1
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE , TUESDAY , DECEMBER 2 , 1890.
Acnfmlco by the military commander at San
Jose as his warrant to take llio pas-
ncnRor from tlio steamer. General
Ilarrundla resisted capture and was killed.
It being evident thnttbo minister , Mr. MI/ .
> ior , hns exceeded tlio bounds of his authority
Jn Intervening , In compliance with the de
mands of the Utmtentalan authorities , to
nuthorlzc and effect , In violation of precc-
ilent , the seizure on a vessel of the United
States of a passenger of transit charged with
political offenses In order that ho might ho
tried for such offenses under what wns do-
Berthed us martial law , I was constrained to
disavow Mr. ftllzncr's act and recall him from
his post ,
Nicaragua ( anal.
Tlio Nicaragua connl project , under the
control of our citizens , Ji making most en
couraging progress , all the preliminary eon-
tlltlons and Initial operations having been
nccompllshed within the prescribed time.
Claims Ajjalif-L Clilll.
During thn past year negotiations have
liccn renewed for the settlement of claims
bf American eltl/ens against the govern
ment of Chill , prlnclliully growing out of thn
late war with Peru , Tlio reports from our
inlulster at Santiago warrant the expectation
of an early and satisfactory adjustment.
Our ItnlallntiH with Olilna.
Our rotations with Cliltm , which have for
Boverni years occupied so Important u place
In our diplomatic history , have called for
careful consideration mid have been the sub
ject of much correspondence. The communi
cations of the Chinese irmistcr have brought
into view the whole subject of our conven
tional relations with his country anil at the
name time this government , through Its legn-
tion at I'ehin , sought to arrange various mat
ters und complaints touching the interests
jind protection of our citizens in Uhlnu. In
pursuance of the concurrent resolution of Oc
tober 1.18'JO. 1 havn proposed to tlio govern-
incnts of Mexico and Great Britain to con-
Hlder n convcntionnl regulation of llio passage
of Chinese laborers across our southern and
northern frontiers ,
Wo O it Noi.hliiK from Denmark.
On August 23 lust t-'lr Edward Monson ,
the arbitrator selected under the treaty of
December o,1888 , rendered an award to the
olTectthat no compensation was duo from
the Danish government to the United States
on account of what is commonly known as
the Carlos-Uuttcrlleld claim.
On Cordial Terms with Krniico.
Our relations with the French continue to
fco cordial. Our representative nt that court
' , as vcrv diligently urged the removal of tlio
Ijcstrietlons Imposed upon our meat products ,
wnd It Is believed that substantial progress
has been made toward a Just so tlemcnt.
.Extradition Trenty with Knjiliuid.
The new treaty of extradition with Great
Britain , after duo ratification , was pro
claimed on March 25 last. Its bcnelicent
working Is already apparent.
The difference between the two govern
ments touching the fur seal question In the
Bchrlngsea Is not yet adjusted , as will bo
scon by the correspondence which will soon bo
laid before congress. The offer to submit
the question to arbitration , as proposed by
her majesty's government , has not. been ac
cepted , for the reason that the form of sub
mission proposed la not thougnt to bo calcu
lated to assure to a conclusion satisfactory to
cither party. It is sincerely hoped that before -
fore the opening of another scaling season
Bomo arrangement may bo effected which
will assure to the United States n property
right , derived from Russia , which was not
disregarded by any nation for more than
eighty years preceding the outbreak ot the
existing trouble.
Hawaii Wronged by the Turin" .
In the tariff act a wrong was done to the
kingdom of Hawaii which I am bound to pro-
BUino wns wholly unintentional. Duties
were levied on certain commodities which uro
included in the reciprocity treaty now exist
ing between the United States and the king
dom of Iluwuii without indicating the neces
sary exception in favor of that kingdom. I
hope congress will repair what might other
wise scorn to be a breach of faith oil the part
of this government.
ClaiuiH Against Hnytl.
An award In favor of the United States In
the matter of the claim of Mr. VnnBokkelen
against Iluytl was rendered December -1,1883 ,
but owing to disorders then and afterwards
' prevailing In Iluytl the terms of payments
were not observed. A now agreement as tc
the tlmo of payment bus been approved and
is now In force. Other Just claims of citizens
of the United States for redress of wrongs
Buffered during the late political conflict in
Haytl will , It is hoped , speedily yield tc
friendlytreatment. .
Treaty with Japan.
The revision of our treaty relations wltli
the empire of Japan has continued to be o
subject of consideration and of correspond'
onco. The questions involved are both grave
and delicate , and while it will bo my duty tc
see that the interests of the United States arc
not by any changes exposed to undue dts
crimination. I sincerely hope that such rovl
lon ns will satisfy the legitimate expectations
tions of the Jupiinese government and main
tnln the present and long-existing friendlj
relations between Japan and. the Unitet
States will bo effected.
Clewo FrionilKhlpwith Mexico.
The friendship between our country am :
Mexico , born of close neighboring ani
strengthened by many considerations 'of in
tlraato Intercourse and reciprocal Interesthas
never been moro conspicuous than now noi
inoro hopeful of increased bcne'llt to boll
nations. The Intercourse of the two coun
tries by rail , already great , Is making con
slant growth. The established lines am :
those recently projected aud to the Intinmcj
of trafllo and open now channels of access ti
fresh areas of demand and supply. The importance
portanco of the Mexican railway system wll
be further enhanced to n degree almost ira
possible to forecast If it should become a llnl
in the projected inter-continental railway
I recommend that our mission in the city o
Mexico Do raised to the first class.
We Kin lid \Voll with Spain.
The cordial character of our relations will
Spain warrants the hope that by the contlnu
nnco of methods of friendly iicgotiatloi
much may bo accomplished in the direction o
an ndjusttneat of pending questions and o
the Increase of our trade. Tlio extent am
development of our trade , with the island o
Cuba invest the commercial relations of tin
United States und Spain with a peculiar im
portanco. It Is not doubted that a specie
arrangement in regard to commerce , basci
upon the reciprocity provision of the rcccn
tariff act , would operate most beneficially fo
both governments. This subject Is now re
celvlng attention.
The VciiRKiiela Claim * Convention.
On September 2 last the commission ni
pointed to revise the proceedings of the com
mission under the claims convention betwcei
the United States and Venezuela of Ibtii1
brought Its labors to a close within the perio
fixed for that purpose. The proceedings o
the late commission wore characterized by
spirit of Impartiality and a high sense o
Justice , and nn incident which was for man
years the subject of discussion botwee'
the two governments has boon disposed of li
a manner aliku honorable and satisfactory t
both parties. Kor the settlement of the clnlii
of the Venezuelan steam transportation com
puny , which was the subject of a Joint rose
lutlon adopted at tlio last session of coi :
gross , negotiations nro still In progress an
their early conclusion Is anticipated.
TIIK COX in. All SKltriVK.
Its Importance Urged Upon the At
trillion ill' Coiiiro.Hs.
The legislation of the past few years ho
evidenced on the part of congress a growln
realization of the Importance of the ojnsula
service In fostering our commercial relation
abroad and In protecting the domestic ro\
onuw. Asthoscopo of alterations cxpan
Increased provision must bo tnado to kec
up the essential standard of efficiency. Tli
necessity of some adequate measure (
supervision and inspection has been so ofte
presented that 1 need only commend the Mil
ject to your attention.
