Ht of nn enactment , under which relief may
Declaimed as a right , and that such relief
should be jrrantert under the sanction of law ,
not in evasion of It : nor should ruc ! worthy
of care , alt equally entitled , be re-
r.iltted to the unequal operation of sympa
thy , or the tender mercies of social and po
litical Influence with tlielr unjust discrimi
nations. The discharged soldiers and sailors
fit llieeountry nreour fcjjlow-cltlzens. und In
terested with us In tho passage and faithful
execution of wholesome law. They cannot
be swerved from their duty of citizenship by
artful appeals to their spirit of brotherhood.
born of common peril and suffering ; nor will
they exact as a. test of devotion to their wel
fare a willingness to neglect public dutylu
their behalf.
PATENT OFFICE.
A Srif-Supportlns Institution , TTHh Increasing
HuslnrMf.
On tho1th of March , 188.1 , the current busl-
7icsof the Patent Olllce was. on an average ,
tlve and one-half months behind. At tho
close of the last fiscal year such current work
was but three months in arrears , and it is as
serted and believed that in the next , few
months the delay in obtaining and exam
ining an application for a putent.will be but
nominal. The number of applications for
patents during the last Hscal year. Including
re-Issues , designs , trade-marks and labels ,
equals 10,078 , which is considerably in excess
of the number received during the preceding
year. The receipts of the patentotnccduring
tho year aggregate Sl,2TiO,107.HO , enabling the
ofiice to turn Into the Treasury , over
nnd above all expenditures , about SlUt.TOl.Tl.
The number of patents granted during
the lost fiscal year , including reissues of trade
inurlts , designs and labels , was U5fil ! ) a num
ber also quite largely in excess of that of any
preceding year. The report of the Commis
sioner shows the ollice to be in a prosperous
condition and constantly Increasing In Its
business. No increase of force Is asked for.
The amount estimated for the year ending
June : .iaS7 , was $8. > t0. The amount esti
mated for the llseal year ending June 30 ,
is 5773,770.
sinsnn/ii ; : > HOADS.
The Government a Creditor tlic Sole Matter to be
Considered.
The Secretary of the Interior suggests a
change in the plan for the payment of the in
debtedness of the I'adlic subsidized roads to
the Government. Ills suggestion has tho
unanimous endorsement of the persons se
lected by the Government to act us directors
of these roads and protect the interests of the
United States in the board of direction. In
considering the plan proposed the sole mat
ters which should be taken Into account , In
my opinion , are the situation of the Govern
ment as a creditor and the surest way to se
cure the payment of the principal and inter
est of its debt. IJy a recent decision of the
Supreme Court ot the United States it lias
l cen adjudged that the laws of tho several
States are inoperative to regulate rates of
transportation upon railroads if such regula
tion interferes with the rate of carriage from
one State into another. This important Held
of control and regulation having been thus
left entirely unoccupied , tho expediency of
Federal action upon the subject \vorUiy of
consideration.
LABOK AXI ) Al'ITAI *
In Advocacy of Harmony And Depreciation of
Disturbance.
Tho relations of labor and capital and of la
boring men to their employers are of the ut
most concern to every patriotic citizen.
"When these arc strained and distorted , un
justifiable claims are apt to be insisted upon
by both interests , and in the controversy
which results the welfare of all and the pros
perity of tlie country are jeopardized. Any
intervention of the general Oovernmant ,
within the limits of its constitutional author-
Itv , to avert such a condition , should be will
ingly accorded. In a special massage trans
mitted to the Congress , at its la.st session , I
suggested the enlargement of our present
labor bureau and adding to its present
functions tho power of arbitra
tion in cases where dlir rcnccs
jinsc between employes and employers.
"When these differences reach to such a stage
4is to result in the interruption of commerce
between .states.the application of this remedy
l > y the general Government might be regard
ed as entirely within its constitutional pow-
crs , and I think we might reasonably hope
that such arbitration , if carefully selected ,
4ind if entitled to the confidence of the par-
tics to be affected , would be voluntarllycalled
to the settlement of the controversy of less
extent , ana not necessarily within the do
main oft ho Federal regulation. I am of the
6pinlon that this suggestion is worthy the at
tention of the Congress. 15ut after all has
been done by the passage of laws either Fed-
oral or Slate , to relieve a situation full of so
licitude , much more remains to be accomp
lished by the reinstatement and cultivation
of a true American sentiment , which recog
nizes the equality of American citizenship.
This , in the light of our traditions and in
lovaltv to the spirit of our institutions , would
teach that a hearty co-operation on the part
of all interests is the surest path to national
greatness , and tho happiness of all our peo
ple , Unit capital should , in recognition of the
brotherhood of our citizenship and in a spirit
of American fairness , generously accord to
labor its just compensation and considera
tion and that contented labor is capital's best
protection and faithful ally. It would teach ,
too , the diverse situation of our people as in
separable from our civilization , that every
citizen should in his sphere be a contributor
to tho general good : that capital dors not
V necessarily tend to the oppression of labor ;
mid that violent disturbances and disorders
alienate from the pronitcrs truo American
sympatlfy and kindly feeling.
DEPAUT32KXT OF ACUICCLTCI
Tscfalncss of the .Service Suggestions Tonrlilnir
Pleura-Pneumonia.
The Department of Agriculture , represent
ing the oldest and largest of our national in
dustries , is subserving well the purposes of
Its organization. I5y the introduction of new
subjects of farming enterprise , and by open
ing new sources of agricultural wealth , and
the dissemination of early information con
cerning production and prices , it has con
tributed largely to tho country's prosperity.
