Morris tribune., 1891-12-16

able Length-Reparation Demanded.
Tariff Law Claimed to BE Far From o
Burden Upon the. Peoples.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. - President
Harrison's third annual message to con-
gress was delivered to-day. Congress is
informed that the long-pending dispute
with England over the Behring sea seal
fisheries has been satisfactorily settled
on basis of arbitration proposed by
England, and during the year ending
May next only $500 skins are to be
taken in the Behring islands.
Congress is urged to provide for a
joint demarcation of the frontier line
Between Canada and the United States,
wherever required, and especially for
the exact location of the water boundary
in the rivers, lakes and straits.
The announcement is made that Ger
many, Denmark, Italy, Austria and
France have opened their ports to in
spected American pork and pork
products.
The recent political disturbances in
Brazil were a subject of international
discussion, and the latest information is
that constitutional government has been
re-established in Brazil without blood
shed.
New Orleans Lynching and Chilian War.
The lynching of eleven Italians in
New Orleans is considered by the presi-
dent deplorable and discreditable Incl
dent. Claims for indemnity for the
mems families were made by the Italian
minister and not allowed. That un-
happy incident led the president to sug-
gest to congress that offenses against
the treaty rights of foreigners domiciled
in the United States should be cogniza-
BILE in our federal courts.
The civil war in Chill, the seizure of
the Chilian war vessel Itata at San
Diego, Cal, by United States court Off
cials for violating our neutr ality laws,
ment of her officers by the Chilian pro-
visional government are reviewed. The
United States government was disap-
pointed in attempts to bring about a
peaceful adjustment of the rebellion in
Chill; but at no time did our govern
ment, officially or otherwise, recognize
the insurgents, and our naval officers at
Santiago and our minister there were
enjoined from first to last, against tax
ing anything but neutral ground.
Assault Upon United States Seamen.
The assault upon United States sea-
men from the steamship Baltimore in
Valparaiso harbor, Oct. 16, called for
prompt and decided action on the part
of our government. One officer was
killed and eight men seriously injured,
one of whom has since died. The as
saults were unprovoked. Our men
were unarmed The attention of the
Chilian government was at once called
to the affair and notice was served that
due reparation would be insisted upon
if the assault proved to have been
wholly unprovoked. The reply of the
Chilian provisional government was
offensive. This government is now
awaiting the result of an investigation
by the criminal courts at Valparaiso,
which result is looked for soon. This
whole matter will be the subject of
special message to congress if Chill does
not render due and speedy account of
herself for that unjust and murderous
attack upon our seamen.
A friendly but firm protest has been
made to Russia against the hard meas
ures offered against Jews in that
country. 4.
The Nicaragua canal project receives
the hearty endorsement of the presi
dent, who urges that government aid be
extended, if necessary, to complete the
canal speedily, and he hopes that neither
party nor sectional lines may act as a
drawback to this great project which
means much for Americans.
The Treasury Department.
The president insists that tariff and
other legislation of the last congress has
been only beneficial to all classes. Dur
ing the twelve months from Oct. 1,
1890, to Sept. 30. 1891, the total value of
our foreign commerce imports and ex-
ports combined) was $1,747, ,SO6, 400,
which was the largest of any year in the
history of the United States.
During the year ending Sept. 30. 1891,
our imports Of merchandise amounted
to 1924, 715, ,270, which was an increase
of more than eleven million dollars over
the value of the imports of the CORES
ponding months of the preceding year.
The value of free imports during the
twelve months ending Sept. 30, 1891,
was $11S, ,092, 1897 more than the value of
free imports during the corresponding
twelve months of the preceding year.
The Silver Question.
Under the law of July IA, 1890, the
secretary of the treasury has purchased
since Aug 13, during the fiscal year 49,
393,113 ounces of silver bullion at an
average cost of $1.045 per ounce. The
highest price paid during the year was
S1.2O25, and the lowest so. 9636. In ex-
change for this silver bullion there have
been issued $50. SIT ,49S of the treasury
notes authorized by the act.
The surplus on March l, 1885, was
S183, ,827, 1929. The policy of applying
this surplus to the redemption of the
interest bearing securities of the United
States was thought to be preferable to
that of depositing it without interest in
selected national banks. There have
been redeemed since the date last men,
toned, of interest bearing securities
$3.50, SIS, $50, resulting in reduction of
the annual interest charge of 1884,
575.
The result of this policy. of the silver
legislation, and of the refunding of the
Al per cent bonds has been a large in
crease in the money in circulation. At
the date last named the circulation was