The Brookhaven leader., 1884-12-11

,
ceiyed and read in both houses last
Monday. 1t is about the usual
length and on the whole common
place and uninteresting. 1t would
neither pay us TO print it or our
readers to peruse it 1t is a plain
statement Of facts and wholly I'M
Objectionable in sentiment and ex-
preston, patriotic and business like.
A large portion of the message is
devoted to our foreign relations
which is mere routine and general
from the fact that the Omitted States
Is at peace with all the world and the
rest OF mankind" as General Taylor
said in his maiden effort at message
making many years ago. The Pres
ldent refers to the Corean donation
of land for the United States-C onsu
late, the recognition of the flag OF
the Congo Association in Africa,
etc. He favors the Hawaiin treaty,
Mexican and Spanish reciprocity
by which the products of those ma
tions are to be admitted into this
country tree of duty. lie also urges
Congress to make certain changes in
our naturalization laws and the sala-
ries paid our diplomatic representa-
tives abroad. His discussion Of our
relations with Spanish America is
the most important subject discussed
and embraces recommendations of
vital Importance to the entire Mis-
sissippl Valley. 1t is the solution
of the tariff.question, for the in Span
ish American countries we can dis
pose of our vast surplus products
without coming in competition with
American labor and manufacturing
industries, and that too with profits
both ways in every transaction. 1t
is to be seen what Congress will do
with these suggestions.
In reference to our finances, the
President finds that, with revenue
of 34S,519, 1863, our last fiscal years
expenditures aggregated 1920, 9l6,-
4S3, leaving a surplus revenue of
$37, 603,376, while the surplus for
the next year is estimated at $780,
100000.
The President cordially concurs
with Secretary McCulloch's recon-
mendation to stop the further coin
age of silver dollars, since less than
twenty-five per cent of the $27, 000,-
900 coined annually finds it's way
into the ordinary channels of bust
ness. He argues that If this practice
is continued the debased silver coin
will finally drive gold entirely out of
circulation. He thinks, however,
that the $145,OO0,000 of silver dol
lars now in the vaults of the treas
ury can be made part of the cur
rency Of the country by adopting
the recommendation of the Treasury
by withdrawing the 81 and 50
greenback bills from circulation.
The President apprehends ma
teral shrinkage in the volume of the
currency by gradual retirement of
the three per cent bonds on which
is based the currency of the Ma
tional hanks. He argues that the
present circulation can be sustained
by an act Of Congress allowing the
National banks to issue currency in
amount equal to par value of their
bonds which would increase the
bank circulation ten per cent, pres
ent business necessity. He thinks
John Sherman's trade dollar should
be bought up and turned into the
mint at slight advance on their
weight as bullion.
In reference to our army and ma
val affairs he recommends an appro-
priation of $60,0O0,O0O for harbor
defenses; the establishment of gov
eminent factories for the making OF
steel ordinance; the building of more
men war, and tue restoration Of
the navy to its former high state of
efficiency.
In reference to the Postoflice De-
partment he recommends the reduc-
ton of postage ON drop letters to one
cent and that the standard weight
of letter be increased from a half
ounce to one ounce. This is sensible
and should be adopted at once.
In order to increase our foreign
trade he recommends large subsidies
in the way of increased mail service
to lines OF American steam vessels.
He recommends the passage Of
bankrupt law, pension to General
Grant, the preservation of American
forests, the granting government aid
for public education and the enact
ment of laws with regard to filling
vacancies in the Presidential office.
The message goes for the "Heathen
Chinee" and would have laws pass
ed absolutely suppressing polygamy
among the Mormons by placing the
Territory under the control of COM
mission. A grave question and
probably inpracticable. Led
ger.
ID