Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 28, Number 50, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 December 1880 — Page 1

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TOL. XXYIIL NO. 50. TUE MESSAGE.

Mr. Hayes Makes Ills List KejjuLir Talk to Congress. II Discusses All Questions PubliC Importance. Of The Secretary of the Treasury Makes His Annual Report. xi : tt i i 1 o and Estimates as to Future Expenditures. Annual Message of tli President of the United States, to the Two Houses of Con Kress, at the Court nienrement of the Third Sesaion of the Forty-Sixth Congrress. I :i i.i.ow-ctizf.ns of the Sknate and Hoi ok Rkprksf.statives: I congratulate you en the continued and increasing prosperity of oar country. By the favor of Divine Irovidence we have been blessed, during the past rear, with health, with abundant harvests, with profitable employment ior all our leopIe. and with contentment at home, and with peace and friendship with other Nations. The occurrence of the twenty-fourth election of Chief Marktrate has afforded auntheropiavrtunity li the people of the United States to exhibit to the world a significant example of the peaceful and safe transmission of the power and authority of Government from the public servants who. terms of office are about to expire. 4o their newlychosen successors. This example can not fail to impress profoundly, thoughtful people of other countries with theadvantages winch Itei'ul.lican intitutions att'ord. The immediate, general and cheerful acquiescence of all kin1 citizens in the result of tlie election give trntif yin assurance t4) our country, atid to its friends throinthotit the worM. that a Government ba-sed 01 the free consent of an intelligent and patriotic people nos.scses dements of htren;th. nubility, a!d p niaiier.cy nt found in any other form of Government. Continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship, conferred upon the colop.sl fH.'oj)le bv the mtnt ameiidments to the ( on.stitution, stiil prevails in several of the late slave holding States. It lias, jx-rhaps, not leen nianii'estel iu the rwcut election to any Uree extent in acts of iolcnce or inthnidatlon". It has. however, by fraudulent practices in "ontiecti.m w ith the ballots, with the regulations as to the places and manner of voting, and with "utmtinjr. retuniinsi. and canva'-siiiK the votes cast, U'cn successful in defeatini: the exercise of the riiflit preervaive tf all riirlits. the riIit 0 sutfruRe. w hich the Constitution expressly confers njswi our enfranchised citizens. It Is the desire of the kihmI people of the w Iiolc country that sectionalism as a factor in onr oli-ti-s shouM o"iappejir. They prefer that no section of the country should be united in solid pxsitioti to any other wction. The disjiosition to refuse a prorc. jt and hearty oliedience to the eual risrhts amoniinienta to tlie Constitution, is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of sectional lines in our jKilitical contests. As long a either of thsf amendments is tliit;riitly violated or disregarded, it is safe 10 assume tliat the spl- who plat-d them in the f on-titution. us emlsMlyin the legitimate resulw of the war ior the L"ni"n, and w ho Uicc them to be w ivc and necessary, will continue to act together, a-.id t insi.-t that ihev shall be oieyet. The paramount question still is, as to theenjoyTient of the rieht by every American ritien who has the rejuiite qualitieatioiis, to fnt-lycast his vote and to have it honestly countcl. ith thfcs uesli(;ti rightly settled, the country witl be nlievcil of the tontcuiioiis of the past: l'ysones will inbel le bysones; and jMilitical and party issues with it H-ot (t rennnmy and efficiency f nimiilistrutiou. internal improvements, the taritt'. doracti, taxation, education, finance, and other important su!je-u. will then recieve their full i"hre of nitentton; but resistance to niul niiüitlcalion of the results of the war. will unite together in resolute purpose for their support all who maintain the authonty f the Government and the crpetui:y of tlie Union, and w ho adequately appreciate the value of the If tory achieved. ThUdeterinlnatioii proceed from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of the people of our country, or to ny of their interest. The inviolability oi the amendments re-t.s upon the fundamental principle of our Government. They are the solemn expression of the will of the people of the United htte. The hentltnent that the Constitutional riphis of all our citizen must be maintained, does not prow weaker. It will continue to control the Government of the country. Happily, the history of the late election show s that in many parts of the country where opsisitiou to the Fifteenth Amendment has heretofore prevailed, it is diminLshiui;. and is likely to cease altogether, if linn and well-considered "action is taken bv Conpress. I trust the House of Kepresentalivcs rtnd the Senate, which have therizht to jud,'e of the elections, ret'irni and qualifications of their own members, will see to it that every ease of violation of the letter or spirit of the Fifteenth Amendment is thoroughly investigated, aul that no benefit from such violation shall accrue to any person or party. It will be the duty of the Kxeeutive. with suth-i-ient appropriations for the purjaise, to prtisecnte unspaniily all who have been cnp.tred in depriving titiens of the righu guaranteed to them by the Constitution. It is not. however, to be forgotten that the best and surest guarantee ot the primary rights of citizenship is to las found in that capacity for M'lf-protect inn which can belons: only to a people whose rieht to unviersal auirrajje is supported by universal education. The means at the command of the iocal and sitate authorities are. in many cases, wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it. This is especially true wher, before emancipation, the education of the people was neglected or prevented in the interest of slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of opular education deserves the earnewt attention of the people of the whole country, with a view to wi.-e and comprehensive action by the Government of the United s. Utes, I respectfully recommend that CoiTTess. by suitable legislation and w ith proiMT safeguards, "supplement the local educational funds in the several states where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have beeil devolved 011 uneducated people, by devoting to the purpose grants of the public lands, and, if necessary, by approoriations from the treasury of the United Sutes." Whatever f Jovemment can fairly do to promote free, ixtpnlar elucation ii;lit to be done. Wherever general emcation is found. cace. virtue and social order prevail, and civil and reluious liberty are secure. In my former annual messages, 1 have asked the attention of Congress to the urgent neei-ssity f a reformation of the civil service system of the Government. My views com eniing the dangers of patronage, or appointments for personal or partisan considerations, have heen strensnhencd by mv olwe nations and cxjrieuce in the Executive oriiee. and I ta-lieve these daubers threaten the stabiliiv of the Government. Abuses so serious in their nature can not be permanently tolerated. They tend to become more alarming with the en largement 01 a iminisinuive service, as tue grow in of the country in population increases the number of officer and placemen employed. The reasons are imperative for the adoption of fixed rules for the regulation of appointments, promotions, and removals, establishing a uniform metrud. having exclusively in view, in every instance, the attainment of" the best qualifications for the position in question. Such a method alone is consistent with the equal rights of all itizens. and the mot economical aud etticieut administration of the public business. Competitive examinations, in aid of impartial appointment aud promotions, have been "onducled for some years past in several of the Executive lepartmetits, and by my direction this system ha-s been adopted in the Custom Houses and postoRices of the larsrer cities of tho country. In the city of Sew York over iOOD positions in the civil service have been subject, in their appolntmnt and tenure of place, to the operation of jHiblished rule for thla puroone, during the Iast two years. The results of these practical trials have been very satisfactory, nd have confinned my opinion in favor of thia system of selection. AllaresubjecrM to the same tests, and the reault U free from prejudi by iersonal favor or parti.-au Influence. It aecures for the positiou applied for the best qualitications attainable among the - con deling applicants. It is an effectual (arotectioa irora the pressure of, importunity whi'Ji, uuder any other coutse'punaed. lantely ' exacta the time and attention of appointing fficerMo their great detriment In the discharge of other official duties, preventing the abuse of the service ior tie mere furtherance of private or party pnrposes, and leaving the employe of the Govern mentlreed from the obligations imposed by tataiaize. to depend aoleiy ntxai merit for reten tion and advancement and with thin constant - liven tire to exertion and improvement. Thea invaluable reaulu have been attained In a high degree in the office where the rolea for . appointment by competitive examination have been applied. A method which has , so approved Itself bj-ex

peri mental tests at iints where such texts may lie ialrlv considered conclusive, should be extended to ail subordinate positions under the Government. I U-lU've that a strong and growing Jmblic sentiment demands immediate measures or securing and enforcing tlie highest )Kible

