Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1889 — Page 2

HARRISON’S MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS FIRST COMMUNICATION TO CONGRESS. Each Department of the Government Treated in Detail—Reduction of the Surplus— Tariff Legislation—Public Land I Laws Pension Legislation The Civil Service—Other Matters. The first annual message of President Harrison, read in the Fifty-first Confress, on the 3d inst., is as follows: o the Senate and House of Representatives : There are few transactions in the administration of the Government that are even temporarily held in the confidence of those chavged 1 with the conduct of the public business. Every j*tep taken is under the observation of an initelligent and watchful people. The state of the .Union is known from day to day, and suggestions as to needed legislation find an earlier t-voice than that which speaks in these annual (■communications of President to Congress. Good-will and cordiality have characterized jour relations and correspondence with other governments, and the year just closed leaves few ! international questions of importance remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is believed to exist that can long postpone the consideration and adjustment of the still pending questions upon : satisfactory and honorable terms. The dealings ■of this Government with other states have been and should always be marked by frank- < i ness and sincerity, our purposes avowed, and our methods free from intrigue. This courso has borne rich fruit in tho past, and it is our ! duty as a nation to preserve the heritage of good j repute which a century of right dealing with ’■foreign governments has secured to us. The Pan-American Congress. It Is a matter of high significance, and no less of congratulation, that the first year of the second century of our constitutional existence finds, as honored guests within our borders, tho representatives of all the independent States of North and South America met together In oarnestconference touching the best methods of perpetuating and expanding the relations of mutual interest and friendliness existing among ■them. That the opportunity thus affordod for promoting closer international relations and the increased prosperity of the States represented will be for the mutual good of all, I cannot permit myself to doubt. Our people will await with interest and confidence the results to flow- from so auspicious a meeting of allied ■and, in large part., identical interests. The recommendations of this international conference of enlightened statesmen will doubtless havo the considerate attention of Congress, and its co-operation in the removal of unnecessary barriers to beneficial intercourse between the nations of America. But while tho commercial results, which it is hoped will follow this conference, are worthy of pursuit and of the great interest they have oxcited, it is believed that the crowning benefit will be found In tho better securities which may be devised for the maintenance of peace among all American nations and the settlement of all contentions by methods that a Christian civilization can approve. While viewing with interest our national resources and products, tho delegates will, I am sure, find a higher satisfaction In the evidences of unselfish fiiendship which •everywhere attend their intercourse with our people. The Maritime Congress. Another international conference, having igreat possibilities for good, has lately assembled, •and is now in session in this capital. An invitation was extended by the Government, under the act of Congress of July 9, 1888, to all maritime nations to send delegates to confer touch- ! lng the revision, and amendment of the rules land regulations governing vessels at seh and to adopt a uniform system of marine signals. The (response to this invitation has been very gen--erai and very cordial. Delegates from twentyisix nations are present in the conference, aiid ‘-they havo entered upon thoir usual work with great zeal, and with an evident appreciation of ;lts importance. So far a* the agreement to bo | reached may require legislation to give it effect, •our co-operation in, confidently relied upon. It is an interesting, If not indeed an unprecedented, fact that the two international conferences have brought together here the accredited representatives of thirty-three nations. Bolivia, Ecuador, and Honduras are now represented by resident envoys of the plenipotentiary grade. All the States of the American -•eystom now maintain diplomatic representation at this capital. In this connection it may be noted that all tho nations of the Western Hemisphere, with ono exception, sent to Washington Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers I‘lenipotentiary, being the highest grade accredited to this Government,. The United States, on the contrary, sends Envoys of the lower grade to some of our sister republics. Our representative in Paraguay and Uraguay is a Minister resident, while to Bolivia we send a Minister resident and Consul General. In view of the importance of our relations with ■the States of the American system, our diplomatic agents in those countries should be of the ■unifom rank of Envoy Extraordinary and '.Minister Plenipotentiary. Certain missions were so elevated by the last Congress with happy •effect. I recommend tho completion of the reform thus begun, with tho inclusion also of Hawaii and Hayti, in view of their relations Ifj the American system of Statos. I also recommend that timely provision be made for extending Hawaii an invitation to be represerted at the International Conference now sitting at this capital. Our