Morning journal and courier., 1884-12-02
MORNING. DECEMBER ?. 1ss4
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

 To the Congress of the United States:
 Since the close of your last session the American people, in the exercise of their highest right of suffrage have chosen their Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has the long and pro- tractsd campaign, which customarily pre- cedes the day of the national election, been waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is the controversy at the polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the issue had been determined was as yet unas- certained, the r11blic peace suffered no dis turbance, but Che peopleeverywhere patient ly and quietly awaited the result Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the American citizen, his love of order and his loyalty to law. Nothing could more sig nally demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our political institutions.
 Eight years have passed since controver- sy concerning the result of national election sharply called the attention of Congress to the necessity of providing more precise and definite regulations for counting the electoral vote. It is of the grayest importance that this question be solved before conflicting claims to the presidency shall again distract bL4c COuHtIS1 duo d11 p6TSudO6Q GDSC, DY the people at large, any of the measures of relief thus far proposed would be preferred to con tinued inaction.
 Foreign Relations.
 Our relations with all foreign powers con- tinue to be amicable.
 CHINESE IMMIGRATION
 The true interpretation of the recent treaty with China, permitting the restriction of Chinaao iTor1 is 1ilya1u 4o 1,a the subject of your deliberations. It may be seriously questioned whether the statute passed at the last session does not vitiate the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left this country with return certificates, valid under the old law, and now seem to be debarred from landing from lack of certificates re- quired by the new law.
 FOREIGN BUILT VESSELS.
 The recent purchase by the United States of large trading fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our commercial importance in the East
 In view of the large number of vessels built or purchased by American citizens in other countries and exclusively engaged in legitimate traffic between foreign ports, un- der the registration of our flag, it might be well to provide uniform rule for their regis tration, so that the bona fde property rights of our citizens therein may be- properly
 THE BARTHoLDI STATUE. |.
 The Bartho1di statue of Liberty Enlighten- ing the World, the generous gift of the peo- pie of France, is expected to reach New York in May next. l suggest that congress sional action be taken in relation to the spirit which has prompted this gift and in aid of the timely completion of the pedestal upon which it is to be placed. x
 DUTIES ON WORKS OF ART.
 Much anxiety has lately been displayed by various European governments and especially by the government of Italy for the abolition of our import duties upon works of art. It is well to consider whether the present dis elimination in favor of the productions of American artists abroad is not likely to re- suit, as they themselves seem very generally to believe it may, in the practical exclusion of our painters and sculptors from the rich fields for observation, study and labor which they have hitherto enjoyed.
 RECIPROCITY WITH MEXICO.
 During the past year the increasing good will between our own government and that of Mexico has been variously manifested. The treaty of commercial reciprocity, con- cluded January 20, 1883, has been ratified and awaits the necessary tariff legislation of Congress to become effective This legisla- tion will, I doubt not, be among the first measures to claim your attention. A full treaty of commerce, navigation and consular rights is much to be desired and such treaty have reason to believe that the Mex jean government stands ready to conclude:
 THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
 With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty has been concluded which authorizes the construction by the United States of canal, railway and telegraph line across the Mica raguan territory. By the terms of this treaty sixty miles of the river San Juan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an inland sea forty miles in width, are to constitute part of the pro jected enterprise. This leaves for actual canal construction seventeen miles on the Pacific side and thirty-six miles on the At lantic.
 To the United States, whose rich territory on the Pacific is for the ordinary purposes of commerce practically cut off from communi- cation by water with the Atlantic ports, the political and commercial advantages of such project can scarcely be overestimated. It is believed that when the treaty is laid before you the justice and liberality of it's provis- ions will command universal approval at home and abroad.
 THE CUBAN AGITATORS.
 This government has more than once been called upon of late to take action in fulfill ment of it's international obligation toward Spain. Agitation in the island of Cuba, hos tile to the Spanish crown, having been fo- mented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which territory affords, structed to execute vigilance to prevent in fractions of our neutrality laws at Key West and at other points near the Cuban coast. 1 am happy to say that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were successfully eluded, the offenders when found in our territory were subsequently, tried and convicted.
 THE NEW TREATY WITH SPAIN. The growing need of close relationship of intercourse and traffic between the Spanish Antilles and their natural market in the Uni ted States led to the adoption in January last of commercial agreement looking to that end. This agreement has since been super seded by more carefully framed and com prehensive convention, which I shall submit to the Senate for approval. It has been the aim of this negotiation to open such favor ed reciprocal exchange of productions, car l ried under the flag of either country, as tc 1 make the intercourse between Cuba and Porto Rico and ourselves scarcely less inti mate than the commercial movement between our domestic ports, and to ensure remova ! of the burdens on shipping in the Spanisl | Indies, of which in the past our shipowneri l and shipmasters have so often had cause te I complain. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS. This government is in frequent receipt ot I invitations from foreign States to partici I pate in international exhibitions, often o1 great interest and importance. Occupying l as we do an advanced position in the worlds production and aiming to secure q profit able share for our industry in the general competitive markets, it is matter of se rious concern that the want oi | means for participation in these exhibitions l should so often exclude our producers from 1 advantages enjoyed by those of the other 1 countries. During the past year the atten. l tion of Congress was drawn to the formal invitation in this regard rendered by the governments of England, Holland, Belgium, l Germany and Austria.
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