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THE MESSAGE TO CONGRESS , Affairs of Government Reviewed By President McKinley, MOST SALIENT FEATURES The Cuban Question and Portion Relative to Currency Reform. To tlie Senate aud House of Represen¬ tatives; It gives mo pleasure to extend greet¬ ing to the Fifty-fifth cougress assem¬ bled in regular session at the seat of government, with many of whose sen¬ ators and representatives I have been associated in the legislative ser¬ vice. Their meeting occurs under fe¬ licitous conditions, justifying sincoro congratulation and calliug for our grate¬ ful acknowledgement to a beneficent providence, which basso signally blessed and prospered us as a nation. Peace and good will with all the nations of the eat til continue unbroken. A matter of great satisfaction is the growing feeling of fraternal regard and unification of all sections of our coun¬ try, the incompleteness of which lias too long delayed realization of the highest blessing of the Union. Tlie spirit of patriotism is universal and is ever in¬ creasing in fervor. The public questions which now most engross us are lifted far above either partisanship, prejudices or former sectional differences. They affect every part of our common country alike and permit of no division on anci¬ ent lines. Questions of foreign policy, of revenue, tho soundness of tho cur¬ rency, the inviolability of national obli¬ gations, the improvement of tho public service, appeal to the individual con¬ science of every earnest citizen to what¬ ever party he belongs or in whatever section of the country he may reside. Tlie extra session of this congress which closed during July, last, enacted important legislation, and while its full effect has not yet been realized, what it has already accomplished assures us of its timeliness aud wisdom. To test its permanent value further time will be required aud the people, satisfied with its operation and results thus far, fair are in no mind to withhold from it a trial. Tariff legislation having been settled by the extra session of cougress, the question next pressing for considera¬ tion is that of the currency. The work of putting our finances upon a sound basis, difficult as it may seem, will appear easier when we recall tlie financial Operations of tlie government since 1866. On June 16 of that year we had outstanding demand liabilities in the sum of $728,S68,447.41. On Jan. 1, 1879, these liabilities had been reduced to $443,889,495.88. obligations, Of ouv interest bear¬ ing {the figures are even more striking. On July 1, 1866, the principal of the interest bearing debt of the government was $3,382,831,208. On July 1, 1893, this sum had been reduced to $5S5,037,100, or an aggregate reduc¬ tion of $1,747.264,108. The interest bear¬ ing debt of the United on Deo. 1, 1897, was $847,865,620. The government money no-/ outstanding (Dec. 1) con¬ sists of $846,681,016 of United States notes, $107,798,2$0 of treasury notes is¬ sued by authority of the iaw of 1890, $344,963,504 of silver certificates, and $61,286,761 of standard silver dollars. No Time to Hesitate. ’ With the great resources of the gov¬ ernment ana with honorable example of the past before us, we ought not to hesitate to enter upon a currency re¬ vision which will make our demand ob¬ ligations less onerous to the govern¬ ment aud relieve our financial laws from ambiguity and doubt. Tho brief review of what was accom¬ plished from the close of the war to 3898 makes unreasonable and ground¬ less any distrust, either of our financial ability or soundness; while the situation from 1893 to 1897 must admonish con¬ gress of the immediate necessity of so legislating as to make the return of the conditions then prevailing impossible. There are many plans proposed as a remedy for the real evil. It is not that our currency of every kind is not good, for every dollar of it is good—good be¬ cause the government’s pledge is out to keep it so, and that pledge will not be broken. However, the guaranty of our purpose to keep the pledge will be best- shown by advancing toward its fulfill¬ ment. The evil of the present system is found in the great cost to the govern¬ ment of maintaining the parity of our different forms of money, that is, keep¬ ing all of them at par with gold. We sureiy cannot be longer heedless of the burden this imposes upon the people, ever under fairly prosperous conditions, while the paBt four years have demon¬ strated that it is not only and expen¬ sive charge upon the government, but a dangerous menace to the national credit. It is manifest that we must devise some plan to protect the government against bond issues for repeated re¬ demptions. We must either curtail the