The daily gazette., 1874-12-07
The Presidents Recommendation
to Congress.
A SKETCH OF HIS MESSAGE.
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS
AT AFFIXED DATE.

AShlNoION, bcC. VI lO'f.
Synopsis of the Presidents Mes
saOe--FOreiOn Relations
Specie Resumption, Free
Banking and an Ample Re
venue Recomnnended-The
Internal State IrOu uGles.
Although the President has shown
the Message to no person other than
the member of the Cabinet and the
copyists, there is the best reason for
believing it will contain substantially
the following points, founded On eX-
pressions of the President to intimate
friends since the Message was submit
ted to and cordially indorsed by the
Cabinet on Friday last
The President says that although he
did not commence the preparation of
his Message until week ago yesterday
some of the newspapers previously pro-
gnosticated its contents, although he
had consulted nobody as to what it
should contain. There is no doubt
the Message will state that our rela-
tions with all foreign Powers arc
friendly and without disturbance,
though there is an unsettled question
with Venezuela which has not yet paid
the awards of the Joint Commission
under the Convention of 1866. Con-
gress, it will be recollected, strongly
expressed its sense on this subject in
February, 1878. The President, In his
Message of last December, said there
was reason to believe the hesitancy of
that Republic in recognizing the claims
sprung in part at least from real di-
fficulty in discharging them in connec-
tion with its obligations to other COVER
nments, and therefore the expediency
Of further ,forbearance on the part of
our government was believed to be
worthy of the consideration of Con-
gress.
OUR SPANISH RELATIONS.
In addition to Venezuela we have
unsettled questions with Spain grow
ing out of the affair of the Virginius
and other grievious transactions on
the part Of the Spanish authorities in
connection with events in Cuba The
magnitude of the offences has not been
reduced since the Presidents previous
Message year ago. AS this unsettled
condition of affairs in Cuba cannot
long continue itmay become necessary
for other nations, with our own, to in
terfere to terminate the insurrection
which has SO long prevailed, the Span
ish government having unsuccessfully
attempted to suppress it. Meantime
the commerce of all countries and es-
pecially that of the United States suf-
fers, the flags of the United States and
England having been insulted. The
President in conversation, although
/ he does not state the fact in hisMessage
says the United States purchase about
eighty per cent of Cuban exports, and
therefore the duties paid by American
citizens contribute to this extent in
helping Spain to continue the war
against the insurgents. The President
had hoped that by the meeting of Con-
gress tomorrow the present negotia-
tions with Spain would have been en-
ded; but in this he has been disappoin-
ted. He therefore says in his Message
little or nothing about indemnity pen.
ding the negotiations, but at future
time will present the subject TO the
special consideration of Congress
THE FINANCES.
Tho position Of the President on the
financial question is positive, as follows:
Notwithstanding the former specula-
tions Of those who spoke without author
| ity, he desires and will recommend the
resumption Of specie payments at the
earliest practicable day; but he does not
believe this can be reached as soon as
the lst OF January, 1875. He does not
| name any day, leaving Congress to de-
| wise the means to secure the desired end,
| it being the duty of Congress to do SO.
The legal tender clause OF the Curren-
cy Act should be repealed, to take effect
| as to contracts made after the day to be
hxed by law for its repeal. Power should
be given to the Secretary of the Treasu-
| lry to obtain gold from and after the date
fixed for the resumption Of specie pay
| ments By the issuance Of bonds. In aa-