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Show ining and Idaho to the union are events of iuterost and congratulation not only to the people of the states happily endowed 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, Brit-ain, after due ratification and exchange has begun to produce salutary effects. The formation of the government agreed upon will soon replace tho disorder dis-order of tho past hv a stable administration, adminis-tration, alike just 'to tha natives an . I equally to tho 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, 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 expenditure ex-penditure and an increase of "four and three-iiuartcr million dollars iu receipts have been realized. 1 lie detieieney this year is r.7c;l,H!)i. as against n,Ao"-183 n,Ao"-183 last year, notwithstanding the great enlargement of the service, mail routes have been extended and quickened und greater accuracy and dispatch in distribution 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 interested inter-ested to know what business method can do for that department of public administration, ad-ministration, which mojt nearly touches all our people. the City of Mexico be increased to the first-class. Spnln mid Cnha The cordial character of our relations 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 adjustment 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 arrangement 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 commendation. commenda-tion. The amount accomplished has been largely increased, and all the re-suits re-suits have been such as to secure confidence confi-dence and consideration for the suggestion sugges-tion of the commissioner. two decades, and especially tho table showing tho increase during the nineteen nine-teen months lui has administered tho I affairs of the department, are interesting interest-ing aud instructive. Tho increase of money in circulation during the nineteen nine-teen mouths has been in the aggregate !l,j;J,H.it(.wui r about 9 1 .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 redeemed re-deemed since March 4, 1778, 4 aud Ij per cent bonds to the amount of m.HSJ.-J.Vi at a cost of $21fl,02O.;41, resulting 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 statement state-ment of the secretary that the receipts re-ceipts from internal revenuo have increased 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. llSf SllE He Reminds Congress of the Urgent Necessity 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 completed, com-pleted, and the result will bo at once officially communicated to congress. The completion of the decennial enumerations enum-erations devolves upon congress the duty of nuking a new apportionment of representatives among the several states. The Kciintln of C'leion. Tho restoration of the remains of John Krieson to Sweden offered a gratifying grat-ifying occasion to honor the memory of the great inventor, to whoe geuUs our country owes so much, and to bear witness 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 Ami-Lottery Act. The passage of the act to amend certain cer-tain sections of tho revised statutes relating re-lating to lotteries, approved September 1, 18:10, hai been received with great and deserved popular favor with the postollice department, and the department depart-ment of justice at once entered upon tho enforcement of the law withsympa-thetic withsympa-thetic vigor, aud already the "public mails have bben largely freed from tho fraudulent and demoralizing appeals aud literature emanating from the lottery 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 apparent. appa-rent. Tho difference between the two governments touchiugtlie fur seal question ques-tion in tho Behring sea is not yet adjusted, ad-justed, ;is will be seen by the correspondence 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 nation na-tion for more than eighty years, preceding pre-ceding the outbreak of tho existing trouble. I'lilillc llull.llng ItllU. I had occasion to return with my objection ob-jection several bills making provisions for tho erection of public buildings, for tho reason that tho appropriations appropria-tions contemplated were, in my opinion greatly in excess of any public 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 responsible re-sponsible und impartial examination and report as to each case under a general 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 proceedings 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 proceedings proceed-ings of the late com mission were characterized 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 governments, govern-ments, has been disposed of in a manner man-ner alike honorable and satislactory to both parties. For the settlement of" the claim of the Venezuel.iu Steam Transportation Trans-portation company which was tho subject sub-ject of a joint resolution adopted at the last session of congress, negotiations are still iu prepress and their early conclusion 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 previous 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 experience 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 undervaluation under-valuation had been long iu use by certain 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 legislation, legis-lation, when it is understood, can be regarded 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-ter moni-ter 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 experiments 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 minimum. 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 recommendation 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 unintentional. 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 j 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 believed 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 expansion expan-sion of their mutual commerce. Central America. The peace of Central America has again been disturbed through a revolutionary revolu-tionary change in Salvador, which was not recognized by other states and hostilities 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 promptly 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 provisional provi-sional government, has since been confirmed con-firmed in the presidency by the assembly 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, increased 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-uieud corn-uieud 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 exhibit 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 1 revealing, so far as I can ascertain, a single case of defalcation or embezzlement. embezzle-ment. An earnest effort has been made to stimulate a sense of responsibility and public duty in all 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 rendered ren-dered on the 4ih of December, 1888, but, owing to disorders then and afterwards 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 conflict con-flict in Ilayti will, it is hoped, speedily yield to friendly treatment. : ' The Department of Agriculture The report of the secretary of agriculture 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 substantial 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 exported ex-ported than in the preceding year. This export trade in beef and pork and in dairy products was very largely increased, 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-is trade, so dire I v tti- H-s I .V1 'va 1 L.UI I V f'l'sSS UargckJ. nici . - -,,' syt-' WVSA -'if'-': r ' - ..' Tha Department of War. The report of the secretary of war exhibits ex-hibits several gratifying results, attained 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 department 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 favorable fa-vorable effects of tho act of Jun ; lflth were felt, 33 per cent as compared 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 delaying delay-ing the execution of them; while the defenseless slate of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise expedition. ex-pedition. " - 'iii .( The encouragement that has beeu extended ex-tended to the tnilitia of the states generally gen-erally appropriately designated the na-tior.U na-tior.U guard should be continued and cu'irged. These military organizations nstituto in a senso the army of the V"ftted States, while about live-sevenths of the annual cost of their maintenance is defrayed by the states. A New TreHly With Italy, Propositions for the treaty of extradition 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 I 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 conference confer-ence and looking to the advancement of international reforms, in regard to science, sanitation, commercial laws and proccedure and other matters afflicting af-flicting the intercourse and progress of modern communities. Departmeut of the Interior! The report of tho secretary of the interior in-terior exhibits with great fullness aud clearness the work of that great department 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 settlement 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 confided con-fided to the executive, agreements have been concluded since March 4. 1M0, involving 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-jf necessary to-carry 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 sanction sanc-tion of congress. . Attention Is also called to the fac that appropriations made in the case r-the r-the Sioux Indians have not covered i the stipulated payments. This shoi'" be promptly corrected. If an agit-c-ment 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 annual 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 expense 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,-OsuVi, $lfi8,"i,3,-OsuVi, 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 comparison, com-parison, the sum $00,802,01)7.112 should be deducted from 4ioth sides of the ac-court. ac-court. Tha surplus for the year, in ' bu'ing the amount applied to the sink-TIund, sink-TIund, was H);.,34 l,4!!(l.()3. The re-I re-I pts for 18iH) were $K,0),ll23.71), aud Ajl expenditures $15,730,871 iu ex-,,! ex-,,! of those of issi). The customs Aipts increased tH33,842.8, and the falpts from internal revenue $11,273,-'iafc' $11,273,-'iafc' t- While on the -side of expendi-that expendi-that for penuons was $l!),312,07.V-"i $l!),312,07.V-"i Jin excess of the preceding year. Tho Jlasury statement for the current fiscal ir, partly actual aud partly esti-Jited, esti-Jited, is as follows: (,jl!ccei pts from all sources, $(00,000.-wjl); $(00,000.-wjl); total expenditures, 3.Vl,Oi)l),000; javiug a surplus of $o,',000,000, not joking the postal receipts into tho account 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 estimated 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-iag be-iag equal, are not included in this statement state-ment ou either sido. The Kllllni; of llurruncla. The killing of (icneral llarrunda, on board the Pacitio mail steamer Aca-pulco, Aca-pulco, while anchored in transit in the port of San Jose De Guatemala, demanded de-manded a careful inquiry. Having failed in a revolutionary attempt to invade 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 refused 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 i letter was produced to the captain of the Aeapulco by tho military commander comman-der at San Jose as his warrant to take the passenger from tho steamer. General 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 compliance com-pliance with the demands of tho Guat-amalian Guat-amalian authorities to authorize and effect ef-fect in violation of precedent, this seizure 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 1 W jfllic several months they ' h:Vel A'jon duty, no cn.se of contagious conta-gious i.'lm-pneumonia has been reported! 