The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-12-12
The Presidents Message.
Decem

WASHINGTON, December 4.
To the Congress of the United States:
At the threshold of your deliberations
| congratulate you upon the favorable
aspect OF the domestic and foreign af-
fairs OF the government.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with other nations con-
continue to be on a friendly footing.
With the Argentine republic, Brazil,
Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santa Domingo,
Sweden, and Norway no incident has
occurred which calls for special COM
ment. The recent opening-of new lines
Of Geographic communication with Cen
trail America and Brazil has permitted
the interchange of messages Of friend
ship with the governments of those
countries. A question has arisen touch
ing the importation to the United States
from the British islands by government
al or municipal aid of persons unable
there to gain a living and equally a bur
den on the community here. Such of
these persons as will come under the
pauper class, as defined by the law, have
been sent back in accordance with the
provisions of the statutes. Her Males
ty's government has insisted that pre-
cautions have been taken before ship
ment. The law has, however, in some
cases proved Intellectual, and especially
SO in certain instances Of needy emf
grants reaching u territory through
Canada, SO that a revision of our legis-
lation upon the subject may be deemed
advisable.
THE CLAYTON-BULWER TREATY.
Correspondence with reference to the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty has been contin-
ued and will be laid before congress.
OPPRESSIVE TARIFFS.
The United States are now participant |
ing in a revision of the tariff of the OF
toman empire. They have assented to |
the application of a license tax of for
eigners doing business in Turkey, but
have opposed the oppressive storage tax
upon petroleum entering the ports of
that country.
MIXED JUDICIAL TRIBUNALS.
The government of the Khedive has |
proposed chat the authority of the mix
ed judicial tribunals in Egypt be ex-
tended SO as to cover citizens of the
United States accused of crime, where
they are now tried before consular |
courts. This government is not indis-
posed to accept the change, but believes
that it's terms should be submitted for
criticism to the commission appointed
to revise the whole subject.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.
In view of the frequency of invita-
tons from foreign governments to par
ticipate in a social and scientific con-
gress for the discussion of important |
matters of general concern, I refer to
the suggestion of my last message that
provision be made for the exercise of |
discretionary power by the executive
in appointing as delegates to such a con-
vention persons who are ready to serve
the nation in such capacity without per-
sonal profit or other compensation than
the defrayment of expenses actually in
Cured, and a comparatively small an
nual appropriation would suffice to meet
the requirements.
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
On several occasions during the past
year officers Of the army have, at the
request of the states authorities, visited
their military encampments for inspec-
ton of the troops. From reports of
these officers I am induced to believe
that the encouragement of the state
militia organizations by the national
government would be followed by very
Sra+;fySnm rncIrlfc and would afford IN |