St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 14, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 8 December 1888 — Page 1

VOLUME XIV.

CONGRESS 111 SESSION President Cleveland Submits His Final fesa A Voluminous Document Upon Matters of Public Interest Diltics of Patriotic Citizens—Ute Currency 6f tile Country Diverted from Its Legitiinatb Channels —Crowded Condition of the Supreme Court Calendar—Rights of American Fishermen —The SackvilleWest Affair —Abuse of Immigration Laws —Various Other Topic. 11 .nUled. [Wash in it on (D. C.) special.] The second session of the f iftieth Congress c nvened at noon, December 3d, the greater portion of the day being consumed in the reading ot President clevehm i s m ssage, of which the following is a comprehensive digest: A CENTURY OF FREEDOM, To the Congress of the United States : As you assemble for tue discharge of the duties you have assumed as the representatives of a free and generous people, your me. ting is marked by an invexosJug and' impressive incident. With the expira.ion of the present session of the Congies, the first century of oi.r constitutional existence a; a nation will be completed. When the exp riment of our Government was undertaken tue chart adopted for our guidance was the onstitutioa. Departure from the lines there laid dawn is failure. It is only by a strict adherence to the direction they iiidicato and by restraint within the limitations they have fixed that we can furnish itoof to the world of the fitness of the American people for self government. The e qua! and exact justice of which we boast as the underlying principle of bur institutions should not be confined to the relations of our citizens to each other. ’llie Government itself is uhder bo id to the Am rican people 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 pe the only credential necessary to justily the claim of equa icy before the law, and that no condition in ine shall give rise to discrimination in the irea.me it of the people by their Government, ih? citizen of our Republic in its early days rigidly insisted up n full complian e wit.i the le.ter of this bond, and saw stretching out before him a clear field tor individual enueavor His tribute to the suppo tof his Government was measured by the co t of its economical maintenance, and he was secure in the enjoyment of the remaining recompense. In <hose days the frugality of the p.opk* was stamped upon their governmeat and was enfcred by the free, thoughtful and in.edigent suttrage of the citizens, combinations, monopolies and aggregations of capital were either a.oiL.ed or sternly regulated and res ra ned. Tue point and glLi r of governments lees free offered no temptation and presen ed no delusion to th • plain people wno. side by s ide in fr.endiy competition, wrought for the ennoblement and | dignitof man. fir Jis solution of the problem of free government and for the a bievement of I the grand destiny awaiting the lan i which co l I had given them'. A century has passed. Our cities are the abiding places of wealth and luxury; our manufactories yield fortunes never dreamed o. by the fathers of the Republic; our businessmen a.e madly striving in the race for riches, and imm use aggregations of capital outrun the imagination in the magnitude of their undertakings. We view with p.ide and ratisfaction this bright picture of our country’s growth and : prosperity, while on.y a closer scrutiny dowi- ' op*a somber shading. Upon more careful in- ! spection we fnd the wca.th and luxury t>f out | cities mingled with poverty and wretchedness and unremunerative toil. A crowded and con- I stantly increasing urban population suggests ■ the impoverishment of rural secti ms and dis- ! content with agricultural pursuits. The far- I mer s son. not satisfied with his father s simple and laborious life, joins the eager ; cha e for easily acquired wealth. Wo dis- I cover that the fortunes rea ized by our manu- ■ fact’urers are no longer solely th- reward of j sturdy industry and enlightened loresight, but i that they result from th; discriminating fa.or I of the Government and are Llrgely built upon I undue exaction from the masses of our people. | The gulf 1 etween e uployers an I the employed i is constantly widening, and classes are rapidly j forming, ohe-c >mpri-mj th » very rich and powerful while in another are found the toili g ’ poor. As we view the achievemmt of aggro- | gated capital, we d scover tn? exis ence I of trusts, combinations, and monopolies. I While the citizen is stru giing far in th s rear or ■ is trampled to death beneath an iron heel, cor- : porations, which should be the carefully re- I strained creatures of the law and the servants ■ of the people, are fas: becoming the people's j masters, btill congratulating ourse.ves upon I the wealth and prosperity of our coun ry, and ■ complacently- contemplating every incident of j change inseparable from these conditions, it is I ; our duty as patriotic citizens to inquire at t;ife j present stage of our progress how the bond of | the Govoinm. nt mads with the people has been I kept and perform_d. EXISTING TARIFF BURDENS. Instead of limiting the tribute drawn from our i Citi tins to the necessities of its economical । administration, the Government persists in ex- I acting irom the substance of the peop e millions ! which, unapplied and useless, lie dormant in its i treasury. Tnis flagrant injustice and this i breach of faith and obligation add to extortion the danger attending the diverson of the currency of the country from the legtimate channels of business. Under the same laws by which these results ire produced, the Government permits many millions more to be added to the cost of the living of our people and to be taken from our consumers, which unreasonably swell the profits of a small but powenul minority. The people must still be taxed for the support of the Government under the operation of tariff laws, but te the extent that the masses of our citizens are inordinately burdened beycnl any useful public pur- I pose and for the benefit of a favored few, the Government, under the pretext of an exercise of its tax ng 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 the health of our whole body politic. It stifles all patriotic love of country, and substitutes in its place selfish greed and grasping avarice. Devotion to American citizenship for its own sake and for what it should accomplish as a motive to our nation’s advancement and the happiness of our people, is displaced by the assump ion that the Government, instead of being the embodiment of equality, is but an instrumemality 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 interest in the refusal to abate for the benefit of otners one iota of selfish advantage, and in combinations to perpetuate such advantages through efforts to control legislation and improperly influence the suffrages of the people. The grievances of those not included within the circle of these beneficiaries, when fully realized, will surely- arouse irrita ion and discontent. Our farm rs, long suffering and patient, struggling in the race if lite with hard and unremitting toil, will not fall to see, in spite of misrepresentations and misleading fallacies, that they are obliged to receive such prices for their products as are fixed in foreign markets, where they compete with th a farmers of the world; that their lands are declining in value while their debts increase; an i that without compensating favors 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 furnish their support or leave no margin for accumulal ion. 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, cheaper means of living in their homes, with freedom for themselves and their children from the doom of p rpetual servitude, ami an open door tertheir adjancqment beyond the limits of a 1 boring class. Others of our citizens, whose comforts and expenditures are measured by moderate salaries and fixed incomes, will insist upon the fairness and justice of cheapening the i cost of necessaries for themselves and their । families. Wl en to the selfishness of the beneficiaries of unjust discrimination under our laws there shall be added the discontent of those who suffer from such a discrimination, we will realize the fact that the b meficent purposes of our Government, which are dependent upon the patriotism and contentment of our people, are endangered. Communism is a hateful thing and a menace to peace and organized government. But the communism of combined weul th. mid capital, the outgrowth of overweening capital and selfishness. which insidiously undermines the justice and integrity of free institutions, is not less dangerous than the communism ot oppressed poverty and toil, which, e asperated by In- | justice and discontent, attacks with wild disorder the citadel of rule. He mocks the people i who proposes that the Government shad pio-

COUNTy epenftent.

