Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^ " _ ^ _ iR_ T* V? !_*!? ^L?Tl^i^"' lMMlfZ555^vBI^^HH - - " ' '-.TA'a President Harrison on the State of the Nation. THE WORK OF FOUR YEARS. Parting Discussion of Important . Public Questions, Pension*, Elections and the Treasury?New !?lnll Subsidies Urged? Aliin Cnnf . ml \V....Lr .... l.? V Navy?Chief Accomplishment* of the Departments. To the Senate and House of Representatives! In submitting my annual message to Congress I have groat satisfaction in being able to say that the general conditions affecting the commercial anl industrial interests of % the United States aro in the highest degree" favorable. A comparison of th3 existing conditions with thosj of the most favored period in the history of the country will, I believe, show that so high a degree of prosperity and so general a diffusion of the comforts of lifo were never before enjoyed by our people. The total wealth of the country in 1860 was $16,159,616,063. In 1890 it amounted to 162,610,000.000, an increase of 287 per cent. The total mileage of railways in the United States in 1369 was 39,630; in 1390 it was 167,741, an increase of 418 per cent,; and it is estimated that there will bo about 4000 miles of track added by the close of the year 1893. CENSUS FIGURES. The official returns of the Eleventh Cen 118 ami thnoA nf fba Tan 1 It /1oncno n?? *7* leading cities furnish tlio basis for the following comparisons: . j In 1860 the capital invested in manufac* turing was f1,232,839,670. In 1890 the capital invested in manufac turing was 83,900,735,884. 1,801,388. In 1899 the number of employee was 2,251,134. . In 1880 tlie wages earne 1 were 1501,965, 778. In 1690 the wages earned wero $1,221,170,454. In 1889 the value of the product was $2,711,579,699. In 1890 the value of the product was $4,800,280,837. 1 am informed by the Superintendent of the Census that the omission of certain industries in 1880, which were included in 1890, accounts in part for tbe romarkable increase thus shown. But, after making full allowance for differences of method and deducting the returns for ull interests not Included in tho Census of 1S8 >, thero remain In tho reports from these seventy-five citioe an increase in tho capital employed of 81,522,74),094; in tho value of tho product of $3,(24.230,160; in wages earned of $677,943,929, and in the number of wage-earners employed of 8.>0,029. Tho wage-earnings not only show an increased aggregate, but nn increase per capita from 8580 in 1889 to |547 in 1891 or -11.71 per cent. Tbe new industrial plants established since October 6, 1890, uud up to October 23, 1892, is partially reported in the American Economist number 345, and tho extension of existing plants, 10S; the new capital invested amounts to 840,4<9,059, and the nuinboi of additional employes to 37,285. The Textile tVorld. for July, 1892, states that during the first six months of the present calendar year 135 now factories were built, of whic'i 40 are cotton mills, 48 knitting mills, 20 woolen mills, 15 silk mills; 4 p ush mills and 2 linen mills. Of the 40 cotton mills 21 have been built in tho Southern Slates. Mr. A. B. Sheppersou, of thaNew York Cotton Exchange, estimates tho number of working spindles in the United ~ States on September 1, 1893, at 15,290,000, en increase ot 609.000 over the yoar 1831. The consumption of cotton by American mills in 183! was 2,3'.) 1,030 bales, and in 1893 8,584,000 bales, an increase of 188,000 bales. From the year 1809 to 1893, inclusive, there has been an increase in the consumption of cotton in Europe of 9.3 per cant., while during the same period tha increased consumption in tho United States has been about 150 par cent. The report of Ira Ayer, special agent of ? the Treasury Department, shows that at the date of September 30, 1893, there were thirty-two companies manufacturing tin and terne plate in the United States and fourteen companies buil ling new works for such manufacture. Tho estimated investment in buildings and plants at the close of the fleal year, June 3 >, 1893, if existing conditions were to be continued, was ?5,030,000, and the estimated rate?of production 200,^ 000,000 pounds per annum. Tho actual production for tho quarter euding September 80, 1892, was 10,9 >2,735 pounds. The report ot' Labor Commissioner Peck, of New York, shows that during tho year 1891, In about six thousaud manufacturing establishments in that State embraced within the spec nl inquiry ma le by him, and representing 07 dilfeivuc m lustries, there was n net increase over the year 18?./ of 131,315,13 ).iW in the va.u? of "the product, ind of t<?.3Ti,93>.09 in the nmouut of wages paid. The report of the co mnissioner of labor for tho State of Massachusetts shows that 3745 industries in that State paid 1129,4'6,248 in wages during the ytar 1891, against $120.03 >.3 )3 iu 189 ?, an increase of 13,335,945, and that there was an increase .1 to (.-? > too in tl... ..K.mi.e r,f : 11 ji tii i nl ?'srvr ^r" im nnu tho I' * m* ? w?s 0,710,810 tons, ta\ pfo.lutnioiiof p k t<)ns .n year ly. ?s against *\, 7 ,,.st annuil produ "on which was tbe 'org sim0 twelve months vpr atta?n<*l. roi tlie *> Amer ingots S lWl-'W the pio l^on ot Bcsseineir K 'was 3,878.581 tons unprecedented I gross tons ov?.rtt J ,-,hs S71 (cross tons ^ \ , yearly production of . - uessemer steel K/ PTH0 PSJlJ'l i months ? ' ?*? ?? tails for the fir.it m: 702,050 (cross l8yl' *XPOHT8 AND IMPORTS. The total v,lllie 0of?\lnerfchand.^a/lur^8 - -1 ?. ioxuuJCO.^ an inllistorv of the Government, amounting to H,030,278.148, exceed in g l>y $14 \ 707,338 the exports ot ]H01 mil cxc'diug the vulue of the imports by 42 .'2,870,080. coastwise and ixrr.RNAh tkadf, In our coist.vi-o trnlo a most encouraging ilt-v opm -lit i< in progress, tliere having tic n in th" Inst four years an increase of 16 percent. In internal commerce tlio statistics how that no sncn peno l of prosperity has ever Im <>ro ex -'p I. d'lie freight carried in the coast wise traSo o i h< Groit J.'kcs in 1800 iiggrecaii 28,20 7,050 ton-. Ou t'ao M'r-l.-s inn. Ali-souri and Ohio Rivers and Ird.'iitui -s in the same year the trnltic ag(lo iitol tPt40.j,t.4 > tons, and the total vosfel tonnage pusimg through tb?? Detroit River during tbut year was 21,6vl,000 tons. The vessel tonnage enterc 1 an I cleared in the foreign trade oi L >ii Ion during 1836 amounted to 13,480,767 tons, and of Livereol l".HH,80d tons, a tot il for these two eat shipping porta oi 24,4^2,568 tons, only 0 P? SAV1HQS 0? THE PKOPLC. Another indication of ths genera) prosperity of the country is found in ths fsct that ths nambsr of depositors in mrings banks increased from 603,870 iq I860 to V 258,893 in 1890, an Increase of 613 dot oent, and the amount of deposits from 8149,277," 504 in 1860 to $1,624,844,5)6 in 1890, aq increase of 931 per cant. In 1891 the amount of deposits in sariogs banks was f1,883,079,? 