Bloomington Telephone, Volume 15, Bloomington, Monroe County, 19 December 1893 — Page 2

THE TELEPHONE

By Walteu Huadpute.

BLO0MINGT03

INDIANA

The Brazilian insurgents may be said to be "on a spree" for they have already got "Meflo."

"Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Which, having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth hr meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest."

"Blessings in disguise" are not uncommon. They are frequently arriving in new and unexpected masks. All our little misfortunes might well bo classed in the catalogue of "blessings" if we could only tear aside themsk. For instance, a Michigan woman recently received a very old and dingy 25 cent piece in change which bore the date 1827. She thought it worthless, but the next day sold it to a coin collector for $30.

Chicago has a sermon factory in full blast in a room on the sky line of one of its big office buildings. The business is conducted "on frhe quiet" but is said to be extensive aud profitable, nevertheless. The young man who is at the head of the enterprise is a graduate of a theological seminary, and claims to have 250 clergymen on his list, seventy-five of whom he supplies regularly each week with a ready made sermon at the rate of 50 cents. The remainder are occasional patrons, availing themselves of the services of the Chicago establishment as their needs require. All deoominations are supplied. The "factory" makes a specialty of anecdotes suitable for clergymen's -'jsi, and claims to do o thriving business with Msthodist divines in this line.

The Nemesis of a tender conscience has been following people with unshrinking vengeance for several years. Numerous acts of i estitution have been recorded withiu the past twelve months, one of the most notable being that of a man in California who remitted a considerable sum to a landlord in the east for a rent debt which his mother-in-law contrapted some forty years ago. He was thought to have exhausted the possibilities in this Hue, but now comes one Harry Carner and gives himself up to the authorities at Vincennes with the startling information that he had stolen a mule in Missouri and wanted to suffer the penalty of the law for his appalling crime. The millenium is surely hearlqd in our direction.

It is a very common belief that Americans as a people are degenerating physically and that the average length of life in this country has in recent years become materially shortened. Statistics, however, contradict this idea, and the columns of obituary intelligence in leading dailies of the large cities contain notices of the death of a remarkable number of aged persdbs. One week's collection of items of this character in the Philadelphia Public Ledger enumerated no less than twenty-two persons who had died at and beyond the age of 80. Ten of the octogenarians were men and twelve women. The ages varied from 80, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 95. 97 to that of one woman who had reached the 101st milestone of life's journey. However, these remarkable years were accumnlated by the staid residents of the peaceful Quaker city, and can hardly be taken

as a fair standard for the balance the country.

A woman has written to the East ern press that the most important result of the Columbian Exposition has been the elevation of the standard of wheat bread among the people of the West. She is of the opinion that people who had the good fortune to sample the loaves furnished by the Vienna and French cooks at Jackson Park will never be satisfied to exist on the soggy loaves of the past and will 4kkick" till they get something approaching the article mentioned. The probability is that the good lady is way off her reckoning, and the chances are that the loaves of our cooks will continue to be good, bad and indifferent, ac cording the state of the weather, ttae heat of the oven and the quality of the yeast and flour.

The "wild and woolly west s progressing in a moral as well as a material way. Probably no east3rn State could duplicate a circumstance that occurred at Winnemucca, Nev., recently. A jury was impaneled of men whose average age was 27. All were total abstainers, none smoked cigarettes, and not one used tobacco in any form. That jury shonld and could secure a permanent situation as a museum "freak."

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

President Cleveland's message to Congress was delivered Monday. It says: The constitutional duty which requires the President, from time to time, to give to the Congress information of tho state of the Union, nd recommend to its consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient, is iittingly entered upon by commending to the Congress a careful examination of the detailed statements and all supported recommendations contained in the reports of the heads of departments, who are chiefly charged with the executive work of the Government. In an effort to abridge this communication aft much as is consistent with its purpose, I shall supplement a brief reference to the contents of those departmental reports by the mention of such executive business and incidents as are embraced therein, and by such recommendations as appenr to be, at this particular time, appropriate. OUK FOKK1GN KKLATIOXS. While our foreign relations have not at all times during tiie past year been entirely free from perplexity, no embarrassing situation remains that will not yield to the spirit of fairness and love of justice, which, joined with consistent firmness, characterize a truly American foreign policy. My predecessor having accepted

