OCR Text |
Show IM THE SALT LAKE TIMES. TJ --f r VOL.5 .tyi VSALT LAKE CITY. UTAH. MONDAY. PKCKMIiKlt I, m. NO. 53. ining and Idaho to the union are events of iuterost and congratulation not only to the people of the states happily en-dowed with a full participation in our privileges and responsibilities, but to all our people. Another belt of states stretches from theAtlantie to the Paeitio. nt Uorlin 1 y tho representatives of tho United Slates, Germany and Great Brit-ain- , after due ratification and exchange has begun to produce salutary effects. The formation of the government agreed upon will soon replace tho dis-order of tho past hv a stable adminis-tration, alike just 'to tha natives an .I equally to tho three powers most con-cerned in trade and intercourse with the Samoan islands. The chief justice has been chosen by the king of Sweden and Norway, on tho invitation of the three powers, aud will soon be Installed. The laud commission und the municipal council are iu process of organization. A rational and evenly distributed scheme of taxation, both municipal and upon imports, is in operation. Malietoa is respected as kiug. the work committed to his direction. The business methods have been greatly improved and a large economy in ex-penditure and an increase of "four and three-iiuartc- r million dollars iu receipts have been realized. 1 lie detieieney this year is r.7c;l,H!)i. as against n,Ao"-18- 3 last year, notwithstanding the great enlargement of the service, mail routes have been extended and quickened und greater accuracy and dispatch in dis-tribution and delivery have been attained. The report will bo found full of interest anil suggestion, not only to oingnss, but to those thoughtful citizens who miy bo inter-ested to know what business method can do for that department of public ad-ministration, which mojt nearly touches all our people. the City of Mexico be increased to the first-clas- Spnln mid Cnha The cordial character of our rela-tions with Spain warrants the hope that by the continuance of methods of friendly negotiation, much may be ac complisiunl in the direction of an ad-justment of the pending questions of the inercasi of our trade. The extent and development of our trade with the Island of Cuba invest the commercial relations of the United States and Spain with a peculiar iinprtanco. It is not doubted that it special arrange- ment in regard to commerce, based upon the reciprocity provision of the recent tarilf act. would operate m ist beneficially for both governments. This sabject is now receiving attention. Tli. Fetant Otllcr. The work of tho patent oflico has won from all sources very high commenda-tion. The amount accomplished has been largely increased, and all the ts have been such as to secure confi-dence and consideration for the sugges- tion of the commissioner. two decades, and especially tho table showing tho increase during the nine-teen months lui has administered tho affairs of the department, are interest-ing aud instructive. Tho increase of money in circulation during the nine-teen mouths has been in the aggregate !l,j;J,H.it(.wui r about 9 .50 per capita, ami of this increase only $7.l0l),0J0 was duo to the recent silver legislation. That this substantial and needed aid given to commerce resulted in an enormous re luction of the publics debt and of the annual interest chargo is a matter of increased satisfaction. There have been purchased and re-deemed since March 4, 1778, 4 aud Ij per cent bonds to the amount of m.HSJ.-J.V- i at a cost of $21fl,02O.;41, re-sulting in the reduction of the annual intetest charge of iK!Mi.S0tl and a total saving of interest of $"il,5l(l.70(l. I notice with great pleasure the state-ment of the secretary that the re-ceipts from internal revenuo have in-creased durinir the ia--- t liscal year nearly $l2.0J0,l)0;t. and that the cost of collecting this larger revenue was less byiflNMHi than for the same purpose in the preceding year. The percentage of cost of eollesting customs revenue was less for the last tiscal year than ever before. llSfSllE He Reminds Congress of the Urgent Neces-sity of Prompt Action During the Present Short Session. A FEDERAL ELECTION LAW RECOMMENDED. Matters of the Utmost Importance The Australian Mail Contracts National Bankrupt Law Arid Land and Water Storage Postal Telegraph. A New Apportionment. The enumeration of the people of tha United States under the provisions ol the act of March 1, 1800, has been com-pleted, and the result will bo at once officially communicated to congress. The completion of the decennial enum-erations devolves upon congress the duty of nuking a new of apportionment representatives among the several states. The Kciintln of C'leion. Tho restoration of the remains of John Krieson to Sweden offered a grat-ifying occasion to honor the memory of the great inventor, to whoe geuUs our country owes so much, and to bear wit-ness to the unbroken friendship which has existed between the land which bore