Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


 sage to Congress by making suitable refer ence to the recent death of the Vice Presi- dent. He then devotes much space to the consideration of OUT foreign relations. The following are the most important features of this part of the message
 NO TREATY WITH NICARAGUA.
 The interest of the United States in a practicable transit for ships across the strip of land separating the Atlantic and the Pa ci6o has been repeatedly manifested during the last half century.
 My immediate predecessor caused to be ne gotiated with Nicaragua a treaty for the con- struction, by and at the sole cost of the United States, of canal through Nicaraguan territory, and lai d it before the Senate. Pending the action of that body thereon, withdrew the treaty for re-examination. At tentive consideration of its provisions leads me to withhold it from re-submission to the Senate. Maintaining, as I do, the tenets of line of precedents from Washington's day, which prescribe entangling alliances with foreign States, I do not favor policy of acquisition of new and distant territory or the incorporation of remote interests with our own. The laws of progress are vital and organic, and we must be conscious of that irresistible tide of commercial expansion which, as the concomitant of our active civ ilization, day by day, is being urged onward
  transportation and communication to which steam and electricity have given birth: but our duty i'll the present intruots us to ad- dress ourselves mainly to the development of the vast resources of the great area com mitted to our charge, and to the cultivation of the arts of peace within our own borders, though jealously alert in preventing the American hemisphere from being involved in the political problems and complications of distant governments. Therefore 1 am unable to recommend propositions involving para mount privileges of ownership or right out side of our own territory, when coupled with absolute and unlimited engagements to de- fend the territorial integrity of the State @where such interests lie. While the general project of connecting the two oceans by means of canal is to be encouraged, I am of the opinion that any scheme to that end to be considered with favor should be free from the features alluded to-.
 THE CHINESE oUEsTI The condition of the Chinese question in the western States and territories is, despite this restrictive legislation, far from being satisfactory. The recent outbreak in Wyo- ming territory, where numbers of unoffend- ing Chinamen, indisputably within the pro- tectlon of the treaties and the law, were murdered by mob, and the still more re- cent threatened outbreak of the same charac- ter in Washington territory, are fresh in the minds of all, and there is apprehension lest the bitterness of feeling against the Mongo- Han race on the Pacific slope may find vent iA similar lawless demonstrations. All the power of this government should be exerted to maintain the amplest good faith toward China in the treatment of these men, and the infisxible sternness of the law in bringing the wrong -doers to justice should be insisted upon. Every effort has been made by this govern ment to prevent these violent outbreaks and E1n &1x ,TaAJD RI,o.- investigation of these outrages; and it is but just to say that they are traceable to the law lessness of men not citizens of the United States engaged in competition with Chinese laborers. Race prejudice is the chief factor origin ating these disturbances, and it exists in a large part of our domain. jeopardizing our domestic peace and the good relationship we strive to maintain with China.
 The admitted right of a government to prevent the influx of elements hostile to it's internal peace and security may not be eues- toned even where there is treaty stipu- iation the subject. That the exclusion of Chinese labor is demanded in other countries where like conditions prevail is strongly Chinese immigration Is now Tegufntect by, laws more stringent than our own. If ex- isting laws are inadequate to compass the end in view, I shall be prepared to give earn est consideration to any further remedial
 
 wisdom of Congress may devise
 THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
 I earnestly urge that Congress recast the appropriation for the maintenance of the di- plomatic and consular service on footing commensurate with the importance of our national interests. At every post where a representative is necessary, the salary should be so graded as to permit him to live with comfort. With the assignment of adequate salaries the so called notarial extra official fees which our officers abroad are per mitted to treat personal perquisites, should be done away with. Every act re- quiring the certifcation and seal of the off cer should be taxable at schedule rates, and the fee therefor returned to the treasury. By restoring these revenues to the public use the consular service would be self-support- ing, even with liberal increase of the pres ent low salaries. In further prevention of should be instituted. The appointment of limited number of secretaries of legation at large, to be assigned to duty wherever necessary, and in particular for temporary service at missions which for any cause may be without head, should also be authorized. I favor, also authorization for the detail of officers of the regular service as military or naval attaches at legations. The financial condition of the country is then considered and the following is said concerning
 THE TARIFF. The fact that our revenues are in excess of the actual needs ot an economical adminlstra- ton of the government justifies reduction in the amount exacted from the people for it's
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