North Carolina Newspapers

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. ilCALli RErATlOXS WITH ALL THER COUNTRIES. HPVIEW OF Ol'R COXMTIOK. and fcgSIRABLK J,IHLATrON SUGGESTED. fo fke Cofiam of the United States: Since. the close ti your last session the American people, in the exercise of their fci-ht right of suffrage, hate chosen their chief magistrate for the four years tensuiii" When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has the long political contests Avhich .,i,mrv imteede ths dav of a nation- al election bta waged with greater ter- vorand intensity, it is a subject of gen latum that after the con troversy a the polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the Vi Wn determined was as yet unascertained, the public peace suffered no disturbance, but the people every where patiently and quietly awaited the result. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the American Kitiwi his love of order and his loyalty to law; nothing could more signally de- ,.dr- An fVP efroriortVi and wisdom of our political institutions. Eitfht years navp nossed since a controversy concern ncr the result of a national election . 0 11 lil 1 1 Ll . Ji i-'i . , itnnn- him v cailM ue ai.ieni.iou oi. win try to "the necessity of providing more and dehnite regulations ui ig the electoral vote. It is of the trrenxesc lmnorxaueu lui uu be solvecNbefore conflicting claims to the presidency shall again distract the Mnntfv and am oersuaaeu iuai uy iuc vvu""l" 1 ,i people at large any of the measures of relief thus far proposed would be pre ferred to continued inaction. Our relations with all foreign powers continue to be amicable. With Belgium a convention hits been signed whereby the serene of the present treaties h:ts been so enlarged as to secure to citi- It .in ci eountrv within the iurisdiction of the other equal nght and privileges in the acquisition and alpniation of property. -A trade marks treatv has also been concluded. The war between Chili and Peru is at an end. For the arbitration of the r.'aim ? of American citizens who during fa continuance suffered through the acts of the Chilian authorities, a con vention will soon be negotiated. The state of the hostilities between France and China continues to be an embarrassing feature of our eastern re lations. The Chinese government has promp tly adjusted and paid the claims American citizens whose property was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton I renew the recommendation ot my last annual message that the Canton indemnitv be refunded to China. The true interpretation of the recent treaty with that country, permitting the re striction ot Chinese immigration, likely to be again the subject of your declarations. It may be seriously ques tioned whether the statute passed at the last session does not violate the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left thi country with return certificates valid under the old law, and who now seem to be debarred from relanding for lack of the certificates required by the new. The reoent purchase by citizens of the United States of a large trading fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag, has considerably enhanced our commercial importance in the east. In view of the large number of vessels built or pur chased by American citizens in other countries, and exclusively employed in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under the recognized protection of our flag, it might be well to provide a uni form rule for their registration and documentation, so that the bona fide property rights of our citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and properly guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the benate at the last session, I recognized the flag of the international association of the Gongo as that of a friendly gov ernment, avering in so doing any of the conflingtirtg territorial claims in that region. Subsequently, in execu tion of ihe expressed wish of Congress 1 appointed a commercial agent for the Congo basin. The importance of the rich prospective trade of the Congo valley hashed to the general conviction that it sHoflld be pen to all natioris upon equglterms. At an internation al conference for the consideration of this subject, called by the Emperor of Germany, and now in session at Berlin, delegates are iu attendance on behalf of the United States. Of the results of the conference you will be duly ad vised. The government ,pf Corea has gener ously aided the UnitedtStates minister to secure suitable premises for the use of the legation. As the condition of diplomatic intercourse with eastern na tions, demands that the legation pre mises be owned by the represented pow er, I advise that an appropriation be made for the acquisition of the proper ty by the government. The United States alreiidy possesses valuable pre mises at Tongier, as a gift from the Sultan of Morocco, as is stated hereaf ter. They have lately received a similar gift from the Siamese government. The government of Japan stands ready to present to the United States extensive grounds at Tokio. whereon to erect a suitable building for the legation, courts use and jail, and a similar privilege can probably be secured in China and Per sia. The owning of such premises would not only effect a large saving of the present rentals but would permit of the due association of extra territorial rights in those countries, and would the better serve to maintain the dignity of the United States. The failure of Congress to make ap propriation for our representation at the autonomous Court of the Khedive L. o nn. mkomTT,t ; --precise countir llM l""" - ;rwTZj " rre,8e v,,n to prevent infraction of our intercourse with Lgypt and m view j onr neutrality laws ot Key West and at of the necessities of diplomatic relation- ather points near the Cuban coast I am ship due to the participation of this to pay that in the only instance government as one of the treaty pow-1 if luTca,ut1io,,ary measures were eVa in all matters of administration "2jr SH.hv "ff there affecting the rights of ioaiMlUS rc 8ublueat,.v I advise the T&eVatioa of the agency ! coiisulate general at Cairo on it8 former hosts, i do not conceive 11 co . r be the wish of Congress that the Uni- ted States should withdraw altogether from the honorable position they have hitherto held with respect to the Khe dive, or that citizens of this Republic residing or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be without the aid and pro tection of a competent representative. With France the traditional cordial relationship continues. The eolossal statue of "Lilxn-ty Enlightening the World," the generous gift of the peo ple of h rauce, is expected to reach lsTew York in May next. J suggest that cor- rressional action be taken in recogni tion of the spirit which has prompted thk gift and in aid of the timely com pletion of the pedestal upon which it is to be placed. Onr relations with Germany, a coun- rv which contributes to our own some of the best elements of citizenship, con- inue to be cordial. The United btates have extraditian treaties with several of the German. States but by reason of he confederation of those States under he imperial rule the application of tuch treaties is not as uniform and comprehensive as the interests of the two countries require. 1 propose there fore to open negotiations for a single convention of extradition to embrace all the territory of the empire It affords me pleasure to say that our intercourse with ureal Untian contin ues to be of most friendly character. The government of Hawaii has indi cated its willingness to continue for seven years the iirovisions of the exis ting reciprocacy treaty; Such contin uance, in view of the relations of that eountrv to the American svstem of States, should, in my judgment, be fa vored. The revolution in Hayti against the established government has termi nated. While it was in progress it be came necessary to enforce our neutral ity laws by instituting proceedings against individuals and vessels charged with their infringement, ihese pro ceedings were m all cases successful . Much anxiety has lately been dis played by various European govern ments, and especially by the govern ment of Italy, for the abolition of our import duties upon works ot art. It is well to consider whether the present discrimination in favor of the produc tion American artists abroad is not likely to result, as they themselves gen erally believe it may, in the practica exclusion of our painters and sculptors from the rich fields tor ebservation study and labor which they have hith erto enjoyed. There is a prospect that the Ion pending revision of the foreign treaties of Japan may be concluded at a new conference to be held at Tokio. While this government fully recognizes the equal and independent statns of Japan in the community ot nations, it wouh not oppose the general adoption o such terms of compromise as Japan may be disposed to offer in furtherance of a uniform policy eft intercourse with western nations. JJunng the past year the increasing good will between our own governmen and that of Mexico has been variously manifested. The treaty of commercia reciprocacy concluded Jan. 20, 1S83 has been ratified and awaits the neces sary tariff legislation of Congress to be come effective, ilns legisletion bill, doubt not, will be among the firs measures to claim your attention. full treaty of commerce, navigation and consular rights is much to be dc sired, and such a treatv, I have reason to believe the Mexican stands ready to conclude. government Some embarrassment has been occas ioned by the failure of Congress at is last session to provide means for the due execution of the treaty of July 29, 1882, for the resurvey of the Mexican boundary find the re-erection of boun dary monuments with the Nicaragua. A treaty has been concluded which authorizes the construction by the Uni ted States of a canal, railway and tele graph line across the Nicaraguan terri tory. By the terms of this treaty, sixty miles of the river San Suan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an inland sea, forty miles in width, are to constitute a part of the projected enterprise. This leaves for actual canal construction seventeen miles on the Pacific side and thirty six miles on the Atlantic. To the Uni ted States whose rich territory on the Pacific is for the ordinary purposes ol commerce, practically cut off from communication by water with the At lantic ports, the commercial advanta ges of such a project can scarcely be overestimated. It is believed that when the treaty is laid before you, the justice and liberality of its provisions will command universal approval at home and abroad. The death of our representative in Russia while at his post at St. Peters burg afforded to the Imperial gov ernment a renewed opportunity to tes- tiiyts sympathy in a manner be fitting the intimate friendliness which has ever marked the intercourse of the two countries. The course of this govern ment in raising its representation at Bangkok to the diplomatic rank has evoked evidences of warm friendship and argue3 well for our enlarged inter course. The Siamese government has presen ted to the United States a commodious mansion and grounds for the occupation ot the legation smd I