Greenfield Republican, Greenfield, Hancock County, 6 December 1894 — Page 7
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FINANCIAL
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The Principal Recommends^* *•jtion of the President.
PRESENT FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Fiutiitir £»iif Les'iikliioti Urged to the Sitcnt ef Making Coal and Iron Free, f! Doing Amy With the SuearDifferential,
Construction of Ships, Ktc., as Rec#mmended by tuc .I.. i. WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.—The following
is President Cleveland's message to congress: To the Congress of the United States:
The assemblage wifchiu the nation's legislative halls of those charged with the duty ef making laws for the benefit of a generous and free people impressively suggests the exacting obligation and inexorable responsibility involved in their task. At the threshhold of Buch labor now to be undertaken by the congress of the Ui.:i.od States and in the discharge of an executive duty enjoined by tHe constitution I submit this communication, containing a brief statement of the condition of cur national affairs, and recommends such legislation as set ins to be necessary and expeuiem.
After refcring to the peaceful relations existing between the United States and all foreign nations, the termination of the war in Brazil and the settlement of the Chilian claims by that government the president says:
The Far Fast War.
On the 17tih of March last a new treaty with China in further regulation of emigration WHS signed at Washington, and on Aug. 15 it received the sanction oi tne
WI]!Lt».iiicafcion
on the part oi' China and
foruuil excfaauge are awaited to give effect to Uno mutually beneficial conve.if.itH. A gratifying recognition of the uniform impartiality of this country toward all foreign states was manifested by the coincident request of the Chinese anU ^pa.u.-.-.e goftt'mut-iita that the dgcutH of tiao United States should, within proper limits, afford prot»«.iion to the subjects of the o'mor uurjiig the suspension of diplomatic relations due to a iUm of war.
This delicate office was accepted, and a misapprehension gave rise to 'the belief that in affording this kindiy unofficial protection oar ageuts would exercise the same authority which the withdrawn agents of the bei iigerents had exercised vras promptly aouected. Although the war between China and Ja#tim endangers no policy of the Utuwvd States it dmerve» oargiavest cousiuuruuon, by reason of it# disturbance of mir growing commercial interests in the two countries and the increased dangers which may result to our citizens domiciled or eoj«virni:/ in ?.he interior of uiu**.. unucr a supination in our 'uraaty with Corea (the first concluded with a West-pro tjo'vej') I felt constrained at the beginning or tne controversy to teuUur our good offif-.s to induce an amicable arrange-E-3i. r.s^'.iLicaity fc'• i--of the Japanese demands for administrative reforms ui Corea, but the unhappy precipitation of actuai hostilities deieated this kindly purpose.
Deploring the destructive war between the two most powerful of the lasiem nations and anxious that our commercial interests in tUose couutries^nay be preserved and that the safety of our citizen*, tlitro shall not be jeopardized, I would not uesitate to lieed any intimation that our friendly aid for li juorable termination o£ hostilities would be acceptable to both belligerents.
A convention has been finally concluded for the settlement by arbitration of the proloi££u ^spn'je with Ecuador, ^,roiv: .g out oi the proceedings against &milio Santos, a naturalized citizen of thn United States.
Our relations with the republic of France continue to be such as should exist between nations so long bound together by friendly sympathy and similarity in form of government.
Carnot's Assassination.
The recent cruel iicsa.ssina.tion of the president of this sister republic called forth such universal expressions of sorrow ar»H condolence from our people and government tie to leave no doubt of the depth and sincerity of our attachment. The
V: resolutions passed by the senate and house
Jeen
representatives on the occasion have communicated to the widow of Presidoit Carnot.
Acting upon the reported discovery of
Texas fever in cargoes of American cattle,
it' the German prohibition against importations of livestock and fresti meats lrom this country has been revived. It is hoped that Germany will soon become convinced that the inhibition is as neediest as it is harmful to mutual interests.
The German government has protested
Saiust
that provision of the customs taract which imposes a discriminating duty of one-tenth of 1- cent a pound on sugars eoming from countries paying an export bounty thereon, claiming that the exaction of such duty is in coutravention of Articles 5 and 9 of the treaty of 1828 with Prussia.
In the interests of the comtherce of both countries and to avoid even the accusation of treaty violation. 1 recommend the repeal Qf so much of the statute as imposes that duty, and 1 invite attention to tue accompanying its port oi tne secretary of state containing a discu.-v-.iou ot the questions raised by the German protests. lleliring Sea Troubles.
Early in t..e present year an agreement was muiiieu with Great Dritain ewweeruing instructions to be given to the naval Commander* of the two governments in Behring sea, aad the contiguous JSorth Pacific ocean lor their guidance in the execution of the award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration and the enforcement oi tue regulations therein prescribed, for the protection of seal life in the waters mentioned.
An understanding has also been reached for the payment by the United fettat.es of $425,000 full satisfaction if all churns which may be made by Great Britain for damages growing out of the controversy as to fur seals in Behring sea, or the seizure of British vessels engaged in taking seal in those wate:s. The award and findings of the Paris twbuual to a gijeat extent determined the lace and principles upon which these claims should oe adjusted, and they have been subjected by L^'th governments to a thorough examination upon the principles as well as thejfucts wuich tliey involve. 1 am convinced Ghat a settlement upon the terms mentioned would bt« an equitable and advantageous one and I recommend that provision be made for the
,fe prompt payment of the stated sum. &
T"X'
iti*
Thus iur, only France and Portugal have "signified their willingness to adhere to the regulations established under the award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration.
