Published Roanoke Publishing Co.
"FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTII." '
Thomas Huson, Business Manage.
1 -'
VOL. U
PLYMOUTH,. N. C, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1889.
NO. 32;
President Harrison's Advice
:v;.; to Congress.
fclfTtftfon Of the t.awa and Extension
.' of the Free rial Recommenced.
. Totht Senate and Bouseof Representatives?
' There are few transactions in the admlnis
, . tration of the government that are svea
temporarily held in the confidence of those
J charged with the conduct -of the public
business. Every step taken is under the ob-
feervatfon of on intelligent and watchful poo
ple.y,Thetatoofthe Union is known from
, day to dayy and suggestions as to needed
, ; legislation find an earlier voice than that
;which speaks in. these annual communica
tions of the President to Congress.
Goodwill and cordiality have characterised
, our relations and correspondence with other
f Governments, and tho year just closed leaves
! ' few international Questions of importance
"remaining unadjusted. .No obstacle is be-.
- lie ved. to exist that-can long postpone the
; wmsideration and adjustment of the still
pending questions ' upon satisfactory and
, honorable terms. The dealings of this gov-'
. ornmeut with other States have been and
should always be marked by frankness and;
sincerity, our purposes avowed and our
methods free from intrigue. This course has
born., rich fruit in the past, and it is our
duty as a nation to preserve the heritage of
good repute which a eenraryof right dealing
with foreign governments has secured to us.
.r- . - OC.H HONORED GtTESTS.
1 It is a matter of htgt significance, and no
se6Sof congratulation, that the first year pf
the second century of our constitutional ex
istenee finds, as" honored guests within our
borders, the representatives of all the inde
. pendent States of North and South Amerirr ,
met together in earnest conference touohiag
the best methods of perpetuating and ex
panding the relations of mutual interest end
t friendliness existing amonjr them. That the
. opportunity thus afforded for promoting
closer international relations and the in
t creased prosperity of the States represented
; v.. wyi be used for the mutual good of all I can
not permit myself to doubt. Our people will
..." await with interest and confidence the re-
suits to flow from so consoieuoua a mesima of
' allied and, in large port, indentical interests.
" . THE ttAEITDTB COQEESS. .
. , ' Another international eonferenric. linviW
great possibilities for good, has lately as&em-
bled and is now in.ssssion in this capital. An
invitation was extended by the government,
under the act of Congress of July 9, 1SSS, to
all maritime nations to send delegates to
confer touching" the revision and amend
.- ment of the rules and regulations governing
vessels " at sea and to adopt a uniform
system of marine signals. The re
sponse to this 'invitation has been
from twenty-six nations are present in the
, conference, and .tiny have entered upon
their useful work with, great zeal, and with
,u evident appreciation, of its importance.
'-' Bo far as the agreement to be reached may
.-' require - legislation to give it effect, the co
operation of Congress is confidently relied
upon. ; .. - -
.' ; THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.
. . On the part of the Government of the Do
' minion of Canada an effort has been appar
' 'eat during the season just ended to adrainis
ter thelaws- and regulations applicable to
the fisheries with as little occasion for fric
tion as was possible, and the temperate repre
sentations of this government in respect of
cases of undue hardship or of harsh intar-
pretations have been in most cases met
. . wth measures of transitory relief. It is
trusted that the attainment of our just rights
v under existing treaties and in virtue of ..the
-concurrent legislation of the two contiguous
. rimmries win not oe iong aeierrea ana map
' ; ." all existing causes of difference may be equit-
i.K tr nrl ;,, t... l . . - . ,
.S!ijr1jESPUBOC OF HATTI.
. ' It is" a source of great satisfaction that the
. internal disturbances of the- Republic f
Hayti are at last happily - ended, and that,
an apparently stable government has been
constituted. It has been duly recognized by
' tho United States. -
. THE REVOLUTION IN BRAZIL.
The recent revolution in Brazil in favor of
. the establishment of a Republican form of
' government is an event of great interest to
the United States, " Our minister at Rio de
Janeiro was at once instructed to maintain
friendly diplomatic relations with the pro-'
visional government, and the Brazilian rep
resentatives at this capital were instructed
' 'their functions. Our friendlv intercourse
with Brazil bas, therefore, suttered no mter
. ruption. ' . -
Our minister has been further instructed to
extend on the part of this government a for
mal and cordial recognition of the new re-
public so soon as the majority of the peoplo
,sof Brazil shall have signified their assent to
' ' its establishment and maintenance.
xtt a r"tr a. m it rphk tc d itv a i nnur
"T t J" : . i : u 3 I
of prosperity prevails. "The harvests of the
last Eunimer were exceptionally abundant,
and the trade conditions now prevailing seem
to promise a . successful season to the mer
chantand the manufacturer, and general em
; ploymont to our working people. -
. UNCLE SAM'S FINANCES. .
