PItKSI DENT S MESSAGE
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY
ClAKN AT LENGTH.
Hat tern of InUrait at Homo and Abroad
^AMrmlintnd to th# Now Tor Iff Hill
ftlrwagly I rgftl by Wlilt*l» Coni ind Iron
May Ho rinwl on (ho Free LUt—A
Row Hanking HrliPins by Carlisle—
Affaire of the Army nod Navy—‘As to
•fvaaloBi, etc.
The Message to Congress.
Vf Asm no ton, Do a 3.—Tho following
“fa tho president's monsago to congress:
Metaate to tha oonrrnaa of tho 1,’nili-d
fit.ten Th. aasemhlatfe within tho nation,
le.Illative, balla of thoaa char-ed wlthtlin
^’•lf °* mnldn i laws for tun tmnnllt of a yon
croon and frao people tmprn «alvnly autyoits
tho exacting ohtl .atlon and tnexnrablo ro
• poaxlbdlty Involved In Ihelr tnxlc At tho
threshold of .uoh labor m w to Ini undortakon
by lh« oon*ro«a of tho U ultod Staloa and In
too dH. bar jo of an executive duty enjoined
by Ihn eonttltutlon. I aubmlt thla communl
'Cation fl.tni lining a brief .tateraint of llio
condition of our n ttlo ml affair, an J rooom
anondioR .uoh lo Illation aa aaum. to be nocoa
•ary and expedient.
The biatory of our reoent dealtn.i with
••Ihnr a.tion. and our poae.ful rolatlona with
thorn at thla tlmo. additionally demon
•train the advantairo of oontlatontly adhering
to a firm tout juat forntgn p > Key. free from
cnv.oui or ambitious nation il aohnmns and
Jhxrai ierlxod bynntlro honoaty an I nlncerllv
I) irlns tho p.iat ynnr, puraimnt to u law id
«®n reaa, commissioners worn appolnlot to
the Antwerp Indtixtrl il ex position. t hou. h t tin
partlclpatl n of Atnorl.uvn othlbltora foil far
abort or ootnn etoly t lustrntlnt our national
Ingenuity and tndmtrlal nchlnvumenl', yot It
•ax quite fro lltahln In vlor; of tho brief lltr.u
.•Unwed fur proptrai Ion
.‘I 1 have ondiiavorod to Impress upon tho lid
eovrrnment tho noo lloaanoaa unt poal
tiye harmful'tosa of Its rnitrlotiimx upon tho
taaoortailon ofcnrtilnof our food products
•nd toavu atr m rly urrod that tho rljld super
iwl.ion and Inapootimt undor our laws aro
■amply Kudlilunt to provent tho doportatlnn
•yonj Ihl-, country of- dlauaaod oalllu and tin
TIi* termination or the civil war In llra/ll
hao t et»n lod.iwcl by tho general provuhm'-u
cf po u-o and or tor It uppoartn r at an o.irlv
•ti c o! the Insurrection that It*course «oul I
-Ball for unusual watchttilniHi an til l part or
Cliin ;ovcrninont our nnvnt foron In mo hirlmr
■ •lltio Jo J.ini'lro was strun.’thono 1 This
■procaution t am intls'lel, t-m lo.l l i restrict
■ The l sun to u simple trial of a trim ;tli hot woo i
•h« llratlllnn irovcrnmont an I thn Intiirtoau.
•oil to avert complloatlana which at tlinot
■Mmimt Immtnont Our llrra ritlt.u In of nou
Bralli v was maintain!) I to tlm oml. tlin In
•uvgents ro olvoil no encouragement or event
ual asylum from oar oominmilora and such
cpposltsnm thoy o icount irtul was for tho
jiroto. non of our commnrco anil was clearly
Justified by public law A sorlout tension of
delations Invln: arisen at thi oloso or tin
«ar between ltrazll an I Portu'f il liy reason
Bfflin caetpeof the liu urgent Aitmlral lie
<•»» anil his fallownrs Tho fronaiyomces
«f cur representativei to thosn countries
sacre eyerie.1 for tho protection of the sub
jects of either within the territory of thn other
Althou;h the covornmont of ltrazll was duly
moUtla.l that tho commercial arrangements
•djl-to-ig between tht> United Statui anil that
■o. uatry, baso i on thn third snotion of the
Tana Act of :K0>, was abroga'od on Aug. 21,
1STI,by tl.e tukln ■ offeot of tho tariff law now In
for.e. that geeornmout subsequently notllloif
'•v of iib Intention to terminate an h arrango
uent an the flr<> day of January, IH)S, In tho
•sercl-eo! tho right ro-orvoil la tho airoo
«*■!« briwjeqn tho two coiintrloi t Invito a
.■section to the correspondence lintworn tho
mo r tarv of state and tho llrsilllan minister
ao this subject
The China-Japan War.
Acratlfylnf recognition of the uniform lm
iparit illt,- of t his country towards all forotgn
■•Istes was man treated by the coincident ro
■qne-l of tho Ch Ineso mid Japnnoso govern
xuest - that tnn a 'oats of tho United States
•boutd within proper limit» afford protection
To (he stihie.us of tho other during the huh
;pe»si >u of dip lomatlo relations duo to a state
This dellcnto office was accepted,
■ ond » Btl-npprohenslon which cave rl-c to tho
belief that In affording this kindly unofficial
■ |wotuclion our a outs would oiorciso
Tho tune authority which tho with
Crown a onto of tho belligerents h ul
•sercl od w as promptly corroded. Although
Tfio war between (’hi na anil Japnn endangers
-«*> Do.icy of tho United Staton It deserves our
fravost consideration, hy reason of Its dls
-Turbanco of our trowing commercial Interest
In the two countries and tho tncrevod dangers
whten may result to our citizens domiciled or
■ •oj-'ornin • In tho Interior of China Acting
anwher a stipulation hi our treaty with Korea.
