Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 December 1885 — Page 3

•n unusually large one has constrained me to faeJine to make appointments, to second Helen- . facies in the army from civil life, so that such yaeandee as exist in these places may be reserved for such graduates; and yet it is not probable that there will be enough vacancies to provide •Positions for them all when they leave the milischool. Under the prevailing law and usage, those not thus assigned to duty never actively enter the military service. It is suggested that the law on this subject be changed, so that such of these voung men as are not at once assigned to duty alter graduation may be retained as second lieutenants in the army if they desire it, subject to assignment, when opportunity occurs, under proper rules as to priority of selection. The expenditures on account of the Military Academy for the last fiscal year, exclusive of the sum “taken for its purposes from appropriations for the support of the army, were $290,712.07. The act approved March 3, 1885, designed to eompens&te officers and enlisted men for loss of Cate property while in the service of the ted States, is so indefinite in its terms, and, apparently, admits so many claims the adjustment of which could not have been contemplated, that if it is to remain on the statute book it Deeds amendment. There should be a general law of Congress prohibiting the construction of bridges over navigable waters in such manner as to obstruct navigation, with provisions for preventing the same. It seems that, under existing statutes, The government cannot intevene to prevont such construction, when entered upon without its consent; though, when such consent is asked and granted, the authority to insist upon such * condition is clear. Thus it is represented that, --While the officers of the government are, with great care, guarding against the obstruction of navigation by a bridge across the Mississippi river at St. Paul, a large pier for a bridge has been built just below this place, directly in the navigable channel of the river. If such things are to be permitted, an argument is presented against the appropriation of large sums of money to improve the navigation of this and "other important highways of commerce. THK NAVAL SERVICE. The report of the Secretary of the Navy gives 4 history of the operations of his department and the present condition of the work committed to his charge. He details in full the course pursued by him to protect the rights of the government in respect of certain vessels unfinished at the time of his accession to office, and also concerning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to be completed and awaiting the acceptance of the department. No one can fail to see, from recitals contained in this report, that only the application of business principles has been insisted upon in the treatment of these subjects, and that whatever controversy has arisen was caused by the exaction, on the part of the department, of| contract obligations as they were legally construed, la the case of the Dolphin, with entire justice to the contractor. an agreement has been entered into providing for the ascertainment,'by a judicial inquiry, of the complete or partial compliance with the contract in her construction; and further providing for the assessment of any damages to which the government may be entitled on account of a partial failure to perform such contract, or the payment of the sum still remaining unpaid upon her price, in case a full performance is adjudged. The contractor, by rea Eton of his failure in business, being unable to ' complete the other three vessels, they were taken possession of by the government in their . unfinished state, under a clause in the contract permitting such a course, and are now in process of completion in tne yard of the contractor, but under the supervision of the Navy Department.

, Congress, at its last session, authorized the construction of two additional new cruisers and ► two gun boats, at a cost not exceeding, in tbe aggregate, $2,995,000. The appropriation for this purpose having become available on the first .day of July last, steps were at once taken for the procurement of such plans for the construction of those vessels as would be likely to insure their usefulness when completed. These are of the utmost importance, considering the constant advance in the art of building vessels of this character, and the time is not lost which is spent' *in their careful consideration and selection. All must admit the importance of an effective navy to a nation like ours, having such an extended seacoast to protect, and yet we have ’not a single vessel of war that could keep the ’seas against a first-class vessel ot any important power. Such a condition ought not longer to continue. The nation that cannot resist aggression is constantly exposed to it; its foreign policy is of necesssity weak, and .its negotiations are conducted with disadvantage because it is not in a condition to enforce the terms dictated by its own sense of right and justice. Inspired, as I am, by the hope shared by all patriotic citizens, that the day is not far distant •when our navy will be such as befits our standing among the nations of the earth, and rejoiced y at every step that leads in the direction of such a consummation, I deem it my duty to especially r direct the attention of Congress to the close of the report of the Secretary of the Navy, in which the humiliating weakness of the present organization of this department is exhibited, * and the startling abuses and waste of its present methods are exposed. The conviction is forced t upon us with the certainty of mathematical demonstration that before we proceed further in the restoration of a navy we need D’thoroughly reorganized Navy Department. The fact that within seventeeu years more than $75,000,000 have been spent in construction, repair, equipment, and armament of vessels, and -Ihe further fact that, instead of an effective and creditable fleet, we have only the discontent and apprehension of a nation undefended by war ves- • sels, added to tl e disclosures now made, do not permit us to doubt that every attempt to revive our navy lias thus far, for the most part, been misdirected, and all our efforts in that direction have been little better than blind gropings and expensive, aimless follies. Unquestionably, if we are content with the maintenance of a navy department sirupiy as a shabby ornament to the _ government, a constant watchfulness may prevent some of the scandal and abuse which have found their way into our present organization, and its incurable waste may be reduced to the minimum; but if we desire to build ships for present usefulness, instead of naval reminders of the days that are past, we must have a de- ► parturient organized for the work, supplied with | all the talent and ingenuity our country •affords, prepared to take advantage of the experience ot other nations, systematized so that all effort shall unite and lead in one direction, and, fully imbued with the conviction that warvessels, though new, are useless unless they combine all that the ingenuity or man has up to this -day brought forth relating to their construction, I earnestly commend the portion of the Secre- \ tary’s report devoted to this subject to the action [ of Congress, in the hope that his suggestions touching the reorganization of his department may be adopted as the first step toward the reconstruction of our navy.

