Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1885 — Page 7

arrest the attention of those -who supposh that we can succeed without shock or injury in the attempt to circulate, upon its merits, all the silver we may com under the provisions of the silver-coinage act. The condition in which our Treasury may be placed by a persistence in our present course is a matter of concern to every patriotic citizen who does not desire his Government to pay in silver Rnch of its obligations as should be paid in gold. Nor should our condition be such as to oblige us, in a prudent management of our affairs, to discontinue the calling in and payment cf interest bearing obligations which we have the right now to discharge and thus avoid the payment of furcher interest thereon. The so-called debtor class, for whose benefit the continued compulsory coinage of silver is insisted upon, are not dishonest because they are in debt, and they should not be suspected of a desire to jeopardise the financial safety of the country in order that they may cancel their present debts by paying the same in depreciated dollars; nor should it be forgotten that it is not the rich nor the money-lencer alone that must submit to such a readjustment, enforced by the Government and their debtors. The pittance of the widow and the orphan, and thq incomes of helpless beneficiaries of all kinds, would be disastrously reduced. The depositors in savings banks and in other institutions whioh hold, in trust the savings of the poor, when their little accumulations are scaled down to meet the new order of things, would, in their distress, painfully realize the delusion of the promise made to them that plentiful money would improve their condition. Wo have now on hand all the silver dollars necessary to supply the present needs of the people, and to satisfy those who from sentiment wish to see them in circulation, and if their coinage is suspended they can be readily obtained by all who desire them. If the need of more is at any time apparant, their coinage may be renewed. That disaster has not already overtaken us furnishes no proof that danger does not wait upon a continuation of the presont silver coinage. Wo have been saved by the most careful management, and unusual expedients by a combination of fortunate conditions, and by a confident expectation that the commerce of the Government in regard to silver coinage would be speedily changed by an action of Congress. Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold because of dangers and uncertainties surrounding this question. Capital timidly shrinks from trade, and investors are unwilling to take the chance of the questionable shape in which their money will be returned to them, while enterprise halts at a risk against which care and sagacious management do not protect. As a necessary consequence, labor lacks employment, and suffering and distress ore visited upon a portion of Qur fellow-cit-izens especially entitled to the careful consideration of those charged with the duties of legislation. No interest appeals to us so strongly for a safe and stable currency as the vast army of the unemployed. I recommend the suspension of comyulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by the law passed in February, 1878. THE ARMY. The report of the Secretary of War is herewith submitted. The attention of Congress is invited to the detailed account which it contains of the administration of his department and his recommendations and suggestions for the improvement of the service. The army consisted, at the date of the last consolidated returns, of 2,154 officers., and 24,705 enlisted men. The expenses of the departments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, including £13,104,394.60 for public works and river and harbor improvements, were $45,850,999 54. Beside the troops which were dispatched in pursuit of the small band of Indians who left their reservation in Arizona and committed murders and outrages, two regiments of cavalry and one of infantry were sent last July to the Indian Territory to prevent an outbreak which seemed imminent.. They remained to aid, if necessary, in the expulsion of intruders upon the reservation who seemed to have caused the discontent among the Indians, but the Executive proclamation warning them to remove was complied with without interference. Troops were also sent to Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory, after the massacre of Chinese there, to prevent further disturbances, and afterward to Seattle, iu Washington Territory, to avert a threatened attack upon Chinese laborers and domestic violence there. In both casos, the mere presence of the troops had the desired effect. SEA-COAST DEFENSES. The Board on Fortifications or Other Defenses, appointed in pursuance of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1885, will in a short time present their report, and it is hoped that this may greatly aid the legislation so necessary to remedy the present defenseless condition of our seacoasts. BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATEStS. There should be a general law of Congress prohibiting the construction of bridges over navigable waters in such manner as to obstru ct navigation, with provisions for preventing the same. It seems that under existing statutes the Government cannot intervene to prevent such a construction when entered upon without its consent, though when such consent is asked and grafted upon condition, the authority te insist upon such condition is clear. Thus it is represented that, w hile the officers of the Government are, with great care, guarding against the obstruction of navigation by a bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Paul, a large pier for a bridge has been built just below this place, directly iu the navigable channel of the river. If such things are to bo permitted, a strong