Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 5, 1883, Page 2

s 2 e ———— ESDAY. DECEMBER 5, 1883. THE DAILY BEE:-OMAHA WEDN NTHURS ARNUAL Continued from Page . river, and the nuclous of states estab- lished at twenty-two stations under our flag, which offers freedom to commerce and prohibits the slave trade. The ob- jects of the society are philanthropic. Tt does not aim to give the management to political control, but seeks the neutrality of the valleys. The United States can not be inditferent to this work nor to the interests of their citizens involved in it. It may become advisable for us to co- operate with other commercial powers in promoting the rights of trade and resi dence in the Congo valley from the inter- forence or political influence of any one nation, INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE CONGRESS, In view of the frequency of invitation from foreign goverrments to participate in a social and scientific congress for the discussion of important matters of general concern I repeat that suggestion of my last message recommending that provis- ion be made for the exercise of discretion- ary power by the executive in appointing delegates to such convention. Specialists are ready to servo the nation in such ca- pacity without personal profit, or other compensation than the defrayment of ex- penses actually incurred, and these a comparatively small annual apprapriation would suffice to meet. RESTRICTION ON AMERICAN COMMERCE, I have alluded in my previous mes- sages to the injurious and vexatious re- strictions suffered by our trade in the Spanish West Indies. Brazil whose natural outlet for its great natural staple, coffee, is in and throughthe United States, imposes a heavy import duty on that product. Our petroleum exports are hampered in Tutkey and other eastern ports, by restrictions as to storage and hy onerous taxatiol For these mis chiefs adequate relief is not always pro- vided by reciprocity troaties like that of Hawaii or tYmt lately negotiated with Mexico and now awaiting the action of the senate. Is it not advisable to pro- vide some measure of equitable retalin- tion in our relations with governments which discriminate against our own. If, for example, the oxecutive were empowered to apply to Spanish vessels and cargoes from Cuba and Porto Rico, the same rules of treatment and scale of penalties for technical faults which are applied to vessels and cargoes in the Antilles, a resert to that course might not be barren of good results. OUR NATIONAL FINANCES. The report of the secretary of the treasury gives a full and interesting ex- hibit of the financial condition of the country. It shows that the ordinary revenues from all sources for tho fiscal ear ending June 30, 1883, amounted to 308,287,681.95, whereof there was re- ceived: From customs From internal revenuo, #'rom sales of public | From tax on circulation and doposits of national banks. . From profits on coinage, bulli- on deposits, and assays. ... From castoms feos, finos, pen- alties, &c.......... .8214,706,496 93 .+ 144,720,368 08 7,065,804 42 9,111,008 85 4,460,205 17 1,436,236 34 Erom foos —consular, letters- patent, and lands........ . 8,822,361 64 From repaymont of intoros by Pacific railway com- . 1,556,866 90 1,322,108 11 1,221,611 76 railway companies. l‘n;«m d-po-;ln byh l‘(" e or surveying public ods of aal m of i ernment Proporty . . i ,.‘g. . 285,05 02 ‘rom proceeds of sale of post- office property in New Vork ORY i (ihes ooneroy B 648,604 82 From Indian trust-fands 121,000 00 From donations towards liqui dating the public debt. ..... ¥rom Japaness Indemnity fund From immigrant fund ! From revenues of the District of Columbia...... .. . From miscellanoous sources. . 064,420 87 1,830,533 99 231,476 50 Total ordinary receipts. .. ‘308,287,581 The ordinary expenditures for tho same period were: For civil expenses. . .8 22,313,285 70 For forelgn intereourse, , . 2,419, 24 Kor Indians. Sainee 000 84 “or pensions ' 13,678 64 For tho military establishment, including river and barbor {mprovements. .. For the naval establ including vessels, machinery, and_improvemonts at navy yards { For _miscellanoous expondi: tures, including public build- ings, " light housos, and col- lecting the revenue. ... For expenditures on_account of the District of Columbia. . For interest on the public debt. 48,011,382 93 15,283, 43 17 40,008,432 73 Motal ordinary expendi- tures, 22 Lisaving & surplus ravonuo of . $13 Whizh, with an amount drawn from tho cash balance in the treasuury of........ Muking. Was applied to the redempti Of bonds for the sinking fund. .$ 44,850,760 00 Ot fractional curroucy for tho " " 556 96 sinking fund....... Arenieh 65,380,250 00 Of funded loan of 1881, contin: ot 34 por cont, Of loan of Jul 1861, continied at 3 cent. . Of funded I 007 Of funded loau of 1881 of February, 1861’ .. OF loan of July aid August, y and August, per 20,504,600 00 1,418,850 00 . 719,150 00 18,000 00 Ty Wi 206,600 00 Of loan of March, 1863 116,850 00 Rtkana July, Ass1, 47050 00 | (horo shall bo a great delay in reducing Of five-twentios of 1864 ¥ 7,050 00 | taxation, it will become necessary cither Of five-twenties of 186 A 0,600 00 | to substitute some of the other forms of Of ton-forties 1864, ., . 