The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

President shall from time to time give to the
Congress information of the state of the
Union, and recommend to their considera-
ton such measures as he shall judgc neces-
sary and eNpedient in reviewing the events
OF the year which has elapsed since the
commencement of your sessions.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
hrst call your attention TO the gratifying
Sondltion of our foreign affairs. Our inter
course with other powers has continued TO be
OF the most friendly character. Such slight
differences rs have arisen during the year
have been already settled, or are likely to
reach an early adjustment.
The arrest of citizens of the United States
in Ireland under recent laws. which owe their
origin 60 the disturbed condition of that
country, has led TO a somewhat extended cor
rcsrondence with the government of Great
Britain. disposition 10 respect our rights
has been practically manifested by release
of the arrested parties.
Tho claim of this nation in regard to the
supervision and control of any intcroceanic
canal across the American isthmUs has CON
unued TO he the suhjcc. of conference. 1t
is likely that tilie will be more powerful
than discussion in removing the divergence
between the two nations whose friendship
As so closely cemented by the intimacy of
their relations and the community of their
interests.
Our long established friendliness with Rus
sia has remained unbroken. 1t has prompt
ed me to proifer the earnest counsels of this
government that measures he adopted
for supprosslng the prescription which the
Hebrew race in that country has lately suf-
Tered. 1t has not trauspirei that any
American citizen has been subjected to ar
rest or injury; but our courteous remon-
strance has nevertheless been cOurtoously
received. There Is reason 10 believe that
thc time is not far distant whel Russia will
be able TO secure liberation to all faiths
within her borders.
At an international convention held at
Paris in 1850, and attended 10y representatives
of the United States, an agreement was
reached i'll respect 10 the protection of trade
marks, patented articles, and the rights of
manufacturing firms and corporations. The
terminating into treaties of the rCCOmmcD-
datiOns thus adopted is receiving the a,tcn-
bonwhlch II merits. Tho protection of sub
marlnC cables IL n subject now under CON
sidcration by an international conference nj
Iarls Believing that 1t is clearly the true
policy of this government to favor the ncu-
tralization Of this means of intercourse.
requested our minister to France to attend
the convention as delegate. ] also dcsig-
mated two of our eminent scientists to at
tend as our representatives at the meeting of
an International committee. at Paris. for
considering the adoption of a common unit
10 measure electric force.
In view of the frequent occurrence of con
ferenCeS for the consideration of important
matters of common interest to civilized ma
tions, | respectfully suggest that the Execu-
tive be invested by Congress with discretion
airy power to send delegates to such conven-
tioEs, and that provision be made to defray
the expenses incident thereto.
The difference between the United States
and Spain as TO the eject of Judgment and
certificate of naturalization has not yet been
adjusted, but 1t Is hoped and believed that
negotiations now i'll progress will result in
the establishment of the position which
seems 20 this government SO reasonable and
Just. have already called the attention Of
Congress TO the fact that in parts of Spain
and its colonies onerous fines have lately
been imposed upon vessels of the United
States for trivial technical oifenseS against
local regulations. Efforts for the abatement
ofthesc exac,ions have thus far proved un-
successful. | regret 70 inform You also that
the fees demanded by Spanish consuls in
American ports are i'll some cases so large,
when compared with The value of the cargo.
as TO amount in effect to a considerable oX-
port duty, and that our remoustrances i'll
this regard have not rs yet received the at
Senton which they seem 10 deserve.
The German government has invited the
United States 10 participate i'll an lnterna-
tional Exhibition of Domestic Cattle, to be
held a. Hamburg in July. 1883. If this coun-
try is 70 be represented, 1t is important that
in the early days of this session Congress
should make a suitable appropriation for that
purpose.
The death of Mr.. Marsh, our late minister
10 Italy, has evoked from that government
expressions of profound respect for his eX-
alted character and for his honorable career
in the diplomatic service of his country. The
italian government has raised n question as
10 the propriety of recognizing i'll his dual
capacity the representative of this country
recently accredited both rs secretary of lega-
Jion and rs consul-gouoral at Rome. He has
been received as secretary, but hlS eXeCuatur
as cousul-Gencral has thus far been withheld.
The eNtradition convention with Belgium,
which has been IN operation since 1874, has
been lately supplanted by another; the Sea-
ate has signiiicd its approval and ratiiica-
tlonS have been duly exchanged between the
contracting countries. To the list of extra
ditable crimes has been added that of the
assassination or attempted assassination Of
:he chief of the state.
Negotiations have been opened with Swift
Crland, looking IL a settlement by treaty Of
the question whether its citizens can ronouncr
their allegiance and become citizens of the
United States without obtaining the consent
of the Swiss Government, | am glad 10 in
form you that the emigration of paupers
and criminals from certain of the cautOns OF
Switzerland has substantially ceased, and Is
no longer sanctioned by the authorities. The
consideration Of this subject prompts The
suggestion that the act Of August 3, 1852.
which has for its object the return of foreign
conVicts 10 their own country. should be 80
modified as not TO ho Open to the interpre,a-
tion that il affects the eXtrjdition of criminals
on preferred charges of crime.
The Ottoman porte has not yet assaptod 10
the INTERPRETATION which this government
has put upon the treaty Of 1880 relative TO its
iurisdic;ional rights in Turkey. 1t may we'll
be- however, that this difference will be adj
justed 10y general revision of the system of
jurisdiction Of the United States in the coun-
tries of the East, subject to which your at
tention has been already called by the secre-
tary of state.
In the interest of Justice toward China and
Japan, trust that the question of the return
of the indemnity fund 10 the governments of
those countries will reach at the present ses-
sion the satisfactory solution which have
already recommended, and which has recent
ly been foreshadowed by congressional dis
cusSiou.
The treaty lately concluded with Corca
awaits the action Of the Senate.
Daring the late disturbance in Egypt the
timely presence of American vessels served
as a protection 10 the persons and property
of many of our own citizens, and of citizens
of other countries, whose governments have
expressed their thanks for this assistance.
The recent legislation restricting emigra-
tion of laborers from China has given rise
10 the question whether the Chinese proceed
ing TO or from another country may law
fully pass through our own. Constituting the
act Of May 6, 1852, in connection with the
treaty of November 4, 1880 the restriction
would seem to be limited - Chinese emf.
grants coming 10 the United States as labor
ers, and would not forbid mere transit
across our territory. | ask the attention OF
Congress 10 the subject, for such action, II
any, as may be deemed advisable.
This government has recently had occasion
TO manifest Its interest in the republic of Ii,
IBERIA 10y seeking to aid the amicable settle