Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-12-20
Presidents Message.

feeling allusiOn to the calamity sustain
ed by the country in the tragic death of
his predecessor, and TO the touching man
itestations Of sympathy and goodwill
which the sad occasion elected from all
the nations of the earth, and especially
from the people and sovereign of Great
Britain. Brief mention is made Of the
present state Of diplomatic relations and
intercourse with each Of the foreign gov
ernments Of the world, as well as of par
ticipatiOn Of our own country in various
international congrcssesa and conferences.
An cpitomized statement Is furnished,
taken from the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, of the condition of the
national finances and revenues. The
first important recommendation Of the
message is in view of the large surplus
income Of the government, and the pros
pective Of population and the reduction
ton Of the public debt and its burden Of
interest. In view of the heavy load Of
taxation which our peoplevhave borne so
long the President concurs with the Ssc-
rctary of the Treasury in recommending
the abolition Of all internal revenue tax
es except those upon tobacco in Its vari-
Gus forms and upon distilled spirits and
fermented liquors, and the special tax
upon manufacturers and dealers in these
articles. Any present reduction in the
tax upon liquors and tobacco is deemed
premature in view of the drain upon the
treasury which mustattend the payment
of arrears on pensions. In reference to
this latter subject the President else
where glves some data in regard to the
enormous amount Of work imposed up-
on the pension bureau, and suggests, as
n measure Of justice rs well us economy,
such an increase of the clerical force of
the burcau as will expedite the settle
ment Of claims already too long delayed.
The retirement of the outstanding
"silver certificates" isrecommended, and
the repeal Of the law authorizing their
Issue, also the repeal Of the law require
ing the coinage of a fixed amount OF sill
yer bullion per month. Under the law
lO2 900, 900 of silver dollars have been
coined, while only $4,000, 600 are in cir
culation. Otherwise the President sug-
gests no interference with the currency,
and 10 present need Of additional legis-
lation respecting the rclunding of the
public debt.
The need Of tariff revisit n ia referred TO,
and the suggestion OF Il commission for
the purpose favored. ......
Gen. Sherman's recommendation in
favor Of increasing the army to 1000
men Is approved, and Il thorough re-
hubiltatiOn of the navy" urged upon
'every consideration Of national safety,
economy and honor"
The President refers TO the pro o'eru-
tion OF the '.slar-r0ute frauds, y and his
desire that ii should be- vigorously press |
ed for the conviction Of the guilty.
The necessity for some modification Of
the judicial system OF the United States,
in view Of the great increase in the vol
umc of business in the Federal Courts, |
aud especially for the relief Of the SUI
premc Court, which h ovCrburtenpi |
with eases, IL recognized and urged up- |
on the attention of Congress.
Indian affairs are treated at some |
length, and the Presidents rccommcn-
dalion In relation thereto summed up |
under three heads; First, the passage |
of nm net extending over the Indians |
and Iudian reservations the protection |
and authority Of the courts and laws; |
second, the allotment to such Indians as |
may desire II of land in severalty, 70 be |
secured to them 10y patent ani made in |
alicnablc Tor 20 or 70 years; third, lb- |
eral appropriation for the support of In
dian schools,
Additional legislation with view TO |
breaking up the revolving practice If po- |
lygamy In Utah Is strongly recommend
ed.
The largest space devoted to any one
topic In the message IL thnt given 10 the |
subject OF civil service reform. The |
President prcfaccs what he has to say |
upon this subject by quoting from and |
rcalllrming certain passages IN his letter |
OF acceptance of the nomination Of the |
yicc-prrsldeucy. The history Of civil |
service reform In England is briefly re-
viewed, and the main principles Of the
English civil service system explained. |
While declaring his readiness TO second |
any motion Of reform which Congress |
may adopt, the President points out !
some Of the practical difficulties which |
many advocates " reform have been in |
the habit Of overlooking or making light |
Of, and shows The necessity ~ proceed |
ing with caution and dcliberalion. The |
whole discussion Of the subject In the
message II intelligent aud discrlminnt-
ing, and will he read with interest by
the public. The entire document Is sen.
sible and bueiness-likc In It's statements
aud suggestions, denhcd In tone, and
written IN simple direct English, It's
entirely free from amy flavor Of "slal-
wartlsm, or partieanshlp Of any kind,
and, Ia short, every way worthy the
high office which Mr.. Arthur has been
40 unexpectedly and suddenly called up
on To nil, Baltimore SIN,