. ,
HENRY A. PARSONS, Jr., Editor and Publisher.
NIL. DESPEItANDUM.
Two Dollars per Annum.
ArOL. XII.
HID G WAY, ELK COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7. 1882.
NO. 42.
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
To the Sennte rtiirt House of Representatives
nf the VniM States:
.lt is provided by the Constitution Hint the
Vrosidont shall from time to lima give to the
Congress infurmntinn of the stnte of tlio
Union, and recommend to their considern
tion such nionsuro ns lie shall judgo neces
sary am! oxpodiont in reviewing the event
of tho yonr which liu elapsed since the
commencement of your session.
VOliElON nKl.ATION.
I first enll your nttcntion to the grntifying
omlition of our foreign affair. Our intor
vourso with other powers ha continnod to bo
of tho most friendly character. Such slight
differences a hnvo nr!on during the year
bnve boon nl ready settle.!, or nre likely to
renoh nn early adjustment.
Tho nrnMt of citizens of tho I'nited Slates
in Ireland under recent laws, which owe their
origin to the disturbed condition of that
country, lias led to a somewhat extended cor
respondence with tho i-ovornniont of Groat
Itrilnin, A disposition to respect our rights
lia liceii practically manifested by n release
of the arrested parties,
Tho cJnim of this nation in regard to the
Kiipervision nnd control of any tntoroocauic
cnutil across the American isthmus has con
tinued to be the subject of conference. It
is likely that ti r.e will bo more powerful
than discussion in removing tho divergence
between the two nations, whoso friendship
is so closely cemented by the intimneyof
their relations and the community of their
interests.
Our long-established friendliness with 15ns
tit has remained unbroken. U has prompt
ed mo to proffer the earnest counsels of this
government that measure be adopted
for suppressing the proscription which the
Hebrew race in that country has lately suf
fored. It has not transpire.! that nny
American citizen has been subjected to ar
rest or injury; but our courteous remon
strance has nevertheless been courteously
deceived. There is reason to believe that
tho tim.' is not far distant whe.i llnsi:i will
be able to seeuro toleration to all faiths
within her borders.
At an international convention held at
J'nris in 110, and attended by representative'
of tho I'nited States, an agreement was
tvaohod in respect to the protection of trade
mark, patented articles, and the ri;;his of
manufacturing linns nnd corporations. The
formulating into treaties of the recommen
dations thus adopted is receiving the ntton
tirm which it merits. The protection of snb
lnarine cables is a subject now under con
sideration by tin international conference at
Paris. Jtelicving that it is clearly the true
policy of this irovernment to favor the neu
tralisation of this means of intercourse. 1
requested our minister to V ranee to attend
the convention its a delegate. 1 also desig
nated two of our eminent scientists to at
tend as ourr.prosoiitativcs al the meeting of
an international ronimittee, at l'aris, for
considering tho adoption of a common unit
to measure electric force.
In view of the frequent occurrence of con
ferences for the consideration of important
matters of common interest to civilized na
tion, 1 respectfully snawl thai the Execa
tive be invested by Congress with discretion
ary power to send dele rates to such conven
tions, and that provision bo made, to defray
the expenses incident thereto.
The difference between the I'nited States
nnd Spain as to the elect of a judgment and
certificate of naturalization litis not yet been
ndjustcd. but il is hoped and believed that
negotiations now in progress will result in
tho establishment of tho position which
seems to this government so reasonable nnd
just, 1 have already called the attention of
Congress to the fact, that in parts of Spain
nnd its eolouie onerous line have lately
been imposed upon vessel of the United
State for trivial technical offenses against
local regulations, l'.iVoris ftir the abatement
if these exactions have thus far proved un
successful. 1 regret to inform jounlsotlint
the fees demanded by Spanish consuls in
American ports nre in some cases so largo,
when compared w ith ihe value of the cargo,
a to amount in ctlccl to a considerable ox
port duty, nnd that our remonstrance in
this regard have not a yet received tho nt
tcntion which they i-ecni to deserve.
The (icrtnan govi rniueiit has invited the
Vnitod States to participate in an Interna
tional Inhibition of Pomcstic Cattle, to be
held a' Hamburg in .Inly. ISS t. If this coun
try is to be represented, it is important that
in the early days of this session Congress
should make a suitable appropriation for that
purpose.
The death of Mr. Marsh, our late minister
to Italy, litis evoked from that government
expressions of profound respect for his ex
ulted character and for his honorable career
in tho diplomatic service of his country. The
Italian go eminent has raised a question as
to the propriety of recognizing in his dunl
rapacity the representative of this country
recently accredited both n secretary of lega
tion and its consul-general at Home. He lias
been received as secretary, but his exequatur
n consul-general lias thus far been w ithheld.
Tho extradition convention wiih lVlgiuni,
xvhich has been in operation since 1 S74. h is
been lately supplanted by another: the Sen
ate has signified its approval, nnd ratifica
tions have been duly exchanged between tile
contracting countries. To the list of extra
dilab'.o criim s has been added ihat of the
Assassination or attempted assassination of
the chief of the state.
Negotiations have been opened with Sn itz
prlnnd. looking bin settlement by treaty of
the question whether its citizens can renounce
their allegiance nnd become citizen of the
I'nited States without obtaining the consent
of the Swiss Government, lain glad to in
form yon that the emigration of pauper
niul criminals from certain of the cantons of
Sw hzc 1 and has Fiih.-tnuiiully ceased, and is
no longorsnnetioiied by the authorities. The
ronsideiation of this subject prompts the
suggestion that tho act of August .t, I"-..
which has for its object the return of foreign
convicts to t heir own country, should be so
modified as not to be o;-.. n to the interpreta
tion that il aU'ects the extradition of criminals
on preferred charges of crime.
The Ottoman poric has not yet assented to
tho inlerpielaiifii which this government
has put upon the treaty of lstf) relative to its
jurisdictional l ights in Turkey. It may well
be. howcer, that this difference will be ad
justed by a general revision of the system of
jurisdiction of the I ni'.cd States in the coun
tries of the Hast, a subject to which your at
tention lias been already called by the secre
tary of state.
lu the interest of justice toward Chinn nti.l
Japan, I trust that tne question of tho return
of the indemnity fund tothe g.nermnculsof
those countries will reach nt tlic present ses
sion the satisfactory solution which 1 have
nlready recommended, and which has rec ent
ly been foreshadowed by congn ssional dis
cussion. Tho treaty lately c.mcludej w it h Corea
Awaits the action of the Senate.
Daring the late disitn banco in K.gypt tho
timely presence of American vessels served
n a protection to the persons nnd property
of iiiaii) of our own citizens, mid of citizens
of other countries, whose governments have
expressed their i hanks for this assistance.
The recent legislat ion resirictinv: eniiirra
tion of laborers from China ha given rise
to the quesiion w hether the C hinos proceed
ing to or from nuotiier country may law
fully pass through our own. t'oiii-truiuc the
art of May (1. 1M, in connection with tho
treaty of November 7, 1-Ml, the restriction
would eem to lie limited 1 1 Chinese, emi
iirnnts comnij.' to the United States im labor
ers, and wiuld not forbid a mere transit
across our territory. I nsk the nUrntion of
Congress to the suiijpct, for such action, if
knv, rh may be deemed advisable.
