The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-12-07

possible, where so many trusts are 20 be
attested, that the right parties should DO
chosen in every instance. History shows
that no administration, from the time OF
Washington TO the present, has been free
from these mistakes; but leave compare
sons u history, claiming only that l have
acted il every instance from a desire TO do
what was right, constitutional within the
land, and for the very best interests of tho
whole people. Failures have been errors
of judgment, not of intent"
The message says that taxes have been
reduced within the past seven years nearly
$500, 600, 600 and the national debt has
been reduced in the same time over $780,
600, 00o. BY substituting bonds the an
tuI interest on the debt has been reduced
$50, 0C0. 000 per anuum. The balance 81
trade has changed from $3.50, GOO, oOO
against US to $50. 900 900 in our favor, and
the pledge OF Cangress 10 resume specie
payments In 1879 may be easily redeemed
eSen IN the absence of further much &C.
sired legislation.
The pol cy adopted toward the Indians
has been humane aud has substantially end
eli the host.nties m the whole land, except
In the Black Hills and approaches thereto.
The relations with foreign nations con-
tiaue friendly. The Centennial Exhibition
Is alluded 10 as promutlvc OF good feeling
and better acquaintance with foreign ma
tons. Abiding to the reduction IN allow
ances for diplom tic service, the President
cannot escape the conclusion that in spnle-
instances the withholding of appropriations
will prove an expensive economy, and that
the small r6treuchment secured by the
change of grade in certain diplomatic posts
IS not an adequate consideration for the
loss of influence and importance which will
attend our foreign representatives under
tins reduction. lie reserves for smother
consideration the statement of the ques'
tions with Great Britain regal ding the eX
tradition treaty. The subject of the
troubles on the Rio Grande is under con-
sideration between the United States and
Mexico. The President asks legislation
which may provide for the payment of
awards of the Mexican Claims Commission.
He recommends legislation to prevent
fraudulent naturalization, and on the sub
jet of expatriation and election of nation
alIty in the interest of immigration, he
suggests a new tribunal for the settlement
of claims of aliens against the United
States. Other governments are in advance
of US in this respect.
The President states that in regard to an
act of Congress for admitting Colorado IN
to the Union, he issued a proclamation to
that effect.
Additional appropriations for the army
are asked.
He says the improvement of South Pass
of the Mississippi river under J. Ii. Eads
and his associates is progressing favorabiy.
The navy Is in condition us effective as
possible within the means and authority
given the department.
4 few postmasters in the Southern States
have expressed great apprehension of their
| al safety nj pcnDnnf Df fhpir
ton with the postal service, and have
specially requested that their reports of ap-
pretended Danger should not be made pub
tic lest it should result in loss of their lives.
| But no positive testimony of interference
| has been submitted. except in the case of
mail messenger at Spartansburg, In South
Carolina, who reported that he had been
violently driven away while in charge OK
| the mails, on account of his political affairs.
| An assistant superintendent of the railway
mail service investigated this case, and re-
ported that the messenger had disappeared
| from this post, leaving his work tn be per-
formed by q substitute. The Postmaster
| General thinks this case is sufficiently sug-
geslive to justly him in recommending
that more severe punishment should BIO
provided for the offense of assaulting any
person in charge of the mails, or of retard-
| ing or otherwise obstructing them by
threats of personal injury.
The proper attention of Congress cannot
| be too earnestly called to the necessity of
throwing some greater safeguard over the
method of choosing and declaring the cleo
ton of president. Under the present sys-
TEN, there seems to be no provided reme-
dy for con,esting the election in any one
State.
He says "the compulsory support of the
&. al IL. e
all who cannot read and write the English
language, after a fixed probation, would
meet my hearty approval"
The President makes an elaborate refer
ence of his recommendation for the annex
anon of San Domingo. After describing
the commercial advantages that would have
| accrued, he says: ''The Cuban question
would have been settled long ago in favor
of free Cuba" The President adds, and
concludes: The island of Santo Domin-
go Is but sparsely settled, while it has an
J urea sufficient for the profitable employ
meB.sof several million people. The soil
wruld aa-e soon fallen into the hands Of
the United States capitalists. Hhc pro-
ducts are 80 valuable in commSrce that en-
igratIop tsere Nouidlhaye bees encouraged
The emaAcipated race Of the South would
have found there q congenial home where
their civil rights would be so much sought.
after, that the poorest among them ced.l.tl.
have found the means to 90. Thus, in
cases of great oppression and cruelty, such
as has been practiced upon them in many
places within the last eleven years, whole
communities would have sought refuge in
| Santo Domingo. / do not suppose the
whole race would have gone, nor is it de-
sirable that they should go; their. labor is
desirable and disposable st u.cst where
| thew I,t,f -
ritory would have left the negro master Of
the situation, by enabling him TO demand
his rights at home on pain of finding them
elsewhere. l do not present these views
now as q recommendation for renewal OF
the subject Of annexation, but do refer 10
il, to vindicate my previous action in re.
gard to it. With the present Congress my
| official life terminates. 1t is not probable
that public affairs will ever again receive
attention from me further than as n citizen
OF the republic, always taking deep IN
terest in the honor. integrity and prosper
| ity Of the whole land.
'ISignedl u. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, December 8. 1876
New ORLEANS, December 5. - The dec.
laration OF the returning board gives the
lowest Hayes elector 3437; majority of the
| highest 1857. It Is understood that the
entire Republican State ticket has also
been declared elected by $500, which gives
the Republicans d majority in the Leeisla-
| ture.
San FRANCISCO, December "a Salem
| (Oregon) dispatch says that a canvass of
votes shows the Republican majority TO be
| 1865
A protest has been filed signed by Sem
ator Kelly and eight others against the is.
suance of certificate to Postmaster Watts
and favors giving it to the next highest.
The Governor gives notice that be will hear
the argument on Tuesday. The Republic
cans will not argue YATES case before the
Governor, claiming that he has no jurisdic-
iion. The Governors decision will be
"Wednesday night.