Dakota farmers' leader., December 05, 1890, Image 6

About Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??

Image provided by: Minnesota Historical Society; Saint Paul, MN

                
To the Senate and House of Roprew'it
atives: The reports of the several execu
tive departments, which will be laid bef re
congress in the usual course, will exhjjiiio in
detail the operations of the government for
the last five years, and only the mow, im
portant incidents, rosults, and chiefly? ucli
as may be the foundation for the re om
mendions I shall submit, will be refolded to
In this annual message. The vast 'jjj,'id in
creasing business of the government has
been irasacted by the several depart nents
during the year with faithfulness, yftiergy
and success. The revenues, amounting
to above $450,000,000, have been
colected and disbursed without
revealing, so far as I can ascertain,-e single
case of defalcatipn or embezzlement. An
earnest effort has been made to stimulate a
sense of responsibility and public di ty on
all' officers and employes of every grade,
and tho work dono by them has^&lmost
wholly escaped unfavorable crljA'clsm. I
speak of these matters with ti'edom, be
cause the credit of- this good .tforlc is not
mice but is shared by the heads of the
several departments with the great body of
faithful officers and employes who serve
under them. The closest scrutiny of con
gress is Invited to all the methods of ad
ministration and to every item of expendi
ture.
OCR FORl:IGNT DELATIONS.
Ties of Good Mill and Common Interest
Almonaily Strengthened.
The friendlr relations of our country with
the nations ot Europe and of the east have
boon undisturbed, while the ties of good
will and common interact that bind us to
the stales of the western hemisphere have
been notably strengthened by the confer
ence held in tins capital to consider meas
ures for tho general welfare. Pursuant to
the invitation authorized by congress, the
representatives of overy independent state
of the American continent and of Hayti
met in conference in this capital In October,
1889, and continued in session until the 19th
of last April. This impo^ant convocation
marks a most interesting and continental
epoch in the history of the western hemis
phere. It is noteworthy that Brazil, in
vited while under an imperial form of gov
ernment, shared as a republic in the delib
erations and the results of the conference.
The recommendations of this conference
were all transmitted to congress at the" last
The' international marine conference
which sat in Washington last winter
reached a very gratifying result. Tho reg
ulations suggested have been brought to
the attention of all tbe governments repre
sented, and their general adoption is confi
dently expected.
The legislation of congress at the last
session is in conformity with the proposi
tions of tho conference, and tbe proclama
tion therein provided for will be issued'
when the other .powers have given notice of
their adhesion. The conference of Brus
sels, to devise means for suppressing the
slave trade in Africa, afforded an oppor
tunity for a new expression of the interest
the American people feel in that great
work. It soon became evident that the
measure proposed would tax the resources
of the Congo basin boyond the revenues
available, under the general act of Berlin
of 18S4. The United States, not being a
party to that act, could not share in its re
vision, but by a separate act the independ
ent state of the Congo was freed from the
restrictions upon a customs revenue. The
demoralizing and destructive traffic in ard
ent spirits among the tribes also claimed
the earnest attention of the conference,
and the delegates of the United States were
foremost in advocating measures for
its suppression, the influence of which will
be very helpful and extend over a wide
region. As soon as these measures shall
receive the sanction of the nelherlands, for
a time withheld, the general acts will be
submitted for ratification by the senate.
Meanwhile negotiations have been opened
for a new and complete treaty of friendship
of commerce and navigation between the
United States and the independent state of
Congo.
Toward the end of the past year the only
Independent imperial government on the
western continent ceased to exist and was
succeeded by a republic. Diplomatic rota
tions were at once established with tho new
government, hut it was not completely rec
ognized until an opportunity had been af
forded to ascertain that it had popular ap
proval and support. When the course of
events had yielded assurance of this fact,
no time was lost in extending to the now
government a full and cordial welcome into
the family of American commerce and
wealth. It is confidently believed that the
good relations of the two countiies will be
preserved pnd that the future will witness
an increased intimacy of intercourse and
an expansion of their mutual commerce.
The peace of Central America has again
been disturbed through a revolutionary
change in Salvador which was not recog
nized by other states, and hostilities broke
oat between Salvador, and Guatemala
threatening to involve all Central America
in a conflict. Under the 'progress which
has been made toward a union of their in
terests, the efforts of this government were
promptly 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 6, whereby the right of the
republic of Salvador to choose its own ruler
was recotrniJled. tJen. Ezeta, the chief of
the provisional government, has since been
confirmed in the presidency by the assembly,
and diplomatic recognition duly followed.
The killing of Gen. Barrundia, on board
the Pacific Mail steamer Acapulco, while
anchored in transit to the port of San Jose,
De Gautemala, demanded careful inquiry.
