Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 December 1890 — Page 6

THE MESSAGE.

President Harrison Discusses National (Affairs. In His Annual CommunicaLtion to Congress He Urges the Passage of the Lodge Election Bill And Says the McKinley Tariff Law Must Be Given a Fair Trial. Our Foreign Eolations in a Satisfactory Condition. The State or the Nation’s Finances Discussed—Reciprocity In* dorsed. FOREIGN RELATIONS. They Are Friendly. To the Senate and Honse of Representatives : • The reports of the several executive departments, which will be laid before Congress in the usual course, will exhibit in detail the operations of the Government for the last fiscal year. Only the more important incidents and results, and chioily such as may be the foundation of the recommendations I shall submit, will be referred to in this annual message. The vast and increasing business of the Government has been transacted by the several departments during the year with faithfulness, energy and success. The revenues, amounting to above four hundred and fifty million dollars, have been collected and disbursed without revealing, so far as I can ascertain, a single case of defalcation or embezzlement. An earnest effort has been made to stimulate a sense of responsibility and public duty in all officers and ■employes of every grade, and the work done by them has almost wholly escaped unfavorable criticism, 1 speak of these matters with freedom, because the credit of this good work is not mine, but is shared by the heads of the several departments with the great body of faithful officers and emploj’es who servo under them. The closest scrutiny of Congress is invited to all methods of administration and to every item of expenditure. The friendly relations of our country with the nations of Europe ana iho East have been undisturbed, while the ties of good-sill and common interest that bind us to the States of the western hemisphere have been notably strengthened by ttie conference held in this’ capita! to ■consider measures for the general welfare. Pursuant to the invitation authorized by toogress, the representative of every independent state of the American Continent and of Ilavti met in -conference in this capital in October. 1689, and continued iu session until tbe 19th.of last April. This important convocation marks a most interesting and influential epoch in the history of •the western hemisphere. It is noteworthy that Brazil, invited while under an imperial form of ' government, shared as a Republic in the de- j liberations and results of the conference. The recommendations of this conference were all ' transmitted to Congress at the last session.

Divers Foreign Matters. The communications of the Chinese Minister liave brought into view the wnole subject of our I conventional relations with his country, and at j the same time this Government, tnrough its ! legation at Pekin, has sought to arrange vari- ! ons matters and complaints touching the interwets and protection of our citizens in China. In pursuance of the concurrent resolution of Oct. I, 1890, I have jreposed to the Governments of Mexico and Great Britain to consider ! * conventional regulation of the passage of Chinese laborers across our southern and northern frontiers. On the 22d day of August last Sir Edmund I Vouson, the arbitrator, selected under the treaty of December, IS-K, rendered an award to the effect that no compensation was due from the Danish Government to the United States on •ccount of what is commonly known as the Carlos Butterfield claim. Our relations with the French republic continue to be entirely cordial. Our representative at that court has very diligently urged the removal of the restrictions placed upon our meat products, and it is believed that substantial progress has been made toward a just settlement The Samoan treaty, signed last year at Berlin by the representatives of the United States. Cermany and Great Britain, after due ratification and exchange, has begun to produce salutary effects. The formation of the government agreed upon will soon rejilace the disorder of the past by a stable administration, alike just to the natives and equitable to the three powers most concerned in trade and intercourse with the Samoan Islands. The Chief Justice has bee- chosen by the King of Sweden and Norway -on the invitation of the thre i powers, and will Boon be installed. The Dana Commission and the Municipal Council are in process of organization. A rational and evenlv distributed scbtme of taxation, both municipal and upon Imports, is in operation. Malietoa is respected as king. The new treaty of extradition with Great Britain, after due ratification, was proclaimed on the 25th of last March. Its lieneficent working is already apparent.

The Seal Question. Tha difference between the two governments touching the fur seal question in the Behring fiea is not yet adjusted, as will be seen by the correspondence which will soon be laid before Congress. The offer to submit the question to arbitration, as proposed by her Majesty’s Gov•ernment, has not been accepted, for the reason that the form of submission proposed is not thought to be calculated to assure a conclusion •atisfactory to either party. It is sincerely hoped that before the opening of another sealing season some arrangement may be effected -which will assure to the United States a proparty right, derived from Russia, which was not disregarded by any nation for more than eighty yeais preceding the outbreak of the existing trouble. , In the tariff act a wrong was done to the Kingdom of Hawaii which lam bound to presume was wholly unintentional. Duties were levied on certain commodities which are included in the reciprocity treaty now existing between the United (States and the Kingdom of Hawaii, without indicating necessary exception in favor of "that Kingdom. I hope Congress will repair what ■might otherwise seem to be a breach of faith on the part of this Government. An award in favor of tha United States in the matter of the claim of Mr. Van Bokkelen against Hayti was rendered on the 4th of December. 1888, bat owing to disorders then and afterward prewailing in Hayti, the terms of payment were not observed. A new agreement as to the time of payment has been approved and is now in force. Other just claims of citizens of the United Stftes for redress of wrongs suffered during the late political conflict in. Hayti will. It is hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment. Propositions for the amendment of the treaty of extradition between the United btates and Italy are now under consideration. You will be asked to provide the means of accepting the invitation of the Italian Government to take part in an approaching conference to consider the adoption of a universal prime meridian from which to reckon longitude and dime. As this proposal follows in the track of <the reform sought to be initiated by the meridian conference at Washington, held on the invitation of this Government, the United States •bould manifest a friendly interest in the Italian proposal. In this connection I may refer with approval to the suggestion of my predecessors that .standing provision be made for accepting, whenever .deemed advisable, the frequent invitations •of foreign governments to share in conferences locking to the advancement of international ■reforms In regard to science, sanitation, commercial law, and procedure, and other matters Affecting the intercourse and progress of modern communities. The Portuguese Incident. In the summer of 1880 an incident occurred -which for some time threatened to interrupt the ■cordiality of our relations with the Government •of Portugal. That Government seized the Delagoa Bay Railway, which was. constructed under a concession granted to an American citizen, ABd at the same time annulled the charter. The concessionary, who had embarked his fortune in the enterprise, having exhausted other means of redress, was compelled to invoke the protection of his Oovemment. Our representations, made coiaddeofly with those of the Brussels Government, whose subjects were also largely interested, happily resulted In the recognition by Vartugsi of the propriety of submitting the claim

