Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1885 — Page 7

■liver coin tn ciretfation, but the fact that a large share of the limited amount thud put out has soon returned to the public treasury ih payment of duties, leads to the belief that the people do not now desire to k?ep it on hand, and this, with the evident disposition to hoard gold, gives rise to the suspicion that there already exists a lack of confidence among the people touching our financial pfocesses. There is certainly not enough silver now in circulation to cause uneasiness, and the whole amount coined and now on hand might, after a time, bo absorbed by the people without apprehension; but it is the ceaseless stream that threatens to overflow the land which causes fear and uncertainty. What has been thus far submitted upon this subject relates almost entirely to considerations pf a home "auture, unconnected with the bearing which the policies of other nations have upon the question, but it is perfectly apparent that a line of action in regard to our currency cannot wisely be settled upon or persisted in without considering the attitude, on ' the subject of other countries with whom wc maintain intercourse through commerce, trade, and travel. An acknowledgment of this is found in the act by virtue Of which our silver is compulsorily coined. iHi provides that: “The President shall invite the Governments of the countries composing the Latin Union, So called, and of such other European nations as he may deem advisable, to join the United States in a conference to adopt a common ratio between -gold and silver for the purpose of establishing internationally the uses of bimetallic money and securing fixety of relative value between these metals. This conference absolutely failed, and a similar fate has awaited all subsequent efforts in the same direction, and still we continue our coinage of silver at a ratio different from that of any other nation. The most vital part;,of the Silver Coinage Act remains inoperative and unexecuted, and without an ally or friend we battle upon the silver field in an illogical and losing - contest. To give full effect to the design of Congress on this subject, I have made careful and earnest endeavor since the adjournment of the last Congress. To this end I delegated a gentleman well instructed in fiscal science to proceed to the financial centers of Europe, and in conjunction with otfr Ministers to England, France, and Germany, to obtain a full knowledge of the attitude and intent of these governments respecting the establishment of such an international ratio as would procure free coinage of both metals at the mints of those countries and our own. By my direction our Consul General at Paris Jias given close attention to the proceedings of the Congress of the Latin Union in order to indicate our interest in its objects and report its action! It may be said in brief as the result of these efforts that the attitude of the leading powers remain substantially unchanged since the Monetary Conference of 1881; nor is to be questioned that the views of these Governments are in each instance supported by the weight of public opinion. The steps thus taken have, therefore, only more fully demonstrated the uselessness of further attempts at present to arrive at anj’ agreement on the subject with other nations. In the meantime we are accumulating silver coin based upon our peculiar ratio .to such an extent, and assuming so heavy a burden to be provided for in any international negotiations, as will render us an undesirable party to any future monetary conference of nations. . I! iu a significant fact that four of the flyc countrigs comprising the Latin Union mentioned''in our coinage act, embarrassed with their silver currency JL haye_jiigt_jKani>leted on agreement among themselves that no more . silver shall be coined by their respective governments, and that such as has been already coined and in circulation shall be redeemed in gold by the country of its coinage. The resort to this expedient by these countries may well arrest the attention of those who suppose that we can succeed without shock or Injury in the attempt to circulate, upon its merits, all the silver we may coin under the provisions of the silver-coinage act. The condition in which our Treasury may be placed by a persistence in our present course is a matter of concern to every patriotic citizen who does not desire his Government to pay in silver such of its obligations as should be paid in gold. Nor should our condition be such as to oblige us, in a prudent management of our affairs, to discontinue the calling in and payment of interest bearing obligations which we have the right now to discharge and thus avoid the payment of further interest thereon. The so-called debtor class, for whose benefit the continued compulsory coinage of silver is insisted upon, are not dishonest because they are in debt, and thev should not be suspected of a desire to jeopardize the financial safety of the country in order that they may cancel their present debts by paying the same in depreciated dollars ; nor should it be forgotten that it is not the rich nor the money-lencer alone that must submit to such a readjustment, enforced by the Government and their debtors. The pittance of the widow and the orphan, and the incomes of helpless beneficiaries ‘of all kinds, would be disastrously reduced. The depositors in savings banks and in other institutions which hold in trust the savings of the poor, when their little accumulations are , scaled down to meet the nqjv order of things, would, in their distress, painfully realize the delusion of the promise made to them that plentiful money would improve their condition. We have now on hand all the silver dollars necessary to supply the present needs of the people, anil to satisfy those who from sentiment wish to sqe them in circulation, and if their coinage is suspended they can be readily obtained by all who desire them. If the need of more is at any time apparant, their coinage may be renewed.

