flded to It the protection of their in terests and honor, and to humanity. Sure of the right, keeping free from all offense ourselves, actuated only bj upright and patriotic considerations moved neither by passion or selfish ness, the government will continue lti watchful care over the rights and I'roperty of American citizens and wil nbato none of Its efforts to brins About by peaceful ngeneleg a peace which shall bo honorable and endur ing. If It shall hereafter be a dut> Imposed by our obligations to our „ selves, to civilization and humnnlty to Intervene with force. It shall be without fault on our part and only be cause tho necessity for such octlor will bo so clear as to command the support und approval of the civilized world. tROES ANNEXATION OF HAWAII By a special message dated the 16th of Juno last I laid before the senate a treaty signed that day by the plen ipotentiaries of tho United States and of the Republic of Hawaii having for Its purpose the incorporation of the Hawaiian Islands ah an integral pari of the United States, and under It* sovereignty. The senate having re moved the Injunction of secrecy, al though tho treaty Is still pending be tor that body, the subject may be prop erly referred to In this message be eause tho necessary setion of congress Is required to determine by legislation many details of the eventual union should the fact of annexation be ac complished. a* I believe It should be. ^ '' VVIille consistently disavowing from ^ a very early period any aggressive policy of absorption In regard to the Hawaiian group, as one series of dec larations through three-quarters of a century has proclaimed the vital In terest of the United mates In the In dependent life of the Islands and their intimate commercial dependency upon mm country. At me same time it mm been repeatedly asserted that In ne event rouuld the entity of Hawaiian statehood cense hy the passage of the Islands under the domination or In fluence of another power than the ^ United States. Under these circum stances the logic of events required that annexation, before offered but declined, should In the ripeness of flute come about as the natural re sult of strengthening the ties that Mod us to those Islands and be realiz ed hy the free will of the Huwallan «f ate. That treaty was unanimously rati fied without amendment hy the sen ate and president of the Republic ol Hawaii on the 10th of September last, and o.al/ awaits the favorable action Ik,. of the American senate to effect the > complete abeorption of the Islands In to the domains of the United States. What the renditions of such a union shall he, the political relation thereo* to the United States, the character of the local administration, the quality and degree of elective franchise of the Inhabitants, the extension of the fed eral luws i* the territory or the en nrtment of special laws lo fit the peculiar condition thereof, the regula tion of needs of labor therein, are all matters which the treaty has wisely relegated to the congress. If the treaty Is confirmed, as every consideration of dignity and honor re riuirey, the wisdom of congre-s will see to It that, avoiding abrupt assimila tion of elements perhaps hardly yet fitted to share In the highest fran chise of eitizensblp and having due regard of the geographical conditions, the most Just provisions for self-rule In local matters with the largest political liberties as an integral part of our ration will he accorded tc the Hnwaiians. No less Is due tc a people who, after nearly five years of demonstrated capacity to fulfill the obligations of self-governing state hood, come of their free will to merge their destines in our body politic. 't he imeHtlons which have arisen be tween Japan and Hawaii hy reason ot the treatment of Japanese laborers emigrating to the Islands under the llawaiian-Japanese convention of 1888 are iri a satisfactory stage of settle •v>nnt 1 iv normtluilnn Tlilu cr/Wftrn. ment ban not been invited to mediate, ■ nd on the other hand has sought na Intervention in that matter, further than to evince its kindliest disposition toward such a speedy and direct ad justment by the two sovereign states In interest as shall comport with equality and honor. It is gratifying to learn that the apprehensions at first displayed on thp part of Japan lest the cesation of Hawaii’s national life through annexation might impair privileges to which Japan honorably laid claim, have given place to ex pressions of confidence of its purpose to deal with all possible ulterior ques tions in the broadest spirit of friend liness. AFFAIRS IN CENTRAL AMERICA. As to the representation of thU t government to Nicaragua. Salvador t and Costa ltlca 1 have concluded that Mr. Willium L. Merry, continued as minister of the Fulled States to the states of Nicarnguu. Salvador and w Costa Rica, shall proceed to San Jose ' Costa ltlca, and there temporarily es tablish headquarters of the United Slates to those three states. 