the office of arbitrn tor of the long standing Missions boundary disputes, tendered r-o the President by tho Argentine Kepubii - and Brazil, it has been my agreeable duty to receive the special envoys commissioned by thoe states to lay before me evidence and arguments in behalf of their respective governments. THE TROUBLES IN" BRAZIT. The outbreak of hostilities in the republic of Brazil found the United States alert to watch the interests of our citizens In that country, with which we carry on important commerce. Several vessels of our new navy are now, and for some time have been, stationed at Uiode Janeiro. The struggle being between the established government, which controls the machinery of administration, and with which we have friendly relations, and certain officers of the navy employing the vessels of their command in an attack upon the national capital and chief seaport, I have failed to see how the insurgents can reasonably claim recognition as belligerents, iThus fan the position of our Government has been that of an attentive, but impartial, observer of the unfortunate conflict. Emphasizing our fixed policy of impartial neutrality in such a cy'dition of affairs as now exist, I deemed It necessary to disavow,in a manner not to be misunderstood, the unauthorized action of our late naval commander in those wr.ters, in tsaluting tho revolting Brazilians, an admiral being unauthorized to contenance an act calculated to pi ve gratuitous sanction to the local insurrection. OUR RELATIONS WITH CHILE. The convention between our Government and Chile having for its object the settlement and adjustment of the demands of the two countries against each other has been effective by tho organization of the claims cpmmission provided for. The two governments failing to agree upon the third member of the commission, the good offices of tho President of the Swiss republic were invoked, as provided in the treaty, and the selection of the Swiss representative in this country, to complete the organization was gratifying alike to the United States and Chile. The vexatious question of a so-called legation asylum for oe nders against the State and its laws was presented anew in Chile by the unauthorized action of the late United States minister in receiving into his official residence, two persons who had just failed in an attempt at revolution and against whom criminal charges wee pending, growing out of a former abortive disturbance, thedocirine of asyInm, as applied to this case, is not sanctioned by the best precedents and, when allowed, tends to encourage sedition and strife. Under no circumstances can the representatives of this government bo permitted under the ill-defined fiction of extraterritoriality to interrupt the administration of criminal justice in the countries to which they are accredited. A temperate demand having boon made by the Chilean government for the correction of this conduct in the instance mentioned, the minister was instructed no longer to harbor the offenders. THE CHINESE QUESTION. The legislation of last year known as the Geary law, requiring the registration of all Chinests laborers entitled to residence in the United States, and the deportation of all not complying with the provisions of the act within the time prescribed, met with much opposition from Chinamen In this country. Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel, who said the law was unconstitutional, the great mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial inquiry as to its validity, in good faith declined to apuly for the certiiicates required by its provisions. A test case upon proceeding by habeas corpus was brought before the Supremo Court, and on May 15, 1893, a decision was made by that tribunal sustaining the law. It is believed that under the recent amendment of the act, extending the time for registration, tho Ch ineso laborers thereto entitled, who desire to reside in this country, will now avail themselves of the renewed privilege thus afforded, of establishing by lawful procedure their right to remain, and that thereby the necessity of enforced deportation may to a great degree be avoided. It has devolved upon the United States minister at Peking, as dean of the diplomatic body, and in the absence of a representative of Sweden and Norway, to press upon the Chinese government reparation for the murder of Swedish missionaries at Sung Put. This question is of vital interest to all countries whose citizens engage in missionary work in the interior. RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, By Article 12 of tho General Act of Brussels, signed July 2, MiO. for tho suppression of the slave trade and the resatiction of certain injurious commerco in the J" goand in the adjacent territory of Centra Africa, the United States and the other powers agreed to adopt appropriate meaus for the punishment of persons selling arms and ammunition to the natives and for the confiscation of the prohibited articles, I recommend that an act be passed prohibiting the sale of arms and Intoxicants to natives in tho ngilatcd tone by our citizens. Costs Rica has lately testified its friendliness by surrenders g to the United States, in the absence n a convention of extradition, but upon duly submitted evidence of crim'uality, a noted fugitive from justice. I tave deemed it fitting to express to the government of Costa Kica and Columbia the kind y desire the United States o see their pendtnvr boundary dispute finally closed by arbitration.

