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About Plattsmouth weekly journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1881-1901 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1894)
0? Li HIS ANNUAL MESSAGE -J Oi I PreBldent Cleveland Writes Topioa of tna Times. HIS REC0MEXDATI03S TO CONGRESS. tXm Favors a Redaction of the Iaty c 6u(tar Interesting Statistics from the Various Departments Snpport the Recent Issue of Honda. Washington. Dec 8. The fallowing la a Bynopsis of President Cleveland's annual message read at the opening of the second session of the Fifty-third conpress: to thi rrosoREss or ths Umro Statks: The assemblage within the nation's legislative balls of those charged with the duty of mak iug laws for the benefit of a generous and free people Impressively suggests ihe exacting ob ligation and inexorable responsibility involved in their task. At the threshold of such labor flow to be undertaken by the congress of the United Stntes and in the discharge of an ex ecutive duty enjoined by the cot stitutlon I submit this communication, containing a brlof statement of the condition of our national af fairs, and recommending such legislation as seems to mo necessary and expedient. Helgiain's Needless Ke.strlctlons. I have endeavored to Impress upon the Pel clan government the neeeilessness and positive karmtulucss of its restrictions upon the im portation of certain of our foixl products, and Lave strongly urged that the rigid s jpervision and inspection under our laws are amply; suf ficient to prevent the exportation from this country of diseased cattle and unwholesome Our Course In Brazil. The termination of the civil war In Brazil i has been followed by the general prevalence of peace and order. It appearing at an early stage of the insurrection that its course would CRli for unusual watcniuiness on ine pan oi this government, our naval force in the harbor of Rio do Janeiro was strengthened. This pre caution. I am satisfied, tended to restrict the issue to a simple trial of strength between the Brazilian covernment and the insurgents and to avert complications which at times seemed Imminent. lioclprocity Treaty Abrogated. Although the government of Brazil was duly notified that the commercial arrangement ex isting between the United Status and that country, based on the third section of the tariff set of 1890. as abrogated on August 28. 1894. by the taking effect of the tariff law now in force, that government subsequently notified us of Its intention to terminate such arrangement on the first day of January. 1805. In the exer cise of the right reserved in the agreement between the two countries. I invite attention to tho correspondence between t he secretary or state and the Brazilian minister on this subject. Chilian. Claims. The commission organized under the conven tion which wo had entered Into with Chill for the settlement of the outstanding claims of each government against the other, adjourned bt the end of the period stipulated for its con tinuance, leaving undetermined a number of American cas-a which had been duly present ed, 'these claims are not barred and negotia tions are In progress for their submission to a dew tribunal New Treaty with China. On the 17th of March last a new treaty with China in further regulation of immigration was higned at Washington and on August 13 It received the sanction of the senate. Ratification on the pirt of China and formal exchange ore awaited to give effect to this mutually beneficial convention. Mediation. Between China and Japan. A gratifying- recognition of the uniform Im partiality of this country towards all foreign states was manifested by the coincident re quest of the Chinese and Japinese govern ments that the agents of the United States should, within proper limits, afford protection to the subjects of the oth?r daring the suspen sion of dipiomatlc relations due to a state of wr.r.- Tho delicate office was accepted, and a misapprehension which gave rise to the belief that in effording this kindly unofficial pro tection our agents would exercise tho same authority which the withdrawn agents of the belligerents has exercised was promptly cor rected. Although the war between Cnina and Japan endangers no policy of ths United States It deserves our gravest consideration, by rea son of its disturbance of our growing coru tnerce intei ests in the two countries. Germany Embargo on Our Beef. Acting upon the reported discovery of Texas ;fevcr in cargoes of American cattle, the Ger man prohibition against importations, of live stock and fresh meats from tais country has lcen revived. It Is hoped that Germany will soon become convinced that tho inhibition is as needless as it Is harmful to mutoal in te rests. .Favors Tartlal Repeal of luty on Sugar. The German govercrasnt has protested .agi.lnst that provision of the customs tari3 act which imposes a discriminating duty of one Henth of a cent a pound on sugars coming f roan countries paying an export bounty thereoa. claiming th it the exaction of such duty is in contravention of articles mve and nine of the treaty of le.8 with Prussia. in the interests of the commorce of both countries and to avoid even the accusation of treaty violation. I recommend the repeal of so much of the statute as imposes that duty. lchrin Sea Controversy. Enrly In the present year nn agreement was reached with Great Britain concerning instruc tions to be given to the naval commanders of the two governments in Behring sea and the nt:guous north Pacific ocean for their guid ance In the execution of the award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration and the enforce ment of regulations therein prescribed, for the protection, of seal life In the waters mentioned. An understanding has also been reached for the payment by the United States of fcl.SCJo. in fall satisfaction of ail claims v.fcich :nav be made by Great Britain for dam ages growing out of the controversy as to fur alV.n "Bearing sea o' he "!,u f BriUsh ;,.u -,MC,,in tikinir seal in those waters lSllVdtXto m'mitorioxtdrmmKdtiiK frts n,i r,rin. a great extent determined the facts and prin ciples upon wnicn tnese claims snouia oe aa Justo !, and they have been subjected by both governments to a thomugh examination upon t.ic pr.nciplcs as well as the facts which they Involve. I om convinced that a settlement upon the U-rais mentioned would be an equita bio and advantageous one. ami I recommend t'.iat provision bo made for the prompt pay ment or the stated sum. Thus far only Prance and Portugal have signified their willingness to adhere to the regulations established under tho award of the Paris tribunal of arbitration, Recognition of the Hawaiian Republic. SiD o communicating the voluminous corre spondence in regard to Hawaii and the action taken by the senate and house of representa tives on certaiD questions submitted to the Juc'gniunt and wider discretion of congress, the organization of a government in place of tho irovision.il arrangement which followed the deposition of the queen has been announced, with ovidenco of Its effective operation. The recognition usual in such ca.ses has been ac corded the new government. Relations with Mexico. Good will fostered by many Interests In common has marked our relations with our nearest southern neighbor. Peace being re stored along her northern frontier. Mexico has asked the punishment of tho late disturbers of ucr