Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1888 — Page 6

CONGRESS IN SESSION

President Cleveland Submits His Final Message. A Voluminous Document Upon Matters of Public Interest. Duties or Patriotic Citizens—The Currency of the Country Diverted from Its Legitimate Channels Crowded Condition of the Supreme Court Calendar—of American Fishermen —The SacktilleWest Affair —Abuse of Immigration Laws —Various Other Topics Handled. [Washington (D. C.) special.] The second Hessian of the fiftieth Congress convened at noon, December 3d, the greater portion of the day being consumed in the reading ot President Cleveland's massage, of which the following is a comprehensive digest: A CENTURY OF FREEDOM. To the Congress of the United States : As you assemble for the discharge of the duties you have assumed as the represt ntatives of a free and generous people, your meeting is marked by an interesting and imi>ressive incident. With the expira.ion of the present session of the Congress the first century of our constitutional existence as a nation will be completed. When the expriment of our Government was undertaken tue chart adopted for our guidance was the < onstitutiou. Departure from the lines there laid down is failure. It is only by a strict adherence to the direction they indicate and by restraint within the limitations they have fixed that we cau furnish i roof • to tl.e world of the fitness of she American people for self government. The eqjial and exact justice of which we boast as the underlying principle of our institutions should not bo confined to"tho retntions of our citizens to each other, 'lhe Government itself is under bond to the Amcricnir people that, ill the exercise of its functions and powers, it will deal with the body of our i itif.cn s in a manner scrupulously honest and fair, and just it has agreed that American citizenship shall be the only credential necessary to justiiy the claim of equality before the law, and ttufc no condition in life shall give rise to discriinina- ■ tion in the treaihie.it of the people by their Government, 'the citizen of our Republic in its early days rigidly insisted up n lull compliance witu the letter of this bond, and saw stretching out belore him a clear field lor individual euueavor Hjs tribute to the support of: his Government was measured by the «fc£of its economical maintenance, uud he was secure in the enjoyment of the remaining recompense. In those days the frugality of the people was stamped upon their goverume it and was enter .ed by the free, thoughtful and in jeiligent suffrage of the citizens. Combinations. monopolies and aggregations of capital weae either a.oi. ed or sternly regulated and res ru ned. The pomp and glkb r of governments less tree offer-d no temptation oiad presen ed no delusion to th) plain people wife, side fay side in fr endiy compe.iuon, wroughtfjor the cnuoblem nit, and digmt! of man, f< r ths .solution of the prob em of free government and for ths a hievement of the grand destiny awaiting the lan I which <0 1 had given them. A century has passed. Our cities are the abiding places of wealth and luxury; our manufactories yiell fortunes never dreamed o. by the fathers of tue Republic ; our businessmen aie madly striving in ire race for riches, and imm nse aggregations of capital outrun the imagination in the magnitude of tneir undertakings. We v.ew with p.-ide aud satisfaction this bright picture of our country s growth aud prosperity, while only a closer scrutiny develops a somber shading. Upon more careful inspection we i.nd the wealth and luxurv ot our cities mingled with poverty and wretchedness and uuremunerative toil. A ciowmd and constantly increasing urban population suggests the impoverishment of rural sections aud disoontent with agricultural pursuits. The farmer’s son, not satisfied with his father s simple and laborious life, joins the eager chu=e tor easily acquired wealth. We discover that the fortunes realized by our manufacturers are no longer solely th) reward of sturdy Indus.ry and enlightened loresight, but that they result from thi discriminating la.or of the Government and are largely built upon undue exaction from the masses of our people. The gulf between e nployers an 1 tho employed is constantly widening, and classes are rapidiy forming, one comprising the very rich aud power.'ul while in another are found the toil! g poor. As we view the achievement of aggregated capital, we discover the exis.ence of trusts, combinations, aud monopolies. While the citizen is struggling far in the rear or is tramp,ed to death beneath an iron heel, corporations, which should be the carefully restrained creatures of the law and the servants of tho people, are fast becoming the people’s masters, btill congratulating ourseives upon the wealth and prosperity of ourcoun.ry, aud complacently contemplating every inc.deut of change inseparable from these conditions, it is our duty as patriotic citizens to inquire at tue present stage of our progress how the bond ot the Government made with the people has been kept and performed.

