Pike County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 29, Petersburg, Pike County, 10 December 1890 — Page 1

“Our Motto is J. L. MOUNT, Eiitor aid Proprietor. MBER 29 PETERSBURG, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1890 VOLUME XXI

88*

PIKE COUNTY DEMOCRAT ■ A- ■—. ... " '■ JOB WORK oif ut mol -*»- REASONABLE RATES. NOTICE! Persons reoetrin* a copy of tots pijtr this notice crossed in lead pencil are notified that tna time of their subscription has expired.

PROM>SIOWAL CARDS. — M. POMEBOY, M. D., ician and Surgeon PETERSBURG, INI). Will practice in 6lty and adjacent country, special a( teutiori given to Chronic Diseases, venereal Diseases em-oessfuliv treated. Diseases successfully tre ate d. Consult ation free. AgrOllice in second story of Htsgei Building, Rain street, betweuo Seventh and Eighth., A'aajtcm n, Poset. Dewitt q. Chappell. POSEY & CHAPPELL, Attorneys at Law, Petersburg, Ind. Will practice In all the courts. Special at Mention given t> all business. A Notary Public constantly in the office. 4R*Oflict— On first floor Bank Building. -- E. A. ELY, Attorney at Law, Petersburg, Ind. WOflice over J. R. Adams A Son's Drag Store. He is also a member of the United .States Collection Association, and gives ‘prompt attention to every matter in which .he Is eng ag ad. SC. P. Richardson. A. H. Taylor. ' BICHABDSON & TAYLOB, Attorneys at Law, Petersburg, Ind. Prompt attention given to all business. A Kotary Public constantly in the office. Office In Carptf liter Building, Eighth and Rain. EDWIN SMITH, Attorney at Law AND Real Estate Agent, Petersburg, Ind. a^OfflcB Over Gus Frank’s store. Special attention given to Collections, Buying and Selling Lands, Examining Titles, Furnishing Abstracts, etc. * E. E. KIME, Physician and Surgeon Petersburg, Ind. 49-Offlce in Bank Building. Residence o» Seventh street. Three squares soutli of Main. Culls promptly attended day or night. I. H. LaMAE, Physician and Surgeon Petersburg* Ind. Will praetica In Pike anil adjoining connties. Offi^s In'Montgomery Building. Office hours day and night. ^•Diseases of Women and Children a specialty. Chronic and difficult cases solicited. DENTISTRY. TS. J. ILA-RRIS,

Resident Dentist3 PETERSBURG, IND. ALL WORK WARRANTED. W. H. STONECIPHER,

Surgeon Dentist, PETERSBURG, IND. Office in rooms6 and 7 in Carpenter BuildIn*. Operations first-class. All work warranted. Anaesthetics used tor painless extraction of teeth. '| <m DENTISTRY My appliances are all new, and in direct conformity with the latest Improvements used in Dentistry. I have located permanently over P. C. Hammond & Son’s, where I will do Bridge and Crown work a specialty. DR. JOHN D. L.OETZERICH, DENTIST. MODEL BARBER SHOP JOHN LEE, Prop. The only shop In town run by white men. Work first-class. Satisfaction guaranteed. We make a specialty of children's and alto •f ladles’ hair cutting. Dyeing dona to the satisfaction of ail. CALL. V JOHN USE. TRUSTEES' NOTICES OF OFFICE DAT. N OTICE In hereby given that I will attend to the duties of th the office of trustee of Clay township at Union on EVERY SATURDAY. All persons who have business with the office will take notice that I will attend to business on no other day. M. El GOWEN. Trustee. ■ VTOTICE in hereby given to all parties Intereeted that I will attend fit my office fat SI treated i Stendal, > ' EVERY STAUBDAY, To transact business connected with the office pf trustee of Lockhart township. Ail parsons having hnsinesi with said office will please take notice. _ . J. B. BARRETT, Trustee. J^OTICB la h I cerned that ! iven to nil parties o ildence. ill be a tiny resli _ ._JY TUESDAY, To attend to bnsinaM connected with the offloeof Trustee of Monroe township. GEORGE GRIM. Trustee. J^OTICE hi hereby given that I will be at I my residence 2L? EVERY THURSDAY attend to buslnesa connected with the :e of Trustee of Logan township. transacted axgOrPosttlvely no buslne eepl on offline day*. SILAS KIRK, Trustee. Iven to all parties eon • attend a^my residence _iAY connected with the of Madison township township, transacted i

THE WOBLD AT LIEGE. Summary of tha Daily News. CONGItESS. The second session of the Fifty-first Congress convened at noon on Decern be 1. The Senate met with nearly all the Senators present. Immediately after prayer by the chaplain the credentials of Messrs. Carey and Warren, Senators-.cleft from the new State of Wyoming, were presented and they were sworn in, Carey drawing- the long and Warren the short term. The president's message was then presented and read and the Senate adjourned—The House met at noon, when the credentials of Messrs. Breckinridge (Ark.), 8weet (Idaho), Stone (Pa.) and Clark (Wyo.) were presented and .they were sworn in,. Mr. Ilreek inridge being greeted with applause by his friends. The credentials of David A. Harvey, as Delegate* from Oklahoma, were presented and he was swoi-n in. The President’s message was then read and the House adjourned. After disposing of various mol ions and resolutions on the 2d the Senate by a strict party vote took iip the Federal elections bill, and while the bill was being read the hour of 2 o’e lock arrived and a motion by Senator Hoar to-continue the reading of the bill was antagonized by Mr. Gorman, who wished toproceed with unfinished business—the eighthoar bill. It was finally decided by a party vote to proceed with the reading, which continued until adjournment_In the House petitions for the amending of the tariff bill were presented. The copyright bill was then taken up and various motions made to get it ■ out of the way, but after ordering the previous question the House adjourned, IN i;he Senate on the 3d Mr. Cullom introduce;! a bill to reduce letter postage to one , cent. The Indian troubles In the Northwest, i were then discussed until 2 o’clock, when, the elections bill came up and Senator Tnrpie addressed the Senate in opposition to the bill until -adjournment.In the House the copyright bill was taken up and after somo debate passed by 139 yeas to 95 nays, and the House adjourned. Petitions were presented in the Senate on the 4th, and the resolution offered by Senator Hawley to issue arms to the States of North and South Dakota and Nebraska, for defense against the Indians, was taken up, and after a general discussion oi the Indian troubles w«s adopted. The elections bill was then taken up and Mr. Pugh spoke against it. Nb other business of general importance was transacted_The House passed the bill for the punishment of any guardian, committee, or other judiciary agent for.the embezzle# ment of the pension of a ward, and the pension appropriation bill was considered in committee of the whole until adjournment. After routine business in the Senate on the 5th the eleetiohs bill again came up as the regular order and Senator Gray spoke at length in opposition. During the debate the fact came out that a grave error had been made in the printing of the bill, and .pending discussion the Senate adjourned after Mr. Morgan had offered a resolution calling on the Attorney-General for a statement as to places of residence and date of apimintment of chief supervisors of elections in the Southern States—The House, after some discussion, took up and passed the Senate resolution for supplying arms to certain Northwestern States for defense against the Indians. The pension appropriation hill was then furthered considered, and on motion of Mr. Dockery, of Missouri, tut amendment was adopted providing that no agent or attorney should demand, receive or be allowed any compensation in any disability ease. It is estimated by Mr. Dockery and Chairman Morrill, of the Invalid Pension Committe, that this will save $5,COO,COO to the pensioners in the next three years. The bill passed and the House adjourned. WASHINGTON NOTES. Tint President has directed the removal of Joseph H. Wilson, Unitod States district attorney for the Eastern district of Texas, on the ground of neglect of duty and ina Mention *tb the public interestsSecretary Tracy gave a banquet and a reception onlthe 1st to the officers of the Brazilian war ships now in this country. The House Committee on App -opriations has accepted the sub-committee’s pension bill. It calls for 8133,099,785. The publio debt statement showed an Increase during the month of Kovember of $6,130,819. General Cadmus M. Wilcox died at Washington on the 2d. Mr. Perkins has in trod uc* id a resolution in the House for the issuance of seeds to needy farmers in Kansas and Nebraska. A bill has been introduced in the House to cut from 810 to 31 the fee for prosecuting a claim for increase of pension.

