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diff --git a/old/12754.txt b/old/12754.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c871caf --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12754.txt @@ -0,0 +1,16542 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of +the Presidents, by James D. Richardson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents + Section 2 (of 2) of Volume 8: Chester A. Arthur + +Author: James D. Richardson + +Release Date: June 28, 2004 [EBook #12754] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHESTER A. ARTHUR *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Garcia and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + +A COMPILATION OF THE MESSAGES AND PAPERS OF THE PRESIDENTS + +BY JAMES D. RICHARDSON + + + * * * * * + +Chester A. Arthur + +September 19, 1881, to March 4, 1885 + + * * * * * + + + + +Chester A. Arthur + +Chester Alan Arthur was born in Fairfield, Franklin County, Vt., October +5, 1830. He was the eldest son of Rev. William Arthur and Malvina Stone. +His father, a Baptist minister, was born in Ireland and emigrated to +the United States. Chester prepared for college at Union Village in +Greenwich and at Schenectady, N.Y., and in 1845 entered the sophomore +class of Union College. While in his sophomore year taught school for a +term at Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, and a second term at the same +place during his last year in college. Joined the Psi Upsilon Society, +and was one of six in a class of one hundred who were elected members +of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the condition of admission being high +scholarship. After his graduation in 1848, at the age of 18, attended a +law school at Ballston Spa, N.Y.; returned to Lansingburg, N.Y., where +his father then resided, and continued his legal studies. Was principal +of an academy at North Pownal, Bennington County, Vt., in 1851. In +1853 entered the law office of Erastus D. Culver in New York City as +a student; was admitted to the bar during the same year, and at once +became a member of the firm of Culver, Parker & Arthur. Having formed +from early associations sentiments of hostility to slavery, as a law +student and after his admission to the bar became an earnest advocate +for the slaves. Became a Henry Clay Whig, and cast his first vote +in 1852 for Winfield Scott for President. Participated in the first +Republican State convention, at Saratoga, and took an active part +in the Fremont campaign of 1856. October 29, 1859, married Ellen Lewis +Herndon, of Fredericksburg, Va. January 1, 1861, was appointed on +Governor Edwin D. Morgan's staff as engineer in chief, with the rank +of brigadier-general. Had previously taken part in the organization +of the State militia, and had been judge-advocate of the Second +Brigade. When the civil war began, in April, 1861, he became acting +quartermaster-general, and as such began in New York City the work of +preparing and forwarding the State's quota of troops. Was called to +Albany in December for consultation concerning the defenses of New York +Harbor. Summoned a board of engineers on December 24, of which he became +a member, and on January 18, 1862, submitted an elaborate report on the +condition of the national forts both on the seacoast and on the inland +border of the State. Was appointed inspector-general February 10, 1862, +with the rank of brigadier-general, and in May inspected the New York +troops at Fredericksburg and on the Chickahominy. In June, 1862, +Governor Morgan ordered his return from the Army of the Potomac, and he +acted as secretary of the meeting of the governors of the loyal States +which was held June 28 in New York City. At Governor Morgan's request, +General Arthur resumed his former work, resigned as inspector-general, +and on July 10 was appointed quartermaster-general. Retired from the +office December 31, 1862, when Horatio Seymour succeeded Governor +Morgan. Between 1862 and 1872 was engaged in continuous and active law +practice--in partnership with Henry G. Gardner from 1862 till 1867, then +for five years alone, and on January 1, 1872, formed the firm of Arthur, +Phelps & Knevals. Was for a short time counsel for the department of +assessments and taxes, but resigned the place. Continued during all this +period to take an active part in politics. Was chairman in 1868 of the +Central Grant Club of New York, and became chairman of the executive +committee of the Republican State committee in 1879. Was appointed +collector of the port of New York by President Grant on November 20, +1871; was reappointed on December 17, 1875, and confirmed by the Senate +on the same day without reference to a committee, a courtesy never +before extended to an appointee who had not been a Senator; retained the +office until July 11, 1878, when he was suspended by President Hayes. On +retiring from the office of collector resumed the practice of law with +the firm of Arthur, Phelps, Knevals & Ransom. Advocated in 1880 the +nomination of General Grant to succeed President Hayes. Was a delegate +at large to the Chicago convention, which met June 2, 1880. After the +nomination of General Garfield for the Presidency a general desire arose +in the convention to nominate for Vice-President some advocate of +General Grant and a resident of New York State. The New York delegation +indicated their preference for General Arthur, and he was nominated on +the first ballot. Was elected Vice-President November 2, 1880; took the +oath of office March 4, 1881, and presided over the extraordinary +session of the Senate that then began, which was very exciting. That +body being equally divided, he was frequently called upon to exercise +the right of casting the controlling vote. President Garfield was shot +July 2, 1881, and died September 19. His Cabinet announced his death to +the Vice-President, then in New York, and at their suggestion he took +the oath as President on the 20th at his residence in New York City +before Judge John R. Brady, of the New York supreme court. On the 22d +the oath was formally administered again in the Vice-President's room +in the Capitol at Washington by Chief Justice Waite. President Arthur's +name was presented to the Republican Presidential convention which met +at Chicago June 3, 1884. On the first ballot he received 278 votes +against 540 for all others, 276 on the second, 274 on the third, and 207 +on the fourth, which resulted in the nomination of James G. Blaine. In +the canvass which ensued Mr. Arthur rendered all possible assistance to +the Republican cause and candidates. Died suddenly at his residence in +New York City November 18, 1886, and was buried in Rural Cemetery at +Albany. + + + + +INAUGURAL ADDRESS. + + +For the fourth time in the history of the Republic its Chief Magistrate +has been removed by death. All hearts are filled with grief and horror +at the hideous crime which has darkened our land, and the memory of the +murdered President, his protracted sufferings, his unyielding fortitude, +the example and achievements of his life, and the pathos of his death +will forever illumine the pages of our history. + +For the fourth time the officer elected by the people and ordained by +the Constitution to fill a vacancy so created is called to assume the +Executive chair. The wisdom of our fathers, foreseeing even the most +dire possibilities, made sure that the Government should never be +imperiled because of the uncertainty of human life. Men may die, but +the fabrics of our free institutions remain unshaken. No higher or more +assuring proof could exist of the strength and permanence of popular +government than the fact that though the chosen of the people be struck +down his constitutional successor is peacefully installed without shock +or strain except the sorrow which mourns the bereavement. All the noble +aspirations of my lamented predecessor which found expression in his +life, the measures devised and suggested during his brief Administration +to correct abuses, to enforce economy, to advance prosperity, and to +promote the general welfare, to insure domestic security and maintain +friendly and honorable relations with the nations of the earth, will be +garnered in the hearts of the people; and it will be my earnest endeavor +to profit, and to see that the nation shall profit, by his example and +experience. + +Prosperity blesses our country. Our fiscal policy is fixed by law, +is well grounded and generally approved. No threatening issue mars +our foreign intercourse, and the wisdom, integrity, and thrift of our +people may be trusted to continue undisturbed the present assured +career of peace, tranquillity, and welfare. The gloom and anxiety which +have enshrouded the country must make repose especially welcome now. +No demand for speedy legislation has been heard; no adequate occasion +is apparent for an unusual session of Congress. The Constitution defines +the functions and powers of the executive as clearly as those of either +of the other two departments of the Government, and he must answer for +the just exercise of the discretion it permits and the performance of the +duties it imposes. Summoned to these high duties and responsibilities +and profoundly conscious of their magnitude and gravity, I assume the +trust imposed by the Constitution, relying for aid on divine guidance +and the virtue, patriotism, and intelligence of the American people. + +SEPTEMBER 22, 1881. + + + + +PROCLAMATIONS. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas in His inscrutable wisdom it has pleased God to remove from us +the illustrious head of the nation, James A. Garfield, late President of +the United States; and + +Whereas it is fitting that the deep grief which fills all hearts should +manifest itself with one accord toward the throne of infinite grace, +and that we should bow before the Almighty and seek from Him that +consolation in our affliction and that sanctification of our loss which +He is able and willing to vouchsafe: + +Now, therefore, in obedience to sacred duty and in accordance with the +desire of the people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United +States of America, do hereby appoint Monday next, the 26th day of +September--on which day the remains of our honored and beloved dead +will be consigned to their last resting place on earth--to be observed +throughout the United States as a day of humiliation and mourning; and +I earnestly recommend all the people to assemble on that day in their +respective places of divine worship, there to render alike their tribute +of sorrowful submission to the will of Almighty God and of reverence and +love for the memory and character of our late Chief Magistrate. + + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed, + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, the 22d day of September, A.D. 1881, and +of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and +sixth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + JAMES G. BLAINE, + _Secretary of State._ + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas objects of interest to the United States require that the Senate +should be convened at an early day to receive and act upon such +communications as may be made to it on the part of the Executive: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, +have considered it to be my duty to issue this my proclamation, +declaring that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the +United States to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, +in the city of Washington, on Monday, the 10th day of October next, at +12 o'clock noon on that day, of which all who shall at that time be +entitled to act as members of that body are hereby required to take +notice. + +[SEAL.] + +Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, +the 23d day of September, A.D. 1881, and of the Independence of the +United States the one hundred and sixth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + JAMES G. BLAINE, + _Secretary of State._ + + + + +SPECIAL MESSAGES. + + +WASHINGTON, _October 26, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate a communication from the Secretary of +State, submitting the text, in the English and French languages, of the +proceedings of the International Sanitary Conference, provided for by +the joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America, held at Washington in the early part of 1881. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +_To the Senate_. + +I transmit herewith the report of the Secretary of State in answer to +the resolution of the Senate of October 14, with accompanying +document.[1] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +OCTOBER 24, 1881. + +[Footnote 1: letter of instruction to United States ministers in Europe +relative to protecting the rights and interests of the United States in +the projected interoceanic canal at Panama.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _October 26, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention between the United States and His Majesty the +King of Roumania, defining the rights, immunities, and privileges of +consular officers, signed on the 17th day of June, 1881. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +PROCLAMATION. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + + +It has long been the pious custom of our people, with the closing of the +year, to look back upon the blessings brought to them in the changing +course of the seasons and to return solemn thanks to the all-giving +source from whom they flow. And although at this period, when the +falling leaf admonishes us that the time of our sacred duty is at hand, +our nation still lies in the shadow of a great bereavement, and the +mourning which has filled our hearts still finds its sorrowful +expression toward the God before whom we but lately bowed in grief and +supplication, yet the countless benefits which have showered upon us +during the past twelvemonth call for our fervent gratitude and make it +fitting that we should rejoice with thankfulness that the Lord in His +infinite mercy has most signally favored our country and our people. +Peace without and prosperity within have been vouchsafed to us, no +pestilence has visited our shores, the abundant privileges of freedom +which our fathers left us in their wisdom are still our increasing +heritage; and if in parts of our vast domain sore affliction has visited +our brethren in their forest homes, yet even this calamity has been +tempered and in a manner sanctified by the generous compassion for the +sufferers which has been called forth throughout our land. For all these +things it is meet that the voice of the nation should go up to God in +devout homage. + +Wherefore I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do +recommend that all the people observe Thursday, the 24th day of November +instant, as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, by ceasing, so +far as may be, from their secular labors and meeting in their several +places of worship, there to join in ascribing honor and praise to +Almighty God, whose goodness has been so manifest in our history and in +our lives, and offering earnest prayers that His bounties may continue +to us and to our children. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, this 4th day of November, A.D. 1881, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and sixth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + JAMES G. BLAINE, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +EXECUTIVE ORDER.[2] + +[Footnote 2: Read by the Secretary of State before the people assembled +to celebrate the Yorktown Centennial.] + +YORKTOWN, VA., _October 19, 1881_. + +In recognition of the friendly relations so long and so happily +subsisting between Great Britain and the United States, in the trust and +confidence of peace and good will between the two countries for all the +centuries to come, and especially as a mark of the profound respect +entertained by the American people for the illustrious sovereign and +gracious lady who sits upon the British throne + +_It is hereby ordered_, That at the close of the ceremonies +commemorative of the valor and success of our forefathers in their +patriotic struggle for independence the British flag shall be saluted by +the forces of the Army and Navy of the United States now at Yorktown. + +The Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy will give orders +accordingly. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + JAMES G. BLAINE, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE. + +WASHINGTON, _December 6, 1881_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: + +An appalling calamity has befallen the American people since their +chosen representatives last met in the halls where you are now +assembled. We might else recall with unalloyed content the rare +prosperity with which throughout the year the nation has been blessed. +Its harvests have been plenteous; its varied industries have thriven; +the health of its people has been preserved; it has maintained with +foreign governments the undisturbed relations of amity and peace. For +these manifestations of His favor we owe to Him who holds our destiny +in His hands the tribute of our grateful devotion. + +To that mysterious exercise of His will which has taken from us the +loved and illustrious citizen who was but lately the head of the nation +we bow in sorrow and submission. + +The memory of his exalted character, of his noble achievements, and of +his patriotic life will be treasured forever as a sacred possession of +the whole people. + +The announcement of his death drew from foreign governments and peoples +tributes of sympathy and sorrow which history will record as signal +tokens of the kinship of nations and the federation of mankind. + +The feeling of good will between our own Government and that of Great +Britain was never more marked than at present. In recognition of this +pleasing fact I directed, on the occasion of the late centennial +celebration at Yorktown, that a salute be given to the British flag. + +Save for the correspondence to which I shall refer hereafter in relation +to the proposed canal across the Isthmus of Panama, little has occurred +worthy of mention in the diplomatic relations of the two countries. + +Early in the year the Fortune Bay claims were satisfactorily settled by +the British Government paying in full the sum of L15,000, most of which +has been already distributed. As the terms of the settlement included +compensation for injuries suffered by our fishermen at Aspee Bay, there +has been retained from the gross award a sum which is deemed adequate +for those claims. + +The participation of Americans in the exhibitions at Melbourne and +Sydney will be approvingly mentioned in the reports of the two +exhibitions, soon to be presented to Congress. They will disclose the +readiness of our countrymen to make successful competition in distant +fields of enterprise. + +Negotiations for an international copyright convention are in hopeful +progress. + +The surrender of Sitting Bull and his forces upon the Canadian frontier +has allayed apprehension, although bodies of British Indians still cross +the border in quest of sustenance. Upon this subject a correspondence +has been opened which promises an adequate understanding. Our troops +have orders to avoid meanwhile all collisions with alien Indians. + +The presence at the Yorktown celebration of representatives of the +French Republic and descendants of Lafayette and of his gallant +compatriots who were our allies in the Revolution has served to +strengthen the spirit of good will which has always existed between +the two nations. + +You will be furnished with the proceedings of the Bimetallic Conference +held during the summer at the city of Paris. No accord was reached, but +a valuable interchange of views was had, and the conference will next +year be renewed. + +At the Electrical Exhibition and Congress, also held at Paris, this +country was creditably represented by eminent specialists, who, in the +absence of an appropriation, generously lent their efficient aid at the +instance of the State Department. While our exhibitors in this almost +distinctively American field of achievement have won several valuable +awards, I recommend that Congress provide for the repayment of the +personal expenses incurred in the public interest by the honorary +commissioners and delegates. + +No new questions respecting the status of our naturalized citizens +in Germany have arisen during the year, and the causes of complaint, +especially in Alsace and Lorraine, have practically ceased through +the liberal action of the Imperial Government in accepting our +often-expressed views on the subject. The application of the treaty of +1868 to the lately acquired Rhenish provinces has received very earnest +attention, and a definite and lasting agreement on this point is +confidently expected. The participation of the descendants of Baron von +Steuben in the Yorktown festivities, and their subsequent reception by +their American kinsmen, strikingly evinced the ties of good will which +unite the German people and our own. + +Our intercourse with Spain has been friendly. An agreement concluded in +February last fixes a term for the labors of the Spanish and American +Claims Commission. The Spanish Government has been requested to pay the +late awards of that Commission, and will, it is believed, accede to the +request as promptly and courteously as on former occasions. + +By recent legislation onerous fines have been imposed upon American +shipping in Spanish and colonial ports for slight irregularities in +manifests. One case of hardship is specially worthy of attention. The +bark _Masonic_, bound for Japan, entered Manila in distress, and is +there sought to be confiscated under Spanish revenue laws for an alleged +shortage in her transshipped cargo. Though efforts for her relief have +thus far proved unavailing, it is expected that the whole matter will be +adjusted in a friendly spirit. + +The Senate resolutions of condolence on the assassination of the Czar +Alexander II were appropriately communicated to the Russian Government, +which in turn has expressed its sympathy in our late national +bereavement. It is desirable that our cordial relations with Russia +should be strengthened by proper engagements assuring to peaceable +Americans who visit the Empire the consideration which is due to them as +citizens of a friendly state. This is especially needful with respect to +American Israelites, whose classification with the native Hebrews has +evoked energetic remonstrances from this Government. + +A supplementary consular agreement with Italy has been sanctioned and +proclaimed, which puts at rest conflicts of jurisdiction in the case of +crimes on shipboard. + +Several important international conferences have been held in Italy +during the year. At the Geographical Congress of Venice, the Beneficence +Congress of Milan, and the Hygienic Congress of Turin this country was +represented by delegates from branches of the public service or by +private citizens duly accredited in an honorary capacity. It is hoped +that Congress will give such prominence to the results of their +participation as they may seem to deserve. + +The abolition of all discriminating duties against such colonial +productions of the Dutch East Indies as are imported hither from Holland +has been already considered by Congress. I trust that at the present +session the matter may be favorably concluded. + +The insecurity of life and property in many parts of Turkey has given +rise to correspondence with the Porte looking particularly to the better +protection of American missionaries in the Empire. The condemned +murderer of the eminent missionary Dr. Justin W. Parsons has not yet +been executed, although this Government has repeatedly demanded that +exemplary justice be done. + +The Swiss Government has again solicited the good offices of our +diplomatic and consular agents for the protection of its citizens in +countries where it is not itself represented. This request has, within +proper limits, been granted. + +Our agents in Switzerland have been instructed to protest against the +conduct of the authorities of certain communes in permitting the +emigration to this country of criminals and other objectionable persons. +Several such persons, through the cooperation of the commissioners of +emigration at New York, have been sent back by the steamers which +brought them. A continuance of this course may prove a more effectual +remedy than diplomatic remonstrance. + +Treaties of commerce and navigation and for the regulation of consular +privileges have been concluded with Roumania and Servia since their +admission into the family of European States. + +As is natural with contiguous states having like institutions and +like aims of advancement and development, the friendship of the United +States and Mexico has been constantly maintained. This Government has +lost no occasion of encouraging the Mexican Government to a beneficial +realization of the mutual advantages which will result from more +intimate commercial intercourse and from the opening of the rich +interior of Mexico to railway enterprise. I deem it important that means +be provided to restrain the lawlessness unfortunately so common on the +frontier and to suppress the forays of the reservation Indians on either +side of the Rio Grande. + +The neighboring States of Central America have preserved internal peace, +and their outward relations toward us have been those of intimate +friendship. There are encouraging signs of their growing disposition to +subordinate their local interests to those which are common to them by +reason of their geographical relations. + +The boundary dispute between Guatemala and Mexico has afforded this +Government an opportunity to exercise its good offices for preventing a +rupture between those States and for procuring a peaceable solution of +the question. I cherish strong hope that in view of our relations of +amity with both countries our friendly counsels may prevail. + +A special envoy of Guatemala has brought to me the condolences of his +Government and people on the death of President Garfield. + +The Costa Rican Government lately framed an engagement with Colombia for +settling boy arbitration the boundary question between those countries, +providing that the post of arbitrator should be offered successively to +the King of the Belgians, the King of Spain, and the President of the +Argentine Confederation. The King of the Belgians has declined to act, +but I am not as yet advised of the action of the King of Spain. As we +have certain interests in the disputed territory which are protected by +our treaty engagements with one of the parties, it is important that the +arbitration should not without our consent affect our rights, and this +Government has accordingly thought proper to make its views known to the +parties to the agreement, as well as to intimate them to the Belgian and +Spanish Governments. + +The questions growing out of the proposed interoceanic waterway across +the Isthmus of Panama are of grave national importance. This Government +has not been unmindful of the solemn obligations imposed upon it by its +compact of 1846 with Colombia, as the independent and sovereign mistress +of the territory crossed by the canal, and has sought to render them +effective by fresh engagements with the Colombian Republic looking to +their practical execution. The negotiations to this end, after they had +reached what appeared to be a mutually satisfactory solution here, were +met in Colombia by a disavowal of the powers which its envoy had assumed +and by a proposal for renewed negotiation on a modified basis. + +Meanwhile this Government learned that Colombia had proposed to the +European powers to join in a guaranty of the neutrality of the proposed +Panama canal--a guaranty which would be in direct contravention of our +obligation as the sole guarantor of the integrity of Colombian territory +and of the neutrality of the canal itself. My lamented predecessor felt +it his duty to place before the European powers the reasons which make +the prior guaranty of the United States indispensable, and for which the +interjection of any foreign guaranty might be regarded as a superfluous +and unfriendly act. + +Foreseeing the probable reliance of the British Government on the +provisions of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty of 1850 as affording room for a +share in the guaranties which the United States covenanted with Colombia +four years before, I have not hesitated to supplement the action of my +predecessor by proposing to Her Majesty's Government the modification of +that instrument and the abrogation of such clauses thereof as do not +comport with the obligations of the United States toward Colombia or +with the vital needs of the two friendly parties to the compact. + +This Government sees with great concern the continuance of the hostile +relations between Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. An early peace between these +Republics is much to be desired, not only that they may themselves be +spared further misery and bloodshed, but because their continued +antagonism threatens consequences which are, in my judgment, dangerous +to the interests of republican government on this continent and +calculated to destroy the best elements of our free and peaceful +civilization. + +As in the present excited condition of popular feeling in these +countries there has been serious misapprehension of the position of the +United States, and as separate diplomatic intercourse with each through +independent ministers is sometimes subject, owing to the want of prompt +reciprocal communication, to temporary misunderstanding, I have deemed +it judicious at the present time to send a special envoy accredited to +all and each of them, and furnished with general instructions which +will, I trust, enable him to bring these powers into friendly relations. + +The Government of Venezuela maintains its attitude of warm friendship +and continues with great regularity its payment of the monthly quota of +the diplomatic debt. Without suggesting the direction in which Congress +should act, I ask its attention to the pending questions affecting the +distribution of the sums thus far received. + +The relations between Venezuela and France growing out of the same +debt have been for some time past in an unsatisfactory state, and +this Government, as the neighbor and one of the largest creditors of +Venezuela, has interposed its influence with the French Government with +the view of producing a friendly and honorable adjustment. + +I regret that the commercial interests between the United States and +Brazil, from which great advantages were hoped a year ago, have suffered +from the withdrawal of the American lines of communication between the +Brazilian ports and our own. + +Through the efforts of our minister resident at Buenos Ayres and the +United States minister at Santiago, a treaty has been concluded between +the Argentine Republic and Chile, disposing of the long-pending +Patagonian boundary question. It is a matter of congratulation that our +Government has been afforded the opportunity of successfully exerting +its good influence for the prevention of disagreements between these +Republics of the American continent. + +I am glad to inform you that the treaties lately negotiated with China +have been duly ratified on both sides and the exchange made at Peking. +Legislation is necessary to carry their provisions into effect. The +prompt and friendly spirit with which the Chinese Government, at the +request of the United States, conceded the modification of existing +treaties should secure careful regard for the interests and +susceptibilities of that Government in the enactment of any laws +relating to Chinese immigration. + +Those clauses of the treaties which forbid the participation of citizens +or vessels of the United States in the opium trade will doubtless +receive your approval. They will attest the sincere interest which our +people and Government feel in the commendable efforts of the Chinese +Government to put a stop to this demoralizing and destructive traffic. + +In relation both to China and Japan some changes are desirable in our +present system of consular jurisdiction. I hope at some future time to +lay before you a scheme for its improvement in the entire East. + +The intimacy between our own country and Japan, the most advanced of the +Eastern nations, continues to be cordial. I am advised that the Emperor +contemplates the establishment of full constitutional government, and +that he has already summoned a parliamentary congress for the purpose +of effecting the change. Such a remarkable step toward complete +assimilation with the Western system can not fail to bring Japan into +closer and more beneficial relationship with ourselves as the chief +Pacific power. + +A question has arisen in relation to the exercise in that country of +the judicial functions conferred upon our ministers and consuls. The +indictment, trial, and conviction in the consular court at Yokohama of +John Ross, a merchant seaman on board an American vessel, have made it +necessary for the Government to institute a careful examination into +the nature and methods of this jurisdiction. + +It appeared that Ross was regularly shipped under the flag of the United +States, but was by birth a British subject. My predecessor felt it his +duty to maintain the position that during his service as a regularly +shipped seaman on board an American merchant vessel Ross was subject to +the laws of that service and to the jurisdiction of the United States +consular authorities. + +I renew the recommendation which has been heretofore urged by the +Executive upon the attention of Congress, that after the deduction of +such amount as may be found due to American citizens the balance of the +indemnity funds heretofore obtained from China and Japan, and which are +now in the hands of the State Department, be returned to the Governments +of those countries. + +The King of Hawaii, in the course of his homeward return after a journey +around the world, has lately visited this country. While our relations +with that Kingdom are friendly, this Government has viewed with concern +the efforts to seek replenishment of the diminishing population of the +islands from outward sources, to a degree which may impair the native +sovereignty and independence, in which the United States was among the +first to testify a lively interest. + +Relations of unimpaired amity have been maintained throughout the year +with the respective Governments of Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, +Hayti, Paraguay and Uruguay, Portugal, and Sweden and Norway. This may +also be said of Greece and Ecuador, although our relations with those +States have for some years been severed by the withdrawal of +appropriations for diplomatic representatives at Athens and Quito. It +seems expedient to restore those missions, even on a reduced scale, and +I decidedly recommend such a course with respect to Ecuador, which is +likely within the near future to play an important part among the +nations of the Southern Pacific. + +At its last extra session the Senate called for the text of the Geneva +convention for the relief of the wounded in war. I trust that this +action foreshadows such interest in the subject as will result in the +adhesion of the United States to that humane and commendable engagement. + +I invite your attention to the propriety of adopting the new code of +international rules for the prevention of collisions on the high seas +and of conforming the domestic legislation of the United States thereto, +so that no confusion may arise from the application of conflicting rules +in the case of vessels of different nationalities meeting in tidal +waters. These international rules differ but slightly from our own. They +have been adopted by the Navy Department for the governance of the war +ships of the United States on the high seas and in foreign waters, and, +through the action of the State Department in disseminating the rules +and in acquainting shipmasters with the option of conforming to them +without the jurisdictional waters of the United States, they are now +very generally known and obeyed. + +The State Department still continues to publish to the country the trade +and manufacturing reports received from its officers abroad. The success +of this course warrants its continuance and such appropriation as may be +required to meet the rapidly increasing demand for these publications. +With special reference to the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, the October +number of the reports was devoted to a valuable collection of papers on +the cotton-goods trade of the world. + +The International Sanitary Conference for which, in 1879, Congress made +provision assembled in this city early in January last, and its sessions +were prolonged until March. Although it reached no specific conclusions +affecting the future action of the participant powers, the interchange +of views proved to be most valuable. The full protocols of the sessions +have been already presented to the Senate. + +As pertinent to this general subject, I call your attention to the +operations of the National Board of Health. Established by act of +Congress approved March 3, 1879, its sphere of duty was enlarged by the +act of June 2 in the same year. By the last-named act the board was +required to institute such measures as might be deemed necessary for +preventing the introduction of contagious or infectious diseases from +foreign countries into the United States or from one State into another. + +The execution of the rules and regulations prepared by the board and +approved by my predecessor has done much to arrest the progress of +epidemic disease, and has thus rendered substantial service to the +nation. + +The International Sanitary Conference, to which I have referred, adopted +a form of a bill of health to be used by all vessels seeking to enter +the ports of the countries whose representatives participated in its +deliberations. This form has since been prescribed by the National Board +of Health and incorporated with its rules and regulations, which have +been approved by me in pursuance of law. + +The health of the people is of supreme importance. All measures looking +to their protection against the spread of contagious diseases and to the +increase of our sanitary knowledge for such purposes deserve attention +of Congress. + +The report of the Secretary of the Treasury presents in detail a highly +satisfactory exhibit of the state of the finances and the condition of +the various branches of the public service administered by that +Department. + + +The ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal year ending June +30, 1881, were: + + From customs $198,159,676.02 + From internal revenue 135,264,385.51 + From sales of public lands 2,201,863.17 + From tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 8,116,115.72 + From repayment of interest by Pacific Railway companies 810,833.80 + From sinking fund for Pacific Railway companies 805,180.54 + From customs fees, fines, penalties, etc. 1,225,514.86 + From fees--consular, letters patent, and lands 2,244,983.98 + From proceeds of sales of Government property 262,174.00 + From profits on coinage 3,468,485.61 + From revenues of the District of Columbia 2,016,199.23 + From miscellaneous sources 6,206,880.13 + ______________ + Total ordinary receipts 360,782,292.57 + + +The ordinary expenditures for the same period were: + + + For civil expenses $17,941,177.19 + For foreign intercourse 1,093,954.92 + For Indians 6,514,161.09 + For pensions 50,059,279.62 + For the military establishment, including river + and harbor improvements and arsenals 40,466,460.55 + For the naval establishment, including vessels, + machinery, and improvements at navy-yards 15,686,671.66 + For miscellaneous expenditures, including public + buildings, light-houses, and collecting the revenue 41,837,280.57 + For expenditures on account of the District of Columbia 3,543,912.03 + For interest on the public debt 82,508,741.18 + For premium on bonds purchased 1,061,248.78 + ______________ + Total ordinary expenditures 260,712,887.59 + + +Leaving a surplus revenue of $100,069,404.98, which was applied as +follows: + + To the redemption of-- + + Bonds for the sinking fund $74,371,200.00 + Fractional currency for the sinking fund 109,001.05 + Loan of February, 1861 7,418,000.00 + Ten-forties of 1864 2,016,150.00 + Five-twenties of 1862 18,300.00 + Five-twenties of 1864 3,400.00 + Five-twenties of 1865 37,300.00 + Consols of 1865 143,150.00 + Consols of 1867 959,150.00 + Consols of 1868 337,400.00 + Texan indemnity stock 1,000.00 + Old demand, compound-interest, and other notes 18,330.00 + And to the increase of cash in the Treasury 14,637,023.93 + ______________ + 100,069,404.98 + +The requirements of the sinking fund for the year amounted to +$90,786,064.02, which sum included a balance of $49,817,128.78, not +provided for during the previous fiscal year. The sum of $74,480,201.05 +was applied to this fund, which left a deficit of $16,305,873.47. The +increase of the revenues for 1881 over those of the previous year was +$29,352,901.10. It is estimated that the receipts during the present +fiscal year will reach $400,000,000 and the expenditures $270,000,000, +leaving a surplus of $130,000,000 applicable to the sinking fund and the +redemption of the public debt. + +I approve the recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury that +provision be made for the early retirement of silver certificates and +that the act requiring their issue be repealed. They were issued in +pursuance of the policy of the Government to maintain silver at or near +the gold standard, and were accordingly made receivable for all customs, +taxes, and public dues. About sixty-six millions of them are now +outstanding. They form an unnecessary addition to the paper currency, +a sufficient amount of which may be readily supplied by the national +banks. + +In accordance with the act of February 28, 1878, the Treasury Department +has monthly caused at least two millions in value of silver bullion to +be coined into standard silver dollars. One hundred and two millions of +these dollars have been already coined, while only about thirty-four +millions are in circulation. + +For the reasons which he specifies, I concur in the Secretary's +recommendation that the provision for coinage of a fixed amount each +month be repealed, and that hereafter only so much be coined as shall be +necessary to supply the demand. + +The Secretary advises that the issue of gold certificates should not +for the present be resumed, and suggests that the national banks may +properly be forbidden by law to retire their currency except upon +reasonable notice of their intention so to do. Such legislation would +seem to be justified by the recent action of certain banks on the +occasion referred to in the Secretary's report. + +Of the fifteen millions of fractional currency still outstanding, only +about eighty thousand has been redeemed the past year. The suggestion +that this amount may properly be dropped from future statements of the +public debt seems worthy of approval. + +So also does the suggestion of the Secretary as to the advisability of +relieving the calendar of the United States courts in the southern +district of New York by the transfer to another tribunal of the numerous +suits there pending against collectors. + +The revenue from customs for the past fiscal year was $198,159,676.02, +an increase of $11,637,611.42 over that of the year preceding. One +hundred and thirty-eight million ninety-eight thousand five hundred and +sixty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents of this amount was collected at +the port of New York, leaving $50,251,113.63 as the amount collected +at all the other ports of the country. Of this sum $47,977,137.63 was +collected on sugar, melado, and molasses; $27,285,624.78 on wool and its +manufactures; $21,462,534.34 on iron and steel and manufactures thereof; +$19,038,665.81 on manufactures of silk; $10,825,115.21 on manufactures +of cotton, and $6,469,643.04 on wines and spirits, making a total +revenue from these sources of $133,058,720.81. + +The expenses of collection for the past year were $6,419,345.20, an +increase over the preceding year of $387,410.04. Notwithstanding the +increase in the revenue from customs over the preceding year, the gross +value of the imports, including free goods, decreased over $25,000,000. +The most marked decrease was in the value of unmanufactured wool, +$14,023,682, and in that of scrap and pig iron, $12,810,671. The value +of imported sugar, on the other hand, showed an increase of $7,457,474; +of steel rails, $4,345,521; of barley, $2,154,204, and of steel in bars, +ingots, etc., $1,620,046. + +Contrasted with the imports during the last fiscal year, the exports +were as follows: + + + Domestic merchandise $883,925,947 + Foreign merchandise 18,451,399 + _____________ + Total 902,377,346 + + Imports of merchandise 642,664,628 + _____________ + Excess of exports over imports of merchandise 259,712,718 + + Aggregate of exports and imports 1,545,041,974 + + +Compared with the previous year, there was an increase of $66,738,688 +in the value of exports of merchandise and a decrease of $25,290,118 +in the value of imports. The annual average of the excess of imports +of merchandise over exports thereof for ten years previous to June +30, 1873, was $104,706,922, but for the last six years there has +been an excess of exports over imports of merchandise amounting to +$1,180,668,105, an annual average of $196,778,017. The specie value +of the exports of domestic merchandise was $376,616,473 in 1870 and +$883,925,947 in 1881, an increase of $507,309,474, or 135 per cent. +The value of imports was $435,958,408 in 1870 and $642,664,628 in 1881, +an increase of $206,706,220, or 47 per cent. + +During each year from 1862 to 1879, inclusive, the exports of specie +exceeded the imports. The largest excess of such exports over imports +was reached during the year 1864, when it amounted to $92,280,929. But +during the year ended June 30, 1880, the imports of coin and bullion +exceeded the exports by $75,891,391, and during the last fiscal year +the excess of imports over exports was $91,168,650. + +In the last annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury the attention +of Congress was called to the fact that $469,651,050 in 5 per cent bonds +and $203,573,750 in 6 per cent bonds would become redeemable during the +year, and Congress was asked to authorize the refunding of these bonds +at a lower rate of interest. The bill for such refunding having failed +to become a law, the Secretary of the Treasury in April last notified +the holders of the $195,690,400 6 per cent bonds then outstanding that +the bonds would be paid at par on the 1st day of July following, or that +they might be "continued" at the pleasure of the Government, to bear +interest at the rate of 3-1/2 per cent per annum. + +Under this notice $178,055,150 of the 6 per cent bonds were continued at +the lower rate and $17,635,250 were redeemed. + +In the month of May a like notice was given respecting the redemption +or continuance of the $439,841,350 of 5 per cent bonds then outstanding, +and of these $401,504,900 were continued at 3-1/3 per cent per annum and +$38,336,450 redeemed. + +The 6 per cent bonds of the loan of February 8, 1861, and of the Oregon +war debt, amounting together to $14,125,800, having matured during the +year, the Secretary of the Treasury gave notice of his intention to +redeem the same, and such as have been presented have been paid from the +surplus revenues. There have also been redeemed at par $16,179,100 of +the 3-1/2 per cent "continued" bonds, making a total of bonds redeemed +or which have ceased to bear interest during the year of $123,969,650. + +The reduction of the annual interest on the public debt through these +transactions is as follows: + + + By reduction of interest to 3-1/2 per cent. $10,473,952.25 + By redemption of bonds 6,352,340.00 + _____________ + Total 16,826,292.25 + + +The 3-1/2 per cent bonds, being payable at the pleasure of the +Government, are available for the investment of surplus revenues without +the payment of premiums. + +Unless these bonds can be funded at a much lower rate of interest than +they now bear, I agree with the Secretary of the Treasury that no +legislation respecting them is desirable. + +It is a matter for congratulation that the business of the country +has been so prosperous during the past year as to yield by taxation +a large surplus of income to the Government. If the revenue laws remain +unchanged, this surplus must year by year increase, on account of the +reduction of the public debt and its burden of interest and because +of the rapid increase of our population. In 1860, just prior to the +institution of our internal-revenue system, our population but slightly +exceeded 30,000,000; by the census of 1880 it is now found to exceed +50,000,000. It is estimated that even if the annual receipts and +expenditures should continue as at present the entire debt could be +paid in ten years. + +In view, however, of the heavy load of taxation which our people have +already borne, we may well consider whether it is not the part of wisdom +to reduce the revenues, even if we delay a little the payment of the +debt. + +It seems to me that the time has arrived when the people may justly +demand some relief from their present onerous burden, and that by due +economy in the various branches of the public service this may readily +be afforded. + +I therefore concur with the Secretary in recommending the abolition +of all internal-revenue taxes except those upon tobacco in its various +forms and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors, and except also +the special tax upon the manufacturers of and dealers in such articles. +The retention of the latter tax is desirable as affording the officers +of the Government a proper supervision of these articles for the +prevention of fraud. I agree with the Secretary of the Treasury that the +law imposing a stamp tax upon matches, proprietary articles, playing +cards, checks, and drafts may with propriety be repealed, and the law +also by which banks and bankers are assessed upon their capital and +deposits. There seems to be a general sentiment in favor of this course. + +In the present condition of our revenues the tax upon deposits is +especially unjust. It was never imposed in this country until it was +demanded by the necessities of war, and was never exacted, I believe, in +any other country even in its greatest exigencies. Banks are required to +secure their circulation by pledging with the Treasurer of the United +States bonds of the General Government. The interest upon these bonds, +which at the time when the tax was imposed was 6 per cent, is now in +most instances 3-1/2 per cent. Besides, the entire circulation was +originally limited by law and no increase was allowable. When the +existing banks had practically a monopoly of the business, there was +force in the suggestion that for the franchise to the favored grantees +the Government might very properly exact a tax on circulation; but for +years the system has been free and the amount of circulation regulated +by the public demand. + +The retention of this tax has been suggested as a means of reimbursing +the Government for the expense of printing and furnishing the +circulating notes. If the tax should be repealed, it would certainly +seem proper to require the national banks to pay the amount of such +expense to the Comptroller of the Currency. + +It is perhaps doubtful whether the immediate reduction of the rate of +taxation upon liquors and tobacco is advisable, especially in view of +the drain upon the Treasury which must attend the payment of arrears of +pensions. A comparison, however, of the amount of taxes collected under +the varying rates of taxation which have at different times prevailed +suggests the intimation that some reduction may soon be made without +material diminution of the revenue. + +The tariff laws also need revision; but, that a due regard may be paid +to the conflicting interests of our citizens, important changes should +be made with caution. If a careful revision can not be made at this +session, a commission such as was lately approved by the Senate and is +now recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury would doubtless lighten +the labors of Congress whenever this subject shall be brought to its +consideration. + +The accompanying report of the Secretary of War will make known to you +the operations of that Department for the past year. + +He suggests measures for promoting the efficiency of the Army without +adding to the number of its officers, and recommends the legislation +necessary to increase the number of enlisted men to 30,000, the maximum +allowed by law. + +This he deems necessary to maintain quietude on our ever-shifting +frontier; to preserve peace and suppress disorder and marauding in new +settlements; to protect settlers and their property against Indians, and +Indians against the encroachments of intruders; and to enable peaceable +immigrants to establish homes in the most remote parts of our country. + +The Army is now necessarily scattered over such a vast extent of +territory that whenever an outbreak occurs reenforcements must be +hurried from many quarters, over great distances, and always at heavy +cost for transportation of men, horses, wagons, and supplies. + +I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary for increasing the Army +to the strength of 30,000 enlisted men. + +It appears by the Secretary's report that in the absence of disturbances +on the frontier the troops have been actively employed in collecting the +Indians hitherto hostile and locating them on their proper reservations; +that Sitting Bull and his adherents are now prisoners at Fort Randall; +that the Utes have been moved to their new reservation in Utah; that +during the recent outbreak of the Apaches it was necessary to reenforce +the garrisons in Arizona by troops withdrawn from New Mexico; and that +some of the Apaches are now held prisoners for trial, while some have +escaped, and the majority of the tribe are now on their reservation. + +There is need of legislation to prevent intrusion upon the lands set +apart for the Indians. A large military force, at great expense, is +now required to patrol the boundary line between Kansas and the Indian +Territory. The only punishment that can at present be inflicted is the +forcible removal of the intruder and the imposition of a pecuniary fine, +which in most cases it is impossible to collect. There should be a +penalty by imprisonment in such cases. + +The separate organization of the Signal Service is urged by the +Secretary of War, and a full statement of the advantages of such +permanent organization is presented in the report of the Chief Signal +Officer. A detailed account of the useful work performed by the Signal +Corps and the Weather Bureau is also given in that report. + +I ask attention to the statements of the Secretary of War regarding the +requisitions frequently made by the Indian Bureau upon the Subsistence +Department of the Army for the casual support of bands and tribes of +Indians whose appropriations are exhausted. The War Department should +not be left, by reason of inadequate provision for the Indian Bureau, +to contribute for the maintenance of Indians. + +The report of the Chief of Engineers furnishes a detailed account of the +operations for the improvement of rivers and harbors. + +I commend to your attention the suggestions contained in this report in +regard to the condition of our fortifications, especially our coast +defenses, and recommend an increase of the strength of the Engineer +Battalion, by which the efficiency of our torpedo system would be +improved. + +I also call your attention to the remarks upon the improvement of the +South Pass of the Mississippi River, the proposed free bridge over the +Potomac River at Georgetown, the importance of completing at an early +day the north wing of the War Department building, and other +recommendations of the Secretary of War which appear in his report. + +The actual expenditures of that Department for the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1881, were $42,122,201.39. The appropriations for the year 1882 +were $44,889,725.42. The estimates for 1883 are $44,541,276.91. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the condition of +that branch of the service and presents valuable suggestions for its +improvement. I call your especial attention also to the appended report +of the Advisory Board which he convened to devise suitable measures for +increasing the efficiency of the Navy, and particularly to report as to +the character and number of vessels necessary to place it upon a footing +commensurate with the necessities of the Government. + +I can not too strongly urge upon you my conviction that every +consideration of national safety, economy, and honor imperatively +demands a thorough rehabilitation of our Navy. + +With a full appreciation of the fact that compliance with the +suggestions of the head of that Department and of the Advisory Board +must involve a large expenditure of the public moneys, I earnestly +recommend such appropriations as will accomplish an end which seems to +me so desirable. + +Nothing can be more inconsistent with true public economy than +withholding the means necessary to accomplish the objects intrusted by +the Constitution to the National Legislature. One of those objects, and +one which is of paramount importance, is declared by our fundamental law +to be the provision for the "common defense." Surely nothing is more +essential to the defense of the United States and of all our people +than the efficiency of our Navy. + +We have for many years maintained with foreign governments the relations +of honorable peace, and that such relations may be permanent is desired +by every patriotic citizen of the Republic. But if we heed the teachings +of history we shall not forget that in the life of every nation +emergencies may arise when a resort to arms can alone save it from +dishonor. + +No danger from abroad now threatens this people, nor have we any cause +to distrust the friendly professions of other governments. But for +avoiding as well as for repelling dangers that may threaten us in the +future we must be prepared to enforce any policy which we think wise to +adopt. + +We must be ready to defend our harbors against aggression; to protect, +by the distribution of our ships of war over the highways of commerce, +the varied interests of our foreign trade and the persons and property +of our citizens abroad; to maintain everywhere the honor of our flag and +the distinguished position which we may rightfully claim among the +nations of the world. + +The report of the Postmaster-General is a gratifying exhibit of the +growth and efficiency of the postal service. + +The receipts from postage and other ordinary sources during the past +fiscal year were $36,489,816.58. The receipts from the money-order +business were $295,581.39, making a total of $36,785,397.97. The +expenditure for the fiscal year was $39,251,736.46. The deficit supplied +out of the general Treasury was $2,481,129.35, or 6.3 per cent of the +amount expended. The receipts were $3,469,918.63 in excess of those of +the previous year, and $4,575,397.97 in excess of the estimate made two +years ago, before the present period of business prosperity had fairly +begun. + +The whole number of letters mailed in this country in the last fiscal +year exceeded 1,000,000,000. + +The registry system is reported to be in excellent condition, having +been remodeled during the past four years with good results. The amount +of registration fees collected during the last fiscal year was +$712,882.20, an increase over the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, of +$345,443.40. + +The entire number of letters and packages registered during the year was +8,338,919, of which only 2,061 were lost or destroyed in transit. + +The operations of the money-order system are multiplying yearly under +the impulse of immigration, of the rapid development of the newer States +and Territories, and the consequent demand for additional means of +intercommunication and exchange. + +During the past year 338 additional money-order offices have been +established, making a total of 5,499 in operation at the date of this +report. + +During the year the domestic money orders aggregated in value +$105,075,769.35 + +A modification of the system is suggested, reducing the fees for money +orders not exceeding $5 from 10 cents to 5 cents and making the maximum +limit $100 in place of $50. + +Legislation for the disposition of unclaimed money orders in the +possession of the Post-Office Department is recommended, in view of the +fact that their total value now exceeds $1,000,000. + +The attention of Congress is again invited to the subject of +establishing a system of savings depositories in connection with the +Post-Office Department. + +The statistics of mail transportation show that during the past year +railroad routes have been increased in length 6,249 miles and in cost +$1,114,382, while steamboat routes have been decreased in length 2,182 +miles and in cost $134,054. The so-called star routes have been +decreased in length 3,949 miles and in cost $364,144. + +Nearly all of the more expensive routes have been superseded by railroad +service. The cost of the star service must therefore rapidly decrease in +the Western States and Territories. + +The Postmaster-General, however, calls attention to the constantly +increasing cost of the railway mail service as a serious difficulty in +the way of making the Department self-sustaining. + +Our postal intercourse with foreign countries has kept pace with the +growth of the domestic service. Within the past year several countries +and colonies have declared their adhesion to the Postal Union. It now +includes all those which have an organized postal service except +Bolivia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and the British colonies in Australia. + +As has been already stated, great reductions have recently been made +in the expense of the star-route service. The investigations of the +Department of Justice and the Post-Office Department have resulted in +the presentation of indictments against persons formerly connected with +that service, accusing them of offenses against the United States. I +have enjoined upon the officials who are charged with the conduct of the +cases on the part of the Government, and upon the eminent counsel who +before my accession to the Presidency were called to their assistance, +the duty of prosecuting with the utmost vigor of the law all persons who +may be found chargeable with frauds upon the postal service. + +The Acting Attorney-General calls attention to the necessity of +modifying the present system of the courts of the United States--a +necessity due to the large increase of business, especially in the +Supreme Court. Litigation in our Federal tribunals became greatly +expanded after the close of the late war. So long as that expansion +might be attributable to the abnormal condition in which the community +found itself immediately after the return of peace, prudence required +that no change be made in the constitution of our judicial tribunals. +But it has now become apparent that an immense increase of litigation +has directly resulted from the wonderful growth and development of the +country. There is no ground for belief that the business of the United +States courts will ever be less in volume than at present. Indeed, that +it is likely to be much greater is generally recognized by the bench and +bar. + +In view of the fact that Congress has already given much consideration +to this subject, I make no suggestion as to detail, but express the hope +that your deliberations may result in such legislation as will give +early relief to our overburdened courts. + +The Acting Attorney-General also calls attention to the disturbance +of the public tranquillity during the past year in the Territory of +Arizona. A band of armed desperadoes known as "Cowboys," probably +numbering from fifty to one hundred men, have been engaged for months in +committing acts of lawlessness and brutality which the local authorities +have been unable to repress. The depredations of these "Cowboys" have +also extended into Mexico, which the marauders reach from the Arizona +frontier. With every disposition to meet the exigencies of the case, +I am embarrassed by lack of authority to deal with them effectually. +The punishment of crimes committed within Arizona should ordinarily, +of course, be left to the Territorial authorities; but it is worthy +consideration whether acts which necessarily tend to embroil the United +States with neighboring governments should not be declared crimes +against the United States. Some of the incursions alluded to may perhaps +be within the scope of the law (U.S. Revised Statutes, sec. 5286) +forbidding "military expeditions or enterprises" against friendly +states; but in view of the speedy assembling of your body I have +preferred to await such legislation as in your wisdom the occasion may +seem to demand. + +It may perhaps be thought proper to provide that the setting on foot +within our own territory of brigandage and armed marauding expeditions +against friendly nations and their citizens shall be punishable as an +offense against the United States. + +I will add that in the event of a request from the Territorial +government for protection by the United States against "domestic +violence" this Government would be powerless to render assistance. + +The act of 1795, chapter 36, passed at a time when Territorial +governments received little attention from Congress, enforced this duty +of the United States only as to the State governments. But the act of +1807, chapter 39, applied also to Territories. This law seems to have +remained in force until the revision of the statutes, when the provision +for the Territories was dropped. I am not advised whether this +alteration was intentional or accidental; but as it seems to me that the +Territories should be offered the protection which is accorded to the +States by the Constitution, I suggest legislation to that end. + +It seems to me, too, that whatever views may prevail as to the policy +of recent legislation by which the Army has ceased to be a part of the +_posse comitatus_, an exception might well be made for permitting +the military to assist the civil Territorial authorities in enforcing +the laws of the United States. This use of the Army would not seem to +be within the alleged evil against which that legislation was aimed. +From sparseness of population and other circumstances it is often quite +impracticable to summon a civil posse in places where officers of +justice require assistance and where a military force is within easy +reach. + +The report of the Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying +documents, presents an elaborate account of the business of that +Department. A summary of it would be too extended for this place. I ask +your careful attention to the report itself. + +Prominent among the matters which challenge the attention of Congress at +its present session is the management of our Indian affairs. While this +question has been a cause of trouble and embarrassment from the infancy +of the Government, it is but recently that any effort has been made for +its solution at once serious, determined, consistent, and promising +success. + +It has been easier to resort to convenient makeshifts for tiding over +temporary difficulties than to grapple with the great permanent problem, +and accordingly the easier course has almost invariably been pursued. + +It was natural, at a time when the national territory seemed almost +illimitable and contained many millions of acres far outside the bounds +of civilized settlements, that a policy should have been initiated which +more than aught else has been the fruitful source of our Indian +complications. + +I refer, of course, to the policy of dealing with the various Indian +tribes as separate nationalities, of relegating them by treaty +stipulations to the occupancy of immense reservations in the West, and +of encouraging them to live a savage life, undisturbed by any earnest +and well-directed efforts to bring them under the influences of +civilization. + +The unsatisfactory results which have sprung from this policy are +becoming apparent to all. + +As the white settlements have crowded the borders of the reservations, +the Indians, sometimes contentedly and sometimes against their will, +have been transferred to other hunting grounds, from which they have +again been dislodged whenever their new-found homes have Keen desired +by the adventurous settlers. + +These removals and the frontier collisions by which they have often been +preceded have led to frequent and disastrous conflicts between the +races. + +It is profitless to discuss here which of them has been chiefly +responsible for the disturbances whose recital occupies so large a space +upon the pages of our history. + +We have to deal with the appalling fact that though thousands of lives +have been sacrificed and hundreds of millions of dollars expended in the +attempt to solve the Indian problem, it has until within the past few +years seemed scarcely nearer a solution than it was half a century ago. +But the Government has of late been cautiously but steadily feeling its +way to the adoption of a policy which has already produced gratifying +results, and which, in my judgment, is likely, if Congress and the +Executive accord in its support, to relieve us ere long from the +difficulties which have hitherto beset us. + +For the success of the efforts now making to introduce among the Indians +the customs and pursuits of civilized life and gradually to absorb them +into the mass of our citizens, sharing their rights and holden to their +responsibilities, there is imperative need for legislative action. + +My suggestions in that regard will be chiefly such as have been already +called to the attention of Congress and have received to some extent its +consideration. + +First. I recommend the passage of an act making the laws of the various +States and Territories applicable to the Indian reservations within +their borders and extending the laws of the State of Arkansas to the +portion of the Indian Territory not occupied by the Five Civilized +Tribes. + +The Indian should receive the protection of the law. He should be +allowed to maintain in court his rights of person and property. He has +repeatedly begged for this privilege. Its exercise would be very +valuable to him in his progress toward civilization. + +Second. Of even greater importance is a measure which has been +frequently recommended by my predecessors in office, and in furtherance +of which several bills have been from time to time introduced in both +Houses of Congress. The enactment of a general law permitting the +allotment in severalty, to such Indians, at least, as desire it, of a +reasonable quantity of land secured to them by patent, and for their own +protection made inalienable for twenty or twenty-five years, is demanded +for their present welfare and their permanent advancement. + +In return for such considerate action on the part of the Government, +there is reason to believe that the Indians in large numbers would be +persuaded to sever they tribal relations and to engage at once in +agricultural pursuits. Many of them realize the fact that their hunting +days are over and that it is now for their best interests to conform +their manner of life to the new order of things. By no greater +inducement than the assurance of permanent title to the soil can they +be led to engage in the occupation of tilling it. + +The well-attested reports of their increasing interest in husbandry +justify the hope and belief that the enactment of such a statute as I +recommend would be at once attended with gratifying results. A resort +to the allotment system would have a direct and powerful influence in +dissolving the tribal bond, which is so prominent a feature of savage +life, and which tends so strongly to perpetuate it. + +Third. I advise a liberal appropriation for the support of Indian +schools, because of my confident belief that such a course is consistent +with the wisest economy. + +Even among the most uncultivated Indian tribes there is reported to be +a general and urgent desire on the part of the chiefs and older members +for the education of their children. It is unfortunate, in view of this +fact, that during the past year the means which have been at the command +of the Interior Department for the purpose of Indian instruction have +proved to be utterly inadequate. + +The success of the schools which are in operation at Hampton, Carlisle, +and Forest Grove should not only encourage a more generous provision for +the support of those institutions, but should prompt the establishment +of others of a similar character. + +They are doubtless much more potent for good than the day schools upon +the reservation, as the pupils are altogether separated from the +surroundings of savage life and brought into constant contact with +civilization. + +There are many other phases of this subject which are of great interest, +but which can not be included within the becoming limits of this +communication. They are discussed ably in the reports of the Secretary +of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. + +For many years the Executive, in his annual message to Congress, has +urged the necessity of stringent legislation for the suppression of +polygamy in the Territories, and especially in the Territory of Utah. +The existing statute for the punishment of this odious crime, so +revolting to the moral and religious sense of Christendom, has been +persistently and contemptuously violated ever since its enactment. +Indeed, in spite of commendable efforts on the part of the authorities +who represent the United States in that Territory, the law has in very +rare instances been enforced, and, for a cause to which reference will +presently be made, is practically a dead letter. + +The fact that adherents of the Mormon Church, which rests upon polygamy +as its corner stone, have recently been peopling in large numbers Idaho, +Arizona, and other of our Western Territories is well calculated to +excite the liveliest interest and apprehension. It imposes upon Congress +and the Executive the duty of arraying against this barbarous system all +the power which under the Constitution and the law they can wield for +its destruction. + +Reference has been already made to the obstacles which the United States +officers have encountered in their efforts to punish violations of law. +Prominent among these obstacles is the difficulty of procuring legal +evidence sufficient to warrant a conviction even in the case of the most +notorious offenders. + +Your attention is called to a recent opinion of the Supreme Court of the +United States, explaining its judgment of reversal in the case of Miles, +who had been convicted of bigamy in Utah. The court refers to the fact +that the secrecy attending the celebration of marriages in that +Territory makes the proof of polygamy very difficult, and the propriety +is suggested of modifying the law of evidence which now makes a wife +incompetent to testify against her husband. + +This suggestion is approved. I recommend also the passage of an act +providing that in the Territories of the United States the fact that +a woman has been married to a person charged with bigamy shall not +disqualify her as a witness upon his trial for that offense. I further +recommend legislation by which any person solemnizing a marriage in any +of the Territories shall be required, under stringent penalties for +neglect or refusal, to file a certificate of such marriage in the +supreme court of the Territory. + +Doubtless Congress may devise other practicable measures for obviating +the difficulties which have