Preliminary surveys of tlw Alaskan
^'v^|v%boundary and a preparatory examination f\r Of the question oi protection of food fish in fithe continugious waters' of ths United
States and the Dominion of Canada are in progiess Hawaii.| t, I
Since communicating the vcduininoas correspondence in regard, to Hawaii and the action taken by the senate and house of representatives on certain questions submitted to the judgment and wider discretion of congress the organisation of a
it"" government in |?lace^ of the provisional
arrangement which followed the deposition of the queen has been announced with evidence of its effective operation. The recognition usual in sueh cases has been accorded the new government.
Good will fostered by many interests ia common has marked ou relations with our nenrest southern neighbor. pettc* being restored along her northern
raent of the late dtsturbera of her traar qullity. There ought to be anew treaty of coniaesM and aavlgatioa with tiyij country to feftKe tile plaoe cf the one wmcu terminated It years ago.
The recent death of the Czar of Russia called forth appropriate expressions of sorrow and sympathy ou the par* of ou*•government witoais bei'eavea family aiid the Russian peeple. Aa a fartiiei' «.-ui6»iisiratioa of respect and frleudship o,ur minister at St. Peteivburg was directed to represent our government at tlui funeral ^reaaonles.
Tthe sealing interests of Russia in Behing sea are second only to our own. A modus vivendi has therefore been concluded with the imperial government restrictive of peaching on the Russian rookeries and of sealing in waters which were not comprehended in the protected area defined in the Paris award.
Oecasion lias been found to urge upon the Russian govern mens equality of treatment of our great life insurance companies whose operations have been extended throughout Europe.
Admitting, as we do. foreign corporations to transuet business in the United States, wo naturally expset u-f less tolerance for our owii in the ample fields of competition abroad.
But few cases of interference with naturalized citizens returning to Russia have been reported during the current year. One Krzeminski was arrested last summer in a Polish province on a reported charge of unpermitted renunciation of Russian allegiance, but it transpired that the proceedings originated in alleged malfeasance committed by Krzemiiaski while an imperial official a number of years ago. Efforts for his release, which promised to be successful, were in progress when his death was reported.
The government or Salvador having been overthrown by an abrupt popular outbreak, certain of its military and civic officers, while hotly pursued by infuriate! iiLiurgeuis, sought x\:Bugo ou board »he United States wrir*hip Bennington, then lying in a Salvadorean port. Although tne practioe of asylum is not favored by this govmipaenl,
y'r«
Early in the past year efforts of Nicaragua to maintain sovereignty over the Mosquito territory led to seuious disturbances, culminating in the suppression of the native government and the attempted subsrttn.Kicn of an impracticable composite administration kt which iSlcaragaa and r'icii residents wure to participate. i'ailure wus follower by an insurrection, whieh for a time subverted Nicaragua*! rule expelling her officers i_..l restoring the old organization. This in turn gave place to the existing local government established and upheld bv Nicaragua.
Although the alien interests arrayed against Nicaragua- in these transactions have been largely American, aud the commerce of that region ior some time has beeu and still is chiefly controlled by our citizens, w-' can not for that reason challenge the rightful «OTC»eign6y of Nicaragua over this important part of her domaiu.
For some months one, and, during part of the time, two, of emr n»val ships have beeu stationed at Blueflelds for the protection of all legitimate interests of our citizens. In September but tlie govornmf nt at Managua expelled from its territory 12 or more forttguei-s, iucluduig two American*, for alleged participation is the sr&sivua or njiveltmoiitu-y movements is,a :st the republic at, Bluefields already mentions*, hut through the earnest remonstrates of this government the two Americans have been permitted to l-eturu to the peacaM asaaagement of their business. Our nml eowuiandei* at the sc^ue of thost disiurbancss, by their constant exhibition of firmness and good judgment, contributed largely to ths proveutiou of more serious eonnequeuces and to the restoration of quiet a»d order.
The Nicai-aguan autiborities. having given notice of forfeiture their concession to the canal eewpauf on grounds purely technical and not embraced In the ountraet, have receded fcaa that position.
Armeniaa Btemtfhter.
In mv last anuual saeeeaye I advei*ted to the ciauu ou the part of Turkay of the right to expel, as persons undesirable aud
tUnited
Mexieo lu» the punii^^
angerouH, Armeuians natumlized in the States ai&d retn*uiag to i\trkish jurisdiction. Numerous questions in this rahLtien have arisen. vVnile this government acquiesces in the asserted right o* expulsion it will not consent that Armenians may be imprisoned or otherwise punished tor no other reason than having acquired without imperial consent American sitizwiship.
Three of the aesailants of Miss Melton, an American teaCser in Mesul, have beoa convicted by the Ottoman eoarts, aud I tin advised tlrnt apvcai agaiuii't the aeluittai of the lemaunng five has beeu
am advised" thm ^.u apvcai agaiuii't the acquittal of the remaining five has beeu taken by the Turkish prosecuting officer.
