New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04

CLOSING THE ADMINISTRATION
The second session Of the Lid Congress met
December ). 1892. adjourning sine die March
3. 1888 The roll:
neutrality-suspicious. A.; Democrats 80: Farm
ers' Alliance. >. Total. ~.
House-Charles F. Crisp dem. Ga-). Speaker:
Republicans, IS: Democrats, 233 Farmers AL
lance, 3; vacancies, Z. Total. 3D..
President Harrison's annual message called
attention, in an able and interesting manner. to
a large and convincing array Of statistics. show
ing the prosperity Of the United States under
protection to farming and industry. The re-"
suit OF the recent election he said. must be &C
cepted having introduced new policy. 1t
would be offensive in him to suggest that the
prevailing party would not carry into effect
the principles upon which 1t had won the cam
paign. The friends OF protective policy could
afford to have their forecasts Of disaster dis
appointed. IL a new system could be devised
which would increase the import trade and yet
keep own mills busy. enable employers to pay
their men from 80 to 100 per cent mere than
foreign employers, and still compete with the
latter in foreign markets. reduce the cost Of
food and articles Of wear without reducing the
wages OF the men. etc. the authors and pro-
motors Of the measure would be entitled to all
praise. He recommended that tariff revision
be left entirely to the incoming Congress.
The President reported that ten reciprocity
treaties in all had been concluded by him,
namely, with Brazil, San Domingo Spain for
the West Indies. Guatemala. Salvador. Ger
many. Great Britain for certain Of the West
Indies. and British Guiana. Nicaragua, Hon
duras and Austria
A treaty for the arbitration Of the dispute with
Great Britain over the fur seal question had
been concluded during the year.
Canada had not relaxed her discrimination
against American vessels. and the President had
accordingly suspended the free use Of the St.
Mary's Falls Canal by Canadian vessels. Owing
to the continued unfriendliness Of Canada, he
recommended revision Of the trade arrangements
IN md
through the territory Of the United States over
the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
The President repeated. with great earnest
ness. his recommendation that adequate and
prompt support be given TO the Nicaragua Canal.
With regard to finance. the President reported
that the public debt had been reduced S2s9. 074 =
90 since March 4. 1889. and the annual interest
charge 81 1884 900. and that. under the McKin-
ley tariff. $33. Of duties sugar had gone
into the pockets Of the people up to December 1.
1892. instead Of into the Treasury. as before
The reduction OF the public debt during the last
fiscal year had been $4O.5IO.OOO. During the
fiscal year OF 1892 customs duties had fallen on
81. OsS 900 under the revised tariff
OF silver. $3.50. 900 ounces had been purchased
during the fiscal year. and So. 100000 OF certif-
Gates had been issued against that purchase.
The average price paid had been 81 cents an
ounce. the price having ranged from Sl.0275 to
81 cents during the year. In view OF the fact
that the International Monetary Conference was
in session. the President refrained from making
any recommendations.
TWO GOOD LAWS
The acts Of this Congress other than admins
trative measures were
Tristan act for the better protection Of the
United States against contagious diseases This
grew out OF the threatened visitation Of cholera
which ragged violently in Europe during the sum-
mer OF 1892 IL provided that II should be I'M
lawful for any ship in the foreign trade To enter
a port OF the United States without a clean bin
Of health from the American Consul at the port
from which IL had sailed. and IL also further nm
yided for National quarantine at American ports
which did not possess IN efficient local ouaran-