Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-12-07

will be superseded by q higher obli-
CATION. which we can hardly hesitate
to recognize and discharge"
Matters In General
The closing of the Venezuelan ques-
tion is briefly noted. The department.
al reports are submitted. Comment
ing on the pension commissioners
report, be expresses the opinion that
abuses have been allowed to creep
into the pension system which have
.'done incalcuIable harm in demoral-
izing our people and undermining
good citizenship"
Speaking OF the adjustment OF the
Pacific railroad obligation he recon-
mends sin the matter of the Union
Pacific foreclosure such executive ac-
tion as will subserve public interests
and save the government from loss."
The work of the agricultural de-
psrtment is especially commended.
The country is congratulated on the
progress Of civil service reform. An
amendment to the interstate com.
merce act is recommended.
Tariff Reform.
Touching the present tariff he says
it must be conceded, that whatever
its shortcoming it opened the way to
freer and greater exchange of COM
modities with other countries. He
believes if allowed fair opportunity
it will in the near future produce
sufficient revenue to meet the gov
ernment expenditures. Meantime
any deficit which may occur need
cause no alarm. as the government
has a surplus Of over $128, 900. 900
in addition to the gold reserve.
The president renews his former
recommendation for the retirement of
green bscks by the issuance of long
term low interest bonds.
Trusts and Monopolics.
In conclusion the president takes
up the question Of trusts and monop-
olies. and points out their effect on
the nation Individually and collect
lively, and says the limits Of the
federal government are such that it
cannot enact legislation to properly
control trusts not engaged in inter-
state commerce, but suggests that
various states are able to enact suita-
b legislation in this direction.
| Secretary Oinsys Positive Position.
| For the first time in the memory
of the oldest officials the secretary OF
state made regular report to the
president for Transmission to con-
gress. This report was laid before
congress as an appendix to the pres
ident's message. 1t treats OF many
details Of our relations with foreign
governments, either not touched on
in the message or more briefly
treated. Under the head Of Spain,
Secretary Olney has much to say re.
garding Cuba. and sets out in great
detail the history Of the growth Of
the rebellion, and the present evil
Estate Of affairs on the island.
! The secretary's estimate Of the sit
uation is disclosed in the following
paragraph, made after the statement
of the destruction of the industria
resources of Cuba: This situation
cannot indefinitely continue withou
grOsiDg still worse, aud the tim
may not be far distant when tn
United States must seriously con
slider the question whether its right
and Interests. as we'll IS interna
tional duties, in view of its peculia
relations to the island do not cal! TO
some decided change in the polio,
hitherto pursued"
Secretary CarIis,s's Report.
! Secretary Carlisle transmitted t
the house estimates of the appropria
: tions for the fiscal year ending Jun
80. 1898: Legislative department,
q S7s.SzO; executive. $I9.s65 95s
judicial. 1907. l20; foreign, $2;0s2
1873; military, $24, ,292.626; nava
$22, 43I,77S; Indian affairs, $7,279
525; pensions. Sal, 1928. $50; publ
works sSl. .4S7.O6l; postal servic'
$l,2SS. .4Si; miscellaneous, $50. .3I4
2 5; spermanent annual appropri'
tions, 1920. 02s, 22O; total. $421, ,71S
. $40.
/, CONGRESS is CONVENED.