A convention has been concluded with Venezuela for the arbitration of a long disputed claim growing oat el the seizure of certain vessels, tfi» property of citizens of the United States. fiaiueaa
In my last annual message, I referred briefly to the unhatisfactory state of.-affairs in Samoa uutler the operation of the Berlin treaty, as signally |h—frsting the impolicy of entangling alliances wicu foreign powers and on May », ISM, in response to a resolution of the senate, 1 sent a special message and document* to that body on the same subject, whieh emphajiz^d my previously oysmiens.
Later occurrences, tits eerreapondenee iu regard to which will ie laid bafore congre^K, further dcniomtarate that the government which was devised by the turee powers and forced upon the Saiuoans a'gainst their ieveeeeaSe heetittby can be maintained only by. thesaaliaued presence of foreign military twee and at no small sacrifice of life aud tsreasttre.
The snpuresMou of Mm Mataafa insurrection by the powers, and the subsequent banishment or the leader and 11 other chiefs, as recited in mf last aiauage, did not bring ladling peace te the ialai.d*.
Formidable uprisings continued, and ftunlly rebellion brotee e«t la the Capital lslntid. Upota, hesdM ka Aaaa, ths western district, by the youtiger T«mwi*se, luud in Atua. the ea*teru djirti-ict, by other lenders. 1*Ij« insurgents ravafed tlie oountry and fcuigit the gnvemmeat trtfps up to the very doors of Apia. The ki»« tigmin apthe (ivffw iir Wet|», ami cue •oinbirfed Britfsh and German unval forces iedvkeed ths Mm to u'ppareut
I
vtow c* the immi
nent peril which threatened the fugitives, and solely from considerations of humanity, they were afforded shelter by our naval commauder, «ind wiion afterward demanded under our treaty of extradition with Salvador far trial on charges of murder, arson and robbery, I directed teat such of them as had not voluntarily left the ship be conveyed to one of our nearaet ports where a hearing could be had bef®*10 a judicial officer in ceaaplianee with the terms of the treaty.
On their arrival at San Francisco such a proceeding was promptly instituted before the United States district judge, who held that the acts oqnstitcting the alleged or* fensss were political, aati discharged *11 the accused except one Oienfuegos. who was held for an attempt to murder. Thereupon, I was. constrained to direct hfe release, for the reason that an attempt to murder was not one of the crimes ehacged agni»s.,t "im, sod upon which his surrender to tne Salvadorean authorities nau been demanded.
The lSluefields Imbroglio.
Prominent araoag the questions of the year whs the Blnre&'h.R lacMsrjf, in w.#at is known as the ^iefeeuiio Indian strip, bordering on toe Atlantic ocean and within the jurisdiction of Nicaragua. By the treaty of 1860 between Great Britain and Nicaragua the former government expressly recognized the sovereignty of the latter over the strip, and a Qmited form of selfgovernment was guaranteed to the Mosquito Indians, to be exercised according to their customs, for themselves and ether dwellers within its limits.
GREENFIELD REPUBLICAN, TflURSDAY, DEC. 6,1894
•tftjectkm, net, howevee, without eoneldorahle low to the aacivts* A fewdavs later Tamaasso aid his adherents, feariag *e ships and the marineft, professed subaussion.
Reports received from oar sgentg at Apia do not justify the belief that the peace thus brought about will be of long auratlon. It is thebr eosvietion that the natives are at ^art iio«til»» to ment hat suek of thecs as profess loyalty to it do so from fear of the powers, and that it would speedily go to pieces if the worships *.ver« tlid-- vn.
Condition of the Treasury. The secretary of the treasury reports that, tlie maiipts of the government ^om uu all sources of revenue (luring the fiscal year euding June SO, 1894, amounted to $072,802,^3.^9, and its expenditures to $442,60&,75i.87, leaving a deficit of $69,803,-*60-58-
There was a decrease of $15,952,074.06 iu the ordinary expenses of the government, as compared with the fiscal year 1898.
There was collected from customs $131,118,580.62, aud from internal revenue $1±7,168,449.70. The b'alance of the income for tuc yynw, amounting to -yd.ilo,517.W7, was derived froiu t.ie sales of lauds and other sources.
The value of our total dutiable imports amounted to $27o, lining $146,857,625 lees than duwn^ the preceding year, and the importations free of uuty amounted to $»79,795,588, being $04,748,675 less than during the preceding yuur. The receipts from customs were ?73,630,4S6.11 less, and from internal revenue |i3,S36,53t).97 less than in 18'J.J.
The total tax collected from distilled spirits was $£5,259,200. 'Ji on manufactured tobacco, $&S,6i7,8£«.02, and on fermented liquors, $81,±14,78*.04.
Our exports of merchandise, domestic and loreigu, amounted during the year to $895,140,572, being an iucrease over the preceding year of 944,495,37a.
The totwl amount of gold exported during tfr? fiscal year was tTti.SS^OCl as against fl0*,W0,444 during the fiscal year 1893. Tlie amount imported was $18,449,119 as against $34,174,*$! during the previous yt*ar
The imDorts of silver were $13,280,552and
tive exports were $5ii,4U,£69. The total bounty paid upo tion cf sugar in the united States for the
The total bounty {aid upon the produc
flseal year was $13,100,908.80, being an increase of $3,T35,OT8.01 over the payments made durhag the preceding year.