iraiiqu.niiy. iu. ""- country to take tne place oi tne one wnicn ter tninitol thirteen years ago. The friendliness of the Intercourse between the two countries is attested by tho fact that during this long period tho 'commerce of each has steadily In creased under thu rule of mutual considera tion, being neither stimulated by conventional arrangements nor retarded by jealous rivalries or selfish distrust. The Rio Grande. The problem of the storage and use of the waters of the Klo Grande for irrigation should be solved bv appropriate concurrent action of the two interested countries. Rising in the Colorado heights, the stream flows intcrmlt tentlv. yielding little water during the dry months to the irrigating channels already con structed along its course. This scarcity is often severely foit in tne regions wnere tne river forms a common boundary. Moreover the frequent changes In its course through level sands often raise embarrassing questions of territorial jurisdiction. . The Minefields Incident. Prominent among the questions of the year was f.he Biucfields incident, in what is known as th Mosquito Indian strip, bordering on the Atlantic ocean .nd within th jurisdiction of Nicaragua. By the treaty oT 18eo between Great Britain and Nicaragua the former gov ernment express.lv recognized he sovereignty of tho latter over the htrip. and a limited form of self-government was guaranteed to the JJosquito Indians, to be exerclsod acoording to their customs, for themselves and other dwellers within Its limits. The so-called na tive government, which grew to be largsly made up of aliens, for many year disputed the sovereignty of Nicaragua over the atrip and claimed the right to maintain therein a practically independent municipal govern tnot . ' .ttw .a past effort years of Nicaragua to maintatu sovereignty over the Mosquito territory led to serious disturbances, culminating in the suppression of the native L-nvnrnmcnt and the attemoted substitution of an impracticable composite administration, in which Nicaragua and alien resid;uts were to participate, r allure was followed by an In surrection which for a time obstructed Nlcura guan rule, expelling her officers and restoring the old organization. This in t am gave place to the existing local government establishing and upheld by Nicaragua. Threatened Disturbances In I'rrn. Peru. I regret to say. show symptoms of do mestic disturbance due prooably to the slow ness of her recuperation from the distresses of the war of 1881. Weakened in resources, her difficulties in facing international obligations invito our kindly sympathy and justify our forbearance in pressing long pending claims. I have felt constrained to testify this sympa thy in connection with certain demands ur gently preferred by othe r powers. Relations with Ttussiii.""" The sealing Interest of Kussla In Behring sea are second only to our own. A modus Vi vendi has therefore been concluded with the Imperial government restrictive if pouching on the Russian rookeries and of sealing in waters which were not comprehended in the protectea area defined in the Paris award. Occasion has been found to urge upon the Russian government equality of trentment for our great life Insurance uoinpanles whose op erations hare been extended throughout Europe. Admitting, as we do. foreign corpora tions to transact business in the United States, we naturally exoct no less tolerance for our own In the ample fields of competition abroad. Salvudorluns Sheltered. The government of Salvador hnving been overthrown by nn abrupt popular outbreak, certain of its military and civil officers, while hotly pursued by infuria'ed insurgents, sought rrfuiie on board the Uoitod States warship Bennington, then lying in a Salvadorian port. Altr?u?h the practice of asylum is not favored by this government, yet. In view of the imminent peril which threat ened the fugitives, and solely from considera tions of humanity, they were afforded shelter bv our naval commander, and when afterwnrds demanded unde r our treaty of extradition with Salvador for trial on charges of murder, arson and robltr-rv. I directed that such of them as had not voluntarily lelt the ship bo conveyed to one of our nearest ports, where a hearing conld be had le'ore a judicial ofilcer. in compliance with th terms of the treaty. On their arrival St Sita Francisco such a proceed ing wrs promptly instituted before the United States district Judge, who held that the acts constituting the alleged offenses were political, and discharged air the accused ex cept cne Cionfuegos. who was held lor an at tempt to murder. Thereupon I was constrained to dirict his release, for the reason that an at temp? to murder was not one of the crimes charged against him and upon which his sur render to tho Salvadorian authorities had beec iemanded. Remonstrance with Jpaln. Ufreasona'ole and unjust fines imposed by Spain on the vessels and commerce of the United States have demanded from time to time during tho last twenty years earnest re monstrance on the part of our government. In the immediate past exorbitant penalties have been imposed upon our vessels and goods by customs authorities of Cubit and Porto Rico for clerical errors of the most trivial character in the manifests or bills of lading. In some cases fines amounting to thousands of dollars btive been levied upon cargoes or the carrying vessels when the goods in question were entitled to free entry. Pines have been exacted even when the error b.vi been detected and the Spanish authorities no tified before the arrival of the goods In port. Tnrkey and I ho Armenians. In my last annual message I adverted to the claim on the part of Turkey of the right to ex pel, as persons undesirable and dangerous. Armenians naturalized In the United Stares and returning to Turkish jurisdiction. Nu merous questions lu this relation nave arisen. While this government acquiesces in the as serted rtght of expulsion it would not consent that Armenians may bo Imprisoned or other wise punished for no other reason than hr.vlng acquired without Imperial consent American citizenship. Disturbances in Samoa. In my last annual message I referred briefly to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in Samoa "un der the operation of tbe Berlin treaty as signally Illustrating the impolicy of entangling alliances with foreign powers, and on May 9. Is91. In re sponse to a resolution of the seuai?. I sent a special message and documents to that bodv on the same subject which emphasised my previously expressed opinions. Later occurrences, the correspondence in re gard to which will be laid before congress, further demonstrate that the government which was devised by the three powers and forced ujxm the Samoans uiralnst their inveterate hostility can be maintained only by continued presence of for eign military f orco and at no small sacrifice of life and treasure. Kevrnne Receipts. The secretary of the treasury reports that the receipts of the government from all sources I of revenue during the fiscal venr ending June 30. 1894. amounted to $37. NX:. 498 29. and its ex penditures to j-H2.C0o.7o8.s7. icav.ng a deficit of 59 M3.2) 58. There was a decrease of $15 .952. 6T4.fJ in the ordinary expenses of the govern ment, as compared with the fiscal year 1893. There was collected from customs J!3118. 