South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-12-12
The Presidents Message.

prosperity, marked by the financial crisis, cessa-
ton Of partisan strife, and the seizure Of the yir.
ginius, producing for The time universal excite
meut. The virgiuius case is now happily In
course OF honorable adjus, ment, aud our other
foreign relations friendly.
The vienns Exposition is referred to as gra-
ifying to American inventors, who received ma
ny medals aud diplomas.
In regard TO 6nance, the President submits
whether the Treasury might not at any time is
sue to National Banks any amount Of their own
notes below Fixed percentage of their issue, say
forty per cent, upon banks deposiiing with the
United States Treasury an amount in Govern
ment Bonds equal to the amount Of notes de-
manded Of the banks TO forfeit to the Govern
ment, say four per cent. of the bonds SO pledged
during the time they remain with the Treasury
as security for increased circulation on bonds 50
pledged to be redeemed bv the banks AT pleas
ure by returning their own bills for cancellation
20 amount equal TO the face of the bonds with
drawn.
The President further recommends that banks
be authorized To diminish the standing issue at
pleasure by returning bills for cancellation, and
with drawn bonds pledged for bills returned in
view of the great contraction in currency. The
compar alive contraction is due the increase of
population aud manufactures and other indus
tries. The President believes there is too much
OF il now for the dullest period of the year, aud,
IL the Clearing Houses should be established,
thus forcing The question whether banking should
not be made free, and violating all present safe
guards to protect boniholders as a step towards
the resumption OF specie payments.
Attention is invited to the propriety Of exact
ing the retention, as q part Of the reserve of
whole or part Of the gold interest accommodating
ON bonds, pledged as security. The present re-
fers 10 the contraction OF the currency during
the past four years, as due TO our growth, pUpu-
latiou, building rs, 900 miles railroad. opening
million acres new lands, multiplied manufac-
lures, aud organization OF flee labor. Heretofore
tor wunt Of saving banks laborers carried their
wages in their pockets, and did not hoard il un-
Ill required for use.
At.ution is called to the subject OF postal
telegrsphs.
! tie also recommends general amnesty TO re.
bells MS now perfectly safe aud more perfect civil
rights tor freedmen, and advises the ad mission
Of Colorado as State.
| Some progress has been made in SURPRISING
! the China coolie trade.
The Geneva award was paid by Grea, Britain
a few days before il was due
/ Recommendation is re. ewed for q commission
TO sudit The Losses by the Alabama, Florida and
| Shenandoah.
The settlement Of the northwestern boundary
question IL referred to.
Reference is made TO tie action Of the mixed
commission appointed for settling and determin-
ing The claims Of either power against the other
arising from an act commit I'll during the period
between April 1861 and April 1855
fIe recommends early passage OF an act appro-
pria'Ing the amount necessary to pay the award
agriust the United States. lie further recon-.
mends the legislature To create special Court
To consist of three Judges, 10 examine and de-
termne all claims Of aliens upon US, arising out
Of ncls committed during the Rebellion.
Reference is made 10 the Dutch and Atchiness
W and The neutral position assumed by the
United States.
Hopes for al early conclusion Of the lnbors Of
the Commission under the conve ntion with Mex
leo Of 1868 the British representative at Wash
ingtOn has consented TO act as umpire in the
matter.
The Message discusses the question Of eIpAtrA
ton and the election Of nationality by individ
nails discussed in the last Message The United
states, who led the way 10 the overthrow OF tn,
fsudsl idea of perpetual allegiance are among
the last 10 indicate how their own citizens MAY
elect smother nationality.
Referring TO the estat lishment OF the Spanist
Republic the President says its existence WAS in
augursted by striking The letters from the slsvei
at Porto Rico thereby releasing several lhoDsan.
persons illegally held a. slaves in Cuba. Mex
the Captain General was deprived Of the powe
to set aside The orders Of his superior, but Ii,
bsneful influence Of slaveholders at Havana has
TINS far succeeded in defeating the efforts Of To,
liberal men Of Spain, under the plea Of loyaltJ
TO their moiber-country. This element 10 e.
hausung the resources Of Cuba and doing acts
variance With those principles Of justice and lib
srality which gives nobility Of character 10
Republic.
The case Of the present virginius difhcultie
IL then stated aud tbs senate resolution OF Jun
5, that American vessels on the high sea. 10 time
of peace under the American hag, are under III
jurisdiction Of the cOuntry 70 which they belong
and therefore sny mUlestation Of such vessels /
10 derogaiiOn OF the sovereignty Of the Unite,
States Ia accordance With this principle, th
restoration Of The virgiuius, the surrender Of IN
survivors, due PREPARATION to the flag and punish
uient Of the guilty authorities were demanded
spain has recognised the justice Of tbe demand
sod has srrsbged for its immediate satisfaction
10 taking leave Of the subject must renew To
eIpi ession Of my conviction that the existeue
Of slavery iu Cuba is the principal cause Of ID
lamentzble condition Of tie island I hope