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-ness wholesome-ness of our meats offered for foreign consumption as is anywhere given to any food product. ' Its nou-acccptance will quite clearly reveal the real motive 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 I that bind us to the states of the western west-ern hemisphere, have been notably strengthened by the conference held in this capital to consider measures for tho general welfare. Pursuant to the 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 ; i under an imperial form of government, shared as a republic in the f deliberations and the results of 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 I regulations suggested have been ; brought to the attention of all the gov ernments represented, and their gen-rial gen-rial adoption is confidently expected. ; ! Tho legislation of congress at the last session is in conformity with tho propo-r 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 operations 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 justice jus-tice is one of the executive departments some reference to the work done is appropriate. ap-propriate. A vigorous and in the main effective effort has been made to bring i 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 abolished abolish-ed or suspended. I have directed the postmaster-general 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 offenders of-fenders to punishment. The Delnicoa Kay Hallway. In the summer of 1889 an incident occurred, which for some timo threatened threat-ened to interrupt the cordiality of our relations with the government of Portugal. Portu-gal. That government seized the uelago Bay railway which was constructed con-structed under a concession granted to an American citizen and at the same timo aunuled tho charter. The concessionary con-cessionary who had embarked his fortune for-tune in the enterprise, having exhausted exhaus-ted other means of redress was compelled com-pelled to invoke the protection of his government. Our representations made coinadently with those of tho British, whose subjects were also largely large-ly interested, happily resulted in the recognition by Portugal of the propriety 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 readily readi-ly concurred in the proposal to submit the case to the judgment of three eminent emi-nent jurists, to be designated by the president of the Swiss republic, who upon the joint invitation of the governments govern-ments of the United States, (ireat Britain and Portugal has selected persons per-sons well qualified for tho task before them. Vaet Sugar Intlugtry. Tho information given by the secretary secre-tary of the progress and the prospects of tho beet sugar industry is full of interest. in-terest. It has already passed the experimental 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 recommendation 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 Santiago Santi-ago warrant the expectation of an early aud satisfactory adjustment. The DWablllty Ti-nMon 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 assigned as-signed to work, and a considerable part of the force engaged in the examinations examina-tions in the field was recalled and added ad-ded to the working force of the office. The examination and adjudication 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 injustice injus-tice to the soldiers. The anticipated expenditure while very large, will not, it is believed be in excess of the estimates 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 appointment appoint-ment in the classified service with fidelity and impartiality, and the service 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 appropriation. The Silver Levant ion. The act directing silver bullion aiid issue of treasury notes thereon, approved ap-proved July 14, 1800, has been administered admin-istered by the secretary of the treasury with an earnest purpose to get into circulation 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 influenced in-fluenced in some degree, and was followed fol-lowed by speculation, and the reaction is part of the result of the same cause and part of the recent monetary disturbances. 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 secured 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 silver 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 unlikely un-likely to suggest a re-examination 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 agreement 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 correspondence'. corre-spondence'. The communications of the Chinese minister have brought into view the whole subject of our conventional 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 government 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 Ber-1 1 i ii of 18H4. The United States not be-I 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, s for a time withheld, the general acts "i 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 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 involved 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 discrimination, dis-crimination, I sincerely hope that such revision as will satisfy the legitimate expectations of the Japanese government govern-ment and maintain the present and long-existing 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 disclosing disclos-ing that a very large number of fraudulent 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 naturalization 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-lirst 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 employment em-ployment and better wages for our working people and an increased supply 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 influence influ-ence of the non-Mormon 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 forbidden forbid-den by the laws of the laud has attracted at-tracted wide attention aud it is hoped that its influence will be highly beneficial bene-ficial in restraining infractions of the laws of the United States. But the fact should not be overlooked 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 selected 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 continue con-tinue to be cordial. Our representative at that court has very diligently urged the removal of the restrictions imposed i upon our meat products and it is be- i lieved that substantial progress has i 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 prohibit, pro-hibit, but in fact liceused what it purported 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 considerations considera-tions of intimate intercourse and reciprocal recip-rocal interest, has never been more conspicuous than now, nor more hopeful 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 intimacy in-timacy of traffic and open new channels of aioess to fresh areas of demand and supply. The importance of the Mexican Mexi-can railway system will be further enhanced en-hanced to a degree almost impossible to forecast, if it should become a link in the projected Inter-Continental railway. 