President's Message

Fellow Citizens of the Sinate and housb of kh'bksentatives- i coli(fiatulatfi youon the eontinued and iucreasingprospffrity of our country. By the favor of Diviue Providence we have been blessed durinü the past year with health, with abundant tmrvests, with profltable einployment foraü our pec-ple, and vfith contentment at home, and -with peace and frieudsbip with other nalions. The oocurrence ot the 24th election oí' chief magiítrate has affordeilanother opponunity to the people of the United States to exhibit to the world a sigtiiticant example of the peaeel'ul and safe transmission of the power and authority ofgovernment from the public servanta wuose terms of offi:e are about to ex túre to their newly-ehosen snooessors. Tliis example oannot fail to impress prolbundly thoughtful people of other countries with the advautages whieh republican institu'.ionsafford. Theiinmediate, general and cheerful acquieseuce of all goo:i citizens in the result if the election gives gratilying assurance to our country, and to its frionds throughout the world, that a government base.i on the free consent of an intelligent and pati iotic popplo p.ssasses el ments oi'atxeneth, stability and permanency not found in any other form of government. EQTJAL BiaHTS. Continued oppositiou -to the full and free enjoymeut of toe rigbts of eSteoshlp, conferred upon the colored peopleby the recent amendmenclments to the eonsti tution, still prevails in several of the late slaveholding states. It has, perhaps, not been mauifested iu the recent election t any large oxtsnt in acts of violenee or intimicUtion. It ha-i, however, by fraudulent praetices in connectiou with the ballots, with the rësulations a to x)-e places aud of voting, and with counting, retuming and canvassing tUe votes cast. teen sucoessful in deieating the exercisu of the right preservative oí all nghts, the rigüt ol suffrage, which the constitution expressly confers upon oui enfranchised ciiizens. It ia the deeire of the good peopie of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should diKapper. They prefer thsit noseotion of the country should be united in solid oppositiou to any other sectiou. The dispositiou to refuseaproaipt and leirty obedience to the equalriptits amendineuts 10 the con - stitutiou, is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of seclional lines in our political contests. As long as either of these amenamente is flagrantly violated or disregarded it is sfn to assume that the peopie who placed them in the oonstitution, as embodying the legitiinate resuits of the war lor the Union, aud who believuthem to be wise and [ uecessary, will continue to act together, [ and to insist that tliey sball be obyyed. The paramouut question still is, a to the ojoy ment oí the right by eyery American citizeu who has the requisite quahtioations to freely cast his vote and have it honestly counted. With this quegtion jightly settled, the country will be relie ved of the contentions of the past; bygones will indeed bo bygones; and politieal and party issues with rewpect toeconoiny and efficiency of administration, in terual improvements, the tarift", domestic taxatiDn, eduation, nuance and o her important subjects, vill ihen receive their full share of attention; but restatanceto and uullfication of the resulta of j the war will uniie together in resolute purpose for their support all who mainin'n ihe a-ithoricy of the governmentand iUe prpyuityoi the Union, and .whoadequalely apprèciate the value of the victory EChieved. This determinatiou procfieds. lrom uo hoatileseiitiiiiBut or t iing to auy part of tiie people of our country, or to any of th&ir interest. The inviolabilityoitheamendineuts rots upon the fundamental principie of ou govrnment. They are the oleran expresion of the will of tho people ot the Unitd States. Th beutimo:t that the coi.sütutional rlirhts oí our citizer.s must bo iniintain:l does not Rrow weaker. It will continue to control the goverumentoftkecuuutry. Happily the hitstoiy oi the ate eiectiun shows thatia many j aris of the country where opposition to tho liftcenUi ammidinent ha heretof'ore prevaled, it is díminisbing, anü is likely to eease altoether, if tirui and well-considöied aciinn is taken by congress. I trust tüo house of representatives aud tb wf uate, wliich have the right to judgo oi the elections, returns, and qualitications of their own meinbbrs, will see to it that every case of vioiatiou of the letter or spirit of the fifteenth amendtneijt is thoroughly iuveligated aii that r.o benefit írom HUflb vio Jation shall accrue to auy person or partv. It will be the duty of ihe exooulive, with sufficifciit appropriations for the purpose.to prosecute unxparingly all who liave beeu engaged in üepririug oitizens ■oi ijie rigbts guarauteed to ihem by the UOUStitUtiOD. OOVERNMENTV.!. AID TO EDUCATION. It is not, however, to be forgotteu thal tht bestand surtstgiiaianiee of the piimary rights of citizeusbip isto bo lound in that eapaciiy for si'lf protecliui vhich can belong only to a ptoplo whose right lo universal suilrage is supported by uir ivercal oducatioD. The means at the ■ commaud of the local acd state authoriiltw ara, In ïnsiny oases, whoüy inadequate 10 furuinli ree instruction to ali bo need h. Ttiis ia eapecially true, wbere, beiore einancipaiion. the educa ti(,n of the peopie was neglected or prevented, iu iheiinorestofslavery. Firm1 y conviuced ihitt the subject of popuia educatiou dëervw il,u carneht aitention ■ o. the people of the whole country, with .a vIbw to wipe amí comprehensivo action Uv". tliB govirurnent oitne United Statf.s, "Irespectfutly reöon-tuend thatoóugffitii bj Kuitai,l icgislalinu and with proper safe -guarda, supplement ths local educatioiial ■lundB in the stveral atates where Ibe gruye duties and responsibilities of ( iti - zenship have bten devolved upon uu d-.r eatei p.H)i)le, Ly devoiiiiíí to the puijji e granu of tiie public lands, and if, neo - ary, by apirfropriations 110111 lbo treahury f the United Statts. Whatever t;ovej uinnt can fairly do U prouiote free popular eduoatioii óviKbt to be :o;e. Wber ever uuorl ouucatiou is fouud, peace, vlrtuo and social ciííei' prrrall, and civil and rolisious liberfcy uva secure. CIVIL SERVICE RUFCiRM. Ia my furmer annual m6sat$o.s I hive asked ihe attenüon of eongreas to ihe ureent ne:et-sity of a relormitiiou oí .lio civil horvioesystnn of the guverutpti t. My views concerulng ihe daders of ptrouago or apnoiiitmeiiw for personal or partisau coniileitttíoíi8 have been streng - thened by uy obsen ationand experienee in the éxecutivo office, and 1 believe Ui ese daugers threaten the stability of the 'foveruuaent. Abuces so seiíous in tüeir nature can notb pernianentiy toltrated. Th' y tend Ut beoome moie alarming with tlie ouJar..i.ueiii of adminislrative service, as ih growth oi theoountiy in pnpulaüou iuoreases the nuiiiber of officera and plai-emen employed. The reayonj aro imperativa for ihe adopti 'ii ( f lixt-ii rules foj lh rg lalion ■of a'!'O!tllllJil)!s, J.lt LD ui )BB .■!..: 1( l:.!. :B, eb'abüshi:..! a uuiforui melhod, haviug exclUiif]y Sn v..-, in cv.ry intance, the attalnrhrnt f the best qunlifications or tbe po-iition in queation. Such i method alone is consistent with tueequalrigbtK ol ajl eitizens, aud the most eaonoiuical and efficiant administration of ihn public busineas. Coumfitltive examin.-iiioiiH, in aid of iinparti-l ai'po.iü irieijs and promotions, have bsen conducted fbr souae years past iu i-ev ral of the exeontive deparluieii:, aud bx iny ciirectimi thii ysteiB has beeti ailopled in the custom house anl pisU;ffices of the lariier cilios of the country. In the ciiy ot Nbw York over 2,000 poaltioni ia tho civil Bervi e huve bt-en subjeot,ia thoir appointment and leuure pf place, to the opertlon of publUbet rules for this parpóse duiing the past i.vo years. Tho resul! of tñese practical ciials have been very satisfactory, and have coufirmed my opinión in favor of tbis system of elección. All are subiected'to the same tests, aud the result is free from prejudice by personal favor or parttean influence. It secures for the position applied for the best qualifications attainable nmoiiftthe cotiipetlng appliants. It is an eö'cctual protection irom the pres3ure ot importunity which, under any other cour.se pursued, largely exacts the time and attention ofappointingoffioers, to thir great detriment in the discharge of other official dulies, preventing the abuse of the service for the mere furtherance of private or party purposes, snd eaving the employé of the Koverntneut, freed from the obligBlions imposedby patronage, to depend solely upon merit for retention and advancfment, and with this constant incentive to exsrtior. and improvement. These invaluable resulta have been attained in a high degree in the offices where the rules for appointment by competitivo examiiiHtion have been applied. A melhod wi-kh has so approved itself by experimental tests at poiuts wliore such tests may be fairly considerad conclusivo, shotna be extended to all subordínate positions under the governraent. I believe that a strong and growíng pubücsentiineut demanda immediate measures for seouri'ng and euforcing the iiiuhest pos-ible tfflciency in the oivil .service, and its protection rom recogniz-id abuses, and that the experienoe reí'erred to haa demonstrated the feasibility of hiiuh mea'ures. The exavuiuitionsin thecustorn houses and postoffict-s bave been held under nany embarassments and without provisiou for compensation for tbe extra labor perforrned by the officers who have nducted tbem, aud whose coramendi 'do interest in the iinprovemenl of the ..uliüo service bas induced thi duvijtion ■ f time and labor without jeennir.v re waid. A continuance of these labors jratuitcusly oughtriot 10 be expeeied aud without au appropriatii 11 by eonpiess for -oüipensation, it is not practicable to extend tbe system of examiuations genersdly througbout the civil service. It is als'o higbly important tbat all such c-xaminations should be conducted upon a un. form system and under general sup rvision. Seclioa 1753 of the revised statates authorizss the Presiiient to prescribe the regulations for aJrnissiou to the civil si rvice of the United States, and