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!e Houston lie Journal,
SUPPLEMENT.
Terry, Ga., Dec. 12,1874.
■ To the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives:
Since the convening of congress one
year ago, the nation has undergone a
prostration in business and industries
such as has not been witnessed with us
for many years. Speculation as to the
oanses for this prostration might be in
dulged in, without profit, because as
many theories would be advanced as
there would be independent writers,
those who expressed their own views
without a bearing upon the subject.
'Without indulging in theories as to the
cause of this prostration, I will only
call your attention to the fact, and to
one question as to which it would seem
there should be no disagreement Dur-
ng this prostration
TWO ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
of prosperity have been most abundant
—labor and capital. Both have been
largely unemployed. Where the se
curity has been undoubted, capital has
been attainable at very moderate rates.
Where labor has been wanted, it has
been found in abundance at cheap rates
compared with what of the necessities
and comforts of life should be pur
chased with the wages demanded. Two
great elements of prosperity, therefore,
have not been denied us. A third might
be added. Our soil and . climate are
unequaled within the limits of any
contiguous territory, under one nation
ality, for its varieties of products to
ieed and clothe a people, and in the
amount of surplus to spare to feed less
favored people. Therefore, with these
facts in view, it seems to me that wise
statesmanship at this session of con
gress would dictate ignoring the past,
and directing in proper channels these
great elements of prosperity to any
people. Our debt abroad is the only
element that can, with always a sound
currency, enter into our affairs to cause
any continued depression in the indus
tries and prosperity of our people.
OBIQIN OF GREENBACKS.
A great conflict for national existenoe
made necessary for temporary purposes
is the raising of a large sum of money
from whatever source attainable. It
may have been necessary in the wisdom
of congress, and I do not doubt their
wisdom in the premises regarding the
necessity of the times, to devise a sys
tem of currency, which it proved to be
impossible to keep on a par with the
recognized currency of the civilized
world. This begat a spirit of specula
tion, involving an extravagance and lux
ury not required for the happiness or
prosperity of a people, and involving
both directly and indirectly foreign in
debtedness. This currency being of 8
fluctuating value and, therefore, unsafe
to hold for legitimate transactions re
quiring money, became a subject of
speculation in itself.
These two causes, however, have in
volved us in a foreign indebtedness,
contracted in good faith by borrower
and lender, which should be paid in
coin, and according to the bond agreed
upon when the debt was contracted,
gold or its equivalent. The good faith
of the government cannot be violated
toward creditors without national dis
grace. Our commerce should be en
couraged, American shipbuilding and
carrying increased, and foreign markets
sought for the products of the soil and
ihannfaotures, to the end that we may
be able to pay these debts. Where a
market can be created for the sale of
our products, either of the soil, the
mine or the manufactory, a new means
is discovered of utilizing our idle capi
tal and labor, to the advantage of the
whole people.
SOLD SEEKS ITS LEVEL,
the good work of redeeming our pledges
to commerce. It will never come,
in my opinion, except by positive action
by congress, or by national disasters,
which will destroy for a time at least,
the credit of individuals and the state
at large, when a sound currency would
be reached by total bankruptcy of the
credit and integrity of the nation and
individuals. I believe it is in the pow
er of congress at this session, to
devise such legislation as will re
store confidence, revive all the indus
tries, start us on the career of
prosperity, and to save the credit of the
nation and the people. Steps toward
the return to a specie basis, are Bteps to
this end devoutly to be sought for, and
there are others which I may touch on
hereafter.
A BONUS TO FOREIGNERS.
A nation dealing in a currency bslow
that of specie in .value, labors under
two great-advantages : First, having
no use for the world’s acknowledged
medium of exchange, gold and silver,
these are driven out of the country
because there is no demand for their
use. Secondly, the medium of exchange
being of a flnetating value, for it is
only worth just what it will purchase
of gold and silver metals, having an
intrinsic value just in proportion to the
honest labor it takes to produce them,
a large margin must be allowed for a
profit by the manufacturer and produ
cer. In the months from the date of
production to the date of realization,
interest upon capital must be charged,
and the risk of floatation in the value
of that which is to be received in pay
ment added. Hence high prices act as
a protection to the foreign producer,
who receives nothing in exchange for
the product of his skill and labor, except
a currency good at a stable value the
world over.
