davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
COMING LEGISLATION.
WORK that Remains to BE Done

In addition to the important bills that be-
came laws before the adjournment OF the last
session, some other bills of the highest import
and now stand upon the calendars of the
two houses in favored positions. The present
session has q fixed limit and If those
measures are not now brought to a final vote
all the work that has been done upon them by
this Congress is lost. The proper con-
sideration of these of an apportionment
bill. and of the annual appropriation
bills, will require not only that no work
ing dav of the session shall be lost. but
that measures of minor and local interest shall
not be allowed to interrupt or retard the
progress of those that are OF universal interest.
In view of those conditions 1 refrain from
bringing before you at this time some sugges-
lions that would otherwise be made and most
earnestly invoke your attention to the duty of
perfecting the important legislation now well
advanced. 10 some OF those measures which
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Desertions Decreasing.

The report of the Secretary of WD exhibits
several gratifying results attained during the
year by wise and transformations methods. The
percentage of assertions from the army ian evil
for which both Congress and the department
have long been seeking a remedy has been re-
duced during the past year "a per cent. and for
the months of August and September, during
which time the favorable effects of the act OF
June Is were felt 33 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 hos pital service records of the volunteer
service are very remarkable. This change was
effected in July, 1859, and at that time there
were 40, 654 cases awaiting attention, more than
half of these being calls from the Pension o.
fee for information necessary to the adjudica-
tion of pension claims. On the Both Gay OF june
last though over 300 600 new calls had come H.
there was not q single case that had not been
examined and answered
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
reduction of indian Reservations.

The several Acts of Congress looking to the
reduction of the larger Indian reser vations, to
the more rapid settlement of the Indians upon
individual alotments, and the restoration to
the public domain of lands in excess Of their
tive. Agreements have been concluded since
March A. 1889, involving the cession to the
These contracts have, as required by law
been submitted to Congress for ratification
and for the appropriations necessary to carry
them into effect. Those with the Sisseton and
Wahpeton, Sac and Fox. Iowa, Pottawatom1es
and Absentee Shawnees and Cnur d'Alene
tribes have not yet received the sanction of
Congress. Attention is also called to the fact
that the appropriations made in the case of the
Sioux Indians have not covered all the stipula-
ted payments. This should be promptly cor
terms should be complied with without delay,
and full appropria tions should be made.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04

The Customs Administration Board provided
for by the act of June 10, $780, was selected with
great care and is composed in part of men
whose previous experience in the administra-
in part of men whose legal and judicial acquire
ments and experience seemed to fit them for the
work of interpreting and applying the new stat
ute. The chief aim of the law is to secure honest
valuations of all .dutiable merchandise, and to
make these valuations uniform at all our
ports of entry. 1t has been made manifest by
q congressional investigation that a system of
underyalI alton had been long in use by certain
classes of importers, resulting not only in a
great loss of revenue but in most intolerable
discrimination against honesty. 1t is not seen
how this legislation, when it is understood, can
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
Methods Greatly Improved.

The report Of the Postmaster General shows
the most gratifying progress in the important
work committed to his direction. The business
methods have been greatly improved A large
economy in expenditures and an increase of
four and three-q quarters millions in re-
ceipts have been realized. The deficiency this
year is SIS, 800 against So, 350,193 last
year Notwithstanding the great enlargement of
the service. Mail routes have been extended
and quickened. and greater accuracy and dis
patch in distribution and delivery have been at
tanned The report will be found to be full of
interest and suggestion, not only to Congress
but to those thoughtful citizens who may be in
terested to know what business methods can do
for that department Of public administration
which most nearly touches all our eople
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
FrauduleDt NATURALIZATION.

The vacation by judicial DEGREES of fraudulent
certificates Of naturalization, upon bills in
Circuit Court of the United States, is new
application of a familiar equity jurisdiction.
during the year. the evidence disclosing
that a very large number of fraudulent
certificates of naturalization have been issued.
And in this connection beg to renew my recon-
require more full and searching inquiry into
all the facts necessary to naturalization before
any certificates are granted. 1t certainly is not
too much to require that an application for
American citizenship shall be heard with as
much care and recorded with much formality
are given to cases involving the pettiest
o1tx -iChf
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
some Statistics.

