Omaha daily bee., 1884-12-02
THE pREsIDENT,S MEssAnE.

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Is an able, dignifed inc practical state
document, and will be read with a great
deal Of interest. All important matters
ere treated in a very intelligent manner,
and 1t Is evident that the president has
given to the various subjec's his closest
attention and most careful study. His
congratulations to the country upon the
patience and love of order and of law
displayed by the people while the presi-
dental Issue wa. in doubt are ~emlnently
proper and timely, and In this connection
he calls the attention Of congress TO the
necessity Of providing a more satisfactory
method Of counting the electoral vote.
Among the recommendations embodied
in the message Is the extension of the
scope Of the neutrality laws, 80 as to
cover acts of hostilities committed in this
country against a friendly power. This
is evidently aimed at tho dynamiters,
and may not be very warmly received by
the enemies Of England, even II they do
not endorse dynamite warfare. They will
argue that the United States ought not
to take any steps In such legislation for
the benefit Of England until England has
evinced some reciprocal spirit, and makes
a request for mutual legislation. The
inference might be that the United
States has become the headquarters OF
conspirators against foreign governments,
which Ia by 10 meanD tho fact. The
nearest approach to anything of that kind
is ODonovan Rosa and his few $3.50.
%ciates, who simply amuse thems elves by
~inventlng scAres that have no foundation
in fact.
The presidents recommendation, coin
Gliding with that of the secretary of tho
treasury, that the coinage of silver should
DO Immediately su,ponded, is based upon
the fact that there Is now in the treasury
$3.50, 000. 900 in silver, and only $40,-
GOO, 600 in circulation. To force this
overrroduction of silver Into circulation
he recommends tho withdrawal
from circulation of tho ono and two dollar
notes. Whether this proposition to
unload the cumbersome silver will
meet with popular approval remains to
be seen, as there seems to DO an abund.
ance In circulation and more than
enough for all practical purposes of trade.
AS a rule people prefer small bills as
they arc more convenient to handle,
President Arthur dwells at considera-
BILE length upon tho subject OF our foreign
trade, and makes several recommenda-
tions as to the best methods, In his
opinion, to relieve the depression under
which our industries are languishing.
After suggesting that q commission be
appointed, he recommends a series
of treaties with the countries of America
so as to afford an opportunity for an IN
hampered movement of trade. He ad
vocates the free admission
OF such articles of mer-
ohandise from these countries q. arc not
produced in the United States, and that
products from our country be treated in
like manner by the treaty nations; also, |
the construction and maintenance OF a
steam carrying marine under the flag of
the United States, and the establishment
of a consular service on n salaried footing,
and the relinquishment of consular fees
only as respects vessels under the
national flag, but as respects the vessels
of the treaty nations, carrying
goods entitled to the benefits OF
the treaties. Another suggestion,
which is very practical In Its nature, is to
establish a uniform currency basis for the
countries of America that might enter
into the proposed trade treaties, 80 that |
the coin products of our mines may cir
culate on equal terms throughout the en-
tire combination. This of course would
have to BIO brought about by a monetary
The president urges the r~estora-
ton of the navy to it's former
efficiency, not only as q matter OF
national pride, but as a security
against trouble with foreign countries,
which may. come at any time. In the
same connection he recommends the de-
Tense of our seaports by appropriate
works, n for that purpose he suggests
appropriation, 30 that operations can
be begun ut an early day. The surplus
in the treasury could not be used for a
purpose.
In regard to the vex,tlous Mormon
problem, President Arthur expresses
himself rather emphatically. He believes
if the polygamous practices Of the
Mormons can BIO suppressed, it can only
be done by the most radical legislation,
consistent with the restraints Of the con-
stitution, and he recommends that con-
gress assume absolute political control OF
Utah.