The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1891-12-15

$40 the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
"The report of the heads of the several
executive departments, required by law
to be submitted to me, which are here
with transmitted, and the reports of the
secretary of the treasury and the attorney
general, made directly to congress, furnish
q comprehensive view of the ddministra-
tive work of the last fiscal year relating to
internal affairs, 1T would be of great adj
vantage If these reports could have an at
tentive perusal by every member of con-
gress and by all who take an interest in
public affairs. Such perusal could not
fail to excite a higher appreciation of the
vast labor and conscientious effort which
are given to the conduct of our civil adj
ministratiOn.
"The reports will, believe, show that
every question hes been approached con-
sidered, and decided from the standpoint
of public duty and upon considerations
affecting the public interests alone. Again
| invite to every branch of the service the
attention and scrutiny Of congress.
Reciprocity.
"The work of the state department dur
ing the last year la been characterized by
an unusual number Of important negotia-
lions and by diplomatic results of a nota-
BILE 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 three 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 it is hoped
that before the close Of the year further
definite trade arrangements OF great value
will be concluded.
The Seal Fisheries.
In view Of the reports which had been
received as 10 the diminutioa Of the seal
herds in the Behring sea. / deemed it wise
TO propose to her majesty's government in
Eebruary lat that an agreement for q
iosed season should be n.'te, pending the
negotiations for arbitration which then
seemed to be approaching favorable con-
elusion. 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 MCy |, 1892, to prohibit the kill
ing, by her subjects, of seals in the Behring
sea, and the government of the United
states, during the same period to enforce
It's existing prohibition against pelagic
sealing and to limit the catch by the Fur
Seal Company upon the islands to $500
skins. If this agreement could have been
reached earlier, in response to the strenu-
Dus endeavOrs of this government, it
would have been more effective, but COM
ing as late as it did it unquestionGbly re-
suited in greatly diminishing the destruc-
lion of the seals by the Canadian sealers.
I'm my last annual message | stated
shat the basis OF arbitration proposed by
fwuf..
ment of the long-pending controversy as
10 the seal fisheries was not acceptable. l
nm glad now TO be able to announce that
terms satisfactory to this government
have been agreed upon and that an agree
,nent as to the arbitrators is all that is
necessary to the completion of the con-
Sention.
The boundary Line.
"Provision should be made for Joint
iemarcatiOr Of the frontier line between
Canada and the United States, wherever
required by the increasing border settle
ments, and especially for the exact loca-
ton of the water boundary in the straits
and rivers.
II should have been glad to announce
some favorable disposition of the
boundary dispute between Great Britain
aud Venezuela, touching the western
irpntier of British Guiana, but the friendly
sfforts of the United States in that direc-
Lion have thus far been unwilling
Meat Inspection.
1.-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
products from our market in case the
Country sending them should perpetuate
unjust determinations against any
product of the United States, placed this
government in a position to effectively
urge the removal Of such determinations
against our meats. 1t is gratifying to be
able to state that Germany, Denmark,
italy, Austria and France, in the order
ramed, have opened their ports to inspect
ed American pork products. The removal
asked for and given solely upon the
wotnd that we bad now provided meat