Decatur Democrat, Volume 40, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 10 December 1896 — Page 9

Resident Holds Out Little Hope to Insurgents. LNNI’AL- MESSAGE TO CONGKESS. Executive’s Views op the Various Subjects Which Are Before the People of the Country. c_ RETIREMENT OF TEE GREENBACKS , • Pointed Out as tlie Remedy to Str Ighten Out the Financial tJimsfioa Tin- Vcnesuela Boundary Question Hus Now Ceased To Be a Matter of Difference Between Tlil» Country and (treat Britain — The Wllaea Tariif Bill Favored by the 1 Preaidvut Other Subjeuta es Interest Touched Upon. Washington, Dec. 7.—Following is he final message of President Cleveand to congress: To the Congress of the United Stat's: Is representatives of the people in t ie egislative branch of their government r ou have assembled at a time when he strength and excellence of our fye nstltutlons and the fitness of our eiti:ens to enjoy popular rule have been gain made manifest. A political conest involving momentous consequences, raught with feverish apprehension, nd creating aggressiveness so intense s to approach bitterness and passion, las been waged throughout our land ‘nd determined by the decree of free nd independent suffrage without disurbance of our tranquillity or the least Ign of weakness in our national structre. When we consider these incidents nd contemplate the peaceful obedience nd manly submission which have sueeeded’a heated clash of political opinons we discover abundant evidence of determination on the part of our ountrymen to abide by every vdrdict f the popular will, and to be controlled t all times by an abiding faith in the gencies established. Thus our peoi le xhibit a patriotic disposition which htitles them to demand of those who indertake to make and execute their iWs such faithful and unselfish service n their behalf Lac can only be promptd by a serious’ appreciation of the rust and confidence which the aeceptnce of public duty invites. Refers to I lie Unspeakable Turk. The president then says that in obedence to constitutional requirement he Übmits certain information as to nalonal affairs with' Suclt suggestions as ils judgment approves, and that lie hall omit details regarding domestic .nd foreign matters that are contained t departmental and < then reports subnitted to congress, He then refers to 'urkey and the Armenians, stating hat he would like to assure congress hat the European powers having reaty rights to interfere had initiated tile shocking features of the sltution. This he says has not been done .nd that reports of bloody butcheries re still all too frequent. With refernce to our own action lie says we have est nothing undone to protect those oming under our care, and that our fforts will not be relaxed. The claim of American citizens for ndemnity for loss of property will be ressed. although the validity of these emands has not been admitted by 'urkey, in spite of the strongest evience of the actual complicity of Turk?h soldiers in the destruction. Happily o American life has l>een taken. He loses as follows on the subject: I do not believe that the present omber prospect in Turkey will be long ermitted to offend the sight of Chrisendom. It so mars the humane and nlighte’ned civilization that belongs to he close of the nineteenth century that t seems hardly possible that* the earnst demand of good people throughout ne Christian world for its corrective reatment will remain unanswered. TACKLES THE Cl BAN QUESTION. lot Much Comfort for Hie Followers of Maceo and Gomez. The president then takes up tlie Cutin question, ail’d says: The insurrection in Cuba still coninues with all its perplexities. It is iffleult to see that any progress hits hus far been made towards the paciflation of the island or that the situalon of affairs as depicted in my last nnual message has in the least improved’. If Spain still hotels Havana nd the seaports and all the eonsiderale towns, the insurgents’still roam at dll over at least two-thirds of the inind country. If the determination of Spain to put dov.n the insurrection eems but to strengthi n with tile lapse f time, and isevineed by her uhiiesif time, and is evinced by her unhesililitary and naval forces' to the task, here is much reason, to believe that he insurgents have gained in point of Umbers and character and resources, nd are none the" less inflexible in their esolve not to succumb without pracleally securing the great objects ..for rhich they took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-established er authority, neither have the insurants yet made good their title to be egarded as an independent state. Ineed, as the contest has gone on the retense that civil government (“exists n the island, except so far as Spain t able to maintain it. has been pfacicaHKv abandoned. Spain does keep on not such a government, more or less mberfectly. in the large towns and heir immediate suburbs. But that exCptton being made,- the entire country 3 either given over to anarchy or is übjeet to the military occupation of ne or the other party. It is reported, ideed, on reliable authority that at te demand of the commander-in-chief f the, insurgent army the putative !üban government has now given up 11 attempt to exercise its functions, laving that government confessedly what, there is .the best reason for suposing it .