Evening Star Newspaper, December 4, 1893, Page 12

THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. ©, MONDAY. DECEMBER 4, 1893—SIXTEEN PAGES. (Continued from First Page). by the Senate in February last, was duly proclaimed last June. The Samoan Protectorate. Led by @ desire to compose differences and contribute to the restoration of order in @amoa, which for some years previous had and native strife, the United States, its policy consecrated by a observance, entered four years of Samoa. The treaty foreign court of justice; a council for the district of Apia, with @ foreign president thereof, author- fzed to advise the king; a tribunal for the settlement of native and foreign land titles, and a revenue system for the king- dom. It entailed upon the thres powers that part of the cost of the new govern- ment not met by the revenue of the islands. Early in the life of this triple protectorate the native dissensions it was designed to quell revived. Rivals defied the authority of the new king, refusing to pay taxes and @emanding the election of a ruler by native suifrage. Mataafe, an aspirant to the throne, and a large number of his native the other powers, and in fulfillment of its obligation, this. government agreed ite in a joint military movement of as would probably secure of the insurgents without war ship Philadelphia was accord- put under orders for Samoa, but be- arrived the threatened conflict was by King Malietoa’s attack the insurgent camp. Mataafa was de- ‘a number of his men killed. and German naval vessels subsequently secured the surrender and his adherents. The de- and ten of his principal sup- deported to a German island ef the Marshall group, where they are held as prisoners under the joint responsibility and cost of three powers. ‘This incident and the events leading up it signally illustrate the impolicy of en- tangling alliances with foreign powers. Claims Against Spain. More than fifteen years ago this govern- ment preferred a claim against Spain, in Dehalf of one of our citizens, for property seized and confiscated in Cuba. In 1886 the claim was adjusted, Spain agreeing to pay, unconditionally, as a fair indemnity, 91,500,000. A respectful but earnest note i aH i i Bs ‘was recently addressed to the Spanish gov- ernment insisting upon prompt fulfillment of its long-neglected obligation. Other claims, preferred by the United Cuba, have been pending for many years. At the time Spain's title to the Caroline Islands was confirmed by arbitration, that mpected. It is sincerely hoped that this Pledge will be observed by allowing our missionaries, who were removed from Pon- ape to a place of safety by a United States war ship during the late troubles between the Spanish garrison and the natives, to return to their fleld of usefulness. The reproduced caravel, Santa Maria, Duilt by Spain and sent to the Columbian Exposition, has been presented to the United States in token of amity and in commem- oration of the event it was designed to cele- brate. I recommend that, in accepting this gift, Congress make gra:eful recognition of the sincere friendship which prompted it. Important matters have demanded atten- tion in cur relations with the Ottoman Porte. The firing and partial destruction, by an unrestrained mob, of one of the school buildings of Anatolia College, established by citizens of the United States at Mar- govan, and the apparent indifference of the Turkish Government to the outrage, not- ‘withstanding the complicity of some of its Officials, called for earnest remonstrance, which was followed by promises of repara- tion and punishment of the offenders. Indemnity for the injury to the buildings has already been paid, permission to re- build given, registration of the school prop- erty in the name of the American owners secured, ani efficient protection guaran- teed. Missionaries in Turkey. Information received of maltreatment suffered by an inoffensive American woman engaged in missionary work in Turkish Koorlistan was followed by such represen- tations to the Porte as resulted in the is- sSuance of orders for the punishment of her assailants, the removal of a delinquent Official, and the adoption of measures for the protection of our citizens engaged in mission and other lawful work in that quarter. Turkey complains that her Armenian subjects obtain citizenship in this country, Mot to identify themselves in good faith with our people, but with the intention of returning to the land of their birth and there engaging in sedition. This complaint 4s not wholly without foundation. A jour- nal published in this country in the Arme- nian language openly counsels its readers to arm, organize, and participate in move- ments for the subversion of Turkish author- ity in the Asiatic provinces. The Ottoman Government has announced its intention to expel from its dominions Armenians who have obtained naturalization in the United States since 1868. The right to exclude any or ali classes of aliens is an attribute of sovereignty. It is @ right asserted and, to a limited extent, enforced by the United States, with the sanction of our highest court. There being Bo naturalization treaty between the United States and Turkey, our minister at Constan- tinople has been instructed that, while rec- ognizing the right of that government to en- force its declared policy against natural- fzed Armenians, he is expected to protect them from unnecessary harshness of treat- ment. In view of the impaired financial resources of Venezuela, consequent upon the recent Fevolution there, a moditied arrangement | for the satisfaction of the awards of the} late revisory Claims Commission, in pro-}| Sressive installments, has been assented to, | nd payments are being regularly made} thereunder. The boundary dispute between Venezuela end British Guiana is yet unadjusted. A restoration of diplomatic intercourse between that republic and Great Britain snd reference of the question to impar- tial arbitration would be a most gratify- ing consummation. The ratification by Venezuela of the coz- vention for the arbitration of the long-de- ferred claim of the Venezuelan Transporta- ton Company is awaited. Waiting for News From Hawalil. It is hardly necessary for me to state that the question arising from our relations with Hawaii have caused serious embarrass- ment. Just prior to the installation of the present administration the existing govern- ment of Hawaii had been suddenly over- thrown, and a treaty of annexation had been negotiated between the provisional government of the islands and the United States, and submitted to the Senate for ratification. This treaty I withdrew for examination, and dispatched Hon. James H. Blount of Georgia to Honolulu as a special commissioner to make an impar- al investigation of the circumstances at- tending the change of government, and of all the conditions bearing upon the sub- Ject of the treaty. After a thorough