for this purpose to employ suitahle persons to 'conduct the requisito inquines wiih roference to "the fitness of eai'h naudidate in respect to age, boalth, cbaricter, knowledge and abtlity for the ranch oi service into which besef ks to water;" but the law is practically lnoooratiye for want tbe requisito approm lation I therefore recoicmend an appropria tiou of $25,000 per aunurn to meet the exí penses of a ooimmssion, to be a,pointed I; bv the President in accordance ivith the t tertns oi ihi.i septioii, whose duty it shall í be so devise ajust, uniform anii pfhoient system of competitive examinations. and to supervise the applieation ofthe same throughout th estire civil service ofthe goverument. I ana persuaded ihat the lacilities whieh such a commission will afiford Lor testing the ütness ofihose wl.o npply for office will nol only be as -welkome a relief to nnembers of oODtfreee ns it will be to tho President and heads oi ! i partments, but that it will also greatlv rud to rtmove the causes of emlarassment whieh now inevitabiy and con:stanty attend the couflietii.g claims oí patronage between the legislativo and ' xecntive departments. The most effectual check upon the pernicious competí - tion of influence and official favoritlsm, in the btísiowal of office, will be the subatitution oían open competiïion of nieni between the applicants, in wbich ëveVy ■ 01 e can ranke iíh own record with the :.vsurance ttia'. bis huccíss will depend upon this alone. i also recominend wioh legislation as, ■wuile leaving every cffirer as iree as any olher eitizon to express bis political opi.ions and to use his nieans for their advaucenüent, shhll al.so enable him to í'eel as safe bs any private eitizen in reiusiug all riemands upoii his salary íor political purpysas. A Jaw whkh -hould tbus guarantce true libcrty and justice toall who are engageii in tlie pubiic service, iiiid likewise con'aiii siriiigeutprovisions 'gainsL the ute of offl-ial aulhf'rity to course the political action of private cit:z3nfor of' official subo-dinates, isgreatiy tobe desired. The most ser.ous obstacle, however, to ;iu iuiprovemeiit cf the fivil Beirlee, and esptcially to a relorun in the metiiud ol p,ppointment and rtmoval has betn í'ound lo ba the practica, under what ia known as the npoils systeai, by wliicli the appoiiniDg power hfis been so largely encroached upon by mereibers of cotigress. The firt step in l he reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce bat.vifiHti coiiaress and the executive in th matter of appoinlments. The corruplitip doctrine tbat ''to the victors belong ihe spoil?," is inseperable fromeongressional patronage as the ebtabliilieri rulo and praeiice of parties in power. Ie conie to be miderstoos! by applicants for office, and by the peopie í:eneally, that repre snntatives and senators are entitled u disburse the patroaase of their respeclivt disiricts and statcs. Ie is not necessarj to recite at Jength the evils resulting from this invasión ot the exeeutivo functions. The true principies of Koverninmit iii tin nationsl oouveiiiionsof the Jeacling parties of the country, kave 8giu and agaii. been approved by the peopb', and have not been calledin question in any a uart er. These authentic ex pressioc s of public opinión upon this all ioii-ortaut sutieet are the statement of principies that belong to theconstnutionalstructure of the govermnent. "Under ihe coubtUution the President aid heads ot di paitments aro to mane uoniiiüitious ibr office. The seuate is to adviso and oonstnt to appointmente, mi'1 the hous (if representativas is to accuse aud prosecute iaithless officers. Tiie besl Interest in the public service decanos ihat thise (istinctiouw be respeaed; that senators and represoutaüves, who may be juriges and accusers, should not dictate appuintments to office." To this end t'-o iiO-operaiion f the legislad ce department oí thegoyernmentisrequired, alike by the necesbities ol the '■ase and by public opinión. Member.s ol' congress will uot be relieved from ihe demanda made upon them wilh rbt'erenc" to appointraeuts to office until, by legislativo tnadment, tho pernicious piacüce is oonilpmned und forbidiien. I. Uthereforerecommended that aaact be patteddefloiDg tlierela'.'on of tnembtrs of congiess with resncst to uent to office by the PresiJent.aud I hIso recommend that the proviisions ofsection 757. and of the stctions following, of the il vised Stalutes, compriwiTig the tenure ol iflee act of Man-b 2, 1867. be repealed. Bolieving that to reform the system and unethods of the civil service in our country is on e of ihe highest snd most itnpermvo duties of stalesmanship, and that it can lie permanently done ouly by ihe 10 oeration of the legislativo aud exfi:utivo dejiartments of thw Rovernment, I again coinmend the whole Buliject to your cousideratti attention. POIÏOAMY. Ic is tlie recogn!zd duty and oí ibe penple of the Unitod States to iupprrss pijynamy where it uow existH in our territorios, 'and to prevent He exten.vion. Faithful and zealous toorts have been made by the United States authorides in Utah to enforce the laws againt-t ,t. Experience has shown that tfne legislation upon this subject, to be fö.ctivc, requires extensiva modilication and amendment. The longer aotion Is delayed, the more ciitnou't ii will be to aceomplishwliat is liöpired. Prompt and ieoided moasures are utceasary. The Morman bectaiiHii organ'zitioi'i whioh uniiolds polygmny has the whole power oí inakiiiR aud exeoutln;; the local leáslatiou of the teiritory. By its control of the grand and petit juries, it posaetses iarge inrluenoe uver the administration of justica. Exeroisinp, as the heads 01 tliis sect (io, ihe local political power of the territory, they are able to make eliuotivt) their hosiility to Üie law.of oougress on the stibjeot of polytfamy, and, in fact, do prevent ite enforeement. Polygamy will not be abolished if tlie enforcemetit ot tlie law Uependsupon thoe who practice and uphold the crime. Tt oan only besupprtssed by takiiig away the political power of tbe sect which eñcourtigea and sustains it. The power of congres to enact suitable laws to protect the territory is ampie. It is not a case tor half-way measures. Tbe political pover of the Mormon sect is increasing; it controla ncw otie of our wealthiestand modt populous territories. It isextendiugsteadity into other territorios. Wherever it goes it establishes pol-gamy and si'ctarmn political power. Thé sanctity of' tnarriage and ihe famiiy relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization. Re ligic.us liberty and tho separa ion of church and state are ainong the elementury ideas of free instttatióBs. To reestHbüh the interests and principies which pojygamy and Mormonism have imperillec!, and to fully reopen to intelligent and virtuous iuamigrauts of all creeds that part of our domain, which has been, in a great csegree, i-losed to t;e3fral immigraiion by intolerant ni im :toi al institutiona, it ia recommended IJbat the govcrnment or ;he territoryoi' TJtali be reorganized. I recommend thaf oongross proTlde for the govurnment Of Utah by a governor and juriües. or oomralssioners. appointed by the President and coufirmed by the senate - a governirent analogous 10 the provisional governrnent established lbr the territory uortliwest of Ohiu. by tne oroiiiHüce 'of 1787. If, howevor, it hde -naad beul 'to 'coiitinuti the existing rpria of loca) govcrnmeiH. I reoommeud thiu the rifcht to vote, hold office, aód sit ■ ir. uri(s in llie ot'Utai, beconfiiud to Vhcige whu roitlir practioe nor uphold polypamy. lf thorough meaMures are adopted, i; is be]ievfd that within a few vears the ( vils which now tfliiet Utah wlll be eraditated, and tbat tuis territory will in good. timebecome oneof the most prosperoiiH ndattrative of the new states oí the Union. RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN Our relations with all fcueign countrit have been tbobe oí undifcturbed poane, duá have presented no occasion for coneera as to their continued maintinance. My antieipaüon of an earlv reply trom the Bri ish fcbvérétaenl to thed'm.and of' indemnlty to our fsht-rmen fur the injuries suflered by tbat iudusiry at Fortune bay, in January, 1S78. wUich I expressöfl in my last annua! piessage, wan disappointed. This p-ciswer was recaived Öuly in the latter part of Aprii In the present vear, and, when received, exhibited a failure of aocord betwen the two governtnentsas to the mea.sure of the inshore tisning privilege securod to our fisbermen by the treaiy ot Washington, of so seriou a chiracter that I madeittne subject of a comm unica tioo to congress, in which I recouimended the adoptiou of the aaea&ures vvlnchseeinedto me proper to be taken by this government in maint.enance oí the rights accorded to our fishermen under the treaty, and towani securing au iudeinnüy tor the injuiy these interets had suffereU. A bij.1 tg arry out these recouiravndat.ons is uiderconsideration by the house of repr resonatives at the time tof the adjourntnnt oí congres. in June last. Withiu a few weeks I have received a eommunioatioñ froin her uiajebty's goverumuiit. renewing 'the considtration of the subject, both ot the indemnity for the injuries at Fortune bay, and ot' the interpretaüouoï the treaty ..in which the previous oorie"spondea,ce had shown the 'wo governments to be at variaDce. Upon both these topics the disposition towards a friondly agreemstit is manif'ested by a recojgnition oi our right toan nJemiiitv for the trunsaction at Fortune bfiy, lea ving the intai-urv of sueb inderoicy to f'uithrr gftn luyenos, awl by an issent to tbe view of tbis göverriruent; presented in ti. iftTiott correpin'.tfrnce, tliat the regulalJon of :o.flicting interests of the shore ii.