THE FOOB MAN BEABS THE BBUNT.
In my judgment the. first step to
ward this object is to secure a currency
good wherever civilization reigns, one
which, if it becomes superabundant
with one people, will find a market with
some other; a currency which has as its
basis the labor necessary to produce it,
which will give it value, Gold anti
silver are now the recognized medium
of exchange the world over, and to this
we should return with the least prac
ticable delay. In view of the pledges
-of the American congress when our
present legal tender system was adopted
and debt contracted, there should be
no delay, certainly no unnecessary de
lay* in fixing by legislation a method
By which we will return to specie. To
the accomplishment of this end I invite
your Special attention. I believe firmly
that there can be no prosperous and
permanent revival of-business and in
dustries until a policy is adopted, with
legislation to carry it out, looking to a
return to the specie basis.
THE DEBTOB CLASS.
It is easy to conceive that the debtor
and speculative classes may think it of
value to them to make so-called money
abundant, until they can throw a por
tion of their burdens on others. But
even these, I believe, would be <
pointed in the result, if a course should
be pursued whioh will keep in doubt
the value of the legal tender medium of
exchange, and delay the revival of pro
ductive industries needed by all classes,
by. none more than by the holders of
property, of whatever sort, with debts
to liquidate for realization upon its
sales. But admitting that these two
classes of citizens are to be benefitted
by expansion, would it be honest to
give it ? Would not the general loss be
too great to justify such relief ? Would
it not be as honest and prudent to au
thorize each debtor to issue hiB own
legal tenders to the extent of his liabili
ties ? Than to do this would it not be
safer, for fear of .over-issues by unscru
pulous debtors, to say that all .debt ob
ligations are obliterated nrthe United
States, and jnow we. commence anew,
each possessing all he has at the . time
free from incumbrance ?
TVBT.AT dishonest.
It seems to me that nothing is clearer
than that the greater part of the burden
of the existing prostration, for the want
of a sound financial system, falls -upon
the workingman, who must, after all,
produce the wealth, and the salaried 1
man who superintends and conducts the
business. The burden falls upon them
in two ways: By the deprivation of
employment, and by the decreased pur
chasing power of their salaries. It is
the duly of congress to devise the
method of correcting the evils which
are acknowledged to exist, and not
mine v But I will venture to suggest
two or three things which seem to me
as absolutely necessary to a return to
specie payments.
REPEAL OF THE LEGAL TENDER CLAUSE
URGED.
The first great requisite in a return to
prosperity is, that the legal tender
clause to the law authorizing the issue
of currency by the national government,
should'be repealed, to take effect, as to
all contracts entered into afte; a day
fixed in the repealing act, not to apply,
however, to the payments of salaries by
the government, or other expenses now
provided by law to be paid in currency.
In the interval and pending between re
peal and final resumption, provision
should be made by which the secretary
of the treasury can obtain gold as it'
may become necessary, from time to
time, from the date when specie resump
tion commenced. To this might and
should be added a revenue sufficiently
in excess of expenses to insure an accu
mulation of gold in the treasury to sus
tain redemption. I commend this sub
ject to your carefpl consideration, be
lieving that a favorable solution is at
tainable, and that if reached by this
congress, present and future generations
will ever gratefully remember it as their
deliverer from a thraldom of toil and
disgrace.
FREE BANKING ESSENTIAL.
With resumption free banking may be
authorized with safety, giving frill pro
tection to bill-holders which they have
under existing laws. Indeed, I would
regard free banking essential. It would
give proper elasticity to the currency.
As more currency should be required
for the transaction of legitimate busi
ness, new banks would be started and in
turn banks would wind up their busi-.
ness when it was found there was a su
perabundance of currency. The expe
rience and judgment of the people can
best deoide just how much currency is
required for the transaction of the busi
ness of the country. It is unsafe to
leave the settlement of this question to
congress, the secretary of the treasury
or the executive. Congress should
make the regulation under which bonks
may exist, but should not make banking
a monopoly by limiting the amount of
redeemable paper currency that shall be
authorized. Such importance do I at
tach to this subject and so earnestly do
I commend it to your attention, that I
give it prominence by introducing it at
he beginning of this message.
OUB FOREIGN RELATIONS.