argument is presented against the appropriation of large sums of money to improve the navigation of this and other important highways of commerce. NAVAL AFFAIRS. The report of the Secretary of the Navy gives a history of the operations of his departments and the present condition of tire work committed to his charge. He details in full the course pursued by him to protect the rights of the Government in respect of certain vessels unfinished at the time of his accession to office, and also concerning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to be completed and awaiting the acceptance of the department. No one can fail to see, from the recital contained in this report, that only the application of business principles has been insisted upon in the treatment of those subjects, and that whatever controversy has arisen was caused by the exaction ou the part of the department of the contract obligations as they were legally construed. Iu the case of the Dolphin, w'ith entire justness to the contractor, an agreement has been entered into providing for the ascertainment by a judicial inquiry of the complete or partial compliance with the Contract in her construction, and further providing for the assessment of any damages to which the Government may be entitled on account of a partial failure to perform such contract, or the payment of the sum still remaining unpaid upon her price in case a fujl performance is adjudged. The contractor by reason of his failure iu business, being unable to complete the other three vessels, they were taken possession of by the Government in their unfinished state, under a clause in the contract permitting such a course, and are now in process of completion in the yard of the contractor, but under the supervision of the Navy Department. Congress in its last session authorized the construction of two additional new cruisers and two gunboats, at a cost not exceeding in the aggregate $2,995,000. The appropriation for this purpose having become available on the Ist day of July last, stoics were at once taken for the procurement of such plahs for the construction of these vessels as would be likely to ensure their usefulness when completed. These are of the utmost importance, considering the Eon st ant advance in the art of buildtig vessels of this character, and the timo is not lost which is spent in their careful consideration and selection. AR must admit the importance of an effective' navy to a nation like ours, having such an extended sea coast to protect. Yet we have not a single vessel of war that could keep the seas against a first-class vessel of any important power. Such a condition ought Hot longer to continue. The nation that con not resist aggression is constantly exposed to it. Its foreign poltpy is of necessity weak, and its negotiations are conducted with disadvantage because it is not in a Condition to enforce the terms dictatedby its sense of right and justice. Inspired-as I ain by the hope, shared by all patriotic citizens, that the day is not far distant when our navy Will be ' such as bfcflts wit standing among the nations of the earth, and rejoiced at every step that leads in the direction of such a consummation, I deem it my duty to especially direct the attention of Congresß to the close of the report of the Secretary of the Navy in which, the ljumiliating featuiys of the. present organization of this department is exhibited,- and the startling abuses and the waste of its present methods are exposed. The conviction is forced upon us, with the certainty of mathematical demonstration, that before we proceed further in the restoration of a navy, we

need a thoroughly reorganized Navy Department. The fact that within seventeen years more j than $75,000,000 has been spent in construction, i repair, equipment, and armament of vessels, j and the farther fact that, instead of an effective ; and creditable fleet, we have only the discontent : and apprehension of a nation undefended by : war vessels, added to the disclosures now made, do not permit us to doubt that every attempt to rerive our navy has thus far, for the most part, been misdirected, and all our efforts in that direction have been little better than blind ; gropings, and expensive, aimless follies. Unquestionably if we hre content with the maintenance of a navy department simply as an ornament to the Government, a constant watchfulness may prevent some of the scandal aild abuse which have found their way into our present organization, and its incurable waste may be reduced to the minimum. But if we desire to build ships for present usefulness instead of naval reminders of the days that are past, we must have a department organized for the work, supplied with all the latest and best ingenuity our country affords and prepared to take advantage of the experience of other nations, systematized so that all efforts shall unite and lead in one direction; and fully imbued with the oonviction that war vessels now are useless unless they combine all that the ingenuity of man has up to this day brought forth relating to their construction, I earnestly commend the portion of the Secretary’s report devoted to this subject to the action of Congress, in the hope that the suggestions touching the reorganization of his department may be adopted as the first step toward the reconstruction of our navy, THE POSTAL SERVICE. The affairs of the postal service are exhibited by the rejxirt of the Fostmaßter General, which will be laid before you. The postal revenue, whose rates of gaiu upon the rising prosperity of 1882 and 1883 outstripped the increasing expense of our growing service, was checked by the reduction in the rate of letter postage, which took effect with the beginning of October in the latter year, and it diminished during the two fiscal years $2,790,000, in the proportion of $2,27c,000 in 1884 to $520,000 in 1885. Natural