Relations with China. Our relations with China have the attentive •consideration which their magnitude and interest demand. The failure of the treaty negotiated under the administration of my predecessor for the further and more complete restriction of Chinese labor immigration, and, with it, tho legislation of the last session, of Congress dependent thereon, leave some questions open which Congress should, now approach in that wise and just spirit which should characterize the relations of two great and friendly powers. While our supreme interests demand the exclusion of a laboring •clement which experience has shown to be incompatible with our social life, all steps to compass this imperative need should be accompanied with a recognition of the claim of those straugers now lawfully among us to humane and just treatment. The accession of the young Emperor of China marks, we may hope, an era of progress and prosperity for the great countryover which he is called to rule. The present state of affairs in respect to the Samoan Islands is encouraging. The conference which was held in this city in the summer of 1887 between the representatives of the United States, Germany, and Great Britain having been adjourned because of the persistent •divergence of views which was developed in its ■deliberations, the subsequent course of events in the islands gave rise to questions of a serious character. On the 4th of February last, the ■German Minister at this capital, in behalf of ffiis Government, proposed a resumption of the •conference at Berlin. This proposition was accepted, as Congress, in February last, was informed. Pursuant to the understanding thus reached, •commissioners were appointed by me, who proceeded to Berlin, where the conference was renewed. The deliberations extended through ■several weeks, and resulted in the conclusion ■of a treaty which will bo submitted to the Senate for its approval. I trust that the efforts which have been made to effect an adjustment •of this question will be productive of the permanent establishment of law and order in Samoa upon the basis of the maintenance of the rights and interests of the natives, as well ■•as of the treaty powers. The Canadian Fisheries. The questions which have arisen during the •past few years between Great Britain and the United States are in abeyance or in course of amicable adjustment. On the part of the Government of the Dominion of Canada, an effort has been apparent during the season just ended to administer the laws and regulations applicable to the fisheries with as little occasion for friction as was possible, and the temperate of this Government in respect of cases of undue hardship or of harsh interpretations have been in •most caseß met with measures of transitory .relief. It is trusted that the attainment of our just rights under existing treaties, and in virtue of the concurrent legislation of the two contiguous countries^will not be long deferred, and that’all existing causes of difference may be Equitably adjusted. I recommend that provision be made by an International agreement for visibly marking the *ater boundary between the United States .and Canada in the narrow channels that join the great lakes. The conventional line therein traced byutha Northwestern boundary survey, -years ago, -fsnot in all cases readily ascertain-

able for tbs settlement of jurisdictional questions. A just and acceptable enlargement of the list of offenses for which extradition may be claimed and granted is most desirable between this country and Great Britain. The territory of neither should become a sure harbor for the evil-doers of the other through any avoidable shortcoming in this regard. A new treaty on this subject between the two powers has been recently negotiated, and will soon be laid before the Senate. With Other Powers. The importance of the commerce of Cuba and Porto Rico with the United States, their nearest and principal market, justifies the expectation that the existing relations maybe beneficially expanded. The impediments resulting from varying dues on navigation, and from vexatious treatment of onr vessels, on merely technical grounds of complaint, in West India ports, should be removed. The progress toward an adjustment of pending claims between the United States and Spain is not as rapid as could be desired. Questions affecting American interests in connection with railways constructed and operated by our citizens in Peru have claimed the attention of this government. It is urged that of her governments, in pressing Peru to the paying of the claims, have disregarded the property rights of American citizens. The matter will be carefully investigated, with a view to securing a proper and equitable adjustment. • A similar issue is now pending with Portugal. The Delagoa Bay Railroad in Africa was constructed under a concession by Portugal to an American citizen. When nearly completed the road was seized by the agents of the Portuguese Government. Formal protests have been made through our minister at Lisbon against this act, and no proper effort will be spared to secure proper relief. In pursuance of the charter granted by Congress, and under the terms of its contract with the Government of Nicaragua, the Interoceanic Canal Company has begun the construction of the important water-way between the two oceans which its organization contemplates. This Government has held itself ready to promote in every proper way the adjustment of all questions that might present obstacles to the completion of a work of such transcendent importance to the commerce of this country, and, indeed, to the commercial interests of the world.

