Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-12-07
The Presidents Message.
INTRODUCTION.

70 he St..lts and House Of Representatives. Of Il.
United States:
WAsHIxGToN, Dec. 1T is provided by Il G
constitution that the president snail, frem tim {
% time, We congress information Of tbs sa'e Oh
he union and recommend TO their cor sideration
such measures ne shall judge NJ Cce. a. y and ex-
pejient.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
In re' lewlng the even of the year which has
elapsed since the commencement of the present
session, feel gratifed in calling your attention tc
the condition Of foreign affairs. Our in :
.ercourse with other powers has continued to
be of the friendly character
Sucn slight differences as have arisen during
he year have been already settled or likely to
each early adjustment. The a -'est Of
ctizen2 of the United States in Ireland under the
ecent laws which owed their origin to the de-
turbed condition Of that country has led 20 a
somewhat extended correspondence with the gov
rrnment OF Great Britain, and a disposition tc
respect our rights has been practically manifest
81 by the release of the arrested pr ties.
THE IsTHmUs CANAL.
The claia of the nation in regard To the su
pervlsion and control of any inter-oceanic canal
across the American isthmus has continued to be
the subject of conference. 1t Is likely that tine
will be more powerful than discussion in remoy-
Tug the divergence between the two nations
whose friendship is so closely connected by the
their interest
Our long established friendliness with Russia
has remained unbroken. T. has prompted me
to proffer the earnest counsel of this government
that measures be adopted for suppressing the
prescription which the Hebrew race in that
country has lately suffered. 1t has not tram
spired that any American citizen has been sub
iteted to injury, and Our. courteous remOnstranee
has nevertheless been courteously received
There Is rea son in the belief that the time is not
tar distant when Russia will be able to secure
liberation OF oil faiths within her border.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE MARKS.
At international convention held in PaIi.
in 1880, and attended by representatives, Of the
United States, an agreement was reached in re-
spect TO the protection of trade marks on patent
ed articles and rights of manufacturing firms and
the cooperation of scientists in che adoption of
common meter to mea sure electric force.
IN view Of the frequent occurrence of confer
ences for the consideration of important matters
of common interest TO civilized nations I re-
speotfully Suggest that the executive be invested
by congress with discretionary power to send
delegates to suon conventions, and that pro-
vision be made to detray expenses incident thereto.
TROUBLE WITH SPAIN.
The difference between the United States and
Spain as to the effect of judgment and
tiicate of naturalization has not yet been adjust
ed, but it is hoped and believed negotiations now
in progress will result in the establishment of
position which seems to this government, reason
able and just
have already called the attention of congress
to the fact that in the ports of Spain and its col
onies fees have lately been imposed upon vessels
of the United States for trivial sffenseS against
local regulations. Efforts for the abatement Of
these exaotions have thus far proved unsucceSs-
tul. l regret TO inform you also that the fees de-
manded by Spanish consuls in American ports are
in some cases so large when compared with the
value of the cargo as to amount in effect to
considerable export duty, and that remon-
stranees in this regard have not as yet received
attention where they deserved it.
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.
The German government has invited the { ...
States to participate in an International exhibi-
ton of domestic cattle, to be held n Hamburg,
IN July, 1883. II this country is to be repre-
sented, it is important that In the early days oi
this session, cong ress should make an appropti-
htion for that purpose.
TALY.
The death of Mr.. Marsk, our late minister to
Italy has evoked from that government ex-
pressons of profound respect for his exalted
character and for his honorable care in che dipl0
matte service of his country. The Italian gov
arnment has raised question az to the propiietY
of recognising in his dual capacity the repre-
sentative of this country recently accredited both
rs secretary of legation and as eOnsul-general at
Rome. He has been received as secretary, bui
his ereqHostr az CONSUL general hs- thus far been
withheld.
BELesUM.
The extradition convention with Belgium,
which has been In operation since 1874 has been
.ately supplemented by another. The senate has
,ignifed its approval and ratihcations have been
luly exchanged between the contracting coun-
tries To the list of extraditable crimes has been
added that of assassination or attempted assassi-
Aauion OF the chief OF state.
SWITZERLAND.
Negotiations have been opened With Switzer-
kand looking to settlement by treaty OF the
question whether its citizens renounee their
alIeciances and become citizens of the United
States. l am happy to inform you that the i'm
migration of paupers and criminals from certain
of the esntons eff Switzerland have substantially
ceased snd is longer sanctioned by the au-
'hoitieS.
, The confederation Of this subject prompts the
St,'ggeStiOn that the act of August Sd 1882 which
has or its object the return OF foreign conycis to
their oGNd countly should be 50 modified as no.
70 be opSen to fraud. 1t afecr, the extraditisG
Of criu 'nSals on prefei ted charges of crime.
THE OTTOMAN PORTE
has not y 81 assented to the Interpretation which
this govesSpnent has put up n the treaty of 1880,
fea'lve 20 ats jur'sdctionpf rights in Turkey. 1t
may wen fbe said, however tha. this difference
VIII oe ao1Snsted by general revision of the sys-
;em OF Ju urlsdetion of the United States in the
cou 1LlesFof the east, subiecv to which ysu- at
tention as be N already called by the secretary of
Stale.
CHINESE INDEMNITY FUND.
In fthe interest of justice toward China and
Japan, trust that the question of the return of
the indemnity fund to the governments of those
countries will be reached at the present ses ON
and the satisfactory solution made which have
already recommended and which has recently
been foIeshadowed by congress.
CoREA.
The treaty lately concluded with Corea await.
the action of the senate.
EGYPT.
During the late disturbance in Egypt, tie
timely presence of American vessels served as a
protection to the persons and property of many
of our own citizens and of citizens OF o.htr
countries whose governments have expressed tn h-ar
thanks for this assistance.
THE cHIYEsE QUESTION.
The recent legislation restricting immigration
OF laborers from China has given 1ise TO the
question of whether Chinese proceeding to and
from another country may lawfully pass through
our own In constituting the act of May 9th
tssZ, IN connection with the treaty of Nov. 7th,
1881, the restriction would seem to be limited ia
Chinese immigrants coming to the United States
as laborers, and should not forbid a mere transit
across our territory. I ask the attention of con-
10 ha as,1hi for III