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RECORDER MONTEREY, HIGHLAND COUNTY, VA., DECEMBER 18,18%. NO. 2. THE MESSAGE. . . .A ? m ?*, i Hr. Cleveland's Last Review of the Country's Conditioa. CUBA THE CHIEF TOPIC. Cuban Home Rule Under Our Guar? antee Suggested to Spiiru ?** If hea Spain la Helpless In the Island Then St*Cleveland Thinks We Should Inter. fere?*A Limit to Our Vfaitliis;"? Turkish Atr.-cities .Scored and Vonez. nolan Dispute Declared Diulod?Tho Present Tariff JLaw Is Approved-?Cur roney Reforms Suggested?Greenbacks Should Es Retired by Long-Term Bonds?The Reports of Departments. Washinoto**, Dooember 8.?In his annun* message to Congross President Cleveland Bays: To tha Congress of tho United States: As represontaivas ot the people in tho leg? islative branch of thoir Government, you have assemblod nt u timo whoa tho strength and excellence of our froe institutions and the fitness of our citizens to enjoy popular rule havo boen again made manifest. A po? lities! contest involving momentous conse* (faence?, fraught Tvith feverish apprehension and creating aggressiveness so intense a3 to approach bitterness and passion, has been wngod throughout our lana, and determined by the decree of free and Independent suf? frage, -without disturbance of our tranquillity or the least sign of weakness in our National structure. When we consider theso incidents and contemplate the peaceful obodienoe and manly submission which have succeeded n herded clash of political opinions, we dis? cover abundaut evidence of a determination on tho [art of our countrymen to abide by ?rory verdict ot the popular will, and to bo QOQtrolled nt all t ines by au abiding faith in tho agencies establisho 1 for the direction of tho affairs of I heir Government. In obedience to a constitutional require? ment, I herein submit to the Congress cer? tain Information concerning national affairs*, with tho suggestion of such legislation as in my judgment is necessary and expedient. To tecure brevity and avoid tiresome narra? tion, I shall omit many details concerning matters within Federal control, which, though by no means unimportant, are mom profitably discussed in depart mental reports. The Armenian Question. At the cutset of a reference to the moro im? portant -mat tera affect ing our relation* with Foreign powers, it wou'd afford mo satisfac? tion If I could assure the Cougre.ss that the di?turbed oulition in Asiatic Turkey had during tbe pant yent assumed a les3 hideous and bloody aspect, and thal either as a con. ssqueneo of the awakening of tho Turkish Government to tho dimonds of humane civi? lization, or as the result of decisive action on the part of tho great nations having the right by treaty to interfere for tho protection ot thott exposed to tho rage of mad bigotry and cruel fanaticism, tho shocking features of tht situation had been mitigated. lustead, howtvtr, of welcomiug a softened disposi? tion or protective intervention, we have been afflicta'1. ],y continued and not unfrequent reports or ihe wauton destruction of homos and the bloody butchery of mon. women and ehildren, made martyrs to their profession of Chrittian faith. Whilt none of our citizens In Turkey have thus far been killed or woundod, though of? ten in the midst of dreadful scenes of dangar, their safety in tho future is by no means as? sured. Our Govormeut at homo and our Minister at Constanitnople havo left nothing undone to protect our missionaries lu Otto? man territory, who cmstitutt* nearly aU the Individual.* residing there who havo a right to elaim our protection on the score of Amer? ican oitiaenship. Our efforts in this direc? tion will not bo relaxed; but the deep feeing and sympathy tbat have beeu aroused among our peoplo ouxht not to so far blind their r*?a?on and judgment as to lead them to de? mand impo.ssible ihings. The outbreaks of blind fury which lead to murder and pillage la Turkey occur suddenly an 1 without no? tice, nnd nn attempt on our part to forco such a hostile presence ther3 as might bo effective for prevention or protection would Bot only by resisted bj- the Ottoman Govern? ment, but would be regarded ns an inter? ruption of thoir plans by tho grpat nation* Wbo assort thoir exclusive right to intervene In their own timo and method for tho secur? ity of lifo and property in Turkey. Caring for Our Subjects in Turkey. Several naval vessols nre stationed in tho Mediterranean as a measure of caution an I to furni?h all possible relief anl refuge in casa of emergency. Wa havo made claims against the Turkish tjovernment for the pillage nnd destrustion of missionary property at Harpoot and Mar ash during uprisings at thoso places. Thus {ar tho validity of thc6e demands ha3 not beon admitted, though our Miuister, prior to turh outrages and in anticipation of dan? ger, demanded protection for tho peaont and property of our missionary citizens in the localities mentioned, and notwithstand? ing that strong evidence exists of act cal eomplicity of Turkish soldiers in tho work Df | deetniction nod robbery. ,The facts as they now appear do not per? il us to doubt the justice of theso claim?, hd nothing will be omited to bring a' e t |elr prompt settlement. number of Armenian refugees having vod at our ports, an order has lately beni Obtained from the Turkish Government per? miting tho wives and children of such rofu i to join thom here. It is hoped that Breaftor no oos'acle will bo interposed to .??vent the escapo of alt Ihoso who seek to >ld the perils which threaten thom in ,'kish dominions. ir recently appointed Comsul to Erzerum his post and diaSohnrgiug the duties of )ffloe, though for some unaccountable jnhi.s formal exequatur from tho Sultan lot been issued. \o not believe that tho present sombre jpnet in Turkey will be long por.mitte i lo td the sight of Christendom. It so mars lumaneand enlightouo-J civilization that pgs to tho close of tho nineteenth cen tbnt lt soems hardly possible that tho [st d -? .plo throughout ellar rorld for Its corrective treat iu unanswered. ihe Insurrection in Cub.. [incrrrrection in Cuba still continues its pf rp. ixities. It is difficult to j that any progress has thus far been j.war.1 tho ( aciilcation of tho island nhc situation of affairs as depleted hist annual message bas iu tho If Spain still holds Havana f-jeaporta and all tho considerable o insurgents still roam at w.H over ro-thlrds of the iulaud country. If Jifuation of Spain tc put down the |on seems but to strengthen with of lime, and is evinced by hor uu f devotion of largely increased mit aaval forces to the task, there is .. to believe thnt Ihe insurgents .1 in