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VOL. 1. PRESIDENT HARRISON'S REC OMMENDATIONS. 1 Proposed Elections Commission— Against Michigan’s Method of Choos ing Electors—The McKinley Tariff Law-—Civil Service and Pensions— Foreign Relations—The Baltimore Incident, etc., etc. The message begin* by calling attention tc the reports of the heads of departments. Con cerning the work of the state department the president says that it has been characterized by an unusual number of important negotia tions and by diplomatic results of a notable and highly beneficial character, ard among these are the reciprocal trade arrange ments which have been concluded in the cxeroise of the powers conferred by the use of the tariff law with the republic of Brazil, with Spain for its West India possessions, and with San Domingo, Dike negotiations with other countries have been much advanced, and it is hoped that before the close of the year further trade arrangements of great value will be con cluded. The Behring Sea Question. The president announces the completion of an agreement with tho British gyvermnent for a close season in the seal fisheries in Behring sea until May 1, 1692. Terms satisfactory to this government have been agreed upon for the ad justment of the long pending controversy as to the seal fisheries, and an agreement as to the arbitrators is all that is necessary to the com pletion of the convention. Our Frontier Fine. The president recommends that division bo made for a joint demarcation of the frontier line between Canada and the United States wherever required by the increasing border settlement. The American Hog. The president says: “It is gratifying to be •ble to state that Germany, Denmark, Italy, Austria and France, in the order named, have opened their ports to inspected pork products. The removal of these restric tions in every instance wus asked end given solely upon the ground that we had now pro vided a neat inspection that should he accepted as adequate to the complete removal of the dangers, real or fancied, which had been pre viously urged. The Now Orleans Lynching. The lynchtntr at o-iam.- *- last ot eleven men of Italian nationality by a mob of citizens was a most deplorable and discredita ble incident. It did not, however, have its origin in any general animosity to the Italian people, nor in any disrespect to the government ot Italy, with which our rela tions were of the most friendly character. The fury of the mob was directed against these men as the supposed participants or accessories in. the murder of a city officer. Ido not allude to this as mitigating in any degree this offense against law and humanity, but oDly as affect ipg the international questions which grew out Of it. It was at once represented by the Ita'-Ua niin- Ister that several of those whose lives had been taken by the mob, were Italian subjects. A Jemaud was made for punishment of the par ticipants and for an indemnity to the families of those who were killed. It is regretted that the manner in which those claims were pre sented was not such as to promote a calm discussion of the questions involved, but this may be attributed to the excitement and In dignation which the crime naturaily evoked. The views of this government as to its ouliga tions to foreigners domiciled here were fully stated in the correspondence as well as its purpose to mase an investigation of the affair with a view to deter mine whether they would present circum stances that could uuder such rules ot duty as we had indicated create an obligation on the United States. The temporary absence of a minister pleni potentiary of Itsly at this capital has retarded th further correspondence,but it is not doubted that a friendly conclusion is attainable. The president recommends that congress make offenses against the treaty rights of for eigners domiciled in the United States cogniz able in the federal courts. The Chilian War. The president rehearses the history of the Chilian revolution and of the Itata Incident, and says: The instructions to our naval officers and to our minister at Santiago from first to last of this snuggle enjoined on tl.e— the most impartial treatment and absolute non interference. I am satisfied that these instructions were ob served, and that our representatives were always watchful to use their influence impartially in the interest of humanity, and on more than one occasion did so effectively. We could not for get, however, that this government was in dip lomatic relations with the then established gov ernment of Chili, as it is now in such relations with the successor of that government. I am quite sure that .President Montt, who has, under circumstances of promise for the peace of Chili, been installed as president of that republic, will not desire that, in the unfor tunate event of any revolt against his authority the policy of this government should be other than that which we have recently observed. No official complaint of the conduct of our minister or of our naval officers during the struggle has been preaentod to this government It is a matter of regret that so many of our own people should liavo given ear to unofficial oharges and complaints that manifestly had their origiu in rival interests and in a wish to prevent the relations of the United States with Chill. The “Baltimore” Incident. Concerning the attack on the sailors of the United States man of war, Baltimore, in the harbor of Valparaiso on the 16th of October, and the killing ot several of