for ihdomnitv growing out of Its action to arbitration. This plan of settlement having been agreed upon, the interested powers readily concurred in the proposal to submit the case to the judgment of three eminent jurists, to be designated by the President of the Swiss Republic, who, upon the joint invitation of the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, and Portugal, has selected persons veil qualified for the task before them. The revision of our treaty relations with the Empire of Japar has continued to be the .abject of consideration aud of correspondence. The questions involved are both grave and delicate; and, while it sill be my duty to see that the interests of the Urlted States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination, 1 sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the jagttituate expectations of the Japanese -Government, and maintain the present and lona existing .friendly relations between Japan and the United States, will be effected. The friendship between our country and Mexico, born of close neighborhood ana strengthened by many considerations of intimate intercourse and reciprocal interest, has never been mere conspicuous than now, nor more hopeful of increa ed benefit to both nations. The intercourse of the two countries by rail, already great, is making constant growth. The established lines and those recently projected add to the intimacy of trafflo and open ne\v channels of access to fresh areas of deznknd afid supply. The importance of the Mexican railway system will be further enhanced to a degree almost impossible to forecast, If it should become a link in the projected intercontinental railway. I recommend that our mission in the City of Mexico be raised to the first class. ■ ■ i i Good Friends with Spain. The cordial character of our relations with Spain warrants the hope that by the continuance of methods of friendly negotiation much may be accomplished in the direction of an adjustment of pending questions and of the increase of our trade. The extent and development of our trade with the Island of Cuba invest the commercial relations of the United States and Spain with a peculiar importance. It is not developed that a special arrangement in regard to commerce, based i upon the reciprocity provision of the recent tariff act. would operate most beneficially for both governments. This subject is now receiving attention. The restoration of the remains of John Ericsson to Sweden afforded a gratifying occasion to honor the memory of the great inventor to whose genius our country owes so much, and to beaf witness to the unbroken triendship which has existed between the land which bore him and our own, which claimed him as a citizen.

Our Consular Service. On the second of September last the commission appointed to revise the proceedings of the commission under the claims convention between the United States and Venezuela of 1886, brought its labors to a close within the period fixed for that purpose. The proceedings of the late commission were characterized by a spirit of impartiality and a high sense of justice, and an incident which was for many years the subject o! discussion between the two Governments has been disposed of in a manner alike honorable and satisfactory to both parties. For the Settlement of the claim of the Venezuela Steam Transportation Company, which was the subject of a joint resolution adopted at the last session of Congress, negotiations are still In progress, and their early conclusion is anticipated The legislation of the past lew years has evinced on the part of Congress a growing realization of the importance of the consular service iu fostering our commercial relations abroad and in protecting tbe domestic revenues. As the scope of operations expands, increased provision must be made to keep up the essentia! standard of efficiency. The necessity of soipe adequate measure of supervision and inspection has been so often presented that I need only commend the subject to your attention. The Country’s Finances—Receipts aud Expenditures. The revenues of the Government from all souroes for the fiscal vear ending June 30, 1890, were 5163.96J.080.55, and the total expefiditures for the same period wero $358,618,-584-52. The postal receipts have not heretofore been included in the statement of these aggregates, and for the purpose of comparison the sum of $00,862,097.92 should lie deducted from both sides of the account. The surplus for the year, including the amount applied to the sinking fund, was $105,344,496.03. The receipts for 1890 were $16,030,923.79, and the expenditures $15,739,871 in excess of those of 1899. The customs receipts increased $5,835,842.68. and the recoipts from internal revenue sli,73>, 191.89, while, on the side of expeudituros, that ior pensions was $19,312,075.96 in excess of the preceding year. The Treasury statement for iho current fiscal year, partly actual and partly estimated, is as follows : Receipts from all sources, $406,000,000 • total expenditures, $354,000,000, leaving a surplus of $52,090,000 —not taking the postal receipts into account cn either side. The loss of revenue from customs for the last quarter is estimated at 825,000,060, but from this is deducted a gain of about $16,000,000, realized during tho first four months of the year. For the year 1892, the local estimated receipts are $373,C0u,i 09, and the estimated expenditures $357,852,299.42, leaving an estimated surplus of $15,147,760.£8, which, with a cash balance of $52.0.0 ,000 at the beginning of the year, will give $07,147,790.59 as the sum available for the redemption of outstanding bonds or other uses. Tire estimates of receipts and expenditures for the Post (Office Department being equal, are net included in this statement on either side. 1 notice with great pleasure the statement of the Secretary that the receipts from internal revenues have increased during tho last, fiscal year nearly $12,000,009, and that tbe cost of collecting this larger revenue v.ub less by $90,617 than for the same purpose in the preceding year. The percentage of cost of collecting the customs revenue was less for the last fiscal year than ever before.

