The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-12-11
The Presidents Message.

was submitted to Congress on the End Decem-
beg, synopsis of which We present to ouE
readers in this issue. 1t is sufficiently COM
prehansive, and treats of the many topics OF
interest to the United States, making various
recommendations and suggestions, and calling
attention to many points to which Congress
should give its early thought and action. The
document shows much reflection and labor,
and whilst not agreeing in all points, we think
many of his suggestions wise ones, and if per-
fected will bring improvement to the people.
Our space will only allow US to touch on some
of tho most important subjects referred to by
the President. He considered the last year,
until latterly, one Of great national prosperity,
and hopes and believes that the two great c.
lamities which have befallen us will soon blow
over, and will leave the country probably in a
better condition than it was. The first of these
which he refers to is the "Virginius outrage"
In this he thinks Spain has been very much to
blame, but also thinks she sees her fault, and
is willing to make full reparatiop, and believes
the protocol which is now before Congress and
the Spanish Assembly, will be adopted, and is
an honorable settlement of the unpleasantness
of both nations.
The second calamity referred to is the panic,
or atringency in the money.market which has
existed the last three months. This may be a
blessing in disguise, and he thinks the great
advantage to be derived from it, is the resump-
ton of specie payments. The President has
his heart fully set on this matter, and if posi-
bic intends to accomplish this object ere long,
believing that all our troubles come from the
fuctuation Of currency, and that this will be
corrected by making the basis gold instead of
the credit of the United States. To effect this
purpose, several plans are proposed. Some
think that the United States Treasury should
take up all the surplus funds in the Spring and
keep them until Fall, thus making the govern
ment keep the money when it is not needed,
and pay interest when it derives no benefit.
The President thinks that the issuing of
enough national bank notes on good security
to meet the full demand for money, would
greatly ease the stringency, and then redeem
them when they could, as money became more
lax. In this We do not agree. One of the
greatest causes of the depreciation of green
backs, lis the great excess of this currency over
gold and silver coin in circulation; and if the
amount is increased, as matter of course it is
harder to keep the two at proper equality,
and we think the only means of obtaining
steadiness in the money market is to stop the
enormous expectation of gold from the coun-
try-to lessen the amount of paper currency,
and for the national government to take strin-
gent measures to prevent this locking up of
the currency at will by certain rings, consisting
generally of large monied corporations. He
thinks that if savings banks were scattered
through the South, they would greatly assist
the money market, as they would offer suitable
and safe repositories for the wages of day la
borers. If he we're here he would find that
they had less to deposit with banks than any
other set of people, and their indebtedness
generally take it up as fast as they earn it.
The Constitution and amendments should
have prompt and due attention by Congress,
for our greatest bulwark of freedom and inde-
psndence is reposed in it, and if this is not
regarded and kept in proper condition, tyranny
will soon take the place of liberty, and despo-
tism of republican principles. The first amend
ment proposes different mode for election Of
Preside,s and Vice President. Congress con-
sidered this last session, and referred it to the
Committee of Privileges and Elections to draft
some new method of election. The second is
proposed by the President, and authorizes the
Executive to approve Of certain portions, and
disapprove of others, in the same measure
adopted by Congress. We are heartily in
favor of this amendment, for as it DOW stands
the President must frequently veto whole
measure on account of some material fault
probably but in single clause, and that por
ton vetoed will 60 back to Congress, and if
carried by two-thirds vote, then it becomes a
law. We hope Congress will take action on
this. He also desires as a provision of this,
that Congress shall not enact any new laws
during the last twenty-four hours of its sitting,
SO that the Executive may approve or veto
these measures understandingly; the third
amendment proposed is in substance, that when
the Executive calls an extra session Of Con-
gress, that ie only act upon matters submitted
by him in writing to that body. We do not
see the necessity of this being made constitu-
tional provision, as law on it wonld be sufi-
cient.
President Grant has very sound ideas on the
bankruptcy laws of the United States, believ-
ing them to be fraught with more evil than
good, and thinks they should bs wholly re-
pealed, or greatly remedied during the next
session. He calls again for the general amnes-
ty for the Southern people, and enlarged civil
rights for the negroes.
There are many other points which should