Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 December 1889 — Page 2

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THE' INDIANA STATE SENTINEL. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1SS9.

WEAK AND EGOTISTICAL

IS B. HARRISON'S FIRST MESSAGE. lie AdTtx-ate Free Alcohol and Tobacco, St am ship Subldi, m Raestabllshment of Carpet Hag Kale in tho South, Bat No Greater Silrer Coinage "WASHixGToy, Dec 3. The following is President Harrison's message as delivered to congress to-day. The reading of the message was concluded at 1 :30 in the senate, having occupied about an hour and twenty-five minutes. It w as listened to with apparently close attention by senators on both Bides of the chamber. As one of the paragraphs touching taxation was read, a republican senator remarked, in a whisper, that '"that sounded very like Cleveland." But little attention was paid in the house to the reading of the message, which consumed nearly two hours. To the Senat and House ot RepresentatiTes: There are few transactions in the administration of the government that are even temporarily held in the confidence of those charged with the conduct of the public business. Every step taken is under the observation of an intelligent and watchful people. The state of the Union is known from day to day, and suggestions as to needed legislation find an earlier voice than that which speaks in these annual communications of the president to congress. FOREIGN RELATIONS. At Peace With the World, Bat Occasionally Mistreated. Good-will and cordiality have characterized our relations and correspondence with other governments, and the year just closed leaves few international questions of importance remaining unadjusted. No obstacle L believed to exist that can long postpone the consideration and adjustment of the still pending questions upon satisfactory and honorable terms. The dealings of this government with other states have been, and should always be, marked by frankness and sincerity, our purposes avowed, and our methods free from intrigue. This course has borne rich fruit in the past, and it is our duty as a nation 10 preserve the heritage of good repute which a century of right dealing with foreign governments has secured to us. It is a matter of high significance, and no lessof congratulation, that the first year of the second century of our constitutional existence finds, as honored guests within our borders, the representatives of all the independent states of North and South America met together in earnest conference touching the best methods of perpetuating and expanding the relations of mutual interest and friendliness existing among them. That the opportunity thus afforded for promoting closer international relations, and the increased prosperity of the states represented, will bo used for the mutual good of all, I cannot permit myself to doubt. Our people will await with interest and confidence the results to flow from so auspicious a meeting of allied and, in large part, identical interests. The recommendations of this international conference ol enlightened statesmen will doubtless have the considerate attention of congress, and Its co-operation in the removal of unnecessary barriers to bencfiYial intercourse between the nations of America. I5ut while the commercial results w hich it is hoped will follow this conference are worthy of pursuit and of the great interest they have excited, it is believed that the crowning benefit will be found in the better hccurity which may be devised for the maintenance of peace among the American nations and the settlement of all contentions by methods that a Christian civilization can approve. While viewing with interest our national resources and products, the delegates will, I am sure, find a higher satisfaction in the evidences of unselfish friendship which everywhere attend their intercourse with our x?op!e. Another international conference, having great possibilities for good, has lately been assembled and is now in session in this capital. An invitation was extended by the government, under act of congress of July 9, ISAR, to all maritime nations to end delegates to confer touching therevision and amendment of the rules and regulations governing vessels at sea and to adopt a uniform system of marine signals. The response to this invitation has been very general and very cordial. delegates from twenty-six nations are present in the conference, and they have entered upon their useful work with great zeal, and with an evident appreciation of its importance. So far as the agreement to be reached may require legislation to give it effect the co-operation of congress is confidently relied upon. It is an interesting, if not indeed an unprecedented fact, that the two international conferences have brought together here acc redited representatives of thirty-three nations. Bolivia, Fcua kr and Honduras are now represented by resident envoys of the plenipotentiary grade. All the" states of the American system now maintain diploj matic representation at this capital. In this connection it may be noted that all the nations of the Western hemisphere with but one exception, send to Washington envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary, beintrthehighest grade accredited to this government. The United Mates, on the contrary, sends envoys of of the lower grade to some of our sister republics. Our representative in Paraguay and Uraguay is a minister resilient, w hile to Bolivia we send a minister resident and consul-general. In view of the importance of our relations with the states ol the American system, our diplomatic agents in those countries should be of the uniform rank of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary. Certain missions were so elevated by the last cfingrt-M with happy eflcct I recouimend the completion of the form thin brenn, w ith the inclusion also of Hawaii and Havti, in view of their relations to the American system of states. I also recommend that timely provision bo made for extending to Hawaii an invitation to be represented in the international conference now sitting at this capital. Our relations with China have the attentive consideration whichtheir magni tude and interest demand. The failure of the treaty negotiated under the adminstration of my predecessor for the further and more complete restriction of Chinese labor immigration, and with it the legisla tion of the last session of con' gress dependent thereon, leave some ques tions open which congress should now ap proach in that wise and just spirit which ehouid characterize the relations of two great and friendly powers. While our supreme interests demand the exclusion of a laboring element which experience has shown to be incompatible with our social life, all steps to compass this imperative end should tie accompanied with a recog ration of the claim of those strangers now lawfully among us to humane and just treatment. The accession of the young emperor of China marks, we mav hope, an area of progress and prosperity for the great country over which he is call-d to rule. The present state of affairs in respect to the canioaa lalanda 13 cncouraziug.

