In discharge of a constitutional duty, and following a well-established precedent in the Executive office, I herewith transmit to the Congress at its reassembling certain information concerning the state of the Union, together with such recommendations for legislative consideration as appear necessary and expedient. Our Government has consistently maintained its relations of friendship toward all other powers and of neighborly interest toward those whose possessions are contiguous to our own. Few questions have arisen during the past year with other governments, and none of those are beyond the reach of settlement in friendly counsel. We are as yet without provision for the settlement of claims of citizens of the United States against Chile for injustice during the late war with Peru and Bolivia. The mixed commissions organized under claims conventions concluded by the Chilean Government with certain European States have developed an amount of friction which we trust can be avoided in the convention which our representative at Santiago is authorized to negotiate. The cruel treatment of inoffensive Chinese has, I regret to say, been repeated in some of the far Western States and Territories, and acts of violence against those people, beyond the power of the local constituted authorities to prevent and difficult to punish, are reported even in distant Alaska. Much of this violence can be traced to race prejudice and competition of labor, which can not, however, justify the oppression of strangers whose safety is guaranteed by our treaty with China equally with the most favored nations. In opening our vast domain to alien elements the purpose of our lawgivers was to invite assimilation, and not to provide an arena for endless antagonism. The paramount duty of maintaining public order and defending the interests of our own people may require the adoption of measures of restriction, but they should not tolerate the oppression of individuals of a special race. I am not without assurance that the Government of China, whose friendly disposition toward us I am most happy to recognize, will meet us halfway in devising a comprehensive remedy by which an effective limitation of Chinese emigration, joined to protection of those Chinese subjects who remain in this country, may be secured. Legislation is needed to execute the provisions of our Chinese convention of 1880 touching the opium traffic. While the good will of the Colombian Government toward our country is manifest, the situation of American interests on the Isthmus of Panama has at times excited concern and invited friendly action looking to the performance of the engagements of the two nations concerning the territory embraced in the interoceanic transit. With the subsidence of the Isthmian disturbances and the erection of the State of Panama into a federal district under the direct government of the constitutional administration at Bogota, a new order of things has been inaugurated, which, although as yet somewhat experimental and affording scope for arbitrary exercise of power by the delegates of the national authority, promises much improvement. The sympathy between the people of the United States and France, born during our colonial struggle for independence and continuing today, has received a fresh impulse in the successful completion and dedication of the colossal statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World" in New York Harbor--the gift of Frenchmen to Americans. A convention between the United States and certain other powers for the protection of submarine cables was signed at Paris on March 14, 1884, and has been duly ratified and proclaimed by this Government. By agreement between the high contracting parties this convention is to go into effect on the 1st of January next, but the legislation required for its execution in the United States has not yet been adopted. I earnestly recommend its enactment. Cases have continued to occur in Germany giving rise to much correspondence in relation to the privilege of sojourn of our naturalized citizens of German origin revisiting the land of their birth, yet I am happy to state that our relations with that country have lost none of their accustomed cordiality. The claims for interest upon the amount of tonnage dues illegally exacted from certain German steamship lines were favorably reported in both Houses of Congress at the last session, and I trust will receive final and favorable action at an early day. The recommendations contained in my last annual message in relation to a mode of settlement of the fishery rights in the waters of British North America, so long a subject of anxious difference between the United States and Great Britain, was met by an adverse vote of the Senate on April 13 last, and thereupon negotiations were instituted to obtain an agreement with Her Britannic Majesty's Government for the promulgation of such joint interpretation and definition of the article of the convention of 1818 relating to the territorial waters and inshore fisheries of the British Provinces as should secure the Canadian rights from encroachment by the United States fishermen and at the same time insure the enjoyment by the latter of the privileges guaranteed to them by such convention. The questions involved are of long standing, of grave consequence, and from time to time for nearly three-quarters of a century have given rise to earnest international discussions, not unaccompanied by irritation. Temporary arrangements by treaties have served to allay friction, which, however, has revived as each treaty was terminated. The last arrangement, under the treaty of 1871, was abrogated after due notice by the United States on June 30, 1885, but I was enabled to obtain for our fishermen for the remainder of that season enjoyment of the full privileges accorded by the terminated treaty. The joint high commission by whom the treaty had been negotiated, although invested with plenary power to make a permanent settlement, were content with a temporary arrangement, after the termination of which the question was relegated to the stipulations of the treaty of 1818, as to the first article of which no construction satisfactory to both countries has ever been agreed upon. The progress of civilization and growth of population in the British Provinces to which the fisheries in question are contiguous and the expansion of commercial intercourse between them and the United States present to-day a condition of affairs scarcely realizable at the date of the negotiations of 1818. New and vast interests have been brought into existence; modes of intercourse between the respective countries have been invented and multiplied; the methods of conducting the fisheries have been wholly changed; and all this is necessarily entitled to candid and careful consideration in the adjustment of the terms and conditions of intercourse and commerce between the United States and their neighbors along a frontier of over 3,500 miles. This propinquity, community of language and occupation, and similarity of political and social institutions indicate the practicability and obvious wisdom of maintaining mutually beneficial and friendly relations. Whilst I am unfeignedly desirous that such relations should exist between us and the inhabitants of Canada, yet the action of their officials during the past season toward our fishermen has been such as to seriously threaten their continuance. Although disappointed in my efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement of the fishery question, negotiations are still pending, with reasonable hope that before the close of the present session of Congress announcement may be made that an acceptable conclusion has been reached. As at an early day there may be laid before Congress the correspondence of the Department of State in relation to this important subject, so that the history of the past fishing season may be fully disclosed and the action and the attitude of the Administration clearly comprehended, a more extended reference is not deemed necessary in this communication. The recommendation submitted last year that provision be made for a preliminary reconnoissance of the conventional boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia is renewed. I express my unhesitating conviction that the intimacy of our relations with Hawaii should be emphasized. As a result of the reciprocity treaty of 1875, those islands, on the highway of Oriental and Australasian traffic, are virtually an outpost of American commerce and a stepping-stone to the growing trade of the Pacific. The Polynesian Island groups have been so absorbed by other and more powerful governments that the Hawaiian Islands are left almost alone in the enjoyment of their autonomy, which it is important for us should be preserved. Our treaty is now terminable on one year's notice, but propositions to abrogate it would be, in my judgment, most ill advised. The paramount influence we have there acquired, once relinquished, could only with difficulty be regained, and a valuable ground of vantage for ourselves might be converted into a stronghold for our commercial competitors. I earnestly recommend that the existing treaty stipulations be extended for a further term of seven years. A recently signed treaty to this end is now before the Senate. The importance of telegraphic communication between those islands and the United States should not be overlooked. The question of a general revision of the treaties of Japan is again under discussion at Tokyo. As the first to open relations with that Empire, and as the nation in most direct commercial relations with Japan, the United States have lost no opportunity to testify their consistent friendship by supporting the just claims of Japan to autonomy and independence among nations. A treaty of extradition between the United States and Japan, the first concluded by that Empire, has been lately proclaimed. The weakness of Liberia and the difficulty of maintaining effective sovereignty over its outlying districts have exposed that Republic to encroachment. It can not be forgotten that this distant community is an offshoot of our own system, owing its origin to the associated benevolence of American citizens, whose praiseworthy efforts to create a nucleus of civilization in the Dark Continent have commanded respect and sympathy everywhere, especially in this country. Although a formal protectorate over Liberia is contrary to our traditional policy, the moral right and duty of the United States to assist in all proper ways in the maintenance of its integrity is obvious, and has been consistently announced during nearly half a century. I recommend that in the reorganization of our Navy a small vessel, no longer found adequate to our needs, be presented to Liberia, to be employed by it in the protection of its coastwise revenues. The encouraging development of beneficial and intimate relations between the United States and Mexico, which has been so marked within the past few years, is at once the occasion of congratulation and of friendly solicitude. I urgently renew my former representation of the need or speedy legislation by Congress to carry into effect the reciprocity commercial convention of January 20, 1883. Our commercial treaty of 1831 with Mexico was terminated, according to its provisions, in 1881, upon notification given by Mexico in pursuance of her announced policy of recasting all her commercial treaties. Mexico has since concluded with several foreign governments new treaties of commerce and navigation, defining alien rights of trade, property, and residence, treatment of shipping, consular privileges, and the like. Our yet unexecuted reciprocity convention of 1883 covers none of these points, the settlement of which is so necessary to good relationship. I propose to initiate with Mexico negotiations for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce and navigation. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, I communicated to that body on August 2 last, and also to the House of Representatives, the correspondence in the case of A. K. Cutting, an American citizen, then imprisoned in Mexico, charged with the commission of a penal offense in Texas, of which a Mexican citizen was the object. After demand had been made for his release the charge against him was amended so as to include a violation of Mexican law within Mexican territory. This joinder of alleged offenses, one within and the other exterior to Mexico, induced me to order a special investigation of the case, pending which Mr. Cutting was released. The incident has, however, disclosed a claim of jurisdiction by Mexico novel in our history, whereby any offense committed anywhere by a foreigner, penal in the place of its commission, and of which a Mexican is the object, may, if the offender be found in Mexico, be there tried and punished in conformity with Mexican laws. This jurisdiction was sustained by the courts of Mexico in the Cutting case, and approved by the executive branch of that Government, upon the authority of a Mexican statute. The appellate court in releasing Mr. Cutting decided that the abandonment of the complaint by the Mexican citizen aggrieved by the alleged crime (a libelous publication) removed the basis of further prosecution, and also declared justice to have been satisfied by the enforcement of a small part of the original sentence. The admission of such a pretension would be attended with serious results, invasive of the jurisdiction of this Government and highly dangerous to our citizens in foreign lands. Therefore I have denied it and protested against its attempted exercise as unwarranted by the principles of law and international usages. A sovereign has jurisdiction of offenses which take effect within his territory, although concocted or commenced outside of it; but the right is denied of any foreign sovereign to punish a citizen of the United States for an offense consummated on our soil in violation of our laws, even though the offense be against a subject or citizen of such sovereign. The Mexican statute in question makes the claim broadly, and the principle, if conceded, would create a dual responsibility in the citizen and lead to inextricable confusion, destructive of that certainty in the law which is an essential of liberty. When citizens of the United States voluntarily go into a foreign country, they must abide by the laws there in force, and will not be protected by their own Government from the consequences of an offense against those laws committed in such foreign country; but watchful care and interest of this Government over its citizens are not relinquished because they have gone abroad, and if charged with crime committed in the foreign land a fair and open trial, conducted with decent regard for justice and humanity, will be demanded for them. With less than that this Government will not be content when the life or liberty of its citizens is at stake. Whatever the degree to which extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction may have been formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal agreement among certain of the European States, no such doctrine or practice was ever known to the laws of this country or of that from which our institutions have mainly been derived. In the case of Mexico there are reasons especially strong for perfect harmony in the mutual exercise of jurisdiction. Nature has made us irrevocably neighbors, and wisdom and kind feeling should make us friends. The overflow of capital and enterprise from the United States is a potent factor in assisting the development of the resources of Mexico and in building up the prosperity of both countries. To assist this good work all grounds of apprehension for the security of person and property should be removed; and I trust that in the interests of good neighborhood the statute referred to will be so modified as to eliminate the present possibilities of danger to the peace of the two countries. The Government of the Netherlands has exhibited concern in relation to certain features of our tariff laws, which are supposed by them to be aimed at a class of tobacco produced in the Dutch East Indies. Comment would seem unnecessary upon the unwisdom of legislation appearing to have a special national discrimination for its object, which, although unintentional, may give rise to injurious retaliation. The establishment, less than four years ago, of a legation at Teheran is bearing fruit in the interest exhibited by the Shah's Government in the industrial activity of the United States and the opportunities of beneficial interchanges. Stable government is now happily restored in Peru by the election of a constitutional president, and a period of rehabilitation is entered upon; but the recovery is necessarily slow from the exhaustion caused by the late war and civil disturbances. A convention to adjust by arbitration claims of our citizens has been proposed and is under consideration. The naval officer who bore to Siberia the testimonials bestowed by Congress in recognition of the aid given to the Jeannette survivors has successfully accomplished his mission. His interesting report will be submitted. It is pleasant to know that this mark of appreciation has been welcomed by the Russian Government and people as befits the traditional friendship of the two countries. Civil perturbations in the Samoan Islands have during the past few years been a source of considerable embarrassment to the three Governments-Germany, Great Britain, and the United States--whose relations and extraterritorial rights in that important group are guaranteed by treaties. The weakness of the native administration and the conflict of opposing interests in the islands have led King Malietoa to seek alliance or protection in some one quarter, regardless of the distinct engagements whereby no one of the three treaty powers may acquire any paramount or exclusive interest. In May last Malietoa offered to place Samoa under the protection of the United States, and the late consul, without authority, assumed to grant it. The proceeding was promptly disavowed and the overzealous official recalled. Special agents of the three Governments have been deputed to examine the situation in the islands. With a change in the representation of all three powers and a harmonious understanding between them, the peace, prosperity, autonomous administration, and neutrality of Samoa can hardly fail to be secured. It appearing that the Government of Spain did not extend to the flag of the United States in the Antilles the full measure of reciprocity requisite under our statute for the continuance of the suspension of discriminations against the Spanish flag in our ports, I was constrained in October last to rescind my predecessor's proclamation of February 14, 1884, permitting such suspension. An arrangement was, however, speedily reached, and upon notification from the Government of Spain that all differential treatment of our vessels and their cargoes, from the United States or from any foreign country, had been completely and absolutely relinquished, I availed myself of the discretion conferred by law and issued on the 27th of October my proclamation declaring reciprocal suspension in the United States. It is most gratifying to bear testimony to the earnest spirit in which the Government of the Queen Regent has met our efforts to avert the initiation of commercial discriminations and reprisals, which are ever disastrous to the material interests and the political good will of the countries they may affect. The profitable development of the large commercial exchanges between the United States and the Spanish Antilles is naturally an object of solicitude. Lying close at our doors, and finding here their main markets of supply and demand, the welfare of Cuba and Puerto Rico and their production and trade are scarcely less important to us than to Spain. Their commercial and financial movements are so naturally a part of our system that no obstacle to fuller and freer intercourse should be permitted to exist. The standing instructions of our representatives at Madrid and Havana have for years been to leave no effort unessayed to further these ends, and at no time has the equal good desire of Spain been more hopefully manifested than now. The Government of Spain, by removing the consular tonnage fees on cargoes shipped to the Antilles and by reducing passport fees, has shown its recognition of the needs of less trammeled intercourse. An effort has been made during the past year to remove the hindrances to the proclamation of the treaty of naturalization with the Sublime Porte, signed in 1874, which has remained inoperative owing to a disagreement of interpretation of the clauses relative to the effects of the return to and sojourn of a naturalized citizen in the land of origin. I trust soon to be able to announce a favorable settlement of the differences as to this interpretation. It has been highly satisfactory to note the improved treatment of American missionaries in Turkey, as has been attested by their acknowledgments to our late minister to that Government of his successful exertions in their behalf. The exchange of ratifications of the convention of December 5, 1885, with Venezuela, for the reopening of the awards of the Caracas Commission under the claims convention of 1866, has not yet been effected, owing to the delay of the Executive of that Republic in ratifying the measure. I trust that this postponement will be brief; but should it much longer continue, the delay may well be regarded as a rescission of the compact and a failure on the part of Venezuela to complete an arrangement so persistently sought by her during many years and assented to by this Government in a spirit of international fairness, although to the detriment of holders of bona fide awards of the impugned commission. I renew the recommendation of my last annual message that existing legislation concerning citizenship and naturalization be revised. We have treaties with many states providing for the renunciation of citizenship by naturalized aliens, but no statute is found to give effect to such engagements, nor any which provides a needed central bureau for the registration of naturalized citizens. Experience suggests that our statutes regulating extradition might be advantageously amended by a provision for the transit across our territory, now a convenient thoroughfare of travel from one foreign country to another, of fugitives surrendered by a foreign government to a third state. Such provisions are not unusual in the legislation of other countries, and tend to prevent the miscarriage of justice. It is also desirable, in order to remove present uncertainties, that authority should be conferred on the Secretary of State to issue a certificate, in case of an arrest for the purpose of extradition, to the officer before whom the proceeding is pending, showing that a requisition for the surrender of the person charged has been duly made. Such a certificate, if required to be received before the prisoner's examination, would prevent a long and expensive judicial inquiry into a charge which the foreign government might not desire to press. I also recommend that express provision be made for the immediate discharge from custody of persons committed for extradition where the President is of opinion that surrender should not be made. The drift of sentiment in civilized communities toward full recognition of the rights of property in the creations of the human intellect has brought about the adoption by many important nations of an international copyright convention, which was signed at Berne on the 18th of September, 1885. Inasmuch as the Constitution gives to the Congress the power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries," this Government did not feel warranted in becoming a signatory pending the action of Congress upon measures of international copyright now before it; but the right of adhesion to the Berne convention hereafter has been reserved. I trust the subject will receive at your hands the attention it deserves, and that the just claims of authors, so urgently pressed, will be duly heeded. Representations continue to be made to me of the injurious effect upon American artists studying abroad and having free access to the art collections of foreign countries of maintaining a discriminating duty against the introduction of the works of their brother artists of other countries, and I am induced to repeat my recommendation for the abolition of that tax. Pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic and consular appropriation act approved July 1, 1886, the estimates submitted by the Secretary of State for the maintenance of the consular service have been recast on the basis of salaries for all officers to whom such allowance is deemed advisable. Advantage has been taken of this to redistribute the salaries of the offices now appropriated for, in accordance with the work performed, the importance of the representative duties of the incumbent, and the cost of living at each post. The last consideration has been too often lost sight of in the allowances heretofore made. The compensation which may suffice for the decent maintenance of a worthy and capable officer in a position of onerous and representative trust at a post readily accessible, and where the necessaries of life are abundant and cheap, may prove an inadequate pittance in distant lands, where the better part of a year's pay is consumed in reaching the post of duty, and where the comforts of ordinary civilized existence can only be obtained with difficulty and at exorbitant cost. I trust that in considering the submitted schedules no mistaken theory of economy will perpetuate a system which in the past has virtually closed to deserving talent many offices where capacity and attainments of a high order are indispensable, and in not a few instances has brought discredit on our national character and entailed embarrassment and even suffering on those deputed to uphold our dignity and interests abroad. In connection with this subject I earnestly reiterate the practical necessity of supplying some mode of trustworthy inspection and report of the manner in which the consulates are conducted. In the absence of such reliable information efficiency can scarcely be rewarded or its opposite corrected. Increasing competition in trade has directed attention to the value of the consular reports printed by the Department of State, and the efforts of the Government to extend the practical usefulness of these reports have created a wider demand for them at home and a spirit of emulation abroad. Constituting a record at the changes occurring in trade and of the progress of the arts and invention in foreign countries, they are much sought for by all interested in the subjects which they embrace. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury exhibits in detail the condition of the public finances and of the several branches of the Government related to his Department. I especially direct the attention of the Congress to the recommendations contained in this and the last preceding report of the Secretary touching the simplification and amendment of the laws relating to the collection of our revenues, and in the interest of economy and justice to the Government I hope they may be adopted by appropriate legislation. The ordinary receipts of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, were $336,439,727.06. Of this amount $192,905,023.41 was received from customs and $116,805,936.48 from internal revenue. The total receipts, as here stated, were $13,749,020.68 greater than for the previous year, but the increase from customs was $11,434,084.10 and from internal revenue $4,407,210.94, making a gain in these items for the last year of $15,841,295.04, a falling off in other resources reducing the total increase to the smaller amount mentioned. The expense at the different custom-houses of collecting this increased customs revenue was less than the expense attending the collection of such revenue for the preceding year by $490,608, and the increased receipts of internal revenue were collected at a cost to the Internal-Revenue Bureau $155,944.99 less than the expense of such collection for the previous year. The total ordinary expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, were $242,483,138.50, being less by $17,788,797 than such expenditures for the year preceding, and leaving a surplus in the Treasury at the close of the last fiscal year of $93,956,588.56, as against $63,463,771.27 at the close of the previous year, being an increase in such surplus of $30,492,817.29. The expenditures are compared with those of the preceding fiscal year and classified as follows: For the current year to end June 30, 1887, the ascertained receipts up to October 1, 1886, with such receipts estimated for the remainder of the year, amount to $356,000,000. The expenditures ascertained and estimated for the same period are $266,000,000, indicating an anticipated surplus at the close of the year of $90,000,000. The total value of the exports from the United States to foreign countries during the fiscal year is stated and compared with the preceding year as follows: The value of some of our leading exports during the last fiscal year, as compared with the value of the same for the year immediately preceding, is here given, and furnishes information both interesting and suggestive: Our imports during the last fiscal year, as compared with the previous year, were as follows: In my last annual message to the Congress attention was directed to the fact that the revenues of the Government exceeded its actual needs, and it was suggested that legislative action should be taken to relieve the people from the unnecessary burden of taxation thus made apparent. In view of the pressing importance of the subject I deem it my duty to again urge its consideration. The income of the Government, by its increased volume and through economies in its collection, is now more than ever in excess of public necessities. The application of the surplus to the payment of such portion of the public debt as is now at our option subject to extinguishment, if continued at the rate which has lately prevailed, would retire that class of indebtedness within less than one year from this date. Thus a continuation of our present revenue system would soon result in the receipt of an annual income much greater than necessary to meet Government expenses, with no indebtedness upon which it could be applied. We should then be confronted with a vast quantity of money, the circulating medium of the people, hoarded in the Treasury when it should be in their hands, or we should be drawn into wasteful public extravagance, with all the corrupting national demoralization which follows in its train. But it is not the simple existence of this surplus and its threatened attendant evils which furnish the strongest argument against our present scale of Federal taxation. Its worst phase is the exaction of such a surplus through a perversion of the relations between the people and their Government and a dangerous departure from the rules which limit the right of Federal taxation. Good government, and especially the government of which every American citizen boasts, has for its objects the protection of every person within its care in the greatest liberty consistent with the good order of society and his perfect security in the enjoyment of his earnings with the least possible diminution for public needs. When more of the people's substance is exacted through the form of taxation than is necessary to meet the just obligations of the Government and the expense of its economical administration, such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundamental principles of a free government. The indirect manner in which these exactions are made has a tendency to conceal their true character and their extent. But we have arrived at a stage of superfluous revenue which has aroused the people to a realization of the fact that the amount raised professedly for the support of the Government is paid by them as absolutely if added to the price of the things which supply their daily wants as if it was paid at fixed periods into the hand of the tax gatherer. Those who toil for daily wages are beginning to understand that capital, though sometimes vaunting its importance and clamoring for the protection and favor of the Government, is dull and sluggish till, touched by the magical hand of labor, it springs into activity, furnishing an occasion for Federal taxation and gaining the value which enables it to bear its burden. And the laboring man is thoughtfully inquiring whether in these circumstances, and considering the tribute he constantly pays into the public Treasury as he supplies his daily wants, he receives his fair share of advantages. There is also a suspicion abroad that the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional business profits, which, under the system which produces such surplus, increase without corresponding benefit to the people at large the vast accumulations of a few among our citizens, whose fortunes, rivaling the wealth of the most favored in antidemocratic nations, are not the natural growth of a steady, plain, and industrious republic. Our farmers, too, and those engaged directly and indirectly in supplying the products of agriculture, see that day by day, and as often as the daily wants of their households recur, they are forced to pay excessive and needless taxation, while their products struggle in foreign markets with the competition of nations, which, by allowing a freer exchange of productions than we permit, enable their people to sell for prices which distress the American farmer. As every patriotic citizen rejoices in the constantly increasing pride of our people in American citizenship and in the glory of our national achievements and progress, a sentiment prevails that the leading strings useful to a nation in its infancy may well be to a great extent discarded in the present stage of American ingenuity, courage, and fearless self-reliance; and for the privilege of indulging this sentiment with true American enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle surplus in the public Treasury. And all the people know that the average rate of Federal taxation upon imports is to-day, in time of peace, but little less, while upon some articles of necessary consumption it is actually more, than was imposed by the grievous burden willingly borne at a time when the Government needed millions to maintain by war the safety and integrity of the Union. It has been the policy of the Government to collect the principal part of its revenues by a tax upon imports, and no change in this policy is desirable. But the present condition of affairs constrains our people to demand that by a revision of our revenue laws the receipts of the Government shall be reduced to the necessary expense of its economical administration; and this demand should be recognized and obeyed by the people's representatives in the legislative branch of the Government. In readjusting the burdens of Federal taxation a sound public policy requires that such of our citizens as have built up large and important industries under present conditions should not be suddenly and to their injury deprived of advantages to which they have adapted their business; but if the public good requires it they should be content with such consideration as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their interests, while the just demand of the people for relief from needless taxation is honestly answered. A reasonable and timely submission to such a demand should certainly be possible without disastrous shock to any interest; and a cheerful concession sometimes averts abrupt and heedless action, often the outgrowth of impatience and delayed justice. Due regard should be also accorded in any proposed readjustment to the interests of American labor so far as they are involved. We congratulate ourselves that there is among us no laboring class fixed within unyielding bounds and doomed under all conditions to the inexorable fate of daily toil. We recognize in labor a chief factor in the wealth of the Republic, and we treat those who have it in their keeping as citizens entitled to the most careful regard and thoughtful attention. This regard and attention should be awarded them, not only because labor is the capital of our workingmen, justly entitled to its share of Government favor, but for the further and not less important reason that the laboring man, surrounded by his family in his humble home, as a consumer is vitally interested in all that cheapens the cost of living and enables him to bring within his domestic circle additional comforts and advantages. This relation of the workingman to the revenue laws of the country and the manner in which it palpably influences the question of wages should not be forgotten in the justifiable prominence given to the proper maintenance of the supply and protection of well-paid labor. And these considerations suggest such an arrangement of Government revenues as shall reduce the expense of living, while it does not curtail the opportunity for work nor reduce the compensation of American labor and injuriously affect its condition and the dignified place it holds in the estimation of our people. But our farmers and agriculturists--those who from the soil produce the things consumed by all--are perhaps more directly and plainly concerned than any other of our citizens in a just and careful system of Federal taxation. Those actually engaged in and more remotely connected with this kind of work number nearly one-half of our population. None labor harder or more continuously than they. No enactments limit their hours of toil and no interposition of the Government enhances to any great extent the value of their products. And yet for many of the necessaries and comforts of life, which the most scrupulous economy enables them to bring into their homes, and for their implements of husbandry, they are obliged to pay a price largely increased by an unnatural profit, which by the action of the Government is given to the more favored manufacturer. I recommend that, keeping in view all these considerations, the increasing and unnecessary surplus of national income annually accumulating be released to the people by an amendment to our revenue laws which shall cheapen the price of the necessaries of life and give freer entrance to such imported materials as by American labor may be manufactured into marketable commodities. Nothing can be accomplished, however, in the direction of this much-needed reform unless the subject is approached in a patriotic spirit of devotion to the interests of the entire country and with a willingness to yield something for the public good. The sum paid upon the public debt during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, was $44,551,043.36. During the twelve months ended October 31,1886, 3 per cent bonds were called for redemption amounting to $127,283,100, of which $80,643,200 was so called to answer the requirements of the law relating to the sinking fund and $46,639,900 for the purpose of reducing the public debt by application of a part of the surplus in the Treasury to that object. Of the bonds thus called $102,269,450 became subject under such calls to redemption prior to November 1, 1886. The remainder, amounting to$25,013,650, matured under the calls after that date. In addition to the amount subject to payment and cancellation prior to November 1, there were also paid before that day certain of these bonds, with the interest thereon, amounting to $5,072,350, which were anticipated as to their maturity, of which $2,664,850 had not been called, Thus $107,341,800 had been actually applied prior to the 1st of November, 1886, to the extinguishment of our bonded and interest-bearing debt, leaving on that day still outstanding the sum of $1,153,443,112. Of this amount $86,848,700 were still represented by 3 per cent bonds. They however, have been since November 1, or will at once be, further reduced by $22,606,150, being bonds which have been called, as already stated, but not redeemed and canceled before the latter date. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, there were coined, under the compulsory silver-coinage act of 1878,29,838,905 silver dollars, and the cost of the silver used in such coinage was $23,448,960.01. There had been coined up to the close of the previous fiscal year under the provisions of the law 203,882,554 silver dollars, and on the 1st day of December, 1886, the total amount of such coinage was $247,131,549. The Director of the Mint reports that at the time of the passage of the law of 1878 directing this coinage the intrinsic value of the dollars thus coined was 94 1/4 cents each, and that on the 31st day of July, 1886, the price of silver reached the lowest stage ever known, so that the intrinsic or bullion price of our standard silver dollar at that date was less than 72 cents. The price of silver on the 30th day of November last was such as to make these dollars intrinsically worth 78 cents each. These differences in value of the coins represent the fluctuations in the price of silver, and they certainly do not indicate that compulsory coinage by the Government enhances the price of that commodity or secures uniformity in its value. Every fair and legal effort has been made by the Treasury Department to distribute this currency among the people. The withdrawal of United States Treasury notes of small denominations and the issuing of small silver certificates have been resorted to in the endeavor to accomplish this result, in obedience to the will and sentiments of the representatives of the people in the Congress. On the 27th day of November, 1886, the people held of these coins, or certificates representing them, the nominal sum of $166,873,041, and we still had $79,464,345 in the Treasury as against about $142,894,055 so in the hands of the people and $72,865,376 remaining in the Treasury one year ago. The Director of the Mint again urges the necessity of more vault room for the purpose of storing these silver dollars which are not needed for circulation by the people. I have seen no reason to change the views expressed in my last annual message on the subject of this compulsory coinage, and I again urge its suspension on all the grounds contained in my former recommendation, reenforced by the significant increase of our gold exportations during the last year, as appears by the comparative statement herewith presented, and for the further reasons that the more this currency is distributed among the people the greater becomes our duty to protect it from disaster, that we now have abundance for all our needs, and that there seems but little propriety in building vaults to store such currency when the only pretense for its coinage is the necessity of its use by the people as a circulating medium. The great number of suits now pending in the United States courts for the southern district of New York growing out of the collection of customs revenue at the port of New York and the number of such suits that are almost daily instituted are certainly worthy the attention of the Congress. These legal controversies, based upon conflicting views by importers and the collector as to the interpretation of our present complex and indefinite revenue laws, might be largely obviated by an amendment of those laws. But pending such amendment the present condition of this litigation should be relieved. There are now pending about 2,500 of these suits. More than 1,100 have been commenced within the past eighteen months, and many of the others have been at issue for more than twenty-five years. These delays subject the Government to loss of evidence and prevent the preparation necessary to defeat unjust and fictitious claims, while constantly accruing interest threatens to double the demands involved. In the present condition of the dockets of the courts, well filled with private suits, and of the force allowed the district attorney, no greater than is necessary for the ordinary and current business of his office, these revenue litigations can not be considered. In default of the adoption by the Congress of a plan for the general reorganization of the Federal courts, as has been heretofore recommended, I urge the propriety of passing a law permitting the appointment of an additional Federal judge in the district where these Government suits have accumulated, so that by continuous sessions of the courts devoted to the trial of these cases they may be determined. It is entirely plain that a great saving to the Government would be accomplished by such a remedy, and the suitors who have honest claims would not be denied justice through delay. The report of the Secretary of War gives a detailed account of the administration of his Department and contains sundry recommendations for the improvement of the service, which I fully approve. The Army consisted at the date of the last consolidated return of 2,103 officers and 24,946 enlisted men. The expenses of the Department for the last fiscal year were $36,990,903.38, including $6,294,305.43 for public works and river and harbor improvements. I especially direct the attention of the Congress to the recommendation that officers be required to submit to an examination as a preliminary to their promotion. I see no objection, but many advantages, in adopting this feature, which has operated so beneficially in our Navy Department, as well as in some branches of the Army. The subject of coast defenses and fortifications has been fully and carefully treated by the Board on Fortifications, whose report was submitted at the last session of Congress; but no construction work of the kind recommended by the board has been possible during the last year from the lack of appropriations for such purpose. The defenseless condition of our seacoast and lake frontier is perfectly palpable. The examinations made must convince us all that certain of our cities named in the report of the board should be fortified and that work on the most important of these fortifications should be commenced at once. The work has been thoroughly considered and laid out, the Secretary of War reports, but all is delayed in default of Congressional action. The absolute necessity, judged by all standards of prudence and foresight, of our preparation for an effectual resistance against the armored ships and steel guns and mortars of modern construction which may threaten the cities on our coasts is so apparent that I hope effective steps will be taken in that direction immediately. The valuable and suggestive treatment of this question by the Secretary of War is earnestly commended to the consideration of the Congress. In September and October last the hostile Apaches who, under the leadership of Geronimo, had for eighteen months been on the war path, and during that time had committed many murders and been the cause of constant terror to the settlers of Arizona, surrendered to General Miles, the military commander who succeeded General Crook in the management and direction of their pursuit. Under the terms of their surrender as then reported, and in view of the understanding which these murderous savages seemed to entertain of the assurances given them, it was considered best to imprison them in such manner as to prevent their ever engaging in such outrages again, instead of trying them for murder. Fort Pickens having been selected as a safe place of confinement, all the adult males were sent thither and will be closely guarded as prisoners. In the meantime the residue of the band, who, though still remaining upon the reservation, were regarded as unsafe and suspected of furnishing aid to those on the war path, had been removed to Fort Marion. The women and larger children of the hostiles were also taken there, and arrangements have been made for putting the children of proper age in Indian schools. The report of the Secretary of the Navy contains a detailed exhibit of the condition of his Department, with such a statement of the action needed to improve the same as should challenge the earnest attention of the Congress. The present Navy of the United States, aside from the ships in course of construction, consists of-- 
