Wichita eagle. [volume], December 07, 1886, Image 1

About Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890

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VOL. VI. NO. 17.
WICHITA, KANSAS, TUESDAY MOENTNTGr, DECEMBER 7, 1886.
WHOUE NO. 799.
- T- C. TL, . - , -
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MESSAGE.
To the Congress of the United States:
In the discharge of a constitutional duty
and following a well established precedent
in the executive office, I herewith trans
mit to the congress at its reassembling cer
tain information concerning thcstate'of the
union, together with such recommenda
tions for legislative consideration as appears
necessary and expedient.
OClt FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our government has consistently mnin-
tainc its relations of friendship towards
all other powers aud of neighborly interest
towards those whose possessions are contig
uous to our own. Few questions have
arisen during the past year with other gov
ernments, and none of these are beyond
the reach of settlement in council.
Vr are as yet without a provision for the
settlement of claims of citizens of the
United States against Chili for injuries dur
ing the late war" with Peru and Bolivia.
Tiie mixed commission organized under
the claims convention concluded by the
Chili government with certain European
states have developed an amount of friction
which we trust can be avoided in the con
vention which our reppresent-ative at San
tiago is authorized to negotiate.
THE CHINESE.
The cruel treatment of the inoffensive
Chinese has, I regret to sa been repeated
in some of the fur west states and territo
ries and actions and acts of vio
Jence against these people beyond the
power of the local constituted authorities
to prevent and dillicult to punish at the re
ported even in distant Alaska much of this
violence can be traced to rate prejudNe
and competition of labor which cannot,
however, justify the oppression of strang
ers which .-aiety is guaranteed iy our
treat' with China, equally with the must
favored nations.
In opening our van domain to all depart
ments i In purpose of our law givers was 10
invite aw uilaliin and not provide an aie
na f r eu lloss antagonisms. The para
mount d.iu of maintaining public order
and defending the interests of our
people may require the adoption
of measures of rclributution but they
should not tolerate the oppression of indi
viduals of a speeial race.
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.
I am not without assurance that the gov
ernment of China, whoc friendly disposi
tion towards us I am happy to recognize,
will meet us half wav in devising a com
prehensive remedy by which an effective
limitation of Chinese emigration, joined to
protection of their Chinese subjects who re
main in this country, may be secured.
Legislation is needed to execute the pro
visions of our Chinese convention of 18)
to check the opium trafiic. While the
good will of the Columbian
government towards our country
is manifest the, the situation of American
interests on the Isthmus of Panama has at
times excitetl concern and invited friendly
action looking to the performance of the
two nations concerning the territory em
braced in the inter-oceanic transit. With
the subsidence of the isthusinian dislur
bances and erection of the state of Panama
into a federal district under the direct gov
ernment of America administered at Hugo
ta, a new order of things has been inaugur
ated which although as 3'ct somewhat ex
perimental and affording scope for the ar
bitrary exercise of power by the delegates
of the national authority, promises much
improvement.
The sympathy between the people of the
United States and France, born during our
colonial .struggle for independence and
continuing today, has received a fresh im
pulse in the successful completion and
dedication of the colossal statue of Libert
Enlightening the odd in New York liar
bor, the gift of Frenchmen to Americans
A convention between the United States
and certain other powers for the protection
of fcubmarinc cables was signed at Paris on
March 14, 1SS4. and has been duly ratified
and proclaimed by this government, liy
agreement between the high contracting
parties this convention is to go into effect
the first of January next by the legislation
required for its execution in the United
Slates has not been adopted. I earnestly
recotninend its enactment. Cases have
continued to occur in Germany, giving
rie to much correspondence in relation to
the privilege of sojourn of our naturalized
citizen of German origin revisiting the
land of their biith. Yet I am happy to
state that our relations with that country
have lost none of their accustomed cor
di.ditv. The claims for interest upon the
amount of tonmuru dues illegally exacted
from certain German steamship lines were
favorably reported in both houses
of congress at the last session, and I trust
v;ill receive final and favorable action at an
e.rly day.
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
The recommendation contained in my
last annual message in relation to a mode
of settlement of the fishery riht in the
waters of British North America, so long
:i subject of anxious difference between the
United States and Great Dritaiu, was met
by au adverse vote of the senate on April
1-Jth. last, and thereupon negotiations were
instituted to obtain an agreement with her
JJritanic majesty's government for the pro
mulgation of such joint interpretation
aud definition of the article of
the joint convention of 1S18.
relntiiur to the territorial waters and in
shore fisheries of the British provinces as
should secure the Canadian risrhts from en-
crui 1 u nt by the United States fisher
men. and. at the same time, insure the in 1
j yte.it by the latter ol the privileges ;
guaranteed to them ly such convention. t
The questions involved are of long stand- ;
ing and of great consequence, and from j
time to time" for nearly three-quarters of a I
century have given rise to eanitist interna- j
tiotinl discus-ions, not uaaccotupaii'etl by
jrritution. Temporary arrangements h j
treaties h.te served to alley friction '
-which, however. has revived i-.s I
T .1 TI. .. 1
each treaty was terminate.!. niciui
last arrangement under the
treaty of 1
171 was abrogated after due notice by the i
United States on June 80. 1SS5. but 1 was !
enaoied to obtain for our fishermen for the I
lenuiiuder of the season uijovment of the ,
fall nn51ees accorded by the terminal ,
treaty. The ioint lutrli commission, ny
"whom the treaty had been negotiated, at-(
though invested" with preliminary power to 1
tu.-ke a permanent settlement, were content
with a teiuptirary arrangement after the
ttrn-itistioii; after which the question wu.
11 legatttl to the stipulations of the treaty of
llb as to tht lirst article of which '
11 uisi ruction s:ttJSf.lcton- to both !
