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flllil - ^ to Aria* .?? <*tht ?* , ._ ;M ? ? . ; i ' / t .: ^ ^ *. : . . * ^ ^ '^,j '" ~~- --?- ?-?' | L " '"" " ? ^ VOL. XX1II.-NEW SERIES. ^ ^ ^ ^ J _ N^' ''WilWH in nit ,jiv r-TUC UFOQAPC l!WWPP^-; President Harrison on ttie State of the Nation. THE WORK OF FOUR YEARS. Parting Discussion of Important _ Public Questions, Pension*, Elections and tho Treasury?New Mall Subsidies Urjted? Also Continued Work on the New Navy?Chief Accomplishments of the Departments. To the Senate and Hor se of Representatives' In iiihmlM.ii> " ? 1 * ?.u; auuuai message w> congress I have great satisfaction in being able to say that the general conditions affecting w the commercial aud industrial interests otr A the United States are in the highest degree* W favorable. A comparison of ths existing conditions with those 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 life were never before enjoyed by our people. The total wealth of the country In 1860 was |I6,150.616,068. In 1890 it amounted to 162.610,000.000, an increase of 287 per cent. The total miioage of railways In the United Statos in I860 was 30,620; in 1890 it was 167,741, an increase of 448 per cent; and it is estimated that there will be about 4000 miles of track added by the close of the year 1892. CENSUS FIGURES. The official returns of the Eleventh Census and those of the Tenth Census for 75 leading cities furnish the basis for the following comparisons: . , In 1880 the capital invested in manufacturing was fl.232,839,670. In 1890 the capital invested in manufacturing was 62,900.735.884. Iw 4060 tho ituaiWn- of l.mnl/\yaa 1,801,888. In 1890 tho number of employes was 8*251,134. In 1880 the wages earuel were $501,965, 778. In 1690 the wages earned were $1,221,170,454. In 1883 the value of the product was $2*711,579,899. In 1890 the value of the product was $4,800,286,887. 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 the remarkable increase thus shown. But, after making full allowance for differences of method and deducting the returns for all interests not - included in the Census of 1883, there remain In the reports from these sevonty-flve citios an increase in the capital employed of $1,522,745,634; in tho valu3 of the product of $2,<'24.236,166; in wages earned of/T677,* 943,929, and in the number of wagw-earners employed of 856.029. The wapP-oarnings not only show an increased aggregate, but an increase per capita from $fS6 in 1830 to $647 in 189) or 41.71 p?r cent.,/ The new industrial plants established since October 6, 1890, aud up toddctober 22, 1892, es partially reported in the American Economist, number 34-5, and tho extension of existing plants, 108; th4> now capital invested mounts to ?40,119,05'), and the numbei of additional employes to 37,285. The Textilp World, for July, 1892, states that during the first six months of the present calendar year 135 new factories were built, or which 40 are cotton mills, 48 knitlink 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 the Southy era States. Mr. A. B. Sheppersou, of thaNew yYork Cotton Exchange, estimates the number of working spindles in the United States on September 1, 1802, at 15,200,000, an increase of 600.000 over the year 1801. The consumption of cotton by American mills In 1801 was 2,391,000 bales, and in 1893 8,584,000 bales, an increase of 188,000 bales. From the year 1869 to 1893, inclusive, there has bsen an increase in the consumption of cotton in Europe of 03 per cent., while during the same period the increased consumption in tho United States has been abont 150 per cent. The report of Ira Ayer, special agent of the Treasury Department, shows that at the date of September 80, 1893, there were thirty-two companies manufacturing tin and terne plate in the United States and fourteen companies bull ling new works for inch manufacture. The estimated investment in buildings and plants nt the close of the flcai year, June 30, 1893, if existing conditions were to be continued, was |5,000,000, and the estimated rate of production 200,000,000 pounds per annum. The actual production for the quarter ending September B0, 1892, was 10,9 <2,725 pounds. . The report of Labor Commissioner Peck, of New York, shows that during the year 1891, hi about six thousaud manufacturing establishments in that State embraoea within the spec'al inquiry made by him, and representing 07 dilfeivnc >n lustries, there was n net increase over the year 18?e or 181.315,181.68in the va.it) of the product, and of *6.377,935.00 in the amount of wages paid. The report of the commissioner of labor for the State of Massachusetts shows that 8745 industries in that State paid 1129,4*6,248 in wages during the year 1891, against $126,03 1,303 in 180 >, an increase of 13,335,945, and that there was an increase of t9,l'3'3,490 in the amount of capital and of 7846 in the number ot persons employed in the some perioJ. During the last six months of the year 1891 and the first six months of 1892 the tola! production of nie iron was 0.710.819 tons. la against 9,20 i, 703 tons in the year 1890, which was the largest annual production ver attained. For the same twelve months of 1801-92 the production of Bessemer ingots was 8,878,581 tons, an Increase of 189,710 Hr cross tons over the previous unprecedented reariy production of 3,888.871 gross tons in I 1890. The productian of Bessemer steel rails for the first six months or 1893 was 172,438 gross tons, as against 702,080 gross Ions during the last six months of the year 1891. XXPORTS AND IMPORTS. 1|| The total value of our foreign trade (exiyigVfmerchandise) during 1 <8,"exc^d7n^^?