 Section 5 of State of the Union Addresses by United States Presidents, 1877-1884. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Section 5. Rutherford B. Hayes, December 6, 1880. Fellow citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives, I congratulate you on the continued and increasing prosperity of our country. By the favor of divine providence, we have been blessed during the past year with health, with abundant harvest, with profitable employment for all our people, and with contentment at home and with peace and friendship with other nations. The occurrence of the 24th election of Chief Magistrate has afforded another opportunity to the people of the United States to exhibit to the world a significant example of the peaceful and safe transmission of the power and authority of government from the public servants whose terms of office are about to expire to their newly chosen successors. This example cannot fail to impress profoundly thoughtful people of other countries with the advantages which Republican institutions afford. The immediate, general, and cheerful acquiescence of all good citizens in the result of the election gives gratifying assurance to our country and to its friends throughout the world that the government, based on the free consent of an intelligent and patriotic people, possesses elements of strength, stability and permanency not found in any other form of government. Continued opposition to the full and free enjoyment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon the collared people by the recent amendments to the Constitution still prevails in several of the late slaveholding states. It has perhaps not been manifested in the recent election to any large extent in acts of violence or intimidation. It has, however, by fraudulent practices in connection with the ballots, with the regulations as to the places and manner of voting, and discounting, returning and canvassing the votes cast, being successful in defeating the exercise of the right preservative of all rights, the right of suffrage, which the Constitution expressly confers upon our enfranchised citizens. It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear. They prefer that no section of the country should be united in solid opposition to any other section. The disposition to refuse a prompt and herty obedience to the equal rights amendments to the Constitution is all that now stands in the way of a complete obliteration of sectional lines in our political contests. As long as either of these amendments is flagrantly violated or disregarded, it is safe to assume that the people who place them in the Constitution, as embodying the legitimate results of the War for the Union and who believes them to be wise and necessary, will continue to act together and to insist that they shall be obeyed. The paramount question still is, as to the enjoyment of the fight by every American citizen, who has the requisite qualifications, to freely cast his vote and to have it honestly counted. With this question rightly settled, the country will be relieved of the contentions of the past, by-gones will be indeed be by-gones, and political and party issues, with respect to economy and efficiency of administration, internal improvements, the tariff, domestic taxation, education, finance, and other important subjects, will then receive their full share of attention. But resistance too, and nullification of the results of the War, will unite together in resolute purpose for their support all, who maintain the authority of the government and the perpetuity of the Union, and who, adequately appreciate, the value of the victory achieved. This determination proceeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part of the people of our country or to any of their interests. The unviolability of the amendments rests upon the fundamental principle of our government. They are the solemn expression of the will of the people of the United States. The sentiment that the constitutional rights of all our citizens must be maintained does not grow weaker. It will continue to control the government of the country. Happily the history of the late election shows that in many parts of the country where opposition to the 15th amendment has here to before prevailed, it is diminishing, and is likely to cease altogether if firm and well-considered action is taken by Congress. I trust the House of Representatives and the Senate, which have the right to judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of their own members, will see to it that every case of violation of the letter or spirit of the 15th amendment is sorely investigated, and that no benefit from such violation shall accrue to any person or party. It will be the duty of the executive, with sufficient appropriations for the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who have been engaged in depriving citizens of the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitution. It is not, however, to be forgotten that the best and surest guarantee of the primary rights of citizenship is to be found in that capacity for self-protection which can belong only to a people whose right to universal suffrage is supported by universal education. The means, at the command of the local and state authorities, are in many cases wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to all who need it. This is especially true where, before emancipation, the education of the people was neglected or prevented in the interest of slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of popular education deserves the earnest attention of the people of the whole country, with a view to wise and comprehensive action by the government of the United States, I respectfully recommend that Congress, by suitable legislation and with proper safeguards, supplement the local educational funds in the several states where the grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship have been devolved on uneducated people by devoting to the purpose grants of the public lands and, if necessary, by appropriations from the Treasury of the United States. Whatever government can fairly do to promote free popular education ought to be done. Wherever general education is found, peace, virtue and social order prevail and civil and religious liberty are secure. In my former annual messages I have asked the attention of Congress to the urgent necessity of a reformation of the civil service system of the government. My views concerning the dangers of patronage or appointments for personal or partisan considerations have been strengthened by my observation and experience in the Executive Office and I believe these dangers threaten the stability of the government. Governors so serious in their nature cannot be permanently tolerated. They tend to become more alarming with the enlargement of administrative service as the growth of the country and population increases the number of officers and placement employed. The reasons are imperative for the adoption of fixed rules for the regulation of