The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-12-03

official power for the oppression of The pri-
vale citizen, impose upon the Government
the duty OF protecting its officers and agents
from arbitrary exactions- In whatever aspect
considered. the practice of making levIes, for
party purposes, upon the salaries OF officers Is
highly demoralizing to the public service and
discreditapie TO the country. Though an
officer should re as free as any other citizen
to give his own money In aid OF his opinions
or his party, he should also be as free as any
other citizen To refuse to make such gifts. III
salaries are but a fair compensation for the
time ana labor of the officer, 1t is gross inJus-
tice to levy tax upon them. II they are
made excessive in order that they may bear
the tax, the excess Is an indirect robbery Of
the public funds.
I recommend, therefore, such revision and
extension OF presen. statutes rs ut, as shall secure
employment the protection with which n
gre and enlightened nation should guard
those who ore faithful in its service.
Our relations with foreign countries have
continued peaceful.
With Great Britain there are stlil unsettled
questions, growing out OF the local laws OF the
maritime provinces and the action of provin-
ciai authorities deemed to be in derogation If
men. The United States minister in London
has been Instructed TO present demand for
Oo.3O5.02, in view of the damages received by
American citizens at Fortune Bay of the 9Th
day of January, 1878. The subject has been
takep into consideration by the British Gov
ernment, and an early reply is anticl sated.
Upon the completion of the necessary pre-
ltmfnary examinations, the subject OF our par
ticipation In the provincial fisheries, as regu-
lated by treaty, Will at once be brought TO the
attention or the British Government with a
view to an early and permanent settlement of
the whole question, which was only Temporal
rily adjusted by the treaty OF Washington.
Efforts have been made to obtain the re-
moval of restrictions found injurious to the
expectation of catt e to the United Kingdom.
Some correspondence has also occurred with
regard to the rescue and saving of life and
property on the lakes, which has resulted in
important notifications OF the prev ious regu. 1.
lations of the Dominion Government on the
subject, in the interest of humanity and COM
merce.
the last session of Congress, commissioners
were appointed to represent the United states
at the two International exhibitions in Aus
tralfa, one OF which is now In progress at
Sydney, and the other To be held next year at
Melbourne. A desire has been expressed by
our merchants and manufacturers interested
in the important and growing 4 ade with Aus
tralia, that an increased provision should be
made by Congress for the rsprese ntation of
our industries at the Melbourne exhibition of
next year, and the subject is respectfully sub
mitted TO your favorable consideration.
The assent of the Government has been
given to the landing, on the coast OF Massa-
chusetts, oi new and independent trans
atlantic cable between France. by the way of
the French island OF st. Pierre, and this coun-
try, subject to any future legislation of Con-
gress on The subject. The econditionsimposed,
before allowing this connection with our
shores to be established, are such as to secure
its competition with any exiting or future
lines OF marine cable and preclude amalga-
ity of rights to our Government and people
with those of France in the use of the cable.
privilege as accorded by France to the dissd-
vantage of any Iuture cable communication
between France and the United states which
| may be projected and accomplished by ON
citizens. An important reduction of the pres
ent rates o! cable communication with Europe
felt TO be too burdensome to the interests OF
our co nmerce, must necessarily flow from the
establishment OF this ompeting line.
The attention of Congress was dlawn to the
propriety of some general regulation by Con-
gress OF the whole subject of fransmarine ca.
| oles by my predecessor in his message of De
Y r fnl Sfrh
your consideration the Importance of Con-
gressionai action IN this matter.
The q 'estons of grave Importance with
Spain, growing out of the incidents Of the Gu
ban insurrec ion have been, for the most part
happily and hon uorably settled. 1t may
reasonably be anticipated that the commits
sion now Sitting IN Washington, for the de-
| clsion OF private cases in this connection, will
soon be able 10 bring its labors to a conclusion
The long standing question of East Florids
claims has lately been renewed as subject O
correspondence, and may possibly require
Congressional action for its fDal disposition.
treaty with the Netherlands, with respect
70 70 consular rights and privileges, similar e
ratified, and the Publications were exchanged
on The slst of July last. Negotiations for ex
with Denmark are now In progress.
some questions with Switzerland, In regard
TO paupsr and convict EN- grants, have arisen
| but it is nos doubted h It they will be ar
ranged upon just and satisfactory Dasis. A
question has also occurred with respect TO an
asserted claim oy Swiss municipal authorf-
ties To exercise tutelage over persoas and prop
ertv OF Swis. citizens naturaiized in this coun-
| try. It is possible this may require adjust
ment by treaty.
| With the German Empire frequent ques.
| tions arise in connection with the subjects o
naturalization and exDatriation: but the I'm
| perfal Government has constantly manifested
adestre to strictly nsintain and comply vita
all treaty stipulations in regard to them
In consequence of the omission of Congress
to provide for diplomatic representative al
| Athens, the legation To Greece has been with
| drawn. There is now no channel OF diplomat
| ic com nun ication between the two countries
and the expediency of providing for one, in
| some form, is submitted to Congress.
Relations with Austria, Russia, Italy, Portu
i gal, Turkey and Belgium continue amicable
| and marked by no incidentof esp 'cial import
ance.
A change of the personal head of the Gov
erunie ~ OF Fgypt has taken place. No change
tween Egypt and the United states. The ac
| tion of tue Egy ptian Government in prese Mt
| obelisks. which possess such historic interest
| is Mighty appreciated as generous mark O
International regard II prosperity should at
| tend th- enterprise OF its transportation acros
/ the Atl ,ntic, It's erection In a conspicuous po
sit1On In the chief commercial city of the ma
/ ton will soon be accomplished.
| The treaty recently maze between Japar
| ana the United states in regard to the revision
or former commercial treaties. 1t is now be
lieved will be followed by similar action cT
| the part of other tr~aty powers. The attention
| of Congress is again invited TO the subject .
the Indemnity funds received some year
| since from Japan and China, which with thei
accumulated Interest, now amount to consid
erabie sums. II any part of these funds 4
| justly due to American ctiz-ns they should
receive II promptly; sbd whstever may havs
| been received by this country in excess o
/ strictly just demands, should Ia some form be
| returned to the nations 10 whom 1t equitably
belongs.
Tne Government OF China has signffied IT.
| wiliins sss to consider the question o. ths
emigration of its subjects 70 the United State
| with dispsssionate fairness, AMI to cooper
ate In such measures may tend to preven
injarious consequ -ucss tn the United states
The nesoti 4tions are still proceeding, and viii
be pr. ssed with diligence
| Aquestion having arisen between Chins
ana japan abous the Lew Chew islands, the
| Unstei states yernment has taken meas
ures to inform those powers OF its readiness Il
extend it- good off es TOR the main ntenance 2,
pesce, If they shalt mu ually deem IL desirable
| and nnd II practicable to avail themselves O
the profier.
u Is qualification to be able to announc'
that, through the judicious and energeti
aclion OF the military commanders of the tw,
nations on each side of the Rio Grande, unde
this instructions OF their respective Govern
mtnis, raius and d predations have great,
decreased and, In the localities where former