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THE I BLACKSHEAK TIMES.
VOL. VI.
pi!|J\|P\n I IlLiitJlUli/i 1 1 k3 illLueilUl.l \\iljHilCP
„ Relations . hnqland— 1-/7
roreinn —
Slave n trade—Brazil--neve- -r j n i n
flues---me I1//OC Tho Chinozc- ininese—ine Tho m- Nr
y nm-.-Thp 0 1 Ut lnuuln Inriinn ’ 1 Ftp - LL -
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
There are few transactions in the adminis
trntion of the government that are even
temporarily held in the confidence of those
charged with the conduct of the public
business. Every step taken is under the ob
servation of an intelligent and watchfid peo
pie. The state of the Union is known from
day to day, 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 characterized
our relations and correspondence with other
governments, and the year just closed leaves
few international questions of importance
remaining unadjusted. No obstacle is be
lieved to exist that can long postpone the
consideration and adjustment of the still
pending questions upon satisfactory and
honorable terms. The dealings of this gov
ernment with other States have been and
should always be marked by frankness and
sincerity, our purposes avowed >nd our
methods free from intrigue. This course has
borne rich fruit in the past, and it is our
duty as a nation to preserve the heritage of
good repute which a century lias of right dealing
with foreign governments secured to us.
OUR HONORED GUESTS.
It is . a matter of ....... si^niiicance, and . no
less of congratulation, that the first year of
the second century of our constitutional ex
istence finds, as honored guests within our
Ixirders, the representatives of all the hide
pendent States of North and South America,
met the together best methods in earnest of perpetuating conference touching and
ex
panding the relations of mutual interest and
friendliness existing among them. That the
opportunity thus afforded lor promoting
closer international relations and tho in
creased prosperity of the States represented
will be used for the mutual good of all I can
awai-^whth^nter^^ aw ai^ w ith interest and^confidetu^^he're- ana connaence tne te
su ts to Dow from so conspicuous a meeting ot
alhed and, in large part, indentical interests.
THE MARITIME CONGRESS.
Another international conference, having
great possibilities for good, has lately assem
bled and is now in session in this capital. An
invitation was extended by the government,
under the act of Congress of July 9, 188S, to
all maritime nations to send delegates to
confer touching the revision and amend
ment of the rules and and regulations adopt governing uniform
vessels at sea to a
system of marine signals. The re
sponse to this invitation has been
very general and very cordial. Delegates
from twenty-six nations are present in the
conference, ami they have entered upon
their useful work with great zeal, and with
an evident appreciation of its importance,
.So far as the agreement, to be reached limy
require legislation Congress to give confidently it effect, the relied co
operation of is
upon.
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.
On the part of the Government of the Do
minion of Canada an effort has been appar
ent during the season just ended to adminis
ter the laws anil regulations applicable to
the fisheries with as little occasion for trie
tion as was possible, and the temperate repre
-nutations of this government of in harsh respect of
cases pretations of undue hardship been or inter
have in most cases met
with measures of transitory relief. It is
trusted that the attainment of our just i ights
under existing treaties and in virtue of the
concurrent legislation of the two contiguous
countries will not be long deferred and that
all existing causes of difference may be equit
«hl» aniy aojusten.
THE REPUBLIC OF HAYTI.
It is a source of great satisfaction that the
internal disturbances of the Republic of
Hayti are at. last happily ended, and that
an apparently stable government has been
constituted. It has been duly recognized by
the 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
by the functions. provincial Our government friendly to intercourse continue
their
with Brazil has, therefore, suffered no inter
ruption. instructed
Our minister has been further to
extend on the part of this government a for
mal and cordial recognition of the new re
public of Brazil so soon shall as have the signified majority their of the people
assent to
its establishment and maintenance.
PEACE AND PP.OSPEP.ITY AT HOME.
Within our own borders a general condition
of prosperity prevails, The harvests of the
ami last summer trade conditions were exceptionally prevailing abundant,
the now seem
to promise a successful season to the mer
chant and the manufacturer, and general em
ployment to our working people.
UNCLE SAM'S FINANCES.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1889,
hals been prepared and will lie presented to
Congress. It presents with clearness the fis
cal operations of the government, and I avail
myself of it to obtain some tacts for use
here.
The aggregate receipt s from all sources for
the year were $387,050,056.84, derived as
follows:
From customs......... *093 goo 741 (fy
From internal revenue " 330 ' 881513 !(2
From miscellaneous sources.. 33,335.803 23
The ordinary expenditures for the same
period were $281,996,615.60. and the total ex
penditures. including the sinking fund, were
$339,379.929.25. The excess of receipts over
expenditures was. after providing for the
sinking fund, $57,470. l'?9.59.