EXISTING TARIFF BURDENS. Instead of limiting the tribute drawn from our citizens to the necessities of its economical administration, the Government persists in exacting Irom the substance of the peop e millions which, unapplied and useless, lie dormant in its treasury. This flagrant injustice and this breach of faith and obligation add to extortion the danger attending the diverson of the currency of the country from the legtimate channels of business. Under the same laws by which these results are produced, the Government permits many millions more to be added to the cost oi the living of our people and to be taken from our consumers, which unreasonably swell the profits of a small butpowenul minority. The people must still be taxed for the support of the Government under the operation of tariff laws, but to the extent that the masses of our citizens are inordinately burdened beyond any useful public purpose and for the benefit of a favored,few, the Government, under the pretext of an exercise of its tax ng power, enters gratuitously into partnership with these favorites to their advantage and to the injury of a vast majority of our people. This is not equality before the law. The existing situation >s injurious to the health of our whole body politic. It stifles all patriotic love of country, and substitutes in its place selfish greed and grasping avarice. Devotion to American citizenship for its own sake and for what it should accomplish as a motive to our nation’s advancement and the happiness of our people, is displaced by the assump ion that the Government, instead of being the embodiment of equality, is but an instrumen ality through which especial and individual advantages are to be gained. The arrogance of this assumption is unconcealed. It appears in the sordid disregard of all but personal interest in the refusal to abate for the benefit of otners oue iota of selfish advantage, and in combinations to perpetuate such advantages througu efforts io control legislation and improperly influence the suffrages of the people. The grievances of those not included with’n the circle of these beneficiaries, when fullv realized, will surely arouse irrita.iou and discontent. Our farm rs, long suffering and patient, struggling in the race < f life with hard and unremitting toil, will not fall to see, in spite of misrepresentations and misleading fallacies, that they are obliged to receive such prices for their products as are fixed in for ign markets, where the;/compete withlhe farmers of the world ; that theft lands are declining in value while their debts increase; and that without compensating favors they are forced by the action of the Government to pay for the benefit of others sucu enhanced prices for the things they need, that the. scanty returns of their labor fail to furnish their support or leave no margin for accumula ion. Our workingmen, enfranchised from all delusions, and no longer frightened by the cry that their wages are endangered by a just revision of our tariff laws, will reasonably demand, through such revision, steadier employment, Cheaper means of living in their homes, with freedom for themselves and their children from the doom of p rpetual servitude, and an open door to their advancement beyond the limit* of a 1 boring class. Others of our citizens, whose comforts and expenditures, are measured by moderate salaries and fixed incomes, will insist

upon the fairness and Justice of cheapening the cost of necessaries for themselves and their families. Wieato the selfishness of the beneficiaries of unjust discrimination under oar laws tuere shall be ad led the discontent of tbosa who suffer from such a dDcrimina'ion, we will realize the fact that ihs b meficent purposes of our Government, which are dependent upon the patriotism and contentment of our people, are endangered. Communism is a hateful thing and a menace to i>eace aud organized governm nt. But the communism of combined wealth and capital, the outgrowth of overweening capital and selfishness. which insidiously undermines the justice ami integrity of free institutions, is not less dangerous than the communism of oppressed poverty and toil, which, e aspo ated by injustice and discontent, attacks wiih wild disorder the citadel of rule. He mocks the people v. ho proposes that the Government shall protect ths rich, and that they in turn will care for the laboring poor. Any intermediary between the people and their Government, or the least delegation of the care and protection wi.ich the Government owes to the humblest citizen in the land, makes the boast ot free institutions a glimmering delusion and the pretended boon o* American citizenship a shameless imp isition. A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws should be made for the relief of those ot our countrymen who suffer under the present conditions. Such a revision should receive the support of all who love that justice and equality due to American citizenship; of all who realize that in this justice an 1 equality our Government finds its strength and its power to protect the citizen an 1 his property; of all who believe that the centente 1 competence and comfort of many accord better with the spirit of our institutions than colossal fortunes, unfairly gathered, in the hands of a few; of all who appreciate that the forbearance and iraternity among our people, who recognize the value of every American interest, are the surest guaranty of our national progress ; and all who destre to see the product of American skill and ingenuity in every market of the world, with a resultant restoration of American commerce. The necessity of the reduction of our revenue is so apparent as to ba genera ly conceded; but the means by which this en 1 shall be accomplished, and the sum of direct benefit which shall result to our citizens, present a controversy of the utmost importance. There should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the burdens of the people are only apparently removed. Extravog nt appropriations of public money, with all their demur ilizing-conse-quences, should not ba tolerated, either as a means of relieving the Treasury of it? present surplus or as furnishing pretexts forresisting a proper reduction fii tariff i attest" Existing evils and injustice should be honestly recognized, boldly met and effectively, jfiriiedied. There thoul<| be no cessation or the ' struggle until a-plan is perfected, la r and conservative toward existing Industries, buff whidll’ •will reduce the cpst to i-onsuihurff of tjfe ueees. s-rries of life, while Jit for offr uiaim-: faoturers the advantage of free raw-mataritthii.'l and permits no injury to the interests ot Amer-< ican labor. The cause for which the battle is I .Waged -is Comprised within lines clearly and distinctly defined.:. It should uevqc )»©. promised. It is th# people s cause.’’ .-1-’.•£ 4 V SOME NEGLECTED MAtFI’FJRS. . . *, „ . , It al verting to themanner iff which jpriwfttt! interests are attended to vrtlild action 4h post-?! potied upon sulr ectjsgjf grjjßt public importance, J the message proceeds ty enumerate someiliu's’ trations. Amon; them are’ the browdb.l- con- i ditlon bf the calendar'.of tho Kupiremj Court, i which has been strongly pVgqd uppn.thp attep-.. tion of C<tigress -but has remained without ef*” fictive consideration,' While'm my-lails have been passed covering matters of mere tosal iin- 1 parlance. s' ' , Repealed recomme’datlons have been subDnitted for the amendment an I change of the | ’ laws relating to our public lands so that their i spoiliiit.ion and diversion to other uses than as I homes for honest settle s might be prevented, j Welle a measure to meet this conceded neces- I sity of reform rema ns awaiting t e action of 1 the ( ougress, many claims to the public lands aud applications for their donation in favor of , States an 1 individuals have been allowed. A plan in aid of Indian management recom- I mended by tho re well informed as containing valuable matures in furtherance of the solution : of the Indian problem, has thus far failed of legislative san.tion, while grants of doubtful < xpedieney t) railroad corporations, permitting them to puss through Indian reservations, have grev.ly multiplied. The propriety and necessity of the erection of I one or in re pris ns for the confinement of United States convicts, and a postoffice building in the National Capital are not disputed. But these needs yet remain unanswered, while scores ot public buildings have been erected where their necessity for pub.ic purposes is not apparent. A revision of our pension laws could easily bo made, which would rest upon just principles and provide for every worthy applicant. But while our general pension laws remain confused and imperfect, hundreds of private pension laws are annually passed, which ar > tue sources of unjust discrimination and popular demoralization. Appropriation bills for the support of the Government are defaced by items and provis ons to meet private ends, aud it is freely asserted by responsible and experienced parties that a bill appropriating money for public internal improvement wou.d fail to meet whli favor unless it contained more for local and private advantage.than so * public benefit. These statements can be much emphasized by an ascertainment of the jro ortion of Eediral legislation which either bears upon its face its private character, or which, upon examination developed such a motive power. And yet the people wait and expect from their chosen representatives such patriotic action as will advance the welfare of the entire country, and this expectation can only be answered bv the performance of public duty with unselfish purpose. Our mission among the ns:ions of the earth and our success in accomplishing the woik God has given the American people to do, require of tiiose intrusted with the making and execution of our laws perfect devotion, above all other things, to the public good. In pursuance of a constitutional provision requiring the President from time to time to give to the Congress information of the state of ihe Union, I have the satisfaction to announce that the close of the year finds the United States in the enjoyment of domestic tranquillity and at peace with all the nations. Since my last annual message our foreign relations have been strengthened and improved by performance of international good offices and by new and renewed treaties of amity, commerce and reciprocal extradition ot criminals. Those international questions which still await settlement are all reasonably within the domain of amicable nogotia ion, ana there is no existing subject of dispute betwoan the United States and any foreign power that is not susceptible of satisfactory adjustment by diplomatic treatment.

THE FISHERIES QUESTION. The questions between Great Britain and the Unite I States relating to the rights of American fishermtn in the territorial waters of Canada and Newfoundland, I regret to say, are not yet satisfactorily adjusted. These matters were fully treated in my message to the Senate of Feb. 20, 1888, together with which a convention, concluded under my authority with her Majesty's Government on the 15th of February last, for the removal of all causes of misunderstanding, was submitted by me for the approval of the Senate. This treaty having been rejected by the Senate, 1 transmitted a message to the Congress on the 23d of August last, reviewing the transaction and submitting for consideration certain recommend itions for legislation concerning the important questions involved. Afterwards, on the 12th of September, in response to a resolution of the Senate, I again communicated fully all the information" in my possession as to the action of the Government of Canada affecting the commercial relations between the Dominion and the Unite I States, including the treatment of American fishing vessels in the ports and waters of British North America. The communications have all been pub ished, and therefore open to the knowledge of both houses of i ongress, although two were addressed to the Senate alone. ( omment upon or repeti.son of their contents would be superfluous, ani I am not aware that anvthing has since occurred which should he added to the facts therein stated. Therefore, 1 merely repeat as applicable to the present time the sta ement which will be found in mv message to the Sena, e of Sepu mber lx, last; “That since March 3, 1887, no case ,nus been reported to the Department of State wherein complaint has bee i made of unfriendly or unlawful treatment of American vessels on the part of the Canadian authorities, in which reparation was not promptly and satisfactorily obtaine I by the United States Consul Gt neral at Halifax." Having essayed in the discharge of my duty to procure by negotiation the settlement of a long-standing cause of dispute and to remove a constant menace to the good relations of the two countries, and continuing to be of op.nion that the treaty of February last, which failed to receive the approval of the Senate, did supply “a