The Indian Question. A The report of the Secretary of the Intwmr, 4 containing an account of the operations of this important department, and much interesting in- > formation will bo submitted for your considersj tion. The most intricate and difficult subject in charge of this department is the treatment and management of the Indians. lam satisfied that •some progress may be noted in their condition, M a result of a prudent administration of the present laws and regulations for their control: but it is submitted that there is lack of a fixed purpose or policy on this subject, which should be Supplied. It is useless to dilate upon the wrongs # of the Indians, and as useless to indulge in tne v heartless belief that, because their wrongs are . revenged in their owu atrocious manner, therefore they should be exterminated. They are within the care of our government, and their rights are, or should be, protected from invasion * by the most solemn obligations. They are K properly enough called the wards of the government, and it should be borne in min 1 that this guardianship involves, on our part, efforts for the improvement of their condition and „ the enforcement of their rights. There aeems to be general concurrence in the proposition that the ultimate object of their treatment should be their civilization and citisenship. Fitted by these to keen pace in the l march of progress with the advanced civilization * about them, they will readily assimilate with of our population, assuming the responsibilities and receiving the protection incident

to this condition. The difficulty appears to be in the selection of tbe means to be at present employed toward the attainment of this result. Our Indian population, exclusive of those in Alaska, is reported as numbering 260,000, □early all being located on lands set apart for their use and occupation, aggregating over one hundred and thirty-four millions of acres. These lands are included in the boundaries of one hundred and seventy-one reservations of different dimensions, scattered in twenty-one States and Territories, presenting great variations in climate and in the kind aud quality of their soils Among the Indians upon these several reservations there exist the most marked differences in natural traits and disposition, and in their progress toward civilization. While some are lazy, vicious and stupid, others are industrious, peaceful and intelligent; while a portion of them are self-supporting and independent, and have so far advanced in civilization that they make their own laws, administered through officers of their own choice, and educate their children in schools of their own establishment and maintenance, others still retain, in squalor and dependence, almost the savagery of their natural state. In dealing with this question the desires manifested by the Indians should not be ignored. Here again we find a great diversity. With some the tribal relation is cherished with the utmost tenacity, while its hold upon others is considerably relaxed. The love of home is strong with all, yet there are those whose attachment to a particular locality is by no means unyielding. The ownership of their lands in severalty is much desired by some, while by others, and sometimes, again, the most civilized, such a distribution would be bitterly opposed. The variation of their wants, growing out of and connected with the character of their several locations, should be regarded. Some are upon reservations most fit for grazing, but without flocks or herds, and some, on arable land, have no agricultural implements; while some of the reservations are double the size necessary to maintain the number of Indians now upon them. In a few cases, perhaps, they should be enlarged. Add to all this the difference in the administration of the agencies, while the same duties are devolved upon all, the disposition of the agents and the manner of their contact with the Indians have much to do with their condition and welfare. The agent who perfunctorily performs his duty and slothfully neglects all opportunity to advance their moral and physical improvement, and fails to inspire them with a desire for better things, will accomplish nothing in the direction of their civilization, while he who feels the burden of an important trust and has an interest in his work will, by consistent example, firm yet considerate treatment, and well-di-rected aid and encouragement, constantly lead those under his charge toward the light of their enfranchisement The history of all the progress which has been made in civilization of the Indian, I think, will disclose the fact that the beginning has been religious teaching, followed by or accompanying secular education. While the self-sacrificing and pious men and women who have aided in this good work by their independent endeavor have for their reward the beneficient results of their labor, and the consciousness of Christian duty well performed, their valuable services should be fully acknowledged by all who, nnder the law, are charged with the control aqji management of our Indian wards. What has been said indicates that, in the present condition of the Indians, no attempt should be made to apply a fixed and unyielding plan of action to their varied and varying needs and circumstances. The Indian Bureau, burdened as it is with their general oversight, and with the details of the establishment, can hardly possess itself of the minute particulars of cases needing treatment, and thus the propriety of creating an instrumentality auxiliary to those already established for the care of the Indians suggests itself. I recommend the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of six commissioners, three of whom shall be detailed from the army, to be charged with the duty of a careful inspection, from time to time, of all the Indians upon our reservations or subject to the care and con* trol of the government, with a view of discoveries their exaet condition and needs, and determing what steps shall be taken on behalf of the government to improve their situation in the direction of their self-support and- complete civilization; that they ascertain from such inspection what, if any. of the reservations may be reduced in area, and in such cases, what part not needed for Indian occupation may be purchased by the government from the Indians and disposed of for their benefit; what, if any, Indians may, with their consent, be removed to other reservations, with a view of their concentration; what Indian lands now held in common should be allotted in severalty; in what manner, and to what extent the Indians upon the reservations can be placed under the protection of our laws and subjected to their penal, ties, and which, if any, Indians should be invested with rights of citizenship. The powers *and functions of the commissioners in regard to these subjects should be clearly defined, though they should, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior, be given all the authority to deal definitely with the questions presented deemed safe and consistent. They should be also charged with