rience seemed to fit them
for the work of interpreting and applying the new statute. The chief aim
of the law is to secure honest valuations of all dutiable merchandise
and to make these valuations uniform at all our ports of entry. It had
been made manifest by a Congressional investigation that a system of
undervaluation had been long in use by certain classes of importers,
resulting not only in a great loss of revenue, but in a most intolerable
discrimination against honesty. It is not seen how this legislation,
when it is understood, can be regarded by the citizens of any country
having commercial dealings with us as unfriendly. If any duty is
supposed to be excessive, let the complaint be lodged there. It will
surely not be claimed by any well-disposed people that a remedy may be
sought and allowed in a system of quasi smuggling.

The report of the Secretary of War exhibits several gratifying results
attained during the year by wise and unostentatious methods. The
percentage of desertions from the Army (an evil for which both Congress
and the Department have long been seeking a remedy) has been reduced
during the past year 24 per cent, and for the months of August and
September, during which time the favorable effects of the act of June 16
were felt, 33 per cent, as compared with the same months of 1889.

The results attained by a reorganization and consolidation of the
divisions having charge of the hospital and service records of the
volunteer soldiers are very remarkable. This change was effected in
July, 1889, and at that time there were 40,654 cases awaiting attention,
more than half of these being calls from the Pension Office for
information necessary to the adjudication of pension claims. On the 30th
day of June last, though over 300,000 new calls had come in, there was
not a single case that had not been examined and answered.

I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary that adequate and
regular appropriations be continued for coast-defense works and
ordnance. Plans have been practically agreed upon, and there can be no
good reason for delaying the execution of them, while the defenseless
state of our great seaports furnishes an urgent reason for wise
expedition.

The encouragement that has been extended to the militia of the States,
generally and most appropriately designated the "National Guard," should
be continued and enlarged. These military organizations constitute in a
large sense the Army