The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-12

one OF TWO mhrkeu lnbbhncoS MS elehco
expresses his dissent quite as emphati-
cally as phrases of open disapproval.
It is possible that the people at large
may be moro inclined to side with the
postmaste-general in his recommendation
that the postage on drop letters at the one
hundred and fifty-four Offices operating
under the free delivery system should re-
main at two cents. The President recon-
mends that it be reduced to one cent, the
same as at the 47,709 Offices which do not
have free delivery. The ground for this
recommendation is that the revenue from
this class of matter at these offices ex-
ceeds the expense of delivery by something
more than million dollars. If, however,
the rate were reduced one-half, the ex-
penses would exceed the revenue by more
than fifty per cent, which the people at
large would be taxed to pay. Free deliv-
cry is special privilege granted to one
hundred and fifty-four out Of 1883 post
offices. The system extends to all mail
matter as well as to drop letters, but the
total expense of free delivery is compared
with the revenue on local matter only.
When all the benefits of free delivery are
brought into the account, it is not so
plain that there is an excess of revenue
from two-cent drop letters or that the ben
eficiaries of the system have any reason
able grounds for complaint with exist
ing rates. The Presidents remarks under
the head, reduction of taxation" should
commend themselves to every reasonable
citizen. He believes that further reduc.
tions than those effected by the tariff and
revenue acts of the last congress may be
wisely made, but he does not believe in
the adoption of any measures for large
diminution till the effect Of recent laws
can be definitely ascertained. His plan
for the retirement of the trade dollar is
Just and reasonable. He recommends
that it be received at the mint as bullion,
at slight advance from the current mar
ket price of silver. On the other hand,
the secretary of the treasury advises
that they be redeemed at their NOM
iual value in standard silver dollars.
The government received no advantage
from the coinage of the trade dollar. 1t
took the silver as it was offered at the
mint, coined it and passed the coins over
to the owners. They are worth now
about eighty-seven and one-half cents. 1t
would doubtless please the brokers who
have bought up this silver at discount,
to sell it to the government at its face
value. To these the secretary's plan is
acceptable, but as matter of business
and fair dealing, the Presidents has the
advantage. An individual acting under.
standingly will not pay one hundred cents
for an article that is worth twelve or thir-
teen cents less, and why should the gov
eminent
The navy and the condition of the coun-
try's coast defenses should awaken popular
interest. A correct public opinion should
be formed respecting the means for de-
Tending and guarding the great length of
sea coast stretching from Passamaquoddy
bay to the Rio Grande and hundreds of
miles on the Pacific. The arm of the
national service which is associated with
the most brilliant portions Of the national
history is in disgrace and the butt of every
feeble dabster's jests. The Presidents
recommendations that some portion of the
surplus revenue should be devoted to
Strengthening the navy and protecting the
country's defenceless coast should be taken
up by the people and enforced upon the
attention of cen yress. These subjects
have been too long regarded with apathy
or Indifference by thu people at large. 1t
is time that they take some interest in
this matter and obtain some efficient ac.
ton. The President proposes heroic
treatment of the Mormon question. If
the line of policy initiated by the Ed.
munds bill is adhered to, he advises that
supplementary legislation be had to make
that measure effective. He displays, how.
ever, lack of confidence in all such meas
ures and favors the repeal of the act upon
which the existing government depends
and the assumption by congress of the en-
tire political control of the territory
Many other matters of general and spe
cifc interest, like the railway problem
forestry, civil service reform, the presiden
tial succession and the civil rights of the
colored people, are treated succinctly ant
periodically. AS president Mr.. Arthur
has grown in stature with each succeed
ing year of his tenure of the office. HI
is not overtopped by any of his more re
cent predecessors and the times have BEEF
very rare in the history of the Natiol
when wiser or ADLER statesman has beef
its chief magistrate.
.
F0rebOdings.
r Writing of the new departure of it
= party, the New York Sun reviews tn
utterances of the press on the election @
Carl;aIa II GnIa 90 n