-hery of tlie provincial seacoasts, and tbe vussel fishery of bur fishcruien, should be made the suhjact of coniereni'e and concurrent arrangement between the two governaoents. I sincerely hope that the basis may be found lor a speedy adjus-tment of the very serious divergmce of views in the interpretaron of the üshery clauses 01 the treaty of Washington, wnlch, as the correspondence between the two governments s'.ood at the close of the last session of congress, seerned to be irreconcilable. ÜENKRAL rOKEION RKLAT1ONSV n Iu the important e.xhiMtion of artsand industries, whlch was held last yo: r i Sydney, New South Wales, as wüll as i i that now in progresa at Melbourue, the United States have been efiiciently and hoaorably represente. The exhibitors froin this countiy at Ibe former plaee received a laige ïiumber of awards in some of the most considerable departments, and the participation of ihe United States was rtcofrnized by a special mark of distinction. Iu the exhibition at Melbourne, the share taken by our country is no less notable, aiul an tqu;il degree of success is confidently expected. The state ol peace and tranquility dow enjoyed by all the nations of the continent oí Europe has ito favorable ii fluence upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them. We have concluded and ratified a eonvention wilh ihe Fren;i republic lor the sottlement of claims of the citizens of eit her, country agaiust tl e otbor. Under this convention a cominission, presided over by a distinguished publicist, appointed in pursuance of t!:e rtquest of both nations, by bis majesty tbe Emperor of Brazil, lns uegun its sossions in this oity. A congress to cousider nitiins for the protecttion of industrial property bas recently been in sessiou at Paris, to which I have appointed the minister of the Uniled States in France and in Belgium as delegates. The interuaüonal cummis.-n . upon weights and measures aliso contii uesits work in Pari, i invite your .-.;- tention tothe neccssiiy of an appropiiation to be made In time t'o enablo tliis governmeut to cómply wiih its obligatious undt r tho metrical conven tion, Our frienály relatio:is tyiththe Germán empire conti), ue wi:hmu lifterruptior. At the recent in'enianonal.exhibiMon of üsh. and lisbonés at i'.irlm, ido participution of theTJnited Siales, noLv. 'Uist.inciing the as' e witli whi",h ébfcicoii)mi:-s: :■■ was iorced (o make its pieparniions, . . extremely .successful and njeriunio .. winning lor private exhibitors uumerous awards of a hih class, iid lor the couuurv at large the principio priz" othov.or c ffpred by his majesty the (tiiperor. Tho resulta of this gre at suecess cannot but be advautRgf ous to this impon aiH ;nd (?rowi:ig industry. There have boen ome questions raied betweenti e twogoveinments as to tho proper effoet and interpreration of ourtreatiesof naturalizatiou, but recent dispatehes from our minister at Berliu show tibat favorable progresáis making toward an understandlng, in accordance with the views of this govornment, whicli makes and admita no distinction whatever betweeu the rightsnf u uative and a natural iüod eitiznn of the United SUles. In praofice, theoornpL-.nitis of molestatiou suffered by uaturalizi: citizens abrnad have never been tewtr than at present. There is nothing of i m portan eeto note in our unbroken friendly relations with the governments of Hungary, Russia, Portugal, Swedeu and Norwav, Switzerlaud. Turkey and Grerce. During the last summersoverai vessels belonging to the mcrchant marino of this oountry, sailingjin neutral waters of ihe West Indies, were fired at, Loanled, aud searflhed by an armedcruiserot'tht-Spanlsh Government. The circunistanM-s, as reported.iuvolve nofc only a private in jury'tü the persons coaceinfed, but also seemed a little pbservautof the iïieutüy relations existing betweeu thia country aad Spain. The wroug was brought to the attenüon of the Spanish Government ia a serious protest and remonstranco, and the matter is undergoinginvesiiamtion by the royal authorities, with aview (o such explanatiou or reparat.ion as may be called for by ihe f'acts. The comujission sitting in this city lor the ajudiuation of claims of'our oltlzena aainst the government ot Spain is, I hopt), approaching the tertnination of its labora. The claims against the United States under (he Florida treaty with Spain were submltted to congrets forits a(tion at the late session, and I again invite your attentioD to this long-standiug questiou, with a view to a final dlsposition of the matter. At the invitation of tfce Spanish goverament, a conference has recently beeu held at the city of Madrid to consider the subject otf proteo tion by foreigu powers of native Moors in the empire f Morocco. The minister ol the United States, in Spain, was directed to tak pari in the delib-jrations of thiw conference, the reduit of which is a convuntion ogned on behalfolallthe powers r'presiilecl. The instrument will b laid hei'oro ihe aenate for lts consideratie n. The government of the Uuited Stp.tts nas alwo lost no op portunity to ui go upon that of' the einperor of Moroci'O ihe uecoshity, 11 ftCCOrdanoewiththc humane and enligbtened spirit of ïha age, ol puttir g an end to the perneculions, which have Leen o prevalent in tl' at countiy, of persons of a faith other than the Mo'-lein, and especialJy of the Hfabrew residents of Mcrrocco. The consular treaty coueluded with Belgium has not yet been offieialiy mulgated, owing to the alleiatiou of a word in th ttxt by the señale of the United States, which oecasioned a delay, duriug which llie time allowed forraiifioation expired. The Senate will be asked to extend the period for ratiücalion. The attempt to negotiate a treaty of ex tradiiion with Denmark falled on account oí the olijtetion of the Danish governinenl to the usual clause providlug thatea'jb uatiou Khould pay the expense of the arrest of the persou3 whose extradition itasks. THE CHINES RE ATIES. The provisión made by congress, at its last sesfrion, for the expense of the ooinmision which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the imperial Government of China, on subjects of greai interest to the relations of the two cou:irips, enabled tlie commlssioners to proceed at once upon tlieir oommission. ïhfl imperiül government was prupared ,iivrt t.-rónopt and respectful attention t i thcmatlers broughtundor negotiations ar.d the conference proceeded with sucii ' mpidity and fcuucess thitt, o;i the 17tu 01 Nfveniber last, two treaties were signed i at Pekin, one relating to the introductiov - of Cl.intse into this country and oiv K-laiug to ('ommer.e. Mr. Tresrot, one 1 the coinmissioneri, is now on his way ïofioe br inctng the trpaties, and it is expected that they will b9 rerfiveii in season to be laid before the seuató early u January. MITírOR P0RE1QN MATTEBS. Our minister in Japan has uegotiated a :orivention for the reciprocal relief ol -hipwreoked seamen. I take occasion ti urge once more upon congress the projrioty of rnakiug provisión for the erection ofsuitable fire-proof buildings at the Inpanese capital lor the use of the Atr.trican iegatiou, ami the oourt house and juit oonnècted with it. Tbe Japane&e govoinufleat,with gieat generosily and courtesy, has otftsred for this purpose an eligibie pjeoe of land. In my last message I invited the attention of congres 10 the subject of tha indenanity fuuds reeeiyed ome years ago from China and Japan. I renew the reeommendation then made, that whatover portions of these fuuds are 1 neto American citizens should be prui )tly paid, and the residue returne! " thfi nrttioiis, respectiveJy, to ishich the.v justlj audc-quitabiy belong. The extradición treaty with the kingdom of the Netheriauds, which has betm lor some time in course oí negotiatiou, has, during the past year, been concludtd aud duly ratilied. Relatioos of friendship and amity have been establishcd between the government of the United 8tntes and tbat of Roumania. We have sont a diplomatic i xepresentat'.ye to Bucharest, and huve rcceived at this capital the special envoy, who has been chr.rged by his myal higliiifcs, Prince Charles, to annouiice the iiKicpendent sovereignty of Roumanjü. We iiope íor a speedy dcvelopineut of commercial relations between the tv. o countriea. In my ast annual message Iexprfseed the hope that the prevalence ol qulet on the burder between this ouuiry and Mexico would soon become so tasured as to justify tliemodifieatiou of llie or uiers thpn in torce toour militarj' cornmander, iu íegard to croshiDg the irontior, without eiicöuragtttg sucli dis;url.aiees ia would euoaur the peaco of the o rountrtea, Evtiits moved in auoordünoe witli itiese expectHlious, anú Ihe Oïde.rn ui re ac 'r(jÍDglywithdrawn,totbe entile ísatisfaction ofourown citizns and the Mtxicau governraent. Hubsequently 11 {íeaco oí' the border was again dimibed by a .savage foray, uudor the eonomand of the Chief Victorio, but b. tlie cntnbined nd harmouious action oí the miliUry f'orcfs o! both countriex, liis liaüd has been broktti up and subslantially dcstroyed. Tuero is ieason to believe that llie obsiaclts whii-h haye so long preyenttd ia)id una conveoieut cominuaicuiou belween theUuitod Sfcatea and Mexico by rauways, are ou thepouHoiaisappeartiiir, and that several important enterprises t this charaeter will soon be set on foot whiüU oannot l'ail to contribme largely to thj rirosperity ofboth couutries. NêW Cüvoysfrom Guatema]a,Colo:nbin, Holivia, Vomzuela autl Nlcaranga Iihvo nceiitly arrived at this ca,ita!. whose (iixtincüou audeniïghtenmeiit ffoni tiie best guarautee of the coutinuance of friendly relations betwtien ourselvos ai:d Lhese sister ropublics. TUK l'ANAMA CANAL. The relations betweenthis government and that of the United States of Colombia have eugaged public attention during the pst year, mainly by reason of the project oianiiiterooeaiiic eaual acroas the isljïnus of Panama, to be built by piivut capital under a coucession l'rom the (Joiombiaugoveriimoiit lor that purpose. i'he treaty tjiligatious subt-istiDg beIwten the United States and Colombia, by wüicn we guarantee me neiuramy ei tho trüiihit, ai-.(i th Bovereiirn1 v sinl property of Colombia in the isthmus, make 't tincessary tuut the couditious uncier whieh so stuyendous a chaiige iu the región ombi-Hcml iu thisguaraut.ee should be effectud - transfbrring, as it would, this isthinUH, from a bamer between Ilie Atlantic and Paciñc oceans, into a ga.nway and thoroughfare between theiu, tor, the natives, and the ms chant ships of the wtld - sbould receive the appro ' of tliis govurninaat, as being compaüb. with the discharge of these obligatior on our part, and consistent willi Oii interests as the principal comme: power of the western hemisphere. The views which I exprostd in a spfcial mebsuge to (.