Democratic Watchman. -- Supplement.
BELLEFONTE, PA., DECEMBER 8 1893.
THE MESSAGE.
President Cleveland Discusses Pub-
lic Affairs.
WAITING FOR NLWS FROM BAWAILL
Tariff Reform to Be Applied With
Discriminating Care.
NEED FOR PUBLIC ECONOMY.
—_—————————
At the opening of Congress today the
President’s annual message was delivered
and read to both houses. Following is the
full text of the message:
To the Congress of the United States—The
constitutional duty which requires the
President from time to time to give to the
Congress information of the state of the
Union, and recommend to their considera-
tion such measures as he shall judge neces-
sary and expedient, is fittingly entered upon
by commending to the Congress a careful
examination of the detailed statements and
well-supported recommendations contained
in the reports of the heads of Departments,
who are chiefly charged with the executive
work of the Government. In an effort to
abridge this communication as much as is
consistent with its purpose, I shall supple-
ment a brief reference to the contents of
these departmental reports by the mention
of such executive business and incidents as
are not embraced therein, and by such rec-
ommendations as appear to be at this par-
ticular time appropriate.
Foreign Relations.
While our foreign relations have not at
all times during the past year been entirely
free from perplexity, no embarrassing situa-
tion remains that will not yield to the spirit
of fairness and love of justice, which, join-
ed with consistent firmness, characterize a
truly American foreign policy.
My predecessor having accepted the office
of arbitrator of the long-standing missions
boundary dispute, tendered to the President
by the Argentine Republic and Brazil, it
has been my agreeable duty to receive the
special envoys commissioned by those states
to lay before me evidence and arguments in
behalf of their respective Governments.
The outbreak of domestic hostilities in the
Republic of Brazil found the United States
alert to watch the interests of our citizens
in that country, with which we carry on
important commerce. Several vessels of our
new Navy are now, and for some time have
been, stationed at Rio de Janeiro. The
struggle being between the established gov-
ernment, which controls the machinery of
administration, and with which we main-
tain friendly relations, and certain officers
of the navy employing the vessels of their
command in an adde Te o
belligerents. :
Thus far the position of our Government
has been that of an attentive but impartial
cbserver of the unfortunate conflict. Em-
phasizing our fixed policy of impartial neu-
trality in such a condition of affairs as now
exists, I deemed it’ necessary to disavow,
in a manner not to be misunderstood, the
unauthorized action of our late naval com-
mander in those waters in saluting the re-
volted Brazilian admiral, being indisposed
to countenance an act calculated to give
gratuitous sanction to the local insurrec-
tion.
A — >:
Chile.
The convention between our Government
and Chile, having for its object the settle-
ment and adjustment of the demands of the
two countries against each other, has been
wade effective hv the organization of the
Claims Commission provided for. The two
Governments failing to agree upon the third
member of the Commission, the good offices
of the President of the Swiss Republic were
invoked, as provided in the treaty, and the
selection of the Swiss representative in this
country to complete the organization was
gratifying alike to the United States and
Chile.
The vxatious question of so-called lega-
tion asylum for offenders against the State
and its laws was presented anew in Chile
by the unauthorized action of the late Unit-
ed States minister in receiving into his offi-
cial residence two persons who had just
failed in an attempt at revolution and
against whom criminal charges were pend-
ing growing out of a former abortive dis-
turbance. The doctrine of asylum as ap-
plied to this case is not sanctioned by the
best precedents and, when allowed, tends to
encourage sedition and strife. Under no
circumstances can the representatives of
this Government be permitted, under the
ill-defined fiction of extraterritoriality, to
interrupt the administration of criminal
Justice in the countries to which they are
accredited. A temperate demand having
been made by the Chilean Government for
the correction of this conduct in the in-
stance mentioned, the minister was in-
structed no longer to harbor the offenders.
Chinese Legislation.
The legislation of last year, known as the
Geary law, requiring the registration of all
Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the
United States, and the deportation of all
not complying with the provisions of the act
within the time prescribed, met with much
opposition from Chinamen in this country.
Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel
that the law was unconstitutional, the great
mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial
inquiry as to its validity, in good faith de-
clined to apply for the certificates required
by its provisions. A test case upon proceed-
ing by habeas corpus was brought before
the Supreme Court, and on May 15, 1893, a
decision was made by that tribunal sus-
taining the law.
It is belived that under the recent amend-
ment of the act extending the time for
registration, the Chinese laborers thereto
entitled, who desire to reside in this coun-
try, will now avail themselves of the re-
newed privilege thus afforded of establish-
ing by lawful procedure their right to re-
main, and that thereby the necessity of en-
forced deportation may to a great degree
be avoided.
It has devolved upon the United States
sminister at Peking, as dean of the diplo-
matic body, and in the absence of a repre-
sentative of Sweden and Norway, to press
upon the Chinese Government reparation
for the recent murder of Swedish mission-
aries at Sung-pu. This question is of vital
interest to all countries whose citizens en-
gage in missionary work in the interior.
The African Slave Trade.
By Article XII of the General Act of
Brussels, signed July 2, 1800, for the sup-
pression of the slave trade and the restric-
tion of certain injurions commerce in the
Independent State of the Congo and in the
adjacent zone of central Africa, the United
States and the other signatory powers
agreed to adopt appropiiate means for the
punishment of persoas selling arms and
ammunition to the natives and for the con-
fiscation of the inhibited articles. It being
the plain duty of this government to aid in
suppressing the nefarious traffic, impair-
ing as it does the praiseworthy and civi-
lizing efforts now in progress in that region,
I recommend that an act be passed prohib-
iting the sale of arms and intoxicants to
natives in the regulated zone by our citi-
zens.
Costa Rica has lately testified its friend-
liness by surrendering to the United States,
in the absence of a «onvention of extradi-
tion, but upon duly submitted evidence of
criminality, a noted fugitive from justice.
It is trusted that the negotiation of a treaty
with that country to meet recurring cases
of this kind will soon be accomplished. In
my opinion treaties for —eciprocal extradi-
tion should be concluded with il those
countries with which the United States bas
not already conventional arrangements of
that character.
I have deemed it fitting to express to the
Governments of Costa Rica and Colombia
the kindly desire of the United States to
see their pending boundary dispute finally
closed by arbitration in conformity with
the spirit of the treaty concluded hetween
them some years ago.
Our relations with the ¥rench Republic
continue to be intimate and cordial. I sin-
cerely hope that the extradition treaty with
that country, as amended by the Senate,
will soon be operative.
‘While occasional questions affecting our
naturalized citizens returning to the land
of their birth, have arisen in our inter-
course with Germany, our relativns with
that country continue satisfactory.
Great Britian.
The questions affecting our relations with
Great Britain have been treated in a spirit
of friendliness. :
Negotiations are in progress between the
two Governments with a view to sach con-
current action as will make the award and
regulations agreed upon by the Behring Sea
Tribunal of Arbitration practically effect-
ive; and it is not doubted that Great Brit-
ain will co-operate freely with this country
for the accomplishment of that purpose.
The dispute growing out of the discrim-
inating tolls imposed in the Welland Canal,
upon cargoes of cereals bound to and from
the lake ports of the United States, was
adjusted by the substitution of a more
equitable schedule of charges, and my pre-
decessor thereupon suspended his procla-
mation imposing discriminating tolls upon
British transit through our canals.
A request for additions to the list cf ex-
traditable offenses covered by the existing
treaty between the two countries, is under
consideration.
During the past year an American citi-
zen, employed in a subordinate commercial
position in Haiti, after suffering a pro-
tracted imprisonment on an unfounded
charge of smuggling, was finally liberated
on judicial examination. Upon urgent rep-
resentation to the Haitian Government, a
suitable indemnity was paid to the sufferer.
By a law of Haiti, a sailing vessel, hav-
ing discharged her cargo, is refused clear-
ance until the duties on such cargo have
been paid. The hardship of this measure
upon American shipowners who conduct
the bulk of the carrying trade of that
conntrv has heen ingistad on with » ecto.
touching at the port of Amapala, because
her captain refused to deliver up a pas-
senger in transit from Nicaragua to Guate-
mala upon demand of the military authori-
ties of Honduras, our minister to that
country under instructions protested
against the wanton act and demanded sat-
isfaction. The Government of Honduras,
actuated by a sense of justice, and in a
spirit of the utmost friendship, promptly
disavowed the illegal conduct of its officers,
and expressed sincere regret for the oc-
currence,
It is confidently anticipated that a sat-
isfactory adjustment will soon be reached
of the questions arising out of the seizure
and use of American vessels by insurgents
in Honduras and the subsequent denial by
the successful Government of commercial
privileges to those vessels on that account.
A notable part of the southeasterly coast
of Liberia between the Cavally and San
Pedro rivers, which for nearly half a cen-
tury has been generally recognized as be-
longing to that Republic by cession and
purchase, has been claimed to be under
the protectorate of France in virtue of
agreements entered into by the native
tribes over whom Liberia's control has not
been well maintained.
More recently, negotiations between the
Liberian representative and the French
Government resulted in the signature at
Paris of a treaty whereby as an adjust-
ment, certain Liberian territory is ceded
to France. This convention at last advices
had not been ratified by the Liberian legis-
lature and executive.
Feeling a sympathetic interest in the
fortunes of the little commonwealth, the
establishment and development of which
were largely aided by the benevolence of
our countrymen, and which constitutes the
only independently sovereign state on the
West Coast of Africa, this Government has
suggested to the French Government its
earnest concern lest territorial impairment
in Liberia should take place without her
unconstrained consent.
Our relations with Mexico continue to be
of that close and friendly nature which
should always characterize the intepgourse
of two neighboring republics.
The work of relocating the monuments
marking the boundary between the two
countries from Paso del Norte to the Pacific
is now nearly completed.
The Commission recently organized under
the conventions of 1884 and 1889 it is ex-
pected will speedily settle disputes growing
out of the shifting currents of the Rio
Grande River east of El Faso,
Nicaragua and the Canal.
Nicaragua has recently passed through
two revolutions, the party at first success-
ful having in turn been displaced by anoth-
er. Our newly appointed minister, by his
timely good offices, aided in a peaceful ad-
justment of the controversy involved in the
first conflict. The large American interests
established in that country in connection
with the Nicaragua Canal were not molested.
