The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-12-06

,duessa1 bills to constitute Shreveport,
t1odisihnas . ppoTtoiof delivery: and for
the removal. OF political disabilities Of
citizens OF Louisiana; and to abolish all
income taxes.ys s. Jy-NT EI.s-Ns1
a76 members. answered when The roll
wss called. Mr.. Drake was seated upon
taking the oath; Sypher was seated from
the first Louisiana District. +%;I
The Presidents message was read.
After congratulating the country on
peace prospects, the President related
that the free exercise Of the elective
franchise had been denied to citizens
in several places, lately in rebellion, and
the verdict of the people thereby re-
versed. Referring to the European war,
he speaks Of the satisfactory manner in
which the protection of the American
minister Mt Paris was extended to Ger
man subjects in France. Referring to
the proclamation of tho Republic Of
France, he says that, should the present
struggle result in attaching the heart of
the French to the simpler forms of
Republican Government, it will be n
subject of still further satisfaction. The
American people should not be indiffer-
ent to the spread of American political
ideas in great and highly civilized
country like France; That if an opportu-
nifty for interposing tho good offices of
the United States in restoring peace
shall present itself, that action will be
heartily taken. AS to Cuba, he snys
the condition of the insurrection has
not materially changed. He renews his
to annex San Domingo,
and says so soon as it is known that the
project is abandoned by tho United
States, negotiations will be opened by
some of the European powers, for the
possession of the Buy of Samana. He
urges early action of Congress, and sug-
gests that by joint resolution of the two
Houses, the Executive shall be anthor-
lied to appoint Il commission to nego-
tiate treaty with the authorities of San
Domingo, for the acquisition of that
island, and that an appropriation be
made to dcfray the expenses of a com
mission. The question might then be
determined better by tho action of the
Senate on the treaty. Oh by the action
of both Houses Do n resolution of an
neSation, as in the case of Texas.
He calls the attention of Congress to
the continuance and extension OF the
new Mexican Free Zone, and to
the Tien-tsin massacre. In regard to
the Alabama claims, he recommends
that Congress authorize appointment
of commission to take proofs as to
these claims. and that authority be given
for their settlement by tho United
States, so that the Government shall
have the ownership Of the private claims
us we'll as the responsible control of all
the demands against Great Britain. In
regard to the Canadian fisheries, he com
plains that the course of the Canadian
has not been marked bv
friendly feelings, and intimates that if
they should attempt to enforce certain
act of the Dominion Parliament, it will be
his duty to take such steps as may be
necessary to protect tho interests of tho
United States citizens. He nsks that
power be conferred upon him to sus-
pend the operation Of the laws authoriz-
ing the transit of merchandise in bond
through the United States to Canada,
and also to suspend the operation of any
laws whereby vessels of the Dominion
are permitted to enter tho waters of the
United States. He also complains of
the pretensions of Canada to the control
of the navigation of the st. Lawrence,
and argues the Importance and right of
the United States to navigate that river,
without let or hindrance. With regard
to the depressed condition of the foreign
commerce of the United States, lie also
recommends q liberal policy towards the
Pacific mail between California and Chi
ma and Japan. He also recommends that
measures may be taken 10 permit Ame-
rican merchants to purchase vessels built
abroad, as well rs to encourage Ameri-
can ship-building. With regard to the
currency, tho President says the ap-
proach to specie basis is very CRAFTY
ing, but the instability of the currency
is very prejudicial to prosperity. He
thinks the time has arrived when, by
wise ald prudent legislation, Congress
should look to a policy which would
place the currency at par with gold ut no
distant day. With regard to revenue re-
form. he says if it means to keep the
revenue down to what is necessary for
the support of the Government aid pay
mant of interest OH the public debt, it
has his hearty support; but if it means
failure to provide the necessary means to
defray nll expenses of the Government,
he is opposed to it. Revenue reform, he
says, has not been defined by its adyo-
Gates; it seemed, however, to be accepted
as something which was to supply every
mans wants, without any cost or effort
on his part. Laughter. He recon-
mends the abolition of tho franking pri-
vilego, and reform in the civil service