Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-12-09
By Telegraph.
80 -. SYNOPSIS OF THE 81 =.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

uCHb HitoSdSC OpCllo ny u IclcIcuce 10
the financial crisis. the .grangers'
movement, and the Virginius matter,
which it says is in course of negotiation
and likely to be amicably and homo
rably arranged. 1t refers to the Vienna
Exposition, which was creditable to
the artisans of the United States; to
| the reception of the Western embassa-
dors by the Emperor of China, and to
the need of further legislation to sup
press the Infamous CoOlie trade, It
recommends commission for the pur-
pose of auditing and determining the
amount to be paid for losses caused by
the Confederate privateers.
1t refers to the mixed commission for
determining claims between. British
subjects and Ame rican citizens, and
| asks for an appropriation to pay for the
amount of decisions against tire United
States; it also recommends a law ere
ating a special court of three Judges to
hear and determine all claims Of aliens
against the United States arising out
of acts committed against their persons
or property during the insurrection
1t asks the decision ofCongress on the
subject of the action of the OLtom an
and Egyptian Governments, relieving
foreign Consuis of judicial powers
The President transmits, the, applica-
ton of Santo Domingo that the United
States shall exercise a protectorate over
that republic. - -.
The message discusses at some length
the question of the right OF expatria-
ton, particularly as TO citizens of the
United States residing permanently
abroad with their families, and sug-
gests legislation OIL the subject. II re-
fers to The establishment of a Republic
in Spain, and to the efforts of the new
government to abolish slavery il all
its dominions, which efforts are OPP
posed by the reactiOnary shareholders
of Cuba, who are valnly striving 10
stop the march of civilization. This
baleful influence had thus far succeed
ed in defeating the efforts OF all liberal
minded men i'll Spain to abolish sla-
very in Cuba, and i'll preventing the
proposed reform in that island. In
the interest of Humanity, OF Civiliza-
tion and CT Progress it was TO be hoped
that that evil influence might lie soon
averted. ' '.a'. ii-1' ...-..'- ~... tt-f
In reference to the capture Of the
Virginids, aud to the -inhuman and
illegal murder of tifty-three OF her
passengers and crew, the President
says that the Spanish government had
recognized the justice of his demands,
and had arranged for the immediate
delivery of the vessel, and for the sur
render of the prisoners of the passen
gers and crew. and for salute TO the
flag, and for proceedings looking to the
punishment of those who may be
tn ~ " nf. lnTrn
acts of violence towards citizens of the
United States, and also towards III
Identifying those who may be shown
to he entitled 20 indemnity. The cor
respondence on the subject had been
conducted i'll cipher and by cable, and
WAS therefore not in condition TO be
submitted to Congress.
The President expresses his convic-
ton that the existence of African sla-
very in Cuba is principal cause of
the lamentable condition uf the island,
and does not doubt that Congress
shares his hope that it will soon be
made 20 disappear, and that peace and
prosperity will follow its abolition.
He 3 suggests two constitutional
amendments one to authorize the
President to approve SO osmuch of any
measure of Congress rs his Judgment
may dictate, without approving the
whole. and the other to provide that
when an extra session of Congress is
| convened by Executive probation, Leg
islation shall be confined to such sub
jecls as the Executive may bring before
| Congress from time to time in writing.
| He recommends the erection at WASH
ihgtOn of suitable buildings for Cabi-
net officers, and fer such quarters, thus
setting an example to the States which
| may induce them to erect buildings
| for their Senators. -F s--.r -.
The message goes very fully into the
! financial question and declares that
| the country never can have permanent
prosperity until specie payments be
reached He recommends legislation
| prohibiting national banks from pay
ing interest on deposits ana forcing
them into resumption, if only in legal
notes. He suggests the question
whether banking should not be made
free, but SECURING ali the present safe
guards to biH holders. He notices the
| improvement in American ship build
irg during the past year, and hopes
for a continuance of it. --.,.s
In regard to the problem of cheap
transportation, he refers to the Erie
and Illinois canals, and suggests
whether it would not be wise states
manship to pledge to the States that
owns those canals that if they will en-
| large them the General Government
will look after and keep in navigable
condition the great public highways
with which those Canals connect, to
wit the Hudson River, the st. Clair
Flats and the Illinois and Mississippi
| Rivers. es-ys~s-aH zeuI FrE
He recommends government ex-
ploration of the upper Amazon
river and its tributaries. a revision and
codificatiOn of the tariffslaws, and the
| opening of more mints. He endorses
the recommendation of the postmaster
! General for the establishment OF Post
office savings repositories, and invites
| the consideration of Congress 10 the
proposition for postal telegraph
He recommends legislation in regard
to that bankruptcy law, which he con
siders as productive of more evil than
| good. Ifnot totally repealed, il should
lie modified in t'.ose portions providN
| ing for involuntary bankruptcy
Those portions should be repealed.
| He calls attention to the immense
aggregate of claims against the gov
ernment, -many-of them growing out
| of the rebellion and not few of them
fabricated aud supported by false testi-
mony., He recommends that persons
having claims be required to present
them at an early period. and that the
| personal attendance of witnesses be
| required by the court of claims. &c.
In regard to the Indian question, he
| recommends territorial fora of
government for the Indian Territory.
He also recommends such action as
will permit the settlement of a body OF
Russian ColoDiIts on the public lands
and endorse the jnroposition for cen
stis in 1875. He eulogizes the Wash
ington Board of Public Works and
speaks of the great improvement of