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury for the fiscal year ending Juno 80, lSSi),
has been prepared and. will be presented to
Congress. It presents with clearness the fis
cal operations of the government, and I avail
myself of it to obtain some iacts for use
here. ''
The aggregate receipts froni all sources for
the year wwo-1387,050, OoS.Si, derived as
... 1 folloffSJ ;
From custoHW.i.:-... ,,.. .5323,8.12,741 6
" From internal revenue.....;... 1:10,881,518 i
From miscellaneous sources. , ai.335,803 'Si
The ordinary expsndttures for the same
period were ri81,!K,t15.fiO,-. and the total, ex
" penditurt, including the sinkine fund, were
320,57.fti9.5. . Theexcess of receipts over
expenditures was, after providing for the
sinking fund, (57 .470, IW.59. '
For the current fiscal year the total reve
nues, actual and estimated, are 5335,000,000,
and the ordinary expenditures, actual and
estimated, ara ?2'J3,OOO(O0O, making, with'
the sinking fund, a total expenditure of
$341,321,110.99, leavingan estimated sunilua
' of $4.3,f:S,8S3.01j - . - .
Dnrin? the fiscal vear there was applied to
the purchMie of bonds, in acMition to those J
. 1 L' I lilt? ollxnJUJft . . , . . . . -
durin? the first quarter of the current year ;
the sum of f37,83,S37.77; all of which were
credited to the sinking fund. The revenue
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1801, are
'" Et.imtMi bv ths Treasury Department at
$3S3,OO0,600, and the expenditure for the
same pcriw, including the sinking fund, at v
8341 430,477 70. This shows an estimated
surplus for that 'year of f43,oW,5'J'J.30,
which is more likely to be increased than re
duced when the actual transactions are
- written up.-
The ex.stonceof so Inrga an actti.1 ami aw-
(ji-ipatpd iflirplus should have tli' HMriii. .
aVfution oi Congrej, with sa.'v .i j- ic
ing the receipts t)t tha Treasury to the needs
of tho governr snt as closely as may be, Tha
collsctioiV of ,aoneys not needed for public.
Uses imposes an unnecessary burden updd
our people, and the presence otsd large a sur
plus in thi public Vaults . is a disturbing
ujement m the conduct of private business.
It has .called into us3 expedients for
putting it into circulation of very ' ques
tionable propriety.. ?-W should not collect
revenue for the purpose of anticipating our
bonds, beyond the requirements of the sink
ing fund, but any unappropriated surplus in
the Treasury, should be so used, as there is no
other lawful way of returning the money to
circulation, and the profit realized by the
government otters a substantial advantage.
The loaning of public funds to the banks
without interest., upon the security of gov
eminent boncLs, I regard as an unauthorised
and dangerous expedient. It results in a
temporary and unnatural lucreass of the
baiudng capital of favored localities, and
compels a cautions and gradual recall of the
deposits to avoid injury to tho commercial
interests. - It is not, to be expected that the
banks having these deposits will sell their
bonds to the Treasufy so long as the present
highly beneficial arrangement is continued.
They now practically get interest both
upon the .bonds . and thsir proceeds.,
Iso further use should bo made of
thi3 method of getting the surplus into
circulation, and the deposits now out
standine should be eraduallv withdrawn
;! and applied to tho purchase of bonds. It is
lortunate that sucu a use can oo maae oi ir.e
existing surplus, and for soma timo to come
ot any casual surplus tnnts mny exisc mier
Congress has taken the necessary steps for a
reduction of the revenue. Such legislation
should be promptly, but very considerately,
enacted. . "...
A REVISION OF TUB TARIFF.
I recommend a revision of our tariff law,
both in its administrative features and in
the schemles. i Tha need of , tho former it
generally conceded, and an agreement upou
the evils and inconveniences to be remedied
and the best methods for their correction
will probably not ,1)3 difficult. Uniformity
or valuation at ait oar ports is essontiaT, and
effective measures should be taken to secure
it. If is equally desirable that questions
affecting rates and classifications should bo
promptly decided. . -
The preparation of a new scheduale of cus
toms duties is a matter of great delicacy be
cause of .its direct effect upon tha business of
the country, and of great difficulty by reason
of the wide divergence of opinion as to the
objects that may properly be promoted bf
such legislation. Some disturbance, of busi
ness may perhaps result from the considera
tion of this subject by Congress, but this
temporary 111 effect IwuT be reduced to tie
minimum by prompt action and by the as
surance which tha country already enjoys
that any. necessary changes wili,Jbo go
made as ; not : to 1 impair the ; just - and
reasonable protection or our borne in
dustries. , "The inequalities . of the law
should be adjusted, but the protective prin
ciple should be maintained and fairly applied
to the products of our farms as well as of
our shops. - These .duties necessarily have
relation to other things besides- the public
revenues. "We cannot limit their effects by
fixing our eyes on the public treasury alone.
They have a direct relation to home pro-,
duction, to work, to wages, and to the com
mercial independence of our country, and
the wise and patriotic" legislator! should en
large the field of his vision to include all' pf
these, vv, il. i .
