institution* hnvo mainly
boon dorlved.
In tlio cose of Mexico thoro aro reasons
aspecially strong for perfect harmony iu tlio
mutual oxerciso of jurisdiction. Nature hns
made u* irrevocably uo’glibors, and wisdom
and kind fouling sh ,uld makes u* friends.
The overflow of capital nnd enterprise from
tho Uuitod Stntos is a potent factor in assist-
In; tho development of tlio resources of
Mexico, nnd ill building up tho prosperity ot
both countries.
To assist tills good work all grounds of np
prehension for tho socurjty.of person nuo
R rty should lie removed: and I trust that
o intorosts of good neighborhood the
statute referred to will be so modified as tc
eliminate tho prosont possihilites of dangoi
to tlio ponce of tho two countrios.
NATUnilAI.IZATlON AND EXTRADITION.
I ronow the recommendation of my ln*l
annual message, that existing logislalion con
corning citizenship uml naturalization he re
vised. We have treatios with many States
providing for tlio renunciation of citizenship
by naturalized aliens, blit no statute is fouud
to give effoet to such engagements, nor any
which provides n needed central burouu for
the registration of naturalized citizens.
Experience suggests that our statutes regu
lating extradition might bo advantageously
amended by a provision for the transit
ncross our territory, now a convenient
thoroughfare of travol from ono foreign
country to another, of fugitives surrendered
by a foreign government to a third state.
tJuch provisions are not unusual in tho legis
Intion of other countries, and tend to pre
vent the miscarriage of justice. It Is also
desirable, inordor to remove present uncer
tainties, that authority should bo conferred
on tho Secretary of State to issue a cortifi-
ento In case of an arrpst for the purpose of
extradition, to tho officer before whom the
proceeding is pending, sliowiug that a requl
sition for the surrenderor the person charger
ha* boan duly made. Such a certificate, if
ro piired to ho recoivod before tho prisoner s
examination, would prevent a long anil ex-
I onsivo judicial inquiry into a charge which
the foreign government might not desire to
press. 1 also recommend that express pro-
visiot* be made for the immediate dis Largo
from custody uf persons committed for ex
tradition where the President is of opinion
that surrender should not bo inado.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
Pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic
amt consular appropriation act, approved
July 1, 1689, tho estimates submitted by tho
(Secretary ot (State for tho maintenance of
tho consular service have been recast, on tlio
bads of salaries for all officers to whom such
allowance is doomed advisable. Advantage
lias been taken of this to redistribute tho sal
aries uf tho ollicors now appropriated for,
li accordance with tho work porformed,
iho importance of tho representative du
ties of the incumbent aud tho cost of
living at each post. Tho last consideration
lias been too often lost sight of in tlio allow
ances heretofore made. The compensation
which may suffice for tho decent mainten
ance of a worthy and capable officer In a posi
tion of onerous an I representative trilst at a
post roadilv acees iblo, and where tho nocossa-
ries of lifo are abundant and cheap,
may provo an iundequnto pittance In dis
tant lauds, where tho better part of
a year’s pay i* eoasnmed in reaching
the post of duty, anil where tlio comforts
of ordinary civilized existence can only
In obtained with difl! ulty nud at exorbitant
cost. I trust that, i a considering tho submit
ted schedules, no mistaken thoory of economy
will porpetuato a system which iu the.past
lias virtually closed to deserving talent many
offices where enpac iy and attainments of a
high order are indispensable, aud in not a
few instances has brought discredit on our
nnt'onal character and entailed embarrass
ment aud even su'fering on tlioso deputed to
uphold our dignity and interests abroad.
THE TREASURY REPORT.
Tho report of the So ’l'etary of tlio Treasury
exhibits in detail the condition of the public
fiuan oi and of the several branches of the
government related to hi* department. 1
ospe lally direct tho attention of tho Congress
to tho recommendations contained in this
und the Jnst preceding report of tho becre-
tnry, touching the simplification nnd amend
ment of tlio laws relating to the collection of
our revenues; and In tho interest of economy
and justico to tho government I hope they
may bo adopted by appropriate legislation.