Our relations with the French republic continue to be intimate and cordial. While occasional questions affecting our naturalized citizens returning to the land of their birth .have arisen in our affairs with Germany, our relations with that country continue satisfactory. The questions affecting our relations with Great Britain have been treated in a spirit of friendliness, Negotiations are in progress between the two governments, with a view to such concurrent action as will make the award and regulations agreed upon by the Boring sea tribunal of

arbitration practically effective, and it is not doubted that Great Britain will cooperate freely with this country for the accomplishment of that purpose. The dispute growing out of the discriminating tolls imposed in tho Well and anal apon cargoes of cereals bound to ur.d from- the lake ports of the United States was adjusted by the substitution of a more equitable schedule of charges, and my predecessor thereupon suspended his proclamation imposing discriminate g tolls upon British transit through our canals. VARIOUS ACTS OF HEIARATION. During the past year an American citizen, employed in a subordinate commercial position in ilayti, after suffering a protracted imprisonment on an unfonnded charge of smuggling, was finally liberated after a judicial examination. Upon urgent representation to the Haytian government, a suitable indemnity was paid to the sufferer. By a law of llayti, a sailing vessel, having discharged her cargo, is refused clearance until the duties on such cargo has been paid. The hardship of this measure upon American ship-owners, who conduct the bulk of the carrying trade of that country, has been insisted on, with a view of securing a removal of this cause of complaint. Upon receiving authentic information of the tiring upon an American mail steamer toucihng at theport of Amapaia, because her captain refused to deliver up a passenger in transit from Nicaragua to Guatemala upon demand of the military authorities of Honduras, our minister to that country, under instructions, protested against tho wanton act and demanded satisfaction. The government of Honduras, actuated by a sense of justice, and in the spirit of the utmost friendship, promptly disavowed the illegal conduct of its otiicers and expressed sincere regret tor the occurrence. A SUGGESTION TO FRANCE. A notable part of the southeastern coast of Liberia between tho Cavally and San Pedro rivers, which for nearly half a century has been generally recognized as belonging to that republic by cession and purchase, has been claimed to be under the protectorate of France in virtue of agreements entered into by the native tribes, over whom Liberia's control has not been well maintained. Feeling a sympathetic interest in the fortunes of the little commonwealth, this government has suggested to the French government its earnest concern lest territorial impairment in Liberia should take place without her unconstrained consent. MEXICO, NICARAUGUA AND GUATEMALA. Our relations with Mexico continud to be of that close and friendly nature which should always characterize the intercourse of two neighboring republics. Nicaraugua has recently passed through two revolutions, the party at first successful having in turn been displaced by another. Our newly appointed minister, by Ids timely good olhces, aided in a peaceful adjustment of the controversy involved in the first coniiict. The largo American interests established in that country in connection with the Nicaraugua canal were not molested. The canal company has unfortunately become ilnaneially seriously embarrassed, but a

generous treatment has been extended it by the government of Nicaraugua. Oautemala has also been visited by the f)olitical vicissitudes which have afflicted ler Central American neighbors, but tho dissolution of its Legislature and the proclamation of a dictatorship have been attended with civil wars. THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA. Led by a desire to compose differences and

