The weekly ledger. (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1894-1896, December 10, 1896, Image 6
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THE LEDGER: GAFFNEY, S. C., DECEMBER 10, 1896
PISIMNT'S ISSSCifi
Cleveland’s Last Regular Com
munication to Congress.
50HOPE FOE STRUGGLING CUBANS
Interference by <~*nr Government Not
Ileeointasndtfd —Settlemont of the Von-
tmueluu lJl.t|tiite llr.lerred to—TurkinU
Afftlra Stiil In u Very Ihtil Condition.
1‘rojrew Made In <'l\ll Service Uefonu.
To tlio ConureRs of the United States:
Am representatives of t !>'‘ people in tho
legitUative branch of this government you
'ju.-w.o’ofe-i -fit .. tU J-
’'strengt h and excellence of our free institu
tions and tho titness of our citizens to en
joy popular rule have been a^aia niado
manifest.
A political contest involving momen
tous consef|uenees frauglit with feverish
apprenheiision.and creating aggressiveitess
at) intense as to nppronch bitterness and
jmsMon has-been waged through our land,
and determined !>y the decree of free and
independent suffrage, without dwturbanco
of our tranquility or the least sign of
weakness in our national structure.
Ot’It RELATIONS WITH TTKKKY.
At the outset of a reference to tlimors
Important matten offending our rel -.tiona
witn foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction if I could assure the congress
that tiie disturbed condition in Asiatic
Turkey tmd during the past year assumed
» Icmm tddeouH and bloody aspect, and t hat
either ns a consequence of the awakening
of the Turkish government to the demands
of human civilization as is the result of
decisive action on the part of the great na
tions having the right by treaty to inter
fere for the pro tec. ion of thus-, oxnnsed t.j
the rag<-of mad bigotry and cruel fnaati-
eism, the shocking features of tho situa
tion had been mitigated. Instead of wel
coming, a aoftei.e-l disposition or pro
tective intervention, we hav.< been afflicted
by continued and not infrequent reports
of the wanton destruction of h dlie and the
butchery of men. women and children,
inode martyr i to their professj.-.n of Chris
tian faith. While none of our cit z. 'ns in
Turkey have tiius lar be mi killed ( , r
wounded, though often in tin* midst of
dreadful scenes of danger, tluir u'oty in
the future is by no means assur d. Our
/'overnnn tit at home and our minister at .
ConstMiitinople have left nothing undone :
to protect our missionaries in Ottoman
territory, who constitute nearly all the in- i
dividuals residing there who have a right !
to claim our protection on the score of i
Am-rienn citi/.enslilp. Our efforts in this i
diieclion will not i»e relax 'd: but ttie deep
leeling and sympithy that have been
moused anioung our people ought not to
po far blind tiieir reason and judgment as ]
to lend them to demand imposibl thiti/'s. (
Tlie cutlireaks of blit.d fury which lead to
murder and pillage in Turkey occur sud- j
«i>*i)ly and without notice, and an attempt
on our part to force such a hostile preseuec
there»H might Ik* effective for prevention
or protection would not only la* resisted
by the Ottoman government, but would
lie regarded .ut mi interruption of their (
plans bv the great nations whoasM rt th-ir
fxemsive right to intervene in their own
time and met hod for the security of life*
a id property in Turkey.
Several naval ves-els arcsd.ntinned intlK*
Jleiii'er.inean as a measure; of caution and
to furnish all possible relief and refuge in
case of emergency.
iVe have made claims against the Turk
ish government for tho pill ige and de-
M met ion of missionary property at llar-
p M t and .Marash during uprisings at tiio.-o
piacs.
Thus far the validity of these demands
lias net iieen admitt> d tliougii our inin-
ister prior to Much outrages and in antiri- 1
pat inn of danger, (lemanded protection lor
the persons and property of our mission- ;
jtrv citizens in the localities mentioned,
mid not withstanding Mint strong evidence
« xists of actual complicity of Turkish sol- j
i.icrs in the work of destruction and rob-
bi ry. The facts as they now appear do j
not uermit us to doubt the just ice of these
cl.tims and nothing will In* omitted to
bring about their prompt settlement.
A number of Armenian refugees having
rrrived at our ports, an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish govern
ment permitting tin* wives and children of
Midi refugees to join them here. It is
ho ied hereafter no obstacle will be inter
posed to prevent the esc ape of all those
who seek to avoid t he perils which threaten
them iii Turkish dominion.
Otir recently appointed consul to Esze- !
mm is at. his nest and discharging the ;
duties of his oflicii, t hough for some un-
ree.'ir.itab'c reason his formal exequatcr
Jr<'Ui the suit.1 has not bean issued. Ido j
Hot b lievi* that tin* present somber pros .
I'O't I'' Turkey will In* long permitted to |
Hffeiul the sight of Christendom. It so
mars tin* humane and enlightened civili- j
Z-Jtlmi that belongs to the close of the
nineteenth century that it seems hardly 1
(•o-sdile that th • cartc st demand of good
people throughout the Christian world for
its (orrective treatment will remain un-
lllSWtT'*d.
NO HELP rou THE CUBAN'S.
ff he insurrection in Cuba still continnos 1
with all its perplexities.
If is difficult to perceive that any pro- i
press lias thus far b en made towards the
p-icilicat ion of the island or that the situa
tion 1 I uffnirs as depicted in my last an
nual message has in tin* least improved.
it Spain still holds Havana and the sea- !
ports ami all the considerable towns, the
invurgenlH st ill roam at will over at least
t-vo thirdsr.f the inland country.
if tin* det'-riniiiatiou of Spain to put
<hmn the insurrection seems but to
*0 r ngMien with the lapse of time, and is
**v need bv I er uiiliesitaling devotion of
largely increased military and naval forces
1o tlie task there is much reason to be
lieve that lh<* insurgents have gained in
point o) numbers and character and re-
*oiiro***. and are untie the less inflexible in
their resolve not to succumb, without
practically securing the great objects for
which they took up arms. If Spain lias
not yet re established her authority, nei
ther have the insurgents yet made good
their title to be regarded as tin independ-
«*nt state. Indeed, as the contest has gone
r*n. the j>r< t-iiH** that civil government
exists on the island, except so far as Spain
ts able to maintain it, Ii.id been practically
Vllnuid) ned.