tect the rich, and that they iff turn will care for the laboring poor. Atty intermediary between the people mid their Government, or the least delegation < , the care and protection Wi ich the Government owes th the humblest citizen in the land, makes the boast of free institutions a glimmering deluß’on mid the pretended boon of American citizenship a ! shameless imp sition. A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws should be made for the relief of those Os out countrymen Who suffer Under the presellt 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 an 1 equality Our Government finds its strength mid its power to protect the citizen nil I his property; Os all who believe that the 0 mteHtol competence mid bomfort of many- accord batter with the spirit Os bur institutions thmi colossal fortunes, unfairly gathered, in the buh ls bf a few; of all whO appreeia e that the forbearance mid Iratetiiitj’ among our people, who recognize the value of efery American interest, are the sutest guaranty of bar national progress ; and all who desire to Seo the product of Am *rican skill and ingeriaity iii every market of the world, with a resultant restoration of American commerce. The necessity- of the reduction of our revenue is so apparent is to ba genera ly conceded, bat the means by which this en I shall be accomplished, and the sum of direct b nafit which shall result to our citizens, present a controversy of the utmost importune. There should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the burdens of the people are only apjiarently removed. Extravag nt appropriations of public money, with all their demur uizing consequences, should not bo tolera t’d, either as n means of relieving the Treasury of its present surplus or ns furnishing pretexts for resisting a prop r reluctlon in tariff ifttes. Existing evils and injustice should be honestly recognized, boldly met mid effectively remedied. There should be no cessation of the struggle until a plan is perfected, fa r and conservative toward exist ing industries, but which will reduce the cost to consumers of the necessaries of life, while it provides for our manufacturers the advantage of free raw materials, and permits no injury to the interests of American labor. The cause for which ths battle is waged is comprised within Jines clearly ami distinctly defined, it should nmer bo compromised. It. is tile people s Cause. * SOME NEGLECTED MATTERS. In adverting to the manner in which private interests are attended to while actibu is postponed upon sub ects of great public importance, the message proceeds to enumerate some illustrations. Amoh l them are the crowded condition of the calendar of the Supreme Court,, which has been strongly urged upon the attention of Congress, but has remained without effective consideration, while mmy laws have been passed coveiing matters of mere local importance. Repea ed recommendations have been submitted for the amendment and change of the laws relating to our public lands so that their Hpoiliation and diversion to other uses than as homes for honest setJe s might be pre veined. While a measure to meet, this conceded necessity of reform remains awaiting t e action of the ( ougress, many claims to the public lands and applications for their donation in favor of States and individuals have been nl owed. A plan in aid of Indian management m omniended by tho ,e well informed us containing' valuable features in furtherance of the solution of the Indian problem, has thus far failed of legislative sanction, while grants of doubtful expediency t > railroad corpora 1 ions, permitting them to pass through Indian reservations, have greatly multiplied. The propriety and necessity of the erection of one or mere pris ns for tlie confinement of United States convicts, and a postoffice build- : ing in the National Capital are not disputed. But these needs vet remain unanswered, while scores ot .public buildings have been erected where their necessity for public parjioses is not apparent. A revision of our pension laws could easily be made, which would rest upon just principles and provide for every worthy applicant. But while our general pension laws remain confused and imperfect, bund eds of private pension laws are annually passed, which nr t ie sourosa of unjust discrimination and popular demoralization. Appropriation bills for the support of the Government are defaced by items and provisions to nieA private ends, and it is freely asserted bj j । responsible and experienced parties that u bill appropriating money for public internal improvement would fail to meet wi.h favor unless it contained more for local and private advantage than so ■ public benefit. These st atei ments can be much emphasi :ed by an asceetuinment of the j ro; ortion ot Eedir.il legislation which either bears upon its face its private character, or which, upon examination developed such a motive power. And yet the peop'e wait and export from their chosen representatives such patriotic action as will advance the welfare of the entire country, and this expectation can only be answered by l the performance of public duty with unselfish purpose. Our mission among the na‘ions of the ’ earth and our success in accomplishing the woik God has given the Ameiican people to do, require of ttiosa intrusted with the making and execution of our laws perfect devotion, above a'l other things, to the public good In pursuance of a constitutional provisicn requiring the President from time to time to give to the Congress informali< nos the state of >he Union, I have the satisfaction to announce that t he close of the year finds the United States in thq enjoyment < f domestic tranquillity and at p 'ace with all the nations. Since my last annual message our foreign rolatioi S have been strengthened anil improved by performance of international geo 1 officei and by new and renewed treaties of amity, commerce and reciprocal extradition of eriminals. Those international questions which still await settlement are all reasonably within the domain of amicable nogotia'ion, and there is no exie Jng subject of dispute between the United States and any foreign power that is not susceptible of satisfactory adjustment by diplomatic treatment. THE FISHERIES QUESTION. The questions between Great Britain and the Unite I States relating to the rights of American fishermen in the territorial waters of Canada and Newfoundland, I re ret to say. are not yet , satisfactorily adjusted. . These matters were fully treated in my message to the Senate of Feb. 2d, IhBB, together with which a convention, concluded under my authority with her Majesty's Government on the 15th of February last, . for the removal of all causes of misunderstanding, was submitted by me for the approval of the Senate. This treaty having been rejected by the Senate, 1 transmitted a message to the Congress on the 23d of August last, reviewing the transaction and submitting for consideration certain recommendations for legislation concerning the j important questions involved. Afterwards, on ! the 12th of September, in response to a resolution of the Senate. I again communicated fully all the information in my possession as to the action of the Government of Canada affecting tho commercial relations ; between the Dominion end the Unite I States. . including the treatment of American fishing : vessels in the ports and waters of British North America. The communications have all been pub ished, and therefore open to the knowledge I of both houses of < onsress, although two were i addressed to the Senate alone. Comment upon or repetition of their tonti nts would be superfluous, and I am not aware that anything has since occurred which should be added to tho facts therein stated. Therefore, 1 merely repeat as applicable to the present time the statement which will be found in my message to the Senate of September 12, last: "That since ■ March 3, 1887, no case lias been reported to the Department of Stats wherein complaint has bee i [ made of unfriendly or unlawful treatment of American vessels on the part of the Canadian I authorities, in which reparation was not prompt- i ly and satisfactorily obtanel by the United! States Consul G<neral at Halifax.” Having essayed in the discharge of my dutj r l to procure by negotiation the settlement of a i long-standing cause of dispute and to remove a I constant menace to the good relations of the i two countries, and continuing to be of opinion ! that the treaty of February last, which failed to , receive the approval of the Senate, did supply "a satisfactory, practical, and final adjusment : upon a basis honorable and just to both parties. ! of the difficult and vexed question to which it , related,” and having subsequentlv and unavailingly recommended other legiß'ation to Con- I gress which I hoped would suffice to meet the exigency created by the rejection of the treaty, i I now again invoke tue earnest and immediate attention of Congress to the condition of this important question as it now stands before them , and the c tun ry. and about the settlement of which I am deeply solicitous. THE SACK VILLE-WEST AFFAIR. Near the close of the month of October last | occurrences of a deeply regrettable nature were brought to my knowledge, which made it my painful but imperative duty to obtain, with as little delav as possible, a new personal channel nf 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 offiI cial referred to in his interference by advice : and counsel with the suffrages of American citizens in the very crisis of the 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 tha two governments. The offense thus committed was most grave, involving disastrous possibilitiei to the good relations of the United States and Great Britain, constituting a gross breach of diplomatic privilege and invasion of the purely domestic affairs and essential sovereignty of the Government to which the envoy was accredited. Having first fulfilled the just demands of international comity by affording full opportunity for her Majesty’s government to act in relief of the situation, I considered prolonga-

WALKERTON, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, IN 1)1 ANA, SATURL .OEM HER 8, 1888.

