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VOL. VII. CONGRESS tlM'K AGAIN. Opening of the National Halls of Legislature. The President Message Given on tho Second Day. Washington, D. C. -Tho final session of the Fifty-second Congress opened nt noon and with probably a brief iutcrmission for Christmas will imm its unilncrniptcd course till the 4th ?f Match, next, wheu a now Congress and a new administration will come iuto existence simultaneously. ^ In the Senate chaplain Butler offered prayer, nud after organizing and acting upon s?mo minor matters adjourned. Judge Crisp, in the House presided over a bustling aud some.what hilarious crowd. Chaplain MilbUru rendered a fervent prayer, 221 members answered to their names, and after a session of one hour and 40 minutes, adjourned. THE MESSAGE. To the Senate and IL . $c of Representatives: In submitting my annual message to Congress I havo great satisfaction in being nblo to say that tho general c m litions affecting the commercial an I induitrial interests of the United States arc in tho highest degree lavorabie. A comparison of tho existing conditions with thosj of tho most fuvored period iu the history of tho country will. I believe, show th it so high a degree of prosperity and so general a diffusion of the comforts of iifo were never before enjoyed by our people. Tho total wealth of the country in I860 was $16, 169.616,063. in 1S90 it amounted to 102,010,<>00,000, an increaso of 287 per cent. The total mileage of railways in the Uuited Stnte3 in 18dJ was 89,620; in 1893 it was 107,711, an increase of 448 per cent; and it is estimated that there will be about 4000 miles of trac't added by the close of the year J892. CENSUS FIGURES. The ofilchl returns of the Eleventh Census an 1 those of the Tenth Census for 75 leading cities furnish the basis for tho following comparisons: In 1880 tho capital invested in manufacturing was $1 232,839,070. In 1830 the capital invested iu manufacturing was $2,930,735,884. In 1833 tho number of employes was 1,301,888. Iu 1693 tho number of employes was 2,251,131. In 1880 tho wages earnol were $531,965, 778. In 1893 the wage3 oarne 1 were f 1,231,170,454. In 188 > the value of the pro luct was 62,711.650.899. In 1890 the va'tio ot the product was $4,* 860,'280,837. 1 am informed by the Superintendent ot the Census that the omission of certain industries in 1889, which were incluiod in 1899. accounts in part for t.he remarkable increase thus shown. But, after making full allowance :or differences of method and deducting the returns for nil interests not included in the Census of 188 >, there remain in the reports from these sevoiity-llve cities an increase in the cipital employed of f 1,5:2,14 ">,0)4; in tho vulu ; of the product nf 12,( 24,230,100; in wages earned of $G?7,943,921), an 1 in 'ho number of wage-earners employed of 8 >0,029. Tho wage-earnings not only show an increased aggregate, but nn increase p r capita from $330 in L8S0 to |541 in 1891 or 41.71 per cent. The new industrial plants established sinoo October)), 1890, and ii|> to October 92, 1892, as partially i\ ported in tho American Economist, number 345, and t >o extension of existing plants, 18; the new capital invested amounts to 10,419,05 ), and the mnnbei of additional employes to 3T,'J35, Tho Textile World, for July, 1892, states -t ? - - > <: iii.-vam iliuiltllliui IIIO prCSrnt calendar year 135 new factories woro built, o~ wbic'i 40 are cotton mills, 48 knitting mi lb", 3* > woolen mills, 15 silk mills, 4 p'.inh tndls and 2 linen mills. Of tlie 40 cotton mills31 Irivo been built iu tbo Southern States, Mr. A. It. Shepperson, of the New York Cotton Exchange, estimates the uumI er of working spindles in the United States on September 1, 18111, at 15,2)0.000, bu increase of (JOJ.OCO over tin year 1831.Tbo consumption of cotton by American mills in 1331 was 2,33 J,000 bales, ami in 185)2 8,584,000 bales, an in 'ra ise of 183,000 bales. From the year 1883 to 1803, inclusive, thero lus been an increase in the consutuplion ot cotton in Europe of 93 per cent., while durine; tlio same period tha increased consumption in tbo United Ntntes has been about 15) per cent. The report of Ira Ay er, special agent of the Treasury Department, shows that at the date of Eepte nbor 30, 189), there were thirty-two companies manufacturing tin and tome plate in l lie United States and fourteen companies Lull ling new works for such manufacture. The estimated invest* ment in buildings and plants at tbo close of the lical year, June 3), 1893, if existing conditions were to lie cintinue I, was 15,000,000, and the estimated rato of production 200,000,000 pounds per annum. The actual production for the quarter ending. September B0, 1802, was 10,0 >2,725 pounds. Tho report of Dabor Commissioner Pock, of New Yorlr, shows that during the year 1801, in about six thousnud manufacturing establishments in that Ntato embracocl within the spee d inquiry mudeby him, and ?w?i ivcviiiillft V# Ulll Wl VU V 'II.IU31HU9, IUUIU wnnM not increase over th-> year 18?/ ot' 131,315,13 >08 in tlio va u) of tho product, nd of <6 37/,931.09 in tlio amount of wagon [mid. Tho report of (ho co mnissionur of abor for tuo State of Massachusetts shows that <H715 industries in that Stato nni I 11*49,4 6,248 in wi^cs during tho ytar 1891, gainst $126,08 1,3)3 in ISO), an increase of 13,835,945, ami tliat there was an increase Df #9,233.490 in the timount of capital and of 7340 in the number ot persons employed in tho same perio I. During tho last six months of tho year ' I#9l an i the first six months of 1893 tho to| tal pro.luotion of pig iron was 9,710,819 tons, ' as against 9,303,703 tons in the year 1890, which was the largest annual produ dion ever nttamrd. For the same tsvolve months of 1891- 9*3 the pro iuction of Bessemer ingots was 3,878,581 tons, an increaso of 189,710 gross tons over the previous unprecedented yearly production of 3,088,871 gross tons in 1890. Tho production of Bessemor steel rails for the first h>x months ot 1893 was 172,431 grot's tons, as against 703,030 gross tons during the last six months of the year 1891. EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, The total value of our foreign trade (exfiorts and imports of merchandise) during he last fiscal year was % 1,857,980,610 an increase of #128,383,604 over the provlous flscal year. The valuo of our exports during the fiscal tear lb00 reache 1 the highest figure in the istopy of the Government, amounting to U, 03(^278,148, exceeding by #I4">,797,838 the is. txporte of 1891 and oxejedlog the value of the imports by #203,875,030. " COASTWISE AND IN TEKNATj TRADE. I III our coastwise tra le a mo.st enojuragIng development is in progress, there having bo n in tho Inst four yenrs an increase of 16 percent. In internal commerce the statistics how that no such period of prosperity has ever be ore ex ste.1. The freight carried in tho coastwise ir.i le o' tho Great Lakes in 1890 nggregai ^ 28,293,959 ton-!. On the Mississippi. Missouri and Ohio Rivers and Irihutu i s in the same year the traffio agfi erate i '.9,405,04'i tons, and the total vearel tonnage passing through the Detroit River during that year was 21,6)4,000 tons. The vessel tonnage enteral and cleared in the foreign trade or Lin Ion during 1890 amounted to 18,480,76? tops, and ofXiver-' pool 1",911,800 tons, a total for these two great shipping port* of 24,442,563 tons, only ill ??ri_:?lj jlt r-rrrr,'.'