Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-12-17

laborers, in connection with the exhibit of
Chinese Industries at the approaching
Columbian exposition 81 regard it 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
40Oth 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 it's 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 car, to this country, is
referred to- and which is likely to assume
proportions which may make it difficult
to find homes and employment for them
here, and to seriously affoot the labor
market. 1t 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. 1t is also
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, I'M
der conditions that tend to strip them of their
small accumulations and to depress their en-
ergies and courage, is neither good for them
nor for us. The Punishment, whether by di-
rect decree or by not less certain indirect
methods of so large number OF men and
women, Is not a local question. A decree to
leave one country is, in the nature of
things, an order to enter another.
This consideration, as 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:
l recommend legislation that shall place Ia
Dor contracts upon this and other islands hay
ing the relation that Navassa has to the United
States, under the supervision of a court COM
missioner, and that shall provide at the sx-
pense OF the owners, an officer to reside upon
the islands with power to Judge and ad-
name treatment of the employees. 1t 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 g. 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
Britain and the British possessions, and
Switzerland the Ia Of these ri
hitting to our citizens the benefit of copyright
on substantially the same basis as to their own
citizens or subjects. With Germany special
convention has been negotiated upon this SUBJ
ject, which will bring that country within tho
reciprocal benefits of our legislation.
Free Trade VS.. Protection.
Tho 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 at
fecting the revenues, as to the results Of this
legislation upon the treasury and upon the
country. On the one hand it was commended
that imports would SO fall off as to leave the
treasury bankrupt, and that the prices of
articles entering into the living of the people
would be so enhanced as to dangerously affect
their comfort and happiness, while On the
other it was argued that the loss to tho rove
nue., largely the result of placing sugar On the
that the prices of the necessares Of life, in
Guiding those most highly protected, would
not be enhanced; that labor would have
larger market, and the products of the farm
advanced prices while the treasury surplus
and 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. bonds.
Treasury Statistics.
1t is not my purpose to enter at length into q
discussion Of the effects Of the legisla ton to
which l have referred; but brief examina-
ton of the statistics Of the treasury and q 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 large measure realized the hopeful
predictions of its friends. Rarely, If 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 SO large an amount of those things
that enter into the living Of the masses of the
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. 1, 1890,
to Sept. 70, 1891, the total value Of our foreign
commerce imports aud exports combined)
was 81, 747 SOC, 400 which WAS the largest Of any
year in the history of the United States. The
largest in any previous year was in $780, when
our commerce amounted to s., 847, 139, 0e3 and
the last year exceeds this enormous aggregate
by over one hundred millions. It is interest
ing, and to some will be surprising, to know
that during the year ending Sept. 80, 1891, our
imports Of merchandise amounted to $34, 49,
270 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
value Of the imports of merchandise for tho
ten years from 1881, was S692, 1882, and dur
ing the year ending Sept. 30, 1891, this annual
average was exceeded by $132. so, $50.
Free Imports.
The value Of free imports during the twelve
months ending Sept. 30, 1884, was Sis, o92, 1871,
more than the value of free imports during tho
corresponding twelve months of the preceding
year, and there was during the same period q
decrease of $106, 846 sos in the value of imports
of dutiable merchandise. The percentage of
merchandise admitted FREQ Of duty during the
year to which have referred, the first under
the new tariff, was 1918, while during the pre-
ceding twelve months, under the old tariff. the
Dercentape was "a 81 an increase of IL 81 per