Democratic Watchman. -- Supplement,
BELLEFONTE, PA. FRIDAY, DECEMBER s, 1889.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
MANY TOPICS CONSIDERED
—_————
Financial Legislation Recommended
— ee
THE PROBLEM OF THE SURPLUS.
The Pension Laws Considered.
THE AMERICAN REPUBL CS.
Our Defenseless Coast Cities.
A GOOD WORD FOR THE DISTRICT
eg
The President Suggests Inviting Hawaii
Into the Pan-American Circle—The
Negro Question Receives Attention—
Our Relations with China, Canada and
Other Foreign Powers.
es
Following is the full text of the President's
first annual message, sent to Congress today:
To rae SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIVES:
There are few transactions in the administra-
tion of the Government that are even tempo-
rarily held in the confidence of those charged
with the conduct of the public business. Every
step taken is under the observation of an intel-
ligent and watchful pedple. The state of the
Union is known from day to day, and sugges-
tions as to needed legislation find an earlier
voice than that which speaks in these annual
communications of the President to Congress.
Good-will and cordiality have characterized
our relations and correspondence with other
Governments, and the year just closed leaves
few international questions of importance re-
maining unadjusted. No obstacle is believed
to exist that can long postpone the considera-
tion and adjustment of the still pending ques-
tions upon satisfactory and honorable terms.
The dealings of this Government with other
states have been and should always be marked
by frankness and sincerity, our purposes
avowed, and our methods free from intrigue.
This course has borne rich fruit in the past,
and it is our duty as a nation to preserve the
heritage of good repute which a century of
right dealing with foreign Governments has
secured to us.
THE PAN-AMERICAN CONGRESS.
It is a matter of high significance, and no
less of congratulation, that the first year of
the second century of our constitutional ex-
istence finds, as honored guests within our
borders, the representatives of all the inde-
pendent states of North and South America
met together in earnest conference touching
the best methods of perpetuating and expand-
ing the relations of mutual interest and friend-
liness existing among them, That the oppor-
tunity thus afforded for promoting closer in-
ternational relations and the increased pros-
perity of the states represented will be used
for the mutual good of all, I cannot per-
mit myself to doubt. Our people will await
with interest and confidence the results to flow
from so auspicious a meeting of allied and, in
large part; identical interests. :
The recommendations of this international
confergnee if ened statesmen will
doubt! have wonsiderate -attention of
Congress, and its co-operation in the removal
of unnecesdary barriers to beneficial inter-
course between the nations of America. But
while the commercial results, which it is hoped
will follow this conference, are worthy of pur-
suit and of the great interest they have ex-
cited, it is believed that the crowning benefit
will be found in the better securities which
may be devised for the maintenance of peace
among all American nations and the settlement
of all contentions by methods that a Christian
civilization can approve. While viewing with
interest our national resources and products,
the delegates will, I am sure, find a higher
satisfaction in the evidences of unselfish friend-
sul which everywhere attend their intercourse
wit
our people.
THE MARITIME CONFERENCE.
Another international conference, having
great possibilities for good, has lately as-
sembled and is now in session in this Capital.
An invitation was extended by the Govern-
ment, under the act of Congress of July 9, 1888,
to all maritime nations to send delegates to
con ‘er touching the revision and amendment
of the rules and regulations governing vessels
at sea and to adopt a uniform system of marine
signals. The response to this invitation has
been very general and very cordial. Delegates
from twenty-six nations are present in the con-
ference, and they have entered upon their use-
ful work with great zeal, and with an evident
appreciation of its imuportance. So far as the
agreement to be reached may require legis-
lation to give it effect, the co-operation of Con-
gress is confidently relied upon.
It is an interesting if not indeed an unprece-
dented fact, that the two International Confer-
ences have brought together here the ac-
credited representatives of thirty-three nations.
THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS.
Bolivia, Ecuador and Honduras are now
represented by resident envoys of the pleni-
potentiary grade. All the states of the Amer-
ican system now maintain diplomatic repre-
sentation at this Capital.
In this connection it may be noted that all
the nations of the western hemisphere, with
one exception, send to Washington envoys ex-
traordinary and ministers plenipotentiary, be-
ing the highest grade accredited to this Gov-
ernment. The United States, on the contrary,
sends envoys of lower grade to some of our
sister republics. Our representative in Para-
guay and Uruguay is a minister resident, while
to Bolivia we send a minister resident and con-
sul-general. In view of the importance of our
relations with the states of the American ByS-
tem, our diplomatic agents in those countries
should be of the uniform rank of envoy extra-
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary. Certain
missions were so elevated by the last Congress
with happy effect, and I recommend the com-
pletion of the reform thus begun, with the in-
clusion also of Hawail and Hayti, in view of
their relations to the American system of
states.
I also recommend that timely provision be
made for extending to Hawaii an invitation to
be represented in the International Conference
now sitting at this Capital.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
Our relations with China have the attentive
consideration which their magnitude and inter-
est demand. The failure of the treaty nego-
tiated under the administration of my prede-
cessor for the further and more complete re-
striction of Chinese labor-immigration, and,
with it, the legislation of the last session of
Congress dependent thereon, leave some ques-
tions open which Congress should now approach
in that wise and just spirit which should char-
acterize the relations of two great and friendly
powers. While our supreme interests demand
the exclusion of a laboring element which
experience has shown to be incompatible with
our social life, all steps to compass this impera-
tive need should be accompanied with a recog-
nition of the claim of those strangers now law-
fully among us to humane and just treatment.
The accession of the young Emperor of
China, marks, we may hope, an era of progress
and prosperity for the great country over
which he 1s called to rule.
SAMOA.
The present state of affairs in respect to the
Samoan Islands is encouraging. The confer-
ence which was held in this city in the summer
of 1887 between the representatives of the
United States, Germany, and Great Britain
having been adjourned because of the persist-
ent divergence of views which was developed
in its deliberations, the subsequent course of
events in the islands gave rise to questions of a
serious character. On the 4th of February last,
the German minister at this Capital, in behalf
| of his Government, proposed a resumption of
| the conference at Berlin. This proposition was
accepted, as Congress, in February last, was in- |
formed.