! efficiency in the civil service, and its protection from recognlcd abuses, and that Ihe experience referred to- has demonstrated the feasibility of such measures. The examinations in the Custom Houses and Postotrlcea have been held nndcr many cmlarrassments and without provision for componsa tion for the extra labor performed by the officers who have conducted them, and w hose commendable interest in the improvement f the public service has induced this devotion of time and labor without pecuniary reward. A continuance of thee labors gratuitously ought Hot to lex pected. and without an appropriation by Congress lor conicnsation. it is not practicable to extend the system of examinations generally throughout theeivil service. It is also highly ililMriant that all such examinations should be con- ' ducted noon a iniform svtein ant under jceneral authorizes the President to irewri! the reRulatioiis for adniiv-ion to the civil service of the United States, and for this purpose to employ suitable H-rsons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to "the fitness of each candidate, in rer.ecl to aire, health, character, knowledge. Hint Mbillty. for the tiranch of service into which he aceks to enter;" but the law is practically inojierative for want of the requisite appropriation. 1 therefore recommend an appropriation of &i".0nu jKr annum to meet the expenses of a Commission, to be appointed by the president In accordance with the terms of this section, whose duty it shall be to devise a just, uniform and etlir cient system of competitive examinations, and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the Government. 1 am persuaded that the facilities w hich such a Commission w ill afl'ord for testing the fitness of those w ho apply for office will not only be as welcome a relief to uiemlKTs of Congress as it w ill le to the President and heads of lH-partnienU, but that it will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between ths Legislative and Executive leartments. The most effectual check uhii the pernicious competition of intlueiice and oilicial favoritism, in the Ustowal of ollice, will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the applicant-. In w hich every one can make his own record w ith the assurance that his siicct-ss will depend upon this alone. I also recommend such legislation a, while leaving every ott'eer n free as any other citizen to express his political opinions awl to use his means for their advancement, shall also enable him to feel as safe a any private citizen In refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes. A law which should thus Kuurantce true liberty and justice to all who are engaged in the public serv ice, aud likewise contain stringent provisions against the use of ottid.il authority to coerce the jMilitical aciimi of private citizens or of oilicial subordinates, is greatly to be desired. The most senous bstade. nowever. to an improvement of the civil service, and csecially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal, has been found to le the practice, under what is known a the spoils system, by which the appointing power has la-en so largely encroached Uxn by members of Congress. The first step in the reform of civil service must be a complete divorce between Congress und the Kxeeutive in the matter of appointments. Thecorruptitig doctrine that "to the victors Ix-Iotitf thespoii.s." i inseparable from Congressional iwitroiuige as the established rule and pralice of parties in iwcr. It comes to le undeistood by applicants loroiliee, and o the people generally, that KeprescnUtives and Senators are entitled to li.sbiiie the wtninageof their re-iective I u-tricts and States. It is t;ot necessary to recite at length the evils resultinu from this invasion of the Kxeeutive functions. The true prim-iph-s of pivernraeiit on 1 tie subject of appointments to ottice. as stated in the National Conventions of the leading parties of the country, have again und again been itjiroved by the Ainerieuu people, niul have not n'cu call-l in question in any quarter. , These authentic expressions of public opinion upon thi all imiiortant subject, are the statement of principle that ladom; to the constitutional structure of the Govcriunent. "Under the Constitution, the President and heads of Iti partmeuU are to make nominations' fir ofli--. The Senate is to advise, and consent to apHintiiients, aud the Hou- of Kepreaciitati v-s is tORiruse aud prosecute faithless olticers. The best iuterestsof the public service 1 mauds that thte distinctions la resp-etel ; that Senators and Kt'pTvu-ntii ti es, who may la; Jnlk;es mid ac;ns-rs. should not diewte appointments to otltce." To this end the co-oi.ratin of the legislative department of the Government is required, alike by the neccsMtcs of the ease and by public opinion. Members, of Cougrt ss will not 'be relieved from the dera.inds made upon them with reference to appointments to office until, by lecislative enactment, the pernicious practice is coudeuined aud iorilddcn. It is tlierefore reeoiiinicnded tliat an act be passed defining the ndaiions of mi-niltcrs of t.'on Kress w ith rescct to apixiintment to otlice by tlie President, and I a!o recommend that the provi sious tif section 1,707, and of the sections following, of the Keviscd Statutes, comt rldug the tetiure-of-ottice act. of March '2, ls;7, be retiealeO;. Believing that to reform the system ana met hois of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imjicrative duties of statesmanship, und that it can le iK'rmaueully done ouly by the ctMiK-ratioii .f the la-gi.-lative and F.xevtitive Iepartments of the Government. I again commtiid the whole subject to your considerate attention. It is the recounized duty and purpose of the people of the I nited Statas to suppress polygamy where it now exists in onr Territories, and to prevent it extension. Faithful and zealous cllorU have been made by the United SUtes authotiiies in Uuh to enforce the laws against it. Kxjerience has shown that the legislation upon this subject, to be euective. requires extensive mo iticatiou and amendment. The longer action is delayed, the more dittieult it w ill la to accomplish what is desired. 1'rompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sectarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole jsjwer of making and executing the local legislation of the Territory. By its control of the grand and petit juries, it possesses larue influence over the administration of justice. Exercising as the heads of this sect do, the 1kI political power of the Ierrltory, they are able to make ettective then hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy, and, in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement ot the law dejiends on those who practice and uphold tne crime. It can only be suppressed by Uking away the jsililical power of the sect which encourages and sustains it. The power of Congress lo enact suitable laws t.i protect the Terr tone is ample. It is not a case for half-way measures. The politi"al power ot the Mormon sect is wicreasing; it controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous Territories. It is extending steadily iiito other Territories. Wherever it goes it esUblishesiM)lyvamy and and sectarian l-olili-cnl power. The km 11 tit y of inarria'-r and the family relation ore the corner-stone of our American society and civilazatlon. Keligious liberty and the .eparatioti of Church and State are among the elemeuury ideas of free institutions. To reestablish the interests and principles which pol gamy ami Mormonisin have imperiled, and to fully nstiien to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain w hich haa been, in a great degree, closed to general immigration by intolerant ami immoral institutions, it is recommended that the Government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized. I recommend that Congress provide for the gov ernment of Utah by a Governor and Judges, or Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Semite a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the Ohio, by the ordinance of l"sf. If, however, it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government. I recommend that tlie riaht to vote, hold otlice, and sit 011 Juries in the Territory of Utah te confined to those w ho neither practice nor uphold polvgamv. If thorough measures are adopted. It is believed that within a few years the evils w hich now afflict Utah will be eradicated, and that this Territory will in good time become one of the moat prosperous and attractive of the new States of the Union. Our relations w ith all foreign countries have been those of undisturbed peace, and have presented no occasion for concern as to their continued maintenance. My anticiDation of an early reply from the British. Government to the demand of indemnity to our fishtrnien for the injuries suOercd by that Industry at Fortune Ilay. in January. ls7.s, which I exprewed In my last annual message, was disappointed. This answer was received 00 y in the latter part ol April in the present year, and, when received, exhibited a failure of accord between the two Governments, as to the measure of in the shore-fishing privilege secured to our fishennen by the Treaty of Washington, of ho serious a character that 1 made it the subject of a communication to Congress, in which I recommended the vloptlon of the measures which seemed to me proper to betaken by this Government in maintenance of the rights accorded to our fishermen uuder the treat)-, and toward ecuring an indemnity for the injury these interests had suffered. A bill to carry out theae recommendations was under consideration bv the House of RenreaenUuves at the time of the adiournmeut of Coiiirress in June last. Withiu a few weeks 1 have received a commu nication from Her Malestv'a Government, renew In th consideration of ll.e aublect. both of the indemnity for the Injuries at Fortune Uy, and

