Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Annual Executive Discus
sion of National Affairs.

Foreign HeIotions---Free Coal and Iron
Urged---o Pledge to Maintain the Gold
Rpserve---a Plan for Currency RE-
form.
The message begins as usual with a ref
erence to our foreign relations saying that
all history and our peaceful relations with
other nations at this time demonstrate the
advantage of adhering to foreign policy
free from envous national schemes and
characterized by entire honesty and SINGER
ity. Exception is made in the case of Bel
GUM, relating to restrictions on importa-
tion of our food products.
Reference is made to the strengthening
of our naval force at Rio de Janeiro dur
ing the late war, which tended TO avert
complications which at times seemed i'm
minent.
Although the war between China and
Japan endangers no policy of the United
States, it deserves grave consideration, by
reason of its disturbance of our growing
commercial interests in the countries and
to increased dangers which may result to
our citizens there.
Deplorng the war and anxious for the
preservation of our commercial interests
there, and for the safety of our citizens,
would not hesitate to heed any intimatiOn
that our friendly aid in this matter would
be acceptable.
After mention of the murder of Wilson,
the American, in Nicaragua, and the I'M
fortunate termination of the affair, the
message goes on to state that Nicaragua
hoe oriy nf of or
connection with the concession to the canal
company on grounds purely technical and
not embraced in the contract.
A new commercial treaty with Mexico
is recommended and expressions of good
will toward Russia are made The refusal
of Spain to pay the settled Mora claim is
called to the attention of Congress.
Our relations with France continue such
as should exist between nations so long
bound together. 1t is hoped Germany will
soon be convinced that inhibition of Amer
| lean live stock and meats is needless.
Germany protested against the discrm-
ination in the duty on sugars from cOun-
, tries paying an export bounty. In the in
terest Of both countries and to avoid accu-
satiOn of treaty violations | recommend
( the repeal of that duty.
Payment of the award in the Bering sea
tribunal is recommended
Hawaii. Nicaragua and Samoa.
Hawaii is referred to by a statement that
"the organization of government in place
of the provisional arrangement which fol-
lowed the deposition of the queen has been
announced, with evidence of its effective
operation The recognition usual in such
cases has been accorded the new govern
ment." The japanese empire of today is
no longer the japanese of the past, and
our relations with this progressive nation
| should not be less broad and liberal than
those with other powers.
The President describes the disturbance
at Buetields, and gives the reason for sta
| tioning two of our naval ships there. The
| Samoan question is referred to as not be-
| ing in a favorable condition, so far as peace
/ is concerned, which is not likely to last.
| The President suggests that the United
| States should withdraw from any cOnnec-
! tion with the trouble.
Our Financial Standing.
The secretary of the treasury reports re-
| cepts from all sources for the fiscal year
ending in June as S372, SOP, 49S, and ex-
pendtures as S442, ,605, 75S. There was a
decrease of S15, ,952, GA in the ordinary eX-
penses of the government compared with
! 1898. There was collected from customs
| S131, ,31S, $50, internal revenue Sl47, 16S,-
449, and the balance of the income was
derived from sales of land and other
| sources. 1t is estimated that upon the ba-
sis of the present revenue laws the receipts
| for the fiscal year will be S424, ,427, 14S, and
the expenditures S444, 427, ,74S. On Nov. /,
the total stock money of all kinds in the
country was 81, ,240, 773, SSS, against 81,
224, ,Gjl 900 ON Nov. l, 1898. The money
of all kinds in circulation or not included
in the treasury holdings was 81, ,672, ,093,-
422, or S24.27 per capita.
Fifty national banks were organized in
the year ending in October, with capital
of 50, ,2S5 900; 70, with capital of $10,-
49, 900, went into voluntary liquidation ;
21, with a capital of 81, no, 900 were placed
in the hands of receivers; total number in
existence October 81 was 1856, being 4OO
less than in 1898.
While the maximum legal strength of
the army is $1,000, the effective strength
through various causes is but little over
10000. While no considerable increase in
the army in my judgment is demanded,
the effective strength of the army should
now be made at least the legal strength,
The message speaks highly of the work OF
! the troops IN the laJe strikes. Inc JOIal
expenditure for the war department for the
fiscal year was in round numbers $56, ,000
The report of the attorney general notes
the gratifying progress made by the SUI
preme court in overcoming the arrears OF
its business and in reaching condition il
which it will be able to dispose of cases as
they arise without any unreasonable delay
This result is very largely due to the sue
cessful working of the plan inauguratins
circuit courts of appeals. In respect tC
these tribunals the suggestion is made tina
All additional circuit judge for each circui
would greatly strengthen these courts
Federal court for the Indian territory il
recommended, the settlement of the I'm
ion Pacific railroad case urged, and Unit
ed States prison recommended.
The POst-Once Department Should h
Self Sustaining.
The receipts of the post-office depart
ment during the year amounted to SO,
0S0, ,479.04 and the expenditures to Ssh
pa, ,414.15. The deficiency in this depart
ment is unnecessary. Pretended newspa
pers are started by business houses for tn
mere purpose of advertising goods, CON
U. S. Govt Report