The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-12-15

TIED 10 Honduras a member OF tho Greater Re-
public. and his case Is awaiting action
The Nicaragua Canal
The Nicaragua canal IL spoken OF rs Of large
male Of further reference to the subject which.
In the report Of the commission now at work,
Is sent TO congress-
international III M etaIIism.
The president says OF the international NOM
etary commission that, Notwithstanding dill
igent effort, the ENJOYS have failed
so Tar to secure an agreement Gratiica-
tion is expressed at the action OF France
in this matter in joining In our effects. and 1t is
said that the negotiations are still pending
Meanwhile the ENJOYS have not made their
final reports believing that the doubts raised in
certain quarters respecting the feasibility Of
maintaining parity between gold and silver may
yet be solved The president earnestly hopes
that their labors may bring about an interna-
tional agreement
Reciprocity Negotiations
Mr. kasson. of Iowa Is said 20 be now con-
Quoting negoti itions with several governments
for reciprocity arrangements under the tariff
act, ana 1t Is believed that by q careful exercise
of the powers conferred by the act. some Rriev-
ances OF our own and other countries IN our
mutual trade relations may be removed or ale
waited and the volume OF our commercial ex-
changes enlarged.
The president earnestly urges the improve
ment OF our merchant marine, the lnferiorlty OF
which, he says, is humiiiating 10 the national
pride
Protection OF Seal Life.
reference Is uitue 70 tne recent conferences
at Washington ON the subject OF the protection
OF seal life, the results Of which place beyond
controversy, 1t IS said Of the duty Of the gov
ernments concerned to adopt measures without
delay for the preservation OF the herds. Nego-
tiations To this end are now In progress.
International Arbitration.
International arbitration is declared by the
pres dent to represent the best sentiment Of the
civiIZe world. and treaties embOdying these
humane principles on broad lines. without in
any way imperiilingOur interests or honor, will
have its constant encouragement
1he Paris Exposition.
liberal appropriation is bespokeD in order
that the United States may make a creditaOle
exhibit at the approaching Paris exposition in
which the people nave shown an unprecedented
interest,"
Under the head of the navy. the president
points TO the necessity for speedy legislation
TO procure the armor for the three battleshpS
now building, which would be otherwise use
less, He speaks in terms of praise of the quail
ity of our ships, and thinks that the time has
now arrived when the increase to which the
country is committed should for "A time take
tn form of increased facilities commensurate
with the increase of our naval vessels
Lack of Dock Faciii Ties.
He refers TO the lack of docks, and urges that
three or four of the largest docks be provided
on the Atlantic, at least one on the Pacific
coast and "a floating dock in the gulf There
should also be ample provision for munitions
of war and an increase of officers and enlisted
yards. and as there are now on the stocks five
large battleships it Is recommended that an
appropriation be made but for one more battle
snip on the Pacific coast Several torpedo
boats are also necessary.
Legislation Needed for Alaska.
Attention is called to the need for prompt
legislation as to Alaska and the extension Of
civil authority within the territory. There is
need for surveys and for the establishment of
another land onlce at some point in the Yukon
valley. Tor which an appropriation is asked,
Military force Is also necessary and the eStab-
lishnent of some sort of flexible government
If the startling reports as to the probable
shortage Of food for the miners be fully veri-
fled, every effort should be made at any cost TO
carry them relief.
Affairs In the Indian Territory.
The message deals at some length with the
unsatisfactory condition OF affairs in the Indian
territory. The large white element is said to be
without protection and without schools or 9TH
er rights of citizens; leading Indians have alb
sorbed great tracts of lands and created an
aristOcracy. and the friends OF the Indians be-
lieye that the best interests of the five civilized
tribes would be found in American citizenship
Failure of the Dawes Commission.
Reference is made to the failure so far of the
Dawes commission to secure the consent of the
tribes TO an eXtinguishment Of the tribal title 5
and division OF the lands. 1t is said that
should the tribes still fail to ratify the agree
III ~ that some legislation should be had by
congress.
The Quarantine Laws.
The president approves the recommendation
of the Secretary of the treasury for an extern
sion Of the quarantine laws, and also suggests
the appointment of a special commission to as
certain the eau of yellow fever
The Kansas Pacific Railroad.
Speaking of the pending sale Of the Kansas
Pacific railroad, it is said. that If no better
bidder is received than the upset price tixei by
the court, the government would receive only
L., 100000 on its claim of nearly $3.50 0000. He
to bid on the road, and has directed the secre-
tary OF the treasury to make the deposit of
S9OJ,On required to qualify "a bidder, and to
bid at the sale sum at least equal 10 the prin--
cipal of the debt TO the government
r Congress should Legisiaie in the Case.
He suggests, however, that in matter so i'm
portant as the government becoming possible
owner of the railroad, congress should enact
some legislation to define its views. 1t is clear
to him, however, that the government should
not permit the property to be sold ut price
less than one half the principal of ats debt and
less than one-tifth of its entire debt, principal
and interest.
The Civil Service.
The president deVoteS the last chapter of his
message to he civil service. the practic | i'm
proven mt of which, he says, has long been a
subject of earnest discussion and which has of
late years received increased legislative and ex-
ecutive approval During the past few months
the service has been placed upon still
tirmer basis of business methods
and personal merit. While the
to reinstatement has been asserted, dismissals
for merely political reasons have been carefully
guarded against; the examinations Improved
and made practical, and distinct advance
has been made by living a hearing before dis
mssal upon all cases where incoLlpetency is
charged or demand made for the removal of
officials. This last has been done with
out impa,ring the power of re-
moval, one of the vital safeguards
of the system. Much remains to be done be-
fore the system can he perfected, @Ed Inc pres
ident says that he shall not hesitate to exempt
cases which he thinks have been improperly
included in the classified service, or include
those which. in his judgment, will best promote
the pubic service. The syste M has the ap-
prevail of he people, and it will be his e2deavor
to uphold and extend it.
Eetrenciim.nt Suggested.
In concu ion. the president admoniSheS con-
greSs not TO encourage the increase of the eSti-
mates for the maintenance of the government.
They would admit of decrease in many branc hes
and it is a commanding duty to keep the aDpro-
priationS within the receipts OF the govern
nentl and thus avoid deficit.