Pike County Democrat, Volume 24, Number 31, Petersburg, Pike County, 15 December 1893 — Page 2

THE MESSAGE. lent Cleveland Transmits His Message to Congressi G«aeral Review of the Condition of the Various Departments of the Gotuent with Suxe^tioust and Recommendations. THE MESSAGE. T»tbk Congress or the United States— constitutional duty which requires- the president from time to time to give to the coni'information of the state of the Union, recommend to their consideration such lures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. is fittingly entered upon by eommeuding to the congress a careful examination of detailed statements and well-supported vecommendaiions contained in the reports of heads of departments who are chiefly •charged with the executive work of the governt. In an effort to abridge this communication as much as is consistent with its purpose. X shall supplement a brief reference to the conits of these departmental reports by the ration of such executive business and incidents as arc not embraced therein, and by such cecommemlatioas as appear to be at this particular time appropriate. Stated Department. While our fore^n^relations have not at all times during the past year been entirely free •oia perplexity, no embarrassing situation reAiiis that will not yield to the spirit or fairsss and love of justice, which, joiued with consistent firmness, characterize a truly Amerforeigu policy. . < ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. My predecessor having accepted the office of rbitrator of the loug-standing missions boundary disputes, tendered to the president by the Argentine Republic and Brazil, it has been my agreeable duty to receive the special envoys commissioned by those states to lay before me iridence and arguments in behalf of their repetitive governments. BRAZIL. The outbreak of domestic hostilities in the republic of Brazil found the United States alert to watch the interest of our citizens in that country with which we carry on important commerce. Several vessels of our new navy • now. and for some time have been stationed Rio de Janeiro The struggle being between the established government, which controls the machinery of administration, and with which we maintain friendly relations.and certain officers of the navy employing the vesewls of their' commaud in an attack upon the national capital and chief seaport, and lacking, as it does, the elements of divided administration. I have failed co see that the insurgents can reasonably claim recognition as belligerents. Thus far > position of our government has been that an attentive but an impartial observer of the unfortunate conflict. In passing our fixed pulley of impartial neutrality in such a condition of affairs as now exist, 1 deemed it necessary to disavow, in manner not be misunderstood. the unauthorized action of our late naval commander iu those waters in saluting the revolted Brazilian admiral, being indisposed to countenance an act calculated to give gratuitous sanction to the local insurrection. CHILI. The convention between our government and Chili having for its object the settlement and adjustment of the demands of the two countries agaiust each other has been made effective by the organization of the claims commission provided for. The two governments flailing to agree upon the third member of the commission, the good offices of the president ©1 the Swiss republic were invoked, as provided in tha treaty, and the selection of the Swiss representative in this country to complete the organization was gratifying alike to the United States and Chili. The vexatious question of so called legation asylum for offenders against the state and its Laws was presented unew in Chili by the unauthorized action* of the late United States minister in receiving into his official .residence two persons who had just failed in an attempt at revolution, and against whom criminal charges were pending, growing opt of * former abortive disturbance. The doctrine of asylum, us applied to this case, is not sanctioned by the best precedents, and, when allowed, tends to encourage sedition autd strife. Under no circumstances can the representatives of this government be permittod. under the lil-dettudd fiction of extra territoriality. to interrupt the administration of ©rimiual justice in the countries to which they »rc accredited. A temperate demand having liven made by the Chilian government for the correction of this conduct in the instance mentioned, the minister wits instructed no longer to haroor the offenders. THE CHINESE QUESTION. The legislation of last your known as the deary law, requiring the registration of all Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the United States, and the deportation of all not complying with the provisions of the act within the time prescribed, met”with much opposition from Chinese iu this country. Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel that the law was unconstitutional, the great mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial inquiry as to its validity. in good faith declined to apply for the certificates required by its provisions. A test ease upon proceeding by habeas corpus was ~tarought before the supreme court, and on May 15. 1893. a decision was made by that tribunal sustaining the law. THE CONGO STATE AND CENTRAL AFRICA. By article 12 of the general act of Brussels, signed July 2. 1890. for the suppression of the slave trade and tne restriction of certain injurious commerce in the independent State ©f the Congo and the adjacent one of.Central Africa, the United States and the other signatory powers agreed to adopt appropriate means lor the punishmeut of persous selling arms s«d ammunition to the natives and for the confiscation of the inhibited articles. It being the plain duty of this government to aid iu suppressing the nefarious traffic, impairing, as it does, the praiseworthy aud civilizing efforts now in progress in that regiou. I reeommeud flhat an act be passed prohibiting the sale of .^ruts and intoxicants to natives in the designated zone by our vitizens.

