Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-12-04
THE NJ ESSAGE.
PRESIDENT HARRISON IN AC-
CORDANCE WITH CUSTOM
DELIVERS HIS VIEWS 70 CONGRESS
We are at Peace with All Nations.
Have Commenced 90 Build
Navy--slust Treat the I'm.
dians and Negroes Bettcr.
To the Senate and House Of Represem-

tdtiTeS.:
There are few transactions in the
administration of the government
that are even temporarily 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 legislation find an earlier voice
than that which spreads in these an
nual communications of the president
to congress.
Good will and cordiality character
ize our intercourse with foreign ma
tions and all questions are in fair
wav to adjustment. He refers TO the
congress of South American sta1es as
matter of congratulation and hopes
for good results to follow this inter-
national conference. The maritime
conference isreferred to and the wish
expressed that congress will cooper
ate in giving the necessary legislation
to carry out their recommendations.
TWENTY-FIVE nations are represented,
. aking, with the international con-
eress, thirty-three nations now repre-
sented in these two conferences. tie
recommends that the diplomatic rank
of the agents of the government to
all of the American nations be made
of the rank of minister plenipotentl-
ary. In regard to China he advises a
wise and conciliatory course OF legis
lation. He refers to the Samoan con-
ference in Berlin and hopes the efforts
M de to adjust the questions will be
productive of the permanent estab.
| iishment of law and order in the Sa-
moan islands.
The questions which have arisen
between Great Britain and this coun
try in the past few days are in ABBEY
ance and in course of amicable adjust
ment. Canada has administered her
laws in regard to the fisheries so as
TO occasion as little friction as posi-
BILE, and the president recommends
that an international agreement be
made on a visible boundary line be-
tween the United States and Canada
in the narrow channels that join the
great lakes. 49,.
He saws a new extradition treaty
has lately been made with Canada,
and will soon be laid before the SEN
ate. For the benefit of commerce he
hopes the existing relations with Cuba
and Porto RIGA may be expanded. The
adjustment of pending claims between
the United states and Spain are not
as rapid as could be desired. The
claims of American citizens interested
in railroads in Peru and the Portu-
gese territory will be looked after. He
refers to the Nicarauga canal and
saws all obstacles in the way OF COM
mencing work have been removed
Our relations with France and Ger
many are very amicable. The new
constitution of Japan is referred to
as another evidence OF the rapid adj
vancement of that government. lie
saws the rights of naturalized citizens
will be protected in all countries. In
regard to the Brazilian republic
he saws it will be recognized as soon
rs the majority of the people show to
the world that they desire the
present change. The condition Of our
own country is prosperous. The
report of the secretary OF the
treasury for the year ending
June so, 1889, shows the aggregate re-
oeipts from all sources for the year
to be 1887 ,O5O, 05S 81, derived as follows:
From customs, 1928 S32, TAI go; from
internal revenue, $3.50 SS1.513.92; from
miscellaneous sources, S32, 33o. oo3. 70.
The ordinary expenditures Tor the
same period were 1921 1886, 6l5.60 and
the total expenditures, including the
sinking fund, were 1929, 570, $685.: The
excess of receipts over expenditures
was, after providing for the sinking
fund, $57, 40, 1859. For the current
fiscal year the total revenues, actual
and estimated, are $3S5, 900, DOC, and the
ordinary expenditures actual and estl-
mated. are $293. 1000, 900, making, with
the sinking fund, total expenditure
of s341 1921, $50, leaving an estimated
| surplus of $43. CTS, 1888 Of.
During the fiscal year there was APP
piled to the purchase of bonds, in adj
dition to those for the sinking fund,
500. Asst. 179.35, and during the first
quarter of the current year the sum
of 49,, 1888, 937.77, all Of which were
credited to the sinking fund. y
The revenues for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1890, are estimated by
the treasury department at 1886, 00o,-
0OO. and the expenditures for the same
period, including the sinking fund, at
s34l. 4sO, ATTIC. This shows an estl-
mated surplus for that year OF $40
569, 522 80, which is more likely to be
Increased than reduced when the
actual transactions are written up.
THE existence of SO large an actual
and anticipated surplus should have
the immediate attel ton OF congress
with a. view to reducing the receipts
of the treasury to the needs OF the
government as closely as may be:
The collection of moneys not needed
| for public uses imposes an unneces-
sary burden upon our people. ana the
presence of SO large a surplus IN the
public vaults is a disturbing, element
| ia the conduct of private business.
It has called into use expedlents for
puttine it into circulation OF very
questionable propriety. We should
not collect revenues for the purpose
| Of anticipating our bonds beyond the
requirements of the sinking fund, but
any appropriated surplus in the
treasury should be SO used, as there Is
no other lawful way of returning the
money to circulation, and the profit
recognized by the government offers
q Substantial advantage. The loan
ing OF public funds to the banks with
ont interest unon the security OF gov
eminent bonds / regard as an unau,
thorized and dangerous e1pedientY II
results in q temporary and unnatural
/ increase of the banking capital OF
/ favored localities and compels q eau