Since the close of your last session the American people, in the exercise of their highest right of suffrage, have chosen their Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing. When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has the long political contest which customarily precedes the day of the national election been waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is a subject of general congratulation that after the controversy at the polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the issue had been determined was as yet unascertained, the public peace suffered no disturbance, but the people everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the result. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the American citizen, his love of order, and his loyalty to law. Nothing could more signally demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our political institutions. Eight years have passed since a controversy concerning the result of a national election sharply called the attention of the Congress to the necessity of providing more precise and definite regulations for counting the electoral vote. It is of the gravest importance that this question be solved before conflicting claims to the Presidency shall again distract the country, and I am persuaded that by the people at large any of the measures of relief thus far proposed would be preferred to continued inaction. Our relations with all foreign powers continue to be amicable. With Belgium a convention has been signed whereby the scope of present treaties has been so enlarged as to secure to citizens of either country within the jurisdiction of the other equal rights and privileges in the acquisition and alienation of property. A trade-marks treaty has also been concluded. The war between Chile and Peru is at an end. For the arbitration of the claims of American citizens who during its continuance suffered through the acts of the Chilean authorities a convention will soon be negotiated. The state of hostilities between France and China continues to be an embarrassing feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese Government has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of American citizens whose property was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton. I renew the recommendation of my last annual message, that the Canton indemnity fund be returned to China. The true interpretation of the recent treaty with that country permitting the restriction of Chinese immigration is likely to be again the subject of your deliberations. It may be seriously questioned whether the statute passed at the last session does not violate the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left this country with return certificates valid under the old law, and who now seem to be debarred from relanding for lack of the certificates required by the new. The recent purchase by citizens of the United States of a large trading fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our commercial importance in the East. In view of the large number of vessels built or purchased by American citizens in other countries and exclusively employed in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under the recognized protection of our flag, it might be well to provide a uniform rule for their registration and documentation, so that the bona fide property rights of our citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and properly guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the last session, I recognized the flag of the International Association of the Kongo as that of a friendly government, avoiding in so doing any prejudgment of conflicting territorial claims in that region. Subsequently, in execution of the expressed wish of the Congress, I appointed a commercial agent for the Kongo basin. The importance of the rich prospective trade of the Kongo Valley has led to the general conviction that it should be open to all nations upon equal terms. At an international conference for the consideration of this subject called by the Emperor of Germany, and now in session at Berlin, delegates are in attendance on behalf of the United States. Of the results of the conference you will be duly advised. The Government of Korea has generously aided the efforts of the United States minister to secure suitable premises for the use of the legation. As the conditions of diplomatic intercourse with Eastern nations demand that the legation premises be owned by the represented power, I advise that an appropriation be made for the acquisition of this property by the Government. The United States already possess valuable premises at Tangier as a gift from the Sultan of Morocco. As is stated hereafter, they have lately received a similar gift from the Siamese Government. The Government of Japan stands ready to present to us extensive grounds at Tokyo whereon to erect a suitable building for the legation, court-house, and jail, and similar privileges can probably be secured in China and Persia. The owning of such premises would not only effect a large saving of the present rentals, but would permit of the due assertion of extraterritorial rights in those countries, and would the better serve to maintain the dignity of the United States. The failure of Congress to make appropriation for our representation at the autonomous court of the Khedive has proved a serious embarrassment in our intercourse with Egypt; and in view of the necessary intimacy of diplomatic relationship due to the participation of this Government as one of the treaty powers in all matters of administration there affecting the rights of foreigners, I advise the restoration of the agency and consulate-general at Cairo on its former basis. I do not conceive it to be the wish of Congress that the United States should withdraw altogether from the honorable position they have hitherto held with respect to the Khedive, or that citizens of this Republic residing or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be without the aid and protection of a competent representative. With France the traditional cordial relationship continues. The colossal statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, the generous gift of the people of France, is expected to reach New York in May next. I suggest that Congressional action be taken in recognition of the spirit which has prompted this gift and in aid of the timely completion of the pedestal upon which it is to be placed. Our relations with Germany, a country which contributes to our own some of the best elements of citizenship, continue to be cordial. The United States have extradition treaties with several of the German States, but by reason of the confederation of those States under the imperial rule the application of such treaties is not as uniform and comprehensive as the interests of the two countries require. I propose, therefore, to open negotiations for a single convention of extradition to embrace all the territory of the Empire. It affords me pleasure to say that our intercourse with Great Britain continues to be of a most friendly character. The Government of Hawaii has indicated its willingness to continue for seven years the provisions of the existing reciprocity treaty. Such continuance, in view of the relations of that country to the American system of States, should, in my judgment, be favored. The revolution in Hayti against the established Government has terminated. While it was in progress it became necessary to enforce our neutrality laws by instituting proceedings against individuals and vessels charged with their infringement. These prosecutions were in all cases successful. Much anxiety has lately been displayed by various European Governments, and especially by the Government of Italy, for the abolition of our import duties upon works of art. It is well to consider whether the present discrimination in favor of the productions of American artists abroad is not likely to result, as they themselves seem very generally to believe it may, in the practical exclusion of our painters and sculptors from the rich fields for observation, study, and labor which they have hitherto enjoyed. There is prospect that the long-pending revision of the foreign treaties of Japan may be concluded at a new conference to be held at Tokyo. While this Government fully recognizes the equal and independent station of Japan in the community of nations, it would not oppose the general adoption of such terms of compromise as Japan may be disposed to offer in furtherance of a uniform policy of intercourse with Western nations. During the past year the increasing good will between our own Government and that of Mexico has been variously manifested. The treaty of commercial reciprocity concluded January 20, 1883, has been ratified and awaits the necessary tariff legislation of Congress to become effective. This legislation will, I doubt not, be among the first measures to claim your attention. A full treaty of commerce, navigation, and consular rights is much to be desired, and such a treaty I have reason to believe that the Mexican Government stands ready to conclude. Some embarrassment has been occasioned by the failure of Congress at its last session to provide means for the due execution of the treaty of July 29, 1882, for the resurvey of the Mexican boundary and the relocation of boundary monuments. With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty has been concluded which authorizes the construction by the United States of a canal, railway, and telegraph line across the Nicaraguan territory. By the terms of this treaty 60 miles of the river San Juan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an inland sea 40 miles in width, are to constitute a part of the projected enterprise. This leaves for actual canal construction 17 miles on the Pacific side and 36 miles on the Atlantic. To the United States, whose rich territory on the Pacific is for the ordinary purposes of commerce practically cut off from communication by water with the Atlantic ports, the political and commercial advantages of such a project can scarcely be overestimated. It is believed that when the treaty is laid before you the justice and liberality of its provisions will command universal approval at home and abroad. The death of our representative at Russia while at his post at St. Petersburg afforded to the Imperial Government a renewed opportunity to testify its sympathy in a manner befitting the intimate friendliness which has ever marked the intercourse of the two countries. The course of this Government in raising its representation at Bangkok to the diplomatic rank has evoked from Siam evidences of warm friendship and augurs well for our enlarged intercourse. The Siamese Government has presented to the United States a commodious mansion and grounds for the occupancy of the legation, and I suggest that by joint resolution Congress attest its appreciation of this generous gift. This government has more than once been called upon of late to take action in fulfillment of its international obligations toward Spain. Agitation in the island of Cuba hostile to the Spanish Crown having been fomented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which our territory affords, the officers of this Government have been instructed to exercise vigilance to prevent infractions of our neutrality laws at Key West and at other points near the Cuban coast. I am happy to say that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were successfully eluded the offenders, when found in our territory, were subsequently tried and convicted. The growing need of close relationship of intercourse and traffic between the Spanish Antilles and their natural market in the United States led to the adoption in January last of a commercial agreement looking to that end. This agreement has since been superseded by a more carefully framed and comprehensive convention, which I shall submit to the Senate for approval. It has been the aim of this negotiation to open such a favored reciprocal exchange of productions carried under the flag of either country as to make the intercourse between Cuba and Puerto Rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the commercial movement between our domestic ports, and to insure a removal of the burdens on shipping in the Spanish Indies, of which in the past our shipowners and shipmasters have so often had cause to complain. The negotiation of this convention has for a time postponed the prosecution of certain claims of our citizens which were declared to be without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish-American Claims Commission, and which are therefore remitted to diplomatic channels for adjustment. The speedy settlement of these claims will now be urged by this Government. Negotiations for a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the Dominican Republic have been successfully concluded, and the result will shortly be laid before the Senate. Certain questions between the United States and the Ottoman Empire still remain unsolved. Complaints on behalf of our citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted. The Porte has sought to withhold from our commerce the right of favored treatment to which we are entitled by existing conventional stipulations, and the revision of the tariffs is unaccomplished. The final disposition of pending questions with Venezuela has not as yet been reached, but I have good reason to expect an early settlement which will provide the means of reexamining the Caracas awards in conformity with the expressed desire of Congress, and which will recognize the justice of certain claims preferred against Venezuela. The Central and South American Commission appointed by authority of the act of July 7, 1884, will soon proceed to Mexico. It has been furnished with instructions which will be laid before you. They contain a statement of the general policy of the Government for enlarging its commercial intercourse with American States. The commissioners have been actively preparing for their responsible task by holding conferences in the principal cities with merchants and others interested in Central and South American trade. The International Meridian Conference lately convened in Washington upon the invitation of the Government of the United States was composed of representatives from twenty-five nations. The conference concluded its labors on the 1st of November, having with substantial unanimity agreed upon the meridian of Greenwich as the starting point whence longitude is to be computed through 180 degrees eastward and westward, and upon the adoption, for all purposes for which it may be found convenient, of a universal day which shall begin at midnight on the initial meridian and whose hours shall be counted from zero up to twenty-four. 
The formal report of the transactions of this conference will be hereafter transmitted to the Congress. This Government is in frequent receipt of invitations from foreign states to participate in international exhibitions, often of great interest and importance. Occupying, as we do, an advanced position in the world's production, and aiming to secure a profitable share for our industries in the general competitive markets, it is a matter of serious concern that the want of means for participation in these exhibitions should so often exclude our producers from advantages enjoyed by those of other countries. During the past year the attention of Congress was drawn to the formal invitations in this regard tendered by the Governments of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. The Executive has in some instances appointed honorary commissioners. This is, however, a most unsatisfactory expedient, for without some provision to meet the necessary working expenses of a commission it can effect little or nothing in behalf of exhibitors. An International Inventions Exhibition is to be held in London next May. This will cover a field of special importance, in which our country holds a foremost rank; but the Executive is at present powerless to organize a proper representation of our vast national interests in this direction. I have in several previous messages referred to this subject. It seems to me that a statute giving to the Executive general discretionary authority to accept such invitations and to appoint honorary commissioners, without salary, and placing at the disposal of the Secretary of State a small fund for defraying their reasonable expenses, would be of great public utility. This Government has received official notice that the revised international regulations for preventing collisions at sea have been adopted by all the leading maritime powers except the United States, and came into force on the 1st of September last. For the due protection of our shipping interests the provisions of our statutes should at once be brought into conformity with these regulations. The question of securing to authors, composers, and artists copyright privileges in this country in return for reciprocal rights abroad is one that may justly challenge your attention. It is true that conventions will be necessary for fully accomplishing this result; but until Congress shall by statute fix the extent to which foreign holders of copyright shall be here privileged it has been deemed inadvisable to negotiate such conventions. For this reason the United States were not represented at the recent conference at Berne. I recommend that the scope of the neutrality laws of the United States be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts of hostility committed in our territory and aimed against the peace of a friendly nation. Existing statutes prohibit the fitting out of armed expeditions and restrict the shipment of explosives, though the enactments in the latter respect were not framed with regard to international obligations, but simply for the protection of passenger travel. All these statutes were intended to meet special emergencies that had already arisen. Other emergencies have arisen since, and modern ingenuity supplies means for the organization of hostilities without open resort to armed vessels or to filibustering parties. I see no reason why overt preparations in this country for the commission of criminal acts such as are here under consideration should not be alike punishable whether such acts are intended to be committed in our own country or in a foreign country with which we are at peace. 
The prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which intimately concerns the national honor. Our existing naturalization laws also need revision. Those sections relating to persons residing within the limits of the United States in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical interest. Section 2172, recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents, is ambiguous in its terms and partly obsolete. There are special provisions of law favoring the naturalization of those who serve in the Army or in merchant vessels, while no similar privileges are granted those who serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps. "An uniform rule of naturalization" such as the Constitution contemplates should, among other things, clearly define the status of persons born within the United States subject to a foreign power (section 1992) and of minor children of fathers who have declared their intention to become citizens but have failed to perfect their naturalization. It might be wise to provide for a central bureau of registry, wherein should be filed authenticated transcripts of every record of naturalization in the several Federal and State courts, and to make provision also for the vacation or cancellation of such record in cases where fraud had been practiced upon the court by the applicant himself or where he had renounced or forfeited his acquired citizenship. A just and uniform law in this respect would strengthen the hands of the Government in protecting its citizens abroad and would pave the way for the conclusion of treaties of naturalization with foreign countries. The legislation of the last session effected in the diplomatic and consular service certain changes and reductions which have been productive of embarrassment. The population and commercial activity of our country are steadily on the increase, and are giving rise to new, varying, and often delicate relationships with other countries. Our foreign establishment now embraces nearly double the area of operations that it occupied twenty years ago. The confinement of such a service within the limits of expenditure then established is not, it seems to me, in accordance with true economy. A community of 60,000,000 people should be adequately represented in its intercourse with foreign nations. A project for the reorganization of the consular service and for recasting the scheme of extraterritorial jurisdiction is now before you. If the limits of a short session will not allow of its full consideration, I trust that you will not fail to make suitable provision for the present needs of the service. It has been customary to define in the appropriation acts the rank of each diplomatic office to which a salary is attached. I suggest that this course be abandoned and that it be left to the President, with the advice and consent Of the Senate, to fix from time to time the diplomatic grade of the representatives of this Government abroad as may seem advisable, provision being definitely made, however, as now, for the amount of salary attached to the respective stations. The condition of our finances and the operations of the various branches of the public service which are connected with the Treasury Department are very fully discussed in the report of the Secretary. It appears that the ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1884, were: The public expenditures during the same period were: As compared with the preceding fiscal year, there was a net decrease of over $21,000,000 in the amount of expenditures. The aggregate receipts were less than those of the year previous by about $54,000,000. The falling off in revenue from customs made up nearly $20,000,000 of this deficiency, and about $23,000,000 of the remainder was due to the diminished receipts from internal taxation. The Secretary estimates the total receipts for the fiscal year which will end June 30, 1885, at $330,000,000 and the total expenditures at $290,620,201.16, in which sum are included the interest on the debt and the amount payable to the sinking fund. This would leave a surplus for the entire year of about $39,000,000. The value of exports from the United States to foreign countries during the year ending June 30, 1884, was as follows: The cotton and cotton manufactures included in this statement were valued at $208,900,415; the breadstuffs at $162,544,715; the provisions at $114,416,547, and the mineral oils at $47,103,248. During the same period the imports were as follows: 
 More than 63 per cent of the entire value of imported merchandise consisted of the following articles: 
 I concur with the Secretary of the Treasury in recommending the immediate suspension of the coinage of silver dollars and of the issuance of silver certificates. This is a matter to which in former communications I have more than once invoked the attention of the National Legislature. It appears that annually for the past six years there have been coined, in Compliance with the requirements of the act of February 28, 1878, more than 27,000,000 silver dollars. The number now outstanding is reported by the Secretary to be nearly 185,000,000, whereof but little more than 40,000,000, or less than 22 per cent, are in actual circulation. The mere existence of this fact seems to me to furnish of itself a cogent argument for the repeal of the statute which has made such fact possible. 
