The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

our last issue. The full text is Of unusual
length, and is = pains-taking document, en-
tering infinitely into the minor affairs of the
government. The message appropriately
opens with the calamity that had befallen
the American people in the assassination Of
President Garfield, and speaks of the crafty
ing tributes of sorrow received from the ma
tions composing the federation of mankind.
The harmonious relations of this government
with foreign nations are referred to, and in
this connection the Yorktown celebration as
an evidence of internatienal good feeling.
The bi.metallic congress at Paris is referred
to briefly, and without any expression of
views upon its labors.
The lengthy portion Of the message devo-
ted to foreign relations is unimportant furth-
er than showing the efforts of tho govern
ment 10 protect the rights of naturalizsd
American citizens abroad and the advance-
ment of the commercial interests of citizens
dealing with foreign countries. 1t appears
from the following extract that the railway
interest has received vAluable governmental
aid in its schemes in Mexico: "The govern
IuCuL RdS lOSG lO OCC4SI0a 81 6uCOuINSluS bDc
Mexican government to a beneficial realiza-
ton of the mutual advantages which will re-
suit from more intimate commercial inter
course and from opening the rich interior of
Mexico to railway enterprise"
The reference to the inter. oceanic canal
merely recites our treaty obligations with
Columbia, and the subsequent proposition of
that State to European powers to guarantee
the neutrality of the canal, without entering
upon any discussion of that question from
the standpoint enunciated by the Monroe
doctrine.
Mention is made of the sending of = spec
ial envsy to reconcile the differences between
Chill and Peru.
A regret is expressed OF account of the
withdrawal of the lines of communication
between Brazil and this country, which is
merely a delicate hint in aid of the parties
now seeking a subsidy for a steamship line to
Brazilian ports.
The statement is made that the Emperor of
Japan contsmplatss the establishment of a
constitutional government, a remarkable step
towards assimilating with Western systems,
and which cannot fail to bring that country
into closer relationship with ourselves.
TIE message views with concern the replen-
ishment of the decayins native population
sources to a degree which may impair their
native severe gnty and independence. With
out suggesting any remedy for the inevitable
ownership and domination of those islands
by the Chinese, it merely alludes to the
fact.
The adoption of the new code Of %interna-
tional rules to prevent collisions at sea is
recommended.
Attention is called TO the action of the ma
tional board of health in instituting measures
to prove mt the introduction and spread of con-
tagious and infectious diseases.
The report of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury is transmitted with Presidential COM
mendation. The views and interests Of Wall
street seem to predominant and shape the
views of the present administration. The
repeal of the law requiring the coinage of
81, COO, 900 in silver per month, is recommend
ed also the early retirement of the silver
certificates and the repeal Of the act requir-
ing their issue. The concurrence of the
President in these Treasury views shows him
to be an extreme monolnetallist, aud that the
hopes of the silver producing countries must
rest with a conservative Congress rather than
a monopoly serving administration
The custom house antecedents Of the
President leads him to devote much space to
the sources of cur revenues from customs,
without, however, any recommendation apon
the subject.
Reference is made to the action of the
former Secretary Of the Treasury in centin-
uing the matured bonds of the government
al 81 per cent. interest, and the following
echo of the wishes of Wall street upon this
subject appears in the message "Unless the
bonds can he funded at a much lower rate of
interest than they now bear, 1 agree with
the Secretary of the Treasury that NO legis-
lation respecting them is desirable"
The message predicts that, at the present
rate of decrease, the national debt will be
extiuguished in ten years, and suggests that
the people be relieved Of some of the bur-
dens of taxation, and urges especially the re-
peal of the law by which banks and bankers
are assessed upon their capital and deposits.
These suggestions are no doubt based upon
the views of those who esteem a national
debt a national blessing, and who desire that
there shall ever remain government bonds
upon which to hypothecate for banking pur-
poses.
The message suggests 3 revision OF the tar
if, and in hat connection says that import
ant changes should be made with caution that
a due regard may be paid to the conflicting