Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1891 — PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

MANY RECOMMENDATIONS OFFERED TO CONGRESS. A. Careful Review or the Chilian Complications Other Foreign Relations Tariff Legislation—His Views on the Silver Question— Concerning Sufl'rago, Etc. , The Annual Document. To the Senate and Bouse cf BepbesentaTTVES : The reports of the heads of the Beveral ex■ecutive depaitments, required by law to bo submitted to me, which are herewith transmitted, and the reports of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General, made direotly to Congress, furnish a comprehensive view of the administrative work of the last fiscal year relating to Internal affairs. 11 would bo of great advantage if these teports could have au attentive petusal by every member of Congress, and by all who take an interest in public auairs. 'Such a perusal could not fail to excite a high appreciation of the vast labor and conscientious effort which are given to the conduct of our civil administration. The reports will. I believe, show that every question has been approached, considered and decided from the standpoint of public duty and upon considerations affecting the public interests alone. Again I invite to every branch of the service the attention and scrutiny of congress ■ h< A>rk of the State Department during the last yeSr has been characterized by an unusual number of important nerotiations and by diplomatic results of a notable and highly beneficial character. Among these are the reciprocal .trade arrangements which have been concluded, I In the exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Tariff law, with the hepubl c of j Brazil, with Spain for its West India poßses- ] felons, and with San Domingo. Like negotia- j tions with other oountries have been mucu advanced, and it Is hoped that before the close J of the year further definite trade , rrangemems of great value will be conclude i. In view of the reports which had been re- j ceived as to the diminution of the seal herds in the Behring Sea, I deemed it wise to propose to | her Majesty’s Government in February last I hat an agreement for a closed season should be i made, pending the negotiations which then I seemed to be approaching a favorable conclusion. After much correspondence, and delays for which this Government was not responsible, an agreement was reached and signed on the 15 th of Jure, by whioh Great fritain undertook, from that date and until May 1, 1892, to prohibit the killing by her subjects of seals in the Behring Sea, and the Government cf the United States during the same pi riod to enforce its existing prohibition against pelagic sealing, and to limit the catch by the Fur Seal Company upon the island to 7,000 skins. If i this agreement could have been reached earlier, in response to the strenuous endeavors cf Uila Government, it would have been more effective; hut, coming as late as it did. it unquestionably resulted in greatly diminishing the destruction of the seats by the Canadian sealers. 5 In my last annual message I stated that the basis of arbitration proposed by her Majesty's Government, for the adjustment of the longpending controvory as to the seal fisheries was . not acceptable. lam glad now to be able to announce that terms satisfactory to this Government have been agreed upon and that an agreement as to arbitrators is all that is necessary ; to the completion of the convention. Provision should be aic for a joint demarcation of the frontier line between e anada and the United t tates wherever required by the increasing border settlements, and especially for ' the exact location of the water boundary in tho ■traits and rivers. I should have been glad to announce some | favorable disposition or the boundary dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela, touching ! the western frontier of Britis i Guiana, but the friendly efforts of the United State, in that di. i roction have thus far been unavailing. 'lbis ■Government will continue to express its concern at any appearance of foreign encroach- i tmenton territories long undo rihe administrative control of American states. Tho law of the last t ongress providing a system of Inspection for our moats intended ror export and clothing the President with power to exclude foreign products from our ma act in case the country sending them should perpetuate unjust discriminations against any product of the United States, placed this Govommeut in a position to effectively urge the removal of j such discriminations against our meats. It Is gratifying to be able to state that Germany, Denmark, Italy, Austria and France, In tho order named, have opened their ports to Inspected i -American pork products. The removal of these restrictions in every instance was asked fer and given solelv upon the ground that we had now provided a' meat inspection j that should be accepted as adequate to the com- ■ plete removal of the dangers, real or fancied, which had been previously urged. The State Department, our Ministers aoroad and the Secretary of Agriculture have co opeiated with unflagging and intelligent zeal for the accom plishment of this great result. The outlines of an agreement have been reached with Germany looking to equi! able trade concessions in con- j sideration o! the continued free importation of her sugars, but the time has not yet arrived when this correspondence can he submi.ted to Congress.

