The Butler Weekly Times Newspaper, December 7, 1893, Page 10

Ld ekg TO CONGRESS. The President Sends in His Regular December Message. RECENT EVENTS TREATED. Work and'Recommendations Appertaining to the Departments—Necessity of Re- trenchment—The Condition of the Treasury and Tariff Changes—No Foreign Troubles. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—The president's ' message to congress was not so long as expected. not extensively referred to, advices being awaited. The views of the presi- dent on foreign and domestic affairs are as follows: Message to the congress of the United States ‘The constitutional duty which requires the president from time to time to give to the con- gress information of the state of the union and to their consideration such meas- ures as he shall judge necessary and expedient, is Gttingly entered upon by commending to the congress a careful examination of the detailed statement and well supported recommenda- tions contained in the reports of the heads of departments who are chiefiy charged with the executive work of the government In an ef- fort to abridge this communication as much as is consistent with its purpose, I shall supplement a brief reference to the contents of these departmental reports by the mention of such executive business and incidents as are not embraced there and by such recommendations as appear to be at this particular time appro- priate. While our foreign relations have not at all times during the past year been entirely free from perplexity no embarrassing situation remains that will.not yield to the spirit of fair- ness and love of justice, which joined with con- sistent fairness characterizes a truly American foreign policy. : Foreign Affairs. My predecessor having accepted the ofice of arbitrator of the long standing bound- ary disputes, tendered to the president by the Argentine republic and Brazil, it has been my agreeable duty to receive the special envoys commissioned by those states to lay be- fore me evidence and arguments in behalf of their respective govermments. The outbreak of domestic hostilities in the republic of Brazil-found th United States alert to watch the interest of our citizens in thatcountry with which we carry on important commerce Sev- eral vessels of our new navy are now, and for some time have been stationed at Rio de Janeiro. The struggle being between the es- tablished government, which controls the machinery of administration, and with which we maintain friendly relations and certain officers of the navy employing the vessels of their command in an attack upon the national capital and chie‘ seaport, and lacking, as it does, the elements of divided administration, I have failed to see that the insurgents can reasonably claim recognition as belligerants. This far the position of our gov- ernment has been that of an attentive butan impartial observer of the unfortunate conflict. In passing,our fixed policy of impartial neutral- ity in such s condition of affairs as now exists, I deem it necessary to disallow in a manner not to be misunderstood, the unau- thorized action of our late naval commander in those waters in saluting the revolutionist Bra- zien admiral, being indisposed to countenance ‘ap @ct calculated to give gratuitous sanction to the local insurrections. The convention between our government and Chili, having for its object the settlement and adjutment of the de- mends of the two counties against each other has been made effective by the organiza- tion of the claims commission provided for. The two governments failing to agree upon the third member of th: commission the good offices of the president of the Swiss repub'ic were invoked. as provided in the treaty, and the selection of the Swiss repre- sentative to this country was gratifying alike to the United States and Chill and the vexa- tious question of so-called legation asylum for offenders against the state and its laws was presented anew in Chill by the unauthorized action of the late United States minister in receiving into hts official residence two persons who had just failed in an attempt at revolution and against, whom criminal charges were pendng, growing out of « former abortive disturbance, and the doctrine of asvlum as applied to this case is not sanctioned by the best .precedents, and, when allowed, tends to encourage sedition and strife Under no circumstances can the representatives of this government be per- naltted under the ill-defined fiction of extra-ter- ritorial jurisdiction to attempt the administra- : tion of criminal just ce in the countries to which they are accredited A temperate de- mand having been made by the Chilian govern- ment for the correction of this conduct in the instance mentioned, the minister wa; instruct- ed no longer to harbor the offenders ‘The legislation of last year known as the Geary law, requiring the registration of all Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the United States and the deportation of all not comply- iug with the provisions of the act within the time prescribed, met with much opposition from Chinamen in this country. Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel that the law was unconstitutional, the great mass of the Chinese laborers, pending judicial inquiry as to its va- lidity, {n good faith declined to apply for the certificates required by its provisions. A test case upon proceeding by habeas corpus was brought before the supreme court and on May 16, 1893, a decision was made by that tribunal sustaining the law. It is believed that under the recent amend- ment of the act extending the time of registra- tion, the Chinese laborers thereto entitled, who desire to reside in this country will now avail themselves of the renewed privilege thus af- forded of establishing by lawfal procedure their right toremain and that thereby the ne- cessity of enforced deportation may be to a great degree avoided Itis devolved upon the United States min- ister at Pekin. as dean of the diplomatic body and in the absence of a representative of Sweden and Norway to press upon the Chinese government reparation for the recent murder of Swedish missionaires at Tong, but this ques- vion is of vital interest to all countries whos: citizens engage in missionary work in the in- terior Our relations with tke French republic con- tinue to be