appointments, promotions and removals, establishing a uniform method having exclusively in view in every instance the attainment of the best qualifications for the position in question. Such a method alone is consistent with the equal rights of all citizens and the most economical and efficient administration of the public business. Executive examinations in aid of impartial appointments and promotions have been conducted for some years past in several of the executive departments and by my direction this system has been adopted in the custom houses and post offices of the largest cities of the country. In the city of New York, over 2,000 positions in the civil service have been subject in their appointments and tenure of place to the operation of published rules for this purpose during the past two years. The results of these practical trials have been very satisfactory and have confirmed my opinion in favor of this system of selection. All are subjected to the same tests and the result is free from prejudice by personal favor or partisan influence. It secures for the position applied for the best qualifications attainable among the competing applicants. It is an effectual protection from the pressure of opportunity which under any other course pursued largely exacts the time and attention of appointing officers to their greater detriment in the discharge of other official duties preventing the abuse of the service for the mere furtherance of private or party purposes and leaving the employee of the government freed from the obligations imposed by patronage to depend solely upon merit for attention and advancement and with this constant incentive to exertion and improvement. These invaluable results have been attained in a high degree in the offices where the rules for appointment by competitive examination have been applied. A method which has so approved itself by experimental tests at points where such tests may be fairly considered conclusive should be extended to all subordinate positions under the government. I believe that the strong and growing public sentiment demands immediate measures for securing and enforcing the highest possible efficiency in the civil service and its protection from recognized abuses and that the experience referred to has demonstrated the feasibility of such measures. The examinations in the custom houses and post offices have been held under many embarrassments and without provision for compensation for the extra labor performed by the officers who have conducted them and whose commendable interest in the improvement of the public service has induced this devotion of time and labor without pecuniary reward. A continuance of these laborers gratuitously ought not to be expected and without an appropriation by Congress for compensation it is not practicable to extend the system of examinations generally throughout the civil service. It is also highly important that all such examinations should be conducted upon a uniform system and under general supervision. Section 7053 of the revised statutes authorizes the president to prescribe the regulations for admission to the civil service of the United States and for this purpose to employ suitable persons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to the fitness of each candidate in respect to age, health, character, knowledge and ability for the branch of service into which he seeks to enter. But the law is practically inoperative for want of the requisite appropriation. I therefore recommend an appropriation of $25,000 per annum to meet the expenses of a commission to be appointed by the president in accordance with the terms of this section whose duty it shall be to devise a just, uniform and efficient system of competitive examinations and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the government. I am persuaded that the facilities which such a commission will afford for testing the fitness of those who apply for office will not only be as welcome a relief to members of Congress as it will be to the president and heads of departments, but that it will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between the legislative and executive departments. The most effectual check upon the pernicious competition of influence and official favoritism in the bestowal of office will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the applicants in which everyone can make his own record with the assurance that his success will depend upon this alone. I also recommend such legislation as while leaving every officer as free as any other citizen to express his political opinions and to use his means for their advancement shall also enable him to feel as safe as any private citizen in refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes. A law which should thus guarantee true liberty and justice to all who are engaged in the public service and likewise contain stringent provisions against the use of official authority to coerce the political action of private citizens or of official subordinates is greatly to be desired. The most serious obstacle however to an improvement of the civil service and especially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal has been found to be the practice under what is known as the spoils system by which the appointing power has been so largely encroached upon by members of Congress. The first step in the reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce between Congress and the executive in the matter of appointments. The corrupting doctrine that to the victors belong the spoils is inseparable from congressional patronage as the established rule and practice of parties in power. It comes to be understood by applicants for office and by the people generally that representatives and senators are entitled to disperse the patronage of their respective districts and states. It is not necessary to recite at length the evils resulting from this invasion of the executive functions. The true principles of government on the subject of appointments to office as stated in the national conventions of the leading parties of the country have again and again been approved by the American people and have not been called in question in any quarter. These authentic expressions of public opinion upon this all important subject are the statement of principles that belong to the constitutional structure of the government. Under the constitution the president and heads of departments are to make nominations for office. The Senate is to advise and consent to appointments and the House of Representatives is to accuse and prosecute faceless officers. The best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected, that senators and representatives who may be judges and accusers should not dictate appointments to office. To this end the cooperation of the legislative department of the government is required alike by the necessities of the case and by public opinion. Members of Congress will not be relieved from the demands made upon them with reference to appointments to office until by