The conference which w as held in this city in the summer of 1887 between the representatives of the United Mates, Germany and Great Britain, having been adjourned because of the persistent divergence of views which was developed in its deliberations, the consequent course of events on the islands pave rise to questions of a serious character. On the 4th of February last, the German minister at this capital, in behalf of his government, proposed a resumption of the conference at Berlin. This proposition was accepted, as congress, in February last, was informed. Pursuant to the uaJerstandinj thus reached, two commissioners were appointed by me, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, who proceeded to Berlin, where the conference was renewed. The deliberations extended through several weeks, and resulted in tho conclusion of a treaty which w ill be submitted to the senate for its approval. I trust that the efforts which have been made to effect an adjustment of this question will be productive of the permanent establishment of law and order in Samoa upon the basis of the maintenance of the rights and interests of the natives as well as of the treat)' powers. The questions which have arisen during the pMSt few years bt tween Great Britain and the United States are in abeyance or in course of amicable adjustment. On the part of the government of the Dominion of Canada, an effort has been apparent during the season just ended to administer the laws and regulations applicable to the fisheries with as little occasion for friction as possible, and the temperate representations of this government in respect of cases of undue hardship or of harsh interpretations have been, in most cases, met w ith measures of transitory relief. It is trusted that the attainment of our just rights under existing treaties, and in virtue of the concurrent legislation of the two contiguous countries, will bo not long deferred, and that all existing causes oi difference may be equitably adjusted. I recommend that provision be made by an international agreement lor visibly marking the Mater boundary between the United States and Canada in the narrow channels that join the great lakes. The conventional line therein traced by the northwestern boundary survey, years ago. is not in all cases readily ascertainable for the settlement of jurisdictional questions. A just and acceptable enlargement of the list ot offenses for which extradition may

be claimed and granted is most desirable between this country and Great Britain. The territory of neither should become a secure harbor for evil-doers of the other through any avoidable short-coining in this regard. A new treaty on this subject between the two powers lias been recently negotiated and will soon be laid before the senate. The importance of the commerce of Cuba and Porto Bieo with the United States, their nearest and principal market, justi fies the expectation that the existing rela tions may be beneficially expanded. The impediments resulting from varying thus ou navigation and from the vexatious treatment of our vessels on merely technical grounds of complaint in Wist India ports should be removed. The progress toward an adjustment oi pending claims between the United States and .pain is not as rapid as could he desired. Questions affecting American int rests in connection with railways constructed and nitrated bv our citizens in Peru have claimed the attention of this government. It is urged that other governments, in pressing Peru to the payment of their claims, have disregarded the property rights of American citizens. Thematter will be carefully investier:! ted, with a view to securing a proper and equitable adjust ment. A similar issue is now pending with Portugal. The D- lugoa bav railwav in Africa was constructed under a conces sion bv Portugal to an American citizen. When nearlv computed the road was seized by the agents of the Portuguese government. Formal protest has been made through our minister at Lisbon against this act, and no proper effort w ill be spared to secure proper relief. In pursuance of the charter granted by congress and under the terms of its contract with the government of Nicarauga, the Inter-ocean canal company has begun the construction of the important waterway between two oceans, which its organization contemplates. Grave complications for a time evmed imminent in view of a supposed conflict of jurisdiction between Niearauga and Costa Pica in regard to the accessory privileges to be conceded by the latter republic toward the construction of works on the San Juan river, of which the right bank is Costa Iiican territory. I am happy to learn that a friendly "arrangement has ln'en effected letwe n the two nations. This government has held itself ready to promote, in every proper way, the adjustment of all questions that might present obstacles to the completion of a we rk of such transcendent importance to the commerce of this country, and, iudec d, to the commercial interests of the world. The traditional good feeling between this country and the French republic has received additional testimony in the participation of our government and the people in the international exposition lu ll at Paris during th past summer. The success of our exhibiters has been gratifying. The report of the commission will be laid before congress in due season. This government has accepted, under proper reserve ns to its policy in foreign territories, the invitation of the government of Belgium to take pari in an int"rn itional congress, which opened nt Brussels on the lth of November for the purpose of deviling measures to promote the abolition of the slave trade in Africa and to prevent the shipment of slaves by sea. Our interest intheextim tion of this crime against humanity, in the regions where it yet survives, has been increased by t ho results of emancipation within our own borders. With Germany tho most cordial relations continue.' The questions arising from the return to the empire of Germans naturalized in this country are considered and disponed of in a temperate spirit, to the entire satisfaction of both govern inents. It is a source of great satisfaction that the internal disturbances of the republic; of Havti are at last happily ended, and that an apparent stable government hr.s been constituted. It has been duly recognized by the United States. A mixed commission is now in session in this capital for the settlement of longstanding claims against the republic of Venezuela, and it is hoped that a satisfactory conclusion will be speedily reached. This government has not hesitated to express its earnest d'-sire that tho boundary dispute now pending between Great Bri ian and Venezuela may bo adjusted amicably and in strict accordance with the historic title of the parties. The advancement of the empire of Japan has been evidenced by the recent promulgation of a new constitution, containing f aluable guarantees of liberty and providng for a responsible ministry to conduct the government. ? it is earnestly recommended that our judicial rights and processes in Corea be established on a linn basis by providing the machinery necessary to carry out the treaty stipulations in that regard. The friendliness of the Persian government continues to bo shown by its generous treatment of Americans engaged in missionary labors, and by the cordial disposition of the sh?h to encourage the enterprise, of our citizens in the development of Persian resources. .Ad iseussion is in progress touching the jurdictionul ri.'hti of t!;c United fc'tiitos

