Ben Harrison: “He has, I think, on the whole borne himself in very trying circumstances with dignity, discretion, and courage, and has…”

It gives me pleasure to consummate here to-day, by the act of lifting this flag, the efforts in support of a principle to which I give my hearty support.

I herewith transmit, for the information of Congress, a communication from the Acting Secretary of State, forwarding certain bulletins of the Bureau of the American Republics.

The law should at least have contained a provision for the continued discharge of their duties by the incumbents until the new officers were appointed and qualified.

The law creates two new officers, whose aggregate compensation may be $12,000 per annum, without, it seems to me, a justifying necessity.