legislative enactment the pernicious practice is condemned and forbidden. It is therefore recommended that an act be passed defining the relations of members of Congress with respect to appointment to office by the president. And I also recommend that the provisions of section 1767 and of the sections following of the revised statutes comprising the tenure of office act of March the 2nd 1867 be repealed. Meaning that to reform the system and methods of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imperative duties of statesmanship and that it can be permanently done only by the cooperation of the legislative and executive departments of the government. I again commend the whole subject to your considered attention. It is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the United States to suppress polygamy where it now exists in our territories and to prevent its extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities in Yudah to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown that the legislation upon this subject to be effective requires extensive modification and amendment. The longer action is delayed, the more difficult it will be to accomplish what is desired. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormons sectarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and executing the local legislation of the territory. By its control of the grand and petite juries, it possesses large influence over the administration of justice. Seeing as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the territory, they are able to make effective their hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy. And in fact, do prevent its enforcement. Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law depends on those who practice and uphold the crime. It can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which encourages and sustains it. The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the territories is ample. It is not a case for halfway measures. The political power of the Mormons sect is increasing. It controls now one of our wealthiest and most populous territories. It is extending steadily into other territories. Wherever it goes, it establishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the cornerstone of our American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of church and state are among the elementary ideas of free institutions. To re-establish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperiled and to fully re-open to intelligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds, that part of our domain which has been in a great degree closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral institutions, it is recommended that the government of the territory of Utah be reorganized. I recommend that Congress provide for the government of Utah by a governor and judges or commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate, a government analogous to the provisional government established for the territory northwest of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. If however it is deemed best to continue the existing form of local government, I recommend that the right to vote, hold office and sit on juries in the territory of Utah be confined to those who neither practice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough measures are adopted it is believed that within a few years the evils which now afflict Utah will be eradicated and that this territory will in good time become one of the most prosperous and attractive of the new states of the union. Our relations with all foreign countries have been those of undisturbed peace and have presented no occasion for concern as to their continued maintenance. My anticipation of an early reply from the British government to the demand of indemnity to our fishermen for their injuries suffered by that industry at Fortune Bay in January 1878 which I expressed in my last annual message was disappointed. This answer was received only in the latter part of April in the present year and when received exhibited a failure of accord between the two governments as to the measure of the inshore fishing privilege secured to our fishermen by the Treaty of Washington of so serious a character that I made it the subject of communication to Congress in which I recommended the adoption of the measures which seem to me proper to be taken by this government in maintenance of the rights accorded to our fishermen under the treaty and towards securing an indemnity for the injury these interests had suffered. A bill to carry out these recommendations was under consideration by the House of Representatives at the time of the Adjournment of Congress in June last within a few weeks I have received a communication from Her Majesty's government renewing the consideration of the subject both of the indemnity for the injuries at Fortune Bay and of the interpretation of the treaty in which the previous correspondence had shown the two governments to be at variance upon both these topics the disposition toward a friendly agreement is manifested by a recognition of our right to an indemnity for the transaction at Fortune Bay leaving the measure of such indemnity to further conference and by an ascent to the view of this government presented in the previous correspondence that the regulation of conflicting interests of the shore fishery of the provincial seacoast and the vessel fishery of our fishermen should be made the subject of conference and concurrent arrangement between the two governments. I sincerely hope that the basis may be found for a speedy adjustment of the very serious divergence of views in the interpretation of the fishery clauses of the Treaty of Washington which as the correspondence between the two governments stood at the close of the last session of Congress seemed to be irreconcilable. In the important exhibition of arts and industries which was held last year at Sydney, New South Wales as well as in that now in progress at Melbourne the United States have been efficiently and honorably represented. The exhibitors from this country at the former place received a large number of awards in some of the most considerable departments and the participation of the United States was recognized by a special mark of distinction. In the exhibition of Melbourne the share taken by our country is no less notable and an equal degree of success is confidently expected. The state of peace and tranquility now enjoyed by all the nations of the continent of Europe has its favorable influence upon our diplomatic and commercial relations with them. We have concluded and ratified a convention with the French Republic for the settlement of claims of the citizens of either country against the other. Under this convention a commission presided over by a distinguished publicist appointed in pursuance of the request of both nations by His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil has been organized and has begun its sessions in this city. A Congress to consider means for the