Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-12-10

gress this afternoon. 1t opens 10y refer
ence to the financial crisis, the granger
movement aud the Nirginiu5 matter,
which it says is in course of negotiation
and is likely to be amicably and honorably
arranged.
1t refers to the Vienna Exposition,
which was creditable 10 the artisans of
the United States to the reception of the
Western Ambassadors 10y the Emperor of
China, and to the need Of further legslt-
ton to suppress the infamous COolie trade.
Settling the Alabama Claims.
1t recommends a 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 subjects and American
citizens, and asks for an appropriation TO
pay the amount of decisions against the
United States. 1t also recommends a law
ceeating a special court of three judges to
hear and determine all claims of aliens
against the United States arising oE of
acts committed against their persons and
property during the instruction. Ww
Foreign Affairs. M
II asks the decision of Congress GA the
subject of the action of the Ottoman and
Egyptian Governments, relieving foreign
ConsCls of judicial powers. The President
transmits the application of the Republic
of Santo Domingo that the United States
shall exercise a protectorate over that Re
public.
The message discusses at some length
the question of the right of expatrlatOn,
particularly as to citizens of the United
States, residing permanently abroad with
their families, and suggests legislation on
the subject. 1t refers to the establishment
of a Republic in Spain and the etfortsGfthe
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.far succeeded in defeating the efforts
of all liberal minded men in Spain to abol-
lsh slavery in Cnba, and in preventing the
proposed reform in that Island. Ia the in
terestof humanity civilization and of pro-
gress, it was to be hoped that that evil in
fiuence might be soon averted.
The Virginius Affair.
In reference to the capture Of the Nir-
ginius and to the inhuman and illegal
murder of tifty-three of her passengers
and crew, he says that the Spanish Gov
eminent had recognized the Justice of
his demands and had arranged for the
immediate delivery of the vessel snd for
the surrender of the passengers and crew
ane for a salute to the United States flag,
and fer proceedings looking to the pun-
ishmeut of the those who may be proved
to have been guilty of illegal acts of vio-
lence towards citizens of the L nited
States, and alSo towards indemntfying
those who may be shown to be entitled to
indemnity. The correspondence On the
subject thus far had been conducted in cy-
pher and by cable, and was, therefore, not
in condition to be submitted to Congress.
The President expresses his conviction
that the expense of African slavery in
ho 10 he fNrin Of mo 10 ont
able condition of the island, and does not
doubt that Congress shares his hope that it
will soon be made to disappear, and that
peace and prosperity will follow its aboli-
ton.
ReeGmme ends Constitutional Ame N dim eats
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
provide that when an extra session Of
Congress is convened by executive procla-
nation the legislation shall be confined to
such subjects as the Executive may bring
before Congress from time to time la
writing.
improvements at Washington.
1t recommends the erection at Washing
ton of suitable building for the Cabinet
officers and for such Off cials as now receive
example to the States which may induce
them to erect buildings for their Senators.
He eulOgiZes the Washington Board of
Public Works, and speaks of the great inn
provemeCt of the city underline operations
of the Beard. He recommends liberal
policy on the part of Congress in defraying
portion Of the expenses, and suggest the
establishment here ola National Universe
ty.
Tee National Finances.
The message goes very fully into the
financial question, and declares that the
country never can have permanent pros
perity until specie payments be reached. He
recommends legislation prohibiting Ma
tional Banks from paying interest on de-
posits and forcing them into resumption,
If only in legal notes. He suggests the ques-
stion whether banking should not be made
free but reserviug all the present safeguard
to bill.holders. He notices
Internal improvements.
The improvement in American SHIP
building during the past year has been
very great and he hopes for continuance
of it.
In regard to the problem of cheap trans
portaIiOn, he refers 90 the Erie and Illi-
nois canals, and suggests whether it would
not bs wise substantially to pledge to the
States that own those canals that If they
will enlarge them the general Government
will look after and keep ia naCigable con-
dition the great public highways with |
which those canals connect To wit The !