<the Or.-t concluded with a Western power)
X felt constrained at tho bo.-i unlu - of thi
-controversy to tender our tood offices tt>
Tndoco un amicable arrangemout of tho
Initial difficulty growing out ortho Japanese
demands for ad mtnistrntlvo relorms In
Korea tut tho unbappv rroclpltutlon of
■cetuilhotitllltlesdefeated this kindly purpose
© •p lor In t tho destructive war between tho
Two most powerful of tho Kostorn nations
•nd anxloui that our commercial Intorosts In
Those countries mav bo preserved and that
■ The safety of our citizens there shall not bo
Jeopardize.! I would not hesitate to heed any
Unimaljon that our friendly nht for tho
rhooorable termination of hostilities would be
cccceptabie to both belligerents.
A tonvention has boon ttnally concluded for
‘Th- Mdtlomont by arbitration of the proton od
dUsyuite with Kcundor growing out of tho pro
uonriBH ■» against Kmilli Santos, a naturalized
'Citizen of the United States.
«cm lane to be such as should extst between
w<m* so Ion? bound to.other by friendly
sympathy and similarity in their form of gov*
•Brnment The recent cruel assu slnation of
'%h« president of thU sUtor republic called
forth such universal expressions of sorrow
► sad condolence from our people and govern*
'Sient as to leave no doubt of the depth and
iBincerity ot our attachment. The resolutions
.#oaaed by the senate and house of ropresenta*
' on the occasion have boon communicated
Uto the widow of President Carnot.
J.he Germany .Vent Prohibition.
*• ‘Acting trpon the reportod discovery of Texas
lever in cargoes of American oattic the Ger*
■ton prohibition against importations of live
vntock and fresh meatt from this country has
f lten revived It is hoped that Germany will
Bonn become convinced that the inhl >ltion is
40« needless os It is harmful to mutual in*
iferests.
TO© German government has protested
•against that provision of the oustoms tariff
'*cC which imposes a discriminating duty of
*WB©-*c*thof one cent a pound on sugars oom
ting from countries paying an export bounty
Bhereon. claiming that the exaction of such
-duly Is in contravention of articles five and
mine ot the treaty of I8d*4 w.th Prussia In the
; Interests of the comm >ro of both countries
»*wd to avoid even the accusation of treaty
•violation I recommend the repeal of so much
*Bf the statute as Imposes th\t duty and 1 in
cite attention to the accompanying report of
ths secretary of stats containing a discussion
«f the question* raised by the German pro
gnosis- } 3 7
* Irhrlns Sen Arbitration. ^
'"Early In the present year an agreement was
^reached with Great Britain concerning in
struction* to be given the nuvtl commanders
•oC tie two government} in Behring sea and
'the contiguous North Pacitlc oooan for
•Bfceir guidance in the execution of the
•mward of the Paris tribunal of arbitration aud
BBo enforcement of the regulations therein
prescribed for the protection or seal life in
the waters mentioned. An und'rstandtn • has
also been reached for the payment bv the
ITnited States of in full satisfaction of
Bit claims which may be ma le by Great Brit*
t-Bte for dama es crowing out of the controvert
os to fur seals In Behring sea. or the sets*
9* vessels en ;a ei in taklnj a
seal in those water*.' The award and finding*
of t!i© Pari* tribunal to a great extent deter*
rnln d the fact* and principle* upon which
thrno claim* shou d lx* uijustol and they
have boon subjected b; b.uh government* to
thorough examination upon the principle* as
well a* the fact* whicn they involve. I am
convlncod tliat a aottlo.nonl upon the term*
mentioned would be an equitable and advnn*
tpgoou* one and I recommend that provision
fa- made for the prompt piyment of the stated
sum Thu* far only Franc* and Portugal
have sl.-nlflod their wUlincnof* to adhere to
tlm regulation* cstablisho l under the award
of tho Paris tribunal of arbitration.
I bo llawuliau Incident.
Since crnnmunlcaltn t tho voluminous cor*
re^pon lenco in ro-ard to Hawaii and tho ac
tion taken by tho senate and hou.no of repre
sentative* on certain question* submitted to
the Judgment and wider discretion of congress
the organization of a gjverumont In place of
the provisional arrangement which followed
the deposition of the qmen hk* been an
nounced with evidence of It* effective op<sra
tion Tho recognition usual In such cases
bos boon accorded tho new government
Itelatlon* With lilriloo.
Good will fostered by mmy Interests In
common has marked our relations with our
nesrett southern neighbor.
Peace being re»torod along her northern
frontier, Mexico ha* asko 1 vho punishment of
tho late disturbers of her tranquility. There
ought to lx* n now treaty of commorce and
navigation with that cointry to take tho
place of tho ono which terminated thirteen
years aia The friendliness of the Inter
course between the two countrios is attested
by tho fact during this long period Tho com
merce of ou.'h has steadily Increased under
the rule of mutual consideration, being neither
stimulated by conventional arrangements nor
retarded by Jealous rivalries or soillsh desire*.
An Indemnity tendered by Mexico as o
gracious act for the murder In 1*87 of Leon
Haldwin un American citizen, by a band of
marauders in Durango, ha* boon accepted und
la bein t paid in ln*t Him me*.
The problem of the storn re and use of the
water* of tho Klo <* ramie for lrrlcation
should bo «olve 1 by appropriate concurrent
action of tho two Interested countries. His*
lnr In tho Colorado height* tho stream flow*
lntermlttinglv. yloldlnj little water dunnr
tho dry months to tho Irrl rating channel*
already con*trintoJ along It* course This
scarcity Is often severely felt In the rollon*
whore the river form* a common bound
ary Moroovor the frequent chan es
In its course through level sand ofton raise
embarassm ; questions of territorial JurUdlo
ni'ixfleliU Affair.
