The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-12-14


they FIRST reach, tie burden which
itBow bears. For this reason and
becallss OF the national importance
OF the subject. | reconmeBd legisla-
lt;on regarding the supervision and
transliory care Of immigrants ut TIE
parts OF debarkation. regret 70
state that the people Of Alaska htv1
reasons to copriai = are az
jet unproyided #a .efnmeat
by which liie or Hroperty can be
protected While the extent of lis
population does not justify the ap
plieation of the costly machinery OF
territorial administration there is
immediate necessity for constituting
such form of government as will
promote the education of the people
aud secure tie administration OF
justice.
I The Senate at its last session
passed bill providing for the con-
siruction oisa building for the libra
ry of Congress, but it failed to be-
come a law. The proyision of suit
able protection Tor this great collec-
ton OF books and for the Copyright
Department connected with it has
become a subject OF national impor-
taree and should receive pronipt at
tention.
The report OF the Commissioners
Of the District Of Columbia, here
with transmitted, will inform you
fully of the affairs of the District.
They urge the vital importance OF
legislation for the reclamation and
improvement of the marshes and fo.
the establishment Of the harbor lines
along the Potomac river front. 1t is
represented that in their present.
condition these marshes seriously
affect the health Of the residents OF
adjacent parts OF tie city, and they
greatly mar the general aspect OF the
park in which stands the Washing
ton monument. Tsis improvement
would add to that park and to the
park south of the Executive Man
sion, Il large area OF valuable land,
and would transform what is now
believed 10 be a dangerous nuisance
into an attractive landscape, extend
ing to the river front Tney recon-
mend the removal of the steam rail-
way lines from the surface of the
streets of the city, and the locations
of the necessary depois in such
places as may be convenient for the
public accommodation, and they
call attentian to the deficiency of
the water supply, which seriously
affects the material prosperity of the
city, and the health and comfort of
the inhabitants. | commend these
subjects to your favorable consider
alton.
The importance Of timely legisla-
ton with respect to the ascertain
ment ofand declaration Of the vote
for Presidential electors was called
sharply TO the attention Of the peo-
pie more than four years ago. 1t is
to be hoped that some well defined
measure may be devised before an
other national election, which viii
renderunnecessary aresort to anye
pedient OF a temporary character
for the determination Of questions
upon contested returns.
PHEsEDsNrIAL INABILITY.
Questions which concern the very
existence OF the Government and
the liberties OF the people were sug-
gested by the prolonged illness of
the late President and his conse-
quent incapaeity TO perform the
functions OF bis Office. 1t is provid- I
ed by the second article OF the Con-
in the nth clause offs +
first section, that in case Of the re-
moval OF the President from office
or of his death, resignation or ina
bility to discharge the dut es Of said {
Office. the same shall devolre on the
Vice President. What is the inten
ton of the Constitution in its speci-
iieation Of inability TO discharge the
powers and duties of said Office a.
one Of the contingencies which call
the Vice President 10 the exercise OF
functions is the ina
bility limited in its nature To long
continued intellectual iGcapacity. or
has il broader import? What mus,
be it, extent and Duration? How
must it, existence be established I?
Has the President whose inability is
the subject ol inquiry, any voice IN
whether or hot it exists.
or is it the decision Of that mo
memtous and delicate question con-
fined to the Vice Pfesiden.., or Is i,
contemplated by the Constitution
that Congress should provide by
the law precisely what should con-
,t'tute inability, and how and by |
what tribunal er authority it should |
lie ascerained? II the inability
proves to ee temporary in It's nature.
md during Its continuance the
Vice President lawfully exercises
he functions OF the Executive, by
what tenure does he hold his Office
Does he continue as President for
the remainder Of the four years
ierm or would the elected President.
if his inability should cease in tht
interval, be empowered to resum'
his office, and il. having such law
ful authority, he should exercise il.
would the Vice President be there
lore empowered to resume bis pow
ers and duties as such ? | do nol
loubt that tn Sc important Gues-
.ions viii receive ynur early sad !
eonsid' ration. Deeply
with the gravity of n
which have - G0ox
Dectedly devolved upon nv, it viii
,emy constant purpose t. Cooperate
with you IN such measures as viii
the glory OF the country
md the prosperity Of its people.
CHESTER 4. ARTHUR.
VAsHTxGroS, d. c., Dec. 6. 1881.
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Dangers Of Iron Works.