point oT numbers and charac )urce?, .".nd are nouo tho leas in aiheir resolve not to succumb, Without practically securing tho gfeat ob? jects for which they took up arm-*. If Spaia has not yet re-os-tnblished her Kuthoritv, neithor bara tho inanrgonts yet mnri-i Rood their title to bo regarded ns rta independent State. Indeed, as the conte*t has gone on, tho pretence that eivl government exists on tho island, except so iar as Spain is ablo to maintain it, has been praotically abandoned. Spain does koop ou foot such a government, moro or less im? perfectly, in the large towns and their im? mediate suburb3. But, lhat exception being made, the entire country is either given over to nnarchy or is subject to the military occupation of one or the other party- It is reported, indeod, on reliable authority that, nt the demand of tho Commander-in-Chief of the insurgent army, the putative Cuban Government has now given up all attempt to exercise its functions, leaving that govorn? ment confessedly (what there is the best reason for supposing it always to havo been in fact) a government merely ou paper. Thinks the Cuban War May Re Pro* longeil Indefinitely. Were Ihe Spanish armies able to meat their antagonists in the open, or in pitched battle, prompt and decisive results might bs looked for, and the immense superiority of the Spanish forces ia numbers, discipline and equipment could hardly fall to tell greatly to their advantage. But they are oalicd upon to face a foe that shuni general engagements, that can ohooso and does choose its own ground, that from tho na? ture of the oountry it vlaibl"* or invisible at pleasure, and that nght3 only from ambut cade and when all tho advantages of position and numbers are on its sido. In a country where ail that is indispensable to life in tho way of food, clothing and shelter ls so easily obtainable, etpecia'ly by those born and bred on tho soil, it is obvious that there is hardly a limit to the timi during which hostilities of this sort may bs pro? longed. Meanwhilo, as in nil cates of pro? tracted civil strife, the passions of the com? batants grow more and more inflamed and excesses on both sides become more frequent an 1 more deplorable. They are also partiol pated in by bands of marauders, who, now in the name of one party and now in 1hti name ot tho other, ns may best suit the oc? casion, harry the country at will and plun? der Its wretched inhabitant^ for their ow i advantage. Such a condi.'lon of thingt would inevitably entail Immense destruction of property, even if it were tho policy ol both parties to prevent it aa far as practica? ble. But while snob seemed to be the origi? nal policy of the Spanish Government, it has now apparently abandoned it and Is acting upon tho s.aaia theory as tho lnsurerant?1, numoly, that the exigencies ot the contest re? quire the wholesale annihilation of property. that it may not prove of use and advantage to the enemy. It ls to the same end that in pursuance of general orders Spanish garrisons are now being withdrawn from plantations nn I the rural population required to eonceutrale tt solt in tho towns. The sure resu't would seem to be that tho induttrial value of the Isl-rn 1 is fast diminishing, nnd that unlesi there is a speedy and ra Heal change in ex? isting conditions it will toon disappear alto? gether. That value oomists very lurgoly, of course, in its capacity to pro? duce sugar?a capacity already much reduced by the interruptions to till? age, which have taken place during tha last two years. It ls reliably asserted that should those intorruptioas continue during the current year and praotloally extend, at ir now threatened, to thoentlretugnr-produa ing territory of tho island, to much time and so much money will bs required to restore the land to its normal productiveness that it is cxtremoly doubtful if oapitnl cnn bo in? duced to even mako tho attempt. Our I'ecun'.ar.r Interest In Cuba. The spectacle of the utter ruin of an ad? joining oountry, by nature one of the most fertile and charming on the globe, would en? gage the serious attention of the Government and peoplo of the United States in any cir? cumstances. In poinl of faot, they havea concern with it which is by no means of a wholly sentimental or philanthropic charac? ter. It Iles so near to us as to be ha**dly separated from our territory. Our aoiual pecuniary interest in it it second only to that of the people and Government of Spain. It is reasonably estimated that at least from $30,000,000 to $50,000,000 of American capital are invested in plaatatlcns and in railroad, mining nnd other business enterprises on tho island. Th* vol? ume of trade bal ween the United States aid Cuba, whloh in 1889 amounted to about ffJi.OUO OOO, rose in 1893 to about 1103,000, 000, and in 1891, the year before the present insurrection broke out, amounted to nearly e%,01t?,0)0. Besides thit large peouninry stake in the fortuuet of Cuba, the United States fluds itself inextricably involved in the present contest in other ways both vexa? tious .md costly. Many Cubans reside in this country and in? directly promote the insurrection through tho pres;, by public meetings, oy the pur? chase and shipment of aftns, by the raising of funds, and by other means, which the spirit of our institutions and the tenor of our law3 do not permit to bo made the subject Of criminal prosecutions. Some of them, though Cubans at h?art and in all their feelings and interests, have taken out papers as natural? ized citizeus ot the United States, a proceed? ing resorted to with a view to possible pro? tection by this Government, and not unnat? urally regarded with much indignation by the couutry of.thelr origin. The insurgents aro undoubtedly encouraged and supported hy tho widespread sympathy tho people of this country always aud instinctively feel for every struggle for better and freer gov. ornmoat, and which, in tte cate of the more adventurous anl restlets elements of our population, leads in only too many instances to active and personal participa? tion in the contest. The result is that this Government is constantly called upon to protect Amerioan citiiens, to olaim damages for injuries to portent and property, now es? timated at inany millions of dollars, and to ask explauatIons and apologies for thu acts of Spanish officials, whose seal for tie re? pression of rebellion sometimes blinds them to tho immunities bolongini* to the unoffend? ing cltiaens of a frendly power. It follow* from tho same causa that the United States is compelled to aotively poltoe a long line of sea co3t against unlawful expeditions, tho escape of whloh the utmost