^^7"to "ports or J?ii1'2f bT t45.797ass tu In onr cm" w" rn\rtR!fA*' TRAD" tL? v. ma uruit Lakes in itwu aggregau 28,8V),090 ton*. On the Itlasies'Ppi. Missouri anil Ohio Rivera and Inl.utu i ? in the came year the traffic agfre:atei 10,405,049 to tin, and the total v easel tonnage parsing through the Detroit Rirer during that year was 21,6S4,000 tons. The Teasel tonnage entered and cleared in the foreign trade of Ion ion during 1890 mounted to 18,480,7(57 tons, and of Liverpool 1",911,800 tons, a total for these two Nat shipping parte of S4>444,508 tons, only SWINGS Or THE PEOPLE. Another indication of the general prosperity of the country is found In the fact that the number of depositors in Barings banks increased from 603,870 in 1860 to i268,893 in 1890, an increase of 613 per oenv, and the amount of deposits from sl49,277, 504 in 1860 to $1,524,811,5)6 la 1890, an increase of 931 per cent. In 1S91 the amount of deposits in savings banks was $1,693,0/9, 749. It is estimated that 90 p?r cent, of these deposits represent the savings of wageearners. The Dank clearances for nine months ending September 30,1891,amounted to $41,049,090,808. For the same months in 1893 they amounted to $45,189,601,917, an excess for the nine months of $4,140,211,189. There has never been a time in our history when work was so abundant or when wages were as high, 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 frices of cotton nnd wheat have been low. t is one of the unfavorable incidents of asr r.culture that the farmer cannot produce upon orders. He must bow and reap in ignorance of the aggregate production of the year, and i< p eculiarly subject to the depreciation which follows overproduction. VALUE or FARM PRODUCTS. The value of our total farm produots has increased from ft.303,041,80S in 1800 to $4.500.000,000 in 1891, as estimated by statisticians. an increase of 230 r>er cent. The number of hogs January 1, 1801, was 50,625,100 and their value $210,193,925; on January 1. 1892, the number was 52,398,019 and the value $241,031,415. On January 1, 1891 the number of cattle was 30,875,648 and the value $544,127,908: on January 1, 1892. tho number was 37,651,239 and the value $570,749,155. 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 remember that there is no other country in the world where the conditions that seem to them hard would not be accepted as highly prosperous. The English agriculturist would bo glad to exchange the returns of his labor for those of the American farmer, and tho Manchester workmen their wages for those of their fellows at Fall River. A WORD FOR PROTECTIOV. I believe that the protective system, whioh has now for something more thm thirty years continuously prevailed in our legislation, has been a mighty instrument for the ueveiupmem. oi our national weiicn an i a most powerful agency in protecting the homes of our workingmen from the inva"An of wAni. I b?ro 1*14 ?a MlUitaus interest to preserve to our working people rates of wages that would not only give daily bread but supply a comfortable margin for those home attractions and family 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, loyalty and sense of interest in the Government which ui e essential to good citizenship in peace, and which will bring this stalwart throne, as in 1861, to the defense of the flag when itis 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 introduoel a new policy. We must assume that the present tariff, constructed upon the lines of protection, is to be repealed, and that there is to be substituted for it a tariff law constructed solely with reference to revenue; that no duty is to be higher because the increase will keep opeu an American mill or keep up the wages of an American workman, but that in every case such a rate of duty ii to be imposed as will bring to the Treasury of the United States the largest returns of revenue. The 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 ?nl the pledges given to the people. The tariff bills passed by the House of Representatives at the lost session were, as I suppose?even in tbe opiniou of their promotors?inadequate, and justified only by the fact that the Senate and House of Representatives were not in accord and that a general revision could not, therefore, be undertaken. I recommend that the whole subject of tariff revision be left to the incoming Congress. it is matter of regret that this work must be delayed for at least three months; for the threat of great tariff changes introduces so much uncsrtainty that an amount, 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 prosp9ctof tariff reductions ana the uuoertalnty as to when they will take effect. Those who have advocated a protective tariff can well afford to have their disastrous forecasts of a change of poiioy disapKintel. If a system of customs duties can framed that will set the idle wheels and looms of Eur op o in motion and crowd our warehouses with foreign-made goods, and at the same time keep our own mills busy; that will give us an increased participation in the "markets of the world'' of greater value than the home market we surrender; that will give increased work to foreign workmen upon products to be consumed by our people wltbout diminishing tbe amount of work to be done here; that will enable the American manufacturer to pay to his workmen from fifty to 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 foreign pro Juoer; that will further reduce the cost of article# of wear and food without reducing tbe wagea of those who produce tbem; that can be celebrated, after its effects have been realised, as its expectations have^been, io^ European as well as iu American cities, the authors and promoters of it will be entitled to the highest praise. We have had in our history several experiences of the contrasts 1 effects of a revenue and that of a protective tariff; but this generation has not felt them, and the experience of one generation is not highly instructive to the next, The friends of the protective system, with uudiminished connlonce in the principle! they have advocated, will await the results of the new experiment. IA.BOR AND TUB TARIFF. The strains 1 and too often disturbed relations existing between the employes and the employers in onr great manufacturing establishments have not been favorable to a I cam mniHw""1", *j?, SWK?.SJrtf sr-2s ' ta^SJj A*&>>m*SL^r&S* pwkm evoked by taese contacts. He may now be able to review the question in theiigbfe of his personal experience under (be operation of a tariff for revenue only. If that experience shall demonstrate that present rates of wages are thereby maintained or increased, either absolutely or in their purchasing power, and that the aggregate I volume of work to be done in this country is to be increased, or even maintained, so that there are more or as many days' work in a year at as good or batt.