♦Spain dees keep on foot such a govern-
pv-nt. more or less imperfectly, in the
Targe towns and their Immediate suburbs.
Um that exception being made, the entire
country is either given over to an j
mciiy, or is subject to the mili-
imy occupation of one or the other
party. It is reported, indeed on reliable
fltiiliorifv, that at the demand of tliecom-
niander m chief of the insurgent army thu
putative ('ubnu government has now given
tip all attempt to exercise its futicMbus.
leaving t hat government confessedly (what
there is tne I st reasnii for supposing it
always to have been in fact), a government
merely <*ii paper. Were the Spanish armies
abb* 1 me< t their nutHgouislH in the open,
or in littehe I Imttle. prompt and d<*ciiiive
results might be l<i<iki"i for anil the im-
ineiis.* siijii r.< rity of the Spanish foree; In
iiiiinls'rs (liseiii'ine, and ''.jiiipment,could
f<; 1.*.tail t<ilcii gi'. ally to (hcii odviiat
fy are called 11 non to face *
I'eiiend eng igeinents, that
td d ies chons ' its own ground,
kc iistun* of I lie cimtit ry is vi
de at pi r.siire Mid 1 bat lu lit
1111 Inise tde, and when all the
K’f p* fftinn md numliers are
lu a euuutry wueru all that is
indispensalHs to life in tho way of food,
clothing and shelter is so es .’ily oiitatn-
t>ble, especially by those liorn and bred ou
the soil, it is obvious that there is hardly
» limit, to th" time during which hostilities
j m this sort may, h* prolonged. Meanl
I Tilih*, as in all cases of protracted civi-
Mrife, the passions of the com-
Kifants grow more and more in
flamed and excesses on both sides
become more frequent and more deplora
ble. They are also participated in by
i bands of marauders who, now in the name
J of one party and now in tfi * name of the
I other, may best suit the occasion, roam
tiie country at will and plunder its
wretched inhabitants for their own ad
vantage. Such a condition of things
! would inevitably entail immense destruc-
j tion of property, even if it were tho policy
of both parties to prevent it ns far as prac
ticable. Hut a bile such seemed to be the
original policy of the Spanish govern in nt,
] it lu* now apparently abandon* ' it and is
acting upon the same theory us the insur
gent-, vgu’ncly,that.11.< cxigc.ie sot theeon-
j test require the wholesale aniilhiliatiou
! of property, that it may not prove of use
and advantage to the enemy.
it is to the same end tnat in pursuance
of general order. Spanish garrisons are
now 1 eing withdrawn fr >m plantations and
the rural population require*! to concen
trate itself in the towns. The sure re
sult would seem to b** that the industrial
value of t ha island is fast diminishing and
that unlesn there is a speedy and radical
change in ixisting conditions it will soon
(Isappear altogeilier—that value consists
very largely, of course, in its capacity to
produce sugar—a capacity already much
reduced by the interruptions to tillage
which have taken place during the last
two years. It is reliably asserted
that should thee i interruptions con
tinue during the current year and
practically extend. «s is now threat
ened, to t lie entire* sugar producing terri
tory of the island, so much time and so
mu,-li money wili be required to restore
the land to its normal productiveness that
it is extremely doubtful if capital can Ije
induced to ( ven make M10 attempt.
The spec tael e of the utter ruin of an od-
joining country, by nature one of the most
lertile and charming on th** globe, would
engag** the serious attention of th** govern
ment sud people of the United States in
any circumstances In point of fact, they
have a concern with it which is by no
means of a wholly sentimental or philan
thropic character.
it ii*'s s > near to us ns to be hardly sepa
rated ir-m our territory. Our « dual pe
cuniary interest in it is second only to
Mint of the people and government of
tsj> iiii. It s reasonably estimated that at
least s';li),<M)n.ii nt to ?.Yi,u> i.OmO of American
capit! 1 are invested in plantations and in
rntlroiid, mining and oilier business enter
prises on tne island. The volume of trade
t’o&ween the I'nited States and Cuba,
which in Iks!) amounted to about *ffi,0)0,-
•k) 1, iMse in 18f)d to about ^lOd.OtM.lXK). and
In H.'t, tlie year before the present insur-
rection liroffe out, amounted to nearly
iOii,M>H,iM:). HeHid*.-i this large n-enniary
stake in the fortunes of Cuba, tne United
States tinds iis.*lf inextricably involved In
the present contest in other ways both
vexatious and costly.