Prominent amon • tho questions of ter
ritorial jurisdiction of tlio your was tlto llluo
Holds Inctdont-ln what is known as tho
Mosquito Indian strip. t> rdoring on thn At
lantlo ocean and within tho Jurisdiction of
Nil lira ■tin. liy tho treaty of ism botwoon
Uroat llritaln and Nicaragua tho former
government expressly recognized tho sov
orolgnty of tho latter over tho atrip un i a
Uinltod form of self government was
BUarantnol to th> Mosquito Indians to ho
cxorct-sod aocordln ■ to tliolr customs for
thuiesolvos and their dwollors within Its
limits. Tho Mo-callod nnllvo government
whlehll uresv to bo lamely made up of
nllons for many years dlsputol tho sov
ereignty of Nicaragua ovor tho strip and
claimed tho rlilit to main! sin thorotu a pra it!
rally Independent municipal government
Early In tho pnat yoirofferts of Nioarajua to
maintain sovorel nty over tho Mosquito ter
ritory lol to serious dm tur buncos culminating
In tho supprosslon of tho natlvo government
and tho attompto 1 s institution of an Impract
icable oampaet administration In which Nlcar
a ui and alien residents worn to partlclpat *.
Failure was followed hv on Insurrection which
for a time nuhvertod Nicaraguan rule, ox poll
ing her officers nnd restoring tho
old organization This In turn gave
way to tho existing looal government
established and uphold by Nicaragua.
Although tho alien Interests arrayod a latest
Nloaraiua In thoso transactions have boon
largely American and the commerce of that
re Usurer some tlm> has boon and still Is con
trolled by our ift'.l'Sqj wj cam it fir that
roas.su ohuliongo the rijht.'ai sovereignty of
Nicaragua over this Important part of her
domain Forsomo months on nn l during part
of the term, two or our naval ships have boon
stationed at llluellolds fur the proteetlon of
! all legitimate Interests of our citizen 1. In
September hist thi gevernraont at Managua
expelled from Its territory twolvo
or mure for d mors Including two
| AiqerUans for alleged participation In tho
(seditious or revolutionary movements against
i the republic nt Uluoltehls already inon
! turned Through tho earnest romeastratloa of
this .ovorsynent tho two Americans have noon
permitted To return to tin peaceful manage
ment of their bUBlnoss Our uaval commanders
at the scene of this disturbance by their con
stant oxhl Itlon of firmness und good Judg
i ment contribute l largely to the prevention of
more serious eonssniuencos and to the restora
tism of quiet and ordor
I re rot that In tho midst of these occur
ronces there oponud up a mostgravo irritating
failure of Nloara uin Justice An AmsSican
elilzon named Wilson, residing at ltama. In
tho mosquito territory was murdered by ono
Arguelto tho noting governor of tho town
After some del ty the murderer was arrested,
but so Insecurely contlned or .guard 'd that ho
escape I. and n it wit ist inlln; our repeated
demands It Is claimed thit his recapture his
been Impossible l y rea.oa ot Ills flight beyond
Nicaraguan Juried.ctl in.
Tho Nicaraguan authorities having given
notice of lorfelture of their concession to
the canal oompany on groun Is purely
technical and not embraced In the
oontraet receded from taut pos tlm
IVru, I regret te say, shows symptoms of
domostlo disturb ince, dui probably to tho
sloivucss of her recuperation from the war of
IS'l Weakened In resources, nor difficulties
In facing interaatio-tal obligations Invito our
kindly sympathy and Justify our forbearance
la pressing long pending olalms I have felt
constralnod to tostlfy this sympithy In con
nection with certain demands urgoatly pre
ferred by other powers
Tho recent death of the ezir of ltessl n iii,s,t
forth appropriate expression* of sorrow ana
I sympathy cn tho pirt of our government with
his bereaved family ani tho Ku-slm people
As a further donionstrntl m of resnoot and
friendship our minister at St Petersburg was
j directed to represent our government at the
funeral ceremonies
Uujust Huei by Spain on Our Ships.
Unreasonable and unjust fines imputed by
Spain on tho ves.-els and commerce of the
| United States have demanded from time to
time during the last twenty year* earnest re
monstrance upon the part of our government.
In the immediate past exorbitant penalties
have been Imposed upon our vessels and goods
by customs authorities of Cuba and Porto
Rico for clerical errors of tho most trivial
character in the manirests or bids of lading.
In some cases fines amounting to thousands of
dollars have been levied upon cargoes or tho
carrying vessels w^en tho goods in question
were entitled to free entry Fines have been
exacted even when the error has been
detected and the Spanlsn authorities notified
before the arrival of the coods in por$. This
conduct is in strange contrast with the con
siderate and liberal treatment extended to
Spanish vessels and cargoes in our port* in
like cases No satisfactory settlement of
these vexatious quostious has yet been
reached Tho Mora ca*e referred to in my
last annual message remains unsettled From
the diplomatic correspondence on this sub
| ject. which ha* been laid before the senate, it
will be seen that thi* government has offered
to conclude a convention with Spain for dis
I posal by arbitration of outstanding claims j
I between the two countries excopt the Mora !
, claim which having been long ago adju^tod. 1
| now only awaits payment as stipulated.and of i
I course it could not bo included in the pro- j
j posed convention It was hoped that this
I offer would remove parliamentary obstacles |
J encountered by the Spanish government in
: providm payment of the Mora indemnity.
I I regret to say that no definite reply to th s
! offer has yet been made and all efferts to se
cure payment of thi* settled claim have
been unavailing
In my la«*t annual message I adverted to
the claim on tho part of Turkey of theri:bt to
expel as person* undeslrablo and dangerous.
Armenians n iturullzed in the United State* |
and returnln; to Turkish jurisdiction. Nu '
met cun question* In this relation have arisen
While tut* governmentacqutesoia In the as
serted rl-ht of expulsion It will not consent
that Armenian* may tw Imprisoned or other
wise punished for no other reason than bar
In / acquired, without Imperial consent, Amor
can citl/en-thip Tbroo of the usiallants of
Mum Melton an American teacher at Mosul,
have been convicted by the Ottoman courts,
and I am ml vised that an nppoal a/aiiMt the
acquittal of tne remaining live has been taken
by the TurkUh prosecuting officer*.
