Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1882 — THE MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

THE MESSAGE.

Gratifying Condition of Our Foreign Relations. The Executive Recommends a Reduction of Taxation. He Also Has a Word to Say in Regard to River and Harbor Bills. President Arthur's annual message was delivered to Congress Immediately after the assembling ot tliat body on Monday, Dec. *. It is the longest document of this character that has come fiom a national Chief Magistrate in recent viyirs, and reviews the events of the year, first callingattention to the gratifying condition of affairs. It mentions the arrest of American citizen* in Great Britain, and a manifestation on the i art of that Government to respect our ilgh s bv the re-ease of the ar e*ted patties. The President says that the claim of this r ation in the supervi-ion and contro < f any in ter-oceanic canal across the American isthmus lias contin ted ti be the subject of confe ence with Great Britain. It is likely that tiro,,- will be more powcrf-.fi than discussion in removing the < ivcrgrtice between the two na ions, whose friendship is so closely cemented bv the inti acv o' their re.a ions and the community of t ci? interests Our ion'-'-established f iemliines • with It ssia remains nnbroK-n. am the proffer of the c tinsel of this Government that measures be taken by that n*ti-m t > prevent further persecutions of the Jews lias been cour-u-Oitsly received Vp-n die subject of Chinese nnnifgra'mn. the ENccttive say-: “The rec nt legislation restrictin - immigration of laborers rom China ha ■ iven ist-to the question whether Chinese proceeding to or tom another country may lawin ly pa-s through o.ir own. In construing the ret of Slav <>. I 1, i i connection wi h the treatyol November 7, I -'ll, the restriction would seem pi i<- limited to Chinese in mi grants c mine to ihe baited States a* laborers, an I should not I'., bid a more tran-dt'across our t’rrltury 1 ask the at enti- u < f < onureaa to the subject for such actio.i. if any, as it may deem udvisab'o." . _ : h>-I’reiqdc. t calls the attention of Congress t - the pr-vai’ing !»wl>nn?*« o .the Mexican border. z\ pa flat relief fr an these mischiefs has been sou li in a convention, which now awai s th gppr.iv.l of tin Senate, as does al o another *, touching tie est'ib’is merit of t :e in ern*U mil i i iind.i-i iH’twcen the Uni c 1 States and Meu*„co. Li the latter i. ratifi d, the action of Conic s will be re-ptite I for establishing suitab e eonnn s- ; i ns . r survey. The i resident refers to the war between Pro twl Chili, and the fadureof theeff r s of th s < overnne-nt t-> bring aliout a cessation of hostilhiea, and deplores the fact tint Cail i seem* dix> osed to oxa :t such merciless terms of peace 1 fSexpresses the hope that Congress may authoiizean Internitional Peace Congress. wit s a view of bringing ab nr. an amicable settlement of tlietroub s. Tne Ex.-eu ive renews his recommendation of nidi legislation as will place the United States in harmony with other maritime powers with resp<t to ;he international rules tor the prevention of c ilh.si ms at *ia. ‘ in coiiio. mit •• with a joint resolution of C-n----gresa, ad< pled last A vg.mt, the President directed th - Secretary - f State to address foret ;n G v•t inn n .* in respect to a preyo-sed «•n'erence tor c nsid -ring thesubjrc. of th- universal i.dnpti nos a common meridian to be used in tin- reckcuingof .oagitodr, and iu the n guiatton of t m- th oughont t e civilized world. Replica have Peen received, and wid in due tune Im- laid b.forv < ongres-. he President urges a reorr-niration of the diplomatic and con-uiar serv.ee on a sa.'anei to go into t e national treasury. D rrwtne rear triere have been < rga . z" i Ul iiMi -n 1 bonk* and of these instjtstions there !<re tp w in r p-.n stion 2-.‘«9-a larger nanß* • tW*-. ever - Tie ra!-e t their notes ini act . r_ g.j':- r. vn J ly 1. !--*2- wa* S»J4.CS .- The President call* th* att*nt-«n of C rw ir r-.- - eiihood of a f-i-peus utaw ' t »bf« e-rc-tta kc zu 1 to ttie mode* ■sr * g rht* rersJt may fn‘.is j-dgsnent. be

