I congratulate you on the continued and increasing prosperity of our country. By the favor of Divine Providence we have been blessed during the past year with health, with abundant harvests, with profitable employment for all our people, and with contentment at home, and with peace and friendship with other nations. The occurrence of the twenty-fourth election of Chief Magistrate has afforded another opportunity to the people of the United States to exhibit to the world a significant example of the peaceful and safe transmission of the power and authority of government from the public servants whose terms of office are about to expire to their newly chosen successors. This example can not fail to impress profoundly thoughtful people of other countries with the advantages which republican institutions afford. The immediate, general, and cheerful acquiescence of all good citizens in the result of the election gives gratifying assurance to our country and to its friends throughout the world that a government based on the free consent of an intelligent and patriotic people possesses elements of strength, stability, and permanency not found in any other form of government. Continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon the colored people by the recent amendments to the Constitution still prevails in several of the late slaveholding States. It has, perhaps, not been manifested in the recent election to any large extent in acts of violence or intimidation. It has, however, by fraudulent practices in connection with the ballots, with the regulations as to the places and manner of voting, and with counting, returning, and canvassing the votes cast, been successful in defeating the exercise of the right preservative of all rights--the right of suffrage--which the Constitution expressly confers upon our enfranchised citizens. It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear. They prefer that no section of the country should be united in solid opposition to any other section. The disposition to refuse a prompt and hearty obedience to the equal-rights amendments to the Constitution is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of sectional lines in our political contests. As long as either of these amendments is flagrantly violated or disregarded, it is safe to assume that the people who placed them in the Constitution, as embodying the legitimate results of the war for the Union, and who believe them to be wise and necessary, will continue to act together and to insist that they shall be obeyed. The paramount question still is as to the enjoyment of the fight by every American citizen who has the requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote and to have it honestly counted. With this question rightly settled, the country will be relieved of the contentions of the past; bygones will indeed be bygones, and political and party issues, with respect to economy and efficiency of administration, internal improvements, the tariff, domestic taxation, education, finance, and other important subjects, will then receive their full share of attention; but resistance to and nullification of the results of the war will unite together in resolute purpose for their support all who maintain the authority of the Government and the perpetuity of the Union, and who adequately appreciate the value of the victory achieved. This determination proceeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of the people of our country or to any of their interests. The inviolability of the amendments rests upon the fundamental principle of our Government. They are the solemn expression of the will of the people of the United States. The sentiment that the constitutional rights of all our citizens must be maintained does not grow weaker. It will continue to control the Government of the country. Happily, the history of the late election shows that in many parts of the country where opposition to the fifteenth amendment has heretofore prevailed it is diminishing, and is likely to cease altogether if firm and well-considered action is taken by Congress. I trust the House of Representatives and the Senate, which have the right to judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of their own members, will see to it that every case of violation of the letter or spirit of the fifteenth amendment is thoroughly investigated, and that no benefit from such violation shall accrue to any person or party. It will be the duty of the Executive, with sufficient appropriations for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who have been engaged in depriving citizens of the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. It is not, however, to be forgotten that the best and surest guaranty of the primary rights of citizenship is to be found in that capacity for self-protection which can belong only to a people whose right to universal suffrage is supported by universal education. The means at the command of the local and State authorities are in many cases wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it. This is especially true where before emancipation the education of the people was neglected or prevented, in the interest of slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of popular education deserves the earnest attention of the people of the whole country, with a view to wise and comprehensive action by the Government of the United States, I respectfully recommend that Congress, by suitable legislation and with proper safeguards, supplement the local educational funds in the several States where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have been devolved on uneducated people by devoting to the purpose grants of the public lands and, if necessary, by appropriations from the Treasury of the United States. Whatever Government can fairly do to promote free popular education ought to be done. Wherever general education is found, peace, virtue, and social order prevail and civil and religious liberty are secure. In my former annual messages I have asked the attention of Congress to the urgent necessity of a reformation of the civil-service system of the Government. My views concerning the dangers of patronage, or appointments for personal or partisan considerations, have been strengthened by my observation and experience in the Executive office, and I believe these dangers threaten the stability of the Government. Abuses so serious in their nature can not be permanently tolerated. They tend to become more alarming with the enlargement of administrative service, as the growth of the country in population increases the number of officers and placemen employed. The reasons are imperative for the adoption of fixed rules for the regulation of appointments, promotions, and removals, establishing a uniform method having exclusively in view in every instance the attainment of the best qualifications for the position in question. Such a method alone is consistent with the equal rights of all citizens and the most economical and efficient administration of the public business. Competitive examinations in aid of impartial appointments and promotions have been conducted for some years past in several of the Executive Departments, and by my direction this system has been adopted in the custom-houses and post-offices of the larger cities of the country. In the city of New York over 2,000 positions in the civil service have been subject in their appointments and tenure of place to the operation of published rules for this purpose during the past two years. The results of these practical trials have been very satisfactory, and have confirmed my opinion in favor of this system of selection. All are subjected to the same tests, and the result is free from prejudice by personal favor or partisan influence. It secures for the position applied for the best qualifications attainable among the competing applicants. It is an effectual protection from the pressure of importunity, which under any other course pursued largely exacts the time and attention of appointing officers, to their great detriment in the discharge of other official duties preventing the abuse of the service for the mere furtherance of private or party purposes, and leaving the employee of the Government, freed from the obligations imposed by patronage, to depend solely upon merit for retention and advancement, and with this constant incentive to exertion and improvement. These invaluable results have been attained in a high degree in the offices where the rules for appointment by competitive examination have been applied. A method which has so approved itself by experimental tests at points where such tests may be fairly considered conclusive should be extended to all subordinate positions under the Government. I believe that a strong and growing public sentiment demands immediate measures for securing and enforcing the highest possible efficiency in the civil service and its protection from recognized abuses, and that the experience referred to has demonstrated the feasibility of such measures. The examinations in the custom-houses and post-offices have been held under many embarrassments and without provision for compensation for the extra labor performed by the officers who have conducted them, and whose commendable interest in the improvement of the public service has induced this devotion of time and labor without pecuniary reward. A continuance of these labors gratuitously ought not to be expected, and without an appropriation by Congress for compensation it is not practicable to extend the system of examinations generally throughout the civil service. It is also highly important that all such examinations should be conducted upon a uniform system and under general supervision. Section 1753 of the Revised Statutes authorizes the President to prescribe the regulations for admission to the civil service of the United States, and for this purpose to employ suitable persons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to "the fitness of each candidate, in respect to age, health, character, knowledge, and ability for the branch of service into which he seeks to enter;" but the law is practically inoperative for want of the requisite appropriation. I therefore recommend an appropriation of $25,000 per annum to meet the expenses of a commission, to be appointed by the President in accordance with the terms of this section, whose duty it shall be to devise a just, uniform, and efficient system of competitive examinations and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the Government. I am persuaded that the facilities which such a commission will afford for testing the fitness of those who apply for office will not only be as welcome a relief to members of Congress as it will be to the President and heads of Departments, but that it will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between the legislative and executive departments. The most effectual check upon the pernicious competition of influence and official favoritism in the bestowal of office will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the applicants, in which everyone can make his own record with the assurance that his success will depend upon this alone. I also recommend such legislation as, while leaving every officer as free as any other citizen to express his political opinions and to use his means for their advancement, shall also enable him to feel as safe as any private citizen in refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes. A law which should thus guarantee true liberty and justice to all who are engaged in the public service, and likewise contain stringent provisions against the use of official authority to coerce the political action of private citizens or of official subordinates, is greatly to be desired. The most serious obstacle, however, to an improvement of the civil service, and especially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal, has been found to be the practice, under what is known as the spoils system, by which the appointing power has been so largely encroached upon by members of Congress. The first step in the reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce between Congress and the Executive in the matter of appointments. The corrupting doctrine that "to the victors belong the spoils" is inseparable from Congressional patronage as the established rule and practice of parties in power. It comes to be understood by applicants for office and by the people generally that Representatives and Senators are entitled to disburse the patronage of their respective districts and States. It is not necessary to recite at length the evils resulting from this invasion of the Executive functions. The true principles of Government on the subject of appointments to office, as stated in the national conventions of the leading parties of the country, have again and again been approved by the American people, and have not been called in question in any quarter. These authentic expressions of public opinion upon this all-important subject are the statement of principles that belong to the constitutional structure of the Government. 
  Under the Constitution the President and heads of Departments are to make nominations for office. The Senate is to advise and consent to appointments, and the House of Representatives is to accuse and prosecute faithless officers. The best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected; that Senators and Representatives, who may be judges and accusers, should not dictate appointments to office.
 To this end the cooperation of the legislative department. of the Government is required alike by the necessities of the case and by public opinion. Members of Congress will not be relieved from the demands made upon them with reference to appointments to office until by legislative enactment the pernicious practice is condemned and forbidden. It is therefore recommended that an act be passed defining the relations of members of Congress with respect to appointment to office by the President; and I also recommend that the provisions of section 1767 and of the sections following of the Revised Statutes, comprising the tenure-of-office act of March 2, 1867, be repealed. Believing that to reform the system and methods of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imperative duties of statesmanship, and that it can be permanently done only by the cooperation of the legislative and executive departments of the Government, I again commend the whole subject to your considerate attention. It is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the United States to suppress polygamy where it now exists in our Territories and to prevent its extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities in Utah to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown that the legislation upon this subject, to be effective, requires extensive modification and amendment. The longer action is delayed the more difficult it will be to accomplish what is desired. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sectarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and executing the local legislation of the Territory. By its control of the grand and petit juries it possesses large influence over the administration of justice. Exercising, as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the Territory, they are able to make effective their hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy, and, in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice and uphold the crime. It can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which encourages and sustains it. The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the Territories is ample. It is not a case for halfway measures. The political power of the Mormon sect is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous Territories. It is extending steadily into other Territories. Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperiled, and to fully reopen to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions, it is recommended that the government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized. I recommend that Congress provide for the government of Utah by a governor and judges, or commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate--a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. If, however, it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government, I recommend that the right to vote, hold office, and sit on juries in the Territory of Utah be confined to those who neither practice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough measures are adopted, it is believed that within a few years the evils which now afflict Utah will be eradicated, and that this Territory will in good time become one of the most prosperous and attractive of the new States of the Union. Our relations with all foreign countries have been those of undisturbed peace, and have presented no occasion for concern as to their continued maintenance. My anticipation of an early reply from the British Government to the demand of indemnity to our fishermen for the injuries suffered by that industry at Fortune Bay in January, 1878, which I expressed in my last annual message, was disappointed. This answer was received only in the latter part of April in the present year, and when received exhibited a failure of accord between the two Governments as to the measure of the inshore fishing privilege secured to our fishermen by the treaty of Washington of so serious a character that I made it the subject of a communication to Congress, in which I recommended the adoption of the measures which seemed to me proper to be taken by this Government in maintenance of the rights accorded to our fishermen under the treaty and toward securing an indemnity for the injury these interests had suffered. A bill to carry out these recommendations was under consideration by the House of Representatives at the time of the adjournment of Congress in June last. Within a few weeks I have received a communication from Her Majesty's Government renewing the consideration of the subject, both of the indemnity for the injuries at Fortune Bay and of the interpretation of the treaty in which the previous correspondence had shown the two Governments to be at variance. Upon both these topics the disposition toward a friendly agreement is manifested by a recognition of our right to an indemnity for the transaction at Fortune Bay, leaving the measure of such indemnity to further conference, and by an assent to the view of this Government, presented in the previous correspondence, that the regulation of conflicting interests of the shore fishery of the provincial seacoasts and the vessel fishery of our fishermen should be made the subject of conference and concurrent arrangement between the two Governments. I sincerely hope that the basis may be found for a speedy adjustment of the very serious divergence of views in the interpretation of the fishery clauses of the treaty of Washington, which, as the correspondence between the two Governments stood at the close of the last session of Congress, seemed to be irreconcilable. In the important exhibition of arts and industries which was held last year at Sydney, New South Wales, as well as in that now in progress at Melbourne, the United States have been efficiently and honorably represented. The exhibitors from this country at the former place received a large number of awards in some of the most considerable departments, and the participation of the United States was recognized by a special mark of distinction. In the exhibition at Melbourne the share taken by our country is no less notable, and an equal degree of success is confidently expected. The state of peace and tranquillity now enjoyed by all the nations of the continent of Europe has its favorable influence upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them. We have concluded and ratified a convention with the French Republic for the settlement of claims of the citizens of either country against the other. Under this convention a commission, presided over by a distinguished publicist, appointed in pursuance of the request of both nations by His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, has been organized and has begun its sessions in this city. A congress to consider means for the protection of industrial property has recently been in session in Paris, to which I have appointed the ministers of the United States in France and in Belgium as delegates. The International Commission upon Weights and Measures also continues its work in Paris. I invite your attention to the necessity of an appropriation to be made in time to enable this Government to comply with its obligations under the metrical convention. Our friendly relations with the German Empire continue without interruption. At the recent International Exhibition of Fish and Fisheries at Berlin the participation of the United States, notwithstanding the haste with which the commission was forced to make its preparations, was extremely successful and meritorious, winning for private exhibitors numerous awards of a high class and for the country at large the principal prize of honor offered by His Majesty the Emperor. The results of this great success can not but be advantageous to this important and growing industry. There have been some questions raised between the two Governments as to the proper effect and interpretation of our treaties of naturalization, but recent dispatches from our minister at Berlin show that favorable progress is making toward an understanding in accordance with the views of this Government, which makes and admits no distinction whatever between the rights of a native and a naturalized citizen of the United States. In practice the complaints of molestation suffered by naturalized citizens abroad have never been fewer than at present. There is nothing of importance to note in our unbroken friendly relations with the Governments of Austria-Hungary, Russia, Portugal, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Greece. During the last summer several vessels belonging to the merchant marine of this country, sailing in neutral waters of the West Indies, were fired at, boarded, and searched by an armed cruiser of the Spanish Government. The circumstances as reported involve not only a private injury to the persons concerned, but also seemed too little observant of the friendly relations existing for a century between this country and Spain. The wrong was brought to the attention of the Spanish Government in a serious protest and remonstrance, and the matter is undergoing investigation by the royal authorities with a view to such explanation or reparation as may be called for by the facts. The commission sitting in this city for the adjudication of claims of our citizens against the Government of Spain is, I hope, approaching the termination of its labors. The claims against the United States under the Florida treaty with Spain were submitted to Congress for its action at the late session, and I again invite your attention to this long-standing question, with a view to a final disposition of the matter. At the invitation of the Spanish Government, a conference has recently been held at the city of Madrid to consider the subject of protection by foreign powers of native Moors in the Empire of Morocco. The minister of the United States in Spain was directed to take part in the deliberations of this conference, the result of which is a convention signed on behalf of all the powers represented. The instrument will be laid before the Senate for its consideration. The Government of the United States has also lost no opportunity to urge upon that of the Emperor of Morocco the necessity, in accordance with the humane and enlightened spirit of the age, of putting an end to the persecutions, which have been so prevalent in that country, of persons of a faith. other than the Moslem, and especially of the Hebrew residents of Morocco. The consular treaty concluded with Belgium has not yet been officially promulgated, owing to the alteration of a word in the text by the Senate of the United States, which occasioned a delay, during which the time allowed for ratification expired. The Senate will be asked to extend the period for ratification. The attempt to negotiate a treaty of extradition with Denmark failed on account of the objection of the Danish Government to the usual clause providing that each nation should pay the expense of the arrest of the persons whose extradition it asks. The provision made by Congress at its last session for the expense of the commission which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the Imperial Government of China on subjects of great interest to the relations of the two countries enabled the commissioners to proceed at once upon their mission. The Imperial Government was prepared to give prompt and respectful attention to the matters brought under negotiation, and the conferences proceeded with such rapidity and success that on the 17th of November last two treaties were signed at Peking, one relating to the introduction of Chinese into this country and one relating to commerce. Mr. Trescot, one of the commissioners, is now on his way home bringing the treaties, and it is expected that they will be received in season to be laid before the Senate early in January. Our minister in Japan has negotiated a convention for the reciprocal relief of shipwrecked seamen. I take occasion to urge once more upon Congress the propriety of making provision for the erection of suitable fireproof buildings at the Japanese capital for the use of the American legation and the court-house and jail connected with it. The Japanese Government, with great generosity and courtesy, has offered for this purpose an eligible piece of land. In my last annual message I invited the attention of Congress to the subject of the indemnity funds received some years ago from China and Japan. I renew the recommendation then made that whatever portions of these funds are due to American citizens should be promptly paid and the residue returned to the nations, respectively, to which they justly and equitably belong. The extradition treaty with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Which has been for some time in course of negotiation, has during the past year been concluded and duly ratified. Relations of friendship and amity have been established between the Government of the United States and that of Roumania. We have sent a diplomatic representative to Bucharest, and have received at this capital the special envoy who has been charged by His Royal Highness Prince Charles to announce the independent sovereignty of Roumania. We hope for a speedy development of commercial relations between the two countries. In my last annual message I expressed the hope that the prevalence of quiet on the border between this country and Mexico would soon become so assured as to justify the modification of the orders then in force to our military commanders in regard to crossing the frontier, without encouraging such disturbances as would endanger the peace of the two countries. Events moved in accordance with these expectations, and the orders were accordingly withdrawn, to the entire satisfaction of our own citizens and the Mexican Government. Subsequently the peace of the border was again disturbed by a savage foray under the command of the Chief Victoria, but by the combined and harmonious action of the military forces of both countries his band has been broken up and substantially destroyed. There is reason to believe that the obstacles which have so long prevented rapid and convenient communication between the United States and Mexico by railways are on the point of disappearing, and that several important enterprises of this character will soon be set on foot, which can not fail to contribute largely to the prosperity of both countries. New envoys from Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have recently arrived at this capital, whose distinction and enlightenment afford the best guaranty of the continuance of friendly relations between ourselves and these sister Republics. The relations between this Government and that of the United States of Colombia have engaged public attention during the past year, mainly by reason of the project of an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama, to be built by private capital under a concession from the Colombian Government for that purpose. The treaty obligations subsisting between the United States and Colombia, by which we guarantee the neutrality of the transit and the sovereignty and property of Colombia in the Isthmus, make it necessary that the conditions under which so stupendous a change in the region embraced in this guaranty should be effected--transforming, as it would, this Isthmus from a barrier between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans into a gateway and thoroughfare between them for the navies and the merchant ships of the world--should receive the approval of this Government, as being compatible with the discharge of these obligations on our part and consistent with our interests as the principal commercial power of the Western Hemisphere. The views which I expressed in a special message to Congress in March last in relation to this project I deem it my duty again to press upon your attention. Subsequent consideration has but confirmed the opinion "that it is the right and duty of the United States to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over any interoceanic canal across the isthmus that connects North and South America as will protect our national interest." The war between the Republic of Chile on the one hand and the allied Republics of Peru and Bolivia on the other still continues. This Government has not felt called upon to interfere in a contest that is within the belligerent rights of the parties as independent states. We have, however, always held ourselves in readiness to aid in accommodating their difference, and have at different times reminded beth belligerents of our willingness to render such service. Our good offices in this direction were recently accepted by all the belligerents, and it was hoped they would prove efficacious; but I regret to announce that the measures which the ministers of the United States at Santiago and Lima were authorized to take with the view to bring about a peace were not successful. In the course of the war some questions have arisen affecting neutral rights. In all of these the ministers of the United States have, under their instructions, acted with promptness and energy in protection of American interests. The relations of the United States with the Empire of Brazil continue to be most cordial, and their commercial intercourse steadily increases, to their mutual advantage. The internal disorders with which the Argentine Republic has for some time past been afflicted, and which have more or less influenced its external trade, are understood to have been brought to a close. This happy result may be expected to redound to the benefit of the foreign commerce of that Republic, as well as to the development of its vast interior resources. In Samoa the Government of King Malietoa, under the support and recognition of the consular representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, seems to have given peace and tranquillity to the islands. While it does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the scheme of tripartite local government which has been proposed, the common interests of the three great treaty powers require harmony in their relations to the native frame of government, and this may be best secured by a simple diplomatic agreement between them. It would be well if the consular jurisdiction of our representative at Apia were increased in extent and importance so as to guard American interests in the surrounding and outlying islands of Oceanica. The obelisk generously presented by the Khedive of Egypt to the city of New York has safely arrived in this country, and will soon be erected in that metropolis. A commission for the liquidation of the Egyptian debt has lately concluded its work, and this Government, at the earnest solicitation of the Khedive, has acceded to the provisions adopted by it, which will be laid before Congress for its information. A commission for the revision of the judicial code of the reform tribunal of Egypt is now in session in Cairo. Mr. Farman, consul-general, and J. M. Batchelder, esq., have been appointed as commissioners to participate in this work. The organization of the reform tribunals will probably be continued for another period of five years. In pursuance of the act passed at the last session of Congress, invitations have been extended to foreign maritime states to join in a sanitary conference in Washington, beginning the 1st of January. The acceptance of this invitation by many prominent powers gives promise of success in this important measure, designed to establish a system of international notification by which the spread of infectious or epidemic diseases may be more effectively checked or prevented. The attention of Congress is invited to the necessary appropriations for carrying into effect the provisions of the act referred to. The efforts of the Department of State to enlarge the trade and commerce of the United States, through the active agency of consular officers and through the dissemination of information obtained from them, have been unrelaxed. The interest in these efforts, as developed in our commercial communities, and the value of the information secured by this means to the trade and manufactures of the country were recognized by Congress at its last session, and provision was made for the more frequent publication of consular and other reports by the Department of State. The first issue of this publication has now been prepared, and subsequent issues may regularly be expected. The importance and interest attached to the reports of consular officers are witnessed by the general demand for them by all classes of merchants and manufacturers engaged in our foreign trade. It is believed that the system of such publications is deserving of the approval of Congress, and that the necessary appropriations for its continuance and enlargement will commend itself to your consideration. The prosperous energies of our domestic industries and their immense production of the subjects of foreign commerce invite, and even require, an active development of the wishes and interests of our people in that direction. Especially important is it that our commercial relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America, with the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, should be direct, and not through the circuit of European systems, and should be carried on in our own bottoms. The full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the Pacific Ocean gives to commerce with Japan, China, and the East Indies, with Australia and the island groups which lie along these routes of navigation, should inspire equal efforts to appropriate to our own shipping and to administer by our own capital a due proportion of this trade. Whatever modifications of our regulations of trade and navigation may be necessary or useful to meet and direct these impulses to the enlargement of our exchanges and of our carrying trade I am sure the wisdom of Congress will be ready to supply. One initial measure, however, seems to me so dearly useful and efficient that I venture to press it upon your earnest attention. It seems to be very evident that the provision of regular steam postal communication by aid from government has been the forerunner of the commercial predominance of Great Britain on all these coasts and seas, a greater share in whose trade is now the desire and the intent of our people. It is also manifest that the efforts of other European nations to contend with Great Britain for a share of this commerce have been successful in proportion with their adoption of regular steam postal communication with the markets whose trade they sought. Mexico and the States of South America are anxious to receive such postal communication with this country and to aid in their development. Similar cooperation may be looked for in due time from the Eastern nations and from Australia. It is difficult to see how the lead in this movement can be expected from private interests. In respect of foreign commerce quite as much as in internal trade postal communication seems necessarily a matter of common and public administration, and thus pertaining to Government. I respectfully recommend to your prompt attention such just and efficient measures as may conduce to the development of our foreign commercial exchanges and the building up of our carrying trade. In this connection I desire also to suggest the very great service which might be expected in enlarging and facilitating our commerce on the Pacific Ocean were a transmarine cable laid from San Francisco to the Sandwich Islands, and thence to Japan at the north and Australia at the south. The great influence of such means of communication on these routes of navigation in developing and securing the due share of our Pacific Coast in the commerce of the world needs no illustration or enforcement. It may be that such an enterprise, useful, and in the end profitable, as it would prove to private investment, may need to be accelerated by prudent legislation by Congress in its aid, and I submit the matter to your careful consideration. An additional and not unimportant, although secondary, reason for fostering and enlarging the Navy may be found in the unquestionable service to the expansion of our commerce which would be rendered by the frequent circulation of naval ships in the seas and ports of all quarters of the globe. Ships of the proper construction and equipment to be of the greatest efficiency in case of maritime war might be made constant and active agents in time of peace in the advancement and protection of our foreign trade and in the nurture and discipline of young seamen, who would naturally in some numbers mix with and improve the crews of our merchant ships. Our merchants at home and abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce of an active movement of our naval vessels, and the intelligence and patriotic zeal of our naval officers in promoting every interest of their countrymen is a just subject of national pride. The condition of the financial affairs of the Government, as shown by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, is very satisfactory. It is believed that the present financial situation of the United States, whether considered with respect to trade, currency, credit, growing wealth, or the extent and variety of our resources, is more favorable than that of any other country of our time, and has never been surpassed by that of any country at any period of its history. All our industries are thriving; the rate of interest is low; new railroads are being constructed; a vast immigration is increasing our population, capital, and labor; new enterprises in great number are in progress, and our commercial relations with other countries are improving. The ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, were-- 
 The ordinary expenditures for the same period were-- 
 leaving a surplus revenue of $65,883,653.20, which, with an amount drawn from the cash balance in Treasury of $8,084,434.21, making $73,968,087.41, was applied to the redemption-- 