ington on the 4th. He never regained consciousness after the at tack. The President and Secretary Blaine are seriously considering the appointment of Congressman Morrow, ol California, jis Minister to Guatemala in I place of Lansing B. Mizr.er, recalled, The President has nominated Ko trial- | do Pacheco, of California, as Minister | to Central America, vine Mizoer, recalled in consequenoe fif the Barrundia affair. _ nus .sAsi. * Two miners were killed and a third seriousily injured by beiing struck by a train while walking on the track near Sutersville, Pa. Tux Bittenhouse Manufacturing Company, of Passaic, H. J., at the head oi which is Edward H. Amtaidown, hae failed with $800,000 debt and $300,000 assets. Albert H. Smith, the New York broker convicted »>f forge ry, got a sentence off seventeen years. TuE cheap lodging houses of Boston have passed into the hands of a stock company. - Montoomeby & Co., wa brokers oi New York, ore in trouble. Jitdgis Bkadt. of Now York, sentenced Juglglo, the Japanese, to death It is declared that an understanding has been reached in Congressional circles by which no rive r and harbor bill will be passed at this session, thereby reducing the appropriations by $20,000,000. Dlt. Joddiaii Baxter, Surgeon-Gen-eral of the United States army, who was stricken with paralysis, tiled at Wash

STATE INTELLIGENCE. Mbs. Elizabeth Murphey, widow ot the late Colonel Miles Murphej, for nearly half a century the leading merchant in Newcastle, and one of the pioneers of Henry County, was found dead in her bed at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. W. Goodwin, early the other morning, aged 88 years. Cause of death, heart failure. Sam Lino, Chinee, Grand Master of the Celestial Freemasons, established a lodge of his countrymen in Indianapolis. I' Mb. B. McGinty, of Jeffersonville, went to bed smoking acigar, fell asleep, set fire to the bed and was so nearly suffocated that he was saved with difficulty. Joseph Bowe, of Brazil, has sued Henry Brinkman, of Terre Haute, for $5,000 because the latter fired a load of shot intd his back in the course of a quarrel. The President fias appointed Jotas-ft-Bobinson, of Indiana, a special agent to make allotnient of lands in severalty to Indians The new electric fire-alarm system is being put op at Crawfordsville. In the legal fight between the disputed United Brethren, Judge Bundy, of Henry County, decides in favor of the Liberals, who wish to let members of secret societies into the church fold. A number of people at Greenwood were seriously poisoned the other day by eating prepared meat, purchased of a local grocer, which had been cooked inn copper kettle. Two members of P. D. Rush’s family suffered tuost All are now believed to be out of danger. At Logansport the three-y fear-old daughter of Wesley Penny was burned to death the other evening. The fathe and mother were out milking, when the child complained of being cold, and went into the house to get warm; They were alarmed at her cries a few moments afterwards, and, rushiDg to the bouse, ft««l her olothing in flames. She died fttwn her injuries after living about two hours in an unconscious condition. It is supposed her clothing caught from tho stove, which she had opened. Chief of Police Hahn had a desperate encounter the other afternoon with a river pirate, a mile above Vincennes, which nearly cos’t him his life. The officer had given chase to the pirate, and was rapidly overtaking him, when he mired in . the mud on the river bank" The fugitive took advantage of the officer’s predicament, jumped into a skiff near by, and rowed out into the river, from which vantage he opened fire on the Chief with a Colt’s revolver, firing eight shots at the helpless custodian, whose gun, as well as himself, was buried in the mud. One of the shots passed through the Chief’s coat, another barely missed his left ear, while the remaining six were too close for comfort Subsequently the fugitive, whose name is Black, returned to shore, and, after an exciting chase on both land and water, was compelled to surrender to Hahn while astride a log in the middle of the Wabash. A handsome, well-dressed gentleman, registering as S. G. Brown, city, stopped' at the Planters’ Hotel, Indianapolis, the other night and next morning he was found dead in bed. There is nothing indicating the cause of death. The man is a stranger. Seveba i. weeks ago Mrs. Jennie Withrow, the divorced wife of Edward Dalrymple, of Elkhart to whom the court awarded the custody of the children, kidnaped her daughter, aged ten, and after a long and costly search Dalrymple located the woman and girl at Ilia.' jpolis, and recovered his daughter,\ w days ago, by habeas corpus proceedings. After separating from Dalrymple the woman married a man named Withrow, from whom she afterward procured a divorce.