: contributing to the restoration of peace in

oauiua, tu uniteu ob&tes, ueparwiig iruui its policy, consecrated by a century of observance, entered four years ago into the treaty of Berlin. The treaty provided for a foreign court of Justice, a municipal council for the district of Apia, with a foreign president therefor, authorized to advise the King, a tribunal for the settlement of native aud foreign land titles and a revenue system for the kingdom. It entailed upon the three powers that part of the cost of the new government not met by the revenue of the islands. Early in the life of this triple protectorate the native dissension it was designed to quell revived. Rivals detied the authority of the new King, refusing to pay taxes and demanding othe election of a ruler by natives' suffrage. Mataafa, an aspirant to the throne, and a large number of his native adherents were in open rebellion on one of the islands. Quite lately, at the request of the other powers and in fulfillment of its treaty obligations, this government agreed to unite in a joint military movement of such dimensions as would probably secure the surrender of the insurgents without bloodshed. The warship. Philadelphia, was accordingly put under orders for Samoa, but before she arrived, the threatened coniiict was precipitated by King Maletoa'9 attack upon the insurgent camp. Mataafa was defeated and a number of his men killed. The British and German naval vessels present subsequently secured the surrenderor Mataafa and his adherents, The defeated chief and ten of his principal supporters were deported to a German Isiand of the Marshall group, where they are held as prisoners under the joint responsibility and cost of the three powers. This incident and the events leading up to it signally illustrate tho impolicy of entangling alliances with foreign powers. AMERICAN CLAIMS AGAINST SPAIN. More than fifteen years ago this Government preferred a claim against Spun in behalf of one of our citizens for property seized and contiscattd in Cuba. In 1830 the claim was adjusted, Spain agreeing to pay unconditionally as a fair indemnity tl.fi0D.0X). A respectful but earnest noto was recently addressed to tho Spanish government insisting upon tho prompt fulfillment of its long neglected obligation. Other claims preferred by the United States asraiust Spain in behalf of American citizens for property confiscated in

Cuba have been pending for many years. The reproduced caravel, Santa Maria, built by Spain and sent to the Columbian Exposition, has been presented to the United States in token of amity and in commemoration of the event it was dosigned to celebrate. I recommend that, in accepting this gift. Congress make grateful recognition of the sincere friendship which prompted it. TURKEY AND THE AMERICANS. Important matters have demanded attention in our relations with the Ottoman Porte. The firing and partial destruction bv an unrestrained mob, of one of the school buildings of the Anatolia College, established bv citizens of the United States at Marsovan. and the apparent indifference of the Turkish government to tho outrage, notwithstanding the complicity of some of its ofliclals. called for an earnest remonstrance, which was followed by promises of reparation and punishment of offenders. Indemnity for the injury to tho buildings has already been paid, permission to rebuild given, registration of the school property in the name of the American owners secured, and elliciont protection guaranteed. Turkey complains that her American subjects obtain citizenship in this country not to identify themselves in irood faith with our people, but with the intention of returning to the land of their birth and thero engaging in sedition. This com

