The Baltimore County union., 1882-12-09
THE PRRsIpRNrs MEsaAaR.


We have Psrussd with much care and interest
the annual message Of President Arthur, delivered
on Monday last TO both Houses Of Congress at its
re-assembling. II is weil-wrilten, concise, able
and thoroughly businsss-iike document, touching
upon all important subjects necessarily incident
to such an occasion as connected with the affairs
generally Of our country. The Baltimore !Sua has
prepared aud published u very correct and fair
synopsis Of the message. which gives the pith and
thereof, and which We avail Of to save time
and abof as IL giving our own we would be obliged
to reterate almost everything the Ssn has said and
nearly In the same words:
"with regard to the arrest Of citizens Of the
Cnited states In ireland, he says q disposition 10
respect our rights has been practically manifested
by the release Of the arrested parties, while that
other subject Of contention between this country
aud Great Britain, our claim TO the control Of tho
interoeeanc canal, has continued TO be the subject
Of conference. The difference on this subject, he
thinks, 10 more likely TO be removed by time than
by discussion. The friendly relations Of our gov
ernment with Russia have continued unbroken,
and the courteous manner In which our interces-
sion in behalf Of the Hebrew population Of that
country was received affords ground, the Prcsi-
dent believes. for hope that the time will soon
arrive when all faiths will be tolerated within the
Russian borders. Abiding 10 the international
convention held In Paris in 1850 with reference 20
the protection Of Trademarks, patents, etc., the
President calls attention 10 the fact that the pro-
lection Of submarine cables is now under eonsid-
GRAFTON by an international conference in session
In the same city, and expresses the opinion that
Il 10 clearly the true policy Of this government to
favor the naturalization Of this means Of inter-
course. Ia the interest OF justice toward China
and Japan the President expresses the hope that
the question Of the return Of tho indemnity TO the
governments Of these countries will reach q solu-
tion at the present session. In connection with
this subec, the attention Of Congress l. called to
the question TO whether under the recent legis.
lation restricting Chinese immigration, Chinese
travellers may lawfully pass through this country
on their way 20 or from any other. The Fecipro.
city treaty with Hawaii will become teFminabls
after Sept Q, 1884, and the President suggests that
early confederation be given to such notifications
Of the treaty as may be deemed necessary 10 the
interests Of our people, while preserving the com.
mcrcial relations which he considers IL important
TO preserve. The war between Peru and Bolivia
on the side and Chilli on the other Il referred
10 at some length. but while the disposition Of
Chill To exact such rigorous conditions of peace l.
dcplorcd, the President believes that forcibc in.
reference on the part Of our government would
not be In keeping with the spirit Of our insiitu-
tions nor the temper of our people. The project
for an International peace conference in Washing.
ton IL recalled, and willingness expressed TO sup
port any measures which Congress may devise for
u settlement Of national differences without resort
10 arms. The President rencws his recommenda.
,ion Tor such legislation as will place the United
states in harmony with other powers in respect TO
the prevention Of collisions at sea. and expresses
himself ~ cordially in favor Of the rganifaion
of the consular and diplomatic service on a sala.
ried basis. The discussion Of questions Of domcs-
tic concern naturally forms the greater part OF the
communication. ami the interesting aud import
ant subjects of revision Of the tariff aud n feduc-
tiOn in Internal revenue taxation are treated at
some length. Referring 10 the report cf the Sec
fciary ot the Treasury 20 the necessity of pro-
viding by legislation some mode of freeing the
treasury of excess Of assets the President says
he heartily approves the secretary's recommenda-
iion Of immediate and extensive reductions in the
annual revenues @! the government. The surplus
revenue for the hscll year ended June so. lSSi.
was o0OOo.Ouo. All tor the fiscal year ended on
the 3Oth uf June last than $50. .0OO, 600.
