The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-12-16


ten minutes afterward the annual mes
sage was before them.
Like all President Harrison's official
utterances, it is a concise, gracefully
worded, well-balanced statement of the
important negotiations that have been
conducted within the past year, and
will go on record as one of the ablest
state papers ever presented to Con-
gress
1t begins with the important work of
the State Department, treating briefly
of reciprocity negotiations, of the sue
cessful arrangement regarding arbitra
ton of the Behring sea controversary,
and of the concern of the government
over possible trouble that might arise
out of the unsettled boundary dispute
between Great Britain and Venezuela
1t reviews the unfortunate Italian diff
ficulty at New Orleans, and says that
its origin was not in any general ami
mostly toward the Italian people, nor
in any dsrespect for the italian govern
ment, and states the Presidents belief
that friendly settlement is attainable,
as also that Congress might make the
treaty rights of foreigners recognizable
in the Federal courts
The CHILEAN situation is vigorously
discussed, and the absolute non-inter-
ference of Minister Eagan and the
naval officers in the South American
rebellion is clearly shown. The un-
friendly tone of Chili's reply is deplored
and assurances given that the matter
will be brought before Congress in a
special message, unless due reparation
is promptly made at the expiration of
the investigation now in progress in the
criminal court at Valparaiso
The insurrection in China, the bad
faith shown by Spain regarding Ameri
can rights in the Caroline islands, the
progress made with the projected inter
continental railway, and the govern
mental protest against the Russian per-
secution of the Jews, all receive due at
tention; but the most important part of
the paper is that which is devoted to
the consideration of the two paramount
issues of the day, the silver and tariff
questions. As might be expected, both
these topics are ably handled and
thorough trial of the existing silver and
tariff laws is recommended. The Pres
ident declares that the tariff law has
already disappointed the evil prophe-
cies of its opponents and in large
measure realized the hopeful predic-
tions of its friends. Rarely, if ever be-
fore in the history of the country, has
there been time when the proceeds of
one days labor, or the product of one
farmed acre, would produce so large an
amount of those things that enter into
the living of the masses of the people"
. This is followed by clear and exhaust
! i've statement of facts and figures to
+. prove his declaration that "all the condi-
! tions of prosperity and general content
: ment are present in larger degree
!, than ever before in our history, and
I that, too, just when it was prophesied
c they would be in the worst state"
dollar and, after discussion of the sill
y yer question that reveals thorough
t knowledge of the financial situation, re-
b iterates his belief that "the free coinage
YI'of silver under existing circumstances
S would disastrously affect our business
at home and abroad"
The rest of this comprehensive mes
:, sage is devoted to the striking features
ciof the years work in the various de-
apartments and speaks of "a progressive
Wand business-like administration" of the
War Department and can intelligent |
aSnd conscientious desire to improve the
fnservice" on the part of the Postmaster
..aaSeneral, and heartily concurs in the
nfree delivery system the latter has
cenarked out. The President thinks
i'there should be no hesitancy in
npromptly completing navy of the best
modern type, and large enough to en-
sble this country to display its flag in
jail seas for the protection of its citizens
y md of its extending commerce" and
dlte assures us that the United States
an'will before long attain, in the con-
ehtruction of such vessels with their en-
Hines and ornaments, the same pre-
krominence which it attained when the
|noest instruments of ocean commerce
yas the clipper ship, and the most inn
ressive exhibit of naval power the old
brdooden three-decker man -of-war"
la n. L a.
,lterior Department are all reported
} making good progress, and the state
| lent is made that 1.-The provision of adj
zluate school facilities for Indian chill.
been and the locating of adult Indians
eepon farms, involve the solution of the
|oSdian question
The work of the Census and Pension