Nebraska Newspapers

    under the compulsory provisions of law >
purchased-silver bullion and coined the
same at the rate of 'more than $ , 000,000
every month. By this process , up to tho
spresent date 215,759,431 silver dollars
iave been coined. A reasonable appre
ciation of a delegation of .power to tho
.general government would limit its ex-
ercise without express restrictive wr rds
'lothe people's needs and'the '
require'-
onents of the public welfare. Upon this
theory the authority to coin moaey given
congress by the constitution. , ttvtm if it
spermits the purchase by the government
'of the bullion , for coinage , in any event
does not justify such purchase and coia-
' age to an extent beyond the amount
needed for sufficient circulating medium *
The desire to utilize the silver product
of the country should not lead to a mis
use or the perversion of this power. The
necessity for such ar , addition to the
silver currency of the nation as is com
pelled by the silver coinage act is nega
tived by the fact th/it up to the present
time only about 50,000,000 of silver
dollars so coined. , have actually found
their way into-circulation , leaving more
than lG5,000OOft in possession of the
government , tho custody of which has
entailed a co/jsiderable expense for
construction of vaults for its
deposit. AgMnst this latter amount
there are outstanding silver cer
tificates amo/jnting to about § 93.000,000.
Everyniont'n § 2,000,000 of gold in the
public treasury are paid out lor § 2,000-
000 or mo/e of silver dollars to be added
'
to the id'ie mass already accumulated. If
continued long enough , this operation
will result in tne substitution at silver for
all th'j gold the government owns , ap-
Piicrtble to its general purposes. . Icwill
not do to rely upon the receipts of the
government to make good this decline of
fold , , because the silver thus coined ,
having been made legal tender for all
debts and dues , public and private , at
times during the last six months , fifty-
eight per cent of the receipts for duties
have been in silver or silver certificates ,
while the average within that period has
been 20 per cent. The proportion of silver
and its certificates received by the gov
ernment will orobably increase as Jime
goes on , for the reason that the nearer
the period approaches when It will be
obliged , to offer silvt r in payment of its
obligations , the greater inducements
there will be to hoard gold against de
preciation in the value of silver , or for
ttfce purpose of speculating. This hoard
ing of gold has already begun. When
the time comes that gold has been with
drawn from circulation , there will be ap
parent the difference between the real
value of the silver dollar aud a dollar in
gold and the two coins will partcom-
.pany. Gold , still the standard of value , '
and necessary in our dealings with other
countries , will be at a premium over
silver. Banks which have substituted
gold for the deposits of their customers
may pay them with silver bought with
said gold , thus making a handsome
.profit , liich speculators will sell their
bearded gold to their neighbors who need
It to liqudate their foreign debts at ruin-
pus premium over silver , and the labor
ing men and women of the land , most
defenseless of all , will find that the dollar
received fer the vvages"of their toil has
sadly shrunk in its purchasing power.
It may be said that the latter result will
be but temporary and that ultimately the
price of labor will be adjusted to the
change , but even if this tabes place the
wa e-worker cannot possibly gain , but
nrast inevitably lose , since the price he is
compelled to pay for his living will not
only be measured in a coin heavily de
preciated and fluctuating and uncertain
In its value , but this uncertainty
in the value of the purchasing medium
will be made the pretext for an advance
in prices beyond that justified by actual
depreciation. The words uttered in 1831
by Daniel Webster , in the senate o the
HRnnJTrsnrreoiSrcr"
very man of all others who has"the deep
est interest in a sound currency , and
who suffers most by mischievous legisla
tion in money matters , is the man who
earns his daily bread by his daily toil. ' '
The most distinguished advocate of bi-
*
racialism , discusing-iv our silver
coinage , has lately ' "No
American " citizen's" ' hl&
yet felt the sensation f cheapness
either in receiving or expending the sil
ver act dollars. And those who live by
labor of legitimate trade never , will feel
that sensation of cheapness. However
plenty silver dollars may become , they
will not be distribnSed as gifts among the
people , and if the laboring man should
receive four depreciated dollars where he
now receives but two , he will pay in the
depreciated coin more than double the
price he now pays for all the necessaries
'
and comforts of'life. " Those who do
not fe.r any disastrous consequences
arising from the continued compulsory
coinage of silver as now directed by law ,
and who suppose that the addition to the
currency of the country Intended as its
result will be a'public benefit , are re
minded that history demonstrates that
the point is easily reached in the attempt
to float at the same time two sorts of
money of different excellency , when the
better will ceaseto be in circulation. The
hoarding of gold which has already taken
place indicates that we shall not escape
the usual experience in such cases ;
BO if the silver coinage be continued , we
may reasonably expect that gold and its
equivalent will abandon the field of cir
culation to silver alone. This of course
must produce a severe contraction of our
circulating medium instead of adding to
it. . It will not be disputed that any at
tempt on the part of the government to
cause the circulating of the silver dollar ,
* ; orth 80-cents , side by side with gold
dollarsworthlOO centsmust be seconded
by the confidence of the people , that both
coins may retain the same purchasing
power and be interchangeable at will.
Special effort has been madey the sec
retary of the treasury to increase the
amount of our silver co'in in circulation ,
but the fact that a large share of the lim
ited amount thus put out bos ooon re
turned to the public treasury in payment
of duties , leads to the belief that the peo
ple do not now desire to Keep It in hand ;
and this , with the evident disposition to
hoard gold , gives rise to the suspicion
that there already exists a
lack of confidence among the peo
ple touching our financial processes.
