The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-12-10

The continued decline OF the merchant marine
OF the United States Is to be greatly deplored In
view OF the fact that We furnish so large pro-
portion OF the freights OF the commercial world,
and that our shipments are steadily and rapidly
increasing, 1t is cause OF surprise that not only
is our navigation interest diminishing out IL Is
less than when our exports and Imports were
not half o large as now, either in bulk or value
There must be some peculiar hindrance to the
development Of this interest, or the enterprise
and energy of American mechanics ana capltai
lists would have kept this country at least abreast
of our rivals in the contest FOR ocean supremacy
| The substitution of iron for wood and OF steam
for sails has wrought great revolutions in the car
ryng trade of the world, but these changes could
not have been adverse to America II we hao CIV
en- 20 our navigation interests portion OF the
aid and protection which have been so wisely DC,
slowed upon our manufacturers ] commend
the whole subject to the wisdom OF congress,
with the suggestion that no question OF greater
magnitude or farther reaching Importance can
engage their attention.
| IMMIGRATION.
| In 1873 the supreme court Of the L. s. declared
unc Constitutional the statutes Of certain states
which imposed upon shipowners or conslgnees
tax of 81. so for each passenger arriving from
foreign country, or, in lieu thereof, requifed a
bond TO indemnify the state and local authorities
against expense for the future relief or support
of such passenger. Since this decision the
expense attending the care and supervision
OF Immigrants has fallen on the states at
whose ports they have landed. As q large
majority OF such immigrants, Immediately
upon their arrival proceed to the inland states
! and the territories to seek permanent MONIES,
lit is manifestly unjust to impose upon the
| state whose shores they first reach the burden
which it now bears. For this reason, and be-
cause of the national importance OF the subject,
recommend legislation regarding the supervis.
ion and transitory care OF Immigrants atlhe ports
| Of debarkatiOn.
| ALASKA.
| regret TO state that the people OF Alaska have
reason to complain that they are rs yet unprovl-
| ded with any form of government by which lie
and property can be protected. While the extent
of its population does not justify the application
OF the costly machinery of territorial adminlStra
ton there is an immediate necessity for consu
tuting such a form of government as will pro-
mote the education of the people and secure the
administration of justice.
/ The senate at its last session passed bill pro-
yiding for the construction OF building lot the
library Of congress, but 1t failed to become law.
The provision for such protection for THIS great
collection of books and for the copyright depart
meut connected with it, has become subject OF
national importance, and should receive prompt
attention.
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
| The report of the commissioners Of the Dis
trct of Columbia, herewith transmitted, VIII IN.
form YOU fully of the condition oil the alIalrs OF
the District, the vital importance OF legislation
for the reclamation ard improvement OF the
lines along the Potomac river front. 1t Is repre-
scented that IN their present coGdion these
marshes seriously affect the health oil the resi-
dents OF the adjacent parts OF the city, ana that
they greatly mar the general aspect OF lhe PARK
lin which stands the Washington monument.
This Improvement would add to that park and
the park south of the executive mansion, "A large
area of valuable land, and would transform what
is now believed to be dangerous nuisance INTO
an attractive landscape extending to the river
hot aylnG n
railway lines from the surface OF the streets OF
the city, and the location of the necessary depots
in such places as may be convenient for the pub
Tic accommodation. They call attention to the
deficiency Of the water supply, which seriously
affects the material prosperity of the city and the
health and comfort of its inhabitants. | com.
mend these subjects to your careful consider.
alton.
| THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE.
The importance of timely legislation with re-
spect to the ascertainment and declaration oil the
vote for presidential. electors was sharply called
to the attention of the people more than toui
wears ago. 1t is to be hoped that some wcll-de
fined measure may be devised, before another ma
tiona election, which will render unnecessary
resort to any eypedient OF temporary character
for the determination OF questions upon contest
| ed returns. Questions which concern the very
3 existence Of the government and the liberties o
: the people were suggested by the prolonged III
ness Of the late president and his consequent in
II is provided by the second article of the conSti
tuition in the fifth clause of its first section, tha
in case of the removal Of the president from OF
fee or of his death, resignation, inability to dis
= charge the powers and duties of said office, thu
same shall devolve on the vice president. VIVA
is the intention of the constitution in its speclh
, cation OF INABILITY to discharge the powers ant
duties of said Office" Is one OF the contingencies
= which call the vice president to the exercise o
. presidential functions Is the inability daIega
i ted in its nature to long continued intellectual
e incapacity, or has it broader mportY what mus
S be its extent and duration? How must its exist
9 ence be established? Has the president, who's
inability is the subject Of inquiry, any voice il
!, determining whether or not il exists? Is the de
csion of that momentous and delicate question
cOnidcd TO the vice president, or is 1t contempla
ted by the constitution that congress should pro
) vide by law precisely what should constitute ina
i bility ard how and by what tribunal or authorit
' il should be ascertained; If the inability prove
to be temporary in its nature, and during its con
| tinuancc the vice president lawfully exercise
= the functions Of the executive, by what tenur
! does he hold his Office Does he continue a
y president Tor the remainder Of the four year
u term or would the elected president, If his ina
y bility should cease In the interval, be cmpOwere
d 10 resume the office; and if, having such Lawful
!. authority, he should exercise it, would the vic
q president be thereupon empowered to resum
, his powers and duties as such? can not douh
. that these important questions Will receive you
. early and thoughtful consideration.
. Deeply Impressed with the gravity OF the re-
G sponsibilities which have so Unexpectedly dc
e volved upon me- it will be nv constant purpos
J. to CO. operate with you in such measures as vii
/ promote the glory Of the country and the pros
!. perity Of its people. CHESTER A. ARTHUR
Washington D. c., Dec. 6, 1881
Chicago Ahead.