The time is quite within recent memory when the same thing was said of immigrants who, with their descendants, are now numbered among our best citizens.

To the Senate: In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 24th ultimo, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State.

No feature of our pension laws is so satisfactory and just as a fair allowance to the widows of our soldiers who have died from causes attributable to their army service.

I am unable to discover any principle which justifies her restoration to that relationship upon the death of her second husband.

Her pensionable relation to the Government terminated with her remarriage.

I herewith return without approval House bill No. 1299, entitled 'An act to pension Harriet Woodbury, of Windsor, Vt.'

Our pension laws should deal with soldiers' widows.

A departure from this rule, even in aid of cases of hardship, can not fail to establish precedents inviting the abandonment of reasonable and justifiable pension theories.

I indorse the recommendation of the Secretary of State that Congress authorize the printing of a special edition of 10,000 copies.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:I transmit herewith, for the information of the Congress, a communication from the Secretary of State, covering the report of the Director of the Bureau of the American Republics for the year 1896.

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, covering the report of the joint commission on behalf of the United States and Great Britain, dated December 31, 1896, relative to the preservation of the fisheries in waters contiguous to the United States and Canada, as provided by the joint agreement between the United States and Great Britain dated December 6, 1892.