I tion of di '.cussion to be uit warrant oil. atl<l ’ j thereupon declined to further recognize the diplomatic chafacter of the person, whose contiil- ; : fiance in such function would destroy that nlu- ; : tual confidence which is essential io tlie good , ! understanding Oi the two Governments and was ' inconsistent with tha welfare and self-respect , ; of the Government of the United States. The 1 usual interchange of communication has since 1 continued through her Majesty’s legation in this ' । city. TONNAGE DUTIES. tn conformity, also, With Congressional auihOrity, tho fiiaritimo powers have been invited j to confer in Washington In April next upon the i practicability of devising uniform rules aud measures for the greater security of life and property a. so i. A disposition to accept On tho । part of a uuiuNf of the powers has already been manifested, and if the cO-operaticll of the ! nations chiefly int rested shall bo seemed, im--1 po.taut results may be confidently anticipated. The net of .Tune .0, 18U, and the nets iiimmhitory thereof, in relation to the tonnage duties, have given rise to' extended corf.'bßondenee with foreign nations, with whom wo nave existing treaties of navi at ku and commerce, and have cat. Sid wide and regrettable divergence of opinion in relation to th ■ imposition of tho duties referred to. These questions nr ■ important and 1 shall make them the subject of a special and more detailed communication nt the jiresent Beason. ABUSE OF IMMIGRATION LAWS. With the rapid increase ot immigration to our shores, an I the facilities of modem travel, abuses of the generous privileges afforded by our , naturalization htwscall fortheircareful revision. The easy and unguarded manner in which certificates of Amcri -an citizenship lannow I e obtained has induced a class, unfortunately large, to avail themselves of the < pportunity to become absolved from alUginneo to their naive land, and yet by a foreign residence to escape any just duty and contribution of service ti> tho country of their proposed adoption. Thus, while evading the duty of citizenship to the United States, they may make prompt claim for its national protection and demand i s intervention in their behalf. International complications of a serious nature arise. Cur laws regulating ti.e Issue of passports should be carefully revised, and the institution of a central 1 tirenu of registration at tue Capital is again stron'ly recommended. By this means full par, ieular i of each case of naturalization in the United States would be secured and properly indorsed and recorded, and thus many cases of spurious citizenship would be deteete I. and unjust responsibilities would ba avcided. THE CGNSULAII SERVICE. The reorganization of the consular service is a mattes of serious importance to our national interests. The number of existing principal consular offices is believed to b? greater than is at all necessary for the conduct of the public : business. It need not be our p ilicy to maintain more than a moderate number of p incipal 1 offices, each supported by a salary sufficient to enable Wie incumbent to Lve in comfort, and bo distributed ai to secure the convenient su] eri ision, through subordinate agencies, of affairs over a considerable district. 1 repeat the rec mimondations heretofore made . by me. that the appropriations for tho nimnten atice of our diplomatic and consular lerviee should be recast ; that tho s >-called notarial or unofficial fobs, which our representatives nbrond m o now p irmittr d to trout ns their personal per quisites. should be forbidden ; that a eystem ot eonsulitr inspection should b? iustitutid: and that n limited number of Secret aries of L< invmn at Large should lie authorized. THE WASHINGTON l EM I XMU . • \ppropriate legislation by (in re-s in re;.aid to the < outenninl celebration of the innucurn ti< n of Gi'orge Washington is re ■ommendi d. OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS. My endeavors to establish by international co-operation measures lor the prevention of th ’ extermination of fur seals in Behrinc Sen hnv, Il it been l. laved aud I hav h pi-s us bril., ea nbled shortly to submit an effective and satisfactory conventional project, with the nuuitimu powers for the approval of the senate. The c instill boimdai y bet ween ’our Alnkan possessions and B’itish Coluin’iiß. I r gret to say. has not received the iittrmion demun l"d by its importance, and which, on rev oral occasions heretofiir.' I have had the honor to iv ommenil to the C< ngress. The admitted imp n-tu nbili y. if n t impossibility, of making an u ■< unit-” and preicno -uney and dem irkntion ot th ’ boundary line ns it is iceiu d in the treatv with Russia unde which Alaskn wa.B ceded to t lie Unite I States, mm Ti it absolutely lequisite. for the prevention of nation il ju:isdict ional eoinplicat on .. that nd 'qtiate np propriafion for n recon tied s sane Uuiid survev to obtain projier knowkd e of the 1 wnlity and th ■ geographical fontur. s of tho boundari should b ' authorized by Congress with as httl" delay as possible AID TO WKIrMII Vl ssEI s. It is much to b’ desired tint some ngreetnen! | should bo reached with h r Ma esty s Gov Tninent by wl.i h t he damages to life an i prop ‘i t y ' o i the great lakes may be all vinled bv removing; or humatiely regulating, the o! s nel- s to reciprocal assist nice to wre nol or strim lel vessels. The ae: ot Juno jo. is.s, wli c i otters to Canadian vessels wh» have nc ess to our :n---hm l Bill IS ill aid of wrecked O ' disabled v. sBela, has not yet becomo effective through concurrent act ion by Canada. REFUNDING TONNAGE Ul i I renew my reeomniendation of two years ago of the passage of a bill for the refunding to eel ■ tain German st; niiisirp lines of the interest upon tcmiage dues illegally ex icted. VROTEITION OF ERI- \< H CITIZEN'S. The due protection of our citizens of l ieu di origin or descent from claim of m l.tary service in the event of their returning t > or visiting Fran’e has calle 1 lorth correspoudene ■ whn-u was laid before you at the last session. In the absence of conventional a beeiii ‘iit as to nz’urali'.ntion. which is greatly to be desired, this Government sees nv occasion to recede rom the sound posit on it his maintained not only with regard to Fiance but as to all countries with which the United States have not concluded special treat ies. THE TWO DEAD EMPEKoRS. Twice within the last year b is tile imperial household of Germany been visited by death and 1 have hastened to express the sorrow ot' this people and their appreciation < f the lofty charu :ter of th' hue age I Emperor William, and their sympathy with the heroism under suffering of his sin, the late Emperor Frederick. SAMOA. On the 12th of April Inst I laid before the House of Representatives full information n - specting <mr interests in Hamon end in the subj sequent correspondence on the same subject, which will be .aid be ore you in due course, the history of event) in those'is lands will be found. IHE CHINESE QUKSTION. T n a message accompanying my approval, on ! the Ist day of October last, of a hili for the exi elusion of ( hinese laborers, I laid before Congress full information and ali correspondence touching the negotiation of the treaty with (’liina. concluded nt this capital on the 12th i day of March, 188-1. and which, having been । confirmed by the Senate with certain | amendments, ” was rejected by the Chinese Government. This message contained a recommendation that a sum of money be appropriated ns compensation to Ciiineso subject) who had suffered injuries at the hands ; of lawless men within our jurisdiction. Such appro, riation having b< en duly made, the fund awaits reception by the Chinese Governm mt. It is sincerely hoped that, by the cessation of the influx of this class of Chinese subjects, in accordance with the expressed wish of both Governments, a cause ot unkind feeling has been permanently removed. On the 9th of August, 1887, notification was given by the Japanese Minister at this Capital ! of the adjournment of the conference for j the revision of th? treaties of Japan with fori eign powers, owing to tho objection of his i government to the provision in the draft for a jurisdictional c nvention which required the । submission of the criminal code of tue Empire I 1o the powers in advance of its being operative. • This notificat’lon was, however, accompaI nied with an assurance of Japan s in- ■ tention to continue the work of revision. Notwithstanding this temporary interruption of I negotiations it is hoped that improvements i may s on bo securedin the jurisdictional system as respects foreigners in Japin. and relief afforded to that country from foreign control in i matters of commerce. 