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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*.