ssiss SUsE P"7-IW.F3W?!' !". "aqtt-tf Sl' "SPRWS .VVi5 Tt I. 10 THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 2, 1890. ??? IWR.' t orders then and afterward prevailing in Havti, the terms of payments were not ob served. A new agreement as to the time of payment has been approved and is now in lorce. Other just claims of citizens of the United States lor redress of wrongs suffered during the late political conflict in Havti will, it i- hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment. Propositions for the amendment of the treaty of extradition between the United St-itesand Italy are now under consideration. Yuu will be asked to provide the means of accepting the invitation of the Italian Gov ernment to take part in an approaching con ference to consider the adoption ol a uni versal prime meridian from which to reckon longitude and time. As this proposal follows in the track of the relorni sought to be in itiated by the meridian conference of Wash ington, held on the invitation of this Government, the United States should man liest a friendly interest in the Italian pro posal. Authority to Accept Im itations. la this connection I may refer with ap proval to the suggestion ot my predecessors, that standing provision be made lor accept ing, whenever deemed advisable, the fre quent invitations of foreign governments to share in conferences looking to advance ment of international reforms in regard to science, sanitation, commercial laws and procedure and other matters affecting the intercourse and progress ot modern com munities. In the summer of 1SS9 an incident oc curred which lor some time threatened to interrupt the cordiality of our relations nith the Government of Portugal. That Government seized the Delagoa Bay Itail way. which was constructed under a con cession granted to an American citizen, and nt the same time annulled the charter. The concessionary, who had embarked his fortune in the enterprise, having exhausted other means of redress, was compelled to in voke the protection ol his Government. A Depute 'With Portugal Settled. Our representation, made coincidently with those of the British Government, whose subjects were also largely interested, happily! the propriety of submitting the claim for indemnity growing out of its action, to ar bitration. This plan of settlement having been agreed upon the interested powers readily concurred in the proposal to submit the case to the judgement or three eminent jurists, to be designated by the President ol the Swiss Republic, who, upon the joint in vitation oi the goernmeuts of the United States, Great Britain and Portugal, has selected persons well qualified for the task before them. Tne revision of our treaty relations with the enipne of Japan has continued to be the subject of consideration and of corres pondence. The questions involved are both grave and delicate; and, while it will be my duty to see that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese Government and maintain the present and lone existing friendly relations between Japan and the United States, will be effected. The Friendship "With Mexico. The friendship between our country and Mexico, born of close neighborhood and strengthened bv many considerations of in timate intercourse and reciprocal interest, lias never been more conspicuous than now, nor more hopeful of increased benefit to both nations. The intercourse of the two countries by rail, already great, is making constant growth. The established lines, and those recently projected, add to the intimacy of traffic and open new channels of access to fresh areas of demand and supply. Theim nortance of theMcxican rail war system will be lurther enhanced to a decree almost im possible to forecast. I it should become a link in the projected mter-contineutal rail w iv, I recommend that our mission In the City of Mexico be raised to the first class. The ciraial character of our relations with Spain warrants the hope that by the continuance of methods of iriendly "nego tiation much may be accomplished in the direction of an adjustment of pending ques tions and ol the increase of our trade. The extent and development of our trade with the Island of Cuba invests the commercial rela tions of the United States and Spain with a peculiar importance. It is not doubted that u special airangement in regard to com merce, based upon the reciprocity provision of the recent tariff act, would operate most beneficially for both Governments. This subject is now receiving attention. A Great Inventor Honored. The restoration of the remains or John Ericsson to Sweden afforded a gratifying occasion to honor the memory of the great inventor, to whose genius our country oives co much, and to bear witness to the unbroken friendship which has exit-d brtween the laud which bore him and our own, which drained him as a citizen. On the 2d ot September last the commis siou appointed to revise the proceedings of the commission under the claims conten tion between the United States and Ven ezuela ol 1866, brought its labors to a close witnin the period fixed for that purpose. The proceedings uf the late commission were characterized by a spirit of impartial ity and a high sense of justice, and an in cident which was for many years the sub ject of discussion between the two Govern ments has been disposed of in a manner alike honorable and satisfactory to both parties. For the settlement of the claim of tne Venezuela Steam Transportation Com pany, which was the subject of a joint reso lution adopted at the last session of Con gress, negotiations are still in progress and their early conclusion is anticipated. Importance of the Consular Service. The legislation of the past few years hat evinced on the part of Congress a growing realization o the importance of the consu lar service in fostering our commercial rela tions abroad and in protecting the domestic revenues. As the scope ot operations ex pands, increased provision must be made toLcep up the essential standard of effici ency. The necessity of some adequate meas ure of supervision and inspection has been so often presented that I need only com mend the subject to your attention. FINANCIAL AFFAIRS. THE GOVERNMENrS RECEIPTS AND EX PENDITURES. Operations or tho SiHer Lair Kerlewed and a linger Trial of the Measure Ad vocated Result of the Bill Passed to Prevent Smuggling. Tna revenues of the Government from all sources for the fiscal year ending June SO, lMW, were $463,9G3,0b0 53 and the total expenditures for the same period were S35S,618,5S4 .52. The postal receipts have not beretoioie been included in the state ment of these aggregates and for the purpose of comparison the sum of 560,882,097 92 should be deducted from both sides of the account. The surplus for the year including the amount applied to the sinking fund was 103,344 49G 03. The receipts for 1890 were SKS.030.023 79 and the expenditure", $15,739,871 in exoess of those of 1889. The customs receipts increased 3.833,842 88 and the receipts irom internal revenue 11,725,-! 391 89 while, on the side of expeditures, tuat for pensions was 19,312,075 96 in ex cess oi the preceding year. The Treasury statement for the current fiscal year partly actual and partly esti mated, is as follows: Beceipts from all sources, 406.000,000; total expenditures, 334,000,000, leaving a surplus oi 32,000, (190 not taking the postal receipts into ac count en either side. The loss of revenue from customs for the last quarter is esti mated at 25,000,000, but from this is de ducted a gam ot about 16,000,000, realized durmg the first four months of the jear. Estimates for tho "ext Year. For ti.e ve-ir 1892 the total estimated re ceipts are 373.000.000 und the estimatid ex penditure! 