The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-08

10 tne puDllc.
BY Neill, of California, for Terri
torisl government for Southeastern
Alaska.
Bills were introduced by Came.
ron, of Pennsylvania, for public
buildings, courthouse and postoffice
ut Erie, Pa.
By Saunders, for admission OF
Dakota as q State.
At 1915 a report was made by the
senate half of the joint committee to
wait on the president and inform
him of the reorganization of con-
gress, and that they had been in
formed by the president that he
would communicate with the two
houses in writing forthwith.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
lives OF the United States
An appalling calamity has befallen the
American people, since their chosen rep
resentatives last met in the halls where
recall with unalloyed content the rare
prosperity with which throughout
the year the nation has been
blessed. Its harvests have been plente-
Gus, Its various industries have thriven,
the health of its people has been preserv-
ed, has maintained with foreign govern
ments the undisturbed relations of amity.
For these manifestations of His favor,
we owe Him who holds our destiny in his
hands. AS a tribute of our fraternal
devotion to that mysterious exercise of
His will which has taken from us,
the lovable and industrious citl-
zen, who has lately stood at the
head of the nation, we bow in sorrow
and submission. The memories of his
exalted character, of his noble achieve
ments and OF his patriotic life, Will be
treasured by the United States as sacrde
possession of the whole people. The an
nouncement OF his death drew from the
foreign governments and the people, a
tribute of sympathy and sorrow, which
history will record as a signal token of
the devotion of mankind. The feeling of
good will between our own govern
ment and that of Great Britain,
was never more marked than at present.
In recognition of this pleasing fact, L di-
rected, on the occasion OF the centennial
celebration ut Yorktown, that n salute be
given to the British flag. L have fur
Their correspondence, TO which will re-
fer hereafter, in relation to the proposed
canal across the isthmus of Panama.
Little has occurred worthy of mention In
the diplomatic relations of the two coun-
tries. Early in the year the Fortune bay
claims were'satisfactorily settled by the
British government paying in full
the sum of f16 900, most of which has
been already distributed as per terms of
settlement, including compensation for in
juries suffered by our fishermen ut
Aspinwall bay. There has been re-
tained from the gross award q sum
which is deemed adequate for those
claims. The particlpators of the Ameri-
cans in the exhibition at Melbourne and
sydney win be approvingly mentioned in
the reports Of the exhibitions soon to be
-cf0se iheeSfeadiness of our countrymen TO
make a successful competition In the
distant fields of enterprise. Negotiations
uon are in hopeful progress. The surren-
der OF Sitting Bull and his forces on the
Canadian frontier has allayed apprshen-
sion, although bodies of British Indians
still cross the border IN quest OF susie
nance. ON this subject correspon-
dence has been obtained which
promises an adequate understanding.
Our troops have orders to avoid, mean
while, all collisions with alien Indians.
The presence, ut the Yorktown celebra-
ton, OF representatives of the French re-
public, and descendants of Lafayette and
OF his gallant compatriots who were our
allies In the revolution, has served to
strengthen the spirit of good will which
has always existed between the two ma
tions.
You will be furnished with the pro-
eeedings OF the bl-metalic conference held
during the summer Mt the city of Paris.
No accord was reached, but n valuable
interchange OF views had and the confer
ence will, next year, be renewed. At
the electrical exhibition and con-
gress, also held ut Paris, this eoun-
a
specialists, who, In the absence of an ap-
preparation, generously lent their etfl-
Client aid, ut the instance of the state
departments. While our exhibitions in
this almost distinctly American field of
achievement have won several valuable
awards, recommend congress to pro-
vide for the repayment OF the personal
expenses incurred in the public interest
by our. honorary commissioners and del
egates.
New questions respecting the status OF
our naturallzed citizens In Germany
have arisen during the year, and the
causes OF complaint, especially in Alsaee
and Lorraine, have practically ceased,
through the liberal action of the impe-
rial government in accepting our often
expressed views on the subject. The APP
plication OF the treaty of 1i6s to the land
acquired IN the Rhenish provinces
has received very earnest at
tention, and definite and lasting
agreement on this point. It Is conf
IDENTIFY expected that the participation of
the descendants OF Baron Won Steuben In
the Yorktown festivities, and their sub
seQuent reception by their American
kinsmen, strikingly evince the ties of
good wlllwhich unite the German people,
ana our own Intercourse with Spain has
been friendly. An agreement which was
concluded In February last, likes term
for the labors OF the Spanish govern
ment, and IL has been requested TO pay
the late award OF that commission, and
viii, 1t Is believed, accede TO the
a. on former occasions. BY recent
legislation erroneous fines have been
imposed ON American shipping in the
spanish and colonial courts Tor the slight
Irregularities IN manifesfs. One case OF
hardship 10 especially worthy of atten-
zion. The bark Masonic, bound for Japan,
entered Manitilla In distress andwas there
sopght to be confiscated. Under the Span
tsh laws, her relief has thus far PROV
ed unavailable. 1t is expected the whole
matter will be adjusted In a friendly
spirit. Tie senate resolutions OF condo-
lence on the assassination Of the, Gar
Alexander were appropriately communi-
Gated TO the Russian government which,
in turn, has expressed ITS sympathies in
slrable that our cordial relations with
Russia should be strengthened by
proper encouragements, assuring 10
the peaceful Americans who visit
the empire, the consideration which
In due them as citizens Of a friend-
~ state. This Is especially needtul with
respect 40 Americans and lsraelites W hose
classification have evoked energetic re-
monstrnnces nom this government. A
supplementary consular agreement with
Italy has been sanctioned and proclaimed,
which puts II rest the conflict of juris-
diction In the case of crimes on ship
board. Several important international
eonierences have been held in Italy dur
inG the year. At the geographical con-
" Milan, and the hyglenic congress OF
Turin this country was represented by
delegates nom branches OF the pub
lie service or by private citizens
duly accredited In an honorary Ca
pacity. IL IL hoped that congress
will give such prominence to the results
Of their participation as they may seem
20 deserve, The abolition OF all discrim-
productions Of the East InSiies. a. are
Imported hitler from Holland. has been
already considered by congress-. trust
that At the present session the mattermav
be fay0rably concluded.
The insecurity OF life and properly I'm
many parts OF Turkey has given rise 70
correspondence with the Porte, looking
particularly to the better projection OF
American missionaries In the empire.
The condemned murderer Of the eminent
missionary, DR.. Justin w. Parsons, has
not ret been executed, although this
government has repeatedly demanded
that exemplary justice be done.
The Swiss government has again solicit
Cd thu good oficos OF the diplomatic
and consular agents for the pro-
<scrion Of its citizens In the