Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-06

With the aid thus afforded me, shall strive to
letter and suirst-
am unwilling, in justice to the present civil
servants OF the government. to dismiss this sub
feet without declaring my dissent from the severe
and almost indiScriminate censure with which
they have been recently asSaiied That they
a class INDECENT, inefficient, and corrupt, Is
st element which has been often made and widely
credited But when the extent, variety. deliclcy.
and Importance or their duties are considered the
great jority OF the employees OF the government
are in my Judgment deserving of high cOmmenda-
ton.
The continuing decline OF the merchant marine
OF the United States is greatly To be deplorCd. In
VI w OF tue fact thet we furnish so large pro-
portion ef the freightS OF the commercial world,
and that our shipments steadily and rapidly
increasing, IL is cause OF surprise that not only Is
our navigation interest diminishing. but it is less
then when our exports and imports were not half
so large as now, either in buiA or value. There
must be some peculiar hinderance to the develop
ment OF this Interest the enterprise and energy
OF American mechanics and capt lists would have
Kept hI fOuy f At list c aofeaft fo OF
ocean supremacy. The substitution OF iron
for wood and of steam FOR sail have wrought great
revolutions in the carrying trade of the world; but
these changes could not have been adverse to
America IL we had given to our NAVIGATION interests
portion OF the aid and protection which have
been so widely bestowed upon our manufactures.
commend the whole subject to the wisdom OF
Congress, with TIE suggestion that no question OF
greater magnitude or fifther-redching importance
can engage their attention
In 1875 the Supreme Court of the United States
decl red uncOnstitut onal the statutes OF eertiin
States which imposed upon ship-Owners or con-
signees a tax OF one dollar and half for each
passenger arriving from a foreign country, or, in
State and local authorities against expense for
the future relief ad or support OF snsn
Ing the care and supervision of tmmi-
grants. has fallen ON the States at whose
such Immigrants, irnmedi tely upon their arrival,
proceed TO the inland States and the Territories TO
impose upoR the State whose Shores they rs
reach, the burden which it now bears. For this
reason, and because OF the national importance of
the subject. / recommend legislation regarding
The supervision and trtrSitory care OF immigrants
at the ports OF debsrkati0n.
regret 10 state that the people OF Alaska have
reason IT, complain that they are as yet unpro-
vided with any form of government by which life
or property can be protected. While the extent of
It's popujsfIon dos hot Justify the application of
the costly machinery OF TER torial administration,
there is Immediate necessity for constituting such
form OF government as will promote the educa-
ton OF the people and secure the administration
OF justice.
The Senate at its last session, passed bill pro-
viding for the construction of building for the
Library OF Congress, but it failed to become law.
The provision OF suitable protection for this great
collection OF books. and for the copyright depart
ment connected with it, has become a subject OF
RATIONAL importance and should receive prompt
attention.
The report OF the Commissioners OF the District
OF Columbia, herewith transmitted, will inform
you fully of the condition OF the affairs of the Dis
frict.
They urge the vital Importance of legislation for
the reclamation and Improvement or the marshes
the Potomac river front.
It's represented that in their present condition
these marshes seriously affect the health OF the
residents of the adjacent parts of the city: and
that they greatly mar the general aspect OF the
PIE Ia pon , ADD tn nat narp and tn
the park south of the Executive Mansion large
area OF valuable land, and would transform Whit
Is now believed to be dangerous nuisance into
an attractive landscape extending TO the river
font
They recommend the removal of the steam rail-
city, and the location OF the necessary depOtS in
such places as may DC convenient LOT the Pupilc
accommodation: and they call attention To the de-
hcieney of the water supply, which seriously al
fects the material prosperity OF the city and the
health and comfort OF its Inhabitants.
ederation.
The Importance of tir.ely legislation with re-
spect to the aScertafnment and declaration OF the
vote for Presidential electors was Sharply called
TO the attention OF the people more than four years
It is to be hoped that some well-defned measure
may be devised before another national ELECTION,
which will render unnecessary resort To any ex-
pedient OF temporary character, for the
determination of questions upon contested
returns.
Questions which concern the very existence OF
the government and the liberties OF the people
were suggested by the prolonged Illness OF the
perform the functions of his office.
IL is provided by the second article OF the Con-
stitution, in the nth clause OF its first section,
that sin case OF the removal of the President from
Office, of his death, resignation, or inability to
same shall devolve the yicerPresident."
What T. the intendment OF the Constitution In its
and duties OF said officea as one OF the contingent
cies which calls the VicePreSident TO the exercise
OF Presidential functions?
Is the inability limited In its nature to 1ongcOn-
tnued intellectual incapacity, or has it broader
import?
How must its existence be established?
Has the President, whose inability Is the subject
of inquiry any voice in determining whether or
IL decision AT
and delicate question confided to the Vice-Presi-
dent, or is it contemplated by the Constitution
that Congress should provide by law precisely
what should constitute inability, and how and by
what tribunal or authority it should be ascer-
tiined-
II the inability proves To be temporary in its ma
ture, and during Its continuance the Vice-Presi-
dent lawfully exercises the functions OF the Exc
cutiye, by what tenure does he hold his office?
Does he continue as President for the remainder
or would the elected President. If his inability
Should cease in the interval, be empowered to re-
sumo mis- Office?
And If having such lawful authority he should
exercise it, wo1ld the Yice-PreSident be thereupon
empowered TO resume his powers and duties as
cannot doubt that these important questions
win receive your early and thoughtful considera-
ton.
sibIlites which have so unexpectedly devOlved
uPon me, il will BE- my constant purpose to coop
crate with you in such measures Will promote
the glory OF the country and the prosperity OF its
people.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WAsHINGToN, December 6, 1881.
The STREET-CAR TRANSFER TICKET QUESTION:
Yesterday, in the Circuit Court, the case of Yeat-
man against the Washington and Georgetown
Railroad Comprehension for being elected from
car in which he claimed he had the right TO ride,
having paid his fare on one car, notwithstanding
he did not have tranSfer-waS given to the jury.
Judge Macarthur, in charging the jury, said the
question as TO the reasonableness of the rule re-
Quirng passengers TO procure transfer tickets from
An agent was Tor the jury to decide upon. The
jury were out till O'Clock last night, and returned
sealed verdict, which. being opened this morning,
found TO be for plaintiff in 500. This will
go to the General Term on exceptions taken by de-
PENDANTS counsel, Mr.. lotion. The case OF Rheum
against same defendant, in which the facts are the
same. tried last week, resulted In verdict for de-
fendant, and this case viii also go to the General
Term on exceptions taken by plaintiffs counsel,
MeSsrs Cook & Cole. The question OF the reason
ableness of the transfer rule may, therefore, be
regarded as unsettled until The General term passes
upon IL
IMPORTANT TO THE LADlEs--The enferpr!sing and
wide awake always win in the race Tor success
The Palais Royal say they have secured an I'M
menSe stock Of rich ribbons for their first regular
Semi-Weekiy lie, and phenomenal bargains will