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About Nebraska herald. (Plattsmouth, N.T. [Neb.]) 1865-1882 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1874)
THE HERALD. PLATTSMOUTII, - NEBRASKA. TTrrvrTPmvrT The President's Message. To the Senate and Honse of TtTresentatlTes : - TBI BUSINESS MOSTBATtON. since the convening of Congress one year ago the nation has undergone a prostration ia busl- u"n uu iijc i ii u i. r 1 1 an rutu o a . . ' -- witnessed with no for many ream. Speculation ae to the causes for this prostration might be in dulged jn withont profit, because aa many the ories would be advanced a there would be inde pendent writers who should express their -own views upon the subject. Without indulglug in theoriea an to tlm cause of this prostration, therefore, I will call your attention only to the fact and to some questions aa to which it would seem there should be no disa greement. During this prostration two essential elements of prosperity have been roost abundant labor and capital. Both have been largely un employed. Where security haa been undoubted capital hag been attainable at. very moderate rates. Where labor has been wanted It has been found In abundance, at cheap rates compared with what of the necessaries and comforts of life rould be purchased with the wages demanded. Two great elements of prosperity, therefore, have not been denied us; a third might be added. Our soil and climate arc un equaled within the limits of any .contigu ous territory under one nationality for Its vari eties of products to feed and clothe a people and in the amount of snrplus to spare to feed less fa vored people. Therefore, with these facta in view, it seems tome that wise statesmanship at this session of Congress would dictate ignoring the past cMstributing in proper channels these great elements of prosperity to any people. Debt abroad is the only element that can. with always a sound currency, enter into our affairs to cause any continued depression in the industries and prosperity of our people. Till CURRENCY. A great conflict for national existence made necessary for temporary purposes the rai-ing of large sums of money from whatever source at tainable; It was made necessary in tho wisdom of Congress, and I do not doubt their wisdom in the premises, regarding tho necessity of the times, to devise a srstem of national currency, which It Is proved to 'be importable to keep on a par with the recognized currency of the civilized world. Thitbegota spirit of specu'ation, involving sn extravagance and luxury not required for the happiness or prosperity of a people, and Involv ing, both directly and indirectly, foreign indebtedness. The currency, being of a fluctu ating value and unsafe to hold for legitimate transactions requiring monev, became a subject of speculation in itself. These two causes, however, have involved us in a foreign Indebtedness contracted in Rood faith by the borrower and the lender, which should be paid iu coin and according to the bond agreed upon when the debt was contracted gold or its cquivaleut- Tho s?.od faith of the Government can not ' be violated toward its creditors at the national disgrace. Our commerce Fhould be euconraged; American ship building and earning capacity increased; for -Urn market soni'lit for nrodiicts of the soil and manufactories, to the end that wo may be able to n.iv these dehts. Where a market can be created for the sale of our products, either of the soil, the mine or the manufactory, a new means Is "discovered of utilizing our idle caoitol and labor to the advantage of the whole people; but in my Jndgnieat,,the first stn toward ncconiDiifinn'' wiis uniuci is to sernre a currency cood wherevvr civ ilization reigns one which. If it becomes superabundant with one people, will flrrd a mar ket w ith some other a currency which has as its basis the labor nccessarv to protiuce it, wmcii w ill vvr. it value. Gold' and silver are now ihe recouuized medium of exchange the civilized world over, and to this we should return with the laaat practicable delay. la view of the pledges of the American Congress irh.n mi, nni'iit I .r:tl.? en :! ir RVtt?M, WS sdontv ed and the debt contracted, there should be no delav, certainly no unnecessary dctar, in ris ing by legislation a method by which we will re turn to specie. To the accomplishment of this end I invite your special attention. I believe (Irmly that there can be no pro-? Hons and per manent revival of business and me industries iin . til a iMilicy is adopted, with legislation to carry it out, looking to a retnrn to a specie basis. It is easy to couceivo that tho debtor and speculative classes may think it of value to make a so called rooner abundant until they ran throw a portion or tneir oilmen upon omers; out cvru these, I believe, would be disappointed by the result if a course should be pursued which will keep in doubt the value of the legal-tender me dium of exchange. A revival of the productive industries is needed by all classes, and by none more than the holders of property, of whatever sort, with debts to liquidate from the realization upon its sales. But. admitting that the two classes of citizens referred to are to be bencflt ed bv expansion, would It bs honest to give it? Wonld not the general loss bo too great to Justify such relief! Would it not be just as bouest and prudent to authorize each debtor to issue his own legal-tenders to the extent of his liabilities as to do this? Would it not be safer, for fear of over-Issues by unscrupulous creditors, to ray that all debts nnd obligations are obliterated in the United States, and now we commence anew, each Dossessint; all he has at the time free from in cumbrance? These propositions are too absurd to be tutertaincd for a moment by thinking peo ple. Kvery delay In the preparation for Anal re sumption partake of this dishonesty, and is only less In degree as the hoie is held out that a convenient season will at last arrive for the good work of redeeming our pledges to commence. It will never conic, iu my opinion, except by the posi tive ae'ion of Congress or by national disasters which will destroy for a time at least the credit of individuals and the Stateat large. I believe it is iu the power of Congress at this session to devise such legislation as will renew conn deuce, revive tjl the industries, start us on a ca reer of prosperity to last for many years, and to rave the credit ol I lie nation ana 01 me people. Stens toward the return to a s:ocie basis are the great requisites to this devoutly-to-bc-songht-ior enn. 1 uere are omer poiuis i may iuucu upon hereafter. A nation dealing in a currency below that of specie In vaiuclaimrs nnuer two creat aisimvan tages: First, having no use for the world's ac knowledged medium of exchange, gold and sil ver, these are driven out of the country because there is no demand for their use; secoud. the medium of exchange iu use being of a fluctuating valne, for, after all. It is only worth just what It will purchase of gold and silver, metals having aa intrinsic value Justin proportion to the honest labor it takes to produce them, a large margin must be allowed for prorit by the manufacturer and producer. It Is mouths from the date of production to the date of realiza tion. Interest upon capital must be charged and risk of fluctuation in the value of that which Is to be received in payjnent added; hence high Slices act as a protection to tlio foreign ro ucer, who receives nothing in exchange for the product of his skill and labor except a currency good at a stable value the world over. It seems to me that