1h» Kamoiin Troubles.
In my la^t annual mo Mage I referral briefly
%o the unsatisfactory state of affairs In J-uinua
under the ope ration of the Berlin treaty, as
alwnally itlustratln; tho policy of cntan/lln;
alllnnces with foreign powers and on May W,
1HPJ. in response to a resolution of the senate
I sent a special message and documents to
that body on tho same subject whlzh ompha- ,
sized my previously expressed opinions. |
Later occurrences, the correspondence In re
pard to which will bo laid before congress, j
further demonstrated that the government
which was devi«ed by the three powers and
forced upon the Samoans us/alnst thilr Invet
erate hostility can be malntnine 1 only by the
continued presen :u of fore! :n military forces
and ut no small sucrlli.o of life and treasure.
T he suppression of the Mataafa Insurrootlou
by the powers, and tho subsequent banish
mont of tho loader and olevon other chiefs, as j
recited in my last message did not bring last- j
ing peace to the Islands. Form!lablo upris
ings continued and llnally a rebellion broko
out In tho capital Island. Upolu. headed In
Anno, tho Western district, by tha youn jer
Tumasoae. and In Atua. tho Eastern district,
by other loider* Tho insurgent* rava.ed
the country and foujht tho government
troops up to the very doors of Apia
The kin/ a min appealed to the powers
for help unJ the combined British end
German naval forces reduced the Atuans to
apparent subjection not however without con
siderable loss to the natives A few days
later Tarnnssose and bis adherents fearing the
ships and marines professed submission. Re
ports received from our agents at "Apia
do not Justify the belief that the
poneo thus brought about will be of long dura
tion It is their conviction that tho natives
are at heart hostile to tho present covorn
ment that such of them as profits loyalty to it
do so from fear of tho powers and that it would
speedily go to pieces If tho war ships were
withdrawn In roportln t to his government
on too unsatisfactory situation sinoo the
suppression of the 1 ito revolt by foreign armed
forces the Gorman consul at Apia stated that
that peace will bj lasllnz Is hardly to bo pre
sumed Tho Jossoa given by ilrinr on Atua
was not .sufficiently sharp uni incisive to
leave a lasllnz impression on the forgetful
Samoan temper uncut In faot conditions
are existing which show that poace will not
last and is not seriously intended. Mallotoa
the kin/ and Ids chiefs are convinced that tho
departure of tho war ships will bo a signal
for a renewal of war Tho circumstances
that the representatives of the villages
of nil tho districts which wore opposed
to tho goverutmnt have already with
drawn to Atua to hold meeting and
that both Atua and Aana have forbidden in
Habitants of those districts which fou ht on
tho side of tho government to return to their
villa-os and have already partly burned down
tho latter. Indicates that a real conciliation of
the parties Is still far off And in a noto of
tho loth ult Inclosing a copy of that report
for the information of tho government tho
Gorman ambassador said: “The contents of
tho reports awakened tho Imperial govern
ment's anprohousion that under existing olr
cumstances the peace concluded with the
rebols will afford no assurance of tho lasting
restoration of tranquility In the Islands."
Tho present govern mont utterly failed to
correct, if Indeed It has not a/gravatod. tho
very evils it was intended to prevent. It has
not stimulated our commerce with the
Islands Our participation in its establish
ment acatnst tho wishes of the natives was in
plain detlanco of the conservative teachings
and warnings of the wise and patriotic men
who laid tho foundation of our free institu
tions. nnd I invite and expreision of the
jud;ui«nt of congross on tho propriety of
Bt“ps beiaz taken by this govern mont lookinr
to the withdrawal from its emzajoments with
tho other rowers on somo reasonable terms
not nreilldicl ll to unv of our ttrUtin r rlt*ht»
Treasury Department.
The secretary of the troasury reports that
the receipts of the government from all
sources of revonue during the fiscal year end*
In* Juno 20, 1801, amounted to $72,842,489 29
and Us expenditures to $44 2,50* 758.8 7, leaving
n deficit of •.03,801,26».5S There was a de
crease of *15,9vj 074 60 in tho ordinary expenses
of the covorumont, as compared with tho
fiscal year 1893
There was collected from customs $U1,818. -
5"0 0*2, and from internal revenue $147,101
419.81 The balance of the income for the
year amounting to $03,815,517 97, was derived
from tho sale* of lands and other sources.
Tho value of our total dutiable imports
amounted to $*375.19).083. botn : .d40,6">7.624 losi
than durlnx tho preceding yoar and ths im
portations rr >9 of duty amountod to $. 79,735,
6.6 boln* .64748,673 loss than dur.n ,r the pre
ceding yoar The rocoipts from customs
were $73.5.. 0 486 11 loss and from internal rev
enue 11.816.539 07 loss than in 1833
Tho total tax collected from distilled
spirits was 185.259,2*0 2\ on manufactured
tobacco $28 617,891.63 and on Tormented
liquors 1.31.414,788 04
Our exports of raerchandhe, domestic and
forel-rn, amounted dur.n 'the year to 1892.14J,
67*3, hein • an increase over the preceding year
Of ''.44,49\378
Tho total amount of rrold exported during
tho fiscal year was $76 838,061. as against *108.
689,i44durin : tho fiscal year 1893. The amount
imported was 372 419,U9 as against $21,174.; 81
durin • tho previous yoar The imports of
silver were $13,286,5^2 and the exports were
i to. 451 21*6
c iic uh 41 uountv paiu upon mo production
of su nr In tho United J-tilot for the fiscal
year wot ii.M U,an.M twin: an Increase of
*2;3>,U78 1 over the pavra-nts made during
the precedln: year The amsuntof bounty
paid from July I. 1*91 to August I, I89»,
the time when further payments ceased by
operation of law. was t.<H,iv> M The total
expenses Incurred in the payment of the
bounty upon su:ur during the flscat year was
*liu.l4#8i It Is eitimated that upon the ba
sts of the present revenue laws the receipts
of tho government during the current fiscal
year ending June Ji, lays, will be 431,4)7.
