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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION, DECEMBER 13 1881.
47TH CONGRESS.
GETTING BEADY FOR THE WORK
OF LEGISLATION.
The Reception of the President???. 21ees.ee???Sow it
wu Met in the Honse???Business Introduced in
the Senate???Mr. Brown???s Effort (or a
Settlement with the Hail roads.
In and Around the Capitol.
Washington, December 4.???ISjiectul Correspond
ence Constitution.]???The capital has thrown off its
long lethargy and Is once more putting on air* be
fore the nation.
Congress will open with unusual gaycty and with
the prospect of a long, excited and important ses
sion. Kvcrythiug is absorbed in the interest felt in
the doings anil sayings of the wise men to whom
the i-e.'ple have delegated these arduous toils,
liven the ghastly Guiteau sensation has passed into
necond-ratc importance as a matter of gossip, and
the poor wretch is performing his unties to let
Hive audiences than he has hitherto had.
Ydsterilay was a day of caucuses. The wire puf-
???r was in his glory and the political trader had a
The speakership business looks ugly. Hisrock
it' here the choice of more republican represent-
rftiv-.???s than any other man, and the chqjce of a
good majority ol them over Keifer. The last two
(lays ii??d the I-ti - iness.
It seems that the administration hi imbued with
the einiracteiistic vindictiveness and the stolid a???
suinaey of Grant. Poor Htscock???s political sins
were hauled tip from the grave wherein his peni
tence seemed to have buried them and were paraded
as ghost., to frighten the timid from his support.
The scarecrow worked well. By 10 o'clock yester
day the best friends of the genial New Yorker knew
that he was doomed and could only pro'est by a Arm
stand for their friend until the avalanche came.
Alter all it may he best. Keifer is uot the man
that Hi cock is, and the leaders of a powerful mi
nority may find his sway less potent than would
have been that of his rival. But there are sad sug
gestions connected with this affair. We are evi
dently going to have a live administration. It
clearly proposes to have a hand in all that is going
on in this country and Arthur has already shown
that he will not scruple to interfere whenever his
nriful ways or his strong inducm-c ere needed.
Unmt has been styy of Washington since
he was rebuked at Chicago, hut he will "bob up
serenely ' now, since he cun use the royal "we" and
link himself to the administrative power. With
him and Arthur at the helm, and olu man Mavis
silting next, congratulating himself on the beauty
of a i imlejiendonce which has paid so well, we
have n pleasing prospect for the next three years.
There arc already signs that this thing is telling on
the people. in the vessel of republican
pence rancors have fallen and every day embitters
the factions. It is ltnrdiy better witli the demo
crats. They fussed in their caucus yesterday over
the tariff.
ltauitall has come here more fully imbued with
protection views than ever, and as the leader of the
minority, will lie ns actively the champion of
monopoly ns he was in the chair. He and his
friends are so aggressive that it is thought they will
even try to whirl the party to theirline. Knott, of
Kentucky, offered some resolutions in the caucus
which meant nothing but a rap on Randal.s
knuckles, and they were rejected. Colonel Ham
mond opposed them as being inopportune.
Properly managed, the democratic minority will
be able to do much, hut the chances arc in favor of
the s.ime lack of concert which made its majority so
ineffectual. Randall will be the nominal leader.
As a parliamentarian anil a director ot minor tac
tics he is very strong. But can he always look back
of him and see a solid line? lam afraid his horn
is not as inspiriting us Khoderick Dhu's.
< Jeorgia Ishere with eleven good men ready for the
ioitg session.
Mr Hilt looks strong and cheerful. He weighs
within one pound of his best record. Ilis tongue
has censed to trouble him and his physicians say
the danger is past. He has shaven his chin clean
but wears a hutch of whiskers on each cheek bone.
Senator Brown lias taken elegant quartets at the
Metropolitan, which seems to l>e headquarters for
Georgia, lie seems to anticipate the coming session
very cheerfully, and cannot bo classed among the
sombre hued democrats.
Mr. Stephens has recently been troubled with
what he culls "nn excrescence" which attacked the
left side of his face, near the temple. The doctor
nay it was merely a tetter, but if let alone might
have run into a bad sore. They performed a severe
o|>eration with knife and acid, the patient standing
it like a man of stone with no anesthetic, unless a
few drops of whisky could be so called. The cure
is permanent.
Among the men who will partake of- the
fresh feast of republican spoils is Colonel
Jack llspwn, ol Georgia, who some ' time
ago appeared for door-keeper? of the house. Me Is
said to have developed enough strength to give
him a prominent position before the caucus of
southern republicans, which successfully pushed
Walter Urownlow ior the place. Colonel Brown
will be nicely cared for. Rainey, the South Curo-
lluu negro, was treated to a full supply of taffy and
then told that he was not good enough forclerk.
Republican love for the negro is fruitful of
brnutiful rhetoric but is singularly bnrren of
tangible results. F. H. It.
the United States: An appalling calamity has be
fallen the American people since their chosen
representatives last met in the halls where you are
now assembled. We might else recall with unal
loyed content the rare prosperity with which,
throughout the year, the nation has been blessed.
Its harvests have been plenteous, its varied indus
tries have thriven, the health of its people has
been preserved, and it has maintained with foreign
governments the undisturbed relations of amity
and peace. For these manifestations of His ravor
we owe to Him. who holds our destiny in His hands,
the tribute of our grateful devotion. To that mys
terious exercise of His will, which has taken from
ua the loved and illustrious citizen, who was but
lately the head of the nation, we bow in sorrow
and submission. The memories of his exalted
character, of his noble achievement, and of his
patriotic life, will be treasured forever as a sacred
jjossession of the whole people. The announce
ment of his death drew from foreign governments
and peoples tributesof sympathy and sorrow which
history will record os a signal token of the kinship
of nations and the federation of mankind.
GOOD DELATIONS ABROAD.
The feeling of good will between our own gov
ernment and that oi Great Britain was never more
marked than at present, in recognition of ??? this
pleasing fact, I directed on the occasion ot the
late centennial celebration at Yorktown, that a
salute be given to the British Hag. Save for the
correspondence to which I shall refer hereafter, in
relation to the proposed canal across the isthmus of
Panama, little has occurred worthy of mention
in the diplomatic relations of the two countries.
Karly in the year the Fortune bay claims was satis
factorily settled by the British government paying
in full the sura of ??15,009, most oi which has been
already distributed. As the terms of the settle
ment included oompeusation for injuries suffered
by our fishermen at Aspee bay, there bus been re
tained from the gross award a sum w hich is deemed
adequate for these claims.
The participation of Americans in the exhibition
at Melbourne and Sydney will be approvingly men
tioned in the reports of the two exhibitions soon to
be presented to congress. They will disclose the
readiness of our countrymen to make successful
competition in distant fields of enterprise. Nego
tiations for an international copyright convention
are in hopeful progress.