nothing is clearer than that the greater part of the burden of existing pros tration for the want of a sound financial system tails upon the worklngman, who must alter nil produce the wealth, and the salaried man who superintends and conducts biisiucss. Tli bur den falls uoonthem two vvavs: by the deprivation ofemplovmcnt and by the decreased purchasing power of "their salaries. It is the duty of Con gress to devise tift method of correcting the evils which arc acknowledged to exist, and not mine; bnt I will venture to suggest two or three things which seem to me as absolutely necessary to a return to specie payments the first treat requisite in a return to prosperity. The legal-tender clause to the law au thorizing the issue of currency by the National Government should be repealed, to take effect as to all contracts entered into after a day fixed in the repealing act. not to apply, how ever, to payments of salaries by the Govern ment or for other expenses now provid ed by law to be paid 111 cuirency. In the interval pending between the repeal and final resumption, provision should be made by which the Secretary of the Treasury can obtain gold as it may become necessary from time to time, from the date wbou specie resumption commences. To this might and should be added a reveuue suf ficiently iu excess of expenses to insure an accu mulation of gold in the Treasury to sustain re demption. 1 recommend this subject to your careful con sideration, believing that a favorable solution is attainable and that If reached by . this Coajri-ess the present and future generations will ever gratefully remember it as thoir deliverer from a turalldom of evil and disgrace. With resumption free banking may ho authorized with safefv, giv ing full protection to bill-holders, which they have not under the exUtlug laws. Indeed, 1 would, regard free hankie; as essential. It would cive proper elasticity to the currency. As morg currency ahonld bo required for tbu transac tion qf legitimate business, new bank would Us atartcd, and in turn barks would -wind up their business when it w fouiid litre, was a euperabunda&cu of cyrroccy, Ttso axfcirieaca a ad judjcsivjt'of tto Dcoplo cir. Lsf? dccMo j'-thc?w ssict; currency i r.q:l?cd ta' lili irxiticila? of tfcs It. j,;, of 1 j0 ('-silP; Jt If T frt it Hav tiifi aiii-M'SIUE of this question to Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury or the Executive. Congress should make the regulations nnder which banks may exist, but should not make banking a monopoly by limiting the amount of red&emable paper cur rency that shall be authorized, bueh importance do I attach to this subject, and so earnestly do 1 commend it to your attention, that I give it prom inence by iutrulVuclng it at the beginning of this message. TORBIGN RELATIONS. During the past year nothing has occurred to disturb the genial, friendly and cordial relations of the United States with other powers. The correspondence submitted herewith between this Government aud its diplomatic representatives in other countries shows a satisfactory condition of all questions between the L ulled States and the most of those countries, and with few ex ceptions, to which reference Is hereafter made, the absence of any points of difference to be ad Justed. Tim notice directed by the resolution of Con press of June 17, 1874, to bo given to terminate me convent ion or July 17, 185H. between the l nlted Cites and Belgium has been given, and the tr.'Stv will srrnnlinirlv terminate on the 1st day of July, 187a. This convention secured to certain iM'igmm vessels entering the ports ol tue United Mates exceptional Drivilcses which are not ac corded to our ow n vessels. Thg other features of iuc roiuveiiuou nave provea susiacurj muu unvn tended to the cultivation of beneficial commer cial intercourse and friendly relations between the two countries. I hope that the negotiations which have been invited will result in the cele bration of another treaty w hich may tend to the interests ot both countries. Our relations with China continue to be friend ly. Diirinethe past year the fear of hostilities between China and Japan, erowin? out or the landing of an armed force upon the island o( roimosa ny tno latter, nas occasioned nn easi ness. It is earnestly hoped, however, that the ilifncnltie arising' from this cause will be ad justed, and that the advance of civilization in these hmpirea may not be retarded by a stato of war. in consequence or the part taken by cer tain citizens of the United States in this expedition ' our representatives in those coun tries nave oen Instructed tor Impress upon the Governments of China and Japan the firm inten tion of this country to maintain a strict neutrality in the event ot hostilities, and carefully prevent any infraction of law ou the part of our citizen. In connection with this sub ject I call the attention of Congress to a generally conceded fact that the great proportion of Chinese immigrants who come to our shores do not come voluntarily to make their homes with ns and their labor pro ductive of general prosperity, but they come un der contract with head men, who own them al most absolutely. In a worse form docs this apply to the Chinese women. Hardly a per ccptihle percentage of them perform any honor able labor. They are brought for shitmelul pur poses, to the disgrace of the communities where ther have settled, and to the ereat demoraliza tion of the youth of those loc9litie. If this evil practice can be legislated ag.-.lnst it Will be mv pleasure as well a duty to enforce any reg ulation to secure so detira)lo an end. It Is honed that netrotiations between the Gov vcrnment of J:ip.m and the treaty powers, looking to the further opening of tho r.'mpire and to the removal ot various restrictions upon trade and travel, mar soon produce the result d 'sired, which cannot fail to inure to the benefit of all the par- tics, ll.ivlng on previous occasions submitted to the consideration of Congress the propriety of the release of tho Japanese Goverumentfro-.il tne turther pavmeiit or indemnity un der the convention of October 2!, 181. and as no action has been taken therela. it be comet my duty to regard tho obligations of k. . i ,.. r m . 1 lire cuuvriiunii i in loice, auu, as cne oiuer powers interested have obt.iiui-d their por tion of the indemnity in full, tlie Minister of the United Stat.'H in Julian has. in behalf of this Government, received the ro.n5ndcr of the auionut due to tho United States under the Convention of Siraouseky. I submit the pro priety of aprl'iug the Income of a part, if not the whole, of this fund to the education in the Japanese 1 animate of a number of imn men. to be under obligations to serve the Government for a specified time as interpreters at the location and the consulates in Japan. A limited nn:nber of Japanese youths might at the same time be pfliictted in our own vernacular, and mutual ben efit would result to both Governments. The Im portable ; of having our own citizens competent anil familinr w ith the language of Japan to act. a interpreters and in other capacities connected with toe leg vtiou and consulates In that country cannot readily be over-estimated. The amount awarded to th? Government of Gnat tin tain by the commission organized nn- d.T th? provisions oi the Troatv ot Washington in settlement of the claims of British subjects arising from acts committed between April 13. 1861, and April ft, lSti. became payable nnder terms of the treaty within the past year, and was pain upon tne zist aay oi September. 