Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-12-05


States Minister, G. P. Marsh states that
the Swiss Government has taken steps to
prevent the emigration to this country of
paupers and criminals; gives Congress
mild reminder that it is time the japanese
Indemnity matter was settled refers to
the Chinese claim for transit through the |
country under the new law, and indicates a
belief that they should not be excluded /;
briefly discusses the Hawaiian Treaty, with |
hints looking towards its modification ; |
commends the Mexican Boundary question |
to Congress, and proposes Commission |
to deal with it reviews the Chile Peruvian |
war, and expresses the opinion that owing |
to the obstinacy of the Chilean Govern. |
ment it is useless for the United States to |
attempt any further intercession politely |
pooh.poohs Mr.. Blaine's Peace Congress ; |!
suggests legislation to harmonic the |
United States with other nations in regard |
to rules for collisions at sea, and for an
agreement upon some general method de-
termining the latitude and longitude, and
regulating time approves the proposition
for putting all diplomatic officers upon
salaries and covering fees into the treasury;
and SO forth, almost ad mfnitum.
OF the more weighty and interesting
matters which are topics of general dis
cussion the President has also something
to say. He agrees with the Secretary of
the Treasury in recommendinga considera-
bic reduction of revenues. He is in favor
of abolishing all internal revenue taxes ex.
cept those on distilled spirits, malt liquors
and tobacco, which would cut off about
$50, 900, GOO, and leave about 500. 600, 900 of
revenue. He urges the necessity of re-
vising the tariff, and, though he disclaims
any desire to do away with protective du-
ties, he thinks the more articles can be put on
the free list the better it will be. He calls
attention to the silver coinage, recommend.
ing its suspension. He discusses the fnan.
cial question, coinciding with Secretary
Folger in deprecating the too rapid liquida-
tion of the public debt, and pointing out
the dangers which must arise if our
immense surplus continues to be raised,
and considerable part of it is applied to
this work. His views on these two cues.
lions are conservative and judicious, and
indicate personal examination of it, In
regard to the tariff, he somewhat curiously
thinks Congress will derive enlightenment
from the labors of the Tariff Commission.
This shows that the President is of a verv
sanguine and confding nature. His own
views, however, are such as Congress
could very well afford to accept as it's
guide in the premises, for he is emphatic
in behalf of a thorough revision and very
considerable reduction of duties. We
Judge from his representations in this re-
gard that President Arthur is well fitted to
become an active member of the Golden
Club, if he does not already belong to that
institution.
In referring to the report of the Score.
tary of War, he speaks of the urgent need
for better Notifications ON the Pacific, char.
acterizing those now existing as utterly
useless, and expressing hope that Con-
gress will attend to this important matter
Some space is given to the question of the
retirement of army officers, which is evil
IDENTIFY a tangled subject, and it is recon-.
mended that more attention be paid to the
arming of the State militia. The river
and harbor appropriation bill affords him
an opportunity to propose an amendment
to the United States Constitution, allowing
the Executive to veto separate items in ap.
preparation bills, in accordance with the
principle already incorporated into fourteen
State Constitutions, among which that of
California is numbered. This is certainly
a very judicious proposal, and it is clear
that If adopted it will have most whole.
some deterrent effect, and enable the Presi.
dent to nip many fragrant job in the
bud. The paragraphs relating to the Navy
are somewhat melancholy. The President
evidently feels that there is very little to
be said on this subject, and ne refers al.
most ssrcastically to such vessels as we
| PoooCoos 1h SOhuCCtiOu Will Wills ne
discusses the decline of our mercantile
marine, but his ideas on that matter do
not appear to have been thoroughly
digested. He however recommends the
reconstruction of the Navy in conformity
with the proposals of the Advisory Board.
His review of the Postal Department ia
made the vehicle for an argument in favor
of the reduction of domestic letter postage
He urges this measure with good deal Of
enthusiasm, and refers to the experience of
England to show that It is certain to pay.
The Postal service in fact is already be-
coming paying institution, and in few
years, at the present rate of progress, will
return large revenue. The views of the
President upon Civil Service reform will oe
received with satisfaction by the country
generally. He takes bold and positive
ground on behalf of reform, and expresses
himself in the clearest manner. He de.
cares himself in favor of abolition of the
spoils system, establishment OF genuine
competition, permanence of tenure, and the
extinction of official patronage altogether.
He says that experience has convinced him
of the necessity of relieving the Executive
| from the intolerable burden of appoint.
ment making. In fact he speaks on this
subject as every President since Lincoln
has spoken. On the subject OF Political
Assessments he is equally frank and thor.
ough-goipg. He is for the abolition of the
system, and he admits the truth of all that
has been urged against it. 1t is perhaps
unnecessary to inquire whether the recent
elections have had anything to do with the
positiveness of the Presidents expressions
on these topics. 1t is enough to know that
he has by this last message committed him
self fairly and fully to the approval of the
most sweeping reforms that Congress can
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