Pursuant to the understanding thus reached,
commissioners were appointed by me, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, who
proceeded to Berlin, where the conference was
renewed. The deliberations extended through
several weeks, and resulted in the conclusion of
a treaty which will be submitted to the Senate
for its approval. I trust that the efforts which
have been made to effect an adjustment of this
question will be productive of the permanent
establishment of law and order in Samoa upon
the basis of the maintenance of the rights and
interests of the natives as well as of the treaty
powers, ;
The questions which have arisen during the
ast few years between Great Britain and the
Jnited States are in abeyance or in course of
amicable adjustment.
THE CANADIAN BOUNDARY.
On the part of the Government of the Domin-
ion of Canada an effort has been apparent dur-
ing the season just ended to administer the
laws and regulations applicable to the fisheries
with as little occasion for friction as was possi-
ble, and the temperate representations of this
Government in respect of cases of undue hard-
ship or of harsh interpretations have been in
most cases met with measures of transitory
relief, It is trusted that the attainment of our
just rights under existing treaties and in virtue
of the concurrent legislation of the two con-
tigucus countries will not be long deferred and
that all existing causes of difference may be
equitably adjusted.
I recommend that provision be made by an
international agreement for visibly marking
the water boundary between the United States
and Canada in the narrow channels that join
the Great Lakes. The conventional line therein
traced by the Northwestern Boundary Survey,
years ago, is not in all cases readily ascertain-
able for the settlement of jurisdictional ques-
tions.
EXTRADITION WITH ENGLAND.
A just and acceptable enlargement of the
list of offenses for which extradition may be
claimed and granted is most desirable between
this country and Great Britain. The territory
of neither should become a secure harbor for
the evil-doers of the other through any avoid-
able short-coming in this regard. A new treaty
on this subject between the two powers has
been recently negotiated and will soon be laid
before the Senate.
The importance of the commerce of Cuba
and Porto Rico with the United States, their
nearest and principal market, justifies the ex-
pectation that the existing relations may be
beneficially expanded. The impediments re-
sulting from varying dues on navigation and
from the vexatious treatment of our vessels,
on merely technical grounds of complaint, in
West India ports, should be removed.
The progress toward an adjustment of pend-
ing claims between the United States and Spain
is not as rapid as could be desired. :
Questions affecting American interests in con-
nection with railways constructed and operated
by our citizens in Peru have claimed the atten-
tion of this Government. It is urged that other
Governments, in pressing Peru to the payment
of their claims, have disregarded the property
rights of American citizens. The matter will
be carefully investigated, with a view to secur-
ing a proper and equitable adjustment.
A similar issue is now pending with Portugal.
The Delagoa Bay Railway in Africa was con-
structed under a concession by Pony to an
American citizen. When nearly ose eted the
road was seized by the agents of the Portu-
guese Government Formal protest has been
made through our minister at Lisbon against
this act, and no proper effort will be spared to
secure proper relief.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
In pursuance of the charter granted by Con-
gress, and under the terms of its contract with
the Government of Nicaragua, the Interoceanic
Canul Company has begun the construction of
the important water-way between the two
oceans which its organization contemplates.
Grave complications for a time seemed immi-
nent, in view of a supposed conflictgf jurisdic-
tivd hetween Nicar, => Costa Rica in re-
ard to the accessory privileges to be conceded
5 the li.iter Republic toward the construction
Te on the San Juan River, of which the
right bank is Costa Rican territery. I am
happy to learn that a friendly arrangement has
been effected between the two nations. This
Government has held itself ready to promote
in every proper way the adjustment of all ques-
tions that might present obstacles to the com-
pletion of a work of such transcendent im-
portance to the commerce of this country, and
indeed to the commercial interests of the
world.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS.
The traditional good feeling between this
country and the French Republic has received
additional testimony in the participation of our
Government and people in the International
Exposition held at” Paris during the past sum-
mer. The success of our exhibitors has been
gratifying. The report of the commission will
be laid before Congress in due season.
This Government has accepted, under proper
reserve as to its policy in foreign territories,
the invitation of the Government of Belgium
to take part in an International Congress, which
opened at Brussels on the 16th of November,
for the purpose of devising measures to pro-
mote the abolition of the slave-trade in Africa
and to prevent the shipment of slaves by sea.
Our interest in the extinction of this crime
against humanity, in the regions where it yet
survives, has been increased by the results of
emancipation within our own borders.
With Germany the most cordial relations
continue. The questions arising from the re-
turn to the Empire of Germans naturalized in
this country are considered and disposed of in
a temperate spirit, so the entire satisfaction of
both tid ig
It is a source of great satisfaction that the
internal disturbances of the Republic of Hayti
are at last happily ended, and that an appar-
ently stable government has been constituted.
It has been duly recognized by the United
States.
A mixed commission is now in session in this
Capital for the settlement of long-standing
claims against the Republic of Venezuela, and
it is hoped that a satistactory conclusion will
be speedily reached. This Government has not
hesitated to express its earnest desire that the
boundary dispute now pending between Great
Britain and Venezuela may be adjusted amica-
bly and in strict accordance with the historic
title of the parties.
Ti® advancement of the Empire of Japan
has been evidenced by the recent promulga-
tion of a new constitution, containing valuable
guaranties of liberty and providing for a re-
sponsible ministry to conduct the government.
It is earnestly recommended that our judi-
cial rights and processes in Corea be estab-
lished on a firm basis, by providing the ma-
chinery necessary to carry out treaty stipula-
tions in that regard.
The friendliness of the Persian Government
continues to be shown by its generous treat-
ment of Americans engaged in missionary
labors, and by the cordial disposition of the
Shah to encourage the enterprise of our citi-
zens in the development of Persian resources.
A discussion is in [regress touching the
jurisdictional treaty rights of the United States
in Turkey. An earnest effort will be made to
define those rights to the satisfaction of both
governments,
PROTECTION OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS.
Questions continue to arise in our relations
with several countries 1n respect to the rights
of naturalized citizens. Especially is this the
case with France, Italy, Russia, and Turkey,
and to a less extent with Switzerland. From
time to time earnest efforts have been made to
regulate this subject by conventions with those
countries, An improper use of naturalization
should not be permitted, but it is most import-
ant that those who have been duly naturalized
should everywhere be accorded recognition of
the rights pertaining to the citizenship of the
country of their adoption. The appropriate-
ness of special conventions for that purpose is
recognized in treaties which this Government
has concluded with a number of European
states, and it is advisable that the difficulties
which now arise in our relations with other
countries on the same subject should be simi-
larly adjusted.