him and our own, which claimed him as a citizen. Tha y Act. The passage of the act to amend cer-tain sections of tho revised statutes re-lating to lotteries, approved September 1, 18:10, hai been received with great and deserved popular favor with the postollice department, and the depart-ment of justice at once entered upon tho enforcement of the law withsympa-theti- c vigor, aud already the "public mails have bben largely freed from tho fraudulent and demoralizing appeals aud literature emanating from the lot-tery companies. The Hclirlng 8m Dispute. The new treaty of extradition with (ireat lirltaiu after duo ratification was proclaimed on the 23th of last March. Its beneficent working is already appa-rent. Tho difference between the two governments touchiugtlie fur seal ques-tion in tho Behring sea is not yet ad-justed, ;is will be seen by the corre-spondence which will soon be laid be. fore congress. The offer to submit the question to arbitration as proposed by her majesty's government has not been accepted for tho reason that tho form of submission proposed is not thought to be calculated to assure to a conclusion satisfactory to either party. It is sincerely hoped that before the opening of another sealing season some arrangement may be effected which will assure to the United States a property right, derived from Kussia, which was not disregarded by any na-tion for more than eighty years, pre-ceding the outbreak of tho existing trouble. I'lilillc llull.llng ItllU. I had occasion to return with my ob-jection several bills making provisions for tho erection of public buildings, for tho reason that tho appropria-tions contemplated were, in my opinion greatly in excess of any pub-lic need. No "class of legislation is more liable to abuse or to degenerate into an unseemly scramble about the public treasury than this. There should bo exercised in this matter a wise economy, based upon some re-sponsible und impartial examination and report as to each case under a gen- eral law. Our Eolations With All Foreign Powers are Friendly Tae Laws Enacted at the Last Session The Killing I of General Barrunda. Tho Ven miele Claim. On tho 2nd of September last, the commission appointed to revise the pro-ceedings of tho commission, under the claims convention between the United States and Venezuela of 1S80. brought, its labors to a close within the period fixed for that purpose. The proceed-ings of the late com mission were char-acterized by a spirit of impartiality and a high sense of justice and an incident which was for many years the subject of discussion between the two govern-ments, has been disposed of in a man-ner alike honorable and satislactory to both parties. For the settlement of" the claim of the Venezuel.iu Steam Trans-portation company which was tho sub-ject of a joint resolution adopted at the last session of congress, negotiations are still iu prepress and their early con-clusion is anticipated. Cuvtoiut AitiuiirNtrjtion Hoard. The customs administration board, provided for by the act of June 10, WH), was selected with great care and is composed, in part, of men whoso pre-vious experience in the administration of the old customs regulations had made them familiar with the evils to be remedied, and, in part, of men whose legal and judicial acquirements and ex-perience seemed to fit them for the work of interpreting and applying the new statute. The chief aim of the law is to secure the honest valuation of all tho dutiable merchandise and to make these valuations uniform at all our ports of entry, it had been made manifest by a congressional investigation that a system of under-valuation had been long iu use by cer-tain classes of importers, resulting not only iu a great loss of revenue, but in a most intolerable discrimination against honesty. It is not seen how this legis-lation, when it is understood, can be re-garded by the citizens of any country having commercial dealings with us as unfriendly. If any duty is supposed to be excessive let the complaint be lodged there. It will surely be claimed by Miy well disposed people that a remedy may be sought am) allowed in a system of quasi smuggling. Our Wnr Shlpe. The construction and equipment of the new ships for the navy has made very satisfactory progress since March 4th, 188J. Niue new vessels have been put iu commission, and during this winter four more, including oue moni-te- r will bo added. '1 he construction of the vessels authorized is being pushed both iu the government aud private yards with energy and watched with the most scrupulous care. Tho experi-ments conducted during the year to test the relative resisting power aud armor plates have been so valuable as to attract great attention iu Kurope. The only part of work upon the new ships that is threatened by usual delay is armor plating, and every effort is being made to reduce that to the mini-mum. It is a source of congratulation that the anticipated iutluence of these modern vessels in the esprit