But there are other and graver considerations that tend in the same direction. The Secretary avows his conviction that unless this coinage and the issuance of silver certificates be suspended silver is likely at no distant day to become our sole metallic standard. The commercial disturbance and the impairment of national credit that would be thus occasioned can scarcely be overestimated. I hope that the Secretary's suggestions respecting the withdrawal from circulation of the $1 and $2 notes will receive your approval. It is likely that a considerable portion of the silver now encumbering the vaults of the Treasury might thus find its way into the currency. While trade dollars have ceased, for the present at least, to be an element of active disturbance in our currency system, some provision should be made for their surrender to the Government. In view of the circumstances under which they were coined and of the fact that they have never had a legal-tender quality, there should be offered for them only a slight advance over their bullion value. The Secretary in the course of his report considers the propriety of beautifying the designs of our subsidiary silver coins and of so increasing their weight that they may bear their due ratio of value to the standard dollar. His conclusions in this regard are cordially approved. In my annual message of 1882 I recommended the abolition of all excise taxes except those relating to distilled spirits. This recommendation is now renewed. In case these taxes shall be abolished the revenues that will still remain to the Government will, in my opinion, not only suffice to meet its reasonable expenditures, but will afford a surplus large enough to permit such tariff reduction as may seem to be advisable when the results of recent revenue laws and commercial treaties shall have shown in what quarters those reductions can be most judiciously effected. One of the gravest of the problems which appeal to the wisdom of Congress for solution is the ascertainment of the most effective means for increasing our foreign trade and thus relieving the depression under which our industries are now languishing. The Secretary of the Treasury advises that the duty of investigating this subject be intrusted in the first instance to a competent commission. While fully recognizing the considerations that may be urged against this course, I am nevertheless of the opinion that upon the whole no other would be likely to effect speedier or better results. That portion of the Secretary's report which concerns the condition of our shipping interests can not fail to command your attention. He emphatically recommends that as an incentive to the investment of American capital in American steamships the Government shall, by liberal payments for mail transportation or otherwise, lend its active assistance to individual enterprise, and declares his belief that unless that course be pursued our foreign carrying trade must remain, as it is to-day, almost exclusively in the hands of foreigners. One phase of this subject is now especially prominent in view of the repeal by the act of June 26, 1884, of all statutory provisions arbitrarily compelling American vessels to carry the mails to and from the United States. As it is necessary to make provision to compensate the owners of such vessels for performing that service after April, 1885, it is hoped that the whole subject will receive early consideration that will lead to the enactment of such measures for the revival of our merchant marine as the wisdom of Congress may devise The 3 per cent bonds of the Government to the amount of more than $100,000,000 have since my last annual message been redeemed by the Treasury. The bonds of that issue still outstanding amount to little over $200,000,000, about one-fourth of which will be retired through the operations of the sinking fund during the coming year. As these bonds still constitute the chief basis for the circulation of the national banks, the question how to avert the contraction of the currency caused by their retirement is one of constantly increasing importance. It seems to be generally conceded that the law governing this matter exacts from the banks excessive security, and that upon their present bond deposits a larger circulation than is now allowed may be granted with safety. I hope that the bill which passed the Senate at the last session, permitting the issue of notes equal to the face value of the deposited bonds, will commend itself to the approval of the House of Representatives. In the expenses of the War Department the Secretary reports a decrease of more than $9,000,000. Of this reduction $5,600,000 was effected in the expenditures for rivers and harbors and $2,700,000 in expenditures for the Quartermaster's Department. Outside of that Department the annual expenses of all the Army bureaus proper (except possibly the Ordnance Bureau) are substantially fixed charges, which can not be materially diminished without a change in the numerical strength of the Army. The expenditures in the Quartermaster's Department can readily be subjected to administrative discretion, and it is reported by the Secretary of War that as a result of exercising such discretion in reducing the number of draft and pack animals in the Army the annual cost of supplying and caring for such animals is now $1,108,085.90 less than it was in 1881. The reports of military commanders show that the last year has been notable for its entire freedom from Indian outbreaks. In defiance of the President's proclamation of July 1, 1884, certain intruders sought to make settlements in the Indian Territory. They were promptly removed by a detachment of troops. During the past session of Congress a bill to provide a suitable fire-proof building for the Army Medical Museum and the library of the Surgeon-General's Office received the approval of the Senate. A similar bill, reported favorably to the House of Representatives by one of its committees, is still pending before that body. It is hoped that during the coming session the measure may become a law, and that thereafter immediate steps may be taken to secure a place of safe deposit for these valuable collections, now in a state of insecurity. The funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past year were derived from the appropriations of the act of August 2, 1882, together with such few balances as were on hand from previous appropriations. The balance in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1883, was $10,021,649.55. The amount appropriated during the fiscal year 1884 was $1,319,634.62 and the amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year was $8,228,703.54, leaving a balance of $3,112,580.63 in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1884. The Secretary of War submits the report of the Chief of Engineers as to the practicability of protecting our important cities on the seaboard by fortifications and other defenses able to repel modern methods of attack. The time has now come when such defenses can be prepared with confidence that they will not prove abortive, and when the possible result of delay in making such preparation is seriously considered delay seems inexcusable. For the most important cities--those whose destruction or capture would be a national humiliation--adequate defenses, inclusive of guns, may be made by the gradual expenditure of $60,000,000--a sum much less than a victorious enemy could levy as a contribution. An appropriation of about one-tenth of that amount is asked to begin the work, and I concur with the Secretary of War in urging that it be granted. The War Department is proceeding with the conversion of 10-inch smoothbore guns into 8-inch rifles by lining the former with tubes of forged steel or of coil wrought iron. Fifty guns will be thus converted within the year. This, however, does not obviate the necessity of providing means for the construction of guns of the highest power both for the purposes of coast defense and for the armament of war vessels. The report of the Gun Foundry Board, appointed April 2, 1883, in pursuance of the act of March 3, 1883, was transmitted to Congress in a special message of February 18, 1884. In my message of March 26, 1884, I called attention to the recommendation of the board that the Government should encourage the production at private steel works of the required material for heavy cannon, and that two Government factories, one for the Army and one for the Navy, should be established for the fabrication of guns from such material. No action having been taken, the board was subsequently reconvened to determine more fully the plans and estimates necessary for carrying out its recommendation. It has received information which indicates that there are responsible steel manufacturers in this country who, although not provided at present with the necessary plant, are willing to construct the same and to make bids for contracts with the Government for the supply of the requisite material for the heaviest guns adapted to modern warfare if a guaranteed order of sufficient magnitude, accompanied by a positive appropriation extending over a series of years, shall be made by Congress. All doubts as to the feasibility of the plan being thus removed, I renew my recommendation that such action be taken by Congress as will enable the Government to construct its own ordnance upon its own territory, and so to provide the armaments demanded by considerations of national safety and honor. The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the progress which has been made on the new steel cruisers authorized by the acts of August 5, 1882, and March 3, 1883. Of the four vessels under contract, one, the Chicago, of 4,500 tons, is more than half finished; the Atlanta, of 3,000 tons, has been successfully launched, and her machinery is now fitting; the Boston, also of 3,000 tons, is ready for launching, and the Dolphin, a dispatch steamer of 1,500 tons, is ready for delivery. Certain adverse criticisms upon the designs of these cruisers are discussed by the Secretary, who insists that the correctness of the conclusions reached by the Advisory Board and by the Department has been demonstrated by recent developments in shipbuilding abroad. The machinery of the double-turreted monitors Puritan, Terror, and Amphitrite, contracted for under the act of March 3, 1883, is in process of construction. No work has been done during the past year on their armor for lack of the necessary appropriations. A fourth monitor, the Monadnock, still remains unfinished at the navy-yard in California. It is recommended that early steps be taken to complete these vessels and to provide also an armament for the monitor Miantonomoh. The recommendations of the Naval Advisory Board, approved by the Department, comprise the construction of one steel cruiser of 4,500 tons, one cruiser of 3,000 tons, two heavily armed gunboats, one light cruising gunboat, one dispatch vessel armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one armored ram, and three torpedo boats. The general designs, all of which are calculated to meet the existing wants of the service, are now well advanced, and the construction of the vessels can be undertaken as soon as you shall grant the necessary authority. The act of Congress approved August 7, 1882, authorized the removal to the United States of the bodies of Lieutenant-Commander George W. De Long and his companions of the Jeannette expedition. This removal has been successfully accomplished by Lieutenants Harber and Schuetze. The remains were taken from their grave in the Lena Delta in March, 1883, and were retained at Yakutsk until the following winter, the season being too far advanced to admit of their immediate transportation. They arrived at New York February 20, 1884, where they were received with suitable honors. In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress approved February 13, 1884, a naval expedition was fitted out for the relief of Lieutenant A. W. Greely, United States Army, and of the party who had been engaged under his command in scientific observations at Lady Franklin Bay. The fleet consisted of the steam sealer Thetis, purchased in England; the Bear, purchased at St. Johns, Newfoundland, and the Alert, which was generously provided by the British Government. Preparations for the expedition were promptly made by the Secretary of the Navy, with the active cooperation of the Secretary of War. Commander George W. Coffin was placed in command of the Alert and Lieutenant William H. Emory in command of the Bear. The Thetis was intrusted to Commander Winfield S. Schley, to whom also was assigned the superintendence of the entire expedition. Immediately upon its arrival at Upernavik the fleet began the dangerous navigation of Melville Bay, and in spite of every obstacle reached Littleton Island on June 22, a fortnight earlier than any vessel had before attained that point. On the same day it crossed over to Cape Sabine, where Lieutenant Greely and the other survivors of his party were discovered. After taking on board the living and the bodies of the dead, the relief ships sailed for St. Johns, where they arrived on July 17. They were appropriately received at Portsmouth, N. H., on August 1 and at New York on August 8. One of the bodies was landed at the former place. The others were put on shore at Governors Island, and, with the exception of one, which was interred in the national cemetery, were forwarded thence to the destinations indicated by friends. The organization and conduct of this relief expedition reflects great credit upon all who contributed to its success. In this the last of the stated messages that I shall have the honor to transmit to the Congress of the United States I can not too strongly urge upon its attention the duty of restoring our Navy as rapidly as possible to the high state of efficiency which formerly characterized it. As the long peace that has lulled us into a sense of fancied security may at any time be disturbed, it is plain that the policy of strengthening this arm of the service is dictated by considerations of wise economy, of just regard for our future tranquillity, and of true appreciation of the dignity and honor of the Republic. The report of the Postmaster-General acquaints you with the present condition and needs of the postal service. It discloses the gratifying fact that the loss of revenue from the reduction in the rate of letter postage recommended in my message of December 4, 1882, and effected by the act of March 3, 1883, has been much less than was generally anticipated. My recommendation of this reduction was based upon the belief that the actual falling off in receipts from letter postages for the year immediately succeeding the change of rate would be $3,000,000. It has proved to be only $2,275,000. This is a trustworthy indication that the revenue will soon be restored to its former volume by the natural increase of sealed correspondence. I confidently repeat, therefore, the recommendation of my last annual message that the single-rate postage upon drop letters be reduced to 1 cent wherever the payment of 2 cents is now required by law. The double rate is only exacted at offices where the carrier system is in operation, and it appears that at those offices the increase in the tax upon local letters defrays the cost not only of its own collection and delivery, but of the collection and delivery of all other mail matter. This is an inequality that ought no longer to exist. I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster-General that the unit of weight in the rating of first-class matter should be 1 ounce instead of one-half ounce, as it now is. In view of the statistics furnished by the Department, it may well be doubted whether the change would result in any loss of revenue. That it would greatly promote the convenience of the public is beyond dispute. The free-delivery system has been lately applied to five cities, and the total number of offices in which it is now in operation is 159. Experience shows that its adoption, under proper conditions, is equally an accommodation to the public and an advantage to the postal service. It is more than self-sustaining, and for the reasons urged by the Postmaster-General may properly be extended. In the opinion of that officer it is important to provide means whereby exceptional dispatch in dealing with letters in free-delivery offices may be secured by payment of extraordinary postage. This scheme might be made effective by employment of a special stamp whose cost should be commensurate with the expense of the extra service. In some of the large cities private express companies have undertaken to outstrip the Government mail carriers by affording for the prompt transmission of letters better facilities than have hitherto been at the command of the Post-Office. It has always been the policy of the Government to discourage such enterprises, and in no better mode can that policy be maintained than in supplying the public with the most efficient mail service that, with due regard to its own best interests, can be furnished for its accommodation. The Attorney-General renews the recommendation contained in his report of last year touching the fees of witnesses and jurors. He favors radical changes in the fee bill, the adoption of a system by which attorneys and marshals of the United States shall be compensated solely by salaries, and the erection by the Government of a penitentiary for the confinement of offenders against its laws. Of the varied governmental concerns in charge of the Interior Department the report of its Secretary presents an interesting summary. Among the topics deserving particular attention I refer you to his observations respecting our Indian affairs, the preemption and timber-culture acts, the failure of railroad companies to take title to lands granted by the Government, and the operations of the Pension Office, the Patent Office, the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Education. Allusion has been made already to the circumstance that, both as between the different Indian tribes and as between the Indians and the whites, the past year has been one of unbroken peace. In this circumstance the President is glad to find justification for the policy of the Government in its dealing with the Indian question and confirmation of the views which were fully expressed in his first communication to the Forty-seventh Congress. The Secretary urges anew the enactment of a statute for the punishment of crimes committed on the Indian reservations, and recommends the passage of the bill now pending in the House of Representatives for the purchase of a tract of 18,000 square miles from the Sioux Reservation. Both these measures are worthy of approval. I concur with him also in advising the repeal of the preemption law, the enactment of statutes resolving the present legal complications touching lapsed grants to railroad companies, and the funding of the debt of the several Pacific railroads under such guaranty as shall effectually secure its ultimate payment. 
The report of the Utah Commission will be read with interest. It discloses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention and punishment of polygamy in that Territory. I still believe that if that abominable practice can be suppressed by law it can only be by the most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the Constitution. I again recommend, therefore, that Congress assume absolute political control of the Territory of Utah and provide for the appointment of commissioners with such governmental powers as in its judgment may justly and wisely be put into their hands. In the course of this communication reference has more than once been made to the policy of this Government as regards the extension of our foreign trade. It seems proper to declare the general principles that should, in my opinion, underlie our national efforts in this direction. 
The main conditions of the problem may be thus stated: We are a people apt in mechanical pursuits and fertile in invention. We cover a vast extent of territory rich in agricultural products and in nearly all the raw materials necessary for successful manufacture. We have a system of productive establishments more than sufficient to supply our own demands. The wages of labor are nowhere else so great. The scale of living of our artisan classes is such as tends to secure their personal comfort and the development of those higher moral and intellectual qualities that go to the making of good citizens. Our system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a revenue which is in excess of the present needs of the Government. These are the elements from which it is sought to devise a scheme by which, without unfavorably changing the condition of the workingman, our merchant marine shall be raised from its enfeebled condition and new markets provided for the sale beyond our borders of the manifold fruits of our industrial enterprises. 
The problem is complex and can be solved by no single measure of innovation or reform. The countries of the American continent and the adjacent islands are for the United States the natural marts of supply and demand. It is from them that we should obtain what we do not produce or do not produce in sufficiency, and it is to them that the surplus productions of our fields, our mills, and our workshops should flow, under conditions that will equalize or favor them in comparison with foreign competition. 
Four paths of policy seem to point to this end: First. A series of reciprocal commercial treaties with the countries of America which shall foster between us and them an unhampered movement of trade. The conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of such merchandise as this country does not produce, in return for the admission free or under a favored scheme of duties of our own products, the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods carried under the flag of the parties to the contract; the removal on both sides from the vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and national imposts, so that those vessels may ply unhindered between our ports and those of the other contracting parties, though without infringing on the reserved home coasting trade; the removal or reduction of burdens on the exported products of those countries coming within the benefits of the treaties, and the avoidance of the technical restrictions and penalties by which our intercourse with those countries is at present hampered. Secondly. The establishment of the consular service of the United States on a salaried footing, thus permitting the relinquishment of consular fees not only as respects vessels under the national flag, but also as respects vessels of the treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the benefits of the treaties. Thirdly. The enactment of measures to favor the construction and maintenance of a steam carrying marine under the flag of the United States. Fourthly. The establishment of an uniform currency basis for the countries of America, so that the coined products of our mines may circulate on equal terms throughout the Whole system of commonwealths. This would require a monetary union of America, whereby the output of the bullion-producing countries and the circulation of those which yield neither gold nor silver could be adjusted in conformity with the population, wealth, and commercial needs of each. As many of the countries furnish no bullion to the common stock, the surplus production of our mines and mints might thus be utilized and a step taken toward the general remonetization of silver. To the accomplishment of these ends, so far as they can be attained by separate treaties, the negotiations already concluded and now in progress have been directed; and the favor which this enlarged policy has thus far received warrants the belief that its operations will ere long embrace all, or nearly all, the countries of this hemisphere. It is by no means desirable, however, that the policy under consideration should be applied to these countries alone. The healthful enlargement of our trade with Europe, Asia, and Africa should be sought by reducing tariff burdens on such of their wares as neither we nor the other American States are fitted to produce, and thus enabling ourselves to obtain in return a better market for our supplies of food, of raw materials, and of the manufactures in which we excel. It seems to me that many of the embarrassing elements in the great national conflict between protection and free trade may thus be turned to good account; that the revenue may be reduced so as no longer to overtax the people; that protective duties may be retained without becoming burdensome; that our shipping interests may be judiciously encouraged, the currency fixed on firm bases, and, above all, such an unity of interests established among the States of the American system as will be of great and ever-increasing advantage to them all. All treaties in the line of this policy which have been negotiated or are in process of negotiation contain a provision deemed to be requisite under the clause of the Constitution limiting to the House of Representatives the authority to originate bills for raising revenue. On the 29th of February last I transmitted to the Congress the first annual report of the Civil Service Commission, together with communications from the heads of the several Executive Departments of the Government respecting the practical workings of the law under which the Commission had been acting. The good results therein foreshadowed have been more than realized. The system has fully answered the expectations of its friends in securing competent and faithful public servants and in protecting the appointing officers of the Government from the pressure of personal importunity and from the labor of examining the claims and pretensions of rival candidates for public employment. The law has had the unqualified support of the President and of the heads of the several Departments, and the members of the Commission have performed their duties with zeal and fidelity. Their report will shortly be submitted, and will be accompanied by such recommendations for enlarging the scope of the existing statute as shall commend themselves to the Executive and the Commissioners charged with its administration. In view of the general and persistent demand throughout the commercial community for a national bankrupt law, I hope that the differences of sentiment which have hitherto prevented its enactment may not outlast the present session. The pestilence which for the past two years has been raging in the countries of the East recently made its appearance in European ports with which we are in constant communication. The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of a proclamation of the President, issued certain regulations restricting and for a time prohibiting the importation of rags and the admission of baggage of immigrants and of travelers arriving from infected quarters. Lest this course may have been without strict warrant of law, I approve the recommendation of the present Secretary that the Congress take action in the premises, and I also recommend the immediate adoption of such measures as will be likely to ward off the dreaded epidemic and to mitigate its severity in case it shall unhappily extend to our shores. The annual report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia reviews the operations of the several departments of its municipal government. I ask your careful consideration of its suggestions in respect to legislation, especially commending such as relate to a revision of the civil and criminal code, the performance of labor by persons sentenced to imprisonment in the jail, the construction and occupation of wharves along the river front, and the erection of a suitable building for District offices. I recommend that in recognition of the eminent services of Ulysses S. Grant, late General of the armies of the United States and twice President of this nation, the Congress confer upon him a suitable pension. Certain of the measures that seem to me necessary and expedient I have now, in obedience to the Constitution, recommended for your adoption. As respects others of no less importance I shall content myself with renewing the recommendations already made to the Congress, without restating the grounds upon which such recommendations were based. The preservation of forests on the public domain, the granting of Government aid for popular education, the amendment of the Federal Constitution so as to make effective the disapproval by the President of particular items in appropriation bills, the enactment of statutes in regard to the filling of vacancies in the Presidential office, and the determining of vexed questions respecting Presidential inability are measures which may justly receive your serious consideration. As the time draws nigh when I am to retire from the public service, I can not refrain from expressing to the members of the National Legislature with whom I have been brought into personal and official intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation with the Executive in so many measures calculated to promote the best interests of the nation. And to my fellow-citizens generally I acknowledge a deep sense of obligation for the support which they have accorded me in my administration of the executive department of this Government.
