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ASHTABULA TELEGRAPH
EXTRA.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
T tft ienmt ni Ecnte of Rtprtttnta-
Siec the conTentcg of Congress, one
year ago, the nation has undergone a
trroatraUon la business eu 1 industries
sad u ku sot. bees witnessed with as
for aany yean. Speculation as to the
abacs for this prostration might be in
dulged in wilhoutpmfit, bemuse as many
theocte would be advanced as there were
independent writers those who ex
tressed tiieir own Tievs without borrow
ing apoa the subject, without indulging
in theories as to the causes or this pros
tration. Therefore I will call your at
tertuxi only to the fact, and to some
questions as to which it it would seem
there stwsUd be do disagreement Dur
ing Ibis prostration two essential ele
ments of prosperity have been most
abudant labor and capital. Both have
beea larc!; snemployed. Where secu
rity at leen nucoubted capital has been
attainaol a at very moderate rates. Where
labor has been wanted it has been found
in abundance at cheap rates, compared
with what necessaries and comforts of
life could be purchrsed with the wages
demanded. T wo great elements ot pros
pmtf, therefore, baye not been denied
a. A third might be added : bar soil
and olimale are unequal ud within the
battta of any contiguous territory nnder
aoe BaUonality for the Tarieties of pro
ts to feed and clothe a people., and in
the amount of surplus to spare to feed,
less favored doodIc Therefore, with1
taea (acts in view, it seems to me that
wMsatatesmanshiD at this session of Con
gress would dictate, ignoring the past
ad tsveoung in proper cnaneis uiese
srasi elements of prosperity to any
needle. Debt abroad is the only element
that caa," with always a sound currency,
sasier auto oar aSair to cause any con
tistaed depression ia the industries and
ftmpeatjr of our people, a great con
fitcf for naUonal exi&ience made neces-
way for temporary purposes the raising
at iarye sews oi money irom whatever
soaroe attainable. It wns made neces
easy, ia the wisdom of Congress, aad I
to oot Ooabt their wisaom in me premi
MS regarding the necessity of the times,
to sense a system ot national currency,
- wtuoh proved to be impossible to keap
a par with the recognized currency of
the Airktsaa woria. lius oego a
m&rr ov spbccutio.
iavoivaz aa extraTagance and loxury
ot required far the happinev or pros-
perHv ot a peepie ana WTotvmg, do in ai
. ixaf and indireotly, foreign indebted
Bees. The currency being-of a fluctua
ting value, and therefore unsafe to hold
for legitimate transactions requiring
money, became a subject oi specula
tion in itself. These two causes, bow
ever, bare involved us ia a foreign in
debtedness, contracted in good faith by
the borrower and lender, which should
be paid ia coin . and according
to the bond agreed upon when the
debt was eontracted, ia sold or its caaiv
lest. The good faith of the government
cannot be vwltted towards ita creditors
witboet national disgrace. Oar commeroe
ahotfid be enoocreed, American ship build
ing and carrying oapacity increased, foreign
maffceti sought for the prodacta of our soil
aai isnafaoWies, to the end that we may
be able to pay these debts. Where a
bet can be created for the sale of oar pro-
daesa, either of the soil, the mine, or the
awrfaotory, a new means is diaoovered of
ntliiaiBg our idle capital and labor, to the
advantage of the whole people; bet in my
yadgment the first step towards acoompliab
sBguus object is to secure a' currency good
wherever oviliettion reigns one which if
tt becomes surperabundant with one people
wk and a market witn some other; a cur
rency which has as its basis the labor
neeanarr to prodooe it and . which will
give its value. Gold and silver are now
the reoogaked mediums of exchange the
eiviiiaed werld over, and to this we ahoald
retam with.the least practioable delay. In
view 01 tee pledges ot tbe American Con
enjs whan oar present legal-tender system
. was adopted and debt eontracted, there
herald be no delay; certainly no unaeces-
aarv delay, in tiling by legislation a method
by which we will return to specie. To the
aosomrJishTnetit of this end I invite yoar
apeeul attention. I believe firmly that
there oea be no prosperous and per-
Baaoeot eenval ot bBsueta and ia
daetries atitil a policy is adopted.
with legislation toearry it out, lt'i"g to
a Karats to A aracs &asu.
It is easy to oonoeive that the debtor and
apeeniatove ot asses may think it of value
to make so-called money abandant antil
they an tnrow a portion of their hardens
apoa othera, but evea thaM I believe
wvafd be disappointed in the reuls if a
eeuee ahould be porsoed which will keep
m ooaM toe raiae ec ana legal tender me
dian of exfihaneea. A revival of sro-
dnptive indastriee is needed by all olaans;
by aone more than the holders of property
f whatever sort, with debta te liquidate
iraca realiaatioa noon the salaa. Kat ad.'
avftstA that these two oUsses of oitiaenM
ana to b beneficed by expansion, would ill
be honeat to give it I would not the gen
eral loaa be too great to justify each re
lief T. Would it not be jolt as honet aad
as pnaden to authoriaa each debtor to
iaiae hia own legal tenders to the extent of
h abilities ? Than ta do this, woold it
not be safer, for fear of over iaraes by na
MtapeSowa creditors, to eay that all debt
vahgationa are obliterated in the United
atatea, and now wa eoaunenoe anew,
eeen. possessing all he has at the time,
tree irom eneumbranoet These pro
poartiefM are too absurd to be enter
tained for a moment by thinking
people. Krery delay " in prapara
tioa for final resumption partakes
of tiia dishonesty, and is only less
ia decree aa the proposition ia
held oot. The convenient eeason will at
bat arrive for the good work of redeeming
ear pledges to eommeroe. It will never
eeaae, In my opinion, except- by positive
action by Congress or by national disasters,
which will destroy, for a time at least, the
credit of individuals and the state at large.
a aoawa cvasjsror
must not be reached by total bankroptoy ofj
of andmduals. I believe it ia in the power!
oi ogress as uua session to devise sucb
legislatioa as wi renew eoafideaee, revive
all the iaduatriea, start aa on a career of
prosperity to last for many yean, and to
save the credit of the nation and the peo
ple. Steps toward the return to a specie
basis are the great requisites to this de-
. voU T-to-be-songht for end. There are
others which I may touch upon hereafter.
A nation dealing in aeurrenoy below that of
specie in valne labors nnder two great dis-adv-es
first, having no use for the
world's acknowledged medium of exchange,
gold and silver, these are Driven ont of the
eoontry because there ia no demand for
their aae; seoond, the medium of
exobange in - use being of a
AWaating value for after all it . is
only worth just what it will purchase of
gold and silver metals, having an intrinsic
value just in proportion te the honest labor
ft takasto produce them a large margin
mast be allowed for profit by the man a.
