The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-12-13


consideration between the Uuited
States and Mexico. The President
asks for legislation which may pro-
vide for the payment Of awards to
the Mexican Claims Commission.
He recommends legislation to pre-
vent fraudulent naturalization, and
on the subject OF expatriation and
election of nationality in the inter-
est of immigrating. He suggests
new tribunal for the settlement of
claims of aliens against the United
States, saying other Governments
are in advance Of US in this respect.
COLORADO, THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The President states the provi-
sions of the act of Congress for adj
hitting Colorado into the Union and
he issued a proclamation to that ef-
feet. Additional appropriations for
the army are asked. He says the
Improvement OF the south pass of
the Mississippi river under James
B. Eads and his associates is pro
crossing favorably. The Navy is in
q condition as effective as possible
within the means and authority
given the Department.
LAWLEssNEss IN THE SOUTH.
A few postmasters in the South
ern States have expressed great APP
prehension of their personal safety
| on account of their connection with
the postal service. and have special
| ly requested that their reports of
apprehended danger should not be
made public lest it should result in
the loss of their lives but no posi-
tive testimony Of interference
has been submitted except in
the case Of a mail messenger
at Spartanburg in South Caro-
lima, who reported that he has
been violently driven away, while in
| charge of the mails, on account OF
his political affiliations. An Assist
ant Superintendent of the Railway
Mail Service investigated this case
and reported, that the messenger had
disappeared from his post leaving
his work to be performed by sub
| stitute. The Postmaster General
thinks the case is sufficiently sugges-
tive to justify him in recommending
that a more severe punishment
should be provided for the offense
of assaulting any person in charge
of the mails, or Of retarding or other
wise obstructing them by threats OF
personal injury.
THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM DEFICIENT.
The attention of Congress cannot
be too earnestly called TO the neces-
sity of throwing some greater safe
guard over the method for choosing
and declaring the election Of Presi-
dent. Under the present. system
there seems to be no provided RENE
dy for testing the election in any
one State. He says the compulsory
support of the free school and the
dlsfranchisemt of all who cannot
read and write the English language.
after fixed probation, would meet
his hearty approval.
sANTo DOMINGO.
The President makes an elaborate
defense Of his recommendation for
the annexation of Santo Domingo.
After describing the commercial adj
vantages 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 Domingo is but
sparsely settled, while it has an
area sufficient for the profitable en-
ployment of several millions OF peo-
/ Pile. The soil would soon have fall
len into the hands of United States
capitalists. The products are so
valuable in commerce that emigra-
ton there would have been encour-
aged, the emancipated race OF the
the South would have found a con-
genial home, where their civil rights
would be so much sought after, that
the poorest among them could have
found the means TO go.
Thus in cases of great oppression
and cruelty, such as has been prac-
ticed upon them in many places
within the last eleven years. Whole
communities would have sought re-
fuge in Santo Domingo, l do not
suppose the whole race would have
gone, nor is it desirable that they
should 90. Their labor is desirable
and indispensable where they now
are. But the possession of this ter
ritory would have left the negro
master of the situation by enabling
him to demand his rights at home on
of finding them elsewhere. do not
present these views now as a recom-
endation for the renewal Of the
subject Of annexation, but [ do refer
10 it to vindicate my previous action
in regard TO it.
VALE! vALEi
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 a citizen of the Re
public, always taking deep interest
in the honor, integrity and prosperi-
ty of the whole land.
u. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec, 5. 1876.
The vote for Governor in Tennes-
see was: Porter. 12s.74o: Thomas.