749. It Is estimated that 90 p?r cent, of these deposits represent the tarings of wagsearners. The oauk clearances for nine months ending September 30,1B91,amounted to (41,049,890,806. For the same months in 1892 they amounted to $46,189,601,917, an excess for the nine months of $4,140,211,189. There has never been s time in our history when work was ao abundant or when wages were as higb, whether measured by the currency in which they are paid or by their power to supply the necessaries and comforts of life. It is true that the market prices of cotton nnd wheat bare been low. It is one of the unfavorable incidents of agr.culture that the farmer cannot produce upon order.?. He must sow and reap in ignorance or the aggregate production of the year, ati i i? peculiarly subject to the depreciation which follows overproduction. value or FARM PRODUCTS. The value of our total farm pro I nets has increased from $l,803,04'V,S06 in I860 to $4,500,000,000 in 1891, as estimated by statisticians, an increase of 239 ner cent. The number of hogs Janu?ry 1. 1831, was50,625,100 and their value $210,193,925; on January 1. 1S92, the number was 52,398,019 and the value $241,031,415. On January t, 1891 the number of cattle was 36,875,613 anl tno value $544,127,908: on January 1, 1893. the number was 37,651,239 and the value 1570,74:1,155. If any are discontented with this state here; if any believe that wages or prices, the returns for honest toil, are inadequate, they should not fail to remembsr that there is no other country in the world where the conditions that seem to them hard would not be accopted as highly prosperous. The English agriculturist would bo glad to exchange the returns of his labor for those of the American farmer, anl the Manchester workmen their wages for those of their fellows at Fall River. A WORD KOR PROTBCTIOV. I believe that the protective system, which has now for something more th m thirty years continuously prevailed in our legislation, has been a mighty instrument for the development of our national wealth and a most powerful agency in protecting the homes of our workingmen from the invaa.f u.?n4, 1 hmm f l?4t Mitfcs? ? interest to preserve to our working people rates of wages that would not only give daily bread but supplv a comfortable margin for those home attractions and fatnilv comforts and enjoyments without which life is neither hopeful nor sweet. They are American citizens?a part of the great people for whom our Constitution and Government were framed and instituted? and it cannot be a perversion of that Constitution to so legislate as to preserve In their homes the comfort, independence, 103-alty and sense of interest in the Government which are essential to good citizenship in peace, and which will bring this stalwart thron*. as in 1861, to the defense of the flag when it is assailed. It is not my purpose to renew here the argument in favor of a protective tariff. The result of the recent election must be accepted as having introduced a new policy. We must assume that the present tariff, constructed upon the lines of protection, is to bo repealed, and that there is to be substituted for it a tariff law constructed sole>y with reference to revenue; that no duty is to Ito higher because tho increase will keep open an American mill or keep up the wages of an American workmau. but that in every case such a rate of duty i; to bo imposed as will bring to the Treasury of the United States the largest returns of revenue. Tho contention has not been between schedules, but between principles, and it would be offensive to suggest that the prevailing party will not carry into legislation the principles advocated by it ?& 1 the pledges given to the people. The tariff bills passed by the House of Representatives at tho last session were, as I suppose?even in the opinion of their promotors? inadequate, and justified only by the faot that the iSonate and House of Representatives were not in accord and that a general revision could not, therefore, be undertaken. 1 recommend that tho whole subject of tariff rovision be loft to the incoming Congress. it is matter of regret that this work must be delayed for at least three month'; for the threat of great tariff changes introduces so much uncertainty that an amoant, not easily estimated, of business inaction and of diminished reduction will necessarily result. It is possible also that this uncertainty may result in decreased revenues from customs duties, for our merchants will make cautious orders for foreign goods in view of the prospect of tariff reductions ana the uncertainty as to whou they will take effect. Those who have advocated a protective turiff can well afford to have their disastrous forecasts of a change of policy disappointed. If a syste n of customs duties can Be framed that will set the idle wheels and looms of Europs in motion and crowd cur warehouses with foreign-made goods, and At tho same time keep our own mills busy; that will give us an increased participation in the "markets of the world" or greater value than the home market wa surrender; that will give increased wora to foreign workmen upon products to be consumed by our people without diminishing the amouut of work to be done here; that will enable the American manufacturer to pay to his workmen from fifty .o a hundred per cent, more in wages than is paid in the foreign mill and yet to compete in our market and foreign markets with the foreigu pro lucer; that will further reduce the cost or articles of wear and food without reducing the wages of those who produce them; that can be celebrated, after its eirects have been rfwbzed, as its expectations havojibeen, in" European as well as in American cities, the authors aud promoters of it will be entitled to the highest praise. We have had in our history several experiences of tho contrastei effects of a revenue and that of a protective tariff; but this generation has not folt them, and the experience of one generation is not highly instructive to tho next. The friends of tho protective systom, with undiminished con11 lence in the priuciple? thsy have advocated, will await the results of the new experiment. LABOR AND T11F TARIFF. The strahie 1 an 1 too o; ton disturbed relations existing between the employes and the employers in our great manufacturing establishments have not boon favorable ton caliu consideration by the wage earner of the effect upon wages ol" tho protective system. The facts thit his wages were the 1 V.W^S3t pai l in like callings in the world I l lucj of this r ite of I passion evoked hn f H:u,ou v&?,aas I may now be able in J 'uese contistg w? ofhl,rth? A": I t ?' " ?ri(t l"",w at. experience sh_.. " ^hujonjy r? cut rates or wa'ifi'rl!C,"onstrate that m-" I or increased, either ? ,. 