New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-10
TEXT OF THE MESSAGE.


To the Senate and House of Representatives;
The reports of the heads of the several Executive
DEPARTMENTS. required by law to be submitted to
me. which are herewith transmitted and the re-
,or,s Of the Secretary of the Treasury and the
Attorney-General, made directly 10 Congress-
furnish comprehensive view of the administrative
vorh Of the last fiscal year relating to internal
Affairs 1t would be of great advantage if these
reports could have an attentive perusal by every
member of Congress and by all who take an interest
in public affairs. Such perusal could not fail to
excite higher appreciation OF the vast labor and
eouseentious effort which are given T. the conduct
Of our civil administration
The reports Will, 5eiievc, show that every ques-
ton has been approached considered, and decided
from the standpoint of public duty and upon corr
aderatons affecting the public interest; alone
Again invite to every branch OF the service the
attention and scrutiny Of Congress
FOREIGN RELATIONS,
The work Of the State Department during tie
last year has been characterized by an unusual
nunber of important negotiations and by dipl1-
nsac results of notable and highly beneficial
Character Among these are the reciprocal trade
arrangements which have been concluded in the
gercise of the powers conferred by Section
dthc Tariff law, with the Republic Of Brazil, with
s,ain for its West India possessions, and with
San Domingo. Like negotiations with other coun-
iries have been much advanced, and 1T Is hoped
that before the close of the year further delntive
trade arrangements OF great value will be coll
Guided.
In view of the reports which had been received
80 IN the dininution Of the seal herds in the
Behrinc Sea, / deemed it wise TO propose to Her
MsjeSty's Government in February last that an
agreement for closed season should be made,
PENDING the negotiations for arbitration which
then seemed TO be approaching a favorable con-
eusion. After much correspondence, 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 l, 1892, 10 prohibit
TIE killing by her subjects of seals in the Behrmg
Sea- and the Government of the United States,
during the same period, 10 enforce its existing
prohibition against pelagic sealing and to limit
the catch by the Fur Seal Company upon the
Islands TO 1900 skins. If this agreement could
have been reached earlier. IN response TO the
strenuous endeavoTs Of this Government, 1t would
have been more effective; but, coming even as
late as it did it unquestionaby resulted in greatly
diminishing the destruction of the seals by the
Canadian scalers
ID my last annual me5Sds5c Il ptdttu tAd" VIZ
basis of arbitration proposed by Her MajestyS
Government for the adjustment OF the long
pending controversy as TO the seal fisheries was
hot acceptable. l am glad now to be able 10
announce that terms satisfactory to this Govern
rent have been agreed upon and that an agreement
to the arbitrator is all that is necessary TO
ae completion of the convention. In view OF the
Myaneed position which this Government has
Al Of into iOuai arDltra-
tn this renewed expression of our adherence
% this method for the settlement Of disputes
sch as have arisen in the Behring Sea will,
t0ubt not meet with the concurrence of Congress
Provision should be made for joint demarca-
Ton Of the frontier line between Canada and the
United States, wherever required by the increasing
border settlements and especially for the exact
batOn Of the water boundary in the straits ana
nren
Should have been glad to announce some favor
abe disposition of the boundary dispute between
Vieat B itain and Venezuela, touching the western
hontier OF British Guiana, but the friendly eDoits
VI the United States in that direction lave thus
lar been unavailng This Government VIII con-
uaae " express it's concern at any appearance ol
iofeisn encroaebment on territories long under
Ne administrative control OF American states
ine determination of disputed boundary Is easily
ausinabe by amcable arbitration. where the
lsnis OF the respective parties rest, as here on
1A'one facts, readily ascertainabe.
AMERICAN PRODUCTS ABROAD.
Tie law Of the last Congress providing system
inspection for our meats intended Tor export
sno clothing the President with power TO exclude
i0feign products from our market in ease inc
"uhtry sending them should perpetuate UNJUST
examinations against any product OF the Cniteu
'aVs, placed this Government in position 10
'aecuveiy urge the removal Of such dLscrImlha-
Sous against meats 1t is gratifying To Ike
''e 70 state that Germany, Denmark, Italy,
austria and France, in the order named, have
srneo their ports TO inspected American pork
s''uucts, ana that France has taken such steps
assure the same result The removal OF these
.s s'ncuons IN every instance WAS asked for ana
'en solely upon the ground that we had now
sY.iaeo a meat inspection that should he ac-
~ p'eu as adequate to the complete removal OF
:" aaasers real or fanced, which had been pre-
49, urged. The State Department. our Min
- abroad. and the Secretary of Agriculture
o"opersted with unflassing and intelligent