357,852.209 42. leaving an esti mated surplus of 15,147.790 58, which, with a cash balance o: $52,000,000 t the begin ning of the year, will give 67,147,790 58 as the sum available for the redemption ofout st anding bonds or other uses. The estimate! ot receipts and expenditures for the Pott- office Department, being equal, are not in cluded in this statement on either side. The act "directing the purchase ot silver bullion and the issue of treasury notes thereon," approved -July 14, 1830, his been administered by the Secretary of the Treas ury with an earnest purpose to get into cir culation at the earliest possible dates the full monthly amounts of treasury notes contemplated by its provisions and at the same time to zive to the market for 'silver bullion such support as the law contem plates. The recent depreciation in the price of silver has been observed with regret. The Besult of Speculation. The rapid rise in price which anticipated and followed the passage of the act was in fluenced in some degree by speculation, and the recent reaction is in part the result of the same cause and in partoftherecent monetary disturbances. Some months of further trial will be necessary to determine the perma nent effect of the recent legislation upon silver values, but it is gratifying to know that the increased circulations secured by the act exerted will continue to exert a most beneficial influence upon business aud upon general value". While it has not been thought best to fol low the suggestion of an international con ference looking to an agreement touching the lull use of silver lor coinage at a uni form ratio care has been taken to observe closely any change in the situation abroad, and no favorable opportunity will be lost to promote a result which it is confidently be lieved would confer very large benefits upon the commerce of the world. A Warning Against Impulsive legislation. The recent monetary disturbances in Eng land are not unlikely to sucgest a re-exaui-ination of opinions upon this subject Our very large supply of gold will, if not lost by impulsive legislation in supposed inter est of silver, give us a position of advantage in promotiug a permanent and safe inter national agreement for the free use of silver as a coin metal. The efforts ol the Secretary to increase the volume oi mon;y in circulation by keeping down the Treasury surplus to the lowest practicable limits have been unremitting and in a very hicb degree successful. The tables presented by him, showing the in crease of money in circulatiou during the last two decades, and especially the table showing the increase during the 19 months he has administered the affairs of the depart ment, are interesting and instructive. The increase of money in circulation dur ing the 19 months has been in the aggregate 93,866,813, or about 1 50 per capita, and tf this increase only 7,100.000 was due to the recent silver legislation. That this sub stantial and needed aid given to commerce resulted in an enormous reduction of the public debt aud of the annual interesicharge is matter of increased satisfaction. There have been purchased and redeemed since March 4, 18S9, 4 and 4 percent bonds to the amount ot 211,832,450, at a cost of 246, 620,741, resulting in the reduction of the an nual interest charge of 8,967,609. and a to tal saving of interest of 51,576,706 Increase of Internal Revenue. I notice with great pleasure the statement of the Secretary that the receints irom in ternal revenue have increased during the last fiscal year nearly 12,000,000 and that the cost of collecting this larger revenue was less by 90,617 than for the tame pur pose in the preceding year. The percentage of collection of the customs revenue was less for the last fiscal year than ever be'ore. The Customs Administration Board pro vided for bv tlie act of June 10, 1890, was selected with great care, and is composed, in part, of men whose previous experience in the administration of the old customs regu lations bad made them familiar with the evils to be remedied, and, in part, of men whose legal and judicial acquirements and experience seemed to fit them for the work of interpreting and applying the new statute. The chief aim of the law is to secure houest valuations of all dutiable merchandise, and to make these valuations uniform at all our ports of entry. It has been made manifest by a congres sional investigation that a system of under valuation has been long in use by certain classes of importers, resulting not only in a great loss of revenue, but in a most intoler able discrimination azainst honesty. It is not seen how this legislation, when it is un derstood, can be regarded by the citizens of any country having commercial dealings with as as unfriendly. If any duty is sup posed to be excessive let the complaint be lodged there. It will surely not be claimed by any well disposed people that a remedy may be sought and allowed in a system of quasi-smuggling. THE WAR DEPARTMENT. QUITE A NUMBER OF GRATIFYING SULTS ATTAINED. RE- A Noticeable Decrease in the List of Deser tions The Necessity for Coast Defenses The Militia Should Continue to be Bncouraged. The report of the Secretary of War ex hibits several gratifying results attained during the year by wise and unostentatious methods. The percentage of desertions from the army (an evil for which both Con gress and the department "have long been seeking a remedy) has been reduced daring the past year 24 per cent, and for the months of August and September, dnring which time the favorable effects of the act of June 16 were felt, 33 per pent as com pared with the same months ot 18S9. The results attained by a reorganization and consolidation of the divisons having charge of the hospital and service records of the volunteer soldiers are very remarkable. This change was effected in July, 1889, and at that time there were 40,654 cases awaiting attention, more than rnlf o! these beingcalls from tne Pension Office for information necessary lor the adjudication ot pension claims. On the 30th dav of June last, though over 300,000 new calls had come in, there was not a siugle case that had not been examined and answered. I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary that adequate and regular appro priationbbc continued forcoast delense works and ordnance. Plans have been practically agreed upon and there can be no good reason for delaying the execution ot them while the defenseless state ot our great seaports fur nishes an urgent reason for wise expedition. The encouragement that has been extended to the militia of States, generally most appro priately designated the "National Guard," should bP continued and enlarged. These military organizations constitute io a large sense the army of the United States while asout five-sixths of the annual cost of their maintenance n defrayed by the States. THE LEGAURECORD. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ATTORNEY GEN ERAL'S OFFICE. Special Attention Glten to Violation tof the Election law s Improi emcuts in the Naturalization Statutes Suggested Fool-Selling in the District of Columbia. The report of the Attorney General is under the law submitted directly to Con gress, but as the Department of Justice is one of the Executive Departments some reference to work done is appropriate here. A vigorous and, in the main, an effective effort has been made to bring to trial and punishment all violators of the law; but, at the same time, care has been taken that frivolous and technical offenses should not be used to swell the fees of officers or to harass well disposed citizens. Especial attention is called to facts con nected with the prosecution of violations of the election laws, and of offenses against United States officers. The number of con victions secured, very many of them upon picas of guilty, ill it is hoped, have a salutary restraining influence. Government Officers Assaulted. There have been several case where Post masters appointed by me have been sub jected to violent interference jo. the. dis charge of their official duties and to perse- cutions and personal violence of the most extreme character. Some -of these .cases have been deait with through the Depart ment of Justice", and in some cases thejost offices have been abolished or suspended. I have directed the Postmaster General to pursue this course in all cases where other efforts failed to secure for any Postmaster, not himself in fault, an opportunity peace fully to exercise the duties of his office. But such action will not supplant theef forts of the Department of Justice to bring the particular offenders to punishment. The vacation by judicial decrees of fraddulent certificates of naturalization upon bills in equity filed by the Attorney General in the Circuit Court or the United States is a new application of a lamiliar equity jurisdiction. Nearly 100 such de crees have been taken during the year, the evidence disclosing thit a 'Very large num ber of fraudulent certificates of naturaliza tion have been issued. Inquiring Into Naturalization. And in this connection 1 beg to renew my recommendation that laws be so amended as to require a more full and searching inquiry into ull the facts necessary to naturalization before any certificates are granted. It cer tainly is not too much to require that an ap plication lor American citizenship shall be heard with as much care and recorded with as much formality as are given to cases in volving the pettiest property right. At the last session I returned, without my approval, a bill entitled "An act toprohibit bookmakingnnd pool selling in the' District of Columbia," and stated my objection to be that it did not prohibit, but in a sense it purported to prohibit. An effort will be made under existing laws to suppress this evil, though it is not certain that it will be found adequate. PRAISE FOR WANAMAKER. ECONOMY AND BETTER MAIL FACILI TIES AT ONCE. The Operations of the New lottery Law Already the End lias Been in a Large Measure Abated Greater Accuracy and Dispatcli. The report of the 'Postmaster General shows the most gratifying progress in the important work committed to ills charge. The business methods have been greatly im proved. A large economy in expenditures and an incraese of 4,750.000 iu receipts have been realized. The deficiency this year is 5,786,300 as against 6,350,183 last year, notwithstanding the great enlarge ment of the service. Mail routes have been extended nod quickened, und greater accuracy and dis patch in distribution and delivery have been attiined. The report will be found to be full of interest and suggestion, not only to Congress, but to those thoughtful citizens who may be interested to know what busi ness methods can do for that department of public administration which most nearly touches all our people. . The passage of the act to amend certain sections of the revised statutes referring to lotteries, adopted November 14, 1889, have been received with great and deserved pop ular favor. The Postoffice Department and the Department of Justice at once entered upon the enforcement of the law with sym pathetic vigor, and already the public mails have been largely freed from the fraudulent and demoralizing appeals and literature emanating from the lottery companies. GE0WTH OF THE HEW NAVY. Favorable Consideration Asked for the Recommendations of the Secretary. The construction aud equipment of- the new ships for the navy have made very sat isfactory progress. Since March 4, 18S9, nine new vessels have been put in commis sion, aud during this winter four more, in cluding one monitor, will be added. The construction of the other vessels; authorized is being pushed both iu the Government and private yards with energy and watched with the most scrupulous care. The experiments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting. power of armor plates have been so valuable as to at tract great attention in Europe. The only part of the work upon the new ships that is threatened by unusual delay is the armor plating, and every effort is being made to reduce that to the minimum. It is a source of congratulation that the anticipated influ ence ol these modern vessels upon the esprit de corps of the officers and seamen has been fully realized. Confidence and pride in the ship among the crew are equivalent to a secondary battery. Your favorable consid eration is invited to recommendations of the Secretary. PENSI0NPR0BLEMS. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY REQUIRED BY THE NEW LAWS. General Work Accomplished by the Interior Department Tho Disposition of the Public Lands The Mormons In Utah "Will Bear Watching Civil Service. The report of the Secretary of the Interior exhibits with great fullness and clearness the vast work of that great department and the satisfactory results attained. The sug gestions made by him are earnestly com mended to the consideration of Congress, though they cannot all be given patticular mention here. . The several acts of Congress looking to the reduction of the larger Indian reservations, to the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon individual allotments, and the restora tion to the public domain of lands in excess ot their needs, have been laTgcly carried into effect, so far as the work was confined to the Executive. Agreements have, been concluded since March 4. 1889, involving the cession to the United States of about 14, 726,000 acres ol land. Suggestions for Congress. These contracts have, as required by law, been submitted to Congress lor ratification and for the appropriations neeessiry to carry them into effect. Those with the Sisseton aud Wahpeton, Sac and Fox, Iowa, Potta wattomies and Absentee Sbawncss andCceur d'Alene tribes have not yet received the sanction ot Congress. Attention is also called to the fact that the appropriations made in the case of the Sioux Indians have not covered all the stipulated payments. This should be promptly corrected. Ifian agreement is confirmed, all of its terms should be complied with without delay, and full appropriations should be made. The policy outlined iu my last annual message in relation to the patenting of lands to settlers upon the public domain has been carried out in the administration of the Land Office. No general suspicion or im putation of fraud has been allowed to delay the hearing of the adjudicatiouoi individual cases upon ilieir merits. The purpose has been to perfect the title of honest settlers with such promptness that value ol the entry might not be allowed by the expense and extortions to which delay subjected the claimant. The average monthly issue of agricultural patents has been increased about 6,000. The New Pension Statute. The disability pension, act which was ap proved on the 27th of June last, has been put into operation as rapidly as was practi cable. The increased clerical force provided was selected and assigned to work t and a considerable part of the lorce engaged in examinations in field -was recalled and added to the working lorce of the office. The examination and adjudication of claims have, by reason of improved methods, been more rapid than erez belore. There is no economy to Government-in-delay, while there is much hardship-and-injustice tov sol diers. V """ The anticipated expenditure,' while very large, will not, it is believed, be in excess uf the estimates made before enactment of law. This liberal enlargement of 'the general law should suggest a more carelul scrutiny pf bills for special relief, both as to the cases where relief is granted and as to the amount allowed. -. The increasing numbers'arjd: 'influence of the non-Mormon popuTaffoh'ih'TJtih are ob 'terred with satisfaction'," TJie recent letter of Wilford Woodruff, President'of tho Mor mon church, in whioh he advised his people "to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws of the land," has at tracted wide attention, and it is hoped that its influence will be highly beneficial in re straining infractions of the laws of the United State. Most Keep an Eye on Them. Bnt the fact should not be overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the church that polygamous marriages are rightful and sup ported by divine revelation remains un changed. President Woodruff does not re nounce the doctrine, but refrains irom teaching it, and advises against the practice of it because the law is against it. Now, it is quite true that the law should not attempt to deal with the faith or belief of any one; but it is quite another thing, and the only sate thine, so to deal with the territory of Utah as that those who believe polygamy to be rightful shall not have the power to make it lawful. The admission of the States of Wyoming and Idaho to the Union are events full of in terest and congratulation not only to the people of those States nowliappily endowed with a full participation in our privileges aud responsibilities, but to all our people. Another belt ot States stretches from the At lantic to the Pacific The work of the. latent Office has won from all sources ycrr high commendation. Th? amount accomplished has been largely increased, and all the results have been such as to secure confidence and consideration lor the suggestions of the commissioner. Timo for a New Apportionment. The enumeration of the people of the United States under the provisions of act of March 1. 1890. has been completed, and the result will beat onceolliciallv communicated -I to Congress. The completion ot this decen nial enumeration devolves upon Congress the duty of making a new apportionment of representatives "among the several Stales according to their respective numbers." At the last session I had occasion to return with my objections several bills making provisions lor the erection of public build ings, for the reasou that expenditures con templated were, in my opinion, greatly in excess of any public need. No class of leg islation is more liable to abuse, or to degen erate into an unseemly scramble about the public treasury, tban this. There should be exercised ill tnis matter a wise economy, based upon some responsible and impartial examination and report as to each case un der a general liw. Condition of the Farmers. The report of the Secretary of Agricul ture deserves especial attention, in view of the fact that the year has been marked in a very unusnal degree by agitation and organ ization among the farmers looking to an in crease in the profits of their business. It will be found that the efforts of the depart ment have been intelligently and zealously devoted to the promotion of the interests intrusted to its care. A very substantial improvement in the market prices of the leading farm products during the year is noticed. The price of wheat advanced from 81 cents in October, 1889, to 1 00 in October, 1890; corn from 31 cents to 50J cents; oats from lfJJ.4 cents to 43 cents, and barley from 65 cents to 78 cents. Meats showed a substantial, but not so large, an increase. The export trade in live animals and fowls shows a very large increase; the total for the year ending June 30, 1890, was 33.000,O0O,"and the increase over the preceding year was over 15,000.000. Nearly 200,000 more cattle and over 45,000 more hogs were exported than in the pre ceding year. The Increase of Exports. The export trade in beef and pork products and in dairy products was very largely in creased, the increase in the article of butter alone being from 15,50-1,978 pounds to 29, 748,042 pounds, and the total increasejin the value of meal and dairy products exported being 34,000,000. This trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it is believed, will be yet further and very largely increased when the system of inspection and sanitary super vision now provided by law is brought lully into operation. The efforts of the Secretary to establish the healtblulness ot our meats against tha, disparaging imputations that have been put upon them abroad have resulted in sub stantial progress. "Veterinary surgeons sent out by the department are now allowed to participate in inspection of the live cattle irom this country landed on English docks, and during the several months they have been on duty no case ol contagions pleuro pneumonia has been reported. This inspec tion abroad and the domestic inspection of live inimals and pork products, provided for bv the act of August 30, 1890, will afford as perfect a guaranty for the whole someness of our meats offered for foreign consumption as is anywhere giveu to any food product, and its non-acceptance will quite clearly reveal the real motive of any continued restriction of their use, and that having been made clear, the duty of the Ex ecutive will be very plain. The Beet Sugar Industry. The information given by the Secretary of the progress and prospects ol the beet sugar industry is full of interest. It has already passed the experimental stage, and is a com mercial success. Tho area over which the sugar beet can be successfully cultivated is very large, and another field crop of great value is offered to the choice of the farmer. The Secretary of the Treasury concurs in the recommendation of the Secretary of Ag riculture that the official supervision pro vided by the tarifflaw lor sugar of domestic production shall be transferred to the De partment of Agriculture. The law relating to the civil service has, so far as I can learn, been executed by those having the power of appointment in the classified service with fidelity and impar tiality, and the service has been increasingly satisfactory. The report of the commission shows a large amount of good work done during the year with a very limited appro priation. THE WORK OF CONGRESS CERTAIN TO HELP THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTRY. The Volume of General Trade Bias Been Very Satisfactory The Recent Disturb ances Aro Attributed Entirely to Influ ences From Abroad. I congratulate the Congress and country upon the passage at the first session of the Fiity-first Congress of an unusual number of lawsof very high importance. That the results of this legislation will be the quickenlngr and enlargement of our manufacturing in dustries, larger, and better markets for our breadstuffs and provisions both at home and abroad, more constanf employment and bet ter wages for our working people and an in" creased supply of a safe currency for the transaction of business I do not doubit Some of these measures were enacted at so late a period that the beneficial effects upon commerce winch were in the contemplation of Congress have as yet but partially mani fested themselves. The general trade and industrial condi tions throughout the country jluriug the year have shown a marked imnrovement. For many years prior to 1888 the mer chandise balances ot foreign trade had been largely in our favor, but during that vear and the year lollowiug they turned against us. It is very gratifying to know that' the last fiscal year again shows a balance in our favor of over 68,000,000. The bank clear ings, which lurnish a good lest of volume of business transacted, for the first ten months of the year 1890 show, as compared with the aime months of 1889, an increase lor the whole country of about 8.4 per cent, while the increase outside of the city of New York was over 13 per cent. Increase of Bank Clearings. , During the month of October, the clear ings of the whole country showed an in crease of 3.1 percent over October, 1889, while outside of New York the increase was 11J per cent. These figures show that the increaseln the volume of business was verv general through the country, That thfs larger business was being conducted upon a cafe and profitable basis is shown bv the fact that there were 300 fewer fail 'ures reported in October, 1890, than in the same month of the preceding year, with liabilities diminished by abont 5,000,000. The value of our exports of domestic mer chandise during the last year was over 115,000,000 greater than the preceding year, and was only exceeded once in our history. About 100,000,000 of this excess was in ag ricultural products. The production of pig iron always a good gauge of general pros perity is shown by a recent census bulletin to have been 153 per cent greater in 1890 than in 1880, aud the production of steel 290 per cent greater. Mining in coal has had no limitation ex cept that resulting from deficient transporta tion. The general testimony is that labor is everywhere lully employed, and the re ports for last year show a smaller number of employes affected bv strikes and lockouts than in any year since 1834. The depression in the prices of agricultural products has been greatly relieved, and abundant and hopeful tone was beginning to be felt by all our people. The Recent Crisis. These promising influences have been in some degree checked by the surprising and very unfavorable monetary events which have recently taken place in England. It is gratifying to know that these did not grow in any degree out of- financial relations of London with our peo ple, or out ot any discredit at tached to our securities held in that market. The return of our bonds and stocks was caused by a money stringency iu England, not by any loss of value or credit in the securities themselves. We could not, however, wholly escape the ill effects of a Joreign monetary agitation, accompanied by such extraordinary inci dents as characterized this. It is not be lieved, however, that these evil incidents which have for the time uutnvorably affected values iu this country, can long withstand the strong, safe and wholesome influences which are operating to give to our people profitable returns in all branches of legiti mate trade and industry. A TEST OFJHE TARIFF DEMANDED BEFORE THE SYSTEM IS AGAIN DISTURBED. A Slap at the Foreigners for Their Criti cism of the McKinley Measure Recip rocity Referred to, bnt Not Favored in Very Strong Terms. The apprehension that our tariff may again and at once be subjected to important general changes would undoubtedly add a depressing influence of the most serious character. The general tariff act has only partially gone into operation, some of its important provisions being limited to take effect at dates yet in the future. The gen eral provisions of the law have been in force less than 60 days. Its permanent effects upon trade and prices still largely stand iu conjecture. It is curious to note that the advance in the prices of articles wholly un affected by the tariff act was by many hastily ascribed to that act. Notice was not taken of the fact that the general tendency of the markets was upward from influences wholly apart from the recent tariff legislation. Got the Measures Mixed. The enlargement of our currency by the silver bill undoubtedly gave an upward ten dency to trade and had a marked effect on prices, but this natural and desired effect of the silver legislation was by many errone ously attributed to the tariff act. There is neither wisdom nor justice in the suggestion that the subject of tariff revision shall be opened before this law has had a fair trial. It is quite true that every tariff schedule is subject to objections. No bill was ever framed, I suppose, that in all of its rates and classifications had the lull ap proval even of a party caucus. Such legislation isalways and necessarily the product of compromise as to details, aud the present law is no exception. But in its general scope and effect I think it will jus tify the support of those who believe that American legislation should conserve and dclend American tra(Je and the wages of American workmen. Vrtii4Anrn All '1'lint la X" ii0ftii. '! The misinlorraation as tb the terms of the act, which has been so widely disseminated at home and abroad, will be corrected by ex perience, and the evil auguries as to its re sults confounded by the market reports, the savings banks international trade balances, and the general prosperity of our people. Already we begin to hear irom abroad and Irom our custom houses that the prohibitory effect upon importations imputed to the act is not justified. Tne imports at the port of New York for the first three weeks of November were nearly 8 per cent greater than for the same period iu 1889, and 29 per cent greater than for the same period of 1888. And so far from being an act to limit exports, I con fidently believe thatunder it we shall secure a larger and more profitable participation in foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed, and that we shall recover a proportionate participation in the occau carrying trade of the world. Rejection of Foreign Criticism. The criticisms of the bill that have come to us from loreigu sources may well be re jected for repugnancy. If these critics really believe that the adoption by us of a free trade policy, or of tariff rates having reference solely to revenue, would diminish the participation of their own countries in the commerce of the world, their advocacy and promotion of speech and other forms of organized effect of this movement of our people is a rare exhibition of unselfishness in trade. And, on the other band, if they sincerely believe that the adoption ot a protective tariff policy by this country inures to their profit aud our liuit, it is noticeably strange that they should lead the outcry against the authors of a policy so hclplul to their coun trymen, and crown with their favor those who would snatch from them a substantial share of trade with other lands already in adequate to their necessities. There is no disposition among any of our people to promote prohibitory or retaliatory legislation. Our policies are adopted not to the hurt of others, but to secure for ourselves these advantages that lairly grow out of our favored position as a nation. Our form of government, with its incident of universal aufivage, makes it imperative that we shall sac our working people from the agitations aud distresses which scant work aud wages that have no margin for comfort always be get. But after all this is done it will be luund that our markets are open to Iriendly commercial exchanges of enormous value to the other great uowers. Development of larger Markets. From the time ot my induction into office the duty of using every power and influence given by law to the Executive Department lor the development of larger markets for our products, especially our farm products, has been kept constantly iu mind, and no effort has been or .will be spared to promote that end. We are under no disadvantage in any foreign market except that we pay our workmen and workwomen better wages than arc paid elsewhere better abstractly and better relatively to the cost of the necessaries of life. I do not doubt that a very largely increased foreign trade is accessible to us without bartenugforeither ourhome market for such products of the farm and shop us our own people can supply or the wages of our working people. t In niauy ol the products of wood and Iron, and iu meats and breadstuffs, we have ad vantages that only need better facilities ot intercourse and transportation to secure for them largo foreign market'. The reciprocity clause of the tariff acts wisely aud effectively opens the way to secure a large reciprocal trade inxchange for the free admission to our ports of certain products. As to Reciprocal Relations. The right of indepent nations to make special reciprocal trade concessions is well established, and does not impair either the comity due to otber powers or what is known as the' "lavored nation clause," so generally found in commercial treaties. Whatis given to one for an adequate agreed consideration cannot be claimed by another freely. The state of the revenues was such that we could dispense with any import duties upon coffee, tea, hides and the lower grades of sugar and molasses. That the large ad vantage resulting tb the countries producing and exporting these articles by placing them on the free list entitled us to expect a fair return in the way of customs con cessions upon articles exported by us to them was so obvious that to have gratui tously abandoned this opportunity to en large our trade would have been all unpar donable error. There were but two methods of maintaining control of this question open to Congress: To place all of these articles upon the dutiable list subject to such treaty agree ments as could be secured, or to place them all presently upon the tree list, but subject to the reimposition of specified duties if the countries irom which we received them should refuse to give us suitable reciprocal benefits. Advantages of This System. The latter method, I think, possesses great advantages. It expresses in advance the consent of Congress to reciprocity arrange ments affecting these products, which must otherwise have been delayed and unascer tained until each treaty was ratified bj the Senate and the necessary legislation enacted by Congress. Experience has shown that some treaties looking to reciprocal trade have failed to secure a two-thirds vote in the Senate for ratification, and others hav ing passed that stage have for years awaited the concurrence of the House and Senate in such modiucations of our revenue laws as were necessary to give effect to their pro visions. We now have the concurrence of both Houses in advance in a distinct and definite offer of free entry to our ports of specific ar ticles. Theexecutive is not required to deal iu conjecture as to what Congress will ac cept. Indeed, this reciprocity provision is more tban an offer. One Bud of tho Bargain Fixed. Our part of the bargain is complete; de livery has been made; and when the conn tries irom which we receive sugar, coffee, tea and hides have placed on their free lists such of our products as shall be agreed upon, as an equivalent for our concession, a proclamation of that fact completes the transaction; and in the meantime our own people have free sugar, tea, coffee and hides. The indications thus far given are very hopeful of early and favorable action by the countries irom which we receive our large imports of coffee and sugar, and it is con fidently believed that if steam communi catioj with these countries can be promptly improved and enlarged the next year will show a most gratifying increase in our ex ports of breadstuff and provisions, as well as of some Important lines of manufactured goods. SOME SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE WORK NEEDED ATTHE SHORT SESSION. The Statesmen Will Have to Hustle to Ac complish All Before Them An Appor tionment Law Said to be Necessary Itepetltlon of Former Recommendations. Iu addition to the important bills that be came laws before adjournment of last ses sion, some other bills of the highest import ance were well advanced toward a final vote, and now stand upon the calendars of the two Houses in favored positions. The pres ent session has a fixed limit, and if the meas ures are not now brought to final vote, all the work that has been done upon them by this Congress is lost. The proper consideration of these of an apportionment bill and of the annual appro priation bills will require not only that no' working day of the session shall be lost, but that measures of minor and local interest shall not be allowed to interrupt or retard the progress of these that arc of universal interest. Iu view of these conditions I re frain from bringing before you at this time some suggestions that would otherwise be made, and most earnestly invoke your at tention to the duty of perfecting the im portant legislation now well advanced. To some of these measures which seem to me most important I now briefly call your at tention: - Stands by the Subsidies. " I desire to repeat with added nrcencv the recommendations contained in my last an nual message in relation to the development of-American steamship lines. The reciproc ity clause of the tariff bill will be largely limited and its benefits retarded and dimin ished if provision is not cotsmporaneously made to encourage the rstablishmentof first class steam communication between our ports and the ports of such nations as may meet our overtures lor enlarged commercial exchanges. The steamship, carrying the mails statedly and frequently and offering to passengers a comfortable, safe, and speedy transit, is the first condition of foreign trade. It car ries the order or the buver, but not all that is ordered or bought. It gives to the sail ing vessel such cargoes as are not urgent or perishable, and, indirectly at least, pro motes that important adjunct of commerce. There is now both in this conntry and iu the nations ol Central and South America a state of expectation and confidence as to in creased trade that will give a greatersignifi cance to your prompt action upon this ques tion. Fairly Action is Important. The present situation of our mail com munication with Australia illustrates the importance of early action by Congress. The Oceanic Steamship Company maintains a line of steamers between San Francisco, Sydney and Auckland, consisting of three vessels, two of which are of United States registry and one of foreign registry. For the service done by this line in carrying the mails we pay annually the sum of 46,000 being as estimated the full sea and United States inland postage, which is the limit hxed by law. The "colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand have been paying annually to these lines 37,000 for carrying the mails from Sydney and Auckland to San Fran cisco. The contract under which the pay ment has been made is now about to expire, aad these colonies have refused to renew the contract unless the United States shall pay a more quitable proportion of the whole sum necessary to maintain the service. One Tiling to be Eemedled. I am advised by the Postmaster General that United States receives Jbr carrying the Australian mails brought to San Fran cisco in these steamers by rail to Van couver, an estimated annual income 'of 75,000, while, as I have stated, we are pay ing out for the support of the steamship line that brings this mail to us, only 46,000, leaving an annual surplus resulting from this service of 29,000. The trade of the United States with Aus tralia, which is in a considerable part car ried by these steamers, and the whole of which is practically dependent upon the mail communication, they maintain is largely in our favor. Oar total exports of merchandise to Australasian ports during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, were 11,266,484, while the total imports of merchandise Irom these ports were only 4, 277,676. li we are not willing to see this important stearafhip line withdrawn or continued with Vancouver substituted lor San Francisco as the American Terminal, Congress should put it in the power of the Postmaster Gen eral to make a liberal increase in the amount now paid lor the transportation of this important mail. Another Necessary Feature. Tile South Atlantic and Gulf ports oc cupy a very favored position toward the new and important commerce which the reciprocity clause of the tariff act and the postal shipping bill are designed to promote. Steamship lines .from these ports to some northern port of South America, will almost certainly effect a connection between the railroad systems of the continents long be fore any continuous line of railroads can be put into operation. The very large appro priation made at last session for the harbor of Galveston was justifi-d, as it seemed to me, by these considerations. The great Northwest will feel the advan tage of trunk lines to the South as well as to the East and of the new markets opened for their surplus food products and for many of ttheir manufactured products. Z had occasion in May last to transmit to Congress a report, adopted by the Interna tional American Conference upon the sub ject o' the incorporation of an International American Bank, with a view to lacilitating money exchanges between States represented in that conference. Such an institution would greatly promote the trade we are seeking to develop. Some Caution Should be Used. I renew the recommendation that a carelnl and well-guarded charter be granted. I do Dot think the powers granted should include those ordinarily exercised by trust, euaranty and safe deposit companies, or that more branches in the United States should be au thorized than arettrictly necessary to accom plish the object primarily in view, namely, convenience to lorcign exchange. It is quite important that prompt action should be taken in this matter iu order that any appropriations lor better commnnica tiors with these countries and any agree ments that may be made lor reciprocal trade may not be hindered by the inconveni ence of making exchanges through Euro pean money centers, or burdened by the tribute, which is an incident of that method of business. The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court has, after many years of discussion, reached a position where final action is easi ly attainable and it is hoped that any differ ence: of opinion may be so harmonized as to savethcessenti.il features of this very im portant measure. In this connection I earn estly renew my recommendation that salar ies of the Judzcs o- United States Courts be so readjusted that none of them shall receive less than j,000 per annum. Land Grants in Dispute. The subject of unadjusted Spanish and Mexican land grants and the urgent necess ity for providing some commission or tri bunal fur the trial of questions of title growing out of the same were twice brought by me to the at tention of Congress at last session. Bills bave been reported from the proper commit tees in both Houses upon the subject aud I very earnestly hope that this Congress will put an end to delay which has attended the settlement of disputes as to the title between settlers and claimants under these grants. These disputes retard the prosperity and disturb the peace of large and important communities. The Governor of New Mex ico, in bis last report to the Secretary of the Interior, suggests some modifications of the provisions of the pending bills relating to small holdings of farm lands. I commend to yonr attention the suggestions of the Secretary of the Interior upon this subject. The enactment of a national bankrupt law I still regard as very desirable. The constitution having given to Congress juris diction of this subject it should be exercised and uniform rules provided for the admin istration of the affairs of insolvent debtors. The inconveniences resulting from oc casional and temporary exercise of this power by Congress, and from the conflicting State codes of insolvency which come into force should be removed by the enactment ot a simple, inexpensive und permanent national bankrupt law. An International Copyright Xaw. I also renew my recommendation in favor of legislation affording just copyright pro tection to foreign authors'on a footing of reciprocal advantages for our authors abroad. It may still be possible for this Congress to inaugurate, by suitable legislation, a movement looking to Uniformity and in creased safetv in the use cf couples and brakes upon freight trains engaged in inter State commerce. The chief difficulty in the way is to secure agreement as to the best appliances, simplicity, effectiveness and cost being considered. This difficulty will only yield to legislation which should be based upon full inquiry and impartial test. The purposp should be to secure the co operation of all well-disposed managers and owners, but the fearful fact that every year's deljy involves the sacrifice nf 2,000 lives and the maiming of 20,000 young men should plead both with Congress and man agers against any needless delay. The Qnestlon of Irrigation. The subject of the conservation and equal distribution of water supply of arid regions has had much atteutipn from Cougress but has not as yet been put upon a permanent and satisfactory basis. The Urgency of the subject does not grow out ot any large present demand for the use of these lands for agriculture, but out of the danger that the water supply and the sites for the necessary catch basins may fill into the hands of indi viduals or private corporations and be used to render subservient a large area dependent upon such supply; The owner of water is the ownir of lands, however the title may run. All unappropri ated natural water sources and all necessary reservoir sites should be held by the govern ment for the equal Use at fair rates of the homestead settlers who. will eventually take all these lauds. ,Iamits of Government. The United States should not, in my opinion, undertake the construction of dams or canals, but should limit its work to such surveys and observations as will determine water supply, both surface and subterran ean, the areas capable of irrigation and the use, location and storage capacity of reser voirs. This done, the use of waler and oi the reservoir sites might be granted to the respective States or Territories, or to indi viduals or associations upon the condition that the necessary works should be con structed and the water luruished at lair rates without discrimination, the rates to be subject to supervision by the Legislatures or by boards of water commissioners duly constituted. The essential thing to be secured is the common and equitable use at fair rates of the accumulated water supply. It were al most better that these lands should remain arid than that those who occupy them should become the slaves of unrestrained monopolies controlling the one essential of land values and crop results. Postal Telegraph Plan. The use of the telegraph by the Post office Department as a means for the rapid transmission of written com munications is, I believe, upon proper term;, quite desirable. The Govern ment docs not own or operate the railroads, and it should not, I think, own or operate the telegraph llnes. It does, however, seem to be quite practicable for the Goveru nicnt to contract with telegraph conpanies, as it does with railroad companies, to carry at specified rates such communications as the senders may designate for this method of transmission. I recommend that such legislation be en acted as will enable the Postoffice Depart ment fairly to test by experiment the ad vantages of such a use of the telegraph. FOR THEF0RCE BILL. HARBISON STANDS FIRMLY BY FORMER MESSAGE. HIS He Thinks a. Federal Election Law Is tho One Tiling Most Necessary A Defense of the Bight and Power of Congress In the Matter. If any intelligent and loyal company of American citizens were required to catalogue the essential human conditions of national life, I do not doubt that with absolute unanimity they would begin with "free and honest elections." And it is gratifying to know that generally there is a growing and non-partisan demand for better election laws. But against this sign of hope and progress mnst he set the depressing and undeniable fact that election laws and methods are sometimes cunningly contrived to secure minority control, while violence completes the shortcomings of fraud. In my last annual message I suggested that the de velopment of existing Jaw providing a Federal supervision of Congressional elections offered an effective method of reforming these abuses. The need of such a law has manifested itself in many puts of the country, and its wholesome restraints will be useful in all. The Law