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THE BED CLOUD OHIKF, JfJRlDAYi.DEC. 11, 1896.
V
fcd
BI EH
CUBAN QUESTION FORCI
BLY DEALT WITH.
SPAIN IS THREATENED.
Tlie United Ktiitrs Itriuly to Inturfrro In
Itl Own Wiiy Unless it 8prrcly
Cos-
ntlon of Hostilities In Drought
Aliont Tim fjuinllou exhaust
ively Dlnruix'il In All Its
Deplorable Features,
The Situation In Turkey Utile Changed,
lint I.oform In Loohoil for 'tlio
Vcnciic tun Ini'lilriit I'riielleully
tinseil Tariff iiml I Inutii lit 1
Views lieltcrnteil OfTcns-
lti I'lirtlsimslilp.
Wamiin'Mon, Dei. T. Tlio following
Is thi' pmsiilpnt'h imssiin;i: to cfiiiirressi
To the ( ougirssof I lie United States: As
reptesent.Ulvo ill tin n'iiili! Ill tin legisla
tive branch of their government you li.ivc
asscmhldl at a time when the strength anil
exeelli me of our tree Institutions anil the
fitness ol our iltli'iis to enjoy popular rule
have been again made manliest. A political
contest Inwdvlny luotni'iit'iiis roiiscquctu cm,
fraught wltli Icverlsh apprehension anil
creating ngiessivcurss so Intense us tu ap
proach bitterness ami passion, has licen
waged ihioiighnul our (ami ami iletrrmlncil
by tile dot ree ot free ami Inilopemlent suf
frage, without illsttirliame of our Itan
qllllltyot tin least sign ot weakness In oui
national stiurluie
When e cmisliler these InrlilcuW ami
ContciupUtu the pe.ieeful olieilleiue ami
nisttily submission which have suiiecdcd a
heated ilash of political opinion no dls
cover aliumlanl evidence of aileierinln.itlon
on the part of country men to alilile by every
verdict of the popular will anil to br con
trolteil at all tlmrsli.r .unhiding faith In the
sgeuiies established for the illlfctlon ot the
kfTalrHof their gnicrliincut. Thus our peo
ple exhibit a patriotic illsposltlon w Iilcti en
titles them to ilotiuml of thine who under
take to make ami execute their laws such
fulthtul ami unseltlsli nervier In their behalf
us can only be prompted by a serious appte
clatlonof the trust audcoiifldciicc which the
acceptance of public ilutv Invites.
Inobeilleme to a eoustltutlonal reqtilto
Inent, I herein submit to thr Congtcss cer
tain Infutin.itlou iiimi ruing national af
fairs, with tin siieitlonof such legislation
as In my tuiUil'eul is neeesH.it y anil expe
dient. To sei lire lnevlty aiul avoid tiresome
narration, I Khali omit many details con
cernlng matti is within It lor.il eoutiol,
Which, though by no means unimportant,
tiro more ptn'ltahly discussed In depart
mental reports. 1 shall also tin ther cut tall
thlsioiiimimicat.iii by omitting a minute
lecllal of many minor Incidents eoiinecteil
with our loiiigu relations which have here
tofore found a. plai e in executive messages,
but arc now contained In a leport of the
Beciotarv of State, which Is herewith
submitted.
TI'KKI'V.
At the outset of a tcfeicnrc to the more
luilsirt.iut matters atfeettiiK our relations
with foreign powers. It would atfnnl me at
Isfuctluntl Icoulda'suie the Congress that
the disturbed condition In Asiatic Tut key
had during the past Near as.umcd a less
hideous anil blond v asju. t. ami that either
an a rnnseiiiicnio of the awakening of
the Turkish government to the demands
Of humane civilization or as the
result of dcilslve action on the
jiartofthei;reat nations having the right
by treaty to Interlcre tor the protection of
those exposed to the rage ot mere bigotry
(inn cruel fanaticism, the shockliiK features
of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming a softened
disposition or protective Intervention, wc
have bceu atnicted by continued and not (in
frequent reports of the wanton destruction
of home and the bloody butchery of men,
women and children, made martyrs to their
profession of Chilsliaii faith While none
of our litiious In Tui key have thus far been
killed or wounded, though often In the midst
of dreadful icenes of danger, their safetv In
lite future Is by no means assured. Our
government at home and our minister .it
Constantinople have lelt uothliir. undone to
protect our missionaries In Ottoman terri
tory, who Constitute nearly all thr Individ-
,11318 rctldlofr there who have a right to
ninth) our pYntci lion on the sinre of Auior-
tcftucltlrrnshlp.
' Tfur efforts In this direction will not be ie-
jltutsdi but the deep feeling and sympathy
Unfit nhve be n aroused among our people
Vicht not to so far blind their reason ami
(Judgment as to lead them lo demand Impos
sible things. The outbreak nf blind fury
which led to murder and pillage In Turkey
ccur suddenly and without notice, and an
fctteSBv' -I our part to force such a hostile
pU'seuct; there as might Ik effective for pre
vention or proteiitlou would not only be re
mitted by the Ottoman government, but
feould be regarded as an Interruption of
lltrlr plans to the gi oat nations who assert
thfllr exclusive right to Inter. one In their
'ibn time and method for thusecutlty of
life and proprt ty In Turkey
fio'eral naval v osels are stationed In the
Mediterranean as ,t measuie of caution and
to furnish all possible relief and rrinitc In
C39C of emernency. We have claims against
the Turkish Kovernmenl for the pillage and
destruction ot mKslouary property at llar
jpool and Marash durliiK uprisings .it those
plBCCs. Thus far the validity of these Ue
UiRndi has not hern admitted through out'
inlliltter. l't'loi to mh 'i out cures and In an
tlclpatlon of daiiKer wrdem.ii dedpioteitlon
for the pm sons and propel ty ol our mission
'tiry cltlcens In the localities mentioned,
tthd tiotwlthstandllip that evuleui e elts of
(fctnul complicity of Turkish soldiers In the
WOrlc of destruction and robbery The facts
ks they now appear do not permit us to doubt
thoJURtlce of these claims, and nothltiK wilt
bo omitted to lirluc about their prompt set
tJoment. A number of Armenian irfuitees
navlng arrived at our ports, an 'order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish rov
erhracnt permlttlnt: the wives and children
ofsuth refugees to join them here. It Ik
hoed that hereafter no obstacle will be In
ttrposed to prevent the escape of all those
Who seek to avoid the porlU which threaten
then. In Turkish dominions.