Tlio ordinary receipts of tho government
for the flsoal yonr ended Juno 3i», 1880, were
$330,439,727.00. Of this amount $192,905,-
023.41 xx-ns received fro n < ustoms nml $110,-
805,030.48.from Internal revenue. The total
receipts, at hero stated, were $13,749,020.08
greater than for the previous year, hut the
nercasu from custom* was $11,431,084.10 and
from iutornnl roronuo $4,407,21.04, making a
gain In those items for the lAst yoar of $15,-
811.2.10.01—a falling off In other resourep*
reducing tho total increase to tho smaller
amount montloned.
The expense at the different custom houso*
of voile ting this lncroasji customs revenue
was lass thnn thoexponso attending tho col
lection of such le.emu for tho preceding
year by $40.1,099, nnd the la reuse 1 receipts
of Internal revenue wero collected at a cost
to tlio interuel revenue hurenu of $153,944.00
losi than the oxpeuso of such collection for
tho previous year.
I ho total ordinary expenses of tho govern
ment for the fiscal year cn led June tt), 1-989,
wore $21'.’,4-98,139,59,being lea by $17,78\07J
than such expenditures for th? year preceding,
anil leaving a surplus in the treasury at the
close of tho lost fiscal yoar of $93,030,589.50,
as against $03,-403,771.21 nt the close ot tho
previous year, being nu lucreuso in such sur
plus of $ )0,-102,817.2l.
For the current year to ond Juno 30, 1887,
tho ascertained receipt* up ti October 1,
1990, with sii li rocipts estimated for thoro
malndor of the year, amount to $350,000,009.
The expenditures ascertained anil estl
muted for the same period aro 5*900,0X1,009,
indicating an anticipated surplus at the close
of thi year of $90,000,000.
Tbo-totul value of tho oxports from the
United Hint o i to foreign countries durng the
llscal year is stated nil I compared xvlth tin
preceding yoar ns follows:
FOr the year fbr the year
end*u JuneSb, erul'j June
183«. 1885.
i)omo«tic nicrclifin-
(lliii f065,001.539 00 1781,68*,910 0)
Poroignmcrcbiiiidiso 18,6oo,him oo lo.oim.Htmoo
Uold 4i,95J,191 00 8,477,H9J W)
Silver 9J,511,819 00 83,753,06J CO
A H!'AUK OF 8UPKIIFLUOD8 KKVRNUE.
In my last ntinunl moisage to the Congress
attention wns directed to the fact that the
revenues of the government oxc >o led Its nc-
tnal needs: nnd it wa* suggested tlint legisla
tive action bo taken to relievo tin people
from tlio umiuce8 ary burden of taxation
thus made apparent,
In view of the pressing Importance of the
subject I deem it my duty to agnln urge Its
onsiilorntion.
Tho Income of the government, by Its in-
evensal volume nud thorough economies in
its coll ctluu, is now more than over in oxcoss
of public necessities. Tlio npnllcatiuu of tho
surplus to tliu payment nf sucti |>ortio!i of tlio
julillc debt ns is now at our option suhjoct
:o extinguishment, if contiuue.l at tlio
rate which ha* lately prevailed, would
retire that clais of indebtedness within
lisss Ilian ouo year from UiIh date.
Thus a continuation of our presold
revenue system would soon result In tlio re-
leipt of uu aimuni income much greater
than no 'ossnry to meetgovormnoutexpenses,
with no indebtednoss upon which it could be
applied. We should tliou bo confronted with
a vast quantity of ineney the circulating mo-
limn of tho pooplo, honrdod in the Treasury
when It should be in their hands, or wu
should ho drawn into wasteful public extra v
ngauco with all the corrupting national de
moralization which follow* In its train.
But it Is net the slmplo existence of this
surplus, and it* tlireateno l attendant evils
xvbtch furnish l lie strongest argument again-1
our prosout scalo of Federal taxnliou. Its
worst phase Is tho exaction of such u surplus
through a porversion of tlio relations between
(lie people and tlieir government, and a dno-
gbi’ou* departure from the rules xvhlcli limit
tho right of Federal taxation.
