The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

SPAN. he IreSlQenC makes note OF Tie
welcome events which followed the inaugu-
ration of the Spanish Republic, specifying
the abolition of slavery in Porto Rico, the
release of several thousand persons illegal
ly held as slaves in Cuba, the order for the
restoration of the sequestered estates of
American citizens, and the revocation of
the power of the Captain Generals of Cuba
to set aside the orders of their superiors at
Madrid. These liberal measures encount-
cred violent opposition from the reaction
airy shareholders at Havana, and this latter
baneful influence still exists, defying the
home Government of Spain. 1t has usurp
ed the powers of government in Cuba, is
eXhausting the resources of the island, is
doing acts at variance with the principles
of Justice, and it is hoped that in the inter-
ests of humanity and of civilization this
evil influence may be averted.
Referring te the matter of the Virginius,
all the circumstances attending which are
now we'll known. the President says that
the Spanish Government has recognized
the Justice of our demand, and has arrang
ed for the Immediate delivery of the vessel,
for the surrender of the survivors, for
salute to the flag, and for proceedings look,
ing to the punishment of the guilty per-
petrators of the illegal acts, and looking
also towards indemnity for those who may
be entitled to it. The diplomatic cores
pondence Oh the subject having been con-
Quoted by cipher and by telegraph, is with
held for the present until the cipher dis
patches can be verified by comparison with
the original documents. This affair, which
for time threatened the most serious con-
sequences, is now in the course of satisfac-
tory adjustment honorable to both nations.
The subject next in Importance relates
to the finances and to the recent monetary
disturbance throughout the country. The
President fears that the financial balance
for the present year will not be so favor
able as that of last year, and recommends
economy in making appropriations and
economy in administering the various de-
partments of Government. He points out
two or three sources for such economy.
Whilst he thinks the Government should
own buildings for its own purposes, he
recommends that no new ones be under
taken where work has not already been
commenced, and that premature river and
harbor Improvements and Notifications
should not be begun, and also that tribu-
nails should be established that will protect
the Government against the fabrication OF
claims. As to the severe monetary dis
turbance, the President intimates that,
however much individuals may have suffer
ed, the result may prove to be long step
towards specie payments, that We can have
no permanent prosperity until specie
basis is reached, and that a specie basis
cannot be reached and maintained until our
exports exclusive of gold pay for our i'm
ports. If but one-half of the gold extract
ed from our mines would be retained at
home our advance towards specie payments
would be rapid. To keep the gold we have
and appreciate the currency to that stand
ard is the problem for Congress. To in
crease our exports, sufficient currency is
required to keep all of the industries of the
country employed. He nevertheless dis
courages undue expansion of the currency,
which, while it might give temporary re-
lief, would only lead to imitation of prices
He would have the currency sufficiently
"elastic" to keep industry employed, but
not to run into imitation. To this end the
President submits to the consideration of
Congress a specific plan by which the
National Banks may, when more currency
is required, procure an additional amount
of circulating notes by the deposit of
bonds Correcting four per cent of the inter-
est while the bonds remain in the Treasury
and when the currency is no longer requir-
ed, having leave to withdraw the bonds
upon the surrender and cancellation of the
additional notes issued to them. He also
recommends that the National Banks be
prohibited from paying interest on deposits;
that they shall be required TO hold their
reserve in their own vaults; that clearing
houses shall be established for the re-
demption of their circulating notes; and
tt~o al. l. ,el, tln,,
standing issues of notes at pleasure by the
return and cancellation of their own bills.
lie thinks that if such "clearing houses -
for redemption shall be established, it may
be question whether banking should not
be made free, retaining all the present safe
guards for the security Of bill holders.
AS to other matters, the President rec
ommends that so much of the Bankrupt
Law as provides for involuntary bankrupt
cy, on account of the suspension of pay
ments, be repealed; he urges favorable
action upon the recommendation of the
Postmaster General for the establishment
of Postal Savings Repositories; he calls
the attention of Congress to the subject of
Postal Telegraph, but does not recon-
mend it; to prevent legal anarchy in Utah,
he says it is absolutely necessary that Con-
grees shall provide Courts for that Terri
tory with sufficient power and authority to
put an end to the legal paralysis which
now prevails there; he mentions the i'm
portance of providing proper armament for
our seacoast defences, and the necessity OF
reopening the line of promotion in the
staff corps Of the army, particularly in the
Medical, Pay and Ordnance Department;
he reminds Congress of the necessity, as
exemplitied by recent events, of keeping
the navy in a state of efficiency; he repeat S
the recommendation Of the Secretary of the
Interior for a census to be taken in 1915,
and adds that the report of a census taken
in that year would be especially interesting
and valuable, as showing the progress of
the country during the first century of our
national existence; he suggests the appoint
ment of special committee of Congress
to act i'll cooperation with the Civil Ser
vice Board; he recommends the encourage.
ment of an lrrigating canal in the eastern
slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Mis-
souri, River, stating incidentally that he is
opposed to further donations of public
lands to private corporations, but in this
instance makes an exception; he suggests
that the Government as national work,
should see that the navigation should be
kept clear on the St. Clair Flats, the Hi
nois and Mississippi rivers, and the over
slaught of the Hudson river, as means of
facilitating cheap transportation by the
Erie Canal and the Illinois Canal; and he
renews his previous recommendation to
Congress for general amnesty to the small
number of persons in the South who still
labor under political disabilities in conse-
quence of their acts during the late rebel
lion, and suggests the enactment Of law
the better to secure the civil rights which
freedom should secure to the enfranchised
slave.
Nearly all the other topics are of rou-
tine character, except perhaps the anoma-
lous condition of our citizenship and ex-
patriatlon laws which require attention,
and suggested amendments to the Con
stitution to enable the Executive to veto
Objectionable parts of an act of Congress
without vetoing the whole, and to confine
the business of called session " of Con-
gress to the business specified in the call.
The Mixed Claims " Commission. to hear
and determine claims of citizens of the
United States and subjects of Great
Britain, have awarded British claims to the
amount of 81 1929, $40; have rejected $685.
900, 600 of British claims, and all of the
American claims. Congress is requested
to appropriate the $1,929, $40 for the dis
charge of these British awards; and the
recommendation is renewed for a commits