in Turkey. An earnest effort will be made to define those rights to the satisfaction of both governments. Questions continue to arise in our relations with several countries in respect to the rights of naturalized citizens. Especially is this the case with France, Italy, Russia and Turkey, and to a less extent with Switzerland. From time to time earnest eflorts have been made to regulate this subject by conventions with those countries. An improper use of naturalization should not be perndtted, but it is most important that those who have been duly naturalized should everywhere be accorded recognition of the rights pertaining to the citizenship of the country of their adoption. The appropriateness of special conventions for that purpose is recognized in treaties which this government has concluded with a number of European states, and it is advisable that the difficulties which now arise in our relations with other countries on the same subject should bo similarly adjusted. The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of the establishment of a republican form of government is an event of great interest to the United States. Our minister at Kio de Janeiro M as at once instructed to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with the provisional government, and the Brazilian representatives at this capital were instructed by the provisional government to continue their functions. Our friendly intercourse with Brazil has, therefore, suffered no interruption. Our minister has been further instructed to extend on the part of this government, a formal and Cordial recognition of the new republic so soon as the majority of the people of Brazil shall have signified their assent to its establishment and maintenance.

THE TARIFF. Free Tobacco and Alcohol and Taxed Cloth, inz and Machinery. Within our own borders a general condition of prosperity prevails. The harvests of the last summer were exceptionally abundant, and the trade conditions now prevailing seem to promise a successful season to the merchant and to the manufacturer and general employment to our working peopie. The report of the secretary of the treasury for the fiscal year ending June 30, lSblf, has been prepared, and will be presented to congress. It presents with clearness the fiscal operations of the government, and I avail myself of it to obtain some facts for use here. The aggregate receipts from all sources for the year M-ere 37,t30,Oö8.84, derived as follows: From customs, S2.,So2.741.C9: from internal revenue, $130,81,013.:.' ; from miscellaneous sources, $oL3:J3,S0:.23. The ordinary expenditures for the same period Mere ?2Sl,.ti5,il5.(0, and the total expenditures, including the sinking fund, were 0"n,-r7'.V-'S.'2ö. The excess of receipts over expenditures Mas, after providing for the sinking fund, f ")7,470,19.50. For the current fiscal year, the toal revenues, actual and estimated, are $380,000,000, and the ordinary expenditures, actual and estimated. are:?,o-3,000,(KR) making, M-ith the sinking fund, a total expenditure of Si41,.i21,l !.., and h aving an estimated surplus of $4:V78,83.01. During the fiscal year there was applied to the purchase of bonds, in addition to those for the sinking fund, S-tXl,4ö,172.:5, and during the first quarter of the current year the sum of $.'17,s.'.!8.o:,,7.77, all of which was credited to the sinking fund. The revenues for the fiscal year ending June CO, 1MU, are estimated by the treasury department at :H."),(KVO,00() and the expenditures for the same period, including the sinking fund, at $341,4:10,477.70. This shows an estimated surplus tor that year of $4Vi'!,ö.;;0, which is more likely to be increased tlnrti reduced when the actual transactions are Miitten up. The existence of so large an actual and anticipated surplus should have the immediate attention of congress with a view to reducing the receipts of the treasury to tho needs of the government as closely as may be. The collection of moneys not needed for public uses imposes an unnecessary burden upon our people, and the presenceof so large a surplus in the public vaults is a disturbing clement in the conduct of private business. It has called ihto use expedients for putting it into circulation of very questionable propriety. We should not collect revenue for tho purpose of anticipating our bonds, beyond the requirements of the sinking fund, but any unappropriated surplus in the treasury shou.d be so used, as there is no other law ful M ay of returning the money to circulation, and the profit realized by the government oilers a substantial advantage. Ntt mini llnntc Iepoit. The loaning of public funds to the banks without interest, upon the security of government bonds, I regard as an unauthorized and dangerous expedient. It results in a temporary and unnatural increase of the banking capital of favored localities, and compels a cautious and gradual recall of the deposits to avoid injury to the commercial interests. It is not to be expected that the banks having these deposits will sell their bonds to the treasury so long as the present highly beneficial arrangement is continued. They now practically get int- rest both upon the bonds and their proceeds. No further use should bo made of this method of getting the surplus into circulation, and the deposits now outstand ing should be gradually witlnlrawn and applied to the purchase of bonds. It is fortunate that such a us can be made of the existing surplus, and for some time to come of any casual surplus that may exist after congress has taken the necessary ftep-i for a reduction of the revenue. Such legislation should be promptly, but very considerately, enacted. Keep t'p the Protection. I recommend a revision of our tarifT law, both in its administrative features and in the schedules. The need of the former is generally conceded, and an agreement upon the evils and inconveniences to be remedied and the best methods for their correction will probably not be difficult. Uniformity of valuation at all our ports is essential, and effective measures should, taken to secure it. It is equally desirable that questions affecting rates and classifications should bo promptly decided. The preparations of a now schedule of customs duties is a matter of great delicacy liecatiM of its direct effect upon the business of the country, and of great difficulty by reason of the wide divergence of opinion as to the objects that may properly be promoted by such legislation. Some disturbances of business may perhaps result from tho consid eration of this subject by congress, but this temporary il!-eL'ect will bo reduced to the minimum by prompt action and by the assurance which the country already" enjoys that any necessary changes w ill be so made as not to impair the just and reasonaide protection of our home industries The inequalities of the law should be ad justed, but the protective principle should be maintained ami fairly applied to the products of our farms ns well as of our shops, these duties necessarily have relations to other things besides the public revenues. e can not limit their ellects bv fixing our eyes on the public treasury alone. They have a direct relation to home production, to work, to wages and to tho commercial independence of our country. and the wise and patrioticlegislatorshould enlarge the field of his vision to include all of there. Free Tohaeiv and Alodio!. The necs:irv reduction in the nublic revenues can, lam sure, bo made without making the smaller burden more onerous than the larger bv reason of the 'Usabilities and limitations which tho process of reduction puta upon both capital and labor. Tho

