The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Following is
the full text of President Arthur's mes
SAGE as delivered to CONGRESS to-day.

frage have chosen their chief magistrate for the
four years ensuing. When il Is remembered that
at no period IN the countFys history has the long
political contest which customarlly precedes the
day of the national election been waged with
greater feryOr and intensity il is subject of con-
graduation that after the controversy at the polls
was over and while the slight preponderance by
which the issue had been determined was as yet
unascertained, the public peace suffered no dis
turbance. but the people everywhere patiently
and quietly awaited the result Nothing could
more strikingiy illustrate the temper OF the
American citizen, his love Of order and his 10y
atty to law. Nothing could more slgnaIly dem
Dnstrate the strength and wisdom OF our polit-
ical institutions.
Eight wears have passed since q controversy
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. II is
of the graVest importance that this question be
solved before conflicting claims to the presidency
shall again distract the country, and am per
suaded that b.. the people ct large any Of the
preferred to continued inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
our relations With all foreign powers continue
to be amicable
With Belgium a convention has been signed
whereby the scope Of present treaties has been
so enlarged to secure to citizens ofeither coun-
try, within the jurisdiction Of The Other, equal
rights in the acquisition and alienation OF prop
erty. A trademark treaty has also been con-
cluded
The war between Chilli and Peru is at an end
For tie arbitration of the claims Of American
citizens vino during its continuance suffered
through the acts Of the Chl.idn authorities,
convention VIII soon be negotiated
The state Of hOstilities between France and
China continues 70 be an embarrassing feature of
our Eastern relations The Chinese government
ha, promptly adjusted and paid the claims OF
American citizens whose property destroyed
in the recent riots 1T Canton | renew the rec
concentration Of my last annual message that
the Canton indemnity fund be returned to China
The true Interpretation OF the recent treaty with
that country permitting restriction OF Chinese
immigration is likely 70 be az in the subject of
your deliberations IL may be seriously ques-
toned whether the statute passed at the last
sion does not violate the treaty rights of certain
Chinese Tho left this country with return certth-
Gates valid under the old law, and now seem to
be debarred from landing from lack of certifi-
Gates required by the new. The recent pur-
rhascs by The United states Of a large trading
fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag has con-
siderably enhanced our commercial Importance
in the East In view Of the large number
OF vessels built or purchased by American citi-
Zens in other countries and exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under
the recognized protection of our flag, it might
be well 10 provide uniform rate for their regis
tratiOn and Recommendation, so that the bona ttde
property rights Of our citizens therein shall be
duly eyinced and properly guarded.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the last
session, recognized the flag of the International
Association of the Congo that OF d friendly
government, avoiding in so doing any pre-judg-
ment of conflict OF international claims in that
region. Subsequently III the execution of the
expressed wish OF the congress, I APP pointed a
commercial agent Tor the congo basin. The
portance OF the rich prospective trade Of the Con
go valley has led TO a general conviction that it
should be open TO all nations upon equal terms
The international conference Tor the cousidefa-
ton OF this subject was called by the Emperor of
Germany and is now in session at Berlin. Dele
gates are in attendance behalf of the United
States. OF the results OF tho conference you viii
be duly advised
The government of Corea has generously aided
the efforts of the United States minister to secure
suitable premises fOrthe Of the legation As
intercourse
Eastern nations demand that the legation prem
Uses be owned by the represented power advise
that appropriation be made for the acquisi-
ton OF this property by the govern ent. The
United States already possesses valuable premises
al Tangier as git from the Sultan of Morocco
As Is stated hereafter, they have lately received
similar gift from the siamese government. The
government of Japan stands ready TO present to
us extensive grounds at Toxic, wherein to erect a
suitable building for the legation, court house
and Jall and similar privileges can probably be
secured in China and Persia. The owning OF
such premises would not only effect large saw
ing Oh present rentals, but would permit Of the
due assertion OF xtra-territprial rights in those
countries, and would the better serve to maintain
the dignity of the United sta
The failure of Congress to make appropriation
for our representation at the autonomous court
OF the khedive has forced ii serious embarraSS-
ment in our Intercourse with Egypt; and in view
OF the necessity Of the intimacy OF diplomatic
relationship due to the participation of this gov
eminent as one ofthe treaty powers in all matters
Of admins tratiOn there affecting the rights of
foreigners, advise the restoration OF the agency
aud consulate general At Cairo its former basis.