hitherto attended the efforts to suppress +this iniquity. I assure you of my determined purpose to cooperate with +you in any lawful and discreet measures which may be proposed to that +end. + +Although our system of government does not contemplate that the nation +should provide or support a system for the education of our people, no +measures calculated to promote that general intelligence and virtue upon +which the perpetuity of our institutions so greatly depends have ever +been regarded with indifference by Congress or the Executive. + +A large portion of the public domain has been from time to time devoted +to the promotion of education. + +There is now a special reason why, by setting apart the proceeds of its +sales of public lands or by some other course, the Government should aid +the work of education. Many who now exercise the right of suffrage are +unable to read the ballot which they cast. Upon many who had just +emerged from a condition of slavery were suddenly devolved the +responsibilities of citizenship in that portion of the country most +impoverished by war. I have been pleased to learn from the report of the +Commissioner of Education that there has lately been a commendable +increase of interest and effort for their instruction; but all that can +be done by local legislation and private generosity should be +supplemented by such aid as can be constitutionally afforded by the +National Government. + +I would suggest that if any fund be dedicated to this purpose it may be +wisely distributed in the different States according to the ratio of +illiteracy, as by this means those localities which are most in need of +such assistance will reap its special benefits. + +The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture exhibits the results of +the experiments in which that Department has been engaged during the +past year and makes important suggestions in reference to the +agricultural development of the country. + +The steady increase of our population and the consequent addition to +the number of those engaging in the pursuit of husbandry are giving +to this Department a growing dignity and importance. The Commissioner's +suggestions touching its capacity for greater usefulness deserve +attention, as it more and more commends itself to the interests which +it was created to promote. + +It appears from the report of the Commissioner of Pensions that since +1860 789,063 original pension claims have been filed; 450,949 of these +have been allowed and inscribed on the pension roll; 72,539 have been +rejected and abandoned, being 13+ per cent of the whole number of claims +settled. + +There are now pending for settlement 265,575 original pension claims, +227,040 of which were filed prior to July 1, 1880. These, when allowed, +will involve the payment of arrears from the date of discharge in case +of an invalid and from date of death or termination of a prior right in +all other cases. + +From all the data obtainable it is estimated that 15 per cent of the +number of claims now pending will be rejected or abandoned. This would +show the probable rejection of 34,040 cases and the probable admission +of about 193,000 claims, all of which involve the payment of arrears of +pension. + +With the present force employed, the number of adjudications remaining +the same and no new business intervening, this number of claims +(193,000) could be acted upon in a period of six years; and taking +January 1, 1884, as a near period from which to estimate in each case +an average amount of arrears, it is found that every case allowed would +require for the first payment upon it the sum of $1,350. Multiplying +this amount by the whole number of probable admissions gives +$250,000,000 as the sum required for first payment. This represents the +sum which must be paid upon claims which were filed before July 1, 1880, +and are now pending and entitled to the benefits of the arrears act. +From this amount ($250,000,000) may be deducted from ten to fifteen +millions for cases where, the claimant dying, there is no person who +under the law would be entitled to succeed to the pension, leaving +$235,000,000 as the probable amount to be paid. + +In these estimates no account has been taken of the 38,500 cases filed +since June 30, 1880, and now pending, which must receive attention as +current business, but which do not involve the payment of any arrears +beyond the date of filing the claim. Of this number it is estimated that +86 per cent will be allowed. + +As has been stated, with the present force of the Pension Bureau (675 +clerks) it is estimated that it will take six years to dispose of the +claims now pending. + +It is stated by the Commissioner of Pensions that by an addition of 250 +clerks (increasing the adjudicating force rather than the mechanical) +double the amount of work could be accomplished, so that these cases +could be acted upon within three years. + +Aside from the considerations of justice which, may be urged for a +speedy settlement of the claims now on the files of the Pension Office, +it is no less important on the score of economy, inasmuch as fully +one-third of the clerical force of the office is now wholly occupied in +giving attention to correspondence with the thousands of claimants whose +cases have been on the files for the past eighteen years. The fact that +a sum so enormous must be expended by the Government to meet demands for +arrears of pensions is an admonition to Congress and the Executive to +give cautious consideration to any similar project in the future. The +great temptation to the presentation of fictitious claims afforded by +the fact that the average sum obtained upon each application is $1,300 +leads me to suggest the propriety of making some special appropriation +for the prevention of fraud. + +I advise appropriations for such internal improvements as the wisdom of +Congress may deem to be of public importance. The necessity of improving +the navigation of the Mississippi River justifies a special allusion to +that subject. I suggest the adoption of some measure for the removal of +obstructions which now impede the navigation of that great channel of +commerce. + +In my letter accepting the nomination for the Vice-Presidency I stated +that in my judgment-- + + + No man should be the incumbent of an office the duties of which he is + for any cause unfit to perform; who is lacking in the ability, fidelity, + or integrity which a proper administration of such office demands. This + sentiment would doubtless meet with general acquiescence, but opinion + has been widely divided upon the wisdom and practicability of the + various reformatory schemes which have been suggested and of certain + proposed regulations governing appointments to public office. + + The efficiency of such regulations has been distrusted mainly because + they have seemed to exalt mere educational and abstract tests above + general business capacity and even special fitness for the particular + work in hand. It seems to me that the rules which should be applied to + the management of the public service may properly conform in the main + to such as regulate the conduct of successful private business: + + Original appointments should be based upon ascertained fitness. + + The tenure of office should be stable. + + Positions of responsibility should, so far as practicable, be filled by + the promotion of worthy and efficient officers. + + The investigation of all complaints and the punishment of all official + misconduct should be prompt and thorough. + + +The views expressed in the foregoing letter are those which will govern +my administration of the executive office. They are doubtless shared by +all intelligent and patriotic citizens, however divergent in their +opinions as to the best methods of putting them into practical +operation. + +For example, the assertion that "original appointments should be based +upon ascertained fitness" is not open to dispute. + +But the question how in practice such fitness can be most effectually +ascertained is one which has for years excited interest and discussion. +The measure which, with slight variations in its details, has lately +been urged upon the attention of Congress and the Executive has as +its principal feature the scheme of competitive examination. Save for +certain exceptions, which need not here be specified, this plan would +allow admission to the service only in its lowest grade, and would +accordingly demand that all vacancies in higher positions should be +filled by promotion alone. In these particulars it is in conformity +with the existing civil-service system of Great Britain; and indeed the +success which has attended that system in the country of its birth is +the strongest argument which has been urged for its adoption here. + +The fact should not, however, be overlooked that there are certain +features of the English system which have not generally been received +with favor in this country, even among the foremost advocates of +civil-service reform. + +Among them are: + +1. A tenure of office which is substantially a life tenure. + +2. A limitation of the maximum age at which an applicant can enter +the service, whereby all men in middle life or older are, with some +exceptions, rigidly excluded. + +3. A retiring allowance upon going out of office. + +These three elements are as important factors of the problem as any of +the others. To eliminate them from the English system would effect a +most radical change in its theory and practice. + +The avowed purpose of that system is to induce the educated young men of +the country to devote their lives to public employment by an assurance +that having once entered upon it they need never leave it, and that +after voluntary retirement they shall be the recipients of an annual +pension. That this system as an entirety has proved very successful in +Great Britain seems to be generally conceded even by those who once +opposed its adoption. + +To a statute which should incorporate all its essential features I +should feel bound to give my approval; but whether it would be for the +best interests of the public to fix upon an expedient for immediate and +extensive application which embraces certain features of the English +system, but excludes or ignores others of equal importance, may be +seriously doubted, even by those who are impressed, as I am myself, with +the grave importance of correcting the evils which inhere in the present +methods of appointment. + +If, for example, the English rule which shuts out persons above the age +of 25 years from a large number of public employments is not to be made +an essential part of our own system, it is questionable whether the +attainment of the highest number of marks at a competitive examination +should be the criterion by which all applications for appointment should +be put to test. And under similar conditions it may also be questioned +whether admission to the service should be strictly limited to its +lowest ranks. + +There are very many characteristics which go to make a model civil +servant. Prominent among them are probity, industry, good sense, good +habits, good temper, patience, order, courtesy, tact, self-reliance, +manly deference to superior officers, and manly consideration for +inferiors. The absence of these traits is not supplied by wide knowledge +of books, or by promptitude in answering questions, or by any other +quality likely to be brought to light by competitive examination. + +To make success in such a contest, therefore, an indispensable condition +of public employment would very likely result in the practical exclusion +of the older applicants, even though they might possess qualifications +far superior to their younger and more brilliant competitors. + +These suggestions must not be regarded as evincing any spirit of +opposition to the competitive plan, which has been to some extent +successfully employed already, and which may hereafter vindicate the +claim of its most earnest supporters; but it ought to be seriously +considered whether the application of the same educational standard to +persons of mature years and to young men fresh from school and college +would not be likely to exalt mere intellectual proficiency above other +qualities of equal or greater importance. + +Another feature of the proposed system is the selection by promotion of +all officers of the Government above the lowest grade, except such as +would fairly be regarded as exponents of the policy of the Executive +and the principles of the dominant party. + +To afford encouragement to faithful public servants by exciting in their +minds the hope of promotion if they are found to merit it is much to be +desired. + +But would it be wise to adopt a rule so rigid as to permit no other mode +of supplying the intermediate walks of the service? + +There are many persons who fill subordinate positions with great credit, +but lack those qualities which are requisite for higher posts of duty; +and, besides, the modes of thought and action of one whose service in +a governmental bureau has been long continued are often so cramped by +routine procedure as almost to disqualify him from instituting changes +required by the public interests. An infusion of new blood from time to +time into the middle ranks of the service might be very beneficial in +its results. + +The subject under discussion is one of grave importance. The evils which +are complained of can not be eradicated at once; the work must be +gradual. + +The present English system is a growth of years, and was not created by +a single stroke of executive or legislative action. + +Its beginnings are found in an order in council promulgated in 1855, and +it was after patient and cautious scrutiny of its workings that fifteen +years later it took its present shape. + +Five years after the issuance of the order in council, and at a time +when resort had been had to competitive examinations as an experiment +much more extensively than has yet been the case in this country, a +select committee of the House of Commons made a report to that House +which, declaring its approval of the competitive plan, deprecated, +nevertheless, any precipitancy in its general adoption as likely to +endanger its ultimate success. + +During this tentative period the results of the two methods of pass +examination and competitive examination were closely watched and +compared. It may be that before we confine ourselves upon this important +question within the stringent bounds of statutory enactment we may +profitably await the result of further inquiry and experiment. + +The submission of a portion of the nominations to a central board of +examiners selected solely for testing the qualifications of applicants +may perhaps, without resort to the competitive test, put an end to the +mischiefs which attend the present system of appointment, and it may be +feasible to vest in such a board a wide discretion to ascertain the +characteristics and attainments of candidates in those particulars which +I have already referred to as being no less important than mere +intellectual attainment. + +If Congress should deem it advisable at the present session to establish +competitive tests for admission to the service, no doubts such as have +been suggested shall deter me from giving the measure my earnest +support. + +And I urgently recommend, should there be a failure to pass any other +act upon this subject, that an appropriation of $25,000 per year may be +made for the enforcement of section 1753 of the Revised Statutes. + +With the aid thus afforded me I shall strive to execute the provisions +of that law according to its letter and spirit. + +I am unwilling, in justice to the present civil servants of the +Government, to dismiss this subject without declaring my dissent from +the severe and almost indiscriminate censure with which they have been +recently assailed. That they are as a class indolent, inefficient, and +corrupt is a statement which has been often made and widely credited; +but when the extent, variety, delicacy, and importance of their duties +are considered the great majority of the employees of the Government +are, in my judgment, deserving of high commendation. + +The continuing decline of the merchant marine of the United States is +greatly to be deplored. In view of the fact that we furnish so large +a proportion of the freights of the commercial world and that our +shipments are steadily and rapidly increasing, it is cause of surprise +that not only is our navigation interest diminishing, but it is less +than when our exports and imports were not half so large as now, +either in bulk or value. There must be some peculiar hindrance to the +development of this interest, or the enterprise and energy of American +mechanics and capitalists would have kept this country at least abreast +of our rivals in the friendly contest for ocean supremacy. + +The substitution of iron for wood and of steam for sail have wrought +great revolutions in the carrying trade of the world; but these changes +could not have been adverse to America if we had given to our navigation +interests a portion of the aid and protection which have been so wisely +bestowed upon our manufactures. I commend the whole subject to the +wisdom of Congress, with the suggestion that no question of greater +magnitude or farther reaching importance can engage their attention. + +In 1875 the Supreme Court of the United States declared unconstitutional +the statutes of certain States which imposed upon shipowners or +consignees a tax of $1.50 for each passenger arriving from a foreign +country, or in lieu thereof required a bond to indemnify the State and +local authorities against expense for the future relief or support of +such passenger. Since this decision the expense attending the care and +supervision of immigrants has fallen on the States at whose ports they +have landed. As a large majority of such immigrants, immediately upon +their arrival, proceed to the inland States and the Territories to seek +permanent homes, it is manifestly unjust to impose upon the State whose +shores they first reach, the burden which it now bears. For this reason, +and because of the national importance of the subject, I recommend +legislation regarding the supervision and transitory care of immigrants +at the ports of debarkation. + +I regret to state that the people of Alaska have reason to complain +that they are as yet unprovided with any form of government by which +life or property can be protected. While the extent of its population +does not justify the application of the costly machinery of Territorial +administration, there is immediate necessity for constituting such a +form of government as will promote the education of the people and +secure the administration of justice. + +The Senate at its last session passed a bill providing for the +construction of a building for the Library of Congress, but it failed +to become a law. The provision of suitable protection for this great +collection of books and for the copyright department connected with it +has become a subject of national importance and should receive prompt +attention. + +The report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia herewith +transmitted will inform you fully of the condition of the affairs of +the District. + +They urge the vital importance of legislation for the reclamation and +improvement of the marshes and for the establishment of the harbor lines +along the Potomac River front. + +It is represented that in their present condition these marshes +seriously affect the health of the residents of the adjacent parts of +the city, and that they greatly mar the general aspect of the park in +which stands the Washington Monument. This improvement would add to +that park and to the park south of the Executive Mansion a large area +of valuable land, and would transform what is now believed to be a +dangerous nuisance into an attractive landscape extending to the river +front. + +They recommend the removal of the steam railway lines from the surface +of the streets of the city and the location of the necessary depots in +such places as may be convenient for the public accommodation, and they +call attention to the deficiency of the water supply, which seriously +affects the material prosperity of the city and the health and comfort +of its inhabitants. + +I commend these subjects to your favorable consideration. + +The importance of timely legislation with respect to the ascertainment +and declaration of the vote for Presidential electors was sharply called +to the attention of the people more than four years ago. + +It is to be hoped that some well-defined measure may be devised before +another national election which will render unnecessary a resort to any +expedient of a temporary character for the determination of questions +upon contested returns. + +Questions which concern the very existence of the Government and the +liberties of the people were suggested by the prolonged illness of the +late President and his consequent incapacity to perform the functions +of his office. + +It is provided by the second article of the Constitution, in the fifth +clause of its first section, that "in case of the removal of the +President from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to +discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall +devolve on the Vice-President," + +What is the intendment of the Constitution in its specification of +"inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office" as one +of the contingencies which calls the Vice-President to the exercise of +Presidential functions? + +Is the inability limited in its nature to long-continued intellectual +incapacity, or has it a broader import? + +What must be its extent and duration? + +How must its existence be established? + +Has the President whose inability is the subject of inquiry any voice +in determining whether or not it exists, or is the decision of that +momentous and delicate question confided to the Vice-President, or is +it contemplated by the Constitution that Congress should provide by law +precisely what should constitute inability and how and by what tribunal +or authority it should be ascertained? + +If the inability proves to be temporary in its nature, and during its +continuance the Vice-President lawfully exercises the functions of the +Executive, by what tenure does he hold his office? + +Does he continue as President for the remainder of the four years' term? + +Or would the elected President, if his inability should cease in the +interval, be empowered to resume his office? + +And if, having such lawful authority, he should exercise it, would the +Vice-President be thereupon empowered to resume his powers and duties +as such? + +I can not doubt that these important questions will receive your early +and thoughtful consideration. + +Deeply impressed with the gravity of the responsibilities which have so +unexpectedly devolved upon me, it will be my constant purpose to +cooperate with you in such measures as will promote the glory of the +country and the prosperity of its people. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +SPECIAL MESSAGES. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, + +_Washington, December 12, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the +17th of May last, a report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying +papers, touching the Geneva convention for the relief of the wounded in +war. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 15, 1881_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with accompanying papers, in reference to the applications of the +Chicago, Texas and Mexican Central and the St. Louis and San Francisco +Railway companies for a right of way across the lands of the Choctaw +Nation in the Indian Territory for the building of a proposed railroad +and telegraph line. + +The matter is commended to the careful attention of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 15, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of the +12th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with an accompanying +paper, touching the proposed modification of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty +of April 19, 1850, between the United States and Great Britain. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _December 15, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce between the +United States of America and the Kingdom of Madagascar, signed on the +13th day of May, 1881, together with certain correspondence relating +thereto. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate a report from the Secretary of State, +in response to its resolution of the 13th of October last, calling for +the transmission to the Senate of papers on file in the Department of +State relating to the seizure of one Vicenzo Rebello, an Italian, in the +city of New Orleans, in June, 1881, by one James Mooney, under a warrant +of arrest issued by John A. Osborn, United States commissioner in and +for the city of New York. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate a report of the Secretary of State, +in relation to the necessity of modifying the present system of consular +jurisdiction of the United States in the countries of the East. I regard +this subject, to which I have adverted in my general message to +Congress, as one deserving the earnest attention of the National +Legislature. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives.] + + + +WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives, for the +consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of State, +setting forth the expediency of organizing a class of supernumerary +secretaries of legation to meet the needs of our diplomatic service +abroad. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _December 19, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the +19th of May last, a report from the Secretary of State, with an +accompanying paper.[3] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 3: List of officers, clerks, etc., in the Department of State.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, with an accompanying paper, in which +he recommends a further appropriation for the payment of the expenses +of the Tenth Census; also an appropriation of $2,000 to recompense the +disbursing clerk of the Department of the Interior for his services in +disbursing the appropriations for the Tenth Census. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1881_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of +the 6th instant, a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury and its +accompanying papers.[4] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 4: Instructions to, and reports of certain examiners of +national banks.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit a communication[5] I received this day from the late +Postmaster-General, to which I invite your careful attention. + +Though the period limited for the reception of bids under the existing +advertisement expires on the 7th instant, several weeks must necessarily +elapse before they can be classified and examined and the actual letting +take place. + +If, therefore, Congress shall be of the opinion that a change in the law +is needed, it may, I presume, be made immediately applicable. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 5: Relating to fraudulent bonds accompanying certain bids and +contracts for carrying United States mail.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 9, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with accompanying papers, in reference to the bill of the Choctaw +Council approved November 10, 1881, granting a right of way through the +Choctaw Nation to the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company, a +bill (S. No. 60) for the ratification of which is now understood to be +pending before your honorable body. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 11, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to an +agreement by the Shoshone and Bannock Indians with the United States +for the disposal of certain of their lands in the Fort Hall Indian +Reservation, in Idaho, for the use of the Utah and Northern Railway. + +The matter is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill to appropriate money to meet a deficiency in the +Indian service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882. + +A copy of report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated 13th +instant, in regard to the bill is also inclosed. + +The subject is commended to the attention of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, amendatory of the act of +March 3, 1880, for the sale of the Otoe and Missouria Indian +Reservation, in the States of Nebraska and Kansas. + +The subject is presented to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, + +_Washington, January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +forwarding copy of a letter addressed to him by the Commissioner of +Indian Affairs, inclosing draft of a bill to create the office of +medical inspector for the United States Indian service. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of bill and accompanying papers, providing for the +improvement of the condition of Indians occupying reservations, and for +other purposes. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +and accompanying letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, +recommending a renewal of the appropriation of $10,000 heretofore made +for defraying the expenses of the Board of Indian Commissioners. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to the +settlement of the estate of deceased Kickapoo Indians in the State of +Kansas, and for other purposes. + +The matter is commended to the attention of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill and accompanying papers, to accept and ratify +an agreement with the Crow Indians for the sale of a portion of their +reservation in the Territory of Montana, required for the Northern +Pacific Railroad, and to make the necessary appropriation for carrying +the same into effect. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, with accompanying papers, recommending an +appropriation for the purchase of a site and the erection of a fireproof +building to contain the records, library, and museum of the +Surgeon-General's Office. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, + +_Washington, January 19, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, inclosing a copy of one from the Chief Signal +Officer of the Army, dated the 11th instant, setting forth the necessity +for additional room for the Signal Office and recommending that Congress +provide that of the amount estimated ($350,000) for "observation and +report of storms, 1883," the sum of $10,000 may be expended for the hire +of a safe and suitable building in Washington City for the office of the +Chief Signal Officer. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, + +_January 19, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 14th instant, and accompanying +letter from the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, recommending the +passage of a joint resolution, in accordance with the inclosed draft, +authorizing the printing and binding of 10,000 additional copies of the +latter's annual report for the year 1881. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 23, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United +States of America and His Majesty the King of Roumania, signed on the +11th day of April last. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a treaty of commerce between the United States and the +Prince of Serbia, signed on the 14th of October last. + + * * * * * + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention defining the rights, immunities, and +privileges of consular officers, between the United States and the +Prince of Serbia, signed on the 14th of October last. + + * * * * * + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill to increase the salary of the Commissioner of the +General Land Office and to create the offices of Assistant Commissioner +of the General Land Office and inspectors of surveyors-general and +district land officers. + +The matter is commended to the attention of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill for the per capita distribution of the sum of +$2,000 to the band of Eastern Shawnee Indians at Quapaw Agency, Ind. +T., with accompanying papers noted in said communication. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill to increase the salary of the Commissioner of +Indian Affairs and to create the office of Assistant Commissioner of +Indian Affairs. + +The matter is commended to the attention of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill and accompanying papers, in reference to the +proposition of the Creek Nation of Indians for the cession of certain of +their lands in the Indian Territory occupied by the Seminole Indians. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill authorizing the sale of certain pine timber cut +upon the Menomonee Reservation in Wisconsin, together with the +accompanying papers noted in said communication. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 23d instant, and accompanying +copies of letters from the Adjutant-General, Inspector-General, and +Quartermaster-General of the Army, recommending the amendment of section +3 of the act approved May 15, 1872, entitled "An act to establish the pay +of the enlisted men of the Army," so as to require a settlement of the +clothing accounts of enlisted men at every bimonthly muster for pay. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, with plan and estimate of the cost of +constructing five dining-rooms and kitchens at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of a bill for the per capita distribution of the sum of +$5,000 to the band of Western Miami Indians at the Quapaw Agency, Ind. +T., with accompanying papers noted in said communication. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, reporting a list of reservations which are no +longer needed for military purposes and setting forth the necessity for +such legislation as will provide for their disposal. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of an amendment to be inserted in the annual Indian +appropriation bill now pending, providing for the disposal of certain +bonds and funds held by the Treasurer of the United States as custodian +in the name of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, together with +accompanying papers noted in said communication. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War and its accompanying papers, setting forth +the necessity for the erection of a new embankment wall on the creek +bordering the grounds of the Frankford Arsenal, Pa., and recommending +that an appropriation be made for that purpose. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, concerning an appropriation for the +improvement of the Hot Springs Reservation, in Garland County, Ark. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for your consideration, a communication from +the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 18th instant, touching the +necessity for additional room for the clerical force of the Department +of the Interior. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, the annual report +of the Government directors of the Union Pacific Railway to the +Secretary of the Interior for the year 1881. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with draft of amendment to be inserted in the Indian appropriation bill, +to carry into effect the provisions of the fifth section of the act of +March 3, 1873, providing for the consolidation of funds belonging to the +Miami Indians of Kansas. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 26, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, with +accompanying papers, furnished in response to a resolution of the House +of Representatives of the 24th instant, calling for correspondence +touching the efforts of this Government to bring about peace between +Chile and Peru and Bolivia, and touching claims against or contracts +respecting either of the belligerent Governments. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +papers, furnished in response to the resolution of the Senate of the +13th ultimo, calling for correspondence touching affairs in or between +Peru and Chile. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in further response to the Senate resolution of the +13th December, 1881, a report of the Secretary of State, embodying the +purport of a recent telegram from the special envoy of the United States +setting forth the conditions of peace presented by Chile. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives, in answer +to a resolution of that body of January 24, 1882.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In further answer to the resolution of the Senate of December 12, 1881, +I herewith transmit the remainder of the correspondence touching the +desired modification of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. The dispatch of the +Secretary of State of November 29, 1881, was not sent to the Senate with +the former dispatches, because at that time no advice had been received +that its contents had been communicated to the British Government. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 1, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions, giving, in +compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives passed +on the 26th of January, 1882, estimates of the amounts which will be +required annually to pay pensions for the next twenty-five years, based +on the presumed conditions stated in the resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, with +accompanying papers, relative to lawlessness which prevails in parts of +Arizona, and in connection therewith call attention to that portion of +my message of the 6th of December last in which suggestions were made +as to legislation which seems to be required to enable the General +Government to assist the local authorities of the Territory in restoring +and maintaining order. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill authorizing the disposal of dead and damaged +timber upon Indian reservations under the direction of the Interior +Department, and correspondence noted by the Secretary. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing copy of a letter addressed to him by the Commissioner of the +General Land Office, asking, for reasons stated therein, that Congress +may be requested to make a special appropriation for a temporary +increase of the clerical force of the General Land Office. + +A draft of a bill for that purpose is herewith inclosed, and the subject +is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith, in further response to the resolution of the Senate +of the 18th of March, 1881, a report of the Secretary of State, with its +accompaniment, touching the capitulations of the Ottoman Empire. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 27th of January, 1882, and +accompanying estimates for new buildings for the general recruiting +service at Davids Island, New York Harbor, and Columbus Barracks, Ohio. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with the draft of a bill to authorize the settlement of certain accounts +for advertising the sale of Kansas Indian lands, with accompanying +papers referred to in said communication. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill for the payment of certain settlers in the State +of Nevada for improvements on lands in Duck Valley, in said State, taken +for the use and occupancy of the Shoshone Indians. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, dated January 31, 1882, upon the +subject of additional legislation for the expenses of the Tenth Census, +and inclose draft of an act supplemental to the act approved January 28, +1882. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +of the Secretary of the Interior of the 27th ultimo, with accompanying +papers, on the subject of the confirmation of the homestead entries of +certain lands in Marquette district, Michigan, made by Hugh Foster and +John Waishkey, jr. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill to prevent timber depredations on Indian +reservations, and correspondence noted by the Secretary. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of this date, +with accompanying papers, furnished in obedience to a resolution of the +Senate of the 12th ultimo, calling for certain correspondence in the +case of claim of Antonio Pelletier against the Government of Hayti. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[A similar message was sent to the House of Representatives.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication of 1st instant from the Secretary of +the Interior, covering information respecting the lands granted to the +State of Oregon for the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon +Road Company. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, inclosing copies of papers relating to the +site of Fort Bliss, at El Paso, Tex., with special reference to certain +errors contained in the deeds conveying the land to the United States, +and recommending the passage by Congress of an act, a draft of which is +also inclosed, to rectify and establish the title of the United States +to the site in question. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War of the 6th instant, together with plans and +estimates for barracks and quarters in the Military Division of the +Pacific and at Fort Monroe, Va., for the fiscal year ending June 30, +1883; also the correspondence accompanying the same. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 11th instant, covering plans and +estimates for completing the new barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., +and for the erection of additional quarters for officers thereat, in +connection with the School of Cavalry and Infantry; also the +correspondence accompanying the same. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, the report of the +Board of Indian Commissioners for the year 1881, accompanied by a letter +from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 9th instant, suggesting +legislation regarding reports from said board. The report is sent with +the message to the House of Representatives. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, +dated the 8th instant, and accompanying copies of letters from +Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, Superintendent of the Naval Observatory, +Professor J. E. Nourse, United States Navy, and Hon. John Eaton, +Commissioner of Education, suggesting the publication of a second +edition of the Second Arctic Expedition made by Captain C. F. Hall. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a letter from the Commissioner +of Education, in which the recommendation is made that an appropriation +of $50,000 be made for the purpose of education in Alaska. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 15, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith the response of the Secretary of State to your +resolution of the 30th ultimo, calling for certain information relative +to the amount of fees collected by consuls of the United States from +American vessels. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of +the 6th instant, requesting a further compliance with its call for +correspondence respecting the war on the Pacific, I transmit herewith +a report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 12th of December, 1881, +respecting the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, I transmit herewith a further +report by the Secretary of State, accompanied by copies of papers on the +subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 31st of January last, +calling for the correspondence touching the relations of the United +States with Guatemala and Mexico and their relations with each other, +I transmit a report of the Secretary of State, which is accompanied by +a copy of the papers called for by the resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, and accompanying papers, in which he +recommends that authority be given for the payment of certain damages +which unexpectedly occurred to the property of private persons on the +Government reservation at Hot Springs, Ark., in consequence of work +performed under the direction of the superintendent in the performance +of his duty. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a copy of a communication +from the Commissioner of Pensions, in which he recommends that more +adequate provision be made for the payment of the expenses of obtaining +evidence of the extent of the disability of those pensioners of the +United States and applicants for pension who reside in foreign +countries. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, asking, for +reasons stated by him, that Congress may be requested to make a special +appropriation for the payment of the claim of Isaac A. Sylvester against +the Navy Department. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior, +dated the 16th instant, relative to the necessity for a deficiency +appropriation for the payment of salaries of clerks and laborers in +the Patent Office during the present fiscal year. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with +a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the United States Naval +Observatory, accompanied by a draft of a bill, with estimates for an +observation of the transit of Venus on the 6th of December, 1882. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing a memorial and papers from the Seneca Nation of New York +Indians embodying a resolution and remonstrance against the passage of +Senate bill No. 19, "to provide for the allotment of lands in severalty +to Indians on the various reservations," etc., together with a report +thereon of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, recommending an amendment +to the seventh section thereof excluding the lands of said Indians. + +The accompanying papers are transmitted with the message to the Senate. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the +Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a petition of Mr. P.W. Norris for +compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred by him as +superintendent of the Yellowstone National Park from the 18th of April, +1877, to the 1st of July, 1878. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the Secretary of the Interior of +the 23d instant, with accompanying papers, furnished in obedience to a +resolution of the Senate of the 30th ultimo, calling for certain +information in relation to the Malheur Indian Reservation, in the State +of Oregon. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 28, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 24th +ultimo, I transmit herewith copies of letters from the Secretary of the +Treasury and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission, dated the +3d and 13th instant, respectively, from which it will be seen that the +appropriation of $15,000 made at the last session of Congress for the +promotion of efficiency in the different branches of the civil service +is still unexpended, and that in order to execute the provisions of +section 1753 of the Revised Statutes an annual appropriation of $25,000 +would be necessary. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 1, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of May +19, 1881, a communication, with accompanying papers, from the Secretary +of State, respecting the collection by consular officers of certain +official fees in connection with the authentication of invoices, and +the compensation of such officers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 1, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 28th of February, +1882, from the Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers, in +relation to the request of the Cherokee Indians of the Indian Territory +for payment for lands belonging to them in said Territory ceded to the +United States by the sixteenth article of their treaty of July 19, 1866, +for the settlement of friendly Indians. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th ultimo, inclosing plans and +estimates for the construction of the post of Fort Thornburg, in Utah +Territory, and recommending an appropriation of $84,000 for that purpose +and that the same be made available for immediate use. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, transmitting plans and estimates for the +large military post proposed to be constructed at Fort Selden, N. Mex. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its action thereon, the accession of the +United States to the convention concluded at Geneva on the 22d August, +1864, between various powers, for the amelioration of the wounded of +armies in the field, and to the additional articles thereto, signed at +Geneva on the 20th October, 1868. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated the 2d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting an estimate +of appropriations for the payment of expenses of removal of certain +Eastern Cherokee Indians to the Indian Territory. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 7, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with a copy +of a letter from the Chief of the Bureau of Equipment and Recruiting and +a draft of a bill recommending an increase of 500 enlisted men for the +naval service. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 8, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated the 6th instant, with accompanying papers[6] from the Commissioner +of Indian Affairs and draft of a bill to amend section 2135, Revised +Statutes. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 6: Relating to the selling and trading of annuity goods by +Lower Brule Indians.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Navy, with accompanying papers, asking, for +reasons stated by him, that Congress may be requested to make a special +appropriation for paving a portion of the roadway of Hanover street and +curbing and paving the sidewalk of that street on the side next the +Government property at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 9th instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, an estimate +of appropriation for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Ute +Commission, appointed under section 2 of the act of June 15, 1880. + +The matter is commended to the early action of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War of the 6th instant, and accompanying papers, +recommending the passage of an act making certain debts incurred by +soldiers a lien against their pay. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I herewith transmit, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 7th ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State, +touching the arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of Thomas Shields and +two other American citizens, to which that resolution relates. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 10, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 30th of January last, a report from the Secretary +of State, with accompanying paper.[7] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 7: List of promotions, removals, and appointments in the +consular service since March 4, 1877.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 13, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the president of the National +Board of Health, calling attention to the necessity for additional +legislation to prevent the introduction of contagious and infectious +diseases into the United States from foreign countries. + +The subject is commended to the careful consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 11, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I inclose herewith an amended estimate for an increase in the clerical +force of the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, which I recommend +to your consideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[The same message was sent to the Senate.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 16, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and an +accompanying paper, in further response to the resolution of the Senate +of the 13th of December last, calling for correspondence touching +affairs in or between Peru and Chile. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 11, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with accompanying papers, covering the action of the Osage Indians +declining to accede to the terms of the act of March 3, 1881, reducing +the price of their lands in Kansas. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 18, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives adopted +March 16, 1882, in which the President is requested, if not incompatible +with the public interests, to furnish to the House all the facts before +him at the time he authorized the sending or employment of troops or +military forces of the United States in the State of Nebraska during the +present month, together with his reasons therefor, I have the honor to +state that the employment of military forces of the United States as +to which it is understood that information is desired by the House +of Representatives was authorized on the 10th instant, and that +all the facts before me at that time are set forth in telegraphic +communications, dated the 9th and 10th instant, from the governor of the +State of Nebraska and Brigadier-General Crook, commanding the Department +of the Platte, of which copies are herewith submitted. + +For the further information of the House of Representatives, +I transmit copies of telegraphic correspondence had on the 9th, +10th, and 11th instant between the Secretary of War and the governor +of Nebraska and the Secretary of War and the Lieutenant-General of +the Army, of which the instructions issued by my direction for the +employment of the military forces upon the application of the governor +of Nebraska are a part. + +From these papers it will be seen that the authority to employ troops +was given upon the application of the governor of Nebraska in order to +protect the State against domestic violence. The instructions were given +in compliance with the requirements of that part of section 4 of Article +IV of the Constitution which provides that the United States shall, +on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the +legislature can not be convened), protect each of the States against +domestic violence. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 20, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 9th instant, +instructing the Secretary of State to ascertain and report to the Senate +the cause for the alleged imprisonment by the British Government of +Daniel McSweeney, a citizen of the United States, I transmit herewith a +report on the subject from the Secretary of State, with its accompanying +papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th instant, inclosing plans and +estimates for a brick building for the post of Fort Leavenworth, Kans., +to contain quarters for two companies of troops, to replace the one +destroyed by fire on the 1st February last, and recommending an +appropriation of $18,745.77, in accordance with the estimates. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, dated the 6th instant, with +accompanying paper, submitting draft of a bill "to authorize payment for +Government transportation on certain railroads." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, +calling attention to the necessity of appropriating the sum of $12,000 +under the head of "Contingent equipment and recruiting," for immediate +use, to defray accruing expenses during the remainder of the current +fiscal year. + +The matter is commended to the favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 22, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +In compliance with section 4119 of the Revised Statutes (act of June +22, 1860), I transmit to Congress a copy of two additional regulations +issued in accordance with the fifth section of that act by the envoy +extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States +accredited to the Government of China, and assented to by the several +United States consular officers in that country, for the service of +summonses on absent defendants in causes before the consular courts of +the United States of America in China. These regulations, which are +accompanied by a copy of the minister's dispatch on the subject, are +commended to the consideration of Congress, with a view to their +approval. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated March 23, 1882, with accompanying +reports and estimates, recommending an increase in the clerical +force in his office and in the offices of the Adjutant-General and +Surgeon-General of the Army, in order that prompt replies may be made +to the calls for information by the Commissioner of Pensions in pension +cases under a proposed plan to accomplish the settlement of all such +claims within a limited number of years; also an increased appropriation +for contingent expenses for each of the offices mentioned. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a copy of a law[8] passed at the recent session +of the legislature of the Territory of New Mexico, for the action of +Congress under section 1850 of the Revised Statutes. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 8: Providing a time for the commencement of the sessions of +the legislative assembly of the Territory of New Mexico.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 27, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated the 24th instant, and the accompanying letter of the Commissioner +of Patents, submitting a supplemental estimate for an appropriation of +$52,500 for the employment of twenty-five assistant principal examiners +of patents, at an annual salary of $2,100 each. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, with +accompanying papers, on the subject of purchasing from the American Wood +Preserving Company the machinery which was erected by that company at +the navy-yard, Boston, under contract with the Navy Department, for the +purpose of fully testing the company's process of preserving timber for +use in the Navy. + +The attention of Congress is invited to the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 28, 1882_. + +_To the House of, Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of yesterday, the 27th instant, a report of the +Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, touching the negotiations +for the restoration of peace in South America. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _March 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention for the protection of trade-marks, concluded +between the United States and His Majesty the King of Roumania on the +7th of October, 1881. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 29, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated 24th instant, in relation to the urgent necessity for action on +the part of Congress for the prevention of trespasses upon Indian lands, +with copy of report from Commissioner of Indian Affairs upon the subject +and draft of bill for the object indicated. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 29, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated March 25, 1882, with accompanying +correspondence, plans, and estimates, in which he recommends an +appropriation of $40,000 for the completion of the new post at Fort +Lewis, Colo. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the +Interior, dated the 28th instant, and the accompanying letter of the +Superintendent of the Government Hospital for the Insane, submitting an +estimate for a deficiency appropriation of $20,792.51 for the support of +that institution for the remaining portion of the present fiscal year. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing draft of a bill to amend section 2056 of the Revised Statutes +of the United States, relating to the term of office of Indian +inspectors and Indian agents. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated the 29th of March, and the accompanying letter of the Commissioner +of the General Land Office, submitting an estimate for the additions of +$34,200 and $20,000, respectively, to the appropriations for salaries, +fees, and commissions of registers and receivers, and for contingent +expenses, land offices, for the next fiscal year. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 30, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +documents, in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives +of February 13, 1882, touching the protection of American citizens in +Persia and the establishment of diplomatic relations with that country. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter +from the Secretary of the Interior, in which he sets forth the +necessity which will exist for an appropriation for the payment of the +commissioners to be appointed under the recent act of Congress entitled +"An act to amend section 5352 of the Revised Statutes of the United +States in reference to bigamy, and for other purposes," and also for the +payment of the election officers to be appointed by said commissioners. + +In this connection I submit to Congress that, in view of the important +and responsible duties devolved upon the commissioners under this act, +their compensation at $3,000 per annum, as provided therein, should be +increased to a sum not less than $5,000 per annum. + +Such increased compensation, in my judgment, would secure a higher order +of ability in the persons to be selected and tend more effectually to +carry out the objects of the act. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 3, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I forward herewith, in compliance with a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 6th of February ultimo, calling for information +in reference to the arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of certain +American citizens, a further report from the Secretary of State and its +accompanying paper, concerning the cases of Thomas Shields and Charles +Weber, to which that resolution refers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +In partial response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of +the 31st of January last, on the subject of American citizens imprisoned +in Ireland, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 4, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated March 31, 1882, and accompanying report +from the Chief of Engineers, with its inclosures, relative to the +construction of a bridge across the Potomac River at or near Georgetown, +in the District of Columbia, under the provisions of the act approved +February 23, 1881, in which he requests that an additional appropriation +of $80,000 be made to give practical effect to the act referred to in +accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +setting forth the necessity for an increased number of law clerks in +the office of the Assistant Attorney-General in the Department of the +Interior, because of the growing amount of business in that office. + +The matter is commended to the attention and favorable action of +Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of this date, with draft of bill for the relief of Pierre Garrieaux and +correspondence in relation thereto. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 5, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 31st of January last, a report from the Secretary +of State, with accompanying papers.[9] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _April 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate_: + +I transmit herewith, in reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 29th +of March last, the report of the Secretary of State, with accompanying +papers.[9] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 9: Correspondence, etc., relative to American citizens +imprisoned in Ireland.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 4th instant, inclosing plans and +estimates for the completion of the post of Fort McKinney, Wyoming +Territory, and recommending an appropriation of $50,000 for the purpose +in accordance with the estimates. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 4th instant, inclosing estimates +for deficiency in the appropriation for the transportation of the Army +and its supplies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882, and +recommending an appropriation in accordance therewith. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 11, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 6th instant, in which he recommends +a reappropriation of the unexpended balances of two appropriations of +$50,000 each, made in 1880 and 1881, "for continuing the improvement +of the water-power pool" at the Rock Island Arsenal, and that the +additional sum of $30,000 be granted for the same purpose; also the +additional sum of $70,000 "for deepening the canal and for opening +six waterways in connection with the water power." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with the accompanying report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, +dated 29th ultimo, recommending an increase of item for "transportation +of Indian supplies for the fiscal year 1882" (deficiency), as designated +in Senate Executive Document 57, Forty-seventh Congress, first session. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing draft of bill prepared in the Office of Indian Affairs, +submitted with Commissioner's report of 27th ultimo, confirming to the +Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians the lands in the Indian Territory set +apart for their occupancy by an Executive order dated August 10, 1869, +which lands are in lieu of those set apart for their use and occupancy +by the second article of the treaty with said Indians concluded October +28, 1867. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 12, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 6th instant, inclosing one from the +acting chief clerk of the War Department on the subject, recommending an +additional appropriation of $2,000 for contingent expenses of the War +Department for 1882; also that appropriation provided for the purpose +for the next fiscal year be increased $10,000. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, + +_Washington, April 14, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the inclosed +letter and accompanying statement from the Secretary of the Navy, +in relation to the necessity of building a new boiler shop at the +navy-yard, New York, and repairing the caisson gate of the dry dock +at that station, in which it is requested that an appropriation of +$147,243.04 be made for these objects. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 14, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, with commendation to the attention of Congress, a +report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers, concerning +the proposed establishment of an international bureau of exchanges. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 14, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with correspondence, relative to right of way of the Republican Valley +Railroad across the Otoe and Missouria Reservation in the State of +Nebraska, and draft of an amendment to S. No. 930, "A bill to amend an +act entitled 'An act to provide for the sale of the remainder of the +reservation of the confederated Otoe and Missouria tribes of Indians +in the States of Nebraska and Kansas, and for other purposes,' approved +March 3, 1881." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter, dated the 29th ultimo, from the Secretary +of War, inclosing copy of a communication from the Mississippi River +Commission, in which the commission recommends that an appropriation may +be made of $1,010,000 for "closing existing gaps in levees," in addition +to the like sum for which an estimate has already been submitted. + +The subject is one of such importance that I deem it proper to recommend +early and favorable consideration of the recommendations of the +commission. Having possession of and jurisdiction over the river, +Congress, with a view of improving its navigation and protecting the +people of the valley from floods, has for years caused surveys of the +river to be made for the purpose of acquiring knowledge of the laws that +control it and of its phenomena. By act approved June 28, 1879, the +Mississippi River Commission was created, composed of able engineers. +Section 4 of the act provides that-- + +It shall be the duty of said commission to take into consideration and +mature such plan or plans and estimates as will correct, permanently +locate, and deepen the channel and protect the banks of the Mississippi +River; improve and give safety and ease to the navigation thereof; +prevent destructive floods; promote and facilitate commerce, trade, and +the postal service. + +The constitutionality of a law making appropriations in aid of these +objects can not be questioned. While the report of the commission +submitted and the plans proposed for the river's improvement seem +justified as well on scientific principles as by experience and the +approval of the people most interested, I desire to leave it to the +judgment of Congress to decide upon the best plan for the permanent and +complete improvement of the navigation of the river and for the +protection of the valley. + +The immense losses and widespread suffering of the people dwelling near +the river induce me to urge upon Congress the propriety of not only +making an appropriation to close the gaps in the levees occasioned by +the recent floods, as recommended by the commission, but that Congress +should inaugurate measures for the permanent improvement of the +navigation of the river and security of the valley. It may be that such +a system of improvement would as it progressed require the appropriation +of twenty or thirty millions of dollars. Even such an expenditure, +extending, as it must, over several years, can not be regarded as +extravagant in view of the immense interest involved. The safe and +convenient navigation of the Mississippi is a matter of concern to +all sections of the country, but to the Northwest, with its immense +harvests, needing cheap transportation to the sea, and to the +inhabitants of the river valley, whose lives and property depend upon +the proper construction of the safeguards which protect them from the +floods, it is of vital importance that a well-matured and comprehensive +plan for improvement should be put into operation with as little delay +as possible. The cotton product of the region subject to the devastating +floods is a source of wealth to the nation and of great importance to +keeping the balances of trade in our favor. + +It may not be inopportune to mention that this Government has imposed +and collected some $70,000,000 by a tax on cotton, in the production of +which the population of the Lower Mississippi is largely engaged, and it +does not seem inequitable to return a portion of this tax to those who +contributed it, particularly as such an action will also result in an +important gain to the country at large, and especially so to the great +and rich States of the Northwest and the Mississippi Valley. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 14th instant, from the +Secretary of the Interior, with draft of bill, and accompanying papers, +for the establishment of an Indian training school on the site of the +old Fort Ripley Military Reservation, in the State of Minnesota. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 12th instant, with accompanying papers, in relation to coal lands +upon the San Carlos Reservation, in the Territory of Arizona. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_. + +_To the Senate_: + +I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State and its +accompanying papers, concerning the international regulations for +preventing collisions at sea, and I earnestly commend this important +subject to the early and favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I send herewith a copy of the circular invitation extended to all the +independent countries of North and South America to participate in a +general congress to be held in the city of Washington on the 22d of +November next for the purpose of considering and discussing the methods +of preventing war between the nations of America. + +In giving this invitation I was not unaware that there existed +differences between several of the Republics of South America which +would militate against the happy results which might otherwise be +expected from such an assemblage. The differences indicated are such as +exist between Chile and Peru, between Mexico and Guatemala, and between +the States of Central America. + +It was hoped that these differences would disappear before the time +fixed for the meeting of the congress. This hope has not been realized. + +Having observed that the authority of the President to convene such a +congress has been questioned, I beg leave to state that the Constitution +confers upon the President the power, by and with the advice and consent +of the Senate, to make treaties, and that this provision confers the +power to take all requisite measures to initiate them, and to this end +the President may freely confer with one or several commissioners or +delegates from other nations.. The congress contemplated by the +invitation could only effect any valuable results by its conclusions +eventually taking the form of a treaty of peace between the States +represented; and, besides, the invitation to the States of North and +South America is merely a preliminary act, of which constitutionality +or the want of it can hardly be affirmed. + +It has been suggested that while the international congress would have +no power to affect the rights of nationalities there represented, still +Congress might be unwilling to subject the existing treaty rights of +the United States on the Isthmus and elsewhere on the continent to be +clouded and rendered uncertain by the expression of the opinions of +a congress composed largely of interested parties. + +I am glad to have it in my power to refer to the Congress of the +United States, as I now do, the propriety of convening the suggested +international congress, that I may thus be informed of its views, which +it will be my pleasure to carry out. + +Inquiry having been made by some of the Republics invited whether it is +intended that this international congress shall convene, it is important +that Congress should at as early a day as is convenient inform me by +resolution or otherwise of its opinion in the premises. My action will +be in harmony with such expression. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, November 29, 1881_. + +SIR:[10] The attitude of the United States with respect to the question +of general peace on the American continent is well known through its +persistent efforts for years past to avert the evils of warfare, or, +these efforts failing, to bring positive conflicts to an end through +pacific counsels or the advocacy of impartial arbitration. This attitude +has been consistently maintained, and always with such fairness as to +leave no room for imputing to our Government any motive except the +humane and disinterested one of saving the kindred States of the +American continent from the burdens of war. The position of the United +States as the leading power of the New World might well give to its +Government a claim to authoritative utterance for the purpose of +quieting discord among its neighbors, with all of whom the most friendly +relations exist. Nevertheless, the good offices of this Government are +not and have not at any time been tendered with a show of dictation or +compulsion, but only as exhibiting the solicitous good will of a common +friend. + +For some years past a growing disposition has been manifested by certain +States of Central and South America to refer disputes affecting grave +questions of international relationship and boundaries to arbitration +rather than to the sword. It has been on several such occasions a source +of profound satisfaction to the Government of the United States to see +that this country is in a large measure looked to by all the American +powers as their friend and mediator. + +The just and impartial counsel of the President in such cases has never +been withheld, and his efforts have been rewarded by the prevention of +sanguinary strife or angry contentions between peoples whom we regard as +brethren. + +The existence of this growing tendency convinces the President that the +time is ripe for a proposal that shall enlist the good will and active +cooperation of all the States of the Western Hemisphere, both north and +south, in the interest of humanity and for the common weal of nations. + +He conceives that none of the Governments of America can be less +alive than our own to the dangers and horrors of a state of war, and +especially of war between kinsmen. He is sure that none of the chiefs +of Governments on the continent can be less sensitive than he is to the +sacred duty of making every endeavor to do away with the chances of +fratricidal strife. And he looks with hopeful confidence to such active +assistance from them as will serve to show the broadness of our common +humanity and the strength of the ties which bind us all together as a +great and harmonious system of American Commonwealths. + +Impressed by these views, the President extends to all the independent +countries of North and South America an earnest invitation to +participate in a general congress to be held in the city of Washington +on the 24th day of November, 1882, for the purpose of considering and +discussing the methods of preventing war between the nations of America. +He desires that the attention of the congress shall be strictly confined +to this one great object; that its sole aim shall be to seek a way of +permanently, averting the horrors of cruel and bloody combat between +countries, oftenest of one blood and speech, or the even worse calamity +of internal commotion and civil strife; that it shall regard the +burdensome and far-reaching consequences of such struggles, the legacies +of exhausted finances, of oppressive debt, of onerous taxation, of +ruined cities, of paralyzed industries, of devastated fields, of +ruthless conscription, of the slaughter of men, of the grief of the +widow and the orphan, of imbittered resentments that long survive those +who provoked them and heavily afflict the innocent generations that come +after. + +The President is especially desirous to have it understood that in +putting forth this invitation the United States does not assume the +position of counseling, or attempting through the voice of the congress +to counsel, any determinate solution of existing questions which may now +divide any of the countries of America. Such questions can not properly +come before the congress. Its mission is higher. It is to provide for +the interests of all in the future, not to settle the individual +differences of the present. For this reason especially the President has +indicated a day for the assembling of the congress so far in the future +as to leave good ground for hope that by the time named the present +situation on the South Pacific coast will be happily terminated, and +that those engaged in the contest may take peaceable part in the +discussion and solution of the general question affecting in an equal +degree the well-being of all. + +It seems also desirable to disclaim in advance any purpose on the +part of the United States to prejudge the issues to be presented to the +congress. It is far from the intent of this Government to appear before +the congress as in any sense the protector of its neighbors or the +predestined and necessary arbitrator of their disputes. The United +States will enter into the deliberations of the congress on the +same footing as the other powers represented, and with the loyal +determination to approach any proposed solution not merely in its own +interest or with a view to asserting its own power, but as a single +member among many coordinate and coequal States. So far as the influence +of this Government may be potential, it will be exerted in the direction +of conciliating whatever conflicting interests of blood or government or +historical tradition may necessarily come together in response to a call +embracing such vast and diverse elements. + +You will present these views to the minister of foreign relations of +Mexico, enlarging, if need be, in such terms as will readily occur to +you, upon the great mission which it is within the power of the proposed +congress to accomplish in the interest of humanity, and upon the firm +purpose of the United States to maintain a position of the most absolute +and impartial friendship toward all. You will thereupon, in the name +of the President of the United States, tender to His Excellency the +President of the Mexican Republic a formal invitation to send two +commissioners to the congress, provided with such powers and +instructions on behalf of their Government as will enable them to +consider the questions brought before that body within the limit of +submission contemplated by this invitation. + +The United States as well as the other powers will in like manner be +represented by two commissioners, so that equality and impartiality will +be amply secured in the proceedings of the congress. + +In delivering this invitation through the minister of foreign affairs +you will read this dispatch to him and leave with him a copy, intimating +that an answer is desired by this Government as promptly as the just +consideration of so important a proposition will permit. + +I am, sir, your obedient servant, + +JAMES G. BLAINE. + +[Footnote 10: Sent under the same date, _mutatis mutandis_, to the +United States ministers in the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Brazil, +Central America, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay, Peru, +and Venezuela: also directly to the minister of foreign relations of +Ecuador, in which country the United States had no diplomatic +representative.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a note addressed +by the minister plenipotentiary of Mexico to the Secretary of State, +proposing the conclusion of a convention between the two countries for +defining the boundary between the United States and Mexico from the +Rio Grande westward to the Pacific Ocean by the erection of durable +monuments. I also lay before Congress a letter on the same subject, with +its accompaniment, from the Secretary of War, to whom the proposition +was referred by the Secretary of State for the expression of his views +thereon. + +I deem it important that the boundary line between the two countries, +as defined by existing treaties and already once surveyed, should +be run anew and defined by suitable permanent monuments. By so doing +uncertainty will be prevented as to jurisdiction in criminal and +municipal affairs, and questions be averted which may at any time in +the near future arise with the growth of population on the border. + +Moreover, I conceive that the willing and speedy assent of the +Government of the United States to the proposal thus to determine the +existing stipulated boundary with permanence and precision will be in +some sense an assurance to Mexico that the unauthorized suspicion which +of late years seems to have gained some credence in that Republic that +the United States covets and seeks to annex neighboring territory is +without foundation. That which the United States seeks, and which the +definite settlement of the boundary in the proposed manner will promote, +is a confiding and friendly feeling between the two nations, leading to +advantageous commerce and closer commercial relations. + +I have to suggest that in accepting this proposal suitable provision +be made for an adequate military force on the frontier to protect the +surveying parties from hostile Indians. The troops so employed will at +the same time protect the settlers on the border and help to prevent +marauding on both sides by the nomadic Indians. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 20, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War of the 18th instant, inclosing plans and estimates +for the completion of the post of Fort Maginnis, Montana Territory, and +recommending an appropriation for the purpose of $25,000, as called for +by the estimates. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 15th instant, from the +Secretary of the Interior, with draft of bill and accompanying papers, +touching the amendment of section 2142 of the Revised Statutes of the +United States. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, + +_Washington, April 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith a communication addressed to me by the Secretary of +the Navy, with accompanying papers, in which an appropriation is asked +for the purpose of observing the transit of Venus in 1882. + +The matter is commended to the favorable action of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[The same message was sent to the House of Representatives.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 25, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, presented +in compliance with the request of the House of Representatives in a +resolution of the 10th instant, asking for information touching the +existing restrictions on the importation of American neat cattle into +Great Britain. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 25, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the House of +Representatives, a report from the Secretary of State, in relation to +the International Fisheries Exhibition which is to be held at London in +May, 1883. Fully approving of the suggestions contained in the report, +I would earnestly recommend that favorable action be taken upon the +subject at the present session of Congress, in order that there may be +ample time for making the appropriations necessary to enable this +country to participate in the exhibition. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +By recent information received from official and other sources I am +advised that an alarming state of disorder continues to exist within the +Territory of Arizona, and that lawlessness has already gained such head +there as to require a resort to extraordinary means to repress it. + +The governor of the Territory, under date of the 31st ultimo, reports +that violence and anarchy prevail, particularly in Cochise County and +along the Mexican border; that robbery, murder, and resistance to law +have become so common as to cease causing surprise, and that the people +are greatly intimidated and losing confidence in the protection of the +law. I transmit his communication herewith and call especial attention +thereto. + +In a telegram from the General of the Army dated at Tucson, Ariz., on +the 11th instant, herewith transmitted, that officer states that he +hears of lawlessness and disorders which seem well attested, and that +the civil officers have not sufficient force to make arrests and hold +the prisoners for trial or punish them when convicted. + +Much of this disorder is caused by armed bands of desperadoes known +as "Cowboys," by whom depredations are not only committed within the +Territory, but it is alleged predatory incursions are made therefrom +into Mexico. In my message to Congress at the beginning of the present +session I called attention to the existence of these bands and suggested +that the setting on foot within our own territory of brigandage and +armed marauding expeditions against friendly nations and their citizens +be made punishable as an offense against the United States. I renew this +suggestion. + +To effectually repress the lawlessness prevailing within the Territory a +prompt execution of the process of the courts and vigorous enforcement +of the laws against offenders are needed. This the civil authorities +there are unable to do without the aid of other means and forces than +they can now avail themselves of. To meet the present exigencies the +governor asks that provision be made by Congress to enable him to employ +and maintain temporarily a volunteer militia force to aid the civil +authorities, the members of which force to be invested with the same +powers and authority as are conferred by the laws of the Territory upon +peace officers thereof. + +On the ground of economy as well as effectiveness, however, it appears +to me to be more advisable to permit the cooperation with the civil +authorities of a part of the Army as a _posse comitatus_. Believing +that this, in addition to such use of the Army as may be made under the +powers already conferred by section 5298, Revised Statutes, would be +adequate to secure the accomplishment of the ends in view, I again call +the attention of Congress to the expediency of so amending section 15 +of the act of June 18, 1878, chapter 263, as to allow the military +forces to be employed as a _posse comitatus_ to assist the civil +authorities within a Territory to execute the laws therein. This use of +the Army, as I have in my former message observed, would not seem to be +within the alleged evil against which that legislation was aimed. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 2, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th +of January last, calling for correspondence respecting the condition of +Israelites in Russia, I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of +State and its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, in which he requests that an appropriation +of $108,000 be made for constructing a fireproof roof over the south and +east wings of the building occupied by the Department of the Interior. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 2, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the +18th ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State, with copies of certain +diplomatic correspondence[11] with Spain in 1876, called for by that +resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 11: Relating to United States citizens condemned to death in +Cuba, etc.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, with accompanying papers, in relation to a proposed +amendment of the act of the 15th December, 1880, providing for the +disposal of the Fort Dodge Military Reservation, Kans. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 9, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a letter from the +Superintendent of Census, submitting an estimate for an appropriation of +$80,000 to defray the expenses of the Census Office during the remainder +of the present fiscal year. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 9, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a letter from the +Commissioner of the General Land Office, submitting an estimate for a +special appropriation of $3,200 for completing an exhibit of all the +private land claims in the State of Louisiana. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 11, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a copy of a letter from the +governor of Arizona, in which he requests that an appropriation of +$2,000 be made for the contingent expenses of the Territory for the +next fiscal year. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +submitting a copy of a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions inviting +attention to the fact that the "deficiency" appropriation of $16,000,000 +to meet the June payment of army pensions should be available as early +as the 25th instant if practicable, in order to avoid any delay in +payment. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 11th instant, from the +Secretary of the Interior, together with estimate of appropriation and +accompanying papers, to provide, in accordance with treaty stipulations +and existing laws, for the payment of certain interest due the Osage +Indians. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, with +accompanying papers, submitted in response to the Senate resolution +of the 21st of March last, requesting a copy of instructions given +to Mr. George F. Seward, when minister to China, concerning Chinese +immigration, etc., and Mr. Seward's dispatches on that subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 18, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a concluding report from the Secretary of State +of the 17th instant, and its accompanying papers, relative to Thomas +Shields and Charles Weber, who were imprisoned at Apan, Mexico, and +whose cases formed the subject of the resolution of the House of +Representatives of February 6, 1882. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 18, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, accompanied +by a copy of the correspondence referred to in Senate resolution of the +26th ultimo, in relation to the Japanese indemnity. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 22, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +dated 18th instant, and accompanying report from the Commissioner of +Indian Affairs, relative to the necessity for buildings at the Mescalero +Agency, N. Mex., and for an appropriation for the support, civilization, +etc., of the Apaches at the Mescalero and Jicarilla agencies, together +with an estimate for the same, in the form of a proposed clause for +insertion in the sundry civil bill now pending for consideration in +committee. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 22, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 18th instant, with accompanying papers, submitting the draft of a +proposed clause for insertion in one of the pending appropriation bills, +to provide for the payment for improvements made by certain settlers on +the Round Valley Indian Reservation, in California, as appraised under +the act approved March 3, 1873. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 22, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State and +accompanying documents, submitted in compliance with resolution of the +House of Representatives of the 20th ultimo, calling for additional +information respecting cases of American citizens under arrest in +Ireland. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 22, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th +instant, and accompanying papers from the Acting Chief Signal Officer, +representing the necessity of a special appropriation being made not +later than the 1st of June proximo for the purpose of dispatching a +vessel, with men and supplies, for the relief of the expedition which +was last year sent to Lady Franklin Bay, Grinnell Land. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 24, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 1st of March last, +I transmit a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, accompanied +by the report (with the exception of such parts thereof as it is deemed +incompatible with the public interests to furnish) of Commodore R.W. +Shufeldt, United States Navy, of his cruise around the world in the +United States steamer _Ticonderoga_. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 25, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, concerning +the awards made against Venezuela by the mixed commission under the +convention of April 25, 1866. I earnestly invite the attention of +Congress to this communication and the accompanying inclosures. In case +neither House takes action upon it during the present Congress I shall +feel it my duty to direct that this prolonged discussion be definitely +terminated by recognizing the absolute validity of all the awards. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 26, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 10th +of April ultimo, calling upon the Secretary of State for information in +regard to the restrictions imposed by the French Government upon pork +exported from the United States, I transmit herewith a report of that +officer and its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 24th ultimo, with accompanying papers, submitting the draft of a +proposed clause for insertion in one of the pending appropriation bills, +to provide for the payment of certain legal services rendered to the +Cherokee Indians in North Carolina in 1881, amounting to $150. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 5, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +In further answer to the Senate's resolution of the 12th of December +last, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and its +accompanying paper, in regard to the modification of the Clayton-Bulwer +treaty. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 14, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives_: + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +respecting the Louisiana private land claim of Antonio Vaca, deceased, +to which, with the accompanying papers, I invite the attention of +Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 14, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States_: + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of the +5th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, submitting copies of +the full correspondence between the Department of State and Hon. William +Henry Trescot, special envoy extraordinary to the Republics of Peru, +Chile, and Bolivia, and Walker Elaine, Third Assistant Secretary of +State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 16, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I submit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, in which he recommends that the +sum of $245,000, the amount which the Superintendent estimates will be +required to complete the work of the Tenth Census, be appropriated for +the purpose. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 16, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter +from the Secretary of War, dated the 14th instant, covering plans and +estimates for repairs, additions, and alterations to public buildings at +the depot of the mounted recruiting service, Jefferson Barracks, Mo., +and in which he recommends that the sum of $24,938.44 be appropriated +for the purpose, in accordance with the estimates, during the present +session of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 16, 1882_. + +_To the Senate:_ + +I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State and its +accompanying papers, concerning the Smoke Abatement Exhibition which was +held at South Kensington, London, last winter. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _June 16, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention between the United States and His Majesty the +King of the Belgians, touching the reciprocal surrender of fugitives +from justice, signed on the 13th day of June, 1882, and intended to +supersede the convention for extradition of criminals between both +countries which was concluded on the 19th day of March, 1874. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 19, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 16th instant, from +the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing, with accompanying papers, +a draft of a bill "to enlarge the Pawnee Indian Reservation in Indian +Territory." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 19, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, referring a +communication from the Mexican minister at this capital touching the +arrest and imprisonment in Mexico of Thomas Shields and two other +American citizens, to which the resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 6th day of February last relates. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _June 23, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, with a view to ratification, a +convention between the United States and His Majesty the King of Spain, +for securing reciprocal protection for the trade-marks and manufactured +articles of their respective citizens and subjects within the dominions +or territories of the other country, signed on the 19th day of June, +1882. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the +9th instant, and its accompanying copy of the telegram from the general +commanding the Military Division of the Pacific and Department of +California, relative to the construction of additional quarters, +barracks, storehouses, etc., within the limits of the Military +Department of Arizona. + +The Secretary of War recommends that for the purpose of constructing +the additional buildings referred to the sum of their estimated cost, +$205,000, be appropriated during the present session of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 28, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 22d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting the draft of a +proposed clause for insertion in one of the pending appropriation bills, +to provide for the payment for improvements made by certain settlers on +the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, in New Mexico. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 3, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 25th +of April last, calling for information in regard to the reassembling of +the Paris Monetary Conference during the current year and other matters +connected therewith, I transmit herewith a report on the subject and its +accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 20, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +papers, furnished in response to the resolution of the Senate of +December 21, 1881, calling for the correspondence with the Mexican +Government in regard to the claims of Benjamin Weil and La Abra Silver +Mining Company against Mexico. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 20, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view +to ratification, a convention between the United States and Mexico, +providing for the reopening and retrying of the claims of Benjamin Weil +and La Abra Silver Mining Company against Mexico, which was signed on +the 13th instant. + +A report of the Secretary of State, with its accompanying +correspondence, transmitted to the Senate this day in response to the +resolution of December 21, 1881, will show the antecedents of the +negotiation which resulted in the accompanying convention. In view of +the accumulation of testimony presented by Mexico relative to these two +claims, I have deemed it proper to avail myself of the authority given +to the Executive by the Constitution, and of which authority the act of +Congress of June 18, 1878, is declarative, to effect a rehearing of +these cases. I therefore empowered the Secretary of State to negotiate +with the minister of Mexico a convention to that end. + +The more important correspondence preliminary to the treaty is herewith +transmitted. + +It will be seen by the stipulations of the treaty that the rehearing +will have no retroactive effect as to payments already distributed, that +the _bona fide_ interests of third parties are amply secured, and +that the Government of the United States is fully guarded against any +liability resulting from the rehearing. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 26, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for consideration with a view to +ratification, a supplementary convention between the United States and +the French Republic, signed at Washington on the 19th instant, extending +the term of duration of the commission organized under the convention of +January 15, 1880, between the two countries. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 29, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the Senate resolution of the 15th +instant, a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying papers, +relating to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 29, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for consideration with a view to +ratification, a treaty between the United States and the Kingdom of +Korea, or Chosen, concluded on the 22d May last. For the information of +the Senate the accompanying letter of the Secretary of State is also +transmitted. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, August 1, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention concluded on the 29th of July, 1882, between +the United States and Mexico, providing for an international boundary +survey to relocate the existing frontier line between the two countries +west of the Rio Grande. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, + +_Washington, August 4, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In reply to a resolution of the Senate passed April 25, 1882, I transmit +herewith a communication, with accompanying papers, from the Secretary +of the Navy, in relation to the title by which the United States holds +the land now occupied as a navy-yard at Boston, Mass. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 5, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, submitted in +compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the +28th of June, calling for additional information respecting the case of +American citizens under arrest in Ireland. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, August 7, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, with a view to ratification, a +convention concluded this day between the United States of America +and His Majesty the King of Spain, supplementary to the extradition +convention concluded between said countries on the 5th day of +January, 1877. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +VETO MESSAGES. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 4, 1882_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +After careful consideration of Senate bill No. 71, entitled "An act to +execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese," I herewith +return it to the Senate, in which it originated, with my objections to +its passage. + +A nation is justified in repudiating its treaty obligations only when +they are in conflict with great paramount interests. Even then all +possible reasonable means for modifying or changing those obligations +by mutual agreement should be exhausted before resorting to the supreme +right of refusal to comply with them. + +These rules have governed the United States in their past intercourse +with other powers as one of the family of nations. I am persuaded that +if Congress can feel that this act violates the faith of the nation as +pledged to China it will concur with me in rejecting this particular +mode of regulating Chinese immigration, and will endeavor to find +another which shall meet the expectations of the people of the United +States without coming in conflict with the rights of China. + +The present treaty relations between that power and the United States +spring from an antagonism which arose between our paramount domestic +interests and our previous relations. + +The treaty commonly known as the Burlingame treaty conferred upon +Chinese subjects the right of voluntary emigration to the United States +for the purposes of curiosity or trade or as permanent residents, and +was in all respects reciprocal as to citizens of the United States in +China. It gave to the voluntary emigrant coming to the United States +the right to travel there or to reside there, with all the privileges, +immunities, or exemptions enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of the +most favored nation. + +Under the operation of this treaty it was found that the institutions +of the United States and the character of its people and their means of +obtaining a livelihood might be seriously affected by the unrestricted +introduction of Chinese labor. Congress attempted to alleviate this +condition by legislation, but the act which it passed proved to be +in violation of our treaty obligations, and, being returned by the +President with his objections, failed to become a law. + +Diplomatic relief was then sought. A new treaty was concluded with +China. Without abrogating the Burlingame treaty, it was agreed to modify +it so far that the Government of the United States might regulate, +limit, or suspend the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States +or their residence therein, but that it should not absolutely prohibit +them, and that the limitation or suspension should be reasonable and +should apply only to Chinese who might go to the United States as +laborers, other classes not being included in the limitations. This +treaty is unilateral, not reciprocal. It is a concession from China to +the United States in limitation of the rights which she was enjoying +under the Burlingame treaty. It leaves us by our own act to determine +when and how we will enforce those limitations. China may therefore +fairly have a right to expect that in enforcing them we will take good +care not to overstep the grant and take more than has been conceded +to us. + +It is but a year since this new treaty, under the operation of the +Constitution, became part of the supreme law of the land, and the +present act is the first attempt to exercise the more enlarged powers +which it relinquishes to the United States. + +In its first article the United States is empowered to decide whether +the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States or their residence +therein affects or threatens to affect our interests or to endanger good +order, either within the whole country or in any part of it. The act +recites that "in the opinion of the Government of the United States the +coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of +certain localities thereof." But the act itself is much broader than +the recital. It acts upon residence as well as immigration, and its +provisions are effective throughout the United States. I think it may +fairly be accepted as an expression of the opinion of Congress that the +coming of such laborers to the United States or their residence here +affects our interests and endangers good order throughout the country. +On this point I should feel it my duty to accept the views of Congress. + +The first article further confers the power upon this Government to +regulate, limit, or suspend, but not actually to prohibit, the coming +of such laborers to or their residence in the United States. The +negotiators of the treaty have recorded with unusual fullness their +understanding of the sense and meaning with which these words were used. + +As to the class of persons to be affected by the treaty, the Americans +inserted in their draft a provision that the words "Chinese laborers" +signify all immigration other than that for "teaching, trade, travel, +study, and curiosity." The Chinese objected to this that it operated to +include artisans in the class of laborers whose immigration might be +forbidden. The Americans replied that they "could" not consent that +artisans shall be excluded from the class of Chinese laborers, for it is +this very competition of skilled labor in the cities where the Chinese +labor immigration concentrates which has caused the embarrassment and +popular discontent. In the subsequent negotiations this definition +dropped out, and does not appear in the treaty. Article II of the treaty +confers the rights, privileges, immunities, and exemptions which are +accorded to citizens and subjects of the most favored nation upon +Chinese subjects proceeding to the United States as teachers, students, +merchants, or from curiosity. The American commissioners report that the +Chinese Government claimed that in this article they did by exclusion +provide that nobody should be entitled to claim the benefit of the +general provisions of the Burlingame treaty but those who might go to +the United States in those capacities or for those purposes. I accept +this as the definition of the word "laborers" as used in the treaty. + +As to the power of legislating respecting this class of persons, the new +treaty provides that we "may not absolutely prohibit" their coming or +their residence. The Chinese commissioners gave notice in the outset +that they would never agree to a prohibition of voluntary emigration. +Notwithstanding this the United States commissioners submitted a draft, +in which it was provided that the United States might "regulate, limit, +suspend, or prohibit" it. The Chinese refused to accept this. The +Americans replied that they were "willing to consult the wishes of the +Chinese Government in preserving the principle of free intercourse +between the people of the two countries, as established by existing +treaties, provided that the right of the United States Government to use +its discretion in guarding against any possible evils of immigration of +Chinese laborers is distinctly recognized. Therefore if such concession +removes all difficulty on the part of the Chinese commissioners (but +only in that case) the United States commissioners will agree to remove +the word 'prohibit' from their article and to use the words 'regulate, +limit, or suspend.'" The Chinese reply to this can only be inferred from +the fact that in the place of an agreement, as proposed by our +commissioners, that we might prohibit the coming or residence of Chinese +laborers, there was inserted in the treaty an agreement that we might +not do it. + +The remaining words, "regulate, limit, and suspend," first appear in the +American draft. When it was submitted to the Chinese, they said: + + We infer that of the phrases regulate, limit, suspend, or prohibit, + the first is a general expression referring to the others. * * * We + are entirely ready to negotiate with your excellencies to the end that + a limitation either in point of time or of numbers may be fixed upon + the emigration of Chinese laborers to the United States. + + +At a subsequent interview they said that "by limitation in number they +meant, for example, that the United States, having, as they supposed, +a record of the number of immigrants in each year, as well as the total +number of Chinese now there, that no more should be allowed to go in any +one year in future than either the greatest number which had gone in any +year in the past, or that the total number should never be allowed to +exceed the number now there. As to limitation of time they meant, for +example, that Chinese should be allowed to go in alternate years, or +every third year, or, for example, that they should not be allowed to +go for two, three, or five years." + +At a subsequent conference the Americans said: + + The Chinese commissioners have in their project explicitly recognized + the right of the United States to use some discretion, and have + proposed a limitation as to time and number. This _is_ the right to + regulate, limit, or suspend. + + +In one of the conferences the Chinese asked the Americans whether they +could give them any idea of the laws which would be passed to carry the +powers into execution. The Americans answered that this could hardly be +done; that the United States Government might never deem it necessary +to exercise this power. It would depend upon circumstances. If Chinese +immigration concentrated in cities where it threatened public order, +or if it confined itself to localities where it was an injury to the +interests of the American people, the Government of the United States +would undoubtedly take steps to prevent such accumulations of Chinese. +If, on the contrary, there was no large immigration, or if there were +sections of the country where such immigration was clearly beneficial, +then the legislation of the United States under this power would be +adapted to such circumstances. For example, there might be a demand for +Chinese labor in the South and a surplus of such labor in California, +and Congress might legislate in accordance with these facts. In general +the legislation would be in view of and depend upon the circumstances +of the situation at the moment such legislation became necessary. The +Chinese commissioners said this explanation was satisfactory; that they +had not intended to ask for a draft of any special act, but for some +general idea how the power would be exercised. What had just been said +gave them the explanation which they wanted. + +With this entire accord as to the meaning of the words they were about +to employ and the object of the legislation which might be had in +consequence, the parties signed the treaty, in Article I of which-- + + The Government of China agrees that the Government of the United + States may regulate, limit, or suspend such coming or residence, but + may not absolutely prohibit it. The limitation or suspension shall + be reasonable, and shall apply only to Chinese who may go to the + United States as laborers, other classes not being included in the + limitations. Legislation taken in regard to Chinese laborers will be + of such a character only as is necessary to enforce the regulation, + limitation, or suspension of immigration. + + +The first section of the act provides that-- + + From and after the expiration of sixty days next after the passage + of this act, and until the expiration of twenty years next after the + passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers be, and the same + is hereby, suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be + lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or, having so come after the + expiration of said sixty days, to remain within the United States. + + +The examination which I have made of the treaty and of the declarations +which its negotiators have left on record of the meaning of its language +leaves no doubt in my mind that neither contracting party in concluding +the treaty of 1880 contemplated the passage of an act prohibiting +immigration for twenty years, which is nearly a generation, or thought +that such a period would be a reasonable suspension or limitation, or +intended to change the provisions of the Burlingame treaty to that +extent. I regard this provision of the act as a breach of our national +faith, and being unable to bring myself in harmony with the views of +Congress on this vital point the honor of the country constrains me to +return the act with this objection to its passage. + +Deeply convinced of the necessity of some legislation on this subject, +and concurring fully with Congress in many of the objects which are +sought to be accomplished, I avail myself of the opportunity to point +out some other features of the present act which, in my opinion, can be +modified to advantage. + +The classes of Chinese who still enjoy the protection of the Burlingame +treaty are entitled to the privileges, immunities, and exemptions +accorded to citizens and subjects of the most favored nation. We have +treaties with many powers which permit their citizens and subjects to +reside within the United States and carry on business under the same +laws and regulations which are enforced against citizens of the United +States. I think it may be doubted whether provisions requiring personal +registration and the taking out of passports which are not imposed upon +natives can be required of Chinese. Without expressing an opinion on +that point, I may invite the attention of Congress to the fact that +the system of personal registration and passports is undemocratic and +hostile to the spirit of our institutions. I doubt the wisdom of +putting an entering wedge of this kind into our laws. A nation like +the United States, jealous of the liberties of its citizens, may well +hesitate before it incorporates into its polity a system which is fast +disappearing in Europe before the progress of liberal institutions. +A wide experience has shown how futile such precautions are, and how +easily passports may be borrowed, exchanged, or even forged by persons +interested to do so. + +If it is, nevertheless, thought that a passport is the most convenient +way for identifying the Chinese entitled to the protection of the +Burlingame treaty, it may still be doubted whether they ought to be +required to register. It is certainly our duty under the Burlingame +treaty to make their stay in the United States, in the operation of +general laws upon them, as nearly like that of our own citizens as we +can consistently with our right to shut out the laborers. No good +purpose is served in requiring them to register. + +My attention has been called by the Chinese minister to the fact that +the bill as it stands makes no provision for the transit across the +United States of Chinese subjects now residing in foreign countries. +I think that this point may well claim the attention of Congress in +legislating on this subject. + +I have said that good faith requires us to suspend the immigration of +Chinese laborers for a less period than twenty years; I now add that +good policy points in the same direction. + +Our intercourse with China is of recent date. Our first treaty with +that power is not yet forty years old. It is only since we acquired +California and established a great seat of commerce on the Pacific that +we may be said to have broken down the barriers which fenced in that +ancient Monarchy. The Burlingame treaty naturally followed. Under the +spirit which inspired it many thousand Chinese laborers came to the +United States. No one can say that the country has not profited by their +work. They were largely instrumental in constructing the railways which +connect the Atlantic with the Pacific. The States of the Pacific Slope +are full of evidences of their industry. Enterprises profitable alike to +the capitalist and to the laborer of Caucasian origin would have lain +dormant but for them. A time has now come when it is supposed that they +are not needed, and when it is thought by Congress and by those most +acquainted with the subject that it is best to try to get along without +them. There may, however, be other sections of the country where this +species of labor may be advantageously employed without interfering with +the laborers of our own race. In making the proposed experiment it may +be the part of wisdom as well as of good faith to fix the length of the +experimental period with reference to this fact. + +Experience has shown that the trade of the East is the key to national +wealth and influence. The opening of China to the commerce of the whole +world has benefited no section of it more than the States of our own +Pacific Slope. The State of California, and its great maritime port +especially, have reaped enormous advantages from this source. Blessed +with an exceptional climate, enjoying an unrivaled harbor, with the +riches of a great agricultural and mining State in its rear and the +wealth of the whole Union pouring into it over its lines of railway, +San Francisco has before it an incalculable future if our friendly and +amicable relations with Asia remain undisturbed. It needs no argument to +show that the policy which we now propose to adopt must have a direct +tendency to repel Oriental nations from us and to drive their trade +and commerce into more friendly lands. It may be that the great and +paramount interest of protecting our labor from Asiatic competition may +justify us in a permanent adoption of this policy; but it is wiser in +the first place to make a shorter experiment, with a view hereafter of +maintaining permanently only such features as time and experience may +commend. + +I transmit herewith copies of the papers relating to the recent treaty +with China, which accompanied the confidential message of President +Hayes to the Senate of the 10th January, 1881, and also a copy of a +memorandum respecting the act herewith returned, which was handed to +the Secretary of State by the Chinese minister in Washington. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 1, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +Herewith I return House bill No. 2744, entitled "An act to regulate the +carriage of passengers by sea," without my approval. In doing this I +regret that I am not able to give my assent to an act which has received +the sanction of the majority of both Houses of Congress. + +The object proposed to be secured by the act is meritorious and +philanthropic. Some correct and accurate legislation upon this subject +is undoubtedly necessary. Steamships that bring large bodies of +emigrants must be subjected to strict legal enactments, so as to prevent +the passengers from being exposed to hardship and suffering; and such +legislation should be made as will give them abundance of space and air +and light, protecting their health by affording all reasonable comforts +and conveniences and by providing for the quantity and quality of the +food to be furnished and all of the other essentials of roomy, safe, and +healthful accommodations in their passage across the sea. + +A statute providing for all this is absolutely needed, and in the spirit +of humane legislation must be enacted. The present act, by most of its +provisions, will obtain and secure this protection for such passengers, +and were it not for some serious errors contained in it it would be most +willingly approved by me. + +My objections are these: In the first section, in lines from 13 to 24, +inclusive, it is provided "that the compartments or spaces," etc., +"shall be of sufficient dimensions to allow for each and any passenger," +etc., "100 cubic feet, if the compartment or space is located on the +first deck next below the uppermost deck of the vessel," etc., "or 120 +cubic feet for each passenger," etc., "if the compartment or space is +located on the second deck below the uppermost deck of the vessel," etc. +"It shall not be lawful to carry or bring passengers on any deck other +than the two decks mentioned," etc. + +Nearly all of the new and most of the improved ocean steamers have +a spar deck, which is above the main deck. The main deck was in +the old style of steamers the only uppermost deck. The spar deck is a +comparatively new feature of the large and costly steamships, and is now +practically the uppermost deck. Below this spar deck is the main deck. +Because of the misuse of the words "uppermost deck" instead of the use +of the words "main deck" by this act, the result will be to exclude +nearly all of the large steamships from carrying passengers anywhere +but on the main deck and on the deck below, which is the steerage deck, +and to leave the orlop, or lower deck, heretofore used for passengers, +useless and unoccupied by passengers. This objection, which is now +presented in connection with others that will be presently explained, +will, if this act is enforced as it is now phrased, render useless for +passenger traffic and expose to heavy loss all of the great ocean steam +lines; and it will also hinder emigration, as there will not be ships +enough that could accept these conditions to carry all who may now wish +to come. + +The use of the new and the hitherto unknown term "uppermost deck" +creates this difficulty, and I can not consent to have an abuse of terms +like this to operate thus injuriously to these large fleets of ships. +The passengers will not be benefited by such a statute, but emigration +will be hindered, if not for a while almost prevented for many. + +Again, the act in the first section, from line 31 to line 35, inclusive, +provides: "And such passengers shall not be carried or brought in any +between-decks, nor in any compartment," etc., "the clear height of which +is less than 7 feet." Between the decks of all ships are the beams; they +are about a foot in width. The legal method of ascertaining tonnage for +the purpose of taxation is to measure between the beams from the floor +to the ceiling. If this becomes a law the space required would be 8 feet +from floor to ceiling, and this is impracticable, for in all ships the +spaces between decks are adjusted in proportion to the dimensions of +the ship; and if these spaces between decks are changed so as not to +correspond in their proportions with the dimensions of the vessel, +the ship will not work well in the sea, her sailing qualities will +be injured, and she will be rendered unfit for service. + +It is only in great ships of vast tonnage that the height between +decks can be increased. All the ordinary-sized ships are necessarily +constructed with 7 feet space in the interval between the beams from the +floor to the ceiling. To adopt this act, with this provision, would be +to drive out of the service of transporting passengers most all of the +steamships now in such trade, and no practical good obtained by it, for +really, with the exception of the narrow beam, the space between the +decks is now 7 feet. The purpose of the space commanded by the act is to +obtain sufficient air and ventilation, and that is actually now given to +the passenger by the 7 feet that exists in all of these vessels between +floor and ceiling. + +There is also another objection that I must suggest. In section 12, +from line 14 to line 24, it is provided: "Before such vessel shall be +cleared or may lawfully depart," etc., "the master of said vessel shall +furnish," etc., "a correct list of all passengers who have been or are +intended to be taken on board the vessel, and shall specify," etc. This +provision would prevent the clearing of the vessel. Steam vessels start +at an appointed hour and with punctuality. Down almost to the very hour +of their departure new passengers, other than those who have engaged +their passage, constantly come on board. If this provision is to be the +law; they must be rejected, for the ship can not, without incurring +heavy penalties, take passengers whose names are not set forth on the +list required before such vessel shall be cleared. They should be +allowed to take such new passengers upon condition that they would +furnish an additional list containing such persons' names. There are +other points of objection of a minor character that might be presented +for consideration if the bill could be reconsidered and amended, but the +three that I have recited are conspicuous defects in a bill that ought +to be a code for such a purpose, clear and explicit, free from all such +objections. The practical result of this law would be to subject all of +the competing lines of large ocean steamers to great losses. By +restricting their carrying accommodations it would also stay the current +of emigration that it is our policy to encourage as well as to protect. +A good bill, correctly phrased, and expressing and naming in plain, +well-known technical terms the proper and usual places and decks where +passengers are and ought to be placed and carried, will receive my +prompt and immediate assent as a public necessity and blessing. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 1, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives_: + +Having watched with much interest the progress of House bill No. 6242, +entitled "An act making appropriations for the construction, repair, +and preservation of certain works on rivers and harbors, and for other +purposes," and having since it was received carefully examined it, after +mature consideration I am constrained to return it herewith to the House +of Representatives, in which it originated, without my signature and +with my objections to its passage. + +Many of the appropriations in the bill are clearly for the general +welfare and most beneficent in their character. Two of the objects for +which provision is made were by me considered so important that I felt +it my duty to direct to them the attention of Congress. In my annual +message in December last I urged the vital importance of legislation for +the reclamation of the marshes and for the establishment of the harbor +lines along the Potomac front. In April last, by special message, +I recommended an appropriation for the improvement of the Mississippi +River. It is not necessary that I say that when my signature would make +the bill appropriating for these and other valuable national objects +a law it is with great reluctance and only under a sense of duty that +I withhold it. + +My principal objection to the bill is that it contains appropriations +for purposes not for the common defense or general welfare, and which +do not promote commerce among the States. These provisions, on the +contrary, are entirely for the benefit of the particular localities +in which it is proposed to make the improvements. I regard such +appropriation of the public money as beyond the powers given by the +Constitution to Congress and the President. + +I feel the more bound to withhold my signature from the bill because +of the peculiar evils which manifestly result from this infraction of +the Constitution. Appropriations of this nature, to be devoted purely +to local objects, tend to an increase in number and in amount. As the +citizens of one State find that money, to raise which they in common +with the whole country are taxed, is to be expended for local +improvements in another State, they demand similar benefits for +themselves, and it is not unnatural that they should seek to indemnify +themselves for such use of the public funds by securing appropriations +for similar improvements in their own neighborhood. Thus as the bill +becomes more objectionable it secures more support. This result is +invariable and necessarily follows a neglect to observe the +constitutional limitations imposed upon the lawmaking power. + +The appropriations for river and harbor improvements have, under the +influences to which I have alluded, increased year by year out of +proportion to the progress of the country, great as that has been. +In 1870 the aggregate appropriation was $3,975,900; in 1875, +$6,648,517.50; in 1880, $8,976,500; and in 1881, $11,451,000; while +by the present act there is appropriated $18,743,875. + +While feeling every disposition to leave to the Legislature the +responsibility of determining what amount should be appropriated for +the purposes of the bill, so long as the appropriations are confined to +objects indicated by the grant of power, I can not escape the conclusion +that, as a part of the lawmaking power of the Government, the duty +devolves upon me to withhold my signature from a bill containing +appropriations which in my opinion greatly exceed in amount the needs of +the country for the present fiscal year. It being the usage to provide +money for these purposes by annual appropriation bills, the President +is in effect directed to expend so large an amount of money within so +brief a period that the expenditure can not be made economically and +advantageously. + +The extravagant expenditure of public money is an evil not to be +measured by the value of that money to the people who are taxed for it. +They sustain a greater injury in the demoralizing effect produced upon +those who are intrusted with official duty through all the ramifications +of government. + +These objections could be removed and every constitutional purpose +readily attained should Congress enact that one-half only of the +aggregate amount provided for in the bill be appropriated for +expenditure during the fiscal year, and that the sum so appropriated be +expended only for such objects named in the bill as the Secretary of +War, under the direction of the President, shall determine; provided +that in no case shall the expenditure for any one purpose exceed the +sum now designated by the bill for that purpose. + +I feel authorized to make this suggestion because of the duty +imposed upon the President by the Constitution "to recommend to the +consideration of Congress such measures as he shall judge necessary and +expedient," and because it is my earnest desire that the public works +which are in progress shall suffer no injury. Congress will also convene +again in four months, when this whole subject will be open for their +consideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +PROCLAMATIONS. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + + +Whereas it is provided in the laws of the United States that-- + + Whenever, by reason of unlawful obstructions, combinations, or + assemblages of persons or rebellion against the authority of the + Government of the United States, it shall become impracticable, in + the judgment of the President, to enforce by the ordinary course of + judicial proceedings the laws of the United States within any State + or Territory, it shall be lawful for the President to call forth the + militia of any or all the States and to employ such parts of the land + and naval forces of the United States as he may deem necessary to + enforce the faithful execution of the laws of the United States or to + suppress such rebellion, in whatever State or Territory thereof the + laws of the United States may be forcibly opposed or the execution + thereof forcibly obstructed. + + +And whereas it has been made to appear satisfactorily to me, by +information received from the governor of the Territory of Arizona and +from the General of the Army of the United States and other reliable +sources, that in consequence of unlawful combinations of evil-disposed +persons who are banded together to oppose and obstruct the execution of +the laws it has become impracticable to enforce by the ordinary course +of judicial proceedings the laws of the United States within that +Territory, and that the laws of the United States have been therein +forcibly opposed and the execution thereof forcibly resisted; and + +Whereas the laws of the United States require that whenever it may be +necessary, in the judgment of the President, to use the military forces +for the purpose of enforcing the faithful execution of the laws of the +United States, he shall forthwith, by proclamation, command such +insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes +within a limited time: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do +hereby admonish all good citizens of the United States, and especially +of the Territory of Arizona, against aiding, countenancing, abetting, or +taking part in any such unlawful proceedings; and I do hereby warn all +persons engaged in or connected with said obstruction of the laws to +disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes on or before +noon of the 15th day of May. + +[SEAL.] + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of May, A.D. 1882, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and sixth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +In conformity with a custom the annual observance of which is justly +held in honor by this people, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the +United States, do hereby set apart Thursday, the 30th day of November +next, as a day of public thanksgiving. + +The blessings demanding our gratitude are numerous and varied. For the +peace and amity which subsist between this Republic and all the nations +of the world; for the freedom from internal discord and violence; for +the increasing friendship between the different sections of the land; +for liberty, justice, and constitutional government; for the devotion +of the people to our free institutions and their cheerful obedience to +mild laws; for the constantly increasing strength of the Republic while +extending its privileges to fellow-men who come to us; for the improved +means of internal communication and the increased facilities of +intercourse with other nations; for the general prevailing health of the +year; for the prosperity of all our industries, the liberal return for +the mechanic's toil affording a market for the abundant harvests of +the husbandman; for the preservation of the national faith and credit; +for wise and generous provision to effect the intellectual and moral +education of our youth; for the influence upon the conscience of a +restraining and transforming religion, and for the joys of home--for +these and for many other blessings we should give thanks. + +Wherefore I do recommend that the day above designated be observed +throughout the country as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer, +and that the people, ceasing from their daily labors and meeting in +accordance with their several forms of worship, draw near to the throne +of Almighty God, offering to Him praise and gratitude for the manifold +goodness which He has vouchsafed to us and praying that His blessings +and His mercies may continue. + +And I do further recommend that the day thus appointed be made a special +occasion for deeds of kindness and charity to the suffering and the +needy, so that all who dwell within the land may rejoice and be glad in +this season of national thanksgiving. + +[SEAL.] + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 25th day of October, A.D. 1882, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and seventh. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +EXECUTIVE ORDERS. + + +TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _March 30, 1882_. + +_To Collectors of Customs_: + +Under the provisions of section 1955, Revised Statutes, so much of +Department instructions of July 3, 1875,[12] approved by the President, +as prohibits the importation and use of breech-loading rifles and +suitable ammunition therefor into and within the limits of the Territory +of Alaska is hereby amended and modified so as to permit emigrants who +intend to become actual _bona fide_ settlers upon the mainland to +ship to the care of the collector of customs at Sitka, for their own +personal protection and for the hunting of game, not exceeding one such +rifle and suitable ammunition therefor to each male adult; also to +permit actual _bona fide_ residents of the mainland of Alaska (not +including Indians or traders), upon application to the collector and +with his approval, to order and ship for personal use such arms and +ammunition to his care, not exceeding one rifle for each such person, +and proper ammunition. + +The sale of such arms and ammunition is prohibited except by persons +about to leave the Territory, and then only to _bona fide_ +residents (excluding Indians and traders) upon application to and with +the approval of the collector. + +H.F. FRENCH, _Acting Secretary_. + +Approved: + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 12: See Vol. VII, p. 328.] + + + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +_To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting_: + +Whereas on the 10th day of January, 1863, Fitz John Porter, then +major-general of volunteers in the military service of the United +States, and also colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment of Infantry and +brevet brigadier-general in the United States Army, was by a general +court-martial, for certain offenses of which he had been thereby +convicted, sentenced "to be cashiered and to be forever disqualified +from holding any office of trust or profit under the Government of the +United States;" and + +Whereas on the 21st day of January 1863, that sentence was duly +confirmed by the President of the United States, and by his order of the +same date carried into execution; and + +Whereas so much of that sentence as forever disqualified the said Fitz +John Porter from holding office imposed upon him a continuing penalty +and is still being executed; and + +Whereas doubts have since arisen concerning the guilt of the said Fitz +John Porter of the offenses whereof he was convicted by the said +court-martial, founded upon the result of an investigation ordered on +the 12th day of April, 1878, by the President of the United States, +which are deemed by me to be of sufficient gravity to warrant the +remission of that part of said sentence which has not yet been +completely executed: + +Now, therefore, know ye that I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the +United States, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution +of the United States and in consideration of the premises, do hereby +grant to the said Fitz John Porter full remission of the +hereinbeforementioned continuing penalty. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 4th day of May, A.D. 1882, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and sixth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 26, 1882_. + +SIR:[13] I am directed by the President to inform you that the several +Departments of the Government will be closed on Tuesday, the 30th +instant, to enable the employees to participate in the decoration of +the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion. + +Very respectfully, + +FRED. J. PHILLIPS, _Private Secretary_. + +[Footnote 13: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.] + + + +WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, July 13, 1882_. + +I. By direction of the President, the Military Department of West Point +will be discontinued September 1, 1882. + +II. By direction of the President, sections 1 and 2 of Article I of the +general regulations for the United States Military Academy are hereby +amended to read as follows: + +1. The General of the Army, under the War Department, shall have +supervision and charge of the United States Military Academy. He will +watch over its administration and discipline and the instruction of the +Corps of Cadets, and will make reports thereof to the Secretary of War. + +2. The Superintendent, and in his absence the next in rank, shall have +the immediate government and military command of the Academy, and shall +be commandant of the military post of West Point. The Superintendent +will render, through the Adjutant-General, to the General of the Army, +for submission to the Secretary of War, all required reports, returns, +and estimates concerning the Academy. + +ROBERT T. LINCOLN, + +_Secretary of War_. + + + + +SECOND ANNUAL MESSAGE. + + +WASHINGTON, _December 4, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States_: + +It is provided by the Constitution that the President shall from time +to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union and +recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge +necessary and expedient. + +In reviewing the events of the year which has elapsed since the +commencement of your sessions, I first call your attention to the +gratifying condition of our foreign affairs. Our intercourse with other +powers has continued to be of the most friendly character. + +Such slight differences as have arisen during the year have been +already settled or are likely to reach an early adjustment. The arrest +of citizens of the United States in Ireland under recent laws which owe +their origin to the disturbed condition of that country has led to a +somewhat extended correspondence with the Government of Great Britain. +A disposition to respect our rights has been practically manifested by +the release of the arrested parties. + +The claim of this nation in regard to the supervision and control of any +interoceanic canal across the American Isthmus has continued to be the +subject of conference. + +It is likely that time will be more powerful than discussion in removing +the divergence between the two nations whose friendship is so closely +cemented by the intimacy of their relations and the community of their +interests. + +Our long-established friendliness with Russia has remained unshaken. It +has prompted me to proffer the earnest counsels of this Government that +measures be adopted for suppressing the proscription which the Hebrew +race in that country has lately suffered. It has not transpired that +any American citizen has been subjected to arrest or injury, but our +courteous remonstrance has nevertheless been courteously received. There +is reason to believe that the time is not far distant when Russia will +be able to secure toleration to all faiths within her borders. + +At an international convention held at Paris in 1880, and attended +by representatives of the United States, an agreement was reached in +respect to the protection of trade-marks, patented articles, and the +rights of manufacturing firms and corporations. The formulating into +treaties of the recommendations thus adopted is receiving the attention +which it merits. + +The protection of submarine cables is a subject now under consideration +by an international conference at Paris. Believing that it is clearly +the true policy of this Government to favor the neutralization of this +means of intercourse, I requested our minister to France to attend the +convention as a delegate. I also designated two of our eminent +scientists to attend as our representatives at the meeting of an +international committee at Paris for considering the adoption of a +common unit to measure electric force. + +In view of the frequent occurrence of conferences for the consideration +of important matters of common interest to civilized nations, I +respectfully suggest that the Executive be invested by Congress with +discretionary powers to send delegates to such conventions, and that +provision be made to defray the expenses incident thereto. + +The difference between the United States and Spain as to the effect of +a judgment and certificate of naturalization has not yet been adjusted, +but it is hoped and believed that negotiations now in progress will +result in the establishment of the position which seems to this +Government so reasonable and just. + +I have already called the attention of Congress to the fact that in the +ports of Spain and its colonies onerous fines have lately been imposed +upon vessels of the United States for trivial technical offenses against +local regulations. Efforts for the abatement of these exactions have +thus far proved unsuccessful. + +I regret to inform you also that the fees demanded by Spanish consuls in +American ports are in some cases so large, when compared with the value +of the cargo, as to amount in effect to a considerable export duty, and +that our remonstrances in this regard have not as yet received the +attention which they seem to deserve. + +The German Government has invited the United States to participate in +an international exhibition of domestic cattle to be held at Hamburg in +July, 1883. If this country is to be represented, it is important that +in the early days of this session Congress should make a suitable +appropriation for that purpose. + +The death of Mr. Marsh, our late minister to Italy, has evoked from that +Government expressions of profound respect for his exalted character +and for his honorable career in the diplomatic service of his country. +The Italian Government has raised a question as to the propriety of +recognizing in his dual capacity the representative of this country +recently accredited both as secretary of legation and as consul-general +at Rome. He has been received as secretary, but his exequatur as +consul-general has thus far been withheld. + +The extradition convention with Belgium, which has been in operation +since 1874, has been lately supplanted by another. The Senate has +signified its approval, and ratifications have been duly exchanged +between the contracting countries. To the list of extraditable crimes +has been added that of the assassination or attempted assassination of +the chief of the State. + +Negotiations have been opened with Switzerland looking to a settlement +by treaty of the question whether its citizens can renounce their +allegiance and become citizens of the United States without obtaining +the consent of the Swiss Government. + +I am glad to inform you that the immigration of paupers and criminals +from certain of the Cantons of Switzerland has substantially ceased and +is no longer sanctioned by the authorities. + +The consideration of this subject prompts the suggestion that the act of +August 3, 1882, which has for its object the return of foreign convicts +to their own country, should be so modified as not to be open to the +interpretation that it affects the extradition of criminals on preferred +charges of crime. + +The Ottoman Porte has not yet assented to the interpretation which +this Government has put upon the treaty of 1830 relative to its +jurisdictional rights in Turkey. It may well be, however, that this +difference will be adjusted by a general revision of the system of +jurisdiction of the United States in the countries of the East, a +subject to which your attention has been already called by the Secretary +of State. + +In the interest of justice toward China and Japan, I trust that the +question of the return of the indemnity fund to the Governments of those +countries will reach at the present session the satisfactory solution +which I have already recommended, and which has recently been +foreshadowed by Congressional discussion. + +The treaty lately concluded with Korea awaits the action of the Senate. + +During the late disturbance in Egypt the timely presence of American +vessels served as a protection to the persons and property of many of +our own citizens and of citizens of other countries, whose governments +have expressed their thanks for this assistance. + +The recent legislation restricting immigration of laborers from China +has given rise to the question whether Chinese proceeding to or from +another country may lawfully pass through our own. + +Construing the act of May 6, 1882, in connection with the treaty of +November 7, 1880, the restriction would seem to be limited to Chinese +immigrants coming to the United States as laborers, and would not forbid +a mere transit across our territory. I ask the attention of Congress to +the subject, for such action, if any, as may be deemed advisable. + +This Government has recently had occasion to manifest its interest in +the Republic of Liberia by seeking to aid the amicable settlement of the +boundary dispute now pending between that Republic and the British +possession of Sierra Leone. + +The reciprocity treaty with Hawaii will become terminable after +September 9, 1883, on twelve months' notice by either party. While +certain provisions of that compact may have proved onerous, its +existence has fostered commercial relations which it is important to +preserve. I suggest, therefore, that early consideration be given to +such modifications of the treaty as seem to be demanded by the interests +of our people. + +In view of our increasing trade with both Hayti and Santo Domingo, +I advise that provision be made for diplomatic intercourse with the +latter by enlarging the scope of the mission at Port an Prince. + +I regret that certain claims of American citizens against the Government +of Hayti have thus far been urged unavailingly. + +A recent agreement with Mexico provides for the crossing of the frontier +by the armed forces of either country in pursuit of hostile Indians. In +my message of last year I called attention to the prevalent lawlessness +upon the borders and to the necessity of legislation for its +suppression. I again invite the attention of Congress to the subject. + +A partial relief from these mischiefs has been sought in a convention, +which now awaits the approval of the Senate, as does also another +touching the establishment of the international boundary between the +United States and Mexico. If the latter is ratified, the action of +Congress will be required for establishing suitable commissions of +survey. The boundary dispute between Mexico and Guatemala, which led +this Government to proffer its friendly counsels to both parties, has +been amicably settled. + +No change has occurred in our relations with Venezuela. I again invoke +your action in the matter of the pending awards against that Republic, +to which reference was made by a special message from the Executive at +your last session. + +An invitation has been received from the Government of Venezuela to +send representatives in July, 1883, to Caracas for participating in the +centennial celebration of the birth of Bolivar, the founder of South +American independence. In connection with this event it is designed +to commence the erection at Caracas of a statue of Washington and +to conduct an industrial exhibition which will be open to American +products. I recommend that the United States be represented and that +suitable provision be made therefor. + +The elevation of the grade of our mission in Central America to the +plenipotentiary rank, which was authorized by Congress at its late +session, has been since effected. + +The war between Peru and Bolivia on the one side and Chile on the other +began more than three years ago. On the occupation by Chile in 1880 of +all the littoral territory of Bolivia, negotiations for peace were +conducted under the direction of the United States. The allies refused +to concede any territory, but Chile has since become master of the whole +coast of both countries and of the capital of Peru. A year since, as +you have already been advised by correspondence transmitted to you in +January last, this Government sent a special mission to the belligerent +powers to express the hope that Chile would be disposed to accept a +money indemnity for the expenses of the war and to relinquish her demand +for a portion of the territory of her antagonist. + +This recommendation, which Chile declined to follow, this Government did +not assume to enforce; nor can it be enforced without resort to measures +which would be in keeping neither with the temper of our people nor with +the spirit of our institutions. + +The power of Peru no longer extends over its whole territory, and in the +event of our interference to dictate peace would need to be supplemented +by the armies and navies of the United States. Such interference would +almost inevitably lead to the establishment of a protectorate--a result +utterly at odds with our past policy, injurious to our present +interests, and full of embarrassments for the future. + +For effecting the termination of hostilities upon terms at once just to +the victorious nation and generous to its adversaries, this Government +has spared no efforts save such as might involve the complications which +I have indicated. + +It is greatly to be deplored that Chile seems resolved to exact such +rigorous conditions of peace and indisposed to submit to arbitration the +terms of an amicable settlement. No peace is likely to be lasting that +is not sufficiently equitable and just to command the approval of other +nations. + +About a year since invitations were extended to the nations of this +continent to send representatives to a peace congress to assemble at +Washington in November, 1882. The time of meeting was fixed at a period +then remote, in the hope, as the invitation itself declared, that in the +meantime the disturbances between the South American Republics would be +adjusted. As that expectation seemed unlikely to be realized, I asked in +April last for an expression of opinion from the two Houses of Congress +as to the advisability of holding the proposed convention at the time +appointed. This action was prompted in part by doubts which mature +reflection had suggested whether the diplomatic usage and traditions of +the Government did not make it fitting that the Executive should consult +the representatives of the people before pursuing a line of policy +somewhat novel in its character and far reaching in its possible +consequences. In view of the fact that no action was taken by Congress +in the premises and that no provision had been made for necessary +expenses, I subsequently decided to postpone the convocation, and so +notified the several Governments which had been invited to attend. + +I am unwilling to dismiss this subject without assuring you of my +support of any measures the wisdom of Congress may devise for the +promotion of peace on this continent and throughout the world, and I +trust that the time is nigh when, with the universal assent of civilized +peoples, all international differences shall be determined without +resort to arms by the benignant processes of arbitration. + +Changes have occurred in the diplomatic representation of several +foreign powers during the past year. New ministers from the Argentine +Republic, Austria-Hungary, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Japan, Mexico, +the Netherlands, and Russia have presented their credentials. The +missions of Denmark and Venezuela at this capital have been raised +in grade. Switzerland has created a plenipotentiary mission to this +Government, and an embassy from Madagascar and a minister from Siam +will shortly arrive. + +Our diplomatic intercourse has been enlarged by the establishment of +relations with the new Kingdom of Servia, by the creation of a mission +to Siam, and by the restoration of the mission to Greece. The Shah of +Persia has expressed his gratification that a charge d'affaires will +shortly be sent to that country, where the rights of our citizens have +been hitherto courteously guarded by the representatives of Great +Britain. + +I renew my recommendation of such legislation as will place the United +States in harmony with other maritime powers with respect to the +international rules for the prevention of collisions at sea. + +In conformity with your joint resolution of the 3d of August last, +I have directed the Secretary of State to address foreign governments +in respect to a proposed conference for considering the subject of +the universal adoption of a common prime meridian to be used in the +reckoning of longitude and in the regulation of time throughout the +civilized world. Their replies will in due time be laid before you. + +An agreement was reached at Paris in 1875 between the principal powers +for the interchange of official publications through the medium of their +respective foreign departments. + +The admirable system which has been built up by the enterprise of the +Smithsonian Institution affords a practical basis for our cooperation +in this scheme, and an arrangement has been effected by which that +institution will perform the necessary labor, under the direction of +the Department of State. A reasonable compensation therefor should be +provided by law. + +A clause in the act making appropriations for the diplomatic and +consular service contemplates the reorganization of both branches of +such service on a salaried basis, leaving fees to inure to the benefit +of the Treasury. I cordially favor such a project, as likely to correct +abuses in the present system. The Secretary of State will present to you +at an early day a plan for such reorganization. + +A full and interesting exhibit of the operations of the Treasury +Department is afforded by the report of the Secretary. + +It appears that the ordinary revenues from all sources for the fiscal +year ended June 30, 1882, were as follows: + + + From customs $220,410,730.25 + From internal revenue 146,497,595.45 + From sales of public lands 4,753,140.37 + From tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 8,956,794.45 + From repayment of interest by Pacific Railway companies 840,554.37 + From sinking fund for Pacific Railway companies 796,271.42 + From customs fees, fines, penalties, etc. 1,343,348.00 + From fees--consular, letters patent, and lands 2,638,990.97 + From proceeds of sales of Government property 314,959.85 + From profits on coinage, bullion deposits, and assays 4,116,693.73 + From Indian trust funds 5,705,243.22 + From deposits by individuals for surveying public lands 2,052,306.36 + From revenues of the District of Columbia 1,715,176.41 + From miscellaneous sources 3,383,445.43 + ______________ + Total ordinary receipts 403,525,250.28 + + +The ordinary expenditures for the same period were-- + + + For civil expenses $18,042,386.42 + For foreign intercourse 1,307,583.19 + For Indians 9,736,747.40 + For pensions 61,345,193.95 + For the military establishment, including river and + harbor improvements, and arsenals 43,570,494.19 + For the naval establishment, including vessels, + machinery, and improvements at navy-yards 15,032,046.26 + For miscellaneous expenditures, including public + buildings, light-houses, and collecting the revenue 34,539,237.50 + For expenditures on account of the District of Columbia 3,330,543.87 + For interest on the public debt 71,077,206.79 + ______________ + Total ordinary expenditures 257,981,439.57 + + +Leaving a surplus revenue of $145,543,810.71, which, with an amount +drawn from the cash balance in the Treasury of $20,737,694.84, making +$166,281,505.55, was applied to the redemption-- + + + Of bonds for the sinking fund $60,079,150.00 + Of fractional currency for the sinking fund 58,705.55 + Of loan of July and August, 1861 62,572,050.00 + Of loan of March, 1863 4,472,900.00 + Of funded loan of 1881 37,194,450.00 + Of loan of 1858 1,000.00 + Of loan of February, 1861 303,000.00 + Of five-twenties of 1862 2,100.00 + Of five-twenties of 1864 7,400.00 + Of five-twenties of 1865 6,500.00 + Of ten-forties of 1864 254,550.00 + Of consols of 1865 86,450.00 + Of consols of 1867 408,250.00 + Of consols of 1868 141,400.00 + Of Oregon War debt 675,250.00 + Of old demand, compound-interest, and other notes 18,350 00 + ______________ + 166,281,505 55 + + +The foreign commerce of the United States during the last fiscal +year, including imports and exports of merchandise and specie, was as +follows: + + + Exports: + Merchandise $750,542,257 + Specie 49,417,479 + ___________ + Total 799,959,736 + Imports: + Merchandise 724,639,574 + Specie 42,472,390 + ___________ + Total 767,111,964 + =========== + Excess of exports over imports of merchandise 25,902,683 + + +This excess is less than it has been before for any of the previous six +years, as appears by the following table: + + + --------------------------------------------------------------------- + Year ended June 30-- Excess of exports over imports of merchandise + --------------------------------------------------------------------- + 1876 $79,643,481 + 1877 151,152,094 + 1878 257,814,234 + 1879 264,661,666 + 1880 167,683,912 + 1881 259,712,718 + 1882 25,902,683 + --------------------------------------------------------------------- + + +During the year there have been organized 171 national banks, and of +those institutions there are now in operation 2,269, a larger number +than ever before. The value of their notes in active circulation on +July 1, 1882, was $324,656,458. + +I commend to your attention the Secretary's views in respect to the +likelihood of a serious contraction of this circulation, and to the +modes by which that result may, in his judgment, be averted. + +In respect to the coinage of silver dollars and the retirement of silver +certificates, I have seen nothing to alter but much to confirm the +sentiments to which I gave expression last year. + +A comparison between the respective amounts of silver-dollar circulation +on November 1, 1881, and on November 1, 1882, shows a slight increase of +a million and a half of dollars; but during the interval there had been +in the whole number coined an increase of twenty-six millions. Of the +one hundred and twenty-eight millions thus far minted, little more than +thirty-five millions are in circulation. The mass of accumulated coin +has grown so great that the vault room at present available for storage +is scarcely sufficient to contain it. It is not apparent why it is +desirable to continue this coinage, now so enormously in excess of the +public demand. + +As to the silver certificates, in addition to the grounds which seemed +last year to justify their retirement may be mentioned the effect which +is likely to ensue from the supply of gold certificates for whose +issuance Congress recently made provision, and which are now in active +circulation. + +You can not fail to note with interest the discussion by the Secretary +as to the necessity of providing by legislation some mode of freeing +the Treasury of an excess of assets in the event that Congress fails +to reach an early agreement for the reduction of taxation. + +I heartily approve the Secretary's recommendation of immediate and +extensive reductions in the annual revenues of the Government. + +It will be remembered that I urged upon the attention of Congress at its +last session the importance of relieving the industry and enterprise of +the country from the pressure of unnecessary taxation. It is one of the +tritest maxims of political economy that all taxes are burdensome, +however wisely and prudently imposed; and though there have always been +among our people wide differences of sentiment as to the best methods of +raising the national revenues, and, indeed, as to the principles upon +which taxation should be based, there has been substantial accord in the +doctrine that only such taxes ought to be levied as are necessary for a +wise and economical administration of the Government. Of late the public +revenues have far exceeded that limit, and unless checked by appropriate +legislation such excess will continue to increase from year to year. +For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1881, the surplus revenue amounted +to $100,000,000; for the fiscal year ended on the 30th of June last the +surplus was more than one hundred and forty-five millions. + +The report of the Secretary shows what disposition has been made of +these moneys. They have not only answered the requirements of the +sinking fund, but have afforded a large balance applicable to other +reductions of the public debt. + +But I renew the expression of my conviction that such rapid +extinguishment of the national indebtedness as is now taking place is by +no means a cause for congratulation; it is a cause rather for serious +apprehension. + +If it continues, it must speedily be followed by one of the evil results +so clearly set forth in the report of the Secretary. + +Either the surplus must lie idle in the Treasury or the Government +will be forced to buy at market rates its bonds not then redeemable, +and which under such circumstances can not fail to command an enormous +premium, or the swollen revenues will be devoted to extravagant +expenditure, which, as experience has taught, is ever the bane of an +overflowing treasury. + +It was made apparent in the course of the animated discussions which +this question aroused at the last session of Congress that the policy +of diminishing the revenue by reducing taxation commanded the general +approval of the members of both Houses. + +I regret that because of conflicting views as to the best methods by +which that policy should be made operative none of its benefits have +as yet been reaped. + +In fulfillment of what I deem my constitutional duty, but with little +hope that I can make valuable contribution to this vexed question, +I shall proceed to intimate briefly my own views in relation to it. + +Upon the showing of our financial condition at the close of the last +fiscal year, I felt justified in recommending to Congress the abolition +of all internal revenue taxes except those upon tobacco in its various +forms and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors, and except also +the special tax upon the manufacturers of and dealers in such articles. + +I venture now to suggest that unless it shall be ascertained that the +probable expenditures of the Government for the coming year have been +underestimated all internal taxes save those which relate to distilled +spirits can be prudently abrogated. + +Such a course, if accompanied by a simplification of the machinery of +collection, which would then be easy of accomplishment, might reasonably +be expected to result in diminishing the cost of such collection by at +least $2,500,000 and in the retirement from office of from 1,500 to +2,000 persons. + +The system of excise duties has never commended itself to the favor of +the American people, and has never been resorted to except for supplying +deficiencies in the Treasury when, by reason of special exigencies, +the duties on imports have proved inadequate for the needs of the +Government. The sentiment of the country doubtless demands that the +present excise tax shall be abolished as soon as such a course can be +safely pursued. + +It seems to me, however, that, for various reasons, so sweeping a +measure as the total abolition of internal taxes would for the present +be an unwise step. + +Two of these reasons are deserving of special mention: + +First. It is by no means clear that even if the existing system of +duties on imports is continued without modification those duties alone +will yield sufficient revenue for all the needs of the Government. +It is estimated that $100,000,000 will be required for pensions during +the coming year, and it may well be doubted whether the maximum annual +demand for that object has yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this +question would alone justify, in my judgment, the retention for the +present of that portion of the system of internal revenue which is +least objectionable to the people. + +Second. A total abolition of excise taxes would almost inevitably prove +a serious if not an insurmountable obstacle to a thorough revision of +the tariff and to any considerable reduction in import duties. + +The present tariff system is in many respects unjust. It makes unequal +distributions both of its burdens and its benefits. This fact was +practically recognized by a majority of each House of Congress in the +passage of the act creating the Tariff Commission. The report of that +commission will be placed before you at the beginning of this session, +and will, I trust, afford you such information as to the condition and +prospects of the various commercial, agricultural, manufacturing, +mining, and other interests of the country and contain such suggestions +for statutory revision as will practically aid your action upon this +important subject. + +The revenue from customs for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1879, +amounted to $137,000,000. + +It has in the three succeeding years reached, first, $186,000,000, then +$198,000,000, and finally, as has been already stated, $220,000,000. + +The income from this source for the fiscal year which will end on June +30, 1883, will doubtless be considerably in excess of the sum last +mentioned. + +If the tax on domestic spirits is to be retained, it is plain, +therefore, that large reductions from the customs revenue are entirely +feasible. While recommending this reduction, I am far from advising the +abandonment of the policy of so discriminating in the adjustment of +details as to afford aid and protection to domestic labor. But the +present system should be so revised as to equalize the public burden +among all classes and occupations and bring it into closer harmony with +the present needs of industry. + +Without entering into minute detail, which under present circumstances +is quite unnecessary, I recommend an enlargement of the free list so as +to include within it the numerous articles which yield inconsiderable +revenue, a simplification of the complex and inconsistent schedule of +duties upon certain manufactures, particularly those of cotton, iron, +and steel, and a substantial reduction of the duties upon those articles +and upon sugar, molasses, silk, wool, and woolen goods. + +If a general revision of the tariff shall be found to be impracticable +at this session, I express the hope that at least some of the more +conspicuous inequalities of the present law may be corrected before +your final adjournment. One of them is specially referred to by the +Secretary. In view of a recent decision of the Supreme Court, the +necessity of amending the law by which the Dutch standard of color is +adopted as the test of the saccharine strength of sugars is too obvious +to require comment. + +From the report of the Secretary of War it appears that the only +outbreaks of Indians during the past year occurred in Arizona and in +the southwestern part of New Mexico. They were promptly quelled, and +the quiet which has prevailed in all other parts of the country has +permitted such an addition to be made to the military force in the +region endangered by the Apaches that there is little reason to +apprehend trouble in the future. + +Those parts of the Secretary's report which relate to our seacoast +defenses and their armament suggest the gravest reflections. Our +existing fortifications are notoriously inadequate to the defense of +the great harbors and cities for whose protection they were built. + +The question of providing an armament suited to our present necessities +has been the subject of consideration by a board, whose report was +transmitted to Congress at the last session. Pending the consideration +of that report, the War Department has taken no steps for the +manufacture or conversion of any heavy cannon, but the Secretary +expresses the hope that authority and means to begin that important +work will be soon provided. I invite the attention of Congress to the +propriety of making more adequate provision for arming and equipping +the militia than is afforded by the act of 1808, which is still upon +the statute book. The matter has already been the subject of discussion +in the Senate, and a bill which seeks to supply the deficiencies of +existing laws is now upon its calendar. + +The Secretary of War calls attention to an embarrassment growing out of +the recent act of Congress making the retirement of officers of the Army +compulsory at the age of 64. The act of 1878 is still in force, which +limits to 400 the number of those who can be retired for disability or +upon their own application. The two acts, when construed together, seem +to forbid the relieving, even for absolute incapacity, of officers who +do not fall within the purview of the later statute, save at such times +as there chance to be less than 400 names on the retired list. There are +now 420. It is not likely that Congress intended this result, and I +concur with the Secretary that the law ought to be amended. + +The grounds that impelled me to withhold my signature from the bill +entitled "An act making appropriations for the construction, repair, +and preservation of certain works on rivers and harbors," which became +a law near the close of your last session, prompt me to express the hope +that no similar measure will be deemed necessary during the present +session of Congress. Indeed, such a measure would now be open to a +serious objection in addition to that which was lately urged upon your +attention. I am informed by the Secretary of War that the greater +portion of the sum appropriated for the various items specified in that +act remains unexpended. + +Of the new works which it authorized, expenses have been incurred upon +two only, for which the total appropriation was $210,000. The present +available balance is disclosed by the following table: + + + Amount of appropriation by act of August 2, 1882 $18,738,875 + Amount of appropriation by act of June 19, 1882 10,000 + Amount of appropriation for payments to J.B. Eads 304,000 + Unexpended balance of former appropriations 4,738,263 + __________ + 23,791,138 + Less amount drawn from Treasury between July 1, 1882, + and November 30, 1882 6,056,194 + __________ + 17,734,944 + + +It is apparent by this exhibit that so far as concerns most of the items +to which the act of August 2, 1882, relates there can be no need of +further appropriations until after the close of the present session. +If, however, any action should seem to be necessary in respect to +particular objects, it will be entirely feasible to provide for those +objects by appropriate legislation. It is possible, for example, that +a delay until the assembling of the next Congress to make additional +provision for the Mississippi River improvements might be attended with +serious consequences. If such should appear to be the case, a just bill +relating to that subject would command my approval. + +This leads me to offer a suggestion which I trust will commend itself to +the wisdom of Congress. Is it not advisable that grants of considerable +sums of money for diverse and independent schemes of internal improvement +should be made the subjects of separate and distinct legislative +enactments? It will scarcely be gainsaid, even by those who favor +the most liberal expenditures for such purposes as are sought to be +accomplished by what is commonly called the river and harbor bill, that +the practice of grouping in such a bill appropriations for a great +diversity of objects, widely separated either in their nature or in the +locality with which they are concerned, or in both, is one which is +much to be deprecated unless it is irremediable. It inevitably tends to +secure the success of the bill as a whole, though many of the items, if +separately considered, could scarcely fail of rejection. By the adoption +of the course I have recommended every member of Congress, whenever +opportunity should arise for giving his influence and vote for +meritorious appropriations, would be enabled so to do without being +called upon to sanction others undeserving his approval. So also would +the Executive be afforded thereby full opportunity to exercise his +constitutional prerogative of opposing whatever appropriations seemed +to him objectionable without imperiling the success of others which +commended themselves to his judgment. + +It may be urged in opposition to these suggestions that the number of +works of internal improvement which are justly entitled to governmental +aid is so great as to render impracticable separate appropriation +bills therefor, or even for such comparatively limited number as make +disposition of large sums of money. This objection may be well founded, +and, whether it be or not, the advantages which would be likely to ensue +from the adoption of the course I have recommended may perhaps be more +effectually attained by another, which I respectfully submit to Congress +as an alternative proposition. + +It is provided by the constitutions of fourteen of our States that +the executive may disapprove any item or items of a bill appropriating +money, whereupon the part of the bill approved shall be law and the part +disapproved shall fail to become law unless repassed according to the +provisions prescribed, for the passage of bills over the veto of the +executive. The States wherein some such provision as the foregoing is a +part of the fundamental law are Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, +Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New +York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. I commend to your +careful consideration the question whether an amendment of the Federal +Constitution in the particular indicated would not afford the best +remedy for what is often a grave embarrassment both to members of +Congress and to the Executive, and is sometimes a serious public +mischief. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy states the movements of the +various squadrons during the year, in home and foreign waters, where our +officers and seamen, with such ships as we possess, have continued to +illustrate the high character and excellent discipline of the naval +organization. + +On the 21st of December, 1881, information was received that the +exploring steamer _Jeannette_ had been crushed and abandoned in +the Arctic Ocean. The officers and crew, after a journey over the ice, +embarked in three boats for the coast of Siberia. One of the parties, +under the command of Chief Engineer George W. Melville, reached the +land, and, falling in with the natives, was saved. Another, under +Lieutenant-Commander De Long, landed in a barren region near the mouth +of the Lena River. After six weeks had elapsed all but two of the number +had died from fatigue and starvation. No tidings have been received from +the party in the third boat, under the command of Lieutenant Chipp, but +a long and fruitless investigation leaves little doubt that all its +members perished at sea. As a slight tribute to their heroism I give +in this communication the names of the gallant men who sacrificed their +lives on this expedition: Lieutenant-Commander George W. De Long, +Surgeon James M. Ambler, Jerome J. Collins, Hans Halmer Erichsen, +Heinrich H. Kaacke, George W. Boyd, Walter Lee, Adolph Dressier, +Carl A. Goertz, Nelse Iverson, the cook Ah Sam, and the Indian Alexy. +The officers and men in the missing boat were Lieutenant Charles W. +Chipp, commanding; William Dunbar, Alfred Sweetman, Walter Sharvell, +Albert C. Kuehne, Edward Star, Henry D. Warren, and Peter E. Johnson. + +Lieutenant Giles B. Harber and Master William H. Scheutze are now, +bringing home the remains of Lieutenant De Long and his comrades, in +pursuance of the directions of Congress. + +The _Rodgers_, fitted out for the relief of the _Jeannette_ in +accordance with the act of Congress of March 3, 1881, sailed from San +Francisco June 16 under the command of Lieutenant Robert M. Berry. On +November 30 she was accidentally destroyed by fire while in winter +quarters in St. Lawrence Bay, but the officers and crew succeeded in +escaping to the shore. Lieutenant Berry and one of his officers, after +making a search for the _Jeannette_ along the coast of Siberia, +fell in with Chief Engineer Melville's party and returned home by way of +Europe. The other officers and the crew of the _Rodgers_ were +brought from St. Lawrence Bay by the whaling steamer _North Star_. +Master Charles F. Putnam, who had been placed in charge of a depot of +supplies at Cape Serdze, returning to his post from St. Lawrence Bay +across the ice in a blinding snowstorm, was carried out to sea and lost, +notwithstanding all efforts to rescue him. + +It appears by the Secretary's report that the available naval force of +the United States consists of 37 cruisers, 14 single-turreted monitors, +built during the rebellion, a large number of smoothbore guns and +Parrott rifles, and 87 rifled cannon. + +The cruising vessels should be gradually replaced by iron or steel +ships, the monitors by modern armored vessels, and the armament by +high-power rifled guns. + +The reconstruction of our Navy, which was recommended in my last +message, was begun by Congress authorizing, in its recent act, the +construction of two large unarmored steel vessels of the character +recommended by the late Naval Advisory Board, and subject to the final +approval of a new advisory board to be organized as provided by that +act. I call your attention to the recommendation of the Secretary +and the board that authority be given to construct two more cruisers +of smaller dimensions and one fleet dispatch vessel, and that +appropriations be made for high-power rifled cannon for the torpedo +service and for other harbor defenses. + +Pending the consideration by Congress of the policy to be hereafter +adopted in conducting the eight large navy-yards and their expensive +establishments, the Secretary advocates the reduction of expenditures +therefor to the lowest possible amounts. + +For the purpose of affording the officers and seamen of the Navy +opportunities for exercise and discipline in their profession, under +appropriate control and direction, the Secretary advises that the +Light-House Service and Coast Survey be transferred, as now organized, +from the Treasury to the Navy Department; and he also suggests, for the +reasons which he assigns, that a similar transfer may wisely be made of +the cruising revenue vessels. + +The Secretary forcibly depicts the intimate connection and +interdependence of the Navy and the commercial marine, and invites +attention to the continued decadence of the latter and the corresponding +transfer of our growing commerce to foreign bottoms. + +This subject is one of the utmost importance to the national welfare. +Methods of reviving American shipbuilding and of restoring the United +States flag in the ocean carrying trade should receive the immediate +attention of Congress. We have mechanical skill and abundant material +for the manufacture of modern iron steamships in fair competition +with our commercial rivals. Our disadvantage in building ships is the +greater cost of labor, and in sailing them, higher taxes, and greater +interest on capital, while the ocean highways are already monopolized +by our formidable competitors. These obstacles should in some way be +overcome, and for our rapid communication with foreign lands we should +not continue to depend wholly upon vessels built in the yards of other +countries and sailing under foreign flags. With no United States +steamers on the principal ocean lines or in any foreign ports, our +facilities for extending our commerce are greatly restricted, while +the nations which build and sail the ships and carry the mails and +passengers obtain thereby conspicuous advantages in increasing their +trade. + +The report of the Postmaster-General gives evidence of the satisfactory +condition of that Department and contains many valuable data and +accompanying suggestions which can not fail to be of interest. + +The information which it affords that the receipts for the fiscal year +have exceeded the expenditures must be very gratifying to Congress and +to the people of the country. + +As matters which may fairly claim particular attention, I refer you +to his observations in reference to the advisability of changing the +present basis for fixing salaries and allowances, of extending the +money-order system, and of enlarging the functions of the postal +establishment so as to put under its control the telegraph system of +the country, though from this last and most important recommendation +I must withhold my concurrence. + +At the last session of Congress several bills were introduced into the +House of Representatives for the reduction of letter postage to the rate +of 2 cents per half ounce. + +I have given much study and reflection to this subject, and am +thoroughly persuaded that such a reduction would be for the best +interests of the public. + +It has been the policy of the Government from its foundation to defray +as far as possible the expenses of carrying the mails by a direct tax +in the form of postage. It has never been claimed, however, that this +service ought to be productive of a net revenue. + +As has been stated already, the report of the Postmaster-General shows +that there is now a very considerable surplus in his Department and that +henceforth the receipts are likely to increase at a much greater ratio +than the necessary expenditures. Unless some change is made in the +existing laws, the profits of the postal service will in a very few +years swell the revenues of the Government many millions of dollars. +The time seems auspicious, therefore, for some reduction in the rates +of postage. In what shall that reduction consist? + +A review of the legislation which has been had upon this subject during +the last thirty years discloses that domestic letters constitute the +only class of mail matter which has never been favored by a substantial +reduction of rates. I am convinced that the burden of maintaining the +service falls most unequally upon that class, and that more than any +other it is entitled to present relief. + +That such relief may be extended without detriment to other public +interests will be discovered upon reviewing the results of former +reductions. + +Immediately prior to the act of 1845 the postage upon a letter composed +of a single sheet was as follows: + + + If conveyed-- Cents. + + 30 miles or less 6 + Between 30 and 80 miles 10 + Between 80 and 150 miles 12-1/2 + Between 150 and 400 miles 18-3/4 + Over 400 miles 25 + + +By the act of 1845 the postage upon a single letter conveyed for any +distance under 300 miles was fixed at 5 cents and for any greater +distance at 10 cents. + +By the act of 1851 it was provided that a single letter, if prepaid, +should be carried any distance not exceeding 3,000 miles for 3 cents +and any greater distance for 6 cents. + +It will be noticed that both of these reductions were of a radical +character and relatively quite as important as that which is now +proposed. + +In each case there ensued a temporary loss of revenue, but a sudden and +large influx of business, which substantially repaired that loss within +three years. + +Unless the experience of past legislation in this country and elsewhere +goes for naught, it may be safely predicted that the stimulus of 33-1/3 +per cent reduction in the tax for carriage would at once increase the +number of letters consigned to the mails. + +The advantages of secrecy would lead to a very general substitution of +sealed packets for postal cards and open circulars, and in divers other +ways the volume of first-class matter would be enormously augmented. +Such increase amounted in England, in the first year after the adoption +of penny postage, to more than 125 per cent. + +As a result of careful estimates, the details of which can not be here +set out, I have become convinced that the deficiency for the first year +after the proposed reduction would not exceed 7 per cent of the +expenditures, or $3,000,000, while the deficiency after the reduction of +1845 was more than 14 per cent, and after that of 1851 was 27 per cent. + +Another interesting comparison is afforded by statistics furnished me by +the Post-Office Department. + +The act of 1845 was passed in face of the fact that there existed a +deficiency of more than $30,000. That of 1851 was encouraged by the +slight surplus of $132,000. The excess of revenue in the next fiscal +year is likely to be $3,500,000. + +If Congress should approve these suggestions, it may be deemed desirable +to supply to some extent the deficiency which must for a time result by +increasing the charge for carrying merchandise, which is now only 16 +cents per pound; but even without such an increase I am confident that +the receipts under the diminished rates would equal the expenditures +after the lapse of three or four years. + +The report of the Department of Justice brings anew to your notice the +necessity of enlarging the present system of Federal jurisprudence so as +effectually to answer the requirements of the ever-increasing litigation +with which it is called upon to deal. + +The Attorney-General renews the suggestions of his predecessor that in +the interests of justice better provision than the existing laws afford +should be made in certain judicial districts for fixing the fees of +witnesses and jurors. + +In my message of December last I referred to pending criminal +proceedings growing out of alleged frauds in what is known as the +star-route service of the Post-Office Department, and advised you that +I had enjoined upon the Attorney-General and associate counsel, to whom +the interests of the Government were intrusted, the duty of prosecuting +with the utmost vigor of the law all persons who might be found +chargeable with those offenses. A trial of one of these cases has since +occurred. It occupied for many weeks the attention of the supreme court +of this District and was conducted with great zeal and ability. It +resulted in a disagreement of the jury, but the cause has been again +placed upon the calendar and will shortly be retried. If any guilty +persons shall finally escape punishment for their offenses, it will +not be for lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the part of the +prosecution. + +I trust that some agreement may be reached which will speedily enable +Congress, with the concurrence of the Executive, to afford the +commercial community the benefits of a national bankrupt law. + +The report of the Secretary of the Interior, with its accompanying +documents, presents a full statement of the varied operations of that +Department. In respect to Indian affairs nothing has occurred which has +changed or seriously modified the views to which I devoted much space in +a former communication to Congress. I renew the recommendations therein +contained as to extending to the Indian the protection of the law, +allotting land in severalty to such as desire it, and making suitable +provision for the education of youth. Such provision, as the Secretary +forcibly maintains, will prove unavailing unless it is broad enough to +include all those who are able and willing to make use of it, and should +not solely relate to intellectual training, but also to instruction in +such manual labor and simple industrial arts as can be made practically +available. + +Among other important subjects which are included within the Secretary's +report, and which will doubtless furnish occasion for Congressional +action, may be mentioned the neglect of the railroad companies to which +large grants of land were made by the acts of 1862 and 1864 to take +title thereto, and their consequent inequitable exemption from local +taxation. + +No survey of our material condition can fail to suggest inquiries as to +the moral and intellectual progress of the people. + +The census returns disclose an alarming state of illiteracy in certain +portions of the country, where the provision for schools is grossly +inadequate. It is a momentous question for the decision of Congress +whether immediate and substantial aid should not be extended by the +General Government for supplementing the efforts of private beneficence +and of State and Territorial legislation in behalf of education. + +The regulation of interstate commerce has already been the subject of +your deliberations. One of the incidents of the marvelous extension of +the railway system of the country has been the adoption of such measures +by the corporations which own or control the roads as have tended to +impair the advantages of healthful competition and to make hurtful +discriminations in the adjustment of freightage. + +These inequalities have been corrected in several of the States by +appropriate legislation, the effect of which is necessarily restricted +to the limits of their own territory. + +So far as such mischiefs affect commerce between the States or between +any one of the States and a foreign country, they are subjects of +national concern, and Congress alone can afford relief. + +The results which have thus far attended the enforcement of the recent +statute for the suppression of polygamy in the Territories are reported +by the Secretary of the Interior. It is not probable that any additional +legislation in this regard will be deemed desirable until the effect of +existing laws shall be more closely observed and studied. + +I congratulate you that the commissioners under whose supervision those +laws have been put in operation are encouraged to believe that the evil +at which they are aimed may be suppressed without resort to such radical +measures as in some quarters have been thought indispensable for +success. + +The close relation of the General Government to the Territories +preparing to be great States may well engage your special attention. +It is there that the Indian disturbances mainly occur and that polygamy +has found room for its growth. I can not doubt that a careful survey +of Territorial legislation would be of the highest utility. Life and +property would become more secure. The liability of outbreaks between +Indians and whites would be lessened. The public domain would be more +securely guarded and better progress be made in the instruction of the +young. + +Alaska is still without any form of civil government. If means were +provided for the education of its people and for the protection of their +lives and property, the immense resources of the region would invite +permanent settlements and open new fields for industry and enterprise. + +The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture presents an account of the +labors of that Department during the past year and includes information +of much interest to the general public. + +The condition of the forests of the country and the wasteful manner +in which their destruction is taking place give cause for serious +apprehension. Their action in protecting the earth's surface, in +modifying the extremes of climate, and in regulating and sustaining the +flow of springs and streams is now well understood, and their importance +in relation to the growth and prosperity of the country can not be +safely disregarded. They are fast disappearing before destructive fires +and the legitimate requirements of our increasing population, and their +total extinction can not be long delayed unless better methods than +now prevail shall be adopted for their protection and cultivation. +The attention of Congress is invited to the necessity of additional +legislation to secure the preservation of the valuable forests still +remaining on the public domain, especially in the extreme Western States +and Territories, where the necessity for their preservation is greater +than in less mountainous regions, and where the prevailing dryness of +the climate renders their restoration, if they are once destroyed, +well-nigh impossible. + +The communication which I made to Congress at its first session, in +December last, contained a somewhat full statement of my sentiments in +relation to the principles and rules which ought to govern appointments +to public service. + +Referring to the various plans which had theretofore been the subject +of discussion in the National Legislature (plans which in the main were +modeled upon the system which obtains in Great Britain, but which lacked +certain of the prominent features whereby that system is distinguished), +I felt bound to intimate my doubts whether they, or any of them, would +afford adequate remedy for the evils which they aimed to correct. + +I declared, nevertheless, that if the proposed measures should prove +acceptable to Congress they would receive the unhesitating support of +the Executive. + +Since these suggestions were submitted for your consideration there has +been no legislation upon the subject to which they relate, but there has +meanwhile been an increase in the public interest in that subject, and +the people of the country, apparently without distinction of party, have +in various ways and upon frequent occasions given expression to their +earnest wish for prompt and definite action. In my judgment such action +should no longer be postponed. + +I may add that my own sense of its pressing importance has been +quickened by observation of a practical phase of the matter, to which +attention has more than once been called by my predecessors. + +The civil list now comprises about 100,000 persons, far the larger part +of whom must, under the terms of the Constitution, be selected by the +President either directly or through his own appointees. + +In the early years of the administration of the Government the personal +direction of appointments to the civil service may not have been an +irksome task for the Executive, but now that the burden has increased +fully a hundredfold it has become greater than he ought to bear, and it +necessarily diverts his time and attention from the proper discharge of +other duties no less delicate and responsible, and which in the very +nature of things can not be delegated to other hands. + +In the judgment of not a few who have given study and reflection to this +matter, the nation has outgrown the provisions which the Constitution +has established for filling the minor offices in the public service. + +But whatever may be thought of the wisdom or expediency of changing the +fundamental law in this regard, it is certain that much relief may be +afforded, not only to the President and to the heads of the Departments, +but to Senators and Representatives in Congress, by discreet +legislation. They would be protected in a great measure by the bill now +pending before the Senate, or by any other which should embody its +important features, from the pressure of personal importunity and from +the labor of examining conflicting claims and pretensions of candidates. + +I trust that before the close of the present session some decisive +action may be taken for the correction of the evils which inhere +in the present methods of appointment, and I assure you of my hearty +cooperation in any measures which are likely to conduce to that end. + +As to the most appropriate term and tenure of the official life of the +subordinate employees of the Government, it seems to be generally agreed +that, whatever their extent or character, the one should be definite and +the other stable, and that neither should be regulated by zeal in the +service of party or fidelity to the fortunes of an individual. + +It matters little to the people at large what competent person is at +the head of this department or of that bureau if they feel assured that +the removal of one and the accession of another will not involve the +retirement of honest and faithful subordinates whose duties are purely +administrative and have no legitimate connection with the triumph of any +political principles or the success of any political party or faction. +It is to this latter class of officers that the Senate bill, to which +I have already referred, exclusively applies. + +While neither that bill nor any other prominent scheme for improving the +civil service concerns the higher grade of officials, who are appointed +by the President and confirmed by the Senate, I feel bound to correct +a prevalent misapprehension as to the frequency with which the present +Executive has displaced the incumbent of an office and appointed another +in his stead. + +It has been repeatedly alleged that he has in this particular signally +departed from the course which has been pursued under recent +Administrations of the Government. The facts are as follows: + +The whole number of Executive appointments during the four years +immediately preceding Mr. Garfield's accession to the Presidency was +2,696. Of this number 244, or 9 per cent, involved the removal of +previous incumbents. + +The ratio of removals to the whole number of appointments was much the +same during each of those four years. + +In the first year, with 790 appointments, there were 74 removals, or 9.3 +per cent; in the second, with 917 appointments, there were 85 removals, +or 8.5 per cent; in the third, with 480 appointments, there were 48 +removals, or 10 per cent; in the fourth, with 429 appointments, there +were 37 removals, or 8.6 per cent. In the four months of President +Garfield's Administration there were 390 appointments and 89 removals, +or 22.7 per cent. Precisely the same number of removals (89) has taken +place in the fourteen months which have since elapsed, but they +constitute only 7.8 per cent of the whole number of appointments (1,118) +within that period and less than 2.6 of the entire list of officials +(3,459), exclusive of the Army and Navy, which is filled by Presidential +appointment. + +I declare my approval of such legislation as may be found necessary for +supplementing the existing provisions of law in relation to political +assessments. + +In July last I authorized a public announcement that employees of the +Government should regard themselves as at liberty to exercise their +pleasure in making or refusing to make political contributions, and that +their action in that regard would in no manner affect their official +status. + +In this announcement I acted upon the view, which I had always maintained +and still maintain, that a public officer should be as absolutely free +as any other citizen to give or to withhold a contribution for the aid +of the political party of his choice. It has, however, been urged, and +doubtless not without foundation in fact, that by solicitation of +official superiors and by other modes such contributions have at times +been obtained from persons whose only motive for giving has been the +fear of what might befall them if they refused. It goes without saying +that such contributions are not voluntary, and in my judgment their +collection should be prohibited by law. A bill which will effectually +suppress them will receive my cordial approval. + +I hope that, however numerous and urgent may be the demands upon your +attention, the interests of this District will not be forgotten. + +The denial to its residents of the great right of suffrage in all its +relations to national, State, and municipal action imposes upon Congress +the duty of affording them the best administration which its wisdom can +devise. + +The report of the District Commissioners indicates certain measures +whose adoption would seem to be very desirable. I instance in particular +those which relate to arrears of taxes, to steam railroads, and to +assessments of real property. + +Among the questions which have been the topic of recent debate in the +halls of Congress none are of greater gravity than those relating to the +ascertainment of the vote for Presidential electors and the intendment +of the Constitution in its provisions for devolving Executive functions +upon the Vice-President when the President suffers from inability to +discharge the powers and duties of his office. + +I trust that no embarrassments may result from a failure to determine +these questions before another national election. + +The closing year has been replete with blessings, for which we +owe to the Giver of All Good our reverent acknowledgment. For the +uninterrupted harmony of our foreign relations, for the decay of +sectional animosities, for the exuberance of our harvests and the +triumphs of our mining and manufacturing industries, for the prevalence +of health, the spread of intelligence, and the conservation of the +public credit, for the growth of the country in all the elements of +national greatness--for these and countless other blessings we should +rejoice and be glad. I trust that under the inspiration of this great +prosperity our counsels may be harmonious, and that the dictates of +prudence, patriotism, justice, and economy may lead to the adoption of +measures in which the Congress and the Executive may heartily unite. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +SPECIAL MESSAGES. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the +4th instant, and its accompanying papers, in which it is recommended +that section 1216, Revised Statutes, be so amended as to include in its +provisions the enlisted men of the Army, and that section 1285, Revised +Statutes, be modified so as to read: + +A certificate of merit granted to an enlisted man for distinguished +service shall entitle him thereafter to additional pay, at the rate of +$2 per month, while he is in the military service, although such service +may not be continuous. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the +4th instant, setting forth certain facts respecting the title to the +peninsula of Presque Isle, at Erie, Pa., and recommending that the +subject be presented to Congress with the view of legislation by that +body modifying the act of May 27, 1882, entitled "An act to authorize +the Secretary of War to accept the peninsula in Lake Erie opposite the +harbor of Erie, in the State of Pennsylvania" (17 U.S. Statutes at +Large, p. 162), so as to authorize the Secretary of War to accept title +to the said peninsula, proffered by the marine hospital of Pennsylvania +pursuant to an act of the legislature of that State approved by the +governor May 11, 1871. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 6, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, inclosing one from the commanding general +Department of the Missouri, indorsed by the division commander, urging +the advisability of prompt action in the matter of perfecting the title +to the site of Fort Bliss, Tex. + +Accompanying also is a copy of Senate Executive Document No. 96, +Forty-seventh Congress, first session, which presents fully the facts +in the case, as well as the character of the legislation necessary to +secure to the United States proper title to the land in question. + +The Secretary of War expresses his concurrence in the views of the +military authorities as to the importance of this subject and urges that +the requisite legislation be had by Congress at its present session. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 8, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill and accompanying papers, to accept and ratify an +agreement made by the Pi-Ute Indians, and granting a right of way to the +Carson and Colorado Railroad Company through the Walker River +Reservation, in Nevada. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 13, 1882_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the +30th of January, 1882, on the subject of the tariff of consular fees, +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 15, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing a copy of a letter from the +acting governor of New Mexico, in which he sets forth reasons why +authority should be given and provision made for holding a session of +the Territorial legislature of New Mexico in January, 1883, or soon +thereafter. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 19, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, upon the subject of abandoned military +reservations, and renewing his former recommendation for such +legislation as will provide for the disposal of military sites that are +no longer needed for military purposes. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 21, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 18th instant, with accompanying papers, submitting a draft of +a bill "for the relief of the Nez Pierce Indians in the Territory of +Idaho and of the allied tribes residing upon the Grande Ronde Indian +Reservation, in the State of Oregon." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 27, 1882_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I submit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, inclosing +a communication from the secretary of the Territory of New Mexico, who +has custody of the public buildings at Santa Fe, in which are set forth +reasons why an appropriation should be made for the completion of the +capitol at Santa Fe, and commend the same to the consideration of +Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 5, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +together with a letter from the Superintendent of the Census, requesting +an additional appropriation of $100,000 to complete the work of the +Tenth Census, and recommend the same to Congress for its favorable +consideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 5, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 2d instant, and inclosing one from +Lieutenant Robert Craig, Fourth Artillery, indorsed by the Chief Signal +Officer of the Army, recommending that Congress authorize the printing +and binding for the use of the Signal Office of 10,000 copies of the +Annual Report of the Chief Signal Officer for the fiscal year 1882, +and inclosing a draft of a joint resolution for the purpose. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 9, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +submitting a report, with accompanying papers, regarding the condition +of the several libraries of said Department and the consolidation of +the same. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +The Senate having by executive resolution of the 20th ultimo returned to +me the supplemental convention of extradition signed August 7, 1882, in +order that certain verbal changes therein might be made, as requested by +the Spanish Government, as explained in the letter of the Secretary of +State to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate dated the 15th +ultimo, I now lay the said convention so modified before the Senate, +with a view to its ratification. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 11, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 10th instant, inclosing one from +the Chief of Ordnance, together with one from Lieutenant-Colonel D.W. +Flagler, commanding the Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., setting forth the +insufficiency of the sum appropriated by the sundry civil appropriation +act of August 7, 1882, for the deepening of the water-power tail-race +canal at that arsenal, and recommending that a special appropriation of +$20,000 be made for the completion of said work. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 12, 1883_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +papers, furnished in response to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of July 15, 1882, calling for any information in the +possession of the Department of State in reference to any change or +modification of the stipulations which the French Cable Company made +with the Government. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 17th instant, inclosing, with other +papers on the subject, a petition of Thomas Mulvihill, of Pittsburg, +Pa., praying for the repossession of certain shore lands at Pittsburg +erroneously conveyed by him to the United States. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication, dated the 18th instant, from the +Secretary of the Interior, with accompanying papers, in relation to the +request of the Cherokee Indians in the Indian Territory for payment for +lands in that Territory west of the ninety-sixth degree west longitude, +the cession of which to the United States for the settlement of friendly +Indians thereon is provided for in the sixteenth article of the treaty +of July 19, 1866. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 17th instant, inclosing copies of +letters respectively from the Chief of Engineers and Colonel A.F. +Rockwell, in charge of public buildings and grounds in this city, urging +the importance of an immediate appropriation of $1,000 for removing snow +and ice from the walks and pavements in and around the various public +reservations under his control during the remainder of the present +fiscal year. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I have carefully considered the provisions of Senate bill No. 561, +entitled "An act for the relief of Robert Stodart Wyld." + +I am of the opinion that the general statute is sufficiently liberal +to provide relief in all proper cases of destroyed United States bonds, +and I believe that the act above referred to constitutes an evil +precedent. It is not, however, so objectionable as to call for my +formal disapproval, and I have allowed it to become a law under the +constitutional provision, contenting myself with communicating to +the Senate, in which the bill originated, my disapproval of special +legislation of this character. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 18th instant, inclosing an extract +copy of a report of the Adjutant-General respecting the military +reservation of Fort Cameron, Utah Territory, and recommending that +authority be granted during the present session of Congress for the +disposal of said reservation, it being no longer needed for military +purposes. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +with a draft of a bill, and accompanying papers, to accept and ratify an +agreement with the confederated tribes of Flathead, Kootenay, and Upper +Pend d'Oreille Indians for the sale of a portion of their reservation in +the Territory of Montana, required for the Northern Pacific Railroad, +and to make the necessary appropriation for carrying the same into +effect. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 23, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In response to the resolution of the Senate of the United States dated +January 5, 1883, requesting "that the Secretary of State be directed to +transmit to the Senate copies of any letters on file in his Department +from the consular service upon the subject of the shipment and discharge +of seamen or payment of extra wages to seamen," I have to transmit a +report of the Secretary of State on the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 25, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, +concerning the character and condition of the library of the Department +of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 26, 1883_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +It is hereby announced to the House of Congress in which it originated +that the joint resolution (H. Res. 190) to refer certain claims to +the Court of Claims has been permitted to become a law under the +constitutional provision. Its apparent purpose is to allow certain +bankers to sue in the Court of Claims for the amount of internal-revenue +tax collected from them without lawful authority, upon showing as matter +of excuse for not having brought their suits within the time limited by +law that they had entered into an agreement with the district attorney +which was in substance that they should be relieved of that necessity. +I can not concur in the policy of setting aside the bar of the statute +in those cases on such ground, but I have not deemed it necessary to +return the joint resolution with my objections for reconsideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 30, 1883._ + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a copy of a communication to me from the Secretary +of the Treasury.[14] + +I have acted in conformity with the recommendations, oral and written, +which are therein set forth, concerning the action suggested to be that +which would best effectuate the purpose of section 1768 of the Revised +Statutes of the United States and be most considerate of the reputation +and interests of the public officer to be affected and most subservient +to the public interest. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 14: Relating to the suspension of William H. Daniels, +collector of customs for the district of Oswegatchie, N.Y.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 3, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for consideration with a view to ratification, +the treaty of commerce which was signed in duplicate January 20, 1883, +by commissioners on the part of the United States and Mexico, with +accompanying papers. + +The attention of the Senate is called to the statement in the third +protocol as to the insertion of the word "steel" in item No. (35) 66 of +the list appended to article 2 of the treaty. No further information as +to the possible correction therein referred to has yet reached me; but +as the session of the Senate will soon terminate, I deem it advisable to +transmit the treaty as signed, in the hope that its ratification may be +assented to. + +While the treaty does not contain all the provisions desired by the +United States, the difficulties in the way of a full and complete +settlement of matters of common interest to the two countries were +such as to make me willing to approve it as an important step toward a +desirable result, not doubting that, as time shall show the advantages +of the system thus inaugurated, the Government will be able by +supplementary agreements to insert the word "steel" and to perfect +what is lacking in the instrument. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 1st instant, submitting a report made by the commission appointed +under the provisions of the act of August 7, 1882, to treat with me +Sioux Indians for a modification of their existing treaties, together +with a copy of the agreement negotiated by that commission. + +The subject is presented for the favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 5, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 2d instant, in relation to the +subject of invasion of the Indian Territory, and urging the importance +of amending section 2148 of the Revised Statutes so as to impose a +penalty of imprisonment for unlawful entry upon the Indian lands. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 5, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the 'United States:_ + +Referring to my message to the Senate of the 3d instant, wherewith was +transmitted, for consideration with a view to ratification, the treaty +of commerce between Mexico and the United States which was signed at +Washington on the 20th ultimo, I have now to inform the Senate that this +Government is officially advised by that of Mexico, through its minister +at this capital, that it assents to the insertion of the word "steel" +in item No. (35) 66 of the list appended to article 2 of that treaty. + +It is desired that the treaty be returned to me that the amendment may +be made, after which it will be again sent to the Senate for final +action. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 6, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I retransmit to the Senate the commercial treaty recently signed in this +city by the commissioners of the United States and Mexico, as amended by +the insertion of the word "steel" in item (35) 66 of the list appended +to article 2 thereof. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 7, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 3d instant, With accompanying +papers, from the Secretary of the Interior, being a partial report upon +the Cherokee Indian matters required under a clause in the sundry civil +appropriation act of August 7, 1882. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 7th instant, with accompanying papers, setting forth the urgent +necessity of stringent measures for the repression of the rapidly +increasing evasions and violations of the laws relating to public lands, +and of a special appropriation for the purpose both in the current and +approaching fiscal years. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 9, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention between the United States of America and the +French Republic, for extending the term of the French and American +claims convention, concluded at Washington on the 8th day of February, +1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a copy of the +report of the Board of Indian Commissioners for the year 1882. The +report accompanies the message to the House of Representatives. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 10, 1883_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 25th ultimo, a report of the Secretary of State, +in relation to export duties levied in foreign countries having +commercial relations with the United States. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 12, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 8th instant, with +accompanying papers, from the Secretary of the Interior, comprising the +further report in relation to matters of difference between the Eastern +and Western bands of Cherokee Indians required by an item in the sundry +civil act approved August 7, 1882 (pamphlet statutes, page 328). + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 15, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in compliance with the resolution of the Senate of +December 18, 1882, the report of Mr. George Earl Church upon Ecuador, +which I have this day received from the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 20, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 19th instant, inclosing a copy of one +from Major George L. Gillespie, Corps of Engineers, dated the 15th +instant, referring to the insufficiency of the sum ($39,000) +appropriated by the sundry civil bill of August 7, 1882, for building +the sea wall on Governors Island, New York Harbor, together with a copy +of the indorsement of the Chief Engineer, showing the necessity for an +additional appropriation of $15,000 for this purpose. The Secretary of +War recommends that said additional sum of $15,000 be appropriated at +the present session of Congress for the object stated. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 23, 1883_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States of America:_ + +With reference to my message of the 12th ultimo on the same subject, +I transmit herewith a further report of the Secretary of State, +furnishing additional papers received since the date of his former +report in response to a resolution of the House of Representatives +of July 5, 1882, calling for any information in the possession of the +Department of State in reference to any changes or modifications of the +stipulations which the French Cable Company made with this Government. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 26, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a copy of the +annual report of the Government directors of the Union Pacific Railway +Company, under date of the 19th instant. + +The copy of the report referred to accompanies the message to the House +of Representatives. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 27, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, furnished +in response to the resolution of the Senate of February 26, 1883, +requesting information touching an alleged joint agreement between the +ministers of the United States, of Great Britain, of France, and of +Italy now serving in Peru. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 1, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +Having approved the act recently passed by Congress "to regulate and +improve the civil service of the United States," I deem it my duty to +call your attention to the provision for the employment of a "chief +examiner" contained in the third section of the act, which was the +subject of consideration at the time of its approval. + +I am advised by the Attorney-General that there is great doubt whether +such examiner is not properly an officer of the United States because of +the nature of his employment, its duration, emolument, and duties. If he +be such, the provision for his employment (which involves an appointment +by the Commission) is not in conformity with section 2, Article II of +the Constitution. Assuming this to be the case, the result would be that +the appointment of the chief examiner must be deemed to be vested in the +President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, since in +such case the appointment would not be otherwise provided for by law. +Concurring in this opinion, I nominate Silas W. Burt, of New York, to +be chief examiner of the Civil Service Commission. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +PROCLAMATIONS. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas by the eighth section of an act entitled "An act to encourage +the holding of a World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition in +the year 1884," approved February 10, 1883, it was enacted as follows: + + That whenever the President shall be informed by the said board of + management that provision has been made for suitable buildings, or the + erection of the same, for the purposes of said exposition, the President + shall, through the Department of State, make proclamation of the same, + setting forth the time at which the exhibition will open and the place + at which it will be held; and such board of management shall communicate + to the diplomatic representatives of all nations copies of the same and + a copy of this act, together with such regulations as may be adopted by + said board of management, for publication in their respective countries. + + +And whereas the duly constituted board of managers of the aforesaid +World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition has informed me that +provision has been made for the erection of suitable buildings for the +purposes of said exposition: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of +America, by authority of and in fulfillment of the requirements of said +act approved February 10, 1883, do hereby declare and make known that +the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition will be opened +on the first Monday in December, 1884, at the city of New Orleans, in +the State of Louisiana, and will there be holden continuously until the +3ist day of May, 1885. + +In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 10th day of September, 1883, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +In furtherance of the custom of this people at the closing of each year +to engage, upon a day set apart for that purpose, in a special festival +of praise to the Giver of All Good, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of +the United States, do hereby designate Thursday, the 29th day of +November next, as a day of national thanksgiving. + +The year which is drawing to an end has been replete with evidences of +divine goodness. + +The prevalence of health, the fullness of the harvests, the stability +of peace and order, the growth of fraternal feeling, the spread of +intelligence and learning, the continued enjoyment of civil and +religious liberty--all these and countless other blessings are cause +for reverent rejoicing. + +I do therefore recommend that on the day above appointed the people rest +from their accustomed labors and, meeting in their several places of +worship, express their devout gratitude to God that He hath dealt so +bountifully with this nation and pray that His grace and favor abide +with it forever. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of October, A.D. 1883, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +EXECUTIVE ORDERS. + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, March 26, 1883_. + + +SIR:[15] It is my melancholy duty to inform you that the Hon. Timothy +O. Howe, Postmaster-General, and lately a Senator of the United States, +died yesterday at Kenosha, Wis., at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. By +reason of this afflicting event the President directs that the Executive +Departments of the Government and the offices dependent thereon +throughout the country will be careful to manifest by all customary and +appropriate observances due honor to the memory of one so eminent in +successive offices of public esteem and trust and so distinguished and +respected as a citizen. + +To this end the President directs that the Post-Office Department and +its dependencies in this capital shall be draped in mourning for a +period of thirty days; that the several Executive Departments shall be +closed on Wednesday next, the day of the funeral of the deceased, and +that on all public buildings of the Government throughout the United +States the national flag shall be draped in mourning and displayed at +half-mast. + +I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, + +FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN. + +[Footnote 15: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 2, 1883_. + +Under the provisions of section I of the "act making appropriations +for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, and for +other purposes," approved March 3, 1883, the following-named officers of +the Army and Navy will constitute a board for the purpose of examining +and reporting to Congress which of the navy-yards or arsenals owned by +the Government has the best location and is best adapted for the +establishment of a Government foundry, or what other method, if any, +should be adopted for the manufacture of heavy ordnance adapted to +modern warfare, for the use of the Army and Navy of the United States, +the cost of all buildings, tools, and implements necessary to be used +in the manufacture thereof, including the cost of a steam hammer or +apparatus of sufficient size for the manufacture of the heaviest guns: + +Commodore Edward Simpson, United States Navy; Captain Edmund O. +Matthews, United States Navy; Colonel Thomas G. Baylor, Ordnance +Department, United States Army; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry L. Abbot, +Engineer Corps, United States Army; Major Samuel S. Elder, Second +Artillery, United States Army; Lieutenant William H. Jacques, United +States Navy. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 7, 1883_. + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by, the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rules for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service are hereby promulgated: + +RULE I. + +No person in said service shall use his official authority or influence +either to coerce the political action of any person or body or to +interfere with any election. + +RULE II. + +No person in the public service shall for that reason be under any +obligations to contribute to any political fund or to render any +political service, and he will not be removed or otherwise prejudiced +for refusing to do so. + +RULE III. + +It shall be the duty of collectors, postmasters, assistant treasurers, +naval officers, surveyors, appraisers, and custodians of public +buildings at places where examinations are to be held to allow and +arrange for the reasonable use of suitable rooms in the public buildings +in their charge, and for heating, lighting, and furnishing the same for +the purposes of such examinations; and all other executive officers +shall in all legal and proper ways facilitate such examinations and the +execution of these rules. + +RULE IV. + +1. All officials connected with any office where or for which any +examination is to take place will give the Civil Service Commission and +the chief examiner such information as may be reasonably required to +enable the Commission to select competent and trustworthy examiners; and +the examinations by those selected as examiners, and the work incident +thereto, will be regarded as a part of the public business to be +performed at such office. + +2. It shall be the duty of every executive officer promptly to inform +the Commission, in writing, of the removal or discharge from the public +service of any examiner in his office or of the inability or refusal of +any such examiner to act in that capacity. + +RULE V. + +There shall be three branches of the service classified under the +civil-service act (not including laborers or workmen or officers +required to be confirmed by the Senate), as follows: + +1. Those classified in the Departments at Washington shall be designated +"The classified departmental service." + +2. Those classified under any collector, naval officer, surveyor, or +appraiser in any customs district shall be designated "The classified +customs service." + +3. Those classified under any postmaster at any post-office, including +that at Washington, shall be designated "The classified postal service." + +4. The classified customs service shall embrace the several customs +districts where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: +New York City, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Francisco, +Cal.; Baltimore, Md.; New Orleans, La.; Chicago, Ill.; Burlington, Vt.; +Portland, Me.; Detroit, Mich.; Port Huron, Mich. + +5. The classified postal service shall embrace the several post-offices +where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: Albany, +N.Y.; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; +Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; +Indianapolis, Ind.; Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, Ky.; Milwaukee, Wis.; +Newark, N.J.; New Orleans, La.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; +Pittsburg, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; San +Francisco, Cal.; Washington, D.C. + +RULE VI. + +1. There shall be open competitive examinations for testing the fitness +of applicants for admission to the service. Such examinations shall be +practical in their character and, so far as may be, shall relate to +those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity and fitness +of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the branch of the +service which they seek to enter. + +2. There shall also be competitive examinations of a suitable character +to test the fitness of persons for promotion in the service. + +RULE VII. + +1. The general examinations under the first clause of Rule VI for +admission to the service shall be limited to the following subjects: +(1) Orthography, penmanship, and copying; (2) arithmetic--fundamental +rules, fractions, and percentage; (3) interest, discount, and elements +of bookkeeping and of accounts; (4) elements of the English language, +letter writing, and the proper construction of sentences; (5) elements +of the geography, history, and government of the United States. + +2. Proficiency in each of these subjects shall be credited in grading +the standing of the persons examined in proportion to the value of a +knowledge of such subjects in the branch or part of the service which +the applicant seeks to enter. + +3. No one shall be entitled to be certified for appointment whose +standing upon a just grading in the general examination shall be less +than 65 per cent of complete proficiency in the first three subjects +mentioned in this rule, and that measure of proficiency shall be deemed +adequate. + +4. But for places in which a lower degree of education will suffice the +Commission may limit the examinations to, first, penmanship, copying, +and orthography; second, the fundamental rules of arithmetic; but no +person shall be certified under this examination of a less grading than +65 per cent on each subject. + +5. The Commission may also order examinations of a higher grade or upon +additional or special subjects, to test the capacity and fitness which +may be needed in any special place or branch of the service. + +RULE VIII. + +No question in any examination or proceeding by or under the Commission +of examiners shall call for the expression or disclosure of any +political or religious opinion or affiliation, nor shall any +discrimination be made by reason thereof if known; and the Commission +and its examiners shall discountenance all disclosure before either of +them of such opinion by or concerning any applicants for examination or +by or concerning anyone whose name is on any register awaiting +appointment. + +RULE IX. + +All regular applications for the competitive examinations for admission +to the classified service must be made on blanks in a form approved by +the Commission. All requests for such blanks and all applications for +examination must be addressed as follows: (1) If for the classified +departmental service, to the United States Civil Service Commission, +Washington, D.C.; (2) if for the classified postal service, to the +postmaster under whom service is sought; (3) if for the classified +customs service, to the head of either customs office in which service +is sought. All officers receiving such applications will indorse thereon +the date of the reception thereof and transmit the same to the proper +examining board of the district or office where service is sought or, +if in Washington, to the Civil Service Commission. + +RULE X. + +Every examining board shall keep such records and such papers on file +and make such reports as the Commission shall require, and any such +paper or record in the charge of any examining board or any officer +shall at all times be open to examination as the Commission shall +direct, and upon its request shall be forwarded to the Commission for +inspection and revision. + +RULE XI. + +Every application, in order to entitle the applicant to appear for +examination or to be examined, must state under oath the facts on the +following subjects: (1) Full name, residence, and post-office address; +(2) citizenship; (3) age; (4) place of birth; (5) health and physical +capacity for the public service; (6) right of preference by reason +of military or naval service; (7) previous employment in the public +service; (8) business or employment and residence for the previous five +years; (9) education. Such other information shall be furnished as the +Commission may reasonably require touching the applicant's fitness for +the public service. The applicant must also state the number of members +of his family in the public service and where employed, and must also +assert that he is not disqualified under section 3 of the civil-service +act, which is as follows: + +"That no person habitually using intoxicating beverages to excess shall +be appointed to or retained in any office, appointment, or employment +to which the provisions of this act are applicable." + +RULE XII. + +1. Every regular application must be supported by proper certificates of +good moral character, health, and physical and mental capacity for doing +the public work, the certificates to be in such form and number as the +regulations of the Commission shall provide; but no certificate will be +received which is inconsistent with the tenth section of the +civil-service act. + +2. No one shall be entitled to be examined for admission to the +classified postal service if under 16 or over 35 years of age, or to +the classified customs service or to the classified departmental service +if under 18 or over 45 years of age; but no one shall be examined for +appointment to any place in the classified customs service, except +that of clerk or messenger, who is under 21 years of age; but these +limitations of age shall not apply to honorably discharged soldiers +and sailors of the last war who are otherwise duly qualified. + +RULE XIII. + +1. The date of the reception of all regular applications for the +classified departmental service shall be entered of record by the +Commission, and of all other regular applications by the proper +examining boards of the district or office for which they are made; +and applicants, when in excess of the number that can be examined at +a single examination, shall be notified to appear in their order on +the respective records. But any applicants in the several States and +Territories for appointment in the classified departmental service +may be notified to appear for examination at any place at which an +examination is to be held, whether in any State or Territory or in +Washington, which shall be deemed most convenient for them. + +2. The Commission is authorized, in aid of the apportionment among +the States and Territories, to hold examinations at places convenient +for applicants from different States and Territories, or for those +examination districts which it may designate and which the President +shall approve. + +RULE XIV. + +Those examined shall be graded, and shall have their grade marked +upon a register after those previously thereon, in the order of their +excellence as shown by their examination papers, except that those from +the same State or Territory may be entered upon the register together, +in the order of relative excellence, to facilitate apportionment. +Separate registers may be kept of those seeking to enter any part of +the service in which special qualifications are required. + +RULE XV. + +The Commission may give a certificate to any person examined, stating +the grade which such person attained and the proficiency in the several +subjects, shown by the markings. + +RULE XVI. + +1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment +shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or +the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be +taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his +branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to the +apportionment of appointments to States and Territories; and from the +said four a selection shall be made for the vacancy. + +2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made +in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the +original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the +District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at the +last preceding census. + +3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or +regulation shall call for those of either sex, the four highest of that +sex shall be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such +certification. + +4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than three times +to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more than twice +to any department at Washington, unless upon request of the appointing +officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one year upon any +register. And no person while remaining eligible on any register shall +be admitted to a new examination of the same grade. + +RULE XVII. + +1. Every original appointment or employment in said classified service +shall be for the probationary period of six months, at the end of which +time, if the conduct and capacity of the person appointed have been +found satisfactory, the probationer shall be absolutely appointed or +employed, but otherwise be deemed out of the service. + +2. Every officer under whom any probationer shall serve during any part +of the probation provided for by these rules shall carefully observe the +quality and value of the service rendered by such probationer, and shall +report to the proper appointing officer, in writing, the facts observed +by him, showing the character and qualifications of such probationer and +of the service performed by him; and such reports shall be preserved on +file. + +3. Every false statement knowingly made by any person in his application +for examination and every connivance by him at any false statement made +in any certificate which may accompany his application shall be regarded +as good cause for the removal or discharge of such person during his +probation. + +RULE XVIII. + +Every head of a Department or office shall notify the Commission of the +name of every person appointed to or employed in the classified service +under him (giving the date of the appointment and the designation of the +office or place) from those examined under the Commission, and shall +also inform the Commission of the date of any rejection or final +appointment or employment of any probationer and of the promotion, +removal, discharge, resignation, transfer, or death of any such person +after probation. + +RULE XIX. + +There are excepted from examination the following: (1) The confidential +clerk or secretary of any head of a Department or office; (2) cashiers +of collectors; (3) cashiers of postmasters; (4) superintendents of +money-order divisions in post-offices; (5) the direct custodians of +money for whose fidelity another officer is under official bond, but +these exceptions shall not extend to any official below the grade of +assistant cashier or teller; (6) persons employed exclusively in the +secret service of the Government, or as translators or interpreters or +stenographers; (7) persons whose employment is exclusively professional; +(8) chief clerks, superintendents, and chiefs of divisions or bureaus. +But no person so excepted shall be either transferred, appointed, or +promoted, unless to some excepted place, without an examination under +the Commission. Promotions may be made without examinations in offices +where examinations for promotion are not now held until rules on the +subject shall be promulgated. + +RULE XX. + +If the failure of competent persons to attend and be examined or the +prevalence of contagious disease or other sufficient cause shall make it +impracticable to supply in due season for any appointment the names of +persons who have passed a competitive examination, the appointment may +be made of a person who has passed a noncompetitive examination, which +examination the Commission may provide for; but its next report shall +give the reason for such resort to noncompetitive examination. + +RULE XXI. + +The Civil Service Commission will make appropriate regulations for +carrying these rules into effect. + + +RULE XXII. + +Every violation by any officer in the executive civil service of these +rules or of the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, or fourteenth section of +the civil-service act, relating to political assessments, shall be good +cause for removal. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 21, 1883_. + +Under the provisions of section 4 of the act approved March 3, 1883, it +is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, the Department +of Agriculture, and the Government Printing Office be closed on +Wednesday, the 30th instant, to enable the employees to participate in +the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the +rebellion. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WAR DEPARTMENT, _October 13, 1883_. + +I. The President, having acceded to the request of General William +T. Sherman to be relieved from the command of the Army on the 1st of +November, 1883, preparatory to his retirement from active service, +directs the following changes and assignments to command: + +General William T. Sherman will be relieved from the command of the Army +on the above-mentioned date and will repair to his home, St. Louis, Mo., +to await his retirement. The General will be attended prior to his +retirement by those of his aids-de-camp whom he may designate to the +Adjutant-General. + +Lieutenant-General Philip H. Sheridan will proceed to Washington, and on +the above-mentioned date assume command of the Army. + +Major-General John M. Schofield will proceed to Chicago, Ill., and will +on the above-mentioned date assume command of the Military Division of +the Missouri. + +Major-General John Pope will proceed to the Presidio of San Francisco, +Cal., and will on the above-mentioned date assume command of the +Military Division of the Pacific and of the Department of California. + +Brigadier-General Christopher C. Augur will proceed to Fort Leavenworth, +and will on the above-mentioned date assume command of the Department of +the Missouri. + +Brigadier-General Ranald S. Mackenzie will proceed to San Antonio, Tex., +and will on the above-mentioned date assume command of the Department of +Texas. + +II. The Department of the South will on the 1st day of November, 1883, +be merged in the Department of the East, under the command of +Major-General Hancock, commanding the Military Division of the Atlantic +and the Department of the East. + +ROBERT T. LINCOLN, + +_Secretary of War_. + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rules for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service are hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + +RULE VI. + +1. There shall be open competitive examinations for testing the fitness +of applicants for admission to the service. Such examinations shall be +practical in their character and, so far is may be, shall relate to +those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity and fitness +of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the branch of the +service which they seek to enter. + +2. There shall, so far as they may be deemed useful, be competitive +examinations of a suitable character to test the fitness of persons for +promotion in the service. + +RULE VII. + +1. The general examinations under the first clause of Rule VI for +admission to the service shall be limited to the following subjects: +(1) Orthography, penmanship, and copying; (2) arithmetic--fundamental +rules, fractions, and percentage; (3) interest, discount, and elements +of bookkeeping and of accounts; (4) elements of the English language, +letter writing, and the proper construction of sentences; (5) elements +of the geography, history, and government of the United States. + +2. Proficiency in each of these subjects shall be credited in grading +the standing of the persons examined in proportion to the value of a +knowledge of such subjects in the branch or part of the service which +the applicant seeks to enter. + +3. No one shall be entitled to be certified for appointment whose +standing upon a just grading in the general examination shall be less +than 65 per cent of complete proficiency in the first three subjects +mentioned in this rule, and that measure of proficiency shall be deemed +adequate. + +4. But for places in which a lower degree of education will suffice the +Commission may limit the examinations to less than the five subjects +above mentioned, but no person shall be certified for appointment under +this clause whose grading shall be less than an average of 65 per cent +on such of the first three subjects or parts thereof as the examination +may embrace. + +5. The Commission may also order examinations upon other subjects, +of a technical or special character, to test the capacity which may be +needed in any part of the classified service which requires peculiar +information or skill. Examinations hereunder may be competitive or +noncompetitive, and the maximum limitations of age contained in the +twelfth rule shall not apply to applicants for the same. The application +for and notice of these special examinations, the records thereof, +and the certification of those found competent shall be such as the +Commission may provide for. After consulting the head of any Department +or office the Commission may from time to time designate, subject to the +approval of the President, the positions therein for which applicants +may be required to pass this special examination. + +RULE VIII. + +No question in any examination or proceeding by or under the Commission +or examiners shall call for the expression or disclosure of any +political or religious opinion or affiliation, and if such opinion of +affiliation be known no discrimination shall be made by reason thereof +by the examiners, the Commission, or the appointing power. The +Commission and its examiners shall discountenance all disclosure before +either of them of such opinion by or concerning any applicant for +examination or by or concerning anyone whose name is on any register +awaiting appointment. + +RULE XI. + +Every application, in order to entitle the applicant to appear for +examination or to be examined, must state under oath the facts on the +following subjects: (1) Full name, residence, and post-office address; +(2) citizenship; (3) age; (4) place of birth; (5) health and physical +capacity for the public service; (6) right of preference by reason +of military or naval service; (7) previous employment in the public +service; (8) business or employment and residence for the previous five +years; (9) education. Such other information shall be furnished as the +Commission may reasonably require touching the applicant's fitness for +the public service. The applicant must also state the number of members +of his family in the public service and where employed, and must also +assert that he is not disqualified under section 8 of the civil-service +act, which is as follows: + +"That no person habitually using intoxicating beverages to excess shall +be appointed to or retained in any office, appointment, or employment to +which the provisions of this act are applicable." + +No person under enlistment in the Army or Navy of the United States +shall be examined under these rules. + +RULE XIII. + +1. The date of the reception of all regular applications for the +classified departmental service shall be entered of record by the +Commission, and of all other regular applications by the proper +examining boards of the district or office for which they are made; +and applicants, when in excess of the number that can be examined at +a single examination, shall, subject to the needs of apportionment, +be notified to appear in their order on the respective records. +But any applicants in the several States and Territories for appointment +in the classified departmental service may be notified to appear for +examination at any place at which an examination is to be held, whether +in any State or Territory or in Washington, which shall be deemed most +convenient for them. + +2. The Compassion is authorized, in aid of the apportionment among +the States and Territories, to hold examinations at places convenient +for applicants from different States and Territories, or for those +examination districts which it may designate and which the President +shall approve. + +RULE XVI. + +1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment +shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or +the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be +taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his +branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to the +apportionment of appointments to States and Territories; and from the +said four a selection shall be made for the vacancy. + +2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made +in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the +original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the +District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at the +last preceding census. + +3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or +regulation shall call for those of either sex, the four highest of that +sex shall be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such +certification. + +4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than four +times to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more +than twice to any Department at Washington, unless upon request of the +appointing officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one year +upon any register. No person while remaining eligible on any register +shall be admitted to a new examination, and no person having failed +upon any examination shall within six months thereafter be admitted +to another examination without the consent of the Commission; but +these restrictions shall not extend to examinations under clause 5 +of Rule VII. + +RULE XVIII. + +Every head of a Department or office shall notify the Commission of the +name of every person appointed to or employed in the classified service +under him (giving the date of the appointment and the designation of the +office or place) from those examined under the Commission, and shall +also inform the Commission of the date of any rejection or final +appointment or employment of any probationer, and of the promotion, +removal, discharge, resignation, transfer, or death of any such person +after probation. Every head of an office in the postal or customs +service shall give such information on these subjects to the board of +examiners for his office as the regulations of the Commission may +provide for. + +RULE XIX. + +There are excepted from examination the following: (1) The confidential +clerk or secretary of any head of Department or office; (2) cashiers of +collectors; (3) cashiers of postmasters; (4) superintendents of +money-order divisions in post-offices; (5) the direct custodians of +money for whose fidelity another officer is under official bond, but +these exceptions shall not extend to any official below the grade of +assistant cashier or teller; (6) persons employed exclusively in the +secret service of the Government, or as translators or interpreters or +stenographers; (7) persons whose employment is exclusively professional; +(8) chief clerks, deputy collectors, and superintendents or chiefs of +divisions or bureaus. But no person so excepted shall be either +transferred, appointed, or promoted, unless to some excepted place, +without an examination under the Commission. Promotions may be made +without examinations in offices where examinations for promotion are not +now held until rules on the subject shall be promulgated. + +Approved, November 7, 1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +THIRD ANNUAL MESSAGE. + + +WASHINGTON, _December 4, 1883_. + +_To the Congress of the United States:_ + +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 calls 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. The +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 Weil 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 this 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 Tah 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 touching 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-- + + From customs $214,706,496.93 + From internal revenue 144,720,368.98 + From sales of public lands 7,955,864.42 + From tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 9,111,008.85 + From profits on coinage, bullion deposits, and assays 4,460,205.17 + From other sources 17,333,637.60 + ______________ + Total 398,287,581.95 + + +For the same period the ordinary expenditures were: + + For civil expenses $22,343,285.76 + For foreign intercourse 2,419,275.24 + For Indians 7,362,590.34 + For pensions $66,012,573.64 + For the military establishment, including river and + harbor improvements and arsenals 48,911,382.93 + For the naval establishment, including vessels, + machinery, and improvements at navy-yards 15,283,437.17 + For miscellaneous expenditures, including public + buildings, light-houses, and collecting the revenue 40,098,432.73 + For expenditures on account of the District of Columbia 3,817,028.48 + For interest on the public debt 59,160,131.25 + ______________ + Total 265,408,137.54 + + +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-- + + Of bonds for the sinking fund $44,850,700.00 + Of fractional currency for the sinking fund 46,556.96 + Of funded loan of 1881, continued at 3-1/2 per cent. 65,380,250.00 + Of loan of July and August, 1861, + continued at 3-1/2 per cent. 20,594,600.00 + Of funded loan of 1907 1,418,850.00 + Of funded loan of 1881 719,150.00 + Of loan of February, 1861 18,000.00 + Of loan of July and August, 1861 266,600.00 + Of loan of March, 1863 116,850.00 + Of loan of July, 1882 47,650.00 + Of five-twenties of 1862 10,300.00 + Of five-twenties of 1864 7,050.00 + Of five-twenties of 1865 9,600.00 + Of ten-forties of 1864 133,550.00 + Of consols of 1865 40,800.00 + Of consols of 1867 235,700.00 + Of consols of 1868 154,650.00 + Of Oregon War debt 5,450.00 + Of refunding certificates 109,150.00 + Of old demand, compound-interest, and other notes 13,300.00 + ______________ + Total 134,178,756.96 + + +The revenue for the present fiscal year, actual and estimated, is as +follows: + + ======================================================================= + For the + Source For the quarter remaining + ended September three quarters + 30, 1883 of the year + (actual) (estimated) + + From customs $57,402,975 67 $137,597,024 33 + From internal revenue 29,662,078.60 90,337,921.40 + From sales of public lands 2,932,635.17 5,067,364.83 + From tax on circulation and deposits + of national banks 1,557,800.88 1,542,199.12 + From repayment of interest and sinking + fund, Pacific Railway companies 521,059.51 1,478,940.49 + From customs fees, fines, penalties, etc. 298,696.78 901,303.22 + From fees--consular, letters patent, + and lands 863,209.80 2,436,790.20 + From proceeds of sales of Government + property 112,562.23 167,437.77 + From profits on coinage, etc. 950,229.46 3,149,770.54 + From deposits for surveying public lands 172,461.31 327,538.69 + From revenues of the District of Columbia 256,017.99 1,643,982.01 + From miscellaneous sources 1,237,189.63 2,382,810.37 + ____________ ____________ + Total receipts 95,966,917.03 247,033,082.97 + ======================================================================= + +The actual and estimated expenses for the same period are: + + ======================================================================= + For the + Object For the quarter remaining + ended September three quarters + 30, 1883 of the year + (actual) (estimated) + + For civil and miscellaneous expenses, + including public buildings, + light-houses, and collecting + the revenue $15,385,799.42 $51,114,200.58 + For Indians 2,623,390.54 4,126,609.46 + For pensions 16,285,261.98 53,714,738.02 + For military establishment, including + fortifications, river and harbor + improvements, and arsenals 13,512,204.33 26,487,795.67 + For naval establishment, including + vessels and machinery, and + improvements at navy-yards 4,199,299.69 12,300,700.31 + For expenditures on account of the + District of Columbia 1,138,836.41 2,611,163.59 + For interest on the public debt 14,797,297.96 39,702,702.04 + _____________ ______________ + Total ordinary expenditures 67,942,090.33 190,057,909.67 + ======================================================================= + + Total receipts, actual and estimated $343,000,000.00 + Total expenditures, actual and estimated 258,000,000.00 + ______________ + 85,000,000.00 + Estimated amount due the sinking fund 45,816,741.07 + ______________ + Leaving a balance of 39,183,258.93 + + +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 defnitions and punishments of crimes relating to pensions could +doubtless be mads 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 +pleuro-pneumonia 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. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +SPECIAL MESSAGES. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, draft of a bill +to accept and ratify certain agreements made with the Sioux Indians and +to grant a right of way to the Dakota Central Railway Company through +the Sioux Reservation in Dakota. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting draft of a bill +to prevent timber depredations on Indian reservations. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 3d instant from the Secretary +of the Interior, in relation to the urgent necessity of action on the +part of the Congress for the more adequate prevention of trespasses +upon Indian lands, with copy of report from the Commissioner of Indian +Affairs upon the subject, draft of bill for the object indicated, and +copy of correspondence from the Secretary of War recommending action +in the premises. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 3d instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, with the draft of a bill "to accept and +ratify an agreement made by the Pi-Ute Indians, and granting a right of +way to the Carson and Colorado Railroad Company through the Walker River +Reservation, in Nevada," and accompanying papers in relation to the +subject. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting a draft of a +bill "providing for the allotment of lands in severalty to certain +Chippewa Indians of Lake Superior residing in the State of Wisconsin, +and granting patents therefor." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, with draft of bill for the payment of certain +settlers in the State of Nevada for improvements on lands in Duck +Valley, in that State, taken for the use and occupancy of the Shoshone +Indians, with accompanying papers. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 10, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, draft of a bill +"To provide for the settlement of the estates of deceased Kickapoo +Indians in the State of Kansas, and for other purposes." + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 11, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing a communication from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs +setting forth the necessity of a deficiency appropriation of $60,000 +for the immediate wants of his Bureau. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter +from the Secretary of War, inclosing copies of official reports, +etc., by the military authorities touching the necessity for the +acquisition of additional land for the military reservation of Fort +Preble, Me., and expressing his concurrence in the recommendation of the +Lieutenant-General of the Army that the sum of $8,000 be appropriated by +Congress for the purchase of such additional land. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, touching the question of the reconstruction +of a bridge over the Republican River at or near Fort Riley, in the +State of Kansas, and recommending such legislation as will authorize the +reconstruction of said bridge by the United States in accordance with +the terms and provisions of a joint resolution of the legislature of the +State of Kansas approved March 6, 1883, a copy of which is herewith +inclosed. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated the 4th instant, inclosing and +commending to favorable consideration a letter from the board of +commissioners of the Soldiers' Home, dated Washington, D.C., November +27, 1883, recommending such legislation as will confer upon said board +of commissioners authority to advance a sum not exceeding $40,000 +annually from funds found to be due the Soldiers' Home on settlements to +be made in the offices of the Second Comptroller and Second Auditor, to +pay for the services of extra clerks to be employed under the direction +of the Secretary of the Treasury in making such settlements. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a copy of +a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the 8th instant, +inclosing one from Captain S. M. Mills, Fifth Artillery, indorsed by the +Chief Signal Officer of the Army, recommending that Congress authorize +the printing and binding, for the use of the Signal Office, of 5,000 +copies of the Annual Report of the Chief Signal Officer for the fiscal +year 1882, and inclosing a draft of a joint resolution for that purpose. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 13, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 8th instant, and its accompanying +papers, relative to the reconveyance to Mr. Thomas Mulvihill, of +Pittsburg, Pa., of certain land erroneously conveyed by him to the +United States, the particular facts regarding which are fully set forth +in the inclosed copy of Senate Executive Document No. 46, Forty-seventh +Congress, second session. + +It appearing that the land in question was through error alone +transferred to the United States, and that to retransfer the same to Mr. +Mulvihill would be a measure of simple justice, it is recommended that +such legislation be had as may be necessary to restore to Mr. Mulvihill +his rights in the premises. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 4th instant, with accompanying papers, submitting a draft of a +bill "to confirm the title to certain land in the Indian Territory to +the Cheyennes and Arapahoes and the Wichitas and affiliated bands, to +provide for the issuance of patents therefor, and for other purposes." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 11th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, draft +of a bill "to provide for the issuance of patents for certain lands in +the Indian Territory occupied by the Kickapoo, Iowa, and other Indians." + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 6th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft +of a bill "to accept and ratify an agreement with the confederated +tribes of the Flathead, Kootenay, and Upper Pend d'Oreille Indians for +the sale of a portion of their reservation in the Territory of Montana +required for the use of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and for other +purposes." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 4th instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, draft of a +bill "to accept and ratify the agreement submitted by the Shoshones, +Bannocks, and Sheepeaters of the Fort Hall and Lemhi reservations, in +Idaho, May 14, 1880, for the sale of a portion of their land in said +Territory and for other purposes, and to make the necessary +appropriations for carrying out the same." + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +submitting a draft of a bill "providing for allotment of lands in +severalty to the Indians residing upon the Chehalis Reservation, in +Washington Territory, and granting patents therefor," with accompanying +report from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs upon the subject. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 3d instant, with accompanying papers, submitting a draft of a +bill for the relief of the Nez Perce Indians in the Territory of Idaho +and of the allied tribes residing on the Grande Ronde Indian +Reservation, in the State of Oregon. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 4th instant, submitting, with accompanying papers, draft of a +bill to accept and ratify certain agreements made with the Sioux Indians +and to grant a right of way to the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul +Railway Company through the Sioux Reservation in Dakota. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated December 13 instant, inclosing one from the +Surgeon-General of the Army submitting a special estimate for funds +in the sum of $200,000 for the erection in this city of a suitable +fireproof building to contain the records, library, and museum of the +Medical Department of the Army, together with preliminary plans for +said building and copies of reports, etc., in relation to the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Navy, dated the 10th instant, inclosing a +letter from the Surgeon-General of the Navy respecting the advisability +of providing for representation on the part of the United States in any +international convention that may be organized for the purpose of +establishing uniform standards of measure of color perception and +acuteness of vision. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 3d instant from the Secretary +of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft of a bill +for the payment of the value of certain improvements made by certain +settlers on the Round Valley Indian Reservation, in the State of +California, as appraised under the act approved March 3, 1873. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 12th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting a report of the Commissioner of +Indian Affairs of December 8, 1883, and accompanying papers, on the +subject of the "Old Settler" or "Western" Cherokees. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 4th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, with draft of a bill to accept and ratify an +agreement made with Chief Moses and other Indians for the relinquishment +of certain lands in Washington Territory, and to make the necessary +appropriations for carrying the same into effect, with accompanying +papers. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 15th instant, inclosing one from the +Quartermaster-General setting forth the necessity for the construction +of a fireproof building in this city for the storage of the public +records. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, +inclosing a copy of a communication from the Commissioner of Indian +Affairs setting forth the necessity of a deficiency appropriation of +$78,110 for the purchase of supplies for the balance of the present +fiscal year for the Crow Indians. + +CHESTER A ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the Senate resolution of the 18th +instant, a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying papers, +relating to the treaty between the United States and Great Britain +signed April 19, 1850. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War, dated December 14, 1883, upon the subject of +abandoned military reservations, and renewing his former recommendation +for such legislation as will provide for the disposal of military sites +that are no longer needed for military purposes. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 19, 1883_. + +_To the Senate of the United States of America:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view +to ratification, a treaty of extradition between the United States of +America and the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, concluded at Berlin on the +29th of October, A.D. 1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 24, 1883_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +The House of Representatives having adopted on the 19th instant a +resolution in the following words-- + + _Resolved_, That the Secretary of State be, and he is hereby, + requested to furnish for the information of this House, without delay, + if not incompatible with the public service, all communications, + documents, and papers in his possession relating to the trial, + conviction, and execution of the late Patrick O'Donnell by the British + Government-- + + +I transmit herewith a report made to me by the Secretary of State, with +the papers enumerated in the subjoined list, as answering said +resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 7, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 19th ultimo, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft of a +bill providing for the allotment of lands in severalty to the Arickaree, +Gros Ventre, and Mandan Indians on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, +in Dakota, and the granting of patents therefor, and for other purposes. + +The matter is presented for the action of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 7, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior +of the 19th ultimo, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft of a +bill "to allow Indian homestead entries in certain cases without the +payment of fees and commissions." + +The matter is presented for the consideration and action of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 7, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 2d instant, inclosing copies of official +correspondence, reports, etc., in relation to the military post of Fort +Sullivan, Me., and recommending such legislation as will authorize the +sale of the site to the highest bidder after public advertisement, the +same being no longer needed for military purposes. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 8, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I submit a communication from the governor of the State of Illinois, +with a copy of an act of the general assembly of that State tendering to +the United States the cession of the Illinois and Michigan Canal upon +condition that it shall be enlarged and maintained as a national +waterway for commercial purposes. + +The proposed cession is an element of the subject which Congress had +under consideration in directing by the act of August 2, 1882, a survey +for a canal from a point on the Illinois River at or near the town of +Hennepin by the most practicable route to the Mississippi River at or +above the city of Rock Island, the canal to be not less than 70 feet +wide at the water line and not less than 7 feet in depth of water, and +with capacity for vessels of at least 280 tons burden; and also a survey +of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and an estimate of the cost of +enlarging it to the dimensions of the proposed canal between Hennepin +and the Mississippi River. + +The surveys ordered in the above act have been completed and the report +upon them is included in the last annual report of the Secretary of War, +and a copy is herewith submitted. It is estimated in the report that by +the enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the construction +of the proposed canal by the shortest route between Hennepin and the +Mississippi River a direct and convenient thoroughfare for vessels of +280 tons burden may be opened from the Mississippi River to Lake +Michigan at a cost of $8,110,286.65, and that the annual charge for +maintenance would be $138,600. + +It appears from these papers that the estimated yield of corn, wheat, +and oats for 1882 in the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, +Kansas, and Nebraska was more than 1,000,000,000 bushels. It is claimed +that if the cheap water transportation route which is now continuous +from the Atlantic Ocean to Chicago is extended to the Upper Mississippi +by such a canal a great benefit in the reduction of freight charges +would result to the people of the Upper Mississippi Valley, whose +productions I have only partly noted, not only upon their own shipments, +but upon the articles of commerce used by them, which are now taken from +the Eastern States by water only as far as Chicago. + +As a matter of great interest, especially to the citizens of that part +of the country, I commend the general subject to your consideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 8, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th +instant, respecting the alleged distribution of circulars in some of the +Departments asking contributions for political purposes, I hereby +transmit the reply of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 8, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives a communication from +the Secretary of War, submitting the annual report of the Mississippi +River Commission. + +I take this occasion to invite the early attention of Congress to the +continuation of the work on the Mississippi River which is being carried +on under the plans of the commission. My sense of the importance of the +improvement of this river, not only to the people of the Northwest, but +especially to the inhabitants of the Lower Mississippi Valley, has +already been expressed in a special communication to the last Congress. +The harvests of grain and cotton produced in the region bordering upon +the Mississippi are so vast as to be of national importance, and the +project now being executed for their cheap transportation should be +sufficiently provided for. + +The commission report that the results due to the still uncompleted +works have been remarkable, and give the highest encouragement for +expecting the ultimate success of the improvement. + +The act of August 2, 1882, appropriated $4,123,000 for the work on that +part of the river below Cairo. The estimates of the commission already +transmitted to Congress call for $3,000,000 for the continuation of the +work below Cairo, and it appears from their report that all of the last +appropriation available for active operations has been exhausted and +that there is urgently needed an immediate appropriation of $1,000,000 +to continue the work without loss of time, in view of the approach of +the flood season, with its attendant dangers. + +I therefore recommend to Congress the early passage of a separate bill +on this subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 9, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War of the 7th instant, inclosing a copy of one from +the Quartermaster-General of the Army submitting plans and estimates +for the construction of walls, etc., at the Schuylkill Arsenal, +Philadelphia, Pa., rendered necessary by the opening of Peltz street, +and recommending that an appropriation be made of the amount estimated +to be requisite for the work referred to. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +submitting, with accompanying papers, an estimate of appropriation in +the sum of $25,000 for the settlement under existing treaties of certain +freedmen and their descendants upon lands known as the Oklahoma +district, within the Indian Territory. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 11th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, an item +of appropriation in the sum of $3,000 for the location and survey of +boundary lines of certain lands purchased by the United States from the +Creek Indians for the use of the Seminole Indians in the Indian +Territory. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft of a bill "for the relief +of the Mission Indians in the State of California." + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 15, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 8th instant, calling +for the correspondence on file upon the subject of discriminating duties +upon commerce between the United States and Cuba and Puerto Rico, I +transmit herewith a report made to me by the Secretary of State, with +accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 16, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a copy of a +letter from the secretary of state of the State of Pennsylvania, dated +November 26, 1883, inclosing a duly authenticated copy of an act +of the legislature of that State entitled "An act to provide for the +preservation, use, custody, and disposition of the marine hospital at +Erie, and making an appropriation for the repair of the same," approved +July 5, 1883, and tendering to the United States Government, on behalf +of the governor, in pursuance of the provisions of the act, the said +marine hospital for use as a soldiers' and sailors' home. + +The papers having upon their receipt been referred by me to the +Secretary of War, I inclose also a copy of his letter of the 12th +instant returning the same, together with a copy of the report of +Captain Edward Maguire, Corps of Engineers, dated the 10th ultimo, +giving a description of the property referred to and expressing his +views as to its adaptability for a soldiers and sailors' home. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 16, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, dated +the 11th instant, suggesting further action by Congress in the matter of +granting leases of bath houses and bath-house sites at the Hot Springs +Reservation, Ark. + +The subject is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 17, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the +Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy, on the subject of an +expedition for the relief of Lieutenant A.W. Greely and his party, +composing what is known as the "Lady Franklin Bay Expedition," which was +sent to the arctic regions in 1881 under the provisions of the acts of +Congress approved May 1, 1880, and March 3, 1881. + +In the plans for the relief of this party, as arranged with Lieutenant +Greely, it was contemplated that an effort would be made to communicate +with him and furnish him any needed assistance in 1882 and again in +1883. + +Subsequently legislation was enacted which required the expedition of +1883 to bring the party home. It was a part of the arrangement that +if communication should not be made with him on or before the 1st of +September, 1883, he should, with his party, abandon his station at +Lady Franklin Bay not later than the above-mentioned date and proceed +south-ward, and would find a well-supplied relief station at the +entrance to Smiths Sound, a point where it would not be difficult +to reach him during a part of each year. The expeditions of 1882 and +1883 were sent, but neither one of them was able to communicate with +Lieutenant Greely; and the last one failed to accomplish any part of +its object beyond leaving a very small quantity of stores in the +neighborhood of the entrance to Smiths Sound. + +The situation of Lieutenant Greely and his party under these +circumstances is one of great peril, and in presenting the preliminary +views of the board appointed by me to take into consideration an +expedition for their relief I urgently recommend prompt action by +Congress to enable the recommendations of the Secretary of War and the +Secretary of the Navy to be carried out without delay. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 22, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the House dated +January 11, 1883, a letter, dated the 21st instant, from the Secretary +of War, together with a report submitted to him by the Chief of +Engineers, embodying the information, so far as the same can be +furnished from the records of his office, and a statement prepared in +the Treasury Department, respecting the expenditures for rivers and +harbors, called for by the said resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 28, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit to Congress a communication from the Secretary of War, in +relation to the necessity of an immediate appropriation of not less +than $42,000 to enable the engineer in charge to make next autumn the +explosion required for the removal of Flood Rock, in the East River, +New York. The importance of the work is well known, and as it appears +that without a speedy appropriation a delay of a year must follow, +accompanied by large expenses to protect from injury the work already +done, I commend the subject to the early and favorable consideration +of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 30, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In further response to the resolution of the Senate of the 8th +instant, calling for the correspondence on file upon the subject of +discriminating duties upon commerce between the United States and Cuba +and Puerto Rico, I transmit certain papers additional to the papers +which accompanied the report sent to you on the 15th instant. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 31, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 29th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, a +report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs upon the subject of the +right of way of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company +through the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, in Dakota. + +The subject is commended to the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 31, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolutions of the House of +Representatives, the following report of the Secretary of State, with +accompanying papers, relative to the restrictions upon the importation +of American hog products into Germany and France. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 6, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication, +under date of the 2d instant, from the Secretary of the Interior, +transmitting the last annual report of the Government directors of the +Union Pacific Railway Company. + +The report accompanying the Secretary's communication has been sent to +the House of Representatives. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 7, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in response to +the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 16th ultimo, +respecting the arrest and imprisonment of John E. Wheelock in Venezuela +in 1879. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 7, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 15th instant [ultimo], a report of the Secretary +of State, with accompanying papers, in relation to the reported arrest +at Lodz, in Russian Poland, of Reinhardt Wagner, a citizen of the United +States. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _February 7, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +its ratification, an agreement concerning trade-marks between the United +States and Italy, signed June 1, 1882, provided the terms thereof commend +themselves to the Senate. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 11, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit a communication, under date of the 8th instant, addressed to +me by the Secretary of the Navy, covering a report of Professor Simon +Newcomb, United States Navy, on the subject of recent improvements in +astronomical observatories, instruments, and methods of observations, as +noted during his visit to the principal observatories of Europe in the +year 1883, made in pursuance of orders of the Navy Department. + +The request of the Secretary is commended to the consideration of +Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 12, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Senate in connection +with the commercial convention of January 20, 1883, between the United +States and Mexico, now pending before the Senate, a protocol of an +agreement, signed on the 11th instant by the Secretary of State and the +representative of Mexico at this capital, explaining and correcting an +error of translation found in the Spanish text of said convention. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 12, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 8th ultimo from the +Secretary of the Interior, and the accompanying papers, relating to the +establishment of the boundary line between the United States and the +State of Texas. + +The matter is presented for the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 13, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of February 6, 1884, +directing "that the President be requested, if in his judgment not +incompatible with the public interests, to communicate to the Senate +the record of the proceedings, testimony, and findings of the court of +inquiry in relation to the events connected with the loss of the steamer +_Proteus_ in the Arctic Ocean," I have the honor to transmit herewith +a copy of the record, etc., called for in said resolution, together with +the letter of the Secretary of War, dated the 12th instant, submitting +the same to me. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 13, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 11th instant, I have the +honor to inclose a communication[16] from the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 16: Relating to the demand of Mexico for the extradition of +Alexander Trimble.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith the report of a board of Army and Navy officers +appointed by me in accordance with the act of Congress approved March 3, +1883, "for the purpose of examining and reporting to Congress which of +the navy-yards or arsenals owned by the Government has the best location +and is best adapted for the establishment of a Government foundry, or +what other method, if any, should be adopted for the manufacture of +heavy ordnance adapted to modern warfare, for the use of the Army and +Navy of the United States, the cost of all buildings, tools, and +implements necessary to be used in the manufacture thereof, including +the cost of a steam hammer or apparatus of sufficient size for the +manufacture of the heaviest guns." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 21st +instant, whereby your honorable body, and through you the people of the +United States, may become apprised of the generous contribution made by +Her Britannic Majesty's Government toward the efforts for the relief of +Lieutenant Greely's arctic exploring party by presenting to the United +States the arctic steamship _Alert_. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, February 21, 1884_. + +The PRESIDENT: + +In the search for vessels suitable for the expedition now preparing to +relieve Lieutenant Greely and his party, attention was early directed to +the _Alert_, which is the property of the British Government, and +was the advance ship of the expedition under Sir George Nares. It was +desirable to secure this vessel, as she is peculiarly fitted for the +intended service, and as the inspecting officers recommended her Mr. +Lowell was therefore instructed to ask whether she could be spared for +the service. + +Information of the wish of this Government having previously and +informally reached the British admiralty, a private intimation was +conveyed to the United States minister to the effect that the British +Government had not forgotten the very considerate conduct of this +Government on the occasion of the recovery of the _Resolute_, and +that should any suggestion be made that the vessel would be of use to +the expedition she would be presented. The _Resolute_, a vessel, as +the President remembers, formerly belonging to Her Majesty's navy, +having been abandoned in the arctic region, was discovered and brought +to the United States by American seamen, and thereupon was purchased by +this Government of her sailors, repaired, and returned to Great Britain. +On her arrival in England the vessel was received by the Queen in +person, and the officers of the United States Navy who took the ship +thither were treated with every official and personal courtesy. + +The Government of Her Majesty has now given the _Alert_ to the +United States unconditionally, with her anchors, chains, and such of her +equipment as can be utilized. + +Recognizing this graceful and opportune act of courtesy on the part of +Her Majesty's Government, the undersigned to-day instructed Mr. Lowell +as follows, by telegraph: + +"Her Majesty's Government having presented to the Government of the +United States the ship _Alert_ to aid in the relief of Lieutenant +Greely and his party, you will inform the secretary of state for foreign +affairs that the spirit which prompts this act of generosity, and this +evidence of sympathy with the object in view, receives the highest +appreciation of the President, as it will that of the people of the +United States. The President sends his cordial thanks for the opportune +gift of this vessel, which he accepts in the name of the United States, +and which will be used in the humane enterprise for which it is so +peculiarly adapted." + +Respectfully submitted. + +FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from +the Secretary of War, dated the 19th instant, submitting a letter from +the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, dated the 2d instant, and its +accompanying plan of a proposed meteorological observatory at Fort Myer, +Va., together with an estimate of the cost of the same in the sum of +$4,000 and a statement giving various reasons why the said observatory +should be established. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 25, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to so much of the resolution of the House of Representatives +of the 17th ultimo as calls for the correspondence with the Mexican +Government respecting the payment of claims specified in the fifth +section of the act of Congress approved June 17, 1878, I transmit +herewith the report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying +papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 29, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +In compliance with the act of Congress approved January 16, 1883, +entitled "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United +States," the Civil Service Commission has made to the President its +first annual report. + +That report is herewith transmitted, together with communications from +the heads of the several Executive Departments of the Government +respecting the practical workings of the law under which the Commission +has been acting. + +Upon the good results which that law has already accomplished I +congratulate Congress and the people, and I avow my conviction that it +will henceforth prove to be of still more signal benefit to the public +service. + +I heartily commend the zeal and fidelity of the Commissioners and their +suggestion for further legislation, and I advise the making of such an +appropriation as shall be adequate for their needs. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 29, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a report of the +Secretary of State, accompanying a report made by the commission lately +designated by me to examine and report upon the asserted unhealthfulness +of the swine products of this country. The views and conclusions of the +commission deserve the most careful consideration of Congress, to the +end that if any path be legitimately open for removing the prohibition +which closes important foreign markets to those products it may be +followed and appropriate legislation devised. + +I earnestly recommend that Congress provide for reimbursing the expenses +incurred by the commissioners in this praiseworthy service, and I should +be glad also if some remunerative recognition of their public-spirited +action in accepting the onerous and responsible duties imposed on them +were to suggest itself to Congress. At all events, in view of the +conflicting theories touching the origin and propagation of trichiniasis +and the means of isolating and extirpating it among domestic swine, and +considering the important bearing which precise knowledge on these +points would have on the commercial aspects of the matter, I recommend +provision for special research in this direction. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 5, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In further response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of +the 15th January last, calling for copies of correspondence on file in +the Department of State in relation to the reported arrest at Lodz, in +Russia, of Reinhardt Wagner, a citizen of the United States, I transmit, +in addition to the papers sent you on the 7th ultimo, a copy of a +dispatch subsequently received. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 6, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives a report from the +Secretary of State, in response to a resolution of that body of the 5th +ultimo, calling for correspondence concerning the representations made +to this Government in relation to the existing tariff discrimination +against the works of foreign artists. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 10, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith the following documents, received from the Secretary +of State, relative to the resolution of the House of Representatives +upon the death of Mr. Edward Lasker. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 11, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I submit herewith, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to +obtaining its advice and consent thereto, a draft of a proclamation +whereby the United States accede and adhere to an international +convention for the protection of industrial property, signed at Paris +March 20, 1883, and in explanation of the purport of that convention and +the proposed mode of effecting the adhesion of the United States thereto +I subjoin a report of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War of the 12th instant, and accompanying papers, +requesting an appropriation of $230,869.44 for the erection at the +Presidio of San Francisco of additional buildings at headquarters +Military Division of the Pacific, rendered necessary in consequence of +the proposed increase of the garrison by removal of troops from points +in San Francisco Harbor. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretaries of War and the Navy, concerning the expediency of +offering rewards for the rescue of Lieutenant Greely and party by the +independent efforts of private vessels, in addition to sending the three +ships constituting the national relief expedition. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 15th of January last, +respecting the discovery of phosphates upon the coast of Brazil by a +citizen of the United States, I transmit herewith a report from the +Secretary of State upon the subject, together with the accompanying +papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 20, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +In accordance with the provisions of the act making appropriations for +the diplomatic and consular service for the year ending June 30, 1883, +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State in +relation to the consular service. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 20, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of War of the +18th instant, submitting a letter from Colonel A.F. Rockwell, United +States Army, in charge of public buildings and grounds, embodying an +estimate in the sum of $30,000 for a pedestal for the statue of General +James A. Garfield, to be erected in the city of Washington by the +Society of the Army of the Cumberland, together with a letter upon the +subject from General Anson G. McCook, on behalf of the Society of the +Army of the Cumberland, the object in view being the procurement of an +appropriation by Congress of the amount of the accompanying estimate. + +I commend the subject to the favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 26, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +In my annual message I impressed upon Congress the necessity of +continued progress in the reconstruction of the Navy. The +recommendations in this direction of the Secretary of the Navy and of +the Naval Advisory Board were submitted by me unaccompanied by specific +expressions of approval. I now deem it my duty to advise that +appropriations be made at the present session toward designing and +commencing the construction of at least the three additional steel +cruisers and the four gunboats thus recommended, the cost of which, +including their armament, will not exceed $4,283,000, of which sum +one-half should be appropriated for the next fiscal year. + +The _Chicago, Boston, Atlanta,_ and _Dolphin_ have been designed +and are being built with care and skill, and there is every reason to +believe that they will prove creditable and serviceable modern cruisers. +Technical questions concerning the details of these or of additional +vessels can not wisely be settled except by experts, and the Naval +Advisory Board, organized by direction of Congress under the act of +August 5, 1882, and consisting of three line officers, a naval +constructor, and a naval engineer, selected "with reference only to +character, experience, knowledge, and skill," and a naval architect and +a marine engineer from civil life "of established reputation and +standing as experts in naval or marine construction," is an appropriate +authority to decide finally all such questions. I am unwilling to see +the gradual reconstruction of our naval cruisers, now happily begun in +conformity with modern requirements, delayed one full year for any +unsubstantial reason. + +Whatever conditions Congress may see fit to impose in order to secure +judicious designs and honest and economical construction will be +acceptable to me, but to relinquish or postpone the policy already +deliberately declared will be, in my judgment, an act of national +imprudence. + +Appropriations should also be made without delay for finishing the four +double-turreted monitors, the _Puritan, Amphitrite, Terror,_ and +_Monadnock_, and for procuring their armament and that of the +_Miantonomoh_. Their hulls are built, and their machinery is under +contract and approaching completion, except that of the _Monadnock_, +on the Pacific coast. This should also be built, and the armor and heavy +guns of all should be procured at the earliest practicable moment. + +The total amount appropriated up to this time for the four vessels is +$3,546,941.41. A sum not exceeding $3,838,769.62, including $866,725 +for four powerful rifled cannon and for the remainder of the ordnance +outfit, will complete and equip them for service. Of the sum required, +only two millions need be appropriated for the next fiscal year. It is +not expected that one of the monitors will be a match for the heaviest +broadside ironclads which certain other Governments have constructed at +a cost of four or five millions each, but they will be armored vessels +of an approved and useful type, presenting limited surfaces for the shot +of an enemy, and possessed of such seagoing capacity and offensive power +as fully to answer our immediate necessities. Their completion having +been determined upon in the recent legislation of Congress, no time +should be lost in accomplishing the necessary object. + +The Gun Foundry Board, appointed by direction of Congress, consisting +of three army and three navy officers, has submitted its report, duly +transmitted on the 20th day of February, 1884, recommending that the +Government should promote the production at private steel works of the +required material for heavy cannon, and that two Government factories, +one for the Army and one for the Navy, should be established for the +fabrication of guns from such material. An early consideration of the +report is recommended, together with such action as will enable the +Government to construct its ordnance upon its own territory and so to +provide the armaments demanded by considerations which concern the +national safety and honor. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 1, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to a resolution of the House of Representatives of +January 15, 1884, requesting the President to forward to the House +information, including reports from consuls and others, concerning the +undervaluation, false classification, and other irregular practices +in the importation of foreign merchandise, and to recommend what +legislation, if any, is needed to prevent such frauds on the revenue, +I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter of the Secretary of the +Treasury of the 28th ultimo, inclosing a draft of a bill on the subject, +together with copies of reports taken from the files of the Treasury +Department concerning the information desired. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 1, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +papers, furnished in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of January 16, 1884, calling for information as to the +payments made by Spain in accordance with the terms of its treaty with +the United States concluded February 17, 1834. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 2, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit to Congress a communication from the Secretary of War, +embodying the views of the president of the Mississippi River Commission +upon a report from Major Stickney, of the Engineer Corps, in relation to +the protection of existing levees from destruction by the floods in the +lower part of the Mississippi River. It appears that there is an urgent +need of an appropriation of $100,000 to be used for this purpose, +and that an enormous destruction of property may be thereby averted. +I recommend an immediate appropriation of the sum required for the +purpose, to be expended under the direction of the Mississippi River +Commission. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 2, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of 5th +of February last, respecting the arrest and imprisonment of certain +American citizens by the authorities of Colombia, at Aspinwall, +I transmit a report of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 11, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +The condition of our seacoast defenses and their armament has been +brought to the attention of Congress in my annual messages, and I now +submit a special estimate of the Chief of Ordnance, United States +Army, transmitted by the Secretary of War, for a permanent annual +appropriation of $1,500,000 to provide the necessary armament for +our fortifications. + +This estimate is founded upon the report of the Gun Foundry Board +recently transmitted, to which I have heretofore invited the early +attention of Congress. + +In presenting this estimate I do not think it necessary to enumerate the +considerations which make it of the highest importance that there should +be no unnecessary delay in entering upon the work, which must be +commensurate with the public interests to be guarded, and which will +take much time. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of War of the 5th instant, submitting copies of +certain papers, consisting of a letter, dated February 16 last, from Mr. +Haughwout Howe, of New York City, presenting a proposition for the sale +to the Government for the sum of $5,500 of certain hospital and other +records pertaining to an association founded in New York City in April, +1862, for the purpose of extending relief to soldiers of the late war; +a report of an examination made of these records by a representative +of the War Department, and a report of the Adjutant-General stating +that the records would prove of great value to the Department in the +settlement of claims of deserving soldiers, as well as in detecting +fraudulent claims, as the books, etc., contain information not now +of record in the War Department. + +The Secretary of War, it will be observed, recommends that an +appropriation be made by Congress of the necessary sum for the +purchase of the records referred to. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States of America:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for its consideration with a view +to ratification, a convention concluded between the United States of +America and France and the twenty-four other powers named in said +convention for the protection of submarine cables, concluded at Paris on +the 14th day of March, A.D. 1884. I also inclose, for the information of +the Senate, a copy of Mr. Morton's dispatch No. 518, of the 18th ultimo, +in relation to the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _April 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention concerning trade-marks and trade-labels +between the United States and Belgium, signed on the 7th instant. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State of the +16th instant, relative to the approaching visit of a special embassy +from Siam to the United States, and recommend that the appropriation +asked by the Secretary of State to suitably defray the expenses of such +embassy while in this country be made. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 18, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a copy of a report of the Secretary of State of the +16th instant, in relation to the final award made by the late French and +American Claims Commission against the United States for the sum of +$625,566.35, for the payment of the claims of French citizens against +this Government. I recommend that an appropriation of the above sum be +made to enable the Government to fulfill its obligations under the +treaty of January 15, 1880, between this country and France. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, dated +the 16th instant, respecting the approaching international conference at +Washington, D.C., for the purpose of fixing upon a meridian proper to be +employed as a common zero of longitude and standard of time reckoning +throughout the globe, and recommend that the sum of $10,000 be +appropriated to enable the Secretary of State to meet the expenses of +the same. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 18, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 5th of December last, +respecting the execution by the United States of the ninth article of +the treaty of 1819 with Spain, I transmit herewith a report of the +Secretary of State and its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 22, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in response to +a resolution of the Senate of February 29, 1884, requesting information +concerning the respective average production, consumption, exportation, +and importation of wheat, rye, corn, and cotton in foreign countries, +together with statistics showing the production and surplus or +deficiency in the crops of the past two years in each of such countries, +an estimate of the probable requirements of such products from the +United States to meet the wants of these countries before the crops +of the coming crop year are ready for market, and other available +information concerning the questions to which the resolution refers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 24, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in answer to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 21st instant, a report of the Secretary of State, +with the accompanying papers, in relation to the threatened confiscation +of the American college at Rome by the Italian Government. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, April 28, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State, in relation to +the bill for the support of the diplomatic and consular services. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 3, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for your consideration, a communication from +the Secretary of State, recommending the appropriation of the sum of +$22,500, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to meet the proper +obligations of the Government on account of the courteous services +of the various umpires of the late American-Spanish Commission. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 6, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In answer to the resolution of the Senate of March 12, 1884, requesting +to be furnished with a copy of correspondence between this Government +and that of China respecting the Ward claims and the claim of Charles +E. Hill, I herewith submit a letter of the Secretary of State, together +with its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 6, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a communication +from the Secretary of the Interior, submitting a copy of the report of +the Utah Commission. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 6, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the information of Congress, a copy of the +preliminary report of the board of management of the World's Industrial +and Cotton Centennial Exposition, showing their operations and +containing observations upon other matters concerning the project deemed +of importance. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 6, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to that part of the resolution of the House of Representatives +of the 17th of January last respecting the question of boundaries +between the Republics of Mexico and Guatemala, I transmit herewith the +report of the Secretary of State and its accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 12, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 6th of February last, a communication from the +Secretary of State, respecting the extradition of criminals under the +treaty of 1842 with Great Britain. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 12, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, +transmitting a draft of a resolution providing for the presentation +of a testimonial to Mr. E.L. Oxenham, British consul at Chin-Kiang, +in acknowledgment of services rendered the United States. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 14, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State of the +14th instant, with accompanying papers, relative to the necessity of +an appropriation by Congress to enable this Government to execute the +provisions of the convention between the United States and Mexico of +July 29, 1882, for the relocation of the monuments marking the boundary +line between the two countries, and recommend that the amount asked, +$224,556.75, immediately provided. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 15, 1884_. + +_To the Senate:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for consideration with a view to +advising and consenting thereto, an agreement, signed May 14, 1884, +between the Secretary of State and the minister plenipotentiary of Siam, +for the regulation of the liquor traffic in Siam when citizens of the +United States engage in the importation or sale of liquors there. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 19, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for such action as is deemed proper, a +communication from the Secretary of State, recommending an additional +appropriation of $6,000 for the construction of a wharf and roadway +as a means of approach to the monument to be erected at Wakefield, +Westmoreland County, Va., to mark the birthplace of George Washington. + +I commend the matter to your favorable attention. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 19, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of State, with +accompanying copies of correspondence, in further response to the +resolution of the House of Representatives of January 16, 1884, +respecting the arrest and imprisonment of John E. Wheelock in Venezuela +in 1879. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 29, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for such action as is deemed proper, a +communication from the Secretary of State, accompanied by several +inclosures, in which he recommends an appropriation for rewarding the +services of the Osette Indians in rescuing and caring for the crew of +the American steamer _Umatilla_, which vessel was wrecked in +February last near the coast of Vancouvers Island. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 29, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to the resolution of the Senate of +March 10 last, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying +papers, in regard to the claim of Edward H. Ladd against the Government +of Colombia. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 9, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter and +its accompanying estimate, submitted by the board charged with preparing +a departmental exhibit for the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial +Exposition to be held at New Orleans, beginning December 1, 1884. +This board was appointed by Executive order of May 13, 1884,[17] and +is composed of representatives of the several Executive Departments, +the Department of Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institution. It is +charged with the important and responsible duty of making arrangements +for a complete and harmonious collection of the articles and materials +deemed desirable to place on exhibition, in illustration of the +resources of the country, its methods of governmental administration, +and its means of offense and defense. + +The board submits an estimate calling for an appropriation of +$588,000 to accomplish the desired end. That amount is distributed +among the Departments as shown in the table. The War, Navy, and Interior +Departments call for the largest share, representing as they do the +national defenses by land and sea, the progress of naval architecture +and ordnance, the geological survey and mineral wealth of the +Territories, the treatment of the Indians, and the education of the +masses, all of which admit of varied and instructive exhibits. The +Smithsonian Institution, having under its general care the National +Museum and the Fish Commission, is prepared to make a display second +in interest to none of modern days. The remaining Departments can +present instructive and interesting exhibits, which will attract popular +attention and convey an idea of their extensively ramified duties and of +the many points where they beneficially affect the life of the people as +a nation and as individuals. + +The exhibit of the Government at the Centennial Exhibition held at +Philadelphia in 1876 was admitted to be one of the most attractive +features of that great national undertaking and a valuable addition to +it. From men of intelligence and scientific attainments, at home and +abroad, it received the highest encomiums, showing the interest it +awakened among those whose lives are given to the improvement of the +social and material condition of the people. + +The reproduction of such a display now on a more extensive plan is +rendered possible by the advancement of science and invention during +the eight years that have passed since the Philadelphia exhibit was +collected. + +The importance, purposes, and benefits of the New Orleans Exhibition +are continental in their scope. Standing at the threshold of the almost +unopened markets of Spanish and Portuguese America, New Orleans is a +natural gateway to their trade, and the exhibition offers to the people +of Mexico and Central and South America an adequate knowledge of our +farming implements, metal manufactures, cotton and woolen goods, and the +like necessities of existence, in respect to which those countries are +either deficient or supplied to a limited extent. The breaking down of +the barriers which still separate us from the Republics of America whose +productions so entirely complement our own will aid greatly in removing +the disparity of commercial intercourse under which less than 10 per +cent of our exports go to American countries. + +I trust that Congress will realize the urgency of this recommendation +and make its appropriation immediately available, so that the board may +lose no time in undertaking the extensive preparations necessary to +spread a more intimate knowledge of our Government institutions and +national resources among the people of our country and of neighboring +states in a way to command the respect due it in the family of nations. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 17: See pp. 230-231.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 9, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for consideration by the Senate and appropriate +action thereon, a report of the Secretary of State, communicating the +proposal of the King of Hawaii that the duration of the existing +reciprocity treaty with the United States be extended for a further +definite period of seven years. + +The treaty having been heretofore under consideration by your honorable +body, I deem it fitting to consult the Senate in the matter before +directing the negotiations to proceed. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 11, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of +the 10th instant, I return House bill No. 2344, entitled "An act for +the relief of Melissa G. Polar." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 11, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith to the House of Representatives, in response to +a resolution of that body of the 21st of April last, a copy of the +material correspondence on file in the Department of State relative to +the claim of W.J. Hale against the Argentine Republic, and a list of +the papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 12, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate dated May +2, 1884, the following report of the Secretary of State, with an +accompanying paper, relative to the latest law of the Mexican Republic +creating or modifying the _zona libre_ in relation to importations +of merchandise. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 13, 1884_. + +_To the Senate:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention signed on the 11th instant, supplementary to +the extradition convention concluded between the United States and Italy +on the 23d of March, 1868. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 19, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in answer to the resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 3ist of March last, a communication from the +Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, concerning the rent of +consular premises in China. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 21, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I have permitted House bill No. 4689, entitled "An act for the relief of +Eliza W. Patterson," to become a law by withholding action upon it for +ten days after it was presented to me. + +The affairs and interests of the District of Columbia are committed to +Congress as its legislature. I do not question the constitutional right +of Congress to pass a law relieving the family of an officer, in view of +the services he had rendered his country, from the burdens of taxation, +bat I submit to Congress that this just gift of the nation to the family +of such faithful officer should come from the National Treasury rather +than from that of this District, and I therefore recommend that an +appropriation be made to reimburse the District for the amount of taxes +which would have been due to it had this act not become a law. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 24, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the +7th instant, making an inquiry regarding the expenditure of moneys +appropriated by Congress to meet the expenses of the French and American +Claims Commission, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of +State upon the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _June 28, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, +calling attention to certain omissions, etc., in the act (H.R. 1340) +entitled "An act to establish a Bureau of Labor Statistics," and invite +the attention of the Congress to the same. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, June 30, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in compliance with resolutions of the House of +Representatives respectively dated March 22 and April 19, 1884, a report +from the Secretary of State, communicating information in regard to +moneys received from Venezuela under the treaty of April 25, 1866, and +their distribution to holders of awards by the Department of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, July 3, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the Senate of the +11th of February last, a report of the Secretary of State, relative to +the papers on file in the Department of State touching the unsettled +claims of citizens of the United States against France for spoliations +prior to July 31, 1801. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 7, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In compliance with the concurrent resolution of the Senate and House of +Representatives of the 5th instant, I return herewith House bill 6770, +entitled "An act making appropriations for the consular and diplomatic +service of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, and +for other purposes." + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +VETO MESSAGE. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 2, 1884_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +After careful consideration of the bill entitled "An act for the relief +of Fitz John Porter," I herewith return it with my objections to that +House of Congress in which it originated. Its enacting clause is in +terms following: + + That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to nominate and, + by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint Fitz John + Porter, late a major-general of the United States Volunteers and a + brevet brigadier-general and colonel of the Army, to the position of + colonel in the Army of the United States, of the same grade and rank + held by him at the time of his dismissal from the Army by sentence of + court-martial promulgated January 27, 1863. * * * + + +It is apparent that should this bill become a law it will create +a new office which can be filled by the appointment of the particular +individual whom it specifies, and can not be filled otherwise; or it +may be said with perhaps greater precision of statement that it will +create a new office upon condition that the particular person designated +shall be chosen to fill it. Such an act, as it seems to me, is either +unnecessary and ineffective or it involves an encroachment by the +legislative branch of the Government upon the authority of the +Executive. As the Congress has no power under the Constitution to +nominate or appoint an officer and can not lawfully impose upon the +President the duty of nominating or appointing to office any particular +individual of its own selection, this bill, if it can fairly be +construed as requiring the President to make the nomination and, by and +with the advice and consent of the Senate, the appointment which it +authorizes, is in manifest violation of the Constitution. If such be +not its just interpretation, it must be regarded as a mere enactment of +advice and counsel, which lacks in the very nature of things the force +of positive law and can serve no useful purpose upon the statute books. + +There are other causes that deter me from giving this bill the sanction +of my approval. The judgment of the court-martial by which more than +twenty years since General Fitz John Porter was tried and convicted +was pronounced by a tribunal composed of nine general officers of +distinguished character and ability. Its investigation of the charges of +which it found the accused guilty was thorough and conscientious, and +its findings and sentence were in due course of law approved by Abraham +Lincoln, then President of the United States. Its legal competency, its +jurisdiction of the accused and of the subject of the accusation, and +the substantial regularity of all of its proceedings are matters which +have never been brought into question. Its judgment, therefore, is final +and conclusive in its character. + +The Supreme Court of the United States has recently declared that a +court-martial such as this was is the organism provided by law and +clothed with the duty of administering justice in this class of cases. +Its judgments, when approved, rest on the same basis and are surrounded +by the same considerations which give conclusiveness to the judgments of +other legal tribunals, including as well the lowest as the highest. It +follows, accordingly, that when a lawfully constituted court-martial has +duly declared its findings and its sentence and the same have been duly +approved neither the President nor the Congress has any power to set +them aside. The existence of such power is not openly asserted, nor +perhaps is it necessarily implied, in the provisions of the bill which +is before me, but when its enacting clauses are read in the light of the +recitations of its preamble it will be seen that it seeks in effect the +practical annulment of the findings and the sentence of a competent +court-martial. + +A conclusion at variance with these findings has been reached after +investigation by a board consisting of three officers of the Army. This +board was not created in pursuance of any statutory authority and was +powerless to compel the attendance of witnesses or to pronounce a +judgment which could have been lawfully enforced. The officers who +constituted it, in their report to the Secretary of War, dated March +19, 1879, state that in their opinion-- + + Justice requires * * * such action as may be necessary to annul and set + aside the findings and sentence of the court-martial in the case of + Major-General Fitz John Porter and to restore him to the positions of + which that sentence deprived him, such restoration to take effect from + the date of his dismissal from the service. + + +The provisions of the bill now under consideration are avowedly based +on the assumption that the findings of the court-martial have been +discovered to be erroneous; but it will be borne in mind that the +investigation which is claimed to have resulted in this discovery was +made many years after the events to which that evidence related and +under circumstances that made it impossible to reproduce the evidence +on which they were based. + +It seems to me that the proposed legislation would establish a dangerous +precedent, calculated to imperil in no small measure the binding force +and effect of the judgments of the various tribunals established under +our Constitution and laws. + +I have already, in the exercise of the pardoning power with which the +President is vested by the Constitution, remitted the continuing penalty +which had made it impossible for Fitz John Porter to hold any office of +trust or profit under the Government of the United States; but I am +unwilling to give my sanction to any legislation which shall practically +annul and set at naught the solemn and deliberate conclusions of the +tribunal by which he was convicted and of the President by whom its +findings were examined and approved. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +PROCLAMATIONS. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas both Houses of Congress did on the 20th instant request the +commemoration, on the 23d instant, of the one hundredth anniversary of +the surrender by George Washington, at Annapolis, of his commission as +Commander in Chief of the patriot forces of America; and + +Whereas it is fitting that this memorable act, which not only signalized +the termination of the heroic struggle of seven years for independence, +but also manifested Washington's devotion to the great principle that +ours is a civic government of and by the people, should be generally +observed throughout the United States: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, do +hereby recommend that either by appropriate exercises in connection with +the religious services of the 23d instant or by such public observances +as may be deemed proper on Monday, the 24th instant, this signal event +in the history of American liberty be commemorated; and further, I +hereby direct that at 12 o'clock noon on Monday next the national salute +be fired from all the forts throughout the country. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done this 21st day of December, A.D. 1883, and of the Independence of +the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas by a memorandum of an agreement executed at Madrid on the 13th +day of February, A.D. 1884, by and between the duly authorized agents +and representatives of the Government of the United States of America +and of the Government of His Majesty the King of Spain, satisfactory +evidence has been given to me that the Government of that country has +abolished the discriminating customs duty heretofore imposed upon the +products of and articles proceeding from the United States of America +imported into the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, said abolition to +take effect on and after the 1st day of March next: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of +America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 4228 of the +Revised Statutes, do hereby declare and proclaim that on and after the +said 1st day of March next, so long as the products of and articles +proceeding from the United States imported into the islands of Cuba and +Puerto Rico shall be exempt from discriminating customs duties, any such +duties on the products of and articles proceeding from Cuba and Puerto +Rico under the Spanish flag shall be suspended and discontinued. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, this 14th day of February, A.D. 1884, +and of the Independence, of the United States the one hundred and +eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas it is alleged that certain persons have within the territory and +jurisdiction of the United States begun and set on foot preparations for +an organized and forcible possession of and settlement upon the lands +of what is known as the Oklahoma lands, in the Indian Territory, which +Territory is designated, recognized, and described by the treaties and +laws of the United States and by the executive authorities as Indian +country, and as such is subject to occupation by Indian tribes only; and + +Whereas the laws of the United States provide for the removal of all +persons residing or being found in said Indian Territory without express +permission of the Interior Department: + +Now, therefore, for the purpose of properly protecting the interests of +the Indian nations and tribes in said Territory, and that settlers may +not be induced to go into a country, at great expense to themselves, +where they can not be allowed to remain, I, Chester A. Arthur, President +of the United States, do admonish and warn all such persons so intending +or preparing to remove upon said lands or into said Territory against +any attempt to so remove or settle upon any of the lands of said +Territory; and I do further warn and notify any and all such persons +who do so offend that they will be speedily and immediately removed +therefrom by the proper officers of the Interior Department, and, if +necessary, the aid and assistance of the military forces of the United +States will be invoked to remove all such intruders from the said Indian +Territory. + +In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, this 1st day of July, A.D. 1884, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +While quarantine regulations are committed to the several States, the +General Government has reposed certain powers in the President, to be +used at his discretion in preventing a threatened epidemic. + +Feeling it my duty, I hereby call upon all persons who under existing +systems in the several States are intrusted with the execution of +quarantine regulations to be diligent and on the alert in order to +prevent the introduction of the pestilence which we all regret to learn +has made its appearance in some of the countries of Europe between which +and the ports of the United States intercourse is direct and frequent. + +I further advise that the cities and towns of the United States, whether +on the coast or on the lines of interior communication, by sound +sanitary regulations and the promotion of cleanliness, be prepared to +resist the power of the disease and to mitigate its severity. + +And I further direct the consuls of the United States in the ports where +the pestilence has made or may make its appearance to exercise vigilance +in carrying out the instructions heretofore given and in communicating +to the Government of the United States any information of value relating +to the progress or treatment of the disease. + +[SEAL.] + +Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at the city of +Washington, this 19th day of July, A.D. 1884, and of the Independence +of the United States the one hundred and ninth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +The season is nigh when it is the yearly wont of this people to observe +a day appointed for that purpose by the President as an especial +occasion for thanksgiving unto God. + +Now, therefore, in recognition of this hallowed custom, I, Chester A. +Arthur, President of the United States, do hereby designate as such day +of general thanksgiving Thursday, the 27th day of this present November. + +And I do recommend that throughout the land the people, ceasing from +their accustomed occupations, do then keep holiday at their several +homes and their several places of worship, and with heart and voice pay +reverent acknowledgment to the Giver of All Good for the countless +blessings wherewith He hath visited this nation. + +In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +[SEAL.] + +Done at the city of Washington, this 7th day of November, A.D. 1884, and +of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and ninth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +EXECUTIVE ORDERS. + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service is hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + +RULE XII. + + 1. Every regular application must be supported by proper certificates + of good moral character, health, and physical and mental capacity for + doing the public work, the certificates to be in such form and number + as the regulations of the Commission shall provide; but no certificate + will be received which is inconsistent with the tenth section of the + civil-service act. + + 2. No one shall be entitled to be examined for admission to the + classified postal service if under 16 or over 35 years of age, or + to the classified customs service or to the classified departmental + service if under 18 or over 45 years of age; but no one shall be + examined for appointment to any place in the classified customs + service, except that of clerk or messenger, who is under 21 years + of age; but these limitations of age shall not apply to persons + honorably discharged from the military or naval service of the + country who are otherwise duly qualified. + + +Approved, December 5, 1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 17, 1883_ + +The following-named officers of the Army and Navy will constitute a +board to consider an expedition to be sent for the relief of Lieutenant +Greely and his party, composing what is known as the "Lady Franklin Bay +Expedition," and to recommend to the Secretaries of War and the Navy, +jointly, the steps the board may consider necessary to be taken for the +equipment and transportation of the relief expedition, and to suggest +such plan for its control and conduct and for the organization of its +personnel as may seem to them best adapted to accomplish its purpose: + +Brigadier-General William B. Hazen, Chief Signal Officer, United States +Army; Captain James A. Greer, United States Navy; Lieutenant-Commander +B.H. McCalla, United States Navy; Captain George W. Davis, Fourteenth +Infantry, United States Army. + +The board will meet in Washington, D.C., on the 20th instant. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule and the amendment to Rule XVI for +the regulation and improvement of the executive civil service are hereby +promulgated: + + +RULE XXI. + + 1. No person shall be promoted, without examination under these rules, + from any position for which an examination is not required to any + position for which an examination is required under the rules; nor shall + any person who has passed only a limited examination under clause 4 of + Rule VII for the lower classes or grades in the departmental or customs + service be promoted within two years after appointment to any position + giving a salary of $1,000 or upward without first passing an examination + under clause I of said rule, and such examination shall not be allowed + within the first year after appointment. + + 2. But a person who has passed the examination under said clause I and + has accepted a position giving a salary of $900 or less shall have the + same right of promotion as if originally appointed to a position giving + a salary of $1,000 or more. + + 3. The Commission may at any time certify for a $900 or any lower place + in the classified service any person upon the register who has passed + the examination under clause I of Rule VII if such person does not + object before such certification is made. + + +II. The following words are added as a fifth clause at the end of Rule +XVI, viz: + + 5. Any person appointed to or employed in any part of the classified + service, after due certification for the same under these rules, who + shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without fault or delinquency + on his part may be reappointed or reemployed in the same part or grade + of such service at the same office, within eight months next following + such dismissal or separation, without further examination. + + +III. It is further ordered that the rule heretofore designated XXI be +hereafter designated XXII, and XXII as Rule XXIII. + +Approved, January 18, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 8, 1884_. + +General William T. Sherman, General of the Army, having this day reached +the age of 64 years, is, in accordance with law, placed upon the retired +list of the Army without reduction in his current pay and allowances. + +The announcement of the severance from the command of the Army of one +who has been for so many years its distinguished chief can but awaken in +the minds, not only of the Army, but of the people of the United States, +mingled emotions of regret and gratitude--regret at the withdrawal from +active military service of an officer whose lofty sense of duty has been +a model for all soldiers since he first entered the Army in July, 1840, +and gratitude, freshly awakened, for the services, of incalculable +value, rendered by him in the war for the Union, which his great +military genius and daring did so much to end. + +The President deems this a fitting occasion to give expression +in this manner to the gratitude felt toward General Sherman by his +fellow-citizens, and to the hope that Providence may grant him many +years of health and happiness in the relief from the active duties +of his profession. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, _Washington, March 12, 1884_. + +_To the District Attorneys and Marshals of the United States:_ + +By direction of the President, I have to inform you it is reported that +certain persons are aiding in the prosecution of heinous crimes by +shipping to foreign ports explosives dangerous in the highest degree to +life and property. No proof has been adduced that this rumor is founded +upon fact, and the President can not believe its truth. The honor of +this nation, however, requires that it should not be open to the +imputation, unfounded though it be, of the slightest appearance of +tolerating such crimes, whether to be committed against our people or +those of other countries. + +Your attention is therefore called to sections 5353, 5354, 5355, 4278, +and 4279 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, which regulate +the shipment of explosives and the punishment of those who infringe +their provisions; and you are instructed to be diligent in your efforts +to prevent the offenses described and to detect and prosecute those who +have or may commit them. + +Very respectfully, + +BENJAMIN HARRIS BREWSTER, _Attorney-General_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. + +EXECUTIVE ORDER. + +Whereas it has been brought to the notice of the President of the +United States that in the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial +Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mines, +to be held in the city of New Orleans, commencing December 1, 1884, +for the purpose of celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the +production, manufacture, and commerce of cotton, it is desirable that +from the Executive Departments of the Government of the United States +in which there may be articles suitable for the purpose intended there +should appear such articles and materials as will, when presented in +a collective exhibition, illustrate the functions and administrative +faculties of the Government in time of peace and its resources as a war +power, and thereby serve to demonstrate the nature of our institutions +and their adaptation to the wants of the people: + +Now, for the purpose of securing a complete and harmonious arrangement +of the articles and materials designed to be exhibited from the +Executive Departments of the Government, it is ordered that a board, +to be composed of one person to be named by the head of each of the +Executive Departments which may have articles and materials to be +exhibited, and also of one person to be named in behalf of the +Smithsonian Institution, and one to be named in behalf of the +Department of Agriculture, and one to be named in behalf of the +Bureau of Education, be charged with the preparation, arrangement, +and safe-keeping of such articles and materials as the heads of the +several Departments and the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Director +of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Commissioner of Education may +respectively decide shall be embraced in the collection; that one of the +persons thus named, to be designated by the President, shall be chairman +of such board, and that the board appoint from their number such other +officers as they may think necessary; and that the said board, when +organized, shall be authorized, under the direction of the President, +to confer with the executive officers of the World's Industrial Cotton +Centennial Exhibition in relation to such matters connected with the +subject as may pertain to the respective Departments having articles +and materials on exhibition, and that the names of the persons thus +selected by the heads of the several Departments, the Commissioner +of Agriculture,'the Director of the Smithsonian Institution, and the +Commissioner of Education shall be submitted to the President for +designation. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 9th day of April, 1884, and of the +Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the Constitution +and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third section of the +Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved January 16, 1883, +the following rules for the regulation and improvement of the executive +civil service are amended as stated below, and are hereby promulgated: + + +1. Rule XI is amended by adding thereto a second clause, as follows: + + + 2. The Commission may by regulations, subject to change at any time by + the President, declare the kind and measure of ill health, physical + incapacity, misrepresentation, and bad faith which may properly exclude + any person from the right of examination, grading, or certification + under these rules. It may also provide for medical certificates of + physical capacity in the proper cases, and for the appropriate + certification of persons so defective in sight, speech, hearing, or + otherwise as to be apparently disqualified for some of the duties of + the part of the service which they seek to enter. + + +2. The second clause of Rule XII is amended by substituting for the +first line and the second line thereof down to the word "age" therein +(as printed in the annual report of the Commission) the following words: + + + No one shall be entitled to be examined for admission to the + classified postal service if under 16 or over 35 years of age, + excepting messengers, stampers, and other junior assistants, who + must not be under 14 years of age. + + +3. Rule XXI, as printed in said report, is amended by substituting +for the first two lines and the third line down to the word "rules" +therein the following words: + + + No person, unless excepted under Rule XIX, shall be admitted into the + classified civil service from any place not within said service without + an examination and certification under the rules. + + +Approved, April 23, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service is amended as stated below, and is hereby +promulgated: + +Rule XI is amended by striking out the last sentence of said rule as +printed in the annual report of the Commission and inserting in place +thereof the following, namely: + + + No person under enlistment in the Army or Navy of the United States + shall be examined under these rules except for some place in the + Department under which he is enlisted requiring special qualifications, + and with the consent in writing of the head of such Department. + + +Approved, April 23, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. + +EXECUTIVE ORDER. + +In conformity with the Executive order directing the organization of a +board, to be composed of one person to be named by the head of each of +the Executive Departments which may have articles and materials to be +exhibited at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exhibition, +I hereby direct the persons who have been so designated, viz, Major +and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen C. Lyford, United States Army, +of the War Department, president of the board; Charles S. Hill, of the +Department of State; Lieutenant B.H. Buckingham, United States Navy, of +the Navy Department; William F. McLennan, of the Treasury Department; +Abraham D. Hazen, Assistant Postmaster-General; Benjamin Butterworth, +of the Interior Department; Cecil Clay, of the Department of Justice; +William Saunders, of the Agricultural Department; G. Brown Goode, of the +Smithsonian Institution; London A. Smith, of the Bureau of Education, +Interior Department, to assemble at the Department of State, in the city +of Washington, at noon on the 17th day of May, 1884, and then and there +to organize said board; and said board when so organized shall +immediately proceed to the discharge of its duties. + +I also designate W.A. De Caindry as the secretary of said board. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 13th day of May, 1884, and of the +Independence of the United States the one hundred and eighth. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 26, 1884_. + +Under the provisions of section 4 of the act approved March 3, 1883, it +is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, the Department +of Agriculture, and the Government Printing Office be closed on Friday, +the 30th instant, to enable the employees to participate in the +decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following special rule for the regulation and +improvement of the executive civil service is hereby promulgated: + +SPECIAL RULE. + + Any person who was employed on or before the 16th day of January, 1883, + in any Executive Department at Washington in a position not included in + the classified service in said Department, but who was at that date + exclusively engaged in the duties of a clerk or copyist, and who has + since been continuously so engaged, may, in the discretion of the head + of the Department, be treated as within the classified service in the + Department in a grade corresponding to such duties, provided such person + has either already passed an examination under the civil-service rules + or shall pass an appropriate competitive or noncompetitive examination + thereunder at a grade of 65 per cent or upward. + + +Approved, June 12, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 8, 1884_. + +In order to carry out the provisions of that portion of the act entitled +"An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the +Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, and for other +purposes," approved July 7, 1884, which contemplates the participation +of the several Executive Departments, the Department of Agriculture, and +the Smithsonian Institution in the World's Industrial and Cotton +Centennial Exposition of 1884-85, the board heretofore appointed by +Executive order to take charge of the articles and materials to be +exhibited by these Departments, the Department of Agriculture, and the +Smithsonian Institution is hereby continued under the following +regulations and distribution of duties, viz: + +The funds appropriated for such participation will be drawn from the +Treasury upon the requisition of the president of the board, and will +be disbursed and accounted for as are other public moneys under the +existing laws and regulations relating to disbursing officers. + +An officer of the Army will be detailed by the Secretary of War and +an officer of the Navy will be detailed by the Secretary of the Navy to +report to the president of the board for duty as disbursing officers of +the board. + +The representatives of the several Executive Departments, the +representative of the Department of Agriculture, and the representative +of the Smithsonian Institution will have charge of the matter pertaining +to their respective Departments, subject to the general advisement of +the board, and all bills will be paid by the disbursing officers upon +vouchers certified by such representatives and countersigned by the +president of the board. + +The disbursing officers will render, through the president of the board, +monthly accounts current of all advances and disbursements by them to +the First Auditor of the Treasury for audit and settlement in the same +manner as are other accounts of disbursing officers of the Government. + +Each representative will be held responsible to the head of his +respective Department for all public property of the United States +furnished by the head of such Department or otherwise coming to his +hands for the purposes of the exposition, and will render proper +accounts of the same to such head of Department until the property +is returned. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 10, 1884_. + +The participation of the several Executive Departments, the Department +of Agriculture, and the Smithsonian Institution in the Cincinnati +Industrial Exposition at Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Southern Exposition +at Louisville, Ky., as contemplated by the "act making appropriations +for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1885, and for other purposes," is hereby placed under the +management of the board referred to in Executive order of July 8, 1884, +relating to the participation of said Departments and Institution in the +World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition of 1884-85, the +provisions of which order being hereby extended to embrace said +Cincinnati and Louisville expositions. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 16, 1884_. + +No appropriation having been specifically made for the participation of +the Bureau of Education, Interior Department, in the World's Industrial +and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans, La., the Industrial +Exposition, Cincinnati, Ohio, or the Southern Exposition, Louisville, +Ky., the representative on behalf of that Bureau in the board appointed +by Executive order of May 13, 1884,[18] is relieved from further duty as +a member of the board, and the display of that Bureau will be made as a +part of the exhibit of the Interior Department out of the moneys +appropriated for the participation of that Department in said +expositions. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 18: See pp. 230-231.] + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the Constitution, +and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third section of +the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved January 16, +1883, the following special rule for the regulation and improvement of +the executive civil service is hereby promulgated: + +SPECIAL RULE + + The names of all persons who shall have successfully passed their + examination under the civil-service rules previous to July 16, 1884, may + remain on the register of persons eligible for appointment two years + from the date of their respective registrations, unless sooner + appointed. + +Approved, July 18, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the Constitution, +and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third section of +the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved January 16, +1883, the following special rule for the regulation and improvement of +the executive civil service is hereby promulgated: + +SPECIAL RULE NO. 3. + + Appointments to the 150 places in the Pension Office provided to be + filled by the act of July 7, 1884, except so far as they may be filled + by promotions, must be separately apportioned by the appointing power in + as near conformity to the second section of the act of January 16, 1883, + as the need of filling them promptly and the residence and + qualifications of the applicants will permit. + +Approved, July 22, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, September 5, 1884_. + +SIR:[19] With deep regret I announce to you that the Hon. Charles J. +Folger, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, yesterday died +at his home in Geneva, State of New York. + +Thus has closed the life of a distinguished and respected citizen, who +by his services as an executive officer of the United States and as a +legislator and judge of his own State won the esteem and regard of his +fellow-countrymen. + +The President directs that all Departments of the executive branch of +the Government and the offices subordinate to them shall manifest due +honor for the memory of this eminent citizen, in a manner consonant with +the dignity of the office thus made vacant and with the upright +character of him who held it. + +To this end the President directs that the Treasury Department and its +dependencies in this capital shall be draped in mourning for a period of +thirty days, the several Executive Departments shall be closed on the +day of the funeral of the deceased, and that on all public buildings of +the Government throughout the United States the national flag shall be +draped in mourning and displayed at half-mast. + +I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, + +FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN. + +[Footnote 19: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.] + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service is hereby amended and promulgated: + +RULE XIX. + +There are excepted from examination the following: (i) The confidential +clerk or secretary of any head of Department or office; (2) cashiers +of collectors; (3) cashiers of postmasters; (4) superintendents of +money-order divisions in post-offices; (5) the direct custodians of +money for whose fidelity another officer is under official bond and +disbursing officers having the custody of money who give bonds, but +these exceptions shall not extend to any official below the grade of +assistant cashier or teller; (6) persons employed exclusively in the +secret service of the Government, or as translators or interpreters or +stenographers; (7) persons whose employment is exclusively professional; +(8) chief clerks, deputy collectors, and superintendents, or chiefs +of divisions and bureaus. But no person so excepted shall be either +transferred, appointed, or promoted, unless to some excepted place, +without an examination under the Commission. Promotions may be made +without examination in offices where examinations for promotion are +not now held until rules on this subject shall be promulgated. + +Approved, November 10, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +FOURTH ANNUAL MESSAGE. + + +WASHINGTON, _December 1, 1884_. + +_To the Congress of the United States:_ + +Since the close of your last session the American people, in the +exercise of their highest right of suffrage, have chosen their Chief +Magistrate for the four years ensuing. + +When it is remembered that at no period in the country's history has +the long political contest which customarily precedes the day of the +national election been waged with greater fervor and intensity, it is +a subject of general congratulation that after the controversy at the +polls was over, and while the slight preponderance by which the issue +had been determined was as yet unascertained, the public peace suffered +no disturbance, but the people everywhere patiently and quietly awaited +the result. + +Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the temper of the American +citizen, his love of order, and his loyalty to law. Nothing could more +signally demonstrate the strength and wisdom of our political +institutions. + +Eight years have passed since a controversy concerning the result of +a national election sharply called the attention of the Congress to +the necessity of providing more precise and definite regulations for +counting the electoral vote. + +It is of the gravest importance that this question be solved before +conflicting claims to the Presidency shall again distract the country, +and I am persuaded that by the people at large any of the measures of +relief thus far proposed would be preferred to continued inaction. + +Our relations with all foreign powers continue to be amicable. + +With Belgium a convention has been signed whereby the scope of present +treaties has been so enlarged as to secure to citizens of either country +within the jurisdiction of the other equal rights and privileges in the +acquisition and alienation of property. A trade-marks treaty has also +been concluded. + +The war between Chile an4 Peru is at an end. For the arbitration of the +claims of American citizens who during its continuance suffered through +the acts of the Chilean authorities a convention will soon be +negotiated. + +The state of hostilities between France and China continues to be an +embarrassing feature of our Eastern relations. The Chinese Government +has promptly adjusted and paid the claims of American citizens whose +property was destroyed in the recent riots at Canton. I renew the +recommendation of my last annual message, that the Canton indemnity fund +be returned to China. + +The true interpretation of the recent treaty with that country +permitting the restriction of Chinese immigration is likely to be again +the subject of your deliberations. It may be seriously questioned +whether the statute passed at the last session does not violate the +treaty rights of certain Chinese who left this country with return +certificates valid under the old law, and who now seem to be debarred +from relanding for lack of the certificates required by the new. + +The recent purchase by citizens of the United States of a large trading +fleet heretofore under the Chinese flag has considerably enhanced our +commercial importance in the East. In view of the large number of +vessels built or purchased by American citizens in other countries and +exclusively employed in legitimate traffic between foreign ports under +the recognized protection of our flag, it might be well to provide a +uniform rule for their registration and documentation, so that the +_bona fide_ property rights of our citizens therein shall be duly +evidenced and properly guarded. + +Pursuant to the advice of the Senate at the last session, I recognized +the flag of the International Association of the Kongo as that of a +friendly government, avoiding in so doing any prejudgment of conflicting +territorial claims in that region. Subsequently, in execution of the +expressed wish of the Congress, I appointed a commercial agent for the +Kongo basin. + +The importance of the rich prospective trade of the Kongo Valley has led +to the general conviction that it should be open to all nations upon +equal terms. At an international conference for the consideration of +this subject called by the Emperor of Germany, and now in session at +Berlin, delegates are in attendance on behalf of the United States. +Of the results of the conference you will be duly advised. + +The Government of Korea has generously aided the efforts of the United +States minister to secure suitable premises for the use of the legation. +As the conditions of diplomatic intercourse with Eastern nations demand +that the legation premises be owned by the represented power, I advise +that an appropriation be made for the acquisition of this property by +the Government. The United States already possess valuable premises at +Tangier as a gift from the Sultan of Morocco. As is stated hereafter, +they have lately received a similar gift from the Siamese Government. +The Government of Japan stands ready to present to us extensive grounds +at Tokyo whereon to erect a suitable building for the legation, +court-house, and jail, and similar privileges can probably be secured +in China and Persia. The owning of such premises would not only effect +a large saving of the present rentals, but would permit of the due +assertion of extraterritorial rights in those countries, and would the +better serve to maintain the dignity of the United States. + +The failure of Congress to make appropriation for our representation at +the autonomous court of the Khedive has proved a serious embarrassment +in our intercourse with Egypt; and in view of the necessary intimacy of +diplomatic relationship due to the participation of this Government +as one of the treaty powers in all matters of administration there +affecting the rights of foreigners, I advise the restoration of the +agency and consulate-general at Cairo on its former basis. I do not +conceive it to be the wish of Congress that the United States should +withdraw altogether from the honorable position they have hitherto held +with respect to the Khedive, or that citizens of this Republic residing +or sojourning in Egypt should hereafter be without the aid and +protection of a competent representative. + +With France the traditional cordial relationship continues. The colossal +statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, the generous gift of the +people of France, is expected to reach New York in May next. I suggest +that Congressional action be taken in recognition of the spirit which +has prompted this gift and in aid of the timely completion of the +pedestal upon which it is to be placed. + +Our relations with Germany, a country which contributes to our own some +of the best elements of citizenship, continue to be cordial. The United +States have extradition treaties with several of the German States, but +by reason of the confederation of those States under the imperial rule +the application of such treaties is not as uniform and comprehensive as +the interests of the two countries require. I propose, therefore, to +open negotiations for a single convention of extradition to embrace all +the territory of the Empire. + +It affords me pleasure to say that our intercourse with Great Britain +continues to be of a most friendly character. + +The Government of Hawaii has indicated its willingness to continue for +seven years the provisions of the existing reciprocity treaty. Such +continuance, in view of the relations of that country to the American +system of States, should, in my judgment, be favored. + +The revolution in Hayti against the established Government has +terminated. While it was in progress it became necessary to enforce our +neutrality laws by instituting proceedings against individuals and +vessels charged with their infringement. These prosecutions were in all +cases successful. + +Much anxiety has lately been displayed by various European Governments, +and especially by the Government of Italy, for the abolition of our +import duties upon works of art. It is well to consider whether the +present discrimination in favor of the productions of American artists +abroad is not likely to result, as they themselves seem very generally +to believe it may, in the practical exclusion of our painters and +sculptors from the rich fields for observation, study, and labor which +they have hitherto enjoyed. + +There is prospect that the long-pending revision of the foreign treaties +of Japan may be concluded at a new conference to be held at Tokyo. While +this Government fully recognizes the equal and independent station of +Japan in the community of nations, it would not oppose the general +adoption of such terms of compromise as Japan may be disposed to offer +in furtherance of a uniform policy of intercourse with Western nations. + +During the past year the increasing good will between our own Government +and that of Mexico has been variously manifested. The treaty of +commercial reciprocity concluded January 20, 1883, has been ratified and +awaits the necessary tariff legislation of Congress to become effective. +This legislation will, I doubt not, be among the first measures to claim +your attention. + +A full treaty of commerce, navigation, and consular rights is much to be +desired, and such a treaty I have reason to believe that the Mexican +Government stands ready to conclude. + +Some embarrassment has been occasioned by the failure of Congress at its +last session to provide means for the due execution of the treaty of +July 29, 1882, for the resurvey of the Mexican boundary and the +relocation of boundary monuments. + +With the Republic of Nicaragua a treaty has been concluded which +authorizes the construction by the United States of a canal, railway, +and telegraph line across the Nicaraguan territory. + +By the terms of this treaty 60 miles of the river San Juan, as well as +Lake Nicaragua, an inland sea 40 miles in width, are to constitute a +part of the projected enterprise. + +This leaves for actual canal construction 17 miles on the Pacific side +and 36 miles on the Atlantic. To the United States, whose rich territory +on the Pacific is for the ordinary purposes of commerce practically cut +off from communication by water with the Atlantic ports, the political +and commercial advantages of such a project can scarcely be +over-estimated. + +It is believed that when the treaty is laid before you the justice and +liberality of its provisions will command universal approval at home and +abroad. + +The death of our representative at Russia while at his post at St. +Petersburg afforded to the Imperial Government a renewed opportunity to +testify its sympathy in a manner befitting the intimate friendliness +which has ever marked the intercourse of the two countries. + +The course of this Government in raising its representation at Bangkok +to the diplomatic rank has evoked from Siam evidences of warm friendship +and augurs well for our enlarged intercourse. The Siamese Government has +presented to the United States a commodious mansion and grounds for the +occupancy of the legation, and I suggest that by joint resolution +Congress attest its appreciation of this generous gift. + +This Government has more than once been called upon of late to take +action in fulfillment of its international obligations toward Spain. +Agitation in the island of Cuba hostile to the Spanish Crown having been +fomented by persons abusing the sacred rights of hospitality which our +territory affords, the officers of this Government have been instructed +to exercise vigilance to prevent infractions of our neutrality laws at +Key West and at other points near the Cuban coast. I am happy to say +that in the only instance where these precautionary measures were +successfully eluded the offenders, when found in our territory, were +subsequently tried and convicted. + +The growing need of close relationship of intercourse and traffic +between the Spanish Antilles and their natural market in the United +States led to the adoption in January last of a commercial agreement +looking to that end. This agreement has since been superseded by a more +carefully framed and comprehensive convention, which I shall submit to +the Senate for approval. It has been the aim of this negotiation to Open +such a favored reciprocal exchange of productions carried under the flag +of either country as to make the intercourse between Cuba and Puerto +Rico and ourselves scarcely less intimate than the commercial movement +between our domestic ports, and to insure a removal of the burdens on +shipping in the Spanish Indies, of which in the past our shipowners and +shipmasters have so often had cause to complain. + +The negotiation of this convention has for a time postponed the +prosecution of certain claims of our citizens which were declared to be +without the jurisdiction of the late Spanish-American Claims Commission, +and which are therefore remitted to diplomatic channels for adjustment. +The speedy settlement of these claims will now be urged by this +Government. + +Negotiations for a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the Dominican +Republic have been successfully concluded, and the result will shortly +be laid before the Senate. + +Certain questions between the United States and the Ottoman Empire +still remain unsolved. Complaints on behalf of our citizens are not +satisfactorily adjusted. The Porte has sought to withhold from our +commerce the right of favored treatment to which we are entitled by +existing conventional stipulations, and the revision of the tariffs +is unaccomplished. + +The final disposition of pending questions with Venezuela has not as yet +been reached, but I have good reason to expect an early settlement which +will provide the means of reexamining the Caracas awards in conformity +with the expressed desire of Congress, and which will recognize the +justice of certain claims preferred against Venezuela. + +The Central and South American Commission appointed by authority of the +act of July 7, 1884, will soon proceed to Mexico. It has been furnished +with instructions which will be laid before you. They contain a +statement of the general policy of the Government for enlarging its +commercial intercourse with American States. The commissioners have been +actively preparing for their responsible task by holding conferences in +the principal cities with merchants and others interested in Central and +South American trade. + +The International Meridian Conference lately convened in Washington upon +the invitation of the Government of the United States was composed of +representatives from twenty-five nations. The conference concluded its +labors