Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-06

priations for Sea Coast City De.
fsuses - Merchant Marine, Wages
and Many Other Questions DIS.
cussed.
WASHINGTON, Dec Ia p. M-The Presi
dents message has just been submitted, and
is now being read.
To THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
SINCE the close of your last session the
American people, in the exercise of their
highest right Of suffrage have chosen their
Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing.
When it is remembered that at no period in
the country's history has the long political
contest which customarily precedes the day
Of the national election, been waged with
greater fervor and intensity, it is subject OF
congratulation that after the controversy at
the polls was over, and while the slight pre-
ponderance by which the issue had been de-
termined was as yet unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance but the people
everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the
result Nothing could more strikingly illus.
trate the temper of the American citizen
his love of order and his loyalty to law
Nothing could more signally demonstrate
the strength and wisdom of our political in
stitutions
TIE ELECTORAL COUNT
Eight years have passed. since a controversy
concerning the result of National election
sharply called the attention of the Congress
to the necessity of providing more precise and
definite regulations for counting the electoral
vote
1t is of the gravest Importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims
to the Presidency shall again distract the
country, and l am persuaded that by the
people at large, any of the measures of relief
thus far proposed would be preferred to con-
tinued inaction.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign powers CON
tinue to be amicable With Belgium a con
vention has been signed whereby the scope of
present treaties has been 50 enlarged as to Sc
cure to citizens of either country within the
jurisdiction OF the other equal rights and
privileges
In the acquisition and alienation of prop
erty trade marts' treaty has also been CON
cludeJ. The war between Chill and Peru is
at an end. For the arbitration of the claims
Of American citizens who, during its continu-
ance, suffered through the acts of the Gillian
authorities, convention will soon be nego-
tiated
The state of hostilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feat
ure Of our Eastern relations. The Chinese
Government has promptly adiusted and paid
the claims of American citizens whose prop
erty was destroyed in the recent riots at Can
ton. l renew the recommendation of my last
annual message that the Canton indemnity
fund be returned TO China. The true inter
probation Of the recent treaty with that coun-
try permitting the restriction of Chinese I'M
migration is likely to be again the subject of
your deliberations 1t may be seriously
questioned whether the statute passed at the
last session does not violate the treaty rights
Of certain Chinese who left this country with
return certificates valid under the old law
and now seem to be debarred from landing
from lack of certificates required by the new
The recent purchases by the United States Of
q large trading fleet heretofore under the
Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our
commercial Importance in the East. In view
of the large number of vessels built or pur-
chased by American citizens in other coun-
tries and exclusively employed in legitimate
traffic between foreign ports under the recog-
nized protection of our flag, it might be well
to provide uniform rate for their registra-
ton and Recommendation, SO that the bona fide
properly rights Of our citizens therein shall
be duly evidenced and properly guarded.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the
last session, recognized the flag of the Inter
national Association, avoiding in SO doing
any prejudgment OF conflict in territorial
claims in that region subsequently, in exc
cution OF the expressed wish of the Congress,
l appointed commercial agent for the Congo
Basin.
THE CONGO QUESTION.
The Importance of the rich prospective
trade of the Congo Valley has led TO the gen
eral conviction that it should be open to all
nations upon equal terms An international
conference for the consideration of this sub
ject was called by the Emperor of Germany
and is now in session at Berlin. Delegates
are III attendance on behalf of the United
States. OF the results of the conference you
will be duly advised.
The Government of Corea has generously
aided the efforts of the United States Mln-
lister to secure suitable premises for the use OF
the legation. AS the conditions of dIplo-
matte intercourse with Eastern nations de-
mand that the legation premises be owned by
the represented power, l advise that an APP
preparation be made for the acquisition or
this property by the Government The
United States already possesses valuable
premises at Tangier, as gift from the Sultan
OF Morocco. AS Is stated hereafter they have
lately received similar gift from the SIAM
ese Government. The Government of Japan
stands ready to present to us extensive
grounds at Toxic wnereon to erect a suitable
building for the legation, Court House and
jal: 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 per-
init OF the due assertion of extra territorial
rights in those countries, and would the bet
Ter serve 10 VIC Tightly Va hhO
United States
The failure of Congress to make appro-
priation for our representation at the Auto
nomous Court of the khedive has proved a
serious embarrassment IN our intercourse
with Egypt, and IN view OF the necessary IN
timacy Of diplomatic relationship due to tas
participation of this Government as one of
the treaty powers in all matters of admins
trntion there affecting the RICH 5 OF foreign
ers. | advise the restoration 81 the agency
and Consulate General at Cairo on It's former
basis | do not conceive it to be the wish OF
Congress that the United States should
withdraw altogether from the honora-
BILE position they have hitherto held
with respect to the khedive, or
that citizens of this Republic residing
or sojourning in Egypt should here
after be without the aid and protection OF 9
comnetent representative. With France the
traditional cordial relationship continues.
The Bartholdi Statue of Liberty Enlghtening
the world, the generous gift OF the people OF
France is expected to reach New fork ~
MAY next. suggest that Congressional &C
tion be taken in relation to the spirit which
has ,romnted this gift, and in aid of the timely
completion of the pedestal upon which 1t Il
TO be placed
coNTrNUATIoN OF EXTRACTION.
Our relations with Germany, country
which contributes to our own some OF the pes'
elements of citizenship, continue to be cordial
The United States have extradltion treaties
with several of the German states, bu'
hv reason of the confederation of thes;
States under the imperial rule, the aP
nlication of such treaties is not as uni
form and comprehensive IS the interests %
The two countries require Propose, there
fore. to open negotiations for q single con
yention OF extraditlon to embrace an lne Ter
tory If the empire. 1t affords me pleasure
- oay tint our intercourse with Great Britain
continue of most friendly character Tn