satisfactory, practical, and final adjusment upon a basis honorab e and just to both parties, ot the difficult and vexed question to which it related," and having subsequ* ntlv and unavailingly recommended other legisation to Congress which I hoped would suffice to meet the exigency created by the rejec.ion of the treaty, I now again invoke the earnest and immediate attention of Congress to the condition of this important question as it now stands before them and the cuun ry, and about the settlement of which I am deeply solicitous. THE SACK VILLE-WEST AFFAIR. Near the close of the month of October last occurrences of a deeply regrettable nature were brought to my knowledge, which made it my painful but imperative duty to obtain, with as little delay as possible, a i ew personal channel of diplomatic intercourse in this country with the Government of Great Britain. The correspondence in relation to this incident will in due course be laid before you. and will disclose the unpardonable conduct of the official referred to in his interference by advice and counsel with the suffrages of American citizens in the very crie s of tho Presidential election then near at hand ; and also in his subsequent public declarations to Justify his action, superseding impugnment < f the Executive and Senate of the United States, in connection with important questions now pending in controversy between tho two government#. The offense thus committed was most grave, involving disastrous possibilities to the good relations of the United States and Great Britain, constituting a gross breach of diplomaiic privilege and invasion of the purely domestic affairs and essential sovereignty of the Government to which the envoy was accredited. Haying first fulfilled the just demands of international comity by affording full opportunity for her Majesty’s government to act in relief of the situ at on. I considered prolongation of discussion to be unwarranted, and thereupon declined to further recognize the diplomatic character of the person, whose continuance in such function would destroy that mutual confidence which is essential to the good understanding of the two Governments and was inconsistent with the welfare and self-respect of the Government of tbe United States. The usual interchange of communication has since continued through her Majesty s legation in this city. TONNAGE DUTIES. In conformity, also, with Congressional authority, the maritime powers have been invited to confer in Washington in April next upon the practicability of devising uniform rules and mcaswes for the greater security of life and property as- sea.. A disposition to accept on the part- -of a number Of the powers has already been manifested, and if the cO-operutioii Of the nations chiefly int rested shall be secured, impbrtaut results may be confidently anticipated. The oct of June 16, 1884, and the acts amendatory thereof, in relation to the tonnage duties,, pave given rise to extended correspondence wiClt ■foreign nations, with whom we nave existing treaties of navigatfoh and commerce, and have c'kutted wide and regrettable divergence of bpinton in yelafion to? the imposition of the duties referred to. These questions arc important and I ojin.ll make them the subject- of a special anil’ d^tailqd. (ionjn^iucatioa: ai) the present ABUSE |>F IMMIGRATION LAWS. Vntmthe rapid increase ot immigration to our •shores,/ ■sjiil the .fßciliy.es...of modern travel, abuses pt the gefadrotfs privileges afforded by our naturalization laws call for their careful revision. •Tire posy, and unguarded manner in which cerof American citizenship can now be obhas indueed a class, unfortunately large, tb avtkll themeelves of the opportunity to become absolved from allegiance to their native lapd, and yet by a foreign residency to escape arty just duty and contribution of service to the country of their proposed adoption. Thus, while evading the duty of citizenship to the United States, they may make prompt claim for its national protection and demand i‘s intervention in their behalf. International complications of a serious nature arise. Our laws regulating tbe issue of passports should be carefully revised, and the institution of a central bureau of registration at tbe Capital is again strongly recommended. By this means full particulars of each case of naturalization in tbe United States would be secured and properly indorsed and recorded, and thus many cases of spurious citizenship would be detected, and unjust responsibilities would ba avoided. THE CONSULAR SERVICE. The reorganization of the consular service is a matter of serious importance to our national I interests. The number of existing principal I consular offices is believed to ba greater than is I at all necessary for the conduct of the public i business. It need not be our pjlicy to maintain more than a moderate number of principal offices, each supported by a salary sufficient to enable the incumbent to live in comfort, aud so distributed a) to secure the convenient supervision, through subordinate agencies, of affairs over a considerable district. I repeat the recommendations heretofore made ' by me, that the appropriations for the maintenance of our diplomatic and consular service should be recast; that the so-called notarial or unofficial fees, which our representatives abroad are now parmitted to treat as their personal perquisites, should be forbidden; that a system of consular inspection should be instituted; and that a limited number