The canal company has, unfortunately,
become financially seriously embarrassed,
but a generous treatment has been extended
to it by the government of Nicaragua. The
United States are especially interested in
the successful achievement of the vast un-
dertaking this company has in charge. That
it should be accomplished under distinctive-
ly American auspices, and its enjoyment
assured not only to the vessels of this coun-
try as a channel of communication between
our Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, but to
the ships of the world in the interests of
civilization, is a proposition which, in my
judgment, does not admit of question.
Guatemala has also been visited by the
political vicissitudes which have afflicted her
Central American neighbors; but the disso-
lution of its legislature and the proclama-
tion of a dictatorship have been unattended
with civil war.
An extradition treaty with Norway has
recently been exchanged and proclaimed.
The extradition treaty with Russia, signed
in March, 1887, and amended and confirmed
by the Senate in February last, was duly
proclaimed last June.
The Samoan Protectorate.
Led by a desire to compose differences
and contribute to the restoration of order in
Samoa, which for some years previous had
been the scene of conflicting foreign preten-
sions and native strife, the United States,
departing from its policy consecrated by a
century of observance, entered four years
ago into the treaty of Berlin, thereby be-
coming jointly bound with England and
Germany to establish and maintain Malie-
toa Laupepa as King of Samoa. The treaty
provided for a foreign court of justice; a
municipal council for the district of Apia,
with a foreign president thereof, author-
ized to advise the king; a tribunal for the
settlement of native and foreign land
titles, and a revenue system for the king-
dom. It entailed upon the three powers
that part of the cost of the new govern-
ment not met by the revenue of the islands.
Early in the life of this triple protectorate
the native dissensions it was designed to
quell revived. Rivals defied the authority
of the new king, refusing to pay taxes and
demanding the election of a ruler by native
suffrage. Mataafa, an aspirant to the
throne, and a large number of his native
adherents were in open rebellion on one of
the islands. Quite lately, at the request of
the other powers, and in fulfillment ofgits
treaty obligation, this government ag d
to unite in a joint military movement of
such dimensions as would probably secure
the surrender of the insurgents without
bloodshed.
The war ship Philadelphia was accord-
ingly put under orders for Samoa, but be-
fore she arrived the threatened conflict was
precipitated by King Malietoa’s attack
upon the insurgent camp. Mataafa was de-
feated and a number of his men killed.
The British and German naval vessels
present subsequently secured the surrender
of Mataafa and his adherents. The de-
feated chief and ten of his principal sup-
porters were deported to a German island
of the Marshall group, where they are held
as prisoners under the joint responsibility
and cost of the three powers.
This incident and the events leading up
to it signally illustrate the impolicy of en-
tangling alliances with foreign powers.
Claims Against Spain.
More than fifteen years ago this govern-
ment preferred a claim against.Spain, in
behalf of one of our citizens, for property
seized and confiscated in Cuba. In 1886 the
claim was adjusted, Spain agreeing to pay,
unconditionally, as a fair indemnity,
$1,500,000. A respectful but earnest note
was recently addressed to the Spanish gov-
ernment insisting upon prompt fulfillment
of its long-neglected obligation.
Other claims, preferred by the United
States against Spain, in behalf of Ameri-
can citizens for property confiscated in
Cuba, have been pending for many years.
At the time Spain’s title to the Caroline
Islands was confirmed by arbitration, that
Government agreed that the rights which
had been acquired there by American mis-
sionaries should be recognized and re-
spected. It is sincerely hoped that this
pledge will be observed by allowing our
missionaries, who were removed from Pon-
ape to a place of safety by a United States
war ship during the late troubles between
the Spanish garrison and the natives, to
return to their field of usefulness.
The reproduced caravel, Santa Maria,
built by Spain and sent to the Columbian
the sincere friendship which prompted it.
Important matters have demanded atten-
tion in cur relations with the Ottoman
Porte.
The firing and partial destruction, by an
unrestrained mob, of one of the school
buildings of Anatolia College, ‘established
by citizens of the IUnited States at Mar-
sovan, and the apparent indifference of the
Turkish Government to the outrage, not-
withstanding the complicity of some of its
officials, called for earnest remonstrance,
which was followed by promises of repara-
tion and punishment of the offenders.
Indemnity for the injury to the buildings
has already been paid, permission to re-
build given, registration of the school prop-
erty in the name of the American owners
secured, ani efficient protection guaran-
teed.
Missionaries in Turkey.
Information received of maltreatment
suffered by an inoffensive American woman
engaged in missionary work in Turkish
Koorlistan was followed by such represen-
tations to the Porte as resulted in the is-
suance of orders for the punishment of her
assailants, the removal of a delinquent
official, and the adoption of measures for
the protection of our citizens engaged in
mission and other lawful work in that
quarter.
Turkey complains that her Armenian
subjects obtain citizenship in this country,
not to identify themselves in good faith
with our people, but with the intention of
returning to the land of their birth and
there engaging in sedition. This complaint
is not wholly without foundation. A jour-
nal published in this country in the Arme-
nian language openly counsels its readers
to arm, organize, and participate in move-
ments for the subversion of Turkish author-
ity in the Asiatic provinces. The Ottoman
Government has announced its intention
to expel from its dominions Armenians who
have obtained naturalization in the United
Stafes since 1868.
