Weekly Trinity journal., 1872-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

longer than his previous messages, anC
our limited space prevents US from pub
fishing it in full, but we give below
brief resume of the questions touched up
on:
The message opens with thanks to Coo
for the present peace and prosperity o
the nation. The Boston fire is referred
to as the only overshadowing calamity o
/ the past year.
The Geneva Arbitration is next referred
to and the President says " the arbitrator
disposed of the question which had jeop
] ardized the whole of the Washington
/ Treaty, threatened to involve the two
, nations in unhappy relations toward eacf
! other, in manner entirely satisfactory
with the views and policy which it had
maintained" The creation of Board
of Commissioners is recommended for
the purpose of distributing the SIS 800, 900
indemnifcation, among those entitled to
damages.
San Juan Island is the next subject and
after brief review of the question and a
complimentary mention Of Minister Ban
croft, the paragraph closes with the state
ment that the Islands are in the exclusive
occupation of the United States.
A joint commission is recommended to
settle the boundary between the United
States and British America and also the
Alaska boundary.
The British Parliament has passed laws
for carrying into effect the Treaty provi-
sons regarding the fishery question and
Congress is recommended to pass similar
laws.
An appropriation is recommended for
the Boundary Commission heretofore
appointed to determine the northern
boundary line from the Lake of the
Woods to the Rocky Mountains.
We are at peace with all the nations of
the world.
The Centennial Celebration to be held
in 1876 would afford an appropriate occa-
sion for the meeting of the international
Statistical Congress, and the propriety of
extending an invitation to the Congress
to hold its next meeting in the United
States, is suggested.
An appropriation is recommended for
the purpose of aiding American exhibit
ors at the Vienna Exhibition, and that
two navy vessels be fitted up for the pur-
pose Of transporting American inventions
and manufactures.
The raids on our Mexican border are
partly excused on account of the instabil-
ity of the Government in that country,
and it is hoped that the present Govern
ment will do better.
With regret, the disturbed condition OF
the Island of Cuba is again referred to.
The contest between the insurgents and
Spanish Government has lasted over
four years without seeming advantage to
either side. 1t is at our door and we are
interested. The abolition of slavery and
the introduction of other reforms in the
Government of Cuba are what are needed
and it is hoped the Spanish Government
will voluntarily adopt this view. Amer
leans engaged in the Cuban slave-trade
are denounced.
The South American Republics are all
friendly, except that Venezuela still re-
fucnc fo nav tl,n amount awor6n1 tho
United States under the Convention OF
April 25th, 1866.
Our relations with China and Japan
receive some attention and the japanese
Embassy is referred to. In order to Sc
cure to the United States its just share OF
the commerce and trade of these Asiatic
preparation be made, sufficient to support
at least four American youths in each OF
these countries to serve as a part of the
official families of the Ministers and to be
educated for interpreters; thus placing
the country on an equality with Great
Britain and other Powers.
Relief to Americans abroad, in sickness
or distress, is recommended.
A resume of the Financial condition OF
the country is given. The total net re-
duction in the principal of the public
debt, for the year ending June 30th, 1872
was 800, 1860, ,253 "a. The reduction OF
the debt from the lst of March, 1869, tc
the present time is as follows; From
March lst, 1869, to March 1st, 1870, $S7,
1874, ,7S2 81; from March 1st, 1870, tC
March 1st, 1871, $ll7, 7,Sl9,63O 25; from
March lst, 1871, to March 1st, 1872, $94,
S45, ,34S "a from March 1st, 1872, tC
November 1st, 1872 eight months, ,S64,'
047, ,237 "a. Total, 1868, ,696, ,999 81. AnC
this in the face of large reduction o
taxation by Congress. The preservation
of the national credit, is Of the highes
Importance and the payment of the public
debt should not be retarded.
have heretofore commended the abo
ltion of the franking privilege, and SC,
no reason now for changing my views OF
that subject. 1t not having been favora
bly, regarded by Congress, however,
now suggest modification of the privi
lege to correct its glaring and cost,
abuses.
l would suggest also the appointment
of committee or commission to take int,
consideration the best method equitable
to private corporations, who have invest
ed their time and capital in the establish
ment of telegraph lines-of acquiring It'll
to all telegraph lines now in operation
and of connecting this service with tn
postal service of the nation. 1t is no
nrohnhle TINT this subject conld receiy