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 conditions 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-shows Money in Circulation. The efforts of the secretary to increase in-crease the volume of money in circulation 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. j The Samoan treaty, signed last year The New State. The admission of the states of Wyo- ""V L kept constantly in mind unci no effort lias been or will ho spared to promote that oiid. We .ire under no disadvantage disadvant-age in any foreign market except that we pay our wo: king men and working women better wages than are paid elsewhere; else-where; better abstractly; better relatively rela-tively to tho cost of tho necessaries of life. to be confessed without shame and can not be given any weight in the discussion discus-sion without dishonor. No choice is left with me but to enforce with vigor nil laws intended to secure to the citizen citi-zen his constitutional rights and to recommend that the adoquatoness of such laws bo promptly remedied, if to promote with zeal and ready interest every project for the development develop-ment of its mnterial interests; its rivers, harbors, mines anil factories, and the intelligence, peace and security under the law of its communities and its homes, is not accepted as sullicient evidence of friendliness to any state or section, I cannot add connivance at election practices that not only disturb local results, but rob the electors of other states and sections of their most priceless political rights. dams or canals, but should limit all work to such, surveys and observations as will determine the water supply, both surface and subterranean. Tho areas capable of irrigation and the use of the 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 or to individuals or associations upon tho condition that tho necessary works should be constructed and the water furnished at fair rates without discrimination. discrim-ination. The rates to be subjected to provisions by the legislatures or by boards of water commissioners, duly constituted. The essential thing to be secured is the common and equal use at fair rates of tho accumulated water supply. It were almost Better that these land sshould remain arid than that those who occupy them should become the slaves of unrestrained unre-strained monopolies, controlling the essential element of land values and crop results. rail to Vancouver an estimated annual im-onio of $75,000, while, as I have stated, we are paying out for the support sup-port of the steamship lino that brings this mad to us only $M,O0i), leaving an annual surplus resulting from this service of $10,000. Tho trade of the United States with Australia, which is in a considerable part carried by these steamers, steam-ers, and tho whole of which is practically dependent upon the mail communication which they maintain largely in our favor. Our total exports of merchandise to Australian ports during the liscal vear ending Juno HO, 100, were ll,Sfili,481, while tho total imports of merchandise from these ports were only l. 277, 070. If wo are not willing to sue this importance to ship lino withdrawn or continued with Vancouver substituted for San Francisco, Fran-cisco, as the American terminal, congress con-gress shoulil put it in tho power of tho postmaster-general to make a liberal increase in the amount now paid for the transportation of this important mail. balanco in our favor of ?08,000,000. The bank clearings, which furnish a good list of the volume of business transacted for the first ten months of the year 1W0, stood .is compared with the same months of 1880, an increase lor the whole country of about 8 per cent while the increase outside the city of New York, was over 13 per cent. During the month of October the clearings clear-ings of the whole country showed an increaso of 3.1 per cent over October 180, whilo outside of New York tl.e increase in-crease was 1H pur cent. These ligurcs show that the increase in volume of business was very general throughout the country. That this larger business was being conducted upou a safo and profitable basis is shown by tho fact that there were 800 less failures re ported in October lHK'.lthan in tho same month of tho preceding year, with liabilities diminished by about $5,000,-000. $5,000,-000. Tho value of our exports of domestic merchandise" during the last year was over $115,000,000 greater than the pro-I pro-I ' ceding yer.r, ami was only exceeded once in our history. About $100,000,000 of this excess was in agricultural pro-duets. pro-duets. The production of pig iron, always a good gauge of the general prosperity, is shown by a recent census bulletin to have been '153 per cent greater in 1800 than in 1880, and the production of steel 2U0 per cent greater. Mining in coal has had no limitation, except that resulting from inefficient transportation. . The geueral testimony is that labor is everywhere fully employed, em-ployed, and the reports for the last year show a smaller number of employes affected by strikes and lockouts than in any year since 1884. Ill Iteg-ard to Reciprocity. I do not doubt that u very largely increased in-creased foreigu trade is accessible to us without bartering for cither our home market for such products of tho farm and shop as our own people can supply, or the wages of our working people. In many of the products of wood and iron, and in meats ami breadstuff's, we have advantages that onlv need better facilities facil-ities of intercourse and transportation to secure for them large foreign interests. inter-ests. The reciprocity clause of the tarilT act wisely