Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1884-12-04
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Arthur's Last Annual Communi-
cation to Congress.
Ills Recommendation as to Our Foreign
Relations, the National Finances. silver
Coinage, Postal Affairs, Mormon
ism, Polygamy, Etc.


WASlilNOION, Otc. -1iic lOhOWinS ID
President Arthur's last annual message, de-
llvered to Congress just after the opening
this afternoon:
To the Condress OF nc United States: Since
the close of your last session the American
people, i'm the exercise OF their highest right
of suffrage. have chosen the Chief Magis-
trate for the four years ensuing. When 1t Is
remembered that at no period in tho country's
history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day of
the National election been waged with greater
fervcr and intensity, IL is n subject of
congrntulation that after the controversy at
the polls was over, and whilo the slight pre-
ponderance by which the issue had been de-
tcrmlned was as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the people
everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the
result. Nothing could more strikingy illus
tratc the temper OF the American citizen, his
love of order, and his loyalty TO law. Moth
ing could more slgnally demonstrate the
strength and wisdom of our political in
stitutions. Eight years have passed since
n controversy concerning the result OF
National election sharply called the attention
moro precise and definite regulations for
. counting the Electoral vote. It Is of the grav
est importance that this question BIO solved
before conflicting claims to the Presidency
shall again distract the country; and L am
persuaded that by the people ut large any of
would be preferred to continued inaction.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
Our relations III With all w yoiTeign PGwers con-
Vention 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 and
privileges in the acquisition and alienation of
poperty. trade mark treaty has been con-
cuded. The war between Chill and Peru is at
an end. For the arbitration of the claims of
American citizens who, during its contlnu-
ance, suffered through the acts of the Chilian
authorities, n convention Will soon be negotl-
ated.
The state of hostilitles between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feature
of our Eastern relations. The Chinese Gov
ernment has promptly adjusted and paid the
claims of American citizens whose property
was DESTROYED In the recent riots at Canton
nual message that tho Canton indemnity fund
be returned TO China. The true Interpretation
of the recent treaty with that country per-
hitting the restriction of Chinese Immigration
Is likely to be again the subject of your delb-
erations. IL may be seriously questioned
yhetasr tbs ~ tAf Last So session
C,hineso who left this country with return
certificates valid under the old law, and now
seem 10 be debarred from landing from lack
OF certificates required 10y the new.
The recent purchases 10y thcUnited States of
a large trading fleet heretofore under the Chi
nese flag has considerably enhanced our com
mercial importance I'm the East In view of
the large number of vessels built or purchased
by American citizens in other countries and
exclusively employed I'm legitimate traffic be-
tween foreign ports under the recognized pro-
lection of our nag, II might be well TO provide
uniform rate for their registration and doc
umentation, so that the bona fide property
rights OF our citizens therein shall be duly
evidenced and properly guarded. Pursuant
to the advice of the Senate nt the last session
i have recognized the flag of the International
Association OF the Congo ms that of friendly
Government, avoiding in so doing any pre-.
Judgment of conflict
In the territorial claim In that region, subse-
qnently, in the execution of the expressed
wish OF the Congress, appointed CONNER
cia agent for the Congo basin. The impor-
lance of the rich prospective trade of the Con-
go Valley has led TO the general conviction
that it should be open TO all nations upon
equal terms. An international conference for
the consideration of this subject has been
called. for by the Emperor OF Germany, and Is
now in session mt Berlin. Delegates are now
~ attendance on behalf q tbs NntSd &c
duly advised.
The Government of Corea has generously
aided the efforts OF the United States Minister
to secure suitable premises for the use of the
Legation. The conditions of diplomatic inter
course with eastern Nations demand that
the Legation premises Ice owned by the repre-
sented power. | advise that an appropriation
he made for the acquisition of this property
by the Government The United States al
ready possesses valuable premises ut Tangiers
as gilt from the Sultan OF Morocco As Is
stated hereinafter, they have lately received
similar gift from the Siamese Government.
The Government Of Japan stands ready to
cedc TO ms extensive grounds at Toxic where
in to erect n suitable building for the lega-
ton, court house and Jail; and similar priv
ileges can probably be secured In China and
Persia. The owning of such premises would
not effect large saving of the present
sertion of extra territorial rights in tkoes
countries, and would the better serve 70
maintain the dignity of the United States.
AMERICA AND EGYPT.
The failure Of Congress to mako an hpTyro-
priation for our representation 20 the Au'6no-
nous Court of the khedive has proved a seri-
Gus embarrassment in our intercourse with
sty Of tho intimacy Of dpomats re nfHes.
ship due to the participation OF this Gov
q y, .S
of the agency and the Consulate-General at
Cairo on its former basis. do not conceive
II 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 Il competent representative
THE BARTHOLDI STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial relation
ship continues. The Bartholdi statue OF Lib
erty Enlightening the World" the generous
gift of the people of France, is expected to
reach New York i'm May next. l suggest that
Congressional action be taken I'm relation to the
spirit which has prompted this gift, and in aid
OF the timely completion of the pedestal upon
which II is to be placed.
GERMANY AND GREAT BRITAIN.
Our relations with Germany, a country
which contributes TO ourow some of the best
clements of citizenship, continue to be cordial
The United States has oxtradition treaties
with several of the German States but, by
reason of the confederation of those States
under the Imperial rule the application of
such treaties Is not as uniform and compre-
hensive as the interests of the two countries
require.
Negotiations therefore should be opened for
single convention TO embrace all the terri
tory of the Empire.
affords m n RI saw that nur fnfC,.
course with Great Britain continues to be of
amost friendly character.
The Government of Hawaii has indicated its
Willingness TO continue for seven years the
provisions of the existing Reciprocity treaty.
Such continuance I'm view of tho relations of
that country TO the American system of
States, should, In my Judgment, be favored.
The revolution in Hayu against the ostab-
Hshed Government has terminated While Il
was in progress Il became necessary to en-
force our Neutrality laws by instituting pro-
ceedings against individuals and vessels
charged with their infringement These pros
ecutions were in all eases successful,
Much anxiety has lately been displayed by
various European Governments, and especial
ly by the Government of Italy, for the aboli-
ton of our import duties upon works of art.
1t is well to consider whether the present dis
elimination in favor of productions OF Amer
can artists abroad Is not likely to result, as
they themselves seem very generally to boz
lteYe IL may, In the practical exclusion of our
painters and sculptOrs from the rich fields for
observation, study and labor which they have
hitherto enjoyed.
There Is prospect that the long pending re-
vision of the foreign treaties of Japan may be
concluded ut n new conference 20 be held at
Toxic, While tho Government fully recog-
nizes the equal and independent station of
Japan I'm the community OF nations, IL would
not oppose the general adoption of such terms
of compromise as Japan may be disposed TO
offer i'm furthcrance OF uniform policy OF In
tercourse with Western nations.
During the past year the increasing good
nF Mnrfn hna H.a. ly fO1