.rm lightly in excess of the vessel tonnage passing through the Detroit Uiver. 8WINGS OF TUK PEOPLE. Another indication of the general pros perity of tbe country is found iu the fact that tlie number of depositors in savings banks increased from 003,870 in 1S6) to 4,853.803 in 1890, an increase of 513 per cent, and the amount of deposits from *149,877, 504 in 1800 to $1,584,811,5)6 in 1890, au increase of 911 por cent. In 1891 the amount of deposits in savings banks was 81,633,079, 749. * It is ostimnted that 93 p?r cent, of these doposits renreseut the savings of wageearners. The bank clearances for nioo months ending 8'epte nber 30, 189X,amouuted to *41,049,390,808. For the same months iu 1893 they uiuouuted to 845,189,601,947, an excess for the nine months of $4,140,811,139. There has never been a time in our history when work was so abundant or when wages wt re as high, whether measured by the currency in which they are paid or by their power to supply tho necessaries and comforts of life. It is true that tho market prices of cotton an 1 wheat have beeu low. It is onoof the unfavorable incidents of agr.culture that tho farmer cannot produce upon orders. Ho must sow and reap in ignorance o* tho aggregate production of the year, an I i ; peculiarly subject to the depreciation which follows overproduction. VALUE OF FAUM PRODUCTS. The value of our total farm pro lucts has increased from 81,303,<140,869 in 1860 to $4,500,(XX),000 in 1891, as estimated by statisticians nn iiiPi'Piafl nf 210 ner cent. Tim number of hogs January 1, 1831, was50,6:35,- I 106 nnd their value $210,193,925; on January 1. 1893, the number was 53,398,01'J an I the Tftluo $241,081,415. On January 1, 1891 the number of citt'n was 36,875,618 an I tho value $541,127,908; on January 1, 1893. the number was 37,651,239 and the value $570,749,155. If any are discontontel with this state here; if auv 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 accepted as highly prosperous. The English agriculturist would be gla t to exchange the returns of his labor for those of the American farmer, an 1 tho Manchester workmen their wages for those of their follows at Pall River. A WORD FOR rnOTECTIOV. I believe that the protective system, which has now for something more th in thirty years continuously prevailed in our legislation, has been a mighty instrument for tho development of our national wealth and a most powerful agency in protecting tho homes of our workingmm from the invasion of want* I have felt a most solicitous interest to preserve to our working people rates of wages that would not only give daily bread but supply a comfortanlo margin for those homo attractions an I family comforts an I enjoyments without whicu lifo is neither hopeful nor sweet. They are American citizens?a part of the great people for whom our Constitution and Government were framed ami instituted? and it canuot be a perversion of tlmt Constitution to^so legislate as to preserve iu their homes tho comfort, indopeudenc?, loyalty and sense of interest in tho Government which are essential to good citizenship in peace, and which will bring this stalwart thron \ as in 1861, to the defense of tho flag when it is assailed. It is not my purpose to renew hore the argument in favor of a protective tariff. The re:-ult of the recent election musk be accepted as having introduce! a now policy. Wo must assume that the present tariff, constructed upon tho lines of protection, is to bo repealed, and that there is to bo substituted for it a tariff law constructed solely with roference to revenue; that uo duty is to be higher because tho increase will keep open an American mill or keep up the wagos ot an American workman, but that in every case such a rate of duty i; to lie imposed as will bring to the Treasury of tho United Stiles the largest returns of revenue. The contention has not been between schedules, but between principles, and it would be offensive to suggest that tho prevailing party will not carry into legislation the principles advocated by it i.n 1 tho nln Itynu orivAn tn tliA nftfinlA Tlift tAi'ifl* hilla passe I by the House of Representatives at the last session were, as I suppose?even in the opinion of their proinotors?inadequate, and justiiioi only by the fact that the Senate anil House of Representatives wore not in accord and that a generul revision could not, therefore, be undertaken. I recommend that the whole subjeet of tariff revision be left to the incoming Congress. It is matter of regret that this work must be delayoi for at least three month*; for the throat of groat tariff changes introduces so much uncertainty that an amount, not easily estimate!, of businoss 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 ma'ko cautious orders for foreign goods in view of the prospect of tariff reductions ana the uncertainty a9 to when they will take effect. Those who have a ivocntod a protective turiff can well afford to have their disastrous forecasts of a change of policy disappointe I. If a syste n of customs duties can be framed that will sot the idle wheels and looms of Europe 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 homo market we surrender, that will give increased work to foreign workmen upon products to be consumed by our people without diminishing tho amount of work to be done here; that will enable the American manufacturer to pay to his workmen flrom fifty to a hundred por cent, more in wages than is paid in the foreign mill and yet to compote in our inarkot and foreign markets with tho foreign pro lucer; that will further reduce tho cost of articles of wear and food without reducing the wages of those who {iroduoo thorn; that can bo celebrated, after ts effects have been realized, as its expecta tions havOjbeon, in^ European as well as in American cities, the authors and promoters of it will be entitled to tho highost praise. We have had in our history several experiences of the contrastol effects of a revenue and that of a protective tariff; hut this gonoration has not folt theui, and the exporiouco of one generation is not highly instructive to the next. The friends of the protective system, with undiminished confi lence in the principles they have advocated, will await the results of the new experiment. IjABOH AND TIIK rAnrrr. The stra no I an l too often disturoad relations existing between the oinployos and the employers in our great manufacturing establishments have not boon favorable to a calm consideration by the wage earner of theeffeot upon wazes of tho proteotive system. The facte that his wages wore the highest paid In like o.alllugs in the world and that a maintenance of this rate of wages, in the absence of proteotive duties upon the produob of his labor, was Impossible, were obscured by tho passion evoked by these contests. He may now be able to review tho question in the light of his personal experience under the operation of a tariff for revenue only. If that experience shall demonstrate that pros ent. rates of'wage* are tboroby maintained or increased, either absolutely or in their purchasing power, an I that the aggregato volume of work to be done in this country is to be increase 1, or even maintained, so that there are more or as many days' work in a year at as good or batt;r wage's (or the American workmen as has been the case under the protective system, every one will rejoice. . A general process of wage re Juctlon can not be oonteinplated by any patriotiQ citizen without the gravest apprehension. It may be, indeed I believe it is, possible for the Am rican manufacturer to compete suooossfu ly with his foreign rival in many branches of production without the defenso of nroteotive duties, If the pay rolls are "Be True to Yo> CONWAY, s. equalized; but the conflict that stands be* tween tho producer and that result and tho distress of our working peoplo when it is nttainod are not pleasant to contemplate. The Society of the Unemployed, now holding its frequsqt an I threaten! ngvparades in the streets of foreign cities^ should not bo allowed to acquire au American domicile. FOnEION RKLATIOSS. Our relations wituroroiRn nations aro now undisturbed by any serious controversy. The complicated and threatening differences with Uermauy and England relnting to Sauioan affairs, with England iu relation to the seal fisheries in the Bering idea, and with Coile growing out of the Baltiuioro affair, have beeu adjusted. There haveneen uogotiatoI and concluded under sectiou 3 of the tariff la w, comuierciul agreements relating t.) reciprocal trade with the following countries: Brazil, Dominican Rapubllc, Spain for Cuba and i'uerto Rico, Guatemala, Salvador, the Gorman Empire. Great Britain for certain West Indian Colonies an I British Guiana, Nicaragua, Hon (urasand Austria- Uuugary. Thenlarmol attention of our European competitors for tlio South American market has been attracted to this new Americm policy and to our acquisition and their lois of South American trade. THE BERING SEA TREATY. A treaty providing for the arbitration of the dispute Between Groat Britain an I tli United States as to tlio killing of seals in tinBering Sea was concluded on the 29th o February last. This treaty was nccompanio by an agreement prohibiting pelagic sealitt pending the arbitration, an I a vigorou W4Q mode 'Inpinrr i|iic ?ao?A?? (Jpiv? out nil poaching sealers from the Bering Sea.Six naval vessels, throe revenue cottars nn I on i vessel from t'10 Fish C xumission, nil under tho^ command of Commander Evans, of the Navy, were sent Into tbo seas, which was systematically patro'lei. Some seizures were made, and it is believed that the catch in the Bering Sea by poachers amounted to less than 503 seals. " It is true, however, that in the North Pacific, while tho seal herds were on their way to the passes between the Aleutian Islands, a very lnr.;e number, probably 35.000, were taken. The existing statutes of the United States do not re-train our citizens from taking seal-* in the Pacific Oc an, and perhaps should not, unless tho prohibition can bo oaten led to the oitizuis of other nations I rooomin n I Hint power be given to tho President, by proclamation, to prohibit the taking of seals in tho North l'aoilic by American vessels, in caso either as tiie result of tho findings of the tribunal of arbitration, or otherwise, the re str lints can bo nnpiio 1 to the vessels of nil countries. The caso of the United State? for the tribunal of arbitration lias been prepared with great earn and industry by the Hon. John \V. Foster, an I the counsel who represent this Government express eontldenco that a result substantially establishing cur claims and preserving this great industry for the benefit of all nations will be attntne I. CANADA AND THE UNITE'.) STATES. The controversy as to tolls upon the Weilan 1 Canal, which w.u presontol to t'on? gross at t lie last session I?y special mossigo, having lailel of a Ijust nonl, I felt eonsir line 1 to i-xerciso tUo authoritv conferral by the act of July 2d, 18'Ji, and to prociai n a suspension of tho free use of St. Marys Falls'Canal to cargoes in transit to norts in Canada. The ."Secretary of tho Treasury established such tolls a* were thought to ha equivalent to the exnetious unjustly lovio 1 u ><m our commerce in the Canadian canals. I , as wo must suppose, tho political relation* of Canada and tho disposition of. the Canadian Government are to remain unchanged, a somewhat radical rovision of our trade relations should. 1 think, bo made. Our relations must continue to bo intimate, and they s iould bo friendly. 1 regret to say, however, tiiat in many of the controversies, notably those as to the fisheries on tho Atlantic, tho sealing interests on tbo Pacific, and tbe canal tolls, our negotiations with Great Britain have continuously been thwarted or retarded by unreasonable and unfrien lly objections and protests from Canada In tho matter of tho oaual tolls, our treaty rights Wert) flagrantly disregarded. It is hardly too much to say that the Canadian Pacific an l other railway lines which parallel our northern boundary are sustained by commerce haviug either its origin or terminus, or both, in tbo United 8 rates. Canadian railroads compete with those of the United States for our traffic, and without the restraints of our interstate commerce uci. i uen cji? puss uhuvsv wiuuout detention into and out of our territory i'hero is no disposition 011 the part of tlio people or Government of tlio United States to intopfcre in the smallest degree with the political relations of Canada. That quistiou is wholly with her own people. It is time for u-, however, to consider whether, it the prosent state of things and trend of things is to continue, our interchanges upon liues of land transportation shoul I not Via put upon a different basis, an I our out re in iopmdence o ' Canadian canals and of the St. Lawronce as an outlet to tlio sea secured by the construction of an American canal around the Kills of Niagaia and the open* inn of ship coainninication between