Marion Robertson, a well-known farmer, was fatally shot at Bloomington by the premature discharge of a gun while hunting. One hand was shot off, ■ and the load lodged in his face, one of his eyes falling out; He will die. At Rushville Will Hamilton, jaged 30 years, got very drunk and was jailed. In the night ,he took off all his clothes, burned them and was found by the jailer in the morning stark naked. He is now crazy from the effects of whisky. He has drunk up $15,000 in ten months. He will probably be sent to the asylum. The other morning, about a mile east of Spicelahd, an old man about 70 years old was found in tho edge of the woeds dead. He was pretty well dressed, wearing a Derby stiff hat and had a ticket dated November 24 from Ft Wayne, via Cambridge City, to Indianapolis, and $26 in money was found upon his person. No evidence of who he was can be ascertained. The supposition is he got off the train at New Castle and wandered away, being slightly demented.' Henry Lamb married Widow Winkley at Lawrenceburg, the other day. They were engaged fifty years ago when Henry was twenty-one and the present bride twenty. Tbe other night James B. Ken nor, a prominent lawyer and eounty attorney, was stopped upon the street in Huntr ington by a man, who demandbd that he pay the money which he owed him. Kennor denied owing the man any thing, and was knocked down with a large stone. His cries for help brought $id to him, and the assailant fled. Kennor identified the man as Chas. Ashley, a barber, living there, who was arrested and held in $1,000 bail, which, so far, he ' has failed to give. It has been discovered that John Isenhart, a farmer living near Portland, who was supposed to have deserted his family in 1863, was murdered at that time by one John Hindman. His remains have been discovered under Hindman’s stable. Hilton D. Fletcher, brought back from Colorado, some time ago, to anyrer the charge of embezzling pension funds, pleaded guitty before Judge Woods at Indiamapolis, the other morning, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for a year and a day. The Farmers’ Alliance of Boone County will hold an institute in Lebanon December 26 and 37. Indiana has post-offices named as follows: Art, Mud Lick, Potato Creek. ; Plnkamink, No, Oo Soon Over, Don Juan and Toll Gate. The Commissioner of Pensions has appointed Dra H. H. Letsen, and J. A. Hawn, at Leavenworth, and Drs. M. L. Hall, W. L Hall and H. Nebeker at Newport, and Dra L. Severance and B. H. Grasson at Huntington, as Pension Examining Surgeons. Henry O’Neil, residing near Canaan, Jefferson County, while driving a team of hones attached to a wagon, fell from tl*e top of a load of oorn and broke his nook. He was 7$ years old. ■_% ♦

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE. Opening of the Second Session of the Fifty-First Congress. President Harrison Tr.in.mlts His Second Annual liman to Congress, which li Read In Both Houses. Washington, Dee L—Promptly at noon both houses of Congress were called to order, in the presence of large and interested crowds of spectators. Numerous floral emblems decorated the desks of favored Senators and Representatives, and there was a merry flow of badinage over the results of the late1elections. The preliminary business having been transacted, which consisted in adminis-' tering the oath- to a few new Senators and members, the usual committees were appointed to wait upon thfl. President and inform bifll that Congress was in session and ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to make. At 1:30 p. m. Private Secretary Halford, appeared at the bar of the House and presented the President’s annual message which was at once read. A copy was also presented in the Senate. The message is as follows: To the senate and Bouse op Representatives—The reports of the several executive deportments, which will be laid before Congress in the usual course, will exhibit in detail the operations of the Government for the last fiscal year. Only the more important incidents and results and chiefly such as may be the foundation of the recommendation 1 shall submit, will be referred to in this annual message. The vast and Increasing business of the Government has been transacted by the several departments during the year with faithfulness, energy and success. The revenue, amounting to above *450,000,000, has been collected ana disbursed without revealing, so far.as I can ascertain, a.single case of defalcation or embezzlement. An earnest effort has been made to stimulate a sense of responsibility and public duty in all officers and employes of every grade, and the work done by them has almost wholly escaped unfavorable criticism. 1 speak of these matters with freedom, because the credit of this good work is not mine, but is shared by the eads of the several departments with the great body of faithful officers and employes who’serve under them. The closest scrutiny of Congress is invited to all the methods of the Administration, and to everyitem of expenditure. FOREIGN RELATIONS. The friendly relations of our country with the nations of Europe and of the East have been undisturbed, while the ties of good will und common interest that bind us to the states of the Western Hemisphere have been notably strengthened by the conference held in this capital to consider measures for the general welfare. THE INTERNATIONAL MARINE CONFERENCE. The International Marine Conference which met at Washington last winter reached a very gratifying result. The regu - lations suggested have been brought to the attention of all the governments represented, and tbelrgeneral adoption is confidently expected. The legislation of Congress at the last session is in conformity with the propositions of the conference, and the proclamation therein provided for will he issued when the other powers have given notice of their adhesion. —' THE BRAZILIAN REPUBLIC. Toward the end of the past year the only independent monarchical government on the Western continent, that of Brazil, ceased to exist and was succeeded by a republic. Diplomatic relations were at once established with the new government, but it was not completely recognized until an opportunity bad neen afforded to ascertain that it had popular approval and support. When the course of events had yielded assurances of this fact, no time was lost in extending the new government a full and cordial welcome into the family of American commonwealths. THE CENTRAL AMERIC ANTROCBEBS. The peace of Central America has again been disturbed through a revolutionary change in Salvador, which was not reeoguized by other States, and hostilities broke out between Salvador and Guatemala, threatening to involve all Central America in conflict, and to nndo the progress which had been made toward a union of Interests. The efforts of this Government were promptly and zealously exercised to compose.their differences, and through the active efforts of the representative of the United States a provisional treaty of peace was signed August 26, whereby the right of the republic of Salvador to choose its own rulers was recognized. General Eseta, the Chief of the Provisional Government, has since been confirmed in the presidency by the Assembly and diplomatic recognition duly followed. THE KILLING OF BAKBUKDLL. The killing of General Barrundla on board the Pacific Mail Steamer Acapuleo, while anchored en transit in the port of San Jose de Guatemala,demanded careful inquiry. Having failed in a revolutionary attempt to invade Gautemala from Mexican territory General Barrundia took passage at Acapulco for Panama. The consent of the representatives of the United States was songht to effect his seizure, first at Champrico, where the steamer touched, and afterwards at San Jose. The captain of the steamer refused to §ive up his passenger without a written orer from the United States Minister; the latter furnished the desired letter, stipulating as the conditions of his action, that General Barrundia’s life should be spared and that he should be tried only for offenses growingout of bis insurrectionary movements. This letter was produced to the captain of the Acapulco by the military commander at San Jose as his warrant to take the passenger from the steamer. General Barrundia resisted capture and was killed. It being evident that tbe Minister, Mr. Mizner, hau exceeded the bounds of bis authority in intervening, in compliance with the demands of the Guatemalan authorities, to authorize and effect, in violation of precedent, the seizure on a vessel of the United States of a passenger in transit charged with golitical offenses, in order that he might be eld for such offenses under what was described as martial law, I waB constrained to disavow Mr. Miner's act and recall him from his post.