de coips of the officers and seamen has been lully reulized. Confidence and pride in the ship among the crew are equivalent to a secondary battery. Your favorable consideration is insisted to tho recom-mendation of the secretary. A Wrong to Hawaii. In the tariff act a wrong was done to the kingdom of Hawaii which I ain bound to presume was wholly uninten-tional. Duties were levied on certain commodities which are included In the reciprocity treaty now existing between the United States and the kingdom of Hawaii, without indicting the necessary exception in favor of that kingdom. I hope congress will repair what might otherwise seem to be a breach of faith on the part of this government. tho new government a full and cardinal welcome into the family of American commonwealths. It is confidently be-lieved that the good relations of the two nations will bo preserved and that the future will witness an iucreased intimacy of intercourse and an expan-sion of their mutual commerce. Central America. The peace of Central America has again been disturbed through a revolu-tionary change in Salvador, which was not recognized by other states and hos-tilities broke out between Salvador and (iautemala, threatening to involve all Central America in conllict and to undo the progress which has been made toward a union of their interests. The efforts of this government were prompt-ly and zealously exerted to compose their differences, and through the active efforts of the representative of the United States, a provisional treaty of peace was signed August 20, whereby the right of tho republic of Salvador to choose its own rulers was recognized. General Kzeta, tho chief of tho provi-sional government, has since been con-firmed in the presidency by the assem-bly and diplomatic recognition duly followed. The Coimuiar Service. The legislation of the past few years has evidenced on tho part of congress a growing realization of tho importance of the consular service iu fostering our commercial relations abroad and in protecting tho domestic revenues. As the scope of operations expand, in-creased provision must he made to keep up the essential standard of efficiency. The necessity of some adequate measure of supervision ami inspection has been so often presented that 1 need only corn-uieu- d t ie subject to your attention. 1 Washington, I). C, Dec. 1. The I president today sent to congress his annual message. It is as follows: To the Sknate ani HorsK ok Kei-ke- - SKNTATIVKS: The reports of tho several executive departments, which will be laid beforo congress in the usual course, will ex-hibit in detail the operations of tho government for the last fiscal year. Only tho more important incidents and results and chiefly such as may be the foundation of the recommendations I shall submit, w ill be referred to in this annual message. The vast and increasing busiuessof the government has been transacted by the several departments during the year with faithfulness, energy aud success. Tho revenues amounting to above four hundred and lifty million dollars have been collected and disbursed without revealing, so far as I can ascertain, a single case of defalcation or embezzle-ment. An earnest effort has been made to stimulate a sense of responsibility and public duty in all 1 officers and employees of every grade, and the work done by them has almost wholly escaped unfavorable criticism. I speak of these matters with freedom because the credit of this good work is yr' not mine but is shared by the heads of J' f the several departments with the great I body of faithful otHoers and employees 3 who serve under them. The closest scrutiny of congress is invited to all the I methods of the administration and to every item of expenditure. Claims Agalnut HaytU An award in favor of the United States in the matter of the claim of Mr. Van Iiakkelen agaiust Ilayti was ren-dered on the 4ih of December, 1888, but, owing to disorders then and after-wards prevailing in Hay ti. the terms of payments were not observed. A new agreement as to tho 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 during the late political con-flict in Ilayti will, it is hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment. ' The Department of Agriculture The report of the secretary of agri-culture deserves especial attention, in view of the fact that the year has been marked iu a very unusual degree by agitation ami organization among the farmers looking to an increase in the profits of their business. It will bo found that the efforts of the department have been intelligently and zealously devoted to the promotion of the interest entrusted to its care. A very substan-tial improvement in the market price of the leading farm products during the year is noticed. The price of wheal advanced from 81 cents in October lHSil, to $1.00 in October, 1800; corn from lif ceLts to t() cents; oats front 2!jf cents to '!!l cents, und barley frotr t!3 to 78 cents. Meats showed a sub stantial udtancc, but not so large ac increase. The export trade in lire animals and fowl shows a very large increase. The total in such export for the yearended June 80. 