Omaha daily bee., 1890-12-02
THE sSIpENTs MESSAGE.


view of the sffairs Of the government
during the past year. 1t is pcrvaded by
expressions OF satisfaction with existing
conditions which ought to be reassuring
and encouraging TO the country. Its
opinions are intelligent and thoughtful,
and its recommendations generally
sound and judIcious. In word, 1t is n
candid, raightforward presentation Of
facts views and suggestions which
ought to receive the attention OF every
citizen, and which are made in spirit
that should command general respect.
The president refers at the outset to
the success of the administration in
transacting the vast business of the gov
ernment SO as to have almost wholly es.
capped unfavorable criticism, fidelity and
integrity marking to an exceptional de-
gree the operations of every department,
for all Of which the credit is given to the
chiefs OF departments and the faithful
officers and employees under them. IT is
signal tribute which is thus paid to all
connected with the administration of
the business Of the government, and the
popular Judgment will not fail to accord
to the chief executive his full share of
credit for the honorable record of faith
full and honest performance of duty. By
reason both OF example and influence he
is entitled to large measure of the
honor. Passing over the review of our
relations with foreign powers, which are
universally friendly, and the refer
ences to the several department
reports, the recommendations of which
are concurred in, the president says of
the new silver law that some months Of
further trial will be necessary to deter
mine the permanent effect of the legis.
lation upon silver values, but he regards
it as gratifying that the increased circu-
lation secured by the act has eXerted
and will continue to exert a benefi cial
influence upoh business and general val
ues. While it has not been thought
best to seek an International conference
regarding silver, the situation abroad
has been carefully observed and no fav-
orable opportunity will be lost to pro-
mote full use of silver among the ma
tions for coinage at u uniform ratio. A
re-examination of opinions on this sub
jcct the president thinks is not unlikely
to be suggested by the recent
monetary disturbances in Eng
land and if our large supply of gold is
not lost in impulsive legislation in the
supposed interest of silver we shall be in
position of advantage in promoting a
permanent and safe international agree
ment for the free use of silver as a coin
metal. In this the president clearly i'm
plies that he does not favor free coinage.
Regarding the new tariff law the presi-
dent is distinctly in line with those who
believe it should not be interfered with
at the present session of congress. He
declares that there is neither wisdom
nor justice in the suggestion that the
subject of tariff revision shall be opened
expresses the opinion that ''it will
justify the support of those who be-
lieve that American legislation should
conserve and defend American
trade and the wages of American
workmen." The whole argument of the
president is directed against any changes
in the law at present, and it is entirely
safe to predict that his views will be
sustained by the majority in congress.
Approval Is given to the reciprocity
clause of the tariff act, and the right of
the nation is maintained to make special
reciprocal trade concessions, which 1t is
held does not impair either the comfy
NJ w hot l-r
as the favored nation clause of Internal
tional treaties, Regarding this much
discussed question, the president holds
that what is given to one nation for an
adequate, agreed consideration, cannot
be claimed by another freely 1t is
stated that the indications thus far
givcc "a favorable action by the
countries from which we receive our
large imports of coffee and sugar are
very hopeful, and it is believed that if
steam communication with those coun-
tries can be promptly improved and en-
larged the next year will show a most
gratifying increase in our exports of
breadstutfs and provisions, us we'll as of
some important lines of manufactured
goods.
The president makes an argument for
the development of the existing law
providing for federal supervision of
congressional elections" from which it
is to be inferred that he would approve
the election bill which has passed the
house and is now in the senate. The
passage of an apportionment bill at the
present session is recommended, and
also legislation for the development of
American steamship lines, for the
relief of the supreme court,
for atfording copyright pro-
lection to foreign authors, for requiring
railroads engaged in interstate COM
merce to use uniformly the safest train
appliances, for enabling the postoflce
department to test by experiment the
advantages of apostal telegraph system,
and for securing national bankrupt
law The message concludes with
proper and perhaps necessary admoni-
tion to congress to exercise care in the
preparation of appropriation bills and
not to waste the brief time remaining