At the threshold of your deliberations I congratulate you upon the favorable aspect of the domestic and foreign affairs of this Government. Our relations with other countries continue to be upon a friendly footing. With the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santo Domingo, and Sweden and Norway no incident has occurred which cars for special comment. The recent opening of new lines of telegraphic communication with Central America and Brazil permitted the interchange of messages of friendship with the Governments of those countries. During the year there have been perfected and proclaimed consular and commercial treaties with Servia and a consular treaty with Roumania, thus extending our intercourse with the Danubian countries, while our Eastern relations have been put upon a wider basis by treaties with Korea and Madagascar. The new boundary-survey treaty with Mexico, a trade-marks convention and a supplementary treaty of extradition with Spain, and conventions extending the duration of the Franco-American Claims Commission have also been proclaimed. Notice of the termination of the fisheries articles of the treaty of Washington was duly given to the British Government, and the reciprocal privileges and exemptions of the treaty will accordingly cease on July 1, 1885. The fisheries industries, pursued by a numerous class of our citizens on the northern coasts, both of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, are worthy of the fostering care of Congress. Whenever brought into competition with the like industries of other countries, our fishermen, as well as our manufacturers of fishing appliances and preparers of fish products, have maintained a foremost place. I suggest that Congress create a commission to consider the general question of our rights in the fisheries and the means of opening to our citizens, under just and enduring conditions, the richly stocked fishing waters and sealing grounds of British North America. Question has arisen touching the deportation to the United States from the British Islands, by governmental or municipal aid, of persons unable there to gain a living and equally a burden on the community here. Such of these persons as fall under the pauper class as defined by law have been sent back in accordance with the provisions of our statutes. Her Majesty's Government has insisted that precautions have been taken before shipment to prevent these objectionable visitors from coming hither without guaranty of support by their relatives in this country. The action of the British authorities in applying measures for relief has, however, in so many cases proved ineffectual, and especially so in certain recent instances of needy emigrants reaching our territory through Canada, that a revision of our legislation upon this subject may be deemed advisable. Correspondence relative to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty has been continued and will be laid before Congress. The legislation of France against the importation of prepared swine products from the United States has been repealed. That result is due no less to the friendly representations of this Government than to a growing conviction in France that the restriction was not demanded by any real danger to health. Germany still prohibits the introduction of all swine products from America. I extended to the Imperial Government a friendly invitation to send experts to the United States to inquire whether the use of those products was dangerous to health. This invitation was declined. I have believed it of such importance, however, that the exact facts should be ascertained and promulgated that I have appointed a competent commission to make a thorough investigation of the subject. Its members have shown their public spirit by accepting their trust without pledge of compensation, but I trust that Congress will see in the national and international bearings of the matter a sufficient motive for providing at least for reimbursement of such expenses as they may necessarily incur. The coronation of the Czar at Moscow afforded to this Government an occasion for testifying its continued friendship by sending a special envoy and a representative of the Navy to attend the ceremony. While there have arisen during the year no grave questions affecting the status in the Russian Empire of American citizens of other faith than that held by the national church, this Government remains firm in its conviction that the rights of its citizens abroad should be in no wise affected by their religious belief. It is understood that measures for the removal of the restrictions which now burden our trade with Cuba and Puerto Rico are under consideration by the Spanish Government. The proximity of Cuba to the United States and the peculiar methods of administration which there prevail necessitate constant discussion and appeal on our part from the proceedings of the insular authorities. I regret to say that the just protests of this Government have not as yet produced satisfactory results. The commission appointed to decide certain claims of our citizens against the Spanish Government, after the recognition of a satisfactory rule as to the validity and force of naturalization in the United States, has finally adjourned. Some of its awards, though made more than two years ago, have not yet been paid. Their speedy payment is expected. Claims to a large amount which were held by the late commission to be without its jurisdiction have been diplomatically presented to the Spanish Government. As the action of the colonial authorities which has given rise to these claims was admittedly illegal, full reparation for the injury sustained by our citizens should be no longer delayed. The case of the Masonic has not yet reached a settlement. Manila court has found that the proceedings of which this Government has complained were unauthorized, and it is hoped that the Government of Spain will not withhold the speedy reparation which its sense of justice should impel it to offer for the unusual severity and unjust action of its subordinate colonial officers in the case of this vessel. The Helvetian Confederation has proposed the inauguration of a class of international treaties for the referment to arbitration of grave questions between nations. This Government has assented to the proposed negotiation of such a treaty with Switzerland. Under the treaty of Berlin liberty of conscience and civil rights are assured to all strangers in Bulgaria. As the United States have no distinct conventional relations with that country and are not a party to the treaty, they should, in my opinion, maintain diplomatic representation at Sofia for the improvement of intercourse and the proper protection of the many American citizens who resort to that country as missionaries and teachers. I suggest that I be given authority to establish an agency and consulate-general at the Bulgarian capital. The United States are now participating in a revision of the tariffs of the Ottoman Empire. They have assented to the application of a license tax to foreigners doing business in Turkey, but have opposed the oppressive storage tax upon petroleum entering the ports of that country. The Government of the Khedive has proposed that the authority of the mixed judicial tribunals in Egypt be extended so as to cover citizens of the United States accused of crime, who are now triable before consular courts. This Government is not indisposed to accept the change, but believes that its terms should be submitted for criticism to the commission appointed to revise the whole subject. At no time in our national history has there been more manifest need of close and lasting relations with a neighboring state than now exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid influx of our capital and enterprise into that country shows, by what has already been accomplished, the vast reciprocal advantages which must attend the progress of its internal development. The treaty of commerce and navigation of 1848 has been terminated by the Mexican Government, and in the absence of conventional engagements the rights of our citizens in Mexico now depend upon the domestic statutes of that Republic. There have been instances of harsh enforcement of the laws against our vessels and citizens in Mexico and of denial of the diplomatic resort for their protection. The initial step toward a better understanding has been taken in the negotiation by the commission authorized by Congress of a treaty which is still before the Senate awaiting its approval. The provisions for the reciprocal crossing of the frontier by the troops in pursuit of hostile Indians have been prolonged for another year. The operations of the forces of both Governments against these savages have been successful, and several of their most dangerous bands have been captured or dispersed by the skill and valor of United States and Mexican soldiers fighting in a common cause. The convention for the resurvey of the boundary from the Rio Grande to the Pacific having been ratified and exchanged, the preliminary reconnoissance therein stipulated has been effected. It now rests with Congress to make provision for completing the survey and relocating the boundary monuments. A convention was signed with Mexico on July 13, 1882, providing for the rehearing of the cases of Benjamin Well and the Abra Silver Mining Company, in whose favor awards were made by the late American and Mexican Claims Commission. That convention still awaits the consent of the Senate. Meanwhile, because of those charges of fraudulent awards which have made a new commission necessary, the Executive has directed the suspension of payments of the distributive quota received from Mexico. Our geographical proximity to Central America and our political and commercial relations with the States of that country justify, in my judgment, such a material increase of our consular corps as will place at each capital a consul-general. The contest between Bolivia, Chile, and Peru has passed from the stage of strategic hostilities to that of negotiation, in which the counsels of this Government have been exercised. The demands of Chile for absolute cession of territory have been maintained and accepted by the party of General Iglesias to the extent of concluding a treaty of peace with the Government of Chile in general conformity with the terms of the protocol signed in May last between the Chilean commander and General Iglesias. As a result of the conclusion of this treaty General Iglesias has been formally recognized by Chile as President of Peru and his government installed at Lima, which has been evacuated by the Chileans. A call has been issued by General Iglesias for a representative assembly, to be elected on the 13th of January, and to meet at Lima on the 1st of March next. Meanwhile the provisional government of General Iglesias has applied for recognition to the principal powers of America and Europe. When the will of the Peruvian people shall be manifested, I shall not hesitate to recognize the government approved by them. Diplomatic and naval representatives of this Government attended at Caracas the centennial celebration of the birth of the illustrious Bolivar. At the same time the inauguration of the statue of Washington in the Venezuelan capital testified to the veneration in which his memory is there held. Congress at its last session authorized the Executive to propose to Venezuela a reopening of the awards of the mixed commission of Caracas. The departure from this country of the Venezuelan minister has delayed the opening of negotiations for reviving the commission. This Government holds that until the establishment of a treaty upon this subject the Venezuelan Government must continue to make the payments provided for in the convention of 1866. There is ground for believing that the dispute growing out of the unpaid obligations due from Venezuela to France will be satisfactorily adjusted. The French cabinet has proposed a basis of settlement which meets my approval, but as it involves a recasting of the annual quotas of the foreign debt it has been deemed advisable to submit the proposal to the judgment of the cabinets of Berlin, Copenhagen, The Hague, London, and Madrid. At the recent coronation of His Majesty King Kalakaua this Government was represented both diplomatically and by the formal visit of a vessel of war. The question of terminating or modifying the existing reciprocity treaty with Hawaii is now before Congress. I am convinced that the charges of abuses and frauds under that treaty have been exaggerated, and I renew the suggestion of last year's message that the treaty be modified wherever its provisions have proved onerous to legitimate trade between the two countries. I am not disposed to favor the entire cessation of the treaty relations which have fostered good will between the countries and contributed toward the equality of Hawaii in the family of nations. In pursuance of the policy declared by ibis Government of extending our intercourse with the Eastern nations, legations have during the past year been established in Persia, Siam, and Korea. It is probable that permanent missions of those countries will ere long be maintained in the United States. A special embassy from Siam is now on its way hither. Treaty relations with Korea were perfected by the exchange at Seoul, on the 19th of May last, of the ratifications of the lately concluded convention, and envoys from the King of Tab Chosen have visited this country and received a cordial welcome. Korea, as yet unacquainted with the methods of Western civilization, now invites the attention of those interested in the advancement of our foreign trade, as it needs the implements and products which the United States are ready to supply. We seek no monopoly of its commerce and no advantages over other nations, but as the Chosenese, in reaching for a higher civilization, have confided in this Republic, we can not regard with indifference any encroachment on their rights. China, by the payment of a money indemnity, has settled certain of the long-pending claims of our citizens, and I have strong hopes that the remainder will soon be adjusted. Questions have arisen teaching the rights of American and other foreign manufacturers in China under the provisions of treaties which permit aliens to exercise their industries in that country. On this specific point our own treaty is silent, but under the operation of the most-favored-nation clause we have like privileges with those of other powers. While it is the duty of the Government to see that our citizens have the full enjoyment of every benefit secured by treaty, I doubt the expediency of leading in a movement to constrain China to admit an interpretation which we have only an indirect treaty right to exact. The transference to China of American capital for the employment there of Chinese labor would in effect inaugurate a competition for the control of markets now supplied by our home industries. There is good reason to believe that the law restricting the immigration of Chinese has been violated, intentionally or otherwise, by the officials of China upon whom is devolved the duty of certifying that the immigrants belong to the excepted classes. Measures have been taken to ascertain the facts incident to this supposed infraction, and it is believed that the Government of China will cooperate with the United States in securing the faithful observance of the law. The same considerations which prompted Congress at its last session to return to Japan the Simonoseki indemnity seem to me to require at its hands like action in respect to the Canton indemnity fund, now amounting to $300,000. The question of the general revision of the foreign treaties of Japan has been considered in an international conference held at Tokyo, but without definite result as yet. This Government is disposed to concede the requests of Japan to determine its own tariff duties, to provide such proper judicial tribunals as may commend themselves to the Western powers for the trial of causes to which foreigners are parties, and to assimilate the terms and duration of its treaties to those of other civilized states. Through our ministers at London and at Monrovia this Government has endeavored to aid Liberia in its differences with Great Britain touching the northwestern boundary of that Republic. There is a prospect of adjustment of the dispute by the adoption of the Mannah River as the line. This arrangement is a compromise of the conflicting territorial claims and takes from Liberia no country over which it has maintained effective jurisdiction. The rich and populous valley of the Kongo is being opened to commerce by a society called the International African Association, of which the King of the Belgians is the president and a citizen of the United States the chief executive officer. Large tracts of territory have been ceded to the association by native chiefs, roads have been opened, steamboats placed on the river, and the nuclei of states established at twenty-two stations under one flag which offers freedom to commerce and prohibits the slave trade. The objects of the society are philanthropic. It does not aim at permanent political control, but seeks the neutrality of the valley. The United States can not be indifferent to this work nor to the interests of their citizens involved in it. It may become advisable for us to cooperate with other commercial powers in promoting the rights of trade and residence in the Kongo Valley free from the interference or political control of any one nation. In view of the frequency of invitations from foreign governments to participate in social and scientific congresses for the discussion of important matters of general concern, I repeat the suggestion of my last message that provision be made for the exercise of discretionary power by the Executive in appointing delegates to such convocations. Able specialists are ready to serve the national interests in such capacity without personal profit or other compensation than the defrayment of expenses actually incurred, and this a comparatively small annual appropriation would suffice to meet. I have alluded in my previous messages to the injurious and vexatious restrictions suffered by our trade in the Spanish West Indies. Brazil, whose natural outlet for its great national staple, coffee, is in and through the United States, imposes a heavy export duty upon that product. Our petroleum exports are hampered in Turkey and in other Eastern ports by restrictions as to storage and by onerous taxation. For these mischiefs adequate relief is not always afforded by reciprocity treaties like that with Hawaii or that lately negotiated with Mexico and now awaiting the action of the Senate. Is it not advisable to provide some measure of equitable retaliation in our relations with governments which discriminate against our own? If, for example, the Executive were empowered to apply to Spanish vessels and cargoes from Cuba and Puerto Rico the same rules of treatment and scale of penalties for technical faults which are applied to our vessels and cargoes in the Antilles, a resort to that course might not be barren of good results. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury gives a full and interesting exhibit of the financial condition of the country. It shows that the ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1883, amounted to $398,287,581.95, whereof there was received-- 
 For the same period the ordinary expenditures were: 
 Leaving a surplus revenue of $132,879,444.41, which, with an amount drawn from the cash balance in the Treasury of $1,299,312.55, making $134,178,756.96, was applied to the redemption-- 
 The revenue for the present fiscal year, actual and estimated, is as follows: 
 The actual and estimated expenses for the same period are: 
 If the revenue for the fiscal year which will end on June 30, 1885, be estimated upon the basis of existing laws, the Secretary is of the opinion that for that year the receipts will exceed by $60,000,000 the ordinary expenditures including the amount devoted to the sinking fund. Hitherto the surplus, as rapidly as it has accumulated, has been devoted to the reduction of the national debt. As a result the only bonds now outstanding which are redeemable at the pleasure of the Government are the 3 percents, amounting to about $305,000,000. The 4 1/2 percents, amounting to $250,000,000, and the $737,000,000 4 percents are not payable until 1891 and 1907, respectively. If the surplus shall hereafter be as large as the Treasury estimates now indicate, the 3 per cent bonds may all be redeemed at least four years before any of the 4 1/2 percents can be called in. The latter at the same rate of accumulation of surplus can be paid at maturity, and the moneys requisite for the redemption of the 4 percents will be in the Treasury many years before those obligations become payable. There are cogent reasons, however, why the national indebtedness should not be thus rapidly extinguished. Chief among them is the fact that only by excessive taxation is such rapidity attainable. In a communication to the Congress at its last session I recommended that all excise taxes be abolished except those relating to distilled spirits and that substantial reductions be also made in the revenues from customs. A statute has since been enacted by which the annual tax and tariff receipts of the Government have been cut down to the extent of at least fifty or sixty millions of dollars. While I have no doubt that still further reductions may be wisely made, I do not advise the adoption at this session of any measures for large diminution of the national revenues. The results of the legislation of the last session of the Congress have not as yet become sufficiently apparent to justify any radical revision or sweeping modifications of existing law. In the interval which must elapse before the effects of the act of March 3, 1883, can be definitely ascertained a portion at least of the surplus revenues may be wisely applied to the long-neglected duty of rehabilitating our Navy and providing coast defenses for the protection of our harbors. This is a matter to which I shall again advert. Immediately associated with the financial subject just discussed is the important question what legislation is needed regarding the national currency. The aggregate amount of bonds now on deposit in the Treasury to support the national-bank circulation is about $350,000,000. Nearly $200,000,000 of this amount consists of 3 percents, which, as already stated, are payable at the pleasure of the Government and are likely to be called in within less than four years unless meantime the surplus revenues shall be diminished. The probable effect of such an extensive retirement of the securities which are the basis of the national-bank circulation would be such a contraction of the volume of the currency as to produce grave commercial embarrassments. How can this danger be obviated? The most effectual plan, and one whose adoption at the earliest practicable opportunity I shall heartily approve, has already been indicated. If the revenues of the next four years shall be kept substantially commensurate with the expenses, the volume of circulation will not be likely to suffer any material disturbance; but if, on the other hand, there shall be great delay in reducing taxation, it will become necessary either to substitute some other form of currency in place of the national-bank notes or to make important changes in the laws by which their circulation is now controlled. In my judgment the latter course is far preferable. I commend to your attention the very interesting and thoughtful suggestions upon this subject which appear in the Secretary's report. The objections which he urges against the acceptance of any other securities than the obligations of the Government itself as a foundation for national-bank circulation seem to me insuperable. For averting the threatened contraction