Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-08
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

In the beginning of the document he says:
'Your assembling is clouded by sense of
public bereavement, caused by the recent
and sudden death of Thomas a. Hendricks,
Vice President of the United States. His
distinguished public services, his complete
integrity and devotion to every duty, and
his personal virtues will find honorable re.
cord in his country's history. Ample and
repeated proofs of the esteem and confidence
in which be was held by his fellcw-country
men were manifested by his election to Of
fees of the most important trust and highest
dignity; and at length, full OF years and
honors, he has been laid ct rest amid uni
versal sorrow and benediction.'
He says: TT is gratifying to announce
that the relations Of the United States with
all foreign powers continue to be friendly"
Question. he says, has arisen with the
Government Of Austria Hungary touching
the representation Of the United States at
Vienna. Having appointed an estima5le
citizen of unimpeached probity as minister
at that court, the Government Of Austria
Hungary invited this Government to take
cognizance of certain exceptions, based up
on allegations against the personal accepta-
biity Of Mr.. Kelley, the appointed envoy,
asking that, in view thereof, the appoint
ment should be withdrawn. The reasops
advanced were such IS could Gct be acqui-
esced ir, since they necessarily involved u
| Limitation in favor of q foreign government
uron the right Of selection BY the Executive
aud required an application Of reis-
ious test as qualification for Office. The
Austro Hungarian Government finally de.
cided not to receive Mr.. Kelley as the envoy
of the United States, and that gentlemen
has since resigned his commission, leaving
the post vacant. No new nomination has
been made and the interests Of this Govern
ment at Vienna are now in the care OF the
secretary of legation.
| Emergencies growing out Of civil war in
| the United States of Colombia demanded OF
the government at the beginning Of this ad-
ministration the employment of armed force
to fulfill its guarantees, but the restoration
| of peace on the Isthmus By the re. establish
ment of the constituted government there
being accomplished, the forces of the United
States were withdrawn.
The Colombian government has expressed
| its willingness to negotiate conventions Tor
the adjustment by arbitration of claims By
foreign citizens arising out of the destruc,
tion of tho city of Aspinwall by the insur-
rectionary forces.
| II IlEaCllCaDi0 lldliSlU lol lipo all O"- ti~
strip of land separating the Atlantic from
the Pacific is favored, but he does not favor
q policy of acquisition of new and distant
territory or the incorporation CT remote in.
terests with our own.
The claims Of citizens Of The United States
for losses by reasons of the late military
onerations of Chile in Peru and Bolivia are
the subject of negotiation.
The condition OF the Chinese question il
the Western States and Territories is far
from being satisfactory, and there is appre-
hension lest the bitterness of feeling against
the race on the Pacific slope may find vent
| in laWless demonstrations. The power OF
this Government should be exertcd to main
tain good faith toward China in the treat
ment of Chinese, and the infexible stern
ness OF the law in bringing their murderers
to Justice should be insisted upon.
The amount adjudged by the late French
and American Claims Commission TO be due
from the United States TO French claimants
on account OF injuries suffered by them dur
! ing the war Of secession, having been appro-
propriated by the last Congress, has been
duly paid TO the French Government.
He says the restrictions upon the impor-
taton Of pork into France continue, u0twlth-
standing the abundant DEMONSTRATION Of the
absence of sanitary danger in its use; but He
entertains strong hopes that, with better
understanding Of the matter, this vexatiouS
prohibition will be removed.
The inadequacy of the existing engage.
ments for extradtion between the United
States and Great Britain has been long ap.
parent. Negotiations with Her Majesty IS
Government for an enlarged treaty Of ex-
tradition have been pendipg since 1870, ana
strong hopes for q satisfactory result are
| entertained.
The frontier line between Alaska and
British Columbia, as defined by the treaty
Of cession with Russia, follows the demarka-
ton assigned in q prior treaty b2tWcen
Great Britain and Russia He recommends
! that provision be made for a reconnaissance
to the end of acquiring more precise in:or-
nation on the subject.
The late insurrectionary movements in
| Hayt having been queiie,!, the claims OF
certain citizens of the United States will he
determined.
The lately concluded commercial treaty
with Mexico still awaits the stipulated legis
lation 10 carry its provisions into effect, for
which one years additional time has been
secured.
Negotiations lave been instituted st
Madrid for full treaty With Spain, not cpcr
to existing objections.
The inadeqnacy of existing Legislation
touching citizenship aud naturalization de-
| msnGs consideration. It is important with
in tho scope Of national legislation TO define
the right of alien domicile rs distinguished
from federal naturalization.
He earnestly urges that Congress Tecast
the appropriations for the maintenance CT
the diplomatic and consular service on
| footing commensurate with the importance
of our national interests.
In further prevention OF abuses, system
Of consular inspection should be instituted.
The appointment OF limited number OF
secretaries of legation At large, 10 be as
signed to duty wherever necessary, and 10
particular for temporary service al missions
which, for any cause, may be without q
head, should be authorized. He favors
authorization for the detail of officers of the
regular service SIS military or naval attaches
at legations.
He favors the exemption Of duties On the
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