Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-05

sure the removal OF the burdens on shipping IN tnt
Spanish l1dias, Of which in the past our ship
owners and ship masters have SO often had cause
to complain.
time, postponed the prosecution of certain
| claims of our citizens which were declared to be
| without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish
therefore, remitted to diplomatic channels for
adjustment. The speedy settlement of these
| claims will now be urged by this government.
| Negotiations for treaty of commercial recip
| rocity with the Dominican republic have been
successfully concluded and the result will shortly
be laid before the senate. Cert lin questions be
| tween the United States and the Ottoman EN-
pire still remain unsolved. Complaints in be-
half of citizens not satisfactorily adjust
ed The Porte has sought to withhold from our
| commerce the right of favored treatment to
which we are entit led by existing conventional
stipulations and the revision OF the tariffs as un
| accomplished.
Venezuela has not as yet been reached, but have
| good reason to expect an early settlement, which
will provide the means of re-examining the Cara
i cas- awards, in conformity with the expressed de
sire Of congress- and which will recognize the jus
tice of certain claims preferred against Venezuela
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSION
appointed by authority of the act of congress of
| July, 1884 will soon proceed to Mexico. 1t has
! been furnished with instructions which will be
| laid before you. They contain statement of the
general policy of the government for enlarging
| its commercial intercourse with American
| states The commissioners have been actively
| preparing for their responsible task by holding
conferences in the principalities with merchants
and others interested in Central and South Amer
| lean trade.
| INTERNATIONAL MERIDIAN CONFERENCE.
Lately convened in Washington upon the in
vitation the part of the United Statet, COM
| posed of representatives from twenty-five ma
tons. The conference concluded its labors on
the first of November. Having with substantial
unanimity agreed upon the Meridian of Green
wich as the starting point whence longitude is
to be computed through $50 degrees eastward
and westward, and upon the adoption for all pur-
,al,
universal day, which shall begin at midnight and
whose hours shall be counted from zero up to "A.
The formal report of the transactions of this con-
ference will be hereafter transmitted to con-
greSS.
This government is in frequent receipt of invi-
tations from foreign states to participate in
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS,
often of great interest and Importance. Occupy
ing, as we do an advanced position in the world s
production, and aiming to secure a profitable
share for our industries in the general competi-
tive markets, it is matter of serious concern
that the want of means for participation in these
exhibits should so often exclude our producers
from the advantages enjoyed by those of other
countries. During the past year the attention of
congress was drawn to the formal invitations in
this regard rendered by the governments of Eng
land, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria
The executive has in some instances appointed
honorary commissioners. This is, however, a
most unsatisfactory eXpedient for without some
provision to meet the necessary working expenses
or commission, it can effect little nothing in
behalf of exhibitors
An international inventors exhibition is to be
held in London next May. This will cover a field
or special Importance in when country holds
foremost rank. But the executive is at present
powerless to organize proper representation of
our vast national interests in this direction. l
have in several previous messages referred to this
subject. 1t seems to me that statute giving to
the executive general discretionary authority to
accept such invitations and to appoint honorary
commissioners without salary, and placing at
the disposal of the secretary of state small
fund for defraying their reasonable expenses,
would be OF great public utility.
COLLISIONS AT SEA.
This government has received official notice
that the revised international regulations for pre-
venting collisions at sea- have been adopted by all
the leading maritime powers except the United
States, and came into force on the first of Septem-
ber last. For the due protection of our shipping
interests the provisions of our statutes should at
once be brought into proper relations with these
regulations.
The question of securing to authors, composers
artists
COPY RIGHT PRIVILEGES.
In this country, in return for reciprocal rights
abroad as one that may Justly challenge your at
tenton. 1t is true that a convention will be nee
essary for fully accomplishing this result, but un-
til congress shall fix the extent to which foreign
holders of copyright shall be here privileged it
has been deemed inadvisabe to negotiate such
convention for this reason.
