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THE ME8SA6E. OMHMDicatin of the President to Congress. Condition of Our Foreign Relations* o Hfce Executive Recommends a Re­ daction of Taxation. SKa Also Has a Word to Say in "Regard to River and Harbor Bills. 9D TBI SNIAN IM> Hoon oar TIVES OF THE UNITED STATES: It is provided by the constitution that th© 3President shall from time to time give to the 'Congress Information of the state of the Union, 4md recommend to their consideration such aaeamzea as he shall Judge necessary and expe- <*'fn reviewing the events of the year which has •elapsed since the commencement of your ses- •sions, I first call your attention to the gratifying 'Condition of onr POBETON AFFAIRS. Onr Intercourse with other powers has contin­ ued to he of the most friendly character. Such .. slight differences as have arisen during the year have been already settled, or are likely to reach Jin early adjustment. G HEAT BRITAIN. The arrest of citizens of the United States in Ireland under recent laws, which owe their < ri- ~ gin to the disturbed condition of the country, has )«t to somewhat-extended corresponde^ce •with tie G.ivcrnmen' of Great Britain. A dis­ position to respi-c' our lishts has been practi­ cally manifested by the release of arrested var- . ties! The claim of this nation in regard to the super­ vision and control of anv interooeanic canal across the American isthmus has continued to be the subject of conference. It is likely that time will be more powerful than discussion in removing the divergence between the two na­ tions, wh> so friendship i-* so closely cemented " by the intima y of their relations and the com­ munity of their interest-. RUSSIA. Our lone-established friendliness with Ilnssla has remained unbroken. It ha* prompted me to pri Iter the earnest counsels of this Government that mensuves be adopted lor suppressing the proscription which the Ht.-brew race in that coun­ try has lately sulTere 1. It has not transpired that any American citizen has t een subjected to ar est or injury, but our courteous remonstrance has, nevertnelcss, b-en courteously received. There is reason to be ieve the time is not far distant wli .n Russia will tie able to secure toler­ ation to all faiths within her borders. 1NTERNATIONA1. CONFERENCES. At an I atr national Convention, hed at Paris in 1880, and attended by re: resentative* of the United Stat<-s, tm agreement. was reached in respect to the protection of trade-marks, patented articles and the rights of manufact­ uring firms and corporations. The formulation into treaties of the recommendations thus adopted is receiving the attention which it merits. The protection of submarine cables is a sub­ ject now under consideration by an internation­ al conference at Paris. Helievingthat it is clearly the true policy of this Government to favor the neutarlization of this means of intercourse, I requested our Minister to France to attend the convention as a delegate. 1 also dsignated two of our eminent scientists to attend as represent­ atives at the meeting of au International Com­ mittee at Paris for considering the adoption of a common unit to measure electric force. In vi;w of the uvquent occurrence of confer­ ences for the consideia ion of important mat­ ters of common interest to civilised nations, I respectfully sugaest that the Executive be in­ vested by Cong ess with discvetio uary power to seud delegates to such conventions, and that provision be made to defray the expenses inci­ dent thereto. SPAIN. The difference between the United States and Spain as to the effect of a judgment and certifi­ cate of naturalization,has not yet been adjusted, but it is hoped and believed that the negotia­ tions now in progre s will result in the establish­ ment of tho position which seetns to this Gov­ ernment so reasonable and just. I have already called the attention of Congress to the fact that In the exports of Spain and Its colonies -onerous fines have lately been imposed upon vessels of the United States for trivial techni- •cal offenses against local regulations. Efforts for the abatement of those exactions have thus far proved unsuccessful. I regret to in­ form you also that the fees demanded by Spanish Consuls in American potts are in some cases so large, when compared with the = value of the cargo, as to amount in effect to a considerable export duty, and that om remoa- strances in this regard have not as yet received attention which they seem to deserve. GERMANY. The German Government has Invited the Unite 1 States to participate in an international exhibition of domestic cattle, to be held at Hamburg la Ju:y, 1SH3. If this country is to upon the borders, and to the necessity of legis­ lation for its suppression. I again invite the attention of Congress to the subject. A parti a relief from these mischiefs has been sought in a convention, which now awaits the Rpproval of the Senate, as do s also another touching the es­ tablishment of the international boundary be­ tween the United States and Mexico. If the latter is ratified, the action of Const ess will be required for establishing suitable commissions of survey. The boundary dispute between Mex­ ico and Guatemala, which led the Government t < proffer Its friendly counsel to both parties, has been amicably settled. Mo change has occurred In onr relations with VENEZUK i. I again invoke your action in the matter of the pending awards against that republic, to « hich reference was made by a special message from the Executive at. your last session An invita­ tion has be n received from the Government of Venezuela to send representatives, in July, 18S5. to Caraccas, for participating in the centennial celeb ation of the birth of Bolivar, the founder of South American independence In connec­ tion with this event, it is designed to onmmei'cs the erection, at Cirac as, of a statue of Wash- ingt on, and conduct an Industrial Exhibition, which will be open to American products. I re­ quest that the United States be represented, and that suitab'e provision be made therefor, t The elevation of the grade of our mission in CENTRAL AMERICA to the Plenipotentiary rank, which was anthor- iied by Congress at its last session has been since effected 'Ihe war between Peru and Bolivia on the one side, and Chili on the other, bean more than three years «go, on the occupa­ tion by Chili, in IKMI, of all the littoral territory of Bolivia. Negotiations for peace were con­ ducted under directions of the United States The allies refused to concede any territory, but Chili has sin e become master of the whole coast of both countries, and of the capital of Pern. A year since, as you have already been anvised by correspondence transmitted to you in Jan­ uary last, this Government sent a special mis­ sion to the belligerent powers to express the hope thit Chili would br disposed to accept a money indenity for the expenses of the war, and to re­ linquish her demand for a portion of the terri­ tory of her antagonist. This recommendation, which Chili declined to follow, this Government did not assume to enforce, nor can It be en­ forced without resort t > measures which would be in keeping neither with the temper of our people, nor with the spirit of our institutions. The power of Peru no longer extends over its whole territory, and, in the even;; of our inter­ ference to dictate, peace w ould need to be sup­ plemented by the armies and navies of the U nitcd States. Such interference would almost inevitably lead to the establishment of a pro­ tectorate, a result utterly at odds with our past policy, injurious t-6 our present interests, and full of embarrassment for the future. For effecting the termination of hostilities upon the towns at once--just to the victorious naton and generous to its adversaries--this Government has spared no efforts save such as might involve the complicatlo's which I have indicated. It is to be greatly deplored that Chili seems to be re­ solved to exact such ligorous conditions of i eace, and indisposed" to submit to ar- bitraton the terms of an amicable setil men*. No praee is likelv t. • be 1 isting that is not sufficiently equitable and just to command the anpioval of o.her nations. About one year since invitati >ns were ex­ tended to the nations of this continent to set d representatives to a peaci congress to assemble in Washington in November, 1S82. The time of meeting was then fixed at a period then remote, in the hope, as the invitation itself declared, that in the meantime the disturbances between the South American republics be a^ I justed. As that ex pectation seemed u to be realized, 1 asked in April last for pression of opinion fr m the two houses mess as to the advisability of holding- t posed convention at the time api>olnted action was prompted in part by doubt mature rejection had suggested, whe diplomatic usage and traditions of the ment did not make it fitting Executive should consult the sentatives of the people before a line of policy somewhat in its character and far reaching in its consequences. In view of the fact tha tion was taken by Congress in the prem that no provision had been made tor tl: sarv expenses, I subsequently decided pone the convocation, and so notified tl. ai n/.irammon( a u-hinh hnH ilivltp Mipenn- ler with »sWe«tK Several be fore Governments which had l>een invite tend. I am unwilling to discuss thi without assuring you of my suppoi measures the wisdom of Congress ml for promotion of peace on this contll throughout the world, and 1 trust thf niszh when, with the universal consent |\\Tri jjlit ; ized peoples, all international different be determined without e«ort to arr benignant processes of arbitration. DIPIIOMATIC CHANGES, Changes have occurred in the d presentation of several foreign powei the past vear. N.