Through this agency , advanced thought and
investigation touching the subjects It has in
charge , should amuiigother things , be prac
tically applied to the home production at a
low cost of articles offered , which are now
Imported from abroad. Such an innovation
will ncccssarllv , of course , in the beginning
be within the domain of intelligent experi
ments , and the subject in every si age should
receive all possible encouragement from the
Govcrnincnt-Tlieintcrestsof millions engaged
in agriculture are involved in improvement
if results of their labor and a zealous regard
for their welfare should be a willing tribute
lor those whose productive returns are a
main source of our progress and power. The
existence of plcuro-pnennionia inus led to bur
densome and , in some casrs. disastrous effects
in an important branch of industry , and af
fect the quantity and quality of our food
supply. This is"n. . matter of such importance
sind of such far-reaching consequences , that I
Jiope it will engage the serious attention of
the Congress , to the end that such a remedy
may be applied as to the limits ofa constitu ol
tional delegation of powerto the general Gov
ernment will permit. I commend to the con
sideration of the Congress the report of tho
commissioner and his suggestions concern
ing the interests entrusted to his cure.
CIVIL SEltriCK.
A FIfa For Consideration by Congress and For
Popular Favor.
The continued operation of the law relating
to our Civil service has added to the most
< -onvincing proofs of Its necessity and useful
ness. It is a fact worthy of note that every
public oflicer who has a just idea of his duty
to the people , testifies to the value of tills re
form. Its staunehest friends are found among
those who understand it best , and its warm
est supi > orlers are those who are restrained
nci protected by its requirements. The
meaning of sut-h restraint and protection is of
not appreciated by those who want places un-
< lcr the Government , regardless of merit and
clllcicncy. nor by those who insist that the
selection for such plares should rest upon a
proper credential , showing active partisan
work. Jt Is exceedingly strange that the
scope and nature of this reform are so little
understood , and that so many things not in
cluded within its plan are willed by
its name. When Civ Service yields more
fullv to examination , the system will is
have large additions to the number of
Its friends. Our civil service reform maybe .in
Imperfect in some of its details ; it may be
misunderstood and opix > sed ; it may not al
ways be faithfully applied. Its designs may
sometimes miscarry through mistake or
languish under the misguided zeal of im be
practicable friends. If the people of this
country ever submit to the banishment of
its underlying principle from the operation
of their Government , they will abandon the
surest guarantee of the safety and success of
.American institutions. I invoke for this re
form the cheerful and ungrudging support of
the Congress. I renew my recommendation
madeluss year that the commissioners be
Kiwle equal tootherofllcers of the Government
having like duties and responsibilities , and I
bope that sucli reasonable appropriation inay
be made as will enable them to increase the
usefulness of the cause t bey-have charge of.
FIIUKOHA.VS BA.VS.
Tlie Payment of KM Ll.-iJiilities Advised in Equity
niul 1'airnc.ss.
I desire to call the attention of the Congress
toaph'ln duty which the Government owes
to the depositors In the Krecdman Savings
and Trust company. This company was
chartered by the Congress for the benefit of
the most illiterate and humble of our people ,
and with the intention , of encouraging in
them industry and thrift. Most of its
branches were presided over by oflicers hold
ing the commissions , nnd clothed In the uni
form ofthe United .States' . These and other
circumstances reasonably , I think , led these
simple people to suppose that i he Invitation
to deposit their hard-earned savings in this
institution Implied an understanding on the
pnrtof their Government that their money
should be Hafely kept for them. When this
company failed it was liable in the sum
or , ttWJ23.a , to Cl.l.'U depositors. Dividends
amounting In the aggregate to 02 percent
have been declared , and the sum culled for
und paid of such dividends seems to beSI-
W8.181.72. This sum deducted from the entire
amount of deposits leaves S,2M.741.50 still
unpaid. Past experience lias shown that
quite a large part of this sum will not bo
culled for. There are assets still on liaiul
amounting to the estimated sum of S1G,0 ; . I
think the remaining 08 per cent of such of
these deposits its have claimants should be
paid by the Government upon principles of
cquityand fairness. The report ofthe com
mission soon to be laid before Congress will
give more satisfactory details on this subject.
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.
Negotiations Still Pending IJciisouablo Hope of
Conclusion.
A convention between the United States
and certain other pwere for the protectjon of
sub-marine cables was signed at Paris on
March , 1881 , and has been duly ratified and
proclaimed by this government. IJy : igi > . * e-
ment between the high contracting parties
this convention is to go Into effect the 1st
of January next , but the legislation required
for its execution in the United States has not
yet been adopted. 1 earnestly recommend
its enactment. Cases have continued to oc
cur in Germany giving rise to much corres
pondence in relation to the privilege ofso-
journ of our naturalized citizens of German
origin revisiting the land of their birth ,
ye't I am happy to state that our
relations with that country have
lost none of their accustomed cordiality. The
claims for hit-rest upon tiie amount f ton
nage dues , illegally exacted from certain
German steamship lines , were favorably re
ported in boili Houses of Congress at their
last session , and I trust will receive ; llual und
favorable action atan early day. Tlie recom
mendation considered in my last annual
message in relation to a mode of settlement
of the fishery rights in the waters of British
North Anicrioi. so long a subject of anxious
Great liritain , was met by an adverse vote of
the Senate April litli : last , and tlieieupon ne
gotiations were instituted to obtain an agreem
ment with Her Uritannic Majesty's govern
ment for the promulgation of such joint inter
pretation and definition < .f the article of the
convention of 1S78 , relating to the terri
torial waters and inshore fisheries of the
Uritish provinces , as should secure the Cana
dian rights from encroachment by United
States tlshcrtm-n , nnd , at the sume time , in
sure the enjoyment by the latter of the priv
ileges Runrautoed to iheni by such conven
tion. The questions involved are of long
standing , 01 gr.tve consequence , and from
time to time for nearly three-quarters of a cen
"
tury have glvcnj-ise to "cat nest international
discourses , not unaccompanied by irritation.
