The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-05
Presidents Message.

TO congress Jlll IueSuay IL was hoo 10
ceived in season for publication in our
regular issue. In order that our readers
may have the message while it is fresh, we
print it in the form of an extra. Some OF
the points touched upon by the president
are not of popular interest. These have
been either omitted or condensed, while
those matters of general popular concern
are given entire.
On the threshold of its deliberations the
favorable aspect of the domestic and for
eign affairs of the government. With re.
gard to Spain and Cuba. the President
refers to the difficulties which result from
the proximity of Cuba and the peculiar
methods of administration which prevail
there. The protests of the government
have not yet produced satisfactory results
The awards of commission agreed upon
to adjust claims for damages, though
made two years ago, have not yet been
paid. Their speedy payment is expected.
Claims to a large amount outside OF the
jurisdiction of the commission have been
automatically presented. As the action
of the colonial authorities which gave
rise to these claims was admittedly illegal,
full reparation for injuries sustained by
our citiz ens should be no longer delayed.
There is greater need than ever of close
and lasting relations with Mexico. The
commercial and navigation treaty OF 164S
has expired and our citizeps and COM
merce depend for protection on domestic
laws. The initial step for better under
standing between the two countries is
now before congress in the treaty nego-
tiated by the commission created for that
purpose The forces of both governments
have co operated in the pursuit and cap
ture or destruction of savage tribes OF
Indians The President does not favor
the entire cessation of treaty relations
with the Sandwich Islands. He does not
credit the charges of frauds under the
reciprocity treaty, but recommends the
modification of that treaty where its pro.
visions have proved onerous to legitimate
trade between the two countries.
CHINA.
China, by the payment of money in.
demnity, has settled certain of the long
pending claims of our citizens, and
have strong hopes that the remainder will
soon be adjusted. Questions have arisen
to using the rights of American and other
foreign manufacturers in China under the
provisions of treaties which permit aliens
to exercise their industries in that coun-
try. On this specific point our own
treaty is silent, but under the operation
have like privileges with those of other
{ -, J,,tx g Iba
eminent to see that our citizens have the
full.enj oyment of every benefit secured by
treaty, doubt the expediency of leading
in movement to constrain China to ad-
init an Interpretation which we have only
an indirect treaty right to exact. The
transference to China of American cap
ital, for the employment there of Chinese
labor, would, in effect, inaugurate com.
petition for the control of markets now
supplied by our home industries. There
is good reason TO believe that the law re-
stricting the immigration Of Chinese has
been violated, Intentionally or otherwise
by the officials of China upon whom is
involved the duty of certifying that the
immigrants belong to the excepted classes
Measures have been taken to ascertain
the facts incident to this supposed in
fraction, and it is believed that the gov
eminent of China will cooperate with thu
United States i'll securing the faithful oh
servance of the law.
CENTRAL AFRICA.
The rich and populous valley of tn
Congo is being opened to commerce by
society called the International African
Association, of which the King of tn
Belgians is president, and a citizen o
the United States the chief executive OF
ficer. Large tracts of territory have BEEF
coded to the association by native chiefs
roads have been opened, steamboats, place.
on the rivers, and the nuclei of states 9;
tablished at twenty-five stations unde
one flag which offers freedom to CON
MERGE and prohibits the slave trade. TIL
objects of the society are philanthropit
1t does not aim at permanent politica
control, but seeks the neutrality Of tn
valley. The United States cannot be il
different TO this work, nor to the interest
of their citizens involved in it. 1t ma
become advisable for US to co-operat
with other commercial powers in promo
ing the rights of trade and residence i
the Congo valley free from interference
VI VI
THE NATIONAL FINANCES.
The report of the secretary of the trea
ury gives full and interesting exhibit {
the financial condition of the country.
shows that the ordinary revenues from a
sources for the fiscal year ended June 81
1883, amounted to $398, 2S7 ,5Sl 90, wher
of there was received from customs, $2l
FOG 400 90; from internal revenue, $l44
720,368 96 from sales of public land
$9.955,S64 AZ; from tax on circulate
and deposits of national banks, 80, III
008S5 from profits on coinage bullio
deposits and assays, 81 10000 II; fro
other sources, $17333, 63760 For IL
same period the ordinary expenditur
were $265,408, 1877 "a; leaving surpl,
revenue of $l32, 679, Hail, which, wi
an amount drawn from the cash balan
in the treasury of 81 200, 312 SO, makir
$l34, IT'S. 1896, was applied to the I
demption of bonds. The actual reven
for the first quarter, ended September
Of the current fiscal year, was $95 ,066,9l
The estimated revenues for the remainil
three-fourths is $247,033,082. OF the
sums, in round numbers, one hundred al
ninety-fve million is from customs, and o
hundred and twenty million from intern