their number, the president recites the demand for reparation made by this government on the Chilian au thorities and says: It is to be regretted that the reply of the sec retary for foreign affairs of the provisional gov ernment was couched in an offensive tone. To this no response has been made. This government is now awaiting the result of an investigation which has been conducted by the criminal court at Valparaiso. It is re ported unofficially that the investigation is about completed, and it is expected that the result will soon be communicated to this government, together with some adequate and satisfactory respon -e to the note by which the attention of Chill was called to this inci dent. 1 * these just expectations should be disap pointed or further needless delay intervene, I will, by a special message, bring this mattoi State of lafie ffcnfo r again to the attention of congress for such ac th n as may bo necessary. Mr. Blair's Rejection. The Chinese government has decided to re ceivo Mr. Blair as the minister of the United States on the ground that as a participant, while a senator in the enactment of the exist ing legislation against the introduction of Chi nese laborers, he has become unfriendly and ob jectionable to China. I have felt constrained to point out to the Chinese government the unten ableness of this position, which seems to rest as much on the unacceptability of our legislation as on that of the person chosen and which if ad mitted, would practically debar the selection of any representatives so long as the existing laws remain in force. The Arbitration Treaty, The arbitration treaty formulated by the In ternational American conference lapsed by reason of the failure to exchange ratifications fully within the limit of time provided, but sev eral of the governments concerned have expressed a desire to save this im portant result of the conference by an extension of the period. It is in my judg ment incumbent upon the United States to conserve the influential initiative it has taken in this measure by ratifying the instrument and by advocating the proposed extension of the time tor exchange. These views had been made known to the other signatories. The Russian Jews. Concerning the influx of exile Bussian Jews into this country, which the president estimates will amount to over one million in the next few years, he says: Some other considerations as well as the sug gestions of humanity furnish ample grounds for the remonstrances which this government presented to Russia. While our historic friend ship for that government cannot fail to give as surance that our representations are those of a sincere wisher. The Nlcaraugua Canal. The president recommends that the govern ment guarantee the bonds of the Maritine Canal company, engaged in building tho Nlcaraugua canal, and says that he does not doubt that built upon these business methods, the canal would earn its fixed charges and operating expenses. He says, lam quite willing to recommend gov ernment promotion in the prosecution of a work which if no other means offered for se curing its completion is of such transcendent interest that the government should in my opinion, secure it by direct appropriation from its treasury. International Copyright, International copyright will be secured in ac cordance with the conditions of the act of March 3,1891, with Belgium, France and Great Britain and tho British possessions and Switzerland. The laws of these countries permitting to our citizens the benefit of copyright upon substan tially the same basis as to their own citizen* or subjects, and with Germany a special conven tion has been negotiated upon this subject which will bring that country within the recip rocal benefit of the legislation. The McKinley Daw. Concerning the effect of the McKinley tariff act of the last congress the president says: “A brief examination of the statistics of the treas- t think'satisfy any impartial enquiry that its results have dis. appointed the evil prophesies of its opponents and in a large measure realized a hopeful pre diction of its friends. Itarely, if ever before in the history of the country, has there been a time when the pro coeds of one day's labor or the product of one farmed acre would purchase so large an amount of those things that enter i*to the living of the masses of the people. I believe that a full test will develop the fact that the tariff act of the fifty-first congress is very favorable in its aver age effect on the prices of articles entering into common use. During the twelve months from October 1> 18 o, to September 30,1391, the total value ot our foreign commerce—import! and exports com bined—was $1.47,308,416, which was the largest of any year in the history of the United Btates.the largest in anr previous year was in 1890, when our commerce amounted to $1,657,139,093, and the last year exceeds this enormous aggregate uy over one hundred millions. It is interesting and to some will be surprising to know that during the year ending September 30, 1891. our imports of merchandise amounted to $834,715,270, which was an increase of more than 11,000,000 over the value of the imports of the corresponding months of the preceding year, when the imports of merchandise were unusually large in anticipation of the tariff leg islation then pending. The average annual value of the imports of merchandise for the ten years from 1881 to 1890 was $692,186,922, and during the year ending September 30, 1891, this annual averago was