Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The message opens with the pro lorna an
nouncement of the good will and cordiality
existing between this country aud other gov
Americas, now in session. touching the
best methods of perpetuating and expand
ing the relations of their mutual interest,
and hopes that the recommendations of the
conference will have the considerable atten-
ton OF Congress. He next refers to the
Maritime conference, also now 10 session,
and hopes that any agreement that may be
reached may have tbs cooperation OF Con-
presa He recommends that 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
uniform rank of envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary.
10 reference to Chinese immigration he
says: "Whle our supreme interests deuand
the exclusion of laboring element, ell steps
to compass this imperative need should De
accompanied with recognition ofthe claim
of those strangers now lawfully among us TO
humane and Just treatment"
He trusts tnat the efforts to adjust the "a
moan troubles will be productive oil the per
manent establishment of law and order 10
Samoa upon the basis of the maintenance OF
the rights and interests of the natives BE-
we'll as of the treaty powers
He recon mend5 that provision he made
BY an agreement with Canada for visioiy
marking the water boundary between the
United States aud that country in the mar
row channels that join the Great Lakes.
A Just and acceptable enlargement OF the
list of offenses for which extradition may be
claimed is. he says, most desirable between
this country and Great Britain. A new
treaty on this subject between the two pow
ers has been recently negotiated end will
soon be laid before the Senate.
He hopes that the impediments result
ing from varying dues on navigation and
from the vexatious treatment OF our vessels,
on merely technical grounds OF complaint,
in West India ports, may be removed.
Questions affecting American interests In
connection with railways constructed and
operated by our citizens in Peru and at
Dalagoa bay in Africa, he says, will be care
fully investigated, with view to securing
a proper and equitable adjustment
IN reference to the Nicaragua canal he
avs this Government has held itself ready
to promote the adjustment OF oil qnsstiona
that might present obstacles to the compile
ton of work of such traDscendent impor
lance to the commerce Of the world.
He expresses satisfaction that tha internal
disturbances of Hayti are at last happily
ended, and that tho apparent stable govern
ment has been duly recognized ny the I a.
ID States.
1t is earnestly recom manded that our ju
iicial rights and processes in Corea be es
tablished on firm basis by carrying out
treaty. stipulatioDs 10 that regard.
An improper use of naturalization, he
says, should not be permitted, but those who
have been duly naturazed should every
where be accorded recognition OF The riehta
pertaining to the citizenship of the country
of their adoption. He favors special con
ventions for the adjustment OF diihcultlea
with other countries.
10 reference to the recent revolution in
Brazil he say our minister at Rio de Janelro
was at once instructed to maintain friendly
diplomatic relations with the provisional
government. Our minister has been further
instructed to extend on the part OF this gov
eminent formal aud cordial recognition OF
the new republic so soon as the majority oil
the people of Brazil shall have signlfied their
assent to it's establishment.
nry, he says. shows an estimated surplus OF
$40 $50 522. 80, which Ia more likely to be in-
creased than reduced. The existence of this
surplus should have the imms diate attention
of Congress, with view to reducing the re-
ceipts of the Treasury to the needs OF the
government. So large surplus in the pub
tic vaults ia disturbing element 10 the con-
duct of private business. We should not col
lect revenue for the purpose of anticipating
our bonds beyond the requirements OF the
sinking fund, but any unappropriated sur
plus 10 the Treasury should be 30 used, as
there Ia no other lawful way OF returning
the money to oircu ation, and the profit re-
allied by the government oti9rs 6uhstan'
tial advantage.
The loaning of public funds to the banks
without interest, upon the security OF gov
eminent bonds, he regards as an unautbor zsd
and dangerous expedient. II results in
temporary and unnatural increase of the
banking capital of favored localities, and
oompels cautious and gradual recall OF the
deposits to avoid injury to the commercial
interests. The banks now practically get
interest both upon the bonds aud their pro
ceeds. The deposits now outstanding should
be gradually Withdrawn and applied 10 the
purchase of bonds. Such legislation should
be promptly, but very considerably, en-
acted.
He recommends revision of the tariff
law both In its administrative features and
in the schedules He also suggests the pre-
paraton of new schedule of customs duties.
The necessary reduction in the public rev.
enues csn be made without making the
smaller burden more onerous than he larger
by reason of the disabilities and limitations
which the process of reduction puts upon
both capital end labor. The removal of the
internal tax upon tobacco would relieve an
important agricultural product from bur
den which was imposed only because our
revenue from custom duties was in sufficient
for the public needs. The removal of the
tax upon spirits used in the arts and In man
ufactures would also Offer an unohj sction.
able method of reducing the surplus.
The evil anticipations which have accom-
panied the coinage and uss OF the silver dol
lar have not been realized. As coin it has