davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
"A Path to Needed Reform.

am more convinced than ever tbo+ -
can nave no assured financial peaca onJ
oaIely ultli the government currency obI
sa.iohs upon which gold may be demands
iiOia the treasury are withdrawn from, cir
culation and Cancelled This might he dona
as mas Deen heretofore recommended h.,
.helr exchange for longtime bonJs
DeaiIns low rate of interest or by their
bonds. VI such
Even If only the United States ro.oz
known as greenbacks were Tins ref;,o no'e -
Is probable that the treasury noteS iss',os
IN payment of silver purchases under ~
act VI July IA, 1880. now paid in gold when
demanded, would not create such 6istnrh
ance' as they might from time to time
when received in the treasury bv redemn'
tion IN gold or otherwise, be gradually and
prudently replaced by silver coin. The
pan OF Issuing bonds for the purpose of
redemption certainly appears to be the
lnost eHectlVe and direct path to the need
ed reform. -Aeeu-
In default of this, however, it would be
step In the right direction If cnrranc,,
obligations, redeemable in gold. whenavor
SO redeemed, should be Cancelled instead
Oh oelng reissued. This operation would
pe SLOW remedy, but it would improve
present conditions. National banks should
redeem their own notes. They should be
aiioWed to issue circulation to the mar
value OF bonds deposited as security for
It's redemption, and the tax on their cir.
culation should be reduced to one-fourtb
of one per cent
IN considering projects for the retirement
OF United States notes and treasury notes
ISSUED under the law of 1890, I am of the
opinion that we have placed too much
stress upon the danger of contracting the
currency, and have calculated too little
upon the gold that would be added TO our
circulation, if invited to us by better and
SAFER financial methods. 1t is not so much
contraction of our currency that should
De avoided as such an unequal dstribu-
ton. This might be obviated and anv
fear of harmful contraction at the Same
time removed, by allowing the organization
or smaller banks in less populous COM
munities than are now permitted and
authorizing banks to establish branches in
small communities. under proper re-
strictions.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
The Postal Union.

The universal postal union, which now
embraces all the civilized world and whose
delegates will represent 1,OOO,O 200, 900 people,
will hold it's fifth congress in the city of
Washington in May, 1897. The United
States may be said to have taken the in
itiative which led to the first meeting of
this congress at Berne in 1874 and the
formation of the universal postal union,
which brings the postal service of all
countries to every mans neighborhood
and has wrought marvels in cheapening
postal rates and securing absolutely safe
mail communication throughout the world
Previous congresses have met in Berne
Paris, Lisbon and Vienna, and the respec-
tive countries in which they have assem-
bled have made generous provision for
their accommodation and for the reception
and entertainment of the delegates. In
view of the Importance of this assemblage
and of it's deliberations, and of the honors
and Inequalities accorded to our represen-
tatives by other countries on similar occa-
sions, I earnestly hope that such an appro-
priation will be made for the expenses
necessarily attendant upon the coming
meeting in our capital city as will be
worthy of our national hospitality and in.
dicative of our appreciation of the event
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Great Progress Made During the
Year.

The progress made in civil service re-
form calls for the utmost congratulation.
1t has survived the doubts of its friends,
as well as the rancor of its enemies, and
has gained a permanent place among the
agencies destined to cleanse our politics
and to improve, economize and elevate the
public service. There are now in the COM
petitive classified service upward of S4,-
600 places. More than half of these have
been included from time to time since
March 4, 1893.
A most radical and sweeping extension
was made by an executive order dated the
9th day of May, 1896, and If fourth-class
misunderstanding are not included in the
statement, it may be said that practically
all positions contemplated by the civil
service law are now classified. Abundant
reasons exist for including these post
mastershipss based upon economy, i'm
proved service and the peace and quiet of
neighborhoods. If, however, obstacles
prevent such action at present, earnest
ly hope that congress will, without In
creasing postofice appropriations, SO adj
just them as to permit in proper cases a
consolidation of these postofi1ces, to the
end that through this process the result
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Manufacturing Facilities.

