Huntsville gazette., 1892-12-10

forts and enjovments without which life
is neither hopeful nor sweet. They are Amer
lean citizens-a part of the great people for
wnom our constitution and government were
framed and instituted-and It can not be q per-
version OF that constitution to legislate az to
preserve in their homes the comfort inde-
pendence, loyalty and sense Of interest in the
government which are essential to good citi-
zenship in peace and which will bring this stall
wart throng, rs in 1861, to the defense OF the
flag when it is assailed
recommend that the whole subject Of riff
revision be left to the incoming congress. 1t
is matter OF regre1 that this work must be
delayed for ut least three months, for
the. threat Of great tariff changes in
troduces so much such uncertainty that
buiness inaction and Of diminished produc-
ton will necessarily result. II is possible also
that this uncertainty may result in decreased
revenues from customs duties, for our mer-
chants will make cautious orders for foreign
goods in view of the prospect OF tariff reduc-
tions and the uncertainty as to when it will
take effect.
EMPLOYER AND EMPLoYE.
The strained and too often disturbed rela-
tions existing between the employe and the en-
ployer in our great manufacturing establish
ments have not been favorable to calm con-
slderatlon by the wage earners OF the effect
upon wages of the protective system. Ths
fact that his wages were the highest paid in
like callings in the world and that main
tenance of this rate of wages in the absence Of
protective duties upon the product of his
labor was impossible, were obscured by
the passion evoked by these contests
He may now be able to review he question in
the Eight OF his personal experience under the
operation of a tariff for revenue only.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS.
This reports of tbs heads of the several
executive departments, which are herewith sub
mitted, have very naturally included resume
of the whole work Of the administration with
the transaction of the last fiscal year. The at
tention not only OF congress, but Of the coun-
trv is again invited to the methods OF admins
trat which haUa
results which have been attained. Public
revenues amounting to 81 l.4l4, ,0792a 2a2.28 have
been collected and disbursed without loss from
mi5appropriation, without single defalcation
of such Importance as to attract the
public attention, and at a diminish
ed per cent Of cost for collection The
public business has been transacted not only
with fidelity. but progressively, and with a
view to giving to the people 10 the fullest Dos
sible degree the benefits OF service estab-
lished and maintained for their protection and
comfort.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other nations are now
disturbed by any serious controversy. The
complicated and threatening differences with
Germany and England relating to Samoan
affairs. with England in relation to the seal
fisheries in the Bahring sea, and with Chilli
growing out Of the Baltimore affair, haze been
adjusted.
RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS.
There have been negotiated and concluded,
under section OF the tariff law, commercial
agreements relal1ng TO reciprocal traue WIN
the following countries: Brazil Dominican,
Republic, Spain for Cuba and Porto Rico Qua
temala, Salvador. the German empire, Great
British Guiana, Nicaragua Honduras and
Austria Hungary. OF these. these with Qua
te,naia Salvador, the German empire, Great
Britain, Nicaragua Honduras and Austria
Hungary have been concluded since my last an
nual message. Under these trade arrangements,
free favored admission has been secured
in every case for an important list of American
E,zTiApiqI haan IA IN en-
cure markets for farm products in order to re-
Eeve that great underlying industry of thu de-
preston which the lack Of an adequate foreign
market for our surplus often brings. An open
ing has also been made for manufactured prod
ucts that will undoubtedly, If this policy is
maintained, greatly augment our export trade.
THE BERRING SEA QUESTION.
A treaty providing for the arbitration of the
dispute between Great Britain and the United
States as to the killing of seals in the Behring
was concluded on the 18th OF February
last. This treaty was accompanied by an
agreement prohibiting pelagc sealing pending
the arbitration, and vigorous effort was made
during this season 10 drive out all polching
steamers from the Behring sea. Six naval YES
from the fish commission, all under the
command of Commander Evans, of
the navy were sent nfo the dstroies ssa
Some seizures were made, and it is believed
that the catch in the Behring sea by poachers
amounted to less than SOY seals 1t is true,
seal herds were on their way 10 the passes be-
tween the Alutian islands, very large num-
ber and probably $1,000, were taken. The ex-
listing statutes Of the United States do not
restrain our citizens from taking seals in the
Pacific ocean, and perhaps should not. un-
less the prohibition can be extended to the
citizens of other nations
RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA.
During the past year suggestion was re-
ceived through the British Minister that the
Canadian government would like to confer as
to the possibility OF enlarging, upon terms Of
mutual advantage. the commercial exchanges
of Canada aad OF the United States. and e con-
ference was held OF Washington, with Mr..
Blaine acting for this government, and the
British minister at this capital and thrse mem
bers OF the Dominion cabinet acting as com
.niSsioner5 on the part of Great Britain. The
conference developed the fact that the Canadian
government was only prepared TO offer to the
United States in exchange for the concessions
asked the admission OF natural products. The
statement was frankly made that favored
rates could not be given to the United states
as against the mother country This admission,
which was foreseen, necessarily terminated the
conference upon this question
The Benefits of an exchange or the natural
products would be almost wholly with the peo-
pie of Canada. Other topics Of interest were
considered in the conference and have resulted
in the making Of a convention for examining
the Alaskan boundary, the waters Of Passama-
quoddy bay adjacent to Eastport, Me-, and on
the initiation OF arrangement for the pro-
lection of fish life in the coterminous and
THE CANAL TOLLS CONTROVERSY.
The controversy as to the tolls upon the
Welland canal which was presented to congress
at the last session by special message, having
failei of adjustment. 1 felt constrained to ex-
ercise the authority conferred by the act OF
July 26, 1892, aad to proclaim suspension OF
the free use of st. Mary's Falls canal to car
goes in transit to ports in Canada The secre-
tary Of the treasury established sucl
tolls as were thought to be equiv
alent to the exsctions unjustly levied up
on our commerce IN the Canadian canals. III.
as we must suppose, the political relations OF
Canada AMI the disposition OF the Canadlan
government are to remain unchanged, some
what radical revision OF our trade relations
should, think, be made. Our relations must
friendly. I regret to say, however. that 10
many OF the controversies, notably those as
to the fisheries on the, Atlantic,
the sealing interests on the Pacific,
and the canal tolls our negotiations
with Great Britain have been continuously
thwarted or retared by unreasonable and un-
friendly objections and protests from Canaos-
THE DIFFERENCES WITH CHILL.
Congress at the last session was kept ADVISED
OF the progress Of the threatening differences
between the United States and Chill. it gives
me now great qualification to report that the
Chiiian government, in n most friendly ana
honorable spirit, has rendered and pain as al
indemnity to the families OF the sailors OF the
Baltimore who were killed and TO those VINO
we're injured in the outbreak III in I'll the city city
has bsen accepted, not only as
an indemnity for wrong done,
but as a most gratifying, cvi-
denoe that the government CT Chill rightly ap-