The general trade and industrial conditions
throughout the country during the year have
shown marked Improvement For many
years prior to 1888 the merchandise balances Of
foreign trade had been largely in our favor, but
during that year and the year following they
turned against us. 1t is very gratifying to
know that the last fiscal year again shows
q balance in our favor of over SOS, 000, 000 The
bank clearings which furnish good test of the
volume ofsbusiness transacted, for the first ten
months of the year 1890 show, as compared with
the same months of 1889, an increase for the
whole country of about g. per cent, while the
increase outside the city of New York was
over Ii per cent. During the month of October
the clearings of the whole country showed
an increase of 81 per cent. over October, 1889,
while outside of New York the increase WAS
1115 per cent. These figures show that the in
crease in the volume of business was very
general throughout the country. That this
larger business was being conducted upon q
safe and profitable basis is shown by the fact
that there were SEQ less failures reported in
October, $780, than in the same month of the
preced- ng year, with liabilities diminished by
abO 81 00O 600
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
The Late Tariff Act.

The general Tariff act has only partially gone
into operation, some of it's important provisions
being limited to take effect at dates yet in the
future. The general provisions of the law have
been in force less than sixty days. It's perma-
largely stand in conjecture. 1t. is Curl
GUS to note that the advance in the
prices of articles wholly unaffected by the
Tariff act was by many hastily ascribed to that
act. Notice was not taken of the fact that the
general tendency of the markets was upwsrd,
from influences wholly apart from the recent
tariff legislation. The enlargement of our cur
rency by the Silver Bill undoubtedly gave an
upward tendency to trade and had marked eff
feet prices; but this natural and desired eff
feet of the silver legislation WAS by many er-
roneously attributed to the Tariff act.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Ahnnt Circulation.

The efforts of the Secretary to increase the
volume of money in circulation by keeping
down the Treasury surplus to the lowest prac-
ticable limit haze been unremitting and in
very high degreG successful. The tables pre-
sented by him, showing the increase during
the nineteen months he has administered the
affairs of the department, are interesting
and instructive. The increase of money
in circulation during the nineteen months
has been in the aggregate 1886, e13,
about $3.50 per capita, and of this increase
only 81 100000 was due to the recent silver
legislation. That this substantial and needed
aid given to commerce resulted in enormous
reduction of the public debt and of the annual
interest charge is matter of increased satisfac-
ton. There have been purchased and redeemed
since March 4. $780, and Az per cent bonds to
the amount of $211 $50 $50, at cost of So $40,
741 resulting in the reduction of the annual in
terest charge of So 967 500, and total saving of
interest of SOL 576 7O6
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Increase in Exnorts.

The value of our exports of domestic mer-
chandise during the last year $115,-
600, coo greater than the preceding year, and
was only exceeded once in our history. About
800. 600 zoo of this excess was in agricultural
products. The production of pig iron-always
a good gauge of general prosperity-is shown
by a recent census bulletin to have been
1873 per cent. greater in 1897 than in $780,
and the production of steel 29J per cent.
greater. Mining in coal has had no limitation
except that resulting from deficient transporta-
ton The general testimony is that labor
is everywhere fully employed and the reports
for the last year show smaller number of en-
ployes affected by strikes and lockouts than in
any year since 1884. The depression in the
prices of agricultur al products had been greatly
relieved, and bouyant and hopeful tone was
beginning to be felt by all our people.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
THE TARIFF AND ITS EFFECTS.
Congress Congratulated.

I congratulate the Congress of the country
upon the passage at the first session of the
Fifty-frst Congress of an unusual number of
laws of very high Importance. That the re-
suits of this legislation will be the quickening
and enlargement of our manufacturing indus
tries, larger and better markets for our bread
stuffs and provisions both at home and abroad
more constant employment and better wages
for our working people, and an increased supply
of safe currency for the transaction of bust
ness. do not doubt Some of these measures
were enacted at so late period that the bene-
fetal effects upon commerce which were in the
contemplation of Congress have as yet but
partially manifested themselves.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
EneIand,s Financial Panic.

These promising influences have been in some
degree checked by the surprising and very IN
favorable monetary events which have recently
taken place in England 1t. is gratifying to
know that these did not grow in any degree out
of the financial relations of LondOn with our
people or any discredit attached to cur securi-
ties held in that market. The return OF our
bonds and stocks was caused by a money strin-
gency in England, not by any loss of value or
credit in the securities themselves. We could not,
however wholly escape he i'll effects of foreign
monetary agitation accompanied by such ex-
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
yaIuahle Exneri,nents.

