The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1891-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

10 the senate sad house Of represents
lives:
The reports OF the heads OF the several
executive departments, required by law
"a DO submitted 10 me. which are here
VITA trans mftted. and the reports OF the
secr6tary of the treasury and the attorney
general made directly 20 congress, furnish
. comprehensive view OF the sdmInistra-
tive work of the last fiscal year relating
70 internal affairs II would be OF great
ADVANTAGE IL these reports could have an
attentive perusal By every member OF con-
gress and by all who take an interest In
public affairs. Such = perusat could not
fail TO excite higher appreciation OF the
vast labor and conscientious efforts which
are given to the conduct OF our civil ad-
ministration.
The reports will, { believe, show that
every question has been approached, con-
sidered and decided from the standpoint Of
fecting the public interests alone. Again
invite to every branch Of the service the
attention and scrutihg of congress.
The work of the state department dur
Ing the last year has been characterized
by an unusual number of important nego-
tfRtons and by diplomatic results of a
notable and highly beneficial character.
Among these are the reciprocal trade ar
rangements which have been concluded, in
the exercise OF the powers conferred by
section 3 OF the tarf law, with the repub
lie OF Brazil, with Spain, for its West India
possessions, and with San Domingo Like
negotiations with other countries have
been much advanced and 10 Is hoped that
before the close Of the year further defini-
tive trade arrangements OF great value
viii be concluded.
The Sealing Difficulty.
/ In view OF the reports which had been
received as 10 the diminution OF the seal
herds in the BehrinR sea, / deemed IL wise
to propose TO her maiesty's government in
February last that an agreement for a
closed season should be made, pending the
ma Tnef FO- arhf ~ -k shaV,
seemed TO be approaching favorable con-
clusion. After much cores pondence and
delays, for which this government was
not responsible, an agreement was reached
and signed on the 18th OF June, by which
Great Britain undertook from that date
and until May !, 1S94 TO prohibit the kill
ing by her subjects OF seals in the Beuring
sea, and the government of the United
States during the same period TO
enforce its existing prohibition against
pelagic sealing and 70 limit tue catch by the
nur seal company upon the islands TO Z, 800
skins. II this agreement could nave been
reached earlier, in response 10 the strenu-
Gus endeavors OF this government il
would have been moro effective, but
coming as late as it did, il unquestionably
resulted in greatly diminishing the des-
truction Of the seals by the Canadian
sealers.
In my last annual message 1 stated that
the basis Of arbitration proposed by Her
Ma1esJy's government for the adjustment
OF the long-pendinR controversy as 10 the
seal fisheries was not acceptable. I am
glad now TO be able TO announce that
terms satisfactory TO this government
have been agreed upon and that an agree
meut as 70 the arbitrators is all that is
necessary to the completion of the con-
yention. In view OF the advanced posi-
tion which this government has taken up
on the subject OF international arbitra-
zion, this renewed expression OF our ad-
Iherence TO this method for the settlement
OF disputes such as have arisen in the
Rob rs will I 4 not fFh
the concurrence Of congress.
American Meats in Europe.
The law of the last congress providing a
system OF inspection for our meats in
tended for export, and clothing the presi-
dent with power to exclude foreign pro-
ducts from our market in case the country
sending them should perpetuate unlus;
determinations against any product 81 tbs
United States, placed this government in
q position TO effectively urge the removal
of such Determinations against our meats.
1t Is gratifying TO be able TO state that Ger
many, Denmark, Italy, Austria and France,
In the order named, have opened their
ports 70 inspected American pork pro-
ducts. The removal OF these restric-
kions In every Instance was asked
for and given solely upon the ground that
I'VE had now provided q meat inspection
that should be accepted as adequate TO the
complete removal OF the dangers, real or
hancied. which had been previously urged.
The state department. our ministers
abroad, and the secretary Of agriculture
have co-operated with unfagging aud in
telligent zeal for the accomplishment of
khis great result The outlines Of an agree
ment have been reached with Germany,
looking 70 equitable trade concessions IN
consideration OF the continued free impor-
ration OF her sugars, but the time has not
yet arrived when this CORES pondence can
be submitted to congress.
The New Orleans LynehIng.
The lynching at New Orleans in March
last of eleven men of Italian nativity by
mob OF citizens was a most deplorable and
discreditable incident. 1t did not however
have its origin in any general animOsity TO
the Italian people, nor in any disrespcct to
the government OF Italy, with which rela-
tons were of the most friendly character.
The fury OF the mob was directed against
these men as the supposed partiCi-
pants or accessories on the murder OF
q city officer. ] do not altude TO this a.
mitigating in any degree this offense
against law and humanity, but only as az
1ecting the international questions which
grew out of IL. It was once represented
by the Italian minister that several of
those whose lives had been taken by the
mob were Italian subjects, and demand
WAS made for the punishment of the par
tiOipants and for an indemnity TO the fam
plies Of those who were killed 1t Is TO be
regretted that the manner in which these
claims were presented was not such
as 70 promote a calm discussion Of the
questions involved; but this may we'll be
attributed 70 the excitement and indlgna-
ltiop with which the crime naturally
evoked. The views of this government
as TO its obligations TO foreigners domi-
'ciled here were fully stated in the CORE
lspondence, as well as its purpose TO make
IAN investigation of the affair with view
TO determine whether there were present
amy circumstances that could. under such
rules of duty as we had indicated, create
an obligation upon the United States.
The temporary absence of q minister pleni-
potentiary at this capital has retarded the