Many Cubans reside in this country and
indirectly promote the insurrection
through the press by public meetings, by
the purchase and shipment of arms, by tiio
raising of fund, and by other means which
tin* spirit of our institutions and the tenor
of o'tr laws do not permit to he made the
subject of criminal prosecutions. Some
of them, th mgh Cubans at heart mid in
'll their feelings and interests, have taken
out papers as naturalized citizens of the
United States, a proceeding re.Girted to
w ith a view to possible protection by this
guvi-i .iment, and not unnaturally re garded
with much indignation by the country of
tin ir origin. The insurgents arc* utidoub*.
e dy encouraged an 1 supported b? the
v.'iiiesure-ad sympathy the people of this
com.try always and instinctirely feel for
every struggle for better and freer govem-
;ii"!it. aud which, in the case of tiie more
x ;v nturousaud restless elements of our
i opuiatiou, leads in only too many in-
1 aiiees : 1 active participation in the con-
V'-.t. Tin* result is that this government
t- constantly called upon to prot-ct Amer-
iciii citizen*, to claim damages forinjurius
to (n*rs ns anil property, now estimated at
many millions of dollars, and to ask ex
planations .uni apologies for the acts of
.-•p nisli officials whose zeal for t-ho
r nression of reliellion sometimes
l.bmls them to immunities bc-
lo'ging to the umiffeiiding citizens
( i'a : rlendly pn’.ver. It follows from tho
mu* causes t ii.at t he United States is ( om-
pelled tohctiiady notice a long line of sea-
C' .-st against unlawful expeditions, tho
•scape 01 which the utmost vigilance will
not always suffice to prevent. These in
evitable entanglements of the United
States with tho rebellion in Cuba, tho
i ’.r /e American property interests affected
and considerations of philanthropy and
hiiMiniiy in general, have led to a vehe
ment deni uni in various quarters for some
sort iff positive interruption on the part of
tiie Uniied States. It was at first pro-
priwd that belligerent rights should be
accorded to tie.* insurgents—a proposition
no 1 ng'-r urged be .ause untimely, aud in
practical oper tion clearly perilous and
in jurious to our own interests.
it has since been, and is now sometimes
contended.that the independence of the in
surgents should be recognized. Hut itn-
periect and restricted ns the Spanish
government of the isl.uul may be, no other
exists there—unlesstlie will of the military
officer in temporary command of a partic
ular district can lie dignified as a speices
of government. It is now also suggested
that the United States should buy the
island, a suggestion possibly worthy of
consideration if there were any evidence of
a desire or w illingness on tiie part of Spain
to entertain Hii<*ii a proposal. Ir, is urged,
finally, that nil other methods failing the
existing internecin ■ strife hi Cuba should
he terminated by our intervention, even at
the cost of w ir oetween the Uniied States
ami Spain—a war which its advocates con
fidently prophecy could b** neither large in
its proportions nor doubtful in its issue.
The correctness of this forecast need In
neither affirmed nor deiiio.l. Tne Unh-d
States has, nevertheless, a character to
maintain as a nation, which plainly dic
tates that rights and not might should he
the rule of its conduct. Further, though
the United St if.es is not ti nation to which
peace is a necessity, it is in truth the incst
pacific, of powers, and there is nothing s i
much as to live in amity with all tiie win Id.
Its own ample and diversified domains
satisfy till possible longings for territory,
preclude all dreams of conquest, and pre
vent any casting of covetous eyes upon
neighboring regions, however attractive.
That our conduct towards Spain and her
dominions has constituted no exception to
this national disposition is made manifest
by tin* course of our government, not only
thus far during the present insurrection,
but during th*' ten years that followed tbs
rising nt Yarn in IHfls. \o other great
power.it may sifely be said, undercircum-
Ktiincea of oimilar perplexity, would have
man i fee tad the same rest' dnt and tlio
t line patient endurance, it may also ha
«aid that thin persistent nttitudo of
the United States towards Spain
lu connection with Cuba unque f loimbly
evinces no slight respect for Spahi on the
part of tbo American people. They in
truth do not forget her connection with
the discovery of the western hemisphere;,
nor do they underestimate the great qual
ities of the Spanish , **oj>|e,nor fail totally
recogiiizn their splendid patriotism and
their chivalrous devotion to thu national
honor.
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent across thousands of
miles of ocean, and an euotyaoua 'h*bt ac
cumulated, tnat the costlyx pOK-esaiou of
the gem of the Autil i s ma/vdlU kold Its
place in tho Spanish crowtv And yet
neither the government nor tlit\ people if
the united {junta have shut Ikoir eye 1 to
f
thn four so of events in Cuba or have failed
to realize the existenco of conceded griev
ances which have led to the present revolt
from the authority of Spun—grievances
recognized by the queen regent and by the
COrtes,voiced hy the most patriotic and en-
tyghtoned of Spanish statesmen without
wegard to party and demotistrated hv ro-
fiorms proposed by the executive an 1 ap
proved by tho legislative branch of the
Spanish government I Is in M10 assume t
temper and disposition of tho Spanish gov-
emm n nt to remedy th. *c|^ri vine'**, forti
fied Sy indications of influential public
opinion in Spain, that this government
has hoped to discover the most promising
and effective means of eompciing the pres
ent strife with honor and advantage to
ypain, and wit h the achievement of all the
reasonable objects of the insurrection. It
would seem timt, If Spain should offer to
Cuba genuine autonomy, a muasu.-s of
home rule which, while preserving the
sovendKiity of Spain, would satisfy all
rational requirements of her Spanish sub
jects, there should lie no Just reason why
th** pacification of the Island might not be
effected on that basis. Such a result
would appear to lie in the true interest of
all concerned. It would at once stop the
conflict which Is now consuming the re
sources of the island and making It worth
less for whichever party may ultimately
prevail.
It would keep intact the possessions of
Spain without touching her honor, which
will be consulted rather than impugned
by the adequate redress of admitteu griev
ances; it would psit the prosperity of the
Island and the forennes of its inhabitants
within tiieir own control withont severi g
the natural and ancient ties which bind
them to the mother country, and would
yet enable them to test their capacity for
self government under tho most favorable
conditions. It has been objected ou the
one side that Spain should not promise
autonomy until her insurgent subjects lay
down their arms; on the other side, that
promised autonomy, however liberal, is
insufficient without assurance of tho
promise being fulfliled.