The Silver Question. The act “directing the purchase of silver bullion and issue of Treasury notes thereon," anproved July, 14, 1890, has been administered by the Secretary of the Treasury with an earnest purpose to get into circulation at the earliest possible dates the full monthly amount of notes contemplated by its provisions and at the same time to give to the market for silver bullion such support as the law contemplates. The recent deizreciation in the price of silver has been observed with regret. The ijapid rise in price which anticipated and followed the passage of the act wag influenced in some degree by speculation, and the recent reaction is in part the result of the same cause and in part of the recent monetary disturbances. Somo months of further trial will be necessary to determine the permanent effect of the recent legislation upon silver values, but it is gratifying to know that the increased oirculatirn secured by the aot has exerted and will continue to exert a most beneficial influence upon business and upon general values. While it has not been thought best to renew formally the suggestion of au international conference looking to an agreement touching the full use of silver for coinage at a uniform ratio, care has been taken to observe closely any change in the situation abroad, and no favorable opportunity will be lost to promote a result which it is confidently believed would confer very large benefits upon the commerce of the world. The recent monetary disturbances in England are not unlikely to suggest a re-examination of opinions upon this subject. Our very large supply or gold will, if not lost by impulslvh legislation in the supposed interest of silver, give us a position of advantage in promoting a permanent and safe international agreemeht tor the free use of silver as a coin metal.

About Circulation. The efforts of the Secretary to increase the volume of money in circulation by keeping down the Treasury surplus to the lowest practicable limit have l>een unremitting and in a very high degree successful. The tables presented by him, showing the increase during the nineteen months he has administered the affairs of the department, are interesting and instructive. , The increase of money' in circulation during the nineteen months has been in the aggregate $93.866,813,, or about $1,50 per capita, and of this increase ’ only $7,100,000 was due to the recent silver legislation. That tips substantial and needed aid ! given tofcomfnercfe fedultedlii an enormous reduction of th£; pufclic debt and of the annual interest olmtge fs mattei of increased satisfaction. There have been purchased and redeemed since March 4.1890, 4 and 4}£ per cent bonds to the amount of $211,832,450, at a cost of $.46,620,741, resulting in the reduction of the annual interest charge-of #3,967,609, and a total saving Of interest of $51,576,706. 1 The Customs service. The Customs Administration Board provided tot by the act of Jnne 10,T890, was selected with great care and is composed in part of men whose previpns experience in the administration of the old customs regulations had made them familiar with the evils to be remedied, and in. part of men whose legal and jucicial acquire- j mpnte and experience qeempdto fit them for tho work of interpreting difd’apply ing’dffie hew statute. Thecniwlaita-eff'tbeTkWile'toseuurehonest valuations of all dutiable merchandise, and to make these valuations uniform at all our portß of entry. It has been made manifest by a congressional investigation that a system of under\ all ation bad been long in use by certain classes of importers, resulting not only in a Seat losb of revenue but in a most intolerable scrimination against honesty. It iB not seen how this legislation, when it is understood, can

( be regarded by the citizens of any country 1 having commercial dealings with us as unfriendly. If any duty is supposed to be excessive lot The i complaint be lodged tnere. It will surely net in) claimed by any vell-digrosed people thflt a j remedy may be sought and allowed m a system of quasi smuggling. THE WAS DEPARTMENT. ■■■?&+ Desertions Decreasing. I The report of the Secretary of War exhibits several gratilying results attained during the year by wise and unostentatious methods. The : percentage of desertions from the army (an evil I lor which both Congress and the department have long been seeking a remedy) has been re- ■ duced during the past year 24 per cent, and for , the months of August and September, during : which time the favorable effects of the act of j June 15 were felt, 33 por cent, as compared with | the same months of 1889. The results attained bv a reorganization and consolidation of tho divisions having charge of the hospital service records of the volunteer service are very remarkable. This change was effected in July, 1889, and at that time there were 40,654 cases awaiting attention, more than half of these being calls from the Pension Office for information necessary to the adjudication of pension claims. On the 30th day of Juns last, though over 300,000 new calls had come in, there was not a single case that had not been examined and answered. Coast Defenses. I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary that adequate and regular appropriations be continued for coast-defense works and ordnance. Plans bave been practically agreed upon, and there can be no good reason for delaying tho execution of them; while the defenseless state of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedition. The Militia. The encouragement that has been extended to | the militia of the States, generally and most I appropriately designated the "National Guard," should be continued and enlarged. These military organizations constitute, in a large sense, the army of the United States, while about five-sixths of the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the States.