The recent roll ticil disturbances in the re- * public of Brazil tare excited regret and solicitude. The information we possesso t was tco ■ smeager to enable UB to form a satisfactory 1 judgment of the causes leading to the temj orary Assumption of supreme power by President Fonseca; but this Government did not fail to •express to him its anxious solicitude for the jpeace of Brazil and for the maintenance of the tree political institutions which had recently been established there, nor to offer our advice that great moderation should be observed in the clash of parties and the contest for leadership. These counsels were received in the most friendly spi it. and the latest information is j that constitutional government has been reestablished without bloodshed. The lynching at New Orleans in March last of men of Italian nativity by a mob of citizens was a most deplorable and discreditable Incident. It did not, however, have its origin In any general-animosity to the Italian people, .nor in any disrespect to the Government of -Italy, with which our relations were of the most friendly character. The fury of the mob "was directed against these men as toe supposed participants or accessories in tne murder of a <rity officer. Ido not allude to this as mitigating in any degree this offense against law end nun anity, but ODly as affecting the international questions which grew out of it. It was • represented by the Italian Minister that several of those whose lives had been taken by the mob "were Italian subjec s, and a demand was made 'tor the punishment of the paiticipants ai d ior an indemnity to the families of those who were killed. It is to regretted that the manner in which these claims were presented was not such as to promote a calm discussion orthe questions involved; but this may well be attributed to the excitement and indignation which the crime naturally evoked. The views r o* this government as to its obligations to foreigners domiciled here were fully slated in he ocrrespondence, as well as its purpose to make An investigation of the affair with a view to determine whether there were piesent any circumsbances that could, under aucb rules ot duty as we bad Indicated, crea ean obligation upon "the United States. The temporary absence ur a Minister Plenipotentiary of Italy at tilts -capital has re arded the lurther correspondence, bat it is not doubted that a friendly conclusion is attainable , bpnie suggest ions growing ou of this unhappy Incident are sort y the attention of Congress, ft would, X believe, be eniir ly competent for Congress to make - abuses against, the treaty Tights of creivners domiciled in-the-United mates cognizable brthe Federal’oouits. Th’s has not. however, been done, stjrd, the Federal offioers and courts have no power imsuch cases to Intervene either for the protection of a for eignci izen or for the punishment of bis Blay•ers. It seems to me to lollow in thiß state of aw that officers of the State c barged with police And judicial powers in such cases,.must, in, tbe consideration of international questions, growi g out cf such lncieientß, be regarded in such sense as Federal agents as to make this G vem • .went answerable for their aits incases where it would be answerable it the United rtates bad used its constitutional power to define and-pun-:lau crimes against treaty rights. The Chilian Complications. The civil war in < hili, which began in .Tannery last; was oontiuued, but fortunately with infrequent and not im i-orluut armed co.lisions, nntll Adgust *B, when the on.ressioual forces landed near Valparaiso, and after a bloody engagement captured that . ity. President Bairn a t < **T reoognlzed that his cause was lost, i wat speedily est taljhshed by tha 'ic orlous party." Car Minister was momptly directed to recognize and put hims*lf in communication with this governxnemtas it should have established its oe facto character, which was done. l>uring the pendency of this civil comest frequent indirect appeals were made to this Goverumunt to e*t-nd . bel Igereot rights to the insurgents and to give audienoe to their representatives. This was declined, and that policy was pursued throughout whloh this Goverumen , When wrenched by civil war so strenuously insisted upon on the part of European nations. The ltato, an armed vessel commanded by a naval officer of the insurgent fleet, manne -by its sailors and with soloiers on board, *,< seised under process of the United States ( ourt At San Ld uo, * al , for a \ioiatfon of our neutrality laws, w bile m the custody of an officer of thecourt, the v sol was forcibly wre»tel from his control and pm to as. It would h ve b en inconsistent with the dimity aud -selfrespect of this Government not t have insisted ***** the ltata should be returned t ■ San Diego to abide the judgment o( the court. This was so ***■“■ Junta of t e Congressional partv tha ‘' MoT * th <> arrirki Othe ltata at tnat port, tue secretary of r,. r - Oign Hriauons of the Provisional Government Admiral bruvru, cottLa^Mid- * lh# Fruvlaloaal Government has learned by the oobi-f am of toe Associated Press that tfasftna»oit ltata. detained at San Diego by rnWe ot the Patted States for taking on brard fouailfoos Of war, and in possession of the Mantel left the port carrying on board this 35 .t

