Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-08

relations of the country, which the President
announces to be eminenty satisfactory. He
sees no occasion for getting up a controversy
over the Panama canal at present. and thinks
by the time that waterway is dug all grounds
of political jealousy may fade before the con-
trolling necessities of commerce. On the i'm
portant questions of revenue reform and tax
alton President Arthur takes advanced ground
Believing that the excise system never was in
favor with the American people, he recon-
mends the repeal of all internal taxes except
the tax on distilled spirits, with a view to to.
tai repeal at the earliest practicable day.
The presidents remarks on appropriations
for internal improvements are what might
have been expected after his veto of the river
and harbor bill. He expresses the hope that
no such bill will be deemed necessary at this
session, and shows by the figures of the war
department that there will be no excuse for
one. If any additional appropriation is nee
essary for the Mississippi river he says a sep
arate bill for that purpose would meet his
approval. He adds the wise suggestion that
it would be a good idea to have future appro
priations for different schemes of improve
ment embodied in separate bills, so that each
one could be approved or disapproved by the
president according to his judgment. He ad-
vises the reduction of letter postage to two
cents, and shows that it can be done without
serious loss to the revenues of the post-office
department, which, since it has been redeem
ed from the robberies of the star route job
bers, has ceased to show yearly deficit, and
in fact now returns a considerable sum to the
treasury. His reference TO the star route
cases is brief but to the point "If any gull
| ty persons shall finally escape punishment for
their ofenses," he says, 'it will not be for
lack of diligent and earnest efforts on the
part of the prosecution"
He renews his recommendation for ma
tonal bankrupt act and for the adoption of
a more comprehensive and Just Indian policy
The necessity of granting national aid to free
primary education is emphasized even moro
strongly than in last years message. The
attention of Congress is called to the duty of
regulating the interstate railroad traffic so
that the people may be protected against the
power of monopolies to Impair the advantn-
gesof healthful competition and to make hurt
full discrimination in the adjustment of freight
age" In regard to poygamy the President
suggests that no additional legislation will be
necessary until the effect of existing laws
shall be more closely observed and studied
He recommends the allotment of land in sew
crafty to the Indians and the education of In
dian youth. He also calls attention to the
rapid and wasteful destruction of forests,
and to the need of legislation to protect our
timber lands from destruction.
President Arthur's recommendations in re-
gard to the civil service, with which his mes
sage closes, show him to the public in light
which is at once qualification and a surprise.
One of the leading independent papers well
says of this portion of the message that it
shows its author to be neither Bourbon nor q
man obstinately bent on having his own way.
The president clearly recognizes the fact that
'the people of the country, apparently with
out distinction of party, have, in various ways
and upon frequent occasions, given expression
to their earnest wish for prompt and definite
action; and he adds that in his Judgment,
''such action should no longer be postponed. "
He speaks favorably of the bill now before
the senate presumably the Pendleton bill),
as well calculated to afford relief to the exec
utive department and to members of Con-
gress; and, expressing trust that something
may be done, before the close of the present
session, to correct the evils of the existing
system of appointments, he assures Congress
of his "hearty cooperation in any measures
which are likely to conduce to that end" As
to the term and tenure of office, the presi-
dent is of the opinion that 'the one should
be definite and the other stable, and neither
should be regulated by zeal in the service OF
party, or fidelity to the fortunes of an indi-
vidual." No reformer could ask for more sat
isfactory statement, in regard to the subordi-
nate civil service, than the president makes
in saying: "It matters little to the people al
large what competent person is at the head
of this department or that bureau, if they
feel assured that the removal of one or the
accession of another will not involve the re-
tirement of honest and faithful subordinates
whose duties are purely administrative and
have no legitimate connection with the tri
umph of any political principles or the sue
cess of monopoly, party or faction" The
presidents position in regard to political as
sessments is equally satisfactory. He square
ly recognizes the fact that the so-called ''vol
untary contributions" are not, in many cases
voluntary, but are made under fear of the
consequences of refusing to pay; and he a
squarely says the collection of assessments
should be prohibited by law, and that bill
which will effectually suppress them will re
ceive his cordial support.
Herein is sound doctrine. People who ex
} pected to find in President Arthurs messag,
an opportunity for carping criticism fine
themselves compelled to acknowledge that hi
has planted himself fully and firmly on tn,
advanced ground which the spirit of the time
demands.