Our recenllyapioliitedconsulto Kreroum
(a at bU post and dlxchargliiK the duties of
hit ortlcc. though for some unaccountable
raton his formal esequator from the Sultan
nab not been iKsucd, I do not believe that the
present koinbcr prospect In Turkey will be
long permitted to offend the sUht of Christ
endom. It so mars the human and eullcht
aucd civilization that belongs to the close ot
the nineteenth century that It scums hardly
possible that the earnest demand of good
people throughout the Christian world for
Its corrective treatment will remain un
kusweted. CUIIA.
The Insurrection in Cuba still continues,
trtth all Its perplexities. It Is dlmcult to
perceive that any progress has thus far been
tuade toward the pacification of the Island
or that the situation of affairs as depicted In
my last annu.it message has In the least Im
proved. If Spain still holds Havana and the
seaports and all considerable towns, the In
MirRents still roam at will over at least
two-thirds of the Inland country. If the de
termination of Spain to put down the Insur
rection ncrnis but to strengthen with the
lapse of time, and ln;evldenced by her un
hesitating devotion of largely Ilia eased
military and naval lorres to the task, there
Is much reason to believe that the Insur
gents have gained In point of numbers and
chat artcr anil resources, and arc none the
less Indexible In their resolve not to succumb
without practically securing the great pro
Jrris for which thrv took up anus. It Spain
has not yet re-established her ailthoiiij
neither have the Insurgents yet made gold
their title to be regarded as an Independent
state. Indeed, as the contest has gone on.
the tiretense that civil eovernment exists on
the Island, except so far as Spain Is able to
maintain it. has been practlcallv abandoned.
Spain does keep on loot such a govern
ment, uiorc or less Imperfectly. In the l.u go
towns and tin Ir Immediate suburbs. Hut,
that exception being made, the entile coun
try Is either given oier to anarchy or Is
subject to the military occup.Mlon of one or
the other party. It Is reported. Indeed, on
tellable authority that, at the demand of
the (ommamler-liiM hlef of the Insurgent
army, the putative Cuban government has
now given up all attempt to exercise Its
functions, leaving that government confes
sedly (w hat there Is the best reason for sup-
jxisliig It nlwnts to have been In f.atl a gov
ernment meii-Iy on paper.
Were the Spanish atmtes able to meet
their antagonists In the open, or In pitched
battle, prompt ami decisive results might be
looked lor, ami the tinmen' superloilty of
theSpiul'.h fon es In iiumbeis. ilisilpliui!
and eiul'iient loubl baldly fall to tell
greatly to their advantage Hut they an
called upon to fai - a loe that shuns general
eiigagi'iuentH. that can i house and does
choose Its own ground, th.it fioin then. Utile
of the country Is visible or Invisible at
pleasure, and that lights only Irom am
busi ,ule and when all the advantages ot po
sition and numbers are on Its side. In a
country where all that Is ludlspeuslble lo
life in the way ot food, clothing ami shelter
Is so easily obtainable especially by those
born .iml bled on the soil, It Is obvious that
there Is haidly a limit to the time dining
which hostilities of this sort may be pro
longed. Meanwhile as In all i ases of pro
tracted rlvll strife, the passions of the com
batants glow more and mote Inllanied and
excesses on both sides ate more frequent
and more deplorable.
They also are partli Ipalcd In by bauds of
marauders wno, now In the name ot one
party and now In the name of the other, as
i:i jy best suit the occasion harass the coun
try at will and plunder Its u etched inhab
itants lor their own advantage Such a
condition of things would Inevitably entail
Immense destruction of properly even II It
were the polli of both pat ties to prevent it
us far as practicable. Hut while such
Hrcmed to be theorlgln.il policy ol the Span
ish goierument. It has now appat cutty
abandoned It. and is acting upon the same
theory as the Insurgents, namely that the
exigencies of the contest require the whole
sale annihilation of pioperty.that.lt may
not prove of use and advantage to the ene
my. It Is to the same end that In pursuance
of general ordeis, Spanish garrisons are
now being withdrawn from plantations and
the i ural population i equti eil to concentrate
Itself In the towns.
The sure t emit would seem to be that the
Industrial value ol the Island Is last dimin
ishing and that unless theie Is a speedy and
radical change In existing conditions, It will
soon disappear altogether. That value con
sists vet i largely, of course. In Its capacity
lo pioduce sugars a cap.ii lly already much
ledmed by Interruptions to tillage which
have taken place during the last two years.
It Is tell ih, asset ted that should these In
terruptions iimtlnue during the t urrent
year, an 1 pr.ii tlc.illv extend, as Is now
Uneaten 'd. to the entire sugar pioduilug
tetrlton ot the Island, so mu. h fine and so
much luniii'v will be required to restore the
landtollsuorm.il piodm tlvcues-, that It Is
extiemely doubtful If capllali an be Induced
to even ni.ike the attempt.
