Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 10, 1891, Page 2

WORDS OF WISDOM CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAOE, Mcers became at once fuxitives for their lives and appealed to the commanding offi- ocers of the forolgn navai vessels in the har: vor of Valparaiso und to the resident for- eign ministers at Santiago for asylum. This asylum was freely given, according to my mformation, by the naval vessels of several foreign powers and by several of the legations at San‘fago. The American minis- ter, as well ms his colleagues, acting under the impulses of humanity, extended asylum to political rofugees whose lives were in poril. I havo not been willing to direct tho surronder of such of these pecsons as are still in the American legation without equit- able understandings, It is believed that the government of Chili is not in a position, in view of tho precedents with which it has been connected, to broudly deny the right of asylum, and tho correspondence has not thus far presentod any such denial. The treatment of our minister for a time was such as to call for a decided protest, and 1t was very gratifying to observe that ua- friendly moasures, which were undoubtediy the resulc of the prevailing excitement, were at once rescinded, or suitably relaxed. Assault Upon American Seamen Valparaiso, On'the 16th of Octobor an event occurred in 50 sovious and tragic in_its cir- cumstances and results, as to vory justly ex- cite the indignation of our people, and to call for prompt and decided action o the part of this government. A considerablo number of sailors of the'United States steamer Balti- more, then in the harbor of Valparaiso, boing upon’ shore leave, and unariied, were as- saulted by armed men, noarly simultaneously in different localities in the city. One petty ofcer was Killod outright and seven or eight semmon woro seriously wounded, one of whom has since died. So savage and brutal was the assault that several of our sailors recoived more than two, and ono as many as eight stab wounds. ‘An investigation of the affair was promptly made by a board of oficers of the Baltimore and their report shows that theso assaults wero unprovoked that our men wore con- duoting themselves in » peaceableand orderly manner, and that somo of the police of tho city took part in tho assault and used their woapons with fatal offect, whilo a few others with some well disposed citizens, endeavored to protect our men. Thirty-six of our sailors wore arrested and some of them, whilo being taken to prison, were cruelly beaten and mal- treatod. The fact that they iworo alldis- charged, no criminal charge bewg lodged against any one of them, shows very clearly that they were lnnocent of any breach of the ace, So far as I havo yet been able to learn no explanation of this bloody work has been suggested, than that it had its origin in hostility to those mon as sailors of tho United States, wearing the uniform of their government and not in any ndividual act or personal animosity, A Subject tor a Special Message. The atteution of the Chilian government was at once called to this affair and o state- ment of the facts, obtained by the Investiga- tion we had conducted, was submitted, ac- companied by a request to bo advised of any othier or qualifying facts in the possession of the C/hilian government that might tend to reliove this nffair of tho appearance. of an insult to this government. The Chillan goverament was also advised that, A€ such qualifying facts did not exist, this 'government would confldentty expect full and prompt reparation. It is to bo re- retted that the roply of the secrotary for foreign affairs of the provisional governimont was couched in_an offensive tone. To this noresponse has been made. This govern- ment is now awaiting the result of an in- vestigation which has boen conducted by the criminal court at Valparaiso. It is reported unofiicially that the investigation is about completed, and 1t 13 oxpected _that tho result will soon bo communicated to this govern- ment, together wita some adequate and satisfactory response to the noto by which the atention of Chili was callod to this in- cident. If these just expectations should be disappointed or further needloss delay ntor- vene, I will, by a spocial message, bring this matter again to the attention of congress for such action us may be_necessary. The en- tire correspondence with the government of Chili will at an early day be submitted to COnRIOsS. African Slave Traflic. 1 renow tho recommendations of my special message, dated January 16, 1800, for the adoption of the necessary leislation to enable this government to apply in the case of Swo- den and Norway, the same rule in respect to the levying of tonnage dues as was claimed aud secured to the shipping of the United Seates in 1828, undor artiele 9, of the treaty of 1837, ‘The adjournment of the senate without ac- tion on the pending acts for the suppression of the slave traftic in Africa and for the re- form of the reveuue tariff of the independent state of the Congo, left this government un- ablo to exchange those acts on the date fixed, July 2, 15891, A modus vivendi has been con- cluded by which the power of the Congo state to lévy duties on imports is left unim- paired, and, by agreement of all the signato- Tios to the general slave trade act, the time for the exchange of ratification on the part of the United States has been -extended to February 2, 1802, %, Our Relations with China. The late outbreak against foveigners in va- rious parts of tho Chinese empire, has been the cause of deep concern, 1n view of the nu- merous establishments of our citizens in the interior of that country. Tbis goveroment can do no less than insist upon a continuance of the protec- 1ive and punitory measures which the Chi- nese government has heretofore applied. No effort will be omitted to protect our cit- izens peaceably sojourning in Chiua, but re- ceat unofticinl information indicates that what was at first regarded as an outbreak of mob violence against foreigners,has assumed the larger form of an insurrection against publio order. The Chinese government has decimmed to receive Mr. Blair as the minister of the United Statos, on the ground that, as a par- ticipant. while a senator in the onactment of the existing legislation agaiust the Introduc- tion of Chinese laborers, he has become un- friendly, and objectionable to China. I have falt constrained to poiut out to the Chinese governmont tho| untenwbleness of this posi- tion, which seems to rest ns much on the un- acoeptability of our legislation as on that of the person chosen, and which, if admitted, would pructically debar the selection of any representative as long as the existing luws remaiv in force, You will be called upon to consider the ex- }zedlluoy of making special provision by law or the temporary admission of some Chinese artisans and laborers in connection with the exbibit of Chinese industries at the ap- aching Columbian exposition, I regard aesirable that the Chinese exhibit be facilitated in every proper way. Americans in the Caroline Islands, A question has arisen with the government of Spain touching the rights of American citizens in the Caroline islands, Our citizens there, long prior to the confirmation of Spain’s alaim to the islands, had socured by ttlement and purchase cortawn rights, to recognition and maintenance of which the faith of Spain was pledged. I have had roason within the past year very strongly to protest against the falluré to carry out this pledgo on tho part of his majesty’s ministers, which has resulted in great {n, justice and injury to American resiaents. ‘The government and people of Spain pro- pose to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the dhc«vurhe! America by holding an’ ex- ition at Madrid which will open on the 2th of September