During the past year nothing has oe
cuired to disturb the general, friendly
and cordial relations of the United
States with other powers. The corres
jondenoe submitted herewith between
iihis government and its diplomatic rep
resentatives in other countries, show a
satisfactory condition of all questions
between the United States and the most
of those countries, and, with a few ex
ceptions, to which reference is hereafter
made, the absence of any points of dif
ference to be adjusted.
SSLOIUMf
The notice directed by the resolution
Acuities arising from this cause will be
adjusted, and that the advance of civili-
in those empires may not be re-
by a state of war.
consequence of the part taken by
certain citizens of the United States in
this expedition, our representatives in
those countries have been instructed to
impress upon the governments of China
and Japan the firm intention of this
country to maintain strict neutrality in
the event of hostilities, and carefully
prevent any infraction of law on the
part of our citizens.
AH-SIN.
In connection with this subject, I call
the attention of congress to a generally
known fact that the great proportion of
Chinese emigrants who come to our
shores do not come voluntarily to make
their homes with us and their labor
productive of the general prosperity,
but come under contract with head men,
who own them almost absolutely. In a
worse form does this apply to the Chi
nese women. Hardly a peroeptible
percentage of them perform any honor
able labor, but they are brought here
for shameful purposos, to the disgrace
of the communities where they settle,
and to the great demoralization of the
youth of these local ties. If this bad
practice can be legislated against, it
will be my pleasure as well as my duty,
to enforce any regulation to secure so
desirable an end.
JAPAN.
the latter, has occasioned uneasiness. States to hold real estate in the former
It is earnestly hoped, however, the dif country, and by assenting to a certain
" —— s change of the jurisdiction of the courts
in the latter. A copy of the proclama
tion upon these subjects is herewith
communicated.
SPANISH AMERICA.
There has been no material change in
our relations with the independent
states on this hemisphere, which were
formerly under the dominance of Spain.
Marauding on the frontiers, between
Mexico and Texas, still frequently takes
place, despite the vigilance of the civil
It is hoped that negotiations between
the government of Japan and other
powers, looking to the further opening
of the empire and the removed of va
rious restrictions upon trade and travel,
may soon produce the results desired,
which cannot fail to enure to the bene
fit of all parties.
Having on previous occasions, sub
mitted to the consideration of congress,
the propriety of the release of the
Japanese government from further pay
ment of the indemnify and the conven
tion of Oct. 22,1864, under as no action
had been taken therein, it became my
duty to regard the obligation of the
convention as in force, and as the other
powers interested have received their
portion of the indemnify in full, the
minister of the United Stated has been
notified and this government received
the remainder due to the United States
under the convention of SimoiLsky. I
submit the propriety of applying- the
income of a part, if not the whole of
the fund, to toe education, in toe Jap
anese language, of a number of young
men, to be under obligations to serve
the government for a specified time as
interpreters at toe legation and the
consulates at Japan. A. limited num
ber of Japanese youths might, at the
same time, be educated in our vernacu
lar, and would result in benefit to both
governments. The importance of hav
ing our citizens competent and familiar
with the language of Japan, to act as
interpreters and in. other capacities con
nected with the legation and consulate
in that country, cannot be readily over
estimated.
GREAT BRITAIN.
The amount awarded to the govern-
commission organized under the acts of
the treatise of Washington, in settle
ment of the claims of British subjects
arising from acts committed between
April 18, 1841, and April 9, 1865, be
came practicable under the terms of the
treaty within the past year, and was
paid upon the 21st day of September,
1874.
The difficulty of checking suoh tre^
along the course cf a river of sudh
length as toe Bio Grande, and so often
fordable, is obvious. It is hoped that
toe effort of this government will be
seconded by those.of Mexico to the
effectual suppression of acts of wrong.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
From a report upon the condition of
the business before toe American and
Mexican joint claims commission, made
by toe agent of the United States, and
dated Oct. 28,1874, it appears that of
the 1,107 claims filed on the part of the
citizens of the United States, 483 had
been finally decided, and 75 were in the
hands of the umpire, leaving 460 to be
disposed of; and of the 998 olaims
filed against the United States, 726 had
been finally decided on, one was btfore
the umpire, end 271 remain to be dis
posed of. Since the date of each re
port, other claims have been disposed
of, reducing somewhat the number still
pending, and others -have been passed
upon by the. arbitrators. It has become
apparent, in view of these figures and
of the fact that the work devolving on
the umpire is particularly laborious,
the commission would be unable to dis
pose of the entire number of claims
pending prior to toe first day of Febru-
aty, 1875, the date fixed for the expira
tion. negotiations are pending looking
to the securing of toe results of the
decisions which have been received and
to a farther extension of the commis
sion for a limited time, which it is con
fidently hoped will suffice to bring all
the business now before it to a final
dose.
