Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-30
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The enterprising correspondents ofthe Press
at Washington have undertaken to tell what
will be in the Presidents Message. In these
annual attempts to forestall the message they
often hi, wide of the facts, but there is no
harm in noticing what they say.
The President will express satisfaction with
the result of the Geneva arbitration and the
settlement of the San Juan difficulty, and
recommend early legislation to give effect to
several articles in the Treaty of Washington
and for the disposition of the SO, 900, GOO to
be paid by Great Britain in satisfaction of the
Alabama claims. Regret is expressed at the
unhappy condition of Cuba. The delay of
the Spanish American Claims Commissions
| organized under a treaty with Spain for the
settlement of American claims, arising out OF
the Cuban insure ction, is alluded to as be-
ing beyond the control of either government
and the belief entertained that satisfactory
progress will now be made with such claims.
The release OF DR.. Houard on the demand of
this government claims a friendly word in
commentator of the good disposition of the
ties. The restoration Of internal prosperity
and good order in France under republican
form of government is noticed as encourag-
ing to the friends of republican government
everywhere The exhibition at Vienna is
commended to the attention Of Congress.
Favorable comment is made upon the visit Of
the Japanese Embassy. In treating OF MeXi-
co the President notices with satisfaction the
improved prospects ofthat country under
new administration Of its affairs, and the APP
parent submission of all classes to law and
order; mentions the successful negotiation
of treaty extending the term of the Joint
Commission to settle the claims OF the citizens
of each republic upon the other. and calls at
ten;ion to the report of the United States
Commission of Inquiry into the state Of the
Rio Grande border, as exhibiting a situation
of gravity requiring the best efforts of both
governments to suppress. In relation TO IL
nancial and commercial affairs, the President |
alludes to the gratifying reductions Of the
public debt and the interest burden, as exhib- |
tied in the report of the Secretary Of the
Treasury; asks careful consideration of the
Secretarys recommendations in relation to
dsposing of the funding loan authorized by
law; approves the wise tariff reductions OF
the last session; reports the steps taken III
execution of the law requiring retrenchment
in the expense of collecting internal revenue;
speaks impressively Of the necessity oil re-
storing the prosperity Of American shipbuld-
ing and the carrying trade, and suggests how
they may be in part restored: condemns the
speculative operations in the gold and cur
rency of the country, as bringing paralysis
and loss upon legitimate trade and industry,
and defends the measures taken by the gov
eminent for the relief of the business inter-
ests. Referring 10 military affairs, he pays a
graceful tribute to the character and services
of the late General Meade, and recommends,
as in his last Message, that the staff corps Of
the army, in which all promotions and APP
pointments were stopped by the law of 1869,
be now re established on footing common
surate with the reduced necessities of the
service
| The decay of the Navy is pointed out, and
the several recommendations of the Secreta-
~ of the Navy, including the building of
small cruisers, the use OF compound marine
engines and other suggestions approved.
With reference to matters pertaining to the
Interior Department the President reasserts,
substantially, his lately published views on
the Indian policy, and promises its continu-
ance with such notifications as experience
or eAlgehcy may require.
The appropriation of the proceeds
of the sales of public lands to the fur
therance of education is again suggested
and the benefits of the bureau established
at Washington to the cause of education as
serted. The agricultural interests of the
country receive notice in a mention Of the
operations of the agricultural bureau. The
project of establishing telegraph service in
connection with the postal system is strongly |
recommended, and the careful attention of
Congress invited to the Postmaster Generals |
views in relation to establishing and en- |
larging of the Ocean Mail service under our
own flag, and abolshing or restricting the |
Thanking system. The President makes no |
direct recommendation on the question of am
nesty, but reaches the subject indirectly |
suggesting that if amnesty be extended |
to those excluded from the provisions Of the |
late bill it be upon individual application and |
upon condition of the applicant taking an oath
to support and defend hencetorth the consti- |
tuition of the Unitd States. He expresses the |
belief that the disorders which have marked |
the history of some of the States formerly in !
rebellion have virtually disappeared, and that
the quiet enjoyment of political rights is as
sured to the people everywhere.
The election laws are mentioned as having |,
been fully tested and proved eilicacious in the !
late electiOns, ana al!uSlOn Is made to the VIM
dication Of republican institutions in the |
peaceful end, at the ballot box, of an ener
getlc political campaign, extending over sew
eral months. The miscellaneous topics OF
the Message embrace reference to the Bos- |
ton fire; the Presidents well. known views of |
civil service reform; recommendations for an |
increase of the salaries of various govern |
ment officers; for the passage of the bill !
creating labor commission; for the protec-
ton OF immigrants afoat and while on tho |
way to their destination by national authorities
for strieter legislation to secure the safety of
passengers and crews in seagoing steamers
and for government aid to the approaching
centennial exhibition at Philadelphia.
GENERAL MEMS.
Mr.. lroude has announced that he will re-
ply to all WHO lave assailed him as an inaccu-
rate historian.
Miss Elise Lyman, Vermont woman, has
''contrs acted to build houses along the line
of a new railway in that State.
A widower, who had never quarreled with
III al, last la,, L.