630.62. and from Internal revenue t147.1'J8.4J9 70. The balance of the income for the year, amounting to t93.8la.5IT.97. was derived from the sales of lands and other sources. Imports and Exports. Th value of our dutiable imports amounted to :.75.199.086, being $146.6.17.025 less than (luring the preceding year, and the importations free of duty amounted to $379,793.5:56. being 69,748. 675 less than during tho preceding year. The receipts from customs were 73 5t5.4s6 11 less, and from Internal revenue S14.S3d.o3rf.87 less than in lSl'3. The total tax collected from distilled spirits was )"5.i53.s50 25: on manufactured tobacco, ?2 617,893.62. and on fermented liquors. $31,414. 78104. Our export of merchandise, domestic and foreign, amounted during the year to $89! 140. 572. being an increase over the preceding year Of $44,495,373. Movement of Gold and silver. The total amount of gold exported during trie uscal year was 37S.sus.uoi . as against Sl'-H &etfl?Sn TOT-TSJ imported was t-2.4-lU.113. as against ?iil,l4.sl .P'vio. ear The imports of.sll- ver were ilJ.&Q.JoS, and ths exports were sjO.- 431 .-'jO. Snpar Rounty. The total bounty paid upon the productlonof sugar in the United States for the fiscal year was 812.10J.203.8a. being an increase of i.7J5.- 078 01 over tne payments mnrto during the pre ceding year. The amount of bounty paid from July 1. Ism. to August -is. lm. the time when further payments cea?ed by operation of law. was &JC4.1H.VH4. The total expense incurred In the payment of th bountv upon sugar during the fiscal year was $130 140 85. An estimated Deficit. It Is estimated that upon the b3sls of our present revenue laws the receipts of the gov ernment during the current fiscal year ending June 30. 189n. wiil be i.4;7.74S 44 and Its ex penditures 444,47.748. 11, resulting iu a deficit of tL'O.OJO.U.iu. The Circulation. On the first day of November. 1K4. the total stock of money of all kinds in the country was ta.40.773.888. us against i2.i0. 651.000 on the 1st of November, lsyi, and the money of all kinds in circulation or not in'. luded in the treasury holdings was $ 1.673.093. 4'JS. or 24.i7 per capiu upon an estimated population of B-t.887.oou Purchase of Silver Bullion. At the same date there was held In the treas- ury KO,(J Du511on amounting to (44.615.177.55 and i silver bullion wiilcn was purchased nt a cost of li7.770.y8- T.1c purchase of sliver bullion un der the act of July 14. ls&o. ceased on the first day of November, 1Sj3. and up to that time there had been purchased during the fiscal year 11.617,658.78 fine ounces, at a cost of J8.715.- 611.33, an average cost of fo.7;U3 Der fine ounce. The total amount of silver purchased from the time that law took effect until tho repeal of its purchasing clause, on the date last mentioned, was 188 674.682.53 fine ounces, which cost $155, 31, 00 !.!:. the average price per fine ounce be ing yj.Vii. Coinage. The total amount of standard silver dollars coined at tho mints of the United Statos since I the passage of the act of February 1878. is i t .'1.770.409, of which g378.163.793 were coined I under the provisions of that act. $38.531. 14 under the provisions of the act of July 14. 1890. and 46.078.472 under tho act providing for the coinage of trade-dollar bullion The total coinage of all metals of our mints an ring the last nscal year consisted of 68.485.- 30 pieces, valued at $106.216.730. Od. of which there were S99.474.B12.5J in gold coined; ?75i in standard silver dollars: $9 024.140.30 in sub sidiary silver com. and $716,919.26 in minor coin. During the calendar year 1S93 the production of precious metals In the United States was estimated at l.7iy,33 line ounces of gold, of the commercial and coinage value of $35.B.V.!Xio and 60.000.000 fine ounces of silver of the bullion or market value of $41,800,000 and of the oola age value of S77.576.C0O. National Banks. Fifty national banks were organized during the year ending October 31. 1894. with a capital of J5.2S5.OX). and seven ty-nino with a capital of $;i.475.000. wont iu voluntary liquidation. Twenty-one banks, with a capital of $2,770 0-X). were placed In the hands of receivers. The total number of national banks la existence on the 91st day of October last, was 3.T56. being 40 less than on the 31st day of October. 1898. The capital stock paid in was $672,671,305. being $9,678,491 less than at the same time in the previous year, and the surplus fund and undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid, amounted to $334,121,082.10. which was lie.089,780 less than on October 31, 1803. The Army. From the report of the secretary of war It appears that the strencth of tho array on Sep tember 30, 1804. was 2.135 officers und 25.705 en listed men. Although this is apparently a very slight decrease compared with the previous year, the actual effective force has been Increased to the equivalent of nearly two regiments through the reorganiza tion of tho syRtem of recruiting and the consequent release to regimental duty of the large force of men hitherto serving at the recruiting depots. The abolition of these depots, it Is predicted, will furthermore effect an annual reduction approximating i)2o0.000 in the direct expenditures, besides promoting generally the health, morals and discipline of the troops. Should Have Its Full Legal Strength. thile the maximum legal strength of the army Is e,5.000 men. the effectlvo strength, through various causes, is but little over 20.000 men. Tho purpose of congress does not. there fore, seem to be fully attained by the existing condition. While -no considerable increase in the army is In my Judgment demanded by re cent events, the policy of sea coast fortification in tho prosecution of which w have been steadily engaged for some years has so far developed as to Bugzest that tho effective strength of the army be now made at least oqual to the legal strength. Anuy and the Strikes. It Is hardly necessary to recall the fact thato in obedience to tne commands or mo constitu tion and tho laws, end for the purpose of pro tecting the property of the United States, aid ing the process of federal courts and removing lawless obstructions to the perfirmaneo by tho government of Its legitimate functions, it be came necessary in various localities during tho year to employ a considerable portion of the regular troops. Tho duty was discharged promptly, courageously and with marked dis cretion by the officers and men. Kxpenses of the War Department. The total expenditures for the war depart ment for the vear ended June 30. lsi-4. amount ed to ?.V1.03y.OOrf.34. Of this sum. 92.OUO.61 4 99 was for salaries and contingent expenses. $21,005 154 16 for the support oft he military establishments. $5,001 23 for miscellaneous objects and '525, ar 1.555. 96 for public works. This latter sum in cludes $:9.i'.4.037.49 for river and harbor im provements and $3,947,863.56 for fortifications and other works of defense. Tho appropria tions for tho current year aggregate 52. 429. 