Costa Rica has lately testified its friendliness by surrendering to the United states, in tho absence of a convention of extradition, but upon duly submitted evidence of criminality, a noted fugitive from justice. It is trusted that the negotiation of a treaty with Chat country to meet recurring cases of this kind will soon be accomplished. In my opinion treaties for reciprocal extradition should be concluded with all those countries with which jthe United States has not already conventional arrangements of that character. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. Our relations with the French republic continue to be intimate and cordial. I sineerely bope that the extradition treaty with that oouatry, as amended by the senate, will soon be operative. GERMANY. While occasional questions affecting our naturalized citizens returning to the land of their birth have arisen in our intercourse with Germany, our relations with that country continue satisfactory. GREAT BRITAIN. The questions affecting our relations with <!reut Britain have been treated in a spirit of friendliness. Negotiations are in progress betweon the two governments with a view to such concurrent action as will make the award and regulations agreed upon by tne Behring .s*ca tribunal practically effective, and it is not troubled that Great Britain will co-operate freely With this country for the accomplishment of that purpose. The dispute growing out of the discriminating tolls imposed in •fche Welland canal upon cargoes of -cereals hound to and from the Jake ports in the United States, was adjusted by the substitution of a more equitable schedule of charges, and my predecessor thereupon suspended his proclamation imposing discriminating tolls upon British transit through our canals. A request for the additions to the list of extraditable offenses covered by the existing ^treaty between the two countries is under consideration. HAYTL J During the past year an American citizen, ompioyed in a subordinate commercial position £n Hayti, after suffering a protracted imprisonment on an unfounded charge of smuggling, was finally liberated on judicial examination. Upon urgent representation to the. Haytian ^government, a suitable indemnity was paid to the sufrerer. By a law of Hayti. a sailing weasel having discharged her cargo is refused clearance until the duties on such cargo have been paid. The hardships of this measure upon American ship owners who conduct the bulk of the carrying trade of that country has been insisted on with a view of securing the jretnoval of this cause of complaint. HONpURAS. Upon receiving authentic information of the firing upon an? American mail steamer touching at the port of Amapalpa, because her capgain refused to deliver up a passenger in transit from Nicaragua to Guatemala upon demand of the military authorities of Honduras our minister to that country, under instructions, protested against the wanton act and demanded satisfaction. The government of Hon

duras. actuated by a » of Justice, and In a spirit or the utmost friendship, promptly disavowed the illegal conduct of its officers and expressd sincere regret for the occurrence. LIBERIA. A notable part of the southeasterly coast of Liberia, between the/Cavatly and San Pedro rivers, which for nearly half a century has beeu generally recognized as belonging to that i republic by cession and purchase, ihas been ! claimed to be under the protectorate of Prance j in virtue of agreements entered into by the native tribes over whom Liberia's control has not been well maintained. More recently, negotiations between the Liberian representative and the French government resulted in I the signature at Paris of a treaty, where by an adjustment, certain Liberian territory is j ceded to France. This convention at last adj vices had not beeu ratitied by the. Liberian legislature and executive. * Feeling a sympathetic interest in the fortunes of the little commonwealth, the establishment and development of which were largely aided by the benevolence of our countrymen, and which constitutes the only independently sovereign state on the west coast of Africa, this government has suggested to the French government its earnest concern lest territorial ipjl«kirmeut in Liberia should take place without her unconstrained consent. MEXICO. Our relations with Mexico continue to be of that close and friendly nature which should always characterize the intercourse of two neighboring republics. The work of relocating the monuments marking the boundary between the two countries from Paso Del Norte to the Pacific is nearly completed. The commission recently organ- ! ized under the conventions of 1881 and 1*89, it is expected, will speedily settle disputes growing out of the shifting currents of the Kio Grande river east of El Paso. NICARAGUA. Nicaragua has recently passed through two revolutions, the party at first successful having in turn been displaced by another. Our newly-appointed minister, by his timely good offices, aided in a peaceful adjustment of the controversy involved in the first conflict. The large American interests established in that country in connection with the Nicaragua canal were not molested. GUATEMALA. Guatemala has also been visited by the political vicissitudes which have afflicted her Central American neighbors: but the dissolution of Its legislature and the proclamation of a dictatorship have been unattended with civil wars. NORWAY. An extradition treaty with Norway has recently beeu exchanged and proclaimed. RUSSIA. The extradition treaty with Russia, signed in March 1*87, and amended and confirmed' by the senate in February last, was duly proclaimed last June. * SAMOA. Led by a desire to compose differences and contribute to the restoration of order in Samoa, which for some years previous had been the scene of conflicting foreign pretensions and native strife, the United States', departing from its policy, consecrated by a century of observance. entered four yearsago iuto the treaty of Berlin, thereby becomiug jointly bound with England and Germauy to establish and maintain Malietoa Laupepaas king of Samoa. Early iu the life of this triple protectorate the native dissensions it was designed to quell revived. Rivals defied the authority of the new king, refusing to pay tuxes and demanding the election of a ruler by native suffrage. Mataafa. an aspirant to tlio throne, aud a large number ot his native adherents, were in open rebellion in one of the islands. Quite lately, at the request of the other powers, aud in fulfillment of its treaty obligations, this government agreed to unite iu a joint military movement of such dimensions as would probably secure the surrender of the insurgents without bloodshed. The warship Philadelphia was accordingly put under orders for Samoa, but before she arrived, the threatened conflict was precipitated by King Malietoas attack upon tne insurgent camp. Mataafa was defeated and a number of his men killed. The British and German naval vessels present subsequently received the surrender of Mataafa and his adherents. The defeated chief and ten of his principal supporters were deported to a German islaud of the Marshall group, where they are held as prisoners uuder the joint responsibility and cost of the three powers. SPAIN. More than fifteen years ago Ithis government preferred a claim against Spain in behalf of one of our citizens for property seized and confiscated iu Cuba. In 1886 the claim was adjusted. Spain agreeing to pay unconditionally, as a fair indemnity. #1.560.000. A respectful, but earnest note was recently addressed to the Spanish government, insisting upon prompt fulfillment of iis long-neglected obligation. Other claims preferred by the United States against Spain in behalf of American citizens for property confiscated iu Cuba have been pending for many years. The reproduced caravel Santa Maria, b&ilt by Spain and sent to the Columbian exposition. has been presented tQ the United States in token of amity and in commemoration of the event it was designed to celebrate. I recommend that, in accepting this gift, congress make grateful recognition of the sincere friendship which prompted it. TURKEY. Important matters have demanded attention in our relations with the Ottoman porte. The tiring and partial destruction by an unrestrained mob of one of the, school buildings of Anatolia college, established by citizens of the United States at Marsovan. and the appareut indifference of the Turkish government to the outrage, notwithstanding the complicity of some of its officials, called for earnest remonstrance, which was followed by promises of reparation and punishment of the offenders: indemnity for the injury to the buildings has already beeu paid, permission to rebuild given.^registrationof the school property in the name of the American owners secured -and efficient protection guaranteed. Information received of maltreatments suffered by an inoffensive American woman engaged in missionary work iu Turkish Koordlstan was followed by such representations to the porte as resulted in the issuance of orders for the punishment of her assailants, the removal of a delinquent official, and the adoption of measures for tho protection of our citizens engaged iu mission aud other lawful work in that quarter. VENEZUELA. In view otlthe impaired financial resources of Venezuela consequent upon the recent revolution there, a modified arrangement for the satisfaction of the awards of the lute revisory claims commission.in progressive installments, has been assented to. and payments are being regularly made thereunder. The boundary dispute between Venezuela and British Guiana is not yet settled- The restoration of diplomatic intercourse between that republic and Great Britain, and reference of the question to impartial arbitration, would be a most gratifying consummation. TUe ratification by Venezuela . of the convention for the arbitration of the long deferred claim of the Venezuelan transi portation company is awaited. THE BAWAUN ISLANDS.