The amount of bounty paid from July 1, WS4, to Aug. 88, 1804, the time whoa further payments eeassd by operation of law, was (U66,lk&.«4. The total expense incurred sugar 149.86k
in the paymeut of the bounty upon during the fiscal year was $130,-
It Is estimated that upon the basis of the present revenue laws the receipts of the government duslag the pweeut ft?cal year ej*di£g June 3V, Uito, will be (434^7,948.44* «nd its expenditures $444,4i?7,7«.44, resulting in a deficit of $80,009,(4$.
The first day of Aoveuibejr, 1994, the total stoek of money of all kinds In the country was $3,44£.f7S,8St, as agaiast $3,-
Am the kisl day of ftovtiuwor, and the money of all kinds in circulation, or not iiwdudad in the treasury hseldiugp, was $1,67^,093,4^, $&.2i capita Updu an estimated population ef «b,S8T,0W. r. "Jime date the treasury gold bullion asiouutmg to $44,$11,177.8$, aud sllvmr bulllou, which was purchased at a cost of $137,779,98$.
The purchase of silver bullion under the aet of July 14, 1890, ceased on the 1st day of November, 1893, and up to that time there hod been purchased during the fiscal ear 11,917,658.78 fine ounces at a cost of 3,715,521.32, sin average e-st of $0.7318 per fine ounce. The total amount oi silver purchased from the time that law took effect until the repeal of its purchasing clause, on the date last mentioned, was 168,674,682.53 fine ounces, whicn cost $153,831,002.25, the average price per fine ounce being $0.8244. '!*h- i«,m! f'mount- of standard silver -lo!lars coined iu the mints of the Uuited States hiuoe the parage of the act of Feb. 3a, lij78, is
$4il,tro,4Mai
Sars,
Sets
of which $S7*,ltt8,-
798 were coined under the provisions of that act, $38,531,148 under the provisions of the act of July 14, 1890, aud *5,078,474 under the act providing for the coinage of trade dollar bullion.
The total coinage of all metaJs at our mints during the last fiscal year consisted of $3,485,229 pieces, valued at $l05u216,730.06, of whico there were $99,474,912.50 in
old coined, $798 ia standard silver dol96,084,140.8* in subsidiary silver coin, and $710,919.26 in minor eoin.
During the calendar year 1803 the production of precioMs metals In the United States was estimated at 1,730,328 Ane ounces of gold, ef the commercial and coinage value qf $86,9W,QM, a«d $i,00i,OO0 Ins ounces of silver of the bullion or market value of $46,$8M«$ and of the eoiuag* value of $77,$7$,O0t. It estimated that on the first day of uly, 1894, tks stoek of meuillis lueucr in tfte Unibsd nates, consisting ®f coin and buHieo, aniovuited to $l,Ual,64&,958, of which $M7,0*, W1 was geld and $^4,847,757 was kilrer.
Fifty national hecks were organiasd durkig.the year ending Get. $1,18^4, with a capital of «.a8k$W, and TO with a capital of $Mj4!ri,60B went Into Toluntary liquidation. Twontr-one hanks, with a capital ef $5,7fU,99t were piaeed in the hands of receivers. The total number ef national banks in existence ou the 81st day of October last was 8,7$$, being 49 le*s thou on the 31stday of Ooteber, 1693. The eapltal stock paid in was $$W,671.805, heing $9,678,401 less than at the same time in the previous year, and #he surplus fund aud undivided profits, lees axpouse and taxes pa-d, amounted to $$AMSl,fc8i. 10. which was $16,089,780 less tnan on October 81, 189b.
The circulation was decreased $1,731,563. The oUigatio ns of the bank* to each other were increased $117,-^88,^44, u4±d the individual deposits were $Vi8,5ft4,4S9 less than at the corresponding date ia the previous year. Loans aud discounts wt*r« ^161,5*03,023 more than at ths same time »ue previous year, and checks and other cash items were $00,346,963 more. The total resources of the banks mt the date mentioned amounted to $8,473,9&4,055, as against $3,109,563,284.36 in 18U8. •eeretary Wax's itopwt.
Prom the report of the Mcretary of war it appears that tlie strength of tue army on Sept. 39, 1694, was 3,185 ofieers and 2c,705 enlisted men. Although this is apparently a very slight decrease compared with the previous year, the actual affective force has been iucreasea to the equivalent of nearly two regiments through the rbyxgauization of the system of recruiting, aud the consequent release te regimental duty of the large force of men hitherto serving at the reoruiting departments. The uboiitiou of these departments, it is predicted, will furthermore effect an annual reduction approximating $250,000 iu the direct expenditures, besides promoting geuerally the health, moral and discipliue of the troops.
The execution of the policy of concentrating tlie army at important ceuteis of population and transportation, foresnadowed iu the Upt annual report of the secretary, has re<ed iu the abandonment of 15 of the smaller uosts, which was effected under a plan whioh as^mbles organizations of the same regiments hitherto widely -eim-ated. This renders our small forces more readily effective for any service whicn they may he o-lled upon to perform, inuroa«es the extent of the territory under protection without diminishing the security heretofore afforded to any loeality, improves the discipline, training and "esprit de corps of the army, besides coiwidurably decreasing the cost of its maintenance.