the Groit L ikes and 0111 of our own seaports. Wo should not hesitate to avail ourselves of our great natural trade advantages. We should withdraw the support which is given to tno railroads an I steamship liues of Canada by a trafile that properly belougs to us, and 110 longer furnish the earnings which lighten the otherwise crushing weight of the enormous public subsidies that have been given to thorn. The subject of the power of the Treasury to deal with this matter without further legislation lias boon under consideration, but circumstances have postponed a conclusion, it is probable that a consideration of the propriety of a modification or abrogation of the article of the Treaty of Washington relating to transit of goods in bond is involve I in any complete solution of the question. TilK CH1LSAN TROUBf.B. Cougress at the last session was kept advisod of the progrossof the serious and for a time threatening differences between the United States and Chile. It gives ine now great satisfaction^ report that the Chilean Govermn jut, in a most friendly and honorable spirit, has tendoro I an 1 pai l as an indemnity to the families of the sailors of the Baltimore who fvere killed and to those who W;?ra injured in the outbro i'.< in tlio city of Valparaiso the sum of $73,010. This has been accepted, not only as an indemnity for a wrong done, but as a most gratifyiu g evidence that the Governin nit of Chile rightly appreciates the disnoiition of this Government to act in a spirit of the most absolute fairness and frieii llinisi in our intercouso with that bravo people. A further a nd conclusive ovidonoo of the mutuil respect and confidence now existing is furnish:> i by the fact that a convention submitting to arbitration tbe mutual claims of the citizms of tho respective Governments has boon agree I upon. TUB ITALIAN AFKA III. The friondly act of this Government in expressing to the Government of Italy its reprobation nnd abhorrence of the lynching of Italian subjects in New Orleans, by the payment of 13>,000 franos, or $M,.'O0.03, was accepted by tho King of Italy with every manifestation of gracious appreciation, and the incident has boon highly promotive of mutual rospect and good will. HELP TJ1K NICARAGUA CANAL. I repeat with great earnestness the recommendation which I have made in several previous messages that prompt and adequate support be given to tho American Company ongaged in the construction of the Nicaragua Uliip Canal. It is impossi >Io to overstate toe value from every standpoint of this groat enterprise, and 1 hope that there may b.? time, even in this Congress to give to it an impetus that will insurotha egilv completion of tho oanal and secure to the United Htates Its proper relation to it When complete I. IIOPKKUL FOR SILVER. The Congras* has bean already advised that the invitations o.' thii Govern nont for the assembling of an intera itional Monetary ir Word, Your Work and 1 C.? THURSDAY, DEC Conference to canh I sr the q mtlon of nn enlarge I use of silver wero necjpfco.l by the nations to whioh tli <v wore n l li tswl. Tho conference assemble. I fit Ilru*sjls on tho V2 I of November an I IriN ontjro I upon tho coiisi'leratiou of tais groat question. I h?vo not iloubte I, anil have not taken occasion to express that bo.iof, as well in the invitations issue I tor this conference as in my public message*. that the free coinage of silver ubou an unreal international ratio won 11 greitly promote the interest of our psoplo mi 1 equally those of other nations. It is too early to prodici what results may ha accomplish*! oy tin confereuce. It any temporary check 01 delay intervenes, 1 beliovo that very bood oomtnercial conditions will compel the now reluctant Governments to unite with us iu this movement to secure the enlargement of of the volutin of coined money needed foi tlio trnus lotion of the business of the world TUB TREASURY. Tho report of the Secretary of the Treasury will attract especial Interest iu view of tho many mislon lin? st ite mats that bavo been made us to the state of 11 s public rev? onues. Throe preliminary facts should not only be state I, but o nplvisim I, before looking into details: First, lb it the public debt has boon ro lund since March 4, 1889, $959,074,9)4, mi I tin annual interest charge $11,051,469; second, that there linve been paid out for pensions during this administration up tc November 1, 189?, $469,561,178.70, an excasi of $114,466,6SO.09 over the sum exoendeo during the nrrtol Iron March 1, 1885, to March 1, 18*9, and third, that under the existing tariff ui) to 1) ;-ember I about $93,O00,000 of re venue, wiiui would have b *en collected upon import} I sugars it the duty had been maintained, lias gone into the pockots of tlio naoplo and not into tho pub lie treasury, as l>8foro. If there arc any who still think that tho surplus should have beim kop t out of circu lation by hoarding it in tho Treasury, 01 deposited in favored banks without interest while the Government continued to pay tc those very banks interest upou tho bon is deposited as security for tho deposits, or who think that tho o\ten led pension legislation was a public robbery, or that th< duties upon sugar should have boon maintained, I am content to lowo tho argument where it now rest-, while wo wait to see whether theso criticisms >vill take the form of legislation. Tho revenues for the liscal year endinj tune 30, 1893, from all source* were $425, 869,300.33, and the expenditures for all purposes were 8415,938.806.56. leaving a balance of 10,914,453.60, There wore paid during tho year upon the public debt $40,570,467.98. The surplus in tho Treasury and the bank redemption fund, pa?so1 by thoaet of July 14, 1890, to tho general fund, furnished in largo part tho eish available and usod for tho payments made noon the public debt. Comnarod with tho voar 1891, our receipts from customs duties fell off $42,00 ,211.