The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-12-10
The President's Message.

The Presldents Message.
Presidents Grants message came to hand
last night We give the following synopsis
1t opens with
RECONSTRUCTION:
After referring to the past year as A season
of prosperity, and TO the comparative hsrmo-
ny established in the nation. though ''the lee
exercise Of the franchise has by violence and
intimidation been denied TO citizens in e1cep-
tional cases." the President states that the
States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas have
been restored TO representation in our nation
al councils, and that Georgia is now the only
State left out; but that she may be expected
TO take her place there by the beginning of the
new year.
The FRENCH REPUBLIC
Comes in for share Of his sympathy. He
declines any mediation between the belliger-
ents until mutual request is made.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS
No settlement of the Alabama claims by
Great Britain having been had, he asks Con-
gress to authorize the appointment Of Com
mission to take proof Of the amounts and the
ownerships and their claims, on notice to the
representatives of her Majesty at Washington,
and that authority be given for the settleme mt
of these claims by the United States SO that
the Government shall have the ownership of
the private claims AS well as the responsible
control Of all demands against Great Britain.
IL can't be necessary to add that, whenever
hcr Majesty 4 NION"rnmcut ShhH entertain II
desire for u friendly adjustment Of these
claims the United States will enter upon their
consideration with Hn earnest desire for IA con
clusiou consistent with the honor and dignity
Of both nations.
TuE CURRENCY.
At the last session Of Congress ! respect
fully recommended that an appropriation he
made and authority given to issue new bills
upon such paper, for as much may he deS-
ignated by the Secretary Of the Treasury. The
Comptroller Of Currency, in his report for
1869, recommended the establishment of an
agency in the city of New York, under con-
troll Of the National Banks. for the redemption
Of their issue. The substance of this recon-
mendntion seems to be not oniy a proper but
necessary expense. IL should be borne by the
banks. Coupled with this recommendation, |
take this occasion to say that the banking sys-
TEN OF the country appears to be well man
ngcd, aud to answer reasonably the purpose
for which il was established. IL l. no doubt
true that the Treasury notes. in presenting an
equal amount of debt without interest are n
most economical circulation for the Govern
ment; but II should be considered that the
banking institutions Of the country are agcn-
eies by which business il established and fos-
tered. Upon the whole the system of bank
ing should be extended only for the purpose
OF meeting the demands Of business. but when
these demands are urgent, concession should
he made, upon the ground that business ia
more important than the mere saving Of inter
est, arising from tho circulation of Treasury
notes. Excluding re-deposits, the amount OF
gold and silver deposited at the mint and its
several branches during the last fiscal year.
was $50, ,i08.7 1888 10; the coinage for the year
was $2i, ,G3G. oil, and tho value of gold and
silver bars stamped was SS.7IS,S52 Of.
REVENUE REFORM
The tax collected from the people has been
reduced more than eight million dollars POI
annum. by stCadiness in our present course
there is no reason why, in few short years
tho national tax-gathercr may not disappear
from the door of the citizens almost entirely
With tho revenue stamps dispensed by post
masters in every community, tax upoI
liquors Of all sorts and tobacco in all it's forms
and by wise adjustment Of tho tariff, which
Will put duty only upon those articles which
We could dispense with, known as Injuries
and on those which We use more Of than W,
produce, revenue enough may be raised alto
few years of peace and CONSEQUENT rctiuo
tion OF indebtedness, to fulfll nll our oblika
lions. further reduction Of expense /,
addition to reduction Of interest account
may be rolled on 10 make this practicable.
hevenuo reform, II IL means this, has IN,
early support. IL II implies collection of nj
the revenue for the support Of Government
LOT tho payment OF tho principal and intorcs
on the public debt, pensions, ETC., by diroc
taxation on tho people, then 1 am against re-,
onue reform, and confidently believe tho peo
pie are with mo. If II means failure TO pro
vide the necessary means TO defray all tn
expenses of tho Government and thereby ropu
alato the public debt, then am still more or
posed to such kind Of revenue reform. Royt
n9e reform has not b0en defined by any of Il
huYocatos to my knowledge; but L seems 4
accepted rs something which IL to guppl
mo,y mans wants without any cost or oifot
Sn hIs part. A .ruc rovonuo reform can no
DS,,n nade IN day, but must bo tho work a
""t,onel legislation and Of time.
~ aoon ne tho rsvonus can bs d;sp.ps.