Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-04

THE P PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

1883.
 THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
 The following are the most important parts of President Harrison's message to To the Senate and House of Representatives:
 TEE SOUTH AMERICANS.
 It is a matter of high significance, and no less of congratulation, that the first year of the second century of our constitutional existence finds as honored guests within our borders the representatives of all the independent States of North and South America, met to- gether in earnest conference touching the best methods of perpetuating and expanding the relations of mutual interest and friendli- ness existing among them. That the oppor- tunity thus afforded for promoting closer international relations and the increased prosperity of the States represented will be used for the mutual good of all, I cannot doubt. Our people will await with interest and confidence the results to flow from so suspicious a meeting of allied and in large part identical interests. The recommends tions of this international conference of en- frightened statesmen will doubtless have the consideration of Congress and it's ce.opera- tion in the removal of necessary barriers to beneficial intercourse 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 inter est they have excited, it 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. While viewing with interest our national resources and products, the delegates will, am sure, find a higher satisfaction in every where attend their intercourse with our people.
 CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
 The questions which have arisen during the past few years between Great Britain and the United States are in abeyance or in course of amicable adjustment on the part of the government of the Dominion of Canada. An effort has been apparent during the sea son just ended to administer the laws and applicable to the fisheries with as little occasion for friction as was possi- ble, and the temperate representations of this government in respect of cases of undue or of hsrsh interpretation have been in most cases met with measures of transi- tory relief. It is trusted that the attainment of >our just claims, under existing treaties and in virtue of the concurrent legislation of the two contiguous countries, will not be long deferred, and that all existing causes of difference may be equitably adjusted. I rec ommend that provision be made by an inter- national agreement for visibly marking the water boundary between the United States and Canada in the narrow channels that join the great lakes. The conventional line therein traced by the northwestern boundary survey, years ago, is not in all cases readily ascertainable for the settlement of jurisdic- tionss questions.
 THE NEW REPUBLIC.
 The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of the establishment of Republican form of government is an event of great interest to the United States. Our minister at Rio de Janeiro was at once instructed to maintain friendly diplomatic relations with the pro. visional government, and the Brazilian repre- sentatives at this capital were instructed by the provisional government to continue their functions. Our friendly intercourse with Brazil has, therefore, suffered no interrup- tion. Our minister has been further in'' structed to extend on the part of this govern ment a formal and cordial recognition of the new republic as soon as the majority of ths people of Brazil shall have signi6ed their as- sent to it's establishment and maintenance.
 < x
 THE SURPLUS.
 The existence of 80 large an actual and an ticipated surplus, should have an immediate attention of Congress with view to reduc. s,,r- kIo Ne 1bof {o %hn q: of the government, as closely as may be- The collection of monies not needed for pub lie uses, imposes unnecessary burden upon onr people, and the presence of 50 large a surplus in the public vaults, is disturbing element in the conduct of private business. It has called into use expedients for putting it into circulation of very questionable pro- priety. We shall not collect revenues for the purpose of anticipating our bonds, be- yond the requirements of the sinking fund but an unappropriated surplus in the treas ury should be so used, az there is no other lawful way of returning the money to cir- culation, and the profit realized by the gov ernment offers a substantial advantage. The leaning of public funde to the banks without interest, upon the security of gov ernment bonds, regard as an unauthorized and dangerous expedient. It results in tenn porary and unnatural increase of banking capital of favored localities and oompels a cautious and gradual recall of the deposits to avoid injury to the commercial interests. It is not to be expected that banks having these deposits will sell the bonds to the treasury so long ss the present highly bene- fcial arrangement is continued. They now practically get interest both upon the bonds and their proceeds. No further use should be made of this method of getting the sur plus into circulation, and the deposits now outstanding should De gradually withdrawn and applied to the purchase of bonds. It is fortunate that such use can be made of the existing surplus, and for sometime to come oi any casual surplus, that may exist after Con gress has taken the necessary steps for a reduction of the revenue. Suoh legislation should be promptly, but very considerably, enacted.
 TARIFF REVISION RECOMMENDED.
 recommend a revision of our tariff law both in its administrative features and in the schedules. The need of the former is gener ally conceded, and an agreement upon the evils and inconveniences to be remedied and the best methods for their correction will probably not be difficult. Uniformity o1 valuation at all our ports is essential, and effective measures should be taken to secure it.. It ia equally desirable that questions affecting rates and clsssi' fcations should be promptly decided. The preparation of a new schedule of GUS. toms is a matter of great delicacy, because oi it's direct effect upon the business of the country, and of great difficulty by reason oi the wide divergence of opinion as to tho ob- jects that may properly prompt such leaisla tion. Some disturbance of business may perhaps result from the consideration of this subject by Congress, but this temporary Ill effect will be reduced to the minimum by prompt action and by the assurance which the country already enjoys that any necessa- " changes will be so made as not to impair the just and reasonable protection of oul home industries. The inequalities of ths
 law should be adjusted, but the protective principle should be maintained and fairly 1 applied to the products of our farms as wei as our shops. These duties necessarily hav' relation to other things besides the publi' I revenues. We cannot limit their effects b. |