intimate and cordial. I sincerely hope that the extra:ition treaty with that country, as amended by the senate, will soon be operatic e. While occasional questions affecting our naturalized citizens returning to the land of their birth have arisen in our inter- course with Germany our relations with that co ntry continue satisfactory. The questions affecting our relations with Great Britain have been treated in a spirit of friendliness. Nezotiations are in progress be- tween the two governments with a view to such concurrent action as will make the award and regulations agreed upon by the Behring sea tribunal of arbitration practically effective, and it is not doubted that Great Britain will co-operate freely with this country for the: ac- complishment of that purpose. The dispute growing out of the discrimination tolls imposed in the Welland canal upon cargoes of cereals bound to and from the lake ports of the United States, was adjusted by the substitution of a more equitable sched- ule of charges and my predecessor thereupon suspende his proclamation imposing discrimi- mating tolls upon British transit th ough our canals A ¢quest for additions to the list of extraditable offenses covered by the existing treaty between the two countries is under con- sideration. During the past year an American citi- zen employed in a subordinate commercial position in Hayti, after suffering a protracte! i t on an unfounded charge of smug- gitng was finally liberated on judicial examina- von. Upon receiving authentic information of the firing upon an American mail steam r touching {rom which they came by reas n of their having a: the portof Amapalpa. because her captain retused to deliver up a passenger in transit The Hawaiian matter was , from Nicaragua to Guatemala upon demand of the military authorities of Honduras, our min- ister to that country, unger instruc: ions, pro- tested agains: the wanton act and demanded satisfaction. The government of Honduras, actuated by a sen e of justice and ina spirit of the utmost friendship, promptly disavowed the ili conduct of its offic rs. The extradition treaty with Russia signed in March 1#87 and amended and confirmed by the senate in February last was duly proclaimed last June. It is hardly necessary for me tostate that the questions arising from our relati ns with Hawaii have caused serious embarrassment Just prior to the installation of the pres- ent administration the existing govern- ment of Hawaii had been suddenly overthrown and a treaty of annexation had been negotiated between the provisional government of the island and th: United Ststes and submitted to the senate for ratification. This treaty I with- drew for examination and dispatched Hon James A Blount, of Georgia, to Honolulu as a special commission to make an impartial in- vestigation of the circumstances attending the change of government and of all the conditions bearing upon ths subject of the treaty. After , ® thorough and exhaustive examination Mr. Blount submittd to me his report showing beyond all question that the constiiutional government of Hawaii had been subverted with theeactive aid of our representatives to that g vernment and through the intimidation caused by the pres- ence of an armed naval foree of the United | Seates which was landed for that purpose at the instance of our minister. Upon the facts developed it seeme1 tome the only honorable course for our government to pursue was to undo the wrong that had been done by those representing us and to restore us far as prac- ticable the status existing atthe time of our forcible intervention With a view of accom plishing this result within the constitutional limits of executive power. and recognizing allour obligations anl responsibilities grow- ing out of any change of coniitions, Drought about our unjustiflible interference our present minister at Honolulu his received a@ppropriate instructions to that end Thus ar no information of the accomplishment of any definite result has been received from him Additional advices ure soon expected. When received they will promotly be sent to congress together with all other information at hand, accompanied by a special executive messaze fully detailing all the facts necessary to com- plete understanding of the case. and presenting ; @ history of all material, events leading up to the present situation The Treasury. The secretary of the treasury reports that the receipts of the government from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 3), 1893, amounted to #461 71 1.91 and its expenditures to $159.274.67429 There was collected from customs $295,355. 01673 and from in'ernal reve nue #161,9. 393 Our dutiable imports amounted to #421 856,711 an increase of $:2,454,- 9.7 over the preceding year, and importations free of duty amounting io 414,948,2711 a de- crease from the preceding year of $13,415,447. Internal revenue receipts exceeded those of the preceding year by $7,147,414». The total tax collected on distilled spirits was 904,720, 260.55; on manufactured tobacco, $0,889,711.74, and on fermented liquors, #32,- 548,933.07. We exported merchandis? during the year amounting to #847,645,194, a decrease of 182,612,954 from the preceding year. The amount of gold exported was larger than an: previous yeur in the history of the government, amounting to #108,681,844, and exceeding the amount exported during the precejing year by $58,485,517. The sum paid from the treasury , for sugar bounty was $9,373,13..84 un increase over the preceding year of 8 033,053 U9. It is estimated uponthe basis of present revenue laws that the receipts of the gove n- ment for the year ending June 3), 1894, will be 3 ,365.:8 and” its expenditures $138 121,- , resulting in a deficiency of 23,000,000. On the Ist dayof November, 1393, the amount of money of ail kinds in circulation or not in- claded in treasury holdings was ¢1,718,544, 682, an incréase for the year of $112.404,947. E: mating our population at 67,423,000 at the time mentioned, the per capita circulation was $24.49. On the same date there was in the treasury gold bullion amounting to $96,657,:73, and silver bullion which was purchased at a cost of $126,- 261,553. The purchase of silver under the law of July 14, 189), during the last fiscal year, aggregated 54,0.8.162.59 fine ounces, which cost $15,531,- 374. The total amount of silver purchased from the time that law became operative until the repeal of its purchasing glause on the Ist day of November, 1893, was 163674,59).465 fine ounces, which cost $155,930,94) 84 Between the Ist day of March, 1893, a.d the Ist day of November, 1893, the government purchased un- der all laws 503,003,717 fine ounces of silver ata cost of $516,6:2,918 The silver dollars that have been coined under the act of July 14, 189), num- ber 36,087,238: The seigniorage arising from such coinage was $697,909.8 39, leaving on hand ,in the mints 140,699,76) fine ounces of silver which cost #126,758,218 Our total coinage of all metals during the last fiscal year consisted of 997,280,875 pieces valued at $43,685, 178.8). of whi h there was %3),- (33,14) in gold coin, 3+,343,715 in silver dollars, $7,217,22).90 in subsidiary silver coin and 31,98", 103.90 in minor coins. During the calendar year ‘1892 the production of precious metals in the United States was estimated to be 1,955,375 fine ounces of gold of the commercial and coinage ue of 330,000,0 0 and 58,000,000 fine ounces of liver of the bullion or market value of $50,750,- 00 and of the coinage value of £74,939, 90). It is estimated that on the first day of July 1 93, the metallic stock of money in the United | States, consisting of coin and bullion amounted to $1,218.559,169 of which 9597,697,68 was gold ‘and 1615, 861,484 was silver. One hundred and nineteen national banks were organized during the year ending October 81, 1893, with a capital of @11,230,000, forty-six j went into voluntary liquidation and 158 sus- pended. Sixty-five of the suspended banks were insolvent, eighty-six resumed busine: and seven remain in tee hands of bank ex- aminers with prospects of speedy resumption. Of the new banks organized 44 were located in the eastern states 41 west of the Mississippi river and 34 in the central and southern states. . The total number of banks in existence on the 31st day of October. 1893, was 3,795, having an aggregate capital of $695,534.12. The net in- crease in the ciredlation of these banks during the year was #36,886,872, The recent repeal of the provision of law requiring the purchase of silver bullion by the’ covernment asa feature of our monetary scheme has made an entire change in the complexion of our currency af- fairs Ido Lot doubt that the ul imate result of this action will be most salutary and far reaching. In the nature of things, however, it is impos sible to know at this time precisely what condi- tions will be brought about by the change, or what, if any, supplementary legislation may in the light of such conditions. appear to be es- sential or expedi nt Of course, after the re cent financial perturbation tim is necessary for the re-establishment of business confidence. When, however, through this restored confi idence, the money which has been frightened into hoarding laces is returned to trade and enterprise, a surve, of the situation will probably disclose a safe path leading to a permanently sound currency abundantly sufficient to meet every requirement of our in creasing population ani business. In the pur- suit of this object we should resolutely turn away frem luring and temporar. ex- pedients, determined to be coniented with nothing less than a lasting and com- prehensive financial plan In these cir- cumstances Iam convinced that a reasonable delay in dealing with the su ject, instead of being injurious, will increase the probability of } Wise action. | I desire to earnestly suggest’ the wisdom .f amending the existing statutes in r gard to the issuance of government bonds. The authority now vested in the secretary of the trea-ury to issue bonds is not as clear as it should be and the bonds .uthorized are disad- | vantageous to the gov rnm n bothas to the time of maturi and rate of interest. | The superintendent of immigration through the secretary of the treasury report« that dur- jing the 1 st fiscal year there arrived at our | ports 440,793 immigrants. Of these 1,063 were not permitted to land urder the limitations of the law and 577 were 1eturned to the countries “pecome public charge. The total arrivals t Sone es be oa Se Department of Justice. The report of the attorney-geners! containt the usual summary of the affairs and proceed ings of the department of Justice for the past year, together with certain recommendations as to needed legislation on various subjects J cannot too heartily indorse the proposition that the fee system as applicable to the com- | pensation of United States attorney, marshals, clerks of federal courts and United States com: missioners should be abolished with as little delay as possible I: is clearly in the interest of the communit that the business of ihe courts both civil and criminal shall be as small and as inexpensively conducted as the ends of justice will allow. The system is, therefore, thoroughly vicious which makes the compensation of court offi cials depend upon the volume of such business and thus create a conflict between a proper ex ecution of the law and private gain. which can- | not fail to be dangerous to the rights and free- ; dom of the citizen an an irresistible empta tion to the unjustified expenditure of public funds. If in addition to this reform another was inaugu-ated which would give to Unitec States commissioners the final disposition o! petty offenses within the grade of m sdemean ors, espevially those coming under the interna’ revenue laws, a great advance would be made toward a more decent administration of the-crimin 1] law -in my first message to congress dated Decem jer s.iss I strongly recommenced these change: the present system. Since that time the crim. inal business of the federal courts an! the ex p-nse attending it have enormous!y increased. The number of criminal prosecutions pendin: in the circuit and 4: ict courts of the Unite States on the Ist day of July, 1585. was 48-8, of revent cutions pending on th? Is was9,5 in which 4.2” were for Violations ot the internal revenue laws United States courts ex. ies for the year ending Ju ant for the vear end $1,528, th rier, «apparent that the i so for a change in the manner of enforcing the federal criminal laws have faiaed cogeney and strength by lapse of tim> 14so heartily join the attorney-gen rai in recommending legislation fixing decrees of murder within federal jurisdic ion, as has beer done in many of th st tes, authorizing writ o! error on behalf of the g vernment in cases where final judgment is r nde ed against the sufficiency of an indictment or aga nst the government on any other question arising be fo e actual trisl limiting the right of review ir case of felon: p nishable only by fue an! im pri-onmeat to the circuit court of apseals. anc making sp-edy 0 ision for the construciior h prison and reformstories as muy be ‘or the continemen: of United States convicts Post Office De partment. The report «f the postmaster-generai con tains a detailed statement of the oderations of the post office department during the last fis- cal earanit much information touching this important beanch of the public service. ‘The business of the mails indicite with abgolute certaint: th condition of ths business of the coun ry, and depressions in financial affairs in evitably and quickly reduces the postal reve- nus. Therefore a larger discrepancy than usual between the post office receipts and ex- penditures is the expected and unavuidable re- sult of the depressing stringency which has prevailed throughout the country during much ofthe time covered by the postmaster-gener- al’s report. Ata date when better times were anticipated it was estimated by his predecessor that tae deficiency on the 30th day of June, 1833, would be but a little over 21,590,00. It amounted, however, to more than %5,00,090. Atthe same time and under the influence of like anticipa- tion estimates were made for the current fis year ending June 30, 1831, which exhibited a surplus of revenue over expenditures of 847 245.71, but now in view of the actual recepts and expenditures during that part of the cur- rent fiscal year already expired the present postmaster-general est ma es that at its close instead of a surplus there will be a deficiency of nearl; $3,000.00). The post office receipts for the last fiscal year amounted to #75,36,933.15 and its expenditures to $81,074,144 90. This pest office deficiency would disappear or be immensely decre ised if less matter were carried free through the mails, anitem of which is upward of three hundred tons of seeds and grain from the sgricultural depirtment. The total number of post offices in the United States on the 3)th day of June, 1893, was 64,404, an increase of 1,:84 over the preceding year, and «f these 3.6) were presidential, an increase in that class of 24 over the _ preceding forty-two free delivery offices were added during the year to those already existing, making a total of 6, and ten cities and towns provided with free delivery on June 3), 1893, ninety-three other cities and towns are now entitled to this service under the law, but it has not been accorded them on account of in- sufficient funds to meet the expense of ils es- tablishment. I am decidedly of the opinion that the provisions «f the present law permits as general introduction of this feature of mail service as is necessary and justifiable and that itought not to be extended to smaller com- munities than ar: now designated. The expense of free del:very for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891, will be more than #11, 00,000 and under the administration now existing there must be # constant increase in the item of expenditures. There were 6,4 1 ad- Gitions to the domestic money order offices during the last fiscal year, being the largest in- crease inany year since the inauguration «f the system. The total number of these offices at the close of the tear was 18,431. There were 13,309,735 money orders issued from these of- fices, being an increase over the preceding year of 1,240,203, and the value of these orders amounted to $127,576,433. 6. an increase of 27,- 509,652 58. There were also issued during the year postal notes amounting to #12,903, 17673. During the year 195 international mon —or- der offices were addel to those a ready pro- vided, makings to al of 24/7 in operation on June 0, 1893. The numb:>r of international mo ey orders issued during the vear was 1,0: 992, an increase over the precding year of $25, and the value was #16 341 817 34, an increase of @1,221,506.31. The number of orders paid wa. 300,917, an increase over the preceeding year of 13503, and their value was §) 283.375, an in- crease f #0409483 From the foreg ing state ments it appears that the total issue cf money ord rsand postaln tesforthe ear amoun ed to 156,821. 348 24. The number of letters ani packages mailed during the year for special delivery was 3,3 | 693, an increase over the preceding year of | nearly 22 per cent The special delivery stamp used upor these letters and packages amounted to $337,569 30 and the messengers’ fees pail for | their delivery amounted to 4236,59 .7], leaving a | protit to the government of 9976 9 The raii- way mail service not only adds to the promote ness of mail delivery at all offices, butit is the especial instrumentality which puts the sm tlier | and way places in the service on an equality in | that regard with the larger and terminal offices. This branch of the postal service his there- fore, received much attention from the post- master-general, and though it is gratifying to ; know that it is in a condition of high efficiency :and great usefulness. ] am led to agree with | the postmaster-general that there is room for j its further improvement There are now con: ‘nected with the post office establishment 23,32) : employes who are in the classified service. and | the head of this great depart ent gives con- | elusive evidence of the value of civil service reform when, after an experience that renders his judgment absolutely reliable, he expresses ;the opinion that without th= benefit of- this ‘system it would be impossible to conduct the j vast business intrusted to him | | The Interior Department. The secretary of the interior has the super. vision of so many important subjects that his reports are of speciil value and interest On the 30th day of June, 1893, there were on the pension rolls 996,012 names, an increase of 8) - 9t-over the number on the rolls June 20, 1:9 Of these there were seventeen widows and daughters of revolutionary soldiers, the sur- vivors of the war of 1812, 5,45 widow of soldiers of that orer, 21.318 survivors and widows of the Mexican war, 3.882 survivors and widows of In- dian wars. 284 army nurses and 473,81) surviv- ors and widows and children of deceased scl- [diers and sailo s of the war of the rebellion j The latter number represents those pensioned I and referred somewhat at length to the evils o' | on account of disabilities or death re: from army and navy service. The number of persons remaining on the rolls June 30, 1893. «ho are pensioned under the act of June 27, 1890, which allows pensions on ac- count of death and Cisability not chargable to army service was 459,155 The number added to the rolis during the years was 123,634 and the number dropped was 33,69). The first payments.on pensions allowed during the year amounted to 9337654998 ‘This includes arrears on the accumu! mh ve- tween the time from which the all wance of present dates and the time of actualy granting the certificates, although the law of i889) per- mits pensions for disabitity not related to mili tary service, yet as a requisite to its benefits a disability must exist incapacitating applicants “from the performance of manual labor to such adegree as to render them unable toearna support” Execution of this law in its early stazes does not seem to have been in accord with tts true inten ion, but toward the close of the last ad ministration an authoritative construction was given to the statute and since that time this construction has been followed T is had t effect of limiting the operation of the law t intended purposes The discovery having been made that many names had been put upon the , pension roll by means of wholesale and gigantic | trauds, the commissioner suspended payments | upon a number of pensions which seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized pending a complete examination, giving notice to the pensioners, { in order that they might have an opportunity | to es ablish. if possible, the justice of their | claims notwithstanding apparent invalidity ‘This, I understand, is the practice which has for a long t me preva ied in the pension bureau but after entering upon these recent investi tions the commissioner modified this rule so as not to allow, until after s complete examina tion, interference with the payment of a pension not aitog -ther void, but which merely had been fixed ata rate higher than that au thorized by law. I am unable to understand why frauds in the pension office should not be exposed and corrected with thoroughness and vigor. very name fraudulently put upon these rolls is a wicked imposition upon the kindly sentiment in’ which pen. sions have their origin. Every fraudu lent pensioner has become a bad citizen affidavits to support of a pension have made perjury more omm n, and false and undesery ing pensions rob the people not only of their money but of the patriotic sentiment whic! the survivors of a war fought for t e p eserva tion of the union ought to inspire Tuousands of neighborhoods have their we'l known fraudu- lent pensioners, and recent developments by the bureau establish appalling conspiracies to establish pens on frauds. B, no means the least wrong.done is to brave and deserviny pensioners, wh ought not to be condemned t such associations. Those who attempt, in the line of duty, te rectify these misdoings should not be uc-used of enmity or indifference to the claims honest veterans. The sum expended on account of pensions, for the year ending June ww, 1 9°, was $156,730,467.14 The commission estimates that $165,002.00 will be req ired to pay pensior during the year ending June 39, i894 O r Indians number about 248,09. Most o! them are located on 161 reser ations containing 86,116,021 acres f and About 110, of these Indians have toa arge degree adopted civ 1 zed customs Lands in severalty hav been all tted tomany:f them Such allotments have beer made to 10,000 individuals during the ast fisca! year, embracing about 1,110,000 acres) The number of Indian g vernment schools open during the year was 195, an inc ease of 12 over the preceding year Of this total 17) were on teservations, of which 73 were boarding schools and 67 were day schoo! Twenty boarding schools and five day s supported by the government were no located on reservations. The total number of Indian children enrolled during the year as attendants of all schools was 21,148 an increase of 1,231 over the enrollment for the previous year. Iam sure that secular education and moral and religious teaching must be important fac- him ocivilization I beiieve. too, that the re- linquishment of tribal relations and the holding of I.nd in severalty may. in favorable condi- tions. aid this consummation It seems to me, however, that allo ments of land in severwliy ought t) be made wi h great care and circum- spection ‘The appropriations on account of thy Indian bureau or the year ending June 3. 194% amount to $795,194: 9) a decreis>as compared with the year pre-eding it of 8 87,1519) The vast area of land which but a short time ago constituted th: public domain is rapidly falling into private hands It is certain that in the transfer the benefic*nt intention of the government to supply from its domain homes to the industrious and worthy home seekers is often frustrated. Though the speculator who stands with extortionate purpose between the land office and those who. with their families, are invited by the government to settle on the public lands, is a despicable character who ought not to be tolerated. -etitis dif} ult to thwart his scheme The recent opening to setilemen of the lands in the Cherokee outlet. embracing an area of 6,500,0 0 acres, notwithstand ng the utmost cure in framing the rezulations gov raing the selec- tion of locations and notwitbstan ing the pres- ence of United ~tates troops. furnished an ex- hibition, though. perhaps in a modified degree, of the mad scramble. the ‘violence and the fraudulent occupation which hive accompanied previous openin:s of pubticiands. I concur with the seeretary in the bsief that these aut rageous incidents ¢\wnot be entirely prevented without a change in tie laws on the subjec’, and T hope the recommend ttions in that direc- tion will be favorab!+ consideret Departm nt of Agricaltare. The report of the sec-etar: of agriculture will be found exceedingly interesting, especial- ly to that large pirt of of our citizen inti- mately concerned in agricultural occupations. On the 9th day of March 1895 there were upon its pay rolls 2,430 emplo es Tais numb-r has been reduced to 1,850 p-rsons In view of a depleted public treasury and the imp rat.ve demand of the people forthe «conomy in the adminis- tpat.on cf their goyernm -nt. the secretary bas entered upon the task of ra jo.aily redycing ex- penti ures h- eliminating trom the par ro!js jall personsQnot needed for an efiicient eon- duct of the affairs of the department Durio the fipst quarter of the present year th ex- penses of the department ageregated 34 .~7 against $107,912.49 for the correspond.nz period of the fiseal tear ended June 3°, 4-93 The se retary mak2s apparent his intention of continu- ing this rste of reduction by submit ing esti- mites furthe next fiscal year less by 991,30 than those for the present vear. Among the heads of divisions in this depar:- ment the changes have been exceedingly fe« Three vacuncies occurring from death and resignations have been filied b- the promotion of assistants in the same divisions ‘Th-se pro- motions of experienced and faith’yl assistants have not only been in tie interest of efficient work, but haw: suggested to those in the de- parment who look for retentfon and promotion that meritand devotion to duty are their best | reliance. The amount appropriated for the bu- reau of animal industr- for the current fiscal year is $83),00. the estimate fot the ensuing year is #70 ',00 |" vhe regulations of 1:9: concern'ng Texas | fever have been enforcei diring the last year, | and the large stock yards of the countr’ have | been kept free from infe-tion (-casignaj} = | cal outbreaks have been largely such as could ‘have b en effectually xuarded azainst by the | owners of the affected cattle | While contagious p euro pneumonia in cattle has been erid’cated anim:! tuberculosis a dis ease widespread and more dangerous to human | iil prevalent | life than pleuro pneumonia, fs s Investigations have been ma ie during the past year as to te means of its epmmunicatiog # d@ the method of Much pr gress has been made in this direoti by the studies of the divi ozs, but work ought to be extended in co- operation with local authorities, ger to human life arising from th: duced to a minimum ‘The number of animal. arriv: during the year and inspected by bureau officer | was 462,092, and the number from trans-Atlantic | countries was 1,297. No contagious diseases / were found among the imported aniwais 1 total nuybder of inspections of eatile fur ex- port during the past fiseal year was 611.54" ‘The exports show a falling off of about 2 p vent from the preceding ~ ear, the oc curring entirely in the ast half of the year. ‘hools | tors in any effort to save the I dian and lead ; its correct diagnosia | ion of animal pathol | This sugzests that the fall! largely due to an increase in the price of Amer- ican export cattle Durin: the year ended June 30, 189% exports of inspected pork agsre gated 20,477.410 pounds as against pounds for the preceding year. The falling of in this export is not :ontined, however, to in- spected pork, the tota! quaatity exported for 1892 being 663.49+616 pounds, while in isos it was only :27,3:8 9 pounds I join the secretary in recommen hereafter each applicant for the posi spector or assistant inspector in the bureau of anima! industry be required as a condition pre- cedent to his appointment to exhibit to the fal United States civil service commissioner his iplofna from an established regular and rep table veterinary college, and that this t plemented by such an examination inv ary science as the commission may prescribe, The exports of agricultural products ¢ United States for the fi: 2, attained the enormous figure of #8, WW, round numoers, being 7 total exports In the last fiscal year tis aggregate was greatly reduced, but nev rt el ss, reached $615 01,000, being 7.1 per cent. of all American commodities exported A review of our culturslexports ith special refere ce to tt es ination will show that in almost every the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire land absorbs by far the largest proportion Of cattle the total exports aggregated in value for $25,200,095, the fiscal year ended June 30, 159! of which Great Britain took coasi #2. 01,009. Of beef products of total exports were $4,000, of wh Britain took #°1,0), Of pork products the total exports were #3', OU, of which Great Britain took $3.0 COO breadstuffs, cotton and minor products, li proportions sent to the same destination 2 shown. The work of the statistical div an of the department of agriculture dea's with all that relates to the economics of farming. The main purpose of its monthiy reports are to keep the farmers informed us fully as possible of all matters having any influence upon the world’s markets in whi their products found sale. Its publications relate espe ta to the commercial side of farming It is therefore of profound tmportance aad Vital concern to the farmers of the United States who represent nearly one-ha f of our population, and also of direct interest to the whole country, that the work of this division be efficiently performed and tha: the informs tion ithas gathere! be promptly diffused. It isa matter for congratulation to know that the secretary will not spare any effor to make this part of his work thoroughly useful In the year 1X39 the congress appropriated $1,000 to be taken from the patent office funds for the purpose of collecting and dis \ributing rare and i. proved of seeds and for prosecuting cultural investigations and procuring 4 agri- cultural statistics,and from thissmali beginning the seed division of the department of agricult- ure has grown to its present unwieldy and un justifiably extravagant proportions. During the last fiscal year the cost of seeds * purchased was £56,148 61 The remainder of an arp opriation of $1 5.