The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-06
The Message.
THE RECENT ELECTION.

TO THE CoNGIESs OF THE .uNiTEr
STATES: Sine the close OF your last Ses
sion. the American nrope III the .
of Their highest II hit Of suffrage nave
chosen the Ch,nf Magistrate ior tIle i ,bn,
wears ensuing. When il Is remembered tha'
AT no period in the cnuntry's history mas the
long political cont st which cuStOmarlly
prece les the day of the national election
been waged with greater fervor and lntensl-
iy II is a subject OF congratulatoh tilat' alt,,
or the controversy at the polls was over ana
while the slight prepOnderence ny when
the issue had been determine I. was as vet
mascertaned. the public peace suffered no
disturbance, but the people everywhere pa
tiently and quietly awaited the result.
Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the
temper of the Am 'rican citizen, ms love OF
order and his LOYALTY tolaw. Nothing could
more signally demonstrate the strength and
wisdom of orr political institutions.
THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNT.
Eight wears have passed since contro-
yersy concerning the result of national
election sharply called the attention OF the
Congress to the necessity Of providing more
precise and definite regulations for count
Ing the electoral vote. IL Is Of the graVest
importance that this question b. solved be-
fore conflicting claims TO the Presidency
shall again distract the country, and am
persuaded that by the people at large any
Of the measures Of relief thus far proposed
would he preferred to continued inacuon.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue TO be amcabIe. With b lgium con-
vention has been signed whereby the scope
Of the present treaties has been so enlarged
as TO secure tO citizens Of either country
within the jurisdiction of the other equal
and alienation of property, q trademark
treaty has also been included.
CHILL AND PERU.
The war between Chill and Peru is at an
end. For the arbitration of the claims OF
American citizens, who during Its contnu-
ance, suffered through the acts Of the Chill
ian authorities, convention Will soon be
negotiated.
FRANCE AND CHINA.
The state of hos.ilites between France
and China continues to be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations The Chi.
nese Government has promptly adjusted
and paid the claims of American citizens
whose prop 'rty was destroyed In the recent
ton of my last annual Message, that the
Canton Indemnity fund be returned TO
China. The true Interpretation Of the re-
cent treaty with that country permitting the
RESTRICTION OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION
is likely to be again the subject of your de !
libcrations. Ii may be seriously questioned |
whether the statute passed at the last SEES
sion 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 land !
ing from lack of certificates required by the
new. The recent purchases by the United
States of large trading feet heretof IRE UNI
der the Chinese flag has considerably en-
HANGED our commercial importance in the |
East.
THE MERCHANT MAXINE.
In view Of the large number of vessels
built or purchased by American citizens in
other countries and exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign parts
under the recognized protection Of our flag,
II might be well 10 provide a uniform rate
for their registration and Recommendation so
that the bona fdc property rights of our
citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and
properly guarded.
THE CONGO COUNTRY.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at
the last session | have recognized the flag
Of the International Association of the
Congo as that Of a friendly government,
avoiding IN so doing any prcjudgment Of
conflict in the territorial GAINS in that re-
gion. Subsequently, in execution of the ex-
pressed wish of the congress, | appointed a
commercial agent for the Congo basin. The
importance of the rich prospective trade OF
the Congo valley has led to the general con-
yiction that it should be open to all nations
upon equal terms. The International CON
ference for the consideration of this sub
jec,, called by the Emperor of Germany, is
now in session at II Rim, and delegates are
now in attendance on behalf of the United
States. OF the results of the conference
you will BE- duly advised.
FOREIGN LEGATION SITES,
The Government of COrea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States Min
lister t. cure suitable premises for the use
of the legation. The conditions of diplO-
matte Intercourse with Estcrn nations de
mand that the legation premises be owned
by the represented power. ] advise that an
Appropriation be- made for the acquisition
of this property by the Government. The
United States already possesses valuable
premises at Tangiers as n gift from the
sultan OF Morocco. As is stated hereafter,
they have lately sim lar gift from
the Siamose Government. The Government
Of Japan stands ready to cede 10 us extern
siye grounds al Toxic wherein to erect a
suitable building for the legation, court
house aud jll, and similar privileges can
probably b Sc urcd IN China and Persia
The owning of such premises wolsd not eff
feet large saving of the present rentals,
but would permit of tile due assertion of eX.
wonld the better serve to maintain the dig |
nifty of the United States.
EGyrT.
The failure of Congress to make an an
for our representation at the |
autonomous court Of the Khediye has prov
ed serious embarrassment in our inter {
course with Egypt, and, in view of the
necessity Of the intimacy of our diplomatic
due to the participation of this ,
Government with the treaty powers in all
matters OF administration there affecting
the rights OF foreigners, advise the reStOra-
ton of the Agency and Consulate General
at Cairo on ITS former basis. do not CON
celve II 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
in Egypt should hereafter be I
without the aid and protection of cOmpe- I
tent representative +
THE BARTHOLDi STATUE, /
With France the traditional cordial rela- !
lOnship continues. The Bartholdi statue !
Of Liberty Enlightening the World" the !
gift OF the people of France, is
expected TO reach New York in May next. ]
suggest that Congressional action be
taken in relation to the spirit which has a
L II IL