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THE MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS ,
Affairs of Government Reviewed
By President McKinley,
MOST SALIENT FEATURES
Tho Cuban Question and Portion
Relative to Currency Reform.
To the Senate and House of Represen¬
tatives:
It gives mo pleasure to extend greet-
ing to the Fifty-fifth congress 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 sincero
congratulation and calliug for onr grate¬
ful acknowledgement to a boueficent
providence, which basso signally blessed
and prospered us os a nation. Peace
and good will with all the nations of
the earth 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 has too
long delayed realization of the highest
blessing of the Union. The spirit of
patriotism is universal and is ever in¬
creasing in fervor. The publio 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, the 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.
The 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 furthor time will be
required aud tho people, satisfied with
its operation and results thus far, are
iu uo mind to withhold from it a fair
trial.
Tariff legislation having been settled
by the extra session of congress, 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,
wili appear easier when we recall the
financial operations of tho government
since 1866. On June 16 of that year we
had outstanding demand liabilities iu
the sum of $728,S68,447.41. Ou Jau. 1,
1879, these liabilities had been reduced
to $443J889,495.88. Of onr interest bear¬
ing obligations, [the figures are even
more striking. Ou July 1. 1866, the
principal of the interest bearing debt of
the government was $2,382,831,208 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 Dec. 1, 1897.
was $847,865,620. The government
money no’/ outstanding (Dec. 1) con¬
sists of $346,681,016 of United States
notes, $107,793,2$0 of treasury notes is¬
sued by authority of the law of 1890,
$344,963,504 of silver certificates, aud
$61,286,761 of standard silver dollars.
No Tamo to Hesitate.
1 With the great resources of the gov¬
ernment and 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 and relieve our financial laws
from ambiguity and doubt.
The brief review of what was accom¬
plished from the close of the war to
1893 makes unreasonable aud 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, aud that pledgo 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 onr
different forms of money, that is, keep¬
ing all of them at par with gold. We
surely cannot be longer heedless of the
burden this imposes upon the people,
ever under fairly prosperous conditions,
while the past 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 tlie government
against bond issues for repeated re¬
demptions. We must either curtail
the opportunity for speculation, made
easy by the multiplied redemptions of
our demaud obligations, or increase tho
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 hut
the government. The banks are not
required to redeem iu gold. The gov¬
ernment is obliged to keep equal with
gold all its outstanding currency aud
coiii outstanding, while its receipts are
not required to be paid in gold. They
are paid in every kiud of money but
gold, aud the only means by which the
government cau with certainty get gold
is by b, rrowiug. It can got it in uo
other way when it most needs it. Tlie
government without any fixed gold
revenue is pledged to maintain gold re¬
demption, which it lias steadily and
faithfully done, and which, under the
authority now given, it will continue
to da
The law which requires the govern¬
ment, after having redeemed its United
States notes, to pay them out again as
current 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¬
sufficient to meet the expenses of the
government. At snch times the gov-
ernmont has uo other way to supply its
deficit and maintain redemption hut
through the increase of its bonded debt,
as during the administration of my
predecessor, when $202,815,400 of
per cent bonds were issued and sold and
tbe proceeds used to pay tbe expenses
of the government in excess of the rev¬
enues and sustain the gold reserve.
While it Is true that the greater part of
the proceeds of these bonds were used
to supply deficient revenues, a consid¬
erable portion was required to maintain
the gold reserve.
With our revenues equal to our ex¬
penses, there would bo no deficit requir¬
ing the issuance of bonds. But if the
gold reserve falls below $100,000,100
how will it be replenished except by
soiling more bonds? Is there any other
way practicable under existing law?
The serious question then is, shall we
continue the policy that has been pur¬
sued in tho past; that is, tlmt 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 policy
of selling bonds is to be continued, then
Dougress should give the secretary of tho
treasury authority to sell bonds at long
or short periods, bearing a loss rate of
interest, than is now authorized by law.
As to United SfcHtas Note*.
I earnestly recommend as soon 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 and aro redeemed in
gold, such notes shall be kept and set
opart and 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 he should not receive back
from the government a United States
note without paying gold in exchange
for it. The reason for this is made all
the more apparent when the govern¬
ment issues an interest hearing 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 ou demand and
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 hanking powers to
help itsoif. The hanks do not feel the
strain of the gold redemption. The
whole strain rosts upon the government
nnd 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, hut the dan¬
ger still exists, and will be ever present,
menacing us so long as the existing sys¬
tem continues. Aud besides, it is in
time of adequate reveuues and business
tranquility that the government should
prepare for the worst. We cannot avoid
without serious consequences the wise
consideration aud 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 ou
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, and
that the tax ou circulating notes se¬
cured by deposit of such bonds be re¬
duced one-half of 1 per cent per annum.
