The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

estlng state paper has not yet come to hand.
Until the Eastern papers arrive, Montana
must be content with a brief synopsis of the
document. AS far as we can judge Of the
whole by a part the message is a creditable
one and full Of wise suggestions. lii to be
hoped the present Congress will pay some
heed to the important recommendations
made, and not, as has been SO often the case,
waste their valuable time il petty partisan
wrangles. Following are some Of the sub
jects discussed with the Presidents views in
the premises:
The message opens with q proper refer
ence to the appalling calamity that has re-
Gently befallen the American people, in the.
death Of their beloved President, and the
general prosperity that has, otherwise, attend
ed the nation.
Extended reference is made to the diplo-
matte relations Of the United States with
other nations, showing that we are at peace,
and in fact, on the best kind Of terms, with
the rest Of the civilized world. President
Arthur takes occasion to affirm the Monroe
doctrine, and DeLesseps and company will
find no consolation in his remarks on the
Isthmus canal project.
The words quoted are all we find in the
synopsis before us in reference to the Indian
question, and it shows that the action Of the
Stock Protective Association Of Choteau and
Meagher counties has been productive OF
no,r .oo,,1+r Vt. p,,+ for +ho 49,, 80 a~I dn+nr
mined part taken by the Association it is
probable the following would not have been
a part and parcel Of the message: "The sur
render Of Sitting Bull and his force upon the
Canadian frontier has allayed all apprehen-
sions, although bodies of hostile Indians still
cross the border in quest Of ~sustenance. Up
on this subject a correspondence has been
opened which promises an adequate under
standing. Our troops have orders, mean
while, to avoid all collisions with alien Indi-
ans It is to be hoped that the adequate
understanding may be arrived at shortly. 1t
is certainly time that the government were
mitted on our soil by British Indians, result
ing in the loss of thousands Of dollars annual
" to the stockmen Of Northern Montana
alone.
"A revision Of the tariff laws are recon-
mended, and in order to avoid q conflict Of
different interests due caution is urged. If
the work cannot be done this session of Con-
gress the appointment Of a commission on re-
vision is suggested.
The report Of the Secretary Of War, rec
ommending that the number of enlisted men
in the army be increased to 10000, without
increasing the number Of officers, is concur
red il By the President and Congress urged
to make provision to that effect.
The report Of the Postmaster General is
pronounced a gratifying exhibit of the
growth and efficiency Of the postal service.
The receipts from postal and other ordinary
sources during the past fiscal year were $780,
489, 8l5.68 receipts from money order BUSH
ness, 1896, 581. SO. The total expenditures
for the service were $3.50, 251, 736 46, leaving
q deficit to be supplied out Of the Treasury
of $2,481, 129, 35-just about the amount
stolen BY the Star Route thieves. Strange to
say the President overlooks the latter alto
The twin relic, Mormonism, comes in for
q good share of attention. For the past
twenty years Or more every message Of every
President has recommended. the roofing out
Of %polygamy, but nothing Of the kind has been
done. Whatever action has been taken BY
Congress has proved futile. Instead of be-
ing rooted out, the tree Of Mormon ism has
f1ourished, and its roots have now taken
hold ia the soil Of other Territories than
Utah. Congress has not been decisive
The President does lot make any
Is probable, us heretofore, no action what
ever will be taken this session.
Legislation with respect to the ascertain
ment and declaration Of the Presidential vote
is urged 50 that another National election
may not come around with this question un-
He also recommends that the ques-
Of Presidential inability, 50 much dis
cussed during the illness of the late Presi-
dent, be clearly defined by statute or other
If anything is said upon the ~hackneyed
of civil service reform, the synopsis at
hand does not indicate it. Hayes devoted
half Of his first message to this subject and
it is probable the civil service was never
more debauched than during his administra-
It is probable Mr.. Arthur concluded
be would not preach something he has no