- The necessary reduction in our public reve
nues can, I am sure, be made without making
the smaller burden more, onerous thai the
larger by reason of the disabilities and limi
tations which the process of reduction puts
upon both capital and labor. The free list
can very safely be extended 4 by ' placing
thereon articles that do not offer injurious
competition to such domestic products as our
home labor can supply. Tpo removal of the
internal tax upt n tobacco would relieve an
important agricultural product from- a bins
den which was imposed only because our
revenue from customs duties was insufficient
for the public needs. If safe provision against
fraud can be devised the removal of the tax
upon spirits used in the arts and in manufac
tures would also offer an unobjectionable
method of reducing the surplus. .- . .
THE COINAGE OF SILVER DOLLARS. ?
The total coinage of silver dollars was, on
November 1, 1SS9, $343,631,031, of which
$383,639,521 were in the Treasury vaults
and $60,09S,480 were in circulation. Of the
amount in 'the vault?, 1277,319,914 were
represented by outstanding silver certifi
cates, leaving $6,219,5.77 not in circulation
and not represented by certificates.
The law requiring the purchase by the
Treasury of 12,000,000 worth, of silver bul
lion each month, to be coined Into silver dol
lars of 412J grains, has been observed by
the department, but neither tho present
Secretary 'nor any of his predecessors ha3
deemed it safe to exercise the discretion
given by law to increase the, monthly pur
chases to 4,000,000. . '
I have always been an advocate of th9 use
of silver in our currency.., .We, are large pro
ducers of that metal, and should not dis
credit it. To the plan -which will be pre
sented by the Secretary of the' Treasury for
the issuance of notes or certificates upon the
deposit of silver bullion at its market value
I have been able to give only a, hasty exam
ination, owing to tha press of other matters
and to the fact that it has been so recently
formulated. The details of such a law re
quire careful consideration, but the general
plan suggested by him seems to satisfy, the:
purpose to continue the use of silver in con-
nection with our currency, and at tha sam
time to obviate the danger of which I have
spoken. At a later day I may communicate
further with Congress upon this subject, k
EXCLUDING THE CHINESE.- '
The enforcement of the Chineso exclusion
act has been found to be very difficult on the
Northwestern frontier. Chinamen landing
at Victoria find it easy to paw our border,
owiuz to the impossibility, with the force at
the command of the customs officers, of
guarding so long an iuland line.. The Secre
tary ot the Treasury has authorized the em
ployment of additional ofilcers, who will be
assigned to this duty, and every effort will
be made to enforce the law, f The Dominion
exacts a head tax of $50 for each Chinaman
landed, and when these persons, in fraud of
our law, cross into our territory and are
apprehended, our officers do not know what
to do with them, as the Dominion authorities
will not suffer them to be snt back without
a second payment of the tax. An effort will
be made to reach an understanding that will
remove this difficulty. v- " ;
WITHOUT COAST DEFENSES. ,
Judged by modern standards, we are prac
tically without coast defenses. Many of the
structures wa have would enhance rather
than diminish the perils of their garrisons if
ubiectei to the firs ot improved (runs: ana
vry few are so located as to give lull effect
to the greater range of such guns as we are
now" making for coast def ouse uses. This,
general subject has had consideration in-'
Congress for some years, and the appropria
tion for the construction of large rifled guns,
mad one year ago, was, I am sure, the ex
pression of a purpose to provide suitable
works in which these guns might be mounted.
An appropriation now made for that purpose
would not Rdvance the completiou of the
work Iteyond our ability to supply them
w iih fairly effective guna..- .
Tho smiiiry of our coast cities against for
r: ;a at'.j. !;,'ii ii.(!.I net reft ello.etUer jj tij-3
friendly dispoEilioa of oth st Rations. ' There
should be a second lino . Wholly in our own
keeping. ; 1 very urgsutiy recommend dn ap
propriation at this session for' the construc
tion of such works in our most exposed har
bors. .'
I approve the suggestion of the Secretary
of War that provision be made for encamp
ing companies of the National Guard in our
coast works for a speciQad time -each year
and for their training in the use of heavy
guns. Bis suggestion that an increase of the
artillery fores of tha army is desirable is
also in this connection , commended to the
Consideration of Congress. ,
' , The improvement of our important rivers
and harbors should be promoted by the noc-
L essary appropriations, v'
f, tss pmtsGnox of rsDESAt officers.
The assault made by David 8. Trry upon
the person of Justice Field, of tho Supreme
Court of the United States, at Lathrop, Cal.,
in A ugust last, and the killing ot the assail
ant by a deputy United Statas marshal who
had .been deputed to "accompany 'Justice.
Field and to protect him from anticipated
Violence at the hands of Terry, in connection
with the legal proceedings which havo fol
lowed, suggest questions which, in my judg
ment, are worthy the attention of Congress -
I recommend that more definite provision
be made by law, not only for the protection
of Federal oftlcera, but for a full trial of such
cases In the United States courts. ' , , : , ..
? Event, which have been brought to'niy
attention, happening in other parts of the
country, have also suggested the propriety 6f
extending, by legislation, fuller protection
to tcose wno may be called as witnesses in
the courts of tho United States. The law
compels those who are supposed to , have
knowledge of public censes t& attend upon
our courts and grand juries and to give evi
dence. There is a manifest resulting duty
that these witnesses shall be protected from
injury on account of their testimony. , The
Investigations of criminal offenses are often
rendered futile, and the -punishment - crhne
impossible, by the intimidation of witnesses.