THE BRAZILIAN REPUBLIC.
The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of
the establishment of a republican form of
government is an event of great interest to the
United States. Our minister at Rio de Janeiro
was at once instructed to maintain friendly
diplomatic relations with the provisional gov-
ernment, and the Brazilian representatives at
this capital were instructed by the provisional
government to continue their functions. Our
friendly intercourse with Brazil has, therefore,
Our minister has been further instructed to
extend on the part of this Government a
formal and cordial recognition of the new
Republic so soon as the majority of the people
of Brazil shall have signified their assent to its
establishment and maintenance.
. Within our own borders a general condition
of prosperity prevails. The harvests of the
last summer were exceptionally abundant, and
the trade conditions now prevailing seem to
promise a successful season to the merchant
and the manufacturer, and general employ-
ment to our working people.
THE NATION'S FINANCES.
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, has
been prepared, and will be presented to Con-
gress. It presents with clearness the fiscal
operations of the Government, and I avail my-
self of it to obtain some facts for use here.
The aggregate receipts from all sources for
the year were $387,050,058.84, derived as fol-
lows:
$223,832,741.69
ch .. 130,881,513.92
From miscellaneous sources.... 32,335,803.23
The ordinary expenditures for the same
period were $281,996,615.60, and the total ex-
penditures, including the sinking fund, were
$320,579,929.25. The excess of receipts over
expenditures was, after providing for the sink-
ing fund, $57,470,129.59.
For the current fiscal year the total revenues,
actual and estimated, are £385,000,000, and the
ordinary expenditures, actual and estimated,
are $293,000,000, making, with the sinking fund,
a total expenditure of $341,321,116.99, leaving
an estimated surplus of $43,678,883.01.
THE PURCHASE OF BONDS.
During the fiscal year there was applied to
the purchase of bonds, in addition to those for
the sinking fund, $90,456,172.85, and during
the first quarter of the current year the sum
of $37,838,937.77, all of which were credited to
the sinking fund. The revenues for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1891, are estimated by the
Treasury Department at $385,000,000, and the
expenditures for the same period, including
the sinking fund, at $341,430,477.70. This
shows an estimated surplus for that year of
$43,569,522.30, which is more likely to be in-
creased than reduced when the actual transac-
tions are written up.
REDUCING THE SURPLUS.
The existence of so large an actual and anti-
cipated surplus should have the immediate at-
tention of Congress, with a view to reducing
the receipts of the Treasury to the needs of the
Government as closely as may be. The collec-
tion of moneys not needed for public uses im-
poses an unnecessary burden upon our people,
and the presence of so large a surplus in the
public vaults is a disturbing element in the
conduct of private business. It has calléd into
use expedients for putting it into circulation of
very questionable propriety. We should not
collect revenue for the purpose of anticipating
our bonds, beyond the requirements of the
sinking fund, but any unappropriated surplus
in the Treasury should be so used, as there is
no other lawful way of returning the money to
circulation, and the profit realized by the Gov-
ernment offers a substantial advantage,
A DANGEROUS EXPEDIENT.
The loaning of public funds to the banks
without interest, upon the security of Govern-
ment bonds, I regard as an unauthorized and
dangerous expedient, It results in a tem-
porary and unnatural increase of the banking
capital of favored localities, and compels a
cautious and gradual recall of the deposits to
avoid injury to the commercial interests. It is
not to be expected that the banks having these
deposits will sell their bonds to the Treasury so
long as the present highly beneficial arrange-
ment is continued. They now practically get
interest both upon the bonds and their pro-
ceeds. No further use should be made of this
method of getting the surplus into circulation,
and the deposits now outstanding should be
gradually withdrawn and applied to the
chase of bonds. .It is fortuna
can be made of the existing surplus, and oo
some time to come of any casual surplus that
may exist after Congress has taken the neces-
sary teps for a reduévion of the revenue. Such
legislation should, be promptly, but very con-
sidera’ sly, enacted.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
Irecommend a revision of our tariff law,
both in its administrative features and in the
schedules. The need of the former is gener-
ally conceded, and an agreement upon the evils
and inconveniences to be remedied and the
best methods for their correction will probably
not be difficult. Uniformity of valuation at all
our ports is essential, and effective measures
should be taken to secure it. It is equally de-
sirable that questions affecting rates and classi-
fications should be promptly decided.
The preparation of a new schedule of cus-
toms duties is a matter of great delicacy be-
cause of its direct effect upon the business of
the country, and of great difficulty by reason
.of the wide divergence of opinion as to the
objects that may properly be promoted by such
legislation. Some disturbance of business may
perhaps result from the consideration of this
subject by Congress, but this temporary ill
effect will be reduced to the minimum by
prompt action and by the assurance which the
country already enjoys that any necessary
changes be 80 made as not to impair the just
and reasonable protection of our home in-
dustries. The inequalities of the law should
be adjusted, but the protective principle should
be maintained and fairly applied to the pro-
ducts of our farms as well as of our shops.
These duties necessarily have relation to other
things besides the public revenues. We can
not limit their effects by fixing our eyes on the
pie treasury alone. They have a direct re-
ation to home production, to work, to wages,
and to the commercial independence of our
country, and the wise and patriotic legislator
should enlarge the field of his vision to include
all of these.
EXTENDING THE FREE LIST.
The necessary reduction in our public reve-
nues can, I am sure, be made without making
the smaller burden more onerous than the
larger by reason of the disabilities and limita-
tions which the process of reduction puts upon
both capital and labor. The free list can very
safely be extended by placing thereon articles
that do not offer injurious competition to such
domestic products as our home labor
can supply. The removal of the internal
tax upon tobacco would relieve an im-
portant Sgrionliars] product from a bur-
den which was imposed only because our
revenue from customs duties was insufficient
for the public needs. If safe provision against
fraud can be devised the removal of the tax
upon spirits used in the arts and in manufac-
tures would also offer an unobjectionable
method of reducing the surplus,
MONEY IN CIRCULATION.
