The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-12-05
President Arthur's Last Message.

President Arthur's last annual message to
ington, on Monday. 1t is "a long document,
but its tone is business.like, calm and nom
partisan. There is in it no attempt at spread
eagle rhetoric, and il contains no expressions
to show that the President thinks the coun-
try is going to the dogs because Blaine was
defeated.
He renews his recommendation for the
abolition of all internal revenue taxes except
those on spirits, and of the suspension of the
useless coinage of silver.
AS an incentive to the investment of
American capital in American steamships
President Arthur recommends the payment
ofsubsidies to American steamship lines. On
this point his recommendation will meet with
opposition, the Democratic party being OPP
posed to the fostering of monopolies by
government aid.
To secure to the United States an extension
of foreign trade, or more properly speaking,
to define what in his opinion should be the
policy of the Government regarding the ex-
tension of its foreign trade, the President
points out -four paths of policy" as follows
First, series of reciprocal commercial
treaties with the countries of America which
shall foster between US and them an unham
pered movement of trade. The condition OF
these treaties should he the free admission OF
such merchandise as this country does not
produce in return for the admission free, or
under favored scheme of duties, of our own
products, the benefits of such exchange to ap-
ply only to goods carried under the flag of the
parties to the contract; the removal on both
sides from the vessels so privileged of all ton
mage dues and national imposts, so that those
vessels may ply unhindered between our
ports and those of the other contracting par
ties, though without infringing on the re-
serve home coasting trade; the removal or
reduction of burdens on the exported pro.
ducts OF those countries coming within the
benefits of the treaties, and the avoidance OF
the technical restrictions and penalties by
which our intercourse with those countries
is at present hampered.
Secondly, the establishment of the consul
lar service of the United States on salaried
footing, thus permitting the REIMBURSEMENT
OF consular fees not only as respects vessels
under the national flag but also as respects
vessels OF the treaty nations carrying goods
entitled to the benefits of the treaties
Thirdly, the enactment of measures to
to favor the construction and maintenance OF
steam carrying marine under the flag of the
United States
"Fourthly, the establishment of an uniform
currency basis for the countries of America
80 that the coined products ofour mines may
circulate on equal terms Throughout the whole
system of commonwealth. This would re
quire monetary union ofAmerica, whereby
the output of the bullion. producing countries
and the circulation of those which yield
neither gold nor silver could be adjusted in
conformity with the population, wealth and
commercial needs of each. As many of the
countries furnish no bullion to the common
stock, the surplus production of our mines
and minis might then be utilized and step
taken towards the general reconciliation OF
silver"
On the point recommending free trade in
certain articles, President Arthur DIVORCES
widely from the policy of his party and gets
upon Democratic ground. The prohibitory
tariff kept up by the Republicans and few
Democrats has entirely destroyed the pros.
porous foreign trade we once had and now
we have no market for our surplus manufac.
lures, while our breadstuffs must be sold in
competition with the whole world.
Taken altogether President Arthur's mes
sage isin keeping with his administration
While not brilliant it has been dignified and
fall anu nunesJ as Republican admin
istration could be.