I - r t • 'nectHnaareof silver doTaw- and - ct ■: States «>e | r * • 2-. i ra.t» ct ve tCidl*.'.ed cis ba--.Twwr- *-• rve** shat tr - raid ’’*:*» at pre ett sp t an : lag, • te nt-e wh t; • ft <Se 4za '-de t o 1 'lot i'g’ : -igStaE '. .'*<• t - t.t>e v’’.r.. • r-rt I ,-i*er sav«. -."id. ir. a.-i»..ra ■ --jt g—r. w- i::! ewmeg s.s: i-gar ' c-.m*' ihr it-a ■ ug - -.uisn. rau.r t-_ ' ~t>e ifi-eiiytt ensu: - ’ rt-z- tat- - '.f-j-ly aC sat-Vd in :e« •c.n.-t t.-re 1 - r.px O.'Z"rrtw a re -r.e2i‘X.*r. i mg' i .. r sta.4.-t»psiisM of 3daet*ii£. I Pi« ' .3.y»'.>rtag_: guewsfcwis -we -\-e-en_t UiAi : -.neuiX fa., ztiizr.m. wnti. rnteaert tie r.i.sm*- r • -Sje Sowe'tury n*- tz- ~i-" v-* j>- --.-i.; nr y j-ci-m.T.i-.ii hi-zli mocie of froeinz , ■ i< — _ zr. en.-.T ir-e-i-ier.. MrC*« vpeiitaa -b / 'mz-utSst. iieartiy u-i-.e.g tdr guzutiti.'i :xzie.-U-»Le . ti' - r;«iis--.-. iwLitmt n. ix>* ssiba re-v-.auei. - '.-verniutmt. wd. 1 ut tdruem-ei'pe r tha-t - i'-t. v.poi ; tici.’won of f.-jEg-ess at its oiol iu-. imp’iru.utie of rtm-virx the inHie- •nn—’-T-.-t f-sfi: T-isnMwmi&rr taxution. ■.-li: UB SI '.tm— ur kurfcm teae iiow--.w.-. w: m..ct i-xitss i-iipv «A. a,Bd tbou-zb turxt-fewaafiwtr .•• ; aotmx cur aide sis -*•-»<»•« <tf ■wi-vuuo’. • s-tz>tA.e ’nert metb .d» -.- t> m m. eruee t.& mietd, aet»- n-‘ti*in"ty-«• ajiwh v ■WLtaxutitm nM b? ’ tan 'tf-.-r e: accord in the - . - la : vm - Mi-.c tsuree oug.,'. le- cried . i .-a ■ jwe a c ecoxi .-mica' a - - ' -.z. . <>f late the ..j,,* fey czceeo d that Ji t it i -.•a—-,-v appro riate legislation, >a>» m . w increase trejx year to j F-.e ri* *end year e-Med J cue 3i), :»bl. ! ' amounted to f ;oj.o<ki,oou, - j year enrt 1 < n the With of i .--is-tue i-h.-pfus -was morethanfi<s,ooo,oo<>. i “* rgfr.-rterf tne Secretary shows wfaat disposl- I ► peen made of mone's. They have • - -answered tne requirements of the siuk- . ■ . t-md, but have afforded a large balance ap- ■ -.able to other reductions ot the public debt. B:". I renew the expression of my conviction th*t such rapifi extinguishment of the national indebtedne-s as if now taking place is by no means a cause for congratulation. It is a cause, ra: her, for serious apprehension. If it continues, it infistupeedily lie followed by one of the evil rb-idts no clearly set forth in the report of the Secretary. Either th - surplus must lie idle in th.- treasure, or the Government, wilt be forced to buy, at market rates, its bonds, not then redeemable, and which, under such circumstances, cannot fail to command an enormous premium, or the swol en revenues will be devoted to extravagant ixpendit'iie, which, as experience has taught is eve.' the bane of an overflowing treasury. It was lua le. apparent inthe course of i Reanimated discussions which the question aroused at the last Session of Congress that the policy ot diminishing the revenue by reducing taxation commanded the general approval of the membeis of both houses. I regret that, because or conflicting views as to the best methods by which that policy should be made Ope ative, none of its benefits have as yet been reaperl. In fulfillment of what I deem my constitutional duty, but with little hope that I can m ike a valuable contribution to this ve-.ed question, I shall proceed to -intimate bdefly my own view in relation to it: Upon the showing of our financial condition nt the close of the !a-t fiscal vear I felt justified in recommcndimz to Congress the abolition of internal-revenue tax-s exceptth-i.se upon tobacco in rs various form- and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors, and except, also, the special tax ti)ion the manufacturers and dealers in such articles I venture now to suggest that, miles-it shall be ascertained that the probable expenditures of the Government for the coming year have been underestimated, all internal tuxes save those which relate to distilled spirits gau be prudently abrogated. 8 ch a course, if "•ccomp.inird bv a simplification of the mach nery 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 two millions and a half, and in the retirement from office of from 1,5 0 to 2,n00 persons. The system of excise duties has never commended itsc-lt to the favor of the Ameiican people, and has never been resorted to except fi r supp ying deficiencies in the treasury, when, by reason of special exigencies, the duties on imports have proved inadequate for the reeds of the Government. 