 The amount due the sinking fund for this year was $37,931,643.55. There was applied thereto the sum of $73,904,617.41, being $35,972,973.86 in excess of the actual requirements for the year. The aggregate of the revenues from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, was $333,526,610.98, an increase over the preceding year of $59,699,426.52. The receipts thus far of the current year, together with the estimated receipts for the remainder of the year, amount to $350,000,000, which will be sufficient to meet the estimated expenditures of the year and leave a surplus of $90,000,000. It is fortunate that this large surplus revenue occurs at a period when it may be directly applied to the payment of the public debt soon to be redeemable. No public duty has been more constantly cherished in the United States than the policy of paying the nation's debt as rapidly as possible. The debt of the United States, less cash in the Treasury and exclusive of accruing interest, attained its maximum of $2,756,431,571.43 in August, 1865, and has since that time been reduced to $1,886,019,504.65. Of the principal of the debt, $108,758,100 has been paid since March 1, 1877, effecting an annual saving of interest of $6,107,593. The burden of interest has also been diminished by the sale of bonds bearing a low rate of interest and the application of the proceeds to the redemption of bonds bearing a higher rate. The annual saving thus secured since March 1, 1877, is $14,290,453.50. Within a short period over six hundred millions of 5 and 6 per cent bonds will become redeemable. This presents a very favorable opportunity not only to further reduce the principal of the debt, but also to reduce the rate of interest on that which will remain unpaid. I call the attention of Congress to the views expressed on this subject by the Secretary of the Treasury in his annual report, and recommend prompt legislation to enable the Treasury Department to complete the refunding of the debt which is about to mature. The continuance of specie payments has not been interrupted or endangered since the date of resumption. It has contributed greatly to the revival of business and to our remarkable prosperity. The fears that preceded and accompanied resumption have proved groundless. No considerable amount of United States notes have been presented for redemption, while very large sums of gold bullion, both domestic and imported, are taken to the mints and exchanged for coin or notes. The increase of coin and bullion in the United States since January 1, 1879, is estimated at $227,399,428. There are still in existence, uncanceled, $346,681,016 of United States legal-tender notes. These notes were authorized as a war measure, made necessary by the exigencies of the conflict in which the United States was then engaged. The preservation of the nation's existence required, in the judgment of Congress, an issue of legal-tender paper money. That it served well the purpose for which it was created is not questioned, but the employment of the notes as paper money indefinitely, after the accomplishment of the object for which they were provided, was not contemplated by the framers of the law under which they were issued. These notes long since became, like any other pecuniary obligation of the Government, a debt to be paid, and when paid to be canceled as mere evidence of an indebtedness no longer existing. I therefore repeat what was said in the annual message of last year, that the retirement from circulation of United States notes with the capacity of legal tender in private contracts is a step to be taken in our progress toward a safe and stable currency which should be accepted as the policy and duty of the Government and the interest and security of the people. At the time of the passage of the act now in force requiring the coin. age of silver dollars, fixing their value, and giving them legal-tender character it was believed by many of the supporters of the measure that the silver dollar which it authorized would speedily become, under the operations of the law, of equivalent value to the gold dollar. There were other supporters of the bill, who, while they doubted as to the probability of this result, nevertheless were willing to give the proposed experiment a fair trial, with a view to stop the coinage if experience should prove that the silver dollar authorized by the bill continued to be of less commercial value than the standard gold dollar. The coinage of silver dollars under the act referred to began in March, 1878, and has been continued as required by the act. The average rate per month to the present time has been $2,276,492. The total amount coined prior to the 1st of November last was $72,847,750. Of this amount $47,084,450 remain in the Treasury, and only $25,763,291 are in the hands of the people. A constant effort has been made to keep this currency in circulation, and considerable expense has been necessarily incurred for this purpose; but its return to the Treasury is prompt and sure. Contrary to the confident anticipation of the friends of the measure at the time of its adoption, the value of the silver dollar containing 412 1/2 grains of silver has not increased. During the year prior to the passage of the bill authorizing its coinage the market value of the silver which it contained was from 90 to 92 cents as compared with the standard gold dollar. During the last year the average market value of the silver dollar has been 88 1/2 cents. It is obvious that the legislation of the last Congress in regard to silver, so far as it was based on an anticipated rise in the value of silver as a result of that legislation, has failed to produce the effect then predicted. The longer the law remains in force, requiring, as it does, the coinage of a nominal dollar which in reality is not a dollar, the greater becomes the danger that this country will be forced to accept a single metal as the sole legal standard of value in circulation, and this a standard of less value than it purports to be worth in the recognized money of the world. The Constitution of the United States, sound financial principles, and our best interests all require that the country should have as its legal-tender money both gold and silver coin of an intrinsic value, as bullion, equivalent to that which upon its face it purports to possess. The Constitution in express terms recognizes both gold and silver as the only true legal-tender money. To banish either of these metals from our currency is to narrow and limit the circulating medium of exchange to the disparagement of important interests. The United States produces more silver than any other country, and is directly interested in maintaining it as one of the two precious metals which furnish the coinage of the world. It will, in my judgment, contribute to this result if Congress will repeal so much of existing legislation as requires the coinage of silver dollars containing only 412 1/2 grains of silver, and in its stead will authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to coin silver dollars of equivalent value, as bullion, with gold dollars. This will defraud no man, and will be in accordance with familiar precedents. Congress on several occasions has altered the ratio of value between gold and silver, in order to establish it more nearly in accordance with the actual ratio of value between the two metals. In financial legislation every measure in the direction of greater fidelity in the discharge of pecuniary obligations has been found by experience to diminish the rates of interest which debtors are required to pay and to increase the facility with which money can be obtained for every legitimate purpose. Our own recent financial history shows how surely money becomes abundant whenever confidence in the exact performance of moneyed obligations is established. The Secretary of War reports that ,the expenditures of the War Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, were $39,924,773.03. The appropriations for this Department for the current fiscal year amount to $41,993,630.40. With respect to the Army, the Secretary invites attention to the fact that its strength is limited by statute (U. S. Revised Statutes, sec. 1115) to not more than 30,000 enlisted men, but that provisos contained in appropriation bills have limited expenditures to the enlistment of but 25,000. It is believed the full legal strength is the least possible force at which the present organization can be maintained, having in view efficiency, discipline, and economy. While the enlistment of this force would add somewhat to the appropriation for pay of the Army, the saving made in other respects would be more than an equivalent for this additional outlay, and the efficiency of the Army would be largely increased. The rapid extension of the railroad system west of the Mississippi River and the great tide of settlers which has flowed in upon new territory impose on the military an entire change of policy. The maintenance of small posts along wagon and stage routes of travel is no longer necessary. Permanent quarters at points selected, of a more substantial character than those heretofore constructed, will be required. Under existing laws permanent buildings can not be erected without the sanction of Congress, and when sales of military sites and buildings have been authorized the moneys received have reverted to the Treasury and could only become available through a new appropriation. It is recommended that provision be made by a general statute for the sale of such abandoned military posts and buildings as are found to be unnecessary and for the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts. While many of the present posts are of but slight value for military purposes, owing to the changed condition of the country, their occupation is continued at great expense and inconvenience; because they afford the only available shelter for troops. The absence of a large number of officers of the line, in active duty, from their regiments is a serious detriment to the maintenance of the service. The constant demand for small detachments, each of which should be commanded by a commissioned officer, and the various details of officers for necessary service away from their commands occasion a scarcity in the number required for company duties. With a view to lessening this drain to some extent, it is recommended that the law authorizing the detail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics and military science at certain colleges and universities be so amended as to provide that all such details be made from the retired list of the Army. Attention is asked to the necessity of providing by legislation for organizing, arming, and disciplining the active militia of the country, and liberal appropriations are recommended in this behalf. The reports of the Adjutant-General of the Army and the Chief of Ordnance touching this subject fully set forth its importance. The report of the officer in charge of education in the Army shows that there are 78 schools now in operation in the Army, with an aggregate attendance of 2,305 enlisted men and children. The Secretary recommends the enlistment of 150 schoolmasters, with the rank and pay of commissary-sergeants. An appropriation is needed to supply the judge-advocates of the Army with suitable libraries, and the Secretary recommends that the Corps of Judge-Advocates be placed upon the same footing as to promotion with the other staff corps of the Army. Under existing laws the Bureau of Military Justice consists of one officer (the Judge-Advocate-General), and the Corps of Judge-Advocates of eight officers of equal rank (majors), with a provision that the limit of the corps shall remain at four when reduced by casualty or resignation to that number. The consolidation of the Bureau of Military Justice and the Corps of Judge-Advocates upon the same basis with the other staff corps of the Army would remove an unjust discrimination against deserving officers and subserve the best interests of the service. Especial attention is asked to the report of the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of our national defenses. From a personal inspection of many of the fortifications referred to, the Secretary is able to emphasize the recommendations made and to state that their incomplete and defenseless condition is discreditable to the country. While other nations have been increasing their means for carrying on offensive warfare and attacking maritime cities, we have been dormant in preparation for defense. Nothing of importance has been done toward strengthening and finishing our casemated works since our late civil war, during which the great guns of modern warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and ships came into use among the nations; and our earthworks, left by a sudden failure of appropriations some years since in all stages of incompletion, are now being rapidly destroyed by the elements. The two great rivers of the North American continent, the Mississippi and the Columbia, have their navigable waters wholly within the limits of the United States, and are of vast importance to our internal and foreign commerce. The permanency of the important work on the South Pass of the Mississippi River seems now to be assured. There has been no failure whatever in the maintenance of the maximum channel during the six months ended August 9 last. This experiment has opened a broad, deep highway to the ocean, and is an improvement upon the permanent success of which congratulations may be exchanged among people abroad and at home, and especially among the communities of the Mississippi Valley, whose commercial exchanges float in an unobstructed channel safely to and from the sea. A comprehensive improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries is a matter of transcendent importance. These great waterways comprise a system of inland transportation spread like network over a large portion of the United States, and navigable to the extent of many thousands of miles. Producers and consumers alike have a common interest in such unequaled facilities for cheap transportation. Geographically, commercially, and politically, they are the strongest tie between the various sections of the country. These channels of communication and interchange are the property of the nation. Its jurisdiction is paramount over their waters, and the plainest principles of public interest require their intelligent and careful supervision, with a view to their protection, improvement, and the enhancement of their usefulness. The channel of the Columbia River for a distance of about 100 miles from its mouth is obstructed by a succession of bars, which occasion serious delays in navigation and heavy expense for lighterage and towage. A depth of at least 20 feet at low tide should be secured and maintained to meet the requirements of the extensive and growing inland and ocean commerce it subserves. The most urgent need, however, for this great waterway is a permanent improvement of the channel at the mouth of the river. From Columbia River to San Francisco, a distance of over 600 miles, there is no harbor on our Pacific coast which can be approached during stormy weather. An appropriation of $150,000 was made by the Forty-fifth Congress for the commencement of a breakwater and harbor of refuge, to be located at some point between the Straits of Fuca and San Francisco at which the necessities of commerce, local and general, will be best accommodated. The amount appropriated is thought to be quite inadequate for the purpose intended. The cost of the work, when finished, will be very great, owing to the want of natural advantages for a site at any point on the coast between the designated limits, and it has not been thought to be advisable to undertake the work without a larger appropriation. I commend the matter to the attention of Congress. The completion of the new building for the War Department is urgently needed, and the estimates for continuing its construction are especially recommended. The collections of books, specimens, and records constituting the Army Medical Museum and Library are of national importance. The library now contains about 51,500 volumes and 57,000 pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery, and allied topics. The contents of the Army Medical Museum consist of 22,000 specimens, and are unique in the completeness with which both military surgery and the diseases of armies are illustrated. Their destruction would be an irreparable loss, not only to the United States, but to the world. There are filed in the Record and Pension Division over 16,000 bound volumes of hospital records, together with a great quantity of papers, embracing the original records of the hospitals of our armies during the civil war. Aside from their historical value, these records are daily searched for evidence needed in the settlement of large numbers of pension and other claims, for the protection of the Government against attempted frauds, as well as for the benefit of honest claimants. These valuable collections are now in a building which is peculiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by fire. It is therefore earnestly recommended that an appropriation be made for a new fireproof building, adequate for the present needs and reasonable future expansion of these valuable collections. Such a building should be absolutely fireproof; no expenditure for mere architectural display is required. It is believed that a suitable structure can be erected at a cost not to exceed $250,000. I commend to the attention of Congress the great services of the Commander in Chief of our armies during the war for the Union, whose wise, firm, and patriotic conduct did so much to bring that momentous conflict to a close. The legislation of the United States contains many precedents for the recognition of distinguished military merit, authorizing rank and emoluments to be conferred for eminent services to the country. An act of Congress authorizing the appointment of a Captain-General of the Army, with suitable provisions relating to compensation, retirement, and other details, would, in my judgment, be altogether fitting and proper, and would be warmly approved by the country. The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the successful and satisfactory management of that Department during the last fiscal year. The total expenditures for the year were $12,916,639.45, leaving unexpended at the close of the year $2,141,682.23 of the amount of available appropriations. The appropriations for the present fiscal year, ending June 30, 1881, are $15,095,061.45, and the total estimates for the next fiscal year, ending June 30, 1882, are $15,953,751.61. The amount drawn by warrant from July 1, 1880, to November 1, 1880, is $5,041,570.45. The recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy that provision be made for the establishment of some form of civil government for the people of Alaska is approved. At present there is no protection of persons or property in that Territory except such as is afforded by the officers of the United States ship Jamestown. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka because of the fear that without the immediate presence of the national authority there was impending danger of anarchy. The steps taken to restore order have been accepted in good faith by both white and Indian inhabitants, and the necessity for this method of restraint does not, in my opinion, now exist. If, however, the Jamestown should be withdrawn, leaving the people, as at present, without the ordinary judicial and administrative authority of organized local government, serious consequences might ensue. The laws provide only for the collection of revenue, the protection of public property, and the transmission of the mails. The problem is to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so peculiar in its origin and condition. The natives are reported to be teachable and self-supporting, and if properly instructed doubtless would advance rapidly in civilization, and a new factor of prosperity would be added to the national life. I therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon this subject. The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps toward the establishment of naval coaling stations at the Isthmus of Panama, to meet the requirements of our commercial relations with Central and South America, which are rapidly growing in importance. Locations eminently suitable, both as regards our naval purposes and the uses of commerce, have been selected, one on the east side of the Isthmus, at Chiriqui Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and the other on the Pacific coast, at the Bay of Golfito. The only safe harbors, sufficiently commodious, on the Isthmus are at these points, and the distance between them is less than 100 miles. The report of the Secretary of the Navy concludes with valuable suggestions with respect to the building up of our merchant marine service, which deserve the favorable consideration of Congress. The report of the Postmaster-General exhibits the continual growth and the high state of efficiency of the postal service. The operations of no Department of the Government, perhaps, represent with greater exactness the increase in the population and the business of the country. In 1860 the postal receipts were $8,518,067.40; in 1880 the receipts were $33,315,479.34. All the inhabitants of the country are directly and personally interested in having proper mail facilities, and naturally watch the Post-Office very closely. This careful oversight on the part of the people has proved a constant stimulus to improvement. During the past year there was an increase of 2,134 post-offices, and the mail routes were extended 27,177 miles, making an additional annual transportation of 10,804,191 miles. The revenues of the postal service for the ensuing year are estimated at $38,845,174.10, and the expenditures at $42,475,932, leaving a deficiency to be appropriated out of the Treasury of $3,630,757.90. The Universal Postal Union has received the accession of almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintaining organized postal services, and it is confidently expected that all the other countries and colonies now outside the union will soon unite therewith, thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the founders of the union of forming, for purposes of international mail communication, a single postal territory, embracing the world, with complete uniformity of postal charges and conditions of international exchange for all descriptions of correspondence. To enable the United States to do its full share of this great work, additional legislation is asked by the Postmaster-General, to whose recommendations especial attention is called. The suggestion of the Postmaster-General that it would be wise to encourage, by appropriate legislation, the establishment of American lines of steamers by our own citizens to carry the mails between our own ports and those of Mexico, Central America, South America, and of transpacific countries is commended to the serious consideration of Congress. The attention of Congress is also invited to the suggestions of the Postmaster-General in regard to postal savings. The necessity for additional provision to aid in the transaction of the business of the Federal courts becomes each year more apparent. The dockets of the Supreme Court and of the circuit courts in the greater number of the circuits are encumbered with the constant accession of cases. In the former court, and in many instances in the circuit courts,. years intervene before it is practicable to bring cases to hearing. The Attorney-General recommends the establishment of an intermediate court of errors and appeals. It is recommended that the number of judges of the circuit court in each circuit, with the exception of the second circuit, should be increased by the addition of another judge; in the second circuit, that two should be added; and that an intermediate appellate court should be formed in each circuit, to consist of the circuit judges and the circuit justice, and that in the event of the absence of either of these judges the place of the absent judge should be supplied by the judge of one of the district courts in the circuit. Such an appellate court could be safely invested with large jurisdiction, and its decisions would satisfy suitors in many cases where appeals would still be allowed to the Supreme Court. The expense incurred for this intermediate court will require a very moderate increase of the appropriations for the expenses of the Department of Justice. This recommendation is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. It is evident that a delay of justice, in many instances oppressive and disastrous to suitors, now necessarily occurs in the Federal courts, which will in this way be remedied. The report of the Secretary of the Interior presents an elaborate account of the operations of that Department during the past year. It gives me great pleasure to say that our Indian affairs appear to be in a more hopeful condition now than ever before. The Indians have made gratifying progress in agriculture, herding, and mechanical pursuits. Many who were a few years ago in hostile conflict with the Government are quietly settling down on farms where they hope to make their permanent homes, building houses and engaging in the occupations of civilized life. The introduction of the freighting business among them has been remarkably fruitful of good results, in giving many of them congenial and remunerative employment and in stimulating their ambition to earn their own support. Their honesty, fidelity, and efficiency as carriers are highly praised. The organization of a police force of Indians has been equally successful in maintaining law and order upon the reservations and in exercising a wholesome moral influence among the Indians themselves. I concur with the Secretary of the Interior in the recommendation that the pay of this force be increased, as an inducement to the best class of young men to enter it. Much care and attention has been devoted to the enlargement of educational. facilities for the Indians. The means available for this important object have been very inadequate. A few additional boarding schools at Indian agencies have been established and the erection of buildings has been begun for several more; but an increase of the appropriations for this interesting undertaking is greatly needed to accommodate the large number of Indian children of school age. The number offered by their parents from all parts of the country for education in the Government schools is much larger than can be accommodated with the means at present available for that purpose. The number of Indian pupils at the normal school at Hampton, Va., under the direction of General Armstrong, has been considerably increased, and their progress is highly encouraging. The Indian school established by the Interior Department in 1879 at Carlisle, Pa., under the direction of Captain Pratt, has been equally successful. It has now nearly 200 pupils of both sexes, representing a great variety of the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains. The pupils in both these institutions receive not only an elementary English education, but are also instructed in housework, agriculture, and useful mechanical pursuits. A similar school was established this year at Forest Grove, Oreg., for the education of Indian youth on the Pacific Coast. In addition to this, thirty-six Indian boys and girls were selected from the Eastern Cherokees and placed in boarding schools in North Carolina, where they are to receive an elementary English education and training in industrial pursuits. The interest shown by Indian parents, even among the so-called wild tribes, in the education of their children is very gratifying, and gives promise that the results accomplished by the efforts now making will be of lasting benefit. The expenses of Indian education have so far been drawn from the permanent civilization fund at the disposal of the Department of the Interior, but the fund is now so much reduced that the continuance of this beneficial work will in the future depend on specific appropriations by Congress for the purpose; and I venture to express the hope that Congress will not permit institutions so fruitful of good results to perish for want of means for their support. On the contrary, an increase of the number of such schools appears to me highly advisable. The past year has been unusually free from disturbances among the Indian tribes. An agreement has been made with the Utes by which they surrender their large reservation in Colorado in consideration of an annuity to be paid to them, and agree to settle in severally on certain lands designated for that purpose, as farmers, holding individual title to their land in fee simple, inalienable for a certain period. In this way a costly Indian war has been avoided, which at one time seemed imminent, and for the first time in the history of the country an Indian nation has given up its tribal existence to be settled in severally and to live as individuals under the common protection of the laws of the country. The conduct of the Indians throughout the country during the past year, with but few noteworthy exceptions, has been orderly and peaceful. The guerrilla warfare carried on for two years by Victoria and his band of Southern Apaches has virtually come to an end by the death of that chief and most of his followers on Mexican soil. The disturbances caused on our northern frontier by Sitting Bull and his men, who had taken refuge in the British dominions, are also likely to cease. A large majority of his followers have surrendered to our military forces, and the remainder are apparently in progress of disintegration. I concur with the Secretary of the Interior in expressing the earnest hope that Congress will at this session take favorable action on the bill providing for the allotment of lands on the different reservations in severally to the Indians, with patents conferring fee-simple title inalienable for a certain period, and the eventual disposition of the residue of the reservations for general settlement, with the consent and for the benefit of the Indians, placing the latter under the equal protection of the laws of the country. This measure, together with a vigorous prosecution of our educational efforts, will work the most important and effective advance toward the solution of the Indian problem, in preparing for the gradual merging of our Indian population in the great body of American citizenship. A large increase is reported in the disposal of public lands for settlement during the past year, which marks the prosperous growth of our agricultural industry and a vigorous movement of population toward our unoccupied lands. As this movement proceeds, the codification of our land laws, as well as proper legislation to regulate the disposition of public lands, become of more pressing necessity, and I therefore invite the consideration of Congress to the report and the accompanying draft of a bill made by the Public Lands Commission, which were communicated by me to Congress at the last session. Early action upon this important subject is highly desirable. The attention of Congress is again asked to the wasteful depredations committed on our public timber lands and the rapid and indiscriminate destruction of our forests. The urgent necessity for legislation to this end is now generally recognized. In view of the lawless character of the depredations committed and the disastrous consequences which will inevitably follow their continuance, legislation has again and again been recommended to arrest the evil and to preserve for the people of our Western States and Territories the timber needed for domestic and other essential uses. The report of the Director of the Geological Survey is a document of unusual interest. The consolidation of the various geological and geographical surveys and exploring enterprises, each of which has heretofore operated upon an independent plan, without concert, can not fail to be of great benefit to all those industries of the country which depend upon the development of our mineral resources. The labors of the scientific men, of recognized merit, who compose the corps of the Geological Survey, during the first season of their field operations and inquiries, appear to have been very comprehensive, and will soon be communicated to Congress in a number of volumes. The Director of the Survey recommends that the investigations carried on by his bureau, which so far have been confined to the so-called public-land States and Territories, be extended over the entire country, and that the necessary appropriation be made for this purpose. This would be particularly beneficial to the iron, coal, and other mining interests of the Mississippi Valley and of the Eastern and Southern States. The subject is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. The Secretary of the Interior asks attention to the want of room in the public buildings of the capital, now existing and in progress of construction, for the accommodation of the clerical force employed and of the public records. Necessity has compelled the renting of private buildings in different parts of the city for the location of public offices, for which a large amount of rent is annually paid, while the separation of offices belonging to the same Department impedes the transaction of current business. The Secretary suggests that the blocks surrounding Lafayette Square on the east, north, and west be purchased as the sites for new edifices for the accommodation of the Government offices, leaving the square itself intact, and that if such buildings were constructed upon a harmonious plan of architecture they would add much to the beauty of the national capital, and would, together with the Treasury and the new State, Navy, and War Department building, form one of the most imposing groups of public edifices in the world. The Commissioner of Agriculture expresses the confident belief that his efforts in behalf of the production of our own sugar and tea have been encouragingly rewarded. The importance of the results attained have attracted marked attention at home and have received the special consideration of foreign nations. The successful cultivation of our own tea and the manufacture of our own sugar would make a difference of many millions of dollars annually in the wealth of the nation. The report of the Commissioner asks attention particularly to the continued prevalence of an infectious and contagious cattle disease known and dreaded in Europe and Asia as cattle plague, or pleuro-pneumonia. A mild type of this disease in certain sections of our country is the occasion of great loss to our farmers and of serious disturbance to our trade with Great Britain, which furnishes a market for most of our live stock and dressed meats. The value of neat cattle exported from the United States for the eight months ended August 31, 1880, was more than $12,000,000, and nearly double the value for the same period in 1879--an unexampled increase of export trade. Your early attention is solicited to this important matter. The Commissioner of Education reports a continued increase of public interest in educational affairs, and that the public schools generally throughout the country are well sustained. Industrial training is attracting deserved attention, and colleges for instruction, theoretical and practical, in agriculture and mechanic arts, including the Government schools recently established for the instruction of Indian youth, are gaining steadily in public estimation. The Commissioner asks special attention to the depredations committed on the lands reserved for the future support of public instruction, and to the very great need of help from the nation for schools in the Territories and in the Southern States. The recommendation heretofore made is repeated and urged, that an educational fund be set apart from the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands annually, the income of which and the remainder of the net annual proceeds to be distributed on some satisfactory plan to the States and the Territories and the District of Columbia. The success of the public schools of the District of Columbia, and the progress made, under the intelligent direction of the board of education and the superintendent, in supplying the educational requirements of the District with thoroughly trained and efficient teachers, is very gratifying. The acts of Congress, from time to time, donating public lands to the several States and Territories in aid of educational interests have proved to be wise measures of public policy, resulting in great and lasting benefit. It would seem to be a matter of simple justice to extend the benefits of this legislation, the wisdom of which has been so fully vindicated by experience, to the District of Columbia. I again commend the general interests of the District of Columbia to the favorable consideration of Congress. The affairs of the District, as shown by the report of the Commissioners, are in a very satisfactory condition. In my annual messages heretofore and in my special message of December 19, 1879, I have urged upon the attention of Congress the necessity of reclaiming the marshes of the Potomac adjacent to the capital, and I am constrained by its importance to advert again to the subject. These flats embrace an area of several hundred acres. They are an impediment to the drainage of the city and seriously impair its health. It is believed that with this substantial improvement of its river front the capital would be in all respects one of the most attractive cities in the world. Aside from its permanent population, this city is necessarily the place of residence of persons from every section of the country engaged in the public service. Many others reside here temporarily for the transaction of business with the Government. It should not be forgotten that the land acquired will probably be worth the cost of reclaiming it and that the navigation of the river will be greatly improved. I therefore again invite the attention of Congress to the importance of prompt provision for this much needed and too long delayed improvement. The water supply of the city is inadequate. In addition to the ordinary use throughout the city, the consumption by Government is necessarily very great in the navy-yard, arsenal, and the various Departments, and a large quantity is required for the proper preservation of the numerous parks and the cleansing of sewers. I recommend that this subject receive the early attention of Congress, and that in making provision for an increased supply such means be adopted as will have in view the future growth of the city. Temporary expedients for such a purpose can not but be wasteful of money, and therefore unwise. A more ample reservoir, with corresponding facilities for keeping it filled, should, in my judgment, be constructed. I commend again to the attention of Congress the subject of the removal from their present location of the depots of the several railroads entering the city; and I renew the recommendations of my former messages in behalf of the erection of a building for the Congressional Library, the completion of the Washington Monument, and of liberal appropriations in support of the benevolent, reformatory, and penal institutions of the District.
