Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1882-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS NESS ICE.

CrS, ana prccecus 10 e"tc ia VV'1i' 'iV "'"iN
weighty and interesting questions connected
with our intercourse with each particular
government With regard to the arrest of
citizens of the United States in Ireland, he
SAYS disposition TO respect our rights has
been practically manifested by the release
Of the arrested parties, while that other
subject of contention between this coun-
try and Great Br' tian. our claim to thecon-
troll Of the interoceanic canal has contin-
ued to Ice the subject of conference. The
difference on this subject, he thinks is more
likely to be removed by time than by dis
cussion. The friendly relations Of our gov
crnmcnt with Russia have continued unbro-
ken aud the courteous manner in which
our interces,ion in behalf of the Hebrew
population of that country was received az
fords ground for hope that the time will
soon arrive when all faiths will be tolerated
within the Russian borders. The President
calls attention 10 the fact that the protec-
ZION of submarine cables is now under con-
sderatiou by an international conference in
session in Paris, and expresses the opinion
that IL il clearly the true policy Of this gov
crnment 70 favor the naturalization of this
means OF intercourse In the interest Of
sustice towards China and Japan the Presi-
dent thinks the question of the return of
the indemnity 70 the governments Of those
countries will reach a solution at the pres
ent session In connection with This sub
iect the attention of Congress is called to
the question a. % whether under the recent
legislation restricting Chinese immigration,
Chinese travellers may lawfully pass through
this country on their way to or from any
other The war between Peru and Bolivia
on the one side and Chilli on the other Is re-
lcrrcd 70 nj some length, but while the dis
position Of Chilli TO exact such rigorous
conditions of peace Is deplored the Presi
ident believes that forciblc interference on
the part Of our government would not be
in keeping with thespirit of our Institutions
por the temper OF our people. The project
for an international peace conference in
Washington +. recalled. and willingness
expressed TO support any measures which
Congress may devise for settlement. of ma
tional differences without resort to arms.
Referring to the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury As 10 the necessity of provi-
ding by legislation some mode of freeing
the treasury of an excess Of assets" the
President says he heartily approves thasec-
rctary's recommendation of immediate and
extensive reductions in the annual revenues
Of the government. The surplus revenue
for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1851, was
500 600 0Vo and for the fiscal year ended
on the 3oth june last was mere than one
hundred and Gily-fye millions. Although
thi, surplus has beea largely applied to the
payment of Che national debt, the Prcsi-
dent renew- the expression Of his conviction
that such rapid cxtinguishment Of the ma
tional indebtedness as is now taking place
is cause Tor serious apprehension, rather
than for congra,ulation Ii the swollen
revenues of the government lie idle in the
treasury they Will become the temptation
20 corrupt and cXtravagnt expenditure.
The President, therefore. suggests that un-
less 1t snail bc found that the probable ex-
ptuditures of the government for the com
ing year have been undercstimated, all in
ternal taxes except those which relate to
distilled spirits can be prudently abrogated
This would diminish the cost Of collection
=. 500. ooy and retire from "fice from 500
To- 2.O00 persons. lie docs not think, how
ever that the time has arrived for the total
abolition of internal taxes. fo- the reason
that IL is doubtful whether the duties on
imports would alone be sufficient for the
needs of government, and because, more
over, total abolition Of excise taxes would
prove serious obstacle to a thorough revi-
sion Of the ,,rH The present tariff system
is, the President frankly admits, in many
respects unjust, and if the tax on domestic
spirits Is TO be retained, ne is clearly of the
opinion, Judging from the revenues derived
from customs during the last few years,
,hat large reductions in the customs reve-
nue. are entirely feasible; and this may be
accomplished. he believes without aban-
doniug the protection of domestic labor by
egualiziug the public burdens among all
classes and occupations. The President re-
t,rs % his veto Of the river and harbor bill
of last session, and recommends to the con-
sidcration OF Congress The ACCESSIBILITY of
the passage of an amendment to the FEEDER
al constitution which would permit the ex-
ecutiye 90 di>approve Of AM item or items
in an appropriation bill without being un-
der the necessity of condemning the entire
measure Referring o. the report of the
Secretary of War, the attention Of Congress
Is invited % the proprieiy Of making more
adequate provision tor arming and equip
ping Jhe militia The condition of the ma
W. as shown in the secre,ary's report, is
commented upon, and the attention Of Con-
gress called 70 the intimate connection and
iutcriepende1ceo of the navy and the com
me7cial marine, AID To the continued deca-
dence of the latter and the transfer of our
growing commerce TO foreign bottoms The
report IF Unconstitutional shows that