It is hardly necessary ror me to state that the question arising from our relations with Hawaii have caused serious embarrassment. Just prior to the installation of the present administration the existing government of Hawaii had been suddenly overthrown, and a treaty of annexation had been negotiated between the provisional government of the islands and the United States and submitted to the senate for ratification. This treaty I withdrew for examination, and dispatched Hon. James A. Blount, of Georgia, to Honolulu as a special commissioner to make an impartial investigation of the circumstances attending the change of government, and of all the conditions bearing upon the subject of the treaty. After a thorough and exhaustive examination. Mr. Blount submitted to me his report, showing beyond all question that the constitutional government of Hawaii had been subverted with the actual aid of our representative to that government and through the intimidation caused by the presence of an armed naval force of the United States which was landed for that purpose at the instance of our minister. Upon the facts developed it seemed to me the only honorable course for our government to pursue was to undo the wrong that had been done by those representing us. and to restore as far as practicable the status existing at the time of our forcible intervention. With a view of accomplishing this result within the constitutional limits of executive power, and recognizing all our obligations and responsibilities growing out of any change of conditions brought about by our unjustifiable interference, our present minister at Honolulu has received appropriate instructions to that end. Thus far no information of the accomplishment of any definite results has been received from him. Additional advices are soon expected, aud when received, they will promptly be sent to congress, together with all other information at hand, accompanied by a special executive message fully detailing all the facts necessary to a complete understanding of the case, and presenting a history of all the material events leading up to the present situation. INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. By a concurrent resolution, passed bv the senate February 14. 1890, and by the house o( representatives on the 3d of April following, the president was requested to invite, from time to time, as fit occasions may arise, negotiations with any government with which the United States has or may have diplomatic relations, to the end that any differences or disputes arising between the two governments which can not be adjusted by diplomatic

agency may be referred lo arbitration and be peaceably adjusted by such means. April 1*. 189J. the International American conference of Washington, by resolution, expressed tbe wish that all controversies between the republics of America and the nations of ! Europe might be settled by arbitration, and recommended that the government of each : nation represented in that conference should communicate this wish to ail friendly powers. I A favorable response has beni received from ‘ Great Britain iu the sha»e of a resolution ! adopted by parliament. July 16 last, cordially j sympathizing with the purpose in view, and ! expressing the hope that her majesty's govi ernmeut will lend readv co-operation to the I government of the United States upon the j basis of the concurrent resolution above quoted. DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS. | Since the passage of the act of March 3. 1893, j authorizing .the president to raise the grade of i our envoys to correspond with the rank iu i which foreign countries accredit their agents here. Great Britain. France.Italy and Germany have conferred on their representatives at this capital the title of ambassador, aud wo have responded by accrediting ths agents of the United States in those countries with the same title. A like elevation of mission is announced by Russia, and when made will be similarly met. This step fittingly comports with the position the United States hold ia the family of nations. The Public Treasury. i The secretary of the treasury reports that the receipts of the governwenlfrom all sources during the fis »1 year ended June 3b. 1893. amounted to £461.716,3*1.91 aud its expenditures to £-4.'#.374.67i.29. There was collected from customs £305.335.016.73 and from internal revenue fct61.Ut27.62i93. Our dutiable imports amounted to fcl2l.fcS6.7ll. an increased)f $52,4539U7 over the proceeding year, and' importations free of duty amounting to £444.544.211.a decrease from the preceding year of fcl3.445.447; ‘internal revenue receipt exceeded those of the preceding year by fc7.147.445.32.. INTERNAL REVENUE. The total tax collected on distilled spirits was $94,729,260.55, on manufactured tobacco. $31,869,711.74. aud on fermented liquors. $32,643983.07. We exported merchandise during the year amounting to fc347.6d3.104. a decrease of fc 182.612.954 from the preceding year. GOLD EXPORTS. The amount of gold exported was larger than any previous year in, the history of the government. amounting to $IU8.«8U.84I. aud exceeding the amount exported during the preceding year by $58,4^5.517. THE SUGAR BOUNTY. The sum paid from the treasury for sugar bounty was $9,375,139.88, an increase over the preceding year of $2,033,u5399. AN ESTIMATED DEFICIENCY. It is estimated upon the basis of present revenue laws that the receipts of the government for the year ending June 30. 1894, will be $439.121.365.38 and its expenditures $458,121,365.38, resulting in a deficiency of $28,000,000. THE CIRCULATING MEDIUM. On the 1st day of November. 1893. the amount of money of a&Jdnds in circulation, or not included in treasury holdings, was $1,718,544,682. an increase for the year of fcUJ.404.947. Estimating our population at 67.426,000 at the time mentioned, the per capita circulation was $25.49. On the same date there was in the treasury gold bullion amounting to $96,657,273. aud silver bullion which was purchased at a cost of $126,261,553. " THE PURCHASES OF SILVER. The purchases of silver under the law of July 14, 189 >. during the last fiscal year aggregated 54.008,162.59 fine ounces, which cost fc45.S3l.374.53 The total amount of silver purchased from the time that the law became operative until, the repeal of the purchasing clause ou the first day of November. 1893. was 168.674.599.46 finq ounces, which cost $155.931.940.84. Between the first day of March. 1873 and the first day of November. 1893. the government purchased, under all laws, 503003717 fine' ounces of silver at a cost of $516,622,948. The silver dollars that have been coined under the act of July 14. 