Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-12-07
oiN Npt,, WASHINGTON rrW.
OllnPl,. IElpil Ilf\lM, bFr. I. 1883.
The Presidents Message.

~ T" '"'"'i'"-s W "i' tIi'N'h''h
M being IN terms Of nmity with all
the powers with the exception Of
Spain. aud that measures for the re-
moyal Of certain restrictions which
burden our trade are now under
consideration by that government
The President favors the estab.
lishmsnt Of u civil government for
Alaska. Considerations Of honor
aud good faith demand tins, and 1t
should have been accorded without
the asking They have no laws for
the protection 81 life aud property.
aud these were expressly guaran-
tsed by the terms Of the treaty.
The message recognizes the fact
TINT grave frauds exist unde. the
pension claims. aud recommends
more and stronger legislation to
prevent them. 1t advocates the re.
peal OF The presumption and timber
culture act. and doubtless in the leg
islation which tnis suggests some
notice will DO taken OF tho frauds
which have sprung up in the west
ern division Of our Territory. under
tho act Of June 5. 1878. relating to
the sale Of timber lands.
Probably the most important re-
commentator made by the Presi.
dent IL for the repeal OF The act
whereby L nh maintains her Terri
tor,al government. aud tho usurpa-
ton by Congress OF all authority
over her citizens. This seems to be
an exceedingly srbitrsry means of
solving the difficulty, no much 30 %
10 elicit uniavorable comment from
leading foreign journals, which
should be regarded ~ disinterested
observers Of . conflict between the
forms Of law and the customs OF a
faith sincerely held 40 10 shown by
almost every act Of its adherents.
Let Us hope that wise counsels will
prevail aud lead 10 . bloodless VIC
tory.
Ths President says that tho census
reports show an alarming prevalence
Of illitsrscy throughout the country,
and Suggests that Federal aid bs ex-
tended to public primary education
whore adequate provision has not
been made by The State govern.
msnts.
II 10 . remarkable feature Of this
state paper that strong grounds are
taken against q postal telegraph al.
though II seems TO be means whero-
by the political machine might be
infinitely strengthened. but proba-
bly, Mr.. Arthur believes that it has
been quito ~ effectively manipulated
for the dominant party as IL 1t had
been under Executive control. This
cos csssion 10 the wishes OF the pow
srful monopoly may be . master
STROKE Of policy. In the condition Of
Affairs following the great strike Of
operators. when Il needs the sustain
ing hand Of the party il has done 80
much 10 build up and can promise
10 much 10 aid In the future. With
the railroad kings Mr.. Arthur has
apparently not found much leverage,
and no sdvisss Congress TO protect
tho people IL their Interstate traffic
against acts Of injsstics which the
States ere powsrlsss 70 prevent.
II 10 evident THAI the President
has read we'll the signs Of the times,
whom be rsiterates tho recommends.
ton Of bic last message and suggests
. s,ili further reduction in excise
tasss; but the country was hardly
prepared for him TO practically step
into tho Democratic boat, in his rec.
ommsndation for further reduction
Of duty on imports. II this policy
10 carried far enough 10 make protsc-
ton merely incidental, that vexsd
question will cease to agitate the
political parties. But the oppo-
nsn's OF Mr.. Arthur will be pardoned
II they doubt the sincerity Of this
profession. The "pa,ty Of moral
ideas" has nothing to gain and eve.
Ty,hing 10 lose from such course.
No matter what may be set forth %
Republican doctrine. the party will
take good care that connection with
their base Of supplies lie not cut.
A clause advocates the reservation
Of large belt Of timber lsnd on the
northern boundary OF our national
domain. % . prsserver from tie ef-
fects OF drought. which observation
has shown 10 have become more pre-
vnlent wherever the land In dsnuded
Of its forests. This recommends
ton was likewise made . year ago.
but Congress. II seems, had not
quite attained tho scientific plane
which would enable il 10 follow il up
by appropriate legislation.
The message suggests further
appropriate legislation" to revive
tho vitality Of the Fourteenth
Amendment. which has been 20
futhlsssly sborne Of its strength by
the Supreme Court. Whether this