THE NATIONAL LAWS. Satisfactorily Administered. The report of the Attorney General is under the law submitted directly to Congress, hut, as the Department of Justice is one of the executive departments, some reference to the work done is appropriate here. A vigorous and in the main an effective eftort has been made to bring to trial and punishment all violators of the law; but, at the same time, care has been taken that frivolous and technical offenses should not be used to swell the fees of officers or to harass well-dispos< d citizens. < Especial attention is called to the facta connected with the prosecution of violations of the election laws and of offenses against United States officers. The number of convictions secured, very many of them upon pit as of guilty, will, it is hoped, have a salutary restraining influence. There have- been several cases where Postmasters appointed by me have been subjected to violent Interference in the discharge of their official duties, and to persecutions aud personal violence of tne most extreme character. Some of these cagq& have been dealt with through the Department of Justice, aud in some cases tbe postoffices have, been abolished or suspended. I have directed the Postmaster General to pursue thlß course in all cases where other efforts have failed to secure for any Postmaster, not himself in fault, an opportunity peacefully to exercise the duties of his office. But such action will not supplant the efforts of the Department of Justice to bring the particular offenders to punishment.

Fraudulent Naturalization. The vacation by judicial decrees of fraudulent certificates of naturalization, upon bills in equity flled by the Attorney General in the Circuit Court of the United States,.is a new application of a familiar equity jurisdiction. Nearly one hundred decrees have been taken during the year, the evidence disclosing that a very large number of fraudulent certificates of naturalization have been issued. Andiu this connection I beg to reuow my recommendation that the laws be so amended as to require a more full and searching inquiry into all the facts necessary to naturalization before any certificates are granted. It certainly is not too much to require that an application for' American citizenship shall be heard with as much care and recorded with as much formality, as are given to cases involving tha pettiest property right. FOSTAU DEPARTMENT. Methods Greatly Improved. The report of the Postmaster General shows the most gratifying progress in the important work committed to his direction. The business methods have been greatly improved. A large economy In expenditures and an increase of four: and three-quarters millions in receipts have been realized.' The deficiency this year is &5,786.500 as against #6,a50.1§a. last year, notwithstanding the great enlargement of J the service. Mail routes have been extended and quickened, and greater accuracy and dispatch in distribution arid delivery have been attained. The report will bo found to be full of interest and suggestion, not only to Congress but to those thoughtful citizens who may be interested to know what business methods can do for that department of public administration which most nearly touches all our people. Tlie Anti-Lottery Act. The passage of the act to amend certain sections of the Revised Statutes relating to lotteries, approved September 19 KDC, has been received with great and deserved popular favor. The Postofflce Department and the Department of Justice at once entered upon the enforcement of, the law with sympathetic vigor, and already the public mails liave been largely freed from Ihe fraudulent aud demoralizing appeals and literature emanating trom the lottery companies. THE NAVY. Splendid New Vessels. The construction and equipment of the new Bhips for the nan have made very satisfactory progress. Since March 4, 1889, nine new vessels have been put in commission, and during this winter four more, including one monitor will be added. The construction of the other vessels authorized is being pushed, both in the Government and private yards, with energy and watched with most scrupulous care.

Valuable Experiments. Tho experiments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting power of armor plates have been so valuable as to attract great attention in Europe. The only part of the work upon the new ships that is threatened by unusual delay is the armor plating, and every effort is being made to reduce that to the minimum. It is a source of congratulation that the anticipated influence of these modem vessels upon the esprit de corps of the officors and seamen has been fully realized. Confidence and pride in the ship among the crew areeequi valent to ~ a secondary batterv? favorable consideration to the recommendations of the Secretary-. ■ INTEIUOR DEPARTMENT. Satisfactory Results lS£ttwined. The report of tho Secretary of the Interior exhibits, with great fullness and clearness the'vast work of that great department and the satisfactory results attained! Tha (Suggestions made by him ark oarhestfty coaU)'ended to the consideration of Congress," though ithey cannot all be given'particular mention here. '' Reduction of Indian Reservations. The several Acts of Congress looking t<> the redaction of the laffeet Indian reservations, to the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon individual allotments,, and the restoration to the putfiifi domain of Idnds in •excSW of - their •needs, have been largely!parried into effect /So far as the work worn, confided to the Executive, Agreemofttb hrfve been concluded since March- 4,188 a, involving the cession to the ■ United States of about 14,726,000 acres of land. These contracts have, as required by law, been' submitted to Congress for ratification and. for the apptnpriaUgna, necessary to carry them -into effect. the Sisseton and Wabpeton, Sac and Fox, lowa, Pottawatomies and Absentee, bhawnees and Coeur d’Alene tribes have ndt- yet ‘fleieitod the sanction of Congress. Attention is also called to the fact that the appropriations made In the case of the Sioux Indians have not covered siljthe stipulated payments. This should be -promptiy corrected. If an agreement is confirmed, all of its terms should be complied with without delay and full appropriations should be made. Affairs In Utah. ' , *‘4l The increasing numbers and 1 influence of the non-Mormon population in Utah are observed with The recent letter of WQford Woodruff,'President of the Mormon Church, in which he advined. hie people “to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws of the land,” has attracted wide attention, and it is hoped that its influenoe will be highly beneficial in restraining infractions of the laws of the United States. But the fact should not be overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the church that polygamous marriages are rightful and supi'orted by divine revelation remains unchanged. President Woodruff does not renounce the doctrine, bat refrains