two courses have been suggested, either of which is probably feasible. One is the issuance of new bonds, having many years to run, bearing a low rate of interest, and exchangeable upon specified terms for those now outstanding. The other course, which commends itself to my own judgment as the better, is the enactment of a law repealing the tax on circulation and permitting the banks to issue notes for an amount equal to 90 per cent of the market value instead of, as now, the face value of their deposited bonds. I agree with the Secretary in the belief that the adoption of this plan would afford the necessary relief. The trade dollar was coined for the purpose of traffic in countries where silver passed at its value as ascertained by its weight and fineness. It never had a legal-tender quality. Large numbers of these coins entered, however, into the volume of our currency. By common consent their circulation in domestic trade has now ceased, and they have thus become a disturbing element. They should not be longer permitted to embarrass our currency system. I recommend that provision be made for their reception by the Treasury and the mints, as bullion, at a small percentage above the current market price of silver of like fineness. The Secretary of the Treasury advises a consolidation of certain of the customs districts of the country, and suggests that the President be vested with such power in relation thereto as is now given him in respect to collectors of internal revenue by section 3141 of the Revised Statutes. The statistics upon this subject which are contained in his report furnish of themselves a strong argument in defense of his views. At the adjournment of Congress the number of internal-revenue collection districts was 126. By Executive order dated June 25, 1883, I directed that certain of these districts be consolidated. The result has been a reduction of one-third their number, which at present is but 83. From the report of the Secretary of War it will be seen that in only a single instance has there been any disturbance of the quiet condition of our Indian tribes. A raid from Mexico into Arizona was made in March last by a small party of Indians, which was pursued by General Crook into the mountain regions from which it had come. It is confidently hoped that serious outbreaks will not again occur and that the Indian tribes which have for so many years disturbed the West will hereafter remain in peaceable submission. I again call your attention to the present condition of our extended seacoast, upon which are so many large cities whose wealth and importance to the country would in time of war invite attack from modern armored ships, against which our existing defensive works could give no adequate protection. Those works were built before the introduction of modern heavy rifled guns into maritime warfare, and if they are not put in an efficient condition we may easily be subjected to humiliation by a hostile power greatly inferior to ourselves. As germane to this subject, I call your attention to the importance of perfecting our submarine-torpedo defenses. The board authorized by the last Congress to report upon the method which should be adopted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare has visited the principal iron and steel works in this country and in Europe. It is hoped that its report will soon be made, and that Congress will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable facilities and plant for the manufacture of such guns as are now imperatively needed. On several occasions during the past year officers of the Army have at the request of the State authorities visited their militia encampments for inspection of the troops. From the reports of these officers I am induced to believe that the encouragement of the State militia organizations by the National Government would be followed by very gratifying results, and would afford it in sudden emergencies the aid of a large body of volunteers educated in the performance of military duties. The Secretary of the Navy reports that under the authority of the acts of August 5, 1882, and March 3, 1883, the work of strengthening our Navy by the construction of modern vessels has been auspiciously begun. Three cruisers are in process of construction--the Chicago, of 4,500 tons displacement, and the Boston and Atlanta, each of 2,500 tons. They are to be built of steel, with the tensile strength and ductility prescribed by law, and in the combination of speed, endurance, and armament are expected to compare favorably with the best unarmored war vessels of other nations. A fourth vessel, the Dolphin, is to be constructed of similar material, and is intended to serve as a fleet dispatch boat. The double-turreted monitors Puritan, Amphitrite, and Terror have been launched on the Delaware River and a contract has been made for the supply of their machinery. A similar monitor, the Monadnock, has been launched in California. The Naval Advisory Board and the Secretary recommend the completion of the monitors, the construction of four gunboats, and also of three additional steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston, and Dolphin. As an important measure of national defense, the Secretary urges also the immediate creation of an interior coast line of waterways across the peninsula of Florida, along the coast from Florida to Hampton Roads, between the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River, and through Cape Cod. I feel bound to impress upon the attention of Congress the necessity of continued progress in the reconstruction of the Navy. The condition of the public Treasury, as I have already intimated, makes the present an auspicious time for putting this branch of the service in a state of efficiency. It is no part of our policy to create and maintain a Navy able to cope with that of the other great powers of the world. We have no wish for foreign conquest, and the peace which we have long enjoyed is in no seeming danger of interruption. But that our naval strength should be made adequate for the defense of our harbors, the protection of our commercial interests, and the maintenance of our national honor is a proposition from which no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent. The report of the Postmaster-General contains a gratifying exhibit of the condition and prospects of the interesting branch of the public service committed to his care. It appears that on June 30, 1883, the whole number of post-offices was 47,863, of which 1,632 were established during the previous fiscal year. The number of offices operating under the system of free delivery was 154. At these latter offices the postage on local matter amounted to $4,195,230.52, a sum exceeding by $1,021,894.01 the entire cost of the carrier service of the country. The rate of postage on drop letters passing through these offices is now fixed by law at 2 cents per half ounce or fraction thereof. In offices where the carrier system has not been established the rate is only half as large. It will be remembered that in 1863, when free delivery was first established by law, the uniform single-rate postage upon local letters was 1 cent, and so it remained until 1872, when in those cities where carrier service was established it was increased in order to defray the expense of such service. It seems to me that the old rate may now with propriety be restored, and that, too, even at the risk of diminishing, for a time at least, the receipts from postage upon local letters. I can see no reason why that particular class of mail matter should be held accountable for the entire cost of not only its own collection and delivery, but the collection and delivery of all other classes; and I am confident, after full consideration of the subject, that the reduction of rate would be followed by such a growing accession of business as to occasion but slight and temporary loss to the revenues of the Post-Office. The Postmaster-General devotes much of his report to the consideration in its various aspects of the relations of the Government to the telegraph. Such reflection as I have been able to give to this subject since my last annual message has not led me to change the views which I there expressed in dissenting from the recommendation of the then Postmaster-General that the Government assume the same control over the telegraph which it has always exercised over the mail. Admitting that its authority in the premises is as ample as has ever been claimed for it, it would not, in my judgment, be a wise use of that authority to purchase or assume the control of existing telegraph lines, or to construct others with a view of entering into general competition with private enterprise. The objections which may be justly urged against either of those projects, and indeed against any system which would require an enormous increase in the civil-service list, do not, however, apply to some of the plans which have lately provoked public comment and discussion. It has been claimed, for example, that Congress might wisely authorize the Postmaster-General to contract with some private persons or corporation for the transmission of messages, or of a certain class of messages, at specified rates and under Government supervision. Various such schemes, of the same general nature, but widely differing in their special characteristics, have been suggested in the public prints, and the arguments by which they have been supported and opposed have doubtless attracted your attention. It is likely that the whole subject will be considered by you at the present session. In the nature of things it involves so many questions of detail that your deliberations would probably be aided slightly, if at all, by any particular suggestions which I might now submit. I avow my belief, however, that the Government should be authorized by law to exercise some sort of supervision over interstate telegraphic communication, and I express the hope that for attaining that end some measure may be devised which will receive your approbation. The Attorney-General criticises in his report the provisions of existing law fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal courts. These provisions are chiefly contained in the act of February 26, 1853, though some of them were introduced into that act from statutes which had been passed many years previous. It is manifest that such compensation as might when these laws were enacted have been just and reasonable would in many instances be justly regarded at the present day as inadequate. I concur with the Attorney-General in the belief that the statutes should be revised by which these fees are regulated. So, too, should the laws which regulate the compensation of district attorneys and marshals. They should be paid wholly by salaries instead of in part by fees, as is now the case. The change would prove to be a measure of economy and would discourage the institution of needless and oppressive legal proceedings, which it is to be feared have in some instances been conducted for the mere sake of personal gain. Much interesting and varied information is contained in the report of the Secretary of the Interior. I particularly call your attention to his presentation of certain phases of the Indian question, to his recommendations for the repeal of the preemption and timber-culture acts, and for more stringent legislation to Prevent frauds under the pension laws. The statutes which prescribe the definitions and Punishments of crimes relating to pensions could doubtless be made more effective by certain amendments and additions which are pointed out in the Secretary's report. I have previously referred to the alarming state of illiteracy in certain portions of the country, and again submit for the consideration of Congress whether some Federal aid should not be extended to public primary education wherever adequate provision therefor has not already been made. "The Utah Commission has submitted to the Secretary of the Interior its second annual report. As a result of its labors in supervising the recent election in that Territory, pursuant to the act of March 22, 1882, it appears that persons by that act disqualified to the number of about 12,000, were excluded from the polls. This fact, however, affords little cause for congratulation, and I fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All the members elect of the legislature are Mormons. There is grave reason to believe that they are in sympathy with the practices that this Government is seeking to suppress, and that its efforts in that regard will be more likely to encounter their opposition than to receive their encouragement and support. Even if this view should happily be erroneous, the law under which the commissioners have been acting should be made more effective by the incorporation of some such stringent amendments as they recommend, and as were included in bill No. 2238 on the Calendar of the Senate at its last session. I am convinced, however, that polygamy has become so strongly intrenched in the Territory of Utah that it is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which constitutional legislation can fashion. I favor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which the existing government depends, the assumption by the National Legislature of the entire political control of the Territory, and the establishment of a commission with such powers and duties as shall be delegated to it by law. The Department of Agriculture is accomplishing much in the direction of the agricultural development of the country, and the report of the Commissioner giving the results of his investigations and experiments will be found interesting and valuable. At his instance a convention of those interested in the cattle industry of the country was lately held at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuropneumonia and other contagious diseases of animals was one of the chief topics of discussion. A committee of the convention will invite your cooperation in investigating the causes of these diseases and providing methods for their prevention and cure. I trust that Congress will not fail at its present session to put Alaska under the protection of law. Its people have repeatedly remonstrated against our neglect to afford them the maintenance and protection expressly guaranteed by the terms of the treaty whereby that Territory was ceded to the United States. For sixteen years they have pleaded in vain for that which they should have received without the asking. They have no law for the collection of debts, the support of education, the conveyance of property, the administration of estates, or the enforcement of contracts; none, indeed, for the punishment of criminals, except such as offend against certain customs, commerce, and navigation acts. The resources of Alaska, especially in fur, mines, and lumber, are considerable in extent and capable of large development, while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance. The promptings of interest, therefore, as well as considerations of honor and good faith, demand the immediate establishment of civil government in that Territory. Complaints have lately been numerous and urgent that certain corporations, controlling in whole or in part the facilities for the interstate carriage of persons and merchandise over the great railroads of the country, have resorted in their dealings with the public to divers measures unjust and oppressive in their character. In some instances the State governments have attacked and suppressed these evils, but in others they have been unable to afford adequate relief because of the jurisdictional limitations which are imposed upon them by the Federal Constitution. The question how far the National Government may lawfully interfere in the premises, and what, if any, supervision or control it ought to exercise, is one which merits your careful consideration. While we can not fail to recognize the importance of the vast railway systems of the country and their great and beneficent influences upon the development of our material wealth, we should, on the other hand, remember that no individual and no corporation ought to be invested with absolute power over the interest of any other citizen or class of citizens. The right of these railway corporations to a fair and profitable return upon their investments and to reasonable freedom in their regulations must be recognized; but it seems only just that, so far as its constitutional authority will permit, Congress should protect the people at large in their interstate traffic against acts of injustice which the State governments are powerless to prevent. In my last annual message I called attention to the necessity of protecting by suitable legislation the forests situated upon the public domain. In many portions of the West the pursuit of general agriculture is only made practicable by resort to irrigation, while successful irrigation would itself be impossible without the aid afforded by forests in contributing to the regularity and constancy of the supply of water. During the past year severe suffering and great loss of property have been occasioned by profuse floods followed by periods of unusually low water in many of the great rivers of the country. These irregularities were in great measure caused by the removal from about the sources of the streams in question of the timber by which the water supply had been nourished and protected. The Preservation of such portions of the forests on the national domain as essentially contribute to the equable flow of important water courses is of the highest consequence. Important tributaries of the Missouri, the Columbia, and the Saskatchewan rise in the mountain region of Montana, near the northern boundary of the United States, between the Blackfeet and Flathead Indian reservations. This region is unsuitable for settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from it depends the future agricultural development of a vast tract of country. The attention of Congress is called to the necessity of withdrawing from public sale this part of the public domain and establishing there a forest preserve. The industrial exhibitions which have been held in the United States during the present year attracted attention in many foreign countries, where the announcement of those enterprises had been made public through the foreign agencies of this Government. The Industrial Exhibition at Boston and the Southern Exposition at Louisville were largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign countries, notwithstanding the absence of any professed national character in those undertakings. The Centennial Exposition to be held next year at New Orleans in commemoration of the centenary of the first shipment of cotton from a port of the United States bids fair to meet with like gratifying success. Under the act of Congress of the 10th of February, 1883, declaring that exposition to be national and international in its character, all foreign governments with which the United States maintain relations have been invited to participate. The promoters of this important undertaking have already received assurances of the lively interest which it has excited abroad. The report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia is herewith transmitted. I ask for it your careful attention, especially for those portions which relate to assessments, arrears of taxes, and increase of water supply. The commissioners who were appointed under the act of January 16, 1883, entitled "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States," entered promptly upon the discharge of their duties. A series of rules, framed in accordance with the spirit of the statute, was approved and promulgated by the President. In some particulars wherein they seemed defective those rules were subsequently amended. It will be perceived that they discountenance any political or religious tests for admission to those offices of the public service to which the statute relates. The act is limited in its original application to the classified clerkships in the several Executive Departments at Washington (numbering about 5,600) and to similar positions in customs districts and post-offices where as many as fifty persons are employed. A classification of these positions analogous to that existing in the Washington offices was duly made before the law went into effect. Eleven customs districts and twenty-three post-offices were thus brought under the immediate operation of the statute. The annual report of the Civil Service Commission which will soon be submitted to Congress will doubtless afford the means of a more definite judgment than I am now prepared to express as to the merits of the new system. I am persuaded that its effects have thus far proved beneficial. Its practical methods appear to be adequate for the ends proposed, and there has been no serious difficulty in carrying them into effect. Since the 16th of July last no person, so far as I am aware, has been appointed to the public service in the classified portions thereof at any of the Departments, or at any of the post-offices and customs districts above named, except those certified by the Commission to be the most competent on the basis of the examinations held in conformity to the rules. At the time when the present Executive entered upon his office his death, removal, resignation, or inability to discharge his duties would have left the Government without a constitutional head. It is possible, of course, that a similar contingency may again arise unless the wisdom of Congress shall provide against its recurrence. The Senate at its last session, after full consideration, passed an act relating to this subject, which will now, I trust, commend itself to the approval of both Houses of Congress. The clause of the Constitution upon which must depend any law regulating the Presidential succession presents also for solution other questions of paramount importance. These questions relate to the proper interpretation of the phrase "inability to discharge the powers and duties of said office," our organic law providing that when the President shall suffer from such inability the Presidential office shall devolve upon the Vice-President, who must himself under like circumstances give place to such officer as Congress may by law appoint to act as President. I need not here set forth the numerous and interesting inquiries which are suggested by these words of the Constitution. They were fully stated in my first communication to Congress and have since been the subject of frequent deliberations in that body. It is greatly to be hoped that these momentous questions will find speedy solution, lest emergencies may arise when longer delay will be impossible and any determination, albeit the wisest, may furnish cause for anxiety and alarm. For the reasons fully stated in my last annual message I repeat my recommendation that Congress propose an amendment to that provision of the Constitution which prescribes the formalities for the enactment of laws, whereby, in respect to bills for the appropriation of public moneys, the Executive may be enabled, while giving his approval to particular items, to interpose his veto as to such others as do not commend themselves to his judgment. The fourteenth amendment of the Constitution confers the rights of citizenship upon all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. It was the special purpose of this amendment to insure to members of the colored race the full enjoyment of civil and political rights. Certain statutory provisions intended to secure the enforcement of those rights have been recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Any legislation whereby Congress may lawfully supplement the guaranties which the Constitution affords for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the United States of every right, privilege, and immunity of citizenship will receive my unhesitating approval.
