Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
A Document Containing Over 15,OOO
 Words Submitted to Congress.


 rison's message was submitted to con- gress to-day. It is a document of great length and reiterates the views ex- pressed by the president on other occa- sions. The following is a synopsis of the paper: To the senate and house of representa-
 tiveS:
 "In submitting my annual message to congress, I have great satisfaction in being able to say that the general con ditions affecting the commercial and industrial interests of the United States are in the highest degree favorable. A comparison of existing conditions with those of the most favorable period in the history of the country will, 1 believe, show that so high a degree of prosperity and so general diffusion of the com forts of life were never before enjoyed by our people. The total wealth of the country in 1860 was $16, 159, ,616, ,06S. In 1890 it amounted to $62, ,5l0, ,000, ,000, an mileage of railways in the United States in 1860 was 30, ,626; In 1890 it was 167,- Al, an increase of AS per cent; and it is estimated that there will be about 1 1000 miles of track added by the close of the year 1S93."
 The president alludes to the great in crease in the consumption of cotton this year and then says: "September 30, 1892, there were 32 companies manufac turing tin and tern plate in the United States, and 14 companies building new works for such manufactories. The estimated investment in buildings and plants at the close of the fiscal year, June 30, 1893, if existing conditions were to be continued, was S5, 900 ,0OO, and the estimated rate of production 100000 pounds per annum and the actual production for the quarter ending September 30, 1892, was 10,952, 725 pounds"
 The message refers to the labor con- missioners' report showing an increase of over SC, 1000, 900 in wages in New York and of over S, ,00O, ,000 in Massachusetts. The recent great increase in the produc- tion of pig iron and steel is also noted, Figures are given relative to the great increase in our exports during the past year, the increase in the coastwise traffic is noticed and the largely increased railroad business is mentioned. The general prosperity of the country is re ferred to in the savings banks statistics. The message continues "If any are discontented with their state here; if any believe that wages or prices, the re turns for honest toll, ,are inadequate, they should not fail to remember that there is no other country in the world where the conditions that seem SO hard would not be accepted as highly prosperous. The English agriculturaliSt would be glad to exchange the returns of his la Dor for those of the American farmer and the Manchester wOrkmen their | wages for those of their fellows at Fall | River. I believe that the protective sys- tenn which has now for something more | than 30 years continuously protected in our legislation has been mighty instru- | ment for the development of our na- tional wealth, and a most powerful | agency in protecting the homes of our workingmen from the invasion of want l l have felt a most soIicItous interest to preserve to our working people rates of
 wages that would not only give daily
 bread but supply a comfortable margin l 'It is not my purpose to renew here | the argument in favor of protective tariff. The result of the recent election
 must be accepted as having introduced
 a new policy. We must assume that the present tariff, constructed on the lines of protection, is to be repealed, and that l there is to be substituted for it a tariff law constructed solely with reference
 to revenue, that no duty is to be higher
 because the increase will keep open an l American mill or keep up the wages of an American workman; but that ir Ievery case such rate of duty is to be
 imposed as will bring to the treasuay of
 the United States the largest returns of
 revenue. The contention has not
 been between scedules. but between principles. 1 recommend that the whole subject of tariff revision be left to the incoming congress. It is matter of re gret that this work must be delayed fol at least three months. The uncertainty l will result in depression of business and possibly in decreased revenues. The
 friends of the productive system with
 undiminished confidence in the princi-
 ples they have advocated will await the results of the new experiment"
 ! The president states that the troubles
 between capital and labor have not been favorable to calm consideration of the protective system. The laborer will
 now be able to review the question in
 the light of personal experience. If the present wages are maintained or in
 creased everyone will rejoice. A gen. eral process of wage reduction cannot
 be contemplated by any patriotic citi- zen without the gravest apprehension. The message dwells at length on the
 treaty with Great Britain in regard tC
 the Behring sea. The president favors
 sending ships to protect the seals If
 necessary. Great pleasure is expressed
 at the outcome of the Baltimore affair
 the indemnity demanded having been paid by the Chlllan government.
 The project of laying cable to Homo
 lulu is endorsed and the president
 recommends that the United States SC
 cure coaling station at the Hawai-
 islands He also recommends the Nicaragua canal.
 The reports of the members of the cabinet are next considered and highly
 approved. The work of the interior de
 partment in regard to pensions, the
 census and the opening of Indian land
 is especially commended.
 The danger from cholera is pointed
 out and strong plea against wholesal
 immigration is made.