Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1882 — THE MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

THE MESSAGE.

annual Communication of (ho President to Congress. Gratifying Condition of Our Foreign Relations. The Executive Recommends a Be* duetion of Taxation. He Also Has a Word to Say in Regard to River and Harbor Bills. President Arthur’s animal message was delivered to Congress Immediately after the assembling of that body on Monday, Deo. 4. It la the longest document of this character that has come from a national Chief Magistrate in recent years, and reviews the events of the year, first calling attention to the gratifying condition of affairs. It mentions the arrest of American citizens in Great Britain, and a manifestation on the part of that Government to respect our righ s by the release of the arrested parties. The President says that the claim of this uation in regard to the supervision and control cf any intcr-oceanic canal across the American lsUmiu&.haß continued to l>e the subject of conCeience with Great Britain. It is likely that lime will be more powerful than discussion in removing the divergence between the two na ions, whose friendship is so closely cemented by the intimacy ot their relations and the community of their interests. Our long-established friendliness with Russia remains unbroken, and the proffer of the counsel of this Government that measures be taken by that nation to prevent further persecutions of the Jews has been courteously received. 1 Upon the subject of Chinese immigration, the Executive says: “The recent legislation restricting immigration of laborers irom China has aiven ) ise to the question whether Chinese proceeding to or from another country may lawfully pass through our own. In construing the act of May 6, I.vjl, in connection wi;h the treaty of November 7, 1880, the restriction would seem to be. limited to Chinese immigrants coming to the United States as laborers, and Bhould not foibid a mere transit across our territory. I ask the attention of Congress to the subject for such action, if any, as it may deem advisable." The President calls the attention of Congress to the prevailing lawlessness on the Mexican border. A partial relief from these mischiefs has been sought in a convention, which now awaits the approval of the Senate, as does also anothor touching the establishment of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. If the latter Is ratified, the action of Con- . will be required for establishing suitable •ommissions of survey. The President refers to the war between Peru and Chili, and the failure of the efforts of this Government to bring about a cessation of hostilities, and deplores the fact that Chill seems disposed to exact such merciless terms of peace. He expresses the hope that Congress may authorize an International Peace Congress, with a view of bringing about an amicable settlement of the troubles.

The Executive renews his 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 a joint resolution of Conmess, adopted last August, the President directed the Secretary of State to address foreign Governments in respect to a proposed conference tor considering the subject of the universal adoption of a common meridian to be used in the reckoning of longitude, and in the regulation of time throughout the civilized world. Replies have been received, and will in due time be laid before Congress. The President urges a reorganization of the diplomatic and consular service on a salaried basis, the fees to go into the national treasury. Doing the year there have been organized 171 national banks, and of these institutions there are now in operation 2,209—a larger number than ever before. The value of their notes in actual circulation on July 1,1882, was $324,65r>,458. The President calls the attention of Congress to the views of the Secretary of the Treasury, in respect to the livelihood of a serious contraction of this circula ion and to the modes by which that result may, in his judgment, be averted. In respect to the coinage of silver dollars and the retirement oi silver certificates the Executive says the mass of accumulated coin has grown so great that the vault room at pre ent available for storage is searcely sufficient to contain it, and fails to see why it is desirable to continue this coinage now so enormously in excess of the public demand. As to the silver certificates, the President says that, in addition to the grounds which seemed last year to justify their retirement, may be mentioned the effect which is likely to ensue trom the supply of gold certificates for which issuance Congress recently made provision, and which are now in active circulation. The President urges upon Congress a reduction of taxation and a readjustment of the tariff. Upon these important questions we present his views in full. You cannot fail to notice with interest the discussion by the Secretary as to the necessity of providing by legislation some mode of freeing the treasury of an excess of assets. In the event' that Congress fails to reach an early agreement for the reduction of taxation, i heartily approve the Secretary's recommendation of immediate and extensive reductions in the annual revenues of the Government. It will be remembered that I urged upon the attention of Congress at its last session the importance of relieving the industry and enterprise of the country from the pressure from unnecessary taxation. It is one of the tritest maxims of political economy that all taxes are burdensome, however wisely and prudently imposed, and though there have alway - been among our people wide differences of sentiment as to the best methods of r»lsing the nationa revenues, and, indeed, as to the principles upon which taxation should be based, there lias been substantial accord in the doctrine thit only such taxes ought to be levied as are necessary for a wise and economical administration of the Government. Of late the public revenues have far exceeded that limit, and unless checked by appropriate legislation, such excess will continue to increase from year to year. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1881, the surplus revenue amounted to $100,000,000. For the fiscal year ended on the 30th of June last, the surplus was more than $145,000,000. The report of the Secretary shows what disposition has been made of these moneys. They have not onlv answered the requirements of the sinking fund, but have afforded a large balance apgli cable to other reductions of the public debt lut I renew the expression of my conviction that such rapid extinguishment of the national indebtedness as is now taking place is by no means a cause for congratulation. It is a cause, rather, for serious apprehension. If it continues, it must speedily be followed by one of the evil results so clearly set forth in the report of the Secretary. Either the surplus must lie idle in the treasury, or the Government will be forced to buy, at market rates, its bonds, not then redeemable, and which, under such circumstances, cannot fail to command an enormous premium, or the swollen revenues will be devoted to extravagant expenditure, which, as experience has taught, is ever the bane of an overflowing treasury. It was made apparent in the course of the animated discussions which the question aroused at the last session of Congress that the policy of diminishing the revenue by reducing taxation commanded the general approval of the members of troth houses. I regret that, because of conflicting views as to the best methods by which that policy should be made operative, none of its benefits nave as yet been reaped, in fulfillment of what I deem my constitutional duty, but with little hope that I can make a valuable contribution to this vexed question, 1 shill proceed to intimate briefly my own view in rotation to it: Upon the showing of our financial condition at the close of the last fiscal year I felt Justified

in recommending to Congress the abolition of Internal-revenue taxes except those upon tobacoo in its various forms and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors, and exoept, also, the special tax upon the manufacturers and dealers in such articles. I venture now to snggest that, unless it shall be ascertained that the probable expenditures of the Government for the coming year have been underestimated, all internal taxes save those which relate to distilled spirits can be prudently abrogated. Such a course, if accompanied by a simplification of the machinery of collection, which would then be easy of accomplishment, might reasonably be expected to result in diminishing the oost of such collection by at least two millions and a half, and in the retirement from office of from 1,500 tz\s,ooo persons. The system of excise duties has never commended itself to the favor of the American people, and has never been resorted to except for supplying deficiencies in the treasury, when, by reason of speoial Sncies, the duties on imports have proved quate for the needs of the Government. The sentiment of the country doubtless commands that the present excise tax shall be abolished as soon as sueh oourse can safely be pursued. It seems to me, hpwever, for various reasons, so sweeping a measure as the total abolition of internal taxes would, for the present, be an nnwise step. Two of these reasons are deserving of special mention. 1. It is by no means clear that, even if the existing system of duties on Imports is continued without modification, those duties alone will yield sufficient revenue for all the needs of the Government. It Is estimated that SIOO,000,000 will be required for pensions during the coming year, and it may well be doubted whether the maximum annual demand for that object bas yet been reached. Uncertainty upon this question would alone justify, in my judgment, the retention, for the present, of that portion of the system of internal revenue whloh is least objectionable to the people. 2. A total abolition of excise taxes would almost inevitably prove a serious, if not an insurmountable, objection to a thorough revision of the tariff and to any considerable reduotlon in imi>ort duties. The present tariff system is, in many respects, unjust. It makes unequal distributions both of its burdens and its benefits. The revenue from customs for the fiscal year ending June :jo, 1579. amounted to $137,000,000. It has in the three succeeding years reached first $180,000,000; then $ 198,000, ooo; and finally, as has been already stated, $220,000,000. The Income from this source for the fiscal year which will end on June 30,1883, will doubtless be considerably in excess ot the sum last mentioned. If the tax on domestic spirits Is to be retained, it is plain, therefore. that latge reductions from the customs revenue are entirely feasible. While recommending this reduction I am far from- advising the abandonment of the policy of so discriminating in the adjustment of details as to afford aid and protection to domestic labor. But the present system should be so revised as to eqnalize the public burden among all classes and occupations, and bring it into closer harmony with the present needs of industry. Without entering into minute detail, widen, under present circumstances, is quite unnecessary, I recommend an enlargement of the free list so as to Include within it the numerous articles which yield inconsiderable revenue: a simplification of the complex and inconsistent schedule of duties upon certain manufactures, particularly those of cotton, Iron aud steel, and a substantial reduction of the duties upon those articles and upon sugar, molasses, silk, wool and woolen goods. If a general revision of the tariff shall be found to be Impracticable at this session, I express tlio hope that at least some of the more conspicuous inequalities of the present law may be corrected before your final adjournment. One of them is specially referred to by the Secretary. In view of the recent decision of the Supremo Court, the necessity of amending the law by which the Dutch standard of color is adopted as the test of the saccharine strength of sugars Is too obvious to require comment. Our Indian affairs are represented to be in a satisfactory condition, and no trouble is apprehended in the future. The President directs attention to our inadequate sea-coast defenses, and expresses the hope that adequate appropriations may be made to strengthen them. The attention of Congress is invited to the propriety of making mare adequate provision for arming and equipping the malitla than are afforded by the act of 1800, which is still upon the statute bo Its.