of the interpretation of the treaty in which the previous correspondence had shown the two Governments m te at variance. Upon both these topics the disposition toward a friendly agreement is manifested by a recognition of our right to an indemnity for the transactional r'ortnoe Bay. leaving tlie measure of such indemnity to furtner eoii fercnev, and by an assent to the view of this Government, presented in the previous correspondence, that the regulation of coutllcting interests of the shore fishery of the Provincial wacoats. and the vessel 11-heryof our fishermen . should be made the subject of coiifercni-e and

concurrent arrangement between the two Governments. 1 iucerely hope ihat the laistsTuay la? found for a speedy adjustment of the very i-eriotis diverjrence of views in the the interpretation of the fishery clauses of the treaty of ashlngtHi, w hich, as the correspondence relwecti tlie two Governments stood at the close of the last session of Congress, seemed to be irreconcilable. In the important exhibition of arN and Industrie-, w hich was held last year at Sydney, New SMtuth Wales, as well as that now in progress at Melbourne, the United State have !eeu efficiently and honorably represented. The exhibiter from this rountry at the former place received a large number yf awards in Mime of the most considerable departments, and the participation of the United States was recognized' by a special mark of distinction. In the exhibition at Melbourne the share taken by our country is no less nouble. and an equal degree of success is confidently expected. The" sute of peace and tranquility now enjoyed by all the nations 01' the continent of Knroa has its favorable inlluetiee upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them. We have concluded and ratiaed a Convention w Ith the French Republic for the settlement of claims of the citizens of either country against the other. Under this Convention a Commission, presided over by a distinguished publicist. apiointed. in pursuance of the request of both Nations, by His Majesty the Einjieror of Brazil. ha liecn organized and has la-gun its sessions in this city. A Congress to consider means for the protection of industrial proiicrty lias recently la-en in s-ssioti iu Paris, to w hich 1 have apiintcd the Ministers of the United states i'.i France and in Belgium as delegales. The International Commission itan Weights and Measures also continues its work in Paris. I invite your attention to the necessity oLan appropriation to be made in time to enable this Government to comply with its obligations uuder the Metrical Convention. Our friendly relations with the German Empire continue without interruption. At the recent International Exhibition of Fish and Fisheries at Berlin, the participation of the United sut-s. notw ithstauding the lia-'e w ith w liieh the Commission was forced to make its preparations, was extrem ly successful and meritorious, winning for private" exbibiters numerous awards of a high class, and for the country nt large the principal Prize of honor ofl'ered by ifis Majesty the Emtcror. The results of ibis great "success can'not but advan tagcous to this important and grow Ingiiidustry. I here have la-eu some questions raiMsl lietwecn the two Governments as to the proper effect and interpretation of our treaties 01 naturalization, but recent dispatches from our Minister at Berlin show that favorable progress i making toward an understanding, in accordaniv w iih the views of this Government, which makes and admits no distinction v hatevcr 1st ween the rights of a native and a naturalized citizen of the United State. In practice, the complaints of iuolctation suriV red by naturalized citizens abroad have never becu fewer than at present. There is nothing of Importance to note in our unbroken friendlv relations with the Governments of Austria-Hungary, Russia. Portusral. Sweden and Norway, Switzerland. Turkey and Greece. 1 Hi ring the la-t summer several vessels la-long-ing to the merchant marine of this country. Mailing in neutral waters of the West Indies, were tired at. hoarded and searched by unarmed cruiser of th" Spanish Government. The circumstances, as reported, involve not only a private injury' to the Ja-rsoiis i-omt-nicd. but also seemed too little observant of the friendly relations existing for a century between this country and stuiin. The wrong w as brought to the attention of the Spanish Government in a serious protest niul remonstrance, and the matter is undergoing investigation by the royal authorities, with a view to such explanation or relatratioii as may be called for by the fucts. The Commission sitting in this city for the adjudication of claims of our citbeiix against the Government of spuin is, I hoa, iipproaeh.1 tig the termination of its lalor. The claims against the United States under the Florida treaty with Spain were submitted to Congress for its action at the late session, and I again invite your attention to thix loim-staildilii; otleutioii, w ilh a view to a tinal (IL-pocitioii of Hie matter. At the invitation of the S'panlsn Government, a Conference has recently been held at the city of Madrid to consider the nibject of protection, by foreign Powersof native Moors in the Empire of Morocco. The Minister ot the United States, in Spain, was directed to take part in the deliberations of this Conference, the result of which is a Convention signed on lajhalf of all the Powers represented. The instrument w ill U laid before the Senate for its consideration. Tlie Government of tlie United States h:is also lost no opportunity to urge upon Unat of the Emperor of Morocco the necessity, in ao-ordance with the humane and enlightened spirit of the age. of putting an and to the persecutions, which have been so prevalent in that country, of iersons of a faith other than the Moslem, and especially of the Hebrew- residents of Morocco. The consular treaty conelnded w ith Belgium has not yet been officially promulgated, owing to the alteration of a word in the text by the Senate of tue United States, which occasioned a delay, during which the time allowed for ratification expired. The Senate w ill be asked to extend the jieriod for ratification. The attempt to negotiate a treaty of extradition with Denmark failed 011 account of the objection of the Iian'sh Government to the usual clause providing that each Nation should pay the ex-h-iisc of the arrest of the jersons whose extradition it asks. The provision made by Congress, nt Its last session, for the expense of the Commission which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the Imperial Government of China, on subjects of great interest to the relations of toe two countries, enabled the Commissioners to proceed at once upon their mission. The Imierial Government was prepared to give prompt and respectful attention to the matters brought under negotiation, and the conferences pria-veded with such rapidity und success that, on the 17th of No-vemta-r last, two treaties were signed at Pekin, one relating to the introduction of Chinese into this country and one relating to commerce. Mr. Trescot, one of the Commissioners, is now on his way home bringing the treaties, and it is e.M!Cted that they will be received in season lo be laid before the Senate early in January. Our Minister in .'apun has negotiated a Convention for the reciprocal relief of shipw recked seamen. I Uke ticcasion to nrge once more upon Congress the propriety of making provision for the erection 01 suiUble fire-proof buildings at th Japanese Capital for the use of the American Legation, and the 'nrt House and jail connected vvilh it. The Jaiainese Government, with (Treat generosity and courtesy, has ottered ior this purpose an eligible piece of laud. In my last annual message I Invited the attention of Congress to the subject of the indemnity funds receive I some years ago from China and Japan. I renew the recommendation then made. that whatever portions of these funds arc due to American citizens should be promptly jmid. and the residue returned to the Nations, respectively, to which they justly and equitably belong. The extradition treaty with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which has been for some time in course of negotiation, has, during the past year, been concluded and yuiy ratlhed. Relations of friendship and amity have been esublished between tne Government of the United suites and that of Roumauia. We have sent a diplomatic representative to Bucharest, and have received at the this Capital the Special En voy, who has ticeil charged by nts Koyat High ness. Ptince Charles, to anuounee the independ ent sovereignty of Coumania. We hope for a speedy tevelopment ot commercial relations between the two countries. In my last annual message I expressed the hope that the prevalence of quiet 011 the border between this country and Mexico would soon become tu 1 assured as to justify the modification of the orders, then in force, to our military commanders, iu regard to crossing the frontier, without encouraging such disturbances as w ould endancer the ja-ace of the two countries. Events moved in accordance with these expectations, and the orders were accordingly withdrawn, to the entire satisfaction of our own citizens mid the Mexican Government, subsequently the peace of the border was again disturbed by a savage foray, under the command of the Chief Vlelorio, but, by the combined and harmonious action of the miliury forces of both countries, bis band has been broken up aud substantially destroyed. There is reason to believe that the obstacles which have so long prevented rapid and conven ient communication between the United State and Mexico by railways, are on the point of dis appearing, aud that several important enterprise of thu cnaractcr win soon ue set on 1001 wmcn can not fail to contribute largely to the prosperity of both countries. -New envoy from Guatemala. Colombia. Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have recently arrived at this Capital, whose distinction and cnllgh'.enmeut afford the best guarantee of the contin uance of friendly relation , between ourselves and these sister Kepubucs. . ... . The relation between this Government and that of the United 8ut of Colombia have en gaged public attuntlou during the , past year,

