The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
A Lengthy Document TO Both
Houses Yesterday.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DISCUSSED.
Our Foreign and Domestic Relations All In
Satisfactory Condition.
THE TROUBLE WITH CHILL UNSETTLED.
The Tariff and Silver Questions Briefly
Considered.
INDIAN AFFAIRS And PUBLIC LANDS.
The Nicaragua Canal Enterprise Strongly
Endorsed.
THE MICHIGAN ELECTORAL LAM.
The President Thinks 1t Ought TO he opss'
bya constitutional Amend'nrnt-Ihe
Anti-Ch. pese and Anti-Polyg-
amy Laws-Generai
INDIAN AFFAIRS And PUBLIC LANDS.
The Nicaragua Canal Enterprise Strongly
Endorsed.
THE MICHIGAN ELECTORAL Law.
The President Thinks 1t Ought TO BE Upss'
bvn constitutional Amendnont-Ihe
Anti-Ch pese and Anu-Folyg-
amy Laws-General
Review.

The following is the full text of the Presb-
dent's message. sent 10 both Houses OF the
Fifty.second Congress yesterday
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives
The reports OF the heads Of the several ex-
erutiye departnepts required by law TO be
submitted 10 me which are herewith trans
ujtted. and the reports of the Secretary OF
the Treasury and the Attorney-General made
directly 20 Congress furnish COMPROMISING
view Of the administrative work OF the last
fiscal year relating 10 internal affairs. IL
would be of great advantage If these reports
could have an attentive persual by every
member Of Congress and by all who take an
interest in public affairs. Such perusal
could not fail to excite a higher appreciation
of the vast labor and CONSCIENTIOUS ehorts
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 or public
duty and upon considerations affecting the
public interests alone. Again invite to every
branch of the service the attention and scru-
tiny of Congress.
RECIPROCAL CONTRACTS.
The work of the State Department dur
ing the last year has been characterized
by an unusual number OF important
negotiations and by diplomatic results of
notable and highly beneficial character.
Among these are the reciprocal trade arrange
ments which have been concluded IN the ex-
er,.ise of the powers conferred by a section
of the tariff law with the republic OF
Brazil, with Spain for Its West India posses
sions and with San Domingo Like negOtia.
tions with other countries have been much
advanced and it is hoped that before the,
close of the year further defnitive trade ar
rangements of great value will, be concluded.
The SEAL FISHERIES.
In view Of the reports which had been
ceiyed as 10 the diminutiOn OF the seal herds
in the Behring Sea deemed IL wise TO propose
TO Her Majesty's Government IN February
last that an agreement for closed season
should be made pending the negotiations Tor
arbitration, which then seemed TO be ap-
preaching a favorable conclusion. After much
correspondence and delays for which this Gov
eminent was not responsible, an agreement
was reached and signed on the 10Th OF June by
which Great Britain undertook from that
date and until May l. 1872 to prohibit the
killing by her subject of seals In the Behrlng
Sea and the Government of the United States
during the same period toIenforce its exist
ing prohibition against peaglc sealing and TO
limit the catch by the FUR seal company upon
the islands to $500 skins. II this agreement
could have been reached earlier III response 70
the strenuous endeayOrs OF this Government
it would have been more effective. but coming
even as late as II did, II unquestionaby re-
suited in greatly diminishing the destruction
of the seals by the Canadian sealers.
In my last message l stated that the basis
of arbitration proposed by Her Msjestys
Government for the adjustment OF the long
pending controversy To the seal fisheries
was not acceptable. | am glad now 10 be
able 10 announce that terms satisfactory TO
this Government have been agreed upon and
that an agreement as to the arbitrators is all
10 a
vention. In view of the advanced position
which this Government has taken upon the
subject Of international arbitration this
newed expression of our adherence TO this
method for the settlement of disputes snch
AZ have arisen in the Behring Sea will. doubt
not, meet with the concurrence of Congress.
THE DOMINION FRONTIER.
Provision should be made for a Joint de-
marcation of the frontier line between Canada
and the United States. wherever required 10y
the increasing border settlement and espec-
tally for the exact location of the water
boundary in the straits aud rivers. / should
have been glad u announce some favorable
disposition OF the boundary dispute between
Great Britain and Venezuela, touching the
western frOntlr of British Guiana. but the
friendly efforts of the United States in that
direction have thus far been unavailing. This
Government will continue to express its
concern at any appearance of foreign
encroachment on territories long under
the administrative control of American
States The determination of a Disputed
boundary is easily attainsble by amicable
arbitration whore the rights of the respective
parties rest. as here, on historic facts readily
ascertana5le.
MEAT INSPECTION.
The law of the last Congress providing a
system of inspection for our meats intended
for export. and clothing the President with
power to exclude foreign products from our
market IN case the country sending them
should perpetuate unjust determinations
against any product Of the United States,
placed this Government in position to eflec-
lively urge the removal of such determinations
against our meats; it is gratifying to be able
10 state that Germany. Denmark. Italy. Aus
trla and France IN the order named have
opened their ports TO inspected American
pork products. The removal of these restnc-
lions IN every Instance was asked for and
given solely upon the ground that we had
now provided meat inspection that should
be accepted as adequate to the complete re-
moyai OF the dangers, real or fanced. which
had been previously urged. The State De-
partment, our ministers abroad and the Secre
tary of Agriculture have co-operated
with unflagging and intelligent zeal in
dne accomplishment of this great result.
Inc outlines OF an agreement have been
reached with Germany. looking 10 equitable
uaae concessions III connection with the con-
Unuei importatlons of her sugars but the
time mas not yet arrived when this CORES
spondence can DO submitted to Congress.
BRAZILIAN REVOLUTION.
Inc recent political disturbances in the re-
pubic OF Brazil have excited regret and solici-
tude The information We possessed WAS too
messer TO enable W to form satisfsctorv
Juusmsnt OF the causes leading to the tempo.
I~y assumption o. supreme power by presi.
aept Ionsecs but this Governfnsnt aid mot III
tosxpFss' 70 him lie anxious soictude tor the |
pexce Of Brazil and for tie rnaintensncs
OF the roe political institutions which had
recently been established there nor TO offer
our sdyice that great mode Alton shonld i. |
observed IN the clash Of parties and The con.