Upon the subject es River and Harbor bills, the President says: “The grounds that impelled me to withhold my signature from the bill entitled ‘An act making appropriations for the construction, repair and preservation of certain works on rivers and harbors,* Avhtch became a law near the close of your last session, force me to express the hope that no similar measure will be deemed necessary during the present session of Congress. Indeed, such a measure would now l>e open to serious objection, in addition to that which was lately urged upon your attention. I am informed by the Secretary of War that the greater imrtion of the sum appropriated for the varlousitems specified in that act remains unexpended. The President thinks that, “so far as concerns most of the items to which the act of Congress of Aug, 2, 1882, relates, there can be no need "f further appropriations until after the close of the present session. If, however, any action should seem to be necessary in respect to particular objects, it will be entirely feasible to provide for those objects by appropriate legislation. It is possible, for example, that a delay until the assembling of the next Congress, to make additional provision for the Mississippi river improvements, might be attended with serious consequences. If such should appear to be the case, a just bill relating to that subject would command my approval. This leads me to offer a suggestion which I trust will commend itself to the wisdom of Congress. Js it not advisable that grants of considerable sums of money for diverse and Indeixmdent schemes of internal improvement should be made the subject of separate and distinct legislative enactments? It will scarcely be gainsaid, even by those who favor the most liberal expenditures for such purposes as are sought to l)e aoc inplished by what is commonly cal ed the River and Harbor bill, that the practice of grouping in such a bill appropriations for a great diversity of objects widely separated, eihter in their nature, in the locality with which they are concerned, or in both, is one which is to be deprecated. Unless it is divisible, it inevitably tends to secure the success of the bill as a whole, though many of the items, if separately considered, could scarcely fail of rejection. By the adoption of the course I have recommended, every member of Congress, when opportunity should arise for giving his influence and vote for meritorions appropriations, would be enabled to do so without being called upon to sanction others undeserving his approval. So, also, would the Executive be afforded thereby a full opportunity to exercise his constitutional prerogative of opposing whatever appropriations seemed to him objectionable, without Imperiling the success of others which commend themselves to his Judgment. It may be urged in opposition to these suggestions that the number of works of international improvements which are justly entitled to Governmental aid is so great as to render impracticable separate appropriation bills therefor, or even for such a comparatively limited number as make disposltio of large sums of money. This objection may be well founded, and whether it be or not, the advantages which would be likely to ensue from the adoption of the course I have recommended may, perhaps, be more effectually attained by another, which I respectfully submit to Congress as an alternative proposition. It is provided by the constitutions of fourteen of our States that the Executive may disapprove any item or items of a bill appropriating money, whereupon the parts of the bill approved shall be a law, and the part disapproved shall fail to become a law unless repassed according to the provisions prescribed for the passage of bills over the veto of. the Executive. The States wherein some such provision as the foregoing is a part of the fundamental law are Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia. I commend to your careful consideration the question whether an amendment ot the Federal constitution in the particular indicated would not afford the best remedy for what is often a grave embarrassment both to members of Congress and the Executive, and is sometimes a serious public mischief." The President calls attention to that portion of the Secretary of the Navy’s report in referring to the reorganization of our navy, and the continued decadenoe of our commercial marine, and hopes the recommendations therein contained may receive the careful reflection of our national legislators. The President professes gratification that the