ARGENTINE.
The strife in the Argentine republic is
to be deplored, both on account of the
parties thereto and from the probable
effects on the interests of those in the
trade in that quarter, of whom the Uni
ted States are among toe principal. As
yet, so far as I am aware, there has been
no violation of our neutrality rights,
which, as well as our duties in that res
pect, it shall be my endeavor to main
tain and observe.
i'j iiA.
It is with regret that I announce that
no further payment has been received
from the government of Venezuela on
account of awards in favor of the citi
zens of toe United States. Hopes have
been entertained that, if the republic
could escape both foreign and civil war
for a few years, its great natural re
sources would enable it to honor its ob
ligations. Though it is now understood
to be at peace with other countries, a
serious insurrection is reported to be in
progress in an important region of that
FRAUDULENT NATURALIZATION.
In this connection I earnestly call the atten
tion of congress to the difficulties arising from
fraudulent naturalization. The United States
widely, freely and liberal y offers its citizens
help, to all who may come ia good faith to re
side within its limits, ou the complying with
certain prescribed, reasonable and simple
formalities and conditions. Among the high
est duties of the government is that to afford
a firm, efficent and equal protection to all its
citizen e, whether native born or naturalized.
Care should be taken that a right, carrying
with it such support from the government
should not be fraudulently obtained, and
should be bestowed only upon full proof of a
compliance with the law, and there are fre
quent instances of illegal and fraudulent nat
uralization, and ef the unauthorized use of
certificates thus improperly obtained. In some
cases the fraudulent character of naturaliza
tion has appeared upon the face of the certifi
cate itself. In others, examination discloses
that the holder had not complied with the law,
and in others the certificates have been obtain
ed where the persons holding them not only
were not entitled to be naturalized, but had
not been within the United States at the time
of ilie pretended naturalization. Instances of
each of these classes of fraud are discovered
at our legislations where the certificates of nat
uralization are presented, either for the pur
pose of obtaining passports, or in demanding
the protection of the legation. When the
frand is entirely apparent cn the face of such
certificates, they are taken up by the repre
sentatives of the government, and forwarded
to the department of slate. But even the
record of the court in which the fraudulent
naturalization occured, remains, and duplicate
certificates are readily obtainable. Uf on the
presentation of these for the issue of pass
ports or demanding the protection of the gov
ernment, the fraud sometimes escapes notice,
and such certificates are not nnfreqnectly
need in the transaction of business, to the in
jury of innocent parties. Without placing any
additional obstacle in the way of the obtain-
ment of citizenship, by the worthy and well
intentioned foreigner, who comes in good
faith, I nevertheless earnestly reo anniend
fnither legislation to punish fraudulent nat
uralization, and to secure the ready cancella
tion ot the record of every naturalization
made in fraud.
EXTRADITION.
Since my last annual message, the exchange
has been made of the ratification of treaties
of extradition with Belgium, Eeqoador, Peru
audSan Salvador; also of a treaty of com
merce and navigation with Peru, and one of
commerce and consular privileges with Sau
Salvador, all of which have bean duly pro
claimed, as has also a declaration with Russia
with reference to trade marks.
impulse of the foreign complication.
threa'ened neat the commencement
last congress, most of our efficient mis*
ships were put in condition for
service, and the repairs of our iron-cl«Ar u * ,#
pushed with the utmost vigor. The
that meet of these are now in an
meat of Great Britain' by toe mixed republic. This, may be taken advan-
These propositions are too absurd to
be entertained for a moment by a think
ing people. Every delay in toe pre
paration for final resumption partakes
of ibis dishonesty, and is only less in
degree as too h r pe is held out that a
convenient season will at last arrive for
of congress of June 18, 1874* to be
given to terminate toe convention of
Jnly 17,1858, between toe United States
and Belginm, has been given, and the
treaty will accordingly terminate on the
first day of July, 1875. This conven
tion secured to certain Belginm vessels
entering the ports of the United States,
exceptional privileges which are not ac
corded to our own vessels. Other feat
ures of the convention have proved sat
isfactory, and have tended to the culti
vation of toemntnally beneficial com
mercial intercourse and friendly rela
tions between toe two countries. I hope
that the negotiations which have been
instituted will result in the celebrating
of another treaty which may tend to the
interests of both countries.
