Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-02
Toe Prssideets moassge

President IarrlsOn9 message 10 Ton
gress is, IA was expected, an able and
statesmanlike review OF the condition of
the National Government 1t Is digni-
fled ia tone. comprehensive Ia view, and
clear and concise In statement. Ia open
ing, the President refers, with evident
pride, TO the fact that, Notwithstanding
the enormous revenues Of the govern
ment, and the army Of officials engiged
in their collection. there has not been
during the year single case Of embez
element or dcfalcation. Il IA record
that speaks 10 highest terms of the ell
cheney and integrity with which these
great trusts have been administered
under Republican rule. Fitting ref
erence Ia made to the importance
of the conventions Of independent
states Of the American Continent
held in Washington At the invitation oi
congress from October IS~9 till last
April The President expresses the
opinion that this convention of Ancfi-
can nations marks an influential era in|
the history of the Western Continent
The financial condition of the country
ls'shown to Doe far different from What
Democratic alauni~t> have "ndcay"rcd
to make the people believe. The c-ti-
mates show that not only will the re-
ccipts be- amply sufficient tn dcfray the
expense of the government, but there
will remain, oyer and above eNp"nd-
lures, a handsome surplus 10 "a" devoted
to the redemption. of outstanding hond-
OF other securities. Regret d cNprci sod
At the decline in the price of silver
but, at the same time, the opinion Is eN-
pressed that some months Of further
trial will be required to determine the
permanent effect of the AIT passed az
the last session upon silver values
The gratifying fact il pointed out. hoN
ever. that the increase Of circulation
that has resulted from it has eVertod
and will continue to exert q beneficial
influence upon general values aud The
business prosperity OF the nation. The
President reviews In comprehensive
way the work of the various depart
meuts during the wear. He refers with
satisfaction to the fact that, through the
enlargement and re arrangement of the
force in the pension office, the adiudica
ton of claims has gone forward more
rapidly than ever before, and expresses
the opinion that it ia no economy to
the government in delays which cause
hardship and suffering to the soldiers
Referring to the agricultural interests
of the country, the President refers to
the gratifying Improvement in the
market price of leading farm products
which has occurred within the year,
During this period wheat has advanced
from 81 to 1904 cents; corn from 81 to |
so cents: oats from 10 IL 10 % ccnts,
and barley from 63 30 = cents, \ very
large Increase is also shown in the ex |
ports of live animals. Altogether the |
farm interests are looking brighter than
they have before for long time.
There ia marked improvement in the |
general trade aud industrial conditions Of |
the country. The balance of foreign |
trade has been over 6S,C00,00) in |
our favor during the past fiscal
year, while the bank clearings show an
increase of per cent. for the whole !
country. The President is at his best |
in his mastery discussion of the tariff
situation. He refers to the fact that
the tariff law Of october has only par
TALLY gone into effect and that It's gen |
eral provisions have not yet been 10 |
force sixty days. He is of the opinion |
tina, no changes should be made in il I'M |
til it has been given full and fair trial
and thinks it will justify the support of
those who believe that American legis |
lation should conserve and defend Amer |
lean trade and the wsgss of American
workmen.
The President emphasizes the impor |
lance of increased reciprocal trade rela- |
tons and is confident that through the |
early and favorable action OF the eoun |
tries south OF us the coming year will |
show = gratifying increase in our exports
OF bread stntfs aud provisions, as well as
Of certain lines of manufactured goods. |
The President is of the opinion that the
reciprocity clause Of the tariff law will |
will be largely limited In its beneficial |
operation unless some effort is made to |
encourage the establishing Of steam |
ship lines between this nation |
and such countries as may enter
into reciprocal trade relations with |
us. This is strens endorsement of the |
splendid work which has been done in
the direction of this worthy object by
our own Senator Frye. and will doubt
less have much influence in carving
through his excellent measures designed
for the relief and upbuilding of shipping
interests.
The President makes very earnest
and forcihle plea for federal supervision
of Congressional elections. believing
that this is the best way for securing
free and honest elections of the nations
Representatives.
'Fiss message dc serves aud will receive
the candid consideration of the people