protection of industrial property has recently been in session in Paris to which I have appointed the ministers of the United States in France and in Belgium as delegates. The International Commission upon Weights and Measures also continues its work in Paris. I invite your attention to the necessity of an appropriation to be made in time to enable this government to comply with its obligations under the Metrical Convention. Our friendly relations with the German Empire continue without interruption. At the recent International Exhibition of Fish and Fisheries at Berlin the participation of the United States not with standing the haste with which the Commission was forced to make its preparations was extremely successful and meritorious. Winning for private exhibitors numerous awards of a high class and for the country at large the principal prize of honour offered by His Majesty the Emperor. The results of this great success cannot but be advantageous to this important and growing industry. There have been some questions raised between the two governments as to the proper effect and interpretation of our treaties of naturalization. But recent dispatches from our minister at Berlin show that favourable progress is making toward an understanding in accordance with the views of this government which makes and admits no distinction whatever between the rights of a native and a naturalized citizen of the United States. In practice the complaints of molestation suffered by naturalized citizens abroad have never been fewer than at present. There is nothing of importance to note in our unbroken friendly relations with the governments of Austria, Hungary, Russia, Portugal, Sweden and Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and Greece. During the last summer several vessels belonging to the merchant marine of this country sailing in neutral waters of the West Indies were fired at, bordered and searched by an armed cruiser of the Spanish government. The circumstances as reported involve not only a private injury to the person's concern but also seemed too little observant of the friendly relations existing for a century between this country and Spain. The wrong was brought to the attention of the Spanish government in a serious protest and remonstrance and the matter is undergoing an investigation by the royal authorities with a view to such explanation or reparation as may be called for by the facts. The commission sitting in this city for the adjudication of claims of our citizens against the government of Spain is, I hope, approaching the termination of its labours. The claims against the United States under the Florida Treaty with Spain were submitted to Congress for its action at the late session and I again invite your attention to this long-standing question with a view to a final disposition of the matter. At the invitation of the Spanish government a conference has recently been held as a city of Madrid to consider the subject of protection by foreign powers of native Moors in the Empire of Morocco. The minister of the United States in Spain was directed to take part in the deliberations of this conference the result of which is a convention signed on behalf of all the powers represented. The instrument will be laid before the Senate for its consideration. The government of the United States has also lost no opportunity to urge upon that of the Emperor of Morocco the necessity in accordance with the humane and enlightened spirit of the age of putting an end to the persecutions which have been so prevalent in that country of persons of a faith other than the Muslim and especially of the Hebrew residents of Morocco. The consular treaty concluded with Belgium has not yet been officially promulgated owing to the alteration of award in a text by the Senate of the United States which occasioned a delay during which the time allowed for ratification expired the Senate will be asked to extend the period for ratification. The attempts to negotiate a treaty of extradition with Denmark failed on account of the objection of the Danish government to the usual clause providing that each nation should pay the expense of the arrest of the persons whose extradition it asks. The provision made by Congress at its last session for the expense of the commission which had been appointed to enter upon negotiations with the imperial government of China on subjects of great interest to the relations of the two countries enabled the commissioners to proceed at once upon their mission. The imperial government was prepared to give prompt and respectful attention to the matters brought under negotiation and the conferences proceeded with such rapidity and success that on the 17th of November last two treaties were signed at Peking one relating to the introduction of Chinese into this country and one relating to commerce. Mr. Trescott one of the commissioners is now on his way home bringing the treaties and it is expected that they will be received in season to be laid before the Senate early in January. Our minister in Japan has negotiated a convention for the reciprocal relief of shipwrecked seamen. I take occasion to urge once more upon Congress the propriety of making provision for the erection of suitable fireproof buildings at the Japanese capital for the use of the American legation and the courthouse and jail connected with it. The Japanese government with great generosity and courtesy has offered for this purpose an eligible piece of land. In my last annual message I invited the attention of Congress to the subject of the indemnity funds received some years ago from China and Japan. I renew the recommendation then made that whatever portions of these funds are due to American citizens should be promptly paid and the residue returned to the nations respectively to which they justly and equitably belong. The extradition treaty was the kingdom of the Netherlands which has been for some time in course of negotiation has during the past year been concluded and duly ratified. Relations of friendship and enmity have been established between the government of the United States and that of Romania. We have sent a diplomatic representative to Bucharest and have received at this capital the special envoy who has been charged by his royal highness Prince Charles to announce the independent sovereignty of Romania. We hope for a speedy development of commercial relations between the two countries. In my last annual message I expressed the hope that the prevalence of quiet on the border between this country and Mexico would soon become so assured as to justify the modification of the orders then in force to our military commanders in regard to crossing the frontier without encouraging such disturbances as would endanger the peace of the two countries. Events moved in accordance with these expectations and the orders were accordingly withdrawn to the entire satisfaction of our own citizens and the Mexican government. Subsequently the peace of the border was again disturbed by a savage foray under the command of the chief victoria