the duty of ascertaining the Indians who might properly be furnished with implements of agricultture, and of what kind; in what cases the support of the government should be withdrawn; where the present plan of distributing Indian supplies should be changed; where schools may be established, and where discontinued; the conduct, methods and fitness of agents in charge of reservations; the extent to which such reservations are occupied or intruded upon by unauthorized persons, and, . generally, all matters related to the welfare and improvement of the Indians. They should advise with the Secretary of the Interior concerning these matters of detail in management, and he should be given power to deal with them fully, if he is not now invested with such power. This plan contemplates the selection of persons for commissioners who are interested in the Indian question, and who have practical ideas on the subject of their treatment. The expense of the Indian -Bureau during the last fiscal year was more than six and a half million dollars. I believe much of this expenditure may be saved under the plan proposed, as its economical effects would be increased with its continuance; that the safety of our frontier settlers would be subserved under its operations, and that the Nation would be saved, through its results, from the imputation of inhumanity, injustice aud mismanagement. In" order to carry out the policy of allotment of Indian lands in Beveralty, when deemed expedient, it will be necessary to have surveys completed or the reservations, and I hope that provision will be made for the prosecution of this work. In May of the present year a small portion of the Chiricahua Apaches, on the White Mountain reservation, in Arizona, left the reservation and committed a number of murders and depredations upon settlers in that neighborhood. Though prompt and energetic action was taken by the military, the renegades eluded capture and escaped into Mexico. The formation of the country through which they passed, their thorough acquaintance with the same, the speed of their escape, and the manner in which they scattered and concealed themselves amone the mountains near the scene of their outrages, put our soldiers at a great disadvantage in their efforts to capture them, though the expectation is still entertained that they will be ultimately taken and punished for their crimes. The threatening and disorderly conduct of the Cheyennes, of the Indian Territory, early last summer, caused considerable alarm and uneasiness. Investigation - proved that their threatening attitude was due, in a great measure, to the occupation of the land of their reservation by immense herds of cattle, which their owners claimed were rightfully there, under certain leases made by the Indians. Such occupation appearing, upon examination, to be unlawful, notwithstanding these leases, the intruders were ordered to remove, with their cattle, from the lands of the Indians by executive proclamation. The enforcement of this proclamation had the effect of restoring peace and order among the Indiana, and they are now quiet and well-behaved. By an executive order issued on Peb. 27, 1885, by my predecessor, a portion of the tract of country on the territory known as the old Winnebago and Crow Creek reservation. wa3 directed to be restored to the public donfain and opened to settlement under the laud laws of the United States, and a laree number of persons entered upon these lands. This action alarmed the Sioux Indians, who claimed the territory as belonging to their reservation under the treaty of 1868. This claim was determined, after careful investigation, to be well founded, and consequently the executive order referred to was, by proclamation of April 17, 1885, declared

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1885.

to be inoperative and of no effect, and all persons upon the lands were warned to leave. This warning has been substantially complied with. The Polygamous Mormons. In the Territory of Utah, the law of the United States passed for the suppression of polygamy has been energetically and faithfully executed during the past year, with measureably good results. A cumber of convictions have been secured for unlawful cohabitation, and in some cases pleas of guilty have been entered and slight punishment imposed, upon promise by tbe accused that they would not again offend against the law. nor advise, counsel, aid or abet, in any way, its violation Dy others. The Utah Commissioners express the opinion, based upon such information as they are able to obtain, that but few polygamous marriages have taken place in the Territory during the last year. They further report that, while there can not be found upon the registration lists of voters the name of a man actually guilty of polygamy, and while none of that class are holding office, yet at the last election in the Territory all the officers elected, except in one county, wore men who, though not actually living in the practice of polygamy, subscribe to the doctrine that a revelation is a law unto all, higher and more binding upon the conscience than any human iaw, local or natural. Thus is the strange spectacle presented of a community protected by a republican form of government, to which they owe allegiance, sustaining, by their suffrages, a principle and a belief which sets at naught that obligation of absolute obedience to the law of the land which lies at the foundation of republican institutions. The strength, the perpetuity and the destiny of the Nation rests upon our homes, established by the law of God, guarded by parental care, regulated by parental -authority, and sanctified by parental love. These are not the homes of polygamy. The mothers of our land, who rule the Nation as as they mold the characters and guide the actions of their sons, live according to God’s holy ordinances, and each, secure and happy in the exclusive love of the father of her children, sheds the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted, upon all within her pure and wholesome family circle. These are not the. cheerless, crushed and unwomanly mothers of polygamy. The fathers of our families are the best citizeus of the Republic; wife and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental affection beget devotion to country. The man who, undefiled with plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife and children, has a stake in the country which inspires him with respect for its laws and courage for its defense. These are uot the fathers of polygamous families. There is no feature of this practice, or of the system which sanctions it, which is not opposed to all that is of value in our institutions. There should be no relaxation in the firm but just execution of the law now in operation, and I should be glad to approve such further discreet legislation as will rid the country of this blot upon its fair fame. Since the people upholding polygamy in our Territories are reinforced by immigration from other lands. I recommend that a law be passed to prevent the importation of Mormons into the country.

