Show t I THE MESSAGE I 1 hat tie President has to Report STATE OF THE UNION Ul Relations With Foreign Powers are Harmonious > CHE MANIFESTO EEF11BEED TO Dont Give tho Mormon People Power to Jlakc Polygamy Which They Believe Divine and Rightful Lawful WASHINGTON Dec 2 To the Senate and House of Representatives The reports of the several executive departments which will be laid before Con will exhibit in press in the usual course wi detail the operations of the government lor the last fiscal year Only the more important import-ant incidents and results and chiefly such as may be the foundation of the recommendations recommen-dations I shall submit wi be referred to in this annual message The vast and increasing business of the government has been transacted by the several departments during the year with faithfulness energy and success The revenues rev-enues amounting to above four hundred and fifty million dollars have been collected col-lected and disbursed without revealing soar so-ar as I can ascertain a single case of defalcation de-falcation or embezzlement An earnest efforthas been made to stimulate a sense of responsibility and public duty in all officers eelS and employees of every grade and the work done by them has almost wholly escaped es-caped unfavorable criticism I speak of these things with freedom because the credit of this good work is not mine but is shared by the heads of the several departments depart-ments with the great body of faithful officers I offi-cers and employees who serve under them The closest scrutiny of Congress is invitee to all the methods ol administration and to every item of expenditure 1ANAMERICAN CONFERENCE The friendly relations of our country with the nations of Europe and of the east pave been undisturbed while the ties of good will and common interest that bind us to the states of the western hemisphere tbave been notably strengthened tne con lerence held in this capital to consider measures for the general welfare Pursuant Pur-suant to the invitation authorized by Con grcss the representatives of every independent state of the American can continent and of Hayt met in conference in this capital in October Octo-ber 1SS9 and continued in session until the 19th of last April This important convocation convo-cation marks a most interesting and conti uental epoch in the history of the western hemisphere It is noteworthy that Brazil invited under an imperial form of government I govern-ment snared as a republic in the deliberations delibera-tions and results ot the conference The recommendations of this conference were nil transmitted to Congress at the last session TUE MARINE CONGRESS The International Marino congress which sat in Washington last winter reached avery a-very gratifying result The regulation suggested have been brought to the attention atten-tion of all the governments represented and their general adoption is confidently expected ex-pected The legislation of Congress at the last session is in conformity with the propositiOns propo-sitiOns of the conference and the proclamation proclama-tion therein provided will be issued when the other powers have given notice of their adhesion run AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE The conference of Brussels t devise tneans for suppressing the slave trade in I Africa afforded an opportunity for a new expression of the interest the America I people feel in that work It soon became I evident that the measure proposed would tax the resources of the Congo basin beyond the revenues available under the general I sct of Berlin of ISS4 The United States j not being a party to that act could not share in its revision but by a separate act the independent state of the Congo was freed from the restrictions upon a custom revenue re-venue The demoralizing and destructive traffic in ardent spirits among the tribes also claimed the earnest attention of the con ference and the delegates of the United I States were foremost in advocating a I I measure for its repression An accord was reached the influence of which will be very I helpful and extend over a wide region as 1 soon as these measures shall receive the banction of the Netherlands for a time withheld Tho general acts will be sub jnittud ratification by the Senate Meanwhile Mean-while negotiations have been opened for anew a-new and complete treaty of friendship commerce and navigation between the United States and the independent state oft of-t e Congo REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL Toward the end of the past year the only independent imperial government on the western continent that of Brazil ceased to exist and was succeeded by a republic Diplomatic relations were at once established estab-lished with the new government but it wa not completely recognized until an opportunity had been afforded t ascertain that it had the popular approval and support sup-port When the course of events had yielded an assurance of this fact no time I wa lost in extending to the new government govern-ment a full and cordial welcome into the family of American commonwealths It is confidently believed that the good relations of the two nations will be preserved and that the future will witness an increased intimacy of intercourse and an expansion of their mutual commerce CENTRAL AMERICA The peace of Central America has again been disturbed through a revolutionary change in Salvador which was not recognized recog-nized by the other states and hostilities broke out between Salvador and Guatemala Guate-mala threatening to involve all Central America in the conflict and to undo the progress pro-gress which has been made toward a union of their interests The efforts of this government gov-ernment were promptly and zealously exerted ex-erted t compose their differences and through the active efforts of the representative I represen-tative of the United States a provisional treaty of peace was signed August 26 whereby the right of Salvador t choose its own rulers was recognized General Ezeta toe chief of the provisional government goernment has since been confirmed in the presidency by the assembly diplomatic recognition soon followed I The killing of General Barrunda onboard on-board the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco while anchored in transit in the port of San Jose de Guatemala demanded a careful care-ful inquiry Having failed in a revolutionary revolution-ary attempt to invade Guatemala from Mexican territory General Barrunda took presage at Acapulco for Panama Tie El consent of the representatives of the United States was sought to effect his seizure first 1 at Champerico where tho steamer touched and afterward at San Jose The captain I of tne steamer refused to give up his passenger without a written I order from the United States minister The latter furnished the desired letter stipulating as the condition of his action that General Barrundas life should be spared and that he should be tried only for offenses growing out of his insur I ectionary movements This letter was produced to the captain of the Acapulco Aca-pulco by the military commander at San Jose as hiswarrant to take the passenger from the steamer General Barrunda restated re-stated capture and was killed it being evident evi-dent that the minister Mr Mizner had ex ecdcd the bounds of his authority in intervening ervening in compliance with the demands of the Guatamalan authorities to authorize author-ize and effect in violation of precedent prec-edent the seizure on a > vessel of the United States of a passenger of transit charged with political offenses in order that he might be tried for such offenses under what was described as martial law I was constrained to disavow to Mr Miz ncr and recall him from his post NICARAGUA CANAL The Nicaragua canal project under the control of our citizens is making most encouraging en-couraging progress all the preliminary conditions itions and initial operations having been accomplished within the prescribed time CLAIMS AGAINST CHILI During the past year negotiations have been revived for the settlement of claims of American citizens against the government govern-ment of Chili principally growing out of the late war with Peru The reports from our minister at Santiago warrant the expectation pectation of an early and satisfactory adjustment ustment RELATIONS WITH CHINA Our relations with China which have for several years occupied so important a place in our diplomatic history have called for careful consideration and have been the subject of correspondence The communications com-munications of the Chinese minister have brought into view the whole subject of our conventional relations with his country and at the same time this government through its legislation at Pekin sought to arrange various matters and complaints touching the interests and protection of our citizens in China In of the pursuance concurrent con-current resolution of October 1 1890 I have proposed to the government of Mexico and Great Britain to consider a conven tional regulation of the passage of Chinese laborers across our southern and northern Irontiers On the 25d day of August last Sir Edmund Ed-mund Moason the arbitrator selected under the