133,550 00| currency in place of the national bank Of cousols of 1865. . L 40/800 00 Of corrols of 1867 Of consoly of 1808. . Of Oregon war debt Of refunding oertificates. ... Of old demand, compound in- terest and of notes THE REVENURE, The revenue for the present fiscal year, actual and estimated, is as follows, for | ment itself as a foundation for national the quarter ending September, 30, 1883, | bauk circulation, seem to me insuperable and for the three quarters of the year: = | for averting the threatened contraction, el Aokl Ystimated, | METHODS FOR AVOIDING CONTRACTION, Fromeustoma® 5T402,075.67 $137,007.024.83| Two courses have boen suggestod, Tabe'n' roy'nue. 29,020,786.40 90,337,721.40 | cither of which is probably feasible. One From sales is the issuanceof new bonds, having many public lands. 2,082,635.17 667,364.83 | years to run, bearing a low rate of inter- r&"‘ ‘l“”““ est, and exchangeable upon specified “;':,,;ufi: terms for those now outstanding. The n'tonal b'nks 1,557,800.88 1,042,190,12 | other nour:;:l which coxlnluc;::ll itaelf to From e my own judgment as the better, is the e enactment of a law repealing tho tax on it And circulation, and permitting the banks to Pacifie It 1 521,05050 1,478,940.49 | issue notes for an amount equal to ninety ¥rom customs per cenl’:ll :ha mlr]lwt v;hl\;e l:l“wm“ nlf foos fines,&c, 208,000.78 901,503.22 | as now the face value of the deposited ¥rom fees,con- g bonds. I agree with the secretary in ey laitorn the belief that the 4 ..:lu...u.m |‘“d. ....... 803,200.80 2,435,700.26 |of this plan will affor the ¥rom proceeds necessary relief, :'ov"“' of THE TRADE DOLLAR. proprerty... 112,562,238 107,487.77| The trade dollar was coined for the - | ready stated, are payable at the pleasure ¢ | national bank circulation, would be such A 5,450 00 | now controlled. 109,150 00 | latter course is far preferablo. T com- 18,300 00 | euting an: e o ©vv. 8134,178.756 96 | Subject, which appear in the secretary's From prfits on coinage, &o. From deposite for _murvey- ing lands From revenue of District of Columbia From miscel Ianeous. 050,220.46 8,140,780.54 172,461.81 227,638,690 2,560,117.90 1,243,982.01 1,297,180.63 2,382,810,37 Total recelpts, 805,066,917,03 $247,023,082.97 The actual and estimated expenses for the same period are Actual, Estimated, For civil and mis. collaneous, in- clnding all public buildings, light houses, and col- lecting the reve CUCIOVPTPIRRIIN | For In For pensions For military estab- lishment, includ- ing fortifications river and harbor improvements & arsenals, . . 13,572,204.33 26,487,705, For naval estab- lishment, includ- ing vessols and machinery and improvements at navy yards ‘expenditures account, District 09°42851,114,200,58 00.54 4,126,609 46 4, 98 93, 8,02 41,902,006.92 12,300,700, 31 of Columbia.... 1,138836.41 2,611,163.50 Tor interest on the public debt..... 14,707,297.96 30,702,702.04 Total ordinary ex- ponditures ... 67,042,000,33 19,057,009.67 Total recei} - tual and estimat- CLEEY +..813,000,000,00 Total expenditures actual and esti mated........ Total surplus. .£85,000,000,00 Estimated amount duo the sinking fund ... 215,816,741.07 ,000,000,00 Loaving bal- ance of... 30,183,258,03 If the revenue for the fiseal year which will end on June 30, 1885, be es- timated upon the basis of existing laws the secretary is of tho opinion that for that year the receipts will exceed by sixty millions the ordinary expenditures, including the amount devoted to the sinking fund. REDEMPTION OF BONDS, Hitherto the surplus, as rapidly as it has accumulated, has been directed to the reduction of the national debt and as a result the only bonds now outstand- ing which are redeemablo at the pleasure of the govanment are the 3 por cents amounting to about $305,000,000. The 4} per cents, amounting to $250,000,000 anl the $737,000,000 of 4 per conts are not payablo until 1891 and 1907 respectively. If the surplus shall hereafter bo as large as the treasury estimates now indicate, the three per cent. bonds may all be redeemed at least four years before any of the four and one- half per cents. can be called in. The latter, at the same rate of accumulation purpose of traflic in countries where ver passed at ita value ascertained by its weight and fineness. It nevor had a legal tender quality, Large numbers of these coins entered, however, into the volume of our currency by common consent. Their circulation in demestic trade has now ceased and they have become a_disturb ing element, They should not longer be permitted to embarass our curency sys- tem I rocommend that provision be made for their reception by the treasury and mints as bullion, at a small per cent- age above tho current markei price of silver of like quantity. THR CUSTOMS DISTRICTS, The secretary of the treasury advises & consolidation of certatn of the customs districts of the country and suggests that the president be vested with such »ower in relation thereto as is now given S respect to collectors of internal revenue by section 3141 of tho revised statutes. Tho statistics on this subject which are contained in his report furnish of themsclves a cogent argument in de- fence of his views. At the adjournment of congress the number of internal reve- nue collection districts was 126. By executive order executed June 25, 1883, T directed that certain of these districts ve consolidated. The result has been a tion of a third in the number which at present but 83, INDIAN TRO! s, From the report of tho secretary of war it will bo seen that in only a single instance has thero been a