1800, was $33,000,000, and tho increase over the preceding year was over $15,000,000. Nearly 2110,000 cattle and over 45,000 more bogs were ex-ported than in the preceding year. This export trade in beef and pork and in dairy products was very largely in-creased, the iucrease in the article of butter alunn being from 13,580,1)7! pounds to 20,748.042 pounds, aud the total increase iu the value of meat aud ri:ii,yrr'Hnci exported being4l 'r 000j-i- s trade, so dire I v tti- - H-- s I .V1 'va 1 L.UI I V f'l'sSS UargckJ. nici . - ,,' sy- t-' WVSA -- 'if'-': r ' - ..' Tha Department of War. The report of the secretary of war ex-hibits several gratifying results, at-tained during the year by wise and unostentatious methods. The percentage of desertions from the army (an evil for which both congress a'ld the depart-ment have long been seeking a remedy) has reduced during the past year 21 per cent, and for the months of August and September, during which time the fa-vorable effects of tho act of Jun ; lflth were felt, 33 per cent as com-pared with the same months of lt8l. Tho results attained by a concur in tho recommendation of tho secretary that atlequato and regular appropriations bo continued for coast detense works, aud ordnance plans have been practically agreed upon, and there can lie no good reason for delay-ing the execution of them; while the defenseless slate of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise ex-pedition. " The encouragement'itihiat has beeu.(ex-tended to the tnilitia of the states gen-erally appropriately designated the guard should be continued and cu'irged. These military organizations nstituto in a senso the army of the V"ftted States, while about s of the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the states. A New TreHly With Italy, Propositions for the treaty of extra-dition between the United States ami Itaiy are now under consideration. You will be asked to provide the,ieans of accepting the invitation ofoj'jwi government to take part f- - r,b proaching conference to C,0rfy ion adoption of a universal primeWaere from which to reckon longiV. time. As this proposal folknj t'n(j rryf' track of the reform soughuc3r inks ated by the niern 'corrpreSice oil Washington, hoi 1 Vjlho invitsVlon of this government, tha UniicdStates". should .manifest a frbnaiy interest ia j tho Italian proposal. . In this connection I may refer with approval to the suggestion of my pre- - decessors that standing provision Ijel made for accepting whenever deemed advisable, the frequent invitations of foreign govern incuts to share in confer-ence and looking to the advancement of international reforms, in regard to science, sanitation, commercial laws and proccedure and other matters af-flicting the intercourse and progress of modern communities. Departmeut of the Interior! The report of tho secretary of the in-terior exhibits with great fullness aud clearness the work of that great de-partment and the satisfactory results attained. The suggestions made by him are earnestly commended to the consideration of congress though they cannot all bo given particular mention here. The several sets of congress looking to the reduction of the larger Indian reservations: to the more rapid settle-ment of the Indians upon individual allot incut and the restoration to the public domain of lauds in excess of their needs have been largely carried into effect, so tar as the work was con-fided to the executive, agreements have been concluded since March 4. 1M0, in-volving the cession to the United States of about, 14,72(i,0Ui) ncres of land. These contracts have, as required (by law, been submitted to congressTor ratification and for the appropriatwr-j- f necessary them into effcC' Those with tho Sisseton and Wahpeton, Sac and 1'ox, Iowa, I'ottawatamies and Absentee, Shawneis and Coeur d' Alone tribes have not yet received tho sanc-tion of congress. . Attention Is also called to the fac that appropriations made in the case Sioux Indians have not covered i the stipulated payments. This shoi'" be promptly corrected. If an t is confirmed, all of its terms should be complied with without doj lay, aud full appropriations should lift made. The policy outlined in my last an-nual message in relation to the patenting of lands to settlers upon the public domain has been carried out. Jn the administration of tho laud office no general suspicion or emulation of fraud have been allowed to delay the hearing and adjucation and individual casus upon their merits. Their pnrpos" ha3 been to perfect the title of honest settlors with suh promptness that the value of the entry might not bo swallowed up by the ex-pense and extortions to which delay subjected the claimant. The National Revenues. The revenues of the government from all sources during the liseal year ending June 3D, 18:)0, were $lfi8,"i,3,-OsuV- i, and the total expenditures for the same period were $:)8.G18,r84.52. The postal receipts have not heretofore beeu included iu the statement of these aggregates, and for the purpose of com-parison, the sum $00,802,01)7.112 should be deducted from 4ioth sides of the Tha surplus for the year, in ' bu'ing the amount applied to the sink-TIun-was H);.,34 l,4!!