The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1884-12-06
The Presidents Message.

lean people in exercise of the highest right
OF suffrage, have chosen their chief 'nagis
trate for the four years ensuing. When 1t is
remembered that at no period in the coun
try's history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day OF the
national election been waged with greater
tervor and intensity, it is a subject of con-
graduation that after the controversy at the
polls was over, and while the slight prepon-
derance by which the issue had been deter
mined was as yet unascertained, but the
people everywhere patiently and quietly
awaited the result. Nothing could more
clearly demonstrate the strength and wisdom
OF our political institutions. Eight years
have passed sine controversy concerning
the result of national election sharply call
ed the attention OF congress to the necessity
of providing more precise and definite regu-
latlons for counting the electoral vote. 1t is
of the greatest importance that this question
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 meas ures OF reiiet thus far
proposed would be preferred to continued
inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue to he amicable With Belgium treaty
has been signed whereby the scope Of pres
ellt treaties has been SO enlarged as to secure
to citizens ofeither country within the juris-
diction OF the other equal rights and privi-
leges in the acquisition and alienation of
property. A trade mark treaty has also been
concluded. The war between .hili and
Peru is at an end, and for the arbitration OF
the claims Of American citizens, who, during
its continuance, suffered through the acts Of
the Chilian authorities, a convention will
soon he negotiated The state of hostilities
between France and China continues to be
an embarrassing feature of our eastern rela-
tions. The Chinese government has prompt
ly adjusted and paid the claims OF American
citizens whose property was destroyed III the
recent riots at Canton, and l renew the rec
ommendation OF my last annual message that
IlAC AOuCou AuAu w ANeoAA AA~O W
China. The true interpret tioA of the recent
treaty with that country permitting restrlc-
ton of Chinese immigration is likely again
to oe subject Of your deliberations, and 1t
may be seriously questioned whether the
statute passed at the last session does not vic
late the treaty rights of certain Chinese who
lett this country with return certificates valid
under the old law and who now seem to be
debarred from landing from the lack OF GER
titcates required by the new law.
OUR COMMERCE.
The recent purchases 10y the United States
of large trading fleet, heretofore under the
Chinese flag, has consi ieraoly enhanced our
commercial importance in the east and in
view of the large number of vessels built or
purchased by American citizens in other
countries and exclusively employed in legiti-
mate traffic between foreign p ,rts, under the
recognized protection OF our flag, it might be
well to provide uniform rate for their regis
tra.icn and Recommendation so that the bona
tide property rights OF our citizens therein
shall be duly evidenced and properly guard
ed. Pursuant to the advice Of the senate at
the last session we recognized the tlag of the
international association of the Congo as that
of a friendly government avoiding in so do
ing any prejudgment of a conflict in terri
torial claims III that region and subsequently
in execution of the expressed wish of con-
gress, appointed commercial agent tor the
Congo basin. The importance of the rich
to general conviction that it should be
opened to all nations upon equal terms and
an international conference for the consider
alton of this subject was called by the empe
ror of Germany and Is now i'll session at Ber-
lin. Delegates are in attendance on behalf OF
the United States and Of the results of the
conference you will be duly advised. The
government of Corca has generously aided
the efforts Of the United States minister to
secure suitable premises for the use of the
legation, and as the conditions OF diplomatic
intercourse with eastern nations demand that
the legation premises be owned by the repre-
sented power advise that an appropriation
lie made for the acquisition Of this property
by the government The United States al
ready possesses valuable premises at Tangiers
as gift from the sultan of Morocco and as is
stated hereafter they have lately received a
similar gift from the Siamese government and
he government OF Japan stands ready to
present to us extensive grounds at Toxic
whereon to erect suitable building f0r the
legation, court house and Jail, and similar
privileges can probably be secured in China
and Persia. The owning of such 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 better serve to main
tain the dignity of the United States.
RELATIONS WITH EGYPT.
The failure Of congress to make appropria-
tions for our representation at the court Of
the Khedive has proved serious embarass-
ment in our intercourse with Egyyt, and in
view of the necessary itimacy OF diplomatic
relationship due to the participation of this
government as one OF the treaty powers sr
all matters of administration there affecting
the rights of foreigners, advise the restora-
ton Of the agency and consul general al
afro on its former basis, as do not conceive
it 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 a competent representative
With France the traditional cordial relation
ship continues. The Bartholdi statue Of Lib.