The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-09


Chinese industries at the approaching
Columbian exposition. II regard IL as de-
sirable that the Chinese exhibit be facili-
tated in every proper way
Spanish Affairs.
The rights Of American citizens In the
Caroline Islands was then lightly touched
upon; laments the injustice TO our coun-
trymen on account of the neglect of the
Spanish government, calling further at
tention TO the proposed celebration Of the
400th anniversary of the discovery OF
America. which event is to be held in
Madrid, and urging congress to accept the
invitation extended to this government to
participate in its celebration.
Russian Emigration.
The Mexican treaty, the death Of King
Kalakua and the influx of Russians, on
account of their expulsion from the do
mains of the ezar, to this country, Is
referred to, and which rs likely to assume
proportions which may make IL difficult
to find homes and employment for them
here, and to seriously affect the labor
market II is estimated that over one
million will be forced from Russia within
few years.
The Hebrew is never a beggar. he has al
ways kept the law, often under severe and
oppressive civil restrictions. IL is alse
true that no race, sect, or class has more fully
cared for his own than the Hebrew race. But
the sudden transfer Of such a multitude, un-
der conditions that tend TO strip them Of their
small accumulations and 10 depress their en-
ergies and courage, Is neither good for them
nor for us. The banishment, whether by di-
rect decree by not less certain indirect
methods of large a number OF men and
women Is not a local question. decree %
leave one country is, in the nature of
things, an order TO enter another.
This consideration, well as the suggestions
of humanity, furnishes an ample ground for
the remonstrances which we have presented to
Russia, while our historic friendship for that
government cannot fail TO give the assurance
that our representations are those Of sincere
well-wisher.
The Navassa Insurrection.
The Navassa troubles have been referred
TO, and the cause of them particularly
outlined by the president, and in conclu-
sion, the president said:
recommend legislation that shall place la
Dor contracts upon this and other islands hav-
ing the relation that Navassa has 70 the United
States, under the supervision OF court COM
missioner, and that shall provide, at the ex-
pense OF the owners, an officer TO reside upon
the islands with power to judge and ad-
just disputes, and to enforce just and hu-
name treatment Of the employees. II is mex
cusable that American laborers should be left
within our own Jurisdiction without access to
any government officer or tribunal for their
protection, and the redress of their wrongs.
The Copyright Law.
international copyright has been secured, in
| accordance with the conditions Of the act of
| March & 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
| Britain and the British possessions, and
| Switzerland, the laws of these countries per-
mitting to our citizens the benefit Of copyright
on substantially the same basis as to their own
citizens or subjects With Germany q special
| convention has been negotiated upon this sub
! ject, which will bring that country within the
reciprocal benefits of our legislation.
Free Trade VS.. Protection.
The financial department Of the country
has been much augmented during the last
! year by reason OF the conflicting predictions,
which accompanied and followed the tariff
and other legislation Of the last congress af-
fecting the revenues, rs to the results of this
legislation upon the treasury and upon the
country. On the one hand IL was contended
that imports would so fall of as TO leave tho
treasury bankrupt, and that the prices Of
articles entering into the living of the people
would be so enhanced as 20 dangerously affect
their comfort and happiness, while on the
other il was argued that the loss 10 the reve-
nue., largely the result of placing sugar on the
free list, would be a direct gain to the people;
that the prices of the necessaries OF life. in
cluding those most highly protected, would
not be enhanced: that labor would have a
advanced prices while the treasury surplus
ard receipts would be adequate to meet the
appropriations. including the large exceptional
expenditures for the refunding TO the states Of
the direct tax and the redemption Of the ~
per cent. boI,ds.
Treasury statistics
IL Is not my purpose to enter at length into q
discussion of the effects of the legislation to
which | have referred; but a brief examina-
tion OF the statistics OF the treasury and a gen.
eral glance at the state of business through
out the country will, think, satisfy any i'm
partial inquirer that its results have disap-
pointed the evil prophecies Of its opponents
and in a large measure realized tho hopeful
predictions of its friends. Rarely, IL 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
purchase 30 large an amount OF those things
that enter into the living of the masses OF tho
people. | believe that full test will develop
the fact that the tariff act Of the Fifty first
congress is very favorable in its average effect
on the prices Of articles entering into common
use.
Our Foreign Commerce.
During the twelve months from Oct I, 1890.
To Sept. ~. 1891, the total value Of our foreign
commerce Imports and exports conibined)
was l,147, SOC 416, which was the largest of any
year in the history OF the United States. The
,argest I'm any previous year was in 1880, when
our commerce amounted to 81 ,647. IN, ,0e3, and
the last year exceeds this enormous aggregate
oy over one hundred millions. IL In interest
ing, and TO some will be surprising, to know
that during the year ending sept % 1891, our
Imports of merchandise amounted to $3,<,7l5,
g10, which was an increase Of more than eleven
million dollars over the value of the imports
of the corresponding months of the preceding
year. when the imports of merchandise were
unusually large, In anticipation OF the tariff
legislation then pending. The average annual
al. k.-