Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-01
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
REFERENCE TO. THE LATE ELECTION.
FOREIGN AND HOME AFFAIRS.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
LegislatiOu i'm Reference to the Eiec-
tOra1 Count Recommendations Re.
latiOns AbrOad-Promotion of Com
inercfai Enterests-Gur Defenses On
Land and Eater-Cheap Postage
Indian Affairs, &C.


Since the close of your last session the American
people, in the exercise OF their highest right OF
suffrage, have chosen their Chief Magistrate for the
four years ensuing.
When 1t is remembered that at no period In the
countTy's history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day OF the na-
tonal election been waged with greater fervor and
intensity, 1t is subject Of general congratulation
that after the controversy at the polls was over
and While the slight preponderance by which the
issue had been determined was as yet unaS-
certained, the public peace suffered no disturbance
put tne people everywhere patiently and quietly
awaited the result.
Nothing could more strfkingly illustrate the tenn
per of the American citizen his love of order ard
his loyalty to law-nothing could more signally
demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our po-
ntical institutions.
IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATION RESPECTING THE ELEc-
ToRAL COUNT.
Eight years have passed since controversy con-
cernlhg the result OF a national election sharply
called the attention OF the Congress to the neces
sty Of providing more precise and definite regua-
tionS for counting the electoral vote.
It is OF the gravest Importance that this question
be solved before conflicting claims TO the Pres-
dency shall again distract the country, and am
persuaded that, by the people at large, any OF the
measures OF RELIEF thus Iar proposed would be pre-
ferred to continued inaction.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Our relations with all foreign powers continue TOT
be amicable.
With Belgium a convention has been signed
whereby the scope Of present treaties has been so
enlarged as to secure to citizens of either country
within the Jurisdiction of the other equal rights
property. TRADEMARKS treaty has also been con-
cluded
the war between Chilli and Peru is at an end.
FOR the arOtratOn OF the claims Of American cfti-
zens who during its continuance suffered through
the acts OF the Chian authorities convention
Will soon be negotiated
CHINA.
The state Of hoStitteS hetveen Eranon ond
China continues to be an embarrassing feature
our Eastern relations The Chinese government
has promptly adjusted and paid the claims
american citizens whose property was destroyed
In the recent riots at Canton. renew the recon-
mendat1on 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 deliberations 1t may be seriously questioned
whether the statute passed at the last session
does not violate the treaty rights OF certain
Chinese who left this country with return certii-
Gates valid under the old law and who now seem
TO be debarred from relanding for lack Of the
uncate required by the new.
The recent purchase by citizens of the United
states OF large trading fleet heretofore under tn
Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our com
mercial Importance in the East. In view Of the
large number OF vessels built or purchased by
American cities in other countries and exclusively
employed in legitimate traffic between foreign
ports under the recognized protection OF flag,
1t might De we'll TO provide uniform rule for their
registration and Recommendation, SO that the bona
fde property rights OF our citizens therein shall be
duly evidenced and properly guarded.
THE CONGO BASIN.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the last
session. recognized the flag Of the International
Association OF the Congo as that OF a friendly gov
ernment, avoiding In so doing any prejudgment Of
conflicting territorial claims in that region Sub
seQuently, 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
that 1t should be open to all nations upon equal
terms At an international conference for the con-
sderatton OF this subject called by the Emperor of
Germany, and now in session at Berlin, delegates
are in attendance on behalf Of the United States.
OF the results Of the conference you will be duly
advised
RECOMMENDATION OF PURCHASE OF LEGATION PREMI-
SES AT CoREA.
The government Of Corea has generously aided
the efforts of the United States minister to secure
suitable premises for the OF the legation. AS
the conditions OF diplomatic intercourse With east
ern nations demand that the legation premises be
owned py the represented power, advise that an
appropriation be made for the acquisition of this
property by the Government The United States
already possess valuable premises at Tanger as a
AFTER they have lately received similar gift from
the S1ameSe Government. The Government of
grounds at Toxic Whereon to erect suitable build
ing for the legation, courthouse and JAIL and sim
lar privileges can probably be secured In China and
Persia The owning OF such premises would not
only effect large saving OF the present rentals but
would permit Of the due assertion of extraterrto-
rial rights in those countries and would the better
serve 20 maintain the dignity OF the United States
ADVISES RESTORATION OF AGENCY AND CONSULATE
GENERAL AT CAIRO.
The failure OF Congress to make appropriation
for our representation at the au tonomus court Of
the KhediVe has proved serious embarrassment in
our intercourse with Egypt; and in view of the
necessary intimacy OF diplomatic relationship due
to the participation Of this government as one OF
the treaty powers in all matters OF administration
I
the restoration OF the agency and consuate-genera
at Cairo on Its former basis do not conceive it
TO De the wish OF Congress that the United States
should withdraw altogether from the honorable
position they have hitherto held with respect to the
or sojourning In Egypt should hereafter be without
the aid and protection OF competent representa-
tive,
FRANCE AND THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
With France, the traditional cordial relationship
continues The colossal statue of Liberty enlight-
enlng the World, the generous gift Of the people Of
France, Is expected to reach New York in May
next 1aan suggest that congresslonai @ action be
prompted this gift, and In aid OF the timely COM
pletion OF the pedestal upon which it is to be
placed.
GERMANY, GREAT BRITAIN, ETC.
Our relations with Germany, country which
contributes to our own some OF the best elements
OF citizenship, continue to be cordial. The United
States have extradion treaties with several of the
German states, but by reason Of the confederation
OF t.ose states under the Imperial rule the appli-
cation of such treaties is not as uniform and COM
prehensive as the interests OF the two countries
qulre. propose, therefore, to open negotiations
for single convention OF extradtiOn to embrace
all the territory Of the Empire.
IL affords me pleasure TO say that our intercourse
with Great Britain continues TO be OF most friendly
character.
The Government of Hawaii has indicated its will
tngneSS TO continue for seven years the provisions
OF the existing reciprocity treaty. Such conttnu-
ance, in view OF the relations Of that country to
the American system OF States, should, in my Judg
ment, be favored
The revolution in Hayu against the established
government has terminated. While it was In
progress it became necessary to enforce our neu-
tra1ty laws by inStttuting proceedings against in
diV1duals and vessels charged with their infringe
menI These prosecutions were In all cases
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by va
f1OuS European governments, and especially by
the government OF Italy for the abolition OF our Inn
port duties upon works OF art IL is wen TO con-
slider whether the present discrimination in favor
OF the productions of American artists abroad Is
generally to believe 1t may, In the practc exclu-
sion of our painters and sculptors from the rich
neidS fOr observation study, and labor which they
have hitherto enjoyed.
There Is prospect that the Impending revision
OF the foreign treaties Of Japan may be concluded
this government fully recognizes the equal and tn
dependent station OF japan in the community OF
nations, ft would not oppose the general adoption
Q! such terms OF compromise as Japan may he
disposed to Offer In furtherance OF uniform
policy OF intercourse with Western nations
RECIPROCITY TREATY WITH MEXICO.
During the past year the increasing goodwin
between our own Government and that OF Mexico
has been variously manifested The treaty OF COIN