The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-16

UOin uulltS' lHe uueStlOu VI lIet-bid'ic 10
not involved nor is there now any occasion
for general discussion of the wisdom or
expediency of the protective system. JUS
tice and fairness dictate that in any modifi-
cation of our present laws relating to the
revenue, industries and interests which
have been encouraged by such laws, and in
which our citizens have large investments,
should not be ruthlessly injured or de-
stroyed. 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
justifable pretext for the protective policy.
Within these limitations certain reductions
should be made in our customs revenue.
The amount of such reduction having been
determined, the inquiry follows, where can
it best be remitted, and what articles can
best be released from duty in the interest of
our citizens l think the reduction should
be made in the revenue derived from a tax
upon imported necessares of life"
The message argues the silver ques-
ton at length and forcibly. The Presi-
dent, in recommending the suspension
of the silver coinage act, says:
"The authority to coin money given to con-
gress by the Constitution, if it permits the
purchase by the government of bullion for
coinage, in any event does not Justify such
purchase and coinage to an extent beyond
the amount needed for sufficient circulat-
ing medium. A desire to utilize the silver
product of the country should not lead to
misuse or perversion of this power.
Every month two millions of gold in the
public treasury are paid out for two millions
or more of silver dollars TO be added to the
idle mass already accumulated. If con-
tinued long enough, this operation will re-
suit in the substitution of silver for all the
gold the government owns applicable to its
general purposes.
when the time comes that gold has been
withdrawn from circulation, then will be
apparent the difference between the real
value of the silver dollar and dollar in
gold The two coins will part company;
gold still the standard of value and neces-
sary in our dealings with other countries,
will be at a premium over silver; the banks
which have substituted gold for deposits of
their customers may pay them with silver
bought with such gold, thus making hand
some profit; rich spectators will sell their
boarded gold to their neighbors, who need
it to liquidate their foreign debts, at a ruin
GUS premium on silver, and the laboring
men and women of the land, most defence
less of all, will find that the dollar received
for the wages of toll has sadly shrunk in it's
purchasing power. The boarding of gold
which has already taken place indicates
that we shall not escape the usual expert
ence in such cases."
Much attention is given to the Indian
question, and the appointment of new
Indian commission of six persons is
recommended. The President agrees
with General Sheridan and others in
recommending that the Indian reserva-
tions be reduced to proper size, and
part of each remaining reservation be
divided into suitable tracts for farms
and allotted in severalty to the Indians,
but not compelling the Indians at once
to abandon tribal relations. 1t should,
he thinks, be a gradual work. He is
not in favor of dividing all the lands in
severalty, nor of gathering all the In
dians in one territory. He thinks that
liberal provision should be made for
educating them in practical way on
their reservations. What remains of
the public domain he suggests should be
reserved for actual settlers, and the
laws permitting large tracts to be taken
by individuals and corporations should
be repealed.
On the Mormon question the message
is very pronounced. The enforcement
of present, and enactment of new, laws
to suppress polygamy in Utah and the
prohibition of Mormon immigration are
urged. Speaking of polygamy, he says:
"There is no feature of this practice,
or system which sanctions it, which is
not opposed to all that is of value in
our institutions"
Touching the war department, reform
in court-martials is called for. The i'm
portance of rebuilding the navy is urged.
The action of the secretary of the navy
in the Dolphin case and that of the
cruisers is approved. On the subject
of pensions, the President says:
"While there is not an expenditure of the
public funds which the people more cheer
fully approve than that made in recognition
of our soldiers, living and dead, the senti-
ment underlying the subject should not be
vitiated by the introduction of any fraudu.
lent practices. Therefore it is fully as i'm
portant that the rolls should be cleansed of
all those who by fraud have secured place
thereon, as that meritorious claims should
be speedily examined and adjusted"
The action of the postmaster-general
concerning transportation of foreign
mails, and his recommendation of a
reduction of postal-order fees, are APP
proved. Favorable attention is called
to the attorney-general's plan for re-
lieving the overburdened United States
courts, and the payment of marshals
and district-attorneys by salaries in
| stead Of fees is a1viSad Honastv ond