The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-12-12
QunalDsonbille Gbief. !.
Three dollars Year,
The Presiden Is Message.


The sixtl, annual message Of Presi-
dent Grant WAS presented to Congress
aud read to tina. body last MOn-
day and published in the newspapers
Tuesday. 1t is most admirable
State paper, highly laaded by the
leading journals Ut both parties, and
We regret that our limited space pie
cludes publication Of the full text.
For the following synopsis Of the mes
sage we are indebted to the columns
Of the New Orleans Republican:
Commencing with the general con-
dition Of tile country, the prostration
Of our financial affnirs compared with
the abundance Of labor and capital is
noted. The views of the President
on this subject will generally be con
sidered sound. The necessity for the
creation of our debt is acknowledged,
but the equal necessity for currency
"good wherever civilization reigns,"
and the imperative demand that there
should 10 no delay in returning to u
specie b,ssis earnestly advocated.
There must be- positive action to re-
deem our pledges to commerce. The
principal measures suggested for a
return to prosperity, are n repeal of
the legal tender clause, a certainty Of
an excess Of revenue over expendi-
lures, and in time return to q free
banking system. Expansion the Pres
itlent does not consider honest, and
with great force compares it to the
issuing Of legal tender by every debtor
to the extent Of his obligations. These
are measures which it is the duty Of
Congress to take, and not his.
Our relations to foreign countries
are in general satisfactory. Action is
recommended Oh the conditions Of the
Belgian convention, that equal adj
vantlges may be derived by the
United States. The use Of the in
demnity paid by Japan is recon-
mended for the education Of Aln.ri
cans in the Japanese language, with
the obligation to serve the govern
ment us interpreters. An assurance
is given that the Formosan difficulty
will be adjusted. In the matter Of
Chinese immigrants legislation is re-
commended that the terrible abuses,
especially as regards Chinese women,
may be removed. A special court is
recommended to hear the claims of
aliens who suffered during the late
civil war, and 10 no doubt necessity.
The difficulty with Newfoundland
and the boundary from the Lake of
the Woods to the Rocky mountains
beteen the United States and the pos
sessions Of Great Britain are adjusted.
Byh treuty with Turkey the citizens
Of the United States are to be per-
mitted to hold real estate in that cOun-
try. -ssa
II commenting on the continued
and obstinate war in Cuba and our
unsatisfactory relations with Spain,
the message IL suggestive of action on
the part Vt Congress which will be
satisfactory to the country,
~Further legislation is recommended
in regard to expatriation, and deter
mination Of the status Of many per-
sons whose claims to the protection
Ut the United States frequently give
rise to embarrassment. In this con
nection the frequency of frauds in
naturalization il referred to, but with
out special notice Of eases familiar to
the country aud especially to Louisi-
ANA. Some regulations to enforce
compliance with the laws on this sub
ject and punish violations are abso-
lutely needed. 1t is reasonable to
suppose that the mind vi the Ptesi-
dclo was somewhat influenced by the
heated discussion on the jurisdiction
Of the Second District Court, and that
be has carefully examined tho case on
both sides. When the question was
first made public in October the ,uinds
OF the people Of New Orleans were
too much excited to consider it calm
~. The carefully d,gested opinion
OF Attorney General Field provoked
storm Of Indignation from those who
deemed themselves affected by it.
Now that it has ceased to be a matter
Of immediate interest, the arguments
Of the message will have their full
force. Whether honestly or not, the
alien who sought citizenship through,
that court, the protection and privil-
eyes he desires to obtain by it are too
important to him to have them de-
pend simply on the popular opinion
OF the country. All will look anx-
iously for the action of Congress, that
no further technically may jeopa1d-
ize the rights he seeks.
The President cordially indorses
the report Of the Secretary Of tie
Treasury, and In view OF the fact that
the estimated receipts will only ex-
coed expenditures by about S9,00e,-
600, recommends that provision be
made to increase the revenues to com
ply with The law By providing for the
sinking fund Of S34, OOO, 600. Reforms
in the banking and currency acts. IN
increase of tariff and u decrease of
articles taxed, encouragement Of home
manufactures and harmony Of labor
and capital are recommended. The