TMIK MtKVKXVKS.
A Htateuioiii : of the Financial Allah
of Clio fjovernmiMit.
The rovciiuoa of the government from a
KXJicts lor the ) ll cul year ending Juno 8
) UJ , wera H < i'JXliD'50.5. ( ; , ) , and the total e :
uyiujlturttj for the sumo period were SJ1.V ;
Qltf.bM.tVJ , Tim poutiil receipts have not bet
totoro been Included In the statement of the :
UKKKtfutatf , uinj for tha purpose of compai
bou Uie hum t > t JJJO.HW.uyT.UJ should DO d
ducted fioiu both uliJiM iif the account. TI
surolun furUie yc-ui , Including the umoui
applied U > llio sinking fund , was UK
'M.iWM. 'J'b.o x'Mlpt for ISWI we
SlU.yjQ.tCjy.lo uuJ Ihuexpenditure * * | R,73l > , t >
in exec * * of UiejdO of jb-vj. Thu mmtoms r
Wlpls increased IW > ,6H b3 uml tlio reculn
froui lutcruul rovufcde fUj s.l'JI.bU , whllii i
the side of exjH'ueJIlmw thut for punslui
was 110,312,075.90 In excess of the preceding
year.
The treasury statement for the current fis
cal yoar. partly actual and partly estimated ,
Is as follows : Receipts from all Bourcci ,
$400,000,000 , total expenditures , * ' 15 1,000 , 000 ,
leaving a surplus of * . " 2OOUOUO , not
taking the postal receipts into the
account of either sldo. The loss of
revenue from customs for the litst
quarter is * i,000,000 , but from this Is deducted
a gain of about $15,000,000 , realized dur
ing the first four months of the year.
For the year ISIM the total estimated receipts
nro fc)7iUOO,000 ) ; and the estimated expendi
tures * W",8fj3,20 .42 , leaving an estimated
surplus of inH7,7W.58 , which , with a cash
balance of f.VJ,000,000 at the beginning of the
year , will give fo7l 17,700.53 ns the sum avail
able for tlio redemption of outstanding bonds
or other uses.
Tlio estimates of receipts nnd expenditures
for the postolllce department Uclng equal , are
not Included In this statement on either sldo.
Ntin-ii t.tir.
A. Longer Trial N'ooonsary to Deter
mine ltn Permanent 1 1 ( Tout.
The act directing the purchase of silver
bullion and llio issue of treasury notes
thereon , approved July 1-1 , 18TO , has been
administered by the secretary of the treasury
wltlinn earnest purixwo to get Into circulation
at the earliest possible dates the full monthly
amounts of treasury notes contemplated uy
Its provisions and at the same tlmo to give to
the marltot for sliver bullion such sup
port as the law contemplates.
The recent depreciation In tlio
price of silver has been observed with regret.
The rapid rise In price which followed the
passage of the act w.is followed by specula
tion nnd the reaction Is part of the result of
the same cause and part of the recent mone
tary disturbances. Some months of further
trial will ho necessary to detei mine the per
manent effect of the recent legislation upon
silver values , but it Is gratifying to know that
the Increased circulation secured by tbo
act has exerted nnd will continue to exert a
most beneficial influence upon business and
upon general values. 'While It has not been
thought best to renew formally the sugges
tion of uti International conference looking to
an agreement touching the fulluso of silver
for colnngo at a uniform ratio , care bus been
taken to observe closely any change 111 the
situation abroad , and no favorable opportuni
ty will bo lost to promote a result which It Is
confidently believed would confer very largo
benefits upon tbo commerce of the world.
The recent monetary disturbances In Eng
land nro not unlikely to suggest a reexamination
ation of opinions upon this subject. Out-
very largo supply of gold will , If not lost by
Impulsive legislation in the supposed interest
of silver , give us a position of advantage in
promoting a permanent and safe international
agreement for the free use of sliver as a coin
inotiil.
Increasing the Circulating medium.
The efforts of the secretary to increase the
volume of money in circulation by keeping
down the treasury surplus to the lowest
practicable limit have been unremitting and
in a very high degree successful. Tbo tables
presented by him , showing the Incrcasq of
money in circulation during the last two de
cades , and especially the table showing the
increase during the nineteen months he lias
administered the affairs of the department ,
are Interesting and Instructive. The increase
of inonoy In circulation during the nineteen
months 'has been in the aggregate § 03.830,819 ,
or about $1.50 per capita , and ot the increase
only 87,100,000 was duo , to the recent silver
legislation. That tills substantial and needed
aid given to commerce resulted in an
enormous reduction of the public tlobt and of
the annual interest clnirgo Is a matter ot In
creased satisfatiou. There have been pur
chased mid redeemed since March 4 , IShU , 4
and 4J per cent bonds to the amount ot
$311W,4 : > 0 at a cost of $ 'J 10,020,741 , resulting
in the reduction of the annual interest
charco of W.K)7,009 ) , and a total saving of in
terest of $51,570,700. ,
IXTEKX. I r , 11 K I 'EXVX.8.
An Increase of Nearly Twelve Mil
lions In llceelplrt.
I notice with great pleasure tbo statement
of the secretary that the receipts from inter
nal revenue have increased during the last
fiscal year .nearly $12,000,000 and tuav the cost
of collecting this largo revenue was less by
$ 'JOG17 than for the saino purpose in the ur&
ceding year.
The percentage of cost of collecting the cus
toms revenue for the lust nscnl year was loss
than over before- . The 'customs administra
tion board provided for by the act of Juno 10 ,
1890 , was selected with great care and Is com
posed In part of men whoso previous experi
ence in the administration of the old cuntotns
regulations had jnado them familiar with the
evils to bo remedied and in part ol
men whoso legal and Judicial acquirements
and experience seemed to lit thorn for the
work of interpreting and applying the now
statute. The chief aim of the law is to secure
honest valuations of all dutiable merchandise
and to make tlio.su valuations uniform at all
our ports of entry. It had been mtulu mani
fest by a congressional Investigation that n
system bt undervaluation had been long in
use by certain classes of importers , resulting
not only in a great loss of revenue , but in o
most intolerable discrimination ncainst hon
esty. It is not seen how this legislation , when
It is understood , can bo regarded by the citi
zens of anv country having commercial deal
ings with us ns unfriendly. Anj
duty Is supposed to bo excessive
Let the complaint bo lodged there
It will surely be claimed by any well dls
nosed people that a remedy may bo soughl
and allowed in a system of quasi smuggling
THE WAK UKl'.lUTMKXT.
Some Very Gratifying Results At
tained During the Your.
The report of the secretary of war exhibit :
several gratifying results attained during tin
year by wlso aud unostentatious methods
The percentage of desertions from the armj
( an evil for which both congress and the department
partment have long been seeking a remedy ]
has been reduced during the past year 24 pei
cent , and for the months of August and Sep
tembcr , during which time the favorabli
effects of the act of Juno 10 were felt , : K ) po
cent as compared with the same months o
1889.