For the current fiscal y-er the total reve
nues.----- actual and estimated, are $385,000,000.
and th“ ordinary expenditures, actual , and
estimated, are $293,000,000, making, with
the sinking fund, a total expenditure of
eff8.S83.6l. 1 no v-avin'-an estimated surplus
of$43 applied
During the fiscal rear there was to
the purchase of bonds, in addition to those
for the' -inking fund. $9".456,172.35, and
during tb« first quarter f the current rear
the sum of $37,838,937.77. all of which w ere
redited to T ke -inkin" fund. The revenues
for the fiscal Year ending June 30, 3893. are
-stimated bv" the Treasury Department at
$385'X)0 000 ’ and the expenditures for the
same period, including the sinking fund, at
1341 4d0 4 for' “ 70 Th i shows an estimated
surplus that Year of $43, 569,522.30,
which is more likelv to he increased than re
dated when the actual transactions are
written -
up
The existence of so large an actual and an
ticipated surplus should have the immediate
attention ol Congress, with a view of reduc-
BLACKSHEAR. GA. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12. 188D.
collection SftSS&S ZXXZXX'St needed for public
of moneys not
uses imposes an unnecessary burden upon
our people, and the presence of so large disturbing a sur
plus in the public vaults is a
element, iu the conduct of private business.
putting it has it , -ailed into into circulation » expedients of 'very que»- tor
tunable propriety. \V,. should not collect
revenue for the purpose of anticipating sink- our
bon(iSi h( , volul the requirements of the
ing fund, but any unappropriated used, surplus is in
the Treasury should be so as there nc
other lawful way of returning the money by the to
circulation, and the profit realized
government otters a substantial advantage.
The loaning of public funds to the banks
without interest, upon the security of gov
emment bonds, 1 regard as an unauthorized
nn d dangerous expedient. It results lu a
temporary and unnatural increase of the
banking capital of favored localities, and
compels a cautious and gradual recall < if the
deposits to avoid injury to the commercial
interests. It is not to be expected that the
banks having these deposits will sell their
bonds to the Treasury so long as the continued. present
highly beneficial arrangement is
They now practically get interest both
upon the bonds and their made proceeds, of
y,, further use should be
this method fcf getting tbe surplus into
circulation, and the denosits now out
standing should be gradually of bonds. withdrawn It is
anc j applied to such the purchase be made of the
fortunate that a use can
existing surplus, and for some time to come
of anv casual surplus that may exist after
Congress lias taken the necessary steps tor a
reduction of the revenue. Such considerately, legislation
sbou j d promptly, but very
ena cted.
A REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
I recommend a revision of our tantl law,
both in its administrative features and m
the schedules. The need of the former is
Generally £ conceded, and an agreement remedied upon
he ( , vjls aIu j inconveniences to be
an j tll „ j, est methods for their correction
lvil j pl . 0 bably not be difficult. Uniformity
of vahmtiou at aU our ports is essential, and
effective measures should be taken to secure
|t ]f js ,. qua lly desirable that should questions be
atfectin „ rates a nd classifications
promptly ^ decided solieduale of
The preparation of a new cus
toms duties is a matter of great delicacy be
eause o{ its direct e ff eo t upon the business of
the coun trv. j and of great difficulty by reason the
o{ Ule wi e divergence of opinion as to
objects that may properly be promoted by
suc ** h ^ legislation. Some disturbance of busi
perhaps result from the considera
tion or - this subject by Congress, but this
temporary ill effect will be reduced to the
minimum by prompt action |Bid by the as
suranee which the country already enjoys be
that any necessary changes will so
made as not to impair the just and
reasonable protection of our home m
dustries. The inequalities of the law
should be adjusted, but the protective prb>
‘•‘iple should be maintained and fairly applied
to the products of our farms as well as of
our shops. These duties necessarily the public have
relation to other things besides
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 tho com
me reial independence of our country, and
the wise and patriotic legislator should en
large the field of his vision to include all of
these,
The necessary reduction in our public making reve
nues can, 1 am sure.be made without the
ihe smaller burden more onerous than
larger by reason of the disabilities «md linn
tations which the process of l eduction put
upon both capital and labor, ihe
can vel T sately B® extended by placing
thereon articles that do not offer injurious
competition to such domestic products as our
home labor can supp.y. The removal ot t he
internal tax upon tobacco would relieve an
important agricultural product ftont a bur
den which was imposed duties only because iusu out- tt
revenue from customs was
f° r tlle pnbheneeiiH. It safe provisi -
fraud can be devised the
u P on h P‘ I lt * u ' i: d 111 ll! ts 1
tures would also offer unobjectionable ..
an
method of reducing tbe surplus.
THE COINAGE OF SILVER DOLLARS.
The total coinage of silver dollars was. on
November ___ 1SJS9, $34..,038,001, of which .
