The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-12-09
LAMBERTvILLE, N. j.
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1885.
PRESIDENT CLEvELAND,S FIRST
MESSAGE,

D MESSAGE sssND9 f'"0i
President Cleveland first message wa
delivered to Congress yesterday Tues
day.. Although the press despatche
said that it would not be in Length owe
four ordinary newspaper columns, yet
makes more than fifteen. He begins b,
feelngly referring to the public bereave
ment caused by the death of the late Vic
President Hendricks, and TO his virtuou
and honorable record, and then plungel
into the Constitutional requirements o.
his Office, in which he says:
CONCENTRATIONS OF the grave aud re.
sponsibe functions assigned to the re.
spective branches of the Government I'M
der the Constitution will disclose the par
titions of power between our respective
Departments and their necessary indepen-
dence, and also for tho need for the exer-
else of all the power entrusted to each, in
that spirit of comfy and cooperation
which Is essential to the proper fulfill
ment OF the patriotic obligations which
rest upon us as faithful servants of the
people.
He is gratied to announce that the TO.
lations Of the United States with all for
eign powers continue TO be friendly. He
discusses the Isthmus canal question. Ho
withholds from the Senate the treaty for
aship canal through Nicaragua and speaks
encouragingly of tho Tehuantepec route.
lie deprecates the attacks on the Chinese
in the Western States, and declares If OK.
listing laws are inadequate to prevent the
influx of elements hostile to our indus
tries as Chinese labor, no is prepared to
give earnest consideration to any further
remedial measures within treaty limits
which the wisdom of Congress may de-
wise.
The Interpretation of our existing trea.
ties of naturalization with Germany dnriug
the past year has attracted attention by
reason of an apparent tendency on the
part of the Imperial Government to ex-
tend the scope of the residential restric-
tions to which returning naturalized cti-
zens of German origin are asserted to be
liable under the laws of the empire. The
temperate and just attitude taken by this
Government with regard to this class of
questions will doubtless lead TO salts
factory understanding.
The relations with foreign powers on
various matters before the Government
are referred to and recommendations
made.
The fact that our revenues are in ex-
cess of the actual needs of an economical
administration of the Government, jus,i-
fies reduction in the amount exacted
from the people for its support. We
should also deal with the subject in such
manner as to protect the interests of
American labor which is the capital of
our workingmen; its stability and proper
remuneration furnish the most justifiable
pretext for protective policy.
Within these limitations a certain re-
duction should be made in our customs
revenue. The amount of such reduction
having been determined, the inquiry fol-
lows. Where can 1t best be RENTED and
what articles can best be released from
duty in the interest of our citizens?
think the reduction should be made
in the revenue derived from tax upon
the imported necessaries Of life We thus
directly lessen the cost of living in every
family in the land, and release to the peo-
Pile in every humble home larger mea-
sure of the rewards of frugal industry.
After discussing the currency question
at length, he rather sarcastically says
that we have now on hand all the silver
dollars necessary to supply tho present
who, from sentiment, wish to see them il
circulation; and II their coinage 10 sus
pended they can be readily obtained b!
all who desire them. If the need of NOR
is at any time apparent, their coinage ma,
be renewed. lie recommends the sns
pension Of the compulsory coinage of sill
yer dollars of tho act of February, 1878
On bridges and nayigable waters th,
President says:
There should be general law of Con
gress, prohibiting the construction c
bridges over navigable waters in sucl
manner as to obstruct navigation, will
provisions for preventing the same. l
seems that under existing statutes th
government cannot intervene to proven
such construction when entered upol
without its consent, though when sucl
consent is asked and granted upon condi
ton, the authority to insist upon suc
conditions is clear. Thus 1t is represent
ed that while the officers Of the govern
ment are with great care guarding agains
the obstruction OF navigation by "a bridg
across the Mississippi river at st. Paul,
large pier for bridge across the river ha
been built just below this place directl,
in the navigablc channel of the river.
such things are to be permitted stronl
argument is presented against the APP
preparation OF large Suns to improve tn
navigation of this and other importan
highways OF commerce.
He earnestly refers to the need of coas
defences and navy equal to cope will
those of foreign powers, reviews the Pos
Office Department, upholds the civil ser
vice and recommends the passage of las
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case of death. On the whole the messag,
is very good one and will create goo,
impression upon the country.