growth and development have, in the meantime, increased expenditure, resulting in a deficiency in the revenue to the expenses of the department of $5,250,000 for the year 1984, and $8,333,333.33% in the last fiscal year. The anticipated and natural revival of the revenue has been oppressed and retarded by the unfavorable business condition of tho country, of which the postal service is a faithful indicator. The gratifying fact is shown, however, by the report, that our returning prosperity is marked by a gain of $380,000 in the revenue of the latter half of the last year over the corresponding period of the preceding year. The change in the rate of first-class matter which may be carried fer a single rate of postage from a half-ounce to an ounce, and the reduction by one-half of the rate of newspaper postage, which, under recent legislation, begun with the current year, will operate to restrain the augmentation of receipts which otherwise might have been expected to such a degree that the scale of expense may gain upon the revenue and cause an increased deficiency to be shown at its close ; yet after no long period of iewakened prosperity, by proper economy, it is confidently anticipated that even the present low rates, now as favorable as any country affords, will be adequate to sustain the cost of the service. The operation of the Postoffiee Department is for the convenience and benefit of the people, and the method by which they pay the charges of this useful arm of the public service, so that it be just and impartial, is of less importance to them than the economical expenditure of the means they provide for its maintenance, and the due improvement of its agencies, so that they may enjoy its highest usefulness. A proper attention has been directed to the prevention of waste or extravagance, and good results appear from the reports to have already been accomplished. DOMESTIC MONEY ORDERS. I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster General to reduce the charges on domestic money orders of $5 and less from 8 to 5 cents. This change will materially aid those of our people who, most of all, avail themselves of this instrumentality, but to whom tho element of cheapness fs of the greatest importance. With this reduction the system would still remain self-supporting. THE FREK-DF.LIVERY SYSTEM has been extended to nineteen additional cities during the year, and 178 now enjoy its conveniences. Experience has commended it to those -who enjoy its benefits, and further enlargement of its facilities is due to other communities to which it is adapted. In the cities where it has been established, taken together, the local postage exceeds its maintenance by nearly $1,300,000. Tho limit to which this system is now confined by law has been nearly reached, and the reasons given justify the extension which is proposed. FOREIGN-MAIL SERVICE. It was decided, with my approbation, after a sufficient examination, to bo inexpedient for the Postoffice Department to contract for carrying our foreign mails under the additional authority given by the last Congress. The amount limited was inadequate to pay all withiu the purview of the law the full rate of 50 cents per mile, and it would have been unjust and unwise to have given it some and denied it it to others. Nor could contracts have been let under the law to all at a rate to have brought the aggregate within the appropriation without such practical pre-arrangement of terms as would have violated it. The rate of sea and inland postage which was proffered under another statute clearly appears to be a fair compensation for the desired' service, being three times the price necessary to secure transportation by other vessels upon any route, and much beyond the charges made to private persons for services not less burdensome. Some of the steamship companies, upon the refusal of the Postmaster General to .attempt, by the means provided, the distribution of the sum appropriated, -withdrew the services of their vessels, and thereby occasioned slight inconvenience, though no considerable injury. The mails have been dispatched by other means. Whatever may be thought of the policy of subsidizing any line of public conveyance or travel, I am satisfied that it should not be done under cover of an expenditure incident to the administration of a department, nor should there be any uncertainty as to the recipients of the subsidy or any discretion left to an executive officer as to its distribution. If such gifts of public money are to be made for the purpose of aiding any enterprise in the supposed interest of the public. I cannot but think that the amount to be paid and the beneficiary might better be determined by Congress than in any other way. THE POBTAL UNION. The International Congress of delegates' from the postal union countries convened at Lisbon, in Portugal, in February last, and after a session ot some weeks the delegates signed a convention amendatory of the present Postal Union Convention in some particulars designed to advance its purposes. This additional act has had my approval, alid will bo laid before you with the departmental reports. I approve tho recommendation of the Postmaster General that another assistant be provided for his department. I invite your consideration to the several other recommendations contained in his report. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The report of the Attorney General contains a history of the conduct ol the Department of Justice during the last year, and a number of valuable suggestions as to needed legislation, and I invite your careful attention to the same. The condition of business in the courts of tho United States is such that there seems to be an imperative necessity for romedial legislation on the subject. Some of these courts are so overburdened witli pending causes that the delays on determining litigation amount often to a denial of justice. Among the plans suggested for relief is one submitted by the Attorney General. Its main features are the transfer of all tho original jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts to tho District Courts, and an increase of Judges for the latter where necessary; an addition of Judges .to the Circuit Courts and constituting the exclusive courts of appeal and reasonably limiting appeals thereto; further restrictions of the right to removo causes from the State to Federal Courts, permitting appeals to the Supreme Court from the courts of the District of Columbia and the Territories only.in the same cases os they are allowed from State Courts, and guarding against on unnecessary- number of appeals from the Ciffcuit Courts. I approve the” plan thus outlined, and recom-; mend thp legislation necessary for its application to our judicial system. a sssf in mv opinion, be changed. They are allowed to charge against the Government certain fees for service, their Incomes being measured by the amount of such fees within a fixed limit to their annual aggregate. This fra direct Inducement for them to makn-tftmir fees tm criminal cases as large as possible in an effort to reach the

I maximum sum permitted. As an entirely ! natural consequence unscrupulous Marshals ! are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions. arresting people on petty charges of crime and transporting them to distant places for exanination and trial, for the purpose of earning mileage and other fees, and District Attorneys uselessly attend criiuinnl ; examinations far from their places of residence for the express purpose of swelling their ac- ; counts against the Government. The actual ex- ; louses incurred in these transactions are always ■ charged against the Government. Thus the | rights aud freedom of our citizens are outraged, i and public expenditures increased for the puri pose ot' furnishing public officers pretexts for inj creasing the measure of their compensation. I • think Marshals and District Attorneys should be ! paid salaries adjusted by a rule which will make them commensurate with services fairly ren- | dered. PUNISHING MISDEMEANORS. In connection with the subject, I desire to suggest the advisibility, if it be found not obnoxious to constitutional objection, of investing United States Commissioners with the power to try and determine certain violations of law within the grade of misdemeanors. Such trials might be made to depend upon the option of the accused. The multiplication of small and technical offenses, especially under the provisions of our Internal Revenue law, renders some change in our present system very desirable, in the interests of humanity as well as economy. The District Courts are now crowded with petty prosecutions, involving a punishment, in case of conviction, of only a slight fine, while the parties accused are harassed by an enforced attendance upon the courts held hundreds of miles from their homes. If poor and friendless, they are obliged to remain in jail, and mouths, perhaps, elapse before a session of the court is held, and are finally brought to trial surrounded by strangers, aud with but little opportunity for defense. In the meantime frequently tho Marshal lias charged against the Government his fees for an arrest, the transportation of the accused and the expense of the same ; and for summoning witnesses before a Commissioner, a Grand Jury and a court, the witnesses have been paid from the public funds large fees and traveling expenses, and the Commissioner and District Attorney have also made their charges against the Government. This abuse in the administration of our criminal law should be remedied, aud if the plan above suggested is not practicable, some other should be devised. INTERNAL AFFAIRS The report of the Secretary of the Interior, containing an account of the operation of this important department and much interesting information, will be submitted for your consideration. The most intricate and difficult subject in charge of this department is the treatment and management of THE INDIANS. I am satisfied that some progress may be noted in their condition as a result of ti prudent administratiou of the present laws and regulations for their control; but it is submitted that there is lock of a fixed purpose of policy on this subject which should be supplied. It is useless to dilate upon the wrongs of the Indians, and as useless to indulge in tho heartless belief that because their wrongs aro revfenged in their own atrocious manner, therefore they should be exterminated. They are within the care of our Government, and their rights are, or should be protected from invasion by the most solemn obligations. They are properly enough called the wards of the Government, and it should be borne iu mind that this guardianship involves on our part efforts for the improvement of their condition and the enforcement of their rights. There seems to be general concurrence in tho proposition that the ultimate object as thoir treatment should be their civilization and citizenship. Fitted by these to keep juice in tho march of progress with tho advanced Civilization about them, they will readily assimilate with tho mass of our population, assuming the responsibilities and receiving the jirotection incident to this condition. The difficulty ajjpears to be in tho selection of the means to be at jiresent employed toward the attainment of this result. Our Indian population, exclusive of those in Alaska, is reported as numbering 260,900, nearly all boing located ou lands set ujnirt for tlleir use and occupation, aggregating over 131,000,000 of acres. These lands are included in boundaries of seventeen reservations of different dimensions, scattered in twenty-one States and Territories, presenting great variations in climate and in the kind and quality of their soil 