The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-12-18
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Monday, Dec. 9th, MIR. Hayes deliv-
cred himself of the customary mes
sage to that body. Its length forbids
our giving mose than brief synop-
sis of this document, which contains
some remarkable asseverations and
recommendations. After the usual
congratulations on the continued
prosperity of the country. etc, he
branches off into lecture about
continued opposition to the full and
free enjoyment of citizenship con-
ferred upon the colored people.
Next touches upon subject in the
carrying out of which his admins
tration has proved signal failure,
namely, civil service reform, and the
abuse of the service by assessing its
employees for party purposes. He
recommends the application of the
laws relating to the suppression of
polygamJ; favors an international
commission upon weights and meas
ures; calls attention to the attack of
Spanish vessels upon American mer-
chantmen, and asks final disposition
of the question now being considered
by a commission sitting in Washing
ton to adjust the claims of our citi-
zens against Spain; urges the neces-
sity of measures looking to the put
ting and end to the prosecutions of
Hebrews and persons of other faith
than the Moslem in Morocco; the
negotiation a treaty of extradition
with Denmark, on account of the OBJ
lection of the Danish government to
the usual clause providing that each
nation shall pay the expense of the
arrest of the persons whose extradi-
ton it asks; signing of treaty be-
tween the United States and China,
relating to the introduction of Chi
nese into this country and one relat-
ing to commerce, is announced; the
reciprocal treaties concluded with
Japan and the Netherlands are also
announced; the relations existing
with Mexico, in regard to the late
frontier difficulties, are said to be sat-
isfactory; in regard to the Isthmus
of Panama, it is his opinion 'that it
is the right and duty OF the United
States to assert and maintain such
and authority over any
inter-oceanic canal across the 18TH
mus that connects North and South
America as will protect our national
interest" The attention of Congress
is invited to the necessity of appro-
priations to carry into effect the pro-
visions of the act inviting foreign
maritime States to join in sanitary
conference; the enlargement of the
navy is recommended; the retirement
from circulation of United States
notes, with the capacity of legal ten
der in private contracts, is given as a
step to be taken in our progress to-
ward safe currency; also, the coin
age of silver dollars of equivalent
value as bullion with gold dollars.
An entire change in the military is
said to be imperative, and attention
is asked to the necessity of providing
by legislation for organizing, arming
and disciplining the active militia of
the country. A comprehensive i'm
provement of the Mississippi river
and its tributaries is mentioned as
matter of transcendent Importance.
Then comes the novel and startling
proposition that congress authorize
the appointment of a Captain General
Of the army, and that Grant be there
in installed, with ample compensa-
ton, and provisions relating to re-
tirement and other details! 1t is
recommended that an additional
judge be appointed in each Of the
United States circuit conrts, except
the second circuit, in which two ex-
ira judges should be added. Edu-
facilities for the Indians are
suggested. The necessity for legis-
lation to prevent the destruction of
timber on public lands is said to be