1890, number 36.087,235. The seigniorage arising from such coiuage was $3978,099-39. leaving on hand in th'e mints f40.609.760 tine ounces of slilver, which cost $126,758,213 THE COINAGE. Our total coinage of all metals during the last fiscal year consisted of 997.283875 pieces, valued at $43,685,178.80, of which there was $30,038.140 in gold coin, $5,343,715 iu silver dollars. $7,217,220.90 in subsidiary silver coin, and $1,086,10390 in minor coins. PRODUCTION OF PRECIOUS METALS. During the calendar year 1892 the production of precious metals in the United States was estimated to be 1.596.375 fine ounces of gold of the commercial aud coinage value of fc30.00o,000, and 58.0u0.000 tine ounces of silver of the bullion or market value of $50,750,000, and of the coinage value of $74,989,903 THE STOCK OF METALLIC MONEY. It is estimated that on the first day of July. 1893. the metallic stock of money in the United States, consisting of coin and bullion, amounted to $1:218.559.169. of which $597.697,685 was gold aud$615,861,484 was stiver. j! NATIONAL BANKS. 1 , On© hundred and nineteen national banka were organized during the yea* ending October 31. 1893. with a capital of $11,230,000. 46 went into voluntary liquidation and 158 suspended. Sixty-five of the suspended banks were insolvent. eighty-six resumed business, and seven remain in the hands of bank examiners, with prospects of speedy resumption. Of the new banks organized ferty-four were located in the eastern states, forty-one west of the Mississippi river and thirty-four in the central aud southern states. The total number of national banks in existence on the 31st day of October. 1893. was 3,796. having an aggregate capital of $696,558,129. The net increase in the circulation of those banks during the year was $38,886,972. SILVER PURCHASE REPEAL. The recent repeal or the provision of law requiring the purchas ? of silver bullion by the government as a feature of our monetary scheme has made au entire change in the complexion of our currency affairs. I do nc$ doubt that the ultimate result of this action will be most salutary and far reaching. In the nature of things, however, it is impossible to know at this time precisely what conditions will be brought about by the c hange, or what, if any. supplementary legislation may. in the light of such conditions, appear to be essential cr expedient. Of course, alter the recent financial perturbation, time is necessary for the re-establishment of business confidence. When, however, through this restored confidence, the money which has been frightened into hoarding places is returned to trade and enterprise, a ,survey of the situation will probably disclose a safe path leading to a permanently sound currency abundantly sufficient tp meet every requirement of our increasing population and business. In the pursuit of this object we should resolutely turn away from alluring and temporary expedients, determined to be content with nothing les3 than a lasting and comprehensive financial plan. In these circumstances. I am convinced tnat a reasonable delay in dealing with this subject, instead of being injurious will increase the probability of wise action.

The authority now vested in the secretary of the treasury to issue bonds is not as clear as it should be. and the bonds authorized are disadvantageous to the government, both as to the time of their maturity and rate of interest. IMMIGRATION. The superintendent of immigration through the secretary of the treasury reports that during the last fiscal year there arrived at our ports 440,793 immigrants. Of these 1.063 were not permitted to land, and under the limitations of the law. 577 were returned to the countries from which they came,* by reason of their having become public charges. The total arrivals were 144,034 less than for the previous year. The War Department. The secretary of war reports that the strength of the army on the 30th day of September last was 25.778 enlisted men and 2,144 officers, the total expenditures of the department for the year ending June 30. 1803, amounting to $51,966,074.89. Of this sum $992,581.96 was for salaries and contingent expenses. $23,377,828.35 for the support of the military establishments, $6,077,033.18 for miscellaneous objects and $20,518,631.41 for public works. The latter sum includss $15,296,876.46 for river and harbor improvements and $3,266,141.20 for fortifications and other works of defense. PROPOSED CHANGES. The adoption of battalion formations for infantry regiments, the strengthening of the artillery force, the abandonment of smaller and unnecessary posts, and the massi ng of the troops at important and accessible stations all promise to promote the usefulness) of the army. In the judgment of army officers, with but few exceptions, the operation of the law forbidding the re-enlistment of men after ten years of service has not proved its wisdom, and while the arguments that led to its adoption were not without merit, the experience of the year constrains me to join in the recommendation for its repeal. THE MILITIA. The total enrollment of the militia of the several states Was on the 31st of October of the current year 112,597 officers and enlisted men. The officers of the army detailed for the inspection and instruction of this reserve of -our military force, report that increased interest and marked brogress are apparent in the discipline and efficiency of the organization. * J A QUIET TEAR. NeitherJnuian outbreaks nor domestic vtolance have called the army into service during

theyear. ana the only active military duty r#* quired ot it hue been id the department of Texas, where violations of the neutrality laws of the United aud Mexico were promptly and efficiently dealt wuh ty the troops, eliciting the warm approval of the civil and military authorities of both countries. sea coast defense. It is gratifying to note that we have begun to attain completed results in the comprehensive scheme of sea-coast defense and fortification, entered upon eight years ago. A large sum } has been already expended, but the cost of maintenance will be inconsiderable as compared with the expense of construction and or- | di nance. At the end of the current calendar year the war department will have nine 12-inch guus. twenty 10-inch and thirty^four fi-inch mms ready to be mounted on gun-lifts and car- j riages, and seventy-five 12-iach mortars. In addition to the product of the army gun factory ! now completed at VVaterviiet. th“ government j has contracted with private parties for the j purchase of UK) guns of these