' TRUSTS AST) isl COPYRIGHT LAWS. - :'..
Earnest attention should be given by Con
gress to a consideration of the question ho-v
far the restraint of those com oinations of.
capital commonly called "trusts" is matter
of Federal jurisdiction. When organized, as
they often are, to crush out all healthy com
petition and to mouopoiizo the production or
Bale of an article ot commerce and ceneral
necessity they are " dangerous conspiracies
against the public good and should be made
the subject of prohibitory Rnd even penal
lesrisiation: . - . i ,
The subject of an international copyright
has been froqueutly commended to the atten
tion of. Congress by my predecessors. The
enactment of such a law would be eminently
wise ana jusi. . - .;
Our. naturalization laws should be i so re
vised ' as to make the inquiry into the moral
cnaracter ana gooa aisposiuou xowara our
government oi the persons applying for citi
zenship more thorough. This can only be
done by taking fuller control of the examina
tion, by nxmg the times ror hearing such
applications, and by requiring the presence
OX some one wno snan represent the govern
ment in the inquiry. Those who are the
avowed enemies of social order, or who come
rtoour shores to swell the injurious influence
ana to exceaa toe evu practices oi any asso
ciations that denes our laws, should not only
be denied citizeuship, but a domicile.
The enactment of a national bankrupt law
of a character to be a permanent part of our
general legislation is desirable; It should be
tiniple in its methods and inexpensive in its
administration.' .. :
' . THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S REPORT. H
. The report of the Postmaster-General not
only exhibits : the - operations of ' the depart
ment for the last fiscal year, but . contains
many valuable suggestions for the improve
ment and extension of the service, which are
commended to your attention. No other
branch of the government has so close a con
tact with the Gaily life of the people. Almost
every one uses the service it offers, and every
hour gained in the transmission of the grea t
commercial mails has an actual and possible
value that only those engaged in trade can
understand. .....
CONSTRUCTING NEW WAR VESSELS. ' ?
In general, satisfactory progress has been
made in the -construction of the new ships of
war authorized by Congress. The first vessel
of the new navy, the Dolphin, was subjected
to very severe trial tests and to very much
adverse criticism. But it is gratifying to be,
able to state that a cruise around the world,
from which she has recently returned, has
demonstrated that she is a first-class vessel of
her rate. ''. ..
The report of the Secretary sh)3vs that
while the effective force of the navy is rap
idly increasing, by reason of the improved
build and armament of tho new ships, the
number of our ships fit for sea duty grows
very slowly. We had, on the 4tb of March
last, ; thirty-seven serviceable ships, and
though four have since been added to, the
list, the total has not been increased, because
in the meantime four have been lost or con
demned. Twenty-six additional vessels have
been authorized and appropriated for, but,.
it is probable that when they are completed
our list will only be increased to forty-two, a
gain, of five. : The old wooden ships are
disappearing almost as fast as tho new ves
sels are added. T. These facto carry their own
Argument. One of the new ships may, in
fighting strength, be equal to two of the old,
but it cannot do the cruising duty of two. It
is important, therefore, that we should have
a more rapid increase in the number of ser
viceable ships. I concur in the recommenda
tion of the Secretary that the construction of
eight armored ships, three gunboats and five
torpedo boats be authorized. . ti
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits the transactions of the government
with the Indian tribes. ' Substantial progress
has been made in the education of the chil
dren of school age and in the allotment of
lands to adult Indians. It is to be regretted
that the policy of breaking up the tribal re
lation and of dealing with the Indian as an -
individual did not appear earlier in our leg
islation. Largo reservations, held in com
mon, and the maintenance of the authority
of the chiefs and headmen have deprived the
individual of every incentive to the exercise
of thrift, and the annuity has contributed an
affirmative impulse toward a state of con
firmed pauperism. i '
Our treaty stipulations should bo observed
with fidelity, and our legislation should ba
highly considerate of tho le?t interests of aw
ignorant and helpless people. The reserva,
tions are now generally surrounded by white
settlements.. We can no longer push the
Indian back into the wilderness, and it re
mains only, by every suitable' agency, to
push him upward into the estate of a self. .
supporting and responsible citiz3n. For the
ad'uit, the first step is to locate him upon a
farm, and for the child, to place him in a
school. . ,
CLAIM4 OF SETTLERS.