That disaster, has not already overtaken us furnishes Bo proof that danger does not wait upon a continuation of the presont silver coinage. We have been saved by the most careful management, and unusual expedients by a combination of fortunate conditions, and by a confident expectation that the commerce of the Government in regard to silver coinage would be speedily changed by an action of Congress. Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold because of-dangers and uncertainties surrounding this question. : Capital timidly shrinks from trade, and investors are unwilling to take the chance of the questionable shape in which their money will be returned to them, while enterprise halts at a risk against which care and sagacious management do not protect. As a necessary consequence, labor lacks employment, and suffering and distress are visited upon a portion of our fellow-cit-izens especially entitled to the careful consideration of those charged with the duties of legislation. No interest appeals to us so strongly for a safe and stable currency as the vast army of the unemployed. I recommend the suspension of comyulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by the Law passed in February, 1878. STEAMBOAT INSPECTION SERVICE. The steamboat inspection service on the 30th day of June, 1885, was comqosed of 140 persons, including officers, clerks and messengers. The expenses of the service Over thfe receipts were 6138,822.27 during the fiscal year. The special inspection of foreign steam vessels, organized under the law passed in 1882, was maintained during the year at an expense oi $36,641.63. Since the close of the fiscal year reductions have been made in the forces employed, which will result in a saving during the current year of 617,000 without affecting the efficiency of the’ Service. MARINE HOSPITALS. The supervising Surgeon General reports that during the fiscal year 41,714 patients have received relief through marine hospital service, of whom 12,003 were treated in hospitals and 28,911 at dispensaries. PROTECTION FROM CHOLERA AND SMALL-POT. Active and effective efforts have been made through the medium of this service to protect the country against an invasion pf cholera, which has prevailed in Spain and France, and the small-pox which recently broke out in Canada. THE LIFE-SAVING SERVICE. The most gratifying results have attended the operations of the life-saving service during the last fiscal year. The observance pf the provision of law requiring the appointments of the force employed in the service to be madotsolely with reference to their fitness, and without reference to tiie political or party affiliation,” has secured the result winch may confidently be expected In any branch of public employment where such a rule is applied. As a consequence this service is composed of men,, well qualified for the performance of their dangerous and exceptionally important duties. The number of stations in commission at the close of the year was 203. The number of disasters to vessels and crafts of all kind within their field of action was 371. The number of persons endangered in such disasters was 2,439, of whom 2,428 were saved and only 11 lost. Other lives which were imperiled, though not,by disasters to shipping, were also rescued, and a large amount of property was saved through the aid of this service. The cost of its maintenance during the year was $828,473.43. the coast survey. The work of the coast and geodetic survey was, during the last fiscal year, carried on within the boundaries and off the coasts of thirtytwo states, two territories, and the District of Columbia. In July last, certain irregularities were found to exist in the management of this bureau, which led to a prompt investigation of its methods. The abuses which were brought to light by this examination and the reckless disregard of duty and the ifiterests of the Government developed on the part of some of those connected with the service, made a change of Superintendency and a few of its other officers necessary. Since the bureau has been in new hands, on introduction of economies and application of business methods have produced an important saving to the Government and a promise of more useful results. This service has never -been regulated by anythihg but most indefinite legal ' enactments and the most unsutisfaftory rules.

It was many years ago sancticned, apparently for a purpose regarded as temporary, ana relat- I ed to a survey of our coast. Having gained a . place in the appropriations made by Congress, it has gradually taken to itself powers and objects not contemplated in its creation, and extended its operations until it sadly, needs legislative attention. 1 » ' DISCONTINUING' A BUREAU. ■ 1 , “ So far as a further survey of our coast is concerrfed, there seems to be a propriety in transferring that work to the'Navy Department. The other duties now in charge of this establishment, if they cannot be profitably attached to some existing department or other bureau, should be prosecuted under a law exactly defining their scope and purpose, and with a careful discrimination between the scientific' inquiries Which may properly be assumed by the Government and those which should be undertaken by State authority, or by individual enterprise. 'it is hoped that the report of the Congressional Obmmittee heretofore appointed to investigate this and other like matters will aid in the accomplishment of proper legislation on this subject. THE ABMY. The report of the Secretary of War is herewith submitted. The attention of Congress is invited to the detailed account which it contains of the administration of his department and his recommendations and suggestions for the improvement of the service.’. The army consisted, at the date of the last consolidated returns, of 2,154 officers: and 24,705 oqlistcd men. The expenses of the departments for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, including $1.3,164,304.60 for public works and river and harbor improvements, were $45,850,999 54. Beside the troops which were dispatched in pursuit of the small band of Indians who left their reservation in Arizona and committed murders and outrages, two regiments of cavalry and one of infantry were sent last July to the Indian Territory to prevent an outbreak which seemed imminent. They remained to aid, if necessary, in the expulsion of intruders upon the reservation wbo seemed to have caused the discontent among the Indians, but the Executive proclamation warning them to remove was complied with without interference. Troops were also sent to Rock Springs, in Wyoming Territory, after the massacre of Chinese there, to prevent further disturbances, and after Ward to Seattle, in Washington Territory, to avert a threatened attack upon Chinese laborers and domestic violence there. In both cases, the mere presence of the troops had the desired effect. DESERTIONS. It appears that the number of desertions has diminished, but that during the last fiscal year they numbered 2,927, and one instance is given by the Lieutenant Genetai of six desertions by the same recruit. lam convinced that this number of desertions can be much diminished hy better discipline and treatment, but the punishment should be increased for repeated offenses. These desertions might also be reduced by lessening the term of first enlistments, thus allowing a discontented recruit to contemplate a nearer discharge, and the army a profitable riddance. After one term of service, a re-eiilist-ment would be quite apt to secure a contented recuuit and a good soldier. z .. COURTS MARTIAL. ... The acting Judge Advocate General reports that the number of trials by general courtsmartial during the year was 2,328, and that 1,851 trials took place before garrison and regimental co'irte-martiui. —The suggestionthttt'prob-' ably more than half tho army has been tried for offences great and small, in one year, may well arrest attention. Of course, many of these trials before garrison and regimental courts martial were for offenses almost frivolous, and there should, I think, be a way devised to dispose of these in a more summary and less inconvenint manner than by court martial. If some of the proceedings of courts martial which I have had occasion to examine present the ideas of justice which generally prevail in these tribunals, lam satisfied that they should be much reformed, if the honor and the honesty of the army and navy are by their instrumentality to be vindicated and protected. SEA-COAST DEFENSES. The Board on Fortifications or Other Defenses, appointed in pursuance of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1885, will in a short time present their report, and it is hoped that this may. greatly aid the legislation so necessary to remedy the present defenseless condition of our seacoasts.