treaty of Decemder G t 18S8 rendred an award to the effect that no compensation was due from the Danish government to the United States on account of what is commonly known as the Carlos Butterfield claim Our relations with the French continue con-tinue to be cordial Our representative at that court has very diligently urged the removal re-moval of the restrictions imposed upon our meat product and it is believed that substantial sub-stantial has been made toward stntal progress a just settlement THE SAMOAN TREATY The Samoan treaty signed last year at Berlin by representatives of the United States Germany and Great Britain after due ratification and exchange has begun to preduce salutary effects The formation of the government agreed upon will soon replace re-place the disorderof the past by a stable administration alike just to the natives and equally so to the three powers most concerned con-cerned in trade and intercourse with the Samoan islands The chief justice has been chosen by the King of Sweden and Norway Nor-way on the invitation of the three powers and will soon be installed The land commission and the municipal council are in process of organization A rational and evenly distribuied scheme of taxation both municipal and upon imports is in operation Malietoa is respected asKing as-King TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN The new treaty of extradition with Great Britain after due ratification was proclaimed pro-claimed on the 25th of last March Its beneficent bene-ficent working is already apparent THE BEHRING SEA TROUBLE The difference between the two government govern-ment touching the fur seal question in the Behring sea is not yet adjusted as will be seen by the correspondence which will soon be laid before Congress The offer t submit sub-mit the question to arbitration as proposed by her majestys government has not been accepted for the reason that the form of submission proposed not thought to be calculated to assure a conclusion satis sats factory to either party I is sincerely hoped that before the opening of another sealing season some arrangement may be effected which will assure to the United I I State property right derived from Russia which was not disregarded by any nation I for more than eignty years preceding the outbreak of the existing trouble I A WRONG TO HAWAII In the tariff act a wrong was done to the I kingdom of Hawaii which I am bound to I presume was wholly unintentional Duties were levied on certain commodities which are included in the reciprocity treaty now I existing between the United States and the kingdom of Hawaii without indicating the necessry exception in favor of that king I dom I hope Congress will repair what might otherwise seem to be a breach of faith on the part of this government THE BOKKELEN CLAIM An award in favor of the United States in the matter of tho claim of Mr Van Bok kelen against Hayti was rendered on the 4th of December 1SSS but owing to disorders dis-orders then and afterwards prevailing in Hayti the terms of payments were not observed ob-served A new agreement as to the time of payment has been approved and is now in force Other just claims of citizens of the United States for redress of wrongs suffered suf-fered during the late political conflict in Hayti will it is hoped speedily yield to friendly treatment EXTRADITION TREATY WITH ITALY Propositions for the amendment of the treaty of extradition between the United States and Italy are now under consideration consider-ation You will be asked to provide the means of accepting the invitation of the Italian government to take part in an approaching conference to consider tho adoption of an universal meridian from which to reckon longitude and time As this proposal follows fol-lows in the track of the reform sought to be initiated by the Meridian conference of Washington held on the invitation of this government the United States should manifest man-ifest a frienaly interest in the Italian proposal pro-posal I this connection I may refer with approval t suggestion of my predecessors predeces-sors that standing provision be made for accepting whenever deemed advisable the frequent invitations of foreign governments govern-ments t share in conferences and looking to the advancement of international reforms re-forms in regard t science sanitation commercial com-mercial laws and procedure and other matters mat-ters affecting the intercourse and progress of modern communities DELAGOA BAY RAILWAY In the summer of 1SS9 an incident occurred oc-curred which for some time threatened to interrupt the cordiality of our relations with the government of Portugal That government seized the Delagoa Bay rail way which was constructed under a concession con-cession granted t an American citizen and at the same time annulled the charter The concessionary who had embarked his fortune for-tune in the enterprise havinir exhausted other means of redress was compelled to I invoke the protection of his government Our representations made coincidently with those of the British government whose subjects were also largely interested happily resulted in the recognition by Portugal Por-tugal of the propriety of submitting tho claim for indemnity growing out of its action to arbitration This plan of settle ment having been agreed on the interested powers readily concurred in the proposal I j to submit the case to the judgment of three i eminent jurists to be designated by the I I president the Swiss republic who upon the joint invitation of the governments I of tho United States Great Britain and Portugalhas selected persons well qualified for the task before them I RELATIONS WITH JAPAN The revision of our treaty relations with the empire of Japan has continued to be a subject of consideration and correspondence correspond-ence The questions involved are both grave and delicate and while it will be my duty to see that tho United States are not by any changes exposed to undue discrimination discrimi-nation I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese government and maintain the present and long existing friendly relations re-lations between Japan and the United States will be effected MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES Thef riendship between our country and Mexico born of close neighboring and strengthened by many considerations of intimate intercourse and reciprocal interest has never been more conspicuous than noW nor more hopef of increased benefit to I both nations The intercourse of the two countries by rail already great is making constant growth Tho established lines and those recently projected add to the intimacy in-timacy of traffic and open new channels of access to fresh areas of demand and supply The importance of the Mexican railway system wiil bo further enhanced to a degree almost impossible to forecast i it should become be-come a link in the projected Intercontinental Intercon-tinental railway I recommend that our mission to the City of Mexico be raised to the first class RELATIONS WITH SPAIN m1 un uuo coraiai cnaracter 01 our reiauons with Spain warrants the hope that by the continuance of methods of friendly negotiation negoti-ation much may be accomplished in the direction of an adjustment of pending questions ques-tions of increase of our trade The extent and development of our trade with the island of Cuba invest the commercial relations rela-tions of the United States and Spain with a peculiar importance I is not doubted that a special arrangement in regard to commerce com-merce based upon the reciprosity provision provis-ion of the recent tariff act would operate most beneficially for both governments THE INVENTOR ERICSSON The restoration of the remains of John Ericsson to Sweden offered a gratifyingjoc casion to honor the memory of the great inventor in-ventor to whose genius our country owes so much and to bear witness to the unbroken un-broken friendship which has existed between be-tween the land which bore him and our own which claimed him as a citizen VENEZUELA CLAIMS COMMISSION On the 2nd of September last the com mision appointed to reverse the proceedings I proceed-ings of the commission under the claims convention between the United States and Venezuela of 18150 brought its labors to a close within the period fixed for that purpose pur-pose The proceedings of the late commission commis-sion were characterized by a spirit of impartiality im-partiality and a high sense of justice and an inririent tvhirfi vns for Trmnv vnirs thn subject of discussion between the two governments gov-ernments has been disposed of in a manner alike honorable and satisfactory t both parties For the settlement of the claim of the Venezuelan Steam Transportation company which was the subject of a joint resolution adopted at the last session of Congress negotiations are still in progress and their early conclusion is anticipated THE CONSULAR SERVICE The legislation of the past few years has evinced on the part of Congress a growing realization of the Importance of the consular consu-lar service in fostering our commercial relations re-lations abroad and in protecting the domestic do-mestic revenues As the scope of operations opera-tions expand