The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-09
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1882.
The Presidents Message.

Monday last. by President Arthur, opens.
with reference to cur foreign relations,
and our intercourse is set forth with each
particular natiopiih detail 1 The President
then deals with domestic affairs, giving
summary of the reports of heads Of depart
ments, and approving or disappearing of
recommendations as seems to him best.
In view of the vast and annually increas-
ing surplus in the treasury, which invites
extravagant legislation, the President adj
vocates the abolition of all internal revenue
taxes, except upon distilled spirits, ferment
ed liquors, tobacco and the special tax upon
dealers in liquors, and a reduction of the
tariff, but not such reduction that ample
protection would not be afforded to the in
dustries of the country. He also advo-
Gates a revision of the tariff, and the en-
largement of the free list. .g
Ground is taken against "river and har-
Dor bills" such as was passed at the last
session, and which had much effect in
changing the political complexion of the
next House of Representatives The Pres
ident thinks that appropriations for the I'M
provement of the waterways of the coun-
try should be made by separate bills for
each object, and if that cannot be done, the
President should be given the power to
veto parts of bills, power given to Gov
ernors of number of states by their con-
situations. in order that meritorious appro-
priations may not be defeated by improper
ones, and also to relieve the Executive of
embarrassments that sometimes arise when
he feels it incumbent to exercise the veto
power. --... .g. IT,. .u
As the revenue from the postal service
exceeds expenses by about three and half
millions of dollars annually, it is recon-
mended that letter postage be reduced to
two cents, but the President dissents from
the recommendation that the postal de-
partment be given control of the telegraph
system of the country,
Reference is made to the star-rOute trials,
and the President says they have been con-
Quoted with "great zeal and ability and
though they resulted in disagreement of
the jury diligent efforts will be made to
punish the guilty in the trials now pro
crossing. The former trial was badly man
aged, and had the recent elections resulted
differently, the present trial would have
been greater farce. The department Of.
justice seems to have been as corrupt as
the star-route thieves, but now that the
President has cleansed the service somewhat
different result will probably be.reached.
Allusion is made to the illiteracy of the
people, as shown by the recent census, and
Congress is asked to consider whether the
government should not supplement state
and Individual efforts in behalf Of educa-
ton. As the public debt, as the President
says, is being paid off too rapidly, and the
large surplus in the treasury is conducive
of extravaganza, the President might have
advocated distribution of the excess in
the treasury among the states of the Union
ding to illiterate population. Such
disposition would seem to be wise and one
that would give general satisfaction.
No recommendation is made in regard
to suppressing poligamy, the President be
lieving that existing statutes are sufficient
and that recent enactments should be I'M
disturbed until time develops their effect.
This message is perhaps the first in quarter
of a century that has not made some special
recommendations on the subject. a..
A year ago the President discussed civil
service reform, but made no recommended
tions, yet assured Congress that any laws
bearing thereon would have his sanction.
In his recent message, however, he alludes
to the expression of public sentiment on
the question, and says action should no
longer be postponed. The President ar
CUES we'll on the subject and gives evidence
that the result of the late elections has had
wholesome effect upon him. If Congress
is affected in the same way, much good may
result from the present session. -
The President disapproves of political
assessments upon office-holders, which is
another good result of the verdict of the
people at the last elections. He says that
in July last he authorized a public an
nouncement that employees of the govern
ment should regard themselves as at liberty
to exercise their pleasure in making or re-
fusing to make political contributions, and
that their action in that regard would in
no manner effect their official status" That
announcement is we'll remembered, and it
is also well remembered that Don Cameron
and Billy Malone were allowed to assess
employees any amount they thought proper
and to have discharged any and all who re-
fused to pay. Cameron only had few re-
movals made, but. Malone so changed
postmasters and postal agents that the mail
service in Virginia was absolutely abomina-
BILE, and he had widows turned out of Office
to make room for those who would contrib
ute to his corruption fund and who could
control votes. All this was known to the
President, and was done withjhis acquies-
ence if not approval In. fact the proceed
ing was a part of: the bargain with Malone
by Arthur and the Republican leaders.
Only the chief subjects Of the message
have been referred to above Elsewhere
will be found an article on the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury, a synopsis
of which is embodied in the message In