Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-12-09
synopsis OF the Presidents
TgRGSIgC.


Pres't Grants Message to Congress,
delivered to the Session convened
last Monday, is an able and compre-
hensive State paper, couched in
plain, common-sense terms, and not
withstanding It's length, treats brief.
ly and concisely Of every subject
mentioned. 1t must commend itself
to the people. We give herewith
the fullest available synopsis:
The Message opens by rcciting the
immense advantages and resources
Of the country, and expressing graft
tude to God for them !---These bless
ings are confided to Congress and the
President. May both be faithful to
duty.
Though the work of Reconstruction
has not been wholly successful in
every respect, yet it has been more
so than could have been reasonably
anticipated. Seven of the eleven Sc
ceding States have been fully. re-
stored. Would it not be wise to
enact law providing for the reas-
sembling of the members originally
elected to the Legislature of Georgia,
and admitting none who would be
ineligible under the Sd clause Of 14th
Observation-Disclosures has COM
piled with all requirements, and
abstained from doubtful legislation.
Her representatives should be admit
ted to Congress. 1t is to be hoped
that Mississippi and Texas may also
be properly restored, thus completing
the work Of reconstruction.
The Freedmen are making rapid
progress in learning; and there is no
complaint about their idieness where
they get fair pay.
The loss Of ourcommerce, resulting
from the war, demands early atten-
ton. n.Immediate resumption Of
specie payments is neither practica-
bic nor desirable. Earnestly recon-
mend legislation looking toward
stopping fuctuation Of currency and
to gradual return tospecie payments.
Can see but one way for this, and
that is, to authorize the Treasury to
redeem its own paper at fixed price
whenever presented, and to retire the
redeemed currency until sold again
for gold.
The Public Debt could be paid in
ten years, with less taxation than we
have borne in the last six years; but
it would be better to tax less and pay
more slowly. 1t is believed that our
entire bonded debt can be replaced
by bonds bearing not over a per
cent. interest. THE revenues OF
the country are greater than the re-
quirements. 1t might be well now
to modify taxation and tariff some
what, to equalize them; buta gener-
al revision Of the matter. would bet
ter be postponed tilInext session.
The Income tax would perhaps bet
ter be renewed for three years, but
reduced to three per cent.
The taxes and import revenue may
safely be reduced now by sixty to
eighty millions per year, and after
ward nore.-The. receipts Of the
Government for the year ending
June 3oth last were S870, 0,943,747, and
the expenditures meanwhile were
1921 400, 0,597. The surplus receipts
have been applied to payment of the
public debt. The estimates for the
current year are still more favorable
to the GOyernment.--The Commls-
sioner of Internal Revenue might
we'll be made Cabinet Officer, his
Office being one Of the most larduous
and responsible In the Government.
With Cuba we deeply sympathize,
but the revelation has never yet be-
come entitled to ourrecognitiOn. We
proposed our good Offices to Spain, to
settle the contest, but our proposal
was not accepted. and was with