(l.()3. The re-- I pts for 18iH) were $K,0),ll23.71), aud Ajl expenditures $15,730,871 iu ex-,,- ! of those of issi). The customs Aipts increased tH33,842.8, and the falpts from internal revenue $11,273,-'iaf- c' t- - While on the side of expendi-tha- t for penuons was $l!),312,07.V-"- i Jin excess of the preceding year. Tho Jlasury statement for the current fiscal ir, partly actual aud partly esti-Jite-is as follows: (,jl!ccei pts from all sources, $(00,000.-wjl)- ; total expenditures, 3.Vl,Oi)l),000; javiug a surplus of $o,',000,000, not joking the postal receipts into tho ac-count of either side, f Tho loss of revenue from customs fjr fie last quarter is $20,000,000 but from this is deducted a gain of about $: 0,000,000 realized during the first four months in the year for the year 18il2, the local estimated roceipts'of $373, 000,000 and the estimat-ed expenditures J387,k."2,20!).42, leaving an estimated surplus of l.'i.Ui.iSiO.oH, which with a cash balance of OOO.isOO at the beginning of the year will give $07,147. iOO,.5K as the sum available for the redemption of outstanding bonds or other uses. The estimates of receipts and expenditures for the postollice be-ia- g equal, are not included in this state-ment ou either sido. The Kllllni; of llurruncla. The killing of (icneral llarrunda, on board the Pacitio mail steamer Aca-pulc-while anchored in transit in the port of San Jose De Guatemala, de-manded a careful inquiry. Having failed in a revolutionary attempt to in-vade Guatemala, Gen. Barrunda took passage at Aeapulco for Panama. The consent of the representatives of the United Slates was sought to effect his seizure, first at Champerico, where tho ateamer touched and afterward at San irfo.se. The captain of the steamer re-fused to give up his pasengcr without written cr.'Vr from th? United States s minister; the latter f nrnished the desired .letter, stipulating as the condition, iof bis action, that general Harruuda's life should be spared Hnd that he should be tried only for offenses growing out .of his insurrectionary movements. This letter was produced to the captain of the Aeapulco by tho military comman-der at San Jose as his warrant to take the passenger from tho steamer. Gen-eral liarruuda resisted capture and was killed. It being evident that tho minister, Mr. Mizner, had exceeded the bounds of his authority in intervening in com-pliance with the demands of tho Guat-amalia-authorities to authorize and ef-fect in violation of precedent, this seiz-ure on a vessel of tho United States of a passenger of transit, charged with political offenses, in order that ho might be tried for such offenses under what was described as martial law, I was constrained to disavow Mr. Mizner and recall him from his post. erlST '. irderV' 1 W jfllic several months they ' h:Vel A'jon duty, no cn.se of conta-gious i.'lm-pneumoni- a has been re-ported! is inspection abroad and the doil- spection of live animals and pift-- g' &;ts provided for bv the act off AiignOw, 1800. will afford as perfect a guaranty for the wholesome-nes- s of our meats offered for foreign consumption as is anywhere given to any food product. ' Its will quite clearly reveal the real mo-tive of any continued restriction of their use and that having been made clear, the duty of the executive will be very plain. Relations with Foreign Tower. J The friendly relations of our country jtiS , with the nations of Europe and of., tho f A east have been undisturbed while the: ties of good will aud common interest that bind us to the states of the west-ern hemisphere, have been notably strengthened by the conference held in this capital to consider measures for tho general welfare. Pursuant to the I invitation authorized by congress the representatives of every independent state of tho American continent and of Ilayti, met in conference in this capital on October, 180, and continuod iu pi session uutil the 10th of last April, this important convocation marks a most interesting and continental epoch in the history of the western hemisphere. It is noteworthy that Brazil invited ; under an imperial form of government, shared as a republic in the deliberations and the results of f y tho conference, the recommendations :, of this conference were all transmitted to congress at the last session. The international marine congress, f which sat in Washington last winter, l' received a very gratifying result, the regulations suggested have been ; brought to the attention of all the gov ernments represented, and their gen-ria- l adoption is confidently expected. ; Tho legislation of congress at