PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Jffo We Congress of the United State * .
I Since the close of your last session the
American people , In the exercise of their high-
at right of suffrage , have chosen their chief
miglatrate for the four years ensuing. When
It is remembered that at no period In the coun-
jrv's history lias the long political contest
jyhich customarily precedes the day of the
toatlonel election been waged with greater fcr-
, vor and intensity , it is a subject of congratu
lation that , after the controversy at the polls
.was over , and while the slight preponderance
oy which the issue had been determined was
as yet unascertained , the public peace suffered
no disturbance , but the people everywhere
WL patiently and quietly awaited the result. Noth
tv ing could more strikingly illustrate the temper
of the American citizen , his love of order , and
his loyalty to law ; nothingcould more signally
demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our
political Institutions. Eight years have passed
since a controversy concerning the result of a
national election sharply called the attention
of congress to the necessity of providing more
definite regulations for counting the electoral
vote. It Is of the gravest importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims to
the presidency shall azatn distract the coun
try. And 1 am persuaded that by the people
at large any of the measures of relief thus far
proposed would be preferred to continued In
action.
} Our Delations With Foreign Countries.
1 Our relations with all foreign powers con
tinues to be amicable. With Belgium a con
vention has been signed whereby the scope of
present treaties has been enlarged as to se
cure to citizens of either country , within the
jurisdiction of the other , equal rights and
privileges.
In the acquisition and alienation of property ,
a trade mark treaty has also been concluded.
The war between Chill and Peru is at an end.
For the arbitration of the claims of American
citizens who , during. Us continuance suffered
through the acts of the Chilian authorities , a
tonventlon will soon be negotiated.
The state of hostilities between France and
China continue to be an embarrassing feature
of our eastern relations. The Chinese gov
ernment has promptly adjusted and paid the
claims of American citizens whose property
, was destroyed In the recent riots at Canton.
-I renew the recommendation of my last annual
message that the Canton indemnity fund be
icturncd to China. The true Interpretation of
the recent treaty with that country permitting
, the restriction of Chinese immigration Is likely
io be again the subject of vour deliberations.
It may be seriously questioned whether the
statute passed at the last session does not vie
late the treaty rights of certain Chinese who
left this country with return certificates valid
under the old law , and now seem to be de
barred from landing from lack of certificate
required by the new.
The recent purchases by the United States
of a large trading fleet heretofore under the
Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our
commercial importance in the east. In view
of tlic large vessels built or purchased by
'American citizens In other countries , and ex-
clu ivcly employed in legitimate traflic be
tween foreign ports under the recognized pro
tection of our flag , it might be well'to provide
a uniform rate of their registration and docu
mentation so that the bona fide rates of our
citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and
guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the senate
at the last session I recognized the flag of the
international association of the Congo that of
a friendly government , avoiding , in so
doing , any prejudgment of conflict In ter
ritorial claims in the region subse-
tquently. In execution of the expressed wish
of congress I appointed a commercial agent
for the Congo Basin. The importance of the
rich prospective trade of the Congo valley has
led tathe general conviction that it should be
equal to all nations upon equal terms , an in
ternational conference for the consideration of
the subject , was called by the emperor of Ger
many , and is now in session at Berlin , and
delegates are in attendance on behalf of the
United States. Of the results of the confer
ence you will be duly advised ,
i The government "of Corea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States minister
to secure suitable premises for the use of the
; legation. As the conditions of diplomatic in-
jtercourse with eastern nations demand the le
gation premises to be owned by the represented
power , I advise that an appropriation be made
for the acquisition of this property by the gov
ernment. The United States already possesses
valuable premises at Tangier , as a gift from
; tbe sultan of Morocco , and as stated here
after they have lately received a similar gift
Irom the Siamese government. The govern
ment of Japan stands ready to give us exten
sive grounds at Tokio , wherein to erect a suit
able building for the legation , court house and
jail , and similar privileges can probably be se
cured in China and Persia. The owning of |
euch premises would not only affect a large
saving of present rentals but would permit of
the due assertion of presidential r ghts in these
countries and would the better serve to main
tain the dignity of the United States ,
i The failure of congress to make an appro
priation for our representation at the Anto-
nemeus court of the khcdive has proved a
serious embarrassment to our in.ercourse
with Egypt , and in view of the necessary in
timacy of diplomatic relationship due to the
participation of this government as one of
.the treaty powers in ah matters of adminis
tration thercbv affecting the rights of foreign
ers , I advise the restoration of the agency and
consulate general at Cairo on its former'basis.
il do not conceive it to be the wish of congress
that the United States should withdraw al
together from the honorable position thev
'Lave heretofore held with respect to the
ldiedive.orthat citizens of this republic re Df
siding or sojourning ra Egypt should here to
after be without the aid and protection of a
competent representative.-
i With France the traditional cordial rela
tionship continues. The Banholdi statue of yi
' 'Liberty enlightening the World , " the gen ires
erous gift of the people of France , is expected esai
to reach New York in May next. I sugirect aiai ;
.that congressional action be taken in relation ai
to the spirit which has promised this gift , ir
and in aid of the timely completion of the itol
pedestal updn which it is to be placed. olsi
i Our relationship with Germany , a country siVi
which contributes to our own sonic of the b'.st Vi
elements of citizenship , continue to be cor Viw
dial. The United States have extradition w
.treaties with several of the German states , but
, by reason of the confederation of these states
under the iniperial rule , the application of T
Eueh treaties is not as uniform and compre h
hensive as the interests of the t-vo countries n
require. I propose , therefore , to open nego S (
tiations for a s ngle c invention of extradition e :
to embrace all the territory of the empire. pi
{ It affords me pleasure tw say-that our inter ith
course w th Grejt Britain lont'niles to be of h <
the most f rieudly character. The government tii
of Hawaii has indicated "its willingness to ti
continue for seven years the provisions of the isn
existing reciprocity "treaty. Such continuant e istl
in view of the rclati , ns of that country to the tlS
American system of states should in my S !
