The new North-west., 1883-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

this issue. The universally friendly rela-
tions of the government, our national peace
and prosperity and the absence of exciting
issues coming within the scope of Message
led TO the belief, moreover, that 1t would
probably not be paper of startling interest.
The text of 1t TO hand, however, presents 80
many admirably discussed themes of i'm
portance, so well considered and 30 wisely
and coneisely stated, that we cannot forbear
yielding space TO some extracts, including
those of more immediate interest to Montana
readers. Without special preference in the
premises we are free 10 say Mr.. Arthur has
presented q paper of such dignified force,
ability, and statesmanlike character as with
his administration will commend him to the
very favorable consideration of the Republi.
can party as Its candidate for President In
1884.
CHINESE EVASION.
There Is good reason to believe that the
law restrictive OF the immigration of Chinese
has been violated internationally or other
wise by the officials Of China, upon whom de.
volved the duty of certifying that the immi-
grants belong TO the excepted classes. Meas
| ures have been taken TO ascertain the facts
incident TO the supposed infraction, and 1t is
believed that the Government of China will
cooperate with the United States In secur-
ing the full assurance of the law.
| THE TRADE DOLLAR.
The trade dollar was coined for the pur-
pose of traffic In countries where silver passes
al the value ascertained by the weight and
1 Gnapagg had Iaual tauH IA
| Large numbers of these coins entered, how
ever, into the volume of our currency. BY
| common consent their circulation In domes.
| tic trade has now ceased, and they have so
become disturbing element. They should
| not be longer permitted TO embarrass our
currency system, and recommend provis-
| ion for their reception by the Treasury and
mints as bullion at a small percentage above
the current market price of silver Of like
| fineness.
| INDIAN RELATIONS.
| From the report of the Secretary of War IL
| will be seen that in only a single instance
has there been disturbance of the quiet
condition of our Indian tribes-a raid from
Mexico TO Arizona by small party of In
dians, which was pursued by General Crook
into the mountain region from which 1t had
come. 1t is confidently hoped that serious
DubUEGdhs Will uOb OCCul anu LDhL Tue
Indian tribes which have for so many years
disturbed the West will hereafter remain In
peaceable submission.
SEA COAST DEFENCEs.
again call your attention to the present
| condition Of our extended sea coast, upon
which are so many large cities, whose wealth
and Importance to the country would in time
| invite attack from modern armored ships,
| against which our existing defensive works
| could give no adequate protection. Those
works were built before the Introduction of
| the German heavy rifle guns into maritime
warfare, and If they are not put in efficient
condition we may be subjected to humiia-
tion by hostile power greatly inferior TO
| ourselves.
THE NAVY.
feel bound to impress upon the attention
Of Congress the necessity for continued pro-
gress IN the construction of the navy. The
condition of the public treasury, as / have
already intimated, makes the present an
auspcious one for putting this branch of the
| service In state of efficiency. IL Is no part
| of our policy TO create and maintain navy
able TO cope with those of the other great
powers of the world. We have no wish for
foreign conquest, and the peace which we
have long enjoyed is In no seeming danger
of interruption; but that our naval strength
| should be made adequate for the defense of
our harbors, the protection Of our CONNER.
| cial interests and the maintenance of our
| national honor, Is proposition from which
| no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Postmaster General con-
tains q gratifying exhibit of the condition
and prospects of the interesting branch of the
public service committed to his care. 1t ap.
pears that on June 30, 1883, the whole num-
ber of postoffices was Al, 1858, of which 1852
were established during the last previous
fiscal year. The number of Offices operating
under the system Of free delivery was l54 |
At the latter Offices the postage on local mat. |
ter amounted to S4l, ,952, ,305.22, sum ex- |
ceeding by 81 ,021 ,S04.0l the entire cost of the
carriers service of the country. The rate of |
postage on drop letters passing through these |
Offices is now fixed by law at two cents per
half ounce or fraction thereof.
US JURORS AND WITNESS FEES.
The Attorney General criticises In his re-
port the provisions of existing law fixing the
fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal
courts. The provisions are chiefly contained
In the act of February 20, 1853, though some
of them were introduced into that act from
statutes which had been passed many years
previous. II Is manifest that such compen-
sations as might when these laws were en-
acted have been just and reasonable, would
In many instances be justly regarded at the
present day as inadequate. / concur with
the Attorney General In the belief that the
statute should be revised by which these are
regulated. So should the laws which regu-
late the compensation of District Attorneys
and Marshals. They should be paid wholly
by salaries, instead of in part by fees as is
now the case. The change would prove TO
be measure of economy, and would dis.
courage the institution of useless and oppress-
i've legal proceedings, which IL is to be feared
have In some instances been conducted for
the mere sake of personal gain.
INTERIOR RECOMMENDATIONS.
Much interesting and varied information
Is contained In the report of the Secretary of
the Interior. / particularly call your atten-
ton TO his presentation of certain phases of
the Indian question, TO bis recomm endations
for the repeal of the pre- emption and timber
acts, and tor more stringent legislation to
prevent frauds under the pensions laws.
The statutes which preserve the definitions
and punishments of crimes relating TO PEN
sions could doubtless be made more effective
by certain amendments and additions pointed
out in the Secretary's report.
UTAH AFFAIRS.
The Utah Commission has submitted to
the Secretary of the Interior Its second an-
nual report, In full of its labors IN super
vlsing the recent election In that Territory,
pursuant 10 the act of March 22d, 1882. IL
appears that the persons by that act disqual-
itied, ID the number of about $4,000, were
excluded from the polls. This fact, how
ever, affords little cause for congratulation,
aud fear that IL Is far from indicating any |
real aud substantial progress toward the |
extirpation Of polygamy. All Of the mem ,
bers of the Legislature are Mormons there
Is grave reason TO believe that they are in
sympathy with the practices that this Gov
ernment is seeking TO suppress, and that It's
efforts In that regard will be more likely TO
encounter their opposition than receive their
encouragement and support. Even II this
view should happily be erroneous, the law
under which the Commissioners have been 4
acting should be made more effective by the 7
Incorporation OF some such stringent meas ,
ures as they recommend, aud as were In
cluded In bill No. 233S on the file Of the 9
Senate at Its session. am convinced, how
ever, that polygamy Is so strongly intrenched /
in the Territory OF Utah that IL Is profitless !.
10 attack II with any but the stoutest wea- !,
pons which constitutional legislation can
make. i favor, therefore, the repeal Of the Z
act upon which the existing government de- !
pends, the resumption by .he National Legis- !.
lature Of the entire political control of the
Territnrv and the est hlishm ANT af n (au,,-