8 y ,na'?taine I I purchasing power n,?i n!", y ?r bi their I is?to h? ?f Worl{ done in m ft?<res'ate I '? to be increase 1 8 1,1 4,1 is country ... ovcu maintained, so I that there are more or as many days' work in n year at as good or batt r wagos for the Amerioan workmen as has been the case under the protective system, every one will rejoice. A general process of wage re luction can not be contemplate I by any pat riotic citizen without tbe gravest apprehension. It may be, indeed I believe it is, possible for the A oi ncan manu acturer to compete successfu ly witli his foreign rival in many branches of pro In rtion without t ie defense of orotective duties, if the pay rolls are O lg!5i?rfc?Mbr?lMalr that etaaJT^ twm the producer and thst reeu't fend tt< distress of our working people wneo It is attained are not plMWl to contemplate. The Society of the Unemployed, now holding Its frequent an i threatening paradee la the streets of foreign cities, should not be allowed to acquire an American domicile. roanoN relations. Our relations with foreign nations are now undisturbed by any serious controversy. The complicated said threatening difference* with Germany and England relating to Katuoan affairs, with Eugland in relation to the seal fisheries in the Bering Sea, and with Chile growing out of the Baltimore affair, have been adjusted. There have been negotiated and concluded uudor section 3 of the tariff la w, commercial agreements relating t > reel procal trade with the following countries'! Brazil, Dominican Republia, Spain for Cuba and I'uerto Rico, Guatemala, Salvador, the German Empire. Great Britain for c 'tain West Indian Colonies and British Gu. Nicaragua, Honduras and Austria-Hungary. The alarmed attention or our European competitors for tho South American market nas been attracted to this new Amerioiu policy and to our acquisition and their lou of South American trade. THE BERING SEA TREATY. A treaty providing for the arbitration of the dispute between Great Britain and She United States, as to the killing or seals in the Bering Sea was concluded on the 20th reoruary mst. iuuuc?j ? by an agreement prohibiting pelagic sealing pending the arbitration, and a vigorou nflPA?h urau ^tirincr f.Wia eoaa^n trt drivt* out nil poaching sealers from the Bering Boa.Six naval vessels, three revenue cutters, and one vessel from the Fish Commission, all under the command of Commander Evans, of the Navy, were sent into the seas, which was systematically patrolled. Some seizures were made, and it is believed that the catch in the Bering Sea by poachers amounted to less thau 593 seals. It is true, however, that in the North Pacific, white the seal herds were on their way ta the passes between the Aleutian Islands, n very lar^e number, probably 53.090, were taken. The existing statutes of the United States do not restrain our citizens from taking seals in the Pacitlc Ocan, and perhaps should not, unless the prohibition can bo extended to the citizens of other nations I recommend that power bo given to the President. by proclamation, to prohibit the taking of seals in the North Pacific by American vessels, in caso either ns the result of the findings of tho tribunal of arbitration, or otherwise, the restraints can be anpliei to the vessels of nil countries. The caso of the United States pared with great care and*'?udustry^ylfhe~j Hon. John IV. Foster, and the counsel who represent this Government express confidence that a result substantially establishing cue claims aud preserving this great industry for tho bonoflt of all natious will be attained. , CANADA AND THE UNITEO STATES. The controversy as to tolls upon the Weilan t Cana', which was presented to Congress at tho last session by special message, having tailed of adjustment, I felt constrained to exercise taa authority oouferrel by the act of July 20, 18UJ, ana to proclaim n suspension of the free uso of 8t. Marys Falls Canal to cargoes in transit to norts in Canada. The Secretary of the Treasury established such tolls at were thought to be rnuivalent to the exactions unjustly levied u;ion our commerce in the Canadian canals. Ias we must suppose, the political relations of Canada and the disposition of. the Canadian Government are to remain unchanged. a somewhat radical revision of our trade relations should, I think, be made. Our relations must continue to be intimate, uud they s.iould be friendly. I regret to say, however, that iu many of tho controversies, notably those us to the (lsheries on the Atlantic, tho scaling interests on the Pacific, and the canal tolls, our negotiations with Great Uritain have continuously been thwarted or retarded by unreasonable and unfrien lly objections and protests from Canada In the matter of the canal tolls, our treaty rights were flagrautly disregarded. It is hardly too much to say that tho Canadiau Pacific and other railway lines which parallel our northern bouudary are sustained by commerce having either its origin or terminus, or both, in the United States. Cauadiun railroads compete with thoso of the United States for our traffic, uud without tho restraints of our interstatecommerce act. Their cars pass almost without deteutiou into and out of our territory There is no disposition on the part of the people or Government of the United States to interfere in the smallest degree with tbe political relations of Canada. That question is wholly w.th her own people. It is time for uj, however, to consider whether, it the present state of things and trend of things *s to continue, our interchanges upon lines of ian 1 transportation should not bo put upon a different basis, an I our entire in iepsndooos o." Canadiau cauals and of the yt. J.awrence us an outlet to the sea secured by the construction of nu American canal around the Falls of Niagaia and tho oponingof ship communication between the Great L ikes and one of our owu seaports. We should not hesitate to avail ourselves of our great natural trade advantages. We should withdraw tho support which is given to the railroads and steamship lines of Canada by a traffic that proporly belongs to us, and no longer furnish the earnings which lighten the otherwise crushing weignt of tha enormous public subsidies that havo been civen to them. The subject of the power ot the