112.78. and the estimates submitted by the sec retary of war for tho next fiscal year call for appropriations amounting to o2.318.8v.55. The Militia. The total enrollment of the militia of the seycral stales is 1 1 7.533 officors and enlisted men. an increase of 5.343 over the number reported a, the close of the previous year. The reports of militia Inspections by regular army oncers show a marked increase In lnt3restnnd effi ciency among the state organizations, and I strongly recommend a continuance of tho pol Icy of affording every practical encouragement possible to this important auxiliary of our mil itary establishment. Further Honors for Gen. Sehofleld. In recogn tion of the long and distinguished military service and faithful discharge of del icate and responsible. civil duties by Maj. Gen. John M. Schorteld. now the general command ing the army, it is suggested to congress that the temporary revival of the grade of lieuten ant general in his beh ilf would be a just and gracious act, and would permit his retirement, now near at hand, wltu rank befitting his merits. More Courts Needed. The report of the attorney general notes the gratifying progress made by the supreme court in overcoming the arrears of Its business and in reaching a condition in which it will be able to dii-posts of cases as they arise without any unreasonable delay. This result is. of course, very largely due to the successful workin? of the plan inauguratingcircuit courts of appeals. In respect to these tribunals the suggestion is made. In quarters entitled to the highest consideration, that aa additional cir cuit judfc-e for each circuit would greatly strengthen these courts and the confidence reposed in their adjudications, and that such an addition would not create a greater force of judges than the increasing business of such courts requires. 1 commend the suggestion to the careful consideration of the congress. Federal Prisoner!. Eight years ago. in my urged upon the congress annual message. I a strongly Tas I could the location anu construction of two prisons for tho confinement of United States prisoners. A similar recommendation hus been made from time to time since, and a fw yearr ago a law was passed providing for tho selection of sites for three such institutions. No ai-proprttitlon has. however, been made tocarry the act Into effect, and the old and discred itable condition aliU exists. The Postal Service. The report cf the postmaster-general pre sents a comprehensive statement of" tho op erations of tho post office department for the last fiscal year. The receipts of the depart ment during the year amounted to 75.lO,4ry.04 and the expenditures to jM. 34 414.15. 1 lie transactions of the postal service indicate with barometric certainty the fluctuation in the business of tho country. Inasmuch, tare fore, as business complications continued to exist throughout the last year to an unfore seen extent it is not surprising that the deficiency of revenue to meet the expendi tures of the post office department, wnlch was estimated in advance at about $8,000,000 should be exceeded by nearly ii50.- uoa Reform In Second Class Matter. The expenditures Increase steadily and nec essarily with the growth and needs of the country so that the deficiency is greater or less in any year depending upon the volume or receipts. The postmaster general states that this deficiency is unnecessary and might be ob viated at once If l&e law regulating rates upon mail matter of the second class was modified. The rate received for the transmission of this second-class matter Is one cent per pound. while the cost of such transmission to the gov ernment Is eight times that amount. la the general terms of the law this rate covers newspapers and periodical. The extensions of the meaning of these terms from time to time have admitted to the privileges Intended for legitimate newspaiwrs and periodicals a surprising range of publica tions and creuled wbuses the cost of which amounts In the aggregate to the total deficiency i of the post orace department. Growth of the Service. The total number of post olflces In the United States on the 3ith day of June, lsi4. was 6o,8o5, an increase of l.U over the preceding year. Of these 3.4-J8 were presidential, an increase of tnat class of s over tne preceding year. slx hundred and ten cities and towns are provided with free delivery. Ninety-three other cities and ton es entitled to this service under the law have not been accorded it on account of insuiilcient lunds. The expense of free deliv ery for tho ctirrent fiscal year will be more than (312. 300.000 and under existing legislation this Item of expenditure Is subject to constant increase. 'Ihe estimated cost of rural free de livery generally is so very large that it ou;ht not to bo considered in the present condition of affairs. Burins; the year 830 additional do mestic money-order offices were established. The total number of these offices ut the close of the year was 19.231. There were 14 Soi 041 money orders issued during the year, being an tucroa.se over the preceding year of 994.306 The value of ta'sse orders amounted to $138. 7KV &79.41. an increase of $11,217,145.84. There were also issued during the year postal notus amounting to $12,649 091.55. During the year 2ia international money or der orllcers were added to those already estab lished, making a total of 2.025 such offices in operation June 30, im4. The number of inter national money orders issued during the year was 917.8:3. a decrease In number of 138.176: and their value was $13,792,455.31, a decrease in amount of $.'.549,382.55. 'Ihe number of orders f iaid was 361M80. an Increase over the preced ng vear of 60.263. and their value was $6.5C8. 4U3.78. an increase of $1.2S5.118.08. From tho foregoing statements it ayrmor that the total issue of money orders and postal notes for the year amounted to $105,233,129.35. The number of letters and packages mailed duntng the year for special delivery wasT3.3. 970. The special delivery stamps used upon these letters and packages amounted to $343. 697. The messengers' fees paid for their de livery amounted to $261,209.70. leaving a balance in favor of the government of $82,437.30. The Navy. Attention is called to the report of the sec retary of ths navy, which shows very gratify ing progress In the coastructlon of ships for our new navy. All tho vessels now building, in cluding the three torpedo boats authorized at tho last session of congress and excepting the first-class battleship Iowa, will probably be pomme.ted during the coming tlscai year The estimates for the Increase of the navy for the year ending June 8J. 1896. are large, but they include practically me enure sum neces-' sary to complete and equip all the new ships not now in commission, so that unless new ships ore authorized the appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending Juno So, 1897, should fall below the estimates for the oomlug year by at least $12,000.0031 More Battleship Needed. The secretary presents with mtioh earnest ness a plea for the authorization of three ad ditional battleships and ten or twelve torpedo boats. While tho unarmore4 vessels hereto fore authorized, including those now nearlog completion, will constitute a fleet, which tt la believed Is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur poses in time of peace, we have now completed and in process of construction but four first class battleships and but few torpedo boats. The manufacture of armor requires ex pensive plant und the aggregation of many skilled workmen. All the armor necessary to complete the vessels now building will be de livered before the 1st of June next. If no new contracts are given out contractors must dis band their workmen and their plants must lie idle. Battleships authorized at this time would not bes well under way until late la the coming fiscal year, and at least three years and a half from the date of the contract would be required for their comp'etlon. The