opportunity multiplied for speculation, made easy by the redemptions of onr demand obligations, or increase the gold reserve for their redemption. We have $900,000,000 of currency which the government by solemn enactment has undertaken to keep at par with gold. Nobody is obliged to redeem in gold but the government. The banks are not required to redeem in gold. The gov¬ ernment is obliged to keep equal with gold all its outstanding currency aud coin outstanding, while its receipts are not required to be paid in gold. They are paid in every kind of money but gold, and the ouly means by which the government can with certainty get gold is by b. rrowing. It can get it in no other way when it most needs it. The government without any fixed gold revenue is pledged to maintain gold re¬ demption, which it has steadily aud faithfully done, and which, under the authority now given, it will oontinue to da The law which requires the govern¬ ment, after having redeemed its United States notes, to pay them ont again as currant funds, demands a constant re¬ plenishment of the gold reserve. This is especially so in times of business panic and when the revenues are in- euffloieiit to meet the expenses of the government. At such times the gov- ernmonfc lias no other way to supply its deficit and maintain redemption but through tho increase of its bonded debt, as during the administration of my predecessor, when 1202,815.400 of 4 % par cent bonds were issued and gold and tlie proceeds used to pay the expanses of the govern meiit in excess of tlie rev¬ enues While and sustain tlie gold reserve. it is true that the greater part of tlie proceeds of these bonds were used to supply deficient revenues, a consid¬ erable portion was required to maintain tho gold reserve. With our revenues equal to our ex- ponsos, there would be no deficit requir¬ ing tlie issuance of bonds. But if tho gold reserve fulls below $100,000,100 bow will it be replenished exoept by soiling more bonds? Is there any other way practicable uuder existing law? The serious question then is, shall we continue the polioy that lias been pur¬ sued in tho past; that is, that when the government reserve reaches the point of danger, issue more bonds and supply the needed gold, or shall we provide other means to prevent those recurring drains upon the gold reserve? If no further legislation is had and the polioy of selling bonds is to be continued, then congress should give the secretary of the treasury authority to sell bonds at long or short periods, bearing a less rate of interest than is now authorized by law. to United StHtai Notes. I earnestly recommend as sooti as the receipts of the government are quite sufficient to pay all the expenses of the government that when any of the United States notes are presented for re¬ demption in gold aud are redeemed in gold, such notes shall be kept aud set apart und only paid out in exchange for gold. This is an obvious duty. If the holder of the United States pre¬ fers the gold and gets it from the gov¬ ernment lie should not receive back from the government a United States note without paying gold iii exchange for it. The reason for this is made all the more apparent when the govern¬ ment issues an interest bearing debt to provide gold for the redemption of United States notes—a noninterest bear¬ ing debt. Surely it should not pay them out again except on demand aud for gold. If they are put out in any other way, they return again to bo fol¬ lowed by another bond issue to redeem them—another interest bearing debt to redeem a noninterest bearing debt. In my view it is of the utmost impor¬ tance that the government should be relieved from the burden of providing all the gold required for exchanges and export. This responsibility is alone borne by the.government without any of the usual and necessary banking powers to lielp itseif. The hanks do not feel the strain of the gold redemption. The whole strain rosts upon the government and the size of the gold reserve in the treasury has come to be with, or with¬ out reason, the signal of danger or of security. This ought to be stopped if we are to have an era of prosperity in the country. With sufficient receipts for the expenses of the government we may feel no immediate embarrassment from our present currency, but the dan¬ ger stiii exists, and will be ever present, menacing us so long as the existing sys¬ tem continues. Aud besides, it is in time of adequate revenues aud business tranquility that the government should prepare for the worst. We cannot avoid without serious consequences the wise consideration and prompt solution of tnis question. The secretary of the treasury has out¬ lined a plan in great detail for the pur¬ pose of removing the threatened recur¬ rence of a depleted gold reserve and save us from future embarassmeut on that account. To this plan I invite your careful consideration I concur with the secretary of the treasury in his recommendation that national banks be allowed to issue notes to the face value of the bonds which they have deposited for circulation, aud that tlie tax on circulating notes se¬ cured by deposit of such bonds be re¬ duced one-half of 1 percent per annum. I also join linn in recommending that authority be given for the establishment of national banks with a minimum cap¬ ital of $25,000. This will enable the smaller villages and agricultural regions of the country to be supplied with cur¬ rency to meet their needs. I recommend that the issue of na¬ tional bank notes be restricted to the denomination of $10 and upwards. If the suggestions I have herein made shall have the approval of cougress, then I would recommend that national banks bo required to redeem their notes in gold. NO CUBAN INTERFERENCE. President McKinley Follows In tlie Foot¬ steps of His Predecessor. The most important problem with which this government is now called upou to deal pertaining to its foreign relations concerns its duty toward Spain aud to the Cuban insurrection. Prob¬ lems and conditions more or less iu com¬ mon with those now existing have con¬ fronted this government at various times in the past. The story of Cuba for many years lias been one of unrest; growing discontent; an effort toward a larger enjoyment of liberty and self con¬ trol; of organized resistance to the mother country; of depression after dis¬ tress and warfare aud of ineffectual set¬ tlement to this by renewed revolt. For no enduring period since the enfran¬ chisement of the continental possessions of Spain in the western continent has the condition of Cuba or the policy of Spain toward Cuba uot caused concern to the United States. The prospect from time to time that the weakness of Spain’s hold on the island and the political vicissitudes aud embarrassments of the home govern¬ ment might lead to the transfer of Cuba to a continental power called forth be¬ tween 1823 aud I860 various emphatic declarations of the policy of the United States to permit no disturbance Spain of Cu¬ ba’s connection with unless iu the direction of independence or acqui¬ sition by us through purchase; nor has there been any change of this declared policy since upon the part of the govern¬ ment. The present insurrection broke out in February, 1895. It is not my purpose at this time to recall its remarkable in¬ crease or to characterize its teuacious resistance against the enormous forces massed against it by Spain. The revolt and the effortss to subdue it carried de¬ struction to every quarter of the island, developing wide proportions and defy¬ ing the efforts of Spain for its suppres¬ sion. The civilized code was regarded no less so by the Spaniards than by the Cabans. The existing conditions cannot but fill this government aud the American people with the gv ivi -t apprehension.! There Is no desire on the part of our people to profit by the misfortunes of Spain. We have only tlie desire to see the Cubans prosperous and contented, coutfoi enjoying that measure of self which is ike inalienable right of man, protected i i their right to reap the ben- oflt of the exhaustiess treasures of their country. policy concentration The cruel of was initiated Feb, IB. 1808. The productive districts controlled by the Spanish ar¬ mies were depopulated. The agricult¬ ural inhabitants were herded in ami about the garrison towns, tueir lands laid waste and their dwellings de¬ stroyed. Tills policy of the late cabinet or Spain was justified as a ueoessary measure of war and as a means of cut¬ ting off supplies failed from the insurgents. It lias utterly as a war measure. It was not civilized warfare. It was extermination. Against tins abuse of the rights of war, I have felt constrained on re- peated occasions to enter tlie firm and earnest protest of this government, There was much of public condemn;!