The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To ae Senate and House Of Representatives.
There are few transactions in the Ad-
ministrziion OF the Government that are
even temporarily held in the confidence
of these charged with the conduct Of the
public business Every step taken is un-
der the observation Of an intelligent and
watchful people The State of the Union
is known from day to day. and sugges-
tons as 10 needed legislation find an
earlier voice than that which speaks in
these annual communicate us Of the
President TO Congress.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Good viii and eordiality have ehsrac-
terized our relations and correspondence
with other governments, and the year
Just closed leages few international ques-
lions Of importance remaining unadiust-
ed. No obstacle is believed to exist that
can long postpone the consideration and
adjustment Of the still-pending ques-
tons upon satisfactory and honorable
terms. The dealings ofthis Government
with other States have been and should
always be marked by frankness and SIN
cerity Our purposes and our methods
are free from intrigue. This course has
borne rich fruit in the past, and it is our
duty as 4 nation to preserve the heritage
of good repute which century Of right
dealing with foreign governments has Sc
cured to US.
TIE pan AMERTeAN coNGREss.
It is a matter of high significance, and
no less of congratulaiion, that the first
year Of the second century Of our consti-
tutional existence finds, as honored
guests within our borders, the represen-
tatives Of all the independent States of
North and South America met together
in earnest conference touching the best
methods of perpetuating and expanding
the relations of mutual interest and friend
liness existing among them. That the
opportunity thus afforded for promoting
closer international relations and the in
creased prosperity Of the States represen-
ted viii be used for the mutual good Of
all, cannot permit myself to doubt.
Our people will await with interest and
1 confidence the results 10 flow from 50
auspicious a meeting of alleged and, in
large part, identical interests.
The recommendations of this interna-
tional conference Of enlightened states
men will have the considerste attention
of Congress, and its cooperation in the
removal Of unnecessary barriers to bene-
fetal intercourse between the nations OF
America But, while thecommercial re-
suits which il is hoped will follow this
conference are worthy Of pursuit and of
the great interest they have excited, it
is believed that the crowning benefit
viii be found in the better securities
which may be devised for the mainte-
nance Of peace among all American na-
tions, and the settlement of all eonten-
tions by methods that Christian civili-
cation can approve While viewing with
interest our national resources and pro-
ducts, the delegates will, am sure, find
higher satisfaction in the evidences of
unsel6sh friendship which everywhere
attend their intercourse with our people.
TIE MARITIME CONFERENCE.
Another international conference hay-
ing great possibilities for good has lately
assembled and Is nov in session in this
Capital. An invitation was extended by
the Government, under the Act Of Con-
gress of July 8, 1888, to ali miritime ma
tions TO send delegates to confer touching
the revision and amendment of the rules
and regulations governing vessels at sea,
and to adoyt a uniform system Of marine
signals. The response 10 this invitisn
has been very general and very cordial
Delegates from twenty-six nations are
present in the conference, and they have
entered upon their useful work with
great zeal, and with an evident apprecia-
ton Of its importance. So far as the
agreement to be reached may require
legislation TO give it effect the co-opera-
ton of Congress IS confidently relied
upon.
OuR DCTY TO THE AMERICAN STATES
It is an interesting if not, indeed. an
unprecedented fact, tha. the two interna-
tional conferences have brought togeth-
er here the accredited Representatives of
thirty-three nations. Bolivia, Ecuador,
and Honduras, are now represented by
resident ENJOYS Of the pleipotentiary
grade. All the States Of the American
system now maintain diplomatic repre-
sentatiyes at this Capital.
In this connection it may be noted that
all the nations Of the Western Hemis-
phere, with one exception, send to
Washington Envoys Extraordinary and
Ministers Pienipotentiary, being the high
est grade accredited TO this Government
The United States, on the contrary,
sends Envoys of lower grade to some Of
our sister republics. Our representative
in Paraguay and Uruguay is Minister
Resident, while to Bolivia we send a
Minister Resident and Consul General.
In view Of the importance Of our rela-
tions with the American system, our dip
lomatic agents in those countries should
be Of the uniform rank Of Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.
Certain missions we're so elevated by the
last Congress with happy effect, and /
recommend the completion Of the reform
thus begun, with the inclusion also Of
Hawaii and Hsyti in view OF their rela-
tions to the American system Of States.
also recommend that timely provision
be made for extending 70 Hawaii an in
vitation to be present in the Information.
al Conference nov sitting at this Capital.
CHINA AND THE oRiEST.
Our relations with China have the at
teniiye consideration which their mag
nitude and interest demand. The fail
ure Of the treaty negotiated under the
administration Of my predecessor for the
further and more complete restrictions
of Chinese labor immigration. and, with