be favored. tld
Th f revolution in Ilayti against the estab tlti
lished government has. terminated. While it tiw
Affs in"proj.'rcs3 it became necessary to enforce titl
Kur neutrality laws by instituting proceedings tl
against individuals and vessels charged with it
their infringement. These prosecutions were be
iii all cases successful. j
i Much anxiety has lately been displayed by '
various European governments , and espec-
iallv bv tlie irovernineiit of Italy , for the aboli
tion of o-ir import duties on works of art. It
is well to consider whether the present dis bv
criminations in favor of tlie productions of
American artists abroad is not likely to result ,
as they themselves seem very generally to be
lieve it may , in the practical exclusion of our
painters and sculptors from the rich fields for ty
occupation , study and labor wiiich they have
hitherto enjoyed.
There is a prospect that , the long pending re
vision of the fore gn treaties of Japan may be is
concluded at a new conference to be held at It
Tokio While this government fully recog to
nizes V-c equal and independent station of
Tanan in the community of nations , it would
not oppose the general adoption of such terms
of compromise as Japan may be disposed to
offer in furt' erancc of a uniform policy of in- {
"SSS5 'S ; S SVrsi.Rr ? , '
"iiSt STuC Sr TS of f
all
f
doubt not , be among the first measures to
claim your attention. A full treaty of com
mercial navigation and consular rights is much
to be desired , and such a treaty , JThavc reason
to believe , that the Mexican government
stands ready to conclude. Some embarrass
ment has been occasioned by the failure of
congress at its last session to provide means
for due execution of the treaty of July 20th , for
the re-survey of the Mexican boundary , and
the re-location of boundary monuments.
With the republic of Nicaragua a treaty has
been concluded , which authorizes the con
struction , by the United States , of a canal ,
railway an < I telegraph lines across the Nicaraguan -
raguan territory. By the terms of the treaty
CO miles ol the river San Juan , as well a * lake
Nicaragua , an Inland sea 40 miles in width , are
to constitute a part of the projected empire.
This covers the actual canal construction sev
enteen miles on the Pacific side and thirty-
six miles on the Atlantic. To the United
States , whose rich territory on the Pacific-
for the ordinary purposes of commerce , prac
tically cut off from communication by water
with the Atlantic ports the political and com
mercial advantages of such a project can
hardly be over-estimated. It is believed , that
when the treaty Is laid before you , the justice
and liberty of Its provisions" command
univcrsrtl approval at home and abroad. The
death of our representative at Russia while at
his post at St. Petcrsbunr afforded to the Ini
perial government a renewed opportunity to
testify its sympathy In a manner befitting the
Intimate friendliness which has ever marked
the Intercourse of tLe two countries. The
course of this government in raising Its repre
sentation at Bangkok to the diplomatic rank ,
has evoked from Slam evidences of warm
friendship , and argues well for our enlarged
Intercourse. The Siamese government has
presented to the United States commodious
mansions and grounds for the occupancy of
the legation and I suggest that by joint reso
lution congress attest Its appreciation of the
gift
The Spanish Question.
This government has more than once been
called upon of late to take action In fulfillment
of its international obligations toward Spain.
An agitation in the Island of Cuba hostile to
the Spanish crown , having been fermented by
persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitali
ty which our territory affords the officers of
thegovernment have been instructed to use due
vigilance to prevent the infraction of our neu
trality laws at Key West and at points near the
Cuban coast. I am happy to say that in the
only instance where these precautionary meas
ures were successfully eluded , the offenders
were found in our territory , and were subse
quently tried and convicted. The. growing
need of close relationship of intercourse and
traffic between the Spanish Antilles and their
natural market in the United States led to the
adoption in January last of a commercial
agreement looking to that end. This agree
ment has since been superseded by a more
carefully framed and comprehensive conven-
ion , which I shall submit to the senate for ap
proval. It has been the aim of tbis negotia
tion to open such a favored reciprocal ex
change of production , carried under the Hag of
either country , as to majce the intercourse be
tween Cuba and Porto R'co ' and ourselves
scarcely less intimate than the commercial
movement between our domestic ports , and to
insure a removal of the burdens on shipping in
the Spanish Indies , of which in the past our
ship owners and ship masters have so often
had cause to complain.
The nesotiations of this convention have for
a time postponed the prosecution of certain
: Iaims of our citizens which were declared to
be without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish-
American claim commission and which we
therefore recommitted to daplomatic channels
for adjustment. The speedv settlement of
these claims will now be urge'd by the govern
ment.
The negotiations for a treaty of commercial
reciprocity with the American republic have
been successfully concluded and the result will
shortly be laid before the senate- Certain
questions between the United States and 'the
Ottoman Empire , still remain unsolved ; com
plaints In behalf of our citizens are not satis
factorily adjusted. The senate has sought to
withhold from our commerce the right of fa
vored treatment to which we are tcntitled by
existing conventional stipulations and the re
vision of the tariff is unaccomplished.
The final disposition of pending questions
with Venezuela has not , as yet been reached ,
but I have good reason to expect an early set
tlement which provides the means of rcexatnin-
ing the Caracas awards , in conformity with the
expressed desire of congress and which will
recognize the justice of certain claims prefer
red against Venezuela. The Central and
"
South "American commission appointed by au
thority of the act of July 7th 1SS-1 will soon
proceed to Mexico. It has been furnished
with instructions which will belaid before you ,
they contain a statement of the general policy
of the government for enlarging its commer
cial intercourse with the American states.
