The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-08

ino toIhi COuitutTCe Vi inc Onlteu
States during the last fiscal year was,
exports, $99, 1859, 1856, imports, S767,-
III, 1864. The further coinage of silver
dollars is deprecated. OF the $685.
10000 thus far minted little more than
S35 900, 900 are in circulation. Imme-
date and extensive reductions in the
annual revenues of the government
are advised, by reducing taxation, and
forcible statement of the evils result
ing from an overlooking treasury is
made. The abolition particularly of
some internal revenue taxes is desira-
BILE, but also reductions of custom du-
ties, and the placing of many articles
of import on the free list is recon-
mended. The work of the War de-
partment is briefly alluded to. Con.
gress is invited to make more adequate
provision for arming and equiping the
militia.
The president hopes Congress will
not go into any more such foolish and
extravagaut River and Harbor bills as
that of the last session. They proba.
bly, will not. AS corrective of the
evils attendant upon such bills, con-
stitutional amendment is suggested
which will enable the executive to veto
separate items or parts of appropria-
| ton bills.
On naval affairs reference to the
report of the secretary of navy is made.
The loss of the Jeanette expedition is
recounted at some length, the names of
the lost explorers being given. A
statement of our naval force shows that
we have 81 cruisers, IA single turreted
monitors, large number of smooth
bore guns and Parrot rifles and 81
rifle cannon. The replacement of the
cruising vessels by iron or steel ships
is advised. The recommendation of
the secretary of the navy that the light
house and coast survey services be
transferred from the treasury to the
navy department is Endorsed. The de-
cadence of American commerce is
treated at some length.
A reduction of letter postage to two
cents is recommended and slight his
tory of the gradual reduction of letter
postage is given. The star route trials
are noticed and it is said that if any
guilty persons shall finally escape pun
ishment it will not be for lack of dill
gence and earnest effort on the part of
the prosecution. A national bankrupt
law is called for. Remedies for our I'M
satisfactory relationo with the Indian
tribes are suggested. The alarming
illiteracy prevailing in some parts OF
the country is called to the attention of
Congress. Congress can alone give re-
lief for the troubles attending hurtful
determinations in railroad freightage
between states. A hopeful view is
taken Of the settlement of the Mormon
question by the legislation directed TO
that end. Appropriate legislation for
the territories with a view of abating
Indian troubles and making life and
property more secure is called for.
The wasteful destruction of our forests
is strongly treated, and Congress is adj
vised to take action looking to their
better protection. The civil service is
treated at considerable length, and the
recommendations of his first message as
to reform are alluded to and repeated,
and assurance is given that the execu-
tive will cooperate in any measures for
that purpose. The president shows by
figures that the prevalent impression
that removals have been more frequent
under him than under former presi
dents is unfounded.
Approval is expressed of Legislation
, which may be necessary to supplement
, existing provisions relating to politica
= assessments, but the sensible view il
, maintained that government official
l should have the same freedom as othe
3 citizens to give or withhold contribu
Z ton for the aid of the party of hi
choice. Allusion is made 10 the inter
ests of the District of Columbia. Thu
grave questions of the ascertainment o
; the votes for presidential electors, an,
; the intention of the constitution in il
: provisions for devolving excculiv
: functions OH the Vice-Prcsident in cas-
4; of the disability of the President, Al
C called TO tie attention of Congress.
; The message is an able and business
like document, which has won prais
!, from friend and foe. If the Presiden
(; would do as well as he talks he woul
d be an admirable executive.
A beautiful memorial of his daughte
l. who died last summon, has been mad
!; by Senator Edmnnds ny endewing
: her name a room in the Nary Fletche