suggest that by pdnt resolution Congress attest its appro -CMMiou of tiiis generous gift. , Ti,i8 government has more than once been called upon oflute to take action in fuiaiment of it international obligations luwaru opaii. The agitation in the Is land ot Cuba hostile to the Spanish Crown having been for men ted bv persons abus ing the sacred rijrhtsof hoaniLilitv onr territory afforded, the officers of this ? wrrrrrr M lHtni muoctea to ex- irnrorninuiit I....... i , . The growing need of close relationship lutereou e muini nc rT. . j. ii antimi 111 lilt? Ullin. i inica i v ' i ivf irii imvjn in January lastot u commercial -agree ment looking to l hat end. 1 ins agree ment has since been suereedcd by a more carefully framed ami comprehen sive convention which I shall submit to the Senate for approval. It has been the aim of the negotiation to open such a favored reciprocal ex change to productions carried under the Hag of either country as to muke tue in tereonrse between Cuba and Porto Kia and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the commercial movement betweeu our domestic ports, and to insure a removal ot the 'burdens on shipping in the Span ish Indies, of which iu the past, our ship owners uud ship masters have so olteu had cause to complain. Ihe negotiations of this convention has t 1 4" for a tune postponed the prosecution oi certain claims of our citizens which were declared to be without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish-American claims com mission, and which are therefore remit ted to diplomacy channels for adjustment. Phe speedy settlement of these claims will now be urged by this government. Certain questions between the u lilted States and the Ottoman Empire still re main unsettled. Complaints on behalt of our citizens are not satisfnctoiily ad justed, the porte has sought to withhold from our commerce the runt ot favored treatment to which we are entitled by existing conventional stipulations, aud the revision ot the tariff is unaceomnlish ed. The final disposition of the peuding questious with Venezuela has not been reached, but 1 have good reason to ex pect an early settlement, which will pro iJe the nieausot re-examining the Cara cas awards in conformity with the ex pressed desire of Cougress, and w hich will recognize the justice of certain claims pref r. ed agaii.st Venezuela. Ihe Central aud South American com mission, appointed by authority of the act of July 7, 1664, will scceed to Mexico. It has been furnished with instructions which will be laid before you. They contain a statement of the general policy of the government for enlarging its coin mercial intercourse with American States. The commissioners have been actively preparing for their responsible task by holding conferences in the principal cities with merchants and others interested in Central and South America trade. The international mondial conference lately convened in Washington, upon the invitation of the government of the United States, was composed ot representatives from twenty five na tions. The conference concluded its labors oil the 1st oi' November, having with substantial unanimity, agreed upon the meridian of Greenwich as the start ing point whence longitude is to be com puted, through one hundred aud eighty degress eastward ami westward, anil upou Ihe adoption for all purposes for which it nno be found con veil ieut of a universal day, which shall begin at mid night in the initial meridian, and whose hours shall be counted from zero up to 4. The loruinl report of the transactions of this conference will hereafter be trans mitted to the Congress. This government is in frequent receipt of iuvitatious from foreign states to par ti cipate iu international exhibitions,' of ten of great interest and importance. Occupying, as we do, an advanced posi tion in the world's production, and aim ing to secure a profitable share for our industries in the general competitive markets, it is a matter ot serious concern that the want of means tor participation in these exhibition s should so often ex clude our producers lioiu ad vantages en joyed by those of other countries. During the past year the attention of Congress was drawn to the formal invita lions in this regard tendered by the gov ernments of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria. The executive has in some instances appointed honorary commissioners. This is, however, a most unsatisfactory expedienr, for without some provision to meet the necessary working expenses of a commission it can effect little or nothing in behalf of exhib itors. An international inventors con vention is to be held in London next May. 1 his will cover a field of special importance iu which our country holds a foremost rank, but the executive is at present powerless to organize a propel representation of our vast national inter ests iu this direction. I have in several previous messages referred to this sub ject. It seems to mc that a statute giv ing to the executive a general discretion ary authority to accept such invitations and to appoint honorary commissioners without salary and placing at the dispo sal ot the Secretary of State a small fundi for defraying their reasonable expenses would be of great public utility. This government has received official notice that the revised international regu lations for preventing collisions at sea have been adopted by all the leading maritime powers except the United States aud came into force on the 1st of Septem ber last. For the due protection of our shipping interest, the provisions of our statutes should at once bo brought into conformity with these regulations. The question of securing to authors, composers and artists copyright privil eges in this country in return for recip rocal l ights abroad is one that may justly challenge your attention. It is true that conventions will be necessary for fully accomplishing this result, but until Con gress shall by statute fix the extent to v hich f.iipigu boUh is of copyrights shall be here privileged, it has been deemed inadvisable to negotiate such conventions. For this reason the United States were not represented at the recent conference at Berne. 