The surrender of fitting Bull and his forces upon
the Canadian frontier has allayed all apprehension,
alihough bodies of British Indians still cross the bor
der in quest of sub-t .nance. Cpoti this subject a cor
respondence has been obtained which promises an
adequate understanding. Our troops have orders
??? ???iivuuiip, uiiusoaiiimiiip. MUUJ'n H.HU UiUClB
to avoid meanwhile all collisions with alien Ju
lians.
The presence at the Yorktown celebration of rep
resentatives of the French repuhlicand the descend
ants of Lafayette and of liisgallaut com patriots wlu>
were our allies in the revolution, has served to
strengthen the spirit of good will which has always
existed between the two nations.
You will be furnished with the proceedings of the
bimetalic conference held during the summer ut
the city of Paris. No accord was reached, but a
valuable interchange of views was had, and the
conference will next year be renewed, in the elec
trical exhibition and congress, also held at Paris,
this country was creditably represented by eminent
specialists who, in the absence of an appropriation,
generously lent their cilicicnt aid, at tlie instance of
the state department, while our exhibitors u this
almost distinctively American tield of achievement ???
have won several valuable awards. I recommend into effect.
proposed Panama canal, a guarantee which would
be in direct contravention of our obligation As
the sole guarantor of the integrity of the Colom
bian territory and of the neutrality of the canal it
self, my lamented predecessor felt it his dutv to
place before the European powers the reasons which
make the prior guarantee of the Cnited States in
dispensable, and for which the interjection of any
foreign guarantee might be regarded a?? a snptrllu-
ous and unfriendly act. Foreseeing the probable
reliance of the British government in the
provisions of the Claytou-Bulwer treatv of 1850. as
affording room for a share in the guarantees which
tlie Cnited Suites made with Colombia four years
before, 1 have not hesitated to supplement tlie ac
tion of my predecessor by proposing to her majesty's
go.eminent the modification of that instrument
and the abrogation of such clauses thereof as do not
comport with the obligations of the Cnited States
towards Colombia, or with the vital- needs of tlie
two friendly parties to the compact.
This government sees with great concern the con
tinuance of the hostile relations between Chili,
IS.Kvia and Peru. An early peace between these
, republics is much to be desired, not only that thev
; may themselves be spared further misery and blootf-
! .- i,t*.!, but because their continued antagonism
:::: catena consequences which are, in mv judgment,
dangerous to the interests oi republican gov
ernment on this continent, and calculated 'to
destroy the best interests of our iro-
and peaceful civilization. As in tlie present ex
cited condition oi popular feeling in these coun
tries there has been serious misapprehension of the
position of the Cnited States, and as sepa ate diplo
matic intercourse with each tnrough independent
ministers is sometimes subject, owing to the want
of prompt reciprocal communication, to temporary
misunderstanding, 1 have deemed it judicious a't
the present time to send a -peeial envoy, accredited
to all and each of them, and furnished with gen
eral instructions which will, i trust, enable him to
bring these powers into friendly relations.
The government of Venezuela maintains itsatti
Hide ol' warm friendship and continue witli great
regularity its payment of the monthly quoto nt' the
diplomatic debt. Without suggesting the direc
tion in which congress should act,
I ask its attention to the petniiup
questions affecting tlie distributing of the sums
thus far received. The relations between Venezu
ela and Fnince, growing out of the same, have for
some time past been in an unsatisfactory state, and
this government, as the neighbor and one of the
largest creditors of Venezuela, has -interposed its
influence with the French government with the
view of producing a friendly and honorable adjust
ment.
1 regre* that the commercial interests between
the I'nited States uuu Brazil, from which great ad
vantages were hoped a year ago, have suffered
sources for the fiscal year ending June 30,1881,
were: *???
From customs 98,159,676,022
Internal revenue - 135,264,385 51
Sales ol public lands 2,201,863 17
Tax ou circulation and deposits of
national banks S,116,115 72
Repayment of interest by the Pacific
railway company 810,833 80
Sinking fund for the Pacific railroad
company S5.1S0 51
Customs, fees, tines, penalties, etc 1,225,514 86
From fees, consular letters patent
aud lands 2,244,9S3 98
From proceeds of sales of government
property 26.217,400 00
From profits on coinage 3,4GS,4So 61
From revenues oi the District of Co
lumbia 2,016,199 23
From miscellaneous sources 6,206,880 13
????????????'???o'-* 3 " viv uopou <?? j vui iiniv aumticu
irorn the withdrawal oi the American lines of com
munication between the Brazilian ports and our
own. ???
Through the efforts of our minister resident at
Buenos Ayres and the United Slates minister at
Santiago, a treaty has been concluded between the
Argentine republic, and Chili disposing of the
long pending Patagonian boundary question, it
is a matter of congratulation that our govenment
has been afforded the opportunity of successfully
exerting its good influence for the prevention of
disagreement between these republics of tlie
American continent.
1 am glad to inform you that the treaties lately
negotiated with Chiua, have been duly ratified on
both sides, anti the exchange mode at Peking.
I.egisliuion is necessary to carry their provisions
' - ??? - xhe prompt and friendlv spirit with
congress to provide for the repayment of the per- I which the ???hinese government at the retfUest of
sonal expense incurred in the public interest bv the I the United States, conceded the modification of ex-
honorary commissioners am???, delegates. * 1 issing treaties, should secure a careful regard for
Washington, Decembers.???(Special Correspond
ence.!???There are more people in Washington than
usual, even for the opening of congress. Everybody
.anticipates n very lively session and are on hand to
.sec thCjfun. But another element lias contributed
largely to the croud. The horde of office-seekers
now afflicting this city is without a parallel even in
Washington, the politician's paradise. In the first
l >laoe. the republicans are back into power, and their
'???appetite for spoil has been keeuly whetted by the
recent period of enforced abstemiousness. They
nre here now ready to take it all. They are like
the evil spirit which holy writ tells us afflicted
some good man. When once driven out it did not
dispair hut got control of him again and brought
lmek a fresh troop of torments. In this mongrel
group comes a full representation from that mys
terious party led in Virginia by a democrat who
sits and votes and juggles with republicans.
The jubilee in the republican ranks over >Ia-
hone???s success is going to causo trouble for he can
now att'ord to demand great consideration from
the party which persists in canonizing him as a
latter duy saint and the apostle of deliverance to
the poor south. Behind him arc thousands of
followers whose inspiration arises in tlie mines of
the flesh pots. They urge him, crying like the
horse leech???s daughter "Give;??? and he comes to
tire administration for his supplies.
How these demands are to De met I cannot im
agine. That question troubles me less than it does
the administration. The southern republicans are
growing bold too. They have captured a goodly
share of the fat things to come from tho house and
are not yet satisfied. The administration lias
trained its artillery on the ???solid south,??? but comes
to find that its friends from that section want the
command of operations. There is a very interest
ing little family tempest brewing. Mahone
is apotheosized already in Virgiuia, and has
been set on a pedestal from which
his devotees propose to lilt him into the vice presi
dency. It may be done. He is ambitious enough
to aim nt that nigh mark and giddy enough with
recent success to dream of its attainment.
