Tombstone epitaph., 1889-12-07
SILVER AND CHINESE.
President Harrison Against the Former and In
 Fayor of the Latter.

administration of the government even temporarily held in the conf dence of those in charge with the conduct of the public business. Every step taken is under the observation of an intelligent and watchml people. The state of the union is .lown from day to day and suggestions as to the needed legislation find daily voice, other than that of which speaks in | these annual communications of the | present congress. Good and cordial ties has characterized our relations, and the year just closed leaves few in- ternational questions of importance re- maining unadjusted. It is matter of higher significance and no less of con- graduation that the first year of the second century of our constitutional existence finds as honOred guests within our borders tbe representa- tives of all the indcpsndent states of North and South America, met to- | gether in earnest conference, touching the best methods of perpetuating and expanding the relation of mutual in terests and friendship extended among them. l CHINA.
 Our relations with China have the attention and consideration which their magnitude and interest demand. The failure of the treaty made under the administration of my predecessors, for the further and more complete re- striction of Chinese labor immigra- tion, and with it the legislation of the last session of congress dependent thereon have some questions which congress should now consider'in that wise and just manner which would characterize the relations of two great and friendly people, while the supreme interest demands this exclu- sion of laboring element which ex- perience has shown to be incompatible with our social life. The accession of the young emperor of China, marks, we may hope, an era of progress and prosperity for the great country over which he is called to rule.
 The present state of affairs in re- spect to the Samoa Island is encour- aging. The President then speaks of the conference held in Washington and Berlin between the representa- tives of this United States, Germany and Great Britain.
 THE SILVER QUESTION.
 The law requiring the purchase by the treasury of two million dollars worth of silver bullion each month to be coined into silver dollars of 4I25 grains, has been observed by the de- parmeut, but neither the present Sec rctary or any of his predecessors has deemed it safe to exercise d discretion given by the law to increase the monthly purchases to four, million dollars. When the law was enacted February 2S, 1878, the price of silver in the market was l20.4-l0 per ounce making the bullion value of the dol lar, g cents. Since that time the l price has fallen as low as 9I ,. cents per ounce, reducing the bullion value of the dollar to 70.6-IO cents. Within the last few months the market piice has somewhat advanced, and on the first day of November last, the bullion l value of the silver dollar was 72 cents. | The evil anticipated, which has ac- complished the coinage and use of the silver dollars has been realized. As | | coin it has not had general use and | the public treasury has been compelled | to store it; but this is maniestly ow- ing to the fact that a paper represen- tative is more convenient.
 The general acceptance and use of the silver certificates in place of the silver has not been otherwise discred- ited Some favorable conditions have contracted to maintain this practical equality on the commercial use be- tween the gold and silver dollars.
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