The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Without any attempt at elaboration or or
namentation, and without being burdened
with superfuous views or recommendations,
the third annual message of President Arthur
shows him to be man of clear and consecu-
tive thought, of decided opinions upon all
matters of public business, and of thorough
study and information upon every phase of
national concern. The message is full of in
formation upon all topics of national inter-
est, concisely stated, and gives to Con-
gress at once business compendium and
manly, pertinent and unequivocal express
sion of executive judgment upon the more
important matters demanding legislative at
tention.
The message opens with comprehensive
statement of the relations of the government
with foreign powers and countries which,
in the main, are thoroughly satisfactory.
Recognizing the importance of the fishe ries
| industries, a recommendation is made for a
commission to consider what may be done
to advance American interests in the waters
skirting British Columbia and British
central western States are so deeply con-
cerned, has received the earnest attention of
the administration and will con-
tinue to be a subject of care until
this important article of American
| product stands fairly, at least, in the markets
| of the world. No recommendation is more
| fraCght with value to the future of the
country than that which looks to an extern
sion of our consular relations with the sew
eral countries of the world upon a business
basis, The best stroke that Congress could
make for "the business interests would be
to make the commercial consular system
what it should be, so that at every important
| point on the globe we could have an intelli-
gent active man, American born and Amer
| lean bred, to push our interests, and to keep
our people advised of whatever would be of
| Importance to them in the conduct and devel-
opment of the foreign trade. A good word
is said for Corea in its efforts to come into
| business relations with the world, and an in
terestlng statement given of the develop
ment of the Congo valley, in which the chief
executive of the company now opening the
heart of Africa to commerce is an American
citizen. The troubles between Peru and Chilli
are reaching conclusion, General Iglesias
now being recognized by Chill as provisional
President of Peru, and he has taken steps for
the organization of permanent government
So soon AS the wishes of the Peruvian peo-
pie are made known the President will at
once recognize the government they ordain.
The recommendation to provide so that re-
taliatory measures may be re-
sorted to against countries which vex
and annoy our commerce. should be prompt
" concurred in. The lex talionis is still
necessity in international relations; the
mi llenium of "free trade-in which there
shall be no need of protective measures, be-
cause there shall be nothing in all our bor-
ders to vex or make afraid-has not yet
dawned.
On the financial, bank and taxation ques-
tons the President is short, clear and deci
sive in his recommendations. He does not
advise the total abolition of the excise taxes.
For the argument he refers to the report of
Secretary Folger, which we also give in full
While showing the large surplus that is
accommodating in the Treasury under the
present receipts from customs and internal
revenue, the President does not
recommend any large diminution
of the sources of revenue, urging
the application of whatever may be essen
tial to the proper defense of our coasts and
the speedy building up of such navy as
the United States should have for its own
protection and for the development OF its
merchant marine. The Presidents recon-
mendations and arguments upon this. i'm
portant matter are certainly sound and con-
elusive. Respecting the national banks he
concurs with Secretary Folger in recon-
mending the repeal of the tax on circulation
and the issuance of circulation upon the
market rather than the face value of the
bonds held as security. On this
topic the Secretary presents long
and pertinent discussion. The Presi-
dent does not agree with the Treasury
in the statement that the trade dollar was
originally issued as legal tender, and should
now be redeemed in standard dollars at face
value. He says it was not coined as legal
tender, and should be at once taken out of
circulation by buying it at only slight adj
vance above bullion value. The trade dollar
is a nuisance, a marplot disturbance and
should be promptly taken out of the way in
soma manner