A table presented by the Secretary of the
Treasury, showing the amount of money of all
kinds in circulation each year from 1878 to the
present time, is of interest. It appears that
the amount of national bank notes in cireula-
tion has decreased during that period $114,-
109,729, of which $37,799,229 is chargeable to
the last year. The withdrawal of bank circula-
tion will necessarily continue under existing
conditions. It is probable that the adoption of
the suggestions made by the Comptroller of
the Currency, viz, that the minimum deposit
of bonds for the establishment of banks be re-
duced, and that an issue of notes to the par
value of the bonds be allowed, would help to
maintain the bank circulation. But, while this
withdrawal of bank notes has been going on,
there has been a large increase in the amount
of gold and silver coin in circulation and in the
issues of gold and silver certificates,
The total amount of money of all kinds in
circulation on March 1, 1878, was $805,793,807,
while on October 1, 1889, the total was $1,405,
018,000. There was an increase of $293,417,552
in gold cgin, of $57,554,100 in standard silver
dollars, of $72,311,249 in gold certificates, of
$276,619,715 in silver certificates, and of $14,
073,787 in United States notes, making a total
of 713,976,408. There was during the same
period a decrease of $114,109,729 in bank cir-
culation, and of $642,481 in subsidiary silver,
The net increase was $599,224,193. The circu-
lation per capita has increased about five dol-
lars during the time covered by the table re-
ferred to. .
THE COINAGE.
The total coinage of silver dollars was, on No-
vember 1, 1889, $343,638,001, of which $283,539,
521 were in the Treasury vaults and $60,098,480
were in circulation. Of the amount in the
vaults, $277,319,944 were represented by out-
standing silver certificates, leaving $6,219,577
notin circulation and not represented by cer-
tificates, :
by the
The law requiring the purchase,
Treasury, of two million dollars’ worth of silver
dollars of four hundred and twelve and one-
half grains, has been observed by the Depart-
ment; but neither the present Secretary nor
any of his predecessors has deemed it safe to
exercise the discretion given by law to increase
the monthly purchases to four million dollars,
When the law was enacted (February 28, 1878)
the price of silver in the market was $1.20 4-10
per ounce, making the bullion value of the
dollar 93 cents. Since that time the price has
fallen as low as 91.2 cents per ounce, reducing
the bullion value of the dollar to 70.6 cents,
Within the last few months the market price
hassomewhat advanced, and on the 1st day of
November last the bullion value of the silver
dollar was 72 cents.
The evil anticipations which have accom-
the coinage and use of the silver dollar
ave not been realized. As a coin it has not
had general use, and the public Treasury has
been compelled to store it. But this is mani-
sentative is more convenient. The general ac-
ceptance and use of the silver certificate show
that silver has not been otherwise discredited.
Some favorable conditions have contributed to
maintain this practical equality, in their com-
mercial use, between the gold and silver dollars.
But some of these are trade conditions that
statutory enactments do not control and of the
continuance of which we cannot be certain,
FREE COINAGE.
I think it is clear that if we should make the
coinage of silver at the present ratio free, we
must expect that the difference in the bullion
values of the gold and silver dollars will be
taken account of in commercial transactions,
and I fear the same result would follow any
considerable increase of the present rate of
coinage. Such a result would be discreditable
to our financial management and disastrous to
all business interests. We should not tread the
dangerous edge of such a peril. And, indeed,
nothing more harmful could happen to the
silver interests. Any safe legislation upon this
subject must secure the equality of the two
coins in their commercial uses.
I have always been an advocate of the use of
silver in our currency. We are large producers
of that metal and should not discredit it. To
the plan which will be presented by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for the issuance of notes
or certificates upon the deposit of silver bullion
at its market value, I have been able to give
only a hasty examination, owing to the press of
other matters and to the fact that it has been
80 recently formulated. The details of such a
law require careful consideration, but the gen-
eral plan suggested by him seems to satisfy the
purpose—to continue the use of silver in con-
nection with our currency, and at the same
time to obviate the danger of which I have
spoken. At a later day I may communicate
further with Congress upon this subject.
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.
The enforcement of the Chinese exclusion
act has been found to be very difficult on the
northwestern frontier. Chinamen, landing at
Victoria, find it easy to pass our border, owing
to the impossibility, with the force at the com-
mand of the customs officers, of guarding so
long an inland line. The Secretary of the
Treasury has authorized the employment of
additional officers who will be assigned to this
duty, and every effort will be made to enforce
the law. The Dominion exacts a head tax of
fifty dollars for each Chinaman landed, and
when these persons, in fraud of our law, cross
into our territory and are apprehended, our
officers do not know what to do with them, as
the Dominion authorities will not suffer them
to be sent back without a second payment of
the tax. An effort will be mude to reach an
understanding that will remove this difficulty.
The proclamation required by section 3 of
the act of March 2, 1889, relating "to the killing
of seals and other fur-bearing animals, was is-
sued by me on the 21st day of March, and a
revenue vessel was dispatched to enforce the
laws and protect the interests of the United
States. The establishment of arefuge station
at Point Barrow, as directed by Congress, was
pur- | ‘successfully accomplished.
that such a pse.l.
* % OUR COAST DEFENSES.
8 dged by nfodern standards, we are practi-
cofly without coast defenses. ’Many of the
structures we have would enhance rather than
diminish the perils of their garrisons if sub-
jected to the fire of improved guns, and very
few are so located as to give full effect to the
greater range of such guns as we are now mak-
ing for coast-defense uses, This general sub-
ject has had consideration in Congress for
some years, and the appropriation for the con-
struction of large rif] guns, made one year
ago, was, I am sure, the expression of a pur-
pose to provide suitable works in which these
guns might be mounted. An appropriation
now made for that purpose would not advance
the completion of the works beyond our ability
to supply them with fairly effective guns.
The security of our coast cities against for-
eign attack should not rest altogether in the
friendly disposition of other nations. There
should be a second line wholly in our own keep-
ing. I very urgently recommend an appropri-
ation at this session for the construction of such
works in our most exposed harbors.
I approve the suggestion of the Secretary of
War that provision be made for encamping
companies of the National Guard in our coast
works for a specitied time each year, and for
their training in the use of heavy guns. His
suggestion that an increase in the artillery
force of the Army is desirable is also in this
connection commended to the consideration of
Congress.
