The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-12-11
The Presidents Message-An Able State
Paper.

President Grant speakes plainly in his
message. 1t is short paper, consider
ing how much he had to say 1t is a
satisfactory stewardship, on the whole
aud he gives authority to what was pre-
viously believed. There is peace with
the nations, and the protocol" with
Spain as to the Virginius promises to
stand, while the Cubau out look is auspi-
cious of tranquility and liberty but,
meanwhile we are preparing for any
change in the situation. The skeleton OF
the protocol was before the country in
advance of the message, and Mr.. Fish ap
pends the official substance of it. siged by
himself aud Rear Admiral Polo, the
Spanish plenipotentiary Congress can
do nothing more than wait events, and
vote confidence aud money to the Ezecu
tive The President seems to have read
section l6 of article of our new Penn
sylvania constitution, judging by his re
comme endation of an amendment to the
National Constitution in favor of veto
or approval of parts of any general mea
sure like an appropriation bill There is
slight prospect of increased receipts this
fiscal year, owing to the panic aud to
provide against this he advises retreDch
ment in regard to new public buildings
aud additional claims for Southern losses
by The rebellion. But he hopes "the day
is not far distant when the Government
will not only possess such public build
ings in all the cities, but will erect 10
the capital suitable residences for all per
h,
quarters ar rent. at Government expense,
aad for the Cabinet, thus setting an ex
ample to the States which may induce
them to erect buildings for their Sena
tors but | would have this work con
Quoted at time when the revenues of
the country would abundantly Justify it "
On the special subject OF Finance the
President is definite, aud comes to the
point in these characteristic sentences.
They cover the whole ground We have
never seen the case more tersely stated
During the last four years the currency
has been contracted directly by the with
drawal of three per cent certificates, com
pound interest notes, and seven thirty
bonds outstanding on the 4th of March.
1869, all of which took the place of legal
tenders in the bank reserves to the ex-
tent OF S63, 100000
During the same period there has been
a much larger comparative contraction of
the currency. The population of the
country has largely increased. More
than twenty FIVE thousand miles of rail
road have been built, requiring the active
{ a.
of acres of land have been opened to
cultivation, requiring capital to move the
products.
Manufactures have multiplied beyond
all precedent in the same period of time,
requiring capital weekly for the payment
of wages and for the purchase of material;
and probably the largest of all compare
tive contraction arises from the origina
ton of free labor in the South. Now
every laborer there receives his wages,
and for want of savings banks, the greater
part Of such wages is carried in the pock
ct or boarded until required for use.
These suggestions are thrown out for
your consideration without any recon
mendations that they shall be adopted Ii
teraly, but hoping that the best method
may be arrived at to secure such an elias
ticity of the currency as will keep en-
employed all the industries of the coun
try and prevent such an imitation as will
put of indefinitely the resumption Of
specie payments, an object so devoutly to
be wished for by all aud by pone more
earnestly than the class Of people most
:. . bn fhar
bread by the sweat of their brows.
Or in other words, the country, has
grown It's clothes; the currency suffi
cient four years ago is not sufficient now.
Now let Congress act quickly. and give US
practical reply to the Presidents appeal
All he says on this subject is pointed and
clear, aud will have the best effect on the
country.
The petition of the Mennonites of
Southern Russia. some $4,000, asking
permission to locate in body on our pub
lie lands, on the recommendation of their
brethren in Lancaster county. in this
State, is favorabiy and earnestly recon
mended to the attention Of Congress.
Concerning the San Domingo question,
which year or two ago obtained much
prominence, the President makes no re
commeBdation, but transmits to Congress
an application from that Republic asking
our Government to assume protectorate
over it.
The subject of cheap transportation
claims its share Of attention, and the sug
gestions about it are characterized by the
Presidents usual strong practical saga
city He would encourage the States OF
New York and Illinois to enlarge their
canals connecting the lakes with the Hud
SOP and the Mississippi rivers respectively.
By promising that the Government shall
thenceforth keep them open as great na
tional waterroutes
While the President does not in terms