The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Was W Ut u JDH DN
dent pro. TEN. Davis. After prayer
the custo nary resolutio rs were adopt
g 1, and a committee was appointed to
notify the president and the house that
the senate was ready for business.
Harris, of Tennessee, presented the
memorial of the board of health of
Memphis approving the action of the
National board of health in asking APP
preparations to sustain the same. Re-
ferred.
A bill was introduced by Hill, of
Colorado, providing for the issue OF
coin by the Denver mint.
voorhees, introduced bill granting
apenSiOn of S0Oper month to the widow
of Rear Admiral Scott.
The senate then went to the calen-
dar, and, after disposing of one or two
private bills, recessed for half an hour.
The senate reconvened at Bib, and
shortly afterwards the presidents
message was read as follows:
To the Senate and House OF Representatives
Of the United States:
IL is provided by the constitution
that the president shall from time to
time give to congress information of
the state of the Union, and recommend
20 their consideration such measures
as he shall judge necessary and eXpe-
dent. In reviewing the events of the
year that has elapsed since the COM
mencement of your session, / first call
your attention to the gratifying condi-
ton of our foreign affairs. Our inter-
course with other powers has contin-
ued to be of the most friendly character.
Such slight differences as have arisen
during the year have been already
settled or are like to reach an early
adjustment. The arrest of citizens of
the United States in Ireland under re-
cent laws which owe their origin to
the disturbed condition of that
country has led to somewhat ex-
tended correspondence with the gov
eminent of Great Britain, and its
position to respect our right has been
practically manifested by the release
of the arrested parties.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The claim of this nation in regard to
the supervision and control of the in
ter oceanic canal across the American
isthmus has continued to be the sub
iect of conference. 1t is likely that
time will be more powerful than dis
cussion in removing the divergence
between the two nations, whose friend
ship is so closely cemented by the in
timacy of their relations and the COM
munity of their interests.
Our long established friendliness
with Russia has remained mistaken.
1t has prompted me to proffer the earn
est counsel of this government that
measures be adopted for suppressing
the persecution which the Hebrew
race in the country has lately suffered.
hos francnira1 Nhnf A ori-
can citizen has been subjected
to arrest or injury, but our courteous
remonstrance has nevertheless been
courteously received. There is rea-
son to believe that the time is not far
distant when Russia will be able to
secure federation to all faiths within
her borders.
At an international congress, held in
Paris in 1880, and attended by repre-
sentatives of the United States, an
agreement was reached in respect to
the position of trade marks, patented
articles and the rights of manufacture
ing firms and corporations. The
formulating into treaties the recon-
mendations thus adopted is receiving
the attention which it merits. The
protection of submarine cables is
subject now under consideration by
an international congress at Paris.
Believing that it is clearly the true
policy of the government to favor the
naturalization of this means of inter
course, L requested our minister to at
tend the convention as a delegate
also designated two of our eminent
scientists to attend as our representa-
tives at the meeting of the interna-
tionM committee at Paris for consid-
ering the adoption of common unit
to measure electric force.
In view of the frequent occurrence
of conferences for the consideration of
important matters of common
interest to civilized nations,
respectfully suggest that
the executive be invested by congress
with discretionary power to send dele
gate to such convention, and that
provision be made to defray the eX-
penses incident thereto.
The difference between the United
States and Spain, as to the effect of a
judgment and certificate of naturali-
Zation, has not been adjusted, but it is
hoped and believed that negotiations
now in progress will result in the
establishment of the position which
seems to 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 tech
nical offense against local regulations.
Efforts for the abatement of these
exactions have thus far proved unsuc-
ceSsful.
regret to inform you also that the
fees demanded by Spanish consuls at
American ports are in some cases so
large, when compared with the value
OF the cargo, as to amount in effect to
n considerable export duty, and that
our circumstances in this regard have
not as yet received the attention which
they seem to deserve.
The German government has in
vited the United States to participate
in an international exhibition of do
nestle cattle, to be held at Hamburg in
July, 1883. If this country is to be
represented it is important that in the
early days of the session congress
should make suitable appropriation for
that purpose.
The death of Mr.. Marsh, our late
minister to Italy, has evoked from that
government expressions of profound
respect for his exalted character, and
for his honorable career in the diplo-
matte service of his country. The
Italian government has raised ques-
ton as TO the propriety of recognizing
In his dual capacity the representative
of this country recently accredited
both as secretary of legation and as
consul-general at Rome. He has been
received as secretary. but his ex-
equalizer as consul-general has thus far
been withheld.
The extradition convention with
Belgium which has been in
operation since 1874 has been
lately supplanted by another.
The senate has signifed its approval
and ratifications have been duly ex-
changed between the contracting coun-
tries. To the list of extraditable
crimes has been added that of the as
sassination or attempted assassination
of the chief of the state.
Negotiations have been opened with
Switzerland, looking to a settlement
by treaty of the question whether its
citizens can reverence their allegiance
and become citizens of the United
States without obtaining the consent
of this government. am glad to in
form you that the immigration of
paupers and criminals from certain of
the counties of Switzerland has sub
stantially ceased and is no longer sane
toned by the authorities. The con-
sideration of this subject has prompted
the suggestion that the act of August
3. 1882, which has for its object the