Postoffloe Department has become self-sustain-ing, and directs attention to the report of the Postmaster General in reference to the advisablltty of changing the present, basis for fixing salaries and allowances; of extending the money-order system: ot enlarging the functions of the postal establishment, so as to have under its control the telegraph system of th - country, though from this last and most-important recommendation the Executive with' olds his concurrence. The President earnestly recommends that letter postage reduced to be cents per ounce. Upon the subject of the star-route cases tho President says; “In my message of Docemlier last I referred to pending criminal proceedings growin g out of alleged frauds—what is known as the Btar-route service of the postoffico Department, and advised you I had enjoined upon the Attorney General and associate counsel to whom the interests of the Government were intrusted, the duty ot pros outing with the utmost vigor of the law all persons who might be found ohargeable with these offenses. A trial of one of these oases has since occurred. It occupied for many weeks the attention of the Supreme Court of this district, and was oonduotea with great seal and ability. It resulted in a disagreement of the jury; but the cause has been again plaoed upon the calendar, and will shortly be retried. If any guilty persons shall finally escape punishment for tbeir offenses, it will not be for lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the part of the proseoatton." The President urges upon Congress the reenactment of aaauonal bankrupt law. In regard to the Indians, the President renews his former recommendations as to extending to these wards of the nation the protection of the law, allotting land in severally to suoh as desire, and making suitable provision for the education of Indian youths. lu regard to the regulation of inter-state commerce the President says: “One of the incidents of the marvelous extension of the railway system of the country has been the adoption of such m ‘Hsures by the corporations whloh own or control the roads as has tended to Impair tho advantages of healthful competition, and make hurtful discriminations in the adjustment of freightage. Those inequalities ■ ave boen corrected in several of the States by appropriate legislation, the effect of which is necessarily restricted to the limits of tholr own Territory. So far as moh mischiefs affect commerce between the Mates or between any one of tho States and a foreign country, they are subjfceU of national concern', and Congress alone Can afford relief." The Executive makes brief referenoe to the efforts for the suppression of polygamy in the Territories, aud thinks it is not probable that any additional legislation in this regard will be deemed desirable until the effect of existing laws shall be more closely observed and studied, lie congratulates Congress that the Commissioners under whose supervision those laws have been put lu operation are encouraged to bellove that tho evil at which they aimed may bo suppressed without resort to such radical measures as in some quarters have been thought indispensable for success. The President says the condition of the forests of the country and tho 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 seenre the preservation of the valuable forests still remaining on the public domain. President Arthur devotes considerable space to the subject of appointments to the publio service and political sssessments. Upon the firstnamed topic he says: "in tho 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 publio service. But whatever may be thought of the wisdom or expediency of changing, the fundamental law in this regard, it is certain that much relief may be affordel, not only to the President and to the beads of the departments, but to Senators and Representatives in Congress. I trust that before the close of the present session some decisive action may be taken for the correction of the evils which inhere in the present methods of appointment, and I assure you of my hearty 00-opera-tlon in any measures which are likely to conduce to that end as to the most appropriate term aud tenure of the official life of the subordinate employes of tho Government. It soems to be generally agreed that, whatever their extent or character, the one should be definite and the other stable, and that neither should be regulated by zeal in the service of party or fidelity to the fortunes of an individual. It matters little to the people at large what competent person is at the hea<l of this department or that bureau, if they feel assured the removal of oue and tho accession of another will not Involve the retirement of honest and faithful subordinates whose duties are purely administrative, and have no legitimate connection with the triumph of any political principles or the success of any political party or faction.” In regard to politioal assessments, the President says: "I declare my approval of snoh legislation as may be found necessary for supporting the existing provisions of law in relation to political assessment In July last I authorized a publio announcement that employes of the Government shonld 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. In this announcement, I noted upon the view which I had always maintained, and still maintain, that a publio officer should be as absolutely free as any other citizen to give or to withhold a contribution for tho aid of tho Solitical party of his choice. It has, owever, been urged, and doubtless not without foundation in fact, that by the solicitation of superiors and by other modes, suoh 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 not voluntary. In my judgment, their collection should be prohibited by law. A bill which will effectually suppress them will receive my cordial approval.