free-list can very safely be extended by placing thereon articled that do not offer injurious competition to such domestic products as our home labor can supply. The removal of the internal tax upon tobacco would relieve an important agricultural product from a burden which was imposed only because our revenue from customs duties was insufficient for the fmblic needs. If safe provision against raud can be devised, the removal of the tax upon spir.ts used in the arts and in manufactures would also offer an unobjectionable method of reducing the surplus. THE CURRENCY.

n Recoraraenftft That the Co in .;' of Silver II Vit Incre!'.;!. A table presented by the secretary of the treasury showing the amount of money of all kinds in circulation each year, from 187S to the present time, is of interest. It appears that the amount of national bank notes in circulation has decreased during that period S114.KW.72!), of which SihV.m,22!) is chargeable to the last year. The withdrawal of bank circulation will necessarily continue under existing conditions. It is probable that the adoption of this suggestion, made by the comptroller of the treasury, viz: "that the minimum deposits of bonds for the establishment of banks be reduced, and that an issue of notes to the "par value of the bonds be allowed would help to maintain the bank circulation. But while this withdrawal of bank notes has been going on, there has been a large increase in the amount of gold and silver coin in circulation, and in the issues of gold and silver certificates. The total amount of money of all kinds in circulation on March 1, 1S7S, was $0ö.793,807, while on Oct. 1, lSSi), the total was SMOrvdS.000. There was an increase of $293,417,552 in gold coin, of S57.554.100 in standard silver dollars, of S 2,:;ll,24'.) in gold certificates, of $27(5,019,715 in silver certificates and of $14,073,787 in U. S. notes, making a total of $713.07.0S3. There Mas during the same period a decrease of SI 14, 10! ,729 in bank circulation, and of Sd42,4Sl in subsidiary silver. The net increase M-as So! 9,22 4, 10:.. The circulation per capita has increased about $- during the time covered by the table re ferred to. The total coinage of silver dollars was on Nov. 1, 188'J, $343,r:;s,001, of which S2S:l,539.521 wore in the treasury vaults and S0,08.480 in circulation. O'f the amount in tho vaults $-'77,310,044 were represented by outstanding silver certificates, leaving $0,21,Ö77 not in cir culation and not represented by certificates. firi-aier Coinage The law requiring the purchase, 'by the treasury, of $2,01)0,0 JO worth of silver bullion each month to be coined into silver dollars of 4121 grains, lias been observed by the department; but neither the present secretary, nor any of his predecessors, has deemed it safe to ex-.Tcise the discretion given by law to increase the monthly purchases to S4, 000,000. When the law M-as enacted (Feb. 28, 187) tho price of silver in the market Mas S1.20 4-10 perounce, making the bullion value of the dollar 93 cents, Since that time the price has fallen as low as 91.2 cents per ounce, reducing the bullion value of the dollar to 70. cent. Within the last few months the market price has somewhat advanced, and on the 1st day ot November last the bullion value of the silver dollar was 72 cents. The evil anticipations which haveaccompanied the coinage and use of the silver dollar have not been realized. As a coin it h s not had general use and the public treasury lias been compelled to store it. But this is, manifestly, owing to the fact that its paper representative is more convenient. The general acceptance .and use of the silver certificate shows that silver has not been otherwise discredited. Some favorable conditions have contributed to maintain this practical equality m the commercial use between the gold and silver dollars. But souie of these are trade conditions that statutory enactments do not control and of the continuance of which we cannot be certain. I think it is clear that if Me should make the coinage of silver at the present ratio free, we must expect that the difference in the bullion values of the gold and silver dollars w ill be taken account of in commercial transactions, ami I fear the same result Mould follow any considerable increase of the present rate of coinage. Such a result would be discreditable to our financial management, and disastrous to all business interests. Wo should not tread the dangerous edge of such a peril. Ami, indeed, nothing more harmful could happen to the silver interests. Any safe legislation upon this suhje t must secure the equality of the two coins in their commercial uses. I have always b -en an advocate of the use of silver in our currency. We are large producers of that metal and should not discredit it. Td the plan which m ill be presented by the secretary of the treasury for the issuance of notes or certificates upon the deposit of silver bullion at its market value, 1 have been able to give only a hasty examination, owing to tho press of other matters ami to the fact that it has been so recently formulated. The details of such a law require careful consideration, but tho geniTal plan suggested by him seems to satisfy the purpose to continue the use of silver in connection Mith our currency, and at the same time to obviate the danger of which I have spoken. At a later day I may communicate further with congress upon this subject. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS. Chine Smin;Ktlni C nt Deformed I'mtal mid "Vtn.l .rrim. The enforcement of the Chinese exclusion act has been found to bo very difficult on the Northwest frontier. Chinamen landing at Victoria find it casv to pass our borders, owing to tho impossibility, with the force at the command of the "custom officers, of guarding so long an inland line. The secretary of the treasury has authorized the employment of additional officers who will bo assigned to duty, and every effort will Iks made to enforce the law. The Dominion exacts a head tax of $00 for each Chinaman, and w hen these persons, in fraud of our law, cross into our territory and are apprehended, our officers do not know what to do with them, us tho Bominion authorities will not stiller them to be sent back without a second payment of the tax. An effort will bo made to reach an understanding that will remove this difficulty. Tim Hfn I'Uhirl. The proclamation required bv see. 3 of the act of March 2, 180, relating to the killing of seals and other fur-bearing animals was issued by mo on the 21st day of March and a revenue vessel Mas dispatched to enforce the laws and protect the interests of the United States. Tho establishment of a refuge station at Foint Barrow, as directed by congress, was suc cessfully accomplished. C;it I-f tuten. Judged by modern standards, wo are practically without coast defenses. Many of the structures we have would enhance rather than diminish the perils of their garrisons if subjected to the fire of the improved guns; and very few are so located as to give full effect to tho greater range of such guns as we are now making for coast-defense uses. This general subject has had consideration In congress for some years, and the appropriation fur tho construction of largo rilled guns, made one year ago, Mas, I am sure, the expression of a purpose to provide suitable works in which these guns might be mounted. An appropriation now made for that purpose Mould not advance the completion of tho works be