At the threshold of your deliberations I congratulate you upon the favorable aspect of the domestic and foreign affairs of this Government. Our relations with other countries continue to be upon a friendly footing. With the Argentine Republic, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Hayti, Italy, Santo Domingo, and Sweden and Norway no incident has occurred which cars for special comment. The recent opening of new lines of telegraphic communication with Central America and Brazil permitted the interchange of messages of friendship with the Governments of those countries. During the year there have been perfected and proclaimed consular and commercial treaties with Servia and a consular treaty with Roumania, thus extending our intercourse with the Danubian countries, while our Eastern relations have been put upon a wider basis by treaties with Korea and Madagascar. The new boundary-survey treaty with Mexico, a trade-marks convention and a supplementary treaty of extradition with Spain, and conventions extending the duration of the Franco-American Claims Commission have also been proclaimed. Notice of the termination of the fisheries articles of the treaty of Washington was duly given to the British Government, and the reciprocal privileges and exemptions of the treaty will accordingly cease on July 1, 1885. The fisheries industries, pursued by a numerous class of our citizens on the northern coasts, both of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, are worthy of the fostering care of Congress. Whenever brought into competition with the like industries of other countries, our fishermen, as well as our manufacturers of fishing appliances and preparers of fish products, have maintained a foremost place. I suggest that Congress create a commission to consider the general question of our rights in the fisheries and the means of opening to our citizens, under just and enduring conditions, the richly stocked fishing waters and sealing grounds of British North America. Question has arisen touching the deportation to the United States from the British Islands, by governmental or municipal aid, of persons unable there to gain a living and equally a burden on the community here. Such of these persons as fall under the pauper class as defined by law have been sent back in accordance with the provisions of our statutes. Her Majesty's Government has insisted that precautions have been taken before shipment to prevent these objectionable visitors from coming hither without guaranty of support by their relatives in this country. The action of the British authorities in applying measures for relief has, however, in so many cases proved ineffectual, and especially so in certain recent instances of needy emigrants reaching our territory through Canada, that a revision of our legislation upon this subject may be deemed advisable. Correspondence relative to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty has been continued and will be laid before Congress. The legislation of France against the importation of prepared swine products from the United States has been repealed. That result is due no less to the friendly representations of this Government than to a growing conviction in France that the restriction was not demanded by any real danger to health. Germany still prohibits the introduction of all swine products from America. I extended to the Imperial Government a friendly invitation to send experts to the United States to inquire whether the use of those products was dangerous to health. This invitation was declined. I have believed it of such importance, however, that the exact facts should be ascertained and promulgated that I have appointed a competent commission to make a thorough investigation of the subject. Its members have shown their public spirit by accepting their trust without pledge of compensation, but I trust that Congress will see in the national and international bearings of the matter a sufficient motive for providing at least for reimbursement of such expenses as they may necessarily incur. The coronation of the Czar at Moscow afforded to this Government an occasion for testifying its continued friendship by sending a special envoy and a representative of the Navy to attend the ceremony. While there have arisen during the year no grave questions affecting the status in the Russian Empire of American citizens of other faith than that held by the national church, this Government remains firm in its conviction that the rights of its citizens abroad should be in no wise affected by their religious belief. It is understood that measures for the removal of the restrictions which now burden our trade with Cuba and Puerto Rico are under consideration by the Spanish Government. The proximity of Cuba to the United States and the peculiar methods of administration which there prevail necessitate constant discussion and appeal on our part from the proceedings of the insular authorities. I regret to say that the just protests of this Government have not as yet produced satisfactory results. The commission appointed to decide certain claims of our citizens against the Spanish Government, after the recognition of a satisfactory rule as to the validity and force of naturalization in the United States, has finally adjourned. Some of its awards, though made more than two years ago, have not yet been paid. Their speedy payment is expected. Claims to a large amount which were held by the late commission to be without its jurisdiction have been diplomatically presented to the Spanish Government. As the action of the colonial authorities which has given rise to these claims was admittedly illegal, full reparation for the injury sustained by our citizens should be no longer delayed. The case of the Masonic has not yet reached a settlement. Manila court has found that the proceedings of which this Government has complained were unauthorized, and it is hoped that the Government of Spain will not withhold the speedy reparation which its sense of justice should impel it to offer for the unusual severity and unjust action of its subordinate colonial officers in the case of this vessel. The Helvetian Confederation has proposed the inauguration of a class of international treaties for the referment to arbitration of grave questions between nations. This Government has assented to the proposed negotiation of such a treaty with Switzerland. Under the treaty of Berlin liberty of conscience and civil rights are assured to all strangers in Bulgaria. As the United States have no distinct conventional relations with that country and are not a party to the treaty, they should, in my opinion, maintain diplomatic representation at Sofia for the improvement of intercourse and the proper protection of the many American citizens who resort to that country as missionaries and teachers. I suggest that I be given authority to establish an agency and consulate-general at the Bulgarian capital. The United States are now participating in a revision of the tariffs of the Ottoman Empire. They have assented to the application of a license tax to foreigners doing business in Turkey, but have opposed the oppressive storage tax upon petroleum entering the ports of that country. The Government of the Khedive has proposed that the authority of the mixed judicial tribunals in Egypt be extended so as to cover citizens of the United States accused of crime, who are now triable before consular courts. This Government is not indisposed to accept the change, but believes that its terms should be submitted for criticism to the commission appointed to revise the whole subject. At no time in our national history has there been more manifest need of close and lasting relations with a neighboring state than now exists with respect to Mexico. The rapid influx of our capital and enterprise into that country shows, by what has already been accomplished, the vast reciprocal advantages which must attend the progress of its internal development. The treaty of commerce and navigation of 1848 has been terminated by the Mexican Government, and in the absence of conventional engagements the rights of our citizens in Mexico now depend upon the domestic statutes of that Republic. There have been instances of harsh enforcement of the laws against our vessels and citizens in Mexico and of denial of the diplomatic resort for their protection. The initial step toward a better understanding has been taken in the negotiation by the commission authorized by Congress of a treaty which is still before the Senate awaiting its approval. The provisions for the reciprocal crossing of the frontier by the troops in pursuit of hostile Indians have been prolonged for another year. The operations of the forces of both Governments against these savages have been successful, and several of their most dangerous bands have been captured or dispersed by the skill and valor of United States and Mexican soldiers fighting in a common because. The convention for the resurvey of the boundary from the Rio Grande to the Pacific having been ratified and exchanged, the preliminary reconnoissance therein stipulated has been effected. It now rests with Congress to make provision for completing the survey and relocating the boundary monuments. A convention was signed with Mexico on July 13, 1882, providing for the rehearing of the cases of Benjamin Well and the Abra Silver Mining Company, in whose favor awards were made by the late American and Mexican Claims Commission. That convention still awaits the consent of the Senate. Meanwhile, because of those charges of fraudulent awards which have made a new commission necessary, the Executive has directed the suspension of payments of the distributive quota received from Mexico. Our geographical proximity to Central America and our political and commercial relations with the States of that country justify, in my judgment, such a material increase of our consular corps as will place at each capital a consul-general. The contest between Bolivia, Chile, and Peru has passed from the stage of strategic hostilities to that of negotiation, in which the counsels of this Government have been exercised. The demands of Chile for absolute cession of territory have been maintained and accepted by the party of General Iglesias to the extent of concluding a treaty of peace with the Government of Chile in general conformity with the terms of the protocol signed in May last between the Chilean commander and General Iglesias. As a result of the conclusion of this treaty General Iglesias has been formally recognized by Chile as President of Peru and his government installed at Lima, which has been evacuated by the Chileans. A call has been issued by General Iglesias for a representative assembly, to be elected on the 13th of January, and to meet at Lima on the 1st of March next. Meanwhile the provisional government of General Iglesias has applied for recognition to the principal powers of America and Europe. When the will of the Peruvian people shall be manifested, I shall not hesitate to recognize the government approved by them. Diplomatic and naval representatives of this Government attended at Caracas the centennial celebration of the birth of the illustrious Bolivar. At the same time the inauguration of the statue of Washington in the Venezuelan capital testified to the veneration in which his memory is there held. Congress at its last session authorized the Executive to propose to Venezuela a reopening of the awards of the mixed commission of Caracas. The departure from this country of the Venezuelan minister has delayed the opening of negotiations for reviving the commission. This Government holds that until the establishment of a treaty upon this subject the Venezuelan Government must continue to make the payments provided for in the convention of 1866. There is ground for believing that the dispute growing out of the unpaid obligations due from Venezuela to France will be satisfactorily adjusted. The French cabinet has proposed a basis of settlement which meets my approval, but as it involves a recasting of the annual quotas of the foreign debt it has been deemed advisable to submit the proposal to the judgment of the cabinets of Berlin, Copenhagen, The Hague, London, and Madrid. At the recent coronation of His Majesty King Kalakaua this Government was represented both diplomatically and by the formal visit of a vessel of war. The question of terminating or modifying the existing reciprocity treaty with Hawaii is now before Congress. I am convinced that the charges of abuses and frauds under that treaty have been exaggerated, and I renew the suggestion of last year's message that the treaty be modified wherever its provisions have proved onerous to legitimate trade between the two countries. I am not disposed to favor the entire cessation of the treaty relations which have fostered good will between the countries and contributed toward the equality of Hawaii in the family of nations. In pursuance of the policy declared by ibis Government of extending our intercourse with the Eastern nations, legations have during the past year been established in Persia, Siam, and Korea. It is probable that permanent missions of those countries will ere long be maintained in the United States. A special embassy from Siam is now on its way hither. Treaty relations with Korea were perfected by the exchange at Seoul, on the 19th of May last, of the ratifications of the lately concluded convention, and envoys from the King of Tab Chosen have visited this country and received a cordial welcome. Korea, as yet unacquainted with the methods of Western civilization, now invites the attention of those interested in the advancement of our foreign trade, as it needs the implements and products which the United States are ready to supply. We seek no monopoly of its commerce and no advantages over other nations, but as the Chosenese, in reaching for a higher civilization, have confided in this Republic, we can not regard with indifference any encroachment on their rights. China, by the payment of a money indemnity, has settled certain of the long-pending claims of our citizens, and I have strong hopes that the remainder will soon be adjusted. Questions have arisen teaching the rights of American and other foreign manufacturers in China under the provisions of treaties which permit aliens to exercise their industries in that country. On this specific point our own treaty is silent, but under the operation of the most-favored-nation clause we have like privileges with those of other powers. While it is the duty of the Government to see that our citizens have the full enjoyment of every benefit secured by treaty, I doubt the expediency of leading in a movement to constrain China to admit an interpretation which we have only an indirect treaty right to exact. The transference to China of American capital for the employment there of Chinese labor would in effect inaugurate a competition for the control of markets now supplied by our home industries. There is good reason to believe that the law restricting the immigration of Chinese has been violated, intentionally or otherwise, by the officials of China upon whom is devolved the duty of certifying that the immigrants belong to the excepted classes. Measures have been taken to ascertain the facts incident to this supposed infraction, and it is believed that the Government of China will cooperate with the United States in securing the faithful observance of the law. The same considerations which prompted Congress at its last session to return to Japan the Simonoseki indemnity seem to me to require at its hands like action in respect to the Canton indemnity fund, now amounting to $300,000. The question of the general revision of the foreign treaties of Japan has been considered in an international conference held at Tokyo, but without definite result as yet. This Government is disposed to concede the requests of Japan to determine its own tariff duties, to provide such proper judicial tribunals as may commend themselves to the Western powers for the trial of causes to which foreigners are parties, and to assimilate the terms and duration of its treaties to those of other civilized states. Through our ministers at London and at Monrovia this Government has endeavored to aid Liberia in its differences with Great Britain touching the northwestern boundary of that Republic. There is a prospect of adjustment of the dispute by the adoption of the Mannah River as the line. This arrangement is a compromise of the conflicting territorial claims and takes from Liberia no country over which it has maintained effective jurisdiction. The rich and populous valley of the Kongo is being opened to commerce by a society called the International African Association, of which the King of the Belgians is the president and a citizen of the United States the chief executive officer. Large tracts of territory have been ceded to the association by native chiefs, roads have been opened, steamboats placed on the river, and the nuclei of states established at twenty-two stations under one flag which offers freedom to commerce and prohibits the slave trade. The objects of the society are philanthropic. It does not aim at permanent political control, but seeks the neutrality of the valley. The United States can not be indifferent to this work nor to the interests of their citizens involved in it. It may become advisable for us to cooperate with other commercial powers in promoting the rights of trade and residence in the Kongo Valley free from the interference or political control of any one nation. In view of the frequency of invitations from foreign governments to participate in social and scientific congresses for the discussion of important matters of general concern, I repeat the suggestion of my last message that provision be made for the exercise of discretionary power by the Executive in appointing delegates to such convocations. Able specialists are ready to serve the national interests in such capacity without personal profit or other compensation than the defrayment of expenses actually incurred, and this a comparatively small annual appropriation would suffice to meet. I have alluded in my previous messages to the injurious and vexatious restrictions suffered by our trade in the Spanish West Indies. Brazil, whose natural outlet for its great national staple, coffee, is in and through the United States, imposes a heavy export duty upon that product. Our petroleum exports are hampered in Turkey and in other Eastern ports by restrictions as to storage and by onerous taxation. For these mischiefs adequate relief is not always afforded by reciprocity treaties like that with Hawaii or that lately negotiated with Mexico and now awaiting the action of the Senate. Is it not advisable to provide some measure of equitable retaliation in our relations with governments which discriminate against our own? If, for example, the Executive were empowered to apply to Spanish vessels and cargoes from Cuba and Puerto Rico the same rules of treatment and scale of penalties for technical faults which are applied to our vessels and cargoes in the Antilles, a resort to that course might not be barren of good results. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury gives a full and interesting exhibit of the financial condition of the country. It shows that the ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1883, amounted to $398,287,581.95, whereof there was received-- For the same period the ordinary expenditures were: Leaving a surplus revenue of $132,879,444.41, which, with an amount drawn from the cash balance in the Treasury of $1,299,312.55, making $134,178,756.96, was applied to the redemption-- The revenue for the present fiscal year, actual and estimated, is as follows: The actual and estimated expenses for the same period are: If the revenue for the fiscal year which will end on June 30, 1885, be estimated upon the basis of existing laws, the Secretary is of the opinion that for that year the receipts will exceed by $60,000,000 the ordinary expenditures including the amount devoted to the sinking fund. Hitherto the surplus, as rapidly as it has accumulated, has been devoted to the reduction of the national debt. As a result the only bonds now outstanding which are redeemable at the pleasure of the Government are the 3 percents, amounting to about $305,000,000. The 4 1/2 percents, amounting to $250,000,000, and the $737,000,000 4 percents are not payable until 1891 and 1907, respectively. If the surplus shall hereafter be as large as the Treasury estimates now indicate, the 3 per cent bonds may all be redeemed at least four years before any of the 4 1/2 percents can be called in. The latter at the same rate of accumulation of surplus can be paid at maturity, and the moneys requisite for the redemption of the 4 percents will be in the Treasury many years before those obligations become payable. There are cogent reasons, however, why the national indebtedness should not be thus rapidly extinguished. Chief among them is the fact that only by excessive taxation is such rapidity attainable. In a communication to the Congress at its last session I recommended that all excise taxes be abolished except those relating to distilled spirits and that substantial reductions be also made in the revenues from customs. A statute has since been enacted by which the annual tax and tariff receipts of the Government have been cut down to the extent of at least fifty or sixty millions of dollars. While I have no doubt that still further reductions may be wisely made, I do not advise the adoption at this session of any measures for large diminution of the national revenues. The results of the legislation of the last session of the Congress have not as yet become sufficiently apparent to justify any radical revision or sweeping modifications of existing law. In the interval which must elapse before the effects of the act of March 3, 1883, can be definitely ascertained a portion at least of the surplus revenues may be wisely applied to the long-neglected duty of rehabilitating our Navy and providing coast defenses for the protection of our harbors. This is a matter to which I shall again advert. Immediately associated with the financial subject just discussed is the important question what legislation is needed regarding the national currency. The aggregate amount of bonds now on deposit in the Treasury to support the national-bank circulation is about $350,000,000. Nearly $200,000,000 of this amount consists of 3 percents, which, as already stated, are payable at the pleasure of the Government and are likely to be called in within less than four years unless meantime the surplus revenues shall be diminished. The probable effect of such an extensive retirement of the securities which are the basis of the national-bank circulation would be such a contraction of the volume of the currency as to produce grave commercial embarrassments. How can this danger be obviated? The most effectual plan, and one whose adoption at the earliest practicable opportunity I shall heartily approve, has already been indicated. If the revenues of the next four years shall be kept substantially commensurate with the expenses, the volume of circulation will not be likely to suffer any material disturbance; but if, on the other hand, there shall be great delay in reducing taxation, it will become necessary either to substitute some other form of currency in place of the national-bank notes or to make important changes in the laws by which their circulation is now controlled. In my judgment the latter course is far preferable. I commend to your attention the very interesting and thoughtful suggestions upon this subject which appear in the Secretary's report. The objections which he urges against the acceptance of any other securities than the obligations of the Government itself as a foundation for national-bank circulation seem to me insuperable. For averting the threatened contraction