The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-08
Presidents Message.

President Arthurs first message was sent in
to Congress on Tuesday last. 1t is an able
and interesting document, but its unusual
length precludes its publication in this issue
Of orr paper. The entire message would oc-
cupy nine or ten of the VIRGINIAN columns.
The President commences with feeling
reference to the untimely death of his lament
ed predecessor. He then proceeds in detail to
discuss our relations with foreign powers.
Each of our national neighbors is specially re-
ferred to, and in manner which shows that
the President is thoroughly familiar with the
subject he discusses.
The President recommends legislation to
prevent collisions at sea, and alludes to the
Geneva convention. He mentions the Atlanta
Exposition, the International Sanitary Con-
ference, ard the National Board of Health
His remarks upon the general subject are good.
He dwells upon the report of the Secretary of
Treasury, and shows that department to be in
a magnificent condition. The total receipts
for the fiscal year ending June Both, were
$500, 7S2, 1884 expenses, $3.50, 7l2 1897 80,
leaving a surplus of revenue of $100, 069 ,404,-
SO. The President recommends the early re-
tirement of the silver certificates and the re-
peal of the law authorizing their issue. he
says the National banks can furnish paper cur
rency enough. He recommends that hereafter
only so much silver shall be coined as there is
a currency demand for. Also that the issue
of gold certificates shall not for the present be
resumed, and that National banks be required
to give reasonable notice of their intention to
retire their circulation. Just here the Presi-
dent introduces some very interesting sta
tistics. The annual interest on the public
debt was last year reduced by $16,826, 1922 %.
Until the 81 per cent bonds can be funded at
a less rate of interest, be wouldsleave them as
they are-redeemable at any time. The Pres
ident concurs with the Secretary of the Treas
ury in recommending the abolition of all in
ternal revenue taxes except those on tobacco
in its various forms and upon whiskey, SC.
He also favors repeal of the law imposing
tax upon bank checks, matches, &c. An
abolition of the tax on banks and their depos-
its is recommended, but the banks must nav
the cost of their rates. He favors revision of
IL.
mended that the standing army be increased
to 10000. Each OF the Departments are ad-
verified to in detail, and various wise recon-
mendations made in regard thereto A Wig
orous prosecution of the Star route cases is
called for. Especially in dealing with the
Indian question does the President give
excellent and timely advice. He strongly
favors the suppression Of polygamy and
gives assurance of his determined purpose
to use all lawful means for the accomplish
ment of that end. In referring to the litter
acy throughout the South, the President re-
commends that proceeds of sale of public
lands be distributed in the different States &C.
cordng to the ratio of illiteracy. After COM
mendati0n of theCommissioners of Agriculture
the President proceeds to give his !
views on civil service reform. This question he |
discusses at length and with clearness and force.
The Presid ent recommends the same protec- |
ton to navigation interests as to manufactures.
He asks territorial government for Alaska. |
The closing sentences of the message are de. |
voted to the question of Presidential inability, |
and many pertinent inquiries are propounded |
the answers to which will fully cover the en-
tire subject.
The message throughout is q statemanlike
document. 1t covers the entire operations of |
the government, and proves that the man who
has been called to preside over it, is eminently
worthy of the high position. There is no in
terest which is not treated of in comprehen-
sive manner, and upon the more impor tant
points President Arthur makes recommends
lions which show familiarity with every de-
tail and a thorough apprehension of the needs
and reguirements of the country |