-Hxxays to have lw-ii. in I’.'U-t.l government merely on paper. Were le Spanish armies able to meet their ntagonists in the open or pitched bate prompt and decisive restlhs might be joked for, and the immense superiorly of the Spanish forces in numbers, iscipline and equipments could hardly til to tell greatly to their advantage. But they are called upon to face a' foe lat shuns general engagements, that an choose and does choose its own round, that from the naturev of the - wntry is visible or invisible at pleasre, and that fights only from atnbiiside. and when ail the advantage of osition and numbers are on its side.. la country where all that is indisensuble to life in the. way of food, ksthlng and shelter is -so- easily ob(fiable, especially ’by those born and red on the soil, it is obvious that there i hardly a limit to the time during •hich hostilities of this sort may be rolonged. Meanwhile,, as in all eases ? protracted civil strife,the passionsof le combatants grow more and more iflamed and excesses on both sides be>me more frequent and more deplorale. "• ! They are also participated in by ands of marauders who, now in the ame of one party and now in the ame-of the other, as may best suit le Occasion, harry the country at will nd plunder Its wretched inhabitants

- ! for their own advantage, fluch a rendition of things would ihfevltably entail immense destruction of property, even if it was the policy of both parties to prevent it an far as practicable. Hut while such seemed to be the original policy of the Spuninh government it i lias now apparently abund'ohed it, and ; is acting Upon tin', same theory as tlie Insurgents, namely: that the exigencies i of the contest require tlie wlioles.il•• annihilation of property' that it may , not prove of use ai d advantage of tlie j em iny. The president then goes on to say i that tlie result of this policy will be ' the lin of Ihe entire island, and refers ! to our money interest In Cuba, esll- ' mated at frefri 130,000,600 to $50,000,000; ! also to the difficulty and cost of pre- [ venting filibustering, with the people’s sympathies all with the rebels, together with the continual appeals for the protection by the United States of CubanAmericana He says that the United ' States has been very forbearing in tlie matter, and that no other nation would have stood off so long. He continues as follows: It was at first proposed that belligerent rights should be a< ’orded to tlie Insurgents—a proposition no longer urged because untimely and in practical operation clearly perilous and injurious to our own interests. It has since been and is now sometime? contended that the independence of the insurgents should be recognized. But imperfect and restricted as the Spanish government on the island may be no other exiats there —unless the will of the military officer in temporary command of a particular district can be dignified as a species of government. It Is now also suggested that the United States should buy the island —a suggestion possibly worthy of consideration if there were any evidence of a desire or willingness on the part of Spain to entertain such a proposal. It is urged finally, that all other metods failing, the existing internecine strife in Cuba should be terminated by our intervention, even at the cost of a war between the United States and Spain—a war which its advocates confidently prophesy could lie neither large- in its proportions nor doubtful in it's issue. The correctness of this forecast need be neither affirmed nor denied. The United States has nevertheless a character to maintain as a nation, which plainly dictates that' right and not might should be the rule of its conduct. * * * Proceeding the president refers to the determination of Spain to insist that the rebels shall lay down their arms before she grants the reforms which he gives her credit for being willing to grant, and thinks that determination not reasonable and adds: It was intimated by this government to the government of Spain some months ago that if a satisfactory measure of home rule were tendered the Cuban Insurgents and would be accepted by th m up ai a guaranty of its execution. the United States w»uJ<l endeavor to find away not obj- etiona"le to Spain of furnishing such guaranty. While no definite response to this intimation has yet been'received■ from th-- Spanish govei’i'.ment. it is beli ved to be not altogether un welcome, while no reason-is perceived why it sheuhl not be approved by tlie insurgents. * * * Whatever cirenir-ijtmes may arise our policy and our interests would constrain us to object to the acquisition of the island or the interference with its control by any other power. It should be added that it cannot be reasonably assumed lliat the hitherto expectant attitude of the Uniti d' 1 Sfates will be indefinitely maintained * * * When tlie inability of Spain to deal successfully with the insuijeethm has become manifest, and it is demonstrated that her sovereignty is extinct in Cuba for all purposes of its rightful existence, and when a hopeless, struggle for its re-establishment has degenerated into a strife which means nothing more than the useless sacrifice of life and the utter destruction of the very subject matter of the cofillict, a situation will be presented in which our obligations to the sovereignty of Spain will be superseded by higher obligations, which we can hardly hesitate to recognize and discharge, Defet the choice of ways and tlie. v time for action arrives. we sbifiild mal.e them depend upon the pv- eise conditions then existing: and they fthoul.d not be determined U| without giving careful heed to . \ ry consideration involving