Tke United States were not represented at
THa RECENT CONFERENCE AT BERSE
recommend that the scope of nuetrality laws
of the United States be so enlarged as TO cover all
patent acts of hostility committed in our terri
tory, and aimed against the peace of friendly
nation Existing statutes prohibit the fitting out
eff armed expeditions, and restrict the shipment
of explosives though enactments in the latter
respect were not framed with regard to interna-
tlonal obligations but simply for protection of
passenger travel an these statutes 10 meet spec
ial emergencies that have already arisen other
emergencies have arisen since a modern ingenui-
ty supplies means for organization of hostititieS
without upen resort to armed vessels or to fill
clustering parties | see no reason why overt
preparations in this country for the commission
of criminal acts such are here under considera-
tion should not alike be punishable whether such
acts are intended to be committed in our country
or in foreign country, with which are at
peace. The prompt and thorough treatment of
this question is one of which intimately covers
the nations honor.
OUR EXISTING NATURALIZATION LAWS
also need revision. Those sections relating to
persons Re siding within tie limits of the United
States in 1875 and 119S, have now only historical
interest. Section 2l172, recognizing the citizen
ship of the children of naturalized parents, is
biguous In its terms and partly aasolete There
naturalization of those who serve in the army or
in merchant vessels, while similar privileges
arc granted those who serve in the navy or ma
rine corps. An uniform rule of naturalization
such as the constitution contempates should
among other things, clearly define the status IF
persons born within the United States, subject to
a foreign power (Sec. 1899, and of minor children
of fathers who have declared their intention of
becoming citizens. but have failed to perfect their
naturalization. 1t might be wise to provide for
central bureau of registry, wherein should be
filed authentic transcripts of every record of
naturalization in the several federal and state
courts, and to make provision also for the vaca-
ton or cancellation of such record in cases
where fraud had been practiced upon the court
by the applicant himself, where he had re
moved or forfeited his acquired citizenship.
Just ana uniform law in this respect would
strengthen the hands of the government in pro-
tecting its citizens abroad, and would pave the
way for the conclusion of treaties of naturaliza.
ton with foreign countries.
THE DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
The legislation of the last session effected II
he diplomatic and consular service certain
charges and reductions which have been produc-
tive of embdrraSSmentS. The population and
commercial activity of our country, are steadily
on tine increase and arc giving rise to new vary
ing and often delicate relationship with other
countries Our foreign establishment now
braces nearly double the area of operations that
it did twenty years ago, after the conferment of
such service within the limits of expenditures
is not, it s@emS TO me, in accordance with true
economy, and community of sixty millions of
people should be adequately represented in its
intercourse with foreign nations.
A project for the reorganization of consular ser
vice and for recastlng the scheme OF extra
territorial jurisdiction is now before you. II the
limits of short session will not allow its full
consideration, trust you viii not fail TO make
suitable provision for the present needs of the
service
1t has been customary TO define ia the appro-
priation acts the rank of each diplomatic Office
10 which salary is attached. suggest that this
course be aban6onsd d and that it be left to the
president with the advice and consent of the
senate, TO fix, from time to time, the diplomatic
grade of the representatives OF this government
abroad, as may seem advisable. provision being
defiritely made, however as now for the amount
o. salary attached to the respective stations.
THE CONDITION OF OUR FINANCES
ana the operations on the various branches OF
the public service which are connected with the
treasury department are very fully discussed in
the report of the secretary. 1t appears that the
ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ending June
30 1884, were:
From customs ................... I95, ,O07. $50 rs
From Internal revenue. .......... Ials 5oG. 072 81
From all other sources .......-..-. ~, SEC, 301 s.
Total ordinary revenues. S3is, ,5i9, S69 g2
The public expenditures during
the same period We're:
For current expenses ...... p. s12, 9O7 Il
For foreign intercourse. .-.-..... /. go. 766 g.
For Indians. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 8. 475. 99q %
FOR pensions ->.........-... -. 429, 222S IS
For the military Establishments in
cAlding river and harbor improve
ments and arsenals ............. sa. 4ao cJs 81
For the naval establishment includ-
ing vessels, machinery, and i'm
provements at the navy yards Il. .e9a, col A.
For miscellaneous expenditures
including public buildings, light
houses and collecting the rev
enue. .......... 4s, 9s9, 10 O.
For expenditures on account Of
District of Columbia .........S g. 407, ,0i9. e2
For interest on the pxblic debt. 81 SIS, 39s IS
For the sinking fund .. - 10 30 20 50
Total ordinary expenditures 5 e9o. sle. - $