The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
A Business Document-Fe Recon-
mendations.

the action of Admiral Stanton in saluting the con
mandeT Of the rebel fleet. The asylum given b
Minister Egan to criminals engaged in revolution
airy movements tended TO encourage sediton an
disorder and has been diseountenanced. Chilia
claims and our counter claims are under arbtrt
ton. 1t is recommended that parties to the Bru.
sells Conference we should join in prohibiting tn
sale Of arms &c. in the parts of Africa given to tn
slave traffic. The Boring Sea matter is being ami
cably adjusted with Great Britain under tie terms
the award of the arbitrators. rance has been in
vited to consider Liberals claims certain terrific
ries her southern border and a treaty in the in
terest of the latter has been negotiated in Pari.
The impolicy of entangling alliances with foreig1
governments is illustrated by the bad results of on
treaty with England and Germany four years ago il
regard to Samoa. We undertook to pay part of tn
of the scheme of government set up by the Der
lin treaty, and are now paying for the maintenance
of Mataafa, the Samoan pretender. who is prisone
with other rebels against Maletoa.
Our relations with Hawaii have caused seriou
embarrassment. Just prior 10 the installation o
the present administration the existing government
of Hawaii had been suddenly overthrow and
| treaty OF annexation had been negotiated between
the provisional government of the islands and the
United States and submitted TO the Senate for rat
cation. This treaty was Withdrawn for examna
| ton. Hon. James II. Blount. eff Georgia. was dis.
| patched 10 Honolulu a special commissioner to
make an impartial investigation of the crcum
stances attending the change of government and OF
all the conditions bearing upon the subject of the
treaty Mr. Blount has made his report. showing
beyond all question that the constitutional gogern-
ment of Hawaii had been subverted with the active
aid of our representative TO that government and
through the intimidation caused by the presence OF
an armed naval force of the United States which
was landed for that purpose at the instance OF our
minister. Upon the facts developed it seemed the
only honorable course for our government to pur-
sue was 10 undo the wrong that had been done by
those representating and far as prae-
cable the status existing the time our forcible
Intervention. With view of accomplishing the
result within the constitutional limits of executive
power and recognizing all our obligations and re-
sponsibilities growing out of any changed condi-
tons brought about by our unIustifable interior
ence our present minister at Honolulu has received
appropriate instructions to that end. Thus far no
information of the accomplishment of any definite
results has been received from him. Additional adj
vices are soon expected. When received they will
be promptly sent to the Congress- together with all
other information at hand accompanied by spe
cal, exhaustive message. fully detailing all the
facts necessary to complete understanding of the
case and presenting a history of all the material
events leading up TO the present situation.
The receipts of the government from all sources
during the fiscal year ended June 80 1898 amounted
10 s46I, 76y56l91 and its expenditures to Si59,S7i
6I4.29 There collected from customs sos, 355,-
0lG,7S and from internal revenue sl6l OPT G2S IS.
Our dutiable imports amounted to Si31, $50 III, an
increase of $50 453,907 the preceding year and
mportatons free of duty amounted to si44 544 III,
decrease from the preceding year of s1S,455,i47
Internal receipts exceeded those of the pre-
cediug year by s7,147 .4l5.S2.
The total tax collected on distilled spirits was
s9i72O $685. manufactured tobacco s51 $50 Tilt
and on fermented liquors So, 54s, 9s3.07. We ex-
ported merchandise during the year amounting 10
Si766519l, decrease of slS26l2 954 from the pre-
ceding year. The amount of gold exported
larger than any previous year in the history of the
government. amounting TO Sos S4. and exceed
ing the amount exported during the preceding
year by S5s.ls55i7 The sum paid from the treasury
for sugar bounty was s9,S75ISOSS an increase over
the preceding year of S2,035 05509
II is estimated upon the basis OF present revenue
laws, that the receipts of the government for the
year ending June 80 1891, will be $3.50 l2l s65s and
its expenditures SIS, 12l S65Ss resulting in def
cheney of S2s,OO0OOO. On the LIST day of November,
1895 the amount OF money of all kinds in circula-
ton or not included in treasury holdings was
81 us 5446S increase for the year of SIP i0I9I7
Estimating population at e. l260 900 at the time
mentioned the per capita circulation was $3.50.
on the date there was in the treasury gold
bullion amounting to S96 657 27S and silver bullion
which was purchased at a cost of sl26. 261, 551.