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1880.

mainly by reason of the nrcjeet of an Interoccanlc canal across the Isthmus of Panama, to be built by private capital under a concession from the Colombian Government fori that purpose. The treaty obligations subsisting" between the United States and Colombia, by which we guarantee the neutrality of the transit and the sovet etgnty and and property of Colombia in' the JsthtriH, make it necessary that the mnditjons under which im stupendous a change In the: nision eintrared in this guarantee should be e!i-cted transtonaiug. as it would, this lthm?, from a barrier txffween the Atlantic and PacinV -ean, into a g-iweway and thoroughfare betwetti the m, for themvies and the merchant-ships of ?ao world should receive the approval of this fiovemnicnt. as hUig compatible with thediscrxastcof these obligations on onr iart, nnd consistent with onr iuterest the principal commercial pover of the Western Hemisphere. The views vh-lch I expressed in a special Bi(sntc to Congres in March Ust. in relation to Ibis project. I ueem U my duty to again pres upon your attention. Suliseoueiit consideration has but continued the opinion "that it Is the risht and duty of the CiiKtrd SUtes to ii"rt and maintain such supcni-si and authority over any interoccfuiicvanal hctos the Isthmus that connects North and South Americans will protect our National inten-!." The war between the Republic-of chili on the one hand and the allied KeriublVs. of I'eru and Bolivia on the other still continues. This Government has not felt called ritioii to interfere in a contest that is w ithin the belligerent rights ot the parties as independent state?;. We Nave, however, always held ourselves in readiness to aid in iccoininoduting their difference, and hve at differ ent times reminded Isith liel'igerentsof our w illingness to ren'ier such service. our good offices in this direction were recently accepted by all the lelligeretits. and it was hoped they would prove enicaeioun: but 1 retrret to an-noun-e that the measures, which the Ministers id the United States at Santiago and Lima were authorized to take, w ith a view to bring, alxnit a peace, were not successful. In the cotu-se of the war some questions have arisen alfectinz neutral rights; in all of the- the Ministers of the United States have, under their instructions, acted with promptness and energy in the protection 4 American interests. u The relations of the United States w ith tlie Y.mpire of Brazil continue to be most con IUI. and their commercial intercourse steadily increase., to their mutual advantage. t The internal disorders with w hich the Argentine P.enublie has for some time p:s lieen atllicted. and which have more or less witliienevd its external trade, are understood to have teen brought to a close. This happy result may be expmcd to redound to the luefit of the forrign commerce of that Republic as well as to the development of its vast Interior runonrces. Iu Samoa, the goveniment of King MaJietoa, under the snps.irt and recognition of the consular representative of the United States, Great Britain and Germany, seems to have (riven peace and tranquility to the Islands. While it tloes not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the scheme of tripartite local government, which has lasen pniaedt the common inteie-ds of the three great treaty Powers require harmony in their relations to the native irauie of government, and thm may be best secured y a simple diplomatic agreement between them. It would be well If the couwilar jurisdiction of our representative at Apia were micreased in extent and importance so as to guard American interests iu the surrounding and out' lying Islands of Occanica. , " The ola'lisk, generously tsentel by the Khedive of Egypt to the city of New Yorki has saiely arrived in this country, and will soon be erected in that metropolis. A oinraission for the liquidation of the Kgyptian debt ha.s lately concluded its work, and ibis Government, at the earn! solicitation of the Khedive, has acceded to the provisions adopted by it, which will be laid before Con?res lor its iiiiomvHtlon. A 'ominie-ion for the revision of the judicial codeof the reform tribunal of Kypt Ls now iu session in Cairo. Mr. Farman, Consul General, aud J. M. ItatcheUler, Esq.. have been appointed as Commissioner to fwrtieipafe in this work. Thw organization of tht reform tribunals will pmhably be continued for another period of live years. In pursuance of the act iassd at the last session of mgrt-s. in vi tut Lou- liave Ui-u ixu nrtV to foreign inaritmie states to join in a Sanitary Confctvn.ee in Washington, I ctr. tilling tlu 1st of. January. The accepluiice of this invitation by many prominent i'uwi-r. k!v-s promise 'ti uc--Ka ill this important measure.-loigiust p ublish a system of iiucrrtatiomil foii find Ion ly which the spread of infectious or .epidemic disca- may liiiioret'rtii'lii'iy clwr-kV r prevented. Tit attention id Congress is inw -t 10 tlu- nn-ewiry appropriations for tarrying Into rdect l!iciroisiotisof the net referred lo. The efforts of the licpartment fii Ktutctocnlarge the trade aud commerce of the Cnited Slates, through the ai'tive.uceticy of Consuhir officers and through the dissimulation of informtiou obtained from them, have len unrelaxisl. The iuterest in ihese etlorts, as developed in 'iir comnien'ial couiniuuities, und tlie- value of the fonnation secured by this mean, to t.w trade and man ttfaeti ires of the eoi 11 try, wen' nsarnizot by Conurcas at it last session, and pmvjsion was made Ior the more frequent publidntion of consular and other reports by the lvpartment of State. The The first issue oi this publication has now lie.ni prepared, and subsequent Lsmuc may regtlarly bo exinvted. The imtMirtiuiee and in terest attachetl to the reiairts if Consular orlicers. are witnessed by1 the general demand for them fy all classes of merchants and putn u fact urcrs engaged in our foreign trade. It L believed that the system of such ptibiicationa is . deserving of the approval of Congress, and thai the ueccssary appropriations for its continuance and enlargement w ill commend itseif to your consideration. The prosperous energies of our domestic industries, and their immense productions of the subjects of foreign commen-et invite, aud even require, an active development d" the wishes and interest of our jieople in that direction. Especially imiKirtant is it that our commercial relations with the Atlantic aud l'acitic (Umsts of South America, w ith the West Indies and theGalf of Mexico should be direct, and not through the circuit of European systems, and should be tarried on iu our own lad torn. The full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the Pacific Cavau gives to commerce with Japan. China and the East Indies, with Australia and the Island groups which lie along these route of navigation, should inspire equal efforts to appropriate to our own shipping, and to administer by onr own capiul. a due pn4oxtion of .this trade Whatever uioditieatoiis of our regulations of trade and navagatlon may la? necessary or useful to meet and direct th-se impulses to the enlargement of our exchanges aud of our carrying trade, I am sure the wisdom of Congress will be ready to supply. One luitial measure, however, seems to me so clearly useful and etlicicnt. that I venture to press it uon youf earnest attention. It seems tobe very evident that the provision ot regular stearn-posul communication, by aid from Government, has been the forerunner of the commercial predominance of Great Britain on all these costs and sea, a greater share in w hose trade is now the desire and the iutent of ourtwople. It is also niHuifest that the efforts of other rjiropean nations to contend with Great Britain tor a share of this commerce have been 6ucccüsinl iu proportion wltn their adoption of regular steam-postal communication with the markets whose trade they sought. Mexico and the SUtes c? South America are anxious to receive such postal communications' w ith this country, aud to aid in their development. Similar co-opperation may be looked for, in due time, from the Eastern nations nnd from Australia. It is dittieult tos?e how the lead in thin movement can be expected from private interests. Iu reseH of foreign commerce, quite as much, a In in ternal trade, postal communication seem neces sarily a mutter of common and puliic administra tion, und thus pertaining to Government. 1 re spectfully recommend to your prompt attention such just an cthcteut measure a may conduce to. the development of our foreign commercial ex changes and the building up. of our carrying. ira le. in this connection. I 1 erf re nlso to suggest Ute very great scrvi't which might ta expected ! en larging and facilitating our commerce on this pu ciiic (.lectin, were a transmarine cable laid trvan San raiicisco to the Sandwich Islands, nd Uurtiee to Japan at the North and Australia at tho Nulla. The great influence of such Menus of commaaicatiou on these routes of liavtiuioii. in dcvclning and securing ih due share ut our 1'acitic (aM in the commerce of the world, needs no illustration or enforcement. It may that such an enter prise, useful and in the end profitable as it would prove to private lnvestinoni. mav need tone accelerated by prudent legislation by CoiigrcKs in its aid, and I submit the matter to your careiul consideration. Au anditional, and not unimportant, although secondary, reason for fostering and enlarging the Navy may be found iu the unquestionable service to the expansion of onr commerce, which would be rendered by the frequent circulation of naval ship in the sea and poruof all quarter of the globe. Ship of the proper construction and equipment, lo be of the greatest efficiency in case of maritime .war, might be made constant and active agents in time of peace in the advancement and protection of our foreign trade, aud in the nurture and discipline of young seamen, who would, naturally, iu some numbers, mix with and improve the crew of our merchantships. Our mercnanu at home and abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce of an active movement of our naval Teasels, and the intelligence aud patriotic zeal of our naval officer in promoting every interest of their countrymen, is a just subject ot national pride. - The condition of the financial affair of the Govern men t, as shown by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1 very satisfactory It Ut , believed that the present financial situation of the United State, whether oonsidercd with n