Good; government, nmlospeelnlly the gov
ernment of which every American citizen
boasts, lias for its oh jo Is, tho protection of
every person within its enro In tliu greatest
liborty consistent with the good order of so
ciety, and his pcrfe.l security iu the enjoy
ment of his onrnlu;s, xvith the least possible
diminution for public uoj.Is. When more of
the pojplu’s substance is exacted throiuli the
form of taxation than is i o essnry to meet
111? just obligations of tho Government nml
the expense of its economical administra
tion, such exaction becomes nitliioss extor
tion anil a violation of tho fundamental prin
ciples of a free; government.
The indiroct manner in which these exac
tions uro made him u tendency to eon cnl
their true character nnd their extent. But
xxo have arrived at a stage of superfluous
revenue xvhlcli has arouse.] tlio peo|l) to a
roalizati mof tho fact, that the amount raised
profes-edly for tlio sunportof tho govern
ment, is paid liy thorn os absolutely, if add 'd
to tlio pries of the tilings which supply their
luily ivnnts, a* if it was paid nt fixed period*
int > tlio linmi of the tax guthoror.
Those who toil for dully wages are begin
niug to understand that capital, though
sometimes vaunting its Importance mil
clamoring for the protection nnd favor of tlio
government, is dull aud siuggi -h till, touched
By tho magical hind of labor, it spring*
into activity, furnishing nil occasion for Fo I-
ornl taxation, uml gaining tho value xvhich
enables it to bear its burden, nml tho labor
lug man is thoughtfully inquiring xxhet' er
in th se circumstances, uml considering tho
tribute -lie constantly pays into the public
treasury as lie supplies his daily xvunts, lie
re -elves Ills fair share of nd vantages.
There Is also a suspicion abroad, that the
urplus of our revenues indicates abnormal
and exceptional business profit!, xvhich, un
der the system xvhlcli producos sucliwurplus,
increase xvithout corresponding benefit to tin
pooplo nt large, tho vast accumulations of a
foxv umong our citizens whoso fortunes, ri
valing tho wealth of the most favored iu
antl-domocratic nations, aro not tlio uuturai
growth of a steady, plain and industrious re
public.
Our farmers, too, aud tho*o engaged di
rectly and Indirectly in supplying tho pro-
ducts of agriculture, roe that day by duy,
nml as often as the daily wants of their Inane-
holds recur, they are forco.l to pay excessive
aud needless taxatxou, xvliile their produces
struggle in foreign markots with tho competi
tion of nations, whi h, by allowing a freer
exchange of productions than wo permit,
ouablo their pooplo to sell fur prices xvUicli
distress the American farmer. ,
As every pn rtetl: citiz.ou ro d ol e* iu tu *
constantly increasing pride of our people in
American citizenship and iu tlio gl ry of our
national achievomenbi aud progress, a senti
ment prevails thnt the leading strings useful
to a nation in it* infancy, may xveff be to a
great oxtent discarded in the present stage of
American ingenuity, courage nml lenrle*s
self-reliance. And for tho privilege oE in
dulging this sontlmeut xvith tnio American
enthusiasm, our citizen* aro quitexvilling to
forego an idle surplus lu thu public Treasury.
And all tho people know that tiro average
rate of Federal taxation upon imports into-,
day, iu timo of peu-'O, but little less, xvlnlo
upon some articles of uovessary consumption
it is actually more, than wa* Imposed by Iho
grievous burden xx ill ugly boruo, at a timo
when tho government needed millions to
maintain by xvnr tho safety nnd integrity o(
the Union.
It has been tho policy of tho government to
collect tho principal part of its revenues by
a tax upon imports, and no change in this
policy is desirahlo. But tho prosentcoudition
of atTalrs constrains our people t > domniul
that by a revision of our revenue laws the
re joipts of the government shall be reduced
to the necessary ox;>euso of its economical-
administration, nud this demand should bo
recognized and oboyod by tho people’s rep
resentatives in the legislative branch of the
government. . . _ . , .
In readjusting tho burdens of Federal tax
ation, sound public policy requires that such
of our citizens as have built up largo and im
portant industries under present con lit.ons,
should not he suddouly aud to tlieir injury
deprived of advantage* to xvhich they have
adapted their business; but if tho public good
requires it, they should bo content xvith sucli
consideration as shall dosl fairly and can
tiously xvlth tlioir interest*, while tlio just
demand of the poople for relief from need
less luxation is honestly ausxveiTd.
