davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
ui11 snon ha resfnrfa fo its former vnl.

win soon be restored to its former vol
ume by the natural increase of sealed
correspondence. [ confidently repeat,
therefore, the recommendation of my
| last annual message. that single rate
postage upon drop letters be reduced to
cent wherever payment of , cents IS
now required by law. The double rate
is only exacted at ofiic es. Eheresthe car
rier system is in operation. and 1t APP
pears that at these offices the increase
in the tax upon local letters defray the
cost not only of their own collection
and delivery, but of the collection and
delivery of all other mail matter. This
is an inequality that ought no longer
! to exist.
l approve the recommendation of
i the Postmaster General. that the unit
/ of weight in the railing Of first class
/ matter should be one ounce instead of
! one-hat ounce. as I now Is. In view
! of the statistics furnished by the de-
! Partment. 1t may We'll be doubted
/ whether the change would result IL any
! loss Of revenue: tsat il would greatly
promote the convenience or the public
1 is beyond dispute. 1ne free delivery
system has been lately applied TO five
/ cities. and the total number of Offices
I in which il IS now in operation Is l39.
/ Experience shows that its adoption,
! under proper conditions. IS equally an
accommodation 70 the public, and an
/ advantage 20 the postal service. 1t Is
more than self-sustaining. and for the
reasons urged b. the Postmaster Gen
eral. NAV properly be extended. 1t IS
the opinion OF that officer, that 1t IS
proper 10 provide means whereby eX-
ceptional dispatch III dealing with let
tiers in free-del.yery offices may be Sc
cured by the payment Of extraordinary
I postage. This scheme might be made
effective b. the employment Of spec
ial stamp whose cost should be commen-
surate with the expense OF the extra
service. I'm some OF the large cities
private express companies have UNDER
taken to ontStT p the Government mail
carriers by aiiordiug fer the prompt
transmission o. letters better facilities
than have hitherto been at the COM
mand OF the postoftice. It has always
been the policy Of the Government 10
discourage such enterprises and IN no
better way can That policy be maintain
ed than in supplying the public with
the most efficient mail service that,
with due regard TO its own best inter
ests. can be furnished for its accommo-
I datlOn
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
Total ordlnaryrev>naes. ss4s SIG, $50
THE PrBLre FpESDITUREs

during the same period We're:
For civil expenses. q Sl2 o07 II
Fen foreign intercourse 251 III. 81
For Indians. .. 49, e99 %
For pensions ,..... * 429 22s 81
For the military establish
ment, including river and
harbor Improvements and
arsenals. ........-.--.,.....-. ~ ~ Us %
For die naval establishment,
Including vessels, machin-
cry and Improvements at
navy yards. II 2a2 6Ol. II
[ For miscellaneous expendi-
lures, Including public
buildings, lighthouses and
collecting the revenue. - ES, 7l0.0o
! For expenditures on account
| of the District of Columbia. 407, 049. 81
Far interest on the pubic debt "a SIS. SIS. Is
| For the sinking fund ......, IS 80 PIG 30
4 Total ordinary expenditures. 2g0,sl6 453 .
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.

The question of securing to authors, Com
this country. inTeiurn for reciprocal rights
abroad, is one that may Justly challenge
your attention. II is true that conventions
will be necessary for fully accomplishing
this result. But until Congress shall by
statute fix the extent to which foreign hold
ers of copyright shall be here privileged, it
has been deemed inadvisable 10 negotiate
such conventions. For this reason the Unit
ed States were not represented at the re-
cent conference at BeTne
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
OECLUST0N.