our honor and interest, or the international duty V.e owe to Spain. Until we face th<- eontingoneies suggested, or the situation is by other incidents imperative! v changed, we should continue in tlie line of : .b;. i heretofore pursued. thus in all-circumstanCes exhibiting our obedience to the requirements of public law and our regard for the duty enjoined upon us by the position we b«cupy in tlje family .of nations. VENZI F.I.AN BOt Nt>ARY IjI’ESTION. An Incident That Is Niarly Closed Some Talk About Seals, Tlie Venezuelan boundary question has eeased to be u matter of difference between Great Britain and the United States, their respi ctive governments having agreed upon, the substantial provisions of a treaty between Great Britain and Venezuela submitting the whole controversy to arbitration. Tne : provisions of-tlie treaty are so eminently jiist and fair, that the assent of Venezuela thereto may confidently be anticipated. Negotial ions foe a treaty of general arbitration lor all differences between Great Britain and the United States are far advanced and promise to reach a successful yansuinmation at an early date. Witli the foregoing the whole subject is dismissed and the president fakes tip the subject’ of reform in the , consular service, which he advocates' on merit system lines, and also urges the providing of residences for our ambassadors abriiitd. Then he takes up the seal question and says: .■ We have dmiiig the past ye.ar labored faithfully and against unfavorable conditions to secure belter preservation of seal life in (he Behring sea. Both the United States and Great Britain.have lately disc itched commissioners these wateisXo.-study the- liabits and condition of tlie seal hei-d and the causes of their "r.’ipjd decrease. Upon the reports of tie se commissioners, soon to be submitted, and with the exercise of patience and good sense on the part of all interested parties, it is earnestly; hoped that hearty co-opera-tion may be secured for the protection against threatened extinction of seal life in the northern Pacific and Behring sea. ... SUBJECT OF GREAT INTEREST Takes Up the Tariif am! Argues in Favor of tin- Wilson Bill. The pnesideht next takes up domestic finances and. prefaces his -suggestions with a gtatejnent of the national balance sheet, and of collecting the revenue, exports of gold nud imports of same, together with’ the production .of precious metals at home and abroad. He shows a deficit for tlie year of- - He then refers to all the depart pients. of governrftent in turn and finally' takes up the farilT as follows: ■I-desire to recur to the st-ateitjent* made concerning the gyvernments’s receipts and expenditures tor the purpose of venturing upon some suggestions touching our present tariif law anil Its operation. This statute took effect on the 26th day of August,.lß94. •Whatever may be its shortcomings as

a complete measure of tariff refo.-m it must be conceded that It has opened the way to a freer and grea-ter exchange of commodities betwc.'n us and other countries, and thus furnished a wider nrarßet for our products and manufactures. The only entire fiscal year during which this law has been iri force 1 ended on the 30th day of Jun«', 1896. In that year our imports increased over those of tin- previous year more than $6,560,000, while tire value of the domestic product-- we i-xpol-t 'd and which found mar kets abroad whs nearly $70,000,000 more than during the preceding year. Those who Insist that the cost to our people of articles coining to them from airroad for their needful use should only be Increased through tariff charges to an extent necessary to meet the expenses of the government, as well as those who claim that tar iff charges may be laid upon such articles beyohd the necessities of government revenue, and with the additional purpose of so increasing their price in our markets as to give American manufacturers and producers better and more profitable opportunities, must agree that our tariff laws are only primarily justified as sources of revenue to enable the government to meet tw? necessary expenses of its maintenance. Considered as to Its sufficiency in this respect the present law can by no means fall under just condemnation. During the only complete fiscal year of its operation it has yielded nearly $8,000,000 more revenue than was received from tariff duties in the preceding year. There was, nevertheless, a deficit between our receipts and expenditures of a little more than $25,000,000. This, however, was not unexpected. The situation was such in December, seven months before the close of the fiscal year, that the secretary of the treasury foretold a deficiency of $17,000,000. The great and increasing apprehension and timidity in business circles and the depression in all activities intervening since that time, resulting from causes perfectly well understood and entirely disconnected with our tariff law or its operation, seriously checked the imports we would have otherwise received, and readily account for the difference between this estimate of the secretary and the actual deficiency, as well as for’a continued deficit. Indeed, it must l>e confessed that we could hardly have had a rhore unfavorable period than the last two years for the collection of tariff Revenue. We can not reasonably hope that our recuperation from -this business depression will be sudden, but it has already set in with a promise of acceleration and continuance. I believe our present tariff law, if allowed a fair opportunity, will in the near future yield a revenue which, with reasonable economical expenditures, will overcome all .deficiencies. In the meantime no deficit that h.T? occurred or. may occur need excite or disturb us. To meet any such deficit .we have in the tv* asury. in addition to a gold reserve of $100,000,000. a surplus of more" than sl2S,i'.e':.coo applicabl-' to the payment of the expenses of the government, and which must, unless expend-; ed for that purpise. n-:.