The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-02
BY TELEGRAPH
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
SYNOPSIS OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS
THE WILLIE DE HAvRE DISASTER
CAPTAINS STATEMENT
LATEST FROM ABROAD
Etc, Etc, Etc. Etc.
OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS
THE WILLIE DE HAvRE DISASTER
CAPTAINS STATEMENT
LATEST FROM ABROAD
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, December 2.-The Pres
ident's message was read in Congress to-
day. Itopens by reference to the financial
crisis, the Changers movement, and the
Virgnius affair, which he says is in course
of negotiation, and likely to be amicably
and honorably settled. It refers to the
Vienna exposition which was creditable to
the artisans of the United States, to the
reception of the western ambassadors by
the Emperor of China, and to the need OF
further legislation to suppress the infamous
coolie trade.
1t recommends commission for the
purpose 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 SUBJ
Jects and American citizens, and asks for
an appropriation to pay the amount of de-
cisions against the United States. It also
recommends law creating 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 and property during
the insurrection.
1t asks for the decision of Congress on
the subject of the action of the Ottoman
and Egyptian governments relieving for
eign consuls Of judicial powers.
The President transmits the application
of the republic of Santo Domingo that
the United States will exercise a protec-
torate over that republic.
The message discusses at some length
the Question of the right of expatriation,
particularly as to citizens of the United
States residing permanently abroad with
their families, ana suggests legislation on
the subject.
1t refers to the establishment of a
republic in Spain, and to the efforts of the
new government to abolish slavery in all
its dominions which efforts are opposed
by the. reactionary shareholders of Cuba,
who are vainly striving to stop the march
of civilization. This baleful influence had
thus succeeded in defeating the efforts of
all liberal-mined men in Spain to abolish
slavery in Cuba and in preventing the
proposed reform in that island. In the
interest of humanity, of civilization and of
progress, it was to be hoped that that evil
influence might be soon averted.
In reference to the capture of the Vir-
gnins, and to the inhuman and illegal
murder of fifty-three of her passengers
and crew, the President says that the
Spanish government had recognized the
justice of his demand, and had arranged
for the immediate delivery of the vessel,
and for the surrender Of the survivors of
the passengers and crew, and for salute
to the flag, and for proceedings looking to
tha nj, cb,,,on nf oft ,1o, H.
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
correspondence on the subject had been
conducted in cypher and by cable, and
was therefore not in condition to be sub
mitted to congress.
The President expresses his conviction
that the existence of African slavery in
Cuba is principal cause of the lamenta-
BILE condtion..of the island, and does not
doubt that congress shares his hopes that
it will soon be made to disappear, and that
peace and prosperity will follow its aboli-
tion.
He suggests two constitutional amend
ments one to authorize the President to
approve so much of any measure of con-
gress as his judgment may dictate without
approving the whole, and the other to pro-
vide that when an extra session of congress
is convened by Executive proclamation, the
legislation shall be confined to such subjects
as the Executive may bring before congress
from time to time in writing,
He recommends the erection at Wash
ington of suitable buildings for cabinet
officers and for such officials as now receive
communication for quarters; thus setting an
example to the states which may induce
them to erect buildings for their senators.
The message goes very fully into
the financial question, and declares
that the country never can have perma-
nent prosperity until specie payments are
reached. He recommends legislation pro-
hibiting national banks from paying in
terest on deposits. and forcing them into
resumption, if only in legal tender notes.
He suggests the question whether banking
should not be made free, but securing all
the present safeguards to bill-holders.
He notices the improvement in Ameri-
can ship-building during the past year, and
hopes for continuance of it.
In regard to the problem of cheap trans
portation, he refers to the Erie and Illi-
noils canals and suggests whether 1T would
not be wise statemanship to pledge the
states that own those canals that if they
will enlarge them, the general government
will look after and keep in navigable con-
dition the great public highways with
which those canals connect, to wit: the
Hudson river, the st. Clair flats, and Illi-
nois and Mississippi rivers.
He recommends a government explora.
ton of the upper Amazon river and its
tributaries; revision and codification o.
the tariff laws, and the opening of more
mints. He endorses the recommendation
of the postmaster-general for the establish
ment of postoffice savings repositories
and invites the consideration of Congress
to the proposition for postal telegraph.
He recommends legislation in regard tc
the judicial proceedings in Utah, and also
in regard to the bankruptcy law which ht
considers as productive OF more evil thar
good. If not totally repealed. It should b,
modified in those portions providing for in
voluntary bankruptcy. Those portion
should be repealed.
He calls the attention to the immens
aggregate Of claims against the government
A. l. H..