Would be Constitutional. The constitutionality of such legislation has been affirmedby the Supreme Uon't. IU probable effectiveness is evidenced by the cnaracter'of opposition that is made to it. It baa been denounced as li it were a new exerrise of Federal power and an invasion of the rights of States. " Nothing could be farther from the truth. Congress has already fixed times for elec tion of members of Congress. It has de clared that votes for members of Congress mustbs by written or printed ballot; it has provided for the appointment by Circuit Courts in certain ca6es and upon the peti tion ol certain number of citizens of elec tion supervisors, and made it their duty to supervise the registration of voters conduct ed by the State officers; to challenge persons offervnz to register, to personallyinsnectand scrutinize the registry lists and to affix their names to the list for the purnose of identifi cation and the prevention of frauds; to at tend at elections and remain with boxes till the votes are all cast and counted; to at tach to the registry lists and election returns any statement touching the accuracy and fairness of the registry and election, and to take and transmit to the Clerk ot the House of Eepresentativesany evidence of fraudu lent practices which may be presented to them. Marshals at the Polls. The same law provides lor the appoint ment of Deputy United Statps Marshals to attend at tne polls; support the super visors in the discharge o. their duties, and to arrest persons violating the election laws. The provisions of this lamiliar title of the revised statutes have been put into exercise by both the great political parties, aud in the North as well as in the South, by the filing with court of the petitions required by law. It is not, therefore, a question whether we shall a general election law, for we now have one and have had for nearlv 20 years, but whether we shall have an effective law. The present law stops just short of effectiveness, for it surrenders to the local authorities all control over the certification which established the prima, facie rignt to a seat In the House of Representatives. This defect should he cured. Equality of repre sentation and the parity of electors must be maintained or everything that is valuable in our system of Government 13 lost. Class Prejudices Not to Count. The qualifications of an elector mast be sought in law, not in the opinions, preju dices or fears of any class, however power ful. The path of the elector to the ballot box must be tree from the ambush 01" fear and the enticements of fraud; the count so true and open tnat none shall gainsay it. Such a law should be absolutely non-partisan and impartial. It should give the ad vantage to honesty and the control to majori ties. Surely there is nothing sectional about this creed, and if it shall happen that the penalties of laws intended to enforce these rights fall here and not there it is not because the law is sectional, but because hapnily crime is local and not universal. Nor should it be forgotten that every law, whether relating to elections or to any other subject, whether enacted by the State or by the nation, has force behind it; the courts, the marshal or constable, the posse comitatns and the prison are all always behind the law. Not Unfriendly to Any Section. One cannot be justly cbarced with un friendliness to any section or class who seeks only to restrain violations of law and of per sonal right. No community will find law lessness profitable. No community can af ford to have it kuown that the officers wdo are charged with the preservation of tha public peace and the restraint of criminal classes are themselves the product of fraud or violence. The magistrate is, then, without respect and the law without sanction. The floods of lawlessness cannot be leveed and made to run in one channel. The killing of a United States Marshal carrying a writ of arrest for an election offense is full of prompting and suggestion to men who are pursued by a City Marshal for a crime against life or property. But it is said that this legislation will re vive race animosities, and some have even suggested that when the peaceful methods of fraud are made impossible they may be sup planted by intimidation and violence. If the proposed law gives to any qualified elector bv a hair's weight more than his equal influence or detracts by so much from any other qualified elector it is fairly impeached. "But if the law is equal and the animosities it evokes grow out of tha fact some electors have been accustomed to exercise the franchise for others as well as tor themselves, then these animosities ought not to be confessed without shame and can not be given any weight in the discussion without dishonor. Laws to be Unforced 'With Vigor. No choice is lei t to me but to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure to the citi zen his constitutional rights and to r -commend that the inadequacies of such laws be piomptly remedied. It to promote with ze ll and ready interest every project for the development of its materia interests, its rivers, harbors, mines and factories, and the intelligence, peat'J and security under the law ot its communities and its homes is not accented as sufficient evidence of friend liness to any State or Section. I cannot add connivance at election practices that not only disturb local results, but rob the elec tors 01 other States and sections of their most priceless political rights. A WOED IN CONCLUSIOIT. Another Itemlnder of the Fact There is No Time to Waste The preparation of the general appropria tion bill should be conducted with the great est care and the closest scrutiny of expendi tures. Appropriations should be adequate to needs of the public service, but they should be absolutely free from prodigality. I venture Again to remind you tbatthebrief time remaining for consideration of the im portant legislation now awaiting your at tention offers no margin for waste. If tha present duty is discharged with diligence, fidelity and courage, the work of the Fifty first Congress may be confidently submitted to the considerate judgment of the people. BEXJA3IKT HAERISOX. Executive Mansion, Dec. 1, 1890. Auction Sale Of fine diamonds, watches, jewelry, silver and -silver-plated ware, onyx and marhle clocks, bronzes, etc. This is one of the fin est stocks of goods in the city, all first-class. This is your opportunity to buy holiday goods in jewelry at your own price. This stock and fixtures mnst be sold without re serve previous to my removal to No. 36 Fifth avenne. All goods warranted. Sales dailv at 10'A. M., 2:30 and 7:30 P. M. Ladies especially Invited. M. S. Cohex, Diamond expert and jeweler, 533 Smith field street. An Assured Fact. An order given Kennedy for anything, from an ice to a banquet, is certain to be delivered on time. Sixth street and Du quesne way. TTSu ' Marquise Kings. We have just mounted a new lot, mora beautilul than ever, in diamonds and em eralds, diamonds and rubies, diamonds and sapphires, and diamonds and opals. Don't miss these. Duebik & McWattx", Jewelers, xusa '53 Fifth avenue. Jlr "Comfort" glasses, and how to use your eyes, will strengthen and preserve your sight Peof. Little, Graduate Optician, Smithtield and Sixth avenue, with Biggs & Co. Axhual holiday and clearing sale com mences Monday, December 1. Bargains in all department's. HUGUS & HACKS. TTSSU Cabinet photos 51 00 per dozen; good work; prompt delivery. Lies' Populae Galleet, 10, 12 Sixth st. TTSU Music Teachers And .others who buy sheet music, musia books, instruments, etc., will save money and learn something interesting by sending a postal card asking for our large 40-page catalogue free, containing cut rates on all. musical goods. Address Will L. Thomp--son & Co., No. 259 "Wabash arc, Chicago,. Ill, IM
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