I snect to trade, enrrenc.r. rrs,Hf rmali wealth

j or the extent and variety of our resources, i more t favorable than that of any other country of onr I time, and ha never been surpassed by that of any country at any period of its history. All -onr in Industr; are thriving; the rate of iuterest Is low: new railroad are leing constructed; a vt immigration is increasing our iopulation, capital and lalair; new enterprise in great number are in progress; ! our cm me re ia I relations with eher countries an; improving. The ordinary revenw. from all sources, forihe fiscal year eo4ed JuutSl, litt.; were : lioin custom..... !W,,.',22.0i-.l tifl From internal revenue . ll.uo:Vo":t t-rom sales of public laoda..... . From lax on circulation and dt-jHw-iv of National Ilauk..-. From repayment of i.ittTest by Paciric Railroad ComjiHiiic..... From sinking fuad for l'rilie Kartrottd Companies .. From enstoms fees, tines, penalties-. From fce-s consular, lettcry-paieiit and lands . From proc-eeds of sales of tiovern11 lent property Frsun profits on cttinage, etc l.Otrt.joC M) 7,011,971 n t.707,:5T.7 IS I.itK.sOO id 2,T7,0- 00 CSJ.61 .V) lst ts rruut rrrcuui 01 tne insinci 01 ts lumUn l.W.W 70 From miscellaneous .stmrccs 4.um,i,i'4U ss Votid or-tinar" reeipts..........-..:it,.vj,fiio W The ordinary exjienditures for the same ptriod were Forcuil expenses- .... lT.6,.S,!fi.1 ." houses, aud eollecting the reveuue For expend Uivros on ai-count of the IHstrlet of Columbia .... For interest on the public det F'or premium mi Ixnids purchased... 3,27,::s tvi.757vr. " 1 1 a,7'..".,:tJ0 4' Total or 'imtrj- cxiienditurc -.i".fi42.!'.'i7 7s Leaving a surplus revenue of ....$ t'.,8s;i,t;;h 20 Which, with ui amount drawn from the cash ba'oinv in the Treasury, Of .. S 0S f. .Jl Makiug 7:l.,0s7 41 WasHJiJilied Vthe rtslemjition Of Kinds for the sinking fund 7:t,vi2.0'in tu) (if fractional c:tciicv I'M .71 7 11 t f the loan of l-v. .. Oftemiiorary l-.au Of bounty land s-rip f (S)mMiund. ict?rest notes... f 7 ;) notes of l,s4i ;, lo, eon tm llKI OO t - oji I ;v no li.5) IS) LH-) ts 3,7 on 4 .10 00 ! Of one and two year notes ..... 1 old demand notes ?7:J,!bS,0s7 41 The amount the sinking fund for thiayear WRi:!T,'.t:i.iil:i..V,i Ther" was applusj thereto the sum of 7.t,!HMd7.41, being :VV.7-v.iC;t.s; iu exx-ess of the actual reqtireruciils for ilie year. The aggregate of the revenues f mm all source during the fiscal year ended June :10, Issd, was 3:t.,S2i; ;io.'st an increase over the rreeediuR year of f.v.i.t.'.s. The receipts thus lar of the current year, together with the estimated receipts, of the remaiudiT oi the year, amount to ttU,(AM,U00, which will ta sueicient lo meet the estimated cxIaMiditnres of the year, aud leave a surplus of '. 0, W0.0C0. It is fortunnt. that this large surr Ins revenue ceurs at a period when it may be directly apolied to the payment ot the public debt soon to lie redeemable. No public duty has been more constantly cherijhel. in the United states than the policy of iwying Uie Nation's debt a rapidly a jawtMible. The debt of the United States, less cash in the Trcasur) and exclusive of acrruln:; Uueresit, attained iu maxim !uu of S2,7V,4oL"i71.U in August, ls-.. and has niiicc that time been reduced to ?l,swi.or.i..l.6rf. Of the principal ol the debt, ?lw,7"ibltK) has been paid since March 1, 177, etSecting an anmvii saving of iuterest of $d.lü. ,V.1 Ttw burdeti of interest has also lieen diminished byfha wile of bon is beariiiK a low ratof.iiteret, and the applii'Htjori of the procee' to the redemption of lsin ln beuritig a highei rate. The aoniial saving tlvus secured since March 1,.177. is äliMSM'si.."!!. Within a short period over 000,0o0.00öif .".and per (sent, bon-ls will become redeemable. This itresents a very f -ivorable opportunity not only to fiirtlier reluce th principal of the debt, but also to reduce the rci of interest on that which will remain unpaid. I call. the attention of CongTess to the views expressed on this subject by the Secretary of the Treasury in hla annual report, and recommend pn nipt legislation lo enable the Treasury IVpartaient to romplete the refunding of the debt Iii h is about to mature. The continuance of specie payment has not leen interruistU or endangered siuisa the dale of restimptioa. It has contributed greatly to the re vival of busine- and to our remarkable prosperity. The fears that preceded nnd accompanied resumption have pntved groundles. No consid erable amount of United .States notes have been presented for redemption, while very large sums of gold bullions, both domestic nnd imported, are taken to tlu- mints and exchanged for coin or uotes. The increase of coin and bullion iu the United States stuec January 1, is?!, is estimated at -.,7,:i,.i,J.4s. There are stul In existence, uncanceled. RJI6.tisi.016 of Unit's! SUtes legal-tender notes. These notes were authorized ns a war measure, made necessarry by the exigencies of. the conllict in wlilcJi the 1 uited sute waa then engagel. The preservation of the Natiou's existence requirel, iu the judgment of Congress, an issue of legaltender paper money. That it served wen the purpose ftr which it was created is not questioneJ. buttihe employmeut of Uie notes aa paper mouey Indt nitely, after the nccomplishnuint of the object tor which they were provided, was not contempllUed by the framtrs of iht- law under wjiicd they were issued These note lone since became like anv other pecusiiary obligation ot the Government a debt tola; paid, and, when pmid, to be wmceled as mere evidence 01 an indebtedness no longer existing. T therefore repeat what was said in the animal Bwsage of last year, that the mirement from citmilatioii of United State notes, w fth the capacity of legal tender in. private contracts, is a step to te taken in our progress lowurdasafe and stable currency, which should be accepted as the policy ana amy 01 tne ioveriimeiit and the interest md security of tho people. Aitbeiime of the parage of the act now tn force, requl ring the coinage of silver dollars, fixing thefr value and giving them legal tender charaLcr. it was believed by many ot ihe supporters of the measure that the silver dollar, which it authorized, would speedily Im-cosjc. under the opetutiousof the law, a J equivalent value to the gold V. liar. There w.wre other an porters of the bill, who, while they " mined astcrhe probabilitv of llis result, ncverthnt-less were villlng to, give tho-proptiwcd experUaent a fair trial, w ith a view to slop the coinage, if ex perienee should prove thjU the silver dolhux authorized by tlie I ill continued to tie of las commercial value itaui the Siwidard gold dol'it?. The coinage of sUvcr dollars, under tLe act referred to. began la March, ls7S. and hLS been con tinued as requirl oy the acV The avwage rate per month Ut tlv present time has been $2,Jj,49i The total amoui-i vanel prior to the first of November last wtin. S7-J.K47,7.VV Of tbJK. amount $47,Oc,4jO renwUi 111 the TreuMiry, and. only S.'ä7twt.2i)l are iu the hands of tlie people. A constant effort has be.st made to ksep this currency in irculation. n ctitisidenilw- expeuse has been necessarily iuviured for tUw purK, but Us return to the Treasury is prompt and sure. Contrary to the confident anticipation of the friends of the measujeat the time of its adoption, the value of Üm? silver dollar, eon tain ing 4 1-J v.; grains of silver, has not iucreased. - iHinng lüe year prior to tha passage of tlie bill au'horixing its coinage, the market value of the silver which it contained was' from ninety to ninetv-two cents, as computed with the standanl gold dollar. During the liua year the average market value of the silver dollar ha beeu eighty-eight and a half cents. It is obvious that the legislation of the last Congress iu regard to silver, so iar as it was based on an aulk-ipaied rise in the value of silver as a result oi that legislation, ha failed to Produce the effect then predicted. The longer the law remain iu force, requiriug as it d-s the coinage of a nominal dollar, which, in reality, is not a dollar, the greater becomes the danger thai this country w ill be forced to accept a single metal as the sole legal standard of value, in eiiculatlcn, aud this a standard of less value than it purport to be worth in the recognized money of the world. The Constitution of the United States, sound financial principles, and our best interest, all require that the country should have a it legal tender money, both gold and Kilver coin, of an intriiuvio value, aa bullion, equivalent to that which, upon it face, it purport to posses. The Constitution, in express terms, recoguize both gold and silver a the only true legal tender money. To banish either of these metals from our currency is lo narrow and limit the circulating medium of exchange to th disparagement of iaapnuant interest. The United Slate produce mors silver than any other tynntry, and is directly interested in maintaining it aa one of the two precious metal which furnish the coinage , of the world. It will, tn my judgment, contribute to this result If Congress will repeal to much of existing legis-

