The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-04


appointment under the Government. re-
tanning faithful and devoted public SER
wants In office, but shielding none, under
the authority OF any rule or custom, who
are lneHlclent, incompetent or unworthy.
The best interests of the country demand
tnls, and the people heartily approve the
law wherever and whenever It has been
thus administered
Congress should give PROMPT attention
70 the restoration of our American rner-
chant marine, ,once the pride of the seas
In all the great ocean highways of com
merce. To my mind, few more Important
subjects so imperatively demand its intel
ligent consideration. The United States
has progressed with marvellous rapidity
IN every Held CT enterprise and endeavor
until We have become the foremost in
nearly all the great lines of inland
trade, commerce and industry. Yet willis
this IS true, our American merchant ma
rlne mas been steadily declining until it
IS now lower both in the percentage of
tonnage and the number of vessels em-
ployed, than it was prior to the Civil
war. Commerldable progress has been
made OF late years in the upbuilding of
the American Navy, but we must supple
ment those efforts by providing as prop
ert consort for it merchant marine
amply sufficient for our own carrying
trade to foreign countries. The question
Is one that appeals both to our business
necessities and the patriotic aspirations
of a great people.
:. It has been the policy of the United
states since the foundation of the Govern
ment, to cultivate relations of peace and
am5ty with all the nations of the world.
ana this acoortis with my conception OF
our DUTY now. We have cherished the
policy OF n-interference with the af-
fairs of foreign Governments, wisely in
angurated BY Washington. keeping our
serves Tree from ENHANCEMENT either az
alles or foes, content to leave undis-
turbed with them the settlement of their.
own o!vI domestic CONCERNS. 1t will be our
eign policy. which shall be just, impartial.
ever watchful of our national honor and
abmayS abm fMSsiStlng upon the enforcement Of
everywhere Ne want no wars of con-
guest; we must avoid the temptation OF
6e territorial aggression. War should never
peace has failed; peace ts preferable to
wa war In IN almost every contingency. Arbi-
tsment tsanen Is of fne Srus method Of set;
as local or. Individual differences.
IL was recognized as the best means OF
adJustment of differences between en-
pioyers and employees by the forty-ninth
congress in 1866. and its application was
extended to otlr diplomatic relations by
the unanimous concurrence of the Sem
IN 1880. The latter resolution was ac-
cepted as the basis of negotiations with
US by the British House of Commons in
1873 and upon our invitation treaty OF
arbitration between the United States and
Great Britain was signed at Washington
and transmitted to the Senate for its
ratification, in January last. Since this
treaty Is clearly the result of our own
initiative; since 1t has been recognized
as the leading feature of our foreign poll
Icy throughout our entire national his
tory-the adjustment of difficulties BY ju-
dicial methods rather than force of
arms-and since it presents to the world
the glorious example of reason and peace,
not passion and war, controlling the re-
iations between two of the greatest ma
tions of the world, an example certain
to be followed, by others, I respectfully
urge the early action of the Senate there
on, not merely as a matter OF policy,
but as duty to mankind. The Importance
and moral influence of the ratia-
cation of such treaty can hardly
be over stimated in the cause of adj
vancing civilization. It may well engage
the best thought OF the statesmen and
people or every country and cannot but
consider it fortunate that it was reserved
to the United States to. have the leader
ship in so grand work.
1t has been the uniform practice of each
President to- avoid, as far as possible, the
convening of Congress in extraordinary
session. 1t is an example which, under
ordinary circumstances and in the abb
sence of public necessity, is to be COM
mended. But a failure to convene tho
representatives of the people in Congress
in extra session when it involves neglect
OF public duty, places the responsibility
of such neglect upon the Executive hiIn-
self. The condition of the public treas
ury, as has been Indicated demands the
immediatei consideration of Congress. 1t
alone has the power to provide revenues
for the Government. Not to convene it
under such circumstances, can view in
no other sense than the neglect of plain
duty
Il do not sympathize with the sentiments
that Congress in session is dangerous to
our general business interests. Its mem-
bers are the agents of the people, and
their presence at the seat of government
should not operate as an injury but q.
benefit. There could be no better time
to put the government upon sound
financial and economic basis than now
The people have only recently voted
that this should be done and nothing is
mGTe w tben bSndin t Spen the q 9genss Of th
tson 1t has always scanned to me that
the postponement of the meeting of Com
ggregs asasl until more 5 than year after it has
an ana the Country Of the he Sqpaspo Tpreapondns Mis
benefits. 1t r. evident. therefore. that
great necessity would be unwise on the
part, of the Executive because unjust to
the interests of the people. Our actions
consideration than if the question Of tar
If revision WAS postponed until the regu-
lar session OF Congress. We are nearly
and politics cannot so greatly distract US
as If such contest was Immediately pend
ing. We can approach the problem
it's, effects upon an early election Our
fellow citizens who may disagree
with us upon the character of this legfs-
lation. prefer to have the question settled
now, even against their preconceived
views, and perhaps settled so reasonably.
and trust and believe 1t viii be, as to
insure great permanence-than to have
further uncertainty menacing the vast
and varied business interests of the
United States. Again, whatever action
Congress may take will be given a fair
opportunity for; trial before the people are
called to pass judgment upon it. and this
l consider great essential to the right
full and lasting settlement of the Ques-
tion. In view of these considerations,
shall deem it my duty as President to
convene Congress in extraordinary ses-
sion on Monday, the 18th day of March,
In conclusion, congratulate the coun-
try upon the fraternal spirit of the people
and the manifestations of good will
everywhere so apparent. The recent elec-
tion not only most fortunately demons
strated the obliteration of sectional or
geographical lines, but to some extene
also the prejutlices which for years have
distracted our councils and marred our
true greatness as nation. The triumph
of the people, whose verdict is carried
into effect today, is not the triumph of
one section, nor wholly of one party, but
of all sections and all the people The
North and the South no longer divide on
the old lines but upon principles and
policies; and in this fact surely every
lover of the country can find cause for
true felicitation. Let us rejoice in and
cultivate this spirit; 1t is ennobling and
will be both gain and blessing to our
beloved country. 1t will be my constant
aim to do nothing, and permit nothing
to be done. that will arrest or disturb
this growing sentiment Of unity and CO..
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