The experiments conducted during the year
to test the relative resisting power of armor
plates have been so valuable as to at
part of the work upon the new ships that is
threatened by unusual delay is the armor plat
ing, and every effort is being made to reduce
graduation that the anticipated influence of
these modern vessels upon the esprit de corps
of the officers and sea1nen has been fully re-
allied. Confidence and pride in the ship among
the crew are equivalent to a secondary battery.
Your favorable consideration is invited to the
recommendations of the Secretary.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Useless Pubic Building Bills.

At the last session had occasion to return
with my objections several bills making pro-
visions for the erection of public buildings for
the reason that the expenditures contemplated
were, in my opinion, greatly in excess of any
public need No class of legislation is more
liable to abuse, or to degenerate into an I'M
seem1y scramble about the public treasury,
than this. There should be exercised in this
matter a wise economy based upon some re-
sponsible and impartial examination and report
as to each case under q general law.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
The SeaI Onestinn.

The difference between the two governm ents
touching the fur seal question in the Behring
Sea is not yet adjusted, as will be seen by the
correspondence which will soon be laid before
Congress. The offer to submit the question to
arbitration, as proposed by her Majesty's Gov
eminent, has not been accepted, for the reason
that the form of submission proposed is not
thought to be calculated to assure conclusion
satisfactory to either party. 1t is sincerely
hoped that before the opening of another seal
ing season some arrangement may be effected
which will assure to the United States a prop
erty right, derived from Russia which was not
disregarded by any nation for more than eighty
yea1s preceding The outbreak of the existing
trouble.
In the tariff act a wrong was done to the King
dom OF Hawaii which l am bound to presume
was wholly unintentional Duties We're levied
on certain commodities which included in
the reciprocity treaty now existing between the
United States and the Kingdom OF Hawaii, with
out indicating necessary exception in favor of
that Kingdom. I hope Congress will repair what
might otherwise seem to be breach of faith on
the part of this Government.
An award in favor of the United States in the
matter of the claim of Mr.. Van Bokkelen against
Hayd was rendered on the 4th OF December: 1883,
but owing to disorders then and afterWard pre-
vailing in Hayti the terms of payment were not
observed. A new agreement as to the time of
payment has been approved and is now in
force other just claims of citizens of the
United States for redress of wrongs suffered
during the late political conflict in Hayti will,
it is hoped speedily yield to friendly treatment.
Propositions for the amendment of the treaty
of extradition between the United States and
Italy are now under consideration.
You will be asked to provide the means of ac-
cepting the invitation of the Italian Govern
ment to take part in an approaching conference
to consider the adoption of universal prime
meridian from which to reckon longitude and
time As this proposal follows in the track of
The reform sought to be initiated by the merid-
ian conference at Washington held on the invi-
tation of this Government, the United States
should manifest friendly interest in the Ital-
ian proposal.
In this connection may refer with approval
nrp6RPREROTS
standing provision be made for accepting, when
ever deemed advisable, the freq uent invitations
of foreign governments to share in conferences
locking to the advancement of international
reforms in regard to science, sanitation, COM
nercial law, and procedure, and other matters
communities.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Lands For Settlers.

The policy outlined in my last annual mes
sage in relation to the patenting of lands to
settlers upon the public domain has been car
ried out in the administration of the Land Or
fee. No general suspicion or ImputatIon OF
fraud has been allowed to delay the hearing
and adjudication of individual cases upon their
merits. The purpose has been to perfect the
title of honest settlers with such promptness
that the value of the entry might not be swal-
lowed up by the expenses and extortions TO
which delay subjected the claimant The aver
age monthly issue of agricultural patents mas
been increased about six thousand.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04

from teaching it, and advises against the
practice of it because the law is against it.
Now, it is quite true that the law should not
attempt to deal with the faith or belief OF any
one but it is quite another thing, and the
only safe thing so to deal with the Territory
of Utah as that those who believe polygamy
to be nghtful shall not have the power to make
If lawful.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04

traordinary incidents as characterized this It
is not believed, however, that these evil Incl
dents, which have for the time unfavorably af-
fected values in this country, can long with
stand the strong safe. and wholesome 1ntiu-
ences which are operating to give to our people
profitable returns in all branches of legitimate
trade and industry. The apprehension that our
tariff NAV again and at once be subjected to inn
portant general changes would undoubtedly add
q depressing influence of the most serious char
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Reet SUGAR interests.