two courses have been suggested, either of which is probably feasible. One is the issuance of new bonds, having many years to run, bearing a low rate of interest, and exchangeable upon specified terms for those now outstanding. The other course, which commends itself to my own judgment as the better, is the enactment of a law repealing the tax on circulation and permitting the banks to issue notes for an amount equal to 90 per cent of the market value instead of, as now, the face value of their deposited bonds. I agree with the Secretary in the belief that the adoption of this plan would afford the necessary relief. The trade dollar was coined for the purpose of traffic in countries where silver passed at its value as ascertained by its weight and fineness. It never had a legal-tender quality. Large numbers of these coins entered, however, into the volume of our currency. By common consent their circulation in domestic trade has now ceased, and they have thus become a disturbing element. They should not be longer permitted to embarrass our currency system. I recommend that provision be made for their reception by the Treasury and the mints, as bullion, at a small percentage above the current market price of silver of like fineness. The Secretary of the Treasury advises a consolidation of certain of the customs districts of the country, and suggests that the President be vested with such power in relation thereto as is now given him in respect to collectors of internal revenue by section 3141 of the Revised Statutes. The statistics upon this subject which are contained in his report furnish of themselves a strong argument in defense of his views. At the adjournment of Congress the number of internal-revenue collection districts was 126. By Executive order dated June 25, 1883, I directed that certain of these districts be consolidated. The result has been a reduction of one-third their number, which at present is but 83. From the report of the Secretary of War it will be seen that in only a single instance has there been any disturbance of the quiet condition of our Indian tribes. A raid from Mexico into Arizona was made in March last by a small party of Indians, which was pursued by General Crook into the mountain regions from which it had come. It is confidently hoped that serious outbreaks will not again occur and that the Indian tribes which have for so many years disturbed the West will hereafter remain in peaceable submission. I again call your attention to the present condition of our extended seacoast, upon which are so many large cities whose wealth and importance to the country would in time of war invite attack from modern armored ships, against which our existing defensive works could give no adequate protection. Those works were built before the introduction of modern heavy rifled guns into maritime warfare, and if they are not put in an efficient condition we may easily be subjected to humiliation by a hostile power greatly inferior to ourselves. As germane to this subject, I call your attention to the importance of perfecting our submarine-torpedo defenses. The board authorized by the last Congress to report upon the method which should be adopted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare has visited the principal iron and steel works in this country and in Europe. It is hoped that its report will soon be made, and that Congress will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable facilities and plant for the manufacture of such guns as are now imperatively needed. On several occasions during the past year officers of the Army have at the request of the State authorities visited their militia encampments for inspection of the troops. From the reports of these officers I am induced to believe that the encouragement of the State militia organizations by the National Government would be followed by very gratifying results, and would afford it in sudden emergencies the aid of a large body of volunteers educated in the performance of military duties. The Secretary of the Navy reports that under the authority of the acts of August 5, 1882, and March 3, 1883, the work of strengthening our Navy by the construction of modern vessels has been auspiciously begun. Three cruisers are in process of construction--the Chicago, of 4,500 tons displacement, and the Boston and Atlanta, each of 2,500 tons. They are to be built of steel, with the tensile strength and ductility prescribed by law, and in the combination of speed, endurance, and armament are expected to compare favorably with the best unarmored war vessels of other nations. A fourth vessel, the Dolphin, is to be constructed of similar material, and is intended to serve as a fleet dispatch boat. The double-turreted monitors Puritan, Amphitrite, and Terror have been launched on the Delaware River and a contract has been made for the supply of their machinery. A similar monitor, the Monadnock, has been launched in California. The Naval Advisory Board and the Secretary recommend the completion of the monitors, the construction of four gunboats, and also of three additional steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston, and Dolphin. As an important measure of national defense, the Secretary urges also the immediate creation of an interior coast line of waterways across the peninsula of Florida, along the coast from Florida to Hampton Roads, between the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River, and through Cape Cod. I feel bound to impress upon the attention of Congress the necessity of continued progress in the reconstruction of the Navy. The condition of the public Treasury, as I have already intimated, makes the present an auspicious time for putting this branch of the service in a state of efficiency. It is no part of our policy to create and maintain a Navy able to cope with that of the other great powers of the world. We have no wish for foreign conquest, and the peace which we have long enjoyed is in no seeming danger of interruption. But that our naval strength should be made adequate for the defense of our harbors, the protection of our commercial interests, and the maintenance of our national honor is a proposition from which no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent. The report of the Postmaster-General contains a gratifying exhibit of the condition and prospects of the interesting branch of the public service committed to his care. It appears that on June 30, 1883, the whole number of post-offices was 47,863, of which 1,632 were established during the previous fiscal year. The number of offices operating under the system of free delivery was 154. At these latter offices the postage on local matter amounted to $4,195,230.52, a sum exceeding by $1,021,894.01 the entire cost of the carrier service of the country. The rate of postage on drop letters passing through these offices is now fixed by law at 2 cents per half ounce or fraction thereof. In offices where the carrier system has not been established the rate is only half as large. It will be remembered that in 1863, when free delivery was first established by law, the uniform single-rate postage upon local letters was 1 cent, and so it remained until 1872, when in those cities where carrier service was established it was increased in order to defray the expense of such service. It seems to me that the old rate may now with propriety be restored, and that, too, even at the risk of diminishing, for a time at least, the receipts from postage upon local letters. I can see no reason why that particular class of mail matter should be held accountable for the entire cost of not only its own collection and delivery, but the collection and delivery of all other classes; and I am confident, after full consideration of the subject, that the reduction of rate would be followed by such a growing accession of business as to occasion but slight and temporary loss to the revenues of the Post-Office. The Postmaster-General devotes much of his report to the consideration in its various aspects of the relations of the Government to the telegraph. Such reflection as I have been able to give to this subject since my last annual message has not led me to change the views which I there expressed in dissenting from the recommendation of the then Postmaster-General that the Government assume the same control over the telegraph which it has always exercised over the mail. Admitting that its authority in the premises is as ample as has ever been claimed for it, it would not, in my judgment, be a wise use of that authority to purchase or assume the control of existing telegraph lines, or to construct others with a view of entering into general competition with private enterprise. The objections which may be justly urged against either of those projects, and indeed against any system which would require an enormous increase in the civil-service list, do not, however, apply to some of the plans which have lately provoked public comment and discussion. It has been claimed, for example, that Congress might wisely authorize the Postmaster-General to contract with some private persons or corporation for the transmission of messages, or of a certain class of messages, at specified rates and under Government supervision. Various such schemes, of the same general nature, but widely differing in their special characteristics, have been suggested in the public prints, and the arguments by which they have been supported and opposed have doubtless attracted your attention. It is likely that the whole subject will be considered by you at the present session. In the nature of things it involves so many questions of detail that your deliberations would probably be aided slightly, if at all, by any particular suggestions which I might now submit. I avow my belief, however, that the Government should be authorized by law to exercise some sort of supervision over interstate telegraphic communication, and I express the hope that for attaining that end some measure may be devised which will receive your approbation. The Attorney-General criticises in his report the provisions of existing law fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal courts. These provisions are chiefly contained in the act of February 26, 1853, though some of them were introduced into that act from statutes which had been passed many years previous. It is manifest that such compensation as might when these laws were enacted have been just and reasonable would in many instances be justly regarded at the present day as inadequate. I concur with the Attorney-General in the belief that the statutes should be revised by which these fees are regulated. So, too, should the laws which regulate the compensation of district attorneys and marshals. They should be paid wholly by salaries instead of in part by fees, as is now the case. The change would prove to be a measure of economy and would discourage the institution of needless and oppressive legal proceedings, which it is to be feared have in some instances been conducted for the mere sake of personal gain. Much interesting and varied information is contained in the report of the Secretary of the Interior. I particularly call your attention to his presentation of certain phases of the Indian question, to his recommendations for the repeal of the preemption and timber-culture acts, and for more stringent legislation to Prevent frauds under the pension laws. The statutes which prescribe the definitions and Punishments of crimes relating to pensions could doubtless be made more effective by certain amendments and additions which are pointed out in the Secretary's report. I have previously referred to the alarming state of illiteracy in certain portions of the country, and again submit for the consideration of Congress whether some Federal aid should not be extended to public primary education wherever adequate provision therefor has not already been made. "The Utah Commission has submitted to the Secretary of the Interior its second annual report. As a result of its labors in supervising the recent election in that Territory, pursuant to the act of March 22, 1882, it appears that persons by that act disqualified to the number of about 12,000, were excluded from the polls. This fact, however, affords little because for congratulation, and I fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All the members elect of the legislature are Mormons. There is grave reason to believe that they are in sympathy with the practices that this Government is seeking to suppress, and that its efforts in that regard will be more likely to encounter their opposition than to receive their encouragement and support. Even if this view should happily be erroneous, the law under which the commissioners have been acting should be made more effective by the incorporation of some such stringent amendments as they recommend, and as were included in bill No. 2238 on the Calendar of the Senate at its last session. I am convinced, however, that polygamy has become so strongly intrenched in the Territory of Utah that it is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which constitutional legislation can fashion. I favor, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which the existing government depends, the assumption by the National Legislature of the entire political control of the Territory, and the establishment of a commission with such powers and duties as shall be delegated to it by law. The Department of Agriculture is accomplishing much in the direction of the agricultural development of the country, and the report of the Commissioner giving the results of his investigations and experiments will be found interesting and valuable. At his instance a convention of those interested in the cattle industry of the country was lately held at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuropneumonia and other contagious diseases of animals was one of the chief topics of discussion. A committee of the convention will invite your cooperation in investigating the causes of these diseases and providing methods for their prevention and cure. I trust that Congress will not fail at its present session to put Alaska under the protection of law. Its people have repeatedly remonstrated against our neglect to afford them the maintenance and protection expressly guaranteed by the terms of the treaty whereby that Territory was ceded to the United States. For sixteen years they have pleaded in vain for that which they should have received without the asking. They have no law for the collection of debts, the support of education, the conveyance of property, the administration of estates, or the enforcement of contracts; none, indeed, for the punishment of criminals, except such as offend against certain customs, commerce, and navigation acts. The resources of Alaska, especially in fur, mines, and lumber, are considerable in extent and capable of large development, while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance. The promptings of interest, therefore, as well as considerations of honor and good faith, demand the immediate establishment of civil government in that Territory. Complaints have lately been numerous and urgent that certain corporations, controlling in whole or in part the facilities for the interstate carriage of persons and merchandise over the great railroads of the country, have resorted in their dealings with the public to divers measures unjust and oppressive in their character. In some instances the State governments have attacked and suppressed these evils, but in others they have been unable to afford adequate relief because of the jurisdictional limitations which are imposed upon them by the Federal Constitution. The question how far the National Government may lawfully interfere in the premises, and what, if any, supervision or control it ought to exercise, is one which merits your careful consideration. While we can not fail to recognize the importance of the vast railway systems of the country and their great and beneficent influences upon the development of our material wealth, we should, on the other hand, remember that no individual and no corporation ought to be invested with absolute power over the interest of any other citizen or class of citizens. The right of these railway corporations to a fair and profitable return upon their investments and to reasonable freedom in their regulations must be recognized; but it seems only just that, so far as its constitutional authority will permit, Congress should protect the people at large in their interstate traffic against acts of injustice which the State governments are powerless to prevent. In my last annual message I called attention to the necessity of protecting by suitable legislation the forests situated upon the public domain. In many portions of the West the pursuit of general agriculture is only made practicable by resort to irrigation, while successful irrigation would itself be impossible without the aid afforded by forests in contributing to the regularity and constancy of the supply of water. During the past year severe suffering and great loss of property have been occasioned by profuse floods followed by periods of unusually low water in many of the great rivers of the country. These irregularities were in great measure caused by the removal from about the sources of the streams in question of the timber by which the water supply had been nourished and protected. The Preservation of such portions of the forests on the national domain as essentially contribute to the equable flow of important water courses is of the highest consequence. Important tributaries of the Missouri, the Columbia, and the Saskatchewan rise in the mountain region of Montana, near the northern boundary of the United States, between the Blackfeet and Flathead Indian reservations. This region is unsuitable for settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from it depends the future agricultural development of a vast tract of country. The attention of Congress is called to the necessity of withdrawing from public sale this part of the public domain and establishing there a forest preserve. The industrial exhibitions which have been held in the United States during the present year attracted attention in many foreign countries, where the announcement of those enterprises had been made public through the foreign agencies of this Government. The Industrial Exhibition at Boston and the Southern Exposition at Louisville were largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign countries, notwithstanding the absence of any professed national character in those undertakings. The Centennial Exposition to be held next year at New Orleans in commemoration of the centenary of the first shipment of cotton from a port of the United States bids fair to meet with like gratifying success. Under the act of Congress of the 10th of February, 1883, declaring that exposition to be national and international in its character, all foreign governments with which the United States maintain relations have been invited to participate. The promoters of this important undertaking have already received assurances of the lively interest which it has excited abroad. The report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia is herewith transmitted. I ask for it your careful attention, especially for those portions which relate to assessments, arrears of taxes, and increase of water supply. The commissioners who were appointed under the act of January 16, 1883, entitled "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United States," entered promptly upon the discharge of their duties. A series of rules, framed in accordance with the spirit of the statute, was approved and promulgated by the President. In some particulars wherein they seemed defective those rules were subsequently amended. It will be perceived that they discountenance any political or religious tests for admission to those offices of the public service to which the statute relates. The act is limited in its original application to the classified clerkships in the several Executive Departments at Washington (numbering about 5,600) and to similar positions in customs districts and post-offices where as many as fifty persons are employed. A classification of these positions analogous to that existing in the Washington offices was duly made before the law went into effect. Eleven customs districts and twenty-three post-offices were thus brought under the immediate operation of the statute. The annual report of the Civil Service Commission which will soon be submitted to Congress will doubtless afford the means of a more definite judgment than I am now prepared to express as to the merits of the new system. I am persuaded that its effects have thus far proved beneficial. Its practical methods appear to be adequate for the ends proposed, and there has been no serious difficulty in carrying them into effect. Since the 16th of July last no person, so far as I am aware, has been appointed to the public service in the classified portions thereof at any of the Departments, or at any of the post-offices and customs districts above named, except those certified by the Commission to be the most competent on the basis of the examinations held in conformity to the rules. At the time when the present Executive entered upon his office his death, removal, resignation, or inability to discharge his duties would have left the Government without a constitutional head. It is possible, of course, that a similar contingency may again arise unless the wisdom of Congress shall provide against its recurrence. The Senate at its last session, after full consideration, passed an act relating to this subject, which will now, I trust, commend itself to the approval of both Houses of Congress. The clause of the Constitution upon which must depend any law regulating the Presidential succession presents also for solution other questions of paramount importance. These questions relate to the proper interpretation of the phrase "inability to discharge the powers and duties of said office," our organic law providing that when the President shall suffer from such inability the Presidential office shall devolve upon the Vice-President, who must himself under like circumstances give place to such officer as Congress may by law appoint to act as President. I need not here set forth the numerous and interesting inquiries which are suggested by these words of the Constitution. They were fully stated in my first communication to Congress and have since been the subject of frequent deliberations in that body. It is greatly to be hoped that these momentous questions will find speedy solution, lest emergencies may arise when longer delay will be impossible and any determination, albeit the wisest, may furnish because for anxiety and alarm. For the reasons fully stated in my last annual message I repeat my recommendation that Congress propose an amendment to that provision of the Constitution which prescribes the formalities for the enactment of laws, whereby, in respect to bills for the appropriation of public moneys, the Executive may be enabled, while giving his approval to particular items, to interpose his veto as to such others as do not commend themselves to his judgment. The fourteenth amendment of the Constitution confers the rights of citizenship upon all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. It was the special purpose of this amendment to insure to members of the colored race the full enjoyment of civil and political rights. Certain statutory provisions intended to secure the enforcement of those rights have been recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Any legislation whereby Congress may lawfully supplement the guaranties which the Constitution affords for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the United States of every right, privilege, and immunity of citizenship will receive my unhesitating approval.