increased provision must be made to keep up the essential standard of efficiency The necessity of some adequate ade-quate measure ot supervision and inspection inspec-tion has been so often presented that I need only commend the subject to your attention at-tention REVENGES OF THE GOVERNMENT The revenues of the government from all sources forthe fiscal year ending June 30 1590 were 546396303055 and the total expenditures ex-penditures for the same period ivere 535361853452 The postal receipts have not heretofore been included in the statement state-ment of these aggregatesand for the purpose pur-pose of comparison the sum of i 60i82 09793 should be deducted from both sides of the account The surplus for the year including in-cluding the amount applied to the sinking fund was 105344 49503 The receipts for 1890 were 1603092379 and the expenditures expendi-tures 1573987100 in excess of those of 1SS9 The customs receipts increased 583584283 and the receipts from internal revenue 1172519189 while on the side of expenditures that for pensions was 1931207596 in excess of the preceding year The treasury statement for the cur rentflscal year partly actual and partly estimated is as follows Receipts Re-ceipts from all sources 406000000 total expenditures 354000000 leaving a surplus of 52000000 not taking the postal pos-tal receipts into the account of either side The loss of revenue from the customs for the last quarter is 25000000 but from this is deducted a gain of about 16000000 realized during the first four months of the year For the year 1892 the local estimated receipts are 373000000 and the estimated expenditures 38785220942 leaving an estimated es-timated surplus of 1514779053 which with a cash balance of S52000000 at tho beginning of the year will give 67147 79053 as the sum available for the redemption redemp-tion of outstanding bonds or other uses Tho estimates of receipts and expenditures for the postofiice department being equal are not included in this statement on either side THE SILVER ACT The act directing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue of treasury notes thereon approved July 14 1890 has been administered by the secretary of the treasury treas-ury with an earnest purpose to get into circulation at the earliest possible possi-ble dates the full monthly amount of treasury notes contemplated by its provisions and at the same time to give to the market for silver bullion such support as the law contemplates The recent depreciation de-preciation in the price of silver has been observed with regret The rapid rise in price which anticipated and followed the i passage of the act was influenced in some degree by speculation and the reaction is part of the result of the same cause and part of the recent monetary disturbances Some months of further trial will be necessary neces-sary to determine tho permanent effect of the recent legislation upon silver values but it is gratifying to know that the increased in-creased circulation secured by the act has exerted and will continue to exert a most beneficial influence upon businessand upon general values While it has been thought best to renew formally the suggestion of an international conference looking to an agreement touching the full use of silver for coinage at a uniform ratio care has been taken to observe closely any change in the situation abroad and no favorable opportunity will be lost to promote a result which it i s confidently believed would con ler very large oenonis upon tne commerce of the world The recent monetary disturbances dis-turbances in England are not unlikely to suggest n reexamination of opinions upon this subject Our very large supply ot gold will if not lost by impulsive legislation legisla-tion in the supposed interest of silver give us a position of advantage in promoting a permanent and safe international agreement agree-ment for tho free use of silver as a coin metal VOLUME OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION The efforts of the secretary to increase the volume of money in circulation by keeping down the treasury surplus to the lowest practicable limit have been unremitting unremit-ting and in a very high degree successful The tables presented by him showing the increase of money in circulation during the lost two decades and especially tho tablet table-t showing the increase durmg the nineteen months ho has administered the affairs of the department are interesting and instructive in-structive The incrcas of money in circulation circu-lation during the nineteeii months has been in the aggregate 938 6811 or about S150 per capita and of t this increase only 7110000 was due to the recent silver legislation That this substantial sub-stantial and needed aid given to commerce resulted in an enormous reduction of the public debt and of tHe annual interest charge is a matter of increased satisfaction There have been purchased and redeemed since March 4 1889 four and four and a halt per cent bonds to the amount of 311 834450 at a cost of 216620741 resulting in the reduction of the annualinterest charge of 3967609 and a total saving of interest of 51516706 I notice with great pleasure the statement of the secretary that the receipts re-ceipts from internal re venue have increased during the last fiscal year nearly 812000000 and that thecostaf collecting this mrgur revenue was less oy yutu < tnan jor the same purpose in the preceding year Tho percentage of cost oft collecting customs cus-toms revenue was less for the last fiscal year than ever before i i CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION BOARD The customs administration board provided pro-vided for by the act of June 16 1890 was selected with great care and i is composed in part of men whose previous experience in the administration of the old customs regulations had made them familiar with the evils to be remedied Knd in part of men whose legal and judicial acquirements and experience seemed to 1t them for the ant jnd work of interpreting and plying the new statute The chief aim of the law is to secure the honest valuation of all dutiable merchandise and to make these valuations uniform at all our ports of entry I had been made manifest by a investigation in-vestigation that a system of undervaluation had been lone in use by certain classes of importers resulting not only in a great loss in revenue but also in a most intolerable discrimination against honesty It is not seen how this legislation when it is understood under-stood can be regarded the citizens of any country having commercial dealings with us as unfriendly I any duty is supposed to be excessive let the complaint be lodged there I will surely be claimed by any well disposed people that a remedy may besought be-sought and allowed in I system of quasi I smuggling REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR The report or the secretary of war exhibits ex-hibits several gratifying results attained during the year by wise and ostentatious methods The percentage of desertions from the army an evil for which both Congress Con-gress and the department have long been seeking a remedy has been reduced during du-ring the past year 2 per cent and for the months of August and September during which time the favorable effects of the act of June 16 were felt 33 per cent as compared com-pared with the same months of 1889 The results attained by a reorganization and consolidation of the divisions having charge of the hospital service and records of volunteer soldiers are very remarkable This change was effected inJuly 1889 and at that time there were 40064 cases awaiting await-ing attention more than half of these being calls from the pension office for informa tion necessary to tie adjudication of pension pen-sion claims On the 30th day of June last though over threa hundred thousand new calls had come in there was not a single case that had not been examined and entered en-tered COAST DEFENSES I concur in the recommendationsof the secretary thatadequate and regular appropriations appro-priations be continued for coast defense works Rndordnaiice lans that have been practically agreed upon and there can be I no good reason for delaying the execution of them while the defenseless state of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedition Tho encouragement that has been extended ex-tended to the militia of the states generally appropriately designated the national I guard should be continued and enlarged These military organizations constitute in a sense the army of the United States while about fivesevenths of the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the states DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE mh nt nf 1hn 1 1 Ulrf U k JUl V 1J Ulil thUbllL UUJQCllUliil ID under the law submitted directly to Congress Con-gress but as the department of justice is one of the executive departments some reference to the work done is appropriate A vigorous and in the main effective effort ef-fort has been made to bring to trial and punishment all violators of the law but at tho same time care has been taken that tlmn frivolous and technical offenses should not be used to swell the coffers ofthe officers or harass the well disposed