I congratulate you on the continued and increasing prosperity of our country. By the favor of Divine Providence we have been blessed during the past year with health, with abundant harvests, with profitable employment for all our people, and with contentment at home, and with peace and friendship with other nations. The occurrence of the twenty-fourth election of Chief Magistrate has afforded another opportunity to the people of the United States to exhibit to the world a significant example of the peaceful and safe transmission of the power and authority of government from the public servants whose terms of office are about to expire to their newly chosen successors. This example can not fail to impress profoundly thoughtful people of other countries with the advantages which republican institutions afford. The immediate, general, and cheerful acquiescence of all good citizens in the result of the election gives gratifying assurance to our country and to its friends throughout the world that a government based on the free consent of an intelligent and patriotic people possesses elements of strength, stability, and permanency not found in any other form of government. Continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon the colored people by the recent amendments to the Constitution still prevails in several of the late slaveholding States. It has, perhaps, not been manifested in the recent election to any large extent in acts of violence or intimidation. It has, however, by fraudulent practices in connection with the ballots, with the regulations as to the places and manner of voting, and with counting, returning, and canvassing the votes cast, been successful in defeating the exercise of the right preservative of all rights--the right of suffrage--which the Constitution expressly confers upon our enfranchised citizens. It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear. They prefer that no section of the country should be united in solid opposition to any other section. The disposition to refuse a prompt and hearty obedience to the equal-rights amendments to the Constitution is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of sectional lines in our political contests. As long as either of these amendments is flagrantly violated or disregarded, it is safe to assume that the people who placed them in the Constitution, as embodying the legitimate results of the war for the Union, and who believe them to be wise and necessary, will continue to act together and to insist that they shall be obeyed. The paramount question still is as to the enjoyment of the fight by every American citizen who has the requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote and to have it honestly counted. With this question rightly settled, the country will be relieved of the contentions of the past; bygones will indeed be bygones, and political and party issues, with respect to economy and efficiency of administration, internal improvements, the tariff, domestic taxation, education, finance, and other important subjects, will then receive their full share of attention; but resistance to and nullification of the results of the war will unite together in resolute purpose for their support all who maintain the authority of the Government and the perpetuity of the Union, and who adequately appreciate the value of the victory achieved. This determination proceeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of the people of our country or to any of their interests. The inviolability of the amendments rests upon the fundamental principle of our Government. They are the solemn expression of the will of the people of the United States. The sentiment that the constitutional rights of all our citizens must be maintained does not grow weaker. It will continue to control the Government of the country. Happily, the history of the late election shows that in many parts of the country where opposition to the fifteenth amendment has heretofore prevailed it is diminishing, and is likely to cease altogether if firm and well-considered action is taken by Congress. I trust the House of Representatives and the Senate, which have the right to judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of their own members, will see to it that every case of violation of the letter or spirit of the fifteenth amendment is thoroughly investigated, and that no benefit from such violation shall accrue to any person or party. It will be the duty of the Executive, with sufficient appropriations for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who have been engaged in depriving citizens of the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. It is not, however, to be forgotten that the best and surest guaranty of the primary rights of citizenship is to be found in that capacity for self-protection which can belong only to a people whose right to universal suffrage is supported by universal education. The means at the command of the local and State authorities are in many cases wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it. This is especially true where before emancipation the education of the people was neglected or prevented, in the interest of slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of popular education deserves the earnest attention of the people of the whole country, with a view to wise and comprehensive action by the Government of the United States, I respectfully recommend that Congress, by suitable legislation and with proper safeguards, supplement the local educational funds in the several States where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have been devolved on uneducated people by devoting to the purpose grants of the public lands and, if necessary, by appropriations from the Treasury of the United States. Whatever Government can fairly do to promote free popular education ought to be done. Wherever general education is found, peace, virtue, and social order prevail and civil and religious liberty are secure. In my former annual messages I have asked the attention of Congress to the urgent necessity of a reformation of the civil-service system of the Government. My views concerning the dangers of patronage, or appointments for personal or partisan considerations, have been strengthened by my observation and experience in the Executive office, and I believe these dangers threaten the stability of the Government. Abuses so serious in their nature can not be permanently tolerated. They tend to become more alarming with the enlargement of administrative service, as the growth of the country in population increases the number of officers and placemen employed. The reasons are imperative for the adoption of fixed rules for the regulation of appointments, promotions, and removals, establishing a uniform method having exclusively in view in every instance the attainment of the best qualifications for the position in question. Such a method alone is consistent with the equal rights of all citizens and the most economical and efficient administration of the public business. Competitive examinations in aid of impartial appointments and promotions have been conducted for some years past in several of the Executive Departments, and by my direction this system has been adopted in the custom-houses and post-offices of the larger cities of the country. In the city of New York over 2,000 positions in the civil service have been subject in their appointments and tenure of place to the operation of published rules for this purpose during the past two years. The results of these practical trials have been very satisfactory, and have confirmed my opinion in favor of this system of selection. All are subjected to the same tests, and the result is free from prejudice by personal favor or partisan influence. It secures for the position applied for the best qualifications attainable among the competing applicants. It is an effectual protection from the pressure of importunity, which under any other course pursued largely exacts the time and attention of appointing officers, to their great detriment in the discharge of other official duties preventing the abuse of the service for the mere furtherance of private or party purposes, and leaving the employee of the Government, freed from the obligations imposed by patronage, to depend solely upon merit for retention and advancement, and with this constant incentive to exertion and improvement. These invaluable results have been attained in a high degree in the offices where the rules for appointment by competitive examination have been applied. A method which has so approved itself by experimental tests at points where such tests may be fairly considered conclusive should be extended to all subordinate positions under the Government. I believe that a strong and growing public sentiment demands immediate measures for securing and enforcing the highest possible efficiency in the civil service and its protection from recognized abuses, and that the experience referred to has demonstrated the feasibility of such measures. The examinations in the custom-houses and post-offices have been held under many embarrassments and without provision for compensation for the extra labor performed by the officers who have conducted them, and whose commendable interest in the improvement of the public service has induced this devotion of time and labor without pecuniary reward. A continuance of these labors gratuitously ought not to be expected, and without an appropriation by Congress for compensation it is not practicable to extend the system of examinations generally throughout the civil service. It is also highly important that all such examinations should be conducted upon a uniform system and under general supervision. Section 1753 of the Revised Statutes authorizes the President to prescribe the regulations for admission to the civil service of the United States, and for this purpose to employ suitable persons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to "the fitness of each candidate, in respect to age, health, character, knowledge, and ability for the branch of service into which he seeks to enter;" but the law is practically inoperative for want of the requisite appropriation. I therefore recommend an appropriation of $25,000 per annum to meet the expenses of a commission, to be appointed by the President in accordance with the terms of this section, whose duty it shall be to devise a just, uniform, and efficient system of competitive examinations and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the Government. I am persuaded that the facilities which such a commission will afford for testing the fitness of those who apply for office will not only be as welcome a relief to members of Congress as it will be to the President and heads of Departments, but that it will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between the legislative and executive departments. The most effectual check upon the pernicious competition of influence and official favoritism in the bestowal of office will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the applicants, in which everyone can make his own record with the assurance that his success will depend upon this alone. I also recommend such legislation as, while leaving every officer as free as any other citizen to express his political opinions and to use his means for their advancement, shall also enable him to feel as safe as any private citizen in refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes. A law which should thus guarantee true liberty and justice to all who are engaged in the public service, and likewise contain stringent provisions against the use of official authority to coerce the political action of private citizens or of official subordinates, is greatly to be desired. The most serious obstacle, however, to an improvement of the civil service, and especially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal, has been found to be the practice, under what is known as the spoils system, by which the appointing power has been so largely encroached upon by members of Congress. The first step in the reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce between Congress and the Executive in the matter of appointments. The corrupting doctrine that "to the victors belong the spoils" is inseparable from Congressional patronage as the established rule and practice of parties in power. It comes to be understood by applicants for office and by the people generally that Representatives and Senators are entitled to disburse the patronage of their respective districts and States. It is not necessary to recite at length the evils resulting from this invasion of the Executive functions. The true principles of Government on the subject of appointments to office, as stated in the national conventions of the leading parties of the country, have again and again been approved by the American people, and have not been called in question in any quarter. These authentic expressions of public opinion upon this all-important subject are the statement of principles that belong to the constitutional structure of the Government. Under the Constitution the President and heads of Departments are to make nominations for office. The Senate is to advise and consent to appointments, and the House of Representatives is to accuse and prosecute faithless officers. The best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected; that Senators and Representatives, who may be judges and accusers, should not dictate appointments to office. To this end the cooperation of the legislative department. of the Government is required alike by the necessities of the case and by public opinion. Members of Congress will not be relieved from the demands made upon them with reference to appointments to office until by legislative enactment the pernicious practice is condemned and forbidden. It is therefore recommended that an act be passed defining the relations of members of Congress with respect to appointment to office by the President; and I also recommend that the provisions of section 1767 and of the sections following of the Revised Statutes, comprising the tenure-of-office act of March 2, 1867, be repealed. Believing that to reform the system and methods of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imperative duties of statesmanship, and that it can be permanently done only by the cooperation of the legislative and executive departments of the Government, I again commend the whole subject to your considerate attention. It is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the United States to suppress polygamy where it now exists in our Territories and to prevent its extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities in Utah to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown that the legislation upon this subject, to be effective, requires extensive modification and amendment. The longer action is delayed the more difficult it will be to accomplish what is desired. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sectarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and executing the local legislation of the Territory. By its control of the grand and petit juries it possesses large influence over the administration of justice. Exercising, as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the Territory, they are able to make effective their hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy, and, in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice and uphold the crime. It can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which encourages and sustains it. The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the Territories is ample. It is not a case for halfway measures. The political power of the Mormon sect is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous Territories. It is extending steadily into other Territories. Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperiled, and to fully reopen to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions, it is recommended that the government of the Territory of Utah be reorganized. I recommend that Congress provide for the government of Utah by a governor and judges, or commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate--a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. If, however, it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government, I recommend that the right to vote, hold office, and sit on juries in the Territory of Utah be confined to those who neither practice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough measures are adopted, it is believed that within a few years the evils which now afflict Utah will be eradicated, and that this Territory will in good time become one of the most prosperous and attractive of the new States of the Union. Our relations with all foreign countries have been those of undisturbed peace, and have presented no occasion for concern as to their continued maintenance. My anticipation of an early reply from the British Government to the demand of indemnity to our fishermen for the injuries suffered by that industry at Fortune Bay in January, 1878, which I expressed in my last annual message, was disappointed. This answer was received only in the latter part of April in the present year, and when received exhibited a failure of accord between the two Governments as to the measure of the inshore fishing privilege secured to our fishermen by the treaty of Washington of so serious a character that I made it the subject of a communication to Congress, in which I recommended the adoption of the measures which seemed to me proper to be taken by this Government in maintenance of the rights accorded to our fishermen under the treaty and toward securing an indemnity for the injury these interests had suffered. A bill to carry out these recommendations was under consideration by the House of Representatives at the time of the adjournment of Congress in June last. Within a few weeks I have received a communication from Her Majesty's Government renewing the consideration of the subject, both of the indemnity for the injuries at Fortune Bay and of the interpretation of the treaty in which the previous correspondence had shown the two Governments to be at variance. Upon both these topics the disposition toward a friendly agreement is manifested by a recognition of our right to an indemnity for the transaction at Fortune Bay, leaving the measure of such indemnity to further conference, and by an assent to the view of this Government, presented in the previous correspondence, that the regulation of conflicting interests of the shore fishery of the provincial seacoasts and the vessel fishery of our fishermen should be made the subject of conference and concurrent arrangement between the two Governments. I sincerely hope that the basis may be found for a speedy adjustment of the very serious divergence of views in the interpretation of the fishery clauses of the treaty of Washington, which, as the correspondence between the two Governments stood at the close of the last session of Congress, seemed to be irreconcilable. In the important exhibition of arts and industries which was held last year at Sydney, New South Wales, as well as in that now in progress at Melbourne, the United States have been efficiently and honorably represented. The exhibitors from this country at the former place received a large number of awards in some of the most considerable departments, and the participation of the United States was recognized by a special mark of distinction. In the exhibition at Melbourne the share taken by our country is no less notable, and an equal degree of success is confidently expected. The state of peace and tranquillity now enjoyed by all the nations of the continent of Europe has its favorable influence upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them. We have concluded and ratified a convention with the French Republic for the settlement of claims of the citizens of either country against the other. Under this convention a commission, presided over by a distinguished publicist, appointed in pursuance of the request of both nations by His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, has been organized and has begun its sessions in this city. A congress to consider means for the protection of industrial property has recently been in session in Paris, to which I have appointed the ministers of the United States in France and in Belgium as delegates. The International Commission upon Weights and Measures also continues its work in Paris. I invite your attention to the necessity of an appropriation to be made in time to enable this Government to comply with its obligations under the metrical convention. Our friendly relations with the German Empire continue without interruption. At the recent International Exhibition of Fish and Fisheries at Berlin the participation of the United States, notwithstanding the haste with which the commission was forced to make its preparations, was extremely successful and meritorious, winning for private exhibitors numerous awards of a high class and for the country at large the principal prize of honor offered by His Majesty the Emperor. The results of this great success can not but be advantageous to this important and growing industry. There have been some questions raised between the two Governments as to the proper effect and interpretation of our treaties of naturalization, but recent dispatches from our minister at Berlin show that favorable progress is making toward an understanding in accordance with the views of this Government, which makes and admits no distinction whatever between the rights of a native and a naturalized citizen of the United States. In practice the complaints of molestation suffered by naturalized citizens abroad have never been fewer than at present. There is nothing of importance to note in our unbroken friendly relations with the Governments of Austria-Hungary, Russia, Portugal, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Greece. During the last summer several vessels belonging to the merchant marine of this country, sailing in neutral waters of the West Indies, were fired at, boarded, and searched by an armed cruiser of the Spanish Government. The circumstances as reported involve not only a private injury to the persons concerned, but also seemed too little observant of the friendly relations existing for a century between this country and Spain. The wrong was brought to the attention of the Spanish Government in a serious protest and remonstrance, and the matter is undergoing investigation by the royal authorities with a view to such explanation or reparation as may be called for by the facts. The commission sitting in this city for the adjudication of claims of our citizens against the Government of Spain is, I hope, approaching the termination of its labors. The claims against the United States under the Florida treaty with Spain were submitted to Congress for its action at the late session, and I again invite your attention to this long-standing question, with a view to a final disposition of the matter. At the invitation of the Spanish Government, a conference has recently been held at the city of Madrid to consider the subject of protection by foreign powers of native Moors in the Empire of Morocco. The minister of the United States in Spain was directed to take part in the deliberations of this conference, the result of which is a convention signed on behalf of all the powers represented. The instrument will be laid before the Senate for its consideration. The Government of the United States has also lost no opportunity to urge upon that of the Emperor of Morocco the necessity, in accordance with the humane and enlightened spirit of the age, of putting an end to the persecutions, which have been so prevalent in that country, of persons of a faith. other than the Moslem, and especially of the Hebrew residents of Morocco. The consular treaty concluded with Belgium has not yet been officially promulgated, owing to the alteration of a word in the text by the Senate of the United States, which occasioned a delay, during which the time allowed for ratification expired. The Senate will be asked to extend the period for ratification. The attempt to negotiate a treaty of extradition with Denmark failed on account of the objection of the Danish Government to the usual clause providing that each nation should pay the expense of the arrest of the persons whose extradition it asks. The provision made by Congress at its last session for the expense of the commission which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the Imperial Government of China on subjects of great interest to the relations of the two countries enabled the commissioners to proceed at once upon their mission. The Imperial Government was prepared to give prompt and respectful attention to the matters brought under negotiation, and the conferences proceeded with such rapidity and success that on the 17th of November last two treaties were signed at Peking, one relating to the introduction of Chinese into this country and one relating to commerce. Mr. Trescot, one of the commissioners, is now on his way home bringing the treaties, and it is expected that they will be received in season to be laid before the Senate early in January. Our minister in Japan has negotiated a convention for the reciprocal relief of shipwrecked seamen. I take occasion to urge once more upon Congress the propriety of making provision for the erection of suitable fireproof buildings at the Japanese capital for the use of the American legation and the court-house and jail connected with it. The Japanese Government, with great generosity and courtesy, has offered for this purpose an eligible piece of land. In my last annual message I invited the attention of Congress to the subject of the indemnity funds received some years ago from China and Japan. I renew the recommendation then made that whatever portions of these funds are due to American citizens should be promptly paid and the residue returned to the nations, respectively, to which they justly and equitably belong. The extradition treaty with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Which has been for some time in course of negotiation, has during the past year been concluded and duly ratified. Relations of friendship and amity have been established between the Government of the United States and that of Roumania. We have sent a diplomatic representative to Bucharest, and have received at this capital the special envoy who has been charged by His Royal Highness Prince Charles to announce the independent sovereignty of Roumania. We hope for a speedy development of commercial relations between the two countries. In my last annual message I expressed the hope that the prevalence of quiet on the border between this country and Mexico would soon become so assured as to justify the modification of the orders then in force to our military commanders in regard to crossing the frontier, without encouraging such disturbances as would endanger the peace of the two countries. Events moved in accordance with these expectations, and the orders were accordingly withdrawn, to the entire satisfaction of our own citizens and the Mexican Government. Subsequently the peace of the border was again disturbed by a savage foray under the command of the Chief Victoria, but by the combined and harmonious action of the military forces of both countries his band has been broken up and substantially destroyed. There is reason to believe that the obstacles which have so long prevented rapid and convenient communication between the United States and Mexico by railways are on the point of disappearing, and that several important enterprises of this character will soon be set on foot, which can not fail to contribute largely to the prosperity of both countries. New envoys from Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have recently arrived at this capital, whose distinction and enlightenment afford the best guaranty of the continuance of friendly relations between ourselves and these sister Republics. The relations between this Government and that of the United States of Colombia have engaged public attention during the past year, mainly by reason of the project of an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama, to be built by private capital under a concession from the Colombian Government for that purpose. The treaty obligations subsisting between the United States and Colombia, by which we guarantee the neutrality of the transit and the sovereignty and property of Colombia in the Isthmus, make it necessary that the conditions under which so stupendous a change in the region embraced in this guaranty should be effected--transforming, as it would, this Isthmus from a barrier between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans into a gateway and thoroughfare between them for the navies and the merchant ships of the world--should receive the approval of this Government, as being compatible with the discharge of these obligations on our part and consistent with our interests as the principal commercial power of the Western Hemisphere. The views which I expressed in a special message to Congress in March last in relation to this project I deem it my duty again to press upon your attention. Subsequent consideration has but confirmed the opinion "that it is the right and duty of the United States to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over any interoceanic canal across the isthmus that connects North and South America as will protect our national interest." The war between the Republic of Chile on the one hand and the allied Republics of Peru and Bolivia on the other still continues. This Government has not felt called upon to interfere in a contest that is within the belligerent rights of the parties as independent states. We have, however, always held ourselves in readiness to aid in accommodating their difference, and have at different times reminded beth belligerents of our willingness to render such service. Our good offices in this direction were recently accepted by all the belligerents, and it was hoped they would prove efficacious; but I regret to announce that the measures which the ministers of the United States at Santiago and Lima were authorized to take with the view to bring about a peace were not successful. In the course of the war some questions have arisen affecting neutral rights. In all of these the ministers of the United States have, under their instructions, acted with promptness and energy in protection of American interests. The relations of the United States with the Empire of Brazil continue to be most cordial, and their commercial intercourse steadily increases, to their mutual advantage. The internal disorders with which the Argentine Republic has for some time past been afflicted, and which have more or less influenced its external trade, are understood to have been brought to a close. This happy result may be expected to redound to the benefit of the foreign commerce of that Republic, as well as to the development of its vast interior resources. In Samoa the Government of King Malietoa, under the support and recognition of the consular representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, seems to have given peace and tranquillity to the islands. While it does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the scheme of tripartite local government which has been proposed, the common interests of the three great treaty powers require harmony in their relations to the native frame of government, and this may be best secured by a simple diplomatic agreement between them. It would be well if the consular jurisdiction of our representative at Apia were increased in extent and importance so as to guard American interests in the surrounding and outlying islands of Oceanica. The obelisk generously presented by the Khedive of Egypt to the city of New York has safely arrived in this country, and will soon be erected in that metropolis. A commission for the liquidation of the Egyptian debt has lately concluded its work, and this Government, at the earnest solicitation of the Khedive, has acceded to the provisions adopted by it, which will be laid before Congress for its information. A commission for the revision of the judicial code of the reform tribunal of Egypt is now in session in Cairo. Mr. Farman, consul-general, and J. M. Batchelder, esq., have been appointed as commissioners to participate in this work. The organization of the reform tribunals will probably be continued for another period of five years. In pursuance of the act passed at the last session of Congress, invitations have been extended to foreign maritime states to join in a sanitary conference in Washington, beginning the 1st of January. The acceptance of this invitation by many prominent powers gives promise of success in this important measure, designed to establish a system of international notification by which the spread of infectious or epidemic diseases may be more effectively checked or prevented. The attention of Congress is invited to the necessary appropriations for carrying into effect the provisions of the act referred to. The efforts of the Department of State to enlarge the trade and commerce of the United States, through the active agency of consular officers and through the dissemination of information obtained from them, have been unrelaxed. The interest in these efforts, as developed in our commercial communities, and the value of the information secured by this means to the trade and manufactures of the country were recognized by Congress at its last session, and provision was made for the more frequent publication of consular and other reports by the Department of State. The first issue of this publication has now been prepared, and subsequent issues may regularly be expected. The importance and interest attached to the reports of consular officers are witnessed by the general demand for them by all classes of merchants and manufacturers engaged in our foreign trade. It is believed that the system of such publications is deserving of the approval of Congress, and that the necessary appropriations for its continuance and enlargement will commend itself to your consideration. The prosperous energies of our domestic industries and their immense production of the subjects of foreign commerce invite, and even require, an active development of the wishes and interests of our people in that direction. Especially important is it that our commercial relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America, with the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, should be direct, and not through the circuit of European systems, and should be carried on in our own bottoms. The full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the Pacific Ocean gives to commerce with Japan, China, and the East Indies, with Australia and the island groups which lie along these routes of navigation, should inspire equal efforts to appropriate to our own shipping and to administer by our own capital a due proportion of this trade. Whatever modifications of our regulations of trade and navigation may be necessary or useful to meet and direct these impulses to the enlargement of our exchanges and of our carrying trade I am sure the wisdom of Congress will be ready to supply. One initial measure, however, seems to me so dearly useful and efficient that I venture to press it upon your earnest attention. It seems to be very evident that the provision of regular steam postal communication by aid from government has been the forerunner of the commercial predominance of Great Britain on all these coasts and seas, a greater share in whose trade is now the desire and the intent of our people. It is also manifest that the efforts of other European nations to contend with Great Britain for a share of this commerce have been successful in proportion with their adoption of regular steam postal communication with the markets whose trade they sought. Mexico and the States of South America are anxious to receive such postal communication with this country and to aid in their development. Similar cooperation may be looked for in due time from the Eastern nations and from Australia. It is difficult to see how the lead in this movement can be expected from private interests. In respect of foreign commerce quite as much as in internal trade postal communication seems necessarily a matter of common and public administration, and thus pertaining to Government. I respectfully recommend to your prompt attention such just and efficient measures as may conduce to the development of our foreign commercial exchanges and the building up of our carrying trade. In this connection I desire also to suggest the very great service which might be expected in enlarging and facilitating our commerce on the Pacific Ocean were a transmarine cable laid from San Francisco to the Sandwich Islands, and thence to Japan at the north and Australia at the south. The great influence of such means of communication on these routes of navigation in developing and securing the due share of our Pacific Coast in the commerce of the world needs no illustration or enforcement. It may be that such an enterprise, useful, and in the end profitable, as it would prove to private investment, may need to be accelerated by prudent legislation by Congress in its aid, and I submit the matter to your careful consideration. An additional and not unimportant, although secondary, reason for fostering and enlarging the Navy may be found in the unquestionable service to the expansion of our commerce which would be rendered by the frequent circulation of naval ships in the seas and ports of all quarters of the globe. Ships of the proper construction and equipment to be of the greatest efficiency in case of maritime war might be made constant and active agents in time of peace in the advancement and protection of our foreign trade and in the nurture and discipline of young seamen, who would naturally in some numbers mix with and improve the crews of our merchant ships. Our merchants at home and abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce of an active movement of our naval vessels, and the intelligence and patriotic zeal of our naval officers in promoting every interest of their countrymen is a just subject of national pride. The condition of the financial affairs of the Government, as shown by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, is very satisfactory. It is believed that the present financial situation of the United States, whether considered with respect to trade, currency, credit, growing wealth, or the extent and variety of our resources, is more favorable than that of any other country of our time, and has never been surpassed by that of any country at any period of its history. All our industries are thriving; the rate of interest is low; new railroads are being constructed; a vast immigration is increasing our population, capital, and labor; new enterprises in great number are in progress, and our commercial relations with other countries are improving. The ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, were-- The ordinary expenditures for the same period were-- leaving a surplus revenue of $65,883,653.20, which, with an amount drawn from the cash balance in Treasury of $8,084,434.21, making $73,968,087.41, was applied to the