Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-04
SPIRIT OF THE NEW YORK PRES.

The Sun-NO President has ever prop0S-
Cd more important measures and none has
stated his ideas in a simpler and clearer
style. The literary form OF his message is
rather scattering. however bU, It has the
merit OF being short.
The Times I'm submitting his last an-
NAL message to Congress Presiden; Arthur
does little more than make summary state
meut Of the condition OF cur foreign re-
latiOas. which are entirely peaceful and call
affection to the information and recommen-
cations contained IN the department re-
ports, which fer the most part receive his
approval and give prominence and empha
sis 10 certain matters ~ policy hy Sugges
tons Of his own. lie enters into no ela5-
crate discussion Of any single question and
discharges his task in q somewhrt perfume
tory spirit. The most prominent features
Of the message are those which relate to
coast defenceS. the rebuilding Of the navy,
and the encouragement OF foreign trade and
American shipping.
The Tribune President Arthlrs las,
message is a simple and uupretentious dts
charge Of a duty which the ina,tention o.
Democrats in Congress, even TO his mos;
meritoriouS Recommendations in previous
messages. may easily have led him 70 re-
gard as merely 4 matter Of fora With the
exception OF one case it is hardly more than
a review OF the facts presented IN the reports
from the departments. Respecting negotia-
tiouS with foreign powers believed to be in
the interest of cur commerce aud Industry,
he states his views and recommends action
upon treaties pending or to be submitted.
On other topics he submits facts and formal
recommendations with no strong and earn
est reasoning in behalf Of measures, and
no effort 70 uphold or effectively present the
principles Of the party which elected him.
The general tone OF the meSSa9eiS that OF
an official who discharges his duty with liz;
tie expectation that the majority in Con
gress will agree with him.
The Herald. President Arthurs mes
sage. which he takes occasion 10 mention,
will probably be mis- last, is an unusually
cleag and succinCt summary 0! topics Of
national interest. and its recommendations
and references entitle it to special consider
a,i,U RI the hands ct Congress Some Of
the points upon which he touches will con.
ceE,Tate the attention Of the country tor Il
good while 10 come, since the oyCrhauling
Of the sources Of National revenue, the con-
structiou ola navy. the opening OF channels
al foreign trade the reform Of the civil ser
vice the revision OF the electoral laws, the
Mormon problem, our currency difficulties,
the Mexican treaty. the internal revenue
system and all related subjects present col
lecyivelv more themes for study than the in
terest Of any one Congress is likely to o.
equal 20. As well as an ample field for all
the temptations Of Io0Oery.
The World: President Arthur gives a
sad tinge to his annual message by alludins
to il as the last message he shall deliver To
Congress. Might he not have added that
it is the last Republican President viii be
likely to submit for many years to come?
The message is not one that will excite
much interest or be regarded as Of great i'm
portance not that it is not good State
paper, busineSs-like and commercially briet,
containing some evidence Of thorough and
some sensible recommendations, but 1t is
the message of party about TO pass, a.
least for the present, out Of existence, and
which. through the fortunate check OF -
Democratic House OF Representatives, Is
prevented from using the last three months
of its power TO carry out any politica
schemes that might extend into the future
As such the general belief will be that /,
will fall upon barren ground and that as Il
change Of administration made bv the pep.
pie eight wears ago and then frustrated by
fraud IS so close at hand, it is not pcoba-
bic that any very important legts-
lation is likely to take place this sessions.
President Arthur treats Of the usual sub
iects He reviews our foreign relations,
all Of which are satisfactory; informs Con
rress of treaties in contemplation or IN
course Of preparation; alludes to home top
les Of national character; supplies sum
nary Of our financial condition: lndOrses
recommendations Of the Treasury Depart
ment for the suspension OF the slIyer
dollar coinage suggests the abolition OF all
internal revenue taxes except on distilled
spirits: depl0reS the refusal OF naval appro
priationS: summarizes the several depart
ment reports: makes the regulation denun-
citation of Mormanism; eNtois Civil Service
reform: recommends pension Tor his good
friend General Grant, and saws good-oy.
Il is a proper time TO say that President
Arthur has discharged his duties well, un,
der very irving circumstances-so we'll that
tens of thousands of Republicans now re-
card his defeat at Chicago as fatal blum.
der. His administration has been dignited
and, for a Republican administration, hon
est. Ii has been disigured by Chandler
ism. but, as compared with the administra-
ton of Hayes and Grant, it has won respect
and approval The President has certainly
disappointed those, who, before his aces
sion to the Office, knew him only as the ma
chine politician, the exalter of the saving
qualities of soap" and the boon compan.
ion of Barney Biglin, Johnny o Brien and
the rest of the boys But, despite the
better qualities he has shown he has bitter
enemies in his own party. He viii certain
" carry with him into private lite better
record and a more honorable name than
any living Republican President.