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The improvement of our important rivers
and harbors should be promoted by the neces-
sary appropriations. Care should be taken
that the Government is not committed to the
prosecution of works not of public and general
advantage, and that the relative usefulness of
works of that class is not overlooked. So far as
this work can ever be said to be completed, I
do not doubt that the end would be sooner and
more economically reached it fewer separate
works were undertaken at the same time, and
those selected for their greater general interest
were more rapidly pushed to completion. A
work once considerably begun should not be
subjected to the risks and deterioration which
interrupted or insufficient appropriations neces-
sarily occasion.
PROTECTION OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
The assault made by David 8. Terry upon the
person of Justice Field, of the Supreme Court
of the United States, at Lathrop, California, in
August last, and the killing of the assailant by
a deputy United States marshal who had been
deputed to accompany Justice Field and to
[Eotont him from anticipated violence at the
ands of Terry, in connection with the legal
proceedings which have followed, suggest
questions which, in my judgment, are worthy
of the attention of Congress.
I recommend that more definite provision be
made by law, not only for the protection of
Federal officers, but for a full trial of such
cases in the United States courts. In recom-
mending such legislation I do not at all im-
peach either the general adequacy of the pro-
vision made by the State laws for the protec-
tion of all citizens or the general good isposi-
tion of those charged with the e ion of
such laws to give protection to the officers of
the United States. The duty of protecting its
officers, as such, and of punishing those who
assault them on account of their official acts,
should not be devolved ex ressly or by acqui-
escence upon the local authorities.
Events, which have been brought to my at-
tention, happening in other parts of the coun-
try, have also suggested the propriety of ex-
tending, by legislation, fuller protection to
those who may be called as witnesses in the
courts of the United States. The law compels
those who are supposed to have knowledge of
public offenses to attend upon our courts and
grand juries and to give evidence. There is a
manifest resulting duty that these witnesses
shall be Tied from injury on account of
their testimony. The investigations of crim-
inal offenses are often rendered futile, and the
panilinsnt of crime impossible, by the in-
imidation of witnesses.
THE OVER CROWDED SUPREME COURT.
The necessity of providing some more speedy
method for disposing of the cases which now
come for final adjudication to the Supreme
Court becomes every year more apparent and
urgent. The plan of providing some inter-
mediate courts, having final appellate juris-
diction of certain classes of questions and cases,
has, I think, received a more general approval
from the bench and bar of the country than
any other. Without attempting to discuss
details, I recommend that provision be made
for the establishment of such courts,
The salaries of the judges of the district
courts in many of the districts are, in my judg-
ment, inadequate. I recommend that all such
salaries now below five thousand dollars per
annum be increased to that amount. It is
quite true that the amount of labor performed
by these judges is very unequal, but as they
suffered no interruption,
bullion each month, to be coined into silver
can not properly engage in other pursuits to
festly owing to the fact that its paper repre-
supplement their incomes, the salaries should
be such in all cases as to provide an inde-
pendent and comfortablg, support.
THE “TRUSTS.”
Earnest attention should be given by Con-
gress to a consideration of the question how far
the restraint of those combinations of capital
commonly called *‘trusts” is matter of Federal
jurisdiction. When organized, as they often
are, to crush out all healthy competition and
to monopolize the production or sale of an
article of commerce and general necessity, they
are dangerous conspiracies against the public
good, and should be made the subject of pro-
hibitory and even penal legislation.
The subject of an international copyright
has been frequently commended to the atten-
tion of Congress by my predecessors. The en-
actment of such a law would be eminently wise
and just.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our naturalization laws should be so revised
as to make the inquiry into the moral character
and good disposition towards our Government
of the persons applying for citizenship more
thorough. This can only be done by taking
fuller control of the examination, by fixing the
times for hearing such applications, and b
requiring the presence of some one who Shay
represent the Government in the inquiry.
Those who are the avowed enemies of social
order, or who come to our shores to swell the
injurious influence and to extend the evil
practices of any association that defies our
laws, should not only pe denied citizenship
but a domicile. -
The enactment of a national bankrupt law of
a character to be a permanent part of our
general legislation is desirable. It should be
simple in its methods and inexpensive in its
administration.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster-General not
only exhibits the operations of the Department
for the last fiscal year, but contains many val-
uable suggestions for the improvement and ex-
tension of the service, which are commended
to your attention. No other branch of the
Government has so close a contact with the
daily life of the people. Almost every one
uses the service it offers, and every hour gained
in the transmission of the great commercial
nails has an actual and possible value that
only those engaged in trade can understand,
The saving of one day in the transmission of
the mails between New York and San Francisco,
which has recently been accomplished, is an
incident worthy of mention.
The plan suggestive of a supervision of the
post offices in separate districts that shall in-
volve instruction and suggestion and a rating
of the efficiency of the postmasters would, I
have no doubt, greatly improve the service.
A pressing necessity exists for the erection
of a buiiding for the joint use of the Depar-
ment and of the city post office. The Depart-
ment was partially relieved by renting outside
quarters for a part of its force, but it is again
over-crowded. The building used by the city
office never was fit for the purpose and is now
inadequate and unwholesome,
The unsatisfactory condition of the law re-
lating to the transmission through the mails
of lottery advertisements and remittances is
clearly stated by the Postmaster General and
his suggestion as to amendments should have
your favorable consideration.
THE NEW NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows a reorganization of the Bureaus of the
Department that will, I do not doubt, promote
the efficiency of each.
In general, satisfactory progress has been
made in the construction of the new ships of
war authorized by Congress. The first vessel
of the new Navy, the Jlolphin, was subjected to
very severe trial tests and to very much adverse
criticism. But it is gratifying to be able to
state that a cruiseg arBund the world, from
which she has Bly returned, has demon-
strated that shige a firstclass vessel of her
rate.