. factarer and producer. It ia months from
the date of production ta the date of reali
sation, and interest upon capital jpust be
barged and the risk of fiactuatif u the
vaiae of that which ia to be rtnj'td ia
paysnent added. Henoe high prises, act.
lag as a protection to the foreign producer,
who receives nothhig in exchange for the
prodaet of hia skill and labor exoapt a
earrenoy good at a stable value the world
ever. It seems to me that nothing ia
dearer than thecreater part of the burden
of the ei is ting prostration for the want of
onad financial system falls upon the
workiag man, who must, alter all, pro-
da j the wealth, and the salaried man who
daserin tends and oonaact the business.
the burden falls upon them in two ways
by the deprivation of employment and by
the decreased purchasing power of their
aaiar.es. f u.u w' V."""" w "rTi
se tha method ot correcting tb irj.
which are acknowledged
to
nd not mine; cut l
wiu yea-
tare io suggest two or three
things which teem io me as absolutely
necoassry to a return to specie payment,
the first great requisite ia a return to pros
perity. , The legal tender clause to the
law authorizing the issue ot currency by
the national government ahonld be re
pealed, to take eff act aa to all contracts
entered into after a day fixed in the repeal'
ins act: not .to sddIv. however, to pay
ments of aaiariea by the government or for
other expenaesnot provided by law to be
paid in currency. Ia the interval pending
between repeal and final resumptioa. pro
vision ahould be made bv which the .Secre
tary of the Treasury can obtain gold aa
it may become necessary from time to
time. From the date when specie re
sumption eommencVJe to this might and
should be added a revenue sufficiently in
excess of expenses to insure aa accumula
tion of gold in the Treasury to sustain) re
demption. I commend this subj set to your
careful consideration, beiievinc that a fa
vorable solution is attainable, and that if
reached by this Congress that the present
and future generations will ever j-ratefnuy
remember it as their deliverer from.
thraildom of evil and disgrace. With re-1
sumption w v
Kav BaxKiso
may be authorised with safety,'
giving :iH protection to billholdera
which they have aider existing
laws. Indeed, I would regard free back
ing aa essential. It would- give proper,
elasticity to the currency. As mora out
reocy should be required for the transec
tion of legitimate business new banks
would be started, and ia turn banks would
wind no their business when it was -found
there was a saperabundance of eurfeuey.J
The expenenoe and judgment of the peo
ple can best decide just how much carseacy
ia required for the transaction of the busi
ness of the country. It is Boaafe ta leers
the settlement of this question to Con
gress, the Secretary of the Treasury ar tbe
executive. Congress should make .the
regulation, under which (banks may lit
bat ahould not mike banking a monopoly
by limiting the amount of redeemable piper
eurreney that shall be authorized. ,Such
importaaoe do I attach to this subjeet aad
so earnestly do I oommend it to your at
tention that -I give prominenoe by intro
ducing it at the beginning of this Ueasaga.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
the past year . nothing hit'
occurred to disturb aae general friendly
and cordial relation of the United State
with other powers. The correspondence
submitted herewith between this govern
ment and ita diplomatic representatives ot
other eoentnee shows a saUstaetory "
tion of all eaestiene between the United
States and the most of those eosatrieavl
and witai few exoeptiooa, to which refer
ence ia hereafter made, tbe absence ef aay
points ef difference to be adjusted.,'. The
notsos direoted by the resolution of jCeev
greas of June 17th, 1874, to be given -to
terminate the convention of inly 17th,
1S53. between
Tars vnraa statbb ays esxoitm,''.
has been given and the treaty wiB aoeord
ingly terminate oa the first day cf -July,
4875. This convention secured to oertaia
Belgian vessels entering the parts ef the
United States exceptional privilege',,
which are not accorded to our own vesseia.
Other features of the convention have
proved satisfactory and have tended to the
cultivation of mutuallv beneficial oonuuei-
cial intercourse and friendly relation) bt
tween the two countries. 1 bope that tK
negotiations which have been invite&.will
result in the celebration of another treaty,
which may tend to advance the interests
c-f both countries. '
OTR IUSATiaS8 WITH nmn i' cl
continue to be friendly. During the past
-year the fear of hostilities between China
and Japan, growing out of the landing of an
armed force upon the Island of Komoea
by the latter, has occasioned BeassneesM
T . .1 t. a i AL-AAV-t
difficulties ariaini from this eanse will be
adjusted, and that the advanoe of civilizaJ
tion in those empires may not be retarded
by a state of war. In oontequenoe of tbe
part taken by certain eitWsna ot: the
United btates ia tha expedition - oar
representatives in those countries
have been inatraoted to impress upon the
governments of China and Japan tbe firm
intension of this country to maintain striet
neutrality in the event of hostilities, and
carefully prevent any infraction of law bo
the pait of cur citizen, la connection
with this subject I call the attention of
Congress to a generally eoneeded fast, that
the great propottion of
who eonte to oar shores do not oomi-al-untarily
te make their homes with as sad
their labor prodaotive ot tbe general pros
perity, but come coder eon tract with head
men, who own them almost absolutely'.
In a worse form does this apply to Chinese
women. Hardly a perceptible percentage
of them perform any honorable labor, but
they are brought for shameful purposes, to
the disgrace of the communities ia which
they are settled aad to the greet demoral-
iattiaB of tbe youth of those localities. ,: If
this evil practio caa be legislated against
it will be my pleasure, as well as my duty.
to enforce aay regulation to secure so de
sirable aa end.
It as hoped that the negotiation be-'
tween the government of U
lAfim aits thx Run rowt&a,-- "
looking to the further opening of the em
pire and to the removal of varioaa restric
tions upon trade and sravel, may soon pro
duce the resalts desired, which cannot fail
to enure to the benefit of all the parties.
Having on previous oooasioo submitted, to
tne oonauleration of lAmereee the propriety
of the release of the Japanese govaro-
ment. from the further payment of
indemnity under the oonventioa of Octo
ber 22. lb&L sod a na action had been
taken thereon, it became my daty to. re
gard the obligation of the convention - as
in force; and aa the other powers inter
ested have received their portion of the
indemnity in full, the Minister of the
United State in Japan has, on behalf of
wis government, received tne remainder oi
tne amount due to the United State- un
der the oonvention of Simon osekL I sub
mit the propriety of aimlvinir the' in some
of a part, ii not the whole of this fund, to
U- ,j . . . .
euuoauwi, u we wspauete language,
ot a number of young men, to be under
obligations to the government far a speci
fied time as interpreters at the legation
and the consulates in Jsnea,
A limited number of JaBanm
youths might ' at the aame time
be ed coated in our own vernacular, and
mutual benefits would result to both .cov
ernments. The importance of having our
own citiaans competent and familiar with
the language of Japan, to act as interpre
ters and in other capacities oonnected with
the legation and consulates in that country,
cannot readiJy be overestimated.
BRITISH CLAIMS.
The amount awarded to the aroverninent
ox vreat Dtitain by the mixed commission
organised under the provisions of the
Treaty of Washington, in settlement of "the
claims ot British aabject arising from acts
committed between April 18. 1S41.
and April 9, 18G5, became m-
able under the terms of the treaty within
the past year, and was paid upon tbe
VI lit day of September, lav, in this con
nection I renew my recommendation made
at the opening of the last aessioa of Cen
gress that a special oourt be created to hear
and determine all euums oi aliens against
the United States, arising Irom acta com
mitted against their persons or property
auring the tniurrecuon. It appears eqoM
liable that opportunity ahould be offered to
eiucena oi other atatea to present their
elaims, as well aa to those British subjects
whose claims were not admiaaable nnder
the bite OOmmission. to the earlv donkinn
of some competent tribunal, To this and I
recommend the neoesaary legislatioa to
organises court to dispose of those claims of
aliens of the nature referred to in an equi
table and satisfactory manner, and to re
lieve Congress and the Departments from
the consideration of these question. .
ihe legislation necessary to extend to
the colony of New Foundland the pro
visions of oertain at tioles of the
SRSAfT Of WiSBISOTOW
of the 8th day of May. 1871. having been
had, a protocol to that effect was signed
on behalf of tbs Uuited States and of Qreat
JBrjtain oa the ?Sth 'day of atsy but, aad
duly proclaimed on the following day.
A copy of the proclamafioa. ia, submitted'
herewith. '..' i
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION.
