Huntsville gazette., 1884-12-06
Observation-Disclosures.
The Last General Communication
Of President Arthur to
Congress.
A Review of Our Domestic and Foreign
Relations and of Our More
Pressing Needs.
The President Expresses His Sense
of Obligation to.All Parties
For Their Support.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. December /.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. December 1.
Both houses of Congress assembled
at noon to-day, and after the prelimi-
nary business the President was waited
upon and informed that Congress was
ready to receive any communication he
might desire to make. Shortly after
ward the Presidents private secretary
appeared bearing the message, which
was read, of which the following is a
synopsis:
At the outset the President refers brief
Iy to the recent exciting political con-
test, which resulted in President Cleyelands
election. He remarks that it is subject OF
general congratulation that after the con-
troyersy. despite the cloSenesS of the vote,
the public peace suffered no disturbance,
but people awaited the result patiently and
quietly. Nothing could more strlkngiy IL
luStrate the temper of the American c1tlzen,
and his loyalty to law, nor more slgnally
demonstrate the strength and freedom OF
our political Institutions.
Our relations with all foreign powers
continue amicable. The Congo question Is
commented on as one of great International
importance. The rich prospective trade OF
the Congo Valley leads to the conV1ctlon that
it should be open to all nations. on equal
terms. -.
The necessary legislation to make effective
mended as one of the first measures to claim
attention from Congress. ,
The Nicaraguan treaty, recently conclud-
ed which authorizes the construction of a
canal and railway by the San Juan and Lake
Nicaragua route, the believes, will
command universal approval at nome ana
abroad To the United States, the CONNER
cial and political advantages OF the treaty
can not be over estimated.
The approval of the new Spanish CONNER.
cial treaty, which is soon TO De trahsInltteu
to the Senate, is urged.
The question of International copyright is
brought to the attention of Congress. The
President recommends the early enlargei
ment Of the scope of the neutrality laws to
cover acts of hostility committed Wlth1n our
territory and aimed at the peace OF friendly
nations. He sees no reason why overt prep prep
arations in this country for the commission
! of such criminal acts should not be alike pun
| ishabie whether intended to be committed IN
! our own or a.foreign country WITH Wnsen we
| are at peace.
The Reorganization of the diplomatic and
| consular service is recommended.
On the subject of finance the PreS1dont
| concurs with the Secretary of the Treas
urv IN recommending the immediate sus-
pension of the coinage of silver dollars,
and the issuance OF SILVER I've cerolGa.es, IN.
fact that of the SlS5G00,00O coined during the
| mast six wears, but little more than $40,0O0,-
| 900 are in actual circulation, seems 70 Iur-
nish cogent argument for the repeal OF the
statute. -
He renews his recommendations of 1882 IA
voring the abolition Of all excise taxes except
those relating to distilled spirits. II these
taxes are abolished the revenue remaining
to the Government will not only Suff1ce TO
meet all reasonable expenditures, but VIII
afford a surplus large enough TO permit sucn
tariff reduction as may seem advisable Wnen
the results of recent revenue laws and com
mercial treaties shall have shown IN what
quarters these reductions can be most judi
ciOusly effected.
The President SAYS although he is fully
sensible to the objections to be made to the
appointment of a Commission to ascertain
the most effective means for increasing our
foreign trade, still he believes this to be the
most speedy and efficient method. he in
dorses the recommendation OF the secretary
Of the Treasury, favoring liberal subsidies to
mail Steamship lines as an incentive to the
! investment of Americal capital in American
steamships, and declares that unless that
course be pursued the foreign carrying trade
will remain as tits to day almost exclusively
in the hands of foreigners.
On the subject of basis for National bank
circulation he says: Three per cent. bonds OF
the Government to an amount of more than
a hundred million have since my last annual
message been redeemed by treasury bonds;
the issue still outstanding amounts to q lit.
tie over two hundred millions, about one
fourth of which will be retired through the
operations of the sinking fund during the
coming years. AS these bonds still continue
the chief basis for the circulation OF Ma
COAST DEFENsEs.
Concerning the seaboard defenses for our
cities, recommended by the secretary OF
War, he says: "The time has now come ONE
confidence that they will not prove apor-
tive. When the possible result of delay IN
making such preparation is seriously con-
sidered.. the delay seems inexcusaDie. FOR
the most important cities, those whose ue-
struction or capture would be NationaLhu.
initiation, adequate defenses, inclusive Oi
guns, may be made by the gradual expenul-
ture Of 100000 900, a sum much less than
victorious enemy could levy as contrlDu-
ton. The appropriation OF aDout one-tensn
of that amount is asked to begin the WoTk,
and I concur with the Secretary OF w ar IN
urging that it be granted.
He renews the recommendation .contained
in his specaI message to the last Congress,
favoring the establishment of two Govern
ment factories-one for the army ana one
for the navy-for the manniacture OF heaVy
steel cannon, and urges Congress TO act, 80
as to enable the Government to construct its
own ordnance on its own territory, and pro
vide the ornaments demanded by CONSIDER
ations of National safety and honor.
Concerning the reconstruction OF tne Navy
he saws: '.In this, the last OF the stateu
messages shall have the honor 70 fransml1
to Congress- can not 700 strongtg urso tba he
NAVY as rapidly as possible to the high state
of efficiency which formerly characterized u:
A long peace has lulled US INTO sense a OF
fancied security, which may at any time pc
disturbed. 1t is z ain that the poilcy OF
strengthening this arm of the service Is dlc,
tated by considerations OF wise economy anu
a lust regard for our future tranquility ana
true appreciation of the dignity and honor OF
the Republic.
"The report of the Postmaster -deneIal, ne
saws, "discloses the gratifying fact that the
loss of postal revenues during the last year
from the reduction of postage to two cents
has been less than was expected-oniy -
10000" This he considers trustworthy IN
dication that the revenue will be restored TO
its former volume by the natural increase OF
sealed correspondence. he approves the
recommendation that the unit weight OF nrst
class mail matter should be one ounce m
stead of half an ounce, as it now is
He recommends the reduction OF postage
ON drop letters to one cent, and tne eAteu-
sion of the free delivery system
He concurs with the secretary OF tne In
terror in advising the repeal OF the pre- emp
ton laws, and the enactment of statutes re-
solving the present legal complications
touching lapsed grants to railroad com
panies, and the funding Of the debt OF the
several Pacific Railroads under such guar
anty as shall effectually secure its ultimate
payment. s
He believes If polygarny can be suppressed
in Utah by law il can only be by the most
radical leoisIation consistent with the re-.