The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

President Arthur's last message, which was
read in Congress on Monday, LIST inst, is simple
and unpretentious discharge of a duty which the
inattention of Democrats in Congress, even to
his most meritorious recommendations in previous
messages, may easily have led him to regard as
mainly duty of form.
Except on one topic, says the New York Tribune,
it is hardly more than review of the facts pre-
sented in the reports from the Departments. Re-
specting negotiations with foreign Powers, be-
lieved to be in the interests Of our commerce and
industry, he states his views and recommends
action upon treaties pending or to be submitted.
The general tone of the message is that of an
official who discharges his duty with little expec-
taton that the majority in Congress will agree
with him.
On one point, however, the recommendation of
the President and the very earnest statement of
the Secretary of the Treasury ought to have
serious attention and great weight. President
Arthur quotes with strong approval the language
of Secretary McCulloch regarding the suspension
of silver coinage and issue of silver certificates
and the melancholy facts of our present CONNER
cial and industrial position ought to prepare
Congress to act upon the subject speedily: Yet
the President probably has little hope that it WILL
though he describes with admirable clearness and
force the emergency that exists.
The proposition to withdraw the one and two
dollar bills, as q of getting more silver in
to use is bold, and, as we think, a step in the
right direction. But it would have better
chance of success if it did not go so far. The one
dollar bills could probably be withdrawn without
much protest. The withdraw of two dollar bills
would force the carrying of any sum smaller than
five dollars in specie, and with the present habits
of the people, would be sure to be unpopular
The recommendation that all excise taxes be re-
pealed except those upon distilled spirits is re-
peated but it has not yet met the support of Re-
publicans generally.
Until the details of the proposed treaty with
Spain, in regard to the importation of sugar from
Cuba, are officially known, it seems premature to
discuss at length recommendation which, If the
revenue from sugar and molasses should be prac-
tically cut off, would leave the Government with
out sufficient resources to meet its needful expen-
ditures and current obligations. If the proposed
| treaty should prove to have the effect which many
believe and report it WILL the loss of revenue from
sugar would be so large that any material reduc-
ton elsewhere would be of very doubtful wisdom.
| In any case, If the people are called upon to
choose whether revenue of fifty millions shall be
contributed perforce by all, the poor as well as
by the rich, or shall be contributed by those who
voluntarily pay it whom they consume liquors
and tobacco, it is probable that the voters OF Re-
publican States, at least, would prefer to take on
part of the duty on sugar.
The President states with more clearness than
before the aims held in view in the negotiation
of commercial treaties with Mexico and Spain
But it is not possible to assent or dissent intell-
gently until the country has before it, in the
text or essential details of the Cuban treaty,
practical calculation of his meaning. In many
respects the aims avowed by him meet hearty ap-
prevail. But the vital question is whether, IN
pursuing those aIrs. the contemplated treaties
would sacrifice interests of vital Importance. IN
til the Presidents statement is translated into
I.c- aof- hard n indeed
fairly or wisely.
The President refers with just criticism to the
failure of Congress to make adequate provision
for the Consular and Diplomatic service. 1t
must be confessed that it is one of the most
humiliating results of recent Congressional action,
or inaction, that it has placed the United States
before the world Nation not only contempt
IDLY stingy, but strangely lacking in common
sense regard for its own interests. but, IN TINS
matter as in others, the President probably looks
for little improvement from this Congress or that
which is to follow.
In regard to the tariff, the Presidents remarks
will hardly please those who clamor for so-called
'reform" as the one thing Immediately needtui,
for he urges that action on that matter snould De
deferred until 'the results of recent revenue laws
and commercial treatise shall have shown in what
quarters reductions can be most judiciousiy ehec-
ted" But there are not many who Will agree
that another commission should be set to investi-
gate the subject, before the results OF recent
lation are fairly known. The Tariff Commission
of 1882 did not altogether succeed in carrying
Congress with it, and there is a strong probability
that no Commission can now be created whose
conclusions the next Democratic House will great
ly respect The President guards against mis-.
representation of his remarks by saying that
free admission should be granted by treaty only
"of such merchandise as this country does not
produce" and he would apparently recognize the
same principle as applicable to changes of duty.
On the whole, the message is good one. Its
minor suggestions are generally just and sensible.
But it was the Presidents misfortune that his
last message was prepared under circumstances
which leave little room to hope that its best rec
concentrations will be followed by Congress.