Though the forces of the department of the east have been somewhan increased, more than three-fourths of .the army is still stationed w?st of the. Mississippi. This eartjiui matured policy, which securcs tiie btirt aud^jreatoftB service tn the intei-esta of the general welfare from the suunli force oondpuiiing our regular army, should
HOC
kte fuoughfcleesly emburrassed
by tne oruution i£ new and uttHeccesearf
through asts of eongrsss to gratify ambitions or interests of leoalitlen. While the maximuiu Isgal strength of the army is 95,600 men the •'ffective strength, through vai'ious causes, is but little over $0,096 men. The purpose of congress does not, therefore, seem to be fully attained by the existing condition. While BO oonsiaerable increase in the army is, in my judgment, demanded by recent events, the policy ef sea ooast fortifications, in the prssecuMon of which wo have been steadily engaged for some years,
OO iiu' Uyj.wiWpCu te yd ifUAw wuC effective strength of the army be now made at least equal to the legafstrength.
It is hardly TMscessary to recall the Tact that in obediencd to the commands of the constitution and the laws, and for the purpose of protecting the property oi the United States, aiding the process of federal courts aud removing lawless obstructions to the performance by the government of its legitimate functtycs, it became necessary iu various localities during ths year to employ a considerable portion of the regular troops. The duty was discharged promptly, courageously and with marked biscretion by the officers and men, aud the most gratifying p.roof was thus afforded that the urmy deserves that complete confidence in its efficiency and discipline which the country has at all times manifested.
The reports of militia inspections by regular army officers show a marked increase in interest aud efficiency among the state organizations, and I strongly recommend a continuance of the policy of affording every practical encouragement possible to this important auxiliary of our military establishment.
The skill and industry of our ordnance officers and inventors have, it is believed, overcome the mechanical obstacles which have heretofore delayed the armament of our ooastfe and this great national undertaking upon whieh we have entered may novY proceed as rapidly as congress shall determine. With a supply of lluishcd guus of burge caliber on haud, te which additions should now rapidly follow, the wisdom of providing carriages and emplacement* for tbeir mount can not ba too strongly urged.
Department of Justice.
The report of the attorney general notes the gratifying progress made by tue supreme oourt ia overcoming the arrears of Us business and in reaching a sondltiou in whioh it will be able to dispose of cases as they arise without any unreasonable delay. ThU result is. of eourso, very largely due to the successful working of the plan inaugurating cfrcmt courts of appeals.
In reepeet to these tatfeunate too suggestion is made, in quarters satitled to the highest asnsioeration, that an additions! ire ait judge for each circuit would greatly strengthen these oourts and the confidence mpoeed in their adjoawations, and thex *u«& addition would not create a greater force of judges than the lncreaaiug business of sueh courts require. I commend the Ujggestion to the careful oonsidth# coagrei it topics are the report, accompanied 1$ reeonunenda-
atlou Other important _je report, accomp tions, many of which have been treated at large in previous messages, ana at this time, therefore need only oo named. I refer to the abolition of the fee system as a of eeaipensatJQP. to ieflvra.1 cancers the enlargement of the powers of United States commissioners, at leaat in the territories, the allowance of writs of error in criminal cases on behalf of the United States and the establisment of degrees in the crime of murder.
are adverted to in
A topic dealt with by the attorney general of much importance is the coudition of the administration of justice in the Indian Territory. The permanent solution of what is c&lleu the Indian problem is probably not to be expected at once, but meanwhile such ameliorations of present conditions as the existing system will admit of ought not to be neglected. I am satisfied there should be a federal court established Tor tSe territory with sugi^itnt jadgea that this court should sit within the territory a«d have fcho uauie juri^ui^viou as to territorial a&urs as Is now tested In the federal courts sitting ia Arkansas and Texas.
It is not my purpose at this time to repeat the considerations which make an impregnable case in favor of the ownership and management by the government of th* penal ivt'UitiGus in rvhica federal pmonwrs ace confined. I simply desire to urge former recommendations on the subjeot.
Post eflice Afblrs.
The report of the postmaster general presents a so hi preheuti ve statement of the operations of the postot&ce department for the last fiscal year.
The receipts of the department during the year amounted to $7fi,O6U,470.04 and the expeadttatre ftp $64,884,414.15.
tpeadttwe ft» $B4,9BM «14.1». ittfal number of hoetofiees in the id State* on the nth dar of June, wrtut Q9,uM, an increase of 1,408 over
Thel
United ItKM, wse toe preceding 'year. Qf these were pivxideutfcd. an laereaee in that class of 68
ever the preceding year. SMx hundred and ten nrevkled with free deli*
cities and towns are
provided with free delivery. Ninety-three other eitles and towns entitled to this scrvfrs isd«i- the law have not been accorded it on acoount of insufflulent funds. 9u Navjr.
Attention ie called to the^ report of the secretary t)io navy, whieh shows very gratifying progress in the construction of ships for our new navy. All the vessels now building, including the three torpedo beats authorised at the last session of congress, and excepting the first class battleship Iowa, will probably be completed during the eoming fiscal year.