A oopy of the report of tbe commis
sioner appointed : under the act of
March 19, 1872, for - surveying and
making I the . bsuadary .-,btt weea the
United States and the British Possesions,
from the Lake of the 'Woods to the sum
mit of tbe Rooky Mountains, is "herewith
tranamitted. ;1 ant happy to announce
that the field work of the commission
been completed aad the entire line, frem
the northwest corner, of the" Lake of the
Woods to the summit of the Becky Moun
tain, has been run aad marked wpoa the
nrface of the earth. It is believed that
the amount remaining wiexpeaded of the
appropriation mada at aha last session
of Cowgress will be siifficient to complete
the obo work. -1 raoonasnasw uir-
itvof CaDcreaa be riven for use ef the un.
expended balance of the appropriation in
tha oomnletion of the work of the ooaunis-
aioa ia Basking the report and printing the
snipe.
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. ALABAMA CLAIMS.
c The court knows as the Court of Com
;;mr. of ilabasna Claims, created by
an set af CbsgreM at the bat session, ha
orgsoiztd aad commenced ita work, and it
is to be hoped that iha claiaaa admissible
ander the prawisioaw ef the act may -be
peeduy aaeerUined aad paitt, j
RELATIONS WITH TURKEY.
It has bees deemed advisable to exercise
the discretion conferred apea the- xecu
live at tha laat aeaeion bv aceeotiac the
condition required by the govemmenf of
Xutkey lor the privilege ot aitowmg eta-
sena of the United States to bold
mg lo a certain cnange in tne jariautcnou
the ooorts in the latter. A copy of the
prarlatnatioa apoa these tabled s ta here
There has beea aa" material -change ia
onr relation with the independent atatea
ef the fsthsue, 'which were formerly under
tne uomuiioB pi npaiB. .-, a. ,w j
.; yavavaxiosa wits anxioo. i .
' "Ukraudinir ' on the frontier between
Mexiooand Texan t01 freqsssaUy takes
plaee, despite tbe rigtlanee ef the eivS end
mnitary aQrhoritie ia thai qaattez. i The
diiLculty of checkiagaaeh trerpsise alesg
ahaeoaraaai a river ef sack a length a
the Kta Grande, and so often lordable.
obvioua.'. It ia hoped that Jae efiorta of
Ui government wulbaaeoended by those
of afrxioc to the effectual wppreastoa ef
acts of wrong, Frotm a tepert npea the
condition of the bomiaeas beiore t&a Ameri
caa aad Mexiean i aint UlaimrOosniniMioii,
made by tha agent oa the part of the
UnitedjSUU. and dated October 2 1874.
it appears that of tha 1,017 claim tiled on
tbe part of avzena ot tee vailed states,
453 had been finally decided and. t
in the hands cf the amparv, ha sing 462 to.
so - ner Qisposea or ; : ana ' or I we
9g-- - claims' filed. eaainst ' I the
United -SUtea, 726 -Uv been -fiually
decided on, or -were. Before tha umpire.
aad 271 remained to be oUspcaed of. Biaoe
tha date of euoh taport other elaims have
beea disposed ef, swdaaiag aome-wtut the
umber still pending, aad these have beea
passed upon by the arbitrators. It has be
earn apparent, in. view of, tbes figures,
aad of tha tact that tbe srerk f eralving
on Ihe Umpire is particularly laborious,
that the commission would be unable to
dstnoae 4f tha entire wumber -of claims
pending prior to the let day of February,
1875," the date fixed' for its axzuration.
Segotiationsara penning looking o the
aecarrau-of f he-rerulal of -the -decisions
which have beea reached, and to a further
exteusioa of tha coaumiaaioa tor a limited
time, which it is eonedentiy hoped will
suffice to bring 'all the business new before
it to a final dose.
ths antra nr TBt iacKyrnrs cmrcBuc
ia to be deplored, both en account of the
parties thereto and from the probable tueet
e ttie intmla nf tiinaa pnHm in tha
trade to that quartet, . of whom u Uaited
States ia among the principal Aa yet.
so far a I an twarey there' has beeay
ao ' ruiiauoa tl, our neutrality rights,
which, aa well as our duties in -that re
spect, shall be "my -endeavor to maintain
and pbaerveY rt,. ... ;w ,
REHASH WITH VENEZUELA.
It is with, regret that ! anaouaoethat
nor. further payment ha 1 beea - received
front the government of Venezuela on ac
count of the awaida ia favoe of aitiztns
of tba United States. - Hope -have been
entertained that tf-the- republic oould
fweape both foreign and civil war for a few
yean ita great" natural resrjorcet -would
enable it to honor its obligation.. Though
it is now underatoad to be at peace with
other coon hies, a seriooa- insurrection is
reported to be in progress in aa impoitant
region of . that npablio. This may be
taken ad vantage i aa another reason to
delay the payment of the dues of our
REHASH WITH VENEZUELA. THE CUBAN STRUGGLE.
Ilie depiorabla :auueL in Uoba ,con-
tinaea -withoat any marked change in
the relative .t advantages ot the eon tend
ing forces.' The inaurrtctioa cootoanea.
but Spain bis gained no superiority, Six
years of strife give the insurrection a ug-
ifiw Ki.k mmnt k. Avii . It dtt-
ratioa and the tenacity of ita adherence.
together with the absence of a manifested
power of eupprauioai m the part -at bpan.
eeaaot be eoetrorerted.
aad m
some positive steps "oa the part of other
powers a matter of saw aeoaasny. , i naa
confidently hoped at -this time to be able
to announce the arrangement of soma of
the important Questions between this gov
ernment and that of Spain, but the nego
tiations have been irotracted. The ' un
hsppy intestine XM,-r j
... ; MsKSKSUKi, O SFaor ,
com m and oar profouad sympathy and
mast be accepted aa - perhapa a oane
of . some delay. . .An early get
tiement, in patt at least; of
the josestiona . between -the governments.
ia hosed. lathe aueanaime. awaiting the
r Await of immediately pending negotia
tions, I defer a faith ex and fuller', commu
nication on the subject of the relations of
this country and Spain. ,
I have aeaia to call the attention of Con
gress to the unsatisfactory condition of th
n laws with reference to
and the election of nationality.' Formerly.
amid oonfiietiag opinions and decision, it
was dimoult to exactly determine now tar
the doctrine of perpetual allegiance waa
applicable to citizens of tha United Mates.
Con cress, by the act of the 27th of July,
1863. asserted the abstract right of expa
triation as a fundamental principle of this
government. K ot withstanding suchaaser-
tion and the necessity of frequent applies.
tionsof the Drincinle. noleriaiatian haa been
had deGning what acta or formalities shall
work expatriation, or when a eitieeaehall
rbe deemed to have renouncefl ' of to have
Uoat his' citizsuahipj The importance of
anch definition, us obvious. This represen-
tatives ot the. United States in foreign!
coucirie are continually called upon to
lead their aid and the protection of the
Uauted etat ca to -persons concerning the
eood faith or the reality cf whose citizen
ship these is at least great oeeelipn. In
some casus the provisions' of the treaties
furnish some guide ;"id others it seems left
to tha persona claiming the benefit of oiti
zenshin. -while livieo in a fareian eoontry.
oontributiog in no manner, to the perfornvJ
ance ot the dutieaot a citusen of. the United
States, and without ' intending' at any
time to return and .landettaka 'those
duties to use the elaim of citiaenship of
the United State simply aa a shield from
the performance of the obligations of a
o.t'aen elsewhere. The status of
esauaiaef softs or usetjcaj rAr.Ksra
residing in a foreign country, of American
women who bay snarned auenr, of A men
aa citiaens reaidlcg abroad, where aach
question is net regulated by treaty, are all
sources of frequent duboalty and discus
"i. 'kH.U
WM..and partioularly defining when
tion.