Since the close of your last session the American people, in the exercise of their highest right of suffrage, have chosen their Chief Magistrate for the four years ensuing. When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has the long political contest which customarily precedes the day of the national election been waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is a subject of general congratulation that after the controversy at the polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the issue had been determined was as yet unascertained, the public peace suffered no disturbance, but the people everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the result. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the American citizen, his love of order, and his loyalty to law. Nothing could more signally demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our political institutions. Eight years have passed since a controversy concerning the result of a national election sharply called the attention of the Congress to the necessity of providing more precise and definite regulations for counting the electoral vote. It is of the gravest importance that this question be solved before conflicting claims to the Presidency shall again distract the country, and I am persuaded that by the people at large any of the measures of relief thus far proposed would be preferred to continued inaction. Our relations with all foreign powers continue to be amicable. With Belgium a convention has been signed whereby the scope of present treaties has been so enlarged as to secure to citizens of either country within the jurisdiction of the other equal rights and privileges in the acquisition and alienation of property. A trade-marks treaty has also been concluded. The war between Chile and Peru is at an end. For the arbitration of the claims of American citizens who during its continuance suffered through the acts of the Chilean authorities a convention will soon be negotiated. The state of hostilities between France and China continues to be an embarrassing feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese Government has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of American citizens whose property was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton. I renew the recommendation of my last annual message, that the Canton indemnity fund be returned to China. The true interpretation of the recent treaty with that country permitting the restriction of Chinese immigration is likely to be again the subject of your deliberations. It may be seriously questioned whether the statute passed at the last session does not violate the treaty rights of certain Chinese who left this country with return certificates valid under the old law, and who now seem to be debarred from relanding for lack of the certificates required by the new. The recent purchase by citizens of the United States of a large trading fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our commercial importance in the East. In view of the large number of vessels built or purchased by American citizens in other countries and exclusively employed in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under the recognized protection of our flag, it might be well to provide a uniform rule for their registration and documentation, so that the bona fide property rights of our citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and properly guarded. Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the last session, I recognized the flag of the International Association of the Kongo as that of a friendly government, avoiding in so doing any prejudgment of conflicting territorial claims in that region. Subsequently, in execution of the expressed wish of the Congress, I appointed a commercial agent for the Kongo basin. The importance of the rich prospective trade of the Kongo Valley has led to the general conviction that it should be open to all nations upon equal terms. At an international conference for the consideration of this subject called by the Emperor of Germany, and now in session at Berlin, delegates are in attendance on behalf of the United States. Of the results of the conference you will be duly advised. The Government of Korea has generously aided the efforts of the United States minister to secure suitable premises for the use of the legation. As the conditions of diplomatic intercourse with Eastern nations demand that the legation premises be owned by the represented power, I advise that an appropriation be made for the acquisition of this property by the Government. The United States already possess valuable premises at Tangier as a gift from the Sultan of Morocco. As is stated hereafter, they have lately received a similar gift from the Siamese Government. The Government of Japan stands ready to present to us extensive grounds at Tokyo whereon to erect a suitable building for the legation, court-house, and jail, and similar privileges can probably be secured in China and Persia. The owning of such premises would not only effect a large saving of the present rentals, but would permit of the due assertion of extraterritorial rights in those countries, and would the better serve to maintain the dignity of the United States. The failure of Congress to make appropriation for our representation at the autonomous court of the Khedive has proved a serious embarrassment in our intercourse with Egypt; and in view of the necessary intimacy of diplomatic relationship due to the participation of this Government as one of the treaty powers in all matters of administration there affecting the rights of foreigners, I advise the restoration of the agency and consulate-general at Cairo on its former basis. I do not conceive it to be the wish of Congress that the United States should withdraw altogether from the honorable position they have hitherto held with respect to the Khedive, or that citizens of this Republic residing or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be without the aid and protection of a competent representative. With France the traditional cordial relationship continues. The colossal statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, the generous gift of the people of France, is expected to reach New York in May next. I suggest that Congressional action be taken in recognition of the spirit which has prompted this gift and in aid of the timely completion of the pedestal upon which it is to be placed. Our relations with Germany, a country which contributes to our own some of the best elements of citizenship, continue to be cordial. The United States have extradition treaties with several of the German States, but by reason of the confederation of those States under the imperial rule the application of such treaties is not as uniform and comprehensive as the interests of the two countries require. I propose, therefore, to open negotiations for a single convention of extradition to embrace all the territory of the Empire. It affords me pleasure to say that our intercourse with Great Britain continues to be of a most friendly character. The Government of Hawaii has indicated its willingness to continue for seven years the provisions of the existing reciprocity treaty. Such continuance, in view of the relations of that country to the American system of States, should, in my judgment, be favored. The revolution in Hayti against the established Government has terminated. While it was in progress it became necessary to enforce our neutrality laws by instituting proceedings against individuals and vessels charged with their infringement. These prosecutions were in all cases successful. Much anxiety has lately been displayed by various European Governments, and especially by the Government of Italy, for the abolition of our import duties upon works of art. It is well to consider whether the present discrimination in favor of the productions of American artists abroad is not likely to result, as they themselves seem very generally to believe it may, in the practical exclusion of our painters and sculptors from the rich fields for observation, study, and labor which they have hitherto enjoyed. There is prospect that the long-pending revision of the foreign treaties of Japan may be concluded at a new conference to be held at Tokyo. While this Government fully recognizes the equal and independent station of Japan in the community of nations, it would not oppose the general adoption of such terms of compromise as Japan may be disposed to offer in furtherance of a uniform policy of intercourse with Western nations. During the past year the increasing good will between our own Government and that of Mexico has been variously manifested. The treaty of commercial reciprocity concluded January 20, 1883, has been ratified and awaits the necessary tariff legislation of Congress to become effective. This legislation will, I doubt not, be among the first measures to claim your attention. A full treaty of commerce, navigation, and consular rights is much to be desired, and such a treaty I have reason to believe that the Mexican Government stands ready to conclude. Some embarrassment has been occasioned by the failure of Congress at its last session to provide means for the due execution of the treaty of July 29, 1882, for the resurvey of the Mexican boundary and the relocation of boundary monuments. With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty has been concluded which authorizes the construction by the United States of a canal, railway, and telegraph line across the Nicaraguan territory. By the terms of this treaty 60 miles of the river San Juan, as well as Lake Nicaragua, an inland sea 40 miles in width, are to constitute a part of the projected enterprise. This leaves for actual canal construction 17 miles on the Pacific side and 36 miles on the Atlantic. To the United States, whose rich territory on the Pacific is for the ordinary purposes of commerce practically cut off from communication by water with the Atlantic ports, the political and commercial advantages of such a project can scarcely be overestimated. It is believed that when the treaty is laid before you the justice and liberality of its provisions will command universal approval at home and abroad. The death of our representative at Russia while at his post at St. Petersburg afforded to the Imperial Government a renewed opportunity to testify its sympathy in a manner befitting the intimate friendliness which has ever marked the intercourse of the two countries. The course of this Government in raising its representation at Bangkok to the diplomatic rank has evoked from Siam evidences of warm friendship and augurs well for our enlarged intercourse. The Siamese Government has presented to the United States a commodious mansion and grounds for the occupancy of the legation, and I suggest that by joint resolution Congress attest its appreciation of this generous gift. This government has more than once been called upon of late to take action in fulfillment of its international obligations toward Spain. Agitation in the island of Cuba hostile to the Spanish Crown having been fomented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which our territory affords, the officers of this Government have been instructed to exercise vigilance to prevent infractions of our neutrality laws at Key West and at other points near the Cuban coast. I am happy to say that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were successfully eluded the offenders, when found in our territory, were subsequently tried and convicted. The growing need of close relationship of intercourse and traffic between the Spanish Antilles and their natural market in the United States led to the adoption in January last of a commercial agreement looking to that end. This agreement has since been superseded by a more carefully framed and comprehensive convention, which I shall submit to the Senate for approval. It has been the aim of this negotiation to open such a favored reciprocal exchange of productions carried under the flag of either country as to make the intercourse between Cuba and Puerto Rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the commercial movement between our domestic ports, and to insure a removal of the burdens on shipping in the Spanish Indies, of which in the past our shipowners and shipmasters have so often had because to complain. The negotiation of this convention has for a time postponed the prosecution of certain claims of our citizens which were declared to be without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish-American Claims Commission, and which are therefore remitted to diplomatic channels for adjustment. The speedy settlement of these claims will now be urged by this Government. Negotiations for a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the Dominican Republic have been successfully concluded, and the result will shortly be laid before the Senate. Certain questions between the United States and the Ottoman Empire still remain unsolved. Complaints on behalf of our citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted. The Porte has sought to withhold from our commerce the right of favored treatment to which we are entitled by existing conventional stipulations, and the revision of the tariffs is unaccomplished. The final disposition of pending questions with Venezuela has not as yet been reached, but I have good reason to expect an early settlement which will provide the means of reexamining the Caracas awards in conformity with the expressed desire of Congress, and which will recognize the justice of certain claims preferred against Venezuela. The Central and South American Commission appointed by authority of the act of July 7, 1884, will soon proceed to Mexico. It has been furnished with instructions which will be laid before you. They contain a statement of the general policy of the Government for enlarging its commercial intercourse with American States. The commissioners have been actively preparing for their responsible task by holding conferences in the principal cities with merchants and others interested in Central and South American trade. The International Meridian Conference lately convened in Washington upon the invitation of the Government of the United States was composed of representatives from twenty-five nations. The conference concluded its labors on the 1st of November, having with substantial unanimity agreed upon the meridian of Greenwich as the starting point whence longitude is to be computed through 180 degrees eastward and westward, and upon the adoption, for all purposes for which it may be found convenient, of a universal day which shall begin at midnight on the initial meridian and whose hours shall be counted from zero up to twenty-four. The formal report of the transactions of this conference will be hereafter transmitted to the Congress. This Government is in frequent receipt of invitations from foreign states to participate in international exhibitions, often of great interest and importance. Occupying, as we do, an advanced position in the world's production, and aiming to secure a profitable share for our industries in the general competitive markets, it is a matter of serious concern that the want of means for participation in these exhibitions should so often exclude our producers from advantages enjoyed by those of other countries. During the past year the attention of Congress was drawn to the formal invitations in this regard tendered by the Governments of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. The Executive has in some instances appointed honorary commissioners. This is, however, a most unsatisfactory expedient, for without some provision to meet the necessary working expenses of a commission it can effect little or nothing in behalf of exhibitors. An International Inventions Exhibition is to be held in London next May. This will cover a field of special importance, in which our country holds a foremost rank; but the Executive is at present powerless to organize a proper representation of our vast national interests in this direction. I have in several previous messages referred to this subject. It seems to me that a statute giving to the Executive general discretionary authority to accept such invitations and to appoint honorary commissioners, without salary, and placing at the disposal of the Secretary of State a small fund for defraying their reasonable expenses, would be of great public utility. This Government has received official notice that the revised international regulations for preventing collisions at sea have been adopted by all the leading maritime powers except the United States, and came into force on the 1st of September last. For the due protection of our shipping interests the provisions of our statutes should at once be brought into conformity with these regulations. The question of securing to authors, composers, and artists copyright privileges in this country in return for reciprocal rights abroad is one that may justly challenge your attention. It is true that conventions will be necessary for fully accomplishing this result; but until Congress shall by statute fix the extent to which foreign holders of copyright shall be here privileged it has been deemed inadvisable to negotiate such conventions. For this reason the United States were not represented at the recent conference at Berne. I recommend that the scope of the neutrality laws of the United States be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts of hostility committed in our territory and aimed against the peace of a friendly nation. Existing statutes prohibit the fitting out of armed expeditions and restrict the shipment of explosives, though the enactments in the latter respect were not framed with regard to international obligations, but simply for the protection of passenger travel. All these statutes were intended to meet special emergencies that had already arisen. Other emergencies have arisen since, and modern ingenuity supplies means for the organization of hostilities without open resort to armed vessels or to filibustering parties. I see no reason why overt preparations in this country for the commission of criminal acts such as are here under consideration should not be alike punishable whether such acts are intended to be committed in our own country or in a foreign country with which we are at peace. The prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which intimately concerns the national honor. Our existing naturalization laws also need revision. Those sections relating to persons residing within the limits of the United States in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical interest. Section 2172, recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents, is ambiguous in its terms and partly obsolete. There are special provisions of law favoring the naturalization of those who serve in the Army or in merchant vessels, while no similar privileges are granted those who serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps. "An uniform rule of naturalization" such as the Constitution contemplates should, among other things, clearly define the status of persons born within the United States subject to a foreign power (section 1992) and of minor children of fathers who have declared their intention to become citizens but have failed to perfect their naturalization. It might be wise to provide for a central bureau of registry, wherein should be filed authenticated transcripts of every record of naturalization in the several Federal and State courts, and to make provision also for the vacation or cancellation of such record in cases where fraud had been practiced upon the court by the applicant himself or where he had renounced or forfeited his acquired citizenship. A just and uniform law in this respect would strengthen the hands of the Government in protecting its citizens abroad and would pave the way for the conclusion of treaties of naturalization with foreign countries. The legislation of the last session effected in the diplomatic and consular service certain changes and reductions which have been productive of embarrassment. The population and commercial activity of our country are steadily on the increase, and are giving rise to new, varying, and often delicate relationships with other countries. Our foreign establishment now embraces nearly double the area of operations that it occupied twenty years ago. The confinement of such a service within the limits of expenditure then established is not, it seems to me, in accordance with true economy. A community of 60,000,000 people should be adequately represented in its intercourse with foreign nations. A project for the reorganization of the consular service and for recasting the scheme of extraterritorial jurisdiction is now before you. If the limits of a short session will not allow of its full consideration, I trust that you will not fail to make suitable provision for the present needs of the service. It has been customary to define in the appropriation acts the rank of each diplomatic office to which a salary is attached. I suggest that this course be abandoned and that it be left to the President, with the advice and consent Of the Senate, to fix from time to time the diplomatic grade of the representatives of this Government abroad as may seem advisable, provision being definitely made, however, as now, for the amount of salary attached to the respective stations. The condition of our finances and the operations of the various branches of the public service which are connected with the Treasury Department are very fully discussed in the report of the Secretary. It appears that the ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1884, were: The public expenditures during the same period were: As compared with the preceding fiscal year, there was a net decrease of over $21,000,000 in the amount of expenditures. The aggregate receipts were less than those of the year previous by about $54,000,000. The falling off in revenue from customs made up nearly $20,000,000 of this deficiency, and about $23,000,000 of the remainder was due to the diminished receipts from internal taxation. The Secretary estimates the total receipts for the fiscal year which will end June 30, 1885, at $330,000,000 and the total expenditures at $290,620,201.16, in which sum are included the interest on the debt and the amount payable to the sinking fund. This would leave a surplus for the entire year of about $39,000,000. The value of exports from the United States to foreign countries during the year ending June 30, 1884, was as follows: The cotton and cotton manufactures included in this statement were valued at $208,900,415; the breadstuffs at $162,544,715; the provisions at $114,416,547, and the mineral oils at $47,103,248. During the same period the imports were as follows: More than 63 per cent of the entire value of imported merchandise consisted of the following articles: I concur with the Secretary of the Treasury in recommending the immediate suspension of the coinage of silver dollars and of the issuance of silver certificates. This is a matter to which in former communications I have more than once invoked the attention of the National Legislature. It appears that annually for the past six years there have been coined, in Compliance with the requirements of the act of February 28, 1878, more than 27,000,000 silver dollars. The number now outstanding is reported by the Secretary to be nearly 185,000,000, whereof but little more than 40,000,000, or less than 22 per cent, are in actual circulation. The mere existence of this fact seems to me to furnish of itself a cogent argument for the repeal of the statute which has made such fact possible. But there are other and graver considerations that tend in the same direction. The Secretary avows his conviction that unless this coinage and the issuance of silver certificates be suspended silver is likely at no distant day to become our sole metallic standard. The commercial disturbance and the impairment of national credit that would be thus occasioned can scarcely be overestimated. I hope that the Secretary's suggestions respecting the withdrawal from circulation of the $1 and $2 notes will receive your approval. It is likely that a considerable portion of the silver now encumbering the vaults of the Treasury might thus find its way into the currency. While trade dollars have ceased, for the present at least, to be an element of active disturbance in our currency system, some provision should be made for their surrender to the Government. In view of the circumstances under which they were coined and of the fact that they have never had a legal-tender quality, there should be offered for them only a slight advance over their bullion value. The Secretary in the course of his report considers the propriety of beautifying the designs of our subsidiary silver coins and of so increasing their weight that they may bear their due ratio of value to the standard dollar. His conclusions in this regard are cordially approved. In my annual message of 1882 I recommended the abolition of all excise taxes except those relating to distilled spirits. This recommendation is now renewed. In case these taxes shall be abolished the revenues that will still remain to the Government will, in my opinion, not only suffice to meet its reasonable expenditures, but will afford a surplus large enough to permit such tariff reduction as may seem to be advisable when the results of recent revenue laws and commercial treaties shall have shown in what quarters those reductions can be most judiciously effected. One of the gravest of the problems which appeal to the wisdom of Congress for solution is the ascertainment of the most effective means for increasing our foreign trade and thus relieving the depression under which our industries are now languishing. The Secretary of the Treasury advises that the duty of investigating this subject be intrusted in the first instance to a competent commission. While fully recognizing the considerations that may be urged against this course, I am nevertheless of the opinion that upon the whole no other would be likely to effect speedier or better results. That portion of the Secretary's report which concerns the condition of our shipping interests can not fail to command your attention. He emphatically recommends that as an incentive to the investment of American capital in American steamships the Government shall, by liberal payments for mail transportation or otherwise, lend its active assistance to individual