The Paris Exposition. The traditional good feeling between this country and the French republic has received additional testimony in the participation of our Government and people in the International Exposition at Parip during the past Summer. Tho success of our exhibitors has been gratifying. The report of the commission will be laid before Congress in due season. This Government has accepted, under proper reserve as to its policy in foreign territories, the invitation of the Government of Belgium to take part ill an international congress, which opened at Brussels on the Kith of November, for the purpose of devising measures to promote the abolition of the slave trade in Africa, and to prevent the shipmont of slaves by sea. Our interest in the extinction of this crime against humanity, in the regions where it yet survives, lias been increased by the results of emancipation within our own borders. With Germany the most cordial relations continue. The questions arising from the roturn to the Empire of Germans naturalized in this country are considered and disjiosed of in a temperate spirit, to the entire satisfaction of both Governments. It is a source of great satisfaction that the internal disturbances of the Republic of Hayti are at last happily en.ded, and that an apparently staple government has been constituted. It has been duly recognized by the United Statos. Affairs at Home. Within our own borders a general condition of prosperity prevails. The harvests of the last summer were exceptionally abundant, and tho trade conditions now prevailing seem to promise a successful season to the merchant and the manufacturer, and general employment to our working people. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury has been prepared and will be presented to Congress. It presents with clearness the fiscal operations of the Government, and I avail myself of it to obtain some facts for use here. The aggregate receipts from all sources for the year were $387,050,058.84, derived as follows : From customs, $2*2:1,832,741.09; from internal revenue, $130,881,513.92; from miscellaneous sources, $32 335,803.23. The o miliary expenditures for the same period were $281,990,615.00, and the total expenditures, including the sinking fund, were $329,579,929.25. The excess of receipts over expenditures was, after providing for the sinking fund, $57,470,129.69. For the current fiscal year the total revenues, actual and estimated, are $835,000,000, and the ordinary expenditure, actual and estimated, are $-293,000,000, making, with the sinking fund, a total expenditure of $341,321,116.99, leaving an estimated surplus of $483,078,883,01. The revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30,1891, are estimated bv the Treasury Department at $3.85,000,000, li d the expenditures for the same period, including the sinking fund, at $341,430,477.70. This shows an estimated surplus for that year of $13,509,522.30, which is more likely to bo increased than reduced when the actual transactions are written up. The existence of so large an actual and anticipated surplus should have the immediate attention of Congress, with a view to reducing the receipts of the treasury to the needs of the Government. The collection of moneys not needed for public uses imposes au unnecessary burden upon our people, and the presence of so large a surplus in the public vaults is a disturbing element in the conduct of private business. We should not collect revenue for the purpose of anticipating our bonds, beyond the requirements of the sinking fund, but any unappropriated surplus in the treasury should be so used, as there is no other lawful way. of returning tho money to circulation, and the profit realized by the Government offers a substantial advantage. The loaning of public funds to the banks without interest, upon the security of Government bonds, I regard as an unauthorized and dangerous expedient. It results in a temporary and unnatural increase of the banking capital of favored localities, and compels a cautious and gradual recall of the deposits to avoid injury to tho commercial interests. No further use should be made of this method of getting the surplus into circulation, and the deposits now outstanding Bhould be gradually withdrawn and applied to the purchase of bonds. Such legislation should be promptly, but very considerately, enacted. Tariff Revision Recommended. I recommend a revision of our tariff law, both in its administrative features nnd in the schedules. The need of the former is generally conceded, and an agreement upon the evils and inconveniences to be remedied, and the best methods for their correction, will probably not be difficult. Uniformity of valuation at all our poris is essential, and effective measures should be taken to secure it. It is equally desirable that questions affecting sales and classifications should bo promptly decided. The preparation ot a new schedule of customs duties is a matter of great delicacy, because of its direct effect upon the business of the country. Some disturbances of business may perhaps result from the consideration of this subject by Congress, but this temporary illeffect will he reduced to the minimum by prompt action and by the assurance which the country already enjoys that any necessary changes will be so made as not to impair the just and reasonable protection of onr home industries. The inequalities of the law should be adjusted, but the protective principle should be maintained and fairly applied to the products of our farms as well as of our shops. These duties necessarily have relations to other things besides the public revenues. We cannot limit their