at the threshold of your deliberations i congratulate you upon the favorable aspect of the domestic and foreign affairs of this government our relations with other countries continue to be upon a friendly footing with the argentine republic austria belgium brazil denmark hayti italy santo domingo and sweden and norway no incident has occurred which cars for special comment the recent opening of new lines of telegraphic communication with central america and brazil permitted the interchange of messages of friendship with the governments of those countries during the year there have been perfected and proclaimed consular and commercial treaties with servia and a consular treaty with roumania thus extending our intercourse with the danubian countries while our eastern relations have been put upon a wider basis by treaties with korea and madagascar the new treaty with mexico a convention and a supplementary treaty of extradition with spain and conventions extending the duration of the claims commission have also been proclaimed notice of the termination of the fisheries articles of the treaty of washington was duly given to the british government and the reciprocal privileges and exemptions of the treaty will accordingly cease on july 1 1885 the fisheries industries pursued by a numerous class of our citizens on the northern coasts both of the atlantic and pacific oceans are worthy of the fostering care of congress whenever brought into competition with the like industries of other countries our fishermen as well as our manufacturers of fishing appliances and preparers of fish products have maintained a foremost place i suggest that congress create a commission to consider the general question of our rights in the fisheries and the means of opening to our citizens under just and enduring conditions the richly stocked fishing waters and sealing grounds of british north america question has arisen touching the deportation to the united states from the british islands by governmental or municipal aid of persons unable there to gain a living and equally a burden on the community here such of these persons as fall under the pauper class as defined by law have been sent back in accordance with the provisions of our statutes her majesty government has insisted that precautions have been taken before shipment to prevent these objectionable visitors from coming hither without guaranty of support by their relatives in this country the action of the british authorities in applying measures for relief has however in so many cases proved ineffectual and especially so in certain recent instances of needy emigrants reaching our territory through canada that a revision of our legislation upon this subject may be deemed advisable correspondence relative to the treaty has been continued and will be laid before congress the legislation of france against the importation of prepared swine products from the united states has been repealed that result is due no less to the friendly representations of this government than to a growing conviction in france that the restriction was not demanded by any real danger to health germany still prohibits the introduction of all swine products from america i extended to the imperial government a friendly invitation to send experts to the united states to inquire whether the use of those products was dangerous to health this invitation was declined i have believed it of such importance however that the exact facts should be ascertained and promulgated that i have appointed a competent commission to make a thorough investigation of the subject its members have shown their public spirit by accepting their trust without pledge of compensation but i trust that congress will see in the national and international bearings of the matter a sufficient motive for providing at least for reimbursement of such expenses as they may necessarily incur the coronation of the czar at moscow afforded to this government an occasion for testifying its continued friendship by sending a special envoy and a representative of the navy to attend the ceremony while there have arisen during the year no grave questions affecting the status in the russian empire of american citizens of other faith than that held by the national church this government remains firm in its conviction that the rights of its citizens abroad should be in no wise affected by their religious belief it is understood that measures for the removal of the restrictions which now burden our trade with cuba and puerto rico are under consideration by the spanish government the proximity of cuba to the united states and the peculiar methods of administration which there prevail necessitate constant discussion and appeal on our part from the proceedings of the insular authorities i regret to say that the just protests of this government have not as yet produced satisfactory results the commission appointed to decide certain claims of our citizens against the spanish government after the recognition of a satisfactory rule as to the validity and force of naturalization in the united states has finally adjourned some of its awards though made more than two years ago have not yet been paid their speedy payment is expected claims to a large amount which were held by the late commission to be without its jurisdiction have been diplomatically presented to the spanish government as the action of the colonial authorities which has given rise to these claims was admittedly illegal full reparation for the injury sustained by our citizens should be no longer delayed the case of the masonic has not yet reached a settlement manila court has found that the proceedings of which this government has complained were unauthorized and it is hoped that the government of spain will not withhold the speedy reparation which its sense of justice should impel it to offer for the unusual severity and unjust action of its subordinate colonial officers in the case of this vessel the helvetian confederation has proposed the inauguration of a class of international treaties for the referment to arbitration of grave questions between nations this government has assented to the proposed negotiation of such a treaty with switzerland under the treaty of berlin liberty of conscience and civil rights are assured to all strangers in bulgaria as the united states have no distinct conventional relations with that country and are not a party to the treaty they should in my opinion maintain diplomatic representation at sofia for the improvement of intercourse and the proper protection of the many american citizens who resort to that country as missionaries and teachers i suggest that i be given authority to establish an agency and at the bulgarian capital the united states are now participating in a revision of the tariffs of the ottoman empire they have assented to the application of a license tax to foreigners doing business in turkey but have opposed the oppressive storage tax upon petroleum entering the ports of that country the government of the khedive has proposed that the authority of the mixed judicial tribunals in egypt be extended so as to cover citizens of the united states accused of crime who are now triable before consular courts this government is not indisposed to accept the change but believes that its terms should be submitted for criticism to the commission appointed to revise the whole subject at no time in our national history has there been more manifest need of close and lasting relations with a neighboring state than now exists with respect to mexico the rapid influx of our capital and enterprise into that country shows by what has already been accomplished the vast reciprocal advantages which must attend the progress of its internal development the treaty of commerce and navigation of 1848 has been terminated by the mexican government and in the absence of conventional engagements the rights of our citizens in mexico now depend upon the domestic statutes of that republic there have been instances of harsh enforcement of the laws against our vessels and citizens in mexico and of denial of the diplomatic resort for their protection the initial step toward a better understanding has been taken in the negotiation by the commission authorized by congress of a treaty which is still before the senate awaiting its approval the provisions for the reciprocal crossing of the frontier by the troops in pursuit of hostile indians have been prolonged for another year the operations of the forces of both governments against these savages have been successful and several of their most dangerous bands have been captured or dispersed by the skill and valor of united states and mexican soldiers fighting in a common because the convention for the resurvey of the boundary from the rio grande to the pacific having been ratified and exchanged the preliminary reconnoissance therein stipulated has been effected it now rests with congress to make provision for completing the survey and relocating the boundary monuments a convention was signed with mexico on july 13 1882 providing for the rehearing of the cases of benjamin well and the abra silver mining company in whose favor awards were made by the late american and mexican claims commission that convention still awaits the consent of the senate meanwhile because of those charges of fraudulent awards which have made a new commission necessary the executive has directed the suspension of payments of the distributive quota received from mexico our geographical proximity to central america and our political and commercial relations with the states of that country justify in my judgment such a material increase of our consular corps as will place at each capital a the contest between bolivia chile and peru has passed from the stage of strategic hostilities to that of negotiation in which the counsels of this government have been exercised the demands of chile for absolute cession of territory have been maintained and accepted by the party of general iglesias to the extent of concluding a treaty of peace with the government of chile in general conformity with the terms of the protocol signed in may last between the chilean commander and general iglesias as a result of the conclusion of this treaty general iglesias has been formally recognized by chile as president of peru and his government installed at lima which has been evacuated by the chileans a call has been issued by general iglesias for a representative assembly to be elected on the 13th of january and to meet at lima on the 1st of march next meanwhile the provisional government of general iglesias has applied for recognition to the principal powers of america and europe when the will of the peruvian people shall be manifested i shall not hesitate to recognize the government approved by them diplomatic and naval representatives of this government attended at caracas the centennial celebration of the birth of the illustrious bolivar at the same time the inauguration of the statue of washington in the venezuelan capital testified to the veneration in which his memory is there held congress at its last session authorized the executive to propose to venezuela a reopening of the awards of the mixed commission of caracas the departure from this country of the venezuelan minister has delayed the opening of negotiations for reviving the commission this government holds that until the establishment of a treaty upon this subject the venezuelan government must continue to make the payments provided for in the convention of 1866 there is ground for believing that the dispute growing out of the unpaid obligations due from venezuela to france will be satisfactorily adjusted the french cabinet has proposed a basis of settlement which meets my approval but as it involves a recasting of the annual quotas of the foreign debt it has been deemed advisable to submit the proposal to the judgment of the cabinets of berlin copenhagen the hague london and madrid at the recent coronation of his majesty king kalakaua this government was represented both diplomatically and by the formal visit of a vessel of war the question of terminating or modifying the existing reciprocity treaty with hawaii is now before congress i am convinced that the charges of abuses and frauds under that treaty have been exaggerated and i renew the suggestion of last year message that the treaty be modified wherever its provisions have proved onerous to legitimate trade between the two countries i am not disposed to favor the entire cessation of the treaty relations which have fostered good will between the countries and contributed toward the equality of hawaii in the family of nations in pursuance of the policy declared by ibis government of extending our intercourse with the eastern nations legations have during the past year been established in persia siam and korea it is probable that permanent missions of those countries will ere long be maintained in the united states a special embassy from siam is now on its way hither treaty relations with korea were perfected by the exchange at seoul on the 19th of may last of the ratifications of the lately concluded convention and envoys from the king of tab chosen have visited this country and received a cordial welcome korea as yet unacquainted with the methods of western civilization now invites the attention of those interested in the advancement of our foreign trade as it needs the implements and products which the united states are ready to supply we seek no monopoly of its commerce and no advantages over other nations but as the chosenese in reaching for a higher civilization have confided in this republic we can not regard with indifference any encroachment on their rights china by the payment of a money indemnity has settled certain of the claims of our citizens and i have strong hopes that the remainder will soon be adjusted questions have arisen teaching the rights of american and other foreign manufacturers in china under the provisions of treaties which permit aliens to exercise their industries in that country on this specific point our own treaty is silent but under the operation of the clause we have like privileges with those of other powers while it is the duty of the government to see that our citizens have the full enjoyment of every benefit secured by treaty i doubt the expediency of leading in a movement to constrain china to admit an interpretation which we have only an indirect treaty right to exact the transference to china of american capital for the employment there of chinese labor would in effect inaugurate a competition for the control of markets now supplied by our home industries there is good reason to believe that the law restricting the immigration of chinese has been violated intentionally or otherwise by the officials of china upon whom is devolved the duty of certifying that the immigrants belong to the excepted classes measures have been taken to ascertain the facts incident to this supposed infraction and it is believed that the government of china will cooperate with the united states in securing the faithful observance of the law the same considerations which prompted congress at its last session to return to japan the simonoseki indemnity seem to me to require at its hands like action in respect to the canton indemnity fund now amounting to the question of the general revision of the foreign treaties of japan has been considered in an international conference held at tokyo but without definite result as yet this government is disposed to concede the requests of japan to determine its own tariff duties to provide such proper judicial tribunals as may commend themselves to the western powers for the trial of causes to which foreigners are parties and to assimilate the terms and duration of its treaties to those of other civilized states through our ministers at london and at monrovia this government has endeavored to aid liberia in its differences with great britain touching the northwestern boundary of that republic there is a prospect of adjustment of the dispute by the adoption of the mannah river as the line this arrangement is a compromise of the conflicting territorial claims and takes from liberia no country over which it has maintained effective jurisdiction the rich and populous valley of the kongo is being opened to commerce by a society called the international african association of which the king of the belgians is the president and a citizen of the united states the chief executive officer large tracts of territory have been ceded to the association by native chiefs roads have been opened steamboats placed on the river and the nuclei of states established at stations under one flag which offers freedom to commerce and prohibits the slave trade the objects of the society are philanthropic it does not aim at permanent political control but seeks the neutrality of the valley the united states can not be indifferent to this work nor to the interests of their citizens involved in it it may become advisable for us to cooperate with other commercial powers in promoting the rights of trade and residence in the kongo valley free from the interference or political control of any one nation in view of the frequency of invitations from foreign governments to participate in social and scientific congresses for the discussion of important matters of general concern i repeat the suggestion of my last message that provision be made for the exercise of discretionary power by the executive in appointing delegates to such convocations able specialists are ready to serve the national interests in such capacity without personal profit or other compensation than the defrayment of expenses actually incurred and this a comparatively small annual appropriation would suffice to meet i have alluded in my previous messages to the injurious and vexatious restrictions suffered by our trade in the spanish west indies brazil whose natural outlet for its great national staple coffee is in and through the united states imposes a heavy export duty upon that product our petroleum exports are hampered in turkey and in other eastern ports by restrictions as to storage and by onerous taxation for these mischiefs adequate relief is not always afforded by reciprocity treaties like that with hawaii or that lately negotiated with mexico and now awaiting the action of the senate is it not advisable to provide some measure of equitable retaliation in our relations with governments which discriminate against our own if for example the executive were empowered to apply to spanish vessels and cargoes from cuba and puerto rico the same rules of treatment and scale of penalties for technical faults which are applied to our vessels and cargoes in the antilles a resort to that course might not be barren of good results the report of the secretary of the treasury gives a full and interesting exhibit of the financial condition of the country it shows that the ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ended june 30 1883 amounted to whereof there was received for the same period the ordinary expenditures were leaving a surplus revenue of which with an amount drawn from the cash balance in the treasury of making was applied to the redemption the revenue for the present fiscal year actual and estimated is as follows the actual and estimated expenses for the same period are if the revenue for the fiscal year which will end on june 30 1885 be estimated upon the basis of existing laws the secretary is of the opinion that for that year the receipts will exceed by the ordinary expenditures including the amount devoted to the sinking fund hitherto the surplus as rapidly as it has accumulated has been devoted to the reduction of the national debt as a result the only bonds now outstanding which are redeemable at the pleasure of the government are the 3 percents amounting to about the 4 percents amounting to and the 4 percents are not payable until 1891 and 1907 respectively if the surplus shall hereafter be as large as the treasury estimates now indicate the 3 per cent bonds may all be redeemed at least four years before any of the 4 percents can be called in the latter at the same rate of accumulation of surplus can be paid at maturity and the moneys requisite for the redemption of the 4 percents will be in the treasury many years before those obligations become payable there are cogent reasons however why the national indebtedness should not be thus rapidly extinguished chief among them is the fact that only by excessive taxation is such rapidity attainable in a communication to the congress at its last session i recommended that all excise taxes be abolished except those relating to distilled spirits and that substantial reductions be also made in the revenues from customs a statute has since been enacted by which the annual tax and tariff receipts of the government have been cut down to the extent of at least fifty or sixty millions of dollars while i have no doubt that still further reductions may be wisely made i do not advise the adoption at this session of any measures for large diminution of the national revenues the results of the legislation of the last session of the congress have not as yet become sufficiently apparent to justify any radical revision or sweeping modifications of existing law in the interval which must elapse before the effects of the act of march 3 1883 can be definitely ascertained a portion at least of the surplus revenues may be wisely applied to the duty of rehabilitating our navy and providing coast defenses for the protection of our harbors this is a matter to which i shall again advert immediately associated with the financial subject just discussed is the important question what legislation is needed regarding the national currency the aggregate amount of bonds now on deposit in the treasury to support the circulation is about nearly of this amount consists of 3 percents which as already stated are payable at the pleasure of the government and are likely to be called in within less than four years unless meantime the surplus revenues shall be diminished the probable effect of such an extensive retirement of the securities which are the basis of the circulation would be such a contraction of the volume of the currency as to produce grave commercial embarrassments how can this danger be obviated the most effectual plan and one whose adoption at the earliest practicable opportunity i shall heartily approve has already been indicated if the revenues of the next four years shall be kept substantially commensurate with the expenses the volume of circulation will not be likely to suffer any material disturbance but if on the other hand there shall be great delay in reducing taxation it will become necessary either to substitute some other form of currency in place of the notes or to make important changes in the laws by which their circulation is now controlled in my judgment the latter course is far preferable i commend to your attention the very interesting and thoughtful suggestions upon this subject which appear in the secretary report the objections which he urges against the acceptance of any other securities than the obligations of the government itself as a foundation for circulation seem to me insuperable for averting the threatened contraction two courses have been suggested either of which is probably feasible one is the issuance of new bonds having many years to run bearing a low rate of interest and exchangeable upon specified terms for those now outstanding the other course which commends itself to my own judgment as the better is the enactment of a law repealing the tax on circulation and permitting the banks to issue notes for an amount equal to 90 per cent of the market value instead of as now the face value of their deposited bonds i agree with the secretary in the belief that the adoption of this plan would afford the necessary relief the trade dollar was coined for the purpose of traffic in countries where silver passed at its value as ascertained by its weight and fineness it never had a quality large numbers of these coins entered however into the volume of our currency by common consent their circulation in domestic trade has now ceased and they have thus become a disturbing element they should not be longer permitted to embarrass our currency system i recommend that provision be made for their reception by the treasury and the mints as bullion at a small percentage above the current market price of silver of like fineness the secretary of the treasury advises a consolidation of certain of the customs districts of the country and suggests that the president be vested with such power in relation thereto as is now given him in respect to collectors of internal revenue by section 3141 of the revised statutes the statistics upon this subject which are contained in his report furnish of themselves a strong argument in defense of his views at the adjournment of congress the number of collection districts was 126 by executive order dated june 25 1883 i directed that certain of these districts be consolidated the result has been a reduction of their number which at present is but 83 from the report of the secretary of war it will be seen that in only a single instance has there been any disturbance of the quiet condition of our indian tribes a raid from mexico into arizona was made in march last by a small party of indians which was pursued by general crook into the mountain regions from which it had come it is confidently hoped that serious outbreaks will not again occur and that the indian tribes which have for so many years disturbed the west will hereafter remain in peaceable submission i again call your attention to the present condition of our extended seacoast upon which are so many large cities whose wealth and importance to the country would in time of war invite attack from modern armored ships against which our existing defensive works could give no adequate protection those works were built before the introduction of modern heavy rifled guns into maritime warfare and if they are not put in an efficient condition we may easily be subjected to humiliation by a hostile power greatly inferior to ourselves as germane to this subject i call your attention to the importance of perfecting our defenses the board authorized by the last congress to report upon the method which should be adopted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare has visited the principal iron and steel works in this country and in europe it is hoped that its report will soon be made and that congress will thereupon be disposed to provide suitable facilities and plant for the manufacture of such guns as are now imperatively needed on several occasions during the past year officers of the army have at the request of the state authorities