The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Extracts From the Elaborate Document
Presented to Congress.
MATTERS IN SAMOA

as Presented to Congress.
MATTERS IN SAMOA.
The Samoan treaty, signed last
year at Berlin by the representatives
of the United States, Germany and
Great Britain, after due ratification
and exchange, has begun to produce
salutary effects. The formation of
the Government agreed upon will
soon replace the disorder of the past
by stable administration, alike just
to the natives and agreeable to the
three powers most concerned in trade
and intercourse with the Samoan
Islands. The Chief Justice has been
chosen by the King of Sweden and
Norway, on the invitation of the
three powers, and will soon be in
stalled The Land Commission and
the Municipal Council are in process
Of organization. A rational and
evenly distributed scheme of taxa
ton, both municipal and upon i'm
ports, is in operation. Malietoa is
respected as King.
REVISION OF THE JAPANESE TREATY.
The revision of our treaty relations
with the empire of Japan has continued
to be the subject of consideration and
OF correspondence. The questions in
volved are both grave and delicate, and
while it will be my duty to see sthat the
interests of the United States are not by
any changes exposed to undue discrim-
nation, | sincerely hope that such revi-
sion as will satisfy the legitimate ex-
pectations of the Japanese Government
and maintain the present and long
existing friendly relations between Japan
and the United States will be effected.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
The legislation of the past few years
has evidenced on the part of Congress a
growing realization Of the importance Of
the consular service in fostering our COM
mercIal relations abroad and in protect
ing the domestic revenues. AS the scope
of operations expand, increased provi-
sion must be made to keep up the essen
tial standard OF efficiency. The necessity
of some adequate measure of supervision
and inspection has been SO often pre-
scented that | need only commend the
subject to your attention.
The report of the Postmaster General
shows the most gratifying progress in
the work committed to mis- direction.
The business methods have been greatly
improved. A large economy in expen-
ditures and an increase OF four and three
quarter millions in receipts have been
realized. The deficiency of the year is
So, 783 300 against $3.50, 1873 last year,
notwithstanding the great enlargement
of the service. Mail routes have been
extended and quickened and greater
accuracy and dispatch in distribution
and delivery have been attained. The
report will be found full of interest and
suggestion, not only to Congress, but to
those thoughtful citizens who may be
interested to know what business
methods can be found in that depart
ment of public administration which
most nearly touches all our people.
MoRMoNs AND PoLYGAMY.
The increase and number and infu-
ence of the non-Mormon population in
Utah are observed with satisfaction
The recent letter of MILFORD Woodruff
president of the Mormon Church, in
which he advised his people to refrain
hiSLh SOh1 ShStihS hiehAAie@SS hOA OiouOAi
by the laws of the land, has attracted
much attention, and it is hoped that its
influence will be highly beneficial in
restraining infractions of the laws of the
United States. But the fact should not
be overlooked that the doctrine or belief
of the church that polygamous marriages
are rightful and supported by divine
revelation remains unchanged. Presi-
dent Woodruff does not renounce the
doctrine, but refrains from teaching il
and advises against the practice of il
because the law is against it. Now, it is
quite true that the law should not at
tempt to deal with the faith or belief oil
any one, but it is quite another thing in
this case, and the only safe thing is tc
deal with the Territory OF Utah so that
those who believe polygamy to be right.
full shall not have the power to make il
lawful.