The spe la- It ol the utter ruin of an ad
joining lou.itrv bv nature, one of the most
feitlle and i harming oh Die globe, would
engage tlie serious attention ol the govern
ment ,11111 people of the ('tilted Slates under
iinv cltium-tai.i es. In , lot or tat t, they
have a mm em with It wlili h Is bv no meant
of a wholly seutiintiit.il or phtl.iuthioplc
character. It His so near to us as to be
haidly sepatAted fioin our country. Our
actual peciiiilai v Interest in it Is snonil
only to that of the people and government
ot spam,
li is reasou.ioiv cs'.un.ueo ui.-i i
at least irom tawuiiii.oiM to i..i ip.ihi oi
capital Is Invested In plantations, in tall-
load, iiiiniiit; ililil oilier ousnn-ss eiuei-
pnsesun the Island. The volume of trade
between thr Tinted stales ami Cuba, which
III Ihh'J amounted to about f. i.oiHi iMio, lose
ill lH'Jll to about MliIl.iuiODiio. and In lh'.lt,
the year before present Insurrei Hon broke
out. amounted to neatly fir. oon.tloo. He
r.ldes this large i"i uiil.uy Interest staked In
the fortunes of Cuba, the United States tlnds
Itself Inextricably Involved In the present
contest lu oilier was both vexatious and
costly.
Main Cubans reside In this country, and
Indlrei tlv ptoinote the InsurrecHou thtough
the press by public meetings, by the pur
chase ami shipment ot ai ms. bv the raising
of funds, and by other means which the
rtpliitotout institutions ami the tenor of
our laws do not permit to be made the stib
1rct of criminal prosecution Some of them,
though Cubans at heal t and lu all iheli tec 1
Ings and Interests, have t ikett out p ipet s as
naturalised cltl'ens of the United .-states, a
proceeding lusoi ted lo with a view to pos-
sllile prole, Hon by this government, ami
not unnatural!)' regarded with much Indig
nation bv tin louniry of their origin. The
Insiirgi ills are utidoiihudly eucoui.iged and
supported by the widi spread sympathy ot
thr people-oi this lounlrv always instruct
ively felt forevcrs struggle lor better and
licer govei nmeiil ami whli h In the case of
the more adventurous ami restless elements
of our population, leads In only too many
lustauies to .utlve and personal participa
tion 111 the contest.
The lesull Is thai this government Is con
htantly called upon to piotect American clt
lreus, to claim damages for Injuries to per
sons and propirtv. now estimated at many
millions of iioll.ii s and to asl; explanations
and apologies for the acts ot Spanish oill
cials whose real for the repression ot rebel
lion sentiments blinds them to the Immun
ities belonging to the unoffending rlU.ens
of a f rlendlv power.
It follows irom the same causes that the
United States Is compelled to actively police
a long line ot sea coast against unlaw fill ex
peditious, the escape of vhlih the utmost
vlgllame will not always suiilie to ptcicut.
These Inevitable entanglements ol the
United States with the rebellion In Cuba,
the large A inerU an properly Interests al-
lectcd and muslderatioiis of philanthropy
and humanity lu general, have led to a ve
hement demand lu vailous quaitcrs for
some sort of positive intervention on the
part ot the United States It was at llrst
proposed that belligerent lights should be
accorded to the Insurgents, a piopositlou no
longer urged because untimely and In prac
tical operation clearly perilous and Injurious
to out own Intel ests. It has since been and
Is now sometimes contended that the Inde
pendence of the Insurgents should be recog
nlied. but imperfect or restricted as the
Spanish (si eminent of the island may be,
no other exist there, unless the will of the
military olllrer lu temporary command of a
particular district can be dlgnltled as a
species of government, It Is now also sug
gested that the United States should buy the
Island, a suggestion possibly worthy of con
sideration It there were any evidence of a
desire or willingness on the part of Spain to
entertain such a pinposal. It Is urged,
finally, that all other methods falling, the
existing Interneclnotrlfc In Cuba should be
terminated by our Intervention, even at the
cost of a war between the Untied Stales and
Spain- a war which Its advocates confidently
prophecy could be neither large In Its pro
portions nor doubtful In Its Issue. The cor
rectness of this forecast need be neither
affirmed nor denied. The United States has
nevertheless a character to maintain as a
nation, which plainly dictates that right and
might should be the rule of Its conduct.
Further, though the United States is not a
nation to which peace Is a necessity, It Is, in
truth, the most paclllc of powers and desires
nothing so much as to live at amity with all
tne worm, us own ample and diversified
domains satisfy all tiosslblo longings for ter
ritory, preclude all dreams of eonques and
prevent the casting of any covetous e)cs
utxin neighboring regions, however attract
ive, That our conduct towards Spain ami
her dominions has constituted no exieptlon
to this national dlsiosltlon Is made manifest
by the course of our government, not only
thus far during the present Insurrection, but
fi'Tjv tin teji years that followed the rl dug
at Vara In Ihtl). No other great poner. .t
may safely be said, under circumstances of
similar perplexity, would have manifested
the same restraint and the same patient en
durance. It may also be Raid that this jierslstent at
titude of the ('lilted States towards Spain In
connection with Cuba wilt unquestionably
evince no slight respect and regard lor
Spain on the part of the American people.
They In truth do not forget her connection
with the dlsrovery of the Western hemis
phere, nor do they underestimate the great
qualities of the Spanish people, nor tall to
fully recognl.c their splendid patriotism
ami their chivalrous devotion to the national
honor. They view with wonder and admira
tion the cheerful tosolutlon with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thou mils of
tulles of ocean and a n enormous debt ai cum
ulated, that the eiistlv position of the gem of
i oi
the Antilles m.iv still hold its place In the '
Spanish crown And yet neither the govern
ment nor the people of the Cnlted States
have shut tbeli even to the course of event!
In Cuba or have failed lo teall.e the exist
cmctif conrcdeil grievances which have led
to the present i evolt from the authority of
Spain, grievances tecognled by the Queen
Regent and by the Coites. voiced by the
most patllotle and enlightened of Spanish
statesmen, w Ithotit reg.it d to p.u ty, remon
strated by reforms pioposcd by the execu
tive and approved bv the legislative branch
of the Spanish government.
