Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-06
rAR1FF REVISION NEEDED.


that justice and equality to American citizenship
of all who realize that in this justice and equity
our government finds ITS strength, and1ts power
to protect the citizen and his property: Of all
who believe that the commended competence
and comfort Of many accord better with
the spirit of our institutions than colossal
fortunes unfairly gathered in the hands OF
a few; of all who appreciate that the for
bearance and fraternity among our people,
which recognize the value OF every American In
terest, are the surest guaranty Of our national
progress and of all who desire to see the products
of American skill and ingenuity in every market
of the world, with O resulting restoration OF
American commerce.
The necessity of reduction Of our revenue is so
apparent as to be generally conceded, but the
means by which this shall be accomplished, and
the Of direct benefit which shall result to our
citizens, presents controversy Of the utmost i'm
portance. There should be no scheme accepted
satisfactory by which the burdens of the people
are ONLY apparently removed. Extrayagant ap-
preparations OF the public money, with al thelr
demoraliZing consequences, should not be tolerated
either as a means of relieving the treasury of the
present surplus, or as furnishing pretexts for
resisting proper reduction in tariff rates. Exist
ing evils and injustice should be honestly recog-
nized boldly met and effectively remedied. There
should be no cessation of the struggle until plan
is perfected fair and conservative, toward existing
industries but which will reduce the cost to con-
sumers of the necesSarieS of Gfe while it provides
for our manufacturers the advantage of freer raw
materials and permits no injury to the interests
of American labor. The cause for which the bat
tie is waged, is comprised within lines clearly and
distinctly defined 1t should never be compro-
missed, it is the peoples cause.
THE GREAT LAKES.
1t is much to be desired that some agreement
should be reached with her majesty's government
by which the damages to life and property on the
great lakes may be alleviated by removing or
humanely regulating the obstacles to reciprocal
assistance to wrecked or stranded vessels. The
act of June 49, 1873 which offers to Canadian YES
sells free access to our inland waters in aid OF
wrecked or disabled vessels has not yet become
effective through concurrent action by Canada.
FRENCH CITIZENS.
The due protection of our citizens of French
origin or descent from claim of military service
in the event Of their returning to or visiting
France, has called forth correspondence which
was laid before you at the last session. In the alb
Sence of conventional agreement as to naturaZa-
tion which is greatly to be desired, this govern
ment sees no occasion to recede from the sound
position it has maintained, not only with regard
to France, but as to all countries with which the
United States have not concluded special treaties
GERMANY.
Twice within the last year has the imperial
household of Germany been visited by death, and
have fastened to express the sorrow of the PEG
pie and their appreciation of the lofty character
of the late aged Emperor William and their sym
pathy with the heroism under suffering of his son,
the late Emperor Frederick. renew my recon-
mendatiOn of two years ago for the passage of
bill for the refunding to certain German steam
ship lines Of the interest upon tonnage dues lie
galIy eXacted.
SAMOA.
On the 18th of April last laid before the house
OF representatives full information respecting our
interests in Samoa; and in the subsequent CORE
spondence on the same subject which will be laid
before you in due course, the history of events
in those islands Will be found.
CHINA.
In a message accompanying my approval on
the first day of October last, OF bill for the eX-
cluSion Of Chinese laborerS laid before congress
full information and all correspondence touching
the negotiation of the treaty with China concluded
at this capital the 18th day of March, 1885, and
which having been confirmed by the senate with
certain amendment, was rejected by the Chinese
government. This message contained recon-
mendatiOn that a sum of money be appropriated
as compensation to Chinese subjects who have
suffered injuries at the hands of lawless men
within our jurisdiction; such appropriation hav-
ing been duly made, the fund awaits deception by
the Chinese government. 1t is sincerely hoped
that by the cessation of the influx of this class Of
pressed wish of both governments, a cause of
Inkind feeling has been permanently removed.
JAPAN.
On the 9Th of August, 1887, notification was.
given by the Japanese minister at our capital OF
the adjournment of the conference for the reviS-
sion of the treaties of Japan with foreign powers,
owing to the objection of his government to the
provision in the draft of the jlriSdictional con-
vention which required the submission of the
criminal code of the empire to the powers III adj
vance of its becoming operative This notlhca-
ton was however accompanied with an assurance
ion
Notwithstanding this temporary interruption
of negotiation it is hoped that improvements may
soon be secured in the juriSdictional system as
respects foreigners in Japan, and relief dforded
to that country from the present undue and OPP
pressive foreign control in matters of commerce.
| earnestly recommend that relief be provided for
the injuries accidently caused to japanese sub
jects in the island Ikisima by the target practice
Of one of our vessels.
1 announce with sincere regreat that Hayti has
again become the theatre of insurrection, disor.
der and bood-shed. The titular government OF
President Saloman has been forcibly over-thrown
and he was driven out of the country to France,
where he has since died. The tenure of power has
been so unstable amid the war of factions that ha;
ensued since the expulsion of President Saloman,
that no government constituted by the will OF
the Haytien people has been recognized as admin
terng responsibility the affairs of that country
Our Representative has been instructed to abstain
from interference between the warning factions.
and vessel of our navy has been sent to HaytleD
waters, to sustain our minister, ana Tor the pro
lection Of the persons and property of American
citizens. Due precautions have been taken to en-
force our neutrality laws, and prevent our terri
tory from becoming the base OF military supplies
for either of the warning factions. Under color
of blockade, of which no reasonable notice had
been given, and which does not appear to have
been efficiently maintained, a seizure of vessels
under the American flag has been reported, and
in consequence measures to prevent and redress
any molestation of our innocent merchantmen
nave UGH duOpCSu
HAWAII.
Proclamation was duly made on the 9th day Of
November, 1887, of the conventional extensions OF
the treaty of June g. 1875, with Hawaii, under
which relations of such special and beneficent in
tercourse have been created.
MEXICO.
The wisdom of concluding treaty of CONNER
cial reciprocity with Mexico has been heretofore
stated in my messages to congress, and the lapse
Of time and growth of commerce with that close
1c+ 1rIfC
expressed The precise relocation of our boun-
Diary line is needful, and adequate appropriation
is now recommended.
HONOLULU.
In the vast field of Oriental commerce, now I'M
folded from our Pacific borders, no feature pre-
Sents a stronger recommendation for congress
Sional action than the establishment of commun-
cations by submarine telegraph with Honolulu.
The geographical position Of the Hawaiian group.
in relation TO Pacific states, creates natureI
interdependency and mutually interest, which
our present treaties were intended to foster, and
which make close communication a logical and
commercial necessity.
BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
1t is with sincere satisfaction that l am enabled
to advert to the spirit of good neighborhood and
friendly cooperation and Cancellation that has
marked the correspondence and action of the
Mexican authorities in their share of the task OF
maintaining law and order about the line of our
dispute between Costa RIGA and Nicaragua was
referred to my arbitration. By an award made on
the I'D of March last the question has been set
tied to the expressed satisfaction OF both partles
in interest
SOUTH AMERICA.
The empire of Brazil in aboiishng the last vest
Ige of slavery among Christian nations called
forth the earnest congratulations of this govern
ment in the expression of the cordial sympathies
of our people.
The claims of nearly all other countries against
Chill, growing out of her late war with Bolivia
and Peru, have been disposed of, either by arbi
90 t. he urerad 1llnn the