Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-12
Presidents Message.
fhe Con7sss of fte United States:


Your assembling is ciouded by sens
of public bereavement caused by tn
recent and sudden death of Thomas A
Hendricks, vice president of the Unite'
States. His distinguished public ser
vices, his complete integrity and devo
ton to every duty, and his personal vir
tues, will find an honorable record in hi
country's history. Ample and repeate
proofs of the confidence in which he wa
held by his countrynen, were manifest
ed by his election to Offices of the mos
important trust and highest dignity, ant
at length, full of years and honors he ha
been laid at rest amid universal sorrow
and benediction.
The constitution which requires those
chosen to legislate for the people, to an,
nually meet III the discharge of theil
solemn trust, also requires the president
to give to congress information of the
state of the union, and to recommend to
their consideration such measures as he
shall deem necessary and expedient.
At the threshold of a compliance
with these constitutional directions, it is
well for US to bear in mind that cur use
fitness to the peoples interests will be
promoted by constant appreciation OF
the scope and character of our respective
duties, as they relate to federal leglsla-
ton.
While the executive may recommend
such measures as be shall deem expedi-
ent, the responsibility for legislative &C
ton rests with you.
Contemplation of the grave and res
ponsible functions assigned to the execu-
tive branches of the government under
the constitution will disclose the psrti-
tions of power between our respective
departments and their necessary inde-
pendence, and also, the need for the
exercise of all the power intrusted to
each in that spirit of comfy and CO.
operation, which is essential to the
proper fulfllment of the patriotic obli-
cations which rest upon us as faithful
servants of the people. The jealous
watchfllness of our constituency as
great and small supplements, their suff-
RACES, and before the tribunal they es-
tablish every public servant should be
judged.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
1t is gratifying to announce that the
relations of the United States with all
foreign powers continue to be friendly.
Our position, after nearly century of
successful constitutional government, the
maintenance of good faith in all our en-
gagements, the avoidance Of conftctions
with other nations, and consistent atti-
tude toward the strong and the weak
alike, furnish proof of political dtspo-
sltion which renders professions of good
will unnecessary. There are no questions
of difficulty pending with any foreign
government.
The Argentine government has revived
the long dormant question of the Falk-
land Islands, by claiming from the
United States indemnity for their loss,
attributed to the action Of the COM
mander of the sloop. Lexington, in
breaking up piratical colony on those
Islands in 1881, and their subsequent &C.
cupation by Great Britain. In view of
ample justification for the act of the
Lexington and the direlect condition of
the islands before and after their alleged
occupation by Argentine colonists, this
government considers the claim as
wholly groundless.
THE AUSTRIAN DIPLOMATIC IMBRoGLIo.
The question has arisen with the gov
ernments of Austria and Hungary touch
ing the representation of the United |!
States at Vienna. Having under my
constitutional prerogative appointed an
estimable citizen of uuimpeached probi- |
ty and competency as minister at that |
court, the government of Austria invited |
this government to the cognisance of a |
certain exception based upon allegations
against the personal acceptibility of Mr..
Kelly, the appointed envoy, asking that
In view thereof, the appointment should
be withdrawn.
The reasons advanced were such as
could not be acquiesced in without a
violation of my oath of Office and the
precepts of the constitution, since they
necessarily involve limitation in favor
of foreign government upon the right
of selection by the executive, and re-
ouired such an application of religious
test as a qualification for Office, under the
United States as would have resulted
in the practical disfranchisement of a
large class of our citizens and the sband-
onment of vital principle in our gov
eminent.
The Austro. Hungarian government
finally decided not to receive Mr.. Kelly |
as the envoy of the United States, and
that gentleman has since resigned his
commission, leaving the post vacant.
I have made no new nomination, and |
the interests of this government at vi
emma are now in the care of the secre-
tary of the legation, acting as charge
d'affalrs ad interim.
TIE GUATEMALA WAR.
Early in March last war broke out
in the Central Americas, caused by the |
attempt of Guatemala to consolidate the
several states into single government.
In these contests between our neigh |
boring states, the United States fore
bore to interfere actively, but lent the |
aid of the friendly offices in depreciation |
of war, to promote peace and concord |
among the belligerents, and by such |
counsel contributed importantly to the
preservation of tranquility on that local |
ity.
THE UNITED STATES OF COLUMBIA.
Emergencies growing out of the civil |
war in the United States of Columbia |
demanded of the government at the be- |
ginning of this administration the en-
ployment of an armed force to fulfill Its |
guarantees under the 45tb article of the |
treaty of 1916 in order to keep the transit
across the isthmus of Panama.
DESTROYS of exercising only the powers
expressly reserved to the United States
by the treaty, and mindful of the rights
of Columbia, the forces sent to the 18TH
mus were instructed to confine their
action, SO positively preventing thetransit
and its accessories from being interrupted
or embarrassed.
The execution of this delicate and re-
sponsible task necessarily involved po-
lice control where the local authority
was temporarily powerless, but always in
aid of the sovereignty of Columbia. The
Dromnt and sucnessfi1l fnlf,llmenf of ito |