< 8, while our receipts from internal revenue increase I $9,^94,833.13, leaving the net loss of revenue' from theso principal sources $33,7o 1,417.95. Tho not loss of revenuo from all sources was $33,075,973.81. Tho revenues, estimated and actual, for the n-<-ii year ending Juno 80, 1893, are placed by tho Secretary at $483,334,850.44 an I the expenditures at $461,336,353.44, shoving a surp'us of receiots over oxpandltures of $3,0 lO.OO'J. The cash balance in th > Treasury at tho end of tho liscal year it is estimated will bo $20,393,377.03. Tho estimate 1 room its for tho (lsoal year ending June, 3>, 1891. are $49),121.885,33, and the estimated appropriations $457,281,835,33, leaving an estimate i surplus of receipts over expou Iitares of $32,830,03105. This does not includo any payment to tho sinking fun I, 1 no public confidence in tho purpose nu 1 ability of tho Government to maintain the purit y of all our money issues, whether coin or paper, must remain unshaken. The deluaiut for gold in Europe an I the consequent wills upon us are u a considerable degree tho result of tho efforts of soino of tuo Europeon Governments to increase their golil reserve, and those efforts should bo met by appropriate legislation on our part. The con litions that bivo created this drain of thy Treasury gold uro in an imoortanl degree political and not commercial. In view of tho fact that a general revision o" our revenue laws in then ?ar future seam to be probable, it would bo better that any changes should bo a part of that revision rather than of a temnorary nat ure. BlLVlin H01TUHT AND COtNliD. During tho last fiscal year the Secretary Eurcbased under tho act of July 14, 1893, 4,355.748 ounces of silver, and issuod in payment therefor >4,100,603 in notes. Tho total purchases sluoo ilio passage of tho act h iVo boon 12<),4i9,'?81 ounces, and tho ag,.c iu^iia i <ti in 7fts no i 'in,,. avornge pri03 paid for silver curing tho year was 91 cents pai ounce, the bighost price beitie S1.0J5X Julyl, 1891, tin I tlio lowest $0.i3 Marclx 01, 1893. In view of the faob that tho monetary conference is now sitting and that no conclusion has yet b'on roach jd, I withhoi I any recommendatloa us to logislatiou upon this subject, AHMY TlKOHOA.NlZ\trON DRMAifDKD. Tlio rep art of tho Sicrotary of War bring < again to tho attontion of Congrats soma important suggestions us t.) tho reorganization of the infantry un 1 artillery arms of tho sorvice, which his predecessors have before urgently presents!. Our army is small, but its organization should nil th > mora l?e put upju tho most approved modern basis. Tne coalitions upon what wo have callod the ''frontier" have hereto ore require 1 tho maintenance of many small posts, but now tho policy of concentration Is obviously th j right one. The reorganization and enlargement of tho Bureau of Military Information wbic i the Secretary ha9 effected is a work the u-efulnoi-s of which will become cvtiry ?ro ?v more apparent. Tho work of building leavy guns an I the construction of coast (lofons 'S has been well begun and should be carried on without oheck. CtUMS AOAINdT TUB OOVJCUNMKVr. Tlio aggrogato of claims [lending against tho Government in the Court of Claims Is enormous Claims to the amouat of nearly $1' O.OOO,' 09 for tiie tiling of or injury to tlio property ?.f per sons claiming to be I iyal durin g the war are now beforo that court for examination. When t> t lose are a Id s 1 111) In lian depro lotion claims and the French spoliation claims an aggregate is reac is t that is indeed startling. In the defense of all these cisos the Oovarii nant is at great dine ivantage. Tho claimants have preserved their evidence, whereas the agents of the Government are sent into the flold to rummage for what thoy can find. The difficulty is peculiarly great where tho fact to be established is th i disloyalty of the cliimaut during tho war. If this great threat against our revenues is to have no other ohec c certainly Congress shoul 1 supply the Depart ment of Justioo with appropriations sufficiently liberal to s.'cure tho host legal tnlortt in tho defense of theio claims an I to pursue its vague search for evi lonco effectively. rosTAh AvrAios. Tho postal r.jvonu s havn increased during the lost year nearly $3,008. <X>\ 'iuo deficit for fclio year on ling J una 3 >. 1S9J, is $343,841 104? than tho <1"fi ;i m j/ of tin preceding year. The doflctoncy of tin present fiscal year, it is estimate!, will 1>j reluoai toll,552.423, which will not only In oxtinguishol during tho next 11-.o il year, hut a surplus of nearly ono million dollars should then ba shown. In the:jo ca'culationa the payments to be made under tho contracts lor ocoan mail servicj have not bo n included. Thero have been a ided 1588 new mall routes during tho year, witti a mileage of 8563 miles; an I the total number of pew miles of mail trips added during the year 1? uearly seventeen millio is. The number of miles of mail Journeys a lded during the last four years is uno it savonty-slx rnilliod?, this addition bung twenty-one millions of miles more than were in op Gallon in the whole country in 1861. The nuaiber of postoffinss has been increased by 31U) during t ie year; an I mrlht the past four years an I up to October 28 last the total increase in the number of office* has been nearly nine thousand. The rour Country.'' 'EMBER 15, 1892. number of frea-lolivory oIIJjsj hn? bson nearly double 1 in the fast four ynra, an 1 tho number of tuonay-order utile w mora than double 1 within that tinn. For tho throo years ru ling Juno 3). 18)3, tha postal revenue nmouute i to 319!", 5"11,3 >9. which was ?" iucroasoof $o.',201,15) over tu ) rovouue for tha throo years ou ling June 30, 1883, the increase during tbolast three year* being more than throo uu I a half times as groat as tho incroase durin g tha tureo years eliding Juno 3J, 1858. A whoiosoiu > oun;.i of policy an I o n I ii ? > 111 ^ in vi mi4ua JM uuiiv^, *' ova "M i ? [ me, was begun by the law of Maroh 3. 18)1. Undor this law c >u tracts hive boon m i la oy tho Po3t nastar-Usn hmI l'or olovon mall routes. Tbo expenditure iuvolved by thesa oouti'aots for the uoxc IUl'sI yen approximates $315,183.33. Asouooftbo rosu>ts already roaenod 10 Am erican steamships ofati aggregate tonaago of 57,4)3 tons, costing $7,<03,000, have boen built or contractu! to bo built in Amorloau sutpynr 1#. No subj :ct, 1 think, inoro noirly touches tho prl le, th ? power an I ths pro mint y of our country than this of tho dov 'lop neat of our merchant marine u jou theses. If wo could outer into conference with other o Jinpotitors an 1 all wou! I agree to withhol I (iovernmcut al l wo could jtorhaps tako our chances with all tho rest, but our great oo u< petitors have osbiblishel nil unlii'tiin i thoir lines by Government snbiidioi until they now havo practically ox In ! > I in from participation. In my o >ini m no ohoice is left to us but to pursue, mo lorately at loist, the same linos. OUU NAVAt PHOOUKSS The report of tho Secretary of tho Navy exhibits great progress in til) construction of our now navy. When tlio prosont Secretary entoro I upon his duties only tliroo modern Bteel vessels were in commission. The vessels since put in commission nn I t > bo put in commission during tho winter will mako a total of 10 during his nlministration of tho Department. During the current year 10 war vessels n id 3 navy tuys have boon lauuche I, an l (luring tho four years 25 vessels will have been laimchol. I'wo otaer large shipi aula torpedo boat ore under contract nn I the work upon them W3II advanced, and tl\) four monitors an awaiting only tho arrival of thoir armor, which has boon unoxpoc.odly delay? I, or thoy would have been before this in 00111luission. Contracts