Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1888 — PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

„JJTo the Congress of the United ■jSt^ates— As you ashtmble for the dis!csafgS the duties you have assumed as the representatives of a free and generous people, you; meeting is marked by an interesting and impressive incident. With the expiration of the present session of the Congress the first century of Our constitutional existence as a Nation will be completed. Our survival for One ’htmdretf years is not sufficient to assure that we no longer have dangers to fear in the maintenance, w.ith all its promised blessings,of a government founded on the freedopii of the people. The time rather ad m'nishes us to soberly inquire whether in the past we have always closely kept in the course of safety, and whether we have before us a way plain and clear which leads to happiness, and peipetuity. When the experiment of our Government was undertaken the chart adopted for our guidance was the Constitution. Departure from the lines there laid down is failure. It is only by a strict adherence to the direction they indicate qnd by restraint withih the limitations they fix that we can furnish proof to the world of the fitness of- the American people for self-government. The equal and exact justice of which weboast as the underlying principle of our ahpjildjiQl_he_ confined to the relations of our citizens to each other. The Government itself is under bond to the American peopie, that in the exercise of its functions and powers, it will deal with the body of our citizens in a manner scrupulously honest and fair and absolutely just. It has agreed that American citizenship shall be the only credential necessary to justify the claim of equality before the law, and that no condition in life shall give rise to discrimination in the ■ treatment of the people by their Government. some unfavorable conditions. We view with pride and satisfaction this bright picture of our country’s growth and prosperity, while only a closer scrutiny develops a sombre shading. Upon more careful inspection we find the wealth and luxury of our cities mingled with poverty and wretchedness and unremunerative toil. A crowded and constantly increasing urteJfn population suggests the impoverishment of rural sections and discontent with agricultural pursuits. The farmer’s son, not satisfied with his father’s simple and laborious life, joins the eager chase for easily acquired wealthy We discover that the fortunes realized by our manufacturers are no longer solely the reward of sturdy industry and enlightened foresight, but that they result irOm the discriminating favor of the Government and are largely built upon undue exactions from the masses of our people. The gulf between employers, and the employed is constantly widening and classes are rapidly forming, one comprising the very rich and powerful, while in another are found the toiling poor. As we view the achievement of aggregated capital, we discover the existence of trusts, combinations and monopolies, while the citizen is struggling, far "in the rear, or is trampled to death by an iron heel. Corporations, which should be carefully restrained creatures of the law and the servants of the people, are fast becoming the people’s masters. Stdl, congratulating ourselves upon the wealth and prosperity of our country, and complacently contemplating every incident of change inseparable from the conditions, it is our duty as patriotic citizens to inquire, at the present stage of our progress, how the bond of the Government made with the people has been kept and performed. Instead of limiting the tribute, drawn from our citizens to the necessities of its economical administration, the Government persist-* in exacting from the substance of the people millions which, unapplied and useless, lie dormant in its treasury. ThL flagrant injustice and this breach of faith and obligation add to extonion the danger attending the diversion of the currency of the country from the legitimate channels of business.