1S74. ALIEN' CLAIMS AOA1X3T TUB UNITED STATES. In this connection I renew my recommenda tion, made at the opening of the last session of Congress, that a special court be-jrrcatert to hear and report all claims of aliens against the United States arising from acts committed against their persous or property during the insurrec tion. It appears equitable f.at oppor tunity should be offered to citizens of other States to present their claims, as well as those British subjects whose claims were not admissible under the late commission, to the early decision of some competent tribunal. To this end I recommend the necessary legislation to organ I z.: a court to dispose of those e'aims of aliens of the nature referred to in an equitable and satisfactory manner, and to relieve Congress and the departments from the consideration of these questions. T.'lE COLONT Of HKWPOUTCDLAXD. The legislation necessary to extend to the col ony of Newfoundland certain articles of the Treaty of Washington of the 8th of May, 1M71. having been had, a protocol ta that effect was signed In behalf of the United States and of Great Britai.i on the8th day of May last, aud was duly pro claimed on the following day. A copy of the proclamation is submitted herewith. TH SOUTHWESTERN UOCNDABT. A copy of the report of the Com mission ap pointed under the act of March '.!, 187A for sur veying and marking the boundary between the United States and the British Possessions, from the Lake of the Woods to the summit of the Kocky Monntaius. is herewith transmitted. I am happy to announce that the field work of the Com mission has been completed, and the entire liue, from the northwest corner of the Lalae of the Woods to the summit of the Kocky Mountains, has been run and marked upon the surface of the earth. It is believed that the amount remaining unexpended of the appropria tion made at the last session of Congress will be sufficient to complete the office work. I recom mend that the autnorlty of Congress be given to nse the unexpended balance of the appropriation in the completion ot the work of the loinmis si.iu in making the report and printing the neces sary map. THE ALABAMA CLAIMS. The court Icuown a- the Court of Commission ers of Alabama Claims, created by an act of Congress the isst session, has organized and commenced, the work, and it is to be hoped that the ciuims admissible under the provisions of the act may be speedily ascertained and paid. UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND SEAL. ESTATE IN Tl'BKET. It has been deemed advisable to exercise the discretion conferred upon the Executive at th? last session by accepting the conditions required bv the Government of Turkey for the privilege of allowing citizens of the United States to hold real estaie In the former country by assenting to a certain change in the Jurisdiction of the courts iu the latter. A copy of the proclamation upon these subjects id herewith communicated. MRS ICO AND SOrTU A If ERICA. Tnere has been no material change in our rela tions with the Indepeudont States of this hemis phere which were lorincrlv tindT the dominion of Spain. Marauding ou the frontiers between Mexico and Texas still frequently takes plaee, despite the vigilance of the civil and military au thorities iu that quarter. The difficulty of chocking such trespasses along the cotue of a river of such length as the Kio Grande, and so often fordable. Is obvious. It is hoped Unit the effort of this Government will be seconded by those of Mexico to the effectual suppression of acts of wrong. From a report upon the Condition of the busi ness before tho American and Mexican Joint Claims Commission, made by the agent ou the part of the United States, and dated Oft. i-i, 1971. it appears that of the 1,017 claims filed on lh part of citizens of the United States 4S-1 had been finally decided, and 7. were in the hands of the umpire, leaving 4&2 to be disposed of; aud of tne !J claims filed against the United States TM had been finally decided ou, one was before the umpire aud S71 remained to be disposed of. Since the date of such report other claims have b-.iaa disposed of. reducing somewhat tho number still pending, and others have been passed upon by the arbitrators. It has become apparent, in viewof those figures and of the fact that the work devolving on the uinplr Is particularly laborious, that -tho Commission would be unable to dispose of the entire number of claims pending prior to the 1st day of Febru ary, 187.x the date fixed for its exptrfftlou. Nego tiations are pending lojkiug to the securing of the results of the decisions which have been reached and to a further extension of tho Com mission for a limited time, which, it ia confident ly hoped, will suffice to bring all tho business now before it to a final close. The strife in the Argentine Bcpublic is to bo deplored, both on account ctf the parties thereto and from the probablo cfl'ectt of the interest of ihnu encased in the trad" thai Quarter, of . i Wfluls tne c iiiwu oidivo sig iiiuuii luc r e - A Ye , Q fir a I sei itWitru. C:i.-;-u iu i; j violates of liar aotra'.ity r:,,K.t, w:cl:. -y v--. ei tux ds-iw? fytaajfy i to a rtt ft is with recret I announce that no further payment has been received from the Govern ment, of Venezuela on account of awards in favor of citizens of tho United States. Hopes have been entertained that If the JlepuDlic coma escape both foreign and Civil war for a few years its 1 great natural resources would enable it to honor Its obligations. Though it is now understood to oe at peace wirn omer countries, a serious in surrection Is reported to be in progress in an im portant region of that Republic. This may be taken advantage of as another reason to delay the payment of the dues of our citizens. CCBA AND STAIN. The dnnlnrable strife In Cuba continues with ont any marked change in the relative ad vantages of tbe contending forces. The insur rection continues, but Spain lias gained no superiority. Six years of strife give tho Insur rection a significance which'cannot be ignored. its duration ana tne tenacity, oi its iourraw. together with the absence of manifested Dow or of sntiDreassion aa the Dart of Spain, cannot be controverted, and may make some positive steps on the part of otnar powers a mat ter of self-necessity. I had confidently hoped at this time to be able to announce an arrangement of some of the important questions between this Govern ment ana that of Spain, but the negotiations have been protracted. The unhappy intestine dissension vt Spain command our profound sympathy, and must be accepted aa, perhaps, a cause for some delay. An early settlement, in part at least, of the questions ueiweeu tne gov ernments is hoped for. In the meantime, await ing the results or lmmecuateiy-penaing negotia tions, I defer a further and fuller communication on the subject of the relations of this country audiipain. I have arrain to call the attention of Congress t the n satisfactory condition of the existing law s with reference to expatriation and the elec tion of nationality. Formerly, amid conflicting opinions and derisions, it was difficult to exactly determine now far tne doctrine oi perpetual al legiance was applicable to tho United States. Congress, by the act of the 7th of Jdly, asserted the abstract right of ecputriatton as a fundamental principle of this Government. Not withstanding such assertion and the necessity of the frequent application of th"! principle no legislation nas oeen naa aennui wnat formAAltiea shall work exoatriatlon. or when a citizen shall be deemed to have removed or to have lost his citizenship. The importance of soch a definition Is obvious. The representa tives of the I'uited States iu foreign countries arc continually callej upoa to lend their aid and the protection of the United States to persous concerning the good faith or the reality of whose citizenship there is at least great question. In some cases the provisions of the treaties fur nish some guide; in others it seems left to the persons claiming the "benefit of citizenship while living in a foreign country, contributing in no manner to tho performance of the duties of a ci:lze of the United State, and without the in tention at any time to return aud nudertnkn those duties, to use the ciairu of citizenship of the L'nited States simply as a shield from the performance of the obligations of a citizen elsewliero. Tho status of children born of American par ents restdlug lu a foreign country, of American women who have married aliens, or American Citizens residing abroad, where such question is not regulated by treaty, arc atl sources oi irc quent dllilcultr "aid discussion. Legislation on these ana similar questions, ana parueuiany ue Anin! when and under what circumstances expa trlat.on can be accompii.