For nd an" VUVk,7 iw for prty ihyumy, the saing made iu othff reFor 'e,.si,mV'imV,Vd7ng " W 'ffi l an equivalent for'this arrVars of pensions..... L...I .--3.777.171 i 1 Ä'CV'liÄ 'heiency of the arm; ing vsseisv machinery and im- iniposs on the military an entire change 1 nvements'at imv-y vanls ft ' -v iki "i of 'Hey. The maintenance of small posts along For isÄ "1 s exnditür-cs""i7- ' " Wam Bnmtes of travel is .10 ioeer net , , Hin.; Tow ' inr . itali. e,;sar'- Trmia 1111 1 quarters at points selected, of

doila conumingoniy grains of silver, and in iu stead will authorize the secreury of the Treasury to coin silver dollars of equivalent value as Dumon, whu goia uonars. 1 uis will defraud no man, aii will w in accordance with familiar yretspnent. tonates. on several occasions, has wiierea tue ratio 01 value oetweeu gold aud silver, in onier to establish it more nearly iu accordance v, Hiiim acsiiai raijv or vaioe between trie two ur.ais. In nnancial legislation everT mcMwiir, In tl, a At. recion of greater lidetity in ti discharge of pecuniary obligations, ha been found bv t-iirnt-ucu ,u uiujHiisn tue rates 01 interest which debtors are reqi sired to vay, am to increase the facility with wlMcli mrvey can 1 obtained for every irgiitmate purpose, uurovm recent rina 11eial hStory shows, how urcly otuey btTomes abundant whenever eonldence rn the exact !-ri..riuiicc 01 mrneyea obliKatiosi is tab-l:-hed. The ss'f retary of War reports that the expendi nor- 01 iih- r 1 i-rimeui lor tne Hs4-al vrar I T . i .. 'fi a.m. . . . - ppriatios for this s'partmetit, for tle curreut liseal year, amount to fl.iKU.fUlu.in. With respect to the ermy. the Secretary invites attention to the fact that its strength is limited by suiute (section 1,115. Revised statutes) to not more than .OWeulistod men. but that provisos conta iied in appropriation bills have limited exiK?nditiircs to the enlistment of hut JS.iw. it is Ik.-'s veil the full legal strength is the least possible foroo at which the vresent organiatiMi can be maintained, having in- view efficiency, disci rlinc and economy. While the enlistment ot this ion-e wonia add somewnatto the a more substantial character than those hereto fore const motel, will te required. Under existing laws, permanent buildings can not Ik? erected without the uirviou of Congrvs. and when sales of military s;te and bull lings have boon authorized, the moneys n-ce'-v.-d have reverted to the Treasury, and could only become abailablc through a rew appropriation. It is recommended that provision .t made, by a genera! statute, for the alc of su h alsindoned military posts and buildings as are found to be unnecessary, nnd for the application ol the proceed lo the construction of other posts. W hile many of the present posts are of but s'ight value for military purismes, owing to the changed condition of the country, their occupation i eontiuued at great extcnse and Ini-onveuience, because they aiTord the onlv vailnblc shelter for troops. The absence of a large number of officers of the t.i. 111 a,.ti-, ,1fir.- tfp.i.. il...i. ...-!..... 1 . " ""'J' uoiii invir M uil' ilis, is a ri,,", detriment to the maintenance of the serv ice, ine constant n-mand for small dctachiiicnts. each of which should be commanded bv a commissioned otlicer, and the various details' of otlieer for iitsvssary service away from their comrounds, occasions a scarcity In "the number required for company duties. W ith a view to lessening this drain to some extent, it Is ns-ommendsl tl et the law nuthpt'zing ihe h-tail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics nd military scence at certain colleges and universities, la- o amended as to provide that all such details be lmide from the rel!rel list of the army. Attention is nskei to the necessity of providing by legislation for organizing, armiug. and disciplining ihe active militia of the ommrv, and iilaral appropriations arc rccomnicnde 1 iu lhis UhiUf. The rcjiorts of üie Adjutant General of the Army and the Chi of Ordnance touching this subject fully set forth its iniH)rtancc. The rvjsirt of the otticer in charge of education1 In the urmy shows that there are scwntv-cjght scfcols now in op ration in the army, w:itn an aarreiratc attendatioe of 2,a0." enlit-d men and euiltlrcTi. The Secretary recommends the enlistment of l.V) scluMilmastcm, with the niuk and jwy of Commis-sury S-rgeants. An appropriation is needed to supply the Judge Advocates of the army with suitable libraries, and the Scoreuiry recommends that the Corp of Judge Advocate be placed upon the tame looting, m to promotion, w ith the other statT eortw of tho army. Coder existing laws, the llureauof Military Justice consists of one officer, the Judge Advocate funeral, ami the corps of Judtre Advocates, of eiirht ofrict-m of e.iial rank (Major), vrtttr a provision tlrnt the lim it of the corjx hall renin In Ht 'nur, wnen rclnce! hycas-unlty ornfigntion to that numlier. The eonnilidation of tne ilureau of Military J ant ice and the corps of .lucge Ad--rxiatcM. upon the same l.sis with theothcr naff corsof the army, would remove mi unjust discrimination agaiiit. desondng" oflitsers, aud u! serve the ta'st interests of the service. Kspccial attention is a-ked