Tbe Public Lands. The public domain had its origin in cessions of land by the States to the general government. The first cession was made by the State of New York, and the largest, which in area exceeded all the others, by the State of Virginia. The territory, the propietorship of which became thus vested in the general government, extended from the western line of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi river. These patriotic donations of the States were incumbered with no condition, except that they should be held and used “for the common benefit of the United States.” By purchase with the common fund of all the people, additions were made to this domain until it extended to the northern line of Mexico, the Pacific ocean and the Polar sea. The original trust, “for the commou benefit of the United States,” attached to all. In the execution of that trust the policy of many homes, rather than large estates, was adopted by the government. That these might be easily obtained, and be the abode of security and contentment, the laws for their acquisition were few, easily understood, and general in their character. But the pressure of local interests, combined with a speculative spirit, have, in many instances, procured the passage of laws which marred the harmony of the general plau and encumbered the system with a multitude of general and special enactments, which render the land laws complicated, subject tbe titles to uncertainty and the purchasers often to oppression and wrong. Laws which were intended for the “common benefit” have been perverted, so that large quantities of land are vesting in single ownerships. From the multitude and character of the laws this consequence seems incapable of correction by mere administration. It is not for the common benefit of tho United States that a large area of the public lands should be acquired, directly or through fraud, in the hands of a single individual. The Nation’s strength is in the people. The Nation’s prosperity is in their prosperity. The Nation’s glory is in the equality of her justice. The Nation’s perpetuity is in tho patriotism of all her people. Hence, as far as practicable, the plan adopted in disposal of public lands should have in view the original policy, which encouraged many purchasers of these lands for homes and discouraged the massing of largo areas. Exclusive of Alaska, about three-fifths of the national domain has been sold or subjected to contract or grant. Os the remaining two fifths, a considerable portion is either mountain or desert A rapidly-increasing population creates a growing demand for homes, and the accumulation of wealth inspires an eaeer competition to obtain the public lands for speculative purposes. In the future this collision of interests will be more marked than in the past, and thr- c-ecution of the Nation’s trust in behalf of our settlers will be more difficult. I therefore commend to your attention recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary of the Interior with reference to the repeal and modification of certain of our land laws. The Nation has made princely grants and subsi dies to a system of railroads projected as great national highways to connect the Pacific States with the East. It has been charged that these donations from the people have been diverted to private gain and corrupt uses, and thus public indignation has been aroused and suspicion engendered. Our great Nation does not begrudge its generosity, but it abhors peculation and fraud, and the favorable regard of our people for the great corporations to which these grants were made can only be revived by a restoration of confidence, to be secured by their constant, unequivocal and clearly-manifested integrity. A faithful application of the undiminished proceeds of the grants to the construction and perfection of their roads, an honest discharge of their obligations, and en tire justice to all the people in the enjoyment of their rights on these highways of travel, is all the public asks, and it will be content with no less. To secure these things should be the common purpose of theofficersof the government, as well as of the corporations. With this accomplished, prosperity would be permanently secured to the roads, and national pride would take the place of national complaint. The Pofttoffice Department. The affairs of the postal service are exhibited by the report of the Postmaster-general, which will be laid before you. The postal revenue, whose ratio of gain upon the rising prosperity of 1882 and 1883 outstripped the increasing expenses of our growing service, was checked by the reduction in the rate of letter postage which took effect with the beginning of October in the latter year, and it diminished during the two past fiscal years $2,790,000, in about the proportion of $2,270,000 in 1884, to $520,000 in 18S5. Natural growth and development have, meantime. increased the expenditure, resulting in a deficiency in the revenue to meet the expenses of the department, of $5,250,000 for the year 1884, and $8,300,000 in the last fiscal year. The anticipated and natural revival of the revenue has been oppressed and retarded by the unfavorable business condition of the country, of which the postal service is a faithful indicator. The gratifyine fact is shown, however, by the report, that our returning proeperity is marked by a gain of $380,000 in the revenue of the latter half of the last year over the corresponding period of the preceding year. The change in the weight of first-class matter which may be carried for a single rate of postage, from a half ounce to an ounce, and the