dence that It la not disposed to support or agree to the infraction of the laws of the United States, the undersigned takes advantage of the personal relations yon have been good enough to maintain with him since your arival in this port to declare to you that as soon as she is within reach of our orders this Government will put the Itata, with the arms and munitions she took on board in San Diego, at tho disposition of the United Stages." , A trial in the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of California has recently! resulted in a decision holding, among other things, that, inasmu h as the Congressional party had not been rec gnized as a belligerent, the acts done in its interest could not be a violation of our neutrality taws. From this judgment the Unite 1 States has appealed, not tiattbe condemnation of the vessel Is a matter of importance, hut that we may know what the present state of our law is; for, if this construction Of the statute Is correct, there is obvious necessity for revision and amendment. During the prrgrees of the war In Chili this Government teuaered its good offices to bring about a peaoefnl adjn tmont, and it was at one time hoped that a good result might be reached; but in this we wore disappointed. The instructiona to our naval officers and to our Minister at Santiago, from the first to the last of this straggle, enjoin tl upon them tho most impartial treatment and absolute noninterference. lam satisfied that these instructions were observed and that our representatives were always watchiul to use their Influence impartially in the interest of humanity, and on more than one occasion did so effectively. We could not forget, however, that lLi< Government was In diplomatic relations with the then established Government of chill, as it is now in such relations with the successor of that Government. 1 am quire sure that Frjsideut Montt, Vho ha , under circumstances of promise lor the peace oi Chili, been instal.ed as President of that Kepublic, will not desire t at, in the unfortunate event of any revolt against bis authority, the policy of this Government should be . tiler than that which we have recently observed. No official Complaint of the conduct of our Ministir or our nava: officers during the struggl“ has been presenled to this Governnunt, au . :t is a matte r of regret that so many of oar people have give i tar to unofficial m arges and complaints t at manifestly had iheir origin in rival interests and in a wish to pervert the relations of Ihe United States with Chili. The col apse of the government of Balmace.ia brought about a condition which is unfortunately too familiar in the hii.ory of the Central and South American Stares. With the overthrow of tho Halmacedn Government, he aid many of his councillors and officers became at once fugitive s for their lives and uppealed to the commanding officers o: the foreign naval vessels in the harbor of Valjiaratso and to the resident loreigu ministers at Santiago for asylum. This asyium was freely given, according to my information, by tho naval vesseli of several foreign powers and by several of tho legations at Santiago. The American Minister. a 3 well as his colleagues. acting upon the impulses ol humanity, extended asyiunt to political reiugies whose lives were in peril. 1 have not been willing to direct ihe surrender oi such of these xiersons as are still in the American Legation without suitable conditions. It is believed that the Government of Chillis not in a position, in view of the precodeuts with which it has been connected, to broadly deny the right of asylum, and tho correspondence has not thus far present!.! any mch denial. The treatment ot our Minister for a time was,such as to call for a decided protest, and it was very gratifying to observe that unfriendly measures, which were undoubtedly the result of the prevailing excitement, ware at once rescinded or suitably relaxed. On the lGih of October an event occurred in Valparaiso so serious and tragic in its circumstances and results as to very justly excite the indignation of our people and to call for prompt and decided action on the part of this Government. A considerable number of the sailors of the United fctates steamship Baltimore, then in tbehaibor of Valparaiso, being upon shore leave and unarmed, were assaulted by armed men nearly simultaneously in different localities in the city. Gne petty officer was killed outright and seven or eight eeamen were seriously wounded, one cf whom has since died. ho far as l have yet been able to learn no other explanation of this bl ody work has been suggested than that it had its origin in hostility to these men as asllors of the United States, wearing tho uniform of their government, and not in any indivl ual act or personal animosity. The attention of the Chilian government was at once called to this affair, ami a statement of tho facts obtained by the invesiiga iou we had conducted was submitted, accompanied by a request to be advised of any other or qualifying facts in the possession of the Chiliaii government that might tend to relieve this affair of the appearance of an iusult to this Government. The Chilian government was also advised that if such qualifying facts did not exist this Government could confidently expect full and prompt reparation. It is to be regretted that tho reply of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the provisional government was couched in an offensive tone. To this no response lisa been made. Our Government is now awaiting the result of an Investigation which has been conducted by the Criminal > ourt at Valparaiso. It is reported unofficially that the investigation Is about completed, and it is expected that the result will soon be coinrpunicaied to this Government, together with seme adequate aud satisfactory response to tho note by which the attention of Chili was called to this incident. It thes > j st expectations should be disappointed or further needless dtlay Intervene, > will, by a sped 1 messa. e, bring this mater again to the attention of Congree o. such action as nay be necessary. The entire correspondence with the Govi r'nmen of Chill will at an early day be submitted to Congress.

Other Foreign Relations. I renew the recommendation of my special message dated January IG, 16SW, f r the adoption of the necessary legislation to enable this Government to apply in the caße of Sweden hnd Norway tne same rule in respect to the leviing of tonnage duos as- was claimed and secured to ths shipping of the United States in 1828 under Article 8 of the treaty of 1827. The adjournment of the Senate without ac tion on tne pending acts for the suppression of the slave traffic in Africa, aud for the reform of the revenue tariff of the independent State or ihe Congo left this Government unable to exchange those actß on the date fixed, July 2,1801. A modus vivendi haß been concluded by whicli the power of the Congo state to levy dutieß on imports is left unimpaired, and, by agreement of all the signatories to the general slave trodo act, the time for the exchange of ratifications on the part of the Unfted States has been extended to Feb. 2, 1892. The late outbreak againßt foreigners in various parts of the Chinese Empire has been the cause of deep concern in vies of the numerous establishments oi our citizens in the interior of that country. This Government can do no less than insist upon a continuance of the protective and punitory measures wbien the Chinese Government haß heretofore applied. No effort will be omitted to protect our citizens peaceably sojourning in China, but recent unofficial information indicates that what was at first regarded as an outlreak of mob violence against foreigners has assumed the large • form of an insurrection against public order. The Chinese Government has declined to receive iMr. Blair as the Minister of the United States on the ground that, as participant, while a benator, in the enactment of tne existing leg. tstation against the introduction of Chinese laborers, he has become unfriendly and objectionable to China. I have felt constrained to point out to ths Chinese government the uutenableness of this position, which seems to to rest as much on the unaocoptability of our legislation as on that of the person chosen and which if admitted, would prootieally debar the selection of any representative so long as tho existing laws remain iu force. You will be called upon to consider the expediency of making special provision by law ior tomporary admission of soma Chinese artisans and laborers in connection with the exhibit of Chinese in ustries at the approaching Columbian Exposition I regard ft as desirable i hat the Chinese exhibit be facilitated in every proper way. The government and people of Spain propose to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America by bolding an exposition at Madrid, which will open on the 12th of beptember ana continue until the 81st of December, 18 3. A cordial invitation has been extended to the United States to take part in this oommeinoration and, as bpaia was one of the first nations to express the Intention to participate in tho Wirld'B Columbian Exposition at Chicago, it would be appropriate for this government to give this invitation its friendly promotion. burveys for the c nnecting links of the projected lnter-con‘inental Ha lway are in progress. not only in Mexico, but at various points along the course mapped out Three surveying parties are now in tne field trader Use direction of the commissi, n. Nearly I.4MP miles of the proposed road hate been surveyed, including the most difficult part, that through Equador and tho southern pare of Colombia. The report* of ths engineers are very satisfactory and show that no insurmountable obstacles have been met with. On Nov. 12, 1684, a treaty,was concluded with Msxico reaffirming tho boundary betwoeu the two countries as describe!- in thf treaties of Feb. 2, 1848, and Dec. 30, 18-53. March 1,188;), a further treaty was negotiated'to facilitate the carrying out of the principles of the reaty of 1684. Tire death of King Kalakaua In the United States afforded occasion to testily our friendship for Hawaii by conveying Ihe King's body to nis own land in a naval vessel with all lionora. The Government of his successor, Quota Lilinokalani, is seeking ro promote closer commercial relations with the United States. This Government hag found a reason to express in a friendly spirit, but with much earnestness, to the government f the Czar, its serious concern because of the harsh measuris now being enfe rerd against the Hebrews iu Bus- ' sia The immigration of these people to the United r tales—ruanv other countries being closed to them -is largely increa lng, and Is likely tooesume prop.rttons which may make it difficult to find homes and employment for and to seri.usiy. affect the labor The annual report of tie Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua shows that much costly and necessary preparatory work hag been done autiilg'fhe year in the construction of shops, railroad tracks and garbor piers and breakwaters, and that ihe work in the canal’s cona till Olson has made some progress. 1 dsear It to be a matter of the highest oonoern to the United Males that this canal oonin* the wftUn of u» Mteatic and ftoiAc