748 41. and its expenditures *414,417. *48 s4, re
sulting In a deficit of i3) 0)J,0J0
The first day of November. 1894, the total
stoch of money of all kinds In the country
was *3.840,77.1888, as against IB.Sdi d51 -
001 on tho first day of Novonfoor,
1891, and the monoy of all kinds in
circulation or net Included in the treasury
ho'.din s was fl,'Pi091.481 or S3L37 per capita
upon an estimated population of es.a87.0i).
At the samodato there was held In the treas
ury gold bullion amountlar to N4.dI.V307.5i
and silver bull,ou which was purchased at a
cost of *117 770.9)8 The purchase of silver
bullion under tho act of July is, 4899, ceased
on tho first day of November. 1894. and up to
that time there had beou purchased during
tno final year 11,917,858.78 fine ounces at a
cost of v8,715,53134 an average cost of 10 7313
per lino ounce The total amouut of silver
purchased from tho time that law
took effect until the repeal of Its
purchasing clause on the date Inst mentioned
was ids,074.084.51 fine ounces, which LO-t *157
#51.003 3\ the average price per fine ounce be
ing # 9344 The total a , ount of standard sil
ver dollars coined at the mints of the United
States since the passage of tho act of Febru
ary .8, 18.-8, Is *4:1.7.484498. of which t37S.ldd.79i
under tho provisions of that act, 438,531,14}
were coined under the provisions of the act of
Julv ti 1S9J. and t',078 478 under the net pro
viding for the coinage of the trade dollar bul
lion The total coins to of all metals at our
mints during thelasl fiscal year consisted of I
&S.48 .38) pieces, valued at *1084318 791.0. of
which there was SM 474,914 59 In gold coined.
•758 in -.tan 'ard silver dollars. *8,931,14J :«) in
substdary silver coin and t7i6.9U3d in minor
coin
During the calendar year of ISSt the pro
duction of preclou- metals m the United j
States was estimated at 1.759,33. fine ounces of !
cold of the commercial and coinage value of 1
15.955.09) and ft.)..09,99# fine ounces of silver of
the bullion or market value of MdSJO.DO# and
of the coinage value of 177,5740904 It if estlqj
ated that on the first flay of July 1991, the
stock of metallic mono? In the United States,
consisting of coin and bullion, amounted to
11.851 ,640.968. of which 10.7,98<.201 waj gold.
•0*4.347,758 was silver
• Fifty national binks were organized during
the year ending October 31. 1891 with a capital
of 65,2 0.003 and seventy-nine with a capital of
*10.47»,00) wont into voluntary liquidation
Twenty one banks with a capit vl of IA770 000
were placed in the hands of receivers. The
total number of national banks In existence
on the Jist day of October last was 3.75*’, be
in' forty less than on the 31st day of October,
189-1 Tho capital stock paid In was 9672,671,
3d\ being ID 67<,4)1 less than at the same time
In the previous year and the surplus and un
divided profits, less expenses and ta«es paid,
amounted to 8341.121.082.10 which was 016,089,
780 less than on October 31, 1891
Tho circulation has increased tl,741.561.
The obligations of the banks to each other
were increase l 5117.00,3:11. and the individual
deposits were 12.7.234.4*9. less than at the'
correspondin' date in the previoui years.
Loans and discounts were 4161.800.983 more
than at the same time tne previous year and
chocks and other cash Hems were 19J.3I9.W11
more. The total resources of tho banks at
the date mentioned amounted to 63,473 922,0j5
as against 43,109,56.1 88t 30 in 1893.
War Department.
The message reviews and comments on tho
report of the secretary of war. The president
does not believe there is any necessity for in
creasing the army to 30,03) men. as recom
mended by Secretary Lamont Ho advises
against the creation of new military posts
The secretary's pla i of the adoption of the
bataliion ‘ystera is recommended The strike
troubles of last summer are briotty referred to
and the action of the military commend© 1
In recognition of the Ion; and distinguished
military services and faithful discharge of
delicate and responsible civil duties by Major
General John M. Schofield now the general
commanding the army, it i* suggested to con
gress that tho temporary revival of the srade
of lieutenant general in his behalf would bo a
Just and gracious act
wjini uunim ui n uxiuti,
The roport of iho attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supremo
court in overcoming iho arroars of its busi
ness and In reaching a condition in which it
will be able to dlspno of oases as they arise
without any unreasonable delay. This result
Is of course very largely duo to the successful
working of the plan inaugurating circuit
courts of appeals. In rospset to these trlbun
als the suggestion is made in quarters entitled
to the highest consideration that an addi
tional circuit judro for oach circuit would
greatly strengthen those courts and the
contidenco reposed in thplr adjudications
and that such an addition would not ere ;to a
trenter force of judges than the increasing
business of such courts requires. I commend
the suggestion to the careful considerate n of
the congress. Other important topics are
adverted to the roport accompanied b/ recom
mendations many of which have been treated
at lar:o in previous messages, and at this
timo they need only be namod, I refer to the
abolition of the fee system as a measure of
compensation to federal officers. The en
largement of the power4 of United States
commissioners In the territories, the allowance
of writs of error in criminal cases, on behalf
of tho United States and the establishment of
degrees in tho crime of murder A topic dealt
with by tho attorn ey general of much import
ance is tho condition of the administration of
justice In the Indian Tearitory. Tho perma
nent solution of what is called tho Indian
problem is probably pot to be expected at
once, but meanwhile such ameliorations of
present conditions of the existing system will
admit ought not to bo neglected. I am satis
fied thero should be a federal court estab
lished for the territory with sufficient judges
and that this court should sit within the ter
ritory and have the same jurisdiction as to
territorial afTairs as now vested in tho federal
courts sitting In Arkansas and Texas.