the last session is in conformity with tho propo--r sition of the conference and tho procla- - ri ination therein provided will be issued 1 when other powers have given notice of adhesion. Ttie NiruraKuik Canal. The Nicaragua canal project, under the control of our citizens, is making most encouraging progress. All tho preliminary conditions and initial oper-ations having beeu accomplished within the prescribed time. The Department of Justice. The report of the attorney general is under the law submitted directly to congress, hulas the department of jus-tice is one of the executive departments some reference to the work done is ap-propriate. A vigorous and in the main effective effort has been made to bring to trial and punishment all violators of the law, and at the same time care has been taken that frivolous and technical oll'ens"8 should not be used to swell tho coffers ol the ollicers or harr.iss well disposed citizen. Especial attention is called to the fact. The prosecution of violations of the election laws and of offences against United Stales officers, the number of convictions secured, very many of them upon pleas of guilty, will it is hoped have a salutary restraining influence. There have bet n several cases where postmasters appointed by me have been subjected to violent interference in the discharge of their official dutb's and to persecutions and personal violcnco of the most extreme character. Some of these eases have been dealt with through tho department of justice and in some cases the post oflices have been abolish-ed or suspended. I have directed the postmaster-genera- l to pursue this course in all cases where other efforts failed to secure for any postmaster not himself in fault, an opportunity' to peacefully exercise the duties of his office but. such action will not supplant the efforts of the department of justice to bring the particular of-fenders to punishment. The Delnicoa Kay Hallway. In the summer of 1889 an incident occurred, which for some timo threat-ened to interrupt the cordiality of our relations with the government of Portu-gal. That government seized the uelago Bay railway which was con-structed under a concession granted to an American citizen and at the same timo aunuled tho charter. The con-cessionary who had embarked his for-tune in the enterprise, having exhaus-ted other means of redress was com-pelled to invoke the protection of his government. Our representations made coinadently with those of tho British, whose subjects were also large-ly interested, happily resulted in the recognition by Portugal of the proprie-ty ot submitting the claim for indemnity growing of its action to arbitration. This plan of settlement having beeu agreed on, the interested powers readi-ly concurred in the proposal to submit the case to the judgment of three emi-nent jurists, to be designated by the president of the Swiss republic, who upon the joint invitation of the govern-ments of the United States, (ireat Britain and Portugal has selected per-sons well qualified for tho task before them. Vaet Sugar Intlugtry. Tho information given by the secre-tary of the progress and the prospects of tho beet sugar industry is full of in-terest. It has already passed the ex-perimental S Hge and is a commercial success. The area over which the sugar beet can be successfully cultivated i very largo anil another tin' A crop ofVv great value is offered to thoi choice of the farmers. The secretary of the treasury concurs in the recommenda-tion of the secretary of agriculture, that the official supervision provided by the tariff law for sugar of domestic production shall be Iransfeircd to the department of agriculture. The Claime Againiit Chill. During the past year negotiations have been received for tho settlement of claims of American citizens against the government of Chili, principally growing out of the late war with Peru. The reports from our minister at Santi-ago warrant the expectation of an early aud satisfactory adjustment. The DWablllty Art. The disability pension act wh'c.h was approved on the 27th of June last, has been put into operation as rapidly as was practicable. The increased clcri cal force provided was selected and as-signed to work, and a considerable part of the force engaged in the examina-tions in the field was recalled and ad-ded to the working force of the office. The examination and adju-dication of claims have by reason of the improved methods been more rapid than ever before. There is no economy to the government iu delay while there is much haniship and injus-tice to the soldiers. The anticipated expenditure while very large, will not, it is believed be in excess of the estim-ates made before the enactment of the law. This enlargement of the general law should suggest a more careful scrutiny of bills for special relief, but as to the cares which relief is granted and as to the amount allowed. The Civil Service. The law relating to the civil service has, so far as I can learn, been