The report of the Sectetary shows that while
the effective force of the Navy is rapidly in-
creasing, by reason of the improved build and
armament of the new ships, the number of our
Shins fit for sea duty grows very slowly. We
had, on the 4th of March last, thirty-seven
serviceable ships, and though four have since
been added to the list, the total has not been in-
creased, because in the mean time four have been
lost or condemned. Twenty-six additional vessels
have been authorized and appropriated for,
but it is probable that when they are com-
pleted our Fit will only be increased to forty-
two, a gain of five. The old wooden ships are
disappearing almost as fast as the new vessels
are added. These facts carry their own argu-
ment. One of the new ships may, in fighting
strength, be equal to two of the oid, but it can-
not do the cruising duty of two. It is import-
ant, therefore, that we should have a more
rapid increase in the number of serviceable
ships. I concur in the recommendation of the
Secretary that the construction of eight arm-
ored ships, three gun boats, and five torpedo
boats be authorized.
THE DISASTER AT APIA.
An appalling calamity befell three of our
naval vessels on duty at the Samoan Island, in
the harbor of Apia, in March last, involving
the loss of four officers and forty-seven seamen,
of two vessels, the Trenton and the Vandaha,
and the disabling ofa third, the Nipsic. Three
vessels of the German Navy, also in the harbor,
shared with our ships the force of the hurri-
cane and suffered even more heavily, While
mourning the brave officers andmen who died,
facing with high resolve perils greater than
those of battle, it is most gratifying to state
that the credit of the American Navy for sea-
manship, courage and generosity was magnifi-
cently sustained in the storm-beaten harbor of
Apia.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits the transactions of the Government
with the Indian tribes. Substantial progress
has been made in the education of the children
of school age and in the allotment of lands to
adult Indians, It is to be regretted that the
Eollsy of breaking up the tribal relation and of
ealing with the Indian as an individual did
not appear earlier in our legislation, Large
reservations, held in common, and the main-
tenance of the authority of the chiefs and
head-men have deprived the individual of every
incentive to the exercise of thrift, and the an-
nuity has contributed an affirmative impulse
towards a state of confirmed pauperism,
Our treaty stipulations should be observed
with fidelity, and our legislation should be
highly considerate of the best interests of an
ignorant and helpless people. The reserva-
tions are now generally surrounded by white
settlements. We can no longer push the In-
dian back into the wilderness, and 1t remains
only, by every suitable agency, to push him
upward into the estate of a self-supporting and
responsible citizen. For the adult, the first
step is to locate him upon a farm, and for the
child, to place him in a school.
School attendance should be promoted by
every moral agency, and those failing, should
be pelled. The national schools for Indians
have been very successful, and should be mul-
tiplied, and, as far as possible, should be so or-
ganized and conducted as to facilitate the
transfer of the schools to the States and Terri-
tories in which they are located, when the In-
dians in the neighborhood have accepted citi-
zenship, and have become otherwise fitted for
such a transfer. This condition of things will
be attained slowly, but it will be hastened by
keeping it in mind. And in the meantime that
co-operation between the Government and the
mission schools, which has wrought much good,
should be cordially and impartially maintained.
THE SIOUX LANDS.
The last Congress enacted two distinct laws
relating to negotiations with the Sioux Indians
of Dakota for a relinquishment of a portion of
their lands to the United States and for divid-
ing the remainder into separate reservations.
Both were approved on the same day—March
2. The one submitted to the Indians a specific
proposition; the other (section 8 of the Indian
appropriation act) authorized the President to
appoint three commissioners to negotiate with
Ee Indians for the accomplishment of the
same general purpose, and required that any
agreements made should be submitted to Con-
gress for ratification. +
On the 16th day of April last I appcinted
Hon. Charles Foster, of Ohio, Hon, William
Warner, of Missouri, and Major-General George
Orook, of the United States Army, commission -
ersunder the last-named law. They were, how-
ever, authorized and directed, first, to submit
to the Indians the definite proposition made to
them by the act first mentioned, and only in the
event of a failure to secure the assent of the
the requisite number to that proposition to
open negotiations for modified terms under the
other act. The work of the Commission was
prolonged and arduous, but the assent of the
requisite number was, it is understood, finally
obtained to the proposition made by Congress,
though the report of the Commission has not
yet been submitted. In view of these facts, I
shall not, as at present advised, deem it neces-
sary to submit the agreement to Congress for
ratification, but it will in due course be sub-
mitted for information. This agreement re-
leases to the United States about nine million
acres of land.
THE CHEROKEE CONFERENCE.
The Commission provided for by section 14
of the Indian appropriation bill to negotiate
with the Cherokee Indians and all other In-
dians owning or claiming lands lying west of
the ninety-sixth degree of longitude, for the
cession to the United States of all such lands,
was constituted by the appointment of Hon.
Lucius Fairchild, of Wisconsin, Hon. John F.
Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, and Hon. Alfred
M. Wilson of Arkansas, and organized on June
29 last. Their first conference with the repre-
sentatives of the Cherokees was held at Tahle-
i July 29, with no definite results. General
ohn F. Hartranft, of Pennsylvania, was pre-
vented by ill-health from taking part in the
conference. His death, which occurred re-
cently, is justly and generally lamented by a
Jeopis he had served with conspicuous gal-
antry in war and with great fidelity in peace.
The vacancy thus created was filled by the ap-
pointment of Hon. Warren G. Sayre, of Indiana.
A second conference between the Commission
and the Cherokees was begun November 6, but
no results have yet been obtained, nor is it be-
lieved that a conclusion can be immediately
expected. The cattle syndicate now occupying
the lands for grazing purposes is clearly one of
the agencies responsible for the obstruction of
our negotiations with the Cherokees. The
large body of agricultural lands constituting
what is known as the ‘Cherokee Outlet” ought
not to be, and indeed cannot long be, held for
grazing. and for the advantage of a few against
the public interests and the best advantage of
the Indians themselves. The United States has
now under the treaties certain rights in these
lands. These will not be used oppressively, but
it can be allowed that those who by sufferance
occupy these lands shall interpose to defeat the
wise and beneficent purposes of the Govern-
ment. I cannot but believe that the advan-
tageous character of the offer made by the
United States to the Cherokee Natlon, for a full
release of these lands, as compared with other
suggestions now made to them, will yet obtain
for it a favorable consideration.
THE CREEK AGREEMENT.
