Mower County transcript., 1871-12-21
VOLUME ~.

Il
empire of Brazil has taken tho initiatory steps to
warl the abolition ofsavcry Our relations with tha
empire. always cordial, will naturally be moro b.
this act. 1t IL not too much to hope that the gov
ernment Of Brazil may hereafter find it for its in
tercst, we'll as intrnsically right to advance to-
ward entire emancipation more rapidly than tn
present act contemplates. Its true prosperity ant
greatness as nation arC to be found in the eleva
| ton Of its laborers.
slavery In Spanish Colonies
1t ia subject Of regret that the reforms in thi.
direction, which were voluntarily promised by thu
statesmen Of Spain, have not been carried ont il
its West Indian colonies. The laws and resula
tnns for the apparent abolition OF slavery IN Cub;
aud Porto Rico have left the luborers III bondage
with no hopes of release until their lives become
burden to their employers.
Americans O~~niMS Slavcs.
desire to attract your attention to the fact that
the citizsns Of tho United States large holders
in foreign lands. Of this species Of property, forbid
den by the fundamental law of their alleged country
recommend Congress to provide, by stringent leg
islation, suitable remedy against the holding
owning or dealing in slaves, being interested il
slave property on foreign lands, either as owners
hirers, or mortgagcrs of the United States.
Cuba.
1t ia to be regretted that tho disturbance in the
island Of Cuba continues to be q source of annoy
once and anxiety. The existence OF a protractcd
try, without apparent prospect Of an early tcrmi-
nation, cannot but be other than object of con.
ceru to a people who, while ubstaining from inter-
ference IN the affairs OF other 1wcrs naturally de-
sire to every country in tho undsturbcd enjoy
ment Of liberty and the blessings OF free nstltu-
tions
instructed IN case it should he necessary, to spare
effort to protect the lives and property of bona
fde American citizens, and to maintain the dignity
of the flag. 1t is hoped that all pending questions
will of fin lui,a
be adjusted in the spirit of peace and concord which
has hitherto guided the two powers in the treatment
Of such questions.
DiploIa u &c Rclnu tons with China md
Japan.
To give Importance and to add tn the efficiency
of our diplomatic relations with Japan and China.
and to further III retaining the good opinion OF
those people and to to the United States its
share Of the commerce destined to flow between
these nations and the balance of the CONNER
cial world, earnestly recommend that an appro-
priaion be made to support, at least, four Ameri-
can youths iu each OF these countries to serve in
the official family of our minister there. Our rep
re:cn.a,ve would then be placed on equa ity
with the representatives Of Great Britain, and
sentatives in China and Japan have to depend for
interpreters and translators upon the natives OF
these countries, who know our language imper-
fcctly or procure for the occasion the services of
employees of foreign business houses, or the inter-
prefers to other foreign ministers.
Pacific Steamship Lines.
would also recommend liberal measures for tho
purpose of aiding tho American line Of steamers
now plying between San Francisco and Japan and
China, and the Australian lines, as most our only
remaining lines Of ocean steamers, and of inereas-
ing their service.
The National Debt.
The national debt has been reduced to the extent
of S86 80 during the year, and by tho negoti-
ations of national bonds at lower rate of interest,"
the interest Of the public debt has been 80 far di
minished that now the sum to be raised for interest
account is nearly $l00U0 900 less than the LIST of
March, 1869.
It was highly desirable that this rapid diminution
should take place, both to strengthen tho credit Of
tho country and to convince its citizens of their
tire ability to meet every dollar of liability without
bankruptcy; but in Wow of the accomplishment Of
these desirable ends, of the rapid development of
tho resources of the country and its increasing abi
ity to meet the largo demands, and the amount al
ready pai 1t is not desirable that the prcseut
sources of the country should continue to bc taxed
in order to continue this rapid payment. therefore
recommend the modification Of 10th tariff and in
ternal tax laws.
Gold and the Currency.
Continued fuctuation in the value of gold, DOM
pared with tho national currency, has q most dam
aging effect upon the increase and development of
necessary in every day life; it fosters spirit of
gambling prcjudicial alike to national morals and
to national finances. If the question can be met
as to how to set fixed value to our currency, that
with specie, very desirable object will be gained
The Army.