-w Ministers from tl tine Republic, Austria, Hungary, Brai China, France, Jajian and Mexico, the' lands and Russia have presented theifl on mo- tials. The missions of Denmark and V zeriaud has created a pie ipoten'iary, to this Government, and an Embassy fr' agascaranda Minister from Siam wir papers, arrive. Onr diplomatic intercourse I enlarged by the establlshmc ' relations with the new the I o«t of Servia, by the creation of a mission,]. . i • and by the restoration of the mission t' The Shah of Persia has expressed his i. rg--)•. ticii that ft Charge d'Affaires wil1 shortly, ,, to that country, where the rights oi OTW« i". > liave been hitherto courteously guardc*, » representatives of Great Britain. f. • PREVENTION OF COLIJKIONS AT WQLLSFAV I renew my recommendation of sucH _ tion as will place the United States in • lioner, with other maritime powers, with respq *» j the retirement of silver certificate*, I have seen n- thing to alter, but mnch to cor,firm, th • sen- iments to which I gave expressi n last year. A comparison bet« een th" respective amounts of silver dollars in circula ion o*i Nov. 1, 1*81, and on Nov. l, 1K82, snows a slight ircrease of 1,50",- 0 O, but, dnring th • in erval the e I ad been in the whole number coi'.id an increase of fQG.OOt.- "i'0. O the $i2s,o o,ooo thus far minted, 1 ttle mo-e than JW5, <H> <I u are in crcnla ion. The mass of accumulated coin has grown - o great th t the vault room at i res nt available for storag is scarcely sufficient to contain it. It is not apparent, why it is de-nrable to continue this coinage now. SJ enormously .n excels of the public demand. SILVER CERTIFICATES. As to the silver certificates, in addition to the grounds which seemed last year to justify their retirement, may be mentioned the effect which is likely to ensue from the supply of gold cer­ tificates for which issuance Congress recently made provision, and which are now in active circulation. REDUCTION OF TAXES. Ton cannot fail to notice with interest the discussion by the Secretary as to the necessity of providing' by leei-dation some mode of free­ ing the treasm y of an excess of assets. In the event that Congress fa Is to reach an early agreement for the r< duction of taxation, I heart­ ily approve the Secretary's recimmenda ion of immediate and extensive reductions in the an­ nual revenues of i he Government. It will be re­ membered that I urge 1 upon the a*tention of Cngiessat it last session the importance of relieving the Industry and enterprise of the country from tlie pressure from unnecessary taxation. It is one of the tritest maxims of political economy that all taxes are burden­ some, however wisely and prudently imposed and thougu there have always b en among our people wide differences of sentiment as to the best methods of raising the national revenues, and, indeed, as to the principles upon which taxation shonhl be based, there has been substantial accord in the doctrine that only suoli tjixes ought to be levied as are necessary for a wise and economical ; dministration of the Government. Of late the public revenues have far ex ceded that limit, and unless checked by appropriate legislation, such excess will con­ tinue o increase from year to ye ir. For the fiscal year ended June so, 1S81, the surplus rev­ enue amounted to $IH>,OHO.OOO. For the fiscal year ended on the 30th of June last, the surplus was more than f.OdO. The report of the j Secretary shows what disposition has been made of these moneys. They have not only answered the requirements of the "sinking fund, but have afforded a large balance applicable to o her re­ ductions of the public debt. But I renew the expression of my conviction that such rapid ex­ tinguishment of the na' ional indebtedness as is now taking place is by no means a cause for congratulation. It is a cause rather for serious npp'chension. If it continues, it must s)>e-'<li!v be followed by one of the evil results so clearly set lorth in the report of the Secretary. Either the surplus must lie idle in the treasury, oc the Government will be forced to buy, at market rates, its bonds, not then redeemable, and which, under such circumstances, cannot fail to command an enormous premium, or the swollen revenues will bo devoied to extravagant expenditure which, as experience has tiught, is ever the bane of an ove-flowing t easurv It was made a: parent- in the course of the animated discu eion which the question aroused at the last session of Cong ess, that the poliry of diminishing the revenue bv reducing taxation eom nande t the general approval of the mem- IKV< of l)Oth houses. I retrrct that because of conflicting views as to the best methods by wnich tliaf policv should be made operative, ' sm aitoH Company, it \v:is m«\ nako a m'tit ot | have'to is this, that thn 1 Jhrre fires in as many nxontlif views *av that, 'through the f.tit'i equarenes* of Mr.'Smi;|i. the «'*«*h fire were promptly S'*tt!i think if he eotild .Ik jt iu which was a very intric ite oi| .public opinion against me an< tiiinjf looking dubious. | fcn where there in a |o*s •anil Mr, Smith ha« ihe if will be settle.l with prnnipti !«»irne*8 to all eonrerue.l. I Hdd my testimony, as it was all over this conntv, that I wot j?et mv insnra tee. but get iulf,and cash tU>wrn, witliuut even a Yours trtt -MV.M froee me to express tha measure will be deemed present se-sion of Coi measure would now jection, in addition u ged upon yonr attenttoa. that no similar sary during the Indeed, suoh a to serious ob- which was lately I arrf informed by the Secretary of War that Ike greater portion of the sum appropriated dot the various items s peel tied in that act reotans unexpended. Of the new works which it authorized, expenses have been incurred upon twooclv, for which the total appropriation was |21<>,0o<i. The present aval'able balanoa to dtoeloaeil by the following abte: • Amount of appropriation by act of August S, 18X2 \ 119,733,875 Amount of appropriatkm by act of June 19, 1882 .j 10,000 Am untof appropriation fofVayment* to J. B. Bads .K «0«,000 Unaxwnded balance forae* appr»- priation* 4,738,268 Total- .*B»79M38 Less amount drawn from treas­ ury between July 1,18(0, ud No- vamber 3«, 1882 <,066,191 Total. $TT,734,W4 It Is apparent, l»y this exhibit that, so far as > which the act of *'es, there can be ons until after the If, however, any ssary in respect to l entirely feasible to ppropriate leglsla- iple, that a delay next Congress to [^for the Mississippi be attended with i should appear to Ing to that subject approval. This egestion which I to the wisdom [*abie that grants of for diverge and in- tmprovement concerns mast of the i ema Congress of Aug. 3, 1 no ne-d of further appro; close of the present action should seem to be particular objects, it will provide for those objects tion. It is possible, tor until the assembling of make additional provisi< river improvements ml; serious consequences. If be the ease, a just bill re] w ould com nand leads me to offer trust will commend 1 of Congress. Is it not ad' considerable sums of mo: dependent schemes of should be made the subjects of separate and dis­ tinct legislative enactments? It. will scarcely be gainsaid, even by those who favor the most lib­ eral expenditures for st$h purposes as are sortght to be accomplished by what is commonly called the River and Harbor bill, that the prac­ tice of grouping in such a bill appropriations for a great diversity of objects widely separated, either in their nature, in the locality with which they are c mcerned, or in both, is one which is to be deprecated. Unless it is divisible, it in­ evitably tends to setnre the success of the bill as a whole, taough many of the items, if separately "xmsWcred, could scarcely fail of rejection. By the afeption of the course I have recommended, r very; mem her of Congress, when opportunity should tfise for giving his in­ fluence and vote for merit yious appropriations, would be enabled to do so without being called npon to sanction others undeserving his approval. So, also, would the Executive l*» af­ forded thereby a full opportunity to exercise his constitutional prerogative of opposinsr whatever appropriations seemed to him objectionable, without imi>eriling the success of otlv rs which commend themselves to judgment. It may be urged in opposition that the number of works provemcnts which are jm mental aid is so great separate appropriation such a comparatively limj;i Count y ies to 1 oo(!