The Republican journal., 1884-12-04
The Presidents Message.

manly IA review OF the various Department re-
ports, all of which have been heretofore pub
lished, save the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury. The opening paragraph of the
message relates to the Presidential election.
The President SAYS:
Since the close of your last session the Amer
lean people, in the exercise of their highest
right OF suffrage, have chosen their chief
magistrate for the four years ensuing. When
it is remembered that at no period in the coun-
trys history has the long political contest
which customarily precedes the day of the
National election. been waged with greater
tervor and intensity, it is subject of general
congrau'ation that, after the controversy AT
the polls was over, and while the slight y e.
ponderance by which the issue had been deter
mined was, as yet. unascertained, the public
peace suffered no disturbance, but the people
everywhere patiently and quietly awaited the
| result.
Nothing could more strlkingly illustrate the
! temper of the American citizen. his love of
order and his LOYALTY to law. Nothing could
more signify or demonstrate the strength and
wisdom of our political workings. Eight years
| have passed since Il controversy concerning the
result of national election sharply called the
attention of Congress TO the necessity of pro-
viding more precise and definite regulations for
counting the electoral vote. 1t is of the gray
est Importance that this question be solved be-
fore conflicting claims to the Presidency shall
again distract the country. and am persuaded
that by the people at large any of the measures
of relief thus far proposed would be preferred
| to continued inaction.
! The President says our relations with all for
eign powers continue to be amicabc. lie renews
the recommendation of his last annual message
relative to the Canton indemnity fund, and in
directing attention to the question of Chinese
| immi gration suggests that the recent statute
may violate the treaty rights of certain Chinese.
OF commercial relations with Mexico it is said
1.-The IT, atty of commercial reciprocity. cou-
cuded January 20h. 1888, has been ratified
and awaits the necessary tariff legislation of
Congress to become effective. This legislation
will, doubt rot, he among the first measures
to claim your attention. A full treaty of com
merce and consular rights is much TO be de>ir-
ed, and such treaty, have reason to believe
the Mexican Government stand ready to con-
clude.' The President recommends that the
neutrality laws of the United States be so en-
larged as to cover all potent acts of hostility
committed in our territory and aimed against
the peace of friendly nations. He concurs with
the Secretary of the Treasury in recommending
| an immediate suspension of the coinage of sill
yer dollars and the issuance of silver certifi
Gates. and renews his recommendations for the
abolition of old taxes except those rela' ing to
distilled spirits. And of our foreign trade and
shipping interest the President says:
One of the gravest OF problems which appeal
to the wisdom of Congress for solution il the as
certdlnment OF the most effective means of in
crea>ng our foreign trade and thus relieving
the depression under which our industries are
| now laugulshin@. The Secretary of the Treas
,,llfi-. Il,
subject be entrusted in the first instance to Il
competent commission. While fully recognize
ing the consldera'l ions that may be urged
against this course, am nevertheless Of the
opinion that upon the whole no other would
be likely 10 fleet speedier or better result
That portion Of the Secretarl'S report which
concerns the condition of our shipping interests
cannot fal 10 command Your attention lie
emphallcaliy recommends that a> an incentive
to investment of American capital in American
steamships. the government shall by liberal
pay ments for mail transportation or otherwise
lend It's active assistance to individual enter
prise, and declares his belief that unless that
course be pursued our foreign carrying trade
must remain lis it is to-day, almost exclusively
III Tie hands of foreigners. one phase of this
subject Is now especially prominent in view of
the repeal by the act of June % 1881, Of all
statutory provisions arbitrarily compelling
American vessels to carry the mails To and
from the United States. As ii is necessary to
II
vessels for performing that service. after
April. 1880. 1t Is hoped that the whole subject
VIII receive early consideration that may lead
TO the enactment OF such measures Tor The re-
NVa OF our merchant marine as the wisdom of
Congress may devise.
And of the bond, and banks ,.irculotiou.
nv, 80
ne1 d W. vel nn ppus Vi we amount Oh more
''ai qi0Yfooo'uo1 il'Ne Hinte ms iaS' annual
it ny iS' u W cue iitasuA' me
J IN. VI 'ii"' lsi' s,'ii Gun Sihuihs amount TO
d n;tie M 2-Vo'0oV,Goo' aoout ohe-lourth OF
"n''u w. " iS'iic 60 80 ouSh 'hF oitialiohs on
nv o'iihtS iuiiti Not M tie coming year: As
.hese oonus sun tHhsti'u!c tlit chlel OASIS Iof
.he llcu'at'oh Vi 'iie hatoual banks, 'nc ques-
t'oi vi Low 10 tEt rohtI dttioh OF currency
."us'u oa tnei lt'lle'hTn'' ~ one OF constantly
olo"5'nS iihPoi 'ah'e. II seeihH 10 ne 9thtFailH
eoiioe"9u 'i'i 'ne Ia" GOVERNING inns hal'er
eAaots nom ne oanhs eAceS>iNt security ana
'lat upoh '.eil present noho aepoSlis larger
ciieu'a'soh 'hIh II now aioWeu may ne granted
mltn saie'4. n'l' lha' me OH Which passed
;iie oen".e d. tle lasV SESSION. permitting me
eue VI NUS elu'i ~ VIZ iace N'i'it Oh deposit
" ponEf' WIN to,iiuieh" ltsoii " ING approval
VI INV iio"'0 vi hotieHen'"'i'es'
In directing attention to the report of the
So.rot.r, of tho Irto,;or tho p.o.;,a. .,
The Secretary ,,,oes new enact,,e,, If =.
tute for the punishment Of crimes committed
on Indian. reservations, ana recommends the
Pnnrssentativa. f." tbe om.buo 'i f ii t.. ~