Ik
THE OREGON SCOUT.
JONES A: CUANCKV, l'uulUlier
UNION,
OREGON.
Tlio Anniuil Document or tlio Chief E
cculiro ns Kcnd Hoforc Conm css.
"VVasuixcton, Dec. C The following is
hc annual message of the President, as
read before Congress to-tlny:
Tolho Congress of the Fulled States: In
tho discharge of n constitutional duly, mid
following n well established precedent In the
execu tivo olllcc, I herewith transmit to Con
gress nt IU reassembling certain information
concerning tho state of ttie Union, together
with such recommendations Tor U-kIhImUvo
consideration ns nppcur necessary and expe
dient. Our Government lius conslstently;
maintained Its relations or friendship toward
nil other powers, und of neighborly Interest
townrd thoso whoso possessions nre coiillgu.
our to our own. Few question have arisen
during tho past year with other Govern
ments, nnd none or those nro beyond the roach
or settlement In frlpndly council. AV e nro yet
without provision for tlio sett lenient of claims
of citizens ofthe United States against Chill
for Injuries during tho Into wur with Peru nnd
Jlollvia. The mixed commissions organized
under claims conventions, concluded by tho
Chilian Government with certain F.uropenn
Htiitos, have developed nn umount of friction
which we trust can bo avoided In
tho convention which our represcnt
Htive nt Santiago is authorized to ne
gotiate. Tho cruel treatment of Inoflenslve
Chinese has, I regret to hay, been repeated In
Fomo or tho far Western Htates and 'Jerrl
torlcs, and ucts ol violence against. theso
people, beyond the power of the Us ui consti
tuted authorities to prevent, and dlliloult to
punish, nro reported even In dlstnnt Alaska.
Much of this violence can bo traced to race
prcjudlco and competition or labor, which
cannot, however, Justiry tho oppression or
strangers whoso sorely Is guaranteed by our
treaty with China equally with the most
favored nations. In opening our vast domain
to these, elements tho purpose of our lawgiv
ers was to Invito usslmllallon nnd not to pro
vldo an arena for endless antagonisms. I he
paramount duty or maintaining public order
and defending the Interests ot our own people
mnyroqulro tho adoption or measures of re
striction, but they should not tolerate the ojh
preaslonor Individuals of a special race. I
ni not without assurance that the
government of China, whoho friendly dls
tiosltlon toward us I am most happy
to recognize, will meet us half way In devis
ing a comprehensible remedy, by which an
effective limitation or Chinese subjects who
remain In this country may bo secured. Leg
islation Is needed to execute tho pro Islons of
our Chinese, convention of IN), touching the
opium trallle, and while the good will of tho
Columbian (lovernmeut toward our Govern
ment is manifest, tho situation of American
Interests on tho Isthmus of Panama has at
time excited concern and Invited friendly
action looking to the performance of the en
gagements ol tho twonullon concerning tho
territory embraced In tho Intor-occunlo
transit. With tho subsidence or tho Isthmus
disturbances and the erection of tho Stutoor
I'anamalnto a Federal district, under tho
direct government of tho constitutional ad
ministration at Ilogota, a new order of things
lias been Inaugurated which, although as yet
somewhat experimental and ull'nritlng scope
for arbitrary exercises or power by tho dele
Kates or tho National authority, promises
much Improvement. The sympathy between
tho people ofthe Culled Htates ami I ranee,
horn during our colonial strugglo for Inde
pendence, and continuing to-day, has receiv
ed n fresh Impulse. In tho successful comple
tion and do ietitlon of tho colossnl statue of
"Liberty F.nllghtoiilng tho World" In cw
York harbor, tho gilt or Frenchmen to
.Americans.
T1IK TltKlSntV.
Fads Taken Prom llir Hi'port or Ntrrf larv Man
ning. The report ofthe Secretary of tho Treasury
exhibits In detail tho condition or the public
II nance nnd of the several branches of the
Government related to this department. 1
especially direct the attention of Congress to
tho recommendation contained In this nnd
tho hist preceding- .report or the Secretary
touching the simplification and amendment
of tho laws relating to tho collection of our
revenues; and, in the Interest of economy and
Justice, to the (lovernmeut,! hope they may
lie adopted by appropriate legislation. Tho
ordinary receipts of the Government lor tho
fiscal year ended June ;t0. I881I wore iUil.l.B),
77.(W. or this amount sqiU.iHtt.rtti, 11 was ro
relved from custiMis and SlId.Sttt.ll.M.ls from
Internal revenue, while the total receipts as
lie.ro staled were ti:i,7l!',020.f.S greater than for
Iho previous vear. Hut the Increase from
customs was Sll.fll.OSI.lO and from Internal
revenue $1,707,210.01, making u gain In
these Items for tho last year of $15,sI,2!i.'i.0l, a
tilling oil' In other lesouri-es icduclng tho
total lucronso to the smaller amount men
tioned. The expense at the dlllerenl custom
houses or collecting this Increased customs
revenue was less than the expense attending
tho collection or such revenuo for the preced
ing year, by IU0,iXM and the I net eased re
corptK of internal revenuo collected at a cost
to tho Internal revenue hureat of $15,501, IWl
less than tho expense of such collection for
tho previous year. Tho total ordinary expen
ded of tho government fortho fiscal year year
ended Juno :, 188(1, wore $212, 18.1, l.ts.50, being
less by $17,788,707, than such expenditure for
tho year preceding, and leaving a surplus In
Iho treasury at the close of the last fiscal of
tlU,n"xl,M..ril,im against $41,1111,771.27 at the close
or tho previous your, showing an Increase In
ticli surplus of tJn,Ki,KI7.'.'!). The expenditures
nro compared with those of the preceding lis
cnl year and cliisblllod as follows:
1SS0. J8SS.
Civil oxppnspsyeur
ending June,).... $21,055,001.01 S Sl.R2l.OI2.il
For foreign Intcr
cntirso l,CT.V120.Fa JMH,flH0.1l
For Indians H.onti.lM.n 0,552, ll2.iil
For pensions (U,I0I,80I.0J 60,102.207.18
Kor the military, In
cluding river ami
harbor Improve
ments mid arse-
' nuls . SIA'I.IMJt 12,070,578.10
for the nuvy, Includ
ing vessels, ma
chinery and Im
provements of nu
vy yards - 13,007,837.71 10,021,070.(53
J'or Interest on pub
lic debt W,fjSO,IB,07. 61 ,:5SJ,iV, 17
For District or Col-umbl-
2,Stt,132I.K) 3,110,130.95
For inlsecllum-ous
expenses. Includ
ing public build
ings, light houses
nnd collecting tho
revenues 7,fts0,rK1.0l rl,7,nVI.!!t
For tho current year, to end June M,
1RS7, tho ascertained receipt up to October 1,
IKSt) with such receipts estimated tor the re
mainder or the year umount to Sfti.ixnyXM.
The expenditures ascertained and estimated
for the same period are r.W.OiM.OiiO, indicating
nn untliiputod surplus at tho closo or tho
yenrof rAMHH),(U. Tho total value of the ox
isirts from tho L ulled States to foil Ign coun
tries during tho llscal year Is stated and com
pared with the preceding year as follows:
For Iho yeur ending
Juno W, ISM, JunefO.ISS.'i
Tomestle mdo....itt,0'',t,,'ii'U () iT2ii,tiS2.iii li
Foreign mdse - 1S,.sio,:u) txi l.vma.sut ti
cjolrt M .. 4-.Mft.MIU in) .'i.tn.Ki.' tv
Kllver JU.ftl 1,210 (V) n:l.75.l,ti.H 00
Tho value of some of our leading exports
during tho last fiscal year us compared with
the viiluoof tho sumo nir tho year Imme
diately preceding is hero glxen and fur
nishes Information both Interesting und sug
gestive. Year ending Juno U0, ISSO, J lino W, KKS,
Cotton and Cotton
Manufacture .... r210,0l.",576.00 KI3.7tH,0l.00
TobaixMi and Us
Jdunufacturcs .K.M,0iW.rfl i.767,!i(tt.0ii
Itreutlstuils j2o,stu,Y.s.u) iiM.;rn),S2i.to
J'rovlslous tHMtlj,2UUO 107,!lt2,I.Vl.(XJ
Our ImiKirts during tho last fiscal year, ns
compureu tlio urvvluus vcar, weru us follows:
18SJ. 1SS.V
MerchundUo. JicH,tni,l.Kt.0il 57tiAxi,uvt.sn
Gold a,7H,.1ltUI) ai,l8l.(UM
Kllver........... 17,k.VViU7.W HJA.t-7.00
SlTlFl.l'S mkvkm
SagfNtlouioB l)Ultlun uf l'unU 'nnoofnirjr
Tllon.
In my Inttnunuul inesae to Congres nt
tentloti was directed to tho met thai tho rev
enue of tho government exceed Its actual
needs, and It was suggested Ihut legUlutlxo
Mctlon tihould bo taken to relieve tho Kmlo
fnnn tlio unnoc'ssary burden oftaxutlon thus
made unparent. In view or the jircsMlng Int.
portancVoftheiubJectl deem ll iny duty
iaaiuurceiU eenudcrutlou. Tho lucome of
tho Governmint Increased through econo
Jules In Us collection Is now moro tbnn ever
In excess of public necessities. Tho appli
cation of tho surplus to tho payment of
such portion or the public debt ns Is now nt
our option, subject to extinguishment If eon.
tinned nt tho rate which has lately prevailed
would retire that class or Indebtedness with
in less than one year from this date. Thus a
continuation of our present revenuo would
result In tho receipt of nn annual Incomo
much greater than necessary to meet
government expenses with no Indebtedness
upon which It could bo applied. Wo should
then bo confident with a vast quantity of
monev, the clrculntlngmcdlumorthopcoplp.
hoarded In tho treasury when It should be In
their hands, or we should bo drown Into
wnsteful public extravngiinco with all the
corrupting nntlonal demoralization which
follows In lis train, llutltls not tho simple,
exlstenceorthls surplus ami Its threatened
nttendant e lis which furnish tho strongest
argument against our present scaleof Federal
taxation. Its worst plume Is tho exaction of
such a surplus through ft pervertlon of tho
relations between the people and their Gov
ernment n dangerous departure rrom tho
rules which limit the rlghtof federal taxation.
Good government, of which every American
citizen iKjasts, has for its objects tho protec
tion of every person within Its borders with
tho greatest liberty consistent with tho good
of tho country, and his pcrrect security
In tho enjoyment of his earnings,
with the hast possible diminution for
public needs. When moro of tho people's
sustenance Is exacted through tho form of
taxation than Is necessary to meet the Just
obligations of tho Government and the ex
pense or Its economical administration, such
action becomes ruthless extortion and a vio
lation or tho rundamental principles of a free
government. The Indirect manner In which
theso exactions are maile has a tendency to
conceal their true character and their extent,
lint we have arrived at a stage or superfluous
revenue, which has aroused the people ton
realization or the liiet that the amount raised
proressedly for the support of the Government
Is paid by them as absolutely, If added to tho
price ofthe things which supply their dally
wants, as If It was paid at fixed periods Into
the hands ofthe taxguthorcr. Those who toll
fordallv wages are beginning to understand
that capital, though somotlmes vaunting Its
Importance and clamoring for the protection
and fuvorof the government, Is dull and slug
gish till, touched by tho magical hand of
lnbor, It springs Into activity, furnishing nn
occasion for federal taxntlou and gaining
the vulno which enables It to bear
Its burden, and tho laboring man Is
thoughtfully Inquiring whether, In theso cir
cumstances anil considering the tribute ho
constantly pays Into tho public treasury as he
supplies his dally wants, ho receives his fair
share in advantages. There Is also a suspicion
abroad Ihut thesurplus of our revenues Indi
cates abnormal and exceptional business
profits, which, under tho system which pro
duces such surplus, Increase, without corre
sponding benefit to the people at large, the
vast accumulations of a row among our citi
zens whoso fortunes, rivaling tho wealth or
tho most favored In anti-democratic nations,
are not the natural growth or a steady, plain
and Industrious Uopubllc. Our farmers, too,
and those engaged directly and Indirectly In
supplying tho products of agriculture, seo
that, day by day, and as often as tho dally
wants or their households recur, they aro
forced to pav needless and excessive taxa
tion, whllo their products struggle in foreign
markets with Iho competition of nations
which, by allowing a freer exchange of pro
ductions than wo permit, enable their pcoplo
to sell for iirices which distress the American
farmer. As every patriotic citizen rejoices
In tho constantly Increasing pride
of our people In American citizenship and In
tho glory or our national achievements and
tirOL'rcsH. a sentiment nrevalled that the lead
's tisemi in a uaiion in us miuhh)
may well, to a great extent, be discarded In
tho present stage or American Ingenuity,
eourago and tearless seir-rellance. And lor
tho prlvllcgeof Indulglngthls sentiment with
title American icuthtislns ur citizens aro
quite willing to forego an Idle surplus In tho
publla treasury. And all the people know
that tho average rate or federal taxation upon
Imports Is to-duy, In time or peace, but little
less, while upon somo articles or necessary
consumption It Is actually more than was Im
posed by tho grievous burdens, willingly
borne, at a time when the Government needed
millions to maintain by war tho safety and
Integrity of tho rutted States. It has been
the pollcv of the Government to collect tho
principal part of lis revenues by a tax upon
Imports, and no change In this policy Is de
sirable. Hut the present condition of allltlrs
constrains our people to demand that by a re
vision of our revenue laws the receipts or tho
Government shall be reduced to the necessary
ex pense of Its economical administration, and
this demand should bo recognized and
obeyed by the people's representatives In the
legislative branch oftho Government. In re
adjusting the questions of federal taxation, a
sound public policy requires that such of our
cltlens as have built nt) large and Important
Industries under present conditions, should
not hn suddenly, and to their Injury, de
prived of advantages to which they have
adapted their business, but If the public good
requires It they should ho content with such
consideration as shall deal fairly andean
llouslv with their Inleiesls, while the Just de
mand of the people for relief from needless
taxation Is honestly answered. A reasonable
and llmelv submission to Mich a demand
should certainly be possible without illsiis.
tious shock to any Interest and a eheei lul
concession sometimes averts abrupt and
hccd!iss action oitcu the outgrowth of Impa
tience and delayed Justice.
