St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-12-13
rnRE1GN rRAnr AGArN.

In the course OF this communication REFER
ence has more than once been made to the
policy of this Government as regards the ex-
tention of our foreign trade. 1tseemS proper
to declare the general principles that SHOULD,
in my opinion, underlie our National efforts
in this direction. The main condition of the
problem may be thus stated: We are peo-
pie in mechanical pursuits and fertile in in
vention; we cover a vast extent of territory
rich in agricultural products and in nearly all
the raw materials necessary for successful
manufacture We have a system of pro-
tective establishments more than sufi-
cient to supply our own demands.
The wages of labor are nowhere else
so great. The scale of living of our ARTISAN
classes is such as tends to secure their per-
sonal comfort, and the developments of
those higher moral and intellectual qualities
that go to the making of good citizens. Our
system of tax and tariff legislation is yielding
a revenue which is in excess of the present
needs ofthe Government. These are elements
from which 1t is sought to devise q scheme by
which, without unfayorably changing the
condition of the working men, our merchant
marine shall be raised from its en-
feebled condition, and new markets
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 or reform The countries of the
American continent and the adjacent islands
are, for the United States, the natural mar
ket of supply and demand. 1t is from them
that we should obtain what we do not pro-
duce, or do not produce in sutticiency, and it
is to them that the surplus productions of
our fields, our mills and our workshops
should flow under conditions that will equal
ize or favor them in comparison with for
Sign competition.
Four paths of policy seem to point to this
end. First, a series OF reciprocal commercial
treaties with the countries Of America, which
shall foster between us and them an un-
hampered movement of trade. The condi-
tons of these treaties should be the free adj
mission of such merchandise as the country
does not produce, in return for admission
free or under favored scheme of duties of
our own products, the benefits of such ex
change to apply on these goods carried under
the flag 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 the other contracting par
ties, though without infringing on the re-
served home coasting trade; the removal or
reduction of burdens on the exported pro-
ducts of those countries coming within the
benefits of the treaties {and the avoidante of
the technical, restrictions and penalties by
which our intercourse with these countries is
at present hampered Secondly, the estab-
lishment of the consular service of the
United States on salaried footing 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
enactment of measures to favor the
construction and maintenance of steam
carrying marine under the flag OF the United
States. FourthIy, the establishment of an
uniform currency basis for the countries Of
America, so that the coined products of our
mines may circulate on equal terms through
out the whole system of commonwealths.
This would require a monetary union of
America, whereby the output OF the bullion
producing countries and the circulation of
those which produce neither gold nor silver
could be adjusted in conformity with the
population, wealth and commercial needs OF
each. AS many of the countries furnish no
bullion to the common sto k, the
surplus production of our own mines
and minis might thus +h be utilized,
monetzation of silver.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM,
On the 29th of February last, 1 trans.
mitted to Congress the first annual re-
port Of the Civil Service Commission, to-
gether with COMMUNICATIONS from the
heads of the several Executive Depart
ments of the Government respecting
the practical workings of the law under
The good results therein foreshadowed
have been more than realized. The sys.
tenn has fully answered the expectations OF
faithful public servants and IN pro-
tecting the appointing officers Of the
so 9nIl l inportunity and from the labor Of
examining the claims and pretensions or
rival candidates for public employment. The
law has had the unqualified support OF the
President and of the heads of the several de-
partments and the members OF the Commits
sion have performed their duties with zeal
and fidelity. Their report will shortly be
submitted. and will be accompanied by such
Recommendations for enlarging the scope of
the existing statute as shall commend them"
selves to the Executive and the Commission
ers charged with it's administration.
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
In view of the general and persistent dee
nand throughout the commercial COM
1nunity for National bankrupt law, nope
that the differences of sentiment which have
hitherto prevented it's enactment may not
outlast the present session.
CHOLERA PRECAUTIONS.
The pestilence which, for the past two years.
has been raging the countries OF the Cast.
recently made its appearance in European
ports with which we are IN conHtanS
Communication. The then Secretary OF
the Treasury IN pursuance s Oh eGr PaG1
regulations restricting and for q tune pro-
hibiting the importation of rags and the ad-
mission OF the baggage OF lnllgraner anu
Of travellers arriving from infected quarters.
Lest this course may have been WjthouC
strict warrant of law, / approve the recon-
mendation of the present Secretary that
Congress take action in the premises, ana
also recommend the immediate adopnop OF
snch measures as will be likely to ward OH
the dreaded epidemic and to mitigate It's Sc
yerityin case It shall unhappily extend to
our shores.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The annual report OF the Commissioner OK
the District of Columbia reviews the opera
tions of the several departments OF it's
municipal government. l ask your careful
consideration of its suggestions in respect to
LEGISLATION, especially commencing SUCH as
re7ate to a revision of the civil and criminal
code, the performance Of labor by persons 3Ps
eeonstructfon and occupation of wharves
along the river 'front.' and the erection of O
suitable building for district offices.
A PENSION FOR GRANT.
I recommend that in recognition of the
a,1,inent services of Ulysses s. Grant, late
GeneraI of the armies of the United States,
and twice President of this Nation, that Con-
gress confer upon him a suitable pension. I
| ssn9 certain of the measures that seem to me
necessary and expedient I have now in
obedience to the Constitution recommended