snd continue until the Blst of December, 1802, A cordial invitation has been extonded to the United States to tako part ln this commercial exhibition, and as Spain was one of the first nations to ex- cvnu the iutention to participate in the orld's Columblan Exposition at Chicago, appropriate for this govern: s lnvitation 1ts frivndly pro- iv would be \or{ ment 1o give th] moion. Intercontinontal Railways, Surveys for the counecting links of tho projecied latercontinental railway are in progress, not only in Mexico, but at various polnts along the course mapped out. Three surveyiug partios ave now in the field under the direction of the commission, nearly 1,000 miles ollth.mpowd road have been sur- veyed, inoluding the most dificult part, that through Ecuador and the southern part of Colombia, The reports of the engineers are very satisfaotory and show that no insur- mountablo obstacles have been mot with, Mexican Houndarios. On November 13, 1854, a treaty was con- oluded with Mexico, re-afirming the bound- ary between the two countries, as described fu'the treaties of Fobruary ¥, 1848, ana De- | camber 30, 1539, Maroh 1, 188 further treaty was nego>- HE OMAHA DAILY BEE: THURSDAY d to facilitate the ca g out of the principles of thoe treaty of and to avold the difficulties occasioned by reason of the changes and alterniions that take place from | natural ~auses io the Rio Grande and Uolo- | rado rivers in the portions thereof constitut- ing the boundary line between the two republics, he international boundary commission, provided for by the troaty of 188, to have exclusive jurisdiction of any question that may arise, bas been named by the Mexican | government. _An appropriation is necessary | toenable the Unitea States to fulfill its treaty obligations in this respect, ‘The death of King Kalakaua fn the United States, afforded occasion to tesufy our | friendship for Hawail by conveying the king’s body to his own land in a naval ves- sel witn all due bonors. The government of his successor,Queen Lillioukalana, 1s seeking to promote closer commercial relations witn the United States, Surveys for tho much needed submarine cable from our Pacific coast to Honolulu are in progress, and this enterprise should have the suitable promotion of tne two govern- ments, I strongly recommend that provision be made for improving the harbor of Pearl river and equipping it as a naval station, Arbitration Agreement. The arbitration agreement formulated by the futernational American conferenco Jasped by reason of the failure to exchange ratifications fully within the limit of the time provided; but several of the goverments con- cerned have expressod & desiro to save this important result of the conference by an extension of tho period, It s, in my judg- ment, incumbent upon the United States to conserve the influentialinitiative it hus taken in this measure by ratifying the instrument, and by advoeating the proposed extension of e time for exchange. These views have been made known to the other signatories. Russia’s Trestment of the Jews. This government has found occasion to ex- press, i a friondly spirit, but with much earnestuess, Lo the government of the czar, its serious concern because of the harsh measures now being enforced against the He- brews in Russia. By the revival of anti-Somitio laws, long in abeyance, great numbers of these unfor- tunate people have boen constraiued to abun- don their homes and leaye the empire by reason of the impossibility of finding sub- sistence within the pale to which it is sought to confine them, ‘The immigration of these people to the United States, many other countries being closed to them, is largely increasing and is likely 1o assumo proportions whick may make it dificult to find homes und employ- ment for them here and to seriously uffect the Jabor market. Itis estimatea that over 1,000,000 will be forced from Russia within u few years. The Hebrew is neyer u beggar; ho has always kept the law —lived by toil— often under severe and oppressive civil restrictions. It is also true that no race,sect or class has more fully cared for its owu than the Heorew race. But the suddou transfer of such a multitude, under conditions that tend to strip them of their small accumula- tions aud to depress their cnergies and cour- age, is ueither good for them nor for us. "The banishment, whether by direct decree or by not less certain indirect methods, of so large a number oi men and wowen 18 not & local question. A decree to leave one coun- try, io the nature of things, is au order to en- ter some other, is another. Tuis considera- tion, as well as the suggestions of humanity, furnistes ample ground for the remon- straiices which we have presented to Russia, while our historic friendship for that govern- ment cannot fail to give the assurance that our representations are thoso of & sincere well-wisher. Nicaragun Canal. The annual report of the Maritimo canal company, of Nicaragua, shows that much costly and necessary prepuratory work has been done during the year in the constraction of shope, railroad tracks aud harbor piers and breakwaters, and that the work of canal con- struction had made some success, 1 deom it to be a matter of the highest con- cern to the United States that this canal,con- necting tho waters of the Atluntic and Pa- cific oceans, and giving tous asbort water commuuication between our ports upon those two great seus, should be speedily construct- ed, and at the smallest practicable limit of cost. The gain in freights to the people and the direct suving to the “government of the United States in the use of naval vessels would pay the entire cost of this work within ashort series of years. The report of the secretary of vhe navy shows the suving in our naval ex- penditures which would result. The senator from Alabama, Mr. Morgan, in his argument upon this subject bofore the senate, ut the last session, did not overesti- mate the importance of this work when he said that *‘the canal is the most important subject now connected with the commercial growth and progress of the United States.” 1If this work is to be grmnumd by the usual financial methods, and without the aid of this government, the expenditures in its interest-bearing securities and stocks will probably be twice the actual cost. This will necessitate higher tolls and constitute a heavy und altogether ncedless burden upon our commerce and that of the world, Every dollar of Londs and stock of tho company should represent a dollar oxpended in the legitimate and economical prosecution of the work, This 1s only possible by giviag to the bonds the guarantee of the United States government, Such a guarancee would secure the ready sale at par of a8 per cent bond, from time to ttme, us the money was needed. Recommends Government Aid. 1 do not doubt that, built upon these busi- ness methods, the canal 4vould, when fully inaugurated, earn its fixed charges and operating axpenses. But if its bonds are to be markojea at_heavy discounts and overy bond sold is to be accompanied by a gift of stoclk as has come to be expected by investors in such enterprises, the traffic will be seri- ously burdened to pay interest and dividends. Lam quite willing to recommend government promotion in the prosecution of a work, which if no other measuns are offered for se- curing its completion, is of such transcend- eut interest that the government should, in my opinion, secureit by divect appropriations from its tréasury. A guarantee of the bonds of the canal com- pany, to an amount necessary to the com- pletion of the canai could, ' thiunk, be so given as not 1o involve any serious risk of ultimate loss. The things to be carefully guarded ave the completion of the work, within the limits of the guaranty, the sub rogation of the United States to the rights of tho first mortgage bondholaers, for any