The estimates lor the increase of the navy tor the year ending June 80, 1806. are large, but tkey include practically the entire sum necessary to complete and equip all the new ships uot now in commission, so that unless new ships are authorized tiie appropriations for the naval service ior the Mscal year ending June 80,1807, should fail below the estimates for the eoming year by at least $12,060,000.
The secretary presents with much earnytnags a nlea for the authorization of three additional battleships and 10 or 12 torpedo boats. While the unarmored vessels heretofore authorized, including those now neariug completion, will cousutute a fieet, which, it is believed, is sufficient for ordihary craning purposes in time of peace: we have sow completed and iu process of construction, but !eur first olnss battleships and bat few torpedo boats.
If we are to have a navy for warlike operations, offensive and defensive, we certainly ought 10 increase botk the number of buttle ships and torpedo boats.
The manufacture of armor requires expensive plant and the aggregation of many skilled workmen. All the armor necessary to complete tue vessels now building wifl be delivered before the 1st of June next.
I feel it auLimperative duty to call attention to thUheuommendation of the secretary iu regard to the personnel of the line of the navy. The stagnation of promotion in' this, the vittil tn'anch of the service, is so great as eriou'-]y impair its efficiency.
I consider it. of tire utmost importance that the voting and mlddle-agea officers should beiore tne eve oi' retirement be permitted to reaeh a grade entitling them to active aud important duty.
The system adopted a few years ago regulating nuijnoyiuent of labor at tne navyj ards in rigidly upheld, and has fully demonstrated its usefulness and expediency.
Interior.
The report of the secretary of the interior exhibits the situation of the numerous and interesting brandies of the public service sou ueet^d with his department. I commend t..ifi report and the valuable recommeudatioas of the seere tar yte the careful attention of the congress. Tue publie land disposed of during the enr amoented to 10,^6,1U0.77 acres, including 38,M6.06 of Indian lands. ...
It is estimated that the public domain stitt remaining amounts to a little mere than 600,060,UJO acres, excluding, however, about 300^000,000 acres in Alaska, as well
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4
as military peservations and railroad and other selections of lands yet unadjudi-
Jhe total cash reoeipts from sale of lands amounted to $3,674,385.79, including $91,981.03 received for Indian lands.
At the close of the last fiscal year, on the 80th day of June, 1804, theve were 069,544
Ecruase
rsons on our pension rolls, being a net of 8,532 over the number reporteu at the end of the previous year. pcuAivuuia uici/ be classified as ••l'owv W^Vrd 5ITrvivor?' of all war*, 758,widows »»nd relatives of decea-sed soldiers, 215,lli2 army nurses in the war of the r^bisllinn, 414. Of these pensiouers, 32.0& are surviving soldiers ef Iudian and other wars prior to the late civil v.' .. or relatives of such soldiers.
The remainder, numbering 937,505, are receiving pensions on awouut of the war ef the rebellion, and of these 469,344 are on the rolls uiider the authority of the act of June 27, 1890, sometimes culled the dependent pen- iou law.
The total amount expended for pensions during the venr was$139,304,481.05, leaving an unexpended balauce irom the sum appropriated ef $25,205,712.65. Tne sum necessary to meet pension expenditures for the year ending June 30, 1890, is estimated at $140,000,UOU.
The commissioner of pensions is of th6 opinion that the year 1893, being the thirtieth after the close of the war of tae rebellion must, according to sensible human calculation see the highest limit of the pension roll, and that airer that year it must begin to due vine.
The claims pendiug in the bureau have decreased more than 9ll,(MJ0 during the year. A large proportion of the new claims filed are for increased peusloi: by those now on the rolls.
The number of certificates issued was 80.813. The names dropped from the rolls for all causes during tiic year numbered o7,»51.
Among our peu»iouers are nine widows and thr*e daughters of soldiers of the rs-v-olution and survivors of the war of 1812.
Tue b.vieraceu and extensive pension frauds exposed under the directiou of tue oouvageous and generous veterau soldier now at the head of the bureau, leave no room for the olaiui that uo purgation of our pension rolls was needed, or that continued vigilance and prompt actiou are not necessai to the same end.
The accusation that an effort to detect pension frauds is evidence of unfriendliness toward our worthy veterans and a denial of their claims to the generosity of the government, suggests an unfortunate inaiiference to the commission ef any offense which hflA for its motivs the securing of a pension, and iuelicutes a willingness to _be blind to the existence ef mean and treckerous crimes which play upon dt*mH£0glc ft iu*8 and make *porl of ths patriotic impulse of a grateful people.
Report on Agriculture.
The secretary of agriculture in his report reviews the operations of his department for r-v-»
-iiW
»*l: a* fuvJl makes »*eo-
ominouuawons ior tue lurther extension of Its usefulness. He reports a saving in expeuuica:^ uaijUa ..ic j-iu- of *660,000,
?id*
hich is oovered DS«k Into the treasury. aura i- :i3 per cent of the entire annropriauou.
A special study has been made of the demand for American farm products In all foreign markets, especially Great Britain. That country received from the United States during the nine months ending Sept. 30, 1894, 305,910 live beef cattle, valued at $26,500,000 against 182,611 cattle, •alued at $16,634,000, during the same period ior 1$9.