A reasonable aud timely submission to
, such a demand should certainly bo possible
without disastrous shock to nny interest; and
a careful concession sometime* averts abrupt
and hcedles* action, ofton tlio outgrowth of
impatience und delayed Justice.
THE INTERESTS OF AMERICAN LAROR.
Due regard should be also accordod in any
proposed readjustment to the Interests of
American labor so far ns they ar) involved.
Wo congratulate ourselves that thore is
among us no laboring class, fixed with un
yielding houn.'.s and doomed under allcondl-
thins to the iuexornblo fate of daily toll.
We recognize In lnbor a olilof factor In the
xvealth of tho republic, and we treat
those who have it In their
keeping as citizens entitled to the
most careful regard and thoughtful atten
tion. This regnrd aud attention should be
awarded them, not only Le.-nuno labor Is the
capital of our xvorkingmen, justly entitled to
its share of gox eminent favor, but for the
further and not less important reason that
the laboring man surrounded by his family
in his humble homo at a consumer Is vitally
interostol in all that iheapens the cast of
living nnd enables him to bring xzlthtu his
domestic circle additional comforti nnd ad
vantages.
This relation of the xvorkingmnn to the
rovonuo laws or tlm country,-ami thjjjonanner
in which it pnlphhly Itiffuenoes thoXnestion
of wages, should not la* forgotten In Uio Jus
tifiable protninouro givon to th6 .proper
maintenance of tlio supply and tho protection
of well-paid labor. z\ml thesoconsiderations
suggest sucli an arrangement of government
roveuuo* ns shnll reduco tho expense of liv
ing, while it doe* not curtail tlio opportunity
for work nor reduce tho compensation of
American labor, and Injuriously nffoet its
condition nud the dignified | in o it holds lu
the estimation of our people.
But our farmer* and agriculturists—those
xvho from tho soil pro luce tlio tilings con
sumed by all—are porli-ips more directly und
plainly concerned tlmu auy otlipr of our citi
zens in a just and careful system of Federal
taxation. Those U 'timlly engaged in nnd
more remotely connected xvlth this kiudof
work nuintier nearly one-lialf of our popxila- *;
tion. None labor, harder or more continu
ously thnn tlioy. No enactments limit
their hours of toll, nml no interposition of
tho government enhances to uuy great ex
tent the value of their products. And yel
for ninny ot tlio necessaries and comforts ot
lifo, which tho most Hcrupnlous economy ona-
bios them to bring into tlieir homes, and for
their Implements of husbandry, they aro
obllgod to |niy a price largely Increased by
an unnatural profit which, by tho nctlou of
tie government, jls given to the moreTavored
manufacturer.
I recommend that, hooping in vloxv all
these considerations, tho increasing aud un-.
necessary surplus of national Income annual
ly accumulating he released to tho people, liy
an amondmout to onr rovonuo laws xvhlcli
shall choapon tho price of tlio necossarle* ot
life and glvo freer entrance to such imported
materials ns by American labor may bo man
ufactured lute marketable commodities.
Nothing can be accomplished, howover, iu
the direction of this much-needed reform, un
less tho subject is approa -licd In a patriotic
spirit of devotion t > thu Interests of the en
tire country, and xv.th a wllllngno-s to yield
soinothiug for tho public good.
THE 1’URLIU DEBT.
The sum |>aid upon tho public debt during
tho llscnl yoar ended Juno 30, 1880, was $44,-
681,043.30.
During the twelve months ending October
81, 1880, throe per cent, bonds wore called for
redemption amounting to $127,288,100, of
which $.90,013,290 xvas so callo l to answer the
re lulromonts of the law relatiug to the sink
ing fund, and $40.039,'.HID for tlio purpose of
roduciug tlm public debt by application of a
i art of tho surplus in the Treasury to that •*•■*
object. Of the bonds thus called $102,209,450
became subject under such calls to rexlemp-
tlon prior to November 1, 1880. The remain
der, amounting to $ , . , '>.0I3,050matured under
tho calls after that dnto.
SILVER COINAGE.
During tho fiscal yonr ouding June30,18841,
there xvoro coined, under tlio compulsory
Htlvor coinage act of 1878, 20,839,005 silver
dollars, and tho cost of the silver used in
such coinage was $23,448,800.01. There bad
lieou coinod up to the close of tho previous
fiscal yoar, under the provisions of the law,
203,893,651 silver dolluis, and on the 1st day
of bocembor, 1869, tlio total amount of Buch
coinage xvas $247,131,319.