1, in the Treasury vaults
$283,539,531 were circulation. Of the
and $60,098,480 were in
amount in the vaults $27.,319,94» certifi- were
represented by outstanding silver circulation
cates, leaving $6,219,577 not in
an d U ot represented by certificates,
The law requiring the purchase by the
Treasury of *2,000,000 worth of silver bul
tj on ,-^.p month, to be coined into silver dol
j ars 41314 grains, lias been observed by
t i Je department, but neither the present
.Secretary nor any of his predecessors has
deemed it safe to exercise the discretion
given by law to increase the monthly pur
chases j to $4,000,000. advocate of the
h ave always been an use
of silver in our currency. AVearelargepro
ducers of that metal, and should not dis
ert .dit it. To the plan which will be pre
se nted by the Secretary of the Treasury for
th e issuance of notes or certificates upon the
deposit of silver bullion at its market value
j been able to give only a hasty exam
iuatiou. owing to the 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 the same
time to obviate the danger of which I have
spoken. At a later day I may communicate
further with Congress upon this subject.
EXCLUDING THE CHINESE.
The euforcement of the Chinese exclusion
act has been found to lie very difficult on the
Northwestern frontier. Chinamen landing
at Victoria find it easy to pass our border,
swing to tbe impossibility, the with the officers, force at of
the command of customs
guarding so long an inland line. The Secre
tary of the Treasury has authorized the em
ployment of additional officers, who will be
assigned to this duty, and every effort will
be made to enforce the law. 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
wiil not suffer them to lie sent back without
a second payment of the tax. An effort will
be made to reach an understanding that -will
remove this difficulty.
WITHOUT COAST DEFENSES.
Judged by modem standards, we are prac
ticaliv without coast defense-. Many of the
structures we have would enhance rather
than diminish the perils of their garrisons if
subjected to the fire of improved guns: and
very few are so located as to give full effect
to the greater range of such guns a- we are
now making for coast defence uses. This
general subject ha- had consideration in
Congress for some years, and the approoria
tion for the construction of large rifled guns.
made one year ag >. was. I am sure, the <-i
press; ci of a purpose to provide suitable
works m which these guns nngnt tie mounted,
An appropriation now made for that purj r •-*'
would not advance the completion of the
works neyond our ability to supply .hem
with fairly effective guns.
The security of our eoast citim agamtt for
eign attack should no- rest altogether m the
friendly disposition of other nations. Thert
should be a second line wholly in our own
keeping 1 very urgently recommend anap
propriation at this session for the construe
tiou of such works in our most exposed liar
Ixu-s.
I approve the suggestion of the Secretary
of War that provision be made for encamp
ing companies ot the National Guard in our
coast works for a speeilieil time each year
and for their training in the use of heavy
guns. His suggestion that an increase of the
artillery force of the army is desirable is
also iu this connection commended to the
consideration of Congress. important rivers .
The improvement of our
and harbors should be promoted by t ho nee
essury appropriations.
the PROTECTION OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
The assault made by David of S. tho Terry Supreme upon
the person of Justice Field,
Court of the United States, at Lathrop, l id.,
in August last, and tae killing ot the assail
ant by a deputy United States marshal who
had been deputed to accompany anticipated Justice
Field mid to protect him from
violence at the hands of Terry, iu connection
with tlie legal proceedings which have fol
lowed, suggest questions which, in iny judg
ment. are worthy the attention of Congress.
1 recommend that more definite provision
be made by law, not only for the protection
of Federal officers, but for a full trial ot such
cases in the United States courts.
Events, which have been brought to my
attention, happening in other parts of the
country, have also suggested the propriety of
extending, by legislation, fuller protection
to thoso who ntav be called as witnesses ii
the courts of the United States. The law
compels those who are supposed attend to have
knowledge and of public offenses and to to give upon
our courts grand juries resulting duty evi
dence. There is a manifest
that these witnesses shall be protected from
injury on account of their testimony. lhe
investigations of criminal offenses are often
rendered futile, anil the punishment of witnesses. of crime
impossible, by the intimidation
trusts imi the copyrioht Paws.
Earnest attention should be given by Con
far cress to ?estraTnt a consideration of tlie combinations question how
the of those of
capital commonly called “trusts” is matter
of Federal jurisdiction. When organized, as
they often are, to crush out all production healthy com
petition and to monopolize the or
sale of an article of commerce and general
necessity they are dangerous should conspiracies made
against the public good and lie
the subject of prohibitory and even penal
legislation. international copyright
The subject of an
has been frequently commended to the atten
tion of Congress by my predecessors. The
enactment of such a law would be eminently
W . . . .
Chir naturalization laws should he so re
government ofthe p^ns allying for ciU
rne h |fy t'S ffih?SSitrnl exm^
montf'in"!^”Jiiqu^y. on^sto^fo Those ^ jurilTinflue^ who nre^the
to swdlthe
and to extend the evil practices of any asso
ciations that defies our laws, should not only
be denied citizennliin, but a domicile.
