Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-08

have been progressing for commercial treaty
with Mcxico and mention Is made of several
treaties, notably with Spain and Belgium
The President treats briefly the matter of the
imprisonment of American citizens in Eng
lish jais and acknowledges the reparation
accorded by the English Government.
Coming to the Treasury Department, Pres
ident Arthur favors the abolition of the en-
tire internal revenue system save as relates
to distilled spirits AID he renews the re-
commentator for revision of the tariff
laws. lie expresses the hope that the report
of the tariff commission may facilitate Con
gress in dealing with the subject The Pres
ident also renews his recommendation for the
early retirement of silver certificates on the
ground that they form an unnecessary addi-
ton to the paper currency and he favorIihc
repeal of the law which requires fixed coin.
age of silver dollars for each month and rec.
ommends that it be left to the discretion OF
the Secretary of the Treasury
| The River and Ilarbor bill is referred to
and i, is recommended that, In order 10 rem
edy evils with which the whole country las
become familiar, the items hitherto embodied
in that bill be passed upon separately, or that
n Constitutional amendment be adopted, al.
lowing the President to pass upon the items
OF the bill separatcly-a power similar to
that now possessed by the Governor of New
York and some other Sta cs.
A reconstruction OF the navy is recon-
mcnded and Congress is urged TO take some
measures looking to the revival of American
ship.building and foreign commerce.
President Arthur is strongly in favor OF
the reduction of letter postage from three to
two ccnts-in which he will be strongly
backed by the people. lie is opposed to
governmental control of the telegraph sys-
tenn which, however, is bound to come in
timc-thc sooner the better.
On the all-important question of the re-
form of the civil service, President Arthur
has strong and sensible words, which will
commend themselves to all unparalleled
minds. lie makes strong argument in
that the term of official life should be def
mite and its tenure stable, and that nei,h-
CT should be regulated by zeal in the service
OF party and he pledges his hearty support
to any civil service reform bill which Con-
gress may adopt. All the Presidents de-
clardtious on this point are plain and ex-
plicit and the friends of the reform could
hardly ask for anything more direct, radical
and satisfactory. President Arthur is also
opposed to the the lcyying of forced contri-
buttons upon Office holders, and favors a law
that will cflectually suppress the system. In
connection with his discussion Of the general
question of the civil service he takes occa-
sion To sci himself right before the people as
TO the number Of his removals from Office
aud he makes out Il good case.
The Prtsden, refers briefly TO the Star
route cascs, and says that if any guilty per
son escapes it will not be for lack of dligcnt
and earnest efforts on the pat of the prosccu-
ton. lie further recommends the passage
OF Il National bankrupt law favors allotting
land to Indians in sevcralty AMI educating
their youth refers TO the question of gov
Ornamental aid to education, but makes no
rec ,mmendaton on the subject, nor on that
OF railroad legislation, to which he also re-
lcrs; Speaks OF the anti-polygamy law now
on trial recommends form of govern
ment for Alaska urges Legislation for the
protection and preservation of our forests
and recommends legislation on sundry Dis
trict of Columbia affairs.
Proper measures for securing n satisfactory
count of the electoral vote and for regulating
the Presidential succession are earnestly rec
commended ; and the Message closes with
an expression of thanksgiving to the Giver
of all good for the manifold blessings of the
year, and of n hope that Congress and the
Executive may work in harmony