redaction by one-half of the rate of newspaper postage, which, under recent legislation, began with the current year, will operate to restrain the augmentation of receipts which otherwise might have been expected, to such a degree that the scale of expense may gaiixunon the revenue aud cause an increased deficiency to be shown at its close. Yet, after no long period of reawakened prosperity, by proper'bconomy, it is confidently anticipated that even the present low rates, now as favorable as any country affords, will be adequate to sustain the cost of the service. The operation of the Postoffice Department is for the convenience and benefit of the people, and the method by whiah they pay the charges of this useful arm of their public service, so that it be just and impartial, is of less importance to them than the economical expenditure of the means they provide for its maintenance and the due improvement of its agencies, so that they may enjoy its highest usefulness. Proper attention has been directed to the prevention of waste or extravagance, and good results appear from the report to have already been accomplished. I approve the recommendation of the Post-master-general to reduce the charges on domes tic money-orders of $5 and less from eight to five cents. This change will materially aid those of our people who, most of all, avail themselves of this instrumentality, but to whom the element of cheapness is of the greatest importance. With this reduction, the system would still remain self-supporting. The free-delivery system has been extended to nineteen additional cities during the year, and 178 now enjoy its conveniences. Experience has commended it to those who enjoy its benefits, and further enlargement of its facilities is due to other communities to which it is adapted. In the cities where it has been established, taken altogether, the local postage exceeds its maintenance by nearly $1,300,000. The limit to which this system is now confined by law has been nearly reached, and the reasons given justify its extension, which is proposed. It was decided, with my approbation, after a sufficient examination, to be expedient for the Postoffice Department to contract for carrying our foreign mails under the additional authority given by the last Congress. The amount limited was inadequate to pay ail within tho purview of the law the full rate of fifty cents per mile, and it would have been unjust and unwise to have given it to some and denied it to others; nor could contracts have been let, under the law, to all, at a rate to have brought the aggregate within the appropriation, without such practical prearrangement of terms as would have violated it. The rate of sea and inland postage, which was proffered under another statute, clearly appears to be a fair compensation for the desired service, being three times tho price necessary to secure transporta tion by other vessels upon any route, and much beyond the charges made to private persons for services not less burdensome. Some of the steamship communes, upon the refusal of the Postmaster general to attempt, by the means provided, the distribution of the sum appropriated as an extra compensation, withdrew the services of their vessels, and theroby occasioned slight inconvenience, though no considerable injury. The mails have been dispatched by other means. Whatever may be thought of the policy of subsidizing any line of public conveyance or travel, I am satisfied that it should not be done under cover of expenditure incident to the administration of a department, nor should there bo any uncertainty as to the recipients of tho subsidy, or any discretion left to an executive officer as to its distribution. If such gifts of public money are to be made for the purposo of aiding any enterprise in the supposed interest of the public, I cannot but think that the amount to be paid and the beneficiary mieht better be determined by Congress than in any other way. The international congress of delegates from the postal union countries convened at Lisbon, in Portugal, in February last, and, after a session of some weeks, the delegates signed a convention amendatory of the present postal union convention, in some particulars designed to advance its purposes. This additional act has bad my approval, and will be laid before you with the departmental report. I approve the recommendation of the Post-master-general, that another assistant be provided for his department. I invito your consideration to the several other recommendations contained in his report.