--ain a useless, hoard, or if not extravagantly wasted must in .any event N* perverted from the purpose of its exaction from 'our peopb . The payment, th fore, of any ! deficiency in the revenue from this fund is nothfng more than its proper! and legitimate use. The government thus applying a surplus fort tn • i dy in Us treasury to the payment of expenses not met by its current revenues is not at all to be likened to a man living beyond hij income and thus incurring debt or encroaching on its principal. It is riot one of the functions of our governrrient to accumulate and make additions to a fund not needed for immediate-expen-diture. With individuals it is the chief object of struggle and effort. The application of an accumulated fund by the government to the payment of its running.expenses Is a duty. An individual living beyond his Jncome anjl embarrassing himself with debt, or drawing upon his"accumulated fund of principal is either unfortunate or improvident. Tlie distinction is between a government charged, with the duty of expending for the benefit of the people and fi r uronm- purposes all the money i.t reeeix’esTrom any source, ami the individual who Is expected to manifest a natural desire to aviod debt or to aceuirilate as much as possible, and to live within the income derived from such accumulations, to the, end that they may fie increased, or at least remain unimpaired for tlie future use and enjoyment of himself and the objects of his love and affection who may survive him. Jt is immeasurably better to appropW'ito our surplus to. the pa merit of justifiable expenses than to allow it to become an invitation to reckless appropriations anil extravagant expenditures. 1 suppose .it will not be denied that under the present law our people obtain the necessaries of a comfortable existence at a cheaper rate th in formerly.- This is a matter of supreme im»portauce, since it is the palpable duty of evory’just government to make the burdens of taxation as liglit as possible. The people should not be required to this prix ih'.p?' of ch ap living except under the stress of their government’s necessity made plainly manifest. DIS* I SSES FINANCIAL AFFAIRS And Repeats That the Hcmeil.v Is the Retiiseijient of Greenbacks. This reference to tlie condition and prospects of our revenues naturally suggests an allusion to the weakness and vices-of our financial methods, -rpijey have bren frequently * pressed upon the attention of congress in pre- , vious executive communications and the inevitable datpger of their continued toleration pointed out. Without now ’repeating these f details I cannot refrain from again earnestly presenting the -■ necessity of the'prompt reform of a system opposed to every rule of sound finance,'and shown by experience tp.be fraui’.lit witii the gravest peril and per-, plexity. The terrible civil war which shook the' foundationa- of our government more yian thirty yeaps ago brought- in its train the desf ruet-ii+n-.nf property, the .wasting of our coun.tryjs substance’and the estraiifc-ement of brethren* Tiiese arc now past and forgotten. Even the distressing loss of life the .conflict entailed is but a sacred memory, which fosters patriotic sentiment and keeps alive a tender regard for those who nobly died. And yet there remains with us todn.y, in full strength and activity, as an incident of that tremendous struggle, a feature of its financial necessities not only iftisuited to our present circumstances but .manifestly a disturbing menace to business security' and .an ever-present agent of monetary distress, Because we may be enjoying a tempor.Trx relief from its depressing influence, this should not ’lntf us into a false security nor lead us to forget the/ suddenness of past Visjtations. 1 am; more 'convinced than ever that we van have no assured financial-—peace and safety until the government currencyofillgatlbns upon which gold may be demanded from the treasury are wiflidrawn. froiii eirculrttion and cancelled. This mi-glit bo done, as lias been heretofore recommended, by their exchange 'for lopg term bonds bearing a low rate of Interest, or bj their redemption with the proceeds of such bonds. p, Even if only the United States notes known,as greenbacks were thus retired it is probable that the treasury

