The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-12-10
The Message,

The Presidents message is q compre-
hensive document. Its formal presenta-
ton of well-known facts Is something for
which we wait now a.days, and something
which few Of us read when we have the
chance. The paper which Mr.. Harrison
laid before Congress yesterday is long. but
the country is wide.
Perhaps its contents can be classified
under three heads-and one of course will
be foreign affairs. There has been great
curiosity to know just what the President
would say about our relations with Chilli,
and China and Italy. Little questions as
to boundary lines. and port and tonnage
dues are of little Importance but it is of
the highest interest to see that the Presi-
dent treats the affair growing out of the
work Of the Malta at New Orleans so calm
ly. ltaly's hot temper he notes, has re-
tarded settlement of the points In debate.
but he suggests that the treaty rights of
foreigners here domiciled ought to be
made cognizable by the federal courts. As
to the Behring sea, the Canadian boundary
and various otner questions he offers little
that Is new. With regard to Chill what he
has to offer Is more interesting. At con-
siderable length he discusses the case of
the Itats, the collapse of Balmaceda's
government, the outrage committed upon
the seamen of the Baltimore and concludes
as to the last named act especially: "No
other explanation of this bloody work has
been sueRested. than that ft had its origin
in hostility to these men as sailors of the
United States, wearing the uniform of
their government and not in any individual
act of personal anlmosity" The latest ut
terance of the Chilian government twas
couched in an offensive tone" A special
message on our relations with the South
American blusterer lis promised If our
reasonable requests are not soon responded
to.
Our relations with other foreign coun-
tries are briefly discussed. 1t is limited
that the refusal of the Chinese government
to receive Mr.. Blair as our minister Is due
more to dislike of our legislation than to
dislike of him. 1t is regarded as desirable
that everything possible be done to facili
tate great Chinese exhibition at the
Chicago exposition. The immigration Of
tue jews expelled from Russia Is referred
to. "The Hebrew is never beggar." sa, :
MT Harrison. He has hard time but he
is entitled to our good wishes and help
The Nicaragua Canal, the Navassa riot
and other matters wherein We are more or
less involved with other nations are
considered.
Then questions of tariff laws and finsn-
cial administration are discussed. 81
believe" says the President, ''that a fu.l
test will develop the fact mat he tar,ff act
OF the Fiity-irst Congress is very fayoranl-
In Its average effect upon the prices q,
articles entering into common usa." Vsr,
conservative are MS utieIances UPON the
silver question. Lst The existing laws b.
given fair trial aud let the distressing
effect OF threats OF radical changes H.
avoided. The free coinage of silver would
be disastrous, Mr.. Harrison thinks, to our
business interests at home and abtoad
The money lender might protect himself
but the laborer and the farmer could
not. There Is growing sent =
ment in Europe in favor of a
large use Of silver but the President
knows no better way of encouraging IT
than by accommodating gold here. There is
no time now to review his argument, but il
is pleasant to know that this important
subject has been carefully considered
Says the President: II believe it is the
earnest desire of great majority of people.
as 1t is mine, that full coin use shall be
made Of silver just as soon as the co.opera-
tion OF other nations can be secured and a
ratio fixed that will give crcU lation equally
to gold and silver. The business of the
world requires the use of both metals, but
do not see any prospect of gain, but much
OF loss, by giving up the present system.
in which full use is made of gold and a
large use of silver. for one in which silver
alone will circulate"
The reports Of the Secretary of War and
various other documents are referred 10
Postmaster General Wanamaker's idea of
an extension OF the free delivery system ia
endorsed, as well as many other of the pro-
gressive ideas of that officer. The reports
OF the secretaries Of the navy and the ill.,
terror, the railroads, the civil service rules.
the census and many more OF our varied
topics of interest, receive the President
attention. Perhaps none of them all is of
more interest than one elsewhere referred
to.
1t is manly message, the utterance of a
thoughtful, straightforward. plain speak
ing servant Of the people.