Connecticut western news., 1892-12-15
CANAAN, CONN, THURSDAY DECEMBER 15.

average price paid for silver during the year was 94 cents per ounce, the highest price being sl.02A, July 1, 1891, and the lowest 83 cents, March 21, 1892. In view of the fact that the monetary conference is now sit ting, and that no conclusion has yet been reached, withhold any recommendation as to legislation upon the subject.
 The report of the secretary of war brings again to the attention of congress some i'm portant suggestions as to the reorganiza- tion of the infantry and artillery arms of the service, which his predecessors have before urgently presented. Our army Is small, but it's organization should all the more be put upon the most approved mod ern basis.
 The report of the postmaster general shows a most gratifying increase and . most efficient and progressive management of the great business of that department. The postal revenues have increased during the last year nearly s, 900, 900. The deficit for the year ending June 30, 1892, is $S4S, 341 less than the deficiency of the preceding year.
 Ever since our merchant marine was driven from the sea by the rebel cruisers during the war of the rebellion the United States has been paying an enormous an nual tribute to foreign countries in the shape of freight and passage moneys.
 A wholesome change of policy and one having in it much promise, as it seems to me, was begun by the law of March 3, 1891. UndeF this law contracts have been made by the postmaster general for eleven mail routes. The expenditure involved by these contracts for the next fiscal year approxi- mates $954, 123. S3 AS one of the results al- ready reached, sixteen American steam ships of an aggregate tonnage of 51, 400 l,ssl contracted to be built in American ship yards.
 I earnestly urge a continuance of the policy inaugurated by this legislation, and that the appropriations required to meet the obligations of the government under the contracts may be made promptly, so that the lines that have entered into these engagements may not be embarrassed
 The report of the secretary of the navy exhibits great progress in the construction of our new navy. When the present secre- tary entered upon his duties only three modern steel vessels were in commission. The vessels since put in commission and to be put in commission during the winter will make total of nineteen during his administration of the department.
 The recommendations of the secretary will, I do not doubt, receive the friendly
 
 joyed, as he has deserved, tho confidence of all those interested in the development of our navy without any division upon parti- san lines. I earnestly express the hope that a work which has made such noble progress may not now be staid.
 The report of the commissioner of pen sions to which extended notice is given by the secretary of the interior in his report, will attract great attention. Judged by the aggregate amount of work done the last year has been the greatest in the his tory of the office. Ibelieve that the organ ization of the office is efficient, and that ths work has been done with fidelity.
 The passage of what is known as the dis zability bill has. as was foreseen, very large ly increased the annual disbursements tc the disabled veterans of the civil war. The estimate for this fiscal year was $144, ,956, 900, and that amount was appropriated. Al de- fciency amounting to $10, 5oS, ,621 must be provided for at this session. The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1894, is s165, ,00O, 900.
 The commissioner of pensions believes that if the present legislation and methods are maintained and further additions tc the pension laws are not made the maxi mum expenditure for pensions will be reached June 90, 1894 and will be at the highest point S1Ss, ,OOO, 900 per annum.
 1 adhere to the views expressed in pre- vious messages that the care of the dis abled soldiers of the war of the rebellion is a matter of national concern and duty.
 The subject of quarantine regulations, inspection and control was brought sud- denly to my attention by the arrival at our ports in August last of vessels infected with cholera. Quarantine regulations .I Ia nf an the constitution they are plainly within the exclusive federal jurisdiction when and so far as congress shall legislate. ..
 In my opinion the whole subject should be taken into national control and ade- quate power given to the executive to pro tect our people against plague invasions. There is danger that with the coming of spring cholera will again appear, and a liberal appropriation should be made at this session to enable our quarantine and port officers to exclude the deadly plague.
 The civil service commission ask for an increased appropriation for needed clerical assistance, which think should be given 1 extended the classified service March 1. 1892, toinclude physicians, superintendents, assistant superintendents, school teachers and matrons in the Indian service, and have had under consideration the subject VI oohuc luAbaCl CAbCh5iohb, bus u6FC uot aS yet fully determined the lines upon which extensions can most properly and usefully be made
 have in each of the three annual mes sages which 1t has been my duty to sub init to congress called attention to the evils and dangers connected with our election methods and practices as they are related to the choice of officers of the national gov ernment. In my last annual message en- deavored to invoke serious attention to the evils of unfair apportionments for congress
 The necessity for an inquiry and for leg islation by congress upon this subject is emphasized by the fact that the tendency of the legislation in some states in recent years has in some important particulars been away fire T and not toward free and fair elections and equal apportionments.
 There is no reason why the national in- f1uence, power and prosperity should not observe the same rates of increase that have characterized the past thirty years. We carry the great impulse and increase of these years into the future. There is no reason why in many lines of production we should not surpass all other nations as we have already done in some. There are no near frontiers to our possible development. Retrogression would be 8 crime.
 BENJAMIN HARRISON.
 Mitchell's Money Is Up.
 LONDON, Dec. 10.-Charley Mitchell has deposited e, 500 with George w. Atchison hsv,I .,t~ ..AI