Treasury to deal with this matter without further legislation has been under con hideration, but circumstances have postpoind a conclusion, it is probable that s consideration of the propriety of a modification or abrogation of the article of the Treaty of Washington relating to transit ol goods in bond is involved in any complete solution of the question. THE CHILEAN TROUBLE. Congress at the last session was kept advised of the progrossof the serious an 1 for n time threatening <iiiTereiic?s between the Unite 1 States and Cnile. It gives me now great satisfaction to report that tho Chilean Government, in a most friendly and honorable spirit, has tendere 1 an I pai 1 as an indemnity to ttie families of tho sailors of the Baltimore who were killed an 1 to those who were injured in tho outbreak in the city of Valparaiso tho sum of $75,030. This has been accepted, not only as u.i iu lonmity for a wrong done, but as a most gratifying ovi donco that tho Governtn nit of Chile rightly appreciates tho disposition of this Govern inent to act in a spirit of tho most. absoluti fairness and frien llinest in our int-ercousi with that bravo people. A fun h ir a n 1 con elusive evidence of the niutuil respect anc Aonfl.lanoi ate avLfjitor ?< t'llClliullA 1 |)V M*q I 7?Tlh?ta S^v"U0U*-- " ' '" ?? V- t?k O?;* j, I ThetrtoniUy ??w ? rnment 0? l**1?,1' e*pre^tioo^nd abhorrence o? the th ' TOfeLOT LSUUwafli? Jn ., ' accepted by the King "61 naiy with over; manifestation of gracious appreciation, ant the incident has bien highly promotive ol mutual respect and good will. HELP THE NICARAGUA CANAf.. I repeat with great earnestness the recoml mendation which 1 have undo in several previous messages that prompt and adequate support be given to the American Co uptny engaged in the construction of tha Nicaragua IShip Canal. It is iinpos-i Ic t > overstate the value from every si Midpoint of this great { enterprise, and I hopj that there inav bi ; time, even in this Congress, to give to it an imp'tus that will insure tha enrlv completion of th'; canal .an I secure to the United "States its proper r dation to it wiien c > npinto I. HOPlCrUL. FOR SILVcCR. The Congress has bun airea ly advise 1 that the iuvitati > is o. thi i (4 >v.*r.i nant for the assembling of an international Monetary &3??WJK?33 ? Mttooitofhck tter The Jf oonhnM aWmbled at\ on the u 831 ot Sonplir au 1 has |?hr*l upon the cqpalderattoffok this mat question I bar* y not doubted, kai ha '? no* taken oooasloa w to express that bai af. as well In tha JJ invitations issued (or this csufaranc* " w in nay public? aiaa|?\ that tha free coinage of ail ir uoou an agreed V international ratio s auld greatly promote N tha interact of oar p? ?plo an! equally those of othor nations. II is too aorlK to predict h wbnt results may b accomplish >d by ths ?j confarence. If anv temporary > check 01 ~ delay intervene* I ietieve that Vvrv coon 11 commercial condition \ will compel toe no* r' reluctant Uovorumct Is to unite with its in c this movement to sec ire the enlargement of o of the volume ot col ted money needed foi *' the transaction of th< business of the world ? this takxsu&y. * The report of the Secretary of the Treasury will attract especial Interest in view ot t The many misleading st itemnts that hare ? been made as to the stats of t'n pu'tlio rev- o cnues. Three preliminary facts should not c only be stated, but emphasised, bifore look- r tag into details: First, th it tbs public ( debt has been reduced stuoe March 4, c durina; tt)e-period fro n Mare'i I, t March 1, 1SS9, and third, that under the exi?n? ? ??vl(T nn to Div-ombiv 1 about #03.- I 000,000 of revenue, w.iich would have b?eu collectedupon import) 1 .sugars if tie duty had been maintained, has gone into the pockets of the people and not into the pub lie treasury, as before. It there are any who still think that the surplus should hare boon kep t out of circu latiou by hoarding it in the Treasury, 01 deposited in favored banks without interest while the Government ooutinnod to pay to these very banks interest upon the bonds deposited as security for the deposits, or who think that the extended pension legislation was a public robbery, or that th4 duties upon sugar should have been main taiued, I am content to leave the argument whore it now rest, while we wait to see whether these criticisms will take the form of legislation. The rcveuues for the fiscal year endinj lane 30, 18112, from all sources were $425, 668,260.22, and the expenditures for all purposes were $415,853,806.56. leaving a balance of $9,914,453.60. There were paid during the year upon the publio debt $40,570,467.98. The aurplus in the Treasury and nished in large part the cash available and used for the payments made upon the public debt. Compared with the year 1891, nur receipts from customs duties fell off $42,00 \241.08,-while our reoetots from Internal revenue inoreased $8,284,823.13, leaving the net loss of revenue from these principal sources $33,784,417.95. The ftet loss of revenue from all sources was $32,675,971.81. The revenues, estimated and actual, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, are placed by the Secretary at $463,336,850.44 and the 'exDenditures at $461,336,353.41, sho ving a surplus of receipts over exoenditcres of $2,000,000. The cash balance lu the Treasury at the end of the fiscal year it is estimated will be $20,292,377.03. The estimated receipts for the fiscal year andlnar Juna 80. 1894. are $49), 121,365.38, and thp estimated appropriations $457,261,335.38, leaving ail estimated surplus or receipts over expenditures df~$33,8J0,08).O5. This does not include .any payment to the sinking fund. The public confidence in the purpose and ability of the Government to maintain tho purity of all our money issues, whether coin or paper, must remain unshaken. Tho demand for gold in Europe and the consequent oalls upon us are 11 a considerable dn ;re * the result of the efforts of some of the European Governments to increase their gold reserve, and these efforts should be met by appropriate legislation on our part. The conditions that have created this drain of the Treasury gold are in an imnortant degree political and not commercial. Iu view of the fact that a general revision of our revenue laws in the near future seem to be probable, it would be better that any changes should be a part of that revision rather than of a temporary nature. SILVER BOUGHT AND COINED. During the last fiscal yair the Secretary purchased uuder tho act of July 14, 1833, 64,355.748 ounces of silver, and issued in payment therefor $H, W8.60J in notes. Tho total purchases since the passage of the act