Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-12-11
ARTHUR'S FAREWELL.
Suggestions Regarding Neutrality
laws---Coast Defenses, Navy.
Postage, Presumption Laws.
Polygamy, Our Foreign
Irade,Etc., Etc.
A Synopsis of the Message.

A synopsis ofthe Message.
President Arthur's last message was sent
10 Congress on the LIST inst The message
opens as follows:
Since the close of your last session the
American people In the exercise OF the high
est right OF suffrage have chosen their chief
magistrate for the four years ensuing. When
1t is remembered that at no period In the
country's history has the long political con-
test which customarily precedes the day of
the national election been waged with greater
fervor and intensity, It is a subject OF con-
graduation that after tie controversy at the
polls was over, and while the slight prepon-
derance by which the issue had been deter
mlnedwas as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no distur bance, but the people
everywhere patiently and quitely awaited the
result. Nothing could more strikingly illus
trate the temper of the American citizen, his
love OF order aud his loyalty TO the law. Moth
Ing could more signally demonstrate the
strength and wisdom OF our political institu-
tons.
He then calls attention to the urgent need
for the enactment of some legislation provid-
ing for more precise and definite regulation for
counting the electoral vote before another
presidential election shall occur to distract the
country.
Our foreign relations were next touched up
on. With Belgium convention has been signed
securing to citizens of either country within
the Jurisdiction Of the other, equal rights and
privileges In the acquisition and alienation of
property.
A convention is being negotiated for the ar
bitration OF the claims Of citizens of the United
States who suffered loss in the war between
Chill and Peru.
The unpleasantness between France and
China is alluded To, and the statement made
that the claims of all American citizens who
suffered losss in the recent Can
ton riots had been promptly paid.
He also recommends that the Canton
Ind ttpf t,nA ha 10 Lao
refers to the treaty with China permitting the
restriction of Chinese immigration, and the
possibility that trouble may arise regarding
Chinese who left this country with return GER
tidcates granted under the Ga law, but were
debarred from landing by the provisions OF the
new law.
In view of the fact that our commercial i'm
portance in the east has been greatly enhanced
he recommends that uniform rate be proYid-
ed for the registration and Recommendation Of
our vessels In eastern waters.
The fiagof the international association of
the Congo has been recognized as that of a
friendly government, bet the United states is
non-commlttal as Jo the question OF territorial
claims In That country.
Recommendation is made that the United
States purchase suitable premises for the use
of its legislation at various foreign courts, thus
etfecting saving OF rental, and the better
maintain the dignity Of the United States.
The President advises the restoration of the
agency and consulate general at Cairo, on
its former bass, as a means of better promoting
ourintercourse with Egypt. 1t is not the wish
Of this government TO withdraw from the
honorable position they have hitherto held
with respect to the Khedive or that citizens of
this republic sojourning In Egypt be without
the aid and protection OF competen: represen-
tatives,
Our relations with France continue cordial.
He recommends that congressional action .be
taken in relation to the Barthodi statue, ard
timely aid be rendered for the completion Of the
pedestal.
Our relations with Germany are cordial
Our extradition treaties with Germany are not
as effective as they should be because OF the
confederation Of the German states. The
President recommends a single convention OF
extradition to embrace the entire empire.
Our relations in the Great Britain are Of the
mcst friendly character.
The provisions OF the existing reciprocity
treaty with Hawaii will be continued seven
years. During the recent revolution in
Hawaii against the established government it
became necessary to enforce our neutrality
laws by procee dings which were in every case
satisfactory.
Good will exists between our own gov
eminent, and that of Mexico. Some en-
barrassment exists because OF the failure
of congress at the last session to pro-
vide means for the re survey
of the Mexican boundary and the location of
boundary monuments. He recommends that
the conf ercial reciprocity treaty concluded
January 20, 1888, which awaits the necessary
tariff legislation of congress to become effect
i've, be one OF the first measures TO be consid-
cred at the present session.
The Nicaraguan treaty recently concluded,
which authorizes the constr action OF a canal
and railway by the San Juan and Lake MIC
Araguan route, the President believes, will
command universal approval at home and
abroad. To the United States the CONNIE 'cial
and political advantages of the treaty cannot |
be over-estimated. The approval of the new
Spanish commercial treaty, which viii soon
be submitted to the Sc nate, is urged. The
question of international copyright is brought
10 the attention of congress.
recommendation il made that the scope Of
the neutrality laws OF the United States be so
enlarged as to cover all acts OF
tory against the peace OF a friendly nation. He |
sees no reason why overt preparations in |
this country for the commission OF criminal |
acts, such rs are here under consideration, |
should OF be alike punishable, whether such |
acts are intended to be committed IN our own
country OF In foreign country with which we
are at peace. The prompt and thorough treat
ment of this question is one which intimately
concerns the national honor.
Our naturalization laws need revision. The
existing laws have only an historical interest,
and are entirely inadequate to the needs Of
the present. A uniform rule OF naturalization
should be adopted. A just and uniform law
in this respect would strengthen the hands OF
abroad and would pave the way for the con.
,clusion OF treaties of naturalization with for
.eign countries.
The diplomatic and consular service are dis
Cussed and their reorganization recommended.
The condition OF our finances and the oper-
atoms of the various branches Of the treasury
department are referred to at length. He con-
ours with the secretary of the treasury In rec
ommending the suspension OF the coinage OF
silver dollars. He thinks the fGct that out OF
1S5,000,t 90 coined in the past six years, but
10000 900 have been circulated sufficient rea-
son why coinage should be suspended.
He renews bis recommendation OF last year
that all excise taxes except those relating to
distilled spirits be abolished. Even II they are
abolished the revenue still remaining will be
sufficient not only to meet all necessary ex-
penses, but also leave large surplus.
Fully recognizing the difficulties Of appoint
ing commission to look after our foreign trade
thePresident believes this to be the only effect
i've way Of meeting this grave question. He
agrees with the secretary Of the treasury
favoring liberal subsidies to mail transporta-
tion as means to stimulate the investment
Of American capital in American steamships,
and expresses the opinion that unless some
such action be taken our foreign carrying
trade must continue TO remain almost exclu-
sively In the hands Of Foreigners.
OF the national bank circulation he says
"The three per cent bonds OF the government to
the amount of more than s100, 000, 600 have since
my last annual message been redeemed by
the treasury. The bonds OF that issue out
standing amount to a little over 1900, 900 coo,
about one-fourth of which viii be retired
through the operations of the sinking fund
during the coming year, as these bonds still
continue the chief basis for the circulation OF
the national banks. hope that the bill which
passed the Senate at the last session, permit
fff.orf ha toon of