Hut the reasonableness of a requirement
by Spain of unconditional surrender on
tiie part of the insurgent Cubans before
tiicdr autonomy is conceded, is not alto
gether apparent. It ignores important
features of the situation—the stability
two years’ duration has given tho insur
rection, tho feasibility of its Indefinite pro
longation in the nature of things, amt, as
shown hy past experience, the utter and
imminent ruin of the island unless the
present strife is sjieedily composed; above
nil, the rank abuses which all parties in
ijpHiti. all branches of her government and
nil her leading public men, concede to
exist and prefer a desire to remove.
Facing such circumstances to withhold
the proffer of needed reforms until the
parti"* demanding them put themselves
at, merey by throwing down their arms has
the appearance of neglecting the gravest
of perils and inviting suspicion as. to tiie
sincerity of any professed willingness to
grant reforms. The objection on behalf
of the insurgents—that promised reforms
cannot be relied upon—must of course be
considered, though we have no right to as
sume and no reason for assuming that
anything Spsin undertakes to do for the
relief of Cubs will not be done according
to both the spirit and the letter of the un
dertaking.
PLAN OF PACIFICATION.
Nevertheless, realizing that suspicions
and precautions on the part of the weaker
of two combatants are always natural and
not always unjustifiable—being sincerely
desirous in the .merest of both as well as
011 its own account thatthe Cuban problem
should lie solved with the least possible
delay, it wae intimated by this govern
ment to the government of Bpain some
months ago that. If a satisfactory measure
of home rule were tendered the Cuban in-
Mrgents, and would he accepted by them
upon a guaranty of its execution, the
United States would endeavor to find a
way not objectionable to Bpain of furnish|
ing such guaranty. While no definite re-
sponse to this intimation has yet hoen re
ceived from the Spanish government, it is
believed to bs not altogether unwelcome,
while a* already suggested no reason is
•received why it should not be approved
by the insurgents. Neither party can fail
to see rtie importance of early action and
both must realizs that to prolong the
present state of things for oven a short
period will add enormously to the time
and labor and expenditure necessary to
bring about the industral recuperation of
tho island. Tt is therefore fervently hoped
on nil grounds that earnest efforts for
healing the braach between Spain and the
uisurg-nt Cubans upon tbo lines above in
dicated may be at once inaugurated and
pushed to an immediate and successful is
sue. The friendly ofiicesof the UnitedStates
either in manner above outlined or in any
other way consistent with our constitution
and laws, will always bo at the disposal of
either party.
Whatever clrcnmstances may arise onr
policy and our interests would constrain
us to object to tiie asuulsitlon of the island
or an interference with its control by any
ot her power.
It should be added that it cannot lie rea
sonably assumed that the hitherto expect-
titude • the i’nited States will lie
nut attitude
indefinitely mnim.smeu. wnne wo are
anxious to accord all due respect to tbo
sovereignty < f Apsis we cannot view the
pending conflict in all its features and
properly apprehend onr inevitably close
relations to it and its possible result with
out considering that by the course of
events we may os drawn into such an un
usual and unprecedented condition as will
fix a limit to ur patient waiting for Spain
to end the contest, either alone and in l;cr
own way, or with our friendly co opera
tion.
When the inability of Spain to deal suc-
cevfully wit the insurrection has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that her
sovereignty i extinct in Cuba for all pur
poses of its rightful existence, and when a
hopeless struggle for its re establishment
has degenerated into a strife which means
nothing more than tho useless sacrifice of
human life nnd the utter destruction of
the very subj-ct-matter of the conflict, a
situation will lie pres»ntod in which our
obligations to the sovereignty of Spain
will bo superseded by higher obligations
which v.e can li irdly hesitate to recognize
and ifisclisrge.
Deferring the choice of ways and meth
ods until the time for action arrives, wo
should make them depend upon the pre
cise conditions then existing, and they
should not bo determined upon without
giving careful heed to every consideration
involving our honor nnd Interest or the
international duty we owe to Spain, until
we face tho contingencies suggested or the
situation is by other incidents impera
tively changed, ws sbould continue in the
Uni of conduct heretofore pursued, thus
in all circumstances exhibiting our obedi
ence to the require men is of public law and
ourlregard for tho duty enioinod upon us
by the position wo occupy In tho family of
nations.
A contemplation of emergencies that
may arise should plainly lead us to avoid
their creation, either through a careless
disregard of present duty or even an un
due stimulation or lit timed expression of
feeling. Hut I have deemed It not amiss
to remind tbo congress that a time mav
arrive when a correct policy and earn for
our interests, us well as a regard tor the
Interests of other nations and their citi
zens. Joined by considerations of bnmaiii'y
and u desire to see a rich and fertile coun
try intimately related to us saved fro 1
complete (levs station, will constru 1
our government to such action ns
will subvert tho interests thus involved
and at |liu same time promise to Cuba a l
Its inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy Mie
blessings of peace.
THE VKNKZL'KLAN DISPUTE SETTLED.
The Vcnezulttu b iundry question it is
censed to b.* a matter of difference between
Great Mrlt iin and the Uijjtcd Htgtos, their
reupvetiva governm uU having agreed
upon tho substantial provisions of a treaty
between Great Britain nnd Venezuela snt>
mitting tho whole controversy to arbitra
tion.
The provision.'-, of tiie treaty are so emi
nently just .and fair, tlist the n**»nt ol
Venezuela thereto may confidently ha an-
hiripated. Negotiations for a treaty ol
general arbitration for all differences be
tween Great Britain and tho United States
ore far a Ivanced and promises to rench
ouccessful consummation at an early date.
our. coast defenses.
The report of the secretary of war exhibits
satisfactory conditions in tho s**v«ral
branch"* of tho public service entrusted tc
his eharge.
The limit of our military foree, as flxod hy
law, Is constantly ami readily maintained.
