Daily Republican., 1882-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
PRESIDENT ARTIIVnN SECOND
ANMUAL BEESBAGE-A CON
kERVATIVE DOCUMENT.

kEKVATIVE DOCUMENT.
| The following is o condensation of
President Arthur's second annual mes.
sage communicated and read at the
opening of both Houses OF Congress
yesterday, In referring the rights Of
American citizens In Ireland, he says
1.-THE arrest of citizens of the United
States in Ireland under recent laws,
which owe their origin to the disturb
ed condition of that country, has led to
q somewhat extended correspondence
with the Government of Great Britain.
A disposition to respect our rights has
been practically manifested by the re-.
lease Of the arrested parties "
In protesting against the prosecution
of the Jews in Russia, he regrets the
persecution and says:
"It has not transpired that any
American citizen has been subjected to
arrest or injury, but our courteous re-
monstrance ha5 nevertheless been Gour-
teously received. There is reason to
believe that the time is not far distant
| when Russia will be able to sec nre tol-
GRAFTON to ali faiths within her borders
Referring to the Chili-Peruviau war
he gives detailed statement of the
condition of affairs in those countries
and congratulates himself that the
United States spared no efforts to make
peace, save such as might involve i'm
| plications He says:
1t is greatly to be deplored that Chilli
resolved to exact such rigorous condi-
tions Of peace, and Is indisposed to sub
NIT to arbitration the terms OF an ami
cable settlement. No peace is likely to
be lasting that is not sufficiently equit
able and Just to command the approval
of other nations.
In speaking of q peace Congress he
says.
trust that the time is nigh when,
with the universal assent of civilized
people, all international differences
shall be determined without resort to
arms by the benignant processes of az.
! bitration.
The President congratulates the
nation upon the general existing peace
with all the civilized nations, and re-
commend legislation in harmony with
other Powers to prevent collisions at
sea and that conference be held to
determine upon a common prime
meridian, and approves of the project
to reorganiZe the diplomatic and con-
su,ar service, leaving fees to innure to
the benefit or the Treasury.
His detailed statement of the condi-
tion of the Treasury shows that the
revenue last year from all sources
was S403, ,525, $50 the total expenditure
for ordinary purposes was S257 ,9Sl ,440 /;
leaving a surplus Of $145,543, $40. This
with $40, 1877 ,695 Of spare cash already
in the Treasury, was applied to paying
off $l66. .281 ,5O5 of the public debt du-
ring,the year.
In view Of the plethoric condition Of
the Treasury, the President and Secre-
tary Folger both unite in recommend.
ing reduction of internal revenues.
The President recommends the aboli-
tion of all internal revenue taxes OK
cept the one on tobacco in its various
forms, aud upon distilled spirits and
fermented liquors and wines, except
also, the special tax upon the manufac-
ture Of all liquors in such articles,
In referring to this question, he says /:
"SuCh course, if accompanied by q
complication of the machinery Of col
lection which would be easy of accom-
pli5hment, might reasonably be expec.
led 10 result in diminishing the cost of
such collection by at least So, 800, 900,
and in the retirement from office of
from 1900 to 1000 persons. The syetem
of excise duties has never commended
itself to the favor of the American pee
pie, and has never been resorted to ex-
cept for supplying deficiencies in the
treasury, when, by reason Of special
exigenCies, the duties on imports have
proved inadequate for the needs of the
Government
The sentiment of the country doubt
less demands that the present excise tax
shall be abolished as soon as such a
course can be safely pursued. 1t seems
to me, however, that for various rea-
sons 80 sweeping a measure as the total
abolition of internal taxes would for the
present be an unwise step. Two OF
these reasons are deserving Of special
mention. First. 1t Is by no means
clear that even If the existing system of
duties of imports is continued without
modification, those duties alone will
yield sufficient revenue for all the needs
of the Government. 1t is estimated
that one hundred millions of dollars
win be required for pensions during the
coming year, and It may we'll be doubt
ed if the maximum annual demand for
that object has yet been reached. Un-
certainty upon this question would
alone justify, in my Judgment, the re-
tention for the present Of that portion
of the system of internal revenue which
is least Objectionable to the people.
| The President declares himself In
favor of tariff reform and recomm ends
careful consideration of the report of
the tariff commission.
The message speaks of the necessity
of strengthening our Notifications, re-
commends better provision for arning
and equIpping the militia, and calls at
tention TO emba1rassments growing
out of the acts for retiring army Off
GERS.
The President pauses to justify his
veto of the River and Harbor bill in the
following language:
"An act making appropriations for
the construction, repair and preserya-
ton of certain works OH rivers and har-
bors," which became law near the
close of your last session, prompt me to
express the hope that no similar meas
ures will be deemed necessary during
the present session of Congress. In
deed measure would now be open to a
serious objection in addition to that
which was lately urged upon your at
tention. 1 am informed by the Secre
tary Of War that the greater portion of
the sum appropriated for the various
items specified in that act remain un-
expended. Of the new works which it
authorized, expenses have been incurr-
ed upon two only, for which the total