The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-08

the Goyernmsnt and disnias this subject
with declaring my dissent from the esvOrs
and almost indiscriminate .coasurs with
which they have been recently aasailed. That
they are as class, indolent and inefficient
= statement which has been often made and
widely predicted, but when the extent, va
riefy, delieacy and Importance of their
duties ara considered the great maiority of
the employees of the Government are, in
my judgment, deserving Of high commen-
dation-
THE DECLINE OF THE MERCHANT MARINE
of the United States Is to be greatly deplor-
ed in view of the fact that we furnish 80
large proportion of the freiRhts of the
| commercial world and that our shipments
are steadily and rapidly increasing. It
is cause of surprise that
not only is our navigation interest diminish
ing but Is less than when our exports and
imports were not half 30 large rs now either
| IN bulk or In value. There must be some
peculiar hindrance to the development of
this interest or the enterprise and energy of
American mechanics and capitalists would
have kept this country At least abreast of
their rivals in the friendly contest for our
supremacy. The substitution of iron for
| wood and of steam for sail, have wrought q
great revolution in the carrying trade of the
world but these changes could not have been
| adverse to America If we had given to our
navigation interests portion of the aid and
protection which have been so wisely be-
slowed upon our manufacturers / recon-
mend the whole subject TO the wisdom of
Congress, with the suggestion that no ques-
ton Of greater magnitude or farther-reach-
/ ing importance can engage their attention.
CARING FOR INDECENT IAGAIGRANTs.
In 1875 the Supreme Court of the United
Al
of certain States which imposed upon ship
owners and consiguees q tax OF 81 so for
each passenger arriving from a
foreign country or in lieu
thereof required bond to indemnify
| the State and local authorities against anv
expense for the future relief or support of
| such passengers. Since this decision the
expense attending the care and supervision
| of immigrants has fallen on the States at
whose ports they have landed, as large
| majority of such immigrants Immediately
upon their arrival proceed to the inland
States and the Territories to seek permanent
| homes. 1t is manifestly unjust to impose
/ upon the State whose shores thew first
reached the burden which it now bears. For
this reason and because of the national
importance of the subject l recommend
legislation regarding the supervision of the
transitory care of immigrants at the ports
FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR ALASKA.
I regret to state that the people Of Alaska
| have reason to complain that they are ae vet
unprovided with any form of government
by which life and property can be pro-
tected. While the extent of
| Its population does not justify the appcaion
| ton of the costly machinery of Territorial
| administration, there is an immediate neces-
slty for constituting such form of govern
| ment as will promote the education of the
people and secure the administration of JUS
| tice.
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY BUILDING.
The Senate, at its last session, passed
q bill providing for the construction of
n building for the library of Congress,
\ but 1t failed to become law. The provis-
ion of such able protection for this great
collection of books and for the upright De-
partment connected with it has become an
object of national importance and should re-
| ceive prompt attention.
THE NATIONAL MALARIAL SWAMP.
This report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, herewith transmitted,
viii inform you fully of the condition of
the efforts of the District, the vital impor-
lance of legislation for the reclamation and
Improvement of the marshes and for the
| establishment of the harbor lines along
| the Potomac river front. 1t is represented
| that in their present condition these marshes
seriously affect the health of the residents Of
the adjacent parts of the city and that thew
greatly mar the general aspect of the park
| in which stands the Washington monument
| This improvement would add to that park
| and the park south of the executive mansion
| large area of valuabl e land and would
| transform what is now believed to
be dangerous nuisance into
an attractive landscape extending to the
| river front.
REGARDING CONTEST RETURNS.
1t is to be hoped that some we'll defined
measure may be devised before another
national election which will render
| unnecessary resort to any
expedient of a temporary character
for the determination of questions upon
contested returns.
AS To PRESIDENTIAL INABILITY.
Questions which concern the very exist
ence of the government and the liberties of
the people were suggested by the prolonged
| illness of the late President and
his consequent incapacity to per-
| form the functions of his office.
| 1t is provided by the second article of the
| Constitution in the fifth clause of its first
section, that in case of the removal of the
President from office, or of his death, or in
ability to discharge the powers and duties
of said office, the same shall devolve on the
Vice-President What is the intention of
the Constitution in its specification of " ina
| bility to discharge the powers and duties OF
| said Officer" What are the contingencies
which calls the VicesPresident to the
execution of the Presidential function ?
Is the inability delegated in its nature to
long continued intellectual in capacity or
has it a broader import? What must be
| its extent and duration? How must
| its existence be established7 Has the
President, whose inability is the sub
ject of inquiry, voice in determining
| whether or not he is capable of performing
| the duties of his Office or is the decision of
that momentous and delicate business con-
n,.IA L. IL j.. =