Fergus County argus., 1890-12-11
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE,
Sent to Congress by President Har-
rison and Read in Both
Houses.
The Document Touches Upon All
Affairs of Moment, Domes-
tic and Foreign.
Peace and Amitv Characterize Interna-
tionai Relations Work of the de-
partnents.

WAsHINGToN. Dec. Ito the Senate and
House of Representatives: The re ports of the
several executive departments which will
be laid before congress IN the usual course.
will exhibit in detail the operations of the
government for the last fiscal year. Only
the more important incidents and results.
and chiefly such as may be the
foundation of the recommendations
l shall submit. will be referred
to in this annual message. The vast and
increasing business Of the government has
been transacted by the several departments
during the year with faithfulness. energy
and success. The revenues. amounting to
above SijO,0OO,OO0. have been col ected and
disbursed without revealing. SO far as can
ascertain, single case of defalcation or
embezzlement. An earnest effort has been
made to stimulate sense of responsibility
and public duty i'll all officers and employees
of every grade. and the work done by them
has almost wholly escaped unfavorable crit
icism. speak of these matters with free
dom, because the credit of this great work
Is not mine. but is shared by the heads of
the several departments with tho great body
of faithful officers ard employees who serve
under them.
The closest scrutiny of congress is invited
to all the methods of the administration
and to every item of expenditure. Inc
friendly relations of our country with the
nations of Europe and of the East have
been undisturbed, while the ties of good
will and common interest that bind the
United States to the states of the western
hemisphere have been notably strengthened
by the conference held in this capital to
consider measures for the general welfare.
Pursuant to the invitation. authorized by
congress. the representatives of every indie
pendent state of the American continent
and of Hayti met in conference in this
capital IN October, 1859. and continued in
session until the nineteenth of last April.
This important convocation marks a most
interesting and continental epoch in the
history OF the western hemisphere.
II is noteworthy that Brazil. invited un-
der an imperial form of government, shared
as a republic in the deliberations and re-
suits Of this conference. The recommenda-
tiCns of this conference were all transmitted
to congress at the last session. The Interna-
tional Marine congress, which sat at Wash
lngton last winter, received very gratify-
ing result. The regulations suggested have
been brought to the attention of all the
governments represented, and their Renei al
adoption Is confidently expected. The leg
islation of congress at the last session is in
conformity with the proposition of the con- |
ference. and the proclamation therein pro- |
vided will be issued when the other powers
have given notice of their adhesion.
The conference at Brussels. to devise |
means for suppressinR the slave trade in |
Africa. afforded an opportunity for a new |
of the interest the American |
soon became evident that the " measure m
would tax the resources of the |
Congo basin beyond the revenues available |
under the general act of Berlin Of 1884.
The United States not beirg party to
that act could not share in its revision. but
by IA separate act the Independent state of
the Congo was freed from the restrictions
upon custom revenue. The demoralizing
and destructive traffic in ardent spirits
among the tribes also claimed the earnest
attention of the conference. and the dele
gates of the United states were foremost in
measures for its repression, and
IN accord was reached. the influence of
which will be very helpful and extend over
1 wide region as soon as these measures
shall receive the sanction of the Neither
ands. for a time withheld. The general
acts will be submitted to the senate for
Meanwhile, negotiations have
been opened for a new and complete treaty
If friendship. commerce and navigation
between the United States and the inde-
PENDENT state of Congo.
Toward the end of the past year the only
independent imperial government on the
western continent, THAT of Brazil. ceased to
.xist, and was succeeded by republic.
Diplomatic relations were at once estab-
ished with the new government. but il was
|
iity had been afforded to ascertain that il
lad popular approval and support. When
he course of events had yielded assurance
If this fact, no time was lost in extending
% the government a full and cordial vel
,ome into the family of American common
Tealths. 1t is confidently believed that the
,ood relations of the two nations will be
preserved, and that the future will witness
IN increased intimacy of intercourse and an
expansion of their mutual commerce.
The peace OF Central America has again
,een disturbed through a revolutionary
'hange in Salvador which was not recog-
iized by other states, and hostilities broke
,ut between Salvador and Guatemala,
to involve all Central America
n conflict and to undo the progress which
erests. The efforts Of this government
were promptly and zealOusly exerted to
compose their differences and through the
lctive Efforts of the representative of the
United States provisional treaty Of peace
vas signed August %. whereby the right of
he republic of Salvador to choose its own
ulers was recognized. Gen. Ezeta, the
thief df the provisional government, has
'ince been confirmed in the presidency by
he assembly and diplomatic recognition
luly followed. The killing Of Gen. Bar
.undia on board the Pacific mail steamer
vt in the part of San Jose
ie Guatemala. demanded careful
inquiry. Having failed in a revolutionary
lttempt to invade Guatemala from Mexi-
,an territory. General Barrundia took pas
'age at Acapulco for Panama. The con-
ent Of the representatives of the United
states was sought to effect his seizure, first
It Champerico. where the steamer touched,
md afterwards at San Jose. The captain
If the steamer refused to give mp his ras-
'enger without "a written order from the
United States minister. The latter fur
lished the desired letter. .stipulatinR as the