Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-04
The Presidents Nessnge.

The Presidents Message.
The Presidents message viii. like his previous
Official utterances, take rank as a credltable
state paper. He renews his recommenda-
tons OF last year for extensive reductions
In the annual revenues OF the govern
ment TO relieve the industry and enterprise
OF the country from the pressure OF unnecessary
taxation. In view OF the lessons taught by the
recent elections IL is likely that the republican
majority In Congress VIII pay more attention to
his recommendations this year than they did last.
The republican party has paid pretty dearly for
The rejection of his wise advice President Arthur
In MS last message recommended the abolition OF
all Internal revenue taxes except those upon to-
Dacco in its various forms, and upon distilled spirits
and fermented liquors. He goes a step further
now, and advises the abToCatiOn OF all Internal
taxes save those which relate to distilled spirits.
He also urges revision of the tariff which shall
include an enlargement OF the free list simplifi-
Cation OF the complex and inconsistent schedule o.
duties upon certain manufactures, particularly
those OF cotton. iron, and steel, and substantial
reduction OF the duties upon those articles, and
upon sugar, mOlasseS, silE, wool, and wooden
goods.
He takes wholesome ground in regar! to the
river and harbOr bill enOrnity, and suggests that
grants or considerable sums OF money for diverse
ard independent schemes OF internal Improve
ment should be mad. the subjects OF separate
enaetments: or as an alternative proposition the
adoption OF the provision In force i'll fourteen
of the states that the executive may disappr0ve
any item, or items or bill appropriating money;
whereUp0n the part only Of the bill approved shall
become law.
In the line of reduction also, the President
recommends reducing the rates of postage.
President Arthur tfke5 no backward steps in
regard to the prosecution OF the star route thieves
Referring TO his instructions last year TO the At
q
with Tie utmost vigor OF the law" and 20 the
zeal and ability with which the late trial was con-
Quoted, he says with emphasis in regard 10 the
new trial:
" II any guilty persons shall finally escape run
ishnent FOR thsr Of 1t Will not be for lack OF
urgent AMI earnest Efforts on the part OF the
prosecution
The Presii Mt, in treating the question of polit-
lcal contributions. gives a quiet but effective re-
bu',e To the Hubbell style OF Ievying assessments
such contributions, he says, are not voluntary"
and in his judgment their collection should be
prohibited by law.
In concluding his IN sage the President has a
good word to say in behalf OF District interests
and OF the duty Of Congress, having exclusive ju-
rlsi1cton here, tOaff0rd the people 1.-THE best ad-
miniStr,tiOn It's wisdom can devise" This indt-
Gates that the President VIII himself give thought
ful consideration to the question of fitness and
qualifications In tie appointment of District off,
Gers.
Jhe members OF Congress OF both parties seem
moved by Il desire to proceed promptly with the
business of the session and to make good use of
Che limited time allowed them. The House Will
begin It's labors with the appropriation bills and
VIII push them forward with all practicable expe-
diloh The Indian bill IS already prepared and
VIII DE- nrSt taken up. The subject of tax reduc-
ton VIII not. probably, be brought before the
House until the appropriation bills out of the
way 1t Is with the view OF obtaining all the time
possible for the consideration of tax reduction and
OF OILS coming over from last session. that the ap-
preparations committees have determined to use
every effort TO get the appropriation bills
through as fast expedient. With regard
10 the remaining contested election cases
the prevailing opinion seems to be that they
must yield to matters OF greater Importance
ana IL IS Lot Improbable that these cases
VIII not be touched at all AS the Senate
must wait for appropriation bills to come from the
House it VIII employ its first days In the consider
alton OF the tax reduction BILL unless this meas
Ufe, which has precedence is displaced By motion
UT agreement The tax bill comes over from the
last session as unfinished business but consilera-
ton OF II may be delayed In order TO give each
party time for conference and consultation The
republicans, having control OF both Houses may
prefer 10 determine upon some precise line of tax
reduction before permitting the question to come
up In either branch This Is question the treat
ment OF which must have considerable influence
upon the politics OF the country, and hence 1t Is
not likely TO be handled with any undue haste
1he democrats, though the minority party oc-
cupy position which dcvolves a greater degree
OF responsibility upon the minority than COM
monty falls to It The republicans are scarcely
more than noninally In control OF the Senate
Win the committees In their hands, the republic
cans can direct legislation, but they have not the
power within themselves to pass it through the
Dody In the House the republicans have real
majority, but IL Is not sufficient to enable them To
enact legislation over the determined opposition
OF the minority. Should the present session. there
fore, dlsapDoint the country upon the important
question OF tax reduction. neither party can es-
cape It's share of the responsibility.
III Is rot likely that anybody would be entirely
satisfied with all the details OF any award that
couli be made 10 the physicians and attendants
OF the President, but the general verdict on the
conclusions reached by the auditing committee
VIII be that the several sums awarded are sufl-