1889.Tho
The results attained by a reorganizatloi
and consolidation of the divisions bavin )
charge of tlio hospital service records of thi
volunteer soldiers ere very remarkable. Tht
change was effected in July , 18.S1) ) , and at tha
time there wcro 40,054 cases awaiting atton
tlon , moro than half of these being calls fron
tlio pension ofllco for Information ncccssar ;
to the adjudication of pension claims. Oi
Juno ; W last , though over three hundrci
thousand now calls had como in , there wa
not a singla case tlmtv had not been oxamlnci
ana entered.
I concur in the recommendations of tin
secretary that adequate and regular upproprl
atlons bo continued for coast defense work
and ordnance. Plans have been practleall ;
agreed upon and there can be no pooit rcaso :
for delaying the execution of them , whit
the defenseless state of our great seaport
furnishes uu urgtut reason for wise expedl
tton.
tton.The.
The. encouragement that has been oxtendc
to the militia of the states generally , mostaj ;
proprlatoly designated the "National Guard ,
should bo continued and enlarged. Thcs
military organizations constitute , in a larg
sense , the army of the United States , whil
about tlvo-slxths of the annual cost of tbei
maintenance Is defrayed by tlio states.
ItKt'A 11TMKXV O * '
Vigorous anil ICftVotlvo Measure
Ajialn.Ht ViolatorH of Ijaw.
The report of the attorney general Is , undc
the. law , submitted directly to congress , hi :
as the department of Justice Is one. of the o ;
ceutivo departments , some referoneo to th
worlc done Is appropriate hero. A vlgorot :
and , In the main , an effective effort has bee
made to bring to trial and punishment a
violators of the laws , but at tno sumo tin
euro lias been taken tlmt frivolous and tccl
nlcal offenses should not bo used to swo
the fees of oflicers or to haras
well disposed citizens. Especial ottentlo
1s called to the facts connected wit
the prosecution of violations of the oloi
tlon laws , and of offenses against Unite
States officers. The number ot conviction
secured , very many of them upon pleas c
guilty , will , It Is hoped , have u salutury n
straining Influence.
There have been several cases where pos
musters appointed by mo have been subjecte
to violent interference in the discharge i
their otllclnl duties and to persecutions nn
personal violence of the most extreme elm
actor. Some of thcoo cases have boon dca
with through the department of Justice , an
In some cases the ) > o.stolllcea have bee
abolished or suspended. I have directed tl
postmaster general to pursue this course I
all cases wkcro other efforts failed to secui
for any postmaster , not himself hi fault , n
opportunity peacefully to excrclso the duties
ofhlsonlco. But such action will not sup
plant the efforts of Jjstlca to bring tha
particular offenders to punishment.
Fraudulent N'atiir.illzntlon.
Tbo vacation by judicial decrees ot fraudu
lent certificates of naturalization upon bills
in equity Hied by the attorney general In the
circuit court of the United States Is a now
application of a familiar equity Jurisdiction.
Nearly one hundred such decrees have been
taken during the year , the evidence disclos
ing that a very largo number of fraudulent
ccrtlllcatcs of naturalization have been Is
sued. And In this connection I beg to renew
my recommendation that tlio laws bo so
amended ns to require a moro full and searchIng -
Ing Inquiry Into all the facts necessary to
naturalization before any certificates nro
urantcd. It certainly Is not too much to re
quire that an application for American citi
zenship shall bo heard with as mucti care
and recorded with as much formality in are
given to cnscs Involving the pettiest property
right.
At the last session I returned without my
approval a bill entitled "An act to prohibit
book-making and pool-selling lu the District
of Columbia,11 nnd stated mv objection to be
that It did not prohibit , but In fact licensed
what It purported to prohibit. An effort
will bo inado jndcr existing laws to suppress
this evil , though It Is not auro that they will
bo found adequate.
J'OHTAl * AiWiritS.
Gratifying Result-of Ilusliicss Princi
ples in the Department.
Tbo report of the postmaster general
shows the most gratifying progress la the
"
work committed to his" direction , The busi
ness methods have been greatly Improved , a
largo economy in expenditures and an In
crease of Jt,750ttX , ) ) In rccclots have beeii
realized. The deficiency this year Is $5,783-
" 00 , as against ? 0t50,183 : last year , notwlth-
tandlng the great enlargement of the spr-
ico. Mall routes have been extended and
ulckcned and greater accuracy and dispatch
11 distribution mid delivery have been at-
ali.cd. Tlio report will bo found full of in-
orostaml suggestion , not only to congress ,
wt to those thoughtful citizens who may bo
nterested to know what business methods
; an do for that department of public admin
istration which most nearly touches nil our
ice pie.
Tlio Anti-IjnUery Ijaw.
The passage of the act to amend certain
lections of the revised statutes relating to
otterics , approved September 10 , 18SIO , has
jeen received w ith great and deserved popu-
ar favor. The postofllco department and
ho department of Justice at once entered
ipon the enforcement of the law with sym-
latlietic vigor , and already the public mails
iavo been largely freed from the fraudulent
md demoralizing appeals nnilllicrnturo < aina-
luting from the lottery companies.
XA Tl
Satisfactory I'rogroHs Mndo In tlio
ICiIiilpmciiLof Now Ships.
The construction and equipment of the now
hips for the navy has made very satisfnc-
.ory progress. Since March 4 , 18S9 , nine
now vessels have boon put in commission aud
during this winter four more , Including one
monitor , will bo added. The construction of
the other vessels authorized is being pushed
both in the government aud private
fards with energy and watched
ivith the moat scrupulous caro.
The experiments conducted during they ear
o test the lelativc resisting power of armor
.ilates have been so valuable as to attract
great attention in Europe. The only part of
the work upon the now ships that is threat
ened by unusual delay is tlio armor plating ,
and every effort is being made to reduce that
to the minimum. It is i ; source of congratula
tion that the anticipated inllucneo of thcso
modern vessois.upon the esprit do corps of
the olllccrs and &ciuncu has been fully real
ized. Confidence nnd pride in the ship among
the crew are equivalent to a secondary but
tery. Your favorable consideration is in
vited to tlio recommendations of the secre
tary.
tary.THE
THE IXTKllKtMl l El'A.tlT.llEXT.
secretary Noble's Suggestions Ear
nestly Commended to Congress.
The report of the secretary of the Interior
exhibits with great fullness and clearness the
vast work of that gr'eiit Uepurtieut and the
satisfactory results attained. ' The 'sugges
tions made by him are earnestly commended
to the consideration of congress , though they
cannot nil bo given particular mention hero.
The several acts of congress looking to ttio
reduction of the larger Indian reserva
tions , to the more rapid settle
ment of the Indians upon individual
allotments and the restoration to the public
Domain of lands in excess of tncir needs have
been largely carried into effect , so far as the
work was contlded to the executive. Agree
ments have been concluded since March 4 ,
18SS ) , involving the cession to the United
States of about 14,720,0 )0 ) acres of land. These
contracts have , as required by law , been sub
mitted to congress for ratification and for the
appropriations necessary to carry them into
effect. Those with the Slsseton mid Wahpe-
ton , Sac and Fox , Iowa , ljottawuttanitcs
and absentee Shawnees and Cur ; it'Aleno
tribes liuvo not yet received the sanction of
congress. Attention Is also called to the fact
that the appropriations made in thecaso of the
Sioux Indians have not covered all the stipu
lated payments. This should bo promptly
corrected. If nn agreement is confirmed all
of its terms should ho complied with without
delay and full appropriations should bo made.
TltK Ii.lAM > VFFIVE.
