South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


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The first annual MESSAGE of Pres,5sn.
Arthur begins with, an appropriate and
feeling aliusion TO the Calamity susta;n.
ca oy the country in the tragic death of
uis predecessor. and 20 tie touching
manifestations Of sympathy and good
VIII which the sad occasion elected from
AL he nations Of the earth, and espe :.
ciaiiy from the people and sovereign OF
Great Britain. Brief mention is made
OF Inc present state of diplomatic rels-
lions and Intercourse with each of the
'oreign governments OF the world, az
well 40 OF the participation OF our own
couatry in various international con-
crosses AID conferences. An epitomix.
cd statement Is furnished, taken from
the report OF the Secretary OF the Trea-
sury, OF the condition of the national
unances and revenues. The first Inn
portant recommendation of the message
Is In view Of the large surplus income Of
the government, aud the prospective in.
crease OF that surplus year by year. with
the increase Of population and the re-
duction OF the public debt and its bur.
aen OF interest. In view of the heavy
load oil taxation which our people have
borne SO long the President concurs with
the Secretary Of the Treasury in.recom.
mending the abolition OF oil internal re.
venue taxes except those upon tobacco
In Its various forms and upon distilled
spirits and fermented- liquors, and the
special tax upon manufacturers and
dealers in these articles. Any presen,
reduction in the tax upon liquors and
tobacco is deemed premature 10 view of
tho drain upon the treasury which must
attend the payment OF arrears on pen.
sions. o. SO nae
The retirement Of the outstanding
"silver oertiicates' is recommended.
aud the repeal Of the law authorizing
their issue, also the repeal of the law
requiring the coinage of a fixed amount
OF silver bullion per month. Under the
law l02 ,0GO.O OF silver dollars have
been coined, while only $4,000 600 are
in circulation. Otherwise the President
suggests no interference with the cur.
rency. and no present need of additional
legislation respecting the refunding of
the public debt.
The need of tariff revision is referred
to, and tho suggestion of q commission
for tue purpose favored.
Gen. Shcrman's recommendation in
favor Of increasing the army to sc, 900
men is approved, and Thorough re-
hahilitation of the navy" urged upon
every consideration of national safety.
economy and honor"
The President refers to the prosecu-
ton OF the "star ronte frau !s,, and his
desire that it should be vigorously press
| ed for the conviction of the guilty.
The necessity for some modification
OF the Judicial system of the United
States in view of the great increase in
the volume Of business in the Federal
courts, and especially for tho relief OF
| the Supreme Court, which is over bur.
dened with cases. is recognized and
| urged upon the attention of Congress
Indian afaiis are treated at some
length, AMI the Presidents recommen
dations i'll relation thereto summed no
under three beads: First the passage
Of an act extending over the Indians
and Indian reservations the protection
and authority OF the courts and laws
second, the allotment TO such Indians
ar may desire it of land in severalte to
he secured To them by patent and mado
inailenable for twenty or twenty-five
years; third, liberal appropriation for
the support OF Indian schools.
Additional legislation with view TO
breaking up the rev olting practice OF
poIygamy in Utah is strongly recon-.
mended.
The largest space devoted to any one
topic IN the message is that given to the
subject of civil service reform. The
PRESIDENT prefaces what he has to say
upon this subject by quoting from and
reaifrmiDS certain passages in his letter
OF acceptance OF the nomination for the
vice-presidency. The history Of civil
| service reform in England ia briefly re-
viewed, and the main principles Of the
English civil service system explained
While declaring his readiness 10 second
| any measure OF reform which Congress
may adopt, the President points on,
some of the practical difficulties which
mlny ADVOCATES OF reform have been in
The habit of overlooking or making light
of, and shows the necessity OF prooeed~
ing with caution and deliberation. TIE
whole discussion of the subject in the
message is intelligent and discrimina.
ting. The entire document is sensible
and business-like in its atements and
suggestions, dignifed in tone, and
written in simple direct English. 1t is
entirely free from any flavor Of "stal.
wartiem," or partisanship Of any kind,
and, In short, every way worthy of the
high Office which Mr.. Arthur has been
so unexpectedly and suddenly called
upon TO fll.-Bdh Sun.