The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-12-09


from the delivering of the Presidents mes
sage and the election of Speaker of the
House, nothing of Importance has transpired
IN their session, thus far Hon. Michael C.
Kerr, Democrat, of Indiana, was elected
Speaker of the House The Presidents
message is very lengthy, but able. Concern
ing it, The Pioneer-Press says:
The Presidents message vii be read with
universal interest. 1t lacks the grateful brew
lty OF his previous messages, but this is due
20 the prohx and tedious discussion of ques-
tons OF International concern, which NAV be
'easonably attributed TO Mr.. Fish, who stead
fastiy and firmly upholds the traditional
long windedness and verbosity of diplomatic
lingo for which his department is distinguish
ed. me IreSIdentS own portions of the
message, or what may be safely attributed to
him, afe marked by plain and unpublished
concIseness, drectneSs, and force, which
attest their originality. and are devoted to
subjects OF treaher interest and of more
lively Importance than the ordinary topics
OF a Presidents message. The first in the
order OF topics, and perhaps, the most i'm
portant feature OF the message, is that in re-
laLIon to the Importance of preserving the
public school system of the United States,
in which he gives the country the final fruit
OF the medltatlons on this subject which
cropped out IN his Des Moines speech.
Whether Blaine stole his thunder or Grant
has stolen Blaine's, il is difficult to say; for
Grants Des Moines speech necessarily sug-
gested and Implied some constitutional safe
guard against the evils of ignorance and the
encrOacnments OF sectaran fanaticism; but
Blaine was shreNed enough TO anticipate
the Presidents message by proposing an
amendment TO the constitution recurring
all States TO establish and support free
public schools, opeu to every sex, color, race
and religion, aud prohibiting sectarian
teaching tnerein OF any kind, or the use of
public moneys III the support of sectarian
schools. The President adopts as his own
this specific proposition, and perhaps it was
SO, and lends 1t the high sanction Of the ex-
eCutivc recommendation. On general prin-
cIpies 1t may always be regarded as an obiec-
tlon TO any measure chat it oniarges the
sphele OF the Federal authority; but this can
hardly be called Il measure of that kind. 1t
Imposes dutles OF paramount importance on
States winch aIe inclined 10 neglect them,
ana II prohibits TO the States that dscrimi-
sect winch the national constitution Low for.
bids wlJhln it's own sphere. We are inclined
10 tnImA that the President has taken effect
ual measures TO tultii his own prophesy, and
That by presenting tins question in this form,
ne has made 1t the great question Of the
future.
The Presidents views on the taxation of
church property are undoubtedly sound; but
a ,h ,;,,l, e
estate, II Is not a subject OF national but OF
state taxauOn, anu tie question is obviously
one OF state aud not OF national concern.
Passing to Mr.. Fish's part of the message, it
would not DC candid TO say that weare enter
tanned by his voluminous discussion of the
Cuban question, though we quite concur in
his conclusions that the time has not come
for recognizing the independence Of the Gu.
ban republic, or for according it beliigerent
rights. Nothing else Of interest is devel-
oped III his review OF our foreign relations
Ocean teiegraphy, naturalization and expa-
trlaton, form the subjects of prolix argu-
ments and OF some pertinent suggestions
The portion Of the message which will be
read with most interest, and which is of the
most immediate practical concern, is that
which relates TO the currency question. On
uncertain sound. His specific recommends
tions for expediting the resumption of spe-
Gle payments and for the restoration of the
currency to a sound and healthy basis are
first a repeal Of so much of the legal tender
act as makes these notes receivable for debts !
contracted after certain date, say January
lst 1877. Second, the redemption Of the |
legal tender notes at the rate Of $4,000, 900 /
monthly by issuing in their stead long $50 |
per cent. bond; and, third, an additional !
accumulation of gold for inal redemption t
These recommendations, if carried out |
would certainly hasten the resumption Of
specie payments, but whether they are the |
best measures tothat end, we are not now
to express an opinion.
The intelligence of the country will crate /
fully welcome the recommendation of the ,
President that the duty on tea and coffee be /
This suggestion indicates a return /
of tae administration to sounder fiscal views |
than those which Rave heretofore character
lied it, and the further suggestion that the |
SIS, 900, ,O0o.thus added to the revenue would |
enable Congress to remit the duties on many
articles entering into manufactures is
another promising indication of the Presi-
dents progress N the science oI political t
Further comments on she message /
must, however, be reserved for another time ,