Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-12-31
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
THE ANNUAL DOCUMENT READ
BEFORE CONGRESS.
The silver Question, American Meats
Abroad. and other Important
Matters Discussed.

f7arrisop's message was presented to the
Joint assembly of congress at noon today.
The reading was q wearisOme task, and
but little interest was displayed by the
members. The message is as follows:
To THE SENATE AND House OF RET
NEsENrArlvEs: The reports Of the heads
of the several executive departments. re-
auired by law to he submitted to me.
which are herewith transmitted, and the
report of the secretary Of the treasury
md the attorney general, made directly to
congress, furnish a comprehensive view
OF the administrative work of the last
fcal year sea,ing TO internal affairs. Ii
would be of great advantage IL these re-
ports could have an attentive perusai by
every member of congress, ard by all who
take an interest in public affairs.
Such a perusal could not fail to excite
n higher appreciation of the vast labor
and conscientious efforts which are given
to the conduct OF our civil administration
The reports will, believe, show that every
question has been approached, considered
and decided from the standpoint OF public
duty. and upon considerations affecting
the public interests alone. Again. invite
to every branch Of the service the atten-
ton and scrutiny of congress. The work
Of the state department during the last
year has been characterized by an unusual
humber OF important negotiations. and
by diplomatic results Of anOtable aud highly
beueiiciai character. Among these are the
reciprocal trade arrangements which nave
been concluded In the exercise of the
powers conferred by section OF the tariff
law. with the republic of Brazil, with
- f.,r ,tc oat lind
with San Domingo, like negotiations
with other countries have been
much advanced, anu it is hoped
that before the close OF the year further
detiniiive trade arrangements OF great
value will he concluded. In view OF the
reports which had been received as to the
diminution OF the seal herds IN the Eehring
sea, deemed it wise 10 propose to her
maiesty's government. in February last,
that an agreement for closed season
should be made, pending the negotiations
for arbitration which then seemed to he
approaching u favorable conclusion. After
much correspondence and delays, for which
this govern ment was not responsible, an
agreement was reached and signed on the
18th of June, by which Great Britain UNI
dertook, from that date aud until May |.
1872, to prohihit the killing by her subjects
eminent OF the United States, during the
listing prohibition against .pelagic
sealing, and to limit the catch ~ tho
fur seal company upon the islands to 1900
skins. II this agreement could have been
reached earlier. in response to the strenu-
Gus endeavOrs Of this government. it would
have been more effective, but coming as
late Is II did. IL unquestionabiy resulted In
greatly diminishing the destruction OF the
seals by the Canadian sea!ers. In my last
annual message stated that the basis OF
arDitrati6n proposed by her majesty's gov
ernment for the adjustment OF the long
pending controversy as to the seal fisher
les. was not acceptable. | am now glad to
be able to announce that terms satisfactory
~ this government have been agreed upon.
and that an agreement rs to the arbitra-
tors is all that is necessary to the compile
ton OF the convention. In view of the ad-
taken upon the subject OF international
arbitration, this renewed expression of our
adherence to this method for the settle
ment Of disputes, such as have arisen in
the Bchring sea, will. doubt not, meet
with the concurrence OF congress
marceticn OF the frontier line between
Canada and the United States, Whenever
required BY the Increasing border settle
Inents and especially for the exact location
OF the water boundaries In the straits and
rivers. ! should have been glad to an
boundary dispute between Great Britain
and Venezuela, touching the western
frontier of british Guiana. but the friendly
efforts of the United States In that direc
tiom have thus far been unavaiiing. Thi'
government will continue TO express 1T
enactment on territories long under thu
administrative control Of American states
The determination of disputed boundar,
Is easily attainablc BY amicable arbitration
where the rights OF the RESPECTIVE partie
rest. as here, on historic facts. readil.
ascertAinable.
American Meats.
Tho law Of the iast congress. providing
system of inspection for our meats III
intended for export, and clothing the pres
dent with power 10 exclude foreign pre-
ducts from our market, in case tho countr
Determinations against any product of tn
United States. placed this government in
position to effectively urge the removal 9
such determinations against our meats
1t Is gratifying to be able 10 state this
Germany. Denmark, Italy, Austria an
France, IN the order named. have opene
their ports to inspected American por
products.
The removal of these restrictions |
avery instance was asked for and give
solely upon the ground that we had no
provided meat inspection that should
accepted rs adequate to the complete r,
noval OF the dangers, real or fanclet
which had been previously urged. Th
state department, our ministers abroat
and the secretary of agriculture have c,
operated with unfagging and inteIliger
zeal for the accomplishment of this greI
result. The outlines Of an agreement ha,
been reached with Germany. looking
equitable trade concessions in conside
alton Of the continued free Importation
her sugars, but the time has not yet arrive
when this correspondence can be su
united to congress.
The recent political disturbances in II
republic OF Brazil have excited regret al
solicitude. The Information We possesss
was too meegre To enable us to form 50
isfact0ry Judgment OF the causes ieadii
TO the temporary assumption of supren
power by President FOnsecA; but this go
eminent did not fail to express to him !
anxious solicitude for the peace of Braz
aud for the maintenance Of the free pol
ical institutions which had recent
been established there, nor to OFT
our advice that great moderate,
should be observed in the ella
OF parties and the contest for leadershi
These counsels we're received in the mo
friendly spirit, and the latest inf0rmati
is that the constitutional government
Itat tk,x.,ut