Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-12-05
The President S Message
WASHINGTON. D. c, Dec. /, 1884.


the controversy at the polls was over
and while the slight preponderance by which
the issue had been determined was q.
yet unaSeertaned the public peace suffered nc
disturbance, but the people everywhere patiently
and quietly awaited the result. Nothing coulc
more strikingly illustrate the temper of the
American citizen; his love OF order, and his 10y
atty 10 the law; nothing could more sgnally
demonstrate the strength and wisdom of oul
political institutions Eight years have elapsed
since a controversy concerning the result OF the
national election sharply called the attention oi
congress to the necessity Of providing more pre-
else and definite regulations for counting the
electoral vote.
1t is of the greatest importance that this queS
tion 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 measures of relief thus far proposed would
be preferred to continued inaction.
oUR RELATIONS WITH ALL FOREIGN POWERS
continue TO be amicable. With Belgium a con
vention has been signed, whereby the scope of the
present treaties have been so enlarged as to secure
TO citizens of either country within the jurisdic
ton of the other. equal rights and privileges
in the acquisition and alienation of property. A
trade mark treaty has also been concluded. The
war between Chill and Peru is at an end. 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 be negotiated.
The state of hostility between France and
China continues to be an embarrassing feature of
our eastern relations. Tke Chinese government
has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of
American citizens, whose property was destroyed
in the recent riots at Canton. l renew the recon-
mendatlon OF my last annual message, that the
Canton indemnity fund be returned TO China
The true Interpretation of the recent treaty with
that country permitting restriction of Chinese
immigration is likely to again be the subject of
your deliberations. ltmay be seriously question
ed whether the statute passed at the last session,
does not violate the treaty rights of certain
Chinese who left this country with return certif-
Gates valid under the old law, and now seem to
be debarred from landing, from lack of certiti
Gates reqaired by the new
The recent purchases by the United States of a
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 purchased by Ameri-
can citizens in other countries and exclusively
employed in legitimate traffic between foreign
ports under the recognized protection of our flag
it might be well to provide a uniform rate for
their registration and Recommendation, so that the
bona Hdc property 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 interna-
tional association of the Congo that of
friendly government, avoiding In SO
doing any prejudgment or conflict
in the territorial claims in that region, subse-
quently in the execution of the expressed wish
of congress- appointed commercial agent
for the Congo basin. The Importance of the rich
prospective trade of the Co igo valley has led TO
the general conviction that it should be open to
all nations upon equal terms The international
conference for the consideration of this subject
called by the emperor of Germany, is now in
session at Berlin. There are delegates in attend
ance in behalf of the United States, and of the
results of the conference syou will be duly ad-
vised
The government of Corea has generally aided
the efforts of the United States minister to Sc
cure suitable premises for tie use of the lega-
tion. AS the condition of diplomatic intercourse
with eastern nations demands that the legation
premises to be owned by the represented power.
l advise that an appropriation be made for the
acq ulSltion OF the property by the government of
the United States already in possession of valu
able premises at Tangiers, as a gift from the sui
tan of Morocco, as is stated hereafter they have
lately received a similar gift from the SiameSe
government The government of Japan stands
ready to grant us extensive grounds at Toxic
whereon to erect Il suitable building for the ega-
ton court house and gail, and similar privileges
can probably be secured in China and Peru. The
owning of such premises would not only effect
large saving of the present rentals but would per
nit of the due assertion of extra territorial
rights i'll those countries and would the better
serve to maintain the dignity of the United
States.
The failure of congress to make appropriation
for our representation at AHtonOmos Court of the
khedlve. has proved serious embarrassment in
our intercourse with Egypt, and in view of the
necessary intimacy of diplomatic relationship
due to the participation of this government as
one of the treaty powers in all matters of admin
stration, there affecting the rights of foreigners.
advise the restoration of the agency and consul
ate general at Cairo on its former basis, do not
conceive il to be the wish of congress that the
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 n competent representative. With France, the
traditional cordial relationship continues
THE BARTHOLDI STATUE OF LIBERTY ENLIGHTENISG
THE WORLD,
the generous gift of the people of France, is ex-
pected to reach New York in May next. sug-
geSt that congress may take action in relation
to the spirit which has prompted this gift and
IN aid of the timely completion of the pedestal
On which 1t is TO be placed,
OUR RELATIONS WITH GERMANY,
country which contributes to ours Some of the
best elements of citizenship. continue TO be cor
dial The United States have eXtTadition treaties
with several of the German states but by reaSCn
of the confederation of these states under the
imperial rule the application of such treaties Is
not as uniform and comprehensive as the inter
ests of the two countries require. L propose,
therefore, to open negotiations for convention
of eNtradtion to embrace all the territory of the
empire 1t offers me pleasure TO say that
OUR INTERCOURSE WITH GREAT BRITAIN
continues to be of most friendly character.