visited their militia encampments for inspection of the troops from the reports of these officers i am induced to believe that the encouragement of the state militia organizations by the national government would be followed by very gratifying results and would afford it in sudden emergencies the aid of a large body of volunteers educated in the performance of military duties the secretary of the navy reports that under the authority of the acts of august 5 1882 and march 3 1883 the work of strengthening our navy by the construction of modern vessels has been auspiciously begun three cruisers are in process of construction the chicago of tons displacement and the boston and atlanta each of tons they are to be built of steel with the tensile strength and ductility prescribed by law and in the combination of speed endurance and armament are expected to compare favorably with the best unarmored war vessels of other nations a fourth vessel the dolphin is to be constructed of similar material and is intended to serve as a fleet dispatch boat the monitors puritan amphitrite and terror have been launched on the delaware river and a contract has been made for the supply of their machinery a similar monitor the monadnock has been launched in california the naval advisory board and the secretary recommend the completion of the monitors the construction of four gunboats and also of three additional steel vessels like the chicago boston and dolphin as an important measure of national defense the secretary urges also the immediate creation of an interior coast line of waterways across the peninsula of florida along the coast from florida to hampton roads between the chesapeake bay and the delaware river and through cape cod i feel bound to impress upon the attention of congress the necessity of continued progress in the reconstruction of the navy the condition of the public treasury as i have already intimated makes the present an auspicious time for putting this branch of the service in a state of efficiency it is no part of our policy to create and maintain a navy able to cope with that of the other great powers of the world we have no wish for foreign conquest and the peace which we have long enjoyed is in no seeming danger of interruption but that our naval strength should be made adequate for the defense of our harbors the protection of our commercial interests and the maintenance of our national honor is a proposition from which no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent the report of the contains a gratifying exhibit of the condition and prospects of the interesting branch of the public service committed to his care it appears that on june 30 1883 the whole number of was of which were established during the previous fiscal year the number of offices operating under the system of free delivery was 154 at these latter offices the postage on local matter amounted to a sum exceeding by the entire cost of the carrier service of the country the rate of postage on drop letters passing through these offices is now fixed by law at 2 cents per half ounce or fraction thereof in offices where the carrier system has not been established the rate is only half as large it will be remembered that in 1863 when free delivery was first established by law the uniform postage upon local letters was 1 cent and so it remained until 1872 when in those cities where carrier service was established it was increased in order to defray the expense of such service it seems to me that the old rate may now with propriety be restored and that too even at the risk of diminishing for a time at least the receipts from postage upon local letters i can see no reason why that particular class of mail matter should be held accountable for the entire cost of not only its own collection and delivery but the collection and delivery of all other classes and i am confident after full consideration of the subject that the reduction of rate would be followed by such a growing accession of business as to occasion but slight and temporary loss to the revenues of the the devotes much of his report to the consideration in its various aspects of the relations of the government to the telegraph such reflection as i have been able to give to this subject since my last annual message has not led me to change the views which i there expressed in dissenting from the recommendation of the then that the government assume the same control over the telegraph which it has always exercised over the mail admitting that its authority in the premises is as ample as has ever been claimed for it it would not in my judgment be a wise use of that authority to purchase or assume the control of existing telegraph lines or to construct others with a view of entering into general competition with private enterprise the objections which may be justly urged against either of those projects and indeed against any system which would require an enormous increase in the list do not however apply to some of the plans which have lately provoked public comment and discussion it has been claimed for example that congress might wisely authorize the to contract with some private persons or corporation for the transmission of messages or of a certain class of messages at specified rates and under government supervision various such schemes of the same general nature but widely differing in their special characteristics have been suggested in the public prints and the arguments by which they have been supported and opposed have doubtless attracted your attention it is likely that the whole subject will be considered by you at the present session in the nature of things it involves so many questions of detail that your deliberations would probably be aided slightly if at all by any particular suggestions which i might now submit i avow my belief however that the government should be authorized by law to exercise some sort of supervision over interstate telegraphic communication and i express the hope that for attaining that end some measure may be devised which will receive your approbation the criticises in his report the provisions of existing law fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in the federal courts these provisions are chiefly contained in the act of february 26 1853 though some of them were introduced into that act from statutes which had been passed many years previous it is manifest that such compensation as might when these laws were enacted have been just and reasonable would in many instances be justly regarded at the present day as inadequate i concur with the in the belief that the statutes should be revised by which these fees are regulated so too should the laws which regulate the compensation of district attorneys and marshals they should be paid wholly by salaries instead of in part by fees as is now the case the change would prove to be a measure of economy and would discourage the institution of needless and oppressive legal proceedings which it is to be feared have in some instances been conducted for the mere sake of personal gain much interesting and varied information is contained in the report of the secretary of the interior i particularly call your attention to his presentation of certain phases of the indian question to his recommendations for the repeal of the preemption and acts and for more stringent legislation to prevent frauds under the pension laws the statutes which prescribe the definitions and punishments of crimes relating to pensions could doubtless be made more effective by certain amendments and additions which are pointed out in the secretary report i have previously referred to the alarming state of illiteracy in certain portions of the country and again submit for the consideration of congress whether some federal aid should not be extended to public primary education wherever adequate provision therefor has not already been made the utah commission has submitted to the secretary of the interior its second annual report as a result of its labors in supervising the recent election in that territory pursuant to the act of march 22 1882 it appears that persons by that act disqualified to the number of about were excluded from the polls this fact however affords little because for congratulation and i fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy all the members elect of the legislature are mormons there is grave reason to believe that they are in sympathy with the practices that this government is seeking to suppress and that its efforts in that regard will be more likely to encounter their opposition than to receive their encouragement and support even if this view should happily be erroneous the law under which the commissioners have been acting should be made more effective by the incorporation of some such stringent amendments as they recommend and as were included in bill no 2238 on the calendar of the senate at its last session i am convinced however that polygamy has become so strongly intrenched in the territory of utah that it is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which constitutional legislation can fashion i favor therefore the repeal of the act upon which the existing government depends the assumption by the national legislature of the entire political control of the territory and the establishment of a commission with such powers and duties as shall be delegated to it by law the department of agriculture is accomplishing much in the direction of the agricultural development of the country and the report of the commissioner giving the results of his investigations and experiments will be found interesting and valuable at his instance a convention of those interested in the cattle industry of the country was lately held at chicago the prevalence of pleuropneumonia and other contagious diseases of animals was one of the chief topics of discussion a committee of the convention will invite your cooperation in investigating the causes of these diseases and providing methods for their prevention and cure i trust that congress will not fail at its present session to put alaska under the protection of law its people have repeatedly remonstrated against our neglect to afford them the maintenance and protection expressly guaranteed by the terms of the treaty whereby that territory was ceded to the united states for sixteen years they have pleaded in vain for that which they should have received without the asking they have no law for the collection of debts the support of education the conveyance of property the administration of estates or the enforcement of contracts none indeed for the punishment of criminals except such as offend against certain customs commerce and navigation acts the resources of alaska especially in fur mines and lumber are considerable in extent and capable of large development while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance the promptings of interest therefore as well as considerations of honor and good faith demand the immediate establishment of civil government in that territory complaints have lately been numerous and urgent that certain corporations controlling in whole or in part the facilities for the interstate carriage of persons and merchandise over the great railroads of the country have resorted in their dealings with the public to divers measures unjust and oppressive in their character in some instances the state governments have attacked and suppressed these evils but in others they have been unable to afford adequate relief because of the jurisdictional limitations which are imposed upon them by the federal constitution the question how far the national government may lawfully interfere in the premises and what if any supervision or control it ought to exercise is one which merits your careful consideration while we can not fail to recognize the importance of the vast railway systems of the country and their great and beneficent influences upon the development of our material wealth we should on the other hand remember that no individual and no corporation ought to be invested with absolute power over the interest of any other citizen or class of citizens the right of these railway corporations to a fair and profitable return upon their investments and to reasonable freedom in their regulations must be recognized but it seems only just that so far as its constitutional authority will permit congress should protect the people at large in their interstate traffic against acts of injustice which the state governments are powerless to prevent in my last annual message i called attention to the necessity of protecting by suitable legislation the forests situated upon the public domain in many portions of the west the pursuit of general agriculture is only made practicable by resort to irrigation while successful irrigation would itself be impossible without the aid afforded by forests in contributing to the regularity and constancy of the supply of water during the past year severe suffering and great loss of property have been occasioned by profuse floods followed by periods of unusually low water in many of the great rivers of the country these irregularities were in great measure caused by the removal from about the sources of the streams in question of the timber by which the water supply had been nourished and protected the preservation of such portions of the forests on the national domain as essentially contribute to the equable flow of important water courses is of the highest consequence important tributaries of the missouri the columbia and the saskatchewan rise in the mountain region of montana near the northern boundary of the united states between the blackfeet and flathead indian reservations this region is unsuitable for settlement but upon the rivers which flow from it depends the future agricultural development of a vast tract of country the attention of congress is called to the necessity of withdrawing from public sale this part of the public domain and establishing there a forest preserve the industrial exhibitions which have been held in the united states during the present year attracted attention in many foreign countries where the announcement of those enterprises had been made public through the foreign agencies of this government the industrial exhibition at boston and the southern exposition at louisville were largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign countries notwithstanding the absence of any professed national character in those undertakings the centennial exposition to be held next year at new orleans in commemoration of the centenary of the first shipment of cotton from a port of the united states bids fair to meet with like gratifying success under the act of congress of the 10th of february 1883 declaring that exposition to be national and international in its character all foreign governments with which the united states maintain relations have been invited to participate the promoters of this important undertaking have already received assurances of the lively interest which it has excited abroad the report of the commissioners of the district of columbia is herewith transmitted i ask for it your careful attention especially for those portions which relate to assessments arrears of taxes and increase of water supply the commissioners who were appointed under the act of january 16 1883 entitled an act to regulate and improve the civil service of the united states entered promptly upon the discharge of their duties a series of rules framed in accordance with the spirit of the statute was approved and promulgated by the president in some particulars wherein they seemed defective those rules were subsequently amended it will be perceived that they discountenance any political or religious tests for admission to those offices of the public service to which the statute relates the act is limited in its original application to the classified clerkships in the several executive departments at washington numbering about and to similar positions in customs districts and where as many as fifty persons are employed a classification of these positions analogous to that existing in the washington offices was duly made before the law went into effect eleven customs districts and were thus brought under the immediate operation of the statute the annual report of the civil service commission which will soon be submitted to congress will doubtless afford the means of a more definite judgment than i am now prepared to express as to the merits of the new system i am persuaded that its effects have thus far proved beneficial its practical methods appear to be adequate for the ends proposed and there has been no serious difficulty in carrying them into effect since the 16th of july last no person so far as i am aware has been appointed to the public service in the classified portions thereof at any of the departments or at any of the and customs districts above named except those certified by the commission to be the most competent on the basis of the examinations held in conformity to the rules at the time when the present executive entered upon his office his death removal resignation or inability to discharge his duties would have left the government without a constitutional head it is possible of course that a similar contingency may again arise unless the wisdom of congress shall provide against its recurrence the senate at its last session after full consideration passed an act relating to this subject which will now i trust commend itself to the approval of both houses of congress the clause of the constitution upon which must depend any law regulating the presidential succession presents also for solution other questions of paramount importance these questions relate to the proper interpretation of the phrase inability to discharge the powers and duties of said office our organic law providing that when the president shall suffer from such inability the presidential office shall devolve upon the who must himself under like circumstances give place to such officer as congress may by law appoint to act as president i need not here set forth the numerous and interesting inquiries which are suggested by these words of the constitution they were fully stated in my first communication to congress and have since been the subject of frequent deliberations in that body it is greatly to be hoped that these momentous questions will find speedy solution lest emergencies may arise when longer delay will be impossible and any determination albeit the wisest may furnish because for anxiety and alarm for the reasons fully stated in my last annual message i repeat my recommendation that congress propose an amendment to that provision of the constitution which prescribes the formalities for the enactment of laws whereby in respect to bills for the appropriation of public moneys the executive may be enabled while giving his approval to particular items to interpose his veto as to such others as do not commend themselves to his judgment the fourteenth amendment of the constitution confers the rights of citizenship upon all persons born or naturalized in the united states and subject to the jurisdiction thereof it was the special purpose of this amendment to insure to members of the colored race the full enjoyment of civil and political rights certain statutory provisions intended to secure the enforcement of those rights have been recently declared unconstitutional by the supreme court any legislation whereby congress may lawfully supplement the guaranties which the constitution affords for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the united states of every right privilege and immunity of citizenship will receive my unhesitating approval
threshold deliberations congratulate upon favorable aspect domestic foreign affairs government relations countries continue upon friendly footing argentine republic austria belgium brazil denmark hayti italy santo domingo sweden norway incident occurred cars special comment recent opening new lines telegraphic communication central america brazil permitted interchange messages friendship governments countries year perfected proclaimed consular commercial treaties servia consular treaty roumania thus extending intercourse danubian countries eastern relations put upon wider basis treaties korea madagascar new treaty mexico convention supplementary treaty extradition spain conventions extending duration claims commission also proclaimed notice termination fisheries articles treaty washington duly given british government reciprocal privileges exemptions treaty accordingly cease july 1 1885 fisheries industries pursued numerous class citizens northern coasts atlantic pacific oceans worthy fostering care congress whenever brought competition like industries countries fishermen well manufacturers fishing appliances preparers fish products maintained foremost place suggest congress create commission consider general question rights fisheries means opening citizens enduring conditions richly stocked fishing waters sealing grounds british north america question arisen touching deportation united states british islands governmental municipal aid persons unable gain living equally burden community persons fall pauper class defined law sent back accordance provisions statutes majesty government insisted precautions taken shipment prevent objectionable visitors coming hither without guaranty support relatives country action british authorities applying measures relief however many cases proved ineffectual especially certain recent instances needy emigrants reaching territory canada revision legislation upon subject may deemed advisable correspondence relative treaty continued laid congress legislation france importation prepared swine products united states repealed result due less friendly representations government growing conviction france restriction demanded real danger health germany still prohibits introduction swine products america extended imperial government friendly invitation send experts united states inquire whether use products dangerous health invitation declined believed importance however exact facts ascertained promulgated appointed competent commission make thorough investigation subject members shown public spirit accepting trust without pledge compensation trust congress see national international bearings matter sufficient motive providing least reimbursement expenses may necessarily incur coronation czar moscow afforded government occasion testifying continued friendship sending special envoy representative navy attend ceremony arisen year grave questions affecting status russian empire american citizens faith held national church government remains firm conviction rights citizens abroad wise affected religious belief understood measures removal restrictions burden trade cuba puerto rico consideration spanish government proximity cuba united states peculiar methods administration prevail necessitate constant discussion appeal part proceedings insular authorities regret say protests government yet produced satisfactory results commission appointed decide certain claims citizens spanish government recognition satisfactory rule validity force naturalization united states finally adjourned awards though made two years ago yet paid speedy payment expected claims large amount held late commission without jurisdiction diplomatically presented spanish government action colonial authorities given rise claims admittedly illegal full reparation injury sustained citizens longer delayed case masonic yet reached settlement manila court found proceedings government complained unauthorized hoped government spain withhold speedy reparation sense justice impel offer unusual severity unjust action subordinate colonial officers case vessel helvetian confederation proposed inauguration class international treaties referment arbitration grave questions nations government assented proposed negotiation treaty switzerland treaty berlin liberty conscience civil rights assured strangers bulgaria united states distinct conventional relations country party treaty opinion maintain diplomatic representation sofia improvement intercourse proper protection many american citizens resort country missionaries teachers suggest given authority establish agency bulgarian capital united states participating revision tariffs ottoman empire assented application license tax foreigners business turkey opposed oppressive storage tax upon petroleum entering ports country government khedive proposed authority mixed judicial tribunals egypt extended cover citizens united states accused crime triable consular courts government indisposed accept change believes terms submitted criticism commission appointed revise whole subject time national history manifest need close lasting relations neighboring state exists respect mexico rapid influx capital enterprise country shows already accomplished vast reciprocal advantages must attend progress internal development treaty commerce navigation 1848 terminated mexican government absence conventional engagements rights citizens mexico depend upon domestic statutes republic instances harsh enforcement laws vessels citizens mexico denial diplomatic resort protection initial step toward better understanding taken negotiation commission authorized congress treaty still senate awaiting approval provisions reciprocal crossing frontier troops pursuit hostile indians prolonged another year operations forces governments savages successful several dangerous bands captured dispersed skill valor united states mexican soldiers fighting common convention resurvey boundary rio grande pacific ratified exchanged preliminary reconnoissance therein stipulated effected rests congress make provision completing survey relocating boundary monuments convention signed mexico july 13 1882 providing rehearing cases benjamin well abra silver mining company whose favor awards made late american mexican claims commission convention still awaits consent senate meanwhile charges fraudulent awards made new commission necessary executive directed suspension payments distributive quota received mexico geographical proximity central america political commercial relations states country justify judgment material increase consular corps place capital contest bolivia chile peru passed stage strategic hostilities negotiation counsels government exercised demands chile absolute cession territory maintained accepted party general iglesias extent concluding treaty peace government chile general conformity terms protocol signed may last chilean commander general iglesias result conclusion treaty general iglesias formally recognized chile president peru government installed lima evacuated chileans call issued general iglesias representative assembly elected 13th january meet lima 1st march