Temporary arrangements by treaties have
served to allay friction , which , however , has
revived as each treaty was terminated. The
last arrangement , under the treaty of 1871
was ! ibrogatcdafter due notice , by the United
States June ; ! U , ! & > , but I was enabled to ob
tain for our fishermen for the remainder of
that season , enjoyment ofthe privileges ac
corded by the terminating treaty. Tlie joint
commission by whom the treaty hud been
negotiated , although invested with plenary
power to make permanent establish
ment were content with temporary
arrangements , after the termination of which
the question was relegated to the stipulations
of the treaty of ISIS , as to the Hrst article of
which no construction satisfactory to both
countries has ever been agreed upon. The
progress of civilization and the growth of
population in the British Provinces , to which
tiic fisheries in question are contiguous , and
the ' expansion of commercial intercourse be-
tw'een them and the United States , present
to-day a condition of affairs scarcely realiza
ble at the date oftlienegotiationsoflSlS. New
and vast interests have been brought into ex t
istence. Modes of intercourse between tho
respective countries have been invented and
multiplied , the methods of conducting tho
fisheries have been wholly changed ; and nil
this N necessarily entitled to candid and
careful consideration in the adjustment of
the terms and conditions of intercourse and
commerce between the United States and
their neighbors along a frontier of over : t.5UO
miles. This propinquity of community ,
language and occupation , and similarity
of political and social institutions , indicate
the practicability nnd obvious wisdom of
maintaining mutually beneficial and friend-
Iv relations. Whilst I am unleignedly desir-
ous that such relations should exist between
us and the inhabitants of Canada , yet tiie ac
tion of their otllcials during the pist season
toward our fishermen has been such as to se
riously threaten their continuance. Although
disappointed in my efforts to secure a satis
factory settlement of the fishery question ,
negotiations are still pending , with reasona
ble hope that before the close of the present t
session of Congress advancement may be
made and that an acceptable conclusion has
been reached. At an early day there may be
laid before Congress the correspondence of
the Department of State in relation to this
important subject , so that the history of the
past fishing season may be fully dis
closed , and the action and the attitude
of the administration clearly comprehended.
More extended reference is not deemed
necessary in this communication. Tho
recommendation , submitted last year , that
provision be made for a preliminary recon-
noisanceof the conventional boundary line
between Alaska and British Columbia is re
newed.
HAWAII' AXI ) JAPAN.
Xlio Desirability of Intimacy With Tliera Lllie-
ria'sUelatfcns. .
I express my unhesitating conviction that
the intimacy of our relations witli Hawaii
should be emphasized. As a result of the re
ciprocity treaty of 1S75 these islands , on the
highway of Oriental and Australian truillc ,
aie virtually an outpost of American com
merce and a stepping stone to the growing to
trade of the Pacific. The Polynesian Islam !
groups have been .so absorbed by other and of
more powerful governments that the Ha St
waiian islands are left almost alone in tiie en it
joy ment of their autonomy which it is im it
portant for us should bo preserved. Our
treaty is now terminable on one year's
notice , but propositions to abrogate it
would be in my judgment most ill-advised.
The paramount influence we have there ac
quired , once relinquished , could only with
ailliculty be regained , and u valuable coign
-vantage for ourselves might beconverted
into a stronghold for-our commercial compet
itor. I firstly recommend that the existing
tre. . > vs'.ipuliitions be extended for a further
tei in of seven years. A lecenuy signed treaty'
to tins end is now before the senate. The im- In
wrV-i > "r triocrjiipnie ' onni'iii'i'iat.ion be in
tween these islands and the United StateE
should not be overlooked.
The question of a general revision of the
treaties of Japan is again under discussion at
Tokio. As the first to open relations with
that empire and us the nation in most direct
commercial relation with Japan , the United
States have lost no opportunity to testify -
tbeirconsisteiit friendship by supporting the of
just claims of Japan to autonomy and inde
pendence among nations. A treaty of extra
dition between the United States and Japan , in
the first concluded by that empire , lias been
lutclv proclaimed.
The weakness of I.Iberia and the difficulty
maintains effective sovereignly over its
outlying districts have exposed that ICepub-
to encroachments , it cannot be forgotten
that this distant community is an oft-shoot of
our own system , owing it-s origin to the asso
ciated benevolence of American citizens ,
whose praiseworthy efforts to create a nu
cleus of civilization in the Dark Continent
have commanded respect and sympathy else
where , especially In this country.
Although a formal prutcctoraieovcr Liberia
contrary to our traditional policy , the moral
right and duty of the United States to assist
all proper maintenance of its integrity is
obvious , and has been consistently announced to
during ncurlv half u century. 1 recommend
that in the reorganization of our navy , a small
vessel , no longer found adequate to our needs ,
presented to Liberia , to be employed by it
inlthe protection of its coastwise revenues.
3IEXICAX MATTERS.
nenewalof Former Snsgestions The Case of Edi
tor Cutting.
The encouraging development of beneficial
and Intimate relations between the United
States and Mexicowhich has been so marked In
within the past few years , is at once the occa ing
sion of congratulation nnU of friendly solidcli
lude. I urgently renew my former represen-
tation of the need of speedy legislation by
Congress to carry into effect the reciprocity
com'mercial convention nf Jan. > , l&i. Our.
commercial treaty of 1&J1 with Mexico was
terminated , according to Its provisions , in
1881 , upon notification given by Mexico in
pursuance of her anndunccd policy of recast
ing all her commercial treaties. Mexico lias
since concluded with several foreign govern
ments new treaties of commerce and naviga
tion defining alien rights of trade , property
and residence , treatment of shipping , con
sular privileges , und the like.
