The Grange advance., 1874-11-24
coneREss AND ITS WORK.


ing the Public ImpRovements and
Prospective Legislation On the Cur
reDcy..Ctvil Service Reform.
Washington [Nov. ~ Dispatch to the New
York Graphic.]
am enabled to state, on the very
highest authority, the probable pro-
gramme of the administration during
the coming session of Congress.
First, there is no thoug hit whatever
on the part of the President or any of
his advisers of making change in the
personnel Of the Cabinet. The Presi'
dent is perfectly satisfied with every
member Of the present administration.
They know their duties, are thoroughly
efficient, and, as the President believes,
are honest and prompt in the perform
anceof the various functions which
pertain to their Offices. The Presidents
does not see any necessity for a change,
even in the least important members of
the admins tration. {+.
Secondly, ! think I am authorized in
contradicting entirely the notion thai
there is any change in the financial po-
ton taken by the President in his mes.
sagcs, especially the veto message. He
does not propose to bulge one inch
from the position respecting an early
return to specie payment-as early as
the business of the country will admit
Of. He is in favor of no rash or imme-
date change, but would like to signal
ize his administration by the restora.
tion of good order and good feeling in
the South, and by the resumption of
specie payments. so that the currency
Of the United States would be
identical with the currency
Of the world. He is in
clined to the belief that there can be no
return to any real prosperity until gold
and silver are again made the circulat-
ing medium Of the country. 1t is not
improbable that the Administration
may favor repeal of the Legal.Tcn.
der act,which repeal many here believe
would restore the prosperity of the
country and start commercial and
manufacturing interests at once. But
contraction, it is believed here, would
only prolong the present dull state of
trade, and might even produce another
panic. The specification Of a time,
however, wher the greenbacks would
cease to be legal tender for debt,
would, it is believed, stimulate business
as every one would be anxious to part
with his notes for some form of prop
erty. The stimulus once given, it
would continue up to and after the
time they ceased to be legal tender,
and when they were simply depre-
ciated currency quoted at discount.
Thirdly, I have the very highest au-
thority for saying that it will be the
aim of the Administration to favor
works Of public Improvement on the
seaboard and lakes and on the Missis.
sippi river-everywhere, in fact, that
labor can be employed at fair rates. A
hard winter is approaching, and instead
of charity the President believes the
people ought to have work. A liberal
disbursement Of funds by the Govern
ment would affect the retail trade of the
country, and would induce manufactur.
ers everywhere to increase production.
A judicious spending of money during
the coming winter would be an immense
help to the final resumption Of business
all over the country. OF course, no
works will be undertaken except
such as are Of permanent value
to the nation. There will undoubtedly
be an increase in the army and navy,
and there will be apportionments for
new and better ships, repairing Of cd
vessels, and, after the meeting Of Con-
gress, dock-yards and arsenals will be
busy and noisy with the hum Of indus
try. That there will be a disposition
on the part of the coming Congress to
take some such line of action as have
indicated in regard to appropriations
for public works is, think, highly
probabie. A large number of the mem
hers will be irresponsible; they will be
in frame Of. mind TO- spend money.
The Government cannot prevent that.
All it can do is to try and influence
Legislation, and see that the expendi-
lures are for worthy objects, and that
their effect will be the employment OF
labor and the promotion Of the indus
trial interests Of the county, II
J., Fourthly, the President will do all
he can to enforce, the, Civil Service
rules, The last Congress failed to
m Ike an appropriation for continuing
the werk Of the Commission. This will
be rectifed this year, and, it is thought
|that, if there is any danger of The
Democrats carrying the next Presiden.
tial election, an effort will be made to
give rs; asl permanent Civil Service.
Commissions will BE; everywhere ap'
pointed to investigate the fitness of the
fpresent Office holders, and, if they pass
[a proper examination, they will be ap.
j pointed for life or good behavior. 1t is
a the Presidents wish that this should
be done. His Cabinetxillsupport him,
and the only difficulty will be the Sem
ate and House. If the majority of the