Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-12-09

i1eIerrlng the choice of ways and meth ods until the time Tor action arrives. we , sholtld make thtm q pend up0n the precise conoltions then existmg; and they should not be determined upon without giving | caretut heed to every consideration involy- Ing our honor and interest. or the inierna- tiohal duty we owe to Spain Until We do the contingencies suggested or the situa uIon Is by other incidents ilnperarively changed We should continue in the line of I conduct heretofore pursued, thus in all i circumstances exhibiting our obedience to the requirements of public law and our re- i gard Tor the duty enjoined upon us by the position We occupy in the family of nations A contemplation of emergences that may arise should plainly lead us 10 avoid Ihelr creation, either through careless {, disregard of present duty or even an undue stimulation and ill-timed expression of l feeling. Bue l have deemed it not aniss | to remind the congress that a time may arrive when correct policy and care for our interests as well as a regard for the Interests of other nations and their citi- 1 ZenS, Joined by considerations of humanity and desire to see q rich and fertile coun- try, intimately related to us, saved from 1 complete devastation, will constraiu our government to suchaction as will subserve the interests thus involved and tt the same | time promise to Cuba and its inhabitants an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of peace
 Venezuelan Boundary Dispute.
 The Venezuelan boundary question has ceased 10 be a matter of difference between i Great Britain and the United States. their respective governments having agreed up i on the substantial provisions Of treaty between Great Britain and Venezuela sub mitting the whole controversy to arbitra 1 tion. The provisions of the treaty are so emlnently just and fair that the assent of Nenezneia thereto may confidently be an- ticipated
 Negotiations for a treaty of general arbi. tratlon for all differences between Great Britain and the Gnited States are advanced and promise to reach q successful con summation Ut all early date.
 Consular Positions.
 The scheme of examining applicants for 1 certain consular positions 10 test their com l potency aei fitness was adopted under an l extensive order issued on Sept 90 1885 has fully demonstrated the usefulness of thls innovation. In eonnet ton with this ] plan of examination. promotions and transfer of deserving incumbents have i been quite eXtensN ely made with excel lent results
 Residences For Ambassadors.
 desire to repeat the recommendation contained in my last annual message in favor of providing at public expense of
  ministers at foreign capitals.
 The Treasury.
 The secretary of the treasury reports re- 1 ports that during the fiscal year ended June 30 1896, the receipts of the govern ment from all sources amounted to $409- 413 4O0.lS. During the same period it's ex- penditures were S434. 4.61S, ,654 AS, the ex- cess of expenditures over receipts thus amounting 10 S25. 203, 235.70. Theordinary expeditures during the year were $4,0l5,- | s52.2l, less than during the preceding ifs. cal year, Of the receipts mentioned there was derived from customs the sum of $l60 02l, 15l .61, and from internal revenue $l4tj, ,S30 6l5,G6 The receipts from customs show an increase of $1 ,S36, 134 g over those from the same source for the fiscal year ended June 30, lS94 aud the receipts from internal revenue an increase of $, ,854, 5S7.- 9l. The value of overimported dutiable merchandise during the last fiscal year was S360, 151 40, and the value of free goods imported. S409 961 ,470, being an in crease of S6,523,G Our exports of mer- chandise, foreign and domestic, amounted i'll value to SSS9, ,938, being an increase over the preceding year of S75 06s, ,173. The average adYalorem duty paid on dutiabie goods imported during the year was .94 per cent, and on free and dutiable goods taken together 20. 5 per cent.
 The cost of collecting our internal rev enue was 2.4S per cent as against 2.6l per cent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895
 The total production of distilled spirits, exclusive of fruit brandies, was 55SS, 703 taxable gallons, being an increase of 6,639, los gallons over the preceding year There was also an increase of ,443,676 gal Ions of spirits, produced from fruit, as compared with the preceding year The number of barrels of beer produced was 35, ,S59, ,250, as against 33 jS9, 1S4, being an # , h.,pp
 The total amount of gold exported dur ing the last fiscal year was SIP, 409,a4 and of silver S60, .670, being an increase of S45,94l ,4I6 of gold and sl3 246, ,3S4 of silver, over the expectations of the preceding fiscal year. The imports of gold were S33, ,525, O65 and of silver S2S, TT .1S6 being | S2, S59,695 less of gold and $s5G6, ,007 more of silver than during the preceding year. The | total stock of metallic money in the United | States at the close of the last fiscal year, l ending on the 30th day of June, 1896, was I $l ,22S 326, 035, of which S599, ,597, ,964 was of | gold and $62S, FPS 01l in silver.
 On the first day of November, lS96 the total stock of money of all kinds in thd I country was S2 .2S5, 40, ,590, and the amour in circulation, not including that in tt treasury holdings. was $l ,627 ,055, ,64l, beiB S92. .03 per capita upon all estimated p0p- ! lation of Fl .5520e0
 The production of precious metals iIthe United States during the calendar3ear 1S95is estimated to have been 2,25A7G me I ounces of gold, of the value of $45eo,oOO, ; and $55, 121, eco fine ounces of silver ol the commercial value of $36. .445, ,090r nd the coinage value of SIP 05l ,010. gne estl- mated production of these metasehrohgh- out the world during the same eriod was 96SS s2l fine ounces of gold. amllntlng to $200, ,2S5. 700 in value, and l6gis9,249 me ounces of silver of the coninrclal value of $l10, ,654 000 and of the coinage value or $2lS 73S, 100, according to oaI ratlo. The coinage of these metals ip the various countries of the world du1ng tne same calendar year amounted tf S232, 'ol ,45o III gold and s121 ,996, ,219 in silver
 The total coinage at the hints Of the United States during theiiseal year ended June 30. fS96 amounted to S7l, lSS ,46S. 52, of which S58, ,S7S, ,490 WAS in gold coin ana SIP, ,309, ,978 52 in standard silver dollars and minor coins
 The number of national banks organized from the time the law authorizing their creation was passed up to October 3l, 1896, was 5051 and of this number 36i9 were at the date last mentioned in active operation, having authorized capital stock of S650, O41 .s95, held by 2SS, ,902 shareholders and circulating notes amounting to $2ll ,4l2,62c The total outstanding circulating notes of all national banks on the 3lst day of Octo- Der 1S96. amounted to k234, ,553, ,S07, includ- ing unredeemed but fully secured notes of banks insovent and in process of liquida- tion. The increase in national bank circu- lation during the year ending on that day was $2l. .0}g 4a0 On October G. lS96, when | the condition of national banks was last | reported, the total resources of the 6679 |