The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-12-10
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

We append synopsis Of the Presi.
dents Message, which presents avery
clear abstract of the various topics
comm ented upon in the annual address
Of our chief executive. At all gtinlcs
an important document, it was at this
timc especially looked forward to with
interest on account of our difficulties
with Spain, and on account of the
financial crisis through which we have
been passing. AS to our Spanish
troubles, the Message presents very
clear statement of the principles
upon which our demand for satisfac-
ton was based, as we'll as very sat
isfactory account Of the termination
Of the difficulty. The course Of the
Government in this matter VIC sup
pose will be generally endorsed. AS
. remedy against the recurrence OF
another financial crash, the Message
makes various suggestions, looking
to increased elasticity of our none
tary system, and to the prevention of
speculation. AS check upon the lat.
ter, it urges that the National banks
be prohibited from paying interest on
deposits, by requiring them to hold
their reserves in their own vaults !;
and as means of promoting the first
it suggests that the Secretary Of the
Treasury issue at any time to the
National banks a certain proportion
Of currency upon the deposit Of an
amount of Government bonds equal
to the amount of notes demanded.
The outstanding currency the Message
regards as fully equal to the wants of
the country-the matter of free bank
ing it leaves as an open question.
The Message recommends two Con-
stitutiopal tAt]mFesndments An sr! which appear
to be very judifio.gs-:one 10y authorizing
the President to approve q portion of
a bill when the whole fbti|l would be
Objectionable; and tho other, restrict
ing an extra session of Congress to
the specific objects for which it has
been called. The Message endorses
the various reforms proposed hy tie
Postmaster General, including pre-
payment Of postage, postal savings
banks, and postal tclcgraphs. The
satisfactory operation of these meas
ures affords strong argument in
their favor. The recommendation for
the repeal or modification of the
Bankrupt Law, we think, will be
generally approved. The law has
discharged its purpose, and should
not form a part of the permanent
Legislation Of the country. Here is
the synopsis of the Message:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.
The Presidents Message was read
yesterday. 1t opens with reference
to the financial crisis, the Grangers'
movement, and the Virgiuius matter,
which, it says, is in course Of negotiu-
ton, and is likely to be amicabIy and
honorably arranged.
It recommends commission for
the purpose Of considering and de.
termining the amount to be paid for
losses caused by the Confederate pri.
vateers, and refers TO the mixed com
mission for determining claims between
British subjects and American citi-
zens, and asks for an appropriation to
pay the amount Of decisions against
the United States. 1t also recon-
mcnds a law creatinga special court
of three judges to hear and deter.
mine all claims of aliens against the
United States arising out of acts COM
mittcd against their persons and
property dvring the insurrection.
1t refers to the establishment of a
Republic in Spain, and to the efforts
Of the new government to abolish
slavery 10 all her dominions, which
efforts are opposed by the rcactiona-
ry shareholders Of Cuba, who are|
vainly striving to stop the march of
This baneful influence
had thus succeeded in defeating the
efforts Of all liberal minded men in
Spain to abolish slavery iu Cuba and
in preventing the proposed reform iu
that island.
In reference to the capture Of the
Virginius and to the inhuman and H.
legal murder Of fifty-three of her pas.
sengcrs and crew, he says that the
Spanish government had recognized
the justice Of his demand, and had
arranged for tho immediate delivery
of the vessel, and for the srrrenderl
of the. survivors of the passengers
and crew, and 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
indemnifying those who may be
shown to be entitled to indemnity.
The President expresses his convic-