-r wages for the Amerioan workmen as has been the oase under the protective system, every one will rejoice. A general process of wage re luotion can not be contemplated by any patrlotto oitUen without the gravest appreuensioo. It may be, indeed I believe it is, possible for the Ami rioan manufacturer to oompete suooaesfu ly with his foreign rival in many branches of production without the defense of oroteotive duties, if the pay rolls are .y ,? ? ??? ? equalized; bat the conflict that stands w- O tweon the producer end that resqJ* and the #t distress of our working people wiflu It Is at* nt talued are not pleasant to contemplate. oc The Society of the Unemployed, now bold- 22 ing Its frequeqt an i threatening parades la cy the streets of foreign citie3. should not bo n< allowed to acquire an American domicile. tc FOREIGN RELATION'S. ,n Our relations with foreign nations are now *' undisturbed by any serious controversy. The complicated and threatening differences tl with Oermany and England relating to 0< Hamoan affairs, with England In relation to w the seed fisheries in the Bering Boa, and with cCbile growing out of tho Baltimore affair, (i( have been adjusted. a There have been negotiated and concluded n undor section 3 of the tariff law, commor- t| cial agreements relating to real procai trade 0| with the following couutrie?! Brazil, Do- ^ rainican Republic, Spain for Cuba and Puerto Rico, Guatomala, Salvador, tho German Empiro. Great Britain for certain West Indian Colonies and British Guiana, ui Nicaragua, Honduras and Austria*Hungary. tl The alarmed attention or our European bi competitors for the South American mar- ci ket has been attracted to this new Americau 01 policy and to our acquisition and their loii in of South American traije. di THE BERING SEA TBZATT. 1 A treaty providing for the arbitration of *1 the dispute botween Great Britain a United States, as to the killing of seals in the ^ Berintr Sea was concluded on the 29th o' February last. This treaty was accompanied j! by an agreement prohibiting pelagic sealing y pending the arbitration, and a vigorou is wan mo/l? ^urinrr f.Kjo coaa^n trt rfrivi* Qi out nil poaching sealers from the Bering Sea.Six naval vessels, three revenue cutters, ? and one vessel from the Fish Commission, 1 all under the command of Commander H Evans, of the Navy, were sent into the seas, 11 whicli was systematically patrolled. Some seizures were made, and it is believed that ? the catch in the Bering Sea by poachers j amounted to less than 503 seals. It is true, however, that in the North Pacific, while the seal herds were on their way to the , passes between the Aleutian Islands, a very " large number, probably 35,000, were taken. J1 The existing statutes of the United States *' do not restrain our citizens from taking seals J* in the Pacific Oc^an, and perhaps should 1 not, unless the prohibition can be extended v to I lie citizens of other nations I recom- v mend that power be given to the Presi- 0 dent, by proclamation, to prohibit the . taking of seals in the North Pacific by American vessels, in case either 66 as the result of the findings of the pc tribunal of arbitration, or otherwise, the re- of strnints can be aDpliet to the vessels of th nil countries. The case of the United States 46 for tha triHtinal /if arlilljiitiijn h?a bMQDCe* th pared with great caro and ludustry by tue of Hon. John w, Foster, and the counsel who ni represent this Government express confl- us deuce that a result substantially establish- lie ing our claims aud preserving this great re industry for the benefit of all nations will 00 be attaiued. , re CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. The controversy as to tolls upon the Wei- re Inn I f it nn I ivKinh ur rvi?aeon fix-l _ gross at tho last session by special message, tb haviug failed of adjust nout, I felt cou- i! strained to exercise tao nuthoritv conferred aj; l.y the act of July 2ii, ISD-i, ana to proclaim ^ n suspension of the free use of 8t. Marys tu Falls Canal to cargoes iu transit to norts in -p, Canada. The Secretary of the Treasury gg established such tolls as were thought to bo equivalent* to the exactions unjustly leviei or Upon our commerce in the Canadian canals. ar Ias we must suppose, the political rela- 33 tions of Canada and the disposition of the ce Canadian Government are to remain un- f changed, a somewhat radical revision of our Bj, trade relations should, I think, be made. Our relations must continue to be intimate, ai aud they saoulel be friendly. I regret to say, however, that iu many of the controversies, Jj, notably those as to the fisheries on the At- ni iautic, tho scaling interests on the Pacific, u and tho caual tolls, our negotiations with ^ Great iiritain have continuously been ,J( thwarted or retarded by unreasonable and unirien lly objections and protests from a. Canada In the matter of the canal tolls, ^ our treaty rights wore flagrantly disrepurJed. It is hardly too muob to say that al the Canadian Pacific and other railway u| lines which parallel our northern bouudary r( are sustained by commerce having either its p] origin or terminus, or both, in the United ^ 8rates. Cauadian railroads compete with 0j those of the United States for our traffic, and without the restraiats of our interstatecommerce act. Their cars pass almost with* out detentiou into and out of our territory P< There is no disposition on the part of the W people or Government of the United States P4 to interfere in tho smallest degree with the to political relations of Canada. That question is wholly w.th her own people. It is time R1 for u?, however, to consider whether, if the aT present state of things and/rend of things J* is to continue, our interchanges upon lines iD of land transportation should not be put up- ^ on a different basis, nut our entire tale- m pjudoncs o! Canadian cauals and of the St. Pj J>awrence as an out'otto the sea secured by the construction of an American canal u' around the Falls of Niagata an l the opening of ship communication between the Great L akes and one of our own seaports. bi Wo should not hesitate to avail ourselves ? of our great natural trade advantages. We 01 should withdraw the support which is given ai to the railroads and steamship lines of Can- s: ada l>y a tratHe that properly belongs to us, a; and no longer furnish the earnings which al lighten the otherwise crushing weight of the a enormous public subsidies that have been u given to them. The subject of the power of h the Treasury to deal with this master with- t< out further legislation has been under con- t sideration, but circumstances have post- ri ponnl a conclusion. It is probable that a ? consideration of the propriety of a modifies- w tion or abrogation of the article of the n Treaty of Washington relating to transit of y goods in bond is involved in any completo it solution of the question. d THE CHILEAN TROUBLE. C( Congress at the last session was kept advisod of the progross of the serious and for a time threatening differences bstwoen the U , United States and Chile. It gives me now 61 great satisfaction to report that tho Chilean Government, in a moit friendly and honorable spirit, has tendere 1 an I pai 1 as an in- d demnity to the families of tho sailors of the *' Baltimore who fvere killed and to thosa who I' were injured in the outbreak in the city of a| Valparaiso tho sum of $75,030. This has been " , accepted, not only as an indemnity for a a wrong done, but as a most gratifying evi- d deuce that tne Govornmmt of Chile rightly tl appreciates the disposition of this Govern- G inent to act in a spirit or the most absolute n fairness and frion llinesi in our intorcouse i> with that brave people. A farther a nd con- ' elusive evldono of the mutual respect and ii confidence now existing is furnish] i bv the o tl fact that a convention submitting to arbitra- n tion the mutual claims of the citissas of the t] respective Gjvermne.its lias been agreed j, upon. , TBB ITALIAN AFFAIR. The Mondly act of this Government in expreoaing to the Government of Italy iU .. rpitfobatlon and abhorrence of the lynching ; Ijj *5Stig?2&?zstrgss 15 "upport be g.von^o th?PI0,npt*nd ^ i?ssfM?8ssr ... ... ? > nveratate the m" ....strain ?very standpoint of this great n* enterprise, aud 1 hope that there may bo ,u" ! time, evon in this Cou;res<, to give to It an loip'tus that will insure the earl? completion U1" of the canal nnl secure to the United State* its proper relation to it when complete I. Rorarui< roa hilv?b. The Cougven has h*en already advised the i that the invitations o. thi< Govern usnt for put the ssssmbUng of an International Monetary ^oss 3 -"Jr. ' 1 onferenc<Xj^consid4r th* qu aft Ion of to llarged u4)( silver s ate aooapted by the itions to svvct* thoV vferie ad IresioJ. The inferenoa albeinbM at\ Brussels oa the Id ot NovaavMr au has watered upon the paslderatlon ot this i coat question. I have >e doubted, to^ hn o not taken occasion > express that -be ef, as woll in the ivltations issued (or this condoronce l in my puhUd aia?mgei<, that the ee coinage of sil ar upon au ojread iternat'ional ratio v juld grevtly promote io interest of our ni >plo and equally those ! othor nations. It is too earl? to predict hat results may b accomplish ad by tli9 inference. If anff temporary check cu alny interveuse. I I elievo that very soon amiuercial condition will oompal the now ductant Qovornnaei U to unite! with us in lis movement to sec ro the enlargement of ' the voluino ot coi to J. money needed foi fl*AnS1(S>iAn /*f fhi Viiloinneo r\f flsA twnflrl >-w V4?<uw.?vvtvu V* VU? U HJi L4C7--?3 Wl VU'J ?? VI IV* TUB TffecASURY. The report of the Secretary of the Treasry will attract ospedial Interest iu view ol le many uil9leadiag stits.uiati that have 3en made as to the stals of fia public ravines. Three preliminary facts should not ily be stated, but emphasizeJ, before lookig into details: First, thit the public sot has been reduced since March 4, 189, $239,074,200, ?annual uriug the-poriod fro n March !, 1^*5? to larch lf 1839, and thirJ, that under the exiting tariff up to December I about $93, 90,000 of revenue, w.ikm would have b>en ollectedupon import! t sugars if the duty ad been maintained, has gone into the ockets of the people aud not into the pub c treasury, as oeforr. If there are any who still think that the urplus should have ba *n kep t out of circu itlon by hoarding it in the Treasury, oi eposited in favored banks without interest mile the Government continued to pay tc hese very banks interest upon the bonds eposited as security for the deposits, or rho think that the extended pension logis?tion was a public robbery, or that th< ulies upon sugar should have been main ained, I am content to leave the argument hero it now rest-, while we wait to see irhether these criticisms will take the form f legislation. The revenues for the fiscal year endin| une 30, 1892, from all sources were $425, 3,260.32, and the expenditures for nil pur?ses were $415,953,800.56, leaving a balance 99.914,453.60. There were paid during a year upon the public debt $40,570,Of no TM ... 1Mn tU/k TM.rn.ew I. w. x uu BUi pius iu tua Aicasui j ouu 0 hank redemption fund, pawed by theaet July 14, 1890, to the general fund, furshed in large part the cash available and ed for the iiayraeuts made upon the pub; debt. Compared with the year 1891, our ceipts from customs duties fell off 843,?,241.08,-while our receipts from internal venue increased IS,334,833.13, leaving the it- low nf rnvnnns from these principal uroes 833,734,417.05. The bet loss of veaue from all sources was 833,075,971.81. Tho rovenues, estimated und actual, for e liscal 3rear ending Juno 30. 1893, are aced by the Secretary at 8403.330,350.44 ti the eXDendituros at 8401,330,353.41, owing a surplus of rocoiots over expnndires of 82,000,000. The cash balance in the oasury at the end of the fiscal year it is timate l will be 820,292,377.03. Tho estimate I reooi jte for the fiscal year iding June. 3), 1894, aro 1493,121.365.38, id the estimated appropriations 8457,261,>5.33, leaving an estimated surplus of reipts over expenditure St~f33.8 30,033.Oft. his does not inolude .any payment to the nking fund. The public confidence in the purpose and eility of tho Government to maintain tho jrity of all our money issues, whether coin : paper, inust remain unshaken. Tho do>nnd for gold in Europe and the consequent ills upon us are n a considerable degree io result of the efforts of soma of tne Euroson Governments to increase their gold sscrve. and these efforts should be met by spropriate legislation on our part. The mditions that have created this draiu of ie Treasury gold art in an important fierce political and not commercial. In view ! the fact that a general revision of our ivenue laws in the near future seem to be rotable, it would be bettor that any changes tould be a part of that revision rather than ! a temporary nature. SILVER BOUGHT AND COINED. During the last fiscal yiar the Secretary irchased uuder the aot of July 14, IBID, i,855.748 ounces of silver, and issued in kymeiit there fOr'$54^196.603 in notes. The ital purchases since the passage of the act ire been 120,419,981 ounces, and the ag agate of notes issued $116,783,590. Tho rerage price paid for silver during the year as 94 cents per ounce, the highest price bear $1.0294 July 1, 1801, an 1 the lowest $0.83 arch 