SIGNAL SERVICE. The work of the Signal Service has been prosecuted during the last year with result of increasing benefits to the country. The field of Instruction has been enlarged, with a view of adding to its usefulness. The number of stations in operation Juno 30, 1885, was 489. Telegraphic reports are received daily from 460 stations. Reports are also received from 75 Canadian stations, 375 volunteer observers, 52 army surgeons at military posts, and 333 foreign stations. Tho expense of service during the fiscal year, after deducting receipts from military telegraph lines, was $797,592.97. In view of the fact referred to by the Secretary of War, that the work of this service ordinarily is of a scientific nature, and the further fact that it is assuming larger proportions constantly, and becoming more and more urisuited to the fixed rules, which must govern the army, I am inclined to agree with him in the opinion that it should be separately established, If this is done the scope and extent of its operations should, as nearly as jossible, be definitely prescribed by law, anil always capable of exact ascertainment WEST POINT ACADEMY. The military academy of West Point is reported as being in a high state of efficiency and well equipped for tho satisfactory accomplishment of the purposes of its maintenance. The fact that the class which graduates next year is an unusually large one, has constrained me to decline to make appointments to second lieutenancies in the army from civil life, so that such vacancies as exist in these places may be reserved for such graduates, and yet it is not probable that there will be enough vacancies to provide positions for them all when they leave the military schooL Under tho prevailing law and usage, those not thus assigned to duty never actively enter the military service. It is suggested that the law on this subject be changed so that snch of those young men as are not at once assigned to duty after graduation may be retained as Second Lieutenants in the army, if they desire it, subject to assignment, when opportunity occurs, under proper rules as to priority of selection. The expenditures on account of the Military Academy for the last fiscal year were $290,712.07. PRIVATE-PROPERTY CLAIMS. The act approved March 3, 1876, designed to compensate officers and enlisted men for loss of private property while in the service of the United States, is so indefinite in its terms, and apparently admits so many claims, the adjustment of which could not have been contemplated, that if it is to remain on the statute book it needs amendment. BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS. There should be a general law of Congress prohibiting the construction of bridges over navigable waters in such manner as to obstruct navigation, with provisions for preventing the same. It seems, that under existing statutes the Government' cannot intervene to prevent such a construction when entered upon without its consent, though when such consent is asked and granted upon condition, the authority te insist upon such condition is clear. Thus it is represented that, while the officers of the Government arc, with great care, guarding against the obstruction of navigation by a bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Paul, a large pier for a bridge has been built just below this place, directly in the navigable channel of the river. If such'things are to be permitted, a strong argument is presented against the appropriation of large sums of money to improve the navigation of this and other important highways of commerce. NAVAt AFFAIRS.

The report of the Secretary of the Navy gives a history of the operations of his departments and the present condition of the work committed to his charge. He details in full the cours'e pursued by him to protect the rights of the Government in respect of certain vessels unfinished at the time of his accession to office, and also concerning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to be completed and awaiting the acceptance of the department. No one can fail to see, from the recital contained in this report, that only the application of business principles has been insisted upon in the treatment of these subjects, and that whatever contravers j- has arisen was caused by the exaction on the part of the department of the contract obligations as they were legally construed. In the case of the Dolphin, with entire justness to the contractor, an agreement has been entered into providing for the ascertainment by a judicial inquiry of the complete or partial compliance with the contract in her construction, and further providing for the assessment of any damages to which the Government may be entitled on account of a partial failure to perform such contract, or the payment of the sum still remaining unpaid upon her price in case a full performance is adjudged. The contractor by reason of his failure in business, being unable to complete the other three vessels, they were taken’possession of by the Government in their unfinished state, under a clause in the contract permitting such a course, and are now in process of completion in the yard of the contractor, but under the supervision of the Navy Department. Congress in its last session authorized the construction of two additional new cruisers and two gunboats, at a cost pot exceeding in the aggregate y 2,995,000. The appropriation for thia pturpose-havtog become available on the Ist div of July last, steps were at once taken for the procurement of sqch plans for the construction of these Vessels as would be likely to ensure their UfipfdJnejß when completed." These are of the uixuort importance, considering the

constant advance in the art of building vessels of thia character, and the time is - not lost which is spent in their careful consideration and selection. All must admit the importance of an effective navy to a nation like ours, having' such an extended sea coast to protect. Yet we have not a single vessel of war that could keep the seas against a first-class vessel of any important power. Such a condition ought not longer to continue'. The nation that can not resist aggression is constantly exposed to it. Its foreign i»l----icy is of necessity weak, and its negotiations are conducted with disadvantage because it is not in a condition to enforce the terms dictated by its sense of right and justice. ■ Inspired as lam by the hope, shored 'by all patriotic citizens, that the day is not far distant when our navy will be such as befits our standing among the nations of the earth, and rejoiced at every step that leads in tho direction of such a consummation, I deem it my duty to especially diredt the attention of , Congress to the close of the report of the Secretary of the Navy in which the humiliating features of the present organization of this department is exhibited, and the startling abuses and the waste of its present methods are exposed. The conviction is forced upon us, with the certainty of mathematical demonstration, that before wo proceed further in the sestoration of a navy, we need a thoroughly reorganized Navy Department. The fact that within seventeen years more than $75,000,000 has been spent in construction, repair, equipment, and armament of vessels, and the further fact that, instead of an effective and creditable fleet, we have only the discontent and apprehension of a nation undefended by war vessels, added to the disclosures now made, do not permit us to doubt that every attempt to revive our navy has thus far, for the most part, been misdirected, and all our efforts in that direction have been little better than blind gropings, and expensive, aimless follies. Unquestionably if we are content with the maintenance of a navy department simply as an ornament to the Government, a constant watchfulness may prevent some of the scandal and abuse which have found their way into our present organization, and its incurable waste may be reduced to the minimum. But if we desire to build ships for present usefulness instead of naval reminders of the days that are past, we must have a department organized for the work, supplied with all the latest and best ingenuity our country affords and prepared to take advantage of the experience of other nations, systematized so that all efforts shall unite and lead in one direction ; and fully imbued with the conviction that war vessels now are useless unless they combine all that the ingenuity of man has up to this day brought forth relating to their construction, I earnestly commend the portion of the Secretary's report devoted to this subject to the action of Congress, in the hope that the suggestions touching the'reorganization of his department may be adopted as the first step toward the reconstruction of our navy,