Questions,
aad nnder what eirenmstanoee expatria
tion can be aeoempluhtd or U to be pre
umed has been accomplished, is especially
needed..
la thUT eonneotioB-1 earnestly cell the
attention af Congress to the difficulties
ariiing from ,v .
VS.kVDVLK.ttT KaTVKAUCaXIUN.
The United States wisely, freely, and
liberally offers ita citizenship to
all who may come in good faith to" re
was side within sts lirnitB, on tiesr com plying
'wftsv orrtain,"preoTibed . raX)aAhle ' and
aimrdefoisiiatleaseoitiM-hMnfi
lue nigneefc uuun v v.mmiu.ui
that to afford firm, efficient, and equal
nrotection to all ita citizens, whether na
tive born or naturalised. Care should be
taken that a right carrying with it such
tmnort from the sovernment should not
be frasdftlenUy obtained anal should ha
bestowed only upon full preot of a compli
ance with the law. - There have been
frequent instance of illegal and fraudulent
natoralizitibn'aad of she uaauthoriaed use
of -wertitieatea -thus improperly obtained.
In. some cases-the fraudulent character
of the aathral' 2 itisn Ba appeared apoa tbe
face of the certificate; in arthers examina-t
tion disclosed! tht tha- holder' vhad 'not
complied witlrtae law, and in others cer
tificate hive been obtained where the
persons holding them not only were not
entitled to be naturalized, but had not
even been within the United States at the
time of the pretended naturalization. In
stances of each of these classes of fraud
are discovered at our legations, where tbe
certificates of naturalization are presented
i . .i . - i
oicmsr I or tne purpuee m . vuwiining pass
ports OT in demanding the protection of
the legation). When the fraud is apparent
on the face of such certificates they are
taken up by the representative of . the
government and forwarded to the Depart
ment of State; but even the record oi the
court la - which 'the fraudulent - nat
uralisation occurred remains, and - du
plicate certificates are 'readily ob
tainable' upon the presentation", of
these records for the issue of paaspoits or
demanding' the, protection' wt the govern-
meat. KTae fracd-.eometime escapes jao-
tice, and rcch -certificates are not lcfre
bueBtly" aaeot in transactions of butineas
to the deception and injury of innocent
parties. YY ithoot placing any additional
obstacle in the way oi toeobtainnsaiit t J
citizenship by the wormy and well in
tentioned foreigner who comes in good
titij 3 jfisre fiixlot vtapuravi earnesUy
ratTtsii fartiiitf a-ipit'"J rir"1
fraudulent naturalization and to secure the
ready cancellation of the record of every
BAturalizatiea ande ia fraud. , , ;t?v
Since Jn v last
' annual r Message the
exobange - has - beea made ' of the
ratification v of treaties of extra
dition with Belgium, .Peru, and
Salvador: also-af a treaty 'ef: caa
and navigation with fern, aad oae of com
merce and consular privUiges with Salva
dor all of which have beea duly pro
dauaed, as has' also si declaration with
Kussia with reference to trade
f
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
-The report of the Secretary of the
Treasury, which by law is made directly
to Congress and forma no part ot this ales
aage, will ahow the receipt and expendi
tures of the government for the last fisoal
year.' tha amount reoeived from each
source of revenue and the amount paid out
lor each of tbejdepertaMntaof government.
ItwiU be observed from this report that the
amount of receipts over expenditure has
beea but (234,468,230 for tbe fiscal year
ending June 10th, 1874, and that for tbe
cozrent fiseal year tbe .estimated receipts
over expenditures will not much exeoed
$9,000,000. In view of the large national
debt exiaing and the obligationi to add one
per cent per annum to the sinking fund, a
suaa amounting now to over $34,000,000
per aednm, I submit whether the revenues
should not be increased or expenditures
diminished to reach, this 'amount. of sur-
gas."'. To fail to provide for .the. sinking
nd is a partial failure to comply with the
ooatracta and bH&etiotit 1f 'the government.-:
oat the laet session of Congress a
very considerable reduction was made in
the rates of taxation and m the number of
articles submitted to taxation.- ' The ques
tion may well bexjuked whether or not
in some instances unwisely.' Tn connection
with,; this ahjeot,-oo,-i venture the-'opiaK
um that tbe means of
COLLBCTIXG THX REVENUE,
especially from import, have -beea 'so em
barrassed by legislation a to make it ques
tionable whether lares aanoonta are .not
lost by failure. to aoliect, to the current
loss" of the Treasury and ta. the prejudice
of the : icterefctl cf houeet importers and
taxpayers s,tn.". .nltv Cf hr,: ,"'-
The Secretary of the. Treasury, in his
report, favors legislation looking to. specie
payments, thus supporting the views pre.
yiouaiy expressed in this' messaged ; He
also 'recommends eeoaoiay in appropna-
tioni; oaua attention to the
LOSS OF EKTK.TX
from repealing the tax on tea and coffee,
Ion' in the tax oa whisky, aad further,
that ao modincatioa be made in
the Banking and Currency hills passed at
the laet session ot (Jongresa, unless modih
cation ahould become neoesaary by reason
of the adoption of measures for returning
to specie payments. In these recommen
dation I cordially join. VI would suggest
t tnn timnmm w.nrilJ ( ' t i
VSMUVmSQ THSTABITF
so as to increase the revenae,' and at the
same time decrease the number of article
apoa which duties are .levied. ; Those arti
ales which enter into oar manufacture aad
are not produced at home it seems to me
should be entered free. Those articles of
manufaoture of which we produce a con
stituent part, but do not produce the
Wholf that part wbiih do not produce
should enter 'freevr f iwiH . iastaae am
wool', 4c The articles wl! A ' may be
imported to form part of the chemicals
used as dyes and: in varieua ways in the
maaufae'.ures e me under this class. Tb3
mtroaucaon tree i uunes oi aucu
wools a we do not produce should
woainng-- toesnv-- -vroee' we
prodnoe, and therefore would be a banebt
to home production. There are many
articles) entering , into hame'nunuiac tares
wfiub .we do not produce oarseives, toe
tantf .apoa whioh- increases the eost of
producing the manufaeteaed artidt; All
corrections in this regard are ia tbe direc
tion of bringing labor and capital in har
mony with each other, -aad of supplying
one of the elements of prosperity so much
needed. r .
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of tbe 'Secretary of War.
herewith attached, "land forming a part of
this Message, gives all the information
concerning the operation!!, 'wants, aad
necessities of the army, -and jyMitoins
many suggestions and recommendations
which I commend to your special atten
tion. There is no class of sovernment
employes who are harder worked than the,
army otGoeit and men ; none who perform
their tasks more cheerfully and efficiently
and under circumstances of greater priva
tions atS hardships. Legislation is de
sirable to render more efficient this branch
of the publie service. All the recom
mendations of the Secretary of War I re
gard as judicious, and I especially com
mand to your attention the following:1
The consolidation of government arsenals ;
the restoration of mileage to officer
travailing under orders ; the exemption oi
money received from the sale of (ubaisterke
stores from being covered into the treas
ury; the use of appropriations for the pur
chase of subsistence stores without wait
ing for the, beginning of the fiscal year for
which the appropriation ia made; for adai1
tional appropriations far the oolkctionof
torpedo material;' for increased appropri
ations for -the manufacture of arms; for
relieving the various states from indebted-.
ness for arms oharfred to Warn during the
rebellion; for' the dropping of ofiioers from
the rolls of ttrS army without trial; for the
offenos of drawing pay more than once for
tits tame period; for the discouragement of
the plan to pay soldiers by checks, aad for
the .establishment ot a ' professorship of
Khetorie sad English' literatare at .West
1'oint. The reasons for the recommends.-
tions are obvious, and are set' forth tfuffi-T
eiently in the report attached. I also
recommend that tha
ssatcs or ihe rpr eoKi- ot gun asms
fixed where this haa" not" 'already been
inu1, ,? tb.t promotions msy be made and
vaoanmes niied aa they oocur-in each grade
when reduced below the number fixed by
law. The necessity for luch legislation u
specially fult now in the py department.