First. Fourteen single-turreted monitors, none of which are in commission nor at the present time serviceable. The batteries of these ships are obsolete, and they can only be relied upon as auxiliary ships in harbor defense, and then after such an expenditure upon them as might not be deemed justifiable. Second. Five fourth-rate vessels of small tonnage, only one of which was designed as a war vessel, and all of which are auxiliary merely. Third. Twenty-seven cruising ships, three of which are built of iron, of small tonnage, and twenty-four of wood. Of these wooden vessels it is estimated by the Chief Constructor of the Navy that only three will be serviceable beyond a period of six years, at which time it may be said that of the present naval force nothing worthy the name will remain. All the vessels heretofore authorized are under contract or in course of construction except the armored ships, the torpedo and dynamite boats, and one cruiser. As to the last of these, the bids were in excess of the limit fixed by Congress. The production in the United States of armor and gun steel is a question which it seems necessary to settle at an early day if the armored war vessels are to be completed with those materials of home manufacture. This has been the subject of investigation by two boards and by two special committees of Congress within the last three years. The report of the Gun Foundry Board in 1884, of the Board on Fortifications made in January last, and the reports of the select committees of the two Houses made at the last session of Congress have entirely exhausted the subject, so far as preliminary investigation is involved, and in their recommendations they are substantially agreed. In the event that the present invitation of the Department for bids to furnish such of this material as is now authorized shall fail to induce domestic manufacturers to undertake the large expenditures required to prepare for this new manufacture, and no other steps are taken by Congress at its coming session, the Secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and the gun steel for the authorized ships. It would seem desirable that the wants of the Army and the Navy in this regard should be reasonably met, and that by uniting their contracts such inducement might be offered as would result in securing the domestication of these important interests. The affairs of the postal service show marked and gratifying improvement during the past year. A particular account of its transactions and condition is given in the report of the Postmaster-General, which will be laid before you. The reduction of the rate of letter postage in 1883, rendering the postal revenues inadequate to sustain the expenditures, and business depression also contributing, resulted in an excess of cost for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, of eight and one-third millions of dollars. An additional check upon receipts by doubling the measure of weight in rating sealed correspondence and diminishing one-half the charge for newspaper carriage was imposed by legislation which took effect with the beginning of the past fiscal year, while the constant demand of our territorial development and growing population for the extension and increase of mail facilities and machinery necessitates steady annual advance in outlay, and the careful estimate of a year ago upon the rates of expenditure then existing contemplated the unavoidable augmentation of the deficiency in the last fiscal year by nearly $2,000,000. The anticipated revenue for the last year failed of realization by about $64,000, but proper measures of economy have so satisfactorily limited the growth of expenditure that the total deficiency in fact fell below that of 1885, and at this time the increase of revenue is in a gaining ratio over the increase of cost, demonstrating the sufficiency of the present rates of postage ultimately to sustain the service. This is the more pleasing because our people enjoy now both cheaper postage proportionably to distances and a vaster and more costly service than any other upon the globe. Retrenchment has been effected in the cost of supplies, some expenditures unwarranted by law have ceased, and the outlays for mail carriage have been subjected to beneficial scrutiny. At the close of the last fiscal year the expense of transportation on star routes stood at an annual rate of cost less by over $560,000 than at the close of the previous year and steamboat and mail-messenger service at nearly $200,000 less. The service has been in the meantime enlarged and extended by the establishment of new offices, increase of routes of carriage, expansion of carrier-delivery conveniences, and additions to the railway mail facilities, in accordance with the growing exigencies of the country and the long-established policy of the Government. The Postmaster-General calls attention to the existing law for compensating railroads and expresses the opinion that a method may be devised which will prove more just to the carriers and beneficial to the Government; and the subject appears worthy of your early consideration. The differences which arose during the year with certain of the ocean steamship companies have terminated by the acquiescence of all in the policy of the Government approved by the Congress in the postal appropriation at its last session, and the Department now enjoys the utmost service afforded by all vessels which sail from our ports upon either ocean--a service generally adequate to the needs of our intercourse. Petitions have, however, been presented to the Department by numerous merchants and manufacturers for the establishment of a direct service to the Argentine Republic and for semimonthly dispatches to the Empire of Brazil, and the subject is commended to your consideration. It is an obvious duty to provide the means of postal communication which our commerce requires, and with prudent forecast of results the wise extension of it may lead to stimulating intercourse and become the harbinger of a profitable traffic which will open new avenues for the disposition of the products of our industry. The circumstances of the countries at the far south of our continent are such as to invite our enterprise and afford the promise of sufficient advantages to justify an unusual effort to bring about the closer relations which greater freedom of communication would tend to establish. I suggest that, as distinguished from a grant or subsidy for the mere benefit of any line of trade or travel, whatever outlay may be required to secure additional postal service, necessary and proper and not otherwise attainable, should be regarded as within the limit of legitimate compensation for such service. The extension of the free-delivery service as suggested by the Postmaster-General has heretofore received my sanction, and it is to be hoped a suitable enactment may soon be agreed upon. The request for an appropriation sufficient to enable the general inspection of fourth-class offices has my approbation. I renew my approval of the recommendation of the Postmaster-General that another assistant be provided for the Post-Office Department, and I invite your attention to the several other recommendations in his report. The conduct of the Department of Justice for the last fiscal year is fully detailed in the report of the Attorney-General, and I invite the earnest attention of the Congress to the same and due consideration of the recommendations therein contained. In the report submitted by this officer to the last session of the Congress he strongly recommended the erection of a penitentiary for the confinement of prisoners convicted and sentenced in the United States courts, and he repeats the recommendation in his report for the last year. This is a matter of very great importance and should at once receive Congressional action. United States prisoners are now confined in more than thirty different State prisons and penitentiaries scattered in every part of the country. They are subjected to nearly as many different modes of treatment and discipline and are far too much removed from the control and regulation of the Government. So far as they are entitled to humane treatment and an opportunity for improvement and reformation, the Government is responsible to them and society that these things are forthcoming. But this duty can scarcely be discharged without more absolute control and direction than is possible under the present system. Many of our good citizens have interested themselves, with the most beneficial results, in the question of prison reform. The General Government should be in a situation, since there must be United States prisoners, to furnish important aid in this movement, and should be able to illustrate what may be practically done in the direction of this reform and to present an example in the treatment and improvement of its 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, according to a plan of its own adoption, and with due regard to the rights and interests of our laboring citizens, instead of sometimes aiding in the operation of a system which causes among them irritation and discontent. Upon consideration of this subject it might be thought wise to erect more than one of these institutions, located in such places as would best subserve the purposes of convenience and economy in transportation. The considerable cost of maintaining these convicts as at present, in State institutions, would be saved by the adoption of the plan proposed, and by employing them in the manufacture of such articles as were needed for use by the Government quite a large pecuniary benefit would be realized in partial return for our outlay. I again urge a change in the Federal judicial system to meet the wants of the people and obviate the delays necessarily attending the present condition of affairs in our courts. All are agreed that something should be done, and much favor is shown by those well able to advise to the plan suggested by the Attorney-General at the last session of the Congress and recommended in my last annual message. This recommendation is here renewed, together with another made at the same time, touching a change in the manner of compensating district attorneys and marshals; and the latter subject is commended to the Congress for its action in the interest of economy to the Government, and humanity, fairness, and justice to our people. The report of the Secretary of the Interior presents a comprehensive summary of the work of the various branches of the public service connected with his Department, and the suggestions and recommendations which it contains for the improvement of the service should receive your careful consideration. The exhibit made of the condition of our Indian population and the progress of the work for their enlightenment, notwithstanding the many embarrassments which hinder the better administration of this important branch of the service, is a gratifying and hopeful one. The funds appropriated for the Indian service for the fiscal year just passed, with the available income from Indian land and trust moneys, amounting in all to $7,850,775.12, were ample for the service under the conditions and restrictions of laws regulating their expenditure. There remained a balance on hand on June 30, 1886, of $1,660,023.30, of which $ 1,337,768.21 are permanent funds for fulfillment of treaties and other like purposes, and the remainder, $322,255.09, is subject to be carried to the surplus fund as required by law. The estimates presented for appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year amount to $5,608,873.64, or $442,386.20 less than those laid before the Congress last year. The present system of agencies, while absolutely necessary and well adapted for the management of our Indian affairs and for the ends in view when it was adopted, is in the present stage of Indian management inadequate, standing alone, for the accomplishment of an object which has become pressing in its importance--the more rapid transition from tribal organizations to citizenship of such portions of the Indians as are capable of civilized life. When the existing system was adopted, the Indian race was outside of the limits of organized States and Territories and beyond the immediate reach and operation of civilization, and all efforts were mainly directed to the maintenance of friendly relations and the preservation of peace and quiet on the frontier. All this is now changed. There is no such thing as the Indian frontier. Civilization, with the busy hum of industry and the influences of Christianity, surrounds these people at every point. None of the tribes are outside of the bounds of organized government and society, except that the Territorial system has not been extended over that portion of the country known as the Indian Territory. As a race the Indians are no longer hostile, but may be considered as submissive to the control of the Government. Few of them only are troublesome. Except the fragments of several bands, all are now gathered upon reservations. It is no longer possible for them to subsist by the chase and the spontaneous productions of the earth. With an abundance of land, if furnished with the means and implements for profitable husbandry, their life of entire dependence upon Government rations from day to day is no longer defensible. Their inclination, long fostered by a defective system of control, is to cling to the habits and customs of their ancestors and struggle with persistence against the change of life which their altered circumstances press upon them. But barbarism and civilization can not live together. It is impossible that such incongruous conditions should coexist on the same soil. They are a portion of our people, are under the authority of our Government, and have a peculiar claim upon and are entitled to the fostering care and protection of the nation. The Government can not relieve itself of this responsibility until they are so far trained and civilized as to be able wholly to manage and care for themselves. The paths in which they should walk must be clearly marked out for them, and they must be led or guided until they are familiar with the way and competent to assume the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. Progress in this great work will continue only at the present slow pace and at great expense unless the system and methods of management are improved to meet the changed conditions and urgent demands of the service. The agents, having general charge and supervision in many cases of more than 5,000 Indians, scattered over large reservations, and burdened with the details of accountability for funds and supplies, have time to look after the industrial training and improvement of a few Indians only. The many are neglected and remain idle and dependent, conditions not favorable for progress and civilization. The compensation allowed these agents and the conditions of the service are not calculated to secure for the work men who are fitted by ability and skill to properly plan and intelligently direct the methods best adapted to produce the most speedy results and permanent benefits. Hence the necessity for a supplemental agency or system directed to the end of promoting the general and more rapid transition of the tribes from habits and customs of barbarism to the ways of civilization. With an anxious desire to devise some plan of operation by which to secure the welfare of the Indians and to relieve the Treasury as far as possible from the support of an idle and dependent population, I recommended in my previous annual message the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of a commission as an instrumentality auxiliary to those already established for the care of the Indians. It was designed that this commission should be composed of six intelligent and capable persons--three to be detailed from the Army--having practical ideas upon the subject of the treatment of Indians and interested in their welfare, and that it should be charged, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, with the management of such matters of detail as can not with the present organization be properly and successfully conducted, and which present different phases, as the Indians themselves differ in their progress, needs, disposition, and capacity for improvement or immediate self-support. By the aid of such a commission much unwise and useless expenditure of money, waste of materials, and unavailing efforts might be avoided; and it is hoped that this or some measure which the wisdom of Congress may better devise to supply the deficiency of the present system may receive your consideration and the appropriate legislation be provided. 
The time is ripe for the work of such an agency. There is less opposition to the education and training of the Indian youth, as shown by the increased attendance upon the schools, and there is a yielding tendency for the individual holding of lands. Development and advancement in these directions are essential, and should have every encouragement. As the rising generation are taught the language of civilization and trained in habits of industry they should assume the duties, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship. No obstacle should hinder the location and 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. But there is no authority of law for making allotments on some of the reservations, and on others the allotments provided for are so small that the Indians, though ready and desiring to settle down, are not willing to accept such small areas when their reservations contain ample lands to afford them homesteads of sufficient size to meet their present and future needs. These inequalities of existing special laws and treaties should be corrected and some general legislation on the subject should be provided, so that the more progressive members of the different tribes may be settled upon homesteads, and by their example lead others to follow, breaking away from tribal customs and substituting therefor the love of home, the interest of the family, and the rule of the state. The Indian character and nature are such that they are not easily led while brooding over unadjusted wrongs. This is especially so regarding their lands. Matters arising from the construction and operation of railroads across some of the reservations, and claims of title and right of occupancy set up by white persons to some of the best land within other reservations require legislation for their final adjustment. The settlement of these matters will remove many embarrassments to progress in the work of leading the Indians to the adoption of our institutions and bringing them under the operation, the influence, and the protection of the universal laws of our country. The recommendations of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of the General Land Office looking to the better protection of public lands and of the public surveys, the preservation of national forests, the adjudication of grants to States and corporations and of private land claims, and the increased efficiency of the public-land service are commended to the attention of Congress. To secure the widest distribution of public lands in limited quantities among settlers for residence and cultivation, and thus make the greatest number of individual homes, was the primary object of the public-land legislation in the early days of the Republic. This system was a simple one. It commenced with an admirable scheme of public surveys, by which the humblest citizen could identify the tract upon which he wished to establish his home. The price of lands was placed within the reach of all the enterprising, industrious, and honest pioneer citizens of the country. It was soon, however, found that the object of the laws was perverted, under the system of cash sales, from a distribution of land among the people to an accumulation of land capital by wealthy and speculative persons. To check this tendency a preference right of purchase was given to settlers on the land, a plan which culminated in the general preemption act of 1841. The foundation of this system was actual residence and cultivation. Twenty years later the homestead law was devised to more surely place actual homes in the possession of actual cultivators of the soil. The land was given without price, the sole conditions being residence, improvement, and cultivation. Other laws have followed, each designed to encourage the acquirement and use of land in limited individual quantities. But in later years these laws, through vicious administrative methods and under changed conditions of communication and transportation, have been so evaded and violated that their beneficent purpose is threatened with entire defeat. The methods of such evasions and violations are set forth in detail in the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of the General Land Office. The rapid appropriation of our public lands without bona fide settlements or cultivation, and not only without intention of residence, but for the purpose of their aggregation in large holdings, in many cases in the hands of foreigners, invites the serious and immediate attention of the Congress. The energies of the Land Department have been devoted during the present Administration to remedy defects and correct abuses in the public-land service. The results of these efforts are so largely in the nature of reforms in the processes and methods of our land system as to prevent adequate estimate; but it appears by a compilation from the reports of the Commissioner of the General Land Office that the immediate effect in leading cases which have come to a final termination has been the restoration to the mass of public lands of 2,750,000 acres; that 2,370,000 acres are embraced in investigations now pending before the Department or the courts, and that the action of Congress has been asked to effect the restoration of 2,790,000 acres additional; besides which 4,000,000 acres have been withheld from reservation and the rights of entry thereon maintained. I recommend the repeal of the preemption and timber-culture acts, and that the homestead laws be so amended as to better secure compliance with their requirements of residence, improvement, and cultivation for the period of five years from date of entry, without commutation or provision for speculative relinquishment. I also recommend the repeal of the desert-land laws unless it shall be the pleasure of the Congress to so amend these laws as to render them less liable to abuses. As the chief motive for an evasion of the laws and the principal cause of their result in land accumulation instead of land distribution is the facility with which transfers are made of the right intended to be secured to settlers, it may be deemed advisable to provide by legislation some guards and checks upon the alienation of homestead rights and lands covered thereby until patents issue. Last year an Executive proclamation was issued directing the removal of fences which inclosed the public domain. Many of these have been removed in obedience to such order, but much of the public land still remains within the lines of these unlawful fences. The ingenious methods resorted to in order to continue these trespasses and the hardihood of the pretenses by which in some cases such inclosures are justified are fully detailed in the report of the Secretary of the Interior. The removal of the fences still remaining which inclose public lands will be enforced with all the authority and means with which the executive branch of the Government is or shall be invested by the Congress for that purpose. The report of the Commissioner of Pensions contains a detailed and most satisfactory exhibit of the operations of the Pension Bureau during the last fiscal year. The amount of work done was the largest in any year since the organization of the Bureau, and it has been done at less cost than during the previous year in every division. On the 30th day of June, 1886, there were 365,783 pensioners on the rolls of the Bureau. Since 1861 there have been 1,018,735 applications for pensions filed, of which 78,834 were based upon service in the War of 1812. There were 621,754 of these applications allowed, including 60,178 to the soldiers of 1812 and their widows. The total amount paid for pensions since 1861 is $808,624,811.57. The number of new pensions allowed during the year ended June 30, 1886, is 40,857, a larger number than has been allowed in any year save one since 1861. The names of 2,229 pensioners which had been previously dropped from the rolls were restored during the year, and after deducting those dropped within the same time for various causes a net increase remains for the year of 20,658 names. From January 1, 1861, to December 1, 1885, 1,967 private pension acts had been passed. Since the last-mentioned date, and during the last session of the Congress, 644 such acts became laws. It seems to me that no one can examine our pension establishment and its operations without being convinced that through its instrumentality justice can be very nearly done to all who are entitled under present laws to the pension bounty of the Government. But it is undeniable that cases exist, well entitled to relief, in which the Pension Bureau is powerless to aid. The really worthy cases of this class are such as only lack by misfortune the kind or quantity of proof which the law and regulations of the Bureau require, or which, though their merit is apparent, for some other reason can not be justly dealt with through general laws. These conditions fully justify application to the Congress and special enactments. But resort to the Congress for a special pension act to overrule the deliberate and careful determination of the Pension Bureau on the merits or to secure favorable action when it could not be expected under the most liberal execution of general laws, it must be admitted opens the door to the allowance of questionable claims and presents to the legislative and executive branches of the Government applications concededly not within the law and plainly devoid of merit, but so surrounded by sentiment and patriotic feeling that they are hard to resist. I suppose it will not be denied that many claims for pension are made without merit and that many have been allowed upon fraudulent representations. This has been declared from the Pension Bureau, not only in this but in prior Administrations. The usefulness and the justice of any system for the distribution of pensions depend upon the equality and uniformity of its operation. It will be seen from the report of the Commissioner that there are now paid by the Government 131 different rates of pension. He estimates from the best information he can obtain that 9,000 of those who have served in the Army and Navy of the United States are now supported, in whole or in part, from public funds or by organized charities, exclusive of those in soldiers' homes under the direction and control of the Government. Only 13 per cent of these are pensioners, while of the entire number of men furnished for the late war something like 20 per cent, including their widows and relatives, have been or now are in receipt of pensions. The American people, with a patriotic and grateful regard for our ex-soldiers, too broad and too sacred to be monopolized by any special advocates, are not only willing but anxious that equal and exact justice should be done to all honest claimants for pensions. In their sight the friendless and destitute soldier, dependent on public charity, if otherwise entitled, has precisely the same right to share in the provision made for those who fought their country's battles as those better able, through friends and influence, to push their claims. Every pension that is granted under our present plan upon any other grounds than actual service and injury or disease incurred in such service, and every instance of the many in which pensions are increased on other grounds than the merits of the claim, work an injustice to the brave and crippled, but poor and friendless, soldier, who is entirely neglected or who must be content with the smallest sum allowed under general laws. There are far too many neighborhoods in which are found glaring cases of inequality of treatment in the matter of pensions, and they are largely due to a yielding in the Pension Bureau to importunity on the part of those, other than the pensioner, who are especially interested, or they arise from special acts passed for the benefit of individuals. The men who fought side by side should stand side by side when they participate in a grateful nation's kind remembrance. Every consideration of fairness and justice to our ex-soldiers and the protection of the patriotic instinct of our citizens from perversion and violation point to the adoption of a pension system broad and comprehensive enough to cover every contingency, and which shall make unnecessary an objectionable volume of special legislation. As long as we adhere to the principle of granting pensions for service, and disability as the result of the service, the allowance of pensions should be restricted to cases presenting these features. Every patriotic heart responds to a tender consideration for those who, having served their country long and well, are reduced to destitution and dependence, not as an incident of their service, but with advancing age or through sickness or misfortune. We are all tempted by the contemplation of such a condition to supply relief, and are often impatient of the limitations of public duty. Yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this feeling of consideration, I can not rid myself of the conviction that if these ex-soldiers are to be relieved they and their cause are entitled to the benefit of an enactment under which relief may be claimed as a right, and that such relief should be granted under the sanction of law, not in evasion of it; nor should such worthy objects of care, all equally entitled, be remitted to the unequal operation of sympathy or the tender mercies of social and political influence, with their unjust discriminations. The discharged soldiers and sailors of the country are our fellow-citizens, and interested with us in the passage and faithful execution of wholesome laws. They can not be swerved from their duty of citizenship by artful appeals to their spirit of brotherhood born of common peril and suffering, nor will they exact as a test of devotion to their welfare a willingness to neglect public duty in their behalf. On the 4th of March, 1885, the current business of the Patent Office was, on an average, five and a half months in arrears, and in several divisions more than twelve months behind. At the close of the last fiscal year such current work was but three months in arrears, and it is asserted and believed that in the next few months the delay in obtaining an examination of an application for a patent will be but nominal. The number of applications for patents during the last fiscal year, including reissues, designs, trade-marks, and labels, equals 40,678, which is considerably in excess of the number received during any preceding year. The receipts of the Patent Office during the year aggregate $1,205,167.80, enabling the office to turn into the Treasury a surplus revenue, over and above all expenditures, of about $163,710.30. The number of patents granted during the last fiscal year, including reissues, trade-marks, designs, and labels, was 25,619, a number also quite largely in excess of that of any preceding year. The report of the Commissioner shows the office to be in a prosperous condition and constantly increasing in its business. No increase of force is asked for. The amount estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, was $890,760. The amount estimated for the year ending June 30, 1887, was $853,960. The amount estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, is $778,770. The Secretary of the Interior suggests a change in the plan for the payment of the indebtedness of the Pacific subsidized roads to the Government. His suggestion has the unanimous indorsement of the persons selected by the Government to act as directors of these roads and protect the interests of the United States in the board of direction. In considering the plan proposed the sole matters which should be taken into account, in my opinion, are the situation of the Government as a creditor and the surest way to secure the payment of the principal and interest of its debt. By a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States it has been adjudged that the laws of the several States are inoperative to regulate rates of transportation upon railroads if such regulation interferes with the rate of carriage from one State into another. This important field of control and regulation having been thus left entirely unoccupied, the expediency of Federal action upon the subject is worthy of consideration. The relations of labor to capital and of laboring men to their employers are of the utmost concern to every patriotic citizen. When these are strained and distorted, unjustifiable claims are apt to be insisted upon by both interests, and in the controversy which results the welfare of all and the prosperity of the country are jeopardized. Any intervention of the General Government, within the limits of its constitutional authority, to avert such a condition should be willingly accorded. In a special message transmitted to the Congress at its last session I suggested the enlargement of our present Labor Bureau and adding to its present functions the power of arbitration in cases where differences arise between employer and employed. When these differences reach such a stage as to result in the interruption of commerce between the States, the application of this remedy by the General Government might be regarded as entirely within its constitutional powers. And I think we might reasonably hope that such arbitrators, if carefully selected and if entitled to the confidence of the parties to be affected, would be voluntarily called to the settlement of controversies of less extent and not necessarily within the domain of Federal regulation. I am of the opinion that this suggestion is worthy the attention of the Congress. 
But after all has been done by the passage of laws, either Federal or State, to relieve a situation full of solicitude, much more remains to be accomplished by the reinstatement and cultivation of a true American sentiment which recognizes the equality of American citizenship. This, in the light of our traditions and in loyalty to the spirit of our institutions, would teach that a hearty cooperation on the part of all interests is the surest path to national greatness and the happiness of all our people; that capital should, in recognition of the brotherhood of our citizenship and in a spirit of American fairness, generously accord to labor its just compensation and consideration, and that contented labor is capital's best protection and faithful ally. It would teach, too, that the diverse situations of our people are inseparable from our civilization; that every citizen should in his sphere be a contributor to the general good; that capital does not necessarily tend to the oppression of labor, and that violent disturbances and disorders alienate from their promoters true American sympathy and kindly feeling. The Department of Agriculture, representing the oldest and largest of our national industries, is subserving well the purposes of its organization. By the introduction of new subjects of farming enterprise and by opening new sources of agricultural wealth and the dissemination of early information concerning production and prices it has contributed largely to the country's prosperity. Through this agency advanced thought and investigation touching the subjects it has in charge should, among other things, be practically applied to the home production at a low cost of articles of food which are now imported from abroad. Such an innovation will necessarily, of course, in the beginning be within the domain of intelligent experiment, and the subject in every stage should receive all possible encouragement from the Government. The interests of millions of our citizens engaged in agriculture are involved in an enlargement and improvement of the results of their labor, and a zealous regard for their welfare should be a willing tribute to those whose productive returns are a main source of our progress and power. The existence of pleuro-pneumonia among the cattle of various States has led to burdensome and in some cases disastrous restrictions in an important branch of our commerce, threatening to affect the quantity and quality of our food supply. This is a matter of such importance and of such far-reaching consequences that I hope it will engage the serious attention of the Congress, to the end that such a remedy may be applied as the limits of a constitutional delegation of power to the General Government will permit. I commend to the consideration of the Congress the report of the Commissioner and his suggestions concerning the interest intrusted to his care. The continued operation of the law relating to our civil service has added the most convincing proofs of its necessity and usefulness. It is a fact worthy of note that every public officer who has a just idea of his duty to the people testifies to the value of this reform. Its staunchest, friends are found among those who understand it best, and its warmest supporters are those who are restrained and protected by its requirements. The meaning of such restraint and protection is not appreciated by those who want places under the Government regardless of merit and efficiency, nor by those who insist that the selection of such places should rest upon a proper credential showing active partisan work. They mean to public officers, if not their lives, the only opportunity afforded them to attend to public business, and they mean to the good people of the country the better performance of the work of their Government. It is exceedingly strange that the scope and nature of this reform are so little understood and that so many things not included within its plan are called by its name. When cavil yields more fully to examination, the system will have large additions to the number of its friends. Our civil-service reform may be imperfect in some of its details; it may be misunderstood and opposed; it may not always be faithfully applied; its designs may sometimes miscarry through mistake or willful intent; it may sometimes tremble under the assaults of its enemies or languish under the misguided zeal of impracticable friends; but if the people of this country ever submit to the banishment of its underlying principle from the operation of their Government they will abandon the surest guaranty of the safety and success of American institutions. I invoke for this reform the cheerful and ungrudging support of the Congress. I renew my recommendation made last year that the salaries of the Commissioners be made equal to other officers of the Government having like duties and responsibilities, and I hope that such reasonable appropriations may be made as will enable them to increase the usefulness of the cause they have in charge. I desire to call the attention of the Congress to a plain duty which the Government owes to the depositors in the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. This company was chartered by the Congress for the benefit of the most illiterate and humble of our people, and with the intention of encouraging in them industry and thrift. Most of its branches were presided over by officers holding the commissions and clothed in the uniform of the United States. These and other circumstances reasonably, I think, led these simple people to suppose that the invitation to deposit their hard-earned savings in this institution implied an undertaking on the part of their Government that their money should be safely kept for them. When this company failed, it was liable in the sum of $2,939,925.22 to 61,131 depositors. Dividends amounting in the aggregate to 62 per cent have been declared, and the sum called for and paid of such dividends seems to be $1,648,181.72. This sum deducted from the entire amount of deposits leaves $1,291,744.50 still unpaid. Past experience has shown that quite a large part of this sum will not be called for. There are assets still on hand amounting to the estimated sum of $16,000. I think the remaining 38 per cent of such of these deposits as have claimants should be paid by the Government, upon principles of equity and fairness. The report of the commissioner, soon to be laid before Congress, will give more satisfactory details on this subject. The control of the affairs of the District of Columbia having been placed in the hands of purely executive officers, while the Congress still retains all legislative authority relating to its government, it becomes my duty to make known the most pressing needs of the District and recommend their consideration. The laws of the District appear to be in an uncertain and unsatisfactory condition, and their codification or revision is much needed. During the past year one of the bridges leading from the District to the State of Virginia became unfit for use, and travel upon it was forbidden. This leads me to suggest that the improvement of all the bridges crossing the Potomac and its branches from the city of Washington is worthy the attention of Congress. The Commissioners of the District represent that the laws regulating the sale of liquor and granting licenses therefor should be at once amended, and that legislation is needed to consolidate, define, and enlarge the scope and powers of charitable and penal institutions within the District. I suggest that the Commissioners be clothed with the power to make, within fixed limitations, police regulations. I believe this power granted and carefully guarded would tend to subserve the good order of the municipality. It seems that trouble still exists growing out of the occupation of the streets and avenues by certain railroads having their termini in the city. It is very important that such laws should be enacted upon this subject as will secure to the railroads all the facilities they require for the transaction of their business and at the same time protect citizens from injury to their persons or property. The Commissioners again complain that the accommodations afforded them for the necessary offices for District business and for the safe-keeping of valuable books and papers are entirely insufficient. I recommend that this condition of affairs be remedied by the Congress, and that suitable quarters be furnished for the needs of the District government. In conclusion I earnestly invoke such wise action on the part of the people's legislators as will subserve the public good and demonstrate during the remaining days of the Congress as at present organized its ability and inclination to so meet the people's needs that it shall be gratefully remembered by an expectant constituency.