THE POSTAL SERVICE. The affairs of the postal service are exhibited by the rejxirt of the Postmaster General, which will be laid before you. The postal revenue, whose rates of gain upon the rising prosperity of 1882 and 1883 outstripped the increasing expense of our growing service, was checked by the reduction in the rate of letter postage, which took effect with the beginning of October ip the latter year, and it diminished during the two fiscal years $2,790,003, iu the proportion of $2,279,000 in 1884 to $520,000 in 1885. Natural growth and.development have, in the meantime, increased expenditure, resulting in a deficiency in the revenue to the expenses of the department of $5,250,000 for the year - 1884, and $8,330,833.33’3 in the last fiscal year. The anticipated and natural revival of the revenue has been oppressed and retarded by the unfavorable business condition of the country, of which tho postal service is a faithful indicator. The gratifying fact is shown, however, by the report, that our returning prospejity is marked by a gain of $380,000 in the revenue of the latter half of the last year over the corresponding period of the preceding year. The change in the rate of first-class matter which may be carried fer a single rate of postage from a half-ounce to an, ounce, and the reduction by one-half of the rate of newspaper postage, which, under recent legislation, begun with the current year, will operate to restrain the augmentation of receipts which otherwise might have been expected to shch a degree that the scale of expense may gain upon the revenue and cause an increased deficiency to be shown at its close ; yet after no long period of rewakened prosperity, by proper economy, it is confidently anticipated that even the present low rates, now os favorable as any country affords, will be adequate to sustain tho cost of the service. The operation of the Postoffice Department is for the convenience and benefit of the people, and the method by which they pay the charges of this useful arm of the public service, so tnat it be just and impartial, is of less importance to them than the economical expenditure of the means they provide for its maintenance, and the due improvement of its agencies, so that they may enjoy its highest usefulness. A proper attention has been directed to the prevention of waste.or extravagance, and good results appear from the reports to have already been accomplished.

DOMESTIC MONEY ORDERS. I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster General to reduce the charges on domestic money orders of $5 and less from 8 to 5 cents. This change wilk» materially aid those of our people who, most of all, avail themselves of this instrumentality, but to whom "the element of cheapness is of the greatest importance. With this reduction the system would still remain self-supporting. THE FREE-DELIVERY SYSTEM has been extended te nineteen additional cities during the year, and 178 now enjoy its conveniences. Experience has commended it to those who enjoy its benefits, and further enlargement of its facilities is due to other communities to which it is adapted In the cities where it has been established, taken together, the local postage exceeds its maintenance by nearly sL3od,<k)o. The limit to which this system is now confined by law has been nearly reached, and the reasons given justify the extension which is proposed. FOBEIGN-MAIL SERVICE. It was decided, with my approbation, after a sufficient examination, to be inexpedient for the Postoffice Department to contract for carrying our foreign moils under the additional authority given by the last Congress. The amount limited was inadequate to pay all within the purview of the law the full rate of 50 cents per mile, and it would have been unjust and unwise to have given it some and denied it it to others. Nor could contracts have been let under the law to all at a rate to have brought the aggregate within the appropriation without such practical pre-arrangement of terms as would have violated it The rate of sea and inland postage which was proffered under another statute clearly appears to be a fair compensation for the desired service, being three times the price necessary to secure transportation by other vessels upon any route, and much beyond the charges made to private persons for services not less burdensome. Some of the steamship companies, upon the refusal of the Postmaster General to attempt, by the means provided, the distribution of the sum appropriated, withdrew the services of their vessels, and thereby occasioned slight inconvenience, ♦ though no considerable injury. The mails have been dispatched by other means. Whatever may be thought of the policy of subsidizing any lino of public conveyance or travel, I am satisfied that it should not be done under cover of an expenditure incident to the administration of a department, nor should there be any uncertainty as to the recipients of the subsidy or any discretion left to an executive officer as to its distribution. If such gifts of public money are to be made for the purpose of aiding any enterprise in the supposed interest of the public, I cannot but think that the amount to be paid and the beneficiary might better be determined by Congress than in any other way.

THE POSTAL UNION. The International Congress of delegates from the postal union countries convened at Lisbon,: in Portugal, in February la#t, and after a session of some weeks the delegates signed a convention amendatory of the present Postal Union Convention in some particulars designed to advance its purposes. Illis additional act has had my approval, ahd will be laid before you with the departmental reports. I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster General that another assistant be provided for his department. I invite your consideration to the several other recommendations contained in his report. DBPABTMENT OF JUSTICE. The report of the Attorney General contains a history of the conduct of the Department of Justice during the last year, and a number of valuable suggestions as to needed legislation, and I invite your careful attention to the same. The condition of business in the courts of the . United States is such that there seems to be an imperative necessity for remedial legislation on the subject. Some of these courts are so overburdened with pending causes that the delays on determining litigation amount often to a denial of justice. Among the plans suggested for relief is one submitted by the Attorney General. Its fnain features are the transfer of all the original jurisdiction, of the Circuit Courts to the District Courts, and an increase of Judges for the latter where necessary; an addition of Judges to the Circuit Courts and constituting the exclusive courts of appeal and reasonably limiting 'appeals thereto; further restrictions of the right to remove causes from the State to Federal Courts, permitting, appeals to the Supreme Court from the courts of the District of Columbia and the 'Territories only in the same cases as they are allowed from State Courts, and guarding against,an unneces- ; sary number of appeals from the Circuit Courts, i I approve the plan thus outlined, and r— ~jus-

mend the legislation necessary for ita application to our judicial system. The present mode of compensating United States Marshals and District Attorneys shonld, in my opinion, be changed. They are allowed to charge against the Government certain fees for service, their incomes being measured by the amount of such fees within a fixed limit to their’ annual aggregate. This is a direct inducement for them to make their fwa in criminal cases as large as possibla in an effort to reach the maximum sum permitted. As an entirely natural consequence unscrupulous Marshals are found encouraging frivolous prosecutions. arresting people on petty charges of crime and transporting them to distant places for .exanination and trial, for the purpose- of earning mileage, and other fees, and District Attorney’s uselessly attend criminal examinations far from Xhefr places of residence for the express purpose of swelling their accounts against the Government. The actual expenses incurred in these transactions are always charged against the Government. Thus the rights and freedom of our citizens are outraged, and public expenditures increased for the purpose of furnishing public officers pretexts for increasing the measure of their compensation. I think Marshals and District Attorneys, should be paid salaries adjusted by a rule which will make them commensurate with services fairly rendered. punishing Misdemeanors. In connection with the subject, I desire to suggest the advisjibility, if it be found not obnoxious to constitutional objection, of . investing United States Commissioners with tho power to try and determine certain violations of law within the grade of misdemeanors. Such trials might be made to depend upon tho option of the accused. The multiplication of small and technical offenses, especially under the provisions of our Internal Revenue law, renders some change in our present system very dpsirable, in the interests of humanity as well ns economy. The District Courts are now crowded with petty prosecutions, involving a punishment, in case of conviction, of only a slight fine, while the parties accused are harassed by an enforced attendance upon the courts held hundreds of miles from their homes. If poor and friendless, they are obliged to remain in jail, and months, perhaps, elapse before a session of the court is held, and are finally brought to trial surrounded by strangers, and with but little opportunity for defense, tn the meantime frequently the Marshal has charged against the Government his fees for an arrest, the transportation of the accused and the expense of the same ; and for summoning witnesses before a Commissioner, a Grand Jury and a court, the witnesses have been paid froifi the public funds large fees and traveling expenses, and the Commissioner and District Attorney have also made their charges against the Government. This abuse in the administration of our criminal law should be remedied, and if the plan above suggested is not practicable, some other should be devised.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS. The report of the Secretary Of the Interior, containing an account of the operation of this important department and much interesting information, will be submitted for your consideration. The, most intricate and difficult subject in charge of this department is the treatment and management of <_ THE INDIANS. I am satisfied that some progress may be noted in their ' condition as A result of a prudent administration of the present laws and regulntious for their control; but.. it is iß.utt mitted that there is lack of a fixed purpose of policy on this subject which should be supplied. It is useless to dilate upon the-wrongs of the Indians, and as useless to indulge in the heartless belief that because their wrongs ore revenged in their own atrocious manner, therefore they should be exterminated. They are within the cure of our Government, and their rights are, or should be protected from invasion by the most solemn obligations. They are properly enough called the wards of the Government, and it should be borne in mind that this guardianship involves on our part efforts for the improvement of their condition and the enforcement of their rights. There seems to be general concurrence in the proposition that the ultimate object of their treatment should be their civilization and citizenship. Fitted by these to keep pace in the march of progress with the advanced civilization about them, they will readily assimilate with the mass of our population, assuming the responsibilities and receiving the protection incident to this condition. The difficulty appears to be in the selection of the means to be at present employed toward the attainment of this result. Our Indian population, exclusive of those in Alaska, is reported as numbering 260,000, nearly all being located on lands set apart, for their use and occupation, aggregating over 134,000,000 of acres. These lands are included in boundaries of seventeen reservations of different dimensions, scattered in twenty-one States and Territories, presenting great variations in climate and in tho kind and quality of their soils. Among Indians upon these several reservations there exists the most marked differences in natural traits and disposition, and in their progress toward civilization. While some are lazy, vicious, and stupid, others are industrious, peaceful and intelligent. While a portion of them are self-supjxjrting and independent and have so fur advanced iu civilization that they make their own laws, administered through officers of their own choice, and educate their children in schools of their own establishment and maintenance, others still remain in squalor and dependance almost in the savagery of their natural state. In dealing with this question the desires manifested by the Indians should not be ignored. Here again we find a- great diversity. With some the tribal relation is cherished with the utmost tepacity, while its hold upon others is considerably relaxed. The love of home is strong with all, and yet there are those whose attachment to a particular locality is by no means unyielding. The ownership of these lands in severalty is much desired by some, while by others and sometimes again the most civilized, such a distribution would be bitterly opposed. The variation of their wants growing out of and connected with the character of their several locations should be regarded. Some are upon reservations most fit for grazing, but without flocks or herds, and some on arable land have no agricultural implements, while some of tho reservations are double the size necessary to maintain the number of Indians now upon them. In a few cases, perhaps, they should be enlarged. Add to all this the difference in the administration of the agencies, while the same duties are devolved upon all, the disposition of the agents and the manner of their contact with the Indians have much to do with their condition and welfare. The agent who perfunctionarily performs his duty and slothfully neglects all opportunity to advance their moral and physical improvement, and fails to inspire them with a desiijg for better things, will accomplish nothing in the direction of their civilization, while he who feels the burden of an important trust and has an interest in his work will, by consistent examples, firm, yet considerate treatment, and well-directed aid and encouragement, constantly' lead those under his charge toward the light of their enfranchisement. The history of all the progress which has been made in civilization of the Indian, I think, will disclose the fact that the beginning has been religious teaching, followed by or accompanying secular education, while the self-sacrificing and pious men and women who have aided in this good work by their independent endeavors have for their reward the beneficent result of their labor and consciousness of Christian duty well performed. Their valuable services should be fully acknowledged by all who, under the law, are charged with the control and management of our Indian wards. What has been said indicates that in the present condition of the Indiana no attempt should be made to apply a fixed and unyielding law of action to their varied and varying needs and circumstances. The Indian Bureau, burdened as it is with this general oversight, and with the details of the establishment, can hardly possess itself of the minute particulars of cases -needing treatment, and thus the propriety of creating an instrumentality auxiliary to those already established ' for the care of the Indians, suggests itself. I recommend the passage of a law authorizing the appoistmeht of six commissioners, three of whom shall be detailed from the army, to be charged with the duty of a careful inspection from time to time of all the Indians ujxm our reservations or subject to the care and control of the Government, with a view of discovering their exact condition and needs, and determining what steps thall be taken on behalf of the Government to improve their situation in the direction of their self-support and complete civilization. That they ascertain from such inspection what, if any, pf the reservations may be reduced in ai-ea, and in such cases what part, not needed for Indian occupation, may be purchased by the Government from the Indians and disposed of for their benefit; what, if any, Indians may, with their consent, be removed to other reservations, with a view of their concentration, and the sale on their behalf of their abandoned reservations; what Indi anlands now held in common should be allotted in severalty; in what manner and to what extent the Indians upon the reservations can be placed under the protection of our laws and subjected to their penalties, and which, if any, Indians should be invested with the right of citizenship. The powers and functions of the Commissioners in regard to these subjects should be clearly defined, though they should, in conjunction with the Secretary of . the Interior, be given all the authority to deal definitely with the questions presented, if deemed safe and consistent. SURVEYING INDIAN LANDS. The expense of tlj< Indian Bureau during the last fiscal year was more than $6,500,000. I believe muejref thia expenditure may be saved under -JttiS plan proposed; that its economical effects would be increased with its continuance; that the safety of our frontier settlers woflld be

