Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-07
Continued from. First Page.
HE HAS SAID IT.
of the employees of the government are, in my
Judgment, deserving of high commentator.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.


The 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 it is cause of surprise, that
not only is our navigation interest diminish
ing, but it is less than when our exports and
imports were not half 80 large as now either
in bulk or value. There must be some pc
culiar 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 our
rivals in the friendly contest for ocean SUI
premacy. 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 if we had given to our
navigation interests portion OF the aid in
protection which have been SO wisely bestowed
upon our manufacturers. I 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.
TAX ON IMMIGRANTS.
In 1875 the supreme court of the United
States declared unconstitutional the statutes
of certain states, which imposed on ship
owners or consignees tax of one dollar and
fifty cents for each passenger arriving from
foreign country, or in lien thereof
the state and local authorities against the eX-
pense for future relief or support, of1such pas
senger. Since this decision the expense at
tending the care and supervision of emigrants
has fallen on the states at whose ports they
have landed. AS large majority of such i'm
migrants, Immediately on arrival, proceed to
the inland states and the territories to seek
permanent homes, it is manifestly unjust
to impose on the state whose shores they first
reach, the burden which it now bears. For
this reason and because OF the national i'm
portance of the subject, recommend legisla-
tion regarding the arrival of immigrants.
ALASKA.
regret to state that the people of Alaska
have reason to complain that they are as yet
unprovided with any form of government by
which life or property can be protected. While
the extent of its population does not justify
the application of the costlier machinery OF
territorial administration, there is immediate
necessity for constituting such form Of gov
eminent as will promote the education of the
people and revive the administration OF JUS
tice.
The senate at its last session passed bill
providing for the construction of building
for the library of congress, but it failed to be-
come law. The provision of such ample
protection for this great collection of books
and for the departments connected with it
has become subject of national importance
and should receive prompt attention.
THE DISTRICT.
The report of the commissioners of the
District of Columbia herewith transmitted
will inform you fully of the condition of the
affairs of the District, and the vital import
ance 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 conditions
these marshes seriously affect the
health of the residents of the adjacent parts
of the city-that they greatly mar the gen.
eral 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 valu-
able land, and would transform what is, too,
believed to be a dangerous nuisance to an at
tractive landscape extending to the river front.
They recommend the removal of the steam
railway lines from the surface of the streets
depots in such places as may be convenient
for the public accommodation. They call at
tention to the deficiency of the water supply,
which seriously affects the material prosperity
of the city and the hea tn and comfort of it's
inhabitants. commend those subjects to
your favorable consideration.
COUNTING THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.
The importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainment and declaration
of the vote for presidential electors was
sharply called to the attention of the
people more than four years ago,
1t is to be hoped that some well defined meas
ure NAV be devised before another national
election which will render unnecessary re-
sort to any expedient of temporary charac-
ter for the determination of questions upon
contested returns.
THE DISABILITY QUESTION.
Questions which concern the very existence
of the government and the liberties of the
people, were suggested by the prolonged ILL
ness of the late president and his consequent in
capacity to perform the functions of his office.
1t was provided by the second article of the
constitution in the fifth clause of its first sec
ton, that in case of the removal of the presi-
dent from office, or of his death by assassina-
ton or inability to discharge the duties of said
office, the same shall devolve on the vice
president What is the intention of the con-
stitution in its specification of Inability to
discharge the powers and duties of said Officer"
Is it one of the contingencies
which calls the vice president to
the exercise of the presidential functions?
Is the inability delegated in its nature to long
continued intellectual incapacity, or has it a
broader import? What must be it's extent
and duration, and how must its existence be
established? Has the president, whose ina
bility is the subject OF injury, any voice in
determining whether or not it exists or is the
decision of that momentuous and delicate
question confided to the vice president, or is it
contemplated by the constitution that con-
gress should provide by law precise
" what should constitute inability, and
how and by what tribunal or au-
thority should it be ascertained? If the
inability proves to be temporary in its nature
and during its continuance the vice president
lawfully exercises the functions of the exc
cutive, by what tenure does he hold his Of
flee? Does he continue as president for the
remainder of the four years term or would
the elected president, if his inability should
cease in the interval, be empowered to resume
his office and if having such equal au-
thority he should exercise it, would
the vice-president be thereupon empowered to
resume his powers and duties as such. cam
not doubt that these important questions will
receive your early and thoughtful considera-
ton.
Deeply impressed with the gravity of the
responsibilities which have so Unexpectedly
devolved upon me, it will be my constant pur-
pose to cooperate with you in such measures
as will promote the glory OF the country and
the prosperity of its people.
(Signed) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WAsHINGToN, D. c., Dec. 6, 1861.
THE COURTS.
District Court.
before Judge Brill
Samuel 8. Walibank vs. The st. Paul Duluth