The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-12-05

| imports. so that those vessels may pl,
unhindered between our ports and
those OF the other contracting parties
though without infringing on the re-
served home Coasting trade the re-.
moval or reduction OF burdens on the
exported products of those countries
coming within the benefits of the treat
les and the avoidance of the technical
restrictions and penalties by which our
intercourse with these countries is at
pr sent hampercd.
Secondly, the establishment nf the
consular service of the United States
on salarird footing thus permitting
the REIMBURSEMENT of consular fees not
only as respects vessels under the
national flag, but also rs respects YES
sells OF the treaty nations carrying goods
entitled to the benefits of the treaties.
Thirdly, the enactment of measures
to favor the construction and mantle
nance of steam carrying marine un.
der the flag of the United States,
Fourthly, the establishment of a
uniform currency basis for the coun.
tries OF America, SO that the coined
products of our mines may circulate on
equal terms throughout the whole sys-
TEN of the common wealths.
A MONETARY UNION.
This would require monetary un-
ion of America, whereby the output of
the bullion -producing countries and the
circulation Of those which yield neith-
er gold nor silver could be adjusted in
conformity with the population, wealth
and commercial needs of each. As
many of the countries furnish no bull
lion to the common stock, the surplus
production of our mines and mints
might thus be utilized, and a step Ia
ken toward the reconciliation of sill
yer.
To the accomplishment of these
ends, so far as they can be attained by
separate treaties, the negotiations al
ready concluded and now in progress
have been directed, and the favor
which this enlarged policy has thus
far received warrants the belief that
its operations will ere long embrace
all, or nearly all, the countries of this
hemisphere. 1t is by no means desira-
bic, however, that the policy under
consideration should be applied to
these countries alone. The healthful
enlargement of our trade with Europe,
Asia and Africa, should be sought by
reducing tariff burdens on such of their
wares as neither we nor the other
American States are fitted to produce
and thus enabling ourselves to obtain
in return better market for our sup
plies Of food, of raw materials and of
the manufactures in which we excel.
FREE TRADE AND PROTECTION.
1t seems to me that the many en-
barassing elements in the great nation
al conflict between protection and free
trade may thus be turned to good ac
count--that the revenue may be re-
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 iudiciously encouraged, the curren-
cy fixed on firm basis, and above all
such an unity of interests established
among the states of the American sys-
TEN as will be of great and ever-in-
creasing advantage to them all. All
treaties in the line of this policy which
have been negotiated or are in the pro-
cess of negotiation contain a provision
deemed to be requisite under the clause
of the constitution limiting to the
house OF representatives the authority
to originate bills for raising revenue.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
On the Goth of February last trans
mltted TO congress the first annual re-
port of the civil service commission,
together with communications from the
heads of several executive departments
OF the government, respecting the prac
tical working of the law under which
the commission had been acting. The
good results it therein foreshadowed
have been more than realized. The
system has fully answered the expecta
tions of its friends IN securing compe-
tent and faithful services 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.
sions of rival candidates for public en-
ployment The law has had the un.
qualified support of the president and
the heads of the several departments,
and the members of the commission
have performed their duties with zeal
and fielity. Their report will shortly
be submitted, and will be accompanied
by such recommendations for enarging
the scope of the existing statute as
shall commend themselves to the execu-
tive and the commissioners charged
with its administration. In view of
the general and persistent demand
throughout the commercial community
for national bankrupt law, hope
that the differences Of sentiment which
have hitherto prevented its enact
ment may not outlast the present ses
sion.
President Arthur recommends that
congress confer upon General Grant a
suitable pension. His message closes
az follows:
'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 in so
many measures calculated to promote
the best interests of the nation. And
to my fellow-ctzens generally | ac-
knowledge deep sense of obligation
for the support which they have ac-
corded me in my administration of the
executive department of this govern.
ment.
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