Claims Adjudicated with Promptness
and Impartiality.
The policy outlined In my annual mes
sage in relation to tlio patenting of lands to
settlers upon the public domain has been car
ried out in the administration of the land
ofllco. 3So general suspicion or imputation ol
fraud has been allowed to delay the heaiiiiR
and adjudication of individual cases upon
their merits. Their purpose has been to per
fect the title of honest settlers with sucli
promptness that the value of the entry might
hot be swallowed up by tlio expense and ex
tortions to which delay subjected the claim
ant. The average monthly issue of agrl
cultural patents has been Increased about sh
thousand.
TIIK JL'JSXSIOX IIVltK.l V.
Settlements Under the Disability Act
Mavi > Gone Forward Ilupitlly.
The disability pension act , which was ap
proved Juno " 1 last , has been put Into opera
tion as rapidly as was practicable. The in
creased clerical force provided was selcctot
and assigned to work , and a considerable
part of the forca engaged in the examination !
in the Held was recalled and added to the
working force of thu oflieo. The exnmlnatloi
nnd adjudication of claims have , by reason o :
the Improved methods , been moro rapid thai
ever before. There Is no economy to the gov
eminent la delay , while there is'much hard
ship and injustice to the soldier. The antlcl
patod expenditure , while very large , will no.t
it is bollovcd , bo In excess of the estimate !
made before the enactment of the law. Thii
liberal enlargement of the general law shouli
suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills fo
special relief , both as to care with which rello
Is granted and ns to tlio amount allowed
TMIK JHHtJlOX Nl'ltJKCT.
A Good Ucorcnso In the Numbci
of tlio Ku'ithfiil.
The Increasing numbers and Influence ol
the non-Mormon population in Utah are ob
served with satisfaction. The recent lotto
of Wilford Woodruff , president of the Merman
man church , in which ho advised his peopli
"to refrain Irom contracting anv marriagi
forbidden by the laws of the land , " has at
tracted wide attention , and it is hoped tha
its influence will bo highly beneficial h
restraining infractions of the laws of tin
United States. Hut the fact should not bi
overlooked that the doctrine ot belief of tin
church that polygamous marriages an
rightful and supported by dlvhio rovolntloi
remains unchanged , President Woodruf
does not renounce llio doctrine , but refrain
from teaching it , and advises against th
practice of it because the law Is against It
Now , it Is quite true that the law should no
attempt to deal with the faith or belief of an ;
one , but It is qulto another thing , and th
only sufo thing , so to deal with the tcrritor ;
of Utah so that thoio who bollovo polygam ;
to bo rightful shall not have the power
Hindu it lawtul.
Admit-Hion of AVyomliiK and lilalio
The admission of tlio territories c
Wyoming und Idaho to the unto
of states are events full of ti :
torost and congratulation , not only to th
people of those states now happily cndowc
wltti a full participation in our privileges an
responsibilities , but to all our people. An
other belt of slate's'slrgtclies from tlio Atlao-
tie to thP Pacific.j1" ' ; '
Tlio I SifcJitOmoo.
The wont of the patent ofllco has woa from.
all sources very IntflA commendation , The
amount nccomplishied , > has been very largely
increased , nnd nil , \m ) results have been such.
as to secure conllaquqq aud consideration for
the suggestions of Hlie commissioner.
The Hlo iVtli Census.
The cmimcratlon'bf'the ' people of the United
States under the provisions of the act of
March 1,1800 , has ; boou completed mid thoro-
sult will bo at oncQjjnidally communicated to
conpross. The completion of this decennial
enumeration devolvp.1 Upon co.igrcss the duty
of making a now appbttionment of represen
tatives "among the Several states according
to their respective uiltnber. "
The I'nliliu liiillding Voto.
At the last session I had occasion to return
with my objections several bills malting pro
visions for the erection of imbllo buildings for
the reason that the expenditures were In my
opinion greatly In excess of any public need.
No class of legislation Is moro liable to abuse
or to degenerate Into tin unseemly scramble
about the public treasury than this. There
should bo exorcised In this matter a wise
economy based upon some responsible and
impartial examination and report nsto each
case under n general la\v.
A tiltlVVMiTVK K.
Encouraging Increase in Prices of
1'roil net H anil In ICxportH.
The report of the secretory'of agriculture
deserves especial attention , in view Of the
foct that the year has been marked In n very
unusual degree bv agitation and organization
among the farmers looking to an increase In
the profits of their business. It will bo
found that the efforts' of tbo department have
been Intelligently and zealously devoted to
the promotion of the Interests intrusted to its
caro. A very substantial Improvement In
the market prices of the leading farm pro
ducts during the year is noticed. The prlco
of wheat advanced from 81 cents in October ,
ISS'J . IS'.K ) from
, toll.OOjrin October , ; com ,
31 cents to 50/tf cents ; oats , from W % cents
to 411 cents , and barley , from O.'l cents to 78
cents. Moats showed a substantial but not
so largo an increase.
The export trade In live animals and fowls
shows a very largo increase. The total
In such exports lor the vein1 cud in a Juno 30 ,
18W ) , was & ! : , , , and the increase over
the preceding year was over Sl"i,000,000.
Nearly ' 'Oi,00 ! ) cattle and over 45.0JO more
hogs wcro exported than in the preceding
year. The export trade in beef und pork and
in dairy products was very largely increased ,
the increase in the article of butter alone
being from 15r,01,1178 pounds to a'J.743,01iJ '
pounds , and the total increase la the value of
meat and dairy products exported being
Sl,000,00l ! , ) This trade , so directly
Helpful to the farmer , it is bo-
levod will bo yet further and
_ argcly Increased when the system of Inspec
tion and sanitary supervision now provided
by law is brought fully into operation. The
efforts of the secretary to establish tlio h'calth-
"ulness of our moats against the disparaging
mputatlons that have been put on them
ibroad have resulted In substantial progress.
Veterinary surgeons sent out by the depart
ment are now allowed to'participate in thein-
spccttonof the live cattle in this country
landed at Knglish docks , aud during the sev
eral months they have been on duty no case
of contagious plouro-pneumoma has been re
ported Tills Inspection abroad und tbo do
mestic Inspection of llvo animals and
> ork products , provided for l > y the act
bf August 30 , 1S90 , AVill afford as per
fect u guaranty for1 the wholesomenesH
of our meats offered f of foreign consumption
as Is anywhere ; : ivolrto ! > any food product ,
nnd its nou-uceepiancQ vdll quite clearly re
veal the real motivcjpf nuy continued restric
tion of their use. . .ml that having been madu
clear the duty of the executive will be very
plain. "
The Hoot SitRiir Industry.
The information $ lven'by ' the secretary of
the progress and prospects of the beet sugar
industry is full of i.utqrrst. It has already
passed the expcriiniiuUi ) ptago and is a commercial -
morcial success , ' ho Jjron over which the
sugar beet can be Miccossfully cultivated is
very largo and another Hold crop of great
value Is offered toKho pholco of , the farmers ,
'
The secretary of Tthq' treasury concurs in
the rccommomwtjoii of j\ho \ secretary of agriculture -
culture that the oftUJuJ Supervision provided
by the tariff law tor sugar of domestic , pro
duetlou shall bo U'iUUforred to the depart
ment of agriculture. i"
TIIK CIVIL &e.liriVK.