Having failed in a revolution by attempt
to invade Guatemala from Mexican terri
tory, Gen. Barrundia took passage at Acap
ulco for Panama. The consent of the repre
sentatives of the United States was sought
to effect his seizuro, first at Champerio,
where the steamer touched, and afterward
at San Jose. The captain of the steamer
refused to give up his passenger without a
-written order from the United States min
ister. The latter furnished the desired let
ter, stipulating as the condition Of his ac
tion that Gen. Barrundia's life should be
spared, and that he should be tried only
for offenses growing out of his insurrection
ary movements. This letter was produced to
the captain of the Acapulco by the military
commander at San Jose as his warrant to
take the passenger from the steamer. Gen.
Barrundia resisted capture and waskilled.
It being evident that the minister, Mr.
Mlzner, had exceeded the bounds of his au
thority in intervening in compliance with
the demands of the Guatemalan authori
ties to authorize and effect, in violation of
precedent, the seizure on a vessel of the
United States of a passenger of transit
charged with political offense in order that
he might be tried for such offenses under
what is described as martial law, I was con
strained to disavow Mr. Mizner's act and
recall him from his post.
The Nicaragua canal project, under the
control of our citizens, is making most en
couraging progress, all the preliminary con
ditions and initial operations having been
accomplished within the prescribed time.
During the past year negotiations have
been renewed for the settlement of the
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 warrant the
expectation of an early and satisfactory
adjustment.
Our relations wjth 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. Thecorn
municatlons of the Chinese minister have
brought interviews on the -whole subject of
our conventional relations with his country
and at the same time this government,
through its legation at Peking, has sought
to arrange various matters and complaints
touching the interests and protection of our
citicens in China. In pursuance of the con
current resolution of Cct. 1, 1890, I have
proposed to the governments of Mexico and
Great Britain a conventional regulation of
the passage of Chinese laborers across our
southern and northern frontiers.
On the 83d day of August last Sir Edmund
Manson, the arbitrator selected under the
treatv of Dec. 6, 1858, 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-Butterfield claim.
Our relations with tho French republic
continue to be cordial. Our representative
at that court has very diligently urged the
removal of the restrictions imposed upon
our meat products, and it is believed that
substantial progress has been made tqward
a just settlement. The Samoan treaty
signed last year at Berlin by the representa
tives of the United States, Germany and
Great Britain, after due ratification and
exchange has began to produce salutary
effects. The formation of the government
agreed upon will soon replace the disorder
of the past by a stable administration alike
just to the natives and equally to the
three powers most concerned in trade and
intercourse with the Samoan islands. Tho
chicf justice has been chosen by the king
of Sweden and Norway on the invitation of
tho three powers, and will soon be installed.
The land commission of the municipal
council are in-process of organization. A
rational and evenly distributed scheme of
taxation both municipal and upon imports
is in operation. Malietoa is respected as
king.
The now treaty of extradition with Great
Britain, after due ratification, was pro
claimed on the 25th of last March. Its
beneficent working is already apparent.
Tho difference between the two govern
ments touching the fur seal question in tho
Beliring sea is not yet adjusted, as will be
seen by the correspondence which will soon
bo laid before congress. The offer to sub
mit the question to arbitration, as pro
posed by her majesty's government, has
not been accepted for the reason ttiut the
form of submission proposed is not thought
to be calculated to assure a conclusion sat
isfactory 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 proprietory right derived from Rus
sia, which was not disregarded by any na
tion for more than eighty years preceding
the outbreak of the existing trouble.
In the tariff act a wrong was done to the
kingdom of Hawaii which I am bound to
presume was wholly unintentional. Duties
were laid on certain commodities which%re
included in the reciprocity treaty now ex
isting between the United States and the
kingdom of Hawaii without Including the
necessary exception in favor of thu,t king
dom. I hope congrcss will repair what
might otherwise seem to be a breach of
faith on the part of this government.
An award in favor of the United States
in the matter of the claim of Mr. Van Bok
kele against nayti was rendered on the
4th of December, 1888, but owing to dis
orders then and afterwards prevailing in
Hayti the terms of payment were not ob
served. A now agreement as to the time of
payment has been approved and ic now in
force. Other just claims of citizens of the
United States for redress of wrongs suf
fered during the late political conflict in
Hayti will, it is hoped, speedily yield to
friendly treatment.
Propositions for the amendment of the
treaty of extradition between the United
States and Italy are now under considera
tion. You will bo asked to provide tbe
means of accepting the invitation of the
Italian government to take part in an ap
proaching conference to consider the adop
tion of a universal prime meridian from
which to reckon longitude and time. As
this proposal follows in the track of the re
form sought to bo initiated by the meridian
conference at Washington, held on the In
vitation of the government, the United
States should manifest a friendly interest
in the Italian proposal.
In this connection I may refer with ap
proval to the suggestion of my predecessors,
that standing provision be made for accept
ing, whenever deemed advisable, the fre
quent Invitations of foreign governmnts to
share in conference and looking to the ad
vancement of international reforms in re
gard to science, sanitation," Corttrtnercial
laws and procedure, and other matters af
fecting tlio intercourse and -progress of
modern communities.
