m
sin
SUPPLEMENT
PresitfsMew
Cleveland Confines Himself to
the Tariff.
THE SURPLUS MUST BE CHE
JKEU
Tit Rsdaetlou Mhonld ba Hml iu
Customs Rathar than Internal
BtTfnnc. lie I'tvoit a
tteitnctiou on Wool.
Aaaual Be parti of th Fseratary of War and
U Attorney Oaueral.
pa tod, anil banks sa letted aa depositors
of public money wets permitted to some
what Increase their dejoslt.
While the expodienta thu employed
to release to the people the money lying
In the treasury, nerved to avert immed
iate danger, our surplus revenues have
continued to accumulate, the excess for
the present year amounting on the let
day of December to o5, 258,871. 10, and
is estimated to tench the autn of f 1 13,
000,000 on the 30th of uno next, at
which date it is expected that thia ium
added to prior accuinutationa, will awell
the aurplua in the trousury to $140,000,
000. , NO kim KDY AT HAND.
There aeema to be no assurance that,
with sin h a withdrawal from use of tin
people's circulating medium, our busi
ness community may not in the nonr
future be subject to the mime distress
which was quite lately produced from tin
same cause, and while the functions of
our national treasury should be hw and
simple, and while its bent condition
would be reached, 1 lwliove, by its entire
disconnection with private business in
terests, yet when, by a prevoraion of its
' purposes, it idly holda money uselessly
subtracted from the channels of trade,
there seems to Is? reason for the claim
that legitimate means should be devised
by the government to reatore in an'
Washington, De 6. The presi
dent's mest-ae was delivered to con
gress today us follows:
To the Congtr of the United Slate:-
You are confronted nt the threshold of
your legislative duties with a condition
of the national I nances which impera
tively demands immediate and careful
consideration. Tho amount ot money
annually received through the operation
of the present laws, from tho industries
and necessities of the people, largely ex
ceeds the sum necessary to meet the ex
penses of the government. When we
consider that the theory of our institu
tions guarantees to everv citixen the full
enjoyment of the fruits of his industry
and enterprise, with only such deduction
as may be his share towards the careful
and econoiiical maintenance of Uie gov
ernment which protects him, it is plain
that the exaction of more than this is
indefensible, and a culpable betrayal of
fairness and justice. This wrong in
flicted uKn those who bear the burden
of national taxation, like other wrongs,
multiplies a brood of evil consequences.
The public treasury, which should only
exist as a conduit conveying the people 'a
tribute to its legitimate objects of ex
penditure, becomes a hoarding place for 1
money needlessly withdrawn Irom trade
-MU """.T"! " " tion "' conferring a continuing
" " " 111 . discretion and authority. No condition
emergency, without waste or extrava
gance, such money to its place among
the people. If such an emergency
arises, there now exists no clear and
undoubted executive power of relief.
Heretofore the redemption of the 9 per
cents, only which were payable at the
option of the govern nwnt, has afforded a
means for the disbursement of tho ex
cess of our revenues, but thee bond.
have all been retired, and there are no
bonds outstanding, the payment of which
we have the right to insist tifton. The
contribution to the sinking fund, which
furnishes the occasion for expenditures
in the purchase of bonds, has Is-cn a!
ready made for the current year, so that
there is no outlet in that direction.
VARIOUS RKMKMKS DISArROVKD.
The only pretense of any existing ex
ecutive power to restore at this time su
part of our surplus revenues to the peo
plo by its expenditure, consists in the
supposition that the secretary of the
treasury may enter the market and pur
chase the bonds of the government not
yet due, at a rate of premium to he
agreed upon. The only provision of law
from which such power could Im- derived,
is found in an appropriation bill passed
a number of year ago, and it is subject
to the supposition that it was intended
as temporary and limited in its applica-
tbe high and benalcent purpose of our
government.
DANGER OF TUB SITUATION.
1 have deemed it my duty thus to
bring to the know ledge of my country
men, as well as to the attention of their
representatives, the responsibility of
legislative relief, the gravity of our finan
cial situation. The failure of congress
heretofore to provide against the dangers
which il was quite evident tho very na
ture of the difficulty most necessarily pro
ducu caused a condition of financial dis
tress and apprehension since their last
adjournment which taxes to the utmost
all the authority and expedients within
executive control, and these appear now
to be exhausted, if disaster results from
thu continued Inaction of congress the re
sponsibilitv must rest where it belongs.
Though the situation thus far considered
is fraught with danger which should lie
fully realised, and though It presents
festutes of wrong to the people as well
as to the country, it is but a result grow
ing out of a perfectly (palpable and ap
parent cause constantly reproducing the
same alarming circumstances a con-,
gcated national treasury and a depleted
monetary condition in the hii-unes of
the country. It needs hardly be stated
that while the present situation demands
a remedy we can only be saved fiom a
predicament in the future by the removal
of the cause. Our scheme of taxation,
by means of which this needless surplus
is taken from the people and put into the
public treasury, consists of a tariff or
buy levied upon imrtationa from
abroad ami internal revenue taxes levied
upon the consumption of tobacco and
spirituous and malt liquors. It must be
considered that none of these things
subjected to internal revenue taxation
poses of manufacturers to declare that
Infant Industries are still needing the
highest and greatest degree of favor and
care that can be wrung from federal leg
islation. PROTECTION AOAINST "PAUPER LABOR."
It is also said that the increase iu the
price ot domestic manufacture resulting
from the present tariff is necessary in
order that higher wages may be paid to
our worklnginen employed in manufac
tories than are paid for what is called
"pauper labor " In all WO acknowledge
the force of an argument which involve
the welfare and liberal compensation of
our laboring poopie. Our labor Is hon
orable In the eyes of every American
cltlsen, and lies at the foundation of our
development. It is entitled without af
flotation or hypocrisy to tho utmost re
gard. The standard of our laborer's life
should not lie marred by that of another
country less favored, and tip y are en
titled to their full share of our advanta
ges. Hy the last census is made to op
(war that of the 17,292,000 of our Kpula
llon engaged iu all kinds of industries,
7,070,4t3 are employed in agriculture,
4,074,23m in professional and personal
service, 2,400,87(3 of whom are domestic
servants and laborers, while 1,810,25
are employed in trade and transporta
tion, and 3,837,112 are classed as em
ployed at manufacturing and mining.
For present purpose, however, the latter
number should Is- considerably reduced.
Without attempting to enumerate a!!, il
will be conceded that there should be
deducted from those which it includes
375,144 carpenters and joiners. 285,170
milliners, dressmakers and seamstresses,
172,120 blacksmiths, 133,750 tailors and
tailoressseft, 107,000 masons, 70,241
butchers, 41, 400 bakers, 22,182 plaaterera
nre, strictly f peaking, necesaarv, and.) and 4801 manufacturing agricultural Ice-
try s development, preventing invest
ment in productive enterprises), threaten
ing financial disturbance ant inviting
schemes of public plunder. This con
dition of our treasury is not .altogether
new, and it has more titan ont o of late
been submitted to the people's represent
ative in the congress, who alone can
supply a remedy. And yet the -situation
till continues, w ith aggravated incidents
more than ever presaging financial con
vulsion an 1 widespread disaster. It will
not do to neglect this i-iluation because
its dangers are not now palpably immi-
ougbt to exist which would justify thi
ther- a pi tears to lie no just cause of com
plaint of the consumers of the articles,
and there seems to 1m nothing so well
able to lear thu burden without hard
ship Ui any portion of the people.
OI'R lNKO.llTAIII.li I Mill I LAW.
l'.ut our present tariff laws, the vari
ous, inequitable and illegal source of un
necessary taxation (ught to le at once j
revised and amended. These laws, as ;
lle-ir primary and plain effect, raise the ;
price to consumers of all articles import- j
ed and subjected to ity, by precisely
ibe Mitn paid for such duties. 1 bus the
amount of the duty measures the tax
psid by those who purchase for use these
imported articles. Many of these things,
however, are raised or manufactured in
our own country, and the duties now
levied upon the foreign goods and pro
ducts nre called prole ti,n to these home
manufacturers, because tbey render it
possible for those of our people who are
manufacturers to make these taxed arti
cles and sell them for a price eonal to
j plementa, leaving 2. 02.' 1,97 j r-ons em
ployed in manufacturing industries, who
are claimed to be tiencflted by a high
tariff. To these the appeal is made to
save their employment and maintaiu
their wages by resisting a change.
There should U no disposition to answer
such suggestions by the allegations that
they are in a minority a i.ong those who
tabor and therefore should forego an ad
vantage in the interest of low prices for
the majority , their compenaation, aa it j
may Is? affected by the oierationa of
tariff laws, should at all times be scrupu
lously kept in view; and yet, with alight
rettec.ion, tbey will not overlook the fact
that they are consumers with the rest ;
that tbey too have their own wants and
those of their families to supply Iron
their earnings, ami the prices of the ne
cessaries of life, aa well as the amount of
those wants, will regulate the measure
of their welfare and comfort.
THE WOltEIMUMAN tM 1I1M.-1 i l TAXED.
i
five sheep, ami 980 that from the wool of
fifty sheep; and at present value this
addition would amount to about one
third it price, If, on It sale, the farmer
receives this, or a lee tariff profit, the
wool leave hi hand charged with pre
cisely that sum which in all it changes
will adhere to it until it reaches the con
sumer. When manufactured into cloth
and other goods and material for use, It
coat is not only increased to the extent of
the farmer' tariff profit, but a further
sum has tiecn added for the benefit of
tho manufacturer, under the operation of
other tariff law.
TUB PAY Or sMTTI.EJM KNT.
In the meantime the day arrives when
the farmer find it necessary to purchase
woolen goods and material to clothe him
self and family for the winter. When he
faces the tradesman for that purpose he
discover that he is obliged not only to
return, in the way of increased prices,
Ids tariff profit on the wool he Mold, and
which then perhaps He before him in
manufactured form, butthat be must add
a considerable sum thereto to meet a fur
ther increase in cost caused by a tariff
duty on the manufacture. Thus. In tin
end, he 1 aroused to the fact that h
has paid ntsn a mode -ate purchase, aa s
reault of the tariff scheme which, when
he sold the wool, seemed so profitable, an
increase in price more than sufficient to
sweep away all the tariff profit he re
eeivmJ upon tbe wool be produced and
sold.
When the number of farmers engaged
in wool raising is compared with all the
farmers in the country, and the small
proportion they liear to our poputotion Is
S nsidered; when it ta made apparent
that in the case of a large part of those
who own sheep the benefit of the pres
ent tariff on wool is illusory ; and above
alt when it muat be conceded that the
increase of the cost of living caused bv
neb tariff becomes a burden upon those
with moderate means, and the poor, Un
employed ami the unemployed, the sick
and the well, and the young and the old.
and that it constitute a tax which, with
relentless grasp, is fastened upon the
clothing of every man, woman and child
in the land reasons are suggested why
the removal or reduction of this dutv
should be included in a revision of our
tariff laws.
COMBINATION AND TRrSTS.
in speaking o( the increased cost to
consumer of our home manufactures rr.
suiting from a duty laid noon imported
articles of the same description, the fact
i nut overlooked that competition among
our domestic producers sometimes ha
the effect of keeping the price of our
products below the highest limit allowed
Ls. J. li I a
oy sucn uuiy. inn u i notorious Mini
But h reduction of taxation de-, this competition is too often strangled by
grant ot power to a single racial, upon that demanded by the imported goods manded ahould be measured as not to ; combinationa quite prevalent at this
iMsnma .f ltd fiAi'Miii. 1 1 a t r . Willi. . . . . .... ........ I
j i - jijpfBav awsv iiv-toi-o t y t
hold from or release to the business of
I the people, in an unusual way, money
beld in the treasury, and thus affect, a
this will, the financial situation of the
j country ; and if it is deemed wise to
J lodge in the secretary of the treasury the
I authority in the present juncture to pur
! chase bonds, it should be plainly vested
j and provided, so far as possible, with
; such checks and limitations as will de
fine his official right and discretion and
that havi paid i-tMums duty; so it hap- necessitate or justify either the loss of
pens that, while comparatively a few use ; employment by the workingmau nor the
the imported articles, millions of our .
people who never use, and never saw-
lessening of his wages ; and the profits
still remaining to the manufacturer after
any of the foreign products, purchase ! a necessary readjustment should furnish
and use thing of the same kind made ! no excuse for a sacrifice of the interests
in this country, and pay therefor nearly I of bis employes in either -their oppor
or quite the same enhanced price which j lunity to work er the diminution of their
the duty adds to the imported articles,
those who buy imports pay the duty
compensation ; nor can tite worker in
manufactures fail to understand that
nent and apparent. They exist none the j m Mme tme re,jftve bim from an(op
responsibility. In considering the ques
tion of purchasing bonds as a means of
restoring to circulation the surplus
certainly and on an unforsen and
unexpected occasion tbey will Iw precip
itated upon us.
TUB Ht'RPLUS.
On the 30th day of June, 1885, the ex
cess of revenues over public expendi
tures, after complying with the annua!
requirement of the sinking-fund act, was
$I7,859,73'.84; during the year ended
June 30, 1880, such exceaa amounted to
149,405,545.20, and during the year i are willing to sell may unreasonably en
ended June 30, 1887, it reached the sum j nance the coat of such bonds to the gov
of $55,507,849.54; the annual contribu- j erment.
tiens to the sinking fund during the three I U has beon suggested that the present
years above specified, amounting in the ; bonded debt might be refunded at a less
aggregate to 138, 858, 320. 94, and deduc- i rate of interest and tho uiujron( e le-
ebarged thereon to the public treasury, while a high tariffis claimed tobeneces-
but the gnat majority of our citixen0
who buy domestic articles of the same
class pay a sum at least approximately
equal to ibis duty to the home manufact
urers. This referunce to tho otMtrution
money accumulating in the treasury, it u QUr tarjflr lm . no, rotde .
should be borne in mind that premiums.
must, of course, be paid upon such pur
chase ; that there may be a large pirt of
these bonds held as investments which
cannot be purchased at any price, and
that combinations among holders who
sary to allow the payment of remunerative-wages,
it certainly results in a very
large increase in the price of nearly all
sorts of manufactures, which in count
Ices forms be needs for the use of him
self and bis family. He receives at the
desk of his employer hi wages, and
perhaps before ho reaches bis home is
instruction, but in order that we msy be
constantly reminded of the manner in
which they iuiKse a burden upon those obliged, in a purchase for family use of
who consume domestic produc ts us well an article which embraces bis own labor
tions from the surplus as stated were
made by -calling in for that purpose out
standings per cent, bonds, of the gOV-
tween the old and new securities paid in
cosh, thus finding use for the surplus in
the treasury. The success of this plan,
as those who consume imported articles,
and thus create a tax upon all our peo
ple. It is not proposed entirely to re
lievo the country ol this taxation. It
must be extensively continued as the
source of the government's income, and
in a readjustment of our tariff the inter
ests of American labor engaged in manu-
to return, fn the payment of the in
creased price which Ute tariff permits,
the hard earned comietiaation of many
days toil.
THE FARMF.K ABO THE TARIFF.
The farmer and the agriculturist who
manufactures nothing, but who pays the
increased price which the tariff imposes
ernment. During the six months prior i it is apparent must be founded upon the b j n fc W f h
facture should be carefully considered, j tUKm every agricultural implement, upon
as well as the preservation of our manu
factures. m It may be called protection or
to June 30, 1887, the surplus revenue bad
grown so largo by repeated accumula
tions, and it was feared the withdrawal
of this great sum of money needed by
volition of the holders of the present
bonds, and it is not entirely certain that
the inducement which must be offered
them would result in more financial
the people would so affect the business : benctlt to the government man tne pur
nl iha Mimirv id. t il.. uim of S7U si',1 - ! chaso of the bonds, while the latter
" m . vv M a r j - v v i - if w j i
100 of su.h surplus was applied to the ; proposition would reduce the princi,
ncipal of
payment of the principal and interest of the debt by actual payment, instead of
the 3 per cent, bonds still outstanding,
and which were then payable at the op
tion of the government. The precarious
extending it
The proposition to deposit the money
held by the government in banks
the people still needing rcliei immed
lately, after the 33th day of June, 1887,
the remainder of the 3 pt-r cent, bonds
then outstanding, amounting with prin
cipal and interest to the euin of 1.8,877,
600, were called in and applied to the
sinking fund contribution for the current
fiscal year.
Notwithstanding these operations of
the treasury department Fepresentations
of distress in business circles not only
continued but increased, and absolute
peril seemed at hand. In these circum
stances 4he contribution to the sinking
fund for the current fiscal year was at
once completed by the expenditure of
127,084,28:1.55 in the purcbaae of govern
ment bonds not vet due. bearing 4 and
4 per cent, interest, the premium paid
thereon averaging about 24 per cent, for
the former, and 8 per cead. for the latter.
In addition to this the interest account
accruing during the current year upon
the outstanding bonded Indebtedness of
the government waa to an extent antici-
all he wears and upon all he uses and'
ow ns, except the increase of his flock
and herds, and such things as his bus-
hardships and dangera of our present , bandry produces from the soil, is invited
tariff laws should lie devised with espe- j to aid in maintaining the present situa-
cial precaution against imperiling tne t on. and he is told that a high dutv on
time, and frequently called "truste,"
which have for their object the regula
tion of the supply and price of commod
ities made and sold by members of the
combination. The pnblic can hardly
hojsa for any consideration in the opera
tion of these selfish schemes.
If, however, in the absence of such
combination a healthy and free compet
ition reduces the price of any particular
dutiable article of home production be
low the limit which it mig'it otherwise
reach under our tariff laws, and if, with
such reduced price it manufacture con
tinues to thrive, it ia entirely evident
that one thing has beon discovered which
should be carefully scrutinized in an ef
fort to reduce taxation.
The necessity of combination to main
tain I ho price of any commodity to the
tariff point furnishes proof that aome
one is willing to accept lower prices for
such commodity, and that Much price
are remunerative, and the lower prices
produced by competition, prove the same
thing. Thus, where either of these con
ditions exists, a case would seem to be
presented for an easy reduction of taxa
tion.
v norm k di'TY may bf. pisciiaroep.
existence of our manufacturing interests.
But this existence should not moan a
imported wool ia necessary for tho bene
fit of those who have sheep to shear, in
condition w hich, without regard to the , order that the price of their woo! may in
public welfare or a national exigency, crease. They ot course are not reminded
condition of the financial affairs among throughout the country, for use by the
people, is, it seems to me, exceedingly
objectionable in principle, as reaching
too close a relationship between the
operations of the government to the busi
ness of the country, and too extensive a
commingling of their money, thus meter
ing an unnatural reliance in private busi
ness upon public funds. If this scheme
should be adopted it should only be done
as a temporary expedient to meet an ur
gent necessity. Legislative and excutive
effort should generally be in the opposite
direction, and should have a tendency to
divorce as much, and as fast as can safely
be done, the treasury department from
private enterprise .
Of course it is not expected that un
necessary ana extravagant operations
will t)e made far the purpose ot avoiding
the accumulation of an excess of revenue.
Such expenditures, besides the demoral
ization of all just conceptions of public
duty which it entails, emulates a reek
less improvidence not in the least con
sistent with the mission of our people or
must always insure the realisation of
immense profits instead of moderately
profitable returns.
PROTECTIONIST ORQANIZED.
that the farmer who has no sheep is by
this scheme obliged in his purchase of
clothing and woolen goods to pay a tri
bute to his fellow-farmer, aa' well as to
the manufacturer and merchant. Nor is
Aa ttiA vol n run and diverait.v nf mir
national activities increase, new recruits ! men.tion of he.e.P
are added to those who desire a contin
uation of the advantages which they
conceive the present system of tariff tax
ation directly gives them. 8o stubbornly
hnve nil eff'otts to reform the nr-esent.
condition been resisted by those of our i cntx Price to the ir"-
fellow-citizens thus engaged, that they
can hardly complain of the suspicion en-
owners themselves, and their households
must wear clothing and use other arti
cles manufactured from the wool they
sell at tariff prices, and thus, as consum
ers, must return their share of this in-
THE PROFIT, AND IT8 COST
I think it may be fairly assumed that
tertained to a certain extent, that there a large proportion of the sheep owned by
exists an organized combination all along the farmers throughout the country are
The considerations which have leen
presented touching our tariff laws are in
tended only to enforce an earnest rcoom
mendation that the surplus revenues of
the government be prevented by the re
duction of our customs duties, and at the
same time to emphasize a suggestion
thst in accomplishing this purpose we
may discharge a double duty to our peo
pie by granting to them a measure of
relief from tariff taxation in quarters
where it is most needed, and from sources
w here it can be most fairly and justly
accepted. Nor can the preservation of
t. u. . j f I ' i t -
buu.i isiiiii i -..v.. mmj ut-gioo u. .uui(.tenw an,l
fairness, regarded as evidence ot un
friendliness towards our manufacturing
interests, or of any lack of appreciation
of their value and importance. These
protection to our manufactures than to
our other Important enterprises.
BOW IS HIE TIME.
An opporl unity for safe, careful and
deliberate reform is now offered, and
none of us should be unmindful that
time may come when an abused and ir
ritated people, heedless of those who
have sesisted timely and reasonable re
lief, may insist ujon a radical and
sweeping rectification of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending a wise and
fair revision of our tariff law ia not
under-estimated. It will require on the
part of congress, great labor and care,
and especially a broad and national con
templation of the subject and a latriotic
ditregard of such local and selfish claims
as are unreasonable and reckless of the
welfare of the entire country.
Under our present laws, more than
4000 articles are subject to duty. Many
of these do not iu any way compete with
our own manufactures, and many are
hardy worth attention as subjects of
revenue. A considerable reduction can
be made in the aggregate by adding them
to the fiee list. The taxation of luxuries
presents no features of hardship, but the .
necessaries of life, used and consumed
by all people, the duty upon w hieb add
to the cost of living in every home, should
be greatly cheapened.
SAW MATERIAL.
The radical reduction of the duties im
posed upon raw material used in manu
factures, or its free importation, is of
course an important factor in any effort
to red no the price of these necessaries.
It would not ooly relieve them from the
increased cost caused by the tariff on
sue i material, but the manufactured
product Wing thus cheapened, that part
of the tariff now laid upon such product
aa a compensation to our manufacturers
for the present price of raw material
could be accordingly modified. Such re
duction or free importation would serve
beside largely to reduce the revenue. It
is not upp.o - -nt. how such a change can
have any injurious effect asn our man
ufacturers. On the contrary, it would
apiaf to give them a better chance in
foreign markets with the manufacturers
of other countries who cheapen their
wares by free material. Thus our peo
ple might hsve the opportunity of ex
tending their sales beyond the limits of
home consumption, saving them from
the depression, interruption in business,
and loss caused by a glutted domestic
market, and affording their employee
more certain and steady labor, with its
resulting quiet and contentment.
PKMABPEP BY PARTY CONSIDERATIONS.
The question thus imperatively pre
sented for solution should tie approached
in a spirit higher than partisanship, and
a a a .a a a . m .a . a a
considered in the light o: mat regard lor
patriotic duty which should characterize
the action of thone intrusted with the
wealth of a confiding people. But the
obligation to declared artv policy and
principle is not wanting to urge prompt
and effective action.. Doth of the great
political parties now represented in the
government have, by repeated and an
thoritive declarations, condemned the
condition of our laws, which permit
the collection from the people of unne
cessary revenue ana have in the most
solemn manner promised a reduction;
and neither a citizens or partisans are
ur countrymen in a mood to condone
the deliberate violations of tbeee
pledges.
Our progress toward a wise con elusion
will not be improved by dwelling upon
the theories of protection and free trade.
This savors too much of bandying epi
thets. It ia a condition that confront
us not a theory. Relief from this con-
lition may involve a slight reduction of
the advantages which we award our
homo productions; but the entire with
drawal of such advantages should not be
contemplated. The question of free
trade is absolutely irrelevant, and the
persistent claim made in certain quarters
that all efforts to relieve the people from
unjust and unnecessary taxation are
schemes of tho so-called free traders, is
mischievous and far removed from any
consideration for the public good. The
simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is to reduce taxation to the nec
essary expenses of an economical opera
tion of the government, and to restore to
the business of the country the money
which we hold in the treasury through
the perversion of governmental powers.
These things can and should be done
with safety to all our industries, without
danger to the opportunity for remunera
tive labor which our workingmen need,
and with benefit to thorn and all our
people, by cheapening their means of
increasing the measure
of their comfort.
a
The
IN CONCLUSION.
constitution provides that the
interests constitute a leading and most president shall, from time to time, give
tho line to maintain their advantage.
We are in the midst of centennial cele
brations, and with becoming pride we
rejoice in American skill and ingenuity,'
iu American energy and enterprise, and
the wonderful natural advantages and
resources developed by a century's na
tional growth. Yet when an attempt is
made to justify a scheme which permits
a tax to bo. laid upon every consumer in
the land for the benefit of our manufact
urers quite beyond a reasonable demand
or governmental regard, it suit the pur-
found in small flocks, numbering twenty -five
to fifty. The duty on the grade of
itnported wool which these sheep yield is
10 cents for each pound If of the value
of 30 cents or less, and 12 cents if of the
value of more than 30 cents. If the
liberal estimate of six pounds be allowed
for each fleece, the duty thereon would
be 00 or 72 cents, and this may be taken
as the utmost enhancement of its price
to the farmer by reason of this duty.
Eighteen dollar would thu represent
the increased price of wool for twenty-
substantial element of our national great
ness, and furnish the truth of our coun
trv's progress, so that if in the emer
gency that presses upon us, our manu
facturers aro asxed to surrender some
thing for the public good, and to avert
disaster, their patriotism as well a a
grateful recognition of advantages al
ready afforded, should lead them to be
willing to extend co-operation. No de
mand is made that they shall forego all
the benefits of governmental regard, but
they cannot wait to be admonished of
their duty, as well as their enlightened
self-interest and safety, when they are
reminded of the fact that financial panic
and collapse, to which the present con
dition tends, afford no greater shelter or
to the congress information of the state
of the Unon. It ha been the custom of
the executive, in compliance with this
provision, annually to exhibit to the
congress at the opening of its session,
the general condition of the country, and
to detail with some particulars, the os
erations of the different executive de
partments. It would be especially agree
able to follow this course at the the pres
ent time, and to call attention to the val
uable accomplishments of these depart
ments during the iast fiscal year. But I
am so much impressed w ith the para
mount importance of the subject to
which this communication has thns far
been devoted, that I shall forego the ad
dition of any other topic, aud only nrg