The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
President Arthur. in fulfillment of the
duty imposed upon him at the opening
of Congress, addressed to that body,
on Monday last, message which, like
his previous messages, is statesman
like and able document.
He begins it with an allusion to the
orderly, temperate and law-respecting
conduct of the people during the eX-
citing days following the late election,
and in that connection urges Congress
to provide more precise and definite
regulations for counting the electoral
vote. He is undoubtedly right VIXEN
he says, i am persuaded that, by the
people at large, any of the measures Of
relief proposed would be preferred to
continued inacton." But unless Con-
gress can approach this subject with
more patriotism and less partisanship
than in the past the condition of mac
ton is likely to continue.
Our relations with foreign powers are
set forth at great length. The acquisl-
ton of the great Chinese trading fleet
by American citizens leads to the sug
gestion that it would be well to provide
a uniform rule for the registration and
Recommendation Of ships built or pur-
chased abroad by our citizens and en-
ployed exclusively in traffic between
foreign ports. The restoration of the
agency and consulate general at Cairo
is recommended upon good grounds.
Negotiations will be opened with Ger
many for a treaty of eNtraditlon, whose
operations will be uniform through all
the states of the empire. The import
ant treaties negotiated with Spain and
Nicaragua are appropriately referred to
and Congress is notified that nothing IS
lacking to make our treaty with Mexico
effective but the tariff legislation made
necessary by its terms. The President
suggests that our neutrality laws need
overhauling and amendment SO as to
cover all patent acts of hostility com
mitted in our territory and aimed
against a friendly power.
Revision of our naturalization laws IS
urged so as to do away with certain
obsolete provisions and cure numerous
defects pointed out. The suggestion
of central bureau wherein should be
filed authenticated Transcripts Of every
record of naturalization in the several
federal and state courts, and to make
provisions also for the vacation or can
collation. of such record in cases where
fraud had been practiced upon the
court by the applicant, or where he had
renowned or forfeited his acquired
citizenship" is an idea that should be
enacted into law. The records of such
a bureau would often prove Of inesti-
mable value to our naturalized citizens.
Mr.. Arthur conCurs with the Score
tary of the Treasury in advising the I'M
mediate suspension of the coinage Of
silver dollars, and renews his former
recommendation for the abolition of all
internal-revenue taxes except those on
distilled spirits. Touching the import
ant question of national defense, he is
emphatic in the expression of his opin
ion that the fertilization Cf our coasts
should be commenced at once upon a
comprehensive scale, and that the work
of placing our navy upon a war footing
should be accelerated. His recon-
mendation5 touching these great objects
of national concern will receive the
cordial approval Of the country.
In concise terms the President rec
ommends that suitable pension be
conferred upon Gen. Grant. He no
doubt had in view the misfortunes that
have overtaken this most illustrious
citizen in his declining years as well as
the eminent services to which he refer
red, and it is reasonably certain that
Congress could not do a more popular
act than to promptly carry out the rec
ommendation.
From the opening to the concluding
paragraph the message is clear, straight
forward manly, statesmanlike. The
President has apparently aimed to do
Just what the constitution prescribes-
give to Congress information of the
state of the Union, and recommend 10
their consideration such measures as
he shall judge necessary and eNpedi-
ent." This he has done gracefully and
yer,. thorouohly.