In the summer of 1889 -an 'incident oc
curred which for some time threatened to
interrupt tho cordiality of our relations
with the government of Portugal. Theft
government seized the Delagoa Bay rail
way, which was constructed under a con
cession granted to an American citizen and
at the same time annulled the charter.
The concessionary, who had embarked his
fortune in the enterprise, having exhausted
other means of redress, was compelled to
invoke tho protection of his government.
Our representations, made coincidently
with, those of the British government,
whose subjects were also largely interested,
happily resulted in the recognition
by Portugal of the propriety of submitting
the claim for indemnity, growing out of its
action, to arbitration. This plan of settle
ment having been agreed upon, the inter
ested powers readily concurred in tho pro
posal to submit the case to the judgment of
three eminent jurists to be designated by
tho president of tho Swiss republic, who,
upon the joint invitation of the govern
ments of the United States, Great Britain
and Portugal, has selected persons well
qualified for the task before them.
The revision of our treaty relations with
the empire of Japan has continued to be
the subject of cousideration and of corre
spondence. The questions Involved 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 ex
posed to undue discrimination, I sincerely
hope that such revision as will satisfy tbe
legitimate expectations of the Japanese
government and maintain the present and
long existing friendly relations between
Japan and the United States will be ef
fected.
The friendship between our country and
Mexico, born of close neighborhood and
strengthened by many considerations of in
timate intercourse and reciprocal interest,
has never been moro conspicuous than now.
nor more hopeful of increased benefit to
both nations. The intercourse of the two
countries by rail, already great, is making
constant growth. The established lines
and those recently projected add to the in
timacy of traffic and open new channels of
access to fresh areas of demand and supply.
The importance of the Mexican railway
system will bo further enhanced to a degree
almost impossible to forecast. If it auuuiu
become a link in the projected inter-conti
nental railway, I recommend that our mis
sion to the City of Mexico be raised to the
first class.
The cordial character. of our relations
with Spain warrants the hope that by the
continuance of methods of friendly negotia
tions much may be accomplished in the
direction of an adjustment of the pending
question, and of the Increase of our ti'ade.
The extent and development of our trade
with tbe island of Cuba invest the commer
cial relations of the United States and
Spain with a peculiar importance. It is not
doubted that a special arrangement in re
gard to commerce, based upon the recipro
city provision of the recent tariff act, would
operate most beneficially for both govern
ments. This subject is now receiving at
tention.
The restoration of the remains of John
Ericcson to Sweden affords a gratifying oc
casion to honor the memory of the great in
ventor, to whose genius our country owes
so much and to bear witness to the un
broken friendship which has existed in tho
land which bore him and our own, which
claimed him as a citizen.
On the 2d day of September last the com
mission appointed to revise the proceedings
of tliu commission under the claims conven
tion between tho United states and Vene
zuela ot 1S6G brought its labors to a close
within the period fixed for that purpose.
The proceedings of the late commission
were characterized by a spirit of impartial­
ity and a high sense of justice, and an in
cident which was for many years the sub
ject of discussion between the governments
has been disposed of in a manner alike hon
orable and satisfactory to both parties. FoV
the settlement of the claim of the Venezu
ela Steam Transportation company, which
was the subject of a joint resolution
adopted at the last session of congress, ne
gotiations are still in progress. An early
conclusion is anticipated.
The legislation of tb,e past few years has
evidenced on tho part of congress a grow
ing realization of the Importance of the
consular service in fostering bur commer
cial relations abroad and in protecting tho
domestic revenues. As the scope of opera
tions expand.increased provision must be
made to keep up the essential standard of
efficiency. The necessity of some adequate
measure of supervision and Inspection has
been so often presented that I need only
commend tbe subject to your attention.
OUR REVENUES.
Amounts Collected From Various Sources
and Boiv Disbursed.
The revenues of the government from all
sources for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1890, were $463,963,080.55, and the total ex
penditures for the same period were S358,
618,584.52. The postal receipts have not
heretofore been included in the statement
of these aggregates, and for the purpose of
comparison the sum of $00,882,097.93 shovrid
be deducted from both sidos of the account.
The surplus for the year,-including the
amount applied to tho sinking fund, was
8105,344,496.03. The receipts for 1890 were
$16,030,923.79, and the expenditures $15,739,
871 in excess of th'ose of 1889. The customs
receipts increased $5,835,842.88, and the
receipts from internal revenues $11,725,191.
89, while, on the side of expenditures, that
for pensions was $19,313,075.96 in excess of
the preceding year.
The treasury statement for the current
fiscal year, partly actual and partly esti
mated, is as follows: Receipts from all
sources, $406,000,000 total expenditures,
$354,000,000 leaving a surplus of $52,000,
000, not taking tbe postal receipts into the
account on either side. The loss of revenue
from customs for the first quarter is esti
mated at $35,000,000, but from this is de
ducted.a gain of about $16,000,000,.realized
during the first four months of the vear.