The present discipline and morale of our
army aro exc* Jffmt, and marked progress and
etfl d**noy are apparent throughout the entire
organization. With the «*\(xii>tlon of delicate
duties in Up* stipprreslon of slight Indian
disturbances along our southwMteru bound
ary. in which the Mexican troop* eo-aper-
atod, aipl the compulsory but pcweful re
turn, with th-* consent <ff (treat Britain, of s
band of Gr<»* Indians from Montana to the
British possessions, no active operations
have b<*en required of the army during thu
yonr past.
Changes in methods of administration, tha
nbandonm -nt of posts and con-
sequent eoueentrntion of troops and exercise
of care; nnd vigilance by tin: various officer*
charged with the responsibility In the ex
penditures of the appropriations have re*.
Mijt--d in re-ducing to a minimum tiie cost of
maintenance of military establishments.
During the post year the work of oonffmet
ing permanent infantry and cavalry posts
has been continued at the plaees heretofore
designated. The secretary of war repeats
tiff recommendation that appropriations for
barracks and quarters should more strictly
conform to the needs tff the servlos as
judged by tho department rather
than respond to the wishes and importiiul-
ties of loenlitI-*s. It i* imperative that much
of tho money provided for such construction
should now b • allotted to the (“roction of
nec-s-nry quarter,- for th** garrisons acstgn-
ed to the const defense*, \vh**re many men
will Is.* needed to properly care for and ope
crate modern guns. It is essential, too, that
early (irovlslon Is* iiind'.* to supply the neces
sary force of artillery to meet the demand.*;
of this service. The entire army has now
ts)«;i >‘(|n1ppe<l with the new magazine arms,
and wi-e- policy d'-mamls that ail available
public and private resources should Isi so
employed as to provide, within a reasonable
time, a sufficient number to supply the state
militia with t’e-.s" modern weapon* and pro.
vide att ample reserve for any emergency,
During tin* past yea.* rapid preterc** ha*
been m ule lo-.varet the completion of the
r.-homo adopt-1 f ir tin* erection and arena,
moot of fortlih-ation.s along onr s"a-oiw» , l
while e:jual progress has been ma le In pro.
t iding mat**ri:'.l for submarine ib-f**n*e In
connection with these work*. Itl* peculiar,
ly gratifying .V this time to note the great
advance that b,-i< been made In thi* Impore
taut undertaking sl'ic’c tin* date of my an.
total message p, tp*. HffUy-thlrd eongre***. a*
the opening of its second session, li l)»(v*m-
bor, 1 >.W. At that time I informed the cor.
pre s* of the approa-hlng completion of nine
13-iti<-!i, twenty 10 !n<*!| aud thirty-four
ft-Inch high-nowr steel gun*, and
seven ty-fl vo 12-ineh rifled mortars,
At that date, however, there were practically
no carriages upon which to mount thesa
guns an i only til emplacements for guns and
(il for mortars.
Nor were all th-**.-* empl-V’cmenta In eondl.
tion t*> receiv * their annrpiier.t*.
Only one high pa yer gun was nt tha* time
In position for the defense of the entire
coast.
Since that tl-ri" th >nnmbor of gun* actual
ly completed ha* beuri Increased to a total of
2t twelve-inch, flfl ten-inch, fit eight-lneh
high power brecch-loadlng steel gun*, ten
r tpld-llro guns and sO twelve-ln-h rifled
mortar*. «
In addition there tire In process of enn«
stmetion one sixtei-n-liieli type gun, SO
tw.dvo-ineh, 5 f '< ten-ln-di. 27 clght-ineH nigh
tower guns and 00 tr.-elv--ln**n rifled mor
tars; in nil 12s gum* and [porter*.
Since Ik:m the number of gun enrrlag***
► instruct -<1 „r Imlld'.ug ha* born raised to a
total of 12'>, if which 90 are on the disap
pearing priii'-i ( de, an I t!i»* number of mortar
curriag-'s to 1V2. while the 95 einpl.vemenrs
v.l-.le.h were provided for i>rlor to that time,
have ff-eii Im-ft a*"d to biifit and building.
Tuff l.npror-'. .*ltii , dio;i ir. largely due to tho
recent generous resnon*-* of congress to tin
recoin n -nil.vi nis of tiie war department,
Thu.- w- rihail soon have complete about one.
f.fth of th-'* comprehensive *y >fm, the firs*
.-'*p of whl-di was noted |*i mr tne**age to
the congress of Doeeiiibrr 4. 1^9.1. When it
1* understood that a masonry eni:dv'*n'*nt
not only fii«-nlslies a pbt'forrn for the heavy
r.io ierti Isigh-jiower guti, but a!« > in every
particular, s rves the purpos-* nnd take* tho
pia -e of tho for'of former days, tin impor-
t im-e of tho work a *eompltehed 1* better
couiprchmided.
In the hope that th<* work will be prose,
cut -d with no h-ss vigor in the future, the
s -r tary of war line submitted an es*lmati'
by whie.h, if ,-illowod. there- will be provided
r.-nl either built or building by tho en*! of
tbo tn*xt ils -il y ar, sit**!i adift'lonal guns,
1 lorlars. gun oarriag -.« and cniplareraente »vs
will repr --o-tit not far fro-n one-tbird of the
tolal work t*> be done under the plan adopt,
i d for our coast d *f -!ise. thus affording a
prospect that the entire* work *7(11 p* *ijh.
stanti ill, completed within e|x yens*. In
I *s.*» time tiian that, ho-rever. w A siiall liavo
altnluiul a marked degree of s-mirity,
ATTOKNEY OENF.R U,’* Rf.PANT.
The attorney gi*ncrnl pre'sent* a detailed
nnd interesting statement of the l.-nportant
work dom* iin-ter hi. supervision during the
i.nt llseal year.
