Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-12-04

Of the President, sent into Congress IN Tues
day Is marked BY his usual plain, concise and
straightforward style. IeElJ r}AiG
Without following the order Of the document
itself, we shall be. IN our abstract of the nes-
sage with what is said upon the subject Of
Cuba, the virginius affair and our relations
with Spain The President takes note Of the
welcome events which followed the inaugura-
tim OF the Spanish Republic, specifying the
abolition of slavery In Porto Rico, the release
Of several thousand persons illegally held as
| slaves In Cuba, the order for the restoration OF
the seeuestered estates Of American citizens,
and the revocation OF the power Of the Captain
i Generals Of Cuba or set aside the orders of
their superiors at Madrid. These liberal meas
ures encountered violent opposition from the
reactiOnary shareholders at Havana, and this
latter baneful influence still exists, defying the
home Government OF Spain. It has usurped
| the pc Vers OF government In Cuba, ~ exhaust
Ing the resources Of the island, Is dong acts at
| variance with the principles of justice, and 1t
| 10 hoped that 10 the interests of humanity and
Of civilization this evil influence may be aver
ted.
Referring to the matter Of the Virginius, all
| the circumstances attending which are now
well-known, the President says that the Span.
| ish Government has recognized the justice of
our demand, and has arranged for the immed-
ate delivery of the vessel, for the surrender of
the survivors, for salute to the flag, and for
proceedings looking 10 the punishment of the
guilty perpetrators Of The illegal acts, aid look
Ing also towards indemnity for those who may
be entitled to it. The diplomatic correspoD-
dence on the subject having been conducted by
cipher and by telegraph, 10 withheld for the
present until the cipher dispatches can be veri-
he'd by comparison with the original documents.
This affair, which for time threatened the
most serious consequences, Is now In the course
OF satisfactory adjustment honorable TO both
nations. Htt.r" ...
The subject next in importance relates to
the finances and TO the recent monetary dis
turbance throughout the country. The Presi.
dent fears that the financial balance for the
present year will not be 30 favorable as that of
last year, and recommends economy 10 making
appropriations and economy In administering
the various departments Of Government. He
points out two or three sources for such econo-
my. Whilst he thinks the Government should
own buildings for Its own purposes, he recon-
meuds that no Kew ones be undertaken where
work has not already been commenced, and
that premature river and harbor improvements
and Notifications should not be begun, and also
that tribunals should be established that will
protect the Government against the fab cat ion
OF claims. As to the severe monetary disturb
ance, the President ntimates that, however
much individuals may have suffered, the result
may prove TO be u long step towards spece pay
ments, that we can have no permanent bros
perity until specie basis is reached, and that
aspecie basis cannot be reached and maintain
ed until our exports, exclusive of gold, pay for
our imports. lfbut oIe-half of the gold ex-
tracted from our mines would be retained at
home our advance towards specie payments
would he rapid. To keep the gold we have and
appreciate tho currency to that standard is the
problem tor Congress. To increase our ex-
ports, sufficient currency is required o keep all
| "a ind aff In
nevertheless discourages undue expansion of
the currency, which, while it might give tenn.
porary relief, world only lead TO imitation Of
prices. He would have the curr ncy sufficient
~ "elastic" to keep industry employed, but not
TO run into imitation. To this end the Presi-
dent submits to the consideration of Congress
u specific plan by which the Nastional Banks
may, when more currency Is required, procure
an additional amount OF circulating notes by
the deposit ofbonds (forfeitng four per cent.
OF the interest while the bonds remain in the
Treasury, and when the currency Is no longer
required, having leave to Withdraw the bonds
upon the surrender and cancellat ion of the ad-
ditional notes issued to them. tie also recon.
mends that The National Banks he prohibited
from paying Interest on deposits; that they
shall be required TO hold their reserve In the IL
own vaults; that "clearing houses" shall be
established for the redemption of their circu-
lating notes; and that they be authorized to
diminish their standing issues of notes a plea
sure by the return and cancellation of their
own bills. He thinks that II such "clsariDe
houses" for redemption shall be established, Il
may he u question whether banking should not
be made free, retaining all tue present safe
guards for the security OF bill hol ders.
As to other matters, the President recon-
mends that 80 much ct.the Bankrupt Law as
provides for involuntary bankruptcy, on ac-
nj he a "a Hon. r,f -
pealed; he nrges favorable action upon the re-
commendatlon OF the Postmaster General for
the establishment of Postal Savings Deposito-
ries; he calls the attention Of Congress TO the
subject of a Postal Telegraph, but does moi
recommend il; to prevent legal anarchy In Utah
he says 1t Is absolutely necessary that Congre IS
shall provide Courts for that Territory with
sufficient power aud authority To put Az end
to the legal paralysis which now prevails there;
he mentions the importance ofproyiding proper
armament for our seacoast deiences, and the
necessity Of reopening the line of promotion in
the staff corps ofthe army, particularly in the
Medical, Pay and Ordnance Departments; he
reminds Congress the necessity, as exempt
tied BY recent events, of keeping the navy ia
state Of efficiency; he repeats the recommends
tion Of the Secretary If the Interior for CEN
sus to be taken ia 1875, aud adds that the re-
port Of a census taken In that year would be es-
pecially interesting and valuable.
As showing the progress Of the country dur |
Ing the first century of our national existence;
he suggests the appointment of special com.
mittee OF Congress TO act In cooperation with |
the Civil Service Board; he recommends the ELL |
of an inigating canal Ia the cas- |
tern slope OF the Rocky Mountains to the Mis- |
souri, River, stating incidentally that he Is sp- |
posed to further donations of public lands to |
private corporations, but in this instance makes
an exception. he suggests that the Government,
as national work, should see that the navipa-
ton should be kept clear on the ST Clair Flats |
the illinois and Mssiss ppi rivers, and the over
slaugh of the Hudson river, as q means of fla |
ciiitatiug cheap transportation by the Erie |
Canal aud the Illinois Canal; and he renews |
his previous recommendation to Congress for |
general amnesty to the small number of persons |
in The South who still labor under political
disabilities la consequence of their acts during |
the late rebellion, ard suggests the enactment |
OF law the better 10 secure the civil rights |
which freedom should secure to the enfranchis. |
ed slave |
Nearly all the other topics are of a routine |
except perhaps the anomalous con- |
dition of our citizenship and expatr iation laws
which require attention, and suggested amend |
ments to the Constitution to enable the Execu-
tive to veto Objectionable parts of an act of
Congress without vetoiDg the whole, and to
contine the business specified in the call. The
"Mxed Claims" Comni ,sion to hear, and de-
termine claims Of citizens of the United States
and subjects of Great Britain, have awarded
British claims to the amount of 81 ,929, $40
have eiectad 800 600, 900 of British claims, aud
all Of the American claims. Congress is re-
quested to appropriate the Sl,929,sl9 for the
discharge Of these British awards; and the re.
commentator Is renewed for commission to
audit and determine the direct losses of indyi-
duals, &e., to be paid out of SIS 500 900 recely
ed from Great Britain on account Of the Ala
bams depredations.