THE TARIFF AND SURPLUS. Under the same laws by which these results are produced the government permits many millions more to be added to the cost of the livingoi our people and to be taken from our consumers which unreasonably swell the profits of a small but powerful minority. The people must strll be taxed for the support of the Government under the operation of tariff laws, but to the extent that the mass of our citizens are inordinately burdened beyond any useful fmblic purpose, and for the bensfit of a avored few. The Government, under pretext of an exercise of its taxing power, enters gratuitously into partnership with these favorites to their advantage, and to the injury of a vast majority of our people. This is not equality before the law. The existing situation is injurious to our entire body, politic. It stifles in those for whose benefit it is permitted all patriotic love of country, and substitutes in its stead selfish greed and grasping avarice. Devotion to American citizenship for its own sake, or for what it. should accomplish as a motive to our Nation’s advancement and the happiness of all our people, is displaced by the assumption that the Government, instead of being the embodiment of eq ality, is but an instrumentality through which especial and individual advantages are to be gained. The arrogance of this assumption is unconcealed. It appears in the sordid disregard of all but personal interests in the refusal to abate for the benefit of others one iota of selfish advantage and in combination to perpetuate such advantages through efforts to control legislation and improperly influence the suf frages of the people. The grievances of those not included within the circle of these beneficiaries when fully realized, will surely prouse irritation and discontent. 0< r farmers, long suffering and patient, struggling in the race of life with the haraest and most unremitting toil will not fail to see, in spite of misrepresentations and misleading facilities, that they are obliged to accent such prices fortheir products as are fixed in foreign markets, where they compete withthe farmers of the world; that their lands are declining in value while their debts increase, and that without compensating favor they are forced by the action of the Government to pay for the benefit of others such enhanced, prices for the things they need that the scanty returns of their labor fail to fur- ' nish their support or leave no margin for accumulation. Our workingmen, enfranchised from all delusions and no longer frightened by the cry that their wages are endangered by a just revision of our tariff

* laws, will reasonably demand through such revision steadier employment, 5 : cheaper means of living in tneir homes, freedom for themselves and their children Jrom the doom of perpetual servitude and an open door to their advance1 ment beyond the limit of a laboring i class, and others of our citizens whose | comforts an< expenditures are measured by moderate salaries and fixed incomes I will insist upon the fairnewand justice | of cheapening the cost of necessaries for themselves and their families. When to The selfish ness of the’ benificiaries of unjust discrimination under our laws there shall be added the discontent of ' those who suffer from such discriminaI tiop: we will realize the fact that the beneficent purposes of our Government dependent upon flie patridtism and contentment of our people, are endangereu! Communism is a hateful thing and a menace to peace and an organized Government. But the communism of combined wealth and capital, the outgrowth of over weaning cupidity and selfishness, which insidiously undermines the justice and integrity of free instittftions, is not less dangerous than the communism of .opposed poverty and toil, which exasperat d by injustice and discontent, attacks with a wild disorder the citadel of rule. * A just and sensible revision of our tarift laws should be made for the relief of those of our count'y men who suffer under present conditions. Such a revision should receive the support of all who love that justice and equality due to American citizenship, of all who realize that in this justice and equality our government finds its strength a3d its power to protect the citizen, of all who believe that the contented competence and comfort of many accord better with the spirit of our institutions than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered, in the hands of a few. of all who appreciate that the forbearance and fraternity among our people, which recognize the value of every American interest, are the surest guaranty of our national progress, and of all. who desire to see the products of American skill and ingenuity in -every market ini the world, with a resulting restoration of American commerce. The necessity of the reduction of our revenue is so apparent as to be generally conceded. But the means by which this end shall be accomplished and the sum of direct benefit which shml result to our citizens present a controversy of the* utmost importance. There should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the burdens of the people are only- apparent y removed. Extravagant appropriations of public money, with all their demoralizing consequences should not be tolerated, either as a means of rel eving the Treasury of its present surplus or as furnishing pretexts for resisting a proper reduction in tariff rates. Existing evils and injustice should be honestly recognized, boldly met and effectively remedied'. There should be no cessation of the struggle until a plan is perfected,fair and conservative, toward existing industries, but which will reduce the cost to consumers of the necessaries of life, while it provides for our manufacturers the advantage of freer raw materials and permits ho injury to the interests of American labor. The cause for w’hich the battle is waged is comprised within lines clearly and distinctly defined. It should never be compromised; it is the people’s cause.