of Secretaries of Legation i at Large should be authorized. THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL. i ’ Appropriate legislation by Congress in regard i to tue Centennial celebratio i of the inaugura- , tion of George Washington is recommended. OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS. My endoivors to establish by international : co-operution measures for the prevention of the extermination of fur seals in Behring Sea have i not been relaxed, and I have h pes of being enabled shortly to submit an effective and satisfactory conventional project with the ( maritime powers for the approval of the Sen- : ate. Tne coastal boundary between our Alaskan possessions and British Columbia, 1 regret to say, has not received the attention demanded :by its importance, and which, on >ev--1 oral occasions heretofore, I have had I the honor to recommend to the Ccngress. The I admitted impiacticubiliiy, if not impossibility, i of making an accurate and precise survey and , demarkation of the boundary line, as it is i ecited i in the treaty with Russia under which Alaska . was ceded to the United States, renders it abso- | lately requisite, for the prevention ot national jurisdictional complicat ons, that adequate api propriation for a survey to ! obtain proper knowledge of the locality and the geographical features of the boundary should be | authorized by Congress with as little delay as I possible. I AID TO WRECKED VESSELS. It is much to ba desired that some agreement I should be reached with her Majesty s GovernI ment by whiffi the damages to life and property j on the great lakes may be alleviated by remov- ; ing, or humanely regulating, the obstacles to I reciprocal assistance to wrecked or stranded j vessels. The act of June 19, 1878, which offers ■ to Canadian vessels who have access to our inI land waters in aid of wrecked or disabled vessels, has not yet become effective through conI current action by Canada.

REFUNDING TONNAGE DUES. I renew my recommendation of two years ago of the passage of a bill for the refunding to certain German steamship lines of the interest upon tonnage dues illegally exacted. PROTECTION OF FRENCH CITIZENS. The due protection of our citizens of French origin or descent from claim of m litary service in the event of their returning to or visiting France has called torch correspoudencs which was laid before you at the last session. In the absence of conventional agieement as to naturalization, which is greatly to be desired, this Government sees no occasion to recede .rom the sound posit on it has maintained not only with regard to trance but as to all countries with which the United States have not concluded special treaties. IHE CHINESE QUESTION. ’ In a message accompanying my approval, on the Ist day of October last, of a bill for the exclusion of i hinese laborers, I laid before Congress full information and all correspondence touching the negotiation of the treaty with China, concluded at this capital on the Izth day of March, 1888, and which, having been confirmed by the Senate, with certain amendments, was rejected by the Chinese Government. This message contain, d a recommendation that a sum of money be appropriated as compensation to Chinese subjectv who had suCered injuries at the hands of lawless men w.thin our jurisdiction, tuch appro nation having bten duly made, the fund awaits reception by the Chinese Governm nt. It is sincerely hoped that, by he cessaiivnof the influx of this class of Chinese subjects, in accordance with the expressed wish of both Governments, a cause of unkind feeling has been permanently removed. THE REV LUTION IN HAYTI. I announce with sincere regret that Hayti has again beci me the theater of inst rrection, disorder and b oodshed. The titular government of 1 resident Haloman has been forcibly overthrown, ind he driven <ut of the country to Fra ce, where he has since died. The tenure of power has been so unstable amid the war 1 1

of faction* that has ensued since the expulsion of I resident Salom n, that no government constitute I by thi w 11 of -tie Haytian people has been recognized as admin'istering responsibibly the affairs of that country. Our representative has been instructed to aba ain fr m interference between the warring factions, and a ve sei of our navy has been sent to the Haytian waters to sustain our Minister and for the protection of the persons an t property ot American citizens. Due precautions have been t< ken to enforce our neutrality laws, aid prevent our territory from becoming the base of m litary supplias for either of the warring tactions. Under color of a blockade, of which no reasonable notice had been given and whi.h does notappear to have been efficiently maintained, a seizure of vess' ls under the American flag has been reported, and in consequence, measures to prevent and redress any molestation of any of our innocent merchantmen have been adopted. OUB SISTER REPUBLIC. The wisdom of concluding a treaty of commercial reciprocity with Mexico has oeen heretofore stated in my messages to Congress, and the lapse of time and growth of commerce with that Ciose neighbor and sister Republic confirm the judgment so expressed. The precise relocation of our boundary line is needful, au-1 adequate appropr.ation is now recommended. It is with sincere satisfaction that I am enabled to admit the spirit of good neighborhood and friendly co-operation and conciliation that has marked th correspondence and action of the Mexican authorities in their shari of the task in maintaining law and order about the Hue of our common boundary. The long-pending boundary dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua wa, referred to my arbiirution, and by an award ma e on the 22d of March last ths question has been finally settled to the expressed satisfaction of bo.h of the riarties in interest. Other foreign mat ers referred to are the abolition or slaxery in Brazil, the claims against Chili, Hayti, and Venezuela, and tue assemblage at Washington during the coming year of the representatives of South and Central American States, with those of Mexico, Hayti, and San Domingo, to discuss important commercial topics.