lOS NICARAGUA CAN AX PROJECT. Tlie Nicaragua canal project, under the control of our citizens, is making the most encouraging progress, all the preliminary conditions and initial operations having been accomplished within the prescribed time. THB OmLIAN UUAIMS. During the year negotiations have been renewed for the settlement of the claims of American citizens against the Government of Chili, principally growing out of the late war with Peru. The reports from ourMinisterat Santiago warrant the expectation of an early and satisfactory adjustment. CHINA. Our relations with China, which have for several years occupied so important a place in our diplomatic history, have called for careful consideration anahavebeen the subject of much correspondence. Thecounnunications of the Chinese Minister have brought into view the whole subject of our conventional relations with his country; and attho same time this Government, through its legation at Pekin, has sought to arrange various matters and complaints touching the interests and protections of our citizen* in China, in persuance of the concurrent resolution of October 1,18S0, I have proposed to the Government of Mexico, and Great Britain, to consider a conventional regulation of the passing of Chinese laborers across our southern and northern frontiers. FRANC'*. Our relations with the French republio continue to be cordial. Our representative at that court has very diligently urged the removal of the restrictions imposed upon our meat products, and it is believed that substantial progress has been made towards & just settlement. THE CARLOS-BUTT*RnilD CLAIM: On the 22d day of August last, Sir Edmund Monson, the arbitrate!', selected^under the treaty of December «, JB88, rendered an award to the effect that no eompesation was due from the Danish Government to the United States on account of what is commonly known as the Carlos-Bntterffeld claim. y SAMOAN AFFAIRS. The Samoan treaty, signed last year at Berlin by the representatives of tbe United States, Germany and Great Britain, after due ratlheati on and exchange, has begun to produce salutary effects. The formation of the Government agreed upon will soon replace the disorder of the paBt by a stable adm inistration, alike just to the natives and equitable to the three powers most concerned in trade and intercourse with the Samoan Islands. Tbe Chief Justice ban been chosen by the King of Sweden and Norway on the Invitation of the three powers and trill soon be installed. The Band Commission and the Municipal Connell are In process of organization. A rational and evenly-distributed scheme of taxation, both municipal and upon Imports, U^ln operation. Mclietoa Is respected as RZIJUnONir WITH QBE AT BRITAIN. The new treaty of extradition with Great SKoSAta itobeiSS: cial work is already apparent. The difference between the two governments touching the fnr-seal question in tbe Behring sea is not yet adjusted, as will bo seen h; * --Id if. The offer to

lated to asshr i a conclusion satisfactory to either party, it is sincerely hoped that before the opening of another sealing season sotne arrange] tents may be effected which will assure to he United States a property right, derived from Bussia, which Was not disregarded by any nation for mere than elfjhty years ^ keeping the outbreak of the Hawaii AND THE XlONLEY BILL. In the Tariff act a wrong was done to the Kingdom of Hawaii which lam bound to presujne was wholly unintentional. Duties were levied on certt in commodities which are included in the reciprocity treaty now existing between the U nited States and the Kingdom of Hawaii witl out indicating the necessary exception in fi vor of that Kingdom. I hope Congress will repair what might otherwise seem to be a bleach of fajth on the part of this Government. 0 • MR. VANBOKEL’S CLAIM. An award in ft.vor of the United States In the matter of the claim of Mr. Vanbokel against Hayti was rendered on December 1, 1888, but owing to disorders then and afterward prevailing in Hayti, the terms of payment were hot observed. A new agreement as to the time of payment has been approved, and is now in force, other just claims of citizens of the United 8tai.es for redress of wrongs suffered during the late political conflict in Hayti will, it is hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment. EXTRADITION TREATY WITH ITALY. Propositions lor the amendment tit the treaty of extradition between the United States and Italy are now under consideration. You will be asked to. provide the* means Of accepting the invitations of the Italian Government to take part in an approaching conference to consider the universal prime meridian from which to reckon longitude! and t fine. As this proposal follows in the track of the reform sought to be initiated by the meridian conference of Washington, held on the invitation of this Government, the United States should manifest a friendly Interest in the Italian proposal. TREATY RELATIONS WITH JAPAN. The revision of our treaty relations with the empire of Japan has continued to be the subject of consideration and of correspondence. The questions involved are both grave and dellcaie; and, while it will be my duty to see that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese Government and maintain the present and long-existing friendly relations between Japan and the United Stages will be effected. MSI II CAN AFFAIRS. The friendship between our countiw and Mexico; horn ol close neighborhood and strengthened by many considerations of intimate intercourse and reciprocal interest, has never been n ore conspicuous than now, nor more hopeful of increased benefit to both nations. The in ercourse of the two countries by rail, already great, is making constant growth. RELATIONS WITH SPAIN. The cordial cha racter of our relations with Spain warrants t le hope that by the continuance of methods of friendly negotiation, much may be accomplished in.the direction of an adjustment of pending questions and of the increase of • >ur trade. The extent and. development of irar trade with the island of Cuba invest the commercial relations of the United States ant Spain with a peculiar importance. It is n it doubted that a special arrangement in regard to commerce, based upon the reciprocity provision ®! the recent Tariff act, would operate most beneficially for both governments. This subject is now receiving attention. JO IN ERICSSON. The restoration of the remains of John Ericsson to Sweden afforded a gratifying occasion to honor tlie memory of the great inventor, to whose genius our country owes so much, and to bear witness to the unbroken friendship which has existed between the land which bore him and our own, which claimed him as a citizen. THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS. On the 2d of September last the commission appointed to revise the proceedings of the -Claims convention between the Unit.edSlatcs anSvehUJfhela —I JC^i bro" iis labors to a close within the period fixed for that purpose. The proceedings of the late commission were characterized by a spirit of impartiality and a high sense of justice, and an incident, which was for many years the subject of discussion between the two governments, has been disposed of in a manner alike honorable and satisfactory to both parties. THE CONSULAR SERVICE. The legislation of the past few years has evinced on the part of Congress a growing realization of the importance of the consular service in fostering our commercial relations abroad and in protecting the domestic revenues. As the scope of operations expands, increased provision must be made to keep up the essential standard of efficiency. The necessity of some adequate measure of supervision and inspection has been so often presented that I need only commend the subject to your attention. FINANCIAL. J Tbe-revenues of the Government from all sources for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, were $468,963,060.55, and the total expenditures for the same period were $358,618,584.52. The postal receipts have not heretofore been included in the statement of these aggregates, and for the purpose of comparison the sum of $60,882,097.92 should be deducted from both sides of the account. The surplus for the year, including the amount applied to the sinking fund, was $105,344,497.03. The receipts for 1890 were $18,030,913.79, and the expenditures $15,739,871 in exeess of those of 1889. The customs receipts increased $5,835,842.88, and the receipts from internal revenue $11,725,191.89, while on the side of expenditures, that for pensions was $19,312,074.96 in excess of the preceding year.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. The Treasury statement for the current fiscal year, partly actual and partly estimated, is as follows Receipts from all sourcese, $406,000,000; total expenditures, $354,000,000, leaving a surplus of $52,000,OOO-toot taking the postal receipt^ into account on either side. The loss of rev enue from customs for the last Quarter is estimated at $25,000,000, but from this is deducted a gain of about $16,000,000 realized during the first four months of the year. For the year 1892 the total estimated receipts are $373,000,000 and the estimated ex§enditures $357,852,209.42, leaving an estimati surplus of $15,147,790.68, which, with a cash balance of $52,000,000 at the beginning of the year, will give $66,147,790.58 as the sum available for the redemption of outstanding bonds or other uses. The estimates of receipts and expenditures for the Post-Offlce Department being equal are not included in this statement on either side. PURCHASE OF SILVER BULLION. The act “directing the .purohase of silver bullion and the "issue of Treasury notes thereon,” approved June 14, 1890, has been administered by the Secretary of the Treasury with an earnest purpose to get into circulation at the earliest possible dates the full monthly amounts of Treasury notes contem plated hy its provisions, and at the same -!hi ' * ‘ * time to give to the market for silver bullion such support as the law contemplates. The recent depreciation in ‘the price of silver has been observed with regret. The rapid rise in price which anticipated and followed the passage of the act was influenced In some degree by speculation, and the recent reaction is in, part the result of the same "cause and in part of the recent monetary disturbances. Some months of further trial will be hecessary to determine the permanent effectof the recent legis lation upon silver values, but it is gratifyinj is- ... upon silver values, but it is gratifying to know that the increased circulation secured by the act has exerted and will continue :ert a more beneficial influence upon to ex. _ __ ■ m business and upon general values. THE RECENT FINANCIAL FLURRY. The recent monetary disturbances In England are not unlikely to suggest a re-exam-ination of opinions upon this subject. Our very large supply of gold will, if not lost by impulsive legislation mthe supposed interest of sllyer, give us a position of advantage in promoting a permanent and safe international agreement for the *- free use of silver as CIRCULATION OF MONET. The efforts bf the Secretary-to Increase the volume of money in circulation by keeping down the treasury surplus to the lowest practicable limit have been unremitting, and in a very high degree successful. The tables presented by him, showing the increase of money In circulation during the past two decades, and espeeially the table showing the increase during the eighteen months he has administered the affairs of the department, are Interesting and instructive. The increase of money in circulation during the nineteen months has been in the aggregate $98,866,813, or about $1.50 per capita, find of this increase only $7,100,009 was due to the recent silver legislation. That this Substantial and needed aid given to commerce resulted in an enormous re duction of the public debt and of the annual interest charge is matter of increased satis faetion. There have been purchased and redeemed since March 4, 1889, 4 and per cent, bonds to the amount of $211,832,450, at a cost of $*46,620,741, resulting in the^ reduction of the annual interest Charge _of^|||967,609, and a total saving of interest of $51, THE INTERNAL REVENUE. , i “ I notice with great pleasure the statement of the Secretary that the reoipts from Internal revenue nave Increased during the last fiscal year nearly $12,000,000, and that the coat of collecting this larger ■ _ revenue was fess’ by J90JU7 "than for "the ‘same purpose to the preceding year. The percentage oc- cost of collecting the customs revenue was less for the last fiscal year than ever before. THE WAB DEPARTMENT. The report of the Secretary of War exhibits several gratifying results attained during the year hy wise and unostentatious methods. The percentage of desertions from the army (an evil for which both Congress and the department have long been seeking a remedy) has been reduced during the past year 24 per cent., and (or the months of August mid September, during which time the favorable effects of the act or June 16 were felt, 3f cent, ns compared with the tame '