effects by fixing our eyes on the public treasury alone. They have a direct relation to home production, to work, to wages, and to the commercial independence of this country, and the wise and patriotic legislator should enlarge the field of his vision to include all of these. The necessary reduction in our public revenues can, lam sure, be made without making the smaller burden more onerous than the larger by reason of the disabilities and limitations which thq reduction puts upon both capital and labor. The free list can very safely be extended by placing thereon articles that do not offer injurious competition to such domestic products as our home labor can supply. The Tobacco and Liquor Tax. The removal of the internal tax upon tobacco would relieve an important agricultural product from a burden which was imposed only because our revenue from customs duties was insufficient for public needs. If safe.provision against fraud can be devised the removal of the tax upon spirits used in the arts and In manufactures would also offer an unobjectionable method of reducing the surplus. A table presentee*, by the Secretary of the

Treasury, showing the amount or money of all kinds in circulation each year from 1878 to the present time, is of interest. It appears that the amount of national-bank notes in circulation has decreased during that period $114,109,729, of which $37,799,229 is chargeable to the last year. But while this withdrawal of banknotes has been going on, there has been a large increase in the amount of gold and silver coin in circulation and in the issues of gold and silver certificates. The total amount of rnonev of all kinds in circulation on March 1, 1878, was $805,793,807, while on Oct. 1, 1889, the totU was $1,405,018,000. There was an increase of $283,417,552 in gold coin, of $57,554,100 in standard silver dollars, of $72,311,249 in gold certificates, of $276,619,715 in silver certificates and of 814,073,787 in United States notes, making a total of $713,976,403. There was during the same period a decrease of $114,209,729 in bank circulation, and of $642,481 in subsidiary silver. The net increabi was $529.224,193. The circulation per capita has increased about $5 during the time covered by the table referred to. The Coinage of Silver. The total coinage of silver dollars was, on November 1, 1889, $343,639,001, of which $233,539,521 were in the Treasury vaults, $00,098,480 were in circulation. Of the amount in the vaults, $277,319,944 were represented by outstanding silver certificates, leaving $0,219,577 not in circulation and not represented by certificates. The law reauiring the purchase, by the treasury, of $2,009,000 worth of silver bullion each month, to be coined into silvjr dollars, has been observed by the department; but neither the present Secretary or any of his predecessors has deemed it safe to exercise the discretion given by law to increase the monthly purchases to $4,000,000. The evil anticipations which have accompanied the coinage and use of the silver dollar have not been realized. As a coin it has not had general use, and the public treasury has been compelled to store it. But this is manifestly owing to the fact that its paper representative is more convenient. The general acceptance and use of the silver certificate shows that silver has not been otherwise discredited. I think it is clear that if we should make the coinage of silver at the present ratio free, we must expect that the difference in the bullion values of tho gold and silver dollars will be taken account of in commercial transactions, and I fear the same result would follow any considerable increase of the present rate of coinage. Such a result would be discreditable to our financial management and disastrous to all business interests. Any safe legislation upon this subject must secure the equality of the two coins in their commercial uses. I have always been an advocate of the üb6 of silver in our currency. We are large producers of that metal, and should not discredit it. The details of a perfect law require careful consideration, but the general plan suggested by the Secretary of the Treasury seems to satisfy the purpose—to continue the use of silyer in connection with our currency, and at the same time to obviate the danger or which I have spoken. At a later day I may communicate further with Congress upon this subject. Exclusion of the Chinese. Thb enforcement of tho Chinese exclusion act has been found to be very difficult on the Northwestern. frontier. The Secretary of the Treasury has authorized the employment of additional soldiers, who will be assigned to this duty, and every effort will be made to enforce the law. The Dominion exacts a head tax of SSO for each Chinaman, and when these persons, in fraud of our law, cross into our territory and are apprehended, our officers do not know what to do with them, as the Dominion authorities will not Buffer them to be sent back without a second payment of the tax. An effort will be mode to reach an understanding that will remove this difficulty. Our Coast Defenses. Judged by modem standards we are practically witnout coast defenses. Many of the structures we have would enhance rather than diminish the perils of their garrisons if subjected to the fire of improved guns. The security of our coast cities against foreign attack should not rest altogether in the friendly disposition of other nations. There should be a second line wholly iu our own keeping. I very urgently recommend an appropriation at this session for the construction of such works in our most exposed harbors, I approve the suggestion of the Secretary of War that provision ne made for