amounts it may have to pay,and 1 the mean- time & control of tho stock of the company as a security against mismanagement and loss, 1 most sincerelv hope that neither pa o keatlonaltiLits Ll e araT upon this great American project, so full of Interest to tho people of all our states, and so influential in its effects upon the prestige aud prosperity of our common country. Island of Navassa, The island of Navassa, in the West Indian xroug. has, under tho provisions of title 72 of the revised statutes, been recognized by the president, as appertaining to the United States. It contaius Juano deposits, is owned by the Navassa Phosphate company and occupied sololy by its employes. In Septem- ver, 1830, & revoll took place among these laborers, resulting in the killjng of some of the ageats of the vompany, caused, as the laborers claimed, by crue. treatment.” ‘These mon were arrested and tried in the United States courts at Baltimore, under scotion 5570 of tho statute referred to, as it the offcuses had been committed on board & merchant vessol of the United States on the high seus. There appeared on tho trial, and otherwise came to mo, such evidences of the bad treatmont of the wen that, in cousidera- tion of this and of tho fact that the men haa DO access to any public officer or tribunal for protection or tie redross of tholr wrongs, [ commuted the death seutences that had been passed by the court upon three of them. In April last my attention was azain cailed to this island, aud to the unrewulated condi- tion of things thore, by a ietter from a col- ored laborer, who complained that he was wrongfully detafced upon the island by the Phosphate company after the expiration of his contract of service, A naval vessel was sent to examine lato the case of this maa wnd yeuerally into the condition of things on the island, It was found that thoe luborer voforred to had been aetained beyond the contrast limit, and that ondition of revolt ngaln existed amoug the borers. A board of naval oficers reported, among other things, as follows: Bad Treatmont of Laborors, We wouid dosira to state further, th disolpliue maintained on tho island, sooms to bo that of @ couviek, establishment, with- out its comforts snd oleaniiness, and that, until more attention 1s baid to the shipping of laborers. by placing it undor governmont superyisioa, 10 prevent misunderstanding and misrepieaoutal Lol | lon 18 showu roca thesd d ! | Arronce. Irecommend leg'alaiion that suall place labor I contracl the States under the superyision of a court com- missioner, and that shall provide, at the ex- pense of the owners, an officer to reside upon the islands with power to judze and ad- just disputes and to enfoveo a just and hu- mane treatment of the employes, It is nex- cuseabls that American laborers should bo {eft within our own jurisdiction without ac- | cess to any government offlcer or tribunal for thelr protection aud the redress of their wrongs. International Copyright. International copyright has been secured, in accordance witn tho conditions of the act of March , 1801, with Belglum, France, Great Britain and the British posessions and Switzerland, tho laws of those countries por- mitting to our citizens tho bonefit of copy right on substantially the same basis as their own citizens or subjects, With Germany a special convention has boen negotiated upon this suvject, which will bring that country within the reciprocal benefits of our legisla- tion. TREASURY DEPARIMENT, Review of Tariff Logislation and its Effects—Other Items. Tho goneral interest in the oporations of the treasury department has been much augmented duriag the last yoar by reason of the conflicting predictions, which accompan- led and followed the tariff ‘and other logisla- lation of the last congress, affecting the revenuos as to the rosults of this legislation upon the treasury and upon the country. On the one hand it was contonded that 1mports would so fail off as to leave the treasury bankrupt, and that the pricas of articles en- tering into the living of the pooplo would bo £0 enhanced us to disastrously affect their comfort and happiness, whilo on the other it was arguod that the loss to the revenue, largely the resultof placing sugur on the fred list, would be a direct gain to the people; that the prices of the nocessaries of life, in: cluding those most bighly prdtooted, would not be enhanced; that lubor would 'have a larger market, and the products of the farm advanced prices; while the treasury surplus | Free ¢ | it be forgotter and receipts would be adequate to mest tho appropriations, including the large ex- ceptional expenditures for refunding to tho states of the direct tax, and the redemption of the 414 per cont bonds. 1t is not my purpose to enter at any length into a discussion of the effects of the legislation to which IT'have reforred, but a brief exam- ination of the statistics of the treasury and a general glance at the stato of business throughout the country will, I think, satify any impartial inquirer that 'its results have disappointed the evil prophecies of its op- ponents and in a large measure realized the hopoful predictions of its friends. Rarely, if ever before in the history of the country, has there been a time whei the proceeds of one day’s labax or the product of one farmed crop could purchase such a large amount of things thatenter into the living of the massos of the people. I beliove that a full test will develope the fact that the tariff act of the Fifty-first congress is very favorable ' in its average effect upon the prices of articles eutering into common use. Interesting Tariff Statistics. During the twelve months from October 1, 1890, to September 80, 1801, tho total value of our foreign commerco (imports and exports combined) was $1,747,806,406, which was the lurgest of any year in the history of the United States.” The largest in any previous year was 1n 1590, when our commerce amounted to $1,047,130,09, and the last year exceods this enormous aggregate by over $100,000,000. Ttis interesting and to some will be sur- rising to know that during the year ending eptember 30, 1891, our imports of merchan- dise amounted to $524,715,270 which was an increase of moro than $11,000,000 over the value of tho imports of the corresponding months of the preceding year, when the im- ports of merchandise wero unusually large in anticipation of the tariff legislation then pending. The average annual value of the imports of merchaudise for the ten years from 1881 to 1800, was $692,186,522, and during the year ending September 30, 1801, this annual aver- age was oxceeded by $132,528,400, The value of freo imports during the twelve months ending >eptember 80, 1591, was $118,092,387, more than the value of freo imports 'during the corvresponding = twelve months of the preceding year, and there was during the same period a decrease of $106,- 846,508 in the valueof imports of dutiable morchandise. The percentage of ‘merchan- dise admitted frec of duty during the year to which I have referonce, the first under the new tariff, was 41.18, while, during the pre- ceding twelve months, under the old tariff, the percentage was 34.27, an increase of 13.91 er cent. If we take the six months ending Septomber 50 last, which covers the time curing which sugars have been admitted free of duty, the per cent of valuo of merchandise imporied frec of duty is tound to be 55.37, which is a lurger pevcentago of free imports than during any prior fiscal year in the his- tory of the government. It we turn to exports of merchandise, the statistics are full of gratification. The whole of such exports of merchandise fortne twelve months ending Septemoer 80, 1891, was $9.3, 091,186, while for the corresponding previou: twelve months it was $360,177,115,an increaso of $02,014,621, which is nearly three times the average annual increase