The number of vaoancies in 'that depart,
ment ia below tho number adequate to the
performance of the duties required of them
bylaw.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The effioieeey of tit navy has be
en
vsmmibmnXamn
largely increased daring the last year, un
der the intpulse of -the fQrfiigv,ooinplica
iiona which' "thrsaeed Sba at tte oem
ineaoeent oiaha last sessaoa of Congress.
Most of our efficient wooden ships weie
put in condition for immediste service and
the repairs of our iron clad tlett were
pushed with the utmost vigor. The retult
is that moat of these are now in an ef
ective state and need, only .to be manned
and actio aameaisaioar to- gO'at one: into
ervice. Some cf
TUE JEW SLCOTs
authorized by Cengresa are .already i
aomarissloD, and moat of the remainder are
launched and wait only the completion of
their machinery to eaable them to take
their place aa part of ourffective force.
5 f j tw4 .ixos'tospedo PHrrs
have beea completed during the last year
and four of our large double-turreted iron
clad are now undergoing repairs. Wl ea
these are finished everything that ia need
ful in our navy, as now snthorized, will be
in condition for service, and with the ad
vance in the science of torpedo' warfare;
the- American tiavy, eamrjaratiyely small
a it is, will be found, at any ta'me powerful
for the purpose of a peaceful nation.
Much baa also been accomplished during
the year
uc aid or sciBez
and to ucreaae the sum cf fen-
etal knowledge - and' further the inter-
sets pi comsueroa aad civilization, inten
sive and much-needed soundings have been
made for hydrographio purposes, and to
fix the proper route of ocean telegraph.
Further surveys of the great Ietbmus have
been undertakenaad completed, and two
vassal of the Evy era now. employed, ia
cotrjuhctionvriihthasecf Enjland, Franoe,
Crsaany, ad Kasaia, Vid - observations
connected with the
TE4SS1T OF TEirS,
usaftil and 'interesting W' the scientific
world. The estimates for this branch of
the public science do not differ materially
from those of last yeeiy-1 . ajanaiaj-aup-port
af the unaee 'being eomewhat less
and these for improvemente at tha various
stations rather larger than the correspond
iag estimate made -a year aga The regn.
lar maintenance and a "steady increase ia
the' efficiency of this most inipartant arm,
ia proportion to the growth ef oar mari
time intercourse and interests, j toom
mended to the attention ef Cengresa.' -'
A - nt ist or rax s avt vaiso rxacx
might be farther utilized by a direct autho
rization of the employment of naval vessels
in surveys of the supposed navigable
waters .at ether national itte oa this
con tmeiit especially the tTibuharies of
tha two great , rivers afj South America,
the Orinoco, and Amazon.-, Nothing pre
venta, ander existing law, such explora
tion, except thaUxpeaditu re mutt be made
beyond those usually pro rided for in the ap
propriations. . The field designated ia aa
queetknablyoneofinterett, and one capable
of large developmeotof cpmmereial ia tares t,
advantageous to the people reached aad to
those who 'may establish retataena with
lhemj!! .! : ' --
THE KDCCATIOlf OF XBS rtOPU ' '-
eatitied to exerciM the right ef fraaebiss I
agard essential to general prosperity every -wht
re, and especially so ia repftblios, where
both education or previous condition does
not enter into account in giving the right
of suffrage.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
Kext to the publie school the post office
is the grekt agent of education over oar
vast territory. -The rapidity with which
newsectiontjarebeing settled thus increas
ing the cost of the carrying of the mails in
a more rapid n.tio than the increase of re
ceipts is not alarming. The report of the
Postmaster General, herewith attached,
shows that there was aa Increase cf revenue
in his department ia 1S73 over tbe previous
year of fl,674,41Ivand aa increase of the
cost of carrying the mails and paying em-
floyee of $3,041,467.91. The report of the
'eetmaater General give interesting sta
tistics o hi department, and compared
with, the 'corresponding ttatistica of a
year ago, show a growth ia every branch
ef the ' v- 1 !' -' -
POSTAL CONVENTIONS, ETC.
,'A postal Convention has beea' esodluded
with dew South Wales ; aa exchange of
postal cards established with Switzerland,
'and the negotiations pending lor several
years' past with France have terminated
ia a coaventien with) that country, which
went into effect last August. Aa inter
national postal congress waa convened in
Berne, Switzerland, in September last, at
1 1 . 1 TT.-AJ --.' . ..a
vqica.tse-UBiwa.etaief vsi represen wi
of much experience aad of qualifications
for the position. A convention for tbe
establishment of an international postal
union was agreed upon by tbe delegates
of ths countries 'represented, . subject to
the approval of the proper authorities cf
those countries. I respectfully direct your
attention, to the repoet of the Postmaster
Gaoentl anoT to bi suggestion in regard to
an equitable adjustment of the question of
compensation to railroads ler carrying the
POLITICAL TROUBLES.
LOUISIANA.
Tour attention will be drawn to the un
settled condition of affairs in some of the
Southern States. On tbe 14th of Septem
ber last the. Governor of Louisiana called
nnoa ate, a provided by- she jceaatitation
and tavrt of the United. Stater, to aid in
suppressing domestic violence in that acate.
This eall waa made in view of a proclama
tion iasued on that day by- D.i B. Peon,
stating that be was elected Lieutenant
Governor In' 1872, and calling upon the
militia of the state to arm, assemble,
and -drive-. from,, power- the usurpers,
a he designated -the - efieera 'oJ-.the
state govern na ext. On the next
day I issued my proclamation, commanded
the Insurgents to disperse within five days
from the date thereof, aad sabfquently
learned that on that day they had .taken
fordbiie fosse aaion "of. jibe. State jHouae.
Troops were taken by me to support in
existing and recognizsd state government,,
but before the expiration ef fire - days the
insurrectionary movement waa practically
abandoned and the officers of tbe state
government, with some minor exceptions,
resumed their powers and duties;'' Consid
ering that tha present state administration
of Louisiana had been the only government
ia that state for nearly two years) that it
has beea taoitly acknowledged and acqui
esced ia a inoh try Congress, and more
than onee expreaaly recognized by me, I
regarded it aa my eletr duty, when legally
eafed upon for that purpose, to prevent
its overthrow by an armed mob, under the
pretense ef fraud and irregularity in 1 tha
election of la7 1 have beretoiore oauea
the attention of Congress to this subject,
stating that on account of the frauda and
forgeries committed at aaul-ciection, and
because it appears that the returns thereof
were never legally canvassed, it was im
possible to tell thereby who were chosen;
but from the best sources 'of Information
at my oommand I have always believed
the present state officers received a mapr-J
ity of the legal votes actually oett at that
.election. s ipeattwhat I said in my spe
cial message of Pebruery lith, lsli, that
in the event of no action by Congress I
must continue to recogniz ..the govern
rntleretoiOKtecognizsd.bymt.riji I regret to ssy that with preparations
for tbe late election decided Indications ap
peared in some localities in the Southern
States of a determination, by violence and
iBtinjidstion, ' todeprtrr Cdizens of tbe
freedom of the ballot beoauM of -their po
litical opinion. Band of men masked
and armed make their appearance.