The enactment or a national permanent bankrupt of law
of a character to Ik* a part our
general legislation is desirable, It should be
simple in its methods and inexpensive in its
administration.
THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S REPORT.
Tlie 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 daily life of the people. Almost
every one uses the service it oners, and every
hour gained in the transmission of the great
commercial mails has an actual and possible
value thut only those engaged in trade can
understand.
CONSTRUCTING NEW WAR VESSELS.
In general, satiHfactory progress has been
made in the construction of the now ships of
war authorized by Congress. The first vessel
of the new navy,'the trial Dolphin, and was to subjected much
to very severe tests very
adverse able state criticism. that cruise But it around is gratifying the world, to b.
to a
from which Hbe has recently returned, has
demonstrated that she is a first-class vessel of
’
The report of the Secretary shows that
while the effective force of the navy is raje
idly increasing, by reason of the improved the
build aiul armament of the new ships,
number of our ships fit for sea duty grows
very slowly. IVe had, on the 4tb of March
lust, thirty-seven serviceable ships, and
though four have since 1 .eon added to the
list, the total has not been increased, because
in the meantime four have Is on lost or eon
demited. Twenty-six additional vessels have
been authorized that and appropriated completed for, but,
it is probable when increased they are
our list will only be to forty-two, a
gain of five. The old wooden ship* are
disappearing adde.1. almost These as facts fast a-= the their new ve*
sets are carry own
argument. One of tho 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 lu the number of scr
viceabie stiip*. I concur in the recommenda
tion of the Secretary that the construction of
eight armored ships, three gunboats and five
torjiedo boats be authorized.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibit* tbe transaction* of the government
with the Indian tribe*. Substantial progress
has been made in the education of tho chil
dren ol schixil age and in the allotment of
lamis to adult Indians. It i* to be regretted
that the polh:y of breaking up the tribal re
lation and of dealing with the Indian as an
individua) did not apj>ear earlier iu our leg*
islation, large l'eservation*, held in corn
tnon. and the maintenance of the authority
of individual the chiefs ami headmen have deprived the exercise tIi"
of eveiT incentive to
of thrift, and the annuity has contributed a:i
affirmative pauperiim. impulse toward a -late of con
firmed
Our treaty stipulation? should b. observed
highly with fidelity, considerate and of our the legislation l>es;t interests should of lie
an
ignorant and helpless people. Tlie renerv*
tions settlements. are now geiieralfysiirrounderl We by push white the
can no longer
Indian back into the wilderness, and it re,
mains only, by everv suitable agency, to
push him upward into the estate of a self
supporting and responsible citizen. For the
adult, the first step is to locate him upon a
farm, and for the child, ’ to pla/:e 1 him in a
_. ho ,,
CLAIMS OF SETTLERS.
In the administration of the land laws the
policy of facilitating, in every claims proper wa indi- y,
the adjustment of the honest of
vidual settlers The upon the public of pending lands ha*
been pursued. number cases
had, during the preceding administration,
been greatly increased under the operation
ol orders for a time susjsending final action
m a large r*rt of tbe ca** originating the in the
West and Northwest, and by subsequent
use of unusual methods of examinatton.
Only those who are iamiliar with tne con
diuorw under which our agricultural the lands
have been settled can appreciate senous
and often the fatal consequences to the settler
of a policy that puts Bis fftTo under suspicion,
or 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 purposeof the Homestead and
Pre-emption ment of the public laws was domain to promote by the having settle
bom: tide persons
a intent to make a home U|khi the
selected lands. Where this intent is well or
tablished and the requirements of the law
have been substantially complied with, the
claimant is entitled to a prompt aiul friendly
consideration of his ease. But where there
is reason to believe that the claimant
is the mere ageut of another, who is seek
ixxg to evade a law intended to promote
small holdings, aud to secure by fraudu'.-nt
methods large tracts of timber and other
lands both principal and agent should not
only be thwarted m their fraudulent pur
pose, but should be made to feel the full
penalties of our criminal st atutes. The laws
should be so administered as not to confound
those two classes, and to visit penalties only
upon the latter.
THE rKXSIOX SYSTFAT.