Our yet unexecuted reciprocity conven
tion of 1833 covers none of these points ,
the settlement of which is so neces
sary to good relationship. I propose
to initiate with Mexico negotiations
for a new antl enlarged treaty of commerce
and navigation. In compliance with u resoP
lution of the Senate , I communicated to that
body on Aug. 2 lust , and also to the House of
Kepresentatives , the correspondence in the
case of A. 1C. Cutting , un American citizen
then Imprisoned in Mexico , charged with the
commission of a penal offense Iu Texas , of
which a Mexican citizen was the object.
After demand hud been made for his release ,
the charge against him was amended so us to
include a violation of Mexican law within
Mexican territory. This joinder of alleged
offenses , one within and the other exterior to
Mexico , induced me to order a special in
vestigation of the case , pending which Mr.
Cutting was released. The incident has , how-
ever , disclosed aclulin of Jurisdiction by Mcx-
ico novel in our history , whereby any offense ,
committed anywhere by a foreigner , penal
in the place of its commission , and
of which Mexico is tho object , may , if the
offender be found in Mexico , be there tried ,
and punished in conformity with Mexican
laws. Jurisdiction was sustained by courts
of Mexico in the Cutting case and approved
by the executive branch of that government ,
upon the authority of a Mexican statute. The
appellate court in releasing Mr. Cutting de-
cided that the abandonment ofthe complaint
by the Mexican citizens aggrieved by the alJ"
legcd crime ( a iibelous publication ) removed
the basis of further prosecution and also de- ,
clurcd justice to have been satisfied by the
enforcement of a small part of the original
sentence. The admission of such a pretension
would be attended vilh serious results , invu-
siveof the jurisdiction of this Government
und highly dangerous to our citizens in for-
eign lands. Therefore , I have tlenied it and
protested against it.sattemptcdexerciseas un-
warranted by the principles of law and inter-
national usages. A sovereign lias jurisdiction
of offenses which take effect within his ter- ,
ritory although concerted or commenced out-
side of it , but the right is denied of any foreign
sovereign to punish a citizen of the United
.States for an offense consummated on our soil
In violation of our laws , even though the of-
tense be against a subject or citizen ot such
sovereign. The Mexican statute in question I
makes the claim broadly , and the principle , :
if conceded , would create a dual responsibil-
ity in the citizen and lead to a eonfusum dp-
struct ! ve of that certainty in 1)19 ) law which is
an essential of liberty.Vhen citi/.ens of tha
United States voluntarily go into a foreign
country , they must abide by the laws there
in force and will not be protected by their
own Government from the consequences ol '
m offense against those laws committed in
such foreign country ; l > ut the watchful
care and interest of this Government
over its citizens are not relinquished because
they have gone abroad , and if charged with
crime committed iu the 'oreign lands , a lair
and open trial , conducted with decent regard
for justice and humanity , will be demanded
fjrthem. With less than that this Govern-
ment will not be content when the life or
liberty of itsc'tizens ' is at stake , whatever
the degree t'o which extra territorial crim-
inal jurisdiction may have been formerly al-
lowed by consent and reciprocal agreement
among certain of the. Kuropcan states , rso
such doctrine or practice was ever known to
the laws of this country or of that from which
our institutions ha\e mainly been derived.
In the case of Mexico there are reasons espec
ially strong or harmony in the mutual exer
cise of jurisdiction. Nature lias made us
irrevocably neighbors , and wisdom und kind
feeling should make us friends. The over
flow of capital and enterprise from the
United States is a potent factor
in assisting the development of the resources
of Mexico and in building up the prosperity
of both countries. To assist tli : good work
all grounds of apprehension for the security
of person and property should be removed ,
and I trust that in the interests f good neightu
borhood the statute referred to will be so modire
lied as to eliminate the present possibilities
of danger to the peace of the two countries.
OTHER RELATIONS.
The Netherlands , Persia , Peru , Russia nnd Samoa.
The government of the Netherlands has
exli'ibited'concern in relation to certain fean
ures of our tariff laws , which-are supposed
by them to be aimed at a class of tobacco pro-
diiced in the Kast Indies. Comment would
seem unnecessary upon the unwisdom of
legislation appearing to have a special na-
tioual discrimination for its object , which ,
although unintentional , may give rise to in-
juriiius relations.
The establishment , less than four years ago ,
ofu legation at Teheran is bearing fruit in the
interest exhibited by the Shah's govern-
Inmi
ment in the industrial activity of the linked
States and the opportunities of baiieiieial iu-
tcrclianges. '
,
Stable government is now happily restored
iii" Peru by the election of 41 Constitutional
President , and a period of rehabilitation is
entered upon , but recovery is necessarily
slow from the exhaustion caused by the 'ate
war and civil disturbances. A convention to
adjust , by arbitration , claims of our citizens
has been promised and is under considera-
tic'J |
The naval officer who bore to Siberia the
testimonials bestowed by Congress iu recoglt
nition of the aid given t < the Jeannette sur
vivors has accomplished his mission. His
interesting : report will be submitted. It is
pleasant . to knpw that this mark of uppreciaat
tion lias been welcomed by the Uussiun govt
eminent und people us befits the traditional (
friendship of the two countries. i
Civil ( perturbations in theSamoan Isles has ,
during the past few years , been a source of
considerable embarrassment to the three govjn
ernments Germany , Great Rritaln and the
United States whose relations iiid extra tor-
ritorial rights in that important group me
guaranteed by treaties. Tlie weakness of the
native udminNtrution , and theonllict of op
posing interests in the islands , I ave led King
Maliteoa to seek alliance or protI Ion in some i *
one quarter , regardless ofthe clitinct engage
ments whereby no one of the three treaty I
powers may acquire any paramount or extr
elusive interest. In May last Maliteoa offered
toUi place Samoa under the protection of the
United States , and the late consul , without
authority , assumed to grant it. The proceedcli
ing was promptly disavowed , and the overof
zealous oflicial recalled. Special agents of
the three governments have been deputed
towl examine the situation in the islands ,
with a change in the representation
all three powers and a harmonious unticrDl
standing between them. The peace , prosperfo
ity. autonom. > is administration and neutralTl
ity of Samoa jun hardly fail to be secured.
