The great West., 1889-12-06
President HarrisOn's First An.
nual Communication to
Congress.
Tariff Revision with Reason
able Protection to Home
Industries IndOrsed.
Suggests the Minimum De-
pOsit of Bonds for Nation.
al Banks be Endorsed.

1oint session of congress to-day:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
&ives: There are few transactions in the ad-
nainistration of government even Temporal
rily held in the confidence of those charged
with, the conduct of the public business.
Every step taken is under the observation
of an intelligent and watchful people. The
state of the Union is known from day to
day, and suggestions as to needed legisla-
-tion find an earlier voice than that which
speaks in toese annual communications OF
the prcsi dent to congress. Good will and cor
diality have characterized our relations and
correspondence with other governments,
and the year just closed leaves few interna-
Gonal questions of importance unadjusted.
No obstacle is believed to exist that can
dong postpone the consideration and ad-
ilstment of the still pending questions
upon satisfactory and honorable terms. The
dealings of this government with other
states have been and should always be
marked by frankness and sincerity Our
purposes are avowed, and our methods free
from intrigue. This course has borne rich
fruit in the past and it is our duty as ma
stion to preserve the heritage of good repute
which a century of right dealing with
THE TWO GREAT CONGRESSES.
1t is matter of high significance and no
less of congratulation, that the first year of
tile second century of our constitutional
existence finds, as honored guests within
Independent states of North and South
America, met together in earnest confer
-ence touching the best methods of perpetu-
%l,o ,lo<., ~f,
Interest and friendliness extended among
4hen- That the opportunity thus afforded
1or promoting close international relations
and the increased prosperity of the states
represented will be used for the
mutual good of all, 1 cannot permit
myself to doubt. Our people will await
with interest and confidence the results to
dow from SO auspicious a meeting of allied
and in Large part identical interest. The
recommendations of this international con-
ference of enlightened statesmen will have
the attention of congress and its co-opera-
dion in the removal of unnecessary barriers
to the beneficial intercourse between the
nations of America, but while the COM
nscncial results which it is hoped will fol-
lew Tins conference are worthy of pursuit
and of the great interest they have excited,
Il is believed that the crowning benefit will
be found in the better securities which may
he devised for the maintenance of peace
AMONG ALL AMERICAN NATIONS,
and settlement of all contentious by meth
.ods that Christian civilization can ap-
prove While viewing with interest our
uatiMnal resources and products, the dele
gates will, am sure, find higher satisfac-
60n in the evidences of unselfsh friendship
Wh1cll everywhere attend the intercourse
sv1fh ssnr people. Another international
ecuimemce having greater possibilities for
gocE has lately assembled, and is now in
session in this capital Invitation
was extended by the government,
under the act of congress of July
Q, 1883 to all maritime nations to send del
egafes toConfer touching the revision and
amendment of the rules and regulations
'goxanAing vessels, and to adopt uniform
>9ysfsm uf marine signals. The response to
this invitation has been very general and
very cordial Delegates from twenty-six
aafions are present in the conference, and
they have entered upon their useful work
with great zeal and with an evident appre-
aaa6enrof its tsimportance. So far as the agree
nnens 70 be reached may require legislation
EreSs is confidently relied upon. 1t is
AH INTERESTING AND UNPRECEDENTED FACT
el,aes the two International conferences
have bought here the accredited represent
a4ivcs of thirty-three nations. Bolivia,
Ecuador and Honduras are now repre-
scented by resident envoys of the plenipo-
Tertiary grade. All the states of the Amer
ican system now maintain diplomatic rep
Ecsentation at this capital. In this connec-
ton it may be noted that all the nationsof
thew estern hemisphere, with one exception,
send to Washington ENJOYS extraordinary
and ministers plenipotentiary, being the
highest grade accredited to this govern
,ment. The United States, on the contrary,
sends ENJOYS of lower grade to all of
our sister republics. Our representative
i'm Paraguay and Uruguay is minister res
idcnt, while to Bolivia we send a minister
resident and consul general. In view of the
importance of our relations with the states
Of the American system, our diplomatic
agents in those countries should be of the
uni form rank of envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary. Certain missions
were SO elevated by the last congress with
happy effect, and I recommend the compile
&fon of the reform thus begun with the in
.elusion of Hawaii and Hayti, in view of
their relations to the American system of
states l also recommend that timely pro-
vision be made for extension to Hawaii of
an invitation to be represented in the inter-
national conference now sitting at this cap
,zfal.
The Presiden t-discusses the silver question
. and recommends caution in authorizing su-
.perabundant coinage; he animadverts upon
the difficulty experienced in enforcing the
a(hinese exclusion act on the northwestern
frontier; calls attention to coast defenses
.ou the eeaboard: suggests legislation
fpr .the better protec ton OF Judges
snud witnesses in United States courts, the
hack Of which was made apparent in the at
tfack upon Judge Field; considers the neces
rsify Of dealing with trusts and other enemies