vigilance will not alw.iys suffice to prevent. The Question of Intervention. Theso inevitable enianglements of the United States with the rebellion in Cuba, tho largo American property interests affected, and considerations of philanthropy and hu? manity in general, have led to a vehement demand in various quarters for some sort of positive intervention on the part of the United States. It wat at first proposed that belligerent rights should be acoorded to the insurgents?a proposition no longer urged because untimely aud in practical operation c-loarly jerilous mid injurious lo our own Interests. It lins .since boen and is now sometimes contended that the independence af the insurgents should bo recognized. But imperfect aud ro.stricted as the Spanish acovernmeut of the island mp.y be, no other exists there?unless the will of tho military officer in temporary command of n particular listrict can be dignified as a -species of government. It is now also suggested that :ho United States sboula buy the Island? i suggestion possibly worthy of consideration f thero were any evidence of a desire or willingness on the part of Spain to entertain such a proposal, lt is argod, finally, that, til other methods failing, the existing inter leoine strife in Cab* should be terminated -your intervention, ovon at tho cost of a war between the United States and Spain?a war ivhich its advocates confidently prophesy ?ould be neither large in its proportions nor ioubtful In its issue. Tho correctness of this foTeeaat need be loithvr affirmed nor denied. Tho United ?tates has never!hftless n eharaeter to raain ain ns <* nntion, which plaira.y diotates that ight and not might should be tbe rule of its londnct. And yet aeither the Government ior tho peoplo of the UaitM States hare shut heir eyes to the etrarte of o-frat*! In Crib*-., or lave failed ta realft*** rho existence of con 'flded grievance, which novo led to the pres nt revolt freer), tha authority of Saaln? ?riovances rfec'ognfzod by tbe Quefea llegout and by the Cortes, voiced by the most patri? otic, and enlightened ef Spauith statesmen, without regard to party, and demonstrated by reforms proposod by the executive and approved by the legislative branch of the Spanish Government. It is in tho assumed temper and disposition ol tho Spanish Gov* ernmont to remedy these grievances, fortl ?lel by indications of influential public opinion in Spain, that thia Government has hoped to discover tbe most promising and effective moans of composing tho present strife, with honor and advantage to Spain and with tho achievement of all '.he reason* able objects of the insurrection. Cleveland's Plan for Ending the War. It would seem that if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine autonomy?a mes6ure of home rule which, while preserving tho sov? ereignty of Spain, would satisfy all rational requirements of her Spanish subjects?there should bo no just reason why the pacification of tho island might not be offeoted on that basia Such a result would appear to do in Ihe true interest of all conoerned. It would at onco stop the conflict which ls now con? suming the resources of the island and mak? ing it worthless for whatever party may ul* tlmntely prevail. It would keep intact tho possessions of Spain without touching her honor, whloh will be consulted rather than impugned by the adequate redress ot admitted grievances. It would put the prosperity of the island and the fortunes ot its inhabitants within their own control, without severing the -natural and ancient tUs which bind them to the mother country, and would yet enablo them to test their ca? pacity for self government under tho most favorablo conditions, lt hat been objected on the one side that Spain should not prom* iso autonomy until her insurgent subjects lay down their arms; on tho other tide, that promised autonomy, however liberal, it in? sufficient, because without atsuraace of the promise being fulfilled. But the reasonableness of a requirement by Spain, of unconditional surrender on the part of the insurgent Cubans before their autonomy is conceded, is not altogether ap psrent. It ignores important features of the situation?tho stability two years' duration hat given to the insurrection; the feasibility of itt indefinite prolongation in tho nature of things, and as shown by past expert ince; the utter and imminent ruin of the island, unles? the present strife is speedily composed; above nil, the rank abuses which all partie.s In Spain, all branchs* of her Government and ni I her leading public men concede to exist and profess a desire to remove;,acin^suchclrcnrxss stanees, to withhold Ihe proffer of needed reforms until the parties demanding them put themselves at mercy by throwing down, their arms, has the appearance of neglecting the gravest of perils and inviting suspicion as to tho sincerity of any professed willing? ness to g ant reforms. The objection on be? half of th3 insurgents?that promised re? forms cannot bu relied upon?must of course bi considered, though we havo no right to assurr/.-s, and no reason for assuming, that anything Spain undertakes to do for the ro? llo? of Cuba will not ba done according to both thu spirit and the letter of tha under? taking. United Status' Offered Guarantee. Nevertheless, realizing thnt suspicions and precautions on the part of the weaker of two combatants are always natural and not always unjustifiable -being sincerely desir? ous in thu interest of both, as well as on its owu acoount, that the Coban problem ohould be solved with the least possible delay?lt was iutimated by this Government to the Government of Spain some months ago that, if n satisfactory measure of home rule were tendered the Cuban insurgents, and would bo accepted by them upon a guaranty of its execution, the United States would endeavor to And a wav not objectionable to Spain of furn shins* such guaranty. Whilo no defl nito response to this intimation has yet been received from the Spanish Govern? ment, it is believed to bo not alto ltogothor unwelcome, while, as already suggested, no reason is perceived why it should not bo approved by the insurgents. Neither party can fall lo see the importance of early action, and both must realize lhat to prolong the present st .te of things "for even a short period will add enormously to tho time and labor and expenditure necessary to bring about the industrial recuperation of the Island. It is therefore fervently hoped on nil grounds that earnest efforts for healing the breach between Spain and the insurgent Cubins, npon tho '.Ines above indicated, may be once inaugurated and pushed to an