The government of Hawhi has indicated its will
ngness to continue for seven years the proviS-
continuance in view of the relations of TIT
country to the American system of states should,
in my Judgment, be favored
The revolution in Hayti against the established
government has terminated. While it was in
progress 1t became necessary to enforce our
neutrality laws by institutng proceedings against
lLulNluutllS ana vessels charged Win their ln
frngement. These revolutions were in all eases
successful Much anxiety has lately been dis
played by various European governments, and
especially by the government of Italy, for the
abolition of our import duties upon works of
art. 1t is well to consider whether the vessel
determinations iii favor of the importationS of
American artists abroad is not likely to result as
they themselves seem very generally to believe it
may, in the practical expulsion OF our painters
and scuptdrs from the rich fields for observa-
tion, study and labor which they have hitherto
enjoyed.
There is prospect that the long pending revis-
ion of the foreign treaties of Japan may be CON
cLuded at a new conference to be held at Toxic;
While this government fully recognizes the equal
and independent station of Japan in the comInu-
nifty of nations ii would not oppose the general
adoption Of such terms of compromise as japan
NAV lie disposed TO offer in furtherance of a uni
form policy of intercourse with western nations.
During the past year the increasing good will
between our own government and that OF Mexico
has been varteusly manifested. The treaty OF
commercial reciprocity concluded Ju" 20, 1888,
has been ratified and awaits the necessary tariff
Legislation of congress to become effective.
The legislation will, doubt not, be among the
first TO claim your attention. \ fun treaty of
commerce, navigation and consular rights is
much to be desired and such a treaty, have rea-
son To bellcN e the Mexican government stands
ready to conclude. Some embarrassment has
been occasoned by the failure OF congress at its
last session TO provide means for the due execu-
ton of the treaty of July 18th. 1882, for the re
survey of the Mexican boundary and the re-loca-
ton OF boundary monuments
CANAL RAILWAY AND TELEGRAPH.
With the republic of Nicaragua a treaty has
been concluded which authorizes the construction
hy the United States of a canal, railway and tel
egraph line across the Nicarauguan territory.
BY terms Of this treaty sixty miles of the
river SanJuan, as well as the lake Nicaragua an
inland sea forty miles in width, are to constitute
part Of the projected enterprise. This covers
for actual canal purposes seventeen miles on the
Pacific side, and thirty-siX miles on the Atlantic
TO :he United States, whose rich territory on the
Pacific is fer the ordinary purposes OF commerce
practically cut of from communication by the
watec with the Atlantic ports The political and
commercial advantages of such project can
scarcely be over estimated. Ii Is believed that
when the treaty is laid before you the justice and
liberaliIy of its provisions will command uni
versal approval at home and abroaI.
The death of our representative at Russia,
while at his post at St Petersburg afforded to the
imperial government a renewed opportunity TO
testify its sympathy in a manner befitting the
intimate friendliness which has ever marked the
intercourse of the two countries
The course Of this government in raising its
representative at Bangkok to the diplomatic rank
has evoked from Siam evidences of warm friend
ship, and augurs well for our enlarged interisr.
The SiameSe government has presented TO the
United States acommodious mansion and grounds
for the occupancy of the legation. and suggest
that by joint resolution Congress attest its appre
citation of this generous gift.
SPAIN.
This government has more than once been
called Of late to take action in fulfllments OF
International obligation toward Spain agitation
in the island of Cuba hostile 10 the Spanish crown
having been fermented by persons abusing the
sacred rights of hospitality which our territory
affords. The officers of the government have
been instructed to exercise vigilance TO prevent
infracttonS OF our neutrality laws at Key West
and other parts near the Cuban coast am
hans ~, 50