yond our ability to supply them with fairly effective guns. The security our coast cities against foreign attack ßhould not rest altogether in the friendly disposition of other nations. There should be a second line wholly Mithin our own keeping. I urgently recommend an appropriation at this session for the construction of such works in our most exposed harbors. I approve the suggestion of the secretary of M ar that provision be made for encamping companies of the national guard in our coast M orks for a specified time each year, and for their training in the use of heavy puns. His suggestion that an increase of the artillery force of the army is desirable is also in this connection commended to the consideration of congress. Rivers And Hirbir,, The improvement of our important rivers and harbors should be promoted by the neccs-ary appropriations. Care should betaken that the government is not committed to the prosecution of Morks not public ami of general advantage and that the relative usefulness of works of that class is not overlooked. So far as this M ork can ever be said to be comple ted, I do not doubt that the end would be sooner ami more economically reached if fewer separate works were "undertaken at the same time, and those selected for their greater general interest were more rapid. y pushed to completion. A M-ork once considerably begun should not be subjected to the risks and deterioration which interrupted or insufficient appropriations necessarily occasion. Needs of the Courts. The asault made by David S. Terry upon the person of Justice Field of the supreme court of the United States at Lathrop, Cab, on Aug. 10 last, and the killing of the assailant by a deputy U.S. marshal who had been deputed to accompany Justice Field and to protect him from anticipated violence at the hands of Terry, in connection with the legal proceedings which have followed, suggest questions which, in my judgment, are worthy the attention of congress. I recommend that more definite provisions be made by law, not only for the protection of federal officers, but for a full trial of such cases in the U. 8. courts. In recom