1 took this atcion for what 1 regarded us the paramount interests of this country. It was developed upon an Investlga ttou by the mercury of statu that lh« governor of Nlrlragiia, while nut un willing to receive Mr. Merry In Ilia diplomatic rapacity, was unable to du so on aciount of the compact cunriud Ied June *o. lht»S. whereby the republic and those of Salvador and Honduras, forming what Is known as the tireater Republic uf Central America, had «ur tendered to the representative I del thereof their right to receive and send diplomatic agents The !>!<•( was not a willing to accept him because he wav I not accredited to that body. I could I not accredit him to that body brc.iuse I the appropriation law of congre s did I n»»-; permit. Mr Maker, the present I minister to Managua, has been dt W gecisvl to present his letters uf recall. Mr W F tiodfrey Hunter has like ■ Wise been a< credited to the govern W meats of tlnatrmaln and Honduras lh» same an hla predecessor tiuate jp mala ta not a memher of the tireater hfepol do of t'entrni America hat Hun I dura* M Hbouhl this latter purrs meal 4a» Mae t • receive him. he has been instructed to report this fact it hla goveraaMat sad aaait Us farther Instructions A subject of large 1st I* portaace to oar eonairy and I serene lag appose tat ton on the part uf ths People is the eons pi et am of the great highway of trade between the Atlantis I canal. Its utility and value to Ameri can commerce is universally admitted. The commission appointed under date of July 24 last, "To continue the sur veys and examinations authorized by the act approved March 2, 1885,” in re gard "to the proper route, feasibility and cost of construction of tho Nic aragua canal, with a view of making complete plans of entire work of con struction of such canai,” Is now em ployed in the undertaking. In the future I shall take occasion to trans mit to congress the report of this com mission, making at the same time such further suggestions as may then seen advisable. NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS. Under the provisions of the act of congress, approved March 3, 1897, for the promotion of an international agreement respecting bimetallism, I appointed on the 14th day of April, 1897, Hon. Edward O. Wolcott, of Colorado; Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, of Illllnols, and Hon. Charles J. Paine, of Massachusetts, as special envoys to represent tho United States. They have been diligent in their efforts to scure the concurrence and co-oper ation of European countries in the in ternational settlement of the question, but up to this time have not been able to secure an agreement contemplated by their mission. The gratifying action of our great r.lster republic of Franco in Joining this country in the attempt to bring about un agreement between the prin cipal commercial nations of Europe whereby a fixed and relative value be tween gold und silver shall be secured, furnishes assurances that we are not alone umong the larger nations of the world In realizing the international character of tho problem and the de sire of reaching some wise and prac tical solution of it. The British gov ernment has published a resume of the steps taken Jointly by the French ambassador In Ismdon and the special envoys of tho United Slates, with whom our nmbnsHudor at Ixindon ac tively co-operated In tho presentation of tills subject to her majesty's gov ernment. This will be laid before con gress. Our special envoys have not made their final report, as further ne gotiations between the representatives of this government and the govern ments of other countries nre pending fiit.l in cfinlcmnl.-itlon. Thev believe that doubts, which have been raised in certain Quarters respecting the pos sibility of maintaining the stability of the parity between the metals and kindred questions may yet he solved by further negotiations. Meanwhile It gives me satisfaction to stale that the special envoy a have already demonstrated their ability and ft.ness to deal with the subject, and It Is to be, earnestly hoped that their la bors may result in an international rfreement which will bring about rec ognition of both gold and silver as money upon such terms and with such safeguards which shall work no In justice to any class of our citizens. in order to execute as early as pos sible the provisions of the third and fourth sections of the revenue act, ap proved July 24, 1897, I appointed Hon. John A. Kasson, of Iowa, a special commissioner and plenipotentiary to undertake the requisite negotiations with foreign countries desiring to avail themselves of these provisions. The negotiations are now proceeding, with several governments, both Kuropean and American. It Is be lieved that by a careful exercise of the powers conferred by that