have been 120,479,081 ounces, and the aggregate of notes issue 1 4116,783,53.'). Tho average price paid for silver during the year was 9* cents per ounce, tho highest price being $1,029^ Julyl, 1831, an I the lowest 80.33 March 81, 1832. In view of the fact that the monetary conference is no w sitting ani that i no conclusion has yet bjen reached, I withhoi i auy recommeudatioi as to legislation upon this subject. ARMY REORGANIZATION DEMANDED. The report of the Socretary of War brings again to the attention of Congress some important suggestions as to the reorganization of the infantry and artillery arms of the service, which his predecessors have before urgently presented. Our array is small, ouc im organization should all til* moro Id put upon the most i approved modern basis. Tbe conditions i upon what wo have called the "frontier'' have hereto ore required the main* tenauce of many small posts, but now the policy of concentration is obviously the right one. The reorganization and enlarge* i ment of the Bureau of Military information which the Secretary Ins effected is n work ; the usefulness of which will become every yoar more apparent. Tho work of building > heavy guns and the construction of coast defenses has been Wull begun and should be carried on without check. Chains AOUM.ST THK aovxRVMevr. k The aggregate cf claims pending ftg?;;?-tfc , tho Government in the Court of Claims is p enor.uou--. Claims to tiio a n >unt of uoarly , $4' 0,000,003 for tiio t thing of or injury to the property of porsons claiming to be loyal daring the war are now boforetnat court for examination. Wheu to tieso are adde I tho , In lion depro tattoo claims au i the French spoliation claims au aggreg ?te Is reactel , that, is indeed startling. In tho defense of nil tlio.so coses the G >veru moot is at great disadvantageVriieClaimants have preserved r their evidence, whereas tiie agents of the Government are ?ent into tho flol i to rum* > mage for what (hey csn find. The difficulty a is peculiarly great whore the fact to beestah* ; lisned is tho disloyalty of tho claimant dur| ing the war. If this great throat against i our reveuues is to h ivo no other chec t cor* tainly Congress shoul 1 supply tho Daparfment of Justice with appropriations sufll* 'j ciently liberal to s.cu.o tho bo3t legal talent ' in the defense of these claims an i to pursue its vacuo searo'i forovidensa effoctivelv. F03TAL AFFAIRS. n The postal revenue have iucreas 'i durinx A the last year nearly #5,003.001. Tno deficit ? for the year en ling June 3). H95, is $S4Stwi 841 less than the defl dene/ of tha preceding -?fSradoldagi-v of th? present fiscal * N^'!Wr T7j^te3fiBoJ1 will bj roduoed tofil.! 2*1* U eili,n l'i! not only In oxtingulshel r WW 433, which wilWal year, hut a surplus of during t!ie next flsfll do'l?r? should than he nearly one miliioajtlculations the payments shown. In these o-ltha contracts for ocean to t?e ma lo under ? jt been iaclulei. "tail service have #"fadded 1593 now mail Thero have Ur' Wear, wit i a mileage of routes during tl J total number of new oo(>3 miles; an!, iide.l during the yoar i< miles of mail tri^i millio is. The number of | nearly seventeen* lUirnoy* a Wei during tho | ,u|les of mail jc } a'Xi'it seventy--sir million11, 'J*1 four yesrj i ;.'ing twenty-one rmliioas of this addition bJ dn were in operation in the miles more fch?f \n 1801. whole country ? W postoflloes has been Incite mi hi her during t le year; an I iurin ? creased by 37dJ Hn 1 up to O :tober 29 the past four j*M jreaee lu the number of oflast the focal iq-M, nine thousand. The flees has been tug mbtr of fres-delivery ofloM has Omd uni tarly dmnlei in the l??t fosr ye-rs, iui '?* te nana bar of montr-order oflJew more and ?sdooK?) within that tin*. thai For the three years ending June 3>. 189), T is postal ravouua amounted to #11)7,744,3 W, Eui hioh was an increase of $32,903,10) over th * iveuus for the throe years en iiu< June 3D, ?"0) S3, the Increase during the last three years axo ring more than three an I a half times s* WU, real as the increase durio i the three years pre adiag June 3), 1838. of < A wbo-esota* oaauge of polioraalous ovi aving in it much promise, as it eeerais to 4J.' ic, was begun by the law of Mar ah 3, 18)1. bee fader this Taw outracts have been made oy cp( is PostuiaaterdJsu-ral for eleven mail ma autas. The expenditure involved by these 18. ontracta for the dfct Oscal year epproxi- inc rates $915. 193.83. Ae one of the results al? p > eady reached 10 American atoacmhipi of an uic 2zregate tonnage of 6T.4.K) tous, costing 7,40.\00Q, have been built or contracted t*> 131 e built in American suipvurd*. po No subject, i think, more nearly touches in heprite, the power and the proioority ot 39i ur oountry than this of the dovoloumeot of ex >ur merchant marine upon thess*. If we tio ould enter Into oonfcreuoe with other ootn. ?;>< etttors and all would agros to withhoi i off Joveramont aid we omld perhaps take our or. ihanoss with all the rests but our greatcoat- aa Mtltor* have estabtiehel and maintaiuei du 350 *I,. Krnclpatim. In niT opinion no oholcsis Ui AMttl nut to pursue, mo brat ?ly at least, do me tamo linos. pu OUR VKVKlt I'ROQIIKSS au Tho report of the Secretary of the Navy t0l sxhibits great progress in the construction > >f our new navy. When the present Stnuv- wj tary euterod upon his duties only throe modern steel vessels wore in commission. j.p The vessels slnoe put in commission an I to J L*? put in commission during tho winter will . make a total of ID during his alministration of the Department. During thp cur- (v rent year 10 war vessoD a ?d 3 navy tugs . have beeu lauucho i. and during tho four t rears 25 vessels will U wo boon launchel. c0 L'wo otner large ship) an in torpedo boat ^ ire under contract an I the work upon thorn veil udvaucod, and tin four monitors arc iwaiting only tho arrival of their armor, ' vhich ha3 beeu unexpectedly delayed, or ,hey would have been boforc this in ooiu- : * nission. .u Contracts have been let during this ad ninistration, under tho appropriations for J ihe increase of the Navy, including now veswis and tUeir appurtetiancd?, to the amount . >f f3>,000,000, and there has been exponded luring the same perio I for labor at navy rards upon similar work $8,00 ',003 without jr the smallest scandal or charge of fraud or ? It Is Relieved that as the result of now proca->ses in th9 construction of armor plato L our later ships will be clothed with defensi ve plates of higher resisting power than ' are found in auy war vessels afloat. We .. were without torpedoes. Tests have beeu ; made to ascertain tho relative efficiency ot different