the Volunteer soldiers are Terr remarkable. This change was effected In July, 18®, and at that time there were 44,654 oases awaiting attention, more than halt ot these being calls from the Pension Office for information necessary to the adjudication of pension claims. On the 30th day of June last, though over 300,000 new calls had come in, there was not a singlecase that had not been examined and answered. _ COAST DEFENSE WORKS AND ORDNANCE. concur in the recommendations of the Secretary that adequate and regular appropriations be continued for coast defense works and ordnance. Plans have been practically agreed upon and there can be no good reason for delaying the execution of them, while the defenseless state of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedition. STATE MILITIA. The encouragement that has been extended, to the militia of the States, generally, and most appropriately, designated the “National Guard,’' should be continued and enlarged. These military organizations constitute, in a large sense, the army of the United States, while about five-sixths of the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the State. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The report of the Attorney-General Is, under the law, submitted directly to Congress, but as the Departments of Justice is one of the executive departments, some reference to the work done is appropriate here. A vigorous and, in the main, effective effort has been made to bring to trial and Banishment all violators of the laws; but, at le same time, care has been take that frivolous and technical offenses should not be used to swell the fees of the officers or to harass well-disposed citizens. Especial attention is called to the facts connected with the prosecutions of violations of the election laws and offenses against United States officers. The number of convictions secured, very many of them upon pleas of guilty, will, it is hoped, have a salutary restraining influence. THE POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster-General shows the most gratifying progress in the important work committed to His direction. The business methods nave been greatly improved. A large economy in expenditures and an increase of $1,750,000 in receipts have been realized. The deficiency this year is $5,786,300 as against $6,350,183 last year. Notwithstanding the great enlargement of the service, mail routes have been extended and quickened and greater accuracy and dispatch in distribution and delivery nave been attained. THE ANTI-LOTTERY LAW. The passage of the act to amend certain sections of the Revised Statutes relating to lotteries, approved September 19, 1890, has been received with great and deserved popular favor. The Post-Office Department and the Department of Justice at once entered upon the enforcement of the law with sympathetic vigor, and-already the public mails have been largely freed from the fraudulent and demoralizing appeals and literature emanating from tbe lottery companies. THE NAVY. The construction and equipment of the new ships for the navy have made very satisfactory progress. Since March 4,1889, nine new vessels have been put in commission, and during this winter four more, including one monitor, will be added. The construction of the other vessels authorized is being pushed, both in the Government and private yards, with energy, and watched with the most scrupulous care. ARMOR PLATES. The experiments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting power of armor plates have been so valuable as to attract great attention in Europe. The only part of the work upon the new Ships that is threatened by unusual delay is tile armor Slating, and every effort is being made to rouce that to the minimum. It is a sourtta of congratulation that the antictoated influence of the9e modem vessels upon the esprit dn corps of the officers and seamen has been fully realized. Confidence end .pride In the ship among AUecTew are equivalent to a secondary battery. Your favorable consideration is invited to the recommendations of the Secreretary. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The report of the Secretary of the Interior exhibits with great fullness and clearness the vast work of that department and the satisfactory results attained. The suggestions made by him are earnestly commended to the consideration of Congress, though they can not all be given panicular mention here. The several acts of Congress looking to the reduction of the larger Indian reservations, to the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon Individual allotments and the restoration to the public domain of lands jn excess of their needs, have been largely carried into effect so far as the work was confined to the Executive. Agreements have been concluded since March 4, 1889, involving the cession . to the United States of about 14,736,000 acres of land. THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. The policy omlined in my last annual message in relation to the patenting of lands to settlers upon the public domain nas been carried out in the administration of the Land Office. No general suspicion nor imputation of fraud has been allowed to delay tne hear- > ing and adjudication of individual cases upon their merits. FEN8ION8. The Disability Pension act, which wasapIiroved on the 27th of June last, has been put nto operation as rapidly as was practicable. The increased Clerical force as provided was selected and assigned to work, and a consid- ■ erable part of the force engaged in examinations in the field was recalled and added to the working force of the office. The examination and adjudication of claims have, by reason of Improved methods, been more rapid than ever before. There is no economy to the Government in delay, while there is much hardship and injustice to the soldfer. The anticipated expenditure, while very large, will not, it is believed, be in excess of the estimates made before the enactment of the law. This liberal enactment of the general law should suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills for special relief, both as to the ca9es where relief is granted and as to the amount allowed. THE MORMONS.

