The sun., 1883-12-05
The Presidents Message.

dence both in tho sOuntlness OF his judgment
and in the sincerity OF his desire to serve the
best interests Of the country. That is why
his first December message to Congress was
awaited with curious interest, his second
with respectful attention, and his third with
the very general conviction beforehand that
1t would be clear in its terms, wise in its
recommendations, and patriotic in its inspir-
ing motives.
So 1t Is. Tho document sent to Congress-
yesterday afternoon contains much evidence
that the President thinks for himself. His
opinions and recommendations on important
questions OF policy are often wholly different
from those which he transmits in the re-
ports of his Cabinet advisers. He conveys
from the departments without expressed or
implied approval some schemes with which
we should bo sorry to find him in agreement.
His assent to measures which meet his own
views Is sufficiently distinct: his silence in
regard to other measures proposed by the
members Of his Cabinet, 80 far from meaning
consent, is quite as eloquent as the most ell
ergetic phrase OF disapproval.
This is particularly true in respect to Sec
retary CHANDELIERS amazing plan for dispos-
ing OF the surplus revenue. Mr.. CHANDLER
urges the Immediate creation OF q system of
Government canals, across the neck OF the
Florida peninsula, up tho Atlantic coast from
the st. Johns River to Hampton Roads, from
Chesapeake Bay into the Delaware River,
and across Cape Coda line of inland water
ways devised by MI. CHANDLER as a "mcas-
ure OF national defence" OF course this line
OF bitches, however convenient it might
prove for floating along tho coast the Robe
sonian war vessels that cannot live in the
opon sea, would become in practical opera
tion line Of assault upon the national Treas
ury; and nobody is better able to understand
that fact than President ARTHUR, who vetoed
the River and Harbor bill Of 1892. He trans
mits CHANDLER s extraordinary scheme with
out word of comment.
Tho same independence OF Judgment is
seen in his treatment OF the trade dollar
question. Secretary FoLGER advises Con-
gross that tho trade dollars should be re-
deemed by the Government at their NOM
inal value in standard silver dolars-a
| proposal that Is sure to meet with hearty
encouragement from any provident indi-
vidual who may happen to have accumu-
lated great store of trade dollars. The
President, on the other hand, while agreeing
with his Secretary of the Treasury as to the
| Va icAiiiliS CuC COlD
recommends that it be received by the
Treasury and tie mints as bullion at u slight
percentage above the current market price
OF silver.
Not to multiply examples of the Pres
idents habit of forming his own opinions on
matters OF public policy, we may call alton
tion to one more instance. Postmaster
General GRESHAM, in his carefully consd-
cred report, argues against the immediate
reduction OF single-rate postage on local
letters from two cents to one cent. Mr..
ARTHUR thinks differently. He Is In favor
OF adopting tho one-cent rate for local letters
delivered by carriers, even at risk of tempo
rarily diminishing the postal revenue.
great part OF the message is devoted to
the multitude OF comparatively unimportant
matters, foreign and domestic, which annual
ly call for statement. if not for discussion
Wo are at peace with all the world. Our
conflicting relations with foreign countries
are OF insignificant import, almost without
exception, and the fact that the President
has no grave international complication to
lay before Congress is ono OF the happiest
tokens OF our fortunate lot. Legislation is
needed to further the interests of American
fishermen In the North Atlantic aud in
the sealing grounds Off the coast OF
British Columbia. Spain has not paid
oil OF the Cuban awards, Tho fraud
ulent Venezuelan awards and the equally
fraudulent awards in Mexican cases need
further attention. Unlike HAYES, President
ARTHUR has ordered suspension of pay.
ments In the We'll and In Abra cases. The
message has good word for Mexico, and It's
allusion to the course OF events in Peru will
have special interest for a retired Republican
statesman from Maine who Ia now writing
history. Tho President is in favor OF modify.
Ing rather than terminating the reciprocity
treaty with the Sandwich Islands. He has
reason to believe that the Chinese exclusion
act has been cvaded with the colusion OF the
officials OF the Middle Kingdom. In the case
OF countries which hamper American trade
or discriminate against our products, he sug.
} gests policy OF equitable retaliation.
The summary OF the Treasury estimates
for the present fiscal year shows total in.
como OF $3is0Oo,0o0 and a total expenditure
OF s25s, 100000. The estimated surplus, there.
fore, is Ss50o0Ooo, little more than half OF
which goes into the sinking fund. The csti
. mated surplus for the next fiscal year, on the
basis OF existing laws. is sG0,oO0,OOO over the
amount to be devoted to the sinking fund, Oh
! about slOO.OOO,OO0 in all. Notwithstanding
! the serious questions raised by the continued
prospect of an enormous annual surplus, the
President is decidedly of the opinion that /,
. will not bo wise ct the present session t,
4. adopt any measures for large dimInu.ion o.
the national revenues. LET us wait" h,
) says in effect, land see the practical result.
} OF the legislation of last March,"
} Tho public plunderers will find little com
: fort In the Presidents message this year
} None Of the leading schemes for filling TIL,
5 pockets OF individuals at the common ex
, pense receive his approval. No job appears
on the surface. or hides behind ingeniousl,
! constructed phrases. Mr. ARTHUR believe.