Aiken courier-journal. (Aiken, S.C.) 1877-1880, December 13, 1877, Image 1
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to A Sweet Singer.
B boom storm-wearied bird thit seeks the shore
Bests on the current of * fav’ring wind,
So doth my soul upon the music soar,
And leave the shadows of this life behind —
So do I, resting on thy heav'nward song,
Gain the calm haven where I fain would be,
And quite forget the voyage dark and long,
And all the tempests beating out at sea.
How often in one's thoughts there would arise
Vague remnants of a half-forgotten song
Some strange unutterable melodies
That haply to a higher world belong !
Oh, for thy precious gift, that I might pour
'"From my full heart, with sweetness such as
vL thine,
j thoughts that die in silence evermore,
Because no words their meaning can define!
rttftl
VO I,. III. NO. 1 55.
OLD NEK IKK. VOL. VII. NO
AIKEN,
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 13, 1877.
$2.00 per Annum, in Advance.
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RESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
-Citizens of Vie Senate and ITovse of
.tatives: With devout gratitu )o to tl.v
-Ul Giver of all good. I congratulate vo i
at the beginning of your first regular ses-
- s -— a you find our country blossed with health
and peace and abundant harvests, and with eu-
* uuL*ging prospects of an early return of gen
eral prosperity.
To complete and make permanent the pacifi-
o it ion of the country continues to be, and until
k T « fully accomplished must remain, the most
*■ - 'virtant of all our national interests. The
•rnest purpose of good citizens generally to
unite then: efforts in this endeavor is avident.
I 1, found decided expression in the reso'irions
nounced in 1876 by the national conventions
oVthe leading political parties of the country.
'1 hero was a widespread apprehension ths t tne
momentous results in our progress as a nation.
in.trK* d by the recent amendments to the con
stitution were in imminent Jeopardy , that the
g- od un lerstanding which prompted their
at option in the interest of a loyal devotion to
tlic gi-ner-.! welfare might prove a barren vruce,
and that the two sections of the country once
eogagi-d in civil strife might be again al
most as widely severed and disunited as they
were when arrayed in arms against each other.
The course to be pursued which, in my
m .r-t georo.-i wisest, in me presence ot this
e aergency was plainlyindicated in ray inaugural
a Idress. It points to the time which all our
l>oople desire to see, when a genuine love of
our whole country and of all that concerns its
true welfare shall supplant the destructive
forces of mutual animosity of race* and of sec
tional hostility. Opinions have differed widely
as to the measures best calculated to secure
this great end. This Was to be expected. The
measure* adopted by the administration have
been subjected to severe and varied criticism.
Any course whatever which might have been
entered upon would certainly have encoun
tered distrust and opp osition.
These measures were, in ray judgment, such
as were most in harmony with the constitution
and with the genius of our people and best
adapted in all the circumstances to attain the
end in view. Bencfioient results attend ap
parent prove that these endeavors are not to
he regarded as a mere experiment, and should
sustain and encourage ns in our efforts. Al
ready in the brief time which has elapsed, the
immediate effectiveness, no less than the justice,
of the course pursued is demonstrated, and 1
have an abiding faith that time will furnish i<s
ample vindication in the minds of the great
majority of my fellow-citizens.
THE USE OT TROOPS.
The discontinuance of the use of the army
for the purpose of upholding local government
in two States of the Union was no less a con
stitutional duty and requirement, under the
circumstances existing at the time, than it
was a much needed measure for the restora
tion of local self-government and the promo
lion of national harmony. The withdrawal of
the troops from such employment was effected
deliberately and with solicitous care for the
jieace and good order of society and the pro
tection of the property and persons and every
right of all classes of citizens. The results
that have followed are indeed significant and
encouraging. All apprehension of danger from
remitting those States to local self-governmot
is dispelled, and a most salutatory change in
the minds of the people has begun and is in
progress in every part of that section of
country once the theatre of nnhappi
civil strife, substituting for suspicion
distrust and aversion, concord, friendship and
patriotic attachment to the Union. No un
prejudiced mind will deny that the terrible
and often fatal collisions winch, for several
years have been of frequent Recurrence, and
n
ave agitated and alarmed the public mind
have almost entirely ceased, and that a avrirL
of mutual forbearance and hearty national in
terest has succeeded. There has been a gen
eral re-establishment of order snd of the order
ly administration of justice. Instances of re
maining lawlessness have become of rare oc-
currance; political turmoil and turbulence
have disappeared ; nseful industries have been
resumed ; public credit in the Southern States
has been greatly strengthened, and the en
couraging benefits of a revival of commerce
between the sections of the country lately em
broiled in civil war are fully enjoyed. Such
are some of the results already attained upon
which the country is to he congratulated.
Thev are of such importance that we may with
confidence patiently awa't the desired con
summation that will surely come with flic n itu-
ral progress of events.
COLORED PEOPLE’S RMIIT9.
It may not he impioper here to say that it
‘■'ionll he our fixed anil uu.dter.iole determina
tion u> piotect, by ah available and proper
means mi le. - the constitution and the laws, the
lately em mcipated race in the enjoyment of
their rights and privileges, and I urge upon
those to whom heretofore the colored people
have sustained the relation of bondmen the
wisdom and justice of humane and liberal local
legislation with respect to their education and
general welfare. A firm adherence to the laws,
both national and State, as to the^ civil and
political rights of the colored peopld, now ad
vanced to and equal citizenship; the im
mediate repression and sure punishment
by the national and local authorities, within
llieii respective jurisdictions, of every instance
of lawlessness and violence toward them, is
required for the security alike of both races,
and is justly demanded by the public opinion
of the country and the age. In this way the
restoration of harmony and good will and the
complete protection of every citizen in the full
enjoyment of every constitutional right will
surely be attained. * Whatever authority rests
with me to this end I shall not hesitate to put
forth ; whatever belongs to the. power of Con
gress, and the jurisdiction of tlic courts of the
Union, they may confidently he jelled upon
to provide and perform. And to the Legisla
tures, the courts and the executive authorities
of the several States I earnestly appeal to
secure by adequate, appropriate and seasonable
means within their borders these common and
r.i ;>rm lights of a united people which loves
J- 'ty, abhors oppression and reveres justice,
tfs ■*<; objects are very dear to my heart. I
shall conti'uv_ most earnestly 4 o strive for their
attainment. The cordial cooperation of all
classes, of all sections of the country and of
both races is required for this purpose, and
With these blessings assured, and not other
wise, we may safely hope to hand down our
free inHHutions of government unimpaired to
the generations that wiU succeed us.
THE FINANCES.
