The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-10
President Arthur's Message.

The FIRST message OF the new IreSluenI Is,
in the main, plain, matter ottact, business
like document, made up principally from the
reports of his Cabinet officers, to most of
whose recommendations as to future leglsla-
ton he gives a warm support. Its most salient
features are a renewed declaration of the
right of the United States alone to guarantee
the neutrality of the Panama canal free from
European interference; announcement OF the
purposes for which special envOyS have been
sent to Chill and Peru; the formulation OF the
Treasury program the statement OF vigorous
policies regarding the Indian and Mormon
questions an earnest endorsement of the pro-
positions for increasing the numerical strength
of the army. strengthening our sea-coast de-
fences and creating a good navy; suggestions
for national aid to education and internal I'M
provements; an extended treatment OF the
civil service reform problem, and the pressing
upon Congress Of the necessity OF legislation to
determine how the electoral vote shall be ascer-
tain and declared. and a definition of the clause
of the Constitution which provides that. ''ln
case ofthe removal of the President from office,
or of his death resignation or inability to dis
charge the powers and duties of said office, the
same shall devolvo upon the Vice President.
Our relations with all foreign powers are
friendly. and there are no unsettled issues OF
moment except that which relates to the in
teeritv of the republic Of Colombia and the
neutrality of the Panama Canal. In diplomat
ic language Mr. Arthur reafirms the principle
that that nation will not be permitted to recede
from its compact under the treaty OF 1876,
notwithstanding that Great Britain may seek
to exercise an intervention based upon the
provisions of the Clayton Bulwer treaty of
four wears later. In this matter he is follow
ing in the footsteps of General Garfield; but,
as the canal has not yet taken the shape OF a
possibility, this is not an imminent issue. 1t
is gratifying to know that Messrs. Blaine and
Prescott have gone to the Pacific coast OF
South America with instructions which the
President hopes will enable them to bring
Chill, Bolivia and Peru into friendly relations.
He refers with appreciation to the Geneva con-
ventiOn for the relief of the wounded in war,
the new international code of sea signals, and
the work ofthe National Board of Health. He
favors the increase Of the army to 10000 en-
listed men, and grows quite impressive III ar
guing for a genuine navy, because I'VE must
be ready to defend our harbOrs against aggres-
sion, to protect by the distribution of our ships
of-war over the highways of commerce the va
red interests Of our foreign trade and the per
sons and property of our citizens abroad, to
maintain everywhere the honor of our flag and
the distinguished position we may rightfully
recapitulates some of the figures of the Post
master Generals report, but touches very
lightly upon the star-route frauds, merely
speaking of the prosecutions as having been
instituted before his accession to the presi-
dencv, and adding that he has enjoined upon
the proper officials ''the duty of prosecuting
with the utmost vigor of the law all persons
who may be found chargeable with frauds up.
on the postal service He points to the over,
burdening of the United States courts with
work, and asks that some relief measures shall
be adopted.
/ There is a very forcible presentation of the
/ Indian question and the wretched makeshitt'
| which have been adopted in dealing with it
| The President would decide it once for all by
/ making the Indians subject to the laws of the
states or territories within which their reser
vations are located, breaking up the tribal re
lations by allotting lands to them in several
! ty, and passing liberal appropriations for edu
cation of the Indian youth Concerning poly,
gamv, he advocates the sternest measures il
! stamping it out among the Mormons instances
what amendments of the laws are requisite fol
this purpose, and assures Congress that II
may rely upon his energetic cooperation.
But it is the President S handling of the mat
ter of civil service reform that will eHlis
/ the largest degree of attention inside and out
side oflegislative halls. Recognizing the evil,
which stain the existing system Of seeking and
dispensing patronage, he is yet an antagonis
of the English plan of making success il
standing competitive examinations the sole
test of eligibility to office, and he argue:
against it with the force of practical business
man. He desires that Congress shall aid him
/ in carrying out reform; but his system woult
be middle one, by which the general goot
qualities of the applicant would be his strong
est Recommendation for appointment.-Boli
! more ImericdR