This goei lmient has recently had occasion
to manifest it interest in the republic of Li
beria by socking to aid tho amicable settle
ment of the boundary dispute now liendnitf
between that republic nndthc liiitifh posses
sion of Sierra Ixwiio.
The reciprocity treaty with Hnwii will lie
come tcmninublo after KcpUhiiIht !, Invt,
on twelve, months' notice by either party.
While certain provisions of that compact
may have proved onerous, it existence ha
fostered commercial relations w hich it i im
portant to preserve. I Knjrffest, therefore,
that early consideration bo given to mieh
modification of the treaty a eem to be de
inamlo l by the iuterct of our people. In
view of our inoreasinn trade with both
H.tyti and San Domimjo. I ndvie that pro
vision lie made for diplomntio intercourse
with tho latter, by nnlarfrinn the aeope of the
mission nt l'ort-au-l'rince. I reret thnt
certain claim of American citizen ajrainst
the (xovornment of Uayti ha-ve thus far been
urged unavailini;ly.
A recent agreement with Mexico provide
for the crossina of the frontier by the armed
force of either country in pursuit of hostilo
Indians. In my messngo of last year 1 called
attention to the prevalent lnwlessness upon
the border nnd to tho necessity of legisln
tion for it, Ktipprossion. I again invito the
nttcntion of Congress to tho subject. A par
tial relief from theso mischief ha been
sought in a convention which now nwnitsMie
approval of tho S.-nate, a doc also another
touching the establishment of the interna
tional boundary between the United States
nnd Mexico. If tho latter i ratified, tho
act inn of ConiTrcs will be required for C3
tahlishiim pnitablo commission of survey.
The boundary dispute between Mexico and
Guatemala, which led this government to
plotter it friendly counsel to both parties,
has been amicably settled. No change has
occurred in our relation wilh Venezuela. I
nirain invoke your action in tho matter of
the pendimt award against that republic, to
which reference was made by n special nics
rage from the l'.xeculive nt your last session,
An invitation ha been received from tho
government of Venezuela to ssnd represen
tatives in July, 1SS;!. to Caracas. f',r partici
pating in th" centennial celebration of tho
birth of Holivar. the founderof South Ameri
can independence, lu connection with this
event il is designed to e immence tho erec
tion nt Caracas of a statue of Washington,
nnd to cuida.'t an industrial exhibition
which will be open to American products. 1
recommend that the United State be repre
sented, nnd that suitable provision bo made
therefor.
Tae elevation of the grade of our mission
in Central America to tho plenipotentiary
rank, which was authorized by Congress at
its lato session, has been since effected,
run sot'Tii AuvnnwN waii.
Tho war between l'eru nnd Holivin on the
one side and Chili on tho other hfgnn more
than three years n zo on the occupation by
Chili in of all the literal territory of
Rilivia. Negotiations for peaeo were con
ducted under the direction of the United
States. T ie allies rt fused t i concede any
territory, but Chili has since become master
of the whole coast of both countries nnd of
the capital of Torn. A year since, a yo.i
have already ben advised by cor
respondence transmitted t jo-.i
in 1
January last, this government sent n
special mission to.the belligerent powers to ex
press the hope that Chiliwould be disposed to
accept a money indemnity for the expense:"
of the war nnd to relinquish her demand
for a portion of the territory of her nutaon
it. This recommendation, which Chili de
clined to follow, this government did not
assume to enforce, nor can it be enforced
without resort to incisure which would be
in keeping neither with the temper of oar
people nor with the spirit of our institutions.
The power of l'eru no longer extend. over
its whole territory, nnd in the event of
our interference to dictate peace would
need to be supplemented by the armies
and navic of the United Siates. Such
interference would almost inevitably lead
to the c.-'.u'olishnio-.it of a protectorate, a re- ;
suit utterly at odds with our past policy, in- i
jurious to our present interests and full of
embarrassment for tho fiitnre. For effect- I
ing tho termination of hostilities upon terms
at once just to the victorious nation and 1
frenerou to it ndversaries, this government i
la spared no efforts such as might invoh e I
tho complication which I have indicated. It '
is greatly to be deplore J that Chili rectus re- I
solved to exact such rigorous conditions of I
pence, and indisposed 1 1 submit to ar'oitr.;-
turn tlio terms ot an a;nca:ie settlement.
.No pence la likely tti lie lasting that
sufficiently equitable and just to coi
the approval of other nations.
the tkace o.a;HF.ss,
About a j ear since invitations were ex
tended to the nations of this continent to
send represent at no to a peace eong.es. 11
assemble nt Washington in November. ISsJ.
The time of meeting was fixed at a period
then remote, in tho hope, as the invitation
itself declared, that in the meantime the dis
turbances between the South American re
publics would be adjusted. th.d expecta
tion seemed unlikely to be realized. 1 .as.,c.l
in April last for an expression ot opinion
from the two houses of Congress as 1.1 the
advisability of holding the proposed con
vention at the time appointed. This notion
was prompted in pari by doubts which ma
ture reflection had suggested whether the
diplomatic usage and tradition of the gov
ernment did not make il tilting thai the
F.xccutive should consult the represent
atives of the peop'e before pursuing a
line of policy somen lint novel in il charac
ter ami tar
ehing in is nossihle cons
quenos'S. In view of the fact that no action
v r.s taken by ( ongres in the premises and
ti nt no provision lias been made for nceos
sary expenses, I subsequently decided to :
post pone ihe convocation, and so notified tho 1
several governments which had been in-
vited to attend. 1 am unw illing to dismiss I
this subject without assuring Vo;t of mv sun- I
port of any measure the wi-dom. of Congress !
I may devise for the promotion of peace on
! this continent nnd throughout the world. !
I And 1 trust that the time is nigh when, with
j the universal assent of eiviliod peoples, I
1 all international differences shall be deter- ;
) mined, without resort to arms, by the be- j
i nignant process of arbitration. !
j Chriiiges have occurred in tho diplomatic;
1 representation of several foreign powers j
, during the past ear. New minister. from
the Argentine llepiiblic, Austria. Hungary.
, Urazil. Chili. China. France. Japan. Mexico.
1 1 no ettierian.is niul i;aita have presented
1 their credent nils. The missions of Den-
: mark and Xenez ie a nt this capital have
, been raised in grade. Switzerland has ere
ale.l a ploiiipoloiiiiar.v mission to this gov
; cinnient, nnd r.n einba-y from Madagasiv.r
j and 11 ministry from Si.r.11 will shortly nr
1 rive. Our diplomatic intercourse has been
, enlarged by t lie establishment of relations
I w ith the new kingdom of Servia. bv thecre-
111 1011 of a mission to Sum, and by the resto-
! ration of the mi
10:1 10 1 r recce.
The shah
, of l'ersia has expressed his gratification that
a charge d'affaires will shortly be sent to
j that country, where the rights of our citizens
j ha e been hitherto courteously guarded by
1 the representative of (iivai lbitain.
I renew tr.y recommendations of such
! legislation ns will place the I'nited Siates in
I harmony with other maritime powers with
I resnect to tho international rule for ilm
I prevention of collision at sea.
I In conformity with your joint resolution
of t.'.elldof August last. 1 h ive directed the
secretary of stale to address foreign govern
ments in resrect to a proposed conference
for considering the subject of the universal
adoption of a common prime meridian to be
used m the reckoning f longitude and in
th? regulation of tone throughout tho civil
ized woi id. Their replies w ill in due time
be la d before yon.
Au agreement was reached nt Paris in 1875
between the principal powers for the inter
chii' go of official publications through tho
medium of their re-pectivo foreign depart
ments. The admirable sstem which has
lieon built up by the enterprise of the Smith
sonian institution r.tlonl a practical basis
for your co-operation in this scheme, nnd an
arrangement Ins been eifecied by which that
institution w ill rforin the ueewsnry labor
under tho direction of the department of
state. A reasonable compensation therefor
should be provided by luxv.
tub DiriiOMvno andcossvi.au rebvice,
A clause in the nctinnking appropriations
for the diplomatic and consular service con
templates tho reorganization of both
branches of such service on a salaried basis,
leivinit fee to inure to the benefit of the
treasury. 1 cordially favor such a project a
likely to correct abuse in the present ays.
tern. The secretary of state will present to
you at an early day a plan fiir such reorgan
ization. 1IIK TfiKAM-RT.
A full and iuterestintf exhibit of the oper-
ntions of the Irettsnry department ! nffordpd
l y tho report of the secretary. It appear
that the ordinary revenue from all source
for the fiscal year ended Juno 80, 18ft!, were
a follow t
Urom custom $220.410,7:1 2,-,
From internal revenue 1 l(i.'.'",r'..l 4."
From salo of pnblio Innd. . ,
From tax on circulation and
deposit of nntional bank.
From repayment of interest
by l'ncitlo Hnilway compn
nies From sinking fund for l'ncitlo
Railway companies ,
From custom, fee, tine, pen
alties etc
From fee, consular loiter,
patent and lauds
From proceed of sale of
(jovornmcnt properly
From profit on coinage, bul
lion deposits and assay. . , ,
From Indian trust funds
From deposit by individual
for surveying public lands. .
From revenues of the District
of Columbia
From miscellaneous; source..
4,r;i,iri0 7
8,!:fi,70t 4.-)
pio,n.-i .17
7!Xi,271 i
1. rtiryvvs oo
2, rns,ino ft
ni4,p.-)'.) 6
4.11i'..C1 7:1
r..70o.L'i;i 2-.
2,n:i'.',:wr nc.
1.71.1.170 41
it,:ist,4 to 4:1
Totnl ordinary rocetpts flOViAV.Vfl 28
The ordinary expenditures for th. same
Iiai loit w ere :
'or civil expense
For foreign intercourse
For Indians
For pensions.
For the military establish
ment, including river nnd
harbor improvement nnd
arsenal
For the naval establishment,
inclndiiiir vessels, machinery
and improvement at navy
yards
For miscellaneous expendi
tures, including public build
ing, lighthouse and col
lecting the revenue
For expenditures on account
of the District of Columbia.
For interest on the public debt
S18.042.:vfi 42
, i.:7..vn1 v.
, !'.7.ti'.,7l7 40
f.i,:vi:.,i;i;t ;i.-
4V7M:4 111
1.-,0:'2.01G 2tl
:;:'d.::v.,2:i7 M
...:'viO,M:l P7
71.077.2.11 Tit
Total ordinary expenditure. $2."i7,!'Sl, 4;t! o7
Leaving a surplus revenue of tJH.V.M;!.
810.71, which, with nn amount drawn from
the cash balance in the treasury of !'.M,
7.l7tii'.'!.SI makitut !1iit!.2'l.."t."i..V was ap
plied to the redemption of bonds for the
sinking fund, tjtti.t.o.M.UAOO: of fractional
currency for tho sinking fund. .V. 70.VVq
of loan of J uly .mil August. lSiil. fcii'.V.r'-'.tVO:
of loan of March, lsut, 1st. IZ.V.iM: of fund
el loin of IsSI, !s;',7.p.il. sl: of loan of
!-l.lM: of loan of February, 1td. st:tO:l,tXX1;
of live-twenties of IMi'J. lfJ.lt': of tive-
twciitte.i of 1H4, ,,400: of live-twentio of
ISi',;,. i;:i,,.VV.l; of ten-forties of IStil, sl2.M.."i.nl;
of consols of JSil.'i, sti.l !; of consols of
I.V.7. s liVV-'V: of consols of lSttS. Jilll.lO.I;
of lbe.on war ilebt, :i7.V'.V: if oUl ile
ni.rnd. compound interest and other notes,
islS:!.'). Total. t.;t'.:;.'JSI,.'.A"..'' "..
The foreign commerce of tho United
Siates during the last tiseal year, including
imports and exports of merchandise and
specie, was c.s follows: I-'x ports, r.ierehan
il; e. sr.Vl.."vJ,2.,7; specie. 4'.. 1 1 7.-4 7:. Total,
I
1 inpovts. tr.rrclinmlis IsTl'I.C'!;!.."! : specie
1 st!'..1. 1
V.1,1. ! otal. 5-7: . . 1 1 1,'eel.
of exports over import of 11101
l-'xee
1 canmhse. V.V.X -'.OS't.
J his excess is less than it In been before
for any of the previo-.i six jo.irs. ns appears
by 1 lie follow ing table :
Year ended ) line ;' excess of ex
ports oer import! of mer-ehandi.-c
lS.ti
r;
isrs
i.srit
1 -so
18-1
ISSi
f.7:1.l!t.lSl
l.M.l.VJ.iiol
2".:.sm.2::i
2.11.001.1:1;
pir.osii.tiiL'
2o0.i '-.'J
'-.'
lVirb-g the year there have been organized
171 11 a:ional ban
and of ti.es ' institutions
, there are now 1:1
01 oration 2,'.i0. a lai
is rot ; number than ever before. 1 he al 10 of their
U id 1 notes in active circulation on July 1. l.vvi.
was s.'.'Ji.ii.Vl.l.'is, I e i;;i:i,i :id ta yoiirai
1 tention the secretary's views iniespectto
tlie liUeliiioon o! a s nnous eoiilr.ietio-.i of this
cir.uiaiioti. and 1 the m i les by which that
result mny, in li s judgment, bo averted.
1.1 vepi . ! to the coinage of silver dollars
and the retirement of silver ce: titleales. 1
have - ceil nothing to alter, but much to con
firm, tho seulr.iii nts 10 which 1 gave expres
sion lai year. A comparison l eiwien the
i -poc.ivc amounts of si'r. er-dollar I'irctila
lioe. on Now. iiber j, and 0:1 No-
c.nber ), l.s2, show n slight in
crease of n miloo'.i an 1 a half
of dollar: but dtiiing tho interval
there had been in tin whole number eiinod
nn increase of fventy-six millions. Of the
one hundred im 1 twenty-eight million thus
far niimed. little more than thirty-five mil
lions ari' in chelation. The mass of accu
mulated coin has grown so great 'I1.1t the
vr.ait-r.Mm at present available for storage is
scarcely snllieietit to CiHi'.ain it. It is not
apparent why it is desirable to continue thi
1 o.rtiiago. now so cnormouslv in excess of
the
i puPbc demand. A to the silver certiticat
111 addition to the grounds which seemed 1
st
ir to justify their retirement, may be f.
1011-
tioncii tho 1 ttect winch is likely to ensue!
from tho supply of gold cerUt'icates, for
whoso issuance Congress recently made pro
vision, nnd which ara v.ow v. active ciicula
tion. I
THE StT.VL.fS r.KVEXfp.
Yon cannot fail to no; 0 with interest the
discussion by tlie secretary ns to tho neces
sity of proiiding by legislation some mode of
fsceitig the treasury ot nn excess of asscls.
lii the event that Congress fails to reach nil
early .agreement for the reduction of taxa-
tion, 1 heartily approve the secretary's re- !
commendation of immediate mid extou- I
sive reductions in the annual revenues of the !
go enimc.it. It will be remembered that I j
urged upon the attention of Congress lit its!
1 last session
the importance of relieving '
and enterprise of the conn-
' the industry
try from tho pressure of unneeoss.r.y laxa- '
tion. Ii is one of the truest maxims of po- !
liiical economy that all taxes ,e burden-'
some. However wisely and prudently im- i
pose.i, and though there have always been!
among ourpiMplo viJc differences of senti- j
mer.t ;is to the best methods of raising the I
national revenues, and, indeed. 11s to the !
principles i,pon which t ixation should be !
' based, there h is been substantiil accord in
the aoctrine that only such taxes ought to,
be levied as are necessary tor a w ise and t co
nomical administration of the government.
Of late iho ptili'ii; revenue.' have far cx- j
reeded tho limit, and. miles. checked j
ny npiiropriate legislation, saeli excess
will continue to increase from year
1 to year.
1 June ed,
tor tho Uscal year ended
sM. the Mirvilus revenue
amounted to one hundred millions of dollar.
For the lKeal jear ended 0.1 the thirtieth of
June last the surplus was more lli.in one
hundred and forty-live million, t he nqnirt
of the secretary shiws what disposition has
been made of these moneys. '1 hey have not
only answered the requirements of the sink
iixi fund, but have uilonhd a large balance
applicable to other reductions ot the public
debt, lint 1 renew the expression of my con
viction that such rapid extinguishment of the
national indebtedness tis i now taking place
i by 110 unpins a cause for congratulation. It
is a cause rather for serious apprehension.
If it continue it must speedily be followed
by one of the evil results ho clearly set forth
in the report of the secretary; cither the sur
plus must lie idle ill the treasury or the o.
eminent will be forced to buy at market
rale its bonds not then redeemable, and
which under sueh circa instance cannot fail
to command nu enormous premium, or the
swollen revenues will be devoted to extrav
agant expenditure, which, as experience has
taught, is ever tho bane of nu oveillowin
treasury. It was madj apparent in tho
course of tlie animated disciisions which
this question aroused nt the last Session of
Congress that the jiolicy of diminishing the
revenue by reducing taxation commanded
tho general approval of the memliers of both
houses. I regret that because of contlicting
views as to the best method by which that
Hliey should be made ofHTutive, none of its
benefit havo hs yet been roiqied.
lu fullillnieiit of what I deem my constitu
tional duty, but with little hope that I cau
mnke vnhinhle eontribnllon to Ihis Teted
question, 1 shall proced to intimnto briefly
my own views in relation to it. Upon
the showing of onr financial condition nt the
closo of the Inst fiscnl year I felt justified in
recommendinn to Congress the abolition of
intewinl revenue ttixes except those upon
tobacco in its vnrion form nnd upon dit-'
tilled spirils and fermented liquor, and
except also the speoinl t upon the
mnnnfnctnrers of and denier in such ar
ticle. I venture now to suggest thnt, nr.loss
it shall be ascertained that the proba
ble expenditure of tho covcniment for
tho coming year have boon underestimated,
nil internal tuxes save those which relate to
distilled spirit. enn be prudently abrogated.
Such a course, if accompanied by a simplifi
cation of the machinery of colloclioti.wiiich
would then bo cnFy of accomplishment,
might reasonably bo expected to result in di
minishing tho cost of such collection by nt
least two million and n linlf of dollnrs. and
in tho retirement from office of from l.fiOO to
2.0.x) person. The ytom of excise duties
his never commended itself to the favor of the
Anicrienn people, nnd Im never been resorted
to except for supplyina deficiencies in the
treasury, when by reason of special exi
gencies, the duties on imports have proved
inndequnto for the needs of the government.
Tho 'iitimont of the country doubt les de
mand that tho present excise tax shall be
abolished ns soon ns such a course can
safely bo pursued. It seems lo me. how
ever, for various reasons, so sweeping n
measure n the total abolition of internal
taxes would, for the present, bo Ml unwise
step. Two of these reasons nre deserving of
special mention. First, it i by no means
clear that even if tho existing system of du
ties on import is continued without modifi
cation, those duties alone will yield sufficient
revenue for all t ho needs of the government. 1 1.
isestimated that SUXUHH',000 will be required
for pensions daring the coming year, and
il may w ell he doubled whether tho max
imum annual demand for that object litis
yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this
question would nlono justify, in my judg
ment, the retention for tho present of that
portion of tho system of internal revenue
which i lenst objectionablo to the people.
Second, a total abolition of excise taxes
would almost inevitably prove a serious if
not an insurmountable obrtnelo to a thor
ough revision of tho tariff nnd to nny cau
sidcrable reduction in import ilutici. The
present tariff systi'-n is in many respects
unjust. It make ui.equ U distributions botli
of it bnrdi ti nnd its benefits. This fact wa
practically recognized by a majority of each
nouse of l ongicss 1:1 the passage or tho act
creating the tariff commis-sion. The report
of that commission will be placed before you
at the beginning of this session, nnd will. 1
trut. afford yon such information a to the
condition nnd prospects of tho various com-
I mereial. agricultural, inaniilactnt ing. 111111
! ing and o'hor interests of the country, nnd
j contain such suggestions for statutory re
I vision. .as w ill practically aid yournction upon
I this important subject.
I Tiie revenue from customs for tho fiscal
I year endo 1 Juno ls?.t, nmoanted to $l:'7.-
txVi.iVii, It ha ill the three succeeding years
reached first iflHi.tV.KUKHl, then ?lt'S.O(.(X0.
i and finally, ns has been already stated. s220,
i tVKMKkt. The income from this source for
i 1 he ti seal year w hich wiil end on June "0.
I lSSll, will doubtless bo considerably in ex-
e ss of tho sum lust mentioned. If the tax
I on domestic spirits is to be retained it is
plain, therefore, that large nd.ietions from
j the custom revenue nro entirely feasible.
I hile leconimending this reduction,
' 1 roil far from advising the
I abandonment of the policy of sodim rlminnt
' ing in the adjustment of details ns to afford
; nid nnd protection to domestic labor. Hut
! the present system should be so revised ns to
1 eqiinli.e tho public burden among all clashes
I niul ofeiiii-il inn m,' livintT il. into closer
ii irmony with the pre-ent needs of industry.
U 11 ni'il i'it,i"iiit ml. 1 1:1111111,1 itet.ai . wloeti
; under present ci'vr.m-tance is quite imuec-e-s.uj.
I recoiemei.il an enlargement of the
fi .i list so as t.i include within il thenumer
c'.ts crticle-w hich j it id inconsiderable reve-
mie: a simplification of the complex and
inconsistent seludule of duties upon cer
tain manufacture-, particularly tlio-e of
cotton, iron nnd steel: and a sub ;t. ml it 1 10
; de.eiion of toe duties iq 011 those nrtielt s, ami
j up. 111 f iigar, molasses, silk, wool and woolen
1 good. If a general levision of the tariif
i hall be found to be impi.i 'ticable ni this
session, 1 express the hope that at h ast some
of the mure conspicuous inequalities of the
present law may be corrected before our
final adjournment. One of them is specially
' n fi riv.l to by the secretary, in vit.v of n re-
! ,..iif il'.'i siiin of 1I11 mir,'iim rviint. Tim
ueeessiiv of nmendin : the law by which the
Hatch s andurd of color is adojited ns the
i test of the saccharine slreiigih of sugars is
too obvious to require comment.
TnK WAIt PltiHIlTMr.ST.
From tho report of the secretary of war it
.appears that the only outbreaks of Indians
during the past year occurred in Arizona
and in the southwestern part of New Mex
ico. They wera plot. iptly qv.ei.'ed. and the
quiet which has . mailed ill all other part
of the country hn permitted such nn addi
tion to bo made to the military force
111 the region endangered by the Apaches
that there is little reason to apprehend
tumble in Ilia future. Thoo pari of
the secretary's report which relate to
our seaco ist defense and their nrinament
suggest the gravest reflect ions. Our existing 1
tortitieatioii are notoriously muuequute to
the uetenso of the great harbors and cities
for w hoso protection they wore built. The
question of providingHii armament suitej
to our present necessities, has been tho sub
ject of consideration by a board, whose re
port was transmitted to Congress at tho last
session. l'endin,r tho consideration of
that report, tho war dcpnilment has
taken no step for the manufacture
or conversion of nny heavy can
non: I ut the secretary expresses the hope
that authority nnd nivalis to begin that im
! ortant work will soon be provided. 1 invito
the attention cf Congress to the propriety of
making more adequate provision for arming
and equipping the militin thanis afforded by
the net of 1 ;)',. which is still upon the stat
ute book. The matter has already been tho
subject of discission in the Senate, and a bill
w hich seeks to supply the delicieneivs of ex
isting laws i now uihm its calendar.
Ihe secretin y of war calls attention to
the fact of an embarrassment growing out
of the recent act of Congress making tlie re
tirement of officers of lite army compulsory
nt the age of sixty-four. The net of 178 is still
in force, which limits to four hundred the num
ber of those who can lie retired for disability
or upon their own application. Tho two act j
when construe .1 togeiher s.iein to forbid the
relieving, even fut absolute incapacity, of
... 1 1 11 .,
..hiecrs w ho do not fall wi.hin the )mrvie.v of
the latter statute, save n! such times ns there
chance to bo les than four hundre 1 names
0:1 tlie retired list. There nre now four hun
dred and twenty. It i not likely that Con
gress intended this result, nnd I ooncurwith
the secretary that the law ought to be
amended.
BIVEBB AND nAMlOliS.
The grounds that impelled me to withhold
my signature from tlio bill entitled "An
Act making appropriations for the construc
tion, repair and preservation of certain
works on rivers nnd harbors," which
became a law near the close of jour last
session, prompt ine to express, tl.o hope
thnt no similar measure will bo deemed
necessary during tl.o present session of
Congies. Indeed, such a measure would
now be open to a serious objection in ad.
uiuonioi.iai wiiiciiwa, jHllly urgio upon
your attention. 1 11111 uitormed by tli3
focretnry 01 war Hint the greater portion
of t'la sum atiproprintei tor the various
items specified in that act remains un
expended Of tho - new works which it
authorized expenst s have been incurred upon
two only, for w hich the total appropriation
wa jji'hklHi, The present available bid
am 0 is disclosed by tlia following table :
Appropriation by act of August
2, 1N-2 $lH,7.i$,875 00
Appropriation by net of June
lit, 12 10,000 00
Appropriation for payment to
J. II. Eads .104,000 00
Unexpended balance of former
appropriations
4,7.,2fi3 00
Totnl :.
. $2.1,7111 ,1.1S 00
Lessamonnt drawn from treas
ury between July 1, 1882, and
November 1W, 1882
c,or.(!,int 00
Total.,
...?17,73t,n4i 00
RKUKDIFt TO TREVKNT EXTIIAVAOANCE.
It 1 apiiaront by this exhibit that so far
a concerns most of the item to which the
act of August 2, 1N"2. relates, there can be 110
need of further appropriations until nfter
the clone of tho present session. If, how
ever, any action should seem to lie necessary
in respect to particnlnr object it will be en
tirely fensiblo to provido for those object by
appropriate legislation. It is possible, for
exnmple, that a delay until the assembling
of the next Congress to mnke ndditinnnl
provision for the Mississippi river improve
ment might be attended with serious con
sequences. If such should appear to be tho
case, a just bill relntinn tb thnt subject would
command my approval.
Tin lend 1110 to offer a suggestion, which
I trust will commend itself to ihe wisdom of
Congress. Is it not advisable thnt grant of
considerable sums of money for diverse and
independent scheme of internal im
provement should be made tho subject. of
separate nnd distinct legislative enactment.?
It will scarcely bo (jaiusaid, even by those
who favor the most liberal expenditures for
such purposes ns nro sought to be accom
plished by what i commonly called the
Hivcr anil Hnrbor bill, thnt tho practico
of croiiping in such a bill appro
priation for a groat diversity of
objects, widely separated either ill
(heir lintnte or in the locality with which
they nre concerned, or in both, is 0110 W'hich
is much to bo deprecated unless it i irre
mediable. It inevitably tends to socuro the
success of the bill as a whole, though many
of tho items, if separately considered, could
scarcely fail of rejection. Ily tho adoption
of tho course I have recommended, every
member of Congress, w henever opportunity
should nriso for civing hi influence nnd
vote for meritorious appropriations, would
bo enabled so to do without neing called
upon to sanction others iindosorviiitf
his approval. So also would the
F.xecntivo bo afforded thereby a full
opportunity to exore.se hi constitutional
piorogniivu of opposing whatever appropria
tions seemed to him objectionable, without
imperiling the rncco of others which com
mend themselves to hi judgment, it may
be urged, in opposition to these suwstions,
that the number of works of internal im
provement which arc justly entitled to gov
ernmental aid is so great n to render im
practicable separate appropriation bills
therefor, or even for such comparatively
limited number r.s make disposition ef
Inive sums of money. This objection may
bo well lonuiled. i.n.l whether it bo or not,
the . advantage i which would be likt-lv
to ensue from the adoption of the course 1
Iimxo recommended may perhaps bo more
cllectually attained by another, which 1 re
spectfully submit to Cotigriv us nn alter
native proposition. It is provided by the
constitution of lonru on of our Slate thnt
the F.xccutive may i!:s..ppiove any item or
items of a lull appropriating money where
upon the part of the bill ap
proved shall be law nnd tho part
disapproved shall fail to becoino law
unless repassed according to the pro
vision prescribed for the ptusajje of
bills over the veto of Ike Kvceutive. The
Stales whcieiti some sneh proxi.- ion r.s the
foregoing is a pan of the t and Mncv.tal law
rre Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida,
in'orgia. loui.-iann. Minnesota. Missouri.
Nebraska, New Jersey, New Ytv. k, I'enn
sylvnnia, Texas nnd West Virginia.. I com
mend to your c.iroful consideration the
question whether on amendment of the
l e.h nil Constitution in the particular indi
cated would not afford tho best remedy for
what i often a grave embarrassment, both
to member of Con .ires anil tothe F.xern
tive. and is sometime a .erious public mis
chief. Tun NAVY.
The repot t of th r-iereiary of the navy
states the movements, of :h. various squad
rons dmmu the year in home nnd foreign
waters, where our officer and seamen, with
such ships as .e posse s, have coutme.ed to
illustrate the high character and excellent
discipline of the naval organization. On the
21 -t of December, lv-1. iubwinaiion was re
ceived that the cxploiiu steamer .'ear.m tie
had been crushed and aim, idem d in the Arctic
ocean. The officers .and crow, afn r a journey
over the io. onib.ii-ej 1:1 t'n. s bins f ir the
! y t f Liberia.
One of flic parties, under
the command of Chief Kngiueer livore V ,
.Melville, reached the land, nrd, falling i i
with native, was saved. Another under
I.ieateimiit-Coiiiniar.der Do 1ni.;. landed in
n Warren region, near tlie nioutliot the l.i n i
river. After six wee'is had elapsed all
but two of the number had died from
fatigue end starvation. No lidirgs have
been received from tie V'',:' in the
third boat, under command of l.ie ite'iiiiit
t lupp. tint a long nr.it tin tie. ii;ve,iga-
tion leave little don
bcr nerlshed at sen.
it Ih. t nil its mem-
As a slight tribute
10 their heroism, 1 give 111 tin communica
tion the namc of the (fsllatit mm v.-ho
sacrificed their lives on this trprdi'.ion :
1 .ieutenant-Coinmanuer ( corse V. Ue
Long. Snrgcou Jan.O' M. Ambler.
Jerome J. Collir.f. Hans Ha'iner Kricheii
H-.iuiich H. Kaacke, Ciorgo V. lioyd
Waller lief. Adolph Drcsf'cr,
tlivtz. Ne'r-o Iver.-oii, the cftok
Cnrl A.
Ah Sam.
nnd the Indian AYxy. The officers and men
in the missin ; lioat wen Lieutenant Charles
W. Chipp, Commanding William Dunbar.
Alfred Swce'.mnn, Walter Shr.rvell. Albert C.
Kurhne, Kdwnrd Star. Henry D. Warren and
l'e'er E. Johnson. Lieut, lii.'es H. Harbor nnd
Master William 11. Sil.e-.ii.'.e are now bring
ing l.o'.ne the remains of Lieutenant l-
ljoi'g and his com rail, .
In pursuance ot the nr ec'ior.s ot l otigrcs
tl.o Uodgers. CtieJ out for ti e relief 1 f the
Jcani'.ette in accordance with the act of
ongre.s 01 .xiarci o. isi, s.uioa irom ran
Francisco June hi, under tho c umnaiid of
Lieutenant Holierl M. Horry. On November
;0she wa r.ooidi nlahy destroyed by tire
while in winter quarter 1:1 St. LiWtvu.-e
Day, but the officers end oic.v succeeded in
escaping to the shore. Liet.te'nu.t i'evry
nnd one of hi oMicr. nfter
mnking n search for the Je u.nette along
tlie oast of Siberia, fell in with Chief F.11
pinecr Melville' party end retiiri.c.l hoi ic
by way of 1'nro o. Tlie oilier officers aud
the crew of the Kodg: : were brought from
St. Lawrence bay by tho v haling sln.mcr
North Star. Master Charles 1'. l'lUnam, who
had been placed in olnrge of a depot of sup-
I j bes nt Ca) e Si rde, reluming to l.isjost
! from St. Ijiiv.rence b.iy neioss ihe ice 111 a
1 ruin ni. ji.ieuei- i-i:i neioss me ice ill
hVllVm( snow-storm, wa carried out to st
and lost, nol-ithst.iud.n' ail clloi is to res
cue him. 1
lilt! AVAJI.AM E A At. PORCH.
It a) 1 em by the mi r. tai "s itp.v.t thnt
tlio available naval force of tiie I r.iie.l
State consists of thirty-sevtu cruisers.
fonrtecti siiig'e-turre'.id moiiiti rs built dnr-
t'10 lato r.avul 11 Iv.s ;ry luard, nr.d eubjec-t
,., , ' -,Vil, , ,,-," -i.:.
" , : . " . '-.i 1 ' i
t iho. orgnni-.ed n provided by thnt net. 1
c dl your attention to the reoomn oadatiou of
the secretary and th. boatl that nutlu rity be
given to construct two more cruiser of
smaller dimension nnd one fleet dispatch
vessel, and thnt appropriation be made for
high-liower rilled cannon for the torpedo
service and for theharUir defense.
BlUy.MMUNl.ATlONS OF T11K KAVt DITABTMEST.
Lending the consideration by Congress of
the io!icy to le hi reafter adopted in con
ducting the eight huge navy jards and their
expensive establishment, tlie seen tin y ad
vocated reducing expenditures therefor ta
the lowest iosstbte amount. For tho urioe
1 Oil 1 1 IH 11 Sill . ' e- llll.t ll'J lltoillt. IS I'l.l.l 1. 1 1 1 . ; ' , ' .,
ing tl.o rcbeliion, a hove mm.!., r of smooth- ! requirement of tbeever-incn-RMig hiitfatu-n
bore gun nnd l't.rrot rid,, nnd eighty-seven ! v.'lh which Jt is called upon to deal,
ri.lcd c i-inon. Tin ciuisin.f vovlls should he "ttorney-g. neri.l renews tl.o suggos
be gradually rcplaii d 1 y iron or 61W1 ' l-rcdmr. tlmt n
shil . the moni-.oi ,y mod. .11 nr- I ( )uiiC? l,,,lu'1" ''"
mored vessels, nr.d tho armniiieiit by ! dloid should l made in certain
high-power rilled guns. The recon- judicial district for ttxuirf the fees of wit
sirtirt.on of our invy, which wa recom- I nessos and jurors,
mended in my last nu ssni. e, was begun by j the stab noi TE nil at-
Congivss auihorizing in its rwont act tho I In my mcssngc of December last I referred
construction of two laive unarmored steel 1 to pending criminal proo ding grow ing out
vessels 'of tho cle racer lecoinmeiided by 1 of alleged frauds in what, is known ns tho
of n Hording the officers and seamen of th
navy opportunities for exercise and dis
cipline in their profession, under appropriate 1
control nnd direction, the secretary advises
that Ihe lighthouse service and const survey
bo transferred, as now organised, from the
treasury to the navy department) aud he also
suggests, for the reason which he nsigns,
that a similar trnnfer mny wisely be mnde
of the cruisiug revenue vessels.
Ol'B MEUCHAKT MABtNB.
Tho ceerctnrv forcibly depicts the intimate
connection and interdependence of the navy
and the commercial marine, and invites at
tention to the continued decadenco of the
latter nnd tlio corresponding transfer of our
growing commerce to foreign bottoms. This
subject is one of the utmost importance to
the nntionnl welfare. Method of reviving
American ship building, nnd of restoring the
United State flag in the ocean carrying
trade, should rf ceive the immediate attention
of Congress. We have mechanical skill and
abundant material for the manufacture of
modern iron steamships in fair competition
with our commercial rival. Our disadvan
tage in building ship is the greater cost of
labor nnd in sniling thorn, higher taxes, nnd
greater interest on capital, while the ocetin
highways are al randy inonoimlizod by our for
midiible competitors. These obstacle should
some way be ovoreome. nnd for our rapid
coiniinmicntion with foreign land, we
should not continno to depend wholly upon
vessel built in the yard of other countries,
and sailing under foreign flag. With no
United Btntcs steamer on the priucipnl
ocean lilies or in any foreign port, our fa
cilities for extending our commerce nre
greatly restricted, while the nntions wmoh
build sua sail the snips nnu carry me mans
nnd pnsi'Ciigers obtain thereby conspicuous
advantages in increasing their trade.
tub rosTorrioE riKPA rtm est.
The report of the postmaster-genera! give
evidence of the satisfactory condition of
thnt dopnrtmoiit, nnd contains many val
uable data nnd accompanying suggestions
which cannot fail to be of interest. The
information which it nffords, thnt the
r.enini for ihe fiscnl vear have ex-
! ceedfd tb.n expend ilnre. must bo Very
gratifying to Congress and to tho
people of tho country. A matters
which mny fairly claim pnrlicular at
tention, 1 refer you to hi observation in
ri'fcrpnce to the advisability of changingtho
present basis for fixing salniic and ullow
I'.ncc, of extending the money -order system,
nnd of enlarging the functions of tho postal
establishment so r.s to put under its control
tho telegraph system of the country, though
from thi last nnd most important recom
mendation I must withhold my concurrence.
THE KKDVCTIOM OF LETTER P0STAC.K.
At the Inst session of Congress several bills
were introduced into the House of llepto
senl.itivcs for tho reduction of letter postage
to the rate of two cent per half ounce. I
have given much study nnd reflection to this
subject, and nm thoroughly persuaded that
such a reduction would bo for the best inter
ests of the public. It has been the policy of
the government from its foundation to de
fray us far ns possible the expense of
carrying tho mails by a direct tax
in the form of postage. It has never
been claimed, however, thnt this ser
vice ought to be productive of n net revenue.
As has been stated already, the report of the
post must er-genr nil shows that there is now a
very considerable surplus in his department,
.iiti that henceforth the receipt are likely to
increase at a much greater ratio than tho
necessary expenditure. Unless some
change i made in the existing laws, the
1 rolits of the ,o. led seriicn will in a very few
year swell the revenues of the government
many millions of dollar. 'I he lime seem
auspicious, therefore, for some reduction in
the rules of poslairc.
In what shall that reduction consist? A re
view of the legislation whii Ii Las been had
upon thi. subject dining the hist thirty years
discloses tk.st domestic U ttels constitute the
only class of mail matter which In never
be .'il favored by a substantial leduc.ion of
rate. . I a m convinced that Ihe burden of
maintaining lite service falls most unequally
upon that class, and that nunc than nny
other it i enli.Ic.l to present re'ief. '1 hat
s-.iclt relief nie.y be cx ended without detri
ment to oilier public interests w ill be dis
cs. vine. I upon reviewing the rt suits of former
re biciii iis. Immediate')- prior to theaci of
1 I i the pot.ige upon a tenor composed of a
single thee; was as follows : If coneed
thirty mile or lo". six cents; between
thirty ail, I c'ghty mile, ten re.it: between
eighty nnd l.i miles, twelve and one-half:
between 1 V mil ifrl mile, eighteen and
tl.ree-i-.n-uie: ;: over t'Vi miles, twenty-live,
l'.y the act of IM.'i the postage upon a single
I; '.for eonvejed for nny distance under :XH
miles w is. fixed nt live cent, nnd for nn
rent r distance at ten cents. Ity the net of
1 f.'il it was provid
1 that a single letter, it
.1.1 o!.,.l 1 l.a ivrl.. 1 .lislsiwe not.
1 vcee li.i!' I'.UM miles for tnreo cents, and
any gr a1 or distance for six 1 cuts. It w ill be
noticed that both of these reductions were
of a iiulical character, nnd relatively quite
;,s important a that which is now proposed.
In cacti case there ensued a temporary lo
of lovemie, but a sudden and lingo niilux of
, business, which substantially repaired trial
loss within three years. Unless the oxpe-
rienee of past legislation in this country nnd
j o'fi where toe for untight, it may bo
! safely predicted thnt the stimulus of liliy per
centiim leduction in the tax for curti.igo
would nt once increase nl-e number of Ict
! lers consi.nied to the mails. 1 he ndvnn-
i inges of secresy would lend lo a very general
substitution of sealed packets for postal
c: r Is nnd open circulars, nnd m divers other
whys tho volume of first-class matter would
lie "enormously augmented. S-.u h increaso
nmountc.l in F.uglnud in the first year after
the adoption of penny postage to more than
12.i per cent. A a result of caret ul estimates,
the details of which cannot hero, be set out. I
have become convince 1 that the deficiency
for the first year nf ier the proposed reduction
would not excee.i seven per cent. 01 1110 01-
l.em'iitures. or !.lKU'. w hile the deticien
cy after tlie reduction of lfJo wa more than
' iiejrtiell p.T cent ., lin t aner 111:11 111 i.mi
wa tweiuv-sex 0.1 per cent. A not nor mier-
esiing compniisoti is ntforded by statistic
. furnished me by the postoffice department.
Th'- act of 1S4." v.a passed in face of the
fact that tie r.i existed n fU tic'eiicy of more
than s; 0.ii'. Thnt of Is'. I w a encouraged
! Isy the" sligtd surplus of $l:t2.Uk. Tho excess
oi' reveiir.i. in the next fiscal jenr is likel to
1 be S-V0 i.i.KXt.
i If Congics should npprove these snpges-
I : .... .1 .l .1A,-.,1.1 e,.K
lions 11 iiisv be dcemc'
lor. v.ue extent the ilt licency which mustior
a time result by increasing the charge for
carrying merchandise, which is now only
sixteen cents 1 er pound, lint, even without
such nn increase, 1 am oor.'klont that tho re
ceipts vuder tee diminishi d rates would
iqual the expenditure after the lapse of
three or four j ear.
THE Ptl'ARTMr.NT OF JUSTICE.
1 lie reiiort of tl.o department of intice
brings anew to your notice the necessity of I
eidai ving the . resent system 01 r euenu juris
..r,..). iw.- so cs i-tfi-ciuallv to answer the
star route service of the iisto,Uce deptirt
W i .dvi...l von thnt I hnd enioined
upon the attorney-general nnd associate
I "
counsel, to whom the interests of the govern
ment were intrusted, the duty of prose
cuting with tlie utmost vigor of the
law all person who might be found
chargeable wiih those offenses. A trial of one
of these case his since occurred. It occu
pied for many weeks the attention of the su
preme court of the district, and was conducted
with great 7xal and ability. It resulted in a
disagreement of the jury , but the cause 'ins
been H gai 11 placed uikiu the cahndur and
will shortly be re-tried. If any guilty per
son shall fni'diy cscaiie punishment for
their ofleiiaca it will not be for luck of dili-
f nt and earnest efforts on the part ot tha
prosecution. '
A NATIONAL BAttRRtTT LAW.
I tnisl that some agreement may be renelieii
which will speedily enable Congress, with
the concurrence of the Executive, to afford
the commercial community the benefits of a
nntionnl bankrupt law.
IKTFUIttAT, AFFATRf.