act some grievances of our own and of other countries In our mutual trade relations may he either removed or largely alleviated and that the vol ume of our commercial exchanges may be enlarged with advantages to both contracting parties. Most desirable from every stand point of national interest anj patriot ism is the effort to extend our for eign commerce. To this end our mer chant marine should be improved and enlarged. We should do our full share of the carrying trade of the world. We do not do it now. We should be the laggard no longer. The Inferiority of our merchant marine is Justly hu miliating to the national pride. The government, by every proper consti tutional means, should aid in making our ships familiar visitors at every commercial port of the world, thus opening up new and valuable markets to the surplus products of our farm i and the factory. The efforts which have been made flnrini? the turn tirevimts veera hv mv predecessor to secure better protection to the fur needs of the north Pacific oeean ami tiering sea were renewed at an early date by this administration, and have been pursued with earnest ness. Upon ray Invitation the gov ernments of Japan und Russia sent delegates to Washington and un In ternational conference was held dur ing the months of October and No vember last, wherein It was unani mously agreed that uniter the existing regulations this species of useful an imals was threatened with extinction, und that an International agreement of all Interested powers was necessary i for their adequate protection. The government of Great tlrltain > did not see proper to be represented ! at this conference, hut subsequently sent to Washington us delegates the expert rotuiulssiuners of Great llrlt aln and t'anada, who had during the past two years visited the Prytbyloff islands, and who met In conference similar commissioners ou the part of the United Mtatea. The result of this conference was an agreement on Important facta connected with the condition of the seal herd heretofore ' In disputa, w hich should place beyond controversy the duly of the govern ments concerned to adopt measures without delay for the preservation and j restoration of the herd. Negotiations to this end sre now in progress, the result of which I hope to be aids to report to congress at an early day international arbitration cannot be omitted from tbe list of subjects j clamoring for our eonslderaltog Kt eats have only served to strengthen tbe general Vlewe on Ibis question | expressed In my Inaugural address Tbe beet sentiment of tbe civilised world la moving toward tbe aettla meat of difference* between nations without resort lag to tba bur rue* of I war. TreatU# embodying thews hu mane principles «a broad linen with out In any way imperiling am Inter set* or eur honor shall have my son slant encouragement Tbe accept sacs by ibis government I of tbe let tuttua of tba repubtts of France to participate in the Universal exposition of 1900 at Paris was imme diately followed by the appointment of a special commissioner to repre sent the United States In the proposed exposition, with special reference to the securing of an appropriation for an adequate exhibition on behalf of the United States. The special com missioner delayed his departure for Paris long enough to ascertain the probable demand for space by Ameri can exhibitors. His Inquiries developed an almost unprecedented Interest in the proposed exposition, and the ln fomatlon thus acquired enabled him to justify an application for a much larger alotment of space for the American section than had been re served by the Exposition authorities. The result was particularly gratify ing in view of the fact that tho United States was one of the last countries to accept tlie invitation of Franco. Tho reception accorded our special commissioner was most cordial, and ho was given every reasonable assur ance that the United States would re ceive n consideration commensurate with the proportions of our exhibi tion. The reports of the special com missioner ns to the Importance and magnitude of the coming exhibition and the great demand for space for American exhibits supplies new argu ments for a liberal and judicious ap propriation by congress, to the end that an exhibit fairly reresentatlve of tho industries) and resources of our country way he made In tho exposi tion which will illustrate the world's progress during tho nineteenth cen tury. That, exposition is Intended to be I be most Important and comprehen sive of the long series of interna tional exhibitions, of which our own at Chicago wuh a brilliant example, and it Is desirable that the United States should make a worthy exhibit of American genius and skill and their unrivaled achievements in every branch of industry. REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW NAVY. The present naval force, especially In view of