New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-03
TILE MESSAGE.

The text OF the Presidents Message sent to
| Congress yesterday does not differ from what
previous limitations from the Capital regard
ing its contents had led people to expect.
The chief events OF political importance
during the year are somewhat hurriedly stated
| in the opening paragraph preparatory to their
more elaborate treatment in the body OF the
| document. These are the financial crisis, the
cessation of political partsansllp, especially
ain the agricultural regions" aud the
| Cuban difficulty. The rapidity with which
these features of the years history are announced
is somewhat confusing, but their subsequent
treatment is quite calm and candid. Follow
ing a brief and satisfactory statement of our
relations with foreign Powers, is an earnest
recommendation of additional legislation re-
specting expatriation aud the election of ma
tionaity by individuals with reference to
which there is now such looseness in theory
and practice as occasions great confusion and
embarrassment. Considerable space is given
to recital of the facts connected with the
seizure of the Virgnius and the steps taken
by our Government to obtain immediate and
ample reparatlon for the outrage upon our
flag. The position Of the Administration upon
this question is already well known, and the
Message contains nothing new in addition to
what has been published. President Grant
represents the case very fairly, and treats it
with such dignity aud calmness as will meet
the approval of Congress and the people.
His recommendation of some action on the
part of Congress whereby the Executive may
be authorized to separate measures submitted
for his approval so that he can approve
such portions of any bill as may in his judg-
ment seem best and reject others, seems wise
and sensible in view of the experience we have
had in almost every Congress of bills, merito-
rious in themselves, saddled with "riders"
which would not pass on their own merits
OF similar character is his recommendation
of % law prohibiting legislation by Con-
gress during the last twenty-four hours
of its session, except upon vetoes. Both
these suggestions are aimed at the evils OF
hasty and ill-considered legislation from which
the treasury and the country at large have sur
fered so largely in recent years. lie also
recommends an amendment providing that
when an extra session of Congress is con-
vened by Executive proclamation, 1T shall
he confined to the consideration OF such spe-
cial subjects as the Executive may bring be-
fore it. Possibly Congress may consider this
so much q reflection upon its wisdom as
TO be unworthy lis consideration.
Concerning the finances the President makes
long and labored statement, and offers some
peculiar views and theories. Whatever else
may be said of the present Administration, it
will be pretty generally admitted that In the
department of finance it is not especially
strong or great The President has mani
festly given the subject much attention and
some study but his notions are not such as
will commend themselves TO the judgment OF
Congress or the good sense of the people.
The Postmaster Generals plan of postal
savings banks and the favorite scheme of
that official for purchasing the telegraph lines
and establishing a postal telegraph system
are briefly approved and commended to the
favorable consideration of Congress. The
early and special attention of Congress is
invited to the condition of affairs in Utah !;
and though the reference to the Mormon
business is brief, it leaves no doubt OF the
Presidents desire for prompt and energetic
interference against the peculiar institution.
The beneficial results Of the present Indian
policy are lightly touched, and territorial
form of government under which, treaty rights
will be secured and settlers protected Is recon-
mended.
The President does not hesitate to give un-