In tho administration of tho land laws the
policy of facilitating, in every proper way,
the adjnstoekt of the honest claims of indi
vidual settlers upon the public lands has
been pursued. The namber of pending cases
had, during tth preceding administration,
been greatly Jnereaaed under the operation
of orders for a time suspending final action
in a Urn rmri of the cas? originating in the
West and !wrthwist. and by the subsequent
use of unusual methods of examination. "
0"ilyi!- 'vh c! fa:M";nr with the eon-'
('.:.: j v.: : vl; '; rr i ;;ri .uJf :nl Jaads i
uavo iieoa eetuea can appreciate tne serious
and often the fatal consequences to the settler
of a policy that puts bis title under suspicion,
of delays the issuance of his patent . While
care is taken to prevent and to expose fraud,
It should not be imputed without reason. ,
The manifest purpose of the Homestead and
Pre-emption laws was to promote the settle
ment of the public domain by persons haying
a bona fide intent to make a home upon the
selected lands. Where this Intent is well es
tablished end the requirements of the law
have been substantially complied with, the
claimant is entitled to a prompt and friendly
consideration of his case. But where there
is reason to believe that the claimant
is the mer e agent of another, who is seek
ing to evade a law intended" to promote
small holdings, and to secure, by fraudulent
methods large tracts of . timber and other
lands, both principal and agent should not
only be thwarted in their fraudulent pur
posa, but should be made to feel the full
penalties of our criminal statutea'The laws
should be so administered as not to confound
these two classes, and to visit penalties only
upon the latter, , . ;t v
THE PENSION BTSTEJi, ' ; If
The law now provides a pension fof every
soldier and sailor who was mustered Into
the service of the' United States during the
civil war and is now suffering from wounds
or disease having an origin in the service
and in the line of duty. Two of the three
necessary facts, viz., muster and disability,
are usually susceptible of easy proof but the
third, origin in the service, is of ten difficult,
and m many deserving" cases imoosgible to
establish. : That very many of those who en
dured the hardships of our most bloody and
arduous .campaigns are; now disabled from
diseases that had a real but not traceable
origin in the service I do not donbt. v
. Besides . these thero is another class com
posed of men many of whom served, an en
listment of threef ull years, and of re-enlisted
veterans who added a fourth year of service;
who escaped the casualties of battle and the
assaults of disease, who were always ready
. for any detail, who were la every battle line
of their conomandand were .mustered out ta
sound health, and have, since the close of the
war, while fighting with the sam Indomita
ble and independent spirit the contests of
civil life, been overcome by diseosa or cas
ualty, I am not unaware that tha pension roll al
regy involves a very larra rmnal erpendV
tare, neither am I deterred by that fact from
recommending that Congress grant a pension
to such honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors of the civil war as having rendered
substantial service during the war ate now
dependent npon their own labor for a " main
tenance and by disease or casualty - are inca-
pacitated from earning it.- s Many of the men
who would he included in this form of relief
are now dependent upon public aid, and it
does not, . in my judgment,. , consist
with the natddnal honor ' that they haU
continue to subsist' upon ' the local relief
given indiscriminately to paupers instead of
upon the special and generous Provision of
the nation they served so gallantly : and ' un
selfishly.,'. Our people. wilL I am sure,, very
generally approve such legislation. And I
am equally sure that the survivors' of tha
Union army and navy will feel a grateful
sense or renei wnen tuis wwioy uiiu buua--ing
class of their comrades is fairly caret)
for.--i" , -" i .;!Jia - j;. t J-tnii i-yi.'.! V;,
. Thare. are some manifest inequalities 'a the
existing law that should be remedied., To
some or tuese tne secretary oi me inwrigr.
UBS W'CU flLWJUUUU, - , v, ,, ,
' PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD MEN. -yt
The attention of the Interstate Commerce
Commission has. been called tot the urgent
need of Congressional legislation for the hot
ter protection of the lives and limbs of those
engaged in operating the great interstate
freight lines of the country, and especially of
tho yardmen and brakomen. A petition
signed by-t nearly ten thousand railway
brakemen waa presented to the commission,
asking . that steps might be taken to brhig
about the use of automatic brakes and coup
lers on freight cars. i t r , . ( . .. J
During the . vear endinz on June 30,:
1888. over two thousand railroad em-;
ployes were killed in service, and more than
twenty thousand injured.' It is Competent, I
think, for Congress to require uniformity in
the construction of cars used 4n interstate
commerce,, and the1 use of improved safety!
appliances upon such: train Time, will be
necessary to make "the needed changes im$
an earnest and intelligent beginning should
be made at .once., ' It is a reproach to , our!
civilization that any' class of American,
workmen should, in the pursuit of a- neces
sary and useful ' vocation b ubjeted to a
peril of "life and limb as great as that of a sol
dier in time of war. - . : j. : .
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. .
The creation of an executive' department
to be known as the Department of Agricul
ture, by the act of A ebruary 9 last, was a.
wise and timely response to a request which
had long been respectfully , urged by the
farmers of the country. But much remains
to bo done to perfect the organization or tne;
department so that it may fairly realize the
expectations which its creation excited. In
this connection attention is, called to the sug
gestions contained 4n the report of the Sec-
retary, which is herewith submitted. . .
; THE WORLD'S FAIR. .'
Tho proposition to observe the 400th an-'
niversarv of the discovery of America by the
opening of a world's fair or exposition in.
some one oi our great ciues win oepresentea
for the consideration of Congress.- .The value
and interest of such an exposition, tnav well
claim the promotion of the General Govern--ment."
- - ' '' -
' ' THE CTVTL SERVICE COJOf ISSION. i "' p
The purpose of the Civil Service law was
absolutely to exclude any other consideration
in connection with appointments under- it .
than that of merit as tested by the examina
tions. The business proceeds upon the theory
that both tha examiuinz .boards and the ap
pointing officers are absolutely ignorant as to
i i ... . i i . t .. ..:: . 1 1 f
tne pouiicoi views anu awjciui-iuiis ou ar
sons on the civil service lists. -" It is not too
much to say, however, that some recent Con-
sressional investigations - have somewhat
shaken public confidence in tho impartiality
oi the selections lor appointment. .
