The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-12-11

The Presidents Message.


The Presidents Message.
The message of President Harrison was
read to both Houses of Congress, on Wednes-
day. 1t is very long and gives a comprehen-
sive view of everything relating to the for
eign and domestic policy of the United States.
1t is creditable document in this respect
but of course Democrats must take exception
to much that 1t contains, believing the Pre-
siAent's views to be unsound and not ealcu-
lated 10 advance the welfare OF the people of
this country.
He gives q review of what has been accom-
plished by the State Department, among
which are reciprocal trade arrangements with
Brazil and the West Indies.
The progress of negotiations with Great
Britain win regard to the taking of seals in
Behring Sea Is adverted to.
1t is gratifying to be able to state, says the
President, that Germany, Denmark, Italy,
Austria and France, in the order named, have
opened their ports to inspected American
pork products.
He gives statement ofthe correspondence
with Italy with regard to the lynching of
Italians at New Orleans and thinks friendly
conclusion will be reached.
Our relations with Chill are set forth at
length and the President says full reparation
will be demanded for the outrages perpetrat-
ed upon American citizens.
With regard to the outbreak against for
eigners in China he says the government will
insist upon protection by the Chinese govern
ment of our citizens peaceably sojourning in
China, and referring to the rejection by that
government of Mr.. Blair as minister from
this government to China, he declares that
no minister to China will be named while ex-
listing laws are in force.
He refers to the remonstrances made by
this country to Russia against the cruel treat
ment of Jews by the Russian government.
The President takes strong ground for aid
by our government to the Nicaragua Canal
project, but Congress will probably have a
good deal to say on this subject before his
suggestions are adopted.
He has nothing to say about the disappear
ance of the surplus in the United States
Treasury which caused President Cleveland
so much concern, and extols the Mckinley
tariff as a most benefcent measure.
He gives a summary of the finances of the
country. In his view free coinage would dis
astrously affect business interests. On this
point he says
nnk tn nt in ON, L..
ity in the purchasing power of the gold and
silver dollar in our own markets, and in for.
eign trade the stamp gives no added value to
the bullion contained in coins. The produc-
ers of the country, its farmers and laborers,
have the highest interest that every dollar.
paper or coin, issued by the government shall
be as good as any other. If there is one less
valuable than another its sure and constant
errand will be to pay them for their toll and
for their crops. The money-lender will pro-
tect himself by STIMULATING for payment in
gold, but the laborer has never beenable to do
that. To place business upon a silver basis
would mean sudden and severe contraction
of the currency, by the withdrawal of gold
and gold notes, and such an unsettling of all
values as would produce commercial panic.
1eannot believe that people 30 strong and
prosperous as ours will promote such poll
sy."
The President thinks bi-metalism desirable
but until foreign nations are Willing to adopt
it this country would lose instead of gain by
acoeding to the demands of the silver produc-
eR.
He refers to the reports of the Departments
and urges an increase Of the navy.
The President also adverts to the great dill
igence" of The Pension Bureau, which has
been issuing certificates at the rate of 10000
a month. The total number of pensioners on
the 30th of last June was 678, 100, SO that by
this time it must exceed 100000.
He compliments the Department of Agri-
culture upon the great results already at
tanned in disseminating agricultural and hor-
ticultural information; in stimulating and
directing further diversiication of the crops;
in detecting and eradicsting diseases of do
mestic animals and, more than all. in the
close and informal contact which it has estab-
lished and maintains with the farmers and
stock raisers of the whole couAtry.
He recommends an increased appropriation
for the Civil Service Commission. Congress
is not likely to grant this, however. The
Republicans are very sore over Commission
er Roosevelt's expose of the way Republi-
can primary elections are managed in Balti-
more and the Democrats are not very enthu.
siastic with regard to the way in which the
Civil Service Commission has been admins.
tered.
The President opposes a change in the
method of choosing Presidential electors. He
vigorously condemns gerrymandering-by
Democrats, of course he means Overlooking
the means adopted by his own party to hold
the Legislature of New York against the
wishes ofa majority of the people of that
State. His own election. it is pointed out,
furnishes an illustration against his own ar
guments, for Cleveland received msjority
of nearly quarter of million ofthe popular
vote, and yet Mr.. Harrison became Presi-
dent.
Altogether Mr.. Harrison's message con-
tains nothing startling. II is commonplace
and will have no effect whatever in shaping
the legislation of Congress. All 1t will &C.
somplish, perhaps. will be to strengthen his
party ia upholding the Mckinley high tariff.
The State Farmers Convention.
Judge Edward Stake, President of the
Maryland State Farmers Association, an
nounces that the next annual convention
will be held in Baltimore on the second Wed
nssday Of January next, the 18th of the
u h.. sc