from teaching it. and advises against the practice of it because the law is against it. •i Now, it- is quite true that the law should not attempt to deal with the faith or belief of auv one; but It in quite another thing, and the only safe thlDg, so to deal wit* the Territory of Utah as that those who believe polygamy to be rightful shall not have t-be power to rnn.ita it lawful. Lands for Settlers. The policy outlined in my last annual message in relation to the patenting of lands to . settlers upon the public domain has been ckrI ried out iu the administration of the Land Ot- ' flee. No general suspicion or imputation of ■ fraud has been allowed to delay the hearing ( and adjudication of Individual cases upon their j merits. The purpose has been to perfect the • title of honest settlers with such promptness i that the value of the entry might nfit be swalj lowed up by the expenses aud extortions to [ which delay subjected the claimant. The averI age monthly issue of agricultural patents has been increased about six thousand. The Pension Office. The disability pension act, which was approved on the 27th of June last, has been put into operation as rapidly as practicable. The increased clerical force provided was selected and assigned to work, and a consideiable part of the force engaged:.in examinations in the field was recalled and added to the working force of the office. The examination and adjudication of claims have, by reason of improved methods, been more rapid than ever before. There is no economy to the Government in delay, while there is much hardship and injustice to the soldiers. The anticipated exi>enditure, while very large, will not, it is believed, be in excess of the estimates made before the enactment of the law. This liberal general law should suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills for special relief, both as to the cases where relief is granted and as to the amount allowed.

Useless Public Building Rills. At the last session I had occasion to return with my objections several bills making provisions for the erection of public buildings, for the reason that the expenditures contemplated were, in my opinion, greatly In excess of any public need. No class of legislation Is more liable to abuse, or to degenerate into an unseemly scramble about the public treasury, than this. 3 here should be exercised in this matter a wise economy based upon some responsible and Impartial examination and report as to each case, under a general law. The department of agriculture. Farmers Prospering. The report of the Secretary of Agriculture deserves especial attention in view of the fact that the year has been marked in a very unusual degree by agitation and organization among the farmers looking to an increase in the profits of their business. It will be found that the efforts of the Department have been Intelligently and zealously devoted to the promotion of the interests intrusted to its care. A very substantial improvement in the market prices of the leading farm products during the year is noticed. The price of wheat advanced from 81 cents in October, 1889, to $ I.OOK October, 1890; corn from 31 cents to 50*4 cents; cats from 19*4 cents to 43 cents, and barley from' 63 cents to 78 cents. Meats showed a substantial but not so large an iucrease. Tho export trade in live animals and fowls shows ac very large increase; the total value iu such ex„ports for the year ending June 30, 1890, . was 533.000.000, and the increase over the preceding year was over $15,000,.000, Nearly 200,000 more cattle and ..ever 45.C0J more hogs were exported than In the preceding year. The export trade in beef and pork products and in dairy products was very , largely increased, the increase in the articles of , butter alone being from 15,504,978p0unds to 29,746,042 pounds, and the total increase in the value of meat and dairy products exported being $34,000,000. This ■ trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it is believed will be yet further and very largely increased when the system of inspection and sanitary supversion now provided by law is brought fully into operation. Protecting American Meats. The efforts of tbe Secretary to establish the healthfulness of our meats against the disparaging imputations that have been put upon them abroad have resulisd in substantial progress. Veterinary surgeons sent out by the Department are now allowed to participate in the inspection of the live cattle from this country landed at the English docks, aud during the several months they have been on duty no case of contagious pleuro-pneumonia has been reported. This inspection abroad and the domestic inspection of live animals and pork products, provided for by ’he act of August 30, 1890, will afford as perfect a guaranty for the wholesomeness of our meats offered for foreign consumption as is anywhere given to food product, aud its nonacceptance will quite clearly reveal the real motive of any continued restriction for their use ; and that having been made clear, the duty of the Executive will he very plain. Beet Sugar Interests. The information given by the Secretary of the progress and prospects of the beet sugar industry is full of interest. It has already passed the experimental stage aud is a commercial success. The area over wbich the sugar beet can be successfully cultivated is very large, and another field crop of great value is' offered to the choice of the farmers. The Secretary of the Treasury concurs in the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture that the official supervision provided by the tariff law for ragar of domestic production shill be transferred to the Department of Agriculture. The law relating to the civil service haa, so far as I can learn, been executed by those having the power of appointment in tbe classified service with fidelity and impartiality, and the service has been increasingly satisfactory. The report of the commission shows a largo amount of good work done during tho year with very limited appropriations.

THE TARIFF AND ITS EFFECTS. Congress Congratulated. I congratulate the Congress of the country upon the passage at the first session of the Fifty-first Congress of au unusual number of laws of very high importance. That the results of this legislation will be the quickening and enlargement of our manufacturing industries, larger aud better markets for our breadstuffs and provisions both at home and abroad, more constant employment and better wages for our working people, and an increased supply of safe currency for the transaction of business, Ido not doubt. Some of these measures were enacted at so late a period that the beneficial effects upon commerce which were in the contemplation of Congress have aB yet but partially manifested themselves. Some Statistics. The general trade aud industrial conditions throughout the country during the year have shown a marked improvement. For many years prior to 1888 the merchandise balances of foreign trade had been largely in our favor, but during that year and the year following they turned against us. It is very gratifying to know that the last fiscal year again shows a balance in our favor of over $63,000,000. The bank clearings which furnish a good test of the volume of business transacted, for the first ten months of the year 1800 show, as compared with the same months of 1889, an increase for the whole country of about 8.4 per cent., while the increase outside the city of New York was over 13 per cent. During the month of October the clearings of the whole country showed an increase of 3JL per cent, over October, 1889, while outside of New York the increase was 11 & percent. These figures show that the increase in the volume of business was very general throughout the country. That this larger business was being conducted upon a safe and profitable basis is shown by the fact that there were 300 less failures reported in October, 1890, than in the same month of the preceding year, with liabilities diminished bv about #3,000,000. 1 Increase in Exports. The value of our exports of domestic merchandise during the last year was over slls - 000,000 greater than tho preceding year, and was only exceeded once in our history. About SIOO,OJO,cOO of this excess was in agricultural products. The production of pig iron—always a good gauge of general prosperity—is shown bv a recent census bulletin to have been 153 per cent, greater in 1891 than in 1880, and the production of Bteel 290 per cant, greater. Mining in coal has had no fimitation except that resulting from deficient transportation. The general testimony is that labor is everywhere fully employed, and the reports for the last year show a smaller number of employes affected by strikes and lockouts than in any year since 1884. The depression in the prices of agricultural products bad been greatly relieved, and p bouyant and hopeful tone was beginning to be felt by all our people. England’s Financial Panic. These promising influences have been in some degree checked by the surprising and very unfavorable monetary events which have recently taken place in England. It is gratifying to know that these did not grow in any degree out of the financial relations of Lena on with onr people, or any discredit attached to our securities held in that market. The return of our bonds and stocks was caused by a money stringency in England, not by any loss of value or credit in the securities themselves.We couldnot, however, wholly escape the ill effects of a foreign monetary agitation accompanied by such ex-