calibers, the first j of which should be delivered to the departmen t for test before July l. 18SH. The manufacture j of heavy ordnance keeps pace with current j needs, but to render Ihese guds available for | the purp''«* they are designed to meet, em- j placements must be prepared for them. Progress has been made in this direction, and it is desirable that congress by adequate appropriations should provide for the uninterrupted prosecution of this necessar y work. THE MILITARY ACADEMY. The repo-ts of the military academy at West Point an the special schools for special instruction of officers show marked advance m the education of the army and a commendable , ambition among its officers to excel iu the military profession and to fit themselves for the highest service to the country. Department of Justice. The report or the attorney-general contains j the usual summary of the affairs and proceedings of the department of justice for the past year, together with certain recommendations as to needed legislation on various subjects. I can not too heartily indorse the proposition that the fee system as applicable to the compensation of United States attorneys, marshals. clerks of federal courts.and United States commissioners should be abolished with as little delay as possible. I also heartily join the attorney general in recommending legislation fixing degrees of murder within federal jurisdiction, as has been done in many of the states, authorizing writs of error on behalf of the government in cases where final judgment is rendered against the sufficiency, of an indictment or agaiust the government upon any other question arising before actual trial; limiting the right of review in case of felony punishable only by fine and imprisonment to the circuit court of appeals, and making speedy provisions for the construction of such prisons and reformatories as may be necessary for the confinement of United States convicts Post Office Department. The report of the postmaster-general contains a detailed statement of the operations of the post office department during the last fiscal year, and much interesting information touching this important branch of the public service. The busiuess of the mails indicate with absolute certainty the condition of the business of the country, and depression in financial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces the postal revenues. Therefore.a larger discrepancy than usual between the post office receipts aud expenditures is the expected and unavoidable result of the distressing stringency which has prevailed throughout the country during much of the time covered by the postmaster-geuer-al s report. HEAVY DEFICIENCIES. At a date when better times were anticipated it was estimated by his predecessor that the deficiency on the S-Rh day of June. 1893. would fce but little over tl.SfifijOUA It amounted, however. to more than $5.(XK).»>00. At the same time, under the influence of like anticipations, estimat )s were made for the current fiscal year ending June SO. I&M. which exhibited a surplus of revenue over expenditures of i872.254.7l. but now. in view of the actual receipts and expenditures during that part of the current fiscal year already expired, the present post-master-general estimates that at its close, instead of a surplus, there will be a deficiency of nearly *8.0X).000 FREE DEUVIRT OFFICE ADDITIONS. Forty two free delivery offices were added during the year to those already existing, making a totalof 610 cities and towns provided with free delivery ou June 30. 1803. Ninetythree other cities and towns are now entitled to this service under the law. but it has not beep accorded them on account of insufficient funds to meet the expense of its establishment. I am decidedly of the opinion that the provisions of the present law permit as general an, introduction of this feature of mail service as is necessarv or justifiable, and that it ought not to be extended to smaller communities than are now designated. RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. The railway mail service uot only adds to the promptness of mail delivery at all offices, but it is the especial instrumentality which puts the smaller and way places in the service on an equality in that regard with the larger and terminal offices. This branch of the postal service has therefore received much attention from the postmaster-general, and though it is gratifying to know that it is in a condition of high efficiency aud great usefulness. I am led to agree with th*' postmaster-general that there is room for its further improvement. THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE. There are now connected to the post office establishment 28.324 employes who are in the classified service. The head of this great department gives conclusive evidence of the value of civil service reform when after an experience that renders his judgment on the subject absolutely reliable he expresses the opinion that without the benefit of this system it would be impossible to conduct the vast business intrusted to him. I desire to commend as especially worthy of prompt attention the suggestions of the postmaster general relating to a more sensible and business-like organization aud a better distribution of responsibility in his department. Navy Department. * The report of the secretary of the navy contains a history of the operations of his department during the past year, and exhibits a most gratifying condition of the personnel of our navy. He presents a satisfactory account of the press which has been made in the construction of vessels, and makes a number of recommendations to which attention is especially invited. DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION. Progress in the construction of new vessels has not been as rapid as was anticipated. There have been delays in the completion of unarmored vessels, but for the most part they have been such as are constantly occurring even in countries having the largest experience in naval ship building. The most serious delays. however, have been in the work upon armored ships. The trouble - has been the failure of contractors to deliver armor as agreed. The difficulties seem now. however, to have been all overcome, and armor is being delivered with satisfactory promptness. RESULTS OF EXPERIENCE. As a result of the experience acquired by ship builders and * designers and material men it is believed that the dates when vessels will be completed can now be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Great guns, rapid-fire guns, torpedoes and powder are being promptly supplied.