disturbance of the quiet condition of our Indian tribes, a raid from Mexico into Arizona by a small party of Indians which was pur- sued by General Crook into the moun- tain regions from which it had come. in confidently hopsd that serious out- breaks will not again occur and that the Indian tribes, which have for so many years disturbed the west, will hereafter remain in peaceable submission. OUR NATIONAL DEFENCES, I again call your attention to the pres- ent condition of our extended sea coast, upon which are so many large cities whose wealth and impcrtance to the country would, in time of war, invite at- tack from modern armed ships, against which our existing defensive works could give no adequate protection. Those works were built before the introduction of German heavy rifle guns into maritime warfare, and if they aro not put in effi- cient condition we may be subjected to humilation by a hostilo power greatly in- ferior to oursel ves. THE TORPEDO SERVICH, As germane to this subject T call your attention to the importance of perfect- ing our torpedo defences. The board authorized by the Jast congress to report on the method which should be adopted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to general warfare has boen as- sisted by tho principal iron and steel of surplus, can bo paid at maturity, and the monies requisite for tho redemption of the four per cents will be in the treas- ury many yoars before those obligations become payable. There aie cogent rea- sons, however, why the nationai indebt- edness should not be thus rapidly extin- guished, Chief among them is the fact that only can excessive taxation mako such rapidity attainable. REDUCTIONS ADVISED. In a communication to the con- gress ab its last session 1 recom- mended that all excise taxes be abolished except those relating to dis- tilled spirits, and that substantial reduc- tiens also bo made on the revenue from customsy A statute has since been en- ng:d by'whi¢h tho annual tax and tariff rocofpts bf the government have boan cut down to the extent of at least fifty or sixty millions of dollars, While 1 have no doubt that still further reductions way be wisely made I do not advise the adoption at this session of any measure of large diminution of the national rov- enue. The results of tho legislation of the last session of congress have not as yet become suflicientlyapparent to justify any radical rovision or sweeping modifica- tion of exwsting laws. In the interval which must elapse before the effects of the act of March 3, 1883, can be definite- ly ascortained. a portion at least of the surplus revenue may be wisely apphed to the long neglected duty of rulm{)ilimtiug our navy and providing first class defences for the protection of ourharbors This a matter to which 1 shall again advert, THE NATIONAL CURRENCY. Immediatoly associated with the finan- cial subject just discussed is the import- ant question as to what legislation is needed regarding the national currency. The aggregato amount of bonds now on deposit in the treasuay to support the nationsl bank circulation is $350,000,- 000. Nearly $200,000,000 of this amount consists of three per cents, which, as al- of the government, and are likely to be called in within less than four years, un- less, mean the surplus revenues shall do diminished. The probable ef- fect of such an extensive retiroment of the securities, which are the basis of the a contraction of the volume of the cur- rency as to produce grave commercial em- barrassmonts, How can the danger be obvirted? The most effectual plan, and ono whose adoption at the SRR RS ticablo opportunity I shall heartily ap- prove, has already been indicated. THE THREATENED CONTRACTION, If the revenues of the next four years shall be substantially commensurate with the expenses, the volume of circulation will not be likely to suffer any matorial disturbance, but if on the other hand notes, or to make important changes in the laws by which their circulation is In my judgment the mend to your attention the very inter- Xthuughtlul suggestions on thi report. The objections which he urges against the acceptance of any other secur- ities than the obligations of the govern- works, in this country and in Europe, It is hoped that its report will be soon made and that congress will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable facilitios and plans for the manufacture of such gunsas are now imperatively needed. THE STATE MILITIA, On several occations during the past year oflicers of the army have, at the re- quest of the state authorities visited their military encampmonts for the inspection of the troops. From the reports of these officers ¥ am nalita holinva that the encouragement of state militia organiza- tions by thenational government would be followed by very gratifying results, and would afford it in sudden eniprgencies 3« aid of a large body of volun; in the performancoe of dufhes, oo THE NEW WAR VENSELS, The secretary of the navy reports that under the authority of the acts of August b, 1882, and March 3, 1883, the work of strengthening our navy b{ the construc- tion of modern vessels has been auspi- ciously begun, Threo cruisers are now in progress of construction—the Chicago, of 4,600 tons displacement, and the Bos- ton and Atlanta, each of 2,600 tons. They are to be built of steel, with the tensilo strength and ductility prescribed by law, and in combination