china. ,
Our relations with China continue to
be friendly.. Taring the past year -fear
of hostilities between China and Japan,
growing oat of toe landing of an armed
force upon the island of Formosa by
t
OTHER CLAIMS AGAINST US.
In this connection I renew my recom
mendation made at the opening of toe
last session of congress, that a special
court be created to hear and determine
all claims of aliens against the Untied
States arising from acts committed
against their persons or property during
the insurrection. It appears equitable
that an opportunity should be offered
for the persons of other states to pre
sent their claims as well as to those
British subjects whose claims were not
admissably under the late commission,
to the early decision of a competent
tribunal, and I recommend the necessa
ry legislation to organize a court to dis
pose of those claims of aliens who are
referred to, in an equitable and satis
factory maimer, and to relieve congress
and the departments from the consider
ation of these questions.
THE FISHERIES.
The legislation necessary to extend to
the fisheries of New Foundland certain
articles of the treaty of Washington of
8th day of May, 1871, having been had,
a protocol to that effect was suggested
in behalf of toe United States and
Great Britian on the 28to day of May
last, and was dnly proclaimed on the
following<day. A copy of toe procla
mation is submitted herewith,
OUB NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY.
A copy of toe report of the commis
sion appointed under toe act of March
19,1872, for surveying and making toe
bonndaiy between the United States
and toe British possessions, from the
Lake of toe Woods to toe summit of
the Rocky Mountains, is herewith
transufitted. I am- happy to announce
that the field work of commission has
been completed, and the entire line
from toe northwest corner of the Lake
of the Woods to toe summit of the
Bocky Mountains has been ran and
marked upon the surface of the earth.
It is believed that the amount remain
ing unexpended of the appropriation
made at the last session of congress
will be sufficient to complete the work.
I recommend that the authority of oon-
erees be given for toe use of the unex
pended balance of the appropriation in
the completion of the work of toe com
mission and making a report and print
ing the necessary map.
AMERICAN CLAIMANTS OF DAMAGES BY THE
ALABAMA.
The court known as toe oonrt of com
missioners of Alabama claims, created
by an act of congress at the last session,
has organized and commenced its work,
and it is to be hoped that the olaims ad-
missable under the provisions of the act
may be speedily administered.
TURKEY.
It has been deemed advisable to ex
ercise the discretion conferred upon the
executive, at last session, by accepting
the conditions required by toe g vem-
ment of Turkey for the privilege of
allowing the citizens of toe United
tage of as another reason to delay the
payment of the dnes of onr citizens.
CUBA.
The deplorable strife in Cnba contin
ues without any marked change in the
relative advantages of the contending
forces. The insurrection continues^ but
Spain has gained no superiority. Six
years of strife give the insurrection a
significance which cannot be denied.
Its duration and the tenacity of its ad
herents, together with toe absence of a
manifesto) power of suppression on the
part of Spain, cannot be controverted,
and may make some positive stelps on
the part of the other powers a matter of
self-necessify.
SPAIN.
I had confidently hoped at this time
to be able to announce the arrangement
of sqme of the important questions be
tween this government and that of
Spain, but the negotiations have been
protracted. The unhappy internal dis
sensions of Spain command onr pro
found sympathy and most be accepted
as perhaps a cause of some delay. An
early settlement, in part at least, of toe
questions between the governments is
hoped.' In the meantime awaiting toe
results of immediately pending negoti
ations, I defer a further and full com
munication on toe subject of toe rela
tions of this country and Spain.
THE BIGHT OF EXPATRIATION.
I have again to call toe attention of
congress to the unsatisfactory condition
of the existing laws in reference to expa
triation and toe election of nationality.