+0 was expended in put- ting them up and distributing them It sure v never could have ente ed te minds of thos? who first sanctioned — aprropria- tins of public money for the pur- ech se of new ani improved varieties of seeds for distribuiion that from this would grow large appropriations for the purch: and distribution by members of conzress of or- dinary seeds, bulbs and cuttings whi bh arecom mon in all the states and territories and every | where easily obtainable at low pr.ces. In each stute and territory un agricultural experiment station has been established These stations ; by their very character and name. are the proper agencies to experiment with and te. new varieties of seeds: and yet this indis. rim inate and wasteful distribution by legislation and legislators continues,answerin: no purpose | uvless it be to remind constituents that th ir representatives are willing to rememher them with gratuitous seeds at public cost. Under the anction of existing legislation there was sent out from the agricu.tural de- partment during the last fiscal veare ough of cabbage seed to p.ant 19.20) acres of land a suficient quantity of beans to plant 4, 10 acres beet seed enough to plant 205 acres swee corn enough to plant 7,80) acres, sufficient i cucumber seed to cover 2,02) acres wi h vines and enough musimelon and watemelon see is to plant 2,€75 acres The to al quantity of flower and vegetable seeds thus distribated was co tained in more than nine million packages and they were sufficient if planted to cover $9 95 acres of land. In view of these facts this enormous expendi- ture without legitimate returns of benefit ought to be abolished Anticipatng a com- munication so manifes:ly in the interest of oot lezislati a more than #190,90 has been stricken from the estimite made to cover this object for the year ending June 3!, 1895, and the secretary recommends thatthe remaininz #3).00) of estimate be confined strictly to the purchase of new and improved varieties of secd and that these be distributed through ex- periment stations Thus the seed will be tested and after the test has been completed by the experiment station the propagation of the useful varieties and the rej-ction cf the valueless may safely be left ta the common sense of the people War Department The secretary of war reports that the strength of the army on the Sth day of Sep. tember last was enisted men and 2.14 officers. The total expentitures of the depart- ment for the year en linz June #'. 1893. amount: ing to $51,055,u74 89. Of thissun. 819) was for salaries and contingent ex .enses $:3,377,- 828.3) for the support of the military establish- ment, $',077,933.15 for miscellaneous objects and #2),.518,631.41 for public work. This latter sum includs +15,295,876.45 for r.ver and harbor improvements and #3,236,1112) for fortifica tions and other works of defense. a The total enrollment af the militia of the sey. eral states was, onthe Ist of October of the current year, 112.597 officers an! enlisted men The officers of the arm- detated for the in spection and instruction of ths reserve of our military force report that iacreasel intereat and marked progress are ap arent iq the dis: vipline aud eMjciency of the orgagigition Neither Jndian outbr aks ar comestie vio- jence have called the arm, into service during the year, and the only active military duty re- quired of it has been im the depirtment of ‘Texas, where violations of the neutrality laws of the United Statesand Mexico were promptly and ¢Miciently dealt with by t% vops, elicit- ing the warm ap>rova! of th: ¢ vil and militar authori:ies of both countri s ‘The operation of wise lass and the influence of civi:ization constantly teod o relleye the country from the Ganzers of I iin hostilities, tozether with the increasing abiliy of tae atstes throysh the emj iescy of the nitions gueFi organiaation to protect their citizens from d& mestic violence, ies4 ‘o the suggestion that the time is fast approaching «hen there should be a reorganization o our army; o1 the tines of the present necessitizs of the coantr;. This change contemplaies n it’ increas: in nuinber nor added expense, but a redistribution of the force and an encour igement of measures, tendin’ to greater efficienc: among the men and improvement of the se + The work of the yrojected Chtckim uve and Cyattanoaga national military park has been prosecuted with g+al and jidgment The reports of the miflitir: a-aiem?s at West Pointand the special s-b wis struction of officers si the education ambition amouz its otic za 2 all these calls upon t Tecume necessary in order to make terin- j om the | e | ng off may bave been | up asuffcient fleet. to patrol the Behring sea ender the modus vivendi agree? upon with Great Britain to detail to that servis ont ves selfrom the fish commission and three from the revenue marine. ored vessels, but for the most pari they have been sich as was constantly occurring even in countries having the largest experience in naval ship building. The most serious delays, bow ever, have been in the work upon armored ships. The trouble has been the failure of con tractors to deliver armor as agreed The d ft culties seem now, however to have 2 overcome and armor is Deiug delivered with satisfactory promptness The method of employing mechanical labor at navy vards through Doards of labor, ant making eMiciency the sole test by which labor ers are employed and continued is producing the best results. and the secretary is carnes: devoting himself to its development Attention is invited to the statements of his report im re- “i to workings of the tem | The Civil Service. The continued intelligent execution of the civil seryice law and ihe Increasing approval by ths people of its operation are most qualifying. The recent extension of its limitations and regula tions to the emploves at free delivery post offices which has been honestly and promptly accom ed by the commissios, with the hearty co-operation of the postmastergeneral, is an immensely important advance in ths use fulness of the system. 