9. Among Indians ujx>n these several reservations there exists the most marked differences in natural traits and disposition, and in their progress toward civilization. While some are lazy, vicious, and stupid, others aro industrious, peaceful and intelligent. Whilo a portion of them are self-supporting and independent and have so far advanced iu civilization that they make their own lawß, administered through officers of their own choice, and educate their children in schools of their own establishment and maintenance, others still remain in squalor and dependance almostiff the savagery of their natural state. Iu dealing with this question the desires manifested by the Indians should not be ignored. Hero again we find a great diversity. Witli some the tribal relation is cherished with tho utmost tenacity, while its hold uiion others is considerably relaxed. The love of home is strong with nil, and yet there are thoso whoso attachment to a particular locality is by no means unyielding. The ownership of these lands in severalty is much desired by some, while by others and sometimes again the most civilized, such a distribution would be bitterly opposed. The variation of their w T ants growing out of and connected with the character of their soveral locations should be regarded. Home are ujx>n reservations most fit for grazing, but without flocks or herds, and somo on arable land have no agricultural implements, whilo some of the reservations are double the size necessary to maintain the number of Indians now upon them. In a few cases, jierhaiis. they should be enlarged. Add to all this the difference in tho administration of the agencies, while the same duties are devolved ujion all, the disposition of the agents and the manner of thejr contact with the Indians have much to do with their condition and welfare. The agent who perfunctionarily performs liis duty and slothful] y neglects all opportunity to advance their moral and jffiysieal improvement, and fails to inspire them with a desire for bettor things, will accomplish nothing in the direction of their civilization, while he who feels tho burden of an important trust and has an interest in his work will, by consistent examples, linn, yet considerate treatment, and Well-directed aid and encouragement, constantly lead those under his charge toward tho light of their enfranchisement. The history of all the progress which has been made in civilization of the Indian, I think, will disclose the fact that the beginning has been religious teaching, followed by or accompanying secular education, while tho self-sacrificing and pious meii and women who have aided in this good work by their independent endeavors have for their reward the beneficent result of their labor and consciousness of Christian duty well performed. Their valuable services should he fully acknowledged by all who, under the law, are charged with the control and management of our Indian wards. What has been said indicates that in tho present condition ot the Indians no attemi>t should bo made to apply a fixed and unyielding law of action to their varied and varying needH and circumstances. The Indian Bureuu, burdened as it is with this general oversight, and with the details of the establishment, can hardly possess itself."of the minute particulars of cases needing treatment, and thus the propriety of creating'an instrumentality auxiliary to those already* established for the care of the Indiuns, suggests itself, I recommend the passage of a law authorizing the apjiointment of Rix commissioners, three of whom shall be detailed from the army, to bo Charged with the duty of a careful inspection from time to time of all the Indians upon our reservations or subject to the care and control of tho Government, with a view of discovering their exact condition and needs, and determining what steps thall be taken on behalf of the Government to improve their situation in the direction, of their self-support and complete civilization. That they ascertain from such inspection what, if any, of the reservations may be reduced in area, and in such cases what part, not needed for Indian occupation, mdy be purchased by the Government from tho Indians and disposed of for their benefit;, what, if any, Indians may, with tjieir consent, be removed to other reservations, with a view: tof tßsir concentration, and the sap) oh their be-f half pf their abandoned reservations-; what In-’ dian hinds now. held in common should be allotted in severalty ; in what manner'and to'what the Indians upon the reservations can be placed under the protection of our laws and subjected to their penalties, and which, -if'any, Indians should be invested with the right of citizenship. The powers and functions of the Commissioners in regard to these subjects ihould be clearly defined, though they should, in conjunction with the Secretary of the In-

terior. be given all the authority to deal definite- . lv with the questions presented, if deemed safe and consistent. SURVEYING INDIAN LANDB. The expense of the Indian Bureau during the last fiscal year was more than $6,500,000. I believe liiueVi of this exj>enditure may be saved under tho jilan i>roposed; that its economical effects would be increased with its continuance; that the safety of our frontier settlers would be subserved under its operation, and that the nation would lie sav ed through its results from the imjiutatiou of inhumanity, injustice, and mismanagement. In order to carry out the jxilicy of allotment of Indian lands in severalty, when deemed exjiedient, it will lie necessary to have surveys completed of the reservations, and 1 hope that ja-ovision will be made for the jiroseoution of this work. They should also be charged with the duty of aseertaiuing the number of Indians who might j>roj>erlv be furnished with Inijilements of agriculture, and of wliat kind; in what eases the sujmurt