Eight years ago la my annual menage I
urged upon the congress a* strongly as I could
the location and construction of two prisons
for the confinement of United States prison
ers A similar recommendation has beon
made from time to tlms since and a few years
ago a law was passed providing for the selec
tion of sites for three such institutions. No
appropriation has, however, been made to
carry the act Into effect and the old and dis
credltible condition still exists
It is not my purpose at this timo to repeat
tho considerations which make an impre -
nablo case in favor of the ownership and man
agement by the government of the penal in
institutions In which federal prisoners are
confined I simply desire to again urge
former recommendations on the subject and
to particularly call tho attention of the con
gress to that part of the report of the secre
tary of war, In which he states that tho mil
itary prison at Port Leavenworth. Kansas,
can bo turned ovor to to the government as a
prison for federal convicts without the leas
difficulty and with an actual saving of money
from every point of view
Pendinr a more complete reform. I hope
that by tho adoption of the suggestion of the
secretary of war this easy stop may be tiken
in the direction of the pronor care of its con
victs by the government of the Unite 1 States
Postal and Nary Departments.
The message next tikes up tho report of the
postmaster general and strongly urges the
recommendations of that official looking to
the correction of the abuses of the' second
class mail matter privilege by publishers of
advertising matter, who send tons of papers
through the m kil and defraud the government
out of millions of dollars postage annually.
The free carriage of seeds of grain throu h
tho malls is also condemned If these abuses
were rectified the department would bo self
sustaining. The report of the past master
general. which has already been published, is
reviewed at length
Attention is called to tho roport of the sec
retary of tho navy which shows very gratify
ing pro :res* in tho construction of ships for
our new navv.
- •--- . mull uu Hi 1UC lur mo
construction of additional battle ships and
torpedo boats The secretary recommends
the manufacture not only of a reserve supply
of ordnance and ordnance material fo.- ship*
of the navy, but also a supply for the auxil
iary fleet Guns and their apurtenanaes
should be provided and kept on hand for both
those purposes We have not to-day a single
gun that could be put upon the ships Paris or
New York of the International Navi ration
company or anv other ship of our reserve
navy. The manufacture of gun* at the
Washington navy yard i* pro.’eedin r satis
factorily. and none of our new ships will be
required to wait for their ^uns or ordnance
equipment.
Interior Department.
The report of the secret iry of the Interior
exhibits the s tuition of the numsrous and in
teresting branches of the public service con
nected with his department I rocommend
thi3 report and the valuable recommenda
tions of the secretary to the careful attention
of congress
I fully indorse the recommendation of the
secretary that adequate protection be pro
vided for our forest reserves and that a com
prehensive forestry system be inaugurated.
1 he recommendations of the secretary in
regard to dealing with the Indian question is
concurred in and ha* already been published.
Pensions.
The barefaced and extensive pension frauds
exposed under the courageous and cenerous
veteran soldier now at the head of the bureau
leaves no room for the claim that no purgation
of our pension roll was needed or that con
tinued vigilance and prompt action are not
necessary to the same end The accusation
that an effort to detect pension fraud* is evi
dence of unfriendliness towards our
worthy veterans and a denial of their
claims to the generosity of the eov
ernment, suggests an unfortunate indiffer
ence to the comission* of any offense which
has for its motive the securing of a pension
and indicates a willingness to be blind to the
exin^nce of mean and treacherous crimes
which play upon demagogic fears and make
sport of the patriotic peopie.
Agricultural Department.
The secretary of agriculture in his report
reviews the operations of his department for
the last fiscal year and makes recommenda
tions for the further extension of its useful
ness The recommendations of the senate
are concurred 1^ The prohibition of free die*
tributlon ot Mad by the department la again
urged.
The work done by the department of agri
culture Is very superficially dealt with In this
communication and 1 commend the report of
the secretary and the very Important inter
ests with which it deals to the careful atten
tion of the congress
An exceedingly Important recommendation
of the secretary relates to the manner in
which contests and litigated cases growing
out of efforts to obtain government land are
determined. The entire testimony upon
which these controversies depend in all their
stages is taken before the local registers
and receivers and yet those officers have no
power to subpoena witnesses or to enforce
their attendance to testify. These cases,
numbering throe or four thousand annually
are sent by the ofllcers to the commissioner
of the general laud office for his action. The
exogoncles of his other duties oblige him to
oct upon decisions of the registers and re
ceivers without an opportuclty of thorough
personal examination Nearly SOJ) of these
cases are appealed annually from iho commis
sioner to the secretary of the interior Burden
ed with other important administrative duties,
his determination ot these appeals must bo
almost perfunciionary nndgbased upon the ex
amination of others. Through this determina
tion of the secretary operates as final adjudica
tion upen rights of very importance. 1 concur
In the opinion that the commissioner of the
general land office should bn relieved from
this duty of deciding litigated land cusos' that
a non-partisan court should be entreated to
pass on such cases and that the decisions of
this court should be final, at least so far os
the decisions of the department arc final.
Civil Service Reform.
The advantages to tho public service of an
adherence to the principles of civil service
reform are constantly more apparent and
nothing Is so encouraging to thoie in official
life who honestly desire yoad government as
the lncreusln t appreciation by our people of
these advantages A vast majority of the
voters ot the land are read/ to insist
that the time and the attention of
those tliov select to perform fer
them Important public duties, should not be
distributed liv doling out minor ofl! -es und
they are growing to be unanimous In regard
ing party or animations ns something thit
should boused in e,tablishlng pai ty principles
Instoad of dictating the distribution of public
places as rewards or partisan uctlvity
Numerous ad Iltional offleos and placos have
been brought within civil service rules and
regulations and some others will probably
soon bo included. Tho report of the commis
sioners will bo submitted lo the congress and
I invite careful attention to the recommen
dations it contains
National Hoard of ITealth. a
X am entirely convinced that wo ontht not
to bo longer without n national board of
houlth or national health officer charged with
no other duties than such as pertain to the
protection of our country from the Invasion
of pestilence and disease I earnestly recom
mend that the inauguration of a national
board of houlth or similar national instru
mentality believing the same to be a needed
precaution a-ainst contagious diseases and in
the Intorast of safety and hea t!i of poor
strike < o:nrotation.
