Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-12-10

diplomatic channels for adjustment The speedy
settlement Of these claims win now be urged By
Negotiations for treaty Of commercial reel
procity with the Dominion republic have been
suecesstully concluded and the result win shortly
Certain questions between the United States
and the Ottoman empire still remain unsolved.
Complaints IN behalf Of our pitizens are not salts
hold from our commerce the right of favored
treatment to which We are entitled by existing
and the revision OF the
The final disposition of pending questions with
venexuela mas not a. yet been reached but ]
have good reason to expect an early settlement
the Caracas awards In conformity with the ex-
pressed desire of Congress, and which will recog-
nlze the justice of certain claims preferred
American commission appointed by authority
OF the act of July IS, 1884, will soon proceed to
Mexico 1t has been furnished with instructions
statement of the general policy of the govern
ment for enlarging It's commercial intercourse
with American states: The commissioners have
task BY holding conferences in the principal
cities with merchants and others interested in
Central and South American trade.
THE MERIDIAN CONFERENCE
The International meridian conference lately
citation Of the government 81 the United
from twenty-five nations The conference
concluded its labors on the LIST of November, hay
ing with substantial unanimity agreed upon the
whence longitude is to be computed, through $50
degrees eastward and westward, and upon the
adoption sp tor all purposes for which It may be
begin at midnight on the initial meridian and
whose hours shall be counted from zero up to "a.
The formal report of the transactions Of this con-
ference will be hereafter transmitted to Con.
gress.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
This government Is In frequent receipt Of in
vtations from foreign states to participate in inter
Of gd
position on the worlds production, and aiming
to secure profitable share Tor our industries in
the general competitive markets, 1t is matter Of
ticipation in these exhibits should so often ex-
clude our producers from advantages enjoyed by
nose h OF other countries During the Past year
ments Of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany
6a in
factory expedient; for wltho1t some as pro
meet the working
half OF exhibitors. An International inventors
exhibition is to be held in London next May
This win cover field Of special importance in
Which our country holds a foremost rank; but
the executive is at present powerless to organize
proper representation of our vast national in
terests in this direction. l have in several pre-.
vious messages referred to this subject. It seems
to me that statute giving TO the executive gener-
al discretionary authority to accept such Invita-
tons and to appoint honorary commissioners
without salary and placing at the disposal of the
secretary of state small fund for defraying their
reasonable expenses would be OF great public
utility.
MARITIME REGULATE oNs.
This government has received official notice
that the revised international regulations for pre-.
venting collisions at sea have been adopted by all
the leading maritime powers except the United
States and came into force on the 1st Of septem-
Der last. For the due protection of our shipping
Interests, the provisions Of statutes should at
once be brought into consideration with these
COPYRIGHT PRIVILEGES.
The question of securing to authors, composers
and artists copyright privileges in this county
In return for reciprocal rights abroad is one that
that convention will be necessary for fully &C.
complishing this result; but until Congress SHALL
BY statute tx 1.-The the extent to which foreign holders
| deemed inadvisable to negotiate such eonven-
ton. For this reason the United States were not
| represented at the recent conference at Berne.
THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
I recommend that the scope of the neutrality
laws of the United States be SO enlarged as to
cover al patent acts Of hostility committed in
friendly nation. Existing statutes prohibit the
fitting out OF armed expeditions; and restrict
the shipment of explosives. Though enactments
| regard to International obligations. but
simply for the protection OF passenger
| travel. all these statutes were intended to meet
special emergencies that had already arisen.
Other emergencies have arisen since, and modern
ingenuity supplies means tor organization Of hos
tilities without open resort to armed vessels to
| flibustering parties reason why overt
preparations in this country for the commission
of criminal acts such are here under consider
alton should not be alike punishable, whether
| such acts are intended to be committed in our
own country or IN foreign country with which
W are ut peace. The prompt and thorough treat
ment Of this question is one which intimately
concerns the national honor.
THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
our existing naturalization laws also need re-
visiDg Those sections relating to persons residing
within the limits of the United States in 1875 and
1898 have now only historical Interest Section
21172. recognizing the citizenship of the children
OF naturalzed parents, is ambiguous in it's terms
ana 9 partly obsolete There are special provisions
serve in the army or in merchant vessels, while
no similar privileges are granted those who serve
IN the navy or marine uniform rule Of
clearly ;deane the ssasste. ''e q p PERSONS,
oregn pox ee ea s and of ns9
! children Of fathers who have declared their in
tention of becoming citizens, but have failed to
perfect their naturalization. It might be wise to
! provide for central bureau of registry wherein
should be filed authenticated transcripts of every
| record of naturalization in the several Federal
and state courts, and to make provision also for
| the vacation OF cancellation Of such record in
| cases where fraud had been practiced upon the
court by the applicant himself, or where he had
removed OF forfeited his acquired citizenship A
just and uniform law in this respect would
| strengthen the hands of the government IN pro-
tecting its citizens abroad. and would pave the
way for the conclusion Of treaties of naturaliza-
| ton with foreign countries.
| DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR SERVICE.
=, The legislation of the last session effected in
| the diplomatic and consular service certain
l oro1 xu1S nh 1nVv
ductive of embarrassment. The population and
| commercial activity of our country are steadily
on the increase; and are giving rise to new, vary
| ing and often delicate relationships with other
| countries. Our foreign establishment now en-
braces nearly double the area Of operations that
1t did twenty years ago, and the confinement OF
then established is not it seems to me- in accord
ance with true economy. A community Of co.
! oOo. 900 people should be adequately represented
project for the reo oTsssa Rat0no
the consular service and for recastine
the scheme of extra territorial Jurisdiction is nov
will not allow its full consideration, trust you
will not fail to make suitable provision for the
present needs of the service Ithas been custom
aFy to define In the appropriation acts the rana
tached. suggest that this course be abandoned
and that it be left to the President, with the ad
wee ana consent Of the Senate. to fix from time
| tives Of this government abroad, may seem ad
ylsable, provision being definitely made, how
ever az now, for the amount of salary attached t
| the respective stations.
| THE TREASURY.
The condition of our finances, and the opera
lions of the various branches of the public
service which are connected with the treasury
department are very fully discussed in the repor
of the secretary. It appears that the ordinar,
revenues for the fiscal year ended June, 80, 1884
| were:
Customs. ,067, 4S9 Il
internal revenue. 121, 686,O72 5
ALI other sources. ............... 81, $780, O7 81
Total ordinary revenues. -. .$S48, SIG, 1863 9
The public expenditures during the sam
period were: ~
Civil expenses 22s12, go7 7
Foreign intercourse 1920, 766 3
INDIANS. ............. ....... 6,475, 999 2
Tor pensions. ....::...".......... 65,429,22S
Ing river and harbOr improve
ments and arsenals. ............. 39429,6O3 8
The naval establishment, including
vessels, machinery and improve
| ments at navy yard ........... II, COL 4
Miscellaneous expenditures. in = =
Guiding public buildings light
houses and collecting the rev
enue.... 4S,939,710 @
Expenditures on account Of the
District Of Columbia. :. ..... 34O7 04o &
/ Interest the Duhlic debt 67a' Q7o A