enterprise, and declares his belief that unless that course be pursued our foreign carrying trade must remain, as it is to-day, almost exclusively in the hands of foreigners. One phase of this subject is now especially prominent in view of the repeal by the act of June 26, 1884, of all statutory provisions arbitrarily compelling American vessels to carry the mails to and from the United States. As it is necessary to make provision to compensate the owners of such vessels for performing that service after April, 1885, it is hoped that the whole subject will receive early consideration that will lead to the enactment of such measures for the revival of our merchant marine as the wisdom of Congress may devise The 3 per cent bonds of the Government to the amount of more than $100,000,000 have since my last annual message been redeemed by the Treasury. The bonds of that issue still outstanding amount to little over $200,000,000, about one-fourth of which will be retired through the operations of the sinking fund during the coming year. As these bonds still constitute the chief basis for the circulation of the national banks, the question how to avert the contraction of the currency caused by their retirement is one of constantly increasing importance. It seems to be generally conceded that the law governing this matter exacts from the banks excessive security, and that upon their present bond deposits a larger circulation than is now allowed may be granted with safety. I hope that the bill which passed the Senate at the last session, permitting the issue of notes equal to the face value of the deposited bonds, will commend itself to the approval of the House of Representatives. In the expenses of the War Department the Secretary reports a decrease of more than $9,000,000. Of this reduction $5,600,000 was effected in the expenditures for rivers and harbors and $2,700,000 in expenditures for the Quartermaster's Department. Outside of that Department the annual expenses of all the Army bureaus proper (except possibly the Ordnance Bureau) are substantially fixed charges, which can not be materially diminished without a change in the numerical strength of the Army. The expenditures in the Quartermaster's Department can readily be subjected to administrative discretion, and it is reported by the Secretary of War that as a result of exercising such discretion in reducing the number of draft and pack animals in the Army the annual cost of supplying and caring for such animals is now $1,108,085.90 less than it was in 1881. The reports of military commanders show that the last year has been notable for its entire freedom from Indian outbreaks. In defiance of the President's proclamation of July 1, 1884, certain intruders sought to make settlements in the Indian Territory. They were promptly removed by a detachment of troops. During the past session of Congress a bill to provide a suitable fire-proof building for the Army Medical Museum and the library of the Surgeon-General's Office received the approval of the Senate. A similar bill, reported favorably to the House of Representatives by one of its committees, is still pending before that body. It is hoped that during the coming session the measure may become a law, and that thereafter immediate steps may be taken to secure a place of safe deposit for these valuable collections, now in a state of insecurity. The funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past year were derived from the appropriations of the act of August 2, 1882, together with such few balances as were on hand from previous appropriations. The balance in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1883, was $10,021,649.55. The amount appropriated during the fiscal year 1884 was $1,319,634.62 and the amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year was $8,228,703.54, leaving a balance of $3,112,580.63 in the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1884. The Secretary of War submits the report of the Chief of Engineers as to the practicability of protecting our important cities on the seaboard by fortifications and other defenses able to repel modern methods of attack. The time has now come when such defenses can be prepared with confidence that they will not prove abortive, and when the possible result of delay in making such preparation is seriously considered delay seems inexcusable. For the most important cities--those whose destruction or capture would be a national humiliation--adequate defenses, inclusive of guns, may be made by the gradual expenditure of $60,000,000--a sum much less than a victorious enemy could levy as a contribution. An appropriation of about one-tenth of that amount is asked to begin the work, and I concur with the Secretary of War in urging that it be granted. The War Department is proceeding with the conversion of 10-inch smoothbore guns into 8-inch rifles by lining the former with tubes of forged steel or of coil wrought iron. Fifty guns will be thus converted within the year. This, however, does not obviate the necessity of providing means for the construction of guns of the highest power both for the purposes of coast defense and for the armament of war vessels. The report of the Gun Foundry Board, appointed April 2, 1883, in pursuance of the act of March 3, 1883, was transmitted to Congress in a special message of February 18, 1884. In my message of March 26, 1884, I called attention to the recommendation of the board that the Government should encourage the production at private steel works of the required material for heavy cannon, and that two Government factories, one for the Army and one for the Navy, should be established for the fabrication of guns from such material. No action having been taken, the board was subsequently reconvened to determine more fully the plans and estimates necessary for carrying out its recommendation. It has received information which indicates that there are responsible steel manufacturers in this country who, although not provided at present with the necessary plant, are willing to construct the same and to make bids for contracts with the Government for the supply of the requisite material for the heaviest guns adapted to modern warfare if a guaranteed order of sufficient magnitude, accompanied by a positive appropriation extending over a series of years, shall be made by Congress. All doubts as to the feasibility of the plan being thus removed, I renew my recommendation that such action be taken by Congress as will enable the Government to construct its own ordnance upon its own territory, and so to provide the armaments demanded by considerations of national safety and honor. The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the progress which has been made on the new steel cruisers authorized by the acts of August 5, 1882, and March 3, 1883. Of the four vessels under contract, one, the Chicago, of 4,500 tons, is more than half finished; the Atlanta, of 3,000 tons, has been successfully launched, and her machinery is now fitting; the Boston, also of 3,000 tons, is ready for launching, and the Dolphin, a dispatch steamer of 1,500 tons, is ready for delivery. Certain adverse criticisms upon the designs of these cruisers are discussed by the Secretary, who insists that the correctness of the conclusions reached by the Advisory Board and by the Department has been demonstrated by recent developments in shipbuilding abroad. The machinery of the double-turreted monitors Puritan, Terror, and Amphitrite, contracted for under the act of March 3, 1883, is in process of construction. No work has been done during the past year on their armor for lack of the necessary appropriations. A fourth monitor, the Monadnock, still remains unfinished at the navy-yard in California. It is recommended that early steps be taken to complete these vessels and to provide also an armament for the monitor Miantonomoh. The recommendations of the Naval Advisory Board, approved by the Department, comprise the construction of one steel cruiser of 4,500 tons, one cruiser of 3,000 tons, two heavily armed gunboats, one light cruising gunboat, one dispatch vessel armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one armored ram, and three torpedo boats. The general designs, all of which are calculated to meet the existing wants of the service, are now well advanced, and the construction of the vessels can be undertaken as soon as you shall grant the necessary authority. The act of Congress approved August 7, 1882, authorized the removal to the United States of the bodies of Lieutenant-Commander George W. De Long and his companions of the Jeannette expedition. This removal has been successfully accomplished by Lieutenants Harber and Schuetze. The remains were taken from their grave in the Lena Delta in March, 1883, and were retained at Yakutsk until the following winter, the season being too far advanced to admit of their immediate transportation. They arrived at New York February 20, 1884, where they were received with suitable honors. In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress approved February 13, 1884, a naval expedition was fitted out for the relief of Lieutenant A. W. Greely, United States Army, and of the party who had been engaged under his command in scientific observations at Lady Franklin Bay. The fleet consisted of the steam sealer Thetis, purchased in England; the Bear, purchased at St. Johns, Newfoundland, and the Alert, which was generously provided by the British Government. Preparations for the expedition were promptly made by the Secretary of the Navy, with the active cooperation of the Secretary of War. Commander George W. Coffin was placed in command of the Alert and Lieutenant William H. Emory in command of the Bear. The Thetis was intrusted to Commander Winfield S. Schley, to whom also was assigned the superintendence of the entire expedition. Immediately upon its arrival at Upernavik the fleet began the dangerous navigation of Melville Bay, and in spite of every obstacle reached Littleton Island on June 22, a fortnight earlier than any vessel had before attained that point. On the same day it crossed over to Cape Sabine, where Lieutenant Greely and the other survivors of his party were discovered. After taking on board the living and the bodies of the dead, the relief ships sailed for St. Johns, where they arrived on July 17. They were appropriately received at Portsmouth, N. H., on August 1 and at New York on August 8. One of the bodies was landed at the former place. The others were put on shore at Governors Island, and, with the exception of one, which was interred in the national cemetery, were forwarded thence to the destinations indicated by friends. The organization and conduct of this relief expedition reflects great credit upon all who contributed to its success. In this the last of the stated messages that I shall have the honor to transmit to the Congress of the United States I can not too strongly urge upon its attention the duty of restoring our Navy as rapidly as possible to the high state of efficiency which formerly characterized it. As the long peace that has lulled us into a sense of fancied security may at any time be disturbed, it is plain that the policy of strengthening this arm of the service is dictated by considerations of wise economy, of just regard for our future tranquillity, and of true appreciation of the dignity and honor of the Republic. The report of the Postmaster-General acquaints you with the present condition and needs of the postal service. It discloses the gratifying fact that the loss of revenue from the reduction in the rate of letter postage recommended in my message of December 4, 1882, and effected by the act of March 3, 1883, has been much less than was generally anticipated. My recommendation of this reduction was based upon the belief that the actual falling off in receipts from letter postages for the year immediately succeeding the change of rate would be $3,000,000. It has proved to be only $2,275,000. This is a trustworthy indication that the revenue will soon be restored to its former volume by the natural increase of sealed correspondence. I confidently repeat, therefore, the recommendation of my last annual message that the single-rate postage upon drop letters be reduced to 1 cent wherever the payment of 2 cents is now required by law. The double rate is only exacted at offices where the carrier system is in operation, and it appears that at those offices the increase in the tax upon local letters defrays the cost not only of its own collection and delivery, but of the collection and delivery of all other mail matter. This is an inequality that ought no longer to exist. I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster-General that the unit of weight in the rating of first-class matter should be 1 ounce instead of one-half ounce, as it now is. In view of the statistics furnished by the Department, it may well be doubted whether the change would result in any loss of revenue. That it would greatly promote the convenience of the public is beyond dispute. The free-delivery system has been lately applied to five cities, and the total number of offices in which it is now in operation is 159. Experience shows that its adoption, under proper conditions, is equally an accommodation to the public and an advantage to the postal service. It is more than self-sustaining, and for the reasons urged by the Postmaster-General may properly be extended. In the opinion of that officer it is important to provide means whereby exceptional dispatch in dealing with letters in free-delivery offices may be secured by payment of extraordinary postage. This scheme might be made effective by employment of a special stamp whose cost should be commensurate with the expense of the extra service. In some of the large cities private express companies have undertaken to outstrip the Government mail carriers by affording for the prompt transmission of letters better facilities than have hitherto been at the command of the Post-Office. It has always been the policy of the Government to discourage such enterprises, and in no better mode can that policy be maintained than in supplying the public with the most efficient mail service that, with due regard to its own best interests, can be furnished for its accommodation. The Attorney-General renews the recommendation contained in his report of last year touching the fees of witnesses and jurors. He favors radical changes in the fee bill, the adoption of a system by which attorneys and marshals of the United States shall be compensated solely by salaries, and the erection by the Government of a penitentiary for the confinement of offenders against its laws. Of the varied governmental concerns in charge of the Interior Department the report of its Secretary presents an interesting summary. Among the topics deserving particular attention I refer you to his observations respecting our Indian affairs, the preemption and timber-culture acts, the failure of railroad companies to take title to lands granted by the Government, and the operations of the Pension Office, the Patent Office, the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Education. Allusion has been made already to the circumstance that, both as between the different Indian tribes and as between the Indians and the whites, the past year has been one of unbroken peace. In this circumstance the President is glad to find justification for the policy of the Government in its dealing with the Indian question and confirmation of the views which were fully expressed in his first communication to the Forty-seventh Congress. The Secretary urges anew the enactment of a statute for the punishment of crimes committed on the Indian reservations, and recommends the passage of the bill now pending in the House of Representatives for the purchase of a tract of 18,000 square miles from the Sioux Reservation. Both these measures are worthy of approval. I concur with him also in advising the repeal of the preemption law, the enactment of statutes resolving the present legal complications touching lapsed grants to railroad companies, and the funding of the debt of the several Pacific railroads under such guaranty as shall effectually secure its ultimate payment. The report of the Utah Commission will be read with interest. It discloses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention and punishment of polygamy in that Territory. I still believe that if that abominable practice can be suppressed by law it can only be by the most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the Constitution. I again recommend, therefore, that Congress assume absolute political control of the Territory of Utah and provide for the appointment of commissioners with such governmental powers as in its judgment may justly and wisely be put into their hands. In the course of this communication reference has more than once been made to the policy of this Government as regards the extension of our foreign trade. It seems proper to declare the general principles that should, in my opinion, underlie our national efforts in this direction. The main conditions of the problem may be thus stated: We are a people apt in mechanical pursuits and fertile in invention. We cover a vast extent of territory rich in agricultural products and in nearly all the raw materials necessary for successful manufacture. We have a system of productive establishments more than sufficient to supply our own demands. The wages of labor are nowhere else so great. The scale of living of our artisan classes is such as tends to secure their personal comfort and the development of those higher moral and intellectual qualities that go to the making of good citizens. Our system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a revenue which is in excess of the present needs of the Government. These are the elements from which it is sought to devise a scheme by which, without unfavorably changing the condition of the workingman, our merchant marine shall be raised from its enfeebled condition and new markets provided for the sale beyond our borders of the manifold fruits of our industrial enterprises. The problem is complex and can be solved by no single measure of innovation or reform. The countries of the American continent and the adjacent islands are for the United States the natural marts of supply and demand. It is from them that we should obtain what we do not produce or do not produce in sufficiency, and it is to them that the surplus productions of our fields, our mills, and our workshops should flow, under conditions that will equalize or favor them in comparison with foreign competition. Four paths of policy seem to point to this end: First. A series of reciprocal commercial treaties with the countries of America which shall foster between us and them an unhampered movement of trade. The conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of such merchandise as this country does not produce, in return for the admission free or under a favored scheme of duties of our own products, the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods carried under the flag of the parties to the contract; the removal on both sides from the vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and national imposts, so that those vessels may ply unhindered between our ports and those of the other contracting parties, though without infringing on the reserved home coasting trade; the removal or reduction of burdens on the exported products of those countries coming within the benefits of the treaties, and the avoidance of the technical restrictions and penalties by which our intercourse with those countries is at present hampered. Secondly. The establishment of the consular service of the United States on a salaried footing, thus permitting the relinquishment of consular fees not only as respects vessels under the national flag, but also as respects vessels of the treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the benefits of the treaties. Thirdly. The enactment of measures to favor the construction and maintenance of a steam carrying marine under the flag of the United States. Fourthly. The establishment of an uniform currency basis for the countries of America, so that the coined products of our mines may circulate on equal terms throughout the Whole system of commonwealths. This would require a monetary union of America, whereby the output of the bullion-producing countries and the circulation of those which yield neither gold nor silver could be adjusted in conformity with the population, wealth, and commercial needs of each. As many of the countries furnish no bullion to the common stock, the surplus production of our mines and mints might thus be utilized and a step taken toward the general remonetization of silver. To the accomplishment of these ends, so far as they can be attained by separate treaties, the negotiations already concluded and now in progress have been directed; and the favor which this enlarged policy has thus far received warrants the belief that its operations will ere long embrace all, or nearly all, the countries of this hemisphere. It is by no means desirable, however, that the policy under consideration should be applied to these countries alone. The healthful enlargement of our trade with Europe, Asia, and Africa should be sought by reducing tariff burdens on such of their wares as neither we nor the other American States are fitted to produce, and thus enabling ourselves to obtain in return a better market for our supplies of food, of raw materials, and of the manufactures in which we excel. It seems to me that many of the embarrassing elements in the great national conflict between protection and free trade may thus be turned to good account; that the revenue may be reduced so as no longer to overtax the people; that protective duties may be retained without becoming burdensome; that our shipping interests may be judiciously encouraged, the currency fixed on firm bases, and, above all, such an unity of interests established among the States of the American system as will be of great and ever-increasing advantage to them all. All treaties in the line of this policy which have been negotiated or are in process of negotiation contain a provision deemed to be requisite under the clause of the Constitution limiting to the House of Representatives the authority to originate bills for raising revenue. On the 29th of February last I transmitted to the Congress the first annual report of the Civil Service Commission, together with communications from the heads of the several Executive Departments of the Government respecting the practical workings of the law under which the Commission had been acting. The good results therein foreshadowed have been more than realized. The system has fully answered the expectations of its friends in securing competent and faithful public servants and in protecting the appointing officers of the Government from the pressure of personal importunity and from the labor of examining the claims and pretensions of rival candidates for public employment. The law has had the unqualified support of the President and of the heads of the several Departments, and the members of the Commission have performed their duties with zeal and fidelity. Their report will shortly be submitted, and will be accompanied by such recommendations for enlarging the scope of the existing statute as shall commend themselves to the Executive and the Commissioners charged with its administration. In view of the general and persistent demand throughout the commercial community for a national bankrupt law, I hope that the differences of sentiment which have hitherto prevented its enactment may not outlast the present session. The pestilence which for the past two years has been raging in the countries of the East recently made its appearance in European ports with which we are in constant communication. The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of a proclamation of the President, issued certain regulations restricting and for a time prohibiting the importation of rags and the admission of baggage of immigrants and of travelers arriving from infected quarters. Lest this course may have been without strict warrant of law, I approve the recommendation of the present Secretary that the Congress take action in the premises, and I also recommend the immediate adoption of such measures as will be likely to ward off the dreaded epidemic and to mitigate its severity in case it shall unhappily extend to our shores. The annual report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia reviews the operations of the several departments of its municipal government. I ask your careful consideration of its suggestions in respect to legislation, especially commending such as relate to a revision of the civil and criminal code, the performance of labor by persons sentenced to imprisonment in the jail, the construction and occupation of wharves along the river front, and the erection of a suitable building for District offices. I recommend that in recognition of the eminent services of Ulysses S. Grant, late General of the armies of the United States and twice President of this nation, the Congress confer upon him a suitable pension. Certain of the measures that seem to me necessary and expedient I have now, in obedience to the Constitution, recommended for your adoption. As respects others of no less importance I shall content myself with renewing the recommendations already made to the Congress, without restating the grounds upon which such recommendations were based. The preservation of forests on the public domain, the granting of Government aid for popular education, the amendment of the Federal Constitution so as to make effective the disapproval by the President of particular items in appropriation bills, the enactment of statutes in regard to the filling of vacancies in the Presidential office, and the determining of vexed questions respecting Presidential inability are measures which may justly receive your serious consideration. As the time draws nigh when I am to retire from the public service, I can not refrain from expressing to the members of the National Legislature with whom I have been brought into personal and official intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation with the Executive in so many measures calculated to promote the best interests of the nation. And to my fellow-citizens generally I acknowledge a deep sense of obligation for the support which they have accorded me in my administration of the executive department of this Government.
