The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

ceS, Out ulrect, llllelliSeill anu pefSplcu-
Gus presentation of the subjects to which
the President has deemed it proper at this
time to call the attention of Congress.
We epitonlize it, for want of space, this
week, to give it in full.
The message opens with the pro foruaa
of the good will and cor
diality existing between this country and
other governments; refers to the confer
ence of the Americas, now in session,
touching the best methods of perpetual
ing and expanding the relations of their
interest, and hopes that the
of the conference will
have the considerable attention of Con-
gress. He next refers to the maratime~
also now in session, and hopes
that any agreement that may be reached
may have the cooperation OF Congress-
He recommends that in view of the i'm
portance of our relations with the States
of the American systsm, our diplomatic
agents in those countries should be OF
the uniform rank of envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipoientiary
In reference to Chinese immigration,
he says: while our supreme interests
demand the exclusion of a laboring ele-
ment, all steps to compass this impera-
tive end should be accompanied with
recognition of the claim OF those strang-
ers now lawfully among us to humane
and just treatment
He trusts that the efforts to adjust the
Samoan troubles will be productive of
the permanent establishment of law and
order in Samoa upon the basis of the
maintenance of the rights and interests
of the natives as well as of the treaty
powers.
He recommends that provision be
made by an agreement with Canada for
visibly marking the water boundary be-
tween the United States and that coun-
try in the narrow channels that join the
great lakes.
A just and acceptable enlargement of
the list of otfenses for which eXtradition
may be claimed is, he says, most desir
able between this country and Great
Britain. A new treaty on this subj
between the two powers has been recent
ly negotiated and will soon be laid be-
fore the Senate.
He hopes that the impediments result
ing from varying dues on navigation and
from the veXatious treatment of our YES
sells, on merely technical grounds of com
plant. in West India ports, may be re-
moved.
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 carefully Investigated, with Il view
to securing proper and equitable adj
justment
In reference to the Nicaragua canal he
says this government has held itself
to promote the adjustment of all ques-
tions that might present obstacles to
the completion of work Of such trans
cendent Importance to the commerce of
the world.
He expresses satisfaction that the in
ternal disturbances of Hayti are at last
happily ended, and that an apparent
stable government has been duly recOg
nized by the United States.
1t is earnestly recommended that our
judicial rights and processes in COrea be
established on a firm basis by carrying
out treaty stipulations in that regard.
An Improper use of naturalization, he
says, should not be permitted but those
who have been duly naturalized should
everywhere be accorded recognition of
the rights pertaininSto the citizenship OF
the country OF their adoption. He favors
special conventions for the adjustment
of difficulties with other countries.
In reference to the recent revolution
in Brazil he says our minister at Rio de
Janeiro was at once instructed to main
tain friendly relations with the provis-
ional government. Our minister has
been further instructed to extend on the
part of this government a formal and
cordial recognition of the new republic
as soon as the majority of the people of
Brazil shall have signified their assent to
Its establishment.
The report al the Secretary Of the
Treasury. he says. shows an estimated
surplus of $43, 1868, 522,30 which is more
likely to be increased than reduced. The
existence of this surplus should have the
immediate attention of Congress, with II
view to reducing the receipts of the
Treasury to the needs of the government.
So large a surplus in the public vaults is
a disturbing element in the conduct of
rivate business. We should not collect
revenue for the purpose of anticiD lting
our bonds beyond the requirements OF
the sinking fund, but any unapproprla
ted surplus in the Treasury should be so
used. as there is no other lawful way of
returning the money to circulation, and
the profit realized by the government of
fers substantial advantage
The loaning of public funds to the
banks without interest. upon the securi
ty of government bonds, he regards as
an unauthorized and dangerous expedi-
ent. II results in q TEMPORARY and un-
natural increase of the banking CAPT.
tai of favored localities, and compels
a cautious and gradual recall Of the de-
posts to avoid injury to the commercial
interests. The banks now practically
get interest both upon the bonds and
their proceeds. The deposits now out
standing should be gradually withdrawn
and applied 10 the purchase OF bonds
Such legislation should be promptly, but
very considerably, enacted.
He recommends revision of the tariff
law both in its administrative features
the preparation of new schedule of
customs duties.
The necessary reduction in the public
revenues can be made without making
the smaller burden mere 9nerous than
the largec by reason Of the disabilities
and limitations which the process of re-
duction puts upon both capital and la
Dor. The removal of the internal tax
upon tobacco would relieve an important
agricultural product from burden
which was imposed only because our
revenue from customs duties was INSULT
cient for the public needs. The removal
of the tax upon spirits used in the arts
and in manufactures would also offer an
uhOoyONe!OuhOip W iStuohio thS
surplus
The evil antieipations which have ac
companied the coinage and use Of the
silver dOller have not been realized. As
a coin it has not had general use, and
the public Treasury has been compelled
to store it. But this is manifestly owing
to the fact that Its paper representative Is
more convenient. He thinks it clear
that if we should make the coinage of
silver at the present ratio free we must
expect that the bullion values of the
gold and silver dollars will be taken ac-
count of in commercial transactions, and
the same result would follow any consid-
cradle increase of the present rate Of
coinage. He says he has always been an
ADVOCATE Of the use OF silver In our cur
rency. We are large producers OF that
metal and should not discredit it. The
plan which will be presented by the
Secretary of the Treasury for the issu-
ance of notes or certificates upon the
deposit of silver bullion at its market
value seems to satisfy the purpose to
continue the use Of silver In connection
with our currency.
The Chinese exclusion act. he says is
to be more thoroughly enforced as to
entrance through Canada. He recon-
mends a thorough system of coast de-
fence and suggests that provision be
made for encamping companies of the
National Guard in orr coast works for q