im? mediate and successful issue. Tho friendly offloos of the United States, either in tha manner above outlined or in nny other way consistent with our Constitution and laws, will always be at the disposal of either party. Whatever circumstances may arise, our policy and our interests would constrain us to objeot to the acquisition of the island or an interference with itt tontrol by any other power. A Limit to Oar Pat lenee In Karara" to Spain. It shoul I bs a Jded that it eannot berea tonably assumed that the hitherto expectant attitudeof tho United Statet will be indefi. itoly maintained. While we ara anxious to ace or! all duo respect to the sovereignty ot Spain, we cannot view tho pending conflict in all its features, aud properly apprehend our Inevitably elo-n relations to it, and its possible results, without considering that by tho course of events we may be drawu into such an unusual aad unprecedented, condition as will fix a limit to our patient! waiting for Spain to end the contest, either aloue and in her own way, or with our friendly co-operation. When tho inability of Spain to deal sue cestfully with tho insurrection has bocome runuifeit, and it ls demonstrated that her] sovereignly is extinct in Cuba for all pur-J poses of its rightful existence, aud when a, hopele33 strugglo for its-re-establishment has degenerated into a strife which means noth? ing more than the useless sacrifice of human life and tho utter destruction of tho very subject-matter of the eonflict, a situation will be pri*aentel tn whloh our obligation! io the sovereignty of Spain will be supersed? ed by higher obligation!, whloh we e?a hard? ly hesitate to recognise nnd ditoharga. De terrlng the choiae of ways and methodj until the time for action arrives, we thouin' mike them depend npon the procise eondi tlons thon existing; aud they should nit ba determined upon without giving careful heed to overy consideration involving our honor and interest, or the international daty we owe to Spain. Until wo face the contin? gencies suggested, or the situation is by olher incidents imperatively changed, wo should continue in the line of conduct here? tofore pursued, thus in all circumstances exhibiting our obodionee to the require? ments of public law and onr regard for the duty enjoined upon us by the position wo occupy in tho family of nations. A contemplation of emergencies that may arise shoul't plainly lead us to avoid their erention, either throusrh a careless disregard of present duty or even an undue stinuln tiou aud ill-timed expressiou o' feeling. Bul I havo deemed it not amiss to remind the Congress that a time tuny arrive when a correct policy and caro for ourlnter<*sts, as well as a rejrard for the interest* of other na lious and their citizens, joined by considera? tions of humanity and a desire to see a riett and fertilo country, intimatclv rolatod to us, savod from complete devastation, will con? strain our Government to such action as will subserve tho interests thus involved and at thn sumo timo promise to Cuba and it-** in? habitants au opportunity to enjoy the fcJess ings of peace. The Venezuelan Itonnrfary. Tho Venezuelan boundary question hos ceased lo be a matter of difference between Great Britain and tho United Slates, their respective Governments hr.vlng agreed upon the substantial provisions ot a treaty be? tween Great Britain anl Venezuela submit? ting the whole controversy to arbitration. The provisions of Ihe treaty aro so eminent? ly just and fair, that Ihe asBent of Venezuela thereto may confidently be anticipated. Arbitration Treaty TTith Kn-flan*,. Negotiations for a treaty of genera! arbi? tration, for all dfn*\>rencr*? between. Great Britain and the Unltel Statrii are far ad? vance 1 an 1 promise to reach a successful cocsummaiion at na early dato. <?._._ Tacts Trem Jjepartirient Reports. Having disoasied tho Cuban- qusstlon at Ir-ngth, tbo President turns to other matters. Ho repeats his rtfcmmendation "in favor of providing at pulHc expense official resi? dences for our aAassadors and mirristtrt at foreign capital*..^ Figures aro git/fa showing that the Gov* ern meut's recelpti last year wero $409,475, 403.73 while expAditUros in tho same time were $,434,678,65*f*8, the expenditures ove* receipts thus nm-Janting to ?25,203,245.70. The number of immigrants arriving iu tho United States dtfring the fiscal year wis 343,207, of whom fa).4G8 were permitted to land, aLd 2799 *ivVro dobatred. on varioiu grounds proscribfjo by law, and returned to the countries whtjlco" they came, at the ex? pense of the steamship companies by which they were brough!** in. The increase in im? migration over th*f preceding yoar amounted to 84,731. :% Tho report of the Secretary of War exhib? its satisfactory conditions in the several branches of tho public service intrustod to his charge. ? The Post Office Department fs in good condition, nnd the exhibit made of its oper? ation during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1896, if allowance is made for imperfectiont in the laws applicable to it, is very satisfac? tory. "The construction of vessels for our new navy has boen energetically prosecuted by tho present Administration upon the general line previously adopted, the Department having seen no necessity for radical changes in prior methods under which the work was found to be progressing tn a manner highly sattsiaotory." There have been authorised by Congress since March, 1893, five battleships, six light draft gunboats, sixteen torpeeo boats and one submarine torpedo boat. Contracts for the building of all of thom have been let. The Secretary expresses tho opinion that we havo for the present a sufficient supply ot cruisers and gunboats, and that hereafter the construction of battleships and torpedo boats will supply our needs. The President endorses "the recommenda? tion made by the present Secretary of the Interior, as well as his predecessor, that a permanent commission, consisting of three members, one of whom shall be an army of? ficer, bo created to perform the duties now devolving upon tbo Commissioner and As? sistant Commissioner o' Indian Affairs. Tho management of the Bureau involves such numerous and diverse details, and tht advantages of an uninterrupted policy are si apparent that I hope the change suggested will meet the approval of the Congress." Pensions. The diminution of our enormous pension roll and the decrease of pension expendl. lure, which have been so often confidently foretold, still fail in material realization. Tho number ot pensioners on tho rolls at the close of the fiscal year ended June 80, 1890, was 970,678. This is Iho largest ever report ei. The amount paid oxclusively for pen? sions during the year was i?13S,214,761.94, a Blight decrease from that of the preceding year, while the total expenditures on account of pensions, including the cost of maintaining tho Depart? ment nnd expenses attending pen? sion distribution, amounted to $142,206, 850.59, or within a very small fraction of one-third of the entire expense of support? ing the Government during tho same year. Tho number of now pension certifiVacet issued wns "J >,640. Of these 40,374 represent original allowances ot claims and l?