Among the other subjects of great and gen-
er ;1 importance to the people in this country,
X e oi not be mistaken, I think, in regarding as
pre-eminent the policy and measures which are
designed to Secure the restoration of the cur
rency to th it normal and healthful condition in
which, by the resumption of specie payments,
our internal trade and foreign commerce may
be brought into harmony with the system of
exchanges which is based upon the precious
metals as the intrinsic money of the world. In
the public judgment that this end should he
sought and compassed as speedily and as se
curely as the resources of the people and the
wisdom of their government can accomplish,
there is a much greater degree of utiauimity
than is found to concur in the specific measures
which will bring the country to this desired end,
or the rapidity of the steps' by which it can be
safely reached. Upon a mo-t anxious and de
liberate examination, which I have felt it my
duty to give to the subject, I am but the more
confirmed in the opinion which 1 expressed in
accepting the nomination for the presidency,
and again upon my inauguration, that the poli
cy of resumption should be pursued by every
suitable means, and that no legislation would
be wise that should disparage the importance
or retard the attainment of that result. I
have no disposition, and certainly no right, to
question the sincerity or the intelligence of op
posing opinions, and would neither conceal
nor undervalue the considerable difficulties
and even occasional distresses which may at
tend the progress of the nation toward this
primary condition to its general and perma
nent prosperity. I must, however, adhere to
my most earnest conviction that any wavering
in purpose or unstoadiuess in methods, so far
from avoiding or r-ducing the inconvenience
inseparable from the transition from an irre
deemable to a redeemable paper currency,
would only tend to increased and prolonged
disturbances in values, and. unless retrieved,
must end in serious disorder, dishonor and
disaster in the financial affairs of the govern
ment and of the people.
The mischiefs which I apprehend, ar-d ur
gently deprecate, are confined to no class of
the people indeed, but seem to me most cer
tainly to threaten the industrious masses,
whether their occupations are of skilled or
common labor. To them, it seems to ni«\ it is
of prime importance that their labor should he
compensated in money which is in itself fixed
in exchangeable value by being irrevocably
measured by the labor necessary to its produc
tion. This permanent quality of the money of
the people is sought for and can only he gained
by tne resumption of specie payments. The
neb, the speculative, the operating, the money
dealing classes may not always feel the mis-
hiefs jf, or may find casual profits in a vari
able currency ; but the misfortunes of such a
currency to those who are paid salaries or
wages are inevitable and remediless.
THE COINAGE.
Closely connected with this general subject
of the resumption of specie payment is one of
subordinate, but still of grave importance. I
mean the readjustment of our coinage system
by the renewal of the silver dollar as an ele
ment in our specie currency, endowed by legis
lation with the quality of a legal tender to a
greater or less extent. As there is no doubt of
the power of Congress under the constitution
to coin money and regulate the value thereof,
and as this power covers the whole range of
authority applicable to the metal, the rated
value, and the legal tender quality which shall
be adopted for the coinage, the considerations
which should induce or discourage a particular
measure connected with the coinage belong
clearly to the province of legislative discretion
and of public expediency. Without intruding
npon this province of legislation in the least, I
have yet thought the subject of such critical
importance in the actual condition of onr af
fairs, as to present an occasion for the exercise
of the duty imposed by the constitution on the
President, of recommending to the considera
tion of Congress “ s’icli meisures as he shall
jndge necessary and expedient." Holding the
opinion, as I do, that neither the interests of
the government nor of the people of the United
States would he promoted by disparaging silver
as one of the two precious metals which fur
nish the coinage of the world, and that legisla
tion which looks to maintaining the volume of
intrinsic money to as full a measure of both
metals as their relative commercial values will
permit, would he neither unjust nor inexpe
dient. I uinst ask your indulgence to a brief
and definite statement of certain essential fea
tures in any snch legislative measure which I
feel it my duty to recommend. I do not pro
pose to enter the debate, represented on both
sides by such able disputants in Congress and
before the people and in the press, as to the
extent to which the legislation of any one na
tion can control tins question even within its
own borders against the unwritten laws of
trade and the positive laws of other govern
ments. The wisdom of Congress in shaping
any particular law that may he presented for
my approval may wholly supersede the neces
sity of my entering into these considerations,
and I willingly avoid either vague or intricate
inquiries. It is only certain plain and practical
traits of such legislation that I desire to recom
mend to your attention.
In any legislation providing for a silver coin-
igc, regulating its value and imparting to it the
quality of legal tender, it seems to me of great
importance that Congress should not lose sight
of its action as operating in a twofold capacity
and in two distinct directions. If the United
States government wore free from a public debt
its legislative dealings with the question of sil
ver coinage would he purely sovereign and gov
ernmental, under no restraints hut, those of the
constitutional power over the public good as
affected by the proposed legislation. But in the
actual circumstances of the nation, with a vast
public debt distributed very widely among our
owu citizens, and held in great amounts also
abroad, the nature of the silver coinage mea
sure as affecting this relation of the government
to the holders of the public debt becomes an
element, in any proposed legislation, of the
highest concern' The obligation of the public
lauli transcends all questions of profit or pub
lic Hdvantage olherwibC. Its unquestionable
maintenance is the dictate as well of the high
est expediency as of the most necessary duty,
and will ever he carefully guarded by Congress
and people alike.
The public debt of the United States, to the
amount of $72;),000,000 hears interest at the
rate of six per cent; and $708,000,000 at the
rate of five per cent; and the only way in which
the country can be relieved from the payment
of these high rates of interest is by advantage
ously refunding the indebtedness. Whether
the debt is ultimately paid in gold or in silver
coin is of but little moment compared with the
possible reduction of the interest, one-third by
refunding it at such reduced rate. If the
United States had the unquestioned right to
pay its bonds in silver coin, the little benefit
from that process would he greatly overbalanc
ed by the injurious effect of such payment, if
made or proposed against the honest convic
tions of the public creditors. All the bonds
that have been issued since Fehruaiy 12, 1873,
when gold became the only ultimate legal tend
er, metallic currency of the country, are justly
payable in gold coin or in coin of eqnal value.
Uiiiiug the lime of these issues the only dollar
r hat could he or was received by the govern
ment in exchange for bonds was the gold dol
lar. To require the public creditors to take in
repayment any dollar of less commercial value
would he regarded by them as a repudiation
of the full obligation assumed. The bonds is
sued prior to 1873 were issued at a time when
the gold dollar was the only coin in circulation
or contemplated by either the government or
the holders of the bonds, as the coin in which
they were to be paid. It is far better to pay
these bonds in that coin than to seem to take
advantage of the unforscen fall of silver bullion
to pay in a new issue of silver coin, thus made
so much less valuable. The power of the
United States to coin money and to regulate
the value thereof ought never to be exercised
for the purpose of enabling the government to
pay its obligations in a coin of less value than
that contemplated by the parties when the
bonds were issued. Any attempt to pay the
national indebtedness in a coinage of less com
mercial value than the money of the world,
would involve a violation of (he public faith
and work irreparable injury to the public credit.
It was the gn at merit of the act of March, 18GI),
in strengthening the public credit, that it re
moved all doubt as to the purpose of the United
States to pay their bonded debt in coin. That
act was accepted as a pledge of public faith.
The government has derived great benefit from
it in the progress thus far made in refunding
the public debt at low rates of interest. An
adherence to the wise and just policy of an ex
act observance of the public faith will enable
the government rapidly to reduce the burden of
interest on the national debt to an amount ex
ceeding $20,000,000 per annum and effect an
aggregate saving to tlic United States of more
than $300,000,000 before the bonds can he ful-
'T adapting the new silver coinage to the or
dinary uses of currency in the every day trans-
aetioi'is "of life, and prescribing the quality of
legal tender to be assigned to it, a considera
tion of tiie first importance should he so to ad
just the ratio between the silver and the gold
coinage which now constitutes our specie cur
rency as to accomplish the desired end of
maintaining the circulation of the two metallic
currencies and keeping up the volume of the
two precious metals as onr intrinsic money.
It is a mixed question for scientific reasoning
and historical experience to determine how far
and by what method a practicable equilibrium
can be maintained which will keep both metals
in circulation in their appropriate spheres of
common use. An absolute equality of com
mercial value, free from disturbing fluctuations-
is hardly attainable ; and without it an unlimit
ed legal tender for private transactions assign
ed to both metals would irresistibly tend to
drive out of circulation the dearer coinage, and
disappoint the principal object proposed by the
legislation in view. I apprehend, therefore,
that the two conditions of a near approach to
equality of commercial value between the gold
and silver coinage of the same denomination,
and of a limitation of the amounts for which
the silver coinage is to he a legal tender, are
essential to maintaining both in circulation. If
these conditions can be successfully observed,
the issue from the mint, of silver dollars,
would aff ord material assistance to the com-
mu»ity*in the transition to redeemable paper
money, and would facilitate the resumption of
specie payment and its permanent establish
ment. Without these conditions, I fear that
only mischief and misfortune would flow from
a coinage of silver dollars with the quality of
unlimited legal tender, even in private transac
tions. Any expectation of temporary ease
from an issue of silver coinage to pass as a
legal tender at a rate materially above its com
mercial value is, I am persuaded, a delusion.
Korean I think that there is any substantial
distinction between an original issue of silver
dollars at a nominal value materially above
their commercial value and the restoration of
the silver dolalr at a rate which once was hut
has ceased to he its commercial value. Cer
tainly the issue of our gold coinage, reduced
in weight materially below its legal tender
value, would not be any the less a present de
basement of the coinage by reason of its equal
ing or even exceeding in weight a gold coinage
which at some past time bad been commercial
ly equal to the legal tender value assigned to
the new issue.
In recommending that the regulation of any
silver coinage which may be authorized by
Congress should observe these conditions of
commercial value and la litod legal tender, I am
governed by the feeling that every possible
increase should he given to the volume of me-
twills* Wt/Wwxw* «*l\i<-»l-» i \ ti Y t V. 1.1*
tallic^ money which can bo kept in circulation,
sry possi' 1
rocess of resuming specie pay-
)p
and thereby every possible aid afforded to the
iby
people in the pi
inents. It is becacue of my conviction that a
disregard of these conditions would frustr
the good results which are desired from I
proposed coinage, and embarrass with new i
meuts of confusion and nneertainty the hr
ness of the country, that I urge upon yonr
tent ion these considerations. I respectfr
recommend to Congress that in any legislat
providing for a silver coinage and imparting
it the quality of legal tender there be impresi
on the measure a firm provision exempting I
public debt heretofore issued and now o
standing from payment either of principal
interest in any coinage of less value than r
present gold coinage of the country.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The organization of the civil service of
country has for a number of years attrac
more and more of public attention. So gene|
has become the opinion that the methods
admission to it, and the conditions of remi
ing in it, are unsound, that both the g
political parties have agreed in the most
plicit declarations of the necessity of refoi
and in the most emphatic demands for it,
have fnlly believed these declarations and
mauds to be the expression of a sincere
viotion of the intelligent masses ef the poo;
npon the subject, and that they should
racognized and followed by earnest and pro:
action on the part of the legislative and exei
tive departments of the government. In p
suance of the purpose indicated before my
cession to office I endeavored to have my o
views distinctly nndemtood, and, upon my
auguration, my accord with the public opinii
was stated in terms believed to be plain ai
unambiguous. My experience in the execntil
duties has strongly confirmed the belief in tf
great advantage the country would find in
serving strictly the plan of the constitute
which imposes upon the executive the
duty and responsibility of the selection of
federal officers who, by law, are appointed,
elected, and which, in like maimer, assigns
the Senate the complete right to advise
consent to or to reject the nominations so mai
while the House of Representatives stands
the public censor of the performance of oftic:
duties, with the prerogative of iuvestigatii
and prosecution in all cases of dereliction.
The blemishes and imperfections in the ci
service may, as I think, be traced in most ca:
to a practical confusion Of the duties assign
to the several departments of the governmei
My purpose in this respect has been to retui
to the system established by the fundamem
law, and to do this with the heartiest
operation and most cordial understanding \
the Senate and House of Representatives.
The practical difficulties in the selection
numerous officers for posts of widely va _
responsibilities and duties are acknowledged
be very great. No system can be expected
secure absolute freedom from mistakes,
the beginning of any attempted change
custom is quite likely to be more embarrassgj
in this respect than any subsequent period.
is here that the constitution seems to me
prove its claim to the great wisdom accord^
to it. It gives to the executive the assistant.^
of the knowledge and experience of the Sena| e
which, when acting upon nominations as u*
which they may be disinterested and impart!
judges secures as strong a guarantee of fre ^_
Join from errors of importance as is, perhap „
possible in human affairs. ’
In addition to this, I recognize the public ai j.
vantage of making all nominations, as near j v
as possible, impersonal, in the sense of heir •
free from mere’caprice or favor in the selectio; If’
and in those offices in which special trainir
is of greatly increased value. I believe sucl
rule as to the tenure of office should obtain
may induce men of proper qualifications
apply themselves industriously to the task
becoming proficient.
Bearing these things in mind, I have endi
vored to reduce the number of changes in
ordinate places usually made upon the chi
of the general administration, and shall i
heartily co-operate with Congress with the
ter systematizing of such meTHtra
admission to the public service, and of prom
tion within it as may promise to ho most su
cessful in making thorough competent
efficiency and character the decisive tests
these matters.
I ask the renewed attention of Congress
what has already been done by the civil servii
commission appointed in pursuance of the
of Congress by my predecessor to prepare i
revise the civil service rules. In regard tomui
of the departmental service, especially
Washington, it may be difficult to organize
better system than that, which has thus bo<
provided, and it is now being used to a co:
siderahle extent under my direction. The coi
mission has still a legal existence, although
several years no appropriation has been mi
for defraying its expenses. Believing that *
commission has rendered valuable services
will be a most useful agency in improving t
administration of the civil service, I respei
fully recommend that a suitable nppropriatio:
to he immediately available, he made to enahl
it to continue its'labors. It is my purpose f
transmit to Congress as early as practicable
report by the dmirman of the commission a
to ask yonr attention to such measures on “
subject as in my opinion will further prumoi
the improvement of the civil service
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
During the past year the United States hs\|
continued to maintain peaceful relations wit|
foreign powers. The outbreak of war betwt
Russia and Turkey, though at one time al
tended by grave apprehension as to its tffsq
upon other European nations, lias had no ten
dency to disturb the amicable relations betwee|
the United States and each of the two cor
tending powers. An attitude of just and it
partial neutrality has been preserved, and
am gratified to state, in the midst of their hod
tilities, both the Russian and Turkish goven|
ment s have shown an earnest desire to adher
to the obligations of all treaties with thl
United States, and to give due regard to tli|
rights of American citizens.
