The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-12-04

| The friendship between our country and
Mexico, born OF close neighborhood and
strengthened by many considerations Of
internal intercourse and reciprocal inter-
| est, has never been more Conspicuous thai
now. nor more hopeful OF increased benefit
to both nations. The Intercourse Of the
two countries by rail, already great. Ia
making constant growth. The established
lines and those recently projected add to
the intimacy OF traffic aud open new chan
| nels OF access to fresh areas OF demand and
supply. The Importance Of the Mexican
| railway system will he further advanced
to degree almost impossible to forscast,
| II IT should become link In the projected
lntercolonial railway. l recommend that
| our mission in the City OF Mexico 10 raised
| to the first class.
Our spanish Relations.
The cordial character Of our relations
with Spain warrants the hope that by the
| continuance OF methods Of friendly nego-
iiation much may be accomplished in the
direction OF an adjustment Of pending
questions and OF the iucrcAse OF our trade.
| 4 he extent aud development Of our trade
with the island OF Cuba invest the COM
mercial relations Of the United States
with Spain with peculiar Importance
John Erie.son's Remains.
The restoration Of the remains OF John
Ericsson to Swe,iea offerei u gratifying
occasion to honor tho memory OF the in
VtntOT 10 WHOSE genius our country owes
50 much, and to boar witness to the un-
broken friendship which has existed be-
tween the land which bore him and our
own which claimed him AZ citizen.
Cisims Of veneaueia-
On the report OF Capt. Lad tbs commits
sion appeared to revise the proceedings Of
the commission under tho claims between
the United States and Venezuela Of 1885
brought its labor to . close within the
period fixed for that purpose. The pro-
ceedings OF the late commission were
characterized by spirit OF impartiality
and ahigh sense OF justice. and an Incl
dent which was for many years the sub
ernments has been disposed of in manner
alike honorable and satisfactory to both
parties. For the settlement OF the claim
Of the Venezuela Transportation COM
pany, which WAS the subject Of q joint
resolution adopted at the last session OF
congress, negotiations are still In progress,
and their early conclusion is anticipated.
The Consular Service.
The legislation OF the past few years has
eginced on the part OF congress a growing
realization Of the Importance of the con-
sular service in fostering our commercial
relations abroad and in protecting the
domestic revenues. As the scope Of the
operations expands increased provisions
must be made to keep up the essential
standard of efficiency.
Our Financial Condition.
The revenues OF the government from
all sources for the fiscal year ending June
80 1890 were $463, 963 0S) IS and the total
expenditures Tor the same period were
$35S, 6lS, 5s452. The postal receipts have
not heretofore been included in the state
ment Of these aggregates, and for the pur
pose Of comparison tho sum Of eco, Ss2,.
OF w should be deducted from both sides
Of the account. The surplus for the year,
including the amount applied to the sink
ing f,ind, WAS $l05, 344. 400 o. The receipts
for 1890 werc $40, w, 323 Nand the expend
lures $l5, 739, 81 in excess of those Of 1889.
The customs receipts from internal rev.
enue expenditures. that for pensions was
l9,312,0759 &c ia excess Of the preceding
year
The treasury statement for the current
fiscal year, partly a.tHal aud partly e.
timated, is as follows: Receipts from all
sources, $4O6, OO0Ooo; total expenditures,
1854, OOO, 900, leaving surplus of Sc U00,-
900. not taking the postal receipts into the
account on either side. The loss Of rev.
enue from customs for the last quarter is
estimated at $25. 0JO, 900, but from this is
deducted gain OF about $l6. 100000 real
lied during the first four months OF the
year. For the year 1899 the total esti
mated receipts are 1897 0OO,OOO, and.the es-
timated expenditures 1851, S52, 200 AZ, loav.
