The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-12-07
The Presidents Message.

PRESIDENT Arthurs message was read to
both houses of Congress on Tuesday after
noon. 1t is clear, comprehensive, business
like document, free from the clap. trap and
appeals to popular prejudice which have
marred the messages of so many ofhs Repub.
lican predecessors.
1t opens with reference to our peaceful
relations with foreign governments, which
Is followed by suggestions in regard to fish.
cries. 1t calls for a revision of the laws on
pauper immigration, and says that while
American swine products are now admitted
without restriction into France, they are
excluded from Germany
The President does not favor the rapid ex-
tinguishment of the national debt, which he
says is only attainable by excessive taxation.
The annual receipts of the government, the
President says, have been cut down fifty or
sixty million dollars annually. While
still further reductions may be wisely made
the President does not advise the adoption of
any measures for large diminution of the
national revenues. He does not consider
that the existing tariff laws have been sufi-
GENTLY tried to justify any radical revision
orsweeping modification of them. He re-
commends that the surplus revenue be ap-
piled to restoring the navy
10 prevent the threatened contraction of
national bank currency by the calling in by
the government the bonds given to secure
their circulation, he recommends the issuing
OF new bonds having many years to run. or
the enactment of law repeating the tax on
circulation and permitting the banks to issue
notes Tor an amout equal to 80 per cent of
the market value Of their deposited bonds.
The message recommends that provision
shall be made for the purchase by the treasury
OF trade dollars at a small percentage above
the market price of silver The Secretary
ofthe Treasury, on the other hand, recon-
mends that the government buy them dollar
for dollar and convert them into standard dol
lars.
There is peace with the Indians. The
necessity of more adequate means for defend
Ing our coast line is adverted to and sugges.
tions made to carry out the measures pro-
posed. The message recommends that free
delivery of letters be reduced to one cent, and
does not favo. government control of the
telegraphs.
The President does not think any real pro-
gress has been made towards extirpating
pnlygamy in Utah, and recommends that
Congress take entire political control of the
territory.
Reference is made to the prevalence of
pleuro pneumonia and other diseases of cat
tie and that committee of convention of
persons interested in the cattle trade would
invite the cooperation of Congress in inyes-
tigating the causes, prevention and cure of
these diseases.
The President attributes the severe fresh
cts OF the past year to the removal of tim
Der from the sources of streams The atten-
ton of Congress is called to the necessity of
withdrawing from the public sale certain for.
est lands belonging to the United States.
The presidential succession and the special
veto power are also touched upon, the mes
sage closing with a reference to civil rights
the President assuring Congress that any leg
islation to lawfully supplement the guaran-
tees which the constitution affords of equal
rights of citizenship will receive his approval
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