Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-17
vehement demand in various quarters
tim


on the part Of the United States.
The president declares against &c
cording belligerent rights, does not
think Spain desires to sell land depre-
Gates war with Spain asa settlement
of the question on the ground that
| might is not sufficient reason for this
country to violate its universal repu-
tation as the most pacific of powers
and the desire of its people to live in
amity with all the world. The United
| States, he says, has plenty of terri
tory and should continue to manifest
its patient endurance, which is no
slight testimonial OF. the regard, for
Spain ON the part OF the American peo-
pie. While remembering the part
Spain has played in the history of tic
Western hemisphere. neither the peo-
pie or the government of the United
States have shut their eyes to the
course of Spain in this contest. After
summing up the complications of inter-
national law bearing on the case. the
president says: 1T would seem that
if Spain should offer to Cuba genuine
autonomy. measure of home rule,
which, while preserving the sovereign
ty of Spain would satisfy all national
requirements of her Cuban subjects,
there should be no just reason why the
pacification of the island might not he
effected on that basis. 1t would put
the prosperity of the island on the
fortunes of it's inhabitants within their
own control without severing the nat
ural and ancient ties which bind them
to the mother country"
1t has been intimated to Spain and
that country does not seem unwilling
to adopt the suggestion that the United
States act as mediator in bringing
about this result. At the same time
Spain demands that the insurgents lay
down their arms before compromise
will be considered and the Cubans in
sist upon something more definite than
promise of autonomy before they
will consent to do so. In any event
the president says the United States
should make no attempt to acquire the
island and should prevent any other
power from acquiring it. II, however,
the inability of Spain to demonstrate
its sovereignty becomes manifest, the
United States should not hesitate to
recognize and discharge it's duties
without in any way meanwhile stimu-
lating disregard to duty or illtimed
expression of feeling.
Briefly touching on the Venezuelan
boundary question and the Boring sea
complication, the president then de-
votes himself to internal affairs. His
message takes up in detail the various
departments of the national govern
ment. In the treasury department the
receipts of 1886 were S401, 475, 4OS.7S;
expenditures $434, CTS, G54.4S, a decrease
of So. 2O32245.7O. The value of dutia-
BILE import was 1860. 40; the value
of free imports S4O9,967 40; the total
increase $47.754, 100. The value of eX-
ports was $3.50, 6O6,93S, an increase
over the preceding year of 75,O6S, 713.
The gold exported was $112,4O9,947,
and the silver exported was $50, 54l, $50.
The gold increase was 1891, 4G6, and
the silver increase S13.24G.3S4. The
gold imports were $33, ,O65 and the
silver S2S,7777,1sG
The total metallic money in the
United States July 1, 1896, was ST.
22S.326, O35. of which S549, 1904 was
gold and $62S, 72S.O71 was silver. On
Nov. l. 1896, the total of money in the
United States was $2,2S5, 401 500. and
the amount in circulation. exclusive OF
treasury holdings, was $1,627 ,055.64l.
or $226: per capita on population of
71,.O2,UOO. The coinage of these met
ais throughout the world the same
year was $500, 7O1 ,43S in gold and
$121, 9GG,219 in silver. Oct. 6, 1896,
there We're 3,G79 national banks in OPP
eratinn. with 3,2G3, $50. 900 of resourc-
es. Of the liabilities, $1,590, S91 ,O53.O3
was due depositors, and $210,OO0,M0
was in outstanding circulating notes.
,tx,~ so.1,% 1,or
lied. and thirty-seven surrendered
their charters. while for twcntSy-seven
others receivers were appointed. State
hal.h..s to the number Of 5,70S We're in
existence.
During the Year a41, 4et Immigrants
arrived. bringing to this country more
than $4,000.
In reviewing the war department,
the president does not recommend an
increased army, as he says the organ
liked militia numbers 112879 men and
costs S:3,.2Ml.O 900 annually, which Should
suffice. He believes both the regular
army and militia should have more
money for equipments.
Regarding the navy. the president
recommends the expenditure of money
for coast defenses, declares his belief
in the ability of the of the government
to build it's own vessels and equip
lnents, is opposed to paying any fur
Their speed premiums and recommends
a plan for laying up slips in reserve,
so as to reduce the cost of maintain
ing our ships afloat. Eight new cruis-
ers and two gunboats have been COM
missioned. and the chief executive
says American ships are equal to any
afloat.
The president thinks federal Offend
ers should be confined in government
prisons.
lie pestofiice department. he says. is
in good condition, with deficit of $S,-
100000, owing to a reduction of postal
duties and the increase, without pro-
portional revenue, of the low-class
mail matter.
The total Indian population is Ill.,
235 The president believes the Indi-
ans show improvemt mt under govern
ment management, and recommends
that they be looked after by commits
sion. one Of whom shall be an army
officer.
President Cleveland hits the pension
grabbers hard blow. He shows that
last year the number of pensioners
materially increased until the list is