For tho year 1890 the total estimated re
ceipts are $373^700,000 and the estimated
expenditures $357,853,209.42, leaving an
estimated surplus of $15,147,790.58, which,
with a cash balance of $53,000,000 at the be
ginning of the year, will give $67,147,790.58
as the sum available for the redemption of
outstanding bonds or other uses. The esti
mates of receipts and expenditures for tbe
postoffice department being equal are not
included In this statement on either side.
The act directing the purchase of silver
bullion and the issue of treasury notes
thereon, approval July 14, 1890, had been
administered by'the secretary of the treas
ury with an earnest purpose to get into cir
culation at' the earliest possible dates the
full monthly amounts 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'contem
plates. The recent depreciation in the
price of silver has been observed with re
gret. The rapid rise in price which an
ticipated and followed the passage of the
act was influenced in some degree by specu
lation, and the recent reaction is in part
the result of the same cause and in
part of the recent monetary disturbances.
Some mouths of further trial will be neces
sary to determine tbe permanent effect of
the recent legislation upon silver values,
but it is gratifying to know that the in
creased circulation secured by the act has
exerted and will continue to exert a most
beneficial influence upon business and .upon
general values. While it has not been
thought best to renew formally the sugges
tion of an international conference looking
to an agreement touching tho full use of
silver for coinage at a uniform ratio, care
has been taken to observe closely any
change in the situation abroad, and no
favorable opportunity will be lost to promote
a result which it is confidently
believed would confer very large
benefits upon the commence of the world.
The recent monetary disturbances in Eng
land are not unlikely to suggest a re-exam
ination of opinions upon this subject? Our
very larce supply of gold will, if not ^ost by
Impulsive legislation in the suppose^' inter
est of silver, give us a position of advantage
in promoting a permanent and safe inter
national agreement for the free use of sil
ver as a coih metal. The efforts of the sec
retary to increase the volume of money in
circulation by keeping down the treasury
surplus to the lowest practicable limit have
been unremitting and in a very high degree
successful. Tho tables presented by him,
showing the Increase of money in circula
tion during the last two decades, and espe
cially' the table showing the increase during
the nineteen months he has administered
the affairs of the department, are interest
ing and Instructive. The increaso of money
in circulation during the nineteen months
has been in the aggregate $93,866,813, or
about 1.50 per capita, and of
this Increase only $7,100,000 was
due to the recent silver legislation.
That this substantial and needed aid given
to commerce resulted in an enormous re
duction of the public debt and of the an
nual interest charge is a matter of Increased
satisfaction. There have been purchased
and redeemed since March 4, 1889, 4 and 4%
per cent, bopds to tho amount of $211,832,
450, at a cost of $346,620,741, resulting in the
reduction of the annual interest charge of
$8,967,609, and a total saving of interest of
$51,576,706. I notice with great pleasure
the statement of the secretary that the re
ceipts from Internal revenue have in
creased during the last fiscal year nearly
$12,000,000, and that the cost of collecting
this larger revenue was less by $90,617 than
for the same purpose In the preceding year.
The percentage of cost of collecting the
customs revenue was less for the last fiscal
year than ever before. The customs ad
ministration board provided for by the
act, of June 10, 1890, was selected with
great care and is composed in part of
-men whose previous experience in the ad
ministration 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 experi
ence seemed to fit them for the work of in
terpreting and applying tho new statutes.
The chief aim of the law is to secure honest
valuations of all dutiable merchandise and
to make these valuations uniform at all
our ports of entry. It had been made man
ifest by a congressional investigation that
a system of undervaluation had long been
in use by certain classes of importers, re
sulting not only in a great loss of revenue,
but in a most intolerable discrimination
against honesty. It is not seen how this
legislation, when it is understood, can be
regarded by the citizens of any country
having commercial relations with us as un
friendly. If any duty 13 supposed to be ex
cessive, let the complaint be lodged there.
It will surely not be claimed by any well
disposed people that a remedy may be
sought and allowed in a system of quasi
smuggling.
THE ARMY.
Gratifying: Results Attained During tk
Past Year.
The report of the secretary of war ex
hibits several gratifying results attained
during the year by wise and unostentatious
methods. The percentage of desertions
from the army (an event for which botli
congress and the department have long been
seeking a remedy) has been reduced dur
ing the past year 24 per cent, and for the
months of August and September, during
which timb the favorable effects of the act
of June 16 were felt, 33 per cent, as com
pared with tbe same months of 1889. The
results attained by a reorganization and
consolidation of the divisions having
charge of the hospital service records of the
volunteer soldiers are very remarkable*.
This change was effected in July, 1889, asd
at that time there were 40.654 cases await
ing attention, more than half of those being
calls from the pension office for in
format Ion
necessary to the adjudication of pension
claims on the 30th day of June last, though
over 300,000 new calls had come in.
