Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1888-12-08

$500, 900 30 often that the aggregate or tue
sums demanded for their purchase amounted
TO more than sly, 700 900.
Notwithstanding the large suns paid ont
In the purchase OF bonds, the surplus In the
treasury on the 30th day Of November, 1855,
was 81, 234, 610.0l, after deducting about
sec, 0jo, 900 just drawn out for tbs payment
for pensions.
The president earnestly concurs In the sec
retary's recommendation for suspension Of
the further coinsge of silver. He endorses
and commends the recommendations OF the
secretary OF war looking to an improvement
OF the usefulness and dicipline Of the army,
and refers feellngly to the death OF Gen.
Sheridan, as a National affection, by which
the army lost the grandest Of its chiefs; the
country brave and experienced soldier, a
wise and discreet counselor, and modest
and sensible man.
The report of the secretary OF the navy
demonstrates, to the president, very intelli.
gent management in that department, and
discloses most satisfactory progress in the
work of reconstructing the navy during the
past year. The important improvements In
the business methods of the department and
the substantial economies which have been
introduced are highly commended.
or postal affairs the president says it Is not
possible to touch in his message even the
leading heads Of the great postal establish
ment of the country, to illustrate the enor.
nous and rapid growth OF, its business and
the needs for legislative read justment Of
much OF its machinery that it has outgrown,
and for these and valuable recommenda-
tons, attention is earnestly invited to the
postmaster generals report
The report Of the secretary OF the interior
is strongly commended. The Importance Of
proper measures to insure right disposition
OF public lands is urged, and gratitude is ex-
pressed that something mas been done at last
to redress the injuries to the people and
check toe perilous tendency Of the reckless
waste of the National domain.
The improvements in the condition OF our
Indian population testify to the value of the
higher tone of consideration and humanity
which has governed the latter methods of
dealing with them. Allotment of lands in
severalty to the Indians so far gives prom Use
Of good results. Tue capacity OF the Ind ian
no longer needs demonstration. 1t is estab-
lished. 1t remains to make the most of it,
and when that shall be DONE the curse will
be lifted, the Indian race saved, and the sin
OF their oppression redeemed.
seUJIemenJ Oh Jns subsidized land
grant railroads Indebtedness on the basis of
the plan proposed by the majority of the
commissioners appointed to examine the
affairs of the roads, or by an extension Of
time, is endorsed. The subject the presi.
dent says, should be treated as business
proposition with a view to final realization
OF its Indebtedness by the government,
rather than as a question to be decided upon
prejudice or by way Of punishment for pre-
vious wrong doing
The president closes his message with these
words
"The consciousness that have presented
but an imperfect statement of the condition
OF our country and its wants occasions no
fear that anything omitted is not known
and appreciated by the congress, upon which
rests the responsibility of Intelligent legisla-
tion in behalf of great Nation and confid-
ing people
"As public servants we shall do our duty
well if we constantly guard the rectitude of
our Observation-Disclosures unsullied our love
OF country, and with unselfish purpos . strive
for the public good.n