THE NATION’S FINANCES. The reirert of tho Secretary of ths Treasury shows tnat tbe total ordinary revenues of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, JBBB, amounted to 5379,‘266,0/4 r ,6, of which 521),091,171.63 was reee.ved from customs duties and 8> 124,296,871.98 frem internal revenue taxes. The.total receipts from all sources exceeded those for the Ls al year ended June 30, 1887, by i*7,’’61,797.10. The ordinary expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, were $259,6 3,9:8.67; leaving a surplus of $119,612,116.09. The decrease in expenditures as compared with the fiscal-year en led June 31, 1887, was $8,278,220.30, notwithstanding' a payment of more tnan -for pensions in excess of what was paid for that purpose in the latter mentamed year. The estimated receipts for the year ending June 30, 18J0, are $317,010,000, and the estimated ordinary expenditures f<r ths same time are $275,7<-7,488.04, show.ng a surplus of $101,232,511.66. The foregoing statements of surplus do not take into account the sum necessary to be expended to meet the requirements of the sinking-fund act, amounting to more than $.7,0J0,000 annually, 'lhe cort of collecting the customs revenues for the last fiscal year was 2.44 per cent.; year 1885 it was 3.77 percent; The excess offtlteriialre venue taxes collected during the last fiscal year over those collected for the year endel June 30, 1887, was $5,48.1,174.2-3, and the cost of collecting this revenue decreased from 3.4 per cent, in 1887 to less than 3.2 per cent?lor the last year. The tax collected on oleomargarine was $7z3,948.04 for theyear ending June 30, 1887, and 8864,131.68 for the following year.

The requirements of the Sinking Fund Act have been met for the year ended June 30, 1888, and for the current year, also, by the purchase of bonds. After complying with, this law, as positively required and bonds sufficient for that purpose had been boug iu at a premium, it was not deemed prudent t j further extend the surplus in such purchases until the authority to do so should be more explicit. A resolution, however, having been passed by both houses of Congress removing all doubt as to Executive authority, daily purchases of bonds were commenced on the 23d day of April, 1888, anl have continued until the present time. By this plan, bonds of the Government not yet due haie been purchased up to and including toe 3. tn day of November, lbfeß, amount.ng to .'*94,700,490, tha premium paid thereon amounting to $17,508,613.08. The premium added to tiie principal of these bonds represents an investment yielding about 2 per cent, interest for the time they still had to run, and the saving to the Government represented by the difference between the amount of interest nt 2 per cent, upon the sum paid for principal and premium, and what it would ha . e paid for interest at the rate specified on the bonds, if they had run to their maturity, is about $27,165,u00. At first sight this would seem to be a profitable and sensible transaction on the part of the Government, but, a 1 suggested by the Secretary of the Treasury, the surplus thus expended for the purehase of bonds was money drawn from the people in excess of any actual need of tha Government, and was so expanded rather than allow it to rem tin idle in the Ireasury. If this surplus, under the operation of just and equitable laws, had bean leit in the hands of tha people, it would hava been worth in t eir business at least 6 per cent, per annum. Deducting from tue amount of int.rest upon the pritcipai and premium upon the bonds and the time they had to run at the rata of 6 per cant., the saving of 2 per cent, made for the people by the purchase of such bonds, the loss wi.l appear to be $55,7 0,600. This calculation would seem to demonstrate that if excessive and unnecessary taxation is continued, and the Government is forced to pursue this policy of purchasing its own bonds at the premiums which it will be necessary to pav, the loss to the people will be hundteds of millions of dollars. Since the puichase of bonds was undertaken as mentioned, nearly all that have been offered were at last accepted. It has been nude quite apparent that the Government was in danger of being subjected to combinations to raise their price. Notwithstanding tha large sums paid out in the purchase of bonds, the surplus in the Treas .ry on the 3jtU day of November, 1838, was $92,2 H,6h'.01, after deducting about $2.),000,000 just drawn out for the payment of pensions At the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1887, there had been coined, under tha compulsory silver coinaga act, $266,988,2fc0 in silver dollars, $55,504,376 ot which were in the hands of the people. On the -3uth day of June, 18:8, there had been coined $239,9 B,JJO, and of this $55,829,3v3 Wrß in circulation in coin and $200,387,376 in silver certificates, for the redemption of which silver collars to that amount were held by the Government. On the 30th day of November. 1888, $312,570,990 had been coined, $50,970,99J of the silver dollars were actually in circulation, an i $*237,418,346 in certifica es. The Secretary recommends the suspension of the lurther coinage of silver, and in such recommendation I earnestly concur.

