The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
AZ Delivered to the Second Ses.
sion of the FOrty-Eighth
Congress.
The Last Document or the Kind That
VIII Ever Be Transmitted by
Mr.. Arthur.
A Large Number or Questions Dis.
cussed With More or Less
Ability.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
AN Elaborate Document From the Out.
going President.

going President.
To the Congress Of the United States:
sinoe the close of your last session the Ameri-
can people, IN the exercise of their highest right
Of fsEfrsge have chosen their Chief Magistrate for
ne four years ensuing. When it is remembered
That ~ period in the eountry's history has the
hong political contest which eustomsrfly preesdes
the day of the National election been wsged with
greater fervOr and intensity it is 8 subject OF con
graiulstion that after the controversy at the polls
was over, and while the slight preponderenee by
which the issue had been determined was as YET
unaseertsined, the public peace suffered no dis.
turbanee but the people everywhere patiently
waited the result. Nothing could more strikingly
illustrate the temper Of the American citizen, his
love Of order, and his loyalty to law. Nothing
could more signally demonstrate the strength and
HlSdOra Of our political institutions. Eight years
have passed since q controversy concerning the
resultof National election sharply called the
attention of the Congress to the necessity OF pro-
yiding more precise ana definite regulations for
counting the electoral vote. It "a Of the graves.
importance that this question be solved before
conflicting claims to the Presidency shah 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
tnaetion.
FOREIGN RELATIOSa
Our relations with al foreign powers
continue to be amieaOle. With Belgium con.
Fention has been signed whereby the scope of the
present treaties has been 50 enlarged to secure to
citizens Of either county within the jurisdiction OF
other equal rights and privileges. the aequisi.
don and alienation Of property q trade marx
treaty has also been concluded.
The war between Chill and Peru Is st an end
For the arbitration OF the claims of American
eittiEeDs who. during It's continusuoe. suffered
through the acts of Gillian authorities, conveu-
zion viii soon be negotiated.
Toe state.Oi hostilities between France snd Chi
ms continues 70 be an embarrassing feature OF our
Eastern relations. The Chinese Government has
promptly ADJUSTED and paid the claims of Amert-
can citizens, whose property was destroyed in the
recent riots at Canton /; renew the recommends.
ton OF my last annual message that
the Canton indemnity fund be re.
turned 70 China The true Interpretation OF the
recent treaty with that country permitting the
restriction OF Chinese immigration Is likely to be
againla subject of your denberations II may be
seriously questioned whether the statute passed 81
the last sesbion does not violate the treaty rigats
of certain Chinese who left this country with re-
turn certificates valid under she old lsE, aud now
seem TO oe debarred from landing from laoE OF
certificates required by the new.
The recent purchases by the United States OF a
large trading feet heretofore under the Chinese
flag has considerably enhanced our commercial
Der of vessels built purchased by American cit
lzens IN other countries ana exclusively employed
in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under
ne TecOenized protection Of our dag il might be
well TO provide Uniform rate for their registra-
ton and Recommendation 80 that the bona q l.
properly rights OF our citizens therein snail be
dsly eyineed and properly guarded
Pursuant 70 the advice Of the Senate at the last
session, recognized the flag of the international
Association Of the Congress Rs that OF friendly
Government avoiding In so doing any preIudg-
1Geut of the conflict in the territorial claims In
tbsi reEion. subsequently in the execution of the
expressed wish OF the eCongress appointed CON-
mereial agent for the Congo basin. The import
GDce OF the rich prospective trade OF the Congo
should be open to an Nations upon equal terms
An international conference Tor t16 consideration
OF this subject has been called by the Emperor OF
Germany, and Is now In session At Berlin. Dele
States. OF the results OF The conference you wiz
be duly advised.
.Ths sovern@eq. q Cosea has generously aided
suitable premises for the use Of tina. Iegstion. As
ihe conditions Of our diplomatic inter
me legation premises be owned bY the represented
powers. advise that an appropriation be made
ment The United States already possesses valu-
sels premises AZ Langier. as GIT from the Sultan
received q similar gift from the sLamese Govern
ment: and a. the Government OF Japan stands
ready TO present 70 Us extensive grounds at Toxic
lezatien, court house and Jail. and similar priy
leees can probably be secured In China and Persia
feet larse saving Of the present rentals Sut Eoad
permit Of the due assertion OF extra territorial
rights In those countries. and would the better
serve 70 maintain the dignity OF the United States
Tie failure OF Congress 20 make appropriation
for our represen taton at the autonomous Court
of the Khediye has proved q serious EN- osrrass-
nent in our Intercourse with Egypt; and
IN yiey Of the necessary Intimacy
Of diploCuatic relationship dne TO the
PARTICIPATION Of this Government, 50 one Of the
treaty powers In all masters OF administration
there affecting rights Of foreigners. soyise the
restoration Of ihefgency and Consulate General