THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES’ MESSAGE.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 211, 11 February 1875, Page 3

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES’ MESSAGE.

The following is a summary of President Grant’s message, read to Congress on December 7th:—

Respecting foreign relations the President states that they are friendly, and nowhere disturbed, except as regards the unsettled question pending with Venezuela, which has not paid the awards made by the Convention of 1866, and the question still unsettled with Spain in regard to the Virginias, and other grievous proceedings of that Power in connection with Cuba. “The magnitude of these offences,” says the President, “ has not been reduced since my previous message to Congress. This unsettled condition of affairs cannot long continue. It will become necessary for other nations, in conjunction with our own, to terminate the insurrection which has so long prevailed, and which Spain has unsucccessfully attempted to suppress During its continuance the commerce of all countries, especially that of the United States, suffers, and the flags of the United States and of England have been insulted.” The President hoped the present negotiations with Spain had ended, but he has been disappointed. Little or nothing is said about the indemnity, but the President announces that be leaves the matter to form the subject of a special message to Congress, Regarding the finaneial situation the President strongly recommends the resumption of specie payments at the earliest practicable date, but does not believe it can be attained before January, 1876. He leaves Congress to devise the means of securing the desired result. The legal tender clause of the Currency Act will have to be repealed, and on account of its bearing on contracts it will be necessary to alter the date already fixed by law for the repeal of the legal tenders. Power must be given to Mr Bristow to obtain gold on and after the date fixed for the resumption of specie payments by the issue of bonds. The revenues of the Government must also be made to exceed the expenditure in order to support such resumption. and greater economy must be exercised in all departments. If necessary, the Customs and Internal Revenue Laws must be changed in order to secure a larger revenue, With the return of specie payments banking will be free. Billholders will continue to be protected as under the present banking law. There should, then, be no limitation of the volume of the currency, as the community determines the amount required for business purposes. The duty of Congress will be to regulate the free banks and to lay down the conditions of their organisation. No monopoly should be granted by fixing the amount of issue. The President recommends no further interference in the present Currency Act, unless in conformity with the plan of resuming specie payments. The Message makes no recommendations respecting internal improvements, merely referring to the appointment of the committee upon Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, whose report is submitted to Congress. Much space is devoted in the Message to the affairs of Arkansas. The President states his reasons for declining to interfere in the recent difficulties in that State, and adverts to his special message of February, 1873, relative to Louisiana, wherein he made no specific recommendation, but earnestly requested legislation on the subject. The Pres dent will support the Government recognised and upheld by the State Courts, and will again submit the question to Congress. He will act as heretofore, unless controlled by Congress. President Grant reiterates bis confidence that the Indian peace policy is securing additional beneficial results, and will ultimately free the frontier from Indian depredations. He adheres closely to Civil Service reform, as competition permitted beneficial results in elevating the capacity and tone of those filling public appointments. It is impossible, however, to continue reform sanctioned by the people if unsupported by Congress. The message recommends a Court of Adjudication upon the claims of aliens, and invites legislation respecting the present system of Chinese immigration, which, as carried out without regard to women, has a demoralising effect upon the community. The President refers to the visit of King Kalakua, and announces that he will have a State reception.