The Increasing numbers and influence of the non-Mormom population in Utah are observed with great satisfaction. The recent letter of Wilford Woodruff, president of the Mormon church, in which he advised his people “to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws of the land,” has attracted wide attention, and it is hoped that its influence will be highly beneficial in restraining infractions of the law of the United States. But the fact should not be overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the chureh that polygamous marriages are rightful and supported by Divine revelation remains unchanged. President Woodruff does not renounce the doctrine, but refrains from teaching it, and advises against the practice of it because the law is against it. Now, it is quite true that the law should not attempt to deal with the faith or belief of any one; but it is quite another 1 hing, and the only safe thing, so to deal with the Territory of Utah as that those who believe polygamy to be rightful, shall not have the power to make it lawful. ADMISSION OF NEW STATES. The admission of the States of Wyoming and- Idaho to the Union are events full of interest and congratulations, not only to the people of those States now happily endowed with a full participation in our privileges and responsibilites, but to all our people. Another belt of 8tatcs stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. , THE CENSUS. The enumeration of people of the United States undertheprovision of the act of March 1,1890. has been completed, and the result will be at onco officially communicated to Congress. The completion of this decennial enumeration devolves upon Congress the duty of making apew apportionment of P<mroa»mtnt.ivpa 'Afltmuur thft St&ttJS. Representatives Sarnong the several States, according to theif^gspective numbers.” DEPARTMENT OF AORICUpTUEB. The report of the Secretary of Agriculture deserves special attention, In view of the fact that the year has been marked in a very unusual degree by agitation and organization among the farmers, looking to an increase in the profits of their business. It will be found that the efforts of the department have been intelligently and jealously devoted to the promotion of the interests intrusted to fts care. A very substantial improvement in the market prices In the leading farm products during the year is noticed. The price of wheat advanced from 81 cents In October, 1889, $1.0048 in October, 1890; corn from 31 cents to 6014 cents; oats from 19Vl cents to 43 cents, and barley from S3 cents to 98 cents. Meats showed a substantial but not so large an increase. The export trade in lire animals and fowls shows a very large JsCrease, the total value of such exports for the year ending June 80,1890, was $33,000,000, and the increase over the preceding year was over $15,000,000. Nearly 300,000 more cattle and over 15,000,000 more hogs were exported than in the preceding year. The export trade In beef and pork products and in dairy products was very largely increased, the increase in the article of hotter alone being from 15,501,978 pounds to 29,748,043 pounds, and the total increase in the value of meat iand dairy products exported being $34,000,090. This trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it la believed, will be yet fprther and very largely Increased when the system of inspectiom and sanitary supervision now provided by law is brought fully into into operation CATTLE INSFECTION. The efforts of the Secretary to establish the healthfulness of. our meats againBt the disparaging imputations that have been put upon them abroad have resulted in substantial progress. Veterinary surgeons sen:: out by the department are now allowed to partici - pate in the inspection of the live oatt: e from this country landed at the English docks, and during the several months they have been on duty no ease ol contagious 'euro-preumo

and It* iios,-aco< taace wilt quits clearly ! reveal 4!w real otivc ot any continued restrict ion of thel use; and, that baring been made elt-arer, the lutyof the Executive will bo very plain, n 5J6US BSE SUGAR ISPUSTHT. ' The Stlonnatloi given by the Secretary of the progress ahd sospects of the beet sugar Industry Is* full < interest. It has already passed the experl xenial stage and is a commercial success. The area over which the sugar beet can la successfully cultivated Is very large, and : other field crop of great value is offered tt :ho choice of the farmer, TBS CP iL-SERVICE LA W, The law relatin, to the civil service has, so far as 1 can loan, been executed by those having the now v of appointment In the 1 • -* •- classified service with fidelity and impartiality, and the se vice has been increasingly satisfactory. Tfn report of the commission shows % large a: ount of good work done daring tSe year a ;h very limited appropriations. X aiSLATIOM. I congratulate t e Congress and the country upon the passage at the first session of the Fifty-first Oontprc » of an unusual number of laws of very Isiat importance. That the results of thlsiegisl .tion will be thequlekening it of our manufacturing island enlargement .. .. _ dnstrie*. larger «• id better markets for our breaiintnffs and p ovisions both at home and abroad, more cor taut employment and better wagt-s tor oe working people, and an increased supply >f a safe currency for the transactii u of usiness. 1 do not doubt some oi these n asures were enacted at so late a period tha the beneficial effects upon commerce Which ere In the contemplation of Congress have a* yet but partially mani tested thesnselYe ri-aA)»] \i.t> rvprSTRT. The genera! trt is and Industrial conditions throughout the c nntry during the year have shown a market improvement. For many years prior to 183 Shb merchandise balances of foreign trade. id been largely in our favor, but in tha year and the year following they tm ed agafngt us. Ft is very gratifying to km w that the last fiscal year again shows ab anee in our favor of over SEW.OOO.O-JO. The 1 ink clearings, which furnish a good tssl of Che volume of business transacted font) . first ten months of the year i89G show, t • compared with the same months of 1889, \m increase for the whole country of abon 8.4 per cent, while the increase outside o the city of Kew York was over 13 per cent. During the month of October the clear; u i of the whole country showed an Inc: ase if 3.1 per cent, over October, 189S, while outside of New York the snoreaf was lilt per cent. These figures show til: c the increase in the volume of business was ery general throughout the country. That t lis large business was being conducted upon safe and profitable basis is shown by the act that there were three hundred less fa ,ires reported in October, 1890, than in the imernonth of the preceding year, with li unities diminished by about $5,000,0fia. EXPORTS. The value of o r exports of domestic merchandise dnriitE he last year was over 1115, 000,050 greater tl it the preceding year, and was oruvexceet donee inonrhistory. About *10,000,000 of thi excess was in agricultural products. The .induction of pig iron—always a good ga je of general prosperity—is shown by a ret at census bulletin to have been 153 per e< t. greater in 1890 than in 1880, and the pr luction of steel 290 per cent, greater. Minin in coal has had no limitation except t it resulting from deficient transportation. The general testimony is that labor is ev- ywhere fully employed, and the reports for le last year show a smaller number of emp yes affected by strikes and lock-outs thur, u any year since 1884. The depression it the prices of agricultural pro. tots had been groatly ‘relieved and a buoyant and hopeful tone was iginuing to be felt by ail our people. ’ leee promising influences lih zo been in ms degree checked by the surprisin'' anc very unfavorable monetary events witieh ! recently taken place in England. It gratifying to know that these did no grff« in any degree out of the fl»*e !al fShitinns of London with onr pe- lie, or out - *i*y ,"1,8: credit attach! «P - jo our secumi.es held in that market Th'»vyturn of our bQhtil and stocks was car ed by a money stringency ® England, not y any loss of value or creditin the securiti s themselves. We could not, however, wfc :ly escape the ill effects of a foreign monetary agitation, accompanied bv sn ii extraordinary incidents as characterized iiis. ft is not believed, however, that the e evil incidents, which have for the time t favorably affected values in this country, 1 n long withstand the strong, safe and whe fsorno influences which are operating to g e our people profitable returns in *11 hr lehes of legitimate trade and industry. Thi apprehension that our tariff may again an< it once be submitted to important gener ciiange, would undoubtedly add a depress) g influence of the most serious chiiracte TBI STCINUBY TASJlT. The General Tariff act has only partially gone into op< ition, some of its important § revisions be >g limited to take effect ut ates yet in ve future. The general provisions of the aw nave been in!-force less than sixty di s. Its permanent effect on as still stand In conjecttrlbhs to note that the 3 price of articles wholby the Tariff act was by many 1 stily ascribed to that act Notice w: not taken of the foot that trade and pr ure. It is advance in t ly nnaflectet the general ter ency of the markets was upward from inf cnees wholly apart from the recent tariff gislation. The enlargement of our eurrenc; by the Silver bill unaoubtly gave an upwai tendency to trade and had a marked effect ■ prices; but this natural and desired effect» the silver ligislation was by many erroneii y attributed to the Tariff act. 1 WFF REVISION.