i traordmary Incidents as characterized this. It j is not believed, however, that these evil ineidents, wbich have for the time unfavorably afj fected values in this country, can long with- ! stand the gt roDgi wholesome influj ences which are operating to give to our people ; profitable returns in all branches of legitimate * trade and industry. The apprehension that our | tariff may again and at once he subjected to important general changes would undoubtedly add I a depressing influence of the most serious chari acter. ’ The Late Tariff Act, Tbe general Tariff act has only partiallv gone into operation, some of its important provisions being limited to take effect at dates yet in the future. The general provisions of the law have been in force less than sixty days. Its nermanent effect upon trade and prices still largely stand in conjecture. It is curi°’9* t 0 note that the advance in the prices of armies wholly unaffected by the Tariff act was Dv many hastily ascribed to that I act. Notice was not taken of the fact that the I general tendency of the markets was npward from influences wholly apart from the recent tariff legislation. The enlargement Of our currency by the Silver Bill undoubtedly gave au upward tendency to trade and had a marked effect on prices; but this natural and desired efiect of the silver legislation was by many erroneously attributed to the Tariff act

Must Have a Fair TriaL There is neither wisdow nor justice in the suggestion that the subject of tariff revision shall be opened before this law has had a fair trial. It is quite true that every tariff schedule is subject to objections. No bill was ever framed, I suppose, that in all of its rates and classifications had the full approval even of a party caucns, since legislation is always and necessarily the product of compromise as to details, and the present law is no excep--I*°°; Bat in its general scope and effect I think it wiU justify the support of those who believe that American legislation should conserve American trade and the wages of workingmen. The misinformation as to the terms of the act which has been bo widely disseminated at home and abroad will be corrected by experience, and the evil auguries as to its results confounded by the market reports, the savings banks, internal trade balances and the general prosperity of our people. Already we begin to hear from abroad and irom our custom houses that the prohibitory effect upon importations imputed to the act is not justified. The imports at the port of New York for the first three weeks of November were nearly 8 per cent, greater than for the same period in 1889, and 29 percent, greater than in same period of 1888. And so far from being an act to limit exports, I confidently believe that under it we shall secure a larger and more profitable participation in foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed, and that we shall recover a proportionate participation in the ocean carrying trade of the world. Foreign Criticisms of the Bill. The criticisms of the bill that have come to ns from foreign sources may well be rejected tor repugnancy. If these critics really believe that tne adoption by us of a free-trade policy, or of tariff rates having reference Bolely to revenue, would diminish the participation of their own countries in the commerce of tho world, their advocacy and the promotion by speech and other forms of organized effort of this movement among our • people is a rare exhibition of unselfishness in trade. And on tho other hand, if they sincerely believe that the adoption of a protective tariff policy by this country inures to their profit and our hurt, it is noticeably strange that they should lead the outcry against the authors of a policy so helpful to their countrymen and crown with their favor those who would snatch from them a substantial share of a trade with other lands, already inadequate to their necessities. There is no disposition among any of our people to promote prohibitory legislation. Our policies are adopted not to the hurt of others, but to secure for ourselves those advantages that fairly grow out of our favored position as a nation. Our form of government, with its incident of universal suffrage, ruake3 it imperative that we shall save our working people from the agitations and distresses which scant work aud wages that leave no margin for comfort always beget. But after all this is done it will be found that our markets are open to friendly commercial exchanges of enormous value to other great powers.