next meanwhile provisional government general iglesias applied recognition principal powers america europe peruvian people shall manifested shall hesitate recognize government approved diplomatic naval representatives government attended caracas centennial celebration birth illustrious bolivar time inauguration statue washington venezuelan capital testified veneration memory held congress last session authorized executive propose venezuela reopening awards mixed commission caracas departure country venezuelan minister delayed opening negotiations reviving commission government holds establishment treaty upon subject venezuelan government must continue make payments provided convention 1866 ground believing dispute growing unpaid obligations due venezuela france satisfactorily adjusted french cabinet proposed basis settlement meets approval involves recasting annual quotas foreign debt deemed advisable submit proposal judgment cabinets berlin copenhagen hague london madrid recent coronation majesty king kalakaua government represented diplomatically formal visit vessel war question terminating modifying existing reciprocity treaty hawaii congress convinced charges abuses frauds treaty exaggerated renew suggestion last year message treaty modified wherever provisions proved onerous legitimate trade two countries disposed favor entire cessation treaty relations fostered good countries contributed toward equality hawaii family nations pursuance policy declared ibis government extending intercourse eastern nations legations past year established persia siam korea probable permanent missions countries ere long maintained united states special embassy siam way hither treaty relations korea perfected exchange seoul 19th may last ratifications lately concluded convention envoys king tab chosen visited country received cordial welcome korea yet unacquainted methods western civilization invites attention interested advancement foreign trade needs implements products united states ready supply seek monopoly commerce advantages nations chosenese reaching higher civilization confided republic regard indifference encroachment rights china payment money indemnity settled certain claims citizens strong hopes remainder soon adjusted questions arisen teaching rights american foreign manufacturers china provisions treaties permit aliens exercise industries country specific point treaty silent operation clause like privileges powers duty government see citizens full enjoyment every benefit secured treaty doubt expediency leading movement constrain china admit interpretation indirect treaty right exact transference china american capital employment chinese labor would effect inaugurate competition control markets supplied home industries good reason believe law restricting immigration chinese violated intentionally otherwise officials china upon devolved duty certifying immigrants belong excepted classes measures taken ascertain facts incident supposed infraction believed government china cooperate united states securing faithful observance law considerations prompted congress last session return japan simonoseki indemnity seem require hands like action respect canton indemnity fund amounting question general revision foreign treaties japan considered international conference held tokyo without definite result yet government disposed concede requests japan determine tariff duties provide proper judicial tribunals may commend western powers trial causes foreigners parties assimilate terms duration treaties civilized states ministers london monrovia government endeavored aid liberia differences great britain touching northwestern boundary republic prospect adjustment dispute adoption mannah river line arrangement compromise conflicting territorial claims takes liberia country maintained effective jurisdiction rich populous valley kongo opened commerce society called international african association king belgians president citizen united states chief executive officer large tracts territory ceded association native chiefs roads opened steamboats placed river nuclei states established stations one flag offers freedom commerce prohibits slave trade objects society philanthropic aim permanent political control seeks neutrality valley united states indifferent work interests citizens involved may become advisable us cooperate commercial powers promoting rights trade residence kongo valley free interference political control one nation view frequency invitations foreign governments participate social scientific congresses discussion important matters general concern repeat suggestion last message provision made exercise discretionary power executive appointing delegates convocations able specialists ready serve national interests capacity without personal profit compensation defrayment expenses actually incurred comparatively small annual appropriation would suffice meet alluded previous messages injurious vexatious restrictions suffered trade spanish west indies brazil whose natural outlet great national staple coffee united states imposes heavy export duty upon product petroleum exports hampered turkey eastern ports restrictions storage onerous taxation mischiefs adequate relief always afforded reciprocity treaties like hawaii lately negotiated mexico awaiting action senate advisable provide measure equitable retaliation relations governments discriminate example executive empowered apply spanish vessels cargoes cuba puerto rico rules treatment scale penalties technical faults applied vessels cargoes antilles resort course might barren good results report secretary treasury gives full interesting exhibit financial condition country shows ordinary revenues sources fiscal year ended june 30 1883 amounted whereof received period ordinary expenditures leaving surplus revenue amount drawn cash balance treasury making applied redemption revenue present fiscal year actual estimated follows actual estimated expenses period revenue fiscal year end june 30 1885 estimated upon basis existing laws secretary opinion year receipts exceed ordinary expenditures including amount devoted sinking fund hitherto surplus rapidly accumulated devoted reduction national debt result bonds outstanding redeemable pleasure government 3 percents amounting 4 percents amounting 4 percents payable 1891 1907 respectively surplus shall hereafter large treasury estimates indicate 3 per cent bonds may redeemed least four years 4 percents called latter rate accumulation surplus paid maturity moneys requisite redemption 4 percents treasury many years obligations become payable cogent reasons however national indebtedness thus rapidly extinguished chief among fact excessive taxation rapidity attainable communication congress last session recommended excise taxes abolished except relating distilled spirits substantial reductions also made revenues customs statute since enacted annual tax tariff receipts government cut extent least fifty sixty millions dollars doubt still reductions may wisely made advise adoption session measures large diminution national revenues results legislation last session congress yet become sufficiently apparent justify radical revision sweeping modifications existing law interval must elapse effects act march 3 1883 definitely ascertained portion least surplus revenues may wisely applied duty rehabilitating navy providing coast defenses protection harbors matter shall advert immediately associated financial subject discussed important question legislation needed regarding national currency aggregate amount bonds deposit treasury support circulation nearly amount consists 3 percents already stated payable pleasure government likely called within less four years unless meantime surplus revenues shall diminished probable effect extensive retirement securities basis circulation would contraction volume currency produce grave commercial embarrassments danger obviated effectual plan one whose adoption earliest practicable opportunity shall heartily approve already indicated revenues next four years shall kept substantially commensurate expenses volume circulation likely suffer material disturbance hand shall great delay reducing taxation become necessary either substitute form currency place notes make important changes laws circulation controlled judgment latter course far preferable commend attention interesting thoughtful suggestions upon subject appear secretary report objections urges acceptance securities obligations government foundation circulation seem insuperable averting threatened contraction two courses suggested either probably feasible one issuance new bonds many years run bearing low rate interest exchangeable upon specified terms outstanding course commends judgment better enactment law repealing tax circulation permitting banks issue notes amount equal 90 per cent market value instead face value deposited bonds agree secretary belief adoption plan would afford necessary relief trade dollar coined purpose traffic countries silver passed value ascertained weight fineness never quality large numbers coins entered however volume currency common consent circulation domestic trade ceased thus become disturbing element longer permitted embarrass currency system recommend provision made reception treasury mints bullion small percentage current market price silver like fineness secretary treasury advises consolidation certain customs districts country suggests president vested power relation thereto given respect collectors internal revenue section 3141 revised statutes statistics upon subject contained report furnish strong argument defense views adjournment congress number collection districts 126 executive order dated june 25 1883 directed certain districts consolidated result reduction number present 83 report secretary war seen single instance disturbance quiet condition indian tribes raid mexico arizona made march last small party indians pursued general crook mountain regions come confidently hoped serious outbreaks occur indian tribes many years disturbed west hereafter remain peaceable submission call attention present condition extended seacoast upon many large cities whose wealth importance country would time war invite attack modern armored ships existing defensive works could give adequate protection works built introduction modern heavy rifled guns maritime warfare put efficient condition may easily subjected humiliation hostile power greatly inferior germane subject call attention importance perfecting defenses board authorized last congress report upon method adopted manufacture heavy ordnance adapted modern warfare visited principal iron steel works country europe hoped report soon made congress thereupon disposed provide suitable facilities plant manufacture guns imperatively needed several occasions past year officers army request state authorities visited militia encampments inspection troops reports officers induced believe encouragement state militia organizations national government would followed gratifying results would afford sudden emergencies aid large body volunteers educated performance military duties secretary navy reports authority acts august 5 1882 march 3 1883 work strengthening navy construction modern vessels auspiciously begun three cruisers process construction chicago tons displacement boston atlanta tons built steel tensile strength ductility prescribed law combination speed endurance armament expected compare favorably best unarmored war vessels nations fourth vessel dolphin constructed similar material intended serve fleet dispatch boat monitors puritan amphitrite terror launched delaware river contract made supply machinery similar monitor monadnock launched california naval advisory board secretary recommend completion monitors construction four gunboats also three additional steel vessels like chicago boston dolphin important measure national defense secretary urges also immediate creation interior coast line waterways across peninsula florida along coast florida hampton roads chesapeake bay delaware river cape cod feel bound impress upon attention congress necessity continued progress reconstruction navy condition public treasury already intimated makes present auspicious time putting branch service state efficiency part policy create maintain navy able cope great powers world wish foreign conquest peace long enjoyed seeming danger interruption naval strength made adequate defense harbors protection commercial interests maintenance national honor proposition patriotic citizen withhold assent report contains gratifying exhibit condition prospects interesting branch public service committed care appears june 30 1883 whole number established previous fiscal year number offices operating system free delivery 154 latter offices postage local matter amounted sum exceeding entire cost carrier service country rate postage drop letters passing offices fixed law 2 cents per half ounce fraction thereof offices carrier system established rate half large remembered 1863 free delivery first established law uniform postage upon local letters 1 cent remained 1872 cities carrier service established increased order defray expense service seems old rate may propriety restored even risk diminishing time least receipts postage upon local letters see reason particular class mail matter held accountable entire cost collection delivery collection delivery classes confident full consideration subject reduction rate would followed growing accession business occasion slight temporary loss revenues devotes much report consideration various aspects relations government telegraph reflection able give subject since last annual message led change views expressed dissenting recommendation government assume control telegraph always exercised mail admitting authority premises ample ever claimed would judgment wise use authority purchase assume control existing telegraph lines construct others view entering general competition private enterprise objections may justly urged either projects indeed system would require enormous increase list however apply plans lately provoked public comment discussion claimed example congress might wisely authorize contract private persons corporation transmission messages certain class messages specified rates government supervision various schemes general nature widely differing special characteristics suggested public prints arguments supported opposed doubtless attracted attention likely whole subject considered present session nature things involves many questions detail deliberations would probably aided slightly particular suggestions might submit avow belief however government authorized law exercise sort supervision interstate telegraphic communication express hope attaining end measure may devised receive approbation criticises report provisions existing law fixing fees jurors witnesses federal courts provisions chiefly contained act february 26 1853 though introduced act statutes passed many years previous manifest compensation might laws enacted reasonable would many instances justly regarded present day inadequate concur belief statutes revised fees regulated laws regulate compensation district attorneys marshals paid wholly salaries instead part fees case change would prove measure economy would discourage institution needless oppressive legal proceedings feared instances conducted mere sake personal gain much interesting varied information contained report secretary interior particularly call attention presentation certain phases indian question recommendations repeal preemption acts stringent legislation prevent frauds pension laws statutes prescribe definitions punishments crimes relating pensions could doubtless made effective certain amendments additions pointed secretary report previously referred alarming state illiteracy certain portions country submit consideration congress whether federal aid extended public primary education wherever adequate provision therefor already made utah commission submitted secretary interior second annual report result labors supervising recent election territory pursuant act march 22 1882 appears persons act disqualified number excluded polls fact however affords little congratulation fear far indicating real substantial progress toward extirpation polygamy members elect legislature mormons grave reason believe sympathy practices government seeking suppress efforts regard likely encounter opposition receive encouragement support even view happily erroneous law commissioners acting made effective incorporation stringent amendments recommend included bill 2238 calendar senate last session convinced however polygamy become strongly intrenched territory utah profitless attack stoutest weapons constitutional legislation fashion favor therefore repeal act upon existing government depends assumption national legislature entire political control territory establishment commission powers duties shall delegated law department agriculture accomplishing much direction agricultural development country report commissioner giving results investigations experiments found interesting valuable instance convention interested cattle industry country lately held chicago prevalence pleuropneumonia contagious diseases animals one chief topics discussion committee convention invite cooperation investigating causes diseases providing methods prevention cure trust congress fail present session put alaska protection law people repeatedly remonstrated neglect afford maintenance protection expressly guaranteed terms treaty whereby territory ceded united states sixteen years pleaded vain received without asking law collection debts support education conveyance property administration estates enforcement contracts none indeed punishment criminals except offend certain customs commerce navigation acts resources alaska especially fur mines lumber considerable extent capable large development geographical situation one political commercial importance promptings interest therefore well considerations honor good faith demand immediate establishment civil government territory complaints lately numerous urgent certain corporations controlling whole part facilities interstate carriage persons merchandise great railroads country resorted dealings public divers measures unjust oppressive character instances state governments attacked suppressed evils others unable afford adequate relief jurisdictional limitations imposed upon federal constitution question far national government may lawfully interfere premises supervision control ought exercise one merits careful consideration fail recognize importance vast railway systems country great beneficent influences upon development material wealth hand remember individual corporation ought invested absolute power interest citizen class citizens right railway corporations fair profitable return upon investments reasonable freedom regulations must recognized seems far constitutional authority permit congress protect people large interstate traffic acts injustice state governments powerless prevent last annual message called attention necessity protecting suitable legislation forests situated upon public domain many portions west pursuit general agriculture made practicable resort irrigation successful irrigation would impossible without aid afforded forests contributing regularity constancy supply water past year severe suffering great loss property occasioned profuse floods followed periods unusually low water many great rivers country irregularities great measure caused removal sources streams question timber water supply nourished protected preservation portions forests national domain essentially contribute equable flow important water courses highest consequence important tributaries missouri columbia saskatchewan rise mountain region montana near northern boundary united states blackfeet flathead indian reservations region unsuitable settlement upon rivers flow depends future agricultural development vast tract country attention congress called necessity withdrawing public sale part public domain establishing forest preserve industrial exhibitions held united states present year attracted attention many foreign countries announcement enterprises made public foreign agencies government industrial exhibition boston southern exposition louisville largely attended exhibitors foreign countries notwithstanding absence professed national character undertakings centennial exposition held next year new orleans commemoration centenary first shipment cotton port united states bids fair meet like gratifying success act congress 10th february 1883 declaring exposition national international character foreign governments united states maintain relations invited participate promoters important undertaking already received assurances lively interest excited abroad report commissioners district columbia herewith transmitted ask careful attention especially portions relate assessments arrears taxes increase water supply commissioners appointed act january 16 1883 entitled act regulate improve civil service united states entered promptly upon discharge duties series rules framed accordance spirit statute approved promulgated president particulars wherein seemed defective rules subsequently amended perceived discountenance political religious tests admission offices public service statute relates act limited original application classified clerkships several executive departments washington numbering similar positions customs districts many fifty persons employed classification positions analogous existing washington offices duly made law went effect eleven customs districts thus brought immediate operation statute annual report civil service commission soon submitted congress doubtless afford means definite judgment prepared express merits new system persuaded effects thus far proved beneficial practical methods appear adequate ends proposed serious difficulty carrying effect since 16th july last person far aware appointed public service classified portions thereof departments customs districts named except certified commission competent basis examinations held conformity rules time present executive entered upon office death removal resignation inability discharge duties would left government without constitutional head possible course similar contingency may arise unless wisdom congress shall provide recurrence senate last session full consideration passed act relating subject trust commend approval houses congress clause constitution upon must depend law regulating presidential succession presents also solution questions paramount importance questions relate proper interpretation phrase inability discharge powers duties said office organic law providing president shall suffer inability presidential office shall devolve upon must like circumstances give place officer congress may law appoint act president need set forth numerous interesting inquiries suggested words constitution fully stated first communication congress since subject frequent deliberations body greatly hoped momentous questions find speedy solution lest emergencies may arise longer delay impossible determination albeit wisest may furnish anxiety alarm reasons fully stated last annual message repeat recommendation congress propose amendment provision constitution prescribes formalities enactment laws whereby respect bills appropriation public moneys executive may enabled giving approval particular items interpose veto others commend judgment fourteenth amendment constitution confers rights citizenship upon persons born naturalized united states subject jurisdiction thereof special purpose amendment insure members colored race full enjoyment civil political rights certain statutory provisions intended secure enforcement rights recently declared unconstitutional supreme court legislation whereby congress may lawfully supplement guaranties constitution affords equal enjoyment citizens united states every right privilege immunity citizenship receive unhesitating approval