«tock ore, the of each be there eiiltMrm Moudtv officers it, Tho« dition 8 titled tion of ohacco sp rits o, t he lealers t that obable >ming iternal ipirits, iirse. if hinery asy of l>ected such rks at 1 jna^cr wlKai i biSKlhi ytw nT>* ni these sucaestions international itn- *" entitled to ('- vern- der impracticable herefor, or eveu for number as make particular attention, I refer you to his observations in reference to the ad-, disability of changing the present basis for tix;ng salaries and allowances; of extending the money-order system; of en­ larging the fnnctions of the posta establish­ ment, so as to have nnder Its control the tele­ graph system of the country, though from this la-t and most important recommendation 1 must withhold my concurrence. LETTER PORTAGE. At the laat session of Congress, several bills were introduced Into the House of Representa­ tives for the teduction of letter postage to the rate of 2 cents per half ounce. I have given much study and reflection to this subject., and am thoroughly persuaded that such a reduction would be for tne best interests of the public. It has been tha policy of the Government from its foundation to defray, as far as pos­ sible, the expenses of carrying the mails by a direct tax jn the form of postage, and it has never been claimed, however, that this service ougnt to be productive of a net revenue. As has been stated already, the report of the Postmas­ ter General shows that there is now a very con­ siderable swrplns in his departmenf, and that hencefort h the receipts are likely to increase at a much greater ratio than the neces­ sary expenditures. Unless some change is made in the existing laws, t'-e profits of the postal service will, in a very few years, swell the revenues of the Government many millions o dollars. The time seems auspicious, therefore* for some reduction in the rates of postal-. In what shall that reduction consist? A review of the legislation which has been had npon this subject during the lsst thirty years discloses that domestic letters constitute the only class of mail matter which tins never been favored bv substantial reductions ot rates. I am convinced .that the burden ef maintaining the service falls unequally upon that class, and that im re than anv other it is entitled to present it­ self. That such relief may be extended to o'her public interests, will be discov­ ered upon reviewing the results of former reduc­ tions. Immediately prior to the act of 1M.% the postage npon a letter eomtHJsed of a single siieet was as follows: If conveyed 30 miles or less, 6 i cents; between 30 and 80miles, lit cents; between 80 and l.w miles, luSj cents; between l.W and 400 i es, 18*4 cents; over 400 miles, 2A cents. By the act of 1845, the postage upon a sineie lett-: r conveyed for any distance nnder itt) miles was fixed at "> cents, "and for any greater di-tanee at 10 cents. By the act of tssi it was provided that a single letter, if prepaid, should be carried any distance not exceeding .i.ono miles for 3 Cents, and any greater distance for6cents Jtwill be noticed that both of these reductions were of a radical charnc er and lelatively quite as important as that which is now proposed. In each c,v e there ensued a temj>orary loss of revenue, but a sudden and large influx of business fol­ ic,wed which substantially repaired that ions within three years. Unless the exj>erience of past legislation in this country and elsewhere goes for naught, it may be safely predicted that the stimulus ot 50 per cent, reduction in tax for carriage would at once increase the number of letters consigned t > the mails. The advan­ tage of secrecy would lead to a very general sub­ stitution of sealed packets for pos al cards and »l>en circulars, and in divers other ways the volume of first-class matter would lie enor­ mously augmented. Such increase amounted In It lnivinfj come t.o onr knowlej Mr, Jacob Story, of McH<nrr, ofterinjf for sale some of our I-e "OarlamJ Stoves," we take this of informing the public that It .... ... . to sen. or Oftertli® same at this capital have been raised in grad'!!',lpt" 8 I tie sole ri^lit nnrl exclusive he ere days of this session Congress should make suitable appropriation for that purpose. ITALY. The death of Mr. Marsh, onr late Minister to Italy, has evoked from that G vernment expres­ sions of profound resi>ect for his exalted char­ acter and for his honorable career in the diplo­ matic service of his country. The Italian Gov­ ernment has raised a question as to the propriety of recognizing In his dual cai>acity the repre­ sentative of this country, recently accredited, both as Secretary of Legation and as Consul General at Rome. He lias been received as Sec­ retary, but his exequatur as Consul General has thus far been withheld. BELGIUM. The extradition convention with Belgium, which has been in operation since 1871, has been lately supplanted by another. The Senate has signified its approval, and ratifications have been duly exchanged between the contracting countries. To the list of extraditable crimes has been added that of the assassination, or attempted assassination, of the chief ol state. SWITZERLAND. Negotiations have been oiiened with Switzer­ land looking to a settlement by treaty of the question whether its citizens can renounce their allegiance and become citizens of the United States without obtaining the consent of the Swiss Government. I am happy to inform you that the immigration of paupers and criminals from certain of the cantons of Switzerland has substantially ceased, and is no longer sanctioned by the authorities. RETURN OF FOREIGN CONVICTS. The consideration of this subject prompts the suggestion that 1 he act of August 3, 1882, which has for its object the return of foreign convicts fatercqt be represented, it is important that in the early t international rules for the prevention, . A - nionsatsea. ' LONGITUDE AND TIME. . „ In conformity with your joint resolnt* r. • n tn a 3d < f August fast. I have directed he (,i, of State to address foreign Guvernmen spect to a proposed conference for co\ tlie subject of the universal adaption o„ .. mon prime meridian t > l>e used in the i1 • of lonuitude. and in the regulation throughout the civilized world, 'l'lie) v„i » will, in due time, be laid before you. An agreement was reached at Paris i'*ch. at tween tli* principal powers for the inte. of official publications through the medium of their respective foreisrn departments. The ad­ mirable system which has been built up by the enterprise of the Smithsonian Institution affords a practical basis for our co-operation in this scheme, and an arrangement has been effected by which that institution will perform the necessarv labor under the direction of the De­ partment of State. A reasonable compensation therefor should l>e provided by law. DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE. A clause in the act making appropriations for the diplomatic and consular service contem­ plates the reorganisation of b -th branches of such service on a s-Uaried basis, leaving fees to inure to the benefit of the treasury. I cor- dia'lv favor such a project as likelv to correct abuses in the present Bystein. The Secretary of State will present to you at an early day a plan for such reorganization ,,..W THE TREASURY. A full and interesting exhibit of the operations of the Treasury Department is afforded by the report of the Secretary. It appears that the ordinary revenues from all sources for the present year ended June 30, 1882, were as follows: From customs, f220,*10,730 25; from from sales of on circula­ te their own country, should be so modified as .ac lr. not to be open to the inte pretation that it af- ! internal revenue. $146.4i)i,»H5.4o, fn fects the extradition of criminals on preferred j publ c lands, f 1.753,140.67; from tax charges of crinre. , ' tion and deposits of national banks, $8.050,7*.tt.J5; JURISDICTIONAL RIGHTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. | from repayment of interest by I'ac tic: railway The Ottoman Porte has not yet assented to companies, $840,564.37: from sinking fund for the interpretation which this Government has j Pacific railway comi anies, f7%,v7t.4 !; frem cus- pnt upon the treatv of 1830 relative to its juris- ! torn-, fees, fines, penalt es, etc., 1134,. 