executed by those having the power of appoint-ment in the classified service with fidelity and impartiality, and the ser-vice has been increasingly satisfactory. The report of the commission shows a large amouut of good work done during the year, with a very limited appropria-tion. The Silver Levant ion. The act directing silver bullion aiid issue of treasury notes thereon, ap-proved July 14, 1800, has been admin-istered by the secretary of the treasury with an earnest purpose to get into cir-culation at the earliest possible 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 in tho price of silver has been observed with regret. The rapid rise in price which was anticipated and followed the passage of the act was in-fluenced in some degree, and was fol-lowed by speculation, and the reaction is part of the result of the same cause and part of the recent monetary dis-turbances. Some months of further trial will be necessary to determine the permanent effect of the recent legislation upon silver values, but it is gratifying to know that the increased circulation se-cured by the act has exerted and will continue to exert a most benelicial in fluence upon business aud upon general values. While it has been thought best to renew formally the suggestion of an international conference looking to in agreement touching the full use of sil-ver 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 is confidently believed wouid confer very large benefits upon the commerce of the world. The recent monetary disturbances in England are uot un-likely to suggest a of opinions upon this subject. Our very large supply of gold will, if not lost by impulsive legislation in the supposed interest of silver, give us a position of advantage in promoting a permanent and safe interuatianal agree-ment for the free use of silver as a coin metal. Oar Kelation 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 much corre-spondence'. The communications of the Chinese minister have brought into view the whole subject of our conven-tional relations with his country, and at the same timo this government, through its legation at Pekin, sought to arrange various matters aud complaints touching the interests and protection of our citizens iu China. In pursuance of the concurrent resolution of October 1, 1800, I have proposed to the govern-ment of Mexico und Great Britain to consider a conventional regulation of the passage of Chinese laborers across our southern and northern frontiers. The African NUve Trade. i The conference of Brussels to devise 3 means for suppressing the slave trade 1 ' in Africa afforded an opportunity for a new expression of the interest the 3 American people feel in that work. It a soon became evident that the measure i proposed would tax tho resources of J the Congo basin beyond the revenues J availablo under the general act of Ber-- 1 1 i ii of 18H4. The United States not be-- I ing a party to that act could not share I in its revision, but by a separate act tho . Independent State of tho Congo was j freed from the restrictions upon a ens- - 5 torn revenue. The demoralizing and I destructive traffic in anient spirits ; iimong the tribes also claimed ? the earnest attention of the conference and the delegates of the United States i were foremost in advocating measures 'j for its repression. An accord was reached, the inlluence of which will bt I very helpful and extend over a wide I region as soon as these measures shall 4 receive the sa iction of the Netherlands, for a time withheld, the general acts will be submitted for ratilication by the senate. Meanwhile negotiations have i been opened for a new and complete I treaty of friendship, commerce and nav-- I ipntion between the United States and the independent state of Congo. Our Relatlana With Japan, The revision of our treaty relations with tho empire of Japan has continued to be the subject of .consideration and of correspondence. The questions in-volved are both grave and delicate, and while it will be my duty to see that the interests of the United States are not by any changes exposed to undue dis-crimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese govern-ment and maintain the present and long-existin- friendly relations between Japan aud the United States will be effected. The vacation by judicial decrees of fraudulent certificates ol naturalization upon bills in equity filed by the attorney-- general in the circuit court of the United States is a new application of a familiar equity jurisdiction. Nearly one hundred such decrees have been taken during the year. The evidence disclos-ing that a very large number of fraud-ulent certificates of naturalization have been issued and iu this connection I beg to renew my recommendation that the laws be so amended as to require a more, full and searching inquiry into a'l the facts necessary to naturaliza-tion before, any certificates are granted. It certainly is not loo much to require that an application for