encamping companies of the National Guard in our coast works for a specified time each year and for their training in the use of heavy guns. His suggestion that an increase of the artillery force of the army is desirable is also in this connection commended to the consideration of Congress. River and Harbor Improvement The improvement of our important rivers and harbors should be promoted by the necessary appropriations. Care should be taken that the Government ia not committed to the prosecution of works not of public and general advantage, and that the relative usefulness of works of that class is not overlooked. So far as this work can ever be said to be completed, I do not doubt that the end would be sooner and more economically reached if fewer separate works were undertaken at the same time, and those selected for their greater general interest were more rapidly pushed to completion. A work once considerably begun should not be subjected ts the risks and deterioration which interrupted or insufficient appropriations necessarily occasion. Ike Law Department. In view of the asaan.lt made by David S. Terry upon the person of Justice Field, of tho Supreme Court of the United States, at Lathrop, Cal., in August last, and the killing of the assailant by a Deputy United States Marshal, I recommend that more definite provision be made by law, not only for the protection of Federal officers, hut for a full trial of such cases in the United States courts. Events which have been brought to my attention, happening in other parts of the country, have also suggested the propriety of extending, by legislation, fuller protection to those who may be called as witnesses in the courts of the United States. The investigations of criminal offenses are often rendered futile by the intimidation of witnesses. The necessity of providing some more speedy method for disposing of the cases which now come for final adjudication to the Supreme Court becomes every year more apparent and urgent. The plan of providing intermediate courts, having final appellate jurisdiction of certain classes of questions and cases, has, I think, received a more general approval from the bench and bar of the country than any other. I recommend that provision be made for the establishment of such courts. The salaries of the Judges of the District Courts in many of the districts are, in my judgment, inadequate. I recommend that all such salaries now below $5,000 be increased to that amount. Regarding Trusts. Earnest attention should be given by Congress to a consideration of the question how far the restraint of those combinations of capital commonly called “trusts” is a matter of federal jurisdiction. When organized, as they often are, to crush out all healthy competition and to monopolize the production or sale of an article of commerce and general necessity, they are dangerous conspiracies against the public good, and should be made the subject of prohibitory and even penal legislation. The subject of an international copyright has been frequently commended to the attention of Congress by my predecessors. The enactment of such a law would be eminently wise and just. Our naturalization laws should be so revised as to make the inquiry into the moral character and good disposition toward our Government of the parsons applying for citizenship more thorough. This can only be done by taking fuller control of the examination, by fixing the times for hearing such applications, and by requiring the presence of some one who shall represent the Government in the inquiry. Those who are the avowed enemies of social order, or who come to our shores to swell the injurious influence and to extend the evil practices of any association that defies our laws, should not only be denied citizenship, but a domicile. The enactment of a national bankrupt law of a character to be a permanent part of our general legislation is desirable. It should be simple in itß methods and inexpensive in its administration. The Postofilce Department. The report of the Postmaster General hot only exhibits tne operations of the department for the last fiscal year, but contains many valuable suggestions for the improvement and extension of the service, which are commended to your attention. The plan suggested of a supervision of the postoffices in separate districts that shall involve instruction and suggestion, and a rating .of the efficiency of the Postmasters, would, I have no doubt, greatly improve the service. The np*aU»i‘rrS«tty relat-

ing to the transmission through the mails of lottery advertisements and remittances is clearly stated by the Postmaster-General, and his suggestion as to amendments should have yoar favorable consideration. The Navy. The report of the Secretary of the Navy shows a reorganization of the bureaus of the department that will, I do not doubt, promote the efficiency of each. In general, satisfactory progress has bean made in the construction of the new ships of war authorised by Congress. The report of the Secretary shows that while the effective force of the navy is rapidly increasing, by reason of the improved build and armament of the new ships, the number of our ships fit for sea duty grows very slowly. The old wooden ships are disappearing almost as fast as the new vessels are added. These lacts carry their own argument. One of the new ships may, in fighting strength, be equal to two of the old, but it can not do the cruising duty of two. It is important, therefore, that we should have a more rapid increase in the number of serviceable ships. I concur in the recommendation of the Secretary that the construction of eight armored ships, three gunboats, and