34,800; from - .... fees for C nsular letters patent aid linds, 6:18,990.97; f < m pr ceeds of sales of Government property, $314.959.8r»; from profit <n coinage, bullion deposits and ass iys, $1,116,693.73; fr ' in Indian tru- t funds. $5,7«r>,243.22; from deposits by individuals for surveying public lands, $2.- 052.3' 6.B6; from revenues of the District of Co­ lumbia, $1,715,176.41; from miscellaneous sources, $3,383,445.43; total ordinal y receipts, $4!.3,525, - 250.28. The ordinary expenditures for the same period were: For civil expenses, $:8,042,3*6. "2; f< r for­ eign intercourse, $t.:-s7,s>6.1»; for Indiana $1,7 6,747.4"; for pensions, $61,"U5,l >3.95; for the mi itary establishment, including river and ha- - bor improvements and arsenals, $4^,570,494.19; for the naval establishment, including vess >ls, machinery and improvements at navy vards, $15,03'.'.046.26; for miscellaneous expenditures, includinn public buildincs, light-houses and collecting the revenue, $34,539,237.50; forexpend- itures on account of the District ef Columbia, Sut upon . ... . ictional rights in Turkey. It may well be l»e- liev> d, however, that the difference will be ad­ justed by a general revision of the system of jurisdiction of the United States in the coun­ tries of the East, a subject to which your atten­ tion has been already called by the Secretary of State. CHILI AND JAPAN. In tho interest of justice toward Chill and Japan, I trust that the questions of the return of the indemnity fund to the Governments of those countries wilt reach at the present session the satisfactory solution which I have already recommended, and which has recently been forshadowed by Congressional discussion. The treaty lately concluded with Corea awaits the action of the Senate. EGYPT. During the late disturbance in Egypt, the timely presence of American vessels served as a protection to the persons and property of many of our own citizens and of citizens of other countries, whose Governments have expressed their thanks for this assistance. CHINESE IMMIGRATION. The recent legislation restricting immigration of laborers from Ciiina has given rise to the •question whether Chinese proceeding to or from another countrv may lawfully pass through our •own. In construing ttie act of May 6, 1881, in •connection with the treaty of Nov. 7, 1880, the restriction would seem to be limited to Chinese immigrants coming to the United States as la­ borers, and should not forbid a mere transit across our territory. I ask the attention of Con­ gress to the subject for such action, if any, as it nay deem advisable. This Governm nt has recently had occasion to anauifest its interest in the REPL'HLIC OF LIBERIA . by secklne to aid in the amicable settlement of "the boundary dispute now pending between that republic and the British possession of Sierra . l«eona The reciprocity treaty with HAWAII •will become terminable af ter Sept 9,188S, 00 two months' notioe by either party, while certain provisions of that compact may have proved -onerous, its existence has fostered commercial re­ lations which it is important to preserve. I .suggest, therefore, that an early consideration bejdven to Biich modifications of the treaty as :«eem to bo demanded by the interest ol our .people. In view of our lncreas;ng trade with both HATTI AND BAN DOMINGO, T advice <hat provi ion be made fo diplomatic In ercourse with he latter, by enlarging h ' scope f 1 he npss on at Port au fYinoe. I regre' tha^ certain claim* o< American citsens a-> j ••gainst ihe liovernm nt ot Hayti have UiU* far j been u> ged nnavail nglv. A recent agrien.cn t wth MEXICO ^ " provide* for the cr- ssing < f the frontier by the .armed forces of < ither country, in pursuit ct' hostile Indians. In my message ot last year I j •sailed attention to tho prevalent lawlessness $3 :;30,543.87; for interest on the public d-bt, $71,- 017,206.79; total ordinary expenditures, 1J57,'IHI,- 43 .57, leaving a surplus leventi'; ef $14),543.- 810.71: which, with an amount drawn from the cash balance in the treasury of $.*0.737,6.">4.84 making $l6r.,281,"05.55, was applied to the redemption of bonds for the sinking fund, $6 079,ISO; of fractional currency for the sinking fund, $5 705,5.-3; of loan of July and August. 1861, $32 572,060; of loan of March, P-63, $4,i72,- 900; of funded loan of 18->1, $3",191,4."0; of loan of 1883. $100,00)': of loan of February 18C1. $30!,- t.OO; of five-twenties of lStli. $210,0'0; of live- twenties of 1864. $740,000; ot five-twenties of i860. $6,500; ot ten-forties of lrtfit. *54,550; of consols of 186., $86,450; of consols of 1807. $40H,260; of con­ sols of 1868, $141,400; of Oregon war debt, $675,- 250; of old demand compound interest and otner no es, $18,. 60: total, $16. ,281.505.55. THE FOREIGN COMMERCE Of the United States during tlie last fiscal year, including imports a'd exports of merchandise and specie, was as follows: Exports--\ierch n- dise. $750,742,272; specie, $40,417,479: total, $799,- 959,736. Imports--Merchandise, $724,639,574; spe­ cie $42,472,390; total, $767,111,064. Tiie excess of exp its ' ver imports of merchandise, $'25,902,- 683. This excess s less than it has been before in any of the previous six years, as appears by the following table: Year ended June 30, excess of exports over imports of merchandise, 1876, $79,- 64:1,481; 1877. *151,152,094; 1878, $257,814,234; 1879, $264,661,666; 1880, $167,663,912; 1881, $369,712,718; 1882, $23,902,683. NATIONAL BANKS. Dnring the year there have b en organized 171 national banks, and of the**- insti'utiuns there are now in operati n 2,269--a larger num­ ber than eve before The value < f thci notes m actual ciroula ion on July 1. is82, was $1 .'4, 56 46'i. I commend to you attention the Secretary's views in resp- ct to the likelihood of a serious contraction of this circulation and to the modes by v\ hich that result m .y, in Lis judgment, be averted. OOINAG . In ntpert of the ouinaee cf silver dollars and tliem for Mcllotiry, beiusf I. X, M.-n.l. * Those stoves oftorei] bv M were not obtained from ns. bo through pome Mnall retail deal til.- evident, intention of intrin on Mr. Mead's rijjhts in th«» pre e cannot find )iing:ii:t<re strongly condemn' pin-h dish and iinhiieMioKS like methods. . but the popiil.u ity of the stove have iudtiei'd Mr. Stoiy to resort dcr-hmidod nu'iinaot procuring which he know he h ».| no right I and could not buy from n«. We triiKt the public I]| show disapproval of snrli business incili those, by frfnsliisf to buy "(i.i/ajor- .Sloves" ex.^jit fnun our o:ilv nnt/'v,<' "f • U HgviH thcre(Mr. I. N. Me ad): ll/before any ^tutPiuentH re^jurdinjf the /will, I of onr stoves by any one exc«'/h"oon" in Vbi!.UVV"' InTere ts ol the country, and con xln such sug­ gestions for statutorv revision, as will prac ie 1- ly aid your action upon this important subject. " The revenue from customs for the fiscal your ending June 30, 187'.', amounted to $l37.ono,ooo. It has in the three succeeding years reached first $t«r.,0. 0.000; then $198,000,000; and finally, as has been already stated, $20,0000 0. The income, from this source for the fiscal •s ear wliich wi 1 end on June 30, 188 \ will doubtless l>e consider­ ably in excess ef the sum last mentioned, f the tax on <lome«tic spirits is to be retained; it is plain, therefore, that large 1 eductions from the customs revenue are entirely feasible. While recommending this reduction I am far from ad­ vising the abandonment of the policv of so dis­ criminating in the adjustment of details as to afford aid and protection to domestic labor. But the present system should lienor.-* vised as to t qua ize the pub'ic burden among all classes ;iu 1 occupations, and bring it in o c o-er harmonv wit i the present needs ot ndu try. Without enterinu into mi nite detail, wliich, un­ der present circumstances, i-> quite unnecessary, 1 recommend an enlargement of the free list so as to include within it the numerous artic c-< which yield inconsiderable revenue; a sim­ plification ot the complex and inconsist­ ent schedu e of duties upon certain n:an- u actures, l articu arly those of cot­ ton, iron and steel, and a substantial reduction of the duties npon those articles and upon Miliar, molassas, silk, wool and woolen foods. If a general revision of the tariff shall be found to be impracticable at this session, I express the hoi>e that at least, some of the more conspicuous in qualities of the present law may lie corrected before your final adjournment. One of them is spe ially referred to by the Secretary. In view of the recent decision of the Supreme Court, the necessity of amending the law by which the Dutch standard of color is adopted as the test of the saccharine str nrth of sugars, is too obvious to require comment. THK INDIANS From the report of the Secretarv of War it ap­ pears that the only outbreaks of Indians during the past vear occurred in Arizona and in the Southwestern part of New Mexico. They w.