The reform of the civil service will make
no safe or satisfactory advance until the.
present law and its equal administration are
well established in the confidence of the
people. It will be my pleasure, as it is my
duty, to see that tho law is executed with
firmness-and - impartiality lissome of ite
provisions have been fraudulently evaded,
by b'ppoiatin; officers, oaf resentment should
not suggest the repeal of the law, but reform
in its administration. We should have ou
view of the matter, and hold it with a sin
ceritv that is not affected bv the considera
tion that the party to' which we belong is for'
tne time in power. ;
The duty of appointment is' devolved by
the Constitution or by the law, and the ap
Dointine ofilcers are urooerlv h(ld to a high
responsibility in its exercise. . Tho growth of
the country and the consequent increase of
the civil fist have macniflad this function
of tho executivo disproportionally. It can- I
not be denied, however, tliat the iaiwr con- i
nected with this neenssary work is incraastd,
often to the point of actual distress., by the i
suaden and exces.ave uomanas taat are
made upon an incoming administration for
removals and appointments. But, on the
other hand, it is not true that inVumboney if
a conclusive argument tor a ctmtmuanr'e- in-
oitice, Jjnparti.iHtv, r.io,i;--rr,ii'-;', r;,;-;.iv to
pubUg duty prl z -i r '. v : i t' i;
discharge of it must be added before the
argument is complete. When those holding
administrative offices so conduct themselves
as to convince just political opponents that
no party consideration or bias affects in any
way the discharge of their public duties, we
can more easily stay the demand for re
movals.' I am satisfied that both in and out of the
classified service great benefit would accrue
from tho adoption of some system by which
the officer would receive the distinction and
benefit that, . in all private employments,
comes from exceptional faithfulness and effi
ciency in thd performance of duty,
i I have suggested to the heads of the execu
tive departments that they consider whether
a record might not be kept in each bureau of
ail those elements that are covered by tha
terms "faithfulness" and "efficiency," and a
rating made showing the relative merits of
the clerks of each class, this rating to be re
garded as a test of merit in making promo
tions. I have also suggested to the Postmaster
General that he adopt some plan by which
he can, upon the basis of the reports to the
department and of frequent inspections, in
dicate the relative merit of postmasters of.
each class. They will be appropriately indi
cated In the official register and in the re
port oz tne department.- a hat a great stim
ulus would thus be given to the whole ser
vice I do not doubt, and such a record would
be the best defense against inconsiderate re
movals from office.
THE EDUCATION OF OUR PEOPLE.
4 i
National aid to education has heretofore
taken the form of land grants, and in that
form the constitutional power of Congress to
promote tha education of the people is not
seriously questioned. I do hot think it can
be successfully questioned when the form Is
changed to that of a direct grant of money
from the public treasury.
Such aid should be, as it always has been,
suggested by soma exceptional conditions.
The -sudden emancipation of the . slaves of
the South, th', bestowal of the' suffrage,
which soon fr' .wed, and the impairment of
the ability uf the States where these new
citizens were chiefly found to adequately
provide, educational facilities, presented not
'only exceptional but unexampled conditions.
That "the. situation has been much amelio
rated thore i3 no doubt.. The ability and in
terest of the States have happily increased.
But a great work remains to be done, and
I think the general government shtynid lend
its aid.1' As the suggestion of a national
grant in aid of education grows ch lolly outi
of tne condition and needs of the emanci
pated slave and his descendant,' the relief
should, as far as possible, while necessarily
proceedlng.upon some general lines, be ap
plied to the need that suggested It. It is es
sential," if much good is to be accomplished,
that the sympathy and active interest of tha
people of the States should be enlisted, and
that tha methods adopted should be such as
; to stimulate and not to supplant local taxa.
tion for echool purposes.- .
As one Congress cannot bind a succeeding
one in such a case, and as the effort mut, in
some degree, be experimental, I recommend
that any appropriation made for this purpose
be so limited in annual amount and as to the
time' over which it is to extend as will, on
the one hand, give the local school authori
ties opportunity to make the best use of the
first year's allowance, and on the other de
liver them from the temptation to unduly
postponaths assumption of the whole bur
den themselves. -4
" f ' THE COLORED PEOPLE. '
- The colored-people did not intrude them
selves upon us; they. were brought here in
chains and held ,1 the communities where
they are now chiefly found, by a cruel slave
code. Happily for both races they ara now
free. . They have, from a stand-point of ig
norance and poverty, which was .our shame,
not theirs, made remarkable advances in ed
ucation and in, the acquisition of property.
