The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Upon this subject the message is yer,
nearly silent, the only reference to it being
contained in a brief paragraph commencing
to the attention of Congress the necessity
of providing "some greater safeguards ovel
the method of choosing and declaring the
election of president with the collatera
suggestions of compulsory support of the
free school system, and the refusal here.
who cannot read and write the English
language. This is all there is concerning
the Presidential election. On the Cognate
subject Of the proceedings of that portion
of the army on duty in the States of South
Carolina, Florida and Louisiana there is
only the Incidental mention in connection
with the Report of the Secretary of Wal
that the army has been actively employed
during the year in subduriug the wild
Sioux, " and in preserving the peace at the
South during the election
The President refers to the fact that it
was his fortune or misfortune to be
called to the Chief Magstrac without
any DltNIOuS ppIIllCtl lIdlliIuN. anu lIOHl
this he passes to a recapitulation of the
events of the nearly eight years of his Ad-
miniStration, admitting that he may have
made mistakes, but claiming that he acted
i'll every instance from conscientious de-
sire to do what was right and for the best
interests OF the people. He came into
office when the attempted work of - re
construction WAS much embarrassed,
u nd virtually had n ma hptrpn InrIptr his
term, and was completed by the legislative
branch Of the Government by acts which
it was only his duty to approve. The
country was then in danger of foreign
war on account of unadiusted claims
This difficulty Alabama claims) was ad-
iusted houorably without war. The coun-
Try was burdened with debt and heavy
taxation. There has been a reduction of
four hundred and thirty five millions of
dollars of the principal of the debt, and
this and the funding into five and
a half per cent. loans there has been a
reduction of thirty millions Of dollars in
the annual expense for interest. Within
the last seven years the taxes have been
reduced $500 coo, 600. The balance of
trade " which, in 1869, was $3.50. 600 600
aguiHSt the nited States, is estimated to
be $500, 0GO, 900 in favor of the country i'll
1876. The President believes this favor
aDle turn will continue, 50 that the pledge
Of Congress to resume specie payment by
1879 Will be easily accomplished, "even in
the absence Of much desired legislation"
The humane Indian policy adopted has
accomplished its design, ex-
cept III the Black Hills country. among the
Wild Sioux, where meicenary white men,
treaty obligations, have caused a
war which is now nearly ended.
The foreign relations of the country con-
time on a footing not only friendly, but
shown by the Centennial cele bration to be
- cordial Reference is made to the re
iuced appropriations by Congress is sup
port OF diplomatic and consular intercourse,
put the President thinks that withholding
appropriations III some instances will prove
20 he 'eXpensive economy. The Ala
Dama Claims Court has nearly completed
It's business The boundary lines between
he United States and British North
merlca are all adjusted, except that which
id,luluS Alaska. some courts have been
established IN Egypt to the satisfaction of
our Government: and the Hawaiian Treaty
IS III operation since August 10Th. 1876
Certain " connections - in Mexico, which
still continue, have caused iuries to
American citizens by persons i'll authority
here, and the Texas frontier has been
roubled by acts of violence. Some of
,hesc grew out of the irregular habits of
he Rio Grande river, which appears to
pursue a bad custom in changing its course
and leaving it in dispute whether some
daceut lands are in Mexico or in the
nIted States.
The delicate and complicated questions
growing out Of the abuses of our naturali-
.atiou laws-out of marriages contracted
~ Americans in foreign countries, out of
he status of American women who marry
origners, and of children of American
parents born abroad-are again called to
he attention of Congress with view to
emedial legislation. So too, is the status,
n our courts, of aliens who have claims
.gainst the nited States. Colorado was
Proclaimed a State in the Union, by au
horty of an act of Congress, on August
ST, 1876. Six millions of dollars of adj
litional appropriations for the army are
.sked for 10y the War Department on &C
count Of the additional $500 men to the
avalry for the Sioux war; under tue act of
august l., 1876.
The " Eads ,jetties," for deepening the
haunes at the mouths of the Mississippi,
rno,t shows .tha President SAYS ..that
ranch of the service 10 he in acondition
IS effecfual as it is possible TO keen il with
he means and authority Given TO the De-
,artment" The Post Office Department
nc,ma was short Of its exnenses last year
nj oso. il will reou,re S36 ft5 ono of
for the cur,ent wear which
= an excess over estimated revenua IF marc
han 81 600 O0o The Ranort of tho Com
nissinne, of ApricuItnre * commended os
N nnusnallv Talnahl. document amony
thor reasons hec,use II noints onr the
rticlas which tho world nroducas in too
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