Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-14
Becomes President.

ley, as the candidate Of that party for
President. 49,
Becomes President.
His nomination. was made unanimous.
and in November he was elected, receiving
233 votes in the electoral college to 16S for
Grover Cleveland. He was inaugurated
March 4, 1889. When President Harrison
began his administration he was confronted
by the controversy between England and
the United States in reference to the KILL
ing of seals in Beri1g sea. Our govern
ment claimed that undkf the purchase from
Russia 1t had not only the exclusive right
to take the seals FINN the islands Of Alas
peoples of other iARxionalities from killing
them on the open waters witffiH a hundred
miles of these is5aada When the sealing
season of 1889 opened directions were given
to defend the claim. At the same time a
correspondence was carried on through the
State Department with England with q
view of settling the controversy by diplo-
macy, the result being an agreement for
arbitration of this veXed question between
two nations.
Pan-Amerfcan Congress.
Early in the administration steps were
taken to bring together in Washington
representatives from all the South Ameri-
can and Central American countries in a
pan-American congress. which was held
In Washington In the winter 1SS9-1S90. 1t
is believed that It's deliberations resulted
IN better understanding and more lib
eral feeling among the nations represented.
Many plans for reciprocity In the trade
with these nations were originated, some
OF which were formulated and made prac-
tlcai In the tariff act passed by the Fifty
first Congress, known the Mckinley
law. ,--
During the ffrstLtwo years of the admin
tstration six new states framed cOnSti-
tutions and were admitted into the Union
North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington,
Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. A number
OF commissioners were appointed under the
direction of a Secretary of the Interior to
form treaties with the various Indian tribes
for the purchase of lands with a view to
opening them to settlement. 1t resulted in
the extfnguishment of the Indian titles to
vast tracts of land and the establishment
of the new territory of Oklahoma, with all
the forms and advantages of civil govern
ment.
Dispute With Italy.
In the early spring of 1891 troubles be-
tween the city government and the people
of New Orleans on one side and the Italian
residents of the city ON the other. resulted
in a mob which caused the death of
number of Italians in prison. under charges
of murder. This incident was promptly
made the occasion for a demand upon the
United States by the Italian government
for redress and indemnity. This demand
was pre-emptory in tone and in manner
almost offensive. 1t was met with the
statement that while the government earn
estly disapproyed and denounced the action
of the mob, 1T could not recognize ma
tional responsibility for its results. unless
1t could be shown that its action was
result OF connivance on the part of the
public authorities Of New Orleans: and
that the United States did not guarantee
or become insurers OF the lives OF alien
residents any more than of Its own citi-
zens: that the courts were open, and that
alien residents must resort to them the
same as American citizens unless the pub
nived at the violation of the law. The in
cldent ended for the time being in the with
drawing OF the Italian minister from the
United States and an indefinite leave OF
absence to the American minister at Rome.
The Eew Navy.
President HarrisOn's administration ex-
hibited from the beginning a desire to
strengthen the United States navy by push
ing forward the construction Of armored
vessels. with guns OF great power, which
resulted in placing onsthe water the white
squadron" The new ships included the
chicago, Baltimore Charleston, Philadel-
phia. San Francisco Yorktown. Newark.
bennington, Concord, Machias. the cruiser
New York and the battle ship Maine and
Texas. The laws and regulations relating
TO civil service were widened and extended
and faithfully enforced. not only accord
ing 10 their letter, but In accordance with
their spirit, as Is shown by the order
which allowed only skilled mechanics to
work on the new war vessels.
Chile and Hawaii
The most notable features Of President
Harrison's administration were his vigor-
Gus attitude toward Chile in demanding in
demnity for the unprovoked attack on
American sailors in the port of yalpa-
raise and the conclusion of a treaty of
by the Hawaiian provisional government
after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani
The Presidents energy in initiating prep
arations Tor the exercise of force promptly
Drought Chile to terms and convinced the
world that the United States would exact
satisfaction for indignities upon its SUBJ
jects. wherever committed
With President Harrison's approval the
Hawaiian government had been placed on
the request of the provisional authorities
under the protection OF the government of
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