'Southern democrats look iicrplexed. They recog
nize the fact that they have made the backbone of
democratic strength since the war aud cannot dis
guise the fact that appearances are, at least, dubious.
Who could say that the south would be solid on u
national election to-morrow 7 The same influences
which whirled Virginia to the line of the rcadjust-
cr.-. two years ago were intensified a little and swept
it into thy recent event of electing a coalition ticket
One more degree w ill turn it to square rcpulican-
ism and chip off the top layer of the "solid south."
To this complexion tilings are coming. I hoar men
well posted putting Virginia, Tennessee and North
Carolina among the doubtful states.
The people are crowding now to the caphol to see
the fun of electing a s|>eaker and other offi
cers of the house, and in the senate the
nestors are already sitting gloomily glaring at each
other, and seemingly awaiting the fray which they
know is coming. All so far is smooth, however.
The w inds have not arisen and the waves are sing
ing the soft song of peace. But there will be squalls
ami gales soon enough.
Turning from politics, a pleasing relief, I want
to say a few words about Carp. To-night l>r. Cary
will leave for Atlanta with 1,300 German
carp, which Professor Baird w ill turn over to him.
in excellent health aud ready to do tlieir duty iu
Georgia. The. doctor said when I asked him how
the carp were in Georgia: "Why, the best that we
could wish. I could tell you some stories of tlieir
crow-tli in Georgia which would sound truly 'fishy.???
Last February we put some fish in Georgia waters
when they were hardly as long as my little finger,
and by Set tember they were big fellows, weighing
live jHiunus apiece."
"How has their increase been?"
"Remarkable. The very fact that wc have had
ouly a few to put in a place has perhaps been the
best thing that could have happened, where there
nre a few fish they increase wonderfully. At the
navy yard Professor Baird has tried ihe experiment
of placing a great many of them together, and there
he found that instead of half a million young fish
he had only about ten thousand."
"What was the reason of that????
"Well, when there area few of the fish together
they find plenty of food in the water, but where
they are so crowded the natural supply of food is
soon exhausted aud they then devour the sqiawii ???
!*-. I???nry went on to sav that he hoped to nave
enough carp very soon to supply all the wants of
Georgia. The people are beginning to appreciate
them, and almost every good citizen who can have
a fish pond is now arranging for that luxury.
The doctor selected his 1,500 fish from the smaller
sizes, as they are easier to transport, ami by next fall
will Im as large as their larger playmates are now.
The average of the fish he is bringing is about the
size of your little finger, but by this time next year
each one of these little fellows, if he keeps good
health and temperate habits, will be enough for
the dinner of a big family. F. H. R.
The President'* Message.
Washington, December 6.???The following is the
fn ,| ext of President Anliur'stnessoge to Congress:
??? T> the senate and house o:' repbjseatatlycs oi
No new questions respecting tlie status of our nat
uralized citizens in Germany have arisen during
the year, and the causes of complaint, especially in
Alsace and Lorraine, have practically ceased
through the liberal action oi the imperial govern
ment iu accepting our often expressed views on the
subject. The applii ation of the treaty of 1868 to the
land acquired iu the Rhenish provinces has re
ceived very earnest attention, and a definite and
lasting agreement ou this point is confidently ex
pected.
The participation of the descendants of Baron
\ on Steuben in the Yorktown festivities and their
subsequent reception by tlieir American kinsmen,
strikingly evinces the ties of good will which unite
the Gcnnau people and our own.
???ur intercourse with Spain lias been friendly.
An agreement concluded February last, fixes a
term tor the labors of the Spanish and American
claims commission. The Spanish government has
been requested to pay the late awards of that com-
mission, aud will, it is believed, accede to the re
quest as promptly and courteously as on former oc
casions By recent legislation onerous flues have
been imposed on American shippingin Spanish uinl
colonial courts for slight irregularities in manifests.
One case of hardship is specially worthy of atten
tion. The bark Masonic, bound for Japan, entered
Manilla in distress, and is there sought to be confis
cated under the Spanish revenue laws. All efforts
for her relief have thus far proved unavailing. It
is expected that the whole matter will be adjusted
in a friendly spirit.
The senate resolutions of condolence on the as
sassination of the czar. Alexander II, were appro
priately communicated to the Russian government,
which, in turn, has expressed its sympathy iu our
late national bereavement. It is desirable that our
cordial relations with Russia should be strength
ened by proper engagements, assuring to peaceable
Americans who visit the empire the consideration
which is due them as citizens cl a friendly state.
This is especially needful with respect to the Amer
ican Israelites, who-e classification with the native
Hebrews has evoked energetic remonstrances from
the government.
A supplementary consular agreement with Italy
has been sanctioned and proclaimed, which puts
at rest all conflict of jurisdiction iu the ease of crimes
ou shipboards. Several important international
conferences have been held in Italy duriug the
rear. At the geographical congress of Venice, the
benefieieree congress of Milan, and the hygienic
congress of Turiu, this country was represented bv
delegates from branches of the public service, or
by private citizens duly accredited in an honorary
capacity. It is hoped that congress will give such
prominence to the results of their participations as
they may seem to deserve.
The abolition ol all discriminating duties against
such colonial productions of the Dutch East Indies
ns are imported hither from Holland, has been al
ready considered by congress. I trust that, at the
present session, tlie matter may be favorably con
cluded. *
The insecurity of life and property iu many parts
of Turkey has given rise to correspondence with
Hie porte looking particularly to the better protec
tion of American missionaries in tlie empire. The
condemned murderer of the eminent missionary,
Dr. Justin W. l'nisons, has not yet been executed,
although this government has repeatedly demanded
that examplary justice be done.
The Swiss government has again solicited the
good offices ol our diplomatic and consular agents
tor the protection oi its citizens in countries where
it is not itself represented. This request has witnin
proper limits been granted. Our agents in Switzer
land have been instructed to protest against the
conduct of the authorities of certain communes
permitting the emigration to this country of crimi
nals and other objectioiiuble persons. Several
such persons, through the eo-opperation of the
commissioner of emigration at New York, have
been sent back by the steamer which brought them.
A Continuance of this enurse may prove a more
effectual remedy than diplomatic remonstrance.
Treaties of commerce and navigation, and for the
regulation of consular privileges, have been con
cluded with Roumauia and Servia, since their ad
mission into the family of European states.
As is natural with contiguous states, having like
institutions and like aims of advancement and de
velopment, the friendship of the United States and
Mexico has been well maintained. This govern
ment has lost no occasion of encouraging the Mexi-
an government to a beneficial realization of the
mutual advantages which will result from more in
timate commercial intercourse and from the open
ing of the rich interior of Mexico to railway enter
prises. I deem it important that means be pro
vided to restrain the lawlessness unfortunately so
common on the frontier.???and to suppress the forays
of the reservation Indians of either side of the Rio
Grande.
The neighboring states of Central America have
preserved internal i**aee, and tlieir outward rela
tions toward us have been those of intimate friend
ship. There are encouraging signs of their growing
disposition to subordinate their local interests to
those which nre common to them bv reason of their
geographical relations.