Th'* ownership and innnagement l>y the
govoriun<*nt of peiii*cntiarl' , s fortho confine,
nient of those eotr.-lct-id |fi I'Mli'd State*
e;uicl of violations of federal law*, which
fo*- many years has been a subject of exceu*
live rcconiinondutio’i, ha* at la«t. to * *light
extent, hei'ti realized by the utilisation ol
the abandoned military orison nt Fort Leav
enworth iis a United State* peiffemtInry.
This is eertainly a movement In Hie right
direction, but it oiighl to be at once sup
plemented by the rebuilding or »<xtcn«l\e
cnlarg* merit of this inir>Mvt***d prison, and
the construction of at least one niorc, to be
lo*itcd In tiie .*< nit hern state*.
It 1* most gratifyi'ig to note tli" satisfacto
ry results that have followed the Innugura-
liori of the A'W system provided for by the
a- of May 24, 189C, under wlib*h eertaln frel-
erri otliclais are eomjH’nsated hy salaries In
stead of fees. Th** new plan wo* nut In op
eration on the !lr*t day of .Julv, H%, and al-
x -ady the great o<**.-no*i,r I. en fores*, the pro-
ven'ion of *!>-'*■*>: and It* tsudensy to a ml.
ter ••uforenmeut of tiie las-.* are strikingly
appar.-n*. Detailed evidence of the useful-
:i*--«. <ff tlil* long delay d but now hapfdly
»•coinplisliod reform will be found clearly
ret f-irtii in the attorney general's report.
Onr poffolfle,- dei>iirti<i>*nt I* in good con
dition, nnd the exhibit nude of it* Opera
tion.- during * he fi.eml year ended .Dine 80,
Isisi, if all'*wanee I- made for Imperfections
In the laws applicable to It, it Is very sntls-
fa-'t iry. The total receipts during tiie yeaj
*82,499.201.40. The total exp ’tidltitre-*
were if90,026.290.84. cxidu-lve ol
894.27, which wn* earn -d bv th* I , a**lrte rail
road fur tran-portntlon ami -re llted on their
i-d.t to the g .verntiient. There wa* an In-
•-re-.-i-*; **f r'-e- ipt * (» vt tlie previous year ol
* .Vi 10,040.21, or 7.1 percent, and nn Increas-i
of evjien-litnr-v of r*8,H2 i S,l24.U2 or 4,44 per
ciint. The ib-it was 'j , l t 070,9V>. 19 I*",* tboo
tliat of the pr -eding y*-ar.
Ibi y-iirs r*-j«o.-t -liovv'i large extension*
of i-tlh tar Mil** -i-rvlee and railway mail
siTvi ••*. Wltll llier* ll**cd |i(l-tal facilities.
Mu -!i 'n :'- -t ..e.-ura -y In liH'idilng uidil* Ini-
ll-o )• a r -i Me l. a * appeal's bj tie- de-rcii-.:
ff i-rr. r- in Me* r iff \ iv mall -**rvlce nnd tli<;
r<* lu -> i m of -iiall matter returned to tlex dead
lett.-i iilll--:*. Tin* d -il'.-ll f-.r Mu- hit
y -'it, d'.ii-iugti nim !i less th;m Hint
of preceding y •niv. emphasizing Ui*
ticec *.*lty f *r legffiatlnu at.d «or-
tt-C( th) ffi'OWltlg Kuum of beeoud-cliis*
nt*-*, 4o wtifch tho defleloacy Is motnly
attrihutabls. The transmission at tho rate
of on«> cent a pound of serial llhraidos, ad
vertising sheet*, ••house organs,” (porlodl-
en<s advertising some partl-nlar ■‘limiso” or
Instttntion), sample copl^si and the like,
onght ccrtatnlv U, be dlseonflnflefl. A glance
at the revenues for the work done last year
will *how more pintnly than any other utato-
mont the grevs abuse of the postal sorvico
and Hie growing waste of iff* enmlngs.
Our mail service should, of course, he
such ns to mer>t tho want* and even the con
venience of our people, at a direct charge
ttpon them so light a* perhaps to exclude
the Idea of onr j.ostoffice department being
a money-making concern, but in the f a ae uf
a oonstnntly recurring deficiency In tts r*rre-
nnre, and In v|e w of the f,v-t that we supply
the best mall service In the world, k sewms
to me it Is quite time to correct the abuses
that swell enormously our onnuol deflelt. I
recommend that legislation »*• id one* en
acted U» correct three almsea. and tntrodu-’o
bet.U-r business idea* lu the regulatleu of
otir postal rates. Fx|*«*#1t**w** and olwerva-
tiou have deinonstraUd that certain Improve
ments In the orgardiuUVsn of Oh* posbfflW
deparlninut must be secured txefore we ean
gain the full benefit of the ffntnemx;
■urns e.xi»cnd(.*d In its administration.
OCR NEW KAYT.
Tho work of the narv department and Ks
pr**s**nt condition are* fully exhibited In tho
report of tho secretary.
Tho construction of vessels for onr new
navy has b**cn energetically prosecuted by
the present administration upon the general
lines previously adopted, Ine department
having seen no necessity for radical changes
In prior methods under whleh the work was
found to 1m> progressing in a manner highly
satisfactory.
It has been decided, however, to provide
In every shipbuilding contract that tho
builder should pay all trial cx|em.*es. And
It has also been determined to pay no speed
premiums in future contracts.
The premiums recently earned, and some
yet to be decided, are featurre of tho con-
1 tracts made before this conclusion wua
j reached.
It is gratifying to state tint onr ships and
their outfits are* believed to Is* equal to tho
best that can he manufactured elsewhere
and that streh notable reductions have been
made in their cost aa to Justify the statement
that quite a number of vessels are now being
constructed at rates as low as those that
prevail In European shipyards. Our manu
facturing facilities are* at this time smplo
for all possible naval contingencies,
Tli<* war college has developed into an
Institution which H Is tmll«ved will be of
gre*ai value to the navy In teaching the
science of war a* well as Jn stimulating
professional real |n the unvy; and It will Im
especially useful In the devising of plans for
the utilization In ease of necessity of ail
the nazal re •source* of the United states.
