Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-07
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents message, which we pub
lish in fun this morning, can hardly fail
to be read with interest by all classes. IT
is an able and comprehensive State paper,
touching upon all important public CUES
lions, making recommendations where
they are pertinent, and giving brief but
ineligible statement of the main points
Of the workings OF each of the depart
ments.
Our foreign relations are in rather
pleasant condition at present, and hence
there is not much to say of them, except
to review the action that has been taken
WltE respect to different treaties. 1t is
expected that the fishery dispute with
England will be amicably adjusted by the
end or the present Congress, and, the
President hopes, satisfactorily to our
fishermen. The President is rather
anxious that the reciprocity treaty with
Mexico shall be ratified at an early day,
because be deems it important, from a
commercial standpoint, that our relations
with Mexico s. all be much closer than
they are. In fact the President is de-
sirOus that our relations with ell the re-
publics to the south of us shall be as
friendly as possible, and to that end he
would like better mail communication
with them.
The President has word to say about
the outrageous way citizens of China, in
various places in the " est and South
west, have been treated, and thinks that
Cnnnrnla oh In n
them the protection to which they are
entitled. 1t is to be regretted that those
who are known to be guilty OF outrages
upon defenseless Chinese have not been
brought to justice before this.
The President does not take step
backward on the tariff question. If posi-
BILE he is more emphatic in recommending
a reduction of tariff duties than he Was
a year ago. He argues very strongly
for such reduction as will
bring the revenues within the needs
OF the government economically
administered. The net revenues were
over $4,000 greater last year than the
previous year, and it may be reasonably
expected that they will be greater this
year than they were last. The surplus
was over 1913, 00O,0 900 last year. and it is
estimated that it will exceed 800, 100000
this. All the bonds that can be paid for a
number of years will be Cancelled within
a year, and then the question will arise,
what shall be done with the surplus !?
The President is emphatic that the money
that is not needed shall not be taken
from the people, and he is right about 1t.
He recommends that the duties be re-
duced on the necessaries of life, so that
the poor may live better than they do on
their earnings. He doesn't want such
radical reductions as will unsettle the
basis upon which any important industry
rests, but he believes that the reductions
which are necessary can be made without
injuring any business or industry. He
calls attention to the fact that although
the country is enjoying the most profound
peace it has war tariff.
There were reports few DAYS ago that
the President In his message would back
down on the silver question, but he
doesn't. He is as firm as ever in urging
the stoppage of silver coinage, and points
significantly to the increase in our gold
exports within the past year. 1t seems
that during the last fiscal year. owing to
the difference between the value of silver
as coin and as bullion, the government
made something like $64,O00,000. 1t is
clear that the people don't want silver
currency because, notwithstanding the
extraordinary efforts which have been
made to get it into circulation, the Treas
ury vaults still remain full of it.
The President has some strong words
thinks that Congress is making mis- take
in not beginning the work of fortlfying
the coast at once. The country has no
means now OF defending her great seaport
cities from the attacks Of armored vessels.
The President condemns special pension
legislation, and very justly says that the
tendency of it Is to inJure the interests OF
deserving pensioners. He believes that
all pension cases ought to be left to the
Pension Bureau.
The President renews the recommends
ton contained in his special message at
the last session relative to labor troubles.
He believes that arbitration is the remedy
for them, and would like to see arbitra-
tors added to the Labor Bureau with au-
thority to undertake the settlement OF
differences between employers and en-
ployes when requested.
Those who have been attacking civil
service reform have made no impression
on the President. He proposes to stand
by it, and expresses confidence that it
Will steadily grow in popular favor. He
even goes so far as to ask Congress to re-
indorse il, as 1t were, by increasing the
salaries OF the Civil Service Commits
sioners. 1t is safe to say that the Presl.
dent will not turn aside hairs breadth
from the course he marked out for him
self, with respect to civil service reform,
when be became President. The mes.
sage is rather long but it's interest ex-
cuses its length.