I also join lnm 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 aud upwards. If
the suggestions I have herein made shall
have the approval of congress, then I
would recommend that national banks
ho 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
upon to deal pertaining to its foreign
relations concerns its duty toward Spain
and to the Cuban insurrection. Prob¬
lems and conditions more or less in com¬
mon with those now existing have con¬
fronted this government at various
times iu the past. The story of Cuba
for mauy years has been one of unrest;
growing discontent; an effort toward a
larger enjoyment of liberty aud self con¬
trol; of organized resistance to the
mother couutry; 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 not caused concern
to the United States.
The prospect from time to time that
the weakness of Spain’s hold on the
island and the polilical vicissitudes aud
embarrassments of the home govern¬
ment might lead to the transfer of Cuba
to a continental power called forth be¬
tween 1823 and I860 various emphatic
declarations of the policy of the United
States to permit uo disturbance of (Ju¬
ba’s connection with Spain unless in
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 tenacious
resistance against tho enormous forces
massed against it by Spain. The revolt
and the effortss co 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
Cubans.
The existing conditions cannot but
fill this government and the American
people with the gr.ivt,<t apprehension.;
There Is no desire . oit the part of onr
people to We profit by the misfortunes of
Spam. have only the desire to see
the Cubans prosperous and oonteifted,
enjoying that measure of self conthfi
which is the inalienable right of mau,
protected i i their right to reap the ben-
otit of the exhaustless treasures of their
country.
The cruel policy of concentration was
initiated Feb. 1G. 180(1. Tbe productive
districts controlled by the Spanish nr-
mies were depopulated. The ugricult-
unil inhabitants were herded in and
about the garrison towns, tueir lauds
laid waste and their dwellings de-
stroyed. This policy of tbe late cabinet
of Spain was justified as a neoessary
measure of war and as a means of out-
ting off supplies from tbe insurgents,
It lias utterly failed as a war measure.
lt was not civilized warfare. It was
extermination.
Against this abuse of tho rights of
war, I have felt constrained ou re¬
peated occasions to enter the firm and
earnest protest of this government.
There was much of public condemna¬
tion of American citizens by alleged
arrests aud long imprisonment, await¬
ing trial or pending judicial proceed¬
ings. I feit it my first duty to make
instant demands for tho release or
3 paody trial of all American citizens
under arrest. Before the change of tho
Spaish cabinet in October last 22 pris-
suers, citizens of the United States, had
seen given their freedom.
Mr. \Vootiford’.4 Instructions.
The 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 tiie war in 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 ou
Oct. 23. It is iu the direction of a bet¬
ter understanding. It appreciates the
friendly purposes of this government.
It admits that our country is deeply
affected by the war in Cuba and that its
desires for peaco 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 Cuba within
a reasonable time. To this end Spain
lias decided to put into effect the politi¬
cal reforms heretofore advocated by the
present premier without haltiug for
aiiv consideration iu the path which, in
its judgment, leads to peace. Tile mil¬
itary operations, it is said, will con¬
tinue, but will be humane and 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 m invest-
mg Cuba with a distinct personality;
the island to be governed „y an execu-
tive aud by a local council or chamber.
reseiviug to Spam the control of the
foreign relations, the army and navy
and the jutucia administration, loac-
comnhs)i tins the present governmeni ;
proposes to modify existing legislation j
by decree, leaving the Spanish cortes,
with the aid of Cuban senators and aep- 1
uties, to solve the economic problem
and properly distribute the existing
debt.
Iu the absence of a declaration of the
measures that the government proposes
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. Ic is asserted that
the western provinces are already well
nigh reclaimed; that the planting of
tobacco therein has been resumed and
that by force of arms aud new aud 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 dis¬
position to This charge us with failure iu this
regard. charge is without any
basis in fact. It could not have been
made if Spain had been cognizant of
the constant efforts this government has
made at the cost of millions and by the
employment of the administrative ma¬
chinery of tho nation at command to
perforin its full duty under the law of
nations. That it has successfully pre¬
vented the departure of a single mili¬
tary expedition or armed vessel from
onr shores in violation of our laws would
seem to be a sufficient end.
Throughout all these horrors and dan¬
gers to 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 aud in consonance with the
dearest interests aud convictions of our
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 iu favor of one or the
other party. I speak not of forcible an¬
nexation, for that cannot he thought of.
That by our code of morality would be
criminal aggression.
Opposed to Kecogrnition.
