Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-05
TO CONGRESS.
President Harrison Treats on the
Tariff, the Silver Question,
CHIyANEN And FOREIGN RELATIONS,
The Post-ofilce, CiviI-SerVIce, Steamshlp
Subsidies, CattIemen, Cherokees'
and Other Matters of
Interest.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-The Presidents mes
saoe was received in both houses OF congress
yesterday at noon and is principally as IOI'
lows:
Tothe Senate and House Of Representatives.;
Few transactions in the administration OF
government are even temporarily nelU ~
the confidence of those charged Win the
conduct of public business. Every STEP
taken Is under the observation OF an ihte en-
gent and watchful people. The state OF the
Union is known from day to day and sugges-
tIons as to needed legislation find an carrier
voice than that which speaks in these an
nuaI communications OF the President TO
Congress.
Good will and cordiality have character
lied our relations and correspondence Win
other Governments, and the year eloseu
leaves few international questions OF impor-
lance uuadiusted. No obstacle is believed
to exist that can long postpone the cohslueF-
alton and adjustment OF still pending ques-
tions upon satisfactory and honorable TERMS
The dealings of this Government with other
States hav-. been marked by !raaknesS anu
sincerity our purposes avowcd ana our
methods free from intrigue. This course
has borne rich fruit in the past, and X IS our
duty as Il Nation to preserve the heritage Oh
good ruputc which century of right dealing
with foreign Governments has secured to us.
1t is a matter of significance and no less OF
congratulations that the first year OF the
second century of our constitutional exist
pncc finds as hOnored guests within our Dor
ders the representatives of all the independ-
cnt States OF North and South America met
together in earnest conference touching the
best methods of pcrpetuating and expand
ing the relations of mutual interest ana
friendliness existing among them. That
the opportunity thus afforded for pro-
noting closer international relations and
the increased prosperity of the States repre-
Scrtcd will be used for the mutual good or
all l can not permit myself to doubt. Our
people will await with interest and con-
fidence the results to flow from so suspicious
meeting OF allied and in large part Identical
interests.
Recommendation of this international
conference of enlightened statesmen will
hnve the attention of Congress and its CO.
operation in the removal of unnecessary bar
riers between tho Nations of America But
while the commercial results winch IL IS
hoped will follow this conference are worthy
nf praise and the great interest they have
excited, it is believed the GROWING beneht
will be found in the better securities which
may be devised for the maintenance of peace
among all American Nations and settlement
of contentious by methods Christian
civilization can approve. While viewing
with interest our National resources and
-. W
higher satisfaction in the evidences of I'M
selfish friendship which everywhere attends
the intercourse with our people.
An international marine conference, haV-
ing great possibilities for good, has lately
assembled aRd.is now in session in this cap
ital. An invitation was extended by the Gov
eminent under the act of Congress of July
g. 1855, 70 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 signals.
The response to this invitation has been
very general and very cordial Dele
3, gates from twenty-six Nations are
present in the conference and
they have entered upon their useful
work with great zeal and with an evident
appreciation of its Importance. Solar as the
agreement 10 be reached may require legis-
lation to give II effect the co cooperation OF Con-
gress is confidently relied upon. 1t is an in
teresting and unprecedented fact that the
two international conferences have brought
here the accredited representatives of thirty
three Nations. Bolivia, Ecuador and Hon
duraS are now represented by resident en-
voys of the plenipotentiary grade. All the
States of the American system now maintain
diplomatic relations at this capitol.
In this connection it may be noted that all
the Nations of the Western Hemisphere, with
Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipoten-
tary, being the highest grade accredited to
this Government The United States, on the
contrary, send ENJOYS OF the lower grade to
some of our sister republics. Our represent
alive In Paraguay and Uruguay is Minister
Resident, while to Bolivia we send Minister
Resident and Consul General. 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 PlenipotCntary.
Certain missions were 40 elevated by tho
last Congress with happy effect, and
recommend the completion of the reform
thus begun, with the inclusion also OF
Hawaii and Hayti, in view of their relations
to thv american system of States. i also
rccCrl,.II..lJ t!Gt timely provision be made
for est, ndin@ 10 Hawai-: al invitation TO he
represented in the international conference
now sitting ut this capital.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Our relations with China have the atten-
tintivc consideration which their magnitude
and interest demand The failure of the
treaty negotiated under my predecessor fol
the further and more complete restriction OF
Chinese labor, immigration and with il the
legislation of the last session of Congress
dependent thereon leaves some questions
open which Congress should now approach
in that wise and just spirit which should
characterize the relations of two great and
friendly powers. while our supreme interests
demand the exclusion of a laboTing element
which experience has shown to be incOm-
patibc with our social life. All steps
to compass this imperative need should
be accompanied with a recognition of the
claim of those strangers now lawfully among
rs to humane ana just treatment. The acces,
sion of the young Emperor OF China marks
We may hope, an era OF progress and pros
perity for the great country over which he Ii
called To rule.
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.
The present state of affairs in respect tC
the samoan Islands is encouraging. The
conference which was held in thi.
city i'm the summer of 1855 between
the representatives of the United States
Germany and Great Britain had been ad
lourncd because of the persistent divergence
of views which was developed in its DELHI
erations. The subsequent course of events in
the islands gave rise tn questions of seri
Gus character. ON the 4th of February las
the German Minister at this capital in behal
of his Government proposed a resumption
of the conference at Berlin. This PROPOSE
tiOn WAS accepted, as Congress in February
last was informed. Pursuant to the under
standing thus reached commissioners werI
appointed by me, by and with the advice anC
consent of the Senate, who proceeded to Ber