-tud, or is to be pre sumed, is especially ueeuau. In this con necii' hi 1 earnestly call the at ten tion of Congress to the difficulties arisiug from. fraudulent naturalization. The L'nited States wisely,' freely and liberally offers its citizenship to an wno may come in gooa iaua iw resiu-j within its limits, on their complying with certain prescribed reasonable aud simple formal ities aud Condition. Among the high est duties of tho Government is that to afford a firm, efficient and effectual protection to all its citizens, whether native born or natural ised. Care should be taken that a right, carry ing w ith it such support from the Government, should not be fraudulently obtained, and should be bestowed ouly . upon fall proof oi i I'lUll'iinum niiu uiu ua n . ma ' "-.- " . . stances of illegal and fraudulent naturaliza tion and of unauthorized nso of certificates thus i uy.-JDeriy ob-atned come to light in so:n.- caes tne fraudulent character of the naturalization has appeared npon the face of the certificate itsell; tu otners examination discloses that the holder had not complied with t.e law, and in others certificate have been, obtained where the persons holding -them notoniy were not entitled to be naturalized, but had not even been within the UniteJ States at the time of the pretended naturalization. Instances of these classes oi iraua are aiscovcru ni our legalious, vrhe.re the certificates of naturalize .1 . ..j : v. t . .... nr ..K lion are tresuoioa etiuv' luc (iuiupo , taininir nass Hurts or demanding the protection of the legation. When the fraud is obvious on the fare of such cert locates thev are taken up by the representatives of the (iuYernme.it and for warded to the Department of State. But even the record of lh-j court iu which tne fraudulent naturalization occurred remains, aud duplicate certificates are readily obtainable. L oon the presentation oi tnese lor the issue of pansports or demaudlng protection of the Government the fraud sometimes rscirjea notice, and such certificates are not infreuaentlv used in transactions of business, to the deceijllon and injury of innocent parties. v ituT.ut placing any au dit ioual obstacle in the way of the obtalnment of . - . . . . ., ,, i . a Cllizeusnip Dy tne wormy auu sca iuicunuucu foreteller who comes in cood faith to cast his lot with ours, I earnestly recommend further legisla tion to punish fraudulent naturalization and to secure t4ie ready cancellation, of the record of every naturalization made iiffraud. TKKATIMS OF SXTBADITION. Since mv last aunual message the exchabue haa been made of the ratification of treaties of extradition with Belgium. .quador, 1'eru and Salvador; also of a treaty of commerce and navi gation with i'eru, and one of commerce and con sular privileges with Salvador; all of wbirh hav been duly proclaimed, as has also a declaration vvltn KUsfia Willi reiereuce to traue-maras. Ktl-URT OF TUI BECBKTAKY OF Til K TBEASl' KT . The report of the Secretary of the Treasury which by law la made directly to Congress and forms no part of this message, will show the re ceipts and- expenditures oi tne ooverumeiii for the last fiscal Year, the amount re ceived from, each source of reveuue, an I the amount paid out for each of the department:; ui the Government, it will be ob served from this report that the amount of re ceipts over expenditures has been but J-J.SU.-S8..:t0 for the fiscal year ending June 3J. 1-S.4. and that for the current fiscal year the estiina'ed re ceipts over expenditures will not. much exceed J'.i.'OO.utO. iu view of the latere national debt ex islinir. aud the obligation to add 1 per cent, per annum to the sink'tug fuud, a sum amounting now to over U.iOO.tXW per aunum, i submit whether the reveuues should not be Increased or the expenditures diminished. To reach ibis amount of surplus and not to provide for the sinking fund is a partial failure to comply with the con tract and obligations of the lioverument. At the last session of Congress a very considerable reduction was made Iu the rates of taxation aud the number of articles submitted to taxation the question may well bo sskod whether or not in sonic instances unwisely. In connection w1:li this subject, too, I veDture the opinion that the means of collecting the revenue, especially from im ports, tive nren embarrassed by such legislation as to make it quesil anable whether or nut large amounts are no? lost by a failure to collect, to the direct los of the Treasury and to the preju dice of ike Interests of honest Importers and tax pavers. The Secretary of the T.casuiy In his report favors leirlrlailon lookincr to specie payment. thus supporting the views previously expressed In this uiesscpe. He also recommends economy iu spproprla'ion ; calls attention to th.3 loss of revenue from repealing the tax on tea or coffee, withont benefit to the consumer; recommends on Increase often cenrs a gallon on whisky, and. further, that no modification be made in the Banking and Currency bill passed at the iast sesrlon of Cougress. uuless a modification should become necessary by reason of the adoption of measures for returning to specie payments In these recommendations I cordially Join. THE TARIFF. I would suggest to Congress the propriety of readjusting the tariff so as io increase the reve nue nnd at the same time decrease the number of articles n pou which duties are levied. Those articles which enter into our manufactures and are not produced at home, it seems to me, should be entered fre e. Those articles of manufacture which we produce a constituent-part of, but do not produce the whole, that part which we do not prodnce should enter ireo also. I will in stance flue wool, dyes, etc. These articles mii-d be imported to for.n a part of the manufacture of tho higher grades of woolen goods. Chemicals used as Oves, compounded lu medicines and used in various ways in manufactures come under this class. The introduction,' free of duties, of such wools as we do not produce should stimulate the manufacture of goods requiring these. There are many articles entering into home manniacturcs which we do not produce ourselves, the tariff' upon which increase the cost of pro ducing the manufactured article. Ail eorrculious In this regard are in tho dircctlou of btingiug labor and capital into harmony with each other and of supplying one of tho . clonic uu of pros perity ao much uocded. , TiJE Anxr' AND nav-t. The report of tho Secroii-y of War, herewith attached, and forming a part of this mersage. gives all the information concuralng the opera tions, wants and necessities of tuo a' my, Juii contains many suggestions and reeo-.iiiieud i tiuuv w'.ikli X CvUi'.H:d to joir. K.j-.rju! etrji- :iu. u iio eljitfa or Civ;-.tf4ii jj!vu 1y aro Jautitf wr!w4 :-tc iU-j .: o.