The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-09

ernment was also advised that If such uuali-
fying facts did not exist this government
would confidently expect full and prompt re-
paration.
II is TO be regretted that the reply of the Sec
retary for foreign affairs of the provisional
government was couohed in an offensive tone
To this no response has been made This gov
ernment is now awaiting the result of an in
vestigation which has been conducted by the
criminal court at Valparaiso II Is reported
unofiicially, that the investigation is about
completed, and it is expected that the result
Will soon be communicated to this govern
ment, together with some adequate and satis-
factory response to the note by which the at
tention Of Chill was called to this incident. II
these just expectations should be disap-
pointed, or further needless delay intervene.
will, by special message, bring this matter
again to the attention of congress for such ac-
ton as may be necessary.
The entire correspondence with the govern
ment of Chill will at an early day be submit
ted to congress.
The Chinese Troubles.
The president calls the attention of
congress to the action of the Chinese gov
ernment in their refusal to receive Mr..
Blair as our representative and also to re-
cent outbreaks, which he considers are
not the result of any foreigners in partic-
ular but an insurrection against public
order, and urges the expediency of making
special provision by law for the temporary
admission of some Chinese artisans and
laborers in connection with the exhibit OF
Chinese Industries at the approaching
Columbian exposition. 81 regard it as de-
sirable that the Chinese exhibit be facili
tated in every proper way"
Spanish Affairs.
The rights of American citizens in the
Caroline Islands was then lightly touched
upon; laments the injustice to our coun-
trymen on account of the neglect of the
Spanish government, calling further at
tention to the proposed celebration of the
40Oth anniversary of the discovery of
America, which event is to be held in
Madrid, and urging congress to accept the
invitation extended to this government to
participate in its celebration.
Russian Emigration.
The Mexican treaty, the death of King
Kalakua and the influx of Russians, on
account of their expulsion from the do
mains of the czar, to this country, is
referred to, and which is likely to assume
proportions which may make it difficult
to find homes and employment for them
here, and to seriously affect the labor
market. 1t is estimated that over one
million will be forced from Russia within
a few years.
The Hebrew is never a beggar, he has al
ways kept the law, often under severe and
oppressive civil restrictions. 1t is also
true that no race, sect, or class has more fully
cared for his own than the Hebrew race. But
the sudden transfer of such multitude, I'M
der conditions that tend to strip them of their
small accumulations and to depress their en-
ergies and courage. is neither good for them
nor for us. The banshment, whether by di-
rect decree or by not less certain indirect
methods of so large a number OF men and
women, Is not a local question. decree to
leave one country is, in the nature of
things, an order to enter another.
This consideration, as well as the suggestions
OF humanity, furnishes an ample ground for
the remonstrances which we have presented to
Russia, while our historic friendship for that
government cannot fail to give the assurance
that our representations are those of sincere
well-wisher
The Navassa Insurrection.
The Navassa troubles have been referred
to, and the cause of them particularly
outlined by the president, and in conclu-
sion, the president said:
| recommend legislation that shall place la
Dor contracts upon this and other islands hav-
ing the relation that Navassa has to the United
States, under the supervision OF court COM
missioner, and that shall provide, at the ex-
pense of the owners, an officer to reside upon
the islands with power to judge and ad-
just disputes, and to enforce just and hu-
name treatment of the employees. 1t is mex
cusable that American laborers should be left
within our own jurisdiction without access to
any government officer or tribunal for their
protection, and the redress of their wrongs.
The Copyright Law.
international copyright has been secured, in
accordance with the conditions of the act OF
March B. 1891, with Belgium, France, Great
Britain and the British possessions, and
Switzerland, the laws of these countries per-
mitting to our citizens the benefit of copyright
on substantially the same basis as to their own
citizens or subjects. With Germany special
convention has been negotiated upon this sub
ject, which will bring that country within the
reciprocal benefits of our legislation.
Free Trade VS.. Protection.
The financial department of the country
has been much augmented during the last
year by reason of the conflicting predictions,
which accompanied and followed the tariff
and other legislation of the last congress af-
fecting the revenues, as to the results of this
legislation upon the treasury and upon the
country. On the one hand it was contended
that imports would so fall Off as to leave the
treasury bankrupt and that the prices of
articles entering into the living of the people
would be so enhanced as TO dangerously affect
their comfort and happiness, while on the
other it was argued that the loss to the reve-
nue., largely the result of placing sugar on the
free list, would be n direct gain to the people;
that the prices of the necessaries of life in
Guiding those most highly protected, would
not be enhanced; that labor would have
larger market, and the products of the farm
advanced prices; while the treasury surplus
and receipts would be adequate to meet the
appropriations. including the large exceptional
expenditures for the refundng to the states of
the direct tax and the redemption of the AZ
per cent. bonds.
Treasury Statistics.
1t is not my purpose to enter at length into q
discussion of the effects of the legislation to
which / have referred; but brief examina-
tion of the statistics Of the treasury and gen.
eral glance at the state of business through
out the country will, think. satisfy any i'm
partial inquirer that its results have disap-
pointed the evil prophecies of its opponents
and in n large measure realized the hopeful
predictions of its friends. Rarely II ever be-
fore In the history of the country has there
been time when the proceeds of one days
labor or the product of one farmed acre would
purchase so large an amount of those things
that enter into the living OF the masses of the
people. ! believe that full test will develop
the fact that the tariff act of the Fifty-first
congress is very favorable In its average effect
ON the prices of articles entering into common
use.