There is certainly not enough silver now
-in circulation to cause uneasiness , and
B . the whole amount coined and now on
hand might , after a time , be absorbed by
Lv the people without apprehension ; but it
is the ceaseless stream that threatens to
overflow the land which causes fear and
uncertainty. What has been thus far
submitted upon this subject relates al
most entirely to considerations of a home
nature , unconnected with the bearing
which the policies of other nations have
upon the question ; but it is perfectly ap
parent that a line of action in regard to
our currency cannot be wisely settled
upon or persisted in without considering
the attitude on the subject of other coun
tries with whom we maintain intercourse
through commerce , trade and travel.
An acknowledgment of this is found in
the act by virtue of which our silver is
compulsorily coined. It provides that
' the president shall invite the govern
* ' w ments of the countries composing the
Latin union , so called , and of such
s * * other European nations as be may deem
advisable , to join the United States in a
conference to adopt a common ratio be
tween gold and silver for the purpose of
establishing internationally the use of
bi-metalic money , and securing flxity of
relative value between these metals. "
This conference absolutely failed , and a
similar fate has awaited all subsequent
efforts in the same direction , and still we
continue our coinage of silver at a ratio
different from that of any other nation.
The most vital part of the silver coinag
act remains imperative and unexecuted ,
and without an ally or friend we but
tle upon the silver Held in an illogica.
and losing contest. To give full effct to
the design of congress o'n this subject 1
have made careful and earnest endeavor
since the adjournment of the last congress.
To this end I delegated a gentleman well
instructed in fiscal science to proceed to
the financial centers of Europe , and in
conjunction with our ministers to En
gland , France and Germany , to obtain a
full knowledge nf 'the attitude and intent
of these governments respecting the
establishment of such an international
ratio as would procure free coinage of
both metals at the mints of these conn-
tries and our own. By my direction our
consul-general at Paris has given close
atteutioa to the proceedings of the con
gress of the Latftt union , in order to indi
cate our interest in its objects and to
report Its antion. It may be said in brief ,
as Ihe result of these "efforts , that the
attitude of the leading powers remains
substantially unchanged since the mone
tary conference of 1881 , nor is it to be
questioned that the views of these gov
ernments are in each instance separated
by the weight of public opinion. The
steps thus taken have , therefore , only
more fully demonstrated the uselessness
of further attempts at present to arrive at
uny agreement on the subject with other
nations. In the meantime we are accu
mulating silver coin based Upon our own
peculiar ratio to such an extent , and as
suming so heavy a burden to be provided
for in any international negotiations , as
will render us an undesirable party to
any future monetary conference of na
tions. It is a significant fact that four of
the five countries comprising the Latin
union mentioned in our coinage act.
embarrassed with their silver currency ,
have just completed an agreement among
themselves that no more silver shall be
coined by their respective governments ,
and that such as has already been coined
and is in circulation shallbe redeemed
in jjold by the country of its'coinage. .
The resort to this expedient by these
countries may well arrest the attention
of those who suppose that we can succeed
without shock.or injury in the attempt
to circulate upon its merits all the silver
we may coin under the pro
visions of our silver coinage act.
The condition in which our treasury may
be placed by a persistence in our present
course is a matter of concern to every
patriotic citizen who does not desire his
government to pay in silver such of its
obligations as should be paid in gold.
! Nor should our condition be such as to
oblige us in a prudent management of
our affairs to discontinue the calling in
and payment of interest-bearing obliga
tions which we have the right now to
discharge , and thus to avoid the payment
of further interest thereon. The so-
called debtor class , for whose benefit the
continued compulsory coinage of silver is
insisted upon , are no't dishonest because
they are iu debt , and they "should not be
suspected of a desire to jeopardize the
financial safety of the country in order
that they may cancel their present debts
by paying the same in depreciated dol
lars. ! Nor should it be forgotten that it
is not the rich nor the money-lender
alone that must submit to such a read
justment enforced by the government
and their debtors. The pittance of the
widow and orphan and the incomes of
helpless beneficiaries of all kinds
would be disastrously reduced.
' '
The 'depositors iu saviugs'-banks , and
other institutions which' hold in trust the
savings of the poor , when their little ac
cumulations are scaled down to meet the
new order of things , would , in their dis
tress , painfully realize the delusion of
the promise made to them that plentiful
mopey would improve their conditions.
We have now on haqd all the .silver dol
lars necessary to supply the present need
re-g plG , and to satisfy i J
from sentiment wish to see them in cir
culation , and if their coinage is sus
pended they can be readily obtained by
those who desire them. If the need of
more is at any time apparent their coin
age may be resumed. That disaster has
not already overtaken us furnishes no
proof that daujjer does not wait upon a
C0nttnmtion-OMi-present silver-coin
age. We haveoeen saved by the most
careful management and unusual expe
dients , by a combination of fortunate
conditions , and by a confident expecta
tion that the course of the government
in regard to silver coinage would be
speedily changed by action of congress.
Prosperity hesitates upon uur threshold
bic.ii5e ! of dangers and uncertainties
surrounding this question ; capital timid
ly shrinks from trade , and investors are
unwilling to take the chance of the ques
tionable slnp' * in which their money will
be returned to them , while enterprise
halts at a risk against which care and
sagacious management do not protect.
