The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-07
The Presidents Message.
On Monday last, at the assembling of
Congress, the annual message Of the Presi-
dent was read. 1t was as follows:

dent was read. 1t was as follows:
In reviewing the events of the year, the Presi
dent Ca lis attention to the gratifying condition of
our foreign affairs Our Intercourse with other
powers has continued to be OF themost friendly char
acter 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 recent laws
which owe their origin to the disturbed condition
of that country has led to somewhat extended cor
respondence with the government of Great Britain.
disposition TO respect our rights has been practi
cally manifested by the release of the arrested
parties.
The claim of this nation in regard to the super
vision and control OF any interoceanic canal
the American fsthmus has continued to be the sub
ect of conference
1t is likely that time will be more powerful than
discussion in removing the divergence between the
Two nations, whose friendship is so closely c.
mented by the intimacy Of their relations and the
community Of their interests.
The President reviews in detail our relations
with each foreign power, and offers timely sugges-
lions wherever appropriate. In referring to the
Peace Commission, he says About year since, in
vtations were extended to the nations of this
try send representatives to peace congress to
assemble at Washington in November, 1882. The
time of meeting was fixed at period then remote,
in the hope, as the invitation itself declared that
IN the meantime the disturbances between the
South American Republics would be adjusted. AS
that expectation seemed to be unlikely to be real
ICED l asked in April last for an expression Of
opinion from the two houses Of Congress as to the
adysability Of holding the proposed convention at
the time appointed. This action was prompted in
part by doubts which mature reflection had sug-
gested whether the diplomatic usage and tredi-
lions Of the government did not make 1t fitting that
the Executive should consult the representatives of
the people before pursuing q line of policy some
what novel In Its character, and farreachng in Its
possible consequences. In view Of the fact that
action was taken by Congress in the premises and
that no provision had been made for necessary ex-
penses L subsequently decided to postpone the
conyocat1on, and notified the several govern
ments which had been invited to attend.
am unwilling to dismiss this subject without
assuring you of my support of any measures the
wisdom of Congress- NAV devise for the DrOmOtfOn
of peace this continent and throughout the
world, and trust that the time Is nigh when, with
the universal assent Of civilized peoples all inter
national differences shall be determined without
resort to by the bentgnant processes of arbi-
tration.
renew my recommendation of such legislation
as will place the United states in harmony with
other maritime powers with respect to the inter
national rules for the prevention OF collisions at
| sea.
In conformity with your joint resolution of the
Sd of August last, have directed the Secretary
state TO address foreign governments in respect 20
proposed conference for considering the subject
| of the universal adoption of a common prime me-
ridian used in the reckoning of longitude and
In the regulation of time throughout the civilized
world. Their replies Will, In due time, be laid be
| fore you.
An agreement was reached at Paris in 1875 be-
tween the principal powers for the interchange of
official publications through the medium Of their
respective foreign departments.
| The admirable system which has been built up
by the enterprise of the Smithsonian Institution
affords practical basis for our cooperation In
this scheme, and an arrangement has been effected
by which that Institution will perform the neces
| sary labor under the direction Of the Department
of State. reasonable compensation therefor
should be provided by law.
| clause in the act making appropriations for
the diplomatic and consular service contemplates
the reorganization of both beanches of such service
on salaried basis leaving fees to inure to the
| benefit of the treasury. cordially favor such a
project, likely to correct abuses In the present
system The Secretary of State will present to you
at an early day plan for such reorganization.
full and interesting exhibit Of the operations
of the Treasury department is afforded by the re-
port of the Secretary.
| 1t appears that the ordinary revenues from all
sources for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1882