National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-03
THE PRESS AND THE MESSAGE,


Address.
MRadeiphiq nmes.
The subjects referred to In the message divide
themselves into three gruups-ihuse concerning
the foreign relations Of the United states, those
concerning taxation, finance and commerce,
and those which concern various details pi in
ternnl administration, OF these the second
group Is by much NE most imuOrtant, ana II
IS to thom that the Pru4ident has given his best
thought IN all that he has to say there Is u
mos refreshing al Ive of clHp.tup aud pre-
Jud o., and iu very Huuy Instances he speaks
with clcatncss aud turoe. Ihis Is especially
the cnse in his renewed rccOmmen ,NtiOn Of
the aD llitiOn of all Internal taxes, uNcCp those
on spirits, and of the immediate suspension OF
the needless aud dangerous COinnge ol silver
Whatever else congress may do or leave un-
done at the present session, the latter recon-
mendRtldn is one that should be acted upon
without delay.
In his consideration of the broad topic Of
foreign commerce and the carrying trade the
President has evidently desired to suggest
some common ground upon which protection
lists and free traders might meet in legislation
designed for the advancement of the country 3
large commercial interests, lie rightly per
cetves that neither the extension of our com
mercc nor tho revival OF our carrying trade
can be accomplished through any single, iso-
lated measure, and that the whole subject IL
50 intimately connected with questions OF
tariff, of commercial policy, of consular rep
rnsent0tion, and even OF monetary sysiems,
that II can bo wisely considered only IN the
spirit Of the brOadGst statusmansbip and Of tue
most enlightened views of national economy.
NctO Torl Herald
President Arthurs message, which he takes
occasion to mention will probably be his last,
Is an unusually clear and succlnct summary
of topics of national interest, aud It's recon,
mendatons and references onttle II TO special
consideration at the hands of congress. some
of the points handled in the message are oil
fresh and timely interest That passage
tpl. tls.p E.ri ihR
the treaty with Nicaragua is one of these.
This looks to one of the great immediate stops
to be taken in tho development of channels oil
commercial communication, and Will neces-
snrily require congress to commit the country
to definite policy. II tho treaty which thus
acquires from a foreign government GER
tain privileges also involves an obligation on
tho part of this government to build
the canal and railroad, Its ratification VIII be
of International importance aud fact OF
great moment TO all commercial countries.
We have always believed that 1t would be
cowardly weakness on the part OF the United
States for II to permit an lsthnian canal TO be
controlled by any European government and
we have further held that in order that the
right of the United States might be clear Il
should itself build the canal Tho detcrml
nation of the national policy Is now 10 be
clearly put before congress which, we trust,
will prove equal to the occasion.
McW Yo.k Times.
Tho President deserves word of commenda
ton for the tone of his reference to the sub
jcct of civil service REFORM. He cordially re
cognizes the benefits that have already beer
wrought. The good results expected from the
new system have been "more than realized
It has fully answered the expectations of III
friends in securing competent and faithful pub
lie servants, and In protecting the appointing
officers of the government from the pressure
OF personal importantly and from the labor
examining the claims and pretensions OF riya
candidates for public employment" lie de
I Il- In
support of the President and the heads of thu
| Departments aud that the commissioners hay,
| perto rmed then duties with zeal and tdelty
| and he speaks of recommendations to be mad'
| for onlarging the scope of the existing statute
These favorable words from the head Of th'
administration soon to go out of power Will b'
OF value to the friends of the reform.
| Netg York tribune.
President Arthurs last message is a simpl,
| and unpretentious discharge of duty which
| the inattentlon of democrats in congress, ever
| to his most meritorlous recOmmondailons II
| previous messages, may easily have led him Il
| regard as mainly duty of form, TIT
general tone of the message Is that of an otiiciu
who discharges his duty with little SYpeotl
| tion that the majority in congress will agre,
| with him. The President refers will
Just criticism to the failure ofcongress to maxi
| adequate provision for the consular and diplo
matte service. IL must be confessed that II 1
| one of the most humiliating results of recen
| congressional action, or inaction, that II ha
placed the United States before the world as
| nation not only contemptibly stingy, bu
its own interests. But in this matter, as II
others, the President probably looks for littl
Improvement from this congress or that whie
is to follow.
Philadelphia Press.
President Arthur's last annual message Is
plain, direct, dignified paper, without strikin
propositions. but full of good sense. Like a
his utterances, 1t Is the well-writtcn deliver
ance OF wel.bred man. 1t throws no dis
turbing question into the arena OF discussion
and will leave the tranquility of the countr
unruiiled. Two courses were open TO III
| Presldent-the one TO seize the opportunity Q
the last Official expression or grand epocl
and grasp its great thoughts and suggestion
with a strong, firm hand; the other to deH
with the everyday duties of the place in
calm, business.like way. The President ma
chosen the latter. If the message lacks 1
stirring power and robust leadership,
strengthens the impression OF a prudent, col
servatiye, sensible administration.
Baltimore Herald.
Well written and complete, the message, I
n whole, must meet universal approval, an
add not little to Mr.. Arthurs already wei
established reputation as wise executive.
must, in short take u place among the lea
ing state documents Of republican admlnistr
tions aud become noticeable from the iact
its being the last utteTanco OF preslde
whose fate II Is to go out OF power with u
party that for almost quarter OF a Genlu
controlled the destiny Of the nation. The re
: concentrations II makes upol all questions ~
cussed are wise and conservative, and rs a ru
immediate and necessary
: NeD York World.
: The message Is not one that will excite mu
4 interest or be regarded rs OF great important
Not that 1t Is not u good state paper, busine
D like and commercially brief, containing son
4 | evidences of though and some sensible recoi
, mendations, But 1t Is the message OF par
about to pass, at least for the present out
= existence, and which, through the fortuna
. check OF Il dcmocratichouse of Representative
is prevented from using the last three mont
Y of its power to carry out amy political schem
h that might extend into the hitnre. As sue
u the general belief will be that II will fall
0 barren ground.
n Baltimore Sun.
a Tho President In tho message transmit
yesterday to congress reviews with his usl
palnstaking care the public incidents, both
| Il domestic and foreign character, that ha
marked the history of the past year, and up
Q questions of policy affecting the industries,
A commerce. The finances, the taxation, I
foreign relations, and deienses OF the count
Q makes number of important suggestions u
a will doubtless receive from the national leg
!, lature all the consideration they deserve.
Richmond Dispatch,
Is President Arthurs last message is like
O that he mas sent to congress. All OF them II
n be characterized as business documents. 1
one before Us is peculiaRy 80. There Is
q attempt at hne writing and no show of III,
= sentiment. lie writes US one who lives In
cosmopolitan city.
NsW York sun.
8 No president has ever proposed more impt
q ant measurea and none has stated his ideas
/, simpler and clearer style, The literary form
o The message Is rather scattering, howe'
o But It has The merit of being short.
o PeterSburg Inde1- Appeal.
The message can be commended as sol
BILE, business.like state paper, and the Pr
dents reflections upon the subjects of ia
tion, finance, aud the country's commerce
| of gueOial interest.