The boundary dispute between Guatemala and
Mexico lias afforded this government an opportuni
ty to exercise its good offices lor preventing a rup
ture between those states, and for procuring a
peaceable solution of the question. 1 cherish a
strong hope that in view of our relations of amitv
with both countries, our friendly counsels mav pre
vail.
A special envoy of Guatemala has brought to^me
the condolence of his government and peonlofou
the death of President Garfield.
The Casta ltiean government lately framed an
engagement with Colombia for settling by arbitra
tion the boundary question between those coun
tries. providing that the post of arbitrator should be
offered successively to the king of the Belgians, the
King of Spain and the president of the Argentine
confederation. The king of the Belgians has de
clined to act, but I am not as yet advised of the
action of the king of -Spain. As we have certain
interests in the disputed territory, which are pro
tected by J our treaty engagements with one of the
parties, it is important that the arbitration should
not, without our consent, affect our rights, aud this
government has accordingly thought proper to
make its views known to the parties to the agree
ment as well as to intimate them to the Belgian and
Spanish governments.
t he questions growing out of the proposed inter-
oceanic waterway across the isthmus of Panama
are of grave national importance. This govern
ment has not been unmindful uf the solemn obli
gations imposed upon it by its compact of 1846 with
Colombia, as the independent and sovereign mis-
tn-ss of the territory crossed by the canal, aud has
sought to render them effective by fresh engage
ments with the Colombian republic, looking to
their practical execution. The negotiations to this
eud. after they had reached what appeared to be a
mutually satisfactory solution here, were met in
Colombia by a disavowal of the powers which its
envoy has assumed, and by a proposal for re
newed negotiation on a modified basis. Mean
while this government learned that Colombia
had proposed to the European powers to join
in a gzaantvc of the itcuiali;;' of the
6.414.161 09
50,059,279 62
40,460,460 55
Total ordinary receipts $300,782,292 57
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were:
For civil expenses $17,941,477 19
Foreign intercourse 1,013,954 92
Indians
Pensions.
Military estalishment,including river
and harbor improvements audarse-
Navul establishment, including ves
sels, machinery and improvement
at navy yard 15,686,671 06
For miscellaneous expenditures, in
cluding public bniiding, light
houses and collecting tlie revenue.. 41,837,280 5;
For expenditures on account oi the
District of Columbia 3,513,912 0:
For interest of the public debt 82,508,741 IS
For premium on bonds purchased..??? 1,061,248
Total ordinary expenditures 260.712.887
I.eiivimCasurplus revenue of Slot,069,440 98, which
wa a ,>; lied as follows:
To uie redemption of bonds for the
inking fund
Fractional currency for tlie sinking
Loan of February, 1861
Ten-forties of 1861...
Five-twenties of 1862.....*
Five-twenties of 186!
Five-twenties of 1865
Consols of 1865
Consols 1867,. . -
Consols of 1*6 ;
Texan indemnity tuck
Old demand compound interest and
other notes 1,833,000
crease oi cash iu the treasury 14,037,1)23,!*;
74,371,200 00
109,001,015 00
7,418.100 00
2,016,150 00
18,390 00
3,400 On
37,300 03
148.150 0??
959.150 i/0
387,400 00
18,330 00
the interests and susceptibilities of that government
iu the enactment of any laws relating to Chinese
immigration. These clauses of the treaties which
forbid the participation of citizens or vessels of ihe
United States in the opium trade will doubtless re
ceive your approval. They will attest the sincere
interest which our people and the government feel
in the commendable efforts of the Chinese govern
ment to put a stop to this demoralizing and de???
stractive traffic.
in relation both to China and Japan some
changes are desirable in our present system of con
sular jurisdiction. I hope at some future time to
lay before you a scheme for its improvement in the
entire east. The intimacy between our own coun
try and Japan, the most advanced of the eastern
nations, continues to be cordial. I am advised that
the emperor contemplates the establishment of a
full constitutional government, and that he has
already summoned parliamentary congress for the
purpose of effecting the change, t-uch a remarkable
step toward a complete assimilation with our sys
tem cannot fail to bring Japau into closer aud more
beneficial relationship with ourselves os the
chief pacific power. A questiou has arisen iu rela
tion to the exercise in that country of the judicial
functions conferred upon our ministers and con
suls. The indictment trial arid conviction in the
consularcourt at Yokohama of John Ross, a mer-
chaut-senman ou board an American vessel, have
made it necessary for the government to institute a
careful examination into tlie nature aud methods
of this jurisdiction. It appeared that
Ross was regularly shipped ??? under the
Uag of the United States, but was by birth u British
subject. My predecessor felt it to lie his duty to
maintain the position that during his service as a
regularly shipped seaman on board nu American
merchant vessel. Boss, was subject 'to the laws of
that service, and to the jurisdiction of the United
States consular authorities. 1 renew the recom
mendation which lias been heretofore urged by the
executive upon the attention of congress thut after
the reduction of such nmomitus may tie found due
to American citizens, the balance of the indemnity
funds heretofore obtained from China and Japan,
aud which are now in the bunds of the state depart
ment, be returned to thegovernment of these couu
tries.
The king of Hawaii, in the course of his home
ward return, after a journey around the world, lias
lately visited this country. While our relations
with that kingdom are fneudly, this government
has viewed with concern the efforts to seek replen
ishment of the diminished population of the islands
from outward sources to a decree which may im-
paiijthe native sovereignty,the dependence of which
the United States was among the" first to testify a
lively interest.
Relations of unimpaired amity have becu main
tained throuhout the year with the respective gov
ernments of Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Denmark,
Hayti, Paraguay, Uruguay, Portugal, Sweden anil
Norway. This may also be said of Greece and Ec
uador. although our relations with these states
have for some years been severed by the withdrawal
of appropriations for diplomatic representatives at
Athens and Quito. It seems expedient to restore
these missions even in a reduced scale, and I deci
dedly recommend such a course with respect to Ec
uador, which is likely within the near future to
p ay an important part among the nations oi the
southern .Pacific.
At its last extra session the senate called for the
text 6f the Geneva convention for the relief of the
wounded in war. I trust that this action fore
shadows such interest in the subject as will result
in the admission of the United States to that hu
mane and commendable arrangement'; - . .
ON THE HIGH SEAS.
I invite your attention to the propriety of the
adoption of the new code of international rales for
the prevention of collisions on the Uign seas, and
of conforming the domestic legislation of the
United States thereto, that no confusion may arise
from the application of conllicting rules in the case
of vessels of different nationalities meet
ing in tidal waters. Tlie interna
tional rules differ but slightly from
our own. They have been adopted by the navy
department for the governing of war ships of the
United States on the nigh seas in foreign waters,
and although tho action of the state department iu
disseminating tlie rules and in acquainting ship-
masters;with the option of conforming to them
without the jurisdictional waters of the United
States, they are now very generally known and
obeyed.