subserved under Its opM|ation, and that the nation would be saved through its results from the imputation of Inhumanity, injustice, and mismanagement. In order to carry ont the policy of allotment of Indian lands in severalty, when deemed expedient, it will be necessary to have surveys completed of the reservations, and I hope that provision will be made for the prose.-' cution of this work. « They shonld also be charged with the duty of ascertaining the number <rf Indians who might properly be furnished with implements of agriculture, and of what kind; in what cases tho support of the Government should bo' withdrawn; where the present plan of distributing Indian supplies should lie changed'; where schools may be established, and where discontinued; the conduct, method and fitness of agents in charge of reservations; the- extent to which such reservations are occupied or intruded nj>on by unauthorized persons, and generally all matters relating to the welfare and improvement ,of the Indian. They should advise with the Secretary of the Interior concerning those matters of detail in management, and he should be given power to deal with them fully, if he is not now invested with such power. This plan contemplates the selection of such persons for commissioners who are interested in the Indian question, and who have practical ideas on the subject of their treatment.

INDIAN TROUBLES. In May of the present yehr a small portion of the Cliiricahua Apaches on the White Mountain Reservation in Arizona left the reservation and comihitted a number of murders upon settlers in that neighborhood. Though prompt and energetic action was taken by the military, the renegades eluded capture and escaped into Mexico. The formation of the country through which these Indians passed, their thorough acquaintance with the same, the speed of their escape and the manner in which they scattered and concealed themselves in l the mountains near the scene of their outrages, put our soldiers at a great disadvantage in their efforts to capture them, although the expectation is still entertained that they will ultimately be taken and punished for their crimes. INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROTECTED. The threatening and disorderly conduct of the Cheyennes, of the Indian Territory, early last summer, caused considerable alarm and uneasiness. Investigation proved that their threatening attitude was due, in a groat measure, to the occupation of the land of their reservation by immense herds of cattle, which their owners claimed were rightfully there under certain leases made by the Indians. Such occupation appearing,, upon examination, to be unlawful, notwithstanding these leases, the intruders wore ordered to remove with their cattle from the land of the Indians by the Executive proclamation. The enforcement of this proclamation had the effect of peace and order among the Indians, and they are now quiet and well behaved. By an Executive order issued on February 27, 1885, by my predecessor, a portion’ of the tract of country in the territory known as the Old Winnebago and Crow Creek Reservations was directed to be restored to the public domain and opened to settlement, under the land laws of tho United States, and a largo number of persons entered upon those lands. This action affirmed tho Sioux Indians, who churned the territory as belonging to tlieir reservation under the treaty of 1808. This claim was determined, after careful investigation, to be well founded, and consequently the Executive order referred to was, by proclamation of April 17, 1885, declared to bo inoperative and of no effect, and all persons upon the land were Warned to leave. This warning has been substantially complied with.

OUR PUBLIC LANDS. The public domain had its origin in cessions of lend by the States to tho General Government. The first cession was made by the State of New York, and the largest, which in area exceeded all the others, by the State of Virginia. The territory, the proprietorship of which became thus vested in tho General Government, extended from the western lin«-of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River. These patriotic donations of the States were incumbered by no condition, except that they should be held and used “for the common benefit of the United States." By purchase with the common fund of all the people additions were mode to this domain until it extended to the northern line of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, and the Polar Sea, The original trust “for the common benefit of the United States" attached to all. In the execution of that trust the policy of “many homes rather than large estates" was adopted by the Government. That those might be easily obtained and be the abode of security and contentment, the laws for their acquisition were few, easily understood, and general in their character. But the pressure of local interests, combined with a speculative spirit, has in many instances procured the passage of laws which marred the harmony of the general plan and encumbered the system with a multitude of general and special enactments which render the land laws complicated, subject the titles to uncertainty and the purchasers often to oppression and wrong. Laws which were intended for the “common benefit" have been perverted so that large quantities of land ore vested in single ownership. From the multitude and character of the laws this consequence seems incapable of correction by mere administration. It is not for the common benefit of the United States that a large area of the public lands should be vested, directly or through fraud, in the hands of a single individual. The nation’s strength is in the people. The nation’s prosperity is in their prosperity. The nation’s glory is in the equality of her justice. The nation’s perpetuity is in the. patriotism of all her people. Hence, as*for a? practicable, the plan adopted in the disposal of the public lands she Id have in view the original policy, which encouraged many purchases of these lands for homes and discouraged the massing of large areas. Exclusive of Alaska, about three-fifths of the national domain has been sold or subjected to contract or grant. Of the remaining • two-fifths a considerable portion is either mountain or desert. A rapidly increasing population creates a growing demand for homes, and accumulation of wealth inspires an eager competition to obtain the public land for speculative purposes. In the future this collision of interests will be more marked than in the past, and the execution of the nation’s trust in behrulf of our settlers will be more difficult. I therefore commend to your attention the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary of the Interior with reference to the repieal and modification of certain of our land laws. •

RAILROAD LAND GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES. The nation has made princely grants and subsidies to a system of railroads projected as great national highways to connect the Pacific Sjtates with tho East, it has been charged thawhese donations from the people have been diverted to private gain and corrupt tfses, and thus public indignation has been aroused, and suspicion engendered. Our great nation does not begrudge its generosity, but it abhors peculation and fraud, and the favorable regard of our people for the great corporations to which these grants were made can only be revived by a restoration of confidence, to be secured by their constant, unequivocal and clearly manifested integrity. A faithful application of the undiminished proceeds of the grants to the construction and perfecting of their roads, an honest discharge of their obligations and entire justice to all tho people in the enjoyment of their rights on these highways of travel, is' all the public asks, and it will be content With no less. To secure these things should be the common purpose of the officers of the Government, as well as of the corporations. With this accomplished, prosperity would be permanently secured to the roads and national pride would take the place of national complaint. THE PATENT OFFICE. The operations of the patent office demonstrate the activity of the inventive genius of the country. For the year ended June 30,1885, the applications for patents, including reissues, and for the registration of trade-marks and labels, numbered 35.C88. During the same period there were 22,928 patents granted and reissued, and 1,429 triule-marks and labels registered. The number of patents issued in the year 1875 was 14,387. The receipts during the last fiscal year were $1,074,974.35, and the total expenditures, not including contingent expenses, &34,123.1 L There was 9,788 applications for patents pending on tho first day of July, 1884, and 5,786 on the same date in l the year 1885. There has been considerable improvement made in the prompt determination of applications and a consequent relief to expectant inventors. A number of suggestions and recommendations are contained in the report of the Commissioner of Patents which are well entitled to the consideration of Congress. POLYGAMY. In the Territory of Utah the law of the United States passed for the suppression of polygamy has been energetically and faithfully executed during the past year with measurably good results. A number of convictions have been secured for unlawful cohabitation, and in some cases pleas of guilty have been entered and ■light punishment imposed upon promise by the accused that they would not again offend against the law, nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet in any way its violation by others. The Utah Commissioners express the opinion based upon such information as they are able to obtain, that but few polygamous marriages have taken place in the Territory during the last year. They further report that, while tßere cannot be found upon the registration lists afr voters tho name of a man actually guiltv of polygamy, and while none of, that class'are holding office, yet, at the last election in the Territory, all the oflicera elected except in one comity were men who, though not actually livingin the practice of polygamy, subscribed'to the doctrins of polygamous marriages as a divine ; revelation and. a law unto all, higher , and more bihiling ■ upon the constience j than any human law, local or national. I

This is the strong •pectacle presented by a community protected by a republican form of government to which they owe allegiance, sustaining By their suffrages a principle and a belief which sets at naught that obligation of absolute 01/edience to the law which lies at the foundation of republican institutions. The strength, the perpetuity, and tho destiny of the nation rest uj>on our homes established by the law of God, guarded Uy parental care, regulated by parental authority, and sanctified by parental love. These are not the homes of polygamy. 'The mothers of our land who rule tho nation as they would the characters, and guide the actions of their sons, live according to God's holy ordinance, and each, pure and happy in the exclusive love of the father of her children, sheds the warm light of true womanhood, unperverted and unpolluted, upon all within her pure and wholesome family circle. These are not" the cheerleM. crushed, and unwomanly mothers of polygamy. The fathers of our families are the best citizens of the Republic; wife and children are the sources of patriotism, and conjugal and parental affection beget devotion to country. Tne man who, tindefiied with plural marriage, is surrounded in his single home with his wife and children, has a stake in the country which inspires him with respect for its laws and courage for their defense. These are not the fathers of polygamous families. There is no feature of this practice or the system which sanctionsit which is not opposed to all that is of value in our institutions. There shonld be no relaxation in the firm but just execution of the law now in operation, and I should be glad to approve such further discreet legislation as will rid this country of this blot upon its fair fame. Since the people upholding polygamy in our Territories are re-en-forced by immigration from other lands, I recommend that a law be passed to prevent the importation of Mormons into the country. ANIMAL DISEASES. The prohibition of the importation into several conntrios of certain of our animals and their products, based upon the suspicion that health is endangered in their use and consumption, suggests the importance of such precautions for the protection of our stock of all kinds against disease oa will disarm suspicion of danger and cause the removal of such an injurious prohibition. If the laws now in operation ore insufficient to accomplish this protection, I recommend their amendment to meet the necessities of the situation, and I commend to the consideration of Congress the suggestions contained in the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture calculated to increase tht> value and efficiency of this department.

CIVIL-SEBVICE REFORM. The report of the Civil-Service Commission, which will be submitted, contains an account of the inanner in which the Civil-Serviee law has been executed during the last year and much valuable information on this important subject. I am inclined to think that there is no sentiment more general in the minds of the people of our country than a conviction of the correctness of the principles upon which the law enforcing civil service reform is based. In its present condition the law regulates only part of the subordinate public positions throughout tho country. It applies tests of fitness to applicants for these places by means of a competitive examination and gives large discretion to the eommi'WOners as to the characterof the examination and.many other matters connected with ita execution. Thus tne rules and regulations adopted by the commission have much to do with the practical usefulness of the statute and with the results of its application. The people may well trust the commission to execute the law with perfect fairness and with as little irritation as is possible. But of course no relaxation of the principle which underlies it and no weakening of the safeguards which surround i£can be expected. Experience in its administration will probably suggest an amendment of thp methods of its execution, but I venture to hope that we never shall again be remitted to the system which distributes public positions purely as rewards for partisan service. Doubts may well be entertained whether our Government could survive the strain of a continuance of this system, which, upon every change of administration, inspires an immense army of claimants for office to lay siege to the patronage of the Government, engrossing fce the time of public officers with their importunities, spreading abroad the contagion of their disappointment, and filling the air with the tumult of their discontent. The allurements of an immense number of offices and places exhibited to the voters of the land, and the promise of their bestowal in recognition of partisan activity, debauch the suffrage and rob political action of its thoughtful and deliberative character. The evil would increase with the multiplication of offices consequent upon our extension, and the mania for office-holding, growing from its indulgence, would pervade our population so generally that patriotic purpose, the desire for the public good and solicitude for the nation's welfare, would be nearly banished from the activity of our party contests and cause them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful struggles for the possession of office and public place. Civil-service reform, enforced by law, came not too soon to cheek the progress of demoralization. One of its effects, not enough regarded, is the freedom it brings to the political action of those conservative and sober men who, in fear of the confusion and risk attending an arbitrary and sudden change in all the public offices with change of party rule, cast their ballots against such a change. „ • Parties seem to be necessary, and will continue to,exist. Nor can it be now denied that there are legitimate advantages not disconnected with officeholding which follow party supremacy. While partisanship continues bitter and pronounced, and supplies so much of motive to sentiment and action, it is not fair to hold public officials, In charge of important trusts, responsible for the best results in the performance of their duties and yet insist that they shall rely, in confidential and important places, upon the Work, of those not only opposed to them In political affiliation, but so steeped in partisan prejudice and rancor that they have no loyalty to their chiefs and no desire for their success. Civil service reform does not exact, this, nor does it require, that those in subordinate position who fail in yielding their best service, or, wbo are incompetent, should be restrained simply because they are in place. The whining of a clerk discharged for indolence or incompetency, who, though he gained his place by the worst possible operation of the * spoils system, suddenly discovers that he is entitled.to protection under the sanction of civil service reform, represents an idea no less absurd than the clamor of the applicant who claims the vacant position as his compensation for the most questionable party work. The civil-service law does not prevent the dischargeof the Indolent or incompetent cleric, but it does prevent supplying his place with the unfit party worker. Thus in both the phases is . seen benefit to the public service. And the people, who desire good government, having secured this statute, will not relinquish •its benefits without protest, nor are they unmindful of the fact that its full advantages can only be gained through the complete good faith of those having its execution in charge, and this they will insist upon. I recommend that the salaries of the Civil Service Commissioners be increased to a sum more nearly commensurate with their important "duties.

THE GOVERNMENT LIBRARY. It is a source of considerable and not unnatural discontent that no adequate provision has yet been made for the accommodation of the principal library of the Government. A consideration of the fact that the library of the Capitol has twice been destroyed or. damaged by fire, its daily increasing value and its importance as a place of deposit for books under the law relating to copyright make manifest the necessity of prompt action to insure its proper accommodation and protection. DISTRICT MATTERS. My attention has been called to a controversy which has arisen from the condition of the law relating to railroad facilities in the city of •« Washington, which has involved the Commissioners of the District in much annoyance and trouble. I hope the difficulty will be prctoptly settled by appropriate legislation. THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION. The present condition of the law relating to the succession to the Presidency in the event of the death, disability, or removal of both the President and Vice President, is such as to require immediate amendment, This subject has repeatedly been considered by Congress, but no result has been reached. The recent lamentable death of the Vice President and the vacancies at the same time in all other offices, the incumbent of which might immediately exercise the functions of the Presidential office, has caused public anxiety and a just demand that a recurrence of such a condition of affairs should not be permitted. CONCLUSION. ' In conclusion, I commend to the wise care and thoughtful attention of Congress the needs and the welfare of the American Nation. To subordinate. these to the narrow advantage* of partisanship or the acaampKahment of vselfish aims is to violate the people’s trust and betray the people's interest. But an individual sense of responsibility on the < part of each of ns, and a stern determination to perform our duty well, must give us place among those who have added, in their day and generation, to the glory and prosperity of our beloved land. (Signed) Grover Cleveland. Washington, Dec. 8,1885. * When a fellow is pretty well on in years, and certain portions of him have dropped away, such as hair and teeth, why can’t he confess it ?