Evening journal., 1889-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
He Recommends a Revision of
the Tariff.
A REDUCTION OF THE SURPLUS

Goody- -goody Advice.
Special Despatch EVENING Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The following
is an epitome OF President Harrison
hrst message to Congress:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRE-
sENTATIvEs: There are few transaction
in the administration Of the government
that are even temporarily held in the con
fdence of those charged with the conduct
of the public business. Every step taker
Ia under the observation Of a watchfu
people; the state of the union is known
from day to day and suggestions as tc
needed legislation find an earlier voice
than that which speaks In the semi i-annual
communications Of the President to
Congress. Good will and cordiality
have characterized our relations and
correspondence with other governments,
and the year Just closed leaves few inter
nal questions OF Importance remaining
unadiusted No obstacle is believed to
sxist that can long postpone the consid-
eration and adjustment OF the still
pending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms, The dealings Of this
government with other states has
been and should always be
marked by frankness and sincerity our
purposes avowed and methods free from
intrigue This course has borne rich
fruit In the past and it is our duty as a
nation 10 preserve the heritage OF good
repute which century Of right dealing
with foreign governments has secured to
MS. Il is matter Of high significance
and no less Of congratulation that the
FIRST year of the second century of our
constitutional existence finds as honored
guasSs within our borders the representa-
&ives OF all the independent states Of
North and South America together in
earnest conference touching the
best methods Of perpetnating and
expanding the relations Of mutual
interest Of friendliness existing among
them. That the opportunity afforded for
promoting closer international relations
and the increased prosperity Of the states
represented will be used for the mutual
good for all. l cannot permit myself to
doubt Our people will await with in
terest and confidence the results to flow
from SO auspiclous meeting cf allied and
I'm large part, identical interests,
The recommendations of this internR-
fional conference Of enlightened states
nneu win doubtless have the considerate
attention Of Congress and its coopertion
ia the removal OF unnecessary barriers TO
beneficial intercourse between the
nations Of America. But while the COM
mercial results which il Is hoped win
follow this conference are worthy of pur-
suit and Of the great interest they have
excited, IL Is believed that the crowning
benefit will be feund in the
better securities which may be
devised for the maintenance
of peace among all American nations
and the settlement of all controversies
by methods that a Christian civilization
can approve. While viewing with inter.
est our national resources and products,
The delegates will, am sure, find higher
satisfaction in the evidences Of unselhsh
friendship which everywhere attend their
intercourse with our people
Another international conference hav.
ing great possibilities for good has lately
assembled and Is now in session in this
capital An invitation was extended by
the government, under the act OF Con.
gress Of July o. 1883, to all maritime
nations to send delegates 70 confer.
touching the revision and amendment OF
the rules and regulations governing yes
sells at sea and TO adopt uniform system
of marine signals. The response to this
invitation has been very general and.very
cordial Delegates from twentv-six
nations are present in theconference and
they have entered upon their useful work
with great zeal and with an evident
appreciation OF les Importance so far as
the agreement to be reached may require
legislation to give 1t effect The co.opera-
tion Of Congress is confidently relied
upon. 1t is an interesting fact that the
conference has brought together Rhere
the accredited representatives OF thirty
three nations.
After quoting from the report Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury the President
says: The existence Of so large an actual
and anticipated surplus should have the
immediate attention Of Congress, with q
view TO reducing the receipts Of the
treasury TO the needs of the
government as closely as may be.
The collection Of moneys not
needed for public uses imposes
AN unnecessary burden upon cur people
and the presence Of so large q surplus IN
she public vaults Is disturbing element
in the conduct Of private business. II
has called into use expedients for putting
1t into circulation Of very questionable
propriety. We should not collect rev.
enue for the purpose of anticipating our
bonds beyond the requirements of the
sinking fund but any nnappropriated
surplus in the Treasury should be so
used as there Is I'D other lawful way Of
returning the money to circulation and
the profit realized by the government
offers as substantial advantage. The
Aoaning OF the public funds to the banks
without interest upon the security Of
government bonds, * regard as an un.
authorized and dangerous expedient. II
results in temporary and unnatural in
crease Of the banking capital OF favored
localities, and compels cautious and
gradual recall Of the deposits to avoid in
Jury to the commercial interest. Il Is
not to be expected that the banks having
these deposits win sell their bonds 70
the Treasury SO long as the present
highly beneficial arrangement is contin-
ned. They now practically get interest
both upon the bonds and their proceeds.
No further use should be made OF this
method Of getting the surplus into circu.
lation and the deposits now outstanding
should be gradually withdrawn and ap.
piled to the purchase Of bonds. 1t is for.
tunate that such a use can be made OF
the existing surplus and for some time
to come of any casual surplus that may
exist after Congress has taken the neces-
sary steps for reduction of the revenue.
Such legislation should be promptly, but
very considerably enacted
recommend revision Of our tariffs
law both ia its administrative features