1 recommend that the scope of the neu trality laws of the United States be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts of hostility committed iu our territory and aimed against the peace of a friendly na tion. Existing statutes prohibit the fit ting out of aimed expeditious, and re strict the shipment of explosives, though the enactments in the. latter nspt ct were not framed with regard to international obligations, but simply for the protection of passenger travel. All these statutes were intended to meet a special emergency that had already arisen. Other emergencies have arisen since and modern ingenuity supplies means for the organization of active hos tilities without open resort to aimed ves- .... if:i... ? w oi ui m ouisiiujr parties, l see no reason why organization iu this country for the commission of criminal acts, such as are here under consideration, should not be alike punishable whether such acts are intended to be committed in our own country or in a tortigu country with w hich we are at peace. The prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which miimaieiy concerns the uatioual honor. uur existing naturalization laws also need revision. Those seciious relating to pei sons residing w ithin the limits of the United States from J 765 and 17i)6 have now only a historical interest. Section 2,172 recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents is ambig uous in its termsnd partially obsolete. There are speci a lpro visions of law favor ing the naturalize ion of those who serve iu the navy or thj maiine corps. An uniform rufc of neutralization, such as the coustitutiai contemplates, should, among other thfgs, clearly define the statns of personsborn within the United States subject tea foreign power, section 1,&J2, aud of mpor children of fathers who have declar-d their intention to be come citizens bu; have failed to perfect their nat urali.at on. It might be wise to provide for a ceitral bureau of registry wherein should be filed aut lien Heated transcripts of evpy record of naturaliza tion in the se viral Federal and State courts aud to m.-ke provision also for the vacation or cancjllatiou ot such record in cases where ti aid had been practiced up on the court by fie applicant himself or where he had reiuuuced or forieited his citizeuship. A jist and uniform law iu this respect woud strengthen the hand of the government h protecting its citizens abroad aud woufl nave the way for the conclusion of teaties of naturalization with foreign com tries. The legislation of the last session ef fected iu the ijplouiatic aud consular service certain changes and reductions which have bee productive of embar rassment. The lobulation aud commer cial activity of mr couutry are steadily on the increase, and are giviug rise v. new, varying aid oiteu delicate relation ships with other countries. Our foreign establishments iotH;inbrace nearly dou ble the area of operations that it occupied twenty years ago. The confinement of such a service within the hniits of expen i : . . i. i i i uuurcs men estauiisneu js not, it seems to me, in accordance with true economy A country of .sixty millions of people should ee adequately represented in its in tereonrse with foreign nations. A project lor uio reorganization ot the consular set vice and for recasting the scheme of ex tra ten it-oral jurisdiction is now befoi you. it the limits ot a short session will not allow of its lull consideration I trust that you w ill not fail to make suitable provision for tli present needs of the service. It has been customary to define in the appiopriafion acts the rank of each diplomatic office to which a salary is at tached. 1 suggest that this course be abandoned, ami that it be left to the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, to fix, from time to time, the diplomatic grace of the representatives of .this government abroad as mar seem ad visable, provision beiug definitely made, however, as now, for the amount of salary attached to the respective seciious. The couditioii of our finances, aud the operatiuu of the various branches of the public service which are connected with the Treasury department, are very fully discussed iu the report of the secretary. It appears that the ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended June -30, 1664, were from customs, $193,067,439.76; from in ternal revenue, $121,460,092.51 ; from all other sources, $31, 600,307 .05 ; total ordi nary revenues, 346,ol9,6d9 92. The pub lic expenditures during the same period were for civil expenses $22,312,907.71 foreign intercourse, $1,200,000.37 ; for In dian, $0,475,990.29 ; for pensions, $55, 12 ),226.0o; for the military establishment including liver and harbor improvement and arsenals, $39,429,603.36; for the naval establishment, iucludiug vessels, machin ery and improvements at the navy yards, $17,292,001.44; for miscellaneous expen ditures, including public buildings, light houses, and collecting the .internal reve uue, $43,939,710, for expenditures on ac count of the District of Columbia, $3,404, 049.02; for interest on the public debt, $54,576,378.46; for the sinking fund, $46,790,229.50; total ordinary expendi tures, $290,9 10,473.83, leaving a surplus of $57,003,396.09. As compared with the preceding fiscal year, there was a net de crease of over $21,000,000 iu the amount of the expenditures. The aggregate re ceipts were less than those of the year previeus by about $54,000,000. The fail ing off ill the rcrenue from customs made up nearly $20.