- i Cheerfully aud efficiently, and nnder clrcutn :es of greater privation and hardship. Legl- thts more stances of irreater privation and hardship lation is desirable to render more j'tflcient branch of the public servico. All thi reComruen datfona of the Secretary of War I regard as Judi cious, and I enneclallv eomrnend to yodr at tention the following: Tho consolidation of Government arsenals i the restoration of mileage to oncers traveling nnder orders; the exemption of money received from the sale of subsistence stores from Deing covered into tne Treasury; the nse of appropriations for the purchase of subsistence stores without wait ing fdT the beginning of the fiscal year for which the pprotriation is made; for additional appropriations for the collection of torpedo material; for increased appropriations for the manufacture of arms; for relieving the various Slates from indebtedness for arms charged to them during the rebellion for drop ping omcers from the rolls or the army without Trial for the offense of drawing nay more than once for the same period: for the discouragement of the plan to pay soldiers by chocks, aud for the establishment of a professorship of rhetoric and English literature at West Point. The rettons for the recomnieuda- Uons are obvious, and ere set forth enfficleutly In the report attached. I alsJ, recommend that the status of the staff corps of the army tn fixed. where this has not already Deen done., so mat promotions may be made aud vacancies filled as they occur in each grade when reduced below Oio number to be fixed bv law. The necessity for such legislation is specially fell now in the l'ay Department. The efficiency of the navy hat been largely in creased during the last year, nnder the Impulse of the foreign .complications which threatened us at the commencement or the last sessiou oi Congress. Most of our efficient wooden ships were put in condition for immediate service, and the repairs of our iron-clad fleet were pushed with the utmost vigor. The result la that most of these are in effective condi tion, and need only to be manned and set in commission to go at once iuto service. Some of the new sloops authorized by Congress are al ready id commission, and most of the remaiuder are launched and wait only the completion of their machinery to enable them Sn take their places as part of our effective force. Two iron torpedo-ships hare been com pleted curing tho last year; and four of our larce turreted iron-clads are now undergoing repairs. When they are finished evervthina that Is needful ot our navy, now au thorized. will be in condition for servft-e, and with the advance in the science of torpedo war fare the American navy, comparatively small as it is. will he found at any time powerful for the purposes of a peaceful nation. Much has uIbo been accomplished during the year in aid of science and to increase the sum of general knowledge and further the interests of commerce and civilization. Extensive and much-needed soundings have been made for hy drographic purposes and to fix the proper routes of ocean telegraphs. Further surveys of the great Isthmus have been undertaken and completed, and two vessels of the navy afe now employed, in conjunction with thoseof Kngland. France, Ger many and Russia, in observations connected w ith the transit of Venus, useful and interesting to the scientific world. The estimates for this branch of the public service do not differ materially from those of last year, the general support of the service being somewhat less and those for Improvements at various stations rather larger than the corre sponding estimate made a year ago. The regular maintenance and a steady increase in the effi ciency of this most important arm, in proportion to the growtn ot onr maritime intercourse ana iu terests, is recommended to the attention of Con press. The nse of the navy during peace might be farther utilized by a direct authorization of jhe employment of naval vessels iu survevs of the supposed navigable waters of other iiationali- ties on tuis comment, especially inv mo utaris of the two groat rivers of South America, tne vrouoco ana tne Amazon Nothing prevents, nnder existlns laws such explorations, except that expenditures must be made in such expeditie is beyond those usually provided for by the appropriations. The field designated is unquestionably one of inter est, and one capable of a large development oi commercial interests, advantageous to the peo ple reached and to tnoso wno may cstabllsn rela tions with them. BDUCATIOM AND TUB POSTOryiCB. The education of the people entitled to exer cise the right of franchise I regard essential to general prosperity everywhere, and especially so in republics, where neither educatioa nor pre vious condition enters into acrount lu giving siiuVagv. JNext to the puouc school, the t'ost offloo id the great agent of education over our vast territory. The rapidity with which new sections are beinij settled ln-crv-ase.a the cost of carrying the mails in a more rapid ratio than the increase of receipts. The re port of the Postmaster-General, herewith at tached, shows that there was an increase of revenue in this department in 1373 over the previous year of 11.974,411, and an Increase of the cost or carrying tue in alia ana paying em ployes or j:i,ini.4n.i. t ne report oi tne rosi-master-General gives interesting statistics of his department, and. comparing them with the cor responding statistics of a year ago, shows a growth iu every branch of the department. A postal convention has been concluded with New South Wales, au exchange of postal cards established with Switzerland, and the negotiations pending for several year past with Franco have terminated in a convention with that country, which weat into effect last August. An International Postal Congress was con vened in Borne, Switzerland, in September Inst. Ht n-hii-h the Ij'nlled Spates was represented bv an officer of the PostoftVe Department of much experience and of qualification for the position. A convention for tne establishment of an inter national postiU union was agreed upon by the delegates of the countries represented, subject to tho approval of the proper authorities of those countries. I respectfully direct yourattentiou to the report of the i'dstmaster-General and to his suggestions In regard to an equltauie adjustment oi i:i" ques tion of compensation to railroads ttr carrying tlu malls. TUB SOL'TUKHS STATBS. Your attention will be draw n to Die unskilled condition of affairs in some of the Southern States. On the Hth of Septemb -r last the Got ernor of Louisiana called upon me. as provided by the . onstitutlou anu laws or tne I nitei States, to aid in suppressing domestic vtoleuce in that State. This call was made iu view of a proclamation Issued on thftf day bv i). B. Penn, stating that be was elected Lieutenant-Governor in 873 and call ing upon the mtluia or the State to arm. assem ble and drive from power the usurpers, as he designated the officers of the State Government. Un the next day I issued my proclama tion, commanded the insurgents to dis perse within live davs from the date thereof, and subsequently learned that on that day they had taken forcible possession of the state House, -iroops were sent Dy me to support the existing and recognized