Them was not. a single case that had
not been examined and answered.
I concur in the recommendations of .the
secretary that adequate and regular appro
priations be continued for coast defense
works and ordnance. Plans have been
practically agreed upon, and there can be
no good reason for delaying the extension
of them, while the defenseless state of our
great sea ports furnish an urgent reason for
wise exhibition. The encouragement has
been extended to the militia of the states
generally designated ttoe "national guard,"
and should be continued and enlarged.
These military organizations constitute in
a large sense the army of the United States,
while about five-sixths of the annual cost
of their maintenance is defrayed by the
states.
AEPARTDENI OF JUSTICE.
Recommendations Made Concerning This
Most Important Branch,
The report of the attorney-general is,
under the law submitted directly to con
gress, but as the department of justice is
one of the executive departments, some
reference to the work done is appropriate
herd. A vigorous and, in the main, an ef
fective effort has been made to bring to
trial and punishment all violators of the
laws, but at the same time care has been
token that frivolous offenses should not be
used to swell the fees of officers or to ha
rass well disposed citizens. Especial atten
tion is called to the prosecution of viola
tions of the election laws, and of offenses
against United States 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 been several cases where postmasters
appointed by me have been subjected to
violent interference in tbe discharge of
their official duties and to persecutions and
personal violence of the most extreme char
acter. Some of the cases have been
dealt with through the department
of justice, and in some cases' the postoifices
have been abolished or suspended. I have
directed the postmaster-general to pursue
this course in all cases where other efforts
failed to secure frr any postmaster, not
himself in fault, an opportunity peacefully
to exercise the duties of his office. But
such action will not supplant the efforts of
the department of justice to bring the par
ticular offenders to punishment. The va
cation by judicial decrees of fraudulent
certificates of naturalization, upon bills In
equity filed by the attorney-general in tho
circuit court of the United States, is a new
application of a familiar equity jurisdic
tion. Nearly 100 such decrees havb been
taken during the yeaT, the evidence dis
closing that a very large number of fraudu
lent certificates of naturalization ha.ve
been issued. And in this connection I beg
to renew my recommendation that the laws
be so amended as to require a more full
and searching inquiry into all the facts
necessary to naturalization before any
certificates are granted. It certainly is not
too much to require that an application for
American citizenship shall be heard with as
much care and recorded with as much for
mality as are given to cases involving the
pettiest property right. At the last session
I returned, without my approval, a bill en
titled, "An act to probibit bookraaklng and
pocrtselling in tho District of Columbia."
and stated my objection to be that it did
not prohibit, but in fact licensed what it
purported to prohibit. An effort will be
made under existing laws to suppress this
evil, though It is not certain that they will
be found adequate.
TBE POSTAL SERVICE.
Gratifying Progress Made in This Branch
of the Service.
The report of the postmaster-general
shows the most gratifying progress in the
important work committed to his direction.
The business methods have been greatly
improved. A large economy in expendi
tures and an Increase of $4,775,000 in re
ceipts has been realized. The deficiency
this year is 85,783,300 as against $6,350,183
last year, notwithstanding the great en
largement of the services. Mail routes have
been extended and quickened, aiid greater
accuracy and dispatch in distribution and
delivery have been attained. The report
will be found to be full of interest and sug
gestion, not only to'congress, but to those
thoughtful citizens who may be interested
to know what business methods can do for
that.department of public administration
which most nearly touches all our people.
The passage of the act to amend certain
sections of the revised statutes relating to
lotteries, approved Sept. 19,1890, has been
received with great and deserved popular
favor. The postoffice department and the
department of justice at once entered upon
tbe enforcement of -the law with sympa
thetic vigor, and already the public mails
have been largely freed from tho fraudu
lent and demoralizing appeals and litera
ture emanating from the lottery com
panies,
THE NAVY.
What Has Been Done and Is Doing in
Oar Defense.
The construction and equipment of the
new ships for the navy have made very sat
isfactory progress. Since March 4, 1889,
nine new vessels have been put in com
mission, and during this winter fojar more,
including one monitor, will be added. The
construction of the other vessels authorized
is being pushed, both in the government
and privateyards, with energy and .watched
with the most scrupulous care. The ex
periments conducted during tbe year to
test the relative resisting power of armor
plates have been so valuable so as to, at
tach great attention in Europe. The only
part of the work upon the new ships that is
threatened by unusual delay is the armor
plating, and every effort is being made to
reduce that to the minimum. It is a source
of congratulation that the anticipated in
fluence of modern vessels upon the espirtt de
corps of the officers and seamen has been
fully realized. Confidence and pride in
the ships among the crew are equivalent to
a secondary battery. Your favorable con
sideration is invited to the recommenda
tions of the secretary.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Satisfactory Results Attained During tbe
Past Xrar.