FOKEIGN MANUFACTURES AND AGRICULTURE.
The state department still continues to publish
to the country the manufacturing reports received
from its officers abroad. The success of this course
warrants its continuance and such appropriations
as may be required to meet the rapidly increasing
demand for the pubiicaiion. With special refer
ence to the Atlanta cotton exposition, the October
number of the reports was devoted to a valuable
collection of papers bn the cotton goods trade of
the world.
THE SANITARY CONFERENCE.
The International sanitary conference, for which
in 1S79, congress made provision, assembled in this
city early in January last, and its sessions.were
prolonged until March. Although it reached no
specific conclusions affecting the future
action of the participant powers, the inter
change of views proved to" be most valua
ble. The full protocols of the ses
sions have been already presented to tlie
senate. As pertinent to this general subject, I call
your attention to the operations of the national
board of health, established by act of congress
approved March 3, 1879. Its sphere of duty-was en
larged by the act of June 2, iu tlie same year. By
tlie last named act the board was required to
institute such measures as might be deemed
necessary for preventing the introduction of conta
gious or infectious diseases from foreign countries
into theil'nited States, or from one state into an
other. The execution of the rules and regulations
prepared by ice board and approved by my prede
cessor has done much to arrest the progress of epi
demic disease, and has thus rendered, substantial
services to the nation. The international
sanitary conference to which I have referred, adopt
ed a form of a bill of health to be used by all ves
sels seeking to cuter the ports of the countries
whose representatives participated in its deliber
ation. This form has since been
prescribed by the National board of health
and incorporated with its rules aud regulations,
which have been approved by me In pursuance of
law. The health of the people is of supreme im
portance. All measures looking to their protection
against thespread of contagious diseases and to the
increase of our sanitary knowledge for such pur
pose deserve the attention of congress.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of the treasury pre
sents In detail, a highly satisfactory exhibit of the
state of the finances and the'condition of tlie vari
ous branches of the public service administered by
the dcpunmuLi. Xhe G.JiLa y istsbucs Iran all
Total $100,969,464,98
The requirements of the sinking fund for the
year union n tea to $90,786,064.02, which sum included
ubalance of $49,817,128-78 not provided for during
the previous fiscal year. Tlie sum of $7,448,021.05
was applied to this fund, which left a deficit of $16,-
005,878.47. The increase of the year 1881 over those
of the previous year $29,352,901.10.
It is estimated that the receipts during the pres
ent fiscal year will reach $10o.000,C0o, amt the ex
penditure $270,000,000, leaving a surplus of $130,
010,000 applicable to the sinking fund, and the re
demption of the public debt.
I approve the recommendation of the sec
retary of the treasury, that provision be
mude for the early retirement of silver certificates
and that tlie act requiring theii issue be repealed.
They were issued in pursuance of the poliev of the
government to maintain silver at t lie-gold shin da ret,
and were accordingly made receivable for all cus
toms, taxes and public dues. About sixty-six
millions of them are now outstanding. They i'orin
an unnecessary addition to the paper currency, u
sufficient amount of which may be readily supplied
by the national banks in accordance witli the act of
February 28th, 1878. Tlie treasury department has
monthly caused at least two millions in value of
silver bullion to be coined into standard
silver dollars. One hundred and two
millions of these dollars have
been already coined, while only about thirty-four
millions are in circulation. For the reasons which
he specifics I concur iu tlie secretary???s recommen
dation that the provision for the coinage of a fixed
amount each month be repealed, and that hereafter
only so much be coined ius shall be necessary t?? sup
ply the demand. The secretary advises that the issue
of gold certificates should not, for the present.be
resumed, and suggests that the national banks may
properly be forbid by law to retire their currency
exeept.upon reasonable notice of their intention so
to do. $ lu ll legislation would seem
to be justified by the recent action of
certain banks on the occasion referred to in the
secretary???s report. Of tlie $15,000,000 of fractional
currency still outstanding, only about $80,000 lias
been redeemed the past year. The sug
gestion that this umornit may properly be
dropped from the future statements of the public
debt seems worthy of approval, so also does the
suggestion of the secretary as to the advisability of
relieving the calendar of the United States courts
in the southern district of New York by the trans
fer to another tribunal of the numerous suits there
pending against collections.
THE CUSTOMS.
The revenues from customs for the past fiscal year
was $198,159,663.02, an increase of $11,637,611.42 over
that of Hie year preceding. $138.098,562^9 of this
amount was collected at the port of New York,
leaving $50,251,113.63 us the amount collected
at ull the other ports of the country. Of this sum
$47,977,137.63 was collected on sugar and molasses;
$27,285,621.78, oil wool and its manufactures: $21.-
462,434.34 on iron and steel and manufactures there
of; $19,03s,065.81, ou manufactures of silk;
$1,825,115.21, on manufactures of cotton
and$6,169,613.01 on wines and spirits, making a to
tal revenue from these sources of $133,058,720,081.
The expenses of collection for the past year was
$6.4li 984.52, an increase over the preceding vear of
$787,410.01.
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
Notwithstanding the increase in the revenue mark
ed from customs over the preceding year, the gross
value of the imports, including free goods decreas
ed over twenty-five millions of dollars. The most
decrease was in the value of unmanufactured wool,
$14,023,682 aud in that of scrap and pig iron $12,-
810,671. The value of imported sugar, ou the oilier
hand, showed an increase of $7,457,-
474;_ steel rails ??4,345,621: of barley
$2,154,201, and of steel iu bars, ingots, etc., $t,620,-
046. Contrasted with the imports during the last
fiscal year, the exports were as follows: Domestic
merchandise, $882,925,947; foreign merchandise,
$18,451,399; total, $902,377,346. Imports of merchan
dise, $642,664,028. Excess of exports over imports
of merchandise, $259 712,718. Aggregate of exports
and imports, $1,545,011,974. Compared with the pre
vious year, there was an increase of $66,738 CSS in
value of exports of merchandise, and a decrese of
$25,290,110 in tlie value of the imports. Thejin-
uual average of the excess of im
ports of merchandise over the exports
thereof for ten years previous to June 30,1873, was
$101,706,???.122, but for the last six years there has been
an excess of exports over imports of merchandise
amounting to$l,180.C68,105,attheannualaverage of
$196,778,017. The specie value of the exports of do
mestic merchandise was $870,616,478 in 1870 and
$$88,925,517 In 1881, an increase of 8507,809,474, or 35
per cent. The value of imitorts was $435,958,408 in
1870 _ and $0-12,664,628 in 1881, an increase ol"
$206,706,220, or 47 per cent during each
year. From 1862 to 1879 inclusive the
exports of specie exceeded the im purls. The
largest excess of such exports over the imports was
readied during the year 1864, when it amounted to
$92,280,9251, but during tlie year ending June 30,
1880. the imports of coin and bullion exceeded the
exports by $7,589,139, and during the last fiscal year
the excess of imports over exports was $91,168,650.
THE REFUNDING QUESTION.