By the terms of the treaty defining the right
immunities and privileges of consuls betwt
Italy and the United States, ratified in 18(1
either government may, after the lapse of
years, terminate the existence of the treaty
f iviug twelve months’ notice of its intentioi
’he government of Italy, availing itself of thi|
faculty, has now given the required notice, am
the treaty will, accordingly, end on the 17t
of September, 1878. It is understood, howl
ever, that the Italian government wishes t
renew it, in its general scope, desiring on!
certain modifications in some of its articlei
In this disposition I concur, and shall bo]
that no serious obstacles may intervene to pr
vent or delay the negotiation of a satisfactoi
treaty.
THE GERMAN IMMIGRATION QUESTION.
Numerous questions in regard to passpor.
naturalization and exemption from militar
service have continued to arise in cases oi im
migrants from Germany who have returned h
their native country. The provisions of tbi
treaty of Febrnary 22, 1868, however, havi
proved to be so ample and so judicious thaj
the legation of the United States at Berlin hai
been able to adjust all claims arising under
not only without detriment to the amicable re
lations existing between the two governments!
but, it is believed, without injury or injus
tice to duly naturalized American citizens. ll
is desirable that the treaty originally made wit
the North German Union in 1867 should no>
be extended so as to apply equally to all
states of the empire of Germany.
THE PARIS EXHIBITION.
The invitation of the government of France
to participate in the exposition of the products
of agriculture, industry and the tine arts, to he
held at Paris during the coming year, was sub
mitted for your consideration at the extra ses
sion. It is not doubted that its acceptance by
the United States and a well selected exhibition
of the products of American industry on that
occasion will tend to stimulate international
commerce and immigration, as well as to pro
mote the traditional friendship between the two
countries.
ANGLO-AMERICAN EXTRADITION.
A question arose some time since as to the
proper meaning of the extradition articles of
the treaty of 1842 between the United States
and Great Britain. Both governments, how
ever, are now in accord in the belief that the
? uestion is not one that should he allowed to
rnstrate the ends of justice, or to disturb the
friendship between the two nations. No
serious difficulty has arisen in accomplishing
the extradition of criminals when necessary.
It is probable that all points of disagreement
will in due time be settled, and if need be
more explicit declarations be made in a new
treaty.
INTERNATIONAL TRADEMARKS.
A treRty for the protection of trademarks
has been negotiated witn Great Britain, which
has been submitted to the Senate for its con
sideration.
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
The revolution which recently occurred in
Mexico was followed by the accession of the
successful party to power and^the installation of
its chief, Gen. Porfirio Diaz, in the presideatisl
office. It has been the custom of the United
States, when such changes of government have
heretofore occurred in Mexico, to recognize and
unauthorized acts of unduly zealous sub
ordinates, whenever such acts have been
bronght to its attention. Nevertheless, such
occurrences cannot but tend to excite feelings
of annovance, suspicion and resentment, which
are greatly to bo deprecated between the re
spective subjects and citizens of two friendly
powers.
THE VENEZUELA AWARD.
Much delay, consequent npon accusations of
fraud in some of the awards, has occurred in
respect to the distribution of the limited
amounts received from Venezuela under tne
treaty of April 25, 1866, appficable to the
awards of the joint commission created by that
treaty. So long as these matters are pending
in Congress, the executive cannot assume
either to pass upon the questions presented oi-
ted to the secretary of the treasury by a com
mission appointed to examine into the collection
of customs duties at the port of New York con
tain many snggestions for the modification of
the customs laws to which the attention of
Congress is invited.
THE PUBLIC CREDIT.
It is a matter of congratulation that, not-
J>f 1 withstanding the severe burdens caused by the
b- | war, the public faith with all creditors
In . has been preserved, and that as the result of
“'ll this pohey the public credit has continuously
! advanced, and our public securities are regard-
, ed with the highest fayor in the markets of the
Is j world. I trust that no act of the government
|e will cast a shadow upon its credit.
The progress of refunding the public debt
has been rapid and satisfactory. Under the
contract existing when I entered upon the dis
charge of the duties of my office bonds bearing
interest at the rate of 4j^ per centum were be
ing rapidly sold, and within three months the
aggregate sales of those bonds had reached the
sum of $200,000,000. With my sanction the
secretary of the treasury entered into a new
contract for the sale of four per centum bonds,
and within thirty days after the popular sub-
rcription for such bonds was opened subscrip
tions were had amounting to $75,406,550, which
were paid for within ninety days after the date
of subscription. By this process, within but little
more than one year, the annual interest on the
public debt was*reduced in the sum of $3,775,-
000.
BONDS FOR OUR SMALL CAPITALISTS.
I recommend that suitable provision he made
to enable the people to easily convert their say
ings into government securities as the best
mode in which small savings may be well se
cured and yield a moderate interest. It is an
object of public policy to retain among our
own people the securities of the United States.
In this way our country is guarded against
their sudden return from foreign countries,
caused jhy war or other disturbances beyond
onr limits.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
The commerce of the United States with for
eign nations, and especially the export of do
mestic productions, has of late years largely
increased, hut the greater portion of this trade
is conducted in foreign vessels. The import
ance of enlarging our foreign trade, and es
pecially by d.rect and speedy interchange with
countries on this continent, cannot be ove resti-
mated, and it is a matter of great moment that
our own shipping interest should receive to the
utmost practical extent the benefit of our com
merce with other lands. These considerations
ere forcibly urged by all the large commercial
cities of the country, and public attention is
generally and wisely attracted to the solution
of the problems they present.
It is not doubted that Congress will take them
up in the broadest spirit of literality and re
spond to the public demand by practical legis
lation upon this important subject.
to i
JVn tBo farJMcert It. i«
eji&ir rv
requisite sum for the maintenance of the sib-
ing fund within the aggregate estimate receipts;
while the aggregate of taxes should not he in
creased. Amendments might he made to reve
nue laws, that would, without diminish
ing the revenue, relievo the people from un
necessary burdens, /i tax on tea and coffee is
shown by the experience not only of our owu
country but of other countries to he easily col
lected without loss by undervaluation or fraud,
and largely borne in the country of production.
A tax of ten cents a pound on tea and two
cents a pound on coffee would produce a reve
nue exceeding $12,006,000, and thus enable
Congress to repeal a multitude of annoying
taxes yielding a revenue not exceeding that
sum. The internal revenue system grew out of
the necessities of the war, and most of the leg
islation imposing taxes npon domestic products
under this system has been repealed. By the
substitution of a tax on tea and coffee all forms
of internal taxation may he repealed, except
that on whisky, spirits, tobacco and beer. At
tention is also called to the necessity of enact
ing more vigorous laws for the protection of
the revenue and for the punishment of frauds
and smuggling. This can best be done by ju
dicious provisions that will indnee the disclos
ure of attempted fraud bv undervaluation and
smuggling. All revenne laws should be simple
in their provisions and easily understood. So
far as practicable the rates of taxation should
be in the form of specific duties, and not ad
ro/orern,requiring the judgment of experienced
men to ascertain values, and exposing the reve-
nne officers to the temptation of fraud.
CUSTOM HOUSE REFORM.
My attention has been called during the re
cess of Congress to abuses existiui
h etiou of the cu>fc3iqi8,jsnd stre:
have been made -*rection by the ex
ecutive orders, ^7 - Jmdations submit-
THE ARMY.