For the operations of the army in tho past year.
the expense of maintaining, estimates for tho ens
ing year, and for continuing sea coast and other
inn rovcmonts conducted under supervision of tho
War Department., refer you to the accompanying
report of the Secretary Of War.
ball your attention to the provisions of the act of
Congress, approved March I'd, 1862 which discon-
tinues promotions in staff corps of the army until
provided for by law. recommend that the number
Of officers in each grade Of staff corps be hxed and
that whenever the number in any ono grade falls
below the number fixed, that vacancy may be fill
cd by promotion from the grade below.
also recommend that when the Office Of chief of
corps becomes vacant, the place may be filed by
selection from the corps in which tho vacancy OK
sts Tho report of the Secretary of the Navy shows
improvement in the navy, and efficiency Of tho naval
force, without ma! material increase IN tne expense OF
been adopted aud Is being extended as fast our
material will admit, of using smaller vessels as
cruisers on the several stations By these means
have been aHle to occupy at once larger extent OF
cruising ground, to visit more frequently the posts
where the presence of flag is desirable, md gen.
orally to discharge moro efficiently tho appropriate
duties of the navy in time of peace, without exceed
ing the number of men or the expenditures author
lied by law.
During the past year, the navy has, in addition
to its regular service supplied the and officers
and the vessels of the coast survey, and has COM
pleted the surveys authorized by Congress of tho
Isthmus of Darien and Tehanutnpcc and under
furnished and equipped to explore tho unknown
ocean of the North.
Tho suggestions as to tho necessity for in
crcasng and improving the material of tho navy,
and the plan recommended for reducing tho per-
sonnel of the service TO peace standing by the
gradual abolition of certain grades Of officers and
reduction of others, and the employment of somo
in the service of the commercial marine, are we II
considered, and deserve the attention Of Congress.
also recommend that all promotions In the navy
above tho rank Of capt in be made by selection in
kio nu.{n In A1a
higher grades greater efficiency, and hold out an in
centiye to our officers to improve themselves in the
knowledge of their profession
The present cost of maintaining the navy, and its
cost compared with that of proceeding years, and
Inmates for the ensuing year, are contained in the
accompanying report Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
The Post Office.
The enlarged receipts Of the Post Ohlce Depart
ment as shown by the accompanying report of the
Postmaster Gene! al, exhibits gratifying increase
OF the growth of the education and the pros Gritty
of the people, two elements highly conducive to
the viyor and stability of epublics, with vast
territory like ours much of it sparsely populated,
but all requiring the services of the mall 1t is not
at present to be expected that this department can
be made sef-sustaining, but gradual approach 10
and the day is not far distant when the Post Office
Department of the Government will prove much
greater blessing to the whole people than it Is now.
Inc IN The % enarment .ided over ' bv
y
him earnestly recommended to your especial
attention, especially the documents favorable to
the consideration Of plan for uniting the tee-
graph system of the United States with the postal
system.
It is believed That by such conrse the cost of
telegraphing could be much reduced and the ser
vice az WE'LL il not BETTER rendered. It would Sc
cure the further advantage by extending the tele-
graph through portions Of the country where pri-
Yate enterprise will not construct it.
Commerce, trade, and aboyo all, the efforts to
hr a w,1n ReDar8ted n
of interests, always benefited by rapid COM
municatons; and education, the groundwork of re-
these facilities together with speedy news from all
parts of the country.
The desire to reap the benefit Of such improve
ments will stimulate education. refer you to the
report Of the Postmaster General for full details of
the operations of last year, and for comparative
statements of results with former years.
The Ku.Klux Law.
There has been imposed upon tho executive
branch Of the government the execution of the act
of Congress approved April Goth, 1871 and common
ly known as the Ku-Klux law.
In portion of the state of South Carolina, the
necessity of the course pursued will be demonsrat-
ed by the report of tho commission to investigate
southern outrages Under the provisions of The
above act issued proclamation calling the atten.
tion Of the people eff the United States to tho same
and declaring my reluctance to exercise any of the
extraordinary Powers thereby conferred upon me,
except in case of imperative necessity, but making
known my purpose to exercise such powers when
ever 1t SnOud become necessary 10 90 so LOT the
purpose of securing to all citizens of the United
States the peaceful enjoyment Of the rights guaran-
teed to them by the constitution and the laws.
After the passage Of this law, Information was
received from time to time that combinations o
the character referred to in this law existed and
were powerful i'll many parts n the southern states
particularly in several counties in the state of South
Cnrolnn. Cal cful Investigation was made, and il
was asccrtnncd that in nine counties of thnt state
such combinations were active and powerful, EN-
bracing u sufficient portion OF citizens to contro
the local authority, and having, among Other
things, the object of depriving the cmancipated
class Of the substantial benefits of freedom aud o
the privilege of the free political action Of those