Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-06
TILE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

70 the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires:
In submitting my annual message to
Congress I have great satisfaction in
being able to say that the general con-
dition affecting the commercial and in
dnstrial interests of the United States
are in The highest degree favorable. A
comparison of the existing condition
with those of the most favored period
in the history of the country will, be-
lieve. show that so high L degree of
prosperity and so general Il diffusion OF
the comforts Of life were never before
enjoyed by our people.
1t is not my purpose to renew mere
the argument in favor of a 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 upon the
lines of protection is to be repealed and
that there is 10 be substituted Tor IT a
tariff law constructed solely with refer
ence to revenue that no duty is to be
higher because the increase will keep
omen an American mill or keep up the
wages of M American workman, but
that in every case such rate Of duty
is TO be imposed as will bring to the
treasury Of the United States the
largest returns ofrevenue. The contest
has not been between schedules, but
between principles, and it would be Of
fensive to suggest that the prevailing
party will not carry into legislation the
principles advocated by it and the
pledges given TO the people. The tariff
bills passed by the House of Represent
atives al the last session were, as sup
pose-even in the opinion of their pro-
moters-inadequate and justified only
by the fact that the Senate and House
of Representative were not i'll accord
and that general revision could not
therefore be undertaken. recommend
that the whole subject of tariff revision
be left 10 the incoming Congress. 1t is
matter Of regret that this work must
be DELAYED for nj least three months ;
for the threat of great tariff charges in
PRODUCES so much uncertainty that an
amount. not easily estimated, of bust
ness inaction and of diminished produc-
ton. will necessarily result. 1t may be,
indeed. | believe is, possible for the
American manufacturer to compete
successfully with his foreign rival in
many branches of production without
the defense of protective duties if the
pay rolls are cqualizcd but the conflict
that stands between the producer and
t that result, and the distress of the
working people when it is attained, are
not pleasant to contemplate.
Our relations with other nations are
now undisturbed by any seriou:
controversy. The complicated and
threatening differences with Germany
and England relating 10 Samoan affairs
with England in relation to the sea
fisheries in the Bahr;ng sea, and with
Chill growing out of the Baltimore
affairs have been adjusted. l regret
to say, however, that in many o
the cont OVERSEES, notably those as tc
| the fisheries on the Atlantic, the sealing
interests on the Pacific, and the cana
tolls, our negotiations with Great Bri
: tain have continuously been thwartcC
or retarded by unreasonable and un
friendly objections and protests from
, Canada.
Under reciprocal trade arrange
: mcnts free or favored admis
sion has been secured for an i'm
portant list of American products
, Aided by the establishment of Ameri
can steamship lines, | do not doubt
that we shall, within short period Sc
cure fully one-third of the total trade o
the countries of Central and South
America. In 1855 we had only eight
per cent of this trade.
, The mail contracts made with the
lines sailing to Central and South
American ports have increased the fire.
! quency. shortened the time of the trip:
and sustained some lines that other
wise would almost certainly have been
f withdrawn. ] earnestly urge a contin
e nance of the policy inaugurated by this
| legislation and that the appropriation:
required to meet the obligations under
: the contracts be continued.
There is no disposition on the part o
t the people or government of the Unitet
Slater TO interfere in the smallest de
/ gree with the political relations Of Can
. ada. 1t is time for us, however, to con
slider whether, if the present state o
: things and trend of things is to cen
tinue. We should not hesitate to avail
ourselves of our great natural trade ad
: yantages. We should withdraw thu
t support which is given TO the railroads
:. and steamship lines of Canada by ;
: traffic that properly belongs to Us, ant
= no longer furnish the earnings which
tighten the otherwise crushing weigh
of the enormous public substitutes tina
have been given to them. 1t gives M
now great qualification to report tina
the CHILEAN government in a mos
+ friendly and honorable spirit has ten
dered and paid us an indemnity to thu
families of the sailors of the Baltimore
who were killed and injured in the out
break in the city of Valparaiso, the sun
of $50 900. This has been accepted a.
Il most gratifying evidence that the
government of Chill rightly appreciates
), the disposition Of this government t
act in Il spirit of the most absolute fair
ness and friendliness in our intercourse
r with that brave people.
G The friendly act of this government
in expressing to the government of tia
" its reprobation and adherence of the
lynching of Italian subjects in New Or
: leans by the payment ofS24 $50 80, wa;
/ accepted by the King of Italy with
+ every manifestation ofgracious appreci
| alton. and the incident has been highly
! Dromotiye of mutual respect and gooC