The law now provides a pension for ever j
tidier and sailor who was mustered into
the service ol the United States during th>
,-ivil war mid is innv suffering from wounds
ul . disease ha\iug mi origin in the service
and in tho line of duty. Two of the three
necessary usually facts, viz., muster and disability,
are susceptible of easy proof; but. tho
third, origin in the service, is often difficult,
at ,d in many That deserving cases impossible to
establish. very many ot t hose whoen
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 1 do not doubt,
Besides these there is another class eom
, figment M0 f m e n many of whom served an en
of three full years, and of re-enlisted
veterans who added a fourth year of service,
w lio escaped the casualities of battle and the
assau [ts of disease, who were always battle ready
for any detail, who were in every mustered lino in
of their command and were out
sound health, and have since the close ot the
war. while fighting with the same mdom.ta
hie and independent spirit the disease contests of
civil life, been overcome by or cas
ualty. I not that the roll ,, al- .
am unaware pension
reudy involves a very large annual expend!
ture, neither am 1 deterred by that ract from
recommending t hat Congress grant n pension
to such honorably discharged soldiers an .1
sailors of the civil war as having rendered
substantial service during the war are now
dependent upon their own labor for a main
teuance andliy disease or casualty are mra
pacitated from earning it. Many of tho mon
who would ho included ill this form of relief
are now dependent upon puffiic aid, and it
^ "“^Inln^lv'hl'ptm^^ins1^‘ -ovision of !<
upon the special and K-onius
iin
‘i,,!i MvV’lidllTsd'a^rotnfu" 4rVniR
in>< lass or tneir o* n W y ^risl
-
ro1 ■
'I here are some manifest inequalities in the
existing law that should ho remedied. To
some of these the (Secretary of the Interior
has called attention.
PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD MEN.
The attention of the Interstate < 'otnmoree
Commission has been called to the urgent
need of Congressional legislation for the bel
ter protection of the lives and limbs of those
engaged in operating the great interstate
freight lines of tlie country, and especially petition of
the yardmen and prakemeii. thousand A railway
signed by nearly ten commission,
brakemen was presented alight to tho taken to bring
asking that steps be
about the use of automatic brakes ami coup
lers on freight cars.
During the year ending on June -*0,
18bH, over two thousand railroad '-m
ployes were killed in service and more than
twenty thousand injured. It is cmri|H-tem. •
think, for Congressi m require ui.normity m
the construction of cars n id it ioUfr-.UM
commerce, und the use of unmoved .... y
appliances upou such trains. ’ "' u
make the need, d changes, . but ,
necessary to
an earnest and intelligent, beginning sh > i
be marie at once. It is a reproach >
civilization that any class of AinerKnn
workmen should, in the pursuit of n nec.-s
h&ry aI)(1 USP |,d vocation, be subjected to sol- a
vj ))f |j f „ aIJ<1 fimh as great as tlm of a
iu Urll( . „ f w . ar .
THE DEPARTMENT OF AURIOULTUR! .
The creation of a;i executive department, Agricul
to be known as the Department of
ture, by the act, of February 9 last, was Inch a
wise and timely r.-spon resp.s'tfuJIy • t > u urged i quo .1 l.y u t he
ho.1 long been
rarmers of tne country, out niucn i •.. 1:011.1
to be done to wlwit tho \ * [ '
department so that it mayfa.ily ■ -d ■- I
expectations which its creation e - t
this.connectionattention is cal el
gestion* eonUined in the report of the be
retary, which is herewith submitted,
THE world a fair.
The proposition to observe the 40fit.li an
niversary of the discovery of America by tbe
opening of a world’s fuir or exposition in
TOIue 0 f our great cities will buprescnl I
for tho oousldoration of Congrew. The value
an d interest of such an exposition may well
r q a i, n the promotion of the General Govern
ment.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
Tbe purpose of the Civil Service law wa ,
absolutely to exclude any other consideration
ui connection with appointment* under it
than tiiat of merit a* tested by the examina*
tion*. The busmen* pro" -ed-, noon toe t.n. ory
that both the examining boards and the :ip
pointing officers are abvduti-’y ignorant as to
tbe political views an«l .ssocnitiona of all p"r
*/ms on the civil service lists It is no too
much to nay, however, that some recent ( o.i
gre-sional inveKtigation- have none wl.at
shaken public confidence in the impartiality
of the swh-ctions for appointment,
The safe reform of the civil service will make
no or satisfactory advance ur t the
present la wand its equal the ndmmd ratio . are
well established in con. ' - ’
jekiple. It wfil be my pteaiure, a* it l* mv
»ee that the law i» -x.c. . - •
firninesn ami irnr^artia i •
have ts-eo Utv. ,
provisions Ly appealing officers, our i e-e,,m,.mt 1 ^' u . -mad ■ ■
not sugg-st the rejatal of t he a a but. ef* rm
in its asommistration. > *- --‘ou '.
view of the matter and hold it with a sm
verity that i* not affer > d >_ -n a
turn that the party V, which we t»:ong. > for
Gme in power.
The duty of appointment lx devolved , , . by
the Constitution or by the law. and the a;e
pointing officers are projs-riy held to a high
responsibility in its exercise. The growth of
the country and the consequent in'Tease of
the civil list have magnified this function
of the executive disproportionally. It ' an
not be denied, however, that the labor con
nectod Wlth this D< sary work is increased.