During the first six months of 1894 the United Kingdom took, also, 112,00,000 pounds at uresssed beef from the United States, valued at nearly $10,000,000. The report shows that during the nine months immediately preceding bept. 30, 1304, the United Status exported to Great Britain &22,6i6,00u iouno£ of pork of apples, 1,9UU,000 busQels, valued at £2,500,001) arid of horses, 2,811, at an average value of $150 per head.
There is a falling off in American wheat exports of ld,50U,utiO bushels, aud the secretary is inclined to believe that wheat may not in the future be the staple export cereal product of our country, but that corn will continue to advance in importance as an export on account of the new uses to whloa it is constantly being appropriated.
The exports of agricultural products from the United States for the fiscal year euditm June 30,1804, amounted to $02o,gttt.ttitfT. being 72.38 per cent of American exports of every description, and tne United Kingdom of Great Britain took •tore than 54 per cent of all farm products finding foreign markets.
The department of agriculture has undertaken during tsu year two new aud important lines ef research. The first relates to uf'TfT" and forage plants wit* tue purpose of iaetirueeiug and familiarizing the people as to the distinctive grasses oi the United States and teaching them how te iotroduce valuable foreign forage plants which may be adapted to this couu-
*^The second relates to agricultural soils and crop production involving the analysis of samples of soils from all sections of Ike Amerioan Union to demonstrate thenadaptability to particular plants aud cross.
The amount appropriated for the weather bureau was $064,100. Of that sum $138,569, or 14 per cent, has been saved and is returned to the treasury.
Bloveath C«nsus
The completion of the 11th oensus is now ia ehurije of tne comuussiouer ef labor. The total disbursement on account of the fitful year euding June 30, 1894, amounted to $10,865,676.81. At the close of the year the number of persons employed iu the sensus office was 679. At present there are about 400.
The whole number of volumes necessary te eoiuprehenu the 11th census will be 25, and they will contaiu 32.270 printed pages. The assurance is confidently made that before the close of the present calendar year the material, still incomplete, will be practically in hand and the census can certainly be dosed by the 4th of March, 1895. After that the revision and proof reading necessary to bring out the volumes will stui be required. e, tabor Commission.
By virtue of a statute of the United States passed' in 1888, I appointed in July last Hon. John D. Kerqan of the state of New York aud Hon. Nicholas E. Worthington of the state of Illinois to form with Hon. Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor, who was designated by said statute a commission for the pur-
Sao
ose of making careful inquiry mto causes ef Ehe controversies between certain railroads and their employes, which had resulted in an extensive and destructive strike, acoompanied by much violence aud dangerous disturbance, with ccrjilJerabic loss of life and great destruction of property.
The report of the commissioners has b»u submitted to me and will be transmitted to the congress with the evidence taken upon tbeir investigation.
Their work hue been well doue and their standing and intelligence give assurance that the report and suggestions they make a£e, worthy of oarelul consideration. $$ Tariff.
7
The tariff act passed at the iast session of the congress needs important amendments if it is to be executed effectively aud with certainty. In addition to such necessary amendments as will not change rates of duty, I am still very deoidedly in favor of putting coal and irou upon the free list.
So far as the sugar schedule is concerned, I would be glad', under existing aggravations^ to see every particle of differential duty in.favor of refitted sugarstrickeu out of our tier iff law. If with all the favor now accorded the sugar refining interest in our tariff larri lb still languishes to the extent of closed refineries aim thoueunds oi discharged workmen, it would
MM#
seem to present a hopeless ease for able legislative aid. Waa?ev«r ela !s done or omitti earnestly repeat here the recommendal I have made In another portion of communication that the addtional duty of one-tenth ot a cent per pound, laid upon sugar imported from eo:: aeries peying a bn"n*y its 'vwf ubrog.^o.i. It seems to me that' exceedingly important considerations poiut to the propriety at this amendment.
With the iniveut of a new tariff policy not oixly couteznpluL'cw.1 to relieve the consumers of our land iu the cost of their daily life, but to invits a better development of American thi'ift and create for us closer aud more profitable commercial relations with the rest of the world, it follows as a logical aud imperative necessity that we should.
Finance.
During the last mouth the gold reserved in the treasury for the purpose of redeeming the notes of the government circulating as money in the hands of the people became so reduced, and its further depletion in the near rut lire mtoiucd so curtain that in the exercise of proper care for rhp public welfare it became necessary to replenish this reserve and thus maiut iu popular faith in the aUlity and doteraiin.ii.iou of the government to meet, as agreed, its pecuniary obligations.
It would have I wen well if in this emergency authority had existed to issue the oonds of the government bearing a low rate of interest and maturing within a special period but tlie congress, having failed to confer such authority, r^orb was necessarily had to the resumption act of 1875, and. pursuant to its provisions, bond3 were issued drawing interest at the rata of 5 per cent per annum and maturing 10 years after their issuing, that being th«) shortest time authorized by the act. I am glad to say, however, that on the sale of thesa bonds the premium received operated to reduce the ra.a of interest to be paid by the government- to less than 3 ner cent
Fiual redemption or tne putting aside of the currency obligation now used to repr»ted!y and il- -,v the government its gold, and as long as no •/_ better authority for bond issues is allowed than at present exists, such authority will be utilized whenever and «s oftfcu a it be-
comes necessary to maintain a sufficient gold reserve and in abuudaut tiuia to save
the credit of our cous&ry aud make good the financial declarations of our government.
