The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-12-16
The Presidents MESSAGE.

this year was a lengthy paper, containing
about,as much ,lemagogism as was posi-
BILE to crowd into it. 1t was, however, in
many respects an able message, but is
nevertheless, marked by very, great in
decision on some topics, which shows
that the President fears to commit him-
self to any definite policy with regard to
them. He is plain enough spoken upon
the subject of IL union between Church
and ,state and: sectarian schools-so
much so that it is now an. assured fact
if Grant is renominated this will certain
ly be one Of, the planks in the third term
platform; This is mere 'subtifuge to
avoid meeting real idsiies by presentinsg g
to the people imaginary ones. He re-
commends the taxation. of Church prop
erty in very positive terms, but really we
fail to perceive any connection it has
with Congressional legislation. ;: # he
were advocating 3 direct United States
tsx, it might be- appropriate, but in its
present form We imagine the State legis.
lures are the proper bodies to act upon
this question, and it vas only introduced
to make; a Little cheap capital for tho
President in a political point. =
He is utterly silent upon the subject Of
a third term, and the whole tenor Of his
message is that of . candidate seeking
popular favor rather than of a statesman
endeavoring to lay down the cares of
Office with distinction, to himself and
good to his country. His silence 'on this
subject may be regarded as an admission
of his candidacy. No adequate cause is
assigned for the extensive repairs and
now progressing in the naval
department. 5He speaks of the Cuban
war, its horrors, its seven years of strife,
which make it doubtful if Spain is able
to quen it, but does not favor interference
or recognition, and only promises to send
a further message upon this subject at
another time. He also refersto the ques-
ton Of a border war with Mexico on ac-
count Of the many depradations upon our
frontier in the same style. The ample
fact is he does not wish to raise any pref
.udice against him on either of these sub
jects, but prefers awaiting further devel-
opmens, and will doubtless pursue which
ever course promises him greatest popu-
larity or power: =. ~.
He hros resumption Of specie pay
ment in 1879, the year fixed, il it ID. pos
aible, but texpresses his doubts as 10 the
possibility Of preparing the country for
the measure by that time. Upon this
question he is. somewhat practical and
offers the following valuable suggestions:
There are q fow measures which seem
to me important in this connection and
which I commend to your earnest consid-
eration, as O repeal of 30 much OF the
legal tender act as makes these notes re-
ceiyable for debts contracted after date
X, be fixed in the act itself-say, no less
than tho frpt of. January, 1877. We
should then have quotations at real val
u,ss, not fictitious, ones. Gold would no
longer be at 8 premium, nor currency at a
discount. A healthy action would set in
at, once and with it desire to make the
currency equal to what it purports to be.
.Second-That the Secretary OF the
Treasury be authorized TO- redeem, say
not to exceed s., 900, 900 monthly, of 10;
gal tender notes, by issuing in their stead
q long, bond bearing interest at the rate
of three and siIty7fYe hundredths per
alnum, of denominations ranging from
$50 to 81 900 each. T..
Third-Thatadditional power be given
to the secretary of the treasury to accu-
mulate gold for final redemption, either
by increasing the revenue, curtailing e3-
penses or both. It is preferable to do
both, and recommend that reduction
Of expenditures be made wherever it can
be done without impairing government
obligations Oh crippling the due execu-
tion thereof One measure for increasing
the revenue, and the only one 1 think oil,
is the restoration of the duty on tea and
coffee. These duties would add probably
$4,000, 900 to the present amount receiv-
ed for imports and would in no way in
crease the dutieu paid for those articles
By the consumers. These articles are
the products of countries collecting reve-
nue. from exports, and as We, the largest
consumers, reduce the duties, proportion
ally increase them.
He then concludes with this brief
summary of his message:
First. That the State shall be required