The Richmond palladium. [volume], December 06, 1873, SUPPLEMENT, Image 5

About The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875

Image provided by: Indiana State Library

                
ALL
"sP
iJIIii T 'if
I ' .biwr-4
,-
f"tJTJ Ji
O it'Vi t vil
CT2iLiEICE3Sr,3?-
I.;di;.iuJ viia td t.l-itsiii
' It. r, 1 tli lV . I
. t ......
(! -iid'I
J.
f-.ih !t n
P
. A II "V TT TF 1T"X rr.
aV II IV II II I !. iW a?J i.
lJ JJ II . II i v
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and IIoum qf Representative:
The year that has paesed etaes the submis
sion of m last Mwn to CoatTaas has. es
pecially the latter part of It, beea an eventful
one io mo oouBtry. ia u midst oz great
national pspsperity a flaanelal eriaia baa oc-
eured that haa brought BsWtortunes of treat
proportion; political partieaassblp baa almost
i to raw, especially in tne- agricultural
n sally tbo capture noon thehurh
os a vessel oeannt oar nam n
for a Ubm threatened the most
aeitooa eoneequeBce and baa agitated
the pa bile Bind from one end of the country
to the other. But this, happily, now ia In the
eooraa of aaUafactorr adjnstinetit, honorable
to sou aauoas cceeeraea. .. .
Tha ralattoe of me Ualted State, however.
with stoat of the other Bailees, eontinne to be
friendly and eordiaL With France. OenaaaT.
Russia. Italy and the niteor Karopeaa powers,
wtte BrazUaad aaeatottae toth Amerfcaa Re-
puoucs, ana wuatfapaa, aotamg aaa oocurreq
dnrtag tbo year to demand apodal notice.
Tbo eomapondanea bstwssa the Department
of State and tbo vaitoa dlptoautie represent
aUTea from theae eoaatries U transmitted hcre-
la exfeutiag the will of Congress, aa ex-
areaaed In tta Mat raaolntlott of the 14th of
rabrnary last, and In accordance with
the pntflalona of tbo resolution, a anmber
of practical artiaana
id scienuoc mea ana
hoaerary comtnlastoaa
were 'aatborlaed to
attead the Exposition
at Vienna
ton the cart of the United States. It
la believed thai are have obtained the object
which CoatTees had la view when it passed the
Mnt reaolatloa In order to enable the people
of the United Btatea to. participate In the ad
vantages of International exhibition of
agriculture, mannfactmre . and the line
arte, to be bald at Vienna. I
take plea are In add Inn that the American ex
hiMtors'bave teeeived a gratifying number of
aiptoesae ana oz meaeis.
zarBBBATKnui, t atsbt bzoht cobgbbbs.
' Durinv the Exposition a conference waa bald
at Vienna for the purpose of consulting on the
system . prevail lag . m different countries
for the perfection of different Inven
tloaa. , I authoriaed a representative
from the fateat Office, to be present st Vienna.
at the time when this conference waa to take
place, ia order to aid. aa far aa he might, in
. securing any possible addition to the protec
tion of Aaaerieaa ., inventors In
Europe. The report of this , agent
wui oe mm oexore vongraaa.
cwnmaa bslatkms abd m coomb tjudb.
It la mv pleasant dntv to an Bounce to Con
trees that the topavor of China, oaattaiaing
f hie majority laeatved the atplcsnaUc repre-
aantauvea - oi tea weaaarn powers in
An aceonnt of . these
and -of tbo - interesting dia
which preceded them, will be found
In the docmment atranamltted herewith.
The aeoompaarmg papers show that some
advanee, althoogb alight, baa oaaa made dor
lag the past year towards the suppression
of the Infamous Chinese . coolie
'trade. I reeommead Coogress : to
'Inquire whether additional legUlaUon he
not aaeded on thla subject. .,
TH OajraVA AWAXD. :'-
The money awarded to the United States by
tae tnaunai ox atawrsMon at uaneva, waa paw
' by her Majesty's government a few daya In
advance of the time whoa it would have be
cosse payable, according to the terms of tha
treaty. ' Ia eompnaaca with tbo provision
of the Act of March Sd, 1873, n waa at once
jscs us nirei oa, xoia, n was as once
to the Treasury, and used to redeem,
no it might, tea public debt of the
Btatea, and the amount so redeemed
paid into tae
aofar aeU
United Btatea.
waa Invested In a Ave per cent. registered.bonds
of the United States lor tfteen milliens live
hundred thooaand dollars, : .. which Is
now bald by . the ' Secretary . of
,etate, subject to the future disposition
of Coa tress I renew mv recommendation.
at the assembling of the laat aessioa of Con-
grim, that a eommlsaion be created for the
purpose at auditing and determining the
amonnta of tha several direct tosses growing
out oc wo acaw action oz vesasH ana their ear-
. c goes by the tlstisssa and Bhenandoah after
. leavmg Malaouma, for which the buz
zerara have recetvea no equivaiem or
. companastlon, and of ascertaining
; the names of persons entitled to receive com
; tkeaaetlou for tha same, maklnar the eomnuta
tkms on the basla Indicated by the Tribunal of
' ' Arbitration at geneva, and that payment of
anca losses oe euworwea to an extent not to
sxeeed the awards of tha tribunal at Geneva.
ttzb noaiBajaiamn nodwDAar
By tha aettoa approved on the 14th of Feb-
ruarv last. Coa trees made nrovulon for cam
... plotfag, Jomtly with aa officer or eonunissloner
to oeasmsn ay ney anwanie aaajeaty, tna ae
ternunation of so much of tha boundary line
between the territory ov ureat Britain aa was
; )eft' Incompleted by tha commissioners ap-
polated nader tha act of Congress. August 11,
1858. Under tha proviaioas of this act
the Northwest wafer boundajy Of the United
Btatea baa bean determined and marked In
- aeaordanea with the award a the Emperor of
Germany. ' A protocol and a copy of the map
on which the uae was than marked, are con-
taiaea m tae papers anommea nere. aaa i also
transmit a copy of the report of the Commis
sioner far marring tha boundary between the
United Btatea and: tea British poeistiieoa, west
of the Lake of the Woods, and of the opera
tions of tha Commissioners. During the past
season survsvs have bean made to a point 497
miles west of tha Lake of tbo Woods, leaving
about 8S0 miles to be ...surveyed. The
- held work of waleh can Jfe completed during
laeacxi
"" - on cJUin cqaonaaiOH.
