Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-12-05
A SYNOPSIS OF THE
Presidents Message.

e.
ness Of tho vote, the public peace I
suffered no disturbance, but the /
people awaited the result patiently |
and quietly. Nothing could moro !
stEikingly illustrate the temper Of /
the American citizen, his loyalty to /
law, nor more signaily demonstrate /
the strength and wisdom Oi our pc !
lltical institutions.
Our relations with all foreign
powers continue to be amicable.
THE CONGO QUESTION
is commented upon as one Of great
international Importance, and the
rich prospective trade Ofthe Congo |
valley leads to the conviction that
it should be open to all nations
upon equal terms. The necessary
legislation to make effective the
Mexican commercial treaty is re-
commended as one Of the first meas
ures to claim attention from Con-
gress. The Nicaragua treaty, re-
Gently concluded, which authorizes
the construction of canal and
railway by the San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua route, the President be-
lieves, will command universal APP
pr0val at home and abroad. To the
United States the
COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL ADNAN-
TAGEs
of the treaty can scarcely be esti-
mated. The approval Of d new
Spanish commercial treaty, which
will have to be submitted to the
Senate, is urged. The question OF
international copyright Is brought
20 the attention Of Congress. lie
recommends an enlargement OF the
scope of the neutrality laws to
cover acts Of. hostility committed
in our territory and aimed at the
peace of friendly nations. lie sees
no reason why overt preparations
in this country for the commission
of such criminal acts should not be
alike punishable, whether intended
to be committed in our own country
or foreign country with which we
are at peace. The reorganization
of the diplomatic and consular ser
vice is recommended.
oN TIE SUBJECT or FINANCE
the President concurs with the Sc /
cretary of the Treasury in recon-
mending the immediate suspension |
of silver-dollar coinage and OF the |
issuance Of silver certificates. The |
fact that Of the 100000 coined
during the past six years bnt little I
more than SlO,0O0,000 are in actual /
circulation, seems to furnish a CO.
gent argument for the repeal OF the
statute.
He rcncws his recommendations
of 1882. favofirg fho abolition Of
All excise taxes cXcep. those rela. F
ting To- distilled spiuls. these '
taxes be abolished, the u,tea'e
still remaining ID thc tryctan'ni +
will not only suffice .o ,nr.. -a I-'
Sonable expenditures, 5u. VIII - +
ford a surplus large caoa-h taI
permit such lanhuc!uct'u q M.l '
seem advisable when $50. i.,,.'eD sd
recent revenue laws aa. ronte '
cial treaties shall have shown .a
what quarters thoseIcducil3ns can
be most judiciously effected.
The President says that although /
fully sensible OF the objections TO
be made to the
APPOINTMENT OF 4 COMMISSION
TO ascertain the most effective
means for increasing orr foreign /
trade, he still believes this to be .
the most speedy and eilicaclous
method. He endorses the recon-
mendation of the Secretary oi the
Treasury, fayorinG liberia subai-
dies to mail steamship lines as an
incentive to the investment OF
American capital in American
steamships, and declares that I'M
less that course is pursued our Tor
cign carrying-tradc must remain /
as it is to.day-almOst exclusively /
in the hands of foreigners.
On subject Of
NATTpS RANK fTEfTfT ALTON
he says the question OF how TO avert /
contraction of the currency, caused /
by the retirement OF the 3 per cent.
bonds, is one Of constantly incrcas- /
ing importance. 1t is conceded /
that excessive security is now dc /
manded from the banks, and that 7
a larger circulation than is now al /
lowed may be granted with safety. |
The President hopes that the bill !
permitting the issue OF notes equal |
to the face value Of bonds deposi- !
ted will commend itself to apprO- /
val.
The construction of adequate
sEABOARD DEFENCEs
for principal cities by the gradual
expenditure of $50, 100000 cannot
be longer deferred, aud about one
tenth of that amount should be at
once appropriated. The erection
Of one military and one naval lacto-
ry for heavy steel cannon IS recon-
mended. The reconstruction o;
the navy is urged as impcratively
necessary and no longer to be de-
layed.
The President believes that the
postal revenue will promptly be
restored to the former amount, and
recommends that the unit of weight
with first-class mail matter should
be increased to one ounce and
postage on drop letters be reduced
to one cent, and that the free de-
livery system be extended. The
President cOncurs with the Secre-
tary of the Interior in advising the
REPEAL OF THE PRE-EMPTION LAW, .
the enactment of statutes resolving |
the present legal complication
touching lapsed grants to railroad !
companies, and the funding of the !
debt of the several Pacific railroads |
under such guaranty as shall effect /
ually secure its ultimate payment.
lie believes that fpolygamy can |
be suppressed in Utah, by law, 1t |
can only be by the most radical |
legislation consistent with the re- !
straints of the Constitution. We !
recommend that Congress assume /
nhnnlntn nnlifinnl cnnfrnl of Tho