Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-17

government has heretofore applied. No
effort will be omitted to protect our citi
zens peaceahy sojourning in China, but
recent unofficial information indicates
that what was at first regarded as an
outbreak of mob violence against foreign
ers, has assumed the larger form of an
| instruction against public order.
1.-The Chinese government has declined
to receive Mr.. Blair as the minister of
the United States on the ground that, as
the participant, while senator in the
enactment of the existing legislation
against the introduction of Chinese lab
orers, he has become unfriendly and OBJ
| jectionable to China. l have felt con
strained to point out to the Chinese
government the untanglebleness of this
position, which seems to rest as much on
the unacceptablity of our legislation as
on that of the person chosen and which.
if admitted, would practically debar the
selection of any representatives so long
as the existing laws remain in force"
Russian Jews.
On the Russian Hebrew question the
president says:
This government has found a reason
| to express in a friendly spirit, but with
much earnestness, to the government of
the car, its serious concern because of
| the harsh measures now being enforced
against the Hebrews in Russia. By the
revival of antissemetic laws great num-
| bers of those unfortunate people have
been constraint to abandon their homes
! The immigration of these people to the
| United States of America, many other
countries being closed to them, is largely
increasing and is likely to assume pro-
| portion which may make it difficult to
| find homes and employment for them
| here and to seriously affect the labor
market. 1t is estimated that over one
million will be forced to depart from
Russia within few years. A decree
to leave one country is. in the ma
ture of things, an order to enter some
other. This consideration, as well as the
suggestions of humanity, furnishes am
| pie 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 a sincere
we'll wisher.''
FavOrs the Nicaraguan Canal.
The president deems it of the highest
| Importance that the Nicaraguan canal
should be speedily constructed, at the
smallest practicable limit of cost. To ac-
| complish this, the president recommends
that the bonds of the canal company be
given the guarantee of the United States
government, thus insuring their ready
sale, from time to time, as the money is
needed for the prosecution of the work
| ''Such guarantee" he SAYS, could,
think, be SO given as not to involve any
risk of ultimate loss. | most sincerely
hope that neither party nor sectional lines
will be drawn upon this great American
project, SO full of interest to our people,
and SO influential in it's affects on the
prestige and prosperity of our country"
The presidents plan provides that the
government shall retain control of the
stock of the company as security against
mlsmanagement and loss.
Tariff Discussion.
On the tariff, the presidents interest
in the operations Of the treasury depart
ment has been much augmented during
the last year, by reason of the conflict
ing predictions, which accompanied and
followed the tariff and other legislation
OF the last congress affecting the reven-
ues, as to the results of this legislation
upon the country. ut is not my pur
pose" says he, ''tO enter at any length
into a discussion of the effects of the
legislation to which have referred: but
brief examination Of the statistics of
the treasury and a general glance at the
state of business throughout the country
will, | think, satisfy any impartial in
quirer that its results have disappointed
the evil prophesies of its opponents and
in a large measure realized the hopeful
predictions of it's friends. Rarely, if
ever before, in the history of the country
has there been a time when the proceeds
of one days labor, the products of one
farmed acre, would purchase so large an
amount of those things that enter into
the living of the masses of the people.
believe that a full test will develope
the fact that the tariff act of the 51st
congress is very favorable in its advan
tage effect upon the prices of articles
entering into common use"
The president then gives, at some
length figures showing the volume of
business during the past year, compared
with previous periods. During year
ending Sept. 80. 1891 the total value of
our foreign commerce imports and ex-
ports combine0 was 81 TAT SOC ,406,-
the largest of any year in our history.
The imports of merchandise were 1924, :
715 ,207-a an incIcase of more then eleven
millions over the preceding year; while
the total given above exceeded the pre-
ceding year by over one hundred mil
lions. The percentage of merchandise
admitted free during the first year under
the new tariff was As. Is per cent, while
under the old tariff the per centage was
34.27
From the report of the secretary of
the treasury the president shows the
total receipts of the government fiscal
year ending June 80 last were $449, 544,-
232, and expenditures $421 ,3O4 40, leav-
ing a surplus of $37 ,239 1852. He speaks
of the purchase of silver bullion under
the existing law and says the produc-
tions of the free coinage man that the
purchases would bring the price of sill
yer to 81. 30, which would make the bull
lion value of dollar one hundred cents,
| were as wide of the mark as the ''calam
ity prediction" of the ants. He hopes
a further trial of the legislation will
more favorably effect the price of silver.
That the increased amount of currency
supplied was needed and that beneficial
results upon trade and prices have fol-
| lowed this legislation is, he thinks. clear
to everyone. Upon this subject as upon
the tariff his recommendation is that
the existing laws be given full trial
| and our business interests spared the
distressing influence which threats of
! radical change always impair.
Versus Free Coinage.
Il am still of the opinion" adds the
| rroSi6pnt sEtbat tbp fraa COMA of silver