- alleged tiou of American citizens by arrests aud long imprisonment, await- ing trial or pending judicial proceed- make iiigs. I foit it my first duty to instant demands for tho release or speedy trial of all American citizens under arrest. Before tlie change of tho Spaisli cabinet in October last 23 pris- oners, citizens of tlie United States, had Seen given their freedom. Mr. Woodford’s Instructions. Tho instructions given to our new minister to Spain before his departure for his post directed him to impress upon that government the sincere wish of the United States to lend its aid to¬ ward the ending of the war iii Cuba by reaching a peaceful aud lasting result, just and honorable alike to Spain aud to the Cuban people. The reply to our note was received on Oct. 23. It is in the direction of a bet¬ ter understanding. It appreciates the friendly purposes of tills government. It admits that our country is deeply affected by tlie war in Cuba and that its desires for peace are just. It declares that the present Spanish government is bound by every consideration to a change of policy that should satisfy the United States and pacify Oubu within a reasonable time. To ciiis end Spain lias decided to put into effect the politi¬ cal reforms heretofore advocated by tlie present premier without halting for any consideration in the path which, in its judgment, leads to peace. The mil¬ itary operations, it is said, will con¬ tinue, but will be humane aud con¬ ducted with all regard for private rights, being accompanied by political action leading to the autonomy of Cuba, while guarding Spanish sovereignty. This, it is claimed, will result in invest¬ ing Cuba with a distinct personality; tlie island to be governed by an execu¬ tive and by a local council or chamber, reserving to Spain the control of the foreign relations, the army aud navy and the judicial the administration. To ac¬ complish this modify present existing governmeul legislation proposes to by with decree, the aid leaving of Cuban th.9 senators Spanish aud cortes, dep¬ j uties, to solve the economic problem and properly distribute the existing debt. In the absence of a declaration of the measures that the government proposes I to take iu carrying out its proffer of good offices it suggests that Spain be left- free to conduct military operations and grant political reforms, while the United States for its part shall enforce its neutral obligations and cut off the assistance which it is asserted the insur¬ gents receive from this country. The supposition of an indefinite prolongation of the war is denied. It is asserted that the western provinces are already well uigh reclaimed; that the planting of tobacco therein has been resumed and that by force of arms aud new and am¬ ple reforms very .early and complete pacification is hoped for. Discussion of the question of interna¬ tional duties and responsibilities of the United States as Spain understands them is presented with an apparent this dis¬ position to charge us with failure iu regard. This charge is without auy basis in fact. It could not have been made if Spain efforts had been cognizant of the constant this government has made at the cost of millions aud by the employment of the administrative ma¬ chinery of the nation at command to perform its full duty under the iaw of nations. That it has successfully pre¬ vented the departure of a single rniii- tary expedition or armed vessel from our shores in violation of our laws would seem to be a sufficient end. Throughout all these horrors and dan¬ gers ro our own peace, this government lias never iu any way abrogated its sov¬ ereign prerogative of reserving to itself the determination of its policy and course according to its own high sense of right and in consonance with tho dearest interests aud convictions of onr own people should the prolongation of the strife so demand. Of the untried measures there remain only recognition of the insurgents as belligerents; recognition of the inde¬ pendence of Cuba; neutral intervention to end the war by imposing a rational compromise between the contestants, and intervention in favor of one or the other party. I speak not of forcible an¬ nexation, for that oauuot be thought of. That by our code of morality would be sriminal aggression. Opposed to llecojjnition. I regard the recognition of the bel¬ ligerency of the Cuban insurgents as now unwise aud therefore inadmissible, Should that step hereafter be deemed wise as a measure of right aud duty the executive will take it. Intervention upou humanitarian grounds has been frequently suggested aud has uot failed to receive my most anxious and earnest consideration. But should such a step be now taken when it is apparent that a hopeful change has supervened iu the policy of Spain to¬ ward Cuba? A new government has taken office in the mother country. It is pledged iu advance to the declaration that all the effort iu the world cannot suffice to maintain peace iu Cuba by the bayonet; that vague promises of reform after subjugation problem, afford no solutiou of the insular that with a substi¬ tution of commanders must come a change of the past system of warfare for one in harmony with a new policy which shall not longer aim to drive the Cubans to the “horrible alternative of taking to the thicket or succumbing in misery, ” that the reforms must be in¬ stituted iu acnordauoa with the needs and circumstances of the time and that these reforms, while designed to give full autonomy to the colony and to ore- ato a virtual entity and self controlled administration, shall yet oonsorve and affirm the sovereignty of Spain by a just distribution of powers aud burdens upon a basis of mutual interest untainted by methods of selfish expediency, It is honestly due to Spain and to our friendly relations witli Spain that she should be given a reasonable chance to realize her exnectatious and to prove the asserted efficacy of the new order at things to which she stands irrevocably committed. She has recalled the com¬ mander whose brutal orders inflamed the American mind and shocked the civilized world. She has modified the horrible order of concentration and un¬ dertaken to care for the helpless and permit those who desire to resume the cultivation of their fields to do so, aud assures them of the protection of the Spanish government in their lawful oc¬ cupations. She has just released the “Competitor” prisoners, heretofore sen- tunced to death, aud who have been the subject of repeated diplomatic oorres- pondeuce fluring botli this and tlie pro- ceding administration. Not a single American citizen is now under arrest or in confinement in Cuba of whom this government lias auy knowledge. The near future will dem- oustrate whether the indispensable alike coil- ditiou of a righteous peace, just to the Cubans aud to Spain as well as equitablo to all our interests so inti- matelv involved in the welfare of Cuba, is likely to be attained. If not, the ex¬ igency of further aud othor action by the United States will remain to be taken. When that time comes that ac- tiou will be determined in the line of indisputable right and duty. It will be faced without misgiving or hesitancy in the light of the obligation this gov¬ ernment owes to itself, to the people who have confided to it the promotion of their interests aud honor and to hu- inanity. keeping • from Sure of the right, free all offense ourselves, actuated only by upright and patriotic considerations, moved neither by passion or selfishness, the government will continue its watch¬ ful care over the rights and property of American citizens and will abate none of its efforts to bring about by peaceful agencies a peace which shall be honor¬ able aud enduring. If it shall here¬ after appear to be a duty imposed by our obligating to ourselves, to civiliza¬ tion and humanity to intervene with force it shall be without fault ou onr part, and only because the necessity for such action will be so clear as to com¬ mand the support aud approval of the civilized world. THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION. Katifioalloti of the AiinexHtioa Treaty Urffttd by the President. By a special message dated June 3 G, last, I laid bofore tho senate a treaty signed that day by the plenipotentiaries of the United States and of the republic of Hawaii, having for its purpose tlie incorporation of the Hawaiian islands as an integral part of the United States and uuder its sovereignty. The senate having removed the injunction still of pend¬ se¬ crecy, although the treaty is ing before that body, the subject may be properly referred to iu this message because the necessary action of the con¬ gress is required to determine by legis¬ lation many details of the eventual union, should the fact of annexation be accomplished, as I belive it should be. While consistently disavowing from a very early period any aggressive policy of absorption in regard to the Hawaiian group, a long series of declarations through three-quarters of a century has proclaimed the vital interest of the United States in the independent life of the islands and their intimate commer¬ cial dependence upou this country. At the same time it has been repeatedly asserted that in no event could the en¬ tity of Hawaii statehood cease by the passage of the islands uuder the domi¬ nation or influence or power than the United States. Under these circum¬ stances the logic of events required that annexation, therefore offered but de¬ clined, should in tlie ripeness of time come about as the natural result of the strengthening ties that bind us to those islands, and be realized by the free will of the Hawaiian state. That treaty was unanimously ratified without amendment by the senate and president of the republic of Hawaii ou Sept. 10, last, and oniy awaits tiie fa¬ vorable action of the American senate to affect the complete absorption of the islands into the uomaiu of the United States. What the conditions of such a union shall be. the political relation thereof to the United States, the char¬ acter of the local