The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09
A Lengthy Paper Which Commands the
Close Attention of Both Houses.
The Chief Magistrate Reasserts the Monroe
Doctrine and Argues in Favor of Inter-
oceanic Transit Across the Isthmus.
A Strong Statement of the Dangers Of
Continued Coinage Of Silver.
An Unqualified Endorsement of Civil-Seryice
Reform and Vigorous DenunciatiOn of
The Mormons-The Indian Question.


Reform and Vigorous DenunciatOn of
The Mormons-The Indian Question.
| WASHINGTON, Dec 8.--After the reading of
the Senate journal the Presidents message was
| delivered by Mr.. Pruden, his assistant private
secretary, and at 1915 its reading was begun.
The most impressive silence marked the reading
many senators leaning forward on their desks
| to catch the words of the message. In the House
the reading was listened to attentively, but
there was manifestation of approval or disap-
proval. Following is the full text of the docu-
| ment:
| To the Congress of the United States:
Your assembling is clouded by sense of pub
| lie 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 virtue will find
| honorable record in his cOuntrys history. Am
| pie and repeated proof. Of the esteem and conf
| dence in which he held by his felow-coun-
| trymen were manifested by his election to Offices
of the most important trust and highest dignity,
| and at length, full Of years and honors, he has
been laid at rest amid universal sorrow and
| benediction.
The Constitution which requires those chosen
| to legislate for the people to annually meet m
the discharge of their solemn trust also requires
| the President to give to Congress information of
| the state of the Union, and to recommend to
| their constellation such measures as he shall deem
necessary and expedent At the threshold of q
| compliance with these constitutional directions,
it is we'll for to bear in mind that our useful
ness to the peoples interest will be promoted by
| Il constant appreciation of the scope and charac-
ter of respective duties as they relate to fed
| eral legislation. While the executive may recon-
mend such measures as he shall deem expedient,
| the responsibility for legislative action must
| and should rest upon those selected by the peo-
| pie to make their laws.
Contemplation OF the grave and responsible
| functions assigned to the executive branches of
the government, under the constitution will dis
close the partitions of power between our
respective departments, and their necessary in
dependence, and also the need for the exercise
Of all the power intrusted to each in that spirit
of comfy and cooperation which is essential to
| the proper fulfillment Of the patriotic obliga
tions which rest upon us as faithful servants of
the people, The jealous watchfulness of our
constituencies, great and small, supplements
their suffrages, and before the tribunal they
establish every public servant should be judged.
Relations with Foreign Governments.
1t is gratifying to announce that the relations
of the United States with all foreign powers con-
tnue to be friendly Our position, after nearly
ment, maintenance of good faith in all our en-
gagements. the avoidance of complications with
other nations, and a consistent and amics ole at
titude toward the strong and weak alike, furnish
proof of a political disposition for which pro-
fessions of good will are unnecessary. There are
no questions OF difficulty pending with any for
eign governments.
The Argentine government has revived the
long dormant question of the Falkland islands,
by claiming from the United States indemnity
for their loss attributed to the action
of the commander of the sloop of
war Lexington, in breaking up pirat-
ical colony on those islands in 1881, and
their subsequent occupation by Great Britain.
In view of the ample justification for the act of
the Lexington and the derect condition of the
islands before and after their alleged occupation
by Argentine colonists, this government consid-
ers the claim wholly grouudless.
Question has arisen with the government of
Austria Hungary touching the representation
of the United States at Vienna. Having, under
my constitutional prerogative, appointed an es-
tmable citizen of unimpeached probity and COM
petence as minister at that court. the govern
ment of Austria Hungary invited this govern
ment to cognizance of certain exceptions. based
upon allegations against the personal acceptable
ity of Mr.. Kelley, 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 violation of my oath of Office and the
precepts Of the Constitution, since they neces-
sarily involve a limitation i'll favor of foreign
government upon the right OF selection by the
executive, and required such an application of
religious test, as a qualification for Office under
the United States: would have resulted in the
practical disfranchisement of large class of our
citizens and the abandonment of a vital princi-
ple in our government. The Austro Hungarian
government finally decided not to receive Mr.
Kelley as the envoy of the United States, and
that gentleman has since resigned his commits
sion, leaving the post vacant have made no
new nomination. and the interests Of this gov
ernment at Vienna are now in the care Of the
secretary OF legation acting as charge daffaires.
ad interim.
Early in March last war broke out in Central
America, caused by the attempt Of
safes into single government In these con.
tests between our neighboring states the United
States forebore to interfere actively, but lent the
aid of their friendly Offices in depreciation of
war and to promote peace and concord among
the belligerents and by such counsel contributed
Importantly to the restoration Of tranquility in
that locality. Emergencies growing ont Of
civil war in the United States of Colombia de-
manded of the government at the beginning of
this administration, the employment of armed
force to fulfil its guarantees under the thirty fifth
article of the treaty of 1916. in order to keep
the transit open across the lsthmus OF Panama
DESTROYS Of exercising only the powers expressly
reserved to US by the treaty, and mindful of the
rights of Colomb ba, the forces sent to the 18TH
mus were instructed to confne their ac-
ton to positively and eficaciously" pre-
ventingi the transit and its accessories
from being interrupted or embarrassed
The execution of this delicate and responsible
task necessarily involved police control where
the local authority was temporarily powerless,
but always in aid Of the sovereignty Of Colon
bia The prompt and successful fulfllment Of
its duty by this government was highly appre-
ciated by the government of Colombia, andshas
been followed by expression of its satisfaction