Tha rniBBBisainn nmairsd nader the rjrovl
alon of tha treat of Waahlattoa. tor the set
tlement end delesmliilas of claims of eitisena
of either power agalnaf the other arising out
of aeto committed agatest their persons or
nwperc swik ine penoa Between Anru is.
laB Aprlrt, adslts Anal award on
he 18th dav of September laat. It was award -
ed that the Government of the United Statee
should Baa to tha Govanmaat of Her Brittaaic
Majesty, wtthiatwerve asonths from the date of
tae awam tae aam oz ai.yuv.siv tn gold. Tbe
rnmmlialiia disallowed, or dismiss ml all othi
claims of British subiect against tha United
Btatea. Tha amount if tha elalma presented
by taaBrrUah twerapjant but diaaflowed, or
dismissed. Is understood to be about $88,000,
00. it also disallows all tha claims of the
Ualted States against Great Britain,
which ware referred to It, I
reeommead the,, early passlag of
act appropriating tna amount necessary
to pay this sward against the United States. I
hava caused to be communicated to the Gov-
ernmeet of the King of Italy the thanks
thla Government tor the eminent services ran
dared by Count Coatt, aa tbe third cemmls
atoner oa thla commission. With dignity and
Impartiality ho discharged its duties,
' requiring great labor and constant patience to
taa teiarracnoB oc oota governments.
a anoiAL coubt or olazsu.
I reeommead legtsltttoB to create a frpeclal
court, to
of three Judges, Who shall
to hear ; and determine
all daises mads on tha United Statee, growing
' out of acta committed sgalast their persons or
'property daring tha tnaurraetion. The recent
conference under the Treaty of Washington
waa eonflned to claims of British subjecta, aria-
lac during tna pertoa aameo ia tae treaty, but
it to
BBMMwatooatBen
I there are other British elalma.
ota
aature. arislag after tbe 9th of
April. 1866. and it ia kaown that other claims
of a uke aature are advanced by citizens or
subjects ef other powers .It la desirable to
hava these claims also , examined and disposed
' Of, . , ' - ' r .;
ACHXBH WAR.
Official information belns received from the
Dutch Government of a state of war between
the King of the Netherlands and the Sultan of
Acbcen, the omcera oz tne united Btatea wno
are near the seat of war were instructed to
observe an impartial neutrality. It ia believed
that they have done so.
THB MBXICAN CLAIMS COMMISSIOB.
The Joint Cemmissioo under the convention
with Mexico; of 1868, having again been pro
longed, has resumed its business, which, it is
hoped, may be brought to ad early conclusion.
The distinguished representative of her Bri
tannic Majesty at Washington has kindly con
sented, witn tne approval oi nia uovernment,
to assnme the arduous and responsible duties
of umpire in this Commission, and to lend the
weieht of his character and name to such de
cisions as may not receive the acquiescence of
both the arbitrators, suppenea dv tne respect
ive governments. The Commissioners appoint
ed, sub ect to the authority of Congress, to ex
amine into the nature and extent of the foraja
by trespassers from that country, upon the
herd of Texaa. hare
will be aubmitted for y
eras oz Texas, nave maae a repom, wnicn
ill be submitted ror your consMerauon.
' " BXLA-nOm WITH VBBBZUSXA.
The Venezuelan eovemment has been ap
prised of the sense of Congress in regard to
the award of the Joint Commission under the
convention of the 25th of April, i860, as ex
pressed in the act of the 26th of February last.
It is apprehended that that government does
not realise the character of itajobligations under
the convention. As there is reason to believe,
however, that its hesitancy in recognizing
them springs, in part at least, from the real
difficulty in discharging them, in connection
with its obligations to otner governments, tne
exoediencvof further forbearance on our part
la believed to be worthy of your condidera-
tton.
. TURKISH KBLATIOHS.
The Ottoman Government, and 'that of
Egypt, have latterly shown a disposition to
relieve foreign Consuls of the Judicial powers
which heretofore they have exercised in the
Turkish dominion, by organising other tribu-
Ai Congress, however, has by law pro
vided for the discharge of Judicial functions
h (Innanla nt th I nltml HtaAa In MitMUhlHU
ter, under the treaty of 1830, 1 have not felt at
liberty formally to accept the present change
without tne assent oz uongress, wnose decision
upon the subject, at aa early a period aa may
be convenient, ia requeeiea.
PROTBCTORATB OVXK BABTO DOMIBOO.
I transmit herewith, for the consideration
and determination of Con Kress, an application
of the Republic of Santo Domingo to thla Gov
ernment, to exercise a protectorate over, to at
Republic.
TKBATIBS ntOVLAIBlBU.
Since the adjournment of Congress the lol-
lowinK treaties with foreign powers have been
proclaimed: a naturalization convention witn
Denmark. a convention with Mexico for renew
ing the claims commission, a convention
of friendship, commerce and extradition, with
the Orange Free States, and a naturalization
convention with Ecuador. -
1 renew a recommendation made In mv
age of December,187D,that Congress authorise
the Postmaster General to issue all commis
sion! to officials appointed through his Depart
ment.
BXPATRIATIOH AHDBISHT8 OV CITIZBW8HIP.