administration, the quality and degree of the elective fran¬ chise of the inhabitants, the extension of the federal laws to the territory or the enactment of special laws to fit the peculiar condition therefor, and the regulation, if need be, of the labor sys¬ tem therein, the treaty lias wisely dele¬ gated to congress. If the treaty is con- firmed, as every consideration of dignity aud honor requires, tho wishes of oon- gress will see to it that, avoiding ab¬ rupt assimilatiou of elements perhaps hardly yet fit to share in the highest franchises of citizenship and having due regard to the geographical condi¬ tions, the most just provisions for seif rule iu local matters with the largest political liberties aud an integral part of our nation will be accorded to the Hawaiiaus. No less is due to a people who, after ueariy five years of demon¬ strated capacity ro fulfill the obligations of self governing statehood, come of their free will to merge their destinies iu our body politic. The questions which have arisen be¬ tween Japan and Hawaii by reason of tlie treatment of Japanese laborers emi¬ grating to the islands uuder the Ha¬ waiian-Japanese convention of 1888 are iu a satisfactory stage of settlement by negotiation. YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC. Necessity of Amending Liwi to links Na¬ tional officers Paramount. The recent prevalence of yellow fever iu a number of cities and towns through¬ out the south has resulted in much dis¬ turbance of commerce aud demonstrated the necessity of such amendments to our quarantine laws as will make the regulations of the national quarantine authorities paramount. The secretary of the treasury, in the portion of his re¬ port relating to the operation of the marine hospital service, calls attention to the defects in the present quarantine laws aud reoommeuds amendments thereto which will give the treasury de¬ partment the requisite authority to pre¬ vent the invasion of epidemic diseases from foreign countries and iu times of emergency iike that of the past sum- raer, will add to the effi cie ney of tl sanitary measures for the protection of the people aud at the same time prevent unnecessary restriction of commerce. I concur in his recommendation. In further effort to prevent the inva¬ sion of the United States by yellow fever, the importance of the discovery of the exact cause of the disease, which, up to the present time, has been unde¬ termined, is obvious, and to this end a systematic bacteriological investigation should be made. I therefore reoommend that congress authorize the appoint¬ ment of a commission by the president, to consist of four expert bacteriologists, one to be selected from the medical offi¬ cers of the marine hospital service, one to bo appointed from civil life, one to be detailed from the medical officess of the army aud ouu from the medical officers uf tho navy. SPECIAL MONEY ENVOYS. {'resident Still Hopeful of Securing- an J iiteriiatloual Agreement. Under the provisions of the act of congress, approved March 3, 1897, for Hie promotion of an international agree¬ ment respecting bimetallism, I ap- pointed, on April 14, 1897, Hijn. Hrin. Edward U- Wolcott of Colorado, Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois, and Hon. diaries J. Paine of Massachusetts, as special envoys to represent the United States. They have been diligent in their efforts to secure the concurrence and co-opera¬ tion of European countries in the inter¬ national settlement of the question, but ap to this time have not been able to secure an agreement contemplated by their mission. The gratifying action of our great sis¬ ter republic of France in joining this country in tlie attempt to bring about an agreement among the principal com¬ mercial nations of Europe whereby a fixed aud relative value between gold and silver shall be secured, furnishes ussurauce that we are not alone among the larger nations of tlie world in real¬ izing the international character of the problem aud in the desire of reaching some wise and practical solution of it. Our special envoys have not made their final report, as further negotiations between the representatives of this gov- srumeut aud the governments of other countries are pending aud in contem¬ plation. They believe that doubts which have been recommended in certain quarters respecting the question of maintaining the stability of the parity between the metals end kindred ques¬ tions may yet be solved by further ne¬ gotiations. The Navy. Under the head of the navy, the pres¬ points to the necessity for speedy to procure tlie armor for the ihree battleships now building which would be otherwise useless. He speak9 iu terms of praise of the quality of our Bhips