secretary states that not more than 15 per cent, of the cost of such ships need be included in the ap propriation for the coming year. I recommend that provision tie maicfor the construction of additional battleships and torpedo boats. The secretary recommends the manufacture not only of a reserve supply of ordnance and ordnance material for ships of the navy, but also a supply for the auxiliary fleet. Guns and their appurtenances should be provided and kept on hand for both these purpooTT We have not to-day a single gun that could be put upon the ships Paris or New York of the Inter national Navigation company or any other ship of our reserve navy. The manufacture of puns at the Washington navy yard is proceed ing satisfactorily, and none of our new ships will be required to wait for their guns or ord nance equipment. Civil Service In the Navy. The system adopted a few years ago regulat ing the employment of labor at the navy yards Is rigidly upheld and has fully demon strated lis usefulness and expedien"y. It Is within the domain of civil service reform Inasmuch os workmen are employed through a board of labor selected at each navy yard and are given work without referenoo to politics and In the order of th-Mr application, prefer ence, however, bcla? uiven t army and navy veterans and those having former navy yard experience. Amendments suggested by ex perience Lave been made to the rules regulat ing the system. Through its operation the work at our navy yards has been vastly Im proved In efficiency and the opportunity to work has been honestly and fairiy awarded to willing and competent applicants. It Is hoped that if this system continues to be strictly adhered to there will soon be as a natural consequence such an equaliza tion of party benefits as will remove al temptation to relax or abandon it. The Public Domain. The report of the secretary of the interior exhibits the situation of the numerous and in teresting branches of the public service con nected with his department. I commend this report and the valuable recommendations of the secretary to the careful attentiei of the congress. The public land disposed of during tho year amounted to 10.40t5.1PU.77 acres. Including 28.876.05 of Indian lands. It Is estimated that the public domain still remaining amounts to a little more man 600.08 .000 acres, including, however, about 360,ijou.()0) acres In Alaska as well as military reservation i and railroad and other selections of lauds yet unadjudfeated. The total cash re ceipts from sale rf lands amounted to $2,671. 285.79 Including S91.9S1.03 received for Indian lands. Thirty-five thousand patents were is sued for agricultural landj ond 3.100 patents were issued to Indians on allotments of their lands in severalty, the land so allotted belrg Inalienable by the Indian al ott3?s for a period of twenty-rttve years after patant. They' were certified and patented on account of railroad and wagon road grants during the year. During tho year 805 5"l. 4 acres of land und nt the close of the year 29.0O0.OU0 acres were embraced in the lists of selections made by railroad and wagon-road companies and awaited settlement. The se lections of swamp lands and that taken as in demnity therefor since the passage of the act providing for the same in 1819. amount to nearly or quite 8 J.500.O-)O acres, of which 58.KO. 0!0 have been patented to states. About 138. 000 acres were patented during the last year. Nearly 820.0iO acres of school aud education grants were approved during the year, and at its close l.C80.:!G3.8l acres remained unadjusted. Protertlon of the Lnnds. It appears that the appropriation for the current year on account of special service for the protection of the public lands and the tim ber thereon is much less than those for pre vious years and inadequate for an efficient per formance of the work. A larger sum of money than has been appropriated during a number of years past on this account has been re turned to the government as a result of the labors of those employed la the particular service mentioned, and I hope it will not be crippled by insufficient appropriation. 1 fully indorse the recommendation of the secretary that adequate protection be provided for our forest reserves, and that a comprehensive for estry system bo inaugurated. Such keepers nnd'superintendents as are necessary to pro tect the forests already reserved should be provided. I am of the opinion that there should be an abandonment of the policy sanc tioned by present laws under which the gov ernment for a very small consideration is rap idly losing title to immense tracts of land cov ered with timber which should be properly re served as permanent sources of timber supply. A Laud Court Needed. An exceedingly Important recommendation of tho secretary relator to the manner In which contests and litigated cases growing out of efforts to obtain government land are deter mined. The entire testimony upon which these controversies dcend in all their stages is taken before the local registers and receivers, and vet these officers have no power to subpoena witnesses or to enforce their attendance to testify. These cases, numbering 3 000 or4.0(K aunuaily. are sent by the local officers to the commissioner of the general land office for his action. The exigencies of his other duties oiiiige him to act upon the decisions of the reg- lsteis and receivers without an opportunity of thorough personal examination. Nearly J.ixw of these cases are appealed annually from the commissioner to the secretary of the Interior. Burdened with other Important ad ministrative duties, his determination of these appeals must be almost perfunctory and based upon the examination of others, though this determination of the secretary operates as a final adjudication upon rights of vory great importance. I concur in the opinion that the commissioner of the general land office should be relieved from the duty of de ciding litigated land cases; that a nonpartisan court should be created to pass on such cases, and that the decisions of this clurt should, be final, at least so far as the decisions' of the department are now final. Allotments In Severalty. I have always believed that allotments of reservation lands to Indians in severalty should be made sparingly or at least slowly and with the utmost caution. In these days when white agriculturists and stock raisers or experience and intelligence find their lot a hard one. we ought not to expect Indians, unless far ad vanced in civilization and habits of industry to support themselves on tho small tracts of land usually allotted to them. If the self-supporting scheme by allotment fails the wretched pauperism or mo uiiottees waicn resuiis is worse than their original condition of regu lated dependence It is evident that the evil consequences of 111 advised allotments are In tensified In cases where tho false step cannot be retreated on account of the purchase by the government of reservation lands remaining after allotments are made and the disposition of such remaining lands to settlers or pur chasers from the government. Honesty In Dealing with the Indians. Whenever allotments are made and any In dian on the reservation has previously settled uoon a lot and cultivated it. or shown a dis position to Improve it In any way. such lot should certainly be allotted to him and this should be made plainly obligatory by statute. In the light of experience, and