of exports of merchandise during any year in the nistory of the government. The increaso in the value of exports of ag- ricultural products during the year reforred to over the corresponding twelve months of the prior year was $15,846,197, while the in- crease in the value of exports of manufac- turea products was $16,838,240. Prosperity and Contentment Prese There is certainly nothing in the condition of trade, foreign or dowestic, there is cer- tainly nothing in the condition ' of our people ofany class, to suggost that the existing tariff and revenue legislation bears oppres- sively upon the people or retards the commer- cial development of the nation. It may be argued thut our condition would be better if our tariff legislation were upon a free trade basis; but it cannot be denied that all the conditions of prosperity and of general coutentment are present in a larger degree than ever before in our history, and that, too, just when it was prophecied they would be in the worst state. Agitation for radical changes in the tariff and financial legislation cannot help, but may seriously impede busi- ness, to the prosperity of which some degree of stability in legislation is essential. I think there are conclusive evidancos that the new tariff has created soveral great industries which will within a few years give employ- ment to several hundred thousand American workingmen and women. In view of the overcrowded condition of the labor market, the United States citizens should rejoice at such a result, “The raport of the secretary of the treasury shows that the total receipts of the govern- ment, from all sources, for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1801, were $458,544,283.03 while, the expenditures for the same veriod 470.45; leaving & surplus of D June 80, 1502, actual and estimatad aro 700,000, aud the expenditures $100,000,000, For the fiscal year onding June 50, 1503, ' the estimated recoipts are $455,330,330, and the expenditures $410,452,003, Discusses the Silver Question, Under the luw of July 14, 1890, the secre- tary of the treasury has purchased since August 18, during tie fiscal year, 48,803,113 ounces of silver bullion at an” average cost of $1.045 per ounce. The highest price paid dur- ing the years was §1.2035, and the lowest $0.0636. " In exchange for this silver bullion there have been issued $50,574.08 of the treas- ury notes authorized by the act. The lowest price of siiver reached during the. fiscai year was §0.0630 on April 22, 18915 but on Novem- ber | the market price was only .96, which would give the silver dollar a bullion "value of T4}{ conts. Beiore the influeuce of the protective sil: vor logislation was felt in the market, silver was worth 1o New York about §0.975 pew ounce. ‘The ablest advocates of free coinago 10 the last congress were most confiient ln their prediction that the purchases by .the governwment vequired by tha law.would at Qnee pring the price of silver to $12420 per ounce which would make the bullion value of a dollar 100 cants and hold it there. ..Khe proptecies of the anti-sllver men of disasters to result from the colnagd of - #2,000,000 per wonth were not wider of tue mark, % Tho friends of free silver are nok dgreed, I think, 88 to the causes tiat browghu -wheir hopetul predictions to naught. Somp facts ave kuown. The exports of silver, from Lon- dou to Indis during the first nine mouths of tho calondar year fell off over 50 'per cent, or $17,202,790, compared with thesame months of the preceding year. Tug exports. of do- mostio silver bullion from this country, whish has averagod for the last ton years over $1,- 000,000, foll in the last fiscal yoar to $13,77,- YUL; while for the frst time lu receut yours, ing Into this country e by the sum of &, wour the net exports of sil- ofted States amountod to §3,- fraduction of theUnited States 5,000,000 ounces in 1580, to 0,000 in 1500 Tho government is now buying and Pubting aside annually 54,000,000 ounces, whicl) allowing 7,140,000 ouncos of now bullion uyel in the nrts, is 6,040,000 more than our domestic product availabie for coinage, coeded tho expol In the previou: vor from the ‘] Tha At (W 1 hope tho deprossion in the vrice of silver 18 tomporary and that a furtuer trial of \his logisiation ‘will ‘more favorably effect it. That the incronggl volumo of currency thus suppliod for thie use of the people was needed, and that beneli#ul resuits upon trade and prices have followed this legislation, I think must bo very clear to evory one; nor should that for every dollar of these notes issued, a tull dollar's “worth of silver bullion is ac the timo deposited in tho treas- ury as o security for its redemption. Upon this subject, as ‘upon the tariff, my recom- mendation is that the oxistiug laws " bo givon a full trial, and that our business intorests bo spared the distrossing influence which throats of radical changes always impart. Under existing legisiation 1t is in the power of the treasury department to maintain that essontial condition of national finance as well as of commercial prosperity—the parity in us0 of tne coin dollars and thoir paper repre- sentatives. Tho assurances that these powers would be freely and unhesitatingly used has done much to produce and sustain the pres- eut favorable business conditions. I am still of tho opinion that the free coin- age of silver under existing conditions would disastrously affoct our business interests at home and " abroad. We coula not hope to maintain au equality 1 the purchasing power of the gold and silver dollar in our markets, #nd in forcign trade tho stamp gives no added value to the bullion contained in coins. Mission of the Short Dollar. ‘The producers of the country and its farm- ers aund laborers have the highest interest that every dollar, paper or cow, issued by tho government, shail be as good as any other, If there 1s one less valuable than another, its sure and constant errand will be to pay them for their toils or their crops. The money-lender will protect himself by stipulating for payment in gold, but the laborer has never beou able to do that. To placo business upon a silver basis, would mean a sudden and severe contraction of tho currency, by the withdrawal of gold and gold notes, and such an unsettling of all values as would produce a commercial panic. 1 cannot bolieve that a people so strong and prosverous as ours, will promoto such a policy. The producers of silver are entitled to just consideration, but they should not forgot that the government is now buying and putting out of the market what is the equiva- lent of the entire product of our silver mines. Thus is'more than they themselves thought of asking two years ago. I believe it is the earnest desivo of a groat majority or the people, as it 1s mine, that a full coin uso shali be made of silver just as 5001 as the co-oneration of other nations can be secured and a ratio fixed that will give circulation equally to gold and silver, The business of the worla divides the use of both metals, but I do not sen any prospect of gain, but much of loss, by giving up the present vstom, in which a "full use is made of gold and a large use of silver, for one in which silver aioua will circulate.” Such an ovent would be at once futal tothe further progress of the silver movm’an Bi-Metalism a Desired End. Bi-metalism is jthe desired end and the true friends of d;leur will be careful not to over-run the goal and bring in silver mono- metalism with ‘its ‘necessary attendants the loss of our gold'to Europe and the relief of tho prossure therefrom by a large paper currency. Pl L have endeavorell by the use of ofiicial and unofficial agencigs to keop a close observa- tion of the state'!of public sentiment in Europe upon this!question, snd bave not found 1t to be stich'as to justify me in pro- posiug au international conference. ‘I'here is, however, I am sure, a growing sentiment in Europe in favor of the larger use of silver and [ know of no more effectual way of pro- mntln% this sentiment than by accumulating gold lire, A seardity'of gold in the Euro- ponn teserves will b6 the most' persuasive argument for the usé of silver. The exports of gold to Europe which bogan n Fepruary last and continued until the close of July aggregated over $70,000,000. ‘Tho net loss of gold during the fiscal year was nearly $68,000,000. That no serious monetary disturbauce resulted was most gratifying and gave to Europe fresh evi- dence’ of the strengtn and stavility of our financial fnstitutions. With the movement of crops the outflow of gold wus speedily stopped and a return sevin. Up to December 1 we had recovered of our gold loss at tne portof New York $27,854,000, and it is confidently believed that durine the winter and spring this aggregato will b steudily and lergely increased. 