notes issued In payment of silver pur- ! chases under the act of July 14, 1890, . now paid in gold when demanded, would not create much disturbance, as they mi; iit from time to timu, when Received iq tlie trea> ury by Redemption in gold or otm rwise, I>6 gradually and pru-dei ily 11 pl.-iif ii by silver coin. This plan of i: .’uing bonds for the’purpose of red'«.]>; ion certainly appl-'ars to Be 111? rm m •- lin- ami dirvi t path to the n<-‘ d- d reform. In default of this, howev i, it would In- a step in tlie right direction if eurieney obligations redeemable in gold, wli -never so re-, deemed, should be cancelled Instead of being reissm-d. This operation would be a slow remedy, but it would improve present conditions. National banks stio.uid redeem thejr own notes. They should be allowed to issue circulation to the par value of bonds deposited as security for its redemption, and . the tax on their circulation should be < reduced to one-fourth of 1 per cent. 3 In considering projects of the retire- I ment of United States notes and treas- : ury notes issued under the law of 1890, ; I am of the opinion that we have placed too much stress upon the dan- , ger of contracting the currency, and: have calculated too little upon the gold that would be added to our circulation ; if Invited to us by better and safer. financial methods. It is riot so much a contraction of our currency that I should be avoided as Its unequal dis- . tributio.n. This might be obviated, and j any fear of harmful contraction at the i same time removed, by allowing the organization of smaller banks in less populous communities than are now permitted, and also authorizing existing banks to establish branches in small communities under proper re- ( strlctions. The entire case may be presented by the statement that the day of sensible and sound financial methods will not dawn upon- us until our government abandons the banking business and the Accumulation of funds, and confines its monetary operations to the receipt of the money contributed by tlie people I for its support, rind to the expenditure of such money for the people-s benefit.'j Our business interests apd all gribd cit- ■ izens long for rest from feverish agita- ! tion, at'il the inauguration by the gov-J ernment of a reformed financial policy which will f-n< ourage enterprise and make cej.l.dn the rewards of labor and industry. Statistics Given hy the President. The statistics of national income and outgo, etc., given by tlie president are . as follows: The secretary of the. treasury, reports ! that during th« fiscal year ended June 30, ISi'il. tie- rect-fpts of. the government from all sources amounted to $’409,475,-I 408,78. During the same period its ex-| penditures i. --i> 654,48. the ex-I cess of expenditures over rec :pts thus’ amounting to The ordl- ! nar-y“expei.'lirui r es during the-year were ’ $4,015,832.2! less, than during the preced- ' ing fiscal year. Os the receipts men-| Alcmed tiler was derived from-customs the sum of $180,021.751 .j>7. and from in-! ternal revenue 5146,830.615.66. The re- | ceipts’’from customs siiow all increase : of $7,8'33.130ver those from the same source for the fiscal year end-J June 30.11.hj, and the receipts from internal revenue a.i increase of $3,584,5 ’,7.91. The vali: - of’our imported dutiable i ’ merchandise during the last fiscal year i was $269.’i 5',479. and the valui of free goods imp' ; P’d $109,967,470, b-ing :m sh-- . crease of |*> 52 '.675 in the value of dutia- : ble goods and $4'1,231.034 in the value bi ! free goods over the-preceding year. Our exports "f n,-rehandise, foreign and domestic- amounted in value to $882,606.9.38, ieing an increase over the preceding year ..of $75,068,773. The average ad * valorum duty paid bn dutiable goods imported during the year w,as 39.94 percent., and <>n free arid.dutiable goods taken together 20.55. per. cent. The cost of collecting our internal revenue Wgs cent, as against! 2.81 per cent, for the -fiscal year ended June 30, D.'s. The total production of distilled spirits, exclusive of fruit brandies, was 88,538,703 taxable gallons, being an increase of 6.639.108 gallons over the preceding year. There was also an increase of 1,443.676 gallons of spirits produced from fruit, as compared with the-preceding year. Thb numb r of barrels of beer produced was 35,859.250, as against 33,389.784 produced in th- preceding fiscal year, being in increase of 2,269.466. bai t-, is. The total amount of gold exported during the last fiscal year w:is‘sU2,4o9.947 and of silver $60.54.1.670. being an increase of $15,941,466 of gold and $13,-p 246,384 of silver over tlie exportations of the preceding fiscal year. The imports of gold were $33,525.1165 and* of silver $28,777,186. -eing $2,'5:i.695 less of gold and sSs6t’,ii’7 monos silv-er than during the pr< ■ -ling year. The total stock of metallic money in the United States at the close of tlie last fiscal year, , ended on the 30th day -of June. IS:'ml. was $1,228 :’’.'6.035, of which $399 597,964 was in geld, and $628.728.0,1 in silver. ; On the Ist day of Noveml". r. 4896.-the: total s.toi-k of moiie;- of ali kinds-tri , the co-iitiH-y was $2.285:410,590 and the; amount in c:r< ukitien. not including; that in tin treasury holdings, was sl.627,055.611. being $22.63 per.oapita upon an estimat'd population, of 71.1>u2,000. : The produi tion of the precious metals ' in the Until i.i Slates during the eel-i endar ye:,ll 1-8’95 is estimaterl to have been'2,2s4.l':' 1 fine oum-s of gvAi. of the value of S !0.610.000, and 55,727.000 fineounces of silver, of the commercial value of $70:415.000 and the . coinage, value of B'7:. 51,000. The estimated production of these: metals tlir'>'ighLut the world during’ the same p. i"d was 9.<38.8.821 tine ounces of gold. :::."iinting to $200.2x5.700 in value, and :r0,189-.24'i fine ounces of silver. of. ths s’s'mnwj’i’ial value of slbh--654.000 and <■!’ the coinage value of $218,738.100 aerrtding t* l our ratio. These coit age of these metals in the various coimt’ies of the world d.uring tb<> same calendar y>’ut’ am'".<nt<-il 'o $2:’2,701, tils in gold and $121,996,219 in silver. » • • « » » » » • The total outstanding ci rou lat ing notes of all national banks on the ::ist . day of (■Ji-tob-’r. 1896, amount<-d to $.'34.