Questions relating to our banks and currency are cl^-'y con nested with the subject just referred to, aud they also present some unsatisfactory features.
Prominent among them are the lack of elasticity iu our currency circulation and its frequent concentration iu financial centers when it is most needed lu other pArtS of tlie country. The absolute divorce of the government from the business of banking is the ideal relationship of th* government to the circulation of the Currency of the country.
This condition oau not be rt.Vvhod ba« .* a »i.ey in 6Uut uLreotupa and as a means of securing a more elaatia currency and obviatlag ot£er objections to thb prcsbiit arrangement of bank circulation, the secretary of the treasury present! in Mr. Wiw-r* W.4.Lf.'.n* bankiug iti'.vs aud proviuuig Ior tue iiisue of circulating notes by state banks free from taxation under certain limitations.
The secretary explains his plan so
Elalnly
and its advaatag*3 are developed him with such remarkable clearness, that auy effort on my p^u-t to present argument lu its support would be superfluous I shall, therefore, content myself with an unqualified indorsement of tho secretary's proposed chauges in the law and a briuf uud imperfect statement of their prominent features.
It ii proposed to repeal all laws providing for the deposit of UuLbed States bojida as security for circulation, to rwrrait cutt'onnl basks to i«e«-» -jug exceeding in amount 76 per ce^t of their paid up tu -1 uiiiiiipalrial r-rvided they deposit with the government, a* a guarantee fund, in Uuited Statss legal uder uotes, including treasury notes of 1890, a sum equal in amount to 30 per cent of the notes they desire to issue, this deposit to be maintained at all times, but whenever aay bv.uk retires any part of its circulation a proportional part of it^ guarantee fund shall be returned to it to permit the sucretary of the treasury to prepare wild keep on haud ready for issue in case an increase in circulation is desired blank national bank notes for each bqok having circulation aad to repval the provisions of the present law imposing limitations and restrictions upoa banksdesiring to reduce or increase their circulation— thus permitting such inureitse or reduojJon within the limit of 73 per eent of capital to be quickly mad« as enlerguaoies arise. lu addition to the guarantee fund required, it is proposed to provide a safety fund for the immediate redemption of tffe circulating notes 4t£ failed haaks, by jm-
Foslng
a small annual tax. say oae-half of per cent, upon the average mreulatiijo of each bank until the faad ameaate to S per cent cf the total circulation oafcrtandin* \Vh*n a bank f.iils its guarantee faua is It paid into this safety MuU aad its i(U are to be redeemed the first instance from svich sswfaty fund thus augmented and impairment of eaah fund caused thereby to bo made good from the immediately available etua assets of said bank, and if these should be insufficient such impairment to be saada good by the banks, fag a first pea upon tne assets ei cbo isuuu haak iu favor of the contributing bauka.
As a further seoari^- it is contemplated that tne existing proVleion fixing the individual liability of stockholders to be retained, and the bank"* indebsedne.ss, on account of its circulating notes, is to be made a first lien on ail ha assets.
For the purpose of mweiipst the expense of printing uo. offioial superviuiou, cancellation and other like charges there shall be imposed a tax of say one-half of 1 per cent per annum upou the average amount of noteB in circulation. £j lt is further provided that there shall be no national bank notes issued of a ie«4 denomination than $10. xhafe each national bank, except in ea»e of a failed ixuik., shall redeem or retire its notes in the first instance at its own office or at agencies to be designated by it, that no fixed reserve need be maintained on account of deposits.
Another very important feature of this plan is the exempuon of st». i.*uks from taxation by tae Ub^fced Staw»* in cases where it is shown to the satisfaction of the secretary of the treasury aad comptroller of the currency by banks claiming such exemption that they have not bad outstanding their circulating notes exceri* of tneir and unimpaired capital that their -iviSt
ceediug 76 per 0£ii4 of their paid up and unimpaired capital: that their stockholders are individually liable for the redemption of their circulating note* to the full extent of their ownership of stock ti:atthe liability of said Isiiak-jt tnwn »ih«ir circulating uoies coiistitiltei» uniler tiieir state law a first lien upon their assets: that such banks have £»ptuad maintained it lethal a guarantee fund in United Suites' legal tender notes, Including treasury notes of 1890 equal to 80 per $a*t *C their outstanding circulating notei, and that swell baiLks have promptly Mdechiad their circuiatkig notes when presented at their principal or branch offices.
It is quite likely that this scheme may be usefully amctawp(l soma of its details, but 1 am satwledit furnishes a MW8 for a very great improvement iu our present banking and ciureaey system
I conclude this communication fully ap-
ftgislatlen
treeiating that tlie mpiii»ibility for all affeetiag Wte people of the United States rests upoa their represeota-
glad to co-operate in perfecting any legis Iatiou timt tends tt* the prosperity and welfare of ou* co»a|if.
Gsfcrm C^vbv^n©^.S#
Sxecutiva Maaslwi, Otc. 1,1884.
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