Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-12-11
MEETING OF CONGRESS.


MEETING OF CONGRESS.
The opening proceedings Of the Fifty
Second Congress, on Monday, were wit
messed in both houses by large crowds of
spectators. Vice. President Morton vel.
coined the Senators, after which the newly
elected members of that body, including
Mr.. Brice, of Ohio, were sworn in. Only
four Senators were absent.
In the House, Clerk Mcpherson called
the roll and announced the presence Of 326
members. Thereupon the House, on motion
of Mr.. Holman, adjourned 10 meet on Tues
day.
In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr.. Call, OF
Florida, was sworn in on his prima facie
case without objection. The Senate received
some reports and petitions, but postponed
action until the presidents message shall be
received. In the House, Hon. Charles F..
Crisp was elected Speaker, and made brief
address The other Democratic caucus
nominees for House officers were elected,
after which the members drew for seats
Committees from both houses were ap-
pointed to wait on the President and notify
him Of the organization of Congress.
The sessions Of both Houses Of Congress
were brief ON Wednesday, adjournment fol-
lowing the reading of the Presidents mes
sage.
The message of President Harrison is q
voluminous document, covering a great
variety of subjects. About one. third of 1t is
devoted to discussion of the foreign rela.
tions of the United States. The year, he
says, has been one of unusual activity in the
Department Of State. Among the diplo.
iiaTlE fssula1ytns negcsstfUn ofreclproUity
treaties with Brazil, the Spanish West In
dies and San Domingo, and like negotia-
tions with other countries are In progress.
The satisfactory termination Of the Bering
sea dispute has resulted In q greatly de.
creased destruction Of seal, and nothing now
remains open but the selection of arbiters.
A joint demarkation of the boundary line
between the United States and Canada, rem
dered more necessary by growing border
settlements, is suggested. The opening Of
the markets of Germany, Denmark, Italy,
Austria and France to American inspected
pork products is attributed to the act Of the
last Congress in providing for such inspec.
tions by the Department Of Agriculture and
the power given to the President TO exclude
products of those countries which unjustly
discriminate against the United States. The
internal affairs of Brazil and the relations
of that country with US are discussed
Whilst condemning the action Of the New
Orleans mob, the President regrets the man
ner In which Italy chose to present her
claim for indemnity. and says that the tenn.
porary absence of an Italian minister ut
Washington has tended to delay settle.
ment. The episode suggests TO the Presi-
dent the propriety of making offenses against
treaty rights cognizable by Federal rather
than State courts.
The most important matter in our foreign
relations is the present condition of affairs
with Chill. The President narrates the his.
tory of the recent revolution in that coun-
try. The tone of the message In dealing
with the attack In Valparaiso upon the sail
ors of the Baltimore is strong and aggres.
sive. The report of Capt. Schley is adopt.
ed, and hostility to the United States is con.
sidered the only motive for the attack. The
attention Of Chill was directed to the mat.
ter, and that government was asked If there
were any qualifying facts which might re.
leve the affair of the character of an inten-
tional insult to the United States. If such
did not exist this government would conf.
IDENTIFY expect reparation. The reply TO this
communication was offensive in tone
Events are waiting upon the investigation
now in progress in the Criminal Court of
Valparaiso. The President declares that If
the just expectation for reparaton is disap.
pointed a special message will be sent to
Congress.
Aid TO the Nicaragua Canal by the en-.
dorsement of its bonds is strongly recon-
mended. The appointment of . govern
ment agent to reside at Navassa, at the ex-
pense of the Guano Company, for the pro-
lection of the laborers is recommended.
In dealing with the tariff question the
message gives the arguments Of the Repub-
lcan party, and declares that the expecta-
tions of the friends OF the Mckinley bill
have been realized in an increased volume
of foreign trade, cheapness of all necessary
articles and in the general prosperity Of the
country. The President concludes this por.
tion OF his message by condemning any fur
ther agitation of the tariff question as det.
rimental TO the country. Interesting facts
and figures are given concerning the silver
question, and the President strongly con.
demns any change in the present law,
which he considers salutary.
The retirement of Secretary of Wa Proc.
tor is referred to with regret and the opera.
ions Of the department highly commended.
The increased receipts of the postal service
are given, along with a recommendation
hat free delivery be extended 10 towns OF
1000 population, and that the money order
md postal. note system be further extended.
The discussion Of Indian affairs occupies
considerable space. Methods TO reduce In.
iians 70 citizens and farmers, aud the estsb-
shment Of mixed schools TO bring the chill
Isn under the influence Of civilization, are