(W0,0O0 of this deficiency, and about $23,0'J0,000 of the remainder was due to the liniinished receipts from internal taxation. The secretary esti mates the total eceipts for the fiscal year w hich will end June 30, 1885, at $33!), 000,000, and the total expenditures at $290,020,201.10, iu which sum is included the interest ou the ueut and the amount payable to the saiking fund. This would leave a surplus for the entire year of about $39,000,000. The value of exports from the United States to foreign countries during the year ending Junv 30, 1884, was as follows: Ou domestic merchandise, $724,964,852; foreign merchants, $15,548,757: total mer chandise, $740,." 13,607; specie, $7,133, 383; total exports of merchandise and specie, $807,646,992. The cotton and cot ton manufactures, included in this state ment, were valued at $208,900,415, the breadstufls at $!b544,7l5, the provisions it ll4.41b,547, and the miueral oils $47,- 103,246. During the ssme period the imports were as follows : Merchandise. $007,097.- 093: gold and saver. $37,420,202; total, $705,123,955. More than 63 per cent, of the entire value of imported merchandise consisted of the ollowiug articles : Sugar and molasses, 1103,883.274: wool and woolens, $53,544,292 : silk and its man- Ufactures$49,949.l28 ; coffee, $49,060,70") ; iron aud steel and manufactures thereof, $41,404,599 ; chemicals, $38,404,905; Oax, hemp, jute and like substances, and man ufactures thereof, $33,403,398 ? cotton and manufactures of cotton, $30,454,470: hides and skins other than fur skius, $22,350, 906. 3 - I concur with the Secretary of the Treasury in recommending the immediate ..f 1.1 1 ' ' A ! 1 II suspension oi ine coinage. oi silver dollars and ot the issuance of silver certificates. This is a matter to which, in former com munications I have more than once in voked the attention of the National Leg islature. It appears that annually for the past six years there have been coined in compliance with the act of February 28, 1878, more than twenty -seven million dollars. The number now out standing is reported by the Secretary to be nearly one hundred and eighty five millions, whereof but little more than forty million or less thau 52 per cent, are in actual circulation. The mere existence of this fact seems to me to furnish of itself a co gent argument for the repeal of the stat ute which has made such a fact possible. But there are other and graver consider ations that tend iu the same direction. The secretary avers his conviction that unless this coinage and the issuance of silver certificates be suspended, silver is likely at no distant day, to become our sole metalic standard. The commercial disturbance and the impairment of na tional credit that would be thus occasion ed can scarcely be overestimated. I hoe that the secretary's suggestions respecting the withdrawal from circula tion of the one and two dollar notes will receive your approval, ns it Is likely that a considerable nortioii of the silver now encumbering the vaults of the treasury might thus tiud its way into currency. While trade dollars have ceased, for the nresent at !. active disturbance in our currency svs tem, some provision should be made for their surrender to the fnvernment. In view of the circumstances nuder which they were coined, and of the fact that they hate uever had a legal tender qual ity, mere should be ottered for them only a slight advance over their biilliou value. rhe secretary in the course of his report. considers the nronrietv of beantifvinc the designs of our subsidiary silver coins, and so increasing their weight that they may bear their due ratio of value to the standard dollar. His conclusions iu this regard are cordially approved. - in my annual message of 1882 1 recom mended the abolition of all internal taxes except those relating to distilled spirits. rrM.: i . i x iiib i r ommeuuai ion is now reucueu. In case this tax should le abolished the revenues which will still remain to the government will in my opinion, not only be sufncient to meet its reasonable ex penditures, but will afford a surplus large euouini to permit such tan ft reduction as may seem to las advisab.e when the re sults of the repeal of the reveuue laws and commercial treaties shall have shown in what quarters those reductions can be most judiciously effected One of the gravest of the problems which appeal to the wisdom of Congress for solution is the nsccrtiiimcut of the most effective means for increasing our foreign trade aud thus relieving the de pression under which our industries are uow languishing. The secretary of the treasury advises that the duty of investi gating the subject be entrusted in the first instance, to a competent commission. While fully recognizing the considerations that may be urged against this course, I am, nevertheless, of the opinion that up on the whole, no other would be likely to effect speedier or better results. That portion of the secretary's report which concerns the cotidiiiou of our ship ping interests cannot fail to command your attention. He emphatically recom mends that as au incentive to the invest ment of American capital iu American steamships, the government shall, by liberal payments for mail trail pollution or otherwise, lend its active assistance to