In discharge of a constitutional duty, and following a well-established precedent in the Executive office, I herewith transmit to the Congress at its reassembling certain information concerning the state of the Union, together with such recommendations for legislative consideration as appear necessary and expedient. Our Government has consistently maintained its relations of friendship toward all other powers and of neighborly interest toward those whose possessions are contiguous to our own. Few questions have arisen during the past year with other governments, and none of those are beyond the reach of settlement in friendly counsel. We are as yet without provision for the settlement of claims of citizens of the United States against Chile for injustice during the late war with Peru and Bolivia. The mixed commissions organized under claims conventions concluded by the Chilean Government with certain European States have developed an amount of friction which we trust can be avoided in the convention which our representative at Santiago is authorized to negotiate. The cruel treatment of inoffensive Chinese has, I regret to say, been repeated in some of the far Western States and Territories, and acts of violence against those people, beyond the power of the local constituted authorities to prevent and difficult to punish, are reported even in distant Alaska. Much of this violence can be traced to race prejudice and competition of labor, which can not, however, justify the oppression of strangers whose safety is guaranteed by our treaty with China equally with the most favored nations. In opening our vast domain to alien elements the purpose of our lawgivers was to invite assimilation, and not to provide an arena for endless antagonism. The paramount duty of maintaining public order and defending the interests of our own people may require the adoption of measures of restriction, but they should not tolerate the oppression of individuals of a special race. I am not without assurance that the Government of China, whose friendly disposition toward us I am most happy to recognize, will meet us halfway in devising a comprehensive remedy by which an effective limitation of Chinese emigration, joined to protection of those Chinese subjects who remain in this country, may be secured. Legislation is needed to execute the provisions of our Chinese convention of 1880 touching the opium traffic. While the good will of the Colombian Government toward our country is manifest, the situation of American interests on the Isthmus of Panama has at times excited concern and invited friendly action looking to the performance of the engagements of the two nations concerning the territory embraced in the interoceanic transit. With the subsidence of the Isthmian disturbances and the erection of the State of Panama into a federal district under the direct government of the constitutional administration at Bogota, a new order of things has been inaugurated, which, although as yet somewhat experimental and affording scope for arbitrary exercise of power by the delegates of the national authority, promises much improvement. The sympathy between the people of the United States and France, born during our colonial struggle for independence and continuing today, has received a fresh impulse in the successful completion and dedication of the colossal statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World" in New York Harbor--the gift of Frenchmen to Americans. A convention between the United States and certain other powers for the protection of submarine cables was signed at Paris on March 14, 1884, and has been duly ratified and proclaimed by this Government. By agreement between the high contracting parties this convention is to go into effect on the 1st of January next, but the legislation required for its execution in the United States has not yet been adopted. I earnestly recommend its enactment. Cases have continued to occur in Germany giving rise to much correspondence in relation to the privilege of sojourn of our naturalized citizens of German origin revisiting the land of their birth, yet I am happy to state that our relations with that country have lost none of their accustomed cordiality. The claims for interest upon the amount of tonnage dues illegally exacted from certain German steamship lines were favorably reported in both Houses of Congress at the last session, and I trust will receive final and favorable action at an early day. The recommendations contained in my last annual message in relation to a mode of settlement of the fishery rights in the waters of British North America, so long a subject of anxious difference between the United States and Great Britain, was met by an adverse vote of the Senate on April 13 last, and thereupon negotiations were instituted to obtain an agreement with Her Britannic Majesty's Government for the promulgation of such joint interpretation and definition of the article of the convention of 1818 relating to the territorial waters and inshore fisheries of the British Provinces as should secure the Canadian rights from encroachment by the United States fishermen and at the same time insure the enjoyment by the latter of the privileges guaranteed to them by such convention. The questions involved are of long standing, of grave consequence, and from time to time for nearly three-quarters of a century have given rise to earnest international discussions, not unaccompanied by irritation. Temporary arrangements by treaties have served to allay friction, which, however, has revived as each treaty was terminated. The last arrangement, under the treaty of 1871, was abrogated after due notice by the United States on June 30, 1885, but I was enabled to obtain for our fishermen for the remainder of that season enjoyment of the full privileges accorded by the terminated treaty. The joint high commission by whom the treaty had been negotiated, although invested with plenary power to make a permanent settlement, were content with a temporary arrangement, after the termination of which the question was relegated to the stipulations of the treaty of 1818, as to the first article of which no construction satisfactory to both countries has ever been agreed upon. The progress of civilization and growth of population in the British Provinces to which the fisheries in question are contiguous and the expansion of commercial intercourse between them and the United States present to-day a condition of affairs scarcely realizable at the date of the negotiations of 1818. New and vast interests have been brought into existence; modes of intercourse between the respective countries have been invented and multiplied; the methods of conducting the fisheries have been wholly changed; and all this is necessarily entitled to candid and careful consideration in the adjustment of the terms and conditions of intercourse and commerce between the United States and their neighbors along a frontier of over 3,500 miles. This propinquity, community of language and occupation, and similarity of political and social institutions indicate the practicability and obvious wisdom of maintaining mutually beneficial and friendly relations. Whilst I am unfeignedly desirous that such relations should exist between us and the inhabitants of Canada, yet the action of their officials during the past season toward our fishermen has been such as to seriously threaten their continuance. Although disappointed in my efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement of the fishery question, negotiations are still pending, with reasonable hope that before the close of the present session of Congress announcement may be made that an acceptable conclusion has been reached. As at an early day there may be laid before Congress the correspondence of the Department of State in relation to this important subject, so that the history of the past fishing season may be fully disclosed and the action and the attitude of the Administration clearly comprehended, a more extended reference is not deemed necessary in this communication. The recommendation submitted last year that provision be made for a preliminary reconnoissance of the conventional boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia is renewed. I express my unhesitating conviction that the intimacy of our relations with Hawaii should be emphasized. As a result of the reciprocity treaty of 1875, those islands, on the highway of Oriental and Australasian traffic, are virtually an outpost of American commerce and a stepping-stone to the growing trade of the Pacific. The Polynesian Island groups have been so absorbed by other and more powerful governments that the Hawaiian Islands are left almost alone in the enjoyment of their autonomy, which it is important for us should be preserved. Our treaty is now terminable on one year's notice, but propositions to abrogate it would be, in my judgment, most ill advised. The paramount influence we have there acquired, once relinquished, could only with difficulty be regained, and a valuable ground of vantage for ourselves might be converted into a stronghold for our commercial competitors. I earnestly recommend that the existing treaty stipulations be extended for a further term of seven years. A recently signed treaty to this end is now before the Senate. The importance of telegraphic communication between those islands and the United States should not be overlooked. The question of a general revision of the treaties of Japan is again under discussion at Tokyo. As the first to open relations with that Empire, and as the nation in most direct commercial relations with Japan, the United States have lost no opportunity to testify their consistent friendship by supporting the just claims of Japan to autonomy and independence among nations. A treaty of extradition between the United States and Japan, the first concluded by that Empire, has been lately proclaimed. The weakness of Liberia and the difficulty of maintaining effective sovereignty over its outlying districts have exposed that Republic to encroachment. It can not be forgotten that this distant community is an offshoot of our own system, owing its origin to the associated benevolence of American citizens, whose praiseworthy efforts to create a nucleus of civilization in the Dark Continent have commanded respect and sympathy everywhere, especially in this country. Although a formal protectorate over Liberia is contrary to our traditional policy, the moral right and duty of the United States to assist in all proper ways in the maintenance of its integrity is obvious, and has been consistently announced during nearly half a century. I recommend that in the reorganization of our Navy a small vessel, no longer found adequate to our needs, be presented to Liberia, to be employed by it in the protection of its coastwise revenues. The encouraging development of beneficial and intimate relations between the United States and Mexico, which has been so marked within the past few years, is at once the occasion of congratulation and of friendly solicitude. I urgently renew my former representation of the need or speedy legislation by Congress to carry into effect the reciprocity commercial convention of January 20, 1883. Our commercial treaty of 1831 with Mexico was terminated, according to its provisions, in 1881, upon notification given by Mexico in pursuance of her announced policy of recasting all her commercial treaties. Mexico has since concluded with several foreign governments new treaties of commerce and navigation, defining alien rights of trade, property, and residence, treatment of shipping, consular privileges, and the like. Our yet unexecuted reciprocity convention of 1883 covers none of these points, the settlement of which is so necessary to good relationship. I propose to initiate with Mexico negotiations for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce and navigation. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, I communicated to that body on August 2 last, and also to the House of Representatives, the correspondence in the case of A. K. Cutting, an American citizen, then imprisoned in Mexico, charged with the commission of a penal offense in Texas, of which a Mexican citizen was the object. After demand had been made for his release the charge against him was amended so as to include a violation of Mexican law within Mexican territory. This joinder of alleged offenses, one within and the other exterior to Mexico, induced me to order a special investigation of the case, pending which Mr. Cutting was released. The incident has, however, disclosed a claim of jurisdiction by Mexico novel in our history, whereby any offense committed anywhere by a foreigner, penal in the place of its commission, and of which a Mexican is the object, may, if the offender be found in Mexico, be there tried and punished in conformity with Mexican laws. This jurisdiction was sustained by the courts of Mexico in the Cutting case, and approved by the executive branch of that Government, upon the authority of a Mexican statute. The appellate court in releasing Mr. Cutting decided that the abandonment of the complaint by the Mexican citizen aggrieved by the alleged crime (a libelous publication) removed the basis of further prosecution, and also declared justice to have been satisfied by the enforcement of a small part of the original sentence. The admission of such a pretension would be attended with serious results, invasive of the jurisdiction of this Government and highly dangerous to our citizens in foreign lands. Therefore I have denied it and protested against its attempted exercise as unwarranted by the principles of law and international usages. A sovereign has jurisdiction of offenses which take effect within his territory, although concocted or commenced outside of it; but the right is denied of any foreign sovereign to punish a citizen of the United States for an offense consummated on our soil in violation of our laws, even though the offense be against a subject or citizen of such sovereign. The Mexican statute in question makes the claim broadly, and the principle, if conceded, would create a dual responsibility in the citizen and lead to inextricable confusion, destructive of that certainty in the law which is an essential of liberty. When citizens of the United States voluntarily go into a foreign country, they must abide by the laws there in force, and will not be protected by their own Government from the consequences of an offense against those laws committed in such foreign country; but watchful care and interest of this Government over its citizens are not relinquished because they have gone abroad, and if charged with crime committed in the foreign land a fair and open trial, conducted with decent regard for justice and humanity, will be demanded for them. With less than that this Government will not be content when the life or liberty of its citizens is at stake. Whatever the degree to which extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction may have been formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal agreement among certain of the European States, no such doctrine or practice was ever known to the laws of this country or of that from which our institutions have mainly been derived. In the case of Mexico there are reasons especially strong for perfect harmony in the mutual exercise of jurisdiction. Nature has made us irrevocably neighbors, and wisdom and kind feeling should make us friends. The overflow of capital and enterprise from the United States is a potent factor in assisting the development of the resources of Mexico and in building up the prosperity of both countries. To assist this good work all grounds of apprehension for the security of person and property should be removed; and I trust that in the interests of good neighborhood the statute referred to will be so modified as to eliminate the present possibilities of danger to the peace of the two countries. The Government of the Netherlands has exhibited concern in relation to certain features of our tariff laws, which are supposed by them to be aimed at a class of tobacco produced in the Dutch East Indies. Comment would seem unnecessary upon the unwisdom of legislation appearing to have a special national discrimination for its object, which, although unintentional, may give rise to injurious retaliation. The establishment, less than four years ago, of a legation at Teheran is bearing fruit in the interest exhibited by the Shah's Government in the industrial activity of the United States and the opportunities of beneficial interchanges. Stable government is now happily restored in Peru by the election of a constitutional president, and a period of rehabilitation is entered upon; but the recovery is necessarily slow from the exhaustion caused by the late war and civil disturbances. A convention to adjust by arbitration claims of our citizens has been proposed and is under consideration. The naval officer who bore to Siberia the testimonials bestowed by Congress in recognition of the aid given to the Jeannette survivors has successfully accomplished his mission. His interesting report will be submitted. It is pleasant to know that this mark of appreciation has been welcomed by the Russian Government and people as befits the traditional friendship of the two countries. Civil perturbations in the Samoan Islands have during the past few years been a source of considerable embarrassment to the three Governments-Germany, Great Britain, and the United States--whose relations and extraterritorial rights in that important group are guaranteed by treaties. The weakness of the native administration and the conflict of opposing interests in the islands have led King Malietoa to seek alliance or protection in some one quarter, regardless of the distinct engagements whereby no one of the three treaty powers may acquire any paramount or exclusive interest. In May last Malietoa offered to place Samoa under the protection of the United States, and the late consul, without authority, assumed to grant it. The proceeding was promptly disavowed and the overzealous official recalled. Special agents of the three Governments have been deputed to examine the situation in the islands. With a change in the representation of all three powers and a harmonious understanding between them, the peace, prosperity, autonomous administration, and neutrality of Samoa can hardly fail to be secured. It appearing that the Government of Spain did not extend to the flag of the United States in the Antilles the full measure of reciprocity requisite under our statute for the continuance of the suspension of discriminations against the Spanish flag in our ports, I was constrained in October last to rescind my predecessor's proclamation of February 14, 1884, permitting such suspension. An arrangement was, however, speedily reached, and upon notification from the Government of Spain that all differential treatment of our vessels and their cargoes, from the United States or from any foreign country, had been completely and absolutely relinquished, I availed myself of the discretion conferred by law and issued on the 27th of October my proclamation declaring reciprocal suspension in the United States. It is most gratifying to bear testimony to the earnest spirit in which the Government of the Queen Regent has met our efforts to avert the initiation of commercial discriminations and reprisals, which are ever disastrous to the material interests and the political good will of the countries they may affect. The profitable development of the large commercial exchanges between the United States and the Spanish Antilles is naturally an object of solicitude. Lying close at our doors, and finding here their main markets of supply and demand, the welfare of Cuba and Puerto Rico and their production and trade are scarcely less important to us than to Spain. Their commercial and financial movements are so naturally a part of our system that no obstacle to fuller and freer intercourse should be permitted to exist. The standing instructions of our representatives at Madrid and Havana have for years been to leave no effort unessayed to further these ends, and at no time has the equal good desire of Spain been more hopefully manifested than now. The Government of Spain, by removing the consular tonnage fees on cargoes shipped to the Antilles and by reducing passport fees, has shown its recognition of the needs of less trammeled intercourse. An effort has been made during the past year to remove the hindrances to the proclamation of the treaty of naturalization with the Sublime Porte, signed in 1874, which has remained inoperative owing to a disagreement of interpretation of the clauses relative to the effects of the return to and sojourn of a naturalized citizen in the land of origin. I trust soon to be able to announce a favorable settlement of the differences as to this interpretation. It has been highly satisfactory to note the improved treatment of American missionaries in Turkey, as has been attested by their acknowledgments to our late minister to that Government of his successful exertions in their behalf. The exchange of ratifications of the convention of December 5, 1885, with Venezuela, for the reopening of the awards of the Caracas Commission under the claims convention of 1866, has not yet been effected, owing to the delay of the Executive of that Republic in ratifying the measure. I trust that this postponement will be brief; but should it much longer continue, the delay may well be regarded as a rescission of the compact and a failure on the part of Venezuela to complete an arrangement so persistently sought by her during many years and assented to by this Government in a spirit of international fairness, although to the detriment of holders of bona fide awards of the impugned commission. I renew the recommendation of my last annual message that existing legislation concerning citizenship and naturalization be revised. We have treaties with many states providing for the renunciation of citizenship by naturalized aliens, but no statute is found to give effect to such engagements, nor any which provides a needed central bureau for the registration of naturalized citizens. Experience suggests that our statutes regulating extradition might be advantageously amended by a provision for the transit across our territory, now a convenient thoroughfare of travel from one foreign country to another, of fugitives surrendered by a foreign government to a third state. Such provisions are not unusual in the legislation of other countries, and tend to prevent the miscarriage of justice. It is also desirable, in order to remove present uncertainties, that authority should be conferred on the Secretary of State to issue a certificate, in case of an arrest for the purpose of extradition, to the officer before whom the proceeding is pending, showing that a requisition for the surrender of the person charged has been duly made. Such a certificate, if required to be received before the prisoner's examination, would prevent a long and expensive judicial inquiry into a charge which the foreign government might not desire to press. I also recommend that express provision be made for the immediate discharge from custody of persons committed for extradition where the President is of opinion that surrender should not be made. The drift of sentiment in civilized communities toward full recognition of the rights of property in the creations of the human intellect has brought about the adoption by many important nations of an international copyright convention, which was signed at Berne on the 18th of September, 1885. Inasmuch as the Constitution gives to the Congress the power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries," this Government did not feel warranted in becoming a signatory pending the action of Congress upon measures of international copyright now before it; but the right of adhesion to the Berne convention hereafter has been reserved. I trust the subject will receive at your hands the attention it deserves, and that the just claims of authors, so urgently pressed, will be duly heeded. Representations continue to be made to me of the injurious effect upon American artists studying abroad and having free access to the art collections of foreign countries of maintaining a discriminating duty against the introduction of the works of their brother artists of other countries, and I am induced to repeat my recommendation for the abolition of that tax. Pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic and consular appropriation act approved July 1, 1886, the estimates submitted by the Secretary of State for the maintenance of the consular service have been recast on the basis of salaries for all officers to whom such allowance is deemed advisable. Advantage has been taken of this to redistribute the salaries of the offices now appropriated for, in accordance with the work performed, the importance of the representative duties of the incumbent, and the cost of living at each post. The last consideration has been too often lost sight of in the allowances heretofore made. The compensation which may suffice for the decent maintenance of a worthy and capable officer in a position of onerous and representative trust at a post readily accessible, and where the necessaries of life are abundant and cheap, may prove an inadequate pittance in distant lands, where the better part of a year's pay is consumed in reaching the post of duty, and where the comforts of ordinary civilized existence can only be obtained with difficulty and at exorbitant cost. I trust that in considering the submitted schedules no mistaken theory of economy will perpetuate a system which in the past has virtually closed to deserving talent many offices where capacity and attainments of a high order are indispensable, and in not a few instances has brought discredit on our national character and entailed embarrassment and even suffering on those deputed to uphold our dignity and interests abroad. In connection with this subject I earnestly reiterate the practical necessity of supplying some mode of trustworthy inspection and report of the manner in which the consulates are conducted. In the absence of such reliable information efficiency can scarcely be rewarded or its opposite corrected. Increasing competition in trade has directed attention to the value of the consular reports printed by the Department of State, and the efforts of the Government to extend the practical usefulness of these reports have created a wider demand for them at home and a spirit of emulation abroad. Constituting a record at the changes occurring in trade and of the progress of the arts and invention in foreign countries, they are much sought for by all interested in the subjects which they embrace. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury exhibits in detail the condition of the public finances and of the several branches of the Government related to his Department. I especially direct the attention of the Congress to the recommendations contained in this and the last preceding report of the Secretary touching the simplification and amendment of the laws relating to the collection of our revenues, and in the interest of economy and justice to the Government I hope they may be adopted by appropriate legislation. The ordinary receipts of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, were $336,439,727.06. Of this amount $192,905,023.41 was received from customs and $116,805,936.48 from internal revenue. The total receipts, as here stated, were $13,749,020.68 greater than for the previous year, but the increase from customs was $11,434,084.10 and from internal revenue $4,407,210.94, making a gain in these items for the last year of $15,841,295.04, a falling off in other resources reducing the total increase to the smaller amount mentioned. The expense at the different custom-houses of collecting this increased customs revenue was less than the expense attending the collection of such revenue for the preceding year by $490,608, and the increased receipts of internal revenue were collected at a cost to the Internal-Revenue Bureau $155,944.99 less than the expense of such collection for the previous year. The total ordinary expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, were $242,483,138.50, being less by $17,788,797 than such expenditures for the year preceding, and leaving a surplus in the Treasury at the close of the last fiscal year of $93,956,588.56, as against $63,463,771.27 at the close of the previous year, being an increase in such surplus of $30,492,817.29. The expenditures are compared with those of the preceding fiscal year and classified as follows: For the current year to end June 30, 1887, the ascertained receipts up to October 1, 1886, with such receipts estimated for the remainder of the year, amount to $356,000,000. The expenditures ascertained and estimated for the same period are $266,000,000, indicating an anticipated surplus at the close of the year of $90,000,000. The total value of the exports from the United States to foreign countries during the fiscal year is stated and compared with the preceding year as follows: The value of some of our leading exports during the last fiscal year, as compared with the value of the same for the year immediately preceding, is here given, and furnishes information both interesting and suggestive: Our imports during the last fiscal year, as compared with the previous year, were as follows: In my last annual message to the Congress attention was directed to the fact that the revenues of the Government exceeded its actual needs, and it was suggested that legislative action should be taken to relieve the people from the unnecessary burden of taxation thus made apparent. In view of the pressing importance of the subject I deem it my duty to again urge its consideration. The income of the Government, by its increased volume and through economies in its collection, is now more than ever in excess of public necessities. The application of the surplus to the payment of such portion of the public debt as is now at our option subject to extinguishment, if continued at the rate which has lately prevailed, would retire that class of indebtedness within less than one year from this date. Thus a continuation of our present revenue system would soon result in the receipt of an annual income much greater than necessary to meet Government expenses, with no indebtedness upon which it could be applied. We should then be confronted with a vast quantity of money, the circulating medium of the people, hoarded in the Treasury when it should be in their hands, or we should be drawn into wasteful public extravagance, with all the corrupting national demoralization which follows in its train. But it is not the simple existence of this surplus and its threatened attendant evils which furnish the strongest argument against our present scale of Federal taxation. Its worst phase is the exaction of such a surplus through a perversion of the relations between the people and their Government and a dangerous departure from the rules which limit the right of Federal taxation. Good government, and especially the government of which every American citizen boasts, has for its objects the protection of every person within its care in the greatest liberty consistent with the good order of society and his perfect security in the enjoyment of his earnings with the least possible diminution for public needs. When more of the people's substance is exacted through the form of taxation than is necessary to meet the just obligations of the Government and the expense of its economical administration, such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundamental principles of a free government. The indirect manner in which these exactions are made has a tendency to conceal their true character and their extent. But we have arrived at a stage of superfluous revenue which has aroused the people to a realization of the fact that the amount raised professedly for the support of the Government is paid by them as absolutely if added to the price of the things which supply their daily wants as if it was paid at fixed periods into the hand of the tax gatherer. Those who toil for daily wages are beginning to understand that capital, though sometimes vaunting its importance and clamoring for the protection and favor of the Government, is dull and sluggish till, touched by the magical hand of labor, it springs into activity, furnishing an occasion for Federal taxation and gaining the value which enables it to bear its burden. And the laboring man is thoughtfully inquiring whether in these circumstances, and considering the tribute he constantly pays into the public Treasury as he supplies his daily wants, he receives his fair share of advantages. There is also a suspicion abroad that the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional business profits, which, under the system which produces such surplus, increase without corresponding benefit to the people at large the vast accumulations of a few among our citizens, whose fortunes, rivaling the wealth of the most favored in antidemocratic nations, are not the natural growth of a steady, plain, and industrious republic. Our farmers, too, and those engaged directly and indirectly in supplying the products of agriculture, see that day by day, and as often as the daily wants of their households recur, they are forced to pay excessive and needless taxation, while their products struggle in foreign markets with the competition of nations, which, by allowing a freer exchange of productions than we permit, enable their people to sell for prices which distress the American farmer. As every patriotic citizen rejoices in the constantly increasing pride of our people in American citizenship and in the glory of our national achievements and progress, a sentiment prevails that the leading strings useful to a nation in its infancy may well be to a great extent discarded in the present stage of American ingenuity, courage, and fearless self-reliance; and for the privilege of indulging this sentiment with true American enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle surplus in the public Treasury. And all the people know that the average rate of Federal taxation upon imports is to-day, in time of peace, but little less, while upon some articles of necessary consumption it is actually more, than was imposed by the grievous burden willingly borne at a time when the Government needed millions to maintain by war the safety and integrity of the Union. It has been the policy of the Government to collect the principal part of its revenues by a tax upon imports, and no change in this policy is desirable. But the present condition of affairs constrains our people to demand that by a revision of our revenue laws the receipts of the Government shall be reduced to the necessary expense of its economical administration; and this demand should be recognized and obeyed by the people's representatives in the legislative branch of the Government. In readjusting the burdens of Federal taxation a sound public policy requires that such of our citizens as have built up large and important industries under present conditions should not be suddenly and to their injury deprived of advantages to which they have adapted their business; but if the public good requires it they should be content with such consideration as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their interests, while the just demand of the people for relief from needless taxation is honestly answered. A reasonable and timely submission to such a demand should certainly be possible without disastrous shock to any interest; and a cheerful concession sometimes averts abrupt and heedless action, often the outgrowth of impatience and delayed justice. Due regard should be also accorded in any proposed readjustment to the interests of American labor so far as they are involved. We congratulate ourselves that there is among us no laboring class fixed within unyielding bounds and doomed under all conditions to the inexorable fate of daily toil. We recognize in labor a chief factor in the wealth of the Republic, and we treat those who have it in their keeping as citizens entitled to the most careful regard and thoughtful attention. This regard and attention should be awarded them, not only because labor is the capital of our workingmen, justly entitled to its share of Government favor, but for the further and not less important reason that the laboring man, surrounded by his family in his humble home, as a consumer is vitally interested in all that cheapens the cost of living and enables him to bring within his domestic circle additional comforts and advantages. This relation of the workingman to the revenue laws of the country and the manner in which it palpably influences the question of wages should not be forgotten in the justifiable prominence given to the proper maintenance of the supply and protection of well-paid labor. And these considerations suggest such an arrangement of Government revenues as shall reduce the expense of living, while it does not curtail the opportunity for work nor reduce the compensation of American labor and injuriously affect its condition and the dignified place it holds in the estimation of our people. But our farmers and agriculturists--those who from the soil produce the things consumed by all--are perhaps more directly and plainly concerned than any other of our citizens in a just and careful system of Federal taxation. Those actually engaged in and more remotely connected with this kind of work number nearly one-half of our population. None labor harder or more continuously than they. No enactments limit their hours of toil and no interposition of the Government enhances to any great extent the value of their products. And yet for many of the necessaries and comforts of life, which the most scrupulous economy enables them to bring into their homes, and for their implements of husbandry, they are obliged to pay a price largely increased by an unnatural profit, which by the action of the Government is given to the more favored manufacturer. I recommend that, keeping in view all these considerations, the increasing and unnecessary surplus of national income annually accumulating be released to the people by an amendment to our revenue laws which shall cheapen the price of the necessaries of life and give freer entrance to such imported materials as by American labor may be manufactured into marketable commodities. Nothing can be accomplished, however, in the direction of this much-needed reform unless the subject is approached in a patriotic spirit of devotion to the interests of the entire country and with a willingness to yield something for the public good. The sum paid upon the public debt during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, was $44,551,043.36. During the twelve months ended October 31,1886, 3 per cent bonds were called for redemption amounting to $127,283,100, of which $80,643,200 was so called to answer the requirements of the law relating to the sinking fund and $46,639,900 for the purpose of reducing the public debt by application of a part of the surplus in the Treasury to that object. Of the bonds thus called $102,269,450 became subject under such calls to redemption prior to November 1, 1886. The remainder, amounting to$25,013,650, matured under the calls after that date. In addition to the amount subject to payment and cancellation prior to November 1, there were also paid before that day certain of these bonds, with the interest thereon, amounting to $5,072,350, which were anticipated as to their maturity, of which $2,664,850 had not been called, Thus $107,341,800 had been actually applied prior to the 1st of November, 1886, to the extinguishment of our bonded and interest-bearing debt, leaving on that day still outstanding the sum of $1,153,443,112. Of this amount $86,848,700 were still represented by 3 per cent bonds. They however, have been since November 1, or will at once be, further reduced by $22,606,150, being bonds which have been called, as already stated, but not redeemed and canceled before the latter date. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1886, there were coined, under the compulsory silver-coinage act of 1878,29,838,905 silver dollars, and the cost of the silver used in such coinage was $23,448,960.01. There had been coined up to the close of the previous fiscal year under the provisions of the law 203,882,554 silver dollars, and on the 1st day of December, 1886, the total amount of such coinage was $247,131,549. The Director of the Mint reports that at the time of the passage of the law of 1878 directing this coinage the intrinsic value of the dollars thus coined was 94 1/4 cents each, and that on the 31st day of July, 1886, the price of silver reached the lowest stage ever known, so that the intrinsic or bullion price of our standard silver dollar at that date was less than 72 cents. The price of silver on the 30th day of November last was such as to make these dollars intrinsically worth 78 cents each. These differences in value of the coins represent the fluctuations in the price of silver, and they certainly do not indicate that compulsory coinage by the Government enhances the price of that commodity or secures uniformity in its value. Every fair and legal effort has been made by the Treasury Department to distribute this currency among the people. The withdrawal of United States Treasury notes of small denominations and the issuing of small silver certificates have been resorted to in the endeavor to accomplish this result, in obedience to the will and sentiments of the representatives of the people in the Congress. On the 27th day of November, 1886, the people held of these coins, or certificates representing them, the nominal sum of $166,873,041, and we still had $79,464,345 in the Treasury as against about $142,894,055 so in the hands of the people and $72,865,376 remaining in the Treasury one year ago. The Director of the Mint again urges the necessity of more vault room for the purpose of storing these silver dollars which are not needed for circulation by the people. I have seen no reason to change the views expressed in my last annual message on the subject of this compulsory coinage, and I again urge its suspension on all the grounds contained in my former recommendation, reenforced by the significant increase of our gold exportations during the last year, as appears by the comparative statement herewith presented, and for the further reasons that the more this currency is distributed among the people the greater becomes our duty to protect it from disaster, that we now have abundance for all our needs, and that there seems but little propriety in building vaults to store such currency when the only pretense for its coinage is the necessity of its use by the people as a circulating medium. The great number of suits now pending in the United States courts for the southern district of New York growing out of the collection of customs revenue at the port of New York and the number of such suits that are almost daily instituted are certainly worthy the attention of the Congress. These legal controversies, based upon conflicting views by importers and the collector as to the interpretation of our present complex and indefinite revenue laws, might be largely obviated by an amendment of those laws. But pending such amendment the present condition of this litigation should be relieved. There are now pending about 2,500 of these suits. More than 1,100 have been commenced within the past eighteen months, and many of the others have been at issue for more than twenty-five years. These delays subject the Government to loss of evidence and prevent the preparation necessary to defeat unjust and fictitious claims, while constantly accruing interest threatens to double the demands involved. In the present condition of the dockets of the courts, well filled with private suits, and of the force allowed the district attorney, no greater than is necessary for the ordinary and current business of his office, these revenue litigations can not be considered. In default of the adoption by the Congress of a plan for the general reorganization of the Federal courts, as has been heretofore recommended, I urge the propriety of passing a law permitting the appointment of an additional Federal judge in the district where these Government suits have accumulated, so that by continuous sessions of the courts devoted to the trial of these cases they may be determined. It is entirely plain that a great saving to the Government would be accomplished by such a remedy, and the suitors who have honest claims would not be denied justice through delay. The report of the Secretary of War gives a detailed account of the administration of his Department and contains sundry recommendations for the improvement of the service, which I fully approve. The Army consisted at the date of the last consolidated return of 2,103 officers and 24,946 enlisted men. The expenses of the Department for the last fiscal year were $36,990,903.38, including $6,294,305.43 for public works and river and harbor improvements. I especially direct the attention of the Congress to the recommendation that officers be required to submit to an examination as a preliminary to their promotion. I see no objection, but many advantages, in adopting this feature, which has operated so beneficially in our Navy Department, as well as in some branches of the Army. The subject of coast defenses and fortifications has been fully and carefully treated by the Board on Fortifications, whose report was submitted at the last session of Congress; but no construction work of the kind recommended by the board has been possible during the last year from the lack of appropriations for such purpose. The defenseless condition of our seacoast and lake frontier is perfectly palpable. The examinations made must convince us all that certain of our cities named in the report of the board should be fortified and that work on the most important of these fortifications should be commenced at once. The work has been thoroughly considered and laid out, the Secretary of War reports, but all is delayed in default of Congressional action. The absolute necessity, judged by all standards of prudence and foresight, of our preparation for an effectual resistance against the armored ships and steel guns and mortars of modern construction which may threaten the cities on our coasts is so apparent that I hope effective steps will be taken in that direction immediately. The valuable and suggestive treatment of this question by the Secretary of War is earnestly commended to the consideration of the Congress. In September and October last the hostile Apaches who, under the leadership of Geronimo, had for eighteen months been on the war path, and during that time had committed many murders and been the because of constant terror to the settlers of Arizona, surrendered to General Miles, the military commander who succeeded General Crook in the management and direction of their pursuit. Under the terms of their surrender as then reported, and in view of the understanding which these murderous savages seemed to entertain of the assurances given them, it was considered best to imprison them in such manner as to prevent their ever engaging in such outrages again, instead of trying them for murder. Fort Pickens having been selected as a safe place of confinement, all the adult males were sent thither and will be closely guarded as prisoners. In the meantime the residue of the band, who, though still remaining upon the reservation, were regarded as unsafe and suspected of furnishing aid to those on the war path, had been removed to Fort Marion. The women and larger children of the hostiles were also taken there, and arrangements have been made for putting the children of proper age in Indian schools. The report of the Secretary of the Navy contains a detailed exhibit of the condition of his Department, with such a statement of the action needed to improve the same as should challenge the earnest attention of the Congress. The present Navy of the United States, aside from the ships in course of construction, consists of-- First. Fourteen single-turreted monitors, none of which are in commission nor at the present time serviceable. The batteries of these ships are obsolete, and they can only be relied upon as auxiliary ships in harbor defense, and then after such an expenditure upon them as might not be deemed justifiable. Second. Five fourth-rate vessels of small tonnage, only one of which was designed as a war vessel, and all of which are auxiliary merely. Third. Twenty-seven cruising ships, three of which are built of iron, of small tonnage, and twenty-four of wood. Of these wooden vessels it is estimated by the Chief Constructor of the Navy that only three will be serviceable beyond a period of six years, at which time it may be said that of the present naval force nothing worthy the name will remain. All the vessels heretofore authorized are under contract or in course of construction except the armored ships, the torpedo and dynamite boats, and one cruiser. As to the last of these, the bids were in excess of the limit fixed by Congress. The production in the United States of armor and gun steel is a question which it seems necessary to settle at an early day if the armored war vessels are to be completed with those materials of home manufacture. This has been the subject of investigation by two boards and by two special committees of Congress within the last three years. The report of the Gun Foundry Board in 1884, of the Board on Fortifications made in January last, and the reports of the select committees of the two Houses made at the last session of Congress have entirely exhausted the subject, so far as preliminary investigation is involved, and in their recommendations they are substantially agreed. In the event that the present invitation of the Department for bids to furnish such of this material as is now authorized shall fail to induce domestic manufacturers to undertake the large expenditures required to prepare for this new manufacture, and no other steps are taken by Congress at its coming session, the Secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and the gun steel for the authorized ships. It would seem desirable that the wants of the Army and the Navy in this regard should be reasonably met, and that by uniting their contracts such inducement might be offered as would result in securing the domestication of these important interests. The affairs of the postal service show marked and gratifying improvement during the past year. A particular account of its transactions and condition is given in the report of the Postmaster-General, which will be laid before you. The reduction of the rate of letter postage in 1883, rendering the postal revenues inadequate to sustain the expenditures, and business depression also contributing, resulted in an excess of cost for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, of eight and one-third millions of dollars. An additional check upon receipts by doubling the measure of weight in rating sealed correspondence and diminishing one-half the charge for newspaper carriage was imposed by legislation which took effect with the beginning of the past fiscal year, while the constant demand of our territorial development and growing population for the extension and increase of mail facilities and machinery necessitates steady annual advance in outlay, and the careful estimate of a year ago upon the rates of expenditure then existing contemplated the unavoidable augmentation of the deficiency in the last fiscal year by nearly $2,000,000. The anticipated revenue for the last year failed of realization by about $64,000, but proper measures of economy have so satisfactorily limited the growth of expenditure that the total deficiency in fact fell below that of 1885, and at this time the increase of revenue is in a gaining ratio over the increase of cost, demonstrating the sufficiency of the present rates of postage ultimately to sustain the service. This is the more pleasing because our people enjoy now both cheaper postage proportionably to distances and a vaster and more costly service than any other upon the globe. Retrenchment has been effected in the cost of supplies, some expenditures unwarranted by law have ceased, and the outlays for mail carriage have been subjected to beneficial scrutiny. At the close of the last fiscal year the expense of transportation on star routes stood at an annual rate of cost less by over $560,000 than at the close of the previous year and steamboat and mail-messenger service at nearly $200,000 less. The service has been in the meantime enlarged and extended by the establishment of new offices, increase of routes of carriage, expansion of carrier-delivery conveniences, and additions to the railway mail facilities, in accordance with the growing exigencies of the country and the long-established policy of the Government. The Postmaster-General calls attention to the existing law for compensating railroads and expresses the opinion that a method may be devised which will prove more just to the carriers and beneficial to the Government; and the subject appears worthy of your early consideration. The differences which arose during the year with certain of the ocean steamship companies have terminated by the acquiescence of all in the policy of the Government approved by the Congress in the postal appropriation at its last session, and the Department now enjoys the utmost service afforded by all vessels which sail from our ports upon either ocean--a service generally adequate to the needs of our intercourse. Petitions have, however, been presented to the Department by numerous merchants and manufacturers for the establishment of a direct service to the Argentine Republic and for semimonthly dispatches to the Empire of Brazil, and the subject is commended to your consideration. It is an obvious duty to provide the means of postal communication which our commerce requires, and with prudent forecast of results the wise extension of it may lead to stimulating intercourse and become the harbinger of a profitable traffic which will open new avenues for the disposition of the products of our industry. The circumstances of the countries at the far south of our continent are such as to invite our enterprise and afford the promise of sufficient advantages to justify an unusual effort to bring about the closer relations which greater freedom of communication would tend to establish. I suggest that, as distinguished from a grant or subsidy for the mere benefit of any line of trade or travel, whatever outlay may be required to secure additional postal service, necessary and proper and not otherwise attainable, should be regarded as within the limit of legitimate compensation for such service. The extension of the free-delivery service as suggested by the Postmaster-General has heretofore received my sanction, and it is to be hoped a suitable enactment may soon be agreed upon. The request for an appropriation sufficient to enable the general inspection of fourth-class offices has my approbation. I renew my approval of the recommendation of the Postmaster-General that another assistant be provided for the Post-Office Department, and I invite your attention to the several other recommendations in his report. The conduct of the Department of Justice for the last fiscal year is fully detailed in the report of the Attorney-General, and I invite the earnest attention of the Congress to the same and due consideration of the recommendations therein contained. In the report submitted by this officer to the last session of the Congress he strongly recommended the erection of a penitentiary for the confinement of prisoners convicted and sentenced in the United States courts, and he repeats the recommendation in his report for the last year. This is a matter of very great importance and should at once receive Congressional action. United States prisoners are now confined in more than thirty different State prisons and penitentiaries scattered in every part of the country. They are subjected to nearly as many different modes of treatment and discipline and are far too much removed from the control and regulation of the Government. So far as they are entitled to humane treatment and an opportunity for improvement and reformation, the Government is responsible to them and society that these things are forthcoming. But this duty can scarcely be discharged without more absolute control and direction than is possible under the present system. Many of our good citizens have interested themselves, with the most beneficial results, in the question of prison reform. The General Government should be in a situation, since there must be United States prisoners, to furnish important aid in this movement, and should be able to illustrate what may be practically done in the direction of this reform and to present an example in the treatment and improvement of its 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, according to a plan of its own adoption, and with due regard to the rights and interests of our laboring citizens, instead of sometimes aiding in the operation of a system which causes among them irritation and discontent. Upon consideration of this subject it might be thought wise to erect more than one of these institutions, located in such places as would best subserve the purposes of convenience and economy in transportation. The considerable cost of maintaining these convicts as at present, in State institutions, would be saved by the adoption of the plan proposed, and by employing them in the manufacture of such articles as were needed for use by the Government quite a large pecuniary benefit would be realized in partial return for our outlay. I again urge a change in the Federal judicial system to meet the wants of the people and obviate the delays necessarily attending the present condition of affairs in our courts. All are agreed that something should be done, and much favor is shown by those well able to advise to the plan suggested by the Attorney-General at the last session of the Congress and recommended in my last annual message. This recommendation is here renewed, together with another made at the same time, touching a change in the manner of compensating district attorneys and marshals; and the latter subject is commended to the Congress for its action in the interest of economy to the Government, and humanity, fairness, and justice to our people. The report of the Secretary of the Interior presents a comprehensive summary of the work of the various branches of the public service connected with his Department, and the suggestions and recommendations which it contains for the improvement of the service should receive your careful consideration. The exhibit made of the condition of our Indian population and the progress of the work for their enlightenment, notwithstanding the many embarrassments which hinder the better administration of this important branch of the service, is a gratifying and hopeful one. The funds appropriated for the Indian service for the fiscal year just passed, with the available income from Indian land and trust moneys, amounting in all to $7,850,775.12, were ample for the service under the conditions and restrictions of laws regulating their expenditure. There remained a balance on hand on June 30, 1886, of $1,660,023.30, of which $ 1,337,768.21 are permanent funds for fulfillment of treaties and other like purposes, and the remainder, $322,255.09, is subject to be carried to the surplus fund as required by law. The estimates presented for appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year amount to $5,608,873.64, or $442,386.20 less than those laid before the Congress last year. The present system of agencies, while absolutely necessary and well adapted for the management of our Indian affairs and for the ends in view when it was adopted, is in the present stage of Indian management inadequate, standing alone, for the accomplishment of an object which has become pressing in its importance--the more rapid transition from tribal organizations to citizenship of such portions of the Indians as are capable of civilized life. When the existing system was adopted, the Indian race was outside of the limits of organized States and Territories and beyond the immediate reach and operation of civilization, and all efforts were mainly directed to the maintenance of friendly relations and the preservation of peace and quiet on the frontier. All this is now changed. There is no such thing as the Indian frontier. Civilization, with the busy hum of industry and the influences of Christianity, surrounds these people at every point. None of the tribes are outside of the bounds of organized government and society, except that the Territorial system has not been extended over that portion of the country known as the Indian Territory. As a race the Indians are no longer hostile, but may be considered as submissive to the control of the Government. Few of them only are troublesome. Except the fragments of several bands, all are now gathered upon reservations. It is no longer possible for them to subsist by the chase and the spontaneous productions of the earth. With an abundance of land, if furnished with the means and implements for profitable husbandry, their life of entire dependence upon Government rations from day to day is no longer defensible. Their inclination, long fostered by a defective system of control, is to cling to the habits and customs of their ancestors and struggle with persistence against the change of life which their altered circumstances press upon them. But barbarism and civilization can not live together. It is impossible that such incongruous conditions should coexist on the same soil. They are a portion of our people, are under the authority of our Government, and have a peculiar claim upon and are entitled to the fostering care and protection of the nation. The Government can not relieve itself of this responsibility until they are so far trained and civilized as to be able wholly to manage and care for themselves. The paths in which they should walk must be clearly marked out for them, and they must be led or guided until they are familiar with the way and competent to assume the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. Progress in this great work will continue only at the present slow pace and at great expense unless the system and methods of management are improved to meet the changed conditions and urgent demands of the service. The agents, having general charge and supervision in many cases of more than 5,000 Indians, scattered over large reservations, and burdened with the details of accountability for funds and supplies, have time to look after the industrial training and improvement of a few Indians only. The many are neglected and remain idle and dependent, conditions not favorable for progress and civilization. The compensation allowed these agents and the conditions of the service are not calculated to secure for the work men who are fitted by ability and skill to properly plan and intelligently direct the methods best adapted to produce the most speedy results and permanent benefits. Hence the necessity for a supplemental agency or system directed to the end of promoting the general and more rapid transition of the tribes from habits and customs of barbarism to the ways of civilization. With an anxious desire to devise some plan of operation by which to secure the welfare of the Indians and to relieve the Treasury as far as possible from the support of an idle and dependent population, I recommended in my previous annual message the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of a commission as an instrumentality auxiliary to those already established for the care of the Indians. It was designed that this commission should be composed of six intelligent and capable persons--three to be detailed from the Army--having practical ideas upon the subject of the treatment of Indians and interested in their welfare, and that it should be charged, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, with the management of such matters of detail as can not with the present organization be properly and successfully conducted, and which present different phases, as the Indians themselves differ in their progress, needs, disposition, and capacity for improvement or immediate self-support. By the aid of such a commission much unwise and useless expenditure of money, waste of materials, and unavailing efforts might be avoided; and it is hoped that this or some measure which the wisdom of Congress may better devise to supply the deficiency of the present system may receive your consideration and the appropriate legislation be provided. The time is ripe for the work of such an agency. There is less opposition to the education and training of the Indian youth, as shown by the increased attendance upon the schools, and there is a yielding tendency for the individual holding of lands. Development and advancement in these directions are essential, and should have every encouragement. As the rising generation are taught the language of civilization and trained in habits of industry they should assume the duties, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship. No obstacle should hinder the location and 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. But there is no authority of law for making allotments on some of the reservations, and on others the allotments provided for are so small that the Indians, though ready and desiring to settle down, are not willing to accept such small areas when their reservations contain ample lands to afford them homesteads of sufficient size to meet their present and future needs. These inequalities of existing special laws and treaties should be corrected and some general legislation on the subject should be provided, so that the more progressive members of the different tribes may be settled upon homesteads, and by their example lead others to follow, breaking away from tribal customs and substituting therefor the love of home, the interest of the family, and the rule of the state. The Indian character and nature are such that they are not easily led while brooding over unadjusted wrongs. This is especially so regarding their lands. Matters arising from the construction and operation of railroads across some of the reservations, and claims of title and right of occupancy set up by white persons to some of the best land within other reservations require legislation for their final adjustment. The settlement of these matters will remove many embarrassments to progress in the work of leading the Indians to the adoption of our institutions and bringing them under the operation, the influence, and the protection of the universal laws of our country. The recommendations of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of the General Land Office looking to the better protection of public lands and of the public surveys, the preservation of national forests, the adjudication of grants to States and corporations and of private land claims, and the increased efficiency of the public-land service are commended to the attention of Congress. To secure the widest distribution of public lands in limited quantities among settlers for residence and cultivation, and thus make the greatest number of individual homes, was the primary object of the public-land legislation in the early days of the Republic. This system was a simple one. It commenced with an admirable scheme of public surveys, by which the humblest citizen could identify the tract upon which he wished to establish his home. The price of lands was placed within the reach of all the enterprising, industrious, and honest pioneer citizens of the country. It was soon, however, found that the object of the laws was perverted, under the system of cash sales, from a distribution of land among the people to an accumulation of land capital by wealthy and speculative persons. To check this tendency a preference right of purchase was given to settlers on the land, a plan which culminated in the general preemption act of 1841. The foundation of this system was actual residence and cultivation. Twenty years later the homestead law was devised to more surely place actual homes in the possession of actual cultivators of the soil. The land was given without price, the sole conditions being residence, improvement, and cultivation. Other laws have followed, each designed to encourage the acquirement and use of land in limited individual quantities. But in later years these laws, through vicious administrative methods and under changed conditions of communication and transportation, have been so evaded and violated that their beneficent purpose is threatened with entire defeat. The methods of such evasions and violations are set forth in detail in the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of the General Land Office. The rapid appropriation of our public lands without bona fide settlements or cultivation, and not only without intention of residence, but for the purpose of their aggregation in large holdings, in many cases in the hands of foreigners, invites the serious and immediate attention of the Congress. The energies of the Land Department have been devoted during the present Administration to remedy defects and correct abuses in the public-land service. The results of these efforts are so largely in the nature of reforms in the processes and methods of our land system as to prevent adequate estimate; but it appears by a compilation from the reports of the Commissioner of the General Land Office that the immediate effect in leading cases which have come to a final termination has been the restoration to the mass of public lands of 2,750,000 acres; that 2,370,000 acres are embraced in investigations now pending before the Department or the courts, and that the action of Congress has been asked to effect the restoration of 2,790,000 acres additional; besides which 4,000,000 acres have been withheld from reservation and the rights of entry thereon maintained. I recommend the repeal of the preemption and timber-culture acts, and that the homestead laws be so amended as to better secure compliance with their requirements of residence, improvement, and cultivation for the period of five years from date of entry, without commutation or provision for speculative relinquishment. I also recommend the repeal of the desert-land laws unless it shall be the pleasure of the Congress to so amend these laws as to render them less liable to abuses. As the chief motive for an evasion of the laws and the principal because of their result in land accumulation instead of land distribution is the facility with which transfers are made of the right intended to be secured to settlers, it may be deemed advisable to provide by legislation some guards and checks upon the alienation of homestead rights and lands covered thereby until patents issue. Last year an Executive proclamation was issued directing the removal of fences which inclosed the public domain. Many of these have been removed in obedience to such order, but much of the public land still remains within the lines of these unlawful fences. The ingenious methods resorted to in order to continue these trespasses and the hardihood of the pretenses by which in some cases such inclosures are justified are fully detailed in the report of the Secretary of the Interior. The removal of the fences still remaining which inclose public lands will be enforced with all the authority and means with which the executive branch of the Government is or shall be invested by the Congress for that purpose. The report of the Commissioner of Pensions contains a detailed and most satisfactory exhibit of the operations of the Pension Bureau during the last fiscal year. The amount of work done was the largest in any year since the organization of the Bureau, and it has been done at less cost than during the previous year in every division. On the 30th day of June, 1886, there were 365,783 pensioners on the rolls of the Bureau. Since 1861 there have been 1,018,735 applications for pensions filed, of which 78,834 were based upon service in the War of 1812. There were 621,754 of these applications allowed, including 60,178 to the soldiers of 1812 and their widows. The total amount paid for pensions since 1861 is $808,624,811.57. The number of new pensions allowed during the year ended June 30, 1886, is 40,857, a larger number than has been allowed in any year save one since 1861. The names of 2,229 pensioners which had been previously dropped from the rolls were restored during the year, and after deducting those dropped within the same time for various causes a net increase remains for the year of 20,658 names. From January 1, 1861, to December 1, 1885, 1,967 private pension acts had been passed. Since the last-mentioned date, and during the last session of the Congress, 644 such acts became laws. It seems to me that no one can examine our pension establishment and its operations without being convinced that through its instrumentality justice can be very nearly done to all who are entitled under present laws to the pension bounty of the Government. But it is undeniable that cases exist, well entitled to relief, in which the Pension Bureau is powerless to aid. The really worthy cases of this class are such as only lack by misfortune the kind or quantity of proof which the law and regulations of the Bureau require, or which, though their merit is apparent, for some other reason can not be justly dealt with through general laws. These conditions fully justify application to the Congress and special enactments. But resort to the Congress for a special pension act to overrule the deliberate and careful determination of the Pension Bureau on the merits or to secure favorable action when it could not be expected under the most liberal execution of general laws, it must be admitted opens the door to the allowance of questionable claims and presents to the legislative and executive branches of the Government applications concededly not within the law and plainly devoid of merit, but so surrounded by sentiment and patriotic feeling that they are hard to resist. I suppose it will not be denied that many claims for pension are made without merit and that many have been allowed upon fraudulent representations. This has been declared from the Pension Bureau, not only in this but in prior Administrations. The usefulness and the justice of any system for the distribution of pensions depend upon the equality and uniformity of its operation. It will be seen from the report of the Commissioner that there are now paid by the Government 131 different rates of pension. He estimates from the best information he can obtain that 9,000 of those who have served in the Army and Navy of the United States are now supported, in whole or in part, from public funds or by organized charities, exclusive of those in soldiers' homes under the direction and control of the Government. Only 13 per cent of these are pensioners, while of the entire number of men furnished for the late war something like 20 per cent, including their widows and relatives, have been or now are in receipt of pensions. The American people, with a patriotic and grateful regard for our ex-soldiers, too broad and too sacred to be monopolized by any special advocates, are not only willing but anxious that equal and exact justice should be done to all honest claimants for pensions. In their sight the friendless and destitute soldier, dependent on public charity, if otherwise entitled, has precisely the same right to share in the provision made for those who fought their country's battles as those better able, through friends and influence, to push their claims. Every pension that is granted under our present plan upon any other grounds than actual service and injury or disease incurred in such service, and every instance of the many in which pensions are increased on other grounds than the merits of the claim, work an injustice to the brave and crippled, but poor and friendless, soldier, who is entirely neglected or who must be content with the smallest sum allowed under general laws. There are far too many neighborhoods in which are found glaring cases of inequality of treatment in the matter of pensions, and they are largely due to a yielding in the Pension Bureau to importunity on the part of those, other than the pensioner, who are especially interested, or they arise from special acts passed for the benefit of individuals. The men who fought side by side should stand side by side when they participate in a grateful nation's kind remembrance. Every consideration of fairness and justice to our ex-soldiers and the protection of the patriotic instinct of our citizens from perversion and violation point to the adoption of a pension system broad and comprehensive enough to cover every contingency, and which shall make unnecessary an objectionable volume of special legislation. As long as we adhere to the principle of granting pensions for service, and disability as the result of the service, the allowance of pensions should be restricted to cases presenting these features. Every patriotic heart responds to a tender consideration for those who, having served their country long and well, are reduced to destitution and dependence, not as an incident of their service, but with advancing age or through sickness or misfortune. We are all tempted by the contemplation of such a condition to supply relief, and are often impatient of the limitations of public duty. Yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this feeling of consideration, I can not rid myself of the conviction that if these ex-soldiers are to be relieved they and their because are entitled to the benefit of an enactment under which relief may be claimed as a right, and that such relief should be granted under the sanction of law, not in evasion of it; nor should such worthy objects of care, all equally entitled, be remitted to the unequal operation of sympathy or the tender mercies of social and political influence, with their unjust discriminations. The discharged soldiers and sailors of the country are our fellow-citizens, and interested with us in the passage and faithful execution of wholesome laws. They can not be swerved from their duty of citizenship by artful appeals to their spirit of brotherhood born of common peril and suffering, nor will they exact as a test of devotion to their welfare a willingness to neglect public duty in their behalf. On the 4th of March, 1885, the current business of the Patent Office was, on an average, five and a half months in arrears, and in several divisions more than twelve months behind. At the close of the last fiscal year such current work was but three months in arrears, and it is asserted and believed that in the next few months the delay in obtaining an examination of an application for a patent will be but nominal. The number of applications for patents during the last fiscal year, including reissues, designs, trade-marks, and labels, equals 40,678, which is considerably in excess of the number received during any preceding year. The receipts of the Patent Office during the year aggregate $1,205,167.80, enabling the office to turn into the Treasury a surplus revenue, over and above all expenditures, of about $163,710.30. The number of patents granted during the last fiscal year, including reissues, trade-marks, designs, and labels, was 25,619, a number also quite largely in excess of that of any preceding year. The report of the Commissioner shows the office to be in a prosperous condition and constantly increasing in its business. No increase of force is asked for. The amount estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, was $890,760. The amount estimated for the year ending June 30, 1887, was $853,960. The amount estimated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, is $778,770. The Secretary of the Interior suggests a change in the plan for the payment of the indebtedness of the Pacific subsidized roads to the Government. His suggestion has the unanimous indorsement of the persons selected by the Government to act as directors of these roads and protect the interests of the United States in the board of direction. In considering the plan proposed the sole matters which should be taken into account, in my opinion, are the situation of the Government as a creditor and the surest way to secure the payment of the principal and interest of its debt. By a recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States it has been adjudged that the laws of the several States are inoperative to regulate rates of transportation upon railroads if such regulation interferes with the rate of carriage from one State into another. This important field of control and regulation having been thus left entirely unoccupied, the expediency of Federal action upon the subject is worthy of consideration. The relations of labor to capital and of laboring men to their employers are of the utmost concern to every patriotic citizen. When these are strained and distorted, unjustifiable claims are apt to be insisted upon by both interests, and in the controversy which results the welfare of all and the prosperity of the country are jeopardized. Any intervention of the General Government, within the limits of its constitutional authority, to avert such a condition should be willingly accorded. In a special message transmitted to the Congress at its last session I suggested the enlargement of our present Labor Bureau and adding to its present functions the power of arbitration in cases where differences arise between employer and employed. When these differences reach such a stage as to result in the interruption of commerce between the States, the application of this remedy by the General Government might be regarded as entirely within its constitutional powers. And I think we might reasonably hope that such arbitrators, if carefully selected and if entitled to the confidence of the parties to be affected, would be voluntarily called to the settlement of controversies of less extent and not necessarily within the domain of Federal regulation. I am of the opinion that this suggestion is worthy the attention of the Congress. But after all has been done by the passage of laws, either Federal or State, to relieve a situation full of solicitude, much more remains to be accomplished by the reinstatement and cultivation of a true American sentiment which recognizes the equality of American citizenship. This, in the light of our traditions and in loyalty to the spirit of our institutions, would teach that a hearty cooperation on the part of all interests is the surest path to national greatness and the happiness of all our people; that capital should, in recognition of the brotherhood of our citizenship and in a spirit of American fairness, generously accord to labor its just compensation and consideration, and that contented labor is capital's best protection and faithful ally. It would teach, too, that the diverse situations of our people are inseparable from our civilization; that every citizen should in his sphere be a contributor to the general good; that capital does not necessarily tend to the oppression of labor, and that violent disturbances and disorders alienate from their promoters true American sympathy and kindly feeling. The Department of Agriculture, representing the oldest and largest of our national industries, is subserving well the purposes of its organization. By the introduction of new subjects of farming enterprise and by opening new sources of agricultural wealth and the dissemination of early information concerning production and prices it has contributed largely to the country's prosperity. Through this agency advanced thought and investigation touching the subjects it has in charge should, among other things, be practically applied to the home production at a low cost of articles of food which are now imported from abroad. Such an innovation will necessarily, of course, in the beginning be within the domain of intelligent experiment, and the subject in every stage should receive all possible encouragement from the Government. The interests of millions of our citizens engaged in agriculture are involved in an enlargement and improvement of the results of their labor, and a zealous regard for their welfare should be a willing tribute to those whose productive returns are a main source of our progress and power. The existence of pleuro-pneumonia among the cattle of various States has led to burdensome and in some cases disastrous restrictions in an important branch of our commerce, threatening to affect the quantity and quality of our food supply. This is a matter of such importance and of such far-reaching consequences that I hope it will engage the serious attention of the Congress, to the end that such a remedy may be applied as the limits of a constitutional delegation of power to the General Government will permit. I commend to the consideration of the Congress the report of the Commissioner and his suggestions concerning the interest intrusted to his care. The continued operation of the law relating to our civil service has added the most convincing proofs of its necessity and usefulness. It is a fact worthy of note that every public officer who has a just idea of his duty to the people testifies to the value of this reform. Its staunchest, friends are found among those who understand it best, and its warmest supporters are those who are restrained and protected by its requirements. The meaning of such restraint and protection is not appreciated by those who want places under the Government regardless of merit and efficiency, nor by those who insist that the selection of such places should rest upon a proper credential showing active partisan work. They mean to public officers, if not their lives, the only opportunity afforded them to attend to public business, and they mean to the good people of the country the better performance of the work of their Government. It is exceedingly strange that the scope and nature of this reform are so little understood and that so many things not included within its plan are called by its name. When cavil yields more fully to examination, the system will have large additions to the number of its friends. Our civil-service reform may be imperfect in some of its details; it may be misunderstood and opposed; it may not always be faithfully applied; its designs may sometimes miscarry through mistake or willful intent; it may sometimes tremble under the assaults of its enemies or languish under the misguided zeal of impracticable friends; but if the people of this country ever submit to the banishment of its underlying principle from the operation of their Government they will abandon the surest guaranty of the safety and success of American institutions. I invoke for this reform the cheerful and ungrudging support of the Congress. I renew my recommendation made last year that the salaries of the Commissioners be made equal to other officers of the Government having like duties and responsibilities, and I hope that such reasonable appropriations may be made as will enable them to increase the usefulness of the because they have in charge. I desire to call the attention of the Congress to a plain duty which the Government owes to the depositors in the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. This company was chartered by the Congress for the benefit of the most illiterate and humble of our people, and with the intention of encouraging in them industry and thrift. Most of its branches were presided over by officers holding the commissions and clothed in the uniform of the United States. These and other circumstances reasonably, I think, led these simple people to suppose that the invitation to deposit their hard-earned savings in this institution implied an undertaking on the part of their Government that their money should be safely kept for them. When this company failed, it was liable in the sum of $2,939,925.22 to 61,131 depositors. Dividends amounting in the aggregate to 62 per cent have been declared, and the sum called for and paid of such dividends seems to be $1,648,181.72. This sum deducted from the entire amount of deposits leaves $1,291,744.50 still unpaid. Past experience has shown that quite a large part of this sum will not be called for. There are assets still on hand amounting to the estimated sum of $16,000. I think the remaining 38 per cent of such of these deposits as have claimants should be paid by the Government, upon principles of equity and fairness. The report of the commissioner, soon to be laid before Congress, will give more satisfactory details on this subject. The control of the affairs of the District of Columbia having been placed in the hands of purely executive officers, while the Congress still retains all legislative authority relating to its government, it becomes my duty to make known the most pressing needs of the District and recommend their consideration. The laws of the District appear to be in an uncertain and unsatisfactory condition, and their codification or revision is much needed. During the past year one of the bridges leading from the District to the State of Virginia became unfit for use, and travel upon it was forbidden. This leads me to suggest that the improvement of all the bridges crossing the Potomac and its branches from the city of Washington is worthy the attention of Congress. The Commissioners of the District represent that the laws regulating the sale of liquor and granting licenses therefor should be at once amended, and that legislation is needed to consolidate, define, and enlarge the scope and powers of charitable and penal institutions within the District. I suggest that the Commissioners be clothed with the power to make, within fixed limitations, police regulations. I believe this power granted and carefully guarded would tend to subserve the good order of the municipality. It seems that trouble still exists growing out of the occupation of the streets and avenues by certain railroads having their termini in the city. It is very important that such laws should be enacted upon this subject as will secure to the railroads all the facilities they require for the transaction of their business and at the same time protect citizens from injury to their persons or property. The Commissioners again complain that the accommodations afforded them for the necessary offices for District business and for the safe-keeping of valuable books and papers are entirely insufficient. I recommend that this condition of affairs be remedied by the Congress, and that suitable quarters be furnished for the needs of the District government. In conclusion I earnestly invoke such wise action on the part of the people's legislators as will subserve the public good and demonstrate during the remaining days of the Congress as at present organized its ability and inclination to so meet the people's needs that it shall be gratefully remembered by an expectant constituency.