-re promptly quelled, and th"" quiet which has pre­ vailed in all ot'ier parts of the country has j>er- mitted such an addition to be made to the mil­ itary fore • In the region endangered by the Apa­ ches that there is little reason to apprehend trouble in the future. SEACOAST DEFENSES. Those parts of the Secretry's wport which re­ late to our searoast defences and their arma­ ment suggest the gravest reflections. Our ex­ isting fortifications are notoriously inadequate to the defense of the great hartxvs and cities for whose protection they wore built. The ques­ tion of providing an armament suited to our present eccssitv ha-« lie n the subject of con­ siderate n In a beard whose report was trans­ mitted to Conure^-s at the last session. Pending the consideration of that report the War Depart- men has take i no steps for the inanuf-'ct ure or conversion of any heavy cannon, but tho Secre­ tary expresses the hope that authority and means to l>egin that important work will be soon p.ovldeii. THE MnJTIA. I invi e the atten ion of Congre s to the pre­ disposition of large sums o?* money. This ob­ jection may l>e well foundad, and, whether it be or not, the advantages which would be likely to ensue from the adoption of tho course I have recommended may, pevh:ips. be more effectually attained by another, which I respectfully sub­ mit to Congress as an alternative proposition. PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITCTI >N. It is provided by the constitutions of f nrteen cf onr States that the Executive may disapprove any item or items of a bill appropriating money, whereupon the par.ts of the bill approved shall be a law, and the part disapproved shall fail to become a law un'esa repassed, according to th" provisions prescribed for tlie passaae ef bills over the veto of tlie Executivo. Tli" States' wherein some such provision as the foro- going is a part of the fundamental law are Ala­ bama. Ca it'ornia, Colorado. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey. New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Vireinia. I commend to your careful consideration the question whether an amendment ot the Federal constitu­ tion in the particular indicated would not afford the best remedy for what is often a gr ive em­ barrassment both to members of Conuress and to the I'.xecutive, and Is sometimes a serious public mischief. THE NAYAI. SQUADRONS. The rerort of the Secretary of the Nary states the movements of the various squadrons during the year, in home and foreign water", where our officers and seamen with such ships as we possess have continued to illustrate Wie high character and excellent discipline of the nsval organization. On 1 he 2lst of December, 1881, information was received that the exploring STEAMER JEANNETTK had been crushed and abandoned in the Arc'ic ocean. The officers and crew, after a journey over the ice, embarked in three boats for the coast of 8iberia. On® of the parties, under the command of Chief Engineer George W. Mel­ ville, reached the land, and, falling in v. ith na­ tives was raved. Another, under Lieutenant Comman ler DeLong, landed in a barren region near the mnutli of the Lena river. After six weeks had elapsed, all but two of the number had died from fatigue and starvation. No tid­ ings have lieen received from the I>arty In tho third boat under the command of- Lwm. Chl-p, but a long and frultleM .||invesUgattcm leaves little doubt that all its Ewnbers perished in the sea. As a slight tribute to their heroism, I give in this communication tlie named of the valiant men who sacrificed their lives in the ex- iiedition: Lieutenant Commander George,, De jong, Surgeon James M. Ambler, Jerome J. Collins, Hans Haller, Ericlison Helnricli, H. Kaacke, George A. Jiryd, Walter Lee, Adolph Dressier, Carl A. Gortz, Nelse Iversou, the cook. Ah Sam, and the Indian, Alexy. The officers and men in the missing i boat were Lieut Charles W. Chipp, | commanding, William Dunbar, Alfred Sweet- j man, Walter Hhartell, Albert C. Kuehne, Edwin Star, Henry D. Warren, and Peter K. Johnson. Lieut. Giles 1$. Harber and Master William H. Scheutzckish are now bringing home tho re­ mains of Lieut. De Long and his comrades. In pursuance of the directions of Congress the Rodgers (fitted out for the relief of the .Tean- nette, In accordance with an act of Congress of Kncland, iu the first year after the adoption of j penny postage, to more than 125 per cent. As; the result of careful estimates, the details 1 ,of which cann t l e he e set out, I ha\e bee me j convinced that the deficiency f. r the first ye ^r : ftcr the proposed reduction would nor exc eed 7 per .cent, of the exjienditures. or $1,000,000, while the deficiency, after the reduction of 1845, was more than 14 per cent., and. after that of Is.M, was 27 p r cent. Another interesting compari­ son '8 atb rded by statistics furnished me b\* the Postoffice Department.. The set of 1H45 w as pass, d in tho fac • of tlie f >ct that there existed a deficiency of more than $:H1 000. That of 1-tM was encouraged bv the sliiiht surplus of $H2.- 00 . The excess of revenue in th.- next fiscal year is likely to be $3,500 000. If Conurress should approve these sncgestlons, it may lie deemed desirable to supply to some extent the deficiency which must tor a time re­ sult bv increasing the charge for carrying mer­ chandise, which is now only 1<; cents per pound. But, even without such au increase, I am confi­ dent that the receipts under the diminished rates would equal the expenditures after the lapse ot three or four years. The report of the DEPARTMENT O# JUSTICE brings anew to your notioe the neoessity of en­ larging the present system of Federal jurispru­ dence, so as to effectually answer the require­ ments of the ever-increasing litigation with which it is called upon to deal. The Attorney General renews the suggestions of his predecessor that in the interests of jus­ tice, bet ter provision than the existing laws af­ ford should be made in certain judicial districts for fixing the fees of witnesses and jurors In my message of December last I referred to bending criminal proceedings growing out of al­ leged frauds--what is known as the STAR-ROUTE service of the Post office Department--and ad­ vised you I had enjoined upon the Attorney General and associate counsel to whom the in­ terests of the Government were intrusted the duty of prosecuting, with the utmost vigor of the law, all persons who might, be found chargeable with these offenses. A trial of one of these cases has since occurred, it occupied for many weeks the attention of the Supreme Court of this district, and was conducted with great zeal and ability. It resulted in a disagreement of the jury; but the cause has been again placed upon the calendar and will shortly be retried If any guilty persons shall finally escape punish­ ment for tlieir offenses, it will not be for lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the part of the C ingress is invited to the necessity of addition* , al legislation to secuie the preservation of tha j valnab:e torests still remaining on the publia : domain, especially in the extreme Western > States and Territories, where the necessity for ! their protection is irrea'erthan inbss mountain" j ons regions and where the prevailing dryness of ! the climate renders their restorati-n it they ara . onoe destroyed we.ll niuh impossible. | APPOINTMENTS TO PUBLIC SERVICE. I The communication which I made to Congteaa at its first session in November last contained a somewhat full statement of my sentiments in ! relation to principles and rules which ought to govern appointments to publics service. Refer­ ring to the various plans which had therefore been the subject of discussion in the National Legislature, plans which in the main were modeled upon tho system which obtaina in Great Britain, bnt which lacked cer­ tain of the prominent features whereby that system is distinguished, I felt bound to intimate my doubts whether th y, or any o# them, would afford adequate remedy for the evils which they aimed to correct I declared, nevertheless, that if the proposed measures s n uld prove acceptable to Congress, they would receive the unhesitating support of the Executive. Sinoe the suggestions were submit- ; ted for yonr consideration, there has been no : legislation up n the subject to which they re­ late, but there has meanwhile been an in­ crease in the public intere t in th t subject, and the people of the o untry, apparently with­ out distinction of party, have, in various ways, and upon trequent occasions, given expression to their earnest wish for prompt and definite ac­ tion. In my judument such action should no lonaer be postponed. 