The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Arthurs Last Annual COMMUNE
cation to Congress.
His recommendations as to Our Foreign
Relations, the National Finances, silver
Coinage, Postal Affairs, Mormon
ism, Polygamy, Etc.
THE MESSAGE.

this afternoon:
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 the Chief Magis-
trate for the four years ensuing. When it is
remembered that at no period in the country's
history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day Of
the National election been waged with greater
fervOr and intensity, it is subject OF
congratulation that after the controversy at
the polls was over, and while the slight pre-
ponderance by which the issue had been de-
termined was as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the people
everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the
result Nothing could moro strikingly illus
trate the temper of the American citizen, his
love of order, and his loyalty to law. Moth
ing could more sgnally demonstrate the
strength and wisdom of our political in
situations. Eight years have passed since
a controversy concerning the result of a
National election sharply called the attention
OF Congress to the necessity of providing
more precise and definite regulations for
counting the Electoral vote. 1t is of the gray
est Importance that this question be solved
before conflicting claims to the Presidency
persuaded that by the people at large any of
the measures OF relief thus far proposed
would be preferred to continued inaction.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tlnue to be amicable. With Belgium con-
vention has been signed whereby the scope of
present treaties has been so enlarged as to
secure to citizens of either country within
the jurisdiction of the other equal rights and
privileges in the acquisition and alienation of
poperty. A trademark treaty has been con-
cluded. The war between Chill and Peru is at
an end. For the arbitration of the claims of
American citizens who, during its continu-
ance suffered through the acts of the Chiian
authorities, convention will soon be negoti-
ated.
The state of hostilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feature
OF our Eastern relations. The Chinese Gov
eminent has promptly adjusted and paid the
claims OF American citizens whose property
was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton.
l renew the recommendation of my last an
nual message that the Canton indemnity fund
be returned to China The true Interpretation
of the recent treaty with that country per-
hitting the restriction of Chinese immigration
is likely to be again the subject of your DELHI
eratlons. 1t may be seriously questioned
whether the statute passed at the last session
does not violate 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 required by the new
The recent purchases by theUnited States of
large trading feet heretofore under the Chi
nese nag has considerably enhanced our COM
the large number of vessels built or purchased
by American citizens in other countries and
exclusively employed in legitimate traffic be-
tween foreign ports under the recognized pro-
lection OF our flag, 1t might be well to provide
uniform rate for their registration and doc
umentation, so that the bona t1de 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 have recognized the flag of the International
Association OF the Congo as that of friendly
tr0VnHnmnnf in IN n or7x
Judgment of conflict
In the territorial claim in that region. subse-
quently, in the execution of the expressed
wish of the Congress, l appointed a CONNER
cha agent for the Congo basin. The impor-
lance of the rich prospective trade of the Con-
go Valley has led to the general conviction
thaG It should be open to all nations upon
equal terms. An international conference for
the consideration of this subject has been
called for by the Emperor of Germany, and is
now in session at Berlin. Delegates are now
IN attendance on behalf Of the United States.
VI the results of the conference you will be
duly advised.
AMERICA AND EGYPT.
The failure OF Congress to make an aDprO-
priation for our representation to the AutonO-
nous Court of the Khedive has proved a seri-
Gus embarrassment in our intercourse with
Egypt and in view Of the neces-
slty OF the intimacy of diplomatic relation
ship due to the participation of this Gov
eminent with the treaty powers in all mat
tiers of administration there affecting the
rights of foreigners, l advise the restoration
OF the agency and the Consulate-G General at
Cairo on its former basis do not conceive
1t to be the wish of Congress that the United
States should withdraw altogether from the
honorable position they have hitherto held
with respect to the Khedive, or that citizens
Of this Republic residing or sojourning in
Egypt should hereafter be without the aid
and protection OF competent representative.
THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial relation
ship continues. The Barthold statue of Glib
erty Enlightening the World" the generous
git; OF the people OF France is expected to
Congressional 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.
GERMANY AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Germany, country
which contributes to our own some of the best
elements of citizenship, continue to be cordial.
The United States has eXtradition treaties
with several OF the German States, but, by
reason of the confederation of those States
under the Imperial rule, the application of
SUCH treaties is not as uniform and compre-
hensive as the interests of the two countries
require
Negotiations therefore should be opened for
single convention to embrace all the terri
tory OF the Empire
1t affords me pleasure to say that our inter-
course with Great Britain continues to be of
most friendly character.
The Government of Hawaii has indicated its
provisions of the existing Reciprocity treaty
Such continuance, in view of the relations of
Lnat country TO the American system of
States, should in my Judgment, be favored.
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
various European Governments and especial
~ by the Government of Italy, for the aboli-
ton OF our import duties upon works of art.
1t is well to consider whether the present dis
elimination in favor of productions of Amer
can artists abroad is not likely to result as
they themselves seem very generally to be-
heve 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.
There is prospect that the long-pending re-
vision OF the foreign treaties of Japan may be
concluded at a new conference to be held at
Toxic. While the Government fully recog-
nlzes the equal and independent station of
Japan IN the community of nations it would
not oppose the general adoption of such terms
OF compromise as Japan may be disposed to
offer in furtherance of uniform policy of in
tercourse 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-
Guided January 70, 1888, has been ratified and
awaits the necessary tariffEl legislation of Con-
gress to become effective. This legislation
will, | 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 a
treaty have reason to believe the Mexican
OONcIlll1cHG SIdiluS ready 10 COlclu06. some
embarrassment has been occasioned by the
failure of Congress at its last session to pro-
vide means for the due execution of the
treaty of July %, 1882, for the resurvey of the
Mexican boundary and the relocation of
boundary monuments.
With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty
has been concluded which authorizes the com
struction by the United States of a canal, rail-
way and telegraph line across the Nicaraguan
territory. By the terms of this treaty sixty
miles of River San Juan as well as Lake Mica
raugua, an inland sea forty miles in width, are
to constitute part of the projected enter
prise.
This covers for actual canal construction
seventeen miles on the Pacific side and thirty
six miles on the Atlantic. To the United
states, whose rich territory on the Pacific is,
for the ordinary purposes of commerce. prac-
ideally cut Oft from communication by water
with the Atlantic ports, the political and COM
merc1al advantages of such project can
scarcely be over estimated. it is believed that
when the treaty is laid before you the Justice
and hberality of its provisions viii command
universal approval at home and abroad.
Inc death OF our representative to Russia
while at bis post at st. Petersburg afforded to
the Imperial Government u renewed oppor-
tunity to testify its sympathy in a manner be-
hitting the intimate friendliness which has
ever marked the intercourse of the two coun-
tries.
The course of this Government in rails
ing its representation at Bang Kok to the
dlplOmatic rank h0S evoked from Siam