I Invite the earnest attention of Congress to
aha existing lawa or the united Btatea respect
lnt- expatriation and the electing of nation
ality bv individuals. Many citizens of the
United States reside oermanentlv abroad, with
their families. Under the provisions of the
act approved February 10, 1856, the children of
such persons are to be termed and taken to
be citizens of the United Btatea, but the rights.
of citizenship are not to descend to persons
whose fathers never resided in the United States
It thus happens thst persons wjb6 have never
resided witmn tne u niton states nave oeen en
abled to put forward a pretension to the pro
tection of the United States.- Amongst their
claims, is one of exemption from military ser
vice with the Government unaer wnose pro.
taction thev were born and have been reared.
in some esses unnsturausea citizens oz tne
United States have returned to the land of their
birth, to remain there, and their children, the
issue of a marriage contracted there, after
their return, ana who have never been
in the United Btatea, have laid claim to oor
proteetioo. when the lapse of many years
impeeea upon, mem tne auty oz military
service to the only government which had
ever known them personally, until the year
1888 it waa left, embarrassed by conflicting
opinions of courts and Jurists, to determine
how zar the doctrine oz perpetual auegeance,
derived from our colonial relations with Great
Britain, was applicable to American citizens.
Congress then wisely swept these doubts away
bv enacting that any declaration, instruction.
opinion, order or decision of any officer of this
government, which denies, restricts, impairs or
questions the right of expatriation, ia in
consistent with . the , fundamental
principal of this government. But Con-
aid not enact, m tnat statute,
nor haa since aone so, wnai acta are
to be deemed to work expatriation. For toy
own guidance in determining such question, 1
have required, under the provisions of the
Constitution, the opinion In writing of thesrin
eipel offices In each of the Executive Depart
ments, upon certain questions relating to wis
subiect. Tbe result satisfies me that further
legislation has become necessary. I therefore
commend the consideration of the subject to
Conarress. and I transmit herewith copies of
the several opinions of the principal officers of
the Executive vepsrtmenis, logetner witn otner
correspondence and information on'the same
subject. The United Btatea, who led
tha way in the overthrow of the feudal
doctrine of perpetual allegiance, are among
the last to Indicate how their own citizens may
elect another nationality. The papers sub
mitted nere witn indicate wnat is necessary to
place us on' a par with other leading nations in
liberality of legislation on thla International
question. We have already, in bur treaties,
sssented to the principles which would need
to be embodied in laws intended to accomplish
such results. We have agreed that citizens
of the United Btatea may cease to be citizens.
mk. voluntarily render allegiance to other
1 w. .- i .
foreixn land, without Intent to return, shall of
itself work expatriation. We have agreed, la
some instances, upon the length of time neces
sary tor such intent.
I In
invite Congress to mark out and define where
and how expatriation can be accomplished ;
to regulate bv law the condition oz American
women marrying foreigners to fix the statues
of children born foreign country, of
American parents, residing mare or - leas per
manently abroad, and to fix rules tor determin
ing such other Kindred points as may seem
-oast to congress. . . ,
THB RBPUBLIC OF 8PAIX.
In compliance with the request of Congress.
I transmitted to the American Minister nt
Madrid, with Instructsons to present it to the.
Spanish ; Government, the loiat reso-
lutioa approved on the 3d of
March last. tendering to the
people of Spain, in the name and on behalf of
tna Americas people, tne congratulations oz
Con tress upon the efforts to consolidate, in
Spain, tne principles oz universal liberty, ia a
Republican form of government. The
I ence of this new Republic was inaugui
. xne exist
inaagurated by
striking the fetters from the slaves li
slaves in Porto
Rico. This beneficial measure was followed
by the release of several thousand persona 11-
lersllv sold aa slaves in Cuba.
Next the Captain General of that colony was
deprived of the power to set aside the
the orders ef his superior at Madrid, which
had pertained to the office since 1886. Tbe
sequestered estates of American ; citizens,
which had been the cause of long and fre-
QuenWcorrespoudence, were ordered to be
stored to their owners. All theae liberated
estates were taken In the face, of violent op-
position directed by the reactionary slave
holders of Havana, who are vainly striving to
stay the march of Ideas which has
terminated Slavery In Christendom, Cuba
only excepted. Unhappily, however,
this baneful influence has thus far succeeded
In defeating the efforts of all liberal-minded
in Spain to abolish slavery lu Cuba, and in
sating the promised reform.
that land the straggle for political su
premacy continues. The aro-slsverv aristocra
cy la Cub la gradually arraigning Itself in
more ana more open hostility sua aensnce oz
the home government, while it still maintains
a practical connection with the Republic in
the Peninsula; and although usurping and
defying the - authority of the heme
government. Whenever such usurpation
or deaaace tends in the direction of oppression
or of the maintalnaace of abuses, it is still a
power In Madrid, and recognized by the gov
ern men.t Thus aa element more dangerous to
continued eolidlal relations between Cuba and
Spain than that which inspired the insurrection
st i errs, sa element opposed to granting any
relief from misrule and abuse, with no aspira
tions after freedom commanning no sympa
thies in generous' breasts, aiming to rivet
still . stronger tha shackles of slavery
and oppression, baa seized many ol the em
blema of power m Cuba, and under professions
of loyalty to the mother country Is exhausting
tha resources of the island, and la doing acts
which are at variance with those principles of
Justice, liberality and right which give nobUity
of character to a Republic. In the interests
of humanity, of civlllzatlon.and of progress, it
is to be hoped that thla evil influence may be
aoon arrested.
' thb vzaonrnrs casb.
The stesmsr Vlrginlus was. on the 26th dav
of September, 1870, duly registered at the
port of New York aa a part of the commercial
marrine of the United States. On the 4th of
October, 1870, having the certificate of her reg
ister in tne ususi legal zorm, ana sailed from
the port of New York, and haa not since been
within the territorial jurisdiction of the United
UB the sist oz October last.
whfle sailing under the flag of the United
states
on the high Bess, she was forcibly
by the Spanish gunboat Tornado,
aeteed
raa . carried into the port of
Santiago de Cuba, where many of her pessen
gera ana crew were innumaniy, ana so zar at
least as relates to those who were citizens of
the United States, without dne process of law,
put to aeauL.
