Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-12-08
FIRST EDITION.
The Presidents Message.

ger than Ills messages have usually been. We
give below rertatam some Of the most mpor-
tant paragraphs, and summarize the remainder.
The President opens with retrospective view,
comparing the feeble colonies of 1775 with the
powerful nation OF to-day, and from this passes
to the need OF general education, which, he de-
clares, is 'of the first necessity TO the preser-
Walton OF our institutions. He then calls atten-
ton to the Importance Of correcting an evil,
which 'if permitted to continue, will probably
lead to great trouble in our land before the close
OF the 10Th Century" This is the accumulation
Of vast amounts of untaxed church property, In
1850, this was valued at S83 600 600: in 1875 it ia
estimated at 81 600, ,00c, ,000 The President ur
ges that all this be taxed except graye-yards, and
possiDiy, with proper restrictions. church ed-
ices"
FOREIGN Affairs
are next takan UP, and occupy much attention.
Our relations with other countries are peaceful
and various details of diplomatic intercourse
during the past year are gwen. The war in Gu
ba IL treated at length. The hope that Spain
would have been able to establish peace in her
colony has not been realized, and the conflict
CONTINUES. Ihe President does not consider,
however, that its character is changed;
the rebellion ''has acquired great
or age, but not greater or more
formidable proportions" lie therefore deoided-
ly declines to recommend tho recognition of the
asserted Independence of Cuba, and he is also of
opinion that the status Of tho rebels is by no
means such as to entite them to recognition as
belligerent power. lie therefore suggests to Con-
gress the third question whether the United
States should intervene to restore peace He
thinks Intervention must sooner or later be in
voked to restore peace, but he does not at this
time recommend any step to that end. He then
alludes to the recent negotiations with Spain,
which, when completed will, he hopes satisfac-
tor1ly settle the questions to which they refer
REFERRING To THE CENTENNIAL,
he says foreign powers are showing their friend
illness by taking an interest in it, aud he strong
ly recommends " that Il more national import
ance be given to this exhibition by such legisla-
latlon and appropriations as Will insure its sue
cess.'
Our difficulties ON the Mexican border 10 conse-
quence of depredations committed by Mexicans
on the Texan side continue. The experiment OF
is on trial, and it is hoped that if not thwart-
ed by the shallowness of the river and other na-
tural Obstacles it may materially contribute to
the protection OF the herdsmen of Texas.
Concerning ocean telegraph cables conaidera-
bic is said, and several recommendations in the
direction of forbidding ''exclusive concessions"
and establishing competition and moderate rates
of charge are made The practice of fraudu-
lent naturalization, and the difficulties it causes
with other nations are referred to at length.
He recommends measures to prevent it, and to
settle more exactly tho principles of expatria-
ton, and election of nationality.
THE FINANcEs-spEoiE PAYMENT
referring to the Department reports, the
message comes to that of the Treasury, and the
subject of the finances. referring to specie re-
sumption, he says
'.Too much stress cannot be laid upon this
question and hope Congress may be induced at
tho earliest day practicable to insure the con-
of the act of the last Congress at its
last session to bring about specie resumption on
and after the first day of january, 1879, at fur
thest.
- 1t would be great blessing if this could be
even at an earlier day. Nothing
seems to me more certain than that full,
healthy and permanent reaction cannot take
place i'll favor of the industries and financial well
fare OF the country until we return to measure
of values recognized throughout the civilized
world.
"There few measures which seem to be
important in this connection, and which l COM
mend TO your earnest consideration. repeal
Of so much of the legal tender act as makes
these notes receivable for debts contracted after
date to be fixed in the act itself, say not later
than the 1st of January, 1871
"We should then bave quotations at real val
uee, not fictitious ones. Gold would no longer
be at a premium, but currency at discount, a
healthy reaction would set in at once, and with
it desire to make the currency equal to what it |
purports to be.
The merchants, manufacturers, and trades |
mon of every calling could do business on fair |
margin of profit, the money to be received hav- |
ing all unvafying value. Laborers and all |
classes who work for stipulated pay or salary |
would receive more for their income, because |
sxtra profits would no longer be charged by the |
,apitaiist to compensate for the risk of down |
ward fuctuation IN the value of the currency.
''Second. That tho Secretary of the Treasury |
be authorized to redeem, say not to exceed S2,- |
]00,0 900 monthly of legal tender notes by issuing
N their stead long bond bearing interest at
5he rate of 3 65-l00 per cent, ranging from $50
10 800. This would in time reduce the legal |
lender notes to a volume that could be kept |
ifoat withou5 demanding redemption in large |
sums suddenly.
''Third. That additional power be given to the
Secretary Of tho Treasury to accumulate gold |
Tor final redemption, either by increasing the
'evenue or curtailing expense or both.
Both an increase OF revenues and reduction OF
expense he thinks are desieable, and he recon-
nends the restoration of the duty and tea and
coffee, which would add 100000 year to
he revenues. He says these articles are the |
PRODUCTS of countries collecting revenues from
Exports, and as We, the largest consumers. re-
luce the dnties, they proportionately increase
hem. Should this be done many other duties
might be remitted, and he especially suggests
hose articles which enter into manufactures of
Ill sorts.
ARMY AND NAVY.
Several changes in the organization of the
,riny are suggested. In relation to the Navy he |
says it's condition at this time is a subject of sat
sfaction. 1t has been brought to this condition
,y judicious and practical application of what
could be spared from the current appropriations
,f the last few years, and from that made to
meet the possible emergency OF two years ago.
It has been done quietly and without proclama-
ion or display. The President considers such
naval force essential to our position, relations,
md character"
Postal AFFAIRS the Black Hills gold discovery,
indian Territory the Patent Office, public lands,
pensioners, the Bureaus OF Agriculture and Ed
lcation, receive notice, and the Message gives
special attention to the scandals of poygamy in
Utah, and the importation of Chinese women.
lie recommends specific legislation in reference
% the disposition of public lands in the terri
ories, irrigation, &c, and that joint committee
If the two Houses be organized to visit all the
mining States and Territories during the coming
summer, to report to Congress at the next ses-
lion such laws, or amendments to laws, as it
nay deem necessary in relation to these matters.
CONCLUDING REcoMMESDATIoNs.
The message ends with the following recon-
FIRST, That the States shall be required to af-
ord the opportunity of good school education
% every child within their limits.
Second, No sectarian tenets shall ever be
aught in any school supported In whole or IN
,art by the State, nation. or by the proceeds OF
AK levied upon any community. Make eduoa-
ion compulsory 80 far as to deprive all persons
Who cannot read or write, from becoming voters
.fter the year 1890, disfranchising none, how
l.s...