and exhaustive examination Mr. Blount sub- mitted to me his report, showing beyond all question that the constitutional govern- ment of Hawaii had been subverted with the active aid of our representative to that government and through the intimidation caused by the presence of an armed naval force of the United States which was land- 4 for that purpose at the instance of our minister, Upon the facts developed it seemed to me the only honorable course for | our government to pursue was to undo the | wrong that had been done by those repre- senting us and to restore as far as prac- ticable the status existing at the time of our forcible intervention. With a view of accomplishing this result within the con- stitutional limits of executive power, and recognizing all our obligations and respon- sibilities growing out of any changed con- aitions*brought about by our unjustifiable interference, our preseht minister at Hono- | lulu has received appropriate instructions to that end. Thus far no information of the accomplishment of any definite results has been received from him. Additional advices are soon expected. When received they will be promptly sent to the Congress, together with all other in- formation at hand, accompanied by a spe- cial executive message fully detailing all the facts necessary to a complete under- Standing of the case, and presenting a his- tory of all the material events leading up to the present situation. The Arbitration Movement. By a concurrent resolution, passed by the Senate February 14, 1890, and by the House of Representatives on the 3d of April fol- lowing, the President was requested “to in- vite, from time to, time, as fit occasions may arise, negotiations with any Govern- ment with which the United States has or may have diplomatic relations, to the end that any differences or disputes arising between the two Governments which can not be adjusted by diplomatic agency may be referred to arbitration and be peaceably adjusted by such means.” April 18, 1890, the International American Conference of Washington, by resolution expressed the wish that all controversies between the re- publics of America and the nations of Eu- rope might be settled by arbitration and recommended that the government of each nation represented in that conference should communicate this wish to all friendly pow- ers. A favorable response has been re- ceived from Great Britain in the shape of @ resolution adopted by Parliament July 16 last, cordially sympathizing with the pur- pose In view, and expressing the hope that Her Majesty's Government will lend ready co-operation to the Government of the United States upon the basis of the con- current resolution above quoted. It affords me signal pleasure to lay this parliamentary resolution before the Con- gress and to express my sincere gratitica- tion that the sentiment of two great and kindred nations is thus authoritatively man- ifested in favor of the rational and peace- able settlement of international quarrels by honorable resort to arbitration. Since the passage of the act of March 3, 18¥3, authorizing the President to raise the grade of our envoys to correspond with the rank in which foreign countries accredit thelr agents here, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany have conferred upon their representatives at this capital the title of ambassador, and I have responded by accrediting the agents of the United States im those countries with the same title. A like elevation of mission is announced by Russia, and when made will be similarly met. This step fittingly comports with the Position the United States holds in the family of nation: The Consular Service. During my former administration I took occasion to recommend a re-cast of the laws relating to the consular service, in order that it might become a more efficient agency in the promotion of the interests it was intended to subserve. The duties and Powers of consuls have been expanded with the growing requirements of our foreign trade. Discharging important duties affect- ing our commerce and American citizens abroad, and in certain countries exercising Judicial functions, these officers should be men of character, intelligence, and ability. Upon proof that the legislation of Den- mark secures copyright to American citi- zens on equal footing with its own, the Privileges of our copyright laws have been extended by proclamation to subjects of that country. The Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury reports that the receipts of the Government from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1893, amounted to $461,716,561.94 and its expenditures to $459,374,674.29. There Was collected from customs $205,355,016.73 and from internal revenue $161,027,623.93. Our dutiable imports amounted to $421,856,- Til, an increase of $52,453,907 over the pre- ceding year, and importations free of duty amounted to $44,544,211, a decrease from the preceding year of $13,455,447. Internal- revenue receipts exceeded those of the pre- ceding year by $7,147,445.32. The total tax collected on distilled spirits was = $94,720,260.55, on manufactured tobacco, $31,889,711.74, and on fermented Uquors, $32,548,983.07.. We exported mer- chandise during the year amounting to $847,665,194, a decrease of $182,612,954 from | the preceding year. The amount of gold exported was larger than any previous year in the history of the Government, amount- ing to $108,680,844, and exceeding the amount exported during the preceding year by $58,485,517. The sum paid from the Treasury for sugar bounty was $0,375,130.S8, an increase over the preceding year of $2,033,053.09. It is estimated upon the basis of present revenue laws that the receipts of the Gov- ernment for the year ending June 30, 1894, will be $430,121,365.38 and its expenditures $458,121,365.38, resulting in a deficiency of On the first day of November, 1893, the amount of money of all kinds in) circula- tion, or not included in Treasury holdings, Was $1,718,544,682, an increase for the year of $112,404,947. Estimating our population at 67,426,000 at the time mentioned the per capita ‘circulation was $25.49. On the same date there was in the Treasury gold bul- Mon amounting to $96,657,273 and silver bullion which was purchased at a cost of $126,261,553. Silver Purchases. The purchases of silver under the law of July 14, 1890, during the last fiscal year, aggregated 54,008,162.59 fine ounces, which cost $45,531,374.53. The total amount of sil- ver purchased from the time that law be- came operative until the repeal of its pur- chasing clause, on the 1st day of November, 1893, was 168,674,590.46 fine ounces, which cost $155,930,940.84. Between the Ist day of March, 1873, and the 1st day of November, 1893, the Government purchased, under all laws, 503,003,717 fine ounces of silver at a cost of 516,622,948. The silver dollars that | have been coined under the act