SOME GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. The President calls specific attention to various abuses in the administration of the Government that should be corrected by Legislative enactment. Briefly mentioned they are as follows: (1) Prevention of the wholesale granting of pensions for no other reason than the poverty of the applicants. (2) Relief for the Supreme Court, which has more . work than it can do. <3) Changes in the laws regarding public lands, so that their spoliation and diversion to other uses than as homes for honest settlers, mav be prevented. (4) A plan to better the condition of the Indians and prevent outrages on them. (5) The necessity of additional prisons for United States convicts. (6) Removal, from appropriation bills of provisions to meet private ends. (7) A check upon the increasing tendency to extend the scope of federal legislation into the domain of State and local jurisdiction. Regarding the State of the Union and its Inter-National relations, the President congratulates Congress on peace and prosperity. There are no disputes between the United States and foreign powers that can not be easily and amicably settled. “But,” he adds, “the questions between Great Britain and the United States, relating to the rights of American fishermen, I regret to say; are not yet satisfactorily adjusted.” All the facts about these, he adds, were transmitted to tbe Senate in his message of August 23, and since then nothing has occurred for him to add. In his discussion of our relations with England, the President makes this reference to the removal of Lord Sackville West: “Near the close of the month of October last occurrences of a deeply regretable nature were brought to my knowledge which made it my painful but imperative duty to obtain, with as little delay as possible, a new personal channel of diplomatic intercourse in this country with the Government of Great Britain. The correspondence'-in relation to this incident will, in -due Course, be laid before you, and will disclose the unpardonable conduct of the official referred to in his interference by advice and counsej with the suffrages of American citizens in the very crisis of tbe Presidential election then near at hand, and also in his subsequent public declarations to justify his action, superadding impugnment of the Executive and senate of the United States in connection with important questions now pending in controversy between the two Governments. The offense thus committed was most grave, involving disastrous possibilities to the good relations of the United States and Great Britain, constituting a gross breach of diplomatic privilege and an invasion ofjthe purely domestic affairs and essential sovereignty of the Government to which the envoy was accredited. Having first fulfilled just demands of international comity by affording full opportunity for her Majesty’s Government i o act in relief of the situation I considered prolongation of discussion to be unwarranted, and thereupon declined to further recognize the diplomatic character of the person whose continuance in sueh function would destrpy that mutual confidence which is essential to the good understanding between - the two Governments, and was inconsistent with the welfare and self-respect of the Government of the United States. The usual interchange of communication has since

continued through her majesty’s legation in this city. ' . Jn a detailed and comprehensive review of international issues that have been disposed of, or are now pending, the President refers to the' dispute over the boundary, between Alaska and British Columbia, expressing the belief that it soon will be settled. It recommends legislatiofi to remove the obstacles to reciprocal action for the preservation of life and property on the lakes, and the payment of certain German steamship lines on interest upon tonnage, illegally exacted. A lengthy review is given of the Chinese exclusion bill, the revision of the Japanese treaty and the establishment of diplomat ic intercourse v ith Corea. Referring to the pending troubles in Hayti, the President save:

“Our representative has been instruct ed to abstain from interference between the warring factions and a vessel of our navy has been sent to Haytian waters to sustain our minister aniFTor the protection of the persons and property of Americ,am citizens. Due precautions fcave been taken to enforce our’ neutrality laws and prevent our territory from'becoming the base of military supplies for either of the waning factions under color of a blockade, of which no reasonable notice had been given, and which does not appear to have been efficiently maintained.. A seizure of vessels under the American flag has been reported, and in consequence measures to prevent and redress any molestation of our innocent merchantmen have been adopted. Further recommendations about foreign countries is the establisment of a sub-marine telegraph communication with Honolulu; an adjustment of the boundary line troubles with Mexico; a furtherence of our peaceful and harmonious relations with, the Republics of South America; a confirmation of the recent treaty with Peru; definite legislation regarding tonnage on international commerce, and a careful revision of our naturalization laws. On this subject the President says: “The easy, unguarded manner in which certificates of American citizenship can now be obtained has induced a class unfortunately large, to avail themselves of the opportunity to become absolved from allegiance to their native lana and yet by a foreign residence to escape any just duty and contribution of service to the country of their proposed adoption. Thus, while evading the duties of citizenship to the United States, they may make promt claim for its National protection and demand its intervention in their bt half. International complications of a serious nature arise, and the correspondence of the State Department discloses .the great number and complexity of the questions which have been raised. Our laws regulating the issue of passports should be carefully revised, and the institution of a central bureau of registration at the Capital is again strongly recommended.” The message enters into a full discus sion and review of the reports of the various departments of the Government. The operations of the Treasury Department aresummerized as follows; ‘ The total ordinary revenues of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 3 , 1888, amounted to $379,267,074.76, of which $319 091,173.63 was received from customs duties and $124,296,871.98 from internal revenue taxes. The total receipts from all sources exceeded those for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1887, by $7,862,797.10. The ordinary expenditures of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, were $259,653,958.67, leaving a surplus of $119,612,116.09. The decrease in these expenditures, as compared with the fiscal year ended June 30,1887, was sß,27B,22l.3l,notwithstanding the pay ment of more than $5,000,00 u for pensions in excess of what was paid for that purpose in the latter mentioned year. The revenues of the Government for the year ending June--30,1889, ascertained for the quarter ended September 3 ,1889, and estimated for the remainder of the time amount to $377,000, 1 00, and the actual and estimated ordinary expenditures for the same year are $273,000,000, leaving an estimated surplus of $104,000,000. The estimated receipts for the year ending June 30, 1890, are $377,000,000, and the estimated ordinary expenditures for the same time are $375,767,488.34, showing a surplus of $101,232,511.66. The foregoing statements of surplus do. not take into account the sum necessary to be expended to meet the requirements of the sink-ing-fund act, amounting to more than $47,000,000 annually.” Regarding the investment of the surplus in bonds,, the President says: “The surplus' -thus expended in the purchase of ponds was money drawn from the peoplqfln excess of any actual need of the Government, and was so expended rather than allowit to remain in the treasury. If this surplus, under just and acquitable laws had been left in the hands of the people, it would have been worth in their business at least 6 per cent, per annum. Deducting from the amount of interest upon the principal and premium of these bonds for the time they had to run, at the rate, of 6 per cent, the saving of 2 percent, made for the people by the purchase of such bonds, the loss will appear to be $55,760,000. This calculation would seem to demonstrate that if excessive and upnessary taxation is continued and the Government is forced to pursue this policy of purchasing its own bonds at the premiums which it will be necessary to pay, the loss to the people will be hundreds of millions of dollars.” Regarding the War Department the President says: “The Secretary of War reports that the army at the date of the last consolidated returns consisted of 12,189 officers and. 24,549 enlisted men. The actual exoenditures of the War Department for the fiscal vear ended June 30, 1888, amounted to $41,165,10707, of which sum $9,158,516.63 was expended for public works, including river and haroor improvements.” A detailed account of the Ordnance De partment follows, f with recommendations, that the work there begun, should be continued. He further recommends the adoption of a plan for the examination of officers to test their fitness for promotion. Referring to the death of the Commander of of the army, he says “The death of General Sheridan, in August last, was a National afflicton. The army then lost the grandest of its chiefs. _ The country lost a brave and experienced soldier, a wise and discreet counselor and a mod est and sensible man. Those who in any manner came within the range of his personal association will never fail to pay deserved and willing homage to his greatness,and the glory of his career, but they will cherish with more than tender sensibility the loving memory of . ’ ' i'.’A j-'

I his simple, generous and considerate na- | tore.” 1 , The Indian question is discussed at length, with a review of recent operations. A humane and just treatment of the Indians, who obey the laws of the country and conduct themselves prop-, eriy, is recommended, but severe Punishment forthose who are guilty of lawlessness. ~ . • In his review of’ the report of the Secretary of the Navy, the President commends the departmentTnr its economy and efficiency, which have reduced the expenditures 20 per cent, in the last three years. Regarding the 1 ostoffice Department the following summary is made: The number of postoffices on July 1,1888, was 57,376, an increase of 7,124 in three years, and of 2,229 for the last fiscal year. Free delivery offices increased from 189‘in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1888. In the railway mail service there has been an increase in one year of 168 routes, and in the number of miles traveled per annum an increase of 150,795,917.48. The estimated increase of railroad service for the year was 6,0 0 miles, but the amount of new railroad service actually put on was 12.764.50 miles.

