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u x®J X H JOURNAL AND MESSENG-ER. 0 THE FAMILY JOURNAL—NEWS—POLITICS- LITERATURE—AGRICULTURE—DOMESTIC NEWS, Etc.—PRICE $2.00 PER ANNUM* GEORGIA TEL APH BUILDING STABL1S11ED 1826. MACON, ERIDAY* DECEMBER 9, 1881. ..VOLUME LV-NO. 49 FltOM WASHINGTON. XjHK 1'ltESIDES T'S AXSMJAlj MESSAGE TO COXGBESS. Proceedings of the Two Hogw*«>The Old Committees of tlie Henafe Con tinned—Tho Flood of Snbsldjr Hit Im Already »tarto«l—Mow tU« Ilnain Listened to the Hessace. [Sunday's Telegrams.] Washington, December 4.—After the adjournment or the Republican caucus last night, tbe Democratic members elect assembled in tbe same hall and organized their caucus for the ensuing Congress, by the re-election of Representative House, of Tennessee, as chairman, Frask, of Mis souri, and Welborn, of Texas, secreiaries.' Representative Froctor Knott, ol Kentucky, then offered a reso lution indorsing the declarations of the Democratic national conventions of 1876 ami 1830—tlie supposed object being to put tlie Democratic members on record in favor of a plank indorsing a tariff for reveuuo only, which, if it did not prevent a complimentary nomination of Speaker Randall, would serve as a rebuke. The resolution was supported by Representa tives Knott, of Kentucky, and Reagan, of Texas, and opposed by Representatives Hammond, of Georgia, McLaine, of Ma- rylainl, Hooker, of Mississipp 1 , and Her bert, ol Alabama. Representative Hook er moved to indefinitely postpone the consideration of the resolution and his motion was carried—ayes 63, nays 42. Representative McKenna, of West Vir ginia, then moved that the caucus indorse and put in nomination, as candidates of tbe Democrats, all tbe officers of the last House, and tlie motion was carried vita voce without dissent. Tbe caucus theti adjourned, subject to the call of the chairman. Tlie impression prevails to-niglit that the organization of the House will be considerably delayed to-morrow by ob jections totheswearing in ofboldcrs of cre dentials from several Southern districts, and by tlie threatened contest in regard to the admission of Delegate Cannon, of Utah. Ills impossible to predict safely how long such delay may continue, but many well informed persons arc of tbe opinion that the House will be ready to proceed to the election of officers early in the after noon, in which event it is expected that the Republican nominees will probably receive tbe requisito majority vote, and the President's message will be sent in before to morrow’s adjournnient. f Monday’s Telcgrams.l Washington, December 5.—Tlio first regular session cf the forty-seventh Con gress began to-day, aud botb bouses were called to order at nocn. In the Senate, after tbe usual intcrcbango of friendly greetings by tbe members, the president pro lent. (Senator Davis, of Illinois), for mally convened tlie chamber, and, after prayer by the chapiaiD, presented the cre dentials of Senator-elect Win. Windoni, of Minnesota, chosen to fill the vacancy caused by his resignation of the term ending March 3d, 1S83, said vacancv having been temporarily tilled by the appointment of ex-Senator Edgerton. Af ter the reading of the credentials, Senator Wmdom, accompanied by Senator Hoar, appeared, was duly qualified and entered upon his duties. Resolutions forcommit- tees of notification to the House of Repre sentatives and the President, informing them of tbe organization of the Senate, were adopted. The annual reports of the acting secretary of theSenate,sergeant-at- arms,chief clerk of tbo Court of Claims aud public printer were presented by tbe chairman and laid on the table. Tbe bourof meeting daily was fixed at 12 o’clock m. A number of bills were introduced and tlie Senate took a recess until half past two. Upon reassembling, Mr. Edmunds offered a resolution continuing the com mittees as now constituted. An amend ment was offered requesting the president of the Senate to decide whether the com mittees should be divided between the po litical parties or not. Without a decision tlie Senate adjourned. A number of bills wero presented and laid over, among which were one by Mr. Beck to provide for tbo retirement ot tbe trade dollars and their recoinmge Into standard dollars. By Mr. Logan, to place General Grant on the retired array list. By Mr. Sherman, to provide for the issue of three per cent, bonds to tbe amount of three hundred millions, tbo proceeds to bo applied to the redemp tion of tbe 3| per cents. By Ur. Garland, to provide for a tariff commission.. This bill is a substitute for Eaton’s bill of 1830. Also, by Mr. Morrill, to investigate tbe tariff question. By Mr. Grover, re stricting Chinese immigration, being mainly a copy of the vetoed fifteen-pass enger bill of JS70. By Mr. Coke, alloting lauds in severalty to tho Indians on va- vions reservations, and forollier purposes. Pepdletou gave notice that be would to morrow introduce his civil service reform hill. A recess was taken from 1:15 to 2:30. HOUSE. Tbe House met fit noon sod tlie roll was called, showing four members abseut. Keifcr was elected Speaker and the swear ing in of members proceeded with. Con siderable discussion Las ensued over con tested seats and still continues. Two hundred and ninety mem bers answered tlie roll call. Tbe absentees wero Morse, Scales aud Deuster. The vote for Speaker was: Keifcr 148, Randall 129, Ford 8—neces sary to a choice 143. Fulkerson and Paul, Viiginia Readjustee, voted forKeifer. Upon calling the States for tbe swearing in of new members, Jones, of Texas, ob jected to tbo swearing In of Wheeler, of Alabama, and, after some dispute, Wheel er stepped aside. Mr. Springer, of Illi nois objected to Cutt V’f Iowa; Van Voor- liis, of New York, to King, of Louisiana, and King to Van Voorhis, Springer to Wardsworth, of New York, and Calkins, ot Indiana, to Dibble, of South Carolina. Next, Moore, of Tennessee, in a delicate fashioD, objected to Chalmers, of Missis sippi. Bragg, ot Wisconsin, imitating the words and tone of Moore, in turn ob jected to Moore. All objected to stood aside. Tho remainder were sworn in. Mr. Jones, of Texas, took the floor to explain his objections to Wheeler, and offered a resolution referring the matter to the committee on elections when ap pointed. Tabled, on motion of Mr. Ran dall, by an almost unanimous tion voce vote. Tbe objections were then withdrawn in all the cases except those of Chalmers * and Dibble, aud aU but these two were sworn. Chalmers was also sworn, after tome further skirmishing, Calkins then called up the case of Dibble, of South Caroliua, and offered a resolution refer ring the matter to the c ramiuee on elec tions when appointed. He gave a state ment of tbe circumstances under which Libblo was elected. He contended that there was no vacancy, inasmuch as it might be that Mackey bad originally been elected. Brown, of Indiana, took the op posite ground, and argued that Dibble nad as good a prlma face right to a seat as any other member. Evana, of South Carolina, moved to lay Calkins’ resolu tion on tbe table, and, it being agreed to, Dibble appeared and was qualified. McPherson was then elected clerk, tbe vote being—McPherson 148, Adams 129, Delamatyr 9. Hooker, Brownlow and Sherwood were then elected sergeant-at- arms, doorkeeper and postmaster at one vote, and all tho officers wero sworn in. Hiscock, Orth and Reagan wore ap pointed a committee to wait on the Presi dent. Fred D. Power, of Washington, was then elected chaplain. Adjourned. Nothing now intervenes to delay tho President's message but the swearing in of tho territorial delegates, which will he done in a few minutes. [Tuesday’s Telegrams.] Washington, December 0.