exceded by $132,628,469. The value of free imports during the twelve months ending September 30,1891, was $118,092,- jB7, more than the value of free im ports during the corresponding twelve months of the preceding year and there was during the same period a decrease of $106,846,508 in the value of Imports of dutiable merchandise. The percentage of merchandise admitted free of duty during the year to which I have referred, the first under the new tariff, was 48.18, while during the preceding twelve months, under the old tariff, the percentage was 34.27, an increase ot 13.91 per cent. If we take the six months ending September 30 last, which covers the time during which sugars have been admitted free of duty, the per cent. of value of merchandise imporjed free of duty is found to be 55.37, which is a larger ner centage of free imports than during any period fiscal year in the history of the government If we turn to exports of merchandise the statistics are full of gratifi cation. The value of such exports of merchan dise for the twelve months ending September 30, 1891, was $923,091,130, while for the oorres oonding twelve months it was $800,1T7,1151 an increase of $02,914,021, which is nearly three times the average annual Increase of exports of merchandise for the preceding twenty years. This exceeds in amount and value the exports of merchandise during any year in the h'story of the govern ment The increase in the value of exports of agricultural products during the year reterred to over the corresponding twelve months of the prior year was $45,846,197 while the increase in the value of exports of manufactured products was f 16,g38.240. There is certainly nothing in the condition of trade foroign or domestic, there is certainly nothing m the condition of our people of any class to suggest that the existing t*ff “ revenue legislation bear* oppressively on the ' UTmreport of the secretary of the treasury Bhows that the total receipts of the government from all sources for the fiscal year, ending June nenditures for the same period, were $4.1,304,- -40 46 leaving a surplus of $37,239,762.57. The ‘ pints of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, actual and estimated, are $433 000 000. and the expenditures, $4)9,000.000. For Ithe fiscal year P , " Tune 30 1893, the estimated receipts ale the expenditures $440,300,093. The Silver Question. Concerning rbJ effect of the silver act of the ■try<• * b p n( . a further trial of this legls ■"* '*• V” incrraed value of currency thus supplied for the use of tfee people wm Jll*l TRENTON, GA. FRDAY, DECEMBER 18,1891. beneficial results upon trade and prices ,ve followed this legislation I think must be ry clear to every one; nor should It bo forguen that for every dollar of these notes a full dollar’s worth of silver bullion wa*t the time deposited in the treasury as cuiity for its redemption. Upon this subject as as upon the tariff, y recommendation is that the existing laws e given a full trial, and that our business inf ests be saved the distrsesing influence whh threats of radical change always impart. Untr existing legislation It is in power of the treasury department o maintain that essential ondition of nattoll finance as well as of commercial prosperity, is parity in use of the coin dollars and their pan r<j -entatives. assurance that these powers would e freely and unhesitatingly used has done mih to produce and sustain the present favors business conditions. I am still of the opinion that the free cointe of silver under existing conditions world t astronsly affect our business interests at hijie and abroad. We could not hope to maintaiqm equality in the purchasing power of the (fa and silver dollar in our own mirkets, anl;. foreign trade the stamp gives no added valutp> the bullion contained in coins. 1. producers of the country, its farmers and l borers have the highest interest that evfy dollar, paper or coin, issued by the govcrnnwjt shall be as good as any other. If there is less valuable than another its sure and constat errand will be to pay them for their toll and fc their crops. The money lender will pro tect himself by stipulation for payment i) gold, but the laborer has never been able to d* that. To place business on a silver basis would mean a sudden and severe contraction of the currency by the withdrawal of gold and gold notes of such an unsettling of all values as would produce a commercial panic. I cannot believe that a people so strong and prosperous as ours will promote such a policy. The producers of sliver are entitled to just con sideration, but they should not forget that the government is now buying and putting out ot the market tho equivalent of the product of our entire silver mint. The Surplus. The presence of a large cash surplus in the treasury has for many years been the subject of much unfavorable criticism and has furnished Bn argument to those who have desired to place the tariff upon a purely revenue basis. It was agreed by all that tho withdrawal from circulation of so large an amount of money was an embarrassment to the business of the coun try, and made necessary the intervention of the department at frequent intervals to relieve threatened monetary panics. The surplus on March i, i9, was $183,827,190.29. The poli6v of applying this surplus to the redemption of the interest bearing securities of the United States was thought to be preferable to that of depositing it without interest in selected national banks. There have been redeemed since the aato