CAPITA I, AMI I.VIIOK.
Ailioi'iilhig the Ailjiistnirat of 111 Iter en rci With
out Violence.
Due regard should be also bo accorded
to anv proposed readjustment of tho
Interests ot American labor, so far as they are
Involved. Wo congratulate ourselves that
thorn Is among us no laboiliig class llxed
with uivvlelillng bounds and doomed
under all conditions to the Inexorable fate oi
dullv toll. We recognize In labora chief fac
tor 'in the wealth of the republic, and we
treat those who have It In their keeping as
citizens entitled to the most careful r, guril
and thoughtful attention. This regard and
attention should bo awarded them not only
because labor Is the capital of our working
men, Justly entitled lo Its share of govern
ment favor, but for tho further and not. less
Important i-cumui that the laboring man,
surrounded by his family In his humble
home, as a consumer Is vitally Interested In
all that, cheapens Iho cost of living, and cnu
bleshlin to bring within his domestic circle
additional coinlorts and advantages. Thl
relation of the workliigiuau to the revenue
laws of tho country, and the manner In
which It palpably Influences the que.
tlou of wages, should not bo forgotten
In tho Justlllablo prominence given ti
the proper maintenance or the supply nnd
protection of well paid labor, and theso eon.
slderatlous suggest such an arrangement ol
government revenue, as shall reduce the ex
pense or living while It does not curtail tin
opportunity for work nor reduce the com.
pcueatlou of American labor and Injuriously
atU'ct Its condition and the ilignltled pluco It
holds In tho estimation i f our people. Hut
our farmers ami agriculturalists, those who,
from tho soil produce the thlui: consumed by
all, are perhaps more directly and plainly con
cerned than any olhcrof our cUIeiis, In a
Just and earellil syntein of Federal taxation,
Those actively engaged in, and mm e remotely
connected with this kind of work, number
nearly one-half of our population. None la
bor harder or more continuously than they.
Noenactments limit their hours of toll, and
no luterHsltlon of tho Government enlorccs
to any great extent the value of their pro
ducts; and M t for many of the neeesstirli-s
and comforts of lite, which the most
scrupulous economy enables them
to bring Into their homes and lot
their Implements of husbandry, they are
obliged to pay u price largely Increased by an
unnatural protlt which, by the action ot the
GtiNcrumcut, Is given to the more favored
manufacturers. 1 recommend that, kccplU).'
In lcw all these considerations, tho Incrcat
lug and unnecessary surplus of national In
eouie.aunualy aceuinulatlng.released to the bo
jieoplo by an amendment to our revenue laws
which shall cIiciiihmi the price of the ntrossa
rles of life and give freer entrance to such Im
ported materials as by American labor may
be inauufuetureil Into marketable commodi
ties. Nothing can ho accomplished, however,
in the direction of this much-nccdcd reform
unless tho subject Is approached In u patriotic
spirit or devotion to the Interests ofthe entire
country and w It li a w lllluguess to yield smuts
thing for tho puollc chu1. The sum uild
upon tho public debt, during tho fiscal yeat
ending June 80, isxi, was SII..VM10l !.:W. JUir
lug the twelve months, ended October;!!, ISSu,
three per cent. Ind weie called for redemp
tion, amounting to 127.vl,UHi, of which .so,
ti.1,20U wuHMi called to answer the requliv.
incuts of the law relating tc
the sinking fund, and JI'l.ctiMVO for tho pur
Hie or reducing the public debt ty applica
tion of u part of the surplus in tho ilea,
ury to thatoldect. Of Iho bonds thus called,
flu2.2iii,r0lHvameuigivt, under such culls,
to redemption pi Inr to Nov. , issa. The ro
milliliter, amounting to ?,0t:l,ii,V, matured
under thoeulls after Unit date. In addition
to the amount subject to payment nnd can
iiilutlou prior lo Nov. 1, there were uUo pnhl
lieforo ttiut duy certain or these bonds, with
luterttt thereon, amounting to tA,or2.;Vxl
which were anticipated us tu the maturity, o,
w hich f-J.KilX-O hud nut been culled: thin
f I07,SII,NU hud been urtuully applied prior U
tUcUt of November, lsl, to tbu cxtluguUU
msnl. nf nur hondcil nnd lnterpt-bpftrlng
debt, lenvlng on that day still outstanding
tho sum of 51.115,413,112. or this amount
IW,SIS,700, werestlll represented by 3 per cent
bonds. They, however, hnve becn.slnceNov.
It, or will nt once be, further reduced by 22.
OOiJ.ltt), being bonds which have been called,
asnlreadv stated, but not redeemed and can
celled before tho latter date.
Tin; sii-VKit noi.i; tit.
Suptnlon of Compulsory '.'nhiairn Again Urged
for Staled Kraions.
During tho fiscal yenr ended Juno .TO. 1S80,
there were coined under the Compulsory
Sliver Coinage act of 187,20 S3,K t kllver dol
lars, and tho rost or tho silver used In such
colungo was S2.!,tlS,!H!0.0l. There had been
coined up to the close of the previous fiscal
year under the provisions of the law 2Jl,fiS2,.Vl
silver dollars, and on the first day of Decem
ber, issfl, t he total amount or such coinage
wasS2l7,i:tl,r,l9. The Director or tho Mlpt re
ports that, nt the time of the passage of tho
tu-t of 1S7-, directing this coinage,
tho Intrinsic value or tho dol
lars thus coined was ninety-four
and one-fourth cents each, and thut on tho
Hist day of July, 1HSH, the price of silver
reached tho lowest stage ever known, so that
the Intrinsic or bullion price or our standard
silver dollar ut this ditto was less than 72
cunts. The price or silver on the -th or No
vember last was such as to make the dollars
Intrinsically worth 78 cents each. These dir
rercnciis In valuo or Iho coins represent tho
fluctuations In tho price or silver, and they
certainly do not Indicate that compulsory
coinage by tho Government enhanced tho
price of that commodity or secures uniformi
ty In Jts value. I-.very fair and legal effort
has been made by the Treasury Department
to distribute this currency among the people.
Tho withdrawal of I'nfted States treasury
notes ofsmall denominations and tho Issuing
ofsmall sliver certificates have been resorted
to In the endeavor to accomplish this result
In obedience to the will nnd sentiments or
tho representatives or tho peoplo In
the Congress, on the 27th day or No
vember, PWI, tho pcoplo held of
theso coins or certificates representing
the nominal sum )f $lim,S7:t,0fl, and wo still
have i7,4(il,:ni In the treasury, an ngalnst
about SI 12,W)t.ft" In the hands of tho pcoplo
nnd J72,l,:(7U remaining In the treasury
one year ago. The Director or the Mint again
urges the necessity of iliore vault room fortho
purpose or storing these silver dollars which
are not needed for circulation by the people.
I have seen no reason to chimgo tho views ex
pressed In my last annual message on tho
subject of this compulsory coinage, and I
again urge lis suspension on all the grounds
contained In my runner recommendation,
reinforced by the slgnlllcant Increase of our
gold cxportatlons during the last year, as n
peurs bv the comparative statement herewith
presented, and for the further reasons that
tho more this currency Is distributed among
the people, tho greater becomes our duty to
protect It from disaster; that wo have now
ubundnnee ror all our needs, and that there
seems but little propriety in building vaults
to store such currency when the only pretenso
ror Its coinage Is the necessity or Its uso by tho
pcoplo as a circulating medium.
C CSTO JI S- It K V K.N l" KS S I ITS.
The Appointment of Aaollier 1'nleral Juilgcltre
onimrnilnl. The great number of suits now pending In
the I'nited States courts for the southern dis
trict of New York, growing out or the collec
tion or tho eustoms-rcveiiuo at tho port of
New York, and tho number or such suits that
aro almost dully Instituted, aro certainly
worthy the attention of tho Congress. Theso
legal controversies, based upon conflicting
views by Importers and the collector as to tho
Interpretation of our present complex and In
definite rovonuc laws, might bo largely obvi
ated by an amendment of those laws. Hut
pending such amendment, the present condi
tion of this litigation should bo relieved.
There aro now pending about twenty-live
hundred of these suits. Moro than eleven
hundred have been coiiimenueil within tho
past eighteen months, and many of the others
Imvo been at Is-me for more than twenty-llvo
years. These delays subject tho Government
to lossol evldenco.antr.prcveiit the preparation
iieccssarv to den-at unjust and fictitious
claims, while constantly accruing Interest
threatens to double the demands Involved.
In tho present condition or tho dockets of tho
courts, well filled with private suits, and of
the force allowed tho district attorney no
greater than Is necessary tor the ordinary and
current, business of his olllce.tlic.so revenues
lltlgntlonseannot be considered. In default
of the adoption by the Congress or a plan for
the general icorganlzatlon of the Federal
courts, as has heretofore been recommended,
I urgo the propriety of passing u law permit
ting theiippolntmontiorun additional Federal
ludge In thedlstrlet where Ihese Government
suits have accumulated, so that, by continued
sessions oftho courts devoted to the trial of
these eases, they may bo determined. It Is
entirely plain that a great saving to the Gov
ernment would bo accomplished by such n
lemcdv and tho suitors who have honest
claims would not bo denied Justlco through
delay.
IttV. 1VAI! lli:i'AltT3li:.T.
Coast Dcfciisps MiiHihl be Enlarged Tho Hostile
Apiuiics.
The report of the Noci clary or War gives a
detailed account of the administration of his
department and contains sundry recommen
dations for tho Improvement ofthe service,
which I In 1 1 v approve. The army consisted
at the date of the last consolidated return ol
2,10;lolllccrs and2l,0lii enlisted men. The ex
penses of the department lor the last fiscal
vear were SiiWHV11., Including $(l,Jill,.!ltt,t:i
ior public works and river and harbor Im
provements. I especially direct the attention
of Congress to the rccommeiidutlon that of
ficer bo required to submit -in an examina
tion as a preliminary to their promotion. I
seo no objection but ninny advantages In
adopting this feature, which has operated so
beneficially In our navy department us well
us in Mime brunches of the urniy.
The subject ' or coast defenses and
rortltlcations has been fully and
carelullv treated by tho Hoard on l-ortlllca-tlous,
vvliose icporl was submitted at the lust
session of Congress; but no construction work
oftho kind recommended by the board has
been possible during the lost year from the
lack of appropriations for such purpose. The
defenceless condition of our sea coast and
lake Irontler Is perfectly palpable. Tho ex
aminations iniulo must convince us all that
certain or our cities named In tho report of
the board should bofortllled and that work on
tho most Important or these rortltlcations
should be commenced at once. The work hits
been thoroughly considered and laid out, the
Secrctarv or War reports, but all Is delayed
tu default en Congressional action. Tho abso
lute necessity, Judged by all standards or pru
dence and foresight, of preparation for an ef
foctuul resistance against the armored ships
and steel guns of modern construction which
innv threaten tlio cities on our coasts is so ai
parentthat I hope etl'octlvo steps will lie
taken In that direction Immediately. The
valuable and suggestive treatment of
this subject by the Secretary of
War Is earnestly commended to the consid
eration of the Congress. In September and
October last the hostile Apaches who, under
the leadership of Geronlnio, had for eighteen
mouths been on tho warpath, and during
that time had committed many murders and
been the cause or constant terrors to the set
tlers of Arizona, surrendered to General
Miles, the military commander who suc
ceeded General Crook In tho management
and direction of their purmul. Cnder the
terms or their surrender as then reported,
and In lew or tho understanding which this
murderous savage seemed to entertain or tho
assurances given them, It wus thought best
to Imprison them In such manner a to pre
vent them ever engaging in such outrages
again. Instead of trying them for murder.
Fort Pickens having been selected as a safe
place of oonllucmeiit, all the adult liuvles
were sent thither and will bo closely guarded
as prisoners. In the meantime the residue ot
the band who, though still lemulnlng upon
the reservation, were regarded as unsafe and
suspected of Airnlshlng aid to those on tho
warpath, had been removed to Fort Marlon,
Tho women and largerehlldren of the host 11m
were also taken there and nrranifoiuontM
have been made ror putting tlio children uf
proper ago In Indian school.
NAY mil'AllTMr.NT.
The ltrromuiriuUtloiis of Si-crt-tary Whltnejr Kn
i l Dried.
Tlio report of the Secretary oftho Navy con.
tains a detailed rexirt of the condition of hi
department, with such a statement of the ni
tlou needed to Improve the same as should
challenge tho earnest attention of Congress.
Tho preijcnt navy or tho I'nited States, usldo
from tho ships In course of construction, con
blst of:
First Fourteen sluKte-turroted monitor,
nouo of which urv In commission nor at the
present time serviceable. The batteries ol
lhct.0 ships ure obsolete, and they can only be
rolled umiu us auxiliary ships In harbor de
fence, und then utter such an expenditure tu
might not lie deeim-d UiMllluble,
Second Five lourtn-rato veel of sniull
tonnage, only one of v hlch wus designed as u
war vcmoI, und all of which ure auxiliary
merely.
Third Twenty-cven cruising ships, three
of which ure built of Iron, of small tonnage,
and twenty-four of vvtHid. Of theo wooden
vt-kkcU II U udlmutcd by the Nuvy Depart.
mcnt that only three will be serviceable be
yond n period of six years, nt which time It
may lieeal that of tho preSPnt navnl force
nothing worthy the name will remain.
All liie vessels heretofore authorized nre
under contractor In course or construction,
except the nrmorcfl ships, tho torpedo and
dynamite boats, nnd one cruiser. As to the
lastofthcsc, the bids were In excess or the
limit llxed by Congress. The production In
the t'nlted State or armor and gun-steel Isn
question which It seems necessary to settlo at
an early day, ir tho armored war-vessels arc
to be completed with those materials or home
manurncturc. This has been the subject or
Investigation by two boards and by two spe
cial committees or Congress within the last
three years. Tho report or the gun-roundry
board In IKsi, or tho board on rortlllcatlons,
made in January last, and the reports ofthe
select committees of tho two houses made at
the last session of Congress, hnvo entirely ex
hausted the subject so ror as preliminary In
vestigation Is Involved and In their recom
mendations they arc substantially ngreod.
In the event that tho present Invitation ortho
department Tor bids to furnish such or this
material ns is now authorized shall fall to In
duce domestic manufacturers to undcrtnke
the large expenditures required to prepare
for this new manufacture, no other steps aro
taken by Congress nt its coming session, the
Secretary contemplates, with disaffection,
the necessity of obtaining abroad the armor
and the gun-steel for tho autliorlzed ships. It
would seem desirable that the wants of the
army and the navy in this regard should bo
reasonably met and that by uniting tho con
tracts, such Inducement might be offered as
would result In securing tho domestication of
theso important Interests.
POSTAL A1TAII1S.
Present Kates of lleiennp Will Sustain the Sort
Ice. Tho affairs oT tho Postal service show
mucked and gratifying Improvement during
tho past year. A particular account of Us
transactions and conditions is given in there
port oftho Postmaster General, which will be
laid before you. Tho reduction of the rate of
letter postage In Lis.'!, rendering the postal
revenues inadequate to sustain tho expend
itures, und business depression nlso eontrlli
uting, resulted In an excess of cost, Tor the IU
cnl year ended June SO, I8h5, of eight nnd one
third million dollars. An additional check
ujkii receipts by doubling tho measure of
weight In rating sealed correspondence and
diminishing ouc-hnir the charge for newspa
per's carriage, was imposed by legislation,
which took effect with the beginning of the
past fiscal year, whllo tho constant demand
of our Territorial development and growing
population, Tor tho extension and lncreao of
mall facilities and machinery necessitates
a steady annual advance. In outlay;
and the carerul cstlmato of a year
ago, upon tho rntlo or expenditure
then existing contemplated the unavoidable
augmcntrtton or tho deficiency in the Inst
llscal year by nenrly F2,K),om The anti
cipated revenuo ror Iho last year railed or real
ization by about $01,000, but proper measures
of economy have so satisfactorily limited tho
growth of expenditure that the total defi
ciency, in fact, fell below that oflSsV), and at
this time the lncreascor revenue Is in gaining
ratio over tho increase or cost, demonstrating
the sulllcleney of the present rales of postage
ultimately to sustain the service. This Is tho
more pleasing because our people enjoy now
both cheaper postage, proportionately to dis
tances, and a vaster and more costly service,
than any other on tho globe, ltctrcnchinent
hus been effected In the cost of supplies, some
expenditures unwarranted by law have
ceased, and theoutlaysfor mall carriage have
been sublected to bcncliciul scrutiny. At the
close of tlio last fiscal year tho expense of
transportation on st-ir routes stood at an
annual rate of cost less by over S'kjO.OOO
than at the close or the previous year, und
steamboat and mall messenger service at
nearly $200,000 less. Tho service has been In
tho meantime enlarged and extended by tho
establishment of lie wolllccs, Increase of routes
ofcarrlage.expanslon ofcarrlers.delivery con
veniences, and additions to the railway mall
facilities, In accordance with the growing exi
gencies ofthe country und the long establish
ed police of tho Government. The Postmaster-General
culls attention to tho exist
ing law forcompensatiiig railroads and ex
presses the opinion that a method may bo
devised which will prove moro Just to car
riers and beneficial to the Government, and
the .subject appears worthy of your early con
sideration. The differences which arose dur
ing the vear with certain of the steamship
companies have terminated with the ac
quiescence of all In tho policy ofthe Govern
ment approved by Congress In tho postal ap
propriation at Its last session; and tho de
partment now enjoys the utmost service af
forded by all vessels which sail
from our ports upon either ocean,
a scrvico generally adequate to
tho needs or our Intercourse. Petitions
have, however, been presented to the depart
ment by numerous merchants and manurac
turers for tho establishment ora direct service
to tho Argentine Itepublle, and ror semi
monthly dispatches to tlio empire of Hrazll,
and thuoblect is commended to your consid
eration. It Is an obvious duty to provide the
means of postal communication which our
commerce requires, and with prudent fore
cast of result, tho wise extension of It may
lead to stimulating Intercourse and become
the harbinger of n profitable trallle, which
will open new revenue for the disposal of
the products of our Industry. The circum
stances of tho country at the far south
of our continent aro such as to Invito our en
terprlsonud att'ord tho promise of .sullicient
advantages to Justify an unusual effort to
bring about the closer relations which greater
freedom of communication would establish.
I suggest that as distinguished from a grant
or subsidy for the nicro benefit ot any llne.of
t ratio or travel, whatover outlay may be re
quired to secure additional postal service
necessary nnd proper, and not otherwise ob
tainable, should be regarded as within tho
limit of legitimate compensation forsueh serv
ice. Tho extension of tlio free delivery serv
ice is suggested by tho Postmaster-General,
has heretofore received my sanction, and it
1 to bo hoped n suitable enactment may soon
bo agreed upon. The request for nn appro
priation fcu;llclent to enable tho general in
spection offourlli class otllccs has my appro
bation. 1 renew my approval of the recom
mendation of the Postiniister-Geiieral, that
,,,, nwiUtniit in, nrovldcd for the Post-
olllco Departmcnt.and I invitoyourattentlou
to tun several oincr rccomiuciiiiiiuuoa "
report.
DOMAIN OK Jl'STICK.
Cotrrumcnt Prisons fur Federal Prlsoncrs-Con-
Tlct Labor.
The conduct of tlio Department, or Justlco
ior tno nisi iisciii jnu i it r.,..r,..
report of thu Attorney-General, and I inv ito
tho earnest nttentlon of tho Congress to tho
sainoand duo consideration of the rwwm
mcndatlons therein contained. In tho report
.i , -.,,-.. 11.. ilntilUPO 111 Lilt!
humniuctt oy tins ouic-i i --.
tlio Congress ho strongly recommended tho
..'..".. ...i.. ....i..,.,. rr lu i-oiitlnement
of prisoners convicted and sentenced In tho
United (states courts, am m-n i" . .-v-
oinmentiuiiou in iu iiui
This matter Is of very great importance and
should atonco receive Congressional i action.
United sillies prisoners aru nun "
. . ...i-!... t ........... . Uinln tirLftiiu nml
moro inan tiiirty innen-ni. .,,..
penitentiaries situated In every part or tho
country. They aro subjected to nearly as
many different modes of treatment and
discipline, and aro far too much re
moved from tho control and regulation
tleu to huuuu.o iri'iiuurui u i,rvij
V" . . - t I wnl'AHtlltltlAII lllll I !l1V.
ror iiHitnivi.'iiu'iii mil iviwwiiHiun,uv x.w,
crnmontUrcsMiiihUlott Uumu ami nooloiy
I. . t .il.l.u nr.. tYirllivmilnr UtlL till
duty can scarcely be discharged without moro
absolute control and dlsciftlon than Is possi
ble under the present system. Many ot nur
good citizens Imvo Interested themselves with
tho most beneficial results on the question ot
prison reform. The general government
should lie In a situation, since there must bo
l ultotl rtaictt pi isuui-ib, i.i ui idf.il inij-.i .......
. . ... .1.1 . ..............,, ..,,t wliniitit In, illili, tit
am in tins mui vwv,, ,.n. ...... .-
Illustrate what may be practically done in the
direction ot ai nK'iin i" ii v. i -
... ...m. ( .....I I ... It.ilV.tttinill UT fW
nio in uiu Hi-mini-in nii.i mi'i, ---prisoners
worthy of Imitation, with prisons
under Its own control. The Government
could deal with the somewhat vexed question
of convict labor, so far as its convicts were
concerned, awn ding ton plan of Its owij
adoption und with due regard to rights and
Interest of our lutiorlng citizens, Instead of
sometimes aiding In theopenitlonofu system
which causes among them Irrita
tion and dtM-ontent. Upon consideration
. ..... ...1.1..... . ...I..l. 1... tlt.i.lt.llt W'lkl, t.
Ol lllis uujn-lii iiiijiiii "'""""'.."V, '
erect more than one of the-e Institutions
lOCUlCll III SUCH IHUCVSl US iiwiuvi Hi-, i-iiu-n , v
tho purposes of convenience and economy in
trUllklHirwtlloit. iite itiiisiui-muio ,v
maintaining these cony lets, as at present In
plate Institutions, would bo saved by tho
ndoptlon or !ho plan proposed und, bv -n-ploying
them In tlieinunufiicturoofsurli nrlt
clot as were needed for use by the Govern-
....t I....... ...b.iii.lurv- Itrtmittf i-.inlil
mum, quiii' u ,uKi- j ... .....
DO reunion m purum mum ii.i I'luiiy
i .....a,. nln,ii t tlm t.ilirul lilmi-liil
ystem to meet the wants of the people und
obviate tho delays necessarily attending the
prCM'lll CIIIUIlUI" Ul illlllllt, III will ...141,0. All
are ugrcctl thut something should be done
und much favor U shown by thnt.o well utile
to udvisc. To the plan suggested by tho
Attorney-General at tho hut sesston of the
Congress und recommended In my last an
iiuul inckMigc, the reixuumendutloii U here
renewed together with another mude at the
stvmo tlmP, touching r!'" ,mi
neroi comprrmnunK . V ..f..nrf...t
morslials.nnd thelntleraubject Is eommendtel
to tho Congress for Its action In tho lntt rt
of economy to tho Government, and humonP.
ty and fairness and Justlco to our people.
IMLBIOP. lNTI'.RKSTS.
Lanils In Serprallr Tor Imllans-Srhools and CItII
tzatlnn. The report of the Secretary or the Interior
presents a comprehensive summary of the
work of tho various branches of tho publlo
service connected with his department, aim
the suggestions and recommendations which
It contains for tin-Improvement or the servico
should receive your careful consideration.
The exhibit made of the condition or our In
dian population and the progress ofthe wor-X
for their enlightenment, notwUlistanillngtho
ninny embarrassment which hinder the bet
ter administration of this important branch
oftheservix1, Is a gratifying and hopeful one.
The funds appropriated for the Indian servico
for the fiscal year Just pushed, with the avail
able Incomo rrom Indian land and trust
moneys, amounting In all to $7,s.V77."i.l2, vyero
nmplefor the service under the conditions
and restriction of laws regulating their ex
penditure. There remained a balance on
hand nn Juno .'SO, ls.su, of ?l,.sfl,0il .TO,
or which $l,:7,7itl.21 are permanent funds
for tho fulfillment of treaties and other
like purposes, and the remainder, 5.'t22,2.),OJ.
Is subject to be carried to thesurplus fund u
required bv law. The estimates presented ror
appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year
amount to SS.WN,87.UH. or G2,'Ni.20 less than
those laid before the Congress last year. Tho
present system of agencies, while absolutely
necessary and well adapted to the manage
ment of our Indian affairs, and for the ends
In view when ndopted, Is in the present stage
of Indian all'alrs Inadequate, standing nlono
for tho accomplishment or an object which
ha become pressing in Its Importance tlio
more rapid transition rrom tribal organiza
tions to citizenship or such portions of the In
dian as arc Incapable of civilized life. When
tho existing system wus adopted the Indian
race was outside of tho limits of organized
Slates and Territories, and beyond the Imme
diate reach and operation of civiliza
tion, nnd all efforts were mainly di
rected to the maintenance of friendly
relations and tho preservation of
peace and quiet on the frontier. All this Is
now ehnnged. There Is no such thing as tho
Indian frontier. Civilization, with tlte busy
hum orindustry and the Influence of Chris
tianity, surrounds these people nt every
point. "oneot tho tribe arc outside of tlio
bounds of organized government and society,
except thut tho territorial system has not
been extended over that portion of tho coun
try known a the Indian Territory. As a
rnco the Indians are no longer hostile, but
may bo considered as submissive to the con
trol of the Government, as few of them only
arc troublesome. F.xcept the fragments of sev
eral bands, all are now gathered upon reser
vations. It Is no longer possible for them to
subsist bv tlio chase and tho spontaneous
productions of the earth. AVitli nbundance
of land, If furnished with tho means and Im
plements for profitable husbandry, their llfo
of entlro dependence upon govern
ment rations from day to day is
no longer defensible. Their Inclination, long
fosteretl by n defective system of control, Is to
cling totlio habltsandcustomsof their ances
tors and struggle with persistence against tho
change of llfo which their altered circum
stances presi upon them. Hut barbarism und
civilization cannot live together. It
1 impossible that such Incongruous
conditions should co-exist on the
same soil. Tliev aro n portion or our peo
ple, ure under the authority or our Govern
ment, and hnvo a peeullarelalm upon, and
are entitled to. tho fostering care and protec
tion of the nation. The Government cannot
relievo Itself or this responsibility until they
aro so far trained and civilized us to be able
wholly to manage and care ror themselves.
The path in which they should walk must be
clearly marked out for them, and they must
holed or guided until they aro fanilllar with
the way and competent to assume tho duties
and responsibilities of our citizenship. Pn
gress lu tills great work will continue only nt
tho present slow pace and ut great ex
pense, unless tho system nnd methods or
munagcincnt are improved to meet tlio
changed conditions and urgent demands of
tho service. The agents having general
charge nnd supervision, in many case of
moro than live thousand Indians scattered
over largo reservations and burdened wit ti
tho details of accountability tor funds and
supplies, have time to look after tho indus
trial training and Improvement of a few-Indians
only. Thet-H are many neglected and
remain ldlo and dependent conditions not
ravoritlile ror progress in civilization. Tlio
compensation allowed theso agents and tho
condition of the service are not calculated to
secure for them workmen who tiro fitted by
ability und skill to properly plan and Intel
ligently direct the method best adapted to
produce tho most speedy result and perma
nent benefits. Hence tlio necessity tor u
supplemental agency or system, directed to
the end of promoting the general and more
rapid transition of tribes from habits and
customs of barbiiriiinlsin to the way or
civilization. WitJi an anxious desire
to devNo somo plan or operation
by which to secure tho welluie of
tho Indians, to relievo tho Treas
ury, so fur ns possible, from tho
support or an idle ami dependent population,
1 recommended In iny previous annual mes
sage the passage of a law authorizing the ap
pointment of a commission as an iustrumen
titlltv auxiliary to those already established
for the care of the Indians. It wus designed
that this committee-commission should bo
composed of lx intelligent and capable per
sons, three to tie detailed from the army, hav
ing practical Ideas upon the subject of treat
ment of fudiansand Interested In their wel
fare, and that it should be charged, under tho
direction of the Secretary of tlte Interior,
with tlio management of such matters of de
tails as cannot with the present organization
tie properly and suceessuilly conducted, and
which present ilitl'erent phases, a the Indians
themselves tllfler in their progress, disposi
tion nnd capacity for Improvement or Iniine
dlnto self-support. Hy tho aid ol" such com
mission much unwise and useless expendi
ture of monev, wuslo of materials, and nn
availing efforts might be avoided, and
It is hoped that this or somo meas
ure which tho wisdom of Congress may
better devise, to supply the deficiency or tho
pres-'iit system, may receive your considera
tion and tho appropriate legislation bo pro
vided. The time Is ripe for the work of such
un ngencv. There Is less opposition to tho
education and training of the Indian youth,
as shown by the Increased attenilanco upon
the schools, and there Isn yielding tendency
ror the Individual holding or lauds. l)cvclos
inent and advancement In these directions
are essential and should hnvo every encour
agement. As the rising generatlonaretaiight
the language or civilization nnd trained in
habits or industry, they should assume the
duties, privileges and responsibilities or citi
zenship. Xo obstacles should hinder tho lo
cation nnd settlement of any Indian willing
to take land In severalty, On the contrary,
the Inclination to do so should be stimulated
at all times when proper and expedient. Hut
these Is no authority of law for making allot
ments on some of tho reservation, and on
others the allotments provided for are so
small that the Indians, though
ready und desiring to settlo
down aro not willing to accept
such small ureas, when their reservations
contain ample land to afford them home
steads of siillteient size to meet their present
ami futuro needs. Theso Inequalities of ex
isting special laws and treaties should bo cor
rected, and some general legislation on tho
subject shotiUl be provided, so that the moro
progressive members or tho different tribes
mny bo sottled upon homesteads, and by
their example teach others to follow, break
ing nvvnv from tribal customs nnd substi
tuting the love of homo, tho Interest of tho
family and the rule ofthe State. Tho Indian
characters aro such they aro not easily led
while brooding over unadjusted wrongs.
Tills Is especially so regarding their lands.
Mutter arising from the couitruetlng and
operation or railroads ucross somo or tho
reservations, and claims or title and right or
occupancy set up by whlto persons to somo of
the best land within other reservutlons, re
quire legislation for their final adjustment.
The settlement or these matters will removo
many embarrassments tit progress in tho
work or leading the Indians to tho adoption
of our Institutions uud brluglug them uuder
tho operation.
prune lands.
Krpral of the Prr-riuptlon ami Tlmbf r-Culturo
Art Iti-eoiumrtidril.
The Influeneonnd Iho protection or tlio uni
versal laws or our country, tho reoommenda
tlonsoftho Secretary of the Interior and the
Commlssloncror the General l.iiudOtllce.lixik
lug to the better nrotecllon of public lands and
of tho public surveys, the preservation of na
tional forests, tho adjudication or grunts to
States und corporations, and orprlv uto lund
chums, und tho increased efficiency or public
land servico are commended to the nttentlon
of IVmgress. Toiecuro the widest distribution
ot public lands among settlers or residence
und cultivation, and thus initko tho greatest
number uf individual homes was the prim
ury object of the publlo land legislation in
the curly days of the Itepublle. This system
was a, slinplo one. It begun with on admir
able scheme or public survey by which the
humblest citizen could Identify tho
tract upon which ha wished to establish his
home. The price of land wus placed
within the reach or all J h; ' tororWnr. In-
Onn iiwtor theluwswns perverted under
thStSn ?ot cash sales from a distribution
of lund n nong the people to nn nccttmulnt Ion
of dcapl uiby wealthy and speculative
mw To check- tills tendency a prefer
ence "right ' i f purchase was given to settlers,
on thoTaiid, a plan which ; """" ,
Fennral nrc-cmptlon act of 1S11. ino louiuia
flonTr tnls"tem was actual res den ce ami
cultivation. Twenty years later the Home
s call law was lVvlse.ito more purely P lacc
actunl homes in the possion of tmt u tf
vntots of the sol . The land was given w u&
mU Price the so e conditions being residence
,Vol"n.ei,t: ami o 1 1 1 v t loo . 0 " 1 "nVu i
have followed, each designed to o"?""
the acquirement and use or land n ,n"e'
Individual quantities. Hut .VmutratTvo
these laws, through vicious nu,"8.t1r""xllr
methods and under changed conditions oc
communication and trniisnortat on hnv o
been so evaded and violated that, their
beneficent purpose is threatened with cut r
defeat. The methods r such e .vastons anil
violations nro set forth In tlctnl In tl ho re
ports of the Secretary of tho Interior.
'ommlssioner of tho General I.an 1 Omce
The rapid appropriation of our public Iamb
without bona tide settlements or rultluitlon
nnd not only without intention of residence,
but for the purpose or their nsgrepitio tin
large holding. In many eases In tho hands or
foreigners, Invites the serious and Immediate
attention of Congress. The energies ot Iho
Land Department have been devoted during
the present administration to remedy defects
and correct abuses In tho public land service.
The results of these cll'ort arc so largely in
the nature or reforms lu the process and.
methods of our land system ns to prevent
adequate estimates, but It appears by a com
pilation from the retiorts ofthe Comnilssionot
ofthe General Land Olllcc that the Imme
diate effect In lending cases, which have come
to a final termination, has been
the restoration to the mass i of
public lands of 2,7.')0,W0 ncres: thatS.JiO.OW
acres aro embraced In investigations now
pending before tlio department or the courts,
and that action of Congress ha been asked tp
effect tho restoration of 2,700,000 ncres addi
tional, besides which 1,000,000 acres have been
withheld rrom reservation und the rights or
cntrv theron maintained. I recommend the
rcpcnl orthe pre-emption and timber culture
nets, and that the homestead laws be sc.
amended as to better secure compliance with,
and cultivation for, thu period of live years,
from date of entry, without commutation or
provision for speculative relinquishment. X
also recommend the repeal oftho desert land
laws, unless It shall bo tho pleasure of t he
Congress to so amend those laws as to render
them less liable to abuse. A tho chief motive
for the ev asion of the laws and the prlnc pal
cause of their result In land accumulation.
Instead of land distribution, Is tho
facility with which transfers nro made of tho
right Intended to be secured to settlers, it.
may bo deemed advisable to provide by legis
lation somo guards and checks upon the
alienation of vested right and land covered
thereby until patents nre Issued. Last year
nn Hxecutlve proclamation was Issued, direct
ing the removal or fence which enclosed tho
public domain. Many of these have been re
moved in obedience to such order, but much
of the public land still remains within t he
lines of these unlawful fences. The Ingenious,
method resorted to in order to continue these
trespasses, and the hardihood of tho pretences.
by which, in some cases, such enclosures arc
justified, are fully detailed in the report or
the Secretary tif the Interior. Tho removal
of the fences still remaining which enclose
public land will be enforced with all the au
thority and menus with which tho executive
brunch unite Government is or shall bo In
vested by the Congress Jor that purpose
tensions am) PKXSio.Mons.
Tender Consideration fur Those U'ho Sorted Thrli-Conntrj-.
The report of the Commissioner of Pensions
contains n detailed and most satisfactory ex
hibit or tlte operation or tlio pension bureau..
During tho last, llscal year tho amount of
work done was tho largest in any year sine
tho organization of tho bureau, and has been
done at least cost In every division. On tho
thirtieth day of June, 18), there were !tin,7St
pensioners on the rolls or tho bureau. Since
ltdll there hnvo been 1,01S,7;V applications for
pension tiled, of which 7S,!'1I were based upon
servico In the war of 1812. There were 021,758.
of these applications allowed. Including 00,
178 to the soldiers of 1812 and their widows.
The total amount paid for pensions since 18iil
Is S80,021.S11.57. The number of new pensions
allowed during the year ended Juno U0, 18sti.
Is 10,857, u larger number than has been al
lowed In any year, save one, stneo IStil. Tho
namesof 2,229 pensioners, which had previous
ly been dropped from tho rolls, wero restored,
during the year and after deducting those
dropped within tho sumo timo for various
causes, a net Increase remains for the year ol
20,0.18 names. From January 1, 18til, to Decem
ber 1, lhS5, 1,'M.u priv ate pension acts had been,
passed since the last mentioned date, ami
during the last session of Congress fJOl such
acts became law. It seems to mo that no ono
can examine our pension establishment ami
its operations without being convinced that,
through It Instrumentality, Justlco can bo
very nearly dono to all who aro entitled
tinder present laws to tho pension bounty of
the Govcrmcnt. Hut It Is undinlahlo that
cases exist well entitled to relief, In which tho
pension bureau is powerless to relieve. Thr
reallv worthy case of this class arc such as.
onlv lack bv misfortune tho kind orqunntlty
of proof which tho law and regulations ortho
bureau require, or which, though their merit
is apparent, for some other reason cannot b
ustlv dealt with through general laws. Theso
conditions fully Justify application to tlio
Congress and special enactments. Hut report
to the Congress for a special pension act ti
overrule tlio careful determination of the
pension bureau of the merits or to secure fa
vorablo action when it could not bo ex
pected under tho most liberal execution or
general laws.it must bo admitted, open tho.
door to the allowance of questionable claims.,
und present to tlio legislative and executive
brunches of the Government nppllcution.s
conceded not within tho law and plainly de
void of merit, but so surrounded by .senti
ment und patriotic feeling thut they nro hunt
to resist. I suppose it will not bo denied that
many claims lor pension aro made without
merit, and that many liuve been nllowcd
upon fraudulent representations. This ha
been declared front the pension bureau, not.
only In this, but In prior administrations.
The usefulness and the Justice of any system
for tlio distribution of pensions depend upon
the equality und uniformity of Its operation.
It will be seen from the report of thoCominls
Mon thut thero are now lnild by tho Govern
ment ono hundred and thirty-one different
rates of pension estimates front tho best Infor
mation he can obtain; that nine thousand of
those who have served In tho army and navy
of Uto I'nited Statet, aro now supported lu
whole or In part by nubile funds or by organ
ized charities, exclusive of those In tlio
Soldiers' Homes under the direction and con
trol of tho Government. Only 1:1 per cent, or
them nro pensioners, whllo of tho entlro
number of men furnished for the luto war
something ltko 20 per cent. Including their
widows and relatives, have been or are now
In tho receipt of pension. Tho American,
people with a patriotic und grateful regard
for our cx-soldlers, too broad and too Bacred
to bo monopolized by any special advocates,
aro not only willing, but noxious, that equal
and exact Justlco should bo done to all honest,
claimants for pensions. In their sight tho
friendless and destltuto soldier, dependent
on publlo charity, if otherwise entitled has.
precisely tho same right to share in tho pro
vision made for those who fought their coun
try's battle a thoso better able, through
friends and influence, to push their claims.
Hvery pension that Is granted under our
present plan upon tiny other grounds than
actual service Injury or disease incurred In
such servlce.and every instance, of tlio ninny
in which pensions are Increased on other
grounds than the merits of the elnlm, work
un Injustice to the brave and crippled, but
loor nnd friendless soldier who is enllroly
neglected or who must be content with tho
smallest sum allowed under general laws,
and there are far too many neighborhoods,
lu which are found glaringcnsesof Inequality
or treatment In tlte matter of lenslons; and
they are largely due to u yielding In tho pen
sion bureau to importunity on the part of
those other than tho penult r, who aro
especially interested; or tin nrlso from
bpeclul nets passed ror the bene of Individ
uals. Tlio men who fought side by sldo
should btund side by side when they partici
pate In a grateful nation sklndromouibrance.
Kvery consideration or fnlruc. and Justice
to our ex-soldlers nnd the protection of th
patriotic instincts of our citizens from per
version und violence point to tho adoption at
a pension system broad and eoniprelionslvi
enough to cover every contingency, and
which shall make unnix-essaiy unobjection
able volume of special legislation. As long,
us wo adhere to till' principle orgruutlng pen
sion for service and disability us tho result
of the service, the allowance of pensions
should be restricted to cases presenting theo
features. Kvery patriotic heart responds to i
tender consideration for these who, having
served their country long and weiu
ure reduced to destitution "ud.-Uf-pendeiuv,
not as un , inciaenj.
or their service but with ndviinolns age or
through .lekness or mUfortuuo. o
tempted by tho contemplation of such a eon
dltliiu to supply relief. "Yielding "".P.'iSor.
the desire to Indulgo thU feellns o", ,,?it
niton I cunnot rid myself of ". iViiSvelf
that If these ex-soldleru ure o be cHeved,
they und their cause are entitled to the beno-