do not conceive it to be the wish Of Congress
that the United States should withdraw alto
gCthcr from the honorable position they have
hitherto held with respect To the khedve, or
that citizens OF tht. republic residing sojourn-
ing IN Egypt should hereafter be without the aid
and protection Of q competent representatives
With france the traditional cordial alton
ship continues. The Bartholdi statue of Liberty
Eullghiening the World. the generous gift OF the
people OF France, IL expected to reach New York
in May next suggest that congressional action
be taken in relation TO the spirit which has
prompted this gift, and in aid OF the timely COM
pletion OF the pedestal on which it is TO be
placed.
Our relations with Germany a country which
contributes some of the best elements of our
citizenship continue to be cordial. The United
States have extTadiuon treaties with several of the
German states, but by reason of the confederation
OF these states under the imperial rule he appi-
cation oil such treaties is not as uniform and com
prehensiye as the interests of the two countries
require. l propose, therefore, TO open negotia-
lions for q convention of extradition TO embrace
MI the territory OF the empire.
1t affords me pleasure 10 say that our inter
course with Great Britain continues to be of a
most friendly character.
The government of Hawaii has indicated its
Willingness TO continue for seven years the pro-
.lslous OF the existing reciprocity treaty. Such
continuance, in view OF the relations of that
country 70 the American system of states, should
in my judgment be favored
The revolution in Hayti against the established
government has terminated - nile il was in
progress il became necessary to enforce our neu-
lrality laws by ihstitutIng proceedings against
individuals and vessels charged with their in
iringement. These proceedings were in all cases
successful
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
various European governments and especially by
The government Of Italy, Tor the abolition of our
import duties upon works of art 1t is well to
consider whether the present discrimination in
favor of the American artists abroad is not likely
TO result, as they themselves seem very generally
TO believe il may, in the practical exclusi n Of
our painters and scuptoTs from the rich fields for
observation, study and labor which they have
hitherto enjoyed.
Therei prospect that the long pending revision
Of the foreign treaties of Japan may be concluded
AT new conference to be held at Toxic ard
while this government fully recognizes the equsl
and independent station of Japan in the com
munity of nations, It would not oppose the gen.
eTal adoption of such terms of compromise as
Japan may be disposed 10 offer in furtherauce of
uniform policy OF intercourse with Western ma
tons.
During the past year the increasing good win
between our own government and that of Mexico
has been yariously manifested. The treaty of
commercial reciprocity concluded January 20,
lSS3, has been ratified and awaits the necessary
tariff legis ation of Congress to become effective
Inc legislation VIII, doubt not, be among the
first measures to claim Your attention. full
treaty OF commerce, navigation and consular
rights is much To be desired. and such treaty, |
have reason to believe the Mexican government
stands ready to con lude. some embarrassment
has been ocCasiOued by the failure Of Congress At
its last session TO provide means for the due exc
cuuon OF the treaty OIL % lSS2 tor the reSur-
Ney ofthe Mexican boundary, and the relocation
of boundary monuments.
With the republic Of Nicaragua a treaty has
been concluded which authorizes the conStruc-
ton by the United States of a canal, railway and
telegraph line across the Nicaraguan territory.
BY the terms of this treaty sixty miles of the
river san Juan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an in
land sea forty miles in width, are TO constitute
part OF the projected enterprise. This covers for
actual canal construction seventeen miles on the
Pacific side and thirty miles the Atlantic.
To the United States, whose rich territory the
Pacific is, for the ordinary purposes ofcommerce.
practically cut OF from cUmmun cation by water
with the Atlantic ports, the political and com
mercial advantages of such a project can scarcely
be ver-estmated. 1t is believed that when the
treaty IS laid before you the justice and hberahty
Of its provisions win command universal ap-
proval al home and abrosd
The death ofour representative at Russia while
az his post NJ 81 Petersburg, afforded TO the i'm
2erial government renewed opportunity to teS-
2fy its sympathy in manner BETTING the intl-
nate frlenGllueSS which has ever marked the in
ercourSe of the two countries.
The course of this government in raising its
representation st Bang kok 10 the diplomatic
'ank has evoked from Siam evidences OF
warm friendship, and augurs well for our en-
iarged interior. The Siamese government has
presented 10 the United Ststes a commodiouS
mansion and GROUNDS for the occupancy of the