mending such legislation, I do not at all impeach the general adequacy of the pro vision made by the state laws for the protec tion ot all citizens, or the general good disposition of those charged M ith the execution of such laws to give protection to the officers of the United States. The duty of protecting its officers as such, and of punishing those who assault them on account of their official acts, should not be devolved expressly or by acquiescence upon the local authorities. " Events which have been brought to my attention, happening in other parts of the country, have also suggested the propriety of extending bv legislation fuller protec tion to those Mho mav be called as wit nesses in the courts of the United States. The law compels those m ho are supposed to have knowledge of public offenses to attend upon our courts and grand juries to give evidence. There is a manifest resulting duty that these w itnesses shall be protected from injury on account of their testunonv. the investigations ot criminal offenses are often rendered futile and the punishment of crime impossible by the intimidation of witnesses. The necessity of providing some more spoedv method for disposing of the cases M'hich now come for final adjudication to the supreme court becomes every year more apparent and urgent. The plan of providing some intermediate courts hav--1 H i 1- .- e ing nnai appenaie jurisdiction oi certain classes of questions and cases, has, I think. received a more general approval from the bench and bar of the country than any other. Without attempting to dweus de tails, I recommend that provision be mad for the establishment of sucli courts. The salaries of tho judges of the district courts in manv of the districts are, in my judgment, inadequate. I recommend that all such salaries now below f5.Xi0 per annum be increased to that amount. It is quite true that the amount of labor per formed by these judges is very unequal, but as they cannot properly engage in other pursuits to supplement their in comes, the salary should be such in all cases as to provide an independent and comfortable support. Illaiiif Snj g Not at All. Earnest attention should be given by congress to a consideration of the question how far the restraint of those combina tions of capital commonly called "trusts" is matter of federal jurisdiction. When organized, sis they often are, to crush out all healthy competition and to monopolize the production or sale of an article ot com merce and general necessity, they are dan gerous conspiracies against the public good, and should be made the subject of prohibitory and even penal legislation. Interim' ioi.nl Copyright. The subject of an international copv right has been frequently commended to tho attention of congress by my predeces sors. 1 ho enactment of such a law would be eminently wise and just. Nnlur dbatlon. Our naturalization laws should be so re vised as to make the inquiry into the moral character ami good disposition townrd our government of the persons ap plying for citizenship more thorough Phis can only be 0 one by taking fuller control of the examination, bj' fixing tho tine's ior hearing such implications, and by requiring the presence of some one who shall represent the government in the inquiry. Those who are the avowed enemies of social order, or who come to our short s to swell the injurious influences and to extend the evil practices of any association that defies our laws, should not only be denied citizenship hut a domicile. It ink S'iiiT lite d'-nt The enactment of a national bank super intendent law of a character to be a per manent part of our general legislation is desirable. it should be simple in its methods and inexpensive in its adminis tration. Die rontofilrp. The report of the postmaster-general not onlv exhibits tho operations oi the depart ment for the last fiscal year, but contains many valuable suggestions for the mi provement and extension of the service i ii. .. . which are commended 10 vour auenuon. No other brunch of the froverument has so close a contact M ith the daily lite of tho beople. Almost every one uses the service it oilers, and every hour pained in the transmission of the great commercial mails has an actual and possible value that only those engaged in trade can understand. The saving of one day in the transmission of mails between ew iorK ami San rran cisco, which has recently been accom plished, is an incident worthy of mention rhe nlr.n suggested for a supervision o the postoflices in separate districts that shall involve instruction and suggestion and a rating of the efficiency to th: post masters would, I have no doubt greatly improve the service. A pressing necessity exists for tho erection of a building for the joint use of the department and of tho city postottice. lhe department was partially relieved by rent ing outside quarters for a part ot its toree, but it is again overcrowded. The build ing used by the city office never was fit for the purpose, and is now inadequate and unwholesome. The unsatisfactory condition of the law relating to the transmission through the mails of lottery advertisements and remit tal. ces is clearly stated by the postmaster general, and his suggestion as to amend inents should have your favorable consid oration. Th Navy Nrl. The renort of the secretary of tho navv fchowa a rcormuution of tho bureaus of

the department which will, I doubt not, promote the efficiency of each. In general, satisfactory progress has been ma le

