Connecticut western news., 1874-12-18

sary and obsolete, and I invite the attention not of Congress, but of the people of the Uni ted States to the causes and effects of these unhappy questions.
 ef THE NEGRO QUESTION.
 Under existing conditions, the negro votes the Republican ticket because he knows his friends are of that party. Many good citizen votes the opposite, not because he agrees with the great principles of State which sepa- rate parties, but because generally he is op- posed to negro rule. This is & most delusive cry. Treat the negro as citizen and voter, as he is and must remain, and soon parties will be divided not on the color line but on princi- pie. Then we shall have no complaint of sec- tional interference.
 - SYMPATHY FOR THE SOUTH.
 believe on the part of our citizens of the Southern States-the better part of them there is 8 disposition to be law-abiding, and to dono violence either to individuals or to the laws existing. But do they do right in ignoring the existence of violence and bloodshed ill resist ance to constituted authority? l sympathize with their prostrate condition, and would do all in my power to relieve them, acknowledging that in some instances they have had most try ing governments to live under, and very op- pressive ones in the way of taxation for nomi- nal Improvements, not giving benefits equal to the hardships imposed but can they proclaim tnomSolVeS enClrely uTGSpOnSlDlo TOT Inlb COIL dition? They cannot, as violence has been rampant ill some localities, and has either been justified or denied by those who could have pre- vented it. The theory is even raised that there is to be no further interference on the part of the general government to protect citizens within State where the State authorities fail to give protection. This is great mistake While remain Executive, all the laws of Con gross and the provisions of the Constitution, including the recent amendments added there
 
 that they should have added one jot or title to executive duties or powers. Let there bo fair ness in the discussion of Southern questions the advocates of both or all political parties giving honest, truthful reports of occurrences, condemning the wrong and upholding the right, and soon all will be wells
 JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.
 I respectfully suggest to Congress the pro- priety of increasing the number of Judicial Districts of tho United States to eleven, the present number being nine, and the creation of two additional courts is necessary to keep pace with all official transactions.
 THE INDIANS.
 The policy adopted for the management of Indians affairs, known as the peace policy, has been adhered to with most beneficial results. It is confidently hoped that few years more will relieve our frontiers from danger of Indian depredatiOns.
 
 The act of Congress providing the oath which pensioners must subscribe before draw ing their pensions cuts off from this bounty a few survivors of the war of 1872, residing ill tho Southern States. l recommend the restOr- ation of this bounty to all such. They are all old persons. who could have taken no part in the rebellion, and the services for which they were awarded pensions were in defense of the whole country.
 THE CENTENNIAL.
 The report of the Commissioner of Agricul- ture contains many suggestions of much in terest to the general public, and refers to the approaching Centennial and the part his Department is ready to take ill it. l feel that the nation at large is interested in having this exposition & success, and commend to Congress such action as will secure 8 greater general in- terest in it. Already many foreign nations have signifed their intention to be represented at it, and it may be expected that every civ ilized nation will be represented.
 CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
 The President says, the rules adopted to i'm prove the Civil Service of the country have been beneficial on the whole, and have tended to the elevation of the service, but it is impracti- cable to maintain them without direct and posi- tive support of Congress. Generally the sup port which this reform receives is from those who give 1t their support only to find fault when the rules are apparently departed from. Under these circumstances, therefore, 1 announce that if Congress djourns without positive legislation on the subject of "Civil Service Reform" will regard such action a disapproval of the sys- tenn, and will abandon it, except so far as to require examinations for certain appontees to determine their fitness.
 CAPITAL AND LABOR.
 I have stated three clements of prosperity to the nation. Capital, labor skilled and unskilled, and products of the soil, still remain with us. To direct the employment of these is a problem deserving the most serious consideration of Congress. If employment can be given to all labor offering itself, prosperity necessarily fol lows. l have expressed the opinion, and repeat it that the first requisite to the accomplishment of the end is the substitution of sound cur rency ill place of ono of fuctuating value. This secured, there are many interests that might be fostered to- the great profit of both labor and capital. How to induce capital to employ labor is the question.
 OUR SHIPPING INTERESTS.
 A revival of shipbuilding, and particularly of iron shipbuiding, is of vast importance to our national prosperity. The United States is now paying over $1O0,0 ,000 per annum for freights and passage on foreign ships. It is to be regretted that this disparity in the carry ing trade exists, and to correct it would be willing to see great departure from the usual course of the Government in supporting what might usually be termed private enterprise. I would not suggest as remedy direct subsidy to American steamship lines, but would suggest the direct offer of ample compensation for carrying the mails between Atlantic seaboard cities and the continent on American-oWned and American-built steamers, and would OK tend this Hberality to vessels carrying the mails to South American States and to Central America and Mexico, and would pursue the same policy from our Pacific seaports to foreign seaports on the Pacific. The right also of taking possession of these vessels for war purposes in such emergency should be guarded.
 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Referring to the financial matters of the District of Columbia the message gives the figures Of expenditures there and says that a portion of this indebtedness should be charged to the general government. He says the pro- portion of the expenses of tho government and improvements to be borne by the general government, the cities of Washington and Georgetown, should be carefully and equita- ply defined.
 THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. In accordance with section 5, act approved June 23, 1874, appointed board to make survey of the mouth of the Mississippi River with 8 view to determine the best method ot obtaining and maintaining depth of water sufficient for the purpose of commerce, in ac- cordance with an act entitled An Act to provide for tho appointment Of Commission of Engi- | neers to investigate and report a permaneIt plan for the excavation of the alluvial basin o1 | the Mississippi River subject to inundation I appointed Commission of Engineers. Nei | ther Board has yet completed it's labors Whe1 their reports are received, they will be for Warded to Congress without delay.
 (signed) U. $. GRANT.
 How AstOr Does Business. Vba 1uaaJtb;oc% ,,,o,, ;yo Noxz Vorl- I, ,o1J