The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-12
AFFAIRS OF THE NATION.
President Arthur's Last Annual Mes
sage to Congress.

To the congress Of the United States
Since the close of your last session the
American people, in the exercise of the
highest right of suffrage, have chosen
their chief magistrate for the four years
ensuing. When it is remembered that al
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 in
tensity, it is a subject of congratulation
that after the controversy at the polls was
over, and while the slight p~reponderence
by which the issue had been determined
was as yet unascertaiued, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the
people everywhere patiently 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
signally demonstrate the strength and
wisdom of our political Institutions.
Eight years have passed since a contro-
versy concerning the result of a national
election sharply called the attention Of
the congress to the necessity of providing
more precise and definite regulations for
counting the electoral vote. 1t is of the
gravest Importance that this question be
solved before conflicting claims to the
presidency shall again disturb the country,
and | am persuaded that by the people at
large any of the measures of relief thus far
proposed would be preferred to continued
inactiOn..
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers
continue to be amicahle. With Belgium
a convention has been signed whereby
the scope of the 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 proper
ty, A trademark treaty has also 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 continuance, suffered through
the acts of the Gillian authorities, a con-
vention will soon be negotiated. The
state of hostilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing
feature of our eastern relations. The
Chinese government has promptly adj
justed and paid the claims of American
citizens whose property was destroyed in
the recent riots at Canton. | renew the
recommendation of my last annual mes
sage, that the Canton Indemnity fund be
returned to China. The true interpreta-
ton of the recent treaty with that coun-
try, permitting the restriction of Chinese
immigration lis likely to be again subject
to your deliberations. 1t may be seri-
questioned whether the statute,
N aScan of thn Iacf caccio, 10na not ,;o
late the the treaty rights of certain Chi
nese who left this country with return
certificates, valid under the old law, and 9
seem to be debarred from landing =
lack of certificates required by the {
lew. The recent purchases by the Uni +
ed States OF a large trading fleet hereto 7
ore under the Chinese flag Ihas consid- +
'rably enhanced our commercial impor- q
ance in the east. In view of the largo n
Of vessels built or purchased by n
citizens in other coun- p
and exclusively employed h
n legitimate traffic between for "
ign parts under the recognized pro- II
ectiol of our flag, it might be well to q,
rovide a uniform rate for their registra- a,
on and Recommendation, that the bona
de property rights of our citizens there
] shall be duly evidenced and properly
uarded. Pursuant to the advice of the si
'nate at the last secession, | recognized al
lie flag of the international association re
the Congo as that of a friendly gov pa
'nment, avoiding in so doing any pre- fri
OF conflict in territorial claims In
that region. Subsequently, in the ex- III
luton of the expressed wish of the con- in
ess, | appointed a commercial agent dil
r the Congo basin. The importance of ev
e rich prospective trade of the Congo we
Hey has led to the conviction that it Sis
ould be open to all nations upon equal Ur
ms. The international conference for an
consideration of this subject, called ga
the emperor of Germany, Is now in Tut
'slon at Berlin. Delegates are now in TIL
on behalf Of the United States.
the results of the conference you will y
duly advised. he government of
rea has generously aided the efforts of oe'
United States minister to secure suit the
lie premises in the use of the legation. tiol
e conditions of diplomotic intercourse isla
n eastern nations demand them. The Gro
alton premise to be owned by the abb
power. | advise then that an VIII
preparation be made for the acquisition of I
this property by the government. The to {
TIED States already possesses valuable tioI
misses at Tanzies as a gift from the and
tan of Morocco. AS is stated l al
they have lately received a star
liar gift from the Siamese govern ure'
Mt. The government of Japan stands ers,
dy to give to us extensive grounds at sub
iio wherein to erect a suitable build gro
for the legation, court house and terc
and similar privileges can probably Ant
secured in China and Persia. The Uni
ling of such premises would not affect JAM
rye saving of the present rentals, but look
lid permit of the due assertion of ex- sine,
rights in those countries, fran
would the better serve to maintain whiC
dignity of the United States. The sena
Ire OF congresst to make an a%ppropria- the
for our representation at the Auton- open
'us court of the khedive has proved a chan
o9s enloarrassment IN our intercourse flag
Egypt, and in view of the necessary tercc
macy of diplomatic relationship due and
he participation of this government of the {
treaty powers in all matters of adj dom,
there affecting the rights of of th
| advise the restoration of the isb Ii
ICY and consulate general at Cairo on owne
basis. | do not conceive it to had
he wish of congress that they should of tb
draw altOUether from tha honorohIa ,ouo