The report of the secretary of war shows
that the army has been actively employed dur
ing the year, and has rendered very important
service in suppressing hostilities in the Indian
country and in preserving peace and protecting
life and property in the interior as well a* along
the Mexican border. A long and arduous came
paign has been proseented with final complete
success against a portion of the Nez Perces
tribe of Indians. A full account of this cam-
-oA'srn will he found in the report of the general
VXAt> army. It will be seen that in its course
several battles were fought, in which a number
of gallant officers and men lost their lives. I
join with the secretary of war and the general
of the army in awarding to the officers and men
employed in the long and toilsome pursuit, and
in the final capture of these Indians, the honor
and praise which is so justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred in sev
eral of the States in July last rendered neces-
order. In the States of West Virginia, Main
land, Pennsylvania and Illinois these disturb
ances were so formidable as to defy Hie local
and State authorities, and the national executive
was called upon, in the mode provided by the
constitution and laws, to furnish military aid.
i am i n Le able to state that the troops
sent in response to tn^aw oaiiu -fnr Hid in tne
suppression of domestic violence were ai,ie bv
the influence of their presence in the disturbed
regions, to preserve the peace and restore order
without the use of force. In the discharge of
this delicate and important dnty, both officers
and men acted with great prudence and courage,
and for their services they deserve the thanks of
the country.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande, in Texas,
to which I have already referred, nave ren
dered necessary the constant employment of a
military force in that vicinity. A fall report
of all recent military operations in that quarter
has been transmitted to the House of Repre
sentatives in answer to a resolution of that
body, and it will not, therefore, be necessary
to enter into details. I regret to say that these
lawless incursions into our territory by armed
hands from the Mexican side of the line, for
the purpose of robbery, have been of frequent
occurrence, and, in spite of the most vigorous
efforts of the commander of our forces, the
marauders have generally succeeded in escap
ing into Mexico with their plunder. In May
last I gave orders for the exercise of the ut
most vigilance on the part of our troops for
the suppression of these raids, and the punish
ment of the guilty parties as well as the re
capture of property stolen by them. General
Ord, commanding in Texas, was directed to in
vite the co-operation of the Mexican authori
ties in efforts to this end, and to assure them
that I was anxious to avoid giving the least
offence to Mexico. At the same time lie was
directed to give notice of my determination to
put an end to the invasion of our territory by
lawless bands intent upon the plunder of onr
peaceful citizens, even if the effectual punish
ment of the outlaws should make the crossing
of the border by our troops in their pursuit
necessary. It is’believed that this policy has
had the effect to check somewhat these depre
dations, and that, with a considerable increase
of our force upon that frontier, and the estab
lishment of several additional military posts
along the Rio Grande so as more effectually to
gnard that extensive border, peace may be
preserved and the lives and property of onr
citizens in Texas fu ly protected.
Prior to the first day of July last the army
was, in accordance with law, reduced to the
maximum of twenty-five thousand enlisted
men, being a reduction of twenty-five hundred
below the force previously authorized. This
reduction was made as leoiiired by law entirely
from the infantry and artillery branches of the
service, without any reduction of the cavalry.
Under the law as it now stands it is necessary
that the cavalry regiments he recruited to one
hundred men in each company for service on
the Mexican and Indian frontiers. The neces
sary effect of this legislation is to reduce the
infantry and artillery arms of Hie service below
the number acquired for efficiency, and I concur
with the secretary of war in recommending that
authority be given to recruit all companies of
infantry to at least fifty men, and all batteries
of artillery to at least seventy-five men, with
power in case of emergency 'to increase the
fermer to 103 and the latter to 122 men each.
I invite your special attention to the following
recommendations of the secretary of war :
First—That provision he made for supplying
to the army a more abundant and better supply
of reading matter.
Second—That early action bo taken by Con
gress looking to a complete revision aiid rc-
publieation of the army regulations.
Third—That section 1,258 of the revised
statutes, limiting the number of officers on the
retired list, be repealed.
Fourth—That the claims srising under the
act of July 4, 1864, for supplies taken by the
army doling tne war, be taken from the offices
ol the quartermaster and commissary generals
anJ transferred to the Southern claims com
mission, or to some other tribunal having more
Him and better facilities for their prompt in-
vestgation and decision that are possessed by
tbeg) offices.
Fi'th—That Congress provide for an annuity
fam for the families of. deceased soldiers, as
recoumended by the paymaster-general of the
army
NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the navy shows
that we have six squadrons now engageil in the
protiction of our foreign commerce, and other
duties lertaining to the naval service. The
conditions and operations of the department
are also shown. The total expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877, were $16,-
077,974.54. There are unpaid claims against
the department chargeable to the last year,
which are presented to the consideration
of Congress by the report of the secre
tary. The estimates for the 5scal
year
commencing July 1, 1878. are 233,234.40,
of the sum of $2,314,211 snhjnitted
-rCements
’priatioiis
5 July J,
drawn
oaDer 1,
is esti-
exclnsive
for new buildings, repairs and
at the several navy yards. The
for the present fisc a) year, conn,
1877*mc $13,592,932.90. The ‘
igjj Xjfrr; treasury from July,,:
mffltS-affoFis nrnpP^Tsys^ofaf.jo, of -
mate V
the first four months of the present fiscal year
to have been $4,313,509.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the postmaster general con*
tains a full and clear statement of the opera*
tions and condition of the postoffice depart*
ment. The ordinary revenues of the depart*
ment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1877,
including receipts from the money order busi
ness and from official stamps and stamped
envelopes, amounted to the sum of $27,531,-
585.26. The additional sum of $7,013,000 was
realized from appropriaHons from the general
treasury for various purposes making the re
ceipts from all sources $34,544,885.26. The
total expenditures during the fiscal year
amounted to $33,486,322.44, leaving an ex
cess of total receipts over total expenditures
of $1,058,562.82, and an exceso of total expen
ditures over ordinary receipts of $5,954,737.18.
DeducHng from the total receipts the sum of
$63,261.84 received from international money
orders of tho preceding fiscal year, and deduct
ing from the total expenditures the sum of
$1,163,818.20 paid on liabiliHes incurred in the
previous fiscal year, the expenditures and re
ceipts appertaining to the business of the last
fiscal year were as follows: Expenditures
$32,322,504.42. Receipts (ordinary, from
money order business and from official
postage stamps), $27,408,323.42. Excess of
expenditures, $4,854,180.42.
The ordinary ^revenues of the post-effice de
partment for the year ending June 80, 1879 are
estimated at an increase of three per centum
over those of 1877, making $29,034,098.28, and
the expenditures for the same year are’estimat-
ed at $30,427,771, leaving an estimated deficen-
cv for the vear 1879, of $7,893,672. The ad
ditional legislation recommended by the post
master-general for improvements of the mail
service, and to protect the postal revenues from
the abuses practiced under existing laws, is re-
ipectfully commended to the careful consider
ation of Congress.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report of the attorney-general contains
several suggestions as to the administration of
justice, to which I invite your attention. The
pressure of business in the Supreme Court and
in certain Circuit Courts of the United States is
now such that serious delays, to the great in
jury and even oppression of suitors occur, and
a remedy should be sought for this condition of
affairs. Whether it will be found in the plan,
briefly sketched in the report, of increasing the
number of judges of the circuit courts, and,
by means of this addition to the judicial force,
of creating an intennediate court of errors and
appeals, or whether some other modes can he
devised for obviating the difficulti' 1 hich now
exist, I leave to your mature consult, ation.
