The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-09


essary to carry its provisions into effect The
prompt and friendly spirit with which the Chi
nese Government, at the request OF the United
States conceded the modification of existing
treaties should secure careful regard for the
interests and susceptbiities of that Govern
ment in the re-enactment OF any laws relating
TO Chinese immigration. These classes
of treaties which forbid the participa-
ton of citizens or vessels OF the
United States in the opium trade will doubtless
receive your approval, and they will attest the
sincere interest which our people and Govern
ment have in the commendabe efforts Of the
Chinese Government TO put stop to this
demoralizing and destructive traffic. In rela-
ton both TO China aud Japan, some changes
are desirable in our present system of consular
jurisdiction. / hope at some future time to
lay before you scheme for its Improvement
in the entire East.
The intimacy between our country and
japan, the most advanced OF the Eastern
nations continues TO be cordial l am advised
that the Emperor contemplates the establish
ment OF constitutional Government, and
that he has already summoned parliamentary
congress for the purpose of effecting change.
Such a remarkable step toward COM
plete assimilation with Western systems can
not fail TO bring Japan into closer and more
beneficial relationship with ourselves, az the
chief Pacific power.
ercse III that country of the
JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS
conferred upon our Ministers ana Consuls.
The indictment, trial and conviction in the
Consular Court at Yokohama, of John Ross,
a merchant seaman on board an American
vessel, have made it necessary for the Gov
eminent to institute careful examina-
ton, and the nature and methods of this
jurisdiction. IL appears that Ross was regu-
larry shipped under the flag of the United
States but was by birth British subject. My
predecessor felt il his duty TO maintain the po-
sition that during his service regularly
shipped seaman on board an American mer-
chant vessel Ross was subject to the laws OF
the service and to the jurisdiction of the United
States Consular authorities.
| renew the recommendation which has here
tofore been urged by the Executive upon the
attention of Congress, that after the reduction
of such amount rs may be found due to Amer
lean citizens, the balance OF
THE INDEMNITY FUNDS
heretofore obtained from China and Japan.
and which are now III the hands of the State
Department, be returned to the Governments
of those countries.
The King OF
in the course Of his homeward return after a
Journey around the world has lately visited
this country While our relations with that
Kingdom are friendly, this Government has
viewed with concern the efforts TO seek replen-
ishment of the diminishing population of
the islands from outward sources to degree
which may impair the native sovereignty and
independence in which the United States was
among the first to testify lively interest.
OTHER NATIONS.
Relations of unmpaired amity have been
maintained throughout the year with the re-
spective Governments Of Austria hungary,
Belgium, Denmark, Hayti, Paraguay and Uru-
quay, Portugal and Sweden and Norway, and
Il
Although ourrelations with those States have for
some years been severed by the Withdrawal OF
appropriations for diplomatic representatives at
Athens and Quito 1t seems eXpedient 20 restore
those missions, even on reduced scale. and
decidedly recommend such a course with regard
to Ecuador, which ID likely, Ill the near future,
to play an important part among the nations
OF the Southern Pacific waters.
The State Department still continues to pub
Gsh 10 the country the
TRADE AND MANUFACTURING REPORTS
received from its officers abroad. The success
of this course warrants its continuance and
such appropriation as may be required to meet
the rapidly increasing demand for those publ
cations. With special reference 10 the Atlanta
Cotton Exposition the October number of the
reports was devoted to q valuable collection of
papers on the cotton-goods trade of the
world
THE INTERNATIONAL SANITARY CONFERENCE
for which, i'll 1870, Congress made provision,
assembled in this city early III January last,
and the sessions were prolonged until March.
Although 1t reached no specific conclusion
affecting the future action Of the participant
powers, the interchange of views proved 10 be
most valuable. The full protocols of the SEES
sions have been already presented to the
Senate.
AS pertinent to this general subject call
your attention to the operations of the
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH,
established by act of Congress, approved
March g. A. ID. 1879. Its sphere Of duty was
enlarged by the act of June 2, in the same
year. BY the last-named' act the board was
required to institute such measures as
might be deemed necessary for
preventing the introduction Of contagious
or infectious diseases from foreign countries
into the United States or from one State into
another. The execution of the rules and reg
ulationB prepared by the board and APP
proved by my predecessor has done much TO
arrest the progress Of epidemic disease and
has thus rendered substantial service TO the
nation.
THE INTERNATIONAL SANITARY CONFERENCE
TO which l have referred adopted form of
bill of health to be used by all vessels seeking
TO enter the ports Of the countries whose rep
resentatives participated in its deliberations
The form has been preserved by the National
Board of Health, and incorporated with Its
rules and regulations, which have been ap-
of the people is of supreme Importance. All
measures looking to their preservation against
the spread of contagious diseases and TO the
increase of our sanitary knowledge for such
purposes, deserves the attention n Congress-
These international rules differ but slightly
from orr own. They have been adopt
ed by the Navy Department for the goverannce
of the war-ships of the United States on the
high seas and in foreign waters, and through
the action OF the State Department in dssem-
mating the rules, and in acquainting the ship
masters with the option of conforming to them
without the jurisdlctional waters of the United
States. They are now very generally known
and obeyed.
THE REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF THE
TREASURY.
represents, in detail. a highly satisfactory ex-
hiDit of the state Of the finances and the con-
clifton of the various branches of the
public service administered bv that
department. The ordinary revenues from
all surces for the fiscal year end
ing june 10. 1881, were from customs,
Si9S, 1853, 67602 ; from internal revenue $780,
264, 3o5.5l from public lands, 1922. 1s6, 3l7;
from tax on circulation and deposits of nation
al banks, 16,11a.72 from repayment OF
interest by Pacific railway companies $780,
81.