have beon let during this administration, un lor the appropriations for tho iuoroaso of tho N ivy, including new vessels and their nppurloiimicde, to tho amount of f3"),000,000, and tboro Ins be n cxpuide l during tho same perio i for labor at navy yards upon similar work $3,00),003 without tho smallest scandal or ohurgo of fraud or partiality. It is believod that as tho result of now processes iu th construction of armor plate our l iter ships will ho clotho I with defe 1 sivo pl&tos of higher resisting power than aro I on ml in any war vessels afloat. Wi wero without torpedoes. Tosts havo boen made to ascertain tho ro'ativo oftlcionoyo different constructions, a torpedo has been adopted, and the work of construction is now being carried ou sm cessfully. We were without armoi piercing shells and without a shop in btructod and equipped lor the construction of thorn. We are now making what is bo)loved to bo a projectile superior to any before in us". A smokeless powder has boon develops I and a slow burning powder for guns of largo calibre. A high explosive, r? 1141! 1)1:1 llf 11CA ill Ini'ffO ehallrt Ili'n 1 c?n?. vlco gun-, h is b ;en found, nn I tho manufacture or u'un cotton has been dovelopo I so that tlie question of supply is no longer iu dou t. tuu naval, Militia. Tin development ot a naval militia, which has I con organized ill oight States and l>r >u;ii; into uoi1 iial an 1 co-onorativo relations with the Navy, is another hunortamt achievement. There are now enlisted in these organizations 1ST) mou, and thoy are likely to bo greatly oxtondo i. 1 reoem uond such legislation and appropriations as will encourage and develop this movement , \t*ohK IN amr: iNXBHian dupahtmknt. Tiio wor e of the interior Department, nlway? very burdens inio, Ins been larger ill hi ever before burin * the a Iminlstration ot Secretary Noble. The disability pension law, the tak ng of the Eleventh Census, the otiening of tho vast areas of In linn Inn Is to settlement, the organization o ' Oklahom i, and the negotiations tor tho cjsmou of Indian lands lurnisn so no of the particulars of the increase i work and too rosn ts nonioved testify to the ability, fidelity an i industry of the head of the Department and taiscllicicnt assistants, Tho work iu the Indian Buroau, in the o*<> cutiou of the podcy of rcoent legislation, has lioen largely Uirocto I to two chief puroosas: First, tho allotrneut of lands in severalty, to the Indians an I the cession to the Units 1 States of the surplus lauds; and, secondly, to the work of educating the Indian for bis own protection in Ins closer contact with the while man and for the intelligent ox m-ciso af his new citizenship. I have several times boon called upon to remove Indian agents appointed by me, aud have dono so promptly noon cvory sustained complaint of unfitness or misconduct, t be love, however, that tho ludian servico at theagoncios has neon improve! and is now administered on tho wholo with a goal do tree of etfloiency, If au.y legislation is possible by which tin selection of Indian agents can be wholly roiuovoi fro n all partisan suggestions or cousi icratlons, I am sure it would bju groat roliof to tho Exunitivo and a groat oencflt to the service. THE bUJlJECT OF 1'JCNHIONS. Tho roport of tho Commissioner of Pensions, to which extended notioj is givan by tho .Secretary of the Interior in his report, will attract groat attention. Judged by the ag;regato amount o. work done tho last year has boon th ) greatest in th ) history of theotllc. I boiievo that tin organization of the offlcu is efUoiont, and that the work ims boon dono with fidelity. The passage of what is known as the disability bill Ims, as was foreseen, very largely increased the annual disbursements to the disabled voterans of tho civil war. Tho estimate for this fiscal year was $141,05(1,000, and that amount was appro- ' priated. A deficiency amounting to 510,008,0'1 must ho provide I for ut t his session. The estimate for pensions for the liscal year ending June 3', 1801, is fl05,000,i 0J. Tun Commissioner of Pensions boli ves that if the present legislation an 1 metbols are maintained and father additions to tho mansion laws are not nm"e, tne maximum ext?en lituro for pensions will bo roaohod Juno 3?. 18H an l will bo at tho highest point 188,0)3.000 por annum, I adhere to tho viows?xnrossedin previous messages that tho car* oi the disabled soldiers of the war of the rebellion is a matter of national concern an I duty. Perhaps no omotiou cools sooner than that of gratitu ie, but I cannot bellove that this process has yet reached a point with our pooplo that would sustain tho policy of remitting tho caraof these disable I votorans to the inado quote ngonci9-(, provide I by local laws. Tub parade on the 20th of Bspternber last upon the streets of this capital of sixty thoimnd of the surviving Union vatorausof tho war of the robclliou was a most touching an 1 thrilling opiso le, and the ric i ftu I gracious web come cxter.de 1 to tho n by tho District of Columbia and the applause that greete I their progress from tons of thousands of pe ) pie from all tho 8tat'*sdil much to revivo glorious recollections of the grand review, when these moil aud many thou-an 1 others now in tlnir graves wore w.dcouiod with grateful joy as victors in a struggle in which tho national unity, honor and wealth wjre ail at i?ue. aohicubtpnab depaht1cxnt woiik. T ic report of the Secretary of Agriculture contains not only a rti al interesting st^loinent of tho progressive an \ valuable work dope un ier the ad ninistr itipu o; Heofetahy llusk, bub many augEditions for Lhaenfafgtd usafulnesi or this inrnrtuit D'pYKuenh in the sucq?<m:'u| girort to break down the reafrictlopi to tho free introduction of our meat products in t9e countries of Europe, tue Bejretary has oeen untiring from tho first, stimulating and aid [ ing all ot!i?r Uovernm nt oflicjrs, at home anil abroad, wuos> otll.'ial duties eu&bled them to partloipnte in too work. The total trade in hog products with K nope in May, 18WJ, n> noun to J to 84,090, tiOJ pounlv, against '00 in tho eatno mouth of 189!, in Juue, 18543, the eiports a tgrogate I W,7i)0,00J poua is, against 43,* 500,r.o > pounJs in the srrue mouth of tho pre v.ous year; iu July there was an increase of 41 |>er cent, aud in August of 55 oer rout. | w*m iuuwn w[iuii IIUS ujummui I3w'ii wt?i 4 >,000,u00 pounds of iuspestei porx bare oc-eu rxoorted since tho law was pit into operation, and o coinparisou of toe four ii ontbs of May, June, July nod August, l$J.\ with the satuo mouths of 1$9l, show an iuoreaso in tho nu ubor of pounds of our exp >rt of pork product of 02 per coat., uii'l an increase in value ot 00', per eout. he exoorts of drested heat luoroasa 1 from l37,Ui).?,Q'JO pounds m IHdO to 33),5 >0.000 pounds in IfciD, or about GO per cent. Uurin * tho past year there have been ex nor to I til) 1,0 '7 ncad of IIvn cattle us against 303,780 exported in I8S0. 