considering the uncertainty of the Indian situation and its exi gencies Id the future. I am not onlv dis posed to be very cautious In making al lotments, but I incline to agree with the secretary of the Interior in the opinion that when allotments are made the balance of reservation land remaining after allotment. Instead of being bought by the govermneut from the Indians aud opened lor settlement with such scandals and unfair practices as seem unavoidable, should remain for a time at least as common land or be sold by the government on behalf of the Indians in on orderly way and at fixed prices, to be deter mined by its location and desirability, and that the proceeds, less expenses, should be held in trust for the benefit of the Indian pro prietor. Indian Schools. The intelligent Indian school management of the past year has been followed by gratify ing results. Efforts have been made to ad vance the work in a sound and practical man ner. Five Institutes of Indian teachers have been treid during the year and have proved very beneficial through the views exchanged aud methods discussed, particularly applicable to Indian education. Efforts are being made In the direction of a gradual reduction of the number of Indian contract schools, so that In a comparatively short time they may give way altogether to government schools, and It Is hoped that the change may be so gradual as to be perfected without too great exponse to the irovernment or undue disregard of Investments made bv those who have established and are maintaining such contract schools. Pensions. At the close of the last fiscal year, on the 30th of June. 1894. there were 999. Ml persons on our pension rolls, being a net Increase of 3.53V over the number reported at the end of the previous year. These pensioners may be classified as follows: Soldiers and sailors survivors of all wars. 753.968; widow and rel atives of deceased soldiers. 215.102; army nurses in the war of the rebellion, 414. Of these pensioners 32.039 arc surviving soldiers of Indian and other wvrs prior to ths late elrll war. and the widows and relatives of such sol diers. The remainder, numbering 937,505, are receiving pensions on account of the war of the rebellion, and of these 469.344 are on the rolls under the authority of the act of June 27. 1890, sometimes called the dependent pension law. The total amount expended for pensions during the year was $139,804,481.05. leaving an unexpended4ialance from the sum appropri ated of $i",20ftl2.6j. The sum necessary to meet pension expenditures for the vear ending June 30. 1S96. is estimated at $140,000,000 Pension Frauds. The barefaced and extensive pension frauds exposed under the direction of the courageous und generous veteran soldier now at the head of tho bureau leaves no room for the claim that no purgation of our ppnslon rolls was needed or that continued vigilance and prompt action are not necessary to the same end. The accusation that an effort to detect pension frauds Is evidence of unfriendliness towards our worthy veterans, and a denial of their claims to the generosity of the government, suggests an unfortunate Indifference to the commission of any offense which has for its motive the securing of a pension and indicates a willingness to be blind to the existence of mean and treacherous crimes which piny upon demagogic fears and make sport of the patri otic impulse of a grateful people Kleventli Census. The completion of the eleventh census Is now In charge of ths commissioner of labor. The total disbursements onViceount of tho work for the fiscal vear ending June 30. isu4, amounted to $l0.3'".r.676.81. At the closo of the year the number of persons employed in the census office was 079. At pres ?nt there are about 401. The whole number of volumes nec essary to comprehend the eleventh census will be twenty-tlvu, and they will contain 22.270 pri-nted pipes. Tho as.suranoe is confidently made that before the close, of the presijnt cal endar year the material still incomplete will be practically In hand, and the census can cer tainly be closed by the 4th of March. ISM After that the revision and proof-reading necessary to bring out the volumes will .still be required The text or the census volumes h is been lim ited, as far as possible, to tho analysis of sta tistics presented. The method, which is in ac cordance with law, has caused more or less friction, and in some instances individual disap pointment, for when the commissioner of labor took charge of the work he found much matter on hand, which, according to this rule, he was compelled to discard. The census is being pre pared according to the theory tbat It is de signed to collect facts and certify them to the public not to elalorate arguments or to pre sent personal views. Department of Agriculture. The secretary of agriculture in his report.re vlews the operations of his department for the last fiscal vear. and makes recommendations for the further extension of its usefulness. Hs reports a saving in expenditures during the year of i'Xhi 0 0. which is covered back into the treasury, lhlssutnls ta per cent, or the en tire appropriation. A special study has bion made of uie demand ror American nnn proa ucts in all foreign markets, especially Great Bntaia That country received from the Un'.ted Statos during' the nine mouths ending Sep tember 30. 1M4 305.9:0 live beef cattle, valued at $26.."j)'J.Oj0. us against 182.611 cattle, valued at $1(J.(34.000. during the same period for 1-93. During the first six months of 1?94 the United Kinirdoui took olso 1 12 OH 000 pounds of dressed beef from tbe United States, valued at nearly SIO.OOO.OJO. Tho report shows that during the nine months Immediately preceding September 30. 1894. the United States exported to Great Britain 222.6r5.OX) pounds of pork: of apples, 1.9OJ.0JO bushels, valued at 2.5OJ.00J. and of horses. 2.8:1. at an average value of $139 per head. There wis a falling off In American wheat exports of 13.5O00H0 bushels, and the secretary "is inclined to believe that wheat mav not. in the future, be the staple export cereal product of our country, but that corn will con tinue to advance In importance us an export on account of the new ustjs to which it is con stantly being appropriated. The exports of agricultural products from the United States for the fiscal vear ending June 30. 1831. amounted to Jfi2-J.333.038. being 72.28 tier cent, of American exports of every description, and tho L'nited Kingdom of Grot Britain took more than 51 percont. of all farm products finding foreign markets. The Weather Rureau. The amount appropriated for the weather bureau was v51.1J0; of that nurrt $13150.). or 14 per cent . has been saved and is returned to tho treasury. As illustrating the usefulness of this 8cTVice.lt may bo hero stated that the warnings which were general.? given of two tropical storms occurring in September and October of the present year resuited ia detain ing safely In port 2.305 vessels, valued at ::5. 