The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-12-15
President HarriSOn's Message,
HE STANDS FIRMLY FOR PROTECTIVE
TARIFF. FORCEFUL REC

HE STANDS FIRMLY FOR A PROTECTIy
TARIFF. FoRCEFUL RECOMMENDATIONS.
Gin submitting my annual message to
Congress-. writes President Harrison in
the document sent to the capital Dec. 9th,
81 have great satisfaction in being able to
saw that the general conditions affecting
the commercial and industrial interests OF
the United States are in the highest de-
gree favorable. A comparison of the ex-
listing conditions with those of the most
favored period in the history of the coun-
trv will, | believe, show that SO high a
degree of prosperity and so general a diff
fusion of the comforts of life We're never
before enjoyed by our people. The re-
ports from Is cities show an increase in
the capital employed in 1890 over 1880 OF
81, 522, 745, 3O4; in the value of the pro-
duct of s., 024 236, 1866; in wages earned of
s677. 943. 929. and in the number of wage
earners employed of S25, O29 The wage
earnings not only show an increased ag-
gregate. but an increase per capita from
1926 in 1880 to S547 in 1890, or A. II PEI
cent If any are discontinued with theil
state here if any believe that wages and
prices. the return for honest toll. are in
adequate, they should not fail to remem-
Der that there is no other country in the
world where the conditions that seem To
them hard would not be accepted as HIGH
ly prosperous.
II believe that the protective system.
which has now for something more than
30 years continuously prevailed in our leo
islation, has been a mighty Instrument
forthe development of our national wealth
and a most powerful agency in protecting
the homes of our workingmen from the
invasion of want.
1T 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 pol
icy. We must assume that the present
tariff, constructed upon the lines of pro-
lection, is to be repealed, and that there
is to be substituted for it a tariff law con-
structed solely with reference to revenue
that no duty is to be higher because the
increase will keep open an American mill
or keep up the wages of an American
workman, but in every case such rate of
duty is to be imposed as will bring to the
treasury of the United States the largest
returns of revenue.
''The contention has not been between
schedules, but between principles, and it
would be offensive to suggest that the
prevailing party will not carry into legis-
lation the principles advocated by it and
the pledges given to the people. | recon-
mend that the whole subject of tariff re-
revision be left to the incoming Congress,
1t is a matter of regret that this work
must be delayed for at least three months.
1.-The friends of the protective system
with lndiminished confidence in the prin-
H., ~, i,
results of the new experiment.
1T may be, indeed | believe ii is. pos
sible for the American manufacturer t.
compete successfully with his foreign rival
in many branches of production without
the defense of protective duties. if the
pay rolls are equalized but the conflict
that result. and the distress OF our work
ing people, when it is attained. are not
pleasant to contemplate. The society OF
the unemployed. now holding its frequent
and threatening parades in the streets OF
OF foreign cities, should not be allowed to
acquire an American domlcile.
STIRLING sUGGEsTIUN>.
The rest of the message is largely devot-
ed To !, resume of department affairs, in
which these striking points are made
1-keciprocity is doing wonders. We
shall soon have one third of the South and
Central American trade, which amounts
to 5000. 600. 600 annually. European ma
lions are alarmed already.
2-The President should be able to pro
hbit the taking of seals in tile North Pa
citic.
ST the political relations Of Canada
and tie disposition Of the Canadian GOV
eminent are to remain unchanged. 4 some
what radical revision of our trade relations
should be made.
I'm the matter of the canal tolls. our
treaty rights We're t1a9rantly Gisre garded
Ii the present state OF things is to continue.
our interchangts upon lines Of land trans
portation should he put upon different
basis. Withdraw the support which is
given to the railroads and steamship lines
of Canada by traffic that properly be
longs to us.
Chilli has. in a most friendly spirit.
paid her S-:5. 600 indemnity.
I've settled with Italy for the New
Orleans incident for l25 900 francs on
>24 $50 90.
Prompt support should be gwen to
the Nicaragua Canal.
S-lf any temporary check OF delay in
tervenes in the monetary conference. very
soon commercial conditions will compel
now reluctant governments to unite with
us in this movement to secure the enlarge
ment OF the volume of the world coined
money.
9-The public debt has been reduced
since March 4, 1889, $3.50, OH 200, and the
annual interest charge S1l. 6S4, 1863. There
have been paid out for pensions durin2
this administration up to Nov |, 1892,
S4332 564 IS. 10. an excess of STA, 466, 5S6.
90 over the sum expended during the pc
Rod from March /, 1885 to March |, 1880
| Under the existing tariff, up to Dec. !,
about 500, 900, 900 Of revenue which woulC
have been collected upon imported sugars
if the duty had been maintained, has gone
into the public treasury as before.
1O-Repeal the sinking fund law. The
retirement of bonds in the future before
maturity should be matter Of conven
fence. not Of compulsion. But any changes
should be part of the tariff revision.
1.-THE demand for gold in Europe il
the result Of the efforts Of some Of the Eu
ropean governments to increase their colo
reserves and should be met by appropri
ate legislation.
PA uniform credit for good behavio
in prison should be prescribed. Degrees
of murder should be recognized in the fed
eral statutes.
13--Claims to the amount of nearl,
800, 900. 600 for the taking of or injury t,
the property. of persons claiming to b,