Oceans and giving ns water communication between onr ports on these two great seas should be speedily constructed, and at the smallest practicable limit of cost. International Copyright. In'emational copyright has been secured, in accordance with ihe condi ions of the act of March 3,1891, with Belgium, France, Great Britain and the Briti h posses ions, and -witzerland, the laws of these countrie- permitting to our citizens the benefit of copyright on substantially the same basi a< to their own citizens or subjects. With Germany a special convention has bee i negotiated upon this subject, which will bring that country within tho reciprocal benefits of our legislation. Tariff' Legislation. The general Interest in the operations of tho Treasury Department has been much augmented durl Dg the last > oar by reason of thu conflicting predictions, which accompanied and followed the tariff and othor legislation of Ihe last Congress affecting the revtnues, as to the results of this legislation upon the treasury and upon the country. It is not my purpose to enter at any length into a discussion of the effects of the legislation to which I have referred; but a brief examination of the statistics of the Treasury aud a general glance at the state of business thioughout the country will, I think, satisfy any impartial Inquirer that its results have disappointed the evil propuecies of its opponents and in a large measure realized the hopeful predictions of its friends. During the twelve months from October 1, 18 <O, to September 31), 101 l the total value of our foreign commerce limports and exports) was 61,747,8 6,406, which was the largest of any year in the history of the United States. The largest in any previous year was iu 1810, when our commerce amounted to 61 (347,189,993, and the lust year exceeds this enormous aggregate by over one hundred milliens. Tho average annual value of the imports of merchandise for the ten years from 1081 to 1b99 was i 02,186,e2>, and during the year ending Sept. 3d, 1891, this annual average was exceeded by 9132,5z8,46J. The value of free imports during the twelve months ending Sept. 3J, 1891, was 6118,092,317 more than the value of free imports during the corresponding twelve months of the preceding year, aud there wa< during the same period a decrease of e 100 .816,504 in the value of imports of dutiable merchandise. The percentage ol merchandise admitted free of duty during tho year to which I have referred, the first under the new tariff, was 48.18, While during the procedingtwelve months, undor the old taritf, the percentage vas 34.27, au increase of 13.91 per cent. If we take the six months onding Sept. 20 last, which covers the time during which sugars have been admitted free or duty, tho per cent, of value of merchandise imported free of duty is found to be 56.27, which is a larger percentage of free imports thau during any prior fiscal vear iu tho history of the Government. If we return to exports of merchandise the statistics are fall of gratification. The value of such exports of merchandise for tho twelve months ending September 3 , 1691, was 8923,191,135, while for the corresponding previous: twolvo months it was 8300,117,115, an increase of 662,914,(21, which is nearly three times the average increase of exports of merchandise during any ear iu t e history of the Government. Th- increase in tne value of exports of agricultural products during tho year referred to over the corresponding twelve months of the prior year was 845,846.197, while the increase iu rile value of exports of manufactured products was 616.835.240. There is certainly nothing in the condition of trade, foreign or .domestic, there is certainly nothing iu the condition of our people of any class, to suggest that the existing tariff aud revenue legislation bears oppressively upon the people, or retards the commercial development of the nation. I think there are conclusive evidences that tile new tariff has created Beveral great industries which will, within a lew years, give employment to several hundred thousand American workingmen and women. In view oi the eomewnat overcrowded condition of the labor market of the United States, every patriotic citizen shou d rejoice at such a result.

Receipt! anti Expenditures. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury shows tuat the total receipts of the Government, from all sources, for the fiscal year ending June 30, . 8 'l, were 8458.544,233.03, while the expenditures .or the same period were *421,304 - 47'J.46, leaving a suiplus of 637,139,762.57. Tne receipts of the fiscal year ending June 00, ls<J2 actual and estimated, are 81:43,0 )0,100 aud the expenditures 8109,000,(00 For the fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1891, the estimated receipts are 6455,336,350 and the expenditures 8141,300,093. Silver as Currency. Under the law of July 14, 189), the Secretary of the Treasury has purchased since Aug. 13, during the fiscal year, 43,393,113 ounces of silver bullion at au average cost of 81.045 per ounce. The highest price paid during the year was 81 '2025, and the lowest 8 (.9636. In exchange for this silver bullion therohave been issued s':o,577,408 of the treasury notes authorized by the act. The ablest advocates of free coinage in the last < ongress were most confident in their prediction that the purchase by the Govirnment required by the law would at once bring the price of silver to 81.2929 per ounce, which would make the bullion va uo ofgi dollar 100 cents and hold it the re .The pro ph - eciesof the anti-stiver men of disasters to result from the coinage of 82,UOU,UOU per month were not wider fom the mark. The friends of free silver are not agreed, I think, as to the causes that brought their hopoful predictions to naught. Some facts are known. The exports of silver from London to India during ihe first nine mouths .of this calendar year fell off over 20 per cent., or 817,2 2,730 compared with the same mouths of the preceding year. The exports of domestic silver bullion from this country, which had ovorsged for the last ten years over 617,60.,000. fell in the last fiscal year to $13,797,391; while, for the first time in receutyears, the imports of silver into this country exceeded the exports by the ium of 62.745,365 In the previous year the net exports of silverfrom ihe United States amounted to 83,545,455. The production of tho United flares increased from 50,0.0 000 ounces in 1889 to 54,500,01.0 in 1890, The Government is now buying and putting aside annually- 54,00u,00'i ounces, which, allowing f0r7,140,i0) ounces of new bullion used in the arts, is 6.640,000 more than our domestic product available tor coinage. I hope tlje depression in the price of silver is temporary and that e limber trial of this legislation will more favorably affect it. I an still of the opinion that the free coinage of silver undeg existing conditions would disastrously affect our business interests at home and abroao. We could not hppo to maintain an equality iu the purchasing power of the gold aud silver dollar in our own markets, and in foreign trade stamp gives no adued value to tho bullitn contained in coins. The producers of the country, the farmers aud laborers, have the highest j interest that every dollar, paper or coin, issued by the government shall be as good as any other. If there is one less valuable than another its sure and consl.aut errand will be |to pay them for their toil and ror their crops. The money-lender will i rotect himself by stimulating for payment in gold, but the laborer has never been able to do that. To place business upon a silver basis would ineaa. a sudden and severe contraction of the currency by the withdrawal of gold and gold notes and such an unsettling of all values as would produce a financial panic. I cannot believe that a people so strong and prosperous as ours will t roniote such a policy. 1 believe It Is thi earnest desire of a great majority of the people, as it is mine, that a lull coin use shall be made pf silver just as soon as the co-operation of otner nations can be secured a d a ratio fixed that will give circulation equally to gold and silver. Bi-metallsm is the desired end, and the true friends of silver will he careful not to overrun the goal and bring in silver monometalism, with its necessary attendants, the loss of our gold to Europe and the relief of the pressure there for a larger currency.

The Flow of Gold. The exports of gold to Europe, which began In February last and continued until the close cf July, aggregated over 70,1.09,000. The net loss of gold during the fiscal year wa3 nearly S6B,uo],uoo. That no Berious monetary disturbance resulted was most gratifying, and gave to Europe iresh evidence of the strength and stability of our financial Institutions. With the movement of crops .he outflow of gold has speedily stopped aud a return set in. Up to Dec, Iwe had recovered of our gold loss at the port of New York *g7,854,0jy. Surplus Revenues. The presence of a large cash surplus in the Treasury has %ir many years been tne subject of much unfavorable criticism and has urnished an argument to those who have desired to place the tariff upon a purely revenue basis ■l l was agreed by all that the wi lidrawal from circulation ot so large aa amount of money was au embarrassment to the business of the coun.ry anctmade neceismy tbe intorv.ntion of tbo department at frequent Intervals to relieve the threatened monetary panics. The surplus ou March 1, ;1889, was i:81,827,19J.23. The policy of applying ml* surolus to tbe redemption of ,tbe interest-bearing securities of tbe United Btares is thought to be preferable to' that of depodtUglt without interest in selected national banks. There have been redeemed since tho date last mentioned of inter-est-bearing securities *259, 078,65 , resulting in a reduction of tne annual interest charge of *ll.0)4,175 The rnouey which had been deposited in banks without interest bas been gradually wttfidnjwn and used in the redemption of - The result ol this policy, of the silver legislation and of tbe refunding cf the per cent, bands, has beyn a large increase of the mcnev ta circulation. At tue date last named the circulation was *1,404,2 5 898. or *63.03 per capita • while on the first day of December, 1891,.it had Increased to *1,577,*02,070, or *24.38 per capita 1 he offer of the Secretary of the Treasury to the holders-.0l the 4t» percent. bonds to extend the time of redemption, at the option of the Government, at au lutereri of 2 per cent., was accepted by the holders of atjo/t one-half tbe amount, and the unattended bonds are being redeemed on presentation. • The Army. The report of the Secretary of War exhibits, the results of an intelligent, progressive, and business-like administration of a department which has been too much regarded as one of mere routine The work of securing sites for shore batteries for harbor defense and the manolteture of mortars and gone of Ugh power to j equip them bare wade good progress during the j Tfcii project of sails' log Indians received my