last mentioned of interest bearing securities $259,- 079,350, resulting in a reduction of the annual interest charge of $11,681,075. Tho money which had been deposited in banks without in terest has been gradually withdrawn and used in the redemption of bonds, uOft ana the refunding of the 4Vi per cent, bonds has been a large increase of the money in Circulation. At the date last named the circu lation was $1,104,206,816, or $23.03 per capita, while on the first day of December, 1881, It bad increased to $1,577,262,070 or $21.38 per oapita. he offer of the secretary of the treas ury to the holders of the 4% per cent, bonds to extend the time of redemption at the option of the government at an interest of 2 per cent, was accepted by the holders of about one-half the amount, and the unextended bonds are being redeemed on presentation. Felony Cases. The president concurs in the recommendation of the attorney general that the right in felony cases to review by the supreme court be limited in cases Involving only fine and imprisonment, unless a constitutional question should in some way be involved. The court of private land claims provided for by the last congress has been authorized. Chinese Immigration. The president calls attention to the organized Importation of Chinamen in this country by way of Canada, and recommends suclv legisla tion as will remedy the defects in the law against such immigration. It is recommended that the jurisdiction of the United States court be so extended as to make triable therein any felony committed while in the act of violating a law of the United States. He says: “These courts cannot have that in dependence and affectiveness which the consti tution contemplated so long as the felonious killing of court officers, jurors and witnesses m the discharge of their duties or by reason of an act as such is only cognizbable iu the state courts.” The Post-Office Department, The president compliments the work of the postmaster general and says that the revenues of the department show an increase of over $5,000,000, with the deficit for the year 1890 of less than $4,000,000, while the estimate for the year '93 shows a surplus of receipts over expen ditures. The president concurs in the recommendation that the free delivery system be at once extended to towns of five thousand population. He also endorses the suggestion for a rural postal delivery. The Navy Department. . The Newark, Concord, Bennington and Mlan tanoraah have been added to the navy during the year with an aggregate of something more than 11,900 ton!. Twenty-four war ships of classes are now under construction in the navy yard and private shop, but while work is going forward satisfactory the completion of more important vessels will yet require about a year's time. The Interior Department. The president discusses the Indian school question at length, and expresses the opinion that the bringing of Indian children in the mixed schools will prove a great advantage to ward making of the Indian a citizen. Of the relation of the five civilized tribes now occupying the Indian Territory to the United States, the president says that he thinks it in evitable that there shall be before long some organic changes. What form these changes would take he does not think it desirable now to suggest. They should certainly involve the acceptance of a citizenship by tbe Indians and representation in congress. He recommends a commission be appointed to treat with these tribes. The Pension Bureau. The president says that the administration of the pension bureau has been characterized dur ing the year by great diligence. The total num ber of pensions upon the roll of Juno 30,1891 was 676,160. The appropriation for the pay ment of pensions for the fiscal year 1830 and 1831 wsa $127,685,793.89, and tho amount expended was $118,530,649.25, leaving an unexpended sur plus of $8,155,144.64. In concluding his comments on the pensions, the president says: “While these disbursements to the disabled soldiers of the great civil war are large, they do not realize the exaggerated estimate of those who oppose this beneficent legislation. Tbe Census. Of the work of the census bureau, the presi dent says, “the methods pursued have been fair, careful *nd intelligent, and have secured the approval of the statustician, who have fol lowed them scientific and non-partisan interest. Folygamy In Utah. The president says that the legislation of con gress for the repression of polygamy has, after years of persistence on the part of tho Mor mons, at last brought them to the conclus on that resistance is impossible and unavailing. He recommends that congress do not relax its control over this subject. The establishment of a department of agri culture is referred to as having had. a great in fluence in distributing agricultural and horti cultural information, and in encouraging tho diversification of crops. Civil Service. Concerning the workings of the civil service commission the president says: “It is not claimed that it is perfect, but I be lieve the law is being executed with impartiality, and that the system is in comparably fairer and better than that of ap pointments by faTor. I have, during the year, extended the olassifledi service to include su perintendents, teachers, matrons, and physicians in thb Indian service. The heads of the several executive depart ments I have directed to establish at once an efficiency record as the foundation of a comparative rating of the clerks within the classified