The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-09
HARRIS0N'S MESSAGE.
The Affairs of the Government for
the Past Year.
A VERY READABLE STATE PAPER.
TO THE SENATE AID HOUSE, OF REPRESENTA-


submitted TO me, which are herewith trans
fnittei, and the reports of the secretary OF the
treasury and the attorney general. made
directly to congress, furnish comprehensive
view OF the administrative work of the last
fiscal year relating TO internal affairs IL
would be Of great advantage II these reports
could have an attentive perustL by every mem
Der of congress and by all who take an interest
in public affairs. Such perusa could not
fail TO excite higher appreciation of the vast
labor and conscientious effort which are given
10 the conduct OF our civil administration.
The reports win, i believe, show that every
question has been approached, considered and
decided from the standpoint of public duty
and upon considerations affecting the pubic
interests alone. Again invite To every branch
of the service the attention and scrutiny OF
congress-
Reciprocity.
The work of the state department during
the last year has been characterized by an un-
usual number OF important negotiations and
by diplomatic results of a notable and highly
beneficial character. Among those are the
reciprocal trade arrangements which have
been concluded, In the exercise of the powers
conferred by section 3 of the tariff law, with
the republic OF Brazil, with Spain for its West
India possessions, and with San Domingo
Like negotiations with other countries have
been much advanced, and II is hoped that be-
fore the close of the year further definite trade
arrangements OF great value VIII De con-
cluded.
The Seal Question.
In view Of the reports which had been re-
ceved as 10 the diininution of the seal herds
in Behring sea, deemed II wise To propose TO
her majesty's government in February last
that an agreement for a closed season should
be male, pending the negotiations for arbi-
tration which then seemed To he approaching
a favorable conclusion After much corre-
spondence, and delays for which this govern
ment 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. 1892 TO prohibit the
killing by her subjects of seals in the Behring
sea, and the government of the United States,
during the same period, 20 inforce Its existing
prohibities against pelagtc sealing and 10
limit the catch by the fur seal company upon
the islands 60 76c0 skins.
Concerning boundaries.
Provision should be made for n Joint de-
marcation OF the frontier line between Can
ada and the United States, wherever required
by the increasing border settlements, and es-
pecially for the exact location of the water
boundary in the straits and rivers.
I should have been glad TO announce some
favorable disposition OF tho boundary dispute
between Great Britain and Venezuela, touch
ing the western frontier OF British Guiana, but
the friendly efforts of the United States in that
direction have thus far been unavailing. This
government will continue 10 express its con-
corn at any appearance of foreign encroach-
ment on territories long under the admins
trative control OF American states.
The determination of a disputed boundary
h easily attainabe by amicable arbitration,
where the rights Of the respective parties rest
rs here,on historic facts readily ascertainable..
The president here refers to the crafty
ing results Of the labors of the state de-
partment and our ministers abroad i'm hav-
ing the restrictions on American pork pro
ducts removed in Germany, Denmark,
Italy, Austria and France.
Brazilian Troubles.
The recent political disturbances in the Re.
public of Brazil have excited regret and So
licitude. The Information we possessed was
too meager to enable us to form a satisfactory
judgment Of the causes leading to the tempor-
airy assumption OF supreme power by President
Fonseca but this government did not fail to
express its anxious solicitude for tho peace of
Brazil and for the maintenance Of the free po-
ltical Institutions which have been estab-
lished there. nor to offer our advice that great
moderation should be observed in the clash of
parties and tho contest for the 10 adership.
These counsels were received in the most
friendly spirit, and the latest Information Is
that constitutional government has been re-
established without bloodshed.
The New Orleans Lynching.
The lynchlng at New Orleans in March last
of eleven men OF Italian nativity by mob of
citizens was a most deplorable and dscredita-
bic incident IL did not, however, have its
origin In any general animosity 10 the Italian
people, nor In any disrespect to the govern
ment OF Italy, with which our relations were
Of tho most friendly character. The fury OF
the mob was directed against these men as the
supposed participants or accessories in the
murder of city officer. | do not allude TO
ia fpfti In q
against law and humanity, but only as affect
ing the international questions which grew
out Of It, IL was ut 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 participants and for an In
demnity to the families Of those who were
killed.
lt is 10 be regretted that the manner in
which these claims were presented WAS not
such as to promote a calm discussion Of the
question involved; but this may well be attri-
buted Ia the excitement and indignation
which the crime naturally evoked. The views
OF this government as TO its obligations TO
foreigners domiciled here we're fully stated In
the correspondence, as well Its purpose TO
make an investigation Of the affair, with a
view 20 determine whether there were present
any circumstances that could, under such
rules OF duty as we had indicated, create an
obligation upon the United States The tenn
porary absence OF n minister plenipotentiary
81 Italy At this capital has retarded the further
correspondence, but IL il not doubted that
friendly conclusion Is attainable.
Some suggestions growing out OF this un.
happy incident are worthy the attention of
congress IL would, believe, be entirely COM
petent for congress 90 make offenses against
the treaty rights Of foreigners domiciled in
the United States cognisable i'm the federal
courts This has not, however, boen done, and
the federal officers and courts have no power
I'm such cases 90 intervene either for the pro-
lection OF a foreign citizen or for the punish
ment OF his slayers. IL seems To me TO follow,
On this state OF the law, that the officers OF the
state charged with police and judicial powers
IN such cases, must, In the consideration OF in
ternational questions growing out Of such in
cidents. be regarded in such sense "a federal
agents ss 10 make this government answer
able for their acts in cases where 10 would be
answerahle II the United States had used its
constitutional power to define and punish
crimes against treaty rights.
The Chilian MIDDLE.
The civil war in Chill. which began in Jan
nary last, was continued. but fortunately
with infrequent and not important armed coll
lisions, until Aug. "a, when the congressional
forces landed near Valparaiso and. after a
bloody engagement, captured that city. Prcs-
Il.1.. A..