Formerly, amid conflicting opinions and
decisions, it was diffiolut to exactly de
termine how far toe doctrine of. perpet
ual allegiance was applicable to citizens
of the United States. Congress by the
act of toe 29th of July, 1868, asserted
the abstract right of expatriation as a
fundamental principle of the govern
ment. Notwithstanding snch assertion
and the necessity of frequent applica
tion of the principle, no legislation has
been had defining what acts or formali
ties shall work expatriation, or when a
citizen shall be deemed to have renoun
ced or to have' lost his citizenship. The
importance of snch definition isobvious.
The representatives of the United States
in foreign countries are continually
called upon to lend their aid and the
protection of the United States to per
sons concerning toe good faith or toe
reality of whoBe citizenship there is at
least great question. In some cases the
provisions of the treaties famish some
guide. In others, it seems left to toe
persons churning the benefit of citizen
ship while living in a foreign country,
contributing in no manner to the per
formance of the obligations and duties
of a citizen of the United States, simply
as a shield from the performance of the
obligations of a citizen elsewhere. The
status of children bom of Ameri;
can parents residing in a for
eign country, of American women who
have married aliens, and of American
citizens resididg abroad, where snch
question is not regulated by treaty,
are all sources of frequent, difficult
discussion. Legislation on these and
smaller questions, and particularly de
fining when and under what circum
stances expatriation can be accomplish
ed or is to be presumed, is especially
needed.
THE FEDERAL TREASURT.
The report of the secretary of the treasury,
which, by law, is made directly to congress,
and forms no part of this message, will show
the receipts and expenditures of the govern
ment for the last fiscal year, the amount re-
ceiv d from each source of revenue, and the
amount paid out for each of the departments
of ti e government. It will be observed from
this report that the amount of receipts over
expedicures has been but $2,344,832 30 for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, and that for
the current fiscal year the estimated receipts
over expenditures will not exceed $0,060,000.
THE SINKING FUND BEHIND.
In view of the large national debt existing
and the obligation to add one per cent, per
annum to the suiting fund, a sum amounting
now to over $34,000,000 per annum, I submit
whether the revenues shou'd not be increased
or the expenditures diminished to reach this
amount of surplus. Not to provide fo- the
sinking fund is a partial failure to comply with
the contracts and obligations cf the govern
ment. At the last Hossiou of congress a very
considerable reduction was nude in the rate of
taxation and in the number of articles sub
mitted to taxation; the question may well be
asked whether or not in some instances un
wisely.
In connection with this subject too, the
opinion is that the meanB of collectin'.; tiie
revenues, especially from imporis, have been
embarrassed by legislation as to make it ques
tionable whether or not large amounts are not
lost by failure to collect, to the direct loss of
the treasury and to the prejudice of the in
terests of honest importers and tax-payers.
BRISTOW'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
The secretary cf the treasury, in his reporl.
favors legislation looking to specie payments’
thus supporting the views previously ex
pressed in this message. He also recommends
economy in the appropriations, and calls at
tention to the loss of revenue from repealing
the tax on tea and coffee withont benefit to the
consumer. He recommends an increase of 80
cents a gallon on whisky; and farther, that no
modification should become necessary by rea
son of the adoption of measures for returning
to specie payments. In these recommenda
tions I cordially concur.
TUB TARIFF.
I would suggest to congress the propriety of
readjusting the tariff so as to increase the
revenue and at the same time decrease the
number of articles upon which duties are
levied. Those articles which enter into our
manufactures and are not produced at home, it
seems to me, should be entered free. On those
articles of manufacture which we produce a
constituent part of, but do not produce the
whole, that part which wo do not prodnee
should enter free. also. I will instance fine,
wool dyes, etc. These must be imported to’
form a part of the manufacture of the higher
grades of wool goods,’ Chemicals tfged as
dyes, compounded in medicines, and us d in
various ways in manufactures, come under
this class. The introduction, free of dues, of
snch wools as we do produce should stimulate
the manufacture of goods requiring the use of
those we do not produce, and, therefore, could
be a benefit to home production. There are
many articles entering into home manufac
tures which we do not produce ourselves, the
tariff on whieh increases the cost of prodncii g
the manufactured article. Ail corrections in
this regard are in the direction of bringing
labor and capital in harmony with eacu other,
and of supplying one of the elements much
needed.
THE ARMY.
