The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-12-08
THE MESSAGE,
ton.

of the Presidents annual message on the
re assembling of Congress. The document
always contains such comprehensive
survey of the condition of the county, both
| In its foreign and domestic relations, as to
afford interesting reading to mostpeople,
while it does away largely with thCnecessl.
ty of reading the vo!uminous repots of the
departments, of which It IS q sort q resume
The message read to congress m Tues
day, as conventional Document OF the
kind referred to, is a model IN its way. II
is not unreasonably long, it overs the
whole ground, it gives all the Information
the people expect to find IN it, aid careful
ly avoids all expressions and tpics calcl.
lated to give oiiense to any part or faction.
The President no doubt vii be heartily
endorsed by the down east tslermen for
the stand he takes in favor If protecting
their rights there will be 10 dissent to
his views in regard 10 pau'er immlgra.
tion; nor to his suggestion hat something
should be done to preven. the wholesale
evasion which is now Systematically prac-
ticed of the laws agaiLs. Chinese lmmigra.
| ton In his agreement with Secretary
F'olger that the present excessive taxation
and redundant revenue are TO be deprecat-
ed, yet that il "would no, be wise at this
session OF congress to adopt measures for q
large diminution Of the revenue" he is EVIL.
IDENTIFY mihuiul that presidential election
IS impending and assumes the role of the
WHY politician rather than of the honest
and courageous statesman Another deba-
table agreement OF the President with his
finance Secretary is that IL favor of allow.
ing the National Banks to Issue curr ency
within ten per cent Of the market value of
their bonds on deposit with the govern.
ment instead Of the lace value, as now
Such regulation would be the organization
OF a perpetual picnic for the bull, and
bears. Like the Postmaster Genera, the
President is unable to bring himself Up to
the point Of recommending the establish
ment of postal telegraph system, though
he has nothing to say against it. On the
Mormon question, however, he has 'ery
positive ideas. He would treat the ucer
herocally, by abolishing the terito
rial government entirely and covering
Utah by board Of commissioners, asthe
District of Columbia Is governed, Accord |
ing 10 laws and regulations LAID dowi by
congress.
The message is notable for some cospL
cuous omissions, among which are named
the necessity tor a bankrupt law, for rlief
to the Supreme Court, for authorizing bca
taxation OF railroad lands, for summary
rejection Of preposterous land claims and
for immediate correction o. the abuses
practised by railroads built with Iublic
moneys and directly subject to cong,esSIo
nal regulation.
But what Illinois has peculiar reasons TO
complain OF IS that the President has Who'll
" ignored the earnest appeal made to him
by Gov Hamilton for Il simple reference, II
but by line, to the action Of this stale OF.
fcrlng to transfer the Illinois canal to the
general government on certain conditions.
T. wouli have been but simply act of
courtesy due TO the Governor OF great
state and its people aud wonld have cost
Arthur nothing.