Evening journal., 1896-12-08

the statement that quito a number of YES
sells are now being constructed at rates as
low as those that prevail in European
shipyards
Discipline among the officers and men
of the navy has been maintained 70 "A high
standard and the percentage of American
citizens enlisted has been very much In.
creased
The naval militia, which was authorized
few years ago as an experiment, has now
developed into body OF enterprising young
men. active and energetic in the discharge
of their duties and promising grent useful
ness. This establishment has nearly the
same relation to our navy as the national
guard in the diifcrepi statos bears to our
army, and Il constitr tes "a source Of supply
for our naval forces the importance of
(which IS Immediately apparent
Tho Interior Department..
The report OF the secretary OF the interior
presents a comprehensive and interesting
cxhibitof the numerous and important az.
fairs committed TO his supervision
The money appropriated on account Of
this department and for its disbursement
for the fiscal year ended June 30 1898,
amounted 20 more than Si07, OO0, ,O00 OF
]
entire maintenance Of the government FOR
the two fiscal years ended June 80, 1851.
Our public lands, originally amounting
TO $40, 600, 600 acres, have been so reduced
that only about 600. 600 600 acres still re-
main In government control, excluding
Alaska.
! agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should bo
mo~ carefully dealt with and their alien
alton guarded by better economy apd great
or prudence.
The total Indian population OF the Unit
ed States Is M, 28b, according ia census
nade I'm 1895. exclusive of those within
the state of New York and those compris-
ing the five civilized tribes OF this num-
Der there are approximately $4,000 children
of school age During the year 28, B98 of
these were enrolled In schools.
Pensions.
The diminution OF our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease Of pension expond-
itGre which have been go often confident.
ly foretod, still fail In material realization.
The number OF pensioners ON tho rolls at
the close of the fiscal year ended June 30,
1895. was go, 67S. This Is the largest
number ever reported The amount paid
exclusively for pensions during the ycar
was Si8S, ,214, 76l 9i, a slight decrease from
that Of the preceding year. while the total
expenditures on account Of pensions, In
cluding the cost OF maintaining the depart
mert and expenses attending pension dis
tribution, amounted 30 Sl42, POO, 800. 90, OF
within "a very small fraction Of one-thlrd
OF the entire expense Of supporting Tho
government during the same year. The
number Of new pension certificates ISSUED
was 30, 6i0. OF these, 1924 represent
original allowances OF claims and 10, S7'
increases Of existing pensions
Department Of Agriculture.
The department Of agriculture Is so In
timately related TO the welfare of our poo
pie and the prosperity Of our nation that !
, should constantly receive the care and en-
, couragement OF the government
, Under the present management of th
department It's usefulness has been en
hanced In every direction, and at the sam
time strict economy has been enforced q
the utmost extent permitted by congros
D sional action.
1 In my opinion, the gratultous distribu
ton OF seeds by the department as at pres
/ cnt conducted ought to bc discontinued
No one can read the statement Of the sec
. rotary on this subject and doubt the Ok
travagancc and questionable rcsultsof thi
practice.
;, The Tarim
> = desire to rccur to the statements els
where made concerning the government
q receipts and expenditures FOR the purpo'
u OF vCnturing upon some suggestions t0ucl
ing our present tariff law and iis opCr,
4 ton.
= This statute took effect on the 2sth da
= of August, 1894 Whatever may be- Il
shortcomings as q complete measure OF tai
+, iff reform, it must be conceded that It ha
opened the way 10 a ireer and greater "a
, change of commodities between US and otl
I er countries, and thus furnished a VIDE
mnrkot for our products and manufacturer
Tho only entire fiscal year duiirR whlc
, this law has tcon in force ended on th
3Oth day OF June, 1896. In that year on
=, imports increased over those Of the previnu
year more than So, sou, 600, while the ynlu
Il, Of the domestic products we exported, an
q which found markets abroad, was ncarl
$50, 600, OOO more than curing the prceet
ing year.
: believe cur present tlrifl law. n allow
q ed "a fair opportunity, win in the near fl
ture yield n rev9nuo which, with foasOnnbl
o economical expenditures, will overcome a
Z deficiencies In the meantime no deiic
; that has occurred or may occur need excl
or disturb us. 10 meet any such deficit "
have in the treasury, Ia addition % a g1l
reserve of slO9. OrO, 900, "a surplus Of mol
J. than Sl2B 600 GOO applicable to the pa.
; mcnt of tho en- enses Of the goyornmen
y Our Finance.
:, This reference To the condition and FRO
poets Of our revenues naturally sugges
- an nllusion To- he weakness and vices
N our financial methods They have hro
\ frequently PRESSED upon he attention
+ congress in previous exec alive commuu
~ cations and tie inevitable danger Of the
N continued 20 eritiln pointed out Nithol
= now repeating those dotaila. / cnnnot +
frain from again earnestly presenting u
n nccessi y Of i..s r0nipt reform OF "A sysie
a opposed % every rule %, sound finance at
n shown by experience 40 be fraught WI
n the grayest peril and rcrplexiiy. The te
h rible civil war which shook the found
~ tions II Our government ~ ~ than
years ago brought In its train he dcstyu
4. ton Of property the wasting OF orr cou
n trys substance and the IS rangnment