on the 1st of November, having with substantial unanimity agreed +upon the meridian of Greenwich as the starting point whence longitude is +to be computed through 180 degrees eastward and westward, and upon the +adoption, for all purposes for which it may be found convenient, of a +universal day which shall begin at midnight on the initial meridian and +whose hours shall be counted from zero up to twenty-four. + +The formal report of the transactions of this conference will be +hereafter transmitted to the Congress. + +This Government is in frequent receipt of invitations from foreign +states to participate in international exhibitions, often of great +interest and importance. Occupying, as we do, an advanced position in +the world's production, and aiming to secure a profitable share for our +industries in the general competitive markets, it is a matter of serious +concern that the want of means for participation in these exhibitions +should so often exclude our producers from advantages enjoyed by those +of other countries. During the past year the attention of Congress +was drawn to the formal invitations in this regard tendered by the +Governments of England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. The +Executive has in some instances appointed honorary commissioners. This +is, however, a most unsatisfactory expedient, for without some provision +to meet the necessary working expenses of a commission it can effect +little or nothing in behalf of exhibitors. An International Inventions +Exhibition is to be held in London next May. This will cover a field of +special importance, in which our country holds a foremost rank; but the +Executive is at present powerless to organize a proper representation of +our vast national interests in this direction. + +I have in several previous messages referred to this subject. It seems to +me that a statute giving to the Executive general discretionary authority +to accept such invitations and to appoint honorary commissioners, without +salary, and placing at the disposal of the Secretary of State a small +fund for defraying their reasonable expenses, would be of great public +utility. + +This Government has received official notice that the revised +international regulations for preventing collisions at sea have been +adopted by all the leading maritime powers except the United States, and +came into force on the 1st of September last. For the due protection of +our shipping interests the provisions of our statutes should at once be +brought into conformity with these regulations. + +The question of securing to authors, composers, and artists copyright +privileges in this country in return for reciprocal rights abroad is one +that may justly challenge your attention. It is true that conventions +will be necessary for fully accomplishing this result; but until +Congress shall by statute fix the extent to which foreign holders of +copyright shall be here privileged it has been deemed inadvisable to +negotiate such conventions. For this reason the United States were not +represented at the recent conference at Berne. + +I recommend that the scope of the neutrality laws of the United States +be so enlarged as to cover all patent acts of hostility committed in our +territory and aimed against the peace of a friendly nation. Existing +statutes prohibit the fitting out of armed expeditions and restrict the +shipment of explosives, though the enactments in the latter respect were +not framed with regard to international obligations, but simply for the +protection of passenger travel. All these statutes were intended to meet +special emergencies that had already arisen. Other emergencies have +arisen since, and modern ingenuity supplies means for the organization +of hostilities without open resort to armed vessels or to filibustering +parties. + +I see no reason why overt preparations in this country for the +commission of criminal acts such as are here under consideration should +not be alike punishable whether such acts are intended to be committed +in our own country or in a foreign country with which we are at peace. + +The prompt and thorough treatment of this question is one which +intimately concerns the national honor. + +Our existing naturalization laws also need revision. Those sections +relating to persons residing within the limits of the United States +in 1795 and 1798 have now only a historical interest. Section 2172, +recognizing the citizenship of the children of naturalized parents, is +ambiguous in its terms and partly obsolete. There are special provisions +of law favoring the naturalization of those who serve in the Army or in +merchant vessels, while no similar privileges are granted those who +serve in the Navy or the Marine Corps. + +"An uniform rule of naturalization" such as the Constitution +contemplates should, among other things, clearly define the status +of persons born within the United States subject to a foreign power +(section 1992) and of minor children of fathers who have declared +their intention to become citizens but have failed to perfect their +naturalization. It might be wise to provide for a central bureau of +registry, wherein should be filed authenticated transcripts of every +record of naturalization in the several Federal and State courts, and to +make provision also for the vacation or cancellation of such record in +cases where fraud had been practiced upon the court by the applicant +himself or where he had renounced or forfeited his acquired citizenship. +A just and uniform law in this respect would strengthen the hands of the +Government in protecting its citizens abroad and would pave the way for +the conclusion of treaties of naturalization with foreign countries. + +The legislation of the last session effected in the diplomatic and +consular service certain changes and reductions which have been +productive of embarrassment. The population and commercial activity of +our country are steadily on the increase, and are giving rise to new, +varying, and often delicate relationships with other countries. Our +foreign establishment now embraces nearly double the area of operations +that it occupied twenty years ago. The confinement of such a service +within the limits of expenditure then established is not, it seems to +me, in accordance with true economy. A community of 60,000,000 people +should be adequately represented in its intercourse with foreign +nations. + +A project for the reorganization of the consular service and for +recasting the scheme of extraterritorial jurisdiction is now before +you. If the limits of a short session will not allow of its full +consideration, I trust that you will not fail to make suitable provision +for the present needs of the service. + +It has been customary to define in the appropriation acts the rank of +each diplomatic office to which a salary is attached. I suggest that +this course be abandoned and that it be left to the President, with +the advice and consent of the Senate, to fix from time to time the +diplomatic grade of the representatives of this Government abroad as may +seem advisable, provision being definitely made, however, as now, for +the amount of salary attached to the respective stations. + +The condition of our finances and the operations of the various branches +of the public service which are connected with the Treasury Department +are very fully discussed in the report of the Secretary. + +It appears that the ordinary revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, +1884, were: + + + From customs $195,067,489.76 + From internal revenue 121,586,072.51 + From all other sources 31,866,307.65 + ______________ + Total ordinary revenues 348,519,869.92 + + +The public expenditures during the same period were: + + For civil expenses $22,312,907.71 + For foreign intercourse 1,260,766.37 + For Indians 6,475,999.29 + For pensions 55,429,228.06 + For the military establishment, including river and + harbor improvements and arsenals 39,429,603.36 + For the naval establishment, including vessels, + machinery, and improvements at navy-yards 17,292,601.44 + For miscellaneous expenditures, including public + buildings, light-houses, and collecting the revenue 43,939,710.00 + For expenditures on account of the District of Columbia 3,407,049.62 + For interest on the public debt 54,578,378.48 + For the sinking fund 46,790,229.50 + ______________ + Total ordinary expenditures 290,916,473.83 + ============== + Leaving a surplus of 57,603,396.09 + + +As compared with the preceding fiscal year, there was a net decrease of +over $21,000,000 in the amount of expenditures. The aggregate receipts +were less than those of the year previous by about $54,000,000. The +falling off in revenue from customs made up nearly $20,000,000 of this +deficiency, and about $23,000,000 of the remainder was due to the +diminished receipts from internal taxation. + +The Secretary estimates the total receipts for the fiscal year which +will end June 30, 1885, at $330,000,000 and the total expenditures at +$290,620,201.16, in which sum are included the interest on the debt and +the amount payable to the sinking fund. This would leave a surplus for +the entire year of about $39,000,000. + +The value of exports from the United States to foreign countries during +the year ending June 30, 1884, was as follows: + + + Domestic merchandise $724,964,852 + Foreign merchandise 15,548,757 + ___________ + Total merchandise 740,513,609 + Specie 67,133,383 + ___________ + Total exports of merchandise and specie 807,646,992 + + +The cotton and cotton manufactures included in this statement were +valued at $208,900,415; the breadstuffs at $162,544,715; the provisions +at $114,416,547, and the mineral oils at $47,103,248. + +During the same period the imports were as follows: + + + Merchandise $667,697,693 + Gold and silver 37,426,262 + ___________ + Total 705,123,955 + + +More than 63 per cent of the entire value of imported merchandise +consisted of the following articles: + + + Sugar and molasses $103,884,274 + Wool and woolen manufactures 53,542,292 + Silk and its manufactures 49,949,128 + Coffee 49,686,705 + Iron and steel and manufactures thereof 41,464,599 + Chemicals 38,464,965 + Flax, hemp, jute, and like substances, + and manufactures thereof 33,463,398 + Cotton and manufactures of cotton 30,454,476 + Hides and skins other than fur skins 22,350,906 + + +I concur with the Secretary of the Treasury in recommending the +immediate suspension of the coinage of silver dollars and of the +issuance of silver certificates. This is a matter to which in former +communications I have more than once invoked the attention of the +National Legislature. + +It appears that annually for the past six years there have been coined, +in compliance with the requirements of the act of February 28, 1878, +more than 27,000,000 silver dollars. + +The number now outstanding is reported by the Secretary to be nearly +185,000,000, whereof but little more than 40,000,000, or less than 22 +per cent, are in actual circulation. The mere existence of this fact +seems to me to furnish of itself a cogent argument for the repeal of +the statute which has made such fact possible. + +But there are other and graver considerations that tend in the same +direction. + +The Secretary avows his conviction that unless this coinage and the +issuance of silver certificates be suspended silver is likely at no +distant day to become our sole metallic standard. The commercial +disturbance and the impairment of national credit that would be thus +occasioned can scarcely be overestimated. + +I hope that the Secretary's suggestions respecting the withdrawal from +circulation of the $1 and $2 notes will receive your approval. It is +likely that a considerable portion of the silver now encumbering the +vaults of the Treasury might thus find its way into the currency. + +While trade dollars have ceased, for the present at least, to be an +element of active disturbance in our currency system, some provision +should be made for their surrender to the Government. In view of the +circumstances under which they were coined and of the fact that they +have never had a legal-tender quality, there should be offered for them +only a slight advance over their bullion value. + +The Secretary in the course of his report considers the propriety +of beautifying the designs of our subsidiary silver coins and of so +increasing their weight that they may bear their due ratio of value +to the standard dollar. His conclusions in this regard are cordially +approved. + +In my annual message of 1882 I recommended the abolition of all excise +taxes except those relating to distilled spirits. This recommendation +is now renewed. In case these taxes shall be abolished the revenues +that will still remain to the Government will, in my opinion, not only +suffice to meet its reasonable expenditures, but will afford a surplus +large enough to permit such tariff reduction as may seem to be advisable +when the results of recent revenue laws and commercial treaties shall +have shown in what quarters those reductions can be most judiciously +effected. + +One of the gravest of the problems which appeal to the wisdom of +Congress for solution is the ascertainment of the most effective means +for increasing our foreign trade and thus relieving the depression under +which our industries are now languishing. The Secretary of the Treasury +advises that the duty of investigating this subject be intrusted in the +first instance to a competent commission. While fully recognizing the +considerations that may be urged against this course, I am nevertheless +of the opinion that upon the whole no other would be likely to effect +speedier or better results. + +That portion of the Secretary's report which concerns the condition +of our shipping interests can not fail to command your attention. +He emphatically recommends that as an incentive to the investment +of American capital in American steamships the Government shall, by +liberal payments for mail transportation or otherwise, lend its active +assistance to individual enterprise, and declares his belief that unless +that course be pursued our foreign carrying trade must remain, as it is +to-day, almost exclusively in the hands of foreigners. + +One phase of this subject is now especially prominent in view of +the repeal by the act of June 26, 1884, of all statutory provisions +arbitrarily compelling American vessels to carry the mails to and from +the United States. As it is necessary to make provision to compensate +the owners of such vessels for performing that service after April, +1885, it is hoped that the whole subject will receive early +consideration that will lead to the enactment of such measures for the +revival of our merchant marine as the wisdom of Congress may devise. + +The 3 per cent bonds of the Government to the amount of more than +$100,000,000 have since my last annual message been redeemed by the +Treasury. The bonds of that issue still outstanding amount to little +over $200,000,000, about one-fourth of which will be retired through the +operations of the sinking fund during the coming year. As these bonds +still constitute the chief basis for the circulation of the national +banks, the question how to avert the contraction of the currency caused +by their retirement is one of constantly increasing importance. + +It seems to be generally conceded that the law governing this matter +exacts from the banks excessive security, and that upon their present +bond deposits a larger circulation than is now allowed may be granted +with safety. I hope that the bill which passed the Senate at the last +session, permitting the issue of notes equal to the face value of the +deposited bonds, will commend itself to the approval of the House of +Representatives. + +In the expenses of the War Department the Secretary reports a decrease +of more than $9,000,000. Of this reduction $5,600,000 was effected in +the expenditures for rivers and harbors and $2,700,000 in expenditures +for the Quartermaster's Department. + +Outside of that Department the annual expenses of all the Army bureaus +proper (except possibly the Ordnance Bureau) are substantially fixed +charges, which can not be materially diminished without a change in the +numerical strength of the Army. The expenditures in the Quartermaster's +Department can readily be subjected to administrative discretion, and it +is reported by the Secretary of War that as a result of exercising such +discretion in reducing the number of draft and pack animals in the Army +the annual cost of supplying and caring for such animals is now +$1,108,085.90 less than it was in 1881. + +The reports of military commanders show that the last year has been +notable for its entire freedom from Indian outbreaks. + +In defiance of the President's proclamation of July 1, 1884,[20] certain +intruders sought to make settlements in the Indian Territory. They were +promptly removed by a detachment of troops. + +During the past session of Congress a bill to provide a suitable +fireproof building for the Army Medical Museum and the library of the +Surgeon-General's Office received the approval of the Senate. A similar +bill, reported favorably to the House of Representatives by one of its +committees, is still pending before that body. It is hoped that during +the coming session the measure may become a law, and that thereafter +immediate steps may be taken to secure a place of safe deposit for these +valuable collections, now in a state of insecurity. + +The funds with which the works for the improvement of rivers and +harbors were prosecuted during the past year were derived from the +appropriations of the act of August 2, 1882, together with such few +balances as were on hand from previous appropriations. The balance in +the Treasury subject to requisition July 1, 1883, was $10,021,649.55. +The amount appropriated during the fiscal year 1884 was $1,319,634.62, +and the amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year was +$8,228,703.54, leaving a balance of $3,112,580.63 in the Treasury +subject to requisition July 1, 1884. + +The Secretary of War submits the report of the Chief of Engineers +as to the practicability of protecting our important cities on the +seaboard by fortifications and other defenses able to repel modern +methods of attack. The time has now come when such defenses can be +prepared with confidence that they will not prove abortive, and when +the possible result of delay in making such preparation is seriously +considered delay seems inexcusable. For the most important cities--those +whose destruction or capture would be a national humiliation--adequate +defenses, inclusive of guns, may be made by the gradual expenditure of +$60,000,000--a sum much less than a victorious enemy could levy as a +contribution. An appropriation of about one-tenth of that amount is +asked to begin the work, and I concur with the Secretary of War in +urging that it be granted. + +The War Department is proceeding with the conversion of 10-inch +smoothbore guns into 8-inch rifles by lining the former with tubes of +forged steel or of coil wrought iron. Fifty guns will be thus converted +within the year. This, however, does not obviate the necessity of +providing means for the construction of guns of the highest power both +for the purposes of coast defense and for the armament of war vessels. + +The report of the Gun Foundry Board, appointed April 2, 1883, in +pursuance of the act of March 3, 1883, was transmitted to Congress in +a special message of February 18, 1884.[21] In my message of March 26, +1884,[22] I called attention to the recommendation of the board that the +Government should encourage the production at private steel works of the +required material for heavy cannon, and that two Government factories, +one for the Army and one for the Navy, should be established for the +fabrication of guns from such material. No action having been taken, +the board was subsequently reconverted to determine more fully the plans +and estimates necessary for carrying out its recommendation. It has +received information which indicates that there are responsible steel +manufacturers in this country who, although not provided at present +with the necessary plant, are willing to construct the same and to make +bids for contracts with the Government for the supply of the requisite +material for the heaviest guns adapted to modern warfare if a guaranteed +order of sufficient magnitude, accompanied by a positive appropriation +extending over a series of years, shall be made by Congress. All doubts +as to the feasibility of the plan being thus removed, I renew my +recommendation that such action be taken by Congress as will enable the +Government to construct its own ordnance upon its own territory, and so +to provide the armaments demanded by considerations of national safety +and honor. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the progress which has +been made on the new steel cruisers authorized by the acts of August 5, +1882, and March 3, 1883. Of the four vessels under contract, one, the +_Chicago_, of 4,500 tons, is more than half finished; the _Atlanta_, +of 3,000 tons, has been successfully launched, and her machinery is now +fitting; the _Boston_, also of 3,000 tons, is ready for launching, and +the _Dolphin_, a dispatch steamer of 1,500 tons, is ready for delivery. + +Certain adverse criticisms upon the designs of these cruisers are +discussed by the Secretary, who insists that the correctness of the +conclusions reached by the Advisory Board and by the Department has been +demonstrated by recent developments in shipbuilding abroad. + +The machinery of the double-turreted monitors _Puritan, Terror,_ +and _Amphitrite_, contracted for under the act of March 3, 1883, is +in process of construction. No work has been done during the past year +on their armor for lack of the necessary appropriations. A fourth +monitor, the _Monadnock_, still remains unfinished at the navy-yard +in California. It is recommended that early steps be taken to complete +these vessels and to provide also an armament for the monitor +_Miantonomoh_. + +The recommendations of the Naval Advisory Board, approved by the +Department, comprise the construction of one steel cruiser of 4,500 +tons, one cruiser of 3,000 tons, two heavily armed gunboats, one light +cruising gunboat, one dispatch vessel armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one +armored ram, and three torpedo boats. The general designs, all of which +are calculated to meet the existing wants of the service, are now well +advanced, and the construction of the vessels can be undertaken as soon +as you shall grant the necessary authority. + +The act of Congress approved August 7, 1882, authorized the removal to +the United States of the bodies of Lieutenant-Commander George W. De +Long and his companions of the _Jeannette_ expedition. This removal +has been successfully accomplished by Lieutenants Harber and Schuetze. +The remains were taken from their grave in the Lena Delta in March, +1883, and were retained at Yakutsk until the following winter, the +season being too far advanced to admit of their immediate +transportation. They arrived at New York February 20, 1884, where they +were received with suitable honors. + +In pursuance of the joint resolution of Congress approved February 13, +1884, a naval expedition was fitted out for the relief of Lieutenant +A.W. Greely, United States Army, and of the party who had been engaged +under his command in scientific observations at Lady Franklin Bay. The +fleet consisted of the steam sealer _Thetis_, purchased in England; +_Bear_, purchased at St. Johns, Newfoundland, and the _Alert_, +which was generously provided by the British Government. Preparations +for the expedition were promptly made by the Secretary of the Navy, with +the active cooperation of the Secretary of War. Commander George W. +Coffin was placed in command of the _Alert_ and Lieutenant William +H. Emory in command of the _Bear_. The _Thetis_ was intrusted +to Commander Winfield S. Schley, to whom also was assigned the +superintendence of the entire expedition. + +Immediately upon its arrival at Upernavik the fleet began the +dangerous navigation of Melville Bay, and in spite of every obstacle +reached Littleton Island on June 22, a fortnight earlier than any vessel +had before attained that point. On the same day it crossed over to Cape +Sabine, where Lieutenant Greely and the other survivors of his party +were discovered. After taking on board the living and the bodies of the +dead, the relief ships sailed for St. Johns, where they arrived on July +17. They were appropriately received at Portsmouth, N.H., on August 1 +and at New York on August 8. One of the bodies was landed at the former +place. The others were put on shore at Governors Island, and, with +the exception of one, which was interred in the national cemetery, +were forwarded thence to the destinations indicated by friends. +The organization and conduct of this relief expedition reflects great +credit upon all who contributed to its success. + +In this the last of the stated messages that I shall have the honor to +transmit to the Congress of the United States I can not too strongly +urge upon its attention the duty of restoring our Navy as rapidly as +possible to the high state of efficiency which formerly characterized +it. As the long peace that has lulled us into a sense of fancied +security may at any time be disturbed, it is plain that the policy of +strengthening this arm of the service is dictated by considerations of +wise economy, of just regard for our future tranquillity, and of true +appreciation of the dignity and honor of the Republic. + +The report of the Postmaster-General acquaints you with the present +condition and needs of the postal service. + +It discloses the gratifying fact that the loss of revenue from the +reduction in the rate of letter postage recommended in my message of +December 4, 1882, and effected by the act of March 3, 1883, has been +much less than was generally anticipated. My recommendation of this +reduction was based upon the belief that the actual falling off in +receipts from letter postages for the year immediately succeeding the +change of rate would be $3,000,000. It has proved to be only $2,275,000. + +This is a trustworthy indication that the revenue will soon be restored +to its former volume by the natural increase of sealed correspondence. + +I confidently repeat, therefore, the recommendation of my last annual +message that the single-rate postage upon drop letters be reduced to +1 cent wherever the payment of 2 cents is now required by law. The +double rate is only exacted at offices where the carrier system is in +operation, and it appears that at those offices the increase in the tax +upon local letters defrays the cost not only of its own collection and +delivery, but of the collection and delivery of all other mail matter. +This is an inequality that ought no longer to exist. + +I approve the recommendation of the Postmaster-General that the unit of +weight in the rating of first-class matter should be 1 ounce instead of +one-half ounce, as it now is. In view of the statistics furnished by the +Department, it may well be doubted whether the change would result in +any loss of revenue. That it would greatly promote the convenience of +the public is beyond dispute. + +The free-delivery system has been lately applied to five cities, and +the total number of offices in which it is now in operation is 159. +Experience shows that its adoption, under proper conditions, is equally +an accommodation to the public and an advantage to the postal service. +It is more than self-sustaining, and for the reasons urged by the +Postmaster-General may properly be extended. + +In the opinion of that officer it is important to provide means whereby +exceptional dispatch in dealing with letters in free-delivery offices +may be secured by payment of extraordinary postage. This scheme might +be made effective by employment of a special stamp whose cost should +be commensurate with the expense of the extra service. + +In some of the large cities private express companies have undertaken +to outstrip the Government mail carriers by affording for the prompt +transmission of letters better facilities than have hitherto been at the +command of the Post-Office. + +It has always been the policy of the Government to discourage such +enterprises, and in no better mode can that policy be maintained than in +supplying the public with the most efficient mail service that, with due +regard to its own best interests, can be furnished for its +accommodation. + +The Attorney-General renews the recommendation contained in his report +of last year touching the fees of witnesses and jurors. + +He favors radical changes in the fee bill, the adoption of a system by +which attorneys and marshals of the United States shall be compensated +solely by salaries, and the erection by the Government of a penitentiary +for the confinement of offenders against its laws. + +Of the varied governmental concerns in charge of the Interior Department +the report of its Secretary presents an interesting summary. Among the +topics deserving particular attention I refer you to his observations +respecting our Indian affairs, the preemption and timber-culture acts, +the failure of railroad companies to take title to lands granted by the +Government, and the operations of the Pension Office, the Patent Office, +the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Education. + +Allusion has been made already to the circumstance that, both as between +the different Indian tribes and as between the Indians and the whites, +the past year has been one of unbroken peace. + +In this circumstance the President is glad to find justification for the +policy of the Government in its dealing with the Indian question and +confirmation of the views which were fully expressed in his first +communication to the Forty-seventh Congress. + +The Secretary urges anew the enactment of a statute for the punishment +of crimes committed on the Indian reservations, and recommends the +passage of the bill now pending in the House of Representatives for the +purchase of a tract of 18,000 square miles from the Sioux Reservation. +Both these measures are worthy of approval. + +I concur with him also in advising the repeal of the preemption law, the +enactment of statutes resolving the present legal complications touching +lapsed grants to railroad companies, and the funding of the debt of the +several Pacific railroads under such guaranty as shall effectually +secure its ultimate payment. + +The report of the Utah Commission will be read with interest. + +It discloses the results of recent legislation looking to the prevention +and punishment of polygamy in that Territory. I still believe that if +that abominable practice can be suppressed by law it can only be by the +most radical legislation consistent with the restraints of the +Constitution. + +I again recommend, therefore, that Congress assume absolute political +control of the Territory of Utah and provide for the appointment of +commissioners with such governmental powers as in its judgment may +justly and wisely be put into their hands. + +In the course of this communication reference has more than once been +made to the policy of this Government as regards the extension of our +foreign trade. It seems proper to declare the general principles that +should, in my opinion, underlie our national efforts in this direction. + +The main conditions of the problem may be thus stated: + +We are a people apt in mechanical pursuits and fertile in invention. +We cover a vast extent of territory rich in agricultural products and +in nearly all the raw materials necessary for successful manufacture. +We have a system of productive establishments more than sufficient to +supply our own demands. The wages of labor are nowhere else so great. +The scale of living of our artisan classes is such as tends to secure +their personal comfort and the development of those higher moral and +intellectual qualities that go to the making of good citizens. Our +system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding a revenue which is in +excess of the present needs of the Government. + +These are the elements from which it is sought to devise a scheme by +which, without unfavorably changing the condition of the workingman, our +merchant marine shall be raised from its enfeebled condition and new +markets provided for the sale beyond our borders of the manifold fruits +of our industrial enterprises. + +The problem is complex and can be solved by no single measure of +innovation or reform. + +The countries of the American continent and the adjacent islands are for +the United States the natural marts of supply and demand. It is from +them that we should obtain what we do not produce or do not produce in +sufficiency, and it is to them that the surplus productions of our +fields, our mills, and our workshops should flow, under conditions that +will equalize or favor them in comparison with foreign competition. + +Four paths of policy seem to point to this end: + +First. A series of reciprocal commercial treaties with the countries of +America which shall foster between us and them an unhampered movement of +trade. The conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of +such merchandise as this country does not produce, in return for the +admission free or under a favored scheme of duties of our own products, +the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods carried under the +flag of the parties to the contract; the removal on both sides from the +vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and national imposts, so that +those vessels may ply unhindered between our ports and those of the +other contracting parties, though without infringing on the reserved +home coasting trade; the removal or reduction of burdens on the exported +products of those countries coming within the benefits of the treaties, +and the avoidance of the technical restrictions and penalties by which +our intercourse with those countries is at present hampered. + +Secondly. The establishment of the consular service of the United States +on a salaried footing, thus permitting the relinquishment of consular +fees not only as respects vessels under the national flag, but also as +respects vessels of the treaty nations carrying goods entitled to the +benefits of the treaties. + +Thirdly. The enactment of measures to favor the construction and +maintenance of a steam carrying marine under the flag of the United +States. + +Fourthly. The establishment of an uniform currency basis for the +countries of America, so that the coined products of our mines may +circulate on equal terms throughout the whole system of commonwealths. +This would require a monetary union of America, whereby the output of +the bullion-producing countries and the circulation of those which +yield neither gold nor silver could be adjusted in conformity with +the population, wealth, and commercial needs of each. As many of the +countries furnish no bullion to the common stock, the surplus production +of our mines and mints might thus be utilized and a step taken toward +the general remonetization of silver. + +To the accomplishment of these ends, so far as they can be attained +by separate treaties, the negotiations already concluded and now in +progress have been directed; and the favor which this enlarged policy +has thus far received warrants the belief that its operations will ere +long embrace all, or nearly all, the countries of this hemisphere. + +It is by no means desirable, however, that the policy under +consideration should be applied to these countries alone. The healthful +enlargement of our trade with Europe, Asia, and Africa should be sought +by reducing tariff burdens on such of their wares as neither we nor the +other American States are fitted to produce, and thus enabling ourselves +to obtain in return a better market for our supplies of food, of raw +materials, and of the manufactures in which we excel. + +It seems to me that many of the embarrassing elements in the great +national conflict between protection and free trade may thus be turned +to good account; that the revenue may be reduced so as no longer to +overtax the people; that protective duties may be retained without +becoming burdensome; that our shipping interests may be judiciously +encouraged, the currency fixed on firm bases, and, above all, such an +unity of interests established among the States of the American system +as will be of great and ever-increasing advantage to them all. + +All treaties in the line of this policy which have been negotiated +or are in process of negotiation contain a provision deemed to be +requisite under the clause of the Constitution limiting to the House of +Representatives the authority to originate bills for raising revenue. + +On the 29th of February last[23] I transmitted to the Congress the +first annual report of the Civil Service Commission, together with +communications from the heads of the several Executive Departments of +the Government respecting the practical workings of the law under which +the Commission had been acting. The good results therein foreshadowed +have been more than realized. + +The system has fully answered the expectations of its friends in +securing competent and faithful public servants and in protecting the +appointing officers of the Government from the pressure of personal +importunity and from the labor of examining the claims and pretensions +of rival candidates for public employment. + +The law has had the unqualified support of the President and of the +heads of the several Departments, and the members of the Commission have +performed their duties with zeal and fidelity. Their report will shortly +be submitted, and will be accompanied by such recommendations for +enlarging the scope of the existing statute as shall commend themselves +to the Executive and the Commissioners charged with its administration. + +In view of the general and persistent demand throughout the commercial +community for a national bankrupt law, I hope that the differences of +sentiment which have hitherto prevented its enactment may not outlast +the present session. + +The pestilence which for the past two years has been raging in the +countries of the East recently made its appearance in European ports +with which we are in constant communication. + +The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pursuance of a proclamation of +the President,[24] issued certain regulations restricting and for a +time prohibiting the importation of rags and the admission of baggage +of immigrants and of travelers arriving from infected quarters. Lest +this course may have been without strict warrant of law, I approve the +recommendation of the present Secretary that the Congress take action +in the premises, and I also recommend the immediate adoption of such +measures as will be likely to ward off the dreaded epidemic and to +mitigate its severity in case it shall unhappily extend to our shores. + +The annual report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia +reviews the operations of the several departments of its municipal +government. I ask your careful consideration of its suggestions in +respect to legislation, especially commending such as relate to a +revision of the civil and criminal code, the performance of labor by +persons sentenced to imprisonment in the jail, the construction and +occupation of wharves along the river front, and the erection of a +suitable building for District offices. + +I recommend that in recognition of the eminent services of Ulysses +S. Grant, late General of the armies of the United States and twice +President of this nation, the Congress confer upon him a suitable +pension. + +Certain of the measures that seem to me necessary and expedient I have +now, in obedience to the Constitution, recommended for your adoption. + +As respects others of no less importance I shall content myself with +renewing the recommendations already made to the Congress, without +restating the grounds upon which such recommendations were based. + +The preservation of forests on the public domain, the granting of +Government aid for popular education, the amendment of the Federal +Constitution so as to make effective the disapproval by the President of +particular items in appropriation bills, the enactment of statutes in +regard to the filling of vacancies in the Presidential office, and the +determining of vexed questions respecting Presidential inability are +measures which may justly receive your serious consideration. + +As the time draws nigh when I am to retire from the public service, +I can not refrain from expressing to the members of the National +Legislature with whom I have been brought into personal and official +intercourse my sincere appreciation of their unfailing courtesy and of +their harmonious cooperation with the Executive in so many measures +calculated to promote the best interests of the nation. + +And to my fellow citizens generally I acknowledge a deep sense +of obligation for the support which they have accorded me in my +administration of the executive department of this Government. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 20: See pp. 224-225.] + +[Footnote 21: See p. 204.] + +[Footnote 22: See pp. 209-210.] + +[Footnote 23: See pp. 205-206.] + +[Footnote 24: See p. 225.] + + + + +SPECIAL MESSAGES. + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 3, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a convention for regulating the right of succession to and +acquisition of property, etc., concluded between the United States and +Belgium on the 4th ultimo. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 3, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to +its ratification, a convention between the United States of America and +the United States of Mexico, touching the boundary line between the two +countries where it follows the bed of the Rio Grande and the Rio Gila, +concluded November 12, 1884, and add that the convention is in +accordance with an opinion of the Hon. Caleb Cushing, Attorney-General, +dated November 11, 1856. (See Opinions of Attorneys-General, Vol. XIII, +p. 175, "Arcifinious boundaries.") + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 4, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, +submitting the text, in the English and French languages, of the +proceedings of the International Meridian Conference, provided for by +the act of Congress approved August 3, 1882, held at Washington during +the month of October, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 9, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to +its ratification, a supplementary convention to limit the duration of +the convention respecting commercial reciprocity between the United +States of America and the Hawaiian Kingdom, concluded January 30, 1875. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 9, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Senate with a view +to obtaining its advice thereon and consent thereto, a convention for +commercial reciprocity between the United States and the Dominican +Republic, which was signed in this capital on the 4th instant. + +This convention aims to carry out the principles which, as explained in +my last annual message to the Congress, should, it is conceived, control +all commercial arrangements entered into with our neighbors of the +American system with whom trade must be conducted by sea. Santo Domingo +is the first of the independent Republics of the Western Hemisphere +with which an engagement of this character has been concluded, and the +precedent now set will command your fullest attention as affecting like +future negotiations. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 10, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for consideration by the Senate with a view to +advising and consenting to its ratification, a convention for commercial +reciprocity between the United States and Spain, providing for an +intimate and favored exchange of products with the islands of Cuba and +Puerto Rico, which convention was signed at Madrid on the 18th ultimo. + +The negotiations for this convention have been in progress since April +last, in pursuance of the understanding reached by the two Governments +on the 2d of January, 1884, for the improvement of commercial relations +between the United States and the Spanish Antilles, by the eighth +article of which both Governments engaged "to begin at once negotiations +for a complete treaty of commerce and navigation between the United +States of America and the said Provinces of Cuba and Puerto Rico." +Although this clause was by common consent omitted from the +substitutionary agreement of February 13, 1884 (now in force until +replaced by this convention being carried into effect), the obligation +to enter upon such a negotiation was deemed to continue. With the best +desire manifest on both sides to reach a common accord, the negotiation +has been necessarily protracted, owing to the complexity of the details +to be incorporated in order that the convention might respond to the +national policy of intercourse with the neighboring communities of the +American system, which is outlined in my late annual message to the +Congress in the following words: + + The conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of + such merchandise as this country does not produce, in return for + the admission free, or under a favored scheme of duties, of our + own products, the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods + carried under the flag of the parties to the contract; the removal + on both sides from the vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and + national imposts, so that those vessels may ply unhindered between + our ports and those of the other contracting parties, though without + infringing on the reserved home coasting trade; the removal or + reduction of burdens on the exported products of those countries + coming within the benefits of the treaties, and the avoidance of + the technical restrictions and penalties by which our intercourse + with those countries is at present hampered. + + +A perusal of the convention now submitted will suffice to show how fully +it carries out the policy of intercourse thus announced. I commend it to +you in the confident expectation that it will receive your sanction. + +It does not seem necessary to my present purpose to enter into detailed +consideration of the many immediate and prospective advantages which +will flow from this convention to our productions and our shipping +interests. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 10, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate, for consideration with a view to +ratification, a treaty signed on the 1st of December with the Republic +of Nicaragua, providing for the construction of an interoceanic canal +across the territory of that State. + +The negotiation of this treaty was entered upon under a conviction that +it was imperatively demanded by the present and future political and +material interests of the United States. + +The establishment of water communication between the Atlantic and +Pacific coasts of the Union is a necessity, the accomplishment of which, +however, within the territory of the United States is a physical +impossibility. While the enterprise of our citizens has responded to the +duty of creating means of speedy transit by rail between the two oceans, +these great achievements are inadequate to supply a most important +requisite of national union and prosperity. + +For all maritime purposes the States upon the Pacific are more distant +from those upon the Atlantic than if separated by either ocean alone. +Europe and Africa are nearer to New York, and Asia nearer to California, +than are these two great States to each other by sea. Weeks of steam +voyage or months under sail are consumed in the passage around the Horn, +with the disadvantage of traversing tempestuous waters or risking the +navigation of the Straits of Magellan. + +A nation like ours can not rest satisfied with such a separation of its +mutually dependent members. We possess an ocean border of considerably +over 10,000 miles on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, and, including +Alaska, of some 10,000 miles on the Pacific. Within a generation the +western coast has developed into an empire, with a large and rapidly +growing population, with vast, but partially developed, resources. +At the present rate of increase the end of the century will see us a +commonwealth of perhaps nearly 100,000,000 inhabitants, of which the +West should have a considerably larger and richer proportion than now. +Forming one nation in interests and aims, the East and the West are more +widely disjoined for all purposes of direct and economical intercourse +by water and of national defense against maritime aggression than are +most of the colonies of other powers from their mother country. + +The problem of establishing such water communication has long attracted +attention. Many projects have been formed and surveys have been made of +all possible available routes. As a knowledge of the true topical +conditions of the Isthmus was gained, insuperable difficulties in one +case and another became evident, until by a process of elimination only +two routes remained within range of profitable achievement, one by way +of Panama and the other across Nicaragua. + +The treaty now laid before you provides for such a waterway through the +friendly territory of Nicaragua. + +I invite your special attention to the provisions of the convention +itself as best evidencing its scope. + +From respect to the independent sovereignty of the Republic, through +whose cooperation the project can alone be realized, the stipulations of +the treaty look to the fullest recognition and protection of Nicaraguan +rights in the premises. The United States have no motive or desire for +territorial acquisition or political control beyond the present borders, +and none such is contemplated by this treaty. The two Governments unite +in framing this scheme as the sole means by which the work, as +indispensable to the one as to the other, can be accomplished under such +circumstances as to prevent alike the possibility of conflict between +them and of interference from without. + +The canal is primarily a domestic means of water communication +between the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the two countries which unite +for its construction, the one contributing the territory and the other +furnishing the money therefor. Recognizing the advantages which the +world's commerce must derive from the work, appreciating the benefit of +enlarged use to the canal itself by contributing to its maintenance and +by yielding an interest return on the capital invested therein, and +inspired by the belief that any great enterprise which inures to the +general benefit of the world is in some sort a trust for the common +advancement of mankind, the two Governments have by this treaty provided +for its peaceable use by all nations on equal terms, while reserving to +the coasting trade of both countries (in which none but the contracting +parties are interested) the privilege of favoring tolls. + +The treaty provides for the construction of a railway and telegraph +line, if deemed advisable, as accessories to the canal, as both may be +necessary for the economical construction of the work and probably in +its operation when completed. + +The terms of the treaty as to the protection of the canal, while +scrupulously confirming the sovereignty of Nicaragua, amply secure that +State and the work itself from possible contingencies of the future +which it may not be within the sole power of Nicaragua to meet. + +From a purely commercial point of view the completion of such a waterway +opens a most favorable prospect for the future of our country. The +nations of the Pacific coast of South America will by its means be +brought into close connection with our Gulf States. The relation of +those American countries to the United States is that of a natural +market, from which the want of direct communication has hitherto +practically excluded us. By piercing the Isthmus the heretofore +insuperable obstacles of time and sea distance disappear, and our +vessels and productions will enter upon the world's competitive field +with a decided advantage, of which they will avail themselves. + +When to this is joined the large coasting trade between the Atlantic +and Pacific States, which must necessarily spring up, it is evident that +this canal affords, even alone, an efficient means of restoring our flag +to its former place on the seas. + +Such a domestic coasting trade would arise immediately, for even the +fishing vessels of both seaboards, which now lie idle in the winter +months, could then profitably carry goods between the Eastern and the +Western States. + +The political effect of the canal will be to knit closer the States now +depending upon railway corporations for all commercial and personal +intercourse, and it will not only cheapen the cost of transportation, +but will free individuals from the possibility of unjust +discriminations. + +It will bring the European grain markets of demand within easy distance +of our Pacific States, and will give to the manufacturers on the +Atlantic seaboard economical access to the cities of China, thus +breaking down the barrier which separates the principal manufacturing +centers of the United States from the markets of the vast population of +Asia, and placing the Eastern States of the Union for all purposes of +trade midway between Europe and Asia. In point of time the gain for +sailing vessels would be great, amounting from New York to San Francisco +to a saving of seventy-five days; to Hongkong, of twenty-seven days; +to Shanghai, of thirty-four days, and to Callao, of fifty-two days. + +Lake Nicaragua is about 90 miles long and 40 miles in greatest width. +The water is fresh, and affords abundant depth for vessels of the +deepest draft. Several islands give facilities for establishing coaling +stations, supply depots, harbors, and places for repairs. The advantage +of this vast inland harbor is evident. + +The lake is 110 feet above tide water. Six locks, or five intermediate +levels, are required for the Pacific end of the canal. On the Atlantic +side but five locks, or four intermediate levels, are proposed. These +locks would in practice no more limit the number of vessels passing +through the canal than would the single tide lock on the Pacific end, +which is necessary to any even or sea-level route. + +Seventeen and a half miles of canal lie between the Pacific and the +lake. The distance across the lake is 56 miles, and a dam at the mouth +of the San Carlos (a tributary of the San Juan), raising the water level +49 feet, practically extends the lake 63 miles to that point by a +channel from 600 to 1,200 feet wide, with an abundant depth of water. + +From the mouth of the San Carlos (where the canal will leave the San +Juan) to the harbor of Greytown the distance is 36 miles, which it is +hoped may by new surveys be shortened 10 miles. + +The total canal excavation would thus be from 43-1/2 to 53-1/2 miles, +and the lake and river navigation, amounting to 119 miles by the present +survey, would be somewhat increased if the new surveys are successful. + +From New York to San Francisco by this route for sailing vessels the +time is ten days shorter than by the Panama route. + +The purely pecuniary prospects of the canal as an investment are +subordinate to the great national benefits to accrue from it; but it +seems evident that the work, great as its cost may appear, will be a +measure of prudent economy and foresight if undertaken simply to afford +our own vessels a free waterway, for its far-reaching results will, even +within a few years in the life of a nation, amply repay the expenditure +by the increase of national prosperity. Further, the canal would +unquestionably be immediately remunerative. It offers a shorter sea +voyage, with more continuously favoring winds, between the Atlantic +ports of America and Europe and the countries of the East than any other +practicable route, and with lower tolls, by reason of its lesser cost, +the Nicaragua route must be the interoceanic highway for the bulk of the +world's trade between the Atlantic and the Pacific. + +So strong is this consideration that it offers an abundant guaranty for +the investment to be made, as well as for the speedy payment of the loan +of four millions which the treaty stipulates shall be made to Nicaragua +for the construction of internal improvements to serve as aids to the +business of the canal. + +I might suggest many other considerations in detail, but it seems +unnecessary to do so. Enough has been said to more than justify the +practical utility of the measure. I therefore commit it to the Congress +in the confident expectation that it will receive approval, and that by +appropriate legislation means may be provided for inaugurating the work +without delay after the treaty shall have been ratified. + +In conclusion I urge the justice of recognizing the aid which has +recently been rendered in this matter by some of our citizens. The +efforts of certain gentlemen connected with the American company which +received the concession from Nicaragua (now terminated and replaced by +this international compact) accomplished much of the preliminary labors +leading to the conclusion of the treaty. + +You may have occasion to examine the matter of their services, when such +further information as you may desire will be furnished you. + +I may add that the canal can be constructed by the able Engineer Corps +of our Army, under their thorough system, cheaper and better than any +work of such magnitude can in any other way be built. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 10, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for consideration by the Senate with a view to +advising and consenting to its ratification, a convention for commercial +reciprocity between the United States and Spain, providing for an +intimate and favored exchange of products with the islands of Cuba and +Puerto Rico, which convention was signed at Madrid on the 18th ultimo. + +The negotiations for this convention have been in progress since April +last, in pursuance of the understanding reached by the two Governments +on the 2d of January, 1884, for the improvement of commercial relations +between the United States and the Spanish Antilles, by the eighth +article of which both Governments engaged "to begin at once negotiations +for a complete treaty of commerce and navigation between the United +States of America and the said Provinces of Cuba and Puerto Rico." +Although this clause was by common consent omitted from the +substitutionary agreement of February 13, 1884 (now in force until +replaced by this convention being carried into effect), the obligation +to enter upon such a negotiation was deemed to continue. With the best +desire manifest on both sides to reach a common accord, the negotiation +has been necessarily protracted, owing to the complexity of the details +to be incorporated in order that the convention might respond to the +national policy of intercourse with the neighboring communities of the +American system, which is outlined in my late annual message to the +Congress in the following words: + + The conditions of these treaties should be the free admission of such + merchandise as this country does not produce, in return for the + admission free or under a favored scheme of duties of our own products, + the benefits of such exchange to apply only to goods carried under the + flag of the parties to the contract; the removal on both sides from the + vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and national imposts, so that + those vessels may ply unhindered between our ports and those of the + other contracting parties, though without infringing on the reserved + home coasting trade; the removal or reduction of burdens on the + exported products of those countries coming within the benefits of the + treaties, and the avoidance of the technical restrictions and penalties + by which our intercourse with those countries is at present hampered. + + +A perusal of the convention now submitted will suffice to show how fully +it carries out the policy of intercourse thus announced. I commend it to +you in the confident expectation that it will receive your sanction. + +It does not seem necessary to my present purpose to enter into detailed +consideration of the many immediate and prospective advantages which +will flow from this convention to our productions and our shipping +interests. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 10, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +With reference to the recommendations on the subject in my recent annual +message, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the +9th instant, showing the necessity for immediate legislation for the +purpose of bringing the statutes of the United States into conformity +with the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, +which have now been adopted by all the leading maritime powers of the +world except this country. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 11, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate a communication of this date from the +Secretary of State, in relation to the reciprocity treaty recently +signed between the United States and Spain. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 16, 1884_. + +The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: + +In compliance with the following resolution, adopted by the House on the +10th instant-- + + _Resolved_, That the President be requested to furnish this House, + as early as convenient, with the necessary information showing the + authority of law for which certain commodores of the Navy have been + given the rank of acting rear-admirals when, as is alleged, no vacancy + existed to justify such action-- + + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, +containing the information called for by the resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, December 17, 1884_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, an agreement signed by Mr. N.D. Comanos, on the part +of the United States of America, and Nubar Pasha, on behalf of the +Government of the Khedive of Egypt, relative to a commercial and +customs-house convention. The agreement is dated November 16, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _December 22, 1884_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith the supplementary report, dated December 20, 1884, +made in pursuance of orders of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of +the Navy by the Gun Foundry Board, appointed by me in accordance with +the act of Congress approved March 3, 1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 5, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In accordance with the provisions of the act making appropriations for +the diplomatic and consular service for the year ending June 30, 1883, +I transmit herewith a further communication from the Secretary of State +in relation to the consular service. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 5, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, with a recommendation for its favorable +consideration, a communication from the Secretary of State, in which he +urges the adoption of measures to secure the consul at Buenos Ayres +against loss through the dropping of his salary at the last session of +Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 5, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 2d instant from the Secretary +of the Interior, inclosing certain papers in relation to the present +condition of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians in the Indian Territory, +and recommending that some provision of law be enacted for disarming +those and other Indians when such action may be found necessary for +their advancement in civilized pursuits, and that means be provided for +compensating the Indians for the weapons so taken from or surrendered +by them. + +The subject is commended to the favorable consideration and action of +the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 12, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the annual +report of Government directors of the Union Pacific Railway Company for +the year 1884. + +The report accompanies the message to the House of Representatives. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 13, 1885_. + +_To the Senate:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State, +respecting the compensation for special electoral messengers to be +appointed under the provisions of existing law. + +I earnestly invite the attention of Congress to this communication and +recommend that an appropriation be made without delay, to be immediately +available, for the purposes indicated. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 13, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of War, dated +January 9, 1885, inclosing a copy of one dated January 5, 1885, from +Lieutenant-Colonel William P. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, who was +charged with the building of the monument at Yorktown, reporting the +completion of the monument and recommending that the balance of the +appropriation for building the same be used in paying the wages of +a watchman and erecting a suitable keeper's dwelling on the site. + +The matter is commended to the consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 16, 1885_. + +_To the United States Senate:_ + +I transmit herewith a copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of War +by General W.T. Sherman, under date of January 6, 1885, as called for by +resolution of the Senate of January 13, 1885, as follows: + + + That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, + requested, if in his opinion it be not incompatible with the public + interest, to communicate to the Senate a historical statement + concerning the public policy of the executive department of the + Confederate States during the late War of the Rebellion, reported + to have been lately filed in the War Department by General William + T. Sherman. + + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 20, 1885_. + +_To the Senate:_ + +In response to the resolution of the Senate passed December 16, 1884, +I transmit herewith a letter of the Secretary of State of the 19th +instant, submitting a report containing certain information in the +Department of State in relation to the foreign trade of Mexico, Central +and South America, the Spanish West Indies, Hayti, and Santo Domingo, +and also in relation to the share of the United States to the trade +in question. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 23, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, in answer to a resolution of the Senate dated +January 5, 1885, a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +copies of such treaties and conventions between the United States and +foreign powers as are requested by the resolution. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 23, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 20th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, presenting, with accompanying papers, a draft +of proposed legislation providing for the settlement of certain claims +of Omaha Indians in Nebraska against the Winnebago Indians on account of +horses stolen by members of the latter tribe from the Omahas. + +The subject is commended to the favorable consideration and action of +the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 23, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 22d +instant, respecting an estimate of an appropriation to enable the +Department of State to cause a preliminary search to be made of the +records of the French prize courts from 1792 to 1801, inclusive, to +ascertain whether any evidence or documents relating to the claims in +question still exist, and, if so, the nature and character thereof; +said preliminary search being intended to aid the Department of State +to carry out the requirements of section 5 of the act approved January +20, 1885, to provide for the ascertainment of the claims of American +citizens for spoliations committed by the French prior to the 31st +of July, 1801. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, as desired by the House resolution of the 9th +instant, a report, with accompanying papers, from the Secretary of +State, in relation to the arrest and the imprisonment of Thomas R. +Monahan by the authorities of Mexico. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a preliminary report of the Secretary of State +of the 26th instant, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives passed on the 9th day of January, 1885, calling for +copies of accounts and vouchers of the disbursing officers of the French +and American Claims Commission and certain other information in relation +to the transactions of said commission. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I have carefully considered the provisions of Senate bill No. 862, +entitled "An act for the relief of Uriel Crocker." + +The general statute provides for relief in case of the destruction of +coupon bonds. + +In my opinion this provision of law is sufficiently liberal to meet all +cases of missing coupon bonds worthy of favorable action, and I do not +deem it advisable to encourage this class of legislation. + +The bill is not, however, so flagrantly inexpedient as to call for my +formal disapproval, and I have allowed it to become a law under the +constitutional provision, contenting myself with communicating to the +Senate, in which the bill originated, my disapproval of special +legislation of this character. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, an additional article, signed on the 23d of June last, to +the treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation which was concluded +between the United States and the Argentine Confederation July 27, 1853. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, concerning the +awards made against Venezuela by the mixed commission under the +convention of April 25, 1866. + +I earnestly invite the attention of Congress to this communication and +the accompanying documents. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State and accompanying +papers, furnished in response to a resolution of the Senate of May 2, +1884, calling for information relative to the landing of foreign +telegraphic cables upon the shores of the United States. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I have the honor to transmit communications from the Secretary of the +Navy, recommending certain action by the Government in recognition of +the services, official and personal, extended in Russia to the survivors +of the arctic exploring steamer _Jeannette_ and to the search +parties subsequently sent to Siberia. + +The authority of Congress is requested for extending the specific +rewards mentioned in the paper accompanying one of the communications of +the Secretary. The suggestion concerning the thanks of Congress is also +submitted for consideration. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 27, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 22d instant, setting +forth that-- + + Whereas the United States, in 1866, acquired from the Creek and + Seminole Indians by treaty certain lands situate in the Indian + Territory, a portion of which have remained unoccupied until the + present time; and + + Whereas a widely extended belief exists that such unoccupied lands are + public lands of the United States, and as such subject to homestead and + preemption settlement, and pursuant to such belief a large number of + citizens of the United States have gone upon them claiming the right + to settle and acquire title thereto under the general land laws of the + United States; and + + Whereas it is understood that the President of the United States does + not regard said lands as open to settlement and believes it to be his + duty to remove all persons who go upon the same claiming the right to + settle thereon, and for that purpose has directed the expulsion of the + persons now on said lands by the use of military force, and there seems + to be a probability of a conflict growing out of the attempt to expel + said persons so claiming right and attempting to settle: Therefore, + + _Resolved_, That the President be requested to advise the Senate as + to the status of the lands in question as viewed by the Executive, the + action taken, if any, to expel persons seeking to settle thereon, and + the reasons for the same, together with any other information in his + possession bearing upon the existing controversy-- + + +I have the honor to state that the matter was referred to the +Secretaries of War and the Interior and to transmit herewith their +respective reports thereon, dated the 26th instant. + +The report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs accompanying that +of the Secretary of the Interior recites fully the provisions of the +treaties made with the Indian tribes ceding the lands in question to +the United States, showing the condition and purposes expressed in +said treaties regarding said lands, as well as the action taken with +reference thereto, from which it will be seen that they are not open +to settlement under any laws of the United States. + +The report of the Secretary of War shows the action of the military +authorities at the request of the Interior Department under section 2147 +of the Revised Statutes. + +The status of these lands was considered by my predecessor, President +Hayes, who on the 26th day of April, 1879, issued a proclamation[25] +warning all persons intending to go upon said lands without proper +permission of the Interior Department that they would be speedily and +immediately removed therefrom according to the laws made and provided, +and that if necessary the aid and assistance of the military forces of +the United States would be invoked to carry into proper execution the +laws of the United States referring thereto. A similar proclamation[26] +was issued by President Hayes on the 12th day of February, 1880. On the +1st day of July, 1884, I considered it to be my duty to issue a +proclamation[27] of like import. + +These several proclamations were at the request of the Secretary of the +Interior. + +As will be seen by the report of the Secretary of War, the military +forces of the United States have been repeatedly employed to remove +intruders from the lands in question, and that notwithstanding such +removals and in disregard of law and the Executive proclamations a large +body of intruders is now within the territory in question, and that an +adequate force of troops has been ordered to remove the intruders and is +now being concentrated for that purpose. + +None of the land or general laws of the United States have been extended +over these lands except as to the punishment for crimes and other +provisions contained in the intercourse act which relate to trade and +the introduction of spirituous liquors and arms among Indians, and do +not sanction settlement. It is clear that no authorized settlement can +be made by any person in the territory in question. + +Until the existing status of these lands shall have been changed by +agreement with the Indians interested, or in some other manner as may be +determined by Congress, the treaties heretofore made with the Indians +should be maintained and the power of the Government to the extent +necessary should be exercised to keep off intruders and all unauthorized +persons. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +[Footnote 25: See Vol. VII, pp. 547-548.] + +[Footnote 26: See Vol. VII, pp. 598-599.] + +[Footnote 27: See pp. 224-225.] + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 29, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 5th +of January, 1885, calling for information as to the Kongo conference at +Berlin, I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the +28th instant, in relation to the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 29, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of 27th instant, with inclosures, +from the Secretary of the Interior, in relation to objections on the +part of the Creek Nation of Indians to pending legislation providing for +the opening up to homestead settlement of certain lands in the Indian +Territory. + +The matter is presented to the consideration of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 29, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives (which +was concurred in by the Senate) of January 28, 1885, I return herewith +the bill (H.R. 1017) relative to the Inspector-General's Department of +the Army. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 30, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +When the expedition for the relief of Lieutenant Greely and his party +was being prepared, in the early part of the year 1884, and a search for +suitable vessels was being made, the _Alert_, then the property of +Great Britain, and which had been the advance ship of the expedition +under Sir George Nares, was found to be peculiarly fitted for the +intended service, and this Government immediately offered to purchase +that vessel, upon which Her Majesty's Government generously presented +her to the United States, refusing to accept any pay whatever for the +vessel. The _Alert_ rendered important and timely service in the +expedition for the relief of Lieutenant Greely and party, which in its +results proved so satisfactory to the Government and people of this +country. + +I am of the opinion that the _Alert_ should now be returned to Her +Majesty's Government, with suitable acknowledgments for its generous and +graceful acts of courtesy in so promptly putting the vessel at the +service of the United States, and I therefore recommend that authority +be given me by Congress to carry out this purpose. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 30, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 28th of January, 1885, a report by the Secretary +of State, in relation to the case of Julio R. Santos, an American +citizen imprisoned in Ecuador. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _January 30, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of State, in +regard to the desire of the Government of Korea to obtain the services +of one or more officers of the United States as military instructors +in that country, and recommend the adoption of a joint resolution +authorizing such officers as may be conveniently spared, and who may be +selected for that duty, to proceed to Korea for the purpose indicated. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith to the Senate a communication from the Secretary of +State, submitting, at the request of a delegate from the United States +to the Third International Conference of the Red Cross, held in +September, 1884, a copy of the preliminary report of that conference. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, the report of +the National Board of Health for the year 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 2, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States of America:_ + +With reference to the resolution of the Senate of the 12th of June, +1884, declining to advise and consent to the ratification of an +accession of the United States to an international convention for the +protection of industrial property, signed at Paris March 20, 1883, +I now return the proposed instrument of accession to the Senate for +reconsideration in connection with the views and recommendations +contained in the accompanying report of the Secretary of State, dated +January 29, 1885. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 2, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of January +28, 1885, "that the President be respectfully requested to transmit to +this House a copy of the recent appeal of Fitz John Porter, together +with the accompanying papers," I transmit herewith a copy of a +communication from Fitz John Porter, addressed to the President from +Morristown, N.J., under date of October 14, 1884, together with copies +of the accompanying papers. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 3, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I take especial pleasure in laying before Congress the generous offer +made by Mrs. Grant to give to the Government, in perpetual trust, the +swords and military (and civil) testimonials lately belonging to General +Grant. A copy of the deed of trust and of a letter addressed to me by +Mr. William H. Vanderbilt, which I transmit herewith, will explain the +nature and motives of this offer. + +Appreciation of General Grant's achievements and recognition of his just +fame have in part taken the shape of numerous mementoes and gifts which, +while dear to him, possess for the nation an exceptional interest. + +These relics, of great historical value, have passed into the hands of +another, whose considerate action has restored the collection to Mrs. +Grant as a life trust, on the condition that at the death of General +Grant, or sooner, at Mrs. Grant's option, it should become the property +of the Government, as set forth in the accompanying papers. In the +exercise of the option thus given her Mrs. Grant elects that the trust +shall forthwith determine, and asks that the Government designate a +suitable place of deposit and a responsible custodian for the +collection. + +The nature of this gift and the value of the relics which the generosity +of a private citizen, joined to the high sense of public regard which +animates Mrs. Grant, have thus placed at the disposal of the Government, +demand full and signal recognition on behalf of the nation at the hands +of its representatives. I therefore ask Congress to take suitable action +to accept the trust and to provide for its secure custody, at the same +time recording the appreciative gratitude of the people of the United +States to the donors. + +In this connection I may pertinently advert to the pending legislation +of the Senate and House of Representatives looking to a national +recognition of General Grant's eminent services by providing the means +for his restoration to the Army on the retired list. That Congress, by +taking such action, will give expression to the almost universal desire +of the people of this nation is evident, and I earnestly urge the +passage of an act similar to Senate bill No. 2530, which, while not +interfering with the constitutional prerogative of appointment, will +enable the President in his discretion to nominate General Grant as +general upon the retired list. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + DEED OF TRUST. + + Whereas I, William H. Vanderbilt, of the city of New York, by virtue of + a sale made under a judgment in a suit to foreclose a chattel mortgage + in the supreme court of this State, in which I was plaintiff and Ulysses + S. Grant defendant, which judgment was entered on the 6th day of + December, 1884, and under an execution in another suit in said court + between the same parties upon a judgment entered December 9, 1884, have + become the owner of the property and the articles described in the + schedule hereto annexed, formerly the property of Ulysses S. Grant: + + Now, therefore, to carry out a purpose formed by me, and in + consideration of $1 to me paid, I do hereby transfer and convey each and + every one of the articles mentioned and itemized in the said schedule to + Julia Dent Grant, to have and hold the same to her, her executors and + administrators, upon the trust and agreement, nevertheless, hereby + accepted and made by her, that on the death of the said Ulysses S. + Grant, or previously thereto, at her or their option, the same shall + become and be the property of the nation and shall be taken to + Washington and transferred and conveyed by her and them to the United + States of America. + + In witness whereof the said William H. Vanderbilt and Julia Dent Grant + have executed these presents, this 10th day of January, A.D. 1885. + + Sealed and delivered in presence of-- + + W.H. VANDERBILT. + JULIA DENT GRANT. + + +_Schedule of swords and medals, paintings, bronzes, portraits, +commissions and addresses, and objects of value and art presented by +various governments in the world to General Ulysses S. Grant_. + +Mexican onyx cabinet, presented to General Grant by the people of +Puebla, Mexico. + +Aerolite, part of which passed over Mexico in 1871. + +Bronze vases, presented to General Grant by the Japanese citizens of +Yokohama, Japan. + +Marble bust and pedestal, presented by workingmen of Philadelphia. + +General Grant and family, painted by Coggswell. + +Large elephant tusks, presented by the King of Siam. + +Small elephant tusks, from the Maharajah of Johore. + +Picture of General Scott, by Page, presented by gentlemen of New York. + +Crackleware bowls (very old), presented by Prince Koon, of China. + +Cloisonne jars (old), presented by Li Hung Chang. + +Chinese porcelain jars (old), presented by Prince Koon, of China. + +Arabian Bible. + +Coptic Bible, presented by Lord Napier, who captured it with King +Theodore, of Abyssinia. + +Sporting rifle. + +Sword of Donelson, presented to General Grant after the fall of Fort +Donelson, by officers of the Army, and used by him until the end of the +war. + +New York sword, voted to General Grant by the citizens of New York at +the fair held in New York. + +Sword of Chattanooga, presented to General Grant by the citizens of Jo +Daviess County, Ill. (Galena), after the battle of Chattanooga. + +Roman mug and pitcher. + +Silver menu and card, farewell dinner of San Francisco, Cal. + +Silver menu of Paris dinner. + +Horn and silver snuff box. + +Silver match box, used by General Grant. + +Gold table, modeled after the table in Mr. McLean's house on which +General R.E. Lee signed the articles of surrender. This was presented to +General Grant by ex-Confederate soldiers. + +Gold cigar case (enameled), presented by the Celestial King of Siam. + +Gold cigar case (plain), presented by the Second King of Siam. + +Gold-handled knife, presented by miners of Idaho Territory. + +Nine pieces of jade stone, presented by Prince Koon, of China. + +Silver trowel, used by General Grant in laying the corner stone of the +American Museum of Natural History, New York. + +Knife, made at Sheffield for General Grant. + +Gold pen, General Grant's. + +Embroidered picture (cock and hen), presented to General Grant by +citizens of Japan. + +Field glasses, used by General Grant during the war. + +Iron-headed cane, made from the rebel ram _Merrimac_. + +Silver-headed cane, made from wood used in the defense of Fort Sumter. + +Gold-headed cane, made out of wood from old Fort Du Quesne, Pa. + +Gold-headed cane, presented to General Grant as a tribute of regard for +his humane treatment of the soldiers and kind consideration of those who +ministered to the sick and wounded during the war. + +Gold-headed cane, used by General Lafayette, and presented to General +Grant by the ladies of Baltimore, Md. + +Carved wood cane, from the estate of Sir Walter Scott. + +Uniform as general of the United States Army. + +Fifteen buttons, cut from the coats during the war by Mrs. Grant after +the different battles. + +Hat ornament, used at Belmont. + +Hat ornament, used at Fort Donelson. + +Shoulder straps (brigadier-general), worn by General Grant at Belmont, +Fort Donelson, and Shiloh. + +Shoulder straps (lieutenant-general), cut from the coat used by General +Grant in the campaigns against Richmond and Petersburg and Lee's army. + +Shoulder straps (lieutenant-general), cut from General Grant's coat. + +Pair of shoulder straps (general), cut from a coat General Grant used +after the war. + +Medal from the American Congress (gold) for opening the Mississippi. + +Gold medal, from Philadelphia. + +Twenty-one medals (gold, silver, and bronze), badges of armies and +corps. + +Ten medals (silver and bronze), sent to General Grant at different +times. + +Fourteen medals (bronze), in memory of events. + +Silk paper (Louisville Commercial), printed for General Grant. + +Silk paper (Daily Chronicle), printed for General Grant. + +Silk paper (Burlington Hawkeye), printed for General Grant. + +Collection of coin (Japanese). This is the only complete set, except one +which is in the Japanese treasury. Seven of these pieces cost $5,000. +This set was presented by the Government of Japan. + +Warrant as cadet at West Point. + +Commission, brevet second lieutenant (missing). + +Commission, second lieutenant (missing). + +Commission, brevet first lieutenant (missing). + +Commission as first lieutenant, United States Army. + +Commission as brevet captain, United States Army. + +Commission as captain, United States Army. + +Commission as colonel of volunteers. + +Commission as brigadier-general. + +Commission as major-general. + +Commission as major-general, United States Army. + +Commission as lieutenant-general, United States Army. + +Commission as general, United States Army. + +Commission as honorary member of M.L.A., San Francisco. + +Commission as member of Sacramento Society of Pioneers. + +Commission as honorary member Royal Historical Society. + +Commission as Military Order of Loyal Legion. + +Commission as member of the Aztec Club. + +Certificate of election President of the United States. + +Certificate of reelection President of the United States. + +Certificate of honorary membership Territorial Pioneers of California. + +Certificate of honorary membership St. Andrew's Society. + +Certificate of election LL. D., Harvard College. + +Certificate of election honorary membership of the Sacramento Society. + +Certificate of Pioneers of California. + +Certificate of election honorary member Mercantile Library, San +Francisco. + +Freedom of the city of Dublin, Ireland. + +Freedom of the city of Stratford-on-Avon. + +Freedom of the city of London, England. + +Freedom of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. + +Freedom of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. + +Freedom of the city of Ayr, Scotland. + +Freedom of the burgh of Inverness, Scotland. + +Freedom of the city of Oakland, America. + +Freedom of the city of San Francisco, America. + +Freedom of the city of Londonderry, Ireland. + +The freedom of many other cities. + +Address to General Grant from the Chamber of Commerce, +Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1877. + +Address to General Grant from the mayor, aldermen, and citizens of the +city of Manchester, England, May 13, 1877. + +Address to General Grant by the workingmen of Birmingham, England, +October 16, 1877. + +Address to General Grant from the Chamber of Commerce and Board of +Trade, San Francisco, Cal., September, 1879. + +Address to General Grant by mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the +borough of Gateshead, England. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, magistrates, aldermen, +and councilors of the borough of Leicester, England. + +Address to General Grant by the Americans of Shanghai, China, May 19, +1879. + +Address to General Grant by the Calumet Club, of Chicago, Ill. + +Address to General Grant from the Society of Friends in Great Britain. + +Address to General Grant from Chamber of Commerce of Penang. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the +borough of Southampton, England. + +Address to General Grant by the provost, magistrates, and town council +of the royal borough of Stirling. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of +Tynemouth, England. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor and town council of Sunderland. + +Address to General Grant by the trade and friendly societies of +Sunderland. + +Address to General Grant by the public schools of Louisville, Ky. + +Address to General Grant by the colored men of Louisville, Ky. + +Address to General Grant by ex-Confederate soldiers. + +Address to General Grant by the State of Louisiana. + +Address to General Grant by the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade +of San Francisco, Cal. + +Address to General Grant by the British workmen of London, England. + +Address to General Grant by the North Shields Shipowners' Society, +England. + +Address to General Grant by the Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield, England. + +Address to General Grant from mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of borough +of Royal Leamington Spa, England. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of +Sheffield, England. + +Address to General Grant by wardens, etc., and commonalty of the town of +Sheffield, England. + +Address to General Grant from the provost, magistrates, and town council +of the city and royal burgh of Elgin, Scotland. + +Address to General Grant from the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the +borough of Folkestone, England. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the +borough of Jarrow, England. + +Address to General Grant by the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of +Gateshead, England. + +Address to General Grant from the Carpenters' Company. + +Address to General Grant from the citizens of Cincinnati, congratulating +him on his second election as President of the United States. + +Address to General Grant from the citizens of Nagasaki, Japan. + +Resolutions of the Territorial Pioneers, admitting General Grant to +membership. + +Resolution of the Caledonian Club, of San Francisco, enrolling General +Grant as an honorary member. + +Resolutions of the citizens of Jo Daviess County, presenting a sword to +General Grant (sword of Chattanooga). + +Resolutions of the Washington Camp, of Brooklyn, Long Island. + +First resolutions of thanks of the Congress of the United States. + +First resolutions inviting General Grant to visit the house of +representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. + +Second resolutions of thanks from the Congress of the United States. + +Letter from citizens of Jersey City thanking General Grant for his Des +Moines, Iowa, speech on the question of public schools. + +Presentation of a silver medal by the Union League Club, of +Philadelphia, for gallantry and distinguished services. + +Vote of thanks by Congress to General U.S. Grant, etc. + +Other resolutions, addresses, votes of thanks, and freedom of cities. + + + +640 FIFTH AVENUE, _January 20, 1885_. + +His Excellency CHESTER A. ARTHUR, + +_President of the United States_. + + +DEAR SIR: I purchased the articles of historical interest belonging +to General Grant and gave them to Mrs. Grant in trust to hold during +the lifetime of the General, and at his death, or sooner, at her +option, they to become the property of the Government. They consist of +his swords, memorials of his victories from the United States, States, +and cities, and tributes to his fame and achievements from governments +all over the world. In their proper place at Washington they will +always be secure and will afford pleasure and instruction to succeeding +generations. This trust has been accepted by Mrs. Grant, and the +disposition of the articles is in conformity to the wishes of the +General. I transmit to you herewith the deed of trust. Mrs. Grant +informs me that she prefers to close the trust at once and send the +memorials to Washington. May I ask, therefore, that you will designate +some official, representing the proper Department, to receive them, and +direct him to notify Mrs. Grant of the arrangements necessary to perfect +the transfer and deposit in such of the Government buildings as may be +most suitable? + +Yours, respectfully, + +W.H. VANDERBILT. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 5, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of State, +relative to the Japanese Government's offer to donate a valuable piece +of land to the United States in fee simple for legation purposes, and +earnestly recommend that the Executive may be immediately authorized to +accept the gift in the name of the United States and to tender to his +Imperial Japanese Majesty's Government a suitable expression of this +Government's thanks for the generosity which prompted the presentation +of so desirable a site of ground. + +I deem it unnecessary to enlarge upon the statement of the Secretary of +State. I feel certain, however, that a perusal of his communication will +at once commend itself to the favorable attention of Congress, and doubt +not that the necessary authorization of Congress will be immediately +given for the acceptance of the gift, as well as insure early action +looking to the erection on the premises of suitable public buildings for +the use of the legation of the United States at Tokyo. This step can not +but be favorable to the United States in every honorable way, while the +disinterested motives of a friendly foreign government deserve from us +a proper and just recognition. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 11, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +In compliance with the act of Congress approved January 16, 1883, +entitled "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United +States," the Civil Service Commission has made to the President its +second annual report. + +That report is herewith transmitted. + +The Commission is in the second year of its existence. The President +congratulates the country upon the success of its labors, commends the +subject to the favorable consideration of Congress, and asks for an +appropriation to continue the work. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 12, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a copy of the report of the board of management of +the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, dated February +2, 1885, requesting an additional appropriation to extinguish a deficit +in its accounts, and asking authority to reopen the exhibition during +the winter of 1885-86. + +A failure on the part of the management to carry out the original intent +in regard to the exposition might reflect upon the honor of the United +States Government, since twenty-one foreign nations and forty-six States +and Territories have joined in the enterprise through faith in the +sanction of the Government. In view of this fact and in consideration +of the value of the exposition to the cause of material progress and +general education, I respectfully submit the report mentioned for the +favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 13, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I herewith transmit, as desired by the act of Congress approved July 7, +1884, a letter from the Secretary of State, with accompanying report +from the Central and South American commissioners. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th +of January, 1885, calling for certain correspondence concerning the +transactions of the late French and American Commission, I transmit +herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 16th instant, in +relation to the subject. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +WASHINGTON, _February 17, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +Referring your honorable body to the message of December 1, 1884, by +which I transmitted to the Senate, with a view to ratification, a treaty +negotiated with Belgium touching the succession to and acquirement of +real property, etc., by the citizens or subjects of the one Government +in the domain of the other, I now address you in order to recall the +treaty thus transmitted for reexamination. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 17, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +Referring to my message of the 13th instant, concerning the report of +the Central and South American commissioners, I have the honor to inform +the Senate that the report therein stated as accompanying the message +was transmitted with a like message to the House of Representatives. + +A note of explanation to this effect was inadvertently omitted from the +former message. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 19, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 19th +instant, recommending the enactment of a law for the protection of +submarine cables in pursuance of our treaty obligations under the +international convention in relation to the subject signed at Paris +on the 14th day of March, 1884. + +I commend the matter to the favorable consideration of Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 19, 1885_. + +_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith a communication of the 16th instant from the +Secretary of the Interior, submitting, with accompanying papers, a draft +of a bill "to accept and ratify an agreement with the confederated +tribes and bands of Indians occupying the Yakima Reservation in the +Territory of Washington for the extinguishment of their title to so much +of said reservation as is required for the use of the Northern Pacific +Railroad, and to make the necessary appropriation for carrying out the +same." + +The matter is presented for the consideration and action of the Congress. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 19, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +I transmit herewith, in response to a resolution of the House of +Representatives of the 5th instant, requesting copies of all the +communications which have been received respecting the Kongo conference, +and especially copies of the text of the commissions or powers sent by +this Government to each of the three American plenipotentiaries or +agents, a report of the Secretary of State. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 19, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +With reference to my communication of the 27th ultimo, transmitting to +the House of Representatives a preliminary report of the Secretary of +State, dated the 26th of January, 1885, in response to the resolution +of the House of the 9th of January, 1885, calling for copies of the +accounts and vouchers of the disbursing officers of the French-American +Claims Commission and containing other information in relation to the +transactions of said commission, I now transmit herewith a further +report on the subject by the Secretary of State, dated the 17th instant, +which is accompanied by the desired copies of the accounts and vouchers +in question. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 25, 1885_. + +_To the House of Representatives:_ + +In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 13th +instant, requesting me to inform that body, if not incompatible with +the public interest, what were the reasons which moved me to appoint +commissioners to examine and report upon the California and Oregon +Railroad from Reading northwardly, I transmit herewith a communication +on that subject addressed to me on the 24th instant by the Secretary of +the Interior, setting forth the practice under which my action was +taken. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 26, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit to the Senate, for its consideration with a view to +ratification, a provisional article of agreement modifying the latter +clause of Article XXVI of the pending commercial treaty between the +United States and Spain, concluded November 18, 1884, so as to extend +the time for the approval of the laws necessary to carry the said treaty +into operation if ratified. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, D.C., February 26, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view +to ratification, an additional article, signed by the Secretary of +State and the minister of Mexico here, on behalf of their respective +Governments, the 25th instant, providing for the extension of the time +for the approval of the necessary legislation in order to carry into +effect the commercial reciprocity treaty between the United States and +Mexico of January 20, 1883. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, February 28, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +Referring to my message to the Senate of the 25th instant, by which I +transmitted, with a view to ratification, an additional article to the +commercial treaty with Spain concluded November 18, 1884, I now have the +honor to request the return of that instrument. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, March 2, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I herewith transmit to the Senate, with a view to examination and +sanction by that body, a treaty signed in this city to-day by the +Secretary of State and the Spanish minister, consisting of four +supplementary articles amendatory of the commercial treaty of November +18, 1884, between the United States and Spain, which is now pending in +the Senate. The accompanying report of the Secretary of State recites +the particulars of the modifications which have been made in deference +to the representations made on behalf of important commercial interests +of the United States, whereby it is believed all well-founded objections +on their part to the ratification of that treaty are obviated. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 2, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I transmit herewith, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to +its ratification, a convention concluded February 20, 1885, between the +United States of America and the United States of Mexico, for the +extradition of criminals. A report of the Secretary of State, touching +the negotiation of the convention, is also transmitted. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1885_. + +_To the Senate of the United States:_ + +I nominate Ulysses S. Grant, formerly commanding the armies of the +United States, to be general on the retired list of the Army, with the +full pay of such rank. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + +PROCLAMATIONS. + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas the treaty concluded between the United States of America +and Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, concluded at +Washington on the 8th day of May, 1871, contains among other articles +the following, viz: + + ARTICLE XVIII. + + It is agreed by the high contracting parties that, in addition to + the liberty secured to the United States fishermen by the convention + between the United States and Great Britain signed at London on the + 20th day of October, 1818, of taking, curing, and drying fish on + certain coasts of the British North American colonies therein defined, + the inhabitants of the United States shall have, in common with the + subjects of Her Britannic Majesty, the liberty, for the term of years + mentioned in Article XXXIII of this treaty, to take fish of every + kind, except shellfish, on the seacoasts and shores and in the bays, + harbors, and creeks of the Provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New + Brunswick, and the colony of Prince Edwards Island, and of the several + islands thereunto adjacent, without being restricted to any distance + from the shore, with permission to land upon the said coasts and + shores and islands, and also upon the Magdalen Islands, for the + purpose of drying their nets and curing their fish; provided that in + so doing they do not interfere with the rights of private property or + with British fishermen in the peaceable use of any part of the said + coasts in their occupancy for the same purpose. + + It is understood that the above-mentioned liberty applies solely to + the sea fishery, and that the salmon and shad fisheries, and all other + fisheries in rivers and the mouths of rivers, are hereby reserved + exclusively for British fishermen. + + ARTICLE XIX. + + It is agreed by the high contracting parties that British subjects + shall have, in common with the citizens of the United States, the + liberty, for the term of years mentioned in Article XXXIII of this + treaty, to take fish of every kind, except shellfish, on the eastern + seacoasts and shores of the United States north of the thirty-ninth + parallel of north latitude, and on the shores of the several islands + thereunto adjacent, and in the bays, harbors, and creeks of the said + seacoasts and shores of the United States and of the said islands, + without being restricted to any distance from the shore, with + permission to land upon the said coasts of the United States and of + the islands aforesaid, for the purpose of drying their nets and curing + their fish; provided that in so doing they do not interfere with the + rights of private property or with the fishermen of the United States + in the peaceable use of any part of the said coasts in their occupancy + for the same purpose. + + It is understood that the above-mentioned liberty applies solely to + the sea fishery; and that salmon and shad fisheries, and all other + fisheries in rivers and mouths of rivers, are hereby reserved + exclusively for fishermen of the United States. + + ARTICLE XX. + + It is agreed that the places designated by the commissioners appointed + under the first article of the treaty between the United States and + Great Britain concluded at Washington on the 5th of June, 1854, upon + the coasts of Her Britannic Majesty's dominions and the United States, + as places reserved from the common right of fishing under that treaty, + shall be regarded as in like manner reserved from the common right of + fishing under the preceding articles. In case any question should + arise between the Governments of the United States and of Her + Britannic Majesty as to the common right of fishing in places not thus + designated as reserved, it is agreed that a commission shall be + appointed to designate such places, and shall be constituted in the + same manner and have the same powers, duties, and authority as the + commission appointed under the said first article of the treaty of the + 5th of June, 1854. + + ARTICLE XXI. + + It is agreed that for the term of years mentioned in Article XXXIII of + this treaty fish oil and fish of all kinds (except fish of the inland + lakes and of the rivers falling into them, and except fish preserved + in oil), being the produce of the fisheries of the United States, or + of the Dominion of Canada, or of Prince Edwards Island, shall be + admitted into each country, respectively, free of duty. + + ARTICLE XXII. + + Inasmuch as it is asserted by the Government of Her Britannic Majesty + that the privileges accorded to the citizens of the United States + under Article XVIII of this treaty are of greater value than those + accorded by Articles XIX and XXI of this treaty to the subjects of Her + Britannic Majesty, and this assertion is not admitted by the + Government of the United States, it is further agreed that + commissioners shall be appointed to determine, having regard to the + privileges accorded by the United States to the subjects of Her + Britannic Majesty, as stated in Articles XIX and XXI of this treaty, + the amount of any compensation which in their opinion ought to be paid + by the Government of the United States to the Government of Her + Britannic Majesty in return for the privileges accorded to the + citizens of the United States under Article XVIII of this treaty; and + that any sum of money which the said commissioners may so award shall + be paid by the United States Government, in a gross sum, within twelve + months after such award shall have been given. + + ARTICLE XXIII. + + The commissioners referred to in the preceding article shall be + appointed in the following manner; that is to say: One commissioner + shall be named by the President of the United States, one by Her + Britannic Majesty, and a third by the President of the United States + and Her Britannic Majesty conjointly; and in case the third + commissioner shall not have been so named within a period of three + months from the date when this article shall take effect, then the + third commissioner shall be named by the representative at London of + His Majesty the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. In case of the + death, absence, or incapacity of any commissioner, or in the event of + any commissioner omitting or ceasing to act, the vacancy shall be + filled in the manner hereinbefore provided for making the original + appointment, the period of three months in case of such substitution + being calculated from the date of the happening of the vacancy. + + The commissioners so named shall meet in the city of Halifax, in the + Province of Nova Scotia, at the earliest convenient period after they + have been respectively named, and shall before proceeding to any + business make and subscribe a solemn declaration that they will + impartially and carefully examine and decide the matters referred + to them to the best of their judgment and according to justice and + equity; and such declaration shall be entered on the record of their + proceedings. + + Each of the high contracting parties shall also name one person to + attend the commission as its agent, to represent it generally in all + matters connected with the commission. + + ARTICLE XXIV. + + The proceedings shall be conducted in such order as the commissioners + appointed under Articles XXII and XXIII of this treaty shall + determine. They shall be bound to receive such oral or written + testimony as either Government may present. If either party shall + offer oral testimony, the other party shall have the right of + cross-examination, under such rules as the commissioners shall + prescribe. + + If in the case submitted to the commissioners either party shall have + specified or alluded to any report or document in its own exclusive + possession, without annexing a copy, such party shall be bound, if the + other party thinks proper to apply for it, to furnish that party with + a copy thereof; and either party may call upon the other, through the + commissioners, to produce the originals or certified copies of any + papers adduced as evidence, giving in each instance such reasonable + notice as the commissioners may require. + + The case on either side shall be closed within a period of six + months from the date of the organization of the commission, and + the commissioners shall be requested to give their award as soon + as possible thereafter. The aforesaid period of six months may be + extended for three months in case of a vacancy occurring among the + commissioners under the circumstances contemplated in Article XXIII + of this treaty. + + ARTICLE XXV. + + The commissioners shall keep an accurate record and correct minutes + or notes of all their proceedings, with the dates thereof, and may + appoint and employ a secretary and any other necessary officer or + officers to assist them in the transaction of the business which may + come before them. + + Each of the high contracting parties shall pay its own commissioner + and agent or counsel; all other expenses shall be defrayed by the two + Governments in equal moieties. + + ARTICLE XXX. + + It is agreed that for the term of years mentioned in Article XXXIII of + this treaty subjects of Her Britannic Majesty may carry in British + vessels, without payment of duty, goods, wares, or merchandise from + one port or place within the territory of the United States upon the + St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the rivers connecting the same, to + another port or place within the territory of the United States as + aforesaid: _Provided_, That a portion of such transportation is + made through the Dominion of Canada by land carriage and in bond, + under such rules and regulations as may be agreed upon between the + Government of Her Britannic Majesty and the Government of the United + States. + + Citizens of the United States may for the like period carry in United + States vessels, without payment of duty, goods, wares, or merchandise + from one port or place within the possessions of Her Britannic Majesty + in North America to another port or place within the said possessions: + _Provided_, That a portion of such transportation is made through + the territory of the United States by land carriage and in bond, under + such rules and regulations as may be agreed upon between the + Government of the United States and the Government of Her Britannic + Majesty. + + The Government of the United States further engages not to impose + any export duties on goods, wares, or merchandise carried under this + article through the territory of the United States; and Her Majesty's + Government engages to urge the parliament of the Dominion of Canada + and the legislatures of the other colonies not to impose any export + duties on goods, wares, or merchandise carried under this article; and + the Government of the United States may, in case such export duties + are imposed by the Dominion of Canada, suspend during the period that + such duties are imposed the right of carrying granted under this + article in favor of the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty. + + The Government of the United States may suspend the right of carrying + granted in favor of the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty under this + article in case the Dominion of Canada should at any time deprive the + citizens of the United States of the use of the canals in the said + Dominion on terms of equality with the inhabitants of the Dominion, + as provided in Article XXVII. + + ARTICLE XXXII. + + It is further agreed that the provisions and stipulations of Articles + XVIII to XXV of this treaty, inclusive, shall extend to the colony + of Newfoundland, so far as they are applicable. But if the Imperial + Parliament, the legislature of Newfoundland, or the Congress of the + United States shall not embrace the colony of Newfoundland in their + laws enacted for carrying the foregoing articles into effect, then + this article shall be of no effect; but the omission to make provision + by law to give it effect by either of the legislative bodies aforesaid + shall not in any way impair any other articles of this treaty. + + And whereas, pursuant to the provisions of Article XXXIII of said + treaty, due notice has been given to the Government of Her Britannic + Majesty of the intention of the Government of the United States of + America to terminate the above-recited articles of the treaty in + question on the 1st day of July, 1885; and + + +Whereas, pursuant to the terms of said treaty and of the notice given +thereunder by the Government of the United States of America to that +of Her Britannic Majesty, the above-recited articles of the treaty of +Washington, concluded May 8, 1871, will expire and terminate on the +1st day of July, 1885: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of +America, do hereby give public notice that Articles XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, +XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXX, and XXXII of the treaty of Washington, +concluded May 8, 1871, will expire and terminate on the 1st day of July, +1885, and all citizens of the United States are hereby warned that none +of the privileges secured by the above-recited articles of the treaty in +question will exist after the 1st day of July next. All American +fishermen should govern themselves accordingly. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 31st day of January, A.D. 1885, and +of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and +ninth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas satisfactory evidence has been received by me that upon vessels +of the United States arriving in ports of the Province of Ontario, in +the Dominion of Canada, or arriving at any port in the island of +Monserrat, in the West Indies, or at Panama or Aspinwall, United States +of Colombia, or at the ports of San Juan and Mayaguez, in the island of +Puerto Rico, no duty is imposed by the ton as tonnage tax or as light +money, and that no other equivalent tax on vessels of the United States +is imposed at said ports by the governments to which said ports are +immediately subject; and + +Whereas by the provisions of section 14 of an act approved June 26, +1884, "to remove certain burdens on the American merchant marine and +encourage the American foreign carrying trade, and for other purposes," +the President of the United States is authorized to suspend the +collection in ports of the United States from vessels arriving from any +port in the Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland, the Bahama Islands, the +Bermuda Islands, the West India Islands, Mexico, and Central America +down to and including Aspinwall and Panama of so much of the duty at +the rate of 3 cents per ton as may be in excess of the tonnage and +light-house dues, or other equivalent tax or taxes, imposed on American +vessels by the government of the foreign country in which such port +is situated: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of +America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the act and section +hereinbefore mentioned, do hereby declare and proclaim that on and after +the first Tuesday in February, 1885, the collection of said tonnage duty +of 3 cents per ton shall be suspended as regards all vessels arriving in +any port of the United States from any port in the Province of Ontario, +in the Dominion of Canada, or from a port in the island of Monserrat, in +the West Indies, or from the ports of Panama and Aspinwall, or the ports +of San Juan and Mayaguez, in the island of Puerto Rico. + +In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 31st day of January, 1885, and of +the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and +ninth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas satisfactory evidence has been received by me that upon +vessels of the United States arriving at the port of San Juan del Norte +(Greytown), Nicaragua, no duty is imposed by the ton as tonnage tax or +as light money, and that no other equivalent tax on vessels of the +United States is imposed at said port by the Government of Nicaragua; +and + +Whereas, by the provisions of section 14 of an act approved June 26, +1884, "to remove certain burdens on the American merchant marine and +encourage the American foreign carrying trade, and for other purposes," +the President of the United States is authorized to suspend the +collection in ports of the United States from vessels arriving from any +port in the Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland, the Bahama Islands, the +Bermuda Islands, the West India Islands, Mexico, and Central America +down to and including Aspinwall and Panama of so much of the duty +at the rate of 3 cents per ton as may be in excess of the tonnage and +light-house dues, or other equivalent tax or taxes, imposed on American +vessels by the government of the foreign country in which such port is +situated: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States of +America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the act and section +hereinbefore mentioned, do hereby declare and proclaim that on and after +the first Tuesday in March, 1885, the collection of said tonnage duty of +3 cents per ton shall be suspended as regards all vessels arriving in +any port of the United States from the port of San Juan del Norte +(Greytown), Nicaragua. + +In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of +the United States to be affixed. + +Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of February, 1885, and of +the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and +ninth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + +BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + +A PROCLAMATION. + +Whereas objects of interest to the United States require that the Senate +should be convened at 12 o'clock on the 4th day of March next to receive +and act upon such communications as may be made to it on the part of the +Executive: + +Now, therefore, I, Chester A. Arthur, President of the United States, +have considered it to be my duty to issue this my proclamation, +declaring that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the +United States to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, +in the city of Washington, on the 4th day of March next, at 12 o'clock +at noon on that day, of which all who shall at that time be entitled to +act as members of that body are hereby required to take notice. + +Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, +the 27th day of February, A.D. 1885, and of the Independence of the +United States of America the one hundred and ninth. + +[SEAL.] + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + +By the President: + FREDK. T. FRELINGHUYSEN, + _Secretary of State_. + + + + +EXECUTIVE ORDERS. + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rules for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service are hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + + RULE V. + + There shall be three branches of the service classified under the + civil-service act (not including laborers or workmen or officers + required to be confirmed by the Senate), as follows: + + 1. Those classified in the Departments at Washington shall be designated + "The classified departmental service." + + 2. Those classified under any collector, naval officer, surveyor, or + appraiser in any customs district shall be designated "The classified + customs service." + + 3. Those classified under any postmaster at any post-office, including + that at Washington, shall be designated "The classified postal service." + + 4. The classified customs service shall embrace the several customs + districts where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: + New York City, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Francisco, + Cal.; Baltimore, Md.; New Orleans, La.; Chicago, Ill.; Burlington, Vt.; + Portland, Me.; Detroit, Mich.; Port Huron, Mich. + + 5. The classified postal service shall embrace the several post-offices + where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: Albany, + N.Y.; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; + Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; + Indianapolis, Ind.; Jersey City, N.J.; Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, + Ky.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Newark, N.J.; New Orleans, + La.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Pittsburg, Pa.; Providence, + R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; St. Paul, Minn.; San Francisco, + Cal.; Washington, D.C. + + RULE VII. + + 1. The general examinations under the first clause of Rule VI for + admission to the service shall be limited to the following subjects: + (1) Orthography, penmanship, and copying; (2) arithmetic--fundamental + rules, fractions, and percentage; (3) interest, discount, and elements + of bookkeeping and of accounts; (4) elements of the English language, + letter writing, and the proper construction of sentences; (5) elements + of the geography, history, and government of the United States. + + 2. Proficiency in any subject upon which an examination shall be held + shall be credited in grading the standing of the persons examined in + proportion to the value of a knowledge of such subject in the branch or + part of the service which the applicant seeks to enter. + + 3. No one shall be entitled to be certified for appointment whose + standing upon a just grading in the general examination shall be less + than 65 per cent of complete proficiency in the first three subjects + mentioned in this rule, and that measure of proficiency shall be deemed + adequate. + + 4. For places in which a lower degree of education will suffice the + Commission may limit the examinations to less than the five subjects + above mentioned; but no person shall be certified for appointment under + this clause whose grading shall be less than an average of 65 per cent + on such of the first three subjects or parts thereof as the examination + may embrace. + + 5. The Commission may also order examinations upon other subjects + of a technical or special character to test the capacity which may be + needed in any part of the classified service which requires peculiar + information or skill. Examinations hereunder may be competitive or + noncompetitive, and the maximum limitations of age contained in the + twelfth rule shall not apply to applicants for the same. The application + for and notice of these special examinations, the records thereof, + and the certification of those found competent shall be such as the + Commission may provide for. After consulting the head of any Department + or office the Commission may from time to time designate, subject to the + approval of the President, the positions therein for which applicants + may be required to pass the special examination. + + RULE XI. + + 1. Every application, in order to entitle the applicant to appear for + examination or to be examined, must state under oath the facts on the + following subjects: (1) Full name, residence, and post-office address; + (2) citizenship; (3) age; (4) place of birth; (5) health and physical + capacity for the public service; (6) right of preference by reason + of military or naval service; (7) previous employment in the public + service; (8) business or employment and residence for the previous five + years; (9) education. Such other information shall be furnished as the + Commission may reasonably require touching the applicant's fitness for + the public service. The applicant must also state the number of members + of his family in the public service and where employed, and must also + assert that he is not disqualified under section 8 of the civil-service + act, which is as follows: + + "That no person habitually using intoxicating beverages to excess shall + be appointed to or retained in any office, appointment, or employment to + which the provisions of this act are applicable." + + No person dismissed from the public service for misconduct shall be + admitted to examination within two years thereafter. + + 2. No person under enlistment in the Army or Navy of the United States + shall be examined under these rules except for some place in the + Department under which he is enlisted requiring special qualifications, + and with the consent in writing of the head of such Department. + + 3. The Commission may by regulations, subject to change at any time + by the President, declare the kind and measure of ill health, physical + incapacity, misrepresentation, and bad faith which may properly exclude + any person from the right of examination, grading, or certification + under these rules. It may also provide for medical certificates of + physical capacity in the following cases, and for the appropriate + certification of persons so defective in sight, speech, hearing, or + otherwise as to be apparently disqualified for some of the duties of + the part of the service which they seek to enter. + + RULE XVI. + + 1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment + shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or + the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be + taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his + branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to any + right of preference and to the apportionment of appointments to States + and Territories; and from the said four a selection shall be made for + the vacancy. But if a person is on both a general and special register + he need be certified from the former only, at the discretion of the + Commission, until he has remained two months upon the latter. + + 2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made + in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the + original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the + District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at the + last preceding census. + + 3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or + regulation shall call for those of either sex, persons of that sex shall + be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such certification. + + 4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than four times + to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more than twice + to any Department at Washington, unless upon request of the appointing + officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one year upon any + register; but these restrictions shall not extend to examinations under + clause 5 of Rule VII. No person while remaining eligible on any register + shall be admitted to a new examination, and no person having failed upon + any examination shall within six months thereafter be admitted to + another examination without the consent of the Commission. + + 5. Any person appointed to or employed in any part of the classified + service, after due certification for the same under these rules, who + shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without cause or delinquency + on his part may be reappointed or reemployed in the same part or grade + of such service at the same office, within eight months next following + such dismissal or separation, without further examination. + + RULE XVII. + + 1. Every original appointment or employment in said classified service + shall be for the probationary period of six months, at the end of which + time, if the conduct and capacity of the person appointed have been + found satisfactory, the probationer shall be absolutely appointed or + employed, but otherwise be deemed out of the service. + + 2. Every officer under whom any probationer shall serve during any part + of the probation provided for by these rules shall carefully observe the + quality and value of the service rendered by such probationer, and shall + report to the proper appointing officer, in writing, the facts observed + by him, showing the character and qualifications of such probationer and + of the service performed by him; and such report shall be preserved on + file. + + 3. Every false statement knowingly made by any person in his application + for examination, and every connivance by him at any false statement made + in any certificate which may accompany his application, and every + deception or fraud practiced by him or by any person in his behalf and + with his knowledge to influence his examination, certification, or + appointment, shall be regarded as good cause for the removal or + discharge of such person during his probation or thereafter. + + RULE XXI. + + 1. No person, unless excepted under Rule XIX, shall be admitted into the + classified civil service from any place not within said service without + an examination and certification under the rules; nor shall any person + who has passed only a limited examination under clause 4 of Rule VII for + the lower classes or grades in the departmental or customs service be + appointed, or be promoted within two years after appointment, to any + position giving a salary of $1,000 or upward without first passing an + examination under clause I of said rule; and such examination shall not + be allowed within the first year after appointment. + + 2. But a person who has passed the examination under said clause I and + has accepted a position giving a salary of $900 or less shall have the + same right of promotion as if originally appointed to a position giving + a salary of $1,000 or more. + + 3. The Commission may at any time certify for a $900 or any lower place + in the classified service any person upon the register who has passed + the examination under clause I of Rule VII, if such person does not + object before such certification is made. + + RULE XXII. + + Any person who has been in the classified departmental service for one + year or more immediately previous may, when the needs of the service + require it, be transferred or appointed to any other place therein upon + producing a certificate from the Civil Service Commission that such + person has passed at the required grade one or more examinations which + are together equal to that necessary for original entrance to the place + which would be secured by the transfer or appointment. + + RULE XXIII. + + The Civil Service Commission will make appropriate regulations for + carrying these rules into effect. + + RULE XXIV. + + Every violation by any officer in the executive civil service of these + rules, or of the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, or fourteenth sections + of the civil-service act, relating to political assessments, shall be + good cause for removal. + + +Approved, December 5, 1884. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rules for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service are hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + + RULE V. + + There shall be three branches of the service classified under the + civil-service act (not including laborers or workmen or officers + required to be confirmed by the Senate), as follows: + + 1. Those classified in the Departments at Washington shall be designated + "The classified departmental service." + + 2. Those classified under any collector, naval officer, surveyor, or + appraiser in any customs district shall be designated "The classified + customs service." + + 3. Those classified under any postmaster at any post-office, including + that at Washington, shall be designated "The classified postal service." + + 4. The classified customs service shall embrace the several customs + districts where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: + New York City, N.Y.; Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa.; San Francisco, + Cal.; Baltimore, Md.; New Orleans, La.; Chicago, Ill.; Burlington, Vt.; + Portland, Me.; Detroit, Mich.; Port Huron, Mich. + + 5. The classified postal service shall embrace the several post-offices + where the officials are as many as fifty, now the following: Albany, + N.Y.; Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; + Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; + Indianapolis, Ind.; Jersey City, N.J.; Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, + Ky.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Newark, N.J.; New Haven, + Conn.; New Orleans, La.; New York City, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; + Pittsburg, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Rochester, N.Y.; St. Louis, Mo.; + St. Paul, Minn.; San Francisco, Cal.; Washington, D.C. + + 6. Whenever within the meaning of said act the clerks and persons + employed by the collector, naval officer, surveyor, and appraisers, or + either of them, in any customs district shall be as many as fifty, any + existing classification for the customs service shall apply thereto, and + when the number of clerks and persons employed at any post-office shall + be as many as fifty any existing classification of those in the postal + service shall apply thereto; and thereafter the Commission will provide + for examinations for filling the vacancies at said offices, and the + rules will be applicable thereto. + + RULE XIII + + 1. The date of the reception of all regular applications for the + classified departmental service shall be entered of record by the + Commission, and of all other regular applications by the proper + examining boards of the district or office for which they are made; and + applicants, when in excess of the number that can be examined at a + single examination, shall, subject to the needs of apportionment, be + notified to appear in their order on the respective records. But any + applicants in the several States and Territories for appointment in the + classified departmental service may be notified to appear for + examination at any place at which an examination is to be held, whether + in any State or Territory or in Washington, which shall be deemed most + convenient for them. + + 2. The Commission is authorized, in aid of the apportionment among the + States and Territories, to hold examinations at places convenient for + applicants from different States and Territories, or for those + examination districts which it may designate and which the President + shall approve. + + 3. The Commission may by regulation provide for dropping from any record + the applicants whose names have remained thereon for six months or more + without having been reached in due course for notification to be + examined. + + RULE XVI. + + 1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment + shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or + the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be + taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his + branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to any + right of preference and to the apportionment of appointments to States + and Territories; and from the said four a selection shall be made for + the vacancy. But if a person is on both a general and a special register + he need be certified from the former only, at the discretion of the + Commission, until he has remained two months upon the latter. + + 2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made + in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the + original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the + District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at + the last preceding census. + + 3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or + regulation shall call for those of either sex, persons of that sex shall + be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such certification. + + 4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than four times + to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more than three + times to any Department at Washington, unless upon request of the + appointing officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one + year upon any register; but these restrictions shall not extend to + examinations under clause 5 of Rule VII. No person while remaining + eligible on any register shall be admitted to a new examination, and + no person having failed upon any examination shall within six months + thereafter be admitted to another examination without the consent of + the Commission. + + 5. Any person appointed to or employed in any part of the classified + service, after due certification for the same under these rules, who + shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without fault or delinquency + on his part, may be reappointed or reemployed in the same part or grade + of such service in the same Department or office within one year next + following such dismissal or separation, without further examination, + on such certification as the Commission may provide. + +Approved, January 24, 1885. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service is hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + + RULE XVI. + + 1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment + shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or + the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be + taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his + branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to any + right of preference and to the apportionment of appointments to States + and Territories; and from the said four a selection shall be made for + the vacancy. But if a person is on both a general and a special register + he need be certified from the former only, at the discretion of the + Commission, until he has remained two months upon the latter. + + 2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made + in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the + original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the + District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at the + last preceding census. + + 3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or + regulation shall call for those of either sex, persons of that sex shall + be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such certification. + + 4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than four times + to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more than three + times to any Department at Washington, unless upon request of the + appointing officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one + year upon any register; but these restrictions shall not extend to + examinations under clause 5 of Rule VII. No person while remaining + eligible on any register shall be admitted to a new examination, and + no person having failed upon any examination shall within six months + thereafter be admitted to another examination without the consent of + the Commission. + + 5. Any person appointed to or employed in any part of the classified + service, after due certification for the same under these rules, who + shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without fault or delinquency + on his part, may be reappointed or reemployed in the same part or grade + of such service in the same Department or office within one year next + following such dismissal or separation, without further examination, + on such certification as the Commission may provide. + + +Approved, February 11, 1885. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 11, 1885_. + +Under the provisions of section 4 of the act of Congress approved March +3, 1883, it is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, +the Department of Agriculture, and the Government Printing Office be +closed on Saturday, the 21st instant, to enable the employees to +participate in the ceremonies attending the dedication of the Washington +Monument. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +TREASURY DEPARTMENT, + +OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, + +_Washington, D.C., February 26, 1885_. + +Attention is called to the following section of the act of May 17, 1884, +entitled "An act providing a civil government for Alaska:" + +"SEC. 14. That the provisions of chapter 3, Title XXIII, of the Revised +Statutes of the United States, relating to the unorganized Territory of +Alaska, shall remain in full force except as herein specially otherwise +provided; and the importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating +liquors in said district, except for medicinal, mechanical, and +scientific purposes, is hereby prohibited under the penalties which are +provided in section 1955 of the Revised Statutes for the wrongful +importation of distilled spirits; and the President of the United States +shall make such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions +of this section." + +To enforce this section of law the following regulations are prescribed: + +No intoxicating liquors shall be landed at any port or place in said +Territory without a permit from the chief officer of the customs at such +port or place, to be issued upon evidence satisfactory to such officer +that the liquors are imported and are to be used solely for medicinal, +mechanical, and scientific purposes. + +No person shall manufacture or sell intoxicating liquors within the +Territory of Alaska without first having obtained a license from the +governor of said Territory, to be issued upon evidence satisfactory to +that officer that the making and sale of such liquor will be conducted +strictly in accordance with the requirements of the statute. + +Any intoxicating liquors imported, manufactured, or sold within the +limits of said Territory in violation of these regulations, and the +persons engaged in such violation, will be dealt with in the manner +prescribed in section 1955 of the Revised Statutes; and the governor of +Alaska and the officers of the customs at any port or place in the +United States from which intoxicating liquors may be shipped to that +Territory, as well as officers of the United States within that +Territory, are hereby authorized respectively to exact, in their +discretion, a bond of the character mentioned in section 1955, Revised +Statutes, from the master or mate of any vessel and from the persons in +such Territory to whom the liquors may be sent. + +The penalty prescribed by section 1955, Revised Statutes, for violation +of the law is a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not more than +six months, and the forfeiture of the vessel bringing the merchandise +and her cargo, together with her tackle, apparel, and furniture, where +the value of the merchandise exceeds $400. Where the value does not +exceed $400, the penalty is forfeiture of the merchandise. + +The proper officers within the Territory are charged with the execution +of the law and these regulations. Intoxicating liquors forfeited under +the provisions of this act will be subject to sale under the same +provisions of law as govern the sale of other goods that may have become +liable to forfeiture, but will only be delivered for removal beyond the +limits of the Territory. + +H. McCULLOCH, _Secretary_. + + +Approved: + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +In the exercise of the power vested in the President by the +Constitution, and by virtue of the seventeen hundred and fifty-third +section of the Revised Statutes and of the civil-service act approved +January 16, 1883, the following rule for the regulation and improvement +of the executive civil service is hereby amended and promulgated, as +follows: + + RULE XVI. + + 1. Whenever any officer having the power of appointment or employment + shall so request, there shall be certified to him by the Commission or + the proper examining board four names for the vacancy specified, to be + taken from those graded highest on the proper register of those in his + branch of the service and remaining eligible, regard being had to any + right of preference and to the apportionment of appointments to States + and Territories; and from the said four a selection shall be made for + the vacancy. But if a person is on both a general and a special register + he need be certified from the former only, at the discretion of the + Commission, until he has remained two months upon the latter. + + 2. These certifications for the service at Washington shall be made + in such order as to apportion, as nearly as may be practicable, the + original appointments thereto among the States and Territories and the + District of Columbia upon the basis of population as ascertained at the + last preceding census. + + 3. In case the request for any such certification or any law or + regulation shall call for those of either sex, persons of that sex shall + be certified; otherwise sex shall be disregarded in such certification. + + 4. No person upon any register shall be certified more than four times + to the same officer in the customs or postal service or more than three + times to any Department at Washington, unless upon request of the + appointing officer; nor shall anyone remain eligible more than one year + upon any register, except as maybe provided by regulation; but these + restrictions shall not extend to examinations under clause 5 of Rule + VII. No person while remaining eligible on any register shall be + admitted to a new examination, and no person having failed upon any + examination shall within six months thereafter be admitted to another + examination without the consent of the Commission. + + 5. Any person appointed to or employed in any part of the classified + service who shall be dismissed or separated therefrom without fault or + delinquency on his part may be reappointed or reemployed in the same + part or grade of such service in the same Department or office within + one year next following such dismissal or separation, without further + examination, on such certification as the Commission may provide. + + +Approved, February 27, 1885. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + +EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 3, 1885_. + +Under the provisions of section 4 of the act of Congress approved March +3, 1883, it is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, +the Department of Agriculture, and the Government Printing Office be +closed on Wednesday, the 4th instant, to enable the employees to witness +the ceremonies incident to the inauguration on that day. + +CHESTER A. ARTHUR. + + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Compilation of the Messages and +Papers of the Presidents, by James D. Richardson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHESTER A. ARTHUR *** + +***** This file should be named 12754.txt or 12754.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/7/5/12754/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Garcia and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. 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