Its Increase h.v ships now under construction, while not as large ns that of a few other powers, Is a formidable force; Its vessels arc the very best type, and with the Increase that should he made to It. from time to time In the future, and careful at tention to keeping It In a high state of efficiency and repair, It Is well adapted to the necessities of the country. The great Increase of the navy which has taken place In recent yiars was Justified by the requirements for national defense and has received pub lic approbation. The time has now 1 n rrl Viu\ hnn/oi/or whnn thla* liwisonua to which the country Is committed, should for a time take the form of In creased facilities commensurate with the Increase of our naval vessels. It Is an unfortunate fact that there is only one dock on the Pacific coast ca pable of docking our largest ships and only one on the Atlantic roast, and that the latter has for the last six or seven months been under repair and therefore Incapable of use. Immediate steps should he taken to provide throe or four docks of this capacity on the Atlantic coast, at least one on the Pa cific coast and a floating dock on the gulf. This Is the recommendation of a very competent board appointed to Investigate the subject. There should also he ample provision for powder and projectiles and other munitions of war and for an Increased number of officers and enlisted men. Some ad ditions are also necessary to our navy yards for the repair and care of 'our larger number of vessels. As there are now on the stocks five battleships of the largest class, which cannot he completed for a year or two, I concur with the recommendation of the secretary of the navy for an ap propriation authorizing the construc tion of one battle ship for the Pacific coast, where at present there Is only one In commission and one under con struction. while on the Atlantic coast there are three In commission and four under construction; and also that sev eral torpedo boats he authorized In connection with our general system of coast defense. ALASKA IN NEED OF ATTENTION. The territory of Alaska requires the prompt and early attention of con gress. The conditions now existing demand material changes in the laws relating to that, territory. The great influx of population during the past summer and fall and the prospect of a still larger Immigration In the spring will not permit us to longer neglect the extension of civil authority within the territory or postpone the establishment of a more thorough gov ernment. A general system of public surveys bus not yet been extended to Alaska district are upon special surveys. The act of congress extending to Alaska mining lnws of the United States con tained the reservation that It should not be construed to put In force the general land laws of the country. By act approved March S, 1891. authority was given for the entry of landa for townxlto imrjxwes und also for the purchase of not exceeding 1t;o acres then or thereafter occupied for pur IMises of trade und manufacture The purpose of congress aa thus far ex pressed has been that only such rights should apply to the territory as shall be specifically named. It will be seen how much remains to be done for that vaat and remote and yet promising portion of our country. Special authority was given to the president by the net of roo"r*-*a »p I roved Julv 24. 1997, to divide I ha' territory Into two land district and to designate the boundaries thereof, and to appoint register* nurt receiver* of said land offices and the pr olden* waa also authorised to appoint a sur veyor general for the entire district Uursuaat to Ihl* authority, a surveyor general and receiver have beoa ap pointed with olftrea at diiha If In the rnsutns year the court! ton* iuatlfy li, Ike additional land district au> barlaesl by law will be established with an '■Ace at same fednt In the Yukon vnl No appropriation b>w«» waa made fur Ibis purpose and that la now necewsary la he don* for the Into land districts lata Which the tarrttory la t« kw divided I concur with the aewreiary of war In bla mmmiImm aa to the aeeemltf for a military force In the territory of Alaska fur the protection of p-rauM aal property Already a email tnruo consist tag of tweaty R«a mea with ! two wAcera. under command «# tdna teaant t'vdooet Handel! a* the Highlit lafaatry hss hern sent la A Weft ael to establish a military post. At it Is to the interest of the government to encourage the development and settlement of the country and its duty to follow up its citizens there with the benefits of legal machinery, I earnestly urge upon congress the es tablishment of a system of govern ment of such flexibility as will enable it to adjust itself to the future areas of greatest population. The startling though possibly ex aggerated reports from the Yukon river country of the probable shortage of food for the largo