The discipline among officers and men of
the navv has been maintained to a high
standard, and the percentage of American
cltlreiis enlisted have been very much in-
ore-os-d, The report ef the secretary of the
interior presents a comprehensive and inter
esting exhibit of numerous and Important
affairs committed to his supervision. It Is
Impossible Jn this communication to do
more than briefly refer to a f«w of the sub
jects, concerning which th** secretary gives
full and Instructive information, Money ap
propriation on account of this department
and for its disbursement for the fiscal
v-car ended June .10, IffiKi, amounted
to more than ♦157,<Wfl.iW, ora greater sum
than was appropriated for the entire main-
tainanee of the government for the two fis
cal Tears ended June 10, Iflfli. Our nubile
lands originally amounted to 1,840,000,000
aeres have been so reduced that only about
000.000,000 acre* remain In government con
trol, excluding Alaska The holaueo, being
by for the most valuable portion, has
been given away to ssnlers to new states nnd
to rnllronil* or sold at 4 comparatively nor
mal sum.
I ogreo with the socrctary that the re
mainder of our public lands should be more
oarefnllv dealt with and their alienation
guarded by better economy and greater pru
dence.
THfc PESMOX ROLL
The dtmunltton of our enormous pension
soli nnd the decrease of pension expenditure
which ha* iven so often confidently foretold
still fall In mr erlal realisation. The num
ber of pensioners on the rolls at the close of
the fiscal year ended June 10th, HWi, was
970,971, Thi* I* the largest number ever re
ported, Tim amount paid excluslrely for
pensions during the rear was #111,114,Till.*4,
r. slight decrease from that of fhe preeedlng
ysr. while the *otal expenditures an ac
count of pensions. Including the cost of
maintaining the deiiartrnent and expgnsss
attendingj'"n*«lon distribution ameuntsd to
1142.209,m.W, or within a very email frac
tion of one-third of the enttre expense of
supporting the government during the same
year.
The numticr of persons receiving pensions
from the United States, but residing In for
eign countries nt the elosa of the last fl*cnl
year was 1,711, and the amonnt paid them
during Hie year was *512,715.18. The sum
appropriated for the payment of pensions
for th'* current fiscal year ending June 10,
H97.1* *140.O'M).000, and for the succeeding
year It |* estimated that same amount will lie
necessary, In my opinion, based upon such
•tateivents a* three and much other Informa
tion anil observation, the atmse* which
have been allow'd to ereep Into
our pension system have done Incalcu
lable harm In demoralizing our peopln
ami undermining good eltluenshlp. I have
endeavored w*thin my opbere of official duty
♦o protect our pension roll and make it what
|t should ho, a roll of honor, c-mtalnlng Hie
name* of those disabl'd fn th'lr country's
service and worthy of their country's affoo-
tlonut* remembrance.
AORICm.TURAL DEPARTMENT.
The department of agriculture Is so In
timately related to the welfare of onr peo*,
pie and the prosperity of onr nation that
ft should constantly receive the care and
encouragement of the government. From
small beginnings I*, has grown to he the
center of agricultural Intelligence and the
source of aid and encouragement to agri
cultural effi rts. Large sums of motley
are annually appropriated for the main
tenance of tnia department, and It must
be confessed that the legislation relating
to it has not always been directly In the
Interest of practical farming, or pwperly
g uarded agaff 1st waste and extravagance.
o far, however, as pnblle money bat been
appropriated fairly and aenalhly to help
those who actually till the soil, net bgpeii-
diture has been more profitably mad* and
more generally approved by tbs people.
The secretary reports that the value of
our exports of farm products during the
last fiscal year amounted to #570,000,Orth,
an Increase of ♦iT.OOO.Otn over those of the
year Immediately preceding.
The gratuitous distribution of seeds by
the department as at present conducted
ought to he discontinued. No one can
read the statement of the secretary on this
subject and doubt the extravagance and
questionable results of this practice.
The progress made In civil service re
form furnishes a cause for the utmost
congratulation. It has survived the
doubts of Its friends as well me the rancor
of ils enemies, and has gained a perma
nent place among the agencies destined to
cleanse onr politics and to improve, econo
mize an 1 elevate the pnblle aervioe. There
arc now in the competitive elaassfled ser
vice upward of eighty-four tbausnnd
lace*. More than half of these have been
Deluded from time to time since March 4
ISV.I.
TREASURY REPORT.
The secretary of the treasury report»
Mint during the fiscal year ended June »»,
IKqti the receipts of the government from
all sources amounted to #400.475.408.78,
during the same period its expenditures
were #43l,t)78,&>4 48. The excess of expeu-
diturcsover receipts thus amounting to
#25.H 2,'14Y70. Th# ordinary expenditures
during the year were #4,015 #52.2i less
than during the preceding fiscal year..
Of the ‘ receipts meaflonM) there
ft
J - ®* «$p*Jjrad from customs the sum of
tlflO,03],711.97 and from Internal rfvenuo
#149,130,615.9*. The r c Ipts from customs
show an increase of #7.M3 121 23 over thos#
from the name sonrre for the fiscal year
ended .tune 30, lfifl> ahd the recipts Irom
I mal revenue an Increase of J3,584,537.91.
CITII. SERVICE.
The civil service mb s ns amended dur
ing the last year proved for a sensible nnd
uniform method <ff promotion, basing eli
gibility to better positions upon demon
strated efflekmey and faith fulness. The
absence of fixed rules on th s su'.>j?ct has
been nn infirmity In the nyst-m mors and
more appearant as it* other b-*neflt» hare
t>e*gn better apy>r«etat»d.
