The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-12-12
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
President HarriSOn'S COmmu.
nicatiOn to Congress.

nicati0n to Congress.
TO the Senate and House Of Representatives:
There are few transactions in the admin
stration OF the government that are even
.emI orarfly held in the confidence of those
charged with the conduct Of the public busi-
hess Every step taken is under the observa-
Ion Of an intelligent and watchful people
The state OF the Union Is known from day to
lay, and suggestions as to the needed legisla-
lion find an earlier voice than that which
speaks In these annual communications of
he president to congress-
Good will and cordiality have character
lied our relations and correspondence with
other governments and the year just closed
caves few international questions Of impor-
lance remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is
believed to exist that can long postpone the
consideration and adjustment of the still
lending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms. The dealings Of this gov
srnment with other states have 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 nation to preserve the heritage of
good repdto which u century Of right deal
ing with foreign cavern nents has secured
10 us.
The iAn-Aolerican Congress.
In the a HI. remarks on the Pan
American coar fe.- tie president says:
The rscOtuI H Hda1o,Is OF this international
conference sulis sLLened statesmen will
doubtless have th. r'ii>derate attention Of
congress and itz Cooper ton in the removal
Of unnecessary barriers to beneficial inter
rourse between the nations of America But
while the commercial results which it is
hoped will follow this conference are worthy
Of purr uit AMI Of the great interest they have
sxcited, it is believed that the crownl,s ben
eiit will be found in the better securities
which may be devised for the maintenance
II peace among all American nations and
the settlement OF ali contentious by methods
that q Christian civilization can approve.
While viewing with interest our national re-
sources and products. the delegates will,
ln sure, finl higher satisfaction in the evi
tenccs of unsefish friendship which every
where attend their intercourse with our peo-
pie.
The Rank of Our ENJOYS.
The president then speaks of the maritime
conference, and adds:
In this connection it may be noted that all
the nations Of the western hemisphere, with
one exception, send to Washington envoys
extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary
bciiN, the highest grade accredited to this
BOv.rnui.nt The United States, on the con-
trary, sends envoys of lower grade to some
Of our sister republics. Our representative
IN Paraguay ami Uruguay is minister resi-
dent, while to Bolivia we send q minister
resident and consul general. In view of the
Importance Of our relations with the states
Of the American system, our diplomatic
agents i'll those countries should be of the
uniform rank Of envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary. Certain missions
were 30 elevated by the last congress with
happy effect, and | recommend the compile
ton of the reform thus begun, with the in
elus;on also of Hawaii and Hayti, in view Of
their relations to the American system of
states.
also recommend that timely provision be
made for extending to Hawaii an invitation
10 te represented in the international confer
ence now sitting at this capital
Relations with China.
Our relations with China have the atten-
1--WE consideration which their magnitude
and interest demand The failure of the
treaty negotiated under the administration
of my predecessor for the further and more
complete restriction of Chinese labor immi-
grafton, and with it, the legislation of the
leave some questions open which congress
should now approach in that wise and just
spirit which should characterize the rela-
tions OF two great aud friendly powers.
While our supreme interests demand the OK
clusion OF a lubOring element which eXpe-
rience has shown to be incompatible with
our social life, all steps to compass this I'M
perative need should be accompanied with a
recognition of the claim Of those strangers
now lawfully among us to humane and just
treatment.
The accession of the young Emperor OF
China marks we may hope, an era of prog
r,ss and prosperity for the great country
over which he is called to rule.
Samoan Affairs.
The present state of affairs in respect to
the Samoan islands is encouraging. The
conference which was held in this city in the
summer OF 1887 between the repress ,tatives
OF tho United States, Germany and Grea
Britain having been adjourned because OF
the persistent divergence Of views which wa:
Developed in its deliberations, the subse
uuent course of events in the islands gave
rise to questions of serious character. Or
the 4th of February last, the German min
ister at this capital, in behalf of his govern
nenu, proposed a resumption of the confer
ence at Berlin. This proposition was accept
cd, as congress, In February last, was in
formed.
Pursuant to the understanding thus reached
commissioners were appointed by me, by an'
with the advice and consent Of the senate
who proceeded to Berlin, where the confer
ence was renewed. The deliberations ex
tended through several weeks and resultet
IN the conclusion of a treaty, which will b
submitted to the senate for its approval
trust that the efforts which have been mad
10 effect an adjustment Of this question will
be productive Of the permanent establish
nient Of law and order in Samoa, upon tn
basis Of the maintenance OF the rights an
interests of the natives as well as Of tn
treaty powers
The questions which have arisen durin
the past few years between Great Britain
and the United States are in allegiance or il
course of amicable adjustment,
The Fisheries Question.
On the part of the government of the DO
minicn OF Canada an effort has been appar
ent during the season just ended to admin
lister the laws and regulations applicable t
the fisheries with as little occasion for fric
. tion as was possible, and the temperate reE
fesaatations of this government IN respec
of cas.s of undue hardship or of harsh intel
prstations have been in most cases met wit
measures of transitory relief. 1t is truste
that the attainment of our just rights unde