y other means.

I suppose we are hardly justified in indulging the irritation and
indignation naturally arising from a contemplation of malfeasance to
such an extent as to lead to the useless destruction of these roads or
loss of the advances made by the Government. I believe that our efforts
should be in a more practical direction, and should tend, with no
condonation of wrongdoing, to the collection by the Government, on
behalf of the people, of the public money now in jeopardy.

While the plan presented by a majority of the commission appears to be
well devised and gives at least partial promise of the results sought,
the fact will not escape attention that its success depends upon its
acceptance by the companies and their ability to perform its conditions
after acceptance. It is exceedingly important that any adjustment now
made should be final and effective. These considerations suggest the
possibility that the remedy proposed in the majority report might well
be applied to a part only of these aided railroad companies.

The settlement and determination of the questions involved are
peculiarly within the province of the Congress. The subject has been
made quite a familiar one by Congressional discussion. This is now
supplemented in a valuable manner by the facts presented in the reports
herewith submitted.

The public interest urges prompt and efficient action.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 23, 1888_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith the first report of the board of control created by
the act of Congress approved August 4, 1886 (24 U.S. Statutes at Large,
p. 252), for the management of an industrial home in the Territory of
Utah, containing a statement of the action of the board in establishing
the home and an account of expenditures from the appropriation made for
that purpose in the act above mentioned.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 30, 1888_.

_To the Senate_:

I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the
21st of December last, a report from the Secretary of State, in relation
to Midway Island.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 7, 1888_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit, with a view to its ratification, a declaration, signed
December 1, 1886, and March 23, 1887, for Germany, by the delegates of
the powers signatories of the con