citizen Etenecial attention is called to the prosecution violations vio-lations of the election laws and of offenses against United States officers The number num-ber of convictions secured very many of them upon piers of guilty will it is hoped have a salutary restraining influence There have been several cases whore postmasters appointed by me have been subjected to violent interference in the discharge dis-charge of their official duties and to persecutions perse-cutions and personal violence of the most extreme character Some of these cases have been dealt with through the department depart-ment of justice and in some cases the post offices have been abolished or suspended I have directed the postmaster general to pursue this course in all cases where other efforts have failed to secure for any postmaster post-master not himself in fault an opportunity to peacefully exercise the duties of his office but such act n will not supplant the efforts ol tne department 01 justice to bring the particular offenders to punishment FRAUDULENT CERTIFICATES OF NATURALIZATION NATURALIZA-TION The vacation by judicial decrees of fraudulent fraud-ulent certificates of naturalization upon bills in equity filed by the attorneygen eral in the circuit court of the United States is a new application of a familiar equity jurisdiction Nearly one hundred hun-dred such decrees have been taken during the year the evidence disclosing dis-closing that a very large number of fraudulent fraud-ulent certificates of naturalization have been issued And in this connection I beg to renew my recommendation that the laws be so amended as to require a more full and searching inquiry into all the facts necessary neces-sary to naturalization before any certificates certifi-cates are granted I certainly is not too much to require that an application for American citizenship shall be heard with as much care and be recorded with as much formality as are given cases involving the pettiest property right POOL SELLING IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA At the last session I returned without my approval a bill entitled An act to prohibit pro-hibit bookmaking and poolselling in the District of Columbia and stated my objection ob-jection to be that it did not prohibit but in fact licensed what it purported to prohibit An effort will be made under existing laws to suppress this evil though it is not sure that they wiil bo found adequate TUE POSTMASTERGENERALS REPORT The report of the postmastergeneral shows the most gratifying progress in the the work committed to his direction The business methods Ire greatly improved A large economy in expenditures and an increase in-crease of 54750000 in the receipts have been realized The deficiency this year is 57o3300 as against 6350183 last year Notwithstanding the great enlargement of I the service mail routes have been extended and quickened and greater accuracy and dispatch in the distribution and delivery i have been attained The report will be found full of interest and suggestions not only to Congress but to those thoughtful i citizens who may be interested to know what business methods are employed for that department of public administration which most nearly touches all our people I THE ANTILOTTERY LAW The passage of the act to amend certain sections of the revised statues relating to 1 lotteries approved September 19 1890 has been received with great and deserved pop c ular favor The postoffica department and the department of justice at once entered upon the enforcement of the law withsym pathetic vigor and already the puolic mails have been largely freed from the fraudu lentaud demoralizing appeals and literature litera-ture flies eminating from th lottery compa I TIIE NEW NAVY The construction and equipment of the new ships for the navy have made very I satisfactory progress Since March 4 18S9 nine new vessels have been put in commission and during this winter four more includmc one monitor will be added The construction of tho other vessels authorized is being pushed both in the government and private yards with energy and watched care The experiments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting power of armor plates have been so valuable as to attract at-tract great attention in Europe The only part of the work upon tho new ships that is threatened by unusual delay is the armor plating and every effort being made to reduce that to the minimum I is a source of congratulation that the anticipated influence in-fluence of these modern vessels on the esprit de corps of the officers and seamen has been fully realized Confidence and pride in the ship among tho crew are equivalent to a secondary battery Your favorable consideration con-sideration is invited to the recommendation recommenda-tion of the secretary I DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The report of the secretary of the interior aod clearness exhibits with great fulness the business of that great department and the satisfactory results attained The suggestions made by him are earnestly commended com-mended to the consideration of Congress though they cannot all be given particular mention here THE INDIAN TREATIES The several acts of Congress looking to I the reduction of the large Indian reservations reserva-tions to the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon individual allotments and the restoration to the public domain of lands in excess of their needs have been largely carried into effect so far as the work was confined to the executive Agreements have been concluded since March 4 J8S9 involving the cession to the United States of about 14726000 acres of land These contracts have as required by law been submitted to Congress for ratification and the appropriations necessary to carry them into effect Those with the Sisseton and Whapaton Sacs and FoxesIowas Potta watamies and absentee Shawnees and Couer dAlono tribeshave not yet received the sanction of Congress Attention is also called to the fact that the appropriations made in the case of the Sioux Indians have not covered all the stipulated payments This should be promptly corrected I an I agreement is confirmed all of its terms should bo complied with without delay and full appropriations should be made SETTLERS ON THE PUBLIC DOMAIN The policy outlined in my last annual message in relation to the patenting of lands to settlers upon up-on the public domain has been carried out In the administration of the land office no general suspicions or simulation simula-tion of fraud have been allowed to delay the hearing and adjudication of individual cases upon their merits Their purpose has been to perfect the titleof honest settlers with such promptness that the viflue of the entry might not be swallowed up by the expense and extortions to which delay subjected the claimant The average monthly issue of agricultural patents has been increased about six thousand DISABILITY PENSION ACT The disability pension act which was approved ap-proved on the 27th of June last has been put into operation as rapidly as was practicable practi-cable The Increased clerical force provided pro-vided was selected and assigncd to work and a considerable part of the force engaged en-gaged in the examinations in the field were recalled and added to the working force of the office The examination and adjudication adjudica-tion of claims have by reason of improved methods been more rapid than ever before be-fore There is no economy to the govern mentin delay while there is much hardship hard-ship and injustice to the soldiers The anticipated expenditure while very large will not it is believed be in excess of the estimates made before the enactment of s law This liberal enlargement ot the general gen-eral law should suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills for special relief both as to the cases in which relief is granted and as to the amount allowed NONMORMON POPULATION IN UTAH The increasing numbers and influence of the nonMormon population in Utah are observed with satisfaction The recent letter of Wilfred Woodruff president of the Mormon church in which ho advises his people to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws of the land has attracted wide attention and it is to be hoped that its influence will be highly beneficial in restraining infractions in-fractions of the laws of the United States But the fact should not be overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the church that polygamous marriages are rightful and supported by divine revelation revela-tion remains unchanged President Woodruff Wood-ruff does not renounce the doctrine but refrains re-frains from teaching it and advises against the practice of it because the law is against it Now it is quto true that the law should not attempt to deal with the faith or belief of anyone but this is quite another an-other thing and the only safe thing to do is to deal with the territory of Utah so that those who believe polygamy to be rightful shall not have the power to make lawful ADMISSION OF WYOMING AND lAO The admission of the states of Wyoming and Idaho to the union is an event full of interest and congratulation not only to the people