■ol)res in March last, Iu relationto ihis project, I deern it my duty to priss upon your attention. Su. sc(iu'.'i.t consicieration has but oonflrmed ■ li opinan í'that it is the right aml luy oí'; he UiiHed States to tussert and maíntain such supervisión andauthority I over any huero eanic canal aeross ti:e isthmus that connects North and South America as wiü protect our natioual interest." OTHER MINOR FORE1QN TOPICS. The war between the republio of Chili on thö one hand, and the alliet! republiCH of Peru and Bolivia on the otlior, stl 1 continué. This government has not folt called upon t.o interfere iu a conitst that is withm the belligerentrightsof the partiea as independent atates. Vv e have, however, always held ourselvts in rediness to aid in Hccommodating t ueir diflference, and havo at diiferent times reininded both belligerents of our v lilinj;nesis to render suoh Bervioe. Our good offloes, in this di;ection, were receutly aocepted by all the belligerents, and it was hoped they would prove cacious; luit I rf;ret to announc the meakureo, wh'ch the ministers of the United States at Santiago and Lima were autborized to take, wüli a view to tirinj; about a peace, were not suocesstul. In theeourse ol'tliA waifO'.iii nuestionsltave arisen fffecting neutra] nt;ht; in uil of these the ininiHters orthe United States have, undertheirinstrüotiovis, acted with promptness and energy in protection of American interests. The relations ot the Umted tates wiih the empire of Brszil contiune to bs nn.-t cordial, and tbeir commercial in tercourse steadily incrtases, to :!itir mutual aJyantage. The interna] disorder ,ith which the Argemine republh; ha lor sometime past been frlietod, and whieh have mor! or Itss iiiíliirDced i'.s externa] trade, are understood to bave boen brought to a close. This happy result may beexpectcd to rt-clouiid to t! e benefit 01 the loreifjn oommerce oí Ihe republlo as wel) as to the developeiueiitolits vast interior resourers. In Satnoa, iho governmünt oí ! Mxlietoa, nnder tb e support aüd reooKi. iiion of tbe consular represfijiativos of the Unitei States, Great Britain ani Gormauy, seerns to hive giron peaoi ac(3 tranquitly to the islandí. WJ üe it doeá not appear dsirable to ado as a whole the écheme of ajtripartite iocal governtiif-u', which has bíen propn&ed, tho coiaraon interistnof thethreegieil ti power Kquire hernoDuy ia their relations to tho native framo of at, and f s rnay be Ut l secured ly asiUij'lf' diplonaatic agreercent betweon the ui. Il woiiJil be weli if Uieconsular jurisdii tion of our representetive at A; ia were incveaf-ed in extenfc and impórtanos so -ito gu .ld American interfsis in the surrounding and out';, ing Islands 1 Ujear.ioa1 The obelisk, generously preseutert by the khedive 01 Égypt to the city of Now York, has wafely arrived iu i'iis uouut.-y, and wil! soon be erected in thal metrppo lis, A ootninission lor theliquiiiation ol the Egvptian óebt bas lately eoncli itw work, and the goveimnen1, at the earnest soüiiiation of' the kl-edive, hat aoueded to the provisions adopted by it, whlch will be laid beforB cangress í'or ita iatormalisn, A couiuiission i'or the revisión of tho judicial code of the reí i m tribunal of Éypt is now in session in CJairo. Mr. Farman. consul general, and J. M, B'itohelder, Esq., uave been appointtd as comuiissioners to particípate in ihis work. The oiganization of iht reförui trilunals will probably be coniiued ior another period of flve year. In pursuanoe of the act passed at the last fcetsion cifcojigri ss, iuviiaüons haVe bi'Pii extended to foreign tnarilime statfs to joiu in a sanitary conference in Washington, begiuniüg l'ie finit et' January, The acceptance ot this imritation by inauy prominent powers givos promiso o' 8UC06S8 in tbis import i ineasiire, designed to establ:sh a í-. -■ em oí' inlernationainotification by wh.rb thesprfai ot infecjious or ejii('(jinic (lineases tnay b more Ptlectively cheeked or preveulert. The attentiou oï congre.ss i tñvited to the neoessary appropriatlpna for carryirjg iuto eifect the provisions of tho acfc reierred to. Thefforts of the department of stato to P7üarge ihe trade and commerce ot the UaitedStatej, tfarough the active agenc-y of consular offleers and tlirnugii the dissemination of luformalion obtaiueu i'rom hem,have been uu relaxed. The interest in these ofl'oiti-, as develope our commercial couimuni leg, i ' value of tbe tnformatlon r pti i means, to the trade and i thecouniry, wererecognize.i bj tv iirts at its last seshioo,s;nd provisión was made lor the more frequent publication of bos.sular and otlier rep' ris by !he (' ment of atate. 1'he íiit isíiin in ( is pnbUcation has dow been prepared and subsi quent issues may regulariy be expected. Tho importauce arm interest attached to thercj-orts of consular officf is aro witnessed by the general demmid tor them by all clusses of meröhants and inanuracturers oiigaged in our fowign uade. It is beiioved that tho Byatem of Btiuh publications is deserving of the ap proval of OOIIgresS, and that the n ■■-- siry appropiiations for Hs contlnuacoe and enlargoment will commeud ltseli to your consideration. GOVERNMENT AID ÏO FOREIGN COMMERCE. The prosperous energies of our domestic industries, and their immense prodnction of the subjects of foreign commeree, iuvite, and even require, an active development of the wishes and interests of our people in that direction. Especially important is it that our commercial relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America, with the West Indies and Uulf of Mexico should be direct, and not through the circuit of European systeins, and should be carried on in our ewn bottoms. The full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the PaGific ocean gives to commerce with Japan, China, and the East Indies, with Australia and the Islánd groups which lie along these routes oí navigatiön, should inspire e(xual eflorts to appropnate to ourown shipping, and to lidminister by our own capital, a due proportion of this trade. Whatever modificatious of our regulations of trade and navigation may be neceseary or usefuj to meet and direct these impulsej to the eulargement of our exclianges and of our carrying trade, I am sure the wisdom of congress will be ready to supply. One initial uieasure, however, seeins to me so clearly useful aud efficiënt that I venture to press it upon your earneat attention. It seeins to be very evident tliat the provisión of regular steain postal coramuuication, by aid from the governmeat, has been the forerunner of the commercial predominanceof (ïreat Britain on all these coasts and seas, a greater share in wliose trade is now the desire and the intent of our people. It is also manifest that the efforts of ofber European nations to contend witli O real Brittin fot a share ot this eommerce have been sucecssful in proportion with their adoption of regular eani jxistal coinmunicatiwn with the markets whose tnule they sought. MexLco aud the states of South America are anxious to receive such postal Communications with this country, and to aid in their developinent. Siiliilai' co-operation may be looked for, in due time, from the eastern nations and from Australia. Itis difficult to see howthe lead in this niovement can be expected from private Interests. In respect of foreign eommerce, quite as iniu'h as in iuternal trade, postal conaminioation seems necessarily a matter oí conmiou aud public aduimisiniuuu, and thus pertaining to government. I respecifully recommend to jour prompt attentiou Buch just and efficiënt measures as mny conduce to the developnu ut oföurforeign commercial exchanges and the building up of our carrying trade. In this couuflctio I tlfsire also to süggest the very great service wliich niight be expected in eulargiug and facUitating oiv cömmerce on the Pacific ocean, were a transinarine cable laid from San Francisco to the Sandwich inlands, aud thenc to Japau al the nortli and Australia at the soutli. The great influeuce of sucli uicans of communication in tliese routes of navigatiop, in developing .ind securing the due share of our Pacific coast in the cominefce of üie world, ueeds uo illustratiou or enforcement. It may be that rucIi au enterprise, ful and in the end profitable au it would prove to private iuvestment, niay ueed to be Recelerated by prudent legislation by coiigress in its aid, and 1 submit the matter to your careful consideration. An additional,'andnotummportant,althouíli seconáary, reason for íostering and eiilarning the navy may be found h the unquestionable service to the expansión l oor couimerce, wliicli would lie remlered l.v the frequent circulation of naval sliips n ttin seas and ports of all quartere of tbe globe. Shipsof the proper ; ponstruction and equipinent to bof the greatest efficiency in case of niaritime var inight be uiade coiiBtant and activo agents in time of peace in the advancement ana protection of our foreign trade, and in tiie nurture and discipline of younj; seainen who would natuml.'y, in souie numbers, mix witli and improve the crews of onr inerchaut shíps. üur mercliants at home and abroad recojjnize the ralue to foreign commerce of an active movenient of our naval vessels, and tue iatelligenco and patiiotic zeal of our naval ofücsrs in promoting every interest in their couutrymen is a just subject of naüonal pride. THE FINANCES. The condition of the financial afifairs of the government, as shown by the report of the secretary of the treasury, is very satisfactory. It is believed that the present financial situation of the Unltod States, wliether considered with respect to trade,currency,credlt,growingwealtb, or the extent and variety of our resources, is more favorable than that of any otlier country of our time, and lias ne.ver been surpassed by thál of any country at any period of its history. All our iuterests are thriving; the rate of interest is low; new railroads are being constructed; a vast iminigration is i cceasing our population, capital aud labor; new enterprises in ;reat nuinber are in prosress; and our commercial relations with other countries are improving. The oidinary revanues from all sources, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1880, were: From customs f 186,622,00 1 60 From interna! ivvemie 124,009,373 !