The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-12-14
80 PqEsLDENT,s 1855.


The first annual message of Presi-
dent Arthur was read to Congress
on the 9TH. 1t is a voluminous
document, and its main features will
be more generally read in a con-
densed form. 1t begins with an APP
propriate and feeling allusion to the
calamity sustained by the country
in the tragic death of his predeces-
sor, and to the touching manifesto
tiOns of sympathy and goodwill
which the sad occasion elected from
all the nations of the earth, and es-
pecially from the people and SOW
ereign ofGreat Britain. Briefmen-
ton is made of the present state of
diplomatic relations and intercourse
with each of the foreign govern
ments of the world, as we'll as of the
participation of our own country in
various international congresses and
conferences. An epitomized state
ment is furnished, taker from the
report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, of the condition of the national
finances and revenues. The first
important recommendation of the
message is in view of the large sur
plus income of the government, and
the prospective increase of that sur
plus year by year, with the increase
of population and the reduction of |
the public debt and its burden of
interest In view of the heavy load |
of taxation which our people have !
borne so long the President concurs
with the Secretary of the Treasury
in recommending the abolition of all
internal revenue taxes except those
upon tobacco in its various forms
and upon distilled spirits and fer
mented liquors, and the special tax
upon manufacturers and dealers in
these articles. Any present reduc-
ton in the tax upon liquors and to-
bacco is deemed premature in view
of the drain upon the treasury which
must attend the payment of arrears
on pensions.
The retirement of the outstand-
ing "silver certificates" is recon-
and the repeal of the law
authorizing their issue, also the re-
peal of the law requiring the coin
age ola fixed amount of silver bull
ion per month Under the law
02,0O0,000 of silver dollars have
1een coined, while only 34,OOO.O0O
ire in circulation. Otherwise the
President suggests no interference
With the currency, and no present
need of additional legislation re-
pecting the refunding of the pub
ic debt.
The need of tariff revision is re-
erred to, and the suggestion of a :
commission for the purpose favored. /.
Gen. Sherman'S recommendation
n favor Of increasing the army to 9
5000 men is approved, and
thOrOuph rehabilitation of theana- :
y" urged upon "overy considera :
on OF national safety, economy and I
onor" =
The President refers to the prose- :
Ition of the 'star-route frauds" 7
nd his desire that it should be Wig "
,ously pressed for the conviction g
the guilty. 7
The necessity for some modifca- . :.
on of the judicial system of the =
nited States, in view of the great
Ierease in the volume of business
the Federal courts, and especial N
for the relief of the Supreme y
curt, which is overburdened with l.,
Uses, is recognized and urged upon D.
le attention of Congress. al
Indian affairs are treated at some
myth, and the Presidents recon- pl
endations in relation thereto sum- u
ed up under three heads: First,
Ie passage of an act extending over T
% Indians and Indian reservations
e protection and authority of the ex
,urts and laws; second, the ailot- "
ent to such Indians as may desire tn
of land in severalty, to be secured va