THE ARMY. The Secretary of War reports that the army, at the date of the last returns, consisted of 2,169 officers and 24,549 enlisted men. The actual expenditures of the War Department for the fiscal year ended June 39, 1883, amounted to $41,165.■1U7.07, of vhich sum $9,158,516.63 was expended for public works, including river and harbor improvements Plans and specifications for guns of large caliber, including dynamite guns, and for the establishment of an army gun factory have been prepared and bids for the work will be advertised for. The recommendation of the Secretary of War that there sha 1 be a plan for the examination of officers to test their fitness for promotion is approved. The death of Gener 1 Sheridan in August last was a national affiiction. The army then lost the grandest of its chiefs. The country lost a brave and experienced soldier, a wise and discreet counselor and a modest and sensible man. Those who in any manner crime within the range of his personal association will never fail to pay deserved and willing homage to his greatness and the glory of his career; but they will ch rish with more tender sensibility the loving memory of his simple, generous and considerate n itur v The condition of the Apache Indians, 332 in numbar, held as prisoners at Mount Vernon barracks, Ala., is declared to be good. The children are sent to Carlisle or Hampton for schoo ing. I am not at all in sympathy wi,h those benevolent but injudicious people who are constantly insisting that the e Indians should be returned to the reservation. Their removal was an absolute necessity, if the lives and property of the citizens Upon the frontier are to be at all regarded by the Government. Their continued restraint at a distance troin the scene of their repeated and cruel murders and outrages is still necessary. THE NAVY. The report of the Secretary of the Navy discloses the most satis ac.ory progress in the work of reconstructing the navy made during the past year. Of the sh ps in course of construction, five, viz.: the Charleston, Baltimore, Yorktown,

Vesuvius, and the Petrel, have in that time been launched and are rapidly approachreg complet on; and in addition to the above tbe Philadelphia, the San Francisco, the Newark, the Bennington. the t on.ord and th) Herreschoff torpedo boat are all under contract for deHvery to the department dating the n xt year. Tne progress already made and being made gives good grounds for tbe expectation that these eleven vessels will be incorpcrated as pare of the American navy within the next twel e months. The report shows that, notwithstanding tne large expenditures for new construction and thi addit onal labor they involve, the total ordinary or current expend!.ure of the department for the three years ending .iune 30, 18 8, are less by more than 20 per cent, than such expenditures for the three years ending June 39. 1884. j THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster General shows a marked increase of business in every brunch of the postal service. 'J’he number of pootofficea on July 1, 1888, was 57,17 c, au increase of 6,124 in three years, and of 2,219 for tbe last fi ;cal year. Free-delivery offices have ii.creused from 189 in the fiscal year tnded June 3 , 1837, to 378 in the year ended June 30. 1888. In the railway mail service there has be n an increase in one year of 168 routes, and in the number of miles traveled per annum an increase of 150.795,9i7. The estimated increase of railroad service for tbe year was 6.. W miles, but the amount of new railroad service actually put on was 12,764.50 miles. Ths volume of business <1 the Money-ord r Division, including transactions in postal notes, reached the sum of upward of SU3,,UO, Joo for the year. During the past year parcel-post conventions have baen concluded with Barbadoes, the Bahamas, British Honduras and Mexico, . and are now under negotiation with all i the Central and South American States, i The increase of correspondence with foreign | countries during the past three years is : gratifying, and is especially notable and exceptional with the Central and South American States and with Mexico. As the greater part of 1 mail matter exchanged with these countrits is ' commercial in its character, this increase is evidence of the improved business relations with them. The practical operation of the parcelI post conventions, so tar as negotiated, has ; served to fulfill the most favorable predictions : as to their benefits. ; The bill to provide for public buildings, where I the gross receipts of the postottice exceeded a i certain surn, is commended. Semi more just i method of determining the amount to be paid fourth-class Postmasters is demanded. , Some legislation for the relie: of postJ office clerks and carriers should be passed. I The total appropriation for all clerks in offices ■ throughout the United States is $5,910,(.0 '. The I legislation affecting the relations of the Govern- • ment with railroads is in need of revision. I While for the most part the railroad companies throughout tne country have cori uially co-ppe.ated with the 1 ostoffice Depart--1 ment in-reirflering excellent service, yet ! under the lawds it stands, whi e the compensation to them for carrying the mail is limited and regulated, and although railroads are made post roads by law, there is no authority reposed, anywhere to compel ihe owner of a railroad to toad and carry the United States mail. The ' only-alternative provided by act of Congress ■jo.' case of refusal, is fpr the Postmaster General to send mail forward by ’pony express. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The rpporc of the Attorney General states that 1 though judgments in civil sui-s amounting to I $5 ‘2,021.08 were recovered in favor of the Gov--1 ernment during the year, only $132 934 wai collected thereon, and that, though fines, penalties, and forfeits were imposed, amounting to 5’41,8 8.43, ’ only sl> 9.618.42 was paid on > account thereof. The report also Shows that since March. 1815, there have been nearly 60J convictions for polygam v iu Utah anl Idaho, and th 3 opinion is expressed that under the vigilant execution of the law polygamy within the United States is virtually at an ena. The suits against the perpetual emigrating fund of the Mormon Church have resulted in a degree favorable to the Government, and iho property, amounting to some *8 W, JOO, is in the hands of a receiver.