(){teri thf; „ f „ ml diittreh», by tin
al dden and extu vo deniands 11 t art
Ioade u , an iacota i nz administration for
r(nK|Va u aIul appointinmit- riot But, on th<
fjtber it h, true that incumlemcy i>
a „ mc!Mlve argument for a contin
^ Imiiartiality, moderation, fidelity tin u
duty 3 acd a good attainment in
discharge is of complete. it must be When added those l>etore the
argument administrative offices eoiuluet holding
so themselves
?\s to convince jusi political opponents that
no parly consideration or bias uiVocts 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 the adopt ion of some system by which
tho officer would receive tho distinction and
that, in nh private employments
oonn's from exceptional I'aiMifulmws and efli
cioucy hitve in tho lK'iTormanra of dutv.
l suggested to the heads ol the execu
five departments that. they consider'whether
areourd might. not ho kept, in one a bureai? of
all those elements that are covered by the
terms “faithfulness** and “efUeieucy,” ami a
rating the made showing the rehltivo merits of
clerks of each class, this rating to be re
garded as a ted of merit in making " promo- 1
V,’ 1 have also , suggested . , to . the ,, I ostmaster- .
General that he ndoj)t some plan by which
ho can, upon the basis of the reports to tho
department and of frequent inspections, in
dieatetha relative merit of iw.tina.Nler*
e-ich tiiiiinss class Thev will lie atiuropri-tlclv ? ’ I ii.iu ly urn. iudi
eated in the otlieial .c • i register and m the re
port of theilopurtiuent. 1 hat a great stinv
ulus would thus be given to the whole ser
vice 1 do not doubt, and such a record would
bo the best defense against inconsiderate re
inovals from office.
THE EDUCATION OK OUlt PEOPLE.
National aid to education has heretofore
taken . , tho torm ot .vi land i grants, . aiul , in . that ,
form the constitutional power ot ('ongross to
promote the education of the people is not
seriously questioned. I do not think it can
be success!ully questioned when the form is
changed In that of a direct grant of money J
from the public! should treasury. be, it always lias
Such aid as been,
suggested by some exceptional conditions.
Tho sudden emancipation of the slaves of
the South the bestowal of the sufiVa^e,
which hoi iti followed, and the impairment, of
tl.,» ability of the .States where flies,, new
provide citizens <*duciitioiiaI were chiefly facilities, found to presented adequately not
only That exceptional situation but has unexampled conditions.
the been much amelio*
rated then' is States no doubt Imppil.v 'the ability and iu
terest of the have increased.
But m j»reiit work remains to be done, and
i think the general government should lend
its aid. As the education suggestion of u national
grant in aid of grows chiefly out
of the condition and needs of tho emanci
pated Gave and his descendants, the relief
should, as far as possible, while necessarily
proceeding upon some that suggested general lines, it. It fie is ap
plied to t he need es
sential, if much good is to be accomplished,
that the sympathy and active interest of t he
people of the States should be enlisted, and
that the methods adopted should bo hhcU as
to stimulate and not to supplant local taxa
tion for school purposes.
As one Congress cannot bind a succeeding
one in such a ease, and as the effort must, in
. . . .
be ho limit.-il in iiiiiiinilamount, nml iik to the
time over wltieli it. in to extern! an will, on
ties opporiun i ty'to make Hie u’-t"’ ..““/."l.e
tii-Ht. ynai-’h allowance, ami on the other de
liver them from the tc"iptat|o,. to miduly
postpone the. wwimption of the uholebur
THE COLORED IT.OI’l.lt.
The colored people did not intrude them.
selves upon us; they were brought herein
chains ami held in the communities where
they are now chiefly found, by a cruel slave
code. Happily for both races they are now
free. They have, from a stand--pointof ig
norance and poverty, which was our shame,
^“1,1
They have, as a people, faithful shown themselves to
be friendly and toward the while
race, under temptations of tremendous
strength. They have their representatives
in the national cemeteries where a grat'e
ful government has gathered tho ashes
of those who died ill its defense. They
merits'vriiic-lt'^llave^won *£lgh , ....... .......
U
tbeir commanding officers for courage mid
soldierly qualities, and for fidelity to theca
list incu t oat.li. In communities, civil life they making are now their tho
toilers of their
full contribution to the widening streams of
prosperity which those communities are r—
reiving. Their sudden withdrawal would
■top production and bring disorder into the
household as well as the shop. Generally
they their do not desire to quit their homes, and
employers resent the interference of
the emigration agents who seek to stimulate
such a desire.