'mere is nei er msaoia nor suggestion that the subje of tariff revision shall he opened before ais law has had a fair trial. It is quite true hat everv' tariff schedule is subject to obj rtions. No bill was ever framed, I snpp' e, that in all of its rates and classifications ad the fnll approval even of a parti caucus Such legislation is always and necessarily he product of compromise as to details, nd the present law is no exception. Bi . In Its general scope and effect, X t nk, it will justify the support of those w > believe that American legislation should onserve and defend American trade and -e wages of Amerioan workThe roisinfon itlon as to the terms of the act, which fats een so widely disseminated at home end ab >ad, will be corrected by experience and rli r-vil auguries as to its results confounded by ie market reports, the savings bulks, inti rational trade balances and the general pro erty of our people. Already we begin to h ir irorn abroad and from our custom-hoc is that the prohibitory effect upon iinportati vs imputed to the act is not justified, The ; iports at the port of New York for the fin three weeks of November were nearly 8 V cent. greater than for the same period in 39 and 29 per cent, greater than in the sam period of 1388. And so far from being an a t to limit exports, I confidently believe t it under it we shall secure a larger sad rnor profitable participation in foreign tradeih v we have ever enjoyed, and that we shad’, rs over a proportionate parmean carrying trade of the ticipation in thi world, prohieShosy o There is no d people to jtooxc' legislation. Ou tile hnrt of athe those advantagi favored poaiiie government, wi suffrage, makes save our work is and distresses < that have no s get. But after t. found that our u commeroial esc to the ether gres eetaliatoet legislation. position among any of our e prohibitory or retaliatory pol icies are adopted not to . but to secure for ourselves that fairly grow out of our as a nation. Onr form of its incident of universal imperative that we shall people from the agitations dels scant work and wages rglit for comfort always this is done, it will be rkets are open to frleBdly inges of enormous value Bowers. 1 ClKtOeWT. There were but wo methods of obtaining control of this <; estton open to Congress: To place all the* irticles upon the dutiable list subject to eh treaty agreements as could be secured >r to place them ail presR list, hot subject to the re-■> enfly upon the f imposition, of sp tries from which fuse to give us s This latter methi advantages. It the content of rangements after must hove other asaertaiaed until the Senate and Oi acted by Ucmgre* ifled duties if the coune receive them should retable reciprocal benefits. X tbink, possesses great expresses in advance igress to , reciprocity ar■g these products which se been delayed and tinaeis treaty was ratified by necessary legislation en_,KL_._ Exnorience has shown that some,; treat; i looking to reciprocal trade have Sfrdied > secure a two-third vote Seiaki < r ratification, and ofh d that stage have for incurrence of the House nullifications of our rev -''.cssary to give effect to Vc mm have the concures in advance in a diaofter of free entry to iifio articles. The Exlulred to d«al in conaat Congress will ac reciprocity provision Our part of the fiarvery has been made, ss front which we re seas and hides, have isissuch of our products ion, as an equivalent for srclainstiOB of that fact ustion: and to the nses.iv e have free sugar, tea. in the Sertate 1 *rs having pas. 'yean awaited the and Senate in sue: euu 3 laws as were their provisions, rence hi both EfO1 tinct and Snfiuil our ports of sj eentive i* cot i jecture as so ceph Icdeoti ti is mere than ah to gain Is ecmpjeto; and when the tM ceive sugar, ecrffi placed on their L.f as shall he, agreed cur concession, a completes the ssms time our own peo coffee and hides. SB* SSffsidltifMt. In addition to thi mportant hills that be ' irs before t aejourameat of the last soasc otto hilfe of the highest imwere wel M.* '