in the construction of the new ships of war authorized by congress. The first vessel of the new navy, the Dolphin, was sub jected to very severe trial tests and to very much adverse criticism. But it is gratifying to be able to state that a cruise around the world, from which she has rtcently re turned, has demonstrated that she is a ßrst-class vessel of her rate. The report of the secretary shows that while the ef fective force of the navv is rapidlv inCreasing by reason of the improved build and armament ot the new ships, the number of our shins fit for sea duty grows very slowly. We had on the 4th of March Inst, thirty-seven serviceable ships, and though four have since been added to the list tho total has not been increased, because in the mean time four have been lost or condemned. Twenty-six additional vessels have been authorized and appropriated for, but it is probable that m lien they are completed our list will only be increased to forty-two a gain of five. The old wooden ships are disappearing as fast as the new vessels are added. These facts cam their own argu ment. One of the new ships may, in lighting strength, be equal to two öf the old, hut it cannot do the cruising duty of two. It is important, therefore, tti.it we should have a more rapid increase in the number of serviceable ships. I concur in the rec ommendation of the secretary that the construction of eight armored ships, three pun-boats and five torpedo boats be au thorized. An appalling calamity befell three of our naval vessels on duty at the Samoan islands, in the harbor of Apia, in March last, involving the loss of four officers and forty-sven seamen, of two vessels the Trenton ami the Vandal ia and the dis abling of a third the Nipsic. Three vessels of the German navy, also in the har bor, shared with our ships the force of the hurricane and suffered even more heavily. While mourning the brave officers and men Mho died, facing Mith high resolve perils greater than those of battle, it is most gratifying to state that the credit of the American navy for seamanship, courage and generosity was magnificently sustained ill the storm-beaten harlorof Apia. INDIANS AND RESERVATIONS. A Territorial Form of Government For Ok ai'i nn 1 he Si'iux Reservation. The report of the secretary of the interior exhibits the transactions of the government M ith the Indian tribes. Substantial progress has been made in the education of the children of school age and in the allotment of lands to adult Indians. It is to be regretted that the policy of breaking up the tribal relation and of dealing with the Indian as an individual did not appear eariier in our legislation. Large reservations, held in common, and the maintenance of the authority of the chiefs and head men have deprived the individual of every incentive to the exercise of thrift, m bile the annuity has contributed an affirmative impu.se toward a state of confirmed pauperism. Our treaty stipulations should be observed with fidelity and our legislation should be highly considerate of the best interests of an ignorant and helpless people. The reservations are now generally surrounded by white settlements. We cannot longer push the Indian back into the Milderness, and it remains only, by every suitable agency, to push him upward intothe estate of a self-supporting and responsiblecitizen. For the adult the first step is to locate him upon a farm, rnd for the child to place him in a school. School attendance should be promoted by every moral agency and those failing should becompelled. The national schools for Indians have been very successful and should bo multiplied, and, as far as possible, should be so organized and conducted as to facilitate the transfer of the schools to the states or territories in which they are located, M'hcn the Indians in a neighborhood have accented citizenship and have become otherwise fitted for such a transfer. This condition of things M ill be attained slowly, but it will be bastene 1 by keeping it in mind. And, in the meantime, the co-operation bet ween the government and the mission schools, w hich has wrought much gool, should be cordially and impartially maintained. The S.oiit Keserrntion. The last congress enacted two distinct laws relating to negotiation with the Sionx Indians of Dakota for a relinquishment of a portion of their lamia to the United States and divMing the remainder into separate reservations. Both were approved on the siinie day March The one submitted to the Indians a sieeiiic proposition; the other (sec "1 of the Indian appropriation act) authorized the president to appoint three commissioners to negttti:.to with these Indians for the accomplishment of the same general purpose, and required that any agreements made should be submitte! to congress for ratification. On the HUhdny of April last I appointed the Hon. Charles Ohio, the Hon. William of Missouri, ami Maj.-Oen. Crook of the U. S. army, Foster of Warner (ieorgo , co'nmisav. Tliev sioners under the last-named were, however, authorized and directed first to submit to the Indians tho definite proposition made to them by the first act mentioned, ami only in the event of a failure to secure the assent of the requisite number to that proposition to open negotiations for modified terms unl r tho other act. The work of the commission M as prolonged and arduous, but the assent of the reiiuisite number Mas, it is understood, finally obtained to the proposition made by congress, though the report of the commission has not yet been subai itted. In view of these facts, I 6liall not, as at present advised, deem it necessary to submit tho agreement to congress for ratification, but it will, in due course, be submitted for information. This agreement releases to the United States about nine million acres of land. Hip Cherokee Strip. The commission provided by sec. 14 of the Indian appropriation bill to negotiate with the Cherokee Indians and all other Indians owning or claiming lands lying Mest of the ninety-sixth degree of longitude for the cession to the United states of all such lands, m as constituted by the appointment of the Hon. Iieius Fafrchild of Wisconsin, tho lion. John F. Hatranft of Pennsylvania and the Hon. Alfred M. Wilson of Arkansas, and organized on Juno?.rlat. Their first conference w ith the representatives of tho Cherokees was hell at Talilequah, July i.), Mith no definite results, (ien. John F. llartranft of Pennsylvania was provented by ill health" from taking part in the conference. His death, which occurred recently, is justly and generally lamente! by a people he lias served with conspicuous gallantry in war nnl Mith great fidelity in peace. The vacancy thus created was tilled by the appointment of the Hon. Warren (J. Sayre of Indiana. A second conference .between the -om mission and the Cherokees was bcin Nov. C, but no results have yet been obtained, nor is it believed that a conclusion can be immediately expected. The cattle syndicate now occupying the lands for grazing purposes is clearly one of the agencies responsible tor the obstruction of our negotiations Mith the Cherokees. The large Ixvly of agricultural lands constituting what is known as the Cherokee Outlet ought not to be, ami indeed cannot long be, heli for grazing, and for the advantages of a few against the public interests and the lest alvantage of the Indians themselves. The UniteilStntes has now, under the treaties, ccrUmViJits in

these lands. These will not be used oppressively, but it cannot be allowed that those wtio by suffrance occupy these lands shill interpos to defeat the w ise and beneficent purposes of the government I cannot but believe that the advantageous character of the offer made by the United States to the Cherokee nation, for a full release of these lamls, us compared with other sng-estior.s now made to them, wid yet obtain ior it a fa vorabie consideration. Opening OWl S homa. Under the agreement made lctwecn the United States and the Muscogee (or Creek) nation of Indians on the i:th day of January, 180, an absolute title w;is secured by the United States to about S.oO.VXK) acres of land. Sec. 12 of the gMieral Indian appropriation act, aprrovel March 2, lSSf made provision for the purchase by the United St:d 's from the Semino'.o tribe of a certain portion of their lend-. The delegates of the Seminole nation, having first duly evid?nced to me their power to act in th:it b?hulf, delivered a proper release and conveyance to the United States of ail the laims mentioned in the act, which was accept "i bv me and certified to le in compliance with the statute. By the terms of both the acts referred to all the lands so purch::s -l w ere declared to be a part of the public domain, and open to settlement under the homestead law. But of the lands embraced in th se pun bases, being in the aggregate alout 5,.VH,000 acres, :J,'vh!n) acres had already, under the terms of the treaty of lo, been ac"iiirel by the United Suites for the purpose of settling other Indian trilt-s thereon, and hal been appropriated to that purpose. The land remaining and available for settlement consisted of l,--7,7!'d acres, surrounded on all sid'-s by lands in the occupancy of Indian tribes. Congress bad provided no civil government f"r the

