Morning journal and courier., 1883-12-05
SouruaI sIlS Courier.
EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY
SINGLE COPIES THREE CENTS.
Wednesday. December 5, 1888.
THE MESSAGE.

THE MESSAGE.
 President Arthur's message to Congress, delivered yesterday, is not very short, but it is more readable than such documents usual ly are. There is much in it also that will command general approval. and increase the esteem in which the President is held
 The message begins with review of for eign affairs, which includes but little that is good reason to believe that the law restrict ing immigration of Chinese has been violated. Intentionally or otherwise by the officials of China upon whom is dsvolved the duty of certifying that the immigrants belong to the excepted classes. He things that it might be advisable to provide some means of equitable retaliation in our relations with governments which discriminate against our own. For example, the executive might be empowered to apply to Spanish vessels and cargoes from Cuba and Porto Rico the same rules Of treatment and scale of penalties for teohni- cal faults which are applied to our vessel and oargoss in the Antilles. A discretionary authority to forbid the importation of arti- olss of consumption injurious to health might, he thinks, be advantageously exer- cised in our dealings with such countries as inequitably discriminate against our food products. This will please those who do not like the way the American hog has been treated by Germany and France.
 The President deals Interestingly with the matter of the large national revenues. He does not, however, advise the adoption at this session of any measures for great dim mutton of those revenues, as the results of the legislation of the last session of Congress have not as yet become sufficiently apparent to justify any radical revision or sweeping modification of existing laws. Associated with this matter ia the question what lsgisla- tion Is needed regarding tho national curren- cy. If the surplus continues to grow the currency will be in danger of contraction by the retirement of 8 large amount of the three per cent bonds, which are payable at the pleasure of the government. The Presi- dent thinks there should be law enacted re- pealfng the tax on circulation and permitting the banks to issue notes for an amount equal to ninety per cent. of the market value in- stead of as now the face value of their de- posted bonds. This he believes would afford She necessary relief, and would be better than the issuing of new bonds having many years to run, bearing low rate of intereAt, and exchargeable upon specified terms with those now outstanding.
 Among the other recommendations are that measures be taken to better protect our extensive seacoass; that the State militia or ganizstions be encouraged by the national government; that the navy b, put into a state of efficiency; that the rate of postage upon s'drop' letters bs reduced to one cent; and that the government keep out of the tel egraph business.
 The Mormon question is firmly dealt with. It is pointed out that all the members of the Utah legislature are Mormons, and that there is grave reason to believe that they are in sympathy with the practices that the government is seeking to suppress, and that it's effort in that regard will be more likely 10 encounter their opposition than receive their encouragement and support. 'I am con- vinced," says the President. ''that polygamy has become 50 strongly intrenched in the territory that it Is profitless to attack it with any but the stoutest weapons which con- sLAtutAOA6A A0kAoAdbAOA Cau LhSH4OH iSSUE, therefore, the repeal of the act upon which the existing government depends, the as- sumption by the national legislature of ths entire political oontrol of the territory, and the establishment of commission with such powers and duties as shall be delegated to 1t by law" ThIs is substantially the plan proposed by Governor Murray of Utah.
 The railroad problem" receives attention but it Is treated very carefully. The protec- ton of the forests situated upon the public domain is urged. Of Civil Service reform the President says that he is persuaded that it's effects thus far have proved beneficial. The need of doing something to fully provide for the presidential succession is referred to- The recent decision against the Civil Rights act Is noticed, and the President says: ''Any legislation whereby Congress may lawfully supplement the guarantees which the consti- tuition affords for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the United States of every right. privilege and immunity of citizenship, will receive my unhesitating approval" :" President Arthur has always been g firm friend of the negro.
 These are the main points of the message, which, ss . whole, is able, forcible and wise