11 Be Disastrous, Cash Surplus in the Ireasury. The presence of a large cash surplus in the treasury, has, for many years, been the sub- ject of much unfavorable criticism, and has furnished an argument to thuse who have desired to place the tariff upon & purely rovenue basis. It was agreed by all that the withdrawal from circulation of so large an amouunt of money was an embarrassment to the business of the country and made neces- sary the intervention of the department at frequent intervals to relieve threatened monetary panics, The surplus on March 1, 1889, was §183,827, - 100.29. The policy of applying this surplus to the redomption of the interest bearing securities of the United States was tnbught to be preferable to that of depositing it with- out Interest in selected mnational banks. There have been redeemed since the date last meutioned of intevest bearing securitios $2050,079,350, resulting in & reduction of the annual interest charge of §11,083,( The mouey which had been deposited in banks without interest is being gradually with- drawn and used in. the redemption of bouds, ‘The result of this policy, of the silver leg- islation, and of the rofundiug of the 4ly per cent bonds, has been A large increase of the money in circulation. At the date last named the circulation was $1,404,205,800, ar $23 03 ver capita; while on thelst day of De- cember, 1891, it _had increased to $1,577, 070, or §24.38 per capita. The offer of tho secretary of the treasury to tho holders of the 4i5 per cent bonds to extend the time of redemption at the option of the goyernment, at an interest of 2 per cent, was accopted by the holders of about one-half tho amount and the unexteuded bonds are being redeemed on bresentation WAR DEPARTNENT. Improvement in the Service, Work Projected and Recommended, The report of the secretary of war exhibits the results of an jnjpiligent, progressive and businesslike admipistration of a department which has been tpo much regarded as one of mere routine, The separation pf Secretary Prootor from the dapartment by roason of his appointment 4s & senator from Q\ state of Vermont, is a source of great regret to ma, and to his col teagues, and I anysure it will bo to all those who have had busjness with tho department while under his cligygo. In the administ¥ation of army affairs some especially good work nas been accomplished. ‘The efforts of thg jsecretary to reduce the per centage of dpsavtions by removing the causes that promelt it, have been so suc- cessful as to enaplg, him to report for the 1ast year a loworper contage of desertion than has been bofeaw reached in the history of the army. Themesulting money saving s cousiderable, buj \be improvement in the morals of the enlinted mea is tne most valua- ble incident of the reforras which have brought about thia wesuit. Gun Minufactories. The work of securiog sites for shore bat- terios tor harbor aefonses, and the munu facture of guns, eto. of ' high power to equip them, have made wood progress during the yoar. The preliminary work of tests und pluns v?uuh 50 long deluyed a start, is now out of the way, Some guus bave beon com pleted, aud with an en)arged shi compléte equipment at Waterville, the army will soon ve abreast of the navy in guu con- struction. Whatever unavoidable causes of delay may arise, thero should be nowe from deluf'ud or wsucient appropriations. We snall be greatly ombarvassed in the proper distribution and use of naval vessels until adequate shove defouses are provided for our harbors, I concur in the recommendatiou of the sec- retary that the three battallion organizations be adopted for the intantry. The adoption of & smokeless powder aud of a wedorn rifle equal in range, precision and rapidity of tire And & more DECEMBER 10 to the test known ln | longer dolayed. Indians as Soldiers, ‘The project of enlisting Indians and or- gantzing them into separate companies; upon tho sawe busis as other soldinrs, was made the subject of & very caroful study by tho sacretary and recelvod my approval. Soven companies have obeen compietely organized and seven more aie in process of organiza- The results of six montns training more than realized tho highest anticipa- The mon are readily brought under ipline, acquire the driil with facility,and show groat pride in the richt discharge o? their duties and perfect loyaity to their offi- cers, who declare that they would taike them into action wita contidenc: ‘T'he discipline, order and cleanlinoss of the military posts will have a wholesomo and elevating influence upon and through them upon their fribes, while the more friendiy feoling for tho whites aud a greater respect for tho governmont will certainly be prompted. The great work done in the record and pen- sion division of the war department by Major Ainsworth, the modical corps and tue clerks under him, 1§ entitlod to honorable mention. Taking up the work with nearly 41,000 cases behind he closod the last fiscal yoar without a single case left over, though the new cases bave incre 5 cent in number over the provious year by reasou of the ponsion legislation of the last congress, DEPARIMENT OF JUSTICE. wilt T hop Chinese Immigration, Extonding the Jurisdiction of U, 8. Courts. I coneur in the recommendation of the at- toriey general that the right in felony cases to u review by the supreme court be limited, 1t would seem that personal liberty would have a safe guaranty if the vight of review in cases fuvolving only fine and imprisonment be limited to the eircuit court of appeals, un- less a constitutionul question should in any way be invol ved. The judges of the court of private land claims, provided for by the act of March 38, 1891, have been appointed and the court or- ganized. It is now possible to give early r lief to communities, long repressed in’ thewr development by unsettled land titles, and to estavlish the possessions and right of settiers whose lands have been rendered ualess by adverse and unfounded claims, The act of July 9, 1888, provided for the - corporation and management of a reform school for girls i the District of Columbi: but it remained inoperative for the re: at 1o appropriation has been made for construction or maintenance. The need of such an institution is very urgent. Many girls could bo saved from depraved lives by the wnolesome influences and restraints of such a school, Irecommend that the neces- sary appropiation be made for a site and for construction, Chinese Immigration. The enforcoment by the treasury depart- ment of the law prohibiting the coming of Chinese Lo the United States has beon effec- tive as to such as seok to land from vessels entering our ports, Tho result has been to divert the trayel to vessels entering the ports of British Columbla, wheuce passage into the United States at obscure points aloug the dominion boundary is easy. Very con- siderable number of Chinese laborers ‘have, during the past year, entered the