Under the agreement between the United
States and the Muscogee (or Creek) Nation of
Indians on the 19th day of January, 1889, an
absolute title was secured by the United States
to about three and a half millions acres of
land. Section 12 of the general Indian appro-
priation act, approved March 2, 1889, made
provision for the purchase by the United States
from the Seminole tribe of a certain portion of
their lands. The delegates of the Seminole
Nation, having first duly evidenced to me their
power to act in that behalf, delivered a proper
release and conveyance to the United States of
all the lands mentioned in the act, which was
accepted by me and certified to be in compli-
ance with the statute.
By the terms of both the acts referred to all
the lands go purchased were declared to be a
vart of the public domain, and open to settle-
ment under the homestead law. But of the
lands embraced in these purchases, being in
the aggregate about five and a half million
acres, three and a half million acres had al-
ready, under the terms of the treaty of 1866,
been acquired by the United States for the pur-
pose of settling other Indian tribes thereon,
and had been appropriated to that purpose.
The land remaining and available for settle.
ment consisted of 1,887,796 acres, surrouaded
on all sides by lands in the occupancy of Indi
tribes. Congress had provided no civil go¥=
ernment for the people who were to be invited
by my proclamation to settle upon these lands,
except as thd new court. which had been estgh-
lished at Muscogee, or the United States courts
in some bf the adjoining States, had power to
enforce the general laws of the United States,
In this condition of things I was quite reluc-
tant to open the lands to settlement. But in
view of the fact that several thousand persons,
many of them with their families, had gathered
upon the borders of the Indian Territory, with
a view to securing homesteads on the ceded
lands, and that delay would involve them in
much loss and suffering, I did, on the 23d day
of March last, issue a proclamation declaring
that the lands therein described would be open
to settlement under the provisions of the law
on the 22d day of April following, at 12 o'clock
noon. Two land districts had been established
and the offices were open for the transaction of
business when the appointed time arrived.
THE SETTLERS IN OKLAHOMA.
It is much to the credit of the settlers that
they very generally observed the limitation as
to the time when they might enter the Terri-
tory. Care will be taken that those who en-
tered in violation of the law do not secure the
advantage they unfairly sought. There was a
good deal of apprehension that the strife for
locations would result in much violence and
bloodshed, but happily these anticipations
were not realized. Itis estimated that there
are now in the Territory about sixty thousand
people; and several considerable towns have
sprung up, for which temporary municipal
governments have been organized. Guthrie is
said to have now a population of almost eight
thousand. Eleven schools and nine churches
have been established, and three daily and five
weekly newspapers are pubiished in this city,
whose charter and ordinances have only the
sanction of the voluntary acquiescence of the
people from day to day.
Oklahoma City has a population of about five
thousand, and is proportionately as well pro-
vided as Guthrie with churches, schools, and
newspapers. Other towns and villages havin
populations of from one hundred to a aaa
are scattered over the Territory.
In order to secure the peace of this new
community, in the absence of civil government,
I directed General Merritt, commanding the
Department of the Missouri, to act in conjunc-
tion with the marshals of the United States to
preserve the peace, and upon their requisition
to use the troops to aid them in executing war-
rants and in quieting any riots or breaches of
the peace that might occur. He was further
directed to use his influence to promote good
order and to avoid any conflicts between or
with the settlers. Believing that the introduc-
tion and sale of liquors, where no legal re-
straints or regulations existed, would endanger
the public peace, and in view of the fact that
such liquors must first be introduced into the
Indian reservations before reaching the white
settlements, I further directed the general com-
manding to enforce the laws relating to the in-
troduction of ardent spirits into the Indian
country,
The presence of the troops has given a sense
of security to the well-disposed citizens, and
has tended to restrain the lawless, In one
instance the officer in immediate command of
the troops went further than I deemed justifi-
able in supporting the de facto municipal gov-
ernment of Guthrie, and he was informed and
directed to limit the interference of the mili-
tary to the Suppor} of the marshals on the lines
indicated in the original order. I very urgently
recommend that Congress at once provide a
Territorial government for these people.
Serious questions, which may at any time lead
to violent outbreaks, are awaiting the institu-
tion of courts for their peaceful adjustment.
The American genius for self-government has
been well illustrated in Oklahoma, but it is
neither safe nor wise to leave these people
longer to the expedients which have tem-
porarily served them,
ALASKA.
Provision should be made for the acquisition
of title to town lots in the towns now estab-
lished in Alaska, for locating town sites and for
the establishment of municipal governments.
Only the mining laws have been extended to
that Territory, and no other form of title to
lands can now be obtained. The general land
laws were framed with reference to the dispo-’
sition of agricultural lands, and it is doubtful
J5 fhotr operation in Alaska would be bene-
cial.
We have fortunately not extended to Alaska
the mistaken policy of establishing reserva-
tions for the Indian tribes, and can deal with
them from the beginning as individuals with, I
am sure, better results, But any disposition
of the public lands and any regulations relating
to timber and to the fisheries should have a
kindly regard to their interests. Having no
power to levy taxes, the people of Alaska are
wholly dependent upon the General Govern-
ment, to whose revenues the seal fisheries make
a large annual contribution. An appropriation
for education should neither be overlooked nor
stinted,
The smalluess of the Population and the
great distances between the settlements offer
serious obstacles to the establishment of the
usual Territorial form of government. Per-
haps the organization of several subdistricts,
with a small municipal council of limited
powers for each, would be safe and useful.
Attention is called in this connection to the
suggestions of the Secretary of the Treasury
relating to the establishment of another port
of entry in Alaska, and of other needed cus-
toms facilities and regulations,
THE LAND LAWS.
In the administration of the land laws the
policy of facilitating, in every proper way, the
adjustment of the honest claims of individual
settlers upon the public lands has been pur-
sued. The number of pending cases kad, dur-
ing the preceding administration, been greatly
increased under the operation of orders for a
time suspending final action in a large part of
the cases originating in the West and North-
west, and by the subsequent use of unusual
methods of examination. Only those who are
familiar with the conditions under which our
agricultural lands have been settled can appre-
ciate the serious and often fatal consequences
to the settler of a policy that puts his title
under suspicion, or delays the issuance of his
patent. While care is taken to prevent and to
expose fraud, it should not be imputed without
reason.