of speed, en- durance and armament aro expected to cemparo fayorably with the best war ves- sols of other nations. A fourth vessel, the Dolphin, is to be constructed of sim- ilar material, and is intended to serve as a fleot dispatch boat. The double-tur- reted monitors, Puritan, Amphrite and Perrory have been launched on the Dela- ware x-r\-ur, and a contract has been made forjthe supply of their machinery, A similar monitor, the Madanock, has been launched in California, The naval ad- visory board and the secretary recom- mend the completion of the monitors and the construction of four gunboats, and also of threo additional steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston and Dolphin as an important measure of material defense. INCREASING OUR NAVAL STRENGT The secrgtary urges also the immediate creation of an interior fast line of water ways across the peninsula of Florida, along the coast from Florida to Hampton Ronds, between the Chesapeake bay and Delaware river and through Cape Cod. feel bound to impress upon the attention of congress the necessity of continued progress in the re-construction of the na Tho condition of the pub- lic treasury, as I havo already intimated, makes the presont an auspicious time for putting this branch ot service ina state of eflicioncy. It is no part of our policy to create and maintain o navy able to cope with that of tho other gréat powers of the world, We have no wish foreign couquest, and the peaco which we have long enjoyed is in no seeming danger of interruption, but that our aval strength should be made ade- quate for the defense of our harbors, the protection of our commercial inter- ests, and the maintuenance of our na- tional honer, is a proposition from which no patriotic citizen can withhold his as- sent, THE POSTAL SERVIOE, The report of the postmastor general contains a gratifying exhibit of the con- dition and prospects of this interesting branch of *the public service committed to his care. I appears that on June 3 1883, the wholo number of postoffices was 47,803, of which 1,032 were estab. lished during the last previous fiscal year. The number of offices operating under the system of froe delivery was 1564, At theso latter offices the postage on local matter amounted to $41,952. $05.22, a sum exceeding by $1,021 884.05 the entire cost of the carriers service of the country. cents per half ounce or fraction thereof, as large. A REDUCTION PROFOSED, It will be 1t | AnY system Therate of post- age on drop lotters passing through these oflices is now fixed by law at two | wered that in 1863, t when free delivery was firet establirhed aud the report of the commissioner giv- by law, the uniforin single rate postage ing the results of his investigations and upon local letters was oue cent, and 80 | experiments will be found interesting it remained until 1872, when in those cities where carrier service was estab- lished it was increased to defray the ex- pense of such service, It scems to me that the old rate may now with pro- priety be restored, and that too even at the risk of diminishing for a time at least the receipts from postage upon local let- ters. I can see no reason why that par- ticular class of mail matter should be held double for the entire cost, not only of ita collection and delivery but the collection and delivery of all other classes, and I am confident after final consider tion of the subject that the reduction of rate wld be followed by such a grow- ing accession of business as to occasion but slight and temporary loss to the rev- enues to the postoflice, THR TELEGRAPH QUESTION, The postmaster-general devotes much of hisreport to the consideration in its vari- ous aspects of the government to the tolegraph. Such reflection as I have been able to give to this subject, since my last annual message, has not led me to change the view which I then ex- pressed in dissenting from the recom- mendation of the postmaster-general that the government assumes the same con- trol over the telegraph which it has al- ways exercised over the mail. Admit- ting that its authority in the premises is as ample as has ever been claimed for it, it would not in my judgment boa wise use of that authority to purchase or as- sume the control of existing telegraph lines, or to construct others with a view of entering into general competition with private enterprize. The objections which may be justly urged against either of these projects, and indeed against which would require an enormous increase in the civil service list, do not, however, apply to some of tho plans which havo lately provoked public comment and discussion, 1t has been claimed for example, that congress might wisely authorize the postmaster- general to contract with some private person or corporation for the transmis- sion of messages at specified rates and under government supervision, GOVERNMENT SUFERVISION, Various such schemes of the same gen- eral nature, but widely differing in their special characteristics, have been sug- gosted in the public prints and the argu- ments by which they have Leen suggest- ed and opposed have doubtless attracted your attention. It is likely that the whole subject will be considered by you at the present sossion. In the nature of things it involves so many questions of detail that your deliberations would probably be “aided slightly, if at all, by any particular suggestions which 1 might now