! approval. Seven companies h- ve been cotnI pletely organized, and seven more are In pro- : cess of organization. The results of six months' training have more than r. alized the highest anticipations. Private Land Claims. The Judges of the Court of Private Lan 1 Claims pre\filed for by th act of March 3,1891, have been appointe t and the court organized. I. is now possible to give early relief to communities long repr< seed in their development by unset led land titles, and to establish the pos eßsion and right of settlers whose lands nave beon rendered valueless by adverse aud unfounded claims. The Chinese Question. Tho enforcement of the Treasury Department of the law prohibiting the coming of Chinese to the United btates has been effective as to such aB seek to laud from vessels entering our ports. 'I he result has been to divert the travel to vessels entering the ports of British Columbia, whence a passage into the United States at obscure points along tho Dominion boundary 1 : easy. Tne Dominion Government collects a head tax of SSO from every Chinamau entering Canada, and thus derives a considerable revenue from those who only u o it i ports to reach a position of advantage to evade our exclnsion laws. There seems to be satisfactory evidence that the business of passing C hinameu through Canada to the United States Is organized and quite active. The Department of Justice has construed the laws to require the return of any Chinaman found to be unlawfully in this country to ( hlna as the oountry from which he came, notwithstanding the fact that he came by way of Canada. This construction robs the law of all effectiveness, and I recommend such legislation as will remedy defects in the law.

Tho Postal Service. In the report of the Postmaster General some very gratifying results are exhibited and many betterments of the service suggested. Ocean mail fiostoffices have been established upon the steamers of the North German Llovd and Hamburg Lines, saving, by the distribution on shipboard, from two to fourteen hours’ time Eight thousand miles of new postal service have been established upon railroads, the car distribution to substations in the great cities have been increased about 12 per oent., while the percentage of errors in distribution has, during the past year, been reduced over onehal\ An appropriation was given by the last < ongress for the purpose of making some experiments In free dellvtry in the smaller cities and towns. The results of those * xperiments have been i o satisfactory that the Postmaster General recommends, and I concur in the recommendation, that the Iree delivery system be at once extended to lowns of 5,0j0 population. It is not just that the farmer who receives his mail at a neighboring town should not only bo compelled to send to the postoflice for it. but also to pay considerable rent for a box in wnich to place it or to wait his turn at a general delivery window, while the city resident has his mail brought to his door. I also recommend the extension of the money order system. The Navy. The report of the Secretary of the Navy shows a gralifying increase of new naval vessels in commission. When it is recollected that tho work of buildiaga modern navy was only initiated in 1863, that our naval constructors and ship-builders were practically without experience in the construction of large iron or steel ships, the progress that has been made is highly satisfactory. I commen to your favorable consideration the recommendations of the Secretary, who has, I am sure, giver, to them most conscientious study. There should be no hesitation in promptly completing a navy of the best modern type, largo enough to enable this country to display irs flag In all seas for the jirotection of Its citizens and of its extending commerce. Indian Affairs. The report of the Secretary of tho Interior show s that a very gratifying progress has been made iu all of the bureaus which make up that complex and difficult department. The work in the Bureau of Indian Affairs was jierhaps never so large as now by reason ot the numerous negotiations which have been proceeding with the tribes for a reduction of the reservations. The providing of adequate school facilities for Indian children and tho locating of adult Indians upon farms involve the solution of the "Indian question." The Land Office. Early iu this administration a special effort was begun to bring up the work of the General Land Office. By faithful work the arrearages have been rapidly reduced. At. the eud of the last fiscal year only 84,172 final agricultural entries remained undisposed of. Tour attention is called to the difficulty presented by the Secretary of the Interior as to the administration of the law of March 3, 1891, establishing a court of private land claims. The small holdings Intended to be protected by the law are estimated to be more than 15.0C0 in number. The claimants are a most deserving class, and their titles are aupuorted by the strongest equities.

The Pension Bureau. Tho administration of the Pension Bureau lias been characterized during the year by great diligence. The total number of pensioners upon the rolls on th-> 3.th day of June, 1691, was 676,160. There were allowed during the fiscal year ending at that time 250,575 caseß. Of this number L 2.337 were allowed under the act of June 27, 1840. The issuing of certificates has been proceeding at the rate of about 3J.000 per month, about 75 per cent, of those being cash under the now law. Tho Commissioner expresses the opinion that he will be able to carefully adjudicate and allow 330,010 claims daring the present fiscal year. The appropriation for tha payment of pensions lor the fiscal year 18)1-91 was 6127,685,793.89, and the amount expended 8118,530,649.25, leaving an unexpended surplus of 89,155,141.64. Tne Commissioner is quite confident that there will be no call this year for a deficiency appropriation, notwithstanding the rapidity with whioh the work is being pushed. The mistake which has been made By many in their exaggerated estimates of the ooßt of pensions is in not taking account of the diminished value of first payments under the recent legislition. These payments, under the general law, have been for many years very large, as the pensions, when allowed, dated from the time of filing the claim, and most o these claims had beon pending for years. Tho first payment under the Jaw of June, 1890, are relatively small, aud, «s the per cent, of these cases increases and that of the old cases diminishes, the annual aggregate of first payments iB largclv reduced. The commissioner under date of Nov. 13, furnishes me with the statement that during the ast lour months 113,175 certificates were issued, 27,893 under the general law and 25,282 under the act of 0une27,1890, The average first payment during these four months was $131,8 >, while the average first payment upon cases allowed during the year ending June 30, 1891, was 9239.33. The estimate for pension expenditures for the next fiscal year ending June :.0,1893, Is 3144,956,C0J, which, after- a careful examination of the subject, the Commissioner is of the opinion will he sufficient.