The JnlWßUfr-y—American Citizenship. The report of the Attorney-general contains a history of tbe conduct of the Department of Justice, during the last year, and a number of valuable suggestions as to needed legislation, and I invite your careful attention to the same. The condition of business in the courts of the United States is such that there seems to be an imperative necessity for remedial legislation on the subject. Some of these courts are so overburdened with pending causes that the delays in determining litigation amount often to a denial of justice. Among the plans suggested for relief is one submitted by the Attorney-general. Its main feature's are the transfer of all the original jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts to the District Courts, and an increase of judges for the latter where necessary; an addition of judges to the Circuit Courts, and constituting them exclusively courts of appeal, and reasonably limiting appeals thereto; further restricting tbe right to remove causes from State to federal courts, permitting appeals to the Supreme Court from the courts of the District of Columbia and the Territories only in the same cases as they are allowed from State courts, and guarding against an unnecessary number of appeals from the Circuit Courts. 1 approve the plan thus outlined, and recommend legislation necessary for its application to our judicial system. The present mode of compensating United States marshals and district attorneys should, in my opinion, be changed. They are allowed to charge against the government certain fees for services, their income being increased by the amount of such fees, within a fixed limit as to their annual aggregate. This is a direct induce ment for them to make their fees in criminal cases as large as possible, in an effort to reach the maximum sum permitted. As an entirely natural consequence, unscrupulous marshals are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions, arresting people on petty charges of crime, and transporting them to distant places for examination and trial, for tho purpose of earning mileage and other fees; and district attorneys uselessly attend criminal examinations, far from their places of residence, for the express purpose of swelling their accounts against the government Actual expenses incurred in these transactions are also charged against tbe government Thus the rights and freedom of our citizens are outraged, and public expenditures increased, for the purpose of furnishing public officers a pretext for increasing the amount of their compensation. I think marshals and district attorneys should be paid salaries, adjusted by a rule which will make them commensurate with services fairiy rendered. In connection with this subject, I desire to suggest the advisability, if it be found not obnoxious to constitutional objection, of investing United States commissioners with the power to try and determine certain violations of law within the grade of misdemeanors. Such trials might be made to depend upon the option of the accused. The multiplication of small and technical offenses, especially under the provisions of our internal revenue law, render some change in our present system very desirable in the interests of humanity as well as economy. The District Courts are now crowded with petty prosecutions, involving a punishment in cases of conviction, of only a slight fine, while the parties accused are harassed by an enforced attendance upon courts held hundreds of miles from their homes. If poor and friendless, they are obliged to remain iu jail during months, perhaps, that elapse before a session of the court is held, and are finally brought to trial surrounded by strangers, with but little opportunity for defense. In the meantime, frequently, the marshal has charged against the government his fees for an arrest, the transportation of the accused and the expense of the same, and for summoning witnesses before a commissioner, a grand jury and a coart. The witnesses have been paid from the public funds large fees and traveling axpenses, and the commissioner and district attorney have also made their charges against the government. This abuse in the administration of our criminal law should be remedied, and, if the plan above suggested is not practicable, some other should bo devised.

The inadequacy of existing legislation touching citizenship aD<l naturalization demands your consideration. While recognizing the right of expatriation, no statutory provision existß providing means for renouncing citizenship by an American citizen, native born or naturalized,

nor for terminating and vacating an improper acquisition of citizenship; even a fraudulent decree of naturalization cannot now be canceled. The privilege of franchise of American citizenship should be granted with care, and extended to those only who intend, in good faith, to assume its duties and responsibilities, after attaining its privileges and benefits. It should be withheld from those who merely go through the forms of naturalization, with the intent of escaping the duties of their original allegiance without taking upon themselves those of their new status, or who may acquire the rights of American citizenship for no other than a hostile purpose towards their original government. Theso evils have had many flagrant illustrations. I regard with favor the suggestion put forth by one of my predecessors, that provision may be made for a central bureau of record of the decrees of naturalization granted by the various courts throughout the United States now invested with that power. The rights which spring from domicile in the United States, especially when coupled with a declaration of intention to become a citizen, are worthy of definition by statute. The stranger coming hither with intent to remain, establishing his residence in our midst, contributing to the general welfare, and by his voluntary act declaring his purpose to assume the responsibilities of citizenship, thereby gains an inchoate status which legislation may properly define. The laws of certaia States and Territories admit a domiciled alien to the local franchise, conferring on him the rights of citizenship to a degree which places him in the anomalous position of being a citizen of a State, and yet not of the United States, within the purview of federal and international law. It is important, within the scope of national legislation, to define this right of alien domicile as distinguished from federal naturalization.

Miscellaneous. THE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU. The agricultural interest of the country demands just recognition and liberal encouragement. it sustains with certainty and unfailing strength our Nation’s prosperity by the products of its steady toil, and boars its fuli share of the burden of taxation without complaint. Our agriculturists have but slight personal representation in the councils of the Nation, and are generally content with the humbler duties of citizenship, and willing to trust to the bounty of nature for a reward of their labor. But the magnitude and value of this industry is appreciated when the statement is made that of our total annual exports more than threefourths are the products of agriculture, and of our total population nearly one-half are exclusively engaged in that occupation. The Department of Agriculture was created for tho purpose of acquiring and dilfusing among the people useful information respecting the subjects it has in charge, and aiding in the cause of intelligent and progressive farming by the collection of statistics, by testing the value and usefulness of new seeds and plants, and distributing such as are found desirable among agriculturists. This and other powers and unties with which this department is invested, are of the utmost itnporance. and if wisely exercised must be of great benefit to the country. The aim of our beneficent government is the improvement of the people in every station, and the amelioration of their condition. Surely our agriculturists should not be neglected. The instrumentality established in aid of the farmers of the land should not only be well equipped for the accomplishment of its purposes, but those for whose benefit it lias been adopted should be encouraged to avail themselves fuliy of its advantages. The prohibition of the importation into several countries of certain of our animals and their products, based upon the suspicion that health is endangered in their use and consumption, suggests the importance of such precautions for the protection of our stock of all kinds against diseases, as will disarm suspicion of danger and cause the removal of such an injurious prohibition. If the laws now in operation are insufficient to accomplish this protection, I recommend their amendment to meet the necessities of the situation, and I commend to the consideration of Congress the suggestions contained in the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture, calculated to increase the value and efficiency of this depart ment. PENSIONS. It appears from the report of the Commissioner of Pensions that there were on the let day of July, 1835, 345,125 persons borne upon the pension rolls, who were classified as follows: Army invalids, 241,450; widows, minor children and dependent relatives of deceased soldiers, 78.841; navy invalids, 2,745; navy widows, minor children and dependents, 1,920; survivors of the war of 1812, 295, and widows of those who served in that war, 17,212. About one man in ten of all those who enlisted in the late war are reported as receiving pensions, exclu sive of the dependents of deceased soldiers. On the Ist of July, 1875, the number of pensioners was 234,821, and the increase within the ten years next thereafter was 110,304. While there is no expenditure of the public funds which the people more cheerfully approve than that made in recognition of the services of our soldiers, living and dead, the sentiment underlying the subject should not be vitiated by tho introduction of any fraudulent practices. Therefore, it is fully as important that the rolls should be cleansed of all those who, by fraud, have secured a place thereon, as that meritorious claims should be speedily examined and adjusted. Tho reforms in the methods of doing the business of this bureau which have lately been inaugurated promise better results in both these directions.

