Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-12-15
The PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Third Annual Message of President
.s2 . Grant to Congress.
Delivered December 4th, 1871,

To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In addressing my third annual Mes
sage to the law w-making branch Of the
Government, it is gratifying to be able
to state that during the past year sue
cess has generally attended the effort
to execute all the laws found upon the
statute books. The policy has been moi
to inquire into the wisdom of laws al
ready enacted, bat to learn their special
intent, and to enforce them accord
Fingly. '1 l| :, = : p +. =. - ~
The past year has, under a wise
Providence, been one Of general pros.
perity to the nation. 1t has, however
been attended with more than the
usual chastisements in loss of life and
property by storm and fire. These dis
asters have served to call forth the best
elements of human nature in our coun-
try, and to develop friendship for us
on the part of foreign nations, which
goes far toward alleviating the distress
occasioned by the calamities. The
| benevolent, who have SO generously
shared their means with the victims of
these misfortunes, will reap their re-
ward in the consciousness of having
performed a noble act, receiving the
grateful thanks of the men, women
and children whose sufferings they have
relieved.
The relations of the United States
with foreign powers continue TO be
friendly. The year has been an event
EIftl one in witnessing two great nations,
speaking one language, and having one
lineage, settling by peaceful arbitration,
disputes of long standing and liable at
any time to bring those nations into
bloody and hostile conflict. An exam.
pie has been set, which, if successful in
its final issue, may be followed by other
civilized nations, and be the final means
of returning to productive industry mil
lions, of men maintained to settle the
disputes Of nations by the bayonet and
sword. | transmit herewith a copy of
the treaty alluded to, which has been
concluded since the adjournmento of Con
gress with Her Britalic Majesty, and a
copy of the protocols of the conferences
of the Commissioners by whom it was
negotiated. This treaty provides meth
lods for adjusting the questions pending
between the two nations. Various ques-
tions are to be adjusted by arbitration.
| recommend Congress atan early day to
make the necessary provision for the
tribunal at Geneva, and for the several
Commissions on the part of the United
States. called for by the treaty. His
Majesty. the Kingof Italy, the Presic
dent of the Swiss Confederation, and
Ills Majesty the Emperor of Brazil,
have each consented, on the joint re-
tuuest, of the two Powers to name an
arbitrator for the tribunal at Geneva.
have caused my thanks to be suitably
expressed for the readiness with which
the joint request has been complied
/ with by the appointment of gentlemen
of eminence and learning to these i'm.
portant positions. His Majesty, the
Emperor of Germany, has been pleased
TO comply with the joint action Of the
two Governments, and has consented to
act as the arbitrator of the disputed
water boundary. between the United
States and Great Britain. The con-
tracing parties in the treaty haye
undertaken to regard as between them
selves certain principles of public law
for which the United States have con-
tended from the commencement of
their history. They have also agreed to
bring these principles to the Knowledge
of the other maritime powers, and to
invite. Others tosaccedegto them. Nego
Citations, are going on as to the form of
l the note by which the invitation is to
he extended to the Powers. I recon-
mend the legislation necessary on the
part of the United States to bring into
! operation the articles of the treaty
relating to the fisheries, and to the other
matters touching the relations ef~the
| United States$toward the. British North
American possessions, to -become-opera-
tive as soon as the proper legislation
shall be had on the part of Great Brit
ain and its possessions It is. much, to
be desired that this legislation may, be-
come operative before the fisherman of
the United States begin TO make their
arrangements for the coming season.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy Shows an improvement in the
number and efficiency of the naval
| force, without material increase in the
/ expense of suportingih This is due to
tthe policy which hassbeen adopted, and
is being extended as fast as our mate
rial will admit, of using smaller vessels
as cruisers on the several stations. By
these means we. have, been enabled to
4 OCCUPY at once d larger extent of cruis-
ing ground, to visit more frequently the
posts where the presence of our flag is
desirable, and genegauyvA to discharge
more"eticientlyi the appropriate duties
: aofthe-navysin time-ef peace. *
Without exceeding the number Of
men or of expenditures authorized by
law during the past year, the navy, has
j in additlon ito its GreguIa ar service, sup,
| piled the men and officers for the yes.
sells of the Coast Survey, and has com
pleted the surveys authorized by Con.
gress of the Isthmus of Darien and Te
4 'haaunt epec, andSul1da like authority
I las ser1t out an expedition, completely
furnished and equipped, to explore the
unknown ocean of the North. The
suggestions of the report as to the ne
oessity for increasing and improving the
FmateriM of the navy, and the plan re
Commended for reducing Che personne
of the service to q peace standard, by
the gradual abolition of certain ygrades
Eof officers; the Ted1ction of others, ano
the employment of some in the service
EofEthe commercial marine, are WeH con
sidered and deserve the though tfui at
ftention Of Congress. also recommend
that all promotions in the navy above
TEtire rank ofIeaptain he by selection In
lstead of by priority. This course vii
: secure in the higher grades greater eff
iciency, and hold out an incentive t.
young officers to improve themselves il
the knowledge of their profession. Th,
| yoroeopt cost 0f maintainino tho ,,a.-x-