They have,' as a people, shown themselves to
be friendly and faithful toward the white
race, 'Under temptations of tremendous
strength.. They have their representatives
in the national cemeteries where a grate
ful government- has gathered the ashes
of those who died in its defense. '' They
have furnished to our regular army regi
mentTtwhielrhave" won high praise from
their commanding officers for courage and
soldierly qualities, and for fidelity to 'the en
listment oath. In civil life they are now tha
toilers of their communities, making their
full contribution to the widening streams of
prosperity which these communities are re
ceiving. Their sudden withdrawal would
stop production and bring disorder into the
household as well as the shop. Generally
they do not desire to quit their homes, and
then employers resent the interference of
the emigration agents who seek to stimulate
such a desire. '
But. notwithstanding all this." in many
parts of our country where the colored popu
lation is large the people of that race are, by
various devices, deprived of any effective
exercise of their political rights and many
of their civil rights. The wrong does not
expend itself upon those whose votes are
suppressed. Every constituency in the
Union is wronged. . x
It has been the hope of every patriot that
a sense of justice and of respect for the law
would work a gradual cure of these flagrant
evils. . Surely, no one supposes that the pres
ent can be accepted as a permanent condi
tion!. If it is said that these communities
must work out the problem for themselves,
we have a right to ask whether they are at
work upon it. Do they suggest any solution?
When and under what conditions is the
black man" to have a free ballot When
is he in fact to have those - full civil rights
which have so long been his In law? When
is that equality of influence which our form
of government was intended to secure to the
electors to be restored? This generation,
should courageously face these grave ques
tions, and not leave them as a heritage of
woe to the -next. 7 xne consuiation snouia
proceed with -candor, calmness and great
oatience: uoon the lines of justice and hu
manity, not of prejudice and cruelty. No
question in our country can be at rest except
upon tne nrm case oi jubucb wu i mo w.
I earnestly invoke the attention of Con
gress to the consideration of such measures
within it well-defined constitutional powers
a." will secure to all our people a free exercise
of the right of suffrage ana every other civil
right under the Constitution and laws of the
United States. No evil, however deplorable,
can Justify the ..assumption, either on the
part of the Executive or of Congress, ot
powers not granted; but both will bo highly
blamable if all the powers granted aro not
wisely but firmly used to - correct thesa
evils. Tho power . to ' take the whole
direction ana control of the election
of members of the House of Representatives
Is clearly given to the general government.
A partial and qualified supervision of theeo
elections is now provided for by law. and in
my opinion this law may be so strengthened
and extended as to secure, on the wholo, bet
ter results than can bo attained by a law tak
ing all the processes' of such election into
Federal control. Tha colored man should be
protected in all his relations to the Federal
government, whether as litigant, juror cr
witness in our courts, as an elector for mem
bers of Congress, or as a peaceful traveler
upon our interstate railways.
AJTROPRIATIONS FOR OCKAlf MAIL SSSV1CE.
Thre Is nothing more justly htimilifttin;? to th-s
national pride aud nothlns mora hnrtfnl to tho na
tional prosperity than the Inferiority of our mrr
(bant manna compared w.Mh t'.iat o other r
who-e general resoun-t-s. wo ;;i &xi s-- puk' .
CO H(t jii'i'Tt-st any reasuii lor tl; .r upmr v
the sea. Itw.-ts not always so, ia our psopte sre
agreed, I think, that it eh&ll not con tin ae to be co.
1c is not possible In this communication to dieonsa
the caaa of the decay Of our shipping interest or
j the dijermg methods by which it ta proposed to
f WWtkM tlutn - . -
I Mtcmmend that snch appropriations he mia
tot ocean mail service, in American steamship", be
tween our port and those of Central and 8cm'. h.
America, China, Japan and the important islands in .
both of the great oceans, m will be libcrailT re
munerative for the service rendered, and as will en
courage the establishment and Is some fair degree
equalize tie chances of American steamship lines
in the competitions which they mast mset.- That
the American States lying sonta ot as will cordially
cooperate in establishing and maintaining snch
lines of steamships to their principal port f do not
doubt. v
We fhcmld also make provision for a naval r-
can construction and of a specified tonnaga and
speed, at the owners will consent to place at the use
of the govern ment, in case of need, aa armed cruis
ers. . England has adopTM this poller, and as re
sult can now, npon necessity, at ouce piAce upon ner
navai use some oi tne fastest suamjupa in iun
world. ' A proper supervision of the construction of
such vessels would make their conversion into ef
fective ships of war very easy. s
I am an advocate of economy. in our national ex
penditures, but it is a misuse of terms to make this
word describe a policy that vcithholds an expendi
ture for the purpose of extending ourforelBU com
merce. The enlargement and improvement of onr
merchant marine, the development of a sufficient
body of trained American seamen, th promotion
of rapid and regular mail comtuaatcatiou between
the poits of other countries and onr own,- and the
adaptation of large and, swift American merchant
steamships to naval nasi, in time of war, aro pub
lic purposes of the highest concern. - .
The enlarged participation of oar people fa tha
carrying trade, the new and increased markets that
wili'be opened for tho products of onr farms and
factories and the fuller and better employment of
our mecaanics, wulcu vtui rvsun irum a uwm
motion of onr foreign commm-ce. Insure thi widest
possible diffusion of benett: to aa the 8taci and to
an onr people. Everythlnfl' h most propitious f or
the present inauguration of a liberal and progressiva
policy npon this subject, and we should enter apon
ft with promptness and decision. .
