Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15

pIOpO6h1b WlIlCu ~ 10 HOptu A4dy 10 AOuAA "
be the basis of the. submission Of terms which
meet the requirements of the particular griefs
of which the government has felt itself en-
titled to complain. These proposals have not
reached me in their full text. On their
arrival they will be taken into careful examlna-
ton, and may, hope, lead to q satisfactory
adjustment Of the questions to which they
occurrences such rs have given force to OUT
Just complaints. It is understood, also, that
renewed efforts ale being made to intro
duce reforms in the internal admins
tration of the island, Persuaded, how
ever, that proper regard for the
interest of the United States and it's citizens
entitled to relief from the strain to which 1t
has been subjected by the difficulties Of ques-
tions and Losses which arise from the contest
in Cuba and that the interests Of humanity
itself demand the cessation OF strife before the
whole island shall be laid waste, and a larger
sacrifice Of life be made. I shall feel it my
duty, should my hopes Of satisfactory ad-
justment, and Of the early restoration Of peace
and the removal Of future causes Of complaint
be unhappily disappointed, to make further
communication to Congress at some period not
far remote, and during the present session
recommending what seems to me to be neces
sary.
MEXICAN TROUBLES.
In nearly every annual message that have
uAu VIC nOuOI VI VI duBIulttAllS w OUukIObD i
have called attention to the free zone which
several years since was established by the
Mexican government in certain Of the States OF
that Republic and adjacent to our frontier,
and which remains in full operation. It has
always been materially injurious to homestead
traffic, for it operates as an incentive to trad
ers in Mexico to supply without custom charges
the wants of the inhabitants on this side the
line, and the same wants from being supplied
by merchants of the United States, thereby, to
& considerable extent, dep1iving our revenue
and checking honest commercial! enterprises.
depredations by armed bands from Mexico on
the people of Texas, near the frontier, contin-
ue. Though the main object of the incur
sions, is plumber, they frequently result
in murder by armed and evil-dis-
posed persons, and an some instances
even the United States postoffices and mail
comm unicati tons have been attacked. Several
communications upon this su ject have been
addressed to the Mexican Government, but
without much apparent effect. The military
force of this government, d1sposable for service
In that quarter, is quite inadequate TO eftectu-
ally guard the line even at those points where
the incursions are usually made. An expert
ment of an armed vessel on the Rio Grande.
for that purpose, is on trial, and it is hoped
that, il not thwarted by the shallowness OF
the river and other natural obstacles, it may
materially contribute to The protection of the
trontIermen IN Texas. The proceedings OF the
Joint commission, under the convention be-
tween The United States and Mexico, of the
4th of July, 1868, on the subject of claims.
will soon be brought to close. and the result
of their proceedings will then be communi-
Gated to Congress.
VENEZUELA.
am happy to announce that the Govern
ment OF Venezuela has, upon further consld-
Grafton. practically abandoned it's objection to
pay to the United States that share OF Its rev.
enue which some time since 1t allotted towards
the extinguishment OF the claims OF foreigners
generally. In thus reconsidering lts determl.
nation, that government has shown just
sense of self-respect, which cannot fail to re-
feet credit upon it in the eyes Of all disinter-
ested persons elsewhere 1t ID to be regretted,
however, that Its payments on account OF
claims Of citizens OF the United States are
still SO meagre in amount. and that the stipu-
lations Of the treaty in regard to the sums to
be paid, and the periods when these payments
were to take place, should have been 80 signal
ly disregarded.
TREATIES.
Since my last annual message the exchange
has been made OF the ratification OF treaty
of commerce and navigation with Belgium
and OF conventions with the Mexican Repub-
| lie, for the further extension of the joint com
mission res pectiRg claims. with the Hawaiian
Islands for commercial reciprocity; and will
the Ottoman Empire, for extradition, all o
which have been duly proclaimed.
/ THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
! The court of CONN issiopers of the Alabama
claims has prosecuted it's important duties
| very assidlOusly and very satisfactorily. Il
convened and was organized on the 22d day G
| July, 1874, and by the terms Of the act unde
/ which it was created, was to exist for one yea
/ from that date. The act provided, however
| that should it be found impracticoble to com
plete the work of this act before the cxpira
ton of one year, the President might, by proc
iamation, extend the time of its duration to
period not more than six months be
You'd the expiration OF the cn'
year. Having received satisfactory .evidenc'
that it would be impracticable to complete thu
work within the time originally. fixed, issnet
q proclamation, a copy of which is presented
herewith, extending the time of the duration
of the court for a period of six months from
and after the 22d day of July last A repor
made through the clerk OF the court, commu
nicated herewith, shows the condition OF th'
calendar on the 1st of November last, and th'
large amount of work accomplished.
| Thirteen hundred and elghty-tWO clalm
have been presented, OF which sixty.eight hat
been disposed of at the date OF the report.
am informed that ITO cases were decided dur
ing the month OF Noxember. Arguments ar,
beng made and decisions givs to the remain
ing cases with all dispatch consistent with thu
proper complication OF questions submitted
! Many of these claims are In behaH OF mari
ners, or depend on the evidence of marlner
whose absence has delayed the taking and re
turn of the necessary evidence. 1t is repre-
sented to me that it will be impracticable fo
the court to finally dispose OF all the case
before it within the present limit of its dura
ton. Justice to the parties claimant. Vht
had been at large expense in preparing thei
/ claims and obtaining evidence in their sup
port, suggests short extension, to enable til,
court to dispose Of all the cia ms which hay
been presented. recommend the Legislation
which may be deemed proper to enable thu
court to complete the work before it.
/ recommend that some suitable provision
be made by the creation ola special court, ant
by comforting the necessary jurisdiction upo1
such appropriate tribunal for the consideration
and determination Of claims against the gov
eminent OF the United States, which hav
1 arisen within some reasonable limitation Q
time, or which may hereafter arise, excluding
all claims barred by treaty provisions 0
otherwise. 1t has Teen found impossible +
give proper consideration to these CLAIMS b
! the executive department OF the government
Such tribunal would afford an opportunity t
aliens, other than British subjects, to presen
their claims on account OF acts committe
h