—In the Senate^litions were presented by Messrs. Beck, Jonas, Sherman and Plumb to re quire railroads to conduct their business on terms just and equitable to the public. By Mr. Miller, of California, for a territo rial government for southeastern Alaska. Bills were introduced by Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, for public buildings for tbo courts and post-office at Erie, Pa. By Mr. Saunders, for the admission of Dakota as a State. At 12:50 a report was made by tbe Ben ato half of tbe joint committee to wait on tlie President and inform him of tbe or ganization of Congress that they bad been informed by tbe President that lie would communicate with the two houses forth- Washington, December C.—At 1:00 p. m. the doorkeeper of the Sonata an nounced the reception of a message from the President of the United Stales, and a moment later the clerk began tho reading of the annual message. THE MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Represen tatives of the United Stales:—An appall ing calamity has befallen tlie American people since their chosen representatives last n et in the hails where you are now assembled. We might elso recall with unalloyed content tho rare prosperity with Which, throughout the year, the nation has keen blessed. Its harvests have been plenteous, its various industries have thriven, the health of its people has been preserved, it has maintained with foreign governments the undisturbed relation of amity and peace. For these manifesta tions of His favor, wo owe to Him who holds our destinies in His hands the trib ute of our grateful devotion. To that mysterious exercise of His will which has taken from us tho loved and illustrious citizen who was hut lately the head of the nation we bow in sorrow aud submission. Tlie memory of his exalted characlor, of his noble achievements and of bis pa triotic life will be treasured forever as a sacred possession (ft tho whole people. The announcement of his death drew from foreign governments and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow which history will record as signal tokens of the kinship of nations and the federatijn of mankind. NEGATIONS WITH ENGLAND. The feeling of goodwill between our own government and that of Great Britain was never more marked than at present. In cognition of this pleasing fact, I decided, on tlie occasion of the late centennial cel ebration at Yorktown, that a saluto be given to tlie British flag. Save for the correspondence to which I shall refer hereafter in relation io the proposed canal across the Isthmus of Panama, little has occurred worthy of meutien in the diplo matic relations ot tlie two countries. Ear ly in the year the Fortune Bay claims were satisfactorily settled by the Britisii government paying in full the sum of £15,000, most of which has already been distributed. As tho terms of the settlement Included compensation for in juries suffered by our fishermen at Aspect Bay, there has been retained from the gross award a sum which is deem ed adequate for those claims. The participation of Americans in the exhibitions at Melbourne and Sydney will be approvingly mentioned in tlie reports of tbe two exhibitions, soon to be present ed to Congress. They will disclose tho readiness of our countrymen to meet com petition in distant fields of enterprise. Negotiations for an international copy right convention are in hopeful progress. Tho- surrender of Silting Ball and bis forces upon tbe Canadian frontier has al layed apprehension, although bodies of British Indians still cross the border in quest of sustenance. Upon this subject a correspondence has been opened which promises an adequate understanding. Our troops have orders to avoid meanwhile all collisions with alien Ind-ans. THE FOREIGN VISITORS. The presence at the Yorktown celebra tion of representatives of tho French re public and descendants of Lafayette and of ids gallant compatriots, who were our allies in the revolution, lias served to strengthen tbe spirit of good will which has always existed between tbe two na tions. THE BI-METALLIC CONFERENCE. You will be furnished with the proceed ings of tbo Bi-metallic Conference, held during tbo summer at tbe city of Paris. No accord was readied, but a valuablo interchange of views was bad and tbo con ference will next year be renewed. ELECTRICAL CONGRESS. At tbo electrical exhibition and con gress, also held at Paris, this country was creditably represented by eminent special ists, who, in the absence of. an appropria tion, generously lent their efficient aid at tho instance of tho State De partment. While our . exhibitors to this almost distinctively Amer ican field of achievement have won several-valuable awards, I recommend that Congress provide for the repayment of the personal expenses incurred in tho public interest by tlie honorary commis sioners and delegates. GERMAN-AMERICANS. No new questions respecting tho status of our naturalized citizens in Germany hare arisen during the year, and the causes of complaint, especially in Alsaco and Lorraine, have practically ceased, through tho liberal action of the imperial government in accepting our often ex pressed views on tho subject. Tho appli cation of the treaty of 1808 to the lately acquired Rhenish provinces has received very earnest attention, and a definite and lasting agreement on this point is con fidently expected. The participation of the descendants of Baron Von Steubeu in the Yotktown festivities and their subse quent reception by their American kins men, strikiDgly evinced the ties of good will which unite the German people and our own. INTERCOURSE WITH SPAIN. Onr intercourse with Spain lias been friendly. An agreement concluded n February last fixes a term for the labors of tbe Spanish and American claims com mission. Tbe Spanish government lias been requested to pay tbe late awards of that commlssiou aud will, it is believed, accede to the request as promptly and cour teously as on former occasions. By recent legislation onerous fines have been im posed upon American shipping in Spanish and colouiai ports for slight lrregulsrities in manifb its. One case of hardship is specially worthy of attention. The bark Masonic, bound for Japan, entered Ma nilla in distress, and is there sought to be confiscated under tbe Spanish revenue laws for an alleged shortage In her trans shipped cargo. Though efforts for her re lief have thus far proved uuavalling, it is expected that the whole matter will be adjusted In a friendly spirit. OUR RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. The Senate resolutions of condolence on tlie assassination of tho Czar Alexander II, were appropriately communicated to the Russian government, which, in turn, has expressed its sympathy in our bio that our cordial relations with Russia should be strengthened by proper en gagements, assuring