Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-12-08
TIVE pRESIDENT,s MESSAGE.

President Grant lalu Ills sccouu an
nual message before Congress last Mon
,dav. it is more lengthy document than
was anticipated is mprehensive, and
forcible doing much credit to his states
manship.
The message is occupied largely with
formal recapitulation of the condition
Of our foreign affairs 1t expresses sym
pathy with the adoption of republican
institutions by France, and desire to
avoid any Intervention in the Franco
German conflict, save at the solicitation
of both parties, and in the interests of
peace. 1t recommends that Congress
make provision for the purchase, by our
own government of the Alabama claims,
so that the nation may hold this issue in
its own hands for future adjustment.
In the same connection the President
dvclls on the difficulties between our
fishermen and the Canadians with a
minuteness Of statement which shows
that they have occupied much larger
share Of his attention than Of the coun-
trys
The President is still in favor Of the
purchase by the u. S. Of the Island Of
San Domingo. and strongly urges the
matter upon the attention of Congress.
The subject of our depressed COM
merce next engages the attention of the
President, and he suggests that our ship
ping should be encouraged by appro-
priations from the National Treasury.
lie thinks that our foreign commerce is
in such a condition at present, that 1--WE
will, in the future, have to look more to
the countries south of us, and to China
and japan, for its revival
The President recommends legislation
looking to an early resumption Of specie
payments The manner Of bringing this
about is not suggested, but the rcconi-
mondation itself meets our hearty appro~
val, and VIII, wo think, be favorably res
ceiyed by the country.
On the question Of revenue reform, the
President appears to be puzzled, and his
comments thereon are calcu lated to puz-
2lc the people He does not make i;
clear whether he is u tariliito or free
trader We construe his language to
mean that he is in Gnyer Of reducing tar
IFS as far as possible on all articles save
such as are known as luxuries Others
may understand him differently.
The expenses of the army and navy
show a commendable reduction during
the past year. The President recon-
mends, however, a more liberal policy to.
ward the navy in respect of the con-
struction Of new vessels, believing that
such Il policy will be more economical in
the end than the present policy of repair
Ing old ones
Civil service reform receives warm APP
proyal from the President. lie recom>
mends that the tenure of all officers not
requiring the appointmans Of the presi~
dent and concurrence of the Senate be
fixed by law, and that the manner Of
making such appointments be radically
p changed.
The public land question is discussed
at some length in the message, and the
conclusion is reached that no more lands
ought to be given away to railroads and
other corporations, "unless the projected
work is of acknowledged national import.
mce.' The argument on this subject is
rs strongly adverse to the land donating
policy with which the people can but be
pleased
In conclusion, the President sums up
the policy of the administration" which,
he says, consists in the rigid enforcement
u.the laws, faithful collection Of the taxes,
economy in disbursements, reduction of
taxes so far as practicable, prompt pny-
ncnt of the public debt etc.--a plat>
orm TO which few OBJ ections can be
made and which nearly everybody viii
desire to see carried out.