Tho director of the mint reports nt tho
time of tho passage of the laxv of 1878 direct
ing this coinage, tho intrinsic valuo of tho
dollars thus coined was ninoty-four nnd one-
fourth cents each, and tlmt on the 31st day
of July. 1886, tho price of silver reached the
lowest stn re ever known, so that tho intrin
sic or bullion pricu of our Htandanl silver
dollar at thut date xvas less than sovoty-two
* oats. Tliu price of silver on the HOtli day of
November last xvas such ns to make tlioso
dollars Intrinsically worth soveuty-efght
cents each. _
Theso iltfforoncps iu valuo or the coins rep
resent the lluetuatlous lu tlio price of silver,
nml they certainly do not indicate that com
pulsory coinage by tho goxoraiiieut enhances
tlio price of that commodity, or so-uros uni
formity In its valuo.
Every fair nud legal effort has beon inacio
hvt.heT’- -irv I »--i-te * distribute
tills currency among the i»pplo. Tho with
drawal of United Elates Treasury notei of
small denominations mil tho issuing of
mail sitx-or certificates have been resorted
to in tlio endeavor to accomplish
this resu’t, in obedience to tho xvlll and
sentiments of the representatives of tho
l>ooplo in tho Congress. On tho
27th duy of November, 1396, tho people held
of tho o coins, or certilFates- representing
them, tile nominal sum of 3166,8.3,941, nml
we still had $73,461,316 in tho Treasury-as
* so In the hands of
remaining in tho
; _ o _, ho directin' of tho
mint again urges tho nocosulty of more vault
room for tho purpose of storing these silver
dollars xvhi-.-U are not needed for circulation
by tho poople.
SUSPEND THE COINAGE OF SILVER.
I havo seen no reason to change the views
expressed in my last uunual message ou the
subject of tliis compulsory coinage; and I
again urge It* suspension on all tho ground*
eontttinod in my former recommendation,
reinforced by tlio significant increase
of our gold exportation during tho
last year, a* appears by the comparative
statement herexvitli pres.-nted, und for tho
further reasons that the more this currency
is distributed uinong the poople tho greater
becomes our duty to proto t Itfrom disaster;
that wo noxv havo abundauce for all our
ueocls; nnd that there seems but little pro
priety ill building x milts to store such cur
rency xvheu tho only pretence for it* coinage
is tho necessity of it* use by tho people as n
circulating medium.
THE XVAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of tho Socretary of War gives
a detailed n -couut of tho administration of
his department, aud contain* sundry recom
mendations for tho improvement of tho ser
vice which I fully approve.
The army consisted ut the date of tho last
consolidated return, of 2,193 officers aud 24,-
946 enlisted men.
Tho expenses of the department for the
last fiscal vear were *30,930,90X38, including
$6,291,3013 for public works ami liver and
harbor Improveracets.
I especially direct the attention of the
Congress to the recommendation thnt ollicors
ho required to submit to an examination as «
preliminary to thoir promotion. I seo nc
objection but many advantages in adopting
this feature, wli'eli has operated so bone-
ficiiilly iu our Navy Department, as xvell Ol
in some bran lies of tho army.
The subject of tli i coast dofonce* and forti
fications has beon fully and carefully treated
by the Board of Fortifications, xvliose report
xvas submitted at the last session of Congress,
but no construction xvork of tho kind recom
mended by the Board has been possible dur
ing tho last year from the lack of appropria
tions for such purpose.
The defenceless condition of our seaeoast
and lake frontier is perfectly palpable: the
examinations made must convince-us all that
certain of our cities uamed iu the report of
tho Board should lie fortified, and the work
on ths most important of those fortifications
should boconimoueed at once; the xvork has
been thoroughly considered and laid out, tho
Secretary of War report.*, but all is delayed
in default of Congressional action, -
we still nnd $73,-1111,1*0 in in
against about 8142,894,655 so fi
the | ooplo, and $72,8115,876 re
Treasury 0110 year ago. Tho
[Continued on Itli page.]