to peaceable Ameri cans who visit tbo Empire tho considera tion which h due to them as citizens of a f.icndiy State. This is especially need ful with respect to American Israelites, whose classification with the native He brews has evoked energetic remoustrauen from this government. AMERICANS IN ITALY.H A supplementary consular agreement with Italy has been sanctioned and pro claimed whicli puts at rest conflicts of ju risdiction in the case of crimes on ship board. Several important international conferences hare been held in Italy durin, the year. At the Geographical Congress of Venice, the Beneficence Congress of Milan and the Hygienic Congress cf Turin, this country was represented by delegates from branches of tbe public service or by private citizens duly ac credited in an honorary capacity. It is hoped that Congress will give such promi nence to tho results of their participation as they may seem to deserve. DUTCH COLONIAL IMPORTS. The abolition of all discriminating du ties against such colonial productions of tlie Dutcli East Indies as are imported hither from Holland has been already considered by Congress, and I trust tlmt at tlie present session tho matter may ho favorablyvconcluded. CORRESPONDENCE WITH TURKEY. The insecurity of life and property in many parts ot Turkey lias given rise to a correspondence with the Porte, looking particularly to tho butter protection .of American missionaries iu the empire. Tho coudemncd murderer of the eminent missionary, Dr. Justin W. Parsons, has not yet occn executed, although this gov ernment has repeatedly demanded that exemplary justice be done. CRIMINALS FROM SWITZERLAND. The Swiss government lias again solic ited the good offices of our diplomatic and consular agents for tbe protection of its citizens in countries where it is not itself represented. This request lias, with in proper limits, been granted. Our agents in Switzerland have been instructed to protest against the conduct of the author ities of certain communes in permitting tho emigration to this country of crimi nals and other objectionable persons. Several such persons, through tlie co-op eration of the commissioners of emigra tion at Now York, have been sent back by tiie steamers which brought them. A continuation of this course may prove a more effectual remedy thau diplomatic re monstrance. 8ERVIA AND R0UMANIA, Treaties of comraerco and navigation aud for tlie regulation of consular privil eges have been concluded witli Roumania aud Servia since their admission into the family of European States, as is natural with contiguous states having, like insti tutions and like aims of advancement aud development. MEXICO. Tho friendship ot tbe UnitedStatos and Mexico has been constautly maintained. This government lias lost no occasion of encouraging the Mexican government to a beneficial realization of tbe mutual ad vantages which will result from a more intimate commercial inteicuursc and from the opening of the rich interior of Mexico to railway enterprise. I deem it important tiia t tho means he provided to restrain tlie lawlessness unfortunately so common on tho frontier, and to suppress the forays of tho reservation Indiaus on cither side of the Rio Grande. THE CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES. The neighboring States of Central America bavo preserved iuternal peace and their outward relations toward us have been tiiose of intimate friendship. There are encouraging sigus of their growing disposition to subordinate their local interests to those which arc common to them by reason of their geographical relations. The boundary dispute between Guatemala and Mexico has afforded tills government an opportunity to exercise Us good offices for preventing a rupture be tween those States, aud for procuring a peaceble solution of tho question. I cher ish a strong hope that, in view of our rela tions of amity with both countries, our friendly counsels may prevail. A special envoy of Guatemala has brought to me the condolences of bis government and people on the death of ’resident James A. Garfield. Tho Cos'a Rican government lately formed an en gagement with Colombia for settling by arbitration tbo boundary question be tween those countries, providing that tlie post of arbitrator should be offered suc cessively to the King of tli^Belgians, tbe King ol Spain, and tbo President of the Argentine Confederation. Tho King of the Belgians has declined to act, but I im as yet unadvised of tbo action of tbe bGng of Spain. As we bayo certain in terests In tlie disputed territory which are protected by our treaty engagements witli one of tbe parties, it is important that tlie arbitration should not, without our con sent, affect our rights, and this govern ment lias accordingly thought proper to make its viows known to tho parties to the agreement, as well as to intimate them to the Belgian and Spanish govern ments. THE PANAMA CANAL. The questions growing out of the pro mised mler-oceanic water way across the Isthmus of Panama are of grave national importance. This government lias not been unmindful of tbe solemn obligations imposed upon it by its compact of 1840 with Colombia as the independent and sovereign mistress of tbe territory crossed by tbe canal, and has sought to render them effective by fresli engagements with tbe Colombian republic looking to tbeir practical execution. Tlie negotiations to this end, after they had reached what ap peared to be a mutually satisfactory so- uliou here, wero met iu Colombia by a disavowal of tho powers which its envoy had assumed, and by a proposal for re newed negotiations on a modified basis. Meanwhile this government learned that Colombia had proposed to the European powers to Join iu a guarantee of tbe neu trality of the proposed Panama canal—a guarantee which will be iu direct contra vention of our obligations as the sole guar antor of the integrity of tho Colombian territory aud of the”neutrality of the canal itself. My lamented predecessor felt it his duty to placo before the European powers the reasons which make tlie prior guarantee of the United States indispensable, and for wliieb the inteijection of any foreign guarantee might be regarded asaauper- tiuous and unfriendly act. Foreseeing tbe probable reliance of tbo British govern ment on tlie provisions of tbe Clayton- Bulwer treaty of 1850, as affording room for a share in tbe guarantees which tbe United Stales covenanted with Colombia for years before, 1 have not hesitated to supplement tbe action of mypredeces- sor by proposing to her Majesty’s govern ment the modification of that instrument and the abrogation of such clauses thereof as do not comport with the obligations of the United States ^towards Colombia or with tbe vital needs of the two friendly parties to tlie compact. THE SOUTH AMERICAN WAR. This government sees with great con cerntbo continuauce of the hostile relic tions between Chili, Bolivia and Peru. An early peace between thete republics is much to be desired, not only that they may themselves be spared further misery aud bloodshed, but because tbeir con tinued antagonism threatens consequences which are, in my judgment, dangerous to late nailnnmi bereavement. It is desira-1 tbe interests of republican government on this