It is a well-established principle, asserted by
the United States from the beginning of her
national independence, recognized by Great
Bltaln, and other maritime powers, and stated
oy tne senate m a resolution passed unani
monsly on the 16th of June. 1858. that Ameri
can vessels on the high seas. In time of peace.
bearing . the American flag, remain
under the Jurisdiction of the country to which
tney belong, aaa tnetezore any visitation, mo
lestatlen or detention of such vessel by force
on the part of a foreign power, is in derogation
of the sovereignty of the United States. In
accordance wita tma principle, tbe restoration
of tha Virginias, and the surrender of the sur
vivors of her passengers and crew, and a due
reparation to the flag, and the punishment of
tne antnonuee wno naa oeen guilty
of the illegal acta of violence.
were demanded. The Spanish government has
recognized the Justice of the demand, and has
srranged for the - Immediate delivery of the
vessel, and for tbe surrender of the survivors of
the passengers and crew, and for a salute to the
flag, and for proceedings looking, to the pun-
isnmeni oz tnose wno may De proved to have
been guilty oz illegal seta of vloleace toward
the citizens of the United States, and also
towards Indemnifying those who may be shown
to oe enuueu to indemnity. '
A copy of a protocol of
a conference between the Secretary of State
and the Spanish Minister, in which the terms
of this arrangement were agreed to, will be
transmittea nerawita. ine correspondence on
this subject with the Legation of tha United
States Is in cypher and by cable, and needs the
vermcauon oz tna actual text oz tbe corres
pondence. It haa seemed to me to be due to
the importance of tbs esse not to submit this
correspondence until the accurate text can
be received oy mall. - It ia expected
shortly, and- will be submitted when
received, in taking leave of thla sub
ject for the present, I wish to
renew the expression of my conviction that
the existence of African slavery in Cuba Is a
principal cause of the lamentable condition of
the island. I do not doubt that Congress
shares with me the hope that It will soon be
maae to disappear, ana that peace and nma.
peritv may follow its abolition. -
The embargoing of American estates la Cubs.
cruelty to American citizens detected in no act
of hoasility to tho Spanish Government, the
murdering of prisoners taken with anna in
their hands, and, finally,' the capture upon the
high aeaa of a vessel ssilint under the United
Btatea nag, and bearing
United States register, culminated in
an outburst of indignation that haa seemed
for a time to threstenawsr. Pending negotia
tions between the United States and the gov
ernment of Spain on the subject of .this cap
ture, I have authorized the Secretary of the
New to out our navy on a war feotlnr. to the
extent at least of tha entire annual appropria
tion for that branch of the service, trusting to
uongress ana tne puoue opinion oz the Ameri
can people to juaury my action. .'
AanDTDMBIIT TO THB flOXSTTTBTIOH,
Assuming from tha action of the last Con
gress, appointing a committee on privileges
and elections to prepare and report to this
Congress a constitutional amendment to pro
vide a better meuod oi electing the Pres
ident ana vice rreuaeat oz the United
States, and. also from the neceasitv of
such an amendment, that - there will be
aubmitted to the State Legislatures for ratifi
cation, such an improvement, in our constitu
udh, a. suggest two oweia rar your considers
lion: , . .
mat. to authorize tbe executive to approve
of so much of measures passing the Houses as
his Judgment mav dictate, without appro vmg
tha whole; the disapproved portion or portions
to . be subjected to the same rules ' ss
now. to wit, to be marred back to the House
In wrtitoh th ji MMiiia tm in . 1 1 1 i A,4fj.i.j
and If passed by a two-thirds-vote of the two
Houses then to become a law without the sp-
provai oi torn i lesiueuay i. wouia aaa to mis
s pro vision that there should be no legislation
bv ConaTess dnrinc the laat twentv-fonr honra
oi its sitting, except upon vetoes, la order u
give tne executive aa opportunity tq examln
and approve or disapprove Understandlnrlv.
Second, to provide by aa an amendment that
when an extra session of Congress is convened
by execuUve proclamation, legislation during
we continuance pi saca extra session snail be
eonflned to such subjects aa tha Executive
iv bring before IC from time to time. In
writing.
Tha advantagea to be gained by these
two amendments are obvious. . One
sion in each year la provided for bv the Con-
titution, In which there are no restrictions to
the subjects oz legislation Pjv Congress.
more is required, it la in the power of ConaTess.
during their term of office, to provide for ses
sions at any time. The first of theae amend
ments would protect tbe public against the
many wastes of public money which creee into
the appropriation bills and other important
measures during the- expiring hours of Con
gress, to which otherwise consideration can
not be given.
THB TKBASrBT ZWASTBnBI.
The receipts of the government from an
sources for ths lsst fiscal rear were B356.T38.
904, and tha expenditure oa all accounts $290,
845.M5; showing aa excess of receipts over ex
penanurea oz B4s,savaau. sat it is not pro
bable that thla favorable exhibit will be hhwn
tar tbe present year, laaeed ftp aery doubt-
zui whether, except WTB crest economy oa the
part of Coa grass in. making sppropriatlons.
and the same economy in administering the
various departmeaU of the government, the
revenues will not fall, .abort of meeting the
annual expenses. Including Interest on
the public debt. I commend to Congress
such economy, and point out the two sources
where it seems to me it might commence,
to wit: In the appropriations for public build
ings in the many cities where work hsa not
been commenced; In appropriationa tor river
and harbor improvements, in those localities
where improvements are of but little benefit
to the general commerce; and for fortifica
tions. There ia a still more fruitful source
of expenditure which I will point
out I refer to the easy method of mannfactur-
mg claims zor losses incurred in the suppres
sion of the late rebellion. I would not be un
derstood sa in opposition to the erection of
good, substantial or even ornamental buildings
by tbe government whenever such are needed.
