The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,

| greSS To-Day, opens Win d teuuef al
fusion to the recent death of Vic,
President Hendricks and references
to his distinguished public services
integrity and devotion to duty.
A general survey shows that oul
relations with foreign powers con
tinues TO be friendly. There are nj
questions of difficulty pending with
any foreign government. Allusion
is made to the appointment of Mr
Kelly as Minister to Austria and re
iected by that country. The rea
sons advanced by Austria asking
for the withdrawal of Mr. Kelly
we're such as could Dot be acquies
ced in by the President without
violating his oath of office. He mas
raade no new nomination and the
interests of the Government al
Vienna are now in the care OF the
Secretary of Legation.
Concerning an Isthmian ship
canal. the President says the inter
ests of the United States in a practi-
cal transit for ships across the 18th
mus las been repeatedly manifested
during the last half century. and
whatever highway may be construc-
ted across the barrier must be for
Ike worlds benefit, a trust of man.
kind to be removed from the chance
Of domination by any single power
uor shall it become a point for invi-
tation for hostilities, or prize for
warlike ambition. Toward such re-
alization the efforts OF bis admins
tration will be applied.
The Chinese question in the Wes-
tern States, despite restrictive legis-
lation, is far from satisfactory but
all the power of the Government
should be exerted to maintain the
utmost good faith toward China in
the treatment of emigranIs from that
country.
On the fishery question the Presi-
dent recommends that Congress pro-
vide for a commission in which the
government of the United States and
Great Britain shall be represented,
charged with the settlement of the
entire question of the fisheries rights
of the two countries.
He urges legislation to make the
recently concluded commercial trea-
ty with Mexico effective
OF international copyright he says
action is certainly desirable to bring
about the object in view.
The inadequacy of legislation
touching citizenship and naturaliza-
ton is brought to the attention of
Congress. 1t is importpnt that the
right of alien domicil as distin-
guished from Federal naturalization
be defined.
He urges a recast of appropria-
tions for the consular and diplomat
ic service on a footing commensur-
ate with the importance of our ma
tional interests, and advocates sys
tenn of consular inspection.
In reviewing the reports and rec
concentrations off cabinet officers,
the President first takes up the re-
port of Secretary Manning and dis
cusses the tariff and currency and
coinage question. On the tariff he
SAYS:
The fact that our revenues are in
excess of the needs of an economical
administration of the government
justifies a reduction in the amount
exacted from the people for its sup
port. Our government is but the
means established by the will of a
free people, by which certain prin-
ciples are applied which they have
adopted for their benefit and pro-
lection and it is never better ad
ministered and its true spirit is
never better observed than when the
peoples taxation for its support is
scrupulously limited to the actual
necessity of expenditure and distri-
buted according to just and equit-
able plan. The PROPOSITION with
which we have to deal is the reduc-
ton of the revenue received by the
Government and indirectly paid by
the people for custom duties. The
question of free trade is not involv-
ed, nor is there now any occasion
for the general discussion of the
wisdom or expediency of a protec-
tive system. Justice and fairness
dictate that in any modification of
our present laws relating TO revenue,
the industries and interests which
have been encouraged by such laws,
and in which our citizens have large
investments, should not be ruthless
ly injured or destroyed.
We should also deal with the SUBJ
ject in such manner as to protect
the interestsof American labor, which
is the capital of our workingmen !:
its stability and proper remunera-
ton furnish the most justifiabla pre-
text for a protective policy. Within
these limitations a certain reelection
should be made in our customs rev.
enue. The amount of such reduc-
ton having been determined, the in