Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-02

over tar the people; that protective dutie.
may be retained without becoming burden.
some; that our shipping interests nav h
judiciously ENCOURAGED; the currency 6xeA
on n firm basis and, above all, such unity 81
interest established among the States of the
American system as will be of great and
ever increasing advantage 10 them all. All
treaties in the line Of this policy which have
been negotiated. or are in process of neeotia.
ton, contain provision deemed to be requi.
site under the clause of the constitution
limiting to the House Of Representatives the
authority to originate bills for raising rev.
enue.
THE CIviL SERVICE.
On the goth Of February last transmitted
to Congress the first annual report of the
civil service commission, together with com.
munications from the heads Of the several
executive departments of the government.
respecting the practical working of the Law
under which good results therein foreshadowed
have been more than realized. The system
has fully answered the expectations of its
friends in securing competent and faithful
public servants, and in protec,ing the appoint.
ing officers of the government from the pres.
sure Of personal importantly, and from the
labor of examining the claims and preten.
sions of rival candidates for public em.
ployment. The Law has had the unqualified
support of the president and of the heads of
the several departments, ahd the members of
the commission have performed their duties
with zeal and fidelity. Their reports viii
shortly be submitted, and will be accom-.
panied by such recommendations for enlare-
ing the scope of the existing statute as shall
commend themselves to the executive and
commission charged with its administration.
BANKRUPT LAW.
In view Of the general and persistent de.
mand throughout the commercial community
for a national Bankrupt law, l hope that the
differences of sentiment which have hitherto
prevented its enactment may not outlast the
present session.
The CHoLRRA.
The pestilence which for the past two years
has been raging in countries Of the East,
recently made its appearance in European
ports with which we are in constant commu-
nication. The secretary of the treasury, in
pursuance of a proclamation Of the President,
issued certain regulations restricting. and for
time, prohibiting the Importation of rags.
and admission of baggage Of immigrants
and travellers arriving from infected quar-.
tiers. Lest this course may have been without
the strict warrant of law, approve the rec
ommendstion Of the present secretary that
Congress take action In the premises; and
also recommend the adoption of measures
that will be likely TO ward off the dreaded
epidemic and lessen its severity in case it
should unhappily extend to our shores.
DIsTRrcr OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report of the commissioners of
the District of Columbia reviews the operations
of the several departments of its municipal
government. ask your careful consideration
of its suggestions in respect to legislation,
especially commencing such as relate to q
revision of the civil and criminal code;
performance of labor by persons sentenced to
imprisonment in jail construction and occu.
patton Of wharves along the river front; and
the erection Of a suitable building for district
offices.
GENERAL GRANT.
recommend that in recognition of the
eminent services of Ulysses S. Grant, late
general Of the armies of the United States.
and twice President of this nation, Congress
confer upon him suitable pension.
VARIOUS MEASURES.
Certain of the measures that seem to me
necessary and expedient, | have now in
obedience to the constitution recommended
for your adoption; as respects others of no
less Importance. | shall content myself with
to Congress without restating the grounds on
which such recommendation were based.
The preservation of forests on the
public domain; the granting of government
aid for popular education; the amendment of
the federal constitution so as to make effect.
tive the disapproval by the president Of
particular items in appropriation bills; the
enactment Of statutes in regard TO filling of
vacancies in the presidents Office, and in
determining Of vexed questions respecting
preside ntial inability, are measures which
may justly receive your serious con
sideration. As the time draws nigh when
l am to retire from public service, | cannot
refrain from expressing to the members of
the national legislature with whom have
been brought into personal and official inter
course, my sincere appreciation of their
unfailing courteousness and Of their harmo-
NOUS cooperation with the executive in so
many measures calculated to promote the
best interests of the nation; and TO my fellow
generally, I acknow ledge deep
sense Of obligation for the support which
they have accorded me in my administration
OF the Executive department of this Govern
ment
(sIGSED.) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. l, 1884.