'.' .. V- i - rr.--7!W;tiD
and. other -eooieties were' lormed; large
quantities of arms and ammunition were
imported and distributed to these organ-
iaatibna; ; military . drills with menaomg
demonttrationa were held, and With al!
these murder enough were committed to
spread terror among those whose political
action was to -be suppressed, if ponible,
by these intolerant; and by criminal pro
cedingin some place colored laborer
were compelled to vota according to the
wishes ot their employers, nnder threat
of discharge if they acted, otherwise, -and
there axe too many instance in which,
when these threat were disregarded, they
were remorselessly executed by those by
whom made. I understand that tha fif
teenth amendment to the constitution
was made to prevent thin like state of
thine, and the act of May 31. 1S70, with
amend meets, was
aaaed to
enforce its
it
ia
of
provisions, the object ef thia being to guar
antee to all cis'zsna the right to vote and
to protect them in the free enjoyment of that
right. Err j dined by the constitution to take
care that the laws be faithfully executed,
and convinced by undoubted evidence that
violation of said ast had been committed,
and that a Widespread and flagrant disre
gard of it was contemplated, the proper
effioers were instructed to prosecute the
offenders aad troops were stationed at con
venient points -to aid these o&eere if
Deeeasary in their effioial duties. Com
plaint are made of thia interference by
the federal, authority, but if -said amend
ment and - act do not provide for such in
terference under the circumstance aa
above stated, then they are without mean
ing, force or effect; the whole scheme of
colored enfranchisement ia worse, than
mockery and little better thaa a or una. d
feasibly Congress may find it dae to
truth and justice to ascertain, by meant of
a committee, whether the alleged wrongs
to colored citizens for political purpose
are real, or whether the reports thereof
were manufactured for the occaaion. Th
whole Bomber ef troops ia tha states of
Lcuiaiaaa, Alabama, Ceoraia. Florida.
South Carolina, Xorth Carolina, Ken-
tucsy. j.enoesaerr - .ajaanaas, . aiiasis-
uppi, . Alary land, and - VirgiBi,
at the time of the election, .waa 4.0S2.
This embraces the garrisons of all ths forts,
from the Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico.
THE ARKANSAS TROUBLES.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas?
Articjai 13 of the constitution of the state,
which waa adopted in 1SC8, aad upon the
approval of which by Congress the state
waa restored to representation a one ef
the atatea of the Vhion, provides in effect
that before any amendments proposed to
ita constitution shall become apart thereof
they shall b passed by two auccesafye As
semblies and then be submitted to and rat
ified by a majority of the electors of the
state voting thereoav - Oa the 11th of May,
1874, the Governor convened an extra ses
sion of the General Assembly of tha state,
vntca, oa tne loia t tna aame month,
passed aa act providing for a convention
to frame a new constitution. .According
to this act and at an election held an the 4th
of Jaae, 1873, tha coastitatioa was ap
proved aad delegate were ohoaen thereto.
It arsemblad oa tha 14th ot last July aad
framed a new- ssnstitetionv tha schedule
of whieh provided for the election of an
entire new set ef atata .offices, ia a man
ner contrary to the then existing election
laws of the state. - Oa the 13th of Octo4
ber, 1S7 4, this constitution, as therein pro
vided, waa snbnaitted Jto the - neoola for
approval or rejection, aad aeaording tethe
election returus was approved by a large
majority of those qualified to vote thereon,
and at tha aame election persons were
ohoaen to fill all the state, eoaufy, and
township offices. The Governor elected in
1373, for tha terns of four year, tamed
ever hi offiee to the Governor choaea -un
der the new eansntuaoa, whereupon the
lieu tenant Governor, also elected in 1872
tor a term of four yearn nlaimisig to net as
Governor, and alleging that said pro Deed
ing! by which tna new conatUatioa waa
made and a new set of officers eieoted-wtr
uaeoastitational, illegal, aad void, called
upon me, as provided ia seetion 4, article
4 of the constitution, to protect the state
against domeatio-violenoe. AaCoogreaiia
now investigating the political affairs of
Arkansas I have declined to interfere.
EXECUTIVE INTERFERENCE.
'The whole nbisot ef execotive'inter-
mrenoa with the affairs of a atata ia repug
nant to publie ecm: ion; to- the feeling of
those who. from their official capacity,
mutt be used ia sack interposition, and to
him oc those who must direct.- Ualess
naoat dearly oa the side of law suoh inter
ference become a crime, with the law to
sapport it, 'i.Thaa aadenaaed without a
beanoa. t dsatra, therefore, that all neces
sity for executive direction ia local affair
may ooeome unnecessary and obsolete, I
invito the attention, net of Conirraea, but
of the pedple of the United States, to the
castes and effects of these unhappy ejuea-
i there not a- disposition oa one
side to magnify wrcngs aad outrages, and
on ths other .tide to belittle them, or
justify them f If public opinioa oould be
directed to a correct survey of what is; and
to rebuking wrong and aiding the - jiroper
. . . : . 1 - . . i . .
authorities in punishing it, a better atatoi
of feeling, would be inculcated, and the
sooner we would have that.-peace which
would leave- tha. states, iree indeed to
regulate their, own domes Us affaire. ' ' J
believe that on the part' of cur cife'asn of
the Southern States,4 with tha better part
of thaa there -ia a disposition . to be law
abiding and do ao violence, either to indi
viduals or the laws existing ; but do they
do right in ignoring the existence of
vie lance aad bloodshed in resistance to
oonet.luted authority t I sympathise with
their prostrate condition and would do all
in my power to relievw them. Aoknowi.
edginghaa fa snrnsantts ana, they have
had rnoaa . trying . governments to lire
under., and very oppressive-.ones in the
way of taxation for nominal, improve
meets not giving benefita equal to .the
hardahip imposed bat can they preciaua
tthamaelvcs entirely bleiarlcaa for this coo
Ifiifcoa I They cannot: Tloienee naa been
& - , i-. , i .i.
i rampant an aom ibbsiihhs, shhi mam nmr
beea joatuiedoraeniM iy vn sss wno oomo
have ore vented it The theory Is raised
that there ia ta be no further uxterfereoee
oa the part of tha general govarnmeat ' to
protect citizens within a state where the
state authorities laa to give proteotioa.
This it a treat mistakav. White I remain
Bxacutiva all ta law ef Congress and the
provision of ;tba constitution. . including
the amendments added thereto, will ba en
forced with rigor, bat with -regret that
they ahould havejadded one jot or tittle to
hjcsccuve cuae and powers,., Let there
be fairness ia tha discussion of So then
question, the advocates of both or ail po
litical parties giving hoc eat, truthful re
port' cf occurrence) oondemaing the
wrongs, aphalding tna right- sad so on,
and all will be weS, Under existing con
dition tha negro votes the Bepublican
ticket bcaanse he kaowa hia friend are of
that party. Many a good citizen
votes the . opposite, ' not . became
he . agrees . with the great -prin-
etplsa of state whioh separate parties,
but beea use generally he is opposed to
negro rule. Thia ia a moat delaaire cry.
The negro ia a eiticea and votes aa his in
terests demand, and must ; and soon par
ties will be divided, not on the color line,
but on principles. Then we shall have ao
complaint of sectional interference1.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the Attorney Geaeral eon
tain valuable Tcommendaaoii' relating
to the administration of justice ia the
courts of the United State, to which I in
vito your attention. I respectfully suggest
to Congress the propriety oi increasing the
number of judicial districts in the Uaited
States to eleven, the present number being
nine. The territory to be traversem by the
Circuit Judges ia so great and the business
of the court so steadily increasing, that it
ia growing more and more impossible for
them to keep up with ths business requir
ing their attention. Whether this would
involve tha aaceasitv ef adding two more
Juitices cf the Supreme Court to the pre
aent number I submit to ths judgment of
Cougres. . ' f !