Ö From sales of public lands. .. 1,016,506 60 From tax on ciiculation and deposits of national banks. . 7,014,971 4Í From repayment of interest by Pacific railway nies 1,707,307 IS From sinking-fund for Pacific railway companies 7hö,(i21 22 From customs f(!es, fines, ix'iialties, etc 1,148,800 1; From fees- consular, letters patent and lauds 2,337,029 00 From proceeds of sales of governinent property 282,616' 50 From profits of cómale, etc. . 2,7112,186 7K From reveune" of the District Columbia l,B0fl,4fi9 70 From miscellaueoua soiircus. 4,09í',li i:i B8 Total ordinary receipts $ 388,52,610 98 Tlie ordinary expenditures for the samo period were: For civil expenses $ l5fi9S,WS' 55 For foreign intercourse 1,2] l,4fl0 B8 For Indiana 5,!M,",i.57 09 For pensions, including f 19,341,025 20 arrears of pensions 86,777,174 44 For the military establishment, lnclnding river and harbor improvements and arsenals 38,l]6,iilii 22 For the naval establishment, inoludmg vcsscls, machinery, and improvements at iiavy yards ] 74 For miscellaueous expendítures, including public buildings, Hlit-houses, and collecüng the reven uu 34,5Sp,i}9Ï 00 For expenditures on acconut of the District of Columbia. 8,272,384 For interest ou the public debt 95,757,575 11 For premium on bonds purcUased 2,7'.t5,:20 42 Total ordinary expeDditures.$ 267,6-12,957 78 Leaving a surplus revenue of. ijs 65,883,653 20 ■Which.witli au aniountdrawn trom the cash balance in the treasury oí 8,084,434 21 Hatíng f ,73,968,087 41 Was applied to the redemption Of bonds for the sin kin g fuud f 73,652,000 00 Of fractional currency 251,717 41 Of the loan of 1858 40,000 00 Of temporal"!7 ioan 100 00 Of bounty-laud scrip 25 00 Of compomid interest uoIub. ](J,5iK) OU Of 7-30 notes of 18(4-t5. . . . 2,650 00 of one and two-year notes. ö,7e0 00 Of old demand iiotes "■" 00 $ 73,91,1187 41 The aniount due the sinking fund for this year was $37,931,643 55. There was applie il theretothe snm of $73,!'04,617 41, peiBg $84,972,973 Miiuexcess of the actual reqiüreiuents for the jear. The aggregate of the reveuues from all sourtes duiing the fiscal year euried June 30, 1SS0, was $833,526,610 98, aalncrease over the preeeding yeár oL $59,090,426 52. The reoeipts thuB lar, oí the current year, together with the estiinated receipts for the remainder of the year, amouut to $350,000,000, wliicti wül lie sufücient to meet the estimated exnnditures of the year, and lcave a surplus of ïitU,OC'0,000. It is fortúnate tliat this large surplus revenue occurs at a period when it uiay be directly applied to the payiiient of the publie debt soon to be redeemable. No more public duty has been more constautly cherished in the United States than the policy of paying the nation's debt as rapidly as possible. The debt of the United Statea, less rash in the treasury and exclusive of accrning intereft, attained its maximum of $2,756,431,571 43 in August, 18C5, and has since that time been reduccd to ($1,886,019,504 65. Of the principal of the dbt $108,758,100 has been paid fiuce March !, 1877, effectiug an animal saving of interest of 6,107,5iö. The luirdun of interest has also beeu dimiuistied by the sale of nontis bearing a low rate of interest aud tlie application of the proöéeds to the redeniption of bonds hearing a higher rate. Tlie aunual saviii thus secured since March 1, 1877, is $14,20,453 60. Withiii a short period over $000,000,000 of five and six per cent. bonds ■wil] liecome re(iecinable. ïliis jiresents a very favoi'able opportunity not only to further reduce the principal ot the debt, fout alsq to reduce the rate of interest on that which will remain urpaid. I cal] ilie attention of coDgress to the views exlressed on this subject by the secretary of the treasury in bisannual report, and recommend prompt legislation, to euatile the treawury department to coüipiete the refiinding of tlie debt wliich isaboutto niatuiv. The continuance of specie paymeut lias not been interrupted or endangered eince tlie date of resumptiou. It has contributed greatly to tlie revival of business and to our remarkable irnspeiity. The fears that preceded and accoinpanied resumption have proved leas. No considerable ainount of Ouited States notes have been presentad tor lediniptioii, while very largesums of gold lullou, boili domes-tic and ünported, are taken to the mints and excluniíied for coin or notes. The ulerease OÍ poiu ;uul bulliou in the United States since January 1, 1870, is estimated at $227.399,428. There are still in existence, uncanoelled, $34(,CM,Ü15 of United States legal tender notes. These notes were a tiiorized as a war iueasure, made necessary by the exigencias of the conflict iü wliich the United States was then engíged. Tlie preservat'on of the nation's ejistence required, in the judginent of conyress, aa issue of legal tender paper mouey. That it served well the purpose for which it Vi as creafed is not questiouod, bút the employinent of the notes as paper money indefinitoly, after the accomplish inent of the object for whíchtney were provided, was not contení - : hy the [ramers ol the law under which uiey were issiíed. , These uotos long siuce T)ecame like iny'other pecuniary oliligation pt U;e "civeniinent- a debt to be paid; and, w'ien paid, to he cancelled as mere evidence of an indebtedness no longer existing. I therefore repeat what was said in the animal uiessage of last year, that the retirement from drcuJatJon of United States uolva, v.illi tiin QMweity of legal tender in irivate contrarts, is a step to be taken In our progresa toward a safo and stable, currency, whicli sbould be accepted, as the poiicy and duty of tlie government and the interest ;ind security of the people. At tlie time of the passage of the act now in force requirinjr the oinage oT silvw dollars, fixing their valne and givinathem legal tender ehiirácter, il was believen by miuiTof the puji porters of the measure that the silver dollar, whicli it authorized, would speedily liecome, ondel the operatious of the law, of equivalent value to the yold dojlaï, 'l'here weie otbej supporters of the bill, who, wliile they 'doubte aa to the probabüity of this result, nevertheless were wiiliiiíí to (ive tlie proposed experiment a fair trial, with a view to stop the coinage if experteBce shonld prove thal tlie silvor dollar authorized ,fcy the bill continued to hoof less c:)mmereial value thau the staudard gold dollar. The coinagi of silver dollars under the art referred to begnu in March, 1S7S, amlhas bee contiuiu'd as required by the act. The avcrageratsyei tnoirth to the present time lian heen 2,27R,W. The total amount coinefl priov U ttie nrat of November last was #:!,- H47.7&). Ofthte aninunt $47,0sl,l"l) reinaij in the treasuxy, and only $25,768,21 are in the hands of the p ople. A constant rthas been made ti keep this eutreucy in cL tion aud' considerable expense lias necessarily incnrred for Ihis pjrposé, but its return to the treasury is prompt and sure. Coutrary to tlie coiifident anticipa, mi of tho friendM of the meawire at the time oí lts adoptioD, the value of the silver dollar, ooi: talnmg 412J grains of silver, has not increased, Dmina tneyéar prior to tho passage of thebill autliorizing its coinace tho market a of the silver which it coutained was trom ii i 'J2 cents, as compared with the standard dollar. Dnriiif; the last year the average market value of the silver dollar ha linen 88Js cwits. It U obvious, that the legislation of tho last congress iu regard to silver; s . f ir as it was based on au antieipated risc in . ■ evaluó of silveras a result of tliat legislation, lias Failed to produce the effect then predlcted. The longer the law rernaina in force, reqofrlng as it does the coinage of a nominal dollar, wliich, in re ality, is not a dollar, the greater becoruee ihe danser tliat this country wilt be torced to ar cept a single metal as the solo legal standard of valué, iu circulation, and this a standard of íess value than it pürports to lie wortli in the recognized nioney of the world. The constitution of tlie United States, sound fiuancial principies, and our hesl interests, all require tliat the country shmild have as its legal tender monpy, both gold and silvcr coin, of an intrinsic value, as bullion, gquivaleut to tliat whicli, upon its face, it purports to possess. The constilution, in exprese terms. refognizes l.oth gold and silver as the ouly true legal tender mr.uey. To banisli either of these inetals from ourcurrency is to uarrow and limit the circulating medium of exchange to the disparagement of important Interest. The United States produces inore silver than any othercountry, and is directly interesteil iii THE WAB DEI'.. Tlie secretary of war reporta that theexpciditures of the war department for the fiscal year euded June 30, 1880, were $3ü,ïi24,773 0Í!. Tlie appropriations tor tbis department fr the current fiscal yearamount to f 41,9!I3,63O 40. Witli respect to the aru.y, tlie secretary invites atteution to the facttliat ils Btrenth is liniited by etatute (section 1115, revise tutes j to n more iIh'lU 30,000 enlisted uien, but that proviso contained in appropriation bilis have limited expenditures to the enlistment oL bul 25,000. It is beiieviil tlie ful! legal strength is the least possilile ii chuie present orgauization c;iu be maiutihifd, haviue; ín view eftïcieucy, discipline amJ economy. While the enlistment of this foroe wonld aiid somewhat to the appropriation for pay of the army, the saving made in other respecte would be more than an equivalent for tliis additional outlay, and tlie efficiency of the army would be largely increased. The rapid extensión of the railroad systein west of the Mississippi rivi-r and the great tid of settlers wliicli has fio wed in upon uew territory impose upon the military au entire change of pofte?. The maiutenance of sinall posts alonff wagon and stage-routes of travel is no longer necessary. Permanent guarters at points selected of a more substantial character tlian those heretofore constructed will be niiuired. Under existing laws permanent ings cannot be erected without the sanction of eongress, and wheu sales of military sites and Imildings have been anthorized, the moneys received have reverted to the treasury, and could only become availab! ■ iiirough a new appropriation. It is recominended that provisión be made, by a general statut.