Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-12-09
rHe paesrpEKr,s MEssAeE.


President Arthur sent his mes
sage 10 Congress on Monday. The
following is brief synopsis OF the
more important points touched
upon:
The President prefaces his message with
a review of the more important matters
which appertain to our foreign and diplo-
matte intercourses. The South American
troubles are treated at length, and comprise
a succinct review of what has been done by
the government in the direction of an ami
cable adjustment of the pending difficulties
between the belllgerents: The mission OF
Mr.. Prescott and Walker Blaine to Peru and
Chilli is recalled, and reference Is made TO
the reports submitted by them, which were
the subject OF full discussion in congress
and otherwise officially, last spring.
The president notifies congress that, pur-
suant TO the confirmation by the senate of
the special commissioners nominated by
him arrangements have been progressing
| for a commercial treaty with Mexico, and
the departure OF the commission VIII not be
long delayed. Mention is made of several
copyright and international treaties, nota-
bly, with Spain and Belgium.
The president treats briefly the matter of
the arrest and imprisonment of American
citizens in English jails, reciting the fact
of the arrests and of the inquiry regarding
them on behalf OF this government.
The president next reviews the operations
OF the treasury department.
The excess OF revenues over expenditures
was Sl45, 553, 6l0s0S, and the amount applied
to the reduction of the debt Sl66, Isl ,505.55.
The imports during the year amounted to
STA $50, 574. The balance of trade in our IA
vor, in face OF our decreased exports aggre-
gated nearly 100000.
The PRESIDENT congratuIates the country
upon its prosperity and favOrs ridgid econ
omy in public expenditures and a reduc-
ton of the internal taxes. He Endorses the
Recommendation the
treasury that the tax on distilled spirits,
tobacco and fermented liquors be reduced
to minimum consistent with sufficient
revenue 10 meet largely in part the ordina-
~ demands of the government. He favors
leaving spirits, tobacco and fermented hq-
uOrs TO bear the burden.
A considerable portion of the MESSAGE is
devoted to a report OF the operations con-
nected with the refunding of the three-and-
a-half-per-cent. bonds into three-per-cenfs.
Touching the tariff, the president renews
his recommendation of last year, that the
existing laws need revision. He expresses
the hope that the labors and the report of
the tariff commission may be so enlighten-
ed as to facilitate congress in dealing with
the subject The president also renews his
OF the silver certificate, on the ground that
they form an unnecessary addition to the
paper currency, which he thinks can be
supplied in sufficient amounts to meet the
demands of trade by the national banks.
That portion OF the message which relates
to the war department is of interest chiefly
because OF the concurrence by the president
In the views of the secretary touching an
increase Of the army and the oQrtaIlment of
appropriations for the public works.
The operations of the navy department
are very briefly reviewed.
The policy OF the secretary of the interior,
with regard to Indian affairs, meets the
presidents approval: He urges that such
treatment of the Indians as will tend to
ciYilize them, should be encouraged, and
calls attention to the firm, and yet human
iEing influences which have been thrown
al.r Inn
In an exceptional Season of freedom from
turbulence.
The president congratulatas congress upon
preston OF polygamy in the Territory OF
Ctab
The estimates required for the payment
of pensions for the current year is $lO0,0OO,-
600. This is an increase over last years eS-
Inmates accounted for the adjudication OF
greater number of claims because OF the in
creased clerical force authorized a. the last
session of congress.
The president recalls the prosecution of
the star-route cases, under the department
made, and the determination of the admin
istration to secure a full investigation and
satisfactory outcome in the courts. He de-
clares it to be his purpose, as it Is that OF the
department, to obtain only a just result,
and one that will commend itself to intelli-
gent and fair-minded opinion. But the ad-
the hands OF its own OFFICIAL, as has been
shown by removals from office as the PEN
atty of official departures from correct
course of action. The president takes care
to emphasize the infiiction of these penal
ties as having been prompted wholly in n
spirit of loyalty to the reasonable demands
OF the government, and he commends the
action OF the department of justice in this
respect, referring to the attorney generals
report and correspondence transmitted from
the department of Justice
The message concludes with review OF
the operations of the commissioners of the
District or Columbia.