but by the combined and harmonious action of the military forces of both countries his band has been broken up and substantially destroyed. There is reason to believe that the obstacles which have so long prevented rapid and convenient communication between the United States and Mexico by railways are on the point of disappearing and that several important enterprises of this character will soon be set on foot which cannot fail to contribute largely to the prosperity of both countries. New envoys from Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela and Nicaragua have recently arrived at this capital whose distinction and enlightenment afford the best guarantee of the continuance of friendly relations between ourselves and these sister republics. The relations between this government and that of the United States of Colombia have engaged public attention during the past year mainly by reason of the project of an inter-oceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama to be built by private capital under a concession from the Colombian government for that purpose. The treaty obligations subsisting between the United States and Colombia by which we guarantee the neutrality of the transit and the sovereignty and property of Colombia and the Isthmus make it necessary that the conditions under which those two pendus are changed in the region embraced in this guarantee should be affected. Transforming as it would this Isthmus from a barrier between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans into a gateway and thoroughfare between them for the navies and the merchant ships of the world should receive the approval of this government as being compatible with the discharge of these obligations on our part and consistent with our interests as the principal commercial power of the western hemisphere. The views which I expressed in a special message to congress in March last in relation to this project I deem it my duty again to press upon your attention. Subsequent consideration has but confirmed the opinion that it is the right and duty of the United States to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over any inter-oceanic canal across the Isthmus that connects North and South America as will protect our national interest. The war between the Republic of Chile on the one hand and the allied republics of Peru and Bolivia on the other still continues. This government has not felt called upon to interfere in a contest that is within the belligerent rights of the parties as independent states. We have however always held ourselves in readiness to aid in accommodating their difference and have at different times reminded both belligerents of our willingness to render such service. Our good offices in this direction were recently accepted by all the belligerents and it was hoped they would prove efficacious but I regret to announce that the measures which the ministers of the United States at Santiago and Lima were authorized to take with the view to bring about a peace were not successful. In the course of the war some questions have arisen affecting neutral rights. In all of these the ministers of the United States have under their instructions acted with promptness and energy in protection of American interests. The relations of the United States with the Empire of Brazil continue to be most cordial and their commercial intercourse steadily increases to their mutual advantage. The internal disorders with which the Argentine Republic has for some time past been afflicted and which have more or less influenced its external trade are understood to have been brought to a close. This happy result may be expected to redound to the benefit of the foreign commerce of that republic as well as to the development of its vast interior resources. In Samoa the government of King Malitua under the support and recognition of the consular representatives of the United States, Great Britain and Germany, seems to have given peace and tranquility to the islands. While it does not appear desirable to adopt as a whole the scheme of tripartite local government which has been proposed, the common interests of the three great treaty powers require harmony in their relations to the native frame of government and this may be best secured by a simple diplomatic agreement between them. It would be well if the consular jurisdiction of our representative at Apia were increased in extent and importance so as to guard American interests in the surrounding and outlying islands of Oceania. The obelisk generally presented by the Kediv of Egypt to the city of New York has safely arrived in this country and will soon be erected in that metropolis. A commission for the liquidation of the Egyptian debt has lately concluded its work and this government at the earnest solicitation of the Kediv has acceded to the provisions adopted by it which will be laid before Congress for its information. A commission for the revision of the judicial code of the Reformed Tribunal of Egypt is now in session in Cairo. Mr. Farnman Consul General and G. M. Bachelder Esquire have been appointed as commissioners to participate in this work. The organization of the Reformed Tribunals will probably be continued for another period of five years. In pursuance of the act passed at the last session of Congress invitations have been extended to foreign maritime states to join in a sanitary conference in Washington beginning the 1st of January. The acceptance of this invitation by many prominent powers gives promise of success in this important measure designed to establish a system of international notification by which the spread of infectious or epidemic diseases may be more effectively checked or prevented. The attention of Congress is invited to the necessary appropriations for carrying into effect the provisions of the act referred to. The efforts of the Department of State to enlarge the trade and commerce of the United States through the active agency of consular officers and through the dissemination of information obtained from them have been unrelaxed. The interest in these efforts as developed in our commercial communities and the value of the information secured by this means to the trade and manufacturers of the country were recognized by Congress at its last session and provision was made for the more frequent publication of consular and other reports by the Department of State. The first issue of this publication has now been prepared and subsequent issues may regularly be expected. The importance and interest attached to the reports of consular officers are witnessed by the general demand for them by all classes of merchants and manufacturers engaged in our foreign trade. It is believed that the system of such publications is deserving of the approval of Congress and that the necessary appropriations for its continuance and enlargement will commend itself to your consideration. The prosperous energies of our domestic industries and their immense production of the subjects of foreign commerce invite and even require an active