ami in effect opens the way to secure a large reciprocal trade in exchange for the free adoption to our points certain products. The right of independent nations to make special reciprocal trade concussions is well established es-tablished and does not impair either. The comity due to other powers or what is known as the "favored nation clause," so generally found in commercial commer-cial treaties, that what is given to one for an adequate agreed consideration cannot be claimed by another freely. The state of tho revenue was such that we could dispose with any import duties upon coffee, tea. hides and the lower grades of sugar and molasses. That the largo advantage resulting to the countries producing and exporting these articles by placing them on tho The General Appropriation 11IIU. The preparation of the general appropriation ap-propriation bills should be conducted with the greatest care and closest scrutiny scru-tiny of expenditure. Appropriations should be adequate to the needs of the fuiblic service, but they should be abso-utely abso-utely free from prodigality. I venture again to remind you that the brief time remaining for tho consideration con-sideration of the important legislation now awaiting yout attention, offers no margin for waste. If the present duty Is discharged with diligence, fidelity and courage, the work of the Fifty-first congress may be confidently submitted to the considerate judgment of the people. peo-ple. (Signed) Benjamin Harrison. Executive Mansion; Dec. 1, 1800. Piutal Telegraph. The use of the telegraph by the post-office post-office department as a means for tho rapid transmission of written communication commu-nication is, I believe, upon proper terms quite desirable. The government govern-ment does not own or operate the railroads rail-roads and it should not, I think, own or operate the telegraph lines. It does however, seem to bo quite practicable for tho government to contract with the telegraph company as it does with the railroads to carry at specified rates such communications as the sender may designate for this method of transmission. transmis-sion. I recommend that such legislation legisla-tion be enacted as will enable the post-oflice post-oflice department fairly to test by experiment ex-periment the advantages of such a use of the telegraph. ihe south Atlantic and gulf ports occupy oc-cupy a very favored position towards the new and importantcoininerce which tho reciprocity clause of the tariff act and the postal shipping bill are designed to promote, steamship lines from these ports to somo northern part of South America will almost certainly cer-tainly effect, a connection between the railroad systems of the continent, loni before any continuous lino of railroad bo put in operation. Tho very large appropriation made at the last session for tho harbor of (ialveston was justified justi-fied us it seemed to be, by those considerations. consid-erations. The great northwest will feel the advantage of trunk lines to the south as well as to the east, and of the new markets opened for the supply of food products and for many of their manufactured products. free list, entitled us to expect a fair.re-turn, fair.re-turn, in any way, of customs concessions conces-sions upon articles listed by us to them was so obvious that to have gratuitously gratuitous-ly abandoned this opportunity to enlarge en-large our trado would have been an unpardonable error. There were but two methods of maintaining main-taining control of this qtmstiou 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 reim position of specilied duties if the countries from which we received them should refuse J to give us suitable reciprocal benclits. I This latter method possesses great advantages. It expresses in advance the consent of congress to the reciprocity reci-procity arrangements affecting this product, pro-duct, which must otherwise have been delayed and unascertained until each treaty was ratified by tho senate and the necessary legislation enacted by congress. Experience has shown that somo treaties looking to reciprocal trade have failed to seeury a two-thirds two-thirds vote in the senate for ratification ratifica-tion and others, having passed that slago, have for years awaited tho concurrence con-currence of tho house and senato in such modifications of our revenue law as were necessary to give effect to their provisions. We now have tho concurrence concur-rence of both houses in advance to a The Recent Monetary Stringency. The depression in tho prices of agricultural agri-cultural products had been greatly relieved re-lieved and a buoyant, hopeful feeling was beginning to be experienced by all our people. These promising influences influ-ences have boon in somo degree cheeked by the surprising and very unfavorable un-favorable monetary events which have recently taken place in England. It is gratifying to know this did not grow in anv degreo out of the financial relations in London with our people oroutof any discredit attached to our securities 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 securi-ties themselves. Wo could not, however, how-ever, wholly escape ihe ill effects of a foreign monetary agitation, accompanied accompa-nied by such incidents as characterized this. It is not believed, however, that , these evil incidents which have for the ' timo unfavorably affected values in this country can long withstand the strong, safe and wholesome influences which aro .operating to give to our people profitable pro-fitable returns in all branches of legitimate legiti-mate trade and industry. An I nternatlouat Auierinan Hank. I had occasion in my last message to transmit to congress a report adopted by the International American conference confer-ence upon the subject of the incorporation incorpora-tion of an International American bank, with a view to facilitating money exchanges between the states represented repre-sented in that conference. Such an institution would greatly promote the trado we are seeking to developo. I renew tho recommendation that a charter be granted. 