Although this surplus has been largely applied 20
the payment Of the national debt. the President
reners thS rAPrs's!va Of hi. cvn, ie,ion tha, such
rapid cx,irguishmCni Of the national indebtedness
as Is now taking place Is cause Tor serious appre
hension. rather than for eungraialation. II the
swollen revenues Of the government lie idle in the
treasury they will become the temptation to cor.
rupt and eX,ravagant expenditure. The Presi-
dent. therefore. suggests that unless i, shall be
found ,ha, the probable expenditures Of the gov
ernmen; for the COMM: year have been under.
estimated, all internal taxes except those which
relate 10 distilled spirits. can be pru1ently abro.
gated. This would diminish the cos; - collection
S2.JnNoOO and retire from Office from l.. ~ 20 g.
OOU persons. lie does not think, however, that
the time has arrived for the total abolition Of in
ternal taxes, fer the reason that il is doubtful
whether the duties on imports would alone be sufi-
cient for ;he needs of government, and because,
moreover. total abolition Of excise ,axes would
prove a serious obstacle to thorough revision of
the tlria. The present tariff system 10, the Pres.
iien; frankly admits. in many respects unjust,
and II the tax on domestic spirits 20 be retained,
he Is clearly Of the Opinion judging from the rev.
enues derived from customs during the last few
years, that large reductions Ia the customs revenue
are entirely trastbe: aud this may be accomplish
ed. he believes. without abandoning the protection
Of domestic labor ~ squaiIing the public burdens
among all classes aud occupations. The Presi-
dent refers 10 his veto of the river and kaTbor bill
Of last session. and recommends 10 the considera
0n Of Congress the adyisability Of the passage of
an amendment 10 the Federal Cons,itution which
would permit the Executive to disspprove Of any
item OF items Ia an appropriation bill without be-
ing under the necessity Of eondemning the entire
measure. Referring 90 the report Of the Secretary
of War. the attention Of Congress is invited TO the
Proprieiy Of making more sielg gsts provision for
arming and equippins the militia. and to the con.
feiing legislation with reference 20 the retirement
Of army officers. The condition Of the navy. as
shown in the Secretary. report, is commented
upon, AMI the attention Of Congress called 10 the
intimate connection and independence Of the navy
and the commercial marine. and 90 the continued
decadence of the latter and the transfer Of our
growing eomneree % foreign bottoms. The re.
port of the Postmaster General shaEs that there
l. considerable surplus In his department, and
the President expresses himself in favor Of a re.
duction Of letter postage to the rate Of two cents
n hrl NJ lei hat ha Ia,
postal patronage would equal the expenditures
after tho lapse Of three or four years. IL they would
not ultimately greatly increase the revenues from
this source. In regard to that portion Of the Al.
torney Generals report which touches upon the
star-routc cases, the President say. that IL any
guilty persons shall finally escape punishment Il
will not be for lack of earnest and dligent efforts
on the part Of the proseeution.' Commenting in
connection with the report Of the Secretary Of the
IaterioE upon the iliitc.acy disclosed in certain
portions of the s0nB,ry by the census returns, the
President ihinks Il gioiaenious question whether
Congress should not extend immediate aud sub.
s,aniial aid tn supplement individual effort and
State legislation in behalf Of education. Upon
the subject Of civil service reform the President
recalls the sentiments expressed in his last COM
munea,ion 10 Congress. and adds ,ha; since these
suggestions were submitted the people Of the
country sppsFentiy without distinction Of party,
have In variou. ways given expressions Of their
earnest wish for proEPt s.d ieinitc action. In
my judgment such action should az longer be
postponed The President takes occasion 10 act
himself right upon the question Of Official remov-
ais and claims that in the fourteen months Of his
naturalization only eighty nine removals have |
beeH male, exactly the same number made in tho
four n0HtLE sf President Garheld's adninis,ra. |
tion. Ia connection with this subject he also ex.
presses his disappro.sl u forced contributions /
from Office holder, and favoTs Their prohibition BY
!sw."
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eH>One Of the frat thinrs for n tsn,ihls. nrac.