of the Government should be withdrawn; where the jiresent j>lan of distributing Indian sujiplies should be changed; where schools may be established, and where discontinued; the conduct, method and fitness of agents in charge of reservations; the extent to which such reservations are occujiied or intruded ujion by unauthorized persons, aud generally all matters relating to the welfare and improvement of the Indian. They should advise with the Secretary of the Interior eoheeming these matters of detail in management, and he should be given jxiwer to deal with them fully, if he is not now invested with such jiower. This plan contemjilates the selection of such persons for commissioners who are interested in the Indian question, and who have practical ideas on tho subject of their treatment. INDIAN TROUBLES. In May of the present year a small j>ortion of the Chirlcahua Ajiaches on the White Mountain Reservation in Arizona left the reservation and committed a number of murders upon settlers in that neighborhood. Though prompt and energetic action was taken by the military, the renegades eluded eaj)ture and escaped into Mexico. The formation of the country through which these liuUaus jiassed, their thorough acquaintance with cl in same, tho sjieod of their esespe and the manner in which they scattered and concealed themselves in the mountains near the scene of their outrages, put our soldiers at a great disadvantage in their efforts to capture them, although the exjioctutioh is still entertained that they will ultimately be taken aud jiunished for thoir crimo.s. INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROTECTED. The threatening and disorderly conduct of the Cheyennes, of the Indian Territory, early last summer, caused considerable alarm and uneasiness. Investigation proved that their threatening attitude was due, in a great measure, to the occupation of the land of their reservation by immense herds of cattle, whioh their owners claimed wero rightfully there under certain louses made by the Indians. Sucli occujiation appearing, uj>on examination, to be unlawful, notwithstanding these leusos, the intruders wero ordered to remove with their cattle from tho land of tho Indians by tho Executive proclamation. Tho enforcement of this proclamation had the effect of j>eoce and order among the Indians, and they are now quiet-und well behaved. By an Executive order issued on February 27. 1885, by my predecessor, a portion of tile tract of country in .the territory known as tho Old Winnebago and Crow Creek Reservations was directed to bo restored to the public domain and opened to settlement, under tho land laws of the United States, and a largo number of persons entered upon those landH. This action alarmed the Sioux Indians, who claimed the territory as belonging to their reservation under tliq treaty of 1868. This claim was determined, after citroful investigation, to be well founded, and consequently the Executive order roferred to was, by jiroclamation of Ajiril 17, 1885, declared to bo inoperativo and of no effect, and all jiersons upon the land wero warned to leave. This warning lias been substantially complied with. OUR PUBLIC LANDS. Tho public domain had its origin in cessions of land by tho States to tho General Government. The first cession was made by the State of Now York, asiil tho largest, which in area exceeded all the others, by the State of Virginia. The territory, tho jirojiriotorship of which becaino thus vested in the General Government, extended from the western lino of Pennsylvania to tho Mississippi River. These jiatriotic donations of the States wero incumbered by no condition, except that they Should be hold and used “for tho common benefit of the United States." By purchaso with the common fund of all tho peojile additions were made to this domain until it extended to tho northern line of Mexico, tho Pacific Ocean, and the Polar Sea. TJio original trust "for tho common benefit of the United States” attached to all. In tho execution of that trust tho jwlicy of “many homes rathor than large estates’’ was adojited by tho Government. That those might be easily obtained and be tho abode of security and contentment, the laws for their acquisition wero few, oasily understood, and general in their character. But the pressure of local interests, combined with a Bj>eculativo sjiirit, has in many instances procured the jiassuge of laws which marred the harmony of tho general plan and encumbered tho system with a multitude of general and special enactments which render the land laws complicated, subject the titles to uncertainty and tli* purchasers often to oppression and wrong. Laws which were intended for the "common benefit” have been perverted' so that large quantities of land are vested in single ow nership. From tho multitude and character of the laws this consequence seems incapable of correction by mere administration. It is not for the common benefit of tho United States that a large area of tho jniblie lands should bo vested, directly or through fraud, in the hands of a single individual. The nation’s strength is in the people. Tho nation’s prosperity is in their prosperity. The nation’s glorv is in the equality of her justice. The nation’s perpetuity is in the patriotism of all herjieople. Hence, as far as j>ractieable, tho jilan adopted in the disposal of tho public lands should have in view the original j>olicy, which encouraged many inirchases of these lands for homes and discouraged tho massing of large areas. Exclusive of Alaska, about three-fifths of the national domain has been sold or subjected to contract or grant. Of the remaining two-fifths a considerable j,ortion is either mountain or desert. A rapidly increasing population creates agrowing demand for homes, and accumulation of wealth insjnres an eager competition to obtain tho imblic land for speculative purposes. In the future this collision of interests will be more marked than in the jiast, arid the execution of the nation’s trust in behalf of our settlers will be more difficult. 