It is In the assumed temper and dlspo-l-
Hon of the Spanish government to teniedv i
these grlrvani es, fortified by Itnlli atlolis of
Influential publli opinion In Spain that this
government has hoped to discover the most
promising ami effective means of i tun posing
the present strife, with honor and advan
tage to Spain and with the achievement of
all the reasonable objects of the Insurrec
tion It would seem that If Spain would offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy, a measute of home
rule which, while preserving the sover
elrnity of Spain, would satlslv all rational
requirements of her Spanish subjects, there
should be no Just teason why the pacifica
tion of the Island might not lie effected on
that basis. Such a result would appear to
lie In the true Interest ol all concerned. It
would at once stop the conflict, w hich Is now
consuming the resources of the Island and
making It worthless lor whichever party
may ultlmatrly prevail. It would keep In
tact the possessions of Spain without touch
ing her honor, which will be consulted
rather than Impugned by the adequate re
dress of admitted grievances. It would put
the prosperity of the Island and the fortunes
ot Its Inhabitants within their own control,
without sevetlng the natural and aiuicn
ties which bind them to the mother country,
and would vet enable them to test their ca
pacity lor self government under the most
tavoruble conditions.
It has been objei ted on the one side that
Spain should not promise autonomy until
her Insurgent subjects lay down their arms.
On the other side, that piomlsed autonomy,
however liberal, Is Insullhieiit be. a use
without assurance of the promise bit.g ful
filled. Hut the reasonableness of a requirement
bv Spain, ol unconditional surrender on the
part of the insurgent Cubans betore their
autonomy Is conceded Is not altogether np
paieut. It ignores important features of
the situation the stalnlltv two vc.irs' dura
tion has given to the lusurrcitloii; the feas
ibility of Its prolongation In the nature of
things, and as shown by past experience the
utter and Imminent nilnot the Island, iimess
the present strife Is speedily composed;
above all, the rank abusas which all parties
In Spain, all brandies rf her government
and all her leading public men lonccdc to
exist ami profess a desire to remove. Cuing
such circumstances to withold the proffer
of needed reforms until the partli s demand
ing them put themselves at mercy by throw
ing down their arms has the appearance of
neglecting the gravest of perils ami inviting
suspli ton as to the sincerity of any pro
fessed willingness to grant reforms. The
oblertlon on behalf of the Insurgents that
,,r,,mU,.,l i elorm e.mnl be relied in ion mast
, ,.,mrst. ,, ronitu,.r,.(. though we have no
ll(,)lt to .,.,,.. . teason for assiun-
lug, that anything Spain undertakes to do
for the relief ot Cuba vill not be done ac
cording to both the spit it ami the letter of
the undertaking.
Nevertheless, realizing th.it suspicions
and precautions nit the part of the weaker
of two combatants are always natural and
not alwavs unjustifiable, being sincerely de
sltous In the Intrrest of both as well as on
Its own account, that the Cuban problrm
should be solved with the least possible de
lav It was Intimated by this government to
the government ot Spain some mouths ago
that If a sitlsf.ictui t measuie ot home rule
were tendeied the Cuban Insurgents, and
would bo ,u ceptrd bv them upon a guaranty
of Its exei utlon, the United states would en
deavor to tlml a w.iv not objectionable to
Spain of fin titshlng such guaranty. While
no definite rcspon ,e lo this Intimation has
yet In en received u out the Spanish govern
ment. It Is believed to be not altogether un
well ome, while, as .il-eadv suggested, no
reason Is perceived wlw It should not be ap
proved by thr Insurgents, tit Hher party can
tail to see the importance of e.llly action
and both must leallre that to prolong the
present state of things tot s-ven a short
period will add cii"t inrush to the time and
labor and expenditure u'i essarv lo bring
about the Industrial rci.upci.it km of the.
Island. It Is, thetefore, fervently hoped
on all grounds tii.it earnest efforts lor in ail
ing the bleach between Spain and the In
stil gent Cubans, upon the lines above Indi
cated, may be at once Inaugurated and
pushed to an immediate succcsstul sue.
The friendly or.tces ol the United states,
either lu the manner above outlined or in
any other way consistent with our constitu
tion and laws wilt always be at the disjusal
ot either party.
Whatever cln umst.tnces may arise, our
policy and our Interests would constrain us
toobtect to the acquisition of the island or
an Interference wiin itsconttolby any other.
It should be added tn.it it cannot be reason
ably assumed that the hitherto expectant
attitude ot the United States will be lndcll
nltely maintained
Wlille we aie anxiou. to ai cord all due re
spei I to the sovereignty of Spain, wr cannot
view the pending ontlii t in all its features
and properly appn heini our Inevitable rela
tions to It and Its possible results without
considering that by the roursv of events we
may be draw n Into s.o h an unusual ami un
precedented condition as will fix a limit to
our p.itknt walling for Spain to end the
conflict, either alone and In her own way,
or with our friendly co-operation.