THE FLAG IN SPAIN.
History of the Recent Proclamation Concerning ' .
Spanish Duties. i
It appearing that the government of Spain
did not extend to the flag of the United pi
States in the .ntiiles the whole measure of w
reciprocity requisite under our statute for the Cc
continuance of the suspension of dispr
criminations against the Spanish flag hi
our portsI was constrained pc
October last to rescind my prcdete
cessor's proclamation of Feb. H , ; & , permitpu
ting such suspension. An arrangement was , gr
however , speedily reach- , and , upon notiiar
cation from the government of Spain that all te
differential treatment of our vessels and theii su
cargoes from the United States or from any as
foreign country had been completely nnd ul > th
s-olufely relinquished , I availed mysel : nc
the discretion conferred by law. and fn
issued , on the 27th of O'-tober , my co
proclamation declaring reciprocal suspension co
the United States. It is most gratifying tc of
bear testimony to the earnest spirit in which su
the government of the Queen Regent lias ar
met our efforts to avert the initiation of comth
merci.il discriminations which are ever disC
uf.trous to the material interests and the politni
leal good will of the countries tly affect. The m
profitable development of the trge commerwl
cial exchanges between the United States nnd to
theSpanish Antilles is naturally un object ol dc
solicitude. Lying close at our doors and findtli
ing here their main markets of supply and ity
demand , the welfare of Cuba and Porto Ulcer ne
and their productions and trade arc scarcely by
less important to us than to Spain. Theii
commercial and financial moves are so nat
urally a part of our system that no obstacle to
fuller , freer intercourse-should be permitted
exist. T standing instructions ol
our representatives at Madrid and
Havana have .or years been to leave no effort . by l
unessayed to further these ends , and at nc C (
time has the equal good desire of Spain been ! i - .
more hopefully manifested than now. The
government of Spain , thus removing the con
sular tonnage fees in cargoes shipped to the
Antilles and by reducing passport fees , hm $
shown its n > gniton ! of the needs of less
trammeled intercourse. An effort has been
made during he post year to remove the hin for
drances to the proclamation of the treaty oi
naturalization with the Sublime Porte , signed
1S74 , which has remained inoperative ow hi
to a disagreement of interpretation of tht
clauses relative to the effects of the return to ,
nnd sojourn of a naturalized citizen in the
land ot his origin. I trust soon to be able to
announce a favorable settlement of the differ-
* cnces as to the Interpretation.
* It has been highly satisfactory to note the
improved treatment of American
missionaries in Turkey , as has been
attested by their acknowledgements to
our late Minister to that government of bis
successful exertions in their behalf.
The exchange of ratification of tne conven
tion of Dec. 5 , JSSTi. with Venezuela , for the re
opening of the awards of thcCarucas commis
sion under the claims-convention of 1HM Ir.u
not yet been effected , owing to tha delay ol
the executive of that Kcpublic in ratifying
the measure. I trust that this postponement
will be brief ; but should it much longer con
tinue , the delay may 'well be regarded us a
rescission ofthe compact and a failure on the
part of Venzuela to complete an arrangement
so persistently sought by her during many
years < and assented to by this Government In
a spirit of international fairness , although to
i the detrlmentof holdersof bona tide awards ol
I the impugned commission. I renew the recom
mendation of my lost annual message , that
existing legislation concerning citizenship
and naturalization be revised.
EXTRADITION TREATIES.
To Prerent the Mihrarryln ? of Justice The Copy.
rlsht Laws.
Wehave treaties with many states providing
for renunciation of citizenship by naturalizeu
aliens , but no statute Is found to give effect to
such engagements , nor any which provides a
needed central bureau for the registration of
naturalized citizens. Experience suggests
that ' our statutes regulating extradition may
be amended by a provision for the transit
across our territory , now a convenient
thoroughfare ' of travel from one country to
another , of fugitives sun-ended by a foreign
government toa third state. Such provisions
urcnotuniisuulinthclegislatiotipfothercouii-
tries ; and tend to prevent the miscarrying of
justice. It is also desirable in order to re
move present uncertainties , that authority
should be conferred on the Secretary of State
J" issue a certificate in case of an arrest , for
the purpose of extradition , to the officer be
fore whom the proceedings are pending ,
showing ' that a requisition for the surrender
of the person charged has beon duly made.
Such a certificate , it"required to be
received before the prisoner's examination
would prevent a long and expensive ludicial
inquiry into a charge which the foreign gov
ernment might not desire to press. I also re
commend that express provision be made for
the ' immediate discharge from custody of per
sons committed for extradition where the
President is of opinion that surrender should
not be made. The drift of sentiment in civil
ized communities toward all recognition of
the rights of property in the creations of the
human intellect bus brought about the adop
tion , by manimportant nations , of an inter
national copyright convention , which was
signed at Home on the ISth day of September ,
18.S.5. Inasmuch as the constitution gives to
Congress the power "to promote the progress
J- 1" science und useful arts , by securing for lim
ited times to authors and in
ventors tho exclusive right to
their ! exclusive writings , and discoveries , "
this Government did not feel warranted in
| the action of
becoming a signatory pending
Congress upon measures of international
copyright now before it , but the right of ad
hesion to the Hcruc convention hereafter has
been { reserved. I trust the subject will re
ceive ; at vour hands the attention it deserves ,
and that the just claims of authors , so ur
gently pressed , will be duly heeded. Repre
sentations . continue to be made to me of tho
injurious effect upon American artists study
ing abroad , and having free access to the art
collections . of foreign countries , of maintain
ing u discriminating duty against the intro
duction of the works of their brother nrtists
of other countries , and I am induced to repeat
my recommendation for the abolition of that
tar.