>,878 in? creases of existing penslous. Tho number of persons receiving pensions from the United States but residing in for elgn'countries at the close of tho last fiscal year was 8781, and the amount paid to them during the year was $582,735.38. The sum appropriated for the payment ot Jensions for the current fiscal yoar ending une 30, 1897, is tl40,OOO,000, and for the succeeding year lt is estimated that tho same amount will bo necessary. Tho Commissioner of Pensions reportt .hat during the last fiscal year 339 indict? ments were found ngainst violators of the pension laws. Upon these iniiotments 16T nonvijaHono " \ttu\ In my opinion, Dased upon such state? ments as these and muoh other information and observation, the nbuses which havo bean allowed to creep into our pention sytten have done incalculable harm In demoraliz? ing our people and undermining good citi? zenship. I have endeavored within my sphere of official duty to proteot our pen.?ion roll and matte it what it should bo, a roll of honor, containing the names of thote disabled in their country't sei vico and worthy of their toun try's affectionate remembrance, When I have seen those who pose as tho soldier*' friends, active and alert in urging greater laxity and more reckless pension expendi? ture, while nursing selfish schemes, I have deprecated the approach of a situation when neoessary retrenchment nnd enforced econ? omy may lead to an attack upon pension abuses, so determined as te overlook tha discrimination duo to those who, worthy of ?a nation's care, ought to liva and die under the protection of a nation's gratitude. Ajriculture. Under the present management of the De. part.nent of Agriculture its usefulness has been enhanced in every direction, and at the Ramo time strict economy has boen enforced to tho utmost extent parmlttel by Cougres sional action. From the report of th* Secre? tary it appears that through careful and prudent financial management he has an? nually saved a large sum from his appropria? tions, aggregating during hit incumbency and up to the close of the present fisoal year nearly one-fifth of the entire amonnt ap? propriated. These results have beon accom? plished by a oonsoientlous study of the real needs of tho farmer nnd such a regard for economy as the genuine farmer ought to ap preoiato, supplemented by a rigid adherenoa to ol vii serv*ce methods in a Department which should be conduoted in the interest ol agriculture instead of partisan politlot. The Secretary reports that tho value of our exports of farm products during the last fis cal year amounted to $570,000,000, an inareaie of $17,000,000 over thoso of the year Immedi? ately preceding. This statement is not the loss welcome because ot tho fact that, not? withstanding such increase, tho proportion of exported agricultural products to our total exports of all descriptions foll off tour? ing the yoar. The benefits of an increase in agricultural exports being assured, the de oreaso in its proportion to our total exports is tho moro gratifying when we consider that it is owing to the fact that such total exports for tho year increased moro than $75,000,000. Tho large and increasing exportation ot our agricultural produofs suggests the great usefulness ot the organization lately estab? lished in the Department for the purpose of giving to those engaged in farming pursuits relinble information concerning the condi? tion, needs and advantages of different loreign markets. Inasmuch as the success of tho farmer depends upon the advantageous sale of his products, and inasmuch as foreign markets must largely bo the destinaiion of such products, it is quite apparent that a knowledge of the conditions aud,wants that affect those markets ought to result in sow? ing moro intelligently and reaping with a better promise of profit. Such information points out the way to a prudent foresight in tho selection and cultivation of crops and tr* a rcleas 3 from the bondage of unreasoning monotony of production, a glutted and do pressed market and constantly recurring unprofitable toil. Opposed to Free Seeds. In my opinion the gratuitous distribution of seeds by the Agricultural Department as at present conducted ought to be discon? tinued, No ono can read the statement of the Secretary on this subject aud doubt the ox travagance of questionable results of this practice. Tho professed friends of the farmer, and certainly the farmers them? selves, are naturally expeoted to be willing fo rid a Department devoted to tho promo? tion of farming interests of a feature which tends so muoh to its discredit. Tho Weather Bureau, now attached to the Department of Agriculture, has continued te extend Its sphere of nsofuluess, nud by an uninterrupted improvement in ti){j accuracy of Its foreoasts has greatly increased its effi? ciency as an aid and prcHeotlord tc al! whoso J oceu**.at:ea3 art relate-! to woatbor candi ti eas. Civil Service. Tho progress made in Civil Service R->.orm furnishes a cause for the utmost congratul - tion. It has snrvived the doubts of its friends as weil as the rancor of its enemies, and has gained a permanent ptaco among the agencies dostlnod to cleinso our politics and te improve, eooCimlze and elovato the public service. The Civil Service rules ns amended during tho laat. veer provide lor a seusiblo and uni roTmnnTOidd er promotion, Dating oiic-ioiiity te better positions upon demonstrated effl-ji ?noy and faithfulness, Tho absence of fixoi rules on this subject bas been au infirmity in the system more and moro apparent as its other benefits havo been better appreciated. The Matter of Tari ft. Concerning the tariff the President siys that "our tariff laws are only primarily jus? tified as soureos of revenue to enable the Government to meet the necessary expenses of its maintenance," and adds: "I believe onr present tariff law, if allowed a far op? portunity, will in the near future yield a revenue which, with reasonably economical expenditures, will overcome all deficiencies. In the meantime no deficit that has occurred or may