1t is estimated that the LIST day of July, 1898,
the metallic stock of money in the United States,
consisting of coin and bullion amounted to s12l3-
$50 l69 of which S597 G97 6S5 was gold and S6l5 $751;
lSi was silver. The recent repeal of the provision
Of the law requiring purchase of silver bullion by
tho as al nur mr.
scheme has made an entire change in the complex
ion of our currency affairs it is not doubted that
The ultimate result of this action will be most salu-
larry and far-reaching
In the nature of things, however, it is impossible
70 know at this time precisely what conditions will
be brought about by the change, or what. if any,
legislation may in the light Of such
appear to be essential eXpedient. Of
course after the recent financial perturbation time
S necessary for the rc-establishment of business
confidence. When. however, through this restored
confidence the money which has been frightened
nto boarding places is returned to trade and enter
'rise, survey of the situation will probably dis
lose safe path leading to permanently sound
currency, abundantly sufficient to meet every re-
luirement of an increasing population and bust
less. In these circumstances reasonable delay in
caling with this subject instead of being injnri-
us will increase the probability of wise action.
he authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to
sue bonds is not clear it should be, and the
onds authorized are disadvantageous to the gov
rnment both as to time of their maturity and rate
{ interest.
The strength of the army on the SOth day of Sep
,mber last was 2577S enlisted men and 2,1u oil
ers. The total expenditure of the department for
he year ended June 3, 1895 amounted TO S5l $780,
7I.S9.
The suggestion is made that the time is fast ap-
reaching when there should be reorganization
our army on the lines Of the present necessities
f the country. This change eontemplates neither
lcrease in number nor added expense but redis-
bution Of the force and encouragement of
leasures tending to greater efficiency among the
len and improvement of the service.
Progress in the construction of new vessels has \
OF been as rapid as was anticipated. The trouble
as been the failure of contractors to deliver armor
agreed. The difficulties seem now, however, TO G
ave been all overcome, and armor is being deliv- |
red with satisfactory promptness. Great guns. rap
l-fre guns, torpedoes and powder are being '
rompny supplied. The Secretary of the Navy rec
mmends the authorization of at least one battle r
zip and six torpedo boats Congress should, how a
rer carefully take into account The number of I'M
nished vessels our hands and The depleted con-
tion of our treasury. /
On the S0th day of June, 1898 there were on the
ensom rolls 9G6,0l2 names, an increase of 1924
yer the number on the rolls June so, 1892. of
ese there were II widows and daughters Of revo- !,
ionary soldiers, sc survivors of the war of 1872,
I25 widows of soldiers of that war, Sis survivors
nd widows of the Mexican war; 1852 survivors and
idows of Indian wars, 2si army nurses and 1868
Irvivors and widows and children of deceased i
lders and sailors of the civil war. In addition !
ere 459 ,l55 pensioners under the act ofls90.
Although the law of 1890 permits pensions for dis
,ilitieS not related to military service yet as re-
lise to its benefits disability must exist ineapac
lting applicants from the performance of man
II labor to such degree to render them unable
earn support" @
The execution of this law in its early stages does
1t to have been in accord with its true inten-
On. The discovery has been made that many e
INES had been put upon the pension roll by means a
wholesale and gigantic frauds.
Frauds the pension rolls should be exposed n
Id corrected with thoroughness and vigor. Every \
lme fraudulenuy put upon these rolls is wicked a
lposition upon the kindly sentiment in which e.
nsions have their origin. II