The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fun Text Of President Arthur's
Last Message.
EzEs Views on the Tarif-Our Foreign Re-
IAtions-Home AGairs-Silver Coinage
The American Navy, and Other
Matters of Interest



Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing
when it is remembered that at no period ii
the eountry's history has the long politica
contest which cnStOmarily precedes the dal
of the National election been waged will
greater fervor and intensity, it is a Subjec
of congratulation that after the controversy
at the polls was over, and while the
slight preponderance by which the
issue had been determined was as ye
unascertained the public peace suffered
no disturbance, but the people everywhere
patiently and quietly awaited the result
Nothing could more stTikingly Illustrate the
the temper of the American citizen, his love
OF order, and his loyalty to law. Nothing
could more signally demonstrate the strength
ard wisdom of our political institutions
Right years have passed since controversy
concerning the result of National election
SHARPLY called the attention of the Congress
80 the necessity of providing more definite
regulations for counting the electoral vote
1t is of great importance that this question
be solved before conflicting claims to the
Presidency shah again distract the country
and am persuaded that by the people al
large any of the measures of relief thus far
proposed would be preferred to continued
snaction.
Our relations with all foreign powers con
4nue to be amicable. With Belgium q con
Vention has been signed whereby the scope
of present treaties has been so enlarged as
TO secure to the citizens of either country,
within the jurisdiction of the other, equal
rights and privileges in the acquisition and
alienation of property. A trade mark treaty
has also been concluded. The war between
Chill and Peru is at an end. For the arbitra-
ton of the claims of American citizens who,
during its continuance, suffered through the
acts of the CHILEAN authorities, a convention
will soon be negOtE ted.
The state of hOStlitieS between France
esnd China continues to be an embarrassing
feature OF our Eastern relations. The
Chinese government has promptly adjust
"a and paid the claims of American citi-
ferns whoi.e property was destroyed in
tic recent riots at Canton. / renew the
accommodation of my last annual message
chat the Canton idemnity fraud be returned
10 China. The true interpretations of the
recenS treaty with that country permitting
Ehe restriction of Chinese immigration is
likely to be again subject of your delibcra-
GonS. 1t may be seriously questioned
whether the statutes passed at the last ses-
zion do not violate the treaty rights of GER
tain Chinese who left this country with re-
-Enru certificates valid under the old law, and
which now seem to be debarred from land
5Bg from lack of the certificates required
by the new The recent purchase by
the United States of a large trading feet
heretofore under the Chinese flag has
considerably enhanced our CONNER
cial importance in the East; In
purchased by American citizens in other
countries and exclusively employed in lcgi-
innate traffic between foreign ports under
the recognized protection of or flag it
might be well to provide uniform rate of
their registration and Recommendation so that
the bona fide property rights of our citizens
therein shall be duly evidenced and properly
guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the
Senate at the last session L recognized
the flag of the international Association of
the Congo as that of a friendly Government
avoiding in so doing any prejudgement of
fhe conflict in international claims in that
region; subsequently in execution
of the expressed wish of Con-
gress I appointed commercial
agent for the Congo basin. The import
zDce OF the rich prospective trade of the
Congo valley has led to a general conviction
that it should be open to all nations upon
equal terms. At the International confer
-ence for the consideration of this subject,
called by the Emperor of Germany and now
IN session at Berlin, delegates are in attend
ance on behalf of the United States. OF the
results of the conference you will be duly
advised.
THE Government of Corea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States Minis
= Ter to secure suitable premises for the use
OF the legation. As the conditions of diplO-
matte intercourse with Eastern nations de-
snand that the legation premises be owned
7 by the represented power, l advise that an
appropriation be made for the acquisition of
y this property by the-Government. The Uni
aed States already possesses valuable prem
Uses at Tangier as a gift from the Sultan of
Morocco As stated hereafter, they have
f2tely received similar gift from the Sia-
IHese Government. The Government of ia
pan stands ready to present to us extensive
grounds at Toxic, whereon to erect a Suita-
ole building for the legation court house and
fail, and similar privileges can probably be
secured in China and Persia. The owning of
such premises would not only effect a very
21fHe SdNlnR VI DTcStuj T6uldlS, DuC NOul0
permit of the due assertion of extra territorial
rights in those countries and would the better
serve 20 maintain the dignity of the United
States. The failure of Congress to make
any appropriation for our representative at
Autonomous, the Court of the Khedive, has
proved serious embarrassment our inter-
course with Egypt, and in view of the neccs-
sary intimacy of diplomatic relationship due
TO the participation OF this Government as
one of the treaty powers in all matters of ad-
ADMINISTRATION thereby affecting rights of for
i q nf hn
agency and Consulate-General at Cairo on
its former basis. do not conceive it to be
me wish OF congress that the United States
should withdraw from the honorable posi-
den they have hitherto held with respect
to the khedive, or that the citizens of the Re-
public sojOurning in Egypt should hereafter
be without the aid and protection of q COM
petent representative. With France the
traditional cordial relationship continues
The Bartholdi statue of Liberty Enlighten-
Ing the World - the generous gift of the peo-
pie of France, is expected to reach New York
Sn May next. i suggest that Congressional
action be taken in relation to the spirit which
Aas prompted this gift, and in aid of the
Simely completion of the pedestal upon which
1t is TO be placed. Our relations with Ger
Enany, country which contributes to our
own some of the best clements of citizenship,
continue to be cordial. The United States
have extradition treaties with several of the
German States. but by reason of the confed-
rule, the application of such treaties
is not as uniform and compre-
hensive as the interests of the two
countries require. ! propose, therefore,
50 open negotiations for a single convention
OF extraditions TO embrace all the territory
or the Empire. 1t affords me pleasure to say
ain continues to be of a most friendly char
acter. The Government OF Hawaii has indi-
Gated its willingness to continue for seven
years the provisions of the existing reciproc-
Ity trestY. Such continuance, in view of the
relations of that country TO the American
system of State, should in my judgment be
the established Government has terminated.
~ bile IL was in progress IL became necessary
60 enforce our neutrality laws by instituting
proceedings against individuals and vessels
charged with their infringements These
prosecutions were. in all cases, successful.
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
aaly by the Government of Italy, for the aboli-
tion Of our import duties upon works of
art 1t is well to consider whether
the present discrimination in favor of pro-
auctions of American artists abroad is not
likely to result as they themselves seem very
generally to believe it may, in the practical
the rich fields for occupation, study and Ia
Dor which they have hitherto enjoyed. There
IS prospect that the long pending revision of
9tae foreign treaties of Japan may be con-
Toxic. While this Government fully recog-
ni0es the equal and independent station of
not oppose the general adoption of such
terms of compromise as Japan may be dis
posed to otter in furtherSnce of uniform
policy of intercourse with western Nations.
During the past year the increasing good
viii between our own Government and that
OF Mexico has been variously manifested.
The treaty of commercial reciprocity con-
ciuded Januaty 20, 1888, has been ratified and
awaits the necessary tariff legislation of
Congress to become effective. The legisla-
tign will j doubt not, be among the first
1naasures to claim YOUR attention. A fuli
treaty of commerce navigation and
consular rights is much to be desired
and such treaty have reason to believe
shat the Mexican Government stands ready
10 conclude. Some embarrassment has been
occasioned by the failure OF Congress at its
kast session 70 provide means for the due ex-