Brookings County sentinel. (Brookings, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1890, 1889-12-06
HARR|SON'S MESSAGE.
Views of the President ON Vari.
Gus Topics Of Public Interest
Given to Congress.
Tariff Inequalities Should Be
Remedied, But Without I'M
pairing Protection.
Territorial Government for Oklahoma
Recommendation Regarding
Alaska.
Congressional Control Of Elections, Subsidies
for Steamship Lines, Land Laws, Pensions
and Other Matters Considered.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
There are few transactions in the ad-
ministratiOn Of the government which
are 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 speaks
in these annual communications of the
president to congress.
Good will and cordiality have charac-
terized our relations and correspondence
with other governments and the year
Just closed leaves few international
questions of importance remaining un-
adjusted. No obstacle is believed to ex-
list that can long postpone the considera-
ton and adjustment of the still pending
questions upon satisfactory and honor
able terms.
THE PAN AMERICAN CONVENTION.
1t is matter of high significance and
no less of congratulation, that the first
year of the second century of our cOnsti-
tutional existence finds, as hOnored
guests within our borders, the represent
atives of all the independent states of
North and South America, met together
in earnest conference touching the best
methods of perpetuating and expanding
the relations of mutual interest and
friendliness extended among them.
That the opportunity thus afforded for
promoting close international relations
and the increased prosperity of the
states represented will be used for the
mutual good of all, / can
not permit myself to doubt.
The Recommendations of this mterna-
tional conference of enlightened states
men will have the attention OF congress
and it's cooperation in the removal OF
unnecessary barriers to beneficial inter
course between the nations of America,
but while the commercial results, which
it is hoped will follow this conference,
are worthy of pursuit and of the great
interest which they have excited, 1T IS
believed that the crowning benefit will
be found in the better securities which
may be devised for the maintenance of
peace among all American nations, and
the settlement of all contentious by
methods that Christian civilization can
approve.
INTERNATIONAL MARATIME CONFERENCE.
Another international conference, hav-
ing great possibilities for good has lately
assembled and is now in session IN this
capital. Invitation was extended by the
government under the act of congress
of July 8, 1888, to all maritime nations
to send delegates to confer touching the
revision and amendment of the rules
and regulations governing vessels, and to
adopt a uniform system of marine sig
nails. The response to This invitation
has been very general and very cordial.
Delegates from twenty-six nations are
present in the conference, and they have
entered upon their useful work with
great zeal and with an evident apprecia-
ton of its importance. The cooperation
of congress is confidently relied upon. 1t
is an interesting and unprecedented fact
that the two international conferences
have brought here the accredited repre-
sentativus of thirty-three nations.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.
1t this connection it may be noted that
all the nations of the Western hemls-
sphere, with one exception, send to
Washington ENJOYS extraordinary ana
ministers plenipotentiary, being the
highest grade accredited to this govern
ment. Our diplomatic agents should be
of the same rank. Certain missions
were so elevated by the last congress,
with happy effect, and l recommend the
completion of the reform thus begun,
with the inclusion also OF HAWAII and
Hayti in view of their relations to the
American system of states. also re-
commendst that timely provision be made
for extension to Hawaii of an invitation to
he represented in the international con-
ference now sitting at this Capitol.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
Our relations with China have the at
tentive consideration which their magni-
tude and interest demand. The failure
of the treaty negotiated under the ad-
ministration of my predecessor for the
further and more complete restriction OF
Chinese labor immigration and, with IL
the legislation of the last session OF con-
press. dependent thereon, leave some
Questions open which congress should
now approach in that wise and just
spirit which should characterize the re-
lations of the great and friendly powers.
While our supreme interests demand the
exclusion of laboring element when
experience has shown to be Incompatible
with our social life, all steps to compass
this imperative need should be accom-
panied with recognition OF the claim
of those strangers now lawfully among
us, 10 humane and just treatment.
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
The present state of affairs in respect
to the Samoan islands is encouraging.
The deliberations of the Berlin confer