West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-15

at rate materially above its commercial
value Is, | am persuaded, n delusion.
| Nor can | think that there is any sub.
stantial distinction between an original
issue of silver dollars at nominal value.
material above their commercial value.
and the restoration of the silver dollar
NJ rate which once WAS, but has ceased
to be, its commercial value. Certainly
the issue of our gold coinage, reduced
in weight materially below its legal
tender value, would not be any the less a
present debasement of the coinage by
reason of its equaling or even exceeding
IN weight n good coinage which at some
past time had been commercially equal
to the legal-tender value assigned to the
new issue.
In recommending that the regulation
of any silver coinage which may be
authorized by Congress should observe
these conditions of commercial value
and limited legal-tender, / am governed
by the feeling that every possible i'm
crease should be given to the value of
metallic money which can be kept in
circulation, and thereby every possible
aid afforded to the people in the process
OF resuming specie payments. Ii is be-
cause of my conviction that disregard
ot these conditions would frustrate the
good results which are desired from the
proposed coinage, and embarrass with
new elements of confusion and un-
certainty, the business of the country.
that L urge upon your attention these
considerations.
SILVER AND THE PUBLIC DEBT.
| respectfully recommend to Congress
that, in any legislation providing for n
silver coinage, and imparting To il the
quality of legal-tender, there be inn
pressed on the measure n firm provision
exempting the public debt. heretofore
issued and now outstanding, from pay
ment, either of principal or interest, in
any coinage of less value than the
present gold coinage of the country.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Upon the civil service question, the
President again states, i'm substance. the
opinions of his inaugural address. I'm
consideration of the fact that his views
on the question are generally known. he
has evidently thought il unnecessary To
discuss the subject at length. No allu-
sion is made directly To the differences
which have existed between the Senate
and the Executive with respect to an
pointments, nor is there anything i'm the
message which shows the disposition on
the part of the President to quarrel with
the Senate, or encroach in any way upon
the prerogatives of that body.
FOREIGN.
The President favors the acceptance
OF the invitation of France to attend the
Exposition next year, believing that n
well selected exhibition of the products
of American industry on that occasion.
VIII tend to stimulate international com
merce and immigration, as well as to
promote the traditional friendship be-
tween the two countries. He saws the
question OF Extradition between the
United States and Great Britain has
been happily settled. On the Mexican
question he says that the revolution.
which recently occurred i'm Mexico. was
followed by the accession of the success
tul party To power and the installation
OF its Chief General, Porfirio Diaz. i'm the
Presidential Office. 1t has been the Gus
tom of the United States, when such
changes of Government have heretofore
occurred in Mexico, to recognize and
enter into official relations with the
de tdctO Government as soon as il should
appear to have the approval of the
Mexican people, and should manifest
disposition TO adhere TO the obligations
of treaties and international friendship.
In the present case such official rOcopni-
tion has been deferred by the occur
rences on the Rio Grande border. the
records of which have already been com
municated TO each House of Congress.
in answer TO their respective resolutions
of inquiry. Assurances have been re-
ceiyed that the authorities at the seat OF
the Mexican Government have both the
disposition and power TO prevent and
punish such unlawful depredations. 1t
is earnestly to be hoped that events may
prove these assurances to be well
founded. The best interests of both
countries require the maintenance of
peace on the borders, and the develop
ments Of commerce between the two Re
publics. II is gratifying toadd that this
temporary interruption of official rela-
tions has not prevented due attention
by the representatives of the United
States in Mexico to the probation of
American citizens as far as practicable
nor has il interfered with the prompt
payment of the amounts due from Mex
leo or the United States. under the
treaty Of July4 4, 1868, and the awards of
the Joint Commission.
sHERMAE's REPORT.
Secretary Sherman, i'm his report, does
not ask for any additional legislation to
enable him TO execute the resumption
act, and the President, in his message.
agrees with the Secretary IF Congress
was disposed to favor resumption, some
additional laws might be asked for, but
under the circumstances, the President
and Secretary both think none should
ne, and they will stand by the act Of
January ], 1879
The Secretary also maintains the re-
sumption act does not require the can
collation. of the $500, 00O. 900 United
states notes which remain after the
grecnback currency has been reduced
to that maximum, and IL may be left i'm
circulation, always changeable 1T the
Sub-Treasuries for gold coin.
Affairs Of the War, Navy, and Post
Office departments receive brief mention.
The recommendation Of the Chiefs of
departments are generally approved.
INDIAN QUESTION.
In treating Of the subjects which
come under the Interior Department.
special prominence is given the Indian
question. The President insists chat
good faith should be preserved with the
Indians. He is very emphatic upon
a