The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-06

| dCCUuut, tll,tl tuc IcNCHut UC IC-
duced SO as no longer to overtax the
people, that protective duties may be
| retained without becoming burden
some. that our shipping interests may
be judiciously weighed, the currency
fixed Oh firm basis, and above all such
| annuity of int rests established among
the states of the American system, as
will be of great and of ever-increasing
advantage TO them all. All treaties in
Sle line of this policy which have been
negotiated. or in process OF hegotia-
ton, contain provision deemed to be
requisite under the clause OF the Con-
stitution limiting to the House OF Rep
resentatives the authority to originate
bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL SERVICE.
On the 10Th of February last. |
transmitted to the Congress the first
annual report Of the Civil-service
Commission, together with commune
cations from the heads of several ex-
ecutive departments of the Govern
ment, respecting the practical work
ings 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 anticipations of
its friends in securing competent and
faithful public servants, and in pro-
tectng the appointing officers OF the
Government from the pressure OF per-
sonal importantly, and from the labor
of examining the claims and preten-
tons OF rival candidates for public
employment. The laMhas the unqual-
fled support of the President and of
tho hnoAS nf thn c.uarn1 dawn ,tt oy,f -
and the members of the Commission
have performed their duties with zeal
and fidelity. Their report will shortly
be submitted, and will be accompanied
by such recommendations for eMarg-
ing the scope of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves TO the EX-
ecutive and the Commissioners charged
with its administration.
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view Of the general and persistent
demand throughout the commercial
community for a national bankrupt
law, hope that the differences Of sem
timent which have hitherto prevented
its enactment may not outlast the pres
ent session.
THE CHOLERA.
The pestlence which has for the
past two years been raging in the
countries of the East recently made
its appearance in European ports
with which we are in communication.
The then Secretary of the Treasury,
in pursuance of proclamation Of the
President, issued certain regulations
restricting and, for time, prohibiting
the importation of rags and the ad-
mission OF baggage of immigrants and
of travellers arriving from infected
quarters. Lest this course may have
been without strict warrant of law, l
approve the recommendation of the
present Secretary, that Congress take
action in the premises, and | also rec
ommend the immediate adoption OF
such measures as will be likely to ward
of the dreaded epidemic and to miti-
gate its severity in case 1t shall unhapi-
ly extend to our shores.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report of the Commas
sionerS of the District OF Columbia re-
views the operations Of the several de-
partments of its municipal govern
ment. ask your careful considera-
ton of its suggestions in respect to
legislation, especially commenting
such as relate to a revision OF the civil
and criminal code, the performance
of labor by persons sentenced to i'm
prisonment in the Jail, the construction
and occupation OF wharveS along the
river front, and the erection of a suita-
BILE building for District offices.
A PENSION 70 GENERAL GRANT.
recommend that in recognition of
the eminent services of Ulysses >.
Grant, late General of the armies OF
the United States, and twice President
of the nation, Congress confer upon
him suitable pension.
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS.
Certain of the measures that seem to
me necessary and eXpedient | have
now, in obedience TO the Constitution,
recommended for your adoption. A.
respects others Of no less Importance
| shall content myself with renewing
the recommendations already made to
the Congress without reStating the
grounds upon which such 'commen
dation5 were based. The preservation
of forests on the public domain, the
granting of Goverumect aid for popu-
lar education. the amendment of the
Federal Constitution 80 As 10 make
tHtCllNt Tue ulSdpplNNal, ny llt iltSl-
dent. OF particular ideas in appropria
-rf-r ''rrtt''s.. -rtrr-rr,r-mert-o -str,utes in
regard to the filling of vacancies in
Presidential office, and the determine
ton OF yeXed questions respecting
Presidential inability, are measures
which may justly receive your serious
considerations
CONCLUSION.
As the time draws nigh when | am
to retire from the public service, | can
not refrain from expressing to the
members OF the National Legislature |
with whom have been brought into
personal and official intercourse, my |
sincere appreciation of their uniailing
courtesy, and of their harmonious CO. |
operation with the Executive III So
many measures calculated to promote |
the interests of the nation, and TO my |
fellow citizens generally | acknowl- |
edge a deep sense of obligation for the /
support which they have accorded me
in my administration OF the Govern |
ment Signed
CHESTER \. ARTHUR.
WA>HTNGTON. Dec. |, 1854.