1 do not think the powers granted should include those ordinarily exercised bv trust guarante and safo deposit companies or that more brandies in the L'nited States should bo authorized than are strictly necessary to accomplish the object primarily pri-marily in view, namely the convenient foreign exchanges. It is quite important impor-tant that prompt action should betaken in this matter in order that any appropriation appro-priation in order for better communication communi-cation with those countries and any agreement that may bo made for reciprocal recip-rocal trado, may not tie hindred for the convenience of making exchanges throughout European money centers or burdened by tho tribute which is an incident in-cident of that method of business. A National Election Law. If any intelligent aud loyal company of Auiurican citizen were required to catalogue the essential baman conditions con-ditions of national life, I do not doubt that with absolute unamity, these would begin with "free and honest elections," and it is gratifying to know that generally there is a growiug and non-partisan demand for better election elec-tion laws, but against the sign of hoped progress must be set the depressing unil undeniable fact that election laws and methods are sometimes cunningly contrived to insure the minority control, con-trol, while violence completes the shortcomings of fraud. In my last annual message I suggested that tho adoptmeut of the existing law providing a federal supervision of congressional con-gressional elections offered an effective method of reforming these abuses. The need of such a law has manifested itself it-self in many purts of the country and its wholesome restraints and penalties will be useful in all. The constitutionality constitution-ality of such legislation has been af-lirn af-lirn e I by the supreme court. Its probable prob-able effectiveness is evidenced by tho character of the opposition that is made to it. It has been denounc-d, as if it were a new .exercise- of fed' ral power and an invasion of the rights of the states. Nothing could be further from tho truth. Congress has already fixed the time for the election of members of congress. It has declared that the vote for mem berg of congress must be by Hellef of Ih i Siip-eine Court. The bill for tho relief of the supreme court has after many years discussion, reached a position when final action is easily attainable and it is hoped that any differences of opinion may be so harmonized as to save the essential features fea-tures of this very important measure. In this connection 1 earnestly renew my recommendation that the salaries of judges of tho L'nited States District courts be so readjusted that nono of them shall receive loss than $51)01) per annum. distinct and definite free entry to our ports of specilic articles. The executive is not required to deal iu conjecture as to what congress will accept. Indeed this reciprocity provision is more than an offer. Our part of tho bargain is complete, delivery has been made aud when countries from which we receive sugar, coffee, tea and hides have placed on their free lists such of our products as shall bo agreed upon as an equivalent for our concession, a proclamation of that fact completes the transaction and in the meantime our people have free coffoe, tea and hides. The indications thus far given are very hopeful of early and favorable action by the countries from which we receive our large imports of coffee and sugar, and it is confidently believed that if steam communication with these countries coun-tries can be promptly improved and enlarged, next year will show a most gratifying increaso in our exports of Ibrtjadsluffs and provisions as well as of flome important lines of manufactured Tjoods. , written or printed ballot. It has provided pro-vided for appointment by tho circuit courts in certain cases and upon the petition of a certain number of citizens; of election supervisors and made it their duty to supervise the registration of voters' conducted by the state officers; offi-cers; to challenge persons offering to register; to pevsiinally inspect and scrutinize scru-tinize tho registry lists and to affix I their names to tbo lists for the purpi" of ident tication ami the prevention! frauds; to attend at elections and 1 main with tho boxes until the atoir all cast and counted; to attach t l registry lists and, election returns! ' statement touching the accuracy! J I fairness of the registry and electiJT s take and transmit to the clerk oil C; 1 house of representatives any evidetl of fraudulent practices which ilf be presented to them. The same Ww provides for the appointment of depkv United States marshals to attend, polls; support the supervisors in sje discharge of their duties and to arrt persons violating the election laws The provisions of this familiar title If jjio revised statutes have been put into exorcise by betli the great political par-tie par-tie s and in the north as well as in the south by the filing with the court of the petitions required by law. It is The New Tariff. The apprehension that our tariff may again and at once be subjected to important im-portant geueral changes would undoubtedly un-doubtedly add a depressing influence of the most Berious character. The general gen-eral tariff act has only partially gone into operation, some of its important provisions being limited to take effect at dates yet in the futuro. The general provisions of the law have been in force less than sixty days. Its permanent effect upon trade and prices still largely stand in conjecture. It is curious to note that the advance iu the prices of articles wholly unaffected by the tariff act, was by many hastily ascribed to - that act. Notice was not taken of the facawst t)w geueral tendeucy of the ;,-' pward from influences Ffrom the Keent tariff hn enLnrgijf of bur nnj up-liind up-liind a Vatural Nation Vvrl' I ctt'"ulic'ii0 ' :.ti a party cauTuTV Uuo i always, and necessal y(Tj?fo-( y(Tj?fo-( " Jluot of compromise, as t Tlotails, '- itnd .the present law is rl Iception. But in its general scope aTrJeffect it will justify the support of those who believe be-lieve that American legislation should conserve and