United States from’ Canada and Mexico, . Lhe officors of the treasury departmeat, and of the department of justice, have used every means at their command to intercept this immigration, but the impossibility of perfectly guarding our extended frontior is apparent. Tho dominion government col- lects ahead tax of $5) from every Chinaman entering Canada, and thus derives a consid- erable revenue from those who only use its ports to reach a position of advantage to evade our exclusion laws. There seems 10 ba satisfactory evidence that the business of passing” Chinamen through Canada to the United States is or- qamzed and is quietly done. Justice has coustrued the laws to require the return of any Chinaman found to be un- lawfnlly in this~ country to China as the country from which they came, notwith- standing the fact that he came by way of Canada; but, several of the district courts have, in cases brought before them, over- ruled this view of the law, ind decided that such persons must be returnea tu Candaa. This construction’ robs the law of all its effectiveness, even 1f the decrees could be executed, for the men returned can the next day recross our borders, But the only ap- propriation made is for sending them back to China, and the Canadian ofticials refuse to al- low them to re-entor Canada without the payment of the 50 per head tax. I recom- mend such legislation as will remedy these defects in the law. Jurisdiction of United States Courts. In previous messages I have called the at- tention of congress to the necessity of so ex- tending the jurisdiction of the United States courts as to make triablo therein any felony committed while in the act of violating a law of tho United States. These courts cannot bave that independence and effoctiveness which the constitution contemplated so long as tho felonious killing of high court officors, jurors and witnesses in the discharge of their duties, or by reason of their acts as such is only recognizable in the state courts. The work done by the attorney general and the ofticers of his department even under the present inadequate legisiation, has producea some notable results in the inrerest of law and order, ‘The attorney general and also the commis- sioner of the District of Columbia, call atten- tion to the defectiveness, and inadequacy of the laws relating to crime against chastis the District of Columbia. A stringent code upon this subject has been provided by con- gross for Utab, and it is a matter of surprise toat the nceds of this district should have been so long overiooked. FPOSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT. What Has Been Done to Make the Service Effective—A Good Showing. In the reportof the postmaster general, some very gratifying results are exhibited, and many betterments of the servico sug- gested. A perusal of the report gives abun- dant evidence that the supervision and direc- tion of the postal system have been charac- terized by an intelligent and conscientious desire to improve tho service, The revenues of the department show an increuse of over £,000,000, whils the ostimate for the year 1303 shows a surplus of receints ovor oxpen- ditures. Ocean mal postoffices havo boen ostab- iished upon the steamers of the North Ger- man Lloyd and Hamburg lines, saving, by the distribution on shipboard, from two to fourteen bours timo in the dehivery of mail at the port of entry, and often wuch more than this in tho delivery at interior places, So thoroughly has ihis system, initiated by Germany and the United States, evidenced its usefulness thai it cannot be longer before it is installed upon the great ocean wail car- rylug steamships. Eigh thousana miles-of new vostal service has been established upon raironds. tho car distribution to sub-stations in the great cities has Leen lncreased about per cent, while the perceutage of errors in distribution has, unxrrnm the past year, boen reduced over ono- half. Lxtension of Free Delivery. An appropriation was given by the last congress for the purpose of making some ex- periments in free delivery in the smaller cities and towns. 'The results of these ex- periaents have boen so satisfactory that the postmaster general secommends, aud Iconcur n the recommendation, that taa free dellvery system be at once extended to towns of 5,000 population. His disoussiou of the inade- quate facilities extended under our present svstew to rural communities, and his suggos- tions with a view to give these communities a fuller participation in tne benefits of the postal sorvice, are worthy of your careful consideration, It is not just thai the farn.er, who receives bis malil at the neighboring town, should not oply be vompelled to sen to the postoflice for it, but to pay a considera- ble rent for @ box in which to place it, or wait his time at a general delivery window, whtle the city resident has his mail brought to his door, 1t Is stated that over 54,000 neighborhoods are, under the prescut tom, recelvin mail at postoMices whore money orders an postal notes are not issued. Lho exteusion of these systems tothese commuynities are especially desirablo, as the patrons of such oftices are not possessod of the other facili- tutes offered in more ropuluul communiues for the transmission of smail sums of woney. T have, )i the mossage 10 the pracediug congress, expressed my views as to n modi- flea use of the Lelegraph in councetion with the postal service. Stoamslup Mail Sorvica. Tn pursuance of the mail law of March 3, 1891, und after a most carveful study of tuo whole subjeot aud frequent couforences with not be l hip oMcers, advertisemonts v,oro is: the mon enlisted, | ned by [l mastor for fifty-thrme lines to Groat Britain and the continent, twenty-seven to South Ameriea, three to China and Japan, four “to Australin And the Pacifio Islands, seven to the Wost Indies, and two to Mexico. It was not, of course, axpectod that bids for all these lines should be received or that service upon all would be contraoted for. It is intended in furtherance of the act to secure as many now lines as_possiole, while ineluding in tho list most or all of the forei: lines now oceupied by American ships, 1t was hoped that a hne to England, and per- haps one to the coutinent, would bo secured, but the outlay required to equip such lines wholly with new ships of the first class, and the difficuity of establishing now lines in compotion witn those already established, deterred bidders whose interest had boen en- listed, It is hoped that a way may yot bo found of overcoming these diffioulties, The Brazilian Steamship company, by reason of a miscalculation s to the speed of 1ts vessels, was not able to bid under the terms of the advertisement, The policy of the department was to secure from tho established lines an improved sery- 1ce as a condition of giving to them the bepo- fits of tho luw. 