In the la3t annual report of the secretary of the
treasury the attention of congress was called
to the fact that 8469,651,050 ill five
percentum bonds, and $203,573,570 in six
percentum bonds would become redeemable
during the year, and congress was asked to author
ize tlie refunding of these bonds at a lower rate of
interest. Tlie bill lor such refunding having failed
to become a law, the secretary of the treasury, in
April lost, notified the holders of the $195,690,400
six per centum bonds, then outstanding, that tlie
bonds would be paid at par on the first day of J uly
following, or that they might be continued at the
pleasure of tlie government, to bear interest at the
rate of 3]/ t per centum per annum. Under
this notice $178,055,150 of the six per cent bonds
were continued at the lower rate, aud $17,635,250
were redeemed. In the month of May a like notice
was given respecting the redemption or contin
uance of the $439,841,350 of 5 per cent bonds then
outstanding. u??d of these $401,504,900 were con
tinued at 3j^ per cent per annum, und $38,330,450
were redeemed. The 6 per cent bonds of Hie loan
of February 8, 1881, and of the Oregon war debt,
amounting together to $14,125,800, having matured
during the year, the secretary of the treasury gave
notice of his intention to redeem the same, and
such as have been presented have been
paid' from the surplus revenues.
There have also been redeemed at
pur $16,479,100 of the 3;^ per cent continued lands,
making a total of bonds redeemed or which have
ceased to bear interest during the year of $123,869.-
650. The reduction of the annual interest
on the public dei/t through these
transactions is as follows: By reduction of interest
to 8X percent, $10,473,952.25; by reduction of bonds,
$6,352,340; total, $16,820,292-25. The 3% per cent
bonds being pavable at the pleasure of the govern
ment are available for the investment of surplus
revenues without the payment of premiums. Un
less these bonds can be funded at a much lower
rate of interest than they now bear, I agree with the
secretary of the treasury thut uo legislation respect
ing them is desirable.
THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTRY,
it is a matter for congratulation that the business
of tlie country has been so prosperous during the
past vear, as to yield by taxation a large surplus of
income to the government. If tlie revenue lairs re
main unchanged this surplus must, year by year,
increase on account of the reduction ot public
debt and its burden of interest, and because of the
rapid increase of our population. In I860, just prior
to the institution of our internal revenue system,our
population but slightly exceeded StLOOO.OOO. By
the census of 1880 it is found to exceed flftv million.
It is estimated that, even if the annual receipts
and expenditures should continue as at present,
the entire debt could be paid in ten years.
REPEALS RECOMMENDED.
which our people have already borne, we willcon-
sider whether it is not the part of wisdom to re
duce the revenues even ii we delay a little the
payment of tlie debt. It seems to me tlmt the
time has arrived when tlie people may just
ly demand some relief from their 4>rvs-
ent onerous burdens, and that by the
economy in the various branches of the
public service this may readily be afforded.
I therefore concur with the secretary in recom
mending the abolition of all internal revenue taxes
except (hose upon tobacco in its various forms,
and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors,
and except also the special tax upon tiie manu
facturers of and dealers in such ar
ticles. The retention of the latter tax is
desirable as affording the officers of the govern
ment a proper supervision of these articles for the
prevention of fraud. I agree with the secretary of
the treasury that the law imposing a stamp tax on
matches, proprietary articles, playing cards, checks
and drafts may with propriety be repealed, and the
law also by which banks and bankers are assessed
upon tlieir capital and deposits. There seems to be
a general sentiment in favor of this course in
the present condition of our revenues.
The tax on deposits is especially
unjust, it was never imposed mtliis country un
til it was demanded by trio necessities oi war, and
was never exacted, 1 believe, in any other country,
even in its greatest exigencies. The banks are re
quired to secure their circulation by pledging with
trie treasurer of the l uited States bonds of the gen
eral government. The interest on these bonds,
w hich, at the time when the tax was imposed, was
6 per cent, is now in most in
stances Sy. per cent. Besides, the en
tire circulation was originally limited by law,
and no increase was allowable. When the exist-
iug banks had practically a monopoly of the busi
ness there was force in trie suggestion that for the
franchise to the favored grantees the govern-
niciii might very properly exact a tax on circula
tion, but ior years the system has been free, ai/d
the amount of circulation regulated by the public
demand. The retention oi this tax has been sug
gested as a means of reimbursing the goverrmeut
for the expense of printing uud furnishing the
circulating notes. if the tax should be
repealed it would certainly seem prop
er to require tlie national banks
to pay the ntnouimt of such expenses to the comp
troller general of trie currency. It is perhaps doub
ful whether the immediate reduction of rate of tax
ation on liquors and tobacco is advisable, especially
iu view of the drain on tlie treasury which must
attend the payment of arrears of pensions. A com
parison, however, of the amount of taxes comes
muter the varying rates of taxation which have at
different titties prevailed suggests the intimation that
some reduction may soon be made w ithout material
dimunition of revenue.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
The tariff laws also need revision, but that a due
regard may be paid to the conflicting interests oi
our citizens, important changes should be made with
caution, if a careful revision cannot be made at
this session, a commission, such ns was lately ap
proved by the senate and is now recommended by
the secretary of tlie treasury, would doubtless
lighten the labors of congress whenever this subject
shall be brought to its consideration.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Tlie accompanying report of the secretary of war
will make known to you the operations of ???dint de
partment tor the past year. He suggests measures
tor promoting tlie efficiency of the army without
adding to tile number of its officers, aiid recom
mends the legislation necessary to iucrease the
number of enlisted men to 30.009???the maximum
allowed by law. This he deems accessary to main
tain quietude on our shifting frontier, to preserve
peace and suppress disorder mid marauding in new
settlements, protect settlers and their property
against Indians, aud Indians against the encroach
ments of intruders aud to enable peaceful immi
grants to establish homes in the most
remote parts of our country. The nrmy.is now
necessarily scattered over such a vast extent of teiri
lory thut whenever an outbreak occurs reinforce
ments must be hurried from many quarters over
great distances, always at heavy cost of transporta
tion of men, homes, wagons and supplies. 1 concur
in the recommendations of tlie secretary for in
creasing the army to tlie strength of 30,(199 enlisted
men. it appears by the secretary???s report that
in the absence of disturbances on the
.frontier the troops have been actively
employed in collecting Indians hitherto
hostile, und locating them ou tlieir proper reserva
tions; that Silling Bult and other of his adherents
are now prisoners at Fort Itaudall; that many In
dians have removed to their new reservations in
Utah; that during the recent outbreak of the
Apaches it was nets ssnry to reinforce garrisons in
Arizona by troops withdrawn from New Mexico,
ami that some of the Apaches are now held prison
ers for trial, w hile some have escaped, and the ma
jority of tlie tribe are now on the reservation.
There is need of legislation to prevent
intrusion upon the lands set apurt fo. the Indians.