THE PUBLIC LANDS. In the report of the Secretary < f the Interior the condition of tne various b unchos of o ir domestic affairs connected with that r'ejartin nt and its operations during the ye t are fully exhibited. 1 can not too strenuously insist upon the importance of proper measures to insure a right d sposition of our public lands, nos only as a matter of present jus. ice, but in forecast of the consequences to future genzrations. The broad, rich acres of our agricultural plains have been long preserved bjr nature to become her untrammeled gift to a people civilize 1 and free, upon which should rest, in well-distributed ownership, the numerous homes of enlightened, equal and fraternal citizens. They came to national possession with the warning example in our eyes of the entail of iniquities in landed proprietorship which ocher countries have permitted ant still suffer. We have no excuse for the violation of principles cogently taught by reason, by e ample, nor so." tne allowance of pretexts which have sometimes exposed our lauds to colossal greed. I aws wuich open the doors to fraudulent acquisition or administration wh’ch permits favor torapacious seizure by a favored few of expanded areas that many should enjoy, are accessory to offenses against our national welfare and humanity not to be too severely condemned or punished. It is gratifying to know that something hasl>een dene at last to redress the injuries to outpeople and check the perilous tendency of the reckless waste of national domain; that over 81,00;),000 acres have been wrested from illegal usurpation, improvident grants and fraudulent entries and claims and reserved for the homesteads of honest industry—although less than the greater areas thus unjustly lost — must afford a profound gratification to right feeling citizens, as it is a recompense for the labors and straggles of the recovery. Ourdoar experience ought sufficiently to urge the speedy enactment of measures of legislation which will c nfine the future disposition of our remaining agricultural lands to the use of actual husbandry and genuine homes. Nor should our vast tracts of so-called desert lands be yielded up to the monopoly of corpopations or grasping individuals, as appears to be much the tendency under the existing statute. These land's require but thesupply of water to become fertile and productive. It is a problem of great moment how most wisely for the public good that factor shall be furnished. I cannot but think it perilous to suffer either these lands or the sources of their irrigation to fall into tne hands of monopolies, which by such means may exercise lordship over areas dependent on thetr treatment for productiveness. Already steps have been taken to secure accurate and scientific information of the conditions which is the prime basis of intelligent action. Until, this shall be gained, the course of wisdom appears clearly to lie in a suspension of further disposal, which only promises to create rights antagonistic to the common in erest. No harm can o’.low this cautionary conduct. The land will remain, and the public good presents no demand for hasty dispossession of national ownership and control. 1 commend also the recommendations that appropriate measures be taken to complete the adjustment of the various grants made to the States for internal improvements and of swampand overflowed lands, as well as to adjudicate and finally determine the validity and extent of the numerous private land claims. THE INDIANS. The condition of our Indian population continues to improve, and the proofs multiply that the transforming change so much to be desired, which shall substitute f >r barbarism enlightenment and civilizing education, is in favorable progress. Our relations with these people during the year have been disturbed by no serious disorder, but rather marked by a better realization of their true interests and increasing confidence and good will. These conditions testify to the value of the higher tone of consideration and humanity which has governed the latter methods of dealing with them, and commend its continued observance. Allotm nts in severalty have been madeon somereservations until all those entitled to land thereon nave had their shares afis gned, and thework is still continued. 11} directing the execution of this I have'not aimed so'mifeh at rapid dispatch as to secure just and fair arrangements, which shall best conduce to the objects of the law, by producing satisfaction with the results of the allotments made. No measure of general effect has ever been entered from which more may be fairly hoped if it shall be discreetly administered, It proffers opportunity and inducement to that indepi ndence of spirit and lifb which the Indian peculiarity needs, whileat the same time the inalienability, of title affords security against the risks his inexperience of affairs or weakness of character may expose him to i i dealing with others. Whenever Upon any reservation it should be made complete so that all are brought to the same condition, ind as soon as possible community in lands should cease by opening such as remain unallotted to settlement. Contact.