The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-02

To the senate and House Of Representa-
tivcs.
The reports Of the several executive de-
partments which will be laid before Con-
gress in the usual course will exhibit IN de-
tail the operations OF the Government tor
the last fiscal year. Only the more I'M
pOrtant incidents and results, and chiefly
such a. NAV bee the foundation Of the recon-
menlatiOns | shall submit. viii be referred
10 ia this annual message. The vast IN
creasing business OF the Government mas
been transacted by the several departments
during the year with faiihiulness, energy
and success The revenues, amounting To
above four hundred and fifty million
dollars. lhave been collected and disbursed
without revealing, 81 far as | can ascer-
tain. "A single case of defalcatlOn or embeZ-
element. An earnest effort has been made
10 stimulate a sense Of responsibility ana
public duty m all officers and employees OF
every grade. and the work done by them
has almost wholly escaped unfayOrable
criticism. speak OF these matters with
freedom because the credit Of this good work
is not mine. but is shared by the heads OF
the several departments. with the great
BODY of faithful officers and employees VINO
serve under them. The closest scrutiny OF
Congress is invited to all the methods OF
administration and TO every item oil eNpend-
iture.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The friendly relations Of our country with
the nations Of + rope and OF the East nave
been undisturbed. while the ties Of good
will and common interest that bind us 70
the States Of the Western hemisphere nave
been notably strengthened by the confer
ence held i'm this capital TO consider mea-
sures for the general welfare. Pursuant 10
the invitation authorized by Congress- the
representatives Of every independent STATE
of the American continent and OF Hayt met
in conference in the Capitol in October.
1SS9. and continued in session until the 18Th
of last April This important convOcati0n
marks "A most interesting ana lnHuentla
epoch i'm the history OF the western
hemisphere. ltis noteworthy that Brazil.
invited while under an imperial form OF
government shared as a republic IN the
deliberations and results OF the conference.
The recommendations OF this conference
were all transmitted to Congress at the last
session.
The international Marine Conference,
which met at Washington last winter,
reached a very gratifying result The reg
ulatiOns suggested have been brought 10
the attention Of all Governments repre-
scented. and their general adoption IS conn
IDENTITY expected. The legislation OF Con-
sre.- nt the last session is in conformity
with The propositions Of the conference, and
the proclamation therein provided for VIII
be issued when the other powers have given
notice Of their adhesion.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
The conference Of Brussels to devise
means for suppressng the slave trade III
Africa. afforded an opportunity Tor new
cxpres-ion OF the interest the American
paople feel in that great work. 1t soon be-
came evident that the measure proposed
would tax the resources OF the congo Oaslh
beyond the revenues available Y3Aer the
general act of Berlin Of lsoi 1he United
States not being party TO lhat act could
not share in IT. revision, out 10y a separate
act the independent state Of the Congo was
freed from the restrictions upon customs
revenue. The demOraliZing and destructive
traffic in ardent spirits among the tribes
also claimed the earnest attention
OF the conferences. and the delegates Of the
United States were foremost IN advocating
measures for its repression. An accord
was reached. the influence OF which VIII De
very helpful. and extend over wide region
a. soon as these measures shall receive the
sanction Of the Netherlands, for time
withheld. The general acts VIII be SUD
mitted for ratification by the Senate. Mean
while negotiations have been opened for a
new aud complete teaty OF friendship. com,
mercial and navigation, between the nted
states and the independent state OF the
Congo.
TIKI REPUBLIC or BRAZIL.
Toward The end Of the past year the only
independent mOnarchlal government on the
Western Continent, that of Brazil, ceased 10
exist aud was succeeded by repuDhc.
Diplomatic relations were at once establish
ed with the now Government, but 1t was
not completely recognized until an Opporiu-
nifty had been afforded % ascertain that IL
had popular approval and support. Nhea
the course Of events had yielded assurance
oftbis fact no time was lost in extending 10
she new Government full and cordial well
come into the family OF American common
wealtbs. 10 is confidently believed that The
good relations Of the two countries Will be
preserved. and that the future will witness
An increased intimacy of intercourse and an
expansion Of their mutual commerce.
CENTRAL AMERICAN TROUBLES.
The ace Of Contra America has again
been disturbed through revolutionary
- ,,e an salvador. which was not recOg-
nized by other states, and h0stilltieS broke
ont between Salvador and Guatemala,
,breatening 10 involve all Central America
in conflict. and 20 undo the progress when
had been made toward a union OF their m
tere.ts The efforts OF this Government were
promptly aud zealOusly eXerted 10 compose
their differences. and through the actNe
efforts OF the representative OF the Ihlleu
States a provisional treaty OF peace was
signed AUGUST 10Th, whereby the right OF the
Renublic Of Salvador to choose It's own
r,,ler. WAS recognized. General Pzeta, the
cbief of the provisional Government, has
since been confirmed in the Presidency by
fbe Assembly, and diplomatic recognition
duly followed
BAKRUNDIA's KILLING.
Tho killing Of General BarrundIa on board
The Pacific mail steamer Acapulco while
anchored in transit in the port Of san Jose
de Csutemala demanded careful inquiry.
Having failed in revolutionary attempt 10
Invade Guatemala from Mexican territory.
General Barrundia took passage al AGA
pulco for Panama. The consent OF the
representatives OF the United states was
sought 20 effect hls seizure, hrst AT Cham.
,erico where the steamer touched, ana
afterwards at san Jose. The captain OF
the steamer refused 10 give up his passen-
ger without a written order from the United
States Minister. The latter furnished the
desired letter stipulating as the CONDITION
ot his action. that General Barrundia's life
should be spared. and that he should he
tried only for onenses growing out OF his
insurreciiOnary movements. THIS ietter
was produced 20 the captain Oh the Acapui-
co by the military commarcer at San Jose
IA bis warrant 10 take the passenger frOm
the stesme.. General Barrundia resisted
capture, aud was killed.
Il being evident that TIE minister, MT.
Miner, had exceeded the bounds Of his
authority in intervening, In compliance
with the demands Of the GrateU alan au-
fhorlties, TO authorize add effect ia violation
al precedent the seizure on a vessel Of the
United States Of passenger in transit
charged with political Oie1ses In order that
he might be tried for such ofenses, under
what was described a. martial law, was