The Dickinson press., 1889-12-07
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
President IIarrlsOn's First Com.
municatiOn u Very COmprc.
hcnsive Document.
Reduction Of Surplus by a Low
er Tariff Needed-Indian
Policy Approved.
Congressional Control of Elections.
Territorial Government for Okla
.homa-Civil Service Reform.

W~ASElNGION, DeC. 4.-ALc pTebluelGS
message was read at the joint session Of
house and senate. The document o
tained over $4,000 words and its reading
occupied an hour and fifteen minutes.
Good will and cordially, Mr.. Harrison
says, characterizes our relations with
all foreign countries. The international
convention, now in session at Washing
ton, affords opportunities of still further
extending relations with South Ameri-
a states, and congress is asked to give
its cooperation in furthering such a re-
suit. The maritime conference is also
expected to bring the United States into
closer relations with European countries.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
In regard to diplomatic relations the
president recommends that our repre-
sentatives in South America b%cadvanced
to a rank corresponding to that of the
The failure of the negotiation of a Chi
nese treaty has left questions open which
congress should settle, especially the ex-
clusion of labor immigration. Samoan
affairs are i'll n satisfactory state. Ques-
tions between the United States and
Great Britain are in an encouraging way
to adjustment. The fisheries dispute
with Canada has been during the past
year marked by temperate action on both
sides. Questions regarding citizenship
of foreign born subjects naturalized in
America, continue to arise, notably in
France, Italy, Russia and Turkey.
Special conventions to settle for
ever all such difficulties are recon-
mended. Water boundary between the
United States and Canada should be
definitely fixed. Extraditable offense
list should he enlarged.
THE BRAZILIAN REVOLUTION.
The recent revolt in Brazil has not
interrupted friendly relations with that
country. Our minister there has been
instructed to fully recognize the republic
when n majority of the citizens have
voted for such a form of government.
REGARDING THE SURPLUS.
Report of the secretary of the treasury
shows receipts for 1889 exceed expendi-
lures S57 40, 12Y.5 80, for current year
$43, 6iS, 1888. OF. for 1891, estimated, 3d.
800, b22. 80. Existence of so large an
actual and anticipated surplus should
have immediate attention of congress-, to
reduce receipts of government to the eX-
penditures. Buying bonds at premium
is a questionable %expedient, but one
which is the only resort under present
conditions. Placing government funds
in national banks without interest is a
dangerous cxpedient for getting the
money in circulation and should be im-
mediately stopped.
LOWER PROTECTIVE TARIFF.
Revision of the tariff law is recon-
pended. The irregularities Of the law
should be adjusted but the protective
principle should be retained and applied
to farm products as well as manufao-
turns. The free list can safely be ex-
tended by removal of internal revenue
tax on tobacco, and, if safeguards
against fraud can be secured, the re-
moval of the tax on spirits used in the
arts would be desirable.
SILVER COINAGE.
The net increase of money in ~circula-
ton in the last decade has been $500, 224,-
1893. The total coinage of silver dollars
Nov. /. 1889, was S343, G3S, 0O1, of which
S293, $50, Del are i'll the treasury vaults.
Silver certificates for 1927 ,310, 044 of the
amount in vault are outstanding. No Sec
rotary of the treasury has deemed it ex-
pedient to increase the monthly purchase
Of bullion from the 50, 900 900 directed by
law to the 81, 100000 allowable. The
value of bullion used in Il silver dollar
has fallen in the past ten years from 90
cents to u cents. If silver is to be used
as a monetary medium the relative value
of gold and silver bullion must be ex-
pected to be taken into consideration in
commercial transactions. Such a result
would be discreditable to our financial
management and business interests. We
should not tread on such dangerous
ground.
COAST Defense.
We are practically without coast de-
tense. Our forts and other structures,
while good enough for the arms of the
day in which they We're made, would be
worse than no protection for the modern
guns now under construction for harbor
use. An appropriation for new works
at the most important points should be
made at once.
RIVERS AND HARDoRs.
Improvement of our important rivers
and harbors should not be allowed to
cease. A more systematic plan should
be adopted and the work pushed more
rapidly.
OUR COURTS.
The need of better protection for iur-
lists is shown in the Terry shooting case.
Business of the supreme courts would
be expedited by the establishment of
an appellate court having final iurisdic-
ton in certain classes of cases. The SUI
preme court recommends this.
TRUSTS.
Congress should take such action as
they find they can to crush out monopolies
oNr, cn11ol f,,,,k, Tl.@ .,...-k
of a national bankrupt law would be de-
revised. No emigrant should be given
citizenship who is an enemy of social
order or who has taken oaths at variance
with our laws.
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
are approved, especially the plan of di-
shall include include instructions and
suggestions, and a rating of efficiency of
postmasters.
The report of the secretary of the navy
shows rapid improvement but no in
crease in the number of naval vessels as
the same number have been condemned
or lost as have been added. The country
needs more cruisers and congress should
make appropriations for them.
NDI QUESTION.
Substantial progress has been made In
Indian education and in allotment Of
lands. Such q course is an incentive tc
thrift and is contributing to settling the
problem of what shall be done with the
red man. Negotiations for opening q
portion Of the Sioux reservation and the
allotment in severalty Of the remainder
have been successful. It's ratification by
congress Is asked. The work of the
Cherokee commission has not yet
reached a conclusion.