-, I. sale of such abandoned military posté and buildings as are found to be unneóessary, and ior the application of the proceeds to the construction of other posts. While many of the resentpost8 are of but slight au tor ïnillary purposes, owing to the chaQedcondition of the country, their oceupation iscontinned at great expense and incouvenience, liecause they afford theonljavailable slieltrr for iroops. The absence of a large number of officers of the line, in active duty, from their regnhents, is a serious detriment to the inaintenance of the service. The constant demand for gmall detachments, each of which 'should be commanded by a cornmissioned oflicer, ani the various details of officers for necessan , ylce away from their commaiuls, occasion? : ty in the nuuiber required for oompatti i vith a view toIesseninK this drain to Borne extent, it is recommended that the law ïzing the detail of omcers from the active list as professors of taetics and militar; science at oertain colleges and universiiiep. lie soanitmded as to provide ttiat all sacb !r!ails le made from the retired list of the army. Attention is asked to tlie nècessity of providing by legislation for organizing, anniug and discipliniug the active militia of the country, and liberal appropriátions are recouiinended in tliis bebalf. The reporte of the adjutunt general óf the army and the chief of ordnancè touching this subject fully set forth its importance. The report of the officer in charge of education in the army shows tliat tliere are 78 schools now in operation in the army, with au aggregate attendance of 2,305 eulisted uien and chiidren. The secretary recominends the enlistmentof 150 schoolmasters, with the rank and pay of commissary sergeants. An appropriation is needed to BUpply the judge advocates of the army with suitable librarles, and the secretary recommends that the corps of judge advocates he placed upon the saine footing as to promotion with the other staff corps of the army. Under existing laws the bureau of military justice consista of one officer, the jadge advocate general and the corps of judge advocates of eight officers of eiual rank (majors), with a provisión that the limit ot tlie corps sliall remain at four wheu reduced by casuality or resiguation to that number. The cansolidation of the hureau of military justice and the corps of judge advocates, upon the same basis with the other staff corps of the army, would remove au unjust disciimination a'Xaiust desorving officers, and subserve the tast interests of the service. Especial attention is asked to the report of the chief of engineers upon the condition of our cntionál dëfenses. l'roin a personal inspection of many of tlie fortifications referred to tlie secretary is alile to einphasize the recommendat'ons made and to state that their incomplete and defenseless conditiou is discreditable to the country. While otlier nations have beeo increasing their ïneans for ciirryingon offensive wai-fare and attacking üiaritime cities, we have been dormaut in preparaÜOne for defeiise; nothingof importance lias been dono toward streugtheniiig and finishing our c;)1;'inated works since our late civil war, during whieii the t;re;tt iiiins of uiodfrn warfare and the heavy armor of modern fortifications and sliips carne into use MBong ■■; timis, and our earlhwoiks left, by a suddisi (rtilure of a[pnpriattonsaome.years since, in all stages of ncompletioD, areuow being rhpidjy destroyed bythe elemeuts. INTEENAL IMFKOVEHIiNTS. The two great rivera of the North American continent, the Mississip;u and the CoJumbia, have their uavifiable waters wboll.v mtlilo the liniits of the uiuted States, and au portance to our interna! anú forelgn coriiinerce. The permanency ol'tlio Unporteut work fimiii pass of the Mississippi ri,yer seemsnaw to be assured. There has been w iailure. w hal fvor in thé maintenaJQCe of the inaXii nin néldurinthe six montijs endod Ai This experiment has opened a broád, loop iií;hway to the ocean, and is an imvrovcnent updn Ihe permanent success oí which tpngratulaions may lio exahaoged tnaoug praple abroad ;n:d at home, and especially amqng tlie roinmimities oi' the Miseippi valley, whose cüuiiiiiteial exchanResfloat in au uno!istructd channet síifcly toand Trom the sea. A compreiii'iisive improvement ni the Misñissi])ii and its tributarios is a matter al transcendent impoitauce. JChe?e crpat water vv;.ys comprfse a systein ol ni' ua fransportatiou spread like net-work over a larga portion of the L'nited States, and narigable to the i of máuy tliousamls of miles. Producers and consumere alike have a ccimiuin inteest in i such uneqiialled facililie? for cheap tioii. Ueograijlni'ully, coumiercially ;uid poliilcally they are the stronffest tie hetween the various ueÜODB of the country. ïbböe chau"-1 uels of coinmiuiicutiou and interchaagü are the property of the uation. lts jfarisdictlon is paraimnmt over tlicir waters, auii tt plainest principies of public interest requin ir ntt;lligentand careful supervisión, va their protection, improvement and the enhan cement of their usefulness. The phannel of the Colombia river, for a distunce of ahout 100 mileg from its moutli, is ohstructed by a succession of bars, wluch occasion serious delay iii navigatiou, and heavy expense for lighterage aiul towaffe. A depth of at least 2l)feet at low tifie should be sectired and maintainef, to meet tho reqnirements of the extensive and growing inland and ocean commerce it subseiTes. Tb most urgen! . i however, for this great water-way is a per'; manent improvemeBt of the channel at the i moutli of the riyer. From Columbta river to San Francisco, a distauce of over 000 miles, there is no barbor on our Pacific coast which can be approached dnriugstormy weather. An appropriation of ' f 150,000 was made by the 45tli eongrees for I the commencement of a breakwater and harbor of refute, to he located at some point be Ihestraits of Fuca and San Francisco ut whicl) tlie necessities of commerce, local and general, wili be best acconiinodated. The amount appropriated is thoufrht to be quite inadequate for the purpose intended. The cost ei the work when finished will be very great, owiug to the want of naiuri advantages for a site at any point on the eoal between the desigiiated limits, and it has not been thought to be adylsableto undertake the work without a larger appropriation. I commend the matter to the attention of congres. NEW WAR DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS. The completion of the new building for the war department is urgently needed, and the estimates for coutinuing its construction are especially recommended. The collections oí books, specimens, and records coustituting the ariny medical museum and library are of national importauce. Ttie library now contains aboiit fifty-one tliousand five hundred (51,600) volumes and fifty-seven liousand (57,000) pamphlets relatine to mediine,8urgery, andalüed topics. The contents of tlie army medical muse'im consists of wenty-two thousanS f22.000) specimens, and are nuiqiie in the completeness with which lotli military sunfery and the diseases of irmies are illustrated. Their destruction would te un irreparable loss, not only to the United States, but to the world. There are Cled in the record and pension división over sixteen thousand (16,000; bound volumes of hospital records, tofjether with a íjreat ijiiantity of papers, embracing the original records of the hospitals oí ourarmies during the civil war. Asidc f rom their historical valué, tliese records are daily senrctied for evidence needed in the aettlement of a large number of punsion and other claims, lor Ui protpctlon of tlie government against atteiupicU li-auú, a. well asior the benefit of lionest clafmants. These valuable collections are now in a building wlncli is peculiarly expoaed to the daugr of deetrucüon by fire. It is therefore earnestly recomniended that an appropriation be made for a new fire-proof building, adeijuate for the present needs and reasonab'e future expansión of these valuable collections. Such a building should be abso'lutely fire-proof; no expeuditure for mere architectural display is reouired. It is believed tbat asuitable struoture can be erected ata cost not to exceeil f 25' OU m. GEN. (IRANT. I commend to the attention of congress the -ervices of the coiiiinaiider-m-cuief of onr aruiies during the war for the Uuion.whose wisfirm and patriotic conduct did so much o bring that momentous conflict to a close. The legislatiou of tlie United States contains inany precedents for the recogpition of distinífiiislied military merit, authorizing rank and eniolumeuts to be conferred for eminent services to the country. Aii act of pongress authorizing the appointuient of a captain general of the army, with suitahle proviskins relating to compensation, retirement and other details, would, in my jnagment, be altogether fitting and proper, and would be warmly approved by the country. THE NAVY DEPARTMENT. The report of the .secretary of the navy exhibits the successf ui and satisfactory management of that (le)iartiuent during the last fiscal year. The total uxpenditures for Ihe year were f12,916,639 45, leaving unexpended at the close of t'ne year f2,141,682 23 of the amount oí available appropriations. The appropriations for the present fiscal year ending June 3O,1K81, are $15,095,0(51 45; and the total estimates for the next fiscal year emüiis Jun Su, 1882, are $15,953,751 61. The amount dri i by warrant from Jaly 1, 1880, to Nove' 1, 1880, ís $5,041,570 45. The recommendation of the secretary of the navy, that provisión be made for the establishment of some form of civil government for the people of Alaska, is approved. At present there is no protecüon of persons or property in that territory except sucli as is afforded by the offlcers ol the United States ship Jamestowu. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka because of tlie lear that without the irmnediate presence of the national authority there was impending danger of anarchy. The steps taken to restore order have been acceptedin good faith by both white and Iudian inhal)itants, and the neceesity for tliis method of restraint does not, in my opinión, now exist. Il', however, tlie Jamestown should be withdraWn, leaTing tlie people, as at present, witliout the orilimuy, judicial asd aduiinistrative authority of orgauized local governnïent, serious cousequences might eusue. The laws provide only for the collection of revenue, the proteetion of public property, and the traiismission of tho mails. The problem is to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so peculiar in its origin anrt condition. Tue nathea are reported to be teacbable and self-supporting, and,if properly instructed, dotfbtless would advance rapidjy in civilization, and a new factor of prosperity would be added to the national Ufe. I thereí'ore recomuiend the requisite legislatioii upon this subject. 'l'Ue Beor.tary of the Davy has taken step towaids the establishment of naval cnaling stations at the Isthmus of Panama, to meet the requirements oL our coaimercial rt-lations with Central and South America, which are rapidly growing in importauce. Lucations eminently Buitabie, both as regards our naval purposes and the uses of commerce, have been Relected, one on the east side of the isthmus. at Chiriqui lapoon, in the Caribbean ea, and the other on the Pacific coast at the bay of Golüto. The only safe harbora, sufficiently commodious, on thjö isthmus, are at Ihese pointB, and the distanco between.them is leps than 100 miles. The report ;f the rotary of the navy concludes with vaiuable suggcstiona with respect to the building up of our merchant marine serviue, which deseiveB the favorable consideration of congress. TUE POSTAL SEBVICE. Tbe report of tbe oostmaster general exhibits the contiuual growth of the bigb state of effioienoy of the poBÍal service. The operatmr.s of no dti(.'artmtnt of the Kovemment, perhaps, represenc with greater exactneaa the ir.crtase in the popnlation ar.d the business of the country. In 1860, the poötal receipts were f ,518,067 iü; in 18S0, the receipts were 8533,315.479 34. AU the inbabitants of the country are dirêotly and versocally interested 'u having prt)per ruail facilities, and natucally wath the post iffice vcry ciosely. This ■i'.areful tiversiht on the part of the people hus proved a coiiBtaiit stimulus to improveiïitiit. During the past year tbere waB an increase of 2,134 positeffioes aud tbe mail rov.tes were exiended 27,177 miles, makinjj an a Lditional anunal transportation of 10,804 191 milea. The rtvenues of the postal seivi e for the etisiüng year are estinaated at $38,8i5, 74 10, a-nd the cxenditure at $42,475,932, leaving a deficiency to be approoriated out of the treasury of f 3.680,7.7 90 ' The universal postal i uion bus rcceived tbe accesssion oL almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintainhig organizad postal etvices, and it is confidently expeoted that all the other couutríes and colocics now outaide the un:on w!1 aoon Tnite therewith, tima realiaing the K -od id and aim of the í'ounders oí the unión of furmiug for purpies of itiUrn.tional njail communicstion, ■i -ingla postal territory embracing the world, v. Jh complete uniformity of posti charges, i .'i conditions of international ex ange, íor a'.i descriptions of correapondence. To enab!e the Uaitcd States to do its l'ull share.of ;.d iitioiisi lígislationíis asked by the ; wimaster ger.e al, to whose recommendatiotí especial ittention is clled. The sngtítistiou of the postm. i.-r general, ii;it t would be wise toencourag by appropriate lesislation, the establishment of American line of pteamers by cmr owu citizens, to carry the mails betweeu our own port.s and those of Mexico, Central América, South America and of tnuis.Pacific coimtries, is cuminended tq the serioqs oonaiiieiatiuii oí congress. Tlie atteution of éongiess is also EVited to the sugfiestions of the postniaster general in regard to postal saviugs. THE CODBTS, Tho neeessity for additional provisión, to aid iu the transactiou of the business of the federal courts, Keemues ea year more apparent The dockets of the eupreme courts, in tho Kreater niimbcr of the circuits. are encumbered with the constant aceession of oases, 'n the fornier court, and In niaiiy iustanoe? tlie circuit courts, years interveue befort practicablo to brmg oases to hearing. The attorney genSl recommcïids the establisli meut of au iutermetiiate court of errors ami appeals. It is recoumwuded tliat the uuinlier ofjtídíesof tlie circuit court in each circuit j witli the exception of tlio second circuit, should be iucreased by the addition of another. (Cmiinmd on Fovrth Page.) President's Message. (Ccnchtded trom, First l'age) judge; in the second circuit, tliat two should be added; aml tliat an intermedíate appellate court sbouid be Comed la each circuit, to consist of the circuit judgesand the circuit Justlce, and that in tlie event of tlie absence of elther of these judies the place of tbe absimt Judge Bhould be supplied by. the judfre of o'ie of tbe district courts In the cVcuit. Such an appel late court aliould be safèly invested with larde jurlsdiction, and its decisions would satisfy suitors Ib uiany cases where appeals would Btill be allowed to the supremo court. Tho expense incurred for this intermediate court wiU require a very moderate increase of the appropriations for the expenses of the department of justice. This recommeudation is cominended to the caroful consideraron of cougress. It is evident that a delay of justice, in many instances oppressive and disastrous to suitore, now necessarily occurs in the federal courts, which will' in this way be remedied. 1NDIAN AFFAIBS. The report of the secretary of the interior presente an elalwrate account of the operations of that department for the past year. It gives ine great pleasure to say that our Imlian afairs appear to be in a more hopeful condition now than ever before. The Indiana have made gratifyiug progress in agriculture, herding and nieclianical pursuits. Many who were a few years ago in hostile conflict ith the government are quietly settled down on farms where they hope to make their permanent homes, building houses and onfta;ii)ir in tli occupations of civilizeil life. The introductio of the freighting business amont; theni Iüv leen remarkably fruitful of good resulta, i giving many of them congenial and remunera tive einployment, and in stiuiulating tlieir am bition to earn their own support. Their hon esty, fidelity and efficiency as carriers are higl ly praised. The organization of a pólice forc of Indians bas been equally successful in inain taining law and order upon the reservatiuns, and in extrising a wholesoaie moral influenc among the Indians themsolves. I concar wit the secretary of the interior in the recommendation that the pay of this forcé be increased, as an inducemeut to the best class of young men to enter it. Mucli care and attention has been devoted to the enlargement of educational facilities for the Indiana. The means available for tuis important object have been very inadequate. A few additional boarding-schools at Ind'.an agencies have been established and the erection of buildings has been beguu for several more, but an increase of the appropriations for this interesting undertakiug is greatly needed to acconnnodate the large number of Indian cbildren of scheol age. Tlie nuinber ofFered by their paronts from all parts of the country for education in the governraent schools is much larger than can be accomuiodated with the uieans at present available for that purpose. The number of Indian pupils at the normal school at Hampton, Virginia, under the direction of Gen. Arinstrong, bas been considerably increased, and their progresa is highly encouraging. The Indian school established by the interior department in 1879 at Ca-lisle, Fa under Uie direction of Capt. Pratt, has been equally successful. It has now nearly 200 pupils f both sexes, represeutiug a great variety of the tribes east of the Rocky mountains. The pupils in both institutions receive not only an elementary English education but are also instructed in housework, agriculture, and useful mecuanical pursuits. A Har school was eatablisbad this year at Forest Grove, Oregon, tor the education of Indian youth on the Pacific coast. In additkm to this 36 ludían boys anii girls were selected from the eastera Cherokees and placed in boardingschools in North Carolina, where they are to receive an eleinentary Euglisli education and training in industrial pursuits. The interest shown by Indian parents, even ainong the 80called wild tribes, in the education i f their children is very gratifyiug, and gives proiuise that the results accomplished by the efforte oow niaking will be of lastiiie benefit. The expenses of Indian education have PO far been drawn from the permanent civüization fond at the dispoeal of the department of the interior; bnt the f and U now so much redaced that the coatinuance of this beneficial work will in the tuture depend on speoific appropriatiuna by congresa for the pnrpose, and 1 ventare to ezpress the hope that congrefts will not permit institutions ao frnitful of good resulta, to perish for want of mean for their anpport. On the contrary, an increase of the number of such schoola appears to me highly advisable. The )iat year bas been nnumially tree trom disturbances among the Indian trinen. An agreement has been made with the lites, by wbich they surrender their large reservation ia Culoradu in consideration of an annuity, to b6 paid to them, and agree to settle in several ty on certain lands designated for that pui pose, as farmere, ho'ding individual title to their land in fee simple, inalienable foi a cer tain period. In thia way a coBtly ludían war has been avoided, which, at one time, eeme imru.Deut, and, for the first time in the hifi tor; of the country, an Indian natioi han given up its tribal existence to be Rettled in severalty, and to live as individuals under the oommun proteotion of the laws of the country The conduct of the Indians throughout the country, during the pat year, with hut few noteworthy exceptions, has been orderly and peaceful. The guerilla warfare carried on for two years by Victorio and bis band ol ■outhern Apaches has virtually come to an end by the death of that chief and munt of his followerB, on Mcxican soil. The disturbances canBed on oor northern frontier by Btttini; Buil and his men, who had taken refute in the Biitish dominions, are also likely to cease. A litrge majorlty of his followers have surrendered to our military forcee, and the remainv . r .rd apparently in progress of disiniegration. 