The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-12-11

postpone IL ought to be enacted. He be-
lieves that any wavering In purpose, or
unsteadiness in methods, instead of re-
lieving the country from any of the in
conveniences attendant upon return
to specie payment would only aggravate
and prolong the distress already caused
by an irredeemable paper currency, and
end in serious disaster and dishonor.
The President refers to the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury and says
If Congress was favorable to resumption
and ready to assist the Administration
in bringing about the specie payments,
some additional laws would be asked
for; but as it is, the President agrees
with the Secretary that resumption can
be effected under the present laws by
January 1, 1879, and also agrees to the
wisdom Of the policy of not asking for
further legislation. The Secretary also
holds that the resumption act of 1875
does not require the cancellation and de-
struction of the $3OO,000,OOO of United
States notes which remain after the vol
ume of the greenback currency has been
reduced to that point, and that it may
be left in circulation for a while, being
always exchangeable, of course, at the
sub-treasuries for gold coin. He holds
the ground that both silver and gold
ought to be utilized in the currency of
the country; but he does not agree with
those who would undertake to legislate
that 80 or 90 cents worth of silver shall
pass or be receivable in the place of 100
cents worth of gold. The public debt of
the country was contracted in the money
of the world and with the understanding
that it should be paid, principal and in
terest, in money of this kind. He
does not, therefore, favor any legislation
that would force the creditors of the
United States to receive in payment of
what is due them, any silver currency
worth less than par in gold.
Although the President is in favor of
making silver liberal subsidiary coin,
with legal-tender limit somewhat
greater than at present, he is not in favor
of making it an unlimited legal-tender.
He states his opposition to any propo-
sition that Congress shall exercise the
power given to it by the Constitution to
coin money and regulate the value there
of in such way as to swindle people.
His remarks on this subject will meet
very general approval, as they have the
ring of true metal.
Upon the question of civil service re-
form the President reiterates the opin-
ions expressed in his inaugural address.
He makes no reference to the eontrover-
sy that has arisen between the Senate
and the Executive over the subject of
appointments, nor is there anything in
the message which evinces disposition
by the President to quarrel with the
Senate or to interfere with the widest
exercise by that body of the prerogatives
which belong to it. While that portion
of the message which relates to civil SER
vice reform is unequivocal in its Ian
guage, the subject is not given as much
prominenceas might have been expected.
vi SuDJCCbo COlHCCbNu Mltl lDC lOItlRu
relations of the United States the Mexi-
can border question is naturally given
the most attention. The condition of
affairs on the Rio Grande frontier, as
shown by official reports received by the
Administration is briefly described and
the considerations which led to the order
to the commanders of United States
troops to cross the river when in full
pursuit of raiders, and punish them on
Mexican soil, are recited.
While the President recognizes the
delicacy of the position assumed by the
Government by the issue of that order,
and is not unmindful of the fact that it
may lead to serious international COM
plications, he defends it on the ground
that in no other way could the lives and
property of our citizens be protected. He
disclaims any intention or desire, to pro-
woke hostilities with the Mexican Re
public.
The affairs of the War, Navy and Post
Office departments are not treated of at
much length in the message. The recon-
mendations of the heads of these depart
ments are generally approved.
The President does not think the ag-
gregate of taxes should be increased, but
thinks that amendments to the laws
should be made. He says =" A tax on
tea and coffee is shown by the expert.
ence, not only of our own country, but
of other countries, to be easily collected