The report of the secretary of the Interior
exhibits with great fullness and clearness
the vast work of that great department of
tho satisfactory results attained. The sug
gestions made by him are earnestly com
mended to the consideration of congress, as
all cannot be given particular mention here.
The several acts of congress looking to
the reduction of the larger Indian reserva
tions, to the more rapid settlement of the
Indians upon Individual allotments, and
the restoration to the public domain of
lands in excess of their needs have been
largely carried into effect, so far as the
work was confided to the executive. Agree
ments have been concluded sii.ee March 4,
1889, involving the cession to the United
States of about 14,726,900 acres of land.
These contracts have, as required tiy law,'
been submitted to congress for ratification
and for the appropriations necessary to
carry them into effect. Those with the
Slsseton and Wahpeton, Sac and Fox, Iowa,
Pottawattamies and absentee Shawnees,
and Coeur d'Alene tribes have not yet re
ceived the sanction of congress. Attention
is also called to the
fact that the appropria
tions made in the case of the Sioux Indians
have not covered all the stipulated pay
ments. This should be promptly corrected.
If an. agreement is confirmed all of its
terms should be complied with without de
lay and full appropriations should be made.
The policy outlined in my last- annual
message in relation to the patenting of
lands to settlers upon the public domain
has been carried out in the administration
of the laad office. No general suspicion or
imputation of fraud has been allowed to
delay the heating and adjudication of. In­
dividual cases upon their merits. Tbe pur
pose has been to perfect the titlb of honest
settlers with such promptness that the
value of the entry might not be swallowed
up by the expense and extortions to which
delay subjected the claimant.
The average monthly issue of agricul
tural patents has been increased about six
thousand. The disability pension act,
which was approved on the 27th of June
la&t, has been put into jpperation as rapidly
as was practicable. Tne increased clerical
force provided was selected and assigned to
work, and a considerable part of the force
engaged in examinations in tho field was
recalled and added to the working force of
the office. The examination and adjudica
tion of claims havo, by reason of improved
methods, been more rapid than ever before.
There is no economy to the government in
delay, while there is much hardship and
injustice to the soldier. The anticipated
expenditure, while very large, will not, it Is
believed, be in excess of the estimates made
before the enactment of the law. Tliis
liberal enlargement of the general law
should suggest a more careful scrutiny of
bills for special relief, both as to the cases in
which relief is granted and as to the amount
allowed.
The increasing numbers and influence of
the non-Mormon population In Utah aro ob
served with satisfaction. The recent letter
of Wilford Woodruff, president of the Mor
mbn church, in which he advised his people
to "refrain from contracting any marriage
forbidden by the Jaws of the land," has at
tracted wide attention, and it is hoped that
its influence will be highly beneficial in re
straining infractions of the laws of the
United States. But tho. facts should not be
overlooked that the doctrine or belief of the
church that polygamous marriages are
rightful and supported by divine revelation
remains unchanged. President Woodruff
does not renounce tho doctrine, but refrains
from teaching it, and advises against tbe
practice of it because the law is against it.
Now it is quite true that the law should not
attempt to deal with the faith or belief of
any one but it is quite another thing, and
tne only safe thing, so to deal with tho ter
ritory of Utah as that those who believe
polygamy to be rightful shall not have the
power to make it lawful.
The admission of the states of Idah bnd
Wyoming to the union aire events full of
congratulation, not only to the people of tbe
states happily endowed with a full- partici
pation in our privileges and responsibilities,
but to all our people. Another belt of
states stretches from the Atlantic to the
Paclfie.
The work of the patent office has won from
all sources a very high commendation. The
amount accomplished has been very largely
increased, as all the results have been such
as to secure confidence and consideration
on the suggestion of the commissioner.
The enumeration of the people of the
United States under tbe act of March 1,
1890, has been completed and the result will
be at once officially announced to congress.
The completion of this decennial enumera
tion devolves upon congress the duty of
making a new apportionment of representa
tion among the several states according to
their representative number.
At the last session I lt'ad occasion to
return
with my objections several bills making pro
visions for the erection of publie
buildings, for the reason that the expend
itures contemp'ated were, in my opinion,
greatly in excess of any public need. No
class of legislation is more liable to abuse,
or to degenerate into an unseemly scramble
about tbe public treasury than thii There
should be exercised in this matter a wise
economy based upon some responsible and
Impartial examination and report as to
each case under a general law.
AGRICULTURE.
Tho Report of tile Secretary 'Deserving
Especial Attention.
The report of the secretary of agriculture
deserves especial attention in view of the
fact that tho year has been marked, in a
very unusual degree by agitation and or
ganization among the farmers looking to an
Increase in the profits of .their business. It
will be found that the efforts of the depart
ment have been intelligently and zealously
devoted to the promotion of the interests
intrusted to its care. A very substantial
Improvement in tbe market prices, of the
leading farm products during the year is
noticed. The price of wheat advanced from
81 cents in October, 1889, to $1.00% in Oc
tober, 1890 corn from 31 cents to50% cents
oats from 19% cents to 43 cents and barley
from 63 cents to 78 cents. Meats showed a
substantial but not so large an increase.
The export trade in live animals and fowls
shows a very large increase. The total
value in such exports for the year ending
June 30, 1800, was $33,000,000, and the in
crease over the preceding year was S15,
000,000. Nearly 200,000 more cattle and
450,000 more hogs were exported than in the
preceding year. This export trade
in beef and pork products
and in dairy products was very
largely increased, the increase in the arti
cle of butter- alone being from 15,504,978
pounds to 29,748,043 pounds, the total
increase in the value of meat and dairy
products exported being $340,000,000. Tnis
trade, so directly helpful to the farmer, it
is believed, will be yet further and largely
increased when the system of inspection and
sanitary supervision now provided by law
Is brought fully into operation.
The efforts of the secretary to establish
the liealthfulness of our meats against the
disparaging imputations that have been
put upon them abroad have resulted in
substantial progress. Veterinary surgeons
sent out by the department are now allowed
to participate in the inspection of the live
cattle from this country landed at the Eng
lish docks, and during the several months
they have been on duty no case of conta
gious pleuro-pneumonia has been reported.
This inspection abroad, and the doriftstle
inspection of live animals and pork pro
ducts provided for by the act of Aug. 30,
1890, will afford as perfect a guaranty for
the wholesomeness of our meats offered for
foreign consumption as is anywhere given
to any food product, and its non-acceptance
will quite clearly reveal the real motive of
any continued restriction of their use and
that having been made clear, the duty of
the executive will be very plain.
The information given by the secretary
of tbe progress and prospects of tbe beet
sugar industry is full of interest. It has
already passed tbe experimental stage and
is a commercial success. The area over
which the sugar beet can be successfully
cultivated is very large, and another field
crop of great value is offered to the choice
of the farmers. The secretary of tbe treas
ury concurs in the recommendation of the
secretary of agriculture that the official
supervision provided by the tariff law for
sugar of douicstic production shall betians
ferred to the department of agriculture.
CIVII. SERVICE.
The IawHas Been Executed With Fidelity
and Impartiality.
The law relating to .the civil service has,
so far as I can: learn, been executed fijr
those having the pdwer of apportionment in
the classified service with fidelity and im
partiality, and the service has been in
creasingly satisfactory. The report of the
commission shows a large amount'of good
work done during the year with very lim
ited appropriations.
THE TARIFF.
Congress and the Country Congratulated
Upon the Passage of Lawi of High
Importance.
I congratulate congress and the coun
try upon the passage at the first session of
the Fifty-first congress of an unusual
number of laws of very high importance.
That the results of this legislation will be
the quickening-and enlargement of our
manufacturing industries. larger«and better
markets for our breadstuiTs, and better
wages for our working people, and an in
creased supply of provisions both at home
and abroad, more constant employment and
a safe curreacy for transaction of busi­
eas
that
ness, I do not doubt. Some of
ures were enacted at so late a
the beneficial effects upon comnil.
were in the contemplation of con
as yet but partially manifested
The general trade and Industrie
throughout the country duriflL
have shown a marked improve!
many yean prior to 1888 the merchandise
balances of foreign trade had been.largely
in our favor, but during that year and the
year following tbey turned against us. It
is very gratifying to know that the last
fiscal year again shows a balance in our
favor of over $68,000,006. The bank clearings
which furnish a good test of the volume of
business transacted for the first ten months
of the year 1890 show, as compared with the
same months of 1889, an increase for the
whole country of about 8.4 per cent., while
the Increase outside of the city of New
York was over 13 per cent. During the
month of October the clearings of tbe whole
country showed an Increase of 3.1 par cent
over October, 1889, wbile outside ot New
York the increase was 11% per cent. These
figures show that the increase in the vol
ume of business was very general through^
out the country. That this larger^
was being conducted upon a safe a
able basis is shown by tbe fact
were 300 less, failures reported!
1890, than in the same month otfct»*3 rpre
ceding year, with li.-4bilities diuiKii^ied by
about $57,000,000. The value of oytr exports
of merchandise during the last year was
over $115,000,000 greater thifn the preceding
year and was only exocedod once in our
history. About $100,000,000 of this excess
was in agricultural products. The produc
tion of pig iron—always a good gauge of
general prosperity—is shown by
a recent census bulletin to have been
153 per cent, greater in 1890 than in
1880, and the production of steel 290 per
cent, greater. Mining in coal has had no
limitation except that resulting from ineffi
cient transportation. The general testi
mony is that labor is everywhere fully em
ployed, and the reports for the' last year
show a smaller number of employes affected
by strikes and lock-outs than in any year
since 1884. Tbe depression in the pripes of
agricultural products has been greafKr re
lieved and a bouyant and hopetp tone
was beginning to be felt by all our
These promising influences have- hj|J
some degree checked by tbe surpris
very unfavorable monetary event
have recently taken place in England
is gratifying to know that these
grow in any degree out of financial rela
tions with our people. or out of any dis
credit 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 themselves. We could
not, however, wholly escape the ill-effects
of a foreign monetary agitation, accom
panied by such extraordinary incidents a»
characterized this. It is not believed, how
ever, that these evil incidents which have
for the time unfavorably affected values in
this country, can long withstand the strong,
safe and wholesome influences which are
operating to give to our people profitable
returns in all branches of legitimate tnade
aud industry.
which
havo
mselves.
ditions
eyear
ent. li or
Itsiness
k-ofit-
The apprehension that our tariff may
again and at once be subjected to impor
tant general changes would undoubtedly
add a depressing influence of the most seri
ous character. TbSgeneral tariff act has
only partially gone into operation, some'of
its important provisions being limited to
take effect at dates yet in the futures The
general provisions of tbe law have been In
force less than sixty days. Its permanent^
effect upon trade and prices still largely
stands in conjecture. It is curious to nq
that the advance in tbe prices of
wholly unaffected by the tariff act wa
many hastily ascribed to that act. Not
was not taken of the fact that the generaf
tendency of the markets was upward' from
influences wholly apart from the recent
tariff legislation. Tbe enlargement of our
eurrency by the silver bill undoubtedly
gave an upward tendency to trade and had
a marked effect on prices, but this natural
and' desired effect ot the silver
legislation was by many erro
neously attributed to the tariff act.
There is neither wisdom nor justice in the
suggestion that the
subject of tariff revision
shall be opened before this law has had a
fair trial. It is quite true that every tariff
schedule is subject to objections. No bill
was ever framed. I suppose, that in all of
its rates and classifications had the full ap
proval of even a party caucus. Such legisla
tion is always and necessarily the product
of compromise as todetails, and the present
law is no exception. But in its general
scope and effect I think it will justify tho
support of those who believe that American,
legislation should conserve and defend
American trade and the wages of American
workmen. Tile misinformation as to th»
terms of tho act which has been so widely
disseminated at home and abroad, will be
corrected by experience, and the evil
auguries as to its results confounded by the
market reports, tbe savings banks, inter
national trade balances, and the general
prospferity of our people. Already wo be
gin to hear from abroad and from our cus
tom houses that the prohibitory effect upon
importations imputed to the act is not justty
lied. The imports at the port of New- YorUf
for the first three weeks of November^
here nearly 8 per cent, greater than, for th«
same period in 1889, and 29 per cent, greater-'
than in the- same period of 1888. And* so far
from being an act to Umlt exports, li confi
dently believe that under it we shalliseciue
'a larger and more profitable participation
in foreign trade than we have ever enjoyed,
and that we shall recover a proportionate
participation in tbe ocean carrying trade of
tbe world. The criticisms of the bill that have
come to us-from foreign sources may well be
rejected for repugnancy. If these- critics
still believe that the adoption by us-of a.
free trade policy or of tariff rates-having
reference-solely to revenue, would-diminish
the participation of their own countries in
the commerce of the world, their advocacy
and the promotion by speech aadi other
forms ot organized efforts of this movement
among our people is a rare exhibition of
usefulness in trade, and on the other Band,
if they sincerely believe that the- adoption
of a protective tariff policy in this coun
try inures to their profit and our hurt, it is
noticeably strange that they should lead
the outcry against the- authors
of a policy so helpful to their country
men, and crown with their favor
those who would snatch from them
a substantial share of a trade- with other
lands, already inadequate to their necessi
ties. There is no disposition among any of
our people to promote prohibitory or retal
iatory legislation. Our policies are adopted
not to the hurt of^others, but to secure for
ourselves these advantages that fairly g^ew
out. of our favored position as a nation.
«Jur form.of government with its incident of
universal suffrage makes it imperative that
we shall save our working people from the
agitations and distresses which scant work
and wages that have no margin for comfort
always beget. But after' all this is
done it will be found that our
markets are open to friendly commer
cial exchanges of enormous value' to
other great powers. From the time of my
induction into o,fflce, the duty of using
every power aud influence given by law to
the executivie department for the develop
ment of larger markets for our products,
especially our farm products, has been kept
constantly in mind, and no effort has been
or will be spared to promote that end. We
are under no disadvantage in any foreign
market except that we pay our workingmen.
and workwomen better wages than
are paid elsewhere, relative to the.
cost of the necessaries of life.
I doubt that every largely increased for
eign trade is accessible to us without bar
tering for either our home market for such
products of the farm and shop as our own
people can supply, or the wages of our
working people. In many 6t the products
of wood and iron and in meats and bread
stuffs, we have advantages that only jieed
better facilities of interest than transporta
tion to secure for them large foreign
markets. The reciprocity clause of the
tariff act wisely and effectually opens the
way to secure a large reclprooal trade in
wstuuigo for the free admtsaloa toovynti