The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Every reader Of this state psper, though
perhaps dissRreeing with some of the sug-
gestions, will form favorable impression OF
its suther. There Is q wholesome breadth
about the message ss a whole, and the dis
agreement that il ia likely to quicken
merely attests that among those who have
the best interests OF the country ct heart
are
''2any men OF many minds"
One Recommendation that will meet with
q Glow response is that the coinage of silver
be suspended. That this metal is one of our
most valuable products gems to be
fixed 10 the public mind. and
no argument that las yet, or will
likely be adopted, that can prevail
against its issuance ss a circulating medium.
The country will not soOR repeat the exper-
iment of legislstinR against the interest of
Of one OF her principal industries. While
doubling neither the csndor nor the pst.iot-
ism Of Mr. Arthur, Congress-, In
all human probability, will take
widely different view OF the matter.
The suggestion that larger and smpler scope
be given the diplomatic and consular SER
vice will be heartily approved By those who
have made the subject study and familiar
lied themselves with the depressing in
hsence of ths present system.
For the want of rank, perhaps
more than authority, an officer representing
this country would stand second at for
eign court TO an agent commissioned
with no more power from the Gov
eminent of Belgium. The efficiency
OF the American consular and diplomatic
service has long been impaired, to the
great embarrassment OF tbs country for want
Of rank. The recommendation to abolish
all excise tariffs except those relating TO dis
titled spirits will meet with some opposition,
for the reason that tobacco is not included.
Though the tax on distilled spirits alone
might furnish sufficient revenue to defrsy
the expense Of Government, economically
administered, there is feeling or sentiment
extant that tobacco, being so especially an
article Of luxury, should bear public bur
den. Even the question OF avoiding rev.
enue will hardly reconcile the popular mind
to the ides that wisdom would put tobacco
on the free list.
That our foreign trade should be increased,
all, 1t is reasonable to suppose, or agreed,
and the Presidents suggestion Of commits
sion 10 solve the problem as to the best
method will certainly be approved. Also
his suggestions as to q more secure coast
defense and every measure tending TO
facilitate the interchange Of American pro-
ducts with foreign Nations, and the opening
Of new markets to our commerce, viii GER
tainly meet with no encouragement.
The President Joins the Secretary OF the
Interior in advising the repeal of the Pre-
emption law, which will not be accepted
without the weightiest reasons are advanced.
That Law hsTing solved the problem
Of settling the frontier, and having worked
admirably for the last century, will likely
endure while q public domain remains to
the Government. A statute fixing q pun
ishment equal to the enormity Of the crime
against the country that results from its
misinterpretatiOn or abuse would End a
reader Endorsement.
The pledge made by the Republican party
70 extinRuish the crime Of polygsmy before
il was allowed in 1850, to assume
the responsibility of government, might
arouse sense OF humor il
printed in parallel columns with
President Arthur's grave discussion Of the
Utah question. Where the Edmunds bill
failed, what policy Will succeed1 Is an inter
ogatiOn now confronting the American
statesman. Mormonism, which must 60,
the message remindes Us, has not az yet
gone