number of peo ple who are wintering there without the means of leaving the country are confirmed in such a measure as to Justify bringing the matter to the at tention of congress. Access to that country this wltner can he had only by the passes from I)yea and vicinity, which Is a most dlflicult and perhaps an impossible task. However, should these reports of the suffering of our fellow citizens be further verified, every effort at any cost should be made to carry them relief. TROUBLES IN INDIAN TERRITORY For a number of years past It lian been apparent that the conditions un der which the five civilized tribes were established in the Indian terri tory under treaty provision with the United States, with the right of self government and the exclusion of all white persons from within their bor ders, have undergone so complete a < hutige as to render the continuance of the system thus inaugurated prac tically Impossible. The total number of the five civilized tribes as shown by tho last census, is 45,454, and this number has not materially increased, while the wlilto population Is esti mated at from 200,000 to 250,000, which, by permission of tho Indian government, have HeUled in the terri tory. Tho present area of the Indian territory contains 25,69:1,564 acres, much of which Is very fertile land. The United States citizens residing in the territory, most of whom have gone there by invitation or with tho con sent of tho tribal authorities, havo made permanent homes for them selves. Numerous towns have been built In which from 500 to 6,000 white people now reside. Valuable residence and business houses havo been erected In many of them. Lurge business enterprises are carried on In which vast sums of money arc employed, and yet these people, who huve invested their cap tlve resources of tho country, are with out title to the land which they oc cupy and have no voice whatever in the government, either of the nations or the tribes. Thousands of their chil dren who were born In the territory are of school age, but tbo doors of tho schools of the nations fc xhut against them and what education they get Is by private contribution. No provision for tho protection of the life or property of these while citizen* Is made by tbo tribal governments and courts. The secretary of the Interior re ports that leading Indians have ab sorbed great tracts of land to the ex clusion of the common peopie and government by an Indian aristocracy has been practically established, to the detriment of the people. It has been found Impossible for the United States to keep Its citizens out of tho territory, and the Executory condi tions contained in the treaties with these nations have for the most part become impossible of execution. Nor has it been possible for the tribal gov ernments to secure to eadi Individual Indian bis full 'enjoyment in common with other Indians of the common property of the nations. Friends of the Indians have long believed that the best interests of the Indians of the five civilized tribes would be found In American citizenship, with all the rights and privileges which belong to that condition. Py section 16 of the act of March 3, 1891, the president was authorized to appoint three commissioners to enter Into negotiations with the Cherokee, /•it,,.,.*,.... /n.1,.1,~ t Creek), and Seminole nations, com monly known as the five civilized tribes of the Indian territory. Briefly, tne purposes of the negotiations were to be: The extinguishment of tiilia! titles to any land now held by any and all such nations or tribes, either by cession of the same or some part thereof to the United States or by al lotment and division of the same In severalty among the Indians of such nations or tribes respectively ns may be entitled to the same, or by such other method as may be agreed upon le'.vcen the several nations and ‘.riles afiuihald or each of them with the United States, wbh a view to «mh adjustment upon the baslt of jusiiro and equity as may, with the consent of the said nations of Indians, so far us nay be necessary, re.pilMie and aultrlle to enable the ultimate crea ttoi: oi a state or air.ys of the Union which shall embrace the lands wltliin said Indian territory. The commission met much oppo sition from the Iwglnnlng. The In dians were very slow to act, and those In ccntrol manifested n decided dis inclination to meet wbh favor the proposition submitted to them. A little more than three years after Its organisation the commission effected an agreement with the Chotsw nation alone. The Chlckaaaws. however, re fused to agree to Its terms, and os they have a comiuou interests with the (hoetawa In the lands of th“ suid nations, tha agreement with the latter (tush! have no effect without tb» eon **nt of the former On April id. tsi? the commission effected so agreement with both tribe*- the i*hot*wa and the CHrkaAUVe This agreement. It