of July 14, 1890, number 36,087,285. The seigniorace | arising from such coinage was $6, fine ounces of silver, which cost $12 218. ] Our total coinage of all metals during the last fiscal year consisted of 97,280,875 Pieces valued at $43,685,178.80, of which there was $30,038,140 in gold coin, $5,343,715 | in silver dollars, $7,217.220.90 in subsidiary | silver coin, and $1,086,102.90 in minor coins. | During the calendar year 1892 the pro- duction of precious metals in the United States was estimated to be 1,596,375 fine ounces of gold of the commercial and coin- age value of $33,000,000, and 58,000,000 fine ounces of silver of the bullion or market value of $50,750,000 and of the coinage value of $71,989,900, It is estimated that on the first day of | July, 1898, the metallic stock of money in | the United States, consisting of coin and bullion, amounted to $1,213,559,169, of which | $597,097,685 was gold and $615,861,484 was silver. One hundred and nineteen national banks were organized during the year ending October 31, 1893, with a capital of $11,230,- 000, Forty-six went into voluntary liquida- tion and one hundred and fifty-eight sus- pended. Sixty-five of the suspended banks were insolvent, eighty-six resumed busi- ness, and seven remain in the hands of bank examiners, with prospects of speedy | resumption. Of the new banks organized 44 were located in the Eastern States, | 41 west of the Mississippi River, and 4 | in the Central and Southern States. The | total number of national banks in exist on the #Ist day of October, 1893, was having an regate capital of 20. | The net increase in the circulation of these banks during the ye: i Effect of the Silver Repeal. The recent repeal of the provision of law requiring the purchase of silver bul- lion by the government as a feature of our monetary scheme has made an entire change in the complexion of our currency affairs. I do not doubt that the ultimate result of this action will be most salutary and far-reaching. In the nature of things, however, it-is impossible to know at this time precisely what conditions will be brought about by the change, or what, if any, supplementary legislation may, in the; light of such conditions, appear to be es- sential or expedient. Of course, after the recent financial perturbation, time is neces- sary for the re-establishment of business confidence. When, however, through this restored confidence the money which has been frightened into hoarding places is returned to trade and enterprise, a survey of the situation will probably disclose a safe path leading to a permanently sound currency, abundantly sufficient to meet every requirement of our increasing popu- lation and business. In the pursuit of this object we should resolutely turn away from alluring and temporary expedients, determined to be content with nothing less than a lasting and comprehensive financial plan. In these circumstances I am convinced that a rea- sonable delay in dealing with this subject, instead of being injurious, will increase the probability of wise action. The Monetary Conference which asserh- bled at Brussels upon our invitation was adjourned to the 30th day of November in the present year. The considerations just stated and the fact that a definite proposi- tion from us seemed to be expected upon the reassembling of the conference, led me to express a willingness to have the meet- ing still further postponed. It seems to me that it’ would be wise to give general authority to the President to invite other nations to such a conference at any time when there should be a fair Prospect of accomplishing an international agreement on the subject of coinage. The Bond Questio I desire also to earnestly suggest the wisdom of amending the existing statutes in regard to the issuance of government bonds. The authority now vested in the Secretary of the Treasury te issue bonds is not as clear as it should be, and the bonds authorized are disadvantageous to the government both as to the time of their maturity and rate of interest. The Superintendent of Immigration, through the Secretary of the Treasury, re- ports that during the last fiscal year there arrived at our ports 440,703 tmmigrants. Of these 1,063 were not permitted to land under the limitations of the law, and 577 were returned to the countries from whence they came*by reason of their having be- come public charges. The total arrival: were 141,034 less than for the previous year. National Quarantine. The Secretary in his report gives an ac- count of the operation of the Marine-Hos- pital Service and of the good work done under its supervision in preventing the en- trance and spread of contagious diseases. The admonitions of the last two years touching our public health and the demon- strated danger of the introduction of con- tagious diseases from foreign ports have in- vested the subject of national quarantine with increased interest. A more general and harmonious system than now exists, acting promptly and directly everywhere, and constantly operating by preventive means to shield our country from the inva- sion of disease, and at the same time hav- ing due regard to the rights and duties of local agencies, would, I believe, add greatly to the safety of our people. The Army. The Secretary of War reports that the strength of the Army on the 80th day of September last was 25,778 enlisted men and 2,144 officers, The total expenditures of the Department for the year ending June 80, 1: amounted to $51,966,074.89. Of this sum, $1,992,581.95 was for salaries and contingent expenses, $23,377,828.35 for the support of the military establishment, $6,077,033.18 for miscellaneous objects, and $20,518,631.41 for public works. This latter sum includes $15,296,876.46 for river and harbor improvements and $3,266,- 141.20 for fortifications and other works of defense. The total enrollment of the militia of the several States was, on the 3ist of October of the current year, 112,597 officers and en- listed men. The officers of the Army de- tailed for the inspection and instruction of this reserve of our military force report that increased interest and marked prog- Tess are apparent in the discipline and efficiency of the organization. Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic violence have called the Army into service during the year, and the only active mili- tary duty required of it has been in the Department of Texas, where violations of the neutrality laws of the United States and Mexico were promptly and efficiently dealt with by the troops, eliciting the warm approval of the civil and military authori- ties of both countries. The operation of wise laws and the in- fluences of civilization constantly tending to relieve the country from the dangers of Indian hostilities, together with the increas- ing ability of the States, through the effi- ciency of the National Guard organizations, to protect their citizens from domestic vio- lence, lead to the suggestion that the time is fast approaching when there should be a reorganization of our Army on the lines of the present necessities of the country. This change contemplates neither increase in number nor added expense, but a redistri- bution of the force and an encouragement of measures tending to greater efficiency among the men and improvement of the service. The adoption of battalion formations for infantry regiments, the strengthening of the artillery force, the abandonment of smaller and unnecessary posts, and the massing of the troops at important and accessible sta- tions, all promise to promote the usefylness of the Army. In the judgment of Army officers, with but few exceptions, the opera- tion of the law forbidding the re-enlist- ment of men after ten years’ service has not proved lis wisdom, and while the argu- ments that led to its adoption were not without merit, the experience of the year constrains me to join in the recommenda- tion for its repeal. Sea Coast Defenses. It is gratifying to note that we have be- gun to attain completed results in the com- prehensive scheme of seacoast defense and fortification, entered upon eight years ago. A large sum has been already expended, but the cost of maintenance will be 4nconsider- able as compared with the expense of con- struction and ordnance. At the end of the current calendar year the War Department will have nine 12-inch guns, twenty 10-inch, and thirty-four 8-inch guns, ready to be mounted on gun lifts and carriages, and seventy-five 12-inch mortars. In addition to the product of the Army Gun Factory, now completed at Watervliet, the Govern- ment has contracted with private parties for the purchase of one hundred guns of these calibers, the first of which should be delivered to the Department for test before July 1, 1894. The manufacture of heavy ordnance keeps pace with current needs; but to render these guns available for the purposes they are de- signed to meet, emplacements must be pre- pared for them. Progress has been made in this direction, and it is desirable that Con- gress by adequate appropriations should provide for the uninterrupted prosecution of this necessary work. After much preliminary work and ex- haustive examination in accordance with the requirements of the law, the board ap- pointed to select a magazine rifle of mod- ern type with which to replace the obsolete Springtield rifle of the infantry service, completed its labors during the last year, and the work of manufacture is now in progress at the National Armory at Spring- field. It ts confidently expected that by the end of the current year our infantry will be supplied with a weapon equal to that of the most progressive armies of the world. he work on the projected Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has been prosecuted with zeal and judg ment, and its opening will be celebrated during the coming year. Over nine square miles of the Chickamauga battle field have been acquired, twenty-five miles of roadway have been constructed and permanent tab- lets have been placed at many histgrical points, while the invitation to the states to mark the positions of their troops partic- ipating in the battle has been very gener- ally accepted. The work of locating and preserving the Ines of battle at the Gettysburg battle field is making satisfactory progress on the plans directed by the last Congress. The reports of the Military Academy at West Point and the several schools for special instruction of officers, show marked advance in the education of the army and @ commendable ambition among its officers to excel in the military profession and to fit themselves for the’ highest service to the country. Under the supervision of Adjt. Gen. Rob- ert Williams, lately retired, the bureau of military information has become well estab- Ushed, and is performing a service that will put in possession of the government in time of war most valuable information, and at all times serve a purpose of great utility in keeping the army advised of the world’s progress in all matters pertaining to the art of war. The Department of Justice. The report of the Attorney General con- tains the usual summary of the affairs and proceedings of the Department of Justice for the past year, together with certain recommendations as to needed legislation on various subjects. I cannot too heartily indorse the proposition that the fee system as applicable to the compensation of United States attorneys, marshals, clerks ,of fed- eral courts and United States commission- ers, should be abolished with little de- lay as possible. It is clearly in the interest of the community that the business of the courts, both civil and criminal, shall be as small and as inexpensively transacted as the ends of justice will allow. The system is therefore thoroughly vi- cious which makes the compensation of court officials depend upon the volume of such business, and thus creates a conflict between a proper execution of the law and private gain, which can not fail to be dan- gerous to the rights and freedom of the citizen and an irresistible temptation to the unjustifiable expenditure of public funds. If in addition to this reform another was inaugurated which would give to United States commissioners the final disposition of petty offenses within the grade of mis- demeanors, especially those coming under the internal revenue laws, a great advance would be made toward a more decent ad- ministration of the criminal law. In my first message to Congress, dated December 8, 1885, I strongly recommended these changes and referred somewhat at length to the evils of the present system. Since that time the criminal business of the Federal courts and the expense attend- ing it have enormously increased. ‘the number of criminal prosecutions pending in the circuit and district courts of the United States on the first day of July, 1885, was three thousand eight hundred and eight, of which one thousand elght hundred and eighty-four were for violations of the internal-revenue laws, while the number of such prosecutions pending on the first day of July, 1893, was nine thousand five hun- dred, of which four thousand two hundred were for violations of the internal-revenue laws. The expense of the United States courts, exclusive of judges’ salaries, for the year ending July 1, 1885, was $2,874,783.11, and for the year ending July 1, 18¥3, $4,528,- 676.87. It is therefore upparent that the reasons given in 1885 for a change in the manner of enforcing the Federal criminal law, have gained cogency and strength by lapse of time. I also heartly join the Attorney-General in recommending legislation fixing degrees of the crime of murder within Federal ju- risdiction, as has been done in many of the States; authorizing writs of error on behalf of the Government in cases where final judgment {s rendered against the sufficiency of