in discharge of a constitutional duty and following a precedent in the executive office i herewith transmit to the congress at its reassembling certain information concerning the state of the union together with such recommendations for legislative consideration as appear necessary and expedient our government has consistently maintained its relations of friendship toward all other powers and of neighborly interest toward those whose possessions are contiguous to our own few questions have arisen during the past year with other governments and none of those are beyond the reach of settlement in friendly counsel we are as yet without provision for the settlement of claims of citizens of the united states against chile for injustice during the late war with peru and bolivia the mixed commissions organized under claims conventions concluded by the chilean government with certain european states have developed an amount of friction which we trust can be avoided in the convention which our representative at santiago is authorized to negotiate the cruel treatment of inoffensive chinese has i regret to say been repeated in some of the far western states and territories and acts of violence against those people beyond the power of the local constituted authorities to prevent and difficult to punish are reported even in distant alaska much of this violence can be traced to race prejudice and competition of labor which can not however justify the oppression of strangers whose safety is guaranteed by our treaty with china equally with the most favored nations in opening our vast domain to alien elements the purpose of our lawgivers was to invite assimilation and not to provide an arena for endless antagonism the paramount duty of maintaining public order and defending the interests of our own people may require the adoption of measures of restriction but they should not tolerate the oppression of individuals of a special race i am not without assurance that the government of china whose friendly disposition toward us i am most happy to recognize will meet us halfway in devising a comprehensive remedy by which an effective limitation of chinese emigration joined to protection of those chinese subjects who remain in this country may be secured legislation is needed to execute the provisions of our chinese convention of 1880 touching the opium traffic while the good will of the colombian government toward our country is manifest the situation of american interests on the isthmus of panama has at times excited concern and invited friendly action looking to the performance of the engagements of the two nations concerning the territory embraced in the interoceanic transit with the subsidence of the isthmian disturbances and the erection of the state of panama into a federal district under the direct government of the constitutional administration at bogota a new order of things has been inaugurated which although as yet somewhat experimental and affording scope for arbitrary exercise of power by the delegates of the national authority promises much improvement the sympathy between the people of the united states and france born during our colonial struggle for independence and continuing today has received a fresh impulse in the successful completion and dedication of the colossal statue of liberty enlightening the world in new york harbor the gift of frenchmen to americans a convention between the united states and certain other powers for the protection of submarine cables was signed at paris on march 14 1884 and has been duly ratified and proclaimed by this government by agreement between the high contracting parties this convention is to go into effect on the 1st of january next but the legislation required for its execution in the united states has not yet been adopted i earnestly recommend its enactment cases have continued to occur in germany giving rise to much correspondence in relation to the privilege of sojourn of our naturalized citizens of german origin revisiting the land of their birth yet i am happy to state that our relations with that country have lost none of their accustomed cordiality the claims for interest upon the amount of tonnage dues illegally exacted from certain german steamship lines were favorably reported in both houses of congress at the last session and i trust will receive final and favorable action at an early day the recommendations contained in my last annual message in relation to a mode of settlement of the fishery rights in the waters of british north america so long a subject of anxious difference between the united states and great britain was met by an adverse vote of the senate on april 13 last and thereupon negotiations were instituted to obtain an agreement with her britannic majesty government for the promulgation of such joint interpretation and definition of the article of the convention of 1818 relating to the territorial waters and inshore fisheries of the british provinces as should secure the canadian rights from encroachment by the united states fishermen and at the same time insure the enjoyment by the latter of the privileges guaranteed to them by such convention the questions involved are of long standing of grave consequence and from time to time for nearly of a century have given rise to earnest international discussions not unaccompanied by irritation temporary arrangements by treaties have served to allay friction which however has revived as each treaty was terminated the last arrangement under the treaty of 1871 was abrogated after due notice by the united states on june 30 1885 but i was enabled to obtain for our fishermen for the remainder of that season enjoyment of the full privileges accorded by the terminated treaty the joint high commission by whom the treaty had been negotiated although invested with plenary power to make a permanent settlement were content with a temporary arrangement after the termination of which the question was relegated to the stipulations of the treaty of 1818 as to the first article of which no construction satisfactory to both countries has ever been agreed upon the progress of civilization and growth of population in the british provinces to which the fisheries in question are contiguous and the expansion of commercial intercourse between them and the united states present a condition of affairs scarcely realizable at the date of the negotiations of 1818 new and vast interests have been brought into existence modes of intercourse between the respective countries have been invented and multiplied the methods of conducting the fisheries have been wholly changed and all this is necessarily entitled to candid and careful consideration in the adjustment of the terms and conditions of intercourse and commerce between the united states and their neighbors along a frontier of over miles this propinquity community of language and occupation and similarity of political and social institutions indicate the practicability and obvious wisdom of maintaining mutually beneficial and friendly relations whilst i am unfeignedly desirous that such relations should exist between us and the inhabitants of canada yet the action of their officials during the past season toward our fishermen has been such as to seriously threaten their continuance although disappointed in my efforts to secure a satisfactory settlement of the fishery question negotiations are still pending with reasonable hope that before the close of the present session of congress announcement may be made that an acceptable conclusion has been reached as at an early day there may be laid before congress the correspondence of the department of state in relation to this important subject so that the history of the past fishing season may be fully disclosed and the action and the attitude of the administration clearly comprehended a more extended reference is not deemed necessary in this communication the recommendation submitted last year that provision be made for a preliminary reconnoissance of the conventional boundary line between alaska and british columbia is renewed i express my unhesitating conviction that the intimacy of our relations with hawaii should be emphasized as a result of the reciprocity treaty of 1875 those islands on the highway of oriental and australasian traffic are virtually an outpost of american commerce and a to the growing trade of the pacific the polynesian island groups have been so absorbed by other and more powerful governments that the hawaiian islands are left almost alone in the enjoyment of their autonomy which it is important for us should be preserved our treaty is now terminable on one year notice but propositions to abrogate it would be in my judgment most ill advised the paramount influence we have there acquired once relinquished could only with difficulty be regained and a valuable ground of vantage for ourselves might be converted into a stronghold for our commercial competitors i earnestly recommend that the existing treaty stipulations be extended for a further term of seven years a recently signed treaty to this end is now before the senate the importance of telegraphic communication between those islands and the united states should not be overlooked the question of a general revision of the treaties of japan is again under discussion at tokyo as the first to open relations with that empire and as the nation in most direct commercial relations with japan the united states have lost no opportunity to testify their consistent friendship by supporting the just claims of japan to autonomy and independence among nations a treaty of extradition between the united states and japan the first concluded by that empire has been lately proclaimed the weakness of liberia and the difficulty of maintaining effective sovereignty over its outlying districts have exposed that republic to encroachment it can not be forgotten that this distant community is an offshoot of our own system owing its origin to the associated benevolence of american citizens whose praiseworthy efforts to create a nucleus of civilization in the dark continent have commanded respect and sympathy everywhere especially in this country although a formal protectorate over liberia is contrary to our traditional policy the moral right and duty of the united states to assist in all proper ways in the maintenance of its integrity is obvious and has been consistently announced during nearly half a century i recommend that in the reorganization of our navy a small vessel no longer found adequate to our needs be presented to liberia to be employed by it in the protection of its coastwise revenues the encouraging development of beneficial and intimate relations between the united states and mexico which has been so marked within the past few years is at once the occasion of congratulation and of friendly solicitude i urgently renew my former representation of the need or speedy legislation by congress to carry into effect the reciprocity commercial convention of january 20 1883 our commercial treaty of 1831 with mexico was terminated according to its provisions in 1881 upon notification given by mexico in pursuance of her announced policy of recasting all her commercial treaties mexico has since concluded with several foreign governments new treaties of commerce and navigation defining alien rights of trade property and residence treatment of shipping consular privileges and the like our yet unexecuted reciprocity convention of 1883 covers none of these points the settlement of which is so necessary to good relationship i propose to initiate with mexico negotiations for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce and navigation in compliance with a resolution of the senate i communicated to that body on august 2 last and also to the house of representatives the correspondence in the case of cutting an american citizen then imprisoned in mexico charged with the commission of a penal offense in texas of which a mexican citizen was the object after demand had been made for his release the charge against him was amended so as to include a violation of mexican law within mexican territory this joinder of alleged offenses one within and the other exterior to mexico induced me to order a special investigation of the case pending which mr cutting was released the incident has however disclosed a claim of jurisdiction by mexico novel in our history whereby any offense committed anywhere by a foreigner penal in the place of its commission and of which a mexican is the object may if the offender be found in mexico be there tried and punished in conformity with mexican laws this jurisdiction was sustained by the courts of mexico in the cutting case and approved by the executive branch of that government upon the authority of a mexican statute the appellate court in releasing mr cutting decided that the abandonment of the complaint by the mexican citizen aggrieved by the alleged crime a libelous publication removed the basis of further prosecution and also declared justice to have been satisfied by the enforcement of a small part of the original sentence the admission of such a pretension would be attended with serious results invasive of the jurisdiction of this government and highly dangerous to our citizens in foreign lands therefore i have denied it and protested against its attempted exercise as unwarranted by the principles of law and international usages a sovereign has jurisdiction of offenses which take effect within his territory although concocted or commenced outside of it but the right is denied of any foreign sovereign to punish a citizen of the united states for an offense consummated on our soil in violation of our laws even though the offense be against a subject or citizen of such sovereign the mexican statute in question makes the claim broadly and the principle if conceded would create a dual responsibility in the citizen and lead to inextricable confusion destructive of that certainty in the law which is an essential of liberty when citizens of the united states voluntarily go into a foreign country they must abide by the laws there in force and will not be protected by their own government from the consequences of an offense against those laws committed in such foreign country but watchful care and interest of this government over its citizens are not relinquished because they have gone abroad and if charged with crime committed in the foreign land a fair and open trial conducted with decent regard for justice and humanity will be demanded for them with less than that this government will not be content when the life or liberty of its citizens is at stake whatever the degree to which extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction may have been formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal agreement among certain of the european states no such doctrine or practice was ever known to the laws of this country or of that from which our institutions have mainly been derived in the case of mexico there are reasons especially strong for perfect harmony in the mutual exercise of jurisdiction nature has made us irrevocably neighbors and wisdom and kind feeling should make us friends the overflow of capital and enterprise from the united states is a potent factor in assisting the development of the resources of mexico and in building up the prosperity of both countries to assist this good work all grounds of apprehension for the security of person and property should be removed and i trust that in the interests of good neighborhood the statute referred to will be so modified as to eliminate the present possibilities of danger to the peace of the two countries the government of the netherlands has exhibited concern in relation to certain features of our tariff laws which are supposed by them to be aimed at a class of tobacco produced in the dutch east indies comment would seem unnecessary upon the unwisdom of legislation appearing to have a special national discrimination for its object which although unintentional may give rise to injurious retaliation the establishment less than four years ago of a legation at teheran is bearing fruit in the interest exhibited by the shah government in the industrial activity of the united states and the opportunities of beneficial interchanges stable government is now happily restored in peru by the election of a constitutional president and a period of rehabilitation is entered upon but the recovery is necessarily slow from the exhaustion caused by the late war and civil disturbances a convention to adjust by arbitration claims of our citizens has been proposed and is under consideration the naval officer who bore to siberia the testimonials bestowed by congress in recognition of the aid given to the jeannette survivors has successfully accomplished his mission his interesting report will be submitted it is pleasant to know that this mark of appreciation has been welcomed by the russian government and people as befits the traditional friendship of the two countries civil perturbations in the samoan islands have during the past few years been a source of considerable embarrassment to the three great britain and the united states whose relations and extraterritorial rights in that important group are guaranteed by treaties the weakness of the native administration and the conflict of opposing interests in the islands have led king malietoa to seek alliance or protection in some one quarter regardless of the distinct engagements whereby no one of the three treaty powers may acquire any paramount or exclusive interest in may last malietoa offered to place samoa under the protection of the united states and the late consul without authority assumed to grant it the proceeding was promptly disavowed and the overzealous official recalled special agents of the three governments have been deputed to examine the situation in the islands with a change in the representation of all three powers and a harmonious understanding between them the peace prosperity autonomous administration and neutrality of samoa can hardly fail to be secured it appearing that the government of spain did not extend to the flag of the united states in the antilles the full measure of reciprocity requisite under our statute for the continuance of the suspension of discriminations against the spanish flag in our ports i was constrained in october last to rescind my predecessor proclamation of february 14 1884 permitting such suspension an arrangement was however speedily reached and upon notification from the government of spain that all differential treatment of our vessels and their cargoes from the united states or from any foreign country had been completely and absolutely relinquished i availed myself of the discretion conferred by law and issued on the 27th of october my proclamation declaring reciprocal suspension in the united states it is most gratifying to bear testimony to the earnest spirit in which the government of the queen regent has met our efforts to avert the initiation of commercial discriminations and reprisals which are ever disastrous to the material interests and the political good will of the countries they may affect the profitable development of the large commercial exchanges between the united states and the spanish antilles is naturally an object of solicitude lying close at our doors and finding here their main markets of supply and demand the welfare of cuba and puerto rico and their production and trade are scarcely less important to us than to spain their commercial and financial movements are so naturally a part of our system that no obstacle to fuller and freer intercourse should be permitted to exist the standing instructions of our representatives at madrid and havana have for years been to leave no effort unessayed to further these ends and at no time has the equal good desire of spain been more hopefully manifested than now the government of spain by removing the consular tonnage fees on cargoes shipped to the antilles and by reducing passport fees has shown its recognition of the needs of less trammeled intercourse an effort has been made during the past year to remove the hindrances to the proclamation of the treaty of naturalization with the sublime porte signed in 1874 which has remained inoperative owing to a disagreement of interpretation of the clauses relative to the effects of the return to and sojourn of a naturalized citizen in the land of origin i trust soon to be able to announce a favorable settlement of the differences as to this interpretation it has been highly satisfactory to note the improved treatment of american missionaries in turkey as has been attested by their acknowledgments to our late minister to that government of his successful exertions in their behalf the exchange of ratifications of the convention of december 5 1885 with venezuela for the reopening of the awards of the caracas commission under the claims convention of 1866 has not yet been effected owing to the delay of the executive of that republic in ratifying the measure i trust that this postponement will be brief but should it much longer continue the delay may well be regarded as a rescission of the compact and a failure on the part of venezuela to complete an arrangement so persistently sought by her during many years and assented to by this government in a spirit of international fairness although to the detriment of holders of bona fide awards of the impugned commission i renew the recommendation of my last annual message that existing legislation concerning citizenship and naturalization be revised we have treaties with many states providing for the renunciation of citizenship by naturalized aliens but no statute is found to give effect to such engagements nor any which provides a needed central bureau for the registration of naturalized citizens experience suggests that our statutes regulating extradition might be advantageously amended by a provision for the transit across our territory now a convenient thoroughfare of travel from one foreign country to another of fugitives surrendered by a foreign government to a third state such provisions are not unusual in the legislation of other countries and tend to prevent the miscarriage of justice it is also desirable in order to remove present uncertainties that authority should be conferred on the secretary of state to issue a certificate in case of an arrest for the purpose of extradition to the officer before whom the proceeding is pending showing that a requisition for the surrender of the person charged has been duly made such a certificate if required to be received before the prisoner examination would prevent a long and expensive judicial inquiry into a charge which the foreign government might not desire to press i also recommend that express provision be made for the immediate discharge from custody of persons committed for extradition where the president is of opinion that surrender should not be made the drift of sentiment in civilized communities toward full recognition of the rights of property in the creations of the human intellect has brought about the adoption by many important nations of an international copyright convention which was signed at berne on the 18th of september 1885 inasmuch as the constitution gives to the congress the power to promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries this government did not feel warranted in becoming a signatory pending the action of congress upon measures of international copyright now before it but the right of adhesion to the berne convention hereafter has been reserved i trust the subject will receive at your hands the attention it deserves and that the just claims of authors so urgently pressed will be duly heeded representations continue to be made to me of the injurious effect upon american artists studying abroad and having free access to the art collections of foreign countries of maintaining a discriminating duty against the introduction of the works of their brother artists of other countries and i am induced to repeat my recommendation for the abolition of that tax pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic and consular appropriation act approved july 1 1886 the estimates submitted by the secretary of state for the maintenance of the consular service have been recast on the basis of salaries for all officers to whom such allowance is deemed advisable advantage has been taken of this to redistribute the salaries of the offices now appropriated for in accordance with the work performed the importance of the representative duties of the incumbent and the cost of living at each post the last consideration has been too often lost sight of in the allowances heretofore made the compensation which may suffice for the decent maintenance of a worthy and capable officer in a position of onerous and representative trust at a post readily accessible and where the necessaries of life are abundant and cheap may prove an inadequate pittance in distant lands where the better part of a year pay is consumed in reaching the post of duty and where the comforts of ordinary civilized existence can only be obtained with difficulty and at exorbitant cost i trust that in considering the submitted schedules no mistaken theory of economy will perpetuate a system which in the past has virtually closed to deserving talent many offices where capacity and attainments of a high order are indispensable and in not a few instances has brought discredit on our national character and entailed embarrassment and even suffering on those deputed to uphold our dignity and interests abroad in connection with this subject i earnestly reiterate the practical necessity of supplying some mode of trustworthy inspection and report of the manner in which the consulates are conducted in the absence of such reliable information efficiency can scarcely be rewarded or its opposite corrected increasing competition in trade has directed attention to the value of the consular reports printed by the department of state and the efforts of the government to extend the practical usefulness of these reports have created a wider demand for them at home and a spirit of emulation abroad constituting a record at the changes occurring in trade and of the progress of the arts and invention in foreign countries they are much sought for by all interested in the subjects which they embrace the report of the secretary of the treasury exhibits in detail the condition of the public finances and of the several branches of the government related to his department i especially direct the attention of the congress to the recommendations contained in this and the last preceding report of the secretary touching the simplification and amendment of the laws relating to the collection of our revenues and in the interest of economy and justice to the government i hope they may be adopted by appropriate legislation the ordinary receipts of the government for the fiscal year ended june 30 1886 were of this amount was received from customs and from internal revenue the total receipts as here stated were greater than for the previous year but the increase from customs was and from internal revenue making a gain in these items for the last year of a falling off in other resources reducing the total increase to the smaller amount mentioned the expense at the different of collecting this increased customs revenue was less than the expense attending the collection of such revenue for the preceding year by and the increased receipts of internal revenue were collected at a cost to the bureau less than the expense of such collection for the previous year the total ordinary expenses of the government for the fiscal year ended june 30 1886 were being less by than such expenditures for the year preceding and leaving a surplus in the treasury at the close of the last fiscal year of as against at the close of the previous year being an increase in such surplus of the expenditures are compared with those of the preceding fiscal year and classified as follows for the current year to end june 30 1887 the ascertained receipts up to october 1 1886 with such receipts estimated for the remainder of the year amount to the expenditures ascertained and estimated for the same period are indicating an anticipated surplus at the close of the year of the total value of the exports from the united states to foreign countries during the fiscal year is stated and compared with the preceding year as follows the value of some of our leading exports during the last fiscal year as compared with the value of the same for the year immediately preceding is here given and furnishes information both interesting and suggestive our imports during the last fiscal year as compared with the previous year were as follows in my last annual message to the congress attention was directed to the fact that the revenues of the government exceeded its actual needs and it was suggested that legislative action should be taken to relieve the people from the unnecessary burden of taxation thus made apparent in view of the pressing importance of the subject i deem it my duty to again urge its consideration the income of the government by its increased volume and through economies in its collection is now more than ever in excess of public necessities the application of the surplus to the payment of such portion of the public debt as is now at our option subject to extinguishment if continued at the rate which has lately prevailed would retire that class of indebtedness within less than one year from this date thus a continuation of our present revenue system would soon result in the receipt of an annual income much greater than necessary to meet government expenses with no indebtedness upon which it could be applied we should then be confronted with a vast quantity of money the circulating medium of the people hoarded in the treasury when it should be in their hands or we should be drawn into wasteful public extravagance with all the corrupting national demoralization which follows in its train but it is not the simple existence of this surplus and its threatened attendant evils which furnish the strongest argument against our present scale of federal taxation its worst phase is the exaction of such a surplus through a perversion of the relations between the people and their government and a dangerous departure from the rules which limit the right of federal taxation good government and especially the government of which every american citizen boasts has for its objects the protection of every person within its care in the greatest liberty consistent with the good order of society and his perfect security in the enjoyment of his earnings with the least possible diminution for public needs when more of the people substance is exacted through the form of taxation than is necessary to meet the just obligations of the government and the expense of its economical administration such exaction becomes ruthless extortion and a violation of the fundamental principles of a free government the indirect manner in which these exactions are made has a tendency to conceal their true character and their extent but we have arrived at a stage of superfluous revenue which has aroused the people to a realization of the fact that the amount raised professedly for the support of the government is paid by them as absolutely if added to the price of the things which supply their daily wants as if it was paid at fixed periods into the hand of the tax gatherer those who toil for daily wages are beginning to understand that capital though sometimes vaunting its importance and clamoring for the protection and favor of the government is dull and sluggish till touched by the magical hand of labor it springs into activity furnishing an occasion for federal taxation and gaining the value which enables it to bear its burden and the laboring man is thoughtfully inquiring whether in these circumstances and considering the tribute he constantly pays into the public treasury as he supplies his daily wants he receives his fair share of advantages there is also a suspicion abroad that the surplus of our revenues indicates abnormal and exceptional business profits which under the system which produces such surplus increase without corresponding benefit to the people at large the vast accumulations of a few among our citizens whose fortunes rivaling the wealth of the most favored in antidemocratic nations are not the natural growth of a steady plain and industrious republic our farmers too and those engaged directly and indirectly in supplying the products of agriculture see that day by day and as often as the daily wants of their households recur they are forced to pay excessive and needless taxation while their products struggle in foreign markets with the competition of nations which by allowing a freer exchange of productions than we permit enable their people to sell for prices which distress the american farmer as every patriotic citizen rejoices in the constantly increasing pride of our people in american citizenship and in the glory of our national achievements and progress a sentiment prevails that the leading strings useful to a nation in its infancy may well be to a great extent discarded in the present stage of american ingenuity courage and fearless and for the privilege of indulging this sentiment with true american enthusiasm our citizens are quite willing to forego an idle surplus in the public treasury and all the people know that the average rate of federal taxation upon imports is in time of peace but little less while upon some articles of necessary consumption it is actually more than was imposed by the grievous burden willingly borne at a time when the government needed millions to maintain by war the safety and integrity of the union it has been the policy of the government to collect the principal part of its revenues by a tax upon imports and no change in this policy is desirable but the present condition of affairs constrains our people to demand that by a revision of our revenue laws the receipts of the government shall be reduced to the necessary expense of its economical administration and this demand should be recognized and obeyed by the people representatives in the legislative branch of the government in readjusting the burdens of federal taxation a sound public policy requires that such of our citizens as have built up large and important industries under present conditions should not be suddenly and to their injury deprived of advantages to which they have adapted their business but if the public good requires it they should be content with such consideration as shall deal fairly and cautiously with their interests while the just demand of the people for relief from needless taxation is honestly answered a reasonable and timely submission to such a demand should certainly be possible without disastrous shock to any interest and a cheerful concession sometimes averts abrupt and heedless action often the outgrowth of impatience and delayed justice due regard should be also accorded in any proposed readjustment to the interests of american labor so far as they are involved we congratulate ourselves that there is among us no laboring class fixed within unyielding bounds and doomed under all conditions to the inexorable fate of daily toil we recognize in labor a chief factor in the wealth of the republic and we treat those who have it in their keeping as citizens entitled to the most careful regard and thoughtful attention this regard and attention should be awarded them not only because labor is the capital of our workingmen justly entitled to its share of government favor but for the further and not less important reason that the laboring man surrounded by his family in his humble home as a consumer is vitally interested in all that cheapens the cost of living and enables him to bring within his domestic circle additional comforts and advantages this relation of the workingman to the revenue laws of the country and the manner in which it palpably influences the question of wages should not be forgotten in the justifiable prominence given to the proper maintenance of the supply and protection of labor and these considerations suggest such an arrangement of government revenues as shall reduce the expense of living while it does not curtail the opportunity for work nor reduce the compensation of american labor and injuriously affect its condition and the dignified place it holds in the estimation of our people but our farmers and agriculturists those who from the soil produce the things consumed by all are perhaps more directly and plainly concerned than any other of our citizens in a just and careful system of federal taxation those actually engaged in and more remotely connected with this kind of work number nearly of our population none labor harder or more continuously than they no enactments limit their hours of toil and no interposition of the government enhances to any great extent the value of their products and yet for many of the necessaries and comforts of life which the most scrupulous economy enables them to bring into their homes and for their implements of husbandry they are obliged to pay a price largely increased by an unnatural profit which by the action of the government is given to the more favored manufacturer i recommend that keeping in view all these considerations the increasing and unnecessary surplus of national income annually accumulating be released to the people by an amendment to our revenue laws which shall cheapen the price of the necessaries of life and give freer entrance to such imported materials as by american labor may be manufactured into marketable commodities nothing can be accomplished however in the direction of this reform unless the subject is approached in a patriotic spirit of devotion to the interests of the entire country and with a willingness to yield something for the public good the sum paid upon the public debt during the fiscal year ended june 30 1886 was during the twelve months ended october 3 per cent bonds were called for redemption amounting to of which was so called to answer the requirements of the law relating to the sinking fund and for the purpose of reducing the public debt by application of a part of the surplus in the treasury to that object of the bonds thus called became subject under such calls to redemption prior to november 1 1886 the remainder amounting to matured under the calls after that date in addition to the amount subject to payment and cancellation prior to november 1 there were also paid before that day certain of these bonds with the interest thereon amounting to which were anticipated as to their maturity of which had not been called thus had been actually applied prior to the 1st of november 1886 to the extinguishment of our bonded and debt leaving on that day still outstanding the sum of of this amount were still represented by 3 per cent bonds they however have been since november 1 or will at once be further reduced by being bonds which have been called as already stated but not redeemed and canceled before the latter date during the fiscal year ended june 30 1886 there were coined under the compulsory act of silver dollars and the cost of the silver used in such coinage was there had been coined up to the close of the previous fiscal year under the provisions of the law silver dollars and on the 1st day of december 1886 the total amount of such coinage was the director of the mint reports that at the time of the passage of the law of 1878 directing this coinage the intrinsic value of the dollars thus coined was 94 cents each and that on the 31st day of july 1886 the price of silver reached the lowest stage ever known so that the intrinsic or bullion price of our standard silver dollar at that date was less than 72 cents the price of silver on the 30th day of november last was such as to make these dollars intrinsically worth 78 cents each these differences in value of the coins represent the fluctuations in the price of silver and they certainly do not indicate that compulsory coinage by the government enhances the price of that commodity or secures uniformity in its value every fair and legal effort has been made by the treasury department to distribute this currency among the people the withdrawal of united states treasury notes of small denominations and the issuing of small silver certificates have been resorted to in the endeavor to accomplish this result in obedience to the will and sentiments of the representatives of the people in the congress on the 27th day of november 1886 the people held of these coins or certificates representing them the nominal sum of and we still had in the treasury as against about so in the hands of the people and remaining in the treasury one year ago the director of the mint again urges the necessity of more vault room for the purpose of storing these silver dollars which are not needed for circulation by the people i have seen no reason to change the views expressed in my last annual message on the subject of this compulsory coinage and i again urge its suspension on all the grounds contained in my former recommendation reenforced by the significant increase of our gold exportations during the last year as appears by the comparative statement herewith presented and for the further reasons that the more this currency is distributed among the people the greater becomes our duty to protect it from disaster that we now have abundance for all our needs and that there seems but little propriety in building vaults to store such currency when the only pretense for its coinage is the necessity of its use by the people as a circulating medium the great number of suits now pending in the united states courts for the southern district of new york growing out of the collection of customs revenue at the port of new york and the number of such suits that are almost daily instituted are certainly worthy the attention of the congress these legal controversies based upon conflicting views by importers and the collector as to the interpretation of our present complex and indefinite revenue laws might be largely obviated by an amendment of those laws but pending such amendment the present condition of this litigation should be relieved there are now pending about of these suits more than have been commenced within the past eighteen months and many of the others have been at issue for more than years these delays subject the government to loss of evidence and prevent the preparation necessary to defeat unjust and fictitious claims while constantly accruing interest threatens to double the demands involved in the present condition of the dockets of the courts well filled with private suits and of the force allowed the district attorney no greater than is necessary for the ordinary and current business of his office these revenue litigations can not be considered in default of the adoption by the congress of a plan for the general reorganization of the federal courts as has been heretofore recommended i urge the propriety of passing a law permitting the appointment of an additional federal judge in the district where these government suits have accumulated so that by continuous sessions of the courts devoted to the trial of these cases they may be determined it is entirely plain that a great saving to the government would be accomplished by such a remedy and the suitors who have honest claims would not be denied justice through delay the report of the secretary of war gives a detailed account of the administration of his department and contains sundry recommendations for the improvement of the service which i fully approve the army consisted at the date of the last consolidated return of officers and enlisted men the expenses of the department for the last fiscal year were including for public works and river and harbor improvements i especially direct the attention of the congress to the recommendation that officers be required to submit to an examination as a preliminary to their promotion i see no objection but many advantages in adopting this feature which has operated so beneficially in our navy department as well as in some branches of the army the subject of coast defenses and fortifications has been fully and carefully treated by the board on fortifications whose report was submitted at the last session of congress but no construction work of the kind recommended by the board has been possible during the last year from the lack of appropriations for such purpose the defenseless condition of our seacoast and lake frontier is perfectly palpable the examinations made must convince us all that certain of our cities named in the report of the board should be fortified and that work on the most important of these fortifications should be commenced at once the work has been thoroughly considered and laid out the secretary of war reports but all is delayed in default of congressional action the absolute necessity judged by all standards of prudence and foresight of our preparation for an effectual resistance against the armored ships and steel guns and mortars of modern construction which may threaten the cities on our coasts is so apparent that i hope effective steps will be taken in that direction immediately the valuable and suggestive treatment of this question by the secretary of war is earnestly commended to the consideration of the congress in september and october last the hostile apaches who under the leadership of geronimo had for eighteen months been on the war path and during that time had committed many murders and been the because of constant terror to the settlers of arizona surrendered to general miles the military commander who succeeded general crook in the management and direction of their pursuit under the terms of their surrender as then reported and in view of the understanding which these murderous savages seemed to entertain of the assurances given them it was considered best to imprison them in such manner as to prevent their ever engaging in such outrages again instead of trying them for murder fort pickens having been selected as a safe place of confinement all the adult males were sent thither and will be closely guarded as prisoners in the meantime the residue of the band who though still remaining upon the reservation were regarded as unsafe and suspected of furnishing aid to those on the war path had been removed to fort marion the women and larger children of the hostiles were also taken there and arrangements have been made for putting the children of proper age in indian schools the report of the secretary of the navy contains a detailed exhibit of the condition of his department with such a statement of the action needed to improve the same as should challenge the earnest attention of the congress the present navy of the united states aside from the ships in course of construction consists of first fourteen monitors none of which are in commission nor at the present time serviceable the batteries of these ships are obsolete and they can only be relied upon as auxiliary ships in harbor defense and then after such an expenditure upon them as might not be deemed justifiable second five vessels of small tonnage only one of which was designed as a war vessel and all of which are auxiliary merely third cruising ships three of which are built of iron of small tonnage and of wood of these wooden vessels it is estimated by the chief constructor of the navy that only three will be serviceable beyond a period of six years at which time it may be said that of the present naval force nothing worthy the name will remain all the vessels heretofore authorized are under contract or in course of construction except the armored ships the torpedo and dynamite boats and one cruiser as to the last of these the bids were in excess of the limit fixed by congress the production in the united states of armor and gun steel is a question which it seems necessary to settle at an early day if the armored war vessels are to be completed with those materials of home manufacture this has been the subject of investigation by two boards and by two special committees of congress within the last three years the report of the gun foundry board in 1884 of the board on fortifications made in january last and the reports of the select committees of the two houses made at the last session of congress have entirely exhausted the subject so far as preliminary investigation is involved and in their recommendations they are substantially agreed in the event that the present invitation of the department for bids to furnish such of this material as is now authorized shall fail to induce domestic manufacturers to undertake the large expenditures required to prepare for this new manufacture and no other steps are taken by congress at its coming session the secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and the gun steel for the authorized ships it would seem desirable that the wants of the army and the navy in this regard should be reasonably met and that by uniting their contracts such inducement might be offered as would result in securing the domestication of these important interests the affairs of the postal service show marked and gratifying improvement during the past year a particular account of its transactions and condition is given in the report of the which will be laid before you the reduction of the rate of letter postage in 1883 rendering the postal revenues inadequate to sustain the expenditures and business depression also contributing resulted in an excess of cost for the fiscal year ended june 30 1885 of eight and millions of dollars an additional check upon receipts by doubling the measure of weight in rating sealed correspondence and diminishing the charge for newspaper carriage was imposed by legislation which took effect with the beginning of the past fiscal year while the constant demand of our territorial development and growing population for the extension and increase of mail facilities and machinery necessitates steady annual advance in outlay and the careful estimate of a year ago upon the rates of expenditure then existing contemplated the unavoidable augmentation of the deficiency in the last fiscal year by nearly the anticipated revenue for the last year failed of realization by about but proper measures of economy have so satisfactorily limited the growth of expenditure that the total deficiency in fact fell below that of 1885 and at this time the increase of revenue is in a gaining ratio over the increase of cost demonstrating the sufficiency of the present rates of postage ultimately to sustain the service this is the more pleasing because our people enjoy now both cheaper postage proportionably to distances and a vaster and more costly service than any other upon the globe retrenchment has been effected in the cost of supplies some expenditures unwarranted by law have ceased and the outlays for mail carriage have been subjected to beneficial scrutiny at the close of the last fiscal year the expense of transportation on star routes stood at an annual rate of cost less by over