By virtue of a statute of the United States
passed in lxst I appointed In July last Hoi.
J. I) Keen of the state of New Yorg and
Hun. Nicholas E Worthln :t?n of the state
of Illinois, to form with Ilin Carroll D.
Wright. commissioner of labor, who was des
ignated by said statute a commissioner for tho
purpose of making careful inquiry Into the
causes of the controversies between certain
railroads and their employes which had re
sulted in an extensive and destructive
strike, accompanied by much vlolonce and
dangerous disturbance with considerable loss
of life and groat destruction of property. The
roport of the commissioner* has been sub
mitted to me and will be transmitted to con
gress with the evidence taken upon their in
vesti -atlon Their work has been well done,
and their standing and intelligence give as
surance that tho report and sug estlons they
make aro worthy of careful consideration.
Tariff Amendments Creed.
The tariff act passed at the list session of
congress need s important ntnondmonts if it is
executed effectively and with certainty in ad
dition to such necessary amendments as will
not chante rates of duty. I am -till very de
cidedly in favor cf puttia? coal and iron on tho
freolist So far as tho su :ar sclie lule is con
cerned, I would be glad under the oxlstin r ag
gravations to soe every particle of deferential
duty in favor of refined sugar strickon out of
our tariff law If with all tho f ivor accorded
tho sugar rofinin r lnturost in our tariff laws It
still languishes to the extent of dosed re
fineries and thousands or dl-char.-ei work
men It would seem to present a hopeless ceso
for reasonable legislative aid
Whatever el-e is done or omitted I eirnest'y
repeat hero the recommendation 1 have made
in another portion or this communication that
the additional duty of one tenth of a cent per
pound laid upon sugar imported from coun
tries paying a bounty on its export be abro
gated It seems to mo th vt exceedin ;ly im
portant considerations p slut to the propriety
of this amendment With the advent of a new
tariff policy not only contemplated t> rel.cvo
tho consumers of our land In ths cost of their
daily life, but to invite a belter development
of American thrift and create for us closer
and more profitable commercial relations
with tho rest of tho world it follows as a logi.
cal and imperative necessity that we should
at onco remove the ohief if not only obstacle
which has so Ion; prevented enr participa
tion in the foreign carrying trade or tho sea.
A tariff butlt udou the theory that it is well to
check imports and that a borne market should
bound the industry and effert of American
producers, was fitly supplemented by a re
fusal to allow American registry vessels
built abroad thou;h owned and navigated by
our people, thus exhibitin' a willingness to
j abandon all contest for tho advantages of
I American trails oceanic carria e. Our new
: tnria policy bill uoon the theory that it is
I well to encourage such Importations as
our people need and that our prolurts and
manufactures should find market in every
part of too habitable globe is consistently
supplements l by the . reatest possible liberty
to our citizeus in the ownership and naviga
tion of ships in which our products and man
ufactures may be transported The millions
now paid to foreigners for carrying American
pas seniors and products across the sea
should be turned into American hands Ship
building. which has teon protected to
strangulation, should bo revived by thi pros
pect of profitable employment forships when,
built and tho American sailor would bo resur
rected and again take his place, a sturdy and :
industrious citizen in time of peace and a pat
riotic and safe siefender of American interests .
in the day of conflict Thu ancient provision
of our law denying American re istry to ships
bu.lt abrotd and owned by Americans, ap
pears, in the light of present conditions, not
only to be a failure for s ood at every point
but to be nearer u relic of barbarism than any
thing that exists under permission of statute
of the United States I earnestly recommend
its prompt repeal
TU® Gold Reserve.
During the last month the gold reserves In
the treasury 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 the near future
seemed so certain that in the exorcise of
proper care for the public welfare it became
necessary to replenish this reserve and thus
maintain popular faith in the ability and
determination of the government to meet as
•greed, its pecuniary obligations It would
have been well if in this emer :ency authority
had existed to issue the bond* of the govern
meet nearing a low rate of interest,
and maturing within a special period,
but the congress having failed to confer such
authority resort was necee< anly had to the
resumption act of 1875, and pursuant to its
provision bonds were issued drawing interest
at the rate of live per cent per annum and
maturing ten years after their issuing, that
being the shortest timo authorized by the act
lam glad to say. however, thar 01 tho sale of
these bonds the premium received operated to
reduce the rate of interest to be pvd by the
government to less than three per cent
^othing could be worse or further removed
from sensible finance than tho relation* ex
isting between the currency the government
hat Issued, the sold hem
redemption and the means *
must be resorted to for the purpose of **•
ishlng such redemption fund when in **
Even If the clatms'upon thU tun? ^pllr*
finad tO ft ha Ablloatlnna Aa<o.l__ .
fined
•nd i_-.v..M|f.,vu VI lUQIQ Oblioesi
meant their cancellation the fund r
▼ery emalL But these obligation' J2?1
celved and redeemed In gold arc not
d to the obligations originally tml?
If the redemption of tlieie oblUa!!4'
hut are re-lssued and may do duty mans e*
by way of drawlns cold from
Thus we have an endless chain in cMr«
constantly depleting the treasury's cols
never near a final rest As If this »a '
bad enough we have a statutory deck,!.1
that it la the policy of the govern
to maintain the parity between void ana
ver aided the force and momentum of i!»
haunting process and oddod largely to th»
roncy obligations claiming this peculiar ,
redemption. Our small gold reserve u »
subject to draw from every side The
mands that Increase our dan ter also inc„
the necessity of protecting this te,l!
azalnst depletion and It is most unsatistaco
to know that the protection afforded is 0y
temporary palliation It Is perfectly ana,
pally plain that the only way under ore■!
conditions by which this reserve „
dangerously depleted, can be renb
ished. Is through the Issue ,
sale of the bonds of the 1
eminent for gold and yet congrats i
not only thus far declined to authorm!
