The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-12-15
rirg DALLAS WEEKLY HERALD, THURSDAY pgoEMDen ~ 1891

elales Declared nneonalllnll0nal lhaf dat
dle N certain states which Imposed upm
| az N 3fm bf each passenger
arriving ffOn n foreign country, ~ n lieu
thereof feunlred bond ~ indemnify The
state and local authorities against expense
for future relief IN the support ~ such pas
sengsr. Since this decision the o.
pohso attending the caro- and supervision
| of emigrsnts has fallen on the States NJ
whose ports they haue landed. Asa large
majority Of such immigrants immediately
upon Their arrival proceed to the inland
states and the territories TO seek permanent
homes, u Ia manilestly unjust TO impose
upon the state, whose shores they first
reach the burden II now bears. For this
reason, and because Of the national lmp0r'
lance Of the subject, ! recommend ,legisla
ton regarding tho supervision and transl
ton of immigrants at the ports o
debarkation. / regret to state
that the people of Alaska
have reason TO complain that they are ye
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 application ofthe costly
machinery ofterritoriara administration there
is immediate necessity for oonsititutingsncl
u form of government as will promote the ed
ucation of the people, and secure to the ad
session passed bill providing foi
the construction of building fol
the library of Congress, but II
PROVISION of suitable protection
Tor that great collection of books, and fol
the copyright department connected with
! it, has become subject of national import
ancs, and should receive prompt attention
! DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
| The report of the Commissioner ofthe Dis
trict of Columbia, herewith trans
mitted, will inform you fully Of the
condition of affairs Of the District
of legislation for reclamation and improve
ment of the marshes and for the establish
ment OF harbor lines along the Potomac
river front. 1t is represented tn IT in theil
present condition the marshes seriously at
feet the health of the residents of ada.
cent parts of the city, and that
they greatly mar the general aspect OF tins
park, in which stands the Washington
monument, and the improvement OF that
park, and the park south of the Executive
Mansion and large area of valuable
land and would transform what is
now believed to be a dangerous
nuisance, into an attractive landscape, ex-
tending to the river front. They recon-
mend the removal of the steam railway
lines from the surface of the streets OF
The city, and 1.-THE tne IN ioca sncI
places as may be convenient for the public
| accommodation, and 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. | commend these suggestions
| to your favorable consideration.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS, ETC.
The Importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainment and declara.
ton 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-deiined meas,
ure may be devised before another patlonal
election, which will render unnecessary
resort to any expedient ola temporary CHAR
acter for the determination of. questions
upon contested returns; questions which
concern the very existence OF the
government and the liberties of the people
we're suggested by the prolonged illness Of
the late President, and his consequent inca.
pacity to perform the functions OF ms once
It is provided by the second article OF the
of its first section, that in
case of the removal Of the President from
office, or of his death, resignation or IN
ability to discharge the powers and duties
of said office, the same shall de-
volve on the Vice. President. What IS the
intention of the constitution in its specifica-
lions of inability to discharge the powers
and duties of said Office, as one of the con-
tingencies of which calls the Vice President
to the exercise of the Presidents functions?
Is the inability limited in nature to long
continued intellectual incapacity, or has, it
broader import, What must be
its extent and duration? How must
its existence be established? Has the
President, whose inability, is the
subject of inquiry, any voice in determining
whether or not it exists, or is the de-
cision or that momentous and delicate
question confined to the Vice-President, or
is it contemplated by the constitution that
Congress should provide by law pre-
cisely what should constitute inability,
and how, and by what tribunal authority it
should be ascertained If the IN
porary in its nature, and dur
ring its continuance the President
lawfully exercise the functions of the Elk
ecutive? By what tenure does he hold his
office? Does he continue as President
for the remainder of the tour-year
term, or would the elected President
if his inability should cease in intervals be
empowered to resume ms ONCE, sn9
having such lawful authority, he should
exercise it, and would the
Vice President be thereupon en-
powered to resume his powers and du-
ties as such? / cannot doubt that these
important Questions will receive your
early and thoughtful consideration.
Deeply impressed with the gravity
of the responsibilities which have
so unexpectedly devolved on me, it
will be my constant purpose to CO.
operate with you in such measures
as will promote the glory of the country
and the prosperity gifts people.
ISigned.1 CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
Executive Mansion.
Washington December G. 1881.