Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-12-16

/ WOOD her In tne MOTH OF Lille,
Ere yet by sorrow tried.
And now 1 cherish her as wife
More than loved as bride.
Temple Bar.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESIDENTS HES
SAGE.
The Presidents message which was de-
liyered to the Houses of Congress on Wed
nesday, the 9th, is very voluminous docu-
ment covering great variety of subjects
and too long to be published in full in these
columns, and would probably be read in
ectenso by few, if any, and as preferable we
publish summary of it as furnished by
the Baltimore Sun which says
About one-third of it is devoted to dis
cussion of the foreign relations of the Uni
ted States. The year, he says, has been
one of unusual activity in the Department
of State. Among the diplomatic results is
the negotiation of reciprocity treaties with
Brazil. the Spanish West Indies and San
Domingo, and like negotiations with other
countries are in progress. The satisfactory
termination of the Boring eea dispute has
resulted in greatly decreased destruction
of seal, and nothing now remains opeu bnt
the selection of arbiters. A joint demarka-
tion of the boundary line between the Uni
ted States and Canada, rendered more
necessary by growing border settlements. is
suggested. Nothing has been accomplish
ed in the attempt to mediate between Great
Britain and Venezuela IN the settlement OF
their boundary trouble. The opening OF the
markets of Germany, Denmark, Italy,
Austria and France RI I'm oricqu ingnpcf ed
pork products is attributed to the act of the
last Congress in providing for such inspec.
tions by the Department of Agriculture and
the power given to the President to exclude
products of those countries which unjustly
discriminate against the United States.
Correspondence with North Germany is
pending looking to concessions in return for
the free admission of her sugar to the Uni
ted States. The internal affairs of Brazil
and the relations of that country with us
are discussed. Whilst copdemning the &C
tion of the New Orleans mob, the Presi-
dent regrets the manner in which Italy
chose to present her claim for indemnity,
and says that the temporary absence of an
Italian minister at Washington has tended
to delay settlement. The episode sug
gests to the President the propriety of max
ing offenses against treaty rights cogniza
The most important matter in our foreign
relations is the present condition of affairs
with Chill. The President narrates the
history of the recent revolution in that
country. An appeal was taken from the
Judgment of the court in the Itata affair,
not so much in view of the importance of
having the weasel condemned as to have the
law understood. If the lower court is
right, Mr.. Harrison thinks the law should
be amended. The tone Of the message in
dealing with the attack in Valparaiso upon
the sailors of the Baltimore is strong and
aggressive. The report OF Capt. Schley is
adopted, and hostility to the United States
ia considered the only motive for the at
tack. The attention of Chill was directed
to the matter, and that government was
asked if there were any qualifying facts
which might relieve the affair of the char.
acter of an intentional insult to the United
States. IF such did not exist this govern.
ment would confidently expect repatriation.
The reply to this communication was of
fensive in tone. Events are waiting upon
the investigation now in progress in the
Criminal Court of Valparaiso. The Presi
dent declares that if the just expectation
for PREPARATION is disappointed a special
message will be sent to Congress Legis-
lation enabling the government to apply to
Sweden and Norway the rule for levyipg Of
tonnage dues, as was provided in the treaty
of 1897, is recommended. The time for
the ratification of the acts concerning the
reform of the tariff in Congo Free State and
thesuppression of the slave trade has been
extended to February 2, 1892. The Presi-
dent considers the objection to Mr.. Blair
as minister to China untenable, aud says
that American citizens residing in China
and in the Caroline Islands must be pro
tected. Participation IN Spain's celebration
at Madrid of the discovery of Columbus is
recommended. The survey of the inter
continental railroad is progressing well, and
a thousand miles have been surveyed with
ont encOuntering insurmountabe obstacles.
Other questions of foreign relations are a
recommendation of an appropriation for
carrying out the Mexican boundary treaty,
the necessity for cable to Honolulu and
discussion of the friendly relations of those
islands, and the condition of the Jews in
Russia, to which country a respectful pro-
test against its cruel treatment has been
made. This country, the President &C.
Cares, is threatened with vast immigra-
ticn of these people. There is also rec
ommendation for an improvement of the
4harbor OF Pearl river and its equipment as
naval station, and the ratification of the
national American Conference. Aid to the
Nicaragua Canal by The Endorsement Of its
bonds is strongly recommended. If this
canal can be secured in no other way the
President thinks that to build it with
money from the treasury would be justified
by the economy which it would effect in
handling the navy and in the transportation
of freight, which be estimates would pay
tie cost of the canal 10 a short series of
years. The appointment of government
agent to reside at Navsssa, at the expense
of the gusno company, for the protection
of the laboTers is recommended, and the
condition Of internstion'l copyright Is ad
verted to.
In dealing with the tariff question the
message gives the arguments of the repub
lican party, and declares that the expecta
tions of the friends of the Mckinley. bill
have been realized in an increased volume
Of foreign trade, cheapness of all necessary
articles and N the general prosperity of
the country. The total value of foreign
commerce for the year ended September
30, 1891, was 81, TAT S06, 406, the largest in
the history of the country. Imports of
merchandise increased $11, OO0 900 over the
previous year, and exports show an increase
of $62, Oh, 021. The President concludes
this portion of his message by condemniug
any further agitation of the tariff question
as detrimental TO the country. The re-
ceipts of the government for the fiscal year
were $458, 544, 233 .03, and the disburse
ments $421, 304 470.46 The disappearance
of the surplus is accounted for by the pay
ment, since March l, 1889, of $3.50. O79, $50
of the bonded debt. Interesting facts and
figures are given concerning the silver
question, and here, too, tie President
strongly condemns any change in the pres
ept law, which he considers salutary.
The retirement of Secretary of War
Proctor is referred to with regret and the
operations of his department highly COM
mended. His recommendations for the
adoption of smokeless powder and con-
tinued activity in harbor and coast defense
is approved. The enlistment of Indians
into the army is pronounced success. He
also concurs with the Attorney General in
recommending that the right Of review by
the Supreme Court in felony cases be
limited. An appropriation for reforma-