A large military force, at great expense, is now re
quired to patrol the boundary line between Kansas
and the ludran territory, . The only punishment
that can at present be inflicted is the forcible re
moval of the intruder, and the imposition of a pe
cuniary fine, which, iu most cases, it is impossible
to collect. I here should be a penalty by imprison
ment ia such eases.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE
The separare organization of the signal service is
A detailed account of the useful work performed
by tlie signal corps'und the weather bureau is also
given iu that report. 1 ask attention to the state
ments of the secretary of war regarding the requi
sitions frequently made by the Indian burcuu oil
the subsistence department of the arm v for the cas
ual support of bands uml tribes of Indians whose
appropriations are exhausted. The war detain
ment should not be left, by reason of inadequate
provision for the Indian bureau, to eontribuu; for
the maintenance of the Iudiaus.
THE ENGINEER CORrS.
The report of the chief of engineers furnishesa
detailed account of the operations for the improve
ment of the rivers and harbors. I commend to
j'our attention tlie suggestions contained in this
report in regard to the condition of our fortifica
tions, especially our coast defense, and recommend
an increase of strength of the engineer battalion, by
which the efficiency of ourtorpedosystem would be
improved. 1 also call your attention to the remarks
on the improvement of tiie South Pass of the Mis
sissippi river, tlie proposed free bridge over tlie Po
tomac at Georgetown. the importance of complet
ing at an early day the north wing of the war de
partment building, and other recommendations of
urn secretary of war, which appear in his re]H/rt.
The actuul expenditures of the department for
the fiscal year ending June, 30,1880, were $42,122,-
201.39: tlie appropriations for the year 1882, were
$14,889,725.42. The estimates for 1883 are $44,511,-
276 91.
THE NAVAL DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of the navy exhibits
the condition ef that branch of the service, und pre
sents valuable suggestions for its improvement. I
call your especial attention to the appended report
of the advisory board which suggests suitable meas
ures ior increasing the efficiency of the navy, and
particularly the report as to the character aud
number of vessels necessary to place it on a footing
commensurate with the necessities of the govern
ment. 1 cannot too strongly urge on yon my con
fiction that every consideration of national
safety, economy and honor imperatively de
mands a thorough rehabilitation of
our navy. With a full appreciation of the fact
that compliance with suggestions of the head
of that department, and of the advisory
board must involve a large expenditure of public
money, I earnestly recommend such appropriations
as will accomplish an end which seems to me so
desirable. Nothing can be more inconsistent
with true public economy than withholding
the means necessary to accomplish objects in
trusted bv the constitution to tlie na
tional legislature. One of these objects
and one which is of paramount importance is de
clared by our fundamental law to be the provision
for the common defense. Surely nothing is inore
essetial to the defense of the United States, aud of
all our people, than tlie efficiency of our navy. We
have for many venrs maintained with foreign gov
ernments the relations of honorable peace, uuu
that such relations may tie i??ermanent is desired
by every iiatriotic citizen of the repub
lic; but if we heed the teachings of
history, we shall not fdtget that in the life of every
nation emergencies may arise when a resojt to arms
can alone save it from dishonor. No danger from
abroad now threatens this people, nor have fve any
cause to distrust friendly professions of other gov
ernments, but for the avoiding, as well as for the
repelling of dangers that may threaten us in the
future, we must be prepared to enforce any policy
which we think wise to adopt. We must be ready
to defend our harbors against aggression,
to protect bv the distribution of our shi4>s of war
over the highways of commerce tiie varied interests
of our foreign trade and persons and property of
our citizens abroad, to maintain everywhere the
honor of our flag and Hie distinguished position
which we may rightfully claim among the nations
of the world. *
THE ROSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of tlie postmastergeneral is a gratifying
one of the growth and efficiency of the postal ser
vice. The receipts from postal and ordinary sources
daring the past fiscal year were 836.483.S16.5S; the
receipts irrm monevorders were$295,581.39, making
a total of $36,785,397.67. The expenditure for the
fiscal vear was $89,251,736.46. The deficit
supplied out of the general treasury
wus $2,461,129.35, or 16 3-10 per cent
to the amount expended. The receipts were $;???.,-
694.918.63 in excess of the previous year, and $1,
499,397.97 in excess of the estimate made two yeirs
ago, before the present i>eriod of business pros\>erity
had fairiv begun. Tlie whole number of letters
mailed in this country in the last fiscal year ex
ceeded one thousand millions. The registry sys
tem is reported to be In excellent condi
tion. having been remodeled during
the past four years, with good results. The amount
of registration fees collected during the last fiscal
years were $712,882.29, an increase over the fiscal
year ending June :w, 4877, of $345,413.40. The en
tire number of letters atnl packages registered dur
iug the year was 8.338,919, of which only 2,061 were
lost or destroyed in transit. The operations of the
Id viz.v.hzvvc.er, gI the hsarj lead ol taxaiioa la-jimy ci-.r KTStm tir?? multiply
ing yearly under tlie impulse of
immigration, of tlie rapid developments of the
newer states and territories, and the consequent
demand for additional means of intcr-communica-
tion and exchange. Muting the past year 338 addi
tional money order offices have been established,
making a total of 5,499 in operation at the date of
this report. During the year the domestic money
orders aggregated i:i value $105,075,765.35. A modi
fication of the system is suggested, re
ducing the fees for money orders
not exceeding five dollars, irom ten cents to five
cents, and making the maximum limit one hun
dred dollars instead of fifty dollars. Legislation
ior the disposition of unclaimed money orders in
possession of the post-office department is recom
mended, in view of the fact that their total value
now exceeds one million dollars. The attention of
congress is again invited to the subject of estab
lishing a system of savings dciKititoties iu connec
tion with the post-ofiiceideparlment.
The statistics of mail tiunspolutiou show that
during the past year the railroad routes have in
creased in length over 249 miles, and in cost
$1,114,882. while steamboat routes have been in
creased in length 2,182 mites 4??nd iu cost $184,051.
The so-called star routes have been decreased iu
length 3.949 miles, and in cost $361,144. Nearly all
oi the more ext ensive routes have been superseded
by the railroad service. The cost of the star serv ice
must, therefore rapidly decrease in the western
states and territories. The postmaster-general,
however, calls attention to the constantly increas
ing cost of the railway mail service, as
a serious difficulty in the way of
making the department self-sustaining. Our postal
intercourse with foreign countries has kej.t pace
with tiie growth of the domestic service. Within
the past year several countries mid colonies have
declared thetr adhesion to the postal union. It
now includes all those which have an organized
postal service, except Bolivia, tkista
Rica, New Zealand and the British
colonies in Australia. As inis been
already stated great reductions have recently
been made in the expenses of tlie star route service.
