The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03

developments of those higher morals and
intellectual qualities that go 70 the
%ahing and oil .aris iesslation our yedGs
q revenue which is In excess of the present nee1s
OF the Government These are elements from
which 1t is sought 10 devise scheme BY which,
without unfavorably changing the condition OF
the workingmen, our merchant marine shau De
raised from It's enfeebled condition and new mar
kets provided for the sale beyond our borders OF
the manifold fruits of industrial enterprises.
The problem is complex and can be solved By no
single measure OF innovation Tor reform The
countries OF the American Continent aud the ad-
jacent islands are for the United states the natural
that ee sbonl4 oSsn %Sa Ee do not poduce on
do not produce in su1iciency, and II Is to them
that the surplus productions OF our heids. our
dtions as will eQualize or favor them IN comperi-
son with foreign competition.
-Four paths of policy seem to point to this end:
First, q series of reciprocal commercial treaties
with the countries of America which shall foster
between as. aud then an uRhamPered movemeat
of trade, The condition of these treaties should
be the free admission of such merchandise as this
country does not produce In return Tor admission
free, or under favored scheme oil duties OF our
own products: the benefits Of such exchangs 10
apply on these goods carried under the flag OF the
parties to the contract; the removal on both sides
from vessels 30 privileged of all tonnage dues and
ports and the other contracting parties
though without infringing on the reserved
home coasting trade: the removal or reduction
of burdens on the exported products OF those
COun tries coming within the benefits OF the tr6a-
tiesi (snd the avoidance OF technical restrictions
and penalties by which our intercourse with those
countries is at present hamperedl
Secondly, the establishment OF the consular
service of the United States on sslgried footing.
permitting the REIMBURSEMENT of consular fees,
not only as respects vessels under the national
flag. but also respects vessels of the treaty na
tions carrying goods entitled to the benefits of the
treaties.
Thirdly, the enactment OF measures to favor
the construction and maintenance Of steam car
Iying marine under the flag of the United States.
FOurthly, the establishment OF uniform cur
rency bssis for the countries OF America, so that
the coined products of our mines may circulate
on equal terms throughout the whole system OF
tary nnion of America whereby the output of the
bullion producing countries and the circulation
Of those which yield neither gold nor silver could
wealth and commercial needs of each. As many
Of the countries furnish no bullion TO the COM
and minis might thus be utilized, and step
taken toward the general remonetization OF silver.
To the accomplishment OF these ends 80 far as
they can be attained by separate Treaties the nego
tions already concluded and now in progress have
been directed, and the favor with which tois en-
larRed policy has thus far been received warrants
all or nearly all the countries OF this hemisphere
1t is by no means desirable, however, that tne
these countries alone. The healthtul enlargement
of our trade with Europe Asia and Africa should
be sought by reducing tariff burdens on such OF
their wares as neither we nor the other American
States are fitted TO produce, and thus enabling
ourselves 70 obtain in return better market Tor
our supplies OF food OF raw materials, and OF the
manufactures in which we excel.
1t seems that many OF the embarrassing ele-
ments in the great national conflicG between pro-
lection and free trade may TINS be turned to good
account: that the revenue may De reduced so as
no longer TO overtax the people: that protective
duties may be retained without becoming burden
some; that our shipping interests may be indi-
ciously encouraged: the currency fixed on affirm
basis; and. above all, such unity of Interests
tablished among the States of the American system
as will be OF great and eyer-incressing advantage
| to them sll.
All treaties In the line OF this policy whichh we
been negotiated or are in process OF negotiation.
contain provision deemed TO be requisite under
the clause of the Constitution, limiting TO the
House of Representatives the authority to origin
ate bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
On the 2oth OF February last 1 transmitted to
Congress the first annual report OF the CIVIL Ser
vice Commission, together with communications
from the heads of several executive departments OF
the Government respecting the practical workings
of the law under which the commission has been
acting.
The good results therein foreshadowed have
been more than realized, ghe system ,r1sU mas iuy
securiDg competent and faithful public
servants and in protecting the tsPpsGint, s4d,
the pressure of personal importantly, and fro n
the labor of examining the claims and preCensions
Of Ss @ can 1S i0F RISe y sS
dent and of the heads OF The several departments.
and the members of the commission have per
report " i'll shortly be submitted. and viii be &C
conn anied by such recommendations for enlarg
ing the scope of the existing statute as shall com
mend themselves TO the Executive and the Com
niseioners charged with its administration
REGARDING a BANKRUPT Law.
In view of the several and persistent demsnds
! throughout the commercial community for ma.
sentiment which have hitherto prevented its en-
| actment may not outlast the present session.
| AsIATIC CHOLERA.
The pestilence which for the past two years hss
been raging in the countries of the East recently
made Its appearance in European ports, with
S niosiion V The the then socre,sfy Gp the f4ea:afy
Issued certain regulations restricting, and for \
time prohibiting the importation of rags ana the
err arriving from injected quarters. Lest this
course may have been without strict warrant OF
! law, approve the recommendation OF the present
Secretary that Congress take action in the prem
| ises. and also recommend the immediate adoD-
ton of such measures as will be likely 20 ward of
/ the dreaded epidemic snd 20 mitRate ies severity
! In case 1t shall unbsppily extend TO our shores.
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report OF the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia reviews OF the operations OF
the several departments OF the municipal govern
gestions in respect TO legislation, especially com
mendlng such as relate TO a revision OF the Civil
and Criminal Code, the performance OF labor by
the construction and occupation OF vharyes along
| the river front, and the erection OF suitable
building for District offices.
| recommend that In recognition of the eminent
services OF Ulysses s. Grant, late General OF the
armies of the United States. and twice President
Of the Nation, that Congress confer upon him q
| suitable pension. am certain of the measures,
| that seem to me necessary and expedient, l have
| now, in abeyance TO the Constitution, recon-
| mended for your adoption.
| AS respects Others of no less importance. shall
content myself with renewing the recommends-
| tons already made 70 the Congress, without
| restating the grounds upon which such recon-
mendations were based.
| The preservation of forests in the public do
| main, the granting of Government lands for pop
| ulsr education, the amendment OF fhe Federal
| Constitution 30 as 70 make effective the disap-
proval by the Pres dent of particular items in ap-
proprieting bills, the epsctmeuu of statutes in re-
gard 70 the filling of vacancies in the Presidential
| Office and the determining OF yexed questions re-
| specting Presidential inability. are measures
which may justly receive your serious considers-
/ tons.
As the time draws nigh when I am 70 retire
| from the Public service. can not refrain from
| expressing TO the members of the National Legis-
| lature, with whom have been brought into per-
| soDal and official intercourse, my sin
| cere appreciation OF their uniGiling
| courtesy and of their harmonious cooperation
| with the Executive in so many measures calcula
! ted 10 promote the best interests of the Nation
1 and to my felow-Ciiizens generally, acknowledge
| deep sense of Obligation for the support which
| they have accorded me in my administration ol
| the Executive Department of the Government.
washington. wssit D. c.. Dec. /. 1854. - . '