St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
[Times-Democrat.1

Times-Democrat.1
The Presidents message contains
a large number of very wise recon-
mendations, but suggests nothing
very startling or any violent
changes in our present laws.
That portion of the message bear
ing on the subject of our foreign
relations is even less interesting
than usual, due to the fact that the
United States is on the fir endiiest
to- ms with all its neighbors, and is
free from all complications aud
difficulties. The message, there
fore, is devoted mainly to the con-
sideration of such matters as Co.
rea's donation of land for the Uni
ted States consulate. the recogni-
ton of the flag OF the Congo Asso-
citation, etc. The President favors
the Hawaiian treaty, recommends
its continuance, urges the passage
by Congress of the measures neces-
sary to place the Mexican recip-
rocity treaty into operation. and
mentions in favorable terms the re-
ciprocity treaty with Spain, by
which the products of Cuba and
Porto Rico are admitted into this
country free of duty. He urges
certain changes in our neutrality
aud naturalization laws. and in ref
erence to the salaries paid our dip
lomatic representatives abroad.
Coming to our finances, the
President finds that, with reve-
nue of $34S. 5l9, 500, we expended
$3.50. 9l6,4S3 the last fiscal year,
leaving surplus of $57,6O3. 1856,
while the surplus of next year
estimated at S39. 900, 900. He takes
Il very strong position in opposi-
ton to the further coinage of silver
dollars and tue issuance of silver
certificates. We are still coming
silver, he shows, at the rate of $27,-
700, 900 a year, but nearly all of
this is kept locked up in the Treas
ury, less than % per cent. of it be-
ing i'll circulation. If this practice
continues, Mr.. Arthur remarks, si!-
Yer will drive out gold and make it
self the sole metallic standard OF
the country, to the great injury of
our trade with other countries. In
order to bring the silver dollars
coined into circulation, the Presi-
dent joins with the Secretary of the
Treasury in recommending the
withdrawal of the 81 aud 81 bills
from circulation aud the substitu-
ton of silver in their place. He
also urges the redemption by the
Government of the non-current
trade dollars, at a slight advance in
value on the bullion they contain.
He joins with Secretary McCul-
Loeb again in proposing the crea-
ton of commission to ascertain
the most effective means of increas-
ing our foreign trade and relieving
the depression under which our
industries are now languishing;
also the subsidy of lines of vessels
running from here abroad by the
payment of large amounts for the
transportation Of our mails. If this
is not done, it means, he believes,
the complete destruction of Ameri-
can shipping. On the subject of
the circulation of our National
Bank notes, the President proposes
that Congress shall allow banks to
issue notes equal to the full amount
of the bonds they hold.
l reference to our army and naval
affairs, he recommends al ap-
preparation of $6O,OOO,OOO for
harbor defenses; the encourage
ment of the production of steel
aud other ordnance in this
the building of more men,
of-war, and the restoration of our
navy to its former high state OF
efficiency.
: The recommendations made rela-
tive to the Postoffice Depart ment
are the reduction of the postage on
drop-letters to one cent, and
change of the unit of standard in
the mail to one ounce, instead OF
one-half ounce.
The President congratulates the
country on having successfully
passed through the year without
my trouble with the Indians, some