five torpedo boats, be authorized. The Indian Question. The report of the Secretary of the Interior exhibits the transactions of the Government with the Indian' tribes. Substantial progress has been made in the education of the children of school age, and m the allotment of lands to adult Indians. Our treaty stipulations should be observed with fidelity, and our legislation ehould be highly considerate of the best interests of an ignorant and helpless people. The reservations are now generally surrounded by white settlements. We can no longer push the Indian back into the wilderness, and it remains only, by every suitable agency, to push him upward |into the state of a self-sup-porting and responsible citizen. For the adult, the first step is to locate him upon a farm; and for the child, to place him in a school. School attenddance should be promoted by every agency. The national schools for Indians have been very successful, and should be multiplied. The last Congress enacted two distinct laws relating to negotiations with the Sioux Indians of Dakota for a relinquishment of a portion of their lands to the United States and for dividing the remainder into separate reservations. The one submitted to the Indians a specific proposition; tthe other authorized the President to negotiate with these Indians for the accomplishment of tho same general purpose, and required that any agreements should be submitted to Congress for ratification. On the Bth day of April last I appointed Hon. Charles Foster, of Ohio; Hon. William Warner, of Missouri; and Maj. Gen. George Crook, of the United States army, Commissioners under the last-named act. These were, however, authorized and directed, first, to Bubmit to the Indians the definite proposition made to them by the act first mentioned, and only in the event of a failure to secure the assent of the requisite number to that proposition, to open negotiations for modified terms under the other act. The work of the Commission was prolonged and arduous, but the assent of the requisite number was finally obtained to the proposition made by Congress, though the report of the Commission has not yet been submitted. In view of these facts, I shall not, at present, deem it necessary to submit the agreement to Congress for ratification, but it will in due course be submitted for information. This agreement releases to the United States about 9,000,000 acres of land. The Cherokee Strip. The Commission provided for by section 14 of the Indian appropriation bill to negotiate with the Cheroke-i Indians and all ether lndiaus owning or claiming lands lying west of the ninety-sixth degree of longitude for the cess.on to the United States of all such lands, was constituted by the appointment of Hon. Lucius Fairchild, of Wisconsin; Hon. John F. Hartrantt, of Pennsylvania; and Hon. Alfred M. W ilson, of Arkansas; and organized on June 2) last. Their first conference with the representatives of the Cherokees was held at Tahlequah July 29, with no definite results. A second conference between the Commission and the Cherokees was begun Nov. G, but no results have yet been obtained, nor is it believed that a conclusion can be immediately expected. The large body of agricultural lands constituting, what is known as the “Cherokee outlet” ought not to be, and indeed cannot long be, held for grazing, and for the advantage of a few against the public interests and the best advantage ot the Indians themselves. The United Statos lias now under the treaties certain rights in these lands. These will not be used oppressively, but it cannot be allowed that those who by sufferance occupy these lands will interpose to defeat the wise anil beneficent purposes of the government. I cannot but believe that the advantageous offer made by the United States to the Cherokee Nation, for a full release of these lands, as compared with other suggestions now made to them, will yet obtain for it a favorable consideration. Oklahoma. It is estimated that there are now in Oklahoma Territory about 60.0C0 people, and several considerable towns have sprung up, for which temporary municipal govemmtnts have been organized. In order to secure the peace of this new community, in the absence of civil government, I directed General Merritt, commanding the Department of the Missouri, to act in conjunction with the Marshals of the United States to preserve the peace, and upon their requisition to use the troops to aid them in executing warrants and in quitting any riots or breaches of the peace that might occur. He wp.s farther directed to use his influence to protect good order and to avoid any conflicts between or with the settlers. The presence of troops has given a sense of security to the well-disposed citizens, and has tended to restrain the lawless. I very urgently recommend that Congress at once provide a Territorial Government for these people. Serious questions, which may at any time lead to violent outbreaks, are awaiting the institution of courts for their peaceful adjustment-. The American genius for self-government has been well illustrated in Oklahoma, but it is neither safe nor wise to leave these people longer to the expedients which have temporarily served them. Affairs in Alaska. Provisions should be made for the acquisition of title to town lots in the towns now established in Alaska, for locating town sitesand for the establishment of municipal governments. Only the mining laws have been extended to that territory, and no other form of title to lands can now be obtained. We have fortunately not extended to Alaska the mistaken policy of establishment of reservations for the Indian tribes, and can deal with