AS the tlme draws nigh when l am
to retire from the public service. / can
not refrain from expressing to the
members of the National Legislature
with whom l have been brought into
personal and official intercourse. my
sincere appreciation of their uhlailing
courtesy, and OF their harmonious CO.
operation with the Executive in so
many measures calculated to promote
the interests of the nation, and to my
fellow citizens generally | acknowl-
edge deep sense of obligation for the
support Which they have accorded me
IN my administration of the Govern
ment. tSigned)
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
" WASHINGTON. Dec. !, 1884.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

Pursuant to tho advice of the Senate at
the last session | have recognized the flag
of the International Association of the
Congo as that OF u 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
commercial agent for the Congo basin. The
giction that it should be open to all nations
upon equal terms. The International con-
ference for the consideration of this sub
feet, called blythe Emperor of Germany, is
now in session at u erlin, and delegates are
now in attendance on behalf OF the United
States. OF the results of the conferences
Won viii be dnlY advised
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

AS compared with the proceeding fiscal
wear there was net decrease OF over SCI,
900 coo in the amount of expenditures The
aggregate receipts were less than those Of
the wear previous By about Sj4. 600, 600. The
falling off of revenue from customs IN tde
10 nearly so, 900, 600 of this deficiency, and
about 81, 600, 900 of the remainder was due
alton. The Secretary estimates the re-
ceipts for the fiscal year, which Will end
June 60, fss5 at S330, 000.0o0 and the total
expenditures at $3.50, 70, 20l.16, in which
are included the interest on the debt and
the amount PAYABLE to the sinking fund.
This would leave a surplus for the entire
wear Of about S39, 600 600.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

appointed by authority of the act Of JulyZ
1884. will soon proceed to Mexico. 1t has
been fIirniahed with Instructions which will
be laid before you, They contain a state
ment of the generh policy of the Govern
ment for enlarging its oG4AIpeTciai inter
course with American States. Ihe Com
nlissioneTS have been actively preparing tor
iheir responsible task by holding confer
enc s is the principal cities with merchants
and others Interested in Central and South
Amer can trade.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

The course Of this Government in raising
its representation at B ing -K0k to the dip
lomatic rank has evoked from Siam evil
dences Of warm friendship, and augurs well
for our enlarged Intercourse the Siamese
Government has presented TO the nited
States a commodious mansion and grounds
for the OCCUPANCY Of the legislation, and l
suggest that BY JOINT resolution Congress
attest its appreciation Of this generous gift
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

During the same period the imports were
as follows: Merchandise, 1901 ,G87 SOB; gold
and silver, s37, ~ l,25@; total, sos, l23. 955.
More than CO per cent of the entire value
OF imported merchandise consisted of the
following articles: Sugar AMI mOlasseS,
sos, 81, 374: wool and wooden manufac-
lures, $50, "a 29}. silk and its manufac-
lures, $40, 949, lbs; c0ffea, $40, 6S6 705; iron
and steel and manufactures thereof, SAL,
ga, 500; chemicals, SIS, 40, 965; flax. hemp,
3qte aud like substances and manLf lctures
thereof, SIS, 463. $685. cotton and manutac-
lures, $50, 454, 40; hides and skins other
than fur skins, 81, So, 90e.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

1T IS by no means desirable, however
that lhe policy under consideration
should be applied 10 those countris 5
alone The heaIthfui enlargement
Of our trade with Europe. Asia and
Africa Should he sought by reducing
tariff burdens On sucn of their wares
as neither we nor the other American
States are fitted 10 produce, and thus
enabling ourselves 70 obtain III return
a better market for our supplies of
food. OF raw materials and of the man.
u1actures IN Which We excel.
1t seems to me that nanv of the en-
barraSslng elements in the great ma
tional conflict between protection and
free trade MAJ thus be turned 10 good
account, that the revenue may be re-
duced so as no longer TO nyertax the
people, that protective duties may be
retained without becoming burden
some, that our shipping interests may
be judiciously weighed, the currency
fixed on firm basis, and above all such
annuity OF int rests established among
the states of the American system, as
Will be of great and Of eyer-lncreaslng
advantage TO them all All treaties in
the line OF this policy which have been
negotiated. or in process OF negotia-
ton. contain provision deemed to be
requisite under the clause of the Con-
stiJution limiting TO the House of Rep
resentatives the authority to originate
bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL SERVICE.
On the 10Th of February last. l
transmitted 10 the Congress The nrst
annual report of the Civil-servlce
Commission. together with eommunl-
cat ons from the heads of several eX-
ecutive departm Ills Of the Govern
ment. respecting the practical work
ings of the law under which the
commission had been acting. The
good results therein IOreshadOWed have
beenmore than realized. Ihe system
has fully answered tie antclpauons OF
its friends i'll securing competent ana
faithful public servants, and Ill pro-
tecting the appointing officers of the
Government from the pressure OF per-
sOngl importantly. and from the labor
of examining the claims and preten-
tons of rival candidates for public
employment. The law has the unqual-
fed support of the President and OF
/ the heads of the several departments
and the members of the Commission
have performed their duties with zeal
and fidelity. Their report VIII shortly
: be submitted. and will be accompanied
bv such recommendations for enlarS-
/ ing the scope of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves to the Elk,
/ ecutive ami the Commissioners charged
with its administration.
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view Of the general and persistent
demand throu ghout the commercial
I community for a national bankrupt
! law, hope that the differences OF sen
( timent which have hitherto prevented
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
COLLISIONS Al 81 A

