The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-12-11
sYnopsIs of the Message.


The message states that Cur relations
with all foreign powers areriiend.y and
without disturbance, thong, there is an
unsettled question with Venezuela,
which has not yet paid the awards OF
the Joint Commission under the Con-
veniion OF 1866. Congress, Il VIII be
recollected, strongly expressed il, sense
on this subject in February 1873 The
President in his message OF lat De-
cember, said there was reason to be-
lieve that the hesitancy Of that Repub-
lie in recognizing the claims spung, in
part at least, from real difficult, in dis
charging them la connection with its
obligations to other governmnts, and
therefore the expediency OF futher for
bearance on the part OF our go eminent
was believed 10 be worthy ofthe con-
sideration Of Congress. In addition to
Venezuela we have unsettled questions
with Spain, growing out of to affair of
the Virginius and other previous trans
actions OH the part OF the S'anish au-
thorities in connection with events in
Cuba. The magnitude Of tie ohenses
has not been reduced since the Presi.
dents previous message year ago. AS
this unsettled condition OF affairs in
Cuba cannot long continue ii may be.
come necessary for other nations, with
our own, to interfere TO terminate the
instruction which has 80 .ong prevail.
ed, the Spanish government having un-
successfully attempted TO suppress it.
la the meantime the commerce of all
countries. and especial, that of the
United States, suffers, tn, flag Of the
United States and Englaul having been
insuIied. The President, in converse
ton, although he does not state the fact
in his message, SAYS the United States
purchase about eighty PEI cent. Of the
Cuban exports, and therefore the duties
by American citizens contribute to this
extent in helping Spain 10 continue the
war against the insurgents. The Presi-
dent had hoped that by tie meeting of
Congress, the present negotiations with
Spain would have been ,nded, but in
this he has been disappointed. He
therefore says in his message, little or
nothing about the indemnity pending
In tho negotiations, but ct some future
time will present the subject to the spe-
cial consideration of Congress-.
The position Of the President on the
financial question is as fellows: He de-
sires, and will recommend the resulnp-
lion OF specie payments at the earliest
practicable time, but he ioes not believe
"a &c ha ohn1 chn he
Of January, 1876. He does not name
any day, leaving it to Congress to de-
wise means to secure Ills desired end,
il being the duty OF Congress to do So
The legal tender clauseOf the currency
,ct should be repealed, to take effect as
% contracts made afte' the day to be
fixed by law for its repeal. Power
should be given to the Secretary of the
Treasury 10 obtain god, from and af.
er the date fixed for the resumption Of
specie payments, by the issuance of
ponds. In addition TO this the revenues
)f the government should be In excess
" the expenditures. To support the
assumption, greater economy must be
,racticed in all departments Of the
Government and If necessary, the GUS
oms anu internal revenue laws changed
II order 10 secure larger amount of
evenue. With tho return OF specie
payments banking should be free; the
should continue to be pro-
ccted as at present under the banking
aw, There should be no Limitation to
he volume Of currency, as the COM
nunity itself shonld determine what
mount il required for business trans
ciions, instead Of leaving the Execu.
i've, Secretary Of Treasury and Con-
tress, however, to make regulations re-
'arding free banks Of issue and to state
he conditions on which they can be Or
'anized and transact business, the leg
station TO be in accordance with the
ew order Of things, or in other words
he resumption of specie payments.
hero should be no monopoly by fix.
ny the amount OF issue. The Presi-
ent will recommend Congress not to
interfere with the present currency act,
assed during the last session, unless
D amend it so as to conform with a
Ian for the resumption Of specie pay
lonts. The President will make no
on the subject Of in
ernsl improvements by the General
Government, but will merely refer to
he fact that Congress has already APP
ointed o Committe on Transportation
outes to the the sea board, which has
lready made its report, and will give
lrther information from more recent
nvestigations. The President devotes
,uch space to the affairs in Arkansas,
living reasons why he declined TO en-
,rfere in the recent difficulties in that
tate, and he adverts TO the facts mar
1ted in his special message to Congress,
'cbruay, 1873 relative TO Louisiana, in
'hich he said he had no specific recon-
,endation 10 make on the subject, but
their were any practical way Of re-
loving these difficulties by legislation,
len no earnestly requested that the
uestion might be taken up at this SEES
ION Of Congress. He was extremely
nxious TO avoid any prctense OF undue
reference in State affairs, and If Con-
ross differed with him, as TO what
light TO be done, he requested its i'm
,ediate decision to that effect; other
Use no should feel obliged as far az he
Dud, by the exercise Of Legitimate au-
lority, TO put an end to the unhappy
Dntroversy, which disturbed the peace