'VYaces of Working People. From the time of my induction into office, the duty of ÜBing every power and influence given by law to the Executive Department for the development of larger markets for our products, especially our farm products, has been kept constantly in mind, and no effort has been, or will be, spared to promote that end. We are under no disadvantage in any foreign market except that wo pay our workingmen and workingwomen better wages than are paid elsewhere—better abstractly, better relatively to the-cost of the necessaries of life. I do not doubt that a very largely increased foreign trade is accessible to us without bartering for either our home market for such products of the farm aud shop as our own people cun. supply or the wages of our workingpeople. The Reciprocity Feature. In many of the products of wood and iron, and in meats and breadstuffs, we have advantages that only need better facilities of intercourse and transportation to secure for them large foreign markets. The reciprocity clausq of the tariff act wisely and effectively opens the way to secure a large reciprocal trade in exchange for the free admission to our ports of certain products. The right of independent nations to make special reciprocal trade concessions is well established, and does not impair either the comity due to other powers or what is known as the “favored nation clause" so generally found in commercial treaties. What is given the one for an adequate agreed consideration ca inot be claimed bv-an-other freely. Tho state of the revenues was "such that we could dispense with any import duties upon tea, nides, and the lower grades of sugar and molasses. That the large advantage resulting to tho countries producing and exporting these articles by placing them on the free list entitled us to expect a fair return in a way of customs concessions upon articles exported by us to themiWß s so obvious that to have gratuitously abandoned this opportunity to enlarge our trade would have been an unpardonable error., There were bat two methods of maintaining control of this question open to Congress : To place all of these articles upon the dutiable list, subject to such tseaty agreements as could be secured, or to place them all presently upon the free list, but subject to the reimposition of specified duties’if the countries from which we received them should refuse to give to us suitable reciprocal benefits. This latter method, I think, possesses great advantages. It expresses in advance the consent of Congress to reciprocity arrangements affecting those products, which must otherwi33 have been delayed aDd unascertained until each treaty was ratified by the Senate and the necessary legislation enacted by Congress. Experience has shown that soino treaties looking to reciprocal trade have failed to secure a two-thirds vote in the Senate for ratification, and others having passed that stage have for years awaited the concurrence of the House and Senate in such modifications of our revenue laws as aas neoeSsary to. give'effect to their provisions. We now have the concurrence of both Houses in advance in a distinct and definite offer of free entry to our porta of specific articles. The Executive is not required to deal in conjecture as to what Congress will accept. Indeed, this reciprocity provision is more than an offer. Our part of the bargain is completer delivery has been made, and when the countries from which we receive our sugar, coffee, tea and hides have placed on their free lists such of onr products as shall be agreed upon, as an equivalent for our concession, a proclamation of that fact completes the transaction, and in the meantime our own people have free sugar, tea, coffee and hides. Looking Forward. The indications thus far given are very hopeful of early and favorable action by the countries from which we receive our large imports of coffee and sugar, and it is confidently believed that if steam communication with these countries tan be promptly improved and enlarged, the next year will show a most gratifying increase in our exports of breadstuffs and provisions, as veil as of some important lines of manufactured goods. COMING LEGISLATION. Work that Remains to Be Done. In addition to the important bills that became laws before the adjournment of the last t session, some other bills of the highest import‘ancewere well advanced toward a final vote and now' stand upon the calendars of the two houses in favored positions. Tho present session has a fixed limit, and if those measures are not now brought to a final vote all the work that has been done upon them by this Congress is lost. The proper consideration of these, of au apportionment bill, and of the annual appropriation bills, will require not only that no woikiug day of the session shall be lost, but that measures of minor and local interest shall not be allowed to interrupt or retard the progress of those that are of universal interest. In view of those conditions I refrain from bringing before you at this time some suggestions that would otherwise be made, and most earnestly invoke your attention to the duty of perfecting the important legislation now well advanced. To some of those measures which

seem to me most Important I n air briefly call your attention. 1 To Develop American Steamship Lines. I desire to repeat with added urgency the recommendations contained In my last annual message in relatioc to the development of American steamship lines. The iweiurocitv ! the tariff bill wffl & lS^teUm? 1 “? d “5 benefits retarded and <Bminished, l provision is not contemporaneously made to encourage the establishment of firsu class steam communication between our ports and. the ports of such nations as may meet our overtures for enlarged commercial exchanges. The steamship carIn!? 8 statedly and frequently, and offering to passengers a comfortable safe, and speedy transit, is the first conditxon of foreign trade. It carries the order °1 the buyer, but not an that is ordered o. bought. It gives to the sailing vessels such cargoes as are not urgent or perishable, and, indirectly at least, promotes that important adjunct of commerce. There is now both in this country and iu the nations of Central and South America a f-tats of expectation and confidence as to increased trade that will give a doubis value to your prompt action upon this question.

Water for Arid Regions. the . couaer,,ation a **d equal distribution of the water supply of the arid regions haa had much attention from Congress but has not as yet been put upon a permanent and satisfactory basis. The urgency of the subjwt does not grow out of any large present demand for the use of these lauds for agriculture, but out of the danger that the water supply and the sites for the necessary eatch-basins may fall into tho hands of Individuals or private corporations and be used to render subservient the large areas dependent upon such supply 'Tho owner of the water is the owner of the lands, however the titles may ran. All unappropriated natural water sources and all necessary reservoir sites should be held by the Government for the equal use. at fair rates, of the homestead settlers who will eventually take up these lands. The United states should not, in my opinion, undertake tho construction of dams or canals, but should limit its work to such surveys and observations as will determine the water supply, both surface and subterranean, the areas capable of Irrigation, and the use, location of, and storage capacity of reservoirs. This done, the use of the water and of the reservoir sites might be granted to the respective States or territories, or to individuals or associations, upon the condition that the necessary works should be constructed and the water furmßhed at fair rates, without discrimination, the rates to be subject to supervision by the Legislatures or by boards of water commissioners duly constituted. The essential thing to be secured is the common ami equal use at fair rates of the accumulated water supply. It were almost better that theae lands should remain arid than that those Iwho occupy them should become the Blaves of umreatiaiued monopolies, controlling the essential element of land values and crop results.

