Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-12-15
BACK TIER.
Synopsis ofthe Presidents Mes
sare.

WAsHINGToN, Dec. Tt states
that our relation with foreign powers
are friendly and wi: hout disturbance,
though lher- is an Unsettled question
with Veutz ella, which has not yet paid
the aw .rdS of The jOnt Commission
und, + tie Convert on Of 1906. Con-
gress, it sill be recoIlected. strongly
expressed its scuse on this subject in
February 1873. The President, in
his message Of last December, said
there was reason To believe that the
hesitancy of tina: Republic in recog-
nizing the claims sprung, in part at
least, from real difficulty in discharg
ing them in connection with its obi
cations to other governments, ard
therefore the expediency of further
forbearauce on the part of our gov
ernment was believed TO be worthy of
the consideration of Congress. In
addition to Venezuela we have uh-
settled questions with Spain. growing
out Of the affair Of the Virginius and
part of the Spanish authorities in con-
uectoin with events in Cuba. TIE
magnitude of the offenses has not
been reduced since tie Presidents
previous message year ago. As this
unsettled condition of affairs in Cuba
cannot long continue, it may become
necessary f0r other nations, with our
own, to interfere to terminate the
instruction which has so long pre-
vailed, the Spanish government hav-
ing unsuccessfully attempted to sup
press it. In the meantime the COM
merce Of all countries, and especially
that Of the United States, suffers, the
flag of the Uuited States and England
having been insulted. The President,
in conversation, although he does not
state the fact in his message, says the
United States purchase about eighty
per cent. of the Cuban exports, and
therefore the duties by American citi-
zens contribute to this extent in help
ing Spain to continue the war against
the insurgents The President had
hoped that by the meeting of COngres S
tomorrow. the present negotiations
with Spain would have ended, but in
this he has been disappointed. He
therefore says in his message, little or
nothing about the indemnity pending
in the negotiations, but at some future
time will present the subject to the
special consideration of Congress.
The position of the President on the
finac:al question, is positively as fol-
lows, Notwithstanding the speculations
of those who have spoken without
authority: He desires, and will re-
commend the resumption of specie
payments at the earliest practicable
time, but be does not believe this can
be reached as soon as the first of Jan.
uary. 1876. He does not name any
day, leaving it to Congress to devise
means TO secure this desired end, 1t
being the duty of Congress to do SO.
The legal tender clause of the cur
rency act should be repealed, to take
effect as TO contracts made after the
day to be fixed by law for its repeal.
Power should be given to the Secre-
tary of the Treasuary to obtain gold,
FROM and after the date fixed for the
resumption of specie payments, by
the issuance of bonds. In addition
to this, the revenues Of the govern
ment should be in excess of the ex>
penditures, To support the resump-
tor, greater economy mist be prac-
tised in all departments Of the GOV.