Issue of bonds bost suited to such a pur J
but there seems a disposition In some in
ters to deny both the neces.lty and power'
the Issue of bonds at alL I cannot [«
moment believe that any of our citizen,,
deliberately willing that their governm
should default In Its pecuniary obligations
that Its financial operations should s,,
duced to a silver basts At any ran
should not foel that my duty >
done if I omitted any effort 1 n,
make to avert such a calamity ,\s ;a
therefore os no provision Is made loro
final redemption or the putting aside of i
currency obligation now usol to ropea-ej
and constantly draw from the governm-nt i
gold and as long es no better author tv
bond Issues is allowed thtn at presenter.'
such authority will be utilized whonewnt
as often as It becomes necessary t > inn
s sufficient gold reserve and in abund ,nfiu
to save the credit of our country LO..: ,
good tho financial declaration, ol our
ment Questions reluttn to our bunksm
currency are cloiely connected wit:, up.]'
ject just referred to nnd they also p™
some unsatisfactory features
-j ntui ywivotaicil,
Prominent amonr them are the lick
ticity in our currency circulation and r\
quent concentration in financial centr.?* t
it is most needed in other partsof thci-..,:.
The absolute divorcement of the gown'
from the business of banking is the
tionship of the government to the cireUa":
of the currency of the country This
tion cannot be immediately reached i mi
step in that direction and us amemsof
in^ a more elastic currency and obvh;
other objections to toe present arras;
went of bank circulation the simr
of tho treasury presents in his r
scuemo modifying present bankin: laws
providing for the issue of circulating not
Mate banks fro.) from taxation unlur oci
limitations Tho secret ir; explains his
so plainly and its advantages r.re develop
him with such remarkable clearness tha
efTort on mv part to pr j**e 11 arguments in
supports would be surpufious. I shall in
fore content myself with an unquitifi-j
dor.-*ement of the secretary*’ prop;.
changes in the law and a brief and i’n;<■:'*
statement, of their prominent features
It is proposed to repe il all laws pr v !
fo * the deposit of United States bonds a-i
curlty for circulation to permit
banks to issue circulating notes not
in amount 73 per cent of thoir paid up nu
impaired capital provided they depos.t
tho government as a guaranto .1 fund ;n ! :
States legal tender notes includin' trn
notes of l*wO. a sum equal in atnojit
per cent of the notes they desire to is-i
deposit to bo maintained at all tim
whenever any bank retires any part of ;
culation a proportional part of its.!
antee fund shall be returned to
permit the serotarv of the trow
to prepare and keep on ha i l ready fori>i
in caso an increase in circulation is
| blank national bank notes for oaou tuv
ing circulation and to repeal the \r
of the present haw impo-dng limita’ion.;, :i
strictlons upon banks desiring to red i
crease their circulation, thus permit in
ncrqase or reduction within the
iseventy-iive par cent of capital to be
made as emer e icy iriso In addition :
guarantee fund required it is Dro?»o*el to
vide a safety fund f >r tin immediate relei
tion of the circulating notes of fail
by imposing a small annual tax s:r
of one per cent upon the avara 'e ci
ofoaohbink until tho find a noun
per cent of the total circulation outsuniii
When a bank fails its guarantee fuii
paid into th.s safety funds and its n <
to be redeemed in the first instan.o fro
safety inud thus au moated, anr impi
of such fund caused thereby to b.* m.
from the immediately available c.nh a
said bank, and i; the se should be ins r
auch impairment to be made co hI :
rata assessment among tho other baa tut:
contributions con.t.tuiing a tirst ii
the as ets of the failed bunk in fav
contr buiinj banks.
As a further security it is content?
that the existing proposition tixinr th:
vidual liability of stockholder* is to
tained and the bancs indebtedness >
count of it* circulatin ; notes is to bo rail
first lien on all its assets. For the p.tr.‘
meetinjtho expense of printin; un
cials. supervision, cancellation and o'.'y
charges, there shall be impose l a tax cl
one-half of one per cent per annum u;>
average amount of notos in circulation <
further provided that there s-i.n«
no national bank notes issue i
a less denomination tuan tea do.
that each nation ii bank, except in cas*
failed bank shall reJeem or retire it * s>
the first instance at its own o.fl ■
agencies to be desirnatad by it. th »t■■■
reserve used bo maintaihod on account'
posit i.
ADoiaer very important leaiurc --
is the exemption of .state banks froB j
lion by the United St it is in case*
shown to the satisf action of the se-re^‘
the treasury and comptroller of th) Cjrf‘
by banks claiming such exomptloa. ta»j
have not hid outstanding thur cir^-j
notes excoeiin' seventy-five Per
their paid up and unimpair-1*■
that their stockholders are in Jiv:iiua=ty'
for the redemption of their circuaW*
to the full extent of the ownjrsbiP® (
that the liibility of such ban:*
their circulating notes CJ* (
under their state law a first «<■ j
their assets that such
kept and maintained » ,9
fund in United States leril t3n_ r ./o
cluJin r treasury uo.es of 1 ^ e<lUi‘,-.\x;
per cent of their outstanding ^
not?s, and that such have promptly
their circulating notes whoa Pre
their principal or branjh office #
It is quite likely that this sCie.^. ,v.i
usefully amended in some of its uj ^
am satisfied it furnishe* a basis _ ^
preut improvement iu our pre,en‘
and currency system .
I conclude this communication t
ciat n; that the responsibility
affecting the people of the United ^,
upon their representatives in l1,
assuring them that wh itev *r acc ’ 4. ;j
reccmmencations I have m11,3 >’ au t
be Klad to co-operate in povfec** •
tiou that tends to tae pro»peru?
of onr people. t
(signed) Grovefi
Executive Mansion. Dcccin
AMUSING TRIFLE^
"Who is that follow aor*
street?” “Celebrated l‘t'r3.’j
acter.” “What is his sP-‘c‘
"Long hair.” ^
Sea Captain—There is E°
ship is doomed! In “n ^
all be dead! Seasick
Thank heaven!