1 therefore commend to your attention the.recommendations contained in tho report of the Secretary of tho Interior with reference to the repeal and modification of certain of our land laws. THE PATENT OFFICE. The ojiorations of the i>atent office demonstrate the activity of the inventive genius of the country. For the year ended June 30, 1885, the applications for patents, including reissues, and fertile registration of trade-marks and labels, numbered 35,688. During the same jioriod there v ere 22,928 patents granted and reissued, and 1,429 trade-marks and labels registered. The number of patents issued in the year 1875 was 14,387. The receijits during the last fiscal year w ero $1,074,974.35, and the total exjienditures, not including contingent expenses, $934,123.11. There was 9,788 applications for patents pending on the first day of July, 1881, and 5,780 on the same date in the year 1885. There bus been considerable imjirovement made in tho jiromirt determination of apjilications and a consequent relief to expectant inventors. A number of suggestions und recommendations are contained in the report of the Commissioner of Patents which are well entitled to tho consideration of Congress. POLYGAMY. 11l the Territory of Utah tho law of the United States passed for the sujipression of polygamy his been energetically aud faithfully executed during the past year with measurably good results. A number of convictions have been secured for unlawful cohabitation, and in somo cases picas of guilty; have* been entered and slight punishment inijlosed lijpon promise by the accused that they would not again offend against the law, nor advise, counsel, aid, or •abet in any way/;its violation by others. The Utah Cmmhlvsioners express the opinion Based upon suchinfbnnati,oh>B they-are able to’ obtain, that but'fAw polygamous morriag<f& have taken plaice in: the Territory during the last year. They further reports' that, while there cannot be found ujxm tile registration lists of voters tho name of a actually guiltv of polygamy, And while node of tha£ class' are • holding office, yet, at the last election in the Territory, all the officers elected except in one county were men who, Ihougb not actually living in the practice of polygamy, subscribed to the doctrine of polygamous marriages as a divine

I revelation and a law unto all, higher ! and more binding upon the conscience , than any human law, local or national. ! This is the strong spectacle presented by a com- ! munity protected by a republican form of gov- , eminent to which they owe allegiance, sustain- ! ing by their suffrages a principle and a belief i which sets at naught that obligation of absolute ula-dienco to the law which lies at the foundation of republican institutions. The strength, - the perpetuity, and the destiny of the nation ! rest upon our homes established by the law of I God. guarded by parental care, regulated by j>aI rental authority, anil sanctified by parental love, j These are not the homes of polygamy. The I mothers of our land who rule the nation as they j would the characters, and guide the actions of I their Rons, live according to God’s holy ordinj anee, und ouch, pure ami hapjiy in the exclusive i love of the father of her children, sheds | the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted, ujxm all within her pure and wholesome family circle. These are not the cheerless, crushed, and unwomanly mothers of polygamy. The fathers of our families are the best citizens of the Republic ; wife and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental a flection beget devotion to country. The man who, uudefiled with plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife anil children, has a stake in the country which inspires him with respect for its laws aud courage for their defense. These are not the fathers of j jxilygamouH families. There is no feature of this practice or the system which sanctions it which is not opposed to all that is of value in our institutions. There should bo no relaxation in tho firm but just execution of the law now iu operation, and I should lie glad to apjirovo such further discreet legislation aB will rid this country of this blot upon its fair fame. Since tho people uj>lioldiug polygamy in our Territories are re-en-forceil by immigration from other lands, I recommend that a law be jiassed to prevent tho importation of Mormons into tho country. ANIMAL DISEASES. The prohibition of the iinjiortation into several countries of certain ofc our animals and their products, based upon tho susjiicion that health is endangered in their use and consumption, suggests the importance of such precautions for the protection of our stock of all kinds against disease ns will disarm suspicion of danger and cause tho removal of such un injurious prohibition. If the laws now in operation aro insufficient to aoconijilish this protection, I recommend their amendment to meet the necessities of the situation, and I commend to the consideration of Congress the suggestions contained iu the ri'j)i>rt of the Commissioner of Agriculture calculated to increase tho value and efficiency of tliiH department. Civil,-SERVICE REFORM. The rojxirt of the Civil-Service Commission, which will bo submitted, contains an account, of the manner in which the Civil-Service law ims boon executed during tho last year and much valuable information on tliiH important subject. I am inclined to think that there is no sentiment more general in tho minds of the jieojilo of our country than a conviction of the correctness of the j>rincij)les uj)un which the law enforcing civil sorvioe reform is based. In its present condition tho law regulates only part of tho subordinate public jiositions throughout tho