The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-12-14

tuDINct, Indl 0u allIVIfNHuii li NAd 1NVV
o yeormay be made for the enforcement
of section ,f5a Of Che revised statutes.
With the aid thus Afforded INC | shall
strive to execute the provisions of thai
law according 70 its letter and spirit,
/ am unwilling, in justice TO the pres
sent civil servants Of the government,
to dismiss this subject without declaring
my dissent from the severe and almost
indiscfiminate censure with which they
have been recently assailed. That they
are, rs a class, indolent, inefficient, cor
rupt, is a statement which has been
often made and widely credited But
when the extent, variety, dellcacy and
Importance of their duties are consid-
cred, the great majority of the employees
of the government are, in my Judgment,
deserving Of high commendation.
THE MERCHANT MARINE.
The continuing decline of the mer-
chant marine of The United States is to
be greatly deplored. In view Of the
fact that we furnish so large q propor-
ton of the freights of the commercial
world, and that our shipments are
steadily and rapidly increasing, it is q
cause of surprise that not only is our
navigation interest diminishing, but IL
is less than when our exports and inn
ports were not half so large as now,
either in bulk or value. There must be
some peculiar hindrance to the develop-
ment of this interest, or the enterprise
and energy of American mechanics and
capitalists would have kept this coun-
try at least abreast of our rivals in
the friendly contest for ocean supre-
macy. The substitution of iron for
wood and of steam for sail has wrought
great revolutions in the carrying trade
of the world but these changes could
not have been adverse to America if we
had given to our navigation interests q
portion of aid and protection, which
have been so wisely bestowed upon our
manufactures. l commend the whole
subject to the wisdom of Congress, with
the suggestion'that no question ofgreater
magnitude or farther reaching import
ance can engage their attention.
In 1875 the supreme court Of the
United States declared unconstitutional
the statutes of certain States which inn
posed upon shipowners or consignees q
tax of dollar and a half for each pas
senger arriving from q foreign country,
and in lieu thereof required a bond to
indemnify the State and local authori-
ties against expense for the future re-
lief or support of such passengers.
Since this decision the expense
attending the care and supervision
of emigrants has fallen on the
States at whose ports they have
landed. AS large majority of such
| immigrants, Immediately upon their ar
rival, proceed to the inland States and
the Territories to seek permanent
homes, it is manifestly unjust to impose
upon the State whose shores they first
reach the burden which it now bears.
For this reason, and because of the ma
tional importance of the subject, re-
commend legislation regarding the SUI
pervision and transitory care of immi-
grants at the ports of debarkation.
THE CONDITION OF ALASKA.
regret to state that the people Of
Alaska have reason to complain that
they are as yet unprovided with any
form of government by which life or
property can be protected.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the commissioners Of
the District of Columbia, herewith
transmitted, will inform you fully Of the
condition of the affairs of the District.
They urge the vital Importance of legis-
/ lation for the reclamation and improve
ment of the marshes, and for the estab
lishment of the harbor lines along the
Potomac river front.
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
The Importance of timely legislation
with respect TO the ascertainment and
declaration of the vote for Presidential
Electors was sharply called to the at
Iention Of the people more than four
years ago.
1t is to be hoped that some we'll de-
lined measure may be devised before
another national election, which will
render unnecessary q resort to any eX-
pedient of temporary character for the
determination Of questions upon con-
tested returns.
PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY.
Questions which concern the very ex-
Htence # the government and the lib
critics of the people were suggested by
The prolonged illness of the late Presi-
dent and his subsequent incapacity TO
perform the functions of his office. 1t
Is provided by the second article of the
Constitution in the fifth clause of its first
section, in case of the removal of the
President from Office or Of his death,
resignation or disability to discharge
the powers and duties Of said office. the
same shall devolve upon the Vice-Presi-
dent What is the intendment of the
Constitution in the specification of ina
bility to discharge the powers and du-
ties OF said Office as one of the contin-
gencies which calls the Vice-President
to the exercise of presidential functions?
Is the inability limited in its nature to
long-continued intellectual incapacity,
or has it broader import2 How must
its existence be established? Has the
President whose inability is the sub
ject Of inquiry any voice in determin-
ing whether or not it exists. or is
the decision of that momentous and