The investigation of the department of justice and
the post-office department have resulted in the 4>re-
sontathui of Indictments against persons formerly
connected with the service, accusing them of
offenses against the United States. X have enjoined
upon the officials who aie charged with trie con
duct of the cases on tlie part of tlie government,
and upon the eminent counsel, who, before my ae-
cessiun to the presidency, were called to their as
sistance, the duty of prosecuting, with the utmost
vigor of the law, all persons who may be found
chargeable with frauds on the postal service.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The acting attorney-general calls attention to the
necessity of modifying the present system of courts
of tlie i'nited States, a necessity due to the large
increase of business, especially in the supreme
court. Litigation in our federal tribunals became
greatly expanded after the close of trie late war. So
long ns that expansion might he attributable to the
abnormal condition in which the community found
itself immediately after the return of peace,
prudence required that no change lie made
iu the constitution of our judicial tribunals, but it
has now become apparent Hunan immense iucrease
Of litigation has directly resulted from tlie won
derful growth and development of the country.
There is no ground for belief that the business of
the United States courts will ever be less iu volume
than at present. That it is likely to be much greater
is generally recognized by bench and bar. In view
of tiie fact that congress has already given much
consideration to this subject, I make
no suggestion as to detail, but ex
press tlie hot>c that your deliberations
may result in such legislation as will give early re
lief to ouroverlmrdeued courts. The acting attor
ney-general also calls attention to the disturbance
of the public tranquillity during the past year in
the territory of Arizona. A band of armed des-
peradoes known as "cow boys,??? probably number
ing 5o to 100 men, have been engaged ior months
in committing acts of lawlessness ami brutality,
which the local authorities have been
unable to repress. The depredations of these
???cow boys?????? have also extended into Mexico, which
the marauders reach from tiie Arizona frontiers.
With every disposition to meet the exigencies of
the ease, I am embarrassed by the lack of authority
to deal with them effectually. The punishment of
dimes committed within Arizona should ordinari
ly, of course. be left to tlie territorial authorities,
liut ii is worthy of consideration wlieiherncls which
necessarily tend to embroil tho United States witli
neighboring govern menu should not be declared
crimes against the United States. Some of the in
cursions nlludod to may perhaps be within tlie
scope of the law (Revised statutes, section 5280),
forbidding "military expeditions or enterprises???
against friendly stnles. bin iu view of the speedy
assembling <if your body, i have preferred to await
such legislation as, in your wisdom, the occasion
may seem to demand, it may perhaps be thought
proper to provide that tlie setting on foot within
our own territory of brigandage and armed ma
rauding expeditious against friendly nations uud
their systems shall be punishable as an offense
against tlie United .States. 1 will add that iu the
event of a request from the territorial government
for protection by the United States against domes
tic violence, this governm nt would be powerless
to render assistance. The act of 1875, chapter 36,
passed at a time when territorial governments
received little attention from congress,
enforced this duty of the United Slates
only as to tlie state governments, but the net of
1807. chapter 39, applied also to the territories. This
law seems to have remained in force until the re
vision of the statutes, when the provision for terri
tories was dropped I am not advised whether tills
alteration was intentional or accidental, but it
seems to me tlie territories should be offered tlie
protection which is accorded to the states by tho
constitution. I suggest legislation to
that end. It seems to me too that
whatever views may prevail os to
tiie policy of recent legislation by which the army
host-eased to be apart of the posse comitatus, mi ex
ception might wall be made for permitting tlie mili-
tary to assist the civil territorial authorities in en
forcing the laws of the United States. This use of
the arm'-would not seem to be withlu the alleged
evil against which that legislation was aimed.
From the sparseness ol the population and other
circumstances, it is often quite impracticable to
summon ncivil posse in a pluce where the officers
of justice require assistance, and where a military
force is within easy reach.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of the interior with ac-
companying documents, presents an accurate
account of the business of that department.
A summary of it would Im: too extended for this
place. 1 ask your careful attention to the rejairt it
self. Prominent among matters which challenge
the attention of congress at its present session is
tiie management of our Indian nffuiis. While
this question has been n cause of trouble and
embarrassment from tlie infancy of the
government, it is but recently that any effort has
been made for its solution at once serious, de
termined, consistent and promising success. It has
been easier to resort to convenient makeshifts for
tiding over temporary difficulties tlmu to grapple
with the great permanent problem, aud accord
ingly the easier course has been almost invariably
pursued. It was natural at the time, when
imiiouul territory seemed almost illimi
table. and contained many millions *of
acres far outside the bounds of civilized sctltt-
ment, that a policy should have been imitated,
which more than aught else has been the fruitful
source of our Indian complications. I refer, of
course, to the policy of dealing with the various
Indian tribes as separate nationalities, of relegating
them by treaty sthmlatinns to the oceutpancy of
immense reservations in the west, and of encour
aging them to live a savaga life, undisturbed l>y
any earnest and well directed efforts to bring them
under the influences of civilization. The unsatis
factory results which have sprung from this policy
are becoming apparent to all. As the while settle
ments have crowded tlie borders of the reservations
the Indians, sometimes contentedly and .sometimes
against their will, have been transferred to other
hunting grounds, from which they again have been
dis'odgeiT whenever tlieir new-found homes have
been desired by the adveuturoussettlers. This; rc-
li ovalsa id thefrontiercollLsionsby which they hate
often been preceded have led to frequent and dis
astrous conflicts between the races it is profitless
to discuss here which of them has been chiefly re
sponsible for tin 3 disturbances, whose recital occu
pies so large a space upon tl/e pages of our
history. We have toden! with the appalling fact that
though thousands of lives have been sacrificed aud
hundreds of millions of dollars expended in the
attempt to solve the Indian problem, it has, until
within the past few years, seemed scarcely nearer a
solution than it was half a century ago, but the
government has now been cautiously but steadily
ieeliug its way to tiie adoption of a policy which
has already produced a gratifying result, and
which, in my judgment, is likely, ii congress and
the executive accord in its support, to relieve
us froi' the difficulties which have hitherto beset
u* For the success of the efforts now muking to
introduce among the Indians the customs and pur
suits <>l civilized life, and gradually to absorb them
into the moss of our citizens, sharing their rights,
there is imperative need for legislative action. My
Huggesiiaus in that regard will be chiefly such as
have been already called to the attenjon of con
gress, and have received to some extent its eonsid-
ration. First???l recommend the passage of
an act making the laws of the various states and
territories applicable to the Indian reservations
within their borders, and extending the laws of
the state of Arkansas to the portion of the Indian
territory not occupied by the live civilized tribes.
The Indians should receive the protection of the
law. He should be allowed tomamtaiu iu court his
rights of person and property. He has repeatedly
beeged fur this privilege Its exercise would be
very valu- able to him in his progress to
ward civilization. Second???Of even greater
importance is a measure which has been frequently
recommended by my predecessors in office, and in
furtherance of which several bills have been from
time to time introduced in both houses of congress.
The enactment of a general law permitting tho
allotment in severalty to such Indians at least as
desire it, of a reasonable quantity of land secured
to them by patent, and for tlieir owu protection
made inalienable for twenty to twenty-five years, is
demanded for their present welfare and
their i*ermanent advancement. In return for
such considerate action ou the part of the govern,
ment, there is reason to believe that the ludmns-
in large numbers, would be persuaded to sever
their tribal relations, and to engage at -once lu ag
ricultural pursuits. Many of them realize the fact
that their htmtiig days are over, aud that it is now