Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-12-15

Honduras, and Austro- Hungary have
been concluded since my last annual
message.
Under these trade arrangements, a
free favored admission has been
secured in every case for an important
list of American products. Especial
care has been taken to secure markets
for farm products in order to relieve
that great industry lying under de-
preston for the lack OF an adequate
foreign market for our manufactured
productions, which will, if this policy
is maintained, greatly augment our
export trade.
The full benefits of these arrange
ments cannot be realized instantly.
Referring to our foreign relations
the president speaks regarding the
Canadian conference, the Welland
canal and the fisheries, saying that
our negotiations with Great Britain
have been continually thwarted or re-
tarded by unreasonable and un-
friendly objections or protests from
Canada. Mr.. Harrison urges that
adequate support be given to the
Nicaragua ship canal.
SECRETARY oFTHE TREAsURER's REPORT
The report of the secretary of the
treasury will attract especial interest
in view of the many misleading state
ments that have been made as to the
public revenues. Three preliminary
facts should not only be stated but
emphasized before looking into de-
tails: That the public deot has been
reduced since March 4, 1892, $685.
O74, 200, and the annual interest
charges $11, 1854, ,469; second, that
there have been paid out for pensions
during this administration up to No
vember 1, 1892, $432, ,264, 1870,
an excess OF S144, ,466, ,3S9 90 over the
sum expended during the period from
March 1, 1885, to March /, 1889;
third, that under the existing tariff up
to December 1, about 100000
of revenue which would have been col
lected upon imported sugars if the
duty had been maintained has gone
into the pockets OF the people and not
into the treasury as before.
CONDITION OF THE GENERAL LAND
OFFICE.
The report of the secretary of the
interior shows a very gratifying state
of affairs as to the condition of the
general land Office. The work of issu-
ing agricultural patents, which seemed
to be hopelessly in arrears when the
present secretary undertook the
duties of his Office, has been so expe-
dited that the bureau is now up on
current business. The relief now
afforded to honest and worthy set
tiers upon the public lands by giving to
them an assured title to their entries
has been of incalculable benefit in de-
veloping the states and territories.
The court of private land claims
established by congress for the pro-
motion OF this policy OF speedily set
tling contested land titles is now max
ing satisfactory progress in its work,
and when the work is completed a
great impetus will be given to develop
ment of those regions where unsettled
claims under the Mexican grant have
so long exercised their repressive in
huence. When all the results are
added, the enormous cessions of
Indian lands which have been opened
to settlement, aggregating during this
administration nearly 26,0O0,OO0
acres, and the agreements negotiated
and now pending in congress for ratl-
| fication by which about 10000, 900
additional acres will be opened to set
tlement, it will be seen how much has
been accomplished.
| THE INDIAN BUREAU.
The Indian bureau in he execution
of the policy of recent legislation, has
been largely directed to two policies:
first: the allotment of land in seve-
ralty to Indians and the cessions to
the United States OF the surplus lands;
and, secondly, to the work OF educst-
ing the Indians for their own protec-
tion in closer contact with the white
man and for the intelligent exercise oi
his new citizenship.
1t is considered that progress in
this work has been very considerable
and that the Indian agencies on the
whole have been well conducted. On
this subject the president concludes
Ii any legislation is possible by which
the selection OF Indian agents can bs
wholly removed from all partisan sug
gestion or consideration | am sure II
would be a great relief to the executive
and a great benefit to the service.
SUMMARY OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPART
MENrs.
This exhibit of the work of the ex
ecutive departments is submitted tt
; congress and to the public in the hop
that there will he found in it a du
sense of responsibility and an earnes
purpose to maintain national homo
and to promote the happiness ant
prosperity OF all our people, and thi
brief exhibit OF the growth and pros
perity OF the country will give US
level from which to note the increas
e or decadence that new legislativ
: policies may bring to US. There Is n
reason why national influence, powe
and prosperity should not observe tn
e same rates of increase that hav
:. characterized the past thirty year
!. for the future. There is no reaso
= why in many lines of production "
should not surpass all other natior
b as we have already done i'm SOM
$ There are no near frontiers to OF
C possible development. Retrogressio
would be a crime.
Signed, BENJAMIN HARRISON.
$ Executive Mansion, Dec. 6, 1892.
nj EFFECT OF THE.ELECTIoN.