Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-12-05
The Message tn Brief.


hands Of the national legislature. Our for
sirs relations are satisfactory. The war be-
tween China aud japan is deplored, and IN
view of the dangers it brings upon Amerl-
can residents in the East the President de-
clares that he would not hesitate to heed
anv intimation that his friendly aid for the
honorable termination of hostilities would
be acceptable to both belligerents." Restric-
tons upon the Importation Of American food
products into Belgium and Germany are
noted. as also the unreasonable and unjust
fines imposed by Spain upon American yes
sells trading with Cuba and Porto Rico
Under the award Of the Paris tribunal OF
arbitration S425,OOO has been agreed upon
as the sum TO be paid as damages to British
subjects on account Of seizures Of vessels in
Bering sea, and Congress is asked to appro-
priate that amount. Thus far only France
and Portugal have assented to the regula-
tons agreed upon with Great Britain
With Russia a uod,s uirendi has been reach
ed in respect to stealing interests in the
Norlh Pacific. Germany having protested
against the provision of the tariff act i'm
posing a discriminating duty Of one-tenth Of
a cent a pound on sugars coming from coun-
tries paying an export bounty thereon,
claiming that such duty is in violation Of
the treaty of1S2S with Prussia, the Presi-
dent warmly recommends the repeal Of 50
much of the recent tariff act as continues
the discrimination first introduced in the
Mckinley act. Such repeal, it is added, Is
in the interests Of the commerce Of both
countries. and is further desirable ito avoid
even the accusation Of treaty violation"
The B,uefelds incident is discussed at
some length. BY the treaty Of 1860 Great
Britain granted Nicaragua sovereignty over
the Mosquito Coast country, STIMULATING for
the retention BY the Mosquito Indians of a
limited form Of self-government. Recently
Nicaragua suppressed the native government
attempting to substitute for it IAN imprac-
ticable composite administration" Ulti-
mately, after various conflicts, Nicaragua
has established a local government at Blue
fields The rightful sovereignty of Nicara-
qua over the Mosquito country is not chal-
leuged. But wrongs were committed upon
number Of American citizens which were
the occasion of circumstances.
Samoa is shown to be in a very disordered
state consequent upon the faulty character
of the "entangling alliance for its govern
ment entered into 10y the previous admins
tration. The government set up by Ger
many, England and the United States, act
ing together under the Berlin treaty, has
been unsatisfactory TO the natives. Civil
wars are constantly inprogress, causing much
expense TO the three powers concerned. 1t
is accordingly recommended that Congress
considers the propriety Of our withdrawal
from its engagements with the other powers
on terms not prejudical to our existing
rights.
The receipts Of the government from all
sources of revenue during the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1894, amounted to S372, S02,-
49S. %. and its expenditures to SAP ,6O5, 7jS-
81. leaving a deficit Of SOS, sos, 2605S. 1t
is estimated that upon the basis Of the pres
eut revenue laws the receipts Of the govern
meut during the current fiscal year ending
June 80. 1895, will be spa, 427 ,74S A, and
its expenditures Si44, 42774S, resulting in a
deficit of $2OOOOOOO
The strength of the army on September
80. 1894. was 8. 1856 officers and ., 7G5 enlist
ed men. While no considerable increase in
the army is demanded by recent events, The
policy Of seacost lortifcation has so far de-
veloped as 10 suggest that the effective
strength of the army be now made at least
equal TO the legal strength.
IL Is noted in the report Of the Attorney
General that the Supreme Court is orercom-
ing rapidly the arrears Of its business and il
is suggested that Congress will do well to
give an additional circuit Judge to each cir
cult The President further recommends
the abolition of the fee system as & measure
of compensation to federal officers the en-
largemcut of the powers of United states
commissioners, at least in the Territories,
the allowance Of wri,s of error in criminal
cases on behalf of the United States and the
establishment of degeees in the crime of
murder
The receipts Of the Postotice Department
during the year amounted TO S76,0S0, 479O4
and the expenditures to $S43244l415.-
This deficiency is regarded as unnecessary,
being due to an abuse of laws regulating
rates upon second class mail natter
If pretended newspapers trashy novels aud
other publications of like character were
made to pay proper rates, and if the free dis
tribution of seed through the mails were
abolished. the income thus gained would
suffice. /, is thought, TO permit the carriage
Of legitimate papers and periodicals free of
cost
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy
shows gratifying progress in the construc-
ton of our new navy and presents with
much earnestness a plea for the authorize
ton of three additional battle-ships and ten
or twelve torpedo boats The President ac-
cordinrly recommends that provision be
made for the construction Of additional bat