The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-05

European governments, and especially
by the government of Italy, for the ab.
olition OF our import duties upon works
OF art. 1t is well to consider whether
the present Determinations in favor OF
the productions of American artists
abroad is not likely to result, as they
themselves seem very generally to be
lieve it may, in the practical expulsion
OF our painters and sculptors from the
rich fields of observation, study and
labor which they have hitherto enjoy.
ed
THE TREATY WITH MEXICO.
During the past year the increasing
goodwill between our government and
that OF Mexico has been variously man
ifested. The treaty of commercial rec.
iprocity concluded January 20, 1888
has been ratified and awaits the neces.
sary tariff legislation of congress to be.
come effective. The legislation will,
doubt not, be among the first measures
to claim your attention. A full treaty
OF commerce, navigation and consular
rights is much to be desired, and such
a treaty have reason to believe that
the Mexican government stands ready
to conclude. Some embarrassment has
been occasioned by the failure of con-
gress at its last session to provide
means for the due execution of the
treaty of July 80, 1882, for the re-sur
vey of the Mexican boundary monu-
ments.
Concerning foreign trade Mr.. Ar
thur says One of the gravest of prob
lens which appeal to the wisdom of
Congress for solution is the ascertain
ment of the most effective means for
increasing our foreign trade and thus
relieving the depression under which
our industries are now lauguishing.
The secretary of the treasury advises
that the duty of investigating this sub
ject be intrusted IN the first instance to
competent commission. While fully
recognizing the considerations that
may be urged against this course, l am
nevertheless of the opinion that, upon
the whole, no other would be likely TO
effect speedier or better results.
IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORs.
The funds with which the works for
the Improvement of rivers and harbors
were prosecuted during the past year
were derived from the appropriations
of the act of August 2, 1852, together
with such few balances as were on
hand from previous appropriations.
The balance in the treasury subject to
requisition July 4, 1888, was Sl0,O21,-
649,55. The amount appropriated
during the fiscal year 1884 was 81 ,319,-
634.62, and the amount drawn from
the treasury during the fiscal year was
SS,22S,7 S,7O3.54, leaving a balance ofS3,-
l12,5sO.63 in the treasury subject to
requisition July l, 1884.
The attorney general reviews the
recommendation contained in the re-.
port OF last year touching the fees of
witnesses and jurors. He favors rad
ical changes in the fee bill, the adop-
tion OF system by which attorneys
and marshals of the United States
shall be compensated solely by salaries
and the erection by the government Of
a penitentiary for the confinement of
offenders against its laws.
Of the various governmental con-
Germs in charge of the interior depart
ment, the report of lis secretary pre-
sents an interesting summary. Among
the topics deserving particular atten-
tion refer you TO its observations re-
specting onr Indian affairs, the pre-
emption and timber culture acts, the
failure of railroad companies to take
title to lands granted by the govern
ment, and the operations of the pen.
sion office, the patent office, the census
bureau and the bureau of education.
EXTENSION OF FOREIGN TRADE.
In the course of this communication
reference has more than once been
made to the policy of the government
as regards the extension of our foreign
trade. 1t seems proper TO declare the
general principles that should, in nv
opinion, underlie our national efforts in
that direction.
The main conditions of the problem
may be thus stated We are a people
apt in mechanical pursuits and fertile
in invention we cover a vast extent of
territory rich in agricultural products
and in nearly all the raw materials
necessary for successful manufacture 4;
we have system Of productive estab
lishmerts more than sufficient TO sup
ply our own demands the wages of
labor are nowhere else so great the
scale of living of our artisan classes is
such as tends to secure their personal
comfort, and the development of those
higher moral and intellectual qualities
that go to the making of good citizens.
Our system of tax and tariff legislation
is yielding a revenue which is in ex-
cess of the present needs of the gov
ernment, These are elements from
which it is sought to devise a scheme
by which, without unfavorably chang
ing the condition of TIE workingman.
our merchant marine shall be raised
from its enfeebled condition and new
markets provided for the sale beyond
our borders of the manifold fruits of
our industrial enterprises. The prob
lem is complex, and can be solved by
no single measure of innovation or re-
form. The countries of the American
continent and the adjacent islands are
for the United States the natural
marts of supply and demand. 1t is
from them that we should obtain what
we do not produce or do not produce
in sufiicency, and it is to them that
the surplus productions of our fields,
our mills and our workshops should
flow, under conditions that will equalize
Of favor them in comparison with for
pign composition.
RECIPROCAL COMMERCIAL TREATIES.
-Four paths of policy seem to point to
his end. FIRST q series of rpciDPO-