people who were to be invitel by my proclamation to settle upon these lands, except as the new court, w hich had bee-n established at Muscogee, or the U. S. courts in some of the adjoining states, bad I ower to enforce the general laws of the Jnited States. In this conditi-n of tilings I v. as quite reluch.nt to open the lands to settlement. But in view of the fact that several thousand persons, many of them with their families, bad gathen 1 upon the bonlers of the Indian territory, Mith a view to securing homesteads on the lands, and that delay would involve them in much loss and suffering, I did, en the iMd day of March last, issue a proclamation declaring that the lands therein described Mould be open to settlement under the provisions of the law on the 2:M day oi April folloMing, at V2 o'clock noon. Twc land iistricts had bten established and th offices were open fjr the transaction ol business when the appointe-d time arrived. It is much to the credit of the settlers that they vt ry generally observed the limitation hs to the time when they might enter the territory. Care will be taken that those Mho enter in violation of tho law do not secure the advantage they unfairly sought. There Mas a good eieal of apprehension that the strife for locations would result in mu-h violence and bloolshed, but hippily these anticipations Mere net realized. It is estimated that there are HOW in the territory about t ,0H) people; And several considerable towns have sprung up for which temporary municipal governments have been organiz: d. Outh lie is sai l to have now a population of almost ,0i. F.ieven schools and nine churches have been establih"d, and three daily and five wceklv newspapers are published in this city, whese character and ordinances have only the sanction of tho voluntary acquiescence of the people from day to iay. Oklahoma City has a population of about ÖKH) and 's proportionately lis well provided astiuthrie Mith churches, r-cliools ant newspapers. Other towns and villages having populations of freni 100 to 1,000 are scattered over the territory. In order to secure the peace of this new community, in the absence of civil government, 1 directed lien. Merritt, eennmanding the department oi the Missouri, to act in conjunction with the marshals of the Unitel States, to preserve the peace, and upon their requisition to us the troops to aid them in executing warrants and in quieting any riots or breaches of the eace that might occur. He M as further lirected to use his inlluence to promote good order and to avoid any conflicts between or M ith the settlers. Believing that the introduction ami sale of liquors, w here no Iegal restraints or regulations existed, would endanger tho public ivace, and in view of the fact that such liquors must first be introduced into the Imhan reservations before reaching the white settlements, I further directed the general commanding to enforce the laws, relating to the introduction of anient spirits into the Indian country. The presence ofth; troops has given a sense of security to the v. elldisposed citiz . ns, and has tended to re strain the lawless. In. one instance the officer in immediate command of troopg went further than I leemed justifiable in r-upporting the le facto municipal government of (iuthrie, and he was so rifornv-ii and directed to limit the interference of the military to the support of the marshals on the lilies indicated in the original order. I urgently recommend that conpress at once provide a territ rial govern-ne-nt for thes'o people. Scriou questions Mhii'h may at any time h ad to violent outbreaks, "are awaiting the in stitution ol courts for their peaceiul adjustment. The American genius for self-government has been well illustrated in Oklahoma, but it is neither safe nor Mise to leave these people longer to the expedients M'hich have temporarily scrvet them. L' gUtatlon For AI.ika. Provision should Im made for the acquisition of title to town lots now established in Alaska, tor locating tow n s.t- and f-t the establishment of mimic;; rti j 'vjj ments. Only the mining Iums b .eb T extended to that territory, and no other form of title to lands can nw be ol tain i. The general laud laws were framed Mith, reference to the disposition of agricultural lands and it is doubtful if their operation in Alaska Mtuld I' beneficial. Wo have fortunately not extended to Alaska tho mistaken policy of establishing reservations for tho Indian tribes, and can leal with them from the beginning as individuals w ith, I am rum, better results. But any dis'Minition of the ouhlic. lands, mid any regulations relating to timls-r and to tho fisheries, should hare a kindly regard to their interests. Having no power t levy taxes, the people of Alaska tre m holly dependent ujHn the general government, to whose' revenues the seal fisheries make a large annua) contribution. An appropriation for education sh eild neither be overlooked nor stinted. Thesmallnessof the population and the great listance Wtween the settlements ofier serious obtac'es to the establishment ef th" usual territorial form of government. I'crhnps theorganization of several suh-di tricts, w ith a small municipal council of limited powers for each, would b" safe and useful. Attention is called in this connection to the suggestions of the secretary of the treasury relating to the establishment of another port of entry in Alaska, and of other needed customs, facilities and regulations. . THE LAND OFFiCE. A y ulet I K nt the Adm' 'itit'-atiit ff Com UiUsloiMT Sftr. In the administration of the land lawi the policy of facilitating in every proper May the adjustment of the honest claims of individual settlers upon the publio lands has bee n pursued. The number of pending cases had, during the preceding administration, been urtatlv increased under the ojMvatiou of orders for a tinm lusnciidius final action in a largo parte!