COXSULAK SEKVICE.
Advising Better Kemunrralion for American Rep
resentatives Abroad.
Pursuant to a provision of the diplomatic
and consular appropriation act , approved
July 1 , ISSli , ihe estimates submitted by the
Secretary of State for the maintenance of the
consular service have been recast on the basis
cf salaries for all ofllcers to whom such al
lowance is deemed advisable. Advun-
tu < re lias been taken of this to
redistribute the salaries of the officers now
appropriated for in accordance with the work
performed , the importance of the representa
tive duties of the incumbent , and the cost of
living at each post. The last consideration
has been too often lost sight of in the allow
ances heretofore made. The compensation
which may suffice for the decent maintc-
naneofu worthy und capable ollicer In a po
sition ' of onerous and representative trust at
a post readily accessible , and where the nec
essaries of life are abundant and cheap , may
prove an inadequate pittance in distant lands
where the better part of a year's pay is con
sumed in reaching tho post of duty and
where the comforts of ordinary civilized ex
istence ! can only be obtained with difliculty
and . at exorbitant cost. I trust that in con
sidering the submitted schedule no mis
taken theory of economy will perpetuate
n system which , in the past , has virtually
closed ! to deserving talent , many oflices
where capacity and attainments of a
/ .
high order arc Indispensable anil in not a few
cases lias bi ought discredit on our national
character and entailed embarrassment and
even ; suffering on those deputed to uphold
our dignity and interests abroad. In connec
tion ' with that subject I earnestly reiterate
the practical necessity of supplying some
mode of trustworthy Inspection und report of
the ' manner in which the consulates are con
d\ \
ducted. In the absence of such reliable Infor
mation ellicicncy can scarcely be rewarded or
its opposite corrected.
Increasing competition in trade has di
rected attention to the value of the consular
reports printed by the Department of State ,
and the efforts of the Government to extend
the ] practical usefulness of these reports have
created a wider demand for them ut home
und a spirit of emulation abroad. Constitut
ing a record of the changes occuring in trade
and of the progress of the arts and invention
jn foreign countries , they are .much sought
for by all interested in the subjects which
they embrace.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
:
- -
Needed , Police Regulations , Conveniences and NCTT .
15ridii"f.
The control of the Government of tho Dis
trict , of Columbia having been placed in the
hand of purely executive oflicers , while the
Congress still retains all legislative authority
pertaining to its government , it becomes my j |
duty to make known tho most pressing needs .
of the District and recommend their consid- :
crution. The laws of the District appear to be
In an uncertain condition and their codillcaf
tion or revison is mr.flh needed. During the
past , year one of the bridges leading from the
District to the State of Virginia became unfit ,
for use , and travel upon it was forbidden.
This leads me to suggest that the improvelo :
ment of all the bridges crossing the Potomac
and Its brunches from the city of Washington '
worthy of the attention of Congress. Theto
Commissioners of the District represent that f
the laws regulating the sale of liquor and
gmtlng licenses therefor should be at once m
amended , and that legislation is needed to w
consolidate , define and enlarge the scope nnd .
powers of charitable : and penal institutions in
within : the District. I suggest that the c
Commissioners be clothed with the
power to make , within fixed limRi
nations , police regulations. I believe this rn
power grunted and carefully guarded would
tend to subserve thcgood orderof the inuniciIU
pality. It seems that trouble still exists , -
growing out of the occupation of the streets
and avenues by certain railroads having their BU
termini in the city. It is very important that he
such laws should be enacted upon this subect
will secure to the railroads all the facilities
they require for the transaction of their bus- c
ness , and at the same time protect citizens
from injury to their persons or property. The ot
commissioners again complain that the ac- co
commodatlons afforded them for the necessary
oflices ] for district business , and for the °
safe keeping of valuable books and papers ,
are entirely inefficient. I recommend that
this condition of affairs be remedied by tho 1)C
Congress : and that suitable quarters be furfir
nished for the needs of the District Govern-
ment. In conclusion , I earnestly invoke suchI
wise action the of the '
on part people's Ifgislu- or
tors as will subserve the public good and
demonstrate during the remaining days of ad
the Cong' ess , as at present organized , its ubll- co
and inclination to so meet the people's
needs that it shall be gratefully remembered § ;
an expectant constituency. wj
GllOVEll Cr.KYELAND.
ty
HllfcillCMM. an
A Gnorgia newspaper illiiHtrates ( he aver th
age southern negro's poor business ability nl
\ telling of one who asked the price of
coat-t , in a store. The storekeeper offered "
him various guniicnts cheap fur cuth , but
the darkey would not buy , and finally the
merchant picked out a coat that cost him
l.G5and offered it to the negro for S10 ,
agreeing to take $2 in car-h anil trust him
tin-balance. The customer jumped at
offer , nnd without even trying on thu
rout , paid the 32 and went away happy in
ability to owe ? S. The storekeeper will on
not worry it he does not get the money.
"
m
OVEE , THE STATE.
3IUHDER AT CAT.T.AirAY.
Unken Bow special to the Lincoln Jour
nal : Gilson A. James , a hotel and res
taurant keeper at Callaway , Custcr county ,
killed Charles Hayes about 2 o'clock this
morning. Night before hist Hayes went to
James' hotel and took Mrs. James out for
a walk , being absent about two hours.