I regard the recognition of the bel¬
ligerency of the Cuban insurgents as
now unwise and therefore inadmissible.
Should that step hereafter be deemed
wise as a measure of right aud duty the
executive will take it.
Intervention upon humanitarian
grounds has been frequently suggested
aud has not 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 in the policy of Spain to¬
ward Cuba? A new government has
taken office in the mother country. It
is pledged iu advauce to the declaration
that all the effort in the world cannot
suffice to maintain peace in Cuba by the
bayonet; that vague promises of reform
after subjugation afford no solution of
the insular problem, 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 aoi-.ordauoe with the needs
aud circumstances of the *-me and that
these reforms, while designed to give
full autonomy to the oolony aud to ere-
' ate a virtual entity and self controlled
administration, shall yet conserve and
affirm the sovereignty of Spain by a just
distribution of powers and burdens upon
j a methods basis of of mutual selfish Interest expediency, untainted by
I
It is honestly due to Spain and to our
friendly relations with Spain that she
should bo given a reasonable chance to
realize her exnectatious and to prove'
- the asserted efficacy of tbe new order of
things to which she stands irrevocably
committed. She has recalled the com¬
nnmder whose brutal orders inflamed
the American mind nnd shocked the
civilized world. She has modified the
horrible order of concentration and uu-
dertaKeii to care for the helpless and
permit those who desire to resume the
cultivation of their fields to do so, and
assures them of the protection of the
Spanish government in their lawful oc-
cunatious. She lius just released the
“Competitor” prisoners, heretofore have sen¬
tenced to death, and who been the
subject of repeated diplomatic corres¬
pondence during both this and the pre¬
ceding administration.
Not a single American citizen is now
under arrest or in confinement in Cuba
of whom this government has any
knowledge. The near future will dem¬
onstrate whether the indispensable con¬
dition of a righteous peace, just alike
to the Cubans aud to Spain as well as
equitable to all our interests so iuti-
mutely involved in the welfare of Cuba,
is likely to be attained. If not, the ex-
igenev of further aud other action by
the United States will remain to be
taken. When that time comes that ac¬
tion 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 protectiou
of their interests aud honor and to hu-
inanity. • free
Sure of the right, keeping from
all offense ourselves, actuated only by
upright and patriotic considerations,
moved neither by passion or selfishness,
tiie government will continue its watch¬
ful care over the rights and property of
American citizens aud will abate none
of its efforts to bring about by peaceful
agencies a peace which shall be honor¬
able and enduring. If it shall here¬
after appear to be a duty imposed by
our obligations to ourselves, to civiliza¬
tion and humanity to intervene with
force it shall be without fault ou our
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,
Itatlfloatloii of the An nexation Treaty
Urged by the President.
B / y a special message dated June 16,
las( j laid botor0 the seuate a treaty
fe that day bv the £ pienipotentiaries
o£ the Uuited Stateg an o( the republic
q£ Hawaiif hayin „. for its pur p 0 se the
incorporation t ', of the Hawaiian islands
as au lte . a i part of the United States
alld under its sovereignty. injunction Tlie senate
h;mug amoved the still of se-
oreC y {, although the treaty is pend-
£ efore that bod the subject mtty
be properly referred to in 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 cousisreutly disavowing from a
very early period any aggressive policy
of absorption iu 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 aud their intimate commer¬
cial dependence upon this couutry. At
the same time it lias been repeatedly
asserted that iu no event could the en¬
tity of Hawaii statehood cease by the
passage of the islands under the domi¬
nation or influence or pgwer than the
United States. Under these circum¬
stances the logic of events required that
annexation, therefore offered but de¬
clined, should iu the ripeness of time
come about as the natural result of the
strengthening ties that bind us to those
islands, aud be realized by the free will
of the Hawaiian state.
That treaty was unanimously ratified
without amendment by the senate aud
president of the republic of Hawaii ou
Sept. 10, last, and oniy awaits tiie fa¬
vorable action of the American seuate
to affect the complete absorption of the
islands into the uomaiu of the United
States. What the conditions of suoh a
union shall be. the political relation
thereof to the United States, the char¬
acter of the local administration, tlie
quality ana 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 has wisely dele¬
gated to congress. If the treaty is con¬
firmed, as every consideration of dignity
aud honor requires, the wishes of con¬
gress will see to it that, avoiding ab¬
rupt assimilation of elements perhaps
hardly yet fit to share iu the highest
franchises of citizenship aud having
due regard to tlie geographical condi¬
tions, the most just provisions for self
rule in local matters with the largest
political liberties and au integral part
of our nation will he accorded to the
Hawaiiaus. No less is due to a people
who, after nearly five years of demon¬
strated capacity ro fulfill the obligations
of self governing statehood, come of
their free will to merge their destinies
m our body politic.