Sulwitllsed Railroads. The report of the Commissioner of liailroads Bbows that the total debt of the subsidised railroads to the United States was, en Dec. 31 1890, *112,512,613. A large part of this debt ia now fast approaching maturity, with no adequa e provision for its payment, forne policy lor dealing with this dfeut, with a view to its ultimate collection, should be at once adopted. Progress of the Census. Tbs work of the t ensus Bureau is now far in advance and the.great bulk of the enormous labor involved completed. It will be more strictly a statistical exhibit and less Incumbered by essays thau its Immediate predecessors. The I methods pursued have been fair, careful and intelli eut, and have secured the approval of the statisticians, who have followed them with a scientific and non-partisan interest. Irrigating Arid Territories. The repo t of the Socretary exhibits, with in • teresting fullness, the condition of tee Territories. They have sha* d with the States the great increase iu products, and are bringing yearly ljrge areas into cultivation by extending iheir irrigating canals. This work is being done by individuals or local corporations, and without that system which a full preliminary survey of t ,e water supply and of the irrigable lauds would enable them to adopt The future of the Territories of New Mexiao' Arizona and Utah In their material growth and iu the Increase, independence and happiness of their people is very largely dependent upon wise and timely legislaflton. eirier by Congress or iheir own Legislatures. regulating the distribution of the water supply iurnished by their streams. If this mate ter Is much longer neglected, private corporations will have unrestricted control of one of the elements of life of the arid lands. The United Bca:es should part-with its ownership of the water source i and the sites for reservoirs, whether to the States and Territories or to individuals or corporations, only upon conditions that will lusureto the settlers their proper water supply upon eqnal and reasonable verms. Utah anil Polygamy. The legislation of Congress for the repression of polygamy has, after years Of resistance ou i re part ot the Morn ons, at last brought them to the conclusion that reslstatco Is unprofitable and unavailing. The power of Congress over this subject should not be surrendered until we have satisfactory evidence that the people of the state to be created would exercise the exclusive power of the State over this subject in the tame way. ' The question is not whether these people now obey the laws of Congress against polygamy, but rather would they make, enforoe and maintain such laws themselve if absolutely free to regulate the subject? We cannot afford to experiment with Ihis subject, for when a State is once constituted the act 1s final, and any mistake irretrievable. Department of Agriculture. If tbe establishment of the Department of I Agriculture was regarded by any oneea a mere . concession to the unenlightened demand of a j worth yclass of people, that Impression has been most effectually removed by the great resnlte already attained, {ts home Influence haa been j very great in disseminating agricultural and ; horticultural informs tion; in stimulating and 1 directing a further diversification of crops; In I detecting and eradicating diseases of domestic animals: and, more than all. In the close and*

Informal contact which It has established and mahJtatos with the farmers and stock-raisers ot the whole oountry. Every request for Information has bad prompt attention and every suggestion merited consideration. The scientific corps of the department is of a high order, and Is pushing its Investigations with method and enthusiasm. The inspection by this department of cattle and pork products intended for shipment abroad has been the basis of the success which hasatte ded our efforts to secure the removal of the restrictions maintained by the European governments. It is particularly fortunate that the increased demand for food products, resulting from the removal of the restrictions upon our meats and from the reciprocal trade arrangements to which I have referrtd, should have come at a time when the agricultural surplus is so large. Without the help thus derived, lower prices would have prevailed. The Secretary of Agriculture estimates that the restrictions upon the importation of our pork produots into Europe lost us a market for 0‘20,000,001 worth of these products annually. The groin crop of this year was the largest in pur history, 50 per cent, greater than that of last year, and yet the new markets that have been opened and the larger demand resulting from short crops in Eu ope, have sustained prices to such an extent that the enormous surplus of meals and breadstuff* will be marketed at good prices bringing relief and prosperity to an Industry that was much depressed. The value of the grain crop of the United States is estimated by the Secretary to be this year five hundred million dollars more than last; of meats, one hundred and fifty millions more; and of all products of the farm, seven hundred millions more. It is nut inappropriate, I think, here to suggest that our satisfaction in the contemplation of this marvelous addition to the national wealth is unclouded by any suspicion of the currency by which it is measured and in which the farmer is pa.d for the product of his fields.

Civil Service. The reprrt of the Civil Service Commlss'on should receive the careful attention of the opponent-, as well as the friends, of this reform. The commission Invites a personal inspection of its records and methods. The efforts of the several executive departments have been directed to establish at once on efflcieucr record as the basis of a comparative lating'of the clerks within the cla silled service, with a vi-w to placing promotions therein upon the basis of merit. I am confident that such a record, fairly kept and open to the inspection of those interested, will powerfully stimulate the work of the departments and will be accepted by all as placing the troublesome matter of promotions u)x>n a just basis. I recommend that the appropriations for the Civil Service Commission be made adequate to the increased work of the next fiscal year. Protection lor Railroad Employes. I have twice before urgently called the attention of Congress to the necessity of legislation for the protection of the lives of railroad employes, but nothing has yet been done. During the year ending June 30, 1890, 869 brakemen were killed and 7,841 maimed while engaged in coupling ears. The total number of railroad employes killed during the year was 9,451, and the number injured 2-3,890. This is a cruel and largely a needless sacrifice. A law requiring of every railroad engaged in interstate commerce the equipment each year of a given per cent, of its ireight cars with automatic couplers and air brakes to bo used would very soon and very greatly reduce the present fearful death rate among railroad employes.