since the close of your last session the american people in the exercise of their highest right of suffrage have chosen their chief magistrate for the four years ensuing when it is remembered that at no period in the country history has the long political contest which customarily precedes the day of the national election been waged with greater fervor and intensity it is a subject of general congratulation that after the controversy at the polls was over and while the slight preponderance by which the issue had been determined was as yet unascertained the public peace suffered no disturbance but the people everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the result nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the american citizen his love of order and his loyalty to law nothing could more signally demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our political institutions eight years have passed since a controversy concerning the result of a national election sharply called the attention of the congress to the necessity of providing more precise and definite regulations for counting the electoral vote it is of the gravest importance that this question be solved before conflicting claims to the presidency shall again distract the country and i am persuaded that by the people at large any of the measures of relief thus far proposed would be preferred to continued inaction our relations with all foreign powers continue to be amicable with belgium a convention has been signed whereby the scope of present treaties has been so enlarged as to secure to citizens of either country within the jurisdiction of the other equal rights and privileges in the acquisition and alienation of property a treaty has also been concluded the war between chile and peru is at an end for the arbitration of the claims of american citizens who during its continuance suffered through the acts of the chilean authorities a convention will soon be negotiated the state of hostilities between france and china continues to be an embarrassing feature of our eastern relations the chinese government has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of american citizens whose property was destroyed in the recent riots at canton i renew the recommendation of my last annual message that the canton indemnity fund be returned to china the true interpretation of the recent treaty with that country permitting the restriction of chinese immigration is likely to be again the subject of your deliberations it may be seriously questioned whether the statute passed at the last session does not violate the treaty rights of certain chinese who left this country with return certificates valid under the old law and who now seem to be debarred from relanding for lack of the certificates required by the new the recent purchase by citizens of the united states of a large trading fleet heretofore under the chinese flag has considerably enhanced our commercial importance in the east in view of the large number of vessels built or purchased by american citizens in other countries and exclusively employed in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under the recognized protection of our flag it might be well to provide a uniform rule for their registration and documentation so that the bona fide property rights of our citizens therein shall be duly evidenced and properly guarded pursuant to the advice of the senate at the last session i recognized the flag of the international association of the kongo as that of a friendly government avoiding in so doing any prejudgment of conflicting territorial claims in that region subsequently in execution of the expressed wish of the congress i appointed a commercial agent for the kongo basin the importance of the rich prospective trade of the kongo valley has led to the general conviction that it should be open to all nations upon equal terms at an international conference for the consideration of this subject called by the emperor of germany and now in session at berlin delegates are in attendance on behalf of the united states of the results of the conference you will be duly advised the government of korea has generously aided the efforts of the united states minister to secure suitable premises for the use of the legation as the conditions of diplomatic intercourse with eastern nations demand that the legation premises be owned by the represented power i advise that an appropriation be made for the acquisition of this property by the government the united states already possess valuable premises at tangier as a gift from the sultan of morocco as is stated hereafter they have lately received a similar gift from the siamese government the government of japan stands ready to present to us extensive grounds at tokyo whereon to erect a suitable building for the legation and jail and similar privileges can probably be secured in china and persia the owning of such premises would not only effect a large saving of the present rentals but would permit of the due assertion of extraterritorial rights in those countries and would the better serve to maintain the dignity of the united states the failure of congress to make appropriation for our representation at the autonomous court of the khedive has proved a serious embarrassment in our intercourse with egypt and in view of the necessary intimacy of diplomatic relationship due to the participation of this government as one of the treaty powers in all matters of administration there affecting the rights of foreigners i advise the restoration of the agency and at cairo on its former basis i do not conceive it to be the wish of congress that the united states should withdraw altogether from the honorable position they have hitherto held with respect to the khedive or that citizens of this republic residing or sojourning in egypt should hereafter be without the aid and protection of a competent representative with france the traditional cordial relationship continues the colossal statue of liberty enlightening the world the generous gift of the people of france is expected to reach new york in may next i suggest that congressional action be taken in recognition of the spirit which has prompted this gift and in aid of the timely completion of the pedestal upon which it is to be placed our relations with germany a country which contributes to our own some of the best elements of citizenship continue to be cordial the united states have extradition treaties with several of the german states but by reason of the confederation of those states under the imperial rule the application of such treaties is not as uniform and comprehensive as the interests of the two countries require i propose therefore to open negotiations for a single convention of extradition to embrace all the territory of the empire it affords me pleasure to say that our intercourse with great britain continues to be of a most friendly character the government of hawaii has indicated its willingness to continue for seven years the provisions of the existing reciprocity treaty such continuance in view of the relations of that country to the american system of states should in my judgment be favored the revolution in hayti against the established government has terminated while it was in progress it became necessary to enforce our neutrality laws by instituting proceedings against individuals and vessels charged with their infringement these prosecutions were in all cases successful much anxiety has lately been displayed by various european governments and especially by the government of italy for the abolition of our import duties upon works of art it is well to consider whether the present discrimination in favor of the productions of american artists abroad is not likely to result as they themselves seem very generally to believe it may in the practical exclusion of our painters and sculptors from the rich fields for observation study and labor which they have hitherto enjoyed there is prospect that the revision of the foreign treaties of japan may be concluded at a new conference to be held at tokyo while this government fully recognizes the equal and independent station of japan in the community of nations it would not oppose the general adoption of such terms of compromise as japan may be disposed to offer in furtherance of a uniform policy of intercourse with western nations during the past year the increasing good will between our own government and that of mexico has been variously manifested the treaty of commercial reciprocity concluded january 20 1883 has been ratified and awaits the necessary tariff legislation of congress to become effective this legislation will i doubt not be among the first measures to claim your attention a full treaty of commerce navigation and consular rights is much to be desired and such a treaty i have reason to believe that the mexican government stands ready to conclude some embarrassment has been occasioned by the failure of congress at its last session to provide means for the due execution of the treaty of july 29 1882 for the resurvey of the mexican boundary and the relocation of boundary monuments with the republic of nicaragua a treaty has been concluded which authorizes the construction by the united states of a canal railway and telegraph line across the nicaraguan territory by the terms of this treaty 60 miles of the river san juan as well as lake nicaragua an inland sea 40 miles in width are to constitute a part of the projected enterprise this leaves for actual canal construction 17 miles on the pacific side and 36 miles on the atlantic to the united states whose rich territory on the pacific is for the ordinary purposes of commerce practically cut off from communication by water with the atlantic ports the political and commercial advantages of such a project can scarcely be overestimated it is believed that when the treaty is laid before you the justice and liberality of its provisions will command universal approval at home and abroad the death of our representative at russia while at his post at petersburg afforded to the imperial government a renewed opportunity to testify its sympathy in a manner befitting the intimate friendliness which has ever marked the intercourse of the two countries the course of this government in raising its representation at bangkok to the diplomatic rank has evoked from siam evidences of warm friendship and augurs well for our enlarged intercourse the siamese government has presented to the united states a commodious mansion and grounds for the occupancy of the legation and i suggest that by joint resolution congress attest its appreciation of this generous gift this government has more than once been called upon of late to take action in fulfillment of its international obligations toward spain agitation in the island of cuba hostile to the spanish crown having been fomented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which our territory affords the officers of this government have been instructed to exercise vigilance to prevent infractions of our neutrality laws at key west and at other points near the cuban coast i am happy to say that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were successfully eluded the offenders when found in our territory were subsequently tried and convicted the growing need of close relationship of intercourse and traffic between the spanish antilles and their natural market in the united states led to the adoption in january last of a commercial agreement looking to that end this agreement has since been superseded by a more carefully framed and comprehensive convention which i shall submit to the senate for approval it has been the aim of this negotiation to open such a favored reciprocal exchange of productions carried under the flag of either country as to make the intercourse between cuba and puerto rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the commercial movement between our domestic ports and to insure a removal of the burdens on shipping in the spanish indies of which in the past our shipowners and shipmasters have so often had because to complain the negotiation of this convention has for a time postponed the prosecution of certain claims of our citizens which were declared to be without the jurisdiction of the late claims commission and which are therefore remitted to diplomatic channels for adjustment the speedy settlement of these claims will now be urged by this government negotiations for a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the dominican republic have been successfully concluded and the result will shortly be laid before the senate certain questions between the united states and the ottoman empire still remain unsolved complaints on behalf of our citizens are not satisfactorily adjusted the porte has sought to withhold from our commerce the right of favored treatment to which we are entitled by existing conventional stipulations and the revision of the tariffs is unaccomplished the final disposition of pending questions with venezuela has not as yet been reached but i have good reason to expect an early settlement which will provide the means of reexamining the caracas awards in conformity with the expressed desire of congress and which will recognize the justice of certain claims preferred against venezuela the central and south american commission appointed by authority of the act of july 7 1884 will soon proceed to mexico it has been furnished with instructions which will be laid before you they contain a statement of the general policy of the government for enlarging its commercial intercourse with american states the commissioners have been actively preparing for their responsible task by holding conferences in the principal cities with merchants and others interested in central and south american trade the international meridian conference lately convened in washington upon the invitation of the government of the united states was composed of representatives from nations the conference concluded its labors on the 1st of november having with substantial unanimity agreed upon the meridian of greenwich as the starting point whence longitude is to be computed through 180 degrees eastward and westward and upon the adoption for all purposes for which it may be found convenient of a universal day which shall begin at midnight on the initial meridian and whose hours shall be counted from zero up to the formal report of the transactions of this conference will be hereafter transmitted to the congress this government is in frequent receipt of invitations from foreign states to participate in international exhibitions often of great interest and importance occupying as we do an advanced position in the world production and aiming to secure a profitable share for our industries in the general competitive markets it is a matter of serious concern that the want of means for participation in these exhibitions should so often exclude our producers from advantages enjoyed by those of other countries during the past year the attention of congress was drawn to the formal invitations in this regard tendered by the governments of england holland belgium germany and austria the executive has in some instances appointed honorary commissioners this is however a most unsatisfactory expedient for without some provision to meet the necessary working expenses of a commission it can effect little or nothing in behalf of exhibitors an international inventions exhibition is to be held in london next may this will cover a field of special importance in which our country holds a foremost rank but the executive is at present powerless to organize a proper representation of our vast national interests in this direction i have in several previous messages referred to this subject it seems to me that a statute giving to the executive general discretionary authority to accept such invitations and to appoint honorary commissioners without salary and placing at the disposal of the secretary of state a small fund for defraying their reasonable expenses would be of great public utility this government has received official notice that the revised international regulations for preventing collisions at sea have been adopted by all the leading maritime powers except the united states and came into force on the 1st of september last for the due protection of our shipping interests the provisions of our statutes should at once be brought into conformity with these regulations the question of securing to authors composers and artists copyright privileges in this country in return for reciprocal rights abroad is one that may justly challenge your attention it is true that conventions will be necessary for fully accomplishing this result but until congress shall by statute fix the extent to which foreign holders of copyright shall be here privileged it has been deemed inadvisable to negotiate such conventions for this reason the united states were not represented at the recent conference at berne i recommend that the scope of the neutrality laws of the united states be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts of hostility committed in our territory and aimed against the peace of a friendly nation existing statutes prohibit the fitting out of armed expeditions and restrict the shipment of explosives though the enactments in the latter respect were not framed with regard to international obligations but simply for the protection of passenger travel all these statutes were intended to meet special emergencies that had already arisen other emergencies have arisen since and modern ingenuity supplies means for the organization of hostilities without open resort to armed vessels or to filibustering parties i see no reason why overt preparations in this country for the commission of criminal acts such as are here under consideration should not be alike punishable whether such acts are intended to be committed in our own country or in a foreign country with which we are at peace the prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which intimately concerns the national honor our existing naturalization laws also need revision those sections relating to persons residing within the limits of the united states in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical interest section 2172 recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents is ambiguous in its terms and partly obsolete there are special provisions of law favoring the naturalization of those who serve in the army or in merchant vessels while no similar privileges are granted those who serve in the navy or the marine corps an uniform rule of naturalization such as the constitution contemplates should among other things clearly define the status of persons born within the united states subject to a foreign power section 1992 and of minor children of fathers who have declared their intention to become citizens but have failed to perfect their naturalization it might be wise to provide for a central bureau of registry wherein should be filed authenticated transcripts of every record of naturalization in the several federal and state courts and to make provision also for the vacation or cancellation of such record in cases where fraud had been practiced upon the court by the applicant himself or where he had renounced or forfeited his acquired citizenship a just and uniform law in this respect would strengthen the hands of the government in protecting its citizens abroad and would pave the way for the conclusion of treaties of naturalization with foreign countries the legislation of the last session effected in the diplomatic and consular service certain changes and reductions which have been productive of embarrassment the population and commercial activity of our country are steadily on the increase and are giving rise to new varying and often delicate relationships with other countries our foreign establishment now embraces nearly double the area of operations that it occupied twenty years ago the confinement of such a service within the limits of expenditure then established is not it seems to me in accordance with true economy a community of people should be adequately represented in its intercourse with foreign nations a project for the reorganization of the consular service and for recasting the scheme of extraterritorial jurisdiction is now before you if the limits of a short session will not allow of its full consideration i trust that you will not fail to make suitable provision for the present needs of the service it has been customary to define in the appropriation acts the rank of each diplomatic office to which a salary is attached i suggest that this course be abandoned and that it be left to the president with the advice and consent of the senate to fix from time to time the diplomatic grade of the representatives of this government abroad as may seem advisable provision being definitely made however as now for the amount of salary attached to the respective stations the condition of our finances and the operations of the various branches of the public service which are connected with the treasury department are very fully discussed in the report of the secretary it appears that the ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended june 30 1884 were the public expenditures during the same period were as compared with the preceding fiscal year there was a net decrease of over in the amount of expenditures the aggregate receipts were less than those of the year previous by about the falling off in revenue from customs made up nearly of this deficiency and about of the remainder was due to the diminished receipts from internal taxation the secretary estimates the total receipts for the fiscal year which will end june 30 1885 at and the total expenditures at in which sum are included the interest on the debt and the amount payable to the sinking fund this would leave a surplus for the entire year of about the value of exports from the united states to foreign countries during the year ending june 30 1884 was as follows the cotton and cotton manufactures included in this statement were valued at the breadstuffs at the provisions at and the mineral oils at during the same period the imports were as follows more than 63 per cent of the entire value of imported merchandise consisted of the following articles i concur with the secretary of the treasury in recommending the immediate suspension of the coinage of silver dollars and of the issuance of silver certificates this is a matter to which in former communications i have more than once invoked the attention of the national legislature it appears that annually for the past six years there have been coined in compliance with the requirements of the act of february 28 1878 more than silver dollars the number now outstanding is reported by the secretary to be nearly whereof but little more than or less than 22 per cent are in actual circulation the mere existence of this fact seems to me to furnish of itself a cogent argument for the repeal of the statute which has made such fact possible but there are other and graver considerations that tend in the same direction the secretary avows his conviction that unless this coinage and the issuance of silver certificates be suspended silver is likely at no distant day to become our sole metallic standard the commercial disturbance and the impairment of national credit that would be thus occasioned can scarcely be overestimated i hope that the secretary suggestions respecting the withdrawal from circulation of the 1 and 2 notes will receive your approval it is likely that a considerable portion of the silver now encumbering the vaults of the treasury might thus find its way into the currency while trade dollars have ceased for the present at least to be an element of active disturbance in our currency system some provision should be made for their surrender to the government in view of the circumstances under which they were coined and of the fact that they have never had a quality there should be offered for them only a slight advance over their bullion value the secretary in the course of his report considers the propriety of beautifying the designs of our subsidiary silver coins and of so increasing their weight that they may bear their due ratio of value to the standard dollar his conclusions in this regard are cordially approved in my annual message of 1882 i recommended the abolition of all excise taxes except those relating to distilled spirits this recommendation is now renewed in case these taxes shall be abolished the revenues that will still remain to the government will in my opinion not only suffice to meet its reasonable expenditures but will afford a surplus large enough to permit such tariff reduction as may seem to be advisable when the results of recent revenue laws and commercial treaties shall have shown in what quarters those reductions can be most judiciously effected one of the gravest of the problems which appeal to the wisdom of congress for solution is the ascertainment of the most effective means for increasing our foreign trade and thus relieving the depression under which our industries are now languishing the secretary of the treasury advises that the duty of investigating this subject be intrusted in the first instance to a competent commission while fully recognizing the considerations that may be urged against this course i am nevertheless of the opinion that upon the whole no other would be likely to effect speedier or better results that portion of the secretary report which concerns the condition of our shipping interests can not fail to command your attention he emphatically recommends that as an incentive to the investment of american capital in american steamships the government shall by liberal payments for mail transportation or otherwise lend its active assistance to individual enterprise and declares his belief that unless that course be pursued our foreign carrying trade must remain as it is almost exclusively in the hands of foreigners one phase of this subject is now especially prominent in view of the repeal by the act of june 26 1884 of all statutory provisions arbitrarily compelling american vessels to carry the mails to and from the united states as it is necessary to make provision to compensate the owners of such vessels for performing that service after april 1885 it is hoped that the whole subject will receive early consideration that will lead to the enactment of such measures for the revival of our merchant marine as the wisdom of congress may devise the 3 per cent bonds of the government to the amount of more than have since my last annual message been redeemed by the treasury the bonds of that issue still outstanding amount to little over about of which will be retired through the operations of the sinking fund during the coming year as these bonds still constitute the chief basis for the circulation of the national banks the question how to avert the contraction of the currency caused by their retirement is one of constantly increasing importance it seems to be generally conceded that the law governing this matter exacts from the banks excessive security and that upon their present bond deposits a larger circulation than is now allowed may be granted with safety i hope that the bill which passed the senate at the last session permitting the issue of notes equal to the face value of the deposited bonds will commend itself to the approval of the house of representatives in the expenses of the war department the secretary reports a decrease of more than of this reduction was effected in the expenditures for rivers and harbors and in expenditures for the quartermaster department outside of that department the annual expenses of all the army bureaus proper except possibly the ordnance bureau are substantially fixed charges which can not be materially diminished without a change in the numerical strength of the army the expenditures in the quartermaster department can readily be subjected to administrative discretion and it is reported by the secretary of war that as a result of exercising such discretion in reducing the number of draft and pack animals in the army the annual cost of supplying and caring for such animals is now less than it was in 1881 the reports of military commanders show that the last year has been notable for its entire freedom from indian outbreaks in defiance of the president proclamation of july 1 1884 certain intruders sought to make settlements in the indian territory they were promptly removed by a detachment of troops during the past session of congress a bill to provide a suitable building for the army medical museum and the library of the office received the approval of the senate a similar bill reported favorably to the house of representatives by one of its committees is still pending before that body it is hoped that during the coming session the measure may become a law and that thereafter immediate steps may be taken to secure a place of safe deposit for these valuable collections now in a state of insecurity the funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during the past year were derived from the appropriations of the act of august 2 1882 together with such few balances as were on hand from previous appropriations the balance in the treasury subject to requisition july 1 1883 was the amount appropriated during the fiscal year 1884 was and the amount drawn from the treasury during the fiscal year was leaving a balance of in the treasury subject to requisition july 1 1884 the secretary of war submits the report of the chief of engineers as to the practicability of protecting our important cities on the seaboard by fortifications and other defenses able to repel modern methods of attack the time has now come when such defenses can be prepared