1 may add that my • wn sense of its pressing' importance has q iickened by observation in a practical phase of the matter to which attention I as more than onoe been called by my predecessors. THE CIVIL IJBT now comprises 100.O*H» persons, the larger part ol whom must, under the torms of the constitution, be selected by the President, ei her directly or through h s own-appointees In th • early years of the administration of the Government, the personal direction of tile appointments to tho civil scrvlcc may not have been an irksome task for the Executive, hut now that the burden has increased fully a hundred fold, it has become greater than he ensrht to bear, and it necessarily divarts his time and attention from the proper discharge of his duties, no less delicate and responsible, and which, in the very nature of things, cannot be 1 delegated to other hand* In- the judgment of , not a few who have given study and reflection to this matter, the nation lias outgrown the pro­ visions which the constitution has established for filling the minor ottices in the public service. Hut whatever may be thought of the wisdom or I expediency of changing the fundamental law in ! this regard, it is certain that much relief may be i afforded, not only to the President and to the heads of the departments, but to the ; Senators and Representatives in Congress, i I trust that before 1 h.' close of the present ses- j slon some decisive action mav lie taken for the | correction of the evils which inhere in the I present methods of aprointmcut. and I assure I yon of my hearty co-operation in any measures i which are likely to conduce 10 that end as to the most appropilate term and tenure of the official life of the subordinate employes of the Govern- AJf AGE OP fRAJflLS. ktiom. prowc^uUvu. ment. It seems to be generally agreed that, whatever iheir extent or character."' the one should be definite and the other stable, and that neither should be regu­ lated by real in the service of party or ficlelitv to the tortunes of an individual. It matters little to the people at larae what com­ petent person is at the head of thi-* department or that bureau, if they feel assured the removal of one snd the accession of an ther will not in­ volve the retirement of honest and faithful sub­ ordinates whose duties are purely administra­ tive, and have no legitimate connection with the triumph ot any political principles or the success of any political party or faction. It is to this latter class of officers that tho Senate bill, to which we have already re­ ferred, exc usively applies. While neither that bill nor any other prominent scheme for im­ proving the civil service concerns the higher grade of officials who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, I feel bound to correct a prevalent misapprehension as to the frequency with which the present Execu­ tive has displaced the ineuml>ent of an office and apixiinted another in his stead It has been re­ peatedly alleged that he has in this particular signally departed from the course which has been pursued under recent adminis­ trations of the Government. The facts are as follows: Tho whole number of Executive appointments during the four \ ears immediately preceding Mr. Garfield's ac­ cession to the Presidency, was 2,t>9C;of this num­ ber 234, or 9 per cent., involved the r moval of previous incumbenta. The rates of removals to the whole number of appointments was much the same dnring each of those tour years. In the first year, with 79o appointments, there w- ro 74 removals, or 9.3 per cent.; in the secVind, with 917 appointments, there were :t5 removals, or 8.5 per cent.; in the third, with 480 appointments, thore were 418 removals, or 10 per cent.; in the fourth, with 429 appointments, there were 37 removals, or 8.6 per cent.; in the four months of President Garfield's administration there were 390 appointments and 87 removals, 22.7 per cent. Precisely the same number (87) have taken place in the fourteen months which have since elapsed, but they constitute only ?6 per oent. of the whole number of appointments, 1% within that period, and less than two-sixths of tho en­ tire list of officials (3,459), exclusive of the army and navy, which is filled by Presidential ap­ pointment. POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS. I declare my approval of such legislation as may be found necessary for supporting the ex­ isting provisions of law in relation to political I trust that some agreement may be reached j assessment. In July last I aul'uOi which will speedily enable Congross, with the concurrence of the Executiv > to afford the com­ mercial community the benefits of a national BANKRUPT LAW. The report of 1 he Secretary of the Interior, with its accompanviug documents, presents a full statement of the varied operations of that department. In respect to THE INDIANS, nothing -has occurred which has changed or seriously modified tho views to which I devoted much sjiaeo in a former communication to Con­ gress I renew the recommendation herein con­ tained as to extending to the Indian the protec­ tion of tho law allotting land in severalty to such as desire it, and making suitable provision for the education of youths. Such prov sion as the Secretary forcibly maintains will prove una­ vailing unle-s It is broad enough to include all who are able and willing to make use of it, and should not solely relate to intellectual training, ' 1 such manual labor as can be made prac- ;b!is I awrenee" liiv but the officers and crew sue-' Among the important subjects which are in- t I i™"SK a Siberia, fell in with Chief Engineer Melville s I ,and wer(J made £y the acts „f ,nd lrt64 to | take title thereto, and their consequent incquit- I able exemption from local taxation. . Master Charles F. rartv, and returned home by way of Euroite. The other officers and the crew of the liodgers were brought from St. Lawrence bay by the whaling steamer North Star. Putnam, who had l>een placed in charge of a de- | pot of supplies at Cape Serdze, returning t:> his j post from St. Lawrence bay across the Ice, in a ' blindim: snow-storm, was carried out to sea and ; 'o,t, notwithstanding all efforts to rescue hiin. | THE NAVAL FORCES.* | It appears by the Secretary'* report that the • available naval force of the United States con- t sists of thirty-seven cruisers, fourteen sinele- j tnrreted monitors, built during the rebellion, ' a large number of smooth~l>ore mm* and Parrott • ritles, and eightv-seven riled c nnoti. The'crnis- | ing vessels should be gradually replaced by iron or steel ships, the monitors by modem-armored vessels, and the armament by high-power rifled guns. The reconstruction of our nav> , which was recommended in my last message, was begun by Congress authorizing, in its recent act, the construction of two large unarmored steel vessels of the clnracer rcccommcnded by the late Navy Advisorv Hoard, and subject to the final approval ot a new Advisory Board t i lie organized as provided by that act. 1 ca'l your attention to the recom­ mendation of the Secretary an 1 the board, that authority be given to construct two more cruis­ ers of smaller dimensions and one fleet dis­ patch-vessel, and that appropriations be made for high-p'>w« r rifled cannon for the torpedo service and for other harbor defenses. P.