The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05
TlG MGSSagG.
THE RECENT ELECTION.

| lilIS ltS' ENl El.ENlloNs
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
| STATES: Since the clos of your last ses
| sion. the American poop'e. in the exercise
| of. their highest II rhL of suffrage, have
chosen the Chief Magistrate for the foul
years ensuing. When it is remembered that
at no period in the country's history has the
| long political contest which custOmarily
| Crecc les the day of the national election
been waged with greater felvor and intensi-
~, 1t Is 4 subject OF cOngratulation that, aft.
or the cOntI 1vprsy at the polls was Overland
while the slight prep0nderencc by which
the issue had been determine |, was as yet
unas certaned, the public peace suff ered' no
disturbanc', but the people everywhere pa
ilent.y and q1ie'ly awaited the resul L.
Nothing could more striking,y Illustrate the
temper of the Am r,cln citZ ~. his love OF
order and his loyalty tolaw. Nothing could
more signaIly demonstrate the strength and
wisdom of our political institutions.
TIE PRESIDENTIAL COUNT.
Eight years have passed since contro-
verSy concerning the result of q 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. 1t is of the gravest
Importance that this question b, solved be-
fore conflicting claims to tine Presidency
shall again distract 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 continued inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all f0reipn powers coll
tinue to be amcable. With '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
rights and privileges. In the acquisition
and alienation of property q trademark
treaty has also been concluded.
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 continu-
ance, suffered throug gh the acts of the Chill
IAN authorities, a convention will soon be
negotiated,
FRANCE AND CHINA.
The state of hos lities between France
and China continues TO be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations. The Chi
nesa Government has promptly adjusted
and paid the claims of American citizens
whose prop arty was destroyed in the recent
riots nj Canton. renew the recommends
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-
whether the statute passed at the last ses-
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 q large trading fleet heretofore un-
der the Chinese flag has considerably en-
hanced our commercial Importance in the
East.
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
In view of the large number of vessels
bnilt or purchased by American citizens in
other countries and exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign parts
under the recognized protection of our flag,
it might be well to provide uniform rate
for their registration and Recommendation so
that the bona Gde 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 q friendly government,
avoiding in so doing any prejudgment of
conflict in the territorial claims 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
viction that it should be open to all nations
upon equal terms. The International con-
ference for the consideration of this sub.
ject, called by the Emperor of Germany is
now in session at Berlin, and delegates are
now in attendance OH 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 to secure suitable premises for the use
of the legation. The conditions of diplO-
matte intercourse with EASTERN 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 gift from the
Sultan Of Morocco. AS Is stated hereafter,
hey have lately receiveda q similar gift from
the Siamese Government. The Government
Ct Japan stands ready to cede to us extern
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 ef-
feet large saving of the present rentals,
but would permit of the due assertion OF ex,
tra-territorial rights in those countries, ana
would the better serve to maintain the dig
nifty of the United States.
EGYPT.
The failure of Congress to make an APP
preparation for our representation at the
autonomous court of the Khedive has prov
ed serious embarrassment in our inter-
course with Egypt, and, in view of the
necessity of the intimacy of our diplomatic
relationship due to the participation of this
Government with the treaty powers I'm all
matters of administration there affecting
the riIhts of foreigners, Iadvise the restora.-
tion of the Agency and Consulate General
at Cairo on Its former basis. do not con-
ceive 1t 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
sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be
without the aid and protection of a compe-
tent representative.
THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial rela-
tionship continues. The Bartholdi statue
of Liberty Enlightening the World" the
generous gift of the people of France, Is
expected to reach New York In May next.
1 suggest that Congr, ssonal action be
taken In relation to tue spirit which has
prompted this gift and In aid of the timely