St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-02
THE PRESIDENTS TALK.
He Delivers His Annual Fulmina-
ton to Congress and the Peo-
pie of the United States.
The Country Congratulated on the
Peaceable Result of the
Close Election.
A General Review Of National Affairs, With
Various Recommendations Which
Will Never be Heard Of Again.

United States: Since the close of your last ses-
sion the American people, in that 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
country's history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day OF the nA-
tional election been waged with greater fervor
and intensity, IL is subject OF congratulAton
that after the controversy at the polls over and
while the slight preponderance by which the Issue
had been deter mined, was as yet unascertsined,
the publicl peace suffered DO disturbance, bat
the people everywhere patiently and quietly
awaited the result Nothing could more strik
ingly illustrate the temper of the American citi
zen. his love Of order and his loyalty to law
Nothing could more signaily demonstrate the
strength and wisdom of our political institutions.
Eight years have passed since a controversy
concerning the result Of a national election
sharply called the attention Of con
gress TO the necessity of providing
more precise and definite regula
tions for uniting the electoral vote
1t is Of the greatest i'm portance that this ques-
ton be solved before conflicting claims TO the
presidency shall again distract the country. And
am persuaded that by the people at large any
of the measures OF relief thus far proposed
would be preferred TO continued inaction.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue to be amicabe. With Belgium a conven-
ton has been signed whereby tn scope of the
present treaties has been SO enlarged as TO Sc
to citizens of either country within the jurs
diction Of the other equal rights and privileges.
In the acquisition and alienation of property
trade mark treaty has also been Concluded. The
war hetw, en- Chill and Peru is at an end. For
the arbitration of the CLAIMS of American citi-
zens, who during its continuance suffered
through the acts OF the CHILEAN authorities, p
convention will soon be negotiated The state
of hostilities between France and China
continues TO be an embarrassing feature Of our
eastern relations. The Chinese government has
promptly adjusted and paid the claims OF Amer
icau citizens whose property was destroyed in
the recent riots at Canton. | renew the recon-
mendation 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 immig ration, is likely to be again
the subject OF your deliOerativns. Ii may DC
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 certificates, valid under the old law,
and now seem TO De debarred from landing from
lack OF certificates, required by the new law. The
recent purchases by the United States of large
trading fleet, heretofore under the Chinese flag,
has considerably enhanced com
mercial importance in the east.
In view of the large number of
vessels built purchased by American citizens
in other count les, and exclusively employed in
legitimate traffic between foreign ports. under
the recognized protection of our flag { might be
well TO provide Uniform rate for their registra-
ton and Recommendation, so that the Ooua hde
property rights OF our citizens therein shall be
duly evidenced and properly qua rded.
THE CONGO COUNTRY.
Pursuant to the advice OF the senate at the
last session, recognized the flag of the Interna-
tional association OF the Congo as that OF
friendly government, avoiding in so do
ing any prejudgment of conflict
In territorial claims IN That region. Subsequently
in the execution OF the expressed wish of
congress-, 1 appointed 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
10 all nations upon equal terms. An international
conference Tor The consideration OF this subject
called by the emperor of Germany, and Is
now in ses-i, n 4t Berlin. Delegates are in at
tendance on enaf Of the United states. OF the
results of the conference you will be duly ad
vised.
LEGATION PRsMIsEs.
The government of Corea has generously
aided h. efforts of the United tates minister
secure suitable premises for the use OF the lega-
ton. The litigation q, to the conditions OF dip
lomatic intercourse with eastern nations demand
that the legation premises be owned by the rep
resented power. advise thatan appropriation be
made for the requisiton OF this property by the
government. The United States already pos
sesses valuable premises at Tangiers as gift
from the sultan OF Morocco, as is stated here
after. They have lately received a similar gift
from the Siamese government. The gov
eminent of Japan stands ready TO
present to us extentve grounds at Toxic wherein
to erect suitable building for the legation,
court house and jail and IN lar privileges can
probably be secured in China and Persia. The
owning Of sucn premises would not only effect
large saving Of the present rentals, but would
permit of the due assertion of extra territorial
rights in these countries and would the bette
serve to maintain the dignity of the United
States.
The failure OF congress to make an appropria-
tion for our representation al the 0ttomans
court of the khediye has proved a serious en-
barrassment in our Intercourse with Egypt and
in view of the necessary intimacy OF diplomatic
relationship due to the participation OF this gov
ernment, as one Of the treaty powers on all mat
tiers of administration where affecting the rights
of foreigners, l advise the restoration Of the
agency and consulate general az Cairo on il
former basis. do not conceive IL to be the
wish of congress that the United States should
withdraw altogether from the honorable position
they have hitherto held with respect 10 the
khedive,or that citizens of this RepuD bic residing
or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be with
out the aid and protection of a competent repre-,
sentative.
With France, the traditional cordial relation
ship continues. The Bartholdi statue OF liberty
enlightening the world, the generous gift of the
people OF France, is expec ted to reach New York
In May next. / suggest that congressional action
be taken in relation to the spirit
which has prompted this gift, and in aid OF the
timely completion Of the pedestal on which it is
to be placed.
Our relations with Germany, o country which
contributes TO ours some of the best elements of
citizenship continue to be cordial. The United
States have extradition treaties with some of the
German states, but by reason of the confedera-
ton of those states under the imperial rule the
application of such treaties is not as
uniform and comprehensive as the interests
Of the two countries require. l propose
therefore, to open negotiations for convention
of extradition to embrace all the territory of
the empire.
1t affords me pleasure to say that our inter
course with Great Britain continues to be of a
most friendly character.
The government of Hawaii has indicated its
willingness to continue for seven years, the pro-
visions of the existing reciprocity treaty. Such
continuance, in view of the relations OF that
country 10 the American system Of states should,
in my Judgment be favored,
The revolution in Hayti against the estab-
lshed government has terminated While 1t was
In progress II became necessary to enforce our
neutrality laws, by instituting proceedin s
against individuals and vessels charged with
their infringement. These revolutions were in
ali cases successful Much anxiety has lately
been displayed by various European governments
and especially by the government of Italy, for
the abolition Of our import duties upon
works of art. 1t is well 10 consider whether
the discrimination in favor OF American
artists abroad is not likely to result
as they themselves seem very generally to.be-
leve it may, in the practical exclusion OF our
painters and sculptors from the rich field for OBJ
servation, study and labor which they have hith-
erto enjoyed.