-. 553,507. i-neli'tlmg unredeemed but fully | secured not’s of banks insolvent and in . process of.l .quidatlpn.’ The. im-cease innational' bank i-ireltlatiori during the I year ending on that day was- $21,0;i9.- • ■ 429. fin ©ct- 6; 1896. when the - corrtHtion of national bank’s was Inst reported, 1 the total resources of the 3:6,1* a<;tix'e institutions was $3.263,68.<.313 S 3, which include d $' " ’3.”65.5:->.3'_ in loans and , discounts , it,<i J 5"62..165,. 38.85 in' money , of all kinds on hand. Os their liabilities $1,597.x91,058,03 was- due to individual deposit- --s and $209 944.019 consisted Os outstaml'iig cireulatirig notes. TAKES A WHACK AT TRI STS. | •’! R'-euiuiu. li'l' I'Jiat -Gougrtws Eeglslnte for , !■ ■ Their Control. Another topic in which our people riglitfullx i.tke a deep interest may be j here briefly 1-onside,red. 1 refer to the . .'xistenee of trusts and other huge aggregations <>f capital the object ofwhiUh j is to secure (ite ihon<ip« ly of some par- 1 tiyular bran-11° of tra'le. industry or commerce, ami so Stille wliolesotne coriipetition. When these are defended -it is usually on the grout'd that though they increase profits they also reduce prices and thus may benefit the public. It must be remembered, however, that a reduction- of prices to the people is not one of the ■ roti 1 objects of those organizations, nor is their ton- | deiicy necessarily in that direction. If ' it occurs In a particular ease it is only I because It accords with the purpose 1 •rs- • '**- - •

1 or Interest of those managing the ' scheme. . j Such occasional results fall far short of compensating the palpable evils charged to tfte account of trust's an 1 monopolies. Th< Ir tendency is to crush out individual independence and to hinder or prevent the free use ot human'. faculties <md the full de.fl'' I" t of numtm, chartlet er. Through th*' the farmer, the artisan and the sma.ll tr.-ol r is in‘danger of di-dodgement from Ure proud position of being his own mast' r, watchful of all that touched his <-otinti s prosperity, in which he has an • individual lot, ami int<-r< st< d in ill that affects the advantages of business of which' he is a factor, to lie relegat-d to the level of a mere appu.’tennm to a great machine, with little free will-, with no duty but that of passive obedience, and with little hope or opportunity of rising in the scale of responsi- | ble and helpful citizenship. | To the instinctive belief that such is ■ the inevitable trend of trusts and mo- , nopolies is due the wide-spread and deep-seated popular aversion in which they are held, and the not unreasonable insistence that, whatever may be their incidental economic advantages, ' their general effect upon personal character, prospects and usefulness can not ,be otherwise than injurious. Though | congress has attempted to deal with I this matter by legislation, the laws 1 passed for that purpose thus far have ; proved ineffectual, not because of any lack of disposition or attempt to en--1 force them, but simply because the laws themselves as interpreted by the courts do not reach the difficulty. If the insufficiencies of existing laws can be j remedied by further legislation it should . be done. ” It should be recognized, however, | 1 that all federal legislation on this subject may fall short of its purpose because of inherent obstacles, and also because’of the complex character of our government system, which, while making the federal authority supreme within its sphere, has carefully limited : that fear by metes and bounds which : cannot be transgressed. The decision of our highest court on this precise ■ question renders it quite doubtful ; whether the eyiis of the trusts 'and 1 monopolies can be adequately treated ■I through federal action, unless they seek directly and purposely to include in their objects transportation or interi course between states, or between the 1 United States and foreign countries. It does not follow, however, that this is the limit of tJie remedy that may be applied. Even though it may be found i that federal authority is not broad 1 enough to fully reach the case, there i can be no doubt of the power of the' sex'eral states to act effectively in the ' premises, and ther-e-should be no rea- • | son to doubt their willingness to judiej iously exercise such power. 1 REFERS TO VARIOUS SUBJECTS Some Remarks -on Pensions, the Navy, ! <»rtifications, Etc. The diminution of our enormous pension roll and th- deer ase of pension \- penditure which have been so often contidentiy 0 ■ told, still fail in material realisati' 11. The number of n -n---sioners '-n tlie rolls at the clos° of tlie fiscal year ended Jtm.e 30, 1896, as 970,678. This is the largest number ■x - r ’ reported. The amount paid exclusiy■--ly for the pensions du:ing the year was $'138,214,761.: 4, a slight decrease t’r n tli '.t of the pieceding year, while the -total expenditures on account of pensions, iml’i 'ing the cost of mainta n-■ ; ing the department arid, expenses at- , tending pension distribution amount -d to $142.201..550.5!'. .’