Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-04

refuse to make such gifts. II salaries
are but fair compensation for time and labor
of the officers it is gross injustice to levy tax
upon them. Ii they are made excessive in or
der that they may bear tax. the excess is in-
direct robbery of the public funds.
recommend therefore such revision and
extension Ut the present statutes as shall &C.
cure to those in every grade OF official life or
public employ ment the protection with which
great and enlightened natl N should guard
those who are faithful in it's service.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign countries have con-
tinued peaceful. With Great Britain there are
still unsettled questions growing out of the
laws of the maritime provinces, and the action
of provincial authorities, deemed to be IL dero-
cation of rights secured by treaty to American
fishermen, the United States minister in Lon-
don has been in tructed to present demand
for SIC, $50, 502 in view of damages received by
American citizens at Fortune Bay on the 9th
day of January, 1873. The subject has been
taken into confederation by the British
government and an early reply Is an
ticipated. Upon the completion of
the necessary preliminary eKamiL ations the sub
ject of our participation in the provincial fish
cries as regulated by treaty will al once be
brought to the attention of the British gov
ernment With > view to an early and permanent
seItlenent o.. the whole question, which was
only temporarily adjusted by the treaty of
Washington.
Efforts have been made to obtain the remov-
al of restrictions found injurious to tho ex.
pOrtatiou of cattle to the United Kingdom.
Some correspondence has also occurred with
regard to the rescue and saving of life and
property upon the lakes, which has resulted In
important notifications OF the previous regu-
lation of the dominion government on this sub
iect n the interest of humanity and commerce.
In accordance with the joint resolution of
the last session of Congress, commissioners
were appointed to represent the United States
at the two international exhibitions in Aus
traiia one of which is now in progress at Sgd
ney and the other to be held next year in Mel
bourne, desire has been expressed by
chants and manafRct urers interested lin the i'm
portant and growing t.ade with Australia that
an increased provision should be made by Con-
gress for the representation of our industries at
the Melbourne exhibition of next year, and the
subject in respectfully submitted to your
favorable consideration.
The assent of the government has been given
to the landing on the coast of Massachusetts of
new and independent transatlantic cable
between France, by way of the French island
st. Pierre, and this country, subject to any fu-
ture legislation of Congress ON the subject.
The conditions imposed before allowing con-
nectiOn with our shores to be established, are
| such as secure its competition with any exist
ing or future lines of marine cable,
and preclude amalgamatiOn Herewith, and
provide for an entire equality of rights to our
government and people with those of France in
the usc of the cable, and prevent any exclusive
possession of the privilege accorded by
France to the disadvaD ta9e of any future cable
| communication between France and the United
States which may be projected and accom-
plished by our citizens.
An important reduction of the present
! rates cable communication with
| Europe. which is telt to be too hnrdenscrne to
| the interests of our commerce, must necessarily
How from the establishment of this competing
line. The attention of Congress was drawn 10
| the proprlety OF some general regulation of
Congress of the whole subject of transmarine
| cables by nv predecessor, in his message of
December z, 1875, and respectfully submit to
| your coos; Iteration the importance of Con-
| gresslonal actiOnin this matter.
The questions of grave importance with
| Spain growing out of the incidents of the
| CSban insurrectOn, have been, for the most
part. happily and hOnOrably settled. 1t may
reasonably be anticipated that the commission
now sitting in Washington for the decision of
] private cases in this connection, will soon be
| able to bring its labOrs to q conclusion.
| The long standing question Df East Florida
claims has lately been renewed as a subject of
| correspondence and may possibly require Con-
1 gressional action for its final disposition.
A treaty with the Netherlands with respect
to consular lights and privileges similar t.
| those with he: powers. has been signed and
| ratified, and inc notifications were exchanged
| on the 3ist Of July last Negotiations for ex-
tradition treaties with the Netherlands and with
Denmark are now pending. Some questions
with Switzerland in regard to pauper and con-
| vict emigrants have arisen, but it is not doubt
| ed that they will be arranged upon just and
satisfactory basis. question has also occur
| red with respect to asserted claim
| by Swiss municipal authorities to exercise
tutilage over persons and property of Swiss Cit
liens, naturalized in this country. 1t is posi-
| BILE this may require adjustment by treaty with
the German empire. Frequent questions arise
| in connection With the subject of naturaliza-
ton and expatriation but the imperial govern
| uent has constantly manifested a desire to
| strictly maintain and comply with all treaty
stipulations in regard to them.
| In consequence Ut the omission of Congress
| to provide for q diplomatic representative at
Athens, the legation to Greece has been with
| drawn. There is now no channel of di pl0matic
| communication between the two countries and
the expediency of providing for one in some
| form is submitted to Congress. The relation
with Austria. Russia, Italy, Portugal, Turkey,
| and Belgium continue amicabIe and marked by
| no incident of especial importance. A change
of the personal head of the government OF
| Egypt has taken place. No change however
and the United States. The action of the
| Egyptian government in presenting to the city
| of New York one of the ancient Obelisks which
possess such historic interest, is highly appre-
| ciated as a generous mark of international re-
| gard. If prosperity should attend the enter
! prise of its transportation across the Atlantic
| its erection in a conspicuous position in
the chief commercial city of the ration, will
be soon accomplished.
| JAPAN AND CHINA.
| The treaty made between Japan and the
United States in regard to the revision OF
former commercial treaties it is now believed
will he followed by similar action On the part
| of other treaty powers. The attention of Con-
| gress is again invited to the subject of the
| indemnity funds received ROme years since
from Japan and China, which, with the ac-
cumulated in crest now amount to consider
able sums. If any part of the funds il
justly due to American citizens they should re
| celVe 1t promptly and whatever may have beer
received by this government in excess of strictl,
just demands, should in some form be returned
TO the nations to whom it equitably belongs.
The government of China has signified its
willingness to consider the question of the emf
/ grafton OF its subjects to the United States
with diplomatic fairness aud to cooperate IL
such measures as may tend to prevent iniu
rious conse quences to the United States. 1hC
negotiations are still proceeding and will be
pressed with diligence.
question having arisen between China anC
Japan about the Lew Chew islands, the Uuitec
States government has taken measures to in.
form these powers OF its readiness to extenc
its good offices for the maintenance of peace if
they shall mutually deem it desirable and find
it practicable to avail themselves of the
proffer.
| RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
1t is qualification to be able to Announce
that through the judicious and energetic actor
of the military commanders of the two nations
on each side of the Rio Grande under the in
| ktruCtions of their resnentiVa pnuarnmenfs