The Government has received official no
tice that the revised international regutas
tons for preventing collisions at sea have
been adopted by all the leading maritime
powers except the United States, and came
into force on the LIST of September last. For
the due protection of our shipping int r
ests, the provisions of our statutes should
at once DE brought into conformity with
These rppsIfafiOuS
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
a PES sion 10 GENERAL GRANT,

[ recommend that iii RECOGNITION OF
The eminent 5 rViceS of Ulysses 5,
Grant. late General of the armies OF
the United States, aud twice President
Of the nation, Congress con.er upon
uim 4 suitable pension.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
MTsCELLANEOCs SUGGESTIONS.

Certain OF the measures that seem tC
me necessary and eXpedient ! have
now. IN obedience to the Constitution.
recommended for your adoption. As
respects others of 10 less Importance
I shall content myself with renewing
the recommendations already made tC
the Congress without restating the
grounds upon which such It common
dations We're based. The preservation
of forests on the public domain. the
granting OF Government aid for popu-
lar EDUCATION. the amendment Of the
Federal Constitution 50 as TO make
effective the disapproyal, by tie Pre5i-
dent. OF particular IDEAS III appropria-
tion bills; the enactment of statutes in
regard TO the filling OF vacancies i'll
Presidential office, and the determine
ton of yeXsd questions respecting
Presidential inability, are measures
which may justly receive your serious
considerations.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

It Is believed that when the treaty Is laid
before YOU, the justice aud Hberaliiy OF its
provisions will command universal approval
at home and abroad.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
mn DONfvIcAN HEPT-BLIc.
RELATIONS wITu THE PORTE.

Certain questions between the United
States and the Ottoman Empire still re-
main unsOlyed. Complaints IN behalf Of
our citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted.
The Porte has sought to withhold from our
commerce the right of favored treatment
10 Wiiici. we arc-elftitted by existing con-
ventional stipulation, and the revision of
the tariffs is accomplished.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

To TIE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
STATES: Since the close Of yOur last ses-
sion. the American people, in the exercise
of their highest right Of suffrage. have
chosen the Chief Magistrate for the four
years ensuing. When it Is remembered that
Mt no period in the countrv's history has the
precedes the day Of the national election
been waged with greater fervor and intensi-
ty, it is a subject Of congratulation that, aft
er the controversy NJ the polls waS oyef, and
while tie slight prepOnderence by when
unasceriained. the public peace suffered nc
disturbance, but the people everywhere pa
fiently and quietly awaited the result
Nothing could more strikingly illustrate tht
temper of the American citizen, bis love o.
order and his loyalty tOlaw. Nothing couiC
more signally demonstrate the Strength ant
wisdom Of our political Institutions.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
FOREIGN LEGATION SITES,

