The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-12-06
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
President HarrisOn's COmmu-
nication to Congress.

nication to Congress.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives;
There are few transactions In the admin
istration Of the government that are even
temporarily held In the confidence of those
charged with the conduct Of the public bust
ness Every step taken is under the observa-
ton Of an intelligent and watchful people
The state Of the Union Is known from day to
Day, end suggestions as to the needed legisla-
Hon 6nd an earlier voice than that which
speaks In these annual communications Of
the president TO congress
Good will and cordiality have character
he'd our relations and correspondence With
other governments, and the year just closed
leaves few international questions of impor-
tanoe remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is
believed to exist that can long postpone the
consideration and adjustment of the still
pending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms The dealings of this gov
ernment with other states have been and
should always be marked by frankness and
sincerity, our purposes avowed and our
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 repute which century of right deal
Ing with foreign governments has secured
70 US.
The Pan-American Congress.
In the course of his remarks on the Pan
Aperican congress the president says:
The recommendations of this international
conference of enlightened statesmen will
doubtless have the considerate attention of
congress and its cooperation in the removal
Of unnecessary barriers to beneficial inter
course between the nations of America. But
while the commercial results which 1t is
hoped will follow this conference are worthy
Of pursuit and Of the great interest they have
excited, 1t is believed that the crowning ben
eft will be found in the better securities
which may be devised for the maintenance
Of peace among all American nations and
the settlement Of all contentious by methods
shat a Christian civilization can approve.
While viewing with interest our national re-
sources and products the delegates will,
am sure, find higher satisfaction in the evil
dsnces of unselflsh 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 ENJOYS
extraordinary and ministers plsnipotentiary,
oeing the highest grade accredited to this
government The United States, on the con-
Srary, sends envoyG Of lower grade to some
OF our sister republics. Our representative
In Paraguay and Uruguay is minister resi-
Gent, while TO Bolivia we send a 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 plenipotentiary. Certain missions
were so elevated by the last congress with
happy effect and I recommend the compile
uon of the reform thus begun, with the in
oiusion 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
to be represented in the international confer
snce now sitting at this capital.
Relations with China.
Our relations with China have the atten-
tive 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-
BIdtiOu hut, WIN ~, bho icBlslhuiOh VI bno
last session Of congress dependent thereon,
leave some questions open which congress
should now approach in that wise and just
spirit which should characterize the rela-
tions Of two great and friendly powers.
While our supreme interests demand the ex-
clusion of a laboring 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
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
ress 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 1857 between the representatives
of the United States, Germany and Great
Britain having been adjourned because of
the persistent divergence of views which was
developed in its deliberations, the subse-
quent course Of events in the islands gave
rise to questions of a serious character. On
the 4th of February last, the German min
lister at this capital, in behalf of his govern
ment, proposed a resumption of the confer
ence at Berlin. This proposition was accept
ed, as congress, in February last, was in
formed.
Pursuant to the understanding thus reached
commissioners were appointed by me- by and
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 resulted
| 10 the conclusion Of a treaty, which will be
| tubmitted to the senate for its approval
trust that the efforts which have been madt
10 effect an adjustment of this question will
be productive Of the permanent establish
ment of law and order in Samoa, upon tn,
basis Of the maintenance of the rights anC
interests Of the natives as we'll as Of tn,
treaty powers
The questions which have arisen durinI
the past few years between Great Britain
and the United States are in allegiance or II
course of amicable adjustment
The Fisheries Question.
Op the part of the government of the Do
minion OF Canada an effort has been appar
snt during the season just ended to admin
ister the laws and regulations applicable t.
the fisheries with as little occasion for fric
tion as was possible, and the temperate reI
resentstions of this government in respec
of oasss of undue hardship or of harsh inter
pretations have been in most cases met wit
measures of transitory relief 1t is truste
that the attainment Of our just rights unde
existing treaties and In virtue Of the concur
rent legislation of the two contiguous cour
riss will not be long deferred. and that a
existing causes Of difference may be equi
ably adjusted.
I recommend that provision be made b
g.. IA, 4