'I lie sentiment o the country doubtless commands that the present excise tax shall be alKjlished as soon as such course can safely be I itr* uod. It seems to me, however, jfcr various rea« -ns, so sweeping a measure as lhe total abolition cf internal taxes would, for the pr sent, 1c an nuwise step. Two of these reasons are deserving of s- ecial mention. 1. Jt is by no means (dear that, even if the existing system of duti s' on imports is" continued without moditicatioh, those duties alone will yi Id sufficient revenue for all the needs of the Government.' It i< estimated that jnoo,000, will be require I for pensions during -the oominz 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 lhe present, of that portion of the system cf internal revenue which is least objectionable to the jxiople. 2. A to' al abolition of excise taxes would almost inevitably prove a serious, if not an insurmountable, objection t<» a thorough revision of the tariff and to any considerable reduction in import duties. The present thi iff system is, in manv respects, unjust It make-i unequal distributions both of its burdens and its liene its. The revenue from oust ms for the fiscal year ending June 30, U 79. amounted to $137,000,000. It has in the three succee Ing years reached first sis6,oi!o.ooo; then $198,000,000; an l finally, as has been already stated. $2-0.000,000. The income from this source .for the fiscal year which will end on June 30, 1881, 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 abandonmentftOf the policy of so discriminating in the adjtwtment of details as to afford aid and protection to domestic labor. But the present system pheuKi be pp revised « to

equalise the public burden among all clashes and occupations, and bring it in:» clo<er h rimnv with the presen’. nc *^ L < l, l U l ß,4BfilS r » under present ci reams tan oca, 1* q ite unnocoasarv, I recommen I an enlarge nont of .he free list so aaWindtadff wM»i*lt tha numerous mictaß wiiich yield tnoonfiJocable revmuo a I nSilication., if Mie comp'ttt aa t Inwnsistmrtacbedataor iullea upm abrtain inanafM txres, partici arty fikuoe of cotton, Upn and steel, an 1 a sub-stant - alTedaction of thi* d.it is upon those articles and upon auzar molasses, tieab eat this session. I expre-n he hope th tat least so:n ; of the more conspicuous inequa'iues of the present law may be corrected before your anal a<ijohmment- One of them is - peciall referred to by the Becretarv. In view of the race t decision of the Supreme Court, the ne »s----•dt -of amending the Uw by which tte nutch standar iof c >lor is adop ed ; a the test of the s iccharlne stre igth of sugars is too obvious .o require comment. Our Indian affa rs are representei to bJ tn a <<atisfactorr condition, and no trouble is apprehended in the future. The President directs attent'on to onr inadequate sea-coast defenses, and expre<w.’the hoi* that adequate appropriations may be made to s remgik n them. The attenti-m of Ccngre” is invited to t »e propriety of making more adequate p.ovlsionfor arming and equ pp ng the ma itia than a e afforded by the act ofl--oi, which is suit upon the sta ute bo ka . Upon the subject of Rirerand Harbor bids, the President says: , .... ~ “The g ounds that impelled me to withhold my signature from the hili entitled An act making appropriations for the construction, rejair and pr -eervation o# certain winks on rivers and harlwre.' which bqcame a law near the close of vour last session, force me to express the hep? that no similar measure will be deemed nec-zs-s-rv during th- present session of Congress. Indeed, such a measure would now >c open to serious objection, in addition to that which was lately arced upon your attention. I am informed by the Secretary of War that the greater portion of the sum apptopriafod I »r the ■. arionsiie r.s .I*o--in that act remains unexpendc I. ih • President thinks that, “so far as o ncc ns m st of the item* to which the act of Congress of Aug 2, 183.’