In fact, I approve of the government owning its
own buildings In all sections of the country,
and nope the uay is not zar distant when it will
not only possess them, but will erect in the
capital suitable residences for all persona who
now receive commutations for quarters, or
rent at government expense, and for the cabi
net; thus setting an example to the States,
which may induce them to erect buildings for
their senators. But I would have the work
conducted at times when the revenue of the
country would abundantly justify it. .
THB PANIC. :
The revenues have materially fallen off for
the lsst five months of the present fiscal year
from what they were expected to produce,
owing to the general panic now prevailing.
which commenced about the middle oz Sep
tember last. The full effect of the disaster, if
it should not prove a blessing in disguise, is
yet to be demonstrated. In either event it-
is your auty to heed the lesson, and provide
by wise and well considered legislation, as far
as it lies in your power, against its recurrence,
and to take advantage of all benefits that may
have accrued: My own judgment is, that
however much individuals may suffer, one Jong
step hsa been taken toward specie payments:
thst we can never have permanent pros
perity until an entire new baaia ! is
reached, and that a specie basis cannot
be reached and maintained until
our exports, exclusive of gold, pay for our Im
ports, interest due abroad, and other specie
obligations, so as to lesve aa appreci
able accumulation oi precious metal in the
country from the products of our mines. The
developement of our mines during the past
year, and the prospective development of them
ior rears to come, are eratllvlnir m rmtnlt
Could but one half of .the gold extracted from
tne mines oe retained at home, our advance
toward specie psyment would be rapid.
To increase our exports, currency is required,
to keep all the Industries of the country em-
pioyeo. nfiinoui mis, national ss well as
ndividuai baakruptcv must ensue. Undnn lu
nation, on tne otner hand, while It might give
renei, wouiu owy lean to lnnauon oz prices.
The impossibility- of - competing. In
our marKets, zor tae products of home
skilled labor, and repeated renewals
of the present experience demonstrate thst elas
ticity in our circulating medium, sad just
enough of it to transact the legitimate busi
ness of the country and keep all industries em
ployed, is wnat is aesirea. The exact medium
s specie, tne recognized medium or exchanmi
uib wuriu wcr. luu uuuuneu,we snail nave a
currency of an exact degree of elasticity.
It there be too much of it for the legitimate pur-
(fusea u waue ana commerce. It will UOW OUt
of the country: If too little, the reverse will
result. To hold what we have and appreciate
our currency to that standard, ia a nrohlmn.
deserving of the most serious consideration of
uongress me experience of the panic has
proven mat tne currency oi tne country.
bssea as it is on the credit ' of - thn
country, is the best that has been devised. In
times of such trials currency becomes
worthless, or so much depreciated in value aa
to inflate the necessaries of Ufa as eomnemd
witn tne currency. Kvery one holding it has
been anxious to dispose of it on any terms.
Now we witness tne reverse. Holders of cur.
rency hoard it ss they did gold in former expe
riences of a like aature. It is patent to the
most casual observer that much more currency
i. i . . . . ..... .
is required to transact tne legitimate
trade of the country during the fall and win
ter montha, when vast crops are being moved.
than during the balancetjf the year. With our
present system, the amount in the country re
mains tne same tnrougnout tne entire year.
and results In an accumulation of all surplus
capital of the country in a few centers, when
not empioyea in tne moving oz the crops.
Tempted thereby by the offer of interest
on call." losns,' . interest being
paid, this surplus capital must earn this
interest, paid witn a prout. Being subject to
caii, it can oe loaned oily in part, at beat, to
the merchant or manufacturer for a fixed
term. Hence, no matter how much currenc
there might be in the country it would be ab-
soroea, paces Beeping pace with the volume
and panics, stringency, and disasters would
ever be recurring with the autumn. Elaa-
ticity in the mosey system, therefore, ia tha
object to be obtained first; and next to that, as
iar as possioie. a prevention oz the use of
money in stock; and other species of specula
hob. xo prevent tne utter, it seems to me
tnat one great step would oe taken bv pro
hibiting National banks from- paying interest
on deposits, .by requiring them to hold re
serves in tneir own vaults, ana by forcing thei
into resumption, though it would be only in
legal tender notes, ror this purpose
would suggest the establishment 1 of
clearing houses zr a consideration.
io secure the tormer manv plans have
been suggested, moat it not all of which lnnk
to me like inflation, on the one hand, or com
pelling the Government on the ether to pay
interest, without corresponding benefits, on
tne surplus zonae oz tne country, darine the
seasons when otherwise unemployed. I sub
mit zor your consideration whether this diffi
culty might not be overcome bv authorizinir
tne oeuetary ui tne ireBBurv to issue
st any time to national banks of
issue any amount oz their notes below
fixed percentage of issue, aav 40 per cent., on
the banks depositing with the Treasury of the
United States an amount of government bonds
equal to the amount of notes demanded, tha
banks to forfeit to the government aiyfour
per cent, on tne interest accruing on the bonds
bo pieageo ounng tne time tnev remain with
tha . Treasury aa. security for the
increased circulation. the bonds " so
pledged to be redeemable by the
banks at their pleasure, either in whole or
part, by returning their own bills for cancela
tion, to an amount equal to the face of the
bonds withdrawa. I would further sutvest
ior your consideration me propriety oz author
izing the banks to diminish their standing la-
sue at pleasure, by returning for cancelation
inetr own bills, and Withdrawing so many
United States bonds aa ara pledged for the
the bills returned. In view of the great actual
contraction that hss taken place in the curren
cv. and the comnarattm iwHitrarlimi MMrttntl
going on. due to. the increase of speculation.
tne increase oi manufactures, ano oz ail the
industries, I do not believe that there Is too
much of zt now for the dullest period of the
year. Indeed, if clearing bouses should be
established, thus forcing redemption, it ia a
question zor consideration whether banking
suouiu not oe maae zree, retaining ail tne saie
guards now required to secure the billholdera.