Constitutional Amendment Suggested. The method of appointment by the States of Electors of President and Vice President has recently attracted renewed interest by reason of a departure by the State of Michigan from the method which had become uniform in all the States. Prior to 1832 various methods had been used by the different States, and even by the same State. Alter a full test of other methods, without important division or dissent in any State and without auy purpose of party advantage, as we must believe the practice of all the states was brought into harmony. That this concurrence should now by broken is, I think, an unfortunate and oven threatening episode, and one that may well suggest whether the States that still give their approval to the old and prevailing methods ought not to secure by a constitutional amendment, a practice which has had the approval oi all. The recent Michigan legislation provides for choosing what are popularly known as the Congressional Electors ror President by Congressional districts, and the two Senati rial Electors by districts created for that purpose This legislation was, of course, accompanied by a new Congressional apportionment, and the two statutes bring the electoral vote of the State under the influence of the gerrymander. These gerrymanders for Congressional purposes re in most cases tutors-sed by a gerrymander of the legislative dist iota, thus making it impoa-ible f.r a majority of t e 1 gal voters of tue State to correct the apportionment and to equalize the Congressional representation of all the di tricts. A minority rule 1b established 1 hat only a politic. 1 convulsion can overthrow. 1 have recently been advised that in cue county of a certain State throe .districts for tho eleotion oi members of the Legislature are constituted as follows : One has 65,0U0 population, one 15.0C0; and one 1U,(X.0, while in another county, detached uon-contiguous sections have been united to make a legislative district. These methods have already found effective application to the choice cf Senators and epreseutatives in Congress, and now an evil start has boon made in the direction of • applying them to the choice by the States of Electors oi President and Vice President. If this is accomplished we shall then have three great departments of the Government in the grasp of the "gerrymander,” the legislative and the executive directly and the judiciary indilectly through the power of appointmt nt. An election implies a body of electors electors having proscribed qualifications— each of whom has an equal status and influence in determining the result. So when the Constitution provides that eaoh State shall appoint (elect) in such manner as the Legislature thereof mavdirtet, a number of electors, etc., an unrestricted power was not given to he Legislatures In the selection of the methods to bo used. “A republican form of government" is guaranteed by the constitution to each State, and the power given by the same instrument to the legislatures of the States to prescribe methods for the choice, by the State, of electors, must be exercised under that limitation. The essential features of such a government are the right of the people to choose their own officers and the nearest practicable equality oi value in the suffrages given in determining that choice. Nothing just now is more important than to provide every guarantee for the absolutely fair and free cboiqe by an equal suffrage, with the respective States, of alt the officers of the National Government, whether that suffrage is applied directly, as in the choice of members of the House of Representatives, or indirectly, as in tho choice of Senators and electors of President. Respect for public officers and obedience to the law will not cease to be the char, acteristics of our people until our elections cease to declare the will of majorities fairly ascertained, without fraud, suppression, or gerrymander. Ail the States have, acting freely and separately, determined that the choice of elections ov a general ticket Is the wisest and safest method, and it would seem there could be no objection to a constitutional amendment making that method permanent, li a legislature chosen In one year upon purely local questions should, ponding a Presidential contest, rescind the law for a choice upon a general ticket and provide for the choice of electors by the Legislatu e and this trick should determine the result, it is not too much to say that the public peace might be seriously and widely endangered.

Frauds Against tlie Suffrage. An attempt was made in the last Congress to bring to bear the constitutional powers of the General Government for the correction of fraude against the suffrage, it is important to know whether the Oi position to such measures is really rested in particular features supposed to be objectionable or includes any proposition to give to the election laws of the C l l ted states adequacy to the correction of grave and acknowledged evils. I must yet en ertain the hope that it is possible to secure a calm, patiiotlc consideration of suon constitutional or statutory changes as may be necessary to secure the choice of the officers of the Government to the people by fair appointments and free elections. I believe it would be possible to constitute a commission non-partisan in Its membership and composed of patriotic, wise and impartial men, to whom a consideration of the question of the evils oonnec ed with our election system and methods might be committed with a good prospaot Of securing unanimity in some plan for removing or mitigating those evils, uhe i onstitnticn would permit the selection of the commission to be vested in the Supreme Court if that method woqld give the best guaranty ot impartially. While the policies of the General Government upon the tariff, upon the restoration of our merchant marine, upon river and harbor improvements and other such matters of grav i and general concern are liable to be turnel this way or that by the results of Congressional elections and administrative policies, sometimes involving issues that tend to peace or war, to be turned this wav or that by the results of, a Presidential election, there is a rightful interest in all the States and lu every Congressional district that will not be deceived or Bilenced by the audacious pretense that the question of the right ot any body of legal voters in any state, or In any Congressional district, to give their suffrages lreely upon these general questions is a matter cnly of local concern cr control. The demand that the limitation of suffrage shall be found in the law, and only there, is a just demand, and no just man should resent or resist it. My appeal is. ami must continue to be, for a consultation that Bhall “proceed with candor, calmness and patience upon the lines of justice and humanity, not of prefudice and cruelty." To the consideration of these very grave ones* : tions I invite not only the attention of Confress, but that of all patriotic citizens. A rust, momentous in its influence upon our I people, and upon the world, is for a brief i time committed to ns, and we must not be I faithless to its first condition—the defense of the free and equal influence of the people in the ohcioe of public officers and in the control of public affairs. (hlgnedj Bbxjamin Hamusom. EXtcuuTs Mint os, Dae. 8, ISM.