tile progress of those that are of universal Interest. In view of these conditions, I refrain from bringing before you at this time some suggestions that wonld otherwise be made, and most earnestly invoke your attention to the duty or perfecting the important legislation now well advanced, to some oh these measure* which seem to me most important I now briefly call your attention. AMERICAN STEAMSHIP USX. I desire to repeat with added urgency recommend at ions contained in mv last annn - al message in relation to the developments of American steamship lines. The reciprocity clause of the Tariff bill will bo largely - vhhuwj ___... Jbam* e<L andTttf benefits retarded and dfmfnished, If provision is Hot contemporaneously mado to encourage the establishment of first-cl ass steam communication between our porta and the ports of such nations aa may meet our overtures for enlarged commercial exchanges. THE INTERNATIONAL-AMERICAN BANK. I had occasion, in May last, to transmit to Congress a report adopted by the Internationa] American Conference upon the subject of the incorporation of an international American bank, with a view to facilitating money exchange between the stales represented in that conference. Such an institution would greatly promote the trade we are seeking to develop. 1 renew the recommendation that a careful and well-guarded charter be granted. RELIEF FOR THE SUPREME COURT. The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court has, after many years of discussion, reached a position when final action is Easily attainable, and It is hoped that any differences of opinion may be so harmonized as to save the essential features of this very Important measure. In this connection I earnestly renew my recommendation that the salaries of the Judges of the United States District courts be so readjusted that none of them shall receive less than $6,000 per annum. A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW. The enactment of a National bankrupt law I still regard as very desirable. The Constitution having given to Congress Jurisdiction of this subject, it should be exercised and uniform rules provided for the administration of insolvent debtors. The inconveniences resulting from the occasional and temporary exercise of this power by Congress, and from the conflicting State codes of insolvency which eome into force intermediately should be removed by the enactment <jf a simple. Inexpensive and permanent National bankrupt INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT. I also renew my recommendation in lavor of legislation affording just copyright and protection to foreign authorona footing of reciprocal advantage for our authors,abroad. THE ARID REGIONS. The subject of the conversion and equal distribution of the water supply of the arid .lion regions has had much attention from Congress, but has not yet been pat upon a permanent or satisfactory basis. The urgency of the subiect does not grow out of any large present demand for the use of these lands for agriculture, but out of the danger that the water supply and its sites for the necessary eaten basins -may fall into the hands of individuals or private corporations and be used to render subservient the large areas dependent npon such supply. THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH SCHEME. The use of the telegraph by the Pbst-Offloe Department as a means for the rapid transmission of written communications Is, I believe, npon proper, terms, qnite desirable. The Government does not own or operate the railroads, and it should not, I think, own lllc laiHlldlib, aiiu l* ouvuiu nut, a iiiihaj vnis or operate telegraph; lines. It does, however, seem to .©be quite practicable for the Government to contract with the telegraph ^companies, as It does with the railroad ■ tfompantes to carry at specified- rates such communications as the senders may designate for thi^'method of transmission. I recommend that such legislation * be enacted as will enable the Post-Office Department fairly to test by experiment the advantages ox such a use of the telegraph. ELECTION LAWS. If any intelligent and loyal company vAmcrican citizens were required to catalos fcbe essential humane conditions of y***4life. I do not doubt that with absolute v jtythey would begin with free and electSSg- And it is gratifying to kr erally tfiefeji* growinganil non demand for bel .ection laws. Bn this sign of hope an*1 the depressing and nri tion laws ana methoalrare sometimes cunningly contrived to secure minority control, while violence completes the shortcomings . of fraud. In my last annual message I suggested that the development of the existing law, providing a Federal supervision of Congressional elections, offered an effective method of reforming these abuses. The need of such a law has manifested itself in many parts of the country, and its wholesome restraints and penalties will bQ useful in all. The constitutionality of such legislation has been affirmed by the Supreme Court. Its probable effectiveness is evidenced by the character of the opposition that is made to it. It has been denounced as if it were a new exercise of Federal power and an invasion of the rights . of the States. Nothing could be further from \ the truth. Congress has already fixed the time for the election of members of Congress. It has declared that votes for members of Congress must be written or printed ballots. It nas provided for the appointment by the Circuit Courts in certain cases, and npon the petition, of a certain number of citizens’ of election supervisors, and made it their duty to supervise the registration of voters conducted by the State officers; to challenge persons offering to register; to personally inspect and scrutinize tha registry lists, and to affix their names to the lists for the purpose of identification and the prevention of frauds; to attend at elections and remain with the boxes till the ballots are counted; to attach to the registry lists and election returns any states meet touching the accnracv and fairness of

the registry and election, ana to take and transmit to the clerk of the House of Representatives any evidence of fraudulent practices which may be presented to them. The same law provides for the appointment of Deputy United States marshals to attend at the polls, suppibrt the supervisors in the discharge of their duties and to arrest persons violating the election laws. The provisions of this familiar title of the revised statutes have been put into exercise by both the great political parties, and in the North as well as in the South, by the filing with the court of the petitions required by law. The present law stops Just a little short of effectiveness, for It surrenders to the local authorities all control overthe certification which establishes the prim* facie right to a seat in the House of Representatives. This defect should be cured. Equality of representation and the purity of tbe electors must be main-, tained, or every thing that is valuable in out system of Government is lost. Thequalmoathins of an elector must be sought In the law, not in the opinions, prejudices, or fears of any class, however, powerful. The Sath of the elector to the ballotm must be free from the ambush of fear aud the anticipation of fraud; the count so true that none shall gainsay it. Such a law should be absolutely non-partisan and Impartial. It should give the advantage to honesty ana the control to majorities. 8hrelv there la nothing sectional about this creed, and If II shall happen that the penalties or laws Intended to enforce these rights fall here and not there, it Is not because thelaw is sectional, but because, happily, crime is local and not universal. Nor should It be forgotton that every law, whether relating to elections or to any other subject, whether enacted by the State or by the Nation, has force behind it. Tne courts, the marshal or constable, the posae comitatus, the prison, are all and always behind the law. One can not be Justly charged with unfriendliness to any section or class who seek only to restrain violations of law and of personal r ght. No community will find lawlessness profitable. No community can afford to have it known that the officers who are charged with' the preservatibn of the public peace asp ■the restraint of the criminal classes are themselves product of fraud or violence. The magistrate Is then without respect and the law without sanction. The fioods of lawlessness can not be leveed and made to flow in one channel.. The killing.of a United States marshal carrying a writ of arrest for an election offense Is full ol prompting and suggestion to men who are pursued by a city marshal for a crime against life or property; Bat it Is said that this legislation will revive race animosities, and some have even suggested that when, the peaceful methods ot fraud are made impossible that they may be supplanted by intimidation and violence. M the proposed law. gives to any qualified elector by a hair’s weight more than his equal influence, or detracts by so -much from any other qualified elector, it is fatally impeaehed. But if the law is equal andthe animosities It Is to evoke grow out ot the fact that some electors have been accustomed to exercise the franchise for others as well as for themselves, then tbese animosities ought not to be confessed without shame and can not be given any weight in the discussion without dishonor. No choice isleft to me but to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure to the eitlren his constitutional rights and to recommend that the inadequacies of such laws be promptly remedied. APrnOWUATlON BILLS. The preparation of the general i tion bills should beoondnetod wif ©st care and the closest scrutiny^ to the