'This in all instances has beon attained. The postmaster goreral esti- that an expendituro in American ship- 3 of about 10,000,000 will bo necessary to enable the bidders'to construct the ships called for by the service whioch they have ac- cepted. Revival of American hipping. {do not think there is -any reason for dis- couragement, or for any turning back, from the policy of this legislation. Indeed, & good beginning has been made, and as the subject is further considered and undorstood by cap- italists and shipping people, new lines will be ready to meet future proposals, and wo may dute from the passage of this law the rovival of American shipping interests recovery of a fair share of the carrying trade of the world. We were recoiving for foreign postage nearly §2,000,000 under the old system, and the ‘outlay for ocean mail sorvice did not exceod 600,000 por annum. Itis estimated by the postmaster goneral that, if all tho contr: proposed aro com- ploted, 1t will require £247,354 for this year, in addition to the appropriation for sea aud inland postage aiready in the estimates, and that for the next fiscal year ondiug June 50, L85, thoy would probably neod about 60, 00, Highly Sat'sfactory Progress in the Buildin z of Warships. The roport of the secrdtary of the navy shows a gratifying increase of new naval vessels in commission. The Newark, Con- cord, Bennington and Miantomonah have beon added wuring the year, with an aggre- gato of something more than 11,000 tons. Twenty-four warships of all classes are now under construction in the navy yards and private shops, but while the work upon them is going forwacd satisfactorily, the comp tion of “the more important vessels will yet require about a year's time. Some of tho vessels now under construction, it is be- lieved, will be triumphs of naval engineer- ing. When it is recoliccted that the work of buildieg a modern navy was only initiated in the year 1583; that our naval con- structors and_shipbuilders were practically without oxperience in the construction of lurge iron or steel ships; that our enzino shops were unfamiliar with great marine en- gines, and that the manuiacture of steel forgings for guns and plates was almost wholly a foreign industry, the progress that has been wade 1s not only highly satisfact- ory, but furnishes the assurance that the United States will before long,in the con- struction of such vessels, with those engines aud armaments, gain the same pre-eminence which it attained when the best instruments of commerce was tue clipper ship and the most impressive exhibit of naval power the old wooden three decker man-of-war. The ofticers of the navy and the provrietors and engincers of our great private shops have re- sponded with wonderful intslligence and professional zeal to the coufidence expressed by congress in its liberal legisiation. We have now at Washington, a gun shop, or- ganizod and conducted by naval officers, that 1n its system, cconowy and product is Unex- celled. ~ Experiments with armor plates have been conducted during the vear, with most importany results. It is now beleved that a plate of higher resisting power thun any in use has beun found, and that the tests have demoustratea that cheaper methods of man- ufacture than those herctofore thought nec- essaay can be utilized Recommendations Approved. T commend to your favorablo consideration the recommendations of the secretary, who hias, I am sure, given to them the most con- sciontious study. Thero should 0o no hesi- tation in promptly completing a navy of the best modern type, large enough to enablo this country to display its flug in all seas for the protection of its citizens, and of its ex- tending commerce. The world needs no assurance of the peaceful purposes of the United States, but we shail probably be, in the future, more largely competitors in the commerco’ of the world, and it is cssential t0 the dignity of this nation, and to that neaceful fuflionce whisn it should exercise on this homisphere, that 1ts uuvy should bo adequate, both upon the shores of the Atlan- tic and the Pacitic. DEPARTMENT OF il INTERIOR. The Indian Question—Work of the General Land Office—Pensions. T'he roport of the secrotary of the mterior shows that @ very gratifying progress has been made in ali the bureaus which make up thav complex, difficult department. The work in the burcau of Indian affairs was perbaps never so largo as now, by reason of the numerous negotiations which lave beon proceeding with the tribes for a reduction. of the reservations, with the incident labor of making allotments, and was never more carefully conducted. The provision of ade- quate school faciliues for Indian children, and the locating of adult Iudians upon farms, involve the solution of theIndian question.’ Everything else—rations, aanuities, and tribal negotiations with tho agents, inspec- tors and commissioners who distributo and conduct them—must pass away whon the Indian has bacome @ citizen, secured in tho individual ownership of a farm from which o derives his subsistence by his own labor, protected by aud subordinate to the laws which govern the whito man, and orovided by the ceneral government, or by tho local communities in which to live the meaus of cducating lis childven an Indian bocomes @ Cilizen in an org state or territory his rolation to the goneral government ceasos, in & great measure, to b that of & ward; but the goneral government ought not at ouco to put upon the state or torritory whe burden of the aducation of his children. It bas been my thought that tho government schools and sehool butldings upon the reservation would bo absorbed by this school system of the states and territorios, but as it has been found necessary to protoct tho Indinn against the compulsory alienation of his land by exempting it from taxation for a poriod of twonty-five years, it would seem to bo right that the general government, cer- tainly 1f there wero tribal funds in its pos- session, should pay to tho school fund of the state what would be equivalent to the local school tax upon the proporty of the lndian, Tt will be noticed from the roport of the commissioner of ludian affairs that aiready some contracts have beon made with district schools for the education of Indian children Thero is great advantago, I thiek, in bring- ing the Indian_children into wixed schools, Tnis proceas will bo gradual, and in the time the present educational provisiou arrangoments, the rosult of tho bost experi- ence of thoso who havo boen charged with this work, should b continued. This will onable those religious bodies thathave under- taken toe work of Iudian education with so much zeal and wWith results so restraining and bencficent, to piace their institutions ii new and usoful relations to tho Indian and his white neighbors. The Sioux Outbreak, Tuo outbreak amoeng” tha Sioux, which os- curred in Decombor last, as to its causes and ineldents is fully reported upon by the war devartment and the departinent of the in- terior, That those Iadians had some just complaings, especially in the matter of ‘the reduction of tne appropriation for rations and in the delays atiending the enactment of 1aws Lo enable the dopartment to perform the engagements entered 1nto with them, is provubly true; but the Sioux tribes are naturaliy warlike and turbulent snd their warrlors were excited by thefr medicine men | and chiofs who proached the coming of an | Indian Messiab, who was to give them | power to destroy their enomles. Tn view of tho alarm that prevatled among the white sotiiers near tho resorvation, and of the futal consequences that would have resulted from an [ ndiau wearsion, I placed at tho disposal of Geuoral Miles, commanding that division | of the avmy, the Lroops that were Laought by | him to be requiro: Ho s entitlod to th oredit of having wiven thorough protection to the sottlers and of bringing the nostiles into subjection with the least possible loss of life. The Civilized Tribes. The appropriation of &2,001 450 for the Choctaws and Chickasaws, contained in the general Indinn appropriation biil of Mareh 3, 1801, has not been expended, for the reason that [ 1avo not yot_aporoved & releaso to the government of the Iudian cluim to the lands mentioned. This matter will be made the subjoct of a spocial mossagoe, placing before congress all tho facts which have come to m knowledge, The relations of the five civii- izod tribes now oceupying the Indian Torri- tory to the United States, I bolieve to be tho best caleulatod to promote the highest ad- vancement of these Indians, ‘That thero should be within our horders five independ- ent states, baving no relations excepting those growing out of troaties with the gov- ernment of the United States, no representas tion in the nation's legislature, its people not oitizens, is a startling anowaly, It seerus 10 mo to bo