21, 1892. In view of the fact that the onetary conference is now sitting and that ?conclusion has yet been reached, I with>M auy recommendation l ns to legislation ?ou this subject. ABMY REORGANIZATION DEMANDED. The repert of the Secretary of War rings again to the attention of Congress >me important suggestions as to the rergnnizatiou of the infantry and artillery rms of tho service, which his predoces>rs have before urgently presented. Our rmy is small, but its organization aould all th more bs put upon the most pproved modern basis. The conditions pon what wo have called the "frontier* ave hereto ore required the mainmanco of many small posts, but now he policy of concentration is obviously the ight one. The reorganizition and enlargelent of the Bureau of Military Information rbich the Seerotury has effected is a work he usefulness of which will become every ear more apparent. The work of building eftvy guns and the construction of coast efonses has been well begun and should be arried on without check. CLAIMS A04INST THE GOVERNMENT. The aggregate of claims pending ogaiost lie Government in the Court of Claims is normou>. Claims to the amount of uoarly I'0,000,000 for the taking of or injury to is property of per so.is claiming to be loyal ring the war are now before that court for camination. When to toese are added the a Man depredation olalms and the French eoilatlon claims an afftrror ite Is rase >? I lat is iodeod startling. In the defense of II these cises tlie Q >venr.neut is at great isadvantage.JFheclaimants have preserved ieir evidence, whereas the agents of the fovnrnment are sent into the field to rum* tags for what they cm And. The difficulty i peculiarly groat wh.*e the fact to boostabehed is the aisloyalty of the claimant durig the war. If this great threat agiinat ur revenues is to havo no other chec t oerlinly Congress shoul I supply the Departlent of Justice with appropriations ntifHlently liberal to teou.-e the beat legal talent i the defense of the3? olainn and to pursue * vague search for evidence effectively. rOSTAL AFPAIRS. The postal revenues! have increased during he last year nearty t^fOOD.OOh. The deficit er the year eidfnWu.io 3), H9J, is $849.11 less.t'ian.t1'1 dcjUionO/ of the preceding ii Tjof the present fiscal IS 40a ?Von'7 extinguished year, but a surolus of kftrlr ana Ztn, jfJo!1*r? "hOttld then be owfc^In illation* the payments l? i.J" oatraote for ocean HI aerv i, included, rhern hmi T^t ?%id?4 1590 new mall X .*ri !* " 13 ml lea- A iV ?total number of new !*?f mail ?Mlhl!$e i duri,\* th* y??r 1( kr]y ??. .. "^^ImiUio is. J The number of as of m*n^ui Purn0y* aided daring the i four y?ai.' V0 'about seventy-six millions, 1 addJUoIrVVf tweuty-one millions of sa more thafc 1 we' * operation in the 'I* COQDtrir^. {IW- ' number * poetoflioje has been In odbr375i,.?ur,,,?t,? and iurin; sast I hp to October 29 the total n W C***- M*e numbir of ofh?s yarly nine thoneaad. The number of free-delivery offlcu has been OMrly doubled lu the last four yean, hal tho number of money-order offices more than doubled within that time. For the three years ending June 31. 189?, the postal revouue amounted to $11)7,141,3 >9, whloh was an iuoreaseof $o ?,203,15 ) over the Vevenye for the three years enliug June 30, 1883, the increase during the last three years being more than three an I a half times as great as the increase during the three years ending June 3), 1888. A whoiesoyo* casuge of policy aal oua having in it much promise, as it scorns to me, was begun by the law of March 3, 1831. Under this Taw contracts have been made oy the Postmaster-General for elevon mail routea The expenditure involved by these contracts for the next llscal year approximates $9la,l'33.83. As one of tho results already reached 16 American steamships of an aggregate tonnage of 57,4)3 tons, costing $7,403,000, have been built or contracted to be built in American suipvards. No subject, 1 think, mora nearly touches the pride, the power and tba projoerity of our couutry than ttiis of the development of our merchant marine upon the sea. If we could enter Into confereuoe with other competitors and all would agree to withhold Government aid wo could perhaps take our chancss with all the rest, but our greatcompott tors have established and maintained their liuca by ( Trern?rnt *otuidios until' ytMnswrfavh practically erclulel us from ^KrUoIpetion. In my opinion no choice is r left to us but to pursue, moderately at least, the same lines. oon navar, progress The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits great progress in the construction r\t mil* nam noni7 Whan fha rvwaoAiif Q -?nno_ IV4 uui uon u??t j i ' ? u-7ii vn j |/i V4UHV Vvwiv" tary entered upou his duties only three modern steel vessels were in commission. The vessels since put in commission an I to be put in commission during tho winter will inalce a total of 10 during his administration of the Department. During tbp current year 10 war vossols a id 3 uavy tugs have been lauuc'aed, and during the four years 23 vessels will liwe been launchel. Two otaer large ships aula torpedo boat are uudor contract and the work upon them well advanced, and tin four monitors are awaiting only tho arrival of their armor, which Ua3 bean unexpectedly delayed, or they would have been before this in commission . Contraots have been let daring this administration, under tho appropriations for the increase of the Navy, including new vessels and their appurtenances, to the amount of $33,000,000, and there has been expended during the same perio 1 for labor at navy yards upon similar work $8,00J,00D without the smallest scandal or charge of fraud or partialitv. It is believed that as the result of new processes iu the construction of armor plato our later ships will be clothed with defensive plates of higher resisting power than are found in auy war vessels afloat. We were without torpedoes. Tests have been made to ascertain tho relative olflciency o! different constructions, n torpedo has been adopted, and the work of construction is now being carried on successfully. We were without armoipiercing shells and without a shop in structed and equipped lor the construction of them. We are now making what is be< Jievod to be a projectile superior to auy before in use. A smokeless powder lias been aeveiopal ana a slow burning powder for guns ot large calibre. A high explosive, cipable of use in large shells ilrel from service sun--, h is been foun 1, au 1 the