Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-11
Thn Pre.Ihrn,,, Mr..nrn.

Tue message OF the Brt Sldent Il remarka-
BILE for its extreme length, yet in spite of
this, or perhaps because OF it, it is extremely
readable. Time IL taken for argument and
explanation, and the document has the merit
OF expressing the Presidents views in an IN.
mistakRble way. Senator Hoar was not wide
Of the mark when be said that the message
was mainly taken up with recommendations
Of Republican measures. We will be sur
prised il the opposition to many OF the Pres
idenrs suggestions does not come from his
own party.
The treatment Of the Chinese question 10
admirable. The existing laws must be en-
forced, but there is to be no compromise
with the hoodlum element Of the Pacific
states or with their allies in the east. The
Chinese who are here must be protected.
His comment on the anti Chinese riots is sig
nihcaut 1T is but just to say that they are
traceable to the lsvlessness OF men not citi-
zens Of the United States, engaged in com.
petition with Chinese labor. Race prejudice
is the chief factor in originating these dis.
turbances."
In the same direction are the remarks on
naturalization The privilege and franchise
Of American citizenship should be granted
with care aud extended to those only who in
tend in good faith to assume it's duties and
responsibilities when attaining it's privileges
and benefits II should be withheld from those
who merely go through the forms Of natural.
ization with the intent OF escaping the du-
ties OF their original allegiance without tax
ing on themselves those OF their new states,
or who may acquire the right of American
citizenship for no other than 6 hostile pur.
pose toward their original governments"
Those patriots who cherish the opinion that
the chief end OF the American republic 10 10
afford facilities for blowing up the tower Of
London must feel that their hope OF vigor
Gus foreign policy was an Illusion.
The suggestions in regard to silver coinage
deserve fuller notice than can be given here.
MIR. Cleveland INDUCES in no official ambig-
uity. He is an outspoken opponent Of the
present law by which silver il being coined
at the rate Of over 81, OOO, 900 every month.
He advocates the suspension of the coinage
before gold is driven out of circulation, as
be predicts that it inevitably will be IL the
present system is continued.
The Indian question is treated in a way
which shows q genuine desire for justice.
The sugg' stion is made that q commission
be appointed for q more careful investiRa-
tion of the agencies and reservations.
The paragraphs in regard TO the Mormons
would have been better il they had been
condensed into one or two sentences Mr..
! Cleveland INDUCES in q homiy on the Chris
tian home, and all he says is very true, but
we would not blame . Mormon elder for
smiling as he reads it.
Civil service reform is treated clearly ana
conoisely. The President reafiirms his be-
lief in the present law and his intention to
support it. At the same time he declares
that it must not be made to shield the incom.
| petent who may happen to be in office. THE
civil service law does not prevent the dis
charge of the indolent or incompetent clerk,
but it does prevent supplying his place with
the unht party worker"
When we remember the difficulty in occur.
ing suitable successors to the retiring COM
missioners We can appreciate the wisdom of
the suggestion that the salaries OF these Off
GERS be increased to a sum commensurate to
their important functions.
The message was listened to with great at.
tention by the members Of Congress, and
the comments we're for the most part fAvora-
BILE.
1t will be noticed that the message, while
dealing largely with questions affecting the
western states, is silent in regard to the
south. Not only is the negro question ig.
nored, but no reference is made to the south.
ern states as a distinct section in need of
special legislation.