Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/116

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88 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS history of the case to congress, asking for legis lation defining his duties in the emergency. Get ting no legislation on the subject, he continued his recognition of the government of which Kellogg was the head, until the election of a new governor; but there was afterward no serious trouble in Louisiana. Difficulties of the same nature arose in Arkansas and Texas, which were almost as per plexing to the executive; but these attracted less attention before the public. Difficulties of a some what similar kind were encountered also in Mis sissippi, but the president in this case avoided inter ference on the part of the general government. In April, 1874, congress passed what was known as the "Inflation bill," which increased the paper currency of the country, and was contrary to the financial principles that the president had always entertained and advocated in his state papers. Many of his warmest political supporters had ap proved the measure, and unusual efforts were made to convince him that it was wise financially and expedient politically. The president gave much thought and study to the question, and at one time wrote out the draft of a message in which he set forth all the arguments that could be made in its favor, in order that he might fully weigh them; but, on reading it over, he became convinced that the reasons advanced were not satisfactory, and that the measure would in the end be injurious to the