threshold deliberation congratulate upon favorable aspect domestic foreign affair government relation country continue upon friendly footing argentine republic austria belgium brazil denmark hayti italy santo domingo sweden norway incident occur car special comment recent open new line telegraphic communication central america brazil permit interchange message friendship government country year perfect proclaimed consular commercial treaty servia consular treaty roumania thus extend intercourse danubian country eastern relation put upon wide basis treaty korea madagascar new treaty mexico convention supplementary treaty extradition spain convention extend duration claim commission also proclaim notice termination fishery article treaty washington duly give british government reciprocal privilege exemption treaty accordingly cease july 1 1885 fishery industry pursue numerous class citizen northern coast atlantic pacific ocean worthy foster care congress whenever bring competition like industry country fishermen well manufacturer fish appliance preparers fish product maintain foremost place suggest congress create commission consider general question right fishery mean open citizen endure condition richly stock fish water seal ground british north america question arisen touch deportation united state british island governmental municipal aid person unable gain live equally burden community person fall pauper class define law send back accordance provision statutes majesty government insist precaution take shipment prevent objectionable visitor come hither without guaranty support relative country action british authority apply measure relief however many case prove ineffectual especially certain recent instance needy emigrant reach territory canada revision legislation upon subject may deem advisable correspondence relative treaty continue laid congress legislation france importation prepare swine product united state repeal result due less friendly representation government grow conviction france restriction demand real danger health germany still prohibit introduction swine product america extend imperial government friendly invitation send expert unite state inquire whether use product dangerous health invitation decline believe importance however exact fact ascertain promulgate appoint competent commission make thorough investigation subject member show public spirit accept trust without pledge compensation trust congress see national international bearing matter sufficient motive provide least reimbursement expense may necessarily incur coronation czar moscow afford government occasion testify continued friendship send special envoy representative navy attend ceremony arisen year grave question affect status russian empire american citizen faith held national church government remain firm conviction right citizen abroad wise affect religious belief understood measure removal restriction burden trade cuba puerto rico consideration spanish government proximity cuba united state peculiar method administration prevail necessitate constant discussion appeal part proceeding insular authority regret say protest government yet produce satisfactory result commission appoint decide certain claim citizen spanish government recognition satisfactory rule validity force naturalization united state finally adjourn award though make two year ago yet pay speedy payment expect claim large amount hold late commission without jurisdiction diplomatically present spanish government action colonial authority give rise claim admittedly illegal full reparation injury sustain citizen longer delayed case masonic yet reach settlement manila court find proceedings government complain unauthorized hoped government spain withhold speedy reparation sense justice impel offer unusual severity unjust action subordinate colonial officer case vessel helvetian confederation propose inauguration class international treaty referment arbitration grave question nation government assent propose negotiation treaty switzerland treaty berlin liberty conscience civil right assure stranger bulgaria united state distinct conventional relation country party treaty opinion maintain diplomatic representation sofia improvement intercourse proper protection many american citizen resort country missionary teacher suggest give authority establish agency bulgarian capital united state participate revision tariff ottoman empire assent application license tax foreigner business turkey oppose oppressive storage tax upon petroleum enter port country government khedive propose authority mixed judicial tribunal egypt extend cover citizen united state accuse crime triable consular court government indispose accept change believe term submit criticism commission appoint revise whole subject time national history manifest need close lasting relation neighbor state exists respect mexico rapid influx capital enterprise country show already accomplish vast reciprocal advantage must attend progress internal development treaty commerce navigation 1848 terminate mexican government absence conventional engagement right citizen mexico depend upon domestic statute republic instance harsh enforcement law vessel citizen mexico denial diplomatic resort protection initial step toward good understanding take negotiation commission authorize congress treaty still senate await approval provision reciprocal cross frontier troop pursuit hostile indian prolong another year operation force government savage successful several dangerous band capture dispersed skill valor united state mexican soldier fight common convention resurvey boundary rio grande pacific ratify exchanged preliminary reconnoissance therein stipulate effected rest congress make provision complete survey relocate boundary monument convention sign mexico july 13 1882 provide rehear case benjamin well abra silver mining company whose favor award make late american mexican claim commission convention still await consent senate meanwhile charge fraudulent award make new commission necessary executive direct suspension payment distributive quota receive mexico geographical proximity central america political commercial relation state country justify judgment material increase consular corps place capital contest bolivia chile peru pass stage strategic hostility negotiation counsel government exercise demand chile absolute cession territory maintain accept party general iglesias extent conclude treaty peace government chile general conformity term protocol sign may last chilean commander general iglesias result conclusion treaty general iglesias formally recognize chile president peru government instal lima evacuate chilean call issue general iglesias representative assembly elect 13th january meet lima 1st march next meanwhile provisional government general iglesias apply recognition principal power america europe peruvian people shall manifest shall hesitate recognize government approve diplomatic naval representative government attend caracas centennial celebration birth illustrious bolivar time inauguration statue washington venezuelan capital testify veneration memory hold congress last session authorize executive propose venezuela reopen award mixed commission caracas departure country venezuelan minister delay open negotiation revive commission government hold establishment treaty upon subject venezuelan government must continue make payment provide convention 1866 ground believe dispute grow unpaid obligation due venezuela france satisfactorily adjust french cabinet propose basis settlement meet approval involve recast annual quota foreign debt deem advisable submit proposal judgment cabinet berlin copenhagen hague london madrid recent coronation majesty king kalakaua government represent diplomatically formal visit vessel war question terminate modify exist reciprocity treaty hawaii congress convince charge abuse frauds treaty exaggerate renew suggestion last year message treaty modify wherever provision prove onerous legitimate trade two country dispose favor entire cessation treaty relation foster good country contribute toward equality hawaii family nation pursuance policy declare ibis government extend intercourse eastern nation legation past year establish persia siam korea probable permanent mission country ere long maintain united state special embassy siam way hither treaty relation korea perfected exchange seoul 19th may last ratification lately conclude convention envoys king tab choose visited country receive cordial welcome korea yet unacquainted method western civilization invite attention interested advancement foreign trade need implement product united state ready supply seek monopoly commerce advantage nation chosenese reach high civilization confide republic regard indifference encroachment right china payment money indemnity settle certain claim citizen strong hope remainder soon adjust question arisen teach right american foreign manufacturer china provision treaty permit alien exercise industry country specific point treaty silent operation clause like privilege power duty government see citizen full enjoyment every benefit secure treaty doubt expediency lead movement constrain china admit interpretation indirect treaty right exact transference china american capital employment chinese labor would effect inaugurate competition control market supply home industry good reason believe law restrict immigration chinese violate intentionally otherwise official china upon devolve duty certify immigrant belong excepted class measure take ascertain fact incident suppose infraction believe government china cooperate united state secure faithful observance law consideration prompt congress last session return japan simonoseki indemnity seem require hand like action respect canton indemnity fund amount question general revision foreign treaty japan consider international conference hold tokyo without definite result yet government dispose concede request japan determine tariff duty provide proper judicial tribunal may commend western power trial cause foreigner party assimilate term duration treaty civilize state minister london monrovia government endeavor aid liberia difference great britain touch northwestern boundary republic prospect adjustment dispute adoption mannah river line arrangement compromise conflict territorial claim take liberia country maintain effective jurisdiction rich populous valley kongo open commerce society call international african association king belgian president citizen unite state chief executive officer large tract territory cede association native chief road open steamboat place river nucleus state establish station one flag offer freedom commerce prohibits slave trade object society philanthropic aim permanent political control seek neutrality valley united state indifferent work interest citizen involve may become advisable u cooperate commercial power promote right trade residence kongo valley free interference political control one nation view frequency invitation foreign government participate social scientific congress discussion important matter general concern repeat suggestion last message provision make exercise discretionary power executive appoint delegate convocation able specialist ready serve national interest capacity without personal profit compensation defrayment expense actually incur comparatively small annual appropriation would suffice meet alluded previous message injurious vexatious restriction suffer trade spanish west indie brazil whose natural outlet great national staple coffee united state imposes heavy export duty upon product petroleum export hamper turkey eastern port restriction storage onerous taxation mischief adequate relief always afford reciprocity treaty like hawaii lately negotiate mexico await action senate advisable provide measure equitable retaliation relation government discriminate example executive empower apply spanish vessel cargo cuba puerto rico rule treatment scale penalty technical fault apply vessel cargo antilles resort course might barren good result report secretary treasury give full interesting exhibit financial condition country show ordinary revenue source fiscal year end june 30 1883 amount whereof receive period ordinary expenditure leave surplus revenue amount drawn cash balance treasury make apply redemption revenue present fiscal year actual estimate follow actual estimate expense period revenue fiscal year end june 30 1885 estimate upon basis exist law secretary opinion year receipt exceed ordinary expenditure include amount devote sink fund hitherto surplus rapidly accumulate devote reduction national debt result bond outstanding redeemable pleasure government 3 percent amount 4 percent amount 4 percent payable 1891 1907 respectively surplus shall hereafter large treasury estimate indicate 3 per cent bond may redeem least four year 4 percent call latter rate accumulation surplus pay maturity money requisite redemption 4 percent treasury many year obligation become payable cogent reason however national indebtedness thus rapidly extinguished chief among fact excessive taxation rapidity attainable communication congress last session recommend excise tax abolish except relate distilled spirit substantial reduction also make revenue custom statute since enact annual tax tariff receipt government cut extent least fifty sixty million dollar doubt still reduction may wisely make advise adoption session measure large diminution national revenue result legislation last session congress yet become sufficiently apparent justify radical revision sweep modification exist law interval must elapse effect act march 3 1883 definitely ascertained portion least surplus revenue may wisely apply duty rehabilitate navy provide coast defense protection harbor matter shall advert immediately associate financial subject discuss important question legislation need regard national currency aggregate amount bond deposit treasury support circulation nearly amount consist 3 percent already state payable pleasure government likely call within less four year unless meantime surplus revenue shall diminish probable effect extensive retirement security basis circulation would contraction volume currency produce grave commercial embarrassment danger obviate effectual plan one whose adoption early practicable opportunity shall heartily approve already indicate revenue next four year shall keep substantially commensurate expense volume circulation likely suffer material disturbance hand shall great delay reduce taxation become necessary either substitute form currency place note make important change law circulation control judgment latter course far preferable commend attention interest thoughtful suggestion upon subject appear secretary report objection urges acceptance security obligation government foundation circulation seem insuperable averting threaten contraction two course suggest either probably feasible one issuance new bond many year run bear low rate interest exchangeable upon specified term outstanding course commend judgment well enactment law repeal tax circulation permit bank issue note amount equal 90 per cent market value instead face value deposit bond agree secretary belief adoption plan would afford necessary relief trade dollar coin purpose traffic country silver pass value ascertain weight fineness never quality large number coin enter however volume currency common consent circulation domestic trade cease thus become disturbing element longer permit embarrass currency system recommend provision make reception treasury mint bullion small percentage current market price silver like fineness secretary treasury advise consolidation certain custom district country suggest president vested power relation thereto give respect collector internal revenue section 3141 revise statute statistic upon subject contain report furnish strong argument defense view adjournment congress number collection district 126 executive order date june 25 1883 direct certain district consolidate result reduction number present 83 report secretary war see single instance disturbance quiet condition indian tribe raid mexico arizona make march last small party indian pursue general crook mountain region come confidently hop serious outbreak occur indian tribe many year disturb west hereafter remain peaceable submission call attention present condition extend seacoast upon many large city whose wealth importance country would time war invite attack modern armor ship exist defensive work could give adequate protection work build introduction modern heavy rifle gun maritime warfare put efficient condition may easily subject humiliation hostile power greatly inferior germane subject call attention importance perfect defense board authorize last congress report upon method adopt manufacture heavy ordnance adapt modern warfare visit principal iron steel work country europe hop report soon make congress thereupon dispose provide suitable facility plant manufacture gun imperatively need several occasion past year officer army request state authority visit militia encampment inspection troop report officer induce believe encouragement state militia organization national government would follow gratifying result would afford sudden emergency aid large body volunteer educate performance military duty secretary navy report authority act august 5 1882 march 3 1883 work strengthen navy construction modern vessel auspiciously begin three cruiser process construction chicago ton displacement boston atlanta ton build steel tensile strength ductility prescribe law combination speed endurance armament expect compare favorably best unarmored war vessel nation fourth vessel dolphin construct similar material intend serve fleet dispatch boat monitor puritan amphitrite terror launch delaware river contract make supply machinery similar monitor monadnock launch california naval advisory board secretary recommend completion monitor construction four gunboat also three additional steel vessel like chicago boston dolphin important measure national defense secretary urge also immediate creation interior coast line waterways across peninsula florida along coast florida hampton road chesapeake bay delaware river cape cod feel bound impress upon attention congress necessity continue progress reconstruction navy condition public treasury already intimate make present auspicious time put branch service state efficiency part policy create maintain navy able cope great power world wish foreign conquest peace long enjoy seem danger interruption naval strength make adequate defense harbor protection commercial interest maintenance national honor proposition patriotic citizen withhold assent report contain gratify exhibit condition prospect interest branch public service commit care appear june 30 1883 whole number establish previous fiscal year number office operate system free delivery 154 latter office postage local matter amount sum exceed entire cost carrier service country rate postage drop letter pass office fix law 2 cent per half ounce fraction thereof office carrier system establish rate half large remembered 1863 free delivery first establish law uniform postage upon local letter 1 cent remain 1872 city carrier service establish increased order defray expense service seem old rate may propriety restore even risk diminish time least receipts postage upon local letter see reason particular class mail matter hold accountable entire cost collection delivery collection delivery class confident full consideration subject reduction rate would follow grow accession business occasion slight temporary loss revenue devote much report consideration various aspect relation government telegraph reflection able give subject since last annual message lead change view express dissent recommendation government assume control telegraph always exercise mail admit authority premise ample ever claim would judgment wise use authority purchase assume control exist telegraph line construct others view enter general competition private enterprise objection may justly urge either project indeed system would require enormous increase list however apply plan lately provoke public comment discussion claim example congress might wisely authorize contract private person corporation transmission message certain class message specify rate government supervision various scheme general nature widely differ special characteristic suggest public print argument support opposed doubtless attract attention likely whole subject consider present session nature thing involve many question detail deliberation would probably aid slightly particular suggestion might submit avow belief however government authorize law exercise sort supervision interstate telegraphic communication express hope attain end measure may devise receive approbation criticises report provision exist law fixing fee juror witness federal court provision chiefly contain act february 26 1853 though introduce act statute pass many year previous manifest compensation might law enact reasonable would many instance justly regard present day inadequate concur belief statute revise fee regulate law regulate compensation district attorney marshal pay wholly salary instead part fee case change would prove measure economy would discourage institution needless oppressive legal proceeding fear instance conduct mere sake personal gain much interesting vary information contain report secretary interior particularly call attention presentation certain phase indian question recommendation repeal preemption act stringent legislation prevent frauds pension law statutes prescribe definition punishment crime relate pension could doubtless make effective certain amendment addition point secretary report previously refer alarm state illiteracy certain portion country submit consideration congress whether federal aid extend public primary education wherever adequate provision therefor already make utah commission submit secretary interior second annual report result labor supervise recent election territory pursuant act march 22 1882 appear person act disqualify number exclude poll fact however affords little congratulation fear far indicate real substantial progress toward extirpation polygamy member elect legislature mormon grave reason believe sympathy practice government seek suppress effort regard likely encounter opposition receive encouragement support even view happily erroneous law commissioner act make effective incorporation stringent amendment recommend include bill 2238 calendar senate last session convince however polygamy become strongly intrenched territory utah profitless attack stoutest weapon constitutional legislation fashion favor therefore repeal act upon exist government depend assumption national legislature entire political control territory establishment commission power duty shall delegate law department agriculture accomplish much direction agricultural development country report commissioner give result investigation experiment find interest valuable instance convention interested cattle industry country lately hold chicago prevalence pleuropneumonia contagious disease animals one chief topic discussion committee convention invite cooperation investigate cause diseases provide method prevention cure trust congress fail present session put alaska protection law people repeatedly remonstrate neglect afford maintenance protection expressly guarantee term treaty whereby territory cede united state sixteen year plead vain receive without ask law collection debt support education conveyance property administration estates enforcement contract none indeed punishment criminal except offend certain custom commerce navigation act resource alaska especially fur mine lumber considerable extent capable large development geographical situation one political commercial importance prompting interest therefore well consideration honor good faith demand immediate establishment civil government territory complaint lately numerous urgent certain corporation control whole part facility interstate carriage person merchandise great railroad country resort dealing public diver measure unjust oppressive character instance state government attack suppress evil others unable afford adequate relief jurisdictional limitation impose upon federal constitution question far national government may lawfully interfere premise supervision control ought exercise one merit careful consideration fail recognize importance vast railway system country great beneficent influence upon development material wealth hand remember individual corporation ought invest absolute power interest citizen class citizen right railway corporation fair profitable return upon investment reasonable freedom regulation must recognize seem far constitutional authority permit congress protect people large interstate traffic act injustice state government powerless prevent last annual message call attention necessity protect suitable legislation forest situate upon public domain many portion west pursuit general agriculture make practicable resort irrigation successful irrigation would impossible without aid afford forest contribute regularity constancy supply water past year severe suffer great loss property occasion profuse flood follow period unusually low water many great river country irregularities great measure cause removal source streams question timber water supply nourish protect preservation portion forest national domain essentially contribute equable flow important water course high consequence important tributary missouri columbia saskatchewan rise mountain region montana near northern boundary united state blackfeet flathead indian reservation region unsuitable settlement upon river flow depend future agricultural development vast tract country attention congress call necessity withdraw public sale part public domain establish forest preserve industrial exhibition hold united state present year attract attention many foreign country announcement enterprise make public foreign agency government industrial exhibition boston southern exposition louisville largely attended exhibitor foreign country notwithstanding absence profess national character undertaking centennial exposition hold next year new orleans commemoration centenary first shipment cotton port unite state bid fair meet like gratify success act congress 10th february 1883 declare exposition national international character foreign government united state maintain relation invite participate promoter important undertake already receive assurance lively interest excite abroad report commissioner district columbia herewith transmit ask careful attention especially portion relate assessment arrears tax increase water supply commissioner appoint act january 16 1883 entitle act regulate improve civil service unite state enter promptly upon discharge duty series rule frame accordance spirit statute approve promulgated president particular wherein seem defective rule subsequently amend perceived discountenance political religious test admission office public service statute relate act limited original application classify clerkship several executive department washington number similar position custom district many fifty person employ classification position analogous exist washington office duly make law go effect eleven custom district thus bring immediate operation statute annual report civil service commission soon submit congress doubtless afford mean definite judgment prepare express merit new system persuaded effect thus far proved beneficial practical method appear adequate end propose serious difficulty carry effect since 16th july last person far aware appoint public service classify portion thereof department custom district name except certified commission competent basis examination hold conformity rule time present executive enter upon office death removal resignation inability discharge duty would leave government without constitutional head possible course similar contingency may arise unless wisdom congress shall provide recurrence senate last session full consideration pass act relate subject trust commend approval house congress clause constitution upon must depend law regulate presidential succession present also solution question paramount importance question relate proper interpretation phrase inability discharge power duty say office organic law provide president shall suffer inability presidential office shall devolve upon must like circumstance give place officer congress may law appoint act president need set forth numerous interesting inquiry suggest word constitution fully state first communication congress since subject frequent deliberation body greatly hop momentous question find speedy solution l emergency may arise long delay impossible determination albeit wise may furnish anxiety alarm reason fully state last annual message repeat recommendation congress propose amendment provision constitution prescribes formality enactment law whereby respect bill appropriation public money executive may enable give approval particular item interpose veto others commend judgment fourteenth amendment constitution confers right citizenship upon person bear naturalize united state subject jurisdiction thereof special purpose amendment insure member color race full enjoyment civil political right certain statutory provision intend secure enforcement right recently declare unconstitutional supreme court legislation whereby congress may lawfully supplement guaranty constitution affords equal enjoyment citizen united state every right privilege immunity citizenship receive unhesitating approval