The commissioners have been actively prepar
ing for their responsible task by holding con
ferences in the principal cities with merchants
and others interested in Central and South
American trade. The internal meridian con
ference lately called in Washington upon the
invitation o'f the government of the United
States is composed of representatives from
twenty-five nations. The conference con
cluded its labors on the 1st of November , hav
ing with substantial unanimity , agreed upon
the Meridian of Greenwich as the starting
point whence longitude is to be computed
through one hundred and eighty degrees cast-
ward , and westward , and on the adoption for
all purposes for which it may be found con
venient of a universal day which shall begin at
midnight on the initial meridian and whose
liours shall be counted from zero , up to twenty-
four. The formal report of the transactions
this conference will be hereafter transmitted
congress.
The Exposition Question.
This government is in frequent receipt of in- c
dtations from foreign states to participat e in '
international exhibitions , often of-great inter
est and importance. Occupying as we do an
idvanced _ position in the world's production ,
ind aiming to secure a profitable share for our
industries in the general competitive markets ,
is a matter of serious concern that the want
means for participation in these exhibits
should so often exclude our products from ad-
rantages enjoyed by those other countries.
During the past year the attention of congress
ivas drawn to-the formal invitations in this re- $
irard tendered by the governments of England ,
Holland , Belgium , Germany and Austria.
Die executive has in some instances appointed
honorary commissions. This is however a
most unsatisfactory expedient , for without
some provision to meet the necessary working
2xpenses of a commission it can effect little ,
nothing , in behalf of the exhibitors. An
international inventors' exhibition is to be
lield in London next May. This will cover a
iicld of special importance in which our coun
try holds a foremost rank. But the executive
"
Is"at present powerless to onratiize a proper
representation of our vast national interests in
this direction. I have in several previous mes
sages referred to this subject. It seems to me
that a statute giving to the executive general
discretionary authority to accept such invita
tions , and to appoint honorary commissions
without salary , and placing at the disposal of
the secrctary'of state a small fund for defray
ing their derineM reasonable expenses , would
of great public utility.
Foreign Marine Laws.
This government has received official notice
that the revised international regulations for
preventing collisions at sea have been adopted
all thc"lcadiug marine powers- except the
United States , and they came into force on the
1st of September last , for the due protection of
shipping interests. The provisions of our stat
utes should at once be brought into conformity
with these regulations.
The question of securing to authors , com I
posers and artists copyright privileges in this
country in return for reciprocal rights abroad ,
one that may justly challenge our attention.
is true that a convention will be necessary
fully accomplish this result ; but until con-
ires snail by statue fix thu extent to which
iorcign holders of copyright shall be here priv
ileged , it has been inadvisable to create such
conventions.
The Bcrnp Conference.
For tbis reason the United States were not
represented at the recent conference at Berne ,
recommend the scope of the neutrality laws
the United States be FO enlarged as to coverall
patent acts of hostility committed in our
territory , and alm'-d against the peace of a
ricndlv nation. Existing statutes prohibit the
fitting out of armed expeditions and restrict
the shipment of explosives , though the en
actments in the latter respect were not framed
with regard to international obligations , but
simply for the protection of passenger travel.
All these statutes were Intended to meet spe
cial emergencies that had already arisen.
Other emergencies have arisen since , and mod
ern Ingenuity supplies means for organization
of hostilities without open resort to armed
vessels or to filibustering parties.
The Neutrality Laws.
I see no reason why overt preparations In
this country , for the commission of criminal
acts , such as are here under consideration ,
should not be aline punishable , whether such
acts arc intended to be committed in our own
country , or in a foreign country , with which
we arc at peace. The prompt and thorough
treatment of this question is oiut which inti
mately concerns the national honor.
The Question of Naturalization.
Our existing naturalization laws also need
revision. Those sections relating to persons
residing wlihin the limits of the United States
in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical
interest ; section 2712 recognizing the citizen
ship of children of naturalized parents is am
biguous in its terms and partly obsolete.
There are special provisions of law favoring
the naturalization of those who serve In the
army , or In merchant vessels , while no similar
privileges are granted those who serve in the
navy , or marine corps. "An uniform rule of
naturalization , such as the constitution con
templated , should , among other things-clearly
define the status of persons born within the
United States subject to a foreign power. "
Be wise to provide for a central bureau o
registry , wherein should be filed authenticated
transcripts of every record of naturalization in
the several federal and state courts , and to
make provision also for the vacation or cancella
tion of such record in case where fraud had
been practiced upon the court by the appli
cant himself , or where he had removed or for
feited his acquired citizenship. A just and
uniform law In this respect would strengthen
the hands of the government in protecting its
citizens abroad , and would pave the way for
the conclusion of treaties of naturalization
with foreign countries.
The Consular Service.
The legislation of the last session effected
in the diplomatic and consular service certain
changes and reductions which have been pro
ductive of embarrassment. The population
and intermediate activity of our country are
steadily on the increase , and are giving rise
to new , varying and often delicate relation
ships with other countries. Our foreign estab
lishment now embraces nearly double the area
of operations that it did twenty years ago.
The confinement ot such a service within the
limits of expenditure then established is not ,
it seems to me in accordance with true econo
my. A community of sixty millions of people
should be adequately represented in its inter
course with foreigujiations. A project for the
reorganization of consular service or for re
casting the scheme of extra territorial juris
diction is now before you. If the limits of a
short session will not allow its full considera
tion , I trust you wont fail to make suitable
provision for the present needs of the service.
