New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-12-21

which it now beats. For this reason and be-
cause OF the national Importance of the sub
ject, recommend legislation regarding the
supervision to transitory care Of immigrants
ut the ports Of debarkatiOn.
ALASKA.
regret to state that the people of Alaska
have reason to complain that they are AS yet
unprov ided with any form Of government by
which life or property can be protected:
While the extent Of its population does not
Justify the application of the costly machinery
ate necessity for constituting such II form OF
Government as will promote the education Of
the people and secure the administration OF
justice. The Senate at its last session passed
u bill providing for construction Of a building
for the library of Congress-, but it failed to be-
come n law. The provision of such able pro.
for the copyright department connected with
it, has become Il subject of national i'm
portance, and should receive prompt atten-
ton.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the Commissioners of the Dist
riot OF Columbia, herewith transmitted, will
inform you fully of the condition Of the affairs
OF the District. The vital importance OF legis-
lation is for the reclamation and Improvement
of the marshes, and for the establishment of
the harbor lines along the Potomac river
condition these marshes seriously affect the
health of the residents Of the adjacent parts of
the city, and that they greatly marthe general
aspect of the park in which stands the Wash
ington Monument This improvement would
add to that park and the park south Of the
EXECUTIVE Mansion large area OF valuable
licved 10 he Il dangerous nuisance into an at
tructiEc landscape extending to the river
front. They recommend the removal OF the
streets of the city, and the location of the
necessary depOtS i'll such places as may be
convenient for the public accommodation.
water supply, which seriously affects the ma
terial prosperity of the city and the health and
comfort of it's inhabitants. l commend
these subjects to your careful considera-
ton.
The Importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainmcnt and declaration
THE VOTE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
was sharply called to the attention of the peO-
pie more than four years ago. It'll to be hoped
that some wcll-dctined measure may be devils
ed before another national election, which
will render unnecessary resort to any expe-
dent of a temporary character for the determ-
nation OF questions upon contested returns.
Of the Government and the Liberties of the
people were suggested by the prolonged illness
of the late President, and his consequent in
capacity to perform the functions of his office.
1t is provided by the second article Of the
constitution, in the fifth clause of its first Sec
ton. that in case of the removal of the Presi.
dent from office; or OF his death orresignation,
Inability to discharge the powers and duties of
said office, the same shall devOlve on the Vice
President. What is the intention Of the con-
StltltlOn IN Its SpeClflcatlOn OF 'lnaDlllty to
discharge the powers and duties Of said Office"
is one of the contingencies which calls the
Vice President to the exercise of Presidential
functions, is the inability delegated in it's ma
ture to long-cOntinued intellectual incapacity,
or has it broader import? What must be its ex-
tent and duration? How must its existence be
established? Has the President, whose inabil-
ity is the subject OF inquiry, any voice in de-
tcrmining whether or not it exists. Or is the
decision Of that mOmentOus and delicate Ques-
ton contded to the Vice President, or is it
contemplated by the constitution that Congress
should provide by law precisely
WHAT SHOULD CONSTITUTE INABILITY,
and how and by what tribunal Or authority it
should be usccrtaned. If the inability proves
to be temporary in its nature and during it's
cont nuance the Vice President lawfully ex-
erciscs the functions of the Executive, by
what tenure does he hold his Office? Does he
continue as President for the remainder of the
fOur-ycars term, Or would the elected Presi-
dent, if his inability should cease in the inter-
val, be empowered to resume his Office; and
if, having such lawful authority, he should
exercise it, would the Vice President be there
upon empowered to resume his powers and
duties as such. I cannot doubt that these i'm.
portunt questions will receive your early and
thoughtful consideration.
Deeply impressed with
THE GRAVITY OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES
which have SO unexpectedly deyOlved upon
me, 1t Will be my constant purpose to cooperate
with you in such measures as will promote the
glory Of the country and the prosperity Of its
people.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
WAsHlNGTOS, d. G., Dccember6, 1881.