individual enterprise, aud declares his belief that unless that course be pursued our foreign carrying trade must remain as it is to-day, almost exclusively in the hands of foreigner. One phase of this subject is now especially prominent, in view of the repeal by the act of June 20, 1884, of all statutory provisions, arbitra rily cam pel ling American vessels to carry the mails to aud from the United States. As it is necessary to make provision to compensate the owners of such vessels for performing that service alter April, 1885, iSMs hoped that the whole subject will receive early consideration that will lead to the enactment ot such measures for the review of our merchant marine as the wisdom of Congress may devise. The three per cent, bonds of the gov ernment to the amount of more than $100,000,000 have, since my last annual message, been redeemed by the treasury. The bonds of that issue still outstanding amount to a little over $200,000,000, about one-fourth of which will lie retired through the operations of the sinking fund during the coming year. As these bonds still constitute the basis for the circulation of national banks, the question how to avert the contraction of Ihe currency caused by their retirement is ouo of constantly in creasing importance. It seems to be lien- erally couceded that the law this matter exacts from the banks exces sive security, and that upon their present bond deposits a larger circulation thau is uow allowed may be granted with safety. 1 hope that the bill which passed the Senate at the last session, permitting the issue of notes equal to the face value of the deposited bonds, will commend itself to the approval of the House of Repre sentatives. In the experience of the war depart ment the secretary reports a decrease of more than $9,000,000; of this reductions $5,900,000 was effected iu the expendi tures for rivers and harbors aud $2,000-, 000 iu expenditures for the quartermas ter's department. Outside of that de partment the annual expenses of all the army proper, except possibly t lie ordin ance bureau, are substantially fixed charges which cannot be materially di minished without a change in the numer ical strength of the army. The expendi tures in the quartermaster's department can readily be subjected to administra tive discretion and it is reported bv the secretary of war as a result of exercis ing such discretion in reducing the number of draught and pack animals in the army the annual cost of supplying and carrying for such animals is now $1,108,08590 less than it was in 1881. The reports of military commanders show that the last year has been notable for its entire freedom from Indian out breaks. In defiance of the President's proclamation of July 1st 1864, certain intruders sought to make settlement in the Indian territory. They were prompt ly removed by a detachment of troops. The fuuds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors prosecuted duriug the past year were derived from the appropriations of the act of August 2, 1882, together w ith such few balauces as were on hand from pre vious appropriations , the balance in the treasury subject to requisition July 1st, 1883 was $10,021,649.55; the amount ap propriated during the fiscal year 1884 was $12,190,340.20, and the amount drawn from the treasury duiiug the fiscal year was $8,228,703.54, leaving a balance ot $3,112,580.03. in the treasurv- subject to requisition July 1st, 16841 The secretary of War submits the re port of the chief of engineers as to the practicability ot protecting our import ant cities on the seabord by fortifications aud other defenses able to repel modern methods of attack. The time has now come wheu such defenses can be prepar ed with confidence that rhe- will not prove abortive, and when possible re sult iu delay in making such preparation is seriously considered, delay seems in expedient, for the most important cities, those whose destruction or capture would be a national Inundation, adequate de fense, inclusive of guns, muy be made bv the gradual expenditure ot $00,000,00!), a sum much less than a victorious enemy could levy as a contribution. An appro priation of about one tenth of that amount is asked to begin the work, and I concur with the Secretary of War iu urging that it be granted. The report ol the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the progress w hich has been made iu the new steel cruisers, authorized by the acts of August 5, 1882 aud March 3,1883. Of the four vessels under contract, one, the Chicago, ol 4,500 tons, is more than half finished The Atlanta of 3000 tons, has Wen suc cessfully launched, aud her machinery is uow fitting. The Boston, also of 3,000 tons, is ready for I. I.imr and the Dolphin, a dispatch steamer of 1,500 tons is ready for delivery. The machinery of the double terretted monitors, contracted for under the act of March 3, 18d."J, is in process of construction. No work has been done duriug tlie imst year on their nrmonr ' priation. A fourth monitor, the Monad -nock, still remains unfinished at the navy rrti-d at Cola. It is recommended that early steps be taken to complete these vessels dud to provide also au armament forthe monitor, Mionotamoh. The re- . commendations of the naval advisory I ...1 MttkMnbcul lit' (IlA fltitl;! 