The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-09
The Presidents.
M E SSAGE E
IN FULL
General View Of the State Of
the Government
His Views on important
Matters

WASHINGTON, December 0.-The Presi-
dents annual Message TO Congress was read
to-day, as follows:
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIvEs:
The reports of the heads of the several
executive departments, required by law, to be
Iubmitted to me- which are herewith trans
United, and the reports of the secretary of the
treasury and the attorney general made
directly to congress- furnish comprehensive
view of the administrative work of the last
fiscal year relating TO internal affairs. 1t
would be of great advantage if these reports
could have an attentive perusal by every men,
Der of congress and by all who take an interest
in public affairs. Such perusal could not
fail to excite a higher appreciation of the vast
labor and conscientious effort which arc given
to the conduct of our civil administration.
The reports will, believe, show that every
question has been approached, considered and
decided from the standpoint of public duty
ami upon considerations affecting the public
interests alone Again invite to every branch
of the service the attention and scrutiny of
congress.
Reciprocity.
The work of the state department during
the last year has been characterized by an un-
usual number of important negotiations and
by diplomatic results of Il notable and highly
beneficial character Among those are the
reciprocal trade arrangements which have
been concluded, in the exercise of the powers
conferred by section of the tariff law, with
the republic of Brazil, with Spain for its West
India possessions, and with San Domingo.
Like negotiations with other countries have
been much advanced, and it is hoped that be-
fore the close of the year further definite trade
arrangements of great value will be con-
cuded.
The Seal Question.
In view of the reports which had been re-
ceved as to the diminution of the seal herds
in Behring sea, deemed it wise to propose to
her majesty's government in February last
that an agreement for a closed season should
ba made, pending the negotiations for arb-
tration which then seemed to be approaching
a favorable conclusion. After much corre-
spondence, and delays for which this govern
ment was not responsible, an agreement was
reached and signed on the 18th of June, by
which Great Britain undertook, from that
date and until May |, 1892, to prohibit the
killing by her subjects of seals in the Behrng
sea, and the government of the United States,
during the same period to inforce its existing
prohibties against pelagic sealing and to
limit the catch by the fur seal company upon
the islands t. 75GO skins.
Concerning boundaries.
Provision should be made for joint de-
marcation of the frontier line between Can
ada and the United States wherever required
by the increasing border settlements, and es-
boundary in the straits and rivers.
should have been glad to announce some
favorable disposition of the boundary dispute
between Great Britain and Venezuela, touch
ing the western frontier of British Guiana, but
the friendly efforts of the United States in that
direction have thus far been unavailng. This
government will continue to express its con-
Germ at any appearance of foreign encroach-
ment on territories long under the admins
trative control of American states
The determination of IA disputed boundary
is easily attainabe by amicable arbitration,
where the rights of the respective parties rest.
as here,on historic facts readily ascertainable..
The president here refers to the crafty
ing results of the labors of the state de-
partment and our ministers abroad in hav-
ing the restrictions on American pork pro-
ducts removed in Germany, Denmark,
Italy, Austria and France.
Brazilian Troubles.
The recent political disturbances in tho Re-
public of Brazil have excited regret and So
licitude. The information we possessed was
too meager to enable us to form satisfactory
judgment of the causes leading to the tempor-
airy assumption of supreme power by President
Fonseca; but this government did not fail to
express its anxious solicitude for the peace of
Brazil and for the maintenance of the free po-
htlcal institutions which have been estab-
lished there, nor to offer our advice that great
parties and the contest for the lie adership
These counsels were received in the most
friendly spirit and the latest Information is
that constitutional government has been re-
established without bloodshed.
The New Orleans Lynching.
The lynching at New Orleans in March last
of eleven men of Italian nativity by mob OF
citizens was most deplorabe and discredita-
BILE incident. 1t did not, however, have its
origin In any general animosty to the Italian
people, nor in any disrespect to the govern
ment of Italy, with which our relations were
of tho most friendly character. The fury of
the mob was directed against these men as the
supposed participants or accessories in the
murder of a city officer. | do not allude to
this as mitigating in any degree this offense
against law and humanity, but only as affect
ing the international questions which grew
out of it. II was at once represented by the
Italian minister that several of those whose
lives had been taken by the mob were Italian
subjects, and demand was made for the
punishment of the participants and for an in
demnity to the families of those who were
killed.
1t is to be regretted that the manner in
which these claims were presented was not
such as to promote n calm discussion of the
question involved; but this may well be attri-
buted to the excitement and indignation
which the crime naturally evoked. The views
OF TINS government as TO its obligations to
| foreigners domiciled here were fully stated In
the correspondence, well as its purpose TO
make an investigation of the affair, with n
view to determine whether there were present
any circumstances that could under such
rules of duty as we had indicated, create an
obligation upon the United States. The tenn
porary absence of II minister penpotentiary
OF Italy at this capital has retarded the further
correspondence, but it is not doubled that a
| friendly conclusion is attainable
Some sugge stions growing out of this un-
| haDDV incident Ina OFT %
congress 1t would, believe, be entirely COM
petent for congress to make offenses against
the treaty rights Of foreigners domicled in
the United States cognizable in the federal
courts. This has not, however, been done, and