The information given by the Secretary Of the
dustry is full of interest. It has already passed
the experimental stage and is q commercial
success. The area over which the sugar beet
can be successfully cultivated is very large and
another field crop of great value is offered to
the choice of the farmers.
The Secretary of the Treasury concurs in the
recommendation of the Secretary of Agricult-
ure that the official supervision provided by
the tariff law for sugar of domestic production
shall be transferred to the Department. of Agr1-
culture.
The law relating to the civil service has, so
far as can learn, been executed by those hav-
ing the power of appointment in the classified
service with fidelity and impartialitY, and the
service has been increasingly satisfactory The
report of the commission shows g. large amount
of good work done during the year with very
limited appropriations.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Coast Defenses.

concur in the recommendations of the Sec
rotary that adequate and regular appropr1a-
ordnance Plans have been practically agreed
upon, and there can be no good reason for delay
ing the execution of them while the defense
less state of our great seaports furnishes an ur-
gent reason for wise expedition
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
THE NAVY.
Splendid New Vessels.

The construction and equipment of the new
ships for the navy have made very satisfactory
progress. Since March 4, 1889, nine new ves-
sells have been put in commits sion, and during
will be added The construction of the other
vessels authorized is being pushed, both in the
Government ana private yards, with energy
and watched with most scrupulous care.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Lnnkine FORWARD.

The Indications thus far given are very hope
full of early and favorable action by the coun-
tries from which we receive our large imports
of coffee and sugar, and it is confidently be-
lieyed that if steam communication with these
countries can be promptly improved and en-
larged the next year will show O most crafty
ing increase in our exports of breadstuffs and
provisions, as well as of some important lines
of manufactured goods.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
satisfactory Results Attained.

The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits, with great fullness and cIearness
the vast work of that great department and the
satisfactory results attained. The suggestions
made by him earnestly commended to the
consideration of Congress, though they cannot
all be given particular mention here
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
The Anti-Lottery Act.

The passage OF the act to amend certain sec
tions of the Revised Statutes relating to lot
teries approved September 10, 1870, has been
received with great and deserved popular favor.
The Postofice Department and the Department
of Justice at once entered upon the enforce
already the public mails have been largely freed
from the fraudulent and demoralizing appeals
and literature emanating from the lottery COM
pauies,
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Water for Arid Regions.

The subject of the conservation and equal
distribution of the water supply OF the arid re-
gions has had much attention from Congress,
but has not yet been put upon permanent
and satisfactory basis. The urgency of the sub
ject does not grow out of any large present
demand for the use of these lands for
agriculture, but out of the danger that
the necessary catch-basins may fall into the
hands of individuals or private corporations
and be used TO render subservient the large
areas dependent upon such supply. The
owner of the water is the owner OF the
lands, however the titles may run. All
unappropriated natural water sources and
all necessary reservoir sites should be held
by the Government for the equal use, at
fair rates. of the homestead settlers who Will
eventually take up these lands. The United
States should not in my opinion, undertake the
construction OF dams canals, but should
limit it's work to such surveys and observations
surface and subterranean, the areas capable
of irrigation, and the use location of,
and storage capacity of reservoirs. This done,
the use of the water and of the reservoir
sites might be granted to the respective States
or Territories, TO individuals or associations
upon the condition that the necessary works
should be constructed and the water fur
nished at fair rates. without discrimination,
the rates tc be subject to supervision by
the Legislatures or by boards of water COM
missioners duly constituted. The essential
thing to be secured is the common and equal
use at fair rates of the accumulated water sup
ply. 1t were almost better that these lands
should remain arid than that those who occupy
them should become the slaves Of unrestralned
monopolies controlling the essential element or
land values and crop results.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04
Affairs in Utah.

The increasing numbers and influence of the
non Mormon population in Utah are observed
with satisfaction. The recent letter of MILFORD
Woodruff President of the Mormon Church in
which he advised his people "to refrain from
contracting any marriage forbidden by the laws
of the land, has attracted wide attention, and
it is hoped that its influence will be highly bene-
fetal in restraining infractions of the laws of
the United States. But the fact should not be
overlooked that the doctrine or belief
OF the church that polyga1nous marriages are
rightful and supported by divine revelation
remains unchanged. President Woodruff
does not renounce the doctrine. but refrains
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-12-04

be regarded by the citizens of any country
having commercial dealings with as unfriend-
ly If any duty supposed to be excessive let the
complaint be lodged there. 1t will surely not be
claimed by any well-disposed people that
remedy may be sought and allowed in system
Of r11aa ann