THE INDIANS.
The present condition of the Indian tribes on
the territory of the United States and our re
lations with them are fully set forth in the re
ports of the secretary of the interior and the
commissioner of Indian affairs. After a series
of most deplorable conflicts, the successful
termination of which, while reflecting honor
upon the brave soldiers who accomplished it,
cannot lessen onr regret at the occurrence, we
are now at peace with all the Indian tribes in
our borders. To preserve that peace by a
just and humane policy will he the object of
our earnest endeavors.
Whatever may be said of their characters
and savage propensities, of the difficulties of
introducing among them the habits of civilized
life and the obstacles they have offered to the
progress of setUement in certain parts of the
country, the Indians are certainly, entitled to
our sympathy and to a conscientious respect
on oux part for their claims upon onr sense of
justice. They were the aboriginal occupants
of the land we now possess. They have been
driven from place to place. The purchase
money paid to them, in some cases for what
they called their own, has still left them poor,
in many instances. When they had settled
down upon land assigned to them by compact,
and began to support themselves by their own
labor, they were rudely jostled off and thrust
into the wilderness again. Many, if not most
of our Indian wars have had their origin in
broken promises and acts of iujusHce upon our
part, and the advance of the Indians in civiliza
tion has been slow, because the treatment they
received did not permit it to be faster and more
0 cnar 4 ]. We cannot expect them to improve
and to follow unless we keep
faith with them in respecUng the ngnts they
possess, and nnless, instead of depriving them
of their opportunities, we lend them a helping
hand. I cordially approve the policy regard
ing the management of Indian affairs outlined
in the reports of the secretary of the interior
and of the commissioner of Indian affairs. The
faithful performance of our promises is the
first condition of a good understanding with the
Indian. I cannot too urgently recommend to
Congress that prompt and liberal provision be
made for the conscientious fulfillment of all
engagements entered into by the government
with Indian tribes. To Withhold the means
necessary for the performance of a promise is
always false economy, and is apt to prove dis
astrous; in its consequence. Especial care is
recommended to provide for Indians settled
on their reservations, cattle and agricultural
implements, to aid them in whatever efforts they
may make to support themselves, and by the
establishment and maintenance of schools to
bring them under the control of civilized in
fluence.
I see no reason why Indians who can give
satisfactory proof of having, by their own
labor, supported their families for a number of
years, and who are willing to detach them
selves from their tribal relations, should not he
admitted to the benefit of the homestead act
snd the privileges of citizenship, and I recom
mend the passage of a law to that effect. It
will be an act of justice as well as a measure
of encouragement.
Earnest efforts are being made to purify
the Indian service, so that every dollar appro
priated by Congress shall redound to the bene
fit of the*Indians as intended. Those efforts
will have my firm support. With an improved
service and every possible encouragement held
out to the Indiana to better their condition and
to elevate themselves in the scale of civiliza
tion, we may hope to accomplish at the same
time a good”work for them and for ourselves,
DEPREDATIONS ON GOVERNMENT TIMBER.
I invite the attention of Congress to the im
portance of the statements and suggestions
made by the secretary of the interior concerning
the depredations committed upon the timber
lands of the United States, and the necessity
for the preservation of forests. It is believed
that the measures taken in pursuance of exist
ing law to arrest these depredations will he en
tirely successful if Congress by an appropriation
for that purpose, renders their continued en
forcement possible. The experience ef other
nations teaches us that a country cannot be
stripped of its forests with impunity, and we
shall expose ourselves to the gravest conse
quences unless the wasteful and improvident
manner in which the forests in Hie United
States are destroyed he effectually checked. I
earnestly recommend that the measures sug
gested by the secretary of the interior for Hie
suppression of depredations on the public tim
ber lauds of tho United States, for the selling
of timber from the public lands, and for the
preservation of forests, be embodied in a law,
and that, considering the urgent necessity of
enahlingfthe people of certain States and Terri
tories to purchase timber from the public lauds
n a legal maimer, which at present they cannot
do, such a law be passed without unavoidable
delay.
UNSALABLE GOVERNMENT LANDS.
I won’d also call attention of Congress to
statements made by the secretary of the in
terior concerning the disposition tliai might be
made of the desert lands not irrigated west of
the one hundredth meridian. These lands are
practically unsalable under existing laws, and
the suggestion is worthy of consideration that
a system of leasehold tenure would make them
a source of profit to the United States, while at
the same time legalizing the business of cattle
raising, which is at present carried on upon
them.
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the commissioner of agriculture
contains the gratifying announcement of the
extraordinary success which has rewarded the
agricultural industry of the country for the
past year. With the fair prices which obtain
for the products of the soil, especially for the
surplus which our people have to export, we
may confidently turn to this as the most im
portant of all our resources for the revival of
the depressed industries of the country. The
report shows onr agricultural progress duri. g
the year, and contains a statement of the work
done by this department for the advancement
of agricultural industry upon which the pros
perity of our people so largely depends. Mat
ters of information are included of groat inter
est to all who seek,by the experience of others,
to improve their own methods of cultivation.
The efforts of the department to increase the
probation eiamported articles of consumption
will, it is hoped, '* -wove the demand for labor
' snd
which habitual use has made necessary in our
domestic every day life.
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.
The board on behalf of the United States exe
cutive departments at the internaUonal exhi-
biUon of 1876 has concluded its labors. The
final report of the board was transmitted to
Congress by the President near the close of the
last session. As these papers are understood
to contain interesUng and valuable information
and will constitute the only report emanating
from the government on the subject of the ex
hibition, I invite attention to the matter and
recommend that the report be published for
general information.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Congress is empowered by the constitution
with the authority of exclusive legislation over
the District of Columbia, in which the seat of
g overnment of the nation is located. The in
vests of the district having no direct repre-
sention in Congress, are entiUed to especial
consideration and care at the hands of the
general government. The capital of the United
States belongs to the nation, and it. is natural
that the American people should take pride in
the seat of their national government, and de
sire it to be an ornament to the country. Much
has been done to render it healthful,convenient
and attractive, but much remains to be done,
which its permanent inhabitants are not able
and ought not to be expected to do. To im
pose upon them a large proportion of the cost
required for public improvements, which are
in a great measure planned and executed for
the convenience of the government, and of
the many thousands of visitors from all parts
of the country who temporarily reside in the
capital of the nation, is an evident injustice.
Special attention is asked by the commissioners
of the district in their report, which is here
with transmitted, to the importance of a per
manent adjustment by Congress of the finan
cial relations between the United States and
the district, involving the regular annual con
tribution by the United States of its just pro
portion of the District government and of the
outlay for all needed public improvements, and
such measure of relief from the burden of taxa
tion now resting on the people of the District
as in the wisdom of Congress may be deemed
just.
POPULAR EDUCATION.