Tho report of the secretary of the interior,
with it accompanying dopunienl. present
a full statement of the varied operations of
thnt department, la respect to Indian ftf
fnirs nothing bis occurred which has
changed or seriously modi lied the views)
to w Inch I devote.! nmch space in a former
coinniuuieatioii o Congress. I renew tha
recommendations therein eonlainod or to ex
tending to the Indian the protection of
the law. alloting hind in severally to such as
desire if, nnd making suitable provision for
the education of youth. Such provision, as)
the, secretary forcibly maintains, will prove
unavailing unless it is broad enough to i.i
clude all those who rro nhle nnd willing to
make use of it, nnd should not solely relate
to intellectual training, but also to instruc
tion in such manual labor and simple indus
trial nrts ns cm ba niado practically avail
able. Among other important subjects which ara
included within the secretary's report, and
which will doubtless furnish occasion for
congressional action, miy be mentioned the
neglect of the railroad companies to which
large grant of land were mnda by the acta
of ma nud 1 Si? t to take title thereto, and
their consequent inequitable exemption from
local taxation.
itxrrmicT.
No survey of our material condition enn
fail to suggest inquiries a to the moral and
intellectual progress of tho people. Tho
census returns diseloso an nhirming state of
illiteracy in pertain portions of the oountry
where the provision for school is grossly iu
ndoquale. It is a momentous question for
the decision of Congress whether immediato
and substantial aid should not b extended
by the general government for supplement
ing the effort of private- beneficence and of
state and territorial legislation in behalf of
education.
1KTKH-8TATE COiSMKnOE.
The question of inter-Slate commerce lias
already been tho subject of your deliber
ation. I tne of the incident of tlio marvel
ous extension of the railway system of the
country has b.o;i the adoption of such meas
ures by tin1 corporation which own or con
trol the road as ha tended lo impair
tho advantage of healthful competi
tion, and to n.nke hurtful discriiv.inntior.s in
the adjustment of freightage. Theso
inequalities have been corrected in several
of the State by appropriate legislation, tho
effect of which is necessarily restricted to
the limits of their own territory. So far ns
such mischiefs affect commerce between tho
Stntcs, or betw een tiny 0110 of tho States and
n foreign country, they are mihiocts of na
tional concern, ntid Congrcs-3 nlone cnu af
ford relief.
rot.TOAXIT.
Tho results which have thus far r.f'.efided
the enforcement of the present statute
for the supprifldon of polygamy in tho
Territories nre reported by tho secretary
of tho interior. Ii is not probable that,
nny additional legh-lniion in this regsrd will
bo deemed desirable until iho effect of
existing laws shall bo more eloicly observed
nnd studied. I congratulate you thnt tho
commissioners under w hose snpt rvision thoo
laws have been put in operation are enconr
nged to believe that tho evil nt which they
nre aimed may be suppressed without resort
to such radical measure us in some quarters)
have been thotiphi indispensable for success,
tun Ti:tiiiiToi;ii:i.
The closo relation of the general govern
ment to the Territories preparing to be
great states may well engage your specinl
attention. It is there this! the Indian dis
turbance. nininly occur and thai polygamy
has found room for iis growth. I eoniiot
I doubt that -a careful snrvej of territorial leg
1 islation would be of ihe highest utility. Lite
1 and property would lu some more secure :
! the liability of ouibie.iks between Indian
1 nnd whites would be lessened : the public
' domain would be 11.010 securely guarded, nnd
better progress bo made in the instruction of
the joung,
Alaska is still w ithout nny form of civil
government. If means were provided for
tho education of i;s j et. tile nud for iho pro-
' ttction ol their lives nnd properly, tho
; immense resource of the region w ouhi invito
permanent se:1 lenient and open new field
j for industry an. 1 enterprise,
j ;.i nii-'. Liiitu,
1 Tho repori of the commissio'if r of ngricul
! tine presents nn account of tiie la! hits of
1 that department din ing the past your, and
! ineludts information of much inter. st to
I the general public. The condition of tho
j forests of the country, r.nd llie waste-- -1
ful manner in which their destrnc
1 tion is taking place, give cau-o for
j serious apprehension. Their acti in in pro
1 tecting the lartJi's s-.rface, in modifying tho
; extreme of climate, an 1 in regulating aud
j Mistaiiiin;; the llow of springs and streams,
! is now well understood, and llieir im
' portanco in relation to the growth and pros
perity of the country cannot bo safely
di.-regarded. They m-d faiK disappearing
I before destructive tires and the legitimate re
i quirement i f our increasing population, nud
j their total extinction cainiot be long delayed
! unless better method than now prevail shall lie
I adopted for their prot.viiou and cultivation,
j 'J he attention of Congress is inviled to tho
necessity of additional legislation to secure
the preservation of the valuable forest. still
remaining oil the public domains, specially
in the extreme est-rn States and Ter
ritories, where the necessity for their
preservation is greater ilian in ls moun
tainous regions, and where the prevailing:
dryness of the climate render
their restoration, if they are onoe de
strojed, well nigh impost-due.
T11K m 11, SIlllVI. C
The ommunic.it ion w hich 1 made to Con
gress nt its first session in W comber last con
tained a somewhat fu.l statement of my sen
timents in relation to tlio principle nnd
rules which ought to govern appointment to
public service, liefcrring to the various
plans which had theretofore been the sub
ject of discussion in the nntionnl legisla
ture, plans which in the main were
modeled upon the system which obtains ia
tireat Hritr.iu, but which lacked certnin of
the prominent features whereby that system
is distinguished. 1 felt bound to intinihte my
doubts whether they, or nny of tin 111, would
afford adequate remedy tor 11.0 evils which,
they aimed to correct. 1 ileciare.l, neverthe
less, that if the proposed measures should
pro- acceptable to Congress, they would
receive the unhesitating s-ipport of the
Executive, t inee tl e- e suggestion were
submitted for onr consideration there has
be. n 110 legi: luiioti it, 0.1 the t ubject to which
they relate; but there ha mt nnwhile been
an increase in the public inu rest in that
subject, cud tho people of tho country, ap
parently without distinction i.f pi.ny, have
in various v.axsiin.l ii) o-.i frequent occasions
given expression to their earnest wish for
1 rompt and itcfiniio action, in my judgment
such action should nolotiger be postponed.
I mny add that my own sense of its
pressing importance has been qaichoiicd by
observation of n pr;i.'iie,il phase id tlio mat
ter, to w Inch iitit-inioii has more than onco
been called by my preueces-irs. Tiie civil
list now comprise about KK'.u.'O i-crsous, far
the larger pari of whom must, under tho
terms of the Constitution, besjloctod by the
lVendcnt, either direcily or through Ins
own apjHiintees. In th early yeais
of the administration of the iroie-n-
liicnt the personal direction of appoint
ment to tho civi!-crvice mny not hnvo been
an irksome task of the Executive: but, now
that the bnrdeii has inciiiised fully a hun
dredfold, it has become greater than he
ought to bear, and it necessarily !iveiUhis
tiuio audntientiou from the pro er discharge
of other duties no less delicate and responsi
ble, nnd which in the very nature of thing
cannot Im? delegated to other hr.ndix,
In the judgment of not a few who hnvo
given study nnd reflection to this matter, ti e
nation tins outgrown lhe.jH-ovii;ionj which
the Constitution has established for filliug
Continued on fourth page.
I