1 am, if po than ever convinced of the inca’ | conferred by the civil sery its effect upon the public service is even more important in its effect the tone of political life generally, The law embodying civil service reform found its Way to our statute book more from fear of the popular sentiment oxisting tn its fa- vor than from any love for the reform itself on the part of legislators, and it has lived and grown and flourished in spite of the covert as well as open hostility of spoilsmen and notwithstanding the querulous impracticability of m ny sei. stituted guardians. B neath al! the va aries an subjimated theories which reattracted to itthere underlies this reform a sturdy, com mon sense principle not only suited Sto this mundane sphere, but whose application our people are more and more recognizing to be ab- solutely essential to the most successful opera- tions of their government, if not to fts per petuity. Itseems tome to be entirely inconsistent with the character of this reform as well as » ith its best enforcement, to oblige the com mission to rely for clerical assistance upon clerks detailed from othe depariments. There ought not to be such a conaition in any department that clerks hired te do work there can be spared to habitually work ut another place, and it does not accord with a sensible view of civil servic reform that p-rsons sbould be employed on the theory that their labor is necessary in one department when in point of fact their services are devot d to entirely dif- ferent work in another department I earn- estly urge that the clerks necess ry tocarry on the work of the commission be regularly put upon its roster, and that the system of obiig- ing the commissioners to rel upon the services of clerks belonging to other departments be discontinued. ‘This ought not to increase the expense to the government, while it would certainly be more consistent and adds greatly to the efficiency of the commission Economy in a public eapend- iture is a duty that cannot inuovently be ne- giected by those intrusted with the control of money drawn from the peopl: for public uses it must be confessed that our apparently end- less resources the familiarity of our people with immense accumulations of wealth, the growing sentiment among them that the ex- penditure of public money should in some man- ner be to their immediate and personal adivan- tage, the indirect and almost stealthy manner in which a larger part of our taxes ore exacted and a degenerated sense of oMecia! accountabil- ity have led to growing extravaganes If gov- ernms .tal appropriations elevating Tariff Reform. After a hard struggle. tariff reform is di- rectly before us. Nothing so tmportant claims our attention and nothing so clearly presents itseifas both an opportunity and a duty -an opportunity to deserve the gratitude of our fel- low itfzens and a duty impos d upon us by our oft repeated pro‘essions and by the emphatic mandate of the people After full discussion our countrymen have spoken in favorof this reform. ane they have confided the werk of its accom- plishment to the hands of those who are sol- emaly pledged toit If there is anything in the theory of a representation in public places of the people und their desires, if public officer: are really servants of the people and if political promises and professions have an: binding force our failure to give the relief solo g awaited will be sheerrecreancy. Nothing should intervene ta distract our attention or dis:urb our effort um- Ul this reform is accomplished b wise and careful legisiation While e should staun hly adhere to the principle that only the necessity of revenue ju-tifies the imposition of tartf? duties and other federal taxation and that they should be limite by strict economy. we cannot close qur eyes to the fact that condi- tions have vrown up among ts which in jus. tie and fairness ca!l for discriminating care to the Gistribution of such duties and taxation as the emergencies of ous government actually demand Manifestly.if we are toaid the people directly through tariff r form. one of its most obvious features should be a reduction in present tariff! charges upon the necessaries of life The ben- efits of such a reduction would be palpable and substantially aven and felt by thousands who would be better fed and better clothed and bet- tersheitered These gifts should he the willing benefactions of a government whose highest function is the promotion of the wel.are of the people. Not ‘ess cloaely related to our people's prosperity and well beinz is the rem val of re strictiqna npan the importation of the raw ma Veriala becessary o Que manufactures The world should be op’a to our national ingenuity aad enterprise. For their goods soon filithe parro market | to which they are confnod Then follo 8 a suspension of work in mills and Pctories, a discharge of employes and distress in the hom~s of our workinzmen Even if the often | disproved assertion couil b+ made good thata lower rate of ages would resuit from free raw | Materials qud ) w tari duties, the intelil-ence | of our workingm no leads them quickly to dis- | cover th t their steady + mployment permitied |by free raw wi teriais is the important factor in thetr re :tion to tariff evislatian & measure has been prepired by the appropri &te congressional committee embod tiny tariff reform on the lines herein suggested which will be prompt! submitted for legislative action. Itis the result +f mueh patriotic and ifish work «nil believe it deals with its subject consistentiy amd as thoroazmly as ex- isting conditions permit | am satisfied that the redycet variff Guties provilei for in the propowed levisiation sd@ied toexisting interaat reyenue vaxation will fn the near fujare, thowh prrhaps not immediately produce suf Beient revenue to mert the needs of the gow ernment The committee, after ful somsideration and to provide against 4 temoorary deticiency which ms~ exist before the bysiness of the country adguste itself to the new tariff sched- vies aaye *isely en braced im their plan a few @dditional internal rewenue taxes. including a gmell Wx Upon iscomes verived from certsin qworporate investments These new assess- ments Bre notonly absolutely just and easily, borne, but they have the further meet of being such ascan be remitted withast unfavorable buriness disturbance w ex the necessity of their imposition no Yomzer exists. In my great Ccame for the success af this measure I cimmyi restrain ‘he suezestion that syeces= Can only be ett.ined b- means of wusrlfish counsel of the part of the friends af Tm SUA Sh arescitcl thcir willegreme to subordinate personal desires and ambinsous he LETS! F008 of she loca: interests a@ect- a by = prOpvecd relo. m are so nomepoits and varied that if all « ~ fr feststed u; lation « mbodying the reform ‘ent inevitatiy fa concussion my integee fee ing « { re: peer. ty impels m~ is haw ke fer ‘be macibed hi sts of s gsecrous and confiding » opie MGSi S<Typwious cae and io peige my willing Support oevers legislative efirt Se the ac wane ment of the greatness ani Drom rTity of gat beloved country §=Gevves Cizvesaxn con- enn tna nti |