The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-12-09


mere intellectual attainments. If Congress
should deem it advisable at the present session
to establish competitive tests for admission to
the service, no doubts such as have been sug-
gested shall deter me from giving
the measure my earnest support,
and l urgently recommend, should there be q
failure to pass any other act upon this subject,
that an appropriation of $25, 900 per year NAV
be made for the enforcement of section /. 1853
of the Revised Statutes. With the aid thus af-
forded me, shall strive to execute the pro-
visions of that law according to its letter and
spirit
am unwilling, in justice to the present civil
service OF the Government, to dismiss this SUBJ
Ject without declaring my dissent from the
severe and almost indiscrminate censure with
which they have been recently assaulted that
they are, as a class, indolent, inefficient, cor
rupt, IS statement which has boon often made
and widely circulated, but, when the extent,
variety, delicacy and importance of their duties
are considered, the great majority Of the en-
ployes Of the Government are, in my judgment,
deserving Of high commentator.
THE MERCHANT SERVICE.
The continuing decline of the merchant ma
zine OF the United States is to be greatly de-
plored. In view of the fact that we furnish so
large proportion of the freights of the COM
mercial world, and that our shipments are
steadily and rapidly increasing, 1t Ia cause Of
surprise that not only is our navigation interest
diminishing, but it is less than when our ex-
ports and imports were not half 30 large as
now, either in bulk Or value. There must be
some peculiar hindrance to the development
Of this interest, or the enterprise and en-
ergy of American mechanics and capital
lists would have kept this country at least
abreast of our rivals in the friendly contest for
ocean supremacy. The substitution OF iron for
wood and of steam for sail have 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 portion Of the aid in protection
which have been so wisely bestowed upon our
manufacturers. I commend the whole subject
TO the wisdom Of Congress, with the suggestion
that no question Of greater magnitude or
farther reaching Importance can engage their
attention.
INI8nGRATIoN.
In 1875 the Supreme Court of the United
States declared unconstitutional the statutes Of
certain States which imposed upon shipownerS
or consignees a tax of 81. SO for each passen-
ger arriving from foreign country, or, in lieu
thereof, required bond to indemnify the
State and local authorities against expense for
the future relief or support of such passenger.
Since this decision the expense attend
ing the care and supervision of immigrants
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 Ter
rtorles to seek permanent homes, it is mani
testify unjust to impose upon the State whose
shores they first reach the burden which it now
bears. For this reason, and because of the
national importance Of the subject, recon-
mend legislation regarding the supervision to
transitory care of immigrants at the ports of
debarkatlOn.
l regret to state that the people of Alaska
have reason to complain that they are as yet
unprovlded with any form of government by
which lie or property can be protected.
While the extent of its population does not
Justify the application of the costly machinery
of Territorial administration, there is imme-
date necessity for constituting such @ form
OF government as will promote the ed
ucation of the people and secure the admin
istration of justice. The Senate at its
last session passed bill providing for con-
struction of a building for the library of Con-
giess, but it failed to become law. The pro-
vision of such able protection for this great
collection Of books, and for the copyright de-
partmont connected with it, has become sub
ject OF national Importance, and should receive
prompt attention.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report Of the Commissioners OF the
District Of Columbia, herewith transmitted.
affairs OF the District The vital importance
OF legislation for the reclamation and improve
mont OF the marshes, and for the establish
nent OF The harbor lines along the Potomac
river front is undoubted. 1t is represented
that in their present condition these marshes
seriously affect the health of the
residents of the adjacent parts of the
city, and that they greatly mar the general
aspect of the park in which stands the Wash
lngton Monument. This improvement would
add to that park and the park south of the
Executive mansion o large area of valuable
land, and would transform what is now be-
heved to be dangerous nuisance into an at
tractive landscape extending to the river front.
They recommend the removal of the steam
railway lines from the surface of tho streets
OF the city, and the location of the necessary
depots In such places as may be convenient for
the public accommodation. They call attention
to the deficiency of the water supply. which
seriously affects the material prosperity of the
C tt and the health and comfort of its inhabi-
tants. | commend these subjects to your care
tul consideration.
The Importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainment and declaration of
THE VOTE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
was sharply called to the attention of the
people more than four years ago. 1t
as TO DO hoped that some well-defned
measure may be devised before another
national election which will render unneces-
Sary resort to any expedient of tempo
rary character for the determination Of
questions upon contested returns. Questions
which concern the very existence of the
Government and the liberties of the people
were suggested by the prolonged illness Of
the late President, and his consequent inca
paciy to perform the functions Of his Office
Ut is provided by the second article of the con-
stltutou in the fifth clause of its first section.
taat in case Of the removal of the President
flom Office, or of his DEATH resignation, ina
tlty I'd discharge the powers and du-
ties OF said office, the same shall deyolve
on the Vice President. What is the intention
OF tho constitution in its specification
OF inability to discharge the powers and
duties of said Office" is one of the con-
tugencics which calls the Vice President to
the exercise of Presidential functions, is the in
ability delegated in its nature to long-continued
intellectual incapacity, or has it broader inn
port What must be its extent and duraton2
How must its existence be established? Has
tho President, whose inability is the subject Of
INQUIRY any voice in determining whether or
not it exists Or is the decision of that no.
montous and delicate question confided to the
Wee President, or is it contemplated bv the
constitution that Congress should provide by
law pr cisejy.
WHAT SHOULD CONSTITUTE INABILITY.
should be aScertained? II the inability proves
temporary in its nature, and during its con-
tinuance the Vice President lawfully exercises
the functions of the Executive, by what tenure
does he hold his Office? Does he continue
as President for the remainder of the
four.years term, or would the elected
President, if his inability should cease in the
interval, be empowered to resume his Office 1,
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! / cannot doubt that these inn
portant questions will receive your early and
thoughtful consideration.
Deeply impressed with
THE GRAVITY OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES
which have so unexpectedly devolved upon me,
it 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,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 6, 1881.
National Tariff Convention.