of the states happily endowed with a full participation in our privileges and responsibilities but to all our people Another belt of states stretches from the I Atlantic to the Pacific Atantc i THE PATENT OFFICE The work of the patent office has won from all sources very high commendation The amount accomplished has been largely increased and all the results have been such as to seCUle confidence and consideration considera-tion for the suggestions of the commissioner THE CENSUS The enumeration of the people of the United States under the provisions of the act of March 1 1890 has been completed and the result will bo at once officially com municated to Congress The completion of the decennial enumeration devolves upon Congress the duty of making anew a-new apportionment of Representatives among the several states according accord-ing to their respective number PUBLIC BUILDINGS At the last session I had occasion to return re-turn with my objections several bills making provisions for toe erection of public buildings build-ings for the reason that appropriations contemplated wore in my judgment greatly in excess of any public needs No class of legislation is more liable to abuse or to degenerate de-generate into an unseemly scramble about the public treasury than this There should I bo exercised in this matter wise i economy Dt based upon some rcsponsioie and impartial examination and rjport as to each case under a general law TUB FARMING INTERESTS The report of the secretary of agriculture agricul-ture deserves especial attention in view of I the fact that the year has been marked in avery a-very unusual degree by agitation and organization or-ganization among the farmers looking to an increase in the profits of their business It will be found that the efforts of the department I de-partment have been intelligently and zealously zeal-ously devoted to the promotion of the interests inter-ests intrusted to its care A veryjsubstan tial improvement in the market prices of leading farm products during the year is noticed The price of wheat advanced from 81 cents in October 1889 to lOO f in October 1890 corn from 31 cents to 50M cents oats from 29J cents to 4 50j f 1 and barley from 63 cents to i cents Meats showed a substantial but not so large an increase The export trade in live animals and fowls shows a very large increase The total of such Export for the year ending June 30 1590 was 33000000 and the increase in-crease over the preceding year was over 815000000 Nearly 200000 cattle and over 45000 more hogs were exported than in the preceding year This export trade in beef i and pork and in dairy business has been largely increased tho increase in the article of butter alone being from 15580978 pounds to 29780042 pounds and the total increase I in-crease in thj value of meat and dairy products pro-ducts exported being 44000000 This trade is so directly helpful to the farmers it is believed it will be yet further and largely increased when the system of inspection in-spection and sanitary supervision now provided pro-vided by law is brought fully into operation opera-tion The efforts of the secretary to estab I lish the healthfulness of our meats against fa i + 1 i s U uu v UWW put on them abroad have resulted in substantial sub-stantial progress Veterinary surgeons I sent out by the department are now allowed al-lowed to participate in the inspection of the live cattle in this country landed at English Eng-lish docks and during the several months they have been on duty no case of contagious pleuropneumonia has been reported This inspection abroad and the domestic inspection of livo animals and pork products provided for by the act of August 301S90 will afford a perfect a guaranty for the wholesomeness of our meats offered for foreign consumption consump-tion as is anywhere given to any food product pro-duct Its nonacceptance will quite clearly reveal the real motive of any continued restriction re-striction of this use and that having been made clear the duty of the executive will be very plain I BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY m1 JUB miurmawon given uy me secretary of the progress and the prospects of the beet sugar industry is full of interest It has already passed the experimental stage and is a commercial success Tne area over which the sugar beet can be successfully success-fully cultivated is very large and anot her field crop of great value is offered to the choice of the farmers The secretary of the treasury concurs in the recommendation of the secretary of agriculture that the official of-ficial supervision provided by the tariff law for sugar of domestic production shall be transferred to the department of agriculture agri-culture THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW The law relating to the civil service has so far as I can learn been executed by those having the power of appointment in the classified service with fidelity and impartiality im-partiality and the service has been increasingly in-creasingly satisfactory The report of the commission shows a large amount of good work done during the year with a very limited appropriation CONDITION OF TRADE I congratulate the Congress and the country upon the passage at the first session of the Fiftyfirst Congress of an unusual number of laws of very high importance im-portance That the results ot this legisla tion will bo the quickening and enlargement enlarge-ment of our manufacturing industries larger and better markets for nor hrpnd stuffs and provisions both at homo and abroad moro constant employment and better wages for our working people and an increased supply of a safe currency for the transaction or business I do not doubt Some of these measures were enacted at so late a period that the beneficial effects upon commerce which were in the contemplation contem-plation of Congress have not as yet but partially manifested themselves The general trade and industrial conditions condi-tions throughout the entire country during the year have shown a marked improvement im-provement For many years prior to 18S8 the merchandise balances had been largely in our favor but during that year and the year following they turned against us It is very gratifying to know that the last fiscal fis-cal year shows a balance iu our favor of 08000000 The bank clearings which furnish a good test of the volume of business busi-ness transacted for the first ten months of the year 1890 showed as compared with the same months of 18S9 an increase for the whole country of about 84 per cent while the increase outside of the city of New York was over 13 per cent During the month of October the clearings of the whole country showed an increase of 31 per cant over October 1889 while outside of Now York the increase was 1l3C percent per-cent These figures show that the increase in the volume of business was very general throughout the country That this larger business was being conducted upon a safe and profitable basis is shown by the fact that there were 300 less failures reported in October 1889 than in thesame month of the preceding year with liabilities diminished dim-inished by about 5000000 The value of our exports of domestic merchandise during dur-ing the last year was over 115000000 greater than the preceding year and was only exceeded once in our history About 100000000 of this excess was in agricultural agricul-tural products The production of pig iron always a gauge of general prosperity is shown by a recent census bulletin to have been 153 per cent greater in 1890 than in 1880 and the production of steel 290 percent per-cent greater Mining in coal has had no limitation except that resulting from inefficient ineffi-cient transportation The general testimony testi-mony is that labor is everywhere fully employed and the reports from the last year show a smaller number ot employees affected by strikes and lockouts than in any year since 1834 The depression in the prices of aericul l I and a buoyant hopeful feeling was beginning begin-ning to bo experienced by all our people These promising influences have been in some degree checked by the surprising and very unfavorable monetary events which have recently taken place in England It is gratifying to know this did not grow in any degree out of the financial relations of London with our people or out of any discredit attached to our secueities held in that market The return of our bonds and stocks was caused by a money stringency in England not by any loss of value or credit in the securities themselves Vo could not however wholly escape the ill effects of a foreign money agitation accompanied accom-panied by such incidents as characterized this It is not believed however how-ever that these evil incidents which have for the time unfavorably affected values in this country can long withstand the strong safe and wholesome influences which are operating to give to our people profitable returns in all branches of legitimate legiti-mate trade and industry THE TARIFF The apprehension that our tariff may again and at once be subjected to important impor-tant changes would undoubtedly add a depressing de-pressing influence of the most serious character The general tariff act