an indictment or against the Government upon any other question arising before ac- tual trial; limiting the right of review in cases of felony punishable only by fine and imprisonment to the circuit court of ap- peals, and making speedy provision for the construction of such prisons and reforma- tories as may be necessary for the confine- ment of United States convicts. The Postal Service. ‘The report of the Postmaster-General con- tains a detailed statement of the operations of the Post-Office Department during the last fiscal year and much interesting in- formation touching this important branch of the public service. The business of the mails indicates with bsolute certainty the condition of the busi- ness of the country,and depression in finan- cial affairs inevitably and quickly reduces the postal revenues. Therefore a larger discrepancy than usual between the post office receipts and expenditures {s the ex- pected and unavoidable result of the dis- tressing stringency which has prevailed throughout the country during much of the time covered by the Postmaster Gen- eral’s report. At a date when better times were anticipated it was estimated by his Predecessor that the deficiency on the 30th day of June, 1293, would be but a little over @ million and a half dollars. It amounted, however, to more than five millions. At the same time, and under the influence of like anticipations, estimates were made for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, which exhibited a surplus of revenue over expenditures of $872,245.71, but now, in view of the actual receipts and expendi- tures during that part of the cur- rent fiscal year already expired, the pres- ent Postmaster-General estimates that at its close instead of a surplus there will be @ deficiency of nearly eight million dollars. The post-office receipts for the last fiscal year amounted to $75,896,933.16 and its ex- penditures to $$1,074,104.90. This post-office deficiency, would disappear or be immensely decreased if less matter was carried free through the mails, an item of which is up- ward of three hundred tons of seeds and grain from the Agricultural Department. The total number of post-offices in the United States on the 80th day of June, 1893, was 68,403, an increase of 1,284 over the preceding year. Of these 8,360 were Presi- dential, an increase in that class of 204 over the preceding year. Forty-two free-delivery offices were added during the year to those already existing, making a total of six hundred and ten cit- ies and towns provided with free delivery on June 30, 1803, Ninety-three other cities and towns are now entitled to this service under the law, but it has not been accorded them on account of insufficient funds to meet the expense of its establishment. Tam decidedly of the opinion that the provisions of the present law permit as general an introduction of this feature of mail service as is necessary or justifiable, and that !t ought not to be extended to smaller communities than are now desig- nated. ‘The expense of free delivery for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, will be more than $11,000,000, and under legislation now existing there must be a constant increase in this item of expenditure. There were 6,401 additions to the domes- te money-order offices during the last fiscal year, being the largest increase in any year since the inauguration of the system. The total number of these offices at the close of the year was 1S, There were 13,300,- 35 money orders issued from these offic being an increase over the preceding year of 1,240,293, and the value of these orders amounted to $127,576,433.65, an increase of $7,500,682.58. There were also issued during the year postal notes amounting to $12,- 03, 5 During the year 19% international money- order offices were added to those already provided, making a total of 2,407 in opera- tion on June 3v, 183. The number of in- ternationai money orders issued during the year was 1, an increase over the preceding year 3 $16,341,85 The of 6, an increase of $ . number of orders paid was 300,917, increase over the preceding year of and their value was $5,283,- 875.70, an increase of $04,094.83. and their value) T) From the foregoing statements it appears | ments upon a number of pensions which that the total issue of money orders andj seemed to be fraudulent or unauthorized postal notes for the year amounted to| pending a complete examination, giving $156,821,348.24. notice to the pensioners, in order that they The number of letters and packages|might have an opportunity to establish, if mailed during the year for special delivery ; possible, the justice of their claims not- was 8,375,693, an increase over the preced- ing year of nearly 22 per cent. The spec- fal-delivery stamps used upon these let- ters and packages amounted to $337,569.80, and the messengers’ fees paid for their de- livery amounted to $256,592.71, leaving a Profit to the Government of $90,976.59. The Railway Mail Service not only adds to the promptness of mail delivery at all offices, but it Js the especial instrumental- ity which puts the smaller and way places in the service on an equality in that re- gard with the larger end terminal offices. This branch of the postal service has there- fore received much attention from the Postmaster-General, and though it is grat- ifying to know that it is in a condition of high efficiency and great usefulness, I am led to agree with the Postmaster-General that there is room for its further improve- ment. There are now connected to the Post- Office establishment 28,824 employes who are in the classified service. The head of this great Department gives conclusive evi- dence of the value of civil service reform when, after an experience that renders his judgment on the subject absolutely re- Mable, he expresses the opinion that with- out the benefit of this system it would be impossible to conduct the vast business intrusted to him. I desire to commend as especially worthy of prompt attention the suggestions of the Pcstmaster-General relating to a more sensible and business-like organization and @ better distribution of responsibility in his Department, The Navy. The report of the Secretary of the Navy contains a history of the operations of his Department during the past year, and ex- hibits a most gratifying condition of the personnel of our Navy. He presents a satis- factory account of the progress which has been made in the construction of vessels, and makes a number of recommendations to which attention ts especially invited. During the past six months the demands for cruising vessels have been many and urgent. There have been revolutions calling for vessels to protect American interests in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Hon- auras, Argentina, and Brazil, while the con- dition of affairs in Honolulu has required the constant presence of one or more ships. With