As a necessary consequence labor lacks
employinent"and suffering and distress
are visited upon a portion of our fellow-
citizens especially entitled to the careful
consideration of those charged with
duties of legislation. Xo interest appeals
to us so strougty for a safe and staple cur
rency as the vast army of the unem
ployed . I recommend the suspension of
compulsory coinage of silver dollars
directed by the law passed in February ,
1878.
On the Rivers and the High Seas.
The steamboat inspection service on the
30th of June , 1SS3 , was composed of 140
persons , including officers , clerks and
messengers. The expenses of the ser
vice over the receipts were § 138,822.27
during the fiscal year. The special inspec
tion of foreign steam vessels , organized
under the law passed in 1882 , was main
tained during the year at an expense of
§ 360,416.30. Since the close of the fis
cal year reductions have been made in
the force employed which will result in a
saving during the currentyear of § 17,000
without affecting the efficiency ofthe
service.
The supervising surgeon-general re
ports that during the fiscal year 41,714
patients have received relief through
marine hospital service , of whom 12,803
were treated in hospitals , and 28.911 at
dispensaries. Active and effective ef
forts have been made through the
medium of this service to protect the
country against an invasion of cholera ,
which hasprevailed in Spain and France ,
and the small-pox which recently broke
out in Canada.
The most gratifying results have at
tended the operations of the life-saving
service during the past fiscal year. The
observance or the provision of law re
quiring the appointments of the force
employed in the service to be made
"solely with reference to their fitness
and whhpnt reference to their political or
party affiliations , " has secured the result
which may confidently be expected in
any branch of public employment where
such a rule is applied. As a consequence
this service is composed of men well
qualified for the performance of their
dangerous and exceptionally important
duties. The number of stations in com
mission at the close of the year was
203. The number of disasters to vessels
and crafts of. all kinds within their field
of action was 371. The number of per
sons endangered in such disasters was
2,439 , of whom 2,428 were saved , and
only 11 lost. Other lives which were im
periled , though not by disasters to ship
ping , were also rescued , and a large
amount of property was saved through
the aid of this service. The cost of its
maintenance during the year was § 828-
474.43.
The work of the coast and geodetic
survey was , during the last fiscal year ,
carried on within the boundaries and off
the coast of thirty-two states , two terri-
torlw and the District of Colunibia. Iu
July last certain irregularities were found
to exist in the management of this
bureau , which led to a prompt investiga
tion of its method. The abuses which
were brought to light by this examina
tion and the reckless disregard of duty
'and the interests of the government de
veloped on the part of some of those con
nected with the service , made a change
of superintendency and a few of its other
officers necessary. Since the bureau has
been in new hands , an introduction of
economies and application of business
methods have prdduced an important
saving to the government and a promise
bf moreusefulresults. This service has
never been regulated by any
thing but most indefinite legal enact
ments , .and the most unsatisfactory
rules. It was many years ago sanctioned
apparently for a purpose regarded as
temporary , and related to a survey of
our coast. Having gained a place in the
appropriation made by congress , It has
gradually taken to itself powers and ob
jects not contemplated In its creation ,
and extended its operations until it sad
ly needs legislative attention. So far as
a further survey of our coast is con
"
cerned , there "seems to be propriety in
transferring that work to the navy de
partment. The other duties now in
charge of this establishment , if they can
not be profitably attached to some exist
ing department or other bureau , should
be prosecuted under a law exactly defin
ing their scope and purpose , and with a
careful discrimination between the scien
tific inquiries which may properly be as
sumed by the government , and those
which should be undertaken by state au
thorities or by individual enterprise.
It is hoped that the report of the con
gressional committee heretofore ap
pointed to investigate this and other-like
matters will aid in the accomplishment
of proper legislation on this subject.
The Department of War.
The report of the secretary of war is
herewith submitted. The attention of
congress is invited to the detailed account
which it contains of the administration
of his department , and his recommenda
tions and suggestions for the improve
ment of the service.
The army consisted , at the date of the
last consolidated returns , of 2,154officers
and 24,705 enlisted meu. The expenses
of the epartment for the fiscal year end
ing June 30 , 1885 , including § 13.104-
394.60 for public works and river and
harbor improvements , were § 45,850-
999.54.
Besides the troops which were dis
patched in pursuit of the small band of
Indians who left their reservation in
Arizona and committed murders and
outrages , two regiments of cavalry and'
one of infantry were sent last July 'to the
Indian Territory to prevent an outbreak
which seemed imminent. They re
mained to aid if necessary in the expul
sion of intruders upon the reservation-
who have caused the discontent among
the Indians , but the executive proclama
tion warning them to remove was com
plied with without interference.
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs ,
in Wyoming , after the massacre of Chi
nese there , to prevent further disturb
ances , and afterwards to Seattle , in
Washington Territory , to avert a threat
ened attack upon Chinese laborers , and
domestic violence there. In both cases
the mere presence of the troops had the
desired effect. It appears that the num
ber of desertions have diminished , but
that during the last fiscal year they num
bered 2,927 , and one instance is given
by the lieutenant-general of six deser
tions by the same recruit. I am con
vinced that this number of desertions can
ryitr ? gVifi/l
Tac-lJ.'KIi.U'UittiiuiC'JJtiM ' lij uutiuJ iiiu y tY-
and treatment , but the punishment
should be increased for repeated offenses.
