Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-04
President's Message.


The President prefaces his message with
review OF the more important matters
which appertain to our foreign and diplo-
matte Intercourse. He recites the fact of
the passage Of the immigration treaty with
China. and announces that under the direc-
ton Of the State Department arrangements
have been effected for carrying it's proris-
ions into operation. The South American
troubles are treated at length, and comprise
| succinct review of what has been dcne by
the Government i'll the direction of an ami
cable adjustment Of the pending difficulties
between the belligerents. The mission of
| Mr.. Prescott and Walker Blaine to Peru
aud Chilli Is recalled, and reference is made
| TO tue reports submitted by them, which
were the subject of full discussion in Con-
grcss and otherwise, officially, last spring
Tue apparent prostration of the effort made
by this Government at that time in the in
terests of peace did not discourage further
efforts in the same direction, and the ap-
pointment of DIR. Logan as Minister to
Chill was intended to convey to the Gillian
Government assurance that the Govern
ment Of the United States was still desirous
so far us might be proper and acceptable, to
interpose its good Offices The President
ventures to hope that the apparent obsta-
Giles which have 80 far confronted our Min.
lister to Chill may eventually be overcome,
to the credit of this Government and the
satisfaction of the hostile Powers.
On the subject of the movement for all In
ternatioual Peace Congress to assemble in
Washington City. inaugurated under the
Administration ofhis predecessor, the Pres
ident recitcs the fact of its interruption by
his own order, and states as his reasons for
| ,rix nd hot ~ ~
and earnest reflection he had been unable
to reconcile the customs that have prevailed
III the diplomacy of this Government with a
proposition 80 far reaching in its scope and
30 doubtful in its effect, and that, since up
on Congress must devolve tho developement
md ratification of such proceeding, he
had felt it incumbent upon himself, in the
interest of public policy, to transmit all the
correspondence which bore upon the SUBJ
lcct, as we'll as the subject itself to Con-
gross. The President does not intimate on
uniavorable attitude toward the assembling
If such Peace Congress, but prefers that
II it shall assemble its character and object
shall have been first the subject of thought
tul consideration, and by the representa-
tives of the people rather than by the Elk
tcu!ive head OF the government alone. In
this connection the President suggests the
tdvisability of measures looking to the set
;lement OF international difficulties by ar.
pitration, which method. he recalls, has
lccn tho subject of profitable discussion
'afisiying him that the object is we'll worthy
ne attention Of Congress as means Of Sc
curing prolonged peace.
The President notifies Congress that pur-
suant to the confirmation by the Senate of
nc Special Commissioners nominated by
lm, arrangements have been progressing
fora commercial treaty with Mexico, and
The departure of the commission will not be
long delayed Mention is made Of several
'opywright and international treaties uota-
bly, with Spain and Belgium
The President treats briefly the matter of
the arrest and imprisonment of American
'ltizcns in English jails, reciting the fact of
the arrest and ofthe inquiry regarding them
IN behalf of this Government Of the de-
hands made through the State Department
md our Minister to England for the prompt
~ial of the suspects of their release. and 40.
kuuWledges the reDaratiou subsequently &C.
corded W the English Government. This
'tnment is supplemented by the announce
nent of the transmission to Congress with
.,e message OF vuluminous correspondence
md other papers covering the subject.
Tho President congratulates the country
lpoa its prosperity, and favors rigid econ
my in public expenditures and reduc-
| ton OF the internal taxes He iudurses the
recommendation of the Secretary Of the
| Treasury that the tax on distilled spirits. to-
mcco aud fermcnted liquors be reduced to
minimum consistent with sufficient reve-
nue. to meet largely in part the ordinary de.
mands OF the Government. He favors 9th
wise the ABOLITION of internal taxes, leay-
| InU aDirita t0boono onI f,rr, al 1;o,,a,,
rear the burden.
A considerable portion ofthe message is
devoted to a report of the operation con-
nGctcd with the refunding Of the three and
nalf per cent. bonds into three per cents.
From the fact that these latter bonds rule
at Il premium, the President suggests to Con-
gress that in his opinion the time is now
ripe for legislation which will enable the
| secretary OF the Treasury to further con-
inuc to refund the debt. He thinks the ex-
! 1erlence of the year conclusively shows that
the bonds of the nation bearing per cent.
| interest can be successfully placed He az
sregates the amount of interest it will re-
Iuire to pay the four and four-and-a-halfs
they remain outstanding until maturity,
and concludes that wise craftsmanship
| ,dSnt 10 md out some means of escape from
the burdens ofsuch heavy drafts upon the
treasury on account of interest He recon-
nends no specific plan; but, ifsome portion
of the bonds are not funded, favors mod-
| dcation of the law, SO that National Banks
may in some way have the advantage Of the
premium on such bonds as are hold by the
United States Treasurer to secure their cir
culatiou.
Touching the tariff. the President rcnews
his recommendation Of last year, that the
existing laws need revision. He expresses
the hope that the labors and the report of
the Tariff Commission may be SO enlighten-
ed as to facilitate Congress in dealing with
the subject. The President also renews his
recommendation for the early retirement of
tue silver certificate, on the ground that
they form an unnecessary addition to the
paper currency, which he thinks can be
supplied in sufficient amounts to meet the
demands Of trade by the National Banks
An interesting clause of the message is
devoted so the gold certificates. Of the is.
sue authorized BY the act of July u, 1882,
sl3S, 100000 has been ordered printed for
issue; up to November 1st S2l 200, 900 had