American citizenship shall be heard with as much care and recorded with as much formality as aro given cases involving the pettiest property right. CongreM Congratulated. I congratulate the congress and tha country upon the passage at the first session of the lii'ty-lirs- t congress of an unusual number of laws of very high importance. That the results of this legislation will be the quickeniug and enlargement of our manufacturing in dustries, larger and better markets fol our breadstuffs and provisions, both al home and abroad, more constant em-ployment and better wages for our working people and an increased sup-ply of a safe currency for the transaction of business. I do not doubt that soma of these measures were enacted at so late a period that the beneficial effects upon commerce, which were in tie contemplation of congress, have as yet but partially manifested themselves. The Antl Polygamy Manifesto. The increasing numbers and influ-ence of the n population in Utah are observed with satisfaction. The recent letter of Wilford Woodruff, president of tho Mormon church, in which he advised his people to refrain from contracting tny marriage forbid-den by the laws of the laud has at-tracted wide attention aud it is hoped that its influence will be highly bene-ficial in restraining infractions of the laws of the United States. But the fact should not be over-looked that the doctrine or belief of the church that polygamous marriages are rightful and supported by divine revelation remain unchanged. President Woodruff does not renounce the doctrine, but refrains from teaching it anil advises against the practice of it because the law is against it. Now it is quite time that the law should not attempt to deal with the faith or belief of auyono, but it is quite another thing and only safe thing to do is deal with the territory of Utah as that those who believe polygamy to be rightful Bhall not have the power to make it lawful. The Carlos Itottrrflild Claim. On the 22d day of August last Sir Edmund Munson, the arbitrator se-lected under the treaty of December (I, 188, rendered 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 Butterlield claim. Relatione with France. Our relations with the French con-tinue to be cordial. Our representative at that court has very diligently urged the removal of the restrictions imposed upon our meat products and it is be- - lieved that substantial progress has been made toward a just settlement. The Act to I'rohlb t Tool Selling. At the last session I returned without my approval a bill entitled ''An act to prohibit bookmaking and poolselling in tho District of Columbia," and stated mv objection to hi that it did uot pro-hibit, but in fact liceused what it pur-ported to prohibit. An effort will be made under existing laws to suppress this evil, though it is not sure that they will be found adequate. In Kegarti to Mexico. The friendship between our country and Mexico, born of close neighboring and strengthened by many considera-tions of intimate intercourse and recip-rocal interest, has never been more conspicuous than now, nor more hope-ful of iucreased benefit to both nations. The intercourse of the two countries by rail, already great, is making constant growth. The established lines and those recently projected add to the in-timacy of traffic and open new channels of aioess to fresh areas of demand and supply. The importance of the Mexi-can railway system will be further en-hanced to a degree almost impossible to forecast, if it should become a link in the projected rail-way. I recommend that our mission in .' ::u " i 1 he r.i piill!C of Brazil. i Toward tho end of the past year the imperial go'.ernment on the western I continent, that of Brazil, ceased to ex ist and was succeeded by a republic. ? Diplomatic relations were at once es- - ' tablished with the new governmnnt.but i It was not completely recognized until tn opportunity had been afforded to vsccrtain that it had popular approval and support. When the course of eit had yielded assurance of this fact, no time was lost iu extending to : i ' .t i s. The Condition ef Trad. The general trade and Industrial con-ditions throughout the country during the ytar have shown a marked im- - C' provement. For mny years prior to 1888 the merchandise balances had been largely in our faver but during fKX that year and the year following they v turned against us. It is gratifying ta know that the last fisal year-show- s Money in Circulation. The efforts of the secretary to in-crease the volume of money in circula-tion by keeping down the treasury surplus to the lowest practical limit have been unremitting, and in a very high degree successful. The tables presenied by him showing the increase of money in circulation during the last The Poet Office Department Tho report of the postmaster general shows the most gratifying progress in The AfCiire of Samoa. The Samoan treaty, signed last year The New State. The admission of the states of Wyo- - |