Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
No Reduction Of Taxation.
More Subsidies for Ocean Lines,
The Ku-Klux Again Paraded.
A Few EquiVOcaI Words about Civil
Service Reform.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In transmitting to you my fourth annual mes
| sage, it is with thankfulness to the Giver of all
good, that a nation we have been blessed fdf
! the last year with peace at home ard abroad and
| general prosperity vouehsafed TO but few peo-
pie. With the exception of the devastating fire
I which swept from the earth with breath as il
were, millions accumulated in the city of Boston
| there has been no overshadOwing calamities
within year to record. 1t is gratifying
citizens Of the city OF Chicago under
similar circumstances year earlier, The citizens
| OF Boston are rallying under their mlsiortunes,
| and the prospect IL that their energy and perse-
| verance viii overcome all obstacles and show the
same prosperity soon that thew would have, had
no disaster befallen them. Otherwise we have
been free from pestilence, war and the calami-
ties which often overtake nations, and as far as
| human Judgment can penetrate the future, no
! cause seems TO exist to threaten our present
peace.
The Alabama Claim settlement.
When Congress adjourned in June last ques-
! tion had been raised by Great Britain and was
then pending, which for q time seriously imperi-
led the settlement by friendly arbitration Of the
! differences existing hetween this Government
| and that of Her Britanic Majesty, which by the
! treaty of Washington had been referred to tri
| bunal Of arbitration, which had met at Geneva
The Rrbiirators however disposed of the ques-
ton which had ieopardzed the whole of the
treaty and threatened to involve the nations in
| most unhappy relations toward each Other in
| and in accordance with the views and tile policy
| which it had maintained The tribunal which
| had convened in Geneva in December
| concluded its laboriOus session on the
| l4th day OF September last on which
! day having availed itself of the discretionary
power given to it by the treaty to ard sum
| in gross, made its decision, whereby it awarded
| the sum Of Sl5, SOC, 100 in gold the indemnity
| to be paid by Great Britain TO the United States
| for the satisfaction OF all the claims referred 70
| its consideration. This decision happily dis
! posed of a long standing difference between the
/ two governments and in connection with an
| other award made by the German Emperor, un-
der reference TO him by the same treaty, leaves
| the two governments without a shadow upon
their friendly relations, which il is my sincere
| hope may forever remain equally unclOuded
The report Of the agent of the United States ap-
| pointed to attend the Geneva Tribunal, accom-
panied by the protocols of the proceedings of
| the Arbitrators, the arguments OF the counsel of
! both governments, the award of the tribunal,
| and the opinions given by the several arbitra-
! tors, is transmitted herewith. 1 have caused TO
| be communicated ID the heads of the three
4 friendly powers, who complied with the Joint
/ request made to them under the treaty, the
/ thanks this Government for the appointment of
/ arbltrators made by them respectively and also
| my thanks to the eminent personages named by
| them, and my appreciation OF the dignity pa
thence, impartality and great ability with which
| they discharged their srduous and high func-
/ tions. Her Majesty's Government has cOmmu-
| mcated TO me tue appreciation by Her Majesty
[ OF the ability and indetatigable industry dis
/
| the part Of this Government during the pro-
| tracted inquiries anu discussions of the trbun-
! al. cordially unite with Her Majesty in this
appreciation. 1t is due to the Pgent of the
/ United States before the tribunal to record my
/ high appreciation of the marked ability, un-
wearied patience aud discretion with which he
has conducted the very responsible and delicate
duties committed II him, as it is also due TO the
| learned and eminent counsel who attended the
| tribunal on the part of this Government to ex-
| press my sense of the talents aud wisdom which
Fhfav TFfraA Hfa
! salt so happily reached il viii be the province
| Of Congress 10 provide for the distribution
| among those who may be entitled to it of their
| respective shares OF the money 10 be paid.
Although the sum awarded is not PAYABLE
| until Year from the date of the award, it is
! deemed advisable that no time be lost in making
! proper examination of the several cases in
| which lndemnincation may be due. Ccnse-
| quently recommend the creation Of Board Of
| Commissioners Tor the purpose.
San Juan.
By the third and fourth articles Of the Treaty
| of W ashingtOn, the respective claims of the
! United States and Great Britain in their con-
! strUction Of the treaty of the 18th June ISI6
| defining the boundary line between their respec-
tive territories, where submitted to the arbitra
| ton and award of his Majesty the Emperor of
Germany, TO decide which of those claims is
most in accordance with the true Interpretation
OF the treaty of 1886. His Majesty, the Emper-
OF OF Germany, having been pleased to under
take the arbitration has the earnest thanks OF
the government and Of the people of the United
States for the labor, pains anG care which he has
devoted to the consideration OF this long pending
difference. Ihave caused an expression of nv
| thanks to be communicated TO his Majesty. Mr..