redemption-- The amount due the sinking fund for this year was $37,931,643.55. There was applied thereto the sum of $73,904,617.41, being $35,972,973.86 in excess of the actual requirements for the year. The aggregate of the revenues from all sources during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, was $333,526,610.98, an increase over the preceding year of $59,699,426.52. The receipts thus far of the current year, together with the estimated receipts for the remainder of the year, amount to $350,000,000, which will be sufficient to meet the estimated expenditures of the year and leave a surplus of $90,000,000. It is fortunate that this large surplus revenue occurs at a period when it may be directly applied to the payment of the public debt soon to be redeemable. No public duty has been more constantly cherished in the United States than the policy of paying the nation's debt as rapidly as possible. The debt of the United States, less cash in the Treasury and exclusive of accruing interest, attained its maximum of $2,756,431,571.43 in August, 1865, and has since that time been reduced to $1,886,019,504.65. Of the principal of the debt, $108,758,100 has been paid since March 1, 1877, effecting an annual saving of interest of $6,107,593. The burden of interest has also been diminished by the sale of bonds bearing a low rate of interest and the application of the proceeds to the redemption of bonds bearing a higher rate. The annual saving thus secured since March 1, 1877, is $14,290,453.50. Within a short period over six hundred millions of 5 and 6 per cent bonds will become redeemable. This presents a very favorable opportunity not only to further reduce the principal of the debt, but also to reduce the rate of interest on that which will remain unpaid. I call the attention of Congress to the views expressed on this subject by the Secretary of the Treasury in his annual report, and recommend prompt legislation to enable the Treasury Department to complete the refunding of the debt which is about to mature. The continuance of specie payments has not been interrupted or endangered since the date of resumption. It has contributed greatly to the revival of business and to our remarkable prosperity. The fears that preceded and accompanied resumption have proved groundless. No considerable amount of United States notes have been presented for redemption, while very large sums of gold bullion, both domestic and imported, are taken to the mints and exchanged for coin or notes. The increase of coin and bullion in the United States since January 1, 1879, is estimated at $227,399,428. There are still in existence, uncanceled, $346,681,016 of United States legal-tender notes. These notes were authorized as a war measure, made necessary by the exigencies of the conflict in which the United States was then engaged. The preservation of the nation's existence required, in the judgment of Congress, an issue of legal-tender paper money. That it served well the purpose for which it was created is not questioned, but the employment of the notes as paper money indefinitely, after the accomplishment of the object for which they were provided, was not contemplated by the framers of the law under which they were issued. These notes long since became, like any other pecuniary obligation of the Government, a debt to be paid, and when paid to be canceled as mere evidence of an indebtedness no longer existing. I therefore repeat what was said in the annual message of last year, that the retirement from circulation of United States notes with the capacity of legal tender in private contracts is a step to be taken in our progress toward a safe and stable currency which should be accepted as the policy and duty of the Government and the interest and security of the people. At the time of the passage of the act now in force requiring the coin. age of silver dollars, fixing their value, and giving them legal-tender character it was believed by many of the supporters of the measure that the silver dollar which it authorized would speedily become, under the operations of the law, of equivalent value to the gold dollar. There were other supporters of the bill, who, while they doubted as to the probability of this result, nevertheless were willing to give the proposed experiment a fair trial, with a view to stop the coinage if experience should prove that the silver dollar authorized by the bill continued to be of less commercial value than the standard gold dollar. The coinage of silver dollars under the act referred to began in March, 1878, and has been continued as required by the act. The average rate per month to the present time has been $2,276,492. The total amount coined prior to the 1st of November last was $72,847,750. Of this amount $47,084,450 remain in the Treasury, and only $25,763,291 are in the hands of the people. A constant effort has been made to keep this currency in circulation, and considerable expense has been necessarily incurred for this purpose; but its return to the Treasury is prompt and sure. Contrary to the confident anticipation of the friends of the measure at the time of its adoption, the value of the silver dollar containing 412 1/2 grains of silver has not increased. During the year prior to the passage of the bill authorizing its coinage the market value of the silver which it contained was from 90 to 92 cents as compared with the standard gold dollar. During the last year the average market value of the silver dollar has been 88 1/2 cents. It is obvious that the legislation of the last Congress in regard to silver, so far as it was based on an anticipated rise in the value of silver as a result of that legislation, has failed to produce the effect then predicted. The longer the law remains in force, requiring, as it does, the coinage of a nominal dollar which in reality is not a dollar, the greater becomes the danger that this country will be forced to accept a single metal as the sole legal standard of value in circulation, and this a standard of less value than it purports to be worth in the recognized money of the world. The Constitution of the United States, sound financial principles, and our best interests all require that the country should have as its legal-tender money both gold and silver coin of an intrinsic value, as bullion, equivalent to that which upon its face it purports to possess. The Constitution in express terms recognizes both gold and silver as the only true legal-tender money. To banish either of these metals from our currency is to narrow and limit the circulating medium of exchange to the disparagement of important interests. The United States produces more silver than any other country, and is directly interested in maintaining it as one of the two precious metals which furnish the coinage of the world. It will, in my judgment, contribute to this result if Congress will repeal so much of existing legislation as requires the coinage of silver dollars containing only 412 1/2 grains of silver, and in its stead will authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to coin silver dollars of equivalent value, as bullion, with gold dollars. This will defraud no man, and will be in accordance with familiar precedents. Congress on several occasions has altered the ratio of value between gold and silver, in order to establish it more nearly in accordance with the actual ratio of value between the two metals. In financial legislation every measure in the direction of greater fidelity in the discharge of pecuniary obligations has been found by experience to diminish the rates of interest which debtors are required to pay and to increase the facility with which money can be obtained for every legitimate purpose. Our own recent financial history shows how surely money becomes abundant whenever confidence in the exact performance of moneyed obligations is established. The Secretary of War reports that ,the expenditures of the War Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, were $39,924,773.03. The appropriations for this Department for the current fiscal year amount to $41,993,630.40. With respect to the Army, the Secretary invites attention to the fact that its strength is limited by statute (YOU. S. Revised Statutes, sec. 1115) to not more than 30,000 enlisted men, but that provisos contained in appropriation bills have limited expenditures to the enlistment of but 25,000. It is believed the full legal strength is the least possible force at which the present organization can be maintained, having in view efficiency, discipline, and economy. While the enlistment of this force would add somewhat to the appropriation for pay of the Army, the saving made in other respects would be more than an equivalent for this additional outlay, and the efficiency of the Army would be largely increased. The rapid extension of the railroad system west of the Mississippi River and the great tide of settlers which has flowed in upon new territory impose on the military an entire change of policy. The maintenance of small posts along wagon and stage routes of travel is no longer necessary. Permanent quarters at points selected, of a more substantial character than those heretofore constructed, will be required. Under existing laws permanent buildings can not be erected without the sanction of Congress, and when sales of military sites and buildings have been authorized the moneys received have reverted to the Treasury and could only become available through a new appropriation. It is recommended that provision be made by a general statute for the sale of such abandoned military posts and buildings as are found to be unnecessary and for the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts. While many of the present posts are of but slight value for military purposes, owing to the changed condition of the country, their occupation is continued at great expense and inconvenience; because they afford the only available shelter for troops. The absence of a large number of officers of the line, in active duty, from their regiments is a serious detriment to the maintenance of the service. The constant demand for small detachments, each of which should be commanded by a commissioned officer, and the various details of officers for necessary service away from their commands occasion a scarcity in the number required for company duties. With a view to lessening this drain to some extent, it is recommended that the law authorizing the detail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics and military science at certain colleges and universities be so amended as to provide that all such details be made from the retired list of the Army. Attention is asked to the necessity of providing by legislation for organizing, arming, and disciplining the active militia of the country, and liberal appropriations are recommended in this behalf. The reports of the Adjutant-General of the Army and the Chief of Ordnance touching this subject fully set forth its importance. The report of the officer in charge of education in the Army shows that there are 78 schools now in operation in the Army, with an aggregate attendance of 2,305 enlisted men and children. The Secretary recommends the enlistment of 150 schoolmasters, with the rank and pay of commissary-sergeants. An appropriation is needed to supply the judge-advocates of the Army with suitable libraries, and the Secretary recommends that the Corps of Judge-Advocates be placed upon the same footing as to promotion with the other staff corps of the Army. Under existing laws the Bureau of Military Justice consists of one officer (the Judge-Advocate-General), and the Corps of Judge-Advocates of eight officers of equal rank (majors), with a provision that the limit of the corps shall remain at four when reduced by casualty or resignation to that number. The consolidation of the Bureau of Military Justice and the Corps of Judge-Advocates upon the same basis with the other staff corps of the Army would remove an unjust discrimination against deserving officers and subserve the best interests of the service. Especial attention is asked to the report of the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of our national defenses. From a personal inspection of many of the fortifications referred to, the Secretary is able to emphasize the recommendations made and to state that their incomplete and defenseless condition is discreditable to the country. While other nations have been increasing their means for carrying on offensive warfare and attacking maritime cities, we have been dormant in preparation for defense. Nothing of importance has been done toward strengthening and finishing our casemated works since our late civil war, during which the great guns of modern warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and ships came into use among the nations; and our earthworks, left by a sudden failure of appropriations some years since in all stages of incompletion, are now being rapidly destroyed by the elements. The two great rivers of the North American continent, the Mississippi and the Columbia, have their navigable waters wholly within the limits of the United States, and are of vast importance to our internal and foreign commerce. The permanency of the important work on the South Pass of the Mississippi River seems now to be assured. There has been no failure whatever in the maintenance of the maximum channel during the six months ended August 9 last. This experiment has opened a broad, deep highway to the ocean, and is an improvement upon the permanent success of which congratulations may be exchanged among people abroad and at home, and especially among the communities of the Mississippi Valley, whose commercial exchanges float in an unobstructed channel safely to and from the sea. A comprehensive improvement of the Mississippi and its tributaries is a matter of transcendent importance. These great waterways comprise a system of inland transportation spread like network over a large portion of the United States, and navigable to the extent of many thousands of miles. Producers and consumers alike have a common interest in such unequaled facilities for cheap transportation. Geographically, commercially, and politically, they are the strongest tie between the various sections of the country. These channels of communication and interchange are the property of the nation. Its jurisdiction is paramount over their waters, and the plainest principles of public interest require their intelligent and careful supervision, with a view to their protection, improvement, and the enhancement of their usefulness. The channel of the Columbia River for a distance of about 100 miles from its mouth is obstructed by a succession of bars, which occasion serious delays in navigation and heavy expense for lighterage and towage. A depth of at least 20 feet at low tide should be secured and maintained to meet the requirements of the extensive and growing inland and ocean commerce it subserves. The most urgent need, however, for this great waterway is a permanent improvement of the channel at the mouth of the river. From Columbia River to San Francisco, a distance of over 600 miles, there is no harbor on our Pacific coast which can be approached during stormy weather. An appropriation of $150,000 was made by the Forty-fifth Congress for the commencement of a breakwater and harbor of refuge, to be located at some point between the Straits of Fuca and San Francisco at which the necessities of commerce, local and general, will be best accommodated. The amount appropriated is thought to be quite inadequate for the purpose intended. The cost of the work, when finished, will be very great, owing to the want of natural advantages for a site at any point on the coast between the designated limits, and it has not been thought to be advisable to undertake the work without a larger appropriation. I commend the matter to the attention of Congress. The completion of the new building for the War Department is urgently needed, and the estimates for continuing its construction are especially recommended. The collections of books, specimens, and records constituting the Army Medical Museum and Library are of national importance. The library now contains about 51,500 volumes and 57,000 pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery, and allied topics. The contents of the Army Medical Museum consist of 22,000 specimens, and are unique in the completeness with which both military surgery and the diseases of armies are illustrated. Their destruction would be an irreparable loss, not only to the United States, but to the world. There are filed in the Record and Pension Division over 16,000 bound volumes of hospital records, together with a great quantity of papers, embracing the original records of the hospitals of our armies during the civil war. Aside from their historical value, these records are daily searched for evidence needed in the settlement of large numbers of pension and other claims, for the protection of the Government against attempted frauds, as well as for the benefit of honest claimants. These valuable collections are now in a building which is peculiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by fire. It is therefore earnestly recommended that an appropriation be made for a new fireproof building, adequate for the present needs and reasonable future expansion of these valuable collections. Such a building should be absolutely fireproof; no expenditure for mere architectural display is required. It is believed that a suitable structure can be erected at a cost not to exceed $250,000. I commend to the attention of Congress the great services of the Commander in Chief of our armies during the war for the Union, whose wise, firm, and patriotic conduct did so much to bring that momentous conflict to a close. The legislation of the United States contains many precedents for the recognition of distinguished military merit, authorizing rank and emoluments to be conferred for eminent services to the country. An act of Congress authorizing the appointment of a Captain-General of the Army, with suitable provisions relating to compensation, retirement, and other details, would, in my judgment, be altogether fitting and proper, and would be warmly approved by the country. The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the successful and satisfactory management of that Department during the last fiscal year. The total expenditures for the year were $12,916,639.45, leaving unexpended at the close of the year $2,141,682.23 of the amount of available appropriations. The appropriations for the present fiscal year, ending June 30, 1881, are $15,095,061.45, and the total estimates for the next fiscal year, ending June 30, 1882, are $15,953,751.61. The amount drawn by warrant from July 1, 1880, to November 1, 1880, is $5,041,570.45. The recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy that provision be made for the establishment of some form of civil government for the people of Alaska is approved. At present there is no protection of persons or property in that Territory except such as is afforded by the officers of the United States ship Jamestown. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka because of the fear that without the immediate presence of the national authority there was impending danger of anarchy. The steps taken to restore order have been accepted in good faith by both white and Indian inhabitants, and the necessity for this method of restraint does not, in my opinion, now exist. If, however, the Jamestown should be withdrawn, leaving the people, as at present, without the ordinary judicial and administrative authority of organized local government, serious consequences might ensue. The laws provide only for the collection of revenue, the protection of public property, and the transmission of the mails. The problem is to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so peculiar in its origin and condition. The natives are reported to be teachable and self-supporting, and if properly instructed doubtless would advance rapidly in civilization, and a new factor of prosperity would be added to the national life. I therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon this subject. The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps toward the establishment of naval coaling stations at the Isthmus of Panama, to meet the requirements of our commercial relations with Central and South America, which are rapidly growing in importance. Locations eminently suitable, both as regards our naval purposes and the uses of commerce, have been selected, one on the east side of the Isthmus, at Chiriqui Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and the other on the Pacific coast, at the Bay of Golfito. The only safe harbors, sufficiently commodious, on the Isthmus are at these points, and the distance between them is less than 100 miles. The report of the Secretary of the Navy concludes with valuable suggestions with respect to the building up of our merchant marine service, which deserve the favorable consideration of Congress. The report of the Postmaster-General exhibits the continual growth and the high state of efficiency of the postal service. The operations of no Department of the Government, perhaps, represent with greater exactness the increase in the population and the business of the country. In 1860 the postal receipts were $8,518,067.40; in 1880 the receipts were $33,315,479.34. All the inhabitants of the country are directly and personally interested in having proper mail facilities, and naturally watch the Post-Office very closely. This careful oversight on the part of the people has proved a constant stimulus to improvement. During the past year there was an increase of 2,134 post-offices, and the mail routes were extended 27,177 miles, making an additional annual transportation of 10,804,191 miles. The revenues of the postal service for the ensuing year are estimated at $38,845,174.10, and the expenditures at $42,475,932, leaving a deficiency to be appropriated out of the Treasury of $3,630,757.90. The Universal Postal Union has received the accession of almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintaining organized postal services, and it is confidently expected that all the other countries and colonies now outside the union will soon unite therewith, thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the founders of the union of forming, for purposes of international mail communication, a single postal territory, embracing the world, with complete uniformity of postal charges and conditions of international exchange for all descriptions of correspondence. To enable the United States to do its full share of this great work, additional legislation is asked by the Postmaster-General, to whose recommendations especial attention is called. The suggestion of the Postmaster-General that it would be wise to encourage, by appropriate legislation, the establishment of American lines of steamers by our own citizens to carry the mails between our own ports and those of Mexico, Central America, South America, and of transpacific countries is commended to the serious consideration of Congress. The attention of Congress is also invited to the suggestions of the Postmaster-General in regard to postal savings. The necessity for additional provision to aid in the transaction of the business of the Federal courts becomes each year more apparent. The dockets of the Supreme Court and of the circuit courts in the greater number of the circuits are encumbered with the constant accession of cases. In the former court, and in many instances in the circuit courts,. years intervene before it is practicable to bring cases to hearing. The Attorney-General recommends the establishment of an intermediate court of errors and appeals. It is recommended that the number of judges of the circuit court in each circuit, with the exception of the second circuit, should be increased by the addition of another judge; in the second circuit, that two should be added; and that an intermediate appellate court should be formed in each circuit, to consist of the circuit judges and the circuit justice, and that in the event of the absence of either of these judges the place of the absent judge should be supplied by the judge of one of the district courts in the circuit. Such an appellate court could be safely invested with large jurisdiction, and its decisions would satisfy suitors in many cases where appeals would still be allowed to the Supreme Court. The expense incurred for this intermediate court will require a very moderate increase of the appropriations for the expenses of the Department of Justice. This recommendation is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. It is evident that a delay of justice, in many instances oppressive and disastrous to suitors, now necessarily occurs in the Federal courts, which will in this way be remedied. The report of the Secretary of the Interior presents an elaborate account of the operations of that Department during the past year. It gives me great pleasure to say that our Indian affairs appear to be in a more hopeful condition now than ever before. The Indians have made gratifying progress in agriculture, herding, and mechanical pursuits. Many who were a few years ago in hostile conflict with the Government are quietly settling down on farms where they hope to make their permanent homes, building houses and engaging in the occupations of civilized life. The introduction of the freighting business among them has been remarkably fruitful of good results, in giving many of them congenial and remunerative employment and in stimulating their ambition to earn their own support. Their honesty, fidelity, and efficiency as carriers are highly praised. The organization of a police force of Indians has been equally successful in maintaining law and order upon the reservations and in exercising a wholesome moral influence among the Indians themselves. I concur with the Secretary of the Interior in the recommendation that the pay of this force be increased, as an inducement to the best class of young men to enter it. Much care and attention has been devoted to the enlargement of educational. facilities for the Indians. The means available for this important object have been very inadequate. A few additional boarding schools at Indian agencies have been established and the erection of buildings has been begun for several more; but an increase of the appropriations for this interesting undertaking is greatly needed to accommodate the large number of Indian children of school age. The number offered by their parents from all parts of the country for education in the Government schools is much larger than can be accommodated with the means at present available for that purpose. The number of Indian pupils at the normal school at Hampton, Va., under the direction of General Armstrong, has been considerably increased, and their progress is highly encouraging. The Indian school established by the Interior Department in 1879 at Carlisle, Pa., under the direction of Captain Pratt, has been equally successful. It has now nearly 200 pupils of both sexes, representing a great variety of the tribes east of the Rocky Mountains. The pupils in both these institutions receive not only an elementary English education, but are also instructed in housework, agriculture, and useful mechanical pursuits. A similar school was established this year at Forest Grove, Oreg., for the education of Indian youth on the Pacific Coast. In addition to this, thirty-six Indian boys and girls were selected from the Eastern Cherokees and placed in boarding schools in North Carolina, where they are to receive an elementary English education and training in industrial pursuits. The interest shown by Indian parents, even among the so-called wild tribes, in the education of their children is very gratifying, and gives promise that the results accomplished by the efforts now making will be of lasting benefit. The expenses of Indian education have so far been drawn from the permanent civilization fund at the disposal of the Department of the Interior, but the fund is now so much reduced that the continuance of this beneficial work will in the future depend on specific appropriations by Congress for the purpose; and I venture to express the hope that Congress will not permit institutions so fruitful of good results to perish for want of means for their support. On the contrary, an increase of the number of such schools appears to me highly advisable. The past year has been unusually free from disturbances among the Indian tribes. An agreement has been made with the Utes by which they surrender their large reservation in Colorado in consideration of an annuity to be paid to them, and agree to settle in severally on certain lands designated for that purpose, as farmers, holding individual title to their land in fee simple, inalienable for a certain period. In this way a costly Indian war has been avoided, which at one time seemed imminent, and for the first time in the history of the country an Indian nation has given up its tribal existence to be settled in severally and to live as individuals under the common protection of the laws of the country. The conduct of the Indians throughout the country during the past year, with but few noteworthy exceptions, has been orderly and peaceful. The guerrilla warfare carried on for two years by Victoria and his band of Southern Apaches has virtually come to an end by the death of that chief and most of his followers on Mexican soil. The disturbances caused on our northern frontier by Sitting Bull and his men, who had taken refuge in the British dominions, are also likely to cease. A large majority of his followers have surrendered to our military forces, and the remainder are apparently in progress of disintegration. I concur with the Secretary of the Interior in expressing the earnest hope that Congress will at this session take favorable action on the bill providing for the allotment of lands on the different reservations in severally to the Indians, with patents conferring fee-simple title inalienable for a certain period, and the eventual disposition of the residue of the reservations for general settlement, with the consent and for the benefit of the Indians, placing the latter under the equal protection of the laws of the country. This measure, together with a vigorous prosecution of our educational efforts, will work the most important and effective advance toward the solution of the Indian problem, in preparing for the gradual merging of our Indian population in the great body of American citizenship. A large increase is reported in the disposal of public lands for settlement during the past year, which marks the prosperous growth of our agricultural industry and a vigorous movement of population toward our unoccupied lands. As this movement proceeds, the codification of our land laws, as well as proper legislation to regulate the disposition of public lands, become of more pressing necessity, and I therefore invite the consideration of Congress to the report and the accompanying draft of a bill made by the Public Lands Commission, which were communicated by me to Congress at the last session. Early action upon this important subject is highly desirable. The attention of Congress is again asked to the wasteful depredations committed on our public timber lands and the rapid and indiscriminate destruction of our forests. The urgent necessity for legislation to this end is now generally recognized. In view of the lawless character of the depredations committed and the disastrous consequences which will inevitably follow their continuance, legislation has again and again been recommended to arrest the evil and to preserve for the people of our Western States and Territories the timber needed for domestic and other essential uses. The report of the Director of the Geological Survey is a document of unusual interest. The consolidation of the various geological and geographical surveys and exploring enterprises, each of which has heretofore operated upon an independent plan, without concert, can not fail to be of great benefit to all those industries of the country which depend upon the development of our mineral resources. The labors of the scientific men, of recognized merit, who compose the corps of the Geological Survey, during the first season of their field operations and inquiries, appear to have been very comprehensive, and will soon be communicated to Congress in a number of volumes. The Director of the Survey recommends that the investigations carried on by his bureau, which so far have been confined to the so-called public-land States and Territories, be extended over the entire country, and that the necessary appropriation be made for this purpose. This would be particularly beneficial to the iron, coal, and other mining interests of the Mississippi Valley and of the Eastern and Southern States. The subject is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. The Secretary of the Interior asks attention to the want of room in the public buildings of the capital, now existing and in progress of construction, for the accommodation of the clerical force employed and of the public records. Necessity has compelled the renting of private buildings in different parts of the city for the location of public offices, for which a large amount of rent is annually paid, while the separation of offices belonging to the same Department impedes the transaction of current business. The Secretary suggests that the blocks surrounding Lafayette Square on the east, north, and west be purchased as the sites for new edifices for the accommodation of the Government offices, leaving the square itself intact, and that if such buildings were constructed upon a harmonious plan of architecture they would add much to the beauty of the national capital, and would, together with the Treasury and the new State, Navy, and War Department building, form one of the most imposing groups of public edifices in the world. The Commissioner of Agriculture expresses the confident belief that his efforts in behalf of the production of our own sugar and tea have been encouragingly rewarded. The importance of the results attained have attracted marked attention at home and have received the special consideration of foreign nations. The successful cultivation of our own tea and the manufacture of our own sugar would make a difference of many millions of dollars annually in the wealth of the nation. The report of the Commissioner asks attention particularly to the continued prevalence of an infectious and contagious cattle disease known and dreaded in Europe and Asia as cattle plague, or pleuro-pneumonia. A mild type of this disease in certain sections of our country is the occasion of great loss to our farmers and of serious disturbance to our trade with Great Britain, which furnishes a market for most of our live stock and dressed meats. The value of neat cattle exported from the United States for the eight months ended August 31, 1880, was more than $12,000,000, and nearly double the value for the same period in 1879--an unexampled increase of export trade. Your early attention is solicited to this important matter. The Commissioner of Education reports a continued increase of public interest in educational affairs, and that the public schools generally throughout the country are well sustained. Industrial training is attracting deserved attention, and colleges for instruction, theoretical and practical, in agriculture and mechanic arts, including the Government schools recently established for the instruction of Indian youth, are gaining steadily in public estimation. The Commissioner asks special attention to the depredations committed on the lands reserved for the future support of public instruction, and to the very great need of help from the nation for schools in the Territories and in the Southern States. The recommendation heretofore made is repeated and urged, that an educational fund be set apart from the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands annually, the income of which and the remainder of the net annual proceeds to be distributed on some satisfactory plan to the States and the Territories and the District of Columbia. The success of the public schools of the District of Columbia, and the progress made, under the intelligent direction of the board of education and the superintendent, in supplying the educational requirements of the District with thoroughly trained and efficient teachers, is very gratifying. The acts of Congress, from time to time, donating public lands to the several States and Territories in aid of educational interests have proved to be wise measures of public policy, resulting in great and lasting benefit. It would seem to be a matter of simple justice to extend the benefits of this legislation, the wisdom of which has been so fully vindicated by experience, to the District of Columbia. I again commend the general interests of the District of Columbia to the favorable consideration of Congress. The affairs of the District, as shown by the report of the Commissioners, are in a very satisfactory condition. In my annual messages heretofore and in my special message of December 19, 1879, I have urged upon the attention of Congress the necessity of reclaiming the marshes of the Potomac adjacent to the capital, and I am constrained by its importance to advert again to the subject. These flats embrace an area of several hundred acres. They are an impediment to the drainage of the city and seriously impair its health. It is believed that with this substantial improvement of its river front the capital would be in all respects one of the most attractive cities in the world. Aside from its permanent population, this city is necessarily the place of residence of persons from every section of the country engaged in the public service. Many others reside here temporarily for the transaction of business with the Government. It should not be forgotten that the land acquired will probably be worth the cost of reclaiming it and that the navigation of the river will be greatly improved. I therefore again invite the attention of Congress to the importance of prompt provision for this much needed and too long delayed improvement. The water supply of the city is inadequate. In addition to the ordinary use throughout the city, the consumption by Government is necessarily very great in the navy-yard, arsenal, and the various Departments, and a large quantity is required for the proper preservation of the numerous parks and the cleansing of sewers. I recommend that this subject receive the early attention of Congress, and that in making provision for an increased supply such means be adopted as will have in view the future growth of the city. Temporary expedients for such a purpose can not but be wasteful of money, and therefore unwise. A more ample reservoir, with corresponding facilities for keeping it filled, should, in my judgment, be constructed. I commend again to the attention of Congress the subject of the removal from their present location of the depots of the several railroads entering the city; and I renew the recommendations of my former messages in behalf of the erection of a building for the Congressional Library, the completion of the Washington Monument, and of liberal appropriations in support of the benevolent, reformatory, and penal institutions of the District.