'I'uis increased exportatioli has been largely promote I by the iuR-irction nuthqriE ;! by law and the faith ul efforts of tno decretory an I bis efllciont subor :m itos to make that inspjetiou thorough ami to carefully exclu lo iro.n all cargoes disease I or suspocte I oattl?. Tho requirement of tho English regulations that live cattle arriving from tho Unitcl at itos must lie slaughtered at the docks had its origin in the claim that pleuropneumonia oxisted amot>g American cattle, and that tho oxistmoo of tho disease ooul I only c>rtninly he determined by a post-mortem inspection. Tho Department of A zrioulture has Iahore I with groat energy and faithfuiuess to oxtirp.ato this disease; an I, on tho 26th day of Soptouiber last, a public announce nenfc wai ma io iiy Mio hSecrotary that the disease no longer existed any whore within tho United States. Tho value to tho cattlo industry of the United states of tnia achievement can hardly ho ostlmatei. Wo cannot, pirhapc at once insist that this evidence shall be accepted as satisfactory by other countrios; but it tho i>roiont exomocion from the disease is maintains 1 an I tho inspection of our cattlo arriving at foreign ports, in which our own veterinarians participate, confirms it, wo may justly oxpect that tho reauiromout that our cattlo shall ho slaughter* 1 at tho doc \R will bo revoke I, as tho sanitary rostricciouq upon onr porK praiucts have been. If our o.ittlo can bo taken alive to the interior the trade will bo ouormously increased. Agricultural products constituted 78,1 por cent, of our unprecedented oxports for tho llscal j'.'iir which closed Juno !10. 189*3, tho totjil o* >orts being f1,030,278,030, and the value of tho agricultural praiucts $7>?3,717,870, which oxceo Is by more th in $130,O kmmX) tho shipment of agricultural products in any previous year. Au interesting an I a promising work for the benotit of the American farmer h?9 been begun through agents of tho Agricultural liepartineut in Europe, and consists in efforts to introduce the various products of Indian oorn as nrticles of human food. The high price of rye offered a favorable opportunity for the experiment, in Germany of combining corn meal with rye to produce a choipor bread. A fair logr jo of success has been attained, and some mills for grinding corn for food b ivo been intra luce i. The .Secretary is of tho opinion that this now use o? tuo pro lucts of ooru ho* nlrea ly stimulated exportatlous, and that if diligently Dorsecuted large and I nportant markets can presently bo opane I for this great American proluofc, it may, 1 think, bo said without challcngo that in uo corresponding period has so much icon done us during the last tour years for the benefit of American agriculture. NKKD CgF NATIONAL Qlf AHAN IINK. The subject of quaruutlu? regulations, iupcctlon and control was brought suddenly to my attention t?y the arrival at our ports in August Jast ot vos.-<e a inieotod with cholera. (Quarantine regulations should tw uniform at all our ports. L/n lor the ConBtitution they aro plainly within the axelusive Federal 1urls Motion when and so far as Congress shall legislate. In iny ooinion the whole subject should he tairen Into National control ami adequate power Riven to the Executive to protect our people against plague invasions. On the 1st of September last I approved regulations establishing a twenty-day quarantine for all vessels bringing immigrants Irorn foreign ports. This ordor will he continued in iorco. Some los? and suffering have resulted to paasengers, but a due oare for the homes of the people jus bides In suoh cas 's the utmost precaution There Is danger that with tho coming of spring oholora will again appear, and a liberal nppronrhtion should be made at this session to enablo our quarantine an I port oflleers to oxclujo the oeadly p.ague. We are peculiarly subject In our great ports to the spread of infootious diseases by reason of the faot that unrestricted emigration brings to us out of European cities, in the ovcrcrowde 1 steerages of great stoimshins, n Inrara till tiliai* nC noi'?rtnu fiiirrouudlngs mtno thom tb * &wv victims of the plague. This consideration, ns well as tboso affecting the political, moral, and Industrial interests of our country, lead too to roue* the suggestion tliat admission to our country and to tho high privileges of its citizmship should be more restricted and more carofel. We have, I think, a right and owe a duty to our own people, and especially to our work* ing people, not ouly to keop out the violous, the ignorant, tho ovil disturber, the pauper, and the contraot laborer, but to check the too great Qow of Immigration new coining by lurthor limitations wgulp's kaiu rtt >GitK?e. The report of tho Worl i's Columblau Exposition has not yet been submitted. That of tho Board of Management of the (Jevern* meut exhibit lias been receive I aud is herewith transmitted. The work of construction an I of pre >arution ?ov the opouing of the Exposition in May next lias progressed most satisfactorily and upon a sculo of liberality an t magnificence that will worthily sustain tho honor of the Umtod States. PROTECTION KOH RAILWAY JCMPl.OYEM. In renewing tho reconimoiidatlon which | 1 have made In tbrei precjilng annual messages that C ingress should legislate for the protection of railroad employes against the dangers incident to the old and inadequate inet tods of brak ing nn 1 coupling which are still in use upon freight trains, I do so with the hope that this Congress may take action upon tbe subject, Wtidistlos furnished by tho fnter.st-ite Commerce Con mission nhow that during tho year ending Juno JO, ISO I, there were 47 different styles of car couplers reported to be in use. an I that during the same j period there wore 2050 employes killed and 26,14 ) injured. Nearly 1ft par cont. of the deaths oecurrc 1 In tiie c vipling rtnd uncoupling of cars, and ovor JC par cent, of the injuries had the same origin. EI.KCTIONH AND APPORTION mknts. I havo, in eich of tho throe annual messages which it lias been my duty to submit to Congress, callel attention to the evils and dangers connected with our election inetho is { and practice! asthay are related to thochoici | or oni '-.To or tne national uover.iment. In j my last annual message I 011 doavored to in- I vokosoriou?attention to" the evils of unfair I apportionments for Con jcros*. I cannot close this messigo without again calling attention to thoso gravo and threatening evils. I had hoped thnt it was possible to secure a nonJiartisan inquiry, by means o. a commission, nto evi s the cxistoiic< of wnich is known to all, and that out ot this might ((row legislation fronisvhioh all thought of partisan