our manufacturing facilities are at this
time ample for all possible naval con-
tlngencies. Three of our government
navy-yards, those at Mare island, CAL;
Norfolk, Va, and Brooklyn, are equipped
for shipbuilding, our ordnance plant in
Washington is equal to any in the world,
and at the torpedo-station we are sue
cessfully making the highest grades of
smokeless powder. Three first-class ship
yards at Newport, r. l., Philadelphia and
San Francisco, are building battle-ships
IL contractors situated in the states Of
Maine, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and the state
OF Washington are constructing gunboats
or torpedo-boats. The plants are manu-
featuring large quantities of first-class
armor and American factories are pro-
ducing automobile torpedoes and powder.
projectiles, rapid-fire guns and everything
else necessary for the complete outfit of
naval vessels.
There have been authorized by congress
since March, 1893, five battle-ships. six
light-draft gunboats, 16 torpedo-boats and
a submarine torpedo-boat. Contracts for
the building of all of them have been let
Inc secretary expresses the opinion that
we nave for the present a sufficient supply
OF cruisers and gunboats and that here
a1ter the construction of battle-ships and
torpedo-boats will supply our needs.
Mucn attention has been given to the
methods of carrying on departmental bust
ness Important notifications in the regu-
iations have been made, tending to unity
the control of shipbuilding as far as may be
under the bureau of construction and re-
pair, and also to improve the mode of
purchasing supplies for the navy by the
bureau of supplies and accounts. The es-
taplsnment under recent acts of congress
OF supply fund, with which to purchase
tnese supplies in large quantities, and other
modlhcations of methods have tended ma
ity. 0 qo"i-
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
The Pension Roll.

The diminution of our enormous pension
roll and the decrease of pension expendi-
lures, which have been so often conf
IDENTIFY foretold, still fail in material real
ization. The number of pensioners on the
rolls at the close Of the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1896, was 97O678. This is the larg-
est number ever reported. The amount
paid exclusively for pensions during the
year was $138, 214, 761 "a, a slight decrease
from that Of the preceding year, while
the total expenditures on account of pen
sions, including the cost of maintaining
the department and expenses attending
the pension distributions, amounted to
$142, zoe, $50 SO, or within very small frac-
ton of one-third of the entire amount
of supporting the government during the
same year. The number of new pension
certificates issued was 90,640. Of these,
1874 represent original allowances of
claims, and 1888 increase of existing pen
sions. The number of persons who re-
ceived pensions from the United States.
but residing in foreign countries at the
close of the last fiscal year, was 1881, and
the amount paid to them during the year
was 1882 73S 80.
The sum appropriated for the payment
of pensions for the current fiscal year
ending June 80, 1897, is $40. 200, 900, and for
the succeeding year it is estimated that
the same amount will be necessary.
The commissioner of pensions reports
that during the last fiscal year 3S9 indict-
ments were found against violators of
the pension laws. Upon these indict-
ments 167 convictions resulted In my
opinion, based upon such statements as
these and much other information and
observation, the abuses which have been
allowed to creep into our pensions have
done incalculable harm in demoralizine
our people and undermining good citizen-
ship. have endeavored within nv
sphere of official duty to protect our PEN
sion roll and make it what it should be. q
roll of honor, containing the names of
those disabled in the country's service
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
now repeating these ao..u,

now repeating these details, cannot "a.
ram from again earnestly presenting ~.
necessity OF the prompt reform of a s, Wv
tenn opposed to every rule of sound fnanos
anu as SHOWN by experience to be fraught with
the gravest peril and perplexity. VIII
Inc terrible war which shook the found,
IONS OF our government more than so vas~,
ago brought IN its train the destructjon -!
properly, the wasting of our countrr,,
substance and the estrangement of hrath
rem. These are now past and forgotte.
Even the distressing loss of life the ', oon
nlct entailed is but a sacred memory VII
fosters patriots: sentiment and keens " ai,a'
tender regard for those who noblv a..
Ana yet there remains with ms +o5o-.
In full strength, as an Incident NJ tL,.
tremendous struggle, a feature of ire fno,
cial necessities not only unsuited 70 ~.
present circumstances, but manifest,v
disturbing menace to business secnrit,, 90
an ever-present agent of monetary distras Gu
because we may be enjoying temnoror,,
rellef from its depressing influence sbnTIs
not lull us into false security nor Ians
US 10 forget the suddenness of past VISIT
tons. f' 'isIta-
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Weight
Revenue