i congratulate you on the continued and increasing prosperity of our country by the favor of divine providence we have been blessed during the past year with health with abundant harvests with profitable employment for all our people and with contentment at home and with peace and friendship with other nations the occurrence of the election of chief magistrate has afforded another opportunity to the people of the united states to exhibit to the world a significant example of the peaceful and safe transmission of the power and authority of government from the public servants whose terms of office are about to expire to their newly chosen successors this example can not fail to impress profoundly thoughtful people of other countries with the advantages which republican institutions afford the immediate general and cheerful acquiescence of all good citizens in the result of the election gives gratifying assurance to our country and to its friends throughout the world that a government based on the free consent of an intelligent and patriotic people possesses elements of strength stability and permanency not found in any other form of government continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon the colored people by the recent amendments to the constitution still prevails in several of the late slaveholding states it has perhaps not been manifested in the recent election to any large extent in acts of violence or intimidation it has however by fraudulent practices in connection with the ballots with the regulations as to the places and manner of voting and with counting returning and canvassing the votes cast been successful in defeating the exercise of the right preservative of all rights the right of suffrage which the constitution expressly confers upon our enfranchised citizens it is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear they prefer that no section of the country should be united in solid opposition to any other section the disposition to refuse a prompt and hearty obedience to the amendments to the constitution is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of sectional lines in our political contests as long as either of these amendments is flagrantly violated or disregarded it is safe to assume that the people who placed them in the constitution as embodying the legitimate results of the war for the union and who believe them to be wise and necessary will continue to act together and to insist that they shall be obeyed the paramount question still is as to the enjoyment of the fight by every american citizen who has the requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote and to have it honestly counted with this question rightly settled the country will be relieved of the contentions of the past bygones will indeed be bygones and political and party issues with respect to economy and efficiency of administration internal improvements the tariff domestic taxation education finance and other important subjects will then receive their full share of attention but resistance to and nullification of the results of the war will unite together in resolute purpose for their support all who maintain the authority of the government and the perpetuity of the union and who adequately appreciate the value of the victory achieved this determination proceeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of the people of our country or to any of their interests the inviolability of the amendments rests upon the fundamental principle of our government they are the solemn expression of the will of the people of the united states the sentiment that the constitutional rights of all our citizens must be maintained does not grow weaker it will continue to control the government of the country happily the history of the late election shows that in many parts of the country where opposition to the fifteenth amendment has heretofore prevailed it is diminishing and is likely to cease altogether if firm and action is taken by congress i trust the house of representatives and the senate which have the right to judge of the elections returns and qualifications of their own members will see to it that every case of violation of the letter or spirit of the fifteenth amendment is thoroughly investigated and that no benefit from such violation shall accrue to any person or party it will be the duty of the executive with sufficient appropriations for the purpose to prosecute unsparingly all who have been engaged in depriving citizens of the rights guaranteed to them by the constitution it is not however to be forgotten that the best and surest guaranty of the primary rights of citizenship is to be found in that capacity for which can belong only to a people whose right to universal suffrage is supported by universal education the means at the command of the local and state authorities are in many cases wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it this is especially true where before emancipation the education of the people was neglected or prevented in the interest of slavery firmly convinced that the subject of popular education deserves the earnest attention of the people of the whole country with a view to wise and comprehensive action by the government of the united states i respectfully recommend that congress by suitable legislation and with proper safeguards supplement the local educational funds in the several states where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have been devolved on uneducated people by devoting to the purpose grants of the public lands and if necessary by appropriations from the treasury of the united states whatever government can fairly do to promote free popular education ought to be done wherever general education is found peace virtue and social order prevail and civil and religious liberty are secure in my former annual messages i have asked the attention of congress to the urgent necessity of a reformation of the system of the government my views concerning the dangers of patronage or appointments for personal or partisan considerations have been strengthened by my observation and experience in the executive office and i believe these dangers threaten the stability of the government abuses so serious in their nature can not be permanently tolerated they tend to become more alarming with the enlargement of administrative service as the growth of the country in population increases the number of officers and placemen employed the reasons are imperative for the adoption of fixed rules for the regulation of appointments promotions and removals establishing a uniform method having exclusively in view in every instance the attainment of the best qualifications for the position in question such a method alone is consistent with the equal rights of all citizens and the most economical and efficient administration of the public business competitive examinations in aid of impartial appointments and promotions have been conducted for some years past in several of the executive departments and by my direction this system has been adopted in the and of the larger cities of the country in the city of new york over positions in the civil service have been subject in their appointments and tenure of place to the operation of published rules for this purpose during the past two years the results of these practical trials have been very satisfactory and have confirmed my opinion in favor of this system of selection all are subjected to the same tests and the result is free from prejudice by personal favor or partisan influence it secures for the position applied for the best qualifications attainable among the competing applicants it is an effectual protection from the pressure of importunity which under any other course pursued largely exacts the time and attention of appointing officers to their great detriment in the discharge of other official duties preventing the abuse of the service for the mere furtherance of private or party purposes and leaving the employee of the government freed from the obligations imposed by patronage to depend solely upon merit for retention and advancement and with this constant incentive to exertion and improvement these invaluable results have been attained in a high degree in the offices where the rules for appointment by competitive examination have been applied a method which has so approved itself by experimental tests at points where such tests may be fairly considered conclusive should be extended to all subordinate positions under the government i believe that a strong and growing public sentiment demands immediate measures for securing and enforcing the highest possible efficiency in the civil service and its protection from recognized abuses and that the experience referred to has demonstrated the feasibility of such measures the examinations in the and have been held under many embarrassments and without provision for compensation for the extra labor performed by the officers who have conducted them and whose commendable interest in the improvement of the public service has induced this devotion of time and labor without pecuniary reward a continuance of these labors gratuitously ought not to be expected and without an appropriation by congress for compensation it is not practicable to extend the system of examinations generally throughout the civil service it is also highly important that all such examinations should be conducted upon a uniform system and under general supervision section 1753 of the revised statutes authorizes the president to prescribe the regulations for admission to the civil service of the united states and for this purpose to employ suitable persons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to the fitness of each candidate in respect to age health character knowledge and ability for the branch of service into which he seeks to enter but the law is practically inoperative for want of the requisite appropriation i therefore recommend an appropriation of per annum to meet the expenses of a commission to be appointed by the president in accordance with the terms of this section whose duty it shall be to devise a just uniform and efficient system of competitive examinations and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the government i am persuaded that the facilities which such a commission will afford for testing the fitness of those who apply for office will not only be as welcome a relief to members of congress as it will be to the president and heads of departments but that it will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between the legislative and executive departments the most effectual check upon the pernicious competition of influence and official favoritism in the bestowal of office will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the applicants in which everyone can make his own record with the assurance that his success will depend upon this alone i also recommend such legislation as while leaving every officer as free as any other citizen to express his political opinions and to use his means for their advancement shall also enable him to feel as safe as any private citizen in refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes a law which should thus guarantee true liberty and justice to all who are engaged in the public service and likewise contain stringent provisions against the use of official authority to coerce the political action of private citizens or of official subordinates is greatly to be desired the most serious obstacle however to an improvement of the civil service and especially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal has been found to be the practice under what is known as the spoils system by which the appointing power has been so largely encroached upon by members of congress the first step in the reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce between congress and the executive in the matter of appointments the corrupting doctrine that to the victors belong the spoils is inseparable from congressional patronage as the established rule and practice of parties in power it comes to be understood by applicants for office and by the people generally that representatives and senators are entitled to disburse the patronage of their respective districts and states it is not necessary to recite at length the evils resulting from this invasion of the executive functions the true principles of government on the subject of appointments to office as stated in the national conventions of the leading parties of the country have again and again been approved by the american people and have not been called in question in any quarter these authentic expressions of public opinion upon this subject are the statement of principles that belong to the constitutional structure of the government under the constitution the president and heads of departments are to make nominations for office the senate is to advise and consent to appointments and the house of representatives is to accuse and prosecute faithless officers the best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected that senators and representatives who may be judges and accusers should not dictate appointments to office to this end the cooperation of the legislative department of the government is required alike by the necessities of the case and by public opinion members of congress will not be relieved from the demands made upon them with reference to appointments to office until by legislative enactment the pernicious practice is condemned and forbidden it is therefore recommended that an act be passed defining the relations of members of congress with respect to appointment to office by the president and i also recommend that the provisions of section 1767 and of the sections following of the revised statutes comprising the act of march 2 1867 be repealed believing that to reform the system and methods of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imperative duties of statesmanship and that it can be permanently done only by the cooperation of the legislative and executive departments of the government i again commend the whole subject to your considerate attention it is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the united states to suppress polygamy where it now exists in our territories and to prevent its extension faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the united states authorities in utah to enforce the laws against it experience has shown that the legislation upon this subject to be effective requires extensive modification and amendment the longer action is delayed the more difficult it will be to accomplish what is desired prompt and decided measures are necessary the mormon sectarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and executing the local legislation of the territory by its control of the grand and petit juries it possesses large influence over the administration of justice exercising as the heads of this sect do the local political power of the territory they are able to make effective their hostility to the law of congress on the subject of polygamy and in fact do prevent its enforcement polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice and uphold the crime it can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which encourages and sustains it the power of congress to enact suitable laws to protect the territories is ample it is not a case for halfway measures the political power of the mormon sect is increasing it controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous territories it is extending steadily into other territories wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power the sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our american society and civilization religious liberty and the separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions to reestablish the interests and principles which polygamy and mormonism have imperiled and to fully reopen to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions it is recommended that the government of the territory of utah be reorganized i recommend that congress provide for the government of utah by a governor and judges or commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the ohio by the ordinance of 1787 if however it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government i recommend that the right to vote hold office and sit on juries in the territory of utah be confined to those who neither practice nor uphold polygamy if thorough measures are adopted it is believed that within a few years the evils which now afflict utah will be eradicated and that this territory will in good time become one of the most prosperous and attractive of the new states of the union our relations with all foreign countries have been those of undisturbed peace and have presented no occasion for concern as to their continued maintenance my anticipation of an early reply from the british government to the demand of indemnity to our fishermen for the injuries suffered by that industry at fortune bay in january 1878 which i expressed in my last annual message was disappointed this answer was received only in the latter part of april in the present year and when received exhibited a failure of accord between the two governments as to the measure of the inshore fishing privilege secured to our fishermen by the treaty of washington of so serious a character that i made it the subject of a communication to congress in which i recommended the adoption of the measures which seemed to me proper to be taken by this government in maintenance of the rights accorded to our fishermen under the treaty and toward securing an indemnity for the injury these interests had suffered a bill to carry out these recommendations was under consideration by the house of representatives at the time of the adjournment of congress in june last within a few weeks i have received a communication from her majesty government renewing the consideration of the subject both of the indemnity for the injuries at fortune bay and of the interpretation of the treaty in which the previous correspondence had shown the two governments to be at variance upon both these topics the disposition toward a friendly agreement is manifested by a recognition of our right to an indemnity for the transaction at fortune bay leaving the measure of such indemnity to further conference and by an assent to the view of this government presented in the previous correspondence that the regulation of conflicting interests of the shore fishery of the provincial seacoasts and the vessel fishery of our fishermen should be made the subject of conference and concurrent arrangement between the two governments i sincerely hope that the basis may be found for a speedy adjustment of the very serious divergence of views in the interpretation of the fishery clauses of the treaty of washington which as the correspondence between the two governments stood at the close of the last session of congress seemed to be irreconcilable in the important exhibition of arts and industries which was held last year at sydney new south wales as well as in that now in progress at melbourne the united states have been efficiently and honorably represented the exhibitors from this country at the former place received a large number of awards in some of the most considerable departments and the participation of the united states was recognized by a special mark of distinction in the exhibition at melbourne the share taken by our country is no less notable and an equal degree of success is confidently expected the state of peace and tranquillity now enjoyed by all the nations of the continent of europe has its favorable influence upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them we have concluded and ratified a convention with the french republic for the settlement of claims of the citizens of either country against the other under this convention a commission presided over by a distinguished publicist appointed in pursuance of the request of both nations by his majesty the emperor of brazil has been organized and has begun its sessions in this city a congress to consider means for the protection of industrial property has recently been in session in paris to which i have appointed the ministers of the united states in france and in belgium as delegates the international commission upon weights and measures also continues its work in paris i invite your attention to the necessity of an appropriation to be made in time to enable this government to comply with its obligations under the metrical convention our friendly relations with the german empire continue without interruption at the recent international exhibition of fish and fisheries at berlin the participation of the united states notwithstanding the haste with which the commission was forced to make its preparations was extremely successful and meritorious winning for private exhibitors numerous awards of a high class and for the country at large the principal prize of honor offered by his majesty the emperor the results of this great success can not but be advantageous to this important and growing industry there have been some questions raised between the two governments as to the proper effect and interpretation of our treaties of naturalization but recent dispatches from our minister at berlin show that favorable progress is making toward an understanding in accordance with the views of this government which makes and admits no distinction whatever between the rights of a native and a naturalized citizen of the united states in practice the complaints of molestation suffered by naturalized citizens abroad have never been fewer than at present there is nothing of importance to note in our unbroken friendly relations with the governments of russia portugal sweden and norway switzerland turkey and greece during the last summer several vessels belonging to the merchant marine of this country sailing in neutral waters of the west indies were fired at boarded and searched by an armed cruiser of the spanish government the circumstances as reported involve not only a private injury to the persons concerned but also seemed too little observant of the friendly relations existing for a century between this country and spain the wrong was brought to the attention of the spanish government in a serious protest and remonstrance and the matter is undergoing investigation by the royal authorities with a view to such explanation or reparation as may be called for by the facts the commission sitting in this city for the adjudication of claims of our citizens against the government of spain is i hope approaching the termination of its labors the claims against the united states under the florida treaty with spain were submitted to congress for its action at the late session and i again invite your attention to this question with a view to a final disposition of the matter at the invitation of the spanish government a conference has recently been held at the city of madrid to consider the subject of protection by foreign powers of native moors in the empire of morocco the minister of the united states in spain was directed to take part in the deliberations of this conference the result of which is a convention signed on behalf of all the powers represented the instrument will be laid before the senate for its consideration the government of the united states has also lost no opportunity to urge upon that of the emperor of morocco the necessity in accordance with the humane and enlightened spirit of the age of putting an end to the persecutions which have been so prevalent in that country of persons of a faith other than the moslem and especially of the hebrew residents of morocco the consular treaty concluded with belgium has not yet been officially promulgated owing to the alteration of a word in the text by the senate of the united states which occasioned a delay during which the time allowed for ratification expired the senate will be asked to extend the period for ratification the attempt to negotiate a treaty of extradition with denmark failed on account of the objection of the danish government to the usual clause providing that each nation should pay the expense of the arrest of the persons whose extradition it asks the provision made by congress at its last session for the expense of the commission which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the imperial government of china on subjects of great interest to the relations of the two countries enabled the commissioners to proceed at once upon their mission the imperial government was prepared to give prompt and respectful attention to the matters brought under negotiation and the conferences proceeded with such rapidity and success that on the 17th of november last two treaties were signed at peking one relating to the introduction of chinese into this country and one relating to commerce trescot one of the commissioners is now on his way home bringing the treaties and it is expected that they will be received in season to be laid before the senate early in january our minister in japan has negotiated a convention for the reciprocal relief of shipwrecked seamen i take occasion to urge once more upon congress the propriety of making provision for the erection of suitable fireproof buildings at the japanese capital for the use of the american legation and the and jail connected with it the japanese government with great generosity and courtesy has offered for this purpose an eligible piece of land in my last annual message i invited the attention of congress to the subject of the indemnity funds received some years ago from china and japan i renew the recommendation then made that whatever portions of these funds are due to american citizens should be promptly paid and the residue returned to the nations respectively to which they justly and equitably belong the extradition treaty with the kingdom of the netherlands which has been for some time in course of negotiation has during the past year been concluded and duly ratified relations of friendship and amity have been established between the government of the united states and that of roumania we have sent a diplomatic representative to bucharest and have received at this capital the special envoy who has been charged by his royal highness prince charles to announce the independent sovereignty of roumania we hope for a speedy development of commercial relations between the two countries in my last annual message i expressed the hope that the prevalence of quiet on the border between this country and mexico would soon become so assured as to justify the modification of the orders then in force to our military commanders in regard to crossing the frontier without encouraging such disturbances as would endanger the peace of the two countries events moved in accordance with these expectations and the orders were accordingly withdrawn to the entire satisfaction of our own citizens and the mexican government subsequently the peace of the border was again disturbed by a savage foray under the command of the chief victoria but by the combined and harmonious action of the military forces of both countries his band has been broken up and substantially destroyed there is reason to believe that the obstacles which have so long prevented rapid and convenient communication between the united states and mexico by railways are on the point of disappearing and that several important enterprises of this character will soon be set on foot which can not fail to contribute largely to the prosperity of both countries new envoys from guatemala colombia bolivia venezuela and nicaragua have recently arrived at this capital whose distinction and enlightenment afford the best guaranty of the continuance of friendly relations between ourselves and these sister republics the relations between this government and that of the united states of colombia have engaged public attention during the past year mainly by reason of the project of an interoceanic canal across the isthmus of panama to be built by private capital under a concession from the colombian government for that purpose the treaty obligations subsisting between the united states and colombia by which we guarantee the neutrality of the transit and the sovereignty and property of colombia in the isthmus make it necessary that the conditions under which so stupendous a change in the region embraced in this guaranty should be effected transforming as it would this isthmus from a barrier between the atlantic and pacific oceans into a gateway and thoroughfare between them for the navies and the merchant ships of the world should receive the approval of this government as being compatible with the discharge of these obligations on our part and consistent with our interests as the principal commercial power of the western hemisphere the views which i expressed in a special message to congress in march last in relation to this project i deem it my duty again to press upon your attention subsequent consideration has but confirmed the opinion that it is the right and duty of the united states to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over any interoceanic canal across the isthmus that connects north and south america as will protect our national interest the war between the republic of chile on the one hand and the allied republics of peru and bolivia on the other still continues this government has not felt called upon to interfere in a contest that is within the belligerent rights of the parties as independent states we have however always held ourselves in readiness to aid in accommodating their difference and have at different times reminded beth belligerents of our willingness to render such service our good offices in this direction were recently accepted by all the belligerents and it was hoped they would prove efficacious but i regret to announce that the measures which the ministers of the united states at santiago and lima were authorized to take with the view to bring about a peace were not successful in the course of the war some questions have arisen affecting neutral rights in all of these the ministers of the united states have under their instructions acted with promptness and energy in protection of american interests the relations of the united states with the empire of brazil continue to be most cordial and their commercial intercourse steadily increases to their mutual advantage the internal disorders with which the argentine republic has for some time past been afflicted and which have more or less influenced its external trade are understood to have been brought to a close this happy result may be expected to redound to the benefit of the foreign commerce of that republic as well as to the development of its vast interior resources in samoa the government of king malietoa under the support and recognition of the consular representatives of the united states great britain and germany seems to have given peace and tranquillity to the islands while it does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the scheme of tripartite local government which has been proposed the common interests of the three great treaty powers require harmony in their relations to the native frame of government and this may be best secured by a simple diplomatic agreement between them it would be well if the consular jurisdiction of our representative at apia were increased in extent and importance so as to guard american interests in the surrounding and outlying islands of oceanica the obelisk generously presented by the khedive of egypt to the city of new york has safely arrived in this country and will soon be erected in that metropolis a commission for the liquidation of the egyptian debt has lately concluded its work and this government at the earnest solicitation of the khedive has acceded to the provisions adopted by it which will be laid before congress for its information a commission for the revision of the judicial code of the reform tribunal of egypt is now in session in cairo farman and batchelder have been appointed as commissioners to participate in this work the organization of the reform tribunals will probably be continued for another period of five years in pursuance of the act passed at the last session of congress invitations have been extended to foreign maritime states to join in a sanitary conference in washington beginning the 1st of january the acceptance of this invitation by many prominent powers gives promise of success in this important measure designed to establish a system of international notification by which the spread of infectious or epidemic diseases may be more effectively checked or prevented the attention of congress is invited to the necessary appropriations for carrying into effect the provisions of the act referred to the efforts of the department of state to enlarge the trade and commerce of the united states through the active agency of consular officers and through the dissemination of information obtained from them have been unrelaxed the interest in these efforts as developed in our commercial communities and the value of the information secured by this means to the trade and manufactures of the country were recognized by congress at its last session and provision was made for the more frequent publication of consular and other reports by the department of state the first issue of this publication has now been prepared and subsequent issues may regularly be expected the importance and interest attached to the reports of consular officers are witnessed by the general demand for them by all classes of merchants and manufacturers engaged in our foreign trade it is believed that the system of such publications is deserving of the approval of congress and that the necessary appropriations for its continuance and enlargement will commend itself to your consideration the prosperous energies of our domestic industries and their immense production of the subjects of foreign commerce invite and even require an active development of the wishes and interests of our people in that direction especially important is it that our commercial relations with the atlantic and pacific coasts of south america with the west indies and the gulf of mexico should be direct and not through the circuit of european systems and should be carried on in our own bottoms the full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the pacific ocean gives to commerce with japan china and the east indies with australia and the island groups which lie along these routes of navigation should inspire equal efforts to appropriate to our own shipping and to administer by our own capital a due proportion of this trade whatever modifications of our regulations of trade and navigation may be necessary or useful to meet and direct these impulses to the enlargement of our exchanges and of our carrying trade i am sure the wisdom of congress will be ready to supply one initial measure however seems to me so dearly useful and efficient that i venture to press it upon your earnest attention it seems to be very evident that the provision of regular steam postal communication by aid from government has been the forerunner of the commercial predominance of great britain on all these coasts and seas a greater share in whose trade is now the desire and the intent of our people it is also manifest that the efforts of other european nations to contend with great britain for a share of this commerce have been successful in proportion with their adoption of regular steam postal communication with the markets whose trade they sought mexico and the states of south america are anxious to receive such postal communication with this country and to aid in their development similar cooperation may be looked for in due time from the eastern nations and from australia it is difficult to see how the lead in this movement can be expected from private interests in respect of foreign commerce quite as much as in internal trade postal communication seems necessarily a matter of common and public administration and thus pertaining to government i respectfully recommend to your prompt attention such just and efficient measures as may conduce to the development of our foreign commercial exchanges and the building up of our carrying trade in this connection i desire also to suggest the very great service which might be expected in enlarging and facilitating our commerce on the pacific ocean were a transmarine cable laid from san francisco to the sandwich islands and thence to japan at the north and australia at the south the great influence of such means of communication on these routes of navigation in developing and securing the due share of our pacific coast in the commerce of the world needs no illustration or enforcement it may be that such an enterprise useful and in the end profitable as it would prove to private investment may need to be accelerated by prudent legislation by congress in its aid and i submit the matter to your careful consideration an additional and not unimportant although secondary reason for fostering and enlarging the navy may be found in the unquestionable service to the expansion of our commerce which would be rendered by the frequent circulation of naval ships in the seas and ports of all quarters of the globe ships of the proper construction and equipment to be of the greatest efficiency in case of maritime war might be made constant and active agents in time of peace in the advancement and protection of our foreign trade and in the nurture and discipline of young seamen who would naturally in some numbers mix with and improve the crews of our merchant ships our merchants at home and abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce of an active movement of our naval vessels and the intelligence and patriotic zeal of our naval officers in promoting every interest of their countrymen is a just subject of national pride the condition of the financial affairs of the government as shown by the report of the secretary of the treasury is very satisfactory it is believed that the present financial situation of the united states whether considered with respect to trade currency credit growing wealth or the extent and variety of our resources is more favorable than that of any other country of our time and has never been surpassed by that of any country at any period of its history all our industries are thriving the rate of interest is low new railroads are being constructed a vast immigration is increasing our population capital and labor new enterprises in great number are in progress and our commercial relations with other countries are improving the ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended june 30 1880 were the ordinary expenditures for the same period were leaving a surplus revenue of which with an amount drawn from the cash balance in treasury of making was applied to the redemption the amount due the sinking fund for this year was there was applied thereto the sum of being in excess of the actual requirements for the year the aggregate of the revenues from all sources during the fiscal year ended june 30 1880 was an increase over the preceding year of the receipts thus far of the current year together with the estimated receipts for the remainder of the year amount to which will be sufficient to meet the estimated expenditures of the year and leave a surplus of it is fortunate that this large surplus revenue occurs at a period when it may be directly applied to the payment of the public debt soon to be redeemable no public duty has been more constantly cherished in the united states than the policy of paying the nation debt as rapidly as possible the debt of the united states less cash in the treasury and exclusive of accruing interest attained its maximum of in august 1865 and has since that time been reduced to of the principal of the debt has been paid since march 1 1877 effecting an annual saving of interest of the burden of interest has also been diminished by the sale of bonds bearing a low rate of interest and the application of the proceeds to the redemption of bonds bearing a higher rate the annual saving thus secured since march 1 1877 is within a short period over six hundred millions of 5 and 6 per cent bonds will become redeemable this presents a very favorable opportunity not only to further reduce the principal of the debt but also to reduce the rate of interest on that which will remain unpaid i call the attention of congress to the views expressed on this subject by the secretary of the treasury in his annual report and recommend prompt legislation to enable the treasury department to complete the refunding of the debt which is about to mature the continuance of specie payments has not been interrupted or endangered since the date of resumption it has contributed greatly to the revival of business and to our remarkable prosperity the fears that preceded and accompanied resumption have proved groundless no considerable amount of united states notes have been presented for redemption while very large sums of gold bullion both domestic and imported are taken to the mints and exchanged for coin or notes the increase of coin and bullion in the united states since january 1 1879 is estimated at there are still in existence uncanceled of united states notes these notes were authorized as a war measure made necessary by the exigencies of the conflict in which the united states was then engaged the preservation of the nation existence required in the judgment of congress an issue of paper money that it served well the purpose for which it was created is not questioned but the employment of the notes as paper money indefinitely after the accomplishment of the object for which they were provided was not contemplated by the framers of the law under which they were issued these notes long since became like any other pecuniary obligation of the government a debt to be paid and when paid to be canceled as mere evidence of an indebtedness no longer existing i therefore repeat what was said in the annual message of last year that the retirement from circulation of united states notes with the capacity of legal tender in private contracts is a step to be taken in our progress toward a safe and stable currency which should be accepted as the policy and duty of the government and the interest and security of the people at the time of the passage of the act now in force requiring the coin age of silver dollars fixing their value and giving them character it was believed by many of the supporters of the measure that the silver dollar which it authorized would speedily become under the operations of the law of equivalent value to the gold dollar there were other supporters of the bill who while they doubted as to the probability of this result nevertheless were willing to give the proposed experiment a fair trial with a view to stop the coinage if experience should prove that the silver dollar authorized by the bill continued to be of less commercial value than the standard gold dollar the coinage of silver dollars under the act referred to began in march 1878 and has been continued as required by the act the average rate per month to the present time has been the total amount coined prior to the 1st of november last was of this amount remain in the treasury and only are in the hands of the people a constant effort has been made to keep this currency in circulation and considerable expense has been necessarily incurred for this purpose but its return to the treasury is prompt and sure contrary to the confident anticipation of the friends of the measure at the time of its adoption the value of the silver dollar containing 412 grains of silver has not increased during the year prior to the passage of the bill authorizing its coinage the market value of the silver which it contained was from 90 to 92 cents as compared with the standard gold dollar during the last year the average market value of the silver dollar has been 88 cents it is obvious that the legislation of the last congress in regard to silver so far as it was based on an anticipated rise in the value of silver as a result of that legislation has failed to produce the effect then predicted the longer the law remains in force requiring as it does the coinage of a nominal dollar which in reality is not a dollar the greater becomes the danger that this country will be forced to accept a single metal as the sole legal standard of value in circulation and this a standard of less value than it purports to be worth in the recognized money of the world the