The manifest purpose of the homestead and
The pnnijon laws was to promote the settle-
ment of the public domain by persons having
a bona-fide intent to make a home upon the
selected lands. Where this intent is well es-
tablished and the requirements of the law have
been substantially complied with. the claimant
18 entitled to a prompt and friendly considera-
tion of his case. But where there is reason to
believe that the claimant is the mere agent of
another. who is seeking to evade a law in-
tended to promote small holdings, and to se-
cure by frandulent methods large tracts of
timber and other lands, both principal and
agent should not only be thwarted in their
fraudulent purpose, but should be made to feel
the full penalties of our criminal statutes. The
laws should be so administered as not to con-
found tifese two classes, and to visit penalties
only upon the latter.
The unsettled state of the titles to large
bodies of lands in the Territories of New Mex-
ico and Arizona has greatly retarded the de-
velopment of those Territories. Provision
should be made by law for the prompt trial and
final adjustment, before a judicial tribunal or
commission, of all claims based upon Mexican
grants, It is not just to an intelligent eople
that their peace should be disturbed RD their
prosperily retarded by these old contentions.
express the hope that differences of opinion
as to methods may yield to the urgency of the
case.
THE PENSION LAWS.
The law now provides a pension for every
soldier and sailor who was mustered into the
service of the United States during the civil
war and is now suffering from wounds or dis-
ease having an origin in the service and in the
line of duty. Two of the three necessary facts,
viz, muster and disability, are usually suscepti-
ble of easy proof; but the third, origin in the
service, is often difficult, and in many deserv-
ing cases impossible to establish, That very
many of those who endured the hardships of
our most bloody and arduous campaigns are
now disabled from diseases that had a real but
not traceable origin in the service I do not
doubt. Besides these there is another class
composed of men many of whom served an en-
listment of three full years, and of re-enlisted
veterans who added a fourth year of service,
who ie the casualties of battle and the as-
saults of disease, who were always ready for
any detail, who were in every Battle line of
their command, and were mustered out in
sound health, and have, since the close of the
war, while fighting with the same indomitable
and independent spirit the contests of civil
dife, been overcome by disease or casualty.
I am not unaware that the pension-roll
already involves a very Juse annual expen-
diture, neither am I deterred by that fact from
recommending that Congress yeaa a pension
to such honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors of the civil war as having rendered sub-
stantial service during the war are now de-
pendent upon their own labor for a mainte-
nance, and by disease or casualty are incapaci-
tated from earning it. Many of the men who
would be included in this form of relief are
now dependent upon public aid, and it does
not, in my judgment, consist with the national
honor that they shall continue to subsist upon
the local relief given indiscriminately to pau-
pers instead of upon the special and generous
rovision of the nation they served so gal-
antly and unselfishly. Our people will, I am
sure, very generally approve such legislation.
And I am equally sure that the survivors of the
Union Army and Navy will feel a grateful
sense of relief when this worthy and suffering
class of their comrades is fairly cared for.
There are some manifest inequalities in the
existing law that should be remedied. To some
of these the Secretary of the Interior hascalled
attention,
It is gratifying to be able to state that by the
adoption of new and better methods in the War
Department the calls of the Pension Office for
information as to the military and hospital
records of pension claimants are now promptly
answered, and the injurious and vexatious de-
lays that have heretofore occurred are en-
tirely avoided. This will greatly facilitate the
adjustment of all pending claims,
THE NEW STATES.
The advent of four new States, Squth Dakota,
North Dakota, Montana, and Washington, into
the Union under the Constitution, in the same
month, and the admission of their duly chosen
representatives to our National Congress at the
same session, is an event as unexampled as it
is interesting.
The certification of the votes cast and of the
constitutions adopted in each of the States was
filed with me as required by the eighth section
of the act of February 22, 1889, by the gover-
nors of said Territories respectively. Having,
after a careful examination, found that the
several constitutions and governments were
republican in form and not repugnant to the
Constitution of the United States, that all the
provisions of the act of Congress had been
complied with, and that a majority of the
votes cast in each of said proposed States was
in favor of the adoption of the constitution
submitted therein, I did so declare by a sepa-
rate proclamation as to each; as to North
Dakota and South Dakota on Saturday, Novem-
ber 2, as to Montana on Friday, November 8,
and asto Washington on Monday, November 11.
Each of these States has within it resources
the development of which will employ the en-
ergies of, and yield a comfortable subsistence
to, a great population. The smailest of these
new States, Washington, stands twelfth, and
the largest, Montana, third, among the forty-
two in area. The people of these States are
already well trained, intelligent, and patriotic
American citizens, having common interests
and sympathies with those of the older States,
and a common purpose to defend the integrity
and uphold the honor of the nation,
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
The attention of the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been called to the urgent need
of Congressional legislation for the better pro-
tection of the lives and limbs of those engaged
in operating the great interstate freight lines
of the country, and especially of the yard-men
and brakemen. A petition, signed by nearly
tenthousand railway brakemen, was presented
to the Commission, asking that Stops might be
taken to bring about the use of automatic
brakes and couplers on freight cars,
At a meeting of State railroad commission-
ets and their accredited representives, held at
Washington in March last, upon the invitation
of the Interstate Commerce Commission, a
resolution was unanimously adopted, ur, ing
the Commission ‘‘to consider what can be done
to prevent the loss of life and limb in coup-
ling and uncoupling freight cars, and In
handling the brakes of such cars.” During
the year ending June 30, 1888, over 2,000 rail-
road employes were killed in service, and
more than 20,000 injured. It is competent, I
think, for Congress to require uniformity in the
construction of cars used in interstate com-
merce, and the use of improved safety appli-
ances upon such trains. Time will be necessary
to make the needed changes, but an earnest
and intelligent beginning should be made at
once. It is a reproach to our civilization that
any class of American workmen should, in the
pursuit of a necessary and useful vocation, be
subjected to a peril of life and limb as great as
that of a soldier in time of war.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The creation of an Executive Department, to
be known as the Department of Agriculture,
by the act of February 9, last, was a wise and
timely response to a request which had long
been respectfully urged by the farmers of the
country. But much remains to be done to per-
fect the organization of the Department so
that it may fairly realize the expectations which
its creation excited. In this connection atten-
tion is called to the suggestions contained in
the report of the Secretary, which is herewith
submitted. The need of a law officer for the
Department, such as is provided for the other
Executive Departments, is manifest. The fail-
ure of the last Congress to make the usual pro-