It has been customary to define in the appro
priation acts the rank of each diplomatic
ollice to which a salary is attached. I suggest
that this course be abandoned , and that it be
left to the president with the advice and con-
sentof the senate to fix , from time to time , the
diplomatic grade of the representatives of this
government abroad as ma } ' seem advisable ,
provision being definitely made however , as
now , for the amount of salary attached to the
respective stations.
The Budget.
The condition of our finance and the opera
tions of the various branches of the public
service which are connected with the Treasury
department arc very fully discussed in the re
port of the Secretary. It appears that the or
dinary revenues for the fiscal year ending .June
30 , 1884 , were from customs , 5193Oti7,4S9.76 ;
from internal revenue , 8121,586,093.57 ; from
all other sources , § 31,866,307.65 ; total ordinary
revenue of $348,519.869.91.
The public expenditures during the sance
period were for civil expenses $25,312,907.71 ;
for foreign intercourse § 1,260,760.37 ; 'for
Indians , 6,475,999.29 ; for pensions' , $55,429.-
228.36 ; for-.the military establishment , includ
ing river and harbor improvements , and arse
nals , $39,429,603.36 ; for the naval establish
ment , including veusels , machinery and im
provements at the navy Vards , § 17,292,601.44 ;
for miscellaneous expenditures , including pub
lic buildings , light-houses and collecting the
revenues , $43,939,710.00.
For expenditures on account of the District
of Columbia , $3,407,049.62 ; for interest on the
Eublic debt , ? 34,478,37o.4S ; for the sinking
jnd , 646,790,229.50 ; the total ordinary ex
penditures were 8290,916,483.83 , leaving a sur
plus of § 56,603,396.00. As compared with the
preceding fiscal year there was a net decrease
of over 21,000,000 In the amount of expendi
tures. The aggregate receipts were less than
those of the year previous by about § 54,000,000 ,
the falling off of revenue from customs made
up nearly § 20,000,000 of this deficiency and
about § 23,000,000 of. the remainder was due to
the diminished receipts from internal taxation.
The secretary estimates the total receipts for
the fiscal year which will end Jnnc20th 1885 ,
at § 330,000,900 and the total expenditure at
290,900,201,16 in which are included the inter
ests on the debt and the amount payable to the
sinking fund. This would leave a "surplus for
the entire year of about $29,000,000. The value
of exports from the United States to forcism
countries during the year ending June SO. 1SS4
was as follows domestic merchandise § 724- ,
964,852 ; foreign merchandise § 15,518,757 , total
merchandise § 740,593,609 ; specie § 67,133,363 ,
total exports of merchandise and specie § 807-
646.992.
The cotton and cotton manufactures includ
ed in this statement were valued at ? 208.900- ,
415. The breadstuffs at § 162,544,715. The
provisions at S114,649,517 and the mineral oils
47,113,348. During the same period the im
ports were as follows , merchandise 3667,697-
693 , gold and silver § 37,426,262 , total $705,123-
953.
953.More
More than 63 percent of the entire value
of imported merchandise consisted of
the following articles ; sugar and mo
lasses § 108,88-1,274 wool and woollen
, - , , manu
factures § 53.542,292 , silk and its manufactures
$49,948,128 , coffee § 49,686.705 , iron and steel
and manufactures thereof § 41,464.599 , chem
icals § 38,464,965 , flax hemp and jute and like
substances and manufactures thereof § 33,463-
398 , cotton and manufactures of cotton § 30-
154,476 , hides and skins , other than fur skins ,
522,350 300.
The Silver Dollar.
I concur with the secretary of the treasury
in recomending the immediate suspension of
the colnacc of silver dollars and of the issu
ance of silver certificates. This is a matter to
which in former communications I have more
than once invoked the attention of the nation
al legislature. It appears that annually for
the past six years there have been coined in
compliance with the requirements of the act
of February 28,1S7S , more than 27,000,000 of
silver dollars. The number now outstanding
is reported by the secretary to be nearlv
185.000,000 , whereof but little more thaii
40,000,000 or less than 22 per cent , are in actual
circulation. The mere existence of this fact
eeems to me to furnish of itself a cogent ar
gument for the repeal of the statute which has
made such a fact possible , but there are other
and graver considerations that tend in the
same direction. The secretary avows his con
viction that unless this coinage and the
issuance of silver certificates be suspended ,
silver is likely at no distant day to become
our sole metallic standard and the impairment
of the national credit that would be thus
occasioned can scarcely be over estimated.
hope that the secretary's suggestions re
specting the withdrawal "from circulation of
the one and two dollar notes will receive our
approval. It is likely that a considerable
portion of the silver now in the vaults of the
treasury , might find its way into currency , while
trade dollars have ceased for the present at least ,
to be an element of active disturbance in ourctir-
rency system. The same provision should be.
made for their surrender to the government.
In view of the circumstances under which they1
were coined and of the fact that they have
never had a legal tender quality , there should
be offered for them but a slight advance over
their bullion values. The secretary , in the ,
course of his report , considers the propriety
of beautifying the desisns of our subsidiary
silver coins , and of so increasing their weight
that they may bear their due ratio of value.
"
to the standard dollar * . Ills conclusions In
tills regard atc cordially approved.
The Abolition of Excise Tates.
In my aunuul message of 1&2 I recom
mended the abolition of all excise taxes except
those relating to distilled spirits. The recom
mendation is now reneucd. In case tlR-co
taxes shall be abolished , the revenues that will
still remain to the government will , In m.
opinion , not only sullice to get its reasonable
expenditures , but will afford a surplus large
enough to permit such tariff reduction as may
seem to be advisable , when the result of the
recent revenue laws and commercial treaties
shall have shown in what quarters these
ductlons can be most judiciously effected.