These desertions might also be reduced
by lessening the term of first enlistments ,
thus allowing a discontented recruit
to contemplate a nearer discharge and
the army a profitable riddance after
oneterm of service. A re-enjj tme
5a dbejCuHje [ apt to secure a contei
recfllt and guod soldier TUe 61 :
judge-advocate general reports ttf *
number of trials by general courts-mar
tial during the year was 2,328 , and that
11,851 trials took place before garrison
and regimental courts-martial. The
puggestinn that probably more than half
of the army have been tried for offenses
great and small in one year may well ar
rest attention. Of course many of these
trials before garrison and regimental
courts-martial were for offenses almost
frivolous , and there should , I think , be
a way devised to dispose of these in a
more summary and less inconvenient
manner then by court-martial. If some
of the proceedings of courts-martial
which I have had occasion to examine
present the ideas of justice which gen
erally prevail in these tribunals , * I am
satisfied that they should be much re
formed , ifthe honor and the honesty of
the army and navy are , by their instru
mentality , to be indicated and pro
tected.
The board of fortifications or other de
fenses appointed in pursuance of the
provisions of the act of congress ap
proved March 3 , 1885 , will in a short
time present their report , and it is
hoped that this may greatly aid the leg
islation so necessary to remedy the pres
ent defenseless condition of our seacoast.
The work oMhe signal service has ; been
prosecuted during the last year with re-
eults of increasing benefit to the country.
The field of instruction has been enlarged
with a view of adding to its usefulness.
The number of stations in operation June
30 , 1885 , was 489. Telegraphic reports
are received daily from 1GO stations. Ee-
ports are also received from 75
Canadian stations , from 375 vol
unteer observers , 52 armysur
geons at military posts and 333
foreign stations. The expense of service
during the fiscal year , after deducting
receipts from military telegraph lines ,
was § 79,759,297. In view of the fact
referred to by the secretary of war that
work of this service ordinarily is of scien
tific nature , and the further fact that it is
assuming larger proportions constantly
and becoming more and more unstated
'
to'the fixed rules which must govern the
army , I am inclined to agree with him
in the opinion that it should be separately
established. If this is done the slope anil
extent of its operations should as nearly
as possible be definitely prescribed by law
and always capable of exact ascertain
ment.
The military academy of West Point is
reported as being in a high state of effi
ciency , and well equipped for the satis
factory accomplishment of the purposes of
its maintenance. The fact 'that
the class which graduates next
year is an unusually large
one has constrained me to "decline to
make appointments to second lieutenan
cies in the army from civil life , so that
such vacancies as exist in these places
may be reserved for such graduates ; and
yet it is not probable that there will be
enough vacancies to provide positi&ns
for them all when they leave the military
school. Under the prevailing law and
usage 'those not thus assigned to duty
never actually enter the military service.
It is suggested that the law on this sub
ject be changed so that such of those
young men as are not at once assigned to
duty after graduating may be retained as
second lieutenants in the army , if they
desire it , subject to assignment , when
opportunity occurs , under proper rules -
as to priority of selection. The expend- ! ' :
tures on account of the military academy I i
/or the last fiscal year , exclusive of the i :
"
sum taken for its "purposes from appro1 | 1
priations for the support of the army ,
were § 290,712.07.
The act approved March 3,188.1 , de
signed to compensate officers rind eii *
listed . m&n for loss of private property
while in the service of the United Slates ,
is so indefinite in its terms , and appar
ently admits so. many claims the adjust
ment of whioh could not have been con
templated , that if it is to remain on the
statue-book it needs amendment.
There should be a general law of con
gress prohibiting the construction ol
bridges over navigable waters in such a
manner as to obstruct navigation , wltb
provisions for preventing the same. II
seems that under existing statutes.the
government cannot intervene to prevent
such a construction when en
tered upon without its consent.
Thus it is represented that , while the of
ficers of the government are with great
care guarding against obstructions ol
navigation by a bridge across the Missis
sippi river at St. Paul , a large pier for a
bridge has been built just below this
place directly in the navigable channel ol
the river. If such things are to be per
mitted , a strong argument Is presented
against the appropriation of large sums oi
money to improve the navigation of this
and other important highways of com
merce.
The Secretary of the Navy.
The report of the secretary of the navj
gives a history of the operations of his
department , and the present condition ol
the work committed to his charge. H
details iu full the course pursued by him
to protect the rights of the government
in respect to certain vessels unfinished al
the time of his accession tb office , and
al&o concerning the dispatch boat
"Dolphin. " claimed to be completed
and awaiting the scceptance of the de
partment.
No one can fail to see from the recital
contained in this report that only the ap
plication of business principles has beer
insisted upon in the treatment of these
subjects , and that whatever controversj
has arisen was caused by the execution
on the part of the department of contracts
or obligations as they were legally con
strued in the case of the "Dolphin , "
with entire justice to the contractor.
An agreement has been entered intc
providing for the ascertainment
by a judicial inquiry of the com
plete or partial compliance with
the contract in her construction ,
and further providing for the assessment
of any damages to which the government
may be entitled on account of a partial
failure to perform such contract , or th (
payment of the sum still remaining un
paid upon her price in case a , full per
formance is adjudged. The contractor ,
by reason of his failure in business , being
unable to complete the other three ves
sels , they were taken possession of oj
the government in their unfinished con
dition , under a clause In the contracl
permitting such a course , and are now
iu process of completion in the yard ol
the contractor , but under the supervision
of the navy department.
Congress iu its last session authorized
the construction of two additional new
cruisers and two gunboats , at a cost nol
exceeding in the aggregate § 2,995,000.