submit. Iavow my belief, however, that the government should be author- izod by law to exercise some sort of supervision over inter-state telegraph communication and I express the hope that for attaining that ond some measure may be devised which will receive your and valuable. At his instance a conven- tion of those interested in the cattle in- dustry of the country was lately held at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro- pneumonia and other contagious diseases of animals was one of the chief topics of discussion. A committee of the conven- tion will invite your co-operation in in- vestigating the causes of these diseas and providing methods for their preven- tion and cure. THE NEEDS OF ALASKA T trust that congress will not fail at its present session to put Alaska under the protection of law. Its people have re- peatedly remonstrated against our ne- glect to afford them the maintenance and protection expressly guaranteed by the terms of the treaty whereby that torritory was ceded to the United States. For sixteen years they have pleaded in vain for that which they should have re- ceived without the asking. They have no law for the collection of debts, the support of education, the conveyance of property, the administration of estates or the enforcoment of contracts, none in- deed for the punishment of criminals ex- cept such as offend against cortain cus- toms, commerce and navigation acts, The resources of Alaska especially in fur, mines and lumber are considerable in extent and capablo of largo develop- ment, while its geopraphical situation is one of political and commercial im- portance. The promptings of interest therefore as well as considerations of honor and good faith demand the imme- diate establishment of civil government in that territory. RATLWAY ABUSES, Complaints have lately been frequent and urgent that certain corporations, controlling in whole or in part the facili- ties for the inter-state carringe of persons and merchandise upon the great railroads of the country, have resorted in tleir dealings with the public to diverse measuras, unjust and oppressive in their character. In some instances the state courts have attacked and suppressed these evlis but in others they have been unable to afford adequate proiec- tion becauce of the jurisdictional limitations which are imposed upon them by the federal corporation. GOVERNMENT CONTROL, The question, how far the national government may lawfully interfere in the premises, and what, if any, supervis- ion or control it ought to exercise, is one which merits your careful consideration. While we cannot fail o recognize the importance of the vast railway systems of the country, and their great and bene- ficial influences upon the development of our material wealth, we should, on the other hand, remember that the individ- ual and no corporation ought to be in- vested with absolute power over of the interest of other citizons or class of citi- zons. CONGRESS SHOULD PROTECT THE PEOPLE. approbation, THE COURTS. Tho attorney general criticises, in his roport, the provisions of existing law fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in the federal courts, The provisicns are chiefly contained in the act of February 20, 1853, though some of them were in- troduced into that act from statutes which had been passed many years pre- vious, It is manifest that such compen- Isation s might, when those laws were enacted, have been just and reasonable, would in many instances bo justly re- o ‘g ¢ thé V- o the oy he statutes should be re- visu&"{}f fwfil,“%tfi‘gom fees are regulated; 80, too, shomad the laws which regulate the compensation of district attorneys S oncun ith the Bttorney pgetieral Aiged pir' and marshals. They should be paid wholly by salaries instead of in part by fees, as is now the case. The change would prove to be & measure of economy, and would discourage the institution of needless and oppressive legal proceed- ings, which, it 1s to be feared, have in somo instances been conducted for the mere sake of personal gain. TERIOR AFFAIRS. Much interesting and varied informa- tion is contained in the report of the sec- retary of the interior. I particularly call your attention to his presentation of cer- tain phases of the Indian question, to his recommendations for the repeal of the pre-emption and timber culture acts, and for more stringent legislation to pre- vent frauds under the pension laws. The statutes which preserve the definitions and punishments of crimes relating to pensions could doubtless be made more effective by certain amendments and ad- ditions which are pointed out in the treasury report. FHDBRAL AID POR PUBLIC SCHLOOLS, 1 have previously referred to the alarm- ing state of illiteracy in certain_portions of the country, aud again submit for the concideration of congress whothor some federal aid should be extended to public nary education when adequate pro- vision ~ therefor has not already been made, THE POLYGAMY ULUER, The Utah commission has submitted to tho sceretary of the interior its second annual report, with full particulars of its labors in that territory, {nummnt to the act of March 22, 1882, It appears that the persons by that act disqualified, to the number of about 12,000, were ex- cluded from the polls. This fact, how- over, affords little cause for congratula- tion, and I fear that it is far from