The remainder of our postal revenue
amounting to something over S., 900, 000
was derived from box rents, registry fees
money-order business and other similar
items. The entire expenditures of the de-
partment, including pay for transporta-
ton credited to the Pacific railroads, was
S92, 1856, 1876 II, which may be considered as
the cost OF receiving, carrying and deliver
Ing the above mail matter 1t thus
appears that though the second-class mat
ter constituted more than two-thirds of
the total that was carried, the revenue
derived from it was less than thirtieth
OF. total expenses The average revenue
from each pound Of first-class matter was
80 cents, from each pound of second-class
matter S3a mills (of the second class So :
S4S,z yl pounds was free NATTER; from each
pound of third class, 1871 cents; from each
pound of fourth class, 1876 cents.
The growth of weight in second-class
matter has been from 299, 600 900 pounds in
1894 to 312, 100000 in 1895, and to almost
349.0 600 in 1896, and it is quite evident
this increasing drawback is far outstrip-
ping any possible growth Of postal reye-
nueS.
Our mail service should, of course, be
such as to meet the wants and even the
conveniences of our people, with a direct
charge upon them so light as to exclude
the idea of our postoffice department be-
ing money-makng concern; but in the
face OF the constantly recurring deficiency
in its revenues. and in view of the fact
that we supply the best mail service in
the world, it seems to me it is quite time
to correct the abuses that swell enormous
ly our annual deficit. If we concede the
public policy of carrying papers free in
the county of publication, and even the
policy of carrying at less than one-tenth
their cost other bona fide newspapers and
Periodicals, there can be no excuse for
subjecting the service to the further i'm
mense and increasing loss involved in car
rytng at the nominal rate of l cent a
pound the serial libraries sometimes in
Guiding trashy and even harmful ntera-
ture. and other matter. which, under the
loose Interpretation of a loose statute. has
been gradually given second-class rates.
thus absorbing all profitable returns de.
rived from irst-class matter. which paws
three or four times more than its cost. and
producing large annual loss to be Maid
by general taxation. If such second-clas IS
matter merely paid the cost of its HANDLING
our deficit would disappear and s,,r'
plus result which might be used to give
the people still better mail facilities or a
cheaper rate OF letter postage
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Use of the Surplus.

I believe our present tariff law, If allow
ed fair opportunity, will in the near
future yield revenue which, with reason
ably economical expenditures, will over
come all deficiencies. In the meantime, no
deficit that has occurred, or may occur,
need excite or disturb us. To meet any
such deficiency, we have in the treasury, in
addition to gold reserve of $100, 900, 600, a
surplus of more than $128, 000 900 applicable
to the payment of the expenses of the
government, and which must unless ex-
pended for that purpose, remain in use
less hoard, or, If not extravagantly wasted,
must, in any event, be perverted from
the purpose of it's exaction from our people,
The payment, therefore, of any deficiency
in the revenue from this fund is nothing
more than it's proper and legitimate use.
The government, thus applying a surplus
fortunately in it's treasury to the payment
of expenses not met by it's current reve-
nues, is not at all to be likened to man
living beyond his income, and thus incur
ring debt or encroaching on his principal.
1t is not one of the functions of our gov
eminent to accumulate and make addi-
lions to a fund not needed for immediate
expenditure. With individuals, it is the
chief object of struggle and effort. The
application of an accumulated fund by the
government to the payment of it's running
expenses is duty. An individual living
beyond his income and embarrassing him
self with debt or drawing upon his ac-
cumulated fund of principal Is either I'M
fortunate or improvident. The distinction
is as between government charged with
the duty of expanding for the benefit of the
people and for proper purposes all the
money 1t receives from any source and
the individual who is expected to mani
fest a natural desire to avoid debt or
to accumulate as much as possible and
to live within the income derived from
such accumulations to the end that they
may be increased. or at least remain I'M
impaired for the future use and enjoyment
of himself and objects of his love and
affection who may survive him.
1t is UNNECESSARILY better to appropriate
our surplus to the payment of justifable
expenses than to allow 1T to become an
invitation to reckless appropriations and ex-
travagant expenditures.
suppose it will not be denied that under
the present law our people obtain the neces-
saries of comfortable existence at a
cheaper rate than formerly. This is a
matter Of supreme Importance, since it is
the palpable duty of every just govern
ment to make the burdens of taxation as
light as possible. The people should not
be required to relinquish this privilege
of cheap living. except under the stress
Of their governments necessity made plain
ly manifest.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11

The Presidents Defense of the Wilson
Bill.