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
The attention of Congress is 'invited td
the report of the Secretary of the Interior
and to the iegiiww" w "j
The domestic interests of the people are
mora intimateiy oonnected. with this ds
nartment than with either of the other
departments of the government. 1 ts duties
have been added, to from time to tone,
until they have become ao onerous that
ithnot the moat perfect (vatem and order
will b impossible for any Secretary of
me anterior w seep w . vu.v.m
transections having his sanction and his
name, and for which he is held personally
responsible. The polity adopted for the
management ot "
, buhajt AJVABia,
.
known as the peace aoliey, has beea ad
hered to with moat beoeaeial result...-it
confidently hoped that in a few years
more our frontier will bs free from danger
from Indians. 1 commend the recommen
dation ef the Secretary for tha extension
the homestead laws to tha. I ldiana and
for some sort of territorial government tor
the IndianTtirritory. A great majority of
the Indians occupying this territory are
believed ito be incapable of maintaining
their rights against the more civilized and
enlightened white man. If a territorial
i
form-of government should be given them
the government should protect them in
their home and property for a period of at
leaat twenty year, ) and before ita final
adoption it ahould be ratified by a majority
of those affected. The report of the Sec
retary of tbe Interior herewith attached,
gives much interesting statistical informa
tion, which I abstain from giving an ab
stract of, but refer you to tha re port.itself.
PENSIONS.
. The act of Congress providing the oath
which pensioners must subscribe before
'drawing their pension cuts off from this
bounty a few survivors of the war at 1S1-2
residing in the Southern State. I recoiri
mend the restoration of 'thia bounty to aui
"e numoer ef persons whose
name would be restored to the list of pen
sioners is not large. They are old persona
who could have taken no part in the rebel
lion, and the services for which they were
awarded pensions were in defense of the
whole country.
AGRICULTURAL REPORT.
The rt part of the Commissioner of Agri
culture, herewith submitted, contains sug
gestion of much interest to the general
public, and refers to the
AFFKOACEIXO CECTBSKIAL
and tha part his department ia ready to
take in it I feel that the nation at large
ia interested in having thia expuaition a
success, and commend to Congress such
action as will secure a greater general in
terest in ik Provision has already been
made for the foreign nations which have
signified their intention to be represented
at it, and it is probable that every civil
ized nation of the globe will take part in
the exhibition.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The rule adopted to improve the civil
service of the government have been ad
hered to as closely as has beea practicable
with the opposition with which they met.
The effect I believe has been essential on
the whole, aad has tended to the elevation
ef the service ; but it ia impracticable to
main Lain them without the direct and pos
itive support of Congreaa, Generally the
support which this reform receives is from
those who give it their support only to
una isuit when tbe nuea are apparently
departed from. Removal from office
without preferring cbargea against the
parties removed are frequently cited as
departures from the rules adopted.
and the retention of those .against
whom charges are . made by irre
sponsible persona and without good
grounds is also often condemned aa a viola
tion of them. Under these circumstance.
therefore, I announce that if Congress ad
journs without positive legislation on the
suDje.it of Civil Service Reform I will re
gard inch action . as a disapproval of the
system and will abandon it except so far
as to require examinations for oertain ap
pointees to '"determine their fitness, and
competitive examination will be aban
doned. The gentlemen who have given
their service without compensation aa
members of the Hoard to Devise Kuiee
and Regulations for the government of the
civil service of the country have shown
much zeal and earnestness in their work,
and to them, aa well as to myself, it will
be a source of mortification if it is to be
thrown away; but I repeat that it ia im
possible to earrv thia av stem to a aaccesa
ful Issue without general approval and as
sistance, and positive law to support it.
THE LABOR PROBLEM.
, I have stated that the elements of pYor
perity to tbe . nation cipital labor.
skilled -and unskilled, and the products
of the sou still remain with us.
To direct the employment cf these
is a problem deserving . the most
serious attention of Congreaa. If employ
ment can be given to all labor offering
itself prosperity necessarily follows. I
have expressed the opinion and repeat it
that the first requisite to the accomplish
ment of this end is the substitution of a
sound eurreney in place of one of fluctu
ating value. Thia secured there are many
interests that might be fostered to the
great profit of both labor and capital.
How to induce capital to employ labor is
the question to be decided. The subject
of Ib&ap XBAH8F0BTA710B' has occupied
the attention of Congress, e light on
this question will without doubt be given
by the committee appointed by the last
Congress to investigate and report upon
these subjects. ' A revival of Ship
BciLDiya, particularly of iron steamship
building, is of vast importance to our
national prosperity.. The United States
is now paying over f 1,000, 000, COO per an
num for freights and pauage on foreign
ships, to be carried abroad and ex
pended in the employment and support of
other peoples. It is to be regretted that
this disparity in the carry in? trade exats,
and to correct it I would be willing to take
a great departure from the usual course of
government in supporting what might
mually be termed private enterprise.
would net suggest as a remedy direct sub
sidy to American ateamship lines, but l
would suggest the direct, effer of smp'e
compensation for carrying the mails be
tween the Atlantic seaboard cities aad the
Continent on American -owned and Ameri:
can-built stealers, and would extend this
liberality to vessels carrying tha mails to
the South American states and to Central
America and Mexico, and would pursue
the same policy from our Pacific seaports
to foreign seaports oa . the Pacific. It
tight be demanded that vessels built and
for this service ahould eems up to a tiand
ard fxed by leeialatioa in tonnage, speed,
and ail other qualities looking to
ths possibility of ths government requiring
them at some time for war purpose. . The
rifibt. also, of takinr poaaessioo ef them io
such emergency should be guarded. I offer
these suggestions believing them to be
worthy ofeonaideration in all seriousness,
affecting sections and all intereata alike. If
anything better can be done to direct the
eoontry into a course of general prosperity
aone wui be more ready than i to second
the plan.
Forwarded herewith will be found the
report of the eommiamonera appointed
under an act of Congress approved Jaoe
20. 1374, to wind up the affaire of
' ' TBM DBJTKiar A3D OOVXRKMEXT.
It will be seen from the report that the
total debt oi tha District of Columbia, less
securities on band and available, ia bond
ed debt iasued prior to July 1st, 1874,
$d,8S3 940.43 ; 8.65 bond, act of Congree
of June 20, 1874, r2.08S.163 73 ;
oertidcatea of the Board cf Andit,
14 770,658 43; total, $15,742,667.61; less
special improvement aasessmanucnargaDie
to private property in excess of demands
against aach assessment, SI, 614. 054 37;
less Chesapeake and Ohio Canal bonds,
175 000; leaa Washington and Alexandria
Baiiroad bonds, (59,000; less cash in the
hands of the Commissioners of the Sicking
Fund, f 1,748,054 37-leaving the actual
rf.ht lea said accounts. 113.994.613 24 Io
addition to this there are claims preferred
against the Governor and of the Dittriot
amounting in lae aggregate, reported oy
the Baard of Audit, o 3,147,7S7 48, of
which tho greater part will probably be
rejected. Thia ram can with no more pro
priety be included in the delt of the Dii
trict government than can the thousand
of claim (gainst the general government
be included as a portion of the national
debt. But the agaregate sum thus stated
includes something more than the funded
dett, chargeable exclusively to the
District of Columbia. The act
of Congrasa of November 2Stb, 1S74,
contemplates aa apportionment between
the United State government and the Dis
trict of Columbia in respect of the payment
ot - tbe principal and interest of tbe 3 oj
bonds, j bereiore in computing with pre
cision the bonded debt of tha District, the
aggregate sums above stated aa lespect
the 3 65 bonds now issued, the outstand
ing oertifioates of the Board oi Audit, and
the unadjusted sums now before that board
ahould be reduced to the extent of the
amount to be apportioned to the United
States government in the manner indicated
in tbe aot of Congreaa of Jans 20, 1P74. . I
especially invite your attention to the rec
ommendation of the Commissioner of the
Sinking Fund relative to the ambiguity of
the act of June 20, 1874, the interest
on the District ' bonds, and the con
solidation of ths indebtedness of
the District, 1 feel much in
debted to the gentlemen who consented
to leave their private affairs and come
from a distance to attend to the business
this District and for the able and satis
factory manner in ahioh. il laa teen con
ducted. I am sure their services will be
qually appreciated by tbe entire country.
r-7,701,r500;
1,
St.
