Daily Republican., 1884-12-02
Las. Message Of President arthur.


President Arthur's last annual mes
sage to Congress is a sensible, bushes,
paper, and proceeds in straight-for
ward business-like manner to discus:
the various topics bearing more direct
ly upon the business and financial af
fairs of the Government. He cougratu
hates the country for the good order
and peace that were preserves during M
exciting Presidential election, and
praises the temper and loyalty of the
people while patiently and quietly
awaiting the announcement Of the re-
suit.
He thinks though that 1t would be
wise in Congi ess % pass bill to regu-
late more definitely the counting OF
electoral vote. In this the President but
reflects the sentiments of the best ele-
ments Of the people. The present
mode of counting the electoral vote,
hangs as a perpetual menace over the
country in every closely contested
Presidential election. An important
treaty is that made during the recess OF
Congress- with the authorities of Mica
ragua, by which the construction OF q
canal, railway and telegraph line
across the Nicaragua territory. This
will secure passage across the 18TH
mus that connects North and South
America independent of English or
French complications.
1t will make short cut to the Pa
cifc, avoiding the turning Of Cape
Horn, and 1t will bring the trade Of
South American Pacific States close to
the Gulf States OF our own country.
The President is now as ever opposed to
the unlimited coinage of silver dollars
and of the issue of silver certificates,
and wisely recommends the redemp-
ton Of the trade dollar at a slight ad.
vance over its bullion value. Though
the Presidents suggestion TO call in the
trade dollars, the proposition to redeem
them at slight advance over their
bullion value will hardly be received
with hearty acceptance. The popular
opinion prevails that whatever the gov
eminent stamps as a dollar should be
redeemed as q dollar. That govern
ment that would become broker, and
shave the face Of its own paper could
hardly be called honest.
The President again, as at a former
session, recommends the. abolition of all
excise taxes except on distilled spirits.
This action he thinks will suffi cieptly
reduce the revenue that is creating a
large surplus in the Treasury, and
which is Objectionable. until such time
as it can be better ascertained where
tariff reduction can be made without
injury to the industrial interests of the
ma ion.
The President heartily agrees with
his Secretary OF the Treasury that as
an incentive to place capital in Ameri-
can steamships the Government should
literally pay such steamships for mail
He is emphatic In his
belief that unless this is done our
foreign carrying trade will remain as 1t
Is in the hands of foreigners. AS q
check upon the disgusting and I'm
christian practice OF polygamy the
President recommends that Congress
lake entire control of rhe Territory Of
Utah. The message throughout is con-
sentative in tone, avoiding all extremes,
and as public document must com
nand the respect and admiration OF
he American people without regard to
party affiliations. Mr.. Arthur has
made a conservative, safe President,
and his last message, as the head of the
will add to the esteem
in which he is justly held by the people.