When tlie Inability of Spilu to deal suc
cessfully with the Insurrection has become
manliest, and It Is demonstrated that her
sovereignty Iscxiluct in Cuba for all pur
poses of its tight ul existence, and when a
hopeless strugg for Its re-establishment
lias degenerated ttto a strife which means
nothing more than the useless sacrltlce of
human life and then utter destruction of the
very subject matter ot the conflict, a situa
tion will lie presented in which our onuga
tlons lo the sovereignty of Spain will be
superseded by higher obligations which we
ran hardly hesitate to recognize and dis
charge. Deferring the choice of ways and
methods until the time for action arrives,
wo should make them dejiend upon the pre
cise conditions then exlsitiig, and they should
not be determined uihui without giving care
ful heed to every consideration involving
our honor and Interest or the international
duty we owe to Spain. Until we face the
contingencies suggested or the situation Is
by other incidents Imperatively changed we
should continue In the line of conduct here
tofore pursued, thus lu all circumstances ex-
blotting our obedience to the requirements courts and thr division of 'nel- ro'iirio'i
of public law and our record for the duty land. In severalty, and aiding In tin sett. r
enjoliicd upon us by thr position we occupy mrnt of the troubleiotne qti. stio-i of tribal
In the family of nations. I membership The le. .-ptlou of their llrst
A contemplation of emergencies that may ! proffers of neco'.lous was not encour.iKliici
atle should plainly lead us to avoid their I
creation, cither through a careless disregard
ol present duty or even an undue stimula
tion and Ill-timed expression of feeling,
Ilct I have deemed not amiss to remind the
congress that a time may arrive when a
correct policy and a care for our Interests
as well ,ts a regard for the Interests of other
nations and their citizens, Joined by consid
erations of humanity ami a desire to see a
rich and fertile country Intimately related
to us, spared from complete devastation,
wljl constrain our government lo such action
as will subserve the Interests thus llWulsid
and at the same time promise to Cuba and
Its Inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the
blessings of peace.
VI'NI'.tT.I.A.
The Venezuelan boundary question has
ceased to be a matter of difference between
(Jreat Hrltaln and the Culled States, their
respective governments having agreid upon
the substantial provisions of a treaty be
tween (Ireat Hrltaln and Venezuela submit
ting the whole controversy to arbitration
The provisions of the tteaty arc so emi
nently Just and fair that the cotisentof Ven
ezuela thereto may coiiildeutly be antici
pated. Negotiations for a treaty of general arbi
tration for all differences between (Ireat
Hrltaln and the Culled States are far .id
. , , ... , . ., . . ;. .
l;"'1"'.:" ' .,T."".,,S- "' ."' . V il s"l"-ls,'U'
consummation at an early dati
TIll'ANt'KV I'KI'Altr.MI'NT.
The secretary ol the treasury reports that
luring the IIhi.iI year ended ,iune 110. 18'Ji'.,
the receipts of the government from all
sources amounted to too. 175 -hh.th. Dur
ing the same period Its expenditures were
S4:i4,t)"H.i5!.-lrt. The ei ess ol expenditures
over tecelpls thus amounted to J.Ti.'jo:!,
13.''7(1. The ordinary expenditures during
the year were M, 01 5.8V.. 'J I less than dur
ing the proi edlng flsc.il year. Of the re
ceipts mentioned there was derived from
customs the sum of $irii,i)J1.7rl.ti7, and
from Internal revenue 81 (l,n:i(,i)iri.CiO. The
receipts irom customs show an Increase of
7,hii:),i:i.o'j over those Irom the same
murce for the llsr.il j ear ended June 30,
lHD.'i, and the receipts from Internal tevenue
an Increase of ?a.fis l.f37.ni.
The value of our Imported dutiable mer
chandise dm lug the last iise.il year was
MC9.7fi7.470. and the value of free goods
Imported llo'i.'U'J. 170, bring an Increase of
tu.tYJ.I (V75 In the value of dutiable goods,
andl'Jl.'Jal.Oal In the value of free goods
over the preceding v ear.
Our exports of merchandise, foreign and
domestic, amounted In value to'ihS'J.OOii.oili.
being an Increase fiver the preceding vear
of 175,0(18,773. The average ad valorem
duty paid on dutiable goods Imported dur
ing the vear was 3!J.J4 per cent, and on free
and dutiable goods taken together, 10.05
per cent.
The cost of collecting our Internal revenue
wasl! 7H per cent as against 'J.ai percent
for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1803.
The total production of distilled spirits, ex
clusive of fruit bi andles. was Hftis.?!):!
taxable gallons, being an increase of H.tiUO.
103 gallons over the preceding vear. There
was also an Increase ot 1 . 143.070 gallons of
spirits, produced from Irult as compared
with the preceding year. The number of
barrels of beer produced was 'tt.b.VJ.'Jijo as
against 33,580.784 produced In the preced
ing llsral year, being an liu re.ise of 'J.UOO,
4l3li barrels.
nTiir.u nc.i'AKTVic.vrs.
The rejiortot thesecretaryof w.ir exhibit
satisfactory conditions in the several
branches ot the public sen ice intrusted to
his charge. 'I he various recommendations
of the secretarv are indorsed.
The attorney genrral presents a detailed
ami Interesting talemeut of the Important
work done under his supervision durlrg the
last list ai year. The ownership and man
agement by the government ot jH-iiltcn-tlarles
for tin i n.flnement of the rowMert
In Cnlted Sfites courts of viol Clous of
federal law s, w hlch lor tn.inv years has been
a subject of i ictitie recommendation, has
at last to a lUht exit t been reallred by the
utilization ol the abandoned military prison
at Kort I.eavouwoith as a United states
penitential).
I'eilenil I'eilllelltl.itv.
This Is certainly a movement lii the right
direction, but It ought to be at once .tipple-
menien ny tne reminding or extensive en
largement of tills Improvised prison and the
construction ol at least one more, to be
located In the southern states. The i ap.uity
fir tne i.eavenwotiii poniieiiuarv is so lim
ited that the expense of It', maintenance,
calculated at . i per i aplta tale upon the
number of prisonrrs It i an accommodate,
does not make as economical anexhlblt aslt
would If It were larger and better adapted
to prison purposes, but I am thoroughly
convinced that economy, humanity and a
proper sense ot responsibility .mil duty to
wards those whom we punish lor violations
ol federal law dictate that the federal gov
ernment should have the entire control and
management of the penitentiaries whore
convicted violators are confined. It appears
that since the transfer ol the Foil Leaven
worth military prison to Its new uses the
work previously done by prisoners confined
there, and for whli h expensive machinery
has been provided, ha been discontinued.
This work consisted of the manufacture of
articles for at my use, now done elsewhere.