plaint is not wholly without foundation. The right to exclude any or all classes of aliens is an attribute of sovereignity. It is a right asserted, and to a limited extent enforced by the United States with the sanction of our highest court. There being no naturalization treaty between tho United States and Turkey, our miuister at Constantinople has been instructed that, while recognizing the right of that government to enforce its declared policy against naturalized Armenians, he isexEccted to protect them from unnecessary arshness of treatment. HAWAWII. It is hardly necessary for me to state that the questions arising from our relations with Hawaii have caused seriou3 embarassraent. Just prior to the installation of the present administration tho existing government of Hawaii had been suddenly overthrown and a treaty of annexation had been negotiated between the provisional government of the islands and the United States and submitted to the Senate for ratification. This treaty I withdrew for examination, and dispatched, Hon. James A.Blount, of Georgia, to Honolulu as a special commissioner to make en impartial investigation of the circumstances attending the change of government, and of all the conditions bearing upon tho subject of the treaty. After a thorough and exhaustive examination, Mr, Blount submitted to me his report, showing beyond all question that tho constitutional government of Hawaii had been subverted with the active aid of our representative to that government, and through tho intimidation caused by the presence of an armed naval force of the United States, which was landed for that purpose at the instance of our minister. Upon tho facts developed, it seemed to me the only honorable course for our Government to pursue was to undo the wrong that had been done by those representing us, and to restore, as far as practicable, tho status existing at the tima of our forcible intervention. With a view of accomplishing this result within the constitutional limits of executive power, and recognizing ail our obligations and resuonsibilities growing out of any change of conditions brought about by our unjustifiable interference, our present minister at Honolulu has received appropriate instructions to that end. Thus far no information of the accomplishment of any definite result has been received ilrom him. Additional advices are soon expected. When received, they will be prompt! v sent to the Congress, together with all other information at hand, accompanied by a special executive message fully detailing all the facts necessary to a complete understanding of the case, and presenting a history of all the material events leading up to the present situation. ARBITRATION BETWEEN NATIONS. By a concurrent resolution passed by the Senate February 14, 189;), and the House of Representatives on the 3d of April following, the President was requested to invite, from time to time, as fit occasion may arise, negotiations with any government with which tho United States has or may have diplomatic relations, to the end that any differences or disputes arising between the two governments which can not be adjusted by diplomatic agency, may be referred to arbitration and be peaceably adjusted by such moans. April IS, 18V0, the international American conference of Washington, by resolution, expressed the wish that all controversies between the republic of America and the nations of Europe might be settled by arbitration, and recommended that the government of each nation represented in that conference, should communicate this wish to all friendly powers. A favorable response has been received from Great Britain, in the shape of a resolution adopted by Parliament July 16 last, cordially sympathizing with the purpose in view, and expressing tho hope that Her Majesty's government will lend ready co-operation to tho Government of the United States, upon tho basis of the concurrent resolution above quoted. DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE. Since the passage of the act of March 3, 1893, authorizing the President to raise the srrade of our envoys to correspond with tho rank in which foreign countries accredit their agents here, Great Britain. France, Italy and Germany have conferred upon their representatives at this capital the title of Ambassador, and I have responded by accrediting the agents of the United States in those countries with tne same title. A like elevation of mission is announced by Russia, and when made will be similarly mH. THE GOVERNMENT'S FINANCES. The Secretary of tho Treasury reports that thoeoipts of the Government from all sources during the hscal vear ended June 30, 1893, amounted to $4'U.71f,5;U.i4, and its expenditures to 159,374,674.39. Tho jo was collected from customs &05,355.016.73 and from internal revenue 1161,0?7.i:.3 93. Our dutible imports amounted to 141,856,711, an increase of $ l.45'i.K)7 over the proceeding year, and importations free of duty amounting tol44, 514.311 a decrease from the proceeding year of 13,455.447. Internal revenue receipts exceeded those of the proceeding year by $6,147,445.32. Total U collected on distilled spirits was $94.7 0,260.55, on manufactured tobacco :il.3SJ.7ll. 74, and on fermented liquors $12,543,983.07. We exported merchandise during tho yeir amunnting to $.$47,665. 194, a decrease of $132,612,954 from the preceding year. The amount of gold exported, wa larger than any previous year in the history of the (Jovi rament, amounting to t0S.C30.$l4. and exceeding the amount exported during the preceding year by $5$. 435, 517. The sum paid from tho Treasury for suuar bountv was $9,375,180.88, an increase over the pn ceding year of $2,013 0 VJ.M. It is estimated upon the basis of present revenue laws that the receipts of the Government for the vear ending Juno 30. lsM4, will bo $110,121,365.33. and- it expenditures $153,mVtf.as, resulting in a deficiency of $2S,00 J, 000. TITK 8IIVKR QUESTION. The recent repeal of the provision of law requiring the p irehase of the silver bullion by the Goverment a a feature of our monetary scheme, has m ide an entire chan? in the complexion of our enrronsv affairs. T do not not doubt that the ultimate result of this action will most salutary and far reaching. In the nature of th'ns, however, it is impossible to know at this time precisely what conditions will be brought about by the change ur what, if any. supplemenary legislation may, in the light of such conditions, appear to be essential or expedient. Of course, after the r c-uit financial perturbation, time is uecesaary for the re-establishment of business confidence. In the pursuit of this object we should resolutely turn ftWiiv from alluring and temporary expedients, determined to be c n int with rothing less than a lasting and comprehensive financial qlan. In these circumstances, I am c mvinced that u reasonable delay in dealing with this subject, instead of bein injurious, will increase tho probability of wise action. The Id metarv Conference which assembled at Brussels upon our invitation was adjourned to theaorh day of November, in the oresent year. Tim considerations just stated, an I thu fact that a d-vinit tr position from ih seemed to be eo eted upon the reassembling of the conference, 1'hI mo to express a willingness to have themeetirur still further po-Upont-d. OTHKIt TKKSUIIY UKI'OKTS. The Super in ten tent of Imm'srratfon, through the Secretary of the Tnvi-u-y, reports that during the last INra! year there arrived at our ports 4V,7'.rt immigrants. Of these, i.0'i were not permitted io land, under tho limitations of the law, and 577 were returned to thecounrries from whence they came by reason of their hav in if become public charges. The total arrivals were 141,034 lesi than for the previous year.

