Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1884-12-02
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
MR.. ARrHu~s SUGGESTIONS.
An Able and Comprehensive Docu-
umsnt. Making Valuable Sugges-
tions to the National Legislature.

WAsHIssTos, Dec. l.--President Arthur's
annual message was transmitted TO Congress
to-day. AT the outset the President refers TO
the recent political contest which resulted IN
President Clevslands election, and remarks
feaf II is a subject of general congratulation
thai after the controversy, despite tho close
ness Of the vote, the public peace suffered no
disturbance, but the people awaited the re-
suit patiently and quietly. Nothing could
more strikingIy illustrate the temper Of the
Amsrican citizen and his loyalty to law, nor
more slsnaily demonstrate the strength and
wisdom of our political institutions.
RoREIss RELATIONS
Our relations with all foreign powers con-
tinue to be amicable. The Congo question
Is commented upon as one of great inter-
national importance, and the rich prospect
i've trade of the Congo valley leads to the
conviction that il should be open to all ma
tions on equal terms. The necessary legis-
lation 70 make effective the Mexican COM
mercial treaty IL recommended as one OF the
FIRST measures 10 claim attention from Con-
gress. The Nlcaraguan treaty recently con-
cluded, which authorized the construction of
canal and railway by the San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua route, the President believes, will
command universal approval at home and
abroad. To the United States the CONNER
cial and political advantages of the treaty
cannot DO overestimated. The approval of
the new Spanish commercial treaty, which
will soon be submitted 10 the Senate is
urged. The question OF International copy
right Is brought to the attention of Congress.
The President recommends an enlarge
ment of the scope of the neutrality laws to
cover acts of hostility committed within our
! territory and aimed at the peace of friendly
nations. He sees no reason why overt pre-
parations In this country for the commits
sion of such criminal acts should not be
alike punishable whether intended to be
committed III our own country or foreign
country with which we are at peace.
The reorganization of the diplomatic and
consular service Is recommended.
SILVER DOLLARS.
The President concurs with the Secretary Of
the Treasury IN recommending the immedi-
ate suspension of the coinage of silver dol
lars and the issuance of silver certificates
The fact that of the $lS5, 900 coined dur
ing the past SIX years, but little more than
$4O,OOO,OO0 are in actual circulation, seems
TO furnish cogent argument for the repeal
of the statute.
EXCISE TAXES.
He renews his recommendations Of 1892,
IhVOrluk the dDOQtlOu Oh al excise taxes tA-
cept those relating to distilled spirits. If
these taxes be abolished the revenue still re-
naming to the government will not only
suffice To meet its reasonable expenditures,
but will afford a surplus large enough to per-
NIT suoh tariff reduction as may seem advis-
able when the results OF recent revenue laws
!. and commercial treaties shall have shown in
what quarters those reductions can be most
judiciously effected.
FOREIGN TRADE
The President says that, although fully
sensible of the objections to be made to the
appointment of q commission to ascertain
the most effective means for increasing our
foreign trade, he still believes this to be the
most speedy and efficacious method. He
indorses the recommendation of the Secre-
tary of Treasury favoring liberal subsidies TO
mail steamship lines as an incentive to in
vestment of American capital In American
steamships, and declares that unless that
course be pursued our foreign carrying trade
must remain "a il Ia to-day. almost exclusive
" in the haLds of foreigners.
NATIONAL BANK CIRCULATION.
On the subject of basis for national bank
circulation he says: "The three per cent.
bonds of the Government 10 the amount of
more than 800 00O, 900 have, since my last an
nual message been redeemed by the treasury
bonds OF that issue still outstanding amount
to little over 900, 600, 900, about one-fourth
OF which will be retired, through the opera
tions of the sinking fund, during the COM
ing year. As these bonds still continue the
chief basis for the circulation of the national
banks, the question how TO avert the con-
traction Of the currency caused by their re-
tirement il one of constantly increasing inn
portance. IL seems TO be generally conceded
that the law governing this matters exacts
fromthe excessive security and that upon their
present bond deposits larger circulation
than IL now allowed may be granted with
safety I hope that the bill which passed the
issue of notes equal to the face value of the
deposited bonds, will commend itself TO the
approval of the House of Representatives. "
sr.BoARD DErKssEs.
Concerning seaboard defenses for our
cities. recommended by the Secretary of
War. the message says: ''The time has nov
come when such defenses can be prepared
with confidence that they viii not prove
abortive. and when the possible result of
delay in making such preparation Ia serious
" considered. delay seems inexcnsable. For
the most important cities-those whose de-
struofion or capture would be national
humilistion--sdequate defensss, inclusive OF
guns. may be made by the gradual expendi-
ture OF <G0.000,0oO a sam much less than a
victorious enemy could levy "a q coutribu-
tion. An appropriation OF about one-tenth
of that amount II asked TO begin the work,
and concur with the Secretary OF War in
urging that IL be granted He reness his
Recommendation contained In = special mes
SAGE to the last Congress favoring the sstab-
Iiehment Of two government factories. one
for the army and one for the navy, for the
manufacture Of heavy steel cannon. and
urrus Congress to act 40 "a 20 enable The
9osernment % construct ia own ordinances
mon il own territory, and provide srma-
ments demanded by Of national safety and
honor.
nxsroafsu rftx skvr.
Concerning the reconstruction % our nas1.
TIE President says In this. The Last of The
stated messages tbat shall have The honor
a. transrnit - the Congress - The United
States. I cannot soo strongly af9e apen -
attention the dutF - festuFing oar say e
fapisiix ~ paseibls. - the hish stsfe ~ en-
cfeney which formerly etsre<tsfire<f a. As
the long peere tbat has lnHleti bs iuto setss
~ fsffeiei security faag "a snf tlnsN - Us
fnxt~d. IA i pisla shai the pol1s7 ~ <ffenztk
<nlr4 this sfso Sf fhe ssfsif>s = fiiffat&a D.