Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-12-11
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents message submitted to
Congress last week was rather long for
printing in this paper, but not too long
to convey in q well considered and dig
nified way the many important sugges-
tons which it contained. Following
the opening clause which we quoted
last week, in which he congratulates the
country upon the peaceful termination
of the controversy rs to who should
| be our next president, Mr.. Ar
| thur reviews our relations with other
powers, and recognizes the work of the
International Association on the Congo.
He makes some wise suggestions for
the rivision of our naturalization laws,
and then takes up the subject of our
finances. He comedies with Secretary
McCulloch in his recommendation that
the coinage of silver dollars be suspend
ed and silver certificates be issued in
stead. Each of the departments re-
ceives its share of attention. OF the
Navy he says:
In this, the last of the state messages
that | shall have the honor to transmit
to the congress of the United States, |
cannot too strongly urge on its atten-
ton the duty of restoring our navy as
rapidly as possible to the high state of
efficiency which formerly characterized
it, as the long peace that has lulled us
into sense of fancied security may at
any time be disturbed 1t is plain that
the policy of strengthening this arm of
the service is dictated by considerations
of use, economy of just regard for our
future tranquility and of true appreci-
alton of the dignity and honor of this
republic.
On Mormonism his comments are
brief but pointed. He says:
still believe that if that abominable
practice can be suppressed by law,it can
only be by the most radical legislation,
consistent with restraints of the consti-
tuition.
again recommend, therefore, that
congress assume absolute political con-
troll of the territory of Utah, and pro-
vide for the appointment of q commiss-
ion with such governmental powers as
in its judgment may justly and wisely
be put into their hands.
The longest and perhaps the best par
agraph of the message was that relating
to the 'extention of our Foreign Trade
After laying down the principles I'M
DERIVING our national efforts in this di-
rection. he makes four practical sugges-
tions, viz: "A series of reciprocal treat
les with countries of America The es-
| tablishment OF the consular service on
| salaried footing;" 1.-The construction
and maintenance of a steam carrying
marine" and 1.-The establishment of a
uniform currency basis for the countries
of America. He speaks well of the Civil
| Service, recommends the enactment of q
National Bankrupt Law, and refers to
the European pestilence.as follows:
| The pestilence, which for the past two
years has been raging in the countries
of the east, recently made its appear
ance in European ports, with which we
are in constant communication. The
then secretary of the treasury, in pur-
| suance of a proclamation of the presi-
| dent, issued CERTAIN regulations restrict
ing and for time prohibiting the i'm
portation of rags and the admission of
/ baggage of immigrants and of travellers
arriving from infected quarters. Lest
this course may have been without strict
warrant of law, | approve recommen-
dation of the present secretary that con-
| gress 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 I'M
happily extend to our shores.
He recommends the granting of a
suitable pension to Gen. U. S. Grant for
his services, and after making brief sug-
| gestions of measures which may justly
receive the attention of congress, be
closes in these words.
As the time draws near when am
to retire from public service | cannot
| refrain from expressing to the members
of the national legislature. with whom |
have been brought into personal and Off
cial intercourse, my sincere appreciation
of their unfailing courtesy and of their
harmonious cooperation with the Ex-
| ecutive in so many measures calculated
to promote the best interests of the ma
ton, and to my fellow citizens generally
l acknowledge deep sense of oblga-
ton for the support which they have
accorded me in my administration of the
executive department of the government
(Signed)
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
] WASHINGTON, December l, 1884.