Bancroft, the representative of this government
at Berlin, conducted the case and prepared the
statement ON the part of the United States with
the ability that his past service justified the pub
lie in expecting at his hands; as a member OF the
cabinet at the date OF the treaty which has given
rise TO the discussion between the two govern
ments, as the minister TO Great Britain when
the construction now pronounced unfOnnded was
nrst advanced, and as agent and representative
OF the government TO present the case and to Te-
ceive the award, he has been associated with
the question in all of its phases, and in every
stage has manifested a patriotic zeal and earn
e>tness in tBe maintenance Of the claim of the
United States. He is entitled to much
credit for the success which has attended
the submission. After patient investigation of
the case and of the statements of each party. His
Majesty, the Emperor, on the 2lst OF October
last signed his awar in writing, decr eeing that
the claim of the government OF the United States
that the boundary line between the territories OF
Her Britannia Majesty and the United States
should be dr;wn through the 0Hara Channel
is most in accordance with q true Interpretation
of the treaty concluded on the 18th Of June,
1916, between the agents of Her Britannia Ma
iesty and the United States. Copies OF the case
presented on behalf of each government and OF
the statement in reply Of each, and translation
of the award are transmitted herewith. This
award confirms the United States in their claim
in the impor ant archipelago of islands lying ba-
tween the Continent and. VancOuver's Island,
the treaty Great Britain has contested and
leaves us for the first time in the history of the
United States as a nation without a question of
disputed boundary between our terrific
ain on this continent 1t is a CRATE
full duty to acknowledge the prompt, spontaneous
action Uf Her Majesty's government in giving
effect 70 the award. In anticipation Of any re-
quest from this government, and before the Te-
ceptlon in the United States of the award signe J
by the Emperor, Her Majs ty had given instruc-
ala vol har r.yl,Sr oh hal
been stationed there and for the essation OF all
exercise or claim Of jurisdiction, SO as TO leave
the United States in exclusive possession of the
lately disputed territory. / gTatihed TO be
able to announce that the CrGers for the removal
of the troops have been executed and the mill
tary joint occupation of san Juan has ceased
The islands are now in the exc usive possession
of the United States. h now becomes necessary
to complete the survey and determination Of
that portion OF the boundary line through the
O'hara channel, upon which the Commission
which determined the remaining part OF the tine,
failed TO agree. / recommend the appointment
Of 3 commission to set Jointly with one which
may be named by Her Majesty for that purpose.
The AIasksssfne.
Experience Of the difficulties attending the de-
termination of our admitted line Of boundary at-
ter the occupation of tho territory and its settle
ment by those owing allegiance TO the respective
governments points to the importance of estab-
fishing by natural objects or other monuments
the actual line between the territory acquired
by purchase from Russia and the adjoining pos
sessions OF her Brlttanlc Majesty. The region Is
now so sparsely occupied that no conflicting in
teress of individuals of jurisdiction likely
to interfere TO the delay or embassment Of the
actual location Of the line If deferred until
population shall enter and occupy the territory,
some trivial contest OF neighbors may again ar
ray the two governments in antagonism. there
fore recommend the appointment of a commission
to act Jointly with one that NAV be appOinte on
the part OF Great Britain TO determine the line
between our territory Of Alaska and the con-
uguOus possessions Of Great Britain.
The Fisheries.
In my last annual message I recommended the
legislation necessary on the part of the United
Ststes to bring into opera ion the articles of the
treaty Of Warrington, Of MAY, 1871. relating to
the fsberi 5, and to other matters touching The
ations Of the United StEtes toward the British
NUrth a mericAn p sseSsiOns to become ope atiye
as soon as e proper legislation should he had On
the part of Great Britain and its posse -sions
hat legislation on tie part of Great Britain and
its possessions had not tn n been had, and dur
ing the session OF Congress question was rails ed
which for the time raised doubt whether anv
action by Congress in the direction indicated
would become important This question has
since been disposed Of and have received no.
tice that the Imperial Parliament and the Legis-
latnre OF the Provincial Gov rnment hav- passed
laws to carry the provisions of the treaty on the
matters referred 10 into operation. l therefore,
recommend your early adoption of the legislation
in the same direction necessary on the part of |
this Government.