On all grounds It is ci eedlngty desirable
that the convicts confined In tills peniten
tiary be allowed to resume work of this de
scription. Our postoftlce department I In good condi
tion and the exhibit made of Its operations
during the rlscal year ended dune 30, 1B!M,
If allowance Is made tor imperfections In
the laws applicable to it. Is very satisfac
tory. The total receipts during the year
were fs.',400.i;os.4O. The total expenditures
were tao.tl'JO.'JOO.St, exclusive of $1,550,
HU.s.117 which wasc.irneil by Hie 1'aclllc rail
roads for transportation and credited on
their debt to the governnunt. There was
an increase of receipts over the previous
year of f5,5lii,0S0'Jl, or 7.1 percent, and an
Increase of expenditures of 31sno,ll'4. ()'. or
4.43 per cent. The dellcit vas tl,ti70.O5(i. 10
less than that of the pi feeding year. The
chief expenditures of the postal service are
regulated by law and arc not tu the control
of the postmaster general.
The deficit for the last year, although
much less than that of the last and preced
ing years, emphasizes the necessity lor leg
islation to correct me growing anuse ot
second-class rates, to which the deficit Is
mainly attributable. The transmission at
the rate of onecent a pound of serial libra
ries, advertising sheets, "house organs"
(periodicals advertising some particular
"house" or institution), sample topics anu
the like, ought certainly be discontinued.
This subject Is discussed at considerable
length and reforms urgently recommended.
Nnvy.
The work of the navy department and Its
present conditions arc fully exhibited In
the report of the secretary. The construc
tion ot vessels for our new navy has been
energetically prosecuted by the present ad
ministration upon the general lines pre
viously adopted, the department having
seen no necessity for radical changes In
prior methods under which the work was
found to be piogresslng In a manner highly
satisfactory. It has been decided, however,
to provide In every ship building contract
that the builder should pay all tilal ex
ileuses, and It has also been determined to
pay no speed premiums lu future contracts.
civi: civil i.i:n thiiiks.
The condition of affulis among the dve
civilized tribes who occupy large tracts of
land In the Indian Territory, and who have
governments of their own, has assumed such
an asspect as to render It almost Indlsprus
Ible that there should be an entire change
,n the relations of these Indians to the gen
eral government. This seems to be neces
sary In furtherance of their own Interests
as well as for the protection of non-Indian
residents in their territory. A commission
organized and empowered under several
recent laws Is now negotiating with these
Indians for the relinquishment of their
but through patience and such conduct o:l
their part as demonstrated that their Inten
tions were friendly and In the Interest of
tlie best, prospect of success has become
more promising. The efforts should be to
save the Indians from the consequences of
their own mistakes and Improvidence, and
to secure to the teal Indian bis lights as
against Intruders and professed friends who
profit by his retrogression.
A change Is also needed to protect lite and
property through the operations of courts
conducted according to strict Justice and
.sti.m- ciiouc'j JLo c'C'iree their mandates.
Vs a sincere friend of the Indian I am ex
ceedingly anxious that these reform should
be accomplished with the consent ami aid of
the tribes and that no necessity may be pre
sented for radical or drastic legislation. I
hope, therefore, that the commission now
conducting negotiations will soon bo able to
leport that progress has been made toward
a Irlendly adluslmcut of existing dlfllcul
tics. t I'ACUiC HAIMtOAIH.
On January 11. 1807, with the amount
already matured, more than JUl.ooo.ooo of
the principal of the subsldary lmnd Issued
by the United States In aid of the construc
tion of the Union l'aeltlo railway, including
Its Kansas line, and moic than (0.000.000 of
like bonds, issued lu aid ot the Central I'.i
rifle railroad, including those Issued to the
Western Hallway company will have fallen
due and been paid or must on that day be
paid by the government. Without any ref
erence to the application of the sinking fund
now lu the treasury this wilt create such a
default on on the part of the companies to
the government as will g've it the right to
at once institute proceedings to forei lose Its
mortgage lieu. In addition to this Indebted
ness which will be due .laiuiat y 1. 1807
there will mature between that date and
January 1. 180') thr lematiniig prim lp.il of
such subsidy bonds which must also br met
by the government. Those amount to more
than fJiMiQD.OOO on ,u count of the Villon
I'.ielllc lines ami ex -ceils siM.OO'l.oOO on ac
count of the Cetitt.il 1'aclllc Hues.
In the case of the Union T.uitlc company,
the situation has become especially urgent.
Proceedings have been Instituted to lore
close a lit st moitgageupou those aided parts
ot the main Hues upon which the (iovern
itieitt holds a second ami subordinate mort
gage Hen. lu consequence of these proceed
ings and nareaslii',' complications, added to
the default occutiing on the llrst dav of
January, ls')7, a condition will be presented
at that date, so far as this company Is con
cerned that must emphasize the mandate of
the act of 1887 ami give to executive duty
under Its provisions a more Imperative
aspect.
Cnlcss Congress shall otherwise direct fir
shall have previously determined upon a
different solution of the problem there will
hardly appear to exist any reason for delay
ing beyond the date of the default .ibow
mentioned such rxecuilve action as will
promise to sttbscr.e li.c public inteirsts and
save the government irom the loss threat
ened bv further Inaction.
