Morris tribune., 1888-12-05


all delusions, and no longer frightened
by the cry that their wages are en-
dangered by Just revision of our tariff
laws, will reasonably demand through
such revision steadier employment,
cheaper means of living in their homes,
freedom for themselves and their child
rem from the doom of personal servi-
tude, and an open door to their adj
vancement beyond the limits of labor
ing class. Others of our citizens whose
comforts and expenditures are measured
by moderate salaries and fixed incomes
will insist-upon the fairness and JUS
tice of cheapening the cost of necessa-
ries for themselves and their families.
Pension Vetoes.
The failure of claimants to support
Claims against the government by
proof is often supplied by no better
consideration than the wealth of the
government and the poverty of the
claimant Gratuities in the form of
pensions are granted upon no other real
ground than the needy condition of the
applicant, or for reasons less valid,
poses of public buildings and other inn
provements upon the representations
carefully claimed to be related to public
needs and necessities.
The extent to which the considera-
Eion of such matters should be subordl-
hate and postpone action upon the sub
jects of great public importane, but in
volving no special private or partisan
interest, should arrest attention and lead
to reformation.
Public Lauds.
Repeated recommendations have been
submitted for the amendment and
change of the laws relating to
the appropriation of our public
lands to other uses than for homes of
honest settlers might be prevented.
While measure to meet this conceded
necessity of reform remains awaiting
the action of the congress, many claims
to the public lands and applications for
their donation in favor of states and in
dividuals have been allowed. A plan in
aid of Indian management recommend
ed by those well informed as containing
valuable features in furtherance of the
solution of the Indian problem, has thus
far failed of legislative sanction, while
grants of doubtful expediency to rail-
road corporations permitting them to
pass through Indian reservations have
greatly multiplied.
The propriety and necessity of the
erection of one or more prisons for the
confinement of United States convicts
and postoffice building in the national
capital are not disputed, but these needs
yet remain unanswered. while scores of
public buildings have been erected
where their necessity for public pur-
poses is not apparent.
A revision of our pension laws could
easily be made which would rest upon
just principles and provide for every
worthy applicant. But while our gen
eral pension laws yet remain confused
and imperfect, hundreds of our private
pension laws are annually passed, which
are the sources of unjust discrimination
and popular decentralization.
Internal improvements.
Appropriation bills for the support Of
the government are defaced by items
and provisions to meet private ends, and
it is freely asserted by responsible and
experienced parties that bill appropri-
ating money for public internal improve
ment would fail to meet with favor
unless it contained more for local and
private advantage than for public bene-
| fit. These statements can be much
emphasized by an ascertainment of the
proposition of federal legislation which
either bears upon it's face its private
character, or of which upon examination
develops such a motive power.
At Peace with ALI Powers.
In pursuance of a constitutional pro-
vision requiring the president from time
to time to give the congress information
of the states of the Union, have the
satisfaction to announce that the close of
the year finds the United States in the
endowment of domestic tranquility and
at peace with all the nations. Since my
last annaul message our foreign relations
have been strengthened and improved by
| performance of international good Offices
and by new and renewed treaties of am
ity, commerce and reciprocal extradition
| of criminals.
Those international questions which
| still await settlement are all reasonably
within the domain of amicable nations,
and there is no existing subject of dis
pute between the United States and any
| foreign power that is not susceptible of
satisfactory adjustment by frank diplo-
matte treatment. The questions between
the United States and Great Britain re-
lating to the rights of American work
ingmen under treaty and international
comfy in the territorial waters of Can
ada and New England, regret to say are
not satisfactorily adjusted. These mat
ters were fully treated In my message to
the senate of Feb. 20, 1888, together with
such a convention, concluded under
my authority with her majesty's gov
ernment on the 10Th of February last
for the removal of all causes of misun-
derstanding, was submitted by me for
the approval of the senate. This treaty
having been rejected by the senate,
transmitted message to the congress,
on the 23d of August last, reviewing the
| transactions and submitting for consid-
Grafton certain recommendation for leg
islation concerning the important ques-
tions involved. aAfterward, on the 18th
1 of September, in response I'd resolution
| of the senate, l. again communicated
| fully all the information in my posses
sion as to the action of the government
of Canada affecting the commercial rela-
| ton between the dominion and the
/ United States, including the treatment
of American fishing vessels in the ports
and waters of British North America.
! The communications have all been pub
lished, and, therefore, opened to the
1 knowledge of both houses of congress,
although two were addressed to the SEN
ate alone. Comment upon or a repetition
of their contents would be superfuous,
and am not aware that anything has
since occurred which should be added to
! the facts therein stated.
To meet an exigency created by the re-
/ lection of the treaty now again invoke
the earnest and immediate attention of
the congress to the condition of this inn
portant question as it now stands before
/ them and the country, and for the settle
ment of which am deeply solicitous.
sackvil1e's Dismissal. -
Near the close of the month OF October
last, occurrences of deeply regretable
nature were brought to my knowledge
which made it my painful, but impsra-
4 tive duty to obtain with as little delay as
possible new personal channel OF diplo-
matte interc ,urss in this country with
/ the government of Great Britain.
The correspondence in relation to this
incident will in due course be laid before
i you and will disclose the unpardonable
| conduct of the official referred to in his
/ interference by advice and counsel with
4 the suffrages Of American citizens in the