Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To The Congress Of the United States:

At the threshold of your deliberations,
congratulate you upon the favorable aspect of
the domestic and foreign affairs of this govern
ment, and upon the relations with other nations
which continue to be on @ friendly footing.
With the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium,
Brazil Denmark, Hayh, Italy, Santo Domingo
and Sweden and Norway no incident has oc-
cured which calls for special comment. The
recent opening Of new lines of telegraphlc
communication with Central America and
Brazil permitted the interchange of messages
OF friendship with the governments of those
countries, During the year there have been
perfected and proclaimed consular and COM
lmercial treaties with Servia, and a consular
treaty with Roumania thus extending our in
tercourse with the Danuban countries, while
our eastern relations have been placed upon
wider basis by treaties with Corea and NADIA
lgascar. The new boundary survey treaties
with Mexico q Trademark convention, sup
Elementary treaty of extradltion with Spain
and convention extending the duration Of
the Franco American claims commission have
also been proclaimed
Notice of the termination of the fisheries ar
tlcles of the treaty of Washington was duly
given to the British government, and the
ciprocsl privileges and exemptions of the
treaty viii seemingly close on July 1, 1885. The
fishing industry pursued by numerous class
of our citizens on the northern coasts, both of
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, are worthy of
the fostering of congress whenever brought
into competition with like industries of other
countries. Our fishermen, as well as our
manufacturers of fishing appliances and pre-
parers of fish products. have maintained
foremost place, suggest that congress create
commission to consider the question of our
rights in the fisheries and the means of open
ing to our citizens. under just and
enduring conditions, the richly stocked fishing
waters and sealing grounds of British North
America.
question has arisen touching the deperta-
ton to the United States from the British
Islands by government and municipal aid of
persons unable there to gain a living, and
equally burden on che community here. Such
of these persons as have been assigned to the
pauper class, as defined by the law, have
been sent back according to the provisions of
our statutes. Her Majesty's government has
insisted that precautions have been taken be-
fore shipment. These, however, in so many
cases has proven so Intellectual, and especially
so in certain instances of needy emIgrants
reaching our territory through Canada, that q
revision of our legislation upon this subject
may be deemed advisable.
Correspondence relative TO the Clayton
BulEeT treaty has been continued and will
be laid before congress.
The legislation of France against the i'm
portation of prepared swine produced from the
United States has been retreated. That result
has been due no less to the friendly representa-
ton of this government than to a growing
conviction In France that the restriction is not
demanded by the danger to any real health.
Germany still prohibits the Introduction of all
hog products from America. 1 extended TO
the imperial government friendly invitation
to send experts to the United States to inquire
whether the use of these products was danger
Gus to health. This Invitation was declined.
have believed it of such Importance how
ever. that the exact facts should be ascer-
tanned and promulgated, that have appointed
q competent commission to make thorough
investigation Of the subject. It's members
have shown their public spirit by accepting
their trust without pledge of compensation,
but trust that congress will see IN the ma
honal and international bearings Of the mater
3 sufficient motive for providing at least for
the reimbursement of such expenses as they
may necessarily incur.
The coronation Of the car at Moscow
afforded to this government an occasion for
testifyiQg to its continued friendship by send
ing special envoy aud a representative of the
navy to attend the ceremony. While there
have arisen no grave questions affecting the
status in the Russian Empire of American citi-
zens OF other faith than that held by the ma
tionai church, this government remains firm IN
its convictions that the rights of its citizens
abroad should be in no way affected by their
religious belief.
It is understood that measures for the re-
ILnoval OF the restrictions which now burden
our trade with Cuba and Porto Rico are under
consideration by the Spanish government. The
proximity of Cuba aud the peculiar method of
administration which there prevail, necessitate
constant discussion and appeal on our part
from the proceedings Of the insular authori-
ties. regret to say that the just protests of
this government have not as yet produced a
satisfactory result. The commission appointed
TO decide upon certain claims of our citizens
against the government after the recognition
of a satisfactory rule as to their validity, has
finally adjourned. Some of Its awards,
though made more than two years
ago have not yet been paid, but their speedy
payment is expected. Claims to large amount
which were held by the late commission to be
without its jurisdiction, have been diplomatic
ally presented to the Spanish government.
The case of the Masonic has not yet reached a
settlement. The Manila court has found that
the proceedings of which this government has
complained were authorized and If is hoped
that the government OF Spain Will not with
lhOld the speedy PREPARATION which Its sense Of
justice should impel 1t to offer for the unusual
severity and unjust action of its subordinate
colonial officers in the case of this vessel.
The Helvetian Confederation has proposed
she inauguration of a class Of international
treaties for the deferment to arbitration of
grave questions between nations. This gov
eminent has assented to the proposal.
Under the treaty of Berlin liberty of con-
science and civil rights are assured to all
strangers in Bulgaria. As the United states
have no distinct conventional relations with
that country, and are not party to the treaty,
they should, IN my opinion, maintain dlplO-
matte representation at Sofia for the improve
m6nI or intercourse ana Inc proper prOtectlOn
OF the many American citizens who resort 70
that country as missionaries and teachers. I
suggest that I be given authority to establish
an agency and consulate at the Bulgarian capt.
tai
The United States are now participant
ing in a revision of the tariffs of the
Ottoman Empire. They have assented to the
application of a license tax on foreigners doing
business in Turkey, but have opposed the OPP
pressive storage tax upon petroleum entering
the ports of that country.
The government of the khedive has proposed
shat the authority Of the mixed judicial tri
bunals IN Egypt be extended SO as to cover
citizens of the United States accused of crime,
who are now tried before consular courts.
This government is not indisposed to accept the
change, but believes that its terms should be
submitted for criticism to the commission ap-
pointed to revise the whole subject.
At no time in our national history has there
been more manifest need Of close and lasting
relations with neighboring state than now
exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid influx
O. our capital AMI enterprise into that country
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