About midnight last night Hayes went to
James' bed room and ordered James to get
up , which he did. Hayes then getting into
bed with Mrs. James.
James went out and asked several men
to go with him to his room , telling them of
his trouble. They refused. He then pro
cured a revolver and went home. Iluye * ,
who wits drunk , ordered James to get in
bed with them and cover up. James sot
into bed with Mrs. James between them.
Hayes then again ordered James to cover
up. and on h s refusal , Hayes rent-lied out
for his revolver laying on the table , when
James shot him through the brad , killing
him instantly. James was brought here
and jailed. The coroner has gone to hold
an inquest.
TIIK STATK LWJtAKY.
Guy A. lirown , state librarian , has pre
pared his report for the past two years
and turned it over to the governor. This
report shows that there were at the time
of the last report 2:5.S ( volumes in the
library ; that there has been added to this
number by exchange and purchase 3.G01
volumes and C.OOO copies of the Nebraska
court reports , making a total of 221')09
volumes. There have been disbursed ,
however , through sales , 5.IUO copies of the
reports , which leaves a net number of vol1)
.
nines in the state library at the tim < > of
this report of 27.S79. The receipts in cash
since the time of the last report , amount to
So.OTG.S t. and the expenditures during
the same length of time have been
5:5,01908. : When the central part of the
cap > tol building is completed I he second
and third stories of the building will be
used for the state library and the supremo
court rooms , and the additional room : ! !
be ready none too soon to accommodate
the librarian. It will l > u necessary to pro
vide during the next session of the legisla
ture for the fimiitnrt ) and fixtures , shelv
ing * and the like in the new quarters , and
the libraiian recommends that $10.000 bo
appropriated for the library , and § 3,000
for the court room.
ZHSCELLAXEOUS STATE MATTERS.
A I.KAIHNO general si ore at Grand Island
averages § 750 pi-i day cash sales.
THE feeling is growing at Lincoln that a
ipirit of indifference is losing the city many
institutions of enterprise.
GRAND ISLAND has 8,000 population and
claims this growth of numbers should bo
protected ' by a good sewerage system.
ALTHOUGH late in the season a great deal
of real estate is changing hands in Grand
Island. James Michelsjn was recently of-
fcred § 20.000 for a corner lot.
KKAK.\IV special : A clever forgery was
perpetrated here yosterday about 1 o'clock
o. m. A man presented a check at the
Kearney National bank for § 400 , drawn
ny Josh Woods , of the Streeter & Woods
Tattle company. The check was paid by
the cashier , who discovered shortly after
wards that the signature was forced. De-
'ectives are after the forger but he is still
it large.
TinNebraska state institution for the
: are and instruction of feeble-minded chil-
Iren , located one and one-half miles ease of
Beatrice , received its finishing touches on
the 4 Hi and was exam i no J by the state
board of public lands and buildings. There
ire 1,000,000 brick in the building. The
institution will accommodate about 75 or
SO children. There are 47 rooma exclusive
of bath rooms and closets.
AN effort is being made to have a post-
oflice established on the.Running Water.
ROCK ISLAND p ople have their grade
completed to within one mile of Nelson.
There it will rest until spring.
THC appointment of S. II. H. Clark to the
vice-presidency of the Missouri Pacific it is
thought will give a boom to Nebraska rail
road building.
ANOTHER § 50,000 purchase of Lincoln
suburban property was made by Mr. A. E.
Touzalin last week. The Sherman farm
was taken at § 40,000 and two adjoining
tracts at § 10,000.
THE sum of § 370 lias been allowed by
the government to C. C. Crowell , of Blair ,
as the apportioned share of damages done
his father's estate by rebel privateers , and
recovered by the celebrated Geneva award.
'AN ex-preacher named Wills , a resident
of Lincoln , was arrested and fined § 1 some
time ago for filling a ditch on the highway.
He appealed to the district court , but it
affirmed the decision of the lower court.
Tlie ] cost hud accumulated to § GO and the
sheriff beingunable to collect it , on Wednes
day ] locked Mr. Wills up in the county jail
to board it out.
ONE of the quarter sections on which the
town site of Chadron is located is in litiga
tion. Stnnlon , the contesting claimant ,
made out contest papers when the land j
was , located , but tho papers lay neglected
the land office and other parties pur-
chasing ] a relinquishment. filed on the land ,
and from them came into the hands of the
railroad company. The local oflicers re
fusing to hear Stanton's contest , an appeal
was j taken to the department , which re
sulted in a reversal of this order , and t
of the contest is now being held.
THE safe of Hunker Bros. , lumber mer
chants ] , , West Point , was blown open by
burglars. Ten dollars in cash. § 150 in
county warrants , and some § G,000 in
notes was taken. No clue.
NEBRASKA CITY special : Last evening the
board of county commissioners made a
final settlement with the bondsmen of ex-
Treafurcr Simpson , in accepting the tender
$40,000. the amount of the bond. In
addition to this the bondsmen pay the
costs thus far accrued in the affair , and
ii > 00 towards the pavment of the expert ,
who is investigating the books. The coun
is still left to hold the sack to the
amount of § 40,000 , or more. It is talked
that Si-npson is likely to be prosecuted on
another ] charge when his short sentence ex
pires.
TIIK work of trenching for the street
mains for Nebraska '
City's waterworks sys
tem began on the 10th , and will be pushed
during tho mild weather. It is intended to
complete the works by July 1 , 1SS7.
PROF. C. E. BESSEY will deliver a lecture
grasses and foliage plants before the Ne
braska Dairymen's association which
meets at Button next week.
AT Sterling the five-ycnr-olil daughter ol
J" . T. Howard '
acc'nJntally ulipped from a
box on which she was Htandin ; : , nntl , in
trying to save herself , pulled u kesj ntsyriip.
which was sitting on the box , over wiib
her , iiud it fell with chines across liar lore-
arm , breaking both bones.
