Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1877-12-11


dertake to legislate that 90 or %
cents worth of silver shall pass or be
receivable in place of 100 cents worth
of gold, The public debt of the
country was contracted in the money
of the world and with the understand
Ing that it should be paid, principal
aud interest, in the money of the
world He does not, therefore, ia
vor any legislation that would force
the creditors of the United States TO
receive, in payment Of what is dae
them, any silver currency worth less
than par in gold. The President de-
clares his belief in the good policy of
using both precious metals, but he
states his opposition to any PROPOSE
tion that Congress shall exercise the
power given it by the Constitution to
coin money and regulate the value
thereof. The President is in favor
Of making silver 4 liberal subsidiary
coin with legal tender limit some
what greater than at present, but is
not in favor of making it an unlimit-
ed legal tender.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In treating Of civil service reform,
the President, in his message, reports
in sgbstauce the opinions expressed
in his inaugural address. There is
not much prominence given to the
subject.
The condition Of affairs on the
Rio Grande frontier, rs shown by
official reports received by the ADJ
ministraton, is briefly described and
considerations which led to the order
to commands of United States troops
to cross the river when in full pur-
suit of raiders and punish them on
Mexican soil, find recited. While
che President recognizes the delicacy
of the position assumed by the Gov
eminent by the issuance Of that order
and is not unmindful Of the fact that
it may lead to serious international
complications, he defends it on the
ground that IN no other way could
the lives and property Of our citizens
be protected He discllims any inN
tenton or desire to provoke hostiliN
ties. with the Mexican Republic
The affairs of the War, Navy and
Post Office Departments are not
treated of at much length in the
message. The recommendations Of
the heads of the several Departments
are approved.
TIE SOUTHERN POLICY.
The discontinuance Of the use of
the army for the purpose Of uphold~
ing local governments in The States
of the Union was not less a constitu
tioual duty and requirement under
The circumstance existing at the time,
Il an it was a much needed measure
| for the restoration Of local Eeii-gOy
eminent and the promotion Of nation.
81 harmony. The Withdrawal OF
troops from such employment was
effected deliberately aud with soIici
tous care for the peace and good
order OF society and the protection
of the property and persons, and
every right, Of all classes OF citizens.
The results that followed were indeed
encouraging, resulting in concord,
friendship, and patriotic attachment
| 10 the Union. The cooperation of
all classes, races and sections is call
ed upon to aid in handing down the
free institutions Of our government
unimpaired to generations that will
succeed US.
THE RESUMPTION ACT.
After the most anxious and careful
examination, the President declares
himself as more than ever confirmed
in the opinion he expressed in his
letter of acceptance and bis inaugu'
raj address, that the policy of resump-
ton should be pursued by every
suitable means, and that no legisla>
ton that would retard or postpone
it ought to be enacted, He believes
that any wayering in purpose or unN
steadiness in methods, instead of rCs
lieviDg the country from any of the
inconveniencies attendant upon o
| ICluIu W bpCNlN pa ibNhNst 'cNAN W.
ly aggravate and prolong the distress
already caused by an irredeemablt
paper currency, and end in serious
disaster and dishonor. The mischie
which would result from any othel
policy than che which will bring
speedy resumption, would not, as HI
believes, be confined to any class o
people, although he thinks the in
dusIrial masses would suffer most.
secretary Sherman in his rePor
does not ask for any additional leg
islation to enable him to carry tn
resumption act into effect, and th,
President in his message agrees wit
, the Secretary of the Treasury, !
Congress was favorable to resnmp
ton and ready to assist the Admins
tration in bringing about the resump
ton of specie payments some addl
tional laws would be asked for bu
as il is, the President agrees with III
Secretary that resumption can b
effected under the Laws by Januar
LIST, 1879, aud also agrees to the wis
dom of the policy of not asking to
, further legislation. The Secretar
also holds that the resumption &C
Of 1875 does not require the cancel
lation and extinction Of the 800
600 Goo dollars OF United State