The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-12-18
PRESIDENT AARRlsoNs MESSAGE.
A synopsis of the Questions Considered
Therein and Suggestions Made.


A synopsis of the Questions Considered
Therein and Suggestions Made.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. The presidents
message was sent to congress at noon yes
terday. He refers to the work of the state
deparl ment during the past year and its
results IA securing reciprocal trade rela-
tions with Brazil, Cuba. and San Domin-
go; states that negotiations are proceed
ing to extend the policy of reciprocity.
and expresses the hope that before the
close of the year still more valuable agree.
ments will have been signed. Terms of
arbitration OF the seal question have been
satisfactorily agreed upon with Great
Britain. The country is congratulated
upon the working of the meat inspection
system, through which Germany, Den
mark, Italy, Austria, and France have
agreed to admit our pork products.
The Italian and CHILEAN Troubles.
He deplores the lynching of the Italians
in New Orleans, but does not doubt that
a friendly conclusion will be arrived at.
The Gillian question is more difficult.
The outrage at Valparaiso is still an
acute question, and Chill has so far offered
the note sent that country regarding the
matter If Chilli does not make amends Il
special message will be sent to congress
on the subject.
Reflections on the Tariff.
The project of building the Nicaragua
canal is Endorsed, and the president advo-
Gates the guaranteeing Of the bonds by
the government. He then takes up the
tariff question, and giving figures from
the treasury books claims that the evil
prophesies as to the operations Of the bill
have been refuted and the claims Of the
advocates of the bill justified. Foreign
commerce has been largely increased in
stead of diminished. and he urges that the
bill be given fair trial before any at
tempt is made to put new legislation on
that subject on record.
Too Soon for Free Coinage.
On the silver question the president says
that until an international agreement fix
ing the ratio between gold and silver can
be effected the United States will be run
ming great risk to adopt free coinage as
a policy. He favors both metals for
money, but insists that every dollar shall
be as good as every other dollar, a condi
ton, he says, that no one more than the
farmers and laborers have the highest
interest in.
He asks for further legislation to keep
the Chinese out of the country; and urges
the necessity of coast defences, and the
continuation of the building of an effective
navy.
The Gerrymander Should Go.
Referring to the Michigan move to elect
presidential electors by congressional dis
tricts, he says that to bring the choosing
Of these officers into the power of the ger
rymander" is a movement fraught with
the greatest danger; and urges that con-
gress should act in the direction of a con-
stltutional amendment requiring electors
to be chosen in the old way. AS for The
"gerrymander." he says congress should
abolish it. as far as it can, as it is "polt-
ical robbery"
Pensions are Heavy but Ben eficent.
The estimate for pensions for the year
ending June &c. 1898, is $l44, $500. but
large as it is it does not reach the exag-
gerated estimates Of those who opposed the
bill, and the legislation on the subject is
declared benefcent..
He hopes that the federal elections bill
in some form will yet be passed; says the
solution of the Indian question is educa-
ton, allotment in severalty, and citizen
ship, and refers briefly to the census, tho
interstate commerce commission and
other matters without making any nota-
bic recommendations.