YORK county voted the niil to help con
struct the K. C. and Omaha railroad , by
un overwhelming majority.
TillOmaha poutoflice last month sold
over § 10 , QUO worth of stumps.
WORK on the poatoffice at Nebraska City
has been deferre.l until soring.
Ox Monday forenoon , says the West
Point Republican , while Charley Mack , the
foreman at the paper mill , was engage : ! in
polishing one of the rollers with a piece ol
sand-paper , his hands were suddenly
drawn between the revolving cylinders. H
succeeded in pulling the left one out , but
the : right one was drawn in up to the elbow.
The cylinders , one of iron and one of wood ,
iC about one and a half inches ap rt.
Ol conrse the flesh on the arm is mashed
and bruised in a shocking manner , but no
bones aru broken , lie has a ruined consti
tution and the shock has had no percepti
ble effect on his nervous system and he IB
getting < along nicely.
IIo.v. J. D. NKMGIT , of Cuinlng county ,
recently < returned from ft trip along the ex
tension or the K. K. it M. VI IJy. , and from
his observations is hopeful of the future of
northwestNebraska and eastern Wyoming.
There is , he says , extensive tracts of area-
able land out towards the present ter
minus of the road ; and in tho vicinity of
Douglas there are tracts of valley lands
upon which , it is claimed , cereals can ha
successfully grown without irrigation.
NEBRASKA. CITY special : Another largo
shortage in the ex-treasurer's accounts has
just come o light. Expert White , whilu
going through the books , discovered frauds
amounting to about § 9.000 , with his task
just begun. The larger part of this amount
consists ciMierof stolen warrants , or dupli
cate warrants with forgd signatnres.-
About2.r,0 ! > of the ? IOUOwas su-rured in
an entirely different xvay. The fraud was
consummated during the last January set
tlement , at which time it appears the Jig-
ures in the treasurer's register were raised ,
a warrant for § . I in the clerk's book show
ing as § 151 in that of the treasurer , and
one for S1GO appears as § UCO , and so on.
Tin ; pork packing house of .J. K. Sheeley ,
O'Mahn , was destroyed by ( ire hist week.
Loss abnut § 00,000. Forty thousand dol
lars worth of meat was de.-droved.
TUB IE. . t jr. V. railroad company
has about 700 miles of track in Nebraska.
A FREMONT correspondent writes : A few
days ago a slander suit of gigantic propor
tions was commenced in the district court ;
.
by Lottie A. Smith against her husband
,
Edwin T. Smith. This is the climax of a
.
long sei.e . of domestic infelirity , which ban
been paraded before the public for many
months. Twice during thpresent year
irh
has Mrs. Smith appealed to the district
court ( for a severing of the connubial ties ,
but both times her petition was refused
ba
bn still they remain bound by the matri
monial bonds which yoked them so unhap
pily together , though they live apart. Mrs.
Smith sues her liege lord for $5,000 each
for stating at two different times while ho
was upon the stand as ft witness in the di
vv
vorce proceedings that she was cuilty of
adultery , and § 20,000 upon the general
proposition that ho has ruined her fair
name and fame , making a total of § IJO,000
which he is asked for as a uoluco to her
4
wounded honor.
THE board of public lands and buildings
have accepted the new state building for
the feeble minded at Beatrice and paid the
contractrr ( the balance due him.
THE salt well at Lincoln has reached a
depth of liJOSJ.j feet. The indications are
still good for coal , but as the work is very
slow on account of the nature of the rock
now being punctured , it will be several long
davs before the Question is decided.
TUB grain syndicate organized at Aurora
some time ago in now in operation.
TWENTY-FIVE bents of the Rulo pila
bi.d e were carried out by the floating ice.
THE : St. .1. it G. T. company will build its
extension from Fair field instead of Hast
ings.
COAL , lias been found at Osccola , but a
correspondent says it is above ground and
some people get it between sundown and
sunrise.
THE state superintendent on the ISth
mailed circulars containing the reduction
in . . ' rates given by the railroads in the state
for the convention of county superintend
ents and prominent educators , which con
vention meets in Lincoln , commencing thf >
21st. The different roads make tint usual
one and one-third fare for the round trip.
FIKI : destroyed the European hotel at
Omaha last week , entailing a loss of about
S12.000. None of the forty guests were in
jured , although many were compelled to
jump for their lives from second story win-
down. They were very much undressed
and most of them lost their clothes and
baggage.
THE team of W. W. Hayes , Gage county ,
stolen some time ago. was found at Phelps ,
Mo. , in possession of the thief. The wholo
outfit was retaken , and the thief stands a
good chance of going over the road.
THE Methodists of Grand Island are hav
ing a successful religious revival.
REDUCED rates will be made on railroads
to the county convention of school super
intendents , to beheld in Lincoln commenc
ing on the 21st.
THE Union Pacific , it is stated , will in its
own good time put up a utdon depot in
Omaha that will be a credit alike to the
road and that city.
FAIKFICI.D celebrated the , advent of the
fir.it train on the Kansas City and Omaha
ra Iroad on the 1st.
THE district court has cleaned out ths
Otoe county jail , with the exception of
Mrs. Shellenberger , and it is likely she will
be taken to Lincoln , a change of venue to
Lancaster county having been granted in
her case.
LINCOLN has thus far pledged over $16-
000 for locating the Nebraska Wesleyan
university in that city. This amount is
expected to be swelled to § 10,000.
SEWAUD'B canning factory is now an as
sured fact , and the promoters of the enter
prise are advertising for lands on which to
grow the fruits.
A HEUGiocs revival is in progress at
Cheney , and a number thus far have pro
fessional faith and mended their daily
walks of life.