A Commercial Commission.
One of the uravest of the problem * which ap
peal to the wisdom ot congress for solution is
the ascertainment of tlie most effective means
of increasing our foreign trade , and thus re
lieving the depression under which our indus
tries are now languishing. The secretary of
the treasury advises that the duty of investi
gating this subject be entrits cd in the first in
stance to a competent commission. While
fully recognizing the considemtlona that may
'
be urged against'tliis course , I ain neverthe
less of the opinion that upon the whole the
other would bu likely to efi.ct spc.di.r or Ut
ter results. That portion of the secretary's
report which concerns th.s condition of our
interests cannot fail to command your atten
tion. He cmnhatically recommends that as an
incentive to the investment of American capital
in American steamships , tbe government shall
by liberal payments for mail transportation or
otherwise , lend its active assistance to individ
ual enterprise , and 'he declares bis belief that
unless that course be pursued our f orciirn car
rying trade must remain as it is to d.iy , al
most exclusively in the hands of foreigners.
One phase of this subject is .now especially
prominent in view of the repeal' , by the act o'f
June 20 , 1884. of all salutatory provisions ar
bitrarily compelling American vessels to carry
the mails to and from the United States. As
it is necessary to make provisions to compen
sate the owners of such vessels for the per
formance of the service after April 18 , 1SS5. it
is hoped that the whole subject will receive
early consideration that will lead to the enact
ment of such nieabures for the revival of our
merchant marine as the wisdom of congress
may devise. _
The Three 1'er Cent Bonds.
The three per cent bonds of the government ,
to the amount of more than § 1,000,000,000 ,
have , since my last message , bi-eu redeemed
by the treasury. The bonds of. that issue still
outstanding amount to a little over § 2CO , < X)0- )
000 , about one-fourth of which will be retired ,
through the operations of the sinking fund
during the coming year , as these bonds still
continue the chief babes for the circulation of
national banks. The question , how to avert
the contraction of the currency caused by their
retirement is one of constant - increasing im
portance. It seems to be irenerally conceded
that the law governing thatlnatter exacts from
the banks excessive security , and that upon
their present bond deposits a'larger circulation
than is now allowed may be granted with
safety. 1 hope the bill which pasted the sen
ate at the labt session , i > ermittii'g the issue of
notes equal to the face value of deposited
bonds , will commend itself to the approval of
the house of representatives.
War Department.
In the expenses of the war department the
secrctarv reports a decrease of more than
§ 9,000,000 , of which reduction $5,000,000 was
effected in the expenditures for rivers and har
bors. and $2,70J,000 in expenditures for the
quartermaster's department. Outside of that
department , the auuual expenses of all the
army bureaus proper ( except , possibly , the
ordnance bureau ) arc substantially charges
which cannot be materially diminished with
out a change in the numerical strength of the
army. The expenditures in the quarter
master's department can easily be subjected to
administrative discretion , and it is reported
by the secretary of war that as a result of ex
ercising such discretion in reducing the num
ber of "draught animals in the army , the an
nual cost of supph'ing and caring for such an
imals Is now 1,108,035.90 , less than it was in
1882. The reports of military commanders
show that the last year has been notable for
its entire freedom from Indian outbreaks In
defiance of the president's proclamation of
July 1 , 1884 , certain intruders sought to make
settlements in Indian territory , anil they were
promptly removed by a detacliment of troops.
During the last session of congress a bill to
provide for a suitable fire proo'f building for
the army medical museum and the library of
"
the surgeon general's office received the"ap
proval. During the coming session the measi i
ure may become a law and therefore immediate 1
steps may be taken to secure a place of <
safe deposit for these valuable collec
tions , now in a state of insecurity. The
funds with which these works "for the
improvement of rivers and harbors
were prosecuted during the past year , were
derived from the appropriation of the act of
August 2 , 1882 , together with such few bal
ances as were on hand from previous appro
priations. The balance in the treasury , sub
ject to requisition July 1 , 1883 , was § 10,021-
[ U9.55. The amount "appropriated during the t
fiscal year 1SS4 , was § 13,166,346.27 and the 1
amount drawn from the treasury during the
fiscal year was § 8.228,703.54 , leaving a balance i
of § 112,580.63 in" the treasury subject tore- j
quisifion July 1 , 1884. The secretary of war t
submits the report of the chief of engineers as l
to the practicability of protecting our important -
ant cities on the seaboards by fortifications and i
other defenses able to repel modern methods t
of attack. The time has now come when such t
defenses can be prepared with confidence that f
they will not prove abortive when the possible
result of delay in making no such preparation
is seriously considered , delay seems inexcuss.t
ale , for the most important cities , those whose t
destruction or capture would be a national c
humiliation. Adequate defenses , inclusive of
guns , may be made by the gradual expendi
ture of § 60,000,000 , a sum much less than a
victorous enemy could lay as a contribution ,
an appropriation of about one-tenth of that
amount is asked to begin the work , and I con
cur with the secretary of war , in urging that it
be granted.
Tlie War department is proceeding with the
conversion of ten inch smooth bore guns into
eight inch rifles by lining the former nith tubes
of forged or of coiled wrought iron. Fiftvguns "
will thus be converted within tlie year. This
however , docs not obviate the necessity of pro
viding means for the construction of guns of
the highest power , both for the purpose of
coast defense and for the armament of war.
vessels.
