People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-12-09


timated, of business inaction and of
diminished production will necessarily re-
suit. It is possible also that this uncer-
tainty may result in decreased revenues
from customs duties, for our merchants
will make cautious orders for foreign
goods in view of the prospect of tariff re-
auctions and the uncertainty as TO when
they will take effect Those who have
advocated a protective tariff can well
afford to have their disastrous forecasts OF
q change of policy disappointed.
The friends of the protective system,
with undiminished confidence in the prin-
Iples they haYe advocated, will await the
results of the new experiment.
Our Neighbors and Ourselves.
Following his deliverances on the
the tariff the president expresses great
qualification at the present amicable
relations existing between the United
States and foreign countries.
The complicated and threatening diff
ferences with Germany and England in
relating to Samoan affairs; with
England in relation to the seal fishery
and in the Behring sea, and with Chilli
growing out of the Baltimore affair,
have been adjusted.
The message then goes into minor
troubles with small principalities, the
majority of which have been amicably
adjusted. International copyrights have
been established between this country,
Italy and Germany.
The message commends the N1cara-
qua canal. Matters relating to the pres
emit International Monetary Conference
are discussed at this point.
The president says: "The free coin
age of silver upon an agreed interna-
tional ratio would greatly promote the
interests of our people and equally those
Of other nations"
Dealing with the Departments.
The report of the secretary of the
treasury here follows. Tt shows that
the public debt has been reduced since
March 4, 1889, $259, 074, 900, and the an
nual interest charge $11 ,684, 469. There
has been paid out in pensions by the
present administration to November l,
1852, 1872, 1854, 179, an excess of STA
466, 1856 over the sum expended during
the period from March l, 1885, to March
/, 1890. Under the existing tariff law,
the message says, 500, 900, 900 has gone
into the pockets of the people which
would have otherwise gone into the
treasury.
The revenues for the fiscal year end
were 1926, 1868, 200.22, and the expendi-
lures for all purposes were $415, $780,,
S06 56, leaving a balance of SIS, 914, 423. 66.
There was paid during the year upon
the public debt $40, $40, 467.98.
On receipts from customs duties fell
off $40, 069, 241. 08, while our receipts
from international revenue increased
SIS, 284, S23.13 leaving the net loss Of
revenue from these principal sources
$50, 784, 417.65. The net loss of revenue
from all sources was $32, 675, 993.81.
The revenues, estimated and actual
for the fiscal year ending June, 80, 1893,
are placed by the secretary at 1853, 1885,
$50. A, and the expenditures $461, 1885,.
$50. Al. showing d surplus of receipts
over expenditure of 80, 900, 900. The
cash balance in the treasury at the end
of the fiscal year, it is estimated, will
bs $50, 902, 378.03.
These estimates are based upon a con-
tinuance of the present laws.
Our Coast Defenses.
The president refers only briefly to
the report of the secretary Of war, show
ing the Importance Of establishing stra-
tegic posts, and complete reorganlza-
ton of the infantry and artillery
branches of the service, also the con-
struction Of heavy guns and coast de-
lenses. He refers briefly to the report
of the attorney general extending to
him great praise for mis- zeal and intelli-
gence displayed in office.
The president praises very highly the
report of the postmaster general. The
postal revenues have increased during
the last year nearly $4,000, 900. The de-
felt for the year ending June 80, 1899,
is $849, 341, less than the deficiency Of
the preceding year.
There have been added !, $50 new mail
routes during the year, with mileage OF
S33 miles, and the total number OF miles
Of mail trips added during the year IS
nearly seventeen millions.
The president refers very favorably
to q law making American ships OF
commerce float the American flag and
be commanded by American citizens.
Progress in the Navy.
The report Of the secretary of the
navy exhibits great progress IN the con-
struction of the new navy. When the
present secretary entered upon his duties
only three modern steel vessels were in
commission. The vessels since put III
commission and to be put in commission
during the winter will make a total Of
nineteen during his administration of
his department. He said that during
the current year ten war vessels and
three navy tugs had been launched, and
during the four years twenty-five yes
sells will have been launched. Two
other large ships and torpedo boat
are under contract, and the work upon
them will advance rapidly, and the four
monitors are awaiting only the arrival
of their armor, which was unexpectedly
DELAYED, or they would have been be-
fore this in commission.
The president praises the efficiency of
Secretary Tracy and refers with pride
to the fact that the United States is
once more a naval power" The adop-
ton of torpedo and the discovery of
smokeless powder has worked wonders
in the new navy.
A Burdensome Business.
The work of the interior department
is always very burdensome, and has
been larger than ever before during the
administration of Secretary Noble. The
disability pension law, the taking of the
eleventh census, the opening Of vast
areas of Indian lands to settlement, the
organization of Oklahoma and the regu-
lations for the cession. Indian lands
furnish some of the particulars of the
increased work, and the results achiev-
ed testify to the ability, fidelity and
industry of the head of the department
and his efficient assistants. The presi-
| dent seconds the endorsement of the
| secretary of the interior to ratify the
agreement made with the Cherokees.
The form of government provided by
congress on May II, 1884, for Alaska