State Gov ernment, but oeiore tne expiration oi tne nve lays the insurrectionary movement was prac tically abandoned, and the officers of the State Government, with some minor exceptions, re sumed their powers and duties. Considering that the present State admiuistration of Louisi ana had been the only government ;n tnnt state ror nearly two years that If had been tacitly acknowledged and acqui cscud in as such by Congress, aud more than once expressly recognized by me, I regarded it as my clear duty, wuen legally called upon for tua? purpose, to prevent its overthrow by au armed mob under pretense of fraud and irrczu- larifv in the election of 1S7&. I have heretofore cailed the attention of Congress to this i-uhjcct. stating that on account of thefrauds and forgeries committed at said election, aud because It appeared that the returns thereof were never legally canvassed. It was impossible to teil thereby w ho were chosen, but from tho best sources of information at my command I have always believed the present State officers re ceived a majority of the le-'al votes actually cast at that election. I repeat what I said In my special message of Feb. 13, l&r-i, that iu the event of no action Dy Congress 1 must continue to recognize the government heretofore recognized by me. I regret to say that with the preparations for he late election a decided indication appeared in some localities in the Southern States of a de termination, by acts of violence and intimida tion, to deprive citizens of the freedom of the ballot because of their political opinions: bands of men masked and armed made their ap pearance: vvnite leagues ana otner societies were formed; large quantities of arms and am munition were Imported and distributed to these organizations; military drills, with men acing demonstrations, were held, and, with ail these, murders enough were coiumitted to spread terror among those whose political action was to be suppressed if possible by these intolerant and crimiual proceedings. In som: places colored laborers were compelled to vole accordiug to the wishes -of their employers, un der threats of a discharge if they acted other wise, and there are too many instances iu waicn, wheu these threats were disregarded, they were remorselessly executed by those by , uom tney were mauc. i understand mat the r'if'eeuih Amendment to the Constitution was made to preveut this and the like state of things. and the act of Mav 31. 1870, w ith the amendments, was passed to enforce it provUluus, the object of this being to guarantee to all citizens the right to vote and to protect them in the free enjoyment of that riirht. Eaiolncd by the Constitution to take care that the laav bo faithfully executed, and couviuuotl by undoubted evidence that violations of said act had been committed, aud that a wide spread aud flagrant disregard of it was contem plated, tho proper officers were instructed to ,Tooculo tho offenders, and troops were sta iv.:ud at cou' ;iieut points t.i i;lJ tuvj r3cer. if uuwssury. ta tt .rforuiacca uf thvir uiUi'ioi cw'.lv. t'uiiiia!Ct 5i;3vb of liv-v;.-cues if ftJcreJ ctiUMriirt ' " 9$ amendment and act do not provide for such' interference uuder the clrcnmstaures as above stated then thev arc without meaning. Jforce ur effect, and the whole scheme of colored ?"r'.1,n. Chlsement ia worse than mockery and little ! tr ii-in p.i.,ihli-rni.rrnM mav find It due to truth and justice to acertain, by means of a committee, whether the alleged wrongs to col ored citizens for political purposes are real, or the reports thereof were manufactured for the oc casion; . . The whole number of troops In the States ot LnulsUna. Al.ih.nv Georgia. Florida, South Carolina, arth Carolina. Kentucky, Tennessee. Arkansas. Mississippi. Marv'aud, ana ;r,i.iii at the time of the elections w 4Xi. This em braces the gaarisous of all the forts from the Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico. Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas. Ar ticle thirteen of the Constitution of the State. which was adopted in lSdS. and upon tne ap proval of which by Confess thw State wa re stored to representation as one of tle States of the Union, provides, .In effect, that "before any amendments proposed to this Constitu tion snail Decoraa a part tncreoi mey sn-.u o--passed by two successive' Assembling and then submitted to and ratified by a majority of the electors of the State voting thereon.' Oi May ll4 1874, the Governor convened on extra ses sion of the General Assembly of the State, which, on the ,18th Of the same month, passed an act providing for a convention to frame a new constitution pursuant to mis act, ami an election held on the 30th of Juiie 174. the convention was approved and delegates were chosen thereto, who assembled on the 14lh of last Julv and formed a new constitution, tire schedule of which provided for the election of au entire new set of State officers in a mauner con trary to the flstlng election laws of the State. Ou the 19th or October. 1874. this Constitution, us therein provided, was submitted to the people for their approval or rejection, unrl aeenrilincr tit the election returns was ap proved by a large majority of those qualified to vote tnoreon, ana at tue same eieciiou ivi ?uur wea-e chosen to fill all the State county and township oftlees. The Governor elected in 18'.2 for the ternrT!f four years turned over his eftir-.e to tlin Governor cho'sen under the new Constitu tion, wherennon the Lieuteuant-Govcrnor. also elected in 1S73 for a term of fonr years, claiming to act as Governor, alleging that Fata proceed Inars by which the new Constitution was mailt and a new set of officers elected were unconsti tutional and illegal and void, called upon me. as provided in Section 4,-Article 4. of the Constitu tion, to protect the state against domestic vio lence. As Congress Is now investigating the political affiirs of Arkansas I have declined to interfere. The whole subject of Executive regard-such a suu Will examlna- 1 iiterffrTi with the affairs of a State I re pngnant to public opinion, to the feeling of those who from their official capacity must be used lu such iuterposiiioo, and to him or those who must direct. I nless most cieany on me mU nf law Mtirh interference becomes a crime; with" the law to support It, It ia condemned withont a hcarlnir. 1 desire, therefore, that all necessity for Executive direction in local affairs mav become unnecessary and obsolete. I'lnvltc the attention, not of Congress, but ol the People of the United States, to the causes and effects of these unhappy questions. Is there not a disposition on tho oue side to muguuv iifmnm mii it outrages, and on the other side to be little and justify them? If public opinion could be directed to a correct survey of w hat exists, and to rebuking wrong and aiding the proper authori ties in punishing It, a better state of feeling would be inculcated, and the sooner we would have that' peace which would leave the States Tree Indeed to regulate their own aomcsuc nfl'Mirs. 1 believe that on the part of the citizens of the Southern Statos, the Dcttcr pan oi iu. there Is a disposition to be law-abiding and to do no violence either to individuals or tho laws existing; but do they ,do right in ig noring the existence of vloienco and bloodshed in resistance to constituted authority t I sympathize ' with their pro: trate condition, ana would do all In my power to relieve them, acknowledging that in some in stances they have had most tryiug governments to live under,and very oppressive one in the way ol taxation for nominal improvements, not