occur n9cd excite or disturb us. To meet any suoh deficit we have in tho Treasury in addition to a gold reserve of $100,000,000, n surplus of more than $1-28,000,000 applica? ble to tho payment of tho expenses of the Govornmen1, and which must, unless ex Eended for that purpose, remain a useless oard, or, if not extravagantly wasted, must in any event be perverted from tho purpose of Its exaction from our people. The pay? ment, therefore, of any deficiency in the revenua from this fund is nothing more than Its proper nnd legitimate u.se. The Govern? ment thus applying a surplus fortunately in Its Treasury to the payment of expenses not met by its current revenues, is not at all to be likened to a man living beyond his in tome and th <s incurring debt cr encroaching on his prinoipal. "It is net one of the functions of our Gov? ernment to accumulate and make additions toa fund not needed for immediate expandf turo. With individuals it is the chief object of struggle aud effort. The application of an accumulated fund by the Government to Uie payment of Its running expenses is a duty. An Individual living beyond his in oome and embarrassing himself with debt, or drawing upon his accumulated lund of principal, is either unfortunate or improvi? dent. The distinction is between a govern mont charged with the duty of expending for the benefit of tho people and for proper purposes all th's money it r?celvos from any source, and the individual who is expected to manifest a natural desire lo avoid debt or to accumulate as muoh as pos fible and to live within the income derived rom such accumulations, to the end that they mav be increased or at least remain un? impaired fo*-the future uso and enjoyment of himself or the objects of his love and affec? tion who may survive him. "It is immeasurably better to appropriate our suuplus to the payment of justifiable ex? penses than to allow it to become an invita? tion to reckless appropriations aad extrava? gant oxpenuitu?ee. "I suppose it will not bs denied that under the present law our peoplo obtain tho neces? saries of a comfortablo existence at a cheap? er rate than formerly. This ls a matter of euprome importance, since it Is the palpable duty of every just Government to make tha burdens of taxutlon as light as possible. The people thould not be required to relinquish this privilege of cheaptr living except under Ihe stress of their Government's neeessit** made plainly manifest," Reform In Finance. Upon the question of reforming tbe Ananas system of ths country the President saya: I am more convinced than ever that we enn havo no assured financial peaoe and safety until the Government ourrency obli? gations upon which gold may be demanded from the Treasury are withdrawn from circulation and cancelled. This might be done, as has boen heretofore recommended, by their exchange for long-term bonds beat? ing a low rate of interest or by their re? demption with the proceeds of such bonds. Even if only the United States not os known ai greenbacks wero thus retired, it is probable that tho Treasury notes issue I in payment of sliver purchases und r the aot of July 14, 1899, now paid in gold when demanded, would not create much disturbance, at they might, from time to time, when received ia tha Treasury by redemption lu gold or other? wise, be gradually and prudently replaced by silver coin This plan of issuing bonds for the purpose of redemption certainly appears to ba the most effeotivo cud d rent path to tho needed reform. In default of this, however, it would be a step in the right direction if cur? rency obligations redeemable in gold, when? ever so redeemed, should be canceled in? stead of being roNsuel. This operatioa would ba a slow remedy, but it would im provo present conditions. National banks should redeom their own notes. They should be allowed to Issue cir? culation to the ptr value ot bouds deposits*, attocurity for its redemption, and tha tax on their circulation should be reduced to one-fourth of 1 par cont. In considering projects for the retirement of United States notes and Treasury notes issued under tho law of 1890, I am of the opinion that we hove placed too muuh strata upon tha danger of contracting the cur? rency, and have calculated too llttlo upon the gold thnt would be n idel to our circula? tion if invited to us by better an I safer finan? cial methods. It ls uot so much a contrae tion of cur currency that should be avoided as its unequal distribution. This might bo obviated, and any fear of harmful friction at tho same time removed, by allowing the organization of small** banks and in less populous communities thau are now permitted, and also authorising existing banks to establish branches in tmtll communities under proper restrictions. The entire case may bo presented by the statement that the day of sensible and s-un 1 financial mothols will not dawn upon us until our Government abandons the band? ing business and the accumulation ol fuu ls, nud confines its monetary operation to the receipt of the money contributed by the people for its support, and to the exp-nd 11 ure of such money for the people's benefit. Our business interests and all good citi? zens long for rest from feverish agitation, andthe inauguration by the Government of a reformed financial policy which will en? courage enterprise and mako oortaln tho re? wards of labor and Industry. " Trusts and Monopo'les." Another topic in which our people right? fully take a deep Interest may bo here briefly considered. I refer to the existence of trusts and other huge aggregations of capita1, tho objeot of which ls to secure the monopoly of somo particular branch of trade, industry, or commerco an<l to stifle wholesome competi? tion. When theso are defende 1 it is usually on the ground that though thoy increaso pro? fits they also reduce prices and thus may ben? efit the public, lt must be remembered, how over, that a reduction of prices to tho people is not ono of the real objects of these organiz? ations, nor is their teudeucy necessarily in that direction, If it occurs in a particular ease, it is only becnuse it accords with the purposes or interests of those managing tho scheme. Such occasional results fall far short, of compensating tho palpablo evils charged to thc account of trusts and monopolies. Their tendency is to cii'sh out individual indepen? dence and to hinder or prevent the free use of human faeultiet and tht* full devolopraent of human character. Through them the farmer, the artisan and the small trader ls in danger of dislodgment from the proud position of being his own master, watchful of all that touches his country's prosperity, in which ho has an individual lot, aud interested in all that affects tho advantages of business of which he is a frtctor, to be relegated to tho level of a mere appurtenance to a groat machine-, with little free will, with no duty but that of a ps*** slvo obedience, and with llttlo hone or oppor? tunity of rising In thu scale of responsible aud helpful citizenship. To tho Instinctive bol.