Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-12-06
The Presidents Message.

terNeuLlOu. W TN tue hlch VI "~~~-- T-'~
ing the result within the constitutional
limits Of executive power, aud recognizing
all our obligations and responsibilities
growing on. Of any changed conditions
brought about by our u1justifable interior
eace, our present minister at Honolulu has
received appropriate instructions TO that
end. Thus far no information Of the ac-
complishment Of any definite results has
been received from him. When additional
adyices are received they will be promptly
sent to Congress in a special message, to-
gether with all facts bearing upon the case.
The receipts Of the government from all
sources during the fiscal year ended June
80 1898 amounted 20 s46l, 7l6, SOL "a and its
expenditures to s459, S74.S742 90 There was
collected from customs S2O5, S55, Ol67S and
from internal revenue Sl6l OPT ,62S.9S. Our
dutiable imports amounted to S4Sl $50 III,
and importations free of duty, amounted to
STA 544.2ll. We exported merchandise
during the year amounting to SS47 ,665, l94.
The amount Of gold exported was larger
than ans previous yesr in the history of the
government, amounting to SlOS, 6S0.S44
Il is estimated upon the basis Of present
revenue laws that the receipts Of the gov
eminent for the year ending June 80, 1894,
will be $3.50, I2l ,S65 IS, and its expenditures
S45S. l2l ,S653S, resulting in deficiency Of
SIS 600 900. On the first day Of November,
1898, the amount of money of all kinds in
circulation or not included in treasury hold
ings was Sl,7lS,544.6S2,an increase for the
year Of SIP, 4O4,947. Estimating our pop
ulatiou at g. $4,000 at the time mentioned
the per capita circulation was S25.49.
Il is estimated that on the lst day OF
July. 1898. the metallic stock of money in
the United States, consisting Of coin and
bullion. amounted to Sl,2lS,559, 1863, Of
which S5O7 697 6S5 was gold and S6l5, SOL
asa was silver The recent repeal of the
provision of law requiring purchase ofsilver
bullion by the government as feature of
our monetary scheme has made an entire
change in the complexion Of our currency
affairs. Il is not doubted that the ultimate
results Of this action will be most salutary
and far-reschiug.
In the nature of things, however, tits i'm
possible TO know at this time precisely what
conditions will be brought about by the
change or what, if any, supplementary leg
islation may, in the light of such conditions,
appear to be essential or expedient Of
course. after the recent financial perturba-
ton, time is necessary for the re establish
ment Of business confidence. When, how
ever, through this confidence the money
which has been frightened into boarding
places is returned to trade and enterprise, a
survey Of he situation will probably dis
close a safe path leading to a permanently
sound currency, abundantly sufficient to
meet every requirement of an increasing
population aud business. In these circum-
stances reasonable delay in dealing with
this subject, instead Of being injurious, Will
increase the probability Of wise action
The authority of the Secretary of the Treas
ury to issue bonds Is not as clear as it
should be. and the bonds authorized are
disadvautageous to the government both as
to time Of their maturity and rate of in
terest"
On the 30th day of June, 1898. there were
on the pension rolls 966,Ol2 names, an in
crease of S9.944 over the number on the
rolls June 30, 1892 The President says
the execution of the pension law Of 1890
"does not seem to have been in accord with
its true intention. The discovery has been
made that many names had been put upon
the pension roll by means Of wholesale and
gigantic frauds Frauds on the pension
rolls should be exposed and corrected with
aud vigOr Every name
faudulently put upon these rolls is a wicked
imposition upan the kindly sentiment in
which pensions have their origin"
"The civil-service law is found to be ben
e6cial not only IN its effect upon the public
service. but also what is even more impor-
tant in its effect in elevating the tone of po
litical life generally" It "hss grown in
favor, Notwithstanding the querulous i'm
practicability ofmany selfconstituted guard
ians. Beneath all the vagaries aud subli- |
mated theories which are attractive to il |
there underlies this reform a sturdy COM
nonsense principle not only suited to this
mundane sphere, but whose application !
our people are more aud more recognizing
to be absolutely essential to the most sue
cessful operation Of their government, if not
to its perpetuity."
Congress is urged ito so limit by strict
its appropriations as to exhibit an
of the condition Of the treasury |
and a sympathy with the straitened circum.
stances Of our fellow citizens "
''Af:er hard struggle tariff reform is d.
-ectly before Us Nothing so important
claims our attention and nothing so clearly
presents itself as both an opportunity and a
duty. After full discussion our countrymen
have spoken in favor Of this reform, and 4
hey have con6ded the work of its accom-
1lishment to the hands Of those who are sol
,mnlv Dlengad 10 IL NIanifestlv