Countries have ever been atrreed upon. The '
progress of civilization and rowth of lop- I
illation in the British provitTees to which
the fisheries in question are contiguous and
the expansion of commercial intercourse
between them and the United States, pre- -
sent today a condition of affairs scarcely
realizable at the state of the iK-frotiatknxs of ,
1S1S. New and vast interests "have been
brought into existence; modes of inter-'
course between the respective countries '
have been invented and multiplied; the j
methods of conducting the . fisheries hayc j
been wholly changed,
are necessarily entitled to
careful consideration in the ad iustu.eut
of the terms and conditions of intercourse if conceded, would create a dual responsi
and commerce between the United States j bility in the citizen and lead to iuextrica
and their neighbors alone: a frontier of ble confusion, destructive of that certainty
over 3,o00 miles. This propinquity, com
munity of landaire and occupation and sim
ilarity of political and social institutions in
dicate the practicability and obvious wis
clom of maintaining mutually beneficial
social and friendly relations. While I am
unfeiguedly de-irous that such relations
should exist between us and the inhabitants
of Canada, yet the action of their oilieials
during the past season towards our fisher-ni'-n
were such jis to seriously threaten
their continuance. Although dis
appointed in my efforts to
secure a satisfactory settlement of
the fishery question. Negotiations are still i
pending with reasonable hopes that before
the close of the present session of congress
announcement may be made that an accept
able couclu-sion ii been reached, as at an
early da there m be laid before congress
the correspondence of the department of
state in relation to this important subject,
o that the history of the past fishery season
may le fully disclosed and the action and
the attitude of the administration clearly
comprehended. A more extended refer
ence is not deemed necessary in this com
munication to tho recommendation submit
ted last year, that provision be. made for
The preliminary reconn usance of the
conventional boundary line between Alas
ka and British Columbia is renewed, I ex
press my hesitating conviction that the in
timacy of our relations with Hawaii should
b emphasized as a result of the
reciprocity treaty of lS7o. Those islands,
in tiie highway of Oriental and Australian
traffic are virtually an outpostof American
commerce and a stepping stone to the
growing trade of the Pacilic. The Polyne
sian island groups have been so absorbed
by other and more powerful governments
that the Hawaiian islands are left
almost alone in the enjoyment
of their autonomy, which it is
important for us, should be preserved.
uur treaty is now terminal on one years
notice, but propositions to abrogate it
would be in my judgment most advisable
The influence we have there acquired once
relinquished could only with difficulty be
regained aud a valuable ground of ad van
tage for ourselves might be converted into
a strong hold for our commercial competi
tors. 1 earnestly recommend that the ex
isting treaty be extended for a further term
of seven years. A recently signed tieaty
to this end is before the sen
ate. The importance of telegraphic
communication between these islands ami
the United States should not be ovet looked.
AS TO OTHER NATIONS.
The question of a general rovi-ion of the
treaties of Japan is again under discussion
at Tokio as the lirst to open lelatioiis with
the empire and as the nation in most diieet
commercial relation with Japan, the
United States have lost no opportunity to
testify their consistent friendship by sup
poi ting the just amis of Japan to autono
tay aud independence ainoug nations. A
treaty of extradition between the United
btatco and Japan, the lirst concluded by
that empire, has been lately proclaimed
The weakness of Liberia and the dilli
cully of maintaining effective sov
crignitv over its outlying districts
have exposed th.it republic to encroach
ment. It cannot be forgotten that this dis
tant community is an oil'sh ot of our own
system, owing its origin to the associated
benevolence of American citizens whose
praiseworthy efforts to cieate a nucleus of
civilization in the dark continent have
comui'tndcd respect and sympathy overv
where, especially m this country. Although
a formal protouoiaie over Liberia is con
trary to our traditional policy, the moral
right and duty of the United States to as
sisi in all proper ways in the maintenance
of ita integrity are obvious and have been
consistently announced during half a cen
tury. I recommend that in the reorganization
of our navy a small vessel no longer
found adequate to our needs te presented
1 1 Libsi ia to be employed by it in the pr -lection
of ils coastwise revenues.
The encouraging development of bene
ficiwl and intimate relations between Un
united Slates and .Mexio, which lias been
so marked within the past few months, is
at once the occasion ol congratulation of
of friendly solicitude. I urgently renew
my former representation of the need ol
speedy legislation b congress to cairy in
to effect the retiprocity conimer
cial convention of January iOth.
lt-o. Our commercial tieaty "of lc.il
with Mexico was terminated according to
ils provisions in ltdl. Upon noiintulioti
given by Mexico in pursuance of her an
nounced policy ol re-easting all her com
mercial treaties, Mexico has since conclud
ed with several foreign governments new
treaties of commerce aud navigation, detin
ing alien lights of piopeiu and residence
treatment of shipping, consular privileges
ami the like. Our et unexecuted reeipro
city convention of ld63 covers noiieof-these
points, the settlement of which is so neces
sary to good relationship. I propose to in
itiate with Mexico negotiations tor a new
aud enlarged treaty ot commerce and naw
gatioii.
In compliance with a resolution of the
senate, 1 communicated to that body on
August 2d, last, and also to the houJ.. ot
representatives, the correspondence in the
case of A. (Jutting, an American citizen.
then imprisoned m Mexico, charged with
1 the commission of a penal offense in Texas, i
in which a Mexitun citizen was the object I
I After demand had been made for his re- !
lt-a.se, the charge against him was amended
o as to iut luile a wolalion of Mexican i
aw within Mexican territory. This j
joinder ol alleged olieuses withm the other,
exterior to Mexieo, induced me to
order a s-jKvial iuve.tigatiou of tho lm,
pending which Mr. Cutting wa- released,
The incident h-., however, dtclo-ed a
'"laim ot jiin-dutiou by .Mexico :iol m ti and trade are scarcely less unportaut
history, whereby any offense coinmno-d 1 t.i us than Spain. Their commercial aud
am where b a foieiguer, penal in the plate j rinancial movements are so naturally a part
of its commission and of winch a Mexn-aii f our system that no obstc!e to fuller,
is the object may, if the offender be found I frtt-rcr intercourse should be permitted to
;.. 11 :.... I... .1". ..- 1 1 ...... ,,.'. ri., 1:.. ?.. f
.nnia, w; mere men ana piim-iii: iu,e
conformity with Mexican laws. Thi- i
isdiction was sustained by the courts of
Mexico in the Cutting case "and approved
by the executive branch of that gov
eminent. Utxu the authority" of
a Mexicau statue th
lppellate 1
court iu reiesising .vir. cutting neciuet tnat '
tne at-anuonmeiu 01 me compiaint oy tne '
American citien aggrieved by the alleged !
crime, removed the Imsi f further prose-'
eiUion, aud itUo tkvlarvd jastiee to have .