•>• v i’h ti a vet y small 1 ; fraction x>f one-third "of the entire ex- : ’ pi-nse of supporting the government during the same year. The number of new pension certificates issued was 90,640. Os these, 40,374 represent original ' allowances oUelairiis and 15,878 increase ■ of existing /tensions. ! The number of persons receiving 1 pensions -fi’ l ' ll ' the United States, but residing/in fbreign countries at the cltfse or the last fiscal year was -3.781, 1 and the amount paid to them during ' the year was $582,735.35. The sum ap- ; propriated for the payment of pensions for the current lis< al year'"ending June I 30, is $149,000,000. and for the sue- : ce'eding year it is estimated that th’e same amount will be necessary. The commissioner of pensions reports that . during the just fiscal year 339 indict- ; ‘ riients v.'-ro*’i'Otii<l against violators of . the pension laws. Upon these indict-: PT’tits- U-7 convictions resulted. In my opinion bas -d’ upbri such state-/ merits as these and niueh' other tnformatk'ii ind oTiservation. the abuses ' w.hicli have been allowed to creep into . our pi-nsion system have done incalculable i..ii-ni in ilemoralizing enr peiiple ami rejiil. i:irg good < itizenship. I have endeavored within’ my sphere of official duty to pr. t.-vt our pension roll . and-m.ftke it what it should be. a roll 'f honor, i-i-rtairnng ti e r. unes th ■■ disabled in tlp-ir -emint 1 y’s service and i worthv of ilieir country's .affectiotiate remembra r- ; wiieti 1 :,ax-- s-'c-n tlfose who pose’as ; tp,> s Idiprs’ friends active and alert in ■ urg ' g g• .ater laxity and more i w\-].-ss p.-n-I expenditure, while nursing1 seitish s.lwmis. 1 hax't* depreeated th.-: : ai pr<-:t< hos a situation when necess- ; ary r< trenchment and enforced ecotii oi'ry wax’ lead to an attack upon pension abuses, so determined as to ow*r- , look t! -■ <'iiserimii'ati"n due to those. Aho. v--rt>ty of a uatn-n’s care, ought to li > i die under the protection of ! a natio’i s gratitiuie. The secretary i calls a.tt’t-.tion to the pul lie intere-’.s- --: inwlx .ti in .111 adjustment of the obligations of. the Uaci’ic railroads to tlie : pu'-t”- nt. I -teem it to’ be an ; ■ I pert.irt rl’ity to esn-’<-ially present this sui-.i-» t M the cotrsi'l'-iain n of the eonThe or : mizil mil'tia numbers 112.ST*! !, men. • T'e- appropi i itions for its s:i. ■ port by rhe several states approximate S: I: "■ 0 ■•nmc’iiy ami $400,000 is con- . i-ributeJ by the federal government. Investigation shows these troops to be I usual!'- drilled and inspired with much mi!it;iry iter-'st. but. in many instam’es tbey. ir-e so deficient, in proper arms ami -.ifuipment that a stidden call : to active dnr.y would find them inadeI quat - 1 ' pt ’pared for field service. I ti-.” - !’•••’■• re. ••••amend that prmot't j ntrasnrerl’i' taken to remedy this coim I dilieti and that . ever*B encouragement I.T .jiven to this df _uti'paifi and vy.g-imt.'iry citizen yoldie s. ■ upon wohse assistance xve must J&rgeJy rely in time, of trouble,. During tlie vast year rapid progress' bas been made to ward the compie--1 tion of the scheme adopted for ti," en-ctlon-atjd armament of fortifications along opr seacoast, while--equal progress lies been made iii ■■providing the I material for su-b« urine d-efense in con- - neetion with these w<»rks." • • • Tl'..' : I experience and results of the past year ; : liaxu nsti’atcs xhaa’.with a eontinuafiun of present careful methods tlie cost of, i ■ the remaining work will be much less ' thO tlie original estimate. Tlje const of ..vessels for ftti’f 1 new nax y has ,been energetically pros- ■ ; ecuted by the present administration i. J upon the general . lines previously ' adoptd, the department having seen tw necessity for ra'dieal changes In prior 1 methods under which the work watf foumUto be progressing in a -mannei*' highly satisfactory. It has been de- | ■cided. however, to provide in every ship building contract, that the builder should pay all trial expenses and it has also "been determined 4o pay -no ! ’speed premiums in the future'contracts. ; I Eight new uiiarmored cruisers and two ; ' new gunboats have also been cbmmis* I sioned. The lowa, another battleship, I I*- * 1

Will bo completed about M irch 1, and at least four more gunboats "ill be ready for,sea in the early spring. It is gratifying to state that our ships and their ’ arc .believed to Isb ■'■•i-iuii' to th<- best ti.itt can b'-- nitinu-fm-tiii. I else where, anil that such nbtth r lost, as to Jus’: .- tiie .4 a :■-in--nt thru qm.le -1 numhi'T <> ■’ v 1 ; are now being constructed at rat- .i as low as th'- tc.it. prevail in European shipIt' is most-gratifying to p. .■ thd sati- Ir-suits that have billowed the ii- ... ion <>f the <■>■ w■■ fn'i provided 1 i’ 1 !i<l act ofjMi'j 28, .1893, und--r which certain federal 'ofl’e .a Is are compensated by., salaries Inslwid of fees. Thy new plan was pu: in op- ration on the I t day of July, 1896, and already tfie great . i-onomy it enforce--, its prevention of abuses, and its tendency to a better enforcement of the laws, ar* strikingly apparent. Detail';/! evidence of the usefulness of this b.Tig-dela-ved tint now happily accomplish, d refixtn will be found clearly set forth in the attorney general's report. (lur postotfice department is In good condition, ard the exl.ld t made of its operations durink the fiscal year ended June 30,1896, if allowance is made for imperfections in the laws applicable to it is very satisfactory. The total receipts during the year were $82,499,208.40. The total expenditures were $90.626,296.84, exclusive of $1,559,898.27, which was earned by the Pacific railroad for transportation and credited on their debt to the government. There was an increase of receipts over the previous year of $5,516,080.21, or 7.1. per cent, and an increase of expenditures of $3,836,124.02, or 