Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-12-08
tRom the Balti@ors san J
The Presidents Message.

and p1rtiSQuShip WHOM ha> CnaracteEZeu some
recent messages to Congress. lt is equally
free from anything like egotism, and even
where the President alludes TO the adverse
criticism which has been PISSED upon his
Southern policy it Is without trace OF quer-
ulousness or personal feeling. This, to, is in
marked contrast with the tone and temper Of
bis immediate predecessor. Where the mes
ssse touches upon matters which are already
the subject Of consideration by Congress. such
as the currency aud the silver bill, it is with
frankness and explctness. but without the
SLIGHTEST manifestation OF any disposition to
dictate TO Congress what policy it shall pursue
At the same time uetiber Congress nor the
country are left IN doubt as TO the Presidents
views upon any bvaDch Of the currency cues
ti,n or as 10 what his action Will be when
called upon 20 participate with Congress 10
the exercise Of the legislative function IL Is
t9lcrably certain that no bill repudiatiug the
solemn pledge Of resumption heretofore gwen,
or for debasiug the national currency by Tue
Introduction Of a silver dollar at a nominal
value in excess Of its commercial value. with
which 10 paw present national obligations, Will
ever receive the approval of President Hayes.
The country will breathe more freely for this,
certainly. aud American credit aud American
honor will stand higher abroad for the plain
and cmphatic language Of the message.
The H-sssge begins naturally enough, win
a resoreDce 70 tue policy adopted 10y the resi-
dent IN reference 20 affairs IN the Southern
States. and particularly to the excellent effects
Which have followed from the policy OF non
interference aud from the withdrawal Of the
troops. 10 these practical fruits Of bis policy
the President fluids his complete yiudlcatlon.
The discoitiuuauce Of the use OF the cImy, he
SAYS. tx the purpose OF upholdjug local gov
erueieut In Two States OF the Union was 20
less a constitutional duty, under the clrcEm-
stances. than it was necessary tor the restora-
ton Of local seli-gOyeTumeut and the promo
tiUn If national harmony. The result has
been that tue fatal collisions between the races
which for several yeats bad been Of frequent
occurrence, have almost entirely ceased, pollu-
cal turmoil and turbulence have disappeared,
useful industries have been resumed, public
credit in the South has been greatly strength
eued. and the benefits Of a rayiyal Of commerce
between the sections are more fully enjoyed
Passing next 10 financial topics, the PrcSi-
dent. as already stated, declares himself en-
phatically a. favor Of the restoration OF the
currency to its healthful aud normal condition
By the resumption Of specie payments. Any
wayerug in purpose or unS,cadlneSS IN meth
DDS, he declares, so far from avoiding or
reducing the INCONVENIENCE iuSeparable from the
transition frem an irredecmable 10 redeemable
paper currency, would only tend 70 Increased
and prolonged disturbance in values, and un-
less retrieved must eud in serious disorder,
iishonOr and disaster in the financial affairs OF
the government and people Especially, the
President shows, will these mischeiS be trlt by
the industrial classes The rich, the Specu-
Iatiye. The mouey-dealing classes may not al
ways feel the mischief OF or may find casual
profit in a variable currency, but the misior-
tunes Of such a currency 10 those who are paid
salaries or wages are inevitable aud remedi-
less
Closely allied With this question Of specie
RESUMPTION is that Of the readjustment OF our
coinage system by the reconciliation Of the
silver dollar, clothed by legislation with the
quality Of a legal tender 10 greater or less
extent This. the President reasons, would
properly be a matter Of legislative discretion
and expediency solely, II 1t we've not comrph-
Gated ~ considerations growing out OF the
existence Of the public debt and the obliGa-
tions If national honor. The obligation Of
the public faith" says the President, "tTans-
cends all questions Of profit or public advau-
tace otherwise The bonds Of the United
States are held at home and abroad. All the
bonds issued IRce February y, 1913, when
gold became the only unlimited metallic legal
teuder. are Justly payable in gold or its equiv
aleut in value Since that date the only dol
iar in coin that could be or was received by
the goyerumeutin exchange for bonds was the
gold dollar. To require the holders OF these
bonds 90 accept 10 payment any dollar OF less
commercial value would lie Justly regarded by
them as a reputation Of part Of the debt
The bonds issued before 1873 were issued at
duc when the gold dollar was the only
coin Ia circulation or contemplated by either
the government or the holders Of the bonds as
the coin 10 which they were 10 be paid. The
President further refers To the advantage de-
rived bv the country from the strict malnten-
auce of the public faith, in enabling it 70 fund
the public debt at a lower rate of interest
lie therefore recommends that 10 any legislp-
ton providing Er a silver coinage and impart
inc 10 II the quality Of lesal-teudcr an * .cp-
ton he made in favor Of the public debt here
tofore issued and now outstanding and which
shall not be paid, principal or interest, 10 any
coin Of less commercial value than the prose-
gold coin Of the country.
Apart from these considerations Of public
faith. as affecting the public creditor. the
President express his utter distrust aud disbe
lief in any commercial case or relief % he OBJ
tained from the issue Of a silver coinage as un-
limited legal-teudCr.
The message next takes MP the subject Of
civil service reform. The President repeats
somewhat vaguely and ut length the senu-
meuts expressed in his letter Of acceptance
upon this subject, and concludes by recon-
mending q revival Of the commission appoint
eli by his predecessor 10 digest rules for the
regulation Of the civil service Of the country.
The foreign relations If the United States
present nothing Of special interest at this time,
not even 10 the case Of Mexico. The Frr>i-
dent anticipates 90 trouble growing out Of The
disturbance on the Rio Grande, with an ade-
quate military f1rceo on our side Of the river to
prevent raids and punish outlaws.
A brief summary is given Of the report Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury, and the secre-
tary S recommendation that a tax Of ten cents
pound on tea and two cents pound on coffee
should be imposed, 10 lieu Of a number Of pet
ty and annoying internal revenue taxes which
Weld a less amount Of revenue, Is conCurred in
The services rendered by the army last sum-
mer, upon the application Of the authorities Of
several States. in ala Of the suppression Of do
nestle riots aud Disturbances are briefly al