1 earnestly recommend ; that relief be provided for the injuries accidentally caused to Japanese citizens in the Island j of Irisima by the target practice of one of our ' vessels. COREA AND PERSIA. I A diplomatic mission from Corea has been reI ceived, and the general intercourse be ween the , two countries contemplated by the treaty of 1882 j is now establishel. Legislative provision is hereby recommended to organize and equip con- ! solar courts in Corea. Persia has established J diplomatic represrotation at this capital, and has evinced very grout in crest in the enterprise ■ and achievements of our citizens. I am, thereJ fore, hopeful that beneficial commercial rela- ' tions between the two countries maybe brought > about. THE REVOLUTION IN HAYTI. 1 announce with sincere regret that Hayti has [ again become the theater of insurrection, disorder and bloodshed. The titular government j of President Saloman has been forcibly overthrown, and he driven cut of the country to Fra’ ce, where he has since died. The tenure of power has been so unstable amid the war of factions that has ensued since the expul-ion of President Salomro, that no government constituted by th9 will of the Haytian people has been recognized as administering responsibibly the affairs of that country. Our representative has been instructed to abs ain from interference between the warring factions, and a vessel of our navy has been sent to the Haytian waters to sustain our Minister and for the protection of the persons an 1 property of American citizens. Due precautions have been tukeu to entorie our neutreJitjf laws, , and prevent oup territory from becoming the

base of military supplies for either of the warring factions. Under color of a blockade, of which no fuasonable 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 any of oUr innocent merchantmen have been adopted. COMMUNICATION WITH HONOLULU. Proslamation Was duly m-me on the Oth day of November, 1187, of the conventional extension of the treaty of June 3, 18 3. with Hawaii, under Which relations of such special and beneticen’ intercourse have been created. In t ie vast field of Oriental aommu'ce now unj folded from ou ' Pacific I orders, no feature presents stronger recommendations for Congressional action than th; establ shment of com- . muniention by submarine telegrtiph with Hono-' । lulu. Tho geographical position of tho Hawaiian group, in rela ion to our Pacific States, creates a natural interdependency and mutuality of in- ' terest which our present treaties w. re intended i to foster, and which make close communication logical and commercial necessity. OUR sl<n R REP (TH,IC. The wisdom of cone.tiding a treaty Os commercial reciprocity with Mexico has boon hcrc- ; toforo stated in my messages to Congress, and the lapse of time and growth of commerce with l th it eiose neighbor tin I sister Republic confirm j the judgment so expressed. The precise relocation of on.' lloutidiu y lin) is Heedful, an I adequate tipffropr ntiou is cow recoliipiendcd. It is with sincete satisfaction that I am enabled to admit the spirit of good neighborhood i and friendly co-oper.it on and cOiicil atlon that |. bus marked th eom spon leneo and action of ] tl.e Mexican ic thoritiei n tl.eir sbar >of the I tusk in muiutainiug law and order about the । line of our commou boundary. Ihe long-pending boundary dispute between Costa Rie.i mid Nicuraguji wu i referred to my nrbi ration, mid by mi aw; rd ma o on the 22d of March Mist th i question h is been finally .settled to the e,pr, ssed satisfaction of bo-h of the parties in iu.oreit. Other foreign mat ers referred to are the abolition o: slnie.y in Brazil, the claims against Chili, Hayti, and \ en.’, ujln. and the assemblag ’ st Washington during tile coming year of the represents ives of bouUl and Central Aim rican State), with those of Mexico, Hayti, and Sun Domingo, to discuss important commercial topi’s. THE NATION’S FINAN! KS. The report of tho Secretary of tin Treasury shows tnat the total ordinary revenues of the Government for the fiscal Vear ended June 30, 1888. amounte i to - J.'i.'jijjr. I 1(5, < f which s-2l : 0U.171.83 was rero ved from customs duties and Sigf.ooj.Hil tis fr< m internal revenue taxes. The total receipts from nil sources exceeded those fo' the lis a! yi n elided June 30, 1887, bv j s7, 01. O'.l't. The ordimrv exp ndilHrc) for the fiscal year ending June 30, Inns, were .wjulji 3,- '• 8.67. leaving n surplus of -d 19.612.116.0’.). The decrease in exptn liiur, s aS comp ued with the fiscal i cnr ended June 3i, 1887, was 88,278,220.30. noiwi.hsttmdi g a payment of more than >.iM 0.0 >o for p<n-ion i in excess of what was jciid for that ptirisigo in the latter , mint onnd year, lb ” esismatod receipts for the venr ending June 30, MM, (l re s:u7,(i»o,<xXi, mil the <—timat d or dinar expeuiiiturcs f. r tue s.im.’ time nr ’ 82;.,.(g5. q, show ng a surplus of -5ni1,232..>11.»a5. Tho foregoing state meats of s rp'ns do not take into account tho sum neco-smv to be ox pen ted to moot tho tequitenn uts of the sinking-fund ru t amounting to more than 7,0 annually, Iho cent of colleeting the customs revemn's for tho lust . fiscal your wns 2 11 per cent. ; for the yonr ,1885 it nits 3.77 is i'cent D e excess of internal revenue tuxes collected during tint last fiscnl year over t hoßo Colle ted for t lie i ear elide I Jhu<’3>. 188, wns -5. |S 1,17 L 2 5, mid the cost of collecting this reienuo di’cron m l from 3 ( per cent, in I*B7 to le-s than 3.2 p l eeiit. for the fast your. The tax collie'ed on oleomargarine was -t/um.i i for the year ending June .k', Ds; H tid l.UJj.w for the following vear. The reqnfn moots of th” Ninkit g Fun 1 Act have l e it met f >r the yeiir etidid Jun-’ 30, ts-s and so- the cum nt your, a so |>y the pnrehus of bonds. \ft i complying with this law. ns positi elv required and b m is suffieP n' for that pm i’ s ■ fuel be .n luuight a t a premium, it. was n >t. doomed prudent t 1 further extend the stir pins in such pinch; is s imt il t be ait omit v Jo do so sh at Id l . more explicit. \ res. Litjon. however, having besm pnsuod by both I’Oupch of ( onero-s removing all doubt ns to Executive nullioritv, daily purchases of Imnds worn lommon ed on tho 23.1 day of April. In-’. ul jj have <m: imied until the present time. Bv this plan, bonds of tin' (.ox.rnment not yet due hmo boon pur- ( hiiHe I up to mid including the 3 th dn . of ao vember. DsH, amount ng to I »i. tti ■ premium paid thereon vmoumiug to *l7,s'is.i>l3.is-. I lie premium added t > the principal of these bonds repH sent s mi iinestment yielding about 2 per ( ent interest for tlm time they still had so rum mid the saving to th ' Governmeut repre--ei.tod by the ditferei.c between tl.e amount ot inti r st ut 2 p. r cent. uj»on the sum paid for principal and premium, mid what it would ha o pa> I for interest nt the rate sp eifled on tho la nds, if they hud run to their maturity, is about *27,in,, oi. At first sight this would seem to be a profitable and sensible transact ioti on the part of the Govcinm.nt, but. ai sucg sto I by the Seer t try of the Treiism'y. the surplus thus expended for til” pi r base of bonds was money drawn from t' c people in excess of any actum ni ril of tie- Government, and w.is so expended rather thnn a low it to rem tin idle iu the Ironstin . If this surplus, under the opernti'i:: < f just end equitable laws, ha 1 bo ;n left m the him 1of the peojile. it would have been worth m t eir business nt least 6 per cent, per annum. Deducting from t e amount of inf .rest upon the pine pin mid premium upi n the bonds mil the time they had to run at the rate of 6 per c mt., tlie saving of 2 p r cent, ma de for the people by the purchase ot such bonds, the loss wid appear to bo 85>,7 0 ! >u. This calculation would seem to demonstrate that if excessive mi l unnecessary taxation i- continued, and the Government is forced to pursue this polie.y of purchasing its own bonds at the premiums which it will be necessary to pay, the loss to the people will be huiidieds of millions of dollars. Since th? purchase of bonds was uudertsiken us mentioned, nearly all that liaie,li.vn offered were at last accepted. It has b. e:i m ide quit • apparent, that the Government was in d mger of being subjected to combinations to raise their price. Notwithstanding the large sums paid out in tlie purchase of bonds, the sutplus in the Treas :ry on the 33th day of November. Ih-G. was *5'2.2 i 1.61 '.Ol. after deducti ing about 821.000,000 just drawn out for the payI merit of pensions i At the close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1887, there had been coined, under the compulsorv silver coinage act. .-<266,988,280 in silver dollars, 855.50-1.370 of which were in the hands of the people. On the 30th day of June. 18-8, there had been coined 82.19,9.8,9.10, and of this 855.82.1.3 3 was in < ireulatlon in coin mid 8200,387,371’in silver certificates, for the redemption of which silver dollars to that amount were 1 held by the Government. i On the 30th day of November. 1888, $312,570,99 1 had been coined. 8C>0,970,991) of the silver dollars were actually in circulation, mil 8237,418.,316 in certifica es. The Secretary recommends the suspension of the further coinage of silver, an 1 in such recommendation I earnestly concur. THE ARMY. i The Secretary of War reports that the army, j at the date of the last returns, consisted of 2,189 ; officers and-24.549 enlisted men. The actual expenditures of the War Department for the fiscal i year ended June 3J, 1888, amounted to £41,165.107.07, of which sum 89,158,516.63 was expended j for public works, including river and harbor imi proveinents Plans and specifications for guns | of large caliber, including dynamite guns, and for the establishment of an army gun factory have been prepared and bids for the work will be advertised for. The recommendation of the Secretary of War that there shall be a planter the examination of officers to test their fitness for promotion is approved. The death of General Sheridan in August last was a national affliction. The army then lostthe grandest of its chiefs. The country lost a brave and experienced soldier, a wise and discreet counselor and a modest and sensible man. Those who in any manner came within the range of hi 4 personal association will never fail to pay deserved mid willing homage to his । greatness and the glory of his career; but they i will cherish with more tender sensibility the I loving memory of his simple) generous and coni siderato n itur •• I The condition of the Apache Indians, 382 in | numbar. held in prisoners at Mount Vernon barj racks, Ala., is declared to be good. The children are sent to Carlisle or Hainptqn for schoo ing. I am not at all in sympathy with those benevolent but injudicious people who are constantly insisting that the e Indians should be returned to the reservation. Their removal was an absolute necessity, if tho lives and property of the citizens upon the frontier are to be at all regarded by the Government. Their continued restraint at a distance from the scene of thenrepeated and cruel murders and outrages is still necessary. THE NAVY. The report of the Secretary of the Navy discloses the most satisfactory progress in the work of reconstructing the navy made during the past venr. Os the snips in course of construction, five, viz.: the Charleston, Baltimore, Yorktown, Vesuvius, and the Petrel, have in that time been launched and are rapidly approaching complet on ; and in addition to the above the Philadelphia, the San Francisco, the Newark, the Bennington, the Con ord and the *aorreschoff torpedo boat are all under contract for delivery to the department dining the nxt year. The progress already made and being made gives good grounds for the expectation that these eleven vessels will be incorporated as part of the American navy within the next iwel- e months. The report shows that, notwithstanding the large expenditures for nexv construction and the addit'oual labor they involve, the total ordinary or current expenditure of the departmcr* Mr the three years ending June 30, 18 8, are less by more than 20 per.cent, than such ex-

penditures for the three years ending June 30, ' 1884. THE POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster General shows a marked increase of business in every branch of tho postal service. The number of postoffices on July 1, 1888, was 57,376, an increase of 6,124 in three years, and of 2,219 for the last fiscal year. Free-delivery offices have increased from 189 in the fiscal year ended June 3 1 , 1887, to 358 in tho year ended June 30, 1888. In the railway mail sarvice there has be n an increase in one year of 168 routes, and in the number of miles traveled per annum an increase of 150,795,917. The estimated increase ' of railroad service for the year was 6,000 miles, but the amount of now railroad service actually put on ivas 12,764.50 miles. ’Die volume of business in the Money-ord r Division, including transactions in postal notes, reached i tho sum of upward of $143,000,1X10 for , tho year. During the past year parcel-post conventions have been concluded with Barbadoes, the Bahamas, British Honduras and Mexico, and are now under mgotiation with till the Central and South American States. The increase of corresponden e with foreign countries during tho past three years is gratifying, and is especially notable and exceptional with the Central and South American States and with Mexico. As the greater part of mail matter exchanged with those countrii a is commercial in its character, this increase is evidence of the improved business relations with them. The practical operation of the parcelpost conventions, so tar as negotiated, has served tn fulfill tho most favorable predictions as to their benefitß. The bill to provide for public buildings, where the gross receipts, of the postotlice exceeded a. certain stlm, is commended. Sema mote just method of determining the amount to be paid fourth-class Postmasters is demanded. Some legislation for the relic' of postoffice clerks and curriers should be passed. The total appropriation for all clerks in offices throughout th-' United States is 85,950,60’. The legislation affecting the relations of the Government with railroads is in need of revision. While for the most part the railroad companies throughout the country have cordially co oj e ated with the I’ostdffice Depnrtnlont m rendering excellent service, yet under tho law as it stands, whi e the compensation to them for carrying the mail is limited and regulated, and although railroads lire made post roads by law. there is no authority reposed anywhere to compel the owner of a railroad to load and carry the United States mail. 'Die only alternative provided by act of Congress in case of ri fusnl is for the I estmnster General to send mail forward by pony express. THE nr.I’ABI'MEN r <>F JUSIICE. The rep ri of tho \ttorney General suites that though judgments in civil suits amounting to 8 > 2,02L0s W e r e recovered in favor of the Government during the year, only £132 934 was collected thereon, and that, though fines, penal’les. and forfeits were imposed, amounting to 8 tl.S'Sti. only £1(9.618.42 was paid on account thereof. The report also shows that since March, IHSS, there have been tt iirb 60 > convictions for polygamy in Utah and Idaho, and th ’ opinion is expressed that under the vigilant exo ntiou ot the law polygamy within the United States is virutnilv nt an end. The eiiitsa ninst the perpeiunl emigrating fund of the Mormon Church have resulted in a degn o favorable to tho (iovornment, and tho property, amounting to some £BMI,OOO, is in the hands of a receiver. THE PUBLIC t INOS. In the report ot the Secretary of the interior the condit ion of tho various branches of our doinostic affatrs connected with that. departm<nt and i s opeinti ns during tho pus! ve ir arc fnily exhile.t ।