them from the beginning as individuals, with, I am sure, better results.. But any disposition of the public lands and! any regulations relating to timber and to the fisheries should have a kindly regard to their interests. Having no power to levy taxes, the people of Alaska are wholly dependent upon the General Government, to whose revenues the seal fisheries make a large annual contribution. An appropriation for education should neither be overlooked nor stinted. The smallness of the population, and the great distances between the settlements offer serious obstacles to the establishment of the usual Territorial form of government. Perhaps the organization of several sub-districts* with a small municipal council of limited powers for each, would be safe and useful. The Public Lamts. In the administration of the land laws the policy of facilitating, in every proper way, the adjustment of the honest, claims of individual settlers upon the public lands has been pursued. The number of pending cases had, during the preceding administration, been greatly increased under the operation of orders for a time suspending final action in a large part of the cases originating in the West and Northwest, and by the subsequent use of unusual methods of examination. Only those who are familiar with the conditions under which our agricultural lands have been settled can appreciate the serious and often fatal consequences to the settler of a policy that puts his title under suspicion, or delays tbe issuance of his patent.. While care is taken to prevent and to expose fraud, it should not be imputed withopf reason. The manifest purpose of the homestead and pre-emption laws was to promote the settlement of the public domain by persons having a bona fide intent to make a home upon the selected lands. Where this intent is well established and the requirements of the law have been substantially complied with, the claimant is entitled to a prompt and friendly consideration of his case. But where there is reason to believe that the claimant is a mere agent of another, who is seeking to evade the law and to secure by fraudulent methods large tracts isT timber and other lands, both principal and agent should be made to feel the full penalty.of our criminal statutes. The law should be so

administered as not to confound these twa classes, and to visit penalties only upon the latter. The unsettled state of the titles to large bodies of lands in the Territories ot New Mexico and Arizona has greatly retarded thd development ot those Territories. Provision should be made bv law for the prompt trial and final adjustment before a judicial tribunal or commission, of all claims based upon Mexican grants. Pensions. The law now provides a pension for every soldier and sailor who wai mustered into the service of the United States during the civil war, and is now suffering from wounds or disease having an origin in the service and in the line of duty. Two of tbe three necessary facts, viz.: muster and disability, are usually suceptible of easy proof; but the third, origin m the service, is often difficult, and in msnv deserving cases, impossible to establish. That very many of those who endured ihe hardships of our most bloody and arduous campaigns are now disabled from diseases that had a real but not traceable origfa in the service, I do not doubt. Besides these there is another class , composed of men manq- of whom served an enlistment of three full years, and of re-enlisted ; veterans who added afourtn year of service, who escaped the casualties of battle and the assaults . of disease, w ho w ere al wavs ready for any detail, who were in every battle line of their command, and were mustered out in sound health, and have since the close of the war, while fighting with the same indomitable and independent spirit the contests of civil life, been overcome by disease or casualty, A Dependent Pension Bill Urged. I am not unaware that the pension roll already involves a very large annual expenditure, neither am I deterred by that fact from, recommending that Congress grant a pension to such honorably discharged soldiers and sail*, ors of the civil war ae, having rendered substantial service during the war, are now dependent upon their own labor for a maintenance, and through disease or casualty are incapacitated from earning it. Many of the men who would bo included in this form of relief are now dependent upon public aid, and it does not, in my opinion, consist with the natioual honor that they shall continue to subsist upon the local relief given indiscriminately to paupers instead of upon the special and generous provision of the nation they served so gallantly and unselfishly. Our people will, I am sure, very generally approve such legislation. And I am equally sure that the survivors of the Union army and navy will feel a grateful sense of relief when this worthy and suffering class of their comrades is fairly cared for. There are some manifest inequalities in tha existing law that should be remedied. To some of the-e the Secretary of the Interior has called attention. It is gratifying to be able to state that by the adoption of new and better methods id the War Department, the calls of the Pension Office for information as to the military and hospital records of pension claimants are now promptly answered, and the injurious and vexatious delays that have heretofore occurred are entirely avoided. This will greatly facilitate the adjustment of all pending claims. The New States. The advent of four nets States, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington into the Union under the Constitution, the same month, and the admission of