The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-12-12

| therefore recommend modification
of both the tariff and internal tax laws, and
recommend that all taxes from internal
sources be abolished except those collected
from spurious, vinous and malt liquors, to-
bacco in its various forms, and from stamps.
In re-adiusting the tariff | suggest that a
careful estimate be made of the amount Of
surplus revenue collected under the present
laws after providing for the current expen-
ses of the Government, the interest ac-
count and sinking fund and that this
surplus be reduced in such manner as to
afford the greatest relief to the greatest num-
Der. There are many articles not produced
at home but which enter largely into gen
eral consumption, through articles which
are manufactured at home such as medi-
cines, compounds, ete,, from which very
little revenue is derived, but which enter
into general use. All such articles recon-
mend to be placed on the free list. Should
further reduction prove advisable, l
would then recommend that it be made
upon those articles which can best bear it
without disturbing home production or re-
ducing the wages of American labor" 81
In reference to the troubles in Utah the
President suggests that Congress considers,
what, in the execution of the laws against
polygamy, is to be the status of plural
wives and their offspring, and thinks that
laws might be passed legitimizing children
born previous TO certain date. r
The President is opposed to giving away
any more of the public lands to corporations
and upon this subject says: '"
g renew my recommendation that the
public lands be regarded as a heritage to
our children to be disposed of only as re-
quired for occupancy and to actual settlers
Those already granted have been in great
part disposed of in such way as to secure
access to the balance by the hardy settler
who may wish to avail himself of them, but
caution should be exercised even in attain
ing so desirable an object"
The condition of the Southern States and
the amnesty question is disposed of as fol-
lows
"More than six years have elapsed since
the last hostile gun was fired between the
armies then arrayed against each other
one for the perpetuation, the other for
the destruction of the Union--it may well
be considered whether it is not now time
that the disabilities imposed by the Four
teenth amendment should be removed.
That amendment does not exclude the bal
lot, but only imposes the disability to hold
offices upon certain classes. When the
purity of the ballot is secure majorities are
sure to elect officers rejecting the views of
the majority. l do not see the advantage
or propriety of excluding men from Office
merely because they were before the rebel
lion of standing and character, suffi cient to
be elected to positions requiring them to
take oaths to support the constitution, and
admitting to eligibility those entertaining
precisely the same views, but of less stand
ing in their communities. 1t may be said
that the former violated an oath, while the
latter did not have it in their power to do
SO. If they had taken this oath it cannot
be doubted they would have broken it as
did the former class.
If there are any great criminals distin-
guished for the part they took in opposition
to the Government, they might, in the
judgment of Congress, be excluded from
such an amnesty. This subject is submit
ted for your careful consideration. The
condition of the Southern States is, unhap-
PLY, not such as all true patriotic citizens
would like to see. Social ostracism for
opinions sake, personal violence or threats
toward suchpersons as entertain political
views opposed to those entertained by the
majority of the old citizens prevents immi-
grafton and the flow of much needed capi-
tai into the States lately in rebellion. 1t
will be a happy condition of the country
when the old citizens of those States will
take an interest in public affairs, promul-
gate ideas honestly entertained, vote for
men representing their views, and tolerate
the same freedom of expression and ballot
in those entertaining different political con-
viotions."
The President closes his message by
earnestly recommending reform in the
civil service, and trusts that the board
convened for that purpose will be enabled
to devise plan which will remedy the evil
and be great advantage TO the Executive
and all the heads of the departments
Death from Blowing Down Lamp
Chimney.