constructions, a torpedo has boon adopted, and the work of ooustruc- h tion is now being carried ou sue- J. cessfully. We wero without armor- ? piercing shells and without shop in ' btructed and equipped lor the construction | of them. Wo are now malting what Is be- < Uevod to bo a projectile superior to any be- I 1 fore in use. A smokeless powder has been i /lauai/rnad nvs.l O nlnvif lllimiinty nnwHaP fflP I UD? VIVJ/U * UUVI U 01 wvv wu> f " ' ? ? gun* of largo calibre. A high explosive, cipablc of use in large shells lire! from service gun--, has been foun 1, na I the manufacture of gun cotton has been developed so that the question of supply is no longer in dou -t. THE NAVAE MILITIA. The development of a uaval militia, which ha; been organized in eight States and brought into cordial an 1 oo-ooorative relation* with the Navy, is another imoort&nt achievement. There are now enlisted iu these organizations 1810 men, and they are hkely to no greatly extended. X reaommend such legislation and appropriations as will encourage and develop this movement. work in the interior department. The work of the Interior Department, always very burdensome, has been larger th iu ever before during the a Iininistratlon | of Secretary Noble. The disability pension I law. the tak ng of the Eleventh Census the I opening of the vast areas of Indian iands to settlement, the organization o* Oklahoma, and the negotiations for the cession of Indian lands i urn is.a so no of the particulars of tbo increase! work aud the resu.ts achieved testify to the ability, lldelity aul industry of the head of the Department and his elliCient assistants. Tlio work in the lu lian Bureau, in the uxecutiou of the poiioy of rocentlagislatioii, has been largely direcced to two chief puroosa.s: First, the allotment of lands in severalty, to ( the Indians an I the cession to the iJnitod , States of the surplus lands-and, secou ily, to the work of educating the indiuu for his own protection in Ins closer contact with tlio j white mau and for the intelligent exercise of ^ his new citizenship. I have several limes j been called upon to remove Indian agents t appointed by me, aud have done so , promptly upon every sustained complaint of < uoiitness or misconduct. 1 bo.iove, how- , ever, that the Indian aorvico at thoagcncios j has heeu improved aud is now administered ( on the whole with u goo I decree of elllcieucv. If any legislation is possible by which the selection of Indian agents can be , wholly removed Iro n all partisan suggestions or consi lerations, I am sure it would ( be a great relief to the Exjcntivo aud a j groat benefit to the service. TUK SUBJECT OF PENSIONS. I Iha report of tlio Commissioner of ! Pension", to Witicii exten led notio is given by the Secretary of the Interior in his report, wiil attract great attention. Jiulge.i by the aggregate amount of work tlouo tlie last, year lias been th) greatest in the history of the ofllc \ I believe that the organization of the oltlce is offlciont, and that the work lias been done with fidelity. , The passage of what is known as the disability !? !! hi.-, ms was foreseen, very largely increased tho annual disbursements to j the disu eled veterans of the civil war. The estimate for this fiscal year was 1141,1130,000, and that amount was appropriated. A deficiency amounting to 510,* 508,Gil must bo provide! for at this session. The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year ending June 3), 18111, is flG5,0<y),i 0). The Commissioner ot Pensions boa wot that :! the present legislation an 1 tnelho Is are maiataiuod and futiier additions to the pension laws are not male, tne maximum oxpen liturefor pensions will bo reachod Juno 31,18)4, and will beat tho highest point j I88.0)).000 per aniiutk I a Ihere to the views express-ad in previous ' messages that tlu car* of the disabled sol- j diers of tiio war of tho rebel Hon is a matter of national concern an 1 duty. Perhaps no emotion coals sooner than that of gratitu le, but 1 cannot believe that this process has j yetroachol a point with our people that i wouhl sustain the po! cy oi remitting tlio I care of these disa'ilo I veterans to the inadequate agencies, provide I by io^al laws. Tne parndo on the 20th of September last unoii the streets of this cipital of sixty thousand of the surviving Union veterans of the war of j the rebellion was a most touching an 1 thrill- | ing episo ie, and the rle 1 an I gracious wo!come extends J to thom by the District of | Columbia and the applause that groeted 1 ttr-ir progress from tens of thousands of n?-> p'.e fro ii aii trie Mtates ui I much to revive ' gloriou i recollections of the grand review, \ whan these men and many thousan I others now iu th'ir graves wero wvloo.nol with J grateful joy as victors in n stru ;glo in woich i tho national unity, honor an l wealth w.-re all at issue. AORICUL.TUK.Vb DEPARTMENT W )IIK. T i? report of t io Secretary of Agriculture contains not only a most interesting ; statement of the progressive anl vilua'olj ! work done un ior the ad u hils'n* itiou of i Secretary Rusk, but many suggestions for the en'arge I us fnln?3s of this liipirtiut I) n irt lieo . in the su.css ul eifort to I break down th-? re-tricLi ?ns to tho free in- | traduction of our me it products in the j countries of Europe, tue Secretary has beeu I Iriaf from the trrt, sti-anlatf og ?od ail !? kll oUi?r Uor?roiu^Dt oOein, at home eleotooc i abroad, whose offlJal duties enabled ttdr * m to participate In toe work. oar d? he total trade lu hog products with tends ? ope in Mar, ISM, am muted to 81,030,? aanouo pounds, against 4V,v9V>00 in the same qolry, nth of ISO!; in Juue, 18J2, tha exports uoon 1 related 85,700,003 pouals, against 48, fact tl ,003 pounds in the same month of the tiou 1 vtons Tear; in July there was au increase has in i il per cent, aud in August of 55 oer cent. from a >r the corresponding months ol 1801. Over and eq XX\OO0 pounds of impacted pork base that w >n exported eiucn the law was put into plane < ration, and a comparison of tbo four that sb mtbs of May, June, July and August, qualifli i J, with the same months of 1801, show an to ever xoase in the nu uber of pouuds of our ex- ,QJ ou rt of pork product of 02 per cent., and an policy reave in value ol 6G^ per cent, he exoorte of drwsod beef increased from i - w r.yoa.O'JO pounds in lS>W to 2M,&)0.000 Where unds in lsPJ, or about 60 por cent. Dur- officer - the past year there have been exported ]Vuobt 1,0 '7 nond of live cattle a* against 202,781 wjtj, ported in 18S0. This increased exports.