The appropriation for this purpose hav
ing become available on the 1st day oi
July last , steps were at once taken foi
this procurement of such plans for the
construction of these vessels as would b (
likely to insure their usefulness when com
pleted. These are of the utmost import
ance , considering the constant advance
in the art of building vessels of this char-
ac er , and the time is not lost which is
spent in their careful consideration and
selection.
All must admit the importance of at
effective nnvv tn n mtfmn-liL-A.niirg F.OT- .
ing such an extended sea coast to pro
tect , yet we haye not a single vessel ol
war that could keep the sea against s
first-class vessel of any important power.
Such a condition ought not longer tc
continue. The nation that cannot resist
aggression is constantly exposed to it.
| Its foreign policy is of necessity weak ,
land its negotiations itej conducted with
ffijadvimfeifl/ -m it is ppr JngDJ i-
Fon to enforce the tc fcns dictated by its
'
sense of right and justice. Inspired'as 1
am with the hope , shared by all patrii
otic citizens , that the day is not far disI
tant when our navy will be such as befits
ounstanding among the nations of the
earth , and rejoiced at every step thai
leads in the direction of such a consum1
mation. I deem it my duty especially to
direct the utteiition'of congress to the
close of the report of the secretary of the
navy in whielTthe humiliating features ol
the present organization of this depart
ment are exhibited and the startling
abuses and waste of his present method
are exposed. The conviction is forced
upon us with the certainty of mathe
matical demonstration , that before we
proceed further in the restoration
of a na\y , we need a thor
oughly reorganized navv department.
The fact that within seventeen years
more than § 75,000,000 has been spent in
construction , repair , equippient and
armament of vessels , and the further fact
that instead of an effective and creditable
fleet we have only the discontent and ap
prehension of a nation undefended by
war vessels , added to the disclosures now
made , do not permit us to doubt that
"
every attempt"to revive our navy has
thus far , for the most part , been misdi
rected , and all our efforts in that direc
tion have been little better than blind
gropings and expensive , aimless follies.
Unquestionably if we are content with
the maintenance of a navy department
simply as an ornament to the government ,
a constant watchfulness may prevent
some of the scandal and abuse which
have found their way into pur present
organization , and its incurable waste
may be reduced to the mininum ; but il
we desire to build ships for present use
instead of naval reminders of the days
that are past , we must have a depart
ment organized for the work , supplied
with all the talent and ingenuity oui
country affords , prepared to take advan
tage of the experience of otheruations , sc
systematized that all effort shah unite and
lead in one direction , and fully imbued
with the conviction that war vessels ,
though new , are"useless unless they com
bine all that the ingenuity of man has up
to this day brought fourth relating to
their construction. I earnestly commend
that portion of the secretary's report de
voted to this subject to the action of con
gress , in the hope that the suggestions
touching the reorganization of his de
partment may be adopted as the first step
toward the reconstruction of our navy.
The Postofflce Department
The affairs of the postal service are
exhibited by the report of'the postmaster
general , which will be laid before you.
The postal revenue , whose rates of gain
upon the rising prosperity of 1SS2 and
1SS3 outstripped the increasing-expense
of our growing service , was checked by
the reduction in the rate of letter post
age which tookeffect with the beginning
of October in the latter year , and dimint t
jshed during the two past fiscal years
§ 2,790,000 , in the proportion of § 2,270-
000 in 1884 to § 520,000 in 1885.
Natural growth and development have
meantime increased expenditure , re
sulting in a deficiency in the revenue tc
the expenses of the department of five
and a quarter millions of dollars for the
year 1SS4 , and eight and a third million ;
in the last fiscal year. The anticipated
and natural revival of the revenue has
bceu oppressed aud retarded by the un
favorable business condition of the coun
try ) of which the postal service is a faith
ful Indicator. The gratifying fact is.
shown , however , by the report that our
returning prosperity is marked by a gam
of § 380,000 ia the revenue of the latter
half of the last year over the correspond
ing period of the preceding year. . The
change in the weight of first-class mat
ter , which may be carried for a single
rate of postage from a half ounce to an
ounce , and the reduction by one-half of
the rate of newspaper postage , which ,
under recent legislation , begun with the
current year , will operate to restrain the
augmentation of receipts which other
wise might have been expected to such a
degree that the scale of expenses may
gain upon the revenue and cause an in
creased deficiency to be shown at its
close ; yet after no long period of re
awakened prosperity , by proper economy
it is confidently anticipated that even the
present low rates , now as favorable as
any country affords , will be adequate
toj sustain the cost of the service.
The operation of the postofllce depart
ment is for the convenience and bent-tit
of the people , and the method by which
they pay the charges of this useful arm of
their public service , so that it be just and
impartial , is of less importance to them
than the economical expenditure of the
means they provide for its maintenance
and for the due improvement of its agen
cies , that they may enjoy its highest
usefulness. A proper attention has been
directed to the prevention of waste or ex
travagance , and good results appear
from the report to have already been ac
complished.
I approve of the recommendation of the
postmaster general to reduce the charges
on domestic money-orders of § 5 and less
from eight to five cents. This change
will materially aid those of our people
who most of all avail themselves of this
instrumentality , but to whom the ele
ment of cheapness is of the greatest im
portance. With this reduction the system
would still remain self-supporting. The
free delivery system has been extended
to nineteen additional cities during the
year , and 178 now enjoy its conveniences.
Experience has commended it to those
who enjoy its be'nefits , and further en
largement of its facilities will
be due to other communities
by which it may be adop ed.
In the cities where it has been estab
lished , taken together , the local postage
exceeds its maintenance by nearly one
'
million three hundred thousand do'llars.
The limit to which this system is now
confined by law has been nearly reached ,
and the reasons given justify the exten
sion which is proposed.
It was decided , with my approbation ,
after a sufficient examination , to be in
expedient for the post-otlice department
to contract for carrying our foreign mails
under the additional authority given by
the last congress.
The amount limited was inadequate to
pay all within the purview of the Jaw the
full rate of fifty cents per mile. It would
have been unjust and unwise to have
given it to some and denied it to others ;
nor could contractshave been let under
the law to all at a rate to have brought
the aggregate within the appropriation
without such practical pre-arrangemeut
of terms as would have violated it. The
rate of sea aud inland postage , which
was proffered under another statute ,
clearly appears to be a fair compensation
for the desired service , being three times
the price necessary to secure transporta
tion by other vessels upon any route , and
much beyond the charges made
to private persons for ser
vices not less burdensome.
Some of the steamship companies , upon
the refusal of the postmaster general to
attempt , by the means provided , the
distribution of the sum appropriated
( an extra compensation ) , withdrew the
services of their vessels , and thereby
occasioned slight _ jnconyenjence. .though
no i considerable injury. The niails have
been I dispatched by other means. What
ever ( may be thought of the policy of
subsidizing j any line of public conveyance
ji or < travel , I am satisfied that it should
not i be done under cover of an expendi
ture I incident to the administration of a
department i , nor should there be any uu-
certaintjSas i to.the receipients of the su
_ sidy i , _ qrany _ diseretion left to ka
executive officer as"1o ils "disrribTrtiutn LC
If such gifts of public money are to b
made i for the purpose of aiding any en
terprise I in the supposed interest o'f the
public ] , I cannot but think that the
amount to be paid and the beneficiary
might i better be determined by congress
thau 1 by any other way. The inter
national i congress of delegates from the
postal-union } countries convened in Lis
bon 1 , Portugal , in February last , and ,
after : a session of some weeks , the dele
gates signed an agreement amendatory
of the present postal-Union convention
in some particulars designed to advance
its purposes. This additional act has had
my approval , and will be laid before you
with departmental report.
I approve the recommendation of the
postmaster general that another assist-
a&tant be provided for his department.
I invite your consideration of the several
other recommendations contained in his
report.
The Attorney General.
The report of the attorney general con
tains a history of the conduct of , the de
partment of justice during the last year
and a number of valuable suggestions as
to needed legislation , and I invite your
careful attention to the same. The con-
dition of business in the courts of the
United States is such that there seems to
be an imperative necessity for remedial
legislation on the snbject. Some of
these courts are so overburdened with
pending causes that "tne Gelays on de
termining litigation amount"often to
a denial of justice. Among the plans
suggested for relief is one submitted by
the attorney general. Its main features
are the transfers of all the original juris
diction of the circuit courts to the dis
trict courts , and an increase of judges
for the latter , where necessary an addi
tion , of judges to the circuit
courts , and constituting them ex-
clusvely courts of appeal , and reas
onably limiting appeals thereto and
further restrictions of right to remove
'
cause 'from the state to the federal
courts , permitting appeals to the su
preme courts from courts of the District of
Columbia , and from the torrifories only
in the same cases as they are allowed
from state courts , and guarding against
an unnecessary number of appeals from
the circuit courts. I approve the plan
thus outlined aud recommend the legis c
lation necessery for its application to our 0
judicial system. 0t 0I I
A Necessary Synopsis. t
The present mode of compensation of \
United States marshals.and district at Jr J
torneys the message declares should be r
changed to fixed salaries. Under the
t
present method unscrupulous marshals
are found encouraging frivolous prosecu
tions.
The message deals at great length upon
the Indian question , citing facts already
touched upon in the report of the secre
tary of the interior. After reviewing
facts concerning the education of the In
dian's and their tribal relations , the
president says : "I recommend the pas
sage of a law authorizing the appoint
ment of commissioners , three of
whom shall be detailed from the army ,
to be charged wuh the duty of careful
inspection from time to time of nil In- ,
diaus * 'pon our reservations or subject to L
the care and control of the government , j l
with the view of discovering their exact - '
condition and needs and determining
what steps shall be taken in behalf of the
government to improve their sisuation in
the direction of their self-support and
complete civilization ; that it be ascer
tained from such inspection what , if
rfny , of the reservations may be reduced
in area , and in such cases what part is
not ueeded for Indian occupation may
be purchased by the government from
the Indians and disposed .of for their
benefit ; what , if any , Indians may , with
their consent , be removed to other reser
vations , with a view of their con
centration. The message directs that
the powers and functions of
the commission be strictly defined.
The message recommends the repeal
and modification of certain of the land
laws , and deprecates the falling of large
tracts of laud into the hands of syndi
cates for speculation.
The president urges that trans-conti
nental roaQs be held to a strict account
ability iu the matter of their grants.
The message cites that iu July , 1885 ,
there were 345,125 persons borne upon
the pension rolls an increase during ten
years of 110,000 persons. He recom
mends that care be taken to cleanse from
the rolls names of any fraudulent person -
Strong Language Against Folyeamy
In the territory of Utah the law of the
United States , passed for the suppression
of polygamy , has been energetically and
faithfully executed during the past year ,
with measurably good results. A num
ber of convictions have been secured for
unlawful cohabitation , and in some coses
pleas of guilty have been entered and
slight punishment imposed upon promise
by accused that he would not again offend
against the law nor advise , counsel , aid
or abet in any way its violation bv others.