PATENT OFFICE. The operations of the Patent Office demonstrate the activity of the inventive genius of the country. For the year ending Juno 30, 1881), the applications for patents, including reissues, and for the registration of trade-marks and labels, numbered 35.058. During the same period there were 22,928 patents granted and reissued, and 1,429 trade marks and labels registered. The number of patents issued in the year 1885 was 14,387. The receipts during the last fiscal year were $1,074,974.35, and the total expenditures, not including contingent expenses, $934,123 11. There were 9.788 applications for patents pending on the first day of July, 1884, and 5,780 on the same date in the year 1885. There has been considerable improvement made in the prompt determination of applications, and a consequent relief to expectant inventors. A number of suggestions and recom-' mendations are contained in the report of the Commissioner of Patents, which are well entitled to the consideration of Congress. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY. The work of the coivst and geodetic survey was, during the last fiscal year, carried on within the boundaries and oif the coast of thirty-two States, two Territories and the District of Columbia. In July last certain irregularities were found to exist in the management of this bureau, which led to a prompt investigation of its methods. The abuses which were brought to light by this examination, and the reckless disregard of duty and the interests of the government developed on the part of some of those connected with the service, made a change of superintendency and a few of its other officers necessary. Since the bureau has been in new hands an introduction of economies and application of business methods have produced an important saving to the government, and a promise of more useful results. This service has never been regulated by anything but the most indefinite legal enactments and the most unsatisfactory rules, It was, many years ago, sanctioned, apparently for a purpose regarded as temporary, and related to a survey of our coast Having gained a place in the appropriations made by Congress, it has gradually taken to itself powers and objects not contemplated in its creation, and extended its operations until it sadly needs legislative attention. So far as a further survey of our coast is concerned, there seems to be a propriety in transferring that work to the Navy Department The other duties now in charge of this establishment, if they cannot be profitably attached to some existing department or other bureau, should be prosecuted under a law exactly defining their scope and purpose, and with a careful discrimination between the scientific inquiries which may properly be assumed by the government, and those which should be undertaken by State authority or by individual enterprise. It is hoped that the report of the congressional committee heretofore appointed to investigate