. relates, there can be no need . t further appr< priatiens until biter the close i f the present session. If, however, any action should seem to »e necessa: v in lespect to pa.ticular objee s. it will be entirely feasible to provide for th >se objects by appropriate ogislation It is possible -for example, that a delav un it the asse ub ing of the next Cong o**, to make ruldi ion il provision for the Mississippi liver immovcments. might ba attend'd with serious co iseqnences. If sltch should appear to ire the case, a just bill r-l iting to that suhj c would comm-ind’ my approval This leads me to offer a suggestion which 1 tr .st will comuumditsaU to the wisdom of Congress Is 1: not advi a le tha’ grants . f considerable sums of moner for diverse and iudc en lent *'h«nes of internal improvement shoul I lie ma le the subject of separat" an I d sfnet leg sative <-nae ment*? It will scarcely be gainsaid, even bv those who favor the mos li'oeral expmdi uro' for sue i purpose* a* arc sought to hea r mplld.ol bv what is common y cal ed the River and Harbor bill, tl a the i mcrice of -rouping m such a bill appronri tions tor a great diversity cf objects widely separried, eihter in their nature. it ihe locality with which the.- are concerned, or in both, is one whi 'h is to be deprecated. Unless it is divisible, it inevitably tends to secure the success of the bid r.s a wh >le, though many of th" item*, if setiarately considered, could scarcely fail of rejection By the adoption of the course I have recommen led. everv member of Congress, when opportunity -hould arise for giv.n : hi* influence and vote for meritoriou- appropriations would be enable I to do so without being cal ed upon to sancti >n others undeserving his approva’. So, also, would the Executive be afforded thereby a full opportunity to exe:ci*e his con*tit itiond prerogative of opposing whatev.r uppr priatious seemed to him objectionable, wi.hout imperiling the sneers* of others wh ch commcud themselves t his judgment. It may be urgel in opposition t> the-e smrg"*tions that ihe number of works of international improvement* which are jnst’y entitled to Governmental ai 1 L* so creat a* to rendet impracticable : s-’parat* appropridion bills therefor, or even for ' *uch a comparatively limited number as make dispositio of sums of money. This ob- ■ jectiou may be well founded, and whether it lie ! or not. the advantage* which would be likely to en*ue from r he adoption of tne oour* i I have I recommend*-1 may. perhaps, b? more effectual-y . attained bv another, which I resjectJuily submit ' to Con-zre-s as an alt ere stive proposidon. I: s provided by the constitutions of fourteen of cur States that the Executive may disapprove i any item or item* of a hill apjuopriating money, whereupon the parts of the bill approved shall I <>e a law. an 1 the part disapprove*! shall f il to become a law antes* Tn*asi*ed according to the provisions prescribed for the passage of bills i ever the ve:o of the Executive. The Stat*-.* wherein some such pnorision as the foregoing is a part of the fundamental are Alalguria. California, Col■'irado. Florida Geirgia. Louisiana, M nnesota, Missouri. Nebraska New Jersey. New York, ' r-. u svlvama Texas and West Virginia. I coin•i end tt your careful consideration t ie question w’E-ttjer an amenlni'-nt ot the Federal constitutt « in the particular indicated would not afford tne best remedy for what is often a grave em.»r:assroeEt both pi members of Congress and :ne Kxeeut-ve, aad is some imes a ser.ous public mischief ” The President call* attention to that portion of z xbecretarv of the Navy's report in refe-ring tc the reorganfation of our navy, and the c ntinued decadence of on: ocmmerc al marine, and hopes the rocammenda-ion* therein coukjned may receive the cartful reflection of our t-aiibi-al tegisla on

