Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-12-11
The Pre.lden,,. Message.


Congress by President Cleveland is
full, explicit and well-reasoned EXPOSE
ton OF Democratic views in regard to
all the more important issues of the day.
Conservative i'm tone, 1t is at the same
time clear and decided on all points.
Long it had to be to touch even curse
rily upon the governments relations to
the many interests, domestic and for
eign, of fifty-five millions of people, but
it is nowhere diffuse and everywhere
sensible and practical. After feeling
reference to the sudden death of Vice.
President Hendricks, the President
brings into review the international in
terests of the United States, and is able
to make the gratifying announcement
that the relations Of the United states
with all foreign powers continue to be
friendly. No questions of grave diff
Guilty are pending with any foreign
government. The Argentine govern
ment has revived the long dormant
question of the Falkland Islands, and
Austria-Hungary has based objections
to receiving Mr.. Kelley as the represen-
tative of the United States at Vienna on
grounds that the President pronounces
VIII oily inadmissible. These are not,
however, incidents of character to inn
peril greatly our relations with these
governments. The interference of the
United States to quiet disturbances at
Panama and Aspinwall enhanced the
cordiality of our intercourse with the
United States of Colombia, and our sue
cesstul insistance upon the American
citizenship of Julio Santos has but in
creased the respect in which we are held
by the government of Ecuador. The
Nicaragua treaty, as looking to the &C.
QUESTION of the territory through which
the proposed Nicaragua canal would
pass, is pronounced impoliiic and in
consistent with proper observance OF
the precept of Washington, which dis
courages cntangling alliances with for
eign states. OF the routes of intcroce-
anic communications thus far discussed
the President prefers the Tchuantepec;
but whatever route may hereafter be
opened, he wishes it to be consecrated
TO the common use Of mankind. The
recent attacks in Wyoming and WASH
ington Territories by persons not citi-
zens of the United States upon inoffen-
siye Chinese laborers are regretted us
jeopardzing domestic peace and the
good relationship we have always
striyen TO maintain with China. The
Just attitude taken by our government
in regard TO the interpretation Of treat
les of naturalization will, it is hoped,
lead 10 satisfactory solution OF the
questions raised under this heal by the
recent action of Germany. Our relations
with Great Britain nave during The past
year been specially marked 10y good
will. The question Of the North Amer
lean fisheries will soon demand s"ttle-
ment, ami the fishing interests of Cam
ada aud the UniIcd States being init
mately rclalei to other general ques-
tons dependent upon COntigu!:y and
Intercourse, ii is recommended that
Congress appoint commission 90 act
with representatives of the British gov
| eminent in eiiec.ing IN arrangement
that shall be mutually satisfactory. Our
| intercourse with Mexico is becoming
closer every year. Railroads have been
built across the Rio Grande aud much
American capital is invested in Next
can enterprises. The pcrfecting of leg
| islation needed 20 make the lately con.
cluded commercial treaty with Mexico
effective is therefore recommended. The
projected treaties with Spain and Santo
Domingo do not SO favorablv impress
| the President by reason of their cover
ing only part o! nc triIlic with those
countries and involving the surrender
of large revenues by us for inadequate
consideration.
The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury showing surplus of revenue
ascertained and estimated for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1886, of about S70,-
600, 900, the President advises "reduc-
ton of the amount exacted from the
people," His words on this point are
few but explicit. "The proposition,
he says, "with which we have to deal
is the reduction of the revenue received
by the government and directly paid by
the people for custom duties. The ques-
ton of free trade is not involved, nor is
there now any occasion for the general
discussion Of the wisdom or eXpediency
of a protective system" He opposes
such action by Congress as would tend
to ruthlessly injure industries and in
terests which have been encouraged by
the protective features Of our present
tariff, nor does he look with favor upon
changes inconsistent with the interests
of American labor, but within these
limitations certain reduction should
be made in our customs revenue" AS
respects the classes of al ticles that
should first he freed from excessive tax
alton, the President says: 81 think the
reduction should be made in the reve-
nue. derived from tax upon the i'm
ported necessaries OF life. We thus di-
rectly lessen the cost of living in every
family of the land, and release to the
people in every humble home larger
measure of the rewards Of frugal indus
try" The silver problem is discussed
at some length, and with great clear
ness. The right of Congress to purchase