2xn.913. laden with cargoes of probably still proaler value. What Is much tnoro laiportant and gratifying many buman lives oa these ships were alsi undoubtedly saved. Rureau of Animal Industry. The appropriation to the bureau of animal Industry was ff5.).lK. ami the expenditures f the year were only 495 429.24. thus leaving un expende 1 $354.57u.76. Tae inspection of beef animals for export and interstate trade has been continued, and 12.944.0)d head were in spected during the year ut a cost of I f cents per head. a?aint 4 cents for 1S91 The amount of p.irk microscopicallv examine 1 was 35.437.937 pounds, against 20 077.410 pounds in the preceding year The cost of this inspec tion has been diminished from 8?i cents per head in 1893 to 6i cents in 184. Yaluable Kxperlments. The office of experiment stations, which is a part of the United States department of agri culture, has during the past year en?aed Itself almost wholly in preparing for publica tion works based upon the reports of agricul tural experiment stations and other institu tions for agricultural inquiry in the United States and foreign countries. The secretary, in his report for H.3. called attention to the fact that the appropriations made for the sup port of the experiment stations throughout the union were the only moneys taken out of the national treasury by act of congress for which no accounting to federal authorities was required. Respoadmz to his suggo-tion the Filtv-third congress, ia making the appropria tion" the department for the present fiscal year, provided that: "The secretary of agriculture shall prescribe the form of annual financial statement re fill I red by soction 3, of said act of Mirch 2. 17; shall ascertain whether the expenditures under the appropriation hereby made are ia ac cordance with the provisions of said act, and shall make report thereon to con?ress." The best service of the statistician of thj de partment of -agriculture is the ascertainment, by diligence and care, of tho actual aud real conditions, favoraole or unfavorable, of the farmers and farms of tho country, and to such causes which produce these conditions, to tho ead that the facts ascertained may guide their intelligent treatment In obedience to this law the department of agriculture Imme diately sent out blank forms of expense ac counts to each station, and proposes in addi tion to make, through trusted experts, systematic examination of the several sta tions during the year, for the purpose of acquiring by personal investigation the de tailed information neoessary to enabie the secretary of agriculture to make, as the statute provides, a satisfactory report to congress. The boards of management of the several sta tions, with great alacrity and cordiality, have approved the amendment to the law pro viding this supervision of ttieir expendi tures, anticipating that it will increase th effleianev of the stations and pro tect their directors and managers from loose charges concerning their use of public funds, besides bringing the department of agricul ture into closer and more confidential relations with the exoenmenlal stations, ana tnrouga their joint service largely increasing the use fulness to tne agriculture oi mo iwn'j. Acting upon a recommendation contained in the report of 1893. congress appropriated $10,000 to enable the secretary of agriculture to In vestigate and report upon the nutritive value of various articles aud commodities used for human food, with special suggestion of full, wholesome and edible rations less wasteful, and more economical, than those in common usp. For this appropriation the department has prepared and now has nearly ready for distribution on elemsatary discussion or the nutritive value and pecuniary economy of food. When we consider that fully one-half of all the money earned by the wage-earners of the civilized world is expended by them for food the importance and utility of such an in vestigation is apparent. The department expended in the fiscal year 1S92. $2,345,809.56. and out of that sum the total amount expended in scientifio research was 45.6 per cent. But in the year ending June 30. 1894. out of a total expenditure of $l.948.9s8.31 the department applied 51.8 per cent, of that sum to solentlflc -ork and investigation. It is. therefore, very plainly observable that the economies watch have been practiced in the administration of the department have not been at the expense of scientifio research. Au Agricultural Census. A further important utility in agricultural statistics is found in their eluoldatlon of the relation of the supply of farm products to the demanil for them in the markets of the United States and of the world, it Is deemed possible that an agricultural census may be tasen each year through tho agents of the statistical division of the department. Such a course is recommended for trial by the chief of that division. Its scope would be: 1. The area under each of the more impor tant crops. t. The aggregate products of each of such crops. 3. The quantity of wheat and corn In the hands of farmers at a date after the spring" sowings and plantings and before the begin ning of harvest; and also the quantity of cot ton and tobacco remaining la the hands of planters, either at the tarns data or at soma other designated time. Civil Service Reform. The advantages to the public service of snj? adherence to the principles of civil service va-j form are constantly more apparent, and noth ing is so encouraging to those in official Ufa wao honestly desire good government as the increasing appreciation by our people of those advantages. To Protect Public Health. I am entirely convinced that we ought not to be longer without a national board of health or national health otrtoer charged with no other duties than such as pertain to the protection of our country from the invasion of pestilence and disease. This would Involve the estab lishment, by such board or officer, of proper quarantine precautions, or the necessary aid and counsel to local authorities on the subject, prompt advice and assistance to locate boards of health or health officers in the suppression of contagious disease. and in cases where there areno such local boards or officers the imme diate direction by the national board or officer of measures of suppression, constant and au thentic information concerning the health of foreign countries and all parts of oar own country as related to contagious diseases, and consideration of regulations to be enforced la foreign ports to prevent the introduction of contagion into our cities, and the measures which should be adopted to secure their en forcement. The Labor Inquiry. By virtue of a statute of the United States Jased in lS1. I appointed, in July last. Hon. ' ohn D. Kernan. of the state of New York, and Hon. Nicholas K. Worthlngton. of the state of Illinois to form with Hon. Carroll D. Wright, commissioner of labor, who was designated by said statute, a commission for the purpose of making careful inquiry into the causes of the controversies between certain rairoads and their employes which had resulted in an ex tensive und destructive strike, accompanied by tnuoh violence and dangerous disturbance with considerable loss of life and greiit de struction of property. Tho report of the com missioners has been submitted to me and will be transmitted to the congress with the evd- denre taken up on their investigation. Their work has been well done, and their standing nml Intelligence give assurance that tire re port and suggestions they make ore worthy of careful consideration. x Favors Free Coal and Iron. The tariff act pp.ssed at the last session of the congress needs important amendments If it is to be executed effectively and with cer tainty. In addition to such necessary amend ments as will not change rates of duty, I ant still very decidedly in favor of putting coalan4 iron upon the