Hut, notwithstanding all this, in many
parts of our country where the colored popu
mwi‘mX«v«i f ot* "effective
rights any
exercise of their political The and dees many
of their civil rights. wrong vfliese not
exp nd itself upoil those vote, nro
suppressed. Every oonntitueuoy iu the
Union is wronged.
It has been the hope of every patriot that
a sense of justice and of respect for tho law
would work a gradual cura of these that flagrant
evils. Httrely, no </tie supposes the pres
ent can be accepted as a permanent condi
tl'/fl. Jf it is said that the»</ communities
must work out the problem whether for themselves,
we have a right to ax): they are at
»»o-k upon it. Du they suggest, any solution?
When and under what conditions is the
lilac#, man to have a free ballot? Wiv-n
whmhh^o wloTg’l^nTu which te law?* X» form
is that equality of influence our
of government was intended to secur. to the
electors to be restored? Tlus generation
should courageously face these grave quete
tions, and not leave them as a heritage of
w<a/ to the next. The oonsulation should
proceed with candor, calmuesx and great
patience; upon the llues of justice and hu
u[s,n the firm base of justice ami of the law.
1 earn stly invoke the attention >,t (Jon
gross to the consideration of su-h measures
within its well-defined constitutional powers
as will sc--are toall our j*e//nly a free cx<'reise
of the right of saffrag# ana every other civil
right under the Constitution airl laws of the
United Htate*. No evil, however deplorable,
can lustily the assumption, either on too
part of the Executive or of Uongres-, of
powers not granted; but both will be highly
niamable if firmly all the lowers granted are the?w not.
wisefeiy but u.' ! xl to
♦jvhjj. ihe r>(jvv':r t/j vis.a tii a who lb
direction ana control of the el“ctio:i
of tnernber.-i of the Houi>e of lb*pre»R*ntativei
is clearly given m the .^1"^
A oarMHl and qualift^l nufr.Mi'mor tn«-w»
elections U no-.v provided for t,v law. and in
my opinion this law may be so strengthened
arxd extended as to secure, on the whole, tiet
ter results than can lie attain" ! by a law tak
ing ail the processes of such election into
Federal control. The colored man should Ivi
protected in all his relations, to the Federal
Vftnnn ent. whether as litizant. r »r or
wit -fie? in our courts, as an I ef >r for mem
hern of Coogrea or as it o -a/ yful traveler
u p'jn our interstate railwa
A Fl'lif. EIATION5 rORCft SfAfL KKVfCk,.
i more jast y riu? g to the
cat i 4t; a fid nothing more ht “*
ferity than th« lnf»rriori our lutT
c. isat msr & compared with of other is&uoom
eral re*ource#. wealth or.fi wa eoaet iloet
do uot i uggest any reason fur their eapr..-mscy on
NO. 10.
the sea. It was not always so. and our people be are
agreed. I think, that it shall not continue to so.
It is not possibV in this communication to discuss
tlie ctuisea of the decay of our shipping intercut* or
the differing methods by which it is proposed to
restore them.
I recommend that such appropriations be made
for o -e.in mail service, iu American steamships, be
tween our porta ami those of Central and South
America. <’him», .Japan and the important islands in.
both ol the great oceaua. as will be liberally re
munerative for the service rendered, and »« will eu
courage the ostablishmenD and in some fair degretj
equalize the chances of American steamship lines
lu the competitions which they mast meet. That
the American states lying soutn of us will cordially
co-operate in establishing and maintaining sucit
,,c ^auishtps to their principal port, I do not
w„Vhould also make provision for . naval rc
gerve to consist ol such merchant ships, of Anieri* ami
«an construction and of a epecifloil lomiago
speed, ssthe owners will consent 10 place at iho use
of the government, in case of need, ns arm<‘d cruift
<’•’»*. hugland bus adopted this policy, aud a* a ro
suit ran.mm. upon mre„lty. .tome pb.ee upon her
naval list some of the taatest HleamshlpH in tho
world. A proper supervision of the conat.ructlon of
Mlr h would make Mioir conversion intoof
feetivo *hip« advocate of wiu- very easy, national
1 am an of economy in our ex
penditures. d**mbc but it policy is a misuse wIMiImwIh of term* to make espendt- this
word a that an
biru for t he purpose of extending our foreign r.om
lnPn .c. The enlargement anil Improveinem. ol our
merchant, marine, tin* develooinont of a wulflclent
body rapid of trained American communication Hcnm.cn, tho promotion
of and regular mail between
iho poitn of other countries and our own. and the
adaptation of large and nwift Amarlcmi merchant
*t4mtnahipstotiavulu8cA.iu tlmcot war, are piio
lie purpose* of the highest concern.
