The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-12-06

Chief Magistrate for the four.years ensuing |
When IL is remembered that at no period in the |
country's history has the long political con-
test which customarily prccedes the day ofthe |
National election been waged with greater
ferVor and intensity, IL is 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, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the peo-
pie everywhere patiently and quietly await
ed the result. Nothing could more striking
ly illustrate the temper of the American citl-
zen, his love of order, and his loyalty to law.
Nothing could more signally demonstrate
the strength and wisdom of our political in
situations.
THE ELECTORAL VOTE.
Eight years have passed since a con-
troversy concerning the result of a National
election sharply called the attention of Con-
gress to the necessity of providing more
definite regulations for the counting of the
electoral vote.
1t is of the gravest Importance that this
question be solved before conflicting claims
to the Presidency shall again distress the
country, and 1 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 the present treaties has been so enlarged
as to secure to the citizens of either country
within the jurisdiction of the other equal
rights and privileges In the acquisition and
alienation of property trade mark treaty
has also been concluded. The war between
Chill and Peru Is at an end. For the arbitra-
ton of the claims of American citizens, who,
during its continuance, suffered through the
acts of the Chilian authorities q convention
will soon be negotiated.
CHINA.
The state of hostilities between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing
feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese
Government has promptly adjusted and paid
the claims of American citizens, whose prop.
Canton. renew the recommendation of my
last annual message, that the Canton in
demnity fund be returned to China. The
true Interpretation of the recent treaty with
that country, permitting the restriction of
Chinese immigration. Is likely to be again
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 de-
barred from landing from lack of certificates
required by the new. The recent purchase
by the United States of a large trading fleet
heretofore under the Chinese flag has con-
siderably enhanced our commercial i'm.
portance in the East. In view of
the large number of vessels built
or purchased by American citizens in
legitimate traffic between foreign ports UNI
der the recognized protection of our flag, 1t
might be well to provide uniform rate for
their registration and Recommendation, so that
the bona fide property rights of our citizens
therein shall be duly evidenced and properly
guarded.
THE CONGO COUNTRY.
Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the
last session, recognized the flag of the In
ternational Association of the Congo as that
of n friendly Government, avoiding in so do
ing any prejudgment of conflict. In the ter
ritorial claims in that region subsequently,
in execution of the expressed wish of Con-
gress, appointed a commercial agent for
the Congo basin. The Importance of the rich
prospective trade of the Congo Valley has led
| to "a general conviction that it should be
| open to all nations upon equal terms. An
International Conference for the considera-
ton of this subject was called by the Emper-
| or OF Germany, and Is now in session at Ber-
| lin. Delegates are in attendance on behalf
| of the United States. Of the results of the
| conference, you will be duly advised
| LEGATION PREMISES IN THE EAST
The Government of Corea mas generously
| aided the efforts of the United States Minis
| ter to secure suitable premises for the use of
| the legation. AsIthe conditions of the diplo-
matte intercourse with the East
ern nations demand THAT the legation
| scented power, advise that an appropriation
| be made for the acquisition of this property
| by the Government. The United States al
| ready possesses valuable premises at Tan
| giers as gift from the sultan of Morocco. As
| is stated hereafter, they have lately received
similar gift from the siamese Government.
The Government of Japan stands ready to
| sell to US extensive grounds at Toxic where
in to erect a suitable building for the lega-
| ton, Court house and Jail and similar priv
| ileges can probably be secured in China and
| Persia The owning of such premises would
! not only affect n large saving of present
| ton of extra territorial rights in these coun-
| tries, and would the better serve to maintain
the dignity of the United states.
EGYPT.
The failure of Congress to make an appro-
| priatiOn for our representative at the Auton-
omous Court of the Khedive has proved a
| serious embarrassment in our intercourse
| with Egypt; and in view of the necessary in
! timacy OF the diplomatic relationship due to
the participation of this Government as one
OF the treaty powers in all matters of admin
istrution there affecting the rights of for.
! eigners, advise the restoration of the agency
basis. / do not conceive il to be the wish OF
Congress that the United States should with
draw altogether from the honorable position
they have hitherto held with respect to the
khedive, or that citizens of this Republic re
siding or sojourning in Egypt should hereaf
ter be without the aid and protection of 9
competent representative.
THE BARTHoLDI STATUE.
With France the traditional cordial rela
tionship continues. The Bartholdi Statue OF
Liberty enlightenng the world, the generous
gift of the people of France, is expected tt
reach New York in May next. suggest tina
Congressional action be taken in relation t6
the spirit which has prompted this gift, anC
in aid of the timely completion OF the pedes
| tai upon which IL is to be placed
GERMANY.
| Our relations with Germany, country
which contributes to our own some of thu
best elements of citizenship, continues K
tradition treaties with several of the Ger
man States, but by reason OF the con
federation of these states under the I'm
perial rule, the application of such trea
ties is not as uniform and comprehen
sive as the interests OF the two countrie
require propose, therefore, to open ne
| gotiations for single convention of eN
tradition to embrace all the territory of tn
Empire.
1t affords me pleasure TO say that our in