has only partially gone into operation some of its important provisions being limited to take effect at dates yet in the future The general gen-eral provisions of the law have been in forceless force-less than sixty days Its permanent effect upon trade and prices still largely stands in conjecture It is curious to note that the advance in the prices of articles wholly unaffected by the tariff act was by many hastily ascribed 4hf I M + h fact that the general tendency of the markets was upward from influences wholly apart from the recent tariff legislation The enlargement of our crrrency by the silver bill gave an upward tendency to trade and had a marked effect on prices but this natural and desired effect of the silver legislation was by many erroneously attributed to the tariff act There is neither wisdom nor justice in the suggestion sugges-tion that the subject of tariff revision shall be opened before this law has had a fair trial It is quite as true that every tarffi schedule is subject to objections No bill was over framed I suppose that in all of its rates and classifications had the full approval ap-proval even of a party caucus Such legislation legis-lation is always and necessarily the product pro-duct of compromise as to the details and the present law is no exception But iu its general scope and effect it will justify support of those who believe that American legislation should conserve and defend American trade and the wages of American workmen The misinformation as to the terms of the act which has been so widely disseminated au homo and abroad will ba corrected by experience and the evil auguries as to its result confounded by the market reports the savings banks International trade balances and the general prosperity of our people Already we begin to hear from aboad and from our custom houses that the prohib itory effect upon importations imputed to the act is not justified The reports at the port of New York for the first three weeks of November were nearly 8 per cent greater than for the same period in 1889 and 29 per cent greater than in the same period of 1SS8 Ana so far from being an act to limit exports I confidently believe that under it wo shall secure larger and more profitable participation in foreign uu uuau wo uavo ever enjoyed and that vve shall recover a proportionate participation participa-tion in the ocean carrying trade of the world Criticisms of the bill that have come to us from foreign sources may well be rejected for repugnancy If these critcs really believe that the adoption by us of a free trade policy or of tariff rates having reference solely to revenue would diminish the participation of their own countries coun-tries in the commerce of the world their advocacy and the promotion pro-motion by speech and other forms of organized effort of the movement among our people is a rare exhibition of unselfishness unselfish-ness in trade And on the other hand if they sincerely believe that the adoption of a protective tariff policy by this country inures to their profit and our hurt it is noticeably strange that they should lead the outcry against the authors of a policy so hopeful to their countrymen and crown with their favor those who would snatch from them a substantial share or trade with other lands already inadequate to their necessities ne-cessities There is no disposition among any of our people to promote prohibitory or retaliatory legislation Our policies are adopted not to the hurt of others but to secure se-cure for ourselves those advantages that fairly grow out of our favored position as a nation Our form of government with its incident of universal suffrage makes it imperative im-perative that we shall save our worl ng people from the agitations and distresses which scant work that leaves no margin for comfort always begets But after all this is done it will be found that our markets are open to friendly commercial exchanges of enormous value to other great powers From the time of my induction into offco the duty of using every power and influence given by law to the executive department for the development develop-ment of larger markets for our products especially our farm products has been kept constantly in mind and no effort has been or will be spared to promote that end We are under no disadvantage in any foreign for-eign market except that we pay our workingmen work-ingmen and workingwomen better wages than paid elsewners better abstractly better relatively to the cost of the necessaries necessa-ries of life I do not doubt that a very largely increased foreign trade is accessible accessi-ble to us without bartering for either our home market such products of the shops as our own peopie can supply or the wages of our working people In many of the products pro-ducts of wood and iron and in meats and breadstufff we have advantages that only need better facilities of intercourse and transportation to secure for them largo foreign markets RECIPROCITY The reciprocity clause of the tariff acts wisely and in effect opens the way to secure se-cure a large reciprocal trade in exchange for the free importation to our ports of certain cer-tain products The right of independent nations to make special reciprocal trade concessions con-cessions is well established and does not impair either the comity duo to other powers or what is known as the favored nation clause so generally found in commercial treaties What is given to one for an adequate agreed consideration cannot be claimed by another freely The state of the revenue was such that we could dispense with any import duties upon coffee tea hides and the lower grades of sugar and molasses That tho large advantage resulting to the countries producing and exporting these articles by nlacing them on tne free list entitled as to expect fair return in any way of customs concessions upon articles exported by us to them was so obvious that to have gratuitously gratuit-ously abandoned this opportunity to enlarge our trade would have been an unpardonable error There are but two methods of maintaining control of this question open to Congress To place all of these articles upon the dutiable list subject to such treaty agreements as could be secured or place them all presently upon the free list but subject to the reimposition of specified duties if the country from which we received re-ceived them should refuse to give us suitable suit-able reciprocal benefits This latter lat-ter method possesses great advantages advan-tages It expresses in advance the consent of Congress to reciprocity arrangements affecting these products which must otherwise nave been delayed and unascertained until each treaty was ratified by the Senate and the necessary legislation enacted by Congress Experience Experi-ence has shown that some treaties looking to reciprocal trade have failed to secure a twothirds vote in the Senate for ratification ratifica-tion and others having passed that stage have for years awaited the concurrence ot the House and Senate in sucn modifications of our revenue law as were necessary to give effect to the provision We now have the concurrence of both houses in advance iefrnnfr onrj HfiHnitn Tm tho frpo nnt tr rrk our ports of specific articles The executive execu-tive is not required to deal in conjecture as to what Congress will accept Indeed this reciprocity provision is more than an offer Our part of the bargain is complete delivery de-livery has been made and when the countries coun-tries from which we receive sugar coffee tea and hides have placed on their free lists such of our products as shall be agreed upon as an equivalent for our concession a proclamation to that effect completes the transaction and in the meantime our people peo-ple have free coffee tea and bides The indications thus far given are very hopeful of early and favorable action by the countries from which we receive our largo imports of coffee and sugar and it is confidently confi-dently believed that if steam communication communica-tion with these countries can be promptly improved and enlarged next year will show a most gratifying increase in our exports of breadstuffs and provisions as well as of some important lines of manufactured goods IMPORTANT PENDING BILLS In addition to the bills that became laws before the adjournment of the last session some other bills of the highest importance a were well advanced toward a final vote and now stand upon the calendars of the two houses in favorable positions The present session has a fixed limit and if these measures are not now brought to a final vote air the work that has been done upon them by this Congress is lost The proper consideration of these of an apportionment apportion-ment bill and of tho annual appropriation bills will require that no working work-ing day of the session shall be allowed to interrupt or retard the progress of those that are of universal interest la view of tA < n sionrl e T T ofno5rt finm Vi iri r in r lOU t before you at this time some suggestions that would otherwise ba made and most earnestly invite your attention to the duty of perfecting the important legislation now well advanced To some of these measures which seem to mo most important im-portant