In any modification of the present laws regula
ting national banks sad as a further step
toward paving the way for a resumption of
specie payment, i invite your attention to
consideration of the propriety of - eject
ing xrorn mem tneir retention, - ae
a part of their reserva, ; ot either V tbe
waoie or a , part oz me goli
interest aocrulg upon ttn bonds pledged
sa security tor their issue. I have not reflected
enough on the bearing this might have In pro
ducing a scarcity of coin with which to pay
uufucb ua importrto give k my positive rec
ommendation: but toot attention, is invited to
the subject Wing the laat four yean the
currency nas oeen contracted directly by the
wituoxawm oz tne tnree per cent, coruscates,
cumyounu mterest notes, ana (-w dodos out-
standing on the 4th of March, '1869, allot
which took the place of legal tenders in the
bank reserves, to the extent of 63,000,000.
During the same period there baa been a much
larger comparative contraction of the
currency. The population of the- coun
try baa , largely .increased. More than
twenty-five thousand? miles of railroad have
oeen Duut, requiring she active uae oz capital
to operate them. Millions of acres of land
have been opened to cultivation, requiring
capital to move tbe products. Manufactories
have multiplied beyond all -precedent in the
same penoa of time, requiring a capital week
ly, for the payment of wages, sad for the pur
chase of material, and probably the largest of
all, comparatively, contracta,aiising from the
organizing of tree labor in tha South. - Now
every laborer there receives his wages,
and for the want a! savings beaks
the greater part of such wagaa ia earned In the
pocKet or aosrded till required lor use. Theae
suggestions are thrown out for your considera
tion, without any recommendation that they
shall be adopted, literally, but hoping that tha
best method may be arrived at to secure 'such
sa elasticity of the currency sswiH keep em
ployed all industries of the country, and pre
seat such such Inflation as will put eft, indefi
nitely, the resumption of specie payments, an
object devoutly to be wished for by alL and by
none more earnestly than the class of people
most directly mterested, those who earn their
bread by the- sweat of their brow. The de
cisions of Congress on this subject will have
the hearty support of the Executive. t
thb ship BciLbrjra zhtbbbr. i -In
previous messages. I have called atten
tion to the decline in American- ship building.
urn iwsoauacnaou bucu legislation as would
secure to ua our proportion of the carrying
trade. Stimulated bv high rates and abund
ance of freight, the progress for the last year J
in snipe puuaing nas oeen very satisfactory.
There haa been an increase of three per cant,
in the amount transported in American vessels,
over the amount of last year. With tha re
duced cost of material which haa taken place,
it may reasonably be hoped that this charm
vdllbe maintained, and even increased. How
ever, aa we pay about $80,000,000 per annum to
foreign vessels for tbe transportation of our
surplus products to a market, thus Increasing
the balance of trade against ua to this amount.
tne Buoject is one wormy or your serious con
sideration. ,. . s
TBAHBrOBTATIOH QtrBSTIOBT. : :
Cheap transportation ia a subiect that has
attracted the attention of both producers and
consumers for .the past few years, and haa con
tributed to, if it baa not been the direct cause
of the recent -panic and stringency.
As Congress, at- -its. last session.
appointed a special Committee to Investi
gate this whole subject, duriag the vacation,
and report at thla session, I have nothing to
recommend unto their report ia ready. There
is one work, however, of a national character
in which the greater portion of the East and
West, the North and the South, are eauallv in
terested, to which I will Invite your attention.
The State of New York haa a canal connecting
Lade Erie with tide water on the Hudsoa river.
The State of Illinois has a aimilarone con
necting Lake Michigan with the navigable wa
ter on the Illinois river, thus making water
communication inland between-tha East and
West. North sad South. These treat arttfl-
oial water courses are the property of the States
through which they pass, and pay toll to those
States. Would It not be wise statesmaashipto
pledge theae Btatea that If they will open these
canals for the passage of large vessels, the
Government will look attar and keep in navi-
gaoie conoiuou me great puouc nignways wztn
which they connect, to wit. the overalone-h on
the Hudson, the St. Clair's fiats, and the Illi
nois and Mississippi rivers. This would be a
national work, one of great value to the pro
ducers of the West and South, in glvlng-them
cnesp transportation ior tneir produce to tnr
seaooara, ana a zaarxet to the consumers it
the East, in giving them cheaper delivery ol
taose articles oz rood which do not find
foreign market, and lha Prices of which, there
fore, are not regulated by forelga demands
Tha advantages of such a work ara too obvJoui
for argument. I submit this subject to you,
therefore, without further comment. -
BXFIOBATZOH OF THB AXAZOB AHD ITS TBXB-
''VTABIBB.. --F.
In attempting to regain our lost commerce
ana carrying trade, i nave heretofore called
attention to the States south of us, aa ofieriag
a field where much mlaht be accomplished.
To further this object, I suggest a small appro
priation be made, accompanied with authority
for the Secretary of the Navy to fit oat a naval
vessel to ascend the Amazon river, and to the
mouth of the Madeira: thence to explore that
nver ana its TriDutanes, in uouvia.
ana , to report to ixragress at its next
session, or ss soon as practicable.
tha aiwaaalhllltw nt tha nw.tu Kw I,.
resources, and the population so reached. Such
an exploration will cost out little, it can do
no harm, and mav result in estsbllshlnar s trade
oi value to both nauoaa. . . ,
. . j tV THB TARIFF -THB MUTT.
In further connection -with the Treesurv De
partment. I would recommend -a revision sad
codification of the tariff Is ws, and the opealag
of more mints for the coining of money, with
suthority -to cola for. such nations as may
appqr -"' ;wr B5-! ..,.,-.
