Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-12-15

at Home and Abroad~-Work Of
the Various Bureaus Summarized
Public EconomyAdvocated-Ac'
ministration's Pension Policy.
The Presidents annual message, which
has been read ih both Houses of Congress,
Is mainly as follows:
To the Congress of the United states
The constitutional duty which requires
the President from time to time to give to
the Congress information ofthe state of tho
Unon, AMI recommend 10 their considera-
tion such measures as he shall ju lge neces-
sary and expedient, is flttingy entered upon
by commenting to the Congress a careful
examination of the detailed statements AMI
well-supported recommendations contained
In the reports cf the heads Of departments,
who are chiefly charged with the executive
work of the Govern nent. In an effort to
abridge this communication as much rs is
consistent with its purpose, | shall supple
ment brief reference to the contents OF
these departmental reports by the mention
of such executive business and incidents as
as are not embraced therein, and BY such
recommendations as appear to be at this
particular time appropriate.
times during the past year been entirely free
from perplexity, no embarrassing situation
remains that will not yield to the spirit OF
fairness and love Of justice, which, joined
with consistent frmness, characterize truly
American foreign policy.
BRAZILIAN AFFAIRS.
The outbreak ofdomestic hostilities in the
Republic of Brazil found the United States
alert to watch the interests of our citizens in
that country, with which we carry on i'm
portant commerce. Several vessels of our
new navy are how, and for some time have
been, stationed at Rio de Janeiro. The strug-
gle being between the established Govern
ment, which controls the machinery OF ad-
ministration, and with which we maintain
friendly relations, and certain officers of the
navy employing the vessels of their COM
mand in an attack upon the National capital
and chief seaport, and lacking, as it does,
the elements of divided administration, l
have failed to see .iat the insurgents can
reasonably claim recognition rs belligerents.
Thus far the position of our Government
has been that Of an attentive but impartial
observer of the unfortunate conflict. En-
phas;zing our fixed policy OF impartial neu-
trality in such condition of affairs as now
exists, | deemed it necessary to disavOw, in
a manner not to be misunderstood, the un-
authorized action OF our late naval COM
mander in those waters i'll salutng the re-
volted Brazilian Admiral, being indisposed TO
countenance an act calculated to give gratui-
I tous sanction to the local insurrection.
CHILEAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The convention between our Government
! and Chile, having for its object the settle
ment and adjustment of the demands OF the
! two countries against each other, has been
made effective by the organization OF the
claims commission provided for. The two
| Governments failing to agree upon the third
member of the Commission, the good offices
of the President of the Swiss Republic were
invoked, as provided in the treaty, and the
selection of the Swiss representative in this
country to complete the organization was
| gratifying alike TO the United States and
Chile.
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION LAW.
The legislation OF last year, known as the
Geary law, requiring the registration OF all
Chinese laborers entitled to residence in the
United States, and the deportation OF oil not
complying with the provisionssof the act
within the time prescribed, met with much
opposition from Cinnamon in this country.
Acting upon the advice of eminent counsel
that tho law was unconstitutional. the great
mass of Chinese laborers, pending judicial
inquiry as to its validity, in COOL faith de-
clined TO apply for the certificates required
by its provisions. test case upon proceed
ing by habeas corpus was brought before the
Supreme Court, and on May 18th, 1898, de-
c;sion was made by that tribunal sustaining
the law.
1t is believed that under the recent amend
ment of the act extending the time for regis
tration, the Chinese laborers thereto entitled,
who desire to reside in this country, will now
avail themselves of the renewed privilege
thus afforded of establishing by lawful pro
cedure their right to remain, and that tnereoy
the necessity of enforced deportation may 10
great degree be avoided.
SURRENDER OF WEEKS RECOGNIZED.
Costa Rica has lately testified its friendli-
ness by surrendering to the United States, i'll
the absence of % convention OF extradltlon
but upon duly submitted evidences OF crlml-
nality. noted fugitive from justice. 1t Is
trusted that the negotiation OF treaty WITH
that country to meet recurring clses OF TINS
kind will soon be accomplished. In my
oninion ,reaties for reciprocal extradition
should be concluded with all these countries
with which the Unit ed States hasnot already
conventional arrangements ofthat character
I have deemed it fitting to express TO the
Governments of Costa Rica and Colombiathe
kindly desire of the United States to see theii
pending boundary dispute finally closed by
arbitration in conformity with the spirit
the treaty concluded between them some
years ago.
Our relations with the French Republic
continue TO be intimate and cordial. SIN
cerely hope that the eXtradition treaty wtf
that country, as amended by the Senate, Will
soon be operative.
While occasional questions affecting ou
naturalized citizens returning to the land o
their birth have arisen in our intercourse will
Germany, our relations with that countr.
continue satisfactory.
The questions affecting our relations will
Great Britain have been treated in spirit
friendliness.
Negotiations are in progress between th'
two Governments with view to such con
current action as will make the award an
regulations agreed upon by the Boring Se
Tribunal of Arbitration practically effective
and it is not doubted that Great Britain vii
cooperate freely with this country for tn
! accomplishment ofthat purpose.
. The dispute growing out Of the discrlml
mating tolls imposed in tho Welland Cana
upon cargoes OF CEREALS bound to and fror
the lake ports of the United States, was ad
iusted by the substitution OF a moro equlta
BILE schedule of charges, anil my predecesso
thereupon suspended his proclamation Inn
posing discriminating tolls upon Britis
transit through our canals.
A request for additions to the list of extra
ditable offences covered by the existin
treaty between the two countries is unde
consideration
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
Nicaragua has recently passed throug