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

care distress clJlZenS and C0nInunlJles,
that from the fu1lness of its treasury it should
upon the slightest possible pretext of promoting
the general good, apply public funds to benehG
of localities and individuals nor can it be denied
that there is a growing assumption that as against
the government and in favor of private claims and
interests, the usual rules and limitations OF bust
ness principles and just dealing should be waived,
these ideas have been unhappiy much en-.
couraged by legislative acqulescence. ReleE
from contracts made with the government Is TOO
easily accorded in favor OF the citizen The falI-
IRE to support claims against the govern
ment by proof IS often supplied by on
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 condi-
ton OF the applicant or for reasons less yald ana
large sums are expended for public buildings and
other improvements upon representations scarce
y claimed to be related to public needs and nee
eSSitieS. The extent to which the consideration
of such matters subordinate and postpone
ton upon subjects of great public Importance but
involving special, private or partisan interest
should arrest attention and lead TO reformation
LEGISLATION.
4 few of the numerous illustrations of this con-
ditOn may be stated: The crowded condition Of
the calendar of the supreme court and the delay
to suitors and denial Of justice resulting there
from, has been strongly urged upon the attention
Of the congress with plan for the relief of the
situation approved by those well able to judge of
its merits While this subject remains without
effective consideration many laws have been
passed providing for the holding of terms of in
ferior courts at places TO suit the convenience of
ton for the erection OF new public building
Repeated recommendations have been submitted
for the amendment and change of the laws re-
latng to our public lands, which have been used
otherwise than for homes of honest settlers might
be prevented; while measure to meet this conced
ed 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 individuals have been allowed plan in
aid of Indian management, recommended 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 railroad corpo-
rations 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 post Office 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 purposes is not apparent.
revision of our pension laws could easily be made
which would rest upon just principals and pro-
vide for every worthy applicant. But while our
general pension laws remain confused and imper
feet, hundreds of our private pension laws are
annually passed which are the source of unjust
discrimination and popular Generalization.
Appropriation bills for the support Of the gov
eminent, are defaced by items and provisions to
meet private ends and it is freely asserted by re-
sponSible and experienced parties that a bill APP
prOpriating money for public internal improve
ment would fail to meet with favor unless it con-
tanned more for local and private advantage than
for public benefit. These statements can be
much emphasized by an ascertainment of the pro
upon its face its private character, of which
upon examination develops such motive power;
and yet the people wait and expect from their
chosen representatives such patriotic action as
viii advance the welfare of the entire country
and this expectation can only be answered by the
performance of the public duty with unselish
purpose; our mission among the nations of the
EARTH and our success in accomplishing what God
has given the American people to do, require of
those entrusted with the making and execution of
our laws perfect devotion above all other things
to the public good. This devotion will lead us to
strongly resist all Impotence OF constitutional
limitations of federal power, and to persistently
check the increasing tendency to extend the scope
of federal legislation into the domain OF state and
local jurisdiction upon the plea Of subscribing the
public welfare. The preservation of the partitions
between proper subjects of federal and local care
and regulations of such Importance under
the constitution which is the law of our very ex-
iStence that no consideration of eXpediency
sentiment should tempt US to enter upon doubtful
grounds. We have undertaken to discover and
proclaim the richest blessings of q free govern
ment with the constitution as our guide. Let us
follow the way it points out. 1t will not miSlead
us, and surely no one who has taken upon himself
the solemn obligation to support and preserve the
constitution can find justification or solace for
diSloyalty in the excuse that he wandered and
disobeyed in search of better way to reach the
public welfare than the constitution offers. What
has been said is deemed not inappropriate at
time when, from century'S height we view the
way already trod by the American people and at
tempt to discover their future path.
THE SEVENTH PRESIDENT
of the United States-the soldier and statesman
and at all times the firm and brave friend of the
people-in vindication of his course as the pro-
tector of the popular rights and the champion
of true American citizenship, declared the
ambition which leads me on is anxious
desire and fixed determination to restore
to the people unimpaired the sacred trust
they have confded to my charge, 10 heal the
wounds of the constitution and preserve it from
further violation, to persuade my countrymen so
far as | may, that it is not in splendid govern
ment supported by powerful monOpOlieS and arts
tocratical establishments, that they Will find hap
pineSS or their liberties protected but in a plain
system void of poInp, protecting all and granting
favors to none, dispensing its blessings like the
dewS of Heaven, unseen and unfelt save in the
freshness and beauty they contribute to produce.
1t is such government that the genius of peO-
pie requires, such one only answers which
States may remain for ages to come, united, pros
porous and free"
In pursuance of a constitutional provision re-
quiring the president from time to time to give to
the congress information Of the
STATE OF THE UNION,
I have the satisfaction to announce that the
year finds the United States in the enjoyment of do
nestle tranquility, and peace with all the nations.
Since my last annual message, our foreign rela-
tions have been strengthed and improved by per
Torrance of international government officers and
by new and renewed treaties of amlty, commerce
and reciprocal eXtradition of criminals These in
tern6tonal questions which still await settlement,
are all reasonably within the domain of amicable
negotiation, and there is existing subject of dis
pute between the United States and any foreign
power that is not susceptible of satisfactory adj
JuStment by frank, diplomatic treatment. The
questions between Great Britain and the United
States relating to the rights of
AMERICAN FISHERMEN,
under treaty and international comfy, in the ter
ritOrial waters of Canada and New Foundland,
regret to say are not yet satisfactorily adjusted.
These matters were fully treated in my message
to the senate of February 20, 1883, together with
which q convention, concluded under my author
ity with her majesty's government on the 18th
of February last for the removal of all causes of
misunderstanding was submitted by me for the
approval of the senate. This treaty having been
rejected by the senate | transmitted message to
congress on the 23rd of August last, reviewing the
transaction and submitting for consideration, GER
tain recommendations for legislation. concerning
the important questions involved. Iafterward, on
the 18th Of September, in response to resolution
of the senate, again communicated fully all the in
formation In my possession, as TO the action or
the government of Canada, affecting the COM
mercial relation between the dominion and the
United States, including the treatment of Ameri-
/ can fishing vessels In the ports and waters OF
British and North America. The communications
have all been published, and therefore opened the
knowledge of both houses of congress, although
two were addressed to the senate alone. Com
Inent upon, or repetition of their contents, would
/ be Superiuous and l am not aware that anything
| has since occurred which should be added
! 10 the facts therein stated, therefore, l merely
| repeat applicable to the present time the
statement which will be found in my message to
the senate of September II last, that since
March Sd, 1897 no case has been reported to the
department of state, wherein complaint has been
made of unfriendly unlawful treatment Ameri-
fishing vessels on the part OF Canadian
authorities, in which PREPARATION was not promptly
and satisfactorily obtained by the United States
Consul General at Halifax.
/ Having esSayed in the discharge of my duty to
procure by negotiation the settlement of long
standing cause OF dispute, and to remove a con-
slant menace to the good relations of the two
countries, and continuing to the opinion that the