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About The Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1896)
XXXIII. COIlVALtlS," BEKTOrC'OUOTY,- QEEGON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1896. NO. 39." 1 r M Ti r VOL. r r- -I - l ae Iaipjjja t ' t ta'turiii U i . the Chiet jcecutives Ad-'-dress to Congress. na the ConeTMU of the TTnffpri Statps As representatives? of the people in. the legislative orancn-oi meir governmem; you have assembled aV a time when the strength and excellence jpi our -free institutions and the fitness of our eKizansj, (o-enjoyi popular rule have -been again made tnanli fest. A politicaLcbntest involving, moment ous consequences;' fraught with feverish apprehension, and creating aggressiveness so Intense as to approach bitterness and passion, has been waged throughout our land, and determined by the decree 'or-free and lndependen-"-uffrage without disturb ance of our trarbqullttty-.-or . the -.least sign of weakness lr.our national structure; " When we coiiaider these incidents and contemplate tlc peaceful : obedience and manly submission which have succeeded :a heated clash of. political opinions, we ilfs cover abundanfreyidenea of a -determination on the part of rar countrymen to abide by every verdict Ofl the popular will, and to be controlled at all times by an abiding faith In the agencies: -established . for the direction of the affairs of -their govern-" ment. Thus, our people exhibit a patriotic disposition, which entitles them to demand of those who undertake to. make and exe cute their laws such faithful and unselfish service in their behalf as can only be pro moted by a serious appreciation of the trust and confidence ewbtph the., acceptance of public duty JitVltea" '. x----?--: --- In obedience;, to constitutional require ment, I hereby submit to the congress certain information concerning national af fairs, with the. suggestion of such legisla tion as, in My judgment, Is necessary and expedient; ; To secure brevity and to avoid tiresome narration, I shall omit many details; -concerning matters - within federal control, which, by no means un important, are more profitably discussed In departmental reports. I shall also-further curtail this communi cation by onjftting a. minute recital of any minor Incidents connected with our foreign relations Which have' heretofore found a place In executive messages, but are now contained iir. -a report of the secretary of state, which is herewith submitted: FOBEIGN RELATIONS. America at n Persecuted Armenians. At the ojitset oft rrternpe to the more Important "rnjitters affecting our relations with foreigh powers. It would afford me satisfaction. If I could assure the congress that the Swturbed conditions in ' Asiatic" Turkey had-jduring the pist year; -assumed a less hideous and bloody aspect,, and" that, either as a consequence of the awak "Baft of the sr&t nations having the right by treaty to: ttirerrere fanr-.tii-e. -protection of those iosed to trie fageuorjnad- bigotry" and cruel fanaticism, the shocking features of the situation had been mitigated. In stead, however, "of welcoming -a--softened disposition or protective Intervention, we have been afflicted by continued and not Infrequent reports-- of j the , wanton, de truction Sf homes and the "bloody' butch ery of m?n, women and' "Children-:--made martyrs & tpelr profession of Christian faith. ! While nonejf of our citizens In Turkey have thus: far been . killed -wounded, ' though - often! In "the midst of dreadM-J cenes oir danger, their safety in the future is3y. no means assured. Our gov ernment at home and: our minister, at Con stantinople Have 9eft, 'nothing undone?'- to. protect onr missionaries -inrOttoman terri tory, wh c6ns,ti&teeriy:'all eiadi-' viduals residing there who 'have""a Wghl" tb4 claim ouf protection on the score of American, citizenship. Our effort i In this dlreetlpn"wril"n'o't be relaxed, but the deep feeling' and symnathy that have been raised among onrj peopl - ougnt net p so tar Dlind their reason and judgment as tWleajJ them, to demand ImpossibTCe tti tags. ne. outbreaks of bifnd fury, wljch;lead.o njtarder and pillage in Turkey, -occur sudden Jyand 'without notice, and an attempt on ,oir part to force such a hostlli presence ''there as might be ef fective fbr prevention or protection would not only' bef resisted by the Ottoman gov ernment, but would be regarded -as . am., Interruption of their plans by the great nations .who assert their exclusive right to interenf in -flteln own time And method for theV security-'of cllfe' aBd property in Turkey" i s-i " - ' . v.. j, Several naval vessels are stationed in .the Mediterranean, as a measure of cau tion and to furnish all possible relief and refuge in as ft- mergeflf 36- - j, .;. Claims Airalnat Turkey. We have made.clalms against the Turk ish government for "the pillage and ' de struction of missionary property at Harput and Marash,. during uprisings at these places. Tlius' far,"' tKe" validity of these , demandsr- has 1 "lioKCDeen. admitted,' -though our minister; -prior to such outrages, and In anticipation - of danger,' demanded protection for the persons and property of our missionary citizens in the localities mentioned, and..;' notwithstanding . that strong evidence exists-of the actual com plicity of Turkish soldiers in the -work -of. destructjpn-'ana WBiSery. The facts, as they now .appear,'- do riot , permit"-us. to doubt the justice "of. 'fhse ' claims, anij. nothing will be bmitted to bring about their prompt settlement.'' ;.-"' ' i' -, A number of Armenian refugees-having arrived at bur i5orts;- and an order having' lately beerii' obtained' fronv the Turkish government; 'permittihg the . wives, -andi children1 -of- such -refugees, to-. Join them here, It, Is hoped that hereafter no ob stacle -will. 'be iHterp'osed to. prevent .the escape' of" all those" who -seek' to avoid the - perils' whchhrgateti; them Jn Turkish do-; U1HUUUO. Our recently appointed consul to Erze roum. Is at his post and discharging the duties of l-hlslofficej .though, for some unac countable reason his formal exequatur from the sultan has not been issued. I do not believe that ibe present somber prospect in Turkey "will be long permitted to offend the sight of Christendom. It so mars the 'humane! and. ,;enligh tened civili sation that belongs to the close of the 19th century, " mat j it seems hardly possible that theearjneat-emand of good people throughout the Christian "world for its corrective treatment, will . remain unan swered. ' :. . , . . . . . ' THE -CCBAW -ftl'ESTlOJr. friendly Offleea of the United States Offered to. Settle the War. .The Insurrection in' Cuba still continues, with all its perplexities. It is difficult to perceive that any progress has thus far been made towards the pacification of the island, or that the situation of affairs, as deplcfed'in my tast annual message, has in the leas,t improved. ' ... If Spain still holds 'Havana and the sea ports 'and all the considerable, towns; the Insurgents still roam at will over at least two--thirds of the inland country. The de termination of Spain to put down the in surrection seems but strengthened with the lapse ct-'time, as .is ;evincedby her unhesitating devotion of largely Increased military and naval forces to the task. There i-much reason, tp beliete ..that the Insurgents have gained :in number, char- 'acter and resources', and. are none the less' Inflexible "In their resolve not -to -succumb without practically securing the great ob ject tot which .they took up arms. If Spain has not yet re-established her authority, neither have the Insurgents yet made good their title to be regarded as an Independent state. Indeed, as the contest has gone on, the pretense that civil gov ernment exists on the Island, except so far as Spain ix bIe to. maintain It, has been " practically abandoned. Spain "does keep on foot such a government, more or less Imperfectly,, in the large towns and their Immediate suburbs, but, that exception "being made, the entire country is either given over to anarchy or is subject to tne military occupation of one or tha other party. It Is reported. Indeed, on reliable authority, that at the demand of the cbm-mander-Jn-chief of the Insurgent army the putative Cuban government has now g-iven up all attempt to exercise Its func- fiOUBf jeaVHl WJl fcuvci uiuciii uuu,ccu- ,i (wqaf fheref is best reason' for suppos ing It always to ha-Je been In fact); 0V ernment merely on paper. 1 1 jjjt ,'l!if! H;:"IertrpU'oa. of Property.4 i Meanwhile, as in all cases of protract ' fed -''civil,-', strife',' She passions of the combatants grow; .more -and more Inflamed, and exfcessteaj faTz Betirsides- become ; more ' freijuijhti infe' deplorable. They are -triso.partkUpa.teq in by -bands, of. marauders who now in the name of one party, and now in the name of i' the' -other as. may best suit the occa sion, harass the country at 1Mlt nd plunder its wretched inhabitanttfiMStJieir tf4rdtanfageA gueh a condltionjcrf jjhjrigs jv'ouffl &iiAfafejy entail immense destrtic rr6ffbrpfcpertl, jyen if it were the policy of one party to prevent it as far as prac ticable. But while such SdeiAeaj ft? qej-t ha original policy of -the Spaistt eimf pt: it has now apparently .abaniHqpfd; Jf f is &cting-upon the same theory as tfe In-' suissh aiamely; That the exigencies of ine contests require me wiiuit-saie blixui- bilation of proper ty-fhat it-nay-jt jirAxe J; of any use anit. advantage to the enemy. It te to the. sai end that. In pursuance of , inerat irdere- Spanish, gar j-isq'nV are jdow: (being . withdrawn -.from planjationa, and the rurar-TopVlfttiPU,. is. ybeiji-g re. quired to concentrate itself -in- the townv "The slJ'te3tttKuld- seem?tohe thaUtfiS, industrial value;-of : the Island "is fast -diminishing. andr,tiranless there is a speedy .-and jradical-Jqange- in-ihe exteliBaJ UUIliLlUUS 1L Will UUU imaficai tyJ gether, Z v ' ' - j i ' - '" j- w4. -'- ,i Our Concern in Cuba. The spectacle of the utter ruin of an adjoining country, by nature one of the '-mosC-fertile--antj charming;'; oft;" the . wftoie- giobe, would engage the serious' attention of the government and the people of the United .States in. any circumstances. In point of fact, they have"a concern" "With it which is by no means of a wholly senti mental or philanthropic character. It lies so- near to Jjs as Jto be hardly separated froinour-'tei-ritory. " Uf;'acual pecuniary interest In it Is second only to that' of the people of Spain. It is reasonably estimated that at least from" $30,000,000 to .$50,000,000 of American capital is invWted' irh planta7' tions and in railroads, mining and other business enterprises on the island. The volume of trade between the United States and Cuba, .which in 1889 amounted to about $6.000,000; rose in 1893 to about $103,000,000, and in 1894, the year before the -present Insurrection broke out, amounted to near ly $96,000,000.. ; ' Demand for Intervention. . ' These inevitable entanglements of the "United States with the rebellion In Cuba, the large American property interests affected,-! and, , considerations of philan thropy and humanity in general, have led to a vehement demand in various quar ters for some sort of positive intervention on the 'part' of 'the United States. It was at first proposed that belligerent rights should -be accorded the insurgents, a proposition no longer weighed because its untimely and impractical operation would be clearly perilous and injurious . to our interests. It-has -since been and is now sometimes . contended that. the. independ ence' of the nrisurgents should be recog nized. But, imperfect and restricted as the Spanish government of the island may be, sTro tulier exists there," unless the will of 7 the military' pnjiej) in temporary com mand of a particular district can be dig nified as a species of government. It is j-jiq-y alsojsuggfested that' the United States snuuiu uuy me umuu a suggesuuu jjuse- sibiy worthy of consideration if there were, any evidences of a desire or will ingness on the part of Spain to enter tain such a proposal. It is urged, finally, that, all other methods failing, the exist ing internecine-stFife?.-in Cuba should be terminated-by., our intervention,, even at the cost of a war between the United States and Spain a war which its advo cates confidently prophesy could, neither be Jiu-ge- ta-iW'r&twrtions aor doubifuj .ln'Its "Issue: ' -'- - ' " "":, . A Character to Maintain. ' The correctness of -this fprecast need be neither affirmed ilor denied. ,-The "United States has, nevertheless, '.a character to maintain as a. r nation which plainly dic tates mat rignt ana not migm snouia De the rule of Its conduct. f " Further, - though, jthe,JTnited States is not a nation to which peace is a necessi ty, -is Is, in truth,, the most pacific of powers and desires ' nothing so much as to live in amity with all the world. Its own ample -arid diversified domain sat isfies all possible " longings . for terri tory, precludes all. claims of conquest and prevents any- casting of -covetous eyes up on neighboring regions, however attrac tive. .,- - That our conduct towards Spain and her .dp.minlons has constituted:-no exception to this national dispositioif is made manifest by the course of our government, not only thus, far during the present lnsurrection, ibtit durhig thje"iO years that followed the rising of Yara 3n 1868. No other great power, It may safely' be" said, under cir cumstances of similar perplexity, would "have manifested the-same, restraint and J (became patient .endurance. , Respect for Spain. ..It may also be said that this persistent attitude of the United 'States towards Spain in connection with Cuba unques tionably evinces ho slight respect and re jcard for Spain on the part of the Amer ican people. They, in truth, do not forget Tier connection with the discovery of the Western hemisphere, nor -do they under- estlm'ate" the great qualities, of the Span- '1 lish people, nor fail to fully recognize their 'splendid patriotism- and their chivalrous devotion' to the national- honor. They view" with, wonder ,and. admiration the , cheerful resolution .With.-whieh vast bod ies of-men- are sent, across thousands of miles- of ocean, and. an., enormous debt ac cumulated .that, the costly possession of the .Gem of the Antilles may still hold its place.-in the Spanish. crown.' .' And yet neither the' government nor the peoplevOf. the . United- States have shut their eyes to. .the course of events in Cuba nor , baye . failed to realize' the extent- of conceded grievances2, trhich- have led to the present revolt from1 the authority of Spain, grievances" recognized by the queen regent ."and by the'eortes, -voiced by the most! patriotic and -enligh tened of Spanish statesmen without'-regard - to party, and demohstrated by reforms proposed by the executive and -approved by the legislative branch of the Spanish -government. It is in the' assumed temper and disposition of the 'Spanish governmeat tp remedy these grievances, fortified -io? indications of in fluential ' public- - opinion . : )n Spain, that this government has hoped to discover the most- promising. -and. effective means of composing -the present : strife with honor and 'advantage to. Spa.i'a and with "the achievement of .all.., the. . ostensible ob jects of. tha. insurrecfion, . : ' -: ' ;. .A-Way iOnt 'of It. . Kevertfieless, realizing that suspicions on the part of .the weaker . of the two com batants are: always.-natural and not 'al ways unjustifiable, being sincerely desirous in the interest of both as well as on bur own account that the. Cuban problem should be solved with the, 'least possible delay, - it was intiniated , ' by this government - to the' government of Spain ' some months ago that - if a satisfactory measure of home rule were ten dered the Cuban insurgents, and would be accepted by them upoa-a guaranty of its execution, the United . "States would en deavor to find a' Way?not ohjectiopable to Spain of furnishing such guaranty. While no definite response to this Inti mation has yet been received from the Spanish government, . it is believed to be 'not altogether unwelcome, while, as already suggested, : no jeason is perceived why It Neither. ,arty can fail to' see the impor tance of 'early action, and both must realize that to prolong the present state of : things for even a short period will add enormously to the time and labor and expenditure necessary to bring about the industrial re cuperation of the island. It is, therefore, fervently hoped on all grounds that earnest efforts for healing the breach between Spain and the Insurgent Cubans , upon, the lines above indicated may be at once inaugu rated and poshed to an immediate success ful issue. The friendly offices of the United States, either in the manner above outlined or in any other way consistent with our constitution and laws, will always be at the disposal of either party. - , Whatever policy may arise, our policy and our Interest would constrain us to object to-the acquisition of -the island. or to any interference with it control by any other power. ., ; ' ' -,..'.-".'; OonJVfct Maat Soon XMitf. ' It should pel added that it cannot be trea sonably assumed vjUiaXthe hitherto . ex pectant attifo'de of the tTnited',Stat8s0wfri be indefinitely maintained. While we are anxious to Record--all due respecr'"to"tHS.p' sovereign tysf spam, we cannot view tne pentUne.cori'ct in all Its features and prop erly j apprehend our close relations to it and as, poMble results without considering tharb- the-'course of events we mav .be "Srawn "mto-such an unusual and unpreeevT dented condttion as will fix a limit to rbttf patient waiting for Spain to end. the con test, eithe- alone and in her own' way, or with crtiic. friendly co-operation.-;" When ttte-,inabili.ty of Spam to deal sue cessfully VUh th ' JnsilrgBiitB 1asVbepOms-4 manifest, aiod it isidenioiistratd thai her J anirerpie-nfe'jL.'iH pvtinrt lij Chlbaf 3Tor Jflrf nur- tpeses of ts rightfijl eEisteace and) when to.hopeless-;" struggle' for""its 're-estabiish- -linHnt has'egenerated into a Btrife which Tnreans norhing -more than the useless sacrifice -ol( human, life and (he, ytter .de struction of every subject mtfytip t)9pe conflict, situation will be presented tn whTcK bufe obligations to the "sovereignty' of Spain wjH be superseded by higher obli gations, . ik-Jilch we can hardly, hesitate to recognize" and discharge. - Deferring the choice of-rays and-methods until, the time for actioV arrives, we Should make' then depend upon the precise conditions than ex isting.; a&J they should not be det'ermihed upon wilhput giving careful heed to every - eonsiderion involving our honor and in- terest, 'g- the International duty we owe to Spal- Until we face the contingencies -suggested or the situation is by other incidents-.Imperatively changed, we should continue".in the line of conduct heretofore pursued. -thus In all circumstances exhib iting ouS. obedience to the requirSmen'tS-'of;. publifCiaw and our regar.d -for. the duty en joined upon us by the pbsitloir'' we occupy in the galaxy of nations. . A contemplation of emergencies that may arise should plainly lead us to avoid their creation, either through a careless disregard of present duty or even an undue stimula- tion and ill-timed expression of feeling. But I have" deemed it not amiss to remind. the mnrrwM th-at u Hmo mair at-r-fv'' vTiaii a correct . policy and care for our Interests. as well;as regard for the interests of .othein nations and their citizens, joined by con siderations of humanity and a desire to see a rich and fertile country. Intimately re lated to us. saved from complete devasta tion, will constrain our government to such action, will subserve the Interests involved and at the same time promise to Cuba, and its inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of peace. . .-- ' f " :";' '-e' . -vJ r THE: VENEZLE31.A BOUNDARY. Negrotiationa for a Treaty of .General Arbitration. -' The' Venezuela boundary question has ceased to be a matter of difference between Great Britain and the United States, their respective governments having agreed upon the substantial provisions of a treaty be tween Great Britain and Venezuela, sub-V mitting the whole corttrpversyi to . arbitra-J uob. The provisions at,th treaty fre: so.; eminently just ana lair tnat tne assent oi Venezuela thereto may confidently be an ticipated. - . ;. Negotiations by a treaty of general.ar bitration for all differences jiefween Great Britain and the United States "are far ad vanced, and promise to reach a successful consummation at. an early date. TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Excess of Expenditures ceipts. Over . Re- The secretary of- the.rtreauQr-ceports that during the 'fiscal year ended June 30, 1896, the receipts of the government from all sources amounted to $409,475,408 76. During the same period, its expenditures were $434,678,654 48, the excess of expendi tures over receipts thus' amounting to $25,- 203,245 72. , The ordinary expenditures dur ing the year were $4,015,852 21 less than jdurin tierecdiijg ja,a4year. receipts menuonea, mere were aenvea , from customs the sum of $180,021,751 67. and. from internal revenue $146,830,615 .66. . 'Tha receipts from customs show an Increase of $T,S63,134 22 over those from the same source for the fiscal year eliding r June 30, 1895, and the receipts from -internaM revenue an increase of $3,584,537 91. The value of our imported duMable mer chandise during the last fiscal year was $3.59,757,770, and the value of free goods. imported $409,967,470, being an increase of $6,523,675 in the value of dutiable goods and $41,231,034 in the value of .free goods over the preceding year. Our exports of merchandise, foreign and domestic, amounted in value to $882,606,938, being an Increase over the preceding year.-of $75, 068,773. . The average ad valorem' duty paid on dutiable goods imported during the year was 39.94 per cent, and on free and dutiable goods taken together 20.55 per cent. Jrhe cost of collecting the internal rev enue was 2.78 per cent, as against 2.81 per cent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896. . - - Lll esa-vina Service. From the lifesaving service It Is reported that the number of disasters to docu mented vessels within the limits of its operations during the year was 537. These vessels had on board 4608 persons, of whom. 4595 were saved and 13 lost. The value" of sudh vessels . is, estimated at $8,880,140, and of their cargoes $3,846,380, making the total value of property im periled $12,726,520. Of this amount. $11, 292,707 was saved and $1,432,750 was lost. Sixty-seven of the vessels were totally wreeked.. There were besides 243 casual ties ta "small undocumented craft, -on board0orwhlch there were 594 persons, of whom 587 were saved and seven lost. The' value of the property involved In these latter casualties is estimated at $119,265, of which $114,955 was saved, and $4350 was lost. The lifesaving crews during the year also rescued or assisted numerous other vessels and warned many from danger by '"signals- both by day and night. The num ber of disasters during the year exceeded that of any. previous year in the history of the service, but. the saving of both life and property was greater than ever before in proportion to the value of the property involved and to the number of persons imperiled. " . Marine Hospital Service. The .operations of - the marine hospital service, the " revenue cutter service, the steamboat inspection service, the light- - house service, the bureau of navigation and other branches of public work attached to the treasury department, together with various recommendations concerning their support and improvement, are fully stated in the report of the secretary of the treas ury, to" which '' the attention of congress is especially invited. THB WAR DEPARTMENT. Little Active Work for the Dnrlns; the Year..-.. Army . The' report of the secretary of war ex hibits satisfactory conditions in the several branches of the public service intrusted to his charge. The ..Jimit of our military force, as fixed by law, is constantly and readily maintained. The present discipline and morals of om 'army "-are. excellent, and marked progress" and efficiency are appar ent throughout its entire organization. With -the exception of delicate duties in the -suppression of . slight Indian disturb ances along our southwestern boundary, in. which the Mexican troops co-operated, and the compulsory but peaceful return, with the oonsent of Great Britain, of a band of Cree Indians from . Montana to the British possessions, no-active opera tions have been required of the army dur ing the -year past. ' ' . Changes in the method of administration, the abandonment of unnecessary posts, and the ' consequent -' concentration of troops, and the exercise of care and vigilance by the various officers charged with the re sponsibility., in the expenditures of the ap propriations, have resulted in reducing to a minimum the cost of maintenance of our military establishment. ' During 'the past year the work of con-" structing permanent infantry and cavalry posts'-has been continued at places here tofore designated. -The secretary of war repeats his recommendation that appropria tions for barracks and quarters should more strictly conform to the need of the service, as judged by the department,, rather than respond to the wishes and im portunities of localities. It is imperative that much' of the money provided for such construction should now be allotted to the erection of necessary quarters for the gar risons assigned to the coast defenses, where many men will be needed to properly care for and operate modern guns. . It. lc es- sentlal. rtoo, that.. early provision be made to. .supply, the necessary, force of artillery- to meet the demands of this service; - Coast Fortifications, - I51nli been made toward the completion of the scheme adopted for the protection and armament of fortifications along our sea coast, while equal Progress has been made Lin providing the material for submarine defenses in cronneotion "with these works. It ispecullM-ly gsatifyfng. at this? time.il .u jnute ine great jaavajce tnat nasi been? made, in this important undertaking since the date of my annual message to the 63d Congress at the onenin? ftf ita aonnti n n- -npaj e&sio--ijt ' lpepember,-1893. At that tlmej, I Jnformjed 1 cojigresof the ap- proachUig cemBleJloii of' ninejOi-inch. 20 10- incb and 34 8-Jnh jhlgn-poer steel guns, and 73 Ifi-lrieH rifled mortars.- This- total then seemed Insignificant compared with the great work remaining to be done, yet it WaS nOnf thf IPUI a am ,,- n nf aaHafanUnn fctit ev,ery. fclflzen rfi eh ;hff reflected that.it I r represented the first mStallmnt Of the new. I ordnance-of -American- design a-nd American manufacture, and demonstrated our ability to supply from our own resources guns of unexceiled.power ;and accuracy; At that date, however, there, were practically no carriages upon which' to mount these guns; and .only 31 emplacements for guns and 6" for-mortars;: Nor were-all these n-4. placements in . condition to receive, their armament. Only one high-power gun was at that timet in position-; f((r the defense, of the entire coast. .Since that time, the num ber of guns 'actually completed .ha& been increased to 21 12-imh. 66 10-lnch, and 61 8-ir.cn rifle mortaa-g.i -v Jn addition there are In process of con- tructian : onfe.rtfranelf-tyije ;gun, M 12-ineh,r po jv-mcn,. ist. s-incn nign-power guns, and 66" 12-mch rifled mortars," fa aIl-428 guns and mortars. - rOSTOEFlCK DEPARTMENT.: The Deficit . .- l- : Leaa -Than Yearit In Former I Our postofflce department ' Is -ih-(Wof .condition, ,: and ilhe.--exhibit made, .of .Its operations during" the fiscil year" : ended June 30, 1896,y-,tf allowance Is made for imperfections ih'the'laws applicable Ho it, is very' ."satlsfactfliryi. .The. total receipts during the ' year ' were- $82,499:208 40. ' The total expenditures, were $90.626,286 84, ex clusive of $1,559;88 27. which was earned by the Pacific railroads for transportation and-, credited -on tleir debt to the- govern inent.7 There "was an-increase of receipts over the previous year of $5,516,080 21, or 7.1 ner cent, an Inorease of expenditures' of 3,836,124 (B. or 4,42 .per, cent. . The deficit was $1,679.956 "19 'less- than that of the pre ceding year. The chief expenditures of the postal ser vice are regulated by law and are not in the control of the postmaster-general.' All that he can accomplish by the most watch-, ful administration and economy is to en force .prompt and thorough collection; and accountings, for public moneys and such minor savings in .small expenditures and . in letting those contracts for postofflce sup plies' and. star, service which are not regu lated by statute. - An., effective .corOperatlon' between the auditor's office, arid; tha ijpttstdfjjce depart ment, and the making and enforcement of orders by the department requiring im mediate notification to their sureties of any delinquencies on the part of post masters and -compelling such postmasters to make more frequent deposits of postal funds, have resulted in a prompter audit ing of their accounts and much less de fault to the government than heretofore. The ' year's- report shows -large ...exten sions of both ' star; route- service and rail--, way mall service, - with increased postal facilities. Much, higher accuracy in hand ling mails has also" '. been -reached, as appears by the decrease' of errors . in the railway mall service and the TediicIdn of mall matter returned to the dead-letter .' - ;"' V- - A" erovtffftK-'Abtise. .-t -The deficit for the.-year although much les3 than that' of the last "and preceding years,, emphasizes the necessity for legis lation to correct .the temwlty.abuse of second-class rates, to -which ujd'eficit -is mainly attributable. The transmission at the rate .of 1. cent a. pound-. of serial li braries, advertising sheets, "house or gans" (periodicals advertising some par ticular "house" or institution), sample copies and the like, ought ' certainly to be discontinued. A glance at the revenues received for . the work done last year will show more plainly than any -other state ment the gross abuse of the postal ser vice, and the. growing waste of its .earn ings. The' free matter .cajcried rinthe; mails for the department, offices, ' 'etc.. of the government,- and for congress. In pounds, amounted ;to 94,480,189. If this is offset against" buildings for postofflces and stations, the rental of which would more than compensate for such free postal service, we have this , exhibit: Weight of mall matter - (other than aove) transmitted thwmg-h the malls for tne year endlng-June'" 30, 1896: .-. . . i - - Weight Revenue Domestic and foreign , letters, postal cards, etc 65,337,343 $60,624,464 Newspapers, periodicals a cent per pound)... 348,988,648 2,996,403 Books, seeds, etc., (8 cents per pound) 78,701,148 10,324,069 Parcels, etc. (16 cents per pound) 19.950,187 3,320,321 Totals 7. 512,977,326 $77.044,257 The' remainder of our postal revenue, amounting to something over $5,000,000, was .derived from box rents, registry fees, money-order business and other similar Items. The entire expenditures of the de-t partment, including pay for transporta tion credited to the Pacific railroads, was $92,186,19611, 'which may be considered as the cost of receiving, carrying and deliver ing the above" -mail matter. - It thus appears that though the second-class mat ter constituted more than-": two-thirds of the -total that' was carried, the revenue derived, from it was less than one-thirtieth of total ' expenses. The average, revenue from each pound of first-class matter .was 93 cents, from each pound of second-class matter 8H mills (of . the second class 52, 348,297 pounds was free matter); from each pound of third class, 13.1 cents; from each pound of fourth class, 15.6 cents. . - The . growth of weight . in second-class matter has been from 299,000,000 pounds in 1894 to 312,000,000 in 1895, and to almost 349,000,000 in 1896, and it is quite evident this increasing - drawback 'is far outstrip ping any possible growth of. postal revenues.- .: ' ."''"' Our mail service should, of course, be "such as to meet the wants and even the conveniences of our. people,; with a direct charge upon them so light as to exclude the idea of our postofflce' department -being a money-making concern; but in the face o( the constantly recurring deficiency in its revenues. . and to .view of the fact that we supply the best mail service; In the world, it seems to me it is' quite time . to correct the abuses that swell enormous ly our annual deficit. If we-concede the public policy of carrying papers free in the county of publication, and even the policy of carrying at less than one-tenth their cost other bona fide newspapers and periodicals,' there can be no excuse for subjecting the service to the further ' im mense and Increasing loss involved in car rying at the nominal rate -of ,1 cent a pound the serial libraries sometimes In cluding trashy and even harmful litera ture, arid other 'matter, which, under the loose interpretation of a loose statute, has been gradually given second-class rates, thus absorbing . all profitable -returns de rived from first-class matter, which pays three or four times more than its cost, and producing a large -annual loss to be paid by general taxation.. If such- second-class matter merely- paid the coat-of Its handling, our - deficit would Usappear and a -surplus result -which "might JSC used to-give the people still better man facilities or a cheaper rate of letter postage. ., , - INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. 7f S Spent -a Hach Money, as It jed to Take to Ran the Government, The report of the secretary of the Interior presents a comprehensive and interesting exhibit of the numerous and . important affairs committed to his supervision. It is Impossible in this - communication - to do more than briefly refer . to a few of the subjects concerning which the secretary gives lull and instructive information. The money appropriated on account of this department for its disbursement for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1896, amount ed to mere- than $157,006,000, or a greater sum than was appropriated for the .entire maintenance of the. government for the twi' fiscal years ended June 30, 1861. "fr-; Public la-Ads. Our public lands, originally amounting to 1,840,000.000 acres, have been - so reduced that only 600,000,000 still remain in govern ment control, excluding Alaska. The bal ance, being by far the most valuable por tion, has been given away to settlers, to new suites and to railroads, or sold at a comparatively nominal sum, . The patenting' of tend, ti execution, of railroad grants has. progressed ..rapidly during the year, and since the '4th day of March, 1893, about 25,000.000 acres have thus been conveyed to these corporations. I agree with the secretary that the . re mainder of our public lands should be. more carefully dealt with, "and their - alienation guarded against by, better economy, and greater prudence. . ' '" " " -:- .,..";:. -i Vj 'J Indian Affairs. The' total Indian population of the. United States Is 177,235, according to a census: -'blade-, in 1895, exclusive of those within the sta.te of New York-and those comprising, the five civilized tribes. Of- this number,'.'' there' are .approximately 38,000'. Children of school age. During the year, 23,33&.Of these .were. Arallpri tn nrhnnls -. Th o Miricrrpoa whlrh "lias 'attended recent efforts to. extend In dian, school facilities and' the anticipation of continued liberal appropriations Jo that end cannot fail to afford. the utmost. satis faction to those .who. believe that the edu cation of Indian "children is'a 'prime factor in the,- accomplishment of IndiaH..-clviliza- tion. .. ..... .. It may be said in general terms "thai" in1 every -particular the improvement of : the: Indiana under government -has been most. marked and encouraging. The secretary, the commissioner of. Indian, affairs, and the agents having charge of Indians to whom allotments have been made, strongly urge the passage of a law- prohibiting the sale of liquor to allottees" who . have taken their lands in severalty. ---1 earnestly Join in this recommendation,' and venture to ex press the hope "that the , Indian .may be speedily protected against this one greatest of all evils to. his well-being and advance ment. . '' -..--. -The. condition of affairs among the five civilized tribes, who occupy large tracts of land in the Indian territory and who have governments- of - their own, has as sumed such an aspect as to render it al most indispensable that there should be an entire change In the relations of these Indians to the general government This seems to be necessary In furtherance of their own Interests, as well as for the protection of non-Indian residents in their territory. A commission organized and empowered under several recent laws Is now negotiating with? these Indians for the relinquishment of 'their courts and the. division of their common lands in sever alty, and are aiding in the settlement of the troublesome question of tribal mem bership. The reception of their first prof fers of negotiation, was not encouraging but through, patience and. such conduct on their part -as demonstrated' that their in tentions were friendly and in the interest of the tribes, -the prospect of. success has become more promising. - The effort should be to save these Indians from the consequences of their own mistakes and Improvidence and to secure to the real Indian his rights as against intruders and professed friends who profit by his retrogression. A change is also needed to protect life and property through the op eration 'of courts conducted according' to strict justice and strong enough to en force their mandates. . . , ... As a sincere friend of the Indian I am exceedingly -anxious that these reforms should be accomplished with the consent and aid of the tribes, and that no neces sity may be presented for radical "or drastic . legislation.. -1 . hope, " therefore, that thiS commission- now conducting ne gotiations will soon be able to report that jtujaienrfcM .m anaU twtrt aifriidly4:of; himself.: aqd pbj.ecti of his . loyeand., adjustment of existing difficulties. r.f. - ' " it : Pacific Railroads. - f he secretary "calls attention to the pub lieS interest's involved in -an adjustment of .'the obligations of the Pacific railroads toithe government 1 deem It to be an im portant duty to especially present this, sub ject to the consideration of the congress. . On January 1, 1897, wtth the amount al ready matured, more than $13,000,000 of the principal of thfi subsidy bonds issued by the United States in aid of the construc tion of the Union Pacific railway, includ ing its Kansas line, and more than $6,000, 000 of like honds issued in aid of the Cen tral Pacific railway, including those Issued to. the Western Pacific!- Railway Company, will have fallen due and been paid or must on that day.be paid by the government. Without any reference to the application of the sinking fund now in the treasury, this will create men a default on the part of these companies to the government as will give it the right to af once institute pro ceedings to foreclose its mortgage lien. In addition ' to this indebtedness that will be due January 1, 1897,--4hei-e will mature between that-date and' January 1, 1899, the Remaining principal of such subsidy bonds, which must also be met by the govern ment ' These amount . to more than $20,-000,000- - on account of. the Union Pacific lines, and exceed $21,000,000 on account of the Central Pacific 'lines. - The situation of these roads and the condition of their Indebtedness to the gov ernment have been fully set forth in the reports of various committees to the pres ent and prior congresses, and as early as 1887 they were thoroughly examined by a special commission appointed pursuant to an act of congress. The considerations' re quiring an adjustment of the government's relations to the companies have been clear ly presented, and the conclusion reached with practical uniformity that If thess relations are not terminated they should be revised upon a basis securing their safe continuance. -. Under a section of the act of congress passed March 3, 1887, the president is charged with the duty, In the event that any mortgage or other incumbrance, para mount to the interest of the United States in the - property of the Pacific railroads shall, exist and be lawfully liable to be enforced, to direct aetion of the depart ments of the treasury and of justice in the protection of the Interest of the United States by thorough judicial proceedings, including foreclosure, of the government liens. In view of the fact that the con gress has for a number of "years almost constantly had under consideration plans for dealing with the conditions existing be tween these roads and the government,- I have thus far felt justified in withholding action under the statute above mentioned. The Union Pacific Came. In the case of the. Union Pacific, how ever, the - situation has become especially and Immediately urgent Proceedings have been instituted foreclose a first mort gage upon those aided parts of the main line upon which the government holds a second and subordinate mortgage lien. In consequence of these proceedings and in creasing complications, added to the default occurring on the 1st day of January, 1897, a condition will be presented on that date, so far as this company is concerned, that must emphasize the mandate of the act of 18S7 and give to executive duty under its -provisions a more imperative aspect Therefore, unless congress shall otherwise direct, or shall have previously determined upon a different solution of the problem, there will hardly appear to exist any rea son for delaying, beyond the date of the default above mentioned, such executive action as will promise to, subserve the pub lic interests and save. tb,e government from the loss threatened by further Inaction. THB TARIFF. The President's Defense-of the Wilson ' Bill. , '- ---'-: -; - ' -i"-. - " '..--. ; I- desire ta refer to the; liataman.t else where, made concerning the government re ceipts and expenditures for the purpose of venturing upon some suggestions touching our present tariff law and its oseration. This statute took effect on the 3th day of August 1894. " Whatever may be Its shortcomings as a complete measure of tariff reform, it must be conceded that it has opened the way to a freer and greater exchange . of commodities between "the XTrdted.-. States- and- other countries, and thus furnished a wider market for our prod--I ucts ana manufacturing. The -only entire fiscal year during which this law has been in force ended on the 30th day of June, 1896. In that' ytar our Imports increased over those of the previous -year - more than $6,600,000, "while the value of the domestic product w exported and which found mar kets abroad was nearly $70,000,000 more than during the preceding year. Those who insist that the coat to our people of articles coming to them from ab-jctad for their needful use, should only be increased through tariff charges to an extent necessary to meet the expenses of the government as well as those who claim- that tariff charges .may be laid upon such : articles beyond beyond the necessities of the' government revenue and with the additional purpose of so increasing their price in our markets as to give American manufacturers and producers better and more profitable oppor tunities, must agree that our tariff-' laws are only primarily -justified as sources, of revenue' to enable the government to meet -the neeessary expenses of its maintenance. Considered as to : its 'sufficiency in this aspect, the present la w . canr by no means fall under Just" cori'demnatibriiDurlng-the only complete (fiscal year, of its operation, it has yielded nearly ..$8, 000,000 more revenue than- Was. received from tariff' 'dotleoVto the: pre.ee ding. year. 'nThere was,, nevertheless.- a' deficit Between, .our receipts arid ' expendi tures --of a? -little more than '$25,000,600. v ,.' The situation was .sufch in. December, seven months before the close of "the fiscal : year,' that the1' 'secretary" of -the treasury- fore'tota-a- deficiency of $17,O0OJ!9O. ...The -great and increasing" apprehension : and' timidity., Jn business circles iand::the'.-de-pression in all activities. Intervening since that :thne;-resulting from causes perfectly . well -understood arid entirely- disconnected, with our tariff law or . its operation,, .seri ously checked the imports we would nave "Otherwise received and readily account-for ' the. difference between the estimate of the secretary and the actual deficiency as well as for a continued deficit. -JEndeed it: must . be confessed that we could hardly have had a. more., unfavorable period than the' last .two years for' the- collection of - a. tariff revenue. ' ... . ' 1: - We cannot reasonably hope that our re cuperation from this business depression will be sudden, but it has already set in with a promise of acceleration arid con. tinuance. . ' . ,;. : . Use of the Snrplns.. . I believe our present tariff law,- if allow ed a fair opportunity, will in the .near future yield a revenue- which, with reason ably economical expenditures, will over-C eome all deficiencies. In the meantime, bo deficit that -has occurred, or may occur, need excite or disturb, us. TO meet any such deficiency; we have in the treasury, in addition to -a gold reserve of $100,000,000, a surplus of more than $128,000,000 applicable to ' the .payment of -the 'expenses . of the government and which must, unless ex pended for that purpose, remain In ...use less hoard, or, if not extravagantly wasted, must, in any event, be . perverted from the purpose of Its exaction from our people. The payment therefore, , of any deficiency in the revenue from this fund is nothing more than its proper and legitimate use. The government,' thus ' applying a surplus fortunately in Its treasury to the payment of expenses not metty its current reve nues. Is not at all to be likened' to a man living vond his income, and- thus incur ring de! or encroaching on his principal. It is not one of the functions of our gov--ernment to accumulate and make addi tions to a fund not needed tor immediate expenditure. With individuals, it. is the chief, object -of struggle and effort The (-application of an accumulated fund by the government to the payment or its running expenses is a duty. An Individual lishg heyond his income- and embarrassing him self with debt or drawing upon his ac cumulated fund of principal is either un fortunate or improvident The- distinction Is as between a government charged with the duty of expending for the benefit of the people' and for proper purposes .all the money it receives- from any source and the individual who Is expected to mani fest - a natural desire to ivoid debt or to accumulate as much as possible and to live within the income derived from such accumulations, to the end that they may be increased, or at least remain un impaired, for the future use and enjoyment affection who riiay survive him. It is Immeasurably better to appropriate our surplus to the payment of Justifiable expenses than to allow It to become an invitation to reckless appropriations and ex travagant expenditures. -' - I suppose It will not be denied that under the present law our people obtain the neces saries of a comfortable existence at a cheaper rate than formerly. This is a matter of supreme importance, since it Is the palpable duty of every Just govern ment to- make the burdens of taxation as light as possible. The people -should not be required to relinquish this privilege of cheap living, except under the stress of their government's necessity made plain, ly manifest - . ': FINANCIAL MATTERS. The Weakness and Vice of Our Prea- .-"'"-;..' " ent Methods. - ' This reference to the condition and pros pects of our revenues naturally suggests an allusion to the weakness and vices of our financial methods. They . have been frequently pressed upon the attention of congress in previous executive communica tions, and the inevitable danger of their continued toleration pointed out Without now reDeatinsr these details. I -cane-"- re frain from again earnestly presenting th necessity of the prompt reform of a sys- tem opposed to every rule of sound finance, and shown hv e-rrw-rienoe toe fraueht with and shown by experience toe fraught with the gravest peril and perplexity. The terrible war which shook the founda tions of cur government more than 30 years ago brought in its train the destruction of property, the wasting of our country's substance and the estrangement of breth ren. These are' now past and forgotten. Even the distressing loss of life the con flict entailed is but a sacred memory which fosters patriotic sentiment and keeps alive a tender regard for those who nobly died. And yet there remains with us today in full strength, as an Incident of that tremendous struggle, a feature of Its finan cial necessities not only unsulted to our present circumstances, but manifestly a disturbing menace to business security and an ever-present agent of monetary distress. Because we may be enjoying a temporary relief from Its depressing influence should not lull us Into a false security nor lead us to forget the suddenness of past visita tions. , DEPARTMENT OF AGRJCt'LTXRE. .. Export! of Firm Products. .The secretary reports that the 'value of our exports of farm products during the last fiscal year amounted to $570,000,000, an increase of $17,000,000 over those of the year immediately preceding. This state ment is none the less welcome because of the fact that notwithstanding such .in crease the proportion of exported agricul tural products to our total exports of all descriptions fell off during the year. The benefits of an Increase in agricultural exports being assured, the decrease In the proportion to our total exports is the more gratifying, when we . consider that It Is owing to the fact that such total exports for the year Increased more than $75,000,- 000. - :. The large and increasing exportation of our agricultural products suggests the giAt J usefulness of the organization lately established In the department for the purpose of giving to those engaged In farming pursuits reliable Information con cerning the condition and needs arid "ad vantages of - different foreign markets. Inasmuch as the success of the farmer depends upon the advantageous sale of his products and inasmuch as ' foreign markets must largely be the destination of . such -products, it is quite apparent that a knowledge of the conditions and wants that affect those markets ought to result In sowing more Intelligently and reaping with a better prba nroflt. Concluding- Remarks. In concluding this communication,- Its" last words shall fee. an appeal to the con- J gress for the most rigid -economy in the 1 expenditure of the money it holds in trust ' :proposea match between Corbett and for the people. The war Jo -perplexing;.?,.. , MMa extravagances Is easy, but a return to frugality is difficult. When, however, it is considered that those who can bear the burdens of taxation have no guaranty of honest care, save in the fidelity of their public servants, the. duty of all possible retrenchment Is plainly manifest When our differences are forgotten and our -con' tests of political opinion are no longer re-membered,--netlfiiig. In ' the' retrospect , of our public service will be -as fortunate and comforting as "the recollection- of of ficial duty well performed, and the mem-" ory of a constant devotion to the Interests of our confiding fellow countrymen. -GROVER CLEVELAND. Executive Mansion, Dec. 7, 1895. IHE NEWS OF THE WEEK From All Parts of the World and the "Old. New OF INTEREST TO OUR READERS Oomprahansive Review of the Import ant Happenings of the Pant Week . Called Vrmm the Telegraph Column 'A' Constantinople dispatch says r massacre has -j occurred at Evock, it which 100 Armenians are reported to have been killed. -;.; Murray, Idaho, a cave-in of the .Smpll Hopes mine, killed Gua Holmes. Holmes , was -working in a el pe and fired, a blast -which probably caused tha cavel''1''" ' ' :t - j .M- .:...- r .. Several members of '"the -Miners' Union1 'of - Leadville, Colo., have been ai rested under indictments by the spec ial grand jury, lor their alleged con nection with the attack on the Corc-.nado-and Emmett mines a few months ago.' l. . ' : ' ' - The New York Herald has a dispatch from Havana which states that Antonio Maced has crossed the trocha with a large force. It is reported according to this dispatch, that Captain-General Weyler has been wounded at the front. All. news from the scene of the engage ment is suppressed by the officials at the palace". - Robert Fitzsimmuns and Tom Shar key fought for a purse of f 10,000 in San Francisco before the National Clab. The contest was to be ten rounds, bnt Sharkey was knocked out in the eighth round. The referee, however, 'gave the- fight to Sharkey, claiming that Fitzsimmons deliberately fouled Sharkey by striking him below the belt : United States Minister Denby, at Peking, has informed the department of state that the Japanese government, has officially and formally renounced that part of the treaty between China and. Japan, made at the close of the re cent war, which provides that all. ar ticles manufactured by Japanese sub jects in .China shall stand upon the same footing as those imported by Jap anese subjects, into China.' The fighting cruiser . Brooklyn, the newest addition to the United States navy, has been tested and uccepted by the government. - " John Abel, a workman at the Nelson Morris dressed beef works, St. Louis, Mo., was horribly burned : while at work. ' The flesh on the right leg was parbbile'di" ;2bel tripped on the greasy floor in the rendering-room, and fell into a vat of boiling grease. .-; ' Jane Shelly, the 14-year-old daugh ter, of : Joseph Shelly, a farmer living bine miles south of 'tjiyihpia,"Washrr was reaching for some object on the mantlepieoe, when her o'othes cangbt fire from the fire in the fire-plaoe. She was terribly burned and died after a few days of suffering. Delbert Crawford, a young man 19 years old, was found twelve miles from Pendleton, dead beneath an over turned' loaded wagon. He was hauling grain to the city, and the wagon ran off the grade into a canyon. His four horse team stood all night hitched to the wagon, and were found the next morning covered with snow. T. J. Henry, living on the Apple-J gate, near Jacksonville, Or., onNovem ber 23 last went over to one of the min ing camps to look for a job cooking for the miners. He started home over the Watkins trail.- A storm started up and he wandered about in the moun tains and froze to death. The whole community turned out to search for him, and suceeded in finding his body. He bad orawled into a brush pile and was frozen to deatn. tie leaves a i , , - ,., j ' dow and six children practically des titute. Jennie Ward, a well-dressed young woman, created a sensation by walk ing along Wabash avenue, Chicago, smoking. People turned and stared at the woman, but she paid no attention to them, and continued to send blue clouds of smoke heavenward. She was placed under arrest by Detectives Woolridge and Schubert and locked up at the -Harrison-street station, charged with disorderly condnot, and when her case was called for trial in Justice Richardson's oourt she failed to apear. "This is something terrible," said the oourt, "and as a warning I will fine this woman $1 for smoking. It 'r rible." A freight train of thirty cars loaded with lumber and shingles from the West got beyond control on t heavy grade east of Mullen tunnel, on -the Northern Pacific road, and ran away. Twenty-six oars were scattered along a distance of eight miles, when the en gine left the track. Ed Jarbeau, head brakeman, was killed. Fireman Young bad his collar bone broken, and En gineer John Flunn's leg was broken, besides internal injuries. Conductor John MoBean's thigh was broken, and bis back wrenched. It is the worst wreck the Northern Paoiflo has ever had from the point of damage to track and rolling stock. ' " A dispatoh from Lima, Pern, says that observers there see a probability of another clash of arms between Peru and Bolivia, over the new trouble which is brewing owing to Bolivia having pro ceeded to fix the limits of her frontiers in the Amazonian districts without having an arrangement with Pern fox the delimitation. In Dieppe. France, an enormous mass of cliffs collapsed and damaged property to the extent of 120,000 francs. There is much excitement, as the cliffs threaten further slips. - Dan Stuart, the Texas sporting man is .quoted as. saying in regard to the Fitzsimmons: "The nurse will be UciK nnn mil T want tha ficrht tn ta'tza '"place the latter part of March or early in ApriL , I feel confident of securing Corbett's signatureand, '.after getting that, shall go for Fitzsimmons, and I feel sure of him, too. I have the bat tleground all ready, and there will be) no interference.!' Pc-'V. The laboratories, museums, insti tutes, etc., connected with the Uni versity of Berlin cost the state $530, 000 a year. , '-""'-: v. '''"'"'-" i ' ' '- ----" CONGRESS IN SESSION. Senate. j The Unitedt States senate began th jeoond session of the fifty-fourth cod gress with crowded galleries and wit); that accompaniment of activity and oi greeting that usually attends the reas sembling of oongress. But the uppei branch of congress never puts aside ita dignity, and the meeting developed no. demonstrations of dramatic interest. The reading of the president's messagn was the feature of the proceedings, and beyond this no attempt was made tq enter upon the business of the session. To many of the foreign representatives occupying the diplomatic gallery, the message had speoial interest and sig nificance, owing to the part they had taken in the oonspiouous foreign events to whioh the president referred. On the floor of the senate printed copies of . the message were distributed, and these gave the senators opportunity of read ing. There was a small attendance after the reading had proceeded beyond the first half hour. After the usual formality of laying the message on the table, the senate, on motion of Hale, adjounred. Boose. - While the scenes attending the open ing of the house were both brilliant and interesting in the crowds that thronged .the galleries, and the con spicuous personages present, the pro ceedings themselves were dull and spiritless, being distinctively routine. The bouse met, the chaplain invoked the divine blessing on the work of the session, the roll was called; and a com mittee was appointed to wait upon the president, and the latter's annual com munication was read. The reading consumed about two hours. The holi day nature of the day was saddened by the announcement of the death of ex Speaker Crisp, whioh Turner of Georgia formally made to his associates. Oat of respect to the memory of the distin guished Georgian, the house, after adopting appropriate resolutions, im mediately adjourned. Death in the Pyrenees. A Paris disptaoh says that a terrible, disaster has' occurred in the Pyrenees.' A score of Spaniards, crossing on foot, had reached Gavarnie, in France, where they related . with apparent remorse that they had left a woman, unable to procceed, with her husband and . bro ther, two hours ' distant. ' Guides hur ried back to the rescue and , heard calls for help, . when a sudden avalanche blocked the mountain pass so that the guides were obliged to return to Gav arnie and wait there for two:, days. When they finally reached the ill-fated trio, two of them were dead and th third was-dying. . .""' ; The Jury Didn't Bee Him Shoot. .Tnhn Thlnl nrhrk woo annnnon if w , , , - vino t Buuinraau . have fired the shot", that, entered the neaa oi a young girt at a weoams party in Ritzville, Wash., has been aoq&tttnd by a jury. It was Droved that be bor rowed Tixitj gua,- ana inne uie tuim wbi fired from the gun, but no one saw him fire it, and so the jury discharged him. Fatal Ending of a Fued. A fiirhiL "between old man . Harrison and his two 'sons' and Morgan and his' two sons, Tom and Caleb, occurred in one of the mountain oonnties of Ken tucky. ' The elder Morgan is dead. Both sons are dvinc. Both the Har rison boys are also dead. Struck by an Blectrle Gar. In Denver an electrio oar struck a carriage containing-Mrs. John C. Mont gomery, wife of a prominent Denver capitalist, and two other ladies. The carriage was wrecked and Mrs. Mont-. gomery was sr badly injured that she . cannot recover. Killed by Poachers. Count Finickenstein. an intimate friend of Emperor William, of Ger many, has been mortally wounded on his estate. It is supposed he was shot by poaohers. . He was one of ' the wealthiest landowners in Germany. Massacred by Kurds. A Constantinople dispatoh says that Dnder the pretext of revenging an old ' grievance, 10,000 Kurds raided the province of Mamouiel ul Aziz, where they burned and pillaged the villages and massacred the inhabitants. French Weuld Exclude Our Pork. At a mass meeting held in Paris, France, of the organized Farmers' Union, the dealers in salt meats adopt ed a resolution in favor of the exclusion of American pork products, in view of the fall in the prices of swine. Jumped From a Hotel Window. Mrs. Eliza Cummings, aged 55, a wealthy woman of Hillsboro, O., com mitted suicide in New York by jump-' ing from, a third-story window of a ho tel. Tag Edith Horned. The- tug Edith, of Seattle, burned near Dofflemeyer's point, and is prac tically a total loss. The tng was act ing as a tender to a dregder and was on her way to Seattle. A Brutal Murder ' Intense excitement prevails in East St. Louis over the brutal murder of Christopher Ludwig, aged 52, by Harry Sohraeltzer, ged 28. Sohmeltzer struck Ludwig on the head with an ax, kill ing him instantly. The murderer es caped, but is being pursued by a posse. On Hie Way to Mexico. " Peroival Lowell, of Boston, whose, astronomical researches with reference to the inhabitability of the planet mars have commanded wide attention, is now on his way to the City of Mexico, near where he has erected an observa tory. He will have with him in Mexi co a distinguished party of scientific men, and it is the purpose' to continue the investigations in that conn try for at least two years, if the olimatio con ditions prove favorable. Swallowed Morphine. Lizzie Emerson, a handsome woman, about 25 years of age, swallowed a dose of morphine, with suioidal intent, in San Francisco. When discovered she was taken to the receiving hospital, but soon after expired. The woman came to San Francisco from Seattle about three months ago. . To friends She said , that her husband had died about two months previously, leaving her, with a little girl to support She could find no means of supporting herse'f and child,- and becoming despondent, de oided to end her life, . -