DEPARTMENT OF WAR. The Secretary of War reports that the strength of the army on the 30th day of September last was 25,778 enlisted men. and 2.144 officers. The total expenditures for the department for tho year ending June 30, 18U3, amounted to f 51 ,966,074.89. Of this Bum 61,992,581.95 was for salaries and contingent expenses, $:i6,377,8U8.35 for the support of the military establishment, $0,077,0.;;). IS for miscellaneous objects, and $:i0,518.i:n.4l for public works. This latter sum includes $i5,2.fG,S76.4(5 for river and harbor improvements, and $2,266,141.20 for fortifications and other works of defense. Tho total enrollment of militia for the several States was on the 31st of October of the current year, 112,597 otiicers and enlisted men. The ollicers of the 'army detailed for the inspection and instruction of this part of our military force report that increased interest and marked progress are apparent in the discipline and eiliciency of the organizations. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. The report of the Attorney-General contains tho usual summary of the affairs and proceedings of the department of justice for the past year, together with certain recommendations as to needed legislation of various subjects. I can not too heartily indorse the proposition that the fee system as applicable to the compensation of United States attorneys, marshals, clerks of Federal courts and United States commissioners, should be abolished with as little delay as possible. It is clearly in the interest of the community that the business of the courts, both civil and criminal, shall he as small and as inexpensively conducted as the ends of justice will allow. Tho system is thoroughly vicious which makes the compensation of court officials depend upon the volume of such business, and thus creates a conflict between the proper execution of the law and private gain which can not fail to be dangerous to the rights and freedom of the citizens and an irresistible temptation to the unjustifiable expenditure of public funds. If, in addition to this reform, another was inaugurated which would give to United States commissioners the final disposition of petty offenses within tho grade of misdemeanors, especially those coming under tho internal revenue laws, a great advance would be made toward & more decent administration of the criminal law, POST-OFFICE DKPARTMBXT. The report of the Postmaster-General contains "a detailed statement of tho operations of the postolh'ce department during the last fiscal year, and much interesting information touching this important branch of the public service. The business of the mails'indicate with absolute certainty the condition of the business of the country, and depression in financial atfairs inevitably and quickly ro duces the postal revenues. T lerefore a larger discrepancy than usua between the postoihee receipts and expenditures is the expected and unavoidable result of the distressing stringency which has prevailed throughout the country during much of the time covered by the Postmaster General's report. At a date when better times were anticipated, it was estimated by his predecessor that the deficiency on the 30th day of .lune, 18.3, would be but a little over $1,500 0(10. It amounted however, to more than tf;,uoo.OOO. At the same time, aud under the influence of like anticipations, estimates were made for the current fiscal year ending June;0 18, which exhibited a surplus of revenue over expenditures of $87i,245.71; but now, in view of the actual receipts and expenditures during that, part of the current fiscal year already expired, the present Postmaster-General estimates that at its close, instead of a surplus there will be a dehciency of nearly $S.O yO.003. NAVY DEPARTMENT. The report of the Secretary of the Navy contains a history of tho operations of his department during the past year, and exhibits a most gratifying condition of the personnel of our navy. Ho presents a satisfactory account of tho progress which has been made in the construction of vessels, and mk s a number of recommendations to which attention is especially invited. During the past six months the demands for cruising vessels have been many and urgent. There have been revolutions calling for vessels to protect American interests in Nicaragua. Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Argentine and Krazil. while the condition of affairs in Honolulu has required tho constant presence of one or more ships. With all these calls upon our navy it became necessary, in order to make up a sufficient fleet to patrol the Bering sea under the modus Vivendi agreed upon with groat Britian, to detail to that service one vessel from the fish commission and three from the revenue marine. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. The Secretary of the Interior has tho supervision of so many important subjects that his report is of especial value and interest. On the 30th day of June. 1803, there were on the pension rolis 900.012 names, an increase of 89,944 over the number on the rolis June J0, 1892. Of these there were seventeen widows and daughters of Revolutionary soldiers, 5,425 survivors and widowsof soldiers of the war of IS 12, 21,51S survivors and widowsof the Mexican war, 3,882 survivors and widows of Indian wars, 284 army nurses and 475. (M5 surviv