<l I cannot too strenuously insist upon the imiHirtanco of p o|H r measures to insuro a rightd sposition of our public lauds, not. only ns a matter of present justice, tint iii foocast of the conse que-ces to future gen'rations. 'Dio broad, rich neres of our n :r,. ultnr d plain- have I en hm preserved 1 y tint uro to be-onto hgr tint rammelt d gift to u people civil t' I and free, upon which should re t. tn we 1 di-tiil’iited l Aiieiship. tho numerous home ■ ' enlightened equal ind frnternnl citiren-. I hey eamo to nut ional possession wi. h tho roirniu : ‘ xiimple iu our eyes of tho entail of iniqut i”< m latuled proprietorship which other co nitric; have permitted uni still sutler. V o hue no excuse for the violation of prim i p!e< cogonth taught b ■ nuson. bv e ample, nor for tlie ullowai.ee of pretexts which have aonietmms expose I our hmds to colossal greet!. 1 nun w.licit open the doors to frniidulent acquishim) or administi tion which permits favor to rapacious st izuro by n fin .n d few of expanded ureas that many sb Uld enjoy, are accessory to otfeiißes against our national welfare anil humanity not to l,e too severely condemn'd or punished. 11 i - g utifyiug to ku >\'. that something has been tl< n ■ nt last to redress the injuries to our p<ople and check tho perilous tendency of the ri- kit-- waste of national domain; that over s.'.uiy xMi fu;ros have been wrested from illo.al usurpation, improvident grants and fmtidu'o-it entries and claims and reserved for the homesteads of han st industry although I th u the rnea'c ur> ns thus mi lust ly lost must afford a । r >r'ou’”l gratification to right feeling citiz tis. n< ii is a recompense for the lulxn’s and > Huggies of tho recovery. Our dear exnerien ■ ■ ought sufficiently to urge the spioly euvimetit of measures of legislation which w ill c ntine the future disposition ot our remnini ig agricultural lands to tho use of actual husbandry and g nuine bonus. N<r should our vast triets of soca’lod desert lan Is ba yieldid up to tho monopoly' of corjopations or grasp ng individuals, ns appears to be much the tendency under the existiug statute. These lands require but the supply of water t > become fertile and productive. 11 is n probl iu of groat moment how most wisely for the public good that factor shall bo furnished. I cannot but think it perilous to Buffer cither these lands or the sources of their irrigation to fqil into tho hands of monopolies, which by such meins may exercise lordship ovtr areas dependent on their treatmin' for' proluctiveness. Already steps have b'<-n taken to secure a’curate and scientific information of tho conditions which is the prime basis of inteUigtnt action. Until this shall be gained, the course of wisdom ap- . pears clearly to lie in a, suspension of further disposal, which only promises to create rights i antagonistic to the c unmon in'erest. No harm can ollow this cautionary conduct. The land will remain, and tho public grod presents no de- ■ maud for hasty dispossession of national owner- , ship and control 1 commend also tho reeommendati' ns that appropriate measures be taken to complete the adjustment of the various grants made to the States for internal improvements and lof swamp and overflowed lands, as well as to adjudicate j and finally determine the validity and extent of ! the numerous private land claims. THE IN IH ANS. । The condition of our Indian population continues to improve, and the proofs multiply that the transforming change so much to be desired, ■ xvhieh shall substitute f r barbarism enlightan- ' ment and civilizing education, is in favorable progress. Our relations with these people during tho year have been disturbed by' no serious disorder, but rather marked by a bet- ; ter realization of their true interests and increasing confidence and good will. These conditions testily to the value of the higher tone of consideration and humanity which has governed the latter methods of dealing with them, and commend its contfimed observance. Allotm nts in severalty have been madeon some reservations until all those entitled to land thereon nave had their shares assigned, and the work is still continued. In directing the execution of this duty 1 have not aimed so much ।at rapid dispatch as to eesure just : and fair arrangements, which shall best conduce to the objects of tho law, by producing I satisfaction with the results ot the allotments made. No measure of general effect I has ever been entered from which mors may : be fairly hoped if it shall be discreetly admini istered, It proffers opportunity and induce- ' ment to that indeptndence of spirit and j life which the Indian peculiarity needs, while at the same time the inalienability of title "I affords security' against the risks his inexperienca of affairs or weakness of character may expose him to i i dealing ayith others. ! Whenever begun upon any reservation it should be made complete so t hat all are brought to tlie same condition, i nd as soon as ; ossible com--1 | muhity in lauds should cease by opening sucli I as remain unallotted to settlement. Contact I with t ie ways of industrious and successful I farmers will perhaps add u healthy emulation I which xvill both instruct and stimulate. But no agency for ths amelioration of this j people appears to me so promising as the extenj sion, urged by the Secretary, of such complete j iacilities of education as shall, at the earliest ■ । possible day, embrace all teachable Indian ! youths, of both sexes, and restrain them with a ! I kindly aud beneficent hold until their characters are formed and their faculties i nd dispositions ■ j trained to the sure pursuits of useful industry. ' I Tin; average attendance of Indian pupils in the ■ ! schools increased by over 9 percent, during the I year and the total enrollment reached 15.212. । The cost of maintenance wns not materially • I raised. ’I he number of teachable Indian youth : i is now estimated at 40,’ 03, or nearly three times . ) the enrollment of the schools. It is believed the I obstacles in the way of instructing all are surl mountable and that tho necessary expenditure , would b 3 a measure of e jonomy. | The tioux tribe on tho great reservation of ! Dakota refused to assent to the act passed by j the Congress at its last session for opening a I portion of their lands to settlement, notwith- । I standing modification of the terms was sugI gested wh ch met most of their objections. Their demand is for immediate payment of the ! full price of £1.25 per acre for tho entire body of i land tlie occupancy of which they are asked to ' relinquish. THE PENSION BUREAU. I The number of pensioners added to the rolls , during the fiscal year ended June 3J, 1888. ia 60,252, and increase of pen-ions was granted |in 45,716 cases. The names of 15,730 peni Bioners were dropped from the rolls dur-

| ing the year for various cai s ‘s, and nt Ihe close of tlie year the number < f pei'Kons of nil classes I receiving pensions was 452,559, Os these there i were 896 survivors of the wat of 1812; 10,787 widI ows of those who > owed in that war ; 1 ~060 soldiers of the Mexican war; and 5,1)4 widows of said soldiers. I One hundred and two different rates of pensions are paid to those b- n ‘ficiarles, ranging from £2 to £416.6(5 per month. The amount paid for pensions during tho fisc il year was £78,775,461.92, being an increase over the preceding year of $5.: 03,280.2’. The expenses attending the maintenance mid operation of the Pension Bureau during that period was £ 5,262,524.67, making the entire expenses of the bureau £82,038,38 >.57, being 21] 2 per cent, of th total exI penditures. of the Government (luring the year. I I am thoroughly convinced that otir general pension laws should be revised mil adjusted to meet as far as possible in the light of our experience all me itorious cases. Ths fact that one hundred and two differrot lates of pensions are raid can not in my opinion be made consistent with justice to iho pensioners or to the Government. and the numetous private pension bills that are passed prediiatod upon the imperfection of general laws, while they increase iu many eases- existing inequa ity and injustice. lend additional force to tho recommendation for a revision of the general laws on this subject. The laxity of ideas prevailing among a large number of our people regarding pensions is becoming every ilav more marked. The principles upon which they should be granted are in danger of being altogether i rooted, and already pensions two of <n claimed because the applicants are as much entitled as other suceesstul applit auts, rather than upou any disability reasonably attributable to military I service. If tlie establishment of vicious precedents be continued. i. c., the granting of pen- ( sious b 3 not divorced from partisan and , other unworthy nud irrelevant consideri ations, and if the honorable name of < veteran unfairly In comes by these means I but uuoth r term for one who constantly clamors f r the aid of tl.e Government, there is danger that injury will be done to tho frnno and patriotism of many whom our citizens all delight to honor, and that a prejudice will be aroused unjust to meritorious application for pehsions. DEPARTMENT 01' AGRICULTURE. The Department ■of Agriculture nas continue!. with a goodmeasureofsuccess.ltseflo. ts to develop the processes, enlarge tho results and augmeut the profits of American husbandly. It has collected and distributed practical information, introduced and tested now plaiits. che ked tho spread <>f contagious disease of farm animals, resisted the r.dvanoe of noxious insec.s mid destructive fun us growths and sought to secure to agricult urul labor the highest reward of effort, and the fullest immunitv from loss. Its records of the year show that the season of ISBB I has been one of medium pioduetion. A generous supply of the demands of consumntion has been assured, ami a surplus for exportation, moderate in certain products and bountiful in others, will prove a benefaction alike to buyer nn l grower. Four years ago it was found that tho great cuttie industry of the country was endangered, and those engaged i it were alarmed at tho rapid extension of iho European Limn plague of pleuro-pneumonia Serious outbreaks existe I in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and in Tennessee animals affect ■ I wore held in on iraut ine. I'ivo counties in New 1 ork. and from one to f( counties in on h < f tho States of New Jersey, I’ennsylvauia, Delaware and Marq-lnnd were almost equally ■ a tfi cted \V itli this great dnnger upon us, and with the I cont igion alreiulv tn tho channels of commerce, with the enorm, ui direct and indirect losses ali ready being caused by it, and when only prompt and energetic rc'ion could be successful. I there were in none of these St ites any laws authorizing this department to eradicate tho ' nuihidy, or giving the State officials power to I co • pi-.ate with it for this purpose. Tho d ii rtm-nt oven lacked Both tho requisite appropria ion aud authority. By securing state co-i ponttion in conn.’ct'o i with an hori! from ion less, tho work of eradication las ben pr ssed succossfully. tn I this .bonded disease bus been extirpated from the- We tern St ites rnl also from the Eastern 8 .:t<< with ti e exception of n few restrict d nr‘iis which ere still mid r supervision. Tlie t dangi r lias th is been remov d, an I trade and conmii roe have b en lr’ d Irom the vexatious ■ State restrict ions which were deemed necessary i for n time. i During tlie past four years tlie process of dis- ; fusion as applied to the ninnufn ture of sugar i from sorghum nud sm ar cane has 1 een in- ' troduced into this country, and fully j er- : foeti d by tl.o experim ’iits e irried on By | the Department of Agriculture This process is now univers ily tonsid icd to bo 'the bat econ. mical one. mid it is through I it that Mie norghuin sugar industrv has been । establiß! e 1 upon it firm basis audthe road to its j future success opemd 'lho adoption of this ’ diffusion process is also extended in Louisiana and other suga'-producing parts of tho | country and will dmb.less so n be the cniy I method employed for the extraction of sugar ' from the cane. I An exhaustive study hit, also Within the same perid be "ii undertaken of tho subject of lood ; adulteration and the best analytical methods of detecting it. DISTRH T OF COLUMBIA. The report of the (lommissioners of the D:.;triet of Ui lumbia. with its aicomr.anyiirg documents, gives !n detail tlie operations of the several departmeuM of the l>istriet Gov ernm-nt and 4 furnishes evidence tl.ut the financial affairs of ’ the District are nt j r’sent in such satisfactory conditi m ns to ju-tify the Commissioners in I submit in t to tlie C ingress estimates for desir- ’ able and needed improvements. Th) Commis- ; sioners r‘commend certain legislation which, in ; their opinion, is necessary to advance the interests of me Dis.t ie . I invite your sptclal attention to their request for such legislation a‘ wi l enable the I l ommissioners without delay to collect, digest, I aud properly arrange tno laws by which the I District is governs I and whicli ar t ■ now embraced iu several collections, I making them available only with great difficulty and labor, 'the suggestions they make touching desirable am m lm?nts to tho laws relating to licenses granted for carrying on tho retail traffic in spirituous liquors, to the observance of Sunday, to the proper aisessm nt and collection of taxes, to the speedy punishment of minor offenders and to the ma agenunt and control of the re onnatory and charitable ins.itutions supported bv Congressional appropriations, are commended to your care and consideration. I again call attention to the present inconvenience and the danger to life and propert y attending the operation of steam rail oads through and across the public streets an i roads of tho District. The p opriety of such legislation as will properly guard the use of these raiD reads and better secure the ccnvenience aud safety of citizens is manifest. CONCLUSION. The consciousness thnt I have presented but an imperfect statement of the condition < f our country and its wants occasions no fear that anything omitted is not known and appr.ciat d by the Conaress upon whom rests the responsibility of intelligent legislation in behalf of a great n ition and a .confiding people. As publ.c s rvants we shall do our auty well if we.constantly guard the rectitude of our intentions, mainta'n unsullied o.ir love of country, and. with unselfish purpose, strive for the public good. Grover Cleveland. Washington, Dec 3,1888. London Bridge. This is the last bridge on the Thames, ortho one nearest the sea, built of granite, and first opened to the public by William IV., Aug. 1, 1831. It was built at an outlay of .£2,5()6,269 from designs of John ii nine and his so is, John and George. In Saxon times there was a bridge at this s; ot. and in 1176 the iiist stone bridge was buiit here. The old London bridge had houses upon each side. At one lime it was noted for its booksellers shops, aud at a later period was famous for its many pin-makers. Pennant says that the street on old I.ondon bridge was “narrow, darksome and dangerous to passengers irom the mul itude of carriages:' frepumt arches of sti ong timbers crossing the street from the tops of the houses to keep .them together end from falling into the river. Nothing but use could preserve tlie repose of tho inmates, who soon grow deaf to the noise of the falling waters, tho clamors of wateimon, or tho frequent shrieks of drowning wretches." London bridge, in the time of Shakspearo and for yeai afterward, was built of wood and lined with houses on either side. In the second part of King Henry VI., Cade says: “Come, then, let's go tight qv.ih them. But first, go and set Lon lon bridge on tire; and, if you. can, burn down the Tower too.” When the multitude applaud you, seriously ask yourself what evil you have done; vhen they censure you, what good. —CoZfo/l,