Better Election Laws. If any intelligent and loyal company of American citizens were required to catalogue the essential human conditions of life, I do not doubt that with absolute unanimity it would begin with “free and honest elections. * And it is gratifying to know that generally there is a growing and non-partisan demand for better election laws. But against this sign of hope and progress must be set the depressing and undeniable fact that election laws and methods are sometimes cunningly eontrtved to secure minority control, while violence completes the shortcomings of fraud. Pasq the Election I.aw. In my last annual message I suggested that the development of the existing law providing a Federal supervision of Congressional elections offered an effective method of reforming these abuses. The need of such a law has manifested itself in many parts of the country, and its wholesome restraints and penalties will be useful in all. The constitutionality of such legislation has been affirmed by the Supreme Court. Its probable effectiveness is evidenced by the character of the opposition that is made to it. It has been denounced as if it were a new exercise of Federal power and an invasion of the rights of the States. Nothing could be further from the truth. Congress has already fixed tho time for the election of members of Congress. It has declared that votes for inembers of Congress must be by written or printed ballots; it has provided for the appointment by the Circuit Courts in certain cases, and upon the petition of a certain number of citizens, of election supervisors, and made it their duty*to supervise the registration of voters conducted by the State officers; to challenge persons offering to register; to personally Inspect and scrutinize the registry lists, and to affix their names to the listß for the purpose of Identification and the prevention of frauds.; to attend at elections and remain with the boxes rill the votes are all cost and counted; to attach to the registry list and election returns any statement touching the accuracy and fairness of the registry list and election; and to take and transmit, to the Clerk of the House of Representatives any evidence of the fraudulent practices which may be presented to them. The same law provides for the appointment of Deputy United States Marshals to attend at the polls, support the supervisors in the discharge of their duties and to arrest persons violating the election law. The provisions of this familiar title in the Revised Statutes have been put to exercise by both the political parties, and in the North! as well as in the South, by the filing with the court of the petitions required by law. It is not, therefore, a question whether we shall have a federal election law, for we now have one, and have had, for nearly twenty years, but whether we shall have an effective law. The present law stops just short of effectiveness, for it surrenders to tho local authorities all control over the certification which establishes the prima facie right to a seat in the House of Representatives. This defect should be cured. Equality of representation aud tha parity of the electors must be maintained, or everything that is valuable in our system of government is lost. The qualifications of an elector must be sought inCthe law, not In the opinions, prejudices, or fears of any class, however powerful. The pat;h of the elector to the ballot-box must be free from the ambush of fear and the enticements of fraud: the count so true and open that none shall gainsay it. Such a law should be absolutely non-partisan and impartial. It should give the advantage to honesty anil the control to majorities. Surely there’ is nothing sectional about this creed, and if it shall happen that the penalties of laws intended to enforce these rights fall here and not there, it Is not because the law is sectioned, but because, happily, crime is local > and not universal. Nor should it be forgotten that every law, whether relating to elections or to any other subject, whether enacted by tha State or by the nation, has force behind it. The. courts, the marshal or constable, the posse joGmitajfas, 'the ar,e, oli and always beOne can not justly be charged With unfriendliness to. any section or class who seeks only to restrain violation of law aad'bf personal right. No community will find lawlessness profitable. No community can afford to have it known thatthe Officers who are- charged with the preservation of the public peacß and the restraint of tha criminal classes aretbemselves the product of fraud or violence. The magistrate 1* then without respect and the law Without sanction. Tha floods of lawlessness cannot be leveed and made to run in one channel. The killing of a United States Marshal carrying a writ of arrest for an: election offense is full of prompting and suggestion to men who arepursued by a City Marshal for a ciime against life and property. Bufi it fs said that this legislation will re viva race animosities, and (Some have even sug-t gested' that when the peaceful . methods of fraud are made impossible they fiaay be supplemented by intimidation and violence. If the S reposed law gives to any qualified elector, y a. hair’s weight, more than hisi equal influence, or detracts by so much from any other qualified elector, it is fatally impeached. But if the law is equal and the animosities it is to evoke grow out of the fact that some electors have been accustomed to exercise the franchise for others as well as for themselves, then these animosities ought not to be confessed without shame and 1 cannot be given any weight in the discussion without dishonor. . No choice is left to me but, to enforce with vigor ail laws intended to secure to the citizen hi? Constitutional rights, and to, recommend that the Inadequacies of such laws be promptly remedied. , f If to promote with zeal andemady interest every project for the devej&gmqlafc of its material interests, its rivers, hSrboVs, mines and factories, and the intelligence and peaoe and security under the law of its communities aud its homes, is not accepted as sufficient: evidence of friendliness to any State or section, I can not add connivance at election practices that not only disturb local results but rob the electors of other States and sections of their 1 moßt priceless political rights, • Appropriation Bills. The rreparation of the general appropriation, bills thouid be conducted with the greatest care, and closest scrutiny of expenditures. Appro-, priations should be adequate to the needs of the! public servioe,. but they should be absolutely free from prodigality. I venture again to remind you that the brief j time remaining for the consideration of tha i important legislation now awaiting your at-, tention offers ho margin for waste. If! thepresent duty is discharged with diligenoa,! fidelity and courage, the work of the Fifty-first Congress may be confidently submitted to the considerate judgment of tho people. , Benjamin Haabibon. Executive Mansion, Dee. j. im