service with a view to placing promo tions therein upon the basis of merit. He re commends that the appropriation for the civil service commission be made adequate for in creased work for the next yoar. Bailway .Employes. The president renews his recommendation for egislation for the protect ion of the lives of railroad employes. Fi-esldential Electors. The president calls attention to the departure taken by the state of Michigan in changing the mode of selecting presidential electors so as to elect them by district! instead of for the state at large, which he regards a3 an unfortunate and even a threatening episode, nd one that may well suggest whether the ) states who have given tlieir approval to the old prevailing method ought not to secure by a constitutional amendment a practice which has had the approval of all. The Michigan method, the president says, brings the selection of eieo ‘.c s under tbe influence of a gerymander and establishes a minority rule that only a political convulsion can overthrow.” “It is not my purpose here to discuss the ijuestion whether a choice by the legislature or by the Toters of equal single districts is a choice by the state, hut only to recommend such regu lation of this matter by constitutional amend jeent as will secure uniformity and prevent that disgraceful partisan jugglery to which Such a liberty of choice, if it exists, offers a temptation.” The Election Question. Nothing just now is more important :han to provide every guaranty for tne absolute fair and free choice by an equal suffrage within the respective states of all the officers of the na tional government, whether that suffrage Is directly, as in the choice of members cf the house of representatives, or indirectly, as in the choice of senators and electors of president. k*w wiunnt and obedience to our people unlJinyur n Jwrha Ai.am'tArifitini nf the will ot the majority faddy ascertained with out fraud, suppression or gerrymander. If I were called upon to declare wherein our chief national danger lies, I should say without hesitation, in the overthrow of majority control by the suppression or perversion of tho popu lar suffrage. That there is a real danger here all mustopgree, hut the ener gies of those who see it have been cbieffy ex pended in trying to fix the responslbilit,J upon the opposite party rather than in effiTts to make such practices impossible by either party it not possible now to adjourn that intermina ble and inconclusive debate, while we take by consent one step In the direction of reform by eliminating the gerrymander, which has been denounced by all parties as an Influence in the selection of electors of president and members of congress. All the states have, act ing freely and separately, deter mined that the choice of electors by a general ticket Is the wisest and safest method and it would seem there could be no objection to a constitutional amendment making the method permanet. If a legislature in one year upon purely local questions should, pending a presidential contest must rescind the law for a choice for a general ticket and provide for the choice ot electors by the legislature and this trick should determine the result. It is not too much to say that the pub lic peace might he seriously and widely endan gered. The Force Bill. I have alluded to “gerrymander” as affecting the method of selecting electors of presi dent by congressional districts, but the primary intent and effect of this form of politi cal robbery have relation to the selection of members of the fiou.,o of representatives. The power of congress is ample to deal with this threatening and intolera. le abuse. The unfail ing test of sincerity in election reform will be found in a willingness to con fer as to remecies and to put into force such measures as will most effectually preserve the right of the people to free and equal representation. An attempt was made in the last congress to bear the constitutional powers of the general government for the correction of frauds against the suffrage. It is impossible to know whether the opposition to such measures is really vested in particular leatures supposed to be objectionable, or includes any proposition to give to the election laws of the United States adequacy to the correction of grave and acknowledged evils. I mast yet entertain the hope that it is possi ble to secure a calm, patriotic consideration of such constitutional or statutory changes as may be necessary to a choice of officers of the government to the people by fair appointment and full elec tions. I believe it would be impossible to con stitute a commission non partisan in its mem bership and composed of patriotic, wise and Impartial men to whom a consideration of the question of the evils connected with our elec tion system and methods might lie committed with a good prospect of securing unanimity in a plan for removing or mitigating those evils. The constitution would permit the selection of tiie committee to be vested in the supreme court if that method would give the best guar anty of Impartiality. This commission should be charged with the duty of Inquiring into the whole subject of the law of elections, as related to the choice of offi cers of the natidnal government with a view to securing to every elector a free and unmolested exercise of the suffrage and as near an approach to an equality of value in each ballot cast as is attainable. While the policies of the general government upon the tariff, upon the restoration of our merchant