continent, and calculated to destroy the best elements of our free and peaceful civilization. As in tlie present excited condition of popularfeeiing in those coun tries, there has beeu serious misapprehen sion of the positlon.of tho United States, and as separate diplomatic interviews with each, through independent ministers, is sometimes subject, owing to tlie waut of prompt reciprocal communication, to tem porary misunderstanding, I have deemed it judicious at the present time to send a special envoy accredited to all and each of them and furnished with genetal in structions, which will, I trust, enable him to bring these powers into friendly rela tions. VENEZUKLA. The government of Venezuela main tains its attitude of warm friendship, and continues with great regularity Us pay ment of tho monthly quota of the diplo matic debt. Without suggesting tho di rection in which Cougress should act, I ask Us attention to the pending question affectiug the distribution of the sums thus far received. Tho relations between Venezuela and France, growing out of the same debt, have been for soino lime past iu an unsatisfactory state, and this government, as the neighbor and one of the largest creditors of Venezuela, has in terposed its influence with the French government, with, tho view of procuring a friendly and honorable adjustment! TRADE WITH BRAZIL. I regret that the commercial interest between the United States and Brazil from whicli great advantages were hopei a year ago, have suffered from the with drawal of the American lines cf commu nication between Brazilian ports and our own. THE AROENTINE-CUILIAN TREATY. Through tho effortsof our minister res blent at Buenos Ayres, and the United States minister at Santiago, a treaty has been concluded hetwoen the Argentine republic and Chili, disposing ot the long lending Patagonian boundary question. It s a matter of congratulation that our gov ernment has been afforded tho opportuni ty of successfully exerting its good influ ence for the prevention of disagreements between these republics of the American continent. OUR TREATIES WITH CHINA. I am glad to inform you that tbe treaties lately negotiated with China have been duly ratified on both sides by an ex change made at Peking. Legislation is necessary to carry their provisions into effect. The prompt and friendly spirit with which the Chinese government, at tlie request of the United States, conceded the modification cf the existing treaties should secure careful regard for the inter est and susceptibilities of that govern ment in tho enactment of any laws relat ing to Chinese immigration. Those clauses of the treaty which forbid tlio participa tion of citizens or vessels of the United States in tlie opium trade will doubtless receive your approval. They will attest the sincere interest whicli our people and government feel in the commendable ef forts of the Chinese government to put a stop to this demoralizing aud destructive traffic. CONSULAU COURTS IN CHINA AND JAPAN. Iii relation to both China and Japan some changes are desirable in our present system of consular jurisdiction. I hope, at sumo future time, to lay befbre you a scheme far its improvement in the entire East. The intimacy between our own country and Japan—tbe most advanced of tlio Eastern nations—continues to be cordial. I am advised that tho Emperor contemplates tho establishment of a full coustitutional government, and that he has already summoned - a parliamentary congress for the purposo of effecting the cliauge. Such a remarkable step toward complete assimilation with the western system cannot tail to bring Japan into a closer and more beneficial relationship with ourselves as the chief Pacific power. A question has arisen In relation to the exercise in that country of tbe judicial functions conferred upon our ministers aud consuls. Tbe indictment, trial and conviction in the consular court at Yoko hama of John Ross, a merchant seaman on board an American vessel, have made It necessary for the goveromeut to insti tute acateful examination into the nature and methods of this jnrisdictlou. It ap peared that Ross was regularly shipped under tbe flag of tlio United States, but was by birtli a British subject. My pred ecessor felt it to be Ids duty to maiulain tbe position tbat during bis service as a regularly shipped seaman on board au American merchant vessel tbat Ross was subject to the laws of that service and to tbe jurisdiction of tbe United States con sular authorities. I renew tbe recommendation which has been heretofore urged by tho Executive upou the attention of Congress, that after the deduction of such amount as may be lound due to American citizens, the balance of the in demnity fund heretofore obtained from China aud Japan, and which arc now iu tbo hands of the State department, he re turned to tho governments of those coun tries. THE HAWAIIAN KINODOM. Tlie King of Hawaii, in the course of his homeward return after a journey around the world, has. visited this country. While our relations with that kingdom are friendly, this governmeht has viewed with concern tlie efforts to seek replen ishment of the diminishing population of tho islands from outward sources, to a de gree which may impair the native sov ereignty and independence, In which the United States was amoug the first to tes tify a lively interest, FUIENDLY RELATIONS. Relations of unimpaired amity have been maintained throughout the year with the respective governments of Austrio- Hnngary, Belgium,Denmark, Hayti, Par aguay andUraguay, Portugal and Sweden and Norway. This may also be said of Greece and Equador, although onr rela tions with these Slates have, for some years, been severed by the withdrawal ol appropriations for diplomatic rep resentatives at Athens and Quito. It seems expedient to restore those missions even on a reduced scale,and I decidedly recom mend such a course with respect to Equa dor, which is likely in tbe near future to play an important part aftong the nations of tho southern Pacific. THE WOUNDED IN WAR. At its last extra session the Senate called for tbe text of tbe Genera conven tion lor tbe relief of the wounded in war. I trust tbat this action foreshadows such interest iu the subject as will result in tbe adhesion ot the United States to tbat hu mane aud commendable engagemeut. NAVIGATION LAWS. I Invite your attention to the propriety of adopting tbe new code of international rales for the prevention of collisions on the high sess and of conforming the do mestic legislation of the United States thereto, so tbat no contusion may arise from the application of conflicting rules in the case of vessels of different nation alities meeting in tidal waters. These international rules differ but slightly from our own. They have been adopted by the navy department for the governance of the warships of the United States on tbe high seas and In foreign waters, and through the action of the State Depart ment in disseminating the rules aud in acquainting ship masters with tbe option of conforming to them without the juris dictions! waters of tbe United States, they are now very generally, known and obeyed. TRADE AND MANUFACTURING REPORTS The State Department still continues to publish to tho country tho trade and man ufacturing reports