The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-12-11
FREDERICK w. BAKER, Editor.
The Presidents Message.

few of the members remain to listen to the
delivery ofPresidential messages, preferring
to read them in print, but the interest in this,
the first message to Congress from a Demo-
cratic President for quarter of century,
was so great that the most of the members
remained quietly in their seats and listened
to the long document with the greatest at
tentiOn
President Cleveland evidently regards him
selfas the representative ofDemoCratic policy
as laid down in the national Democratic plat
form, to which he committed himself in his
letter ofacceptance, and the views he express
es in his message are in accord Herewith.
The message shows ample preparation and
clear, definite views on the part of the Presi-
dent on every subject touched upon in
it. The document dispels the gloomy
forebodings ofRepublican orators ard news
papers, during the Presidential campaign,
that general chaos in business affairs would
follow the advent of Democratic admins
tration. The message gives assurance to the
business and industrial interests of the coun-
try that no legislation will be sanctioned by
President Cleveland that will disturb bust
ness or distress labor The President, at the
same time, is positive in his recommendations
for proper revision the tariff, so that bur-
densome taxation upon the necessares of
life may be reduced, while at the same time
American labor may be protected against ru.
nous competition with cheap foreign labor.
The paper is long, but it treats ofmany sub
jects, and all with admirable force and luci-
dity.
The message opens with a feeling allusion
to the death of Vice President Hendricks
Other topics are referred to, as follows:
Our foreign relations continue to be friendly.
On this point he mentions the negotiations In
progress with other governments, and praises the
ofhcers and men engaged in protecting American
interests in the Central American war last
spring.
he gives his reasons for withholding from
congress the proposed treaty with Nicaragua for
canal through the territory of the latter at the
sole cost OF the United States, on the ground that
the sole ownership of such a canal outside of our
own territories might bring us into conflict with
foreign nations.
The message refers with regret to the recent
outbreak against the Chinese in wyoming Terri
tory, where numbers of unotfendng Cinnamon
were murdered by mob, and declares that all
to maintain the amplest good faith toward China
IN the treatment of these men, and the inflexible
sternness of the law in bringing the wrong doers
to Justice should be insisted upon
Inc case OF Julio Il. Santos. citizen of the
united States, unlawfully arrested and imprison-
ed by the authorities of Ecuador, is mentioned.
After an elaborate correspondence Santos was re-
leased.
On the American hog question the President
says:
II regret to say that the restrictions upon the
int IN
Notwithstanding the abundant demonstration of
the absence of sanitary danger in its use; but /
entertain strong hopes that, with better under
standing of the matter, this vexatlous prohibit
ton Will be removed. 1t would be pleasing IN he
ape TO say as much with respect to Germany,
ducts are absolutely excluded. without present
prospect of reasonable change"
Inc marked good will between the United
states and Great Britain is alluded TO. The Arc
nc exploring steamer Alert, which was given BIZ
her Majesty's government to aid in the relef IL
tne freely expedition, was, after the successful
to Great Britain.
The government of Hayti has made nrov;siop
LOT ;auJusting the losses by American citizens
during the late instruction. The case of Van
MED the same relief afforded native debtors was
the subject of contention with Hayti, but while
leased. " was io
Our relations with Mexico continue cordial.
our good relationship with Russia continues.
An officer OF the navy, detailed for the purpose.
is now on his way to Siberia bearing the testi,
monials voted by Congress to those who gamer
9asry succored tne survivors of the unfortunate
IS gratifying to advert to the cordialitv OF
our intercourse with Spain.
The President refers to the inadenuscy ne nv
lstlng laws touching naturalization
ne opposes certain commercial treaties with
tbat Spun sb american neighbors on the ground
Snat lhe advantage is all on their side the United
states surrenderinR more than is gained
d me urges recastng of the appropriations for
diplomat1cService, a system of consular inspec-
tlon, the appointment of limited number of sec
retaIles OF legation at large and authorization for
as attaches at legations
Inc report or the Secretary of the Treasury, he
ended S9Tw ns ne s ordinary receipts the year
es9,Ib3 81 less than for the year previous. More
man one-half of this falling Off was in the re-
celpts from customs and nearly all of the remain
der IN the receipts from internal revenue,
On the subject of a reduction of the revenue
the President says:
Justlce and fairness dictate that in any modi-
ncatlon OF our present laws relating to revenue
the industries and interests which have been en'
couraged by such laws and in which our citizens
ma t large Investments. should not be ruthlessy
INJURED or destroyed. We should also deal with
the subJect In such manner as to protect the in
terests OF American labor which is the capital of
our worklnemen; its stability and proper re-
fn turnsh the most justabe pretext
within these limitations a certain reduction
snou,a pc made IN our customs revenue. The
amount OF such reduction having been determine
ed, me inquiry follows, where can it best be re-
nltted ana what articles can best be released
IRON duty, IN the interest OF our citizens
Il think the reduction should be made in tho
revenue derived from tax upon the imported
cost of vn OF IRE. we thus directly lessen the
eost OF nvlng IN every family of the land and re-
least 10 inc people In every humble home larger
mg Tha pre 81 the reward Of frugal industry
ana coinage as OF the hrst Importance
The desire to utilize the silver product of the
country, he says, should not lead TO n misuse
or perversion of this power" " niiSuSo
me right OF Congress to purchase silver to coin
INTO collars is questioned !; but granting the right,
the necessity of making further purchases 70 add
10 the 2l5,I59,43l silver dollars in existence today
u assumed to be negatiyed by the fact that up to
the present time but 50,000,0OO of silver dollars
have been gotten into circulation leaving over
l6o,Uo'oo0 OF them in the custody of the govern
ment +, Every month" says the President put
ting the absurdity of the Bland act i'm strong
lght, two millions of gold in the public treasury
are paid out for two millions or more of silver
dollars, 10 be added to the idle mass already ac-
cumulated." From many points Of view the
cohunued coinage of the standard dollar is shown
10 be not only useless, but inexpedient and dan
Eerous. the Presidents very able discussion of
me matter is closed with Recommendation that
Inc compulsory coinage of silver dollars direct
ed mpy the act OF February, 1878. be suspended
me coast survey bureau, he says having a
pace IN the appropriations made by Congress-
mas graduay taken to itself powers and objects
not contemplated in its creation, and extended jts
operations until 1t sadly needs legislative atten-
uon. lie thinks the coast survey work should
oetransterred 70 the Navy Department.
He mentions the operations of the army on the
frontier and says the fact that in force of "a 7O5
SnhStSu ihSn anu @,lD4 OHlcerS therO l4.lTg
trials by court-martia last year is adverted to
WITHOUT commentator. and the remark is added
that 81 the ideas of Justice presented in some of
the cases examined are the ideas that generally
prevail In these tribunals the honor and honesty
OF Ine army demand that they be reformed
Inc signal service IL is suggested should be
separately established and transferred from the
ments. ~ ~ ep"'
The President subscribes he artily to Secretary
Wblineys recommendations in respect to a re-
organization of the navy. On this topic he is very
emphatic: " '
III we desire to build ships for present useful
ness instead of naval reminders of the DAYS that