I now briefly call your attention AMERICAN STEAMSHIPS I desire to repeat with added urgency the recommendation contained in my last ant an-t nual message in relation to the development of steamship lines The reciprocity clause of the tariff bill will be largely limited ana its benefits retarded and diminished if provision pro-vision is not contemporaneously made to encourage the establishment of first class steam communication between our ports and the ports of such nations as may meet our overtures for enlarged commercial ex f 2hanges Thc steamship carrying the mails I L tcsiaily and frequently and offering to passengers I pas-sengers a comfortable safe and speedy 11 transit is the first condition of foreign t trade It carries tho order of the buyer t but not all that is ordered or bought It I gives to the sailing vessels such cargoes as aie not urgent O perishable and indirectly I indi-rectly at least promotes that important adjunct of commerce There is now both Ie in this country and in the nations of North I and South America an expectation and confidence I con-fidence to increased trade that will give double value to your prompt action upon this question ACSTIIALIAN MAILS Tho present situation of our mail communication com-munication witu Austruliu illustrates the importance of early action by Congress The Oceanic Steamship company maintains main-tains a line of steamers between San Francisco Sydney and Auckland consisting consist-ing of three vessels two of which are of I nited States registry and one of foreign registry For the service done by this hue in carrying the mails we pay annually the sum of 4C000 being estimated as equal t tho full sea and United States inland postage which is the limit fixed by law The colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand have been paying annually t these 11 i is 37000 for carrying the mails from Sidney and Auckland to San Francisco The contract under which this payment has been made is now about to expire and these colonies have refused to renew the contract unless the United States shall pay n more equitable proportion of the sum necessary to hold the service I am advised ad-vised by the postmastergeneral that the Tited States receives for carrying tho jiubtralian mails brought to San Francisco in these steamers by rail to Vancouver an estimated annual income of 75000 while as I have stated we are paying out for the support of the steamship line that brings this mail t us only 10000 leaving an annual an-nual surplus resulting from this service of fHOO The trade of the United States with Australia which is in a considerable part carried by those steamers and the whole of which is practically dependent upon the i mail communication which they maintain is largely in our favor Our total exports of merchandise to Australian ports during the fiscal year ending Juno 301890 was Sll26j4b4 while the total imports of merchandise mer-chandise from these ports were only i jiG I we are not willing to see this important im-portant ship line withdrawn or continued with Vancouver substituted for San Francisco Fran-cisco a the American terminal Congress should put it in the power of the post mastergeneral to make a liberal increase in the amount now paid for the transportation transpor-tation of this important mail THE GULF PORTS The South Atlantic and gulf ports occupy occu-py a very favored position towards the new and important commerce which the reciprocity re-ciprocity clause of the tariff act and the postal shipping bill are designed t promote pro-mote Steamship lines from these ports to some northern port of South America will almost certainly effect a connection between the railroad systems of the continent long before any continental line of railroad can be in operation Thevery large put very lrge appropriation appro-priation made at the last session for the harbor of Galveston was justified as it seemed to be by these considerations The great northwest will feul the advantage of trunk lines to the south as well as to the east and of the new market opened for the supply of food products and for many of the r manufactured products INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN BANE I bad occasion in my last message to transmit t Congress a report adopted by the International American conference upon the subject of the incorporation of an international American bank with a view 0 facilitating money exchanges between the states represented in that conference Such an institution would greatly promote the trade we are seeking to develop I renew re-new the recommendation that a careful and well guarded charter be granted I do not think the powers granted should include those ordinarily exercised by trust guarantee guar-antee and safe deposit companies or that more branches in the United States should be authorized than are strictly necessary to accomplish the object primarily in view namely convenient foreign exchanges It is quite important that prompt action should be taken in this matter in order that any appropriations fur better communication tion with those countries and any agreemEnt agree-mEnt that may be made for regiprocal trade may not be hindered for the convenience of making exchanges through European money centers or burdened by the tribute which is an incident of that method of business busi-ness RELIEF Or TiE SUPREME COURT The bill for the relief of the supreme court has after man Jears discussion reached a position when final action is easily eas-ily attainable and it is hoped that any differences dif-ferences of opinion may be so harmonized as to save the essential features of this very important measure In this connection connec-tion I earnestly renew my recommendation that the salaries of judges of the United States district courts be so readjusted that none of them shall receive less than 5000 per annum tNADJCSTED SPANISH LVND GRANTS The subject of unadjusted Spanish and Mexican land grants and the urgent necessity neces-sity for providing some commission or tribunal tr bunal for the treatment of questions growing grow-ing out thereofwas twice brought by me to tbo attention of Congress at the last session ses-sion Bills have been reported from the proper committees and beta houses on the subject and I very earnestly hope that this Congress will put an end to the delay which lias attached to the settlements of disputes as to the well being of matters and claims under these grants These disputes retard prosperity and disturb the peace of large and important communities The governor of New Mexico in his last report to the secretary of the interior suggests sug-gests some modifications of the provision of the pending bills relatine to small holdings hold-ings of faim lands I commend to your attention the suggestion of the secretary of the interior upon this subject NATIONAL 1SANKRUPT LAW The enactment of a national bankrupt law I still regard as very desirable The constitution having given t Congress jurisdiction of this subject it ought to be excrcised and uniform rule3 provided for the administration of the affairs of insolvent in-solvent debtors The inconvenience resulting result-ing from the occasional and temporal exercise ex-ercise of this power by Congress and from the conflicting state codes on insolvency which come into force intermediately should be removed by the enactment of a simple inexpensive permanent national bankrupt law I also renew my recommendation recom-mendation for legislation affording just copyright protection for foreign authors on a footing of reciprocal advantage for authors abroad OrrLERS AND RAKES ON FREIGHT TRAINS I I may still be possible for this Congress to Inaugurate by suitable legislation a movement looking to uniformity and increased in-creased stability in the use of couplers and brakes upon freight trains engaged in interstate commerce The chief difficulty in the way is to secure an agreement as to the best appliances simplicity of effectiveness effective-ness and cost bein considered This diffi culty will only yield to legislation which should be based upon full inquiry and impartial im-partial tests The purpose should be to secure se-cure the cooperation of all welldisposed managers and owners but the fearful fact that every years delay involves the sacrifice sacri-fice of 20000 lives and the maiming of 20000 young men should plead both with Congress and managers against any needless need-less delay IRRIGATION OF ARID LANDS The subject 61 the conservation and equal distribution of tho water supply in the arid region has had much attention from Congress Con-gress but has not as yet been put upon a permanent and satisfactory basis The urgency ur-gency of the subject does not grow out of any large present demand for the use of tho lands for agriculture but out of the danger that the water supply and tho sits for the necessary catch basins may fall into tho bands of individuals private corporations and used to render subservient large areas dependent on such supply The owner of the water is the owner of the lands however how-ever the titles may run All unappropri ated water sources and all necessary reservoirs reser-voirs should be held by the government govern-ment for the equal