WAX DBrAXTJtBBT. . j-
The attention of Congress Is invited to thai
recommenaauons in the report oz the Becn-
tarp oi war, nerevntn accompanying.- The
apparent great cost oz supporting the Acade
my is fully explained in the report, and it will
receive your attention, - While Inviting youa
attention, w an tne recommendations made
oy tne secretary or war, there .are
two. wucn 1 would especially Invite you
to consider, nrst, the Importance of
preparing for war in time of peace, by provid
ing proper armament for our aea coast de-
tenses. rToper armament is oc vastly more
importance man lorun cations, aa uw litter
can be supplied very speedily for temporary
purposes when neededV while the former can
not. . The second is the necessity of reopening
promotion m the staff corps of the army.
Particularly fa this neceasitv felt in the
Lmeuicai, pay ana ordinance department.
At uhs time it - la necessary to employ
contract Burgeons to supply the! necesssrv
medical attention renulredbv tha army. With
tne present lorce oz ma ray Xfepartmeat It IS
now difficult td make the payments to the
troops provided tor bv law. Loan- delava in
payments are productive of desertions sad da-
moraiizatioBana tae law -prohibits the
ment of troops bv other than iwnlir am
payinasters There are bow sixteen vacancies
In the-Ordnance Department, thus leaviaa
that branch of - the service without sufficient
officers to eon duct the business of tbe different
arsenals on a large scale, it ever required.
. HATAZf DBPAanranT.
Dnrins tha psst year the Nave haa ham m.
duced by tbe sale of some vessels no longer fit
for naval purposes, and by the condeemaatloa
of others not yet disposed of. This, however.
naa oeen more man compensated for by tha
repair ' of the old wooden ships, and by the
by the past Congress.'- The building- of these
latter use wcuiieu as a aounty ionuABU time.
Aoey .are aoout - beiag . com
pleted, when :" they ' will poaaibl'
oe mueh needed, sad thd work noon them ha
no ouy given employment to wouaaads of
men, but has no doubt been the means of
keeping open establishments fot ether works
at a urns oz great ansacrai distress... since the
commencement of the last month, however,
the distressing occurrences which have taken
place in the wsters of the Carrtbean sea, slmeet
on . our - seaboard, while- they illustrate
most forcibly the necessity alwaya exist
ing that a aauon, situated as . ours.
should, maintain m a state - of
emcieney a navy adequate to zu resDonslbnitv.
has at the same time demanded that all the
eccuTB rorcewe rBauyneye amui oe, put in
immediate readiness for warlike service. This
hsa been, and la being, done pnompU sad ef
fectively, ana i am aesurea that aii the avails
able ships and . every authorized amn ot the
American navy will be ready for whatever, ac
tion la reonlred for the safety of nur eiilea or .
the maintenance of pur honor. This. 'of course,
will render the expenditure. In a short time,
of some ot. Uia appropriauoas which were
calculated to extend, through. Uw fiscal year,
but Congress wilLI daubs notl underetand and
appreciate tte exaei-gaacy, and will, provide
adequately, not only for. me pretext prora
tion, but for the future msuitensnce of our
naval force,' r X Me i-itf.;iAiai
The Secretary of the Navy has, during the
past year, bean aBlatlv.nwttinr (some lot our
moat extensive monitors la rendition for ser
vice, and thus the exigency shows oa sa much
better condition for work than ww could possi
bly have basn without his actioawov aunt
A complete exhibit preaerU In the! ac
companying report of the Postmaster General
of the operations ot . thelPost-offlce Depart
ment during the year, V , The ordinary postal
revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30th
1872, amounted to S3a.8e6,741 W, and the ex-
panditureaof all kinds to bOW 6X iThe
increase in revenue for 1873 waa Ii.081.SlS so.
and the increase in expenditures S24&573 30.
Independent - of the payments made from
special appropriations far. sun steamship Hoes,
me amount arawn irem tna aenerai. ATeasury to
meet deficiencies' was 150.654 7Sl The constant
rapid, extension ot our postal service, particu
larly upon railways, and the improved facilities
for the collection, transmission, distribution
and delivery ot nulla, which are constantly be
ing, provided, account for , the increased - ex
penditurea of Uiis popular hrsnch of, .tbe.jiub
lio service. . ..,.... .,'.. , ", ,j Xf..w
The total aumber of past-offices lu operation
the 30th of June, 1873, waa 8L34e a net, increase
of L381 over the number -reported, the preced
ing yesK The number .of f reaidentiaL .oiaces
was 1,368, and the increase 163 during the year.
The total lsngm of the jrsllrosd mall route, at
the close of the year waa 6.345.770. an Increase
of 55,466 miles over the year 1872. Fifty-nine
railroad post-office trains were ftf' operation on
the SOth of Jun 1878, . extendihgey?14,S6
miles oz railroad routes, and perrorming as ag
tTegate aervice ot 84,9as mllea; ,4" , ' " f
ine numoer oz tetters exenangea ' witn
foreign countries was 87.459.185. an' Increase of
3,099,685 over the previous Tear. ,; The poetsge
thereon amounted to . 13,031,319 86 asfd" the .