inevitabie that there shall be be- fore long some organic changes in the reine tion of thesq poople to the United States, What form' these changes should take I do not think 1t desirable now 1o suggost, even if they were woll defined in my own mind. They should certainly involve the acceptance of citizon- ship by the Indians and representation in congress. These Indians should have oppor- tunity to present their claims and grievances apou the floor rather than as now in the lobby, 1 w commission could be appointed to visit these tribes to confor with them in & friondly spirit upon the wholo subject, even if no agroement wero presoutly reachod, the feeling of the tribe upon the question would be developed and discussion would propare the way for changes wuich must come sooner or later. Opening ot Ressevations. Tho good work of reducing the larger In- dian reservations by allotments in sovoraity to the Iudians and the cossion of the romain- g lund to tho United States for disposition under the homestead law, hus boen prosocut- od during the yoar with énergy and- success. In September last, I was enabled to open the settlement in the territory in Oklahoma, 900,- 000 ucres of land, all of which was taken up by sottiers in a Single duy. The rush for these lands was accompanied by u great deal of oxcitoment, but was happily free from inci- dents of violence. It was a source of great regret that I was not ablo to open at the suime timo the surplus land of the Cheyenne and Arapalioe reserva- tion, amounting to about 3,000,000 aci by reason of the insufticiency of the appropria- tion for making tho allotmonts. Deserving and impatient sottlors aro waitiug to occupy theso lunds, and I urgently recommend that @ special delicioncy appropriation bo promptly mado of the small amount needed, o that the allotmouts may be comploted and the sur- plus lauds opened in timo to perinit the set- tlors to get upon their homesteads in the early spring. ’ Diriog the past summer the Chorokee commission have comploted arrangements with the Wichita, Kickapoo and Tonka tribes, whereby, if the arrangements aro ratified by congress, over 800,000 additional acres will bo opened to settlemeat in Okla- boma. The negotiation for tho ro- leaso by the Cherolkees of their claim to the Cherokeo strip has made no sub- stantial progross, so far s the department is officially advised, but it is still hoped that the cession of this large and valuable wacy may be secured. The price which _the com- mission was authorized to offer—31.25 per acre—1s, in my judgment, whon all tho cir- cumstances as to the title and the character of the lands are considered, a fair and ade- quate one and should huve been accepted by the Tndians. Sinco March 4, 1889, about, 23,000,000 acres have beon separated’ from Indiaa resorva- tions and added to the public domain for the use of those who desirod tosecure free homes under our beneficent. laws. It is dificult to estimate the increase of wealth which will result from the conversion of these vust lands into farms,but it is more dificult to es- timate the botterment which will result to tho families that have found renewed hopo and courage in the ownership of a home and tho assurance of a comfortable subsistenca under free and healthful condition. It is also gratifying to be able to foel, as wo may, that this work has proceeded upon lines of justice toward the Indian, and that he may now, if he will, secure to himself the ood influences of a settled habitation, tho fruits of industry and tho security of citizon- ship. General Land Office. Early in this administration a special effort was beguu to bring up the work of tho gen- eral land offi At the end of the last fiscal vear only 84,172 final agricultural entries re- mained undisposed of, and the commissioner roports that, with the present force, the work can be fuily brought up by the eénd of tho next fiscal year. Your attention is called to the dificuliy oxperienced by the secretary of the interior in the administration of tho law of March 3, 1801, ostablishing a court of private lana claims. The small hold- gs intended to be protected by the 00 claim- law aro estimated to be more than 15, in number. Tho ants aro almost ull of a deserving class and their titles are supported by the strong- est equities. The groatest difficulty grows out of the lund having largely been surveyed according to our methods, while the holdngs, many of which have been'in the same family for genorations, ure laid out in narrow strips a few rods wide upon & stream and running back to the hills for pastarage and timber. Provisions should be made for numbering these tracts as lots and for patenting them by such numbers and withont. reference to section lines. Work of the Pension Office. 1he administration of the pension bureau has been chavacterized during tho year by great diligence. ‘T'he total number of pen- sioners upon the roll on the 20th day of June, 1891, was 676,160, Thore were allowed dur- ing 'tho fiscal year cnding at that time )50 cases. OF this number 102, wero allowed under the law of June 27, 15%. Tho issuing of certificates has been procecding at the rate of about 50,000 per month, about per cent of theso heing cash under now law. 'Phe commissionar exprosses the opin- hat be will be nble to carefully adjudi- te and allow 35,000 claims during the pres- eut fiscal year. The uppropriation for tho payment of pen- sions for the fiscal year 15001541, was $127,- 035,700.50, and the ‘amount exponded $116, 550, eaving an unexpended surplus of 0, 15 4. The commissioner is quite con- fident that there will b2 no call thus yoar for a deficiency appropriation, notwithstanding the rapidity with which the work is veing pushed. T'he mistuke, which has beon made by many, in their exaggerated estimates of ho cost of pensions, s in nou wking account of the diminished value of first puvments, under tho rocent legislation. Tliose puyments, under the laws, have boen for mauy years very large, as the pensious, when alloied, dateit from " the time of filing the claim, and most of these ciaims had been pending for yoars, Tho first payments under the Iaw of June, 1800, are relatively small, and as tho por cont of thess cases incroases and that of tho old eases duminishes, tho aununl ngeregato of first payments is lurgely reduced, ‘The commissioner under date of November 13, furnishes me with the statoment that during the last four montns, 11 cortiti- 803 under the general June 27, ring tio four months was $131.85, while the averagn first payments upon cases allowed during the year ending June 50, 1501, was $260.:3, veing W reduction in the nverago fiest paymeuts du these four months of §107.45, o estimate for pension expenditnres for the fiscal year ending Juna #), 1503, 18 $144,. 458,000 which, aftor & careful oxamination of the subjeot, the commissioner is of the opins ion will be sufiicient. ~ While these distu ments to the disabled soidiors of the g civil war are large, thoy do not realis aggregate estimatos of those who onpose this beneficent legislation. ‘The socretary of the interior shows with great fullness the care that 18 taken to oxclude fraudulent claims and also the gratifying fact that the persons to whom those pensions are golug ure men who rendered not shght but substantial war service. Subsidized Railvoad frebrs. ‘The report of the commissioner of rallroads shows that the total debt of the subsidized railroads to the United States was,on Decom - ber 81, 1800, 6112,512,618.00. A large part of this debt is now fast approaching maturity, with no adequate provision for its paymonte Some policy for dealing with this debt, with view to its ultimate collection should be st onco adopted. 1t is very dimicult, well nigh imposaibie, for 5o large & body as congrsss,to conduct the necessury negotintion vestigations, [ therefore recc CONTISUED ON FIPTH PAGE. r