The Utah commissioners express opinions
based upon such information as they are
able to obtain , that but few polygamous
marriages have taken place in the terri
tory during the last year. Ti ey further
report that , while there cannot be
found upon the registration lists
of voters the name of a man
actually guilty of polygamy , and while
none of that class are holding office , yet
at the last election in the territory , all
the officers elected except in one county
\vere men who , though not living in the
practice of pol } gamay , subscribe to the
doctrine of polygamous marriage as a
Divine revelation and a law unto all ,
higher and more binding upon the con
science than any human law , local or
national. Thus is the strange spectacle
presented of a community protected by a
republican form of government , to which
they owe allegiance , sustaining by their
suffrage a principle and a belief which
sets at naught that obligation of absolute
obedience to the Jaw of the laud which
lies at the foundation of republican
institutions. ( The strength , the
perpetuity and the destiny of the nation
rest upon our homes established by the
law of * God , guarded by parental care ,
regulated by parental authority and sac
rificed by parental love. These are not
the homes of polygamy. The mothers
of our land , who rule the nation , as they
mould the characters and guide the ac
tions of their sons , live according to
God's holy ordinances , each pure and
happy in the exclusive love of the father
of her children. They shed the warm
light of true womanhood , unperverted
and unpolluted , upon all within their
pure and wholsome family circle. These
are not the cheerless , crushed and un
womanly mothers of polygamy.
The fathers of our families are the
best citizens of the repub
lic. The wife and children
are the sources of patriotism and con
jugal and parental affection , and beget
the highest devotion to country. The
wu'u , uimjlmTCTrtiy-pmrai'
is surrounded in his single home with his
wife aud children , has a stake in the
country which inspires him with respect
for its laws and courage for its defense.
These are not the fathers of polygamous
families. There is no feature of this c
practice or the system which sanctions it
which is not opposed to all that is of t
value in our Institutions. There should
Jift.no relaxation - ' ' " in fho J firm hut just exe-
. *
'
cution of the law now in Operation , ' and -
I should be glad to approve such further
discreet legislation as will rid this coun
try of this blot upon its fame.
Sinco the people in our territories are re
inforced by immigration from other
lauds , I recommend that a law be passed
to prevent the importation of Mormons
into this country.
Miscellaneous and Conclusive.
The agricultural interests of our coun
try , the message says , demand just rec-
ognitition and liberal encouragement.
They sustain with certainty and unfail
ing strength our national prosperity and
bear their full share of the burden of
taxation without complaint. Out of our
total annual exports more than three-
fourths are the products of agriculture ,
and of our total population nearly one-
half are exclusively engaged in that oc
cupation. The message recommends
that especial attention be paid to this
department.
Referring to prohibitory laws adopted
by several countries reparding the im
portation of our animals and their pro
ducts , the message suggests the import
ance of such precautions for the protection so
of our s-tock of all kinds against disease
as will disarm suspicion of danger and
cause the removal of such injurious pro
hibition. The president recommends ad
ditional legislation on this subject if
necessary , and recommends to the con
sideration of congress suggestions * con
tained in the report of the commissioner
of agriculture.
The closing portion of the message Is
devoted to the civil service question.
The president ' -I inclined
says : am to
think that there is no sentiment more
general in the minds of the people of our
country than the conviction of the cor
rectness of the principle upon which the
law enforcing civil service reform is
based. " He reiterates his former ex- , .
pressed views on the subject and says : '
"I venture to hope that we never shall
again be remitted to the system which
distributes public positions purelv as a
reward for partisan service. Doubts
may well be entertainedhether our
government could survive the strain al
of a coutinuance of this system which ,
upon every change of administration , in
spires an immense army of claimants for
office to lay seige to the patronige of the
government , engrossing the time of
public officers and with their importuni
ties spreading abroad the contagion of
their disappointment , and filling the air
with the tumult of their discontent. "
The message recommends that the sala
ries of civil service commissioners be in o
creased to a sum more nearly com r <
mensurate to their important"duties. . to <
The message ' ecommends
an
appro tl
priation to secure library room for valua tlIi
ble books and pamphlets belonging to IiP
the government , aud also an appropria Iifr
tion for certain District of Columbia in fr
ternal improvements.
The message concludes as follows :
"The present condition of law relating
to the succession to the presidency in the a
event of the death , disability or removal
of both the president and vice president
is such as to require immediate amend
ment. This subject has been repeatedly
considered by congress , but no result has
been reached. The recent lamentable
death of the vice president , and
the vacancies at the same time in "
all other offices , incumbents of
A
which might immediately exercise the
functions of the presidential otlice , have
caused public anxiety and a ju t demand
that a recurrence of such n condition of
affairs should not be permitted. In con
clusion , I commend to the wise care and
thoughtful attention of congress the needs
and welfare of an intelligent nation. To
subordinate these to narrow advantages
of partisanship or to the accomplishment
of selfish aims is fb violate the people's
trust and betray the people's interests.
But an individual sente of responsibility
on the part of each of us , , and a stern de
termination to performour duty well ,
must give us peace among those who
have added in fneir day and generation
to the glory and prosperity of our beloved
land. G no VER CLKVKLAJJD. "
To Fatten Christina * IJIril * .