A PLEA FOR MORE SHIPS. Since 1886 congress has at each session authorized the building of one or more vessels, and the secretary of the nary presents an earnest plea for the continuance of this plan. He recommends the authorization of at least one battle-ship and six torpedo boats. While I am distinctly: in favor of consistently pursuing the polioy we have of building up a thorough and efficient navy, I can not refrain from the suggestion that congress should carefully take into account the number of unfinished vessels on our hands and the depleted condition of our treasury in considering the propriety of an appropriation at this time to begin new work. LABOR AT NAVY YARDS. The method of employing mechanical labor at navy-yards through boards of labor and making efficiency the sole test by which labor- j ers are employed and continued, is producing ; the best results, and the secretary is earnestly devoting himself to its development. Attention is invited to the statements of his report in regard to the working of the system. Interior Department. The secretary of the interior has the supervision of so many important subjects that his report is of especial value and interest. THE PENSION ROLL. On the 80th day of June. 1893, there were on the pension rolls 966.012 names, an increase of 80.944 over the number on the rolls, June SO, 18SB. Of these there were seventeen widows and daughters of the revolutionary soldiers: survivors of the war of 1812, 5,425 widows of soldiers of that war; 21,518 survivors and widows of the Mexican war: 3.882 surviv6rs and widows of Indian wars; 284 army nurses, and 475,845 survivors and widows and children of de- ! ceased soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion. The latter number represents those pensioned on account of disabilities or death resulting from army and navy service. The number of persons remainin^on the rolls June 30,1893, who were pensioned under the act of June 27.1890. which allows pensions on account of death and disability, not chargeable to army servioe, was 459,155. The number added to the rolls during the year was 123.634, and the number dropped was 33.960. The first payments on pensions allowed during the gear amounted to |3&

130.Mt.9S. TMs includes arrears or the accumulation betwen the time from which allowance of pension antes and the time of actually granting the certificates. Although the law of l«» permits pensions for disabilities not related to military service, yet as a requisit to its benefits a disability must exist incapacitating applicants “from the performance of manual labor to such a degree as to render them enable to earn a support.” Execution of the law in its early stages does not seem to have been in accord with its true intentiou. but toward the doss of the last administration an authoritative construction was given to the statute, and since that time this construction has teen followed. This has had the effect of limiting the operation of the law to its intended purposes. PENSION FRAUDS. The discovery having beeu made that many,. names had been put upon the pension roil by means of wholesale and gigantic frauds, the commission suspended payments upon a number of pensions which seemed to.be fraudulent ‘ or unauthorized pending a complete exumiua- j tion. giving notice to the pensioners in<*order that they might have an opportunity \ to establish, if possible, the justice of their I claims notwithstanding apparent invalidity, j This. I understand, is the practice which has for a long time prevailed In the pension bureau. but after entering upon these recent investigations the commissioner modified this rule so as not to allow until after h complete examination interference with the payment of a pension apparently not altogether void, but which merely had beeu fixed at a rate higher than that authorised by lair. I am unable to understand why frauds in the pension rolls should not be exposed and corrected with thoroughness and vigor. Every name fraudulently put upon these rolls is a wicked imposition upon the kindly seutiinent in which pensions have their origin. Those who attempt in the line of duty to rectify these wrongs should not be accused of enmity or indifference to the claims of honest veterans PENSION EXPENDITURES. The sum expended on account of pensions for the year ending June 30, 1893. was $136,740.467.14. The commissioner estimates that $163.OJO.OOO will be geoufred to pay pensions during the year ending June 30. 1801. THE INDIANS. The condition of the Indians and their ultimate fate are subjects which are related to a sacred duty of the government, and which strongly appeal to the sense of justice and the sympathy of our people. Our Indians number about 248. iMX. Most of them are located on 161 reservations, containing 86.116 531 acres of laud. About 110.000 of these Indians have, to a large degree, adopted civilized customs. Lands in severalty have been allowed to many of ihem. Such allotments have been made to 10,060 individuals dur iug the last fiscal year, embracing about l.uoo.000 acres. The number of Indian government schools opennluring the year were 105. an increase of 12 over the preceding year. Of this total 170 were on reservations, of which 73 were boardiug schools and 07 were day schools. ARMY OFFICERS AS AGENTS. The law providing that in especial cases army officers shall bo detailed as ‘Indian agents it is hoped will prove a successful experiment. There is danger of great abuses creeping into the prosecution of claims for Indian depredations. and I recomn^ud that every possible safeguard be provided against the enforcement of unjust and fictitious claims of this description. The appropriations on account of the Indian bureau for the year ending Juue 3>. 1894. amount to $7,954,962.99, a decrease as compared with the year preceding it of $387,131 95.# THE PUBLIC DOMAIN IN PRIVATE HANDS. The vast area of land which but a short time ago. constituted the public domain is rapidly falling into private hands. It is certain that in the transfer the beaeficent intention of the government to supply its domain homes to the industrious and worthy home-seekers is often frustrated Though the speculator, who stands with extortionate purpose between the land office and those who. with their families, are invited by the government to settle on the public lands, is a despicable character who ought not be tolerated, yet it is difficult to thwart his schemes. The recent opening to settlement of the lands in the Cherokee outlet, embracing an area of 6,300.00) acres, notwithstanding the utmost care in framing the regulations governing the selection of locations, and notwithstanding the presence of United States troops, furnished an exhibition, though, perhaps, in a modified degree. of the mad scramble, the violence, and the fraudulent occupation which have accompanied previous opeuiugs of public lands. I concur with the secretary in the belief that these outrageous incidents can not be entirely prevented without a change in the laws on the subject, and I hope his recommendations iu that direction will be favorably considered. I especially commend to the attention of the congress the statements contained in the secretary's report concerning forestry. The time has come when efficient measures should be taken for the preservation of our forests from indiscriminate and remedy less destruction. Agricultural Department. The report of the secretary of agriculture will be found exceedingly interesting, especially to that large part of (our citizens intimately concerned in agricultural occupations. MEASURES.or ECONOMY. On the 7th day of March, 1893. there were upon its payrolls 2,430 employes. This number has been reduced to 1.850 persons. In view of a depleted public treasury and the imperative demand of the people for economy in the administration of their government, the secretary has entered upon the task of rationally reducing expenditures by eliminating from the pay rolls-ail persons not needed for.an efficient conduct of the affairs of the department. During the first quarter of the present year the expenses of the department aggregated $345,876.76 as against $402,012.42 for the corresponding period of the fiscal year ending June 30. 1893. The secretary makes apparent his intention to continue this rate of reduction by submitting estimates for the next fiscal year loss by $994,280 than those for the present year. ANIMAL DISEASES. The regulations of 1892 concerning Texas fever have been enforced during the last year, and the large stock yards of the country have been kept free from infection. Occasional local outbreaks have been largely such as could have been effectually guarded against by the owners of the affected cattle. While contagious pleuro-pneumonia in cattle has been eradicated, animal tuberculosis, a disease w idespread and more dangerous to human life than pleuro-pneumonia. is still prevalent. Investigations have been made during the past year as to the means of its communication and the method of its correct diagnosis.

