, 1890-12-02

the expenditures SIS, T39. ST. in excess of
those of 1886. The customs receipts in
creased s 1885, S42 IS and the receipts
from internal revenu 81, 725, 19l. SO.
while on the side of expenditures that for
pensions was $40, 3l2, 075. &c in excess OF
the preceding year. The treasury statement
tor the current fiscal year, partly actual
and partly estimated, is as follows: Re-
ceipts from all sources, $406, 000, 600;
total expenditures, 1854. 900, 900; leaving
a surplus OF $50. 600. 900, not taking the
postal receipts into the account OF either
side. For the year 1892 the estimated re-
ceipts are $4U3, 000, 900, and the estimated
expenditures 1887. 852, 209. AZ, leaving an
estimated surplus of SIS, l47. 100 So,
which. with a cash balance OF $50, 900, 600
at the beginning Of the year, will give
S67, l47, 100 So as the sum available for
the redemption of outstanding bonds or
other uses.
There have been purchased and re-
deemed since March 4, 1889, 4 and Al
per cent bonds to the amount of SILL
932, $50 at a cost of $246, 2 ,47l, re-
sulting IN the reduction of the annual in
terest charge OF IS, 96T, 500 and a total
saving Of interest OF $5l, 567, T06.
Silver.
The act directing the purchase of
silver bullion and the issue of treasury
notes thereon, approved July IA, 1890,
has been administered BY the secretary of
the treasury with an earnest purpose to
to get into circulation at the earliest posi-
BILE dates the full monthly amounts of
treasury notes contemplated by its provi-
sions, and at the same time to give the
market for silver bullion such support as
the law contemplates. The recent de-
probation in the price Of silver has been
observed with regret. The rapid rise in
price which anticipated aud followed the
passage of the act was influenced 10 some
degree by spe ;ulauon, and the reaction is
part of the result of the same cause and
part of the receut monetary disturbances.
Some months of further trial will be nee
essary to determine the permanent effect
of the recent legislation pom silver val
ues. but it is gratifying to know that the
increased circulation secured by the act
has exerted and will continue to exert a
most beneficial influence upon business
and upon general values. While it has
not beer thought best to renew formally
the suggestion of an international confer
ence, looking 10 Al agreement touching
the full use Of oliver for coinage at a uni
form ratio, care has been taken to observe
closely any change in the situation abroad,
and no favorable opportunity will be lost
to promote a result which is confidently
believed would confer very large benefits
upon the commerce of the world. Our
very large supply of gold will, if not lost
by impulsive legislation in the supposed
interest of silver, give us a position of ad-
vantage 10 promoting a permanent and
safe international agreement for the free
use of silver as a coin metal.
The Army.
The report of the secretary of war ex-
hibits several gratifying results attained
during the year by wise and I'M
ostentatious methods. The percentage
of desertions from the army ian evil for
which both congress and the department
have long been seeking a remedy has
been reduced during the past yea to
twenty-four per cent. and Tor the months
Of August and September, during which
time the favorable effects of the act of
June l6 were felt. thirty-three per cent as
compared with the same months of 1889.
The results attained by a reorganization
and consolidation of the divisions having
charge of the hospital service records
OF the volunteer soldiers are very re-
markahle. This change was effected in
July. 1889, and at that time there were
1864 calls awaiting attention, more
than half of these being calls from the
pension Office for. information necessary
to the adjudication of pension claims. On
the Both day of June last. though over
5000 o new claims had come In, there
was not a single case that had not been
examined and entered.
L concur in the recommendation of the
secretary that adequate and regular
appropriations be continued tor the coast
| defense works and ordnance plans that
have been practically agreed upon.
The encouragement that has been ex-
tended to the militia of the states,
generally and appropriately designated the
National Guards should be continued
and enlarged. These military organic
atoms constitute in a large sense the army
OF the United States, while about FIVE
sixths Of the annual cost of their main
t~aiDance is betrayed by the states.
Department of Justice.
The report OF the attorney general is.
under the law, submitted directly TO con-
Rress, but as the department of justice is
one Of the executive departments some
reference to the work done is appropriate.
A vigorous aud in the main an effective
effort has been made to bring to trial and
punishment all violators of the laws. but
at the same time care has been taken that
frivolous and technical %offenses should not
be used to swell the fees of officers or to
harrass well disposed citizens. Special
attention is called to facts connected with
the prosecution OF violators of the election