ors and widows and children of deceased .

soldiers and sailors of the war of tho rebellion. SUSrEXSIOM OF PENSIONS. The discovery having been made that many names had been put on the pension

roll by means of wholesale and gigantic f

frauds, the commissioner suspended payments upon a number of pensions which seemed to bo fraudulent or unauthorized, ponding a complete examination, civin? notice to tho pensioners, in order that they might have an opportunity to establish", if possible, the justice of their claims, notwithstanding apparent invalidity. CONDITION OF THE IXDIAXS. The condition of the Indians and their ultimate fate are subjects which are related to a sacred duty of tho Government, and which strongly appeal to tho sense of justice and tho sympathy of our people. Our Indians number about ' 6.O00. Most of them are located fin lwl nervations, containing W.l 10.521 acres of land. About 110.10) of these Indians have, to a brre degree, a dot) tod civilized customs. Lands in several Territories hav e been allotted to mvu- of them. Such allotments have been in do to 10.ro individuals dnrmr the last iiacal year, embracing about l OjO.lOO acres. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The report of the Secretary of Agriculture will bo fouud exceedingly interesting.

On the 7th day of March, 1803, thero were upon the pay-rolls . 430 employes of tho department. Ths number has been i i . i .- . . . I . : i . . I

reuucen io i.jmu person, uurmg win iirsL quarter of the present year tho expenses of tho department aggregated M45.S7G 76 against fto-,0l3. 42 for the corresponding period of the fiscal year ending June 30. 18 ;3. The Secretary makes apparent his intention to continue this rate of reduction by submitting estimates for tho next tiscal vear, less by $jH,2.S0 than those for the present year. CIVtT. SERVICE LAW. Tho continued Intelligent execution of the civil service law and the increased approval by the people of its operation are most eratifvhig. The recent extension of its limitations and regulations to the employes at freo delivery pnu offices, which has been honestly and promptly neeoanp I is hod by tho commission, with the hearty co-operation of the I'ostiuaster- ( neral. is an immensely important advance in the usefulness of tho system. REFORM OF THE TARIFF. Economy in public expenditure is a duty that cannot innocently bo neglected by those intruste with the control of money