The wisdom of legislation upon the part of
Congress in aid of the States for the education
of the whole people in those branches of study
which are taught in the common schools of the
country is no longer a question. The intelli
gent judgment of the country goes still further,
regarding it as also both constitutional and ex
pedient for the general government to extend
to technical and higher education snch aid as
is deemed essential to the general welfare, and
to onr due prominence among the enlightened
and cultured nations of the world. The ulU-
mate setHement of all qnesHons of the future,
whether of administration or finance, or of
true naHonality of sentiment, depends upon
the virtue and intelligence of the people. It
is vain to hope for the success of a free govern
ment without the means of insuring the intel
ligence of those who are the source of power.
No less than one-seventh of the entire voting
population of onr country are yet unable to
read and write. It is encouraging to observe
in connection with the growth of fraternal
feeling in those States in which slavery, for
merly existed, evidences of interest in univer-
supplomenting with national aid, the local
systems of education in those States and in all
the States.
Having already invited your attention to the
needs of the District of Columbia, with respect
to its public school system, I here add that I
believe it desirable, not so much much with ref
erence to the local wants ©f the District, but to
the great and lasting berefits of the entire
country that this system sifould be crowned
with a university in all respects in keeping
with the national capitol, ana thereby realize
the cherished Ifopes of Washington on this
subject. I also earnestly commend the request
of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution
that an adequate appropriation be made for the
establishment and conducting of a national
museum under their supervision. The request
of providing for the preservaUon and growth
of the library of Congress is also one of na-
ttouBi importance. As the depository of all
copyright publications and records this library
has outgrown tne piuTlcnous for its accom-
modarion, and the erecHon on such a site as
the judgment,of Congress may approve, of a
fire-proof library building to preserve the
treasures and enlarge the usefulness of this
valuable collecHon is recommended. I recom
mend also such legislation as will render avail
able and efficient for the purpose of instruction,
so far as is consistent with the public service,
the cabinets or museums of invention, of
surgery, of educaUon and of agriculture and
other collections, the property of the national
government.
The capital of the nation should be some
thing more than a mere political center. We
should avail onrselves of all the opportuniUes
which Providence has here placed at our com
mand, to promote the general intelligence of
the people and increase the conditions most
favorable to the success and perpetuity of our
institutions.
December 3, 1877. R. B. IIAYE8.
The Portland (Maine) Argue, of the
6th says: “ A well-to-do farmer,
named William Weetoott, living at Gor
ham, while at work about two.weeks
ago, in the field, was suddenly taken
with a strange and fearfnl pain in tho
region of the liver, which soon after
began to swell, distending his stomach
to an alarming degree. Drs. Bnzzell
and Thompson were called, and for a
week tried their best to alleviate his suf
ferings and restore the liver to a normal
condition. Their efforts, however, were,
in vain, and last Wednesday Mr. West-
cott died in horrible agony. At a post
mortem examination the unnatural liver
was taken out, and found U^wrigh twelve
pounds, or about four times as much as
the liver in its normal stare.
and advancet
eventually res’*’
i of the cou
^ t -lO-MreUcu
*ple products
The Navy Department,
The secretary of the navy, in his annual re
port, gives the number of vessels in the navy
as follows: Sixty-seven steam and twenty-
three sailing vessels, twenty-three iren-
cl&ds, two torpedo, one ferry and twenty-
six tog boats. The report also con
tains a statement of tho different squad
rons, by whom they are commanded, and
a full statement of the condition and strength
of the navy, which is considered necessary to
enable Congress to adjust appropriaHons to the
necessities of the service and tho condition of
the treasury. There are twelve iron-clads atcon-
veuient places in fresh water, in readiness for
active employment when needed.
Tne active list of; the navy is composed of
829 officers of the line, 694 officers of the staff,
and 249 warrant officers. The retired list com
prises 135 officers of the line, 103 officers of the
staff, twenty-seven warrant officers, and four
professors of mathematics. There were in the
service on Hie 24th day of November, 1877.
7,012 enlisted men and boys.
NECESSITY FOR AN EFFICIENT NAVY.
An effective navy, the report states, is a posi
tive necessity, but the main difiicnlty lies in
deciding upon the point of efficioncy to which
it is expedient and proper to carry it. The
leading natiups of Europe have such close
politcalrelattms that the fear of disturbing the
existing balance of power is constantly com
municating itself from one to the other, and,
thereby, each influenced to keep itself in readi
ness for any military or naval exigency that
might arise. Hence the necessity of large
standing armies and extensive navies. Bat
what they may do or not as regards their in
tercourse with each other, whether in peace or
in war, does not directly concern us as a nation.
Yet it lias such indirect relation to Hie Unite !
.States as one of the great powers of the earth
that our own policy must in some degree he in
fluenced by theirs.' Our situation, about mid
way between Europe and Asia, forbids any im
mediate or direct interference by the United
States with the affairs of Hie nations possess
ing either of those continents ; nor is it reason
able to expect that, occupied as the European
nations are, and are likely to he for many years
to come, \ith questions that seem inseparable
fromtheirvelations with each other, they will
And it to their interests to adopt an aggressive
policy toward tho United States. \Ve may
safely adopt such a course, therefore, with
reference to our navy as is dictated by our own
domestic relations alone, separated an they are,
except by commercial intercourse, from those
of other nations.
In the mechanic arts we are unexcelled. Onr
mineral wealth is inexhaustible, and already is
j its vast importance recognized in the fact that
' we are supplying American iron to British
workshops. The coal fields of; England are
rapidly failing on account of their immense
depth, while ours are not only of incalculable
extent, but near the surface. Everything, in
fact, combines to show that we possess a rapid
ly growing internal commerce which only needs
the fostering care of the goverumeut to secure
to it an ultimate development which cannot he
surpassed by that of any other nation. Dur
ing tho last year the value of this commerce,
transported on the various lines of railroads
was estimated at $18,000,000,000, and during
the present year, in consequence of the in
creased product and value of grain, it will
greatly exceed that. As our intorual commerce
increases beyond our own ipower of consump
tion, the excess mast either find a foreign
market, or Hie loss falls U|K)n the producer.
All commercial nations understand this, and
therefore their efforts to secure foreign markets
for their exports. The greatness of Great
Britain is, iu a considerable measure, owing to
the steadiness and consistency of her policy in
this regard. There is no iijjlet in any place
where the vessels of her mji canUl^^iariue do
not penetrate. Even at thff$rssr . iiun, when
>•
our trade Is slowly reooveripg from its par
alysis. and demanding additional means of
supplying th© wants of th© thousands of m©n-
torious artisans and workmen who are out
of employment, her merchant* and capital! *
are actively engaged in making our own fore
commerce tributary to theirs by forcing ws it
dejiendence upon BriUsh vessels for tho tiL*» t
portaHon of our surplus productions.
snatch the trade of a considerable portion o- *
the American continent from onr hands. Brazil
exports to England annually over $112,000,009
of her products, for which she receives iu
exchange nearly the same amount of imports.
The trade is carried on by direct lines of com
munication, and in a great measure by steam
ships to which large government subsidies are
rnid, while for the want of lines of steam otto-
munication between our eastern cities and Kk*
Provinces, our most expeditious route to B azil
is by wav of England, and that conntrv has
secured similar advantages to her merchants
over ours, although not in the same degree,
with regard to the trade all along the eastern
and western coasts of Bonth America, as well a»
that with China, Japan andAustna. Of the
exports from China, more than three times »•
•much goes to Great Britain as cornea to the
United States, and with the imports the differ
ence is sUU greater. The pohey of the Japanese
government, induced by influences adverse to
our commercial interests, has secured to the
English and French lines of steamers almost Re
entire trade, while an American Ime of steam
vessels from Yokahama to Shanghai has been
compelled to withdraw.