this and other like matters will aid in the accomplishment of proper legislation on this subject LIFE-SAVING SERVICE. The most gratifying Results have attended the operations of the Life-saving Service during the last fiscal year. The observance of the provision of law requiring the appointment of the force employed in the service to be made “solely with reference to their fitness, and without reference to their political or party affiliation,” has secured the result which may confidently bo expected in any branch of public employment where such a rule is applied. Asa consequence, this service is composed of men well qualified for the performance of their dangerous and exceptionally important dnties. The number of stations in commission at the close of the year was 203. Tho number of disasters to vessels and craft of all kind within their field of action was 371. The number of persons endangered in such disasters was 2,439, of whom 2,428 were saved, and only eleven lost Other lives which were imperiled,- though not by disasters to shipping, were also rescued, and a large amount of property was saved through the aid of this service. The cost of its maintenance during the year was $828,474.43. . CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. It is a source of considerable and not unnatural discontent that no adequate provision has yet been made for accommodating the principal library of the government. Os the vast collection of books and pamphlets gathered at tho Capitol, numbering some seven hundred thousand, exclusive of manuscripts, maps, and the products of the graphic arts, also of great volume and value, only about three hundred thousand volumes, or less than half the collection, are provided with shelf room; tho others, which are increasing at the rate of from 25.000 to 30,000 volumes a year, are not only inaccessible to the public, but are subject to serious damage and deterioration from other causes in their present situation. A consideration of the fact that the library of the Capitol has twice been destroyed or damaged by fire; its daily increasing value, and its importance as a place of deposit of books under the law relating to copyright, make manifest the necessity of prompt action to insure its proper accommodation and protection. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. My attention has been called to a controversy which has arisen from the coudition of the law relating to railroad facilities in the city of Wasli> ington, which has involved the Commissioners of the District in much annoyance and trouble. I hope the difficulty will be promptly settled by appropriate legislation. The Commissioners represent that enough of the revenues of thß District are now on deposit in the Treasury of tho United States to repay the sum advanced by the government for sewer improvements under the act of June 30, 1884. They desire now an advance of the share which ultimately should be borne by the District of the cost of extensive improvements to the streets of the city. The total expense of these contemplated improvements is estimated at $1,000,000, and they are of the opinion that a considerable sum could be saved if they had the money in hand, so that contracts for tho whole work could be made at the same time. They express confidence that if the advance asked for should be made, the government would be reimbuised the same within a reasonable time. I have no doubt that these improvements could be made much cheaper if undertaken together and prosecuted according to a general plan. The license law now in force within the District is deficient ana uncertain in some of its •provisions, and ought to be amended. The Commissioners urge, with good reason, the necessity of providing a building for the use of tho District government, which shall better secure the safety and preservation of its valuable books and records. MINOR MATTERS. Under section 3G59 of the itevised Statutes all funds held in trust by tho United States, and the annual interest accruing thereon, when not otherwise required by treaty, are to be invested In stocks, of the United States bearing a rate of interest not less than 5 per centum per annum. There being no procurable stocks bearing so high a rate of interest, the letter of the statute is at present inapplicable, but its spirit is subserved by continuing to make investments of this nature in current stocks bearing the highest interest now paid. The statute, however, makes no provision for the disposal of such accretion. It being contrary to the general rule of this government to allow interest on claims, I recommend the repeal of the provision in question and the disposition, under a uniform rule, of the present accumulations from investment of trust funds.

Past Congresses have had under consideration the advisability of abolishing the discrimination made by the tariff laws in favor of the works of American artists. The odium of the policy which subjects to a high rate of duty the paintings of foreiern artists, and exempts the productions of American artists residing abroad, and who receive, gratuitously, advantages and instruction, is visited upon our citizens engaged in art culture in Europe, and has caused them, with practical unanimity, to favor the abolition of such an ungracious distinction, and in their interest, and for other obvious reasons, I strongly recommend it. The Bteamboat inspection service, on the 30th day of June. 1885, was composed of 140 persons, including officers, clerks and messengers. The expenses of the service over the receipts were $138,822.22 during the fiscal year. The special inspection of foreign steam vessels, organized under the law passed in 1882, was maintained during the year at an expense of $36,641.63. Since the close of the fiscal year reductions have been made in the force employed which will result in a saving, during the current year, of $17,000, without affecting the efficiency of the service. The supervising Surgeon-general reports that during the fiscal year 41,714 patients have received relief through the Marine Hospital Service, of whom 12,803 were treated in hospitals and 28,911 at dispensaries. Active and effective efforts have been mado, through the medium of this service, to protect the country against an invasion of cholera, which has prevailed in Spain and France, and the smallpox, which recently broke out in Canada. The world’s industrial exposition, held at New Orleans last winter, with the assistance of the federal government, attracted a largo number of foreign exhibits, and proved of great value in spreading among the concourse of visitors from Mexico and Central and South America a wider knowledge of the various manufacturers and productions of this country, and their availability in exchange for the productions of those regions. PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION—CONCLUSION. The present condition of the law relating to the succession to the presidenev, in the event of the death, disability or removal of both the President and Vice president, is such as to require immediate amendment. This subject has repeatedly been considered by Congress, but no result has been reached. The recent lamentable death of the Vice president, and the vacancies at the same time in all other offices the incumbents of which might immediately exercise the functions of the presidential office, has caused public anxiety and a just demand that a recurrence of such a condition of affairs should not be permitted. In conclusion, I commend to the wise care and thoughtful attention of Congress the needs, the welfare and the aspirations of an intelligent and generous Nation. To subordinate these to the narrow advantages of partisanship or the accomplishment of selfish aims is to violate the people’s trust and betray the people's interests. Hut an individual sense of responsibility on the part of each of us, and a stern determination to perform our duty well, must give us place among those who have added, in their day and generation, to the glory and prosperity of our beloved land. Grover Cleveland. Washington, Dec. 8, 1885. A. W. Tompkins, M. D., 177 Clinton Place, New York, writes, June 2, 1883: “In many of those lusidious diseases of the brain and spinal cord, where local stimulation must be obtained, and where liniments, blisters and various applications fail, marked relief from pain can be obtained and the patient greatly benefited by placing strips of Allcoek’s Porous Plasters over thespinal cord, from base of brain to end of spine. In all cases of spinal irritation, weakness er nervous prostration, 1 recommend AUcoclt's Porous Plasters.’*

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