constitution of the united states sound financial principles and our best interests all require that the country should have as its money both gold and silver coin of an intrinsic value as bullion equivalent to that which upon its face it purports to possess the constitution in express terms recognizes both gold and silver as the only true money to banish either of these metals from our currency is to narrow and limit the circulating medium of exchange to the disparagement of important interests the united states produces more silver than any other country and is directly interested in maintaining it as one of the two precious metals which furnish the coinage of the world it will in my judgment contribute to this result if congress will repeal so much of existing legislation as requires the coinage of silver dollars containing only 412 grains of silver and in its stead will authorize the secretary of the treasury to coin silver dollars of equivalent value as bullion with gold dollars this will defraud no man and will be in accordance with familiar precedents congress on several occasions has altered the ratio of value between gold and silver in order to establish it more nearly in accordance with the actual ratio of value between the two metals in financial legislation every measure in the direction of greater fidelity in the discharge of pecuniary obligations has been found by experience to diminish the rates of interest which debtors are required to pay and to increase the facility with which money can be obtained for every legitimate purpose our own recent financial history shows how surely money becomes abundant whenever confidence in the exact performance of moneyed obligations is established the secretary of war reports that the expenditures of the war department for the fiscal year ended june 30 1880 were the appropriations for this department for the current fiscal year amount to with respect to the army the secretary invites attention to the fact that its strength is limited by statute you revised statutes sec 1115 to not more than enlisted men but that provisos contained in appropriation bills have limited expenditures to the enlistment of but it is believed the full legal strength is the least possible force at which the present organization can be maintained having in view efficiency discipline and economy while the enlistment of this force would add somewhat to the appropriation for pay of the army the saving made in other respects would be more than an equivalent for this additional outlay and the efficiency of the army would be largely increased the rapid extension of the railroad system west of the mississippi river and the great tide of settlers which has flowed in upon new territory impose on the military an entire change of policy the maintenance of small posts along wagon and stage routes of travel is no longer necessary permanent quarters at points selected of a more substantial character than those heretofore constructed will be required under existing laws permanent buildings can not be erected without the sanction of congress and when sales of military sites and buildings have been authorized the moneys received have reverted to the treasury and could only become available through a new appropriation it is recommended that provision be made by a general statute for the sale of such abandoned military posts and buildings as are found to be unnecessary and for the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts while many of the present posts are of but slight value for military purposes owing to the changed condition of the country their occupation is continued at great expense and inconvenience because they afford the only available shelter for troops the absence of a large number of officers of the line in active duty from their regiments is a serious detriment to the maintenance of the service the constant demand for small detachments each of which should be commanded by a commissioned officer and the various details of officers for necessary service away from their commands occasion a scarcity in the number required for company duties with a view to lessening this drain to some extent it is recommended that the law authorizing the detail of officers from the active list as professors of tactics and military science at certain colleges and universities be so amended as to provide that all such details be made from the retired list of the army attention is asked to the necessity of providing by legislation for organizing arming and disciplining the active militia of the country and liberal appropriations are recommended in this behalf the reports of the of the army and the chief of ordnance touching this subject fully set forth its importance the report of the officer in charge of education in the army shows that there are 78 schools now in operation in the army with an aggregate attendance of enlisted men and children the secretary recommends the enlistment of 150 schoolmasters with the rank and pay of an appropriation is needed to supply the of the army with suitable libraries and the secretary recommends that the corps of be placed upon the same footing as to promotion with the other staff corps of the army under existing laws the bureau of military justice consists of one officer the and the corps of of eight officers of equal rank majors with a provision that the limit of the corps shall remain at four when reduced by casualty or resignation to that number the consolidation of the bureau of military justice and the corps of upon the same basis with the other staff corps of the army would remove an unjust discrimination against deserving officers and subserve the best interests of the service especial attention is asked to the report of the chief of engineers upon the condition of our national defenses from a personal inspection of many of the fortifications referred to the secretary is able to emphasize the recommendations made and to state that their incomplete and defenseless condition is discreditable to the country while other nations have been increasing their means for carrying on offensive warfare and attacking maritime cities we have been dormant in preparation for defense nothing of importance has been done toward strengthening and finishing our casemated works since our late civil war during which the great guns of modern warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and ships came into use among the nations and our earthworks left by a sudden failure of appropriations some years since in all stages of incompletion are now being rapidly destroyed by the elements the two great rivers of the north american continent the mississippi and the columbia have their navigable waters wholly within the limits of the united states and are of vast importance to our internal and foreign commerce the permanency of the important work on the south pass of the mississippi river seems now to be assured there has been no failure whatever in the maintenance of the maximum channel during the six months ended august 9 last this experiment has opened a broad deep highway to the ocean and is an improvement upon the permanent success of which congratulations may be exchanged among people abroad and at home and especially among the communities of the mississippi valley whose commercial exchanges float in an unobstructed channel safely to and from the sea a comprehensive improvement of the mississippi and its tributaries is a matter of transcendent importance these great waterways comprise a system of inland transportation spread like network over a large portion of the united states and navigable to the extent of many thousands of miles producers and consumers alike have a common interest in such unequaled facilities for cheap transportation geographically commercially and politically they are the strongest tie between the various sections of the country these channels of communication and interchange are the property of the nation its jurisdiction is paramount over their waters and the plainest principles of public interest require their intelligent and careful supervision with a view to their protection improvement and the enhancement of their usefulness the channel of the columbia river for a distance of about 100 miles from its mouth is obstructed by a succession of bars which occasion serious delays in navigation and heavy expense for lighterage and towage a depth of at least 20 feet at low tide should be secured and maintained to meet the requirements of the extensive and growing inland and ocean commerce it subserves the most urgent need however for this great waterway is a permanent improvement of the channel at the mouth of the river from columbia river to san francisco a distance of over 600 miles there is no harbor on our pacific coast which can be approached during stormy weather an appropriation of was made by the congress for the commencement of a breakwater and harbor of refuge to be located at some point between the straits of fuca and san francisco at which the necessities of commerce local and general will be best accommodated the amount appropriated is thought to be quite inadequate for the purpose intended the cost of the work when finished will be very great owing to the want of natural advantages for a site at any point on the coast between the designated limits and it has not been thought to be advisable to undertake the work without a larger appropriation i commend the matter to the attention of congress the completion of the new building for the war department is urgently needed and the estimates for continuing its construction are especially recommended the collections of books specimens and records constituting the army medical museum and library are of national importance the library now contains about volumes and pamphlets relating to medicine surgery and allied topics the contents of the army medical museum consist of specimens and are unique in the completeness with which both military surgery and the diseases of armies are illustrated their destruction would be an irreparable loss not only to the united states but to the world there are filed in the record and pension division over bound volumes of hospital records together with a great quantity of papers embracing the original records of the hospitals of our armies during the civil war aside from their historical value these records are daily searched for evidence needed in the settlement of large numbers of pension and other claims for the protection of the government against attempted frauds as well as for the benefit of honest claimants these valuable collections are now in a building which is peculiarly exposed to the danger of destruction by fire it is therefore earnestly recommended that an appropriation be made for a new fireproof building adequate for the present needs and reasonable future expansion of these valuable collections such a building should be absolutely fireproof no expenditure for mere architectural display is required it is believed that a suitable structure can be erected at a cost not to exceed i commend to the attention of congress the great services of the commander in chief of our armies during the war for the union whose wise firm and patriotic conduct did so much to bring that momentous conflict to a close the legislation of the united states contains many precedents for the recognition of distinguished military merit authorizing rank and emoluments to be conferred for eminent services to the country an act of congress authorizing the appointment of a of the army with suitable provisions relating to compensation retirement and other details would in my judgment be altogether fitting and proper and would be warmly approved by the country the report of the secretary of the navy exhibits the successful and satisfactory management of that department during the last fiscal year the total expenditures for the year were leaving unexpended at the close of the year of the amount of available appropriations the appropriations for the present fiscal year ending june 30 1881 are and the total estimates for the next fiscal year ending june 30 1882 are the amount drawn by warrant from july 1 1880 to november 1 1880 is the recommendation of the secretary of the navy that provision be made for the establishment of some form of civil government for the people of alaska is approved at present there is no protection of persons or property in that territory except such as is afforded by the officers of the united states ship jamestown this vessel was dispatched to sitka because of the fear that without the immediate presence of the national authority there was impending danger of anarchy the steps taken to restore order have been accepted in good faith by both white and indian inhabitants and the necessity for this method of restraint does not in my opinion now exist if however the jamestown should be withdrawn leaving the people as at present without the ordinary judicial and administrative authority of organized local government serious consequences might ensue the laws provide only for the collection of revenue the protection of public property and the transmission of the mails the problem is to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so peculiar in its origin and condition the natives are reported to be teachable and and if properly instructed doubtless would advance rapidly in civilization and a new factor of prosperity would be added to the national life i therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon this subject the secretary of the navy has taken steps toward the establishment of naval coaling stations at the isthmus of panama to meet the requirements of our commercial relations with central and south america which are rapidly growing in importance locations eminently suitable both as regards our naval purposes and the uses of commerce have been selected one on the east side of the isthmus at chiriqui lagoon in the caribbean sea and the other on the pacific coast at the bay of golfito the only safe harbors sufficiently commodious on the isthmus are at these points and the distance between them is less than 100 miles the report of the secretary of the navy concludes with valuable suggestions with respect to the building up of our merchant marine service which deserve the favorable consideration of congress the report of the exhibits the continual growth and the high state of efficiency of the postal service the operations of no department of the government perhaps represent with greater exactness the increase in the population and the business of the country in 1860 the postal receipts were in 1880 the receipts were all the inhabitants of the country are directly and personally interested in having proper mail facilities and naturally watch the very closely this careful oversight on the part of the people has proved a constant stimulus to improvement during the past year there was an increase of and the mail routes were extended miles making an additional annual transportation of miles the revenues of the postal service for the ensuing year are estimated at and the expenditures at leaving a deficiency to be appropriated out of the treasury of the universal postal union has received the accession of almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintaining organized postal services and it is confidently expected that all the other countries and colonies now outside the union will soon unite therewith thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the founders of the union of forming for purposes of international mail communication a single postal territory embracing the world with complete uniformity of postal charges and conditions of international exchange for all descriptions of correspondence to enable the united states to do its full share of this great work additional legislation is asked by the to whose recommendations especial attention is called the suggestion of the that it would be wise to encourage by appropriate legislation the establishment of american lines of steamers by our own citizens to carry the mails between our own ports and those of mexico central america south america and of transpacific countries is commended to the serious consideration of congress the attention of congress is also invited to the suggestions of the in regard to postal savings the necessity for additional provision to aid in the transaction of the business of the federal courts becomes each year more apparent the dockets of the supreme court and of the circuit courts in the greater number of the circuits are encumbered with the constant accession of cases in the former court and in many instances in the circuit courts years intervene before it is practicable to bring cases to hearing the recommends the establishment of an intermediate court of errors and appeals it is recommended that the number of judges of the circuit court in each circuit with the exception of the second circuit should be increased by the addition of another judge in the second circuit that two should be added and that an intermediate appellate court should be formed in each circuit to consist of the circuit judges and the circuit justice and that in the event of the absence of either of these judges the place of the absent judge should be supplied by the judge of one of the district courts in the circuit such an appellate court could be safely invested with large jurisdiction and its decisions would satisfy suitors in many cases where appeals would still be allowed to the supreme court the expense incurred for this intermediate court will require a very moderate increase of the appropriations for the expenses of the department of justice this recommendation is commended to the careful consideration of congress it is evident that a delay of justice in many instances oppressive and disastrous to suitors now necessarily occurs in the federal courts which will in this way be remedied the report of the secretary of the interior presents an elaborate account of the operations of that department during the past year it gives me great pleasure to say that our indian affairs appear to be in a more hopeful condition now than ever before the indians have made gratifying progress in agriculture herding and mechanical pursuits many who were a few years ago in hostile conflict with the government are quietly settling down on farms where they hope to make their permanent homes building houses and engaging in the occupations of civilized life the introduction of the freighting business among them has been remarkably fruitful of good results in giving many of them congenial and remunerative employment and in stimulating their ambition to earn their own support their honesty fidelity and efficiency as carriers are highly praised the organization of a police force of indians has been equally successful in maintaining law and order upon the reservations and in exercising a wholesome moral influence among the indians themselves i concur with the secretary of the interior in the recommendation that the pay of this force be increased as an inducement to the best class of young men to enter it much care and attention has been devoted to the enlargement of educational facilities for the indians the means available for this important object have been very inadequate a few additional boarding schools at indian agencies have been established and the erection of buildings has been begun for several more but an increase of the appropriations for this interesting undertaking is greatly needed to accommodate the large number of indian children of school age the number offered by their parents from all parts of the country for education in the government schools is much larger than can be accommodated with the means at present available for that purpose the number of indian pupils at the normal school at hampton under the direction of general armstrong has been considerably increased and their progress is highly encouraging the indian school established by the interior department in 1879 at carlisle under the direction of captain pratt has been equally successful it has now nearly 200 pupils of both sexes representing a great variety of the tribes east of the rocky mountains the pupils in both these institutions receive not only an elementary english education but are also instructed in housework agriculture and useful mechanical pursuits a similar school was established this year at forest grove for the education of indian youth on the pacific coast in addition to this indian boys and girls were selected from the eastern cherokees and placed in boarding schools in north carolina where they are to receive an elementary english education and training in industrial pursuits the interest shown by indian parents even among the wild tribes in the education of their children is very gratifying and gives promise that the results accomplished by the efforts now making will be of lasting benefit the expenses of indian education have so far been drawn from the permanent civilization fund at the disposal of the department of the interior but the fund is now so much reduced that the continuance of this beneficial work will in the future depend on specific appropriations by congress for the purpose and i venture to express the hope that congress will not permit institutions so fruitful of good results to perish for want of means for their support on the contrary an increase of the number of such schools appears to me highly advisable the past year has been unusually free from disturbances among the indian tribes an agreement has been made with the utes by which they surrender their large reservation in colorado in consideration of an annuity to be paid to them and agree to settle in severally on certain lands designated for that purpose as farmers holding individual title to their land in fee simple inalienable for a certain period in this way a costly indian war has been avoided which at one time seemed imminent and for the first time in the history of the country an indian nation has given up its tribal existence to be settled in severally and to live as individuals under the common protection of the laws of the country the conduct of the indians throughout the country during the past year with but few noteworthy exceptions has been orderly and peaceful the guerrilla warfare carried on for two years by victoria and his band of southern apaches has virtually come to an end by the death of that chief and most of his followers on mexican soil the disturbances caused on our northern frontier by sitting bull and his men who had taken refuge in the british dominions are also likely to cease a large majority of his followers have surrendered to our military forces and the remainder are apparently in progress of disintegration i concur with the secretary of the interior in expressing the earnest hope that congress will at this session take favorable action on the bill providing for the allotment of lands on the different reservations in severally to the indians with patents conferring title inalienable for a certain period and the eventual disposition of the residue of the reservations for general settlement with the consent and for the benefit of the indians placing the latter under the equal protection of the laws of the country this measure together with a vigorous prosecution of our educational efforts will work the most important and effective advance toward the solution of the indian problem in preparing for the gradual merging of our indian population in the great body of american citizenship a large increase is reported in the disposal of public lands for settlement during the past year which marks the prosperous growth of our agricultural industry and a vigorous movement of population toward our unoccupied lands as this movement proceeds the codification of our land laws as well as proper legislation to regulate the disposition of public lands become of more pressing necessity and i therefore invite the consideration of congress to the report and the accompanying draft of a bill made by the public lands commission which were communicated by me to congress at the last session early action upon this important subject is highly desirable the attention of congress is again asked to the wasteful depredations committed on our public timber lands and the rapid and indiscriminate destruction of our forests the urgent necessity for legislation to this end is now generally recognized in view of the lawless character of the depredations committed and the disastrous consequences which will inevitably follow their continuance legislation has again and again been recommended to arrest the evil and to preserve for the people of our western states and territories the timber needed for domestic and other essential uses the report of the director of the geological survey is a document of unusual interest the consolidation of the various geological and geographical surveys and exploring enterprises each of which has heretofore operated upon an independent plan without concert can not fail to be of great benefit to all those industries of the country which depend upon the development of our mineral resources the labors of the scientific men of recognized merit who compose the corps of the geological survey during the first season of their field operations and inquiries appear to have been very comprehensive and will soon be communicated to congress in a number of volumes the director of the survey recommends that the investigations carried on by his bureau which so far have been confined to the states and territories be extended over the entire country and that the necessary appropriation be made for this purpose this would be particularly beneficial to the iron coal and other mining interests of the mississippi valley and of the eastern and southern states the subject is commended to the careful consideration of congress the secretary of the interior asks attention to the want of room in the public buildings of the capital now existing and in progress of construction for the accommodation of the clerical force employed and of the public records necessity has compelled the renting of private buildings in different parts of the city for the location of public offices for which a large amount of rent is annually paid while the separation of offices belonging to the same department impedes the transaction of current business the secretary suggests that the blocks surrounding lafayette square on the east north and west be purchased as the sites for new edifices for the accommodation of the government offices leaving the square itself intact and that if such buildings were constructed upon a harmonious plan of architecture they would add much to the beauty of the national capital and would together with the treasury and the new state navy and war department building form one of the most imposing groups of public edifices in the world the commissioner of agriculture expresses the confident belief that his efforts in behalf of the production of our own sugar and tea have been encouragingly rewarded the importance of the results attained have attracted marked attention at home and have received the special consideration of foreign nations the successful cultivation of our own tea and the manufacture of our own sugar would make a difference of many millions of dollars annually in the wealth of the nation the report of the commissioner asks attention particularly to the continued prevalence of an infectious and contagious cattle disease known and dreaded in europe and asia as cattle plague or a mild type of this disease in certain sections of our country is the occasion of great loss to our farmers and of serious disturbance to our trade with great britain which furnishes a market for most of our live stock and dressed meats the value of neat cattle exported from the united states for the eight months ended august 31 1880 was more than and nearly double the value for the same period in 1879 an unexampled increase of export trade your early attention is solicited to this important matter the commissioner of education reports a continued increase of public interest in educational affairs and that the public schools generally throughout the country are well sustained industrial training is attracting deserved attention and colleges for instruction theoretical and practical in agriculture and mechanic arts including the government schools recently established for the instruction of indian youth are gaining steadily in public estimation the commissioner asks special attention to the depredations committed on the lands reserved for the future support of public instruction and to the very great need of help from the nation for schools in the territories and in the southern states the recommendation heretofore made is repeated and urged that an educational fund be set apart from the net proceeds of the sales of the public lands annually the income of which and the remainder of the net annual proceeds to be distributed on some satisfactory plan to the states and the territories and the district of columbia the success of the public schools of the district of columbia and the progress made under the intelligent direction of the board of education and the superintendent in supplying the educational requirements of the district with thoroughly trained and efficient teachers is very gratifying the acts of congress from time to time donating public lands to the several states and territories in aid of educational interests have proved to be wise measures of public policy resulting in great and lasting benefit it would seem to be a matter of simple justice to extend the benefits of this legislation the wisdom of which has been so fully vindicated by experience to the district of columbia i again commend the general interests of the district of columbia to the favorable consideration of congress the affairs of the district as shown by the report of the commissioners are in a very satisfactory condition in my annual messages heretofore and in my special message of december 19 1879 i have urged upon the attention of congress the necessity of reclaiming the marshes of the potomac adjacent to the capital and i am constrained by its importance to advert again to the subject these flats embrace an area of several hundred acres they are an impediment to the drainage of the city and seriously impair its health it is believed that with this substantial improvement of its river front the capital would be in all respects one of the most attractive cities in the world aside from its permanent population this city is necessarily the place of residence of persons from every section of the country engaged in the public service many others reside here temporarily for the transaction of business with the government it should not be forgotten that the land acquired will probably be worth the cost of reclaiming it and that the navigation of the river will be greatly improved i therefore again invite the attention of congress to the importance of prompt provision for this much needed and too long delayed improvement the water supply of the city is inadequate in addition to the ordinary use throughout the city the consumption by government is necessarily very great in the arsenal and the various departments and a large quantity is required for the proper preservation of the numerous parks and the cleansing of sewers i recommend that this subject receive the early attention of congress and that in making provision for an increased supply such means be adopted as will have in view the future growth of the city temporary expedients for such a purpose can not but be wasteful of money and therefore unwise a more ample reservoir with corresponding facilities for keeping it filled should in my judgment be constructed i commend again to the attention of congress the subject of the removal from their present location of the depots of the several railroads entering the city and i renew the recommendations of my former messages in behalf of the erection of a building for the congressional library the completion of the washington monument and of liberal appropriations in support of the benevolent reformatory and penal institutions of the district
congratulate continued increasing prosperity country favor divine providence blessed past year health abundant harvests profitable employment people contentment home peace friendship nations occurrence election chief magistrate afforded another opportunity people united states exhibit world significant example peaceful safe transmission power authority government public servants whose terms office expire newly chosen successors example fail impress profoundly thoughtful people countries advantages republican institutions afford immediate general cheerful acquiescence good citizens result election gives gratifying assurance country friends throughout world government based free consent intelligent patriotic people possesses elements strength stability permanency found form government continued opposition full free enjoyment rights citizenship conferred upon colored people recent amendments constitution still prevails several late slaveholding states perhaps manifested recent election large extent acts violence intimidation however fraudulent practices connection ballots regulations places manner voting counting returning canvassing votes cast successful defeating exercise right preservative rights right suffrage constitution expressly confers upon enfranchised citizens desire good people whole country sectionalism factor politics disappear prefer section country united solid opposition section disposition refuse prompt hearty obedience amendments constitution stands way complete obliteration sectional lines political contests long either amendments flagrantly violated disregarded safe assume people placed constitution embodying legitimate results war union believe wise necessary continue act together insist shall obeyed paramount question still enjoyment fight every american citizen requisite qualifications freely cast vote honestly counted question rightly settled country relieved contentions past bygones indeed bygones political party issues respect economy efficiency administration internal improvements tariff domestic taxation education finance important subjects receive full share attention resistance nullification results war unite together resolute purpose support maintain authority government perpetuity union adequately appreciate value victory achieved determination proceeds hostile sentiment feeling part people country interests inviolability amendments rests upon fundamental principle government solemn expression people united states sentiment constitutional rights citizens must maintained grow weaker continue control government country happily history late election shows many parts country opposition fifteenth amendment heretofore prevailed diminishing likely cease altogether firm action taken congress trust house representatives senate right judge elections returns qualifications members see every case violation letter spirit fifteenth amendment thoroughly investigated benefit violation shall accrue person party duty executive sufficient appropriations purpose prosecute unsparingly engaged depriving citizens rights guaranteed constitution however forgotten best surest guaranty primary rights citizenship found capacity belong people whose right universal suffrage supported universal education means command local state authorities many cases wholly inadequate furnish free instruction need especially true emancipation education people neglected prevented interest slavery firmly convinced subject popular education deserves earnest attention people whole country view wise comprehensive action government united states respectfully recommend congress suitable legislation proper safeguards supplement local educational funds several states grave duties responsibilities citizenship devolved uneducated people devoting purpose grants public lands necessary appropriations treasury united states whatever government fairly promote free popular education ought done wherever general education found peace virtue social order prevail civil religious liberty secure former annual messages asked attention congress urgent necessity reformation system government views concerning dangers patronage appointments personal partisan considerations strengthened observation experience executive office believe dangers threaten stability government abuses serious nature permanently tolerated tend become alarming enlargement administrative service growth country population increases number officers placemen employed reasons imperative adoption fixed rules regulation appointments promotions removals establishing uniform method exclusively view every instance attainment best qualifications position question method alone consistent equal rights citizens economical efficient administration public business competitive examinations aid impartial appointments promotions conducted years past several executive departments direction system adopted larger cities country city new york positions civil service subject appointments tenure place operation published rules purpose past two years results practical trials satisfactory confirmed opinion favor system selection subjected tests result free prejudice personal favor partisan influence secures position applied best qualifications attainable among competing applicants effectual protection pressure importunity course pursued largely exacts time attention appointing officers great detriment discharge official duties preventing abuse service mere furtherance private party purposes leaving employee government freed obligations imposed patronage depend solely upon merit retention advancement constant incentive exertion improvement invaluable results attained high degree offices rules appointment competitive examination applied method approved experimental tests points tests may fairly considered conclusive extended subordinate positions government believe strong growing public sentiment demands immediate measures securing enforcing highest possible efficiency civil service protection recognized abuses experience referred demonstrated feasibility measures examinations held many embarrassments without provision compensation extra labor performed officers conducted whose commendable interest improvement public service induced devotion time labor without pecuniary reward continuance labors gratuitously ought expected without appropriation congress compensation practicable extend system examinations generally throughout civil service also highly important examinations conducted upon uniform system general supervision section 1753 revised statutes authorizes president prescribe regulations admission civil service united states purpose employ suitable persons conduct requisite inquiries reference fitness candidate respect age health character knowledge ability branch service seeks enter law practically inoperative want requisite appropriation therefore recommend appropriation per annum meet expenses commission appointed president accordance terms section whose duty shall devise uniform efficient system competitive examinations supervise application throughout entire civil service government persuaded facilities commission afford testing fitness apply office welcome relief members congress president heads departments also greatly tend remove causes embarrassment inevitably constantly attend conflicting claims patronage legislative executive departments effectual check upon pernicious competition influence official favoritism bestowal office substitution open competition merit applicants everyone make record assurance success depend upon alone also recommend legislation leaving every officer free citizen express political opinions use means advancement shall also enable feel safe private citizen refusing demands upon salary political purposes law thus guarantee true liberty justice engaged public service likewise contain stringent provisions use official authority coerce political action private citizens official subordinates greatly desired serious obstacle however improvement civil service especially reform method appointment removal found practice known spoils system appointing power largely encroached upon members congress first step reform civil service must complete divorce congress executive matter appointments corrupting doctrine victors belong spoils inseparable congressional patronage established rule practice parties power comes understood applicants office people generally representatives senators entitled disburse patronage respective districts states necessary recite length evils resulting invasion executive functions true principles government subject appointments office stated national conventions leading parties country approved american people called question quarter authentic expressions public opinion upon subject statement principles belong constitutional structure government constitution president heads departments make nominations office senate advise consent appointments house representatives accuse prosecute faithless officers best interest public service demands distinctions respected senators representatives may judges accusers dictate appointments office end cooperation legislative department government required alike necessities case public opinion members congress relieved demands made upon reference appointments office legislative enactment pernicious practice condemned forbidden therefore recommended act passed defining relations members congress respect appointment office president also recommend provisions section 1767 sections following revised statutes comprising act march 2 1867 repealed believing reform system methods civil service country one highest imperative duties statesmanship permanently done cooperation legislative executive departments government commend whole subject considerate attention recognized duty purpose people united states suppress polygamy exists territories prevent extension faithful zealous efforts made united states authorities utah enforce laws experience shown legislation upon subject effective requires extensive modification amendment longer action delayed difficult accomplish desired prompt decided measures necessary mormon sectarian organization upholds polygamy whole power making executing local legislation territory control grand petit juries possesses large influence administration justice exercising heads sect local political power territory able make effective hostility law congress subject polygamy fact prevent enforcement polygamy abolished enforcement law depends practice uphold crime suppressed taking away political power sect encourages sustains power congress enact suitable laws protect territories ample case halfway measures political power mormon sect increasing controls one wealthiest populous territories extending steadily territories wherever goes establishes polygamy sectarian political power sanctity marriage family relation corner stone american society civilization religious liberty separation church state among elementary ideas free institutions reestablish interests principles polygamy mormonism imperiled fully reopen intelligent virtuous immigrants creeds part domain great degree closed general immigration intolerant immoral institutions recommended government territory utah reorganized recommend congress provide government utah governor judges commissioners appointed president confirmed senate government analogous provisional government established territory northwest ohio ordinance 1787 however deemed best continue existing form local government recommend right vote hold office sit juries territory utah confined neither practice uphold polygamy thorough measures adopted believed within years evils afflict utah eradicated territory good time become one prosperous attractive new states union relations foreign countries undisturbed peace presented occasion concern continued maintenance anticipation early reply british government demand indemnity fishermen injuries suffered industry fortune bay january 1878 expressed last annual message disappointed answer received latter part april present year received exhibited failure accord two governments measure inshore fishing privilege secured fishermen treaty washington serious character made subject communication congress recommended adoption measures seemed proper taken government maintenance rights accorded fishermen treaty toward securing indemnity injury interests suffered bill carry recommendations consideration house representatives time adjournment congress june last within weeks received communication majesty government renewing consideration subject