t* understood has beep rs'tftegt by tbs constituted authorities of the respew■ live tribe* or nations parties thereto, sad only requires the ratifies!top of etiRgress to malt* It binding On the fjtb of rtept. tuber, is*?, an agreement was effected with the Cpsk nattua, but It Is understood that t'.e nations) council of mM nation has refused to ratify It* same Negotiations are yet to be had with (he t'hsfokees, lbs MMSM populous of the *»e clilllpd tribes, and With the Hem>m>i*s. tbs smsliest In pud of numbers and territory Tbs provision in the lading appro pr tat Son set appro**** I was IS IM. makes M tbs ditty of tbs com atlas tan to In * »sll*sl» and determine tbs rights of appltvaaia for ntlasnablp hi lbs A«« Kin lilted tribe* Tbs rommts •ton la at preswnt tagsged In Ibi* work among ike tribes, and has made appointments for taking the census of these people up to and including the 30th of the present month. Should the agreement with the Choctaws and Chickasaws bo ratified by congress and should the other tribes fail to make an agreement with the commission, then it will be nec essary that some legislation shall be had by congress, which, while just and honorable to the Indians, shall be equitable to the white people who have settled upon these lands by in vitation of the tribal nations. Hon. Harry L. Dawes, chairman of the commission, in a letter to the secretary of tho interior, under date of October 11, 1897, says: "Individual ownership !b, In their (commission ers') opinion, absolutely essential to any permanent improvement In pres ent conditions, and lack of it Is the root of nearly all of the evllB which so grievously affect these people. Al lotments by agreement is the only possibio method, unless the United States courts are clothed with the au thority to apportion these lands among tho citizen Indians for whose use it was originally granted.” I concur with the secretary of tho Interior that there can be no cure for the veils engendered by the (per version of these great trusts excepting by the resumption by tho government which created them. NKW QUARANTINE DAW9. Tho recent prevalence of yellow ro ver in a number of cities and towns throughout the south has resulted in much disturbance to commerce and demonstrated the necessity of such amendments to our quarantine lnws as will make the regulations of the na tional quarantine authorities para mount. The secretary of the treasury, In tho portion of his report relating to the operation of the marine hospital ser vice, calls attention tho the defects in the present quarantine laws, and recommends amendments thereto which will give the treasury depart ment the requisite authority to pre vent the invasion of epidemic diseases from foreign countries, and in times of emergency, like thut of the past summer, will add to the efficiency of tuo niiniuii ; nil ami i * n iui uir tlon of the people and at the same time prevent unnecessary restrictions of commerce. 1 concur In bis recom mendation. In further effort to prevent the In vasion of the United States by yellow fever the Importance of the dlscovory of the exucl cause of the disease, which up to the present time has been undetermined, has been obvious, and to this end a systematic bacter iological Investigation should be made. I therefore recommend that congress authorize the appointment of a commission by the president, to consist of four expert bacteriologists, one to bo selected from the medical of ficers of the Marine hospital service, one to be appointed from civil life, and one to be detailed from the medi cal officers of the army and one from the medical officers of the navy. BID ON KANSAS PACIFIC. The Union Pacific railway main line was sold under the decree of the United States court for the district of Nebraska on the 1st and 2d of Novem ber of this year. The amount due the government consisted of the prin cipal of the subsidy bonds, $27,236,512, and the acciued Interest then on, $31. 211,711.75, making the total indebted ness $58,448,223.75. The bid at the sale covered the first mortgage lien and the entire mortgage claim of the government, principal nnd Interest. The sale of the subsidized portion of the Kansas Pacific line, upon which the government holds a second mort gage Hen, has been postponed at the instance of the government, to De cember 16, 1897. The debt of this di vision of the Union Pacific railroad to the government, on November 1, 1897, was the principal of the subsidy bonds, $6,303,000, and the unpaid and ucrnetl interest thereon, $'?.626.