The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-12-06

The reports OF the several executive depart.
ments which will bc laid before Congress in the
usual course will exhibit in detail the opera
tions 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 shall submit will be re-
ferred to in this annual message
The vast and increasing business Of the Gov.
ernment has been transacted by the several de-
partments during the year with faithfulness,
energy and success. The revenues, amounting
to above four hundred and fifty million dollars,
have been collected and dsbursed without re.
vealing, SO far as can ascertain, q single case
of defalcation or embezzlement. An earnest
effort has been made to stimulate n sense Of re-
sponsibility and public duty in all officers and
employees Of every grade, and the work done by
them has almost wholly escaped unfavorable
criticism. speak of these matters with free
dom 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 who serve under them
The closest scrutiny Of Congress is invited to
all the methods Of administration and to every
Item OF expenditure.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The friendly relations Of our country with the
nations of Europe and of the East have been
nndisturbed, while the ties OF good will and
common interest II at binds us 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 inde-
pendent State OF the American continent and
of Hayti met in conference in this capital in
October, 1889, and continued in session until the
10th OF last April. This important convention
marks q 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 ns n
Republic in the deliberations and results of the
conference. The recommendations of this con-
ference were all transmitted to Congress at the
last session.
The international marine conference, which
sat at Washington last winter, reached q very
gratifying result. The regulations suggested
have been brought to the attention Of all the
governments represented, and their general
adoption is confidently predicted. The legisla-
tion OF Congress Mt the last session is in con-
formity with the propositions OF the conference,
and the proclamation therein provided for will
be issued when the other powers have given no
tice Of their admission.
The conference of Brussels to devise means
for suppressing the slave trade In Africa, af
forded an opportunity for new expression OF
the interest the American people feel In that
great work. 1t soon became evident that the
measure proposed would tax the resources OF
the Congo basis beyond the revenues available
under the general act of Berlin OF 1884. The
United States, not being party to that act,
could not share in Its revision, but by a separ-
ate net the independent State OF the Congo was
freed from the restrictions upon q customs
revenue. Tho demoralizing and destructive
tranic 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 repres-
sion.
An accord was reached, the influence OF
which will be very helpful and extend over
wide region. AS soon as these measures shall
Receive the sanction of the Netherlands, for o
time withheld. the general acts Will be submit
ted for ratification by the Senate. Meanwhile
negotiations have been opened for new and
complete 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 in
dependent monarchial government on the West
ern continent that of Brazil. ceased to exist
and was succeeded by republic. Diplomatic
relations were at once established with the new
government, but II was not completely recog-
:nized until an opportunity had been Afforded to
ascertain that It had popular approval and sup
port When the course OF events had yielded
ps snrance Of this fact, no time was lost In ex-
tending to the new government full ana COR
dial welcome into the family OF American COM
-monwealths II is confidently believed that the
good relations Of the two countries VIII be pre-
served and that the future will witness On in
screased Intimacy OF intercourse and expansion
OF their mutual commerce.
The peace OF Central merica has again been
disturbed through revolutionary change In
Salvador, which was not recognized by other
States, and hostilities broke out between Sal
yador and Guatemala, threatening 10 involve
ali Central America In conflict and TO undo the
progress which had been made toward union
OF their interests. The efforts OF this Govern
ament were promptly and zealously exercised to
compose their differences, and through the
active efforts of the representatives OF the
United States provisional treaty of peace was
signed August 26 whereby the right OF tho Re-
public of Salvador to cho0se Its own rulers was
recognized. General Ezeta, the chief OF the
provisional government, has since been con-
hrmed In the presidency by the Assembly ana
diplomatic recognition duly followed,
The killing of General Barrundia, on board the
Pacinc Mai steamer Acapulco while anchored
on transit in the port OF Sun Jose dc Guate-
mnln, demanded careful inquiry Having
failed In revolutionary attempt TO invade
Guatemala from Mexican territory, General Bar
rundia took passage at Acapulco for Panama.
The consent OF the representatives OF the
United States was sought to AFFECT his seizure.
first ut Champerico, where the steamer
touched. and afterward at San jose The cap
tain OF the steamer refused TO give up his pas
senger without q written order from the
Tinted States minister the latter furnished
the desired letter, stpulating as the condition
nj his action that General Barundia's life
should be spared and that he should be tried
only for oiienses growing out OF his insurrec.
tionary movements. This letter was produced
70 the Captain OF the Acapulco. by the militia
ry commander at San Jose, as his Warrant 70
take the passenger from the steamer. General
6arrundia resisted capture and WAS killed II
being evident that the Minister Mr. mixner'