I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior and the accompanying report, submitted by the governor of Alaska in compliance with section 5 of the act of May 17, 1884, entitled 'An act providing a civil government for…

To the House of Representatives: In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th of March, relative to the employment of substitutes in the Department of State, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State…

I transmit herewith a copy of the reply of the Attorney-General to the letter of the Secretary of State of December 15, 1885.

Wherever this reform has gained a foothold it has steadily advanced in the esteem of those charged with public administrative duties.

This cause is commended to the liberal care and jealous protection of the Congress.

This scheme for a reform in the methods of administering the Government is no longer an experiment.

To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th of February last, calling upon the Secretary of State for copies of all the correspondence relating to the claims of certain…

to authorize the purchase of a tract of land near Salem, Oreg., for the use of the Indian training school.

The subject is recommended to the favorable consideration and action of Congress.

To the Senate of the United States: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate in executive session of the 27th of January, I transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of State and the papers accompanying it, relating to the…

I return herewith without approval, and with a statement of my objections thereto, Senate bill No. 150.

If it be true that these are public lands, the declaration that they are so by enactment is entirely unnecessary;

It certainly seems to be such a transfer and relinquishment of all interests in the land mentioned on the part of the United States as to relieve the Government from any further concern therein.

If a law of Congress could, in the manner contemplated by the bill, change, under the Constitution, the existing rights of any of the parties claiming interests in these lands, it hardly seems that any new questions could be presented to…

Every possible question that can be raised, or at least that ought to be raised, in any suit relating to these lands has been determined by the highest judicial authority in the land.

Safety lies in noninterference by Congress with matters which should be left to judicial cognizance;

I transmit herewith a communication of the 5th instant from the Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft of a bill, prepared in the Office of Indian Affairs, 'for the relief of the Omaha tribe of Indians in…

To the Senate and House of Representatives:I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the report of the National Board of Health for the year 1885.