The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-12-16

rltories to seek permanent homee. IL
IS manifestly unjust to impose UPON
the State whose shores they first reach
the burden which it now bears. For
this reason and because of the Nation-
al importance of the subject, RECON-
mend legislation regarding the super
vision and transftory care of immf-
grants at the ports of debarkation.
regret to state that that the people
of Alaska have reason to complain
that they are as yet unprovided with
any form of government by which
life and property can be protected
While the extent of population docs
not justify the application Of the
costly machinery of territorial adj
ministration, there is immediate no.
cessity for constituting such form Of
government as will promote tho edu-
cation of the people and secure the
administration OF Justice. s.,
The Senate, at its last session, pass.
ed q bill providing for the construc.
ton of building for the Library of
Congress, but it failed to become 4
law. The provision of suitable pro-
lection for that great collection Of
books. and for the Copyright Depart
subject OF National Importance. and
should receive attention. f.s-
Tho report of the Commissioner Of the j.
District Of Columbia, herewith transmitted:
fairs of the District. They urge the vital i'm
portance of legislation for the reclaiming and
i%Rroyment Of the marshes, and for ths o.
mac river front. It is represented that in
their present condition these marshes ssri-
jacent parts of the city, and that they greatly
mar the general aspect of The Park in whiek
stands the W Wash &c 70 This
the Park south of the Executive Mansion, =
large area Of valuable land, and would trans
nuisance into an attractive landscape e1tsnd-l
removal. of steam railroad lines from
the location of necessary depets in
such places as may me 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 the in
habitants. I commend these subjects
to your favorable consideration.
The importance of timely legisla-
ton with respect to. the ascertain
ment and declaration of the vote for
called to the attention of the people
more than four years ago. It is to be
hoped that some well-defined meas.
ure may be devised before another
National election which will render
unnecessary resort to any expedient
of temporary character for the de-
termination Of questions upon con-
tested returns.
Questions which concern the very {
existence of the Government and the
liberties of the people, were suggested
by the prolonged illness of the late
President and his consequent inca
pacity to perform the functions of his
Office. 1t is provided by the second
article of the Constitution, in the fifth
lcyo IF 70 frat section fh0f in ~ooA
of the removal of the President from
Office or OF his death or resignation,
or inability to discharge the duties
and powers of said office, the same
shall devolve upon the Vice-Presi-
dent. What is the intendment of the
Constitution in its specification of in
ability to discharge the powers and
duties of said office as one of the
contingencies which calls the Vice.
President to the exercise of the
Presidents functions? Is the ina
bility limited in its nature to long
continued Intellectual incapacity, or
has it a broader import? What must
be its extent and duration? How
must its its existance be established Z
Has the President, whose inability is
the subject of inquiry, any voice In
determining whether or not it exists,
or is the decision of that momentous
and delicate question confided to the
Vice-preSluent Or IS 1t COntem-
plated by the Constitution that Con-
gress should provide by law precisely
| what should constitute inability, and
how and by what tribunal or author
! ty it should be ascertained If the ina-
bility proves to be temporary in its
nature and during it's continuance,
the Vice-Prssidcnt lawfully exercises
the function. of the Executive, by
! what tenure does he hold his Officer
Does he continue as President for the
| remainder of the years remaining, or
| would the elected President, if his in
ability should cease in the interval,
! be empowered to resume his office 2
and if having such lawful authority
| he should exercise it, would the Vice.
I President be thereupon empowered
to resume power and duties as such Z
| cannot doubt that these important
questions will receive your early and
| thoushtful' reconsideration.
Deeply impressed with the gravity of the
| re,pon sibilities which have unexpectedly
deyolved on me, it will be my constant pur-
pose to cooperate with you in such measures
as will promote the glory ofthe country and
p''S Sighed CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
wAsIINeToN, Dec. 9Th, 1881.