Nebraska Newspapers

    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.