4.42 per cent. The number of emigrants arriving in the Unitxd States during the fiscal year was 343.267, of whom 340.468 were permitted to land, and 2,799 were debarred on various grounds -prescribed by law at.d returned to the countries whence they < ame at the expense of the steamslirt iompany by which they were brought ’ll. The increase in immigration over the preceding year amounted to 84,131. It is report d that with some exceptions the immigrants of the past year weye "f a hardy laboring class, accustomed and able to earn, a support for themselves, and it is estimated that the money brought with them amounted to at least $5,000,000. Though it was probably much In ex--1 cess of that surn since only those having less than S3O are recuir/a to disclose the ex'act amount and it is known, that many brought cons: leraMe sums of money to buy .nd build homes. Including al th" immigrants arriving i who were over 14 y. ars of age. 1'8.63 I per cent, were illiterate as against 20.37 : per cent, of those of that ttge arriving 1 during the preceding fiscal year. » • ’ There arrived from. Jan-an the year only 1.41.0 immigrants, and 1 it is the ; opinion of the immig'.•'"ii au-thorlfies th a t the t rel ' ex- ! isting to.some extent era large immi- • gration 'from Japan tn the United i States is without any su’Astantial foundation. Tn C'-rfcludirig this‘communication Its last "sards shall be ar tpeal to the congress for the most rigid economy in tlie expenditure of the 1: “ip y it holds in trust fir the peoule. The way to . n l'-xing- extta’-.. gar.<■•••'.« a r ::irn to frugality, is -litficult- When, h- "' ver. it is consid -1 t’"'t those xvho bear the burdens of’taxatil n have no guarantee of horie;-t care save in the fidelity of their pubi: • s -r'-.-mts. the duty '. f all possible retmmchment is . , plainly manifest.' s . When our differences ar* forgott»n and ‘-ur contests of politicaj opinion are , no longer remembered, nothing in the I retrospect of- our-public service- will be • ; as fortunate and comforting as the rec-. ollection of-effieiaUduty well performed; and the memory of a constant devotion to the interests of our confiding fellowcountrvmen. GROVER CLEVELAND. Executive Mansion, Dec. 7, 1896. ON THE EVE OF THE'SESSION. ! Influx of statesmen at the Hotels —Mark Haena the Central Figure. That Sunday xvas the eve of a new j s-ssr-n of congress was apparent In the ! Washington hotels, which are always 1 barometers of political activity under ! the dome. Senators and members ccm- : ing to the city by every train, rein-t.-r'Vd by the ai.tat.4ies and -lookers-on of cofigri'ss, were drifting into.the lobbies. *gieeting one.another iike school boys after a vacation with .much handshaking. with reminiscences of the ! ■ ,pai;:n and many expkinations of 'ftbxv tl-.eir re-el'-i ticns or defeats had 1 ■ -,m b’-i'tigirt ai'out. IThere.was eom- !•: lativciy small ‘iite-rest in the.work of the (.’.■■!.lire <-ingress-itself 0.1 irl frotHN ti e p> sitlenfs niessage. but ■ I- -+*is o f . sw-< m-’iion "ere a:\at -di.- : with the politics ot tlie ne" mli> ■ 'tiatidii to l:■ 'iti-cuiat.-d on-tli.- Hl. • . -March, and " li tli’-- :■ rsonnel - Jb-- .< met. it -cis unanimously coin, led that : the l:vp-u‘'l:t:: n prograt.. :-.e "as to ig1, 're.the Bingley tariff . o and to sumrrp.n t'Mia st/sion of for tl;e Utii of Maith, for tlie t-uri of ■ a new tallt’f measure. Curtoswas expressed over "hat re!'-.- -... e any President Cleveland miei’.t make ■ . th ■ a-, t; < ;i>'d .tlie resfiit bl the pr.es;d, • ■ al fami algid and partieul. rly as . to po!:-. y upon the Cuban oy-.'stion. . The centr l figure of the jvg’.it was y:. is A. Hanna, who i- k ■ upon * .- t-■ .- ivar.ee ■- ’.: ■ McKinley ail.oinist’.-ation. "”h a cu'.-miis--n to fe I the pulse of <••■ ns’-e-ts.-.a: d ■ to e.-iiin’iunteatv the PiT-ley o' the ,-:es- ■ >len:--leet to the leaders. When ITiintia <ipi»eared in tile A'li'w ■-i - lobby .-c tor His dinner, ai’-. om:■ <•<!: by H- <’. I’.iyr.e. of Wiseqi’.s'ti. - '• si slated .is a cabinet pti'liabi-it' . of Chicago, a menibc.r es the Republi- » j can committee, arid Ge :il Hota-.e Porter, tlie marshal of the ’iaauguraticn !’ parade, the .party was surroiuided by congressmen and other politicians who ; (d-eorted them to Hanna’s rooms. The, 'chairman hiid been Invisi-ble-dm ing* the day-, trying..to put aside . , • "litix's Yor a Sunday, he e\i lained. but i■'throughout the evening, he "Us. beset ’by visitors. . i Some'of the most conspicuous men aV’ut hotel, ano-st of xvhoirt talk, d wlTli Hanna during the. i-v.n rig. were Senators Platt, of Coi-inoe,tieut. and Aldrich, of ..Rhode Island.; Chairman : Babcock and "Vice. Chairman Mercer, . of congressional campaign com--1 mil tee: General Grosvenor, of Ohio; I'ou'gre.ss'n. a I ;:i oy -(of Towa), Gillett, •« I MeCorriiack and Wilson (of Ne"’ York), ! Foss, Belknap and Lorimer <of Illinois); ' Chairman Cannon, of the cummlttee, of ~ : appropriations of the house. and”Dea- ■ eon” S. V. White, .the New -York fln/ar - 1 cier "’ho Served a--term in congress and j’ seidoni, fails t-p attend the opening of a 1 session. • ■ ’ Russia on tfie Egyptian Question. Lomioti: ..Dee. .7.-—lt is semi-ojlieially'an-nounced: that Russia has uoti. ed France that the interests .of then government In the matter of evacuation of Egypt Is quite remote. Tfie czar is said to have ex- ! pressed the conviction that Gre t Britain j his earned an indemnity by reason of her ! beneficent intervention in the Nile valley. I • , ..-