Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-12-09
TIE OPENING OF CONGRESS.

to wait on President Arthur, AMI later
during the session the Presidents mess
arc was real in both houses. The report
OF the Tariff Commission, yolpminous
document, was presented. \ nnmber of
bills were introduced in the Senate, and
Mr.. Brown announced the death OF his
lafe colleague. Senator Hill, of Georgia,
after which the Sen:Se adjourned until
Tuesday. In the House among the large
number of bills introduced were the fol-
lowing: To further project employees OF
the government tom political assess
mcnts; to reduce Internal revenue taxa
,ion; 10 reduce letter postage to TWO cents;
Ia repeal the iI:eruul revenue laws; TO
preserve the elective franchise ana punish
bribery aud other CitcnSes against free
ballot. The death "f the late Representa-
tive Lowe, Of Alabama, WAS ANNOUNCED,
AMI the House adjourned.
The Presidents message though some
what Shorter Il'an that OF last year, is still
- formidable document in poin! OF length
from the great variety and importance Of
Ike questions discussed. The President
begins his message with = general refer
rnce 10 our relations with foreign powers,
ana proceeds TO note ia detail the more
wcighIy and interesting questions con-
Serted wiki our intercourse with each
particular government He also calls at
tention 10 the fact that the protection of
Submarine cables IS now under considcra-
lion by an international conferenccin seS.
sion in Paris, and expresses the opinion
that it is clearly the true policy OF this
government: - favor the naturalization OF
this means OF intercourse. The attention
of Congress Is called 10 the question as 10
Whether nnaer the recent Legislation re-
striC;ing Chinese immigration, Chinese
travellers may lawfully pass through this
country ON their way TO or from any other.
The war between Perm and Bolivia on the
orc side and Chilli OH the other is referred
10 AZ some length, bat while the DISPOSE
OF Chill 10 eXaCt sach rigorous conditions
Il peace is commented upon at length,
the President does rot believe in for
chile interference. The project for ~
International peace cOnfeyeEce in Wash
ing;on i recalled, and q Willingness eX-
pressed TO support any measures when
Congress may devise for settlement OF
national differences without Il resort 10
arjas. lie also rcnews the recommends
tion for such legislation rs will place the
United States in harmony with other pow
els i'm respect TO prevention Of collisions
NJ sea, and is in favor Of the reorsaniza-
ton Of the consular and diplomatic service
on Il Salared basis.
The discussion Of questions Of domestic
concern naturally forms the greater part
oil the communication, and the interest,"
ing and important subjects of revision
of the tariff AMI L reduction in internal
revenue taxation are treated at some
length. The President suggests that UNI
less IL shall be fouEd that the probable
expenditures of the government for the
coming year have been unGcrcstimated,
all internal taxes except thoSc which re-
late to distilled spirits, can be prudently
abroga;ej. This would diminish the cost
OF collection 81. SOC, eco and retire from
Office from 800 TO , 1000 persons. lie does
not think, however, that the tune has ar
rived fof the total abolition of internal
taxes, for the reason that it is doubtful
whether the duties on imports would
alone be sufficient for the needs of gov
crnmeut, and because, moreover, total
abolition of excise taxes would prove
serious obstacle 10 a thorough revision OF
the tariff. The present tariff system is,
the President frankly admits, in many re-
spects unjust. aud if the tax on domestic
spirits be retained, be is clearly Of the
opinion, jplg.ng from the revenues de-
rived from customs during the last few
years, that large reductions in the Gus
toms revenue are entirely feasible; and
this may be accomplished, he believes,
without abandoning the projection of do
me.tic labor by cqualizing the public bur
dens among all classes and occupations:
The President refers 10 his veto of the
river and harbor bill Of last session, and
recommends TO the consideration Of Con-
gress the adsisability of the passage Of an
smcndment 10 the Federal constitution
which would permit the executive to dis
approve of any item or items in an appro-
priation bill without being under the pe-
cessity Of condemning the entire measure.
Referring 10 the report of the Secretary
Of War, the attention of Congress is in
vited TO the propPicty Of making more adj
cquate provision for arming and equip
ping tie militia, and TO tho conflicting
legislation with reference 10 the retire
ment of army officers. The condition Of
the navy, rs shown in the sccretary's re-
port, is commented upon, and the at,en-
ZION of Congress called to the intimate
connection and interdependence of the
navy and the commercial marine, and TO
the continued decadcnce of the latter and
the transfer of our growing commerce to
foreign bottoms, The report of the Post
master-G eneral shows that there is a con-
siderable surplus in his department, and
the President expresses himself in favor
OF a reduction Of letter postage TO the rate
of two cents per halt ounce, and believes
that the increase in postal patronage would
equal the expenditures after the lapse OF
three or foar years, if they would not III
timately greatly increase the revenues
from this source. In regard TO that por-
ton of the AttOrney-General's report
which touches upon the star-route cases,