use at fair rates of tne homestead settlers r who will eventually take up the these lands The United States should not in my opinion undertake the construction of dams and canals but shouldlimit all work to such Ttirvpy nnrt ob > rrnHnn vil < tcrmine the water supply both surface add subterranean the areas capable of irrigation ir-rigation and the use of tbo storage capacity of reservoirs This done the use of the water and of the reservoir sites might be granted to the respective states or territories terri-tories or to individuals or associations upon the condition that the necessary works should be constructed and the water furnished at fair rates without discrimination discrimina-tion enacted by the legislatures or by boards of water commissioners duly constituted con-stituted The essential thing to be secured is the common and equal use at fair rates of the accumulated water supply I were almost better that these lands should remain arid than that those who occupy thorn should become the slaves of unrestrained unre-strained monopolies controlling the essential essen-tial element of land values and crop results POSTAL TELEGRAPH The use of tho telegraph by the postoffice department fr the trans as a means rapid trns mission of written communications is I believe be-lieve upon proper terms quite desirable Tno government does not own or operate the railroads and it should not I think own or operate the telegraph lines It does however seem to be quite practicable for the government to contract with the telegraph tele-graph as itdoes with the railroads to carry at specified rates such communications as the sender may designate For this method of transmission I recommend that such leg islation be enacted as will enable the nost office department fairly to test by experiment experi-ment the advantages of such a use of the telegraph FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS I any intelligent and loyal company of American citizens were required to catalogue cata-logue the essential liumsn conditions of national na-tional life 1 do not doubt that with absolute abso-lute unamity those would begin with free and honest elections and it is gratifying to know that generally there is a growing and nonpartisan demand for better election laws but against this sign of hoped progress must bo sot the depress ing and undeniable fact that election laws fact I and methods are sometimes cunningly contrived con-trived to insure the minoritys control while violence completes the shortcomings of fraud In mi last annual message I suggested that tho amendment of the existing ex-isting law providing a federal supervision of Congressional elections offered an effective ef-fective method of reforming these abuses The need of such a law has manifested itself in many parts of the country coun-try and its wholesome restraints and penalties pen-alties will be useful in all Tho constitutionality constitu-tionality of such legislation has been affirmed af-firmed by the supreme court Its probable effectiveness is evidenced by the cnaracter ot the opposition that is mado to i I has been denounced as i i were a new exorcise exor-cise of federal power and an invasion of the rights of the states Nothing could be further from the truth Congress has already al-ready fixed the time for the election of members of Congress It has declared that tue vote for members ot Congress must be by written or printed ballot It has provided pro-vided for the appointment by tho circuit courts in certain cases and upon the petition of a a certain number of citizens of election I supervisors and made it their duty to supervise su-pervise the registration of voters conducted con-ducted by the state officers to challenge persons offering to register to personally inspect and scrutinize the registry lists and to affix their names to the lists for the purpose of identification and the identi ction thf prevention preven-tion of frauds to attend at elections and remain with the boxes until the votes are all cast and counted to attach to the registry regis-try lists and election returns any statement state-ment touching the aecurasv and fairness of of the registry and elections to take and transmit to the clerk of tho House of Reprefentatives and evidence of fraudulent fraud-ulent practices which may be presented to The same law provides for appointment of deputy United States marshals to attend at the polls support the supervisors in the discharge of their duties and to arrest disclarge thCr dutes persons per-sons violating the election laws The provisions pro-visions of this familiar title of the revised statues have been put into exercise by both of the great political parties and in the north as well as in the south by the filing with the court of the petitions required by law I is not therefore a question whether we should have a federal election law for we now have one and have had one for nearly twenty years but whether we shall have an effective Jaw The present law stops just short of effectiveness for it surrenders to the local authorities all control con-trol over the certification which establishes the Prima facie right to a seat in the House of Representatives This defect should be cured Equality of representation and the parity of tne electors must be maintained or everything that is valuable in our system sys-tem of government is lost The qualifications qualifica-tions of an elector must be sougnt in the law not in the opinions prejudice or fears of any class however powerful The path of the elector to the ballot box must be free from the ambush of fear and the enticement en-ticement of fraud the count so true and open that none shall gainsay it Such a law should be absolutely nonpartisan and impartial It should give the advantage to honesty and the control jx majorities Surely there is nothing sectional about this creed and if it shall happen that the penalties pen-alties of laws intended to enforce these rights fall hero und not there it is not I because the law is sectional but because happily crime is local and not universal Nor should it be forgotten that every law whether relating to elections elec-tions or t any other sublect whether enacted en-acted by the state or by the nation has force behind it the courts the marshal or constable the posse comitatus the orison are all and always behind the law One cannot bo justly charged with unfriendliness unfriendli-ness to any section or class who beeks only to restrain violations of law and of personal right No community will find lawlessnets profitable no community can afford to nave it known that the officers who are charged with the preservation of the public peace and the restraint of the criminal classes are themselves the product of fraud or violence The magistrate is then without with-out respect and the law without sanction sancton The floods of lawlessness can bo levied and made t run in one channel The killing of a United States marshal carrying a writ of arrest for an election offonsa is full of promptings and offense to men who are pursued by a city marshal for a crime against life or property Butit is said that this legislation will revive animosities and I some have even suggested that when the peaceful methods of fraud are made impossible they may be supplanted by intimidation and violence I the proposed law gives any qualified elector more than his equal influence influ-ence or detracts by so much from any ther qualified elector it is fatally impeached but i the law is equal and animosities it is to evoke grow out of the fact that some electors have been accustomed to exercise the franchise for others us well as for themselves then the animosities ought not to be confessed without shame and cannot bo given any weight in the discussion without with-out dishonor No choice is loft to mo but to enforce with vigor all laws intended to secure t the citizen his constitutional rights and t recommend that the inadequateness inade-quateness of such laws be promptly remedied reme-died I to promote with zeal and ready interest in-terest every project for the development of its material interests its rivers harbors mines and factories and the intelligence peace and security under tho law of its communities and its homes is not accepted as sufficient evidence of friendliness to any state or section 1 cannot connivance at election practices that not only disturb the local results but rob tho electors of other states and sections of thoir most priceless political rights GENERAL APPROPRIATION HILLS The preparation of the general appropriation appro-priation bills should be conducted with the greatest care and closest scrutiny of expenditure ex-penditure Appropriations should be adequate to the needs of the public service but they should be absolutely free from prodigality I venture again t remind you that the brief time remaining for the consideration of the important legislation now awaiting your attention offers no margin for waste I tho present duty is discharged with diligence fidelity and courage the work of the Fiftyfirst Congress may be confidently dently submitted to the considerate judgment judg-ment of the people Signed BENJAMIN HARRISON EEXECUTIVE MANSIOK December 1 1890 |