1 t 111111 f . comprise the construction oi one sreei cruiser of 4,500 tons, one cruiser of 3.000 tons, two heavily armed gun boats, one light cruising gun boat, ue disputed ves sel armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one armored rani and three torpedo boats. I cannot too strongly urge the at ten tion of Crongress to the duty of restoring our navy as rapidly as jMissible to the high state of efficiency which formerly characterized it. As the long peace has lulled us into a fancied security which may at any time Ve disturbed it is plain that the policy of steugthening this arm of the service is dictated by considera tion of wise economy, of just regard for our future tranquility and of true appro ciation of the dignity aud houor of the republic. The report of the Postmaster Geueral acquaints yon with the present condi tion and needs of the postal service. It discloses the gratifying fact the loss of revenue from the reduction in the rate of letter postage. recommended in my mes sage of Dec. 4, 1832, and effected by the act of March 3, 1883, has been much less than was generally anticipated. My re commendation of this reduction was bas ed upon the belief that the actual falling ofi iu receipts from letter postage for the year immediately succeeding the change rate would be $3,000,000. It has proved to be only $2,275,000. This lsatrust werty indication tnat the revenue will so u te le-toied to its loim r vo nun; i y the natural increase of sealed correspon dence. I confidently repeat, therefore, the recoiuiueudation of my last annual message that the siugle rate postage upou drop letters wherever the payment of two ceuts is now required by law. The double rate is now only exacted at offices where the carrier system is in operation aud it appears at these offices the increase in the tax upon local letters defrays the cost not only of its own collection and delivery but of the collection aud deliv ery of all other mail matter. The Attorney General renews the re commendation contained iu his report of last year touching the fees of witnesses mil jurors. He favors radical changes J .. .... ., . . . in tlie lee bins, tlie adoption ot a system by which attorneys and marshals of the United States shall bu compensa ted solely by salaries, aud the erection by the government of a penitentiary for tlie confinement of offenders against its laws. Of the varied governmental con cerns iu charge of the interior depart ment the reports of its secretary presents an interesting! u i; summary. The secretary urges anew tlie enact ment of a statute for the punishment of crimes committed ou the Indian reserva vation and recommends the passage of the bill uow pending in the House of Representatives for tlie purchase of a tract of 18,(XKJ square miles from the Sioux reservation. Both these measures are worthy of approval. The reporfe-of the Utah commission will beread with in e. est. it dire oses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention aud punishment of polyga iny;iu that territory. 1 still believe that if that abominable practice can be sup pressed by law, it can only be by the most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the Constitution. I again recommend, therefore, that Congress as sume absolute control of the territory of Utah, and provide for the appointment ot commissioners with such government powers as, in its judgment may justly and wisely be put into titer hands. In the course of this communication reference has more than once been made to the policy of this government as re- gards the extension of our foreign trade. It seems proper to declare the general principles that should, in my opinion, uudeilieour national efforts in this di rection. The main conditions of the problem maybe thusstap.nl: We are a people apt in nuchaircil puisaitsaud tertile in invention; are cover a v;et ex- teiit ol territory, lieh in agricultuinl pro ducts and in nearly all the raw material necessary for successful mauufacturiiiir. We have a system of productive estnb lishmeiits more than sufik-icnt to supply our own uciiiniius: the vvaes ot laborers are nowhere so great; the scale of living of onr artisan class is such as tends to secure their personal comfort, aud the development of those higher, moral and intelligent qualities that go to the mak ing up of good citizens. Uur system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a revenue which is in excess of the nresent needs of the govern ment. These are ele ments from which it is sought to devise a scheme by which, without unfavorably changing the condition of the workman. Our merchant murine should be raised from its enfeebled condition, ami new markets provided for like sale, beyond our borders, (if the manifold fruits of our industrial enterprises. The problem is complex and can be solved by no single measure of innovation or reform. The countries of the American conti nent aud the adjacent islands are for the United States the natural markets of sup ply and demand. It is from them that we should obtain what we do not pro duce iu sufficiency, and it is to them that the surplus productions of our fields, our mills and our workshops should How, under conditions that will equalize or favor them iu comparison with foreign competition. The President here makes sugges tions by which our trade with other countries of America might be built up thus building up our own markets, our merchant marine, uud proving material ly advantageous. Iu view of the ireneral and ne no atari t demand throughout the commercial com munity for n national bankrupt law, I hope that the differences of sentiment which have hitherto prevented its enact ment may not outlast the present sessiou. I recommend that in acknowledgement of the eminent services of Ulysses S. Graut, late Geueral of the armies of the United States, and twice President of this nation, the Congress confer upou him a suitable pension. Cert ai u of the measures that seem to me necessary and expedient I have now, iu obediece to the cuutitution recommen ded