to the report of the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of our National defenses. From ajiersoiial inspection 0 many of the foiiificat ions referred to, the Secretary is able to emphasize the- recommendations made, and to state that their incomplete and defenseless condition is discreditable to the country. While other nations have becu increasing their means for CHTTylmron fl'ensivc- warfare and attacking maritime cities, w e have been dormant in jrcpartiot for defense;, nothing of importance has leen done towanl stnMigriienii.g and finishing our casemated works since our late civil war. during which the great guns of moduru warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and ships 01 me into Use umong the Nations, and our earthwork left, by a sudden failure of appropriations some years since, in all stages of inconipletion, ane now ring rapidly destroyed by theeleuieuts. The two great rivers of the North American Continent, tne Mississippi and the Columbia, have their pavigable water wholly within the limits of the United Mates, and are of vast im portanee to our internal and foreign commerce. The permanency of the Important work on the South Pass of the MIss.in.ippi River seems now to la assured. There ha.tbeeu no failure whatever in the maintenance c4 the maximum channel during the six month ended August last, this experiment him opened a broad, deep ltiphwey to the ocean, and ia an irarovement, upon the permanent success of wbJuh, congratulations may be exchanged nuioug people abroad and at home, and esivciaHy among the communities of tne Mississippi Valley, whose- commercial exchanges Moat in au unobstructed channel safely to aud from the sa. 4 A comprehensive Improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries is a matter of transcend ent importance. Teso great water ways comprise a system of Inland transportation spread iike net-w'ork over a large portion of the United States, and navigable to the extent of many thousands of miles. Producer and consuraers alike have a common interest in such uneqnaled facilities for cheap transportation. GeHrraplucJly, coinmorcially and politically they are the strongest tie bvtwecu tlie various sections of the fotiutry. These channel of commnnication and interchange, are ihe property of the Nation, its jurisulu iUiii is paramount over their waters, aud the plainest principles of puNic interest require their intelligent and careful supenisiou, with a view to their protection, improvement and the eiCham-caieuf l their uwfiilnesa. The chaiiuetof the Columbia River, for a distance of about HO inile fron its lnouth, is obstructed by a succession of bars which occusion serious delays in navvution aud heavy expense for lighlenu; and towage. A depth of at least twenty feet at low tide should be secured and main laiuei, to meet the requirements of the ex tensive and growing' inland and ocean commerce f it snlisvrves. 1 ho aaost urgent need, however. for this ureat water way is a permanent improvement of the channel at the mouth of tlie river. Fron Columbia River to San -Francisco, a distance of over WW miles, ' there is no harbor on our Pacific Coast which can be appnwuhed during stonnv weather. An appropriation of 1Ö0.U0O was ma'de by the Forty-fifth Cwngresa for the eommeucement of a break-water and harbor of refuge, to be located at some point between the Straits of Fuca and San Francisco, at which the necessities! of commerce, local aud general, will be best accommodated. The amount appropriated is thought to be quite inadequate für the purpose intended , The cost of the work when finished will be very great, owing t the want of natural advantage for a site at any point on the coast belveeti the designated liniiu, aud it has not been thought to be advisable to undertake the work w ithout a larger appropriation. I commend the mailer to the attention oi Congress. The completion of the new building for the War Department is urgently reeded, and the estimates for continuing it construction are especially recommended. u The collections ot books, specimens and records constituting the Army Medical Museum and Library are 01 natlouaf imjiortanec. The Library now contains about fifty-one thousand five hundred I'd ,000) volumes and fifty-seven thousand (57.000) pamphlet relating to medicine, surgery aud . allied topic. The contents of the Army Medical . Museum consist . of twentytwo thousand - (ÄI.OOü) specimens, and are unique in the comidetenes with which both military surgery and the diseases of armies are illusuated. Their destruction would bean irreparable loss, not only to tho United State?, but to the world. There are filed in the record and Iiensiou division, over 16,000 bound volume of lospiul record, together with a great quantity of papers, embracing the origluaT records of the hospitals of onr armies during the civil war. Aside from their historical value, these records are daily searched for evidence needed in the settlement of large numbers of pension and other claims, for the protection of the Oovernment against atte rated fraud, as well as for the benefit of honest claimants. These valuable collection

laticn as requires the coinage of silver

apuronnoiion

WHOLE NO. 1661.