Good Work Donn with Very Limited
Apim > t > riutioiiH.
The law relatinp to the civil service has , sc
far as I can leurn , been executed by those
having the power of appointment in tin
classified service with lidelity and imparti
ality nnd the service lias been incivaslnglj
satisfactory. The report of the commission
shows a large amount of good work done dur
ing the year with very .limitedappropriations ,
ft A It'S EXACTED.
licnclloinl Hpsnlts of thu Lr-glslntlon
ol'tli- toco tit KcHiloii.
1 congratulate the congress and the coun
try upon the passage at the llrst session ol
the Fifty-Hrst congress of an unusual numbei
of laws of very high Importance. Thut the
results of this legislation will bo the quicken
ing and enlargement of our manufacturing
industries ; larger and bettor markets for oui
breadstuffs and provisions , both atliomoanc
abroad ; moro constant employment and bottei
wages for our working people , and nn In
creased supply of a safe currency for th <
transaction of business , I do not doubt. Semi
of these measures were enacted at so late i
period that the beneficial effects upon com
incrco which were in the contemplation o
congress have , as yet , but partially manl
fcstcd themselves ,
Improved Itusiiicss Conditions.
The general trade and Industrial condition !
throughout the country during the year havi
shown a marked Improvement. For mani
years prior to ISS'j ' the merchandise balance :
of foreign trade hud been largely in ou
favor , but during that year and the year fol
lowing they turned against us. It is ver ;
gratifying to know that the last fiscal yea
again shows u balance In our favor of eve
fOS.OOO.UOJ. The baiuc clearings , which fur
nlsh a good test of the volume of bushes
transacted , for the llrst ton months of tin
year IS'JO ' show , us compared with the sain
months of 1S89 , an increase for the wuol
country of about 8.4 per cent , while , the In
crease outside of the city of Now York wn
over 111 per cent. During the month of Octc
her the clearings of the whole countr ;
showed an Increase of 3.1 per cent over Octc
her , 18S9 , wliilo outside of Now York the in
crtaso wns 11 MO percent. Thesn llguro
show that the Increase in the volume of bus !
ness was very general throughout the coun
try. That this larger business was bein
conducted upon a sufo and protltablo basis 1
shown by the fact that there were UOO los
failures reported In October , 18K ! ) , than i
tno sumo month of the prccedlncr year , wit
liabilities diminished by about $5OUD,000.
Im.TOMseil Vn'l'uo ' of IvvportH.
The value of ou"r ( tx'ports of domestl
nierclinudlsoiiurlng.LhQhut year was ovc
? lir > ,000,000 groateohan the preceding yen
and was only excowl&TiOiicoin our history
About $100,000,000 or this excess was in agr
cultural productsi-/Th9j production of pi
iron , always a goo -gaigo | of general pro ;
purity. Is shown by'a'yqwmt'census bufleti
to have been IM povjpqntgreater in 1600 tha
in 1859 and tliu „ in'oduction of stei
! iOO per coat greater. Mining i
coal has had no limU-aJjpn except that rcsul
Ing from inefficienttmusporlatlon. The get
oral testimony Is tUaV/Jjibor / Is cverj'whoi
fully employed nnd..ty reports for the la ;
year show a smaUibn. number of employe
affected by strikes And lockouts than lu an
since 1551. H
year ,
* , , ,
Tin ) HecentTfyiiiiolal ; Flurry ,
The depression la.Uipp'rIcos , of agricultun
products bad becn7greatly relieved nnd
buoyant and hopeful feeling was beginning t
bo felt by all our people. Those promising it
lluonces have been in'somo doitrco checke
by the surprising and very unfavoroul
monetary events which hayo recently take
place hi ICngland. It U gratifying to knoi
this did not grow In any dogrea out of th
financial relations of London with our poop !
or out of any discredit Uttuchcd to our sceur
ties held In that market. The return of ou
bonds and stocks was caused by
money stringency In England , not liynny lo. >
of vuluo or credit in. , the securities then
selves. Wo could not , however , wholly a :
capo the Ill-effects of a foreign monetary ay
tation , accompanied bv such incidents i
characterized this , It Is not believed , hey
over , that tbcso evil incidents , which ha\
for the tlmo unfavorably affected values i
this countr } ' , can long wlthsUrul the stroni
safe \\holosoino influences which are o
eratiiiK to give to our people profitable r
turns in all brunches of legltluiato trade an
ndustry. The npprohcnslon thnt our tariff
may again ntld at once bo subjected to 1m-
xjrtnnt general changes would undoubtedly
add li denrcsslng inllucneo of the most son *
us character.
TIIK Jl'KIXIHV llll.T. .
t Hliotild at Least Do Given a Knlr
Trial.
The general tariff act hns only partially
gone Into operation , some of Its Important
irovlslous being limited to tuko effect at
lutes yet in the future. The general provls-
ons of the law have been lu force less than
ixty days. Its permnueut effect upon trade
md prices still largely stands in conjecture ,
t Is curious to note tlmt the advance lu the
irlco of articles wholly unaffected by the
arlff act was by many hastily ascribed to
hat act. Notice wns not taken of the fact
hut the general tendency of the markets
vaa upward from influences wholly apart
rotn the recent tariff legislation , 'i'ho en-
uruomcnt of our currency by the silver bill
undoubtedly gnvo on upward tendency to
rado and had n marked effect ou prices , but
his natural and desired effect of the silver
cgislatlon was by many erroneously at-
ributcd to the tariff act.
There is neither wisdom nor Justice In the
suggestion that the subject of tariff revision
shall bo opened before this law has had a
'air ' trial , it Is qulto ns true Unit every
ariff schedule Is subject to objections. No
nil was ever framed , 1 suppose , that In all of
t rates and classifications htid the full ap-
irovalevenof a party caucus. Suohlegls-
iitlou Is always and necessarily the product
3f compromise as to details , and the present
aw Is no exception. But in Its general
cope and effect I think it will
ustify the support of those who
telievo that American legislation should
conserve and defend American trade and tlio
vages of American workmen. The misln-
ornuUlon as to the terms of the net , which
iavo been so widely disseminated at homo
md abroad , will bo corrected by experience ,
md tbo evil auguries as to its" results con-
bunded by the market reports , the savings
> anks , International trade balnurcs , and the
general prosperity of our people. Already
vo begin to hear from abroad and from our
custom houses tlmt the prohibitory effect
upon Importations imputed to the act Is not
ustltied. The imports at the ort
) f New York for the llrst three ,
veoks of November were nearly 8 per cent
'reatcr than for the same period In iss',1 ' , nnd
J9 per cent greater than in the same period of
8S8. And so fur from being an act to limit
exports. I confidently believe that under It
vo shall secure a hu'gcr and moro profitable
uirtlclpatloii in foreign trade than wo have
ever cnjoycct , and tlmt wo shall recover a
iroportlonute participation In the ocean car-
ying trade of the world. Criticisms of the
illl which have come to us from foreign
; ourcesmay well bo rejected for repugnancy ,
[ f these critics really believe that adoption
jy us of a free trade policy or of
ariff rates having reference sololv
to revenue , 'would diminish the participation
of their own countries In the commerce * of the
> vorld , their advocacy and the promotion by
speech and other lorms of an organized effort
of this movement among our people , is a rare
exhibition of unselfishness hi trado. And ou
, ho other hand , if they sincerely heliovo
.hut the adoption of a protective tariff policy
jy this country inures to their profit and our
mrt , it is noticeably strange that they should
ead the outcry against the authors of a policy
so helpful to their countrymen and
crown dwith their favor . these who
would snatch from them a substantial share
ot a trade with other lands already Inadequate
to their necessities.
