Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13
The Presidents MESSAGE
EXECUTIVE MANSION.


of the {'nied States.
1t is provided by the constitution that the
President shall from time to time give con-
gress information of the state OF the Union and
recommend to their consideration such meas
nres as he shall judge necessary and expedient.
Foreign Affairs.
In reviewing the events of the year which
has elapsed since the commencement of your
sessions | first call your attention to the
gratifying condition Of our foreign affairs. Our
intercourse with other powers has continued
to be Of the most friendly character. Such
slight differences as 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 the recent laws which owe their
origin to the disturbed condition of that coun-
try. has led to a somewhat extended correspon-
dcncc with the government of Great Britain.
disposition to respect our rights has been
practically manifested by the release Of the ar
rested parties.
The claim OF the nation in regard to the
supervision and control of any inter-oceanic
canal across the American lsthmus has con-
tlnucd to be the subject of conference. It is
likely that time will be more powerful than
discussion i'll removing the divergence between
the two nations whose friendship is so closely
cemented by the Intimacy of their relations and
the community of their interest
Our long established friendliness with Russia
has remained unbroken. 1t has prompted me
TO proffer the earnest counsel Of this govern
Ment. that measures be adopted for suppress
ing the prescription which the Hebrew race in
that country has lately suffered. It has not
trallspircu that any American citizen has been
subjected to arrest Or injury, but our courteous
remonstrance has nevertheless been couteously
received. There Is reason to believe the time
* not far distant when Russia will be able to
secure oleratlOn to all faiths within her borders
At an international convention held at Paris
III 1880 and attended by representatives Of the
United States IN agreement was reached in
respect to Ia" protection of trade marks. pat
tnted articles and the rights of manufacturing
firms and corporations. The formulating into
treaties OF the recommendations thus adopted,
Is receiving the attention which it merits.
The protection of submarine cables is sub
icct now under consideration by an interna-
t.onal conference at Paris. Believing that it is
clearly the true policy of this government to
favor the naturalization of this means OF in
tercourSc requested our minister to France
to attend the convention az a delegate. also
designated two OF our eminent scientists to
attend as our representatives al the meeting of
an international committee 1T Paris for consid-
crlng the adoption of common unit to meas
ure electric force. In view of the frequent oc-
currence Of conferences for the consideration
of important matters Of common interest to
civilized nations. l respectfully suggest that
The executive be invested by congress with dis
'retionary power to send delegates to such con-
venions and that provision be made to defray
expenses lncld, ut thereto.
The difference between the United States and
spain as to the OBJECT of judgment and GER
tl:icate Of naturalization has not yet been adj
iusted. but 1t is hoped and believed negOtla-
TONS now in progress will result in the estab-
shment of position which seems to this gov
erhment reasonable and just. I have already
Jailed the attention of congress to the fact that
i'll the exports OF Spain and its colonies numer-
nl; fines have lately been imposed upon vessels
of the United States for trivial technical
ofenses against local regulations. Efforts for
the abatement Of these eXactious have thus far
also that the fees demanded by spanish con-
suls in American ports are in some cases so
large when compared with the value of the
cargo. a. to amount in effect to considerable
export duty, and that circumstances in this
regard have not as yet received the attention
which they seem to deserve.
The German government has invited the
United States to participate IN an international
exhibition If domestic cattle. to be held in
Hamburg III July. 1888. If this country is to
be represented it is important that in the early
days of this session congress should make an
appropriation for that purpose.
The death Of Mr. Marsh, our late minister to
Italy. has evoked from that government ex-
preSsions of profound respect for his exalted
character and for his honorable career in the
diplomatic service of his country. The italian
government has raised question as to the pro-
pri.ty OF recognizing in his dual capacity the
representatives of this country recently accred-
tied as secretary of the legation and as consul
general. He has been received as secretary,
but his credentials as consul general has thus
far been withheld.
The extradltion convention with Belgium,
which has been in operation since 1874, has
been lately supplanted by another. The senate
EaSy cd re- md ofiS foo hove
been duly exchanged between the contracting
countries. To the list of extraditable crimes
las been added that of the assassination or at
tempted assassination of the chief of state
Negotiations have been opened with Swtzcr
land looking to a settlement BY treaty of the
question whether its citizens can renounCe their
allegiance and become citizens OF the United
states without obtaining the consent OF the
swiss government. | am happy to inform you
that the immigration of paupers and criminals
from certain of the cantons of Switzerland has
subsequently ceased and is no longer sanctioned
by the authorities.
The consideration Of this subject prompts
the suggestion that the act of August Sd, 1882,
which has for its object the return of foreign
ronvicts to their OVID country, should be SO
modified as not to be open to the enterprise.
1t effects the eXtradition OF criminals of pre-
fcIred charges of crime. The Ottoman porte
has lot yet assented to the Interpretation
which this government has put upon the treaty
of 1880 relative to ith juris tlictional rights IL
Turkey 1t may we'll be, however, that this
difference will be adjusted by general revi
sion OF the system OF jurisdiction Of the United
States in the countries of the east-a subject tC
which your attention has been already called
nv the secretary Of state
In the interest Of justice toward Chill and
Japan trust that the question of the return of
the indemnity fund to the governments OF
those countries will reach at the present session
-, ok olo 10
recommended and which has recently been fore.
Swallowed by congressional discussion.
The treaty lately concluded with Corea awaits
tine action of the senate.
During the late disturbance in Egypt the
timely presence of American vessels served as
protection to 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 immigration
of laborer5 from China has given rise to the
question of whether Chinese passing to or
from another country may lawfully pass
through our own. In consulting the act OF
May 6, 1892 i'll connection with the treaty Of
November 7th, 1880. the restriction would
seem to be limited to Chinese immigrants COM
ing to the United States as Iaborers and should
not forbid mere transit across our territory.
l ask the attention of congress to the subject
for such action, if any, as may be deemed ad-
vsable.
This government has recently had occasion
to manifest interest in the republic of Liberia
by seeking to aid the amicabe settlement OF
the boundary dispute between that republic
aud the British possession of Sierra Leone.
The reciprocity treaty with Hawaii will be-
come termlnable after September l, 1888, on
two months notice by either party. While
certain provisions of that compact may have
proved onerous, its existence has fastened
commercial relations which it is important to
preserve. I suggest, therefore, that early
consideration be given to such notifications Of
the treaty as seem to be demanded by the III
terests Of our people.
In view of our increasing trade with both
Hayti and San Domingo, i advise that pro-
vision be made for diplomatic intercourse with
the latter, by eniargng to scope of the mission
at Port Au Prince. I regret that certain claims
of American citizens against the government of
Hayti have thus far been urged unavaiiagly.
A recent agreement with Mexico provides
for the crossing of the frontier by the armed
forces of either country in pursuit of hostile
Indians. In my message of last year I called
attention to the prevalent lawlessness on the
borders and to the necessity Of legislation for
its suppression. again invite the attention of
congress to the subj ect. A partial relief from