Nearly a hundred years ago the following
unique method of fattening turkeys was
advocated : About three weeks before tho
turkeys are wanted procure some walnuts.
When feeding tho turkeys in the morning
take each one intended lor killing , and put
a whole walnut down its throat , which has
been rubbed with fat. The shells must not
be cracked for fear that the rouglpmighfc
tear the throat. The second morning give
each turkey two walnuts prepared tho
same way ; the third morning three ; the
fourth , four ; the fifth , five ; tho sixth , six ;
the seventh , seven. If they aro not fat
enough , give seven for two or three days ,
and then reduce the number one each day
until the number is reduced to one , when
they will be fat enough to kill. Walnuts
are said to contain a great quantity of
nutritious oil , and to have the property ol
Tattening turkeys. The ilesh will be whito
and of fine flavor.
\Vlir Me Was Not Afraid.
"What's tho matter , Tom ? "
"Matter enough. Smith's dog bit mo a
minute ago. "
"Smith's dog bit you ? Good gracious ,
man , that dog is mail ! "
"The deuce you say ! He ain't any mad
der than I am. I'm the one to be mad.
If Iliad bitten the dog he might have had
a good excuse to get mad. "
"But the dog has the hydrophobia- "
"What's the hydrophobia ? "
"It means , literally , in fear of water. "
"Well , what do you care liow much that ;
dog is afraid of water ? I wish he was afraid
of me. "
"Oh , you don't understand. You aro
liable to catch it from the dog. "
"No , I'm not ; but he's liable to catch it
irom me as soon as I can borrow a gun. "
"Oh , pshaw ! This fear of water you are
liable to have it. "
"No , I'm a cold-water Baptist. " [ New
man Independent.
Concluded to Compromise.
"For goodness sake , Mary , " asked the
young lady's mother at breakfast , "what
was the matter with you and Harry in the
parlor last night ? "
"Why , mamma ? What ? " inquired the
daughter , demurely.
"Why , you jowered and quarreled for
lalf an hour like a pair of pickpockets. "
"Oh , " she replied , remembering tho cir
cumstances , "Harry wanted me to take
ihe big chair , and I wanted him to take it ,
lecause he was company , you know. "
"Well , what did you quarrel about ? "
"We didn't quarrel , mamma ; only ho in
sisted thatlshouhl take it , und I wouldn't. "
/'How did you settle it , finally ? "
"Well , mamma , we we compromised ,
and both of us took it. "
The mother hud been a girl once herself.
Merchant's Traveler.
Protecting : Roses
In the northern rejibiil rrdown tlie roso
bushes and cover with CT fcreen boughs ; in
places where the common Aakecan be had
it is well to collect it , as it makes an excel
lent protective covering. Old leaves , o
course be used f '
, can < bc same purpose ,
and there is nothing l B , the difficulty is
to < get enough of therri fcrst , bend down
the rose shoots jind fa B the tops to tho
about
the base as higbYfisposs'ul afterwards
cover with whatever ml is to be ob
tained , keeping it in fs poles-of suffi
cient weight to prevcfl lplacemeiitby tho
wind wind. [ Vick's JHJazine for Novem
ber.
Me Could and Dill.
"Conductah ! " she criled in a languid
voice. j
"Yes'm. "
"Can you stop this cah ? "
" ' "
"Yes'm.
"Then you may stop it. "
"Yes'm , " he said , as he rang the bell.
"Conductah ! " she called , as she looked
out of the window.
"Yes'm. "
"Can you start this cah ? "
"Certainly. "
"Then you may start it. I believe I will
ride to tho connah. When I reach the
connah yon may stop it. "
A Fault of Education.
Education needs to be adapted to the
requirements of the individual ; to be more
personal in order to be more effective. We
generalize too much everywhere ; nowhere
much as in the class room. Because of
this because education runs so much to
multiplication of studies rather than to
the stimulation of thought our educated
clasdcs are inert and indifferent. Tho
average college graduate finds that in the
world about him there is noplace he can
fill acceptably to himself , and the fault is
not so much with the nicked world as with
those who first cave direction to his educa
tion. [ Louisville Courier-Journal.
No Inducement.
"Don't you want to go to the better
world. Tommy ? " asked a Sunday school
teacher of her new scholar.
"No mum , " promptly replied the frank
little fellow.
"And why not. Tommy ? "
"Oh , when f die I want to go where a fel
ler can rest. "
"Well , my boy. you can rest tlrere. "
"Well , in that song we hung it said we'll
shine there. "
"Certainly : don't you want to shine
there ? "
"No , mum ; I don't want to shine there. I
get enough of that here. I'm a bootblack ,
mum ! " [ Yonkurs Statesman.
Tear- . "
Crocodile tears are things of ancient his
tory , and tears produced with the aid of
onions are equally well known , but it has
remained for modern science to find a way
produce onion tears without betraying
the presence of the aggressive onion itself.
fact , the aggressive onion need not be
present at all. An essential oil is extracted
from it which has all the tear-compelling
qualifies of the solid vegetable itself. One
drop of this oil on a handkerchief is good
for one flood of tears , two drops produce
persistent fit of sobbing and three drops
and appearance of utter abandonment to
consuming grief. [ Philadelphia Times.
old rail-splitter ia Indiana put the
quietus upon a young man who chaffed
him upon his bald head in these words :
"Young raSTj.when my head gets as soft
as yours , I cnn raise hair to sell. "