manufacture of gun cotton has been developed so that the question of supply 13 no longer in dou t. THE NAVAL MILITIA. The development of a uaval militia, which has been organized in eight States aud br.ui ?bt into cordial and co-ooerative relations with the Navy, is another imoortaut achieve-aont. There are now enlisted in tho3'o organizations 18")0 men, and they aro likely to no greatly extended. I reaomuaend such legislation and appropriations as will encourage and develop this movement. WORK IS TQE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. The work of the Interior Department, always very burdens une, has been larger til in ever before during the a hninistratiou of Secretary Noble. The disability pension law, the tak ng of the Eleventh Ceasus. the opening of the vast areas of Indian lands to settlement, the orgauizatiou of Oklahoma, and the negotiations for the cession ot Indian lands turn is a so no of the particulars of the increase i work auil the resu.ts acnieved testify to the ability, fidelity aui industry of the head of the Department and bis etliCient assistants. The work in the Iudian Bureau, in the execution of the policy of recaut legislation, has been largely directed to two chief purposes: First, the allotment of lands in severalty, to the Indians an t the cession to the Uuited States of the surplus lands-and, secondly, to the work of educating the Indian for his own protection in his closer contact with the white man and for the intelligent exercise of his new citizenship. 1 havo several limes been called upon to removo Indian agauts appointed by me, and have done so promptly upon every sustaiuod complaint of uulitufss or misconduct. 1 be.ieve, however, that tho Indian sorvico at tho agencies has been improved aud is now administered on the whole with a goo I decree of i-liic* ieucy, If any legislation is possible by which the selection of Indian agents can be wholly removed iro n all partisan suggestions or consi Jerations, I am sure it would be a great relief to the Executive aud a great benefit to tho service. THE SUBJECT or PENSIONS. Tho report of the Commissioner of Pensions, to which extended notico is given by the Secretary of the Interior in his report, wiil attract great attention. Judged bv the ag {regale amount ot work done tho last year has been tbi greatest in tho history of the officr. I belicvo that the organization of the office is offloient, and thit tho work has been dono with fidelity. The passage of what is known as the disability bill has, as was foreseen, very largely increased the annual disbursements to the disabled vetyrans of the civil war. Tho estimate for this fiscil year was $141,1156,000, and that amount was appropriated. A deficiency amounting to $10,* 608,621 must bo provided for ut this session. The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year ending June 3), 1831, is $105,i)t)0,< 0J. The 1>U1U IIITSIVIKT Ul 1 cUISIOIIS Di.I'VOt tiiat it the present legislation and nietho Is ore m iinlaiuo 1 and futher additions to the doumon laws are not male, tne maximum expen liturefor pensions will lio reached Juno 8), 18)4, and will be at the highest point 18S,03t>.000 per auiiutb I adhere to tho views expressed in previous messages that thj oar# of tho disabled soldiers of the war of tho rebellion is a matter of national concern nild duty, Perhaps no emotion cools sooner than that of gratitu le, but I cannot believe that this process has yet reached a point witli our people that would sustain tho policy of remitting the care of these disable I veterans to the inadequate agencies, provide I by local laws. Tne parade on tho 20th of September last upon the streets of tins capital of sixty thousand of the surviving Union voteraus of the war of the rebellion was a moat touching and thrilling episo ie, and the rich and gracious welcome extended to thorn by the District of Columbia and the applause that greeted their progress from tens of thousands of peo pie from all the Htatos di 1 muoh to revive gloriou < recollections of the grand review, when these men and many thousand others now in their graves were w.doomed with grateful joy as victors in a stru ;gle ifc which tho national unity, honor and wealth w.-re all at issue. AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT W )RK. T i3 report of too Secretary of Agricul tu.o contains not only a most interesting statement of the progrewlva an t valuahl 1 work don9 under the administration of Meoretary Rusk, hut many suggestions for the enlarge I us >fulnset of this innirtuit D'pirtnen . fn the sucoce* til elrort to break ilown the re unctions to the free introduction of our ineit product* in the oountriea of Uurope, the Secretary has been untiring from the first, stimulating and aidlug all other Government officers, at home and abroad, whose official duties enabled them to participate in the work. The total trade iu hog products with Europe in May, 1803, am-united to 8J.0J0,* UOJ pounds, against 4 5,00"). '00 in tho same month of IS9I; in Juue, 1831, the exports aggregated 85,700,001 pounds, against 46,600,CO) pounds in the sumo month of the previous year; in July there was au increase of 41 per cent, and in August of 55 oer cent, over the corresponding months ot 1801. Over 4j.000.000 pounds of iuspectel pork have been exported since the law was put into operation, and a comparison of tue four months of May, June, July and August, 18) J, with the same months of 1891, show an increase in the nu uber of pounds of our oxp >? of pork product of (32 per cent., and au increase in value oi 6t)V? per cent. he croorts of dressed hoof increased fro-u 137,903,010 pounds iu 1S>!? to 223,5)0.OK) pounds in 1591, or about 69 per ceut. Durin tho past year tbere have been exported 391,0 >7 nead of live cattle as against 205,789 exported in 1&S9 This increased exportation has been largely prom >ie t by the inspection authorised by iaw aud the faithCul efforts of ttio Secretary and his efficient subordinates to make that inspection thorough nod to carefully esolule trom all cargoes diseaso-l or suspected cattle. Tho requirement of tho English regulations that live cattle arriving from the United States must bo slaughtered at tho docks had its origin in the claim that pleuro pueamonia ousted among Aueric in cattle, and that tho exist9nca of the disease coull only certainly bo determined by a post-mortem inspection. The Department oj^griculture has lahore 1 with great onorgy and faithfulness to extirpate this disease; and, ou tho 3Gth day of September last, a public announcement was ma do by she Secretary that the disease no longer existed anywhere within tho United tjtates. The value to the c.attio industry of the United States of tela aohievemont can hardly be estimated. Wo cannot, p9rhapa, at once insist t hat this evidence shall bo accepted as satisfactory by other countries; but if tho present oxomotion from the disease is maintaine 1 and the inspection of our cattle arriving at foreign ports, in which our own veterinarians participate, cendrms its eve may justly expect that the requirement that our cattle shall be slaughtere 1 at the docts will be revoked, as the sanitary restrictions upon our pork products have boeu. Ifourcittle can be taken alive tho interior the trade will be enormqr/C-y increased. <' Agricultural products constituted 78.1 per ceut. of our unprecedented exports for the fiscal year which closed June 30. 