The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-12-16
THE NEW NORTH
,T.Hlt.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
President Arthur's Message to Congress is I
a very practical, sensible paper, treating at I
considerable length on important topics and
devoting some attention to all national af- |
fairs. As result ii is quite too long for re-
production, but we quote as fully as admis-
sable from those features of more special in
teTest.
THE PANAMA CANAL.
The questions growing out of the proposed
interoceanic waterway across the lsthmus OF
Panama are of grave national Importance.
This Government has not been unmindful
Of the solemn obligations imposed upon II
nv its compact Of 1916 with Colombia, the
independent and sovereign mistress Of the
territory crossed by the canal, and has sought
10 render them effective by fresh engage
ments with the Colombian Republic, looking
10 their practical execution. The negotia-
tons to this end, after they reached what APP
peared To be a mutually satisfactory solution
here, were met in Colombia by a disavowal
Of the power which its envoy had assumed,
aud by q proposal for renewed negotiation
on a modified basis. Meanwhile this Gov
eminent learned that Colombia had proposed
TO the European Powers to join IN a guaran-
tee of the neutrality of the proposed Panama
Canal, guarantee which would be in direct
contravention of our obligation as the sole
guarantor of the integrity of Colombian ter
ritory, and Of the neutrality of the canal it.
self. My lamented predecessor felt it his
duty to lay before the European Powers the
reasons which make the prior guarantee of
the United States indispensable, and for
,uI icb ba N ris nf an fnraiun
antee might be regarded as asuperauous and
unfriendly act. Fol.seeing the probable re-
| lance of the British Government on the pro-
visions of the Clayton Bulwer treaty Of 1850,
| as aHordlng room for share in The guarantees
| which the United States covenanted with
| Colombia four years before, have not hest
tated 10 supplement the action of my prede-
cessor by proposing to Her Majesty's Gov
| ernment the modification Of that instrument
and the abroga'ion Of such clauses thereof
as do not compor with the obligations of the
| United States toward Colombia or with the
vital reeds of the two friendly parties to the
compact.
THE CHINESE TREATIES.
am glad to inform you that the treaties
lately negotiated with China have been duly
ratified on both sides and the exchange made
at Pekin. Legislation is necessary 70
carry the provisions into eject. The
prompt and friendly spirit with which The
Chinese Government, al the request of The
Uuiied ST aies, conceded the modification o
existing tteaties. should secure CAREFUL re
gard Sor the interests and susceptiblities o
that Government in the enactment Of an,
laws relating to Chinese immigration. Thos'
clauses of the treaties which forbid the par
ticpation of citizens or vessels of the Unite,
States in the opium trade Will doubtless re
ceive your approval. They will attest tn
sincere interest which our people and Gov
eminent feel i'm the commendabe efforts o
the Chinese Government to put a stop 4
this demoralizing and destructive traffic.
FINANCIAL.
The total ordinary receipts for the fscs
year last past were $500 1S2.2az; total odd
nary expenditures, $500, 1881, leaving
surplus Of Sl00,069 ,s0J. IL is estimated III
receipts this year will reach $4,000, 0Ot
, and The expenditures be s23O.0O0,000.
REPEAL OF THE silver COINAGE ACT.
1 approve the recommendation of the SEE
rotary of The Treasury that provision
made for the early retirement Of silver Gel
= iicates, and that the act Iequjiing their issu
be repealed. They were issued in pursuanC
), Of The policy of the government TO maintai
silver at near the gold standard, and WEI
: accordingly made receivable for all customs
4 taxes, and public dues. About SOC, 0D0,0 C
Of them are now outstanding. They forme
an unnecessary addition TO the paper gu
iencv, sufficient amount Of which may /
}. readily supplied by the national banks,
e accordance with the act of Feb. 2S, 1ST
e The treasury department has monthly cause
at least S2,G00,0O0 in value OF silver buiiio
Z TO be coined into standard silver dollars. o.
= hundred and two million OF these do,ia
e have been already coined, while only aboI
, thirty four millions are in circulation. Fl
:, The reasons which he specified, concur
u the Secre,ary's recommendation that the pa
d vision for coinage OF fixed amount eac
II month be repealed, aud that hereafter on
a so mach be coined as shall be necessary
. supply the demand.
j. The reduction of the annual interest {
re the public debt is as follows: By reduciiC
It of interest 10 81 percent, Sl0.4I3, a52.2I;
-, redemption of bonds, go .Laial-Iss4i
= sr-- svsrr1Dfe Tor The Investment of surpl,
it revenue without The payment of premium
n The President coscuis with the Secreta
OF the Treasury In recommending the abo
y zion Of all internal revenue taxes except {
a tobaccos, distilled spirits, and fermenled
Is quors.