1kc:i satisfieti by the enforcement of a stn-U
pnrt f the original seiuoact. The admin-,
tstration of such a pretension would be at-;
tended with serious results and iuva.ive of ,
the jurisdiction of this government and '
highly dangerous to our citizens in foreign
lauds. Therefore. I have denied it and
protested against its attempted exercise as
unwarranted by the principle of law
and international Usage. A sovereign
has jurisdiction of otlenses which take
effect ia her territory, although coaen-
truted or commenced outride of it, but the
right is denied of any foreign sovereign to
punish a citizen of the United Slates for an .
offense committed ou our soil in violation!
of our laws, even though the offense be j
and they c xnniitted against a citizen of such sov
camlid an.i i er ign. flu; .Mexican s atue in question
makes the claim broadly and the principle,
m the laws, which is an
essential of liberty. When citizens
of the United States voluntary go into a
foreign country thev must abide bv the
laws therein and will not be protected by
their own government from the conse
quence of an offense against the laws com
mitted in such foreign country, but the
watchful care and interests of this govern
ment over its citizens are not relinquished
because tlu-y have gone abroad, and if
charged with crime committed in the for
eign land, a fair and open trial conducted
with -decent regard for justice and
humauity will be uemanded lor
them; with hss than that this the
government will not be content when
life or liberty of its citizens is at stake.
Whatever tiie degree to which extradi
tionary crimes jurisdiction may have been
formally allowed by consent and recepri
cal agreement among certain of the Euro
peanstates, no such doctrine or practice
was ever known to the laws of the country
or of that form which our institutions have
mainly derived. In the case of Mexico
there are reasons especially strong for per
fect harmony in the mutual exercise of
jurisdiction." Nature had made us irre
vocably neighbors, and wisdom aud kind
feeling" should make us friends. The over
flow of capital and enterprise from the
United Stales is au important factor in as
sisting the development of the resources of
Mexico aud in building up the prosperity
of lxth countries. To assist this good work
all grounds for apprehension for the secur-1
ity of herself and property should he re
moved, aud I trust that in the interests of
good neighborhood the statute referred to
will be so modified as to eliminate the pres
ent possibilities of danger to the peace of
the two countries.
The government of the Netherlands his
exhibited concern in relation to certain fea
tures of our tariff laws which are sup
posed by them to be aimed at
a class of tobacco produced ui the Dutch
East Indies. Comment would seem un
necessary upon the unwisdom of legislation
appearing to have a special national (lis
crimination for its object which, although
unintentional, may give rise to injurious
retaliation.
The establishment less than four years
ag ) of a legation at Teheran is bearing
fruit in the interest exhibited by the shar's
government in the industrial activity of the
United States and the opportunities of
beneficial interchange.
Staple government is now happily re
stored in Peru by the election of a consti
tutiotial president, and a period of re
habilitation is entered upon, but
recovery is necessarily slow from the ex
I, austion caused by the lite war and ciril
isturl (antes. A convention to adjust by
rbitrati')ii claims of our citizens has been
i romisc.i and is under consideration.
Tne naval officer who bore to Siberia
the testimonials bestowed by congress in
lecoguition of the aid given to the Jeau
neitee s irvivors has successfully accom
plished his mission. Hii interesting report
will he submitted. It is pleasant to know
that the mark of appreciation has been
welcomed by the Russian government and
people as bents the traditions and friend
ships of the two countries. Civil per
turbations In the Samouu islauds have
during the pul few years been a sourceof
cotisiiieiable einbarrasnient to the three
governments, Germany, Great Britain and
the United States, w hose relations and ex
tra ten it -rial rights in that important
group are guaranteed by treaties, the
weakness of the native administration and
the conflict of opposing interests in the
island have led Iving Malietoa to seek al
liance or protection in some quarter, re
gardless of the distinct engagements
wheiebv no one of the three treaty powers
may acquire any permanent or exclusive
interest. lu May last. Malietoa offered to
phee Samoa under the protection of the
United States, and the late consul, without
authority, assumed to grant it. The
proceeding was promptly discover
ed and the over-zealous official
recalled ami special agents of the govern
ments have been deputied to examine the
situation in the islands with a change in
the repre-eHiation of all three powers aud a
harmonious understanding between them
to the peace, prosperity and an autonamous
administration of neutrality of Samoa can
hardly fail to besecuied.
THE SPANIftll-CCUAN INCIDENT.
It appearing that the government of
Spain did not extend to the flag of the
United States in the Antilles the
full recipn c ty requisite under our statute
for the continuance of the suspension ef
discrimination against the Spanish flag in
iiui ;v. i?, x ts u'usiitijueti
I
Orober last. to remind mv
predecessor's proclamation of February 14.
18S4, permitting such suspension. An ar
rangement was, however, speedily reached
and up u notification from the govern
ment of Spain that all differential treat
ment of our vessels and cargoes from the
I niteti btates or from anv foreign country 1
had been absolutely rel
' ; .,;,) . ., -, I
mquished in led ,
rrmfcrriHl liv I-iu.-
m self of the discretion conferred bv law
and issued, on the 27th of October, my
proclamation declaring reciprocal suspen
sion in the United States. It is most grati
fy ing to bear testimony to the earnest
spirit in which the government of the
queen regent has met our efforts to avert the .
... - 1
munitions of commercial discriminations
-tud reprisals which are ever disastrous to
Hie material interests .nil the political g.od-
will of the couiiMics thev mav effect.
profitable development of the largo com-
oerctal exchanges between the United
I he
-itates and the Spanish Antilles is natur- j
ally an object of solicitude. Lying close
' our doors and finding here the main 1
Markets ot stipplv and uemaud.the welt an 1 ,,.,- .
of Cuba and Porto llico and their produc-,
ti and trade are scarcely less unportaut . . : . . , .,
- i - a. 1 ue ssanaing insirucuon 01 our rep
re-sentativeb at Madnd and Havana hav
be:t for years to leave no elfort unessavttl
to further these ends and at no time has the !
equal goxi desire of Spain been more hope-
fully manifested by remoyinir the consular
tonnage fees on cargoes shipj)ed to the An-
tiikv, and ov reducmg pas; pri lees nas
snown Us rvnjiiiinu 01 lis. needs 01 ie.s ;
irammel-d inJerourse An effort has been
made during the past year to remove tue,
hindrance to the proclamation of the treaty
of naturalization with double port. signjri ,
in 1?74, which has remained iaopenttive
owing to a disagreement of interp.-etHt.un .
of the clause to lhe etTects of the '
return to and sojourn of a naturalized '
citizen in the land of origin. I ;nst soon ;
to Ik? able to announce a favorable settle-'
ment ot tne diuerences as to tins mterpre :
tation. j
It has been highly satisfactory to note 1
the improved treatment of American mis- i
sionane.s m 1 urkey. as has uecn atlesUc j
bv their RknovN-ledginent t oar state!
minister to that government of his success-
ful exertions in their behalf. ,
The exchange of ratification of the con-
vention of December 5th, 1SS3. with Yene-j
zuela for the re-opening of the awards of
the Caracas commission under the
claims convention of 1SS6, has
not yet been effected, owing to
the delay of the executive of that republic
in ratifying the measure. I trust that this
postponement will be brief, but should i
much longer continue the delay may well
be regarded as a recission of the compact
and a failure on the part of Yenezula to
complete an arrangement so oresistentlv
sought by her during many years and as
assented to by this government in a spirit
of internal unfairness, although to thedet
rirnent of holders bona fide towards the im
pugned commission.
1 renew the recommendation of my last
annual message that existing legislation
concerning citizenship and naturalization
be revised. "We have treaties with many
states providing for the renunciation of cit
izenship by naturalized aliens, but no stat
ute is found to give effect to such engage
ment, nor any which provides a needed
central bureau for tne registration of nat
uralized citizens. Experience suggests
that our statutes regarding extradition
might be advantageously amended by a
provision for the transit across our territo
ry, now a convenient .thoroughfare of
travel from one foreign country to another,
of fugitives surrendered by a foreign gov
ernment to a third state. Such provisions
are not unusual in the legislation of
other countries, and tend to prevent
the missionary of justice. It is also desir
able in order "to remove present uncertain
ties that authority should be conferred on
the secretary of state to issue a certificate in
case of au arrest for no purpose of extradi
tion to the oflicer before whom the pro
ceeding is pending, showing that a requisi
tion for the surrender of the person charged
his been duly made. Such a certificate is
required to be received before the prison
er's examination, would prevent a long and
expensive judicial inquiry into a charge
which the foreign government might not
desire to press. I also recommend
thai express provision be made for the
immediate discharge from custoday prison
ers committed for extradition, where the
president is of the opinion that surrender
should be inade, the dissent of senti
ment in civilized communities toward full
recognition of rights of property in the ero
tism of human intellect has brought about
the adoption by many important nations
of an international copyright convention
which was signed at Berne on the ISth of
September, 1S;3. Inasmuch as the consti
tution gives to congress the power to pro
mote the progress of science and useful
arts In securing for limited times to
authors aud inventors the exclusive rights
to their respective writings and discoveries.
This government did not feel warranted in
becoming a signatory, pending action of
congress, upon measures of international
copyright now before it; but the right of
adhesion to the Berne convention hereafter
has been reserved. I trust the subject will
receive at your hands the attention it de
serves, and that the just claim of authors,
so jointly pressed, will be duly beetled.
Representations continue to be made to
me of the injurious effect upon American
artists studying abroad and having free
access to the art collections of foreign
countries, of maintaining a discriminating
duty against the introduction of the works
of their brother,artists, of other countries,
and I am induced to repeat my recommen
dation for the abolition of that tax.
Pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation act, approved
Juh 1, lbijti, tiie estimates submitted by
the secretary of state for the maintenance
of the consular service, have been recast on
the basis of salaries to all officers to whom
such an allnwauce is deemed advisable.
Advantaghas been taken of this to redis
tribute the salaries of the offi
cers now appropriated for in
accordance with the work performed,
the importance of the incumbent and the
cost of living at each post. The last con
sideration has been too often lost sight of in
the allowances heretofore made. The com
ocnsalion which may suffice for the decent
....i..t... ... ftf o ii'.rtt... ..rwl S... fnl.1i i
officer of onerous and representative trust
nt a post readily accessible aud where the
necessaries of life areabuuddantand cheap,
may prove an inadequate pittance in dis
tant lauds where the better part of a year's
pay is consumed in reaching the post of
duty, aud where the comforts of ordinary
civilized existence cm only be obtained
with difficulty and nt exorbitant cost. I
trust that in considering the submitted
schedules no mistaken theory of economy
will perpetuate a system which in the pa-t
has virtually closed to deserving talent
many offices where capacity and attain
ments of a high order are indipensible, ,
aud in not a few instances has brought dis-'
credit on our national character and en- j
tailed embarrassment, even suffering, on ,
those deputed to uphold our dignity and in-,
terests Abroad, lu conversation with t!ie
. - . i .1 . r. . .1 . , .1
ojeet x etuesio reoenue te ,,;aeuca
necessity of supplying some mode ot
trustworthy inspection and report
of tiie manner in which the consulates are
conducted. In the absence of such reliable
information efficiency can scarcely be re
warded or its opposite corrected. Iticrea.-
I ing competition in tratle has (tire, ted at-
tentiou to the value of the consular reports
. j fa b , lmem of hlal and lhe
' . .
efforw of the government to extend the
practical uscfulue-s of these reports, have
craittd a wider demand for them at home
and a spirit of emulation abroad. Consti
tutin a record of the changes occur-
V , . 1 , - , .
of tho nrt nrf invnnlinn in fnrs.m-u
.. ... w ...., ...... ..w...... ... ..w.a.
countries, thev are much sought for
by all interested in the subjects which they
iiinlirur... 'CI... ...x rt .-i f tin. .3... . rt r , y-.f . ii.i '
. .. i. :,..-.- :.. ,i......i .1... 7 f
..g1".
, !
IH.TI-U1 CAIUUI'S lil UCUUI 111C IUUU1UUU Ui .
puoiic hnaaee. and ol tue several
branches ol tiiv government elected to hi
,
l.1,
,
deptrtinent. I especially direct the ntten-
tion of the congress to the recoinmeinia- j
lions contained in thi and the lat preeed '
the secretary touching the
ideation and amendment of the laws ;
relatlug to the collection of our revenues. ,
! and in lhe interest ot economy and justice .
I to the government. I hope they may be
adopted by appropriate legislation.
j EVE.VDES ASP i:XIi;.DITt REs. ;
! The ordinary receipts of the government j
for t tie fiscal vear ended June 30, .
1S38 wer 5-3G.G43.972.70S, of this amount
?i'J,20,.y2. 341 was received from ctisa-ms ;
Ian i $ 11, CSJ.oDS.'Jld from internal revenue I
wlifle tiie total receipts as here staled sere 1
Si$l,3t4,y'J2,9GS greater than for the'
jl,5t4,y'x:,yij5 greater
prenous year, out tne increase
from customs was $11.430.40?.4!0
and from haemal revenue MU,?2i,tJi,
micg a ain in these items for the last,
yetir of il.3S-i.l89,30i, a falling oS m
oth&r res-urcea reducing the total iDcrea
10 the smaller ataouut mentioned. iSieex-1
pen--e at the ditlerect custom houses of cwi '
led in .r this increased ctistwiis revenue was
1 thaa lhe expeuse attewliog the collec
uon ifsa"i reemiefrth pnceedingyer
bj fjy.vfy and tne incxeasd receipts
of inu-raal revenue were c-jiiected at
a ocutt to the internal rrme burean f
-515.39.491) less than the expense of suca
&Mlcc(Kn i-j. the previous vcu
The tola, onimarv exoecsea of the gov
ernment for lhe rises! year rLdiag June
30, lSi3, were $24.245,3 13.fc3y, ban;- le--
by $17,755,797 than such exp-nditurta for ,
the year preceding, and leaving a bcxpltu!
in the treasury at the close of
the last fiscal year of $9,315,65S,So6.
as against $C,343'677,127 at the close of te
pievious year; being an increase in such
surplus of o,049,2tl,?29. The expendi
tures are compared with those of the pre
ceeding fiscal year and classified as fol
lows: For ciyil expenses year oading June 30,
1SS6, 2,19o,d60.4:74; vear ending June 30,
lisSo, f2.3S2.C94.211."
Foreigu intercourse. $133,232,0SS 543,
960.911. For Indians, $609,91o,S17 $633,249,
263. For Pensions, 6,340,486,403 $3,010,
226,149. For the military, including river and
harbor improvements and arsenals, .3,432,
413274 4,267,037,S47.
For the navy, including vessels, machin
ery and improvements $1,390.783.774
$1,602,107,909.
For interests on public debt, $5,053,014,
597 $3,133,625,647.
.b or the District of Columbia, 239,232,
189 $244,965,095.
Miscellaneous expenditures, including
public buildings, light houses and collect
ing the revenue, $4,778,663,304 5 472 -805,121.
For the current year to end, June 30,
1887. the ascertainexl receipts up to Octo
ber 1, 1886, with such receipts estimated
for the remainder of the vear amount to
$350,000,000.
The expenditures ascertained and esti
mated for the same period are $266,000,000,
indicating au anticipated surplus at tiie
close of me year of $90,000,000.
OCR EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The total value of the exports from the
United States to foreign countries during
the fiscal year is stated and compared with
the preceding year, as follows:
Article isss 1SS3
Merchmlls JC,3W.,j;'OJ T2.Co.2'.4.600
Forvixn tnerchaudbe. . I,avoj.lU) I.OT.&hVaW
t01il .JV'3W) SI79..V3
Silver 2.9J1.U..WJ0 3,;j.:,jO
The value of some of our leading pro
ducts exported during the last fiscal year
as compared with the value of the same for
the year immediately preceding is he-.e
g ven and furnishes information both in
Cresting and suggestive for the year;
Article 1S38 IKi.
Cot on and cotton man
ufacture 62I.5KM.557.6CO $21.379.ttW.'.A
Totmcco and ltt iuanu-
fac.u a $-KMW,S0 s 2,Tfi.7J0i v
Hread .tuffs lilSl.toj.SO lG.uJ7.lHi 10.1
FruvL-loae 9,Ki.5.!l,M 1U.7SJ.U5.COI
Our imports during the last fiscal year
as compared with previous years were as
follows:
Artlol; lSs-i 15S5
lUrctiaiidise $5J.513.6l8,1J SJ7.9Js.0"V3
Gold i.OU.SSi.'lXI 2.6C9.1CS.M;
tllvt-r 1.755.UJJ.7.0 l.bOJ.ObJ.TU)
REVENUE REFORM.
In my last message to congress attention
was directed to the tact that the revenues
of the government exceeded its
needs and it was suggested
that legislative action should be taken to
relieve the people from the unnecessary
burden of the extra taxation thus made
apparent. Thus in view of the pressing
importance of the subject, I deem it my
duty to again urge its consideration. The
income of the government by its increased
volume through economies in its collection,
is now more than ever in excess of public
necessities. The application of the surplus
to the payment of such portion of the
public debt as is now at our option subject
to extinguishment, if continued at
the rale whidi has lalely pre
vailed, would retire that class
of indebtedness within less than one year
from this date. Thus a continuation of
our present revenue system would soon re
sult in the receipt of an annual income
much greater than necessary to meet the
government expenses with 110 indebtedness
upon it to which it could be applied. We
should then be confronted with a vast
amount of money the circulating medium
of the peoole hoarded in the" treasury
when it Bhould be in their hands, or we
should He drained into wasteful public ex
travagauce with all the corrupting na- M"e wnicn me most tcrupuious economy
tional demoralization which follow in its ! enables them to bring into their
train. But it is not the simple existence j home.-, and for their implements
of this surplus and its threatened attendant 'f husb.indry they are ooligtst to pay a
evils which furnish the strongest argument I price, largely increased by an unnatural
against our present si-ale of federal taxa-1 profit which by the actioii of the govern
tion. Its worsl phase is the exaction of j ment is given to the more favored rsmnu
Mich a surplus through a perversion of the j facturer I recomend that, keeping In
relation between the people and their gov- j view all thc.sc considerations, theincrensitip
erument and a dangerous departure from ! and unnecessary surplus of national in
the rules which limit the right of federal j come annually accumulating In; releu-cd to
taxation. Good government, and eseci j tne tx-opie by au amendment to our rev
ally the government of which every Amer- enue laws which shall chqvn the pri.e of
lean citizen boasts, has tor its Object the J
protection of every person within its care
in the greatest liberty consistent with the
good order of society and his perfect
security in the enjoyment of his
earning with the least possible diminution
for public needs. hen more of the peo
p es .sustenance is exacteu through the
f..r:n of taxation than is necc-sary to meet '
the just obli
tions of the government and j
the expanses of iu economical administra
tion, such exaction becomes ruthless ex-
rived at a stage of superfluous revenue
w. ich has aroused the people to a nrnliza-:
lion of the fact thai the amount
rawd professedly ; for the support of the
government is paid by them and a abso
lutclv added to the pr.ee oL the tilings
niiuai-i., iui..! u...v ""'"' "'" i
paid at hved periods into the hands of the ,
taxgatherer Those who toil for daily
ipp y tueir cian wants as u waa ,
wages- are beginning to understand that
capital, though sometimes vaunting it, im i
jwrtanoj and clamoiinng ,or the potec-
tion and favor of the gorerninent. ts dull ,
and s-tiggisn mi toucnwi ny tne magail
iuoidoi labor it springs into actmty. far-'
m,:ing an occasion for fi. ral u.xatifn j
and gatnin: value which enables u to Uar ,
its burden, and the laboruigumn is ihoogut ,
iuii.inqui.ing ne.ner. m tacs cjrniai
stances and CiDstdcnng Ue tniwu he as
is.in.t?intif tviv. ml., tltr- mt.ilu- irxiiatrr it
;;" . "tiJL . :v ' : t..jkL i
.- duKn.w -.- ..... ...Mx. . .. .. -.-.
fair share of the advaoiage. There i alo
..?.. ..! .1 iii-tl..li,.n .r tl. a riiHl..ntn1 1
","".","'" ; '"''""" ""- iuuunuieiiu" , ,ntr t,e fiscnj vear ended June W.188G, w
principles 01 a iree government. 1 ne in- .i4.-.-,.T04.386. During the twelve tnoi
direct manner in which these exactions are efujHj October 81. 16. three per r
mvie nas a tendency 10 conceal tneir true bon(ls w.,,rc niM fr m
a suspicion already Unit me stirvi of our j u lhh n; &&&,: J! were KiO -revenues
iodine aouor.ual and ejcerptioa- !v three pr cent bmi. Tier.
id bd-ine-M----. wic i uirier M- SJ- j bo-verer. have Ix-en sine Nrwrtber 1.
tetn whk-h pr uUur sm-h -urplns iacrea . c,r wiil at onoe jrf, further r-iiucii by iti
with ai Cirrs, ..diag ottothefjp e s Gi(j VJi ulng Unl, whkk hi. bmacmfr
at LirgK. I he vs-i accumiu.iin o. .1 icv ; j ajreftd- ,i lel W0t 4?m(! aw!
of ur citins wh.se .ortum- riv,d- j caac-n fore vhe teur
WC the v,hiJi of ;kv most faror- j
a&t
t.-..lnn.rL. n-linnc ,,
nation.
Hit
Me i.tt:ral growth
ff
a
-eadj, plain and mtiu-tnon-i repabtrc. j
y.K farmers. io-. nn-i tin.-e eaagd U
nx'lr and indirectly in -appjyog ia pro-
-itiow of sumcuhwrri. -x xani Liy by f. '
an 1 as ofra m tire dily want of tbeir .
b' is.oi-ls recur, tbey are forcad U py
(ifv-ive. nmiU&t txatkt. vtitie ilieir .
tits urt .trt'-U ia forefu rnark.-t w?u "
the fintftuiia f BatWHks wloth tv al '
losia.' a freer etcin f pndartKifi
tbao e peruiii. cblir thr .jpa to sell
tor ,1-vrsi v u ten utsnfpH uw AaersciD i
isnn--r .
a seqtin-nt prev-uu that tbe iadis? zxzimc i
u-iful to s. usiioa in iu mfancy mar waft.
to a great extent, be diiesnied ia the prt-1
eat sugc of American ingenuity , ooera: j
A, t rcry na'.notic dwiec rejoices in tae j lb us cniaed was niorty-fo-jr aad ot-Iortb j " f ciuiew.i t' f
cnas "lr increajnag pride of our p-sople ceot each, and tbat on tbr 3it da of , . J " rn7f U,
in American citiz:shi and in tbe giory July. !. ibe priir of fler racbnl U t1 T ftK P011 idrea f
of o xt aaliooal arhteveinenti aad nrorerf. i LiwV.t a.-n- ertr kaotAB t itrt ihm i pwp' w iebook-
and self-reliance, and for the privilege of
indulging in this sentiment with true
American enthusiasm our citizens are
quite willing to forego an idle surplus in
the public treasury, and all the people
know that the average rate of federal taxa
tion upon imports is today, in time of
peace, but little less, while upon
some articles of necessary con
sumption it is actually more than
was imposed by the grievous burden wil
lingly borne at the time when the govern
ment needed millions to maintain bv war
the safety and integrity of the Vnited
States.
It has been the policy of the government
to collect the principal part of its revenues
by a tax upon imports, and no change in
this policy is desirable; but the present con
dition of affairs constrains our people to de
mand that by a revision of our revenue
laws the receipts of thegovernmentshall be
reduced to the necessary expense of it
economical administration, and thi de
mand should be recognized and obeyed.
The people's representatives in the legis
lative branch of the government in re-ad-justing
the burdens of federal taxation u.
soundpublic policy requires that such of
our citizens as have built up large and im
portant industries under the present condi
tions should not be suddenly and to their
injur3 deprived of the advantages to which
they have adopted their business, but if the
public good required it they should be con
tent with such consideration as shall deal
fairly and justly with their interests, while
the just demand of the people for relief
from needless taxation is honestly answered
A reasonable and timely submission to
such a demand should certainly le possible
without a disastrous shock to any interest
A cheerful concession sometimes averts ab
rupt aud heedless action, often the out
growth of impatience and delayed justice.
THE LAIIOR QUESTION.
Due regard should le also accorded, in
any proposed re adjustment, to the interests
of "American laborcrers so far ils they are
involved. We congratulate ourselves that
there is among us no lalwring chiss so
fixed within unyielding bonds and doomed
under all conditions to the inexorable fate
of daily toil. We recognize in labor a
chief factor, the wealth of the re
public, and we treat those who have it
in their keeping as citizens entitled to the
most careful regard and thoughtful atten
tion. This regard and attention should In.
awarded them, not only because labor is the
capital of our own workingmen justly en
tilled to its share of government favor, but
for the further and not less important rea
son that the laboring man, surrounded by
his family in hi humble home as a con
sumer, is vitally interested in all thai
cheapens the cost of living and enables him
to bring within his domestic circle addi
tional conforts and adxantages This
relation of the working man to
the revenue laws of the cuuntn
and the manner in which it piobably will
influence the question of wages, should not
be forgotten in the justifiable prominenct
given to the proper maintenance of the
supply and protection of well paid labor,
and these considerations suggest such an
arrangement of government revenues a
shall reduce the expeuse of living, while it
does not curtail the opportunity for work
nor reduce the compensation or affect
American labor, and injure ils condition
and the dignified place it holds in the cii
mation of our people Hut our farmer
and agriculturalists, those who trom the
soil produce the things consumed by all.
are perhaps more directly and plainly con
cerned than any other of our citizens in a
just and careful system of federal taxation
Those actually engaged aud more re
motely connected with this kind of tvork
number nearly one-half of our population,
none labor harder or more continuously
than ihey. No enactments limit then
hours of "toil and no interposition of the
government enhance to any grrnt extent
the value of their products, and yet for
many of the necessaries and comforts of
- necessaries 01 me ami give iree emrmnre
to such imported materials as by Amervnn
labor may be manufactured into market
able commodities. Nothing can be c
complished. however, in tin dircc
tion of this much needed reform
unless the subject is approached in n pntri
uwesjMut m uomnm m me iu-ii3 ;
entire conuntry and with a williiijnies f
yield something for the public god.
as to tiik iTisuc riEirr.
The sum paid ujHin the public debt dur-
45
months
eat.
Jeinptioti anmuHl-
Wt, M, rHed Ut -D!5Wt.r ibii requfn-tnenti.
of llu a.v reJa!jn., , lhc ainkinir fnd od
Wi68lfuoo for the rwirpo of roluriag
tbc public dcU b application of a pun of
tne Mirplua in lue lriuir to that object
0f the bonds thu called $W2.m 4J be
c,,. s,.bk.c. ,imjer ,ch .!,, u, wemt-
cme subject under such calk. u
,;on to Member I. Ib8.
,aftimil.r. MWMniia., uj .$25,U13.
Tbe re
cut ,
,.,i limi,r th , mw thrt
,,, t ia,, t th umm
w.,. to paTmet ai coJUtioo prior I
U) ;or4.mb;,r arBt hne ; mid to be be
f.., ,K., ,,,,. ,-t., .a ,tm iw.
Hh lhp 'mttK ikvmm anv-untta(; to
T2 050 i, w.re -iHpiil-(l a to !
ulR.uriJr 0f which $2 64 .hBO hmi not
cvr ;bos $io;.2H.btMW bad rm
-tuajjy applfe pri,r to Uw 8r of Nu
yemtt(.T lcria. u, ue atu.guiht-i-nt if
. .. .1 ji. .- fi . j t. i
?r lwo,ieo aan. . - . ?
.gi, 0 jjjjjj fy ,j, ,,5.
,mrviiniT ., ,1WMmt s ia , j it
.l.KJi ..l.-t,n
During the 5 seal rtmr eaod Jw. 18B$,
Jiere were coia-aJ ander lb oo-Btp-aUo-ry
silver cftiage art of ItfTS. W.S9H.
503 41ver doll-ni, and Urc oaai
of the sitrer ved ia cwfc eahmtx w
S2.S44.Sfi.00l. Tbere bad bee onfa--i
up to Use e!-e of the pnii ficl jrmt,
ttvit-rth. nmtkun. nf th l IKAHH 1'
T,J. miirm-r Jl. Cim !h im Av ,J
Ttw-kl.w Imxii ih t.l fli nf ,4
cranage tU &' I3l.34fi. Tbe dr '
of the mint n-puru tbat at Ae time of tbr i
int rrpuru tnat iA te Urn oi tf
of law .d I97b difettfat lh J
tbe intrift- vie of tthTdr.!
paaag?
oata&ife.
trirair or buiitun price of oar stasd&rd ii
ver doJkr at that fiats -tm Usm Um
frenty two oaa.. The price of s&rer
lb 3feb iay of NTijer last w-t, -B-rfi as
to make the dollars intrinsically worth
seventy-eight cents each. The differences
in the value of the coins represented
the fluctuations in the prices of .silver;
they certainly do not indicate that compul
sory coinage by the government enhances
the price of that commodity or secured
uniformity in Its value Every fair and
legal effort has been made to the treasury
department to distribute this cum-ucy
among the people. The withdrawal of
Uun-ti td.-ites. irvM-ury notes of small de
nominations and the issuing of small silver
ceruncales have been resorted to in the en
deavor t accomplish this result in e.vjK-di-ence
to the will and sentiments of the rep
resentatives of the people iu congn-s.
On the 27th day of November,
liu", the peoplo held of these
coins or certificates representing; them, the
nominal sum of U.(5,S73,U4l and wc still
had $79,46 t.&to in the treasury as against
about SH'J.SlM.Doo in the hands of the peo
ple; i.4Go.37t remaining m the tna-ury
ouc ear ago the director of the mint urgts
the necessity of more vault room for stor
ing the silver dollars which an not
netded for circulation by the people and I
have seen no reason to change the views
expressed in my last annual message on the
subject of lias compulsory coinage, ami I
again urge its suspension ou all the
grounds contained in my former recom
mendation, reinforced by the significant
increase of our gold exportation during
the last year, as npiKvirs b the coinpnni
live statement herewith presented, and for
the further reasons, that the more this cur
rency is distributed among the people, the
gi Cater becomes our duty to protect it from
disaster, anil we have abundance
for all our needs and that
there -eems but little propriety m building
vaults to store Mich currency when the
mly pretense for its coinage is the netcs
sity of its Use by the people as a circulating
medium.
KELIEP FOR THE COITKTS.
The great number of suits now ponding
in the United States courts- for the Mint it
em district of New York, growing out of
the collect'on of customs revenue at the
port of New York and the number of such
suits that are almost daily instituted, an
certainh worth lhe attention of congress
The late controversies baed ujkjii conflict
ing views by importers and the collector a
to the interpretation of our present
complex and imk finite revenue law's might
be largely obviated by r.n amendment of
ihese laws, but -H-udiug such amendment
the present condition of this litigation
should Ik relieved. There are now jnnd
ing about 23.000 of thee suits: more than
1.100 have been commenced within tin
past eighteen months, and many of the
others have tnen at issue for the past
twenty live years Th-e delays fuljc I
the government to loss of evidence and
prevent the preparation neees-ury t drfiat
unjust and lntitioiis claims while con
stantly accruing interet threat hm
to d-jtible tho demands in
volved. lu the present coiwHil'in
of the dockets of the Courts there wen llltd
many private suits, and lint forci nlbmed
the district al torney is no gntttr tnnti i
iMHHr for the ordinary current Ihi-1
of his ollice. The reveii ligation, mttnot
i).- considi red in default of lhc uduptW. h l
eongre.ssof a plan for lilt general rurjuiii
.iii-.n .f iltf federal coons it.s herufcrfi-rc
recommended.
1 urge the propriety of pnaiiiig a law
pel milling the apjxitulmeut of alt nddi
iiomtl court judge in the dhlricl where Uu
govrrnmeiil suits Inure nriia:lnii.d
so that by continuous e-iui f
the curl devoti! to the trial
of these ewo ther may be delernditd.
It is plain that a great wring l' the gi.
ermiM-nl wuttki be ucomnplWicd by ftu-h a
rnrdy. and the s4iit-r-j w ho have Ituueht
claims would ihh be (Iraki! JiiMioe thmu-.li
delay.
TUB AltMY.
The rejjort of in icrutry of war $ivc
a dilidl! iwrotiiil of ibe atliiiliii-UnrtoH f
hit deparimrni mm! jii Miiutfry runt
mrntlttiitins for the improem t wf tlnM r
vice v hkh ariritittlly appruve thj army
coiistel at tin dale of the hi-t
i-onH-Udati return of 2,081 olli
cers and 21. 015 enliMed men
The expensy of iIh de'Mrtoi nt for the Ut
rtwal rar wt-re M SnHMKJft . hiltdu.g
(J.29!.:J.V) -18 for puUK- workn ku1 ntir
m! iiartor iuipioreinenU. I u-ckil'7
dtroft the aileutti'ii of (imgniM to lh re
eomuiewlntKK! llmt ollltwr- Im riHlrvl to
stitiinit to an exituiination an pr4iMiiotry
to tbeir proiiMttiou. I ee im uiijVttion "t
hkiiiv jid vantages, fn mUHiH Um- 1-Hlt.n
w hkit hits oxntl(d lH-ncSictnlly iu ti c
navy doimriinei't, ax well an hi on e
bmucheo f the tinny.
The subjVtt of ewt't ilefencuw umI fortl
ficnlHjri iKn Im'H fully aad ran-fudy
treated by the Ixtattl on fort 111 nttf),
whoM. ieMrt wu ouumitu-d at the iat
vja-inti tf ufjrr-, but c-.tuuniction
work of the kittd r-iitiu-kI by Ibe
board Im- l en pM4be during 14 year
fnMn 1 k of H(prrprhitkti-i for oeb pur
poae Th 6t-Wtf rk (hmIi'"i of our
Mm coatrt nikI iHk- frtlier 1- prfeily jj
pabie. 'I be cAMmiuHltniH itiwle n.u-t tor
vinre iw all llmt otrtaia of our citi-,
n-.:nd in the rtMrt of the i.srtU should
br forttned. ami (bat work on tlx- nunl ira
porlftM of liitae loriitUatxxi -louM ba
comaeacid at new Tbt vufk bi bw
iborirtiifhiy cBid-rMi &.( UiJ llrif; th
fcrear t-f war rrptrt, lut all l . I
in drfuil f ij:r ai .-gJlKi. i c
almlut ni.t-Mtt. Jui;tjd bj il siaiwivdi
of prudeon mtxi Urtnnit, of our irmr
tioo tut an rffet-tojil nsutascv aaMrt
artHorMt hip ami rl juu ma motim
tmUn .-.o-tr.- iM-fc rwr tfer. n
w ". & th .:
I bow etttsrUv Un. Jtll U-tm ia ti,
" immttMy Tb vahtebte M.J
0wi r-aaoi of Ui- ip br
- erUry 4 ar U. rmnemlij (mkk nd
d to lhe eooaldntbsii of tb tm&.-
i run ww a.
! Ia SpMfeer 24 ktt-r iaat tbe h'
1 ute Aoh-Jm- bt. y&Vr tb immftmp
ute apj. u. uurr tw wo i
UroOltn, barf for tbfr mnKlh- t-. n
U war fMtb. aad 'Unz ttuU i- e Jiftd
NMaiusa oy laanirr aii ln t-
rii' f oj-laji urrar t h i5 r t
An2aa. BtHTr&Unetl Im Jrta XuV-. ti.
attbtarj cnrntuamikr vAk -il Cm
Cr)k la tbe aitmtaxui M-4l4trr. t
their parwift. IVtrlb m t tk.r
-Mfcrrrndrr. aatbr rmatefL mmi is vW f
the wair-JiBi'.
fakb tbow atin4wi.i
'tgrta-tJ) 4 that m:?
. r- -kkfd bt
.- m cfe mnbDcr
-r -T-j-jwnr bt u U
)f rra5tbB f r
,, a bjra -
1 of " nJMi 'fwat. k.l
: mi tutbrtratad '..
i m prv-if. Ia ij
j evatj-'-a mbbw-m'
act ptfj t?j
to fanprbw.
a to prrrtiJ ;
Mtfn-jtv uB,
aiorder. rrt
n Vd aa a mtc
tbe adtilt aatab
I be
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