The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-12-04


the raw materials. necessary for successful
manufacture. We have a system OF
productive establishments more than
sufficient to supply our own demands:the wages
or labor are nowhere else so gr, at; the scale or
living OF our artisan cl sses is such AS tends 20
secure their personal comfort and the develop
ment OF those higher morals and the intellect
ual qualities that 90 10 the making or good
cit zen; our system of tax and tarin legislation
IL yielding revenue which is In excess OF the
present needs OF the Government
These are elements from wtlch IL is sought TO
devise scheme by which, without unfavorabiy
changing the condition OF the wOrkingmen, our
merchant marine shall be raised from ts en-
feeDled condition and new markets provided Tor
the sale beyond our borders OF the manifold
fruits OF our industrial enterprises. The problem
Is complex, and can b. solved by no single meas
ure OF innovation or reform. 1 he countries
OF the American Continent and the adjacent
islands are for the United States the natural
market Of supply and demand 1t is from
that we should obtain what we do not produce,
or do not produce in suihc .ency, and IL Is 10
them that the surplus productions OF our fields.
our mills, and our workshops should flow, un-
der conditions that Will equaze or favor them
in comparison with foreign competition.
RECIPROCAITY TREATIES.
-Four paths OF policy seem TO point 10 this
end: First. series or re iprorcal commercial
TIRE aties with the countries OF America which
shall foster between us and them an unhamp-
cred movement OF trade. The conditions OF
tn sc treaties should be the free admission OF
such merchandise as this country does not
produce in return for adms ion free
ucts, the DEMENT'S OF such exchange to apply on
those goods carried under the flags OF the
parties TO the contract; the removal on both
sides from vessels so privileged OF all tonnage
dues and national imposts, so that their
vessels may ply unhindered between our
ports and those OF othe- con ractng par
ties, though without Infringing on the re-
served home coasting trade; the removal or
reduction or burdens ON the exported products
OF those countries coming within the benefits OF
the treaties; and the ayo dance OF the technical
restrictions and penalties by which our inter-
course with those countries Is at present ham
percd.
Secondly the establishment of the consular
service OF the United States on a saaried foot
ing permitting the REIMBURSEMENT Of consular
fees not only as respects vessel under the ma
tional flag but also respects vessels Of the
treaty nations carrying goods entitled 70 the
benefits Of the treat es
Thirdly, the enactment of measures TO favor
the construction and maintenance OF a steam
carrying marine under the nag of the United
States.
Fourthly, the establishment of n uniform cur
rency basis for the countries of America, so
that the coined products OF our mines may cir
culate on equal terms throughout the whole sys-
TEN OF commemorative. This would revive a
monetary union OF America wher by the output
OF the bullion producing countries and the cir
culation of those which yield neither
gold nor silver could be adjusted in con-
iormity with the population, wealth, and COM
mercial needs OF each. As many of the
mon stock, the surplus production
of our mines and minis might thus be utilized,
and step taken toward the general remoneti-
Zation of silver To the accomplishment OF
these ends. so far as can be at aimed by separate
treaties, the egotiaticns already concluded and
now in progress have been rected, and the
favor with which tn 3 enlarged policy has thus
far been received warrants the belief that its
operations will ere long emb ace all, or nearly
all, the countries OF this hem sphere
IL is by no means desirable, however, that the
policy under consideration should be applied
10 those countries alone The healthtul en-
largement OF our trade with Europc, Asia and
an ha hN rpf
dens on such of their wares as neither we nor
the other American States are fitted TO produce,
and thus enabling oursel es TO obtain in re-
turn better market Tor our supplies of food,
OF raw material, and OF the manufactures in
which we excel.
1t seems TO me that many of the embar-
RAISING elements in the great national conflict
between protection and free ade may Thus
be turned TO good account, that the revenue
may be reduced so as no longer to oyertax
the people, that protective duties may be
taned without becoming burdensome, that our
shipping interests may be Judiciously
weighed, the currency fixed on tirm
basis, and above all such community
of interests established among the States OF the
American system, as will be OF great and OF
eyer-increasing advantage to them all All
treaties in the line OF this policy which have
been negotiated, or are in process of negotia-
ton, contain provision deemed TO be requisite
under the clause OF the Constitution limiting 10
the House of Repre- ,entatives the authority TO
originate bills for raising revenue.
CIVIL. SERVICE.
On the 10Th of February last transmitted to
Congress the first annual report OF the Civil
Service Commission. together with commune
cations from the heads of the several executive
departments OF the Government, respecting the
practical workings of the law under which
the commission had been acting. The
good results therein foreshadowed have
been more than realized. The system
has fully answered the anticipations of its
friends in securing competent and faithful pub
lie servants, and in protecting the appointing
officers OF the Government from the pressure OF
personal importantly, aud ON the labor Of eX-
aiming the claims and pretensions of rival
candidates for public employment. The law has
had the unqualified support OF the President
and of the heads OF the several departments,
and the members or the Commission have per-
formed their duties with zeal and fidelity.
Their report will shortly be submitted, and will
be accompanied by such recommendations for
shall commend themselves to the Executive
and the Commissioners charged with its add
ministration.
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view OF the general and persistent demand
throughout the commercial community tor a
national bankrupt law hope that the differ
ences of sentiment which have hitherto pre-
vented its enactment may not outlast the pres
ent session.
THE CHOLERA.
The pestilence which Tor the past two years
has been raging in the countries of the East re-
Gently made its appearance in European ports
with which we are in constant communication.
The then Secretary of the Treasury, in pur-
suance OF proclamation of the President,
issued certain regulations restricting and,
for time, prohibiting the importation of
rags and the admission of baggage OF i'm
migrants and of travellers arriving from
infected quarters Lest this course may have
been without strict warrant of law i approve
the recommendation of the present Secretary,
that Congress take action in the premises, and
/ also recommend the immediate adoption OF
such measures as will be likely to ward off the
dreaded epidemic and to mitigate its severity
in case it shall unhappily extend TO our shores.
THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.
The annual report of the Commissioners OF
the District of Columbia reviews the operations
of the several departments of its municipal
Government. / ask your careful consideration
of its suggestions in respect to legislation espe-
cially commencing such as relate
performance of labor by persons sentenced TO
occupation of wharves along the river front. and
the erection of n suitable building for District
offices.
PENSION TO GENERAL GRANT
recommend that in recognition OF the emf
nent services of Ulysses 5. Grant, late General
of the armies of the United States. and twice
President of the nation, Congress confer on him
a suitable pension.
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS.
Certain of the measures that seem to
me necessary and expedient / have
now, in obedience to the Consti-
tuition, recommended for your adoption.
As respects others OF no less Importance 1 shall
content myself with renewing the recommend
atoms already made 10 the Congress without
restatng the grounds upon which such recon-
mendations were based. The preservation of
forests on the public domain. the granting of