-if that such is thc in? evitable trend of trusts and monopolies is due tho widespread and deep-seated popular aver? sion rn whloh thoy aro hold mid tho not un? reasonable, insistence that, whatever may bo their Incidental economic advantages, their rjene-rni effect upon persona! character, pros Decte, and usefulness cannot bo otti-jrw.8-."* than in riou*}. Though '/'ougresi hju attempted to dc-al witt. mis matter by legislation. tM K?J7l ??? ? tbat purpose thus far ha ve prove-l n effect iv^ not because of any lack ?f?'s^n1D "nbecause tempt to enforce them. }>"* ?'?PJ5 by the tho Jaws themselves os interpret^ Dy xtx courts do not reach the d-m?'^ajr ??lied sum.-iencles of existing laws can be reme nea by further leg! l'*tlo?j}?ho.u^*ef That all (act must be recognized, howler rna Federal legislation on this ?**? ??? ?? short of its purpose because of 'nn*??h0'' .tades, and also because of the complex rtar ftcter of our jrovernrnental system, "'?'C1* wb>eMtI?e Federal author ty tupreme within its sphere, has caref illy l???te? h,** sphere by metes and bounds ?-yc*c*aPP??.% transgressed. The decision ol our hiaLest coulton this precise question frrfc[n*1.t:rR'V*^^0. doubtful whether the evils of tru-ts and ino nopolies can be adequately *;?*?'*"0.*5 Federal hotion. unlest they seek dlrectlj and purposely to include in their objectsitransppr racionor intercourse between Sta es or be? tween the United States and foreign ooun 'it aoes not follow, however, that this is the limit of the remedy that may be aopued. Even though it n ay be found that I e ??"ral authority is not broad cniugh to fully r a ri the case, there cm bo no doubt of the power of the several Stitei ti act effectively in tho premises, and there should be no reason to doubt their willingness to judiciously exercise tuen power. An Appeal for Economy. In concluding this communication, its latt words shall be ac appeal to the Congrejf- foj* tbe most rlj-ld economy in theexn*" the money R ho'idt in trust for tDe people. The way to perplexing extravagance is easy, but n return to frugality is difficult. When, however, it is considered that those who bear the burdens of taxation have no guaranty of honest care faye In the fidelity of their puOlle (servants, tho duty of all possible retreneh ment is plainiy manifest. When our differences are forgotten, and our eontests of political opinion are no longer re? membered, nothing in the retrospect ot our public service will be as fortunate and som fortlng as tha recollection of .offloial duty well performed and tho memory of a eonstaa;; devotion to the Interests of our confiding fal? low oountrymon. Grovkb Clevh*.a*vd. Exoeutive Mansion, Deo. 7,1894 FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Senate. 2d Dir.-The notice of the opening of e Cubnn discussion was about the only feature of interest developed at the brief session o) the Benate, which lasted only 25 miuutv's. Senator Cullom gavo notice of n speech on Cuba next Thursday. The Senators had ex? pected to start tho wheels of actual business, but the appearance of a House resolution relative to the death of ex-Speaker Crisp led to the customary adjournment as a mark oi respect. A large number of bureau reports were received, including that of the govern ment directors of the Pacific railways, 3d Dav.?The Hecate, by the decisive voto of 35 to 21, adopted a motion to tako up tht Dingley tariff-silver bill. Immedia ely fob lowing lt, Mr. Aldrich, of Rhode Island, one of the republican membors of the finance committee, moved to recommit the bill to tbat committee, and this motion waa pend? ing when the morning hour expired, nnd th< entire matter lapsed as though no vote had been taken. Thc debate was at times sharp and personal. Three sets of vigorous reso? lutions for Cuban Independence furnished an interesting feature. They came from Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Mills, ol Texas, and Mr. Call, of Florida 4th Day?Tho Senate took up the immi? gration bill and partly perfected it, also hearing the flrst of the speeches on Cuba, thoso of Mr. Cullom and Mr. Call. The dis? position to pu through the immigration bill was sboWn by the defeat of a motion by Mr. Gibson, of Maryland, to postpone the meas? ure until after tbe holidays. Only thirteen votes, all democrats, were given in favor ol the postponement. Tbe proposition served to Involve Mossrs. Chandler, Lodge and Gibson in several spirited personal collo? quies. House. 2d Day.?The House proceeded to business and before the session closed had passed three bills of considerable importance and the first of the regular supply bills?that foi pensions. Three of the tills related to pos? tal matters. One provided for the use of private malling cards of the same genera" size nnd character as the present postal cards when one-cent stamps are affixed; anothei for a limited indemnity of til) for the loss of' registered mall matter, and the third for a private carrier service in cities, towns and villages whore no free delivery exists. 3d Day.-TIio House held a three-houi session, and passed a dozen bills of minot importance. Among them were the follow lng:_ To extend for five years the time in which the University of Utah shall occupy lands granted to it: to authorize the uso of ihe abandoned Fort Bidwell military reser? vation in California as a training school for Indians; to confirm certain cash entries fot public lands in Arkansas made under thu graduation act of 1854; to provide for the location and purchase of public lands foi reservoir sites in Montana, South Dakota nnd Wyoming. 