Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-06

nue. and currency. Inc reduction OF the
national debt is briefly mentioned, and
the suggestion made that after what has
been done we may slacken somewhat in
our efforts to pay it off. The reduction OF
taxation, by excise and impost, is recon-
mended. For this the people will thank
him. He also speaks in favor of re-
sumption of specie payment, but does
not see the way clear to do it. Little IS
said of the army. The navy appears to
be getting upon better footing. by the
disusc of large and unwieldly vessels and
the substitution of lighter ones. Atten-
ton is called to the recommendation OF
= the Postmaster General for uniting the
telegraph system with the postal system.
; A careful history is given of the operations
under the Ku-Klux act, agreeing in the
main with what our readers already know.
Against polygamy the message is decided.
If the Saints" had any hope before of
favor from the Executive for their pecu-
liar institution, they can have none after
seeing the message. The President still
has faith in the peace policy towards the
Indians. His recommendation upon the
subject are humane and christaniike. We
trust they may prove victorious over the
wrongs and abuses long practised against
the Indians, which spectators and cor
rupt officials encourage to promote their
schemes.
! The word in the message in favor of
preserving the public lands Tor actual set
lers, and making them subserve the inter-
ests of education, will be well received.
Amnesty to rebels is recommended. The
improvements in the District of Columbia
are noticed, and liberal appropriations by
Congress for the same are advised. Rec
concentrations are made looking towards
the immediate upbuilding of the govern
ment buildings at Chicago. Attention is
called to the abuses practised upon emf
grants coming to this country. The clos
ing recommendation is in relation to civil
reform, which the President approves,
and says the measures already taken shall
have fair trial. The message is one of
the most important, most cheering and
satisfactory, that ever came from the Pres
ident to the people of the United States
Il VERDICT AGAINST ERIE
In the suit brought by j. 0. Davis & Co.
and John Bonner against Fisk, Gould and
others, Judge McCunn charged the jury on
| Wednesday afternoon. This is one of the
gold cases arising out of the ''Black Friday"
speculations. The judge charged that if the
jury found that Mr.. Speyers received from
the defendants the instructions to which he
made affidavit he must be considered their
agent, and the defendants must be bound by
his action; if the plaintiffs were entitled to a
bona file one, the plaintiffs were entitled to
a verdict. At 80 p. M. the jury had been
unable to agree. and they were locked up and
ordered to present a sealed verdict. The as
sistant engineer, however failed to keep the
jury room warm, and the jury went into the
large courtroom where they warmed them
| selves by exercising.
Early on Thursday the judge came down
to release them, but they would not be re-
leasd, stating that one juryman, James O'Bri-
en- refused to consult with them. At one
o'clock they agreed on a verdict for the plain
tiff on the basis of gold at 1876 at noon on
the Friday named, the amount being fixed at
81, 233 90.
Mr.. David Dudley Field asked for twenty
days to make a case for appeal with a stay.
The stay was denied. except a stay of execu-
ton for five days after the entry of the judg-
ment.
After the jury had been polled, the fore
man, Mr.. Walter Gibson, of No. % Nashua
street rose and said: 'tWe deem tampering
with the ballot box, the judiciary and the
jury, treason against the sovereign people,
and we know not why 1t should not be pun
ished by death, like any other treason. This
jury has been insulted as no other jury has
been of which we have had any experience.
Three of our number have been approached
with thousands of dollars each, to induce
disagreement, by the hirelings OF the Erie
Ring. We are anxious TO present the. facts
to the grand jury. Feeling your honor
(Judge McCunn) sympathizes with our own
feelings against this outrage, we congratulate
you for the opportunity you have to honor
yourself in cooperating with us in bringing
these traitors to justice, and vindcating the
proper administration of justice, and the pu-
rty of the judiciary"
Judge McCunn said he should certainly do
all in his power in the matter, and directed
them to reduce their accusation to writing in
the shape VI aIuuaVlls, ana present II 10 MN
through their foreman, and he would see that
1t should go before the grand jury
New York Post.
TIE SPANISH-CUBAN BUSINESS.
/ The Washington correspondent of the New
York Herald says news has been received at
the capital (which explains the meaning of
the meeting OF the Spanish Ministry, At the
SAM time that it shows there is nothing in
the relations of Spain and the United States
which is affected by it. For the one hun
dredth time the Spaniards have determined
to crush the Cuban Instruction, and last
great effort, regardless of expense, is to be
made to line out The insurgenis in the East=