Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-12-08

empire. whereby portions of its mari
time proyinces are passing under the
control of various European powers;
hnt the prospect that the vast com
marce which the energy of our citizens
and the necessity of our staple produc-
tions for Chinese uses has built up IN
those regions, may not be preJudlced
through any exclusive treatment by the
new occupants has obviated the need OF
our country becoming an actor IN the
scene.
Our position among nations, having a
large Pacific coast and constantly ex-
banding direct trade with the farther
orient. gives us the equitable claim TO
and friendly treatment IN
this regard, and it will be my aim to
subserve our large interest in that
uuarter by all means appropriate TO the
constant policy of our government. The
territories of Kiao- Chow. of Wel-Ha
Wei. and of Port Arthur and 1alien-
wan leased to Germany, Great Britain
and Russia respectively for terms of
wears. will. it is announced, be open to
commerce during such
alien occupation, and if no discrimlnat-
lQg VI AIlCiANoa
their trade be found to exist, or be here
after developed, the desire of this gov
ernment would appear to be reallzed'
In this relation, as showing the Voiunle
and value of our exchanges with emma
and the peculiarly favorable conditions
which exist for their expansion IN tne
normal course of trade, l refer TO .he
addressed to the speaker
of the House of Representatives oy the
secretary of the treasury on the l4tn Oh
last June, with its accompanying letter
of the secretary of state, recommending
an appropriation for commission 10
study the commercial and ndustrlai
conditions in the Chinese empire and
report as to the opportunities Tor ana
obstacles to the enlargement OF markets
in China for the raw products and man
ufactures of the United States. Action
was not taken thereon during the late
session. CORDIALLY urge that the re
receive at your hands
the consideration which its importance
and timeliness merit.
Meanwhile, there may be just ground
for disuuietude in view of the unrest
and revival of the old sentiment OF op-
position and prejudice to alien people
which prevades certain of the Cnlnese
provinces AS in the case of the attacks
upon our citizens in SZechuan and at
Kutien, in 1895, the United States min
ister has been instructed to secure the
fullest measure of protection, both local
and imperial, for any menaced Amerl-
can interest, and to demand, IN case OF
lawless injury to person or property, In
slant reparation appropriate to the case.
Warships have been stationed at Tlent-
sin for more ready observation OF the
disorders which have invaded even the
Chinese capital, so as to be in position
to act should need arise, while a guard
of marines has been sent to Peklng to
afford the minister the same measure
of authoritative protection as the repre-
sentatives of other nations have been
constrained to employ.
Government Finances.
The Secretary of the Treasury reports
that the receipts of the government
from all sources during the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1898, including 1854, 751,
223 received from sale of Pacific rail
roads, amounted to $405, 331, 335, and its
to S443, 1868, 5s2. There
was collected from customs S149, 80, ,06l,
and from internal revenue $f70,9OO, GAL.
Our dutiable imports amounted TO
1924, 635, 479, a decrease of S5S. 156, $50
over the preceding year, and lmporta-
tions free of duty amounted to S29l,-
414.175. decrease from the preceding
year of 800. 524. 06S Interanal revenue
receipts exceeded those of the preceding
year by $24, ,212, ,067.
The total tax collected on distilled
spirits was $92. SAG, 999; on manufactured
tobacco. S36, ,23O, 532, and on fermented
liquors, $39, 515, ,421. We exported mer-
chandise during the year amounting to
81 ,231, 4S2, $50, an increase of $50, 1885,
TIA from the preceding year.
1t is estimated upon the basis OF pres
ent revenue laws that the receipts of
the government for the year ending
June 80, 1899, will be $577,S74, CAT. and
its expenditures S6S9, ,S74,6 resulting
in deficiency of $l12. 600, 900.
On the 1st of December, 1898, there
was held in the treasury gold coin
to S13S. AL 547, gold bullion
to S138, 502, 545, silver bullion
to S93, 359, $50, and other
forms of money amount to $45l, 963, 9Sl:
On the same date the amount of
money of all kinds in circQlatiop or nat
81 1886, ,879, 504, an increase for the year
of $165, 794, 966. Estimating our popu-
lation at 75, 1914, 900 at the time mention
ed, the per capita circulation was
SCI. 90. On the same date there was in
the treasury gold bullion amounting
to $13S, 500, ,545.
Currency Legislation Needed.
In my judgment the present condition
of the treasury amply justifies the i'm
mediate enactment of the legislation
recommended one year ago, under
which a portion of the gold holdings
should be placed in a trust fund from
which greenbacks would be redeemed
upon presentation, but when once re-
deemed should not thereafter be paid
out except for gold.
1t is not to be inferred that other leg
islation relating to our currency is not
required; on the contrary there is OBJ
vious demand for it. The Importance
of adequate provision which will insure
to Our future a money standard related
as our money standard now is to that of
our commercial rivals, is generally
recognized.
The companion proposition that our
domestic paper currency shall be kept
safe and yet be so related to the needs
of our industries and internal commerce
as to be adequate and responsive to such
needs is proposition scarcely less inn
portant. The subject, ir all its parts, is
commended to the wise consideration of
Congress.
The Message also refers to the Lattimer
riots in this state; the Nicarauga Canal,
the trouble between Great Britain and
Venezuela; the exemption of private
property from capture in war times,
the proposed strengthening of the army
and navy and many minor subjects.
WITH the death of John w. Keely,
one of the most curious delusions of the