The report of the secretary of war, herewith
attached, and forming a part of this message,
gives all the information concerning all the
operationa, wants and necessities, and con
tains many suggestions and recommendations
which I commend to your special attention.
There is no class of government employees who
are harder worked than the army officers and
men, none who perform their tasks more
cheerfully and more efficiently, and under cir
cumstances of
Legislation is desired to render more efficient
this brauch of the public service. All the re
commendations of the secretary of war I re
gard as judicious, and I especially commend
to your attention the following:
BELKNAP'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
The consolidation of government arsenals;
mileage to officers traveling under orders; the
exemption of money received from the sale of
subsistence stores from being converted into
the treasury; the use of appropriations for
the purpose of subsistence stores, without
waiting for the beginning of the fiscal year for
which the appropriation is made; for addition
al appropriations for the collection of torpedo
material; for increased appropriations tor the
manufacture of arms; for relieving the vari
ous states for indebtedness for arm3 charged
to them during the rebellion p for dropping
officers from the rolls of the army withont
trial for the offense of drawing pay more than
once for the same period; for the discourage
ment of the plan to pay soldiers by checks,
and for the establishment of a professorship
of rhetoric and English literature at West
Point.
The reasons for the recommendations are
obvious and are set forth in the report attach
ed- 1 also recommend that the status of staff
corps of tbe army be fixed, where this has not
already been done, eo that promotions
may be made and vacancies filled, as
they occur in each grade when reduced
below the number to be fixed bylaw. The
necessity for snch legislation is specially
felt now in the pay department which is be
low the nnmber adequate to the performance
of the duties required of them.
THE NAVY.
The efficiency of the navy has been largely
increased during the last year. Under the
state and need only to be maDned*and ^'T®
commission, to go at once into service ai?
of the new steamers, authorized by con
are already in commission and too* St?'
remainder are launched and wait the ,
tion of machinery to enable them to
places as part of onr effective f orte
that is needfnl for onr nw® nov
ized, will be in a condition'for
with tbe advance in science of
fare, the American navy. wmp„S“^
“ a ^
scientific and htbroobafrio
Much has also been accomplished a. -
the year in aid of science and to lucres*?? 5
sum of general knowledge and further tL;
terests of commerce and civilization, pi, In ~
sive and much needed foundings ltaveL?'
made for hydrographic purpceea vd to?
the proper rontes of ocean tele<>raphs
surveys of the great Isthmus have been
pletsd and vessels of the naw are novo^
ployed in conjunction with thole of Enrians
France, Germany and Russia in observaS
connected with the transit of Ycnns rjiSj
and interesting to the scientific world ™
The estimates for this brauch of the public
service do not differ much from those pf kit
year, tho general appropriation of the -emco
being so ewliat less, and those for improve!
ments at tbe various BtSlii ns rather 1^™.
than the corresponding ones made a year am
The regular maintenance and a steady increasl
in the efficiency of this most important arm.
in proportion to the growth of onr maritime
intercourse and interests, is recommended to
the attention of congress.
The U6e of the navy daring peace might he
further utilized by a direct amhoriza ion of
the employment of naval vessels in servers of
the supposed navigable waters of other n*.
tionalitics on this continent, especially the
tributaries of the two great rivers of South
Amorica. tha Orinoco and the Amazon. Noth
ing prevents, under existing laws, snch erplo-
ration, except ihat expenditures mustlm made
in such development of the commerci.i inter
ests. advantageons to the people reached, and
to those who may establish relations with
them.
POSTAL PEOPOSrriONS.
The education of tho peoplo enti led to ex
ercise the right of franchise I regard as essen
tial to prosperity everywhere, and especially
so in republics, where both education and pre
vious condition do not enter into account in
giving the suffrage. Next to the public school
is the post-office as the great ageut of educa
tion < >ver our vast territory. Tho rapidity with
which new sections are being settled up, thus
increasing the carrying of tho mails in a more
rapid ratio than the increase of receipts, is
not alarming. The report of the p stmaster-
general, herewith attached, shows there was
an increase of revenno in his department in
1873 over the previous year of $1 674.411, and
an increase of the cost" of earning the mails
or paying - employes of $3,041,467.91. Tho
report of the postmaster-general givos
imerosting statistics of his department, and
compares them with corresponding statistics
of a year ago, showing a growth in every
branch of ihe depariment.