1 concur with the aecretary of the interior in expresaing the earnest hupe that coogrent vill at thiw Besaiun tuke lavorable action on he bill proviiiinK tor the aliotuient of lanch n the different reaervations in ncveralty to Ihe Indiana, with patenta oonferring fec-simple title inalienable for a certain period, ai d the eventual diaposition of the residuo of the reservations for general settUment, with the consent and for the benefit of the Indiane, placing the latter ander the eqaal protection of tbe lawsof the country. TIn measure, together with a vigorous prosecution .l our education 1 efforts, will work the moot important and cJïectivö advance toward tbe Bolution of the Indian prol lem in preparing for the gradual merging of our Indran population in the great body of American citizenship. THE POBLIC LANDS. A ' rge increase is rcported in the disposal of ..blic landfi for settlement during the past year, which marks the propperous growth of or agricultural industry and a vigorouH movement oL popalation toward oar unoecupiei lftndn. As this movcmqnt proceeds the codification of our land lawn, as well as proper legislation to regálate the disposition of public laudo, become of more pressing necev ity, and 1 therefore invite the coneidcration of congieas to the report and the accompanying draft of a bilí made by the public land commiKsion, which were communicated by me to congres at the laat nession. Early action uoon this important subject is highly desirable. The attention of congress is again aeked to the wasteful deprcdations cummitted on uu public timber-lands, and the rapid and indiscrimínate destrnctioa of oar foresta. The urgent necesfiity for legilation to thia end is now generally recognized. ín view of the lawless character of the deprcdations committed and the dinastrons consequences which will inevitably follow their continuance, legislatiun has agaín and again been recommended to arrest the evil, and to preserve for the people of our wea'ern staten and territories the timber ceeded for domestie and other essential nscs. OKOLOO1CAI. KL'KVKT. The report of the director of the geological ftuivey is a document of riufiual intereBt. The "consoliclation of the varioua geological and geugraphical Burveys and exploring enterj-riBe, eech of which baa heretofore operated idependent plan, without concert, canuoc il to be of great benefit to all those industrien of the country which depend upon the development of our mineial resources. Thn labor of the scientitic men of recognized merit who componu the corpa of the geological survey during the firet seuson of their field operationa and inquiriea, appear to have been very cumprehensive, and will goon be corarannioated to cungrens in a numuer of volomen. The director of the survey lecommemln that the inveatigationa carried on hy his bureau, which ao far have been confincd to the so-cailed public land atate and territories, be extended over the entire country, and tbat the necessary appropriation be made for tuin purpose. This would be partixularly beneticial to the iron, cosl and other mining interest of the Misaifisippi valley, and of the castern and Boathern atatea. The aubject is commended to the oaref ui consideration of congres. FUBLIC BUIIDIMQS. The sccretary uf the interior aaka attention to the want of room in the public buildings of the capítol now existing and in progresa of construction, for the accommod - tion of the clerical forcé employed and of the public record. Necessity has cotnpelled the renting of private building in different part ef the city for the locaüonof publio offices, for which a large amoant of rent i annually paid, while the separation of offices belongiog to the aanc departmcnt irapixie the trantaotion of current business. The socretry suggest that the block surrounding Lafayette pquare on the eat, north, and west, be purchased as the sites for ccw edifices for the accommodation of the government oiHces, leaviau the square itkelf intact; and that if such buildings were comtructtd npi.u a harmonious plan of arohitectarc, they would ld much to the beanty of tbe national capitul, and would, together with the tieasury and the new statei avy, a rul wnr depnrtmnt building, form one of the mout impobiLR gronps of pnbficocüfices in the world. AQ3ICULTUKAL MATIERS. The oommiftfinucr of ngriculture exurRe the confideot iielief tbat tiin effortn in b.n.l' of tho produeïion of om on Mit{ur anii Te:i have b-en rnconrugingly rewardd. Tbc imlüitauo ï of the lesuitn attaint 1 hT4 :;ttrac ed markt1 attentiun ub in. in , nud 1 uvrccoivid the Bpecial ooDftidcntion ot íu o gv natictin. KÚCOdMfnl cuït;v.tii f ur owii t , aud the mauufacture f -m vn attgaX, wuuld tnake adifferenco ol mui. m..lions of dollars aunurtUy in the wcalth of thfl nat i on. Tl e report of the oonualttiooi skn attention particularij" to the continuad prev iif au .iufectiouh and coiitagums cattictii cn-e. ■taown and dreaded in Barope and Aam .attle plagueT or pleurt -ueaiuonii. A mijd type of tiiis Hipease, in ler'ain leotioim of our countrf , U Iko ucvasiou "i icit Iokr to .ur fainurs, and or fctiour diturt;aneo to noi trado with Grcat lirituin, whiob Carniitrta p market tol niüst of our live sto.k i u - meiU. 'J'he value of ncat c-ttJe cxpi i v f r in the United States for tbc eijjht mmr iv ('Ttd"H August 31, 180, waf, more 'han íl, IMK),000, and bearlv doub e the vuluc for ibe pome perlod in 1-.79, an unexiin; led Ín oi of export trade. Your early attention is boIicited to thia important mat'er. EDCCATIO2Í The commUBiuue of eau catión reports n otjntinued iniTcaae of paoiic interest in edu cational üfïair-, and that the public POQool eiiorhlly tbruughuut tüe country are weU uutaiaed. lada trial training i attraotiag dppcrvid uitent ion, ar.d collies fot iuRtruotion, 'heoret cal and praiica), in egriultuie ai d tbc meobanic arts, incluían; the goTecnmcut Rchouls reccntly Htabliabdd for tLu u Btrucion of ludían jouth, are iaining Bteadily in public f&timutitm. T;ie oom mi aio& er hhIir spetuil attention to the dijredationr oommitra on the Isoda reseived iot the fuinre fiuy port of panÜQ [nsttnoUon, and to tht Vi ry griat need of helt front the nation for sohpola Ín ibe totritcrLes ur.d iu the southerij attttcR. 'Ihcrecommer.dutioi htrotoiorc wade, is repeated and urged, that n ehcttional fund bO Hft apart from the net prOCOB II ot the sules of tbe public iai ds anuuully, itie incume ■)f whioh, and thereniainucr oi :.ec nnnual proceeds to bo dielribulcd on r me öatisl.ictory plan to the ptatee and territoiien and the O.Btrict of Oolambii. tht: district of colujibia. The bqcccbb of the pubJic schools ; the Díbtrict ot' tJolumbia, aud ihe p rog r eau made, under Uw intolUgi nt d i rectum of the boaid cl educuion and the superintendent, in Bttppljiug iho educational rcquircinents of the dis trict, with tboroughly trained aud fñoieui (eaeLern, ïb very gratifyint The c;h ot oon gress, from time tj time, dunatin puliJic iands lo the seveial tatos and territories in aid of iduoatiuaaL inter.ts, have provcd tn bt WLBe mcasuros of public policy. resuiiinK in great and la&iiug benefit. It would Beem to be a mutter oí simple justice to extend tl.e bfnctitft of tuis legiftJatior, the wisdom ei wbich han been so f nlly vindicaicd b experieDCc, to the Uistricï of Columbia. I agaín coaimnd tbe general iutercut-B ol the District of Culumbia to the favorable ronaideratitin of conrePB. The hff&irs of tl e Diatrict, as shown by the report of the ooznmissionera are iua vory Ratifactory coudition. lu my anoual mcsaages heictofore, and i na y special mesfi.-ige ui December 19, 1879, harj irged upon the attention of conrcaa th necesRiiy ot rcclaiiuing the mainhcn 1 the Po toraac adjai ent to the capital, and 1 ani con atrained by itn imporiancc to advert aguiu t the hu ject. Tnese flits eutbrace au área i several hundied acres. Thoy are au imped meut to the tdrainnge of the city, aud deiiousl i m pair itH i.oali h. It is behtveü thai, wit th'.s Bubhtatial improvement of i;s r ve front, tho capital wou ld be, in ali reipecta one of th'J m et uttraotive cilien in tl;e worl Anide f rom its permauent po}'iiltitioD, tbi city ia nccessarüy tlie place of renidence o pe."t=ona from every vection ff tbe country, en gaged in the pnbJio service. Man y oth rs rt Bidé here temporarily, for the tratifaotiun u busintns with the goyernment. lt shoald noc be t'orgoiteu thut tbe 'nnd oc quired will probnily be worth íhe. üoat of ie claiming it and that tbe Dayigation of th river ill ie grcatly iuipn.ved. I thertf.r again inYÏte the attention of congr: sh tp-the importance of prompt provisión f er thih mach-needed and too long delayed improTfiment. The water suyply of the city is inadequate In addttion to the ordinary use tbroiiuul the city, the consumption by govertjmeut i Deccssurily very reat in the navy yard, ais-n al ard the various dcparínKiits, aed a lar qoRnlity is required for the prupei (reseiva liun ot' the immerous paiks ai.d the cleansiu of sowers. I recummend that this sul j , receive the eQrly nttention of coiigicbs, uu( that in makin provisión for an inoi supply, sucb means adoptml as will hvo in view the future growlh of the cily. Temperar}' expedienta for such a purpoae caitnot but be wasteful of muney, and therefore unwUe. A more ampie reservoir, with corrpspondiuii facilitien lor keepirR it rilii d, should, in n.y judgement, be construct&d. 1 eommend a..-.ir. to the attention ut corgr. f.k the BuMecl of :k removal, f rom tbeir present Jocation, ot :fce depots of th F-vernl railroan entering the city; and 1 renew the iect_uimeridafioi:fi of my former messases in bchalt' ot the ercctiou of a building for the congitfbioual library; the cojvplction of the Washington monument; and of liberal appropriation.i in support of the benevolent, reformatory ar d Fcna' inati tutions of tut) District. Execdtive Mansion, Dcember 6, 188.',