The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-12-04
ARTHUR'S LAST.
The Presidents Fourth
Annual Message to
Congress.
The Questions Of Finance,
Revenue and Taxation
Discussed.
Our Domestic Affairs and For
eign Relations in a Salts
factory Condition.
Congress Asked to Repeal All
Excise Taxes Except
on Whisky.
The Immediate Suspension of the Coin
age Of Silver Dollars Rec
commended.
The Attention OF Congress Directed to
the Necessity of strengthen
ing the Navy.
The Working Of the Civil Service Law
Congress Asked to Repeal ALI
Excise Taxes Except
on Whisky.
The Immediate Suspension of the Coin
age Of Silver Dollars Rec
commended.
The Attention of Congress Directed to
the Necessity of strengthen
ing the Navy.
The Working Of the Civil Service Law
Has Answe cred the Antioipations
of Its Friends.

To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
Since the close of your last session, the Amer
of suffrage, have chosen the Chief Magistrate
for the four years ensuing When IL is remem-
bered that at no period in the country history
has the long political contest which customarily
precedes the day of the national election been
waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is a
subject OF congratulation that, after the contro-
veTsy of the polls were over, and while the slight
preponderance bv which the Issue had been de-
termned was as yet uuas certained, the pubic
peace suffered no disturbance, but the people
everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the
result. Nothing could more strkingly 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.
THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNT
Eight years have p ssed since a controversy
concerning the result or national election
sharply called the attention of the Congress 70
the necessity OF providing more precise and
definite regulations for counting the electoral
vote. lt Is of the gravest importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims 10
the Presidency shall again distract the country,
and am persuaded that by the people at large
would be preferred TO continued inaction
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers contin-
ne TO be amicable. With Belgium convention
has been signed whereby the scope of present
treaties has been so enla ged as TO secure to cit
zens of either country within the jurisdiction Of
the other equal rights and privileges. In the
acquisition and alienation OF property, a trade
mark treaty has also been concluded
CHILLI AND PERU.
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 CHILEAN authorities, a
convention will soon be NEGOTIATED.
FRANCE AND CHINA.
The state of hOStilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feature
of our Eastern relations. The Chinese Govern
ment has promptly adjusted and paid the
LODI pfNi
destroyed in the recent riots, az Canton. / re-
new the recommendation 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
the
RESTRICTION OF CHINESE IMMIGRATION
is likely to be again the subject of Your deibera-
tons. 1t may be seriously questioned whether
the statute passed at the last session does not
violate the treaty rights OF certain Chinese, who
lett this country with return certificates valid
under the old law, and now seem TO be debarred
from landing from lack of certificates required
by the new. The recent purchases by the United
States of large trading fleet heretofore under
the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our
commercial importance in the East.
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
In view of the large number of
vessels built purchased by American citi-
Zens in other countries and exclusively en-
ployeu in legitimate traffic between foreign
ports under the recognized protection of our
nag, ii might be well to provide uniform rate
for their registration and Recommendation so that
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 In
ternational Association of the Congo as that of
friendly government, avoiding in so doing any
prejudgment Of conflict in the territorial claims
of that region. subsequently, In execution of
the expressed 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-
viction that it should be open to all nations
upon equal terms. The international con-
ference for the consideration of this subject
called by the Emperor of Germany, is now in
session at Berlin, and delegates are now in at
tendance 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 Minis
ter TO secure suitable pre- misses for the use of
the legation. The conditions of diplomatic in
tercourse with Eastern nations demand that
the legation premises be owned bv the
represented power l advise that an
appropriation, be made for the the aCGuIs-
ment The United States already pos
sess valuable premises at Tangiers a gift
from the Sultan of Morocco. As is stated here
after they have lately received similar gift
from the Siamese Government. The Govern
Inent OF japan stand ready 10 cede to us
tensive grounds at Toxic wherein to erect a
suitable building for the legation, court house
and jail. and similar privileges can probably be
secured in China and Persia. The owning of
such premises would not effect large saving OF
the present rentals, but would permit of the
due assertion of ra-teryitorial rights in those
countries, and would the better serve 10
maintain the dignityof the United States.
EGYPT.
The failure of Congress 10 make an appropria-
ton for our representation at the autonomous
court of the Khedive has proved a serious en-
barrassment in our intercourse with Egypt, and
in view of the necessity of the intimacy of ouI
diplomatic relationship due TO the participation
of this GoverRment with the treaty powers In al
matters of administration there affecting the
rights of foreigners. advise the restoration OF
the Agency and Consulate General at Cairo on it'
former basis. 1 do not conceiveit 70 be the wisf
of Congress that the United States should
Withdraw altogether from the honorable posi-
tion they have hitherto held with respect TO 'th'
Khedive, or that citizens OF this republic resid
ing or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter b.
without the aid and protection Of competent
representative.
THE BARTHoIDI STATUE.
with France the traditional cordial relation
. ehip continues The Bertholdi statue o
Liberty Enlightcning the World th
generous gift of the People Of France,
is expected 90 reach New York in Ma
next. / suggest that Congressional ac
tion Inc taken i'm relation 10 the spiri