defend American trado aud the wages of American workmen. The misinformation! as to the terms of the act which has been so widely disseminated dis-seminated at home and abroad will bo corrected by experience, and tho evil auguries as to its results confounded by tho market reports, the savings bank, international trade balances, and the general prosperity of our people. Already Al-ready we begin" to hear from abroad aud from our custom houses that the prohibitory effect upon importations imputed to the act is not justified. Kpanish and Mexican I-nn l Or ants. The subject of unadjusted Spanish and Mexican laud grants aud the urgent ur-gent necessity for providing some commission com-mission or tribunal for tho treatment of questions growing 'therefrom was t.oa-brought Iff me to the attention of congress at the last session. Bills havo been reported from the proper committees commit-tees of both houses on tiie subject and I very earnestly hopo that this congress will put an end to tho delay which has attended the settlements of disputes s to tho well being of matters and claims under these grants. These disputes retard re-tard prosperity and disturb the peace of largo aud important communities. The governor of New Mexico in his last report to tho secretary of the interior suggests some modifications of tho provision pro-vision of pending bills relating to small holdings of farm lands. I commend to your attention the suggestion of the secretary of tho interior upon this subject. Bills on Ihe Calendars. In addition to tho bills that became laws before tho adjournment of the last session, aomo other bills of the highest Lmportanco were well advanced toward V tinal vote and now stand upon the calendars cal-endars of the two houses in favored T).sition9. The present session has a fixed limit, and if these measures are not now brought to a linal vote, all the work that has been done upon them by this congress is lost. The proper consideration con-sideration of these, of an apportionment bill and of the annual appropriation bills, will require not only that no working work-ing day of the session shall be allowed to interrupt or retard tho progress oi those that aro of universal interest. In view of these conditions I refrain from bringing before you at this time somo suggestions that would otherwise be made, and most earnestly evoke your attention to the duty of perfecting the important legislation now well advanced. A National Bankrupt Law. Tho enactment of n national bankrupt bank-rupt law I still regard as very desirable. The constitution having given to congress con-gress jurisdiction of this subject, it ought to be exercised and uniform rules provided for tho administration of the affairs of insolvent debtors. Tho inconvenience incon-venience resulting from the occasional and temporary exercise of this power by congress and from the conflicting state codes on insolvency, which come into force intermediately, should bo removed re-moved by the enactment of a simple, inexpensive and permanent national bankrupt law. I also renew my recommendation favoring legislation affording just copyright copy-right protection for foreign authors on a footing of reciprocal advantage for authors abroad. not, therefore, a question whether we shall have a federal election law, for we now have one and havn had for nearly twenty years, but whether we shall have aii effective law. Tho present law stops just short of effectiveness, for it surrenders to the local authorities all the control 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 purity of the electors must be maintained or everything that is valuable valu-able in our system of government is lost. The qualifications of an elector must be sought in the law, not in the opinions, prejudice or fears of any cfass, however powerful. The path of the elector to the ballot box must be free from the ambush of fear and the enticement entice-ment of fraud; the count so true and open that none shall gainsay it. Such a law shoubl be absolutely non-partisan and impartial. It should give the advantage to honesty and the control to majorities. Surely there is nothing sectional about this creed, and if it shall happen that tho penalties of laws intended to enforce en-force these rights fall here and not there, it is not because the law is sectional, sec-tional, but because, happily, crime is local and not universal, nor should it be forgotten. American Steamship Lines. To some of these measures which seem to me most important, I now briefly call your altention. I desire to repeat with added urgency tho recommendation recom-mendation contained in my last annual message, iu relation to the development of American steamship lines. The reciprocity rec-iprocity clause of tho tariff bill will be largely limited aud its benclits retarded and dimished, if provision is not contemporaneously con-temporaneously to encourage the establishment es-tablishment of 'first class steam communication commu-nication between our ports and the ports of such nations as may meet our overtures for enlarged en-larged commercial exchanges. The steamship carrying the mails steadily and frequently and offering to passengers a comfortable, snfe and speedy transit, is the lirst condition of foreign trade. It carries tho order of the buyer, but not all that is ordered or bought. It gives to the sailing vessels ves-sels such cargoes as are urgent or perishable, per-ishable, and indirectly at least promotes pro-motes that important adjunct of commerce. com-merce. There is now both in this country and in the nations of Xorth and South America expectation and contidence as to an increased trade that will give double value to your prompt action upon this question. The preseut situation of our mail communication wilh Australia, illustrates illus-trates tho importance of early action by congress. The Oceanic Steamship com- I he imports at the port of New York for the lirst three weeks of November were nearly 8 per cent, greater than for tho same period iu iwu, and 21) per pent, greater than in the same period of . ,'J9Hrt, anc 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 trado than we