4th Dat.?The House passed two bills One of them is to secure to musical compo? sitions the same measure of protection under the copyright law as is now afforded pro? ductions of a strictly dramatic character The bill imposes a fine of 6100 for the flrst and .?50 for each subsequent unauthorized production. A bill to prohibit the tale of liquor in the Capitol building was also passed. ABOUT NOTED PEOPLE. Mayor Houghton, of North Adams, Mass., bas given his tl,OOO salary to the local hos? pital. Mr. Selous, the African traveler and ex? plorer, has some Idea ot visiting the Rocky Mountains. Lady Jane Harriot Swinburne, mother of Algernon Charles Swinburne, the poet, has ust died in Englaud at the age of 89. The original manuscript of Rossini's fam? ous opera, "William Tell," was sold In Paris recently by auction for X'183. A London Dally Mall representative says .he Queen has been a total abstainer from ilcoholio liquors for the last three years. Margaret Thomson, a granddaughter of :he Poet Rums and widow of David Wingate, the minor poet, has died at Glasgow. Mr. Kato, the secretary of the Japanese Legation in Paris, has just been appointed L'ommissioner-General of Japan at the expo? sition of IMO, The Queen Regent of Spain, who will soon bave a motor carriage, will be the flrst Euro? pean sovereign to use one. It will be known as an "electric victoria." The design of the proposed Wagner monu? ment at Rairut has been fixed upon. It con? sists of a temple with a round cupola on pil? lars, with a 6tatue of Wagner in tbe centre. Robert Louis Stevenson's grave in tho Apia Mountains is said by a writer in the Sketch tobe painfully neglected. Its nlmost inac? cessible site may have somothing to do with that Col. Fred I). Grant has been visiting the old Grant homestead at East Windsor Hill, Jonn. A portion of the hous?, which was once occupied by an ancestor of Colonel Grant, is nearly two centuries old. Senator Georg-* F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, bas presented au Interesting relic to the First burch of Plymouth, Mass. It is a consider? able portion of, the ? rigiual threshold of tho .'hurchlu Delft haven, Holland, in which the pilgrims berni their last service before departing fer America, Loss of the North German Lloyd Steamer Salier, NEARLY 200 PERISHED. The Accident Occured on tho Cor robedo Rocks, off tha Deso? late Soanlsh coast?Foun In the Recent Heavy Gales. The steamship Salier, owned by tho North German Lloyd Company, is believed to have peen totally lost off the Spanish coast. She left Corunna on December 7 for Vii Jngarcla, Spain, and is believed to have foundered in the heavy gale which recently prevailed off the Spanish coast. No details of the disaster have been ob? tained. A steamship has gone in search of -he miaSsing vessel. VIgo, Spain?The statement that thi ru were no passengers on board tho Salier is incorrect. There were 210 passengers on board. Har crew was composed of C5 All on board, passengers and crow, shed. The Sailer's passengers consisted of IM russians, 35 Gallcians, 61 Spaniards and on<J Gorman. The Salier was bound from Bremen to Buenos Ayres, via Corunna and Vlllagarcia. Ibo passengers were mostly in the steerage. The Corrobodo rocks, on which it is believed Iho Salier was lost, are situated off the south? west coast of Corunna aud should have been ?lven a wide berth before tho steamer beaded eastward, and then In an easterly direction for the bay leading up to Yilla garcia. Was On The Baltimore Linc. The Sailer was a well-known vessel nt Baltimore. She rau for many years between Baltimore and Bremen, carrying passenger? and freight, and was rated Al at Lloyds. The steamship was regarded as a staunch one, and met with no disaster while on tim line. During the past fall she was trans? ferred to the Australian Lino of tho Lloydi Company, on which she was running at tht time of the awful disaster reported above. The news of tho sinking caused consider? able comment in shipping circles. Th' placo where she went down is well remeni' bered as the one where the ill-fated Britte? man-of-war Lord Howe met dostructlor some years ago. When running to Baltimore tho Salier wai commanded by Captain Wempe. She let' Baltimore on September 9 for Bremen, wher< she arrived on September 23. She Is bo lieved to havo been loaded with coal whei she was lost. She was a brig-rigged, scre\* steamer, built at Hull, England, in 1875. an) Is believed to have boen carrying a crew o' about 60 to 70 men. She was of 3,0)0 grosf tons register, 351 feet long, 39.6 feet beau and 32.6 feet deep. WOKK AND V0RKEK3. Tho .Etna rolling mill nt Cleveland, Ohio, resumed operatlous, employing 350 men. Alexander Bremer has been elected Presi? dent of the Musical Mutual Protective Union. Two hundred employes of the Pacific Roll? ing Mills, at San Francisco, aro on a .strike against a heavy reduction In wages, ranging from 20 to 50 per cent. Tho Hartford Carpet Company started 2",' looms in the brussels department of its fac? tory at Thomp8on*.llle, Conn. The brussel* department has been closed for over fou1 months. The withdrawal of troops from Leadvlllo has been begun, but all will not be recalled until Governor Mclutyro becomes Mttitfled that the officials of Lake county can control the strike situation. The working time of the shop and engln-* house employes of the Missouri Pacific 1 a l road, In Kansas City, Kansas, bas Leen in creased from six to niue hours per day. The order affects about 3,000 employes. A Niagara Falls despatch says that the Al? bright ck Wilson Electro-Chemical Company of Great Britain have closed a con? tract with the Niagara Falls Power Com? pany, and will transfer their plant to that city. The stevedores employed on the docks of the Crosby Transportation Company on the Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Milwaukee Railroad, at Muskegon, Minnesota, are on strike on account of a cut in wages from 20 to 15 cents per hour. The joint convention of operators and min? ers have not yet roached an agreement on the scale for next year. The entire session was devoted to discussions on the Ohio thin vein and machine and pick mining. The discus sion at times was animated and bittor. Fifty of the mechanics employed by Moran Bros., shipbuilders, of Seattle, Wash., nie on ft strike, and will leave on the next steamer for San Francisco. The men have beon em? ployed on two steam steel vessels the Meran, are building for the government; a torpedo iestroyer and a government tugboat. AWFUL CRUELTY OF A FATHEE His Brutal Treatment Caused the Death of HL Daughter. After a long preliminary examination Rudolph Brockman, a wealthy farmer, llvlni in Osage township, Kan., has been held ii the sum of $10,0:0 to answer for the murdo' of his 17-year old daughter, Mary. Four weeks ago Brockman gave the girl i terrible beating because sho did not work t< suit him in his cornfloli. He then tied * rope around one of her ankles, fustened th' other end of the rope to the rear axle of hi. wagon, and drove to his farm, a quarter of i mile off, dragging tho girl behind. Arriving tuere he locked her up in th. barn without sufficient olothing and wlthou food. Tho girl was found by her uncle an< another neighbor, who carried her awoy, injeriot were so serious thatj on No venal: