Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-07
THE MESSAGE.
The Executives Review Of
National Affairs.
REVENUE REFORM STRONGLY URGED.
Financial Condition of the Country
Relations with Foreign Nations
Silver Coinage-Etc.
REVENUE REFORM STRONGLY URGED.


8Y TELEGRAPH TO THE REcoRD-UHIoS.J
To the Congress Of the United Staics IN the dis
charge of constitutional duty, and following
well-established precedent in the Executive
Office, herewith transmit to the Congress- at its
reassembling, certain information concerning
the state of the Union, together with such
recommendations for legislative consideration
as appear necessary and expedient.
Our Government has consistently maintained
its relations of friendship toward all other
powers, and of neighborly interest toward those
whose possessions are contiguous to our own.
Few complications have arisen during the past
year with other Governments, aud none of these
are beyond the reach of settlement in friendly
counsel.
THE CHILE CLAIMS.
We are, as yet, without provision for
the settlement of claims of citizens of the
United States against Chile for injuries during
the late war with Peru and Bolivia. The mixed
commissions, organized under Claims Conven-
tions concluded by the Chile Government with
certain European States. have developed an
amount of friction which we trust can be
avoided in the convention which our repre-
u lcROllHtc
THE CHINESE oUTRAGEs.
The cruel treatment of inofensive Chinese has,
regret to say, been repeated in some of the far
! Western States and Territories, and acts
of violence against these people, beyond the
power of the local constituted authorities to
prevent, and difficult to punish, are reported
even in distant Alaska. Much of this violence
can be traced to race prejudice and competition
of labor, which cannot. however justify the op-
preston Of strangers whose safety is guaranteed
by our treaty with China equally with the most
favored nations In opening our vast domains
to alien elements, the purpose of our law -givers
| was to invite assimilation, and not to provide
| an arena Of endless antagonisms. The para
mount duty Of maintaining public order and
defending the interests of our own people, may
require the adoption of measures of restriction,
but they should not tolerate the oppression of
individuals OF a special race. am not without
assurance that the Government of China, whose
friendly disposition towards us am most happy
| to recognize, will meet half way in devising a
comprehensive remedy by which an effective
limitation of Chinese emigration joined to pro-
lection of those Chinese subjects who remain in
this country, may be secured Legislation is
Convention of 1880, touching the opium traffic
OUR INTERESTS IN PANAMA.
| While the good will of the Colombian
| Government toward our country is mani
| fest, the situation of American interests on
| the IsthmrS of Panama has at times excited
| concern and invited friendly action looking to
| the performance Of the engagements OF the two
| nations concerning the territory embraced in
| the inter oceanic transit With the subsidence
| of the iSthmian disturbances and the erection
| q Panama a ctr riot
under the direct government of the constitu-
| tional administration of Bogota a new order of
things hiss been inaugurated, which. although
as yet somewhat experimental and aifordng
scope for an arbitrary exercise of power l,y the
delegates of the national authorities promises
much improvement.
FRENCH RELATIONS
The sympathy between the people of the
United states and France, born during our col
| onial struggle for independence, and continuing
to dag, has received fresh impulse in the sue
cessful completion and dedication of the colos-
sal statue of Liberty Enlightening the World"
in New York harbor-the git OF Frenchmen to
Americans A convention between the United
States and certain other powers for the protec-
tec.ion Of submarine cables was signed at Paris
on March IA, lSSi and has been duly rat
flied and proclaimed by this Government
BY agreement between the high contracting
parties. this convention is TO 90 into effect
on the 1st OF January next, but the legislation
required for its execution III the United States
mend its enactment.
OUR CITIZENS IN G. ENANY.