The report of the gun foundry board ap
pointed April 2,1SS3. in pursuance of the act of
March 3 , 1883 , was transmitted to congress in
a special message of February 8,1SS4. In my
message of March 2i ( , 1SS4,1 called attention
to the recommendation of the board that the
government should encourage the production
of private steel work of the required material
for heavy cannon , and that two government
factories , one for the army and one for the
navy , should be established for the manufac
ture of truns from such material. No action
having been taken , the board was subsequently
reconvened to determine more fully the plans
and estimates necessary for carrying out its
'
recommendations. It has received 'informa I
tion which indicates that there arc responsible :
steel manufacturers in this country who , al
though cot provided at present with the neces
sary plant , are willing to construct the same ,
and to make bids for contracts with the gov-
ernmentfor the supply of he requisite material
for the. heaviest guns adapted to modern war :
fare. If a guaranteed order of sufficient mag
nitude , accompanied by a positive appropria
tion extending over a series of years , shall be
made by congress , all doubts as to the feasibili
ty of the plan would be removed. I renew my
recommendation that such action be taken by
congress as will enable the government to _ con
struct its own ordinance upon its own territory ,
and also to provide the armament demanded
by consideration of the national safety and
honor.
The DeLong Expedition. i
The bodies of Lieutenant Commander
George W. De Long and his companions of
the Jeannettc expedition have been removed to
the United States by Lieutenants Ilarber and
Schult'/ . The remains were taken from their
graves in the Lena Delta in March , 1SS3 , and
were retained at Yakutsk until the following
winter , the season being too far advanced to
admit of their immediate transportation. They
arrived in New York February 20.1SS4.
The } " were received with suitable honors.
The freely Lxitc.1itl n.
In pursuance of the joint -solution M C"i
grcss appfnVoi libruao 1H , . " i nuvul \
peiliiloii witit llilt'il mi lor tini".i f of Lull
tenant A.V. . ( fith , I'liitt'l St tr. < arm } , ui.t.
of ihu p.trty \ \ tiu li.iil U .cii : imiiinl unu r hi-
cominnud ni s"eici > tnc ti'.Mirv.-t i iii $ , t Lit. ;
Franklin Hav. Thu il-ci consisted ot tli-
Flcaiueis "Senior , " " 1'iicti. " , " i.urch.'iiu-il in
England , ami the'Ui'ii , " | urrha id at Ni-u-
louiiiiiaiid , iiml the "Alvr . ' * winch u.is .uei-
eryiisly jiimii til liy tinLr.lisli govcn.nunl.
Preparation : * forlliucxpeimiuii were i/rumi-l
Jy made by tinMeret.iry of ! navy , wna tut-
active co-ojierat.oii ot e.'crctarv uf war.
Conuiniiidfr OoneV CVf.i i was p.ui-ul In
command ol the "Alest1 ai.u Lit iticiiaut W.
11. Kiner ) in eomiiuiwl of thf "lit sir. " Tin-
Tlietls" was. itilnuted to Coininandfr Win-
field S. C'jpuly , tu wum also wa.- > a.lifiied the
superintendent1- tlie en ire expedition.
ImmcUtutih upon il uni > ulul Lpp'.Ttiuv ck
the fleet bcjiiiii the daiigenr.is iiiv > iitMuii 01
Neville I av , ami in spiunf i-wry ouotuu't- '
rujciu-d Little island on ) ine : u ! . a fornngi.t
earlier than : myesel liail l-cl'-rc ail i .uu
that point. 0i tlie tame iav ! it crossed ov < r : < >
Cape Sabinc , wht'ie J.ictitciiunl ( liwly and tin-
other survivors of tl.e party uert ; discovered.
After tsikai on board ttichvlng siml tlie Ii "lies
of tliede-d , the rehcf sin , * sailed for S * . Johns ,
where they arrived on July 17. TlievMvero tin
jiropn t > ' ; ly iLCfUbd > ; t ririmmtli , N. Ii. , f
August 1'andat , Nt-w Yuri ; on August 5s. Ore
of thi : bodies was landed at the Uir.'iicr place ,
and others were put on shore at Governor's
island , with the cici'ptiou of one whiih : was
iiiterr : d in the uiUimi.U cemetery. They were
forwarded then to the drrtlinitluii nnS catci !
bv friendf. Tlie orpiul/at.oii and rumitt'tof
this relief expedition reflect * trn-ut credit upon
all who contributed to ussicciH5 : : . In this the
hist of the Mated messages that I shall have
the honor to tr.iis'iiuc to 'ihi- cong eas of th"
United States. I cannot too stnmJy urge " "
its attention the duty of r toring our navy sis
rapidly as possible" the hiiilf Male of ef
ficiency which formcrl- cliarac'cr'/.cd ' it , as the
long peace that has lulled us into a tense of
fancilul security , mav sit any time be dis
turbed. It Is plain th.it the policy of strength
ening Ihis arm of the service is dictated by con
siderations of use.
Postal 3laitcrs.
The report of the postmaster general ac
quaints 3-011 with the present condition and
needs of the postal service. It disc > oes thu
gratifying fact that the loss of revenue Trom
the reduction in the rate of letter postage , us
recommended in my proclamation Deccmhi-r ,
1SS2 , and effected by the act of March y , 188 = 5 ,
has been much less than was generally antici
pated. M'recommendation of this ri duct Inn
was based upon the belief that the actual fall
ing off in 'ceeipts from leiicr postage for tin-
year inimediatelv succeeding the change of
rate could be $3,030,00. ( It has proved to be
only § 2,275,000. ' 1 his is a trustworthy indiea
tion that the revenue will soon he resion d to
former volume by the national increase of
sealed correspondence. I c-nilidently repeat ,
therefore , the" recommendation of my last an
nual message that single rate postasrc upon
drop letters ne reduced to one cent wherever
payment of two cents is now required by hiw.
