Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-12-08
The Presidents Message.

AuG A ANstetSht HAScseSos
The annual message of the President
was sent to Congress on Monday. The
opening paragraph speaks of a year o.
prosperity just passed, attended however
with an unusual chastisement in the loss
of life and property. These disasters, he
says, have served to call forth the best
elements of human nature, which has
done so much to alleviate the distress oc.
casioned by the calamities.
He then turns to the Washington
treaty and foreign affairs, which are all
friendly, congratulates the country on
their condition, and expresses the hope
that the example may lead to the settle
ment of disputes between all nations with
out resort to the sword.
FINANCES.
The National debt has been reduced
to the extent OF SS60,571, 26.S0 during
the year, and by negotiation of Nation
al bonds at a lower rate of interest. The
interest on the public debt has been so
far diminished, that now the sum to be
raised, for interest account, is nearly sew
enteen millions less than on the 1st of
March, 1869. 1t was highly desirable
that this rapid diminution should take
place, both to strengthen the credit OF
the country and to convince its citizens
of their entire ability to meet every dol
lar of liability, without bankrupting
them. But in view of the accomplish
ment of these desirable ends, of the rap.
id development of the resources of this
country, its increasing ability to meet
large demands and the amount annually
paid, it is not desirable that the present
resources of the country should continue
to be taxed in order to continue this rap
id payment.
REDUCTION or TAXES.
| therefore recommend a modification
of both the tariff and internal tax laws
| recommend that all taxes from inter.
nal source be abolished except those col
lected from spurious, vinous and malt
| liquors, tobacco in its various forms, from
stamps. In readjusting the tariff, l sug
gest that a careful estimate be made o.
the surplus revenue, collected under the
recent laws after providing for the cur
rent expenses of the government, the in
terest account and sinking fund, and tina
this surplus be reduced in such man
ner as to afford the greatest relief to til,
greatest number. There are many arti
cles not produced at home, such as med
icines compounded, ETC., ETC., from which
very little revenue is derived, out whicl
enter into general use; all such articles
| recommend to be placed on the fire.
list. Should further reduction prove ad
yisable, | would then recommed it to b
made upon articles which can bear i
without disturbing home production 0
reducing the wages of American labor.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
{ The enlarged receipts of the Post o.
flee Department, as shown by the accom-
panying report of the Postmaster Genel
al, exhibits a gratifying increasein tina
branch of the public service. 1t is tn
index of the growth and education, an
of the propriety Of the people-tried e.
ements, highly conducive to the virgo
and ability Of a republic. The presiden
also commends the proposed postal telt
graph system, and that it be united wit
the post office.
THE KU-KLUX.
The president makes plain statemer
of the affairs relative to the Ku-Klu,
especially in South Carolina. Grea
caution was exercised in making arrest
and Notwithstanding the large numbe
arrested, it is believed no innocent pc
son is now in custody. Nor has ther
been any doubt as to the need of til
strong arm of the military to suppre
this reasonable organization.
MORMON TROUBLES.
: In Utah, there still remains a remnal
{ of barbarism, repugnant to civilization
3 to decency and the laws of the Unite