giving benefits equal to the hardships Imposed; but can they proclaim themselves entirely blamable for iliis condition I They cannot. Violence has been rampant in some localities, and ha further been Justified or denied by those who could have prevented it. The theory is raised that there is to be no further interference on the part of the General Govern ment to protect citizens within a State where the State authorltiet fall to give protection. This is a gr.at inlctske. While I re main the Exocative all the laws of Congress and the provisions of the Constitution, including the amendments added thereto, will be enforced with rigor, with but a regret that they should have added one jot or tittle to the Kxecntive duties aud powers. Let there be fairness in the discussion of South ern questions, the advocates of both or all poiit leal parties giving honest and trnthfnl reports of occurrences, condemning the wrong and uphold ing tho right, and soon all will be well. Uuder existing circumstances the negro votes the Republican ticket because bi knows his friends are of that pane. .Many a good citizen votes the opposite, not lierause he agrees 'with the great principles ot state -whe"h separate tue parlies, bat be cause, generally, he is opposed To negro rule. This is a "most delusive cry. Treat the uegro as a citizen and a voter, as he is and must remiin, and soon parties will be divided, not on the color line, but ou principles Then we shal have no complaint of sectional interferences. JUDICIAL AFFAIRS. The report of the Attorney-General contains valuable recommendations relating to tho ad ministration of iustice in the courts of the United States, to w hich 1 invite your attention. 1 respectfully suggest toCongrest the proprI-.il; of inereasing'the number of the Judicial dis tricts iu the United States to eleven, the pres-n number belli nine, and the creation of two addi tional Judgeships. The territory to be traversed "y tue t Ireull Judges is so great anu tue uuwure of the courts so steadily increasing that it I growing more uud more impossible for thorn t eep up with the business requiring their utten tion. Whether this would involve the uecesslt;. of adding two more Jnbtlces cf the Supreme Court to Hie present number 1 submit to tn judgment of Congress. TUB INTERIOR. The attention of Congress is invited io the re port of the Secretary of the Interior and to the' legislation asked for bv hiin. The domestic In terests of the people "are more Ultimately con nected with this department than with either of the other departments of the Gov ernment. Its duties have been added to from time to time until they have become so onerous that, withont the most periec. system and order, it w ill be impossible for any Secretary of the Interior to keep trace of all official transactions having his sanction aud done in his name, and for which he is held personally responsible. The policy adopted for the management of In dian affairs 'known as the "peace policy" has been adhered to with the most beneficial r.-sults. It is confidently hoped that a few years nioro will save our frontier from Indian depredations. 1 commend tho recommendation of the Sec retary for the extension of the Uomesteal laws to the Indians, and for sonic sort of territorial government for the Indian Territory. A great majority of the Indians occu pying this Territory are believed to be incapable of maintaining their rlnhte against the more civ ilized aud eullghteucd men. Any territorial form of government given them, therelore. shonld protect them in their homes aud properiy for a period of at least twenty years, ana bel'oie its final adoption should be ratlned by a majority of those affcaied. The report of the Secretary of the Interior, herewith attached, gives much" Interesting statis tical information, wiiich I abstain from giving an abstract of, but refer you to tue report iUulf. TENSIONS OF TUk WAB OK 1K1Z. The act of Congress providing the oath which pensioners must snbscribe before drawing their pensions cuts off from this bounty a few survivors of the war of 1812 residing iu the Southern States. I recommend the restoration of this bounty to ail such. The number of persons whose names would be restored to the list of pensioners is not large. They are all old persons who could have taken no part iu the rebellion, and the services for which they were awarded pensions were in defense oS -he whole country. TUB CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture, herewith attached, contains suggestions of much Interest to the general public and refers to the approaching Centennial and the part his department is ready to take in it I feel that the nation at large Is interested in hav ing this Exposition a success, aud com meud to Congress such actiou as will secure a greater general interest in it. Already many foreign nations have signified their intention to be represented at it. It may be expected that ever civilized nation will be represented.. TBB CIVIL SERVICE. The rule adopted to improve the civil servico of the Government have been adhered to as closely as has been practicable, with the oppo sition with which taey meet. The effect of it has been beneficial on tho whole and has tended to the elevation of the sarvlec: but it is impracticable to maintain them without the di rect aud positive support of Congress. Gener ally, Uie support which this reform receives is from those who give it their support only to find fault when tho rules are apparently departed from. Kemovala from office without- prererriuir charges against parties removed or-frequently cited aa departures irom too rue aooptea, ana tho retention of those against whom charges are made by irresponsible persous aud without good grgucri p also oftea cooUur&ed as a vio lation of thorn, Usder t!i?d ch-cax.'flucti. UtTif.ijv, 1 aunbli&ee lht If Congress adjourns wjuiu potniivo legislation on tho (abject of ei.ll .erelee refilSllT.''' I Will UonaforcJrt.in,.irfie. V '"lu be .ban fltuess, competitive examination willbeaoan doned. vtena lue gentlemen who have given totrT Sf.TA ithour compensation as member vf in bow to devise rules and regulations for tile grtverw ment of the country s civil service nave " -much zeal and earnestness in their work, and to fhem, as well as to myself, it will bo a source ol mortification IT it Is to be thrown away. But 1 repeat that it Is Impossible to carry this system u mnr,-.rmutn lu, without eenersl approval and assistance, and positive law to support it. THE EMPLOVaEUT OF I-A BOU. I 1it aiated that the flein. ni s of prosper ity to the nation's capital lalwrr, skilled and un skilled, and prodnrts of the son sun remnm with us. To direct the employment oi uieser Ls a problem deserving the most enous attention of Congress. If employment tan be given to all labor oOring itself, prosperity necessarily iohowh. I have expressed the opin.ou. ana repeat iv here, that the first requisite to the accomplish ment of this end is the substitution of a sound currency ia place or one of a lluetuattnc value. This secured, there orw manv interest: that might le fostered, to the great prom oi wm labor ami capital. How to induce capital to env ploy labor is tin: question. rilEAF'TRANsPORTATION'. The subject of rhi-ap transportation has occu pied the attention rf Congress. New light on this question will, without doubt, bo given by tho committee appointed by the last Congress to in vestigate and report upon this subject. TIIK IM-HAS CAltBVlNO TRAPB. A revival of ship-biiildiiig, and particfian'-y ef Iron steamship building, is of vnst imporfjTnere to our national prosperity. The