The questions which have arisen be¬
tween Japan aud Hawaii by reason of
tlie treatment of Japanese laborers emi¬
grating to tlie islands under the Ha¬
waiian-Japanese convention of 1888 are
iu a satisfactory stage of settlement by
negotiation.
YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC.
Necessity of ^ mending L iw< to Malco Na¬
tional officers Paramount.
The recent prevalence of yellow fever
iu a number of cities and towns through¬
out the south lias resulted iu much dis¬
turbance of commerce aud demonstrated
tlie necessity of such amendments to
our quarantine laws as will make tlie
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 recommends amendments
thereto which will give the treasury de¬
partment the requisite authority to pre¬
vent the invasion of epidemio diseases
from foreign countries aud iu times of
emergency like that of the past sum-
raer, will add to the ell cie ncy of tt
sanitary measures-for the protection of
the people and 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, tbe importance of the discovery
of the exact oause of the disease, which,
up to the present time, lias been unde¬
termined, is obvious, and to this end a
systematic bacteriological investigation
should be made. I therefore recommend
that congress authorize the appoint¬
ment of a commission by the president,
to consist of four expert bacteriologists,
one to be selected from tbe inedioal 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 and one from the medical offioers
of the navy.
SPECIAL MONEY ENVOYS.
President Still Hopeful of Securing an
international Agreement.
Under the provisions of the act of
congress, approved March 8, 1897, for
the promotion of an international agree¬
ment respecting bimetallism, I ap¬
pointed, ou April 14, 1897, H/'m. Edward
O. Wolcott of Colorado, H<|n. Adlai E.
Bteveuson of Illinois, aud Hon. Charles
IJ. Paine of Massachusetts, as speoial
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, bnt
up 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 the attempt to bring about
an agreement among the principal com¬
mercial nations of value Europe whereby gold a
fixed and relative between
and silver shall be secured, furnishes
assurance that we are not alone among
the larger nations of the world in real¬
izing the international character of the
problem aud in the desire of reaching
some wise aud practical solution of it.
Our special envoys have not made their
final report, as further negotiations
between the representatives of this gov-
srumeut aud tile 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¬
ident points to the necessity for speedy
legislation to procure the armor for the
ihree battleships now building which
would he otherwise useless. He speaks
iu terms of praise of the quality of our
ships and thinks that the time has now
arrived when the iucrease to which the
country is committed should for a time
take the form of increased facilities
commensurate with the increase of our
naval vessels. He refers to the lack of
docks, aud urges that three or four of
the largest docks be provided on the At¬
lantic, at least one ou the Pacific coast
and a floating dock iu the gulf, There
should also be ample provision for mu¬
nitions of war and au increase of officers
aud enlisted men. Additions are also
necessary to navy yards and, as there
are now on the docks five large battle¬
ships, it is recommenced that an appro¬
priation be made but for one more bat¬
tleship ou the Pacific coast. Several
torpedo boats are also necessary.
>al« of the Kansas Pac.flc.
Speaking of the ponding sale of the
Kansas Pacific ' railroad, it is said that
if no better hid is received than the up¬
set price fixed by the court, the govern¬
ment would receive only $2,590,000 on
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 of the treasury to
make the deposit of $900,000 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 tliau one-fifth of its en¬
tire debt, principal aud interest.
Civil !*ervic«.
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 lias of late years re¬
ceived increased legislative and execu¬
tive approval. During the past few
mouths the service has been placed upon
a still firmer basis of business methods
and personal merit. While tho 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 lias been made by giving a hear¬
ing before dismissal upon all cases
wherein iucompeteucy is charged or de¬
mand made for the removal of officials.
This last has been done without impair¬
ing the power of removal.
The liiditiit 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 aud without schools or
ocher rights of citizens; leading Indians
have absorbed great tracts of lands aud
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 and a division
of the lauds. It is said that should the
tribes still fail to ratify the agreement
then some legislation should be had by
congress.
Reciprocity Arrange me uts.
Mr. Kasson of Iowa is said to be now
conducting negotiations with several
governments for reciprocity arrange¬
ments under the tariff act, and it is be¬
lieved that by a careful exeroise 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.
Case of Miuister Merry.
Referenoe is mado to the failure of
Mr. Merry to he reoeived as minister to
Nicaragua on aooouut of tho obligation
of that country to tho diet of the
Greater Republic of Central America.
As there is no legal authority at pres¬
ent to accredit him to the diet, Mr.