1893, the total exports being $1,030,378,030, and the value of the agricultural products $7.?3,717,670, which exceeds by more than $150,000,000 the shipment of agricultural products in any previous year. An interesting aui a promising work for the benefit of the American farmer has been begun through agents of the Agricultural Department in Earops, aud consists in efforts to introducs the various products of Indian corn as articles of human food. The high price of rye offered a favorable opportunity for the experiment in Germanv of combining coru meal with rye to produce a cheaper bread. A lair degree of success has beeu attained, and some mills for grinding corn for food have been lutro luced . The Secretary is of the opinion that this new use of the products of corn has airealy stimulated exportations, and that if diligently Dersecuted largo anl Important markets can presently be opened for this great American product, it may, I think, be said without challenge that iu no car res ponding period has so much '.oeii done as during the -use tour years lor tho benefit of American agriculture. NBKl) or NATIONAL QITAUANT1NE. The subject of quarantine regulations, inspection and coutrol was brought su ldeuly to my attention by tho arrival at our ports in August last ot vesse a iniected with cholera. Quarantine regulations should oo uniform at all our ports. Lin ier the Constitution they are plainly within the exclusive Federal juris lictiou when and so far as Congress shall legislate. In my opinion the whole subject should bo taken into National control and adequate power given to the Executive to protect our people against plague invasions. On the 1st of September last I approved regulations establishin; a twenty-day quarantine for all vessels bringing immigrants from foreigu ports. This order will be continued in torce. Some loss and suffering have resulted to passengers, but a due care for tho homes ot the people justifies in such cases the utmost precaution There is dau K<=i uiai njiu mo cumiu{( <>[ spnuj cooiera will again appear, aa 1 a liberal approoriation should be made at thin session to euable oar quarantine ani port officers to exclude tbe deadly plague. We are peculiarly t-ubject iu our great porta to tho spread of infectious diseases by reason of tho fact that unrestricted emigration brings to us out of European cities, in the overcrowded steerages of great steunships, a large number of persons whose surroundings mase them th i easv victims of tbe plague. This consideration, as well as thoso affecting the political, moral, and industrial interests of our country, lead me to renew tbo suggestion that admission to our country and to tho high privileges of its oitiz ;ashi;> should be more restricted and more careful. We have, 1 think, a right an I owe a duty to our own people, and especially to our working people, not only to keep cu* the vicious, the ignorant, the evil disturber, the pauper, and the contraot laborer, but to check tho too great flow of immigration no w coining by lurtber limitations WORLD'S FAIR PR'ORKSS. The renartof tho Worl ?'s Columbian Exposition has not yet beeu submitted. That of the Board of Management of tho Government exhibit has been receivel and is herewith transmitted. Tho work of construction an I of preparation for tho opening of tho Exposition in Muy next has progressed most satisfactorily anil upon a scale of liberality nn I magnificence that will worthily sustain the honor of the Un.teil States. PROTECTION FOR RAILWAY EMPLOYES. | In renewing the recommendation which i J have made in tlire.) prece ling annua! messages that Congress should legislate for tho protection of railroad employes against the dangers incideut to the old and inadequate metaods of braking and coupling which are still in uso u.ion freicrliL ti-mrw I rlo will. that this Congress may take action upon the *u >ject. Statistics furnished by the Interstate Commerce Commission show that during the year ending Juno 30, 1S91, there were 47 different styles of car couplers reported to bo in use, an I that during the same l>erio l there were U6 K) employes killed and i!6,14) injure I. Nearly 10 per cent, of the deaths occurred in the ojp.'ingand uncoupling ot' cars, and over 30 p?r cent, of the injuries had the same origin. elections and apportionments. I have, in eich of the three nnnual messages which it has bean my duty to submit I to Congress, called attention to the evils and dangers connected with our election methods and practice* as they are related to the choice I of officers of the National Government. In I my last annual massage I endeavored to in!v<iUeseriou; attention to the evils of unfair apportionments for Congros*. I cannot close this message without again calling attention to these grave and threatening evils. I had hoped that it was possible to secure a non, partisan inquiry,by means o a commission, | {nto evi s the existoncs of wnich is known to | nil, Alia mm out ui t-us uii^ui grow legislation from which all tli >o ;!it of pirtisan adv.uitago should I)? eliminate I and only the higher thoujlit appear of maintaining the free to:n unii pvtrity of the ballot auu the equality of the eleotor, without the guaranty o. which the Government coui I never have Keen formed and without the continuance of which it cannot continue to exist in peace and prosperity. It ia timo toat inutua1 cbarg >s of unfairness and frau I betwie.i the great parties should ciase, an I that the sincerity of those who profess m desire for pure and honest elections ahould be brougbc