Huntsville gazette., 1889-12-07
THE MESSAGE.


gress on Tuesday, Dec. 8:
ITO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRE-
sENrArIvEs: There are few transactions in
the administration of the government that
are even temporarily held in the confidenca
of those charged with the conduct of the
public business Every step taken is under
the observation of an intelligent and watch
full people. The state of the union is known
from day to day, and suggestions as to
needed legislation to find an earlier voice
than that which speaks in these annual COM
munications of the president to congress"
He then referred to the good will existing
between the United States and other ma
tions and considered 1t highly significant
that the first year of the second century
finds within our borders as honored guests
the representatives of all the Independent
states of North and South America.
"The recommendations of this interna-
tional conference Of enlightened statesmen
will have the attention of congress and its
cooperation in the removal of unnecessary
barriers to beneficial intercourse between
the nations of America, but while the com.
mercial results which it is hoped will follow
this conference are worthy of pursuit 1and of
the great interest they have excited, it is be-
lieved that the crowning benefit will be
found i'll the better securities which may be
devised for the maintenance of peace among
all American nations and settlement of all
contentious by methods that a Christian CIV
iization can approve"
He referred to the maritime congress now
in session in Washington, which was called
touching the revision and amendment Of
the rules and regulations governing vessels,
and to adopt uniform system of marine
signals. Delegates from twenty-six nations
are present.
'tIt is an interesting and unprecedented
fact that the two international conferences
hava fto tod
atives of thirty-three nations"
Attention is called to the fact that "all
tina nations of the western hemisphere, with
one exception, send to Washington ENJOYS
extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary
being the highest grade accredited to this
government. The United States, on the
contrary, sends ENJOYS OF lower grades to
some of our sister republics, and
recommend the completion of the reform
begun by the last congress in elevating the
rank Of our diplomatic agents in those
countries.
81 also recommend that timely provision b
made for extending to Hawaii an invitation
to be represented in the international con-
ference now sitting at this capital"
After referring to the failure of the last
treaty restricting Chinese labor immigration
he says:
"While our supreme interests demand the
exclusion of a laboring element which expe-
our social life, all steps to compass this i'm
perative need should be accompanied with q
recognition of those strangers now lawfully
among US, to humane and just treatment"
Concerning the Nicaragua canal, he said:
"a friendly arrangement has been effected
between Costa Rica and the government.
This government has held itself ready to
promote in every proper way the adjust
ment of all questions that might present OBJ
stacles to the competition of a work of such
transcendent Importance to the commerce of
this country, and indeed to the commercial
interests of the world
In regard to the Samoan question he re-
referred to the late conference held in Berlin
and trusts that the senate will approve OF
the efforts which have been made to affect
an adjustment.
He says in reference to the fishery troubles
| that Canada has of late been endeavoring
! to administer laws that will cause as little
| trouble as possible.
| He says the boundary line between the
United States and Canada in the narrow
channels connecting the great lakes and
along the northwestern boundary should be
| visibly marked.
He then referred to our relations with
| France, Belgium, Persia, Turkey and other
| smaller nations.
| Continuing, the message says:
"The recent revolution in Brazil in favor
| Of the establishment Of a republican form of
government is an event Of great interest to
/ Che 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 rep
| resensatives at this capital iwere instructed
| by the provisional government to continue
their functions. Our friendly intercourse
with Brazil has, therefore, suffered no inter
ruption-
20 thc rt Of
formal and cordial recognition of the new
republic so soon as the majority Of the peo-
pie of Brazil shall have signified their assent
! to its establishment and maintenance.
"Within our own borders general con-
dition OF prosperity prevails. The harvests
of the last summer were exceptionally
| abundant, and the trade conditions now pre-
vailing seem to promise a successful season
F, to the merchant and the manufacturer, and
general employment to our working people.
| The report of the secretary Of the treasury
, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889, has
/ been prepared, and will be presented to con-
| gress It presents with clearness the fiscal
| operation of government and avail myself
! OF it to obtain some facts for use here. The
, aggregate receipts from all sources for the
year were 1887 ,05O, ,O5S. "a, derived as follows:
| From customs x223, ,S32, TAI 50; from internal
| revenue S130, ,891 ,513 80; from miscellaneous
sources, $32, 335, 800. 90.
1.-THE ordinary expenditures for the same
period were s3s1 ,993, ,6l5.60; and the total
expenditures, including the sinking fund,
were $329, ,579 ,929.2 25. The excess of receipts
over expenditures was, after providing for
the sinking fund.- $57, ,470, 129. &c.
''For the current fiscal year the total rev.
! enues, actual and estimated are $685., ,00O, 600,
and the ordinary expenditures, actual and
estimated, are $293, 200, GOO, making, with
the sinking fund, a total expenditure Of
$341 ,321, 1869, leaving an estimated surplu.
| Of $43, ,67S, ,SS3.O1.
| During the fiscal year there was applied
| to the purchase of bonds in addition to those
for the sinking fund, $90, ,456, III IS, and dur
| ing the first quarter of the current year the
sum of $37, ,s3S, 937. 90, all Of which were cred
tied to the sinking fund The revenues for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891 are esti-
mated by the treasury d4partment at 1886,
| OOO, 600 and the expenditures for the same
period, including the sinking fund, at $341 :
| 43O,4777O This shows an estimated surplus
for that year of s4S, ,569, ,522 80, which is more
| likely to be increased than reduced when the
! actual transactions are written up.
1.-THE existence Of so large an actual and
anticipated surplus should have the immedi.
| ate attention Of congress with view to re-
| ducing 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 bur-
| don urOn orr y,oOpla and the DroSouC0 OF SC