The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-12-07


volumnous document, comprising
about Is, 900 words and embracing a
variety of subjects. It Is couched in
his usual terse and thorough style.
He reviews our relations with for
eign powers and adds suggestions for
the remedy of existing evils and irreg-
ularities, touching upon the existing
complications in Europe, Asia and
Nicaragua and the best method to
pursue as regarding the position of
the United States as mediary power.
The report of Secretary Lamont is
fully reviewed by the president and
he dwells upon the necessity of in
creasing the efficiency Of the standing
army, which is now on footing of
$4,000 men, rank and file. The SUBJ
ject of coast Notifications is touched
upon and improvement in the system
strongly urged. The president advises
a temporary revival Of the title of lieu
tenant-general so that Majors General
dOih AAs koChOHCidi WIZ las SCiNCu III
the army with such distinguished
ability, may be retired with rank
BETTING his merit. The status of the
militia force is also reviewed and COM
mented upon. Recommendations are
offered in favor of releasing the Apache
Indian prisoners now confined.
In reviewing the report of Secretary
Smith, the president heartily endorses
the recommendation for an additional
circuit judge in each circuit and pre-
sents the advantages thus accruing
through a facilitation of business.
He also advocates the abolition of the
fee system as means of compensa-
ton to federal officers, and the en-
largement of the powers of the United
States commissioners. The establish
ment of q federal court in Indian Ter
ritory is strongly urged, as also the im-
portance of recognizing the Union
Pacific railway upon basis equitable
as regarding private interests and
those of the government. The loca-
ton of two jails especially reserved
for United States prisoners is also adj
vocated.
The president reviews the report of
Secretary Bissell, and attributes the
deficit in this department to the fact
that many publications issued by pri-
vate business houses, and for theiro own
advertising purposes, were sent through
the mails as second-class matter, and
held that if these had been properly
classified the deficit would not now
exist. The scheme of rural free deliv-
cry is held to be too expensive to be
yet considered.
The president advocates the appro-
priations recommended by Secretary
Herbert for the improvement of the
navy, and reminds congress that the
construction of three new battleships
and ten or twelve torpedo boats would
at this time only necessitate the ex-
penditure of about Is per cent Of their
cash as three and one-half years would
elapse before their completion. He
also urges the Importance of increas-
ing the supply of guns and ordinance
supplies, stating that the department
has not a single gun with which it
could arm the Paris or New York in
case of war. The recent conduct of
Rear Admiral Benham is highly COM
mended, and the war between China
and Japan reviewed in its relations to
America. Recommendations were
submitted as to the transfer Of the
coast survey to the navy department,
and the importance of more rapid pro-
motion of naval officers.
The report of the secretary of the in
terror is reviewed deliberately, and re-
ceivs most of the presidents atten-
ton. He called especial attention to
the need of preserving the forests, the
enlargement of Indian land allot-
ments, greater morality among In
dian agents and the advisability of Sc
Letting these agents from among army
officers. The pension status is fully
reviewed, land the president deplors
the indifference of the government to
the fraud so palpably pr;lc ticed in this
connection.
The report of the secretary of agrl-
culture is reviewed and many sug-
gestions offered tending to the i'm
provement of the efficiency of the va
rious branches.
The president dwells at length upon
the civil service system and fully
demonstrates his full belief in that
much disputed method of distributing
governmental offices. He highlyrecom-
mends the establishing of national
board of health, which should inquire
into and keep posted upon the health
of foreign countries.
Upon the tariff question he dwells at
length, strongly urging the placing of
coal and iron on the free list, and the
obiiteration of every particle of differ
entail duty in favor of sugar.
He deplores the fact that congress
had made no provision for the issue of
short time bonds to replenish the gold
reserve decrease, and likens the pres
ent system to ran endless chain. con-
stantly depicting the treasury He
holds thatthe effort to maintain the
parity between gold and silver greatly
aids the exhausting process, and that
the present protection afforded is only
temporary palliation.
The currency question is discussed
and the lack of elasticity given as a
cause of distress.
The president refers to Secretary
Smiths recommendation regarding
the repeal of the tax on state bank
issues and gives it his unqualified en-