- ndiug the consideration by Congress cf the policy to •>e hereattsr adopted in conducting the eitrht large navy yards and their exjicnslve establishments, the Secretary advocates the reduction of expenditures therefor to the lowest possible amounts, and for the pur|>osc of affording the officers and seamen of the navy opportutitles of exercise and discipline in their 'profession under appropriate poutrol and di- lection, the Secretory advises that the light­ house service and coast survey bo transf- rred, KM now organized, from the Trea ury to the Navy Department, and he also suggests, for the reasons which he assigns, tha: a similar transfer may wisely be made of the cruising revenue vessels. COMMERCIAL MARINES. The Secretary forcibly depicts the ultimate connection and inte-dependency of the navy and the commercial marine, and invites attention to the continued decadence of the latter.and the cor­ responding transfer of our irrowiuft commerce to foreign bottoms. This subject is one of the ut­ most importance to the national we fare. Methods of reviving American shipbuilding,.and of restoring the United States flag in the ocean- carrving trade, should receive the immediate at- _ tention of Congress. We have mechanical skill priety of making more adequate provisions for j and abundant material for the manufacture arming and equipping th» militia than are af- | of modern iron steamships in fair corn- forded bv the act of 1806, which is still npon the statute books. The matter has alresdy Iwtn the subject of dlscu-Hsion in the Senatcvand a bill which seeks to supply the deficiencies of existing laws is now upon lis catend ii. The Secretary of War calls attention to the fact that an emi>arrassment is grawing out of the recen get of Congress making the retirement of officers of tlie a mv compnlsoiy at the age of 64. Th • »ct of 1878 is -til' in force, which limita to 41K) the number of those who can be retired for disability or upon their own application. I he acts, when construed together soem to for- id tue re'ieving, even fcr incat acity, of offl- c rs who do not fall w.tiiin the purview c f the la tersta n e. save at such times as there chanc to b • lo-s than 400 on the retired I st. T ere are now 420. It is not likely that Congreas intend­ ed this 1 esuland 1 concur with t..e Secretary, that twO law ought to l>e an ended THE KlViill AND HAKIT'R lill L. The rronn is :hat Impelled me to withhold my signature fro:u the b ll enritlod. An act making appro pri a ions for tne construction, r pair and preservation of certain worxs on rivers and harbors," which, became a law n»-r tho cloaa of yuur luat session petition with onr commercial rivals. Os.r disadvantage in building ships is the greater oost of labor and in sailing them, higher taxes and greater interest on capital. While the ocean highways are already monopolized by onr formidable competitors, these obstacle-* should in some way be overcome, and for our rapid communication with foreign iands we should not continue to depend wholly upon vessels built in the vards of othe- countries and sailing under foreign flags. With no United States steamers on the principal ocean lines or to any foreign poi-ts, our facilities for extending onr commerce are grcatlv restricted, while the nations which build and sal toe ships and carry the msii's and passengers obtain thereby conspicuous ad­ vantages for increasing their trade. THE POSTOITICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster G neral gives evidence of tho satisfactory c mditJon pf that department, and contains many valuable dita and accompanviwr suggestions which cannon fail to t>e of i terest. The informat on which it, affords that the receipt- for tr.e fiscal year have exceeded the ex caditures mu-t be very grati­ fying to Congress, and to the people of tne country. Aa matters which muj tidily claim EDUCATION. No survey of our material condition can fail to suggest inquiries as to the moral and intellectual progress of the ixsople. The census returns dis­ close an alarniiug state of illiteracy in certain parts of the country where the provision for schools is grossly inadequate. It is a moment­ ous question for the decision of Congress, wljether immediate substantial aid should be extended by the General (Jovernment for sup­ plementing the efforts of private beneficence, and of State and Territorial legislation in behalf of education. The regulation of INTER-STATE COMMERCE has already been the subject of your delibera­ tions. One of the incidents of the marvelous extension of the railwav system of the country has been the adoption of such measures by the cori>orations which own or control the roads as has tended to impairt:i e advantages of health­ ful comi>etition, and make hurtful discrimina­ tions in the adjustment of freightage. These inequalities have l>oen corrected in several of the State- by appropriate legislation, the effect of which is necessarily restricted to the limits ot their own territory. So far as such mischiefs alTect commerce between the States or between any one of the States and a foreign country, they are subjects of national concern, and Con­ gress alone can afford relief. THE SUPPRESSION OP POLYGAMY. The results which have thus far attended the enforcement of the recent statute for the sup­ pression of polygamy in the Territories are re- iiortod bv the Secretary of the Interior. It is not probable that any additional legislation in this regard will be deemed desirable until the effect of existing laws shall be more closely ob­ served and studied. I congratulate you that the Commissioners under whose supervision those laws have been put in operation are encouraged to believe that the evil at which they aim may be suppressed without resort to such radical measures as in some quarters have been thought indispensable tor success. The close relation of tho General Government to the Territories preparing to lie great States may well engage your special attention. It is there that the Indian disturbances mainly occur, and that polygamy lias found room for its growth. I cannot doubt that a careful survey of Territorial legislation would be of the highest utility. Life and property would become moro secure. The liability of outbreaks between In­ dians and whites would be lessened. The public domain would bo more securely guarded, and better progress be made in the instruction of the young. ALASKA. Alaska is still without any form of civil gov­ ernment. If means were provided for the edu- eatlon of It- people, and for the protection of their lives and property, the im n< nse resources of the region would invite permanent settle­ ments and open new fields for industry and en­ terprise. AGRICULTURE. The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture presents an account of the labors of that depart­ ment daring the past year, and includes in­ formation of much interest to tho general public. PRESERVATION OF FOBE8T8. The condition of the forests of the country, and the wasteful manner of their destruction taking place, give cause for serious apprehen­ sion. Their action in protecting the earths surface, in modifying the extremes of climate, and in regulating and sustaining the flow of springs and streams, is not well understood, bnt their importance in relation to the grow h and prosperity of the country cannot be safe­ ly disregarded. They are fast disappearing before destructive fires, and the legitimate re- quiiem-nts of our increasing p pul sion, an I their total ex inct 0:1 cannot long be delaye , unlo-s better methods than now prevail Si all be adopted for their protection. The attention cf announcement that employes of the Government should regard themselves as at liberty to exercise their pleasure in maklngor refusing to make po­ litical contributions, and that their action in that regard would in no manner affect their otlicial stations. In this announcement I acted upon the view which I had always maintained, and still maintain, that a public officer should lie as absolutely free as any other c.tizen to give or to withho d a contribu ion for the aid of the political iiarty of his choice. It has, however, been urged, and doubtles- not without founda­ tion in fact, that, by the solicitation of superiors and bv other mode-, such contributions have at times been obtained from persons whose only motive for giving has been a fear of what might befall them if they re used. It goes without saying that such contributions are not volun­ tary. In my judgment, their collection should be prohibited by law. A bill which will effect­ ually suppress them will receive my cordial ap­ proval. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. I hope that, however numerous and urgent may be the demands npon your attention, the inter­ est > f this District will not be forgotten. '1 he denial to its residents < f the great right of suf­ frage in all its relations to national. State and municipal action imposes on Congress the duty of affording them the best administration which it- wi-dom can devise. The report of the District Commissioners in­ dicates certain measures whose adoption would seem to be>very desirable. I instance in par­ ticular those which relate to arrears of taxes, to steam railroads, and to assessments of real prop­ erty. THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION. Among 'lie questions winch have been the topic of recent debate in the halls of Congress, none are of greater gravity than those regarding the asceitainmen'.of the vote for Presidential Klect- ors and the intentmcnt of tho constitution in its provisions for devolving the Executive functions upon the Viee-President, when the President suffers from inability to discharge tlie powers and duties of his office. I trust that no embarrassment may result from a failure to determine these questions before another na­ tional election. CONCLUSION. The closing year has been replete with bless­ ings for which we owe to the Giver of ail good our reverent acknowledgment. For the unin­ terrupted harmonv of our foreign relations; lor the decay of sectional animosities; for the exu­ berance of our harvests, and the triumphs of our mining and manufacturing industries; for the prevalence of health, the spread of in­ telligence, and the conservation of the publio credit; for the growth of the country in all tha elements of national greatness--for tl>c«o and counties other blcs^inps--we should rejoice ami he jKiad. 