drawn from the people for oubllc uses. It must be confessed that our apparently endless resources, the familiarity of our people with immense accumulations of wealth, tho growing sentiment amoBp them that the expenditure of piiWJc money should in some manner be to their immediate and personal advantage tua indirect and almost stealthy manuer m which a large part of our taxes are exacted and a uegenerated sense of official accountability have led to growing extravagance in governmental appropriations. At this time, when a depleted public treasury confronts us, when many of our people are engaged in a struggle for the necessities of life, and when lorcoci economy is pressing upon the great maw of our countrymen, I desire to urge with all the earnestness at mv command that Congressional legislation be so limited by strict economy as to exhibit an appreciation of tho condition of the Treasury and a sympathy with the straitened circumstances ofjour fellow-citizens. Manifestly, if we are to aid the people directly through tariff reform, oue of it most obvious features should bo a reduction in the present tariff charges upon the necessaries of life. The benehts of such ft reduction would be palpable and substantial, seen and felt by thousands, who would be better fed, better clothed and better sheltered. These gifts should bo the willing benefactions of a Government whose highest function is the promotion of the welfare of the people. Not less closely related to our people' prosperity and well-being is tho removal of restrictions upon the importation of raw materials necessary to our manufactures. The world should be open to our national ingenuity and enterprise. This cannot, be while Federal legislation, through the impositiomof high tariff, forbids to American manufacturers as cheap materials as those used by their competitors, A measure has been prepared by the appropriate Congressional committee embodying tariff reform on the lines herein suffgested, which will be promptly submitted for legislative action. It is the resuit of much patriotic and unseilish work, and I believe it deals with its subject consistently and as thoroughly as existing conditions permit. I am satisfied that the reduced tariff duties provided for in the proposed legislation, added to existing internal revenue taxation will, in the near future, though, perhaps, not immediately produce sufficient revenue to meet the needs of the Government. In my great desire for the success of this measure, 1 cannot restrain the suggestion that its success can only be attained by means of unseilish counsel on the partol tho friends of tariff reform and as result of their willingness to subordinate per sonal desires and ambitions to the general good. The local interests affected by the proposed reform are so numerous and so varied that if all are insisted upon the legislation embodying the reform will inevitably fail. THE PRESIDENT'S CONCLUSION. In conclusion my intense feeling of responsibility impels mo to invoke, for the manifold interests of a generous and contiding people, the most scrupulous care, and pledge my willing support to every legislative effort for the advancement of the greatness and prosperity of our beloved country. Groves ClevelandTHE COUNTRY NEWSPAPER. . Influence Wielded by the Rural ; Press Its Responsibilities. There is a place and au opportunity not to be despised for the country newspaper worker, and with this, as with every large opportunity, a serious obligation to careful, thoroug-h, honest work, writes Edwin A. Stare, in the New England Magazine. It is not too much to say there is no better field for t n intelligent, well-equipped man of large sympathies and vigorous personality than the editorial chair of a country newspaper, nor in there a position whicn places upon a man greater duties to the community in which he lives. The editors of the great metropolitan newspapers rest on the heigths of impersonal journalism, flinging their thunderbolts with a freedom born of almost entire personal irresponsibility; and while the thunderbolts are io great part shattered on the rocks below, the country editor walks with the multitude in the valley, gives the weight of his personality to the impersonal words of his paper, which come to the people like the warm handclasp of a friend, measures his words in accordance with the peculiarities of his constituents, and influences the thought and feeling of hundreds where the thunderbolt ol the unapproachable Jove strikes oneIt was a successful country editor in a thriving Massachusetts town who once sagely remarked that, if he were a candidate for oftioe, and must take his chunce between the combined support of the metropolitan dailies and that of the country press, he would choose tho latter, and accept with equanimity the hostility of his city brethren. Every country editor knows that he was riarhu The t reat dailiea, so-called, are ieceived in the abstract as venders of the world's news. Their resources in this direction are great and cannot in the nature of things be rivaled by those at the command of country papers of limited circulation. But the country pa per comes closer to the hearts of the people at large, it is more thoroughly lead, and it has an influence the greater because it is one of the unrealised, every-day forces of life It is held rigidly to account for the hoaesty and fairness of its utterances. It cannot p Im ol! upon its readers what are known in tho slang of tao newspaper fraternity as "lakes;" It must be reliable first of all. Neither can it violate moral decency tfo any marked extent and prosper, as can its neighbors in the great cities. In most communities, in Now England, at least, its constituency is largely found in the churches, and will not tolerate vulgarity. The country newspaper stand to dwellers outside the large cities in the place of a friend and regular home visitor, and it is essential above all things that it maintain re good character and good breeding that are required of other friends, if it would keep wurm its welcome in tho home circle. The oldest livin? criminal ia the United States is John Mount, of Cov.nton, Ky He was a pood one in his clays. Hn is now nearly ninety years of ag.s, aud 3fLy-aix yoars of his hfo have boen su-int in Various penitentiaries in Uio United States, He has committed almost every ctniu oxoept that of murder. He is living u very ft e eluded life ut present, aud seldom gos ou tu utroou. It Is claimed that phosptiato is found ia

only three places throughout tho Unite States fcJouta Carolina, New .-Mexico und Florida, la New Mexico it is about ex h. timed, while iu Florida it is more exten

sive thau m South Crouua uud 3 per ceut more.