'fife double rate is only exacted at all ofliccs
where the carrier system is in operation and it
appears that at the olliccs where the can ier
system is in operation and it appears that at
ofiices that the increase in tux upon local let
ters defrays the cost of not only its collections
and delivery , but of the col section and del-'very
of all other mail matter. This is an inequality
that ought to no longer exist.
I approve the recommendation of the post
master ireneral that the unit of weight in the
rating of first class matter should be one ounce
instead of one half ounce as it is now. In
view of statist cs furnished by the department
it may be well doubted whether the change
would" result in any loss of revenue. That it
would greatly promote the convenience of the
public "is beyond dispute. The free delivery
system has been lately applied in five cities
and the total number of olliccs in which it is
now in operation is une hundred and fifty-nine.
Experience shows that its adoption under
proper conditions is equally an accommodation
to the public and an advantage to the postal
service. It is more than halt sustaining and
for the reasons urged by the postmaster gen
eral mav very properly be extended. It is the
"
opinion"of that ofliceAhat it is proper to pro
vide means whereby exceptional dispatch in
dealing with letters in free delivery offices
may be secured by paying extraordinary post
age. This scheme may he made effective by
; he employment of a btecial stamp , whose
cost should be commensurate with the expense
of the extra service. In some of the large
: itics some of the private express companies
lave undertaken to outstrip the government
mail carriers by affording for the prompt trans
mission of letters better facilities than have
heretofore been at the command of the post-
ollice. It has always been the po'icy of the
government to discourage such enterprises ,
and in no better way can that policy be main
tained than in supplying the public with the
most efficient mail service that , with due re
gard to its own best interest , can be furnished
for its own accommodation.
Legal Questions.
Tlie attorney general renews the recom
mendations contained in his report of last year
touching the fees of witnesses and jurors. He
favors a radical change in the fee hill and the
adoption of a system by which attorneys and
marshals of the United States should fie com
pensated solely by salaries , and the erection by
the government of a penitentiary for the con
finement of offenders against its law * of the
varied government concerns in charge of the
interior department. The report of its secre
tary presents an interesting summary. Among
the topics deserving particular attention , I re 1c
fer to his observations respecting our Indian 1i
affairs , the pre-emption and timber-culture i
acts , the failure of railroad companies to take r
title to lands granted by the covernment and t
the operations o'f the pension ollice , the patent t
ollice. the census bureau , and the bureau of i
education. i
The Indians. J
Allusion has been made to the circumstance
that both as between different Indian tribes
and as between the Indians and the whites the
past year has been one of unbroken rest. In
this circumstance the president is glad to find
justification for the policy of the government
in dealing with the Indian question and a con
firmation of the views which were fullv expressed
*
pressed in his communication to the Forty-
seventh congress. The secretary urges a ne'w
reenactinent of a statute for the punishment i
of crimes committed on the Indian reservation ,
and recommends the passage of a bill now
pending in the house of representatives for
the purchase of a tract of 18,000 square miles
from the Sioux reservation. Both of these
are worthy of approval. I concur with him ,
also , in advising the repeal of the pre-emption
laws , " the enactment of the statute re-solving -
the "present legal complications touching
lapsed grants to' railroad companies and tue
funding of the debt of the several Pacific railroads
"
roads , "under such guaranty as shall effect
ually ensure iia ultimate payment.
'Ihe Jlormon Question.
The report of the Utah commission will be
read with interest. It discloses the results of
the recent legislation lookmgto the prevention
ind punishment of polyeuniy In that territory.
still believe that if taat abominable practice ; .
an be suppressed by law it only can be by the
most radical legislation consistent with the re
straints of the constitution. I can ajrain
' .
recommend , therefore , that 'congress assume
ibsolutc political control of the territory of
Utah , and provide for the appointment of a
omniission with such irovernmeKtal powers as
in its judgment may justly and wisely put into i
their hands.
Trade. a
Foreign
In the course of this communication refer iiP iiu
ence has more than once been made to the P
policy of this government as regards the VI
" "
2xten"sion of our foreign trade. "It seems VIa <
proper to declare the general principles that C : (
should , in my opinion"underlie our national
efforts in this direction. The main conditions fi
of the problem may be thus stated : We are >
people rich in mechanical pursuits and in
fertile in invention. We cover a vast extent inP' '
rich in and P'a
of territory agricultural products a ]
all the materials for
in nearly raw necessary rn
successful manufactures. We have a system rnn
of productive establishments more than i
sufficient to supply even our demands. The .C
tvages of labor are nowhere else so great , .Ctl
rhe cost of living of our artisan classes is
such as tends to secure their personal com
fort and the developments of these higher
moral and intellectual qualities that go to the
which i " * * * , "
fw7nho,0 ] are "the elements
mm
the western continent , and the
SffSraraeg'frtS
to this end- First , a scr es of reciprocal com-
mereiaHreatlesSu the countries.of . America
us and them an
which shall foster between
unhampered Interchange of trad c. The c.ondl- .
admission
be.thefree .