indi- cating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All of the members of the logislature are Mormons. There is grave reason to be- The right of the railway corporations to demand a profitable return upon their investments and a reasonable freedom in their regulations must be recognized, but it seems only just, so far s its con- stitutional authority will permit, that congresa should protect the people at large in their inter-state traflic against acts of injustice which the state govern- ments are powerless to prevent. FOREST PRESERVATION, In my last annual message I called attention to the necessity of protecti by suitable legislation the forests situ- ated upon the public domain, In many only mad® practi gationfy while such i impossible without the aid afforded by the forests in contributing to the regularity and con- stancy of such supply of water. During the past year eevere sulfering and great loss of property have been occasioned by profuse floods, followed by periods of unusually low water in many of the great rivers of the country. These irregulari- ties are caused by the removal from about the sources of the streams in question, of tho timber by which the water supply has been nourished and protected. IMPORTANCE OF THE FORESTS, The preservation of such portion of the forest on the national domain as essentially contributes to the cquitable flow of important water courses, is of the highest consequence. Important tribu- taries of the Missouri, the Columbia and the Saskatchewan rise in the mountains of Montana, near the northern boundary of the United States, between the Black- feot and Flathead Indian reservations. This reglon is unsuitable for settlement, but upon the rivers which tlow from it depends in the future the agricultural development of a vast tract of country. The attention of congress is called to the necessity of withdrawing from tho pub- lic sale this part of the public domain and establishing there a forest preserve. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS. The industrial exhibitions which have been held in the United States during the present year attracted attention m many foreign countries where tho an- nouncement of those enterprises had been made public through foreign agencies of this government, The in- dustrial exhibition at Boston and the southern exposition at Louisville were largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign countries, notwithstanding the absence of any professional character in those undertakings. The centennial ex- position to be held next year at New Orleans in commemoration of the cen- tury of the first shipment of cotton from a port of the United States, bids fair to meet with a like gratifying success. Un- der the act of congress of the 10th of Fobruary, 1883, declaring that exposi- tion to be national and inter-national in its charactor, foreign goverments with garded at fl_u_: present duy a8 inadequate, ‘:urtiuua of the west the pursuit of gen- eral agricultur griouli o 3 the e lieve that they are in sympathy with the practices that this government is seoking to suppress, and that its efforts in that regard will be more likely to encounter their opposition than to receive their en- couragement and support. MORE STRINGENT LAWH NEEDED, Even if this view should happily be erroneous the law under which the com- missioners have been acting should be made more effectual by the incorporation of some such stringent measures as they recommend, as were included in bill No. 2,238, on the calendar of the senate at its 1 am convinced, however, my has become 8o strongly in- trenched in the Territory of Utah that it is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which constitutional legislation can make. I favor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which the ex- isting eovernment depends, the resump- tion by the national legislature of the entire” political control of the territory and the establishment of a commission with such powers and duties as shall be In oftices where the carrier system has | delegated to it by law. not been established the rate is only half | AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, The department of agriculture is ac- complishing much in the direction of the agricultural development of the country which the United States waintain rela- tions have been invited to participate. The promoters of this important under- taking have already received assurances of the lively interest which is excited abroad, DISTRIOT OF COLUMBIA, The report of the commissioners of the District of Columbia is herewith trans- mitted. I ask for it your careful atten- tion, especially for those portions which relate to assessments for arrears of taxes and water supply. THE CIVIL SERVICE, The commissioners who wereappointed under the act of July 10, 1882, entitled “An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States,” entered promptly upon the discharge of these duties. ~ A series of rules, framed in ac- cordance with the spirit of the statute, was approved and promulgated by the president of the United States, and in some particulars wherein they seemed defective, these rules were sub- sequently amended, It will provide for the discountenance of any political or re- ligious tests for admission to the offices of the public service to which the statutes relate. The act is limited in its original application to the classified clerkships in tfie