The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-12-04
SUMMARY OF THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE

Upon other pages of this paper will be
found the presidents annual commune
cation to congress, printed in full with
the exception of some generalization
upon the question of improving the con-
sular department of the government
and occupying about $4,000 words as it
actually appears in print. The president
plunges at once into the business before
him, and after few congratulations pro-
ceeds to call the attention of congress to a
variety of foreign and other subjects, in
the following ORDER
The president calls attention to the
fact that in violation of all precedent
the State Department has had great diff
ficulty in obtaining all the facts with
reference to the conviction of Mr.. Waller,
an accredited consul to the French gov
eminent. The president claims, how
ever, that matters have now assumed
such shape, as to have brough relief to
Mr.. Waller, SO far as related to harsh
treatment, and refusal on the part of
the French government to furnish an alb
stract of the trial whereby Waller was
convicted
Attention is called to the fact that Ger
many, by reason of adopting high tar
if system, has greatly reduced her COM
mercial relations with this country, and
has specially interdicted the importation
of American products in the line of pork
f0i1 live
American expectations. The president
would seem to infer that the claims of
the German government upon which
these American products were excluded
from German consumption, were based
wholly upon other grounds than the fact
of American products in the line OF pork
president offers no remedy, however
The president expresses his gratifica-
ton at the fact that Chile, one of the
leading South American republics--has
been able to resume specie payments
and practically adopt the gold standard.
He gives no reason, however, for his
qualification. He alludes with pride" to
the fact that as an International Arbi-
traitor he has been able to settle a long
disputed question between the Republic
of Brazil and the Argentine Republic, in
favor of the former.
Congressional attention is directed to
the troubles now existing between Ven
ezuela and Great Britain over the bound
airy line between the former and British
Guiana. The president reminds con-
gress that the state department has in
vited Great Britain to have this ques-
ton settled by arbitration, and although
the British government has not respond
ed favorably as yet, the president offers
fo a in bo of
the administration. This argument is
simply an endorsement of the Monroe
doctrine.
The president points with pride to the
setu cement of that old mora claim" in
volving abouta million and half in mon
ey and extending over a period of about
twenty years. The president fails to say,
however, that the only reason why
Spain decided to settle that claim, at
the present time, was because of the fear
of adverse influence in Cuba.
The chief executive rejoices that Rus
STA has joined hands with the United
States to protect the seal fishery in Behr-
ing Sea. He speaks with some regret
concerning the Indifference manifested by
Great Britain on this subject. He calls
congressional attention to the fact that
the boundry line between British North
America and the United States possess
sions in Alaska, must be settled. He re-
fers to the fact that even the boundry
line between Canada and the United
States near the Atlantic coast, and to the
north of Maine has never been finally set
tied as contemplated by the treaty of
Client. The president asks that this
matter be taken up.
Congress is invited to make an appro-
M IN
bringing home of large colony of col
ored people who were induced to i'm
igrate to Mexico under false pretenses,
and who found their way to the Texan
boundary in condition of starvation and
utter helplessness. The president di-
rected the Secretary of War to transport
them back to their homes in Alabama,
at government expense, and now asks
that that department be reimbursed
The president makes the lynching of
lot of Italians in Colorado the occasion
for long lecture upon our methods of
immigration and asks congress to fur
Their restrict that class of immigrants
who promptly prove to be criminals and
law breakers on their arrival in this
cOuntry,--a good recommendation.
The president takes a great deal Of
time and space for the subject OF I'M
proving the consular service" The
president evidently believes that the var
ious consuls of the United States should
be men of reputation, learning and ac-
complishment, and so backed up by the
government as to impress it's import
ance upon all foreigners wherever stu
ated. He points with pride to the prec-
edents established by Great Britain, Ger
many and France and makes a strong
D1oo for this government tn follow sniff
Whether this arrangement runs along
the lines of the Monroe doctrine is ques-
tionable.
Practically, under the same head, the
President urges upon congress the fact
that our Ambassadors abroad, as we'll
as our Ministers, are inadequately paid
and improperly housed to accomplish
the work assigned them. The president
recommends that every representative of
the United States shall be paid a suf-
ficient sum of money to make him en-
tirely Independent while in the service
Of his country, and thoroughly believes
that the United States should own the
residences of all first class missions
abroad this is for the effect which that
ownership would have upon foreign ma
tons.
1t will be surprise to the public to
know that the president passes over the
tariff question" in dozen lines. He is
evidently not particularly proud Of the
present law. He looks upon it much in
the manner which characteriZes the po-
litical orator concerning q government
mule,-.ia creature without pride of an
cestry or hope Of posterity" Whatever
the president failed to say, however, con-
corning the tariff question" he more