1 trust that under the inspiration of this great prosperity, our counsels mav bo harmonious and that tho dictates of prudence, patriotism, justice ana economy may direct the adoption o measures in which the Congress and the Executive may heartily unite. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1882. Inmuilty and High Civilli [From the Indianapolis Sentinel.) It is said that experts all r.gree in th* conclusion, derived from sitnti-ties, tf&fc insanity is everywhere increasing. The older the community the worse it iit f&t mental vigor. From 1860 to 1870 ill- sanity increased in England about 10 per cent., and statistics of other EtilW- pean counties present a still more un­ favorable showing. In the United State* the increase is alarming. Tlie con eli­ sion is that the present in an ag» of cranks. If statistics and conclusions of specialists are to be accepted as worth anything at all, then tho admission will' ljave to be made that the higher and. the older tlie civilization the worse it is for mental soundness. Indeed, it & held by some writers that hypochon­ dria, melancholy, blues, or low spirits,, are diseases of high civilization. Thia- S high civilization, as it is called, makes i continuous and aggressive demands up- : on the mind forces of communities. Every day some newfangled proposition demands the attention of the people, from peasant to prince, and at once all hands seize upon it and wrestle with it, and even %hen tlie proposition is smash­ ed into everlasting flinders, not a few will lay hold upon tho fragments, and thus every separate splinter becomes &. new declaration, and in every instance some crank stands ready to utilize it for the purpose of accelerating his pro- gross to> downright idiocy or raving madness. The demand is that our civi­ lization shall produce brainy men, man; of thought, investigation, and the man. or woman who fails to come forth, at k-ast once a week, with a brand new- idea is required to take a back seat in,, the temple, and is voted as behind the- age, As a consequence insanity is on the increase. A young man starts out in life-with the boliof that Crod mad« him. Not at all, says Darwin and Hux­ ley, and other brainy men. You have come up from a frog or an ape, or from something still lower in animated na­ ture, and the young man wrestles with the problem, takes to science and develops in due time into a first-class fool or a confirmed crank, and. takes to lecturing. Another believes, as he has been taught by pious parents, that as he goes forth into the world, his will is free to choose good or evil, and that he will be held resjionsiblo, here and here­ after, for the choice he makes. Not so, says the minister. Predestination, fore- ordination, holds you in its grip. Choose as you will, aspire as you may, your career is settled. Having boon ordained for Heaven or for hell, you will have to take the course mapped out for you, and you can no more escape the inevita­ ble than you can change the laws of gravitation or stop the planets in their orbits. As a result, another breakdown is recorded in what might have been a useful career in tho world. And an­ other crank starts forth with the denial on his lips that there is any God at all in the universe. He beeomes a fatal­ ist--is the victim of hypochondria, melancholy and bines, suffers from low spirits, ana is set down as a religion® lunatic, and thus the increase of insani- tv goes forward. Statisticians pile np the figures to Alpine altitudes, showing the rapid increase of wealth. It is counted in millions, billions and tril­ lions. God's boundless beneficence supplies the world with food, and every bow that spans a cloud in the heavens testifies that seed time and harvest shall never fail. But our high civilization so manages affairs as to defeat tho ways of Providence, and the poor starve. In thousands of humble homes there is want, hunger, starvation, rags, cold, cheerlessness, insanity and death. The laws protoet the rich and crush the poor. Capital corners corn. Money makes meat dear. Wealth locks np the wheat, and, under the pelting storms of poverty, mind succumbs and madness rules. Still insanity is not in the ascendency; at least, not that sort of insanity which makes it necessary for its victims to l>e sent to an asylum. Possibly not more than twenty persons in every 1,000 are confessedly insane, but no philosophic mind can contem­ plate human affairs without being more or less impressed with the fact that an clement of madness is exerting a fear­ ful influence, and that the present is notably the age of cranks.. • * The Bureau of Printing and Engraving. The animal report of Col. Irish, Chief of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, show* that during the year there were completed and deliv­ ered 7,641,108 sheets of notes and securi ies of a face value of $309,^57,701; 24,251,43» sheet* of in­ ternal revenue and customs cigar stamps, con­ taining 987.221,149 stamps; <>49,919 sheets of checks, drafts, etc The agrKre«rate expenditures for the year were $9 56,756. Of this amount there was expended iu tho oxccutiou ot work 'Of the various bureaus of tho Treasury Department and other departments, and r *un- hurned bv them from pr: per appropriations un­ der their control, $58S,9oO. Tho segregate e*- i ejiditures of the yen, over those of th" jirecea- ing year, deducting from the expenditures or that vear the amounts raid lor paper and ex­ penses thereon, which, this year, were paid by a separate appropriat on, were a little less than II per cent., and the increase In deliveries was a /it- ic over '2" per cent. The increase in the num­ ber of emploves va» about 10 per cent. .At the close of the war the regular force of tha boxes® consisted of ubo-11,<4>0 employs. ---- A SAX FRANCISCO tailor who had made a la-de-dah young man a suit of clothes allowed him to try them on m the store. Ihe young fellow walked toward the mirror at the front, £av»> o:id glance at the {tlass, seemed entirely suited with tlie .suit and walked out. of the front door into tho street, leaving tiie old duds as a token of his regards. It was a walking suit. Oni.t one-third of the farmers of th® United State# DM roaperaor morera. H* Left. A solicitor employed by a well-known railway publication stopi>ed at a leading hotel in a New England city, and asked the proprietor for an advertisement for his periodical. The landlord, who wa3 not troubled With au excess of modesty, turned upon his interlocutor, and with a look that was meant to be annihilating, and in a tone intended to be crushing, said: "Young man, mv goods advertise me better than any other known method could do. They are sufficient." "Well." said the apparently some­ what abashed solicitor, "if that is the case I will invest seventy-rive cents in studying your plan of advertising. I will take breakfast here." "Do so and be convinced," said Boni­ face, grandly. The young man paid his money and entered the dining-room. Whim he emerged some time later he seemed in­ tent on milking an immediate departure, but mine host was on tho watch for him. He had, in the interim, informed those who were standing about how easily he had silenced the man of the press, and he now wished to make his triumph more complete by having the adver­ tising man confess himself worsted in -the presence of the assembled company. "Hello," he cried, as his guest seemed about to depart. "What do you think of my advertising scheme now, ay ?" "Capital, capital," replied the other. "Well, guess you'll remember that meal longer"n yon woold a card in a paper, wouldn't you ?" "I certainly should and wflL" "Ah! well"now, you can toll yonr friends where to get a meal when they come to , can't yon?" "Oh! I don't know abont thai." "No! Whydontyon?" „ ' "I didn't suppose you meant that breakfast to advertise your table. I thought it was intended to impress the guests with the fact that you ran a curled-hair factory; and had invented the most perfect cockroach trap ever known, and you couldn't have hit on a better scheme." The guest left then. It cannot ba said that he carried the door away with him, for, fortunately, the door happened to be open when he wanted to pasa oat; but--lie left--Elevatetl liailwav Jour­ nal. ; A CLKKOTMAN writes: "Can yon in­ form me what is tlie cause of the alarm- it,t increase of profanityi n this coun­ try ?" We do not know exactly, hut think that the telephone is indirectly responsible. Oo acd ipterriew tail central office. '„'v