several executive departmonts at ———— - Washington, numbering about 5,600,and | to similar positions in customs districts | and postoftices where as many as 50 per- sons are employed. A classification of these positions analogous to that existing in the Washington offices was duly made before the law went into effect. Eleven customs districts and twenty-three post- offices were thns brought under the im- mediate operation of the statute. WORKINGS OF THE §YSTEM, The annual report of the civil servico | commission, which will soon be submit ;n-vl to congresa, will doubtless afford the means of a more definite judgment than | I am now prepared to express as to the | merits of the new system. I am per- 1m|:ulml that its effects have thus far proved beneficial. Its practical methods appear to be adequate for the ends pro- posed, and there has been no serious difficulties in carrying them into effect. Since the 16th of July last no person, far as [ am aware, has been appointed to the public service in the classified por- tions thereof at any of the departments, or any of the postoftices and customs dis- tricts above named, except those certified by the commission to be most competent on the basis of the examination held in conformity to the rule THE PRESIDENOY AND POWERS, At tho time when the present execu tive cntered upon his term of office his death, removal, resignation or inability to discharge his duties would have left the government without a constitutional head. 1t is probable, of course, that a similar contingency may again arise un- less the wisdom of congress shall pro- vide against its recurrence. The senate at its last session, afterfull consideration, passed an act relating to the subject which will now, I trust, commend itself to the approval of both houses of con- gress. The clause of the constitution upon which must depend any law regu- lating the presidential succession presents also for solution other questions of para- mount importance. These questions re- late to tho proper interpretation of the phrase “inability to discharge the pow- ers and duties of said oftice.” IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO BE SETTLED. Our organic law provides that when the president suffrs from such disability, the duties of the oftice shall devolve upon the vico president, who may himself un- der like circumstances give place to such officer as congress may by law appoint to act as president. 1 here find sot forth nu- merous and interesting inquiries which are suggested by these words of the con- stitution. hey were fully stated in my first communication to congress, and have been the subject of frequent delib- erations in that body. It is greatly to be hoped that these momentous questions will find speedy solutions lest an emer- gency may arise when long delay will bo impossible, and any determination, albeit the wisest, may furnish cause for anxioty and alarm, THB VETO POWER. For the reasons fully stated in my last annual message, I re;.eat my recommen- dation thet congress propose an amend- ment to that provisien of the constitu- tion which prescribes the formalities for the enactment of laws whereby, in re- spect to bills for the appeopriation of public monzy, the executive may be able, while giving his approval to particular items, to interposo his veto as to such others as do not commend themselves to his judgment. CIVIL RIGHTS. The fourteenth amendment of the c]nn- “ow copdmathe right of citizenship upon all persons born or Tiaver=s=w=d i{x the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. It 'was the special purpose of this amendment to insure members of the colored race the full en- joyment of civil and political rights. Certain statutory provisos intended to tional by the supreme court. Any legis- lation whereby congress may lawfully supplement the guarantees which the constitution affords for the equal enjoy- ment by all the citizens of the United States, of every right, privilege and im- munity of cititizenship, will receive my unhesitating approval, Cu rER A. ARTHUR, W asmiNaToN, D. C., December 3, 1883, Why use a gritty, muddy, disagreca ble article when Hood’s Sarsaparilla, so pure, so clear, so delightful can be ob- tained. 100 doses §1.00. TOM EDISON, Some Interesting Recollections of the Great Inventor When He Was a Telegraph Operator. Louisllle Courier Journal, “0h, yes, thero are a great many of us who remember Mr, Edison,” said an old Western Union operator to a reporter esterday. ‘I boarded in the same house with him for months and worked at the same table with him. Smart] Well, I should say so. You wouldn’t think it, though, to talk to him. He is like almost all inventors, a poor describer, Ile could make a new machine easier than he could tell you about it. I remember when he first came here. He was a modest, sly sort of a boy, and I took a liking to him. He was hard to get acquainted with, but after you got to know him he was soci- able enough. If you have noticed men much you will find that they all have one L e et L A may be drink, it may be cnl&s, it may be petticoats. But thero is one thing to which they are more strongly addicted than all the rest put together. Well, Tom was one of the few men who never seemed to be troubled with a vice. He couldn't be induced to touch a card. He mnever took a drink in his life, and the rustle of woman's skirts, that made many a good man go wrong, never set