The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1872-12-06
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
Both Houses OF Congress met on Mon
day. At l,40p. m. the Presidents mes,
sage was received and read. We pre-
sent synopsis Of the document:
1t commences with the recognition OF
the blessings which the American people
have enjoyed within the past year, the
only exception being the great fro in
Boston. 1t refers to the General Arbi-
!ration and its satisfactory results, which
left the two Governments, the American
and English, without shadow on their
friendly relations, which il is sincerely
hoped may Tor ever remain uncloudcd.
1t recommends the immediate creation
of board Of commissioners 10 decide
on the amounts to be paid to individu-
ais for damages incurred by the Confcd-
crate prvatcers. 1t compliments Hon.
Charles Francis Adams, the American
Arbitrator at Geneva, and Mr.. Bancroft,
Minister at Berlin, for their earnest ser.
vices in the matter Of the Geneva and
the San Juan Arbitrations.
The decision in the latter leaving the
United States for the first time without
any question as to the disputed bounda-
ries. In regard TO the fisheries aud to
our relations with the British North
American Provinces, the President saws
that he has received notice that the I'M
pcr:al Parliament and the Dominion
Government have passed laws to carry
the provisions of the Treaty Of Wash
ington into operation, amt he, therefore.
recommends legislation Of Congress
in the same direction. lie speaks Of the
friendly relations of the United States
with all the Governments OF Europe.
lie refers to the Vienna International
Exposition, recommends the fitting up
of two national vessels to convey the
goods Of exhibitors to Trieste and sug-
gests thata proposition be made to have
the next great exposition in this coun-
try in 1876, at the time Of the Centennial
Celebration in Philadelphia.
CUBA.
lie refers to the disturbed condition
Of Cuba, and says that no advance to.
wards pacilcation in that island has
been made, while the instruction had
gained no advantages and exhibited no
more Of the elements of power or pros
pcctiyc success than a year ago. Meth
pr had Spain succeeded in REFRESHING
the instruction. The parties to the
strife were standing in the same attitude
IS for q long time past. The continua-
lion of slavery in that island he regard
ed as among the strong causes OF the
Of the strife, and he thinks
hat the abolition of slavery and the
Institution Of otherreforms there, could
not fail to advance the restoration of
peace and order. 1t was generally to
DC hoped that the present liberal gov
eminent ofSpain will voluntarily adopt
hat view.
OUR FINANCES.
He gives details of the revenue re-
,civcd in the past year and of the re.
luction to the amount of over one hun
lrcd millions of the public debt. He
expresses doubt whether any further
reduction in taxation is practicable for
he present and he recommends that no
more legislation be made on that subject
Except to correct errors of omission or
commission in the present laws until
time has elapsed to prove that
t can be done and still leave sufficient
cvenne to meet the current expenses.
o pay interest on the public debt and
o provide for the sinking fund. lie
nggests, also, that the currency shall be
$ soon sposslble brought TOT par with
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
lie says that various enterprises will
&c brought to the attention of Congress
or the cheapening of the transporta-
ion of produce from the West to the
\tIantic sea-coast, and suggests that
teps should be taken to gain all availa-
lie information to ensure equitable leg
Station. In this connection he refers
avorably to the proposed route to con-
ect the Mississippi Valley with the At.
lntic atCharston and Savannah, by way
# the Ohio and Tennessee River. also
o the proposed extension of the Kama.
VIA and James River Canal and the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and to the
proposed canal around Niagara Falls.
lie says that there should be'an almost
ontinuous system of land locked navi-
alton from Maine to the Gulf of Mexi-
o, nature having provided a greater
art of the route and the obstacles to
G overcome being within the skill of
ngineering.
OUR NAVY AND COMMERCIAL MARINE
He calls attention to the weakness of
ne American navy and endorses the re-
of the Secretary Of the
'avy in that respect. He recommends
nbsidies for steamship lines to Brazil
nj between San Francisco, New Zea-
md, and Australia; also an increase /
t the salaries of the heads of bureaus.
lie favors the abolition of the ranking ,
rivilcge and recommends modifica-
on Of its existing evils. lie also Re. =
ommcnds the adoption BY congress CT =,
re best method of acquiring title to all
geographic lines now in operation and ,
{ connecting,that service with the pos
II service. 1t is not probable that the
inject can receive proper considera-
on at this session, but he thinks the .
,ovoment might be infatuated so that
lture action may be had-fair to the I
overnmcnt.
Secretary BOutwell's Report. i
The Treasury report says that neccs- +
ty exists for a new issue Of national
ank notes.
The Secretary exoncrates Assistant Il
rcasury llillhouse from neglect of du-