orri'N.sivi: 1'aktisansiiip,
The progress made in civil service rctorm
furnishes a cause for the utmost congratu
lation. It has survived the doubts of Its
friends as well as Ihe rancor of Its enemies;
ami has gained a permanent place among
the agencies destined to cleanse our politics
and Improve, economize and elevate the
public service. There are now lit the com
petitive clasilllM service upwards of S4.000
places. More than half of these have been
Included from tune to lime slut- March 4,
180,), A most radical and sweep. ng exten
sion was made by executive order dated the
Cth day ot May. 1.8l(i. And It fourth class
postuiastriships are not Included lu the
statement It may be said that practlcallv
all positions contemplated by the civil ser
vlte law are now classified. Abundant rea
sons exist tor Including these postmaster
ships, based upon economy, improved ser
viie and the peace and quiet of neighbor
hoods. It, however, obstacles pi event such
ai lion at present I earnestly hope that con
gress will, without Increasing postoftlce ap
propriations, so ad lust them as to iwrmlt in
proper i ases a consolidation of tlie
(Misto bees lo the end that thi ough this pro
i es,s tlio result desired may to a limited ex
Unt hi accomplished
The civil service rules as am"nded ilttrlui;
tlio last year provides lor a sensible and
uniform method ot promotion, basing ellg
Utility to better positions upon demon
stratiil ellliiencv and l.iltlituluess. The
ahser.ee of Used rules on this subject has
been an lutlrmilv In the system tnorr and
more apparent. lt.s other beneiits have been
better upprci lated. The advantage of civil
service methods in thru- business aspects
are too well understood lo require argu
ment. Their application has become a ne
cessity to Uie executive work of the govern
ment Hut those who gain through the
operation of these methods should be made
to understand that the non-partisan scheme
through which thev leceivo their appoint
ments demands fiom them by way ot re
ciprocity, non-partisan and faithful per
formance of duty under every administra
tion, and cheerful ildellty to every chief.
While they should In encouraged to de
cently exert Ise their lights ot citizenship
and to support through tlietr suffrages the
political beliefs they honestly protess the
mils), persistent and partisan employe, who
loves political turmoil and contention, or
who renders lax and grudging service to an
administration not representing hlspolltleal
views, should be promptly and te.irles.dy
dealt with lu such a way as to furnish a
warning toothers who may bo likewise dis
posed. Till: TAItll'T LAW.
I desire to remr to the statements else
where made concerning the government's
receipts and expenditures lor the purpose
ot venturing upon some suggestions touch
ing our present tarltf law and its opcr.itioa.
This statute took effect on the Until day of
August. InO I. Whatever may be Its short
comings as a complete measure of tarl'f
reform, It must be conceded that it has
opened the way to a freer and greater ex
change ol commodities between us and other
countries, and thus furnished a wider mar
ket tor our products and mauulactures
Tlie only entire year during which this
law has been In tnrcc ended on tlie 30th day
of June, IhOd. In that year our Imports in
creased over those of the previous year
more than Jfi.fioo OOO, w lille the value of the
domestic products we cx'sirled and which
toiind markels abroad was nearly 170.000,
000 more than during the preceding year.
Those who Insist that the cost to our peo
pic of articles coming to them from abioad
for their ricedtul use should omy be In
creased through tariff changes to an extent
necessary to meet the expenses ol the gov
ernment, as well as those who claim that
tariff charges may be laid iiism such articles
beyond the necessities of government
revenue, and with the additional purpose of
so Increasing their price In our markets as
to give American manufacturers and pro
ducers better and more profitable opportu
nities, must agrrr that our tariff laws are
only primarily justltled as sources of revenue
to enable the government to meet the naces
Hary expenses of Its maintenance. Consid
ered as to Its sufficiency In this aspert thu
present law can by no means fall under Just
condemnation. During the only complete
fiscal year of Its operation It has yielded
only t.noo.OdO more revenue than was re
reived from tarllf duties In the preceding
year. There was, nevertheless, a deficit be
tween our receipts and expenses of a little
more than J5,ooo,ooo. This, however, was
lint unexpected,
'Pill. lI til I I J, ,".u Ltlrth nn Taaa...I,kh I t
seven mouths brfore the close of the fiscal
year, mat tne secretary of the treasury
foretold a deflilency of JI7.00O,000. The
creat and increasing aimrehcnslon and
timidity In b-islness circles and the depres
sion in all activities lnterveiilutc since that
time, resulting tram causes nerfectlv well
understood and entirely disconnected; with
our larui uiviir operation seriously enecicea
the Imports we would have otherwise re.
celvcd and readily account for the differ
ence ucineeii mis esiiiuaic ui me secretary
and the actual deficiency as well as for a
cont nued. dellrlt.
inuceii. it must ne confessed mat we could
hardly hr.ve had a more unfavorable period
than (he .ast tw o years for the collection ot
tann revenue. We cannot re.tsonaoiy nopi
that our recuperation from the business de
pression will be sudden, but it has alreadv
hot in with a promise of acceleration anil .
continuance. I believe our present tariff
law. II allowed a f.tlropportunlty. will In tSTj
near future yield a revenue which, with
reasonably economical expenditure, 'will
overcome all tkileieniies.
In the meantime no dellcit that has oc
curred or may occur need excite or disturb
us. To meet any such deficit we have In the
feasv.rv. In addition to the gold renerve of
$100.01)6,000. . i surplus of more than 112,.
000.0(H) applicable to payment of the ex
penses of the government, and which must,
unless expended for that purpose, remain a
uselcsi hoard, or. If not extravagantly
wasted, tnunt in any event be perverted from
the purpose (,f itsixa --....it frcra our-pea.
pie, the payment, therctore, of any defi
ciency lu the revenue from this fund Is
nothing more than Its proper and legitimate
use. It Is Immeasurably better to appropri
ate our surplus to the payment of Justifiable
expenses than to allow it to become an Invi
tation to reckless appropriations and ex
travagant expenditures.
1 suppose It will not be dented that under
the present law our people obtain the neces
saries ot a comfortable existence at a
rhcaper rate than formerly. This is a mat
ter of supreme Importance', slnre It Is the
palpable duty of every Just government to
make the burdens of taxation as light as
possible The people should not be required
to relinquish this privilege of cheaper living
except under the stress of their govern
ment s tiiiesslty made plainly manifest.
FINANCIAL.
