The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-02
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The incidents of Nov. 4th have not by so
much as hairs breadth disturbed Presi-
dent Harrison's equilibrium. Not by so
much as feathers weight has he been
thrown out of balance. On yesterday he
was no less firmly devoted than on the
date of his last annual message to the
sound governmental principles in behalf Of
s which he made battle and won victory in
1883. With the millions who stood fast
and swerved not. rather than the stray
Eers who took frigst and deserted the
snemy. he makes heroic stand for sound
economic principles. and justice, and
right.
There are no signs of the white feather in
President Harrison's message. Against
misrepresentation, and to correct misap-
prehensions. he submits an array of Of
6ciai facts and figures that are simply
crushing in their conclusiveness. 1t is a
pity that this message, with its simple
statistical showings aud its calm but un-
snswerable logic could not be spread be.
Beyond doubt it must have restrained Re-
publicans by the tens Of thousands from
yielding to the mad infatuation of that
occasion. as it cannot fail to fill them
with shame and regret now.
To the charges Of reckless extravagance,
vanished surplus and pending deficit
he responds by showing of increased rev.
snue, enormous bond redemption, heavy
reduction of interest charges and a balanc-
ing of receipts and expenditures that will
leave, on the LIST of July next, more than
sixty-seven millions applicable to debt
liquidation. To the charge of ruin to the
agricultural class he replies by pointing to
the market reports, which show that in
October. 1890. wheat commanded $1.00N,
against 81 cents in the same month of 1889;
corn, sos against 81 oats, 43 against 29sl;
oar.ey, 73 against g. OF cattle, 200, 100
more; of hogs, 5000 more were exported in
1890 than in 1885, OF butter, 24.74SO92
pounds were exported. against 1884. s7s
pounds in 1889, and in the aggregate the
exports of meat and dairy products in
creased more than eighty-four million dol
ars.
The official figures show that our exports
Of domestic merchandise increased more
han $lI5.000.0O0 during the year, and in
evidence that the new tariff has not had its
threatened disastrous effects upon foreign
commerce, 1t is shown that for the first
shree weeks of November the imports were
} per cent in excess of the same period in
1889. and 10 per cent over 1888. And stand
ird authorities are quoted to show q
healthy increase in bank clearings and a
great reduction in the number of failures
md IN average of liabilities.
The foreign relations Of the country have
been handled with consummate ability and
success, with the sole exception of the I'm.
ortunate Barrundia affair, and in that
Ease Minister Mizner was promptly recalled.
The results, achieved and prospective, OF
The Pan-American and Maritime con-
sresses were alone sufficient to give the
present an eminent rank among the sew
sral administrations Beyond ali prece-
lent the postal service has been extended
and improved under this administration,
and the country will be startled to learn
hat all of this has been accomplished COIN
,idently with a material reduction of ex-
peuses.
President Harrison calls attention to the
extraordinary conditions that have inter.
ered with full realization OF the benefits
Of the new silver law, and admonishes pru-
ience in giving il q further and COM
plete test before venturing upon additional
legislation in that direction. In reference
10 the new tariff. he has lost none of his
faith in the beuehcence of that measure.
On the contrary, closer study of its pru-
visions and their bearings, together with
observation of the effects thus far ac-
compiished, prompt streuuo US insistencs
On strict adherence 10 the lines marked
out. and a fair trial OF the law without
further modification. "In Its general scone
and effect" saws the President, sit will
Justify the support of those who believe
hat American legislation should conserve
and defend American trade and the wages
Of American worsmen." There are no
signs of weakening there!
The President once more warmly en-.
iorses the reciprocity policy suggested hy
Secretary Blaine, and gives to it perhaps
the clearest calculation that has yet an
peared in print And he is no less clear in
demonstrating the caution which should
eharscterizs legislation in respect 10 the
reclamation Of the great arid belt of the in.
terror. The duty OF passing the elections
bill is treated with extraordinary force ana
vigor. IL is q branch of his message 20
which no synopsis or summary can do
justice. IL presents case of urgent duty
which no Senator can disregard and with