The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-12-09
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S SECOND
ANNUAL MESSAGE.

Document Than the Previous One-Im-
portant Features of the Message.
WASHINGTON Dec. 6.-President Glove
lands message opens with the usual survey
foreign relations, and one-third of it
q devoted to discussion and review Of such
relations Our government, he says, has con-
sistently maintained its relations of friend
ship toward all other powers and Of neigh
borly interest toward those whose posses
hons are contiguous to our own. Few ques-
lions have arisen during the past year with
other governments and none of those are be-
yond the reach of settlement in friendly
council. The cruel treatment of inoffeusive
Chinese in the far west is alluded to and in
speaking of a remedy, he says the para
mount duty of maintaining public order and
defending the interests Of our own people
may require the adoption of measures Of re-
strictions, but they should not tolerate the
oppression Of individuals Of q special race
Discussing the fisheries question, so long a
subject of anxious difference between the
United States and Great Britain, the presi-
dent says the questions involved are Of grave
consequence, and from time to time, for
nearly three quarters Of a century, have
given rise to earnest international discus
sions, not unaccompanied by invitation.
Temporary arrangements by treaties have
served to allay friction which, n rwever, has
revived as each treaty was terminated
While desirous that friendly relations should
exist between the people Of the United States
and Canada, the action Of Canadian officials
during the past season toward our fishermen
has been such, the president thinks, as to
threaten their continuance, and although
disappointed in his efforts to secure a satis-
factory settlement of the question, negotia-
tions are still pending with reasonable hope
that before the close of the present session
Of congress, announcement made be made
that an acceptable conclusion has been
reached.
Abiding to our relations with Hawaii the
president recommends an extension for seven
years of the reciprocity treaty Of 1875. He
urgently renews his recommendations of
legislation to carry into effect the Mexican
reciprocity treaty of January, 1888, and pro-
poses to initiate negotiations with Mexico
for a new and enlarged treaty of commerce
and legislation.
Referring to the Cutting case he says the
incident has disclosed claim Of jurisdiction
by Mexico, novel in one history, whereby
any ofRense, committed anywhere by a
foreigner, penal in tine place of its commits
sion, and of which Mexican is the object,
may, if the offender be found in Mexico be
there tried and punished in conformity with
Mexican laws. This jurisdiction was sus-
tanned by the courts Of Mexico, and approved
by the executive branch of that govern
nIent upon the authority of q Mexican
statute The appellate court, in releasing
Mr.. Cutting decided tnab the abandonment
of the complaint by the Mexican citizen ag-
grieved by the allied crime Ia libelous publi-
cation), removed the bases of further prose-
tion, and also declared justice to have been
satisfied by the enforcement of small part
of the original sentence.
The admission Of such a pretension, the
president argues, would be attended with
serious results, invasive of the jurisdiction
Of the government, and highly dangerous to
our citizens in foreign lands therefore he has
denied it and protested against its attempted
exercise, as unwarranted by the principles of
law and international usage. A sovereign
has jurisdiction of ofPenses which take effect
within his territory, although concocted or
commenced outside of it; but the right is de-
MED of any foreign sovereign to punish a cit
lien of the United States for an offense con-
summated on our soil, in violation Of our
laws even though the offense be against
subject or citizen of such sovereign The
Mexican statute in question makes the claim
broadly, and the principle, if conceded,
would make a dual responsibility in the citi-
zen, and lead to inextricable confusion, de-
structive of that certainty in the law which
Is an essential Of liberty.
When c'tizens of the United States volun-
tarily go into foreign country they must
abide by the laws therein in force, and will
not be protected by their own government
from the consequences of an otfense against
those laws committed in such foreign coun-
try; but watchful care and interest of this
government over its citizens are not relin-
Quished because they have gone abroad; and
If charged with crime committed in the for
eign land fair and open trial, conducted
with decent regard for justice and humanity,
will be demanded for them. With less than
that the government will not be content when
the life or liberty of its citizens is at stake.
Whatever the degree to which extra terri
torial criminal jurisdiction may have been
formerly allowed by consent and reciprocal
agreement among certain of the European
states, no such doctrine or practice was ever
known to the laws Of this country, or of that
from which our institutions have mainly
been derived.
In the case of Mexico, there are reasons es-
pecially strong for perfect harmony in the
mutual exercise of jurisdiction. Nature has
made US irrevocably neghbors and wisdom
and kind feeling should make us friends.
The overflow OF capital and enterprise from
the United States is potent factor is assist
ing the development of the resources Of Mex
leo and In building up the prosperity Of both
countries To assist this good work, all
grounds Of apprehension for the security Of
person and property should be removed;
and the president trusts that in the interests
Of good neighborhood the statute referred to
, will be 80 modified as to eliminate the present
Z possibilities of danger to the peace Of the two
, countries.
The president recommends placing the
consular service ON better footing and re-
\ iterates the necessity of some mode of inspec-
Z ton and report of the manner in which the
consulates are conducted.
He trusts international copyright will re-
ceive the attention 1t deserves by congress
He recommends that provision be made
for the immediate discharge from custody OF
persons committed for extradition where the
president is of opinion that surrender should
not be made and renews his recommendation
Of last year that existing legislation concern
Ing citizenship and naturalization be revised
We have, he says, treaties with many states
providing for the renunoiation Of citizenship
by naturaized aliens, but no statute is found
TO give effect to such engagements, nor any
which provides needed central bureau for
the registration of naturalized citizens.
Reaching domestic affairs, the first subject
discu,sed is the tariff, and to this the presi
dent devote, great deal OF space, arguing
that the uec,ssity for a reduction of the
tariff h ninr II, ,,nt than ever The income