While our navy is not engaged in commerce,
it is its important and necessary ally, it
should be at all times ready to funnsh pro
tection in whatsoever sea it may be required^
All the nations should understand that we are
as ready to afford it this protection as we are to
avenge an insult to our national flag. Without
foreign commerc© w© must sink into inf ©non tv,
and without a navy amply sufficient for Hus
protection, all the profits of our surplus pro-
due tions will be transferred from theconorjo*
our own to those of foreign capitalists. TTiw
rewards of our own industry and enterprise
belong to ourselves, and w© cannot fully mam-
tain our independence without these enjoy
ments. The profits of the American agneui-
turiats areas much their property as the land
which produce them, and those of the laborer
and artisan in all the spheres of life should be
held in as sacred regard. The government
cannot withhold its fostering care from either
without detriment to itself. Is onr navy in its
present condition sufficient to furmsn tne
necessary amount of protection to our com
merce? If we consider our commerce at us
present stage of development, or are content to
leave it to be transported abroad in foreign
ships, and thus deprive the American producer
of the profits of his labor, it may be sufficient;
hat if we are to take the position among the
commercial nations to which we are justly en
tiUed, if we are to secure to onr own people the
right to transport the products of their industry
into whatsoever part of the world they may be
demanded so that the profits may be retnrned
to increase the aggregate of our uational
wealth, then, in my opinion, it is not in soon
condition. There may be ships enough, u
they were all iu proper repair, to increase our
squadron to a sufficient size for this purpose.
To put them all in repair, however, wonld re
quire a larger expenditure than is practical le
in the present condition of the treasury, and,
probably larger than would be Justifiable at
any time, until our revenne from customs
shall be snfficienUy increased. As we may ex
pect this from a gradual development of com
merce, as soon as it occurs, we may gradually
carry the navy np to the point of necessary im
provement, a point to he decided by the exist
ing wants of trade. It is manifestly a duty to
keep the navy in such condition as to make it
available in Hie future for all purposes for
which It maybe designed. Considering it in
this light, the estimates for the ensuing year
have been made with reference only to ordinary
expenditures, such as are absolutely necessary
for repairs and limited construction. No new
ships are estimated for, because that would in
volve an expenditure larger than the receipts of
the treasury will be likely to justify. Those
now possessed and in progress will be sufficient
for all ordinary purposes in time of peace, and
if from any emergency not anticipated a larger
number of vessels should be demanded, the
experience of the late war has proved that we
must rely upon our mercantile marine for a
snpplv of the material of a navy whenever it is
demanded. This merchantile marine depends
for its eiteciluencss and extent upon the pro
tection given to oommer*a by the government,
necessarily increasing with the nmoase of
commerce. If we had steam ship lines run
ning direcUy from our owu ports to all the
leading commercial ports in the world, they
would not only increase our revenue but render
it more easy to improvise a navy in the event
of an unexpected emergency. Those vessels
are constructed for speed, and can be •^•‘dy
converted to purposes of naval warfare They
will increase m number and impoitancc as onr
capacity to give naval protection to our com
merce increases, and hence we find one ground
for the necessity of keeping our navy in a con
dition to fnrntsh this protection. ,„•■
DTMlNISHED AGGRESSIVE POWER OF THE NAVY.
Further on the secretary says: “The navy
iu its present condition, as compared with that
of *nv other power, has less aggressive force
'ban at any time during the past third of a
r-ntury, except during the war; and less pow
er to inflict serious injury npon the commerce
of an enemy. Indeed, the fact cannot be con
cealed, and ought not to he, for it is well
known to other nations that third and even-
fourth rates almost without exception are su
perior to us in this respect. For some yeai s
past^large sums have been exjiended in refit
ting a number of vessels of Hie class known as
monitors. Perhaps, under the particular con
ditions and under certain relations with anoth-
oe power, rebuilding them was not unwise, and
within and adjacent to the Gnlf of Mexico they
could be effectively employed in connection
with other vessels, and for purposes it i* not
now pertinent to discuss. Apart fro™ these
monitors and a considerable amount of mate
rial for constmcUon now on hand, we have hut
little, comparatively, to show for these large
expenditures.”
HEAVY ARM»R PLATING DISCOURAGED.
The secretary is not inclined to favor the
building of heavy arnior-p'.ntod gun-hearing
vessels. They are enih-d for little else tti.ui
harbor defenses, and may he likened to movable
fortifications. And if it shall result that the
use of them shall te dispensed with to i-.ake
place for improved ships, ranis and tor;**to
vessels, then the navy can become sufficiently
effective if supplied with fast sailing and fast
steaming vessels of different classes, built, as
they are now built elsewhere, to serve in time
of peace as schools of instruction for onr sea
men, and in time of war to destroy the com
merce of an enemy.
THE ESTIMATES.
An appropriation of $4ih»,t)00, to he imme
diately available, is recommended for the pur
pose of continuing Hie stone dry-dock at Mare
island. Attention is called to the Pensacola
navy yard, which, in the event of hostilities in
the Gulf of Mexico, would become of first im
portance. All the Gulf squardon would nacea-
sarily resort there for repairs. '1 here is n°
good reason why it should not become in the
future a building, as well as a repairing yard.
The appropriations available for the present
fiscal year commencing July 1, 18 7. are $13.-
592,932.90. The whole amount drawn from the
treasury from July 1 to Nov. 1, 1877, is $5,343.-
037.30.* Of this amount there is estimated to
have been iu the hands of paymasters and
agents of the government on Nov. 1, 1877.
$»16,528.30, besides $152,000 refunded, mak
ing a total of $1,029,528 30, which, deducted
from the amount drawn, will show the actual
expenditure from Jnlv 1 to Nov. 1, 1877, to
have been $4,313,509.10. The estimates for
the present fiscal year are $16, 233,234 40, ex
clusive of $2,314,231 submitted for new build
ings, repairs, and improvements of Hie several
navy-yards. In the report of the secretary >>f
the navy of Nov. 29, 1870, the estimated
amount for pay of the navy for the present
fiscal year was $7 000, the computation
being based upon t-.- number of officers and
men then borne upon the register. Congress,
however, bv the act of March 3, 1877, appro
priated [only $6,600,000, or $700 000 IcoS than
the’ 4 ostiinate. This will necessarily produce a
deficiency at the end of tho fiscal year unless
Congress shall appropriate tho above amount,
the payment of which to the officers and men
is so fixed by law that it cannot be evaded.
The amount appropriated for deficiency at the
extra session of Congress has reference to the
last fiscal year tn ling June 30, 1877, and was
based upon the amount ascertained to he due
upon tho liooKS-of the fourth auditor's office,
whereas the defioieii2y-.her3 rofet red to is esti
mated for the presonrifiscal year, ending June
30, 1878. ,
Tire naval academy praise
fi-Am the secretary, and
*** that
other things, -
shall be specially educal
naval constructors, ’ J ** -
after leaving the ‘
an experienced
yard./
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