The failure of Congress to make an APP
preparation for our representation at the
autonomous court of the Khedive has prov
ed q 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 WIN the treaty powers IN all
the rights of foreigners, ti,dvise the restora-
tion Of the Agency and Consulate General
at Cairo on its former basis. do not con-
ceive il 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 Khediye,
or that citizens of this republic residing or
sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be
without the aid and protection of a compe-
font rRnrnsrnfAfiN
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

tions with Venezuela has not as vet been
reached, bIt ! have good reason to expect
an early settlement which viii provide the
means Of re-eXamhHiHg the Caracas awards
i'm conformity with the expressed desire Of
Congress and which will recognize the jus
tice of certain claims preferred against
Venezuela.
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICAS CoM-
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

The death of asr representatives, at Rus
sia, while at his post at 81. Petersburg. al
forded 70 The Imperial Government re-
newed opportunity TO TESTIFY its sympathy
in manner betting the intimate frien HI
ness which has ever marked the intercourse
Of the two countries.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
THE ARCTIc EXPEpITIoNs.

The act Of Congress approved Au-
gust I. 1852, authorized the removal to
the United States of the bodies of
Lieutenant Commander George W.
De Long and his companions of the
Jeanette expedition. This removal
has been successfully accomplished by
Lieutenants HARDER and Schuetze.
The remains were taken from their
grave in the Lena Delta in March. 1888.
and were retained at Yakutsh until the
following winter. the season being too
far advanced TO admit of their immedi-
ate transportation. They arrived at
New York, February 20, 1884. where
they were received with suitable hon
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

Eight years have passed since contro-
yersy concerning the result Of national
election sharply called the attention OF the
precise and definite regIJiaiO1ls Tor count
Ing tile electoral vote. Il Is Of the gravest
Importance that ills question b. solved be
fore conflicting claims to the Presidency
shall again distract the country, ana / am
persuaded that by the people at large any
Of the measures Of relief thus far proposed
would be preferred 10 continued inaction.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
rrANcn 80 cnIN

In view of the large number of vessels
built or purchased by American citizens in
other countries and exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign parts
under the recognized protection of our flag
1t might be well to provide uniform rate
for their registration and Recommendation so
that the bona fdc property rights of our
citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and
properly guarded.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

This government has more tnan once
been called up)n Of late 70 take act on In
fulfllment OF is International Obligation
toward Spain. Agitation ia the Island Of
CUBA, hostile to the Spa tlsh crown having
teen f,r.neat4.l bg persons abusing the sa-
cred rites Of hospitality which our rltory
affords, the oiiiceEs Of the Government have
been instructed to exercise Wig lance 70
nrevent infractious Of our neutrality laws
N Key West and at other POINTS near Inc
Cuban coast. am happy - say that, in
the only instance where these precautloll-
airy measures were successfully GUIDED the
offenders when found in our territory were
subsequently tried and convicted.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
Totalexports of merchandise

The cotton and the cotton manufactures
included in this statement were valued at
sos. 800 Ais. the br adStuffs at sl53, III II,
the provisions at STA, 416, 547, and the min
eTal oils at S47 Jos, 24s,
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

Our relations with Germany a country
which contributes 10 our own some OF the
cordial. The United States have eXtradi-
ton treaties with several of the German
states, but by reason of the confederation
of these states under the imperial rule the
application of such treaties IS not as uni
form and comprehensive rs the interests OF
the two countries require. Therefore. ne
gotiations should be opened for single
convention 10 embrace alt the territory of
the empire
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10


During the past year the increasing good
that OF Mexico has been varously mani
tested The treaty of commercial reeiproc.
lty, concluded January 20, 1855, has beer
ratified, and awaits the necessary tariff leg.
islation OF Congress to become effective,
This legislation will, doubt not. be among
the nrSt measures to claim your attention
A full treaty of commerce navigation ana
consular rights is much to be desired. and
such treaty, / hare reason to believe, the
Mexican Government stands ready to con
clllde. Some embarrassment has been OF.
casioned by the failure of Congress, at Its
last SESSION. to provide means for the due
executionof the treaty of July %. 1852, for the
resnryey of the Mexican boundary and the
relocation of boundary monuments.
THE IsTHMus CANAL.
With the republic OF Nlcarsugua treaty
has been concluded which authorizes the
construction by the United States of a ca
nal, railway and telegraph line across the
Nicarauguan territory. BY tina terms OF
this treaty, sixty miles of the River San
Juan as well as Lake Nicaragua, an Ifsy
land sea forty miles in width, are to con-
stitut6 part of the projected enterprise.
This covers, for actual canal construction,
seventeen miles on the Pacific 6ido and
thirfy-six miles ON the Atlantic. 10 the
United StateGs whose rich territory on tne
Pacific Is, for the ordinary purposes OF couay
1nerc2, practically cut on from c0mmunl-
cation 81 water With the Atlantic ports
the political and commercial advantages of
SUCH ; project can scarcely be ogere1fk
/1@%&+-r
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
THE BARTuOLDI STATUE.