country. It aj>plies tests of fitness to ajiplicnutH for theso ldaoes by means of a competitive examination and gives large discretion to tlio commissioners as to. the character of tho examination and many other matters connected with its execution. Thus the rules and regulations adopted by the> commission have much to do with tho liractical usefulness of the statute and with the results of its application. The people may well trust the commission to execute tlio law with jierfect fullness olid with us little irritation as is possible. But of course no relaxation of the princijde which underlies it and no weakening of the safeguards which surround it can bo exjioeted. Experience in its administration will probably suggest an amendment of the methods of Its execution, but I venture to hoj>e that wo never shall again be remitted to tho system which distributes public positions purely uh rewards for jiurtisun service. Doubts may well bo entertained whether our Government could survive tho strain of a continuance of this system, which, upon every change of administration, inspires an innnonso army of claimants for office to lay siege to tho patronage of the Government, engrossing the the time of public officers with their linjairtunities, spreading abroad the contagion of their disappointment, and filling tho air with the tumult of thoir discontent. Tho allurements of an immense number of offices and jiiucos exhibited to the voters of tho land, anil tho promise of thoir bestowal in recognition of partisan activity, debauch tho suffrage and rob political action of its thoughtful aud deliberative character. The evil would increase with the multiplication of officos consequent upon our extension, anil tho mania for office-holding, growing from its indulgence, would pervade our pojmlation so generally that patriotic purjioso, thp desire for tho public good aud solicitude for tho nation’s welfare, would bo Hourly banished from tlio activity of our j*urty contests and cause them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful struggles for tho possession of office and jiubllc jilace. Civil-service reform, enforced by law, carno not too soon to check the progress of demoralization. One of its effects, not enough regarded, is tho froodom it brings to the political action of those conservative anil sober men who, in fear of the confusion anil risk attending an arbitrary and suddon change in all the public offices with change of jiarty rule, cast their ballots against such a change. Parties seem to be necessary, and will continue to exist. Nor cun ft be now ilonieil thutl there are legitimate advantages notiliseounoctod with officeholding which follow jmrty supremacy. Whilo jiartisanship continues bitter and jironounced, and sujipiies so much of motive to son*, timent and action, it is not fair to hold publlo : officials, in charge of inijiortaut trusts, resjiousible for the best results in tho jierforinanee of their duties aud yet insist that they shall roly, in confidential and important jilacos, ujion the work of those net only ojiposed to them in political affiliation, but so stoejieil in jiartisftn prejudteo and rancor that they have no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire for their success. Civil service reform dbes not exact this, nor does it require, that those in subordinate jsmition who fail in yielding their best service, or who are incompetent, should be restrained simply because they are in place. The whining of a clerk discharged for indolence or Incompetency, who, though ho gained his place by the worst possible operation of tho spoils system, suddenly discovers that ho is, entitled to jirotection under the sanction of civil service reform, represents an idea no less absurd than the clamor of the apjilicant Mho claims the vacant jiosition as his compensation for the most questionable party work. The civil-service law does not prevent the discharge of the indolent or incompetent clerk, but it does prevent supplying his jilace with tho unfit party worker. Thus in both the jihasca is seen benefit to the public service. And the people, who desire good government, having secured this statute, will not relinquish its benefits without j)rotost, nor aro they unmindful of tho fact that its full advantages can only he gained through the complete good faith of those having its execution in charge, and this they will insist upon. I recommend that tho salaries of tho Civil Service Commissioners bo increased to a sum more nearly commensurate with their important duties. THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION. The present condition of tbo law relating to the succession to the Presidency in the event of the death, disability, or removal of both tho President and Vice President, is such as to require immediate amendment, This subject has repeatedly been considered by Congress, but no n ’t has been reached. The recent lamen, <„■. death of the Vice President and the vacan i. x at the same time in all other offices, tho incumbent of which might immediately exercise the functions of the Presidential office, has caused public anxiety and a just demand that a recurrence of such a condition of affairs should not be permitted. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, I commend to the wise care and, thoughtful attention of Congress the nfeeds and the welfare of tho American Nation. To subordinate these to tho narrow advantages, of partisanship or the accomplishment, of selfish aims Is to violate the peojile’s trust anil betraythe people’s interest. But an individual sense of responsibility on the part of each of us, and a stein detenuination to perform' our duty! well; must gfve'us place among those who have added, in their day and generation, to the glory and jirosperity of our beloved land. (Signed) Grover Clevf.land. Washington, Dec. 8, 1885. Englakd has 22,500 trading vessels.