marine, upon river and harbor im provements, and other such matters of grave andlgcneral concern are liable to be turned this way, or that by the results of congressional elections and administration policies sometimes Involving isfues that tend to peace or war, to be turned this way or that by the results of a presidential election. There is a tightful in terest in all tbe states* and in every congres sional district that will not be deceived or silenced by the audacious pretense tba c the question of the r.gbt of any body of legal voters in any state or in mv eiflSgresslonsi district to give meir suffrages freely upon these general questions is a matter inly of local concern or control. The demand that the limitations of suffrage lhall be found in tho law and only there is a |ust demand, and no just man should resent or resist it. My appeal is, and will continue to be, for a consultation that lhall proceed with candor, calmness and pa tience upon the lines of justice and humanity, not of prejudice and cruelty.” To the consideration of the e very grave questions, I invite not only the attention of congress, but that of all patriotic citizens. Wo must not entertain the delusion that our people have ceased to regard a lree ballot and equal representation as the price of their allegiance to laws and to civil magistratien. I have been greatly rejoiced to notice many evidences of the increased unification of our people and of a revived natioual spirit. The vista that now opens to us is wider and more glorious than ever before. Gratification and amazement struggle for supremacy as we con template the population, wealth and moral strength of our country. A trust, momentous in its influences upon our people and upon the world is for a brief time committed by us, and we must not be faithless to its first condition, and tbe defense of the free and equal influence of the people in the choice of public officers and In the control of public affairs. Bexj. habbisos, Executive Mansion, December 9. REVIEW OF TRADE. Don’s Report Shows a More Hopeful Outlook. R. G. Dun & Cos. say that trade is in a more healthy condition. Their report for week ended Dec. 11, says: As the holidays draw near all signs indicate a large volume of business at present, with agrowing confidence of improvement in the future, except in parts of the south where unusual accumulation of cotton and its low price have a depressing influ ence. At tne east there is again a dis tinct, though moderate improvement in the leading branches of industry; at the west trade continues in a volume never approached in any previous year; and even at the south, in spite of some em barrassment, the volume of trade is on the whole large, though not equal to last year’s. There is no lack of money in any part of the country, except at some Southern points, and the mere fact that the cotton now accumulated at a few ports and interior towns represents fully $60,000,000 in value paid to planters at once explains the difficulty, ana suggest that it is not permanent. It is a good sigD, also, that collections are, on the whole, improving, though slow a£ New Orleans and some southern points, &hd only fair in some lines at eastern cities. Reports from all parts of the country tion in the prices of carpets has come from ten cents on body brussels to five cents on ingrains, which are now said to bs cheaper in New York than in Eng land. Among clothiers the better class of goods as in excellent demand. Print cloths show some improvement and prints are more active. Boot and shoe business clearly increases. The iron business is more active. Cotton is unchanged, the receipts being still beyond those of the same weeks last year. Eqrk products are slightly stronger. Cof teb is a quarter of a cent and oil 1 5-8 cents higher, without great activity in any branch of speculative trade. Exports of domestic products continue unchanged, and for last week were 44 per cent more than the first week of December last year. Favorable monetary prospects strengthen the market for securities, especially as it is evident that disbursements in divi dends, interest and profits about January Ist will be large, and will weaken new investments. With better tone, some securities have advanced, and there is no feeling of apprehension regarding the monetary future. Business failures oc curring throughout the country during last week, as reported to R. G. Dun & Cos., number, for the United States, 280; Canada, 40; total, 320, against 330 last week. ABRAHAM BACKER DEAD. His Financial Embarrassment Hastened His Taking Off. Abraham Backer, well known dealer in commercial paper, of No. 285 Broadway, New Yorflf whose failure of August Bth, with liabilities of several millions of dollars astonished the coun try, died at his residence in that city Wednesday. He brooded greatly over bis misfor tunes and inability to get a settlement from bis creditors, and could not bear up under tbe heavy strain. The proceedin_s brought in the court of general sessions, by Judge W. D. Harding, of Savannah, affected him more than anything else, and his relatives say that it precipitated his death. It is said he caught cold the day he went to court to plead not guilty to the indictment against him. He has fre quently said with pride that in all his business career he had never pushed a man to the wall, but, on the contrary, had saved many a firm in the south from fail ure by ample loans of money and endorse ments. Backer leaves eight children. FOREIGN COMMENT Bn President