his heart a-beating. The man was wrapped up in_machinery. He had no time, no thought for anything else. He and I were doing day work, and at night, instead of going to the theater, or amusing himself as the rest of us did, he would o up to his room and set to work with all sorts of electrical appliances. And he used to have the queerest of rooms, It looked like an old junk shop. Our poor old landlady used to be 1n deathly fear of ‘some of them things goin’ off,’ as she expressed it, and the negro servants used to give him and his alp:m- went a wide berth, He had a funny habit when he was studying anything particu- larly abstruse of wrapping a towel soaked in ice-water around his head and keeping his feet in warm water. “‘He was one of the most superstitious men Iever knew, He would always study with the same coat on—a ragged, torn old velveteen jacket without a but- ton—because 1t gave him luck, he said, He had & mortal averson to cats, and swore that they were responsible for every mistake he ever made, I have known him to walk two blocks out of his way to avoid seeing an old pussie that used to sit contentedly on the front door- step of & house that was on his way home. He used to seriously talk of in- venting an electric machine to kill them with, and for all I know ho has, for there isn't a thing that Tom Edison wanted to do with machinery that he couldn't do. *‘Like all men of delicate nervous or ganization, he was extremely irritable at times, He had to eschew tea and coffee, and often said that he veriliy believed that a drink of whisky would set him crazy, idison was as considerate as & woman of the feelings of others,and I never knew him to say a harsh word about anyone. He was one of those shrinking, timid, pale-faced men whom you sometimen moet, with the keenest’ sensibility and the most retiring modesty. You could be with him for a lifetime and he would never allude to anything he did or intend ed to do. “I often used to wonder what his feel- ings were toward his beloved machines. He used to hang over a network of wheels within wheels, and cogs within cegs. adjusting, changing, fitting in new ones, and renioving old ones, and I have sat by the hour watching the rapt, tense look on his face. I believe he regarded this cold iron as a living, breathing oreature, to which all the love and tenderness of his nature was given, These masses of inert matter must have assumed all gorts of fantastic shapes to his busy mind. *If Edison was backward among men ho was absolutely helpless among women. Our landlady had a pretty daughter, who, by the way, still lives here, and that girl, T think, caused Edison as much trouble as his much-hated felino enemies. He used to sit near her at the table, and she took especial pains to please him, He ot to loving her, as much as he could love anything that was notin the machin- ery line, and it was curious to see his passion struggling with his diftidence. The_girl, with true feminine coquetry, would keep the poor fellow in hot water all the time by staving off the great con fession. One day he met her on the stairs, and nerved himself up togo through the fearful ordeal of having to tell his love. She was fairly caught, and, before she could escape, Edison blurted out the old story, *‘Why, Mr. Edison, you surprise me,’ said the little rogue. ‘I'like yousever sv much as a friend, but T can’t marry you because Mr.—— is going to marry me to- night.” Edison just went back to his machinery with more energy than cver. ButIdoubt if he has to this day forgiven the girl for leading him on, though he has a sweet-faced little woman for a wife and several handsome children. That was his first love, he afterward told me. And it did not scem to have much of an eftect on him, *‘He would have been a fine operatar if he had kept to his business, but he was forever irying to devise mothods of shortening the work. I believe Edison was always sorry the Almighty didn'c call him inat the creation 8o that he could get upan improvement on the plan of the universe. He was one of the best receivers I ever saw. He could take thirty-five words a minute and think nothing of it. But his mind was not in his work, and if he ever did think of sending or receiving it was only to plan some scheme by which it could all be done by some patent arrangement. He never made much money here. Indeed, he didn’t care for money. Although he was as frugal as an anchorite, he never saved money, for almost anyone, om almost any pretense, could get his last cent from him. “I never saw him but once since he left here. I wasin New York, and felt myself suddenly jerked by the coat tail. Ligoked around and thero was Edison & little paler and thinner in the face, but just as natural-looking as ever. He took me out to his little cuttage heme, intro- duced me to his wife, and, I suppose, spent several thousand dollars worth of time on me. He is frightfully busy, and secure the enforcement of thoso rights, | does more work than ten ordinary men have been racently declared unconstitu-|could do. He is making a barrel of money, they say.” — Of the many remedies betore the public for Nervous Debility and weaknoss of Nerve Generative System, there is none equal to Al- len’s Brain Food, which promptly and perma- nently restores all lost vigor; it mover failk, $1 pkg., 6 for $5.—At drugvists Western Comnice-Works, C. 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