indemnity injuries fortune bay interpretation treaty previous correspondence shown two governments variance upon topics disposition toward friendly agreement manifested recognition right indemnity transaction fortune bay leaving measure indemnity conference assent view government presented previous correspondence regulation conflicting interests shore fishery provincial seacoasts vessel fishery fishermen made subject conference concurrent arrangement two governments sincerely hope basis may found speedy adjustment serious divergence views interpretation fishery clauses treaty washington correspondence two governments stood close last session congress seemed irreconcilable important exhibition arts industries held last year sydney new south wales well progress melbourne united states efficiently honorably represented exhibitors country former place received large number awards considerable departments participation united states recognized special mark distinction exhibition melbourne share taken country less notable equal degree success confidently expected state peace tranquillity enjoyed nations continent europe favorable influence upon diplomatic commercial relations concluded ratified convention french republic settlement claims citizens either country convention commission presided distinguished publicist appointed pursuance request nations majesty emperor brazil organized begun sessions city congress consider means protection industrial property recently session paris appointed ministers united states france belgium delegates international commission upon weights measures also continues work paris invite attention necessity appropriation made time enable government comply obligations metrical convention friendly relations german empire continue without interruption recent international exhibition fish fisheries berlin participation united states notwithstanding haste commission forced make preparations extremely successful meritorious winning private exhibitors numerous awards high class country large principal prize honor offered majesty emperor results great success advantageous important growing industry questions raised two governments proper effect interpretation treaties naturalization recent dispatches minister berlin show favorable progress making toward understanding accordance views government makes admits distinction whatever rights native naturalized citizen united states practice complaints molestation suffered naturalized citizens abroad never fewer present nothing importance note unbroken friendly relations governments russia portugal sweden norway switzerland turkey greece last summer several vessels belonging merchant marine country sailing neutral waters west indies fired boarded searched armed cruiser spanish government circumstances reported involve private injury persons concerned also seemed little observant friendly relations existing century country spain wrong brought attention spanish government serious protest remonstrance matter undergoing investigation royal authorities view explanation reparation may called facts commission sitting city adjudication claims citizens government spain hope approaching termination labors claims united states florida treaty spain submitted congress action late session invite attention question view final disposition matter invitation spanish government conference recently held city madrid consider subject protection foreign powers native moors empire morocco minister united states spain directed take part deliberations conference result convention signed behalf powers represented instrument laid senate consideration government united states also lost opportunity urge upon emperor morocco necessity accordance humane enlightened spirit age putting end persecutions prevalent country persons faith moslem especially hebrew residents morocco consular treaty concluded belgium yet officially promulgated owing alteration word text senate united states occasioned delay time allowed ratification expired senate asked extend period ratification attempt negotiate treaty extradition denmark failed account objection danish government usual clause providing nation pay expense arrest persons whose extradition asks provision made congress last session expense commission appointed enter upon negotiations imperial government china subjects great interest relations two countries enabled commissioners proceed upon mission imperial government prepared give prompt respectful attention matters brought negotiation conferences proceeded rapidity success 17th november last two treaties signed peking one relating introduction chinese country one relating commerce trescot one commissioners way home bringing treaties expected received season laid senate early january minister japan negotiated convention reciprocal relief shipwrecked seamen take occasion urge upon congress propriety making provision erection suitable fireproof buildings japanese capital use american legation jail connected japanese government great generosity courtesy offered purpose eligible piece land last annual message invited attention congress subject indemnity funds received years ago china japan renew recommendation made whatever portions funds due american citizens promptly paid residue returned nations respectively justly equitably belong extradition treaty kingdom netherlands time course negotiation past year concluded duly ratified relations friendship amity established government united states roumania sent diplomatic representative bucharest received capital special envoy charged royal highness prince charles announce independent sovereignty roumania hope speedy development commercial relations two countries last annual message expressed hope prevalence quiet border country mexico would soon become assured justify modification orders force military commanders regard crossing frontier without encouraging disturbances would endanger peace two countries events moved accordance expectations orders accordingly withdrawn entire satisfaction citizens mexican government subsequently peace border disturbed savage foray command chief victoria combined harmonious action military forces countries band broken substantially destroyed reason believe obstacles long prevented rapid convenient communication united states mexico railways point disappearing several important enterprises character soon set foot fail contribute largely prosperity countries new envoys guatemala colombia bolivia venezuela nicaragua recently arrived capital whose distinction enlightenment afford best guaranty continuance friendly relations sister republics relations government united states colombia engaged public attention past year mainly reason project interoceanic canal across isthmus panama built private capital concession colombian government purpose treaty obligations subsisting united states colombia guarantee neutrality transit sovereignty property colombia isthmus make necessary conditions stupendous change region embraced guaranty effected transforming would isthmus barrier atlantic pacific oceans gateway thoroughfare navies merchant ships world receive approval government compatible discharge obligations part consistent interests principal commercial power western hemisphere views expressed special message congress march last relation project deem duty press upon attention subsequent consideration confirmed opinion right duty united states assert maintain supervision authority interoceanic canal across isthmus connects north south america protect national interest war republic chile one hand allied republics peru bolivia still continues government felt called upon interfere contest within belligerent rights parties independent states however always held readiness aid accommodating difference different times reminded beth belligerents willingness render service good offices direction recently accepted belligerents hoped would prove efficacious regret announce measures ministers united states santiago lima authorized take view bring peace successful course war questions arisen affecting neutral rights ministers united states instructions acted promptness energy protection american interests relations united states empire brazil continue cordial commercial intercourse steadily increases mutual advantage internal disorders argentine republic time past afflicted less influenced external trade understood brought close happy result may expected redound benefit foreign commerce republic well development vast interior resources samoa government king malietoa support recognition consular representatives united states great britain germany seems given peace tranquillity islands appear desirable adopt whole scheme tripartite local government proposed common interests three great treaty powers require harmony relations native frame government may best secured simple diplomatic agreement would well consular jurisdiction representative apia increased extent importance guard american interests surrounding outlying islands oceanica obelisk generously presented khedive egypt city new york safely arrived country soon erected metropolis commission liquidation egyptian debt lately concluded work government earnest solicitation khedive acceded provisions adopted laid congress information commission revision judicial code reform tribunal egypt session cairo farman batchelder appointed commissioners participate work organization reform tribunals probably continued another period five years pursuance act passed last session congress invitations extended foreign maritime states join sanitary conference washington beginning 1st january acceptance invitation many prominent powers gives promise success important measure designed establish system international notification spread infectious epidemic diseases may effectively checked prevented attention congress invited necessary appropriations carrying effect provisions act referred efforts department state enlarge trade commerce united states active agency consular officers dissemination information obtained unrelaxed interest efforts developed commercial communities value information secured means trade manufactures country recognized congress last session provision made frequent publication consular reports department state first issue publication prepared subsequent issues may regularly expected importance interest attached reports consular officers witnessed general demand classes merchants manufacturers engaged foreign trade believed system publications deserving approval congress necessary appropriations continuance enlargement commend consideration prosperous energies domestic industries immense production subjects foreign commerce invite even require active development wishes interests people direction especially important commercial relations atlantic pacific coasts south america west indies gulf mexico direct circuit european systems carried bottoms full appreciation opportunities front pacific ocean gives commerce japan china east indies australia island groups lie along routes navigation inspire equal efforts appropriate shipping administer capital due proportion trade whatever modifications regulations trade navigation may necessary useful meet direct impulses enlargement exchanges carrying trade sure wisdom congress ready supply one initial measure however seems dearly useful efficient venture press upon earnest attention seems evident provision regular steam postal communication aid government forerunner commercial predominance great britain coasts seas greater share whose trade desire intent people also manifest efforts european nations contend great britain share commerce successful proportion adoption regular steam postal communication markets whose trade sought mexico states south america anxious receive postal communication country aid development similar cooperation may looked due time eastern nations australia difficult see lead movement expected private interests respect foreign commerce quite much internal trade postal communication seems necessarily matter common public administration thus pertaining government respectfully recommend prompt attention efficient measures may conduce development foreign commercial exchanges building carrying trade connection desire also suggest great service might expected enlarging facilitating commerce pacific ocean transmarine cable laid san francisco sandwich islands thence japan north australia south great influence means communication routes navigation developing securing due share pacific coast commerce world needs illustration enforcement may enterprise useful end profitable would prove private investment may need accelerated prudent legislation congress aid submit matter careful consideration additional unimportant although secondary reason fostering enlarging navy may found unquestionable service expansion commerce would rendered frequent circulation naval ships seas ports quarters globe ships proper construction equipment greatest efficiency case maritime war might made constant active agents time peace advancement protection foreign trade nurture discipline young seamen would naturally numbers mix improve crews merchant ships merchants home abroad recognize value foreign commerce active movement naval vessels intelligence patriotic zeal naval officers promoting every interest countrymen subject national pride condition financial affairs government shown report secretary treasury satisfactory believed present financial situation united states whether considered respect trade currency credit growing wealth extent variety resources favorable country time never surpassed country period history industries thriving rate interest low new railroads constructed vast immigration increasing population capital labor new enterprises great number progress commercial relations countries improving ordinary revenues sources fiscal year ended june 30 1880 ordinary expenditures period leaving surplus revenue amount drawn cash balance treasury making applied redemption amount due sinking fund year applied thereto sum excess actual requirements year aggregate revenues sources fiscal year ended june 30 1880 increase preceding year receipts thus far current year together estimated receipts remainder year amount sufficient meet estimated expenditures year leave surplus fortunate large surplus revenue occurs period may directly applied payment public debt soon redeemable public duty constantly cherished united states policy paying nation debt rapidly possible debt united states less cash treasury exclusive accruing interest attained maximum august 1865 since time reduced principal debt paid since march 1 1877 effecting annual saving interest burden interest also diminished sale bonds bearing low rate interest application proceeds redemption bonds bearing higher rate annual saving thus secured since march 1 1877 within short period six hundred millions 5 6 per cent bonds become redeemable presents favorable opportunity reduce principal debt also reduce rate interest remain unpaid call attention congress views expressed subject secretary treasury annual report recommend prompt legislation enable treasury department complete refunding debt mature continuance specie payments interrupted endangered since date resumption contributed greatly revival business remarkable prosperity fears preceded accompanied resumption proved groundless considerable amount united states notes presented redemption large sums gold bullion domestic imported taken mints exchanged coin notes increase coin bullion united states since january 1 1879 estimated still existence uncanceled united states notes notes authorized war measure made necessary exigencies conflict united states engaged preservation nation existence required judgment congress issue paper money served well purpose created questioned employment notes paper money indefinitely accomplishment object provided contemplated framers law issued notes long since became like pecuniary obligation government debt paid paid canceled mere evidence indebtedness longer existing therefore repeat said annual message last year retirement circulation united states notes capacity legal tender private contracts step taken progress toward safe stable currency accepted policy duty government interest security people time passage act force requiring coin age silver dollars fixing value giving character believed many supporters measure silver dollar authorized would speedily become operations law equivalent value gold dollar supporters bill doubted probability result nevertheless willing give proposed experiment fair trial view stop coinage experience prove silver dollar authorized bill continued less commercial value standard gold dollar coinage silver dollars act referred began march 1878 continued required act average rate per month present time total amount coined prior 1st november last amount remain treasury hands people constant effort made keep currency circulation considerable expense necessarily incurred purpose return treasury prompt sure contrary confident anticipation friends measure time adoption value silver dollar containing 412 grains silver increased year prior passage bill authorizing coinage market value silver contained 90 92 cents compared standard gold dollar last year average market value silver dollar 88 cents obvious legislation last congress regard silver far based anticipated rise value silver result legislation failed produce effect predicted longer law remains force requiring coinage nominal dollar reality dollar greater becomes danger country forced accept single metal sole legal standard value circulation standard less value purports worth recognized money world constitution united states sound financial principles best interests require country money gold silver coin intrinsic value bullion equivalent upon face purports possess constitution express terms recognizes gold silver true money banish either metals currency narrow limit circulating medium exchange disparagement important interests united states produces silver country directly interested maintaining one two precious metals furnish coinage world judgment contribute result congress repeal much existing legislation requires coinage silver dollars containing 412 grains silver stead authorize secretary treasury coin silver dollars equivalent value bullion gold dollars defraud man accordance familiar precedents congress several occasions altered ratio value gold silver order establish nearly accordance actual ratio value two metals financial legislation every measure direction greater fidelity discharge pecuniary obligations found experience diminish rates interest debtors required pay increase facility money obtained every legitimate purpose recent financial history shows surely money becomes abundant whenever confidence exact performance moneyed obligations established secretary war reports expenditures war department fiscal year ended june 30 1880 appropriations department current fiscal year amount respect army secretary invites attention fact strength limited statute revised statutes sec 1115 enlisted men provisos contained appropriation bills limited expenditures enlistment believed full legal strength least possible force present organization maintained view efficiency discipline economy enlistment force would add somewhat appropriation pay army saving made respects would equivalent additional outlay efficiency army would largely increased rapid extension railroad system west mississippi river great tide settlers flowed upon new territory impose military entire change policy maintenance small posts along wagon stage routes travel longer necessary permanent quarters points selected substantial character heretofore constructed required existing laws permanent buildings erected without sanction congress sales military sites buildings authorized moneys received reverted treasury could become available new appropriation recommended provision made general statute sale abandoned military posts buildings found unnecessary application proceeds construction posts many present posts slight value military purposes owing changed condition country occupation continued great expense inconvenience afford available shelter troops absence large number officers line active duty regiments serious detriment maintenance service constant demand small detachments commanded commissioned officer various details officers necessary service away commands occasion scarcity number required company duties view lessening drain extent recommended law authorizing detail officers active list professors tactics military science certain colleges universities amended provide details made retired list army attention asked necessity providing legislation organizing arming disciplining active militia country liberal appropriations recommended behalf reports army chief ordnance touching subject fully set forth importance report officer charge education army shows 78 schools operation army aggregate attendance enlisted men children secretary recommends enlistment 150 schoolmasters rank pay appropriation needed supply army suitable libraries secretary recommends corps placed upon footing promotion staff corps army existing laws bureau military justice consists one officer corps eight officers equal rank majors provision limit corps shall remain four reduced casualty resignation number consolidation bureau military justice corps upon basis staff corps army would remove unjust discrimination deserving officers subserve best interests service especial attention asked report chief engineers upon condition national defenses personal inspection many fortifications referred secretary able emphasize recommendations made state incomplete defenseless condition discreditable country nations increasing means carrying offensive warfare attacking maritime cities dormant preparation defense nothing importance done toward strengthening finishing casemated works since late civil war great guns modern warfare heavy armor modern fortifications ships came use among nations earthworks left sudden failure appropriations years since stages incompletion rapidly destroyed elements two great rivers north american continent mississippi columbia navigable waters wholly within limits united states vast importance internal foreign commerce permanency important work south pass mississippi river seems assured failure whatever maintenance maximum channel six months ended august 9 last experiment opened broad deep highway ocean improvement upon permanent success congratulations may exchanged among people abroad home especially among communities mississippi valley whose commercial exchanges float unobstructed channel safely sea comprehensive improvement mississippi tributaries matter transcendent importance great waterways comprise system inland transportation spread like network large portion united states navigable extent many thousands miles producers consumers alike common interest unequaled facilities cheap transportation geographically commercially politically strongest tie various sections country channels communication interchange property nation jurisdiction paramount waters plainest principles public interest require intelligent careful supervision view protection improvement enhancement usefulness channel columbia river distance 100 miles mouth obstructed succession bars occasion serious delays navigation heavy expense lighterage towage depth least 20 feet low tide secured maintained meet requirements extensive growing inland ocean commerce subserves urgent need however great waterway permanent improvement channel mouth river columbia river san francisco distance 600 miles harbor pacific coast approached stormy weather appropriation made congress commencement breakwater harbor refuge located point straits fuca san francisco necessities commerce local general best accommodated amount appropriated thought quite inadequate purpose intended cost work finished great owing want natural advantages site point coast designated limits thought advisable undertake work without larger appropriation commend matter attention congress completion new building war department urgently needed estimates continuing construction especially recommended collections books specimens records constituting army medical museum library national importance library contains volumes pamphlets relating medicine surgery allied topics contents army medical museum consist specimens unique completeness military surgery diseases armies illustrated destruction would irreparable loss united states world filed record pension division bound volumes hospital records together great quantity papers embracing original records hospitals armies civil war aside historical value records daily searched evidence needed settlement large numbers pension claims protection government attempted frauds well benefit honest claimants valuable collections building peculiarly exposed danger destruction fire therefore earnestly recommended appropriation made new fireproof building adequate present needs reasonable future expansion valuable collections building absolutely fireproof expenditure mere architectural display required believed suitable structure erected cost exceed commend attention congress great services commander chief armies war union whose wise firm patriotic conduct much bring momentous conflict close legislation united states contains many precedents recognition distinguished military merit authorizing rank emoluments conferred eminent services country act congress authorizing appointment army suitable provisions relating compensation retirement details would judgment altogether fitting proper would warmly approved country report secretary navy exhibits successful satisfactory management department last fiscal year total expenditures year leaving unexpended close year amount available appropriations appropriations present fiscal year ending june 30 1881 total estimates next fiscal year ending june 30 1882 amount drawn warrant july 1 1880 november 1 1880 recommendation secretary navy provision made establishment form civil government people alaska approved present protection persons property territory except afforded officers united states ship jamestown vessel dispatched sitka fear without immediate presence national authority impending danger anarchy steps taken restore order accepted good faith white indian inhabitants necessity method restraint opinion exist however jamestown withdrawn leaving people present without ordinary judicial administrative authority organized local government serious consequences might ensue laws provide collection revenue protection public property transmission mails problem supply local rule population scattered peculiar origin condition natives reported teachable properly instructed doubtless would advance rapidly civilization new factor prosperity would added national life therefore recommend requisite legislation upon subject secretary navy taken steps toward establishment naval coaling stations isthmus panama meet requirements commercial relations central south america rapidly growing importance locations eminently suitable regards naval purposes uses commerce selected one east side isthmus chiriqui lagoon caribbean sea pacific coast bay golfito safe harbors sufficiently commodious isthmus points distance less 100 miles report secretary navy concludes valuable suggestions respect building merchant marine service deserve favorable consideration congress report exhibits continual growth high state efficiency postal service operations department government perhaps represent greater exactness increase population business country 1860 postal receipts 1880 receipts inhabitants country directly personally interested proper mail facilities naturally watch closely careful oversight part people proved constant stimulus improvement past year increase mail routes extended miles making additional annual transportation miles revenues postal service ensuing year estimated expenditures leaving deficiency appropriated treasury universal postal union received accession almost countries colonies world maintaining organized postal services confidently expected countries colonies outside union soon unite therewith thus realizing grand idea aim founders union forming purposes international mail communication single postal territory embracing world complete uniformity postal charges conditions international exchange descriptions correspondence enable united states full share great work additional legislation asked whose recommendations especial attention called suggestion would wise encourage appropriate legislation establishment american lines steamers citizens carry mails ports mexico central america south america transpacific countries commended serious consideration congress attention congress also invited suggestions regard postal savings necessity additional provision aid transaction business federal courts becomes year apparent dockets supreme court circuit courts greater number circuits encumbered constant accession cases former court many instances circuit courts years intervene practicable bring cases hearing recommends establishment intermediate court errors appeals recommended number judges circuit court circuit exception second circuit increased addition another judge second circuit two added intermediate appellate court formed circuit consist circuit judges circuit justice event absence either judges place absent judge supplied judge one district courts circuit appellate court could safely invested large jurisdiction decisions would satisfy suitors many cases appeals would still allowed supreme court expense incurred intermediate court require moderate increase appropriations expenses department justice recommendation commended careful consideration congress evident delay justice many instances oppressive disastrous suitors necessarily occurs federal courts way remedied report secretary interior presents elaborate account operations department past year gives great pleasure say indian affairs appear hopeful condition ever indians made gratifying progress agriculture herding mechanical pursuits many years ago hostile conflict government quietly settling farms hope make permanent homes building houses engaging occupations civilized life introduction freighting business among remarkably fruitful good results giving many congenial remunerative employment stimulating ambition earn support honesty fidelity efficiency carriers highly praised organization police force indians equally successful maintaining law order upon reservations exercising wholesome moral influence among indians concur secretary interior recommendation pay force increased inducement best class young men enter much care attention devoted enlargement educational facilities indians means available important object inadequate additional boarding schools indian agencies established erection buildings begun several increase appropriations interesting undertaking greatly needed accommodate large number indian children school age number offered parents parts country education government schools much larger accommodated means present available purpose number indian pupils normal school hampton direction general armstrong considerably increased progress highly encouraging indian school established interior department 1879 carlisle direction captain pratt equally successful nearly 200 pupils sexes representing great variety tribes east rocky mountains pupils institutions receive elementary english education also instructed housework agriculture useful mechanical pursuits similar school established year forest grove education indian youth pacific coast addition indian boys girls selected eastern cherokees placed boarding schools north carolina receive elementary english education training industrial pursuits interest shown indian parents even among wild tribes education children gratifying gives promise results accomplished efforts making lasting benefit expenses indian education far drawn permanent civilization fund disposal department interior fund much reduced continuance beneficial work future depend specific appropriations congress purpose venture express hope congress permit institutions fruitful good results perish want means support contrary increase number schools appears highly advisable past year unusually free disturbances among indian tribes agreement made utes surrender large reservation colorado consideration annuity paid agree settle severally certain lands designated purpose farmers holding individual title land fee simple inalienable certain period way costly indian war avoided one time seemed imminent first time history country indian nation given tribal existence settled severally live individuals common protection laws country conduct indians throughout country past year noteworthy exceptions orderly peaceful guerrilla warfare carried two years victoria band southern apaches virtually come end death chief followers mexican soil disturbances caused northern frontier sitting bull men taken refuge british dominions also likely cease large majority followers surrendered military forces remainder apparently progress disintegration concur secretary interior expressing earnest hope congress session take favorable action bill providing allotment lands different reservations severally indians patents conferring title inalienable certain period eventual disposition residue reservations general settlement consent benefit indians placing latter equal protection laws country measure together vigorous prosecution educational efforts work important effective advance toward solution indian problem preparing gradual merging indian population great body american citizenship large increase reported disposal public lands settlement past year marks prosperous growth agricultural industry vigorous movement population toward unoccupied lands movement proceeds codification land laws well proper legislation regulate disposition public lands become pressing necessity therefore invite consideration congress report accompanying draft bill made public lands commission communicated congress last session early action upon important subject highly desirable attention congress asked wasteful depredations committed public timber lands rapid indiscriminate destruction forests urgent necessity legislation end generally recognized view lawless character depredations committed disastrous consequences inevitably follow continuance legislation recommended arrest evil preserve people western states territories timber needed domestic essential uses report director geological survey document unusual interest consolidation various geological geographical surveys exploring enterprises heretofore operated upon independent plan without concert fail great benefit industries country depend upon development mineral resources labors scientific men recognized merit compose corps geological survey first season field operations inquiries appear comprehensive soon communicated congress number volumes director survey recommends investigations carried bureau far confined states territories extended entire country necessary appropriation made purpose would particularly beneficial iron coal mining interests mississippi valley eastern southern states subject commended careful consideration congress secretary interior asks attention want room public buildings capital existing progress construction accommodation clerical force employed public records necessity compelled renting private buildings different parts city location public offices large amount rent annually paid separation offices belonging department impedes transaction current business secretary suggests blocks surrounding lafayette square east north west purchased sites new edifices accommodation government offices leaving square intact buildings constructed upon harmonious plan architecture would add much beauty national capital would together treasury new state navy war department building form one imposing groups public edifices world commissioner agriculture expresses confident belief efforts behalf production sugar tea encouragingly rewarded importance results attained attracted marked attention home received special consideration foreign nations successful cultivation tea manufacture sugar would make difference many millions dollars annually wealth nation report commissioner asks attention particularly continued prevalence infectious contagious cattle disease known dreaded europe asia cattle plague mild type disease certain sections country occasion great loss farmers serious disturbance trade great britain furnishes market live stock dressed meats value neat cattle exported united states eight months ended august 31 1880 nearly double value period 1879 unexampled increase export trade early attention solicited important matter commissioner education reports continued increase public interest educational affairs public schools generally throughout country well sustained industrial training attracting deserved attention colleges instruction theoretical practical agriculture mechanic arts including government schools recently established instruction indian youth gaining steadily public estimation commissioner asks special attention depredations committed lands reserved future support public instruction great need help nation schools territories southern states recommendation heretofore made repeated urged educational fund set apart net proceeds sales public lands annually income remainder net annual proceeds distributed satisfactory plan states territories district columbia success public schools district columbia progress made intelligent direction board education superintendent supplying educational requirements district thoroughly trained efficient teachers gratifying acts congress time time donating public lands several states territories aid educational interests proved wise measures public policy resulting great lasting benefit would seem matter simple justice extend benefits legislation wisdom fully vindicated experience district columbia commend general interests district columbia favorable consideration congress affairs district shown report commissioners satisfactory condition annual messages heretofore special message december 19 1879 urged upon attention congress necessity reclaiming marshes potomac adjacent capital constrained importance advert subject flats embrace area several hundred acres impediment drainage city seriously impair health believed substantial improvement river front capital would respects one attractive cities world aside permanent population city necessarily place residence persons every section country engaged public service many others reside temporarily transaction business government forgotten land acquired probably worth cost reclaiming navigation river greatly improved therefore invite attention congress importance prompt provision much needed long delayed improvement water supply city inadequate addition ordinary use throughout city consumption government necessarily great arsenal various departments large quantity required proper preservation numerous parks cleansing sewers recommend subject receive early attention congress making provision increased supply means adopted view future growth city temporary expedients purpose wasteful money therefore unwise ample reservoir corresponding facilities keeping filled judgment constructed commend attention congress subject removal present location depots several railroads entering city renew recommendations former messages behalf erection building congressional library completion washington monument liberal appropriations support benevolent reformatory penal institutions district
