The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-12-08
The Presidents Message,


the following is brief synopsis the Mes
sage opens with full discussion Of the re-
suits Of his "discontinudnce of the use of the
army for the purpose Of upholding local 60
vernment" in the States Of Louisiana and |
South Carolina. Under the circumstances
he deemed that course not only a constitu-
tional duty and requirement, but a much |
needed measure for the restoration of local |
al harmony. As to the results of his action,
he saysI 'There has been general re-es-
tabishment Of order and Of the orderly |
administration of justicej instances of re-
naming lawlessness have become of rare
occurrence; political turmoil and turbulence
have disappeared; useful industries have
been resumed public credit in the Southern |
States has been greatly strengthened; and |
the encouraging benefits of revival of COM |
merce between the sections of the country
lately embroiled in civil war are fully en-
joyed." Upon these results he thinks the
country Is to be congratulated, and to this,
We udNO nO uOuDS1 q Aui ~ AioJOiA'y VI ms
fellow citizen will say Ameni He has no
apprehensions or misgivngs his eXplana-
ton is frank and manly, and he has abid
ing faith that time will furnish ample vim
dication of his course.' That part of the
Message which discusses the Southern uues-
ton is followed by an earnest appeal to Con-
gress, TO the Legislatures, Executives and
| Courts of the States for protection and help
in every Just form to the epfranchised color
ed people-that object dis very dear to his
| heart"
Then comes the discussion of resumption
and Of the currency and finance, as related
to the proposed silver dollar coinage. The
President favors such policy and measures
only as will lead to the resumption Of specie
! payments, and thus place our internal trade
and foreign commerce in harmony with the
system of exchanges based upon the pre-
cious metals as the intrinsic money of the
world. The policy of resumption should be
pursued by every suitable means, and no
legislation is deemed wise that discharges
the Importance or that would retard the at
tainment of that result. Wavering in pur-
pose Of unsteadiness of methods so far from
relieving existing trouble, would only tend
to increased and prolonged disturbance of
values, and possibly end in serious disorder,
dishonor and disaster to both Government
and people. The industrious masses, wheth-
er skilled or unskilled as to their occupa-
tions, should be compensated in money
which is in itself fixed in its exchangeable
value. This is most certainly secured by a
currency exchangeable in gold coin. As to
the attempt to make the 4l2l-grain silver
dollar circulate as an equivalent for gold
i dollar, the Message suggests the impracti-
{ bility of giving commercial equality to the
nf tho IL, bo
price of silver. The President holds that
such equality Of commercial value, and a
, limitation of the amount for which the pro-
posed silver dollar shall be legal tender
are essential conditions for keeping such dol
, lars and gold dollars in circulation at the
same time. "Without these conditions" the
= President fears "that only mischief and mis-
r fortune would flow from the coinage of sill.
G yer dollars with the quality of unlimited
legal tender" Aay expectation of temper.
ary relief from an issue Of silver coinage tC
pass as a legal tender, at a rate materially
o above its commercial value, the President
g regards as "a delusion." For several rea
sons, set forth with great clearness and force
he believes that any legislation looking t
o the payment of either the interest or princ
: pal of the Government bonds in the proposed
, silver coinage, would not only be breacl
" of faith by the Government, but a serious
V loss in money, as it must inevitably preven
is the progress of funding the debt at lowe
n rates of Interest. Adherence to good faith
and the payment Of interest and principal il
gold, the only coin recognized at the time o
Is the negotiation of the bonds, will enable tn
y Government to effect a still further savinj
Of $50 10000 year in interest, and an ag
gregate of $500 900 900 before the debt final
ly natures. Itis suggested to Congress that
l..
er of a silver dollar said legislation should lmi
te its legal tender function, should equalize it
10 commercial value with that of the gold dol
lar, and should expressly exempt the pub
VI lie debt and interest from payment in an
e, coin of less commercial value than that q
Or the present gold coinage of the country
This means that Congress need not eXpeC
j. the Presidents approval to the Bland bill i
as any form in which that notorious measur
ye can be put "Wavering of purpose" an
l. "unsteadiness of methods" about the resumL
ton Of specie payments, which means Ew
e, ings bill, and the attempt to force the cliT
a ped coin falsely called "the dollar of tn
of fathers" are things that are to receive n
. countenance from the President of the Unit
- ed States.
Id The next subject in order and in import
re ance is that relating to the reform OF tn
he civil service, and to its enfranchisement tror
Congressional interference. In this, as we
VI as in regard to the currency, and Souther
a self-government, the President adheres [
ed the policy announced in his letter of accep
~, ance and in his inaugural address and h
80 believes that he is in accord with the peopl
" on the subject. 1t is his purpose to adhel
re to the plan of the Constitution in the matte
It. which invests the President with the powC
"a of selection Snd gives to the Senate the pow
er to consent or reject This he regards as
wise distribution Of powers, and he quietl
reminds Senators in an incidental way thi
IN they can exercise their duties as "disinteres
r ed and impartial judges" OF the fitness of h
v selections, all the better if they have n
~ hand in pressing their friends and iayorit'
5 upon him beforehand. This little touch (
humor and satire is managed with rare au
lg delicate skill. He also reminds Congrei
le that the Civil Service Commission has stll
e. a legal existence, and is at work, althoug
or there is no appropriation to pay its expenses
eu and he asks for an appropriation.
IA, Our foreign relations are all in such am
d. cable condition that no remark upon ths
of part Of the Message is required here, exceI
he TO say that the President hopes the best froI
rs Mexico, notwithstanding the border bother