development of the wishes and interests of our people in that direction. Especially important is it that our commercial relations with the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America with the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico should be direct and not through the circuit of European systems and should be carried on in our own bottoms. The full appreciation of the opportunities which our front on the Pacific Ocean gives to commerce with Japan, China and the East Indies, with Australia and the island groups which lie along these routes of navigation should inspire equal efforts to appropriate to our own shipping and to administer by our own capital a due proportion of this trade. Whatever modifications of our regulations of trade and navigation may be necessary or useful to meet and direct these impulses to the enlargement of our exchanges and of our carrying trade I am sure the wisdom of Congress will be ready to supply. One initial measure however seems to be so dearly useful and efficient that I venture to press it upon your earnest attention. It seems to be very evident that the provision of a regular steam postal communication by aid from government has been the forerunner of the commercial predominance of Great Britain on all these coasts and seas a greater share in whose trade is now the desire and the intent of our people. It is also manifest that the efforts of other European nations to contend with Great Britain for a share of this commerce have been successful in proportion with their adoption of regular steam postal communications with the markets whose trades are sought. Mexico and the states of South America are anxious to receive such postal communication with this country and to aid in their development. Similar cooperation may be looked for in due time from the eastern nations and from Australia. It is difficult to see how the lead in this movement can be expected from private interests. In respect to foreign commerce quite as much as an internal trade postal communication seems necessarily a matter of common and public administration and thus pertaining to government. I respectfully recommend to you our prompt attention such just and efficient measures as may conduce to the development of our foreign commercial exchanges and the building up of our carrying trade. In this connection I desire also to suggest the very great service which might be expected in enlarging and facilitating our commerce on the Pacific Ocean where a transmarine cable laid from San Francisco to the Sandwich Islands and thence to Japan at the north and Australia at the south. The great influence of such means of communication on these routes of navigation in developing and securing the due share of our pacific coast and the commerce of the world needs no illustration or enforcement. It may be that such an enterprise useful and in the end profitable as it would prove to private investment may need to be accelerated by prudent legislation by congress in its aid and I submit the matter to your careful consideration. An additional and not unimportant although secondary reason for fostering and enlarging the Navy may be found in the unquestionable service to the expansion of our commerce which would be rendered by the frequent circulation of naval ships in the seas and ports of all quarters of the globe. Ships of the proper construction and equipment to be of the greatest efficiency in case of maritime war might be made constant and active agents in time of peace in the advancement and protection of our foreign trade and in the nurture and discipline of young seamen who would naturally in some numbers mix with and improve the crews of our merchant ships. Our merchants at home and abroad recognize the value to foreign commerce of an active movement of our naval vessels and the intelligence and patriotic zeal of our naval officers in promoting every interest of their countrymen is a just subject of national pride. The condition of the financial affairs of the government as shown by the report of the secretary of the treasury is very satisfactory. It is believed that the present financial situation of the United States whether considered with respect to trade currency credit growing wealth or the extent and variety of our resources is more favorable than that of any other country of our time and has never been surpassed by that of any country at any period of its history. All our industries are thriving the rate of interest is low new railroads are being constructed a vast immigration is increasing our population capital and labor new enterprises in great number are in progress and our commercial relations with other countries are improving the ordinary revenues from all sources from the fiscal year and the June 30 1880 where from customs 186,522,064 and 60 cents from internal revenue 124,9373 and 92 cents from sales of public lands 1,016,506 and 60 cents from tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 7,014,971 and 44 cents from repayment of interest by pacific railway companies 1,707,367 and 18 cents from sinking fund for pacific railway companies 786,621 and 22 cents from customs fees fines penalties etc 1,148,800 and 16 cents from fees consular letters patent and lands 2,337,029 dollars from proceeds of sales of government property 282,616 and 50 cents from profits on coinage etc 2,792,186 and 78 cents from revenues of the district of colombia 1,809,469 and 70 cents from miscellaneous sources 4,099,603 and 88 cents end of section 5 section 6 of State of the Union Addresses by United States Presidents 1877 to 1884 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in a public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Chester A. Arthur December 6th 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 driven 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 people's 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 goodwill 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 saved 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 15 000 pounds most of which has been already distributed as the terms of the settlement included compensation for injuries suffered by our fishermen at sp 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 a late 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 goodwill 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 in the conference will next year be renewed at the electrical exhibition in congress also held at paris this country was credibly represented by eminent specialist 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 elsaki and lorraine have practically ceased through the liberal action of the imperial government in accepting our often expressed views on a subject the application of the treaty of 1868 to the lately acquired renish provinces has received very earnest attention and a definite and lasting agreement on this point is confidently expected the participation of the descendants of baren van steuben in the yorktown festivities and their subsequent reception by their american kinsmen strikingly events the ties of goodwill 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 a seed 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 manifest one case of hardship is especially worthy of attention the bark masonic bound for japan entered manila in distress and is there sought to be compensated under spanish revenue laws for an alleged shortage in her trans shipped 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 tsar alexander the second 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 hebrus 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 malan and the hygienic congress of turnin 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 the 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 port looking particularly to the better protection of american missionaries in the empire the condemned murderer of the eminent missionary dr justin w parson's 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 rumania and Serbia censor 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 real grand 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 someordinate their local interest 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 emity with both countries our friendly consuls 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 columbia for settling by arbitration the boundary question between those countries providing that the post of arbitrator should be offered successfully 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 inter oceanic 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 columbia 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 columbian 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 columbia 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 columbia had proposed to the european powers to join in a guarantee of the neutrality of the proposed panama canal a guarantee which would be in direct contravention of our obligation as the sole guarantor of the integrity of columbian 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 guarantee of the united states indispensable and for which the interjection of any foreign guarantee might be regarded as a superfluous and unfriendly act foreseeing the probable reliance of the british government on the provisions of the clayton bowlware treaty of 1850 as affording room for a share in the guarantees which the united states covenanted with columbia 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 columbia 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 and able him to bring these powers into friendly relations the government of benazuela 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 benazuela and france growing out of the same debt have been for some time pass in an unsatisfactory state and this government as the neighbor and one of the largest creditors of benazuela 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 parts in our own through the efforts of our minister resident at boyness aries and the united states minister at san tiago a treaty has been concluded between the argentine republic and chile disposing of the long pending patagonian boundary question it is a matter of congratulations 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 in the exchange made at p king 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 a 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 affecting the change such a remarkable step toward complete assimilation with the western system cannot fail to bring japan into closer and more beneficial relationship with ourselves as a 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 here to fore 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 here to fore 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 dunmark haiti paraguay and iraway portugal and sweden in 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 there too 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 warships 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 ship masters 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 third 1879 its sphere of duty was enlarged by the act of june second 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 the 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 30th 1881 were from customs 198 million 159 thousand 676 dollars and two cents from internal revenue 135 million 264 thousand 385 dollars and 51 cents from sales of public lands 2,201,863 and 17 cents from tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 8,116,115 and 72 cents from repayment of interest by the pacific railway companies 810,833 and 80 cents from sinking fund for pacific railway companies 805,180 and 54 cents from customs fees finds penalties etc 1,225,514 and 86 cents from fees consular letters patent and lands 2,244,983 dollars and 98 cents from proceeds of sales of government property 262,174 dollars from profits on coinage 3,468,485 dollars and 61 cents from revenues of the district of columbia 2,016,199 and 23 cents from miscellaneous sources 6,206,880 dollars and 13 cents total ordinary receipts 360,782,292 dollars and 57 cents the ordinary expenditures for the same period were for civil expenses 17,941,177 dollars and 19 cents for foreign intercourse 1,093,954 dollars and 92 cents for indians 6,514,161 dollars and 9 cents for pensions 50,059,279 dollars and 62 cents for the military establishment including river and harbor improvements and arsenals 40,466,460 dollars and 55 cents for the naval establishment including vessels machinery and improvements at navy yards 15,686,671 dollars and 66 cents for miscellaneous expenditures including public buildings lighthouses and collecting the revenue 41,837,280 dollars and 57 cents for expenditures on account of the district of columbia 3,543,912 dollars and 3 cents for interest on the public debt 82,508,741 dollars and 18 cents for premium on bonds purchased 1,061,248 dollars and 78 cents total ordinary expenditures 260,712,887 dollars and 59 cents leaving a surplus revenue of 100,069,404 dollars and 98 cents which was applied as follows to the redemption of bonds for the sinking fund 74,371,200 dollars for actual currency for the sinking fund 109,001 and 5 cents loan of february 1861 7,418,000 dollars 1040s of 1864 2,016,150 dollars 5,20s of 1862 18,300 dollars 5,20s of 1864 3,400 dollars 5,20s of 1865 37,300 dollars consoles of 1865 143,150 dollars consoles of 1867 959,150 dollars consoles of 1868 337,400 dollars Texan indemnity stock $1,000 all demand compound interest and other notes 18,330 dollars and to the increase in cash in the treasury 14,637,023 dollars and 93 cents end of section six section seven of state of the union addresses by united states presidents 1877 to 1884 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org state of the union address Chester A. Arthur 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 all 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 inter oceanic 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 consoles of this government that measures be adopted for suppressing the proscription which the hebrou 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 that paris in 1880 and attended by representatives of the united states an agreement was reached in respect to the protection of trademarks 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 the 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 interests 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 there too 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 consoles 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 italyan 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 roam he has been received as secretary but his executor 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 due the exchange 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 poppers 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 three 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 port 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 these 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 third 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 6th 1882 in connection with the treaty of november 7th 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 cierra leone the reciprocity treaty with hawaii will become terminable after september 9 1883 and 12 months noticed by either party while certain provisions of that compact may have proved onerous its existence has fostered commercial relations which it is important to reserve i suggest therefore that early consideration be given to such modifications of the treaty has seemed to be demanded by the interests of our people in view of our increasing trade with both haiti and santa domingo i advise that provision be made for diplomatic intercourse with the letter by enlarging the scope of the mission at port of prints i regret that certain claims of american citizens against the government of haiti have thus far been urged unveilingly 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 ballastness 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 those 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 consoles 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 a centennial celebration of the birth of balabar 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 therefore the elevation of the grade of our mission in central america to the plenipotentiary rank which was authorized by congress at its last session has been since effected the war between pru and bolivia on one side and chile on the other began more than three years ago on the occupation by chile in 1880 of all the literal 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 pru 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 pru 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 in disposed 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 big nignet 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 syam will shortly arrive our diplomatic intercourse has been enlarged by the establishment of relations with the new kingdom of syria by the creation of a mission to syam and by the restoration of the mission to greece the shah of persia has expressed his gratification that a charged affair 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 third of august last i have directed the secretary of state to address foreign governments in respect to a proposed conference for considering a 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 a 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 affected by which that institution will perform the necessary labor under the direction of the department of state a reasonable compensation therefore 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 endure to the benefit of the treasury a cordially favored such a project is 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 and june 30 1882 were as follows from customs 220 million 410 thousand 730 and 25 cents from internal revenue 146 million 497 thousand 595 and 45 cents from sales of public lands 4 million 753 thousand 140 dollars and 37 cents from tax on circulation and deposits of national banks 8 million 956 thousand 794 dollars and 45 cents from repayment of interest by pacific railway companies 840 thousand 554 dollars and 37 cents from a sinking fund for pacific railway companies 796 thousand 271 dollars and 42 cents from customs fees fines penalties etc 1 million 343 thousand 348 dollars from fees consular letters patent and lands 2 million 638 thousand 990 dollars and 97 cents from proceeds of sales of government property 314 thousand 959 dollars and 85 cents from profits on coinage bullion deposits and assays 4 million 116 thousand 693 dollars and 73 cents from Indian trust funds 5 million 705 thousand 243 dollars and 22 cents from deposits by individuals for surveying public lands 2 million 52 thousand 306 dollars and 36 cents from revenues of the District of Columbia 1 million 715 thousand 176 dollars and 41 cents from miscellaneous sources 3 million 383 thousand 445 dollars and 43 cents total ordinary receipts 403 million 525 thousand 250 dollars and 28 cents the ordinary expenditures for the same period were for civil expenses 18 million 42 thousand 386 dollars and 42 cents for foreign intercourse 1 million 307 thousand 583 dollars and 19 cents for Indians 9 million 736 thousand 747 dollars and 40 cents for pensions 61 million 345 thousand 193 dollars and 95 cents for the military establishment including river and harbor improvements and arsenals 43 million 570 thousand 494 dollars and 19 cents for the naval establishment including vessels machinery and improvements at navy yards 15 million 32 thousand 46 dollars and 26 cents for miscellaneous expenditures including public buildings lighthouses and collecting the revenue 34 million 539 thousand 237 dollars and 50 cents for expenditures on account of the District of Columbia 3 million 330 thousand 543 dollars and 87 cents for interest on the public debt 71 million 77 thousand 206 dollars and 79 cents total ordinary expenditures 257 million 981 thousand 439 dollars and 57 cents leaving a surplus revenue of 145 million 543 thousand 810 dollars and 71 cents which with an amount drawn from the cash balance in the treasury of 20 million 737 thousand 694 dollars and 84 cents making 166 million 281 thousand 505 dollars and 55 cents was applied to the redemption of bonds for the sinking fund 60 million 79 thousand 150 dollars of fractional currency for the sinking fund 58 thousand 705 dollars and 55 cents a loan of July and August 1861 62 million 572 thousand 50 dollars a loan on March 1863 4 million 472 thousand 900 dollars a funded loan of 1881 37 million 194 thousand 450 dollars a loan of 1858 303 thousand dollars a loan of February 1861 1 thousand dollars of 520s of 1862 2100 dollars of 520s of 1864 7400 dollars of 520s of 1865 6500 dollars of 1040s of 1864 254 thousand 550 dollars of consoles of 1865 86 thousand 450 dollars of consoles of 1867 408 thousand 250 dollars of consoles of 1868 141 thousand 400 dollars of Oregon war debt 675 thousand 250 dollars of old demand compound interest and other notes 18 thousand 350 dollars end of section seven