The Brwideni profeese* gratification ihat the Po U’ffiioe Department ha« become self-sustain-nun tiirwe-a a’iention to the report of the General in reference to the adrinabil-ty of cbanein* the present basis for feXiiis s,-lane* and allo« ante*; < t exten hn z ’he moner-or ier system; of enlarrinz the functions < f the postal establishment, *o as to ha e under i f ooßtrol tbe teleizraph syst- m of th - country, tizuizh from th ■ Ja-t and most-important reccz mend*tion tne I* xecutive with olds hits concurrence- The President earnestly recommends tna’ ictterpowtajre reduced to i>e cent * i>er ounce. Upon the subject of the star-route cases the Pre*vient sars: “fa my messace of Deccmlxir last I referred to pending criminal proceedings growing out of aheced frauds—what is known a* the star-route service of the poslotfice Department, and advised you I had enjoined U]W> the Attorney General and associate counsel to whom the interests of the Government were in 1 rusted, the duty ot pros curing with the utmost vigor of the law all persona who might be found chargesble with these offenses A trial of one of these case* has since occurred. It. occii] ie<l for many reeks the attention of the Supreme. Court ot this di*trict, and was conduced with great zeal and ability. It resulted in a disagreement of the jury; but the cause ha* been again placed upon the calendar, and will shortly be re'ried. Jf any guilty persons shall finally e«cape punishment for their offenses, it will not be for lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the part of the prosecut ion.” The President urges upon Congress the reenactment of a national bankrupt law. In regard to the Indians, the President renews his former recommendations as to extending to these w ards of the nation the protection of the law, allotting land in severally to such as desire, and making suitable provision for the education of Indian youths. In regard to the. regulation of inter-*tatc commerce the President says: “One of the incidents of the marvelous extension of the r dlwiy system of the country has been the adoption of such m ■■■ sures by the corporation* which own or control the roads as has tended to impair t,he advantages ot healthful competition, and make hurtful discriminations in the adjustment of frei htage. These inequalities lave been corrected in several of the States by ajipropriate 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 President says the condition of the forests of the country and the wasteful manner of their destruction taking place, give cause for serious apprehension, and 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.

President Arthur devotes considerable space to the subject of appointments to the public service and political assessments. Upon the firstnamed topic he says: “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 tills regard, it is certain that much re’ief may be affordel, n>t only to the President and to the heads of the departments, but to Senators and Representatives in Congress. I trust that before the c ose 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 co-oi>era-tion in any measures which are likely to conduce to that end as to the moat appropriate term, and tenure of the official life of the subordinate employes 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 tliat 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 hea 1 of this department er that bureau, if they feel assured 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 ot any political party or faction.” In regard to jxilitioal assessments, the President says: “I declare my approval of such legislation as may be found necessary for supporting the existing provisions of law in relation to political assessment. Iu July last I authorized a public announcement that employes 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 stations s 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 golitical party of his choice. It has, owever, been urged, and doubtles* not without foundation in fact, that by the solicitaiton of superiors and by other modes, such contributions have at times been obtained from persons whose only motive for giving has been a fear of what might befall them if they refused. It goes without saying that such contributions are no+ voluntary. In my judgment, their collection should be prohibited by law’. A bill which will effectually suppress them will receive ruv cordial approval/'

Within a radius of seventy-Kv® miles from Montreal upward if 10& cheese factories have been kffW within a cejij paratively short