The Portland daily press., 1873-12-03

These suggestions are thrown out for your
consideration without any recommendation that
they shall be adopted literally; but hoping that
the best method may be arrived at to secure
such an elasticity of the currency as will keep
employed all the industries of the country and
prevent such an imitation as will put off indefi-
nitely the resumpt on of snece payments-an
object so devonty to be wished for by all, and
by none more earnestly than the class of peo-
pie most directly interested those who earn
Their bread by the sweat of their brow. The
decisions OF Congress on this subject will have
the hearty support of the Executive.
AMERICAN COMMERCE.
In previous messages, L have called attention
to the decline in American ship building and
recommended such legislation as would secure
to US onr proportion of the carrying trade.
Stimulated by high rates and an abundance of
freight. the progress for the last year In ship
building has been very satisfactory There has
been an increase of about 3 Der cent in the
amount transported in American vessels over
the amount OF last year. With the reduced
cost of material which has taken place, it NAV
reasonably be hoped that this progress will be
maintained and even increased However, as
we pay about $40, 1000 600 per annum to foreign
vessels for the transportation of our surplus
products to market thus increasing the bal
ance OF trade against US to this amount, the
subject is one worthy of your serious considera-
ton.
THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM.
"Cheap transportation" is subject that has
attracted attention of both producers and con-
sumers, and has contributed to, if it has not
been the direct cause, of the recent panic and
stringency. AS Congress at its last session ap-
pointed special committee to investigate this
whole subject during vacation and report at
this session, have nothing to recommend till
this report is read
There is one work, however, of rational
character in which the greater portion of the
East and West, the North aud the South are
equally interested, to which J will invite your
attention. The State OF New York has canal
connecting Lake Erie with tide water on the
Hudson river, and the State of Illinois has
similar work connecting Lake Michigan with
navigable water on the Illinois river, thus max
ing water communication inland between the
East and the West and the South. These great
artificial water courses are the property of the
States through which they pass, aud pay toll to
those States. Would it not be wise statesman
ship to pledge these States, that if thy will open
these canals for the passage of large vessels the
general government will look after and keep
IN navigable condition the great public high
ways with which they connect, to wit:-The
overslaugh on the Hudson, the st. Clair flats
and the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.
This would be national work, one of great
value to the producers Of the west and south, in
giving them cheap transportation for their pro-
ducts to the sea-bOard and a market, and to the
consumers in the east, in giving them cheaper
food, particularly those articles of food which
do not tind foreign market, and the prices of
which therefore, are not regulated by foreign
demands. The advantages of such work are
700 OBVIOUS 1cr argument. submit the SUD-
ject to. you, therefore, without further COM
ment.
EXPLORATION IN SOUTH AMERICA.
In attempting to regain our lost commerce
and carrying trade, | have heretofore, called
your attention to the States south of the United
States. offering a field where much might be
accomplished to further this object. I suggest
that a small appropriation be made accompa-
med with authority for the Secretary of the
Navy to fit out naval vessel to ascend the
Amazon river to the mouth OF the Madeira
thence to explore that river and its tributaries,
into Bolivia, and to report to Congress at the
next session, or as soon as practicable, the ac-
| feasibility of the country by water, it's resour-
| ces and population SO reached Such an explo-
ration will cost but little, it can do no harm,
and may result in establishing a trade Of value
| to both nations
,,,,,,o>r ,r,
HH'isioN oF fAhiff LAWS hlo'
In further connection with the treasury de-
| partment, would recommend a revision and
codifcaton of the tariff laws, and the opening
| of more mnts for coming money, with authOri-
" 70 coin lor sacn lns'i'u''ons as may apply
WAX DEPARTMENT..
The attention of Congress is invited to the
| recommendations contained in the report of the
| Secretary of War, herewith ACCOMMODATING.
| The apparent great cost of Supporting the army
is fully explained by this report and hope will
receive your attention.
While inviting your attention to all the rec
| there are two which / would speciaily invite
yOu TO consider. First. the importance of pre-
barring for war in times of peace by providing
,s,per armament for onr sea coast defences
| Proper armament is of vastly more Importance
| than Notifications. The latter can be supplied
| bap
needed; the former cannot The second is the
| necessity of reopenng promotion in the staff
| corps of the army Particularly is this neces-
sity felt in the medical, pay and ordnance de-
partmcuts At this time it is necessary to en-
| ploy contract surgeons to supply the necessary
medical attendance required by the army.
| With the present force Of the nav department
| it is now difficult to make the payments to
| troops provided for by law Long delays in
payments are productive of desertinus and 9TH
INSTRUMENTATION, and the law prohibits pay
ment Of troops by other than regular army
| paymasters. There are now sixteen vacancies
in the ordnance department, thus leaving that
branch OF the service without sufhcient officers
70 conduct the business OF the different arsenals
on large scale II ever required.
NAVY DEPARTs4ENr.
D,,.,.
,Du5ine tte pdst year our navy mas Deen de-
Pleteo py tne saie Oh some vessels no longer Mt
o. s,a anu Wy ene OF
| W. noo
pee oeen more tnan compensated TOR by six OF the
uiu "Houeu u1 se,Ps anu py !ne puii9ing OF eIght
new siooRs oI WAT, authorized Dy she last Con
gIess; Inc euliulng OF tne iatter mas occurred
az q oouoly ortunats flIAe, fheF are about
.til Deihs colnplsteu ~ tIne wnen they may pos
has not oniv afforded craat ennloppant ot0u, ~
thousands of men, but has no doubt been the
means of keeping open establishments of other
work, at a time Of great financial distress
Since the commencement of last month.
however, the distressing occurrences which
have taken place in the waters of the Caribbean
sea almost on our very seaboard, while thew
illustrate most forciby the necessity alwavs
existing, that nation situated like ours.
should maintain in state of possible efficiency
a navy adequate to its responsibilities, have. at
the same time, demanded that all the effective
force We really have. shall he put in i'm mmediate
readiness for warlike service, This has been
and is being done promptly and effectually,
and am assured that all the available ships
and every authorized man of the American
navy will be ready for whatever action that
NAV be required for the safety of our citizens
or the maintenance of our honor. -
This Ioof course will reouire the exna,d;.,,u;.,
n short time Of snme n a. ~ ~ponul.u!e III
which were calcnIa,ed 70 nto aPptoprias'oiis ,a
fiscal vaar Int Cono,,s W Iii through tne
dAss;aw ~ sv ;n.o ~ WI, uouoS nos un-
,,;ao anu appieo.a's Ine enplSency ano pro-
~ n.Ia a ~ ny HnS ~, tne plesent pre-
pavsI forcsS Ur' A'i 'N0 u our