NUM REP 94

HIE SUNDAY SCHOOL. i AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE LESSON CONSIDERED. Reflections of an Elevating CharacterU holesome Food for Thought - Study- । in - the Scriptural Lessons Intelligently I aud Profitably. Deccm bor 9 may be found ; ui d uuges /: i-o. AVHAT THE LESSON TEACHES. .then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon. There • are sermons in names, because names imply character. We well remember a sermon preached by that prince of expository preachers. Dr. Hotchkiss, of Buffalo. It was on the preparation ot Gideon as sketched mainly in the chapter preceding this, and the sage and suggestive teachings f k u'ro 1 ’ 01 ', 1 1110 Israel’s history; lor tlie lite of to-day encourages ustobof . p’wry-day lessons from i ii cnaraeter (WGideon may not prove unacceptable or unserviceable hero. That u l,r< ■ ti Jeru,> ^ aa l i ' brin gs up all the past. Read the sixth chapter and be stirred by it. it was a day of weak submission to an alien government and of wicked sub- ' nT?! ;n !’ y rn a !i p. n religion, ami the ■ name, Jerubbaal, indicates that someone has broken with the ordinary life of the [ people. Literally it means contender with ■ Baal, or to preserve the compound form avo ; mny say anti-Jiaal. Here was a man ready to stand out like the anti-slavery men of old and the anti-license men of to-day and the anti-secret society men of the colleges. He was a reformer, indeed, and he had strength to carry his name to victory and honor. Herrick in his “Some Heretics of lesUTday. mentions in his list of reformers uiclif, Huss, Savonarola, Latimer, Cranmer, Mclaiicthon, Knox, Calvin, Wesley. AV hat were these but “Antis?” And docs Protestantism mean anything else? Jtose up early and pitched beside the well o/ Hurod. In seeking out the sources of Israel’s victory, we must not overlook the human element. It was “Tlie Sword of the Lord and ot Gideon." Gideon Avas a Aviso and skillful general. He shows this in the management of the night attack, and in the maneuvering of his forces so as to cutoff the retreat at Beth-Barah and to effect a complete annihilation of the enemy at far Karka. His politic skill is not less manifest in his diplomacy with the Ephraimites. Hero he shows his discretion in an early and vigorous organization of his army and , their judicious disposition. God honors prudence and foresight, and the men ivhom he chose for leadership in his battles, a Joshua, a Saul, a David, Avere men at exceptional military sagacity. They were mon who, like Napoleon, rose early to catch the happy opportunity of the day, and who, like Grant. kneAV how to pitch their camps to tho best effect against hostile forces. And has not this been true of the most successful leaders in tho Avar times of khe church? \ They have been quick, shreAvd, clear-headed men. Prompt to suggest, wise to adjust, vigorous in the deed. They say that the chairman M the national committee in a successful political campaign can have any office in the gift of tho incoming President that he wishes; and not as areAvard,though that at first suggests itself, but because it is believed that the man Avho can manipulate i such mighty political forces and bring victory out of threatened defeat is capable of administering high civil trusts. The man who makes a success of a great pastorate, or Avho can lead efficiently in a large revival. ! is of no common mold. Spurgeon. Hall. ' Ciiylor, Finney, Moody, Avhat generals they Avoiild make, Avhat mercantile princes! I They are of the stuff that commands success anyAvhere. Too nicety for me. It is God who is speaking, Avho requires not numbers; by Avhom one can chase a thousand and tAvo put ten thousand to flight. “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." What need hath he of man's puny arm? And so it may be excess rather than depletion that hinde at times the progress of the work. Thei .re always too many i when numbers are large and spirit is small 1 or perhaps Avholly Avanting. A revival of ‘ religion not infrequently begins with a revisal of the membership list. It seems to us that the most spiritually hopeful man we saAV at a recent gathering of ministers Avas one Avho arose and reported instead of accessions the reducing of his church-mem-bership by a half hundred or more. He was getting ready for battle; he Avas doing it by getting rid of the drones and the drags. Mine own hand hath saved me. So speaks pride, Avhich goeth before destruction. Undoubtedly there is weakness in arrogance, i Washinaton wished Braddock to adopt different tactics in fighting the Indians, but tho British General looked upon his magnificent army and said. "These savages may be a formidable enemy to raAA r and undisciplined American militia, but upon the ! King’s regular and disciplined troops it is impossible they should make any impression.” Thev annihilated them. When ono falls to vaunting himself he begins to invite I defeat. The Lord meant this victory to be a helpful one to all Israel, and He guarded against any forfeiture of this lofty purpose by’ reducing the fighting force to the minimum of efficiency under Him. It Avas this fatal self-conceit that Avrought tho overt I .'oaa’ of Saul. It Avas this self-glorving spirit that brought Gods curse on’ Herod. It, is peril vaguely ported out in that expression of Dent, 32:15: ‘.’Josk* urtin waxed fat and kicked. A sight of God as he really is ought greatly to subdiie us and a sense of our oAvn Aveakness ought to’turn us auain to God for strength. "Just fink.” say t tho little one sketched by John Habberton as discoursing in a childish way ' on the "influence of the Pleiades and the bands of Orion." "hoiv little dat must have made Job feel and how strong it made him 1 Wik de Lord! ... so if ever I get o havin A«l times an’ fink do Lord isn t strong enough to make tings right, I can just go out and look at de stars aAvhilo, and get my mind right again." , So he brought down the people unto the water. Tho Lord made it a place m tasting, ■ and in another way the water’s eage marks no slight or ineffective test of the people at Ilie present. As to the plain meaning ot the ordeal here, however, and with this avc are alone concerned, it may be said that between the two modes of taking drink there Artis a not insignificant difference, and theie may have been a real reveiation of character in the postures assumed. Ihose aaHo kneeled were certainly more leisurely, not | so alert and intent, upon the imminent strue-ele as those who merely dipped up the w. r as they passed, pausing not to । break ranks. But it Avas a discrimination not anti ipated by the marching Israelites. । Hgav often in apparently insignificant times and places tho Lord weighs us. J.ittio things shoiv the *^l’™'* I tho watchful eve sees it all. The student l-ho I'aasod his professor on l ? e '"4^^ ih„ Aii"S" hut i”H> h>? b ',°J££,; ; ; might leave the line to save his neck in the bartle. Next Lesson-“ The Death of Samson ’■ Judges 16: 21-31. According to Johann Feber ihe , tvnous inanu'ariurer i the Deople of the I n ted W«e, in round nutnbjrs, aioat 100 d j encl i evcr y year. \ hook and ladder company out at Cologne, Germany to rescue a swalloAv that had become fastened to a thread high up in a chur. h steeple ami I < o^.LI not free itself. A great crowd oi people witnessed the operation. An int^ti^n^ hol ' lowed out by means of red-ho s oms, has been found in South Cential i ■ way. Secretary Bayard abvavs wore j lemon-colored kid glove's when cod- ! fishing