*-90.33, making a total of $12,929,690.33. The sale of this road was originally advertised for November 4, but for the purpose of securing the utmost public notice of the event, It was postponed until December 16, and a second ad vertisement of the sale was made. By the decree of the court the upset price on the sale of the Kansas Pa cific will yield to the government the sum of $2,500,000 over all prior Hens, costs and charges. If no other or bet ter bid is made this sum Is all the government will receive on Its claim of nearly $13,000,000. The govern ment has no information as to whether there will be other bidders or a better bid than the maximum amount herein stated. Thp question presented therefore is: Whether the government shall, uuder the authority given It by the act of March 3, 1897, purchase or redeem the road In the event that a bid is not made by private parties covering the entire government claim. To qualify the government to bid at the sale will require a deposit of (000,000, as fol lows: In the government cause $300. 000, and in each of the first mortgage causes (200,000, and in the latter the deposit must be In cash. Payments at the sale are as follows: I'pon the acceptance of the bid, n sum which, with the amount already deposited, shall equal 13 per cent of the bid, the balance In Installments of 2& per rent, thirty, forty and fifty days after the continuation of the sale. Tbs liens on the Kansas Pacific prior to that of the government on the (oth of July. U»7, principal and interest, amounted to (7,3*1.0411|. Tbs govern tuent. then fur*. should It become the highest bidder, will have to pay the amount of the Hrst mortgage lien, I believe that under the act of 1(17 it has the authority to do this, anl j la ths absence of any action by con ; M*»* I shall direct ths secretary of j ths treasury to make th > vary i deposit as required by the rootle' de nse to qualify as a bidder «ml tn bid at th- sale a sum which will at least equal the principal of the debt doe to the government. bat -rgj-n to urder la reavuve nil cuntrwversy, li st nn amendment of the law be Immediately ■ passed espltrltly giving rush powers ! sad appropriating In gen* rat terms 1 whatever earn M eaMcleat therefor Is to important a matter m the | government he*omlng the mmai uwiwr of rniiroed pcotso' v nbhh T perfume must conduct end upornt*. I feel roast rat ami to lay before c agree* these larte for Me sonants, at on and eat ton before the isamnnttMt at th* vale It te * tear to my mtad that I N —■——————» the government should no* permit the property to be sold at a price which will yield less than one-half of the principal of its debt and less thaa one-flfth of the entire debt, principal and interest, rather than accept less than its claim, should become a bid der and thereby the owner of the property. 1 submit It to congress for action. CIVIL SERVICE. The Important branch of our gov ernment known ns the civil service, the practical improvement of which has long been a subject of earnest dis cussion, has of late years received in creased legislative and executive ap proval. During the past few month* the service has been placed on a still firmer basis of business methods and personal merit. While the rights of our veteran soldiers to reinstatement In deserving eases has been asserted, dismissals for merely political rea sons have been carefully guarded against, the examinations for admit tance to the service enlarged and at the same time rendered less technical and moro practical; and a distinct ad vance has been made by giving n hear ing before dismissal upon oil cases whore Incompetency is charged or de mand made for the removal of officials in nny of the departments. This or der has been made to give the ac cuser! his right to he heard, but with out In any way Impairing the power of removal, which should always be exercised In cases of Inefficiency and lneompetency, and which Is one of tbs vital safeguards of civil service re forms, preventing stagnation and dcadwood and keeping every employe keenly alive to the fact that the se curity of his tenure dpnds not om favor but on his own tested and care fully watched record of service. Much, of course, still remains to b# accomplished before the system can he made reasonably perfect foe our needs. There are places now In our classified lists which ought to be ex empt and other not classified may properly be Included. I shall not hes itate to exempt cases which I think linvo been Improperly Included in the classified service or Include those which In my judgment will best pro mote the public service. The system hns the upproval of the people and it will bo my endeavor to uphold and extend It. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. The library building, provided for by the act of congress, upproved Aprtl 15, 1886, hns been completed and opened to the public. I should he a matter of congratulation that through 4 Has frtrnulirH4 ntwl mli*ilB/ion/>ua. It n re purled that the ml Pieter bee tendered Ha reetgRallua The op I a Won precede la sums >4aarte 1 e that should General NMtl reelga bte portfolio Ihe em it re rablaet ewW fall Tha Steal lag treasury debt was la inesaesd (eying Ihe meath uf Nuvegge be* by t3.Md.Mg pea a lee