A postal convention has beon conclndcd with
New South Wales, an exchange of postal cards
established with Switzerland, and t m negotia
tions poudi:-g for seveial years past with
France have terminated in a mven ion with
that country, which went into effort last
August.
An international postal congress was con
vened in Berne in September last, at which
the United States was represented by an officer
or the postofiioe depari meut, of mu li oxpe-
rie .ce and of qnilification tor the position.
A convention for the establishment of an in
ternational postal uu on was agr. od ou by tha
delegates or tho countries represented, sub
ject to the approval of the proper authorities
of those countries.
I respectfully direct your attention to the
report of tho postmaster-general, anil his sug
gestions in regard to an equitable adjustment
of the question of the compensation to rad-
roads for Carrying the mails.
LOUISIANA—THE FOURTEENTH OF SEPTEMBER,
Yonr attention will be drawn to the unset
tled condition of affairs in somo of the south
ern states. On tho 14th of September last,
the governor of Louisiana ca led -on me, as
provided in the constitution of the United
States, for aid in the snppress.on of domestic
violence. That call was made in view of a
proclamation issued by D. B. Penn, saying
he was electod Lient. Governor in :S72,
and calling upon <the militia of the state to
arm, a-sembleand drive from power the usurp
ers, as he designated the officers of the state
government. On the next day I issued my
proclamation, commanding the insnrgonts to
disperse within five days from the date there
of, and subsequently learned that on that day
they had taken forcible possession of the
state house. Steps were taken by me to sup
port the existing and recognized state govern
ment, but before the expiration of tho five
days the insurrectionary movement was prac
tically abandoned, and the officers of tho state
government, with some minor exceptions, re
sumed their powers and duties.
Conside.iug that the present state adminis
tration of Louisiana has been the only gov
ernment in the state for nearly two years;
that it has been tactily acknowledged and ac
quiesced in as 'such by congress, and more
than once expressly recognized by me, I re
garded it as my clear dnty, when legally called
npon for that purpose, to prevent its over
throw by an armed mob under pretense of
fraud and irregularity in the election of 1872.
I have heretofore called tbe attention of con
gress to this subject, stating that on account
of the frauds and forgeries committed at said
election, and because it appears that tho re
turns thereof were never legally cauvased, it
was impossible to tell thereby who wera
chosen. But from tbe best sources of infor
mation at my command, I have always believ
ed the present state officers rece ved a majori
ty of the legal votes actually cast at that elec
tion. . I repeat what I said in my special mes
sage of Feb. 13, 1874, that in tbe event of no
action by congress, I most continue to recog]
nize the government heretofore recognized by
me.
I regret to say that with the preparations
for the late election, decided indications ap
peared in some localities in tbe southern states
of a dc terminal ion by acts of violence and in
timidation to deprive citizens of the ballot be
cause of their political opinion. Bands of
men masked and armed made their appear
ance. White leagues and other societies were
to med. Large quantities of arms and am
munition were imported and distributed to
these orga nizations. Military drills with men
acing demonstrations were held. and. with all
these, murders enough were committed, which
spread terror among those whose political ac
tion was to be suppressed if possible by these
intolerant and criminal proceedings. In some
places colored laborers were compelled to vote
according to the wishes of their employers
under threats of discharge if they acted other
wise, and there are too many instances in
which, when these threats wore disregarded,
they were remorselessly executed by those by
whom made. • .
I understand that the fifteenth amendment
to the constitution was made to prevent this
like state of things, and the act of May Si,
1870, with its amendments, was passed to en
force its provisions, the object of this being
to guarantee to ail,citizens the right to vote
gnd to protect them in the free enjoyment or
that right. Enjoined by the constitution to
take Cire that the laws be faithfully executed,
and convinced b. undoubted evidence ito. vio
lations of raid act bad been committed, ano
that a widespread and flagrant disregard or it
was contemplated, the proper officers were n-
structed to prosecute the offenders, ana troops
were stationed at convenient points to
these officers, if necessary, in the penona-
ance of their official duties. Complain
made of t-.is interference by tberedem
authority, bat if said amendment w
act do not provide fpr such interfered
der the circumstances as above mated, tu
(Continued on third page.)