The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-12-10
FHE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
lConfinued from Frs PAGE J

The problem is complex, and can be
solved by no single measure OF IN
novation or reform. The countries
of the American continent and the
adjacent islands are for the United
States the natural msrts OF supply
and demand. 1t is from them that
we should obtain what We do not
produce or do not produce in suth-
cheney. and it is to them that the
surplus productions of our fields,
our mills and our workshops should
flow under conditions that will eval-
ize or favor them in comparison with
foreign competition.
A BROAD COMMERCIAL POLICY.
-Four paths of policy seem to point
to this end. First, series OF reclp-
rocal commercial treaties with the
countries of America which shall
foster between US and them an un-
hampered movement Of trade. The
conditions of these treaties should
be the free admission Of such mer-
chandise as this conutry does not
produce IN return for the admission
free. or under a favored scheme OF
duties, Of our own prodncts-the
benefits of such exchange to apply
only to goods carried under the flag
of the parties to the contract; the
removal on both sides from the YES
sells so privileged of all tcnna ge dues
and national imposts, SO that those
vessels may ply unhindered between
our ports and those of the ether con-
tracing parties, though without in
frineing on the reserved home coast
ing trade; the removal or reduction
of burdens on the exported products
of those countries coming within
the benefits Of the treaties, and the
avoidance of the technical restrictions
and penalties by which our
intercourse with these countries Is at
present hampered.
Secondly, the establishment OF the
consular service of the United States
on a salaried footing, thus permit
ting the REIMBURSEMENT Of consular
fees. not only as respects vessels
under the national flag. but also as
respects vessels of the treaty nations
carrying goods entitled to the bene-
fits of the treaties.
Thirdly, the enactment oil meas.
urment to favor the construction and
maintenance Of a steam carrying
marine under the flag of the United
States.
Fourlhly, the establishment OF an
Uniform currency basis for the coun-
tries OF America, SO that the coined
products Of our mines may circulate
on equal terms throughout the whole
system of commonwealths.
This would require monetary
union of America, whereby the out,
put of the bullion producing coun-
tries and the circulation OF those
which Yield neither gold nor silver
could be adjusted in conformity with
the population, wealth and CONNER
cial needs of each. As many Of the
countries furnish no bullion to the
common stock, the surplus produc
ton of our mines and mints thus he
utilized. and a step taken toward the
general reconciliation of silver.
ADJUSTMENT Or THE TARIFF.
To the accomplishment of these
ends so far as they can be attained
by separate treaties, the negotions
already concluded and now in prog
ress have been directed, and the IA
vor which this enlarged policy ha;
thus far received, warrants the be
lief that Its operation viii, ere long
embrace all, or nearly all, the coun
ties of this hemisphere.
1t is by no means desirable, howev
er, that the policy under ccnsi2era
ton should be applied to these coun
trie alones. The healthful enlarge
ments of our trade with Europe, Asi;
and Africa should be sought by re
ducing tariff burdens on such of thei
wares as neither we nor the othe
American States are fitted to produc'
and thus enabling ourselves TO oh
tain in return better market fo
our supplies of food, of raw materi
ais and ofthe manufactures in which
we excel
1t seems to me that many of th
embarrassing elements In the grea
national conflict between Protection
and Free Trade may thus be turne'
to good account that the revenu
NAV be reduced SO as no longer L
overtax the people; that protectiv
duties may be retained withou
becoming burdsnsome; tnat on
shipping interests may bejudicious
ly encouraged the currency fxe'
on a firm basis, and, above all, sucl
an unity of interests establishe
among the states of the America
system as will be of great and eve
increasing advantage to them al
All treaties in the line of this polio
which have been negotiated or ar
in process of negotiation contain
provision deemed to be requisit
under the clause Of the Constitutio
limiting to the House of Represen
tatives the authority to originate bill
for raising revenue
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
On the 29th of February last
Transmitted to the Congress the fir
annual report Of the Civil Servic
Commission, together with comml
nications from the heads of the Sc,
eral executive departments Of th
Government, respecting the pract
oal workings of the law under whic
the Commission had been actin
The good results therein foreshadoH
ed have been more than realized. I'll
system has fully answered the e.
pectations of its friends in securir
competent and faithful public Sc
wants and in protecting the appoin
ing officers of the Government fro
the pressure OF personal importunit
and from the labor of examining Il
claims and pgetensions of rival Cal
didates for public employment.
The law has had the unqualifit
support of the President and of Il
heads of the several department
and the members OF the CommisiC
bara narfc-ono1 fheir lufias vii