all these calls upon our Navy, it be- came necessary, in order to make up a sufficient fleet to patrol the Behring Sea under the modus vivendi agreed upon with Great Britain, to detail to that service one vessel from the Fish Commission and three from the Revenue Marine. Progress in the construction of new ves- sels has not been as rapid as was antici- pated: There have been delays in the com- pletion of unarmored vessels, but for the most part they have been such as are con- stantly occurring even in countries having the largest experience in naval ship-bulld- ing. The most serious delays, however, have been in the work upon armored ships. The trouble has been the failure of con- tractors to deliver armor as agreed. The difficulties seem now, howeyer, to have been all overcome, and armor is being delivered with satisfactory promptness. As @ result of the experience acquired by ship builders and designers and material men, !t is be- lieved that the dates when vessels will be completed can now be estimated with rea- sonable accuracy. Great guns, rapid-fire guns, torpedoes, and powder are being promptly supplied. New Ships. The following vessels of the new Navy have been completed and are now ready for service: The double-turreted coast-defense monitor Miantonomoh, the double-turreted coast- defense monitor Monterey, the armored cruiser New York, the protected cruisers Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark, San Francisco, Charleston, Atlanta, and Boston, the cruiser Detroit, the gunboats Yorktown, Concord, Bennington, Machias, Castine, and Petrei, the dispatch vessel Dol- Phin, the practice vessel Bancroft, and the dynamite gunboat Vesuvius. Of these the Bancroft, Machias, Detroit, and Castine have been placed in commission during the current calendar year. The following vessels are in process of construction: The second-class battle ships Maine and Texas, the cruisers Montgomery and Marblehead, and the coast-defense monitors Terror, Puritan, Amphitrite, and Monadnock, all of which will be completed with in ome year; the harbor-defense ram Katahdin and the protected cruisers Co- lumbia, Minneapolis, Olympia, Cincinnati, and Raleigh, all of which will be com- pleted prior to July 1, 1895; the first-class battle ships Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Oregon, which will be completed Feb- ruary 1, 1896, and the armored cruiser Brooklyn, which will be completed by August 1 of that year. It is also expect- ed that the three gunboats authorized by the last Congress will be completed in less than two years. Since 1888 Congress has at each session authorized the building of one or more vessels, and the Secretary of the avy pre- sents an earnest plea for the continuance of this plan. He recommends the author- ization of at least one battle ship and six torpedo boats. While I am distinctly in favor of con- sistently pursuing the policy we have in- augurated of building up a thorough and efficient Navy, I can not refrain from the suggestion that the Congress should care- fully take into account the number of un- finished vessels on our hands and the de- pleted condition of our Treasury in con- sidering the propriety of an appropriation at this time to begin new work. The method of employing mechanical la- bor at navy-yards through boards of Jabor, and making effictency the sole test by which laborers “are employed and contin- ued, is producing the best results, and the Secretary is earnestly devoting himself to its development. Attention is invited to the statements of his report in regard to the workings of the system. The Interior Department. The Secretary of the Interlor has the supervision of so many important subjects that his report is of especial value and interest. On the 30th day of June, 1893, there were on the pension rolls 966,012 names, an in- crease of 89,944 over the number on the rolls June 30, 1892. Of these there were 17 widows and daughters of Revolutionary soldiers, 86 survivors of the war of 1812, 5,425 widows of soldiers of that war, 21,518 survivors and wiows of the Mexican war, 8,882 survivors and widows of Indian wars, 284 army nurses, and 475,645 survivors, and widows and children of deceased soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion. The latter number represents those pension- ed on account of disabilities or death re- | Sea ee coe ne, OOP AON ig of all pareilis ak Giulia Ma an’ aoe number of persons remaining on the rolls June 30, 1803, who were pensioned under the act of June 27, 1890, which allows pen- sions on account of death and disability not chargeable to army service, was 459,155. The number added to the rolls during the 4, and the number dropped The first payment on pensions during the year amounted to $3: 9.08, This includes arrears, or the accumulation between the time from which the allowance of pension dates and the time of actually granting the certificate. Suspended Pension Payments, Although the law of 1890 permits pensions for disabilities not related to military service, yet as a requisite to its benefits a disability must exist incapacitating ap- plicants “from the performance of manual labor to such a degree as to render them unable to earn a support.” The execution of this law in its early stages does not seem to have been in accord with its true intention; but toward the close of the last adminisiration an authoritative construction was given to the statute, and since that time this construction has been followed. has had the effect of limiting the jon of the law to its intended pur- The discovery having been made that many names had been put upon the pension roll by means of wholesale and gigantic frauds, the Commissioner suspended pay- without apparent invalidity. This, I understand, is the practice which bas for a long time prevailed in the Pen- sion Bureau; but after entering upon these recent investigations the Commissioner modified this rule so as not to allow, until after a complete examination, interference with the payment of a pension apparently not altogether void, but which merely had been fixed at a rate higher than that au- thorized by law. Fraudulent Pensions. I am unable to understand why frauds in the pension rolls should not be exposed and corrected with thoroughness and vigor. Every name fraudulently put upon these rolls is a wicked imposition upon the kindly sentiment in which pensions have their origin; every fraudulent pensioner has be- come a bad citizen; every false oath in sup- port of @ pension has made perjury more common, and false and undeserving pen- sioners rob the people not only of their money, but of the patriotic sentiment which the survivors of a war, fought for the pres- ervation of the Union, ought to inspire. Thousands of neighborhoods have their well-known fraudulent pensioners, and re- cent developments by the Bureau estab- lsh appalling conspiracies to accomplish pension frauds. By no means the