Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-12-05

WASIilNGTON, ID. e., Dec. l.-FOllOWlng
is President Arthur's annual message;
To the Congress of the United States -
Since the close of your last session the
American people, IN the exercise of the
highest right of suffrage, have chosen their
Chief Magistrate for the four years ensu
ing. When it is remembered that at no
period in the country's history has the
long political contest which cuStOmarily
precedes the day of the National election
been waged with greater fervor and IN
tensity, it is II subject for general congrat-
ulation that after the controversy at the
polls was over, and while the slight pre-
pOnderance by which the issue had been
determined was as yet unexplained, the
public peace suffered no disturbance, but
the people everywhere patiently and quiet
ly awaited the result. Nothing could more
strikingly illustrate the temper of the
American-hiS love of order and his loyal
ity to law. Nothing could more signally
demonstrate the strength and wisdom of
orr political institutions.
The Electoral Count.
Eight years have passed since the con
troverSy concerning the result of the Ma
tional election sharply called the atten-
ton of Congress to the necessity of pro-
viding more definite regulations for count
ing the electoral vote. 1t is of the great
est Importance that this question he set
tied before conflicting claims to the Presi-
dency shall again distract the country
and am persuaded that 10y the people at
large any of the measures for relief thus
far proposed would he preferred to con
tinued inactiOn.
Relations with Foreign Powers.
Our relations with all foreign powers
continue amicable. With Belgium, a
convention has been signed whereby the
scope of the present treaties has been 50 en-
larged as to secure to the citizens of eth
err country within the jurisdiction of the
pt her puI1ll RIGHTS and nri VilnOnS n IA
acquisition and alienation of property, and
trade marks treaty has also been con
cluded. The war between Chilli 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 authoritits Il cOnvcutiOn Will
soon he negotiated. The state of hOStiliticS
between France and China continues to he
an embarrassing feature of our eastern re
latious The Chinese government has
promptly adjusted and paid the claims of
American citizens whose property was de
strOycd in the recent riots at Canton. ] re
new the recommendation of my last annu-
al message that the Canton indemnity
fund be returned To China The
true Interpretation of the recent trca-
~ with that country permitting the
restriction of Chinese immigration is
likely to he again the subject of your de
alterations. 1t may be seriously question
ed whether the statute passed at the last
of certain Chinese, who left this country
with return certificates valid under the
old law and who now seem to be debar-
red from landing from lack of the certii-
Gates required by the new.
Recent purchases by the United States of
the large trading fleet heretofore under the
Chinese flag, has considerably enhanced
our commercial Importance in the East.
In view of the large number of vessels
built or purchased by American citizens
nt nj nN rel iNs.lN am,
plOyed in legitimate traffic between for
eign ports, under the recognized protection
of our flag. it might be well to provide Il
uniform rule for their registration, so that
the bonaiide property rights of our citi-
zens therein shall be duly evidenced and
properly guarded.
Pursuant To the advice of the Senate at
the last session, | recognized the flag of
the International Association of the Congo
basin as that of il friendly government,
avoiding in so doing any pre- judgment of
conflicting territorial claims in that region.
Subsequently in the execution of the eX-
pressed wish of Congress, ! appointed Il
commercial agent for the Congo basin The
Importance of the rich prospective trade
of the Congo valley has led to the general
conviction that it should he open to all ma
tons upon equal terms. An international
conference for the consideration of this
subject called by the Emperor of Germany
is now in session at Berlin Delegates are
States OF the results of the conference
you will be duly advised.
The government Of Corea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States
minister in procuring suitable premises
for the use of the legation As the condi-
tons of diplomatic intercourse with east
ern nations demand that the legation
premises he owned by 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
Tangier as IA gift from the sultan. As is
stated hereafter, they have lately received
similar Gift from the SiaineSe govern
meut. The government Of .Iapan stands
ready to present to us extensive grounds
at Toxic, wherein to erect n suitable
building for the legation. superior priv
ilegcs can probably he secured in per,ia.
The owning of such premises would moi
only effect a large saving of present rent
ais, but would permit Of the due assertion