with confidence that they will not prove abortive and when the possible result of delay in making such preparation is seriously considered delay seems inexcusable for the most important cities those whose destruction or capture would be a national humiliation adequate defenses inclusive of guns may be made by the gradual expenditure of a sum much less than a victorious enemy could levy as a contribution an appropriation of about of that amount is asked to begin the work and i concur with the secretary of war in urging that it be granted the war department is proceeding with the conversion of smoothbore guns into rifles by lining the former with tubes of forged steel or of coil wrought iron fifty guns will be thus converted within the year this however does not obviate the necessity of providing means for the construction of guns of the highest power both for the purposes of coast defense and for the armament of war vessels the report of the gun foundry board appointed april 2 1883 in pursuance of the act of march 3 1883 was transmitted to congress in a special message of february 18 1884 in my message of march 26 1884 i called attention to the recommendation of the board that the government should encourage the production at private steel works of the required material for heavy cannon and that two government factories one for the army and one for the navy should be established for the fabrication of guns from such material no action having been taken the board was subsequently reconvened to determine more fully the plans and estimates necessary for carrying out its recommendation it has received information which indicates that there are responsible steel manufacturers in this country who although not provided at present with the necessary plant are willing to construct the same and to make bids for contracts with the government for the supply of the requisite material for the heaviest guns adapted to modern warfare if a guaranteed order of sufficient magnitude accompanied by a positive appropriation extending over a series of years shall be made by congress all doubts as to the feasibility of the plan being thus removed i renew my recommendation that such action be taken by congress as will enable the government to construct its own ordnance upon its own territory and so to provide the armaments demanded by considerations of national safety and honor the report of the secretary of the navy exhibits the progress which has been made on the new steel cruisers authorized by the acts of august 5 1882 and march 3 1883 of the four vessels under contract one the chicago of tons is more than half finished the atlanta of tons has been successfully launched and her machinery is now fitting the boston also of tons is ready for launching and the dolphin a dispatch steamer of tons is ready for delivery certain adverse criticisms upon the designs of these cruisers are discussed by the secretary who insists that the correctness of the conclusions reached by the advisory board and by the department has been demonstrated by recent developments in shipbuilding abroad the machinery of the monitors puritan terror and amphitrite contracted for under the act of march 3 1883 is in process of construction no work has been done during the past year on their armor for lack of the necessary appropriations a fourth monitor the monadnock still remains unfinished at the in california it is recommended that early steps be taken to complete these vessels and to provide also an armament for the monitor miantonomoh the recommendations of the naval advisory board approved by the department comprise the construction of one steel cruiser of tons one cruiser of tons two heavily armed gunboats one light cruising gunboat one dispatch vessel armed with hotchkiss cannon one armored ram and three torpedo boats the general designs all of which are calculated to meet the existing wants of the service are now well advanced and the construction of the vessels can be undertaken as soon as you shall grant the necessary authority the act of congress approved august 7 1882 authorized the removal to the united states of the bodies of george de long and his companions of the jeannette expedition this removal has been successfully accomplished by lieutenants harber and schuetze the remains were taken from their grave in the lena delta in march 1883 and were retained at yakutsk until the following winter the season being too far advanced to admit of their immediate transportation they arrived at new york february 20 1884 where they were received with suitable honors in pursuance of the joint resolution of congress approved february 13 1884 a naval expedition was fitted out for the relief of lieutenant greely united states army and of the party who had been engaged under his command in scientific observations at lady franklin bay the fleet consisted of the steam sealer thetis purchased in england the bear purchased at johns newfoundland and the alert which was generously provided by the british government preparations for the expedition were promptly made by the secretary of the navy with the active cooperation of the secretary of war commander george coffin was placed in command of the alert and lieutenant william emory in command of the bear the thetis was intrusted to commander winfield schley to whom also was assigned the superintendence of the entire expedition immediately upon its arrival at upernavik the fleet began the dangerous navigation of melville bay and in spite of every obstacle reached littleton island on june 22 a fortnight earlier than any vessel had before attained that point on the same day it crossed over to cape sabine where lieutenant greely and the other survivors of his party were discovered after taking on board the living and the bodies of the dead the relief ships sailed for johns where they arrived on july 17 they were appropriately received at portsmouth on august 1 and at new york on august 8 one of the bodies was landed at the former place the others were put on shore at governors island and with the exception of one which was interred in the national cemetery were forwarded thence to the destinations indicated by friends the organization and conduct of this relief expedition reflects great credit upon all who contributed to its success in this the last of the stated messages that i shall have the honor to transmit to the congress of the united states i can not too strongly urge upon its attention the duty of restoring our navy as rapidly as possible to the high state of efficiency which formerly characterized it as the long peace that has lulled us into a sense of fancied security may at any time be disturbed it is plain that the policy of strengthening this arm of the service is dictated by considerations of wise economy of just regard for our future tranquillity and of true appreciation of the dignity and honor of the republic the report of the acquaints you with the present condition and needs of the postal service it discloses the gratifying fact that the loss of revenue from the reduction in the rate of letter postage recommended in my message of december 4 1882 and effected by the act of march 3 1883 has been much less than was generally anticipated my recommendation of this reduction was based upon the belief that the actual falling off in receipts from letter postages for the year immediately succeeding the change of rate would be it has proved to be only this is a trustworthy indication that the revenue will soon be restored to its former volume by the natural increase of sealed correspondence i confidently repeat therefore the recommendation of my last annual message that the postage upon drop letters be reduced to 1 cent wherever the payment of 2 cents is now required by law the double rate is only exacted at offices where the carrier system is in operation and it appears that at those offices the increase in the tax upon local letters defrays the cost not only of its own collection and delivery but of the collection and delivery of all other mail matter this is an inequality that ought no longer to exist i approve the recommendation of the that the unit of weight in the rating of matter should be 1 ounce instead of ounce as it now is in view of the statistics furnished by the department it may well be doubted whether the change would result in any loss of revenue that it would greatly promote the convenience of the public is beyond dispute the system has been lately applied to five cities and the total number of offices in which it is now in operation is 159 experience shows that its adoption under proper conditions is equally an accommodation to the public and an advantage to the postal service it is more than and for the reasons urged by the may properly be extended in the opinion of that officer it is important to provide means whereby exceptional dispatch in dealing with letters in offices may be secured by payment of extraordinary postage this scheme might be made effective by employment of a special stamp whose cost should be commensurate with the expense of the extra service in some of the large cities private express companies have undertaken to outstrip the government mail carriers by affording for the prompt transmission of letters better facilities than have hitherto been at the command of the it has always been the policy of the government to discourage such enterprises and in no better mode can that policy be maintained than in supplying the public with the most efficient mail service that with due regard to its own best interests can be furnished for its accommodation the renews the recommendation contained in his report of last year touching the fees of witnesses and jurors he favors radical changes in the fee bill the adoption of a system by which attorneys and marshals of the united states shall be compensated solely by salaries and the erection by the government of a penitentiary for the confinement of offenders against its laws of the varied governmental concerns in charge of the interior department the report of its secretary presents an interesting summary among the topics deserving particular attention i refer you to his observations respecting our indian affairs the preemption and acts the failure of railroad companies to take title to lands granted by the government and the operations of the pension office the patent office the census bureau and the bureau of education allusion has been made already to the circumstance that both as between the different indian tribes and as between the indians and the whites the past year has been one of unbroken peace in this circumstance the president is glad to find justification for the policy of the government in its dealing with the indian question and confirmation of the views which were fully expressed in his first communication to the congress the secretary urges anew the enactment of a statute for the punishment of crimes committed on the indian reservations and recommends the passage of the bill now pending in the house of representatives for the purchase of a tract of square miles from the sioux reservation both these measures are worthy of approval i concur with him also in advising the repeal of the preemption law the enactment of statutes resolving the present legal complications touching lapsed grants to railroad companies and the funding of the debt of the several pacific railroads under such guaranty as shall effectually secure its ultimate payment the report of the utah commission will be read with interest it discloses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention and punishment of polygamy in that territory i still believe that if that abominable practice can be suppressed by law it can only be by the most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the constitution i again recommend therefore that congress assume absolute political control of the territory of utah and provide for the appointment of commissioners with such governmental powers as in its judgment may justly and wisely be put into their hands in the course of this communication reference has more than once been made to the policy of this government as regards the extension of our foreign trade it seems proper to declare the general principles that should in my opinion underlie our national efforts in this direction the main conditions of the problem may be thus stated we are a people apt in mechanical pursuits and fertile in invention we cover a vast extent of territory rich in agricultural products and in nearly all the raw materials necessary for successful manufacture we have a system of productive establishments more than sufficient to supply our own demands the wages of labor are nowhere else so great the scale of living of our artisan classes is such as tends to secure their personal comfort and the development of those higher moral and intellectual qualities that go to the making of good citizens our system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a revenue which is in excess of the present needs of the government these are the elements from which it is sought to devise a scheme by which without unfavorably changing the condition of the workingman our merchant marine shall be raised from its enfeebled condition and new markets provided for the sale beyond our borders of the manifold fruits of our industrial enterprises the problem is complex and can be solved by no single measure of innovation or reform the countries of the american continent and the adjacent islands are for the united states the natural marts of supply and demand it is from them that we should obtain what we do not produce or do not produce in sufficiency and it is to them that the surplus productions of our fields our mills and our workshops should flow under conditions that will equalize or favor them in comparison with foreign competition four paths of policy seem to point to this end first a series of reciprocal commercial treaties with the countries of america which shall foster between us and them an unhampered movement of trade the conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of such merchandise as this country does not produce in return for the admission free or under a favored scheme of duties of our own products the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods carried under the flag of the parties to the contract the removal on both sides from the vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and national imposts so that those vessels may ply unhindered between our ports and those of the other contracting parties though without infringing on the reserved home coasting trade the removal or reduction of burdens on the exported products of those countries coming within the benefits of the treaties and the avoidance of the technical restrictions and penalties by which our intercourse with those countries is at present hampered secondly the establishment of the consular service of the united states on a salaried footing thus permitting the relinquishment of consular fees not only as respects vessels under the national flag but also as respects vessels of the treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the benefits of the treaties thirdly the enactment of measures to favor the construction and maintenance of a steam carrying marine under the flag of the united states fourthly the establishment of an uniform currency basis for the countries of america so that the coined products of our mines may circulate on equal terms throughout the whole system of commonwealths this would require a monetary union of america whereby the output of the countries and the circulation of those which yield neither gold nor silver could be adjusted in conformity with the population wealth and commercial needs of each as many of the countries furnish no bullion to the common stock the surplus production of our mines and mints might thus be utilized and a step taken toward the general remonetization of silver to the accomplishment of these ends so far as they can be attained by separate treaties the negotiations already concluded and now in progress have been directed and the favor which this enlarged policy has thus far received warrants the belief that its operations will ere long embrace all or nearly all the countries of this hemisphere it is by no means desirable however that the policy under consideration should be applied to these countries alone the healthful enlargement of our trade with europe asia and africa should be sought by reducing tariff burdens on such of their wares as neither we nor the other american states are fitted to produce and thus enabling ourselves to obtain in return a better market for our supplies of food of raw materials and of the manufactures in which we excel it seems to me that many of the embarrassing elements in the great national conflict between protection and free trade may thus be turned to good account that the revenue may be reduced so as no longer to overtax the people that protective duties may be retained without becoming burdensome that our shipping interests may be judiciously encouraged the currency fixed on firm bases and above all such an unity of interests established among the states of the american system as will be of great and advantage to them all all treaties in the line of this policy which have been negotiated or are in process of negotiation contain a provision deemed to be requisite under the clause of the constitution limiting to the house of representatives the authority to originate bills for raising revenue on the 29th of february last i transmitted to the congress the first annual report of the civil service commission together with communications from the heads of the several executive departments of the government respecting the practical workings of the law under which the commission had been acting the good results therein foreshadowed have been more than realized the system has fully answered the expectations of its friends in securing competent and faithful public servants and in protecting the appointing officers of the government from the pressure of personal importunity and from the labor of examining the claims and pretensions of rival candidates for public employment the law has had the unqualified support of the president and of the heads of the several departments and the members of the commission have performed their duties with zeal and fidelity their report will shortly be submitted and will be accompanied by such recommendations for enlarging the scope of the existing statute as shall commend themselves to the executive and the commissioners charged with its administration in view of the general and persistent demand throughout the commercial community for a national bankrupt law i hope that the differences of sentiment which have hitherto prevented its enactment may not outlast the present session the pestilence which for the past two years has been raging in the countries of the east recently made its appearance in european ports with which we are in constant communication the then secretary of the treasury in pursuance of a proclamation of the president issued certain regulations restricting and for a time prohibiting the importation of rags and the admission of baggage of immigrants and of travelers arriving from infected quarters lest this course may have been without strict warrant of law i approve the recommendation of the present secretary that the congress take action in the premises and i also recommend the immediate adoption of such measures as will be likely to ward off the dreaded epidemic and to mitigate its severity in case it shall unhappily extend to our shores the annual report of the commissioners of the district of columbia reviews the operations of the several departments of its municipal government i ask your careful consideration of its suggestions in respect to legislation especially commending such as relate to a revision of the civil and criminal code the performance of labor by persons sentenced to imprisonment in the jail the construction and occupation of wharves along the river front and the erection of a suitable building for district offices i recommend that in recognition of the eminent services of ulysses grant late general of the armies of the united states and twice president of this nation the congress confer upon him a suitable pension certain of the measures that seem to me necessary and expedient i have now in obedience to the constitution recommended for your adoption as respects others of no less importance i shall content myself with renewing the recommendations already made to the congress without restating the grounds upon which such recommendations were based the preservation of forests on the public domain the granting of government aid for popular education the amendment of the federal constitution so as to make effective the disapproval by the president of particular items in appropriation bills the enactment of statutes in regard to the filling of vacancies in the presidential office and the determining of vexed questions respecting presidential inability are measures which may justly receive your serious consideration as the time draws nigh when i am to retire from the public service i can not refrain from expressing to the members of the national legislature with whom i have been brought into personal and official intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation with the executive in so many measures calculated to promote the best interests of the nation and to my generally i acknowledge a deep sense of obligation for the support which they have accorded me in my administration of the executive department of this government
since close last session american people exercise highest right suffrage chosen chief magistrate four years ensuing remembered period country history long political contest customarily precedes day national election waged greater fervor intensity subject general congratulation controversy polls slight preponderance issue determined yet unascertained public peace suffered disturbance people everywhere patiently quietly awaited result nothing could strikingly illustrate temper american citizen love order loyalty law nothing could signally demonstrate strength wisdom political institutions eight years passed since controversy concerning result national election sharply called attention congress necessity providing precise definite regulations counting electoral vote gravest importance question solved conflicting claims presidency shall distract country persuaded people large measures relief thus far proposed would preferred continued inaction relations foreign powers continue amicable belgium convention signed whereby scope present treaties enlarged secure citizens either country within jurisdiction equal rights privileges acquisition alienation property treaty also concluded war chile peru end arbitration claims american citizens continuance suffered acts chilean authorities convention soon negotiated state hostilities france china continues embarrassing feature eastern relations chinese government promptly adjusted paid claims american citizens whose property destroyed recent riots canton renew recommendation last annual message canton indemnity fund returned china true interpretation recent treaty country permitting restriction chinese immigration likely subject deliberations may seriously questioned whether statute passed last session violate treaty rights certain chinese left country return certificates valid old law seem debarred relanding lack certificates required new recent purchase citizens united states large trading fleet heretofore chinese flag considerably enhanced commercial importance east view large number vessels built purchased american citizens countries exclusively employed legitimate traffic foreign ports recognized protection flag might well provide uniform rule registration documentation bona fide property rights citizens therein shall duly evidenced properly guarded pursuant advice senate last session recognized flag international association kongo friendly government avoiding prejudgment conflicting territorial claims region subsequently execution expressed wish congress appointed commercial agent kongo basin importance rich prospective trade kongo valley led general conviction open nations upon equal terms international conference consideration subject called emperor germany session berlin delegates attendance behalf united states results conference duly advised government korea generously aided efforts united states minister secure suitable premises use legation conditions diplomatic intercourse eastern nations demand legation premises owned represented power advise appropriation made acquisition property government united states already possess valuable premises tangier gift sultan morocco stated hereafter lately received similar gift siamese government government japan stands ready present us extensive grounds tokyo whereon erect suitable building legation jail similar privileges probably secured china persia owning premises would effect large saving present rentals would permit due assertion extraterritorial rights countries would better serve maintain dignity united states failure congress make appropriation representation autonomous court khedive proved serious embarrassment intercourse egypt view necessary intimacy diplomatic relationship due participation government one treaty powers matters administration affecting rights foreigners advise restoration agency cairo former basis conceive wish congress united states withdraw altogether honorable position hitherto held respect khedive citizens republic residing sojourning egypt hereafter without aid protection competent representative france traditional cordial relationship continues colossal statue liberty enlightening world generous gift people france expected reach new york may next suggest congressional action taken recognition spirit prompted gift aid timely completion pedestal upon placed relations germany country contributes best elements citizenship continue cordial united states extradition treaties several german states reason confederation states imperial rule application treaties uniform comprehensive interests two countries require propose therefore open negotiations single convention extradition embrace territory empire affords pleasure say intercourse great britain continues friendly character government hawaii indicated willingness continue seven years provisions existing reciprocity treaty continuance view relations country american system states judgment favored revolution hayti established government terminated progress became necessary enforce neutrality laws instituting proceedings individuals vessels charged infringement prosecutions cases successful much anxiety lately displayed various european governments especially government italy abolition import duties upon works art well consider whether present discrimination favor productions american artists abroad likely result seem generally believe may practical exclusion painters sculptors rich fields observation study labor hitherto enjoyed prospect revision foreign treaties japan may concluded new conference held tokyo government fully recognizes equal independent station japan community nations would oppose general adoption terms compromise japan may disposed offer furtherance uniform policy intercourse western nations past year increasing good government mexico variously manifested treaty commercial reciprocity concluded january 20 1883 ratified awaits necessary tariff legislation congress become effective legislation doubt among first measures claim attention full treaty commerce navigation consular rights much desired treaty reason believe mexican government stands ready conclude embarrassment occasioned failure congress last session provide means due execution treaty july 29 1882 resurvey mexican boundary relocation boundary monuments republic nicaragua treaty concluded authorizes construction united states canal railway telegraph line across nicaraguan territory terms treaty 60 miles river san juan well lake nicaragua inland sea 40 miles width constitute part projected enterprise leaves actual canal construction 17 miles pacific side 36 miles atlantic united states whose rich territory pacific ordinary purposes commerce practically cut communication water atlantic ports political commercial advantages project scarcely overestimated believed treaty laid justice liberality provisions command universal approval home abroad death representative russia post petersburg afforded imperial government renewed opportunity testify sympathy manner befitting intimate friendliness ever marked intercourse two countries course government raising representation bangkok diplomatic rank evoked siam evidences warm friendship augurs well enlarged intercourse siamese government presented united states commodious mansion grounds occupancy legation suggest joint resolution congress attest appreciation generous gift government called upon late take action fulfillment international obligations toward spain agitation island cuba hostile spanish crown fomented persons abusing sacred rights hospitality territory affords officers government instructed exercise vigilance prevent infractions neutrality laws key west points near cuban coast happy say instance precautionary measures successfully eluded offenders found territory subsequently tried convicted growing need close relationship intercourse traffic spanish antilles natural market united states led adoption january last commercial agreement looking end agreement since superseded carefully framed comprehensive convention shall submit senate approval aim negotiation open favored reciprocal exchange productions carried flag either country make intercourse cuba puerto rico scarcely less intimate commercial movement domestic ports insure removal burdens shipping spanish indies