- been u >n has been largely prom >te i hy the iu- theap ction authorised by law and the faithlul ? crts of the Secretary and his efficient sub- UDdue .ilnates to inako that Inspection thorough j5UOh a to carefully exclude irons all cargoes oomm leased or auspeotad oaStie. u lbs requirement of the Jhrjdtsh regain- v?Jen ns that live cattle arriving from the l^ixi? llted 8t\tes tnusb be slaughtered at the suuoufc t cks had Its origin in the claim that pi euro- jaw jn euruonia existed among A uerictn cattle. ou*ed d that the exlstnnoj of the dijoaso could motel ly certainly be determined byapoar-mor* (leer a n inipiotiou. chargi IMie Department of Agriculture has labors i honor, th great nnorgy and faitbfulues* to exttr- Impre to this disease; aud, ou the 26th day of worth pteinbcr last, <t puoltc announcement wai lawlos \ le bx She Secretary that the disease no igor existed nnywhore witblu tho United -rui, atM. The vrtluo to the cattlo industry of n0Dai a Unltol States of tds achievement oan the d ir-ily bo ostimatod. Wo canno^ parhnp*, fr.,1Mrj oneo insist that this evidence shall b? ac- ftQ ea) pted ?s satisfactory by other countries; honor it if tho present exemption from tho dis- proep so is maintaine 1 and the inspection of our exhlo tt'o arriving at foreign port*, in which couut ir own veterinarians participate confirms note wo may justly expect that the requireout that our cattlo shall be slaughtered at i8 no o doc <s wilt be revoked, as the sanitary UOwei strictions upm our pork products have the ss ieu. Ifourcittlo can bo taken alivo to teriie 10 interior the trade will be enormously great creased. f,lto ( Agricultural products constituted 78.1 per mans iut. of our unprecedented exports for the na*? i ;csl year which closed Juno 80. 1603. the ital exi>orta being 1.080,978,^30, una the * ou tine of the agricultural proiucta |7i'3,- wm,i ,7,h7rt, which exceeds by more than $160,Hl.(HX) tho shipment of agricultural pro- ?a ucts in any previous year. An interesting aui a promising work for te benefit of the American farmer has een begun through agents of tha Agrlultural Department in Knropa, aud oonists iii efforts to lutroducs the various The roJuets of Indian corn as articles if human food. The high price of ye offered a favorable opportunity ,, or the experiment in Germany of souibining corn meal with rye to produce a sl, ,| cheaper bread. A talr degree of success has uiaj been attained, ahd some mills for grinding ,a.j, corn for food b'ivo been intio luee i. The secretary is ot ine opinion mat vuis now use of the product* of corn has airea ly (-'"u stimulated exportutious, and that tf dill- ?'ici gently persecuted large an 1 important mar- pos ket? can presently beopeuel for this great J American product, s.,"j It may, I think, be said without challenge * hat in no corresponding perio I has so much vv? oeen douo as during the last tour years ror wo tho benefit of Americau agriculture. pel NKbP OF NATIONAL QPAUANTINE. ()." The subject of quarautine regulations, iu- five >pcctiou and coutroJ was brought suddouly juij io iny attention by tho arrlvul at our ports njn in August last ot vosso? iniected with cholera. Quarantine regulations should be 1 uniform at all our port?. Lin for the Con- ?,u' etitution they nre plainly within the ox- by elusive Federal juris liotiou when and so far jc as Congress shall legislate. In ray opinion i tho whole subject should bo taKen into . National control and adequate power given bcr to the ?xecutive to nroteot our people cap against plague Invasions. On the 1st t)i<; of Ueptembor last I npproved regula- 01J)] tlons establishing a twenty-day quoran- . . tiuo for all vessels bringing immigrants from foreign port?. This order will be con- pro; tinued in toroe. Some loss and suffering C?r have resulted to passengers, but a due care ^ for the homes of the people justifies in such cases the utmost precaution There is ilauger that with the coming of spring cholera o* 1 will again appear, and a liberal approoria- the tion should be made at this session to enable scrti our quarantine and port officers to exclude w<)(| the oeadly plague. ... We are p.?cul(arly t-ubject iu our great ~1 1 ports to tho spread of infectious diseases by Hi tl reason of the f-st that unrestricted emigra- Tl tiou brings to us out of Europuau citlos, la ju)p( Lho overcrowde 1 steerages of great steam- .j . ships, a large number of pTsons whose surroundings make Lliern till easv victims DOU? >f the plague. This consideration, is well as those affecting the poitlcal, moral, aud industrial interests of >ur country, lead mo to renew tbo suggestion that admission to our country So and to the high privileges of its citixinship jj, should be more restricted and more careful. LVa tinVA 1 tVilrtLr o rlrrht nn I tuv.i A flllt.tf trt our own people, an i especially to our workInj? people, not only to keep out tuo vicious, the ignorant, the evil disturber, the pauper, 87, and the conlraot laborer, but to ch':ok tho jp too great flow of immigration now coining ( jV(. by lurther limitations live WORLDS KAIR PR'ORKSH. , Tho report of tho Worl s's Columbian Ex- j position has not yot been submitted. That " of tho Board of Management of the Govern- ''i.) input exhibit has been receivel and is here- bl'IO with transmitted. Tho work of construction cmj an I of preparation tor the opsaiug ui tho carr Exposition in Muy next has progressed most *' -i satisfactorily and upon a scale of liberality t . nn ! magnificence that will worthily sustain ? 0" tho honor of the United States. I lie PROTECTION KOH RAILWAY EMPLOYES. tvllt lu renewing tho recommends'ion which ' J have made in thre? preceJiug an- \v li iiua! message* that Congress should an I legislate for tho protection of railroad 0s>j.( employes against the dangers incident to the old and inadequate metuods of brak- SJ in.; an 1 coupling which are still in use ihvv upon freight train', I do so with the hops on I that this Congress may take action upon Wuii the su >ject. .Statistics furnished by the In- :|)(f terstate Commerce Commission show that . n during the vcar ending Juno JO, 1891, there witch niiierenihi yids 01 cir c iu|?or.i re p orte i to 1?h in use, nn t that during the same period there were 146)0 employes killed ari l 26,14 ?injure 1. Noariy 16 por cent, of ttie deaths occurred in the c > jpling and uncoup- y ling of cars, and over 110 p -r cent, of the injuries had the same origin. ?cri KL.ECTIOXH AND APPORTIONMENTS. I have, ineichof the throo annual raes- . sagen which it has bean my duty to submit "Hl to Congress, called attention to the evils and con dangers connected with our olection methods Mis and practice* as they are related to the choice tlir< of officer* of tho National Government. in | iny last annual massage I endeavored to in- | . vokesarioui attantion to the evil; sf unfair j apportionments for Con xrosu I cannot clost | tha this me&sigo without again calling attention , to I to these grave and threatening evils. I had j ^j,e hoped that it was possible to secure a non- * partisan inquiry,by means o a commission, ; into evi s the cxistenc > of woich is known to j ' nil, and that out o? t'vs might grow legisla- ] pos tion from which all th >ught of pirtisan a t- j p(>s vantage should be eliminate I and only the I w jj higher thou jht appear of maintaining the j . free Io n and purity of the ballot and the rqualify of the elector, without t ie guaranty 0 which the Government coul I never have | 1 een formed and without the continuanoe of . which it ean iot continue to exist in peace i and 1 ro-p 'rity. | It is time t nt inutna' charge of unfair- i ir ness an 1 frau I bet w-ei the great parties Mi should cease, and tuat the sincerity of those J jr ?