ing an estimated surplus Of SIS, l47 700. So,
which. with a cash balance of 81, 900 900
at the beginning OF the year, will give
e67, l47, 100 So M the sum available for the
redemption OF outstanding bonds or 9th er
uses. The estimates Of receipts and ex-
penditures OF the tpostoffice department
being equal, are not included in this
statement on either side,
The act directing the purchase OF silver
ballion and the issue OF treasury notes |
thereon" approved July "A, 1890, has been
Administered by the secretary Of the
a.. 10 L. -
into circulation at the earliest possible
date the full monthly amount Of treasury
notes contemplated by its provisions, at
the same time to give to the market for
silver bullion such support AZ the law con-
templates. The recout depreciation in the
price Of silver has been observed with re-
Kre'. The rapid rise In prizes which anti |
..s.A>a >a ss,!!oos1 g. Exc Y.ssss5 .. ..-
act WAS Influenced In some degree by spec |
ulation, and the recent reaction Is In part |
the result Of the samo cause, and In part |
OF the recent monetary disturbance.
The increase Of money in circulation
during the nineteen months has been In |
the aggregate sos, 1856 813, or about 81. so |
per capita, aud of this increase only n, l00.- |
000 was due to the recent silver leRisla- |
tion. There have been purchased and ro- |
deemed since March 4, 1889, and 4 10 per |
cont. bonds to the amount Of esll $50 $50
at a cost Of $246. 82O, 74i, resulting in the
reduction Of the annual interest char ge Of
q, 967, 900 and total saving Of interest Of
Isl, 576, 708.
Secretary Of Wars Report.
The report Of tho secretary exhibits sew |
eral gratifying results attained during the |
year by wise and unostentatious methods
The percentage OF assertions from the
army ian evil for which both congress aud
the department have long ben seeking
remedy has been reduced during the past
year - per cent, and for tho months Of
August and September during which
time the favorable effects of the act Of
June 10 were felt, 50 per cent. a. compared
with the same months Of 1889.
concur in the recommendation Of the |
secretary that adequate and regular ap |
propriat ions be continued for coast-de.
Tense works and ordinance. Plans have
been practically agreed upon, and there
can been no good reason for delaying the
execution Of them. while the defenseless
state Of our great seaports furnish an ur
gent reason for wise expedition. The en-
couragement that has bsen extended Ia |
the militia Of tho states, generally and
most appropriately designated the
National Guard" should be continued
and enlarged.
Department Of Justice.
The report Of the attorney general Is nm
but As the department Of justice is one Of
the executive departments some reference |
to the work done is appropriate here. 4
vigorous, and in tho main, an effective a. |
fort has been made to bring to trial and
punishment all violators OF the laws; but,
frivolous and technical offenses should not
be used to swell the fens Of officers or Ia |
harass we'll disposed citizens. Especial at |
tention IL called to the facts connected
with the prosecution Of violations OF the
election laws and offenses against United
DEGREES Of fraudulent certificates OF nAtur. |
alization upon bills in equity filed by the
attorney general in the circuit court Of thu |
United States " . new application OF
familiar equity Jurisdiction.
Book-Makins and Peel Selling.
At the last session returned without
my approval . bill entitled, AN act t. |
the District of Colum bia. I stated my
objection to be that 1t did not prohibi
but, in fact, licensed what II purpUrted &c |
prohibit. An effort will be made under
existing laws to suppress this evil. though |
1t is not certain that they will b found
adequate.
Postmaster Generals Report.
The report Of the postmaster general
shows the most gratifying PROGRESS Ia The
ton. The business methods have been |
greatly improved. A large economy In !
expenditures aud an increase Of four and
three-quarte1 millions 10 receipts have
been realized. The deficiency this year Il
q, 57S, 800, ~ against q, 80. 1888 last year.
The Lottery Matter.
The passage Of the cot to amend certain
sections Of the revised stat utes relating &c
lotteries, approved Sept. 10. 1890, has been
received with great and deserved populs,
danArtment or Justice a. OnCo outarod uDou
the endorsement OF tho Law with sympa-
fhafin xiror and AlrAady thu nuhlio mails