United States i now paving over $l.tK)0,(Hl per annum for freights aud pas'sago on foreign ships, to be enrried abroad! and expended In tiie employment and support vt other people, beyond a fair percentage I what shoulrltto to foreign vessels, estlmamig on the! touutlse and travel of each respectively. It is lobe regretted that this disparity in the carry ing trade; exists, and to correct it I would bo willing to see a great departure from the usual course of the Government in supporting what might usually be termed private enter prise. I would not suggest as a rem edy direct subsidy to the American steamship lines, but I would suggest the direct otter of ample compensation lor carrying the mails between the Atlantic seaboard cities and the Continent on Ainericau-oved ami Ameri-can-bullt steamers, and wonld evtend this liberality to vessels carrying the malls tn the South American States utid to Centra! America and Mexico, and would pursue the same policy from our Pacific seaports to foreign sea porta on tho Pacific. It might le demanded that vessel htiii; for this service should come up to a stand ard fixed bv legislation in toiinage, speed and all' other qualities, looking to tho possibility of the (iovernment requiring them at some tine forwar purposes; the tight ulso of taking possession of them in such an emergency should be guarded. I offer these suggestions, believing them vvorthv of consideration, in all seriousness, affect ing all KM-tions und ail Interests alike. If anything belter can he done to direct the country into a course of goiieral prosperity, no one will be more ready thau I to second the plan. distkkt or coi.mniA. Forwarded herewith will be found the report of th"; Comlilissionerajippointed under an art of Congress, approved June 3, 1874, to w ind up the' affairs of the District Government. It will be' seen from the report that the total debt of the District of Columbia, less securities on hand and avuilable, is: '1 he bonded debt Issued prior to Julv 1. 174, $8.SS3,W0 4:1; 8.WV bonds, by act ol Congress June "JO. 1H74. $4 0RS.ltW.73; certificates of the Board of Audit, S4.77o.556.45; total, $15, 713,1 67.lil; less special improvement assess ments chsryeablo to private property la excess of any demand against such assess ment, 1. M 4.051.37; less Chesapeake fc Ohio Canal bonds. $75,000, and Wash ington Alexandria BailToad bonds, 5 ,); fa the bands of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, $1,748.1 :i.fT; leaving the actual debt, less said assets, $13.!)4.8I3.4. In ad dition to this there are claims preferred againta the Government of the District amounting ia the aggregate, reported by the Board of Audit, to :i.i47,.ft..lH. of which the greater part will probably be rvji-cted. This sum can with no more propriety b-; included in the debt of the District (toverum-ent than cau the thousands of claims nsaitist the General Government be in cluded as a portion ol the national debt; bnt the sggregste sum thus stated includes something r.ioie than the funded debt chargeable exclusive ly to the District of Columbia. The ae.t or Congress of June 20. 1874, contem plates an apportionment between the United States Government and the District of Columbia iu respect to the pavment of the principal and interest ofthe3.5 bonds; there fore, in computing with precision the bonded debt of the District, the aggregate sums above stated, ui respects the 8.65 bouds now issued, th onisfbjiding certificates of the Board of Audit, and the unadjusted claims pending before that Uo'ird, should be redaced to the extent of th amount to be apportioned to the United Slate (iovernment in tne manner indicated in the act of Congress of June 0, 1H74. I especially invite your attention to the recommendation of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund relative to the ambiguity of the act of June M, 1H74, the in terest on the'District bonds, and the consolida tion of the Indebted nessvof the District. I feel much indebted to the gentlemen wha rouseuted to leave their private affairs aud come from a distance to attend to the business of thl District, and for the able and satisfactory manner iu which It has been conducted. 1 am sure their services will be equally appreciated by the entire country. it will be seen froin the iic-oinpauylng full re port of the Hoard of Health that the sanitary e. million of the District is very satisfactory.- la ivy opinion the District of Columbia should be regarded as the grouud.s of the National Capital, in which the entire people are interested. I do liot allude to this to urge generous appro priations to the District, but to draw the atten tion of Congress, in framing a law for the gov ernment of the District, to the magnifi cent seale on which the city was planned bv the founders of th Government; the mannec In w bleii. for ornamental purposes, the streets and avenues were laid out, and what was the pr portion of the property actually possessed by the ;.-u.-r! Government. 1 think the proportion of the expenses of the Government and improve ments to be borne by the General (iovernment and the cities of Washington and Georgetown and the country should be carefully and equitably defined. the jiisetssipri tiuit. In accordance witn Sec. 3 of the act ap proved June 1, 1974, I appointed a board to make a survey uf the mouth of the Mississippi Kiver, with a view to determine the best method of obtaining and maintaining a depth of water sufficient for the pur poses of commerce. etc., and in accord ance with an act entitled An act to provide for the appointment of a Commission of Engineers te investigate and report a plan for the excava tion of the alluvial basin of the Mississippi Kiver subject toinundation," I appointed a Commission of Engineer. Neither board has yet completed its laiors. When their reports are received they will be forwarded to Congress without delay. (Signed) U. S. Guant. Executive Mansion, Dec. 7, 1874. Oa the last day of the Hartford meeting of the American Association, President Barnard, of Columbia College, delivered un address on the 44 Metric Bya tem." He predicted that the metric eys tcm will become the Eole system of weights and measures in nse throughout civilized nations before the year 1900. In France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, the German Empire, in fact, all Europe, except Scan dinavian countries and England, and in all America, except the United States, the metric system has been adopted. Even in the Indian empire of Great Britain the metric system has been adopt ed, and that system has been legalized, though not yet adopted, in Great Britain and here. At the Vienna Metrological Congress every delegate, though repre senting nearly every country on the civ ilized globe, voted for the metric system. The New York Journal of Commerce has the following: We desire to call the attention of underwriters to a new material used for martingale rings, knife handles, combs, etc., which we are in formed bears the name or " Celluloid. It is to all appearances as hard as iron, and when cold possesses great strength and tenacity; but it is as inflammable aa tinder, ad it burns more readily than pitch. A flash of match will set oil a box of this material, made up in any form, and produce a conflagration so ut terly at variance with the apparent t,o- Jidityofthe article that it seems like liiagic Anew class of ''extra-hazardous" must be made by all our fire com panies if this is to past into common us. We go cot know now many fires may already be traceaW to this preparatiatt, Mt'uth evidently vaporizes at compar atively low temperature.