advantage should be eluuinato t and only the hlgner thou glit appear of maintaining the froj loni and purity of the ballot and ^he equality of the elector, without the guaranty 0 which tho Qtawnment <*>ul 1 never have 1 eon lormed and without the continuance of which it cannot continue to exist in peaee and cro-p-rity. It is time that mutual charges of unfair^ ness ap I frau I betwjju the grdat parties should cease, and that the sincerity of thoee * 7^ ? NO. 22. who profess * dwire Tor pur# and honest elections should bo brought to the t?st of their willin (ness to fret our legislation and our election motho la from everth ng that tonds to Impair the oublio conll i#ooe in the announced result. The necessity for an Inquiry. ao I for legislation by Con cress, uooo this nfbject is eoiphasfzel by the fact that the tendency of the legislation in some States in re??ut years has in soino important particulars been away from and not toward froo and fair sleetiont an i equal apportionments. i* ir not tune that wo should cine together upoa the h gb Slaue of patriotism whi<e vre devise metioie tiat shall e*<*ure the right of every man qua titled by law toca^t a free ballot an I give to every such ballot an equal valm iu ohoos lug our public offlcers an 1 in direcrulg tor policy of the Government? AGAINST LY.NCH LAW Lawlessness is not teas such, but more, where it usurps the fuuotions of the peace officer and of the oou ts. The frequent lynching of colore 1 peo ile aotttsed of crime is without the excuse which has so netimes be?n urge 1 by mobs for a failure to pursu* the appointed methods for the punish uen* of crluie, that the accusal hivs an uudue iufluouce over courts aud Juries Such acts are n reproach to the community where they occur, au I ?o far aa they can bo inn i? the subject of Fo leral Jurisdiction the strongest repressive legislation is demanded. A puoiio aont ment that will sustain tho o(Ti -on of the law in resisting mobs aud in protecting a?> ou?<e I persons in their ensto ly should be promote I by overy possible raeaas. i'bj o fleer who gives his life in the brave discharge of this duty is worthy of special honor. No lesson nee Is to bo so urgently impressed upon our people is this, that no worthy end or came can be promoted by lawlessness. LAST WORDS. This exhibit of tho work of the Executive Departments is sub nitto 1 to Congress an I to the publio in the hoDO that thoro will b* found in it a due sense of responsibility an 1 an earnest purpose to maintain the national honor and to promote the happiness an 1 prosperity of ail our people. An i this brief exhibit of the growth and prosperity of the country will give us a level iron which to noto the inorease or dccadenco that new legislative policies may bring to us. There is no reason why tho national influence, power, and prosperity shoul I not obsrrv > tho same rato of increase that have character ze I tho past thirty years. VVo carry th * f;reat impulse ami increase of those years nto tho future. There is no r.-asju why in many lines of production we shoal i not surpass all other nations as w> have alreily dono in some. Thero are no it ear fronti?r? to our possible development. Retrogression would be a crime. Benjamin HARMSON. Kxecutive Mansion. D ecember 6. IS03. A TEMPERANCE SQUALL. The Buttle in tho Legislature Over Prohibition Has Opened. C'oLUMiita, 8. C.?Tho prohibition stni gis is on. The consideration of llimajority import r?commending the pa ugc of the t ldlds hill, a lenghty mo.iuio providing for tho nppuintinent of e unity agents to dispense hquor only for sacramental, iroiieul and scientific put poses camo up in t ie House. Mr. Blcaso, of Newberry, moved to etiiko out all that bill aftcT tho ex ciin:; words unci insert his bid which in a few words, prohibits the sale of liquor under penalty of a fluo of from fiJiJO to #1,0 ?0. or impi' sonniont in tho poult ntiary from live to teu years for eaou offence. Th amendments was tabled by a vote of ninety o?o to twonty-tive. Tho debate then continued sovyral hours. The speech of tho day was made by Heproiciralive John P. Thomas, < f Itichlan l, who showed that with a license law South Cu olint now had fewer num bcr of tnxed retailed liquor dea ers per capita 01 population t tin any State in the Union except A a am a and Arka aud the pr hibition 8 ate of Vermont has hirty-three per cent, mom saloon< in propordou to population than S^u h Carolina Argument on the Prohibition bi'l was resumed nt night with vigor in tho Mouse of Representatives Lawrence opeued the tight ag'iinst the measure, and ai?ort<> I thill. if t.hf> hill \vm*? ivies .1 if would eutail nu additional tax levy of o e tni l in Richmond county, and two mills 111 tho-cily of Columbia. The opponents of the bill hii ceoded iu impeding acti >u for a time by requiring tb * reading in full o the veiy voluminous bill ;iu I the many amendments to U. a fearful .Worm out west Wind, Snow. Lightning, Intense Cold nnd Many Fatalities. Hr Loth, Mo. -During the evening there was a drop of 'i~> deg eo? in the tempera ore in this section, accompanied by u wind which reached a vel city of 85 miles per hour toward midnight, with flurries of snow. The galo abated some what but it grew much colder. Advices from rill over Arkansas, tlx Indian Territory and Toxiu report a big drop in tho mercury, with sovero wind and electric storms, and several funnel shaped cyclone'. One at Ibeiiham. Texas, demolished a do/.eu houses and injured several persons, though none f-? tal y. Denis >n, Texas, reports several houses bl iwn down nnd a bunch of e n tic killed, and a stock man named John Wismoro, were ki led by lightning at Big Prairie. A tornado 8 M)yai Is wide -struck Pulagould, A'k., about II o'clock >? te.day and did 8",000 damage i<> birhl inga, fene. sand sidewalks iu a ts\ iiiklut;, but fortunately no one was scriouslv "? jurcd. A Bridge for the MisstsainDi. Washington, D. C.?Mr. Vest, Democrat, of Missouri, from the commit to on cominr rce, reported favorably a Senate bill authorizing fho P?nlhorn Bridge and Railroad Company >1 . > c.? Orleans, to construct and luuiotaiu a bridge over tlio Mississippi riv r above New Orleans, of three unbroken spans, to be at bast 1,000 feet in length nod with but two piers in the river and the highest to be not less than 9!) T ct 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 postroads aud telegraph and other purposes. The bridge is to be completed within five years of the passage of the act. The bill was unanimously passed Sale of a Historic Plantation. < tiAiti.ESTON, 8. C. ? "The Oaks" plantation, a historic plaoo in Berkeley county and the site of the Mead phos p'-ato ?orks, was sold at auction for $40,(100, Q orge W Williams, the ino ? gagee, being the purchaser. The pro| erry ha becu tied up iu the courts tot some time, . '' * 4