The advantxim of eiwfl aerHre m*<b<*i*
hi thrtt buslnm* aspect* or* too well ruj-
(lerrtood to reqtrhw argnmenv. Their op-
plUwvHoti hm heo^Tis a necessity rt> rti*
exccoilvo work of the government.
ixtewtate commerce.
TU# hiterstAte commerce comnilwdon
haa, duffing Uie Last year, supplied.abund-
ont evklensA of lt« usefnines* end the im-
portanoe of tbe work committed 4o its
charge.
Public traw*port.**loti Is a unirersal n«-
vessily, and the question of Just mid rea
sonable charges therefore has become of
vital important* Dot only to shippers and
carriers, but al-s to the vast multitude of
producers and F*n*umer*.
VlX TARIFF.
I desire to recur to the statemenfs else
where made concerning the government’s
receipt* and expenditurea for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggest! -nstouch-
Ing our pres-ut tariff Uw and its operation.
1 his statute took effect on the 2Sth day
of August, 1M)4. y
hatever may be Its shortcoming as a
complete measure of tariff reform, it must
be conceded that it has opened the wav to
a freer and greater exchange of rnniinodi-
ties between us and other countries, and
thus furnished a wider market for our
products and manufacturers
The only entire fiscal year during which
this Jaw has been in force ended on the
noth day of June. 199(5. In that rear our
imports increased over those of the previ
ous year more than *9 SOO.rtOti, while the
value of the domestic products we ex
ported which found market abroad was
Dearly #70,000 Ot/j more than during fhe
preceding year.
Considered os to its sufficiency of this
aspect, the present law can by no means
fall under Just condemnation. During tho
only complete fiscal year of its operation
It has yielded nearly *8,non,000 more rev
enue than was received from tariff duti-*s
in the preceding rear. There was, never
theless, a deficit between receipts anil ex
penditurea of a little more than #25,000,.
000. This, however, was not unexpected,
if left to its operation the law will in tha
near future yield a revenue which, with
reasonable economical expenditures will
overcome all deficiencies.
FINANCE.
This reference to thecondltlon and prvs-
pectsof our revenues naturally suggests
aa allusion to the weakness and rice* of
our financial methods. They hare been
frequently pressed upon t e attention of
congress in previou* executive communi-
eattons and the inevitable danger of
their continued toleration pointed out
without now repeating these details I can
not refrain from agsin earnestly present
ing the necessity of the prompt reform of
a system opposed to every rule of sound
finance and *hn*m by experience to in
fraught with the gravest peril /md per
plexity.
I am more convinced Mian ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and
safety until the government currency ob
ligations upon which gold may he de
manded from the treasury are withdrawn
from eircnlation and canceled. This
might be done as lias been heretofore
recommended hy their exchange far lon,q
term bonda bearing a low rate of interest,
or by their redemption with the pro-eed*
of auch bonds. Kven if only the United
States notes known as greenbacks were
thus retired ills probable that the treasury
notes issned in payment of silver pur
chases under the act of July 14, 1895 now
paid In gold when demanded would not
create much disturbance ns they might
from time to time when recorded in tha
treasury hy redemption In gold or other
wise b« gradually and prudently replaced
by silver coin. This plan of issuing bond*
for tke purpose of reiriemptien certainlv ap
pears H be the most effeetive and direct
path to the aeeded re/orm. la default d<
fkdshewsvee ft weald be a *>*• fn fb»
Fight fipetton, If entovaey dVfftwtiezrs pe-
AmwfbU Hi fold whenever so redeemed
rtonM ba caxssnad fnstoarf of bzffng reb»-
sned. Thi* operation wo'nld ha a slow
remedy, but it wo a Id Improve present con
ditions.
National banks should redeem theirown
notes. They should be allowed to Issuo
circulation to the par value of bonds de
posited ns security for its redemption, nn l
the tax on their circulation should bo re
duced.
IN COXCM'SION.
In concluding this communication Its
last words shall be an appeal to the con
gress for the most rigid economy in tho
expenditure of the money It hold* iu trust
for tha people. The way to perplexing ex
travagance is easy, but a return to fru
gality is difficult. When, however, ii jji
considered that those who hear the buP-
den* of t«x*llon have no guaranty of hon-
•et care save in the fidelity of Mieir public
seruonts, the dnty of all possible ret ranch-
ment ia plainly manifest. When onr dif
ference* are forgotten and mir contest* of
political opinion are no longer remem
bered, nothing In tbe retrospect of on/
pablic service will be *s fortunate and
eomforting aa the recollection of official
duty well performed and the memory of
a constant devotion to the interests of opr
confiding fallow countrymen.
Grover Cleveland.
I tioaphorcacrnt Paint.
Some Gorman haw patented nnd is
preparing to put on tho market in this
country a new kind of phosphorescent
paiut for use in lettering all kir.'is of
advertisements on boardings aud coun
try fences. Tho letters show In common
black, white or other colors during tho
day, but at night they shine with a
smoky, lurid and altogether weird bril
liancy.
Odd Maatlon.
North Carolina reports that tho first
bale of cotton has been market 'd iu that
■late earlier than ever known.
Tho cotton planters have wisely di-
versified their crops. They now produce
farm crops which they formerly bought
from the north and west
Southern butter makers should seri
ously consider tho value of parchment
paper. For warm weather it is almost
indispensable. This paper is rapidly
growing in favor all over Europe, and
copecially iu Australia and New Zea
land.
Tho cotton crop has deteriorated gen
erally throughout the cottou belt The
intense heat and lack of moisture caused
premature opening of bolls aud abed-
ding.
The production of pure sirup from
the rjbbou (or Louisian 1) sugar cane U
attracting tho attention of experta.
The beef of the future will be
on the farm, fed on the farm
directly off tbo farm, uecovfl
Texas Farm am} Ham h.