to tha teat of their willin<ness to fraw our legislation and our alaotion methods from everth nz that tends to impair the public coafl ienoa in tha auuounced result. Tbe nocsssity for an inquiry, and for legislation by Gontress, uoon this subject is emphasized by tbe fact that tbe tendency of the legislation in soma States in recant yeara has in soma important particulars been away from and not toward free and fair elections and equal apportionments. Is it not time that wo should come together upon the high plane of patriotism whiie we devise metnods that shall secure the right of every man qualified by law to cast a free ballot an I give to every such ballot on equal valu*? in choosing our public officers and in directing toe poucy of tbe Government' AGAINST LYNCH LAW. Lawlessness is not. Jess such, but more, where it usurps the functions of tha peace officer aud of the courts. The frequent lynching of colored peoile accused of crime is without tho ezcuM which has so netim"* be?n urged by mob# for a failure to uursua the appoiuted method# for the punish uent of crime, that the accused hxvo an undue Influence over courts and juries. Such acta are a reproach to the community where they occur, and so ,? far as they can be ma i* the subject of Feleral jurisdiction tho strougest repressive legislation is demanded. A puolic sentiment that will stistaiu the oflt :?rs of the law in resisting mobs aud iu protecting accused persons in their custoiy should be promoted by every possible means. The offleer who gives his life iu tho bravo discharge of this duty is worthy of special honor. No lesson nee is to he so urgently impressed upon our people as this, that no worthy end or cause can ha promoted by lawlessness. past words. This exhibit of the work ot the Executive Departments is sub.uitto 1 to Cougross and to the public in tha hope that there will bo found in it a duo sense of responsibility an 1 an earnest purpose to maintain the national honor and to promote the happiness and prosperity of all our people. Aul this brief exhibit of the growth and prosperity of the country will givo us a level Iro n which to note tne increase or decadence that new legislative policies may bring to us. There is no reason why the national influence, power, and prosperity shout l uot observe the same rate of increase that have characterized the past thirty years. We carry the f reat impulse aud increase of these years nto the luture. There is no reason why in many lines of production we shou! I uot sur- ^ pass all other nations as wj have already done in some. There are no near frontier* to our possible development. Retrogression would be a crime. bekjauix harrdsox. Executive Mansion. December 6. 1802. A TEMPERANCE SQUALL. The Battle in the Legislature Over Prohibition Has Opened. Columbia, S. C. - The prohibition stnugle is on. The consideration of (he majority lepoit r< commending the paMojo of lite i hilds bill, a lengbtv me.as uro pr >vi ling tor the appointment of county agents to dispense liquor only l"i sacramental, medical and scientific purposes came up in t ic House. Mr. 13lease, of Newberry, moved to strike out all that bill after the ex cting words and insert his bid which in a few T words, prohibits the sale of liquor under penalty of a fine of from $-500 to $1,0 i0, or impr.soument in the peuit utiary front live to ten years for each offeuce. Th' amendments was tabled by a vote of ninety o-ic to tweuty-fivc. The debate then continued several hours. The speech of the day was mado by Repre-cti ativc Johu P. Thomas, of Richland, who showed that with a license law So.itli Ca-olin-t now had fewer number of taxed retailed liquor dea era petcapita ci population t >an any State in the T'nion except A'a araa and Arka- sas and tho pr hibition S ate of Vermont bus thirty-three per cent, more saloons in proportion to population than Sju:1i C?roliuu Argument on the Prohibition bill was resumed at nigh: with vigor in the House of Representatives Lawrence opened the tight agtinst the measure, and atserted that if the bill were pass d it would entail an additional tax levy of o' ? ~ mill iu Rirhuioud county, and two mills " in the city of Columbia. The opponents of the bill su cecded in impeding arti .n for a time by requiring th reading in full of the very voluminous bill an I the many amendments to it. PRERERRh:il),,L)llOWNiNG. So Ho Jumped Off the Brook yu Bridge, But the River Patiol "Would Not Let Him Drown. NiiW Y kk ?Di iiel McCluskv, aged 37, of Roanoke, Va , jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge th s afternoon into the liver. He was picked up living by til river patrol and taken to the Chonbcts Street llespitd lie came hero from Virginia last Friday. This nfternoo i while lu was on the passenger walk of the bridge, ubout 'J00 feet from the Brooklyn end, he suddenly climbed down into the carriage way. Then lie clainbercd on tinrails and jumped far out iuto the air Policemen Fcuny, Daily and llolnn, o( J the liver patrol, were in a boat near where McClusky struck the water. They vowed rapidly to the spot and I \\ li u he funic to the surface, grabbed ! an i nulled liiin into the bout. When n?k?d why lie jumped from the bridge h< said: "They were going to hang me I saw the scaffold they had built for me on the bridge. I don't know what the\ want to hang me for. I have done noth ing wrong," One of the policemen asked him if he wanted to outdo Brodie. "Yes, ' ; answered McClusky. A Bridge for the Mississippi. Washington, D. < >f Vest, Democrat, of Me sou i, i:o .1 t..c committe on comm rcc, reported favorably a bcuule bill authorizing the Southern Bridge and Railroad Company of New Orleans, to /?nnch iif?J otwl mninlain n hriflcrn Atmr fhn Mississippi riv r above New Orleans, of three unbroken spans, to be at ! nst 1,000 I feet in length and with but two piers in the v ver and the hi.host to be not less ! than 85 f et above high water; this bridge to be constructed under the direction of the Secretary of War, and to be available for any of the railroads desiring its use to cross the Mississippi river, and also for posttoa's ami t tcgraph and other purposes. The bridge is to be completed within live rears of the passage of the act. The bill was unanimously passed. Murray WU1 Keep Hit Seat. | Chaki.bston, 8. C.?Oeneral ?. W | Moise announces that he will unci -r no ircuinstanoes contest tin sent of E W. Murray, the negro elected to Congress i frem the Seventh district. i , *il. r>'i5v, ifii^iHiniSI