It will be seen from the accompanying foil
report of the Board of Health that the
SASITABT COJTDmOS OF THI DISTRICT
is very satisfactory. In my oDinion tfco
District of Columbia should be regarded as
the grounds of the national capitol, ia
which the entire people are interested. X
do not allude to thia to induce a eneraaa
appropriation to the District, but to draw
the attention of Congress in fram
ing a law for the government of
the District: to the magnificent
ecale on which the city wa
planned by the founders of the govern
nent: and the manner in which, f jr orna
mental purposes, the reservation, streets,
and avenues, were laid out, and tha pro
portion of the property actually possessed
by the general government, I think the
proportion of the expense of the govern
ment and improvements to be borne by
the general government, in the cities of
Washington and Georgetown, should be .
c artfully and equitably defined.
in accordance with section 3 of the set
approved June 23d, 1874, I appointed a
board to make a survey of the
MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI P.IVXR,
with a view to determine the best method
of securing and maintaining a depth of
water sufficient for the purposes
cf commerce, and in accordance
with an act entitled Aa act to
provide for the appointment of a eommie -ion
of engineer to investigate and report
a permanent plan for the excavation of the -alluvial
basin of tbe Mississippi River,
subject to inundations," I appointed a
commission of engineer. .Neither board
ha yet completed its labor. When their ;
reports are finished they will be forwarded
to Congress without delay.
U. S. GRANT.
U. S. GRANT. EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec. 7, 1874.
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
Washisotos, Dec 7. The Senate
was called to order promptly at noon
by Vice President Wilson.
-Mr. ANTHONY, from Rhode Island,
oflerej resolution instructing the Sec
retary oj the Senate to inform the House
of Representatives that a quorum of the
Senate had assembled and the Senate was
ready to proceed to business, which was
agTeed to.
He also submitted an order providing
that the hour of meeting of the Senate
should be dally at twelve o'clock until
otherwise ordered. Agreed to.
Mr. CONKLING, of New York, of
fered a resolution providing for the ap
pointment of two members of the Senate
to join a committee on the part of the
House of Representatives to wait upon
the President and inform him that a
quorum of each Home of Congress bad
assembled and was ready to receive any
communication he may desire to make.
Agreed to, and tha Chair-appointed
Messrs. Cockling, of New York, and
Thurman, of Ohio, as the committee on
the part of the Senate.
Mr. MOERELL, of Maine, from the
Joint Select Committee appointed at the
last session to frame a government for
tbe District of Columbia, submitted a
written report, accompanied by sundry
statistics for the organization of such -government.
Ordered to be printed.
The following bills were introduced
and ordered printed and lie on tbe table
until the appointment of standing com
mittee? :
By Jlr. S HERMAN Bill for re.
vision of the laws for tbe collection
ot customs duties. It provides for
a commission of seven persons tj
be constituted a. follows: One mem
ber of the Senate, to be designated
by- the President of the Senate; two
members elect of the next House, to be
designated by tbe Speaker of the pre
sent House, and two officers in the cus
toms service and two citizens familisr
with the customs laws, to be appelated
by the President.
Mr. lJfGALL? introduced a bill to poo
vide that the homestead and pre-emption
settlers in Kansas shall be allowed a year's
absence from their lands ravaged by graes
hoppere, without loasof their right.
.Air. HITCHCOCK introduced a bill
appropriating $100,000 for the purchase of
food to be issued to starving sufferers from
the ravages cf grasshoppers.
Mr. SARGINT introduced a bill to
protect persons tf foreign birth against
forcible restraint.
The Senate took a recess and on reas
sembling at one o'clock
Mr. WRIGHT gave notice that en
Wednesday next be would ask the Senate
to prceeed with the consideration of tha
bUl to abolish the Western Judicial Dis
trict of Arkansas.
Mr. I3GALL3 submitted a resolution
instructing the Committee on Indian Af
fairs to inquire, into the recant disturb
ances in Indian Territory and to report to
the Senate what measure are necessary
for the protection f life, liberty and
property in that region, and whether the
beat interests cf civilization do not de
mand the establishment of courts ef the
Uuited States in said territory, as provi
ded by the treatire cf 1S66.
The Senate took another recess and upoa
reassembling
Mr. COCKLING, from the committee
appointed to wait upon the President, re
ported that that duty had beea du-charged
and that the President would soon commu
nicate with the two house in writing. 'At
1:35 General Bibcock delivered the Preei
dent'e Message, and it waa read, after
which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House waa called to order at the
usual hour. But little business waa trans
acted before the reception of the President's
message, the readirg ot which was con
cluded at 2:45.
Mr. GARFIELD, from the Committee
on Appropriations, reported the Legisla
tive. Kxecutive, and Judicial Appropria
tion bill, which was made a special order
for Tuesday next.
Mr. HALB, cf Maine, from the aame
committee, reported the Naval Appropria
tion bill, which wa made a special order
for Wedneadsy next.
Mr. WHEELER, from the same Com
mittee, reported the Army Appropriatioa
bill, which was made a special order for
Thursday of next week.
Mr. LOUGH KI DUE, from the same
committee, reported the Indian Appropria
tion bill, which waa made a ipecial order
lor r nday of next week.
Mr. STARKWEATHER, from the aame
committee, reported the Fortification bill,
which was made a special order for the 221
of December.
. The amount of appropriation by the
several bills is aa follows : Legislative,
$19,653,434; navy, $16,976,006; army,
Indians, (4,861,507 ; fortift
catioos, 850 000.
Mr. TYNER, from the same committee,
reported a bill appropriating $30,000 for
the purchase of scales (or the use of the
Peat Office Department in executing the
law re Quiring prepayment of poetage on
newspaper. Passed.
Mr. COX introduced a bill to exempt
the operation of the law in case where
subscription were taken prior to January
1875. Referred.
Mr. PHELPS gave notice that next
Monday he would move for the repeal of
tbe "press er'' law.
Adjourned.
The ecoit house at Franklin, lad., was
destroyed by an incendiary tire yesterday.
Dr. Rush, charged with committing
several burglaries and arsons in Concordia,
Mo., waa hanged by a mob en Sunday.
The Kansas Relief Committee declare
that Dr. H. B. Mitchell, now operating ia
Louis, ia not authorised to solicit aid.
Francis Alex ander was yesterday unanim
ously elected President and Wm. H. Fogg
Direitsr of the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company.
IL J. Thomas, member of the wool com
mission firm ef Reynold. Corbel! &
Thomas, of Chicago, haa absconded, leav
ing behind liabilities cf some $30,000.
The store oi P. & J. Sootten, at Spade's
Station, lad., was robbed by masked
burslara on Saturday night.
The propn-
tor was in the store at the time, but waa
powcrleta to prevent the robbery.
