Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-08
The Presidents MessegP-Sy-
nOpsis Of lbs Contcnts-The
Country Congratulated on
the Condition OF rhtngs-A
Hopeful outlook for the Fu-
ture.

tonight that many of the reports
published and claiming to contain
the inside points of the Presidents
message, TO be sent TO Congress to-
morrow, are erroneous. The docu-
ment has been guarded with unpre-
cedented care, owing to its prema
ture publication last year; the au-
thoritics having determined that it
should not happen again. The
message is the longest the Presi-
dent has ever written. 1t covers
ninetyfvc sheets OF large writing pa
per, and, as it is now prepared, and
sealed in a large envelope, to be
sent to Congress, makes a formlda-
bic looking document. 1t opens
with reference TO the prosperous
condition of the country, and refers
at some length to the causes which
have led to this prosperity, Our
condition is contrasted with that Of
few years ago, when strikes and
the clamor of discomfort filled the
land, labor not having adequate en-
ployment and dangerous dissatisfac
ton manifested in all industrial
centres. The President congratu-
lates the country upon the happy
turn our Affairs have taken, and
points ont that ali the signs Ct the
times indicate Il continuance of this
prosperity. lie passes to a con-
sideration of the Southern question,
and this branch of the subject is
really a review Of his administra-
ton. He claims that there has not
been a steady improvement in at
fairs at the South, although they
are below the correct standard yet.
He refers 10 the alleged suppress
ion of the colored vote, and suggests
that some measures be taken TO
prevent this outrage on a free bal
lot. In this matter he takes ground
that will be satisfactory TO the most
advanced statements. He declares
that the agitation of this subject
will continue as long as any con-
siderable portion of the vote OF
Southern electors is suppressed or
they are detrauded OF their right as
electors through any of the numer-
Gus means said to have been re-
Gently employed. In reference to
civil service reform he claims that
progress has been made under his
administration and reforms instltu-
ted, although admitted that a great
deal remains to be done. In refer
ence to rebuilding he cites Congress
to the exhaustive report OF Secreta-
ry Sherman, and makes no recon
mendations himself as to the phrtlc-
ulars OF rounding or the proper
bond to be issued. He refers at
length to the success of refunding
and gives figures showing the saw
ing in interest, &c, He refers to
the successful maintenance OF specie
payments as making ref"nding OF
tie debt possible. Secretary ochurz
gets a highly complimentary allu-
sion to his success in Indian man
agement, and board Endorsement
OF his Indian policy. The section
devoted to affairs in Utah is very
emphatic, and will act as bee III
in the bonnet OF the Delegate CAN
non. Utah who has four wives at
home aud d seat III Congress. There
is no installing the tone OF this part
Of the message. 1t is as strongly
anii-polygamy as any document
that has come from the " mIe
House. The President makes no
allusion to his Utah visit last sum
mer. but argues the question in
general way, as he has done in pre-
vious messages, except that his
language this time Is unusually
strong. He calls the attention OF
Congress to their failure.to provide
money to enforce the national cleo
ton laws. This portion OF his adj
dress is slightly sarcastic. He re-
iers to the fact that the fishery dis
pute growing out of the disturbances
at Fortune bay is in fair way 10
satisfactory settlement. He refers
at length TO the Chinese question
and embodies the result OF intor-
nation he collected on the subject
during his recent visit TO the Pacific
coast. Indeed tire is much IN the
message which is the result OF the