than at the close of the previous year and steamboat and service at nearly less the service has been in the meantime enlarged and extended by the establishment of new offices increase of routes of carriage expansion of conveniences and additions to the railway mail facilities in accordance with the growing exigencies of the country and the policy of the government the calls attention to the existing law for compensating railroads and expresses the opinion that a method may be devised which will prove more just to the carriers and beneficial to the government and the subject appears worthy of your early consideration the differences which arose during the year with certain of the ocean steamship companies have terminated by the acquiescence of all in the policy of the government approved by the congress in the postal appropriation at its last session and the department now enjoys the utmost service afforded by all vessels which sail from our ports upon either ocean a service generally adequate to the needs of our intercourse petitions have however been presented to the department by numerous merchants and manufacturers for the establishment of a direct service to the argentine republic and for semimonthly dispatches to the empire of brazil and the subject is commended to your consideration it is an obvious duty to provide the means of postal communication which our commerce requires and with prudent forecast of results the wise extension of it may lead to stimulating intercourse and become the harbinger of a profitable traffic which will open new avenues for the disposition of the products of our industry the circumstances of the countries at the far south of our continent are such as to invite our enterprise and afford the promise of sufficient advantages to justify an unusual effort to bring about the closer relations which greater freedom of communication would tend to establish i suggest that as distinguished from a grant or subsidy for the mere benefit of any line of trade or travel whatever outlay may be required to secure additional postal service necessary and proper and not otherwise attainable should be regarded as within the limit of legitimate compensation for such service the extension of the service as suggested by the has heretofore received my sanction and it is to be hoped a suitable enactment may soon be agreed upon the request for an appropriation sufficient to enable the general inspection of offices has my approbation i renew my approval of the recommendation of the that another assistant be provided for the department and i invite your attention to the several other recommendations in his report the conduct of the department of justice for the last fiscal year is fully detailed in the report of the and i invite the earnest attention of the congress to the same and due consideration of the recommendations therein contained in the report submitted by this officer to the last session of the congress he strongly recommended the erection of a penitentiary for the confinement of prisoners convicted and sentenced in the united states courts and he repeats the recommendation in his report for the last year this is a matter of very great importance and should at once receive congressional action united states prisoners are now confined in more than thirty different state prisons and penitentiaries scattered in every part of the country they are subjected to nearly as many different modes of treatment and discipline and are far too much removed from the control and regulation of the government so far as they are entitled to humane treatment and an opportunity for improvement and reformation the government is responsible to them and society that these things are forthcoming but this duty can scarcely be discharged without more absolute control and direction than is possible under the present system many of our good citizens have interested themselves with the most beneficial results in the question of prison reform the general government should be in a situation since there must be united states prisoners to furnish important aid in this movement and should be able to illustrate what may be practically done in the direction of this reform and to present an example in the treatment and improvement of its 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 according to a plan of its own adoption and with due regard to the rights and interests of our laboring citizens instead of sometimes aiding in the operation of a system which causes among them irritation and discontent upon consideration of this subject it might be thought wise to erect more than one of these institutions located in such places as would best subserve the purposes of convenience and economy in transportation the considerable cost of maintaining these convicts as at present in state institutions would be saved by the adoption of the plan proposed and by employing them in the manufacture of such articles as were needed for use by the government quite a large pecuniary benefit would be realized in partial return for our outlay i again urge a change in the federal judicial system to meet the wants of the people and obviate the delays necessarily attending the present condition of affairs in our courts all are agreed that something should be done and much favor is shown by those well able to advise to the plan suggested by the at the last session of the congress and recommended in my last annual message this recommendation is here renewed together with another made at the same time touching a change in the manner of compensating district attorneys and marshals and the latter subject is commended to the congress for its action in the interest of economy to the government and humanity fairness and justice to our people the report of the secretary of the interior presents a comprehensive summary of the work of the various branches of the public service connected with his department and the suggestions and recommendations which it contains for the improvement of the service should receive your careful consideration the exhibit made of the condition of our indian population and the progress of the work for their enlightenment notwithstanding the many embarrassments which hinder the better administration of this important branch of the service is a gratifying and hopeful one the funds appropriated for the indian service for the fiscal year just passed with the available income from indian land and trust moneys amounting in all to were ample for the service under the conditions and restrictions of laws regulating their expenditure there remained a balance on hand on june 30 1886 of of which are permanent funds for fulfillment of treaties and other like purposes and the remainder is subject to be carried to the surplus fund as required by law the estimates presented for appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year amount to or less than those laid before the congress last year the present system of agencies while absolutely necessary and well adapted for the management of our indian affairs and for the ends in view when it was adopted is in the present stage of indian management inadequate standing alone for the accomplishment of an object which has become pressing in its importance the more rapid transition from tribal organizations to citizenship of such portions of the indians as are capable of civilized life when the existing system was adopted the indian race was outside of the limits of organized states and territories and beyond the immediate reach and operation of civilization and all efforts were mainly directed to the maintenance of friendly relations and the preservation of peace and quiet on the frontier all this is now changed there is no such thing as the indian frontier civilization with the busy hum of industry and the influences of christianity surrounds these people at every point none of the tribes are outside of the bounds of organized government and society except that the territorial system has not been extended over that portion of the country known as the indian territory as a race the indians are no longer hostile but may be considered as submissive to the control of the government few of them only are troublesome except the fragments of several bands all are now gathered upon reservations it is no longer possible for them to subsist by the chase and the spontaneous productions of the earth with an abundance of land if furnished with the means and implements for profitable husbandry their life of entire dependence upon government rations from day to day is no longer defensible their inclination long fostered by a defective system of control is to cling to the habits and customs of their ancestors and struggle with persistence against the change of life which their altered circumstances press upon them but barbarism and civilization can not live together it is impossible that such incongruous conditions should coexist on the same soil they are a portion of our people are under the authority of our government and have a peculiar claim upon and are entitled to the fostering care and protection of the nation the government can not relieve itself of this responsibility until they are so far trained and civilized as to be able wholly to manage and care for themselves the paths in which they should walk must be clearly marked out for them and they must be led or guided until they are familiar with the way and competent to assume the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship progress in this great work will continue only at the present slow pace and at great expense unless the system and methods of management are improved to meet the changed conditions and urgent demands of the service the agents having general charge and supervision in many cases of more than indians scattered over large reservations and burdened with the details of accountability for funds and supplies have time to look after the industrial training and improvement of a few indians only the many are neglected and remain idle and dependent conditions not favorable for progress and civilization the compensation allowed these agents and the conditions of the service are not calculated to secure for the work men who are fitted by ability and skill to properly plan and intelligently direct the methods best adapted to produce the most speedy results and permanent benefits hence the necessity for a supplemental agency or system directed to the end of promoting the general and more rapid transition of the tribes from habits and customs of barbarism to the ways of civilization with an anxious desire to devise some plan of operation by which to secure the welfare of the indians and to relieve the treasury as far as possible from the support of an idle and dependent population i recommended in my previous annual message the passage of a law authorizing the appointment of a commission as an instrumentality auxiliary to those already established for the care of the indians it was designed that this commission should be composed of six intelligent and capable persons three to be detailed from the army having practical ideas upon the subject of the treatment of indians and interested in their welfare and that it should be charged under the direction of the secretary of the interior with the management of such matters of detail as can not with the present organization be properly and successfully conducted and which present different phases as the indians themselves differ in their progress needs disposition and capacity for improvement or immediate by the aid of such a commission much unwise and useless expenditure of money waste of materials and unavailing efforts might be avoided and it is hoped that this or some measure which the wisdom of congress may better devise to supply the deficiency of the present system may receive your consideration and the appropriate legislation be provided the time is ripe for the work of such an agency there is less opposition to the education and training of the indian youth as shown by the increased attendance upon the schools and there is a yielding tendency for the individual holding of lands development and advancement in these directions are essential and should have every encouragement as the rising generation are taught the language of civilization and trained in habits of industry they should assume the duties privileges and responsibilities of citizenship no obstacle should hinder the location and 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 but there is no authority of law for making allotments on some of the reservations and on others the allotments provided for are so small that the indians though ready and desiring to settle down are not willing to accept such small areas when their reservations contain ample lands to afford them homesteads of sufficient size to meet their present and future needs these inequalities of existing special laws and treaties should be corrected and some general legislation on the subject should be provided so that the more progressive members of the different tribes may be settled upon homesteads and by their example lead others to follow breaking away from tribal customs and substituting therefor the love of home the interest of the family and the rule of the state the indian character and nature are such that they are not easily led while brooding over unadjusted wrongs this is especially so regarding their lands matters arising from the construction and operation of railroads across some of the reservations and claims of title and right of occupancy set up by white persons to some of the best land within other reservations require legislation for their final adjustment the settlement of these matters will remove many embarrassments to progress in the work of leading the indians to the adoption of our institutions and bringing them under the operation the influence and the protection of the universal laws of our country the recommendations of the secretary of the interior and the commissioner of the general land office looking to the better protection of public lands and of the public surveys the preservation of national forests the adjudication of grants to states and corporations and of private land claims and the increased efficiency of the service are commended to the attention of congress to secure the widest distribution of public lands in limited quantities among settlers for residence and cultivation and thus make the greatest number of individual homes was the primary object of the legislation in the early days of the republic this system was a simple one it commenced with an admirable scheme of public surveys by which the humblest citizen could identify the tract upon which he wished to establish his home the price of lands was placed within the reach of all the enterprising industrious and honest pioneer citizens of the country it was soon however found that the object of the laws was perverted under the system of cash sales from a distribution of land among the people to an accumulation of land capital by wealthy and speculative persons to check this tendency a preference right of purchase was given to settlers on the land a plan which culminated in the general preemption act of 1841 the foundation of this system was actual residence and cultivation twenty years later the homestead law was devised to more surely place actual homes in the possession of actual cultivators of the soil the land was given without price the sole conditions being residence improvement and cultivation other laws have followed each designed to encourage the acquirement and use of land in limited individual quantities but in later years these laws through vicious administrative methods and under changed conditions of communication and transportation have been so evaded and violated that their beneficent purpose is threatened with entire defeat the methods of such evasions and violations are set forth in detail in the reports of the secretary of the interior and commissioner of the general land office the rapid appropriation of our public lands without bona fide settlements or cultivation and not only without intention of residence but for the purpose of their aggregation in large holdings in many cases in the hands of foreigners invites the serious and immediate attention of the congress the energies of the land department have been devoted during the present administration to remedy defects and correct abuses in the service the results of these efforts are so largely in the nature of reforms in the processes and methods of our land system as to prevent adequate estimate but it appears by a compilation from the reports of the commissioner of the general land office that the immediate effect in leading cases which have come to a final termination has been the restoration to the mass of public lands of acres that acres are embraced in investigations now pending before the department or the courts and that the action of congress has been asked to effect the restoration of acres additional besides which acres have been withheld from reservation and the rights of entry thereon maintained i recommend the repeal of the preemption and acts and that the homestead laws be so amended as to better secure compliance with their requirements of residence improvement and cultivation for the period of five years from date of entry without commutation or provision for speculative relinquishment i also recommend the repeal of the laws unless it shall be the pleasure of the congress to so amend these laws as to render them less liable to abuses as the chief motive for an evasion of the laws and the principal because of their result in land accumulation instead of land distribution is the facility with which transfers are made of the right intended to be secured to settlers it may be deemed advisable to provide by legislation some guards and checks upon the alienation of homestead rights and lands covered thereby until patents issue last year an executive proclamation was issued directing the removal of fences which inclosed the public domain many of these have been removed in obedience to such order but much of the public land still remains within the lines of these unlawful fences the ingenious methods resorted to in order to continue these trespasses and the hardihood of the pretenses by which in some cases such inclosures are justified are fully detailed in the report of the secretary of the interior the removal of the fences still remaining which inclose public lands will be enforced with all the authority and means with which the executive branch of the government is or shall be invested by the congress for that purpose the report of the commissioner of pensions contains a detailed and most satisfactory exhibit of the operations of the pension bureau during the last fiscal year the amount of work done was the largest in any year since the organization of the bureau and it has been done at less cost than during the previous year in every division on the 30th day of june 1886 there were pensioners on the rolls of the bureau since 1861 there have been applications for pensions filed of which were based upon service in the war of 1812 there were of these applications allowed including to the soldiers of 1812 and their widows the total amount paid for pensions since 1861 is the number of new pensions allowed during the year ended june 30 1886 is a larger number than has been allowed in any year save one since 1861 the names of pensioners which had been previously dropped from the rolls were restored during the year and after deducting those dropped within the same time for various causes a net increase remains for the year of names from january 1 1861 to december 1 1885 private pension acts had been passed since the date and during the last session of the congress 644 such acts became laws it seems to me that no one can examine our pension establishment and its operations without being convinced that through its instrumentality justice can be very nearly done to all who are entitled under present laws to the pension bounty of the government but it is undeniable that cases exist well entitled to relief in which the pension bureau is powerless to aid the really worthy cases of this class are such as only lack by misfortune the kind or quantity of proof which the law and regulations of the bureau require or which though their merit is apparent for some other reason can not be justly dealt with through general laws these conditions fully justify application to the congress and special enactments but resort to the congress for a special pension act to overrule the deliberate and careful determination of the pension bureau on the merits or to secure favorable action when it could not be expected under the most liberal execution of general laws it must be admitted opens the door to the allowance of questionable claims and presents to the legislative and executive branches of the government applications concededly not within the law and plainly devoid of merit but so surrounded by sentiment and patriotic feeling that they are hard to resist i suppose it will not be denied that many claims for pension are made without merit and that many have been allowed upon fraudulent representations this has been declared from the pension bureau not only in this but in prior administrations the usefulness and the justice of any system for the distribution of pensions depend upon the equality and uniformity of its operation it will be seen from the report of the commissioner that there are now paid by the government 131 different rates of pension he estimates from the best information he can obtain that of those who have served in the army and navy of the united states are now supported in whole or in part from public funds or by organized charities exclusive of those in soldiers homes under the direction and control of the government only 13 per cent of these are pensioners while of the entire number of men furnished for the late war something like 20 per cent including their widows and relatives have been or now are in receipt of pensions the american people with a patriotic and grateful regard for our too broad and too sacred to be monopolized by any special advocates are not only willing but anxious that equal and exact justice should be done to all honest claimants for pensions in their sight the friendless and destitute soldier dependent on public charity if otherwise entitled has precisely the same right to share in the provision made for those who fought their country battles as those better able through friends and influence to push their claims every pension that is granted under our present plan upon any other grounds than actual service and injury or disease incurred in such service and every instance of the many in which pensions are increased on other grounds than the merits of the claim work an injustice to the brave and crippled but poor and friendless soldier who is entirely neglected or who must be content with the smallest sum allowed under general laws there are far too many neighborhoods in which are found glaring cases of inequality of treatment in the matter of pensions and they are largely due to a yielding in the pension bureau to importunity on the part of those other than the pensioner who are especially interested or they arise from special acts passed for the benefit of individuals the men who fought side by side should stand side by side when they participate in a grateful nation kind remembrance every consideration of fairness and justice to our and the protection of the patriotic instinct of our citizens from perversion and violation point to the adoption of a pension system broad and comprehensive enough to cover every contingency and which shall make unnecessary an objectionable volume of special legislation as long as we adhere to the principle of granting pensions for service and disability as the result of the service the allowance of pensions should be restricted to cases presenting these features every patriotic heart responds to a tender consideration for those who having served their country long and well are reduced to destitution and dependence not as an incident of their service but with advancing age or through sickness or misfortune we are all tempted by the contemplation of such a condition to supply relief and are often impatient of the limitations of public duty yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this feeling of consideration i can not rid myself of the conviction that if these are to be relieved they and their because are entitled to the benefit of an enactment under which relief may be claimed as a right and that such relief should be granted under the sanction of law not in evasion of it nor should such worthy objects of care all equally entitled be remitted to the unequal operation of sympathy or the tender mercies of social and political influence with their unjust discriminations the discharged soldiers and sailors of the country are our and interested with us in the passage and faithful execution of wholesome laws they can not be swerved from their duty of citizenship by artful appeals to their spirit of brotherhood born of common peril and suffering nor will they exact as a test of devotion to their welfare a willingness to neglect public duty in their behalf on the 4th of march 1885 the current business of the patent office was on an average five and a half months in arrears and in several divisions more than twelve months behind at the close of the last fiscal year such current work was but three months in arrears and it is asserted and believed that in the next few months the delay in obtaining an examination of an application for a patent will be but nominal the number of applications for patents during the last fiscal year including reissues designs and labels equals which is considerably in excess of the number received during any preceding year the receipts of the patent office during the year aggregate enabling the office to turn into the treasury a surplus revenue over and above all expenditures of about the number of patents granted during the last fiscal year including reissues designs and labels was a number also quite largely in excess of that of any preceding year the report of the commissioner shows the office to be in a prosperous condition and constantly increasing in its business no increase of force is asked for the amount estimated for the fiscal year ending june 30 1886 was the amount estimated for the year ending june 30 1887 was the amount estimated for the fiscal year ending june 30 1888 is the secretary of the interior suggests a change in the plan for the payment of the indebtedness of the pacific subsidized roads to the government his suggestion has the unanimous indorsement of the persons selected by the government to act as directors of these roads and protect the interests of the united states in the board of direction in considering the plan proposed the sole matters which should be taken into account in my opinion are the situation of the government as a creditor and the surest way to secure the payment of the principal and interest of its debt by a recent decision of the supreme court of the united states it has been adjudged that the laws of the several states are inoperative to regulate rates of transportation upon railroads if such regulation interferes with the rate of carriage from one state into another this important field of control and regulation having been thus left entirely unoccupied the expediency of federal action upon the subject is worthy of consideration the relations of labor to capital and of laboring men to their employers are of the utmost concern to every patriotic citizen when these are strained and distorted unjustifiable claims are apt to be insisted upon by both interests and in the controversy which results the welfare of all and the prosperity of the country are jeopardized any intervention of the general government within the limits of its constitutional authority to avert such a condition should be willingly accorded in a special message transmitted to the congress at its last session i suggested the enlargement of our present labor bureau and adding to its present functions the power of arbitration in cases where differences arise between employer and employed when these differences reach such a stage as to result in the interruption of commerce between the states the application of this remedy by the general government might be regarded as entirely within its constitutional powers and i think we might reasonably hope that such arbitrators if carefully selected and if entitled to the confidence of the parties to be affected would be voluntarily called to the settlement of controversies of less extent and not necessarily within the domain of federal regulation i am of the opinion that this suggestion is worthy the attention of the congress but after all has been done by the passage of laws either federal or state to relieve a situation full of solicitude much more remains to be accomplished by the reinstatement and cultivation of a true american sentiment which recognizes the equality of american citizenship this in the light of our traditions and in loyalty to the spirit of our institutions would teach that a hearty cooperation on the part of all interests is the surest path to national greatness and the happiness of all our people that capital should in recognition of the brotherhood of our citizenship and in a spirit of american fairness generously accord to labor its just compensation and consideration and that contented labor is capital best protection and faithful ally it would teach too that the diverse situations of our people are inseparable from our civilization that every citizen should in his sphere be a contributor to the general good that capital does not necessarily tend to the oppression of labor and that violent disturbances and disorders alienate from their promoters true american sympathy and kindly feeling the department of agriculture representing the oldest and largest of our national industries is subserving well the purposes of its organization by the introduction of new subjects of farming enterprise and by opening new sources of agricultural wealth and the dissemination of early information concerning production and prices it has contributed largely to the country prosperity through this agency advanced thought and investigation touching the subjects it has in charge should among other things be practically applied to the home production at a low cost of articles of food which are now imported from abroad such an innovation will necessarily of course in the beginning be within the domain of intelligent experiment and the subject in every stage should receive all possible encouragement from the government the interests of millions of our citizens engaged in agriculture are involved in an enlargement and improvement of the results of their labor and a zealous regard for their welfare should be a willing tribute to those whose productive returns are a main source of our progress and power the existence of among the cattle of various states has led to burdensome and in some cases disastrous restrictions in an important branch of our commerce threatening to affect the quantity and quality of our food supply this is a matter of such importance and of such consequences that i hope it will engage the serious attention of the congress to the end that such a remedy may be applied as the limits of a constitutional delegation of power to the general government will permit i commend to the consideration of the congress the report of the commissioner and his suggestions concerning the interest intrusted to his care the continued operation of the law relating to our civil service has added the most convincing proofs of its necessity and usefulness it is a fact worthy of note that every public officer who has a just idea of his duty to the people testifies to the value of this reform its staunchest friends are found among those who understand it best and its warmest supporters are those who are restrained and protected by its requirements the meaning of such restraint and protection is not appreciated by those who want places under the government regardless of merit and efficiency nor by those who insist that the selection of such places should rest upon a proper credential showing active partisan work they mean to public officers if not their lives the only opportunity afforded them to attend to public business and they mean to the good people of the country the better performance of the work of their government it is exceedingly strange that the scope and nature of this reform are so little understood and that so many things not included within its plan are called by its name when cavil yields more fully to examination the system will have large additions to the number of its friends our reform may be imperfect in some of its details it may be misunderstood and opposed it may not always be faithfully applied its designs may sometimes miscarry through mistake or willful intent it may sometimes tremble under the assaults of its enemies or languish under the misguided zeal of impracticable friends but if the people of this country ever submit to the banishment of its underlying principle from the operation of their government they will abandon the surest guaranty of the safety and success of american institutions i invoke for this reform the cheerful and ungrudging support of the congress i renew my recommendation made last year that the salaries of the commissioners be made equal to other officers of the government having like duties and responsibilities and i hope that such reasonable appropriations may be made as will enable them to increase the usefulness of the because they have in charge i desire to call the attention of the congress to a plain duty which the government owes to the depositors in the freedman savings and trust company this company was chartered by the congress for the benefit of the most illiterate and humble of our people and with the intention of encouraging in them industry and thrift most of its branches were presided over by officers holding the commissions and clothed in the uniform of the united states these and other circumstances reasonably i think led these simple people to suppose that the invitation to deposit their savings in this institution implied an undertaking on the part of their government that their money should be safely kept for them when this company failed it was liable in the sum of to depositors dividends amounting in the aggregate to 62 per cent have been declared and the sum called for and paid of such dividends seems to be this sum deducted from the entire amount of deposits leaves still unpaid past experience has shown that quite a large part of this sum will not be called for there are assets still on hand amounting to the estimated sum of i think the remaining 38 per cent of such of these deposits as have claimants should be paid by the government upon principles of equity and fairness the report of the commissioner soon to be laid before congress will give more satisfactory details on this subject the control of the affairs of the district of columbia having been placed in the hands of purely executive officers while the congress still retains all legislative authority relating to its government it becomes my duty to make known the most pressing needs of the district and recommend their consideration the laws of the district appear to be in an uncertain and unsatisfactory condition and their codification or revision is much needed during the past year one of the bridges leading from the district to the state of virginia became unfit for use and travel upon it was forbidden this leads me to suggest that the improvement of all the bridges crossing the potomac and its branches from the city of washington is worthy the attention of congress the commissioners of the district represent that the laws regulating the sale of liquor and granting licenses therefor should be at once amended and that legislation is needed to consolidate define and enlarge the scope and powers of charitable and penal institutions within the district i suggest that the commissioners be clothed with the power to make within fixed limitations police regulations i believe this power granted and carefully guarded would tend to subserve the good order of the municipality it seems that trouble still exists growing out of the occupation of the streets and avenues by certain railroads having their termini in the city it is very important that such laws should be enacted upon this subject as will secure to the railroads all the facilities they require for the transaction of their business and at the same time protect citizens from injury to their persons or property the commissioners again complain that the accommodations afforded them for the necessary offices for district business and for the of valuable books and papers are entirely insufficient i recommend that this condition of affairs be remedied by the congress and that suitable quarters be furnished for the needs of the district government in conclusion i earnestly invoke such wise action on the part of the people legislators as will subserve the public good and demonstrate during the remaining days of the congress as at present organized its ability and inclination to so meet the people needs that it shall be gratefully remembered by an expectant constituency
discharge constitutional duty following precedent executive office herewith transmit congress reassembling certain information concerning state union together recommendations legislative consideration appear necessary expedient government consistently maintained relations friendship toward powers neighborly interest toward whose possessions contiguous questions arisen past year governments none beyond reach settlement friendly counsel yet without provision settlement claims citizens united states chile injustice late war peru bolivia mixed commissions organized claims conventions concluded chilean government certain european states developed amount friction trust avoided convention representative santiago authorized negotiate cruel treatment inoffensive chinese regret say repeated far western states territories acts violence people beyond power local constituted authorities prevent difficult punish reported even distant alaska much violence traced race prejudice competition labor however justify oppression strangers whose safety guaranteed treaty china equally favored nations opening vast domain alien elements purpose lawgivers invite assimilation provide arena endless antagonism paramount duty maintaining public order defending interests people may require adoption measures restriction tolerate oppression individuals special race without assurance government china whose friendly disposition toward us happy recognize meet us halfway devising comprehensive remedy effective limitation chinese emigration joined protection chinese subjects remain country may secured legislation needed execute provisions chinese convention 1880 touching opium traffic good colombian government toward country manifest situation american interests isthmus panama times excited concern invited friendly action looking performance engagements two nations concerning territory embraced interoceanic transit subsidence isthmian disturbances erection state panama federal district direct government constitutional administration bogota new order things inaugurated although yet somewhat experimental affording scope arbitrary exercise power delegates national authority promises much improvement sympathy people united states france born colonial struggle independence continuing today received fresh impulse successful completion dedication colossal statue liberty enlightening world new york harbor gift frenchmen americans convention united states certain powers protection submarine cables signed paris march 14 1884 duly ratified proclaimed government agreement high contracting parties convention go effect 1st january next legislation required execution united states yet adopted earnestly recommend enactment cases continued occur germany giving rise much correspondence relation privilege sojourn naturalized citizens german origin revisiting land birth yet happy state relations country lost none accustomed cordiality claims interest upon amount tonnage dues illegally exacted certain german steamship lines favorably reported houses congress last session trust receive final favorable action early day recommendations contained last annual message relation mode settlement fishery rights waters british north america long subject anxious difference united states great britain met adverse vote senate april 13 last thereupon negotiations instituted obtain agreement britannic majesty government promulgation joint interpretation definition article convention 1818 relating territorial waters inshore fisheries british provinces secure canadian rights encroachment united states fishermen time insure enjoyment latter privileges guaranteed convention questions involved long standing grave consequence time time nearly century given rise earnest international discussions unaccompanied irritation temporary arrangements treaties served allay friction however revived treaty terminated last arrangement treaty 1871 abrogated due notice united states june 30 1885 enabled obtain fishermen remainder season enjoyment full privileges accorded terminated treaty joint high commission treaty negotiated although invested plenary power make permanent settlement content temporary arrangement termination question relegated stipulations treaty 1818 first article construction satisfactory countries ever agreed upon progress civilization growth population british provinces fisheries question contiguous expansion commercial intercourse united states present condition affairs scarcely realizable date negotiations 1818 new vast interests brought existence modes intercourse respective countries invented multiplied methods conducting fisheries wholly changed necessarily entitled candid careful consideration adjustment terms conditions intercourse commerce united states neighbors along frontier miles propinquity community language occupation similarity political social institutions indicate practicability obvious wisdom maintaining mutually beneficial friendly relations whilst unfeignedly desirous relations exist us inhabitants canada yet action officials past season toward fishermen seriously threaten continuance although disappointed efforts secure satisfactory settlement fishery question negotiations still pending reasonable hope close present session congress announcement may made acceptable conclusion reached early day may laid congress correspondence department state relation important subject history past fishing season may fully disclosed action attitude administration clearly comprehended extended reference deemed necessary communication recommendation submitted last year provision made preliminary reconnoissance conventional boundary line alaska british columbia renewed express unhesitating conviction intimacy relations hawaii emphasized result reciprocity treaty 1875 islands highway oriental australasian traffic virtually outpost american commerce growing trade pacific polynesian island groups absorbed powerful governments hawaiian islands left almost alone enjoyment autonomy important us preserved treaty terminable one year notice propositions abrogate would judgment ill advised paramount influence acquired relinquished could difficulty regained valuable ground vantage might converted stronghold commercial competitors earnestly recommend existing treaty stipulations extended term seven years recently signed treaty end senate importance telegraphic communication islands united states overlooked question general revision treaties japan discussion tokyo first open relations empire nation direct commercial relations japan united states lost opportunity testify consistent friendship supporting claims japan autonomy independence among nations treaty extradition united states japan first concluded empire lately proclaimed weakness liberia difficulty maintaining effective sovereignty outlying districts exposed republic encroachment forgotten distant community offshoot system owing origin associated benevolence american citizens whose praiseworthy efforts create nucleus civilization dark continent commanded respect sympathy everywhere especially country although formal protectorate liberia contrary traditional policy moral right duty united states assist proper ways maintenance integrity obvious consistently announced nearly half century recommend reorganization navy small vessel longer found adequate needs presented liberia employed protection coastwise revenues encouraging development beneficial intimate relations united states mexico marked within past years occasion congratulation friendly solicitude urgently renew former representation need speedy legislation congress carry effect reciprocity commercial convention january 20 1883 commercial treaty 1831 mexico terminated according provisions 1881 upon notification given mexico pursuance announced policy recasting commercial treaties mexico since concluded several foreign governments new treaties commerce navigation defining alien rights trade property residence treatment shipping consular privileges like yet unexecuted reciprocity convention 1883 covers none points settlement necessary good relationship propose initiate mexico negotiations new enlarged treaty commerce navigation compliance resolution senate communicated body august 2 last also house representatives correspondence case cutting american citizen imprisoned mexico charged commission penal offense texas mexican citizen object demand made release charge amended include violation mexican law within mexican territory joinder alleged offenses one within exterior mexico induced order special investigation case pending mr cutting released incident however disclosed claim jurisdiction mexico novel history whereby offense committed anywhere foreigner penal place commission mexican object may offender found mexico tried punished conformity mexican laws jurisdiction sustained courts mexico cutting case approved executive branch government upon authority mexican statute appellate court releasing mr cutting decided abandonment complaint mexican citizen aggrieved alleged crime libelous publication removed basis prosecution also declared justice satisfied enforcement small part original sentence admission pretension would attended serious results invasive jurisdiction government highly dangerous citizens foreign lands therefore denied protested attempted exercise unwarranted principles law international usages sovereign jurisdiction offenses take effect within territory although concocted commenced outside right denied foreign sovereign punish citizen united states offense consummated soil violation laws even though offense subject citizen sovereign mexican statute question makes claim broadly principle conceded would create dual responsibility citizen lead inextricable confusion destructive certainty law essential liberty citizens united states voluntarily go foreign country must abide laws force protected government consequences offense laws committed foreign country watchful care interest government citizens relinquished gone abroad charged crime committed foreign land fair open trial conducted decent regard justice humanity demanded less government content life liberty citizens stake whatever degree extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction may formerly allowed consent reciprocal agreement among certain european states doctrine practice ever known laws country institutions mainly derived case mexico reasons especially strong perfect harmony mutual exercise jurisdiction nature made us irrevocably neighbors wisdom kind feeling make us friends overflow capital enterprise united states potent factor assisting development resources mexico building prosperity countries assist good work grounds apprehension security person property removed trust interests good neighborhood statute referred modified eliminate present possibilities danger peace two countries government netherlands exhibited concern relation certain features tariff laws supposed aimed class tobacco produced dutch east indies comment would seem unnecessary upon unwisdom legislation appearing special national discrimination object although unintentional may give rise injurious retaliation establishment less four years ago legation teheran bearing fruit interest exhibited shah government industrial activity united states opportunities beneficial interchanges stable government happily restored peru election constitutional president period rehabilitation entered upon recovery necessarily slow exhaustion caused late war civil disturbances convention adjust arbitration claims citizens proposed consideration naval officer bore siberia testimonials bestowed congress recognition aid given jeannette survivors successfully accomplished mission interesting report submitted pleasant know mark appreciation welcomed russian government people befits traditional friendship two countries civil perturbations samoan islands past years source considerable embarrassment three great britain united states whose relations extraterritorial rights important group guaranteed treaties weakness native administration conflict opposing interests islands led king malietoa seek alliance protection one quarter regardless distinct engagements whereby one three treaty powers may acquire paramount exclusive interest may last malietoa offered place samoa protection united states late consul without authority assumed grant proceeding promptly disavowed overzealous official recalled special agents three governments deputed examine situation islands change representation three powers harmonious understanding peace prosperity autonomous administration neutrality samoa hardly fail secured appearing government spain extend flag united states antilles full measure reciprocity requisite statute continuance suspension discriminations spanish flag ports constrained october last rescind predecessor proclamation february 14 1884 permitting suspension arrangement however speedily reached upon notification government spain differential treatment vessels cargoes united states foreign country completely absolutely relinquished availed discretion conferred law issued 27th october proclamation declaring reciprocal suspension united states gratifying bear testimony earnest spirit government queen regent met efforts avert initiation commercial discriminations reprisals ever disastrous material interests political good countries may affect profitable development large commercial exchanges united states spanish antilles naturally object solicitude lying close doors finding main markets supply demand welfare cuba puerto rico production trade scarcely less important us spain commercial financial movements naturally part system obstacle fuller freer intercourse permitted exist standing instructions representatives madrid havana years leave effort unessayed ends time equal