least wrong done is to brave and deserving pen- sioners, who certainly ought not to be con- demned to such association. Those who attempt in the line of duty to rectify these wrorgs shculd not be ac- cused of enmity or indifference to the claims of honest veterans. The sum expended on account of pen- sions for the year ending June 30, 1893, was $156,740,467.14. The Commissioner estimates that $165,- 000,000 will be required to pay pensions during the year ending June 30, 1894. The Indians. ‘The condition of the Indians and their ultimate fate are subjects which are re- lated to a sacred duty of the Government, and which strongly appeal to the sense of justice and the sympathy of our people. Our Indians number about 248,000. Most of them are located on 161 reservations, containing 86,116,531 acres of land. Abéut 110,000 of these Indians have, to a large de- gree, adopted civilized customs. Lands in severalty have been allotted to many of them. Such allotments have been made to 10,000 individuals during*the last fiscal year, embracing about 1,000,000 acres. The num- ber of Indian Government schools open dur- ing the year was 195, an increase of 12 over the preceding year. Of this total 170 were on reservations, of which 73 were boarding schools and 97 were day schools. Twenty boarding schools and 5 day schools supported by the Government were not lo- cated on reservations. The total number of Indian children enrolled during the year as attendants of all schools was 21,138, an in- crease of 1,231 over the enrollment for the previous year. I am sure that secular education and moral and religious teaching must be im- pertant factors in any effort to save the Indian and lead him to civilization. I be- Meve, too, that the relinquishment of tribal relations and the holding of land in sever- alty may, in favorable conditions, aid this consummation. It seems to me, however, that allotments of land in severalty ought to be made with great care and circum- spection. If hastily done, before the In- dian knows {ts meaning, while yet he has little or no idea of tilling a farm and no conception of thrift, there. is great danger that a reservation life in tribal relations may be exchanged for the pauperism of civilization, instead of its independence and elevation. The solution of the Indian problem de- pends very largely upon good administra- tion. The personal fitness of agents and their adaptability to the peculiar duty of caring for their wards, is of the utmost importance. ‘The law providing that, except in espectal cases, Army officers shall be detailed as In-| dian agents, it is hoped will prove a suc- cessful experiment. There is danger of great abuses creeping into the prosecution of claims for Indian depredations, and I recommend that every possible safeguard be provided against the enforcement of unjust and fictitious claims of this description, The appropriations on account of the In- dian Bureau for the year ending June 30, 1894, amount to $7,951,962.99, a decrease as compared with the year preceding it of $887,131.95, The Public Lands. ‘The vast area of land which, but a short time ago, constituted the public domain is | rapidly falling into private hands. It is | certain that in the transfer the beneficent 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 in- vited by the Government to settle on the public lands, is a despicable character who ought not to be tolerated, yet it ts difficult to thwart his schemes. The recent opening to settlement of the lands in the Cherokee Outlet, embracing an area of 6,500,000 acres, notwithstanding the utmost care in framing the regulations governing the selection of | locations and notwithstanding the presence | of United States troops, furnished an exhi- bition, though perhaps in a modified de- gree, of the mad scramble, the violence, and the fraudulent occupation which have accompanied previous openings of public land. | I concur with the Secretary in the belief | that these outrageous incidents can not be entirely prevented without a change in the laws on the subject, and I hope his recom- mendations in that direction will be favor- ably considered, I especially commend to the attention of | the Congress the statements contained in | the Secretary’s report concerning forestry. | The time has come when efficient measures | should be taken for the preservation of our forests from indiscriminate and remediless destruction. The Department of Agriculture. The report of the Secretary of Agriculture will be found exceedingly interesting, es- | pecially to that large part of our citizens | intimately concerned in agricultural occu- pations. Qn the 7th day of March, 1893, there were upon its pay rolls 2,430 employes. This | number has been reduced to 1,850 persons, In view of a depleted public Treasury and the imperative demand of the people for economy in the administration of their Government, the Secretary has upon the task of rationally reducing ex- penditures by the elimination from the pay cient conduct of the affairs of the Depar‘ rent. During the first quarter of the present year the expenses of the Department aggre- gated $345,876.76, as against $12,01 the corresponding period of the ending June 30, 1893. The Secretary makes apparent his intention to continue this rate of reduction by submitting estimates for the | next fiscal year less by $904,280 than those for the present year. Among the heads of divisions in this de- partment the changes have been exceedingly few. Three vacancies occurring from death and resignations have been filled by the promotion of assistants in the same divisions. These promotions of experienced and faithful assistants have not only been in the interest of efficient work, but have suggested to those in the department who look for retention and promotion that mérit and devotion to duty are their best reliance. The amount appropriated for the bureau of animal industry for the current fiscal year is $950,000; the estimate for the ensu- ing year is $700,000. The regulations of 1892 concerning Texas fever have been enforced during the last year, and the large stock yards of the coun- try have been kept free from infection Occasional local outbreaks have been large- ; means of its communication and the entered | ly such as could guarded against by fected cattle. While contagious pleuro-pneumonis cattle has been eradicated, animal losis, a disease widespread and serous to human life than pleuro-pneumo- nia, is still prevalent. Investigations have been made during the past year as to the od of its correct diagnosis. Much progress has been made in this direction by the stu- dies of the division of animal pathology, but the work ought to be extended, im eo- operation with local authorities, until the danger to human life arising from this cause is reduced to a minimum, The number of animals arriving from Canada during the year and inspected by bureau officers was 