total weight of corrarpondence exchanged in
the maila with European eetntriea exceeded
912 tons, an Increase of W tone over the pre
yloua year. The total east Of tab t United
States ocean mail steBasshlp'serriee; including
-n,uuu paid zrom taa special 'spproprwaions
to subsidize Unea.of mail steamers waa S1.047.-
j!71 35. h mv iXK.diii4 .v
new or additional r postal - eonvemions
have been ! -concluded swith ti Bweeden,
Norway, Belgium, '3ermaay, ' Csnada, New
Foundland, and" Japan, -jrednelag-'-the
postal rates on oorraspoadBBceexchaaaed with
those countries. Efforta-' bay e beam made to
conclude a satisfactory postal oODventiou with
franee, but without success. - i s -f
I invite tha favorable consMeratioh of Con
gress to the suggestions and recommendation s
of the Postmsster Oeneral, for aa extevateu of
the-free delivery system in all cities having a
population ot not leas than 10,000, for tha vre
psvment of poataga on nawapaper' and other,
printed matter of thweatonddasv for the uni
form postage sad limit Of weight on miscella
neous matter, fsy adjuatrngthaeempensatkiu of
an postmsatera not appeaBteor ' ay tne presi
dent, by the old aaatboaV Of eommisstoBB on
actual receiats oz manooice,' lnstaaa .4r-the
present mode ef flxlzig'the mdsry' In-' advanoe
upon special returas, ead espaeially del. urge
favorable actioa by Caqsrrasa upon the import
ant recommendatlom of the Toai aasrtai' len
end for the eatahUshnuwt of Uarted States
Postal8sylngDeposBory.!F---ri --F!) 7o iiF(i
Tour attentien hi alao again ealledto- con
siderauou of poetal telegrams and the aagu
ments adduced ta amppcrt uaereot, in the hope
that you may take such sctiOB ia connection
therewith aa in your judgment will moat eon
tribute to tbe beat interests of the country.
" .1 ' i.p...y, t- i
THB DBPABTXBHT , OF jpSTICB AFFAIBS. OF
.'.;. f-r .'jT-.-fTi ,OTAH.v0 nf ,7 fOk ;l S t'm "
The affairs of Utah reauh-e ' sour early and
special attentkm. - The Supreme Court ol the
United States In the case of CUntonrvsj aagle
brecht. decided mat the Hetted Statee Marshal
of that territory could -mot -imarfauiyti suaamon
jurors for distriQt eoorts, and those Fcourts hold
mat me remtonai maranai eaati ot nghtroiif
perform that duty, beeauae he held ) it by p
pointment of the laghuatrre Aaaemhly, nand
was not appointed as royidad in the, act or
ganizing tha territory. . AJ1 ziroceediags at law
are practicably T alwlisbe,,! bjt these ,-dc-
ia. , aadn there .-;Bajve .,..been
but faw or ia intw liala ... in
the District Courts of , that Territory since i the.
last session ef Coztgrasa.,.?PBapexM, ktleft
without protection by tha Courts, and crimes
go unpunished To preaeat anarchy there It
la absolutely necessary that Congress provide .
tne uourta witn soma moasoi obtaining jurors,
and I recommend legislation to that eno. . Also,
that the Probate Courts of the Territory which
now assume to issue .writs .of Injunction and
habeaa corpfuvr and .to , try criminal cafes.
In questions, ss to land ttUea, he. denled-'ali
junsdictloa not poasessed oiauwril'y by Courts
of that deecriatlaa., ei,04 ;ax.p; ?m rig
5.iTHB BABKnCPTOT tAWWW
I have become impressed wUfi the belief that
the act appr jred March 8, 1807. entitled "An
act to establish ; a tretfonaf v system -of -bankruptcy
throughout thb wetted 8tates,'n is pro
ductive of more enl than good. ' ' At this time
many considerations tught' be' urged for its
total lepeaL but if this is aot jconslderedad-
yiuDie, l tninx it will not be scrierifllj qfles
tioned that those portions of said act provid-
lng for what to called Involuntary bankruptcy,
operate to Increase the financial embarrassment
of the country. Careful and 'prudent ' men
very often become involved W debt in , the
transection of their bBsfneas, though they may.
possess smple property. U It ceuld be made
available tor tliat purposf, to meet :aB' their
uaouiues; yet, on aceouat oz tne axmoratnary
scarcity of money, they amy be unable to meet .
all their pecuniary obttgstsaae, as they become
due, la consequence of which , they are liable
to be prostrated in their bualneea, by , proceed
ings ia bankraptcy. at the instance 4L. unre
lenting creditors. :; People nf are; now
so easily alarmed , aa:, r to.7 zaoaetary
muan turn i,. tBereHf! 1 suing
of a petition la bankruptcy . by an, nniriaadly '
creditor will necessarily emharzaas and, .often
times accomplish the .financial ruin of a re
sponsible business man. Those who otherwise
might make lawful and . jast-aiiaagameata to
relieve themselves from , difflcalUesprodused
by the preaeat stringency fa moaey, are pre
vented by theircoaataataxposwetoasteejaand
diaappointaMBt by jaweaedinga .agalast them
mbankmptcy. and, beside we law la made
use ot Is zoaay ( ,caaes. obdurate iVwed
tora to frightea or facce debtors into
a eompliaaea with their wishes, and in to. acts
of injusUce to other creditors, and to them
selves. I recommend that ae much of eaiAecf
as provides fortavoluntary baakruptcy oavae
count of me suspeoskai rot paypeut be.i re
pealed. - -;, f vUeii rtet fi1 Wa-W ,M5lF9iJ
CLAIXS ASATIIST1 THB 90nXUtn?'nY .
. Tour carefiil attehUonl'lS invu to'sub
Ject of claims against the gaxarnmenW ead the
lacljltles afforded by existing:, laws .zexTtheir
proeecntioB. Each oL the . departments, ot
State, Treasury and. War hava dczuaadaTor
many axniioBadojuazs upon thir filea, and
they are rapidly accumulating. ,.T a -these
may be added those now ' pending Txtfore
Congress, the Court of CUhne,- theSouthern
Claims Commlattonjmakmg to the aggregate
aa Immense bozo. ; poet of these grow out of
the rebellion, and are intended iS rademnUy
persona on bom sMaa Jot toelr ' looses durbg
the war. aajfi not A dtfktili'urfMAediti
and suBTKwtei. by fame teeSSaW. Frbjects
are on foot, it la beTkrved.' ty Induce Congress
to provide aeir cmuee of elalma ahd!revive old
i