Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The Last General Communication
Of President Arthur to
Congress.
d Review OF Our Domestic and Foreign
Relations and of Our More
N Pressing Needs.
The President Expresses His Sense
of Obligation to All Parties
For Their Support.
WASHINGTON. D. G., December 1.

highest right OF suffrage have chosen their
When * tor the four years ensuing
country's history has the long political con-
Test which eustomarily precedes the day of the
National election been wagcd with greater
1ervof and Intensity, 1t is a subject of con-
graduation that after the controversy at the
poiiS was over, and while the slight prepon-
derance by which the issue had been deter
mined was as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance; but the peo-
pie everywhere patiently and quietly await
ed the result. Nothing could more striking
ly illustrate the temper of the American citi-
Nothing could more signaiIy demonstrate
the strength and wisdom OF our political in
situations.
- THE ELECTORAL VOTE.
Eight years have passed since a con-
troyersy concerning the result of a National
election sharply called the attention of Con-
definite regulations for the counting of the
electoral vote.
: 1t is of the gravest importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims
to the Presidency shall again distress the
country, and i am persuaded that by the
people at large any of the measures of relief
thus far proposed would be preferred to con.
tinued inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS. E-3
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
finue to be annie ..sJie. With Be gium a con-
vention 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 property trade mark treaty
Chilli and Peru is at end. For the arbitra-
tion OF the claims OF American citizens, who,
during its continuance, suffered through the
acts of the CHILEAN authorities, q convention
will soon be negotiated.
CHINA.
= The state of hostilities between, France and
China continues tos be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese
Government has promptly adjusted and paid
the claims of American citizens, whose prop
erty was destroyed in the recent riots at
Canton. renew the recommendation of Iay
last annual message. that the. Canton in
deu1nity fund be returned to China. The
true Interpretation of the recent treaty with
that country, permitting the. restriction of
the subject OF your Deliberations 1t may be
seriously questioned whether the statute
the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left
this country with return certificates valid
barred from landing from lack of certificates
required by the new. The recent purchase
by the United states of large trading fleet
heretofore under the Chinese flag has con-
siderably enhanced our commercial i'm
portance in the East. In view of
or purchased by American citizens in
other countries and exclusively employed In
legitimate traffic between foreign ports un.
der the recognized protection of our flag, it
their registration and Instrumentation, so that
therein shall be duly evidenced and properly
guarded.
- THE CONGO COUNTRY.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the
last session, recognized the flag of the In
terpationai Association of the Congo that
OF a friendly Government, avoiding in so do
ritoriai claims IN that region subsequently,
in execution of the expressed wish of Con-
gress, / appointed a commercial agent for
the Congo basin. The Importance of the rich
prospective trade of the Congo Valley has led
to a general conviction that it should be
open to all nations upon equal terms. An
International Conference for the considera-
ton of this subject was called by the Emper-
or of Germany, and is now in session at Ber-
lin. Delegates are in attendance on behalf
OF the United States. OF the results of the
conference, you will be duly advised.
LEGATION PREMISES IN THE EAST.
The Government of CoYea has generously
ter to secure suitable premises for the of
the legation Assthe 1onditions OF the diplo-
ern nations denlaa.: si,st the legation
premises be ow%"a by the repre-
scented power; l adv..se chat an appropriation
by the Government. The United States al
ready possesses valuable premises at Tan
giers as gift from the sultan of Morocco. As
is stated hereafter, they have lately received
similar gift from the Siamese Governments.
The Government of Japan stands ready to
sell to MS extensive grounds at Toxic where
in to erect a suitable building for the 1ega-
ton, Court house and Jail; and similar priv
Persia. The owning of such premises would
not only affect a large saving of present
rentals, put would permit of the due asser-
ton of extra territorial rights in these coun-
tries, and word the better serve to maintain
the dignity of tne United States.
The failure of Congress to make an appro-
priation for our representative at the Auton-
Omous Court Of the khedive has proved O
serious embarrassment in our intercourse
with Egypt; and in view of the necessary in
timacy of the diplomatic relationship due to
the participation of this Governments as one
of the treaty powers in all matters of admin
istration there affecting the rights of for
and Consul General at Cairo its former
basis. i do not conceive it to be the wish of
Gongress that sile United states should with,
they have hitherto held with respect to the
khedive, or that citizens of this Republic re-
ter be without the aid and protection of a
competent representative.
THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial reIa-
tionship continues. The Bartholdi Statue of
Liberty enlightening the world, the generous
gift of the people of France, is expected to
Congressional action be taken in relation to
the spirit which has prompted this , gut, anu
tai upon which 1t is to be placed.
Our relations with Germany, country
which contributes to our own some of the
best elements of citizenship continues to
tradition treaties with several of the Ger
man States, but by reason OF the con-
federation OF these states under the I'M
periai rule, the application of such trea-
ties is not as uniform and comprehen-
siye rs the interests of the two countries
require. propose, therefore, to open ne
Tradition to embrace all the territory of the
Empire.
ENGLAND.
Itaffords me pleasure to say that our in
tercourse with Great Britain continues to
be of a NEST friendly character.
HAWAII.
The Government of Hawaii has indicated
its Willingness to continue for seven years
treaty. Such continuance, in view of the
relations of that country to the American
system of States, should, in my Judgment, be
favored.
HAYTI.
The revolution in Hayti against the estab
lished Government has terminated. While
it was in progress it became necessary to
enforce our neutrality laws by instituting
sells charged with their infringement. These
prosecutions were in all cases successful.
DUTIES on WORKS OF ART.
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
iaiiy BY the Government of Italy, for the
abolition of our import duties upon works of
art 1t is well to consider whether the pre-
sent discrimination in favor OF the produc-
lions of American artists abroad is not likely
TO result as they themselves seem very gen.
orally to believe It may, in the practical ex-
the rich fields for observation, study and Ia
Dor which they have hitherto enjoyed.
e JAPAN.
There is prospect that the long pending
revision of the foreign treaties of Japan may
be concluded at q new conference TO besheid
ooTIEoo the equal and independents station of
Japaf IN the community of nations, ie Wouid
not oppose the general adoption OF such
terms of compromise rs Japan may De us
5000 IN offer in fJ1rther8nce of q uniform