should
tion of these treaties
mission of such merchandise } l8 country
does not produce , In return for admisslon free
or under a favorable schema of duties , of our
products the benefits of such exchange to ap
ply on these , goods carried under the flag of the
parties to theWtract. The removal on both
of all ton-
aides from vessels , so privileged ,
national Imports so that
nae on dress and
their vessels may ply unhindered between our
ports and those of other contracting parties
though without infringing on the deserved
home coasting trade , the removal or reduction
of burdens on the exported products of those
countries coming within the benefits of the
treaties ( and the avoidance of the technical re
strictions and penalties by which our inter
course with those countries is at present ham-
DC red }
Secondly. The establishment of the consu
lar service of the United States on a salaried
footing , permitting the reliuqulshmcnt of con
sular fees not only as respects vessels under
the national flag but also as respects vessels ol
the treaty nation carrying goods entitled to
benefits of treaties , Thirdly , the enactment of
measures to favor the construction and main
tenance of a steam carrying marine under
the flag of the United States. Fourthly , the es-
tabllsment of a uniform commercial treaty for
the countries of America so that the coined
products of our mints may circulate onequal
terms throughout the whole svstem of common
wealth. This would require a monetary union
of America , whereby the output of the bullion
producing countries and the circulation of
those which yield neither gold or silver , could
be adjusted in conformity with the population ,
wealth and commercial needs of each , as many
of the countries furnish no bullion to the
common stock of the surplus production.
If our mines and mints might thus be util
ized , and a step taken toward the general re-
moueylizacion of silver to the accomplishment
of their ends , so far as they can be attained by
separate' treaties the negotiations already
concluded and now in progress have been di
rected and the favor with which this enlarged
policy has thus far been received , warrants
the belief that its operations will ere long em
brace all or nearly all the countries of this
hemisphere. It is by no means desirable , how
ever , that the policy under consideration
should be applied by these countries at once.
The Tariff'Problem.
Tlie healthful enlargement of our trade with
Europe , Asia and Africa should be sought by
reducing the tariff burdens on such of their
wares as neither we nor the other American
states arc fitted to produce , and thus enabling
ourselves to obtain in return a better market
for our supplies of food , of raw materials , and
of the manufacture In which we excel. It
seems to me that many of the embarrassing
elements in tne great national conflict between
protection and free trade may thus be turned
to good account , that the revenue may be re
duced so no longer to overtax the people ; that
protective duties may be retained without be
coming burdensome ; "that our shipping inter
ests may be judiciously encouraged , the cur
rency fixed on a firm basis , and above all such
an unity of interests established among the
states of the American system as will be of
great and ever increasing advantage to them t
all.On the 20th of February last I transmitted to /
congress the first annual report of the civil
service commission , together with communi
cations from the heads of several executive de
partments of the government , respecting the
practical workings of the law under which the
commission had been acting. The good re
sults therein foreshadowed have been more
than realized. The system has fully answered
the expectations of its friends in securing
competent and faithful public servants , and in
protecting the appointing officers of the gov
ernment from the pressure of personal impun
ity and from the labor of examining the claims
and pretentlons of rival candidates for public
employment. The law has had the unqualified
support of the president and of the heads of
the several departments , and the members of
the commission have performed their duties
with zeal and fidelity. Their report will
shortly be submitted and will be accompanied
by such recommendation for enlarging the
scope of the exacting statute , as slTall com
mend themselves to the executive and the
commissioners charged with its administration.
In view of the general and persistent demand
throughout the commercial community for a
national bankrupt law I hope that the differ I
ences of sentiment which have hitherto pre
vented its enactment may not outlast the pres
ent season.
The Choleia.
The pestilence which for the past two years
bas been raging in the countries of the cost re
cently made its appearance in European ports
with which we arc in constant communication.
The then secretary of the treasury in pur
suance of a proclamation of tlie president , Is
sued certain regulations restricting and
for a time prohibiting the imnortation of
rags and the admission of baggage of immi
grants , of travelers arriving from the infected
quarters. I approve the recommendation of
the present secretary that the congress take
action in the premises , and , I also recommend
the immediate adoption of such measures as
will be likely to ward off the dreaded epi
demic and to raiticate its severity In case it
shall unhappily extend to our shores.
Columbia's Commissioners Report.
The annual report of the commissioners of
the District of Columbia reviews the operations
f the several departments of Its municipal
government. I ask your careful consideration
of its suggestions in respect to legislation and '
commeuu such as relates to revision of the
civil and criminal code , the performance of
labor by persons sentenced to imprisonment
in the jail , the construction and occupation
Df wharves along the river front , and the
rection of a suitable building for a district
'
aflice.
A Pension for General Grant. :
1 jTecommend that in recognition of the
services of Ulysses S. Grant , late general of
the Lulled States and twice president of this
uation , that congress confer upon him a suita
ble pension. Certain of the measures that
cem to me necessary and expedient I have
now , in obeyance to the constitution , recom
mended for your adoption. As respects oth
rs of less importance , I shall content mvelf
.uth renewing the recommendations already
i-.itln to the congress , without re-stating reav the
jroumis upon which such recommendations
.vere made.
Concluding Recommendations.
The preservation of forests > n the public
lomam , the grantinir of government aid for
puiar education , the amendment of thefed-
ral constitution so as to make effective thedU-
-
ipprovil by the president of particular itcm %
appropriation bills , the enactment of stat-
ite in regard to the flllins : of vacancies in the
residential ollice and the determinin" of
rexed questions respecting presidentiaT ln-
ictivity , are measures which may juatlv rp
eive your serious consideration. "
As the time draws I
nigh when I am to retire
rom public sen-ice I cannot refrain from PT
ressing to the members of the national leris'
ature with whom I have been brought in
icrsona ! and official intercourse , mf sincere
pprcciation of their unfailing courteous hkr
nonious co-operation with the executive in Rn
iiany measures calculated to promote the best
terests of the nation , and to my fellow cIU
ens generally. I acknowledge a
deep sen
se of
bliption for the support which Uicr haveVc- '
ordcd me in my administration of tnc
. execii -
ve department.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR J
W.VSHI.N-GTOX , D. C. , December 1st , l . !