Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1883-12-15
SATURDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1883.

The Pioneer Press editorially com
ments on Chester's message AS follows
Mr.. Arther's first message was "a tame
enough document, but the approach Of
the presidential election reduces his
second TO the M. st cautions summary Of
the department reports submitted To
him by his cabinet. 1t can hardly be
better described than by saying that il
all partakes Of the thrilling interests of
the first quarter, devoted in accordance
with sacred tradition to the discussion
of foreign relations. 1t is not fair to
c~riticise the president for not saying
anything when there is really nothing
to say but it is permissible to question
the wisdom of maintaining a custom
which has no excuse in present condit-
ions. The president who shall lay be-
fore congress a message of two or three
thousand words, saying concisely to that
body what it is necessary to say for its
Information and guidance, will introduce
a welcome and profitable innovation.
The only comment suggested by the pro
lix discussion of foreign relations is that
il omits entirely to recommend n renew
al Of negotiations for n reciprocity treaty
with Mexico, IL place Of that unwisely
rejected by the senate. 1t was quite rs
important TO do this as to explain, in
two weary columns, that the friendly
relations OF the United States with now
ers of Europe and Asia have no been
disturbed. Tie presidents discussion OF
fiscal affairs adds little to the rather
narky light thrown upon them by the
secretary Of the treasury. He also thinks
there should be y reduction Of revenue-
not this session, but some other session.
in the meantime he would have a part of
the surplus devoted to the construction
Of seacoast and barbor defenses. AS the
one original suggestion ofthe document
this is worthy of consideration. The
naked condition Of our coasts may any
year be revealed as a fatal national
weakness. 1t would be a wise economy
t. improve our present flush condition
to take measures to provide against the
always possible contingency Of a foreign
war. President Arthur contents
himself with approval of the scanty
measures proposed by the secretary
Of the treas ~ for the relief
OF the national banks from the extinc-
zion threatened by the progressive re-
demption Of the bonds upon which their
circulation ia basel. His plan for the
extinction Of the trade dollar is simple
aud practical. It is matter for comment
that the message is silent upon the sub
ject Of the standard silver coinage. The
president legislative recommendations
are conservative. Like a good many
other people, he is not convinced that
the time has come for the government
70 assume the ownership and control Of
the telegraph plant Of the country,
though he thinks 1t should exercise its
.undoubted right Of supervision and
regulation of charges for interstate
service, by telegraph as we'll rs railroad
companies. He recommends the ex-
IRENE remedy of the abolition Of the
territorial government Of Utah for the
Mormon evil, though he does not point
out how the practical and constitutional
objections TO ii are to be overcome. The
recommendation for an increase in the
naval force and a better organization Of
the state militia is in harmony with that
for improved seacoas defenses. The
paragraph on the civil service bill is a
gem, in it's way. 1t is to be hoped that
the members Of congress did aot weary
OF listening to the message before the
last category was reached, and that they
will take heed of the favorable prcsenta-
ton Of the urgency Of some legislation
determining the rule for the succession
to the presidency in cases Of inability.
tat 4