and thinks that the time has now arrived when the increase to which the country is committed should for a time taka the form of increased facilities commensurate with the increase of our naval vessels. He refers to the lack of aud urges that three or four of largest docks be provided on the At¬ lantic, at least one ou the Pacific coast and a floating dock in the gulf. There should also be ample provision for mu¬ nitions of war and an increase of officers aud enlisted men. Additions are also necessary to uuvy yards and, as there are now on the docks five large battle¬ ships, it is recommeii-.ed that an appro¬ priation be made but for one more bat¬ tleship ou the Pacific coast. Several torpedo boats are also necessary. >al« of tlie Kansas Fac.flc. Speaking of the pending sale of the Kansas Pacific'railroad, it is said that if no better bid is received than the up¬ set price fixed by the court, the govern¬ ment would receive only $2,590,000 ou its claim of nearly $13,000,000. He be¬ lieves that the government has the au¬ thority to bid ou the road and has di¬ rected the secretary ot the treasury to make the deposit of $990,000 required to qualify as a bidder aud to bid at the sale a sum at least equal to the princi¬ pal of the debt to the government. He suggests, however, that iu a matter so important as the government becoming a possible owner of the railroad, con¬ gress should enact some legislation to define its views. It is clear to him, however, that the government should not permit the property to be sold at a price less than one-half the principal of its debt and less than one-fifth of its en¬ tire debt, principal aud interest. Civil Service. Tlie president devotes considerable space to the civil service, the practical improvement of which, he says, has long been a subject of earnest discus¬ sion, aud which has of late years re¬ ceived increased legislative aud execu¬ tive approval. During the past few mouths the service has been placed upou a still firmer basis of business methods and personal merit. While the right of deserving veteran soldiers to reinstate¬ ment has been asserted, dismissals for merely political reasons have been care¬ fully guarded against; the examinations improved aud made practical, Ad- vauce has been made by giving a hear¬ ing before dismissal upou ail cases wherein incompeteucy is charged or de¬ mand made for the removal of officials. This last has been done without impair¬ ing the power of removal. The Indian Troubles. The message deals at some length with the unsatisfactory condition of affairs iu tlie Indian Territory. The largo white element is said to be with¬ out protection and without schools or other rights of citizens; leading Indians have absorbed great tracts of lauds and created an aristocracy, and the friends of the Indians believe that the best in¬ terests of the five civilized tribes would be found in American citizenship. Ref¬ erence is made to tho failure so far of the Dawes commission to secure the consent of the tribes to an extinguish¬ ment of the tribal titles aud a division of the lauds. It is said that should the tribes still fail to ratify the agreement then some legislation should be liad by cougress. Reciprocity Arrangements. Mr. Kasson of Iowa is said to be now conducting negotiations with several governments for reciprocity arrange¬ ments uuder the tariff act, and it is be¬ lieved that by a oareful exercise of the powers conferred by the act, some grievances of our own aud other coun¬ tries in our mutual trade relations may be removed or alleviated aud the volume of our commercial exchanges enlarged. tkl. of Miulster Merry. Reference is mado to the failure of Mr. Merry to be reoeived as minister to Nicaragua on account of tho obligation . i»f that country to the diet of the Greater Republic legal of authority Central America. As there is no at pres¬ ent to accredit him to the diet, Mr. Baker, the present minister at Ma¬ nagua, has been direoted to present his letters of reoall. W. Godfrey Hunter is said to be likewise accredited to Hon¬ duras, a member of the Greater Re¬ public, and his case is awaiting action. Aflrtlra In Fiirttway Alaska. Attention is called to the need of prompt legislation as to Alaska and as to the extension of civil courts within that territory. There is need for sur¬ veys and for the establishment of an¬ other land office at some point in the Yukon valley, for which an appropria¬ tion is asked. Military force is- also necessary and the establishment of some sort of flexible government. If the startling reports as to the probable shortage of food for the minors be fully verified, every effort should be made at uuy cost to carry them relief. Tho Seal Conference. Reference is made to the recent con¬ ferences at Washington on the subject Of the protection of seal life, the result of which place beyond controversy, it is said, the duty of the governments con¬ cerned to adopt measures without delay for the preservation of the herds. Ne¬ gotiations to this end are now in pro¬ gress. International Arbitration. International arbitration is declared by the president to represent the best sentiment of the civilized world aud treaties embodying these humane prin¬ ciples on broad lines without in any way imperiling onr interests or honor will have his constant encouragement. Tilts Faria Exposition. A liberal appropriation is bespoken in •order that the United States may make a creditable exhibit at the approaching Paris exhibition, in which the people have shown an unprecedented interest. The Nicaraguan Canal. The Nicaraguan canal is spoken of as of large importance to our country and the pi-omise is made of further reference to the subject when the report of the commission now at work is sent to cou¬ gress. Our Merchant Marine. Tlie president earnestly urges the im¬ provement of our merchant marine, the inferiority of which, he says, is humil¬ iating to the national pride. Keep Down Appropriations. In conclusion, the president admon¬ ishes congress not to encourage increase of the estimates for the maintenance of the government. They would aumit ot decrease iu many branches, and it is a commanding duty to keep the appropri¬ ations within the receipts of the gov¬ ernment and thus avoid a deficit. Subscribe for this paper and keep posted on affairs in general. OLDEST ENGINEER DEAD. Albert Johnston Dies at the AgeofEighty- Eight ill Xlaleigll. Albert Johnston, the oldest locomo¬ tive engineer in the United States,died suddenly at liis home at Raleigh, N. C., Saturday aged eighty-eight. He was a native of Petersburg, ran an engine there sixty-seven years ago and brought the first engine into Raleigh on the Raleigh and Gaston railway. He was for sixty-two years in the employ of the latter company^. ANXIOUS FOR DECISION. Attorney General Barber Will Ask for Settlement of Vandercook Case. Attorney General Barber, of South Carolina will appear before the United States supreme court and docket the case ou which the state stakes all—the appeal on Judge Simonton’s decision in the Vandercook case, which in¬ volves all original package dealers. He will then ask to have tlie case advanced on the docket so a decision may be had while the legislature is iu session. MISS WILLARD STILL WITH US. After Securing Her Passage She Did Not Leave Windy City. A Chicago dispatch states that Miss Frances W. Willard did not sail for England on the 24th, although her passage had been engaged on the steamer St. Louis. The change made in her plans at Buffalo will keep her in Chicago for some time. The Chicago Woman s Club gave a reception in her honor Saturday. ATLANTA MARKETS. CORRECTED WEEKLY.—49 Groceries. Roasted coffee $11.10 per 100 lb cases. Green coffee choice 12; fair 10; prime 5c; 9. Sugar standard granulated i%e. New Orleans white 4%c; do yellow 25@40c; Syrup, New Orleans open kettle mixed 1234@20c: sugar * house 26®35e. Teas, black 30®65c; green 20@50c. dai¬ Rice, headOKc; do choice bbls. 5%@6o; ice Salt, ry sacks $1.25; 2.25; cream 90c; common fi5e. Cheese, full cream 1134 ® 12 e. Matches, 6 Ss 50c, 200s 1.30@1.75; 300s 2 75 . Soda, boxes 6 c. Crackers, soda . 5>£c; cream 7c; gingefimaps 7c. Candy,oom- W. mou stick 6 c; fancy 12@13e. Oysters, I'. 1.65; L. W. 1.15. Flour, Grain and Meal. Flour, first patent. $6.00; second patent, extra $5.00; straight, J4.75; fancy. $4.65; family, $4.30. Corn, white, 44c; mixed, 45c. Oats, white 35c; mixed 32c; Texas rustproof timothy S7@38c. F.ye, Georgia 8 oc. Hay No. 1 large bales 80c: small bales 75e-, No. 2 timo¬ thy small bales 70c. Meal, plain 47c-, bolted 42c. Wheat bran, large sacks 78e; small sacks 80c. Shorts 95c. Stock meal 80c. Cotton seed meal 95c per 100 it>s; hulls $6.50 per ton. Peas 90@$1.25 per bushel, accord¬ ing to kind and quality. Grits $2.60. Country Produce. Eggs 19®20c. Butter, western cream¬ ery, 20@23e; fancy Tennessee 18@20c; choice 12H«; Georgia 12U@15c. Live poultry, spring turkeys 8@9c; hens 23®25c; chickens, large 18@20e; small 123j@14c; 25@273-.jc. ducks, puddle, 18®20e; Peking bushel. Sweet Irish potatoes, 85@90e per potatoes, 50®60c per bu. Honey, dull, strained 6@7c; in the comb 7@8o. Onions, new crop, 85c@$1.00 per bu.; 2.25@2.50 per bbb Provisions. Clear ribs boxed sides 5%c, clear sides 5%c; ice-cured bellies 8 e. Sugar-cured hams 11 10 ® ®lie. 12.14c; Lard, California best quality 734c; 034 hpeafcfust sec¬ bacon compound 4%c. c; ond quality 534 ; Cotton. Market desert firm; middling