The ksr1lat:ou which 1 have suggested, it is sin
cerely believed, will promote the peace and honor of
our country and the prosperity and security of the
people. I invoke the diligent and serious attention
uf Congress to the consideration of these and such
other measures as lniy be presented, having the
lame great end la view. - - o -Bbsjjlxix
IUafti swr. .
Executive Mansion, Waahinzton. Dee. 9. i&a
ABOUT NOTED PEOPLE; v
The late ExMinister Pendleton was' noted
for his conscientiousness as -lawyr. " ' ' :
' Mrr Harrison says that the stare of the
crowi is one of the trials of her life. -
Mrs. Quay, wife of the Pennsylvania Smar,
i-.ni" wm a irreat belle in he'.rrirlhood.--'"'- V
UQo' Rosa Bonbeur has a tiny pet monkey,
which is her almost constant companion
Hannibal Hamlin has survived all but
two of bis colleagues in the Main Legislature
o. lt&a. . ' " ' : .
R. D. B ackmore is better known at Ted
dingto a as a market gardener than as an
author. ',
Amelia Ed wards says the earliest Egyptian
paintmgs antedate the Christian tr by
3,01W year . '. ,
Ex-Govef nor Austin Blair, of Michigan,
is wi lting the "The Recollections of m War
Governor." . - v.- .
Gilbert A. Pierce, North Dakota's first
S- nator, is the author of a prose translation
ofthe-aSiiel."-"
Seats to bear Gladstone sell at two guineas
apiece when the Grand Old Man speaks out
sMe of Parliament. .
Again it is announoed that Amelia River
Chanior is at work on a novel in collabora
tion with Catulle Mendes. -
The Queen of Italy once tried to writs a
novel, tone sent ic to a ouoiisoer anony
mously ana it was declined.
Frau Mankiewicz, wife ot Consul Manklo
wicz, his been nominated a life . member of
the Academy or Arts in Paris. "
The eldest daughter of General Mabone
has one of the finest and sweetest voices Mrs. .
John W Mackey has ever beard.
Miss Rhoda-Broughton, after an illness of
some years has written a new novel, which
is to wear the curious title of "Atlas." ' .
- Misss Swift, a dependent of the family o
wbicu the celebrated Dean was a merauer,
has started a home iu Dublin for stray cats.
The question as to which of the continental
princes the Princess Maud of Wales would
marry, has been answered. It is the Czar?-,
WitCb. ' ' . - ;
Jules Verne's real family name is Olche
witz. The novelist is now 63 years old and
engaged in the production of one of hie -greatest
works. ' i -" . "
V Governor-elect Campbell, of Ohio, pcsies
es marked Scotch characteristics, one of
which is a stubborn adherence to any opin
ion once formed. --....
i Col. Alfred Rnttt, historic character of
South Carolina and conspicuous in initiating
the war of the rebellion, recently died iu
Charleston in comparative poverty. -
Emile Zola, who went to Medan la 1878 to
avoid the Paris Exposition of that year, and
tiau ci tttx written fill Ilia htnlfa t hant. will
hereafter reside permanently in Paris. 1
Prince Christian, the oldest son of th
Crown Prince of Denmark, who is at preseqt
serving bis year in the ranks of the com mo u
soldier, is the tallest prince in Europe.
The Dutchess of Sparta received as a wed
ding present, from her brother, the Emperor
William, a diadem and necklac of large tur
quoises, aU selected stones, set in magnificent
diamonds. .:-.- :
' CoL Robert G. Ingersoll has accepted tb.3
Invitation of the New York Bute Bar At-s .
the dssociation in the Assembly chamber ot
the Capitol on January 13. H.s subject wilt
be"The Imperfections of the Common Law."
Dom Pedro was not only an ardent al
mirer of our poet VVbittier, but he bad an ,.
enthusiastic appreciation ot . "Uncle Tom's
Cabin," and it is said on excellent authority
that the book had a great influence on bini
and upon the people ot Brazil in regard to
the liberation of the slaves.
DECAPITATED HIS SON.
A Xladiunn'a Terrible Verih. With a
linire-llia Wife's Eacap. .
With one sweep of a large sharp Lutcher
knife, John Bright, almost decapitated his
son, Albert, at their home, near Gallatia,
Mo. . He then made aa attack on his wife,
who escaped and locked herself in a room.
With mauinal rage tb murderer r ashed from
the house and attempted to kill John Bunk,
a farm hand, who saved his lite by ft ght.
i-riht then start d to toAn, sayiug there
were several or his enemies there mid be
would get even with th tn. The alarm was
given, and be was stopped by tha marshal,
but instead of giving hiuisjlt up ha made an
attack on the otlicer with his knife and cut
bun badly in the arm. He then made a datiti
through the streets aud scared everybody
tliut canio iu sight. As it was impossible for
ut y one to get near him, h was shot as be
was c Las in? a lot of cbiidreu and so badly
woun led tliat bu was capiured. Br. ght was
reevntly nl.asod from a insame syslum as
cured.
f r who "v n:eil" eloi'toTit