fur your adoption. As respect oth ers of no less importance. I shall con tent myself with renewing the lecotn meiidutujiis already made to the Con gress, without restating the grounds upon which such recommendations were based. The preservation of the forests ou the public domain, tl It eri-'i n t i ti it nf government aid for popular domain, the granting ot government aid for popular 7 kMIUllU. VI education, tlie amendment of the Federal coustitutiou so as to make effective the disapproval by the President of particu lar items in appropriation bills the en actment of statutes in regard to the fill ing ol vacancies in the Presidential office aud the determining ot vexed questions resisting Presidential inability, are measures which ma v itl As the time draws ni iftira Imm tlx. ..mI.i: - I'uuiic serii,.,. i semen i . to ...a, ,.;. . . i i.,... ci i niu i win cApresiing to tli '""H the ot the national legislature with , li.n n Kiuiii 1. ...... I. . - " IV In. . I O - t it r i -W have been brought into contact ' sonal intercourse, my sic' a,"'pr. tion of their unfailing couite'''1' t f IiHlP ll SIT BUW 1 1 ill a !U"n win. ,r executive in so man v nifiitt.,..-- mo ted to promote the best interest t ul" nation, and to my fellow citiLV tb ally 1 acknowledge a deep sen'w ?,f 1 gation for the support which thL . u accorded me in my admiuisti iH... J'av executive department of tlu-ir " " ment. Chester a. ii-?In?er8- Washington, D. C, Dec. Hi, n tlfl more money tlian.it anrtlumeewv.-, Will aa agency fort lie best nnur h ?t y ut giimers succeed grandly. None rail TemV,'ut 11 all kit Book wo portL m Nov. 87, 84.-iy " roniiu Mali. "TITO A Otr a . .. Interested in Hides, Furs, Wool, IW, Feathers, Beeswax, Butter,' Cheese IV ' Dried Fruit, Poultry, Hay and VroS generally to send for our Price Current. Prompt returns on all Consignments. Trial Shipments Solicited. L. WILLIAMS & CO. -General Commission- MsKBnAitu niK,. 1 fin iit:u; n . - ' li i.v.v., ivv, lTiwiam ot., jscw York. NORTH CAROLINA ' ROWAN COUNTY. S In Tire ,.. kiwi Court. John VV. SmitlrrPhiiutiff. ( -M, Summons ucna a. Mint n ucit. pni;r STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. In the above entitled case it amieari.. to the satisfaction of the Court thartS defendant is a non resident of tins St t and cannot after due diligence be foun 1 within this State and that a cause of ar tion for divorce exists in jvo. . the plaintiff and against the defendant It is ordered by the Court that publication lie made m the Carohna, Watrhmn . newspaper in Salisbury, Rowan'CountT N. C, for six successive weeks, command Tenant alxTe ,'c f' 7 "-'ort uie Juiere I ot our Sunenor Court nt a Cfinrtt,. i. l.ii r A T, "urtem tor tne L'ountv ot J owim. at thop- House in Salisbury, on the 9th Monday after the 4th Monday, of September 1$2 and answer the complaint which will be deposited in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of said County, within the first three days of said Term'-and let the said defendant take notice that it she fail to answer the said complaint during the Term, the plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in the complaint. Given under my hand this 3d day ol October 1884. J. M. HORAII, Clerk Superior Court of Rowan Count?. 52:6w. Positively the Last Notice. All persons indebted to me by Note or Mortgage, or open account. nut settle the same between this time and the first day nt December, 1884. All unsettled claims on the 1st day of December, will be placed in the hands of my Counsel for collection, sure. You can save trouble by coming up asd promptly settling with me. Respectfully, W. SMITIIDEAL. Salisbury, Oct. 7, 1884. 4t MILL STONES ! The undersigned has bought the weB known Mill Stone Quarry of E. E. Phillip deceased, and will continue to supply tie public demand for Mill Stones trnnftliii celebrated grit. Orders addressed to at at Salisbury, N. C, will receive prompt at tention. This quarry is so well known by actual working proof it needs no further comment. Joiin T. Wtatt. Oct. 27, 1884. 3llv Now Due. All persons indebted to me either hf Note, Mortgage or Accounts, are notified to come forward and pay the same. Someof these have been standing long and must he closed. R. J. HOLMEi Nov. 18, 1884. 6w ADMINISTRATOR'S SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. On Monday the 8th day of Decani next, at the late residence of J. W. Fieber, I will sell all the personal property bclonf ing to his estate: Consisting in prt Corn, Wheat, Hay, Fodder and SmucJ and many other articles not-CEuraerated. Terms ot sale CASH. A1V persons indebted to the estate - requested to make immediate settieu- and all persons having claims again estate are notified that they m.t preset them to me on or before the 20th, ".f ' November 1885, or this notice wiH plead in bar ol their recovery. J. It. FISHER, Adm'r.f JOHN W. FISH Nov. 17th, 1848. 6:tdofs:pd. FULL STOCK Fall & ffier Bi My stock this Fall is unusually F-u Elegant. I shall not give partieuw". , .HIT" OLD Cl STOflEB. j i :n im t mrouiJH'J i pared to supply them, even W usual. Call aud see me. R, J. HOLMES Nov. 18, 1884. Ot TOBACCO FACTORY TO KENT! here10 The large Tobacco Factory 0 occupied by Messrs. i a uc ge Council street, near the cetr or nresslv for a Tobacco Factory,"" "&w. .daotcd toTt.c winjEBi mT . ill. VP3f .if mirably adapted to inc . hebu th npressarv conveniences lr MM ; : . . t.;nii vrv room.-. brie"' It IS lOO SIOIIVS uip", with airtr-th lower story line" " --If There is also on the P1 house tor sionug uia AhP, - . a safe distance in ciic ol nri. lot, a small dwelling house mcrs. i. mil' ' RHAVEK, PARKER " J isbtiry, Nov. IS, PM--1 A . T II . I