462,02, and the number from trans-Atlantic countries was 1,297. No contagious diseases were found imported animals. The total number of inspections of tle for export during the past fiscal was 611,542. The exports e off of about 25 per cent from year, the decrease occurring en’ last half of the year. the falling off may have to an increase in the price of port cattle. During the year ending June 30, exports of inspected pork aggregated 677,410 pounds as against 38,152,874 for the preceding year. The falling off in this export was not confined, hewever, inspected pork, the total quantity exported for 1892 being 665,490,616 pounds, while in 1893 It was only 527,308,635 pounds. I join the Secretary in recommending that hereafter each applicant for the position of inspector or assistant inspector in the bu- reau of animal industry be required, as @ condition precedent to his appointment, to exhibit to the United States civil service i i mt) BRE The exports of agricultural products from the United States for the fiscal year ending June 3%, 1892, attained the enormous figure of $800,000,000, in round numbers, being 78.7 per cent of our total exports. In the last fiscal year this aggregate was Greatly reduced, but, nevertheless, reached 615 mili- ions, being 75.1 per cent of all American commodities exported. Agricultural Exports. A review of our agricultural exports with Special reference to their destination will show that in almost every line the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ab- sorbs by far the largest proportion. Of the cattle the total exports aggregated In value for the fiscal year ending June BU, 1808, $26,000,000, of which Great Britain took con- siderably over $25,000,000. Of beef products of all kinds our total exports were $28,000,- 000, of which Great Britain took $24,000,000, Of pork products the total exports were $84,000,000, of which Great Britain took ‘$53,000,000, In bread-stuffs, cotton, and mi nor products Uke proportions sent to the same destination are shown, The work of the Statistical Division of the Department of Agriculture deals with all that relates to the economics of farm- ing. The main purpose of ts monthly reports is to keep the farmers informed as fully as | Possible of all matters having any influence | upon the world’s markets, in which their Products find sale. Its publications relate | especially to the commercial side of farm- | ing. It is therefore of profound importance and vital concern to the farmers of the United States, who represent nearly one- half of our population, and also of direct interest to the whole country, that the work of this division be efficiently perform- ed and that the information it has gath- ered be promptly diffused. It is a matter for congratulation to know that the Secretary will not spare any effort to make this part of his work thoroughly useful. In the year 18% the Congress appropri- ated $1,000, to be taken from the Patent Of- fice funds, for the purpose of collecting an@ distributing rare and improved varieties of seeds, and for prosecuting agricultural in- | vestigations and procuring agricultural sta- tistics. From this small beginning the See@ Division of the Department of Agriculture has grown to its present unwieldy and un- justifiably extravagant proportions. During the last fiscal year the cost of | seeds purchased was $06,548.61. The re- mainder of an appropriation of $135,000 was expended in putting them up and distribut- ing them. It surely never could have en- tered the minds of those who first sanction- ed appropriations of public money for the purchase of new and improved varieties of seeds for gratuitous distribution that from this would grow large appropriations for the purchase and distribution by members of Congress of ordinary seeds, bulbs, and cut- tings which are common in all the States and Territories and everywhere easily ob- tainable at low p-ices. Experiment Stations. In each State and Territory an agricul tural experiment station has been establish- ed. These stations, by their very character and name, are the pooper agencies to ex- periment with and test new varieties of seeds; and yet this indiscriminate and waste- ful distribution by the legislation and legis- Jators continues,answering no purpose unless it be to remind constituents that their repre- sentatives are willing to remember them with gratuities at public cost. Under the sarction of existing legislation there was sent out from the Agricultural Department during the last fiscal year enough of cabbage seed to plant 19,200 acres of land, a ent quantity of beans to plant 4,000 acres, beet seed enough to plant 00 acres, sweet corn enough to plant S00 acres, sufficient cucumber seed to cover 2,025 acres with vines, and enough muskmelon and watermelon seeds to plant 2,675 acres, The total quantity of flower and vegetable seeds thus distributed was contained in more than nine million pack- ages, and they were sufficient, if planted, ta coyer 83,506 acres of land. In view of these facts this enormous ex- penditure without legitimate returns of benefit ought to be abolished. Anticipating @ consummation so manifestly in the inter- est of go: imitiistration, more than $100,- ken from the estimate a 0 has been stri made to cover this object for the year end- ing June 30, 1805; ai Secretary recom- mends that the remaining $35,000 of the estimate be confined strictly to the purchase | of new and improved varieties of seeds, and [that these be distributed through experi- ment stations. Thus the seed will be tested, and after the test has been completed by the experi- ment station the propagation of the useful varieties end the rejection of the valueless may safely be left to the common sense of the people. The Civil Service Law. The continued intelligent execution of tha \civil-service law and the increasing ap- ple of its operation are e rece extension of tions to the em- jproval by the peop | most gratifyi | its limitations and been hone 4 promptly accom- hed by the Commission, with the hearty of the Postmaster-General, is immensely importast advance in the ss of the system. I am, if possible, more thah ever con- vinced of the incalculable benefits conferred by the civil-service law, not oniy in ts ef- fect upon the public service, but also, what is even more important, in its effect in ele vating the tone of political life generally. an usefuln | ‘The course of civil-secvice reform in this country instructively and interestingly - |justrates how strong a hold a movement gains upon our people which has under lying it a sentiment of justice and right, and which at the same time promises bet~ ter administration of their Government. The law embodying this reform found Its way to our statu ik more from fear of the popular sentiment existing in its favor than from any love for the reform itself on the part of legislators; and it has lived and growa and flourished in spite