good desire spain hopefully manifested government spain removing consular tonnage fees cargoes shipped antilles reducing passport fees shown recognition needs less trammeled intercourse effort made past year remove hindrances proclamation treaty naturalization sublime porte signed 1874 remained inoperative owing disagreement interpretation clauses relative effects return sojourn naturalized citizen land origin trust soon able announce favorable settlement differences interpretation highly satisfactory note improved treatment american missionaries turkey attested acknowledgments late minister government successful exertions behalf exchange ratifications convention december 5 1885 venezuela reopening awards caracas commission claims convention 1866 yet effected owing delay executive republic ratifying measure trust postponement brief much longer continue delay may well regarded rescission compact failure part venezuela complete arrangement persistently sought many years assented government spirit international fairness although detriment holders bona fide awards impugned commission renew recommendation last annual message existing legislation concerning citizenship naturalization revised treaties many states providing renunciation citizenship naturalized aliens statute found give effect engagements provides needed central bureau registration naturalized citizens experience suggests statutes regulating extradition might advantageously amended provision transit across territory convenient thoroughfare travel one foreign country another fugitives surrendered foreign government third state provisions unusual legislation countries tend prevent miscarriage justice also desirable order remove present uncertainties authority conferred secretary state issue certificate case arrest purpose extradition officer proceeding pending showing requisition surrender person charged duly made certificate required received prisoner examination would prevent long expensive judicial inquiry charge foreign government might desire press also recommend express provision made immediate discharge custody persons committed extradition president opinion surrender made drift sentiment civilized communities toward full recognition rights property creations human intellect brought adoption many important nations international copyright convention signed berne 18th september 1885 inasmuch constitution gives congress power promote progress science useful arts securing limited times authors inventors exclusive right respective writings discoveries government feel warranted becoming signatory pending action congress upon measures international copyright right adhesion berne convention hereafter reserved trust subject receive hands attention deserves claims authors urgently pressed duly heeded representations continue made injurious effect upon american artists studying abroad free access art collections foreign countries maintaining discriminating duty introduction works brother artists countries induced repeat recommendation abolition tax pursuant provision diplomatic consular appropriation act approved july 1 1886 estimates submitted secretary state maintenance consular service recast basis salaries officers allowance deemed advisable advantage taken redistribute salaries offices appropriated accordance work performed importance representative duties incumbent cost living post last consideration often lost sight allowances heretofore made compensation may suffice decent maintenance worthy capable officer position onerous representative trust post readily accessible necessaries life abundant cheap may prove inadequate pittance distant lands better part year pay consumed reaching post duty comforts ordinary civilized existence obtained difficulty exorbitant cost trust considering submitted schedules mistaken theory economy perpetuate system past virtually closed deserving talent many offices capacity attainments high order indispensable instances brought discredit national character entailed embarrassment even suffering deputed uphold dignity interests abroad connection subject earnestly reiterate practical necessity supplying mode trustworthy inspection report manner consulates conducted absence reliable information efficiency scarcely rewarded opposite corrected increasing competition trade directed attention value consular reports printed department state efforts government extend practical usefulness reports created wider demand home spirit emulation abroad constituting record changes occurring trade progress arts invention foreign countries much sought interested subjects embrace report secretary treasury exhibits detail condition public finances several branches government related department especially direct attention congress recommendations contained last preceding report secretary touching simplification amendment laws relating collection revenues interest economy justice government hope may adopted appropriate legislation ordinary receipts government fiscal year ended june 30 1886 amount received customs internal revenue total receipts stated greater previous year increase customs internal revenue making gain items last year falling resources reducing total increase smaller amount mentioned expense different collecting increased customs revenue less expense attending collection revenue preceding year increased receipts internal revenue collected cost bureau less expense collection previous year total ordinary expenses government fiscal year ended june 30 1886 less expenditures year preceding leaving surplus treasury close last fiscal year close previous year increase surplus expenditures compared preceding fiscal year classified follows current year end june 30 1887 ascertained receipts october 1 1886 receipts estimated remainder year amount expenditures ascertained estimated period indicating anticipated surplus close year total value exports united states foreign countries fiscal year stated compared preceding year follows value leading exports last fiscal year compared value year immediately preceding given furnishes information interesting suggestive imports last fiscal year compared previous year follows last annual message congress attention directed fact revenues government exceeded actual needs suggested legislative action taken relieve people unnecessary burden taxation thus made apparent view pressing importance subject deem duty urge consideration income government increased volume economies collection ever excess public necessities application surplus payment portion public debt option subject extinguishment continued rate lately prevailed would retire class indebtedness within less one year date thus continuation present revenue system would soon result receipt annual income much greater necessary meet government expenses indebtedness upon could applied confronted vast quantity money circulating medium people hoarded treasury hands drawn wasteful public extravagance corrupting national demoralization follows train simple existence surplus threatened attendant evils furnish strongest argument present scale federal taxation worst phase exaction surplus perversion relations people government dangerous departure rules limit right federal taxation good government especially government every american citizen boasts objects protection every person within care greatest liberty consistent good order society perfect security enjoyment earnings least possible diminution public needs people substance exacted form taxation necessary meet obligations government expense economical administration exaction becomes ruthless extortion violation fundamental principles free government indirect manner exactions made tendency conceal true character extent arrived stage superfluous revenue aroused people realization fact amount raised professedly support government paid absolutely added price things supply daily wants paid fixed periods hand tax gatherer toil daily wages beginning understand capital though sometimes vaunting importance clamoring protection favor government dull sluggish till touched magical hand labor springs activity furnishing occasion federal taxation gaining value enables bear burden laboring man thoughtfully inquiring whether circumstances considering tribute constantly pays public treasury supplies daily wants receives fair share advantages also suspicion abroad surplus revenues indicates abnormal exceptional business profits system produces surplus increase without corresponding benefit people large vast accumulations among citizens whose fortunes rivaling wealth favored antidemocratic nations natural growth steady plain industrious republic farmers engaged directly indirectly supplying products agriculture see day day often daily wants households recur forced pay excessive needless taxation products struggle foreign markets competition nations allowing freer exchange productions permit enable people sell prices distress american farmer every patriotic citizen rejoices constantly increasing pride people american citizenship glory national achievements progress sentiment prevails leading strings useful nation infancy may well great extent discarded present stage american ingenuity courage fearless privilege indulging sentiment true american enthusiasm citizens quite willing forego idle surplus public treasury people know average rate federal taxation upon imports time peace little less upon articles necessary consumption actually imposed grievous burden willingly borne time government needed millions maintain war safety integrity union policy government collect principal part revenues tax upon imports change policy desirable present condition affairs constrains people demand revision revenue laws receipts government shall reduced necessary expense economical administration demand recognized obeyed people representatives legislative branch government readjusting burdens federal taxation sound public policy requires citizens built large important industries present conditions suddenly injury deprived advantages adapted business public good requires content consideration shall deal fairly cautiously interests demand people relief needless taxation honestly answered reasonable timely submission demand certainly possible without disastrous shock interest cheerful concession sometimes averts abrupt heedless action often outgrowth impatience delayed justice due regard also accorded proposed readjustment interests american labor far involved congratulate among us laboring class fixed within unyielding bounds doomed conditions inexorable fate daily toil recognize labor chief factor wealth republic treat keeping citizens entitled careful regard thoughtful attention regard attention awarded labor capital workingmen justly entitled share government favor less important reason laboring man surrounded family humble home consumer vitally interested cheapens cost living enables bring within domestic circle additional comforts advantages relation workingman revenue laws country manner palpably influences question wages forgotten justifiable prominence given proper maintenance supply protection labor considerations suggest arrangement government revenues shall reduce expense living curtail opportunity work reduce compensation american labor injuriously affect condition dignified place holds estimation people farmers agriculturists soil produce things consumed perhaps directly plainly concerned citizens careful system federal taxation actually engaged remotely connected kind work number nearly population none labor harder continuously enactments limit hours toil interposition government enhances great extent value products yet many necessaries comforts life scrupulous economy enables bring homes implements husbandry obliged pay price largely increased unnatural profit action government given favored manufacturer recommend keeping view considerations increasing unnecessary surplus national income annually accumulating released people amendment revenue laws shall cheapen price necessaries life give freer entrance imported materials american labor may manufactured marketable commodities nothing accomplished however direction reform unless subject approached patriotic spirit devotion interests entire country willingness yield something public good sum paid upon public debt fiscal year ended june 30 1886 twelve months ended october 3 per cent bonds called redemption amounting called answer requirements law relating sinking fund purpose reducing public debt application part surplus treasury object bonds thus called became subject calls redemption prior november 1 1886 remainder amounting matured calls date addition amount subject payment cancellation prior november 1 also paid day certain bonds interest thereon amounting anticipated maturity called thus actually applied prior 1st november 1886 extinguishment bonded debt leaving day still outstanding sum amount still represented 3 per cent bonds however since november 1 reduced bonds called already stated redeemed canceled latter date fiscal year ended june 30 1886 coined compulsory act silver dollars cost silver used coinage coined close previous fiscal year provisions law silver dollars 1st day december 1886 total amount coinage director mint reports time passage law 1878 directing coinage intrinsic value dollars thus coined 94 cents 31st day july 1886 price silver reached lowest stage ever known intrinsic bullion price standard silver dollar date less 72 cents price silver 30th day november last make dollars intrinsically worth 78 cents differences value coins represent fluctuations price silver certainly indicate compulsory coinage government enhances price commodity secures uniformity value every fair legal effort made treasury department distribute currency among people withdrawal united states treasury notes small denominations issuing small silver certificates resorted endeavor accomplish result obedience sentiments representatives people congress 27th day november 1886 people held coins certificates representing nominal sum still treasury hands people remaining treasury one year ago director mint urges necessity vault room purpose storing silver dollars needed circulation people seen reason change views expressed last annual message subject compulsory coinage urge suspension grounds contained former recommendation reenforced significant increase gold exportations last year appears comparative statement herewith presented reasons currency distributed among people greater becomes duty protect disaster abundance needs seems little propriety building vaults store currency pretense coinage necessity use people circulating medium great number suits pending united states courts southern district new york growing collection customs revenue port new york number suits almost daily instituted certainly worthy attention congress legal controversies based upon conflicting views importers collector interpretation present complex indefinite revenue laws might largely obviated amendment laws pending amendment present condition litigation relieved pending suits commenced within past eighteen months many others issue years delays subject government loss evidence prevent preparation necessary defeat unjust fictitious claims constantly accruing interest threatens double demands involved present condition dockets courts well filled private suits force allowed district attorney greater necessary ordinary current business office revenue litigations considered default adoption congress plan general reorganization federal courts heretofore recommended urge propriety passing law permitting appointment additional federal judge district government suits accumulated continuous sessions courts devoted trial cases may determined entirely plain great saving government would accomplished remedy suitors honest claims would denied justice delay report secretary war gives detailed account administration department contains sundry recommendations improvement service fully approve army consisted date last consolidated return officers enlisted men expenses department last fiscal year including public works river harbor improvements especially direct attention congress recommendation officers required submit examination preliminary promotion see objection many advantages adopting feature operated beneficially navy department well branches army subject coast defenses fortifications fully carefully treated board fortifications whose report submitted last session congress construction work kind recommended board possible last year lack appropriations purpose defenseless condition seacoast lake frontier perfectly palpable examinations made must convince us certain cities named report board fortified work important fortifications commenced work thoroughly considered laid secretary war reports delayed default congressional action absolute necessity judged standards prudence foresight preparation effectual resistance armored ships steel guns mortars modern construction may threaten cities coasts apparent hope effective steps taken direction immediately valuable suggestive treatment question secretary war earnestly commended consideration congress september october last hostile apaches leadership geronimo eighteen months war path time committed many murders constant terror settlers arizona surrendered general miles military commander succeeded general crook management direction pursuit terms surrender reported view understanding murderous savages seemed entertain assurances given considered best imprison manner prevent ever engaging outrages instead trying murder fort pickens selected safe place confinement adult males sent thither closely guarded prisoners meantime residue band though still remaining upon reservation regarded unsafe suspected furnishing aid war path removed fort marion women larger children hostiles also taken arrangements made putting children proper age indian schools report secretary navy contains detailed exhibit condition department statement action needed improve challenge earnest attention congress present navy united states aside ships course construction consists first fourteen monitors none commission present time serviceable batteries ships obsolete relied upon auxiliary ships harbor defense expenditure upon might deemed justifiable second five vessels small tonnage one designed war vessel auxiliary merely third cruising ships three built iron small tonnage wood wooden vessels estimated chief constructor navy three serviceable beyond period six years time may said present naval force nothing worthy name remain vessels heretofore authorized contract course construction except armored ships torpedo dynamite boats one cruiser last bids excess limit fixed congress production united states armor gun steel question seems necessary settle early day armored war vessels completed materials home manufacture subject investigation two boards two special committees congress within last three years report gun foundry board 1884 board fortifications made january last reports select committees two houses made last session congress entirely exhausted subject far preliminary investigation involved recommendations substantially agreed event present invitation department bids furnish material authorized shall fail induce domestic manufacturers undertake large expenditures required prepare new manufacture steps taken congress coming session secretary contemplates dissatisfaction necessity obtaining abroad armor gun steel authorized ships would seem desirable wants army navy regard reasonably met uniting contracts inducement might offered would result securing domestication important interests affairs postal service show marked gratifying improvement past year particular account transactions condition given report laid reduction rate letter postage 1883 rendering postal revenues inadequate sustain expenditures business depression also contributing resulted excess cost fiscal year ended june 30 1885 eight millions dollars additional check upon receipts doubling measure weight rating sealed correspondence diminishing charge newspaper carriage imposed legislation took effect beginning past fiscal year constant demand territorial development growing population extension increase mail facilities machinery necessitates steady annual advance outlay careful estimate year ago upon rates expenditure existing contemplated unavoidable augmentation deficiency last fiscal year nearly anticipated revenue last year failed realization proper measures economy satisfactorily limited growth expenditure total deficiency fact fell 1885 time increase revenue gaining ratio increase cost demonstrating sufficiency present rates postage ultimately sustain service pleasing people enjoy cheaper postage proportionably distances vaster costly service upon globe retrenchment effected cost supplies expenditures unwarranted law ceased outlays mail carriage subjected beneficial scrutiny close last fiscal year expense transportation star routes stood annual rate cost less close previous year steamboat service nearly less service meantime enlarged extended establishment new offices increase routes carriage expansion conveniences additions railway mail facilities accordance growing exigencies country policy government calls attention existing law compensating railroads expresses opinion method may devised prove carriers beneficial government subject appears worthy early consideration differences arose year certain ocean steamship companies terminated acquiescence policy government approved congress postal appropriation last session department enjoys utmost service afforded vessels sail ports upon either ocean service generally adequate needs intercourse petitions however presented department numerous merchants manufacturers establishment direct service argentine republic semimonthly dispatches empire brazil subject commended consideration obvious duty provide means postal communication commerce requires prudent forecast results wise extension may lead stimulating intercourse become harbinger profitable traffic open new avenues disposition products industry circumstances countries far south continent invite enterprise afford promise sufficient advantages justify unusual effort bring closer relations greater freedom communication would tend establish suggest distinguished grant subsidy mere benefit line trade travel whatever outlay may required secure additional postal service necessary proper otherwise attainable regarded within limit legitimate compensation service extension service suggested heretofore received sanction hoped suitable enactment may soon agreed upon request appropriation sufficient enable general inspection offices approbation renew approval recommendation another assistant provided department invite attention several recommendations report conduct department justice last fiscal year fully detailed report invite earnest attention congress due consideration recommendations therein contained report submitted officer last session congress strongly recommended erection penitentiary confinement prisoners convicted sentenced united states courts repeats recommendation report last year matter great importance receive congressional action united states prisoners confined thirty different state prisons penitentiaries scattered every part country subjected nearly many different modes treatment discipline far much removed control regulation government far entitled humane treatment opportunity improvement reformation government responsible society things forthcoming duty scarcely discharged without absolute control direction possible present system many good citizens interested beneficial results question prison reform general government situation since must united states prisoners furnish important aid movement able illustrate may practically done direction reform present example treatment improvement prisoners worthy imitation prisons control government could deal somewhat vexed question convict labor far convicts concerned according plan adoption due regard rights interests laboring citizens instead sometimes aiding operation system causes among irritation discontent upon consideration subject might thought wise erect one institutions located places would best subserve purposes convenience economy transportation considerable cost maintaining convicts present state institutions would saved adoption plan proposed employing manufacture articles needed use government quite large pecuniary benefit would realized partial return outlay urge change federal judicial system meet wants people obviate delays necessarily attending present condition affairs courts agreed something done much favor shown well able advise plan suggested last session congress recommended last annual message recommendation renewed together another made time touching change manner compensating district attorneys marshals latter subject commended congress action interest economy government humanity fairness justice people report secretary interior presents comprehensive summary work various branches public service connected department suggestions recommendations contains improvement service receive careful consideration exhibit made condition indian population progress work enlightenment notwithstanding many embarrassments hinder better administration important branch service gratifying hopeful one funds appropriated indian service fiscal year passed available income indian land trust moneys amounting ample service conditions restrictions laws regulating expenditure remained balance hand june 30 1886 permanent funds fulfillment treaties like purposes remainder subject carried surplus fund required law estimates presented appropriations ensuing fiscal year amount less laid congress last year present system agencies absolutely necessary well adapted management indian affairs ends view adopted present stage indian management inadequate standing alone accomplishment object become pressing importance rapid transition tribal organizations citizenship portions indians capable civilized life existing system adopted indian race outside limits organized states territories beyond immediate reach operation civilization efforts mainly directed maintenance friendly relations preservation peace quiet frontier changed thing indian frontier civilization busy hum industry influences christianity surrounds people every point none tribes outside bounds organized government society except territorial system extended portion country known indian territory race indians longer hostile may considered submissive control government troublesome except fragments several bands gathered upon reservations longer possible subsist chase spontaneous productions earth abundance land furnished means implements profitable husbandry life entire dependence upon government rations day day longer defensible inclination long fostered defective system control cling habits customs ancestors struggle persistence change life altered circumstances press upon barbarism civilization live together impossible incongruous conditions coexist soil portion people authority government peculiar claim upon entitled fostering care protection nation government relieve responsibility far trained civilized able wholly manage care paths walk must clearly marked must led guided familiar way competent assume duties responsibilities citizenship progress great work continue present slow pace great expense unless system methods management improved meet changed conditions urgent demands service agents general charge supervision many cases indians scattered large reservations burdened details accountability funds supplies time look industrial training improvement indians many neglected remain idle dependent conditions favorable progress civilization compensation allowed agents conditions service calculated secure work men fitted ability skill properly plan intelligently direct methods best adapted produce speedy results permanent benefits hence necessity supplemental agency system directed end promoting general rapid transition tribes habits customs barbarism ways civilization anxious desire devise plan operation secure welfare indians relieve treasury far possible support idle dependent population recommended previous annual message passage law authorizing appointment commission instrumentality auxiliary already established care indians designed commission composed six intelligent capable persons three detailed army practical ideas upon subject treatment indians interested welfare charged direction secretary interior management matters detail present organization properly successfully conducted present different phases indians differ progress needs disposition capacity improvement immediate aid commission much unwise useless expenditure money waste materials unavailing efforts might avoided hoped measure wisdom congress may better devise supply deficiency present system may receive consideration appropriate legislation provided time ripe work agency less opposition education training indian youth shown increased attendance upon schools yielding tendency individual holding lands development advancement directions essential every encouragement rising generation taught language civilization trained habits industry assume duties privileges responsibilities citizenship obstacle hinder location settlement indian willing take land severalty contrary inclination stimulated times proper expedient authority law making allotments reservations others allotments provided small indians though ready desiring settle willing accept small areas reservations contain ample lands afford homesteads sufficient size meet present future needs inequalities existing special laws treaties corrected general legislation subject provided progressive members different tribes may settled upon homesteads example lead others follow breaking away tribal customs substituting therefor love home interest family rule state indian character nature easily led brooding unadjusted wrongs especially regarding lands matters arising construction operation railroads across reservations claims title right occupancy set white persons best land within reservations require legislation final adjustment settlement matters remove many embarrassments progress work leading indians adoption institutions bringing operation influence protection universal laws country recommendations secretary interior commissioner general land office looking better protection public lands public surveys preservation national forests adjudication grants states corporations private land claims increased efficiency service commended attention congress secure widest distribution public lands limited quantities among settlers residence cultivation thus make greatest number individual homes primary object legislation early days republic system simple one commenced admirable scheme public surveys humblest citizen could identify tract upon wished establish home price lands placed within reach enterprising industrious honest pioneer citizens country soon however found object laws perverted system cash sales distribution land among people accumulation land capital wealthy speculative persons check tendency preference right purchase given settlers land plan culminated general preemption act 1841 foundation system actual residence cultivation twenty years later homestead law devised surely place actual homes possession actual cultivators soil land given without price sole conditions residence improvement cultivation laws followed designed encourage acquirement use land limited individual quantities later years laws vicious administrative methods changed conditions communication transportation evaded violated beneficent purpose threatened entire defeat methods evasions violations set forth detail reports secretary interior commissioner general land office rapid appropriation public lands without bona fide settlements cultivation without intention residence purpose aggregation large holdings many cases hands foreigners invites serious immediate attention congress energies land department devoted present administration remedy defects correct abuses service results efforts largely nature reforms processes methods land system prevent adequate estimate appears compilation reports commissioner general land office immediate effect leading cases come final termination restoration mass public lands acres acres embraced investigations pending department courts action congress asked effect restoration acres additional besides acres withheld reservation rights entry thereon maintained recommend repeal preemption acts homestead laws amended better secure compliance requirements residence improvement cultivation period five years date entry without commutation provision speculative relinquishment also recommend repeal laws unless shall pleasure congress amend laws render less liable abuses chief motive evasion laws principal result land accumulation instead land distribution facility transfers made right intended secured settlers may deemed advisable provide legislation guards checks upon alienation homestead rights lands covered thereby patents issue last year executive proclamation issued directing removal fences inclosed public domain many removed obedience order much public land still remains within lines unlawful fences ingenious methods resorted order continue trespasses hardihood pretenses cases inclosures justified fully detailed report secretary interior removal fences still remaining inclose public lands enforced authority means executive branch government shall invested congress purpose report commissioner pensions contains detailed satisfactory exhibit operations pension bureau last fiscal year amount work done largest year since organization bureau done less cost previous year every division 30th day june 1886 pensioners rolls bureau since 1861 applications pensions filed based upon service war 1812 applications allowed including soldiers 1812 widows total amount paid pensions since 1861 number new pensions allowed year ended june 30 1886 larger number allowed year save one since 1861 names pensioners previously dropped rolls restored year deducting dropped within time various causes net increase remains year names january 1 1861 december 1 1885 private pension acts passed since date last session congress 644 acts became laws seems one examine pension establishment operations without convinced instrumentality justice nearly done entitled present laws pension bounty government undeniable cases exist well entitled relief pension bureau powerless aid really worthy cases class lack misfortune kind quantity proof law regulations bureau require though merit apparent reason justly dealt general laws conditions fully justify application congress special enactments resort congress special pension act overrule deliberate careful determination pension bureau merits secure favorable action could expected liberal execution general laws must admitted opens door allowance questionable claims presents legislative executive branches government applications concededly within law plainly devoid merit surrounded sentiment patriotic feeling hard resist suppose denied many claims pension made without merit many allowed upon fraudulent representations declared pension bureau prior administrations usefulness justice system distribution pensions depend upon equality uniformity operation seen report commissioner paid government 131 different rates pension estimates best information obtain served army navy united states supported whole part public funds organized charities exclusive soldiers homes direction control government 13 per cent pensioners entire number men furnished late war something like 20 per cent including widows relatives receipt pensions american people patriotic grateful regard broad sacred monopolized special advocates willing anxious equal exact justice done honest claimants pensions sight friendless destitute soldier dependent public charity otherwise entitled precisely right share provision made fought country battles better able friends influence push claims every pension granted present plan upon grounds actual service injury disease incurred service every instance many pensions increased grounds merits claim work injustice brave crippled poor friendless soldier entirely neglected must content smallest sum allowed general laws far many neighborhoods found glaring cases inequality treatment matter pensions largely due yielding pension bureau importunity part pensioner especially interested arise special acts passed benefit individuals men fought side side stand side side participate grateful nation kind remembrance every consideration fairness justice protection patriotic instinct citizens perversion violation point adoption pension system broad comprehensive enough cover every contingency shall make unnecessary objectionable volume special legislation long adhere principle granting pensions service disability result service allowance pensions restricted cases presenting features every patriotic heart responds tender consideration served country long well reduced destitution dependence incident service advancing age sickness misfortune tempted contemplation condition supply relief often impatient limitations public duty yielding one desire indulge feeling consideration rid conviction relieved entitled benefit enactment relief may claimed right relief granted sanction law evasion worthy objects care equally entitled remitted unequal operation sympathy tender mercies social political influence unjust discriminations discharged soldiers sailors country interested us passage faithful execution wholesome laws swerved duty citizenship artful appeals spirit brotherhood born common peril suffering exact test devotion welfare willingness neglect public duty behalf 4th march 1885 current business patent office average five half months arrears several divisions twelve months behind close last fiscal year current work three months arrears asserted believed next months delay obtaining examination application patent nominal number applications patents last fiscal year including reissues designs labels equals considerably excess number received preceding year receipts patent office year aggregate enabling office turn treasury surplus revenue expenditures number patents granted last fiscal year including reissues designs labels number also quite largely excess preceding year report commissioner shows office prosperous condition constantly increasing business increase force asked amount estimated fiscal year ending june 30 1886 amount estimated year ending june 30 1887 amount estimated fiscal year ending june 30 1888 secretary interior suggests change plan payment indebtedness pacific subsidized roads government suggestion unanimous indorsement persons selected government act directors roads protect interests united states board direction considering plan proposed sole matters taken account opinion situation government creditor surest way secure payment principal interest debt recent decision supreme court united states adjudged laws several states inoperative regulate rates transportation upon railroads regulation interferes rate carriage one state another important field control regulation thus left entirely unoccupied expediency federal action upon subject worthy consideration relations labor capital laboring men employers utmost concern every patriotic citizen strained distorted unjustifiable claims apt insisted upon interests controversy results welfare prosperity country jeopardized intervention general government within limits constitutional authority avert condition willingly accorded special message transmitted congress last session suggested enlargement present labor bureau adding present functions power arbitration cases differences arise employer employed differences reach stage result interruption commerce states application remedy general government might regarded entirely within constitutional powers think might reasonably hope arbitrators carefully selected entitled confidence parties affected would voluntarily called settlement controversies less extent necessarily within domain federal regulation opinion suggestion worthy attention congress done passage laws either federal state relieve situation full solicitude much remains accomplished reinstatement cultivation true american sentiment recognizes equality american citizenship light traditions loyalty spirit institutions would teach hearty cooperation part interests surest path national greatness happiness people capital recognition brotherhood citizenship spirit american fairness generously accord labor compensation consideration contented labor capital best protection faithful ally would teach diverse situations people inseparable civilization every citizen sphere contributor general good capital necessarily tend oppression labor violent disturbances disorders alienate promoters true american sympathy kindly feeling department agriculture representing oldest largest national industries subserving well purposes organization introduction new subjects farming enterprise opening new sources agricultural wealth dissemination early information concerning production prices contributed largely country prosperity agency advanced thought investigation touching subjects charge among things practically applied home production low cost articles food imported abroad innovation necessarily course beginning within domain intelligent experiment subject every stage receive possible encouragement government interests millions citizens engaged agriculture involved enlargement improvement results labor zealous regard welfare willing tribute whose productive returns main source progress power existence among cattle various states led burdensome cases disastrous restrictions important branch commerce threatening affect quantity quality food supply matter importance consequences hope engage serious attention congress end remedy may applied limits constitutional delegation power general government permit commend consideration congress report commissioner suggestions concerning interest intrusted care continued operation law relating civil service added convincing proofs necessity usefulness fact worthy note every public officer idea duty people testifies value reform staunchest friends found among understand best warmest supporters restrained protected requirements meaning restraint protection appreciated want places government regardless merit efficiency insist selection places rest upon proper credential showing active partisan work mean public officers lives opportunity afforded attend public business mean good people country better performance work government exceedingly strange scope nature reform little understood many things included within plan called name cavil yields fully examination system large additions number friends reform may imperfect details may misunderstood opposed may always faithfully applied designs may sometimes miscarry mistake willful intent may sometimes tremble assaults enemies languish misguided zeal impracticable friends people country ever submit banishment underlying principle operation government abandon surest guaranty safety success american institutions invoke reform cheerful ungrudging support congress renew recommendation made last year salaries commissioners made equal officers government like duties responsibilities hope reasonable appropriations may made enable increase usefulness charge desire call attention congress plain duty government owes depositors freedman savings trust company company chartered congress benefit illiterate humble people intention encouraging industry thrift branches presided officers holding commissions clothed uniform united states circumstances reasonably think led simple people suppose invitation deposit savings institution implied undertaking part government money safely kept company failed liable sum depositors dividends amounting aggregate 62 per cent declared sum called paid dividends seems sum deducted entire amount deposits leaves still unpaid past experience shown quite large part sum called assets still hand amounting estimated sum think remaining 38 per cent deposits claimants paid government upon principles equity fairness report commissioner soon laid congress give satisfactory details subject control affairs district columbia placed hands purely executive officers congress still retains legislative authority relating government becomes duty make known pressing needs district recommend consideration laws district appear uncertain unsatisfactory condition codification revision much needed past year one bridges leading district state virginia became unfit use travel upon forbidden leads suggest improvement bridges crossing potomac branches city washington worthy attention congress commissioners district represent laws regulating sale liquor granting licenses therefor amended legislation needed consolidate define enlarge scope powers charitable penal institutions within district suggest commissioners clothed power make within fixed limitations police regulations believe power granted carefully guarded would tend subserve good order municipality seems trouble still exists growing occupation streets avenues certain railroads termini city important laws enacted upon subject secure railroads facilities require transaction business time protect citizens injury persons property commissioners complain accommodations afforded necessary offices district business valuable books papers entirely insufficient recommend condition affairs remedied congress suitable quarters furnished needs district government conclusion earnestly invoke wise action part people legislators subserve public good demonstrate remaining days congress present organized ability inclination meet people needs shall gratefully remembered expectant constituency