This department is also commended for its economy. In considering the report of the Department of J ustice the President makes this allusion: “It also this report that though prior to March, 1885, there had been but six convictions in the Territories of Utah and Idaho under the laws of 1862 and 1882, punishing polyamy and unlawful cohabitation as crimes, there have been since that date nearly 60;» convictions under these laws by the statutes of 1887, and the opinion is expressed that under such a firm and vigilant execution of these laws and the advance of ideas opposed to the forbidden practices, polygamy within the United States is virtually at an end.” OWie operations of the Interior Department, the .President pays particular attention to the public land question, urging most strenuously the necessity for decided legidaiion to prevent ita spoliation by land robbers and its preservation for the uses of actual settlers. He concludes: “lean mot but think it perilous to suffer either 'these lands or the sources of their irrigation to fall into the hands of monopolies, which, by such means, may exercise lordship .over areas dependent on their treatment for productiveness. Already steps have been taken to secure accurate and scientific information of the conditions which is,the prime basis of intelligent action. Until this shall be gained, the course of wisdom appears clearly to lie in a suspension of further disposal, whicn only promises to create rights antage nonistic to the common interest. No harm can follow this cautionary conduct The land will remain and the puplic good presents no demand for hasty dispossession of National ownership and control. ....... j THE MATTER OF PENSIONS. On the subject of pensions, the President says: “number of pensioners added to the rolls during the fiscal years ended June 30,1888, is 60,252, and increase of pensions was granted in 45,716 cases. The names of 15,731 pensioners were dropped from the rolls during the year for various causes, and at the close of the year the number of persons of all classes receiving pens one was 452,557. Of these there were 805 survivors of the war of 1812, L,078 widows of those who served in that war, 16,060 soldiers of the Mexican War and 5,104 widows ok— v said soldiers. One hundred and two different rates of pensions are paid to the e beneficiaries, ranging from $2 to $416.66 per month. The amount paid for pensions during the fiscal year was $78,775,861.62, being an increase over the preceding year of $5,3'18,280.22. I am thoroughly convinced that our general pension laws should be revised and adjusted to meet as far as possible, in the light of our experience, all meritorious cases? The fact that 1 2 different rates of pensions are paid can not, in my opinion, be made consistent with justice to the pensioners or to the Government, and the numerous private pension bills that are parsed predicated upon the imperfection of general laws, while they increase in many cases the existing inequality and injustice, lend additional force to the recommendation for a revision of the general laws on this subject. The laxity of ideas prevailing a among large number of our people regarding pensions is becoming every day more marked. The principles upon which they should be granted are in danger of being altogether ignored, and already pensions are often claimed because the applicants are as much entitled as other successful applicants, rather than upon any disability reasonably attributable to military service. If the establishment of vicious precedents be continued, if the granting of pensions be not divorced from parti san and other unworthy and irrelevant considerations, and if the honorable name of veteran unfairly becomes by these means but another term for one who constantly clamors for the aid of the Government there is danger that injury will be done to the fame and patriotism of many whom our citizens all delight to honor, and that a prejudice will be aroused unjust to meritorious applicants for pensions.” After briefly reviewing the work of the Department of Agriculture, the Interstate Railway Commission and affairs of the District of Columbia, the President concludes his message as follows: “The consciousness that I have presented but an imperfect statement of the condition of our country and its wants occasioned no fear that anything omitted is not known and appreciated by the Congress, upon whom rests the responsibility of intelligent legislation in behalf of a great Nation and a confiding people. As public servants we shall do our duty well, if we constantly guard the recitude of our intentions, maintain unsullied our love of country, apd With unselfish purpose strive for the public

good.”

GROVER CLEVELAND.