I desire to refer to the statement else
where made concerning the government re-
celpts and expenditures for the purpose of
Ventur1ng upon some suggestions touching
our present tariff law and its operation.
IhlS statute took effect on the 2Sth day
OF August, 1894. Whatever may be it's
shortcomings as a complete measure of
tarlH reform, 1t must be conceded that it
mas opened the way to a freer and greater
exchange of commodities between the
United States and other countries. and
mus furnished wider market for our prod
ucts and manufacturing. The only entire
nscal year during which this law has been
IN force ended on the Both day of June. 1896
In that year our imports increased over
tnose OF the previous year more than
100000 600, while the value of the domestic
product we exported and which found mar
kets abroad was nearly $40, 900 900 more than
during the preceding year.
Ihose who insist that the cost to our
people or articles coming to them from
abroad for their needful use, should only
be increased through tariff charges to
an extent necessary to meet the expenses
OF the government, as well as those who
,aa5 tnat tariff charges may be
laid upon such articles beyond
beyond the necessities of the government
revenue and with the additional purpose
OF so increasing their price in our markets
as to give American manufacturers and
producers better and more profitable oppor-
tunltles, must agree that our tariff laws
are only primarily justified as sources of
revenue to enable the government to meet
the necessary expenses of its maintenance
Considered as to it's Sufficiency in this
aspect, the present law can by no means
fall under just condemnation During the
only complete fiscal year of it's operation,
1t has yielded nearly IS, 00O, 600 more revenue
than was received from tariff duties in the
preceding year. There was, nevertheless, a
deficit between our receipts and expendi-
lures of a little more than s25, 900, 0O0
The situation was such in December,
seven months before the close of the fiscal
foretold a deficiency of $4,000, OOO The
great and increasing apprehension and
timidity in business circles and the de-
preston in all activities intervening since
that time, resulting from causes perfectly
well understood and entirely disconnected
with our tariff law or, it's operation, seri-
ously checked the imports we would have
otherwise received and readily account for
the difference between the estimate of the
secretary and the actual deficiency as well
as for a continued deficit. Indeed, it must
be confessed that we could hardly have had
more unfavorable period than the last
two years for the collection of tariff
revenue
We cannot reasonably hope that our re-
cuperation from, this business depression
will be sudden. but it has already set in
with promise of acceleration and con-
tinuance.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
the EXPENSES Of It's maintenance. calculated

the expenses Of its maintenance, calculated
at per capita rate upon the number Of
prisoners 1t can accommodate, does not
make as economical an exhibit as it would
If it were larger and better adapted to
prison purposes, but am thoroughly con-
WINGED that economy and humanity, and
q proper sense of the responsibility and
duty toward those whom we punish for
violations Of federal law, dictate that the
federal government should have the entire
control and management of the peniten-
tiaries where conviced violators are con-
fined. 1t appears that since the transfer
of the Fort Leavenworth military prison
to it's new uses. the work previously done
by prisoners confined there, and for which
expensive machinery has been provided,
has been discontinued. This work con-
sisted of the manufacture of articles for
army use. now done elsewhere. On all
grounds, it is exceedingly desirable that
the convicts confined in this prison be
allowed to resume work of this description.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Concluding Remarks.

In concluding this communication, It's
last words shall be an appeal to the con-
gress for the most rigid economy in the
expenditure of the money it holds in trust
for the people. The way to perplexins
extravagances is easy, but a return 70
frugality is difficult. When, however, II
is considered that those who can bear
the burdens of taxation have no guaranty
of honest care, save in the fidelity of their
public servants, the duty of all possible
retrenchment is plainly manifest. Wnen
our differences are forgotten and our con-
tests of political opinion are no longer re.
membered, nothing in the retrospect Oh
our public service will be as fortunate
and comforting as the recollection OF OF
fetal duty well performed. and the mem
ory of a constant devotion to the interests
of our confiding fellow countrymen.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. Dec Z. 1896. !.
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Shina I'm Reserve.

The secretary is considering and will for
mulate during the coming winter a plan
for laying up ships in reserve, thereby
largely reducing the cost of maintaining
our vessels af1oat. This plan contemplates
that battle-ships, torpedo-boats and such
of the cruisers as are not needed for active
service at sea shall be kept in reserve,
with skeleton crews on board to keep them
in condition, cruising only enough to in
sure the efficiency of the ships and their
crews in time of activity. The economy
20 result from this system is too obvious
to need comment
The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
Public Lands.

Our public lands, originally amounting to
1,840, 900 acres, have been so reduced
that only 60O,0O0,0OO still remain in govern
ment control, excluding Alaska The bal
ance, being by far the most valuable por-
ton, has been given away to settlers, to
new states and to railroads, or sold at a
comparatively nominal sum-
The patenting Of land, in execution of
railroad grants has progressed rapidly
during the year, and since the 4th day of
March, 1893, about 25,OO0,0OO acres have
thus been conveyed to these corporations.
1 agree with the secretary that the re-
mainder of our public lands should be more
carefully dealt with, and their alienation
guarded against by better economy and
greater prudence.