congratulate continue increase prosperity country favor divine providence bless past year health abundant harvest profitable employment people contentment home peace friendship nation occurrence election chief magistrate afford another opportunity people united state exhibit world significant example peaceful safe transmission power authority government public servant whose term office expire newly choose successor example fail impress profoundly thoughtful people country advantage republican institution afford immediate general cheerful acquiescence good citizen result election give gratify assurance country friends throughout world government base free consent intelligent patriotic people possesses element strength stability permanency find form government continue opposition full free enjoyment right citizenship confer upon colored people recent amendment constitution still prevail several late slaveholding state perhaps manifest recent election large extent act violence intimidation however fraudulent practice connection ballot regulation place manner vote counting return canvass vote cast successful defeat exercise right preservative right right suffrage constitution expressly confer upon enfranchise citizen desire good people whole country sectionalism factor politics disappear prefer section country unite solid opposition section disposition refuse prompt hearty obedience amendment constitution stand way complete obliteration sectional line political contest long either amendment flagrantly violate disregarded safe assume people place constitution embody legitimate result war union believe wise necessary continue act together insist shall obey paramount question still enjoyment fight every american citizen requisite qualification freely cast vote honestly count question rightly settle country relieve contention past bygone indeed bygone political party issue respect economy efficiency administration internal improvement tariff domestic taxation education finance important subject receive full share attention resistance nullification result war unite together resolute purpose support maintain authority government perpetuity union adequately appreciate value victory achieve determination proceeds hostile sentiment feel part people country interest inviolability amendment rest upon fundamental principle government solemn expression people united state sentiment constitutional right citizen must maintain grow weak continue control government country happily history late election show many part country opposition fifteenth amendment heretofore prevail diminish likely cease altogether firm action take congress trust house representative senate right judge election return qualification member see every case violation letter spirit fifteenth amendment thoroughly investigate benefit violation shall accrue person party duty executive sufficient appropriation purpose prosecute unsparingly engage deprive citizen right guarantee constitution however forget best sure guaranty primary right citizenship find capacity belong people whose right universal suffrage support universal education mean command local state authority many case wholly inadequate furnish free instruction need especially true emancipation education people neglect prevented interest slavery firmly convince subject popular education deserves earnest attention people whole country view wise comprehensive action government unite state respectfully recommend congress suitable legislation proper safeguard supplement local educational fund several state grave duty responsibility citizenship devolve uneducated people devote purpose grant public land necessary appropriation treasury united state whatever government fairly promote free popular education ought do wherever general education find peace virtue social order prevail civil religious liberty secure former annual message ask attention congress urgent necessity reformation system government view concern danger patronage appointment personal partisan consideration strengthen observation experience executive office believe danger threaten stability government abuse serious nature permanently tolerate tend become alarm enlargement administrative service growth country population increase number officer placemen employ reason imperative adoption fix rule regulation appointment promotion removal establish uniform method exclusively view every instance attainment best qualification position question method alone consistent equal right citizen economical efficient administration public business competitive examination aid impartial appointment promotion conduct year past several executive department direction system adopt large city country city new york position civil service subject appointment tenure place operation publish rule purpose past two year result practical trial satisfactory confirmed opinion favor system selection subject test result free prejudice personal favor partisan influence secures position apply best qualification attainable among compete applicant effectual protection pressure importunity course pursue largely exacts time attention appoint officer great detriment discharge official duty prevent abuse service mere furtherance private party purpose leave employee government free obligation impose patronage depend solely upon merit retention advancement constant incentive exertion improvement invaluable result attain high degree office rule appointment competitive examination apply method approve experimental test point test may fairly consider conclusive extend subordinate position government believe strong grow public sentiment demand immediate measure secure enforce high possible efficiency civil service protection recognize abuse experience refer demonstrated feasibility measure examination hold many embarrassment without provision compensation extra labor perform officer conduct whose commendable interest improvement public service induce devotion time labor without pecuniary reward continuance labor gratuitously ought expect without appropriation congress compensation practicable extend system examination generally throughout civil service also highly important examination conduct upon uniform system general supervision section 1753 revise statute authorizes president prescribe regulation admission civil service united state purpose employ suitable person conduct requisite inquiry reference fitness candidate respect age health character knowledge ability branch service seek enter law practically inoperative want requisite appropriation therefore recommend appropriation per annum meet expense commission appoint president accordance term section whose duty shall devise uniform efficient system competitive examination supervise application throughout entire civil service government persuade facility commission afford test fitness apply office welcome relief member congress president head department also greatly tend remove cause embarrassment inevitably constantly attend conflict claim patronage legislative executive department effectual check upon pernicious competition influence official favoritism bestowal office substitution open competition merit applicants everyone make record assurance success depend upon alone also recommend legislation leave every officer free citizen express political opinion use mean advancement shall also enable feel safe private citizen refuse demand upon salary political purpose law thus guarantee true liberty justice engage public service likewise contain stringent provision use official authority coerce political action private citizen official subordinate greatly desire serious obstacle however improvement civil service especially reform method appointment removal find practice know spoil system appoint power largely encroach upon member congress first step reform civil service must complete divorce congress executive matter appointment corrupt doctrine victor belong spoil inseparable congressional patronage establish rule practice party power come understood applicant office people generally representative senator entitle disburse patronage respective district state necessary recite length evil result invasion executive function true principle government subject appointment office state national convention lead party country approve american people call question quarter authentic expression public opinion upon subject statement principle belong constitutional structure government constitution president head department make nomination office senate advise consent appointment house representative accuse prosecute faithless officer best interest public service demand distinction respect senator representative may judge accuser dictate appointment office end cooperation legislative department government require alike necessity case public opinion member congress relieved demand make upon reference appointment office legislative enactment pernicious practice condemn forbidden therefore recommend act pass defining relation member congress respect appointment office president also recommend provision section 1767 section follow revise statute comprise act march 2 1867 repeal believe reform system method civil service country one high imperative duty statesmanship permanently do cooperation legislative executive department government commend whole subject considerate attention recognize duty purpose people united state suppress polygamy exists territory prevent extension faithful zealous effort make united state authority utah enforce law experience show legislation upon subject effective require extensive modification amendment long action delay difficult accomplish desire prompt decide measure necessary mormon sectarian organization upholds polygamy whole power make execute local legislation territory control grand petit jury possess large influence administration justice exercise head sect local political power territory able make effective hostility law congress subject polygamy fact prevent enforcement polygamy abolish enforcement law depend practice uphold crime suppress take away political power sect encourage sustains power congress enact suitable law protect territory ample case halfway measure political power mormon sect increase control one wealthy populous territory extend steadily territory wherever go establishes polygamy sectarian political power sanctity marriage family relation corner stone american society civilization religious liberty separation church state among elementary idea free institution reestablish interest principle polygamy mormonism imperil fully reopen intelligent virtuous immigrant creed part domain great degree close general immigration intolerant immoral institution recommend government territory utah reorganize recommend congress provide government utah governor judge commissioner appoint president confirm senate government analogous provisional government establish territory northwest ohio ordinance 1787 however deem best continue exist form local government recommend right vote hold office sit jury territory utah confine neither practice uphold polygamy thorough measure adopt believe within year evils afflict utah eradicate territory good time become one prosperous attractive new state union relation foreign country undisturbed peace present occasion concern continue maintenance anticipation early reply british government demand indemnity fisherman injury suffer industry fortune bay january 1878 express last annual message disappoint answer receive latter part april present year receive exhibited failure accord two government measure inshore fish privilege secure fisherman treaty washington serious character make subject communication congress recommend adoption measure seem proper take government maintenance right accord fisherman treaty toward secure indemnity injury interest suffer bill carry recommendation consideration house representative time adjournment congress june last within week receive communication majesty government renew consideration subject indemnity injury fortune bay interpretation treaty previous correspondence show two government variance upon topic disposition toward friendly agreement manifest recognition right indemnity transaction fortune bay leave measure indemnity conference assent view government present previous correspondence regulation conflict interest shore fishery provincial seacoast vessel fishery fisherman make subject conference concurrent arrangement two government sincerely hope basis may find speedy adjustment serious divergence view interpretation fishery clauses treaty washington correspondence two government stand close last session congress seem irreconcilable important exhibition art industry hold last year sydney new south wale well progress melbourne united state efficiently honorably represent exhibitor country former place receive large number award considerable department participation united state recognize special mark distinction exhibition melbourne share take country less notable equal degree success confidently expect state peace tranquillity enjoy nation continent europe favorable influence upon diplomatic commercial relation conclude ratified convention french republic settlement claim citizen either country convention commission preside distinguished publicist appoint pursuance request nation majesty emperor brazil organize begin session city congress consider mean protection industrial property recently session paris appoint minister united state france belgium delegate international commission upon weight measure also continue work paris invite attention necessity appropriation make time enable government comply obligation metrical convention friendly relation german empire continue without interruption recent international exhibition fish fishery berlin participation united state notwithstanding haste commission force make preparation extremely successful meritorious win private exhibitor numerous award high class country large principal prize honor offer majesty emperor result great success advantageous important grow industry question raise two government proper effect interpretation treaty naturalization recent dispatch minister berlin show favorable progress make toward understand accordance views government make admits distinction whatever right native naturalized citizen united state practice complaint molestation suffer naturalized citizen abroad never few present nothing importance note unbroken friendly relation government russia portugal sweden norway switzerland turkey greece last summer several vessel belong merchant marine country sail neutral water west indie fire board search arm cruiser spanish government circumstance report involve private injury person concern also seem little observant friendly relation exist century country spain wrong brought attention spanish government serious protest remonstrance matter undergo investigation royal authority view explanation reparation may call fact commission sit city adjudication claim citizens government spain hope approach termination labor claim united state florida treaty spain submit congress action late session invite attention question view final disposition matter invitation spanish government conference recently hold city madrid consider subject protection foreign power native moor empire morocco minister united state spain directed take part deliberation conference result convention sign behalf power represent instrument laid senate consideration government unite state also lose opportunity urge upon emperor morocco necessity accordance humane enlighten spirit age put end persecution prevalent country person faith moslem especially hebrew resident morocco consular treaty conclude belgium yet officially promulgate owe alteration word text senate united state occasion delay time allow ratification expire senate ask extend period ratification attempt negotiate treaty extradition denmark fail account objection danish government usual clause provide nation pay expense arrest person whose extradition ask provision make congress last session expense commission appoint enter upon negotiation imperial government china subject great interest relation two country enable commissioner proceed upon mission imperial government prepare give prompt respectful attention matter bring negotiation conference proceed rapidity success 17th november last two treaty sign peking one relate introduction chinese country one relate commerce trescot one commissioners way home bring treaty expect receive season laid senate early january minister japan negotiate convention reciprocal relief shipwreck seaman take occasion urge upon congress propriety make provision erection suitable fireproof building japanese capital use american legation jail connect japanese government great generosity courtesy offer purpose eligible piece land last annual message invite attention congress subject indemnity fund receive year ago china japan renew recommendation make whatever portion fund due american citizen promptly pay residue return nation respectively justly equitably belong extradition treaty kingdom netherlands time course negotiation past year conclude duly ratified relation friendship amity establish government united state roumania send diplomatic representative bucharest receive capital special envoy charge royal highness prince charles announce independent sovereignty roumania hope speedy development commercial relation two country last annual message express hope prevalence quiet border country mexico would soon become assured justify modification order force military commander regard cross frontier without encouraging disturbance would endanger peace two country event move accordance expectation order accordingly withdraw entire satisfaction citizen mexican government subsequently peace border disturbed savage foray command chief victoria combine harmonious action military force country band break substantially destroy reason believe obstacle long prevent rapid convenient communication unite state mexico railway point disappear several important enterprise character soon set foot fail contribute largely prosperity country new envoys guatemala colombia bolivia venezuela nicaragua recently arrive capital whose distinction enlightenment afford best guaranty continuance friendly relation sister republic relation government unite state colombia engage public attention past year mainly reason project interoceanic canal across isthmus panama build private capital concession colombian government purpose treaty obligation subsist united state colombia guarantee neutrality transit sovereignty property colombia isthmus make necessary condition stupendous change region embrace guaranty effect transform would isthmus barrier atlantic pacific oceans gateway thoroughfare navy merchant ships world receive approval government compatible discharge obligation part consistent interest principal commercial power western hemisphere view express special message congress march last relation project deem duty press upon attention subsequent consideration confirm opinion right duty united state assert maintain supervision authority interoceanic canal across isthmus connects north south america protect national interest war republic chile one hand ally republic peru bolivia still continue government felt call upon interfere contest within belligerent right party independent state however always hold readiness aid accommodate difference different time remind beth belligerent willingness render service good office direction recently accept belligerent hop would prove efficacious regret announce measure minister united state santiago lima authorized take view bring peace successful course war question arise affect neutral right minister united state instruction act promptness energy protection american interest relation united state empire brazil continue cordial commercial intercourse steadily increase mutual advantage internal disorder argentine republic time past afflicted less influence external trade understood bring close happy result may expect redound benefit foreign commerce republic well development vast interior resource samoa government king malietoa support recognition consular representative united state great britain germany seem give peace tranquillity islands appear desirable adopt whole scheme tripartite local government propose common interest three great treaty power require harmony relation native frame government may best secure simple diplomatic agreement would well consular jurisdiction representative apia increase extent importance guard american interest surround outlying island oceanica obelisk generously present khedive egypt city new york safely arrived country soon erect metropolis commission liquidation egyptian debt lately conclude work government earnest solicitation khedive accede provision adopt laid congress information commission revision judicial code reform tribunal egypt session cairo farman batchelder appoint commissioner participate work organization reform tribunals probably continue another period five year pursuance act pass last session congress invitation extend foreign maritime state join sanitary conference washington begin 1st january acceptance invitation many prominent power give promise success important measure design establish system international notification spread infectious epidemic disease may effectively check prevented attention congress invite necessary appropriation carry effect provision act refer effort department state enlarge trade commerce united state active agency consular officer dissemination information obtain unrelaxed interest effort develop commercial community value information secure mean trade manufacture country recognize congress last session provision make frequent publication consular report department state first issue publication prepare subsequent issue may regularly expect importance interest attach report consular officer witness general demand class merchant manufacturer engage foreign trade believe system publication deserve approval congress necessary appropriation continuance enlargement commend consideration prosperous energy domestic industry immense production subject foreign commerce invite even require active development wish interest people direction especially important commercial relation atlantic pacific coast south america west indie gulf mexico direct circuit european system carry bottoms full appreciation opportunity front pacific ocean give commerce japan china east indie australia island group lie along route navigation inspire equal effort appropriate ship administer capital due proportion trade whatever modification regulation trade navigation may necessary useful meet direct impulse enlargement exchange carry trade sure wisdom congress ready supply one initial measure however seem dearly useful efficient venture press upon earnest attention seem evident provision regular steam postal communication aid government forerunner commercial predominance great britain coast seas great share whose trade desire intent people also manifest effort european nation contend great britain share commerce successful proportion adoption regular steam postal communication market whose trade seek mexico state south america anxious receive postal communication country aid development similar cooperation may look due time eastern nation australia difficult see lead movement expect private interest respect foreign commerce quite much internal trade postal communication seem necessarily matter common public administration thus pertain government respectfully recommend prompt attention efficient measure may conduce development foreign commercial exchange build carry trade connection desire also suggest great service might expect enlarge facilitate commerce pacific ocean transmarine cable lay san francisco sandwich islands thence japan north australia south great influence mean communication route navigation develop secure due share pacific coast commerce world need illustration enforcement may enterprise useful end profitable would prove private investment may need accelerated prudent legislation congress aid submit matter careful consideration additional unimportant although secondary reason foster enlarge navy may find unquestionable service expansion commerce would render frequent circulation naval ship seas port quarter globe ship proper construction equipment great efficiency case maritime war might make constant active agent time peace advancement protection foreign trade nurture discipline young seaman would naturally number mix improve crew merchant ship merchant home abroad recognize value foreign commerce active movement naval vessel intelligence patriotic zeal naval officer promote every interest countryman subject national pride condition financial affair government show report secretary treasury satisfactory believe present financial situation unite state whether consider respect trade currency credit grow wealth extent variety resource favorable country time never surpass country period history industry thrive rate interest low new railroad construct vast immigration increase population capital labor new enterprise great number progress commercial relation country improve ordinary revenue source fiscal year end june 30 1880 ordinary expenditure period leave surplus revenue amount drawn cash balance treasury make apply redemption amount due sinking fund year apply thereto sum excess actual requirement year aggregate revenue source fiscal year end june 30 1880 increase precede year receipt thus far current year together estimate receipt remainder year amount sufficient meet estimate expenditure year leave surplus fortunate large surplus revenue occur period may directly apply payment public debt soon redeemable public duty constantly cherish united state policy pay nation debt rapidly possible debt unite state less cash treasury exclusive accrue interest attain maximum august 1865 since time reduce principal debt pay since march 1 1877 effect annual save interest burden interest also diminish sale bond bear low rate interest application proceeds redemption bond bear high rate annual save thus secure since march 1 1877 within short period six hundred million 5 6 per cent bond become redeemable present favorable opportunity reduce principal debt also reduce rate interest remain unpaid call attention congress view express subject secretary treasury annual report recommend prompt legislation enable treasury department complete refund debt mature continuance specie payment interrupt endanger since date resumption contribute greatly revival business remarkable prosperity fear precede accompanied resumption prove groundless considerable amount united state note present redemption large sum gold bullion domestic import take mint exchange coin note increase coin bullion unite state since january 1 1879 estimate still existence uncanceled united state note note authorize war measure make necessary exigency conflict united state engage preservation nation existence require judgment congress issue paper money serve well purpose create questioned employment note paper money indefinitely accomplishment object provide contemplated framer law issue note long since become like pecuniary obligation government debt pay pay cancel mere evidence indebtedness longer exist therefore repeat say annual message last year retirement circulation united state note capacity legal tender private contract step take progress toward safe stable currency accept policy duty government interest security people time passage act force require coin age silver dollar fix value give character believe many supporter measure silver dollar authorize would speedily become operation law equivalent value gold dollar supporter bill doubt probability result nevertheless willing give propose experiment fair trial view stop coinage experience prove silver dollar authorize bill continue less commercial value standard gold dollar coinage silver dollar act refer begin march 1878 continue require act average rate per month present time total amount coin prior 1st november last amount remain treasury hand people constant effort make keep currency circulation considerable expense necessarily incur purpose return treasury prompt sure contrary confident anticipation friend measure time adoption value silver dollar contain 412 grain silver increase year prior passage bill authorize coinage market value silver contain 90 92 cent compare standard gold dollar last year average market value silver dollar 88 cent obvious legislation last congress regard silver far base anticipate rise value silver result legislation fail produce effect predict longer law remain force require coinage nominal dollar reality dollar great becomes danger country force accept single metal sole legal standard value circulation standard less value purport worth recognize money world constitution united state sound financial principle best interest require country money gold silver coin intrinsic value bullion equivalent upon face purport possess constitution express term recognize gold silver true money banish either metal currency narrow limit circulate medium exchange disparagement important interest united state produce silver country directly interested maintain one two precious metal furnish coinage world judgment contribute result congress repeal much exist legislation require coinage silver dollar contain 412 grain silver stead authorize secretary treasury coin silver dollar equivalent value bullion gold dollar defraud man accordance familiar precedent congress several occasion alter ratio value gold silver order establish nearly accordance actual ratio value two metal financial legislation every measure direction great fidelity discharge pecuniary obligation find experience diminish rate interest debtor require pay increase facility money obtain every legitimate purpose recent financial history show surely money become abundant whenever confidence exact performance moneyed obligation establish secretary war report expenditures war department fiscal year end june 30 1880 appropriation department current fiscal year amount respect army secretary invite attention fact strength limit statute revise statute sec 1115 enlist men proviso contain appropriation bill limit expenditure enlistment believe full legal strength least possible force present organization maintain view efficiency discipline economy enlistment force would add somewhat appropriation pay army save make respect would equivalent additional outlay efficiency army would largely increased rapid extension railroad system west mississippi river great tide settler flow upon new territory impose military entire change policy maintenance small post along wagon stage rout travel longer necessary permanent quarter point select substantial character heretofore construct required exist law permanent building erect without sanction congress sale military site building authorize money receive reverted treasury could become available new appropriation recommend provision make general statute sale abandon military post building find unnecessary application proceeds construction post many present post slight value military purpose owe change condition country occupation continue great expense inconvenience afford available shelter troop absence large number officer line active duty regiment serious detriment maintenance service constant demand small detachment command commissioned officer various detail officer necessary service away command occasion scarcity number require company duties view lessen drain extent recommend law authorize detail officer active list professor tactics military science certain college university amend provide detail make retired list army attention ask necessity provide legislation organize arm discipline active militia country liberal appropriation recommend behalf report army chief ordnance touch subject fully set forth importance report officer charge education army show 78 school operation army aggregate attendance enlist men child secretary recommend enlistment 150 schoolmaster rank pay appropriation need supply army suitable library secretary recommend corp place upon foot promotion staff corp army exist law bureau military justice consist one officer corp eight officer equal rank major provision limit corp shall remain four reduce casualty resignation number consolidation bureau military justice corp upon basis staff corp army would remove unjust discrimination deserve officer subserve best interest service especial attention ask report chief engineer upon condition national defense personal inspection many fortification refer secretary able emphasize recommendation make state incomplete defenseless condition discreditable country nation increase mean carry offensive warfare attack maritime city dormant preparation defense nothing importance do toward strengthen finish casemated work since late civil war great gun modern warfare heavy armor modern fortification ship come use among nation earthwork leave sudden failure appropriation year since stage incompletion rapidly destroyed element two great river north american continent mississippi columbia navigable water wholly within limit united state vast importance internal foreign commerce permanency important work south pas mississippi river seem assured failure whatever maintenance maximum channel six month end august 9 last experiment open broad deep highway ocean improvement upon permanent success congratulation may exchange among people abroad home especially among community mississippi valley whose commercial exchange float unobstructed channel safely sea comprehensive improvement mississippi tributary matter transcendent importance great waterway comprise system inland transportation spread like network large portion unite state navigable extent many thousand mile producer consumer alike common interest unequaled facility cheap transportation geographically commercially politically strong tie various section country channel communication interchange property nation jurisdiction paramount water plainest principle public interest require intelligent careful supervision view protection improvement enhancement usefulness channel columbia river distance 100 mile mouth obstructed succession bar occasion serious delay navigation heavy expense lighterage towage depth least 20 foot low tide secure maintain meet requirement extensive grow inland ocean commerce subserves urgent need however great waterway permanent improvement channel mouth river columbia river san francisco distance 600 mile harbor pacific coast approached stormy weather appropriation make congress commencement breakwater harbor refuge locate point strait fuca san francisco necessity commerce local general best accommodate amount appropriate think quite inadequate purpose intend cost work finish great owe want natural advantage site point coast designate limit think advisable undertake work without large appropriation commend matter attention congress completion new build war department urgently need estimate continue construction especially recommend collection book specimen record constitute army medical museum library national importance library contains volume pamphlet relate medicine surgery ally topic content army medical museum consist specimens unique completeness military surgery diseases army illustrate destruction would irreparable loss united state world file record pension division bound volume hospital record together great quantity paper embrace original record hospital army civil war aside historical value record daily search evidence need settlement large number pension claim protection government attempt frauds well benefit honest claimant valuable collection build peculiarly expose danger destruction fire therefore earnestly recommend appropriation make new fireproof building adequate present need reasonable future expansion valuable collection build absolutely fireproof expenditure mere architectural display require believe suitable structure erect cost exceed commend attention congress great service commander chief army war union whose wise firm patriotic conduct much bring momentous conflict close legislation unite state contains many precedent recognition distinguish military merit authorize rank emolument confer eminent service country act congress authorize appointment army suitable provision relate compensation retirement detail would judgment altogether fitting proper would warmly approved country report secretary navy exhibit successful satisfactory management department last fiscal year total expenditure year leave unexpended close year amount available appropriation appropriation present fiscal year end june 30 1881 total estimate next fiscal year end june 30 1882 amount drawn warrant july 1 1880 november 1 1880 recommendation secretary navy provision make establishment form civil government people alaska approve present protection person property territory except afforded officer united state ship jamestown vessel dispatch sitka fear without immediate presence national authority impend danger anarchy step take restore order accept good faith white indian inhabitant necessity method restraint opinion exist however jamestown withdrawn leave people present without ordinary judicial administrative authority organize local government serious consequence might ensue law provide collection revenue protection public property transmission mail problem supply local rule population scatter peculiar origin condition native report teachable properly instruct doubtless would advance rapidly civilization new factor prosperity would add national life therefore recommend requisite legislation upon subject secretary navy take step toward establishment naval coaling station isthmus panama meet requirement commercial relation central south america rapidly grow importance location eminently suitable regard naval purpose use commerce select one east side isthmus chiriqui lagoon caribbean sea pacific coast bay golfito safe harbor sufficiently commodious isthmus point distance less 100 mile report secretary navy concludes valuable suggestion respect building merchant marine service deserve favorable consideration congress report exhibit continual growth high state efficiency postal service operation department government perhaps represent great exactness increase population business country 1860 postal receipt 1880 receipt inhabitant country directly personally interested proper mail facility naturally watch closely careful oversight part people prove constant stimulus improvement past year increase mail route extend mile make additional annual transportation mile revenue postal service ensue year estimate expenditure leave deficiency appropriate treasury universal postal union receive accession almost country colony world maintain organize postal service confidently expect country colony outside union soon unite therewith thus realize grand idea aim founder union forming purpose international mail communication single postal territory embrace world complete uniformity postal charge condition international exchange description correspondence enable united state full share great work additional legislation ask whose recommendation especial attention call suggestion would wise encourage appropriate legislation establishment american line steamer citizen carry mail port mexico central america south america transpacific country commend serious consideration congress attention congress also invite suggestion regard postal saving necessity additional provision aid transaction business federal court becomes year apparent docket supreme court circuit court great number circuit encumber constant accession case former court many instance circuit court year intervene practicable bring case hear recommends establishment intermediate court error appeal recommend number judge circuit court circuit exception second circuit increase addition another judge second circuit two add intermediate appellate court form circuit consist circuit judge circuit justice event absence either judge place absent judge supply judge one district court circuit appellate court could safely invest large jurisdiction decision would satisfy suitor many case appeal would still allow supreme court expense incur intermediate court require moderate increase appropriation expense department justice recommendation commend careful consideration congress evident delay justice many instance oppressive disastrous suitor necessarily occur federal court way remedied report secretary interior present elaborate account operation department past year give great pleasure say indian affair appear hopeful condition ever indians make gratify progress agriculture herd mechanical pursuit many year ago hostile conflict government quietly settle farm hope make permanent home build house engage occupation civilize life introduction freight business among remarkably fruitful good result give many congenial remunerative employment stimulate ambition earn support honesty fidelity efficiency carrier highly praised organization police force indians equally successful maintain law order upon reservation exercise wholesome moral influence among indian concur secretary interior recommendation pay force increase inducement best class young men enter much care attention devote enlargement educational facility indian mean available important object inadequate additional boarding school indian agency establish erection building begin several increase appropriation interest undertake greatly need accommodate large number indian child school age number offer parent part country education government school much large accommodated mean present available purpose number indian pupil normal school hampton direction general armstrong considerably increase progress highly encouraging indian school establish interior department 1879 carlisle direction captain pratt equally successful nearly 200 pupil sex represent great variety tribe east rocky mountain pupils institution receive elementary english education also instruct housework agriculture useful mechanical pursuit similar school establish year forest grove education indian youth pacific coast addition indian boy girl select eastern cherokee place board school north carolina receive elementary english education train industrial pursuit interest show indian parent even among wild tribe education child gratify give promise result accomplish effort make lasting benefit expense indian education far draw permanent civilization fund disposal department interior fund much reduce continuance beneficial work future depend specific appropriation congress purpose venture express hope congress permit institution fruitful good result perish want mean support contrary increase number school appear highly advisable past year unusually free disturbance among indian tribe agreement make ute surrender large reservation colorado consideration annuity pay agree settle severally certain land designate purpose farmer hold individual title land fee simple inalienable certain period way costly indian war avoid one time seem imminent first time history country indian nation give tribal existence settle severally live individual common protection law country conduct indian throughout country past year noteworthy exception orderly peaceful guerrilla warfare carry two year victoria band southern apache virtually come end death chief follower mexican soil disturbance cause northern frontier sit bull men take refuge british dominion also likely cease large majority follower surrender military force remainder apparently progress disintegration concur secretary interior express earnest hope congress session take favorable action bill provide allotment land different reservation severally indians patent confer title inalienable certain period eventual disposition residue reservation general settlement consent benefit indian place latter equal protection law country measure together vigorous prosecution educational effort work important effective advance toward solution indian problem prepare gradual merging indian population great body american citizenship large increase report disposal public land settlement past year mark prosperous growth agricultural industry vigorous movement population toward unoccupied land movement proceeds codification land law well proper legislation regulate disposition public land become press necessity therefore invite consideration congress report accompany draft bill make public land commission communicate congress last session early action upon important subject highly desirable attention congress ask wasteful depredation commit public timber land rapid indiscriminate destruction forest urgent necessity legislation end generally recognize view lawless character depredation commit disastrous consequence inevitably follow continuance legislation recommend arrest evil preserve people western state territory timber need domestic essential us report director geological survey document unusual interest consolidation various geological geographical survey explore enterprise heretofore operate upon independent plan without concert fail great benefit industry country depend upon development mineral resource labor scientific men recognize merit compose corps geological survey first season field operation inquiry appear comprehensive soon communicate congress number volume director survey recommend investigation carry bureau far confine state territory extend entire country necessary appropriation make purpose would particularly beneficial iron coal mining interest mississippi valley eastern southern state subject commend careful consideration congress secretary interior ask attention want room public building capital exist progress construction accommodation clerical force employ public record necessity compel rent private building different part city location public office large amount rent annually pay separation office belong department impedes transaction current business secretary suggest block surround lafayette square east north west purchase sit new edifice accommodation government office leave square intact building construct upon harmonious plan architecture would add much beauty national capital would together treasury new state navy war department build form one imposing group public edifice world commissioner agriculture express confident belief effort behalf production sugar tea encouragingly reward importance result attain attracted marked attention home receive special consideration foreign nation successful cultivation tea manufacture sugar would make difference many million dollar annually wealth nation report commissioner ask attention particularly continue prevalence infectious contagious cattle disease know dread europe asia cattle plague mild type disease certain section country occasion great loss farmer serious disturbance trade great britain furnishes market live stock dress meat value neat cattle export united state eight month end august 31 1880 nearly double value period 1879 unexampled increase export trade early attention solicit important matter commissioner education report continue increase public interest educational affair public school generally throughout country well sustain industrial training attract deserve attention college instruction theoretical practical agriculture mechanic art include government school recently establish instruction indian youth gain steadily public estimation commissioner ask special attention depredation commit land reserve future support public instruction great need help nation school territory southern state recommendation heretofore make repeat urged educational fund set apart net proceeds sale public land annually income remainder net annual proceeds distribute satisfactory plan state territory district columbia success public school district columbia progress make intelligent direction board education superintendent supply educational requirement district thoroughly trained efficient teacher gratify act congress time time donate public land several state territory aid educational interest prove wise measure public policy result great lasting benefit would seem matter simple justice extend benefit legislation wisdom fully vindicate experience district columbia commend general interest district columbia favorable consideration congress affair district show report commissioner satisfactory condition annual message heretofore special message december 19 1879 urge upon attention congress necessity reclaim marsh potomac adjacent capital constrain importance advert subject flat embrace area several hundred acre impediment drainage city seriously impair health believe substantial improvement river front capital would respect one attractive city world aside permanent population city necessarily place residence person every section country engage public service many others reside temporarily transaction business government forgotten land acquire probably worth cost reclaim navigation river greatly improve therefore invite attention congress importance prompt provision much need long delayed improvement water supply city inadequate addition ordinary use throughout city consumption government necessarily great arsenal various department large quantity require proper preservation numerous park cleanse sewer recommend subject receive early attention congress make provision increase supply mean adopt view future growth city temporary expedient purpose wasteful money therefore unwise ample reservoir correspond facility keep filled judgment construct commend attention congress subject removal present location depot several railroad enter city renew recommendation former message behalf erection build congressional library completion washington monument liberal appropriation support benevolent reformatory penal institution district