There is no disposition among any of our
people to promote prohibitory or retaliatory
egislatlon. Our policies are not adopted to
; hu hurt of others , but to secure for oursc-lvcs
; hose advantages that fairly grow out of our
favored position ns a nation Our form of
; ovcninient , with Us incident of universal
suffrage makes It Imperative tli.it wo shall
save our working people from tlio agitations
md distresses which scant work that has no
margin for comfort always bogets.
Hut after till this is done ,
it will bo found that our markets nro open to
friendly commercial exchanges of enormous
value to other great powers.
From the tlmo of my Induction into ofllce ,
the duty of using every power and iulluenco
given by law to the oxecutlvo department
for the development of larger markets for our
products , especially our farm products , has
boon kept constantly in mind , and no effort
lias boon or will bo spared to promote that
end. Wo are unilor no disadvantage In any
rorclgn market except that wo pay our work-
Ingmcn and workwomen bettor wages than
are paid elsewhere bettor abstractly ,
better relatively to the cost of the
necessaries of life. I do not
doubt that a very largely increased
foreign trade is accessible to us without
bartering for cither our homo market for such
products of the farm and shop as our own
people can supply , or the wages of our work
ing people. In "many of the products of wood
and iron , and in meats and breadstuff's , wo
have advantages that only need butter facili
ties of intercourse and transportation to
secure for them largo foreign markets.
'Ihi ! Itccinrocity Clause.
The reciprocity clause of the tariff act
wisely and In effect opens the way to secure
a largo reciprocal trade in exchange for the
free admission to our ports of curtain
products. The right of independent nations
to make special reciprocal trndo concessions
Is well established und docs not Impair either
the comity duo to other powers or wtiat Is
known as the "favored nation clause , "
so generally found In commercial treat
ies. What is given to one
for an adequate , agreed consideration
cannot bo claimed by another freely. The
state of the revenues was such that wo could
dispose with any import ; duties upon coffee ,
tea. hides und the lower grades of sugar ami
molasses. That the largo advantage result
ing to the countries producing aud exporting
these articles , by placing thorn on the free
list , entitled us to cxuuvt a lair return in the
way of customs concessions upua ur-
tlclos exported by us to them ,
was so ' obvious that to have
gratuitously abandoned this opportunity to
enlarge our trade would have Leon an un
pardonable error. There were but tw.o
methods of maintaining control of this ques
tion open to congress to place all of these
articles upon the dutiable list , subject to such
treaty agreements as could bo secured , or
place them all presently upon the free list ,
but subject to the rciniposition of specified
duties If the countries from which wo re
ceived them should refuse to give us suitable
reciprocal benefits. This latter method pos
sesses great advantages. It expresses in ad
vance the consent of congress to reciprocity
arrangements affecting these products which
must otherwise have been delayed and un-
acertalned until each treaty wns ratified
by the senate and the necessary loclslutlon
enacted by congress. Kxporicnco has shown
that some treaties looking toward reciprocal
trade hnvo failed to secure a two-thirds vote
in the senate for ratification , and others hav
ing passed that stage have for years awaited
the concurrence of the house and senate In
such modilicntions of our revenue laws as
were necessary to glvo effect to their pro
visions. Wo now have the concurrence of
both houses in advance in a distinct and dell-
nito offer of free entry to our ports of specillc
articles. The executive is not re
quired to deal in conjucturo as
to what congress will accept. Indeed ,
thla reciprocity provision is more than an
offer , Our part of the bargain Is complete ;
delivery has boon made mid when countries
from which wo receive sugar , coffee , ton nnd
hidt > s have placed on their free lists such ol
ourproducU as shall bo agreed upon us an
equivalent fpr our concession , a proclamation
of that fact completes the transaction ; and
in the meantime our own people have free
sugar , tea , coffee and hides. The indlca
tions thus far given nro very hopeful of early
and favorable action by the countries fron
which \vo receive our larpo Imports of coffci
and sugar , and It Is confidently believed thai
If strain communication with these countries
can bo promptly improved and enlarged , the
next year will show a most gratifying in
crease in our exports of breadstuffs and pro
visions us elt as of some important lines ol
manufactured goods.
JJII'OKTAXT MKAHVttKH.
Legislation Which Should bo Atlondei !
to at thin Kc'SHion.
In addition to the bills tlmt became law :
before adjournment of the lust session Bonn
other bills of the highest Importance wen
well advanced toward a Until vote and nov
stand upon the calendars of the two house ;
in favored positions. The present session Im :
a fixed limit , and if these measures are no
now brought to a final vote all the work thai
has been aono upon them by this congress I
lost , The proper consideration of these , of ai
nptwrtlonment bill and of the annual appro
prlutlan bills will require not only that n
working day of the cession shall blest
lost , but that measures of mlno
and local Interest shall not bo allowed to lu
orrupt or retard the progress of those thnt
are or universal Interest. In view of thcso
conditions I refrain from bringing before
you nt this time some suggestions that would
otherwise bo mnde , and most o.ivnestly In-
OHO your attention to the dutv of perfecting
bo important legislation now well advanced.
Id some of the measures , which seem to mo
nest Important , I now brlolly call your at-
ention.