The right to exclude any or all classes of
aliens is an attribute of sovereignty. It is
a right asserted and, to a limited extent,
enforced by the United States, with the
sanction of our highest court. There being
no naturalization treaty between the United
States and Turkey, our minister at Constan-
tinople has been instructed that, while rec-
ognizing the right of that government to en-
force its declared policy against natural-
ized Armenians, he is expected to protect
them from unnecessary harshness of treat-
ment.
In view of the impaired financial resources
of Venezuela, consequent upon the recent
revolution there, a modified arrangement
for the satisfaction of the awards of the
late revisory Claims Commission, in pro-
gressive installments, has been assented to,
and payments are being regularly made
thereunder.
The boundary dispute between Venezuela
and British Guiana is yet unadjusted. A
restoration of diplomatic intercourse
between that republic and Great Britain
and reference of the question to impar-
tial arbitration would be a most gratify-
ing consummation.
The ratification by Venezuela of the con-
vention for the arbitration of the long-de-
ferred claim of the Venezuelan Transporta-
tion Company is awaited.
Waiting for News From Hawaii.
It is hardly necessary for me to state
that the question arising from our relations
with Hawaii have caused serious embarrass-
ment. Just prior to the installation of the
present administration the existing govern-
ment of Hawaii had been suddenly over-
thrown, and a treaty of annexation had
been negotiated between the provisional
government of the islands and the United
States, and submitted to the Senate for
ratification. This treaty 1 withdrew for
examination, and dispatched Hon. James
H. Blount of Georgia to Honolulu as a
special commissioner to make an impar-
tial investigation of the circumstances at-
tending the change of government, and of
all the conditions bearing upon the sub-
ject of the treaty. After a thorough and
exhaustive examination Mr. Blount sub-
mitted to me his report, showing beyond
all question that the constitutional govern-
ment of Hawaii had been subverted with
the active aid of our representative to that
government and through the intimidation
caused by the presence of an armed naval
force of the United States which was land-
ed for that purpose at the instance of our
minister. Upon the facts developed it
seemed to me the only honorable course for
our government to pursue was to undo the
wrong that had been done by those repre-
senting us and to restore as far as prac-
ticable the status existing at the time of
our forcible intervention. With a view of
accomplishing this result within the con-
stitutional limits of executive power, and
recognizing all our obligations and respon-
sibilities growing out of any changed con-
ditions brought about by our unjustifiable
interference, our present minister at Hono-
lulu has received appropriate instructions
to that end. Thus far no information of
the accomplishment of any definite results
has been received from him.
Additional advices are soon expected.
When received they will be promptly sent
to the Congress, together with all other in-
formation at hand, accompanied by a spe-
cial executive message fully detailing all
the facts necessary to a complete under-
standing of the case, and presenting a his-
tory of all the material events feading up to
the present situation.
The Arbitration Movement.
By a concurrent resoiution, passed by the
Senate February 14, 1890, and by the House
of Representatives on the 3d of April fol-
lowing, the President was requested ‘to in-
vite, from time to time, as fit occasions
may arise, negotiations with any Govern-
ment with which the United States has or
may have diplomatic relations, to the end
that any differences or disputes arising
between the two Governments which can
not be adjusted by diplomatic agency may
be referred to arbitration and be peaceably
adjusted by such means.” April 18, 1890,
the International American Conference of
Washington, by resolution expressed the
wish that all controversies between the re-
publics of America and the nations of Eu-
rope might be settled by arbitration and
recommended that the government of each
nation represented in that conference should
communicate this wish to all friendly pow-
ers. A favorable response has been re-
ceived from Great Britain in the shape of
a resolution adopted by Parliament July
16 last, cordially sympathizing with the pur-
pose in view, and expressing the hope that
Her Majesty's Government will lend ready
co-operation to the Government of the
United States upon the basis of the con-
current resolution above quoted.
It affords me signal pleasure to lay this
parliamentary resolution before the Con-
gress and to express my sincere gratifica-
tion that the sentiment of two great and
kindred nations is thus authoritatively man-
ifested in favor of the rational and peace-
able settlement of international quarrels
by honorable resort to arbitration.
Since the passage of the act of March
3, 1893, authorizing the President to raise
the grade of our envoys to correspond with
the rank in which foreign countries accredit
their agents here, Great Britain, France,
Italy, and Germany have conferred upon
their representatives at this capita! the title
of ambassador, and 1 have responded by
‘accrediting the agents of the United States
ermmer mess vue savas as WMT
family of nations.
The Consular Service.
Puring my former administration 1 took
occasion to recommend a re-cast of the
laws relating to the consular service, in
order that it might become a more efficient
agency in the promotion of the interests it
was intended to subserve. The duties and
powers of consuls have been expanded with
the growing requirements of our foreign
trade. Discharging important duties affect-
ing our commerce and American citizens
abroad, and in certain countries exercising
judicial functions, these officers should be
men of character, intelligence, and ability.
Upon proof that the legislation of Den-
mark secures copyright to American citi-
zens on equal footing with its own, the
privileges of our copyright laws have been
extended by proclamation to subjects of
that country. :
The Treasury.
The Secretary of the Treasury reports
that the receipts of the Government from
all sources during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1893, amounted to $461,716,561.94
and its expenditures to $459,374,674.29. There
was collected from customs $205,355,016.73
and from internal revenue $161,027,623.93.
Our dutiable imports amounted to $421,856,-
“711, an increase of $52,453,907 over the pre-
ceding year, and importations free of duty
amounted to $444,5644,211, a decrease from
the preceding year of $13,455,447. Internal-
revenue receipts exceeded those of the pre-
ceding year by $7,147,445.32.
The total tax collected on distilled spirits
was $94,720,260.55, on manufactured
tobacco, $31,859,711.74, and on fermented
liquors, $32,548,983.07. We exported mer-
chandise during the year amounting to
$847,665,194, a decrease of $182,612,954 from
the preceding year. The amount of gold
exported was larger than any previous year
in the history of the Government, amount-
ing to $108,680,844, and exceeding the
amount exported during the preceding year
by $58,485,517,
The sum paid from the Treasury for sugar
bounty was $9,375,130.88, an increase over
the preceding year of $2,033,053.09.
Jt is estimated upon the basis of present
revenue laws that the receipts of the Gov-
ernment for thé year ending June 30, 1894,
will be $430,121,365.38 and its expenditures
$458,121,365.38, resulting in a deficiency of
$28,000,000.
On the first day of November, 1893, the
amount of money of all kinds in circula-
tion, or not included in Treasury holdings,
was $1,718,644,682, an increase for the year
of $112,404,947, Estimating our population
at 67,426,000 at the time mentioned the per
capita circulation was $25.49. On the same
date there was in the Treasury gold bul-
lion amounting to $96,657,273 and silver
bullion which was purchased at a cost of
$126,261.553.
Silver Purchases.
The purchases of silver under the law of
July 14, 1890, during the last fiscal year,
aggregated 054,008,162.59 fine ounces, which
cost $45,531,374.53. The total amount of sil-
ver purchased from the time that law be-
came operative until the repeal of its pur-
chasing clause, on the 1st day of November,
1803, was 168,674,590.46 fine ounces, which
cost $155,030,940.84, Between the 1st day of
March, 1873, and the 1st day of November,
1893, the Government purchased, under all
laws, 503,003,717 fine ounces of silver at a
cost of $516,622,048. The silver dollars that
have been coined under the act of July 14,
1890, number 386,087,285. The seigniorage
arising from such coinage was $6,977,098.39,
leaving on hand in the mints 140,699,760
ge ounces of silver, which cost $126,758,
Our total coinage of all metals during
the last fiscal year consisted of 97,280,875
pieces valued at $43,685,178.80, of which
there was $30,038,140 in gold coin, $5,343,715
in silver dollars, $7,217,220.90 in subsidiary
silver coin, and $1,086,102.90 in minor coins.
During the calendar year 1802 the pro-
duction of precious metals in the United
States was estimated to be 1,596,375 fine
ounces of gold of the commercial and coin-
age value of $33,000,000, and 58,000,000 fine
ounces of silver of the bullion or market
3
value of $50,750,000 and of the coinage value
of $74,989,900,
It is estimated that on the first day of
July, 1893, the metallic stock of money in
the United States, consisting. of coin and
bullion, amounted to $1,213,559,169, of which
$597,697,685 was gold and $615,861,484 was
silver.
One hundred and nineteen national banks
were organized during the year ending
October 31, 1893, with a capital of $11,230,-
000. Forty-six went into voluntary liquida-
tion and one hundred and fifty-eight sus-
pended. Sixty-five of the suspended banks
were insolvent, eighty-six resumed busi-
ness, and seven remain in the hands of
bank examiners, with prospects of speedy
resumption. Of the new banks organized
44 were located in the Eastern States,
41 west of the Mississippi River, and 34
in the Central and Southern States. The
total number of national banks in existence
on the 31st day of October, 1893, was 3,796,
having an aggregate capital of $695,558,120.
The net increase in the circulation of these
banks during the year was $36,886,972.
Effect of the Silver Repezl.
The recent repeal of the provision of
law requiring the purchase of silver bul-
lion by the government as a feature of our
monetary scheme has made an entire
change in the complexion of our currency
affairs. I do not doubt that the ultimate
result of this action will be most salutary
and far-reaching. In the nature of things,
however, it is impossible to know at this
time precisely what conditions will be
brought about by the change, or what, if
any, supplementary legislation may, in the
light of.such conditions, appear to be es-
sential or expedient. Of course, after the
recent financial perturbation, time is neces-
sary for the re-establishment.of business
confidence. When, however, through this
restored confidence the money which has
been frightened into hoarding places is
returned to trade and enterprise, a survey
of the situation will probably disclose a
safe path leading to a permanently sound
currency, abundantly sufficient to meet
every requirement of our increasing popu-
lation and business.
In the pursuit of this object we should
resolutely turn away from alluring and
temporary expedients, determined to be
content with nothing less than a lasting
and comprehensive financial plan. In these
circumstances I am convinced that a rea-
sonable delay in dealing with this subject,
instead of being injurious, will increase the
probability of wise action.
The Monetary Conference which assem-
bled at Brussels upon our invitation was
adjourned to the 30th day of November in
tha present year. The considerations just
stated and the fact that a definite proposi-
tion from us seemed to be expected upon
the reassembling of the conference, led me
to express a willingness to have the meet-
ing still further postponed.
It seems to me that it would be wise to
give general authority to the President to
invite other nations to such a conference
at any time when there should be a fair
prospect of accomplishing an international
agreement on the subject of coinage.
The Bond Question.
I desire also to earnestly suggest the
wisdom of amending the existing statutes
in regard to the issuance of government
bonds. The authority now vested in the
Secretary of the Treasury to issue bonds
is not as clear as it should be, and the
bonds authorized are disadvantageous to
tha onvarmmant has 4
aiiiveu atl uur Pores 440,98 1mmigrants.
Of these 1,063 were not permitted to land
under the limitations of the law, and 577
were returned to the countries from whence
they came by reason of their having be-
come public charges. The total arrivals
were 141,034 less than for the previous year.
National Quarantine,
The Secretary in his report gives an ac-
count of the operation of the Marine-Hos-
pital Service and of the good work done
under its supervision in preventing the en-
trance and spread of contagious diseases.
The admonitions of the last two years
touching our public health and the demon-
strated danger of the introduction of con-
tagious diseases from foreign ports have in-
vested the subject of national quarantine
with increased interest. A more general
and harmonious system than now exists,
acting promptly and directly everywhere,
and constantly operaling by preventive
means to shield our country from the inva-
sion of disease, and at the same time hav-
ing due regard to the rights and duties of
local agencies, would, I believe, add greatly
to the safety of our people.
The Army.
The Secretary of War reports that the
strength of the Army on the 30th day of
September last was 25,778 enlisted men and
2,144 officers.
The total expenditures of the Department
for the year ending June 30, 1893, amounted
to $51,966,074.89. Of this sum, $1,992,581.95
was for salaries and contingent expenses,
$23,377,828.35 for the support of the military
establishment, $6,077,033.18 for miscellaneous
objects, and $20,518,631.41 for public works.
This latter sum includes $15,296,876.46 for
river and harbor improvements and $3,266,-
141.20 for fortifications and other works of
defense. .
The total enrollment of the militia of the
several States was, on the 31st of October
of the current year, 112,597 officers and en-
listed men. The officers of the Army de-
tailed for the inspection and instruction of
this reserve of our military force report
that increased interest and marked prog-
ress are apparent in the discipline and
efficiency of the organization.
Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic
violence have called the Army into service
during the year, and the only active mili-
tary duty required of it has been in the
Department of Texas, where violations of
the neutrality laws of the United States
and Mexico were promptly and efficiently
dealt with by the troops, eliciting the warm
approval of the civil and military authori-
ties of both countries.
The operation of wise laws and the in-
fluences of civilization constantly tending to
relieve the country from the dangers of
Indian hostilities, together with the increas-
ing ability of the States, through the effi-
ciency of the National Guard organizations,
to protect their citizens from domestic vio-
lence, lead to the suggestion that the time
is fast approaching when there should be a
reorganization of our Army on the lines of
the present necessities of the country. This
change contemplates neither increase in
number nor added expense, but a redistri-
bution of the force and an encouragement
of measures tending to greater efficiency
among the men and improvement of the
service.
The adoption of battalion formations for
infantry regiments, the strengthening of the
artillery force, the abandonment of smaller
and unnecessary posts, and the massing of
the troops at important and accessible sta-
tions, all promise to promote the usefulness
of the Army. In the judgment of Army
officers, with but few exceptions, the opera-
tion of the law forbidding the re-enlist-
ment of men after ten years’ service has not
proved iis wisdom, and while the argu-
ments that led to its adoption were not
without merit, the experience of the year
constrains me to join in the recommenda-
tion for its repeal.
Sea Coast Defenses.
It is gratifying to note that we have be-
gun to attain completed results in the com-
prehensive scheme of sc¢acoast defense and:
fortification, entered upon eight years ago.
A large sum has been already expended, but
the cost of maintenance will be inconsider- |
able as compared with the expense of con-
struction and ordnance. At the end of the
current calendar year the War Department
will have nine 12-inch guns, twenty 10-inch,
and thirty-four 8-inch guns, ready to be
mounted on gun lifts and carriages, and
seventy-five 12-inch mortars. In addition
to the product of the Army Gun Factory,
now completed at Watervliet, the Govern-
ment has contracted with private parties
for the purchase of one hundred guns of
these calibers, the first of which should be
delivered to the Department for test before
July 1, 1894.
The manufacture of heavy ordnance keeps
pace with current needs; but to render these
guns available for the purposes they are de-
signed to meet, emplacements must be pre-
pared for them. Progress has been made in
this direction, and it is desirable that Con-
gress by adequate appropriations should
provide for the uninterrupted prosecution
of this necessary work,
After much preliminary work and ex-
haustive examination in accordance with
the requirements of the law, the board ap-
pointed to select a magazine rifle of mod-
ern type with which to replace the obsolete
Springfield rifle of the infantry service,
completed its labors during the last year,
and the work of manufacture is now in
progress at the National Armory at Spring-
field. It is confidently expected that by the
end of the current year our infantry will be
supplied with a weapon equal to that of the
most progressive armies of the world.
The work on the projected Chickamauga
and Chattanooga National Military Park
has been prosecuted with zeal and judg-
ment, and its opening will be celebrated
during the coming year. Over nine square
miles of the Chickamauga battle field have
been acquired, twenty-five miles of roadway
have been constructed and permanent tab-
lets have been placed at many historical
points, while the invitation to the states to
mark the positions of their troops partic-
ipating in the battle has been very gener-
ally accepted. .
The work of locating and preserving the
lines of battle at the Gettysburg battle
field is making satisfactory progress on the
plans directed by the last Congress.
The reports of the Military Academy at
West Point and the several schools for
special instruction of officers, show marked
advance in the education of the army and
a commendable ambition among its officers
to excel in the military profession and to
fit themselves for the highest service to
the country.
Under the supervision of Adjt. Gen. Rob-
ert Williams, lately retired, the bureau of
military information has become well estab-
lished, and 1s performing a service that
will put in possession of the government in
time of war most valuable information, and
at all times serve a purpose of great utility
in keeping the army advised of the world’s
progress in all matters pertaining to the art
of war.
The Department of Justice.
The report of the Attorney General con-
tains the usual summary of the affairs and
proceedings of the Department of Justice
for the past year, together with certain
recommendations as to needed legislation
on various subjects. I cannot too heartily
indorse the proposition that the fee system
as applicable to the compensation of United
Qtatac attawmarro. tama ray
Cuma toy UIA LaviL Glu Cliiuag, sudll ve as
small and as inexpensively transacted as
the ends of justice will allow.
The system is therefore thoroughly vi-
cious which makes the compensation of
court officials depend upon the volume of
such business, and thus creates a conilict
between a proper execution of the law and
private gain, which can not fail to be dan-
gerous to the rights and freedom of the
citizen and an irresistible temptation to the
unjustifiable expenditure of public funds.
If in addition to this reform another was
inaugurated which would give to United
States commissioners the final disposition
of petty offenses within the grade of mis-
demeanors, especially those coming under
the internal revenue laws, a great advance
would be made toward a moré decent ad-
ministration of the criminal law.
In my first message to Congress, dated
December 8 1885 I strongly recommended
these changes and referred somewhat at
length to the evils of the present system.
Since that time the criminal business of
the Federal courts and the expense attend-
ing it have enormously increased. The
number of criminal prosecutions pending
in the circuit and district court§ of the
United States on the first day of July, 1885,
was three thousand eight hundred and
eight, of which one thousand eight hundred
and eighty-four were for violations of the
internal-revenue laws, while the number of
such prosecutions pending on the first day
of July, 1893, was nine thousand five hun-
dred, of which four thousand two hundred
were for violations of the internal-revenue
laws. The expense of the United States
courts, exclusive of judges’ salaries, for the
year ending July 1, 1885, was $2,874,733.11,
and for the year ending July 1, 1893, $4,5628,-
676.87.
It is therefore apparent that the reasons
given in 1885 for a change in the manner
of enforcing the. Federal criminal law, have
gained cogency and strength by lapse of
time.
1 also heartly join the Attorney-General
in recommending legislation fixing degrees
of the crime of murder within Federal ju-
risdiction, as has been done in many of the
States; authorizing writs of error on behalf
of the Government in cases where final
judgment is rendered against the sufficiency
of an indictment or against the Government
upon any other question arising before ac-
tual trial; limiting the right of review in
cases of felony punishable only by fine and
imprisonment to the circuit court of ap-
peals, and making speedy provision for the
construction of such prisons and reforma-
tories as may be necessary for the confine-
ment of United States convicts.
The Postal Service.
The report of the Postmaster-General con-
tains a detailed statement of the operations
of the Post-Office Department during the
last fiscal year and much interesting in-
formation touching this important branch
of the public service,
The business of the mails indicates with
absolute certainty the condition:of the busi-
ness of the country,and depression in finan-
cial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces
the postal revenues. Therefore a larger
discrepancy than usual between the.post
office receipts and expenditures is the ex-
pected and unavoidable result of the dis-
tressing stringency which has prevailed
throughout the country during much of
the time covered by the Postmaster Gen-
eral’'s report. At a date when better times
were anticipated it was estimated by his
predecessor that the deficiency on the 30th
day of June, 1803, would be but a little over
a million and a half dollars. It amounted,
however, to more than five millions. At the
same time, and under the influence of like
anticipations, estimates were made for the
current fiscal year ending June 30, 1894,
which exhibited a surplus of revenue over
expenditures of $872,245.71, but now, in view
of the actual receipts and expendi-
tures during that part of the cur-
rent fiscal year already expired, the pres-
ent Postmaster-General estimates that at
its close instead of a surplus there will be
a deficiency of nearly eight million dollars.
The post-office receipts for the last fiscal
year amounted to $75,806,033.16 and its ex-
penditures to $81,074,104.90. This post-office
— en ml on We
deficiency would disappear or be immensely
decreased if less matter was carried free
through the mails, an item of which is up-
ward of three hundred tons of seeds and
grain from the Agricultural Department.
The total number of post-offices in the
United States on the 30th day of June, 1893,
was 68,403, an increase of 1,284 over the
preceding year. Of these 3,360 were Presi-
dential, an increase in that class of 204 over
the preceding year.
Forty-two free-delivery offices were added
during the year to those already existing,
making a total of six hundred and ten cit-
ies and towns provided with free delivery
on June 30, 1803. Ninety-three other cities
and towns are now entitled to this service
under the law, but it has not been accorded
them on account of insufficient funds to
meet the expense of its establishment.
I am decidedly of the opinion that the
provisions of the present law permit as
general an introduction of this feature of
mail service as is necessary or justifiable,
and that it ought not to be extended to
smaller communities than are now desig=
nated.
The expense of free delivery for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1894, will be more
than $11,000,000, and under legislation now
existing there must be a constant increase
in this item of expenditure.
There were 6,401 additions to the domes-
tic money-order offices during the last fiscal
year, being the largest increase in any year
since the inauguration of the system. The
total number of these offices at the close
of the year was 18,434. There were 13,300,-
735 money orders issued from these offices,
being an increase over the preceding year
of 1,240,293, and the value of these orders
amounted to $127,576,433.65, an increase of
$7,509,632.58. There were also issued during
the year postal notes amounting to $12,-
903,076.73.
During the year 195 international money-
order offices were added to those already
provided, making a total of 2,407 in opera-
tion on June 30, 1893. The number of in-
ternational money orders issued during the
year was 1,055,999, an increase over the
preceding year of 72,525, and their value
was $16,341,837.86, an increase of $1,221,
506.31. The number of orders paid was
800,917, an increase over the preceding
year of 13,5603, and their value was $5,283,
375.70, an increase of $94,094.83.
From the foregoing statements it appears
that the total issue of money orders and
postal notes for the year amounted to
$156,821,3 48.24.
The number of letters and packages
mailed during the year for special delivery
was 3,375,693, an increase over the preced-
ing year of nearly 22 per cent. The spec-
ial-delivery stamps used upon these let-
ters and packages amounted to $337,569.30,
and the messengers’ fees paid for their de-
livery amounted to $256,592.71, leaving a
profit to the Government of $80,976.59.
The Railway. Mail Service not only adds
to the promptness of mail delivery at all
offices, but it is the especial instrumental-
ity which puts the smaller and way places
in the service on an equality in that re-
gard with the larger and terminal offices.
This branch of the postal service has there-
fore received much attention from the
Postmaster-General, and though it is grat-
ifying to know that it is in a condition of
Office establishment 28,324 employes who
are in the classified service. The head of
this great Department gives conclusive evi-
dence of the value of civil service reform
when, after an experience that renders
his judgment on the subject absolutely re-
liable, he expresses the opinion that with-
out the benefit of this system it would be
impossible to conduct the vast business
intrusted to him.
I desire to commend as especially worthy
of prompt attention the suggestions of the
Pcstmaster-General relating to a more
sensible and business-like organization and
a better distribution of responsibility in his
Department.
The Navy.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
contains a history of the operations of his
Department during the past year, and ex-
hibits a most gratifying condition of the
personnel of our Navy. He presents a satis-
factory account of the progress which has
been made in the construction of vessels,
and makes a number of recommendations
to which attention is especially invited.
During the past six months the demands
for cruising vessels have been many and
urgent. There have been revolutions calling
for vessels to protect American interests
in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Hon-
duras, Argentina, and Brazil, while the con-
dition of affairs in Honolulu has required
the constant presence of one or more ships.
With all these calls upon our Navy, it be-
came necessary, in order to make up a
sufficient fleet to patrol the Behring Sea
under the modus vivendi agreed upon with
Great Britain, to detail to that service one
vessel from the Fish Commission and three
from the Revenue Marine.
Progress in the construction of new ves-
sels has not been as rapid as was antici-
pated. There have been delays in the com-
pletion of unarmored vessels, but for the
most part they have been such as are con-
stantly occurring even in countries having
the largest experience in naval ship-build-
ing. The most serious delays, however,
have been in the work upon armored ships.
The trouble has been the failure of con-
tractors to deliver armor as agreed. The
difficulties seem now, however, to have been
all overcome, and armor is being delivered
with satisfactory promptness. As a result
of the experience acquired by ship builders
and designers and material men, it is be-
lieved that the dates when vessels will be
completed can now be estimated with rea-
sonable accuracy. Great guns, rapid-fire
guns, torpedoes, and powder are being
promptly supplied.
New Ships.
The following vessels of the new Navy
have been completed and are now ready for
service:
The double-turreted coast-defense monitor
Miantonomoh, the double-turreted coast-
defense monitor Monterey, the armored
cruiser New York, the protected cruisers
Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark,
San Francisco, Charleston, Atlanta, and
Boston, the cruiser Detroit, the gunboats
Yorktown, Concord, Bennington, Machias,
Castine, and Petre: the dispatch vessel Dol-
phin, the practice vessel Bancroft, and the
dynamite gunboat Vesuvius. Of the<e the
Bancroft, Machias, Detroit, and Castine
have been placed in commission during the
current calendar year.
The following vessels are in process of
construction: The second-class battle ships
Maine and Texas, the cruisérs Montgomery
and Marblehead, and the coast-defense
monitors Terror, Puritan, Amphitrite, and
Monadnock, all of which will be completed
with in one year; the harbor-defense ram
Katahdin and the protected cruisers Co-
lumbia, Minneapolis, Olympia, Cincinnati,
and Raleigh, all of which will be com-
pleted prior to July 1, 1895; the first-class
battle ships Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts,
and Oregon, which will be completed Feb-
ruary 1, 1806, and the armored cruiser
Brooklyn, which will be completed by
August 1 of that year. It is also expect-
ed that the three gunboats authorized by
the last Congress will be completed in less
than two years.
Since 1888 Congress has at each session
authorized the building of one or more
vessels, and the Secretary of the avy pre-