past shipowners shipmasters often complain negotiation convention time postponed prosecution certain claims citizens declared without jurisdiction late claims commission therefore remitted diplomatic channels adjustment speedy settlement claims urged government negotiations treaty commercial reciprocity dominican republic successfully concluded result shortly laid senate certain questions united states ottoman empire still remain unsolved complaints behalf citizens satisfactorily adjusted porte sought withhold commerce right favored treatment entitled existing conventional stipulations revision tariffs unaccomplished final disposition pending questions venezuela yet reached good reason expect early settlement provide means reexamining caracas awards conformity expressed desire congress recognize justice certain claims preferred venezuela central south american commission appointed authority act july 7 1884 soon proceed mexico furnished instructions laid contain statement general policy government enlarging commercial intercourse american states commissioners actively preparing responsible task holding conferences principal cities merchants others interested central south american trade international meridian conference lately convened washington upon invitation government united states composed representatives nations conference concluded labors 1st november substantial unanimity agreed upon meridian greenwich starting point whence longitude computed 180 degrees eastward westward upon adoption purposes may found convenient universal day shall begin midnight initial meridian whose hours shall counted zero formal report transactions conference hereafter transmitted congress government frequent receipt invitations foreign states participate international exhibitions often great interest importance occupying advanced position world production aiming secure profitable share industries general competitive markets matter serious concern want means participation exhibitions often exclude producers advantages enjoyed countries past year attention congress drawn formal invitations regard tendered governments england holland belgium germany austria executive instances appointed honorary commissioners however unsatisfactory expedient without provision meet necessary working expenses commission effect little nothing behalf exhibitors international inventions exhibition held london next may cover field special importance country holds foremost rank executive present powerless organize proper representation vast national interests direction several previous messages referred subject seems statute giving executive general discretionary authority accept invitations appoint honorary commissioners without salary placing disposal secretary state small fund defraying reasonable expenses would great public utility government received official notice revised international regulations preventing collisions sea adopted leading maritime powers except united states came force 1st september last due protection shipping interests provisions statutes brought conformity regulations question securing authors composers artists copyright privileges country return reciprocal rights abroad one may justly challenge attention true conventions necessary fully accomplishing result congress shall statute fix extent foreign holders copyright shall privileged deemed inadvisable negotiate conventions reason united states represented recent conference berne recommend scope neutrality laws united states enlarged cover patent acts hostility committed territory aimed peace friendly nation existing statutes prohibit fitting armed expeditions restrict shipment explosives though enactments latter respect framed regard international obligations simply protection passenger travel statutes intended meet special emergencies already arisen emergencies arisen since modern ingenuity supplies means organization hostilities without open resort armed vessels filibustering parties see reason overt preparations country commission criminal acts consideration alike punishable whether acts intended committed country foreign country peace prompt thorough treatment question one intimately concerns national honor existing naturalization laws also need revision sections relating persons residing within limits united states 1795 1798 historical interest section 2172 recognizing citizenship children naturalized parents ambiguous terms partly obsolete special provisions law favoring naturalization serve army merchant vessels similar privileges granted serve navy marine corps uniform rule naturalization constitution contemplates among things clearly define status persons born within united states subject foreign power section 1992 minor children fathers declared intention become citizens failed perfect naturalization might wise provide central bureau registry wherein filed authenticated transcripts every record naturalization several federal state courts make provision also vacation cancellation record cases fraud practiced upon court applicant renounced forfeited acquired citizenship uniform law respect would strengthen hands government protecting citizens abroad would pave way conclusion treaties naturalization foreign countries legislation last session effected diplomatic consular service certain changes reductions productive embarrassment population commercial activity country steadily increase giving rise new varying often delicate relationships countries foreign establishment embraces nearly double area operations occupied twenty years ago confinement service within limits expenditure established seems accordance true economy community people adequately represented intercourse foreign nations project reorganization consular service recasting scheme extraterritorial jurisdiction limits short session allow full consideration trust fail make suitable provision present needs service customary define appropriation acts rank diplomatic office salary attached suggest course abandoned left president advice consent senate fix time time diplomatic grade representatives government abroad may seem advisable provision definitely made however amount salary attached respective stations condition finances operations various branches public service connected treasury department fully discussed report secretary appears ordinary revenues fiscal year ended june 30 1884 public expenditures period compared preceding fiscal year net decrease amount expenditures aggregate receipts less year previous falling revenue customs made nearly deficiency remainder due diminished receipts internal taxation secretary estimates total receipts fiscal year end june 30 1885 total expenditures sum included interest debt amount payable sinking fund would leave surplus entire year value exports united states foreign countries year ending june 30 1884 follows cotton cotton manufactures included statement valued breadstuffs provisions mineral oils period imports follows 63 per cent entire value imported merchandise consisted following articles concur secretary treasury recommending immediate suspension coinage silver dollars issuance silver certificates matter former communications invoked attention national legislature appears annually past six years coined compliance requirements act february 28 1878 silver dollars number outstanding reported secretary nearly whereof little less 22 per cent actual circulation mere existence fact seems furnish cogent argument repeal statute made fact possible graver considerations tend direction secretary avows conviction unless coinage issuance silver certificates suspended silver likely distant day become sole metallic standard commercial disturbance impairment national credit would thus occasioned scarcely overestimated hope secretary suggestions respecting withdrawal circulation 1 2 notes receive approval likely considerable portion silver encumbering vaults treasury might thus find way currency trade dollars ceased present least element active disturbance currency system provision made surrender government view circumstances coined fact never quality offered slight advance bullion value secretary course report considers propriety beautifying designs subsidiary silver coins increasing weight may bear due ratio value standard dollar conclusions regard cordially approved annual message 1882 recommended abolition excise taxes except relating distilled spirits recommendation renewed case taxes shall abolished revenues still remain government opinion suffice meet reasonable expenditures afford surplus large enough permit tariff reduction may seem advisable results recent revenue laws commercial treaties shall shown quarters reductions judiciously effected one gravest problems appeal wisdom congress solution ascertainment effective means increasing foreign trade thus relieving depression industries languishing secretary treasury advises duty investigating subject intrusted first instance competent commission fully recognizing considerations may urged course nevertheless opinion upon whole would likely effect speedier better results portion secretary report concerns condition shipping interests fail command attention emphatically recommends incentive investment american capital american steamships government shall liberal payments mail transportation otherwise lend active assistance individual enterprise declares belief unless course pursued foreign carrying trade must remain almost exclusively hands foreigners one phase subject especially prominent view repeal act june 26 1884 statutory provisions arbitrarily compelling american vessels carry mails united states necessary make provision compensate owners vessels performing service april 1885 hoped whole subject receive early consideration lead enactment measures revival merchant marine wisdom congress may devise 3 per cent bonds government amount since last annual message redeemed treasury bonds issue still outstanding amount little retired operations sinking fund coming year bonds still constitute chief basis circulation national banks question avert contraction currency caused retirement one constantly increasing importance seems generally conceded law governing matter exacts banks excessive security upon present bond deposits larger circulation allowed may granted safety hope bill passed senate last session permitting issue notes equal face value deposited bonds commend approval house representatives expenses war department secretary reports decrease reduction effected expenditures rivers harbors expenditures quartermaster department outside department annual expenses army bureaus proper except possibly ordnance bureau substantially fixed charges materially diminished without change numerical strength army expenditures quartermaster department readily subjected administrative discretion reported secretary war result exercising discretion reducing number draft pack animals army annual cost supplying caring animals less 1881 reports military commanders show last year notable entire freedom indian outbreaks defiance president proclamation july 1 1884 certain intruders sought make settlements indian territory promptly removed detachment troops past session congress bill provide suitable building army medical museum library office received approval senate similar bill reported favorably house representatives one committees still pending body hoped coming session measure may become law thereafter immediate steps may taken secure place safe deposit valuable collections state insecurity funds works improvement rivers harbors prosecuted past year derived appropriations act august 2 1882 together balances hand previous appropriations balance treasury subject requisition july 1 1883 amount appropriated fiscal year 1884 amount drawn treasury fiscal year leaving balance treasury subject requisition july 1 1884 secretary war submits report chief engineers practicability protecting important cities seaboard fortifications defenses able repel modern methods attack time come defenses prepared confidence prove abortive possible result delay making preparation seriously considered delay seems inexcusable important cities whose destruction capture would national humiliation adequate defenses inclusive guns may made gradual expenditure sum much less victorious enemy could levy contribution appropriation amount asked begin work concur secretary war urging granted war department proceeding conversion smoothbore guns rifles lining former tubes forged steel coil wrought iron fifty guns thus converted within year however obviate necessity providing means construction guns highest power purposes coast defense armament war vessels report gun foundry board appointed april 2 1883 pursuance act march 3 1883 transmitted congress special message february 18 1884 message march 26 1884 called attention recommendation board government encourage production private steel works required material heavy cannon two government factories one army one navy established fabrication guns material action taken board subsequently reconvened determine fully plans estimates necessary carrying recommendation received information indicates responsible steel manufacturers country although provided present necessary plant willing construct make bids contracts government supply requisite material heaviest guns adapted modern warfare guaranteed order sufficient magnitude accompanied positive appropriation extending series years shall made congress doubts feasibility plan thus removed renew recommendation action taken congress enable government construct ordnance upon territory provide armaments demanded considerations national safety honor report secretary navy exhibits progress made new steel cruisers authorized acts august 5 1882 march 3 1883 four vessels contract one chicago tons half finished atlanta tons successfully launched machinery fitting boston also tons ready launching dolphin dispatch steamer tons ready delivery certain adverse criticisms upon designs cruisers discussed secretary insists correctness conclusions reached advisory board department demonstrated recent developments shipbuilding abroad machinery monitors puritan terror amphitrite contracted act march 3 1883 process construction work done past year armor lack necessary appropriations fourth monitor monadnock still remains unfinished california recommended early steps taken complete vessels provide also armament monitor miantonomoh recommendations naval advisory board approved department comprise construction one steel cruiser tons one cruiser tons two heavily armed gunboats one light cruising gunboat one dispatch vessel armed hotchkiss cannon one armored ram three torpedo boats general designs calculated meet existing wants service well advanced construction vessels undertaken soon shall grant necessary authority act congress approved august 7 1882 authorized removal united states bodies george de long companions jeannette expedition removal successfully accomplished lieutenants harber schuetze remains taken grave lena delta march 1883 retained yakutsk following winter season far advanced admit immediate transportation arrived new york february 20 1884 received suitable honors pursuance joint resolution congress approved february 13 1884 naval expedition fitted relief lieutenant greely united states army party engaged command scientific observations lady franklin bay fleet consisted steam sealer thetis purchased england bear purchased johns newfoundland alert generously provided british government preparations expedition promptly made secretary navy active cooperation secretary war commander george coffin placed command alert lieutenant william emory command bear thetis intrusted commander winfield schley also assigned superintendence entire expedition immediately upon arrival upernavik fleet began dangerous navigation melville bay spite every obstacle reached littleton island june 22 fortnight earlier vessel attained point day crossed cape sabine lieutenant greely survivors party discovered taking board living bodies dead relief ships sailed johns arrived july 17 appropriately received portsmouth august 1 new york august 8 one bodies landed former place others put shore governors island exception one interred national cemetery forwarded thence destinations indicated friends organization conduct relief expedition reflects great credit upon contributed success last stated messages shall honor transmit congress united states strongly urge upon attention duty restoring navy rapidly possible high state efficiency formerly characterized long peace lulled us sense fancied security may time disturbed plain policy strengthening arm service dictated considerations wise economy regard future tranquillity true appreciation dignity honor republic report acquaints present condition needs postal service discloses gratifying fact loss revenue reduction rate letter postage recommended message december 4 1882 effected act march 3 1883 much less generally anticipated recommendation reduction based upon belief actual falling receipts letter postages year immediately succeeding change rate would proved trustworthy indication revenue soon restored former volume natural increase sealed correspondence confidently repeat therefore recommendation last annual message postage upon drop letters reduced 1 cent wherever payment 2 cents required law double rate exacted offices carrier system operation appears offices increase tax upon local letters defrays cost collection delivery collection delivery mail matter inequality ought longer exist approve recommendation unit weight rating matter 1 ounce instead ounce view statistics furnished department may well doubted whether change would result loss revenue would greatly promote convenience public beyond dispute system lately applied five cities total number offices operation 159 experience shows adoption proper conditions equally accommodation public advantage postal service reasons urged may properly extended opinion officer important provide means whereby exceptional dispatch dealing letters offices may secured payment extraordinary postage scheme might made effective employment special stamp whose cost commensurate expense extra service large cities private express companies undertaken outstrip government mail carriers affording prompt transmission letters better facilities hitherto command always policy government discourage enterprises better mode policy maintained supplying public efficient mail service due regard best interests furnished accommodation renews recommendation contained report last year touching fees witnesses jurors favors radical changes fee bill adoption system attorneys marshals united states shall compensated solely salaries erection government penitentiary confinement offenders laws varied governmental concerns charge interior department report secretary presents interesting summary among topics deserving particular attention refer observations respecting indian affairs preemption acts failure railroad companies take title lands granted government operations pension office patent office census bureau bureau education allusion made already circumstance different indian tribes indians whites past year one unbroken peace circumstance president glad find justification policy government dealing indian question confirmation views fully expressed first communication congress secretary urges anew enactment statute punishment crimes committed indian reservations recommends passage bill pending house representatives purchase tract square miles sioux reservation measures worthy approval concur also advising repeal preemption law enactment statutes resolving present legal complications touching lapsed grants railroad companies funding debt several pacific railroads guaranty shall effectually secure ultimate payment report utah commission read interest discloses results recent legislation looking prevention punishment polygamy territory still believe abominable practice suppressed law radical legislation consistent restraints constitution recommend therefore congress assume absolute political control territory utah provide appointment commissioners governmental powers judgment may justly wisely put hands course communication reference made policy government regards extension foreign trade seems proper declare general principles opinion underlie national efforts direction main conditions problem may thus stated people apt mechanical pursuits fertile invention cover vast extent territory rich agricultural products nearly raw materials necessary successful manufacture system productive establishments sufficient supply demands wages labor nowhere else great scale living artisan classes tends secure personal comfort development higher moral intellectual qualities go making good citizens system tax tariff legislation yielding revenue excess present needs government elements sought devise scheme without unfavorably changing condition workingman merchant marine shall raised enfeebled condition new markets provided sale beyond borders manifold fruits industrial enterprises problem complex solved single measure innovation reform countries american continent adjacent islands united states natural marts supply demand obtain produce produce sufficiency surplus productions fields mills workshops flow conditions equalize favor comparison foreign competition four paths policy seem point end first series reciprocal commercial treaties countries america shall foster us unhampered movement trade conditions treaties free admission merchandise country produce return admission free favored scheme duties products benefits exchange apply goods carried flag parties contract removal sides vessels privileged tonnage dues national imposts vessels may ply unhindered ports contracting parties though without infringing reserved home coasting trade removal reduction burdens exported products countries coming within benefits treaties avoidance technical restrictions penalties intercourse countries present hampered secondly establishment consular service united states salaried footing thus permitting relinquishment consular fees respects vessels national flag also respects vessels treaty nations carrying goods entitled benefits treaties thirdly enactment measures favor construction maintenance steam carrying marine flag united states fourthly establishment uniform currency basis countries america coined products mines may circulate equal terms throughout whole system commonwealths would require monetary union america whereby output countries circulation yield neither gold silver could adjusted conformity population wealth commercial needs many countries furnish bullion common stock surplus production mines mints might thus utilized step taken toward general remonetization silver accomplishment ends far attained separate treaties negotiations already concluded progress directed favor enlarged policy thus far received warrants belief operations ere long embrace nearly countries hemisphere means desirable however policy consideration applied countries alone healthful enlargement trade europe asia africa sought reducing tariff burdens wares neither american states fitted produce thus enabling obtain return better market supplies food raw materials manufactures excel seems many embarrassing elements great national conflict protection free trade may thus turned good account revenue may reduced longer overtax people protective duties may retained without becoming burdensome shipping interests may judiciously encouraged currency fixed firm bases unity interests established among states american system great advantage treaties line policy negotiated process negotiation contain provision deemed requisite clause constitution limiting house representatives authority originate bills raising revenue 29th february last transmitted congress first annual report civil service commission together communications heads several executive departments government respecting practical workings law commission acting good results therein foreshadowed realized system fully answered expectations friends securing competent faithful public servants protecting appointing officers government pressure personal importunity labor examining claims pretensions rival candidates public employment law unqualified support president heads several departments members commission performed duties zeal fidelity report shortly submitted accompanied recommendations enlarging scope existing statute shall commend executive commissioners charged administration view general persistent demand throughout commercial community national bankrupt law hope differences sentiment hitherto prevented enactment may outlast present session pestilence past two years raging countries east recently made appearance european ports constant communication secretary treasury pursuance proclamation president issued certain regulations restricting time prohibiting importation rags admission baggage immigrants travelers arriving infected quarters lest course may without strict warrant law approve recommendation present secretary congress take action premises also recommend immediate adoption measures likely ward dreaded epidemic mitigate severity case shall unhappily extend shores annual report commissioners district columbia reviews operations several departments municipal government ask careful consideration suggestions respect legislation especially commending relate revision civil criminal code performance labor persons sentenced imprisonment jail construction occupation wharves along river front erection suitable building district offices recommend recognition eminent services ulysses grant late general armies united states twice president nation congress confer upon suitable pension certain measures seem necessary expedient obedience constitution recommended adoption respects others less importance shall content renewing recommendations already made congress without restating grounds upon recommendations based preservation forests public domain granting government aid popular education amendment federal constitution make effective disapproval president particular items appropriation bills enactment statutes regard filling vacancies presidential office determining vexed questions respecting presidential inability measures may justly receive serious consideration time draws nigh retire public service refrain expressing members national legislature brought personal official intercourse sincere appreciation unfailing courtesy harmonious cooperation executive many measures calculated promote best interests nation generally acknowledge deep sense obligation support accorded administration executive department government
