, 1882-12-08
The balance in our favor was less
than for several years past, as is eyi-

1916. Sl7O7gG,43i
iNI7.................l5 l5l.I52.UgI
ISIS. 2D7SlI.y3l
lS79................... ZoiEGLGG5
lNND...................l lGGl~3.9i2
lANl................... 254.7l2.TI7
lso2. o2................... 2G.nU2.6J3
The national banks now in oyora
tiou mmbpr 22Gg. hayiu- not, cir
culatiuu Of s32LG5GI5S.
or the SO.UUuOUD standard silver
dollar, thu, far issued. 35.0UO.UU are
.lu circulation.
/ Thor,duciion Of taxation is recon-
moudgd. AMI particularly Of that
known Us internal revenue. A reyia-
ion OF the customs revenue is also
suggested. The customs revenue in
creased from $l3LOUU,OOO in 1879 to
| SlSG.OUO,OOOin 1850, to Sl9SOO0,0OO il
| 1854. and to S226,UOOUUO in lSS2
The current year it will exceed even
the unprecedented figure of last year.
Aiming the militia is suggested to
Congress; also the taking Of meas
ures for the greater protection of the
sea coast, and for an Increase in the
number Of army officers who may be
retired from the service.
The building up of an American
navy is recommended, new class of
vessels being urged, and heavier,
moro effective armament.
President Arthur says:
Methods for roviving American
ship building and of restoring the
United States flag in the ocean car
rying trade, should receive the inn
mediate attention Of Congress. We
have mechanical skill and abundant
material for the manufacture of mod
ern steamships in fair competition
with our commercial rivals. Our dis
advantage in building ships is the
great cost of labor, and in higher
taxes and greater interest on capital,
while the ocean highways are already
monopolized by our formidable COM
petitors.
Some may be overcome, and by !
.our rapid communication with for
eign lands. We should not continue
to depend entirely upon vessels built |
in the yards Of other countries and
sailing under foreign flags. With no
United States steamers on the prin-
cipal ocean lines for any foreign |
ports, our facilities for extending our
commerce are greatly restricted,
while the nations which build and |
sail the ships and carry the mails and |
passengers obtain thereby conspicu-
Gus advantages in increasing their |
trade"
A reduction of letter postage from
3 to 2cents per half ounce is recon-
mended. The difference between the |
present rate of letter carrying and |
that of forty years ago is forcibly |
brought to mind by the President |
when he saws that immediately prior
to the act of 1871 the postage upon
letter composed of single sheet was
as follows: When conveyed 30 miles |
or less, 6 cents; between 30 and 50 |
miles, 10 cents; between 50 and $50
miles, 12l,cents; between $50 and 400
miles, Is "a cents; over 400 nils, rs
cents. By the act of 1841 the postage
upon a single letter conveyed for any
distance under 100 miles at 5 cents,
and for any greater distance at III
cents.
Education, the railroads, polyga-
nv. the Territories and Alaska are
referred to without, however, especial
recommendation.
Congress is invited to legislate for
the preservation of the splendid for
ests still remaining on the public do
main esnecially in the extreme West
ern States and Territories.
The civil list now comprises almost
100000 persons. On this subject the
President SAYS: