The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-02

progress nave Deeh u4TecBoti, anu favor WlJA
which this enlarged policy has thus far been re-
ceived warrants the belief that its operations
will, ere long, embrace all, or nearly ALL the
countries of this hemisphere. 1t Is by no means
desirable, however, that the policy under consid-
Grafton should be applied to these countries alone
The healthfal enlargement of our trade with
Europe, Asia and. Africe should be sought. By
reducing tariff burdens such OF their wares as
neither we nor the other American states are
fitted to produce and thus enabling ourselves to
obtain in return a better market for our supplies
of food, of raw materials and Of the manu-
features in which excel 1t seems to me that
many of the embarrassing elements in the great
national conflict between protection and free
trade may thus be turned to good account: that
the revenue may be reduced so as no longer to
overtax the people, that protective duties may
be retained without becoming burdensome; that
our shipping interests may be iudciously en-
couraged, the currency fixed on a firm basis, and
above all, such a unity Of interests established
among the states of the American system as will
be of great and ever-increasing advantage to
them all All treaties in the line of this policy
which have been negotiated or are in progress
OF negotiation, contain provision deemed to be
requisite under the clause of the Constitution
limiting to the House of Representatives the
the authority to originate bills for raising
nue.
CIVIL SERVICE AND OTHER MATTERS
On the 18th Of February last, 1 transmitted to
the Congress the first annual report of the Civil
service Commission, together with communities
tons from the heads Of the several executive
departments of the'govcrnment, respecting the
practical workings of the law under which the
commission had been acting. The good results
therein foreshadowed have been more than
realized. The system has fully answered the
expectations of it's friends in securing compe-
tent and faithful public servants and in pro-
teetfng the appointing officers of thegovernment
from the pressure of personal Importantly, and
from the labor of examining the claims and pre-
ffiv
ment, Thelaw has had the unqualified support
of the President and the heads of the several de-
partments, and the members Of the commission
have performed their duties with zeal and fidel-
ity. Their report will shortly besubmitted and
will be 'aeeompanied by such recommendations
for charging the scope of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves to the executive and
the commissioners charged with it's administra-
ton.
In view Of the general and persistent demand
throughout the commercial community for
national bankruptcy law, l hope that the
differences Of sentiment which have hitherto
prevented. its enactment may not, outlast the
present session.
The pestilence which, for the past two years,
has been raging in the countries of the East re-
Gently made its appearance in European ports
with which we are in constant communication.
The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pur
suance of proclamation of the President, issued
certain regulations restricting, and for Z time
prohibiting, the importation of rags and the adj
mission of baggage of immigrants and of tray
elers arriving from infected quarters. Lest this
course may have been without strict warrant of
law, Eapprove the recommendation of the pres
emit Secretary that the Congress take action in
the premises, and also recommend the imme-
diate adoption of such measures as will be likely
toward off the dreaded epidemic, and to miti-
gate its severity in case it shall unhappily ex-
tend to shores.
Theemuuai reportof the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia reviews the operations of
the several departments of its municipal govern
ment l. ask your careful consideration of its
suggestions in respect to legislation, especially
commencing such as relate to a revision of the
civil and criminal code, the performance of labor
by persons sentenced to imprisonment in the
jail, the construction and occupation of wfarves
along the river front, and the erection of suit
able building for the District Offices
recommend that, in recognition of the emf
nent services of Ulysses S. Grant, late General
of the armies of the United States, and twice
President of this Nation the Congress confer
upon him a suitable pension.
Certain of the measures that seem to me nee
essary and eXpedient, have now, in obedience
to the Constitution, recommended for your
adoption. AS respects others of no less i'm
portsance, shall content myself with renes5ug
the recommendations already made to the Con
gress without restating the grounds upon which
such recommendation were based The preser-
walton of the forests in the public domain, the
granting of government aid for popular eduea-
ton, the amendment of the federal Constitution
so as to make effective the disapproval by the
President Of particular items in appropriation
bills, the enactment of statutes in regard to the
filling of vacancies in the presidential Office, and
the determining of vexed questions respecting
presidential inability, are measures which may
justly receive your serious consideration.
AS the time draws nigh when | am to retire
from the public service I cannot refrain from
expressing to the members Of the national legis-
lature with whom have been brought into per
sonal and official intercourse my sincere appre-
citation of their unfaihng courtesy and of their
harmonious cooperation with the executive in
so many measures calculated TO promote the
best interests of the Nation; and to my fellow
citizens generally. l acknowledge deep sens
of obligation for the support which they hata
accorded in my administration Of the eX
ecutive department Of the government.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. l. 1884.
The message was referred to the committee of
the whole ON the state of the Union. aad,
with the accompanying documents, ordered
printed.
Mr.. Hutehins from the committee appro-
priations, reported bill making temporary pro
visions for the naval service, which referred
to the committee of the whole.
Formal announcement Was made OF the death
of Representatives Duncan and Evans, and the
House adjourned
THE ElIANCE SHEET