Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Win an appropriate reference 10 IHt
, appalling calamity" that befell the
American people in the death of Gen
Garfield, and the universal tribute Of
sympathy and sorrow which history will
irecord "as signal tokens of the kinshiI
of Nations" President Arthur appro-
ffpriately opens his first message to Con-
gress.
A rapid and cursory review of our re-
lations with foreign Powers follows
There is nothing especially new in what
he says on the subject. Early in the
year the Fortune Bay claims wers salts
Ifactorily settled with Great Britain. Ne
gotiations for an International Copy
right Convention are still pending. The
Surrender of Sitting Bull has allayed ap-
fprehension on our Northwestern border,
though bodies of British Indians still
tmake incursions in quest of food, SO that
in all respects our relations with Great
tBritain are eninently peaceful and
friendly.
4 Congress is recommended to provide
for the repayment of expenses incurred
by our commissioners and delegates to
the Paris Electrical Congress, in which
honOrs were won by our specialists.
Relations with Germany and Spain
continue friendly, but attention is call
| ed to the onerous fines which have been
imposed upon American shipping in
Spanish Colonial ports, especially in the
case of the bark Masonic. which put in
to the port of Manila in distress, and
the cargo of which it was sought To con-
liscate for alleged shortage in her tran
shipped cargo.
The exchange of condolences between
our own and the Russian Governments
| on the assassination of the Gar and the
President is duly noticed, also the con-
clusion of an agreement with Italy. put
ting at rest conflicts of jurisdiction in
the case of crime on shipboard, and re-
commencing Congressional recognition
| to the proceedings of various interna-
tional congresses held during the year.
The failure of the Turkish Govern
ment to execute the condemned MUIR
derer of Dr. Parsons, missionary, is no
ted; also the protest of our Government
to the Swiss authorities in permitting
the emigration of criminals and other
Objectionable persons.
with Moyinn friond-
ly, and the Government encourages Mex
leo to promote more intimate CONNER
cial intercourse as of advantage to both
countries, while at the same time provi-
ding for the restraint of lawlessness on
the border and The suppression of forays
by The Reservation Indians on both sides
the lilla
Relations with the Central American
States are friendly and satisfactory, bnt
there is a suggestion of paternal interest
in their affairs. 1t is assumed in the
matter of the inter-oceanic canal that
"we are tie sole guarantor of the in
tegrity of Colombian territory and of
the canal ITSELF" and should treat a Eu-
ropean guarantee of such neutrality as
an impertinence.
The message expresses regret at the
withdrawal of the American lines be-
tween the ports of Brazil and our own,
but does not show that it has affected
our commerce with that country disas-
trously.
The treaties lately negotiated with
China have been ratified on both sides
we gain in the privilege to suppress i'm
migration, and China in exemption from
the evils of the opium trade, so far as
American commerce is concerned.
A few other matters, incident to our
foreign relations, are mentioned, but of
no particular interest.
a new code of maritime regulations
to prevent collisions at seals recommen-
ded They are now in general practice.
and attention is called to the new rules
and regulations adopted by the National
Board of Health to prevent the introduc
ton of contagious diseases into the
country.
The financial condition of the country
at the ending of the fiscal year, June 80.
lis stated at length 1t is estimated that
the receipts for the current year will ex
eel those of the last by some $60,000,000
in round numbers, while the expendi-
lures will remain within $1O,OOO,OOO of
last year. This will leave S130,O0O,0O0
to be applied to the Sinking Fund and
redemption of the public debt.
The President recommends the retire
ment of the silver certificates, and the
repeal of the law authorizing their issue,
and concurs in Secretary Folger's re-
commentator that the coinage of silver
dollars be suspended for the present.
Also that the S15,OOO,00O of unredeemed
fractional currency be dropped from the
statements of the public debt. 1t will
never, probably, be offered for redemp
tion. 1t is also suggested that National
banks may properly be forbidden to re-
tire without giving reasonable notice."
The details of the revenue from Gus
toms, and the excess of exports over
imports, amounting to over $91, ,OOO, 900,
will be read with interest. The balance
is Oh the right side still, and likely to
continue so.
After stating the history of the re-
funding of the Five and Six per centum
bonds into Three-and-a-halfs, the Presi-
dent says, "Unless these bonds can be
funded at much lower rate of interest
than they now bear, agree with the
Secretary of the Treasury, that no legis-
lation restricting them is desirable"
| In view, also, of our abundant resour-
ces, the President thinks the time has
come for relief to Taxpayers, and re-
| commends the repeal of all internal rev.
enue taxes except upon tobacco and dis
titled fermented liquors. But he doubts
the advisability of reducing the taxes on
these commodities.
The tariff also needs revision, and he
concurs in the recommendation of
Commission to consider the subject and
report to Congress.
In his comments on the reports of the
various Departments, the Army, the
Navy, of Justice, &C., there is nothing
strikingly new in the message. The i'm
portance of recognizing the Navy and
making it efficient is dwelt upon; and it
is recommended that women shall be
| made competent to testify on trial of