The Columbus journal., 1884-12-10
President Arthur's Message 10
Congress-.

UElcI SUMMARY VI tuc IuOEc lupOEtout
recommendations of the presidents
message:
A more precise and definite method
for counting the electoral vote, is
recommended. 1t is of the gravest
importance that this question be
solved before conflicting claims to the
presidency shall again disturb the
country.
Our relations with ali foreign pow
ers continue to be amicable.
"Our relations with Germany, a
country which contributes to our own
some of the best elements of citizen
ship, continue to be cordial. The
United States have extradition trea-
ties with sc sersl 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 uniform and comprehensive as the
interests of the two countries require,
and l, therefore, recommend the OPEN
ing of negotiations for q single con-
yention of ex tradition, to embrace all
the territory of the empire"
During the past year the increasing
good will between our own govern
ment and that of Mexico has been
variOusly manifested. The treaty of
commercial reciprocity, concluded
Jan. 20, 1883, has been ratified and
awaits the necessary tariff legislation
of congress to become effective. This
legislation will, doubt not, be
among the first measures to claim
your attention, as full treaty Of
commerce, navi CATION and consular
rights is much to be desired, and such
a treaty, | have reason 10 believe, the
Mexican government stands ready to
conclude. Some embarrassment has
been occasiOned by the failure of
congress ut its last session to provide
means for the due execution of the
treaty of July %, 1882, for the resur-
vey of the Mexican boundary and the
relocation of boundary monuments
with the republic of Nicaragua. A
treaty has been concluded which au-
thorizes the construction by the Uni
ted States of a canal, railway and
telegraph line across the Nicarauguan
territory. By the terms of this treaty
sixty miles Of the river San Juan, as
well as Lake Nicaragua, an inland
sea forty miles in width, are to con-
stitute part of the projected enter
prise. This covers for actual canal
construction seventeen miles on the
Pacific side and thirty.six miles on
the Atlantic. To the United States,
whose rich territory on the Pacific is
for the ordinary purpose of commerce
practically cut off from communica-
tion by water with the Atlantic ports.
The political and commercial advan-
tages of such project can scarcely
be overestimated. 1t is believed that
when the treaty is laid before you
the justice and liberality of it's pro-
visions will command universal ap-
proval at home and abroad.
TBE SOUTH AMERICAN COMMISSION.
The Central and South American
commission, appointed by authority
of the act of July 7, 1884, will soon
proceed to Mexico. 1t has been fur
nished with instructions which will
be laid before you. They contain a
statement of the general policy of the
government for enlarging its CON-
mercial intercourse with American
states. The commission have been
actively preparing for their response
BILE task by holding conferences in
the principal cities with merchants
and with others interested in Central
and South American trade.
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
The president recommends that the
scope of the neutrality laws be so
enlarged as TO cover all acts of hOstil-
ity committed in our territory and
aimed against the peace of friendly
nation.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Special provisions applying to per-
sons serving in the army or in mer-
chant vessels, should be made to
include those who serve in the navy
or marine corps. The status of per-
sons of foreign birth or parentage
should be more clearly defined, so as
to strengthen the hands of the gov
ernment in protecting it's citizens
abroad.
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
The condition of our finances and
the operation OF various branches of
the public service which are con-
nected with the treasury department
are very fully discussed in the report
of the secretary. 1t appears that the
ordinary revenues for the fiscal year
ending June 30. 1884, were: From
customs, $l95,G67. 1876; from in
ternal revenue, $l2l, 1856 ,O72 81 from
all other sources, $3l SGT, ,3O7. .65 !; total
ordinary revenues, $34S, ,5l9, ,5G9. 50.
The public expenditures during the
same period were: For civil ex-
penses, $22.3l2,9O7 II: for foreign in
tercourse, 81, ,2GO. 1868; for Indians,
$6,475, ,999. %; for pensions, $55, ,429,-
22S.36; for the military establish
ment, including river and harbor i'm
provements and arsenals, $39, ,429 ,GO3,-
SO; for the naval establishment,
including vessels, machinery and
improvements at navy yards, SIT ,292,-
COL A; for miscellaneous expendi-
lures, including public buildings.
light houses and collecting the rev.
enue, $43, ,939. TO; for expenditures on
account of the District of Columbia,
So, ,4O7, ,O49G2; for interest on the
public debt, $54,57S.37S. .4G; for the
sinking fund, SAG, ,79O, ,229 SO; total
ordinary expenditures, S29O,9lG, ,4S3.-
SO; leaving a surplus of $57, 7,GO3, ,39G.-
O9. AS compared with preceding fiscal
year, there was a net decrease of over
S2l, 100000 in the amount of expen-
ditures. The aggregate receipts were
less than those of the year previous
by about $54,OOO,OOO. The falling off
of revenue from customs was nearly
$2O,OO0,OOO of this deficiency and
about $23,OOO,OOO of the remainder