This reference to the condition and pros
pects of our revenues naturally suggests an
allusion to the weakness and vices of our
financial methods. They have been fre
quently pressed upon the attention of tho
Congress in previous executive communica
tions and the Inevitable danger of their con
tinued toleration pointed out Without now
repeating these details, I cannot refrain
from again earnestly presenting the neces
sity of the prompt reform of a system op
posed to every rule oi sound finance and
shown by experience to be fraught with the
gravest peril and perplexity The terrible )
civil war which shook the foundations of
our government, more than thirty years
ago, brought lu its train the destruction of
property, the wasting of our country's sub
stance, and the estrangement of brethren.
These are now past and forgotten, liven
the distressing loss of life the conflict en
tailed Is but a sacred meinorv. which fos
ters patriotic sentiment and keeps alive a
tcndei regard for those who nobly died.
And yet there lemalns with us to-day, In
full strength and activity as an Incident of
that tremendous struggle, a feature of Its
financial necessity not only iinsuited to our
present circumstances, but manifestly a
disturbing menace to business security and
an ever present agent of monetary distress.
Hecauso we may be enjoying a temporary
relief from Its depressing Influence this
should not lull us Into a false security or
lead Us to forget the suddenness of past visi
tation. I am more convinced than ever that
wc can have not assured ilnaucl.il peace and
safety until the government currency obli
gations upon which gold may be demanded
Irom the treasury are withdrawn from cir
culation and cancelled. Tills might br done
as has been recommended, by their exchange
for long term bonds bearing a low rate of
Interest, or by their redemption with tho
proceeds of such bonds,
liven If only United States notes known as
greenbacks were thus retired It Is probable
that the treasury notes Issued In payment
of silver purchases under the act ot July
II, 1800. now paid In gold when demanded,
would not create much disturbances, as they
might from time to time, when received In
the treasury by redemption of gold or other
wise, be gradually and prudently replaced
by sliver coin. This plan of Issuing bonds
for the purpose of redemption certainly ap
pears to be the most effective and direct
path to the needed reform.
In default of this, however. It would be as
step In the right direction If currency obli
gations redeemable In gold whenever so
redeemed should be cancelled Instead of be
ing reissued. This operation would be a
slow remedy, but It would Improve present
conditions.
National banks shoitld redeem their own
notes. They should be allowed to Issue cir
culation to the par value of bonds deposited
as security for Us redemption and the tax
on their circulation should bo reduced to
one-fourth of 1 per cent The entire case
may be presented by the statement that the
day of sensible and sound financial methods
will not dawn upon us until our government
abandons the banking business and the ac
cumulation ot funds, and confines Its mone
tary opciatlons to the receipts of money
contributed by the people for Its support,
and to the expenditure of such money for
the people's bene tit. Our business Interests
and all good citizens long for rest from fev
erish agitation, and the Inauguration by tho
government of a reformed financial policy
which will encourage enterprise and make
certain the rewards of labor arid industry
TIll'STS.
Another topic In which our people right
fully take a deep Interest may be here
briefly considered. I refer to the expanse of
trusts and other huge aggregations of capi
tal, the object of which is to secure the mo-
nopoiy oi some particular nrancli of trade,
Industry or commerce, and to stlile whole
some competition. When these are defended
It Is usually on the ground that though they
Increase protlts, they also reduce prices and
thus may benefit the public. It must be ie
niembercd, however, that a reduction of
prices to the people Is not one of the
real objects of, these organizations,
nor Is their tendency necessarily tu that
direction. If it occurs In a particular case
It Is only because It accords with the pur
poses or Inlet ests of those managing their
scheme. Such occasional results fall shorti
ot composing thu palpable oils charged tc
the account of trusts and monopolies. Thcli
tendency is to crush out individual lttdc
pendencu and to hinder and to prevent tho
Iree use of human faculties and the full de
velopment of human character.
Though Cong! ess has attempted to deal
with this matter by legislation, the laws
passed tor that purpose thus far have
pt oved ineffectlv e. not because of any lack of
disposition or attempt to enforce them but
simply because the laws themselves as In
turpretcd by the courts do not reach the
dlftlculty. If the iiistifllclencles of exUtinit
laws can be remedied by further legislation,
It should be done. The fact must lie recog
Hired, however, that all federal legislation
on this subject may fall short of Its purpose
because of Inherent obstacles, and also
because of the complex character of our
governmental system, which, wlille making
the federal authority m rrmo within Its
there, has carefully limited that sphere by
metes and bounds watch cannot be trans.
grossed. The decision of 6ur highest, court
on this precise question lenders It quite
doubtful whether the evils of trusts and mo
nopolies can be adequately treated through
federal action unless they seek directly and
purposely to Include In tuelr objects trans
JHirtatlou or Intercourse between states or
between the United States and foreign
countries.
It dors not follow, however, that this Is the
limit of the remedy that may be applied.
I.vrn though It may be found that federal
uuiuuiiiy n iiui moan rnoitgn to lully reacn
the case, there can be no doubt ot the power
of tlie several states to act effectlvely.ln the
premises and there should be no reason to
.iiui uicir wiaiuguess ro judiciously excr
"'-'- ...' " concluding mi coi
munlcatlou Its last words shall be an pp
in iiiu congress ror this most rig
ecouoiiiy in uie expenditure at
j ie money n Holds fn trust for
the people, i he way to perplexing e.xtrava-
S'oniV'' ''W ,,ut. ' rcluni to frugality ?
tvm.cu.1, Wncn. however. It Is considered
that those who bear the burdens of taxation
have no guaranty of honest rare save In the
tlilellty of their reliable servants, tho duty
ot all jKisslblc retrenchment Is plainly man
ifest. When our differences arc forgotten and
our contests of political opinion are no
longer remembered, nnthlnr. i ho ertro-
"i"," i ur puuue service win on as fore
". v".n.com'or,,nK as the recollection i
of a constant devotion to the Inisvrcsts of
oiuciaiuuiy weiiperiormeuand thememc
confiding fellow countrymen,
Uiiovisii Ci.tcvBf.ANiv
Executive Mansion, December 7, 1890.
v
1