since close last session american people exercise high right suffrage choose chief magistrate four year ensue remembered period country history long political contest customarily precede day national election wag great fervor intensity subject general congratulation controversy poll slight preponderance issue determine yet unascertained public peace suffer disturbance people everywhere patiently quietly await result nothing could strikingly illustrate temper american citizen love order loyalty law nothing could signally demonstrate strength wisdom political institution eight year pass since controversy concern result national election sharply call attention congress necessity provide precise definite regulation count electoral vote grave importance question solve conflict claim presidency shall distract country persuade people large measure relief thus far propose would prefer continued inaction relation foreign power continue amicable belgium convention sign whereby scope present treaty enlarge secure citizen either country within jurisdiction equal right privilege acquisition alienation property treaty also conclude war chile peru end arbitration claim american citizen continuance suffer act chilean authority convention soon negotiate state hostility france china continue embarrass feature eastern relation chinese government promptly adjust pay claim american citizen whose property destroy recent riot canton renew recommendation last annual message canton indemnity fund return china true interpretation recent treaty country permit restriction chinese immigration likely subject deliberation may seriously question whether statute pass last session violate treaty right certain chinese leave country return certificate valid old law seem debar relanding lack certificate require new recent purchase citizen united state large trade fleet heretofore chinese flag considerably enhance commercial importance east view large number vessel build purchased american citizen country exclusively employed legitimate traffic foreign port recognize protection flag might well provide uniform rule registration documentation bona fide property right citizen therein shall duly evidence properly guard pursuant advice senate last session recognize flag international association kongo friendly government avoid prejudgment conflict territorial claim region subsequently execution express wish congress appoint commercial agent kongo basin importance rich prospective trade kongo valley lead general conviction open nation upon equal term international conference consideration subject call emperor germany session berlin delegate attendance behalf united state result conference duly advise government korea generously aid effort united state minister secure suitable premise use legation condition diplomatic intercourse eastern nation demand legation premise own represented power advise appropriation make acquisition property government united state already possess valuable premise tangier gift sultan morocco state hereafter lately receive similar gift siamese government government japan stand ready present u extensive ground tokyo whereon erect suitable building legation jail similar privilege probably secure china persia owning premise would effect large save present rental would permit due assertion extraterritorial right country would well serve maintain dignity united state failure congress make appropriation representation autonomous court khedive prove serious embarrassment intercourse egypt view necessary intimacy diplomatic relationship due participation government one treaty power matter administration affect right foreigner advise restoration agency cairo former basis conceive wish congress united state withdraw altogether honorable position hitherto held respect khedive citizen republic reside sojourn egypt hereafter without aid protection competent representative france traditional cordial relationship continue colossal statue liberty enlighten world generous gift people france expect reach new york may next suggest congressional action take recognition spirit prompt gift aid timely completion pedestal upon place relation germany country contribute best element citizenship continue cordial united state extradition treaty several german state reason confederation state imperial rule application treaty uniform comprehensive interest two country require propose therefore open negotiation single convention extradition embrace territory empire affords pleasure say intercourse great britain continue friendly character government hawaii indicate willingness continue seven year provision exist reciprocity treaty continuance view relation country american system state judgment favor revolution hayti establish government terminate progress become necessary enforce neutrality law institute proceeding individual vessel charge infringement prosecution case successful much anxiety lately display various european government especially government italy abolition import duty upon work art well consider whether present discrimination favor production american artist abroad likely result seem generally believe may practical exclusion painter sculptor rich field observation study labor hitherto enjoy prospect revision foreign treaty japan may conclude new conference hold tokyo government fully recognize equal independent station japan community nation would oppose general adoption term compromise japan may dispose offer furtherance uniform policy intercourse western nation past year increase good government mexico variously manifest treaty commercial reciprocity conclude january 20 1883 ratify awaits necessary tariff legislation congress become effective legislation doubt among first measure claim attention full treaty commerce navigation consular right much desire treaty reason believe mexican government stand ready conclude embarrassment occasion failure congress last session provide mean due execution treaty july 29 1882 resurvey mexican boundary relocation boundary monument republic nicaragua treaty conclude authorizes construction unite state canal railway telegraph line across nicaraguan territory term treaty 60 mile river san juan well lake nicaragua inland sea 40 mile width constitute part project enterprise leave actual canal construction 17 mile pacific side 36 mile atlantic united state whose rich territory pacific ordinary purpose commerce practically cut communication water atlantic port political commercial advantage project scarcely overestimate believe treaty lay justice liberality provision command universal approval home abroad death representative russia post petersburg afford imperial government renew opportunity testify sympathy manner befit intimate friendliness ever mark intercourse two country course government raise representation bangkok diplomatic rank evoke siam evidence warm friendship augur well enlarge intercourse siamese government present united state commodious mansion ground occupancy legation suggest joint resolution congress attest appreciation generous gift government call upon late take action fulfillment international obligation toward spain agitation island cuba hostile spanish crown foment person abuse sacred right hospitality territory affords officer government instruct exercise vigilance prevent infraction neutrality law key west point near cuban coast happy say instance precautionary measure successfully elude offender find territory subsequently try convict grow need close relationship intercourse traffic spanish antilles natural market united state lead adoption january last commercial agreement look end agreement since supersede carefully frame comprehensive convention shall submit senate approval aim negotiation open favor reciprocal exchange production carry flag either country make intercourse cuba puerto rico scarcely less intimate commercial movement domestic port insure removal burden ship spanish indie past shipowner shipmasters often complain negotiation convention time postpone prosecution certain claim citizen declare without jurisdiction late claim commission therefore remit diplomatic channel adjustment speedy settlement claim urge government negotiation treaty commercial reciprocity dominican republic successfully conclude result shortly lay senate certain question united state ottoman empire still remain unsolved complaint behalf citizen satisfactorily adjust porte seek withhold commerce right favor treatment entitle exist conventional stipulation revision tariff unaccomplished final disposition pending question venezuela yet reach good reason expect early settlement provide mean reexamine caracas award conformity express desire congress recognize justice certain claim prefer venezuela central south american commission appoint authority act july 7 1884 soon proceed mexico furnish instruction lay contain statement general policy government enlarge commercial intercourse american state commissioner actively prepare responsible task hold conference principal city merchant others interested central south american trade international meridian conference lately convene washington upon invitation government unite state compose representative nation conference conclude labor 1st november substantial unanimity agree upon meridian greenwich start point whence longitude compute 180 degree eastward westward upon adoption purpose may find convenient universal day shall begin midnight initial meridian whose hour shall count zero formal report transaction conference hereafter transmit congress government frequent receipt invitation foreign state participate international exhibition often great interest importance occupy advanced position world production aim secure profitable share industry general competitive market matter serious concern want mean participation exhibition often exclude producer advantage enjoy country past year attention congress draw formal invitation regard tendered government england holland belgium germany austria executive instance appoint honorary commissioner however unsatisfactory expedient without provision meet necessary working expense commission effect little nothing behalf exhibitor international invention exhibition hold london next may cover field special importance country hold foremost rank executive present powerless organize proper representation vast national interest direction several previous message refer subject seem statute give executive general discretionary authority accept invitation appoint honorary commissioner without salary placing disposal secretary state small fund defray reasonable expense would great public utility government receive official notice revise international regulation prevent collision sea adopt leading maritime power except united state come force 1st september last due protection shipping interest provision statute bring conformity regulation question secure author composer artist copyright privilege country return reciprocal right abroad one may justly challenge attention true convention necessary fully accomplish result congress shall statute fix extent foreign holder copyright shall privilege deem inadvisable negotiate convention reason united state represent recent conference berne recommend scope neutrality law united state enlarge cover patent act hostility commit territory aim peace friendly nation exist statute prohibit fit arm expedition restrict shipment explosive though enactment latter respect frame regard international obligation simply protection passenger travel statute intend meet special emergency already arise emergency arise since modern ingenuity supply mean organization hostility without open resort arm vessel filibuster party see reason overt preparation country commission criminal act consideration alike punishable whether act intend committed country foreign country peace prompt thorough treatment question one intimately concern national honor exist naturalization law also need revision section relate person reside within limit unite state 1795 1798 historical interest section 2172 recognize citizenship child naturalize parent ambiguous term partly obsolete special provision law favor naturalization serve army merchant vessel similar privilege grant serve navy marine corp uniform rule naturalization constitution contemplate among thing clearly define status person bear within united state subject foreign power section 1992 minor child father declare intention become citizen fail perfect naturalization might wise provide central bureau registry wherein file authenticated transcript every record naturalization several federal state court make provision also vacation cancellation record case fraud practice upon court applicant renounce forfeit acquire citizenship uniform law respect would strengthen hands government protect citizen abroad would pave way conclusion treaty naturalization foreign country legislation last session effect diplomatic consular service certain change reduction productive embarrassment population commercial activity country steadily increase give rise new vary often delicate relationship country foreign establishment embrace nearly double area operation occupy twenty year ago confinement service within limit expenditure establish seem accordance true economy community people adequately represent intercourse foreign nation project reorganization consular service recast scheme extraterritorial jurisdiction limit short session allow full consideration trust fail make suitable provision present need service customary define appropriation act rank diplomatic office salary attach suggest course abandon leave president advice consent senate fix time time diplomatic grade representative government abroad may seem advisable provision definitely make however amount salary attach respective station condition finance operation various branch public service connect treasury department fully discuss report secretary appear ordinary revenue fiscal year end june 30 1884 public expenditures period compare precede fiscal year net decrease amount expenditure aggregate receipt less year previous fall revenue custom make nearly deficiency remainder due diminish receipt internal taxation secretary estimate total receipt fiscal year end june 30 1885 total expenditures sum include interest debt amount payable sinking fund would leave surplus entire year value export unite state foreign country year end june 30 1884 follow cotton cotton manufacture include statement value breadstuff provision mineral oil period import follow 63 per cent entire value import merchandise consist follow article concur secretary treasury recommend immediate suspension coinage silver dollar issuance silver certificate matter former communication invoke attention national legislature appear annually past six year coin compliance requirement act february 28 1878 silver dollar number outstanding report secretary nearly whereof little less 22 per cent actual circulation mere existence fact seem furnish cogent argument repeal statute make fact possible graver consideration tend direction secretary avow conviction unless coinage issuance silver certificate suspend silver likely distant day become sole metallic standard commercial disturbance impairment national credit would thus occasion scarcely overestimate hope secretary suggestion respect withdrawal circulation 1 2 note receive approval likely considerable portion silver encumber vault treasury might thus find way currency trade dollar cease present least element active disturbance currency system provision make surrender government view circumstance coin fact never quality offer slight advance bullion value secretary course report considers propriety beautify design subsidiary silver coin increase weight may bear due ratio value standard dollar conclusion regard cordially approve annual message 1882 recommend abolition excise tax except relate distilled spirit recommendation renew case tax shall abolish revenue still remain government opinion suffice meet reasonable expenditure afford surplus large enough permit tariff reduction may seem advisable result recent revenue law commercial treaty shall show quarter reduction judiciously effect one grave problem appeal wisdom congress solution ascertainment effective mean increase foreign trade thus relieve depression industry languish secretary treasury advise duty investigate subject intrust first instance competent commission fully recognize consideration may urge course nevertheless opinion upon whole would likely effect speedy good result portion secretary report concern condition shipping interest fail command attention emphatically recommend incentive investment american capital american steamships government shall liberal payment mail transportation otherwise lend active assistance individual enterprise declare belief unless course pursue foreign carry trade must remain almost exclusively hand foreigner one phase subject especially prominent view repeal act june 26 1884 statutory provision arbitrarily compel american vessel carry mail united state necessary make provision compensate owner vessels perform service april 1885 hop whole subject receive early consideration lead enactment measure revival merchant marine wisdom congress may devise 3 per cent bond government amount since last annual message redeem treasury bond issue still outstanding amount little retired operation sink fund come year bond still constitute chief basis circulation national bank question avert contraction currency cause retirement one constantly increase importance seem generally concede law govern matter exacts bank excessive security upon present bond deposit large circulation allow may grant safety hope bill pass senate last session permit issue note equal face value deposit bond commend approval house representative expense war department secretary report decrease reduction effect expenditure river harbor expenditures quartermaster department outside department annual expense army bureaus proper except possibly ordnance bureau substantially fix charge materially diminish without change numerical strength army expenditures quartermaster department readily subject administrative discretion report secretary war result exercise discretion reduce number draft pack animal army annual cost supply care animal less 1881 report military commander show last year notable entire freedom indian outbreaks defiance president proclamation july 1 1884 certain intruder seek make settlement indian territory promptly remove detachment troop past session congress bill provide suitable building army medical museum library office receive approval senate similar bill report favorably house representative one committee still pending body hop come session measure may become law thereafter immediate step may take secure place safe deposit valuable collection state insecurity fund work improvement river harbor prosecute past year derive appropriation act august 2 1882 together balance hand previous appropriation balance treasury subject requisition july 1 1883 amount appropriate fiscal year 1884 amount draw treasury fiscal year leave balance treasury subject requisition july 1 1884 secretary war submit report chief engineer practicability protect important city seaboard fortification defense able repel modern method attack time come defense prepare confidence prove abortive possible result delay make preparation seriously consider delay seem inexcusable important city whose destruction capture would national humiliation adequate defense inclusive gun may make gradual expenditure sum much less victorious enemy could levy contribution appropriation amount ask begin work concur secretary war urge grant war department proceed conversion smoothbore gun rifle line former tube forge steel coil work iron fifty gun thus convert within year however obviate necessity provide mean construction gun high power purpose coast defense armament war vessel report gun foundry board appoint april 2 1883 pursuance act march 3 1883 transmit congress special message february 18 1884 message march 26 1884 call attention recommendation board government encourage production private steel work require material heavy cannon two government factory one army one navy establish fabrication gun material action take board subsequently reconvene determine fully plan estimate necessary carry recommendation receive information indicate responsible steel manufacturer country although provided present necessary plant willing construct make bid contract government supply requisite material heavy gun adapt modern warfare guarantee order sufficient magnitude accompany positive appropriation extend series year shall make congress doubt feasibility plan thus remove renew recommendation action take congress enable government construct ordnance upon territory provide armament demand consideration national safety honor report secretary navy exhibit progress make new steel cruiser authorized act august 5 1882 march 3 1883 four vessel contract one chicago ton half finish atlanta ton successfully launch machinery fit boston also ton ready launch dolphin dispatch steamer ton ready delivery certain adverse criticism upon design cruiser discuss secretary insists correctness conclusion reach advisory board department demonstrate recent development shipbuilding abroad machinery monitor puritan terror amphitrite contract act march 3 1883 process construction work do past year armor lack necessary appropriation fourth monitor monadnock still remain unfinished california recommend early step take complete vessel provide also armament monitor miantonomoh recommendation naval advisory board approve department comprise construction one steel cruiser ton one cruiser ton two heavily arm gunboat one light cruise gunboat one dispatch vessel arm hotchkiss cannon one armor ram three torpedo boat general design calculate meet exist want service well advanced construction vessel undertake soon shall grant necessary authority act congress approve august 7 1882 authorized removal united state body george de long companion jeannette expedition removal successfully accomplished lieutenant harber schuetze remain take grave lena delta march 1883 retain yakutsk follow winter season far advanced admit immediate transportation arrive new york february 20 1884 receive suitable honor pursuance joint resolution congress approve february 13 1884 naval expedition fit relief lieutenant greely united state army party engage command scientific observation lady franklin bay fleet consist steam sealer thetis purchase england bear purchase john newfoundland alert generously provide british government preparation expedition promptly make secretary navy active cooperation secretary war commander george coffin place command alert lieutenant william emory command bear thetis intrust commander winfield schley also assign superintendence entire expedition immediately upon arrival upernavik fleet begin dangerous navigation melville bay spite every obstacle reach littleton island june 22 fortnight earlier vessel attain point day cross cape sabine lieutenant greely survivor party discover take board live body dead relief ship sail john arrive july 17 appropriately receive portsmouth august 1 new york august 8 one body land former place others put shore governor island exception one interred national cemetery forward thence destination indicate friend organization conduct relief expedition reflect great credit upon contribute success last stated message shall honor transmit congress united state strongly urge upon attention duty restore navy rapidly possible high state efficiency formerly characterize long peace lull u sense fancy security may time disturb plain policy strengthen arm service dictate consideration wise economy regard future tranquillity true appreciation dignity honor republic report acquaints present condition need postal service discloses gratify fact loss revenue reduction rate letter postage recommend message december 4 1882 effect act march 3 1883 much less generally anticipate recommendation reduction base upon belief actual fall receipt letter postage year immediately succeed change rate would prove trustworthy indication revenue soon restore former volume natural increase seal correspondence confidently repeat therefore recommendation last annual message postage upon drop letter reduce 1 cent wherever payment 2 cent require law double rate exact office carrier system operation appear office increase tax upon local letter defray cost collection delivery collection delivery mail matter inequality ought longer exist approve recommendation unit weight rating matter 1 ounce instead ounce view statistic furnish department may well doubt whether change would result loss revenue would greatly promote convenience public beyond dispute system lately apply five city total number office operation 159 experience show adoption proper condition equally accommodation public advantage postal service reason urge may properly extend opinion officer important provide mean whereby exceptional dispatch deal letter office may secure payment extraordinary postage scheme might make effective employment special stamp whose cost commensurate expense extra service large city private express company undertake outstrip government mail carrier afford prompt transmission letter good facility hitherto command always policy government discourage enterprises well mode policy maintain supply public efficient mail service due regard best interest furnish accommodation renews recommendation contain report last year touch fee witness juror favor radical change fee bill adoption system attorney marshal united state shall compensate solely salaries erection government penitentiary confinement offender law vary governmental concern charge interior department report secretary present interesting summary among topic deserve particular attention refer observation respect indian affair preemption act failure railroad company take title land granted government operation pension office patent office census bureau bureau education allusion make already circumstance different indian tribe indian white past year one unbroken peace circumstance president glad find justification policy government deal indian question confirmation view fully express first communication congress secretary urge anew enactment statute punishment crime commit indian reservation recommend passage bill pending house representative purchase tract square mile sioux reservation measure worthy approval concur also advise repeal preemption law enactment statutes resolve present legal complication touch lapsed grant railroad company fund debt several pacific railroad guaranty shall effectually secure ultimate payment report utah commission read interest discloses result recent legislation look prevention punishment polygamy territory still believe abominable practice suppress law radical legislation consistent restraint constitution recommend therefore congress assume absolute political control territory utah provide appointment commissioner governmental power judgment may justly wisely put hand course communication reference make policy government regard extension foreign trade seem proper declare general principle opinion underlie national effort direction main condition problem may thus state people apt mechanical pursuit fertile invention cover vast extent territory rich agricultural product nearly raw material necessary successful manufacture system productive establishment sufficient supply demand wage labor nowhere else great scale live artisan class tend secure personal comfort development high moral intellectual quality go make good citizen system tax tariff legislation yield revenue excess present needs government element seek devise scheme without unfavorably change condition workingman merchant marine shall raise enfeeble condition new market provide sale beyond border manifold fruit industrial enterprise problem complex solve single measure innovation reform country american continent adjacent island united state natural mart supply demand obtain produce produce sufficiency surplus production field mill workshops flow condition equalize favor comparison foreign competition four path policy seem point end first series reciprocal commercial treaty country america shall foster u unhampered movement trade condition treaty free admission merchandise country produce return admission free favor scheme duty product benefit exchange apply good carry flag party contract removal side vessel privilege tonnage due national impost vessel may ply unhindered port contract party though without infringe reserve home coast trade removal reduction burden export product country come within benefit treaty avoidance technical restriction penalty intercourse country present hamper secondly establishment consular service united state salaried foot thus permit relinquishment consular fee respect vessels national flag also respect vessel treaty nation carry good entitle benefit treaty thirdly enactment measure favor construction maintenance steam carry marine flag united state fourthly establishment uniform currency basis country america coin product mine may circulate equal term throughout whole system commonwealth would require monetary union america whereby output country circulation yield neither gold silver could adjust conformity population wealth commercial need many country furnish bullion common stock surplus production mine mint might thus utilized step take toward general remonetization silver accomplishment end far attained separate treaty negotiation already conclude progress direct favor enlarged policy thus far received warrant belief operation ere long embrace nearly country hemisphere mean desirable however policy consideration apply country alone healthful enlargement trade europe asia africa seek reduce tariff burden war neither american state fit produce thus enable obtain return good market supply food raw material manufacture excel seem many embarrass element great national conflict protection free trade may thus turn good account revenue may reduce long overtax people protective duty may retain without become burdensome shipping interest may judiciously encourage currency fix firm base unity interest establish among state american system great advantage treaty line policy negotiate process negotiation contain provision deem requisite clause constitution limit house representative authority originate bill raise revenue 29th february last transmit congress first annual report civil service commission together communication head several executive department government respect practical working law commission act good result therein foreshadow realized system fully answered expectation friend secure competent faithful public servant protect appoint officer government pressure personal importunity labor examine claim pretension rival candidate public employment law unqualified support president head several department member commission perform duty zeal fidelity report shortly submit accompanied recommendation enlarge scope exist statute shall commend executive commissioner charge administration view general persistent demand throughout commercial community national bankrupt law hope difference sentiment hitherto prevent enactment may outlast present session pestilence past two year rag country east recently make appearance european port constant communication secretary treasury pursuance proclamation president issue certain regulation restrict time prohibit importation rag admission baggage immigrant traveler arrive infected quarter l course may without strict warrant law approve recommendation present secretary congress take action premise also recommend immediate adoption measure likely ward dread epidemic mitigate severity case shall unhappily extend shore annual report commissioner district columbia review operation several department municipal government ask careful consideration suggestion respect legislation especially commend relate revision civil criminal code performance labor person sentence imprisonment jail construction occupation wharves along river front erection suitable building district office recommend recognition eminent service ulysses grant late general army unite state twice president nation congress confer upon suitable pension certain measure seem necessary expedient obedience constitution recommend adoption respect others less importance shall content renew recommendation already make congress without restate ground upon recommendation base preservation forest public domain grant government aid popular education amendment federal constitution make effective disapproval president particular item appropriation bill enactment statute regard fill vacancy presidential office determine vexed question respect presidential inability measure may justly receive serious consideration time draw nigh retire public service refrain express member national legislature bring personal official intercourse sincere appreciation unfailing courtesy harmonious cooperation executive many measure calculate promote best interest nation generally acknowledge deep sense obligation support accord administration executive department government