their duly chosen representatives to our National Congress at the same session, is an event as unexampled as it is interesting. The certification of the votes caijt and of the constitutions adopted in each of the States was filed with me, as required by the eighth section of the act of February 22, 1889, by the Governors of said Territories, respectively. Having, after a careful examination, found that the several constitutions and governments were republican in form, and not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States, that all the provisions of the act of Congress had been complied with, and that a majority of tho votes cast in each of said proposed States was in favor of the adoption of the Constitution submitled therein, I did so declare by a separate proclamation as to each ; as to North Dakota and South Dakota on Saturday, November 2, as to Montana Friday, November 8 and as to Washington on Monday, November Department of Agriculture. The creation of an executive department, to, be known as the Department of Agriculture, by the act of February 9 last, was a wise and timely response to a request which bad long been respectfully urged by the farmers of the country. Bu: much remains to he done to perform the organization of the department so that it may fairly realize the expectations which its creation excited. In this connection attention is called to the suggestions contained in the report of the Secretary, which is herewith submitted. The need of a law officer for the department, such as is provided for the other executive departments, is manifest. The failure ot the last Congress to make the usual provision for the publication of the annual report should be promptly, remedied. The public interest in the report, and its value to the farming community, 1 am sure, will not be diminished under the new organization of the department. I recommend that the Weather Service be separated from the War Department and established as a bureau in the Department of Agriculture. This will involve an entire reorganization, both of the Weather Bureau nnd of the Signal Corps, making of the first a purely civil organization and of the other a purely military staff corps. The report of the Chief Signal Officer shows that the work of the corps on its military side has been deteriorating. The World’s Fairt The proposition to observe the four hundredth, anniversary of the discovery of America by the opening of a World’s Fair or Exposition in some one of our great cities will be presented, for the consideration of Congress. The value and'interest of such an exposition may well claim, the promotion of the General Government. Oivil Service-Lam On the fourth of March last the Civil, Service Commission had but a single member. The vacancies were filled on the seventh day of May, and since then the Commissioners have been industriously, though with an inadequate force, engaged in executing the law.. Heretofore the book of eligibles-hae been closed: to everyone, except as certifications were made upon the requisition, of the appointing officers. This secrecy was the source of much suspicion, and of many charges of favoritism in the administration of the law. The commission has now opened' the list of eligibles 10-the public. The eligible listsfor the classified postoffices and custom houses are now publicly posted in the respective offices, as are also the certification a for appointments. The purpose of the civil service law was absolutely to exclude any other consideration in connection with appointments under it than that of merit as tested by the CKaminationa. It is not too much to say that some recent Congressionalinvostiga'ions nave somewhat, shaken public confidence in the impartiality of the selections for appointment. The reform of the civil service will make no safe or satisfactory advance until the present law and its equal administration ore well established in the confidence of the people. It will be my pleasure, as it is my duty, to see that the law is executed with firmness and imparpartiality. As a result of the revision of the rules of the new classification, and of the inclusion of tho railway mail service, the work of the commission has been greatly increased, and the present clerical force is found to be inadequate. I recommend that the additional clerks asked by the commission be appropriated for. Preventing Wholesale Changes in Office. 1 The duty of appointment is devolved by the Constitution or by the law, and the appointing officers are properly held to a high responsibility in its exercise. The growth of the country and the consequent increase of the civil list have magnified this function of the • Executive disproportionally. It cannot be denied, however, that the labor connected with this necessary work is increased, often to the point of actual distress, by the sudden and excessive demands that are made upon an incoming administration for removals and appointments. But, on the other hand, it is not true that incumbency is a conclusive argument for a continuance in office. Impartiality, moderation, fidelity to public duty and a good attainment in tha discharge of it must he added before the argument is complete. When those holding administrative offices so conduct themselves as to convince just political opponents that no party consideration or bias affects in any way the discharge of their public duties, we can more easily stay the demand for removals. I am satisfied that both in and out of the classified service great benefit would accrue from the adoption of some system by which the officter would receive the distinction and benefit that, in all private employment, comes from aa>