The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-03

reQta0ns H6h hNeka the decision OF Con.
gtsss on the, sub ject Of The action Of the
Ottoman and Egyptisn Governuen entss.
relieving ssforeign Consois' Of judicial
powers. The President transmits the
application OF the republic of ,Santo Do.
mingo. that the United States shall ex.
erotse proteotorate over that republic.
The message discusses, at some length,
the question of the right of expatria-
tion, particularly as to citizens of the
United States residing permanently
abroad, with their families, aud suggests
Legislation on the subject. 1t refers to
the establishment OF republic in
Spain and to the efforts of tho new Go
vernment to abolish slavery in all its
domlnicns--which efforts nre op-
posed by the re-actionary slave-holders
OF Cuba, who are vainIy striving 10
stop tho march OF civilization. This
baleful influence has thus aided in do.
featlng the efforts Of oil liberal minded
men IN Spain, to abolish slavery in
Cuba, and in preventing tha proposed
reform in that island in the interest of
humanity, OF civilization and of pro.
gress. 1t was to ho hoped that the evil
influence might be soon uverted. In
! reference to tho capture of the Vir.
ginius and to the inhumane aud illegal
murder of fifty three of her passengers
and Grew, he says thnt the Spanish Go.
vernment had recognized the justice OF
his demand, and had arranged for the
i'm IMMEDIATE delivery Of the vessel, and
for the surrender of the survivors of the
passengers and crew, aud for salute to
the flag, and for proceedings looking to
the punishment of those who may be
proved to have been guilty of illegal
| acts OF violence towards citizens of the
| United States, and also towards indem-
| nlfylng those who may be shown to he
entitled to indemnity. The CORES.
pondence on the subject had been con-
Quoted in cipher and by cable, and WAS,
therefore, not in condition TO bo snb-
mitted to Congress. The President px-
presses hig conviction that the curse o!
African slavery in Cuba is the principal
cause OF the lamentahle condition OF tho
island, and does not doubt that Cou-
gress shares his hopessthat it will soou
be made to disappear, and that peace
and prosperity will follow its abolition.
he suggests two constitutional amend
ments-one to authorize the President
to approve SO much Of nny measure of
Congress as his judgment may dictate,
without approving the whole; and tho
other to provide that, when un extra
session OF Congress is convened by the
executive proclamation, legislation shall
be confined to snch subjects rs the E1-
ocntive may bring before Congress from
time TO time in writing. He recon
mends the erection ut Washington of
suitable buildings for Cabinet officers and
Tor such officials as now receive oommu-
tation for quarIers-thus setting an ex-
| ample to the States, which may induce
them to erect buildings for their Soma.
t,rs.
The message goes very fully into the
financial question, and declares that the
country never can have permanent pros
perlty until specie payments be reached.
Tho President recommends legislation
prohibiting national banks from paying
interest on deposits, and forcing them
into resumption, if only on legal tender
notes. He suggests the question, whe-
ther banking should not bs made free,
but securing all the present Safeguards
to bill-holders. He notices the improve
| ment in American ship building during
the past year, and hopes for O continu.
ance of it. In regard to the problem of
cheap transportation, he refers to the
Erie and Illinois Canals, and suggests
whether it would not be- wise statesman
ship to pledge to the States that own
those canals, that if they will enlarge
them. the General Government will
look after and keep in navigaole condi-
ton the greut public highways with
which those canals connect, to wit: the
Hudson River, the st. Clair FIats and
the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. He
recommends Government exploration
Of the upper Amazon River and its tri-
bntaries; u revision and codi6cation
OF the tariff laws and the opening Of
more mints; endorses the recommends
ton OF the Postmaster General for the
establishment of post Office savings de-
positories. and invites the consideration
OF Congress to the proposition for q
postal telegraph. He recommends legis-
latioa in regard to the judicial proceed
ings in Utah, and also in regard to the
bankruptcy law, which he considers as
productive Of more evil than good. II
not totally repealed, it should be ,uodi-
fed in those portions providing for in
voluntary bankruptcy. Those portions
should be repealed. He calls attention
to the immense aggregate of claims
against tho Government-manyo of them
growing out Of the rebellion, aud not