Omaha daily bee., 1883-12-05
PRESIDENT ARrHUR's ANNUAL.

PRESIDENT dNNChb'
President Arthur's annual message to
congress commends itself to the people
of the United States as a comprehensive
well matured and, in the main, sound
state paper. The presidents review OF
our foreign relations is able and exhaus-
tive. While the United States have no
.entangling alliances with foreign nations
and our chief executive, unlike the
crowned heads of Europe, is not in a
position toindulge in diplomatic intrigue,
no. country on the globe has more at
stake in maintaining amicable relations
with all the world. We have the pro-
ducts to clothe and feed tho overpopu-
lated empires of Europe, and our mater
ial welfare depends largely upon
our ability to carry on a profitable
traffic with other nations. There is yet
much to be done in removing obstruc,
ton, to commercial intercourse be-
tween this country, and even her next
door neighbors. of Mexico. Cuba and
South America. British merchants and
manufacturers largely monopolize the
commerce which of right belongs to the
merchants and producers of the United
States. President Arthur has made
many suggestions that will, if carried
out, materially assist in reviving and in
creasing American traffic.
The president concurs in nearly all the
recommendations made by the secretary
of the treasury to congress. Some of these
will meet with popular approval and
others will be opposed by a majority of
as at variance with sound public
policy and the %populac will. The prob
lens involved in the disbursement of the
public moneys, the disposition tobc made
of the surplus, and the proper adjust
ment of the income from tariff and
internal revenue, will occupy the atten-
ton of the country not only during the
present session of congress, but for the
next ten years. The president inclines
to the opinion that it would be unwise
for the present to revise existing reve-
nue. laws and cut down taxation bya re-
duction of the tariff. Inthisv view we believe
he is at variance with the opinion of a
large majority of the American people.
If there is any one thing upon which the
people are agreed, it is that there should
be no more taxes levied than would de-
fray the expense of maintaining the gov
eminent, paying the interest on the pub
lie debt, and gradually paying off the
principal.
President Arthur regards it as impera-
tive that the coast defenses of the coun-
try should be strengthened and our navy
placed on a basis equal to those of
other nations. The people will not
object to reasonable expenditures for
fortifying the coast, improving the har-
bors, and constructing n few iron-clads,
but congress will very properly limit
the sums to be expended to fifteen or
twenty millions. That would still leave
the treasury with six times that
amount of surplus every year.
At best only fraction OF
the national debt can be cancelled within
the next ten years, because a greater
part of the bonds are not redeemable UNI
til the next century.
For the first time in our history atten-
ton is called in apresident'smessagetothe
existing abuses and oppressive exaotions
by railroad corporations. The necessity
of protecting the patrons of these monop-
olies by judicious Interstate commerce
legislation is recognized as imperative by
the president, and congress is urged to
take prompt steps toward the regulation
of railroad traffic wei trunk lines. This
lisa recognition of the anti-monopoly SEN
timent, and is evidence that demand for
redress is not confined to u few cranks in
Nebraska.
On the question of taking the control
of the telegraph out of the hands of pri-
vate corporations, the president fails to
respond to the popular demand In this
he differs with Postmaster. General
Gresham and many of the great leaders
of the republican party, but the presi-
dent in this matter is a little sensitive.
He was misled last year by designing
champions of tho telegraph monopoly
into going on record against the pro-
posed reform, and he still continues on
the wrong side of this question simply to
be consistent.
On the question of ~uprooting polygamy
the president is as radical as any ma in
the land. He does not propose to ex-
pertinent with commissions, but takes
strWg ground of wiping out the entire
present territorial government of Utah,
and substituting therefor u triumvirate
that will have complete control over all
persons and property in the territory,
under restrictions defined by congres-
sional acts.
The pension frauds and bogus pre-
emptaons are handled without gloves.
Education and agriculture are subjects
which the president desires to foster and
encourage by further legislation.