AN IMPORTANT WORK. Much progress has been made in this direction by the studies of the division of animal pathology, but work ought to be extended, in co-operation with local authorities until the danger to human life arising from this cause is reduced to a minimum The number of animals arriving from Canada during the year and inspected by bureau officers was 462.092. and the number from transatlantic countries was 1.297. No contagious diseases were found among the imported animals. The total number of inspections of cattle for export during the past fiscal year was 611,542. FALLING *OFF IN EXPORTS. The exports show a falling off of about 25 percent, from the preceding year, the decrease occurring entirely in the last half of the year. This suggests that the falling off may have been largely due to an increase in the price of American export cattle. During the year ending June 30. 1893, exports of inspected pork aggregated 20,677.410 pounds as against 38.152.874 pounds for the preceding year. The falling off is not confine, however, to inspected pork, the total quantity exported tor 1892 being 665.480.616 pounds, while in 1893 it was only 527,308,695 pounds. I join the secretary in recommending that hereafter each applicant for the position of inspector or assistant inspector in the bureau of animal industry be required, as a condition precedent to his appointment, to exhibit to the United States civil service commission his diploma from an established regular and reputable veterinary college, and that this be supplemented by such an examination in veterinary science as the commission may prescribe. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS. The exports of agricultural products from the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1892. attained the enormous figure of $600,000,000 in roundfnumbers, being 78.7 per cent, of the total exports. In the last fiscal year this aggregate was greatly reduced, but, nevertheless, reached $615,0u0.000, being 76.1 per cent of all American commodities exported. A review of our agricultural exports with special reference to their destination will show that in almost every line the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland absorbs by far the largest proportion. Of cattle the total exports aggregated in value for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1893. $26,000,000, of which Great Britain took considerably over $25,000,000. Of beef products of all kinds our total exports were $28,000,000. of which Great Britain took $24,000 000. Of products the total exports were $84,000,000, of which Great Britain took $53,000,000 In breadstu£s. cotton and minor products like proportions sent to the same destination are shown. THE STATISTICAL DIVISION. The work of the statistical division of the department of agriculture deans With all that relates to the economies of farming. The main purpose of its monthly reports is to keep the farmers informed as fully as possible of ail matters having any influence upon the world's markets, in which their products find

sale. Its publications relate to the commercial side of farming It is. therefore, of profouud importance and rital concern to the farmers of the United States, who represent nearly one-half of our population. aud also of direct interest to the whole country, that the work of the division be efficiently performed, and that the information it has gathered be promptly diffused It is a matter for congratulation to know that the secretary will uot spare any effort to make this part of his work thoroughly useful. PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS. <5^ During the last fiscal year the cost of seeds purchased was $#$.518.01. The remainder of an appropriation of 0135.OJO was expended In putting them up and distributing them It surely never could have eutered the minds of those wno first sanctioned appropriations o? publio money for the purchase of new and improved varieties of seeds for distribution, that from this would grow large appropriations for the purchase and distribution bji* members of congress of ordinary seeds, bolus and cuttings which are common in all the states and territories. and everywhere easily obtainable at low prices. In each state and territory an agricultural experiment station has been established. These stations, by their very character and name, are the proper agencies to experiment with and test new varieties of seeds: and yet this indiscriminate and wasteful distribution by legislation and legislators continues, answering no purpose, unless it be to remind constituents that their representatives are willing to remember them with gratuities at public eo^t. OUGHT TO HE ABOLISHED.* In view of these facts this enormous expenditure. without legitimate returns of benefit, ought to be abolished. Anticipating a communication so manifestly in the interest of good legislation, more that #UW.OOO has been stricken from the estimate made to cover this object for the year ending June 30. 1885. and. the secretary recommends that the remaining $33,000 of estimate be confined strictly to the purchase or new and improved varieties of seed, and that these b© distributed through experiment stations. TUE ClTIDSlRVlcrtAT. The continued intelligent execution of the civil-service law.Jand the increasing approval by the people o.f its operation, are most gratifying. The recent extension.of its limitations and regulations to t&e employes at tree-deliv-ery post offices, whichthas been honestly and promptly accomplished by the commission, with the hearty co-operatiofiof the postmastergeneral. is an immensely important advance in^ the usefulness of the system l am. if possible, more than ever convinced of the incalculable benefits conferred by the civil-service law, not only In its effect upon the public service, but also, what is even more important, iu its effect in elevating the toue of political life generally. AN INCONSISTENCY. It seems to me to be entirely inconsistent with the character of this reform, as well as with Us best enforcement. toobUgeUhe commissioners to rely for clerical assistance upon clerks Retailed from other departments. There ought not to be such a condition iu any department that clerks hired to do work thej;e can be spared to habitually work at another place and it does uot accord with a sensible view of civil-service reform that persons should be employed on the theory that their labor is necessary* in one department when in poiut of fact their services are devoted to entirely different work in another department. 1 earnestly urge that the clerks necessary to carry on'-the work of the commission be regularly put upon its roster, and that that the system of obliging the commissioners to rely upon the services of clerks belonging to other departments be discontinued. This ought uot to increase the-expense to the government, while it would certainly be more consistent, and add greatly to the efficiency of the commission. THE DUTY OF PUBLIC ECONOMY. At this time when a depleted.public treasury confrouts*us. when many of our people are eu- . gaged in a hard struggle for the necessaries of life, and when forced economy is pressing upon the great mass of our countrymen. I desire to urge, with all the earnestness at my command, that congressional legislation will be so limited by strict economy as to exhibit an appreciation of the condition of the treasury, and a sympathy with the straightened circumstances of our fellow-citizens. The duty of public economy is also of immense importance in it» intimate and necessary relation to the task now in hand of providing revenue to meet government expenditures* and yet reducing the people's burden of federal taxation. Tariff Reform. After a hard struggle, tariff reform is directly before us. Nothing so important claims our attention, and nothing so clearly presents itself as both an opportunity and a duty—an opportunity to deserve the gratitude of our fel-low-citizeus. and w duty imposed upon us by our oft-repeated professions and by the emphatic mandate of the people. After full dis: cussioa our countrymen have spoken iu favor . of this reform, and they have confided the work of its accomplishment to the hands Of those who are solemnly pledgdoio it. If there is anything in the theory of a representation in public places of the people and their desires: if public officers are realty servants of the people, and if political promises and professions have any binrtiug force, our failure to give the relief so long awaited will be sheer recreancy. Nothing should intervene . to distract our attention or disturb our effort until this reform is accomplished by wise and careful legislation. While we should staunchly adhere to the principle that only the necessity of revenue justifies the imposition of tariff duties and other federal taxation, and that they should be limited by strict economy, we can not close our eyes to the fact that conditions have grown up among us which, in justice and fairness, call for discriminating care in the distribution of such duties and taxation as the emergencies of our-goverument actually demand. Manifestly, if we are to aid the people di rectly through tariff reform, one of its most obvious features should be a reduction iu present tariff charges upon the,necessaries of life. The benefits of such a reduction would be palpable and substantial, seen' and felt by thousands who would be better fed and better clothed and better sheltered. These gifts should be the willing benefactions of a government whoso highest function is the promotion of the welfare of the people. Not less closely related to our people's prosperity and well being is the removal of restrictions upon the importation of the raw materials necessary to our manufue

luira. iuv nui 4u vji.u to our national iugenuity and enterprise. This can not be while federal legislation; through the imposition of high tariff.forbids to American manufacturers as cheap materials as those used by their' competitors. It is quite obvious that the enhancement of the price of our manufactured products resulting from this policy not only coniines the market for these products within our own borders. to the airect disadvantage of our manufacturers, but also increases their cost to our $ citizens. The interests of labor are certainly, though indirectly, involved in this feja ture of our tariff system. The sharp competition and active struggle among our j manufacturers to supply the limited demand for their goods,, soon till the narrow market to which they are confined. Then follows a suspension of work in mills and factories, a di^ charge of employes, and distress in the homes of our workingmen. Even if the often-dis-proved assertion could be made good that a' lower rate of wages would result from free raw materials and lower tariff duties, the intelligence of our workingmen leads them quickly to discover that their steady employment, permitted by free raw materials, is the more important factor in their relation to tari* legislation. A MEASURE READY. A measure hag been prepared by the appropriate congress congressional committee embodying tariff reform on the lines herein suggested. which will be promptly submitted for legislative action. It is the result of much patriotic and unselfish work, and I believe it deals with its subject consistently and as thoroughly as existing conditions permit. I am satisfied that the reduced tariff duties provided for in the proposed legislation, added to existing internal revenue taxation, will in the near future, though perhaps not immediately, produce sufficient revenue to meet the needs of the government. A SMALL TAX ON INCOMES. The committee, after full consideration, and to provide against a temporary deficiency which may exist before the business of the country adjusts itself to the new tariff schedules. have wisely embraced in their: plan a few additional internal revenue taxes, including a small tax upon income^ derived from certain corporate investments.^ These new assessments are. not only absolutely just and easily borne, but they have the further merit of being such as can bo remitted without unfavorable business dieturbances whenever the necessity of their imposition no longer exists. In my great desire for the success of this measure I can not restrain the suggestion that its success can only be attained by means of unselfish counsel on the part of the friends of tariff reform, and as result of their willingness to subordinate personal desires and ambition^ to the general good. The local interests affected by the proposed reform ara^so numerous and so varied that if all are insisted upon the legislation embodying the reform must Inevitably fail ' In conclusion, my intense feeling;of responsibility impels me to invoke for ttfa manifold interests of a generous and confiding people the most scrupulous care, and to jpledge my 0 willing support to every legislative effort for the advancement of the greatness and prosperity of our beloved country. GROYXB CUBVXLASa. v