discharge constitutional duty follow precedent executive office herewith transmit congress reassemble certain information concern state union together recommendation legislative consideration appear necessary expedient government consistently maintain relation friendship toward power neighborly interest toward whose possession contiguous question arisen past year government none beyond reach settlement friendly counsel yet without provision settlement claim citizen united state chile injustice late war peru bolivia mixed commission organize claim convention conclude chilean government certain european state develop amount friction trust avoid convention representative santiago authorize negotiate cruel treatment inoffensive chinese regret say repeat far western state territory act violence people beyond power local constitute authority prevent difficult punish report even distant alaska much violence trace race prejudice competition labor however justify oppression stranger whose safety guarantee treaty china equally favored nation open vast domain alien element purpose lawgiver invite assimilation provide arena endless antagonism paramount duty maintain public order defend interest people may require adoption measure restriction tolerate oppression individual special race without assurance government china whose friendly disposition toward u happy recognize meet u halfway devise comprehensive remedy effective limitation chinese emigration join protection chinese subject remain country may secure legislation need execute provision chinese convention 1880 touch opium traffic good colombian government toward country manifest situation american interest isthmus panama time excited concern invite friendly action look performance engagement two nation concern territory embrace interoceanic transit subsidence isthmian disturbance erection state panama federal district direct government constitutional administration bogota new order thing inaugurate although yet somewhat experimental afford scope arbitrary exercise power delegate national authority promise much improvement sympathy people united state france bear colonial struggle independence continue today receive fresh impulse successful completion dedication colossal statue liberty enlighten world new york harbor gift frenchman americans convention united state certain power protection submarine cable sign paris march 14 1884 duly ratify proclaimed government agreement high contracting party convention go effect 1st january next legislation require execution united state yet adopt earnestly recommend enactment case continue occur germany give rise much correspondence relation privilege sojourn naturalize citizens german origin revisit land birth yet happy state relation country lose none accustom cordiality claim interest upon amount tonnage dues illegally exact certain german steamship line favorably report house congress last session trust receive final favorable action early day recommendation contain last annual message relation mode settlement fishery right water british north america long subject anxious difference united state great britain met adverse vote senate april 13 last thereupon negotiation institute obtain agreement britannic majesty government promulgation joint interpretation definition article convention 1818 relate territorial water inshore fishery british province secure canadian right encroachment united state fisherman time insure enjoyment latter privilege guarantee convention question involve long stand grave consequence time time nearly century give rise earnest international discussion unaccompanied irritation temporary arrangement treaty serve allay friction however revive treaty terminate last arrangement treaty 1871 abrogate due notice united state june 30 1885 enable obtain fisherman remainder season enjoyment full privilege accord terminate treaty joint high commission treaty negotiate although invested plenary power make permanent settlement content temporary arrangement termination question relegate stipulation treaty 1818 first article construction satisfactory country ever agree upon progress civilization growth population british province fishery question contiguous expansion commercial intercourse united state present condition affair scarcely realizable date negotiation 1818 new vast interest bring existence mode intercourse respective country invent multiplied method conduct fishery wholly change necessarily entitle candid careful consideration adjustment term condition intercourse commerce united state neighbor along frontier mile propinquity community language occupation similarity political social institution indicate practicability obvious wisdom maintain mutually beneficial friendly relation whilst unfeignedly desirous relation exist u inhabitants canada yet action official past season toward fisherman seriously threaten continuance although disappointed effort secure satisfactory settlement fishery question negotiation still pending reasonable hope close present session congress announcement may make acceptable conclusion reach early day may lay congress correspondence department state relation important subject history past fishing season may fully disclose action attitude administration clearly comprehend extended reference deem necessary communication recommendation submit last year provision make preliminary reconnoissance conventional boundary line alaska british columbia renew express unhesitating conviction intimacy relation hawaii emphasize result reciprocity treaty 1875 islands highway oriental australasian traffic virtually outpost american commerce grow trade pacific polynesian island group absorb powerful government hawaiian island leave almost alone enjoyment autonomy important u preserve treaty terminable one year notice proposition abrogate would judgment ill advise paramount influence acquire relinquish could difficulty regain valuable ground vantage might convert stronghold commercial competitor earnestly recommend exist treaty stipulation extend term seven year recently sign treaty end senate importance telegraphic communication island united state overlook question general revision treaty japan discussion tokyo first open relation empire nation direct commercial relation japan united state lose opportunity testify consistent friendship support claim japan autonomy independence among nation treaty extradition united state japan first conclude empire lately proclaim weakness liberia difficulty maintain effective sovereignty outlying district expose republic encroachment forgotten distant community offshoot system owe origin associate benevolence american citizen whose praiseworthy effort create nucleus civilization dark continent command respect sympathy everywhere especially country although formal protectorate liberia contrary traditional policy moral right duty united state assist proper way maintenance integrity obvious consistently announce nearly half century recommend reorganization navy small vessel longer found adequate need present liberia employ protection coastwise revenue encourage development beneficial intimate relation united state mexico mark within past year occasion congratulation friendly solicitude urgently renew former representation need speedy legislation congress carry effect reciprocity commercial convention january 20 1883 commercial treaty 1831 mexico terminate accord provision 1881 upon notification give mexico pursuance announce policy recast commercial treaty mexico since conclude several foreign government new treaty commerce navigation define alien right trade property residence treatment ship consular privilege like yet unexecuted reciprocity convention 1883 cover none point settlement necessary good relationship propose initiate mexico negotiation new enlarge treaty commerce navigation compliance resolution senate communicate body august 2 last also house representative correspondence case cut american citizen imprison mexico charge commission penal offense texas mexican citizen object demand make release charge amend include violation mexican law within mexican territory joinder allege offense one within exterior mexico induce order special investigation case pending mr cut release incident however disclose claim jurisdiction mexico novel history whereby offense commit anywhere foreigner penal place commission mexican object may offender find mexico try punished conformity mexican law jurisdiction sustain court mexico cut case approve executive branch government upon authority mexican statute appellate court release mr cutting decide abandonment complaint mexican citizen aggrieve alleged crime libelous publication remove basis prosecution also declare justice satisfy enforcement small part original sentence admission pretension would attend serious result invasive jurisdiction government highly dangerous citizen foreign land therefore deny protest attempted exercise unwarranted principle law international usage sovereign jurisdiction offense take effect within territory although concoct commence outside right deny foreign sovereign punish citizen united state offense consummate soil violation law even though offense subject citizen sovereign mexican statute question make claim broadly principle concede would create dual responsibility citizen lead inextricable confusion destructive certainty law essential liberty citizen united state voluntarily go foreign country must abide law force protect government consequence offense law commit foreign country watchful care interest government citizen relinquish go abroad charge crime commit foreign land fair open trial conduct decent regard justice humanity demand less government content life liberty citizen stake whatever degree extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction may formerly allow consent reciprocal agreement among certain european state doctrine practice ever know law country institution mainly derive case mexico reason especially strong perfect harmony mutual exercise jurisdiction nature make u irrevocably neighbor wisdom kind feeling make u friends overflow capital enterprise united state potent factor assist development resource mexico build prosperity country assist good work ground apprehension security person property remove trust interest good neighborhood statute refer modified eliminate present possibility danger peace two country government netherlands exhibit concern relation certain feature tariff law suppose aim class tobacco produce dutch east indie comment would seem unnecessary upon unwisdom legislation appear special national discrimination object although unintentional may give rise injurious retaliation establishment less four year ago legation teheran bear fruit interest exhibit shah government industrial activity united state opportunity beneficial interchange stable government happily restore peru election constitutional president period rehabilitation enter upon recovery necessarily slow exhaustion cause late war civil disturbance convention adjust arbitration claim citizen propose consideration naval officer bore siberia testimonial bestow congress recognition aid give jeannette survivor successfully accomplish mission interest report submit pleasant know mark appreciation welcome russian government people befit traditional friendship two country civil perturbation samoan island past year source considerable embarrassment three great britain united state whose relation extraterritorial right important group guarantee treaty weakness native administration conflict oppose interest island lead king malietoa seek alliance protection one quarter regardless distinct engagement whereby one three treaty power may acquire paramount exclusive interest may last malietoa offer place samoa protection united state late consul without authority assume grant proceed promptly disavow overzealous official recall special agent three government depute examine situation island change representation three power harmonious understand peace prosperity autonomous administration neutrality samoa hardly fail secure appearing government spain extend flag united state antilles full measure reciprocity requisite statute continuance suspension discrimination spanish flag port constrain october last rescind predecessor proclamation february 14 1884 permit suspension arrangement however speedily reach upon notification government spain differential treatment vessel cargo united state foreign country completely absolutely relinquish avail discretion confer law issue 27th october proclamation declare reciprocal suspension united state gratify bear testimony earnest spirit government queen regent meet effort avert initiation commercial discrimination reprisal ever disastrous material interest political good country may affect profitable development large commercial exchange unite state spanish antilles naturally object solicitude lie close door find main market supply demand welfare cuba puerto rico production trade scarcely less important u spain commercial financial movement naturally part system obstacle fuller freer intercourse permit exist stand instruction representative madrid havana year leave effort unessayed end time equal good desire spain hopefully manifested government spain remove consular tonnage fee cargo ship antilles reduce passport fee show recognition need less trammeled intercourse effort make past year remove hindrance proclamation treaty naturalization sublime porte sign 1874 remain inoperative owe disagreement interpretation clause relative effect return sojourn naturalize citizen land origin trust soon able announce favorable settlement difference interpretation highly satisfactory note improve treatment american missionary turkey attest acknowledgment late minister government successful exertion behalf exchange ratification convention december 5 1885 venezuela reopen award caracas commission claim convention 1866 yet effect owing delay executive republic ratify measure trust postponement brief much long continue delay may well regard rescission compact failure part venezuela complete arrangement persistently seek many year assented government spirit international fairness although detriment holder bona fide award impugn commission renew recommendation last annual message exist legislation concern citizenship naturalization revise treaty many state provide renunciation citizenship naturalized alien statute find give effect engagement provide needed central bureau registration naturalize citizen experience suggest statute regulate extradition might advantageously amend provision transit across territory convenient thoroughfare travel one foreign country another fugitive surrender foreign government third state provision unusual legislation country tend prevent miscarriage justice also desirable order remove present uncertainty authority confer secretary state issue certificate case arrest purpose extradition officer proceed pending show requisition surrender person charge duly make certificate require receive prisoner examination would prevent long expensive judicial inquiry charge foreign government might desire press also recommend express provision make immediate discharge custody person commit extradition president opinion surrender make drift sentiment civilized community toward full recognition right property creation human intellect bring adoption many important nation international copyright convention sign berne 18th september 1885 inasmuch constitution give congress power promote progress science useful art secure limited time author inventor exclusive right respective writing discovery government feel warrant become signatory pending action congress upon measure international copyright right adhesion berne convention hereafter reserve trust subject receive hand attention deserve claim author urgently press duly heeded representation continue make injurious effect upon american artist study abroad free access art collection foreign country maintain discriminate duty introduction work brother artists country induce repeat recommendation abolition tax pursuant provision diplomatic consular appropriation act approve july 1 1886 estimate submit secretary state maintenance consular service recast basis salary officer allowance deem advisable advantage take redistribute salary office appropriate accordance work perform importance representative duty incumbent cost living post last consideration often lose sight allowance heretofore make compensation may suffice decent maintenance worthy capable officer position onerous representative trust post readily accessible necessary life abundant cheap may prove inadequate pittance distant land well part year pay consume reach post duty comfort ordinary civilize existence obtain difficulty exorbitant cost trust consider submit schedule mistaken theory economy perpetuate system past virtually close deserve talent many office capacity attainment high order indispensable instance bring discredit national character entail embarrassment even suffer depute uphold dignity interest abroad connection subject earnestly reiterate practical necessity supply mode trustworthy inspection report manner consulate conduct absence reliable information efficiency scarcely reward opposite correct increase competition trade direct attention value consular report print department state effort government extend practical usefulness report create wide demand home spirit emulation abroad constitute record change occur trade progress art invention foreign country much seek interested subject embrace report secretary treasury exhibit detail condition public finance several branch government relate department especially direct attention congress recommendation contain last preceding report secretary touch simplification amendment law relate collection revenue interest economy justice government hope may adopt appropriate legislation ordinary receipt government fiscal year end june 30 1886 amount receive custom internal revenue total receipt state great previous year increase custom internal revenue make gain item last year fall resource reduce total increase small amount mention expense different collect increase custom revenue less expense attend collection revenue precede year increase receipt internal revenue collect cost bureau less expense collection previous year total ordinary expense government fiscal year end june 30 1886 less expenditure year precede leave surplus treasury close last fiscal year close previous year increase surplus expenditure compare precede fiscal year classify follow current year end june 30 1887 ascertain receipt october 1 1886 receipt estimate remainder year amount expenditure ascertain estimated period indicate anticipated surplus close year total value export unite state foreign country fiscal year state compare precede year follow value lead export last fiscal year compare value year immediately precede give furnishes information interest suggestive import last fiscal year compare previous year follow last annual message congress attention direct fact revenue government exceed actual need suggest legislative action take relieve people unnecessary burden taxation thus make apparent view press importance subject deem duty urge consideration income government increase volume economy collection ever excess public necessity application surplus payment portion public debt option subject extinguishment continue rate lately prevail would retire class indebtedness within less one year date thus continuation present revenue system would soon result receipt annual income much great necessary meet government expense indebtedness upon could apply confront vast quantity money circulate medium people hoard treasury hand draw wasteful public extravagance corrupt national demoralization follow train simple existence surplus threaten attendant evil furnish strong argument present scale federal taxation bad phase exaction surplus perversion relation people government dangerous departure rule limit right federal taxation good government especially government every american citizen boast object protection every person within care great liberty consistent good order society perfect security enjoyment earnings least possible diminution public need people substance exact form taxation necessary meet obligation government expense economical administration exaction become ruthless extortion violation fundamental principle free government indirect manner exaction make tendency conceal true character extent arrive stage superfluous revenue arouse people realization fact amount raise professedly support government pay absolutely added price thing supply daily want pay fix period hand tax gatherer toil daily wage begin understand capital though sometimes vaunt importance clamor protection favor government dull sluggish till touch magical hand labor spring activity furnish occasion federal taxation gain value enables bear burden labor man thoughtfully inquire whether circumstance consider tribute constantly pay public treasury supply daily want receives fair share advantage also suspicion abroad surplus revenue indicate abnormal exceptional business profit system produce surplus increase without correspond benefit people large vast accumulation among citizen whose fortune rival wealth favor antidemocratic nation natural growth steady plain industrious republic farmer engage directly indirectly supply product agriculture see day day often daily want household recur force pay excessive needless taxation product struggle foreign market competition nation allow free exchange production permit enable people sell price distress american farmer every patriotic citizen rejoices constantly increase pride people american citizenship glory national achievement progress sentiment prevail leading string useful nation infancy may well great extent discard present stage american ingenuity courage fearless privilege indulge sentiment true american enthusiasm citizen quite willing forego idle surplus public treasury people know average rate federal taxation upon import time peace little less upon article necessary consumption actually impose grievous burden willingly borne time government need million maintain war safety integrity union policy government collect principal part revenue tax upon import change policy desirable present condition affair constrain people demand revision revenue law receipts government shall reduce necessary expense economical administration demand recognize obeyed people representative legislative branch government readjust burden federal taxation sound public policy require citizen build large important industry present condition suddenly injury deprive advantage adapt business public good require content consideration shall deal fairly cautiously interest demand people relief needless taxation honestly answer reasonable timely submission demand certainly possible without disastrous shock interest cheerful concession sometimes avert abrupt heedless action often outgrowth impatience delay justice due regard also accord propose readjustment interest american labor far involved congratulate among u labor class fix within unyielding bound doomed condition inexorable fate daily toil recognize labor chief factor wealth republic treat keep citizen entitle careful regard thoughtful attention regard attention award labor capital workingman justly entitle share government favor less important reason labor man surround family humble home consumer vitally interested cheapens cost living enable bring within domestic circle additional comfort advantage relation workingman revenue law country manner palpably influence question wage forget justifiable prominence give proper maintenance supply protection labor consideration suggest arrangement government revenue shall reduce expense live curtail opportunity work reduce compensation american labor injuriously affect condition dignify place hold estimation people farmer agriculturist soil produce thing consume perhaps directly plainly concerned citizen careful system federal taxation actually engage remotely connect kind work number nearly population none labor hard continuously enactments limit hour toil interposition government enhance great extent value product yet many necessary comfort life scrupulous economy enable bring home implement husbandry oblige pay price largely increased unnatural profit action government give favor manufacturer recommend keep view consideration increase unnecessary surplus national income annually accumulate release people amendment revenue law shall cheapen price necessary life give freer entrance import material american labor may manufacture marketable commodity nothing accomplish however direction reform unless subject approach patriotic spirit devotion interest entire country willingness yield something public good sum pay upon public debt fiscal year end june 30 1886 twelve month end october 3 per cent bond call redemption amount call answer requirement law relate sink fund purpose reduce public debt application part surplus treasury object bond thus call become subject call redemption prior november 1 1886 remainder amount mature call date addition amount subject payment cancellation prior november 1 also pay day certain bond interest thereon amount anticipate maturity call thus actually apply prior 1st november 1886 extinguishment bond debt leaving day still outstanding sum amount still represent 3 per cent bond however since november 1 reduced bond call already state redeem cancel latter date fiscal year end june 30 1886 coin compulsory act silver dollar cost silver use coinage coin close previous fiscal year provision law silver dollar 1st day december 1886 total amount coinage director mint report time passage law 1878 direct coinage intrinsic value dollar thus coin 94 cent 31st day july 1886 price silver reach low stage ever know intrinsic bullion price standard silver dollar date less 72 cent price silver 30th day november last make dollar intrinsically worth 78 cent difference value coin represent fluctuation price silver certainly indicate compulsory coinage government enhances price commodity secure uniformity value every fair legal effort make treasury department distribute currency among people withdrawal united state treasury note small denomination issue small silver certificate resort endeavor accomplish result obedience sentiment representative people congress 27th day november 1886 people hold coin certificate represent nominal sum still treasury hand people remain treasury one year ago director mint urge necessity vault room purpose store silver dollar need circulation people see reason change view express last annual message subject compulsory coinage urge suspension ground contain former recommendation reenforce significant increase gold exportation last year appear comparative statement herewith present reason currency distribute among people great becomes duty protect disaster abundance need seem little propriety building vault store currency pretense coinage necessity use people circulate medium great number suit pending united state court southern district new york grow collection custom revenue port new york number suit almost daily institute certainly worthy attention congress legal controversy base upon conflict view importer collector interpretation present complex indefinite revenue law might largely obviate amendment law pending amendment present condition litigation relieve pending suit commence within past eighteen month many others issue year delay subject government loss evidence prevent preparation necessary defeat unjust fictitious claim constantly accrue interest threatens double demand involve present condition docket court well filled private suit force allow district attorney great necessary ordinary current business office revenue litigation consider default adoption congress plan general reorganization federal court heretofore recommend urge propriety pass law permit appointment additional federal judge district government suit accumulate continuous session court devote trial case may determine entirely plain great saving government would accomplish remedy suitor honest claim would deny justice delay report secretary war give detailed account administration department contain sundry recommendation improvement service fully approve army consist date last consolidated return officer enlist men expense department last fiscal year include public work river harbor improvement especially direct attention congress recommendation officer require submit examination preliminary promotion see objection many advantage adopt feature operate beneficially navy department well branch army subject coast defense fortification fully carefully treat board fortification whose report submit last session congress construction work kind recommend board possible last year lack appropriation purpose defenseless condition seacoast lake frontier perfectly palpable examination make must convince u certain city name report board fortify work important fortification commence work thoroughly consider laid secretary war report delay default congressional action absolute necessity judge standard prudence foresight preparation effectual resistance armor ship steel gun mortar modern construction may threaten city coast apparent hope effective step take direction immediately valuable suggestive treatment question secretary war earnestly commend consideration congress september october last hostile apache leadership geronimo eighteen month war path time commit many murder constant terror settler arizona surrender general mile military commander succeed general crook management direction pursuit term surrender report view understand murderous savage seem entertain assurance give consider best imprison manner prevent ever engage outrage instead try murder fort pickens select safe place confinement adult male send thither closely guarded prisoner meantime residue band though still remain upon reservation regard unsafe suspect furnishing aid war path remove fort marion woman large child hostile also take arrangement make put child proper age indian school report secretary navy contains detailed exhibit condition department statement action need improve challenge earnest attention congress present navy united state aside ship course construction consist first fourteen monitor none commission present time serviceable battery ship obsolete rely upon auxiliary ship harbor defense expenditure upon might deem justifiable second five vessel small tonnage one design war vessel auxiliary merely third cruise ship three build iron small tonnage wood wooden vessel estimate chief constructor navy three serviceable beyond period six year time may say present naval force nothing worthy name remain vessel heretofore authorize contract course construction except armored ship torpedo dynamite boat one cruiser last bid excess limit fix congress production unite state armor gun steel question seem necessary settle early day armor war vessel complete material home manufacture subject investigation two board two special committee congress within last three year report gun foundry board 1884 board fortification make january last report select committee two house make last session congress entirely exhaust subject far preliminary investigation involve recommendation substantially agree event present invitation department bid furnish material authorize shall fail induce domestic manufacturer undertake large expenditure require prepare new manufacture step take congress come session secretary contemplates dissatisfaction necessity obtain abroad armor gun steel authorize ship would seem desirable want army navy regard reasonably meet uniting contract inducement might offer would result secure domestication important interest affair postal service show mark gratify improvement past year particular account transaction condition give report lay reduction rate letter postage 1883 render postal revenue inadequate sustain expenditure business depression also contribute result excess cost fiscal year end june 30 1885 eight million dollar additional check upon receipt double measure weight rating seal correspondence diminish charge newspaper carriage impose legislation take effect begin past fiscal year constant demand territorial development grow population extension increase mail facility machinery necessitates steady annual advance outlay careful estimate year ago upon rate expenditure exist contemplate unavoidable augmentation deficiency last fiscal year nearly anticipate revenue last year fail realization proper measure economy satisfactorily limited growth expenditure total deficiency fact fell 1885 time increase revenue gain ratio increase cost demonstrate sufficiency present rate postage ultimately sustain service please people enjoy cheap postage proportionably distance vaster costly service upon globe retrenchment effect cost supply expenditures unwarranted law cease outlay mail carriage subject beneficial scrutiny close last fiscal year expense transportation star route stand annual rate cost less close previous year steamboat service nearly less service meantime enlarge extend establishment new office increase route carriage expansion convenience addition railway mail facility accordance grow exigency country policy government call attention exist law compensate railroad express opinion method may devise prove carrier beneficial government subject appear worthy early consideration difference arose year certain ocean steamship company terminate acquiescence policy government approve congress postal appropriation last session department enjoy utmost service afford vessel sail port upon either ocean service generally adequate need intercourse petition however present department numerous merchant manufacturer establishment direct service argentine republic semimonthly dispatch empire brazil subject commend consideration obvious duty provide mean postal communication commerce require prudent forecast result wise extension may lead stimulate intercourse become harbinger profitable traffic open new avenue disposition product industry circumstance country far south continent invite enterprise afford promise sufficient advantage justify unusual effort bring close relation great freedom communication would tend establish suggest distinguish grant subsidy mere benefit line trade travel whatever outlay may require secure additional postal service necessary proper otherwise attainable regard within limit legitimate compensation service extension service suggest heretofore receive sanction hop suitable enactment may soon agree upon request appropriation sufficient enable general inspection office approbation renew approval recommendation another assistant provide department invite attention several recommendation report conduct department justice last fiscal year fully detailed report invite earnest attention congress due consideration recommendation therein contain report submit officer last session congress strongly recommend erection penitentiary confinement prisoner convict sentenced united state court repeat recommendation report last year matter great importance receive congressional action unite state prisoner confine thirty different state prison penitentiary scatter every part country subject nearly many different mode treatment discipline far much remove control regulation government far entitle humane treatment opportunity improvement reformation government responsible society thing forthcoming duty scarcely discharge without absolute control direction possible present system many good citizen interested beneficial result question prison reform general government situation since must unite state prisoner furnish important aid movement able illustrate may practically do direction reform present example treatment improvement prisoner worthy imitation prison control government could deal somewhat vexed question convict labor far convict concern accord plan adoption due regard right interest labor citizen instead sometimes aid operation system cause among irritation discontent upon consideration subject might think wise erect one institution locate place would best subserve purpose convenience economy transportation considerable cost maintaining convict present state institution would save adoption plan propose employing manufacture article need use government quite large pecuniary benefit would realize partial return outlay urge change federal judicial system meet want people obviate delay necessarily attend present condition affair court agree something do much favor show well able advise plan suggest last session congress recommend last annual message recommendation renew together another make time touch change manner compensate district attorney marshal latter subject commend congress action interest economy government humanity fairness justice people report secretary interior present comprehensive summary work various branch public service connect department suggestion recommendation contains improvement service receive careful consideration exhibit make condition indian population progress work enlightenment notwithstanding many embarrassment hinder good administration important branch service gratify hopeful one fund appropriated indian service fiscal year pass available income indian land trust money amount ample service condition restriction law regulate expenditure remain balance hand june 30 1886 permanent fund fulfillment treaty like purpose remainder subject carried surplus fund require law estimate present appropriation ensue fiscal year amount less laid congress last year present system agency absolutely necessary well adapt management indian affair end view adopt present stage indian management inadequate stand alone accomplishment object become press importance rapid transition tribal organization citizenship portion indian capable civilized life exist system adopt indian race outside limit organize state territory beyond immediate reach operation civilization effort mainly direct maintenance friendly relation preservation peace quiet frontier change thing indian frontier civilization busy hum industry influence christianity surround people every point none tribe outside bound organized government society except territorial system extend portion country know indian territory race indian longer hostile may consider submissive control government troublesome except fragment several band gather upon reservation longer possible subsist chase spontaneous production earth abundance land furnish mean implement profitable husbandry life entire dependence upon government ration day day longer defensible inclination long foster defective system control cling habit custom ancestor struggle persistence change life alter circumstance press upon barbarism civilization live together impossible incongruous condition coexist soil portion people authority government peculiar claim upon entitle foster care protection nation government relieve responsibility far trained civilize able wholly manage care paths walk must clearly mark must lead guide familiar way competent assume duty responsibility citizenship progress great work continue present slow pace great expense unless system method management improve meet change condition urgent demand service agent general charge supervision many case indian scatter large reservation burden detail accountability fund supply time look industrial training improvement indians many neglect remain idle dependent condition favorable progress civilization compensation allow agent condition service calculate secure work men fit ability skill properly plan intelligently direct method best adapt produce speedy result permanent benefit hence necessity supplemental agency system direct end promote general rapid transition tribes habit custom barbarism way civilization anxious desire devise plan operation secure welfare indians relieve treasury far possible support idle dependent population recommend previous annual message passage law authorize appointment commission instrumentality auxiliary already establish care indian design commission compose six intelligent capable person three detailed army practical idea upon subject treatment indian interested welfare charge direction secretary interior management matter detail present organization properly successfully conduct present different phase indian differ progress need disposition capacity improvement immediate aid commission much unwise useless expenditure money waste material unavailing effort might avoid hoped measure wisdom congress may better devise supply deficiency present system may receive consideration appropriate legislation provide time ripe work agency less opposition education train indian youth show increased attendance upon school yield tendency individual hold land development advancement direction essential every encouragement rise generation taught language civilization train habit industry assume duty privilege responsibility citizenship obstacle hinder location settlement indian willing take land severalty contrary inclination stimulate time proper expedient authority law make allotment reservation others allotment provide small indian though ready desire settle willing accept small area reservation contain ample land afford homestead sufficient size meet present future need inequality exist special law treaty correct general legislation subject provide progressive member different tribe may settle upon homestead example lead others follow break away tribal custom substitute therefor love home interest family rule state indian character nature easily lead brooding unadjusted wrong especially regard land matter arise construction operation railroad across reservation claim title right occupancy set white person best land within reservation require legislation final adjustment settlement matter remove many embarrassment progress work lead indian adoption institution bring operation influence protection universal law country recommendation secretary interior commissioner general land office look good protection public land public survey preservation national forest adjudication grant state corporation private land claim increase efficiency service commend attention congress secure wide distribution public land limited quantity among settler residence cultivation thus make great number individual home primary object legislation early day republic system simple one commence admirable scheme public survey humblest citizen could identify tract upon wished establish home price land place within reach enterprising industrious honest pioneer citizen country soon however find object law pervert system cash sale distribution land among people accumulation land capital wealthy speculative person check tendency preference right purchase give settler land plan culminate general preemption act 1841 foundation system actual residence cultivation twenty year later homestead law devise surely place actual home possession actual cultivator soil land give without price sole condition residence improvement cultivation law follow design encourage acquirement use land limit individual quantity later year law vicious administrative method change condition communication transportation evade violated beneficent purpose threaten entire defeat method evasion violation set forth detail report secretary interior commissioner general land office rapid appropriation public land without bona fide settlement cultivation without intention residence purpose aggregation large holding many case hand foreigner invite serious immediate attention congress energy land department devote present administration remedy defect correct abuse service result effort largely nature reform process method land system prevent adequate estimate appear compilation report commissioner general land office immediate effect lead case come final termination restoration mass public land acre acre embrace investigation pending department court action congress ask effect restoration acres additional besides acre withhold reservation right entry thereon maintain recommend repeal preemption act homestead law amend well secure compliance requirement residence improvement cultivation period five year date entry without commutation provision speculative relinquishment also recommend repeal law unless shall pleasure congress amend law render less liable abuse chief motive evasion law principal result land accumulation instead land distribution facility transfer make right intend secure settler may deem advisable provide legislation guard check upon alienation homestead right land covered thereby patent issue last year executive proclamation issue direct removal fence inclose public domain many remove obedience order much public land still remain within line unlawful fence ingenious method resort order continue trespass hardihood pretense case inclosure justify fully detailed report secretary interior removal fence still remain inclose public land enforce authority mean executive branch government shall invest congress purpose report commissioner pension contain detailed satisfactory exhibit operation pension bureau last fiscal year amount work do large year since organization bureau do less cost previous year every division 30th day june 1886 pensioner roll bureau since 1861 application pension file base upon service war 1812 application allow include soldier 1812 widow total amount pay pension since 1861 number new pension allow year end june 30 1886 large number allow year save one since 1861 name pensioners previously drop roll restore year deducting drop within time various cause net increase remain year names january 1 1861 december 1 1885 private pension act pass since date last session congress 644 act become law seem one examine pension establishment operation without convince instrumentality justice nearly do entitle present law pension bounty government undeniable case exist well entitle relief pension bureau powerless aid really worthy case class lack misfortune kind quantity proof law regulation bureau require though merit apparent reason justly deal general law condition fully justify application congress special enactment resort congress special pension act overrule deliberate careful determination pension bureau merit secure favorable action could expect liberal execution general law must admit open door allowance questionable claim present legislative executive branch government application concededly within law plainly devoid merit surround sentiment patriotic feel hard resist suppose deny many claim pension make without merit many allow upon fraudulent representation declare pension bureau prior administration usefulness justice system distribution pension depend upon equality uniformity operation see report commissioner pay government 131 different rate pension estimate best information obtain serve army navy united state support whole part public fund organize charity exclusive soldier home direction control government 13 per cent pensioner entire number men furnish late war something like 20 per cent include widow relative receipt pension american people patriotic grateful regard broad sacred monopolized special advocate willing anxious equal exact justice do honest claimant pension sight friendless destitute soldier dependent public charity otherwise entitle precisely right share provision make fought country battle well able friend influence push claim every pension grant present plan upon ground actual service injury disease incur service every instance many pension increase ground merit claim work injustice brave cripple poor friendless soldier entirely neglect must content small sum allow general law far many neighborhood find glare case inequality treatment matter pension largely due yield pension bureau importunity part pensioner especially interested arise special act pass benefit individual men fight side side stand side side participate grateful nation kind remembrance every consideration fairness justice protection patriotic instinct citizen perversion violation point adoption pension system broad comprehensive enough cover every contingency shall make unnecessary objectionable volume special legislation long adhere principle grant pension service disability result service allowance pension restrict case present feature every patriotic heart respond tender consideration serve country long well reduce destitution dependence incident service advance age sickness misfortune tempt contemplation condition supply relief often impatient limitation public duty yield one desire indulge feel consideration rid conviction relieve entitled benefit enactment relief may claim right relief grant sanction law evasion worthy object care equally entitle remit unequal operation sympathy tender mercy social political influence unjust discrimination discharge soldier sailor country interest u passage faithful execution wholesome law swerve duty citizenship artful appeal spirit brotherhood born common peril suffer exact test devotion welfare willingness neglect public duty behalf 4th march 1885 current business patent office average five half month arrears several division twelve month behind close last fiscal year current work three month arrears assert believe next month delay obtain examination application patent nominal number application patent last fiscal year include reissue design label equal considerably excess number receive preceding year receipt patent office year aggregate enable office turn treasury surplus revenue expenditures number patent grant last fiscal year include reissue design label number also quite largely excess precede year report commissioner show office prosperous condition constantly increase business increase force ask amount estimate fiscal year end june 30 1886 amount estimate year end june 30 1887 amount estimate fiscal year end june 30 1888 secretary interior suggests change plan payment indebtedness pacific subsidize roads government suggestion unanimous indorsement person select government act director roads protect interest unite state board direction consider plan propose sole matter take account opinion situation government creditor sure way secure payment principal interest debt recent decision supreme court unite state adjudge law several state inoperative regulate rate transportation upon railroad regulation interfere rate carriage one state another important field control regulation thus leave entirely unoccupied expediency federal action upon subject worthy consideration relation labor capital labor men employer utmost concern every patriotic citizen strain distort unjustifiable claim apt insist upon interest controversy result welfare prosperity country jeopardize intervention general government within limit constitutional authority avert condition willingly accord special message transmit congress last session suggest enlargement present labor bureau add present function power arbitration case difference arise employer employ difference reach stage result interruption commerce state application remedy general government might regard entirely within constitutional power think might reasonably hope arbitrator carefully select entitle confidence party affect would voluntarily call settlement controversy less extent necessarily within domain federal regulation opinion suggestion worthy attention congress do passage law either federal state relieve situation full solicitude much remain accomplished reinstatement cultivation true american sentiment recognize equality american citizenship light tradition loyalty spirit institution would teach hearty cooperation part interest surest path national greatness happiness people capital recognition brotherhood citizenship spirit american fairness generously accord labor compensation consideration content labor capital best protection faithful ally would teach diverse situation people inseparable civilization every citizen sphere contributor general good capital necessarily tend oppression labor violent disturbance disorder alienate promoter true american sympathy kindly feeling department agriculture represent old large national industry subserve well purpose organization introduction new subject farm enterprise open new source agricultural wealth dissemination early information concern production price contribute largely country prosperity agency advance think investigation touch subject charge among thing practically apply home production low cost article food import abroad innovation necessarily course begin within domain intelligent experiment subject every stage receive possible encouragement government interest million citizen engage agriculture involve enlargement improvement result labor zealous regard welfare willing tribute whose productive return main source progress power existence among cattle various state lead burdensome case disastrous restriction important branch commerce threaten affect quantity quality food supply matter importance consequence hope engage serious attention congress end remedy may apply limit constitutional delegation power general government permit commend consideration congress report commissioner suggestion concern interest intrust care continue operation law relate civil service add convince proofs necessity usefulness fact worthy note every public officer idea duty people testify value reform staunch friend find among understand best warm supporter restrain protected requirement mean restraint protection appreciate want place government regardless merit efficiency insist selection place rest upon proper credential show active partisan work mean public officer live opportunity afford attend public business mean good people country well performance work government exceedingly strange scope nature reform little understood many thing include within plan call name cavil yield fully examination system large addition number friend reform may imperfect detail may misunderstand opposed may always faithfully applied design may sometimes miscarry mistake willful intent may sometimes tremble assaults enemy languish misguide zeal impracticable friend people country ever submit banishment underlying principle operation government abandon sure guaranty safety success american institution invoke reform cheerful ungrudging support congress renew recommendation make last year salary commissioner make equal officer government like duty responsibility hope reasonable appropriation may make enable increase usefulness charge desire call attention congress plain duty government owe depositor freedman saving trust company company charter congress benefit illiterate humble people intention encourage industry thrift branch preside officer hold commission clothe uniform united state circumstance reasonably think lead simple people suppose invitation deposit saving institution imply undertaking part government money safely keep company fail liable sum depositor dividend amount aggregate 62 per cent declare sum call pay dividend seem sum deduct entire amount deposit leave still unpaid past experience show quite large part sum call asset still hand amount estimate sum think remain 38 per cent deposit claimant pay government upon principle equity fairness report commissioner soon lay congress give satisfactory detail subject control affair district columbia place hand purely executive officer congress still retain legislative authority relate government become duty make known press need district recommend consideration law district appear uncertain unsatisfactory condition codification revision much need past year one bridge lead district state virginia become unfit use travel upon forbidden lead suggest improvement bridge cross potomac branch city washington worthy attention congress commissioner district represent law regulate sale liquor grant license therefor amend legislation need consolidate define enlarge scope power charitable penal institution within district suggest commissioner clothe power make within fixed limitation police regulation believe power grant carefully guard would tend subserve good order municipality seem trouble still exist grow occupation street avenues certain railroad termini city important law enact upon subject secure railroad facility require transaction business time protect citizen injury person property commissioner complain accommodation afford necessary office district business valuable book paper entirely insufficient recommend condition affair remedied congress suitable quarter furnish need district government conclusion earnestly invoke wise action part people legislator subserve public good demonstrate remain day congress present organize ability inclination meet people need shall gratefully remember expectant constituency