~=2rS?ifs I ? impair tho oobde ooaQimwiitho f i&S ^ load result. Tb? oooassity for u Uh '< *< and for logialation by GontrsM. his subjoct is emphasise! by Um sat tds Wndaocy of tho Ugtslaa to mo States in rooess* yoaro lomo important particular* booo away Bd not toward froo and fair olooMoaa ual apportionments. If it nob time e ehoufd c.%9 together upoa the high >f pCtrio ismwvhlie wo dotloo metuodo tali o*<y*ro tho right of erory moo id by law tocait a fro* ballot an 1 giro y onoh ballot an equal value in cbooor public cfBcoro and in dirocttag too of tbo Government' AOA1KBT LTKCB LAW. leasneos u not leu such, but mora it uaurpo tho function* of tbo poaoo J and of tbo court*. Tbo froquont ng of colored peocla accusal of or!-no 1 tout the excuse wbloh baa ao netim** rgei by mobo for a failure to pursue Km tea mothoda for the punish uent e, that the accused havj an inlluonoe over oourts and juries, aole are a reproach to the unity where they occur, apd eo ^ they out he male the subject of ll jurisdiction the strnugest repressive tlon is demanded. A pu>llo eent1.hafc will sustain the oflflrer* of the resisting mobe aud in protecting ac* persons in their custoly should be proby every possible uieant. The of rho gives bis IHo lu mo urave nisi of this duty Is worthy of special No lesson nee Is to he so urgently seed upon our people n this, that no y end or cause can ho promoted by nocss. I,ANT WORDS i exhibit of the work ot tho Executive tments is submitted to Cougross and to ubllo in the bopo that there will bo in it a duo sense of responsibility and meat purpose to maintain the national ' and to promote the happiness and erlty ot all our people. And this brief it of the growth and pros >ority of the ry will give us a level iron which to the increase or decadence that new stive policies may bring to us. There reason why the national influence, r, and prosperity about I not observe une rate of iucroaae that have oherao 4 the past thirty years. We carry the impulse aud increase of these years he future. There is no reasiu why In ' lines of production we shout i not surall other nations a? w? have nlroxdy tn some. There are no near froqtisri ,r possible development. Retrogression d be a orluie. Brkjamin Harrison. native Mansion. December fl. 1802. |?^ A TEMPERANCE SQUALL. Battle in the Legislature Over Prohibition Has Opened. oi.umdia, 8. (.'.--The prohibition ,-^lc irt mi. Tho consideration of ilio ority icpott r<comiuendiug tho pas s of the < hilris l>i11. u Icnghty mens providing for the appointment of uty agents to dispense liquor aalyfov raineutul, tBOdical and scientific pules ramo up in tar House. Ir. lllease, of Newberry, moved to ke out nil that bill after the exacting ids and insert his bill which io a few y, ids, prohibits the sale of liquor uudcr mlty of a tine of from $500 to $1,0 )0, imprsoument in tho peuit ntiary from i to t?-n years for encli offence. Th 1 cnduieiita was tallied by a vote of ety o-io to tweuty-fivo. Die debate then continued several lis. The speech of tho day was mndo Representative John P. Thomas, of hlmi'l, who showed that with a liceuso fouth ( a-oliiu now bad fewer numof taxed retailed liquor dea'ers per ila of population than any Stat* iu 1'nion except A'a mna and Arkansas tho pi- hibitioii S ate of Vermont hns ty-three per cent, more saloons in portion to population thuu South olfuu. rgumcnt on the Prohibition bill was inied at nigho with vigor in the House Representatives Lawrence opened light against the meusurc, and ai2d (hat if the hill were pass d it Id entail an additional fax levy ofo .o iu Richmond county, and two mills io ciiv of Columbia, tie opponents of the bill su ceeded in ding acti >n for a time by requiring reading in full of the very voliiuiii bill and the many amendments to it. PREFERREIMJROWNING, Ho Jumped Oil' the Brook'yu ridge, But the River Patrol Would Not Let Him Drown. kw Y -iik ?Didel McClusky, aged of Roanoke, Va , jumped off the iklyn Bridge th s afternoon into the r. He wan picked up liviug by th> i nntrol and taken to the Oh unbeis H llespitil He came hero frorn Viiin last Friday. This nft?rnoo i while vas on the passenger walk of the Ige, about 200 feet from tho Brooklyn , he suddenly climbed down into the iage way. Then ho clambered on tli<* i and jumped far out iuto the air rrmcu Fcuny, Daily and Ifolan, of river patrol, were in a boat near ire McClusky struck the water, hoy rowed rapidly to the spot and n he cumc to the surface, grabbed pulled liiin into the boat. When :d why he jumped from the bridge he "They were going to hang mo I the scaffold they had built for me lie bridge. I don't know what they it to hang me for. I have done notli wrong," One of the policemen asked i if he wanted to outdo Brodie. "Yes, ' wered McClusky. A Bridge for tho Mississippi. ITabiiinoto::, D. ('. Mr Vest, Demit, of Mi sou i, I:.. .1 t.?c enmmitte on iin rcc, reported favorably n bcuute authorizing the Southern Bridge and I road Company of New Orleans, to struct and maintain a bridge over the sissippi riv. r above New Orleans, of >e unbroken spans, to be at I- nst 1,000 in length and with hut two piers in - ver and tho hi.-iiesi to be not less n 85 f et above high water; this bridge jc constructed under the direction of Secretary of War, and to he avnilablo anv of the railroads desiring its use tohm the Mississippi river, and also for itioa 's aud t Icgrnph and other purch. The bridge is to be completed liiii Ave wins of llio passago of the Tlia hill \v:?s unanimously passed. Murray WU1 Keep Hi* Seat. haui.eiton. R C.?General E. use announces that be will unil r no cumstance* contest tha seat of E W. irrny, the negro elected to Congreu m the Berenth district.