received from its of ficers abroad. The success of this course warrants its continuation and such appro priation as may be required to meet the rapidly increasing demand for these pub lications. With special reference to' the Atlauta Cotton Exposition, the October number of the report was devoted to a valuable collection of papers on the cot ton goods trade of the world. THE SANITARY CONFERENCE. The International Sanitary Conference for which, in 1879, Congress made provfo- ion,assembled in this city in January last, and Us sessions were prolonged until March. Although it reached no specific conclusions affecting the future action of the participant powers, the interchange of views proved to be most valuable. The full protocols of the session have been al ready presented to the Senate. As point ing to tho general subject, I call your at tention to tbo operations of tbe National Board of Health, established by act of Congress, approved March 80, 1879. Its sphere or duty was enlarged by tbo act of June 2, in the same year. By the last Darned act the board was required to institute such measures as might be deemed necessary for preventing the in troduction uf contagious and infectious diseases from foreign countries into tbe United States or from ono State into an other. The execution of the rules and regulations prepared by the board and ap proved by my predecessor lias done much to arrest the progress of epidemic diseases, and has thus rendered substantial service to tho ualiou. The international sanitary conference, to which I have referred, adopted a form of a bill of health to be used by all vessels seeking to enter the ports of tho countries whose representa tives participated in its deliberations. This form lias since been prescribed by the Na tional Board of Health aud incorporated with its rales and regulations, which have been approved by mo iu pursuance of tbe law. Tho health of the people is of su preme importance. All measures looking to tbeir protection against the spread of contag.ous diseases and to the increaso of our sauitary knowledge for such purposes deserve the attention of Congress. TREASURY DEPARTMENT REPORT. The'rpport of tbe .Secretary of tho Treasury presents iu detail a highly satis factory ex Dibit of the state of tbe finances and the condition of the various brandies of the public service administered by tire department. The ordinary revenues for tho fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, were: . - ■ From customs $193,150,076 02 Internal revenue 135,264,385 61 Sales of pnblio lands.... 2,201,863 07 Tax on circulation and deposits of uat’l banks 8,116,116 72 10,833 80 805,180 5i Repayment of interestby Faciflo railway Co.’s.. Sinking fund for Pacific railway companies..,. Customs, foes, flues, pat ents, etc 1,225,514 80 Fees, consular lotters pat ent and lands 2,214,983 98 Proceeds of sales of gov ernment property 262,174 00 Profits on coinage 3,468,485 61 Revenues of the District of Columbia 2,016,199 23 Miscellaneous sources.. 6,206,880 13 Total ordinary rec'ts. $360,782,292 67 The ordinary expenditures for tbo same iriod were: 'or civil expenses $17,941,177 19 Foreign intercourse 1,093,951 92 Indians GA14.161 09 Pensions 50,059,297 27 Military establishment, in eluding river andharbor improvements and arse nals........ 40,4GG,4G0 55 Naval establishment, in cluding vessels, machin ery and improvements ofnavyyards 15,686,671 66 M iscellaneous expend!- ■ - tures, including pnblio buildings, light houses and oolleoting the reve nue .....7. 4,132,728 05 Expenditures on aocount of the District of Colum bia :... 8,543,912 08 Interest on tho public debt 82,508,74118 Premium on bonds pur chased -.*.•» 1,061,218 78 Total ordinary expendi tures 260,712,887 52 L’ving surplus revenue $100,069,404 98 Whicli was applied as follows : To tho redemption of bonds for the sinking f and,.. $ 74,371,200 00 Fractional currency for tbe sinking fund 109,00105 Loan of February, 1861 7,418,000 00 Ten-forties of 1864 2,010,160 00 Five-twenties of 1862 18,300 00 Five-twenties of 1864 8,40000 Fivo-twenties of 1865 37,300 00 Consols of 1865 143,150 00 Consols of 3867 959,150 00 Consols of 1808.. 837,400 00 Texan indemnity stock 1,000 00 Old demand, compound in ter’! and other notes,.. 18,330 00 Increase cosh in Treos’y 14,G37,Q23 90 Total 100,069,49408 The requirements of tbe sinking fund for he year amounted to $90,780,094.02, which sum included a balance ot $49,817,- 128.78 not provided for during tbe pre vious fiscal year. The sum of $74,4S0,201.- 05 was applied to this fund which left a deficit of $16,005,873.46. Tho Increaso of tbe revenues for 1881 over those of the previous year was $29,- 352,901.10.^11 is estimated that the recepts during tlie present fiscal year will reach $400,000,000 and tho expenditures $270,- 000,000, leaving a surplus of $130,000,000 applicable to tho sinking fund aud the re demption ot tbe public debt. 1 approve tbe recommendation of tbe Secretary of tbe Treasury tbat provision be made for tbo early retirement of silver certificates, and tbat the act requiring their issue be repealed. They were is sued iu puis nance of the policy of the gov ernment to maintain silver at or near the gold standard, and wero accordingly made receivable for all customs, taxes aud pub lic dues. About sixty-six millions of them are now outstanding. They form an unnecessary-addition to tbe paper cur rency, a sufficient amount of which may be readily supplied by the national banks. In accordance with the act of February 28tb, 1878, the Treasury Department has monthly caused at least two millions in value of silver bnliion to be coined into standard silver dollars. One hundred aud two millious of these dollars have been already coined, -while only about thirty- four millions are in circulation. For the reason which he specifies, I concur in the secretary’s recommendation that the pro vision for the coinage of a fixed amount each month be repealed, and that here after only so much be coined as shall be necessary to supply tbe demaud. Tbe secretary advises tbat tbe Issue of gold certificates should not for tbe present be resumed, aud suggests that the national banks may properly be forbidden by law to retire tbeir)currency, except upon rea sonable notice of tbeir intention so to do. Such legislation would seem to be justi fied by tbe recent action of certain banks on tbe occasion referred to iu the secre- tary’s report. Of the fifteen millions of fractional cur rency still outstanding only about eighty thousand has been redeemed the past year. Tbe suggestion tbat this amount may properly be dropped from future statements''of tbe public debt seems worthy of approval. So also does tbe suggestion of tbe secretary as to tbe advisability of relieving tbe calendar of tbs United States Court in the southern district of New York by the transfer to other tribuusis of the numerous suits there pending against the collector. TBE CUSTOMS REVENUE. Rerenue from customs for tbe past fis cal year was $198,159,676.02, an Increase of 11,637,611.42 over that of the year pre ceding. $138,098,502.39 of this was col* tested at the port of Now York, leaving $50,251,113.63 as the amount collected at all the other ports cf tbe country. Of this sum $47,977,187.63 was collected on sugar melado and molasses, $27,285,024 78 on wool and its manufactures, $21,462,535 34 on iron and steel and manufactures thereof, $1,903,86658 On manufactures of silK. $10,825,115.22 on manufactures of cotton, and $6,469,043 04 on wines and spirits—making a total revenue from these sources of $133,058,720.81 Tbe expenses of collection for tbe fiscal year were $0,419,345.20, an increase over tbe preceding year of $387,410.04. Not withstanding tbe increase in tbe revenue from customs over the preceding year, the gross value of the imports, including free goods, decreased over, twenty-five million . dollars. The most marked de crease was in tbe value of unmanufac tured wool, $14,023,682, and m tbat of scrap and pig iron, $12,810,671. The value of imported sugar on the other haud shows an increase of $7,457,474; ot steel rails, $4,345,521; of barley, $2,154,204, and of steel iu bars, ingots, etc., $1,620,- 040. THE COUNTRY’S TRADE. Contrasted with the imports during the fiscal year, the exports were as fallows: Domes tio merchandise $883,925,947 Foreign merchandise 18,197,399 Total. Imports of merchandise. .,. . $902,377,346 , 642,664,628 Excess of exports over imports 259,712,718 Aggregate of exports and im ports.. 1,515,041,974 Compaicd’with the previousye.ar there was an increase 6f $68,738,638 in the val ues of exports ot merchandise and a de crease of $25,290,118 in tin) value of im ports.. Tbp annual average of tbe excess ot imports of merchandise over the exports thereof for the ten years previous to June 30, 1873, was $103,706,922, but for tbe last six years.tbere has been an excess of exports over imports of merchandise amounting to $1,180,60S,105, an annaai average ot $196,773,017. Tho specie value of the exports of do mestic merchandise was $376,616,473 in 1880, and $SS3R25,947 in 1681 -an in crease of $507,309,474,or 135 per cent. .The value of imports was $415,958,408 inlS70, and $642,604,C2S in 1881—an increase of $206,700,223, or 47 per cent. During each year from 1S62 to 1870, inclusive, the ex ports of specie exceeded the imports. The largest excess of such exports over im ports was reached during the year 1804, when it amounted to $92,250,929, but dur ing the year ended June 30,1SS0, the im ports of coin and bullion exceeded the imports by $75,891,3ul, and daring the last fiscal year the excess of imports over exports was $91,168,650. WINDOll’S REFUNDING OPERATIONS. In the last annual report of the Secre tary of the Treasury the attention of Con gress was called to the fact that $409,651,- 050 in fire per cent, bonds, and $203,573,- 750 in six per cent, bonds would become redeemable during tbe year, and Congress Was asked to authorize the refunding of these bonds 'at a lower rate of interest. Tbe bill for such refunding having failed to become a law, the Secretary of tbe Treasury, in April last, notified tbe holders of the $195,690,400 six per cent, bonds then outstanding tbat the bonds would be paid at par on tbe first day of July following, or tbat they might be continued, at tbe pleasure of the government, to bear iuteiest at tbe rate of 3| per cant, per an num. Under this notice $178,055,150 of the six percent, bonds were continued at the lower rate, and $17,035,250 were re deemed. • - * •• • In the month of May a like notice was given respecting the redemption or con tinuance of the $447,841,350 of 5 per cent, bonds then outstanding, and of these $401,504,900 were continued at 3) per cent, per annum, and $38,336,450 were redeemed. The 6 per cent, bonds of the loan of February 8,1861, and ot the Oregon war debt, amounting together to $141,258.00, having matured during the year, the Secre tary o! tbe Treasury gave notice of his in tention to redeem the same, and such as have been presented have been paid irom the surplus revenue. There have, also been redeemed at par $1,617,900 ot the 3} per cenL'bonds, making a total of bonds redeemed, or wliich have ceased to bear interest during the year, of $123,969,650. The reduction of the annual interest ou the public debt through these transactions is as follows: By reduction of interest to 8J per cent., $10,473,042.25; by re demption ot bonds, $0,352,340. Total, $16,826,202.25. Tho 3| per cent, bonds, being payable at the pleasure of the government, are available for tbe investment of surplus revenue without the payment of pre miums. Unless tlie hoods can bo funded at a much lower rate of inteiest than they now hear, I agree with the Secretary of the Treasury that no legislation respecting them is desirable. THE REDUCTION 07 TAXATION. It is a matter of congratulation that tue business of tiie couutry lias beeu so pros perous dtuiug tbe past year as to yield by taxation a large surplus of income to tbe government. If the revenue laws remain unchanged this surplus must year by year increase, on account of the reduction of the public debt and ita burden of in terest, and because of tbe rapid increase ot our population. In 1860, just prior to the institution of our internal revenue System, our population but slightly ex- ceedod 30,000,000. By the census of 1880 it is now found to exceed 50,000,000. It is estimated that even if the aunual re ceipts and expenditures should continue as at present the entire debt could be ptid in ten years. In view, however, of the heavy lead of taxation which our people have already borne, we may well con sider whether it is uot the part of wisdom to reduce the revenues, even if we delay a little the payment of the debt. It seems to me tbat the time has arriv ed when the people may justly demand some relief from their present onerous burdens, and that by due economy in the various branches of the public service tills may readily be afforded. I therefore concur with tbe secretary in recommend ing the abolition of all internal revenue taxes, except on tobacco in its various forms, and upon distilled spirits and fer mented liquors,and except also tbe special tax upon manufacturers and dealers in such articles. The retention of the latter tax is desirable as aflording tbe officers of tlie government a proper supervision ot these articles for the prevention of fraud. I agree with the Secretary of the Treas ury that tbe law imposing a stamp tax upou matches, proprietary articles, play ing cares, checks and drafts may, with ropriety, be.repealed, and tbe law also iy which banks and bankers are assessed upon their capital and deposits. There seems to be a general sentiment in favor of this course. Iu the present condition of our revenues, tbe tax upon deposits is es pecially unjust. It was never Imposed iu this country until it was demanded by the necessities of war and was never ex acted, I believe,in auy other country, even In its greatest exigencies. Banks are re quired to secure tbeir circulation by pledging with the Treasurer of tbe Uoited States bonds cf tbe general government. The interest upon these bonds, which at the time when the tax was imposed was 6 per cent., is now in most instances 3] per cent. Besides, tbe entire circulation was originally limited by law, and no in crease was allowable. When tiie existing banka bad practically a monopoly of the business, there' was force in the suggestion that for tbe franchise to the favored grantees, the government might very property exact a tax on ciiculation. But for years tbe system has been tree aud tbe amouut of circulation regulated by tbe public demand. The retention of this lax has been suggested as a means of relm bursing the government for the expense of printing and furnishing the circulating nores. If the tax should be repealed it would certainly seem proper to require tbe national banks to pay the amount of such expense to the comptroller ot tlie currency. It is, perhaps, doubtful whether the im mediate reduction of tbe rate of taxation upon liquors and tobacco is advisable! especially iu view of the drain upon the treasury which must attend the payment of arrears ot 'pensions. A comparison however, of the amount or taxes collectec under the varying rates of taxation whicli have at different times prevailed, suggests tbe Intimation that some reduction may be soon made without material diminu tion of the revenue.' 1 REVISION OF THE TARIFF. The tariff laws also need revision, but that all due regard may be paid to the conflicting interests of our citizens, im portant changes should be made with cau tion. If a careful revision cannot be made at tills session, a commission, such as was lately approved by tbe Senate aud as now recommended by tlie Secretary of the Treasury, would doubtless lighten the labors of Congress, whenever the sub jeot shall bo brought to its consideration TUE ARMY. The acompanyiug report of tho Secre tary of War, will make known to you tlie operations ol that department for the past year. He suggests measures for pro moting the efficiency of the army without adding to the number of its officers, and recommends legislation to Increase the number ot enlisted men to 30,000, the maximum allowed by law. This lie deems necessary to maintain quietude oil our ever-shifting frontier, aud to preserve peace and supp-ess disorder and marau dors on new settlements, to protect set tlers and their property against Indians and Indians against tbe encroachments of intruders, aud to enable peaceable immi grants to establish homes in tlie most re mote parts of our country. The army is now necessarily scattered over such a vast extent of territory that whenever an outbreak occurs re-enforce ments must be hurried from many quar ters and over great distances and always at heavy cost for Uransport at ion of men, horses, wagons and supplies. I concut! m tbe recommendations oftbe secretary for in creasing the army to tbestrengtb of30,000 men. It appears by the secretary’s report that in the absence of disturbances on the frontier, the troops bave been actively em ployed in collecting Indiaus bitbeito hostile, and locating them on their proper reservations; that Sitting Bull aud bis ad herents are now prisoners at Fort Randall; that tho Utps have been moved to tbeir new reservation in-Utab; tbat during tbo recent outbreak ot the Apaches it was necessary to reinforce the garrisons iu Arizona by troops withdrawn from New Mexico, and that some of the Apaches are now held prisoners for trial while some bave escaped, aud the majority of the tribo are now on their reservation. There is need of legislation to prevent intrusion upon the lauds set apart for the Indians. A large military force, at great expense, is now required to patrol tho boundary line between Kansas and tbe Indian Territoiy. The only puuisbment tbat canat present be inflicted is' the forcible removal of tbe intruder and tbe imposition of a pecuniary fine, which, in most Cases, It is impassible to collect. There should be a punishment by impris onment in such esses. The separate organization of the signal! service k urged by tbe Secretary of. War, and a full statement of the advantages of a permanent organization is presented in the report of the chief signal office. A de tailed statement of tlie uselul work per formed by the signal corps and tbe weather bureau is also given in tbat report. - I ask attention to tbe statements of the Secretary or War, regarding the requisi tions frequently made by the ludiau bu reau upon tbe subsistence department of tbe army for tbe casual support oi bands and tribes of Indians wbose appropriations have been exhausted. ,The war depart meat should not be loft,by reason of inade quate provision for tbe Indian bureau, to contribute for tbe maintenance of tbe In dians. ...... , , , , Tho reportof the chief of engineers fur nishes a datailed account of the opera tions for the improvement of rivers and harbors. I commend to your attention the suggestion contained iu this report in regard to the condition of our fortifica- tious—especially our coast defences—and recommend- an increase of tbe strength oftbe engineer’s battalion, by which the efficiency of our torpedo system would be improved,' I also .call your attention to the remarks upon the improve ment of tbe South Fasa of thy Mississippi river, the proposed free bridge over the Potomac river at Georgetown, tho im portance of completing at au early day tlie north wing of tlie War Department building, and other recommendations of tho Secretary ot War which appear In his report. The actual expenditures of that department for tbe fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, were $42,122,201.39. The ap propriations for the year 1SS2 were $44,- 889,725.42. The estimates for 1883 are $44,541,276.91. THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits tbe condition of, that brauch of tbe service, and presents valuable sugges tions for Us improvement. I call your especial attention also, to the appended re port of the advisory board, which ho con- port c .. . J | , vened to devise suitable measures for in creasing tbe efficiency of the navy, and particularly to report as to the character and number of vessels necessary to place it upon a footing commensurate with tbe necessities of the government. I cannot too strongly nrge upon you my conviction that every consideration of national safety, economy aud honor imperatively demands a thorough rehabilitation of our navy. With a full appreciation of the tact that compliance with the auggestions of the officer at the head of tbat department must involve a large expenditure of the. public moneys, I earnestly recommend such appropriations as will accomplish an end which seems to me so desirable. Nothiug can be more inconsistent with true public economy than withholding tbe means necessary to accomplish the objects entrusted by tbe constitution to the national legislature. One of these objects, and one which is of permanent Importance, Is declared by our nindamen- tal law to be a provision for the com mon defense. Surely nothing is more essential to the defease of the United States end of all our people tbau the effi ciency of our navy. We have for many years maintained with foreign govern ments the relations of an honorable pesce, and that such relations maybe permanent is desired by every patriotic cit'zan of tbo republic, but if we heed the teachings of history, we shall not forget that in the life of every nation emergencies may arise when a resort to arms alone can save it from dishonor. No danger from abroad now threatens this people, nor have we any cause to doubt the friendly professions of other governments; but, avoiding as well as foreseeing any danger that may threaten us in the future, we must be pre pared to enforce any policy which wo think wise to adopt. We must be ready to defend our harbors against aggression; to protect, by the distribution ot our ships of war over the highways of commerce, the varied interests of our foreign trade and tbe persons and property of our citi zens abroad; to maintain everywhere the 4°nor of our flag and the distinguished position which we may rightfully claim among the’ nations of the world. THE POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of tho Postmaster-General is a gratifying exhibit of tho growth and efficiency of tbe postal service. The re ceipts from postage and other ordinary sources during the past fiscal year were $36,4S9,816.58. Tho receipts from the money order business were $259,581.39, making a total of $36,785,397.97. The expenditures for the fiscal year were $39,- 251,736.46. The deficit supplied out of the general treasury was $2,481,229.35, or 63-10 per cent, of the amount expended. The receipts were $3,409,918.63 In excess ol those of the previous year and $4,575,- 397.97 in excess of tbe estimate made two years ago, before the present period of business prosperity bad fairly begun. Tbe whole number of letters mailed in this country tbe last fiscal year exceeded one thousand millions. The registry system is reported to be in an excellent condition, having been re modeled during the past four years with ' good results. The amount of registration fees.culiected during the last fiscal year was $712,882.20—au increase over the fis cal year ending June 30, 1877, of $345,- 443.40. The entire number of letters and 3ackages registered during the year was 5,338,919, of wliich 2,061 were lost or de stroyed in trausit. 11 - The operations of tbe money order sys tem are multiplying yearly, under the im- conscquent demand for Additional means of inter-communication and ex change. During- the past year 138 addi tional money order offices have been es tablished, making a total of 5,499 in oper ation at rite date” of this report. A mod ification of'the system is suggested, re ducing the fees for money orders not exceeding $5 from ten cents to five cents, and making the maximum limit $100 in. place of $59. Legislation for the disposi tion of unclaimed money orders in the possession of the Post-office Department. Is recommended, in view of the fact tbat tbeirtotal value now exceeds$1,060,000. The attention of” Congress is again in vited to the subject of establishing a sys tem of savings depositories in connection with the Post-office Department. The statistics of mail transportation show that during the past year the railroad routes have been increased in length 6,249 miles, and in cost $1,114,382, while steamboat routes have beeu decreased in length 2,182 miles, and in cost $134,054. The so- called star routes have been decreased in ieugtb 3,049 mites, and in cost $364,144. Nearly all of tbe more expensive routes have beeu superseded by railroad service. The cost ot the star service must there fore rapidly decrease in the western States and TarrUorics. The Postmaster- General, however, calls attention to the constantly increasing cost of tlie railway mail service as a serious difficulty in the Why of making the department self-sus taining. Onr postal intercourse with foreign countries has kept pace with tbe growth, of the domestic service.' Within tlie past year several countries have declared their adhesion to the postal uuion. It now in cludes all those which bave an organized >ostai service except Balivis, Costa Rica, New Zealand and the British colonies la Australia. As lias teen already stated, ;rfeat reductions have recently been made ,u tbe expense of tbe star route service. THE STAR ROUTE CASES. The investigations of the Department of justice and tlie I’ost-offioe Department have resulted iu the presentation of indictments against persons formerly connected with tbat service, accusing them of offenses against tbe United States. 1 bave en joined upon the officials who are charged with the conduct of the cases on the part of tlie government and upon the eminent counsel who, before my accession to the Presidency,were called to their assistance, the duty of prosecuting with toe utmost vigor of the law all persons who were found chargeable with frauds on th3 pos tal service. UNITED STATES COURTS. The acting Attorney General calls at tention to the necessity of modifying the present system of the coarts of tbe United States—a necessity due to tbs large in crease of business, especially in' the Su preme Court. Litigation in our Federal tribunal^becdme 'greatly expanded after tbe close of tbe late war. So long as that expansion might be attributable to tbe abnormal condition in which the commu- niiy lound itse’f immediately after tlie the return ot peace, prudence required that no change be made iu tbe constitution of our judicial tribunals. Bat it bas now become apparent tbat an immense increase of litigation bas direct ly resulted from the wonderful growth and development of tlie country. There is no grouud for belief that tlie business uf the United States courts will ever be less iu volume than at present. Indeed, that it' is likely to be much greater is generally recognized by the bench and bar. In view'cf tbe fact that Congress has already given much consideration to this subject, I make no suggestion as to detail, but express tlie hope that your de liberations may result iu such legislation will give early relief to our overbur dened courts. WESTERN DESPERADOES. The acting Attorney-General also calls attention to tlie disturbances of the public tranquillity during the present year in tbe territory of Arizona. A band of armed desperadoes known as “cow boys,” prob ably numbering from 50 to 100, bave been engaged for months coromitingacts of law lessness aud brutality whicli the local au thorities have been unable to repress. Tbe depredsttons of these “cow boys” bave also extended into Mexico, which the ma rauders reached from the Arizona frontier. With every disposition to meet tbe exigen cies of tbe esse, I am embarrassed by , lack of authority to deal with them effect ually. Tbe punishment of crimes com mitted in Arizona should ordinarily, of course, be left to tbe territorial authori ties, but it is worthy ot consideration whether acts which necessarily tend to embroil the United States with a neighboring government should not be declared crimes against tba United States. Some of the incur sions alluded to may perhaps bave been within the scope of tbe law—revised statutes, section 5286—forbidding military expeditions or enterprises against friendly States; but in view of tbo speedy assem bling ofyour body, I have preferred to await snub legislation aa in your wiadom the'oeeasion may seeui to demand. It may, perhaps, be thought proper to pro vide that the settiug oa foot within onr own territory of brigandage and armed marauding, expeditions against friendly nations, and other citizens, shall be punished as an offense againsuhe United States. £ will add tbat in tbe event ot a request from tbe territorial government for pro tection by tbe United States against “do mestic violence” this government would be powerless to render assistance. The act of 1795, chapter 36, pasted at a time [orrmuND on fifth floa]