Tho enlarged part icipation of our people iu the
carrying trade, t he non and increased markets that
will'bo opened for the products of our forma and
lm^orieM and t.ho fuller and better employment liberal of
oar mechanies, which will result irom a pro*
motion po**ible ot dlffuuion ouv foreign heiu rot.nnrm*. uM insure the Siui.es thn svidvst mid to
m iit lo
all our people. Kverythlnc l" nvsi prepitious for
f >»‘ pre-.-nt lii.nig.i,mi.... of aIH. -.kI an.l p... ........
pulley It with upon promptnos** this nuhicct, und docinlon. im « we wlioalu elitei' upon
The loyislution which 1 liuve Mu^i'ested. it. 1* hIu
eerely believed, will promote tin* pence nnd honor of
our country and the iirospcrify und security of Ilia
people. 1 Invoke the diii /enl and seriou* iittimtiou
uf t'cugn-" "> tlie conel.l. r/itioii ot tliime and Hiieh
oth-r "u-awr^ an m», ho |>»-«U«1. having tha
iulm 1 1 1 " 11 “
llKNJ AMIN II ARK! SOX.
Executive Mansion, WiiHltiuxteu, l.'J. WHS).
GENERAL NEWS.
CONDENSATION OF CURIOUS ,
AND EXCITING EVENTS.
KKWH I ROM r.VF.KYWIlRBB—ACCIDENTS, Sl'ttlEKi,
I III KM, AND II A 1‘1’KNlNOH OV INT11JIKMF*
American Dorn Pedro in opposed to the proposed
zolvercign.
It is officially denied thut Franco has
any intention to withdraw from tho Latin
union.
The Pull man Gar works, ut Pullman,
>»•. »'»•«*'»».»«»
im Wednesday night,
A heavy northeast gale, accompanied prevailed
» »>ll*Mlin K snow storm, l.as
oil Hake Ontario lor two days,
Tho total amount of insurance Involved
, n TllBIlkH ivi )iro in Boston ofli
reported to date it-12,340,000.
Mr. Gladstone made a speech at Man
Chester, England, Tuesday, in which he
predicted success for tlie Liberals in the
. .
'iho Turkish government has in
structcd its delegates ill tho African
r"T ................. . in
>“•’ lr “ , m >“ Circassian women,
On Tuesday, in the menagerie attached
to Ilarrtutu’s circus, iu Loudon, tho larg
est elephant belonging to tho show be
came enraged uud killed his keeper,
Tho general executive committee of
the world’, fair at New York he-1 .
meeting Thursday and ai. opted u Dill
which is to bo presented to congress,
The benefit tendered to Mrs. Parnell
by Comodmn W. J. Bcanlau, took place
Thursday afternoon at tlie Star theatre,
N ew York. Eight n hundred and seventy -
seven dollars was realized.
Tho national wool growers’ meeting
organized Tuesday, electing Columbus
Delano, of Ohio, president; G. If. Wal
lace, president of Missouri Wool Grow
eis’ association, secretary.
Vienna is snowed up. Provision, are
from fifteen to twenty-five per cent,
dearer on account of impeded comtnuni
cations. l'ostul service is done on
sleighs. Robbers are active in tho eouu
try Uljlrscls. ..
A dispatch from Pittsburg, Pa., says:
Homer L. McGuw has made k statement
regarding his exj/ulsiou from the
Knights of Labor, in which he charge.
Litchiuan and 1'owderly with crooked
ness.
The editor of the Waterford, Ireland,
JVeiPshaB been sentenced to two mouth.’
imprisonment for printing in his paper
opinion, contrary to is the called view, iutimida- of tho
government, which
tion.
On account of an open switch _ . , an ex
press train on tlie Pennsylvania railroad
was wrecked near Green.burg, Pa.,
Wednesday. The express run into a
''.in. I1..U...„.recked
and a dozen passengers were injured.
Three dead bodies, two of them men,
floating „ ., in „ on " , 1 f c raft r „ f , the ,i.„ other that of a
woman fioating near the ratt with a life
preserver mound her, were found near
Delaware Breakwater Tuesday. Tbe
,,,., ltra | opinion is that they came from
the Old Dominion steamship . . Manhattan, «. . ,, _
sunk in collision recently,
The Chicago Time* says that Maggie
Schrifin^r, who ^ j>oiirc J kiroscno oil ^ - $ on
her husband on June 25, 1888, and then
jj re burning him fatally, i®
siting n the order of Foresters for |2,000
interest and . principle, on a death 1 i benefit
of $1,000. which she claims as ben
( ficiary of the dead man's estate,
THE OWNERS BLAMED.
THE CASE OF THE TRIBUNE DEATH TRAP
DECIDED.
At Minneapolis, Minn., bodies tlie coroner’s
i nr y in the iiojuest on the of the
victims of the Tribune building fire ren
dertd their verdict Thursday, which de
clares that the owners of the Tribune
building, if not legally responsible, are
morally culpable, lor the loss ol life.