Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-12-19

Ii satisfaction rs NOT Given OF the
Valparaiso Massacre a Special Mes
sage Will Be Embellishments of
the Tariff and Evils of Free Sill
YER.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10.--The annual mes
sage of the president to congress was read in
the senate and house yesterday. 1t begins
with a reference to the important negotiations
entered into by the state department during
the past year and after dealing at length with
the Behring sea controversy, says:
"lnmy last annual message stated that the
basis of arbitration proposed by her majesty's
government for the adjustment of the long
pending controversy as to the seal fisheries
was not accepted. am glad now to be able
to announce that terms satisfactory to this
government have been agreed upon and that
an agreement as to the arbitrator is all that
is necessary to the completion of the conven-
tion.n
1.-THE law of the last congress placed this gov
eminent in position to etfectually urge the
removal of determinations against our meats.
1t is gratifying to be able to state that Ger
many. Denmark, Italy, Austria and France,
In the order named, have opened their ports to
inspected American pork products"
OF the New Orleans lynching the message
says:
1.-THE lynching at New Orleans in March
last of eleven men of Italian nativity by mob
of citizens was most deplorable and dis
creditable incident. 1t did not, however, have
its origin in any general aniInosity TO the
Italian people, nor in any disrespect to the
government of Italy, with which our relations
were of the most friendly character. Some
suggestions growing out of this unhappy in
cident are worthy the attention of congress.
1t would, believe, be entirely comp tent for
congress to make offenaes AGAINST the treaty
rights of foreigners domiciied in the United
States cognizable in the federal courts. This
has not, however, been done, and the federal
officers and courts have no power in such
cases to intervene. 1t seems to me to follow,
in this state of the law, that the officers of the
state charged with police and judicial powers
in such cases must in the consideration of in
ternational questions growing out of such in
cidents, be regarded in such sense federal
agents.
After recital of the flight and capture of
the Itata and the massacre of American
sailors in Valparaiso the president says:
IAN Investigation Of the affair was promptly
made by board of officers of the Baltimore,
and their report shows that these assaults
were unprovoked, that our men were conduct
ing themselves in a peaceable and orderly
manner, and that some of the police of the
city took part in the assault and used their
weapons with fatal effect, while few others.
with some well disposed citizens, endeavored
to protect our men. Thirty-six of our sailors
were arrested, and some Of them, while being
taken to prison, were cruelty beaten and IN al
treated. The fact that they were all dis
charged, no criminal charge being lodged
against any one of them, shows very clearly
that they were innocent of any breach of the
peace.
THE attention of the Chilean government
was at once called to this affair, and it was
fae Il moi
exist this government would confidently
pect full and prompt reparation.
at is to be regretted that the reply of the
secretary for foreign affairs of the provisional
government was couched in an offensive tone.
To this no response has been made. This gov
eminent is now awaiting the result of an in
vestigation which has been conducted by tile
criminal court at Valparaiso. It is reported
unofficially that the investigation is about
completed, and it is expected that the result
will soon be communicated to this government,
together with some adequate and satisfactory
response to the note by which the attention of
Chile was called to this incident. If these just
expectations should be disappointed or fur
Their needless delay intervene, / viii. by a
special message, bring this matter again to the
attention of congress for such action as may
be necessary.
The president refers to the outbreak against
foreigners in China, which he views as a mat
terests in that country. He regards as desir-
able that provision be made by congress for the
admission of Chinese artisans and laborers IN
connection with the Columbian exposition.
Attention is called to the protest by our gov
eminent to Russia against the persecution of
the Hebrews in that country, and to the ac-
ceptance of our international copyright law by
Belgium, France, Great Britain and Switzer-
land. With Germany a special convention has
been negotiated.
In calling attention to the effect Of the tariff
legislation of the last congress the president
gives figures showing the total value of our
foreign commerce for the year ending Sept 80
1891, to be Sl74i, SG 46. the largest of any year
in the nations history. In the same time our
imports Of merchandise amounted to SS4,Tl5,-
go. increase of over Sill tO0,0lU OF the effect
of the Mckinley bill he says:
The value of free imports during the twelve
months ending Sept. 3d. 1891, was Sl1sO92, 3s7
more than the value of free imports during the
corresponding twelve months of the preceding
year, and there was during the same period
decrease of $iU6, 1858 in the value of imports
of dutiable merchandise The percentage of
merchandise admitted free of duty during the
year to which have referred, the first under
the new tariff, was 4s1S, while during the pre-
ceding twelve months. under the old tariff. the
percentage was 34.27, an increase of 1891 per
cent.
IF we turn to exports of merchandise the
statistics are full of qualification. The value
of such exports of merchandise for the twelve
months ending Sept. 30, 1891. was SOB l9i 1885,
while for the corresponding previous twelve
months it was $3.50 III, lI5, an increase Of S62,-
e14,0 GIL.
There is certainly nothing in the condition
Of trade, foreign or domestic, there is certainly
nothing in the condition of our people Of any
class to suggest that the existing tariff and
revenue legislation bears oppressiveIy upon
49,
ment Of the nation. 1t may be argued that
our condition would be better if our tariff
legislation were upon free trade basis; but it
cannot be denied that all the conditions Of
prosperity and of general contentment are
present In larger degree than ever before in
our history, and that, too, just when it was
prophesied they would be in the worst state
Agitation for radical changes in tariff and
financial legislation cannot help. but may
seriously impede business, to the prosperity of
which some degree OF stability in legislation
is essential think there are conclusive evi-
depces that the new tariff has created several
great industries which viii within few years
give employment 70 several hundred thousand
American worl and women. In view
of the someysi 0yercrowded condition of
the labor maTkes II the United States every
patriotic citizen should rejoice at such a re-
suit
THE report Of the secretary OF the treasury
shows that the total receipts of the govern
ment from all sources for the fiscal year end
ing June 80. 1891, were SIS 5s4 z33n9. while the
expenditures for the same period were SAIL
80i, 40, leaving surplus of S5s ,23a 1851.
The receipts of the fiscal year ending June
80, 1892 actual and esti mated. are Ss33. 20 40
and the expenditures 09.001000. For the rs
cal year ending June 30. 1858, the estimated
receipts are Sass, SaG. $50 and the expenditures
| $44l, 301,0e8.r
On the silver question he says:
Before the influence OF the prospective sill
yer legislation was felt in the market silver
was worth In New York about 0.e55 per ounce.