Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-02


T o the Senate and House of Representatives:
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 for
the last fiscal year. Only the more I'M
portant incidents and results, and chiefly
such as may be the foundation of the rec
ommendations 1 shall submit, will be re-
ferred 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 reve-
nues, amounting to above $3.50, ,0O0, 900, have
been collected and dsbursed without reveal
ing, 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 in all officers
and employees of every grade, and the work
done by them has almost wholly escaped un-
favorable criticism.
Where the Credit Belongs.
speak of these matters With freedom be-
cause the credit Qfthis good work is not mine,
but shared by the heads of the several de-
partments with the great body of faithful
officers and employees who serve under
them. The closest scrutiny of Congress is
invited to all the methods OF admlnistra-
ton and to every item of expenditure.
The 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 us 10 the
States of the Western Hemisphere have
been notably strengthened by the confer
euce held in this Capitol to consider meas
ures for the general welfare. Pursuant to
the invitations authorized by Congress, the
representatives. Of every independent State
of the American continent and of Hayti met
in conference in this Capitol in October,
1889, and continued in session until the 18th
of last April.
Marks an Interesting Epoch.
This important convocation marks a most
interesting and influential epoch in the
history of,the Western Hemisphere. 1t is
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 Con-
gress at the last session.
The International Marine Conference,
which sat at Washington last winter,
reached very gratifying result. The reg
ulations suggested have been brought to the
attention of all the governments repre-
sented, and their general adoption is conf
IDENTIFY expected.
The legislation of Congress at the last ses-
sion is in conformity with the propositions
of the conference and the proclamation
therein provided for will be issued when the
other powers have given notice of their
adhesion.
The conference OF Brussels to devise
means for suppressing the slave trade in
Africa afforded an opportunity for q new
expression of interest the American people
feel in great work. 1t soon became evident
that the measure proposed would tax the
resources of the Congo basin beyond the
revenues available under the general act of
Berlin Of 1884
The Work of Civilizing Africa.
The United States, not being a party to
that act could not share in its revision, but
by separate act the Independent State of the
Congo was freed from the restrictions upon
q customs revenue. The demoralizing and
traffic in ardent spirits among
the tribes also claimed the earnest attention
of the conference, and the delegates OF the
United States were foremost In advocating
measures for its repression. An accord was
reached, the influence of which will be very
helpful and extend over a wide region. As
soon as these measures shall receive the sane
tion of the Netherlands, for a time withheld,
the general acts will be submitted for ratifi-
cation by the Senate. Meanwhile negotis-
tions have been opened for a new and COM
plete treaty of friendship. commerce and
navigation between the United States and
the Independent State of the Congo.
Toward the end of the past year the only
monarchical government on the
w CbLCAh Andb VI OldHl1 SCdoCO W
exist and was succeeded by republic. Dip
lomatic relations were at once established
with the new government, but it was not COM
pletely recognized until an opportunity had
been afforded to ascertain that it had popu-
lar approval and support. When the
course of events had yielded assurance of
this fact no time was lost in extending to the
new government a full and cordial welcome
into the family of American common
wealths. 1t is confidently believed that the
good relations of the two countries will be
and that the future will witness
an increased intimacy of intercourse and an
of their mutual commerce.
The Central American War.
The peace of Central America has again
been disturbed through a revolutionary
change in Salvador, which was not
recognized by other States, and
hostilities broke out between Salvador
and Guatemala. threatening to involve all
Central America in conflict and to
retard the progress which had been made
toward a union Of their interests. The
efforts of this Government were promptly
and zealously exercised to compose their
and through the active efforts of
the representative of United States a
provisional treaty of peace was signed
August 26, whereby the right of the
Republic of Salvador to choose its own
rulers was recognised General Ezeta, the