free list. The Sugar Schedule. So far as the sugar schedule Is concerned, I would be glad. und-r existing aggravations, to see every particle of Uifferential duty In favor cf refined sugar stricken out of our tariff law. ti. with nil tho favor nor accorded the sugar refining Interests ia our tariff laws, it still languishes to the extent of closing refineries, and thousands of dis charged workmen, it would seem to present a hopeless case for reasonable legislative aid. An Arjrament for Free Ships. With the advent of a new tariff policy not only calculated to relieve the consumers of our land in the cost of their daily life, but to in vite a better development of American thrift and create for us closer and more profitable commercial relations with the rest or the world, it follows as a logical and imperative necessity that we should at once remove ths chief if not the only obstacle which has so long prevented our participation In the foreign carrying trade of the son. A tariff built upon the thpory that it Is well to check imports and that a home market should bound the industry and effort of American producers, was fitly supplemented by a refusal to allow American registry to vessels buiit abroad though owned and navigated by our people, thus exhibiting a willingness to abandon ail contest for the advantages of American trans-oceanio carriage. Our new tariff policy. buil upon the tr.eorj that it is well to encourage such importations as our people need, and that ovrr products and manufactures should find markets in every part of the habit able globe. Is consistently supplemented by the greatest possible liberty to our citizens in the ownership and navigation of ships in which our products and manufactures may be trans ported. The Issue of Bonds. During the last month the gold reservel ia the treaiury for the purpose of redeeming the notes of the government circulating as money in the hands of the people became so reduced, and its further depletion in tlio near future seemed so certai i that in tbe exercise of proper care for the publio welfare it became necessary to replenish the reerve and thus, maintain popular faith In the ability and do termination of the government to meet, as agreed, its pecuniary obligations. It would have been well if in this emergency authority had existed to issue bonds of the gov ernment bearing a low rate cf inter est and matflring within a short period, but the coi.gress-having failed to confer such authority, resort was necessarily had to the resumption act of 1875. and pursuant to its pro visions bonds were issued drawing interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, and matur ing ten years after their issue, that beinij the shortest time authorised by the act I am glad to say. however, that on the saie of these bonds the premium received operated to re duce the rate of Interest to bo paid by tho gov ernment to les than 3 per cent. I cannot for a moment believe that any of our citizens are d-liberately willing that their government should dvfauit In its pecuniary ob ligations or that its financial operations shouid Do reduced to a silver basis. At any rate I should not feel that my duty was done if I oiidtted any effort I Could make to avert such a calamity. Change In Currency System Advocated. Tho absolute divorcement of the government from the business of banking is ths ideal rela tionship of the government to the circulation of the currency of the country. This condition cannot be immediately reached: but as a step in that direction, and as a means of securing a more elastic currency and obviating other ob jections to the present arrangement of bak circulation, the secretary of the treasury pre sents in his report a scheme modifying present banking laws and providing for the issue of circulating notes by st '.te banks free from tax ation under certain limitations. It is proposed to repeal all laws providing for tho deposit of United States bonds as security for circulation: to permit national banks to issue circulating notes not exceeding in amount 75 per cent, of their paid up and un paid capital, provided they deposit with the government, us a guarantee fund. In United Slates legl tender notes. Including treasury notes of 1890. a sum equal in amount to 3J per cent, of the notes tbey desire to Issue, this deposit to be maintained at ail times, but whenever any bank retires any part of lis circulation a proportional part of its guarantee fund shall be returned to It: t permit the secretary of the treasury to pre pare and keep on band ready for issue in case an increase in circulation is desired blank na tional bank notes for each bank having circu lation, aad to repeal the provisions of the pres ent law impesicg limitations and restrictions upon banks desiring to reduce or increase their circulation thus permitting such increase or reduction within the limit of 75 p;T cent, of capital to be quickly made, as emergencies arise. In addition to the gunranteo fund required, it Is proposed to provide a safety fund for the Immediate redemption of the circulating notes of failed banks, by imposing a small annual tax. say one-half or 1 per cent., upon the average circulation of each bank uutil the fund amount to 5 per cent, of the total circulation outstanding. When a bunk fails its guarantee fund is to be paid into this safety fund and its notes are to be redeemed In trie first instance from such safety fund thus augmented any impairment of such fund caused thereby to be made good from the Immediately available cash assets of said bank, and if these should be insufficient such impairment to be made good by pro rata assess-nent among tha other banks, their contributions constituting a lirst lien upon the assets of failed bank ia favor of tho contributing banks; ns a further securitv it is contemplated that tho existing condition fixing the individual llabilty of stockholders is to be retained and the bank's indeotedness on account of its circulating notes is- to be mudo a first lien on all Its assets. Another very Important feature of this plan Is the exemption of state banks from taxation liv thn TTnitrtd States in cases where it is shown to tho satisfaction of the secretary of the treasury and comptroller of the currency by banks claimini; such exemption that they have not had outstanding their circulating notes exceeding 75 per cent, of their paid-up and unimpaired capital; that tbeir stockhold ers are individually liable for the re demption of their circulating notes to the full extent of thoir ownership of stock; that the liability of said tanks upon their circulating notes constitutes under their state law a first Hen upon their assets: that such banks have kept nad maintained a guarantee fund In United States legal tenier notes In cluding treasury notes of 18&0 equal to 30 per cent, of their outstanding circulating notes and that such banks have promptly redeemed their circulating notes when presented at their principal or branch offices. Conclusion. I conclude this communication, fully appre ciating that the responsibility for all legisla tion uffecting the people of the United Stares v rests upon their representatives in the con press, and assuring them that, whether la accordance with recommendations I have made or not, I shall be glad to cooperate in perfect ing any legislation that tends to the prosperity and welfare of our countrr. G ROVER Cl.CVKLAJJIO KzecuUva Mansion, December s, 1UB4.