Baker, the present minister at Ma-
lingua, has been directed 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.
Affairs III F«r»w*y 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 tho establishment of some
sort of flexible government. If the
startling reports as to the probable
shortage of food for the miners be fully
verified, every effort should be made at
any cost to carry them relief.
Tho Seal Conference.
Reference is made to the recent con-
ifereuces at Washington on the subject
pf the protectiou of seal life, the result
of which place beyond controversy, it is
said, the duty of the governments con-
cerued to adopt measures without delay
.for the preservation of the herds. Ne¬
gotiations to this end are now iu pro¬
gress.
International Arbitration.
International arbitration is declared
by the president to represent _ the best
sentiment of the civilized world aud
treaties embodying tljese humaue prin¬
ciples on broad lines without iu any
way imperiling our interests or honor
will have his constant encouragement.
The Paris Exposition.
A liberal appropriation is bespoken in
order that the United States may make
a creditable exhibit at the approaching
Baris exhibition, iu which tlie people
have shown an unprecedented interest.
The Nicaraguan Canal.
The Nicaraguan canal is spoken of as
of large importance to our country and
the promise is made of further reference
to the subject when the report of the
commission now at work is sent to con¬
gress.
Our Merchant Marine.
The president earnestly urges the im¬
provement of onr merchant marine, the
inferiority of which, he says, is humil¬
iating to tlie national pride.
Keep Down Appropriations.
In conclusion, the president admon¬
ishes congress not to encourage iucrease
of the estimates for the maintenance of
the government. They would aum.it of
decrease iu mauy branches, aud it is a
commanding duty to keep the appropri¬
ations within the receipts of the gov¬
ernment aud thus avoid a deficit.
Subscribe lor this paper and keep
posted on affairs in general.
OLDEST ENGINEER DEAD.
Albert Johnston Dies at the Ageof Eighty-
Eight in Italeigli.
Albert Johnston, the oldest locomo¬
tive engineer in the United States,died
suddenly at his 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 on which the state stakes all—the
appeal on Judge Simonton’s decision
iu tho Vandercook case, which in¬
volves all original package dealers.
He will then ask to have the case
advanced on the docket so a decision
may be had while the legislature is in
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 tbe 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.
Boasted coffee $11.10 per 100 !t> cases.
Green coffee choice 12; fair 10: prime
9. Sugar standard granulated oc;
New Orleans white 4%c; do yellow
Syrup, New Orleans open kettle 25®10c;
mixed 12%@20e; black 30®G5e; sugar house 26®35c.
Teas, green 20®50e.
Bice, heacl6%C; choice 5%®6e; Salt, dai¬
ry sacks $1.25; do bills. 2.25; ice cream
90c; common G5e. Cheese, full cream
11 %® 12c. Matches, 65s 50c; 200s 1.30ffil.75;
300s 2.75. Soda, boxee 6c. Crackers, soda
5%C; cream 70;gingerenaps 7c. Candy,com¬
mon stick Gc; fancy 12@13e. Oysters, F. VV.
1.65; L. W. 1.15.
Flour, Grain and Meal.
Flour, first patent. $6.00; second patent,
$5.00; straight, $4.75; fancy, $4.65: extra
family, Oats,"white $4.30. Corn, white, 44c; mixed, 45c.
35c; mixed 32c; Texas rustproof
37@S8c, Bye, Georgia 85c. Hay No. 1 timothy
large bales 80c; small bales 75c; No. 2timo-
thy small bales 70e. Meal, plain 47c; bolted
42c. Wheat bran, large sacks 78e; small
sacks 80c. Shorts 95c, Stock meal 80c.
Cotton seed meal 95c per 100 IPs: 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 18@20c; cream¬
ery, 20@28«: fancy Tennessee poultry,
choice 12%c; Georgia 12%@15c. Live spring
turkeys 8@9c; hens 23®25e;
chickens, large 18@20e; small 12%®14c; 25@27%c.
ducks, puddle, 18®20c; Peking
Irish potatoes, 85@90e per bushel. ,Sweet
potatoes, 50@G0o per bu. Honey,
dull, strained 6@7c; in the comb 7<®8c.
Onions, new crop, 85e@$1.00 per bu.;
2.25@2.50 per bbl.
Provisions.
Clear ribs boxed sides 5%e; clear sides
5%c; ice-eured bellies 8c. Sugar-cured
hams 11®12%C; California best 7%c ; bpeakfast
bacon 10®llc. Lard, quality 5%c; sec¬
ond quality 5}{; compound 4%e.
Cotton.
Market closed Arm; middling 5k*.