With France the traditional cordial rela-
tionship continues. The Bartholdi statue
of Liberty Enlightening the World" the
expected to reach New York in May next.
/ suggest that Congressional action be
taken in relation to the spirit which has
prompted this gift, and i'm aid of the timely
completion of the pedestal upon which it
is To be nlaced.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
NEUTRALITY LAWS.

Our existing naturalization laws also need
revision. Those sections relating TO per-
sons residing within the limits of the Unit
ed States within 1875 and 179S have now on
ly a historical interest. Section , liz. rec
ognzing the citizenship OF the children of
naturalized parents Is ambiguous in its
terms and partly obsolete. There are spec
ial provisions of law favoring the naturali-
cation OF those who serve in the army or in
merchant vessels, while no similar priv
leyes are granted those who serve in the
navy or marine corps. An uniform rule of
naturalization such as the Constitution con-
templates should, among other things,
clearly define the statue of persons born
within the United States, subject to for
eign power (See. l9s1l, and of minor chill
dren of fathers who have declared their in
tentlon of becoming citizens, but have fall
ed TO perfect their naturalization. 1t might
be wise 20 provide for central bureau of
registry, wherein should be filed authegri-
Gated transcripts OF every record of natural
lzafion IN the several Federal and State
courts, and to make provision also for tbs
vacation or cancellation of such record in
cases where fraud had been practieed upon
the court by the applicant himself, or where
he had removed or forfeited his acquired
cltizenship. "A just and uniform law in
TINS respect would strengthen the hands of
the Government In protecting its citizens
abroad. and would pave tile way for the
conclusion OF treaties of naturalization with
foreign countries.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE
The legislation of the last session effected
IN the diplomatic and consular service GER
tain changes and reductions which have
been productive of embarrassment. The
population and commercial activity Of our
country are steadily on the Increase, and
are giving rise to new. varying and often
delicate relationships with other countries
Our foreign establishment now Embraces
nearly double the area of operations that it
did twenty years ago. The confinement of
such service within the limits of expendi-
ture then established is not, it seems to me,
IN accordance with true economy. A com
lnunlty Of sixty millions of people should
be adequately represented In its intercourse
with foreign nations. "A project for the re-
organization OF consular service and for re-
casting the scheme OF exira-territ0rial juris-
dicti0n is now before yon. If the limits OF
a short session will not allow its full con-
sidcratioi, trust YOU will not fall 20 make
suitable PROVISION for present needs OF the
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
51.6B $500

8 407.049.62
d 3ls.S
~ ~ ~ %
2D.9I6 4s3 -
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

from the United States To foreign countries
during the year ending June 80, 1884, was as
follows:
Domestic merchandis SPA p64 SD
Foreign merchandise. ........... II, SIS 757
Total merchandise. ......... $40. 513, COO
Specie %, l33 $50
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

Our relations with al FOREIGN powers con-
tinue to be amicable. With = lgium con
vention has been signed whereby the scope
Of the present treaties has been 50 enlarged
as 70 secure 20 citizens Of either country
within the jurisdiction OF the other equal
rights and privileges. In the acquisition
and alienation Of property, Trademarks
ireafV has also hepn G ncIudeh.
The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-10

The war between Chill aud Peru is at an
end. For the arbitration Of the claims Of
American citizens. who, during its c0ntiHu-
ancp, suffered through the acts OF the Chill
ian authorities. % convention viii soon be
negotiated