have ever enjoyed, and that we shall recover a proportion-ale proportion-ale participation iu tho 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 crit ics really believe that tho adoption by us of a free trade policy or of tariif rates having reference solely to revenue, reve-nue, would diminish the participation of their own countries in the commerce of the world, their advocacy and the , promotion by speech and other forms of organized effort of this movement among our people, is a rare exhibition of unselfishness in trado, and on tho other hand if they sincerely believe that the adoption of a protective tariff policy poli-cy by this country inures to their profit nnd our hurt, it is noticeably strange that they should lead the outcry against the authors of a policy so hopei'ul to their countrymen and crown with their favor those" who would snatch from them a substantial share of a trade with other lauds already inadequate to their necessities. Couples and Brakes. It may still ho possible for this congress con-gress to inaugurate, by suitable legislation, legisla-tion, a movement looking to uniformity and increased stability in use of couples and brakes upon freight trains engaged in interstate commerce. The chief difficulty dif-ficulty in the way is to secure an agreement agree-ment as to the best appliances, simplicity simplic-ity and effectiveness aud cost being considered This difficulty will only yield to legislation which should be based upon full inquiry and impartial tests. The purpose should be to secure tho co-operation of all well disposed managers and owners, but the fearful fact that every years' delay involves the loss cf two thousand lives and the maiming of 20. 0'.IO young men should plead both with the congress and the managers against any needless delay. That every law, whether relating to elections or to any other subject, whether enacted by the state or by the nation, has force behind it. Tho courts, the marshal or constable, the posse comitatus, the prison, are all and always al-ways behind the law. One cannot be justly charged with unfriendliness to any section or class who seeks ouly to restrain violations of law and of'per-sonal of'per-sonal right. No community will lind lawlessness protitable. No community can afford to havo it known that tho officers of-ficers who aro charged with the preservation preser-vation of the public peace and tho restraint re-straint of the criminal classes are themselves them-selves the product of fraud or violence. The magistrate is then without respect and tho law without sanction. The floods of lawlessness can be levied and made to run in one channel. Tho killing of an Arid Lands and Irrigation. The subject of tho conversion and equal distribution of tho water supply in the arid regions has had much attention atten-tion from congress, but has not as yet been put up iu a permanent and satisfactory satis-factory basis. The urgeucy of the subject sub-ject does not grow out of any large present demand for tho use of the lands for agriculture, but out of the danger that tho water supply and tho sites for the necessary catch basins may fall iuto the hands of individuals or private corporations. and used to render subservient large areas dependent on such supply. The owner of water is the owner of the lands, however the titles may run. All unappropriated water sources and all necessary reservoirs should be held by the government for the equal use at fair rates of the homestead sett lers, who will eventually take up these lands. The United States should not in my opinion undertake the construction of pauy maintains a line of steamers between be-tween San l'ranciseo. Sydney and Auckland Auck-land constituted of three vessels, two of which aro of United States registry and one of foreign registry. For tho service done by this lino in carrying the mails, we pay annually the sum of $10,000, being estimated tho full sea and United States inland postage, which is the limit fixed by law The colonies of New South Wales and New Zealand havo been paying annually to these I'llT.OOO for carrying tho mails from Sydney and Auckland to San Francisco. Fran-cisco. The contract under which this payment has been made is now about to expire and these colonies havo refused to renew tho eon-tract eon-tract unless the United States shall pay a more equitable proportion of the sum necessary to hold the service. I am advised by tiie postmaster general gen-eral that the United States receives for carrying tho Australian mails brought to ban I rancisco in these steamers by 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 for ourselves those advantages ad-vantages that fairly grow out of our favored position as a nation. Our form of government with its incident of universal suffrage, makes it imperative impera-tive that we shall savo our working people from tho agitations and distresses dis-tresses which scant work that leaves no margin for comfort, always beget. But after all this is done it will be I found that our markets are open to f .lriendly commercial exchanges of enormous value to other great powers. From the time of my induction into office the duty of using ewery power and influence given by law to tiie executive exec-utive department, for the development of larger markets for our products, es paoially our farm products, has been United States marshal, carrying a writ of arrest for an election ofi'ense, is full of prompting and offense to men who are pursued by a city marshal for a crime against life or property. Hut it is said that this legislation will revive animosities, and some have even suggested sug-gested that when tho peaceful methods of fraud are made impossible, they may be supplanted by intimidation and violence. If the proposed law give anv qualified elector more than his equal influence or detract by so much from any other qualified elector, it is fatally impeached, but if the law is equal and the animosities it is to invoke grow out of the fact that that some electors have been accustomed to exercise the franchise) fran-chise) for others, as well as for themselves, them-selves, then these animosities ought not j |