I desire to repeat with added urgency the
recommendations contained In my last annual
ncssago In relation to the development ot
American steamship lines. The reciprocity
clause of the tarlll hill will bo largely
Imltcd , and Its benefits retarded
and diminished if provision Islet
lot contemporaneously made to encourage
ho establishment of ilrst-clasi steam com-
mmlcatlon between our parts and tbo ports
T such nations as may meet our overtures
or enlarged commercial exchanges. The
tcamshlps currying tlio nulls statedly and
rcquently , and offering to passengers a coin-
ortablo , safe and speedy transit is tlio llrst
condition of foreign trade. It carries the
irdcr of the buyer , hut not nil thnt is ordered
or bought. It gives to the sailing vessels
ueh cargoes as are not urgent or porlshnblo ,
and indirectly at least promotes that Import-
ml adjunct of commerce. There Is now
loth lu this country and In the tin-
Ions of Central and South America
i suite of expectation and conlldence as to In
creased trndo that will glvo a double vuluo to
our prompt action upon this question. The
n-esent situation of our mull communication
vltti Australia illustrates the importance of
early action by congress. TlioOccanlosteam-
thlp company' maintains a line of steamers
ictween Sim Francisco , Sydney and Auvlc-
and , consisting of three vessels , two of
vlilch nro of United States registry mid one
of foreign registry. For the service done by
his Hue in carrying the malls wo pay nn-
lually the sum of j 10,000 , being ostl mated tlio
full sea and United States inland postage ,
vhloh is the lunitllxed by law. The colonies
) f New South Wales and New Zealand liuvo
> een paying annually to these lines 37,000
'or ' carrying the mails from Sydney and
\ueldanu to San Francisco. The contract
indor which this payment has boon made Is
low about to expire and those colonies have
ofnsod to renew the contract unless the
Jnitcd States shall pay a moro cimltublo
iroportlon of tlio sum necessary to hold the
service. I am advised by the postmaster
renornl the United States receives for carry-
ng the Australian mails brought to San
Francisco in these steamers by rail to Van
couver an estimated annual income of $73-
000 , while , as ibavo stated , wo are paying
out for the support of the steamship line
.hut brings this mail to us only
-10,000 , leaving an annual surplus resulting
'rom this service of $29,000. Tlio trade of the
Jnlted States with Australia , which Is in a
considerable part carried by tho. o steamers ,
md the whole of which is practically depen
dent upon the mall communication which
, hey maintain , is largely In our favor. Our
otnl exports of merchandise to Australian
lorts during the llscnl year ending .luno , 'U ) ,
SIR ) , were $ ll , 0ti-tg4 , wnllo the
otul imports of incrchandiso from
heso ports wcro osly SI'J rOTO. If wo
ira not willing tosco this Important steam
ship line withdrawn orcontinued with Van
couver substituted for San Fran
cisco as the American terminal , con
gress should put it in tlio power
if the postmaster general to make a liberal
ncreaso in the amount now paid for thotrans-
> ortutlon of this important mall. The south
\tlantlc and gulf ports occupy a very favored
rositioii towanls ( no now und important com-
nerco which the reciprocity clause of the Ur-
ff act and the postal shipping bill are designed -
signed to promoto. Steamship lines from
these ports to some northern port of South
America will almost certainly effect a conncc-
ion between the railro.id systems of the con
inents long before any continuous line of rall-
ouda can be put into operation. The very
argo appropriation made at the last session
'or tlio harbor of Ualvcston wns Justified , as
't. seemed to bo , by these considerations. The
.jrent northwest will fool the advantage of
, runk lines to the south as well us to the east
md of the now markets offered for the sup-
) ly of food .products and for many of their
manufactured products.
Intcrnatinniil American Hank.
I had occasion in May last to transmit to
congress a report adopted by the Intorna-
tlon at/American conference upon the subject
of the Incorporation of an international Amor-
lean bank with a view to facilitating money
exchanges between the states represented in
, hat conference , Such mi institution would
greatly promote the trade wo are seeking to
develop. I renew the recommendation thnt a
cureful and well guarded charter bo granted.
[ do not tlilnk the powers granted should in
clude those ordluurily exercised by trust ,
guaranty and safe deposit companies , or that
uoro branches in the United States should
bo authorised than tire strictly neces
sary to accomplish the object primar
ily hi view , namely , convenient foreign
exchanges. It Is qulto Important thnt proiupfr
action should be taker In this matter in order
that any appropriations in order for better
communication with these countries and imy
.igreemoiits that may bo made for reciprocal
trade may not boliindcvcd for the convenience
of making exchanges through European
money centers or burdened by the tribute
which Is un incident of that method of busi
ness.
llellef of the .Supreme Court.
The bill for the relief of the supreme court
lias , after many years of discussion , reached
u position where final action is cosily attain
able , and it Is hoped that any differences of
opinion may be so harmonized as to save the
essential features of this very Important
measure. In this connection I earnestly re
new my recommendation tlmt the salaries of
the Judges of tlio United States district
courts bo so readjusted that none of them
shall receive loss than fT > ,000 per annum.
SjinniHli aiidMexiciin Imnd G rants.
The subject of the unadjusted Spanish nnd
Mexican land grauts and the urgentnecesslty
for providing some commission or tribunal for
the trial of imestlons of tltlo growing out of
them wore twice brought by mo to tlio atten
tion of congress at the last session. 13111s
Imvo been reported from the proper commit
tees In both houses on the subject , and I very
earnestly hope that this congress will put an
end to tha delay which 1ms attended the set
tlement of the disputes as to tltlo between
settlers and the claimants under those grants.
These disputes retard the prosperity and dis
turb the peace of largo and important com
munities.
Small Molding iit'Fnrm
The governor of Now Mexico In his last re
port to the secretary of the Interior sugeests
some modifications of tuu provisions of the
pending bills relating to tbo small holdings
of farm lands. I commend to your attention
the suggestions nf the secretary of the inte
rior upon this subject ,
National IJimkrupt. Law.
The enactment of a national bankrupt law
I still regard as very desirable. Tlio consti
tution having given to congress jurisdiction
of this subject it should bo exercised and uni
form rules provided for the administration of
the affairs of Insolvent debtors. The incon
veniences resulting from the occasional tem
porary exorcise of this power by congress
nnd from the conlllcting state codes of Insol
vency which como into force Intermediately ,
should bo removed by the enactment of u
simple , inexpensive and permanent national
bankrupt law.
Copyright Protection fur Authors.
I. also rcimw my recommendation In favoi
of legislation allordlng Just copyright protcc
tlon for foreign authors on a fooling of reel
procal advantage for authors abroad ,
Itailroad Safety Applhi noon Urged
It may still bo possible for this congrcis tc
Inaugurate by suitable legislation a move
munt looking to uniformity nnd Increased
safety in the nsoof couplers nnd brakes upon
freight trains engaged In interstate com
merce. The chief Ullnculty in the way is tc
.socuro agreement us to the best appliances-
simplicity. effectiveness and cost being con
sldercd. This diniculty will only yield tc
legislation , which should bo based upon ful
Inquiry and Impartial tests. The purpose
should beta secure the co-operation of ul
woll-dlsposed managers and oA'ners , but the
fearful fact that every year's delay Involve *
the sacrifice of 2,000 lives and the mulmlng o :
UO.OOU young men , should plead , both with
congress and managers against any needless-
delay.
delay.Water Supply In Arid IlcgloiiH.
The subject of the conservation and cqua
distribution of the water supply of the ark
regions has hud much attention from congress -
gross , but has not as yet been put upon i
permanent aid satisfactory busls. Tin
urgency ol thu subject docs not Krotv out ol
anv largo present demand for the use of tin
lands f or nsrlculturo. but out of the dungi'i
thutiho water supply and thu sues for the
necessary catch-basins may fall Into the
hands of Individuals or private corporations
and bo used to render subservient the lurgc
areas dependent upon such supply. 1 h <
owner of the water Is the owner o :
the lands , however the titles muj
run. All unappropriated natural watei
sources and all uecobsary reservoir site :
fthoulct ho hold by the government for ths
canal use , at fnlr rates , of the homestead set
tlors who will eventually tnko up thcsolniids. . - - .
The United States should not , In my opinion , ft
iindertauo the construction of dams or cnnnls ,
but should limit its work to such surveys turn
observations as will determine the watorsup-
nly , both surface and subterranean , thoitrons
capable of Irrigation and the use aud loca
tion of the storage capacity of reservoirs.
This done the use of thy water and the reser
voir sites might be granted to the respective
states or ; territories or to individuals or asso-
clatlons ttixni the condition that the neces
sary works should bo constructed and thu
water furnished at fnlr rates without dis
crimination , tlio rates to bo subject to super
vision by the loKlsliituros or bv boards of
water commissioners duly constituted , The
essential thing to be secured Is tbo common
uiiel equal use at fair rates of the ac
cumulated water supply , It wcro almost
better thnt these lands should remain arid
than that these who occupy thorn should become -
como the slnvM of rear.ilnod monopolies
controlling the one essential clement of land
values and crop results.