Cases have continued to occur in Germany,
giving rise TO much correspondence, in relation
to the privilege of soiourn of our naturalized
citizens OF German origin visiting the land of
their birth; yet l am happy to state that our
relations with that country have lost none of
their accustomed cordiait =. The claims for
interest upon the amount of tonnage dues ille-
gally extracted from certain German steamship
Ii es were favorably reported in both Houses of
Congress at the last session, and l trust, will
receive final and favorable action at au eaily
day.
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
The recommendation contained in my last
annual mess ,ge in relation to a mode of settle
ment of the Fishery rights in the waters of Brit.
ish North America, so long subject of anxious
difference between the United states and Great
Britain, was met by an adverse vote of the Sen
ate on April 18th last, and thereupon negosia-
tions were instituted 10 obtain an agreement
with her Britannia MajestS' Government for
the promulgation OF such joint Interpretation ard
definition ofthe Article OF the Convention of1SlS,
relating to the lerritcrl1I waters and in->hore
fl fshefies of the British Z oviuces, as should se-t
from United States fishermen and at the same
time Insure the enjoyment by the latter of the
privileges guaranteed them by such CoIVen-
ton. The questions involved are OF long stand
ing. are of grave consequences. and from time
TO time-for nearly three quarters ofa century
have given rise TO earnest international discus
poraTy arrangement by treaty have served to
allay friction. which, however, has revived as
each treaty is terminated. The last arrange
ment under the treaty of 1871 was abTogated,
after due notige 10y tne United States. on June
80, 1885, but | was enabled to obtain for cur
fishermen for the remainder of that season en-
joyment Of the full privileges accorded by the
terminating treaty The Joint Commission by
whom the treaty had been negotiated, although
invested with plcnary power 10 make a pernIa-
nent settlement, were content with II tenn
porary arrangement, after the ternina-
nation of which the question was re-
legated to tee stipulation OF the
treaty of Is s, as to the first article OF
which no cons ruc!ion satisfactory to both
countries has ever been agreed upon. The
progress OF civilization and the growth of popu-
lation in the itish provinces to which The
fisheries III question are contiguous and the ez-
pansioa OF commercial intercourse bstween
them and the United States, present to-day a
condition of affairs scarcely Ieal:zable at the
date of the negotiations of 1918 New snd ynst
interests have heen brought in existence;
modes OF intercourse between the respective
countries have been invented ard multiplied:
the methods of conducting the ii herics have
been wholly changed, and all this is necessarily
entitled 70 candid aud careful consideration in
the adjustment OF the terms and conditions Of
intercourse and commerce be ween the United
states aud their Ieighbors along frontier of
over 500 miles.
and occupation, and similarity of political and
social institutions, argue the practicability and
obvious wisdom of maintaining mutual benefi-
cial and friendly relations. Whilst | am MI
feignediy desirous that such relations should
exist between us and the Inhabitants of Canada
yet the action of their officials during the past
season toward our fishermen has been such as
10 seriously threaten their continuance. AL
though disappointed in ny efforts to secure
satisfactory settlement OF the fishery question
negotiations are still pending with rels enable
nope that before the close of the present session
OF Congress such advancement NAV be made
that an acceptable confusion may be reached.
At an early day there may be laid before Con-
gress the correspondence of the department OF
stare IN relation TO this important subject. 50
that the history of tue past fishing season r.iay
be fully discussed. and the action and the qtti-
tude OF the Administration clearly compre-
hended. More extended reference mot deemed
necessary III this communication.
THE ALASKAN BOUNDARY
The recommendation Submitted last year that
provision pe made Tor preliminary rec pnIlnis-
sance of the conventional boundary line be-
tween Alaska and British Columbia IS renewed.
HAWAIIAN TREATY
/ express my unhesitating conviction that the
intimacy of our relations with Hawaii shonid
be emphasized. As a result Of the eiprocity
treaty OF 1879, these Islands on the highway of
Oriental and Australian traffic are virtually an
outpost OF American commerce. ana 3 s. epping-
stone 20 the growing trade Of the Pacific The
PO ynesian Islands and groups haze been 81 n