are now in) a buildin which is peculiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by fire. It is, therefiTTc, earnestly recommended that an appropria'.km le made for a new lire-proof building, adequate for the pn-sent neeo and reasonabl future expansion of these valuable collections. Sucto a tauldlng shoild be absolutely fire proof; no expenditure for mere architectural üispfay U required. It i believed that a suitable stnictare can be erected at a com not to exceed 0.000. 1 commend l the attention of Congress Oe great services of the Commander-in-Chief ofoer armies durin the- war for the Union, whoaw wise, firra and jiatriotic conduct did so much t bring that momentous mnüict to a close. Th legislation of the United stale contains many prwdenti Jr itf rccotmUion ot dimlng-utahed military merit, authorizing rank and emolument to be confer jed for eminent services to the oountry. An act of Coogrr- authorizing the appointment ot a Caffedu i.eueral ol the Army, with auitaNe provision relation to compensation, retlremri, and othtfr detail, would, in my Judgment. la altogether titting and proper, and would be warly approved by th counvry. The reisirt of the secretary of tue Navy exhibits the successful wid sati.,ory maiiugetavnt of that I -v.u-ttne.it duritiK tl lwst fiscal year. The total e-ta'Udlturs for lh vear were SI? 916.rsty.U, leaving unexpended at tlie close of the year SAHl.iivis: 4 the amount of available anpropriatious. The 4prtipriaiious for the present liscal year ending June .'!. lsnl. urc S.I.S MOU Uand lh total eslinates-' for the next fiscal year ending .tine .To, levj, are tl,ft.3,7.'LCL The amount drawn by warrant from July 1, 1AS, to Novemtier 1, Jso, is j.','m..Yro.4-. The rei-su endaüo of the Secretary of th Navy that provision te made for the establishment of sere form of civil government for tho la-ople of Alaska is approved. At present there is 110 proteet'ou f K-rsoiis or proia?rty in that Territory, except sch as is aiSmled by the offloersof the United shaic ship iauiestown. ThUvesse! was disatch.'d to Sitka because of the fear that without ti e irsmcdiate presence of the National authority tlwre was imia-udindaugerof anarchy. The stet taken to restore order have been ac cepted in good faith by both white and Indian inhabitants, and the neceasity for this method of restraint docs not, in my opiiiMiN, now exist. If. however, the Jamestown sliou'd be withdrawn. !eav ing the pf)ple, as at present, without the ordinary judicial and administratise authority of organized local government, serious cousequences uiigni ensue. The laws provide only for the collection of rev enue, the prou-tion of public property and the transmission of the mails. The problem is to upph" a hs-al rule for a population socatlered and so peculiar in Us origin and condition. The natives are n-ported to lie teachable and self-sup-jio:niiig. and, if properly instructed, doublles) wotld a lvalue mindly in 'civilization, and a new factor of prostierUy would Is; added, to the Na tional life. I, therefore, recommend the requisite legislation Usn tnia suneii. Th.' Secretary ot the Navy has taken steps toward the estaUL-hment of naval coaling station) at the Isthmus of Panama to meet the requireinciit of our commercial relations with Ceuiral andSoutli America, w hicli are rapidly growing ut imsjrlaiice. Ixxniioiis eminently suitable, tajth as regards our naval purposes and the usee of. ivtuuerw, have been selected, one on the east side of the Isthmus, at cniriqui lagoon, in tho Caribbmu sea. and tVie other on the Pacific. Coast, ai the Lay of Goltito. The only safe harbor, snflicicutty conimislious, on the isthmus, are at these points, and five lisium-c litween them ia less than lis) miles. Tlw report of the Secretary of the Navy concludes with valuable suggestions with ret pect to the building up of our merchautliiarine service, which deserve ihe favorable consideration of Congress. The rport of Uie Postmaster General exhibits the continual growth and th" high state of efficiency ol the r-osUl service. The operations ot do deia(tnwtit of tue Government, perhaps, represent with greater exactness the increase in the population and the business of the country. In Isoo. the iosUil rets-ipu were Ss.öis.oO? 40; in 18S0. tne receipts were S.ct,ai.47V 4. All the Inhabitants of the country are directly and personally interested in having projier mail facilities, and naturally watch the postothoe very closely. Thi careful oversight on the part of the people haa proved a constant stimulus to improvement. During tlx iast year there was an increase of 2,134 Mistoiiices, and the mail mutes were extended 27.177 miles, making an additional annual tranaortatiou of 10.fO4.lJl miles. The revenues ot th jiostal service for the ensuing year are estimated at J X. Sli, IT i Id. and theexieiidituieat t!,475,-U-t'J. leavliia a derlciencv to be appropriated out of the Trcancry of S,i.slo,7.-; 'Jo. The Uiiivcnal Puatai Uuioubas received the accession of almost all the oountrien and colonic of the world maintaining organized povtal servicea, and it 1. confidently rxiwcusl UiaX all the other countries and cxilouies now oubdde the Union will soon unite therewith, thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the founders of tho Union, of forming, for purMM-s of international mail conwiiuiiication. a single postal territory cmbracing the world, with complete uniformity of postal charges, aud conditious of international exchange, lor all descriptions of correspoudenoe. To enable the United states to do iu full sham of this great w ork, additional legislation is asked by the Postroasier General, lo w hose recommendations esja-cial attention is called. The suggestion of the Postmaster General, thatit would be wise to eueourae, by appropriate legislation, the establishment of American line of steamer by our own citizens, to carry the mails between our own poruand tho of Mexico, Uentral Ameri-ai, South, America, and of transPaciric countries, is commended to the serioua consideration of CoiiRresa. The alien lion of Congress is also Lnvi'ed to th suggestions of the Postmaster General in regard, to (ajstal savings The nuesiry for additional provision, to aid in the transaction of the business of the Federal Court, ta-come each year more apparent. The dockets of the Supreme Court, and of the Circuit Courts, iu the greater number oi the circuits, are iiicuialered with the constant accession of case. In the former Court, atid in many Instance in tho Circuit Courts years intervene before it is practicable to bring cases to hearing. Tlie Attorney General recommends the establishuieur of an Intermediate Court of Krror and Appeals. It is recommended that the number of Judges of the Circuit Court in each circuit, with the exception of the second circuit, should lie increased by the addition of another Judge; in the second circuit, that two should be added ; and that an Intermediate Appellate Court should be formed in each circuit, to consist, of the Circuit Judge and Circuit Justice, and that In the event oft he absence of either of these Judges the placeof the absent Judge should Ve supplied by the Judge of one of the District Courts tu the circuit. Such au Appellate Court could be safely invented with large jurisdiction, and its decisions would satisfy suitors in many case where uppeels would still be allowed to the Supreme Court. Thi expense incurred for Uiia Intermediate Conrt, will require a very moderate increase of the appropriation for the expetiaee of the I e part men I of Justice. This recommendation is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. It is evident that a delay of justice, in many instancc oppressive and disastrous to suitors, now ueeearrly occur in tne F'ederal Court, which w ill in this way be remedied. The report of the secretary of the Interior presents an elaborate account of the Operation of that Department during the past year. It rives me great pleasure to say that our Indian affairs apiiear to be in a more hopeful condition now than ever before. The Indians have made gratifying progress in agriculture, herding, and mechanical pursuits. Many who were a few yean ago in hostile conflict with the Government are quietly settling down on farms where they bona to make their permanent homes, building house and engaging iu the occupations of civilized life. The introduction of the freighting business among them ha been remarkably fruitful of good reulta, in giving mauy of ihem congenial aud remunerative employment, and in stimulating their ambition to earn their own opport. Their honesty, fidelity, and efficiency as carriers are highly praiaed. The organization of a police force of Indians has bcYn equally successful in maintaining law and order upon the Reservations, and iu exercising a wholesome moral influence among the Indians themselves. 1 concur with the Secretary of the Interior in ;he recommendation that the pay of this force be increased, as an in ducement to the best class of young meu to enter it. Much care and attention ha been devoted to the enlargement of educational fact Miles for the Indians. The means available for this important object have been very inadequate. A few additional boarding-schools at Indian Agencies have been established, and the erection of buildings ha been begun lor several more, but an increase of the appropriations for thi interesting undertaking i greatly needed to accommodate the large number of Indian children of school age. The number offered by their parents from all parts of the country for education in the Government Schools ls much larger than can be accommodated with the means at present available for that purpose. The number of Indian pupils at the Normal school at Hampton. Ya., uuder the direction ot General Armstrong, ha been considerably increased, and their progress is highly enrouraging The Indian School established by the Interior Department in 179, at (Carlisle, Pa., under ta direction of Captjun Pratt, ha been equally ecessful. It has now nearly 300 pupil of both, sexes, representing s great variety ol the Tnoea east - of the Rocky Mountain. The pupils in both these institutions rereive not only an elementary Englih education, but are also instructed la h mine work, agm Continued oa llfU Pf

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