The I'oHtiil Te'loKi-ajih ,
Tlio use of the telegraph by the postofllca
department ns a means for the rapid trnnsinU-
slon of written communications Is , I heliovo ,
upon proper terms , milto desirable. Thogov-
crnmcnt does not own or opcrnto the rail
roads , and It should not , 1 think , own or op
erate the telegraph lines. It does , however ,
seem to ho iiinto practicable for the govern
ment to contract with the telegraph , us It
does with llio railroads , to curry nt spodlled
rates such communications ns thu senders
may designate for this method of transmis
sion , 1 recommend that such legislation bu
enacted ns will enable the postolllco depart
ment fairly to test by cxporliiicnttho advant
ages of such n use of the telegraph.
FKlHillAL JiliKCTMOXS.
UMiat the Chief Kxcontlvo Has to Say
v on the Sulilcct ,
If any Intelligent and loyal company of
American citizens wcro required to catalogue
the essential humap conditions of
national life I do not doubt
that with absolute unanimity they
would begin wllh"freotind honest elections. "
and It is gratifying to know that generally
there Is u growing and noa-partisan demand
for better election' laws , llut iiguinst this
sign of hope and progress must bo set the
depressing and liuiieulablo fact that election
laws and methods uro soii'etimes cunningly j
contrived to insure minority con- T"
trol , while violence completes the
shortcomings of fraud. In mv lust nimunl
mesbago 1 suggested thnt the development of
the existing law providing u federal
supervision of congressional elect Ions offered
an effective method of reforming these
abuses. The need of such a law has mani
fested Itself in many parts of the country
and Its wholesome restraints and penalties
will bo useful iu all. The constitution
ality of such legislation bus been
alllrmed by the supreme court. Its probable
effectiveness is evidenced by the character of
the opposition thut is made to It. U tins been
denounced as if it were a now exercise of
federal power and un invasion of the rights
ot the states. Nothing could bo further from
the truth. Congress hus already fixed the
tlmo for the election of members of congrass.
It has declared thut votoc for members of
congress must bo by written or printed
ballot ; It has provided for the nppolnU
ment by the circuit courts in certain cases
and upon the petition of a certain number of
citizens of election supervisors und niudo it
their duty to supervise tlio registration of
voters conducted by the .state olllcers ; to
challenge persons offering to register ; to per
sonally inspect nnd scrutinize the registry
lists ami to alllx their names to the lists for
the purpose of Identification and the prevention
tion of frauds ; to attend at elections and ih
remain with the boxes until the votes nro all '
cast and counted ; to attach to the registry
lists and election returns any statement
touching the accuracy and fairness of thu
registry and elcctuns ; to take and transmit
to the clerk of the honso of representative *
any evidence of fraudulent , practices which
may bo presented to them. The same law
provides for tbo appointment of deputy
United States inarslials to attend at
tbo polls , support the supervisors In th' )
dlschurguof their duties and to arrest per
sons violating the election laws. The provi
sions of this familiar title of the revised stat
utes liuvo been put Into exorcise by both the
great political parties and in the north as
well as tlio south by the filing with the court
of the petitions required by law. It is not ,
thofore , a ijuestioa whether wo shull
have a federal election law for wo
now have one nnd have had
for nearly twenty years but whether
wo shall have an effective taw. Tlio present
hiwstoDs Just bhort of effectiveness , for It
surrenders to the local authorities all control
over the certification which establishes the ,
prtma fnclo right , to iiseat in tbo house of
reiesoutallves. ] This defect should bo cured ,
liquidity of representation and the purity of
the electors must bo maintained or every
thing that is valuable in our system of gov
ernment is lost. The qualification of un elec
tor must bo sought hi tliala wtiotn { tun opin
ions , prejudices or fears of any ulu.ssno\Vk Y-T
powerful. The path of the elector to tbo
ballot-box must bo free from the ambush of
four and the enticements of fraud ; the count
so true und open thut none .shall gainsay It.
Such a law should bo absolutely non-partisan
and iniDartlnl. It should glvo the advantage
to honesty und tlio control to majorities.
Surely there Is nothing sectional about this
creed , and if it shnll happen that the penalties
of laws intended to enforce tlieso right1 ! fall
hero and not there , it Is not because thu
law Is sectional , but because , happily , crime
is local and not universal. Nor should It IKJ
forgotten that every law , whether rolntlni ; to
elections or touny other subject , whether en
acted by the state or by the nation , his : force
behind it. The courts , the marshal
or constable , the posse coiiiltutus ,
the prison , am nil and always
behind tlio law. One. cannot bo justly
charged with unfriendliness to any section or
class wlio seeks only to restrain violation of
law and of personal rlcnt. No community
will find lawlessness prcillta bio. No community
can afford to have it known that the officer : )
who are charged with the preservation of
the public pcaco and the restraint
of the criminal classes are themselves
the products of fraud or violence. The mag
istrate is , tlicn , without respcc-t and the law
without sanction. The floods of lawlessness
can bo leveed and made to run in one chan
nel. The killing of a United States marshal
carrying a writ of urrest for nu election
offense is full of prompting and hUtfgestlon to
men who nro pursued by u city marshal
lor a crime against 'lifo or property.
Hut It is said that this legislation will rovlvu
race animosities , und some have even sug
gested that when the peaceful methods of
fraud are made impossible they
may ho supplanted by Intimidation mid
violence. If tlio proposed law gives to any
mutinied elector by a hair's weight more
than his equal shnro of influence or detracts
by so much from any other qualified elector
It Is fatally Impeached. Hut , if the law is
ocual and the animosities it is to cvoko grow
out of the fact that some electors have been
accustomed to exercise tbo friinchbo ifor
others ns well as for them
selves , then these animosities ought not to bo
confessed without shiimoand cannot bo given
any weight In the discussion without dis
honor. No choice Is left to mo hut to enforce-
with vigor all laws intendou to securoto llio
cltiwn his constitutional rights and to recom
mend that the Inadequacies of such laws bo
promptly remedied , if to promote with zeal
and ready Interest every project for the do-
vclopment of Its material Interests , Its rivers ,
harbors , mines and factories , and the
intelligence , jieaco and security under the
law of IU communities and its homes , Is not
accepted as sunk-lent evidence of friendliness
to any state or section , I cannot add conniv
ance nt election practices that not only dis
turb local results , but rob the electors of
other status and nectloiis of their most price
less political rights ,
VL O.S IXtl SIHHH'H Tl H XH.
CongrcsH Should Attend to HtiHlnoso
and Not WiiHto 'lime ,
Tlio preparation of the ccuoral appropri
ation bills should ho conducted with the ,
greatest care nnd closest scrutiny of expend
itures. Appropriations should ho adequate ! to
the needs of the public service ,
but they nliould be absolutely
free from prodigality. I venture again to re
mind you thnt the brief tlmo remaining for
Uiu consideration of the Important leglaliilkn
now awaiting your attention offers no margin
for/vnsto. If the present duty Is discharged
with dilltrenco , lidelity and courage , tbo work
of the Fifty-first congress may bo confidently
submitted to the considerate judgment of ttio
people. HESMIMIN lUitmw.v.
KICKCUTIVE MANSION , Deo. 1 , 18'JO.