Harrison’s Message to the 52d Congress. A London cablegram of Wednesday says; In commenting upon President Harrison’s message, the Post notices, with satisfaction, the absence of signs of bluster towards foreign nations, and says that if the message meets the ideas of the president’s party, Mr. Blaineja cbances have seriously diminished. The London Daily News of Wednes day says: The president’s me-sage leaves nothing to be desired, either iu tone or temper. Mr, Harrison is less exasperating than Mr. Blaine, and con sequently more statesman-like. He would not speak so tenderly of reciproc ity if his protection policy was a suc cess. NO U THROUGH DIXIE. NEWS OF THE SOUTH BRIEFLY PARAGRAPHED Forming an Epitome of Daily Happenings Here and There. The Orleans rice mills, at New Or-i leans, burned Bturday night. Loss estimated at $40,000. John P. Richardson, one of the largest and best known cotton planters in the south, died at Dallas, La., Monday. The epidemic of influeuza in St. Louis is becoming very pronounced, and hun dreds of cases are under treatment. A dispatch of Thursday says that Aus tralian influenza, which is similar to the grip, has made its appearance in Califor nia. Joseph McKay, in jail at Uklah, Cal., charged with stage robbery, has been found to bo the son of Joaquin Miller, the “poet of the Sierras.” The anti-subtreasury men have post poned their convention, which was to meet at Memphis on December 26th, to some day to he yet named. The steamer Herbert, of Chattanoiga, from St. Louis, was sunk Monday morn ing at Florence, Ala., after having suc cessfully passed through Muscle Shoals canal. Senator Call, of Florida, on Mouday introduced a bill authorizing the secre tary of war to construct the necessary buildings for a military post at St. Au gustine, Fla. The ofiicial returns, cast at the late election for railroad commissioners in Mississippi, show up on population a< follows: McLaurin, 31,98 e; Sessions, 31,553; Askew, 31,475. A dispatch from Dallas, Texas, says: The initiative step was taken toward booming Mills for the senate against Senator-appointed Chilton in the Dallas city council Thursday night by the adop tion of a resolution endorsing Mr. Mills for the United States senate. A Nashville telegram announces that Charles Nelson, the millionaire distiller, died Sunday morning of congestion of the lungs, after one week’s illness. Ho was born in Hagerow-Mccklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, July 4, 1835, and came to America with his parents when fifteen years old. A Columbia, S. C., dispatch says: The aay mgnt tne senate juuimtrry*cumuiT l tw*., to whom was referred the general prohi bition bill recently passed by the house, unanimously resolved to report it back to the senate with the recommendation that it do not pass. Dispatches from Louisville state that up to a late hour Thursday night no bod ies of the fireman killed Wednesday have been found. The names of the missing firemen are: William Davis, Thomas Moore, Samuel Baker, Tony Stack. Chief Hughes, who was hurt at the fire, is suffering from concussion of the brain, and is reported to bo in a critical condi tion. A dispatch from San Antonio, Tex., says: The grand jury, after spendiui; twenty-eight hours in jail for the non payment of a tine of SSO each, imposed by Judge King for contempt, were on Thursday evening, released on a telegram received from John P. White, judge of the court of appeals in session at Tyler. The bond of applicants is fixed at SIOO each, pending a hearing of the applica tion by the court of appeals. Emma, Lulie and Lizzie Don, specialty artists in the “Two Old Cronies” theatri cal company, had a narrow escape from death by asphyxiation at Columbia, 8. C., Thursday morning. When they were called to take the train there was no an swer. The porter crawled in through the transom, lighted the gas and found the w'oinen to all appearances dead ; one lay stretch on the floor. Physicians were summoned, and after hard work suc ceeded in reviviug them. The only ex planation that can be given is that when they retired they failed to turn the gas off completely. STARTLING FIGURES. Lowest Average Price Ever Paid for Cotton. The cotton returns of December to tbe department of agriculture at Washington relate to the average prices on plantations. The complaint of unremuuerative values is general, and the declaration is frequent that the crop does not return cost of pro duction. A feeling of discouragement pervades the report, and a disposition to reduce the area is expi eased. The plant ation price, which is the actual rate for cotton sold at a gin, averages 7.3 cents per pound. For the five years preceding tbe range was from 8.1 to 8.6, and averaged nearly 8.4 cents. This decline is echoed in the record of exportation, which averaged in October value of 8.9 cents, against 10.11 cents for October of last year, a drop of 12 per cent. Ihe state averages areas follows: Virginia, 7 cents; North Carolina, 7.4} South Carolina, 7.4; Georgia, 7.4; Flor ida, 7.3; Alabama, 7.8; Mississippi, 7.3; Louisiana, 7.8; Texas, 7.0; Arkansas, 9.8; Tennessee, 7.3. An almost unexampled season for har vesting is reported, with packing, gin ning and marketing far advanced. While the fibre is at many pointa short, it is tlean aud of good color. One of the most interesting exhibits at the World’s Fair, Chicago, HI., will be the models now being made by the Smithsonian Institute showing the vari ous phases in seal and walrus catchieg aud killing in Alaskan waters.