National Republican., 1883-12-06
THE MESSAGE.
Press Comments at Home and Abroad
on the PrcsidcnVa State Paper.


Ne,V York Times.
The annual message Of the President OK
hibits calm tone and n moderate temper
throughout While IL contains no marks of
profound statesmanship, 1t is q business-liko
document, and, In the main, all that the oc-
casion calls for
Neto York Tribune
President Arthur's message is straigtfor-
ward and business-like document. The di-
gests of the department reports. Of which 1t
Is largely composed, are clear aud satisfac-
tory Tho recommendations and suggestions
as n rule are sensible and well digested. In
no sense o great message, 1t is nevertheless
we'll calculated to produce an excellent inn
preston on tho country.
NetU York Herald.
President Arthur's annual message has that
character Of plain and practical good sense
which all his state papers have borne, and,
while wo do not approve of all his recommen-
dations, and, indeed, dissent strongly from
some of the most important Of them, we can
not too highly praise tho spirit of the docu-
ment.
Brookiy Union.
The message is n businesslike, rather than
statesmanlilxe document; the production
rather of shrcwd politician intent on avoid
ing disturbing issues during presidential
year than of an executive fully impressed
with the opportunity which presents itself Of
dealing boldly and frankly with the necessi-
ties Of the country.
NeO York World.
President Arthur writes good state paper
because ho says what he has to soy in direct
| business manner and does not waste time and
space in embellishments. In his present mes
sage to congress he main tanned his reputation
| for clearness and conciseness of statement.
There is necessarily much of a stereotyped
character about presidents message. In the
main 10 Is rehash of the department reports.
| The solid chunks of presidential wisdom found
in spots throughout the document, in the form
of recommendations, are the Jumps of green
meat in the turtle soup of statistics.
Ee,o York Sun.
One of the results of Mr. Arthur's adminis-
| tratiou of public affairs during the past twen-
ty.seven months is highly creditable to him.
| There has been steadily growing confidence
| both in the soundness 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
it would be clear in its terms, wise in its
recommendations. and patriotic in its inspir-
| ing motives.
So it is. The document sent to Congress
| Tuesday 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 reports
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
nfh h of IN fn rnp
is quito as eloquent as the most energetic
phrase Of disapproval.
| By Associated Press.
| LONDON, Dec. 5-Tho Times, commenting
| on President Arthurs message to the United
States congress. says the document is some
| what colorless. 1t sees q tribute to the Irish
vote in the United States in the language the
President uses in regard to pauper emigrants
| The press generally express disappointment
that President Arthur does not recommend
reductions in the tariff at this session of con
| gress. All tho papers refer to the picture the
message presents Of the great prosperity O.
| America. W.Hg alggu 9svHT
| TORONTO ONT, Dec. 5.--The Mail, in re
ferring to the Presidents message, says
"There are Just two points in the message
in which we are specially interested. TIL